Okay, since I've wrote post-AoD fics that take place a year or so after the ending of the game, I decided it was time to write one that takes place directly after the game itself. I've been working on this for a month and want to take my time on it, make sure all the facts are right. It's slow going but it's been fun. Here's the first chapter to get you all started. : )

Chapter One: Aftermath

Lara Croft stumbled out into the arena where she had last seen Kurtis Trent before he battled the giant, mutated Boaz. The sight she saw literally tugged at her heart strings. Her hand touched her chest and she bent down in a pool of blood, presumably Kurtis', as she reached for his Chirugai. Oh God, she thought. He's dead.

She placed her fingers through the holes of his disc and it magically came to life, pulling against her. Her first instinct was the drop it, in fear that the five blades that sprang out from the sides would cut her flesh, but she struggled against it as it pulled her through the very door that Boaz had emerged, trying to tell her something. Maybe he is alive, her mind told her and she ran through the dark corridors.

After what seemed like hours, the Chirugai came free of Lara's grip and she reached to grab it, but failed as it flew off down the left hall. Lara sprinted after it, following the orange flame it produced as it traveled down through the darkness that surrounded her. To her surprise, the disc stopped and hovered above an object, a person, whom Lara hoped was Kurtis. Then, it stopped glowing and dropped to the floor, a reverberating clank sounding as it made contact with the cold concrete below.

She slowed her pace to a steady walk and approached the person, and was relieved to see that it was Kurtis slumped against the wall, his head bowed down, chin almost touching his collarbone. His right arm was thrown across his abdomen and his left lay limp on the ground clutching his Boran X. Lara touched his shoulder lightly with her hand when he jerked his head up and stared at her with those blue eyes; the color in them lost.

"Lara?" he managed to say faintly before falling over and passing out in her lap.

Lara looked down at Kurtis who lay limp in her lap. She was trying to keep from panicking, the worst thoughts rushing through her head, but she pushed them out and remained calm, focusing on the situation that lay in front of her; Kurtis was in dire need of help.

She placed her hands firmly on his shoulders and pulled him off of her, getting him to lean back against the wall. She knew there was no way she would be able to get him out of the Strahov unconscious.

"Kurtis?" she said, shaking him. When he didn't wake or respond, she tried again, this time raising her voice. "Kurtis!" She slapped her hand across his face and he jolted awake. Lara stood up, bringing Kurtis with her, throwing his arm over her shoulder and supporting his weight on her body. "Stay with me, Kurtis, stay with me." They walked down the corridor Lara had ran down earlier while chasing his Chirugai.

"Is that concern I hear in your voice?" Kurtis mumbled, a small smirk spreading across his face.

Lara nudged the door marked 'Exit'. It had been printed in Czech, but it was one of the few words she knew. When it opened, she looked down at Kurtis. "Glad to see that you still have your sense of humor." He didn't reply and they continued along, working their way down the stairs. Lara could tell that Kurtis was having difficulty going down the flights so she stopped. She looked at Kurtis and sighed. "I'm going to have to carry you."

"No, I can…I can make it." Kurtis replied weakly.

Lara shook her head and they continued on down the stairs until they reached another door which Lara kicked open, keeping it from closing shut by letting it hit against her back. She grunted as the metal slammed against her spine, stealing her breath for a few moments.

The cold, winter air of Prague hit her skin and made her shiver as goose bumps began to rise to the surface of her tan skin. But she continued on, despite the cold that pricked at her like thousands of needles, until she found Kurtis' motorcycle. There was no way she could transport him to the hospital on that bike of his, since he was already starting to slip in and out of consciousness. Damn, she thought. If we take the bike, I risk him falling off. If I call an ambulance, I risk him freezing to death.

"Keys," Kurtis muttered. "In…front…pocket."

Lara glanced over at Kurtis. He was trying to get his keys out of his pocket, but failed in doing so. "What?"

"Keys," he repeated. "In…front…pocket." Lara stuck her hand into his jeans pocket, feeling around for the warm metal of the keys and finally pulled them from his pocket. "Good. Put…in…ignition."

Lara grumbled as she stuck the keys into the ignition and started the engine. "You're mad, you know that?"

Kurtis grinned and pulled himself atop the bike. "Get…on."

"Kurtis, you're not able to drive." Lara warned.

"I can…do…it." Kurtis reassured her. "Just get…on."

Lara grumbled and climbed on the bike behind him. "But if you fall…"

"I'll let you say I told you so," Kurtis joked. "Just relax. I've had worse."

The engine roared and Kurtis gripped the throttle and they sped down the alley toward the closest hospital.