A/N: I have been a huge fan of the Tomb Raider games ever since I got a PS2, and I believe them to be the most fantastic games out there. I love Alister, and yes when I first played Underworld I might have cried when Alister died. It was just so tragic especially since he is my favorite character. BUT FEAR NOT my fellow Alister lovers; Lara returns for one last time to save the most awesome character ever!

In Your Tears a Lotus Flower Blooms

"I'll meet you in…Avalon."

His dying words.

His dying words that echo through my head all day and night, the words that brought me many sleepless nights. I toss and turn thinking about what I could have done to save to him, what words I never said to him. It had been a week since I had found Avalon, and making all these funeral arrangements for my dear friend, who I had developed strong feelings for wasn't helping. There had to be a way, there was always a way.

"Lara, you need to get some sleep," Zip tried to pry me away from my research for the twelfth time that night.

"I can't, Zip, I know there is a way. There has to be," I turned my head towards him with unshed tears in my eyes. I refused to cry because I knew Alister would be back with me with time.

"You are just making this whole situation harder on yourself. Let's just plan the funeral, and move on,"

"No, Zip, I am making myself feel better because he will back in his smart suits and his goofy glasses soon enough. I need to tell him, Zip, I just need to tell him one thing," I felt a hot tear roll down my face as Zip walked around to my side.

"Lara, we all knew how you two felt about each other whether you admitted to each other or not. Both of you knew that you cared deeply for each other, and that was enough for you two. You have to let him rest in peace though; Lara, no magical staff or enchanted flower is going to help," I looked at Zip. "Lara, what are you thinking?"

"Have you ever heard of the Hindu god, Vishnu?"

"Lara, no, we are not going to some temple to find some artifact that may or may not do anything. You need to stop getting your hopes up," I could see in Zip's face that was he concerned but also really annoyed. I refused to drop this subject because Alister was more than just my friend, he was the man I had fallen in love with after twelve years of knowing each other, and that was not going to be ripped away from me so easily.

"Zip, you cannot talk me out of this,"

"Please, Lara, just stop," He looked at me with pleading eyes, "do not put any more stress on Winston and I, please just stop,"

"I can't, Zip," The tears had finally fallen, "I need him to know that I love him." I regained my composer, and began my research on Vishnu as I heard Zip walk while closing the tech room's door behind him.

After five hours of research I had some to the conclusion that I was in search of Vishnu's lotus and conch. Vishnu was the preserver or sustainer of life and the lotus flower in the Hindu religion represents birth or rebirth, and they also believe the soul dwells within in the bloom. The conch represents life because it has life-giving waters coming out of it. I figured since there were many temples honoring Vishnu, I figured I would visit them one by one, that way if one them is not what I am looking for I figured I would at least get a bit of culture on the way. I decided to start at Badrinath Temple, and work my way down the list ending in the second and third Badami Cave Temples, which I believed where the most likely candidates.

"Ms. Croft," Winston walked into the lab.

"Yes, Winston?" I looked up at him.

"I think you need to go to sleep or at least get something to eat. You have been sitting at this computer for the last two days,"

"Winston, what I need is a plane to Badrinath, India,"

"Ms. Croft, you are not supposed to be planning for Sir Fletcher's funeral?" I stood up, and walked up to Winston.

"There won't need to be a funeral if I get what I am looking for." I walked out of the tech room with a mission to get to India, and to get back as fast as possible because if I have to be without him any longer, I think I will go mad. I dawned a black outfit, and looked behind me as I stood in Croft Manor's entrance to see Winston with the look of compassion and concern that I had known since I was child, but in this moment they did not affect me like they normally did. I would not go running to him like I had, I was a woman now who made her own decision. I had made mine, and I was always told I was stubborn.

"Lara, please reconsider," I turned to my left to see Zip.

"I can't, Zip,"

"Well, I'll be on the headset if you ever need me," I looked at him, and took his hand.

"I will always need you." He leaned in for a hug, and he held me tightly. I broke away, and walked into the English night with more determination I had never felt.

"Vengo, Alister*. I promise you that I am coming for you," I whispered to myself as I looked up at the stars secretly wishing to them.

*Vengo, Alister means in Italian, "I'm coming, Alister." Since Alister is a student at the University of Oxford in Italy, I think he would know Italian.

I hope you all enjoyed this. I have done a lot of research on the Hindu religion, their god, Vishnu, and temples, but I can never be 100 percent certain that all my research is correct. I am sorry if it is not, and if it offends anyone it is not my intention. Also if you have more information you can give me, which would be lovely, or how you would like the story to pan out that would also be lovely.

Forever with my love,

Jamie Brie Simpson