My Dear Mrs. Dixon (20/23?)
Title: My Dear Mrs. Dixon
Rating: PG 13
Part: 20 of ?
Pairing: Eames/Ariadne
Disclaimer: I am just playing with Nolan's toys
Summary: The only sensible solution to their current problem is to get 'married' of course!
Author's Note: Written in response to a prompt at inception_kink that called for Ariadne and Eames to go undercover as a couple for a job. IT'S BACK!!!! Sorry, it took me sooooooooooo long to finish this chapter. I want to thank all those who were patient! The remaining parts should come on a more regular basis!
Back chapters can be found using this tag:
http://irishcookie.livejournal.com/tag/miss%20dixon
Since it's been over a month, when we last saw our twosome they had finally given in and had sex in the luxury of the Four Seasons. The next day they met with the Collins', realized their marriage was a business deal and are now faced with the realization they have to start over.
Part Twenty
Ariadne insists that Eames take her back to her apartment. She doesn’t spend too much time lingering in the suite and even though there is a part of her that would like to see how easily she and Eames could fit in the shower, her heart isn’t quite in it. She gathers her things and follows Eames downstairs where a limo is waiting.
Eames suggests they meet with Arthur right away but she once again tells him that she wants to go home. He doesn’t argue with her and instructs the driver to her address. When the limo pulls up to her building she reaches for the handle. She looks back to Eames, considering asking him to come up. She knows he would.
But that would be selfish on her part. He wants to get to Arthur so they can start to sort the mess out. “I’ll be there in a few hours.” She figures that gives her enough time to digest everything that has happened over the past few days.
He is reaching over, taking her hand, giving it a squeeze. “Everything will work out.”
Loaded words, she thinks as she leaves the limo.
Safe in the familiarity of her apartment, Ariadne changes out of the dress into the comfort of jeans and the first t-shirt she finds. She surprises herself by carefully hanging both the dresses in her closet. She’ll probably never wear either again.
She gives herself exactly thirty minutes to try and relax. She spends most of it over thinking the whole situation - the strange relationship of Martin and Vivian Collins, Eames, starting at the beginning again, sleeping with Eames…finally she concedes that she is not going to relax no matter what she tries.
Instead she grabs a jacket and heads to the Metro.
When she enters the loft twenty minutes later both men look up. She greets them before heading to her workstation. As she shrugs out of her jacket she notes that her carefully constructed plans and model of the layout are set out. She tries not to think of how many hours it took to create all of it and instead rolls up the plans, and shelves the model. When she turns back, Eames and Arthur are still looking at her. “Oh for God’s sake, you both are thinking I am going to crumble or something. Is that it?”
Eames tries to hide a grin. Arthur shakes his head. “No.”
It’s a simple answer but satisfactory enough for Ariadne to drag her chair across the room to sit next to them. “Where are we?”
“Now that the wife is out of the question, we have decided to leave out forging all together. Make this an old fashioned grab and go scenario,” Arthur explains and Ariadne wonders if he is much happier with this route anyway. This is definitely his area of expertise.
“How are you going to get into Collins’ head without setting his projections off?” Ariadne asks.
“Ambrose Dixon,” Eames says easily. “We already have established the beginnings of a friendship. He won’t think anything is out of the ordinary if Ambrose were to call him up and ask for a business meeting. If I bring my junior partner,” there is a quick glance to Arthur and Ariadne has put the pieces of the puzzle together perfectly.
“And if Arthur just happens to slip away for a few moments then perhaps he can find the information that you are searching for,” Ariadne finishes. It is a decent plan. But she can see the one glaring flaw that it seems the two cannot. “Bringing someone new into the situation, even if he is introduced as the trustworthy business partner of newfound friend Ambrose Dixon, is going to automatically make Collins suspicious. It’s only human nature to tread carefully around the unknown. If he is already on guard then it won’t be long before his subconscious catches on.”
They both know she is right but it appears neither knows quite what to say. Finally Eames breaks the silence. “In order for this type of ruse to work two are needed. I can hardly keep the man distracted and then disappear long enough to find the precious information.”
“I know you can’t. I am just pointing out the reality of the situation,” Ariadne tells him. She glances at both men and wonders if they understand where she is going with this. “However, he knows Mrs. Dixon.” She braces herself the objections from Arthur.
“Not a good idea.”
Ariadne is surprised that the objection comes from Eames instead. She narrows her gaze on him, as does Arthur. “You know I am speaking the truth. He knows me as Elizabeth. He seems to be comfortable around me…”
“No doubt due to the fact that he would like to get between your legs,” Eames says bluntly.
Arthur stands a little straighter and Ariadne does her best to resist the urge to let her temper overtake her. Instead she tries to remain objective - see the end in sight. “There is some truth to that,” she says her voice tight. She hopes her pointed look to Eames sends her message. “But maybe we can use that to our advantage.”
“You want to play the role of femme fatale, darling?” Eames asks, an eyebrow rising.
“I am only suggesting that we use the more logical approach. Collins knows me. Collins has shown that he…well, is more than comfortable around me. He won’t mind that I am there as much as he will Arthur.” It surprises her that Eames cannot see the logic in what she is saying. She finds herself looking to Arthur, hoping for the support he promised her not that long ago.
“She’s right,” Arthur begins. “And you know it.”
“It’s a stupid idea,” Eames counters and Ariadne gets a sense of déjà vu.
“It wouldn’t be the first time we’ve had one,” she points out. Her reward - a glare. “You’re outnumbered, Mr. Eames.”
“It seems to me that you need me as well,” He counters. “I could refuse. And then we find ourselves deadlocked.”
Ariadne reckons Arthur is fast losing his patience. She has no desire to see an all out brawl break out. She grabs her jacket. “Come on,” she says speaking only to Eames. “We are going for a walk.”
“The hell we are.” Eames makes a face even as she comes to stand before him, arms crossed and a look of determination on her face.
“I have spent the last week letting you dictate my movements, so when I say we are going for a walk; we are going for a goddamn walk!” She tells him, and for good measure, gives his arm a tug.
He relents. She would like to think that he has done it for her but part of her suspects he is well aware of tense Arthur is at the moment. She follows him out the door, letting him take the lead. She watches his body language as they hit the street and she almost laughs.
“Are you brooding?” She asks, doubling her efforts to keep up with his longer strides. He doesn’t look at her when she finally manages to walk beside him. “What the hell just happened in there?”
“I don’t know,” he admits after a moment before coming to a complete halt. She stills as well and they stand face to face.
“I had expected protests. From Arthur,” she explains. “Are you the stick in the mud now?” She watches him react; hoping to gain a little insight but his face is unreadable.
“The fact that you would imply that I am at all like Arthur is a tad insulting,” Eames answers after a moment with an empty smile. He runs a hand through his hair and shakes his head. “Christ, Ariadne, I just want to protect you.”
“I thought we agreed that the caveman act was not needed,” Ariadne points out. “I’ve been under many times. I’ve been shot, stabbed, and choked. Not to mention I’ve both jumped and been pushed off a building. You’ve even been witness to some of these moments and now suddenly you are acting like I am some china doll.”
“If you are implying that it was easy to see those things happen to you then you are wrong, Ariadne. Look, I realize we have gotten ourselves into a rather unique set of circumstances here but never once did I enjoy watching you die.” Suddenly, it is as if Eames realizes the sort of conversation they are having in public because he is pulling on her arm to keep her close. His voice lowers. “Tell me honestly, if one month ago I had told you that I wanted you to stay away from the more dangerous jobs what would have you told me?”
“To stop stroking your male ego and realize that I am just as capable as you and Arthur. Sure I can’t transform myself into anyone and my aim is still shoddy, but I have my own strengths. If you think I am just going to wring my hands and wait for the men folk to bring home the bacon then you really don’t know me,” Ariadne tells him. She realizes it hurts to say that. She has always counted him being on her side when it came down to the tired argument of what she can and cannot do.
“I do know you. All too well. Which is why I kept my thoughts to myself. It’s not that I don’t recognize and admire your strengths, Ariadne. You have to think of this from my point of view. Would you enjoy watching me die?” Eames asks.
Ariadne screws her face up. “What kind of question is that? Of course not!”
“And if you could do something to ensure that you were never put in that position, wouldn’t you?” Eames prompts. He is falling into the now all too familiar pattern of stroking the inside of her wrist with his thumb. She hates that she is starting to see where he is coming from. “Even if it is just a dream.”
“Oh, that’s not fair,” she tells him. It seems that some of the fire has been let out of her argument. She knows the sick feeling she gets in her stomach when she sees one of them in pain, and envisioning Eames lifeless is enough to make her feel more uncomfortable than she would little to admit.
“You are going to have to get used to the idea that we…that I,” he amends, “…want to keep you safe even if it seems irrational.” His other hand comes up to rest on the side of her face and she can’t help but lean into his touch. “It just means that there is something about you that is so worth protecting.”
Ariadne can’t help but shake her head as he lowers his head. “So not fair…” she repeats as his lips descend on hers. She can’t help but be touched by his words. Her hands rest on his shoulders and she allows herself to get caught up in the kiss. How she would like to be able to take this further - memories of their night fueling her on.
In the end, she pulls away because she has to. They are not at all in an ideal location and they have way too much to consider at the moment. She is a bit breathless as she speaks. “I am still doing this. You can’t deny it is the smartest way to get what we need.”
“I know,” he finally admits quietly. “And I am still going to go out of my way to make sure that nothing happens to you.”
A smile plays across her face. “As long as we know where the other stands, I am sure we can make this work.”
Rating: PG 13
Part: 20 of ?
Pairing: Eames/Ariadne
Disclaimer: I am just playing with Nolan's toys
Summary: The only sensible solution to their current problem is to get 'married' of course!
Author's Note: Written in response to a prompt at inception_kink that called for Ariadne and Eames to go undercover as a couple for a job. IT'S BACK!!!! Sorry, it took me sooooooooooo long to finish this chapter. I want to thank all those who were patient! The remaining parts should come on a more regular basis!
Back chapters can be found using this tag:
http://irishcookie.livejournal.com/tag/miss%20dixon
Since it's been over a month, when we last saw our twosome they had finally given in and had sex in the luxury of the Four Seasons. The next day they met with the Collins', realized their marriage was a business deal and are now faced with the realization they have to start over.
Part Twenty
Ariadne insists that Eames take her back to her apartment. She doesn’t spend too much time lingering in the suite and even though there is a part of her that would like to see how easily she and Eames could fit in the shower, her heart isn’t quite in it. She gathers her things and follows Eames downstairs where a limo is waiting.
Eames suggests they meet with Arthur right away but she once again tells him that she wants to go home. He doesn’t argue with her and instructs the driver to her address. When the limo pulls up to her building she reaches for the handle. She looks back to Eames, considering asking him to come up. She knows he would.
But that would be selfish on her part. He wants to get to Arthur so they can start to sort the mess out. “I’ll be there in a few hours.” She figures that gives her enough time to digest everything that has happened over the past few days.
He is reaching over, taking her hand, giving it a squeeze. “Everything will work out.”
Loaded words, she thinks as she leaves the limo.
Safe in the familiarity of her apartment, Ariadne changes out of the dress into the comfort of jeans and the first t-shirt she finds. She surprises herself by carefully hanging both the dresses in her closet. She’ll probably never wear either again.
She gives herself exactly thirty minutes to try and relax. She spends most of it over thinking the whole situation - the strange relationship of Martin and Vivian Collins, Eames, starting at the beginning again, sleeping with Eames…finally she concedes that she is not going to relax no matter what she tries.
Instead she grabs a jacket and heads to the Metro.
When she enters the loft twenty minutes later both men look up. She greets them before heading to her workstation. As she shrugs out of her jacket she notes that her carefully constructed plans and model of the layout are set out. She tries not to think of how many hours it took to create all of it and instead rolls up the plans, and shelves the model. When she turns back, Eames and Arthur are still looking at her. “Oh for God’s sake, you both are thinking I am going to crumble or something. Is that it?”
Eames tries to hide a grin. Arthur shakes his head. “No.”
It’s a simple answer but satisfactory enough for Ariadne to drag her chair across the room to sit next to them. “Where are we?”
“Now that the wife is out of the question, we have decided to leave out forging all together. Make this an old fashioned grab and go scenario,” Arthur explains and Ariadne wonders if he is much happier with this route anyway. This is definitely his area of expertise.
“How are you going to get into Collins’ head without setting his projections off?” Ariadne asks.
“Ambrose Dixon,” Eames says easily. “We already have established the beginnings of a friendship. He won’t think anything is out of the ordinary if Ambrose were to call him up and ask for a business meeting. If I bring my junior partner,” there is a quick glance to Arthur and Ariadne has put the pieces of the puzzle together perfectly.
“And if Arthur just happens to slip away for a few moments then perhaps he can find the information that you are searching for,” Ariadne finishes. It is a decent plan. But she can see the one glaring flaw that it seems the two cannot. “Bringing someone new into the situation, even if he is introduced as the trustworthy business partner of newfound friend Ambrose Dixon, is going to automatically make Collins suspicious. It’s only human nature to tread carefully around the unknown. If he is already on guard then it won’t be long before his subconscious catches on.”
They both know she is right but it appears neither knows quite what to say. Finally Eames breaks the silence. “In order for this type of ruse to work two are needed. I can hardly keep the man distracted and then disappear long enough to find the precious information.”
“I know you can’t. I am just pointing out the reality of the situation,” Ariadne tells him. She glances at both men and wonders if they understand where she is going with this. “However, he knows Mrs. Dixon.” She braces herself the objections from Arthur.
“Not a good idea.”
Ariadne is surprised that the objection comes from Eames instead. She narrows her gaze on him, as does Arthur. “You know I am speaking the truth. He knows me as Elizabeth. He seems to be comfortable around me…”
“No doubt due to the fact that he would like to get between your legs,” Eames says bluntly.
Arthur stands a little straighter and Ariadne does her best to resist the urge to let her temper overtake her. Instead she tries to remain objective - see the end in sight. “There is some truth to that,” she says her voice tight. She hopes her pointed look to Eames sends her message. “But maybe we can use that to our advantage.”
“You want to play the role of femme fatale, darling?” Eames asks, an eyebrow rising.
“I am only suggesting that we use the more logical approach. Collins knows me. Collins has shown that he…well, is more than comfortable around me. He won’t mind that I am there as much as he will Arthur.” It surprises her that Eames cannot see the logic in what she is saying. She finds herself looking to Arthur, hoping for the support he promised her not that long ago.
“She’s right,” Arthur begins. “And you know it.”
“It’s a stupid idea,” Eames counters and Ariadne gets a sense of déjà vu.
“It wouldn’t be the first time we’ve had one,” she points out. Her reward - a glare. “You’re outnumbered, Mr. Eames.”
“It seems to me that you need me as well,” He counters. “I could refuse. And then we find ourselves deadlocked.”
Ariadne reckons Arthur is fast losing his patience. She has no desire to see an all out brawl break out. She grabs her jacket. “Come on,” she says speaking only to Eames. “We are going for a walk.”
“The hell we are.” Eames makes a face even as she comes to stand before him, arms crossed and a look of determination on her face.
“I have spent the last week letting you dictate my movements, so when I say we are going for a walk; we are going for a goddamn walk!” She tells him, and for good measure, gives his arm a tug.
He relents. She would like to think that he has done it for her but part of her suspects he is well aware of tense Arthur is at the moment. She follows him out the door, letting him take the lead. She watches his body language as they hit the street and she almost laughs.
“Are you brooding?” She asks, doubling her efforts to keep up with his longer strides. He doesn’t look at her when she finally manages to walk beside him. “What the hell just happened in there?”
“I don’t know,” he admits after a moment before coming to a complete halt. She stills as well and they stand face to face.
“I had expected protests. From Arthur,” she explains. “Are you the stick in the mud now?” She watches him react; hoping to gain a little insight but his face is unreadable.
“The fact that you would imply that I am at all like Arthur is a tad insulting,” Eames answers after a moment with an empty smile. He runs a hand through his hair and shakes his head. “Christ, Ariadne, I just want to protect you.”
“I thought we agreed that the caveman act was not needed,” Ariadne points out. “I’ve been under many times. I’ve been shot, stabbed, and choked. Not to mention I’ve both jumped and been pushed off a building. You’ve even been witness to some of these moments and now suddenly you are acting like I am some china doll.”
“If you are implying that it was easy to see those things happen to you then you are wrong, Ariadne. Look, I realize we have gotten ourselves into a rather unique set of circumstances here but never once did I enjoy watching you die.” Suddenly, it is as if Eames realizes the sort of conversation they are having in public because he is pulling on her arm to keep her close. His voice lowers. “Tell me honestly, if one month ago I had told you that I wanted you to stay away from the more dangerous jobs what would have you told me?”
“To stop stroking your male ego and realize that I am just as capable as you and Arthur. Sure I can’t transform myself into anyone and my aim is still shoddy, but I have my own strengths. If you think I am just going to wring my hands and wait for the men folk to bring home the bacon then you really don’t know me,” Ariadne tells him. She realizes it hurts to say that. She has always counted him being on her side when it came down to the tired argument of what she can and cannot do.
“I do know you. All too well. Which is why I kept my thoughts to myself. It’s not that I don’t recognize and admire your strengths, Ariadne. You have to think of this from my point of view. Would you enjoy watching me die?” Eames asks.
Ariadne screws her face up. “What kind of question is that? Of course not!”
“And if you could do something to ensure that you were never put in that position, wouldn’t you?” Eames prompts. He is falling into the now all too familiar pattern of stroking the inside of her wrist with his thumb. She hates that she is starting to see where he is coming from. “Even if it is just a dream.”
“Oh, that’s not fair,” she tells him. It seems that some of the fire has been let out of her argument. She knows the sick feeling she gets in her stomach when she sees one of them in pain, and envisioning Eames lifeless is enough to make her feel more uncomfortable than she would little to admit.
“You are going to have to get used to the idea that we…that I,” he amends, “…want to keep you safe even if it seems irrational.” His other hand comes up to rest on the side of her face and she can’t help but lean into his touch. “It just means that there is something about you that is so worth protecting.”
Ariadne can’t help but shake her head as he lowers his head. “So not fair…” she repeats as his lips descend on hers. She can’t help but be touched by his words. Her hands rest on his shoulders and she allows herself to get caught up in the kiss. How she would like to be able to take this further - memories of their night fueling her on.
In the end, she pulls away because she has to. They are not at all in an ideal location and they have way too much to consider at the moment. She is a bit breathless as she speaks. “I am still doing this. You can’t deny it is the smartest way to get what we need.”
“I know,” he finally admits quietly. “And I am still going to go out of my way to make sure that nothing happens to you.”
A smile plays across her face. “As long as we know where the other stands, I am sure we can make this work.”