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crack_van2012-05-05 12:02 am
bookshop.livejournal.com) wrote in crack_van2012-05-05 12:02 am
The Stein Job, by Croik, PG
Fandom: INCEPTION
Title: The Stein Job
Pairing: Cobb/Mal, gen
Length: 18,425
Author on LJ:![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
croik
Author Website: author's works on AO3
Why this must be read: I can't think of the last time I had this much fun reading a heistfic, let alone a genfic, that still gave me so much theory and paid so much homage to the film. (And no lie, you definitely get more mileage out of this one if you've seen the film first!) This is a fic told from Cobb's POV, set after Mal's death but before many of the basics of the job they perform on Fischer have been developed. The result is a complex, carefully detailed, perfect jigsaw puzzle of a story fitting into place around Cobb's burgeoning obsession with his dead wife's projection. The way this fic both extrapolates from canon and fills in the gaps it leaves us with is utterly fabulous. Meanwhile, Cobb's POV is actually entertaining while still being about as, well, Cobb-like as you can get; and there's a cameo appearance at the end that caps off the whole marvelous ride.
As a bonus, this is actually a sister fic to another fic byeustacia_vye, The Meier Job, that features a fabulous cast of characters and a star turn by Eames, and dovetails nicely into this fic. Definitely read both fics when you have a chance, because they are excellent!
The Stein Job
Title: The Stein Job
Pairing: Cobb/Mal, gen
Length: 18,425
Author on LJ:
croikAuthor Website: author's works on AO3
Why this must be read: I can't think of the last time I had this much fun reading a heistfic, let alone a genfic, that still gave me so much theory and paid so much homage to the film. (And no lie, you definitely get more mileage out of this one if you've seen the film first!) This is a fic told from Cobb's POV, set after Mal's death but before many of the basics of the job they perform on Fischer have been developed. The result is a complex, carefully detailed, perfect jigsaw puzzle of a story fitting into place around Cobb's burgeoning obsession with his dead wife's projection. The way this fic both extrapolates from canon and fills in the gaps it leaves us with is utterly fabulous. Meanwhile, Cobb's POV is actually entertaining while still being about as, well, Cobb-like as you can get; and there's a cameo appearance at the end that caps off the whole marvelous ride.
As a bonus, this is actually a sister fic to another fic by
eustacia_vye, The Meier Job, that features a fabulous cast of characters and a star turn by Eames, and dovetails nicely into this fic. Definitely read both fics when you have a chance, because they are excellent!Cobb moved away to hunt out a dry change of clothing. "But this job is going to be a little different. We have to get the name of another extractor out of a corporate head who deals under the table. It won't be as easy as breaking into his computer, or a safe, if he's aware even on a subconscious level that he doesn't keep physical records."
Mal hummed thoughtfully, tilting her head back and forth as she continued to work on her sketches. "You could approach one of his projections," she suggested. "Simply ask for it."
Cobb smiled; Mal always suggested the most direct approach. He pulled on a fresh button-down. "That will only work if he's actually told someone about the extraction he ordered." He shook his head. "I ought to just extract it from Jensen. I'm almost positive he's the one that leaked Stein's plans to Weston in the first place."
"Arthur says he's an important figure in mind crime," Mal reminded him. "It wouldn't be a good idea to cross him."
"I know." Cobb finished changing and dropped into a chair opposite Mal. "The best way to get the subject to open up would be to put him in his home or office, but getting intel on either is not going to be easy, even for Arthur. It's not like we can just make an appointment."
"So extract his office layout from him first."
Cobb started to laugh, thinking it a joke, but then something in him clicked, and his mind whirled. "With only a basic layout of the building, we could get him to populate the space himself," he mused. "Then break in and study it without risking actually getting caught. Assuming Stein doesn't have a good imagination, that is. But then that's another risk, to put him in one dream, then wake him up and start another..."
Mal flashed him a smirk. Her eyes were sharp and captivating, and it made Cobb's chest tighten. She didn't have to voice her suggestion for him to know it. She went back to work, and Cobb watched, silent and contemplative. But it was difficult to think of anything professional when Mal's perfect hands were gliding over the page, creating art from ragged charcoal. He was ever in awe of her, of the wellspring of life that poured out of her with every act of creation. She was a goddess and he would never be worthy.
"Cobb?"
Cobb stiffened and looked to the door--someone was coming down the hall. He hurried to his feet. "Time to go, Mal."
"Hm?" Mal didn't glance up from her work. "Why?"
"Arthur's coming." Cobb slid a hand from her elbow to her shoulder. "Please, you have to go."
"But I haven't seen Arthur in a long time," Mal protested. "Let him in."
Cobb shook his head. "I don't want him to see you here. Please, Mal."
He closed his eyes and concentrated, and within moments he felt the warmth of her skin vanish from beneath his palm. His shoulders sagged, relieved, but when he opened his eyes once more, he immediately spotted a wisp of fabric on the balcony. He didn't want to look--he knew what was coming--but he did anyway, just in time to catch a glimpse of Mal's disappointed eyes before she turned and threw herself over the railing.
The Stein Job