Disclaimer: I don't own Lara, Alex, Hillary, Bryce, Powell and all the other characters from the tomb raider movies.

Hi there this story is a sequel to Queen Murtado. You don't have to read it first, but if you want to know how Lara and Alex came together, I'll suggest you do.

Chapter one, Stolen.

The doorbell was ringing for the third time already. Hillary kept screaming he was on his way, only he couldn't help he had to come from the other side of the manor. Still he paced on a normal speed to the door. He opened it and wasn't surprised to see who kept ringing the bell.

"I heard you the first time Mr West." Hillary said as he motioned Alex to walk inside.

"If Lara just gives me the keys to the manor I don't have to ring the doorbell." He answered sarcastic.

Hillary showed him a wrinkled smile "Lara is almost ready." He said.

But the American's eyes already fell to the stairway behind Hillary. The butler turned to see what the reason for this was, his mouth fell wide open. Lara was the reason for this. She was walking downstairs, wearing an elegantly beige dress. The dress had no sleeves and an opening on both sides that ended at her knees. With her long brown hair resting on her back and shoulders, the Brit gave Alex and Hillary enough reason to gape at her with their mouths wide open.

"I think I might start to like you Mr West." Hillary said.

Without bothering to move his eyes from Lara the yank answered "Really? And why is that?"

"Because you are the reason Lara starts to wear dresses."

Now Alex did move his eyes from Lara and aimed a questionable eyebrow at the butler. Hillary raised his shoulders and smiled. They looked back and saw Lara standing in front of them.

"Please close you're mouth gentlemen, before you slobber over you're suits."

Her left hand reached for Hillary's chin while her right hand moved to Alex's chin, at the same time she moved both her hands up to close their mouths, a smile moved up at the humoristic view in front of her.

"I hope you can keep you're mouth closed once we're at the exhibition Alex."

Alex manned himself "don't worry Lara, it's just been a while since the last time I saw you in a dress." He held out his arm, waiting for Lara to accept it so he could lead her to his car, just like a real lord would do for a lady.

Lara moved her eyebrow up, she reached for his arm and together they left the manor.

"I don't know how I let you talk me into this Alex." Lara said as they were on their way to the exhibition.

"Come on Lara, you'll love it, it's one of the most beautiful Chinese historical exhibitions there is."

Lara chuckled "Alex." She said "I was talking about the dress."

A large smile formed itself on his face "It's a formal exhibition, you can't just show up in the leather pants and tank top you always wear and besides, you look much better like this, can't you raid tombs in that dress."

Alex received a jog in his side, it made him laugh. He couldn't be a happier man then he is now. Finally after all those years he is with the one woman he always wanted to be with. He could not ignore that it was mostly his own doing that had kept them separated all that time but sometimes he had the feeling Lara was walking away from love. Not anymore, it's been six months since their adventure with Jack Lewis and in those six months their bound has grown. He believes that it has become unbreakable but he also knows that one can never be certain about that when you're having a relationship with Lara Croft.

Alex moved his car in the parking garage looking for a free spot. It was already busy at the exhibition and difficult for the American to find a place to park. But once he managed to park the car he and Lara walked to the entrance. A board with the words Largest Chinese Exhibition ever, rested just above the entrance. It was decorated with lights and the flag of China. They showed their invitation and paced inside the large building. They had two options, go left to the restaurant, go right to the exhibition. Off course the two tomb raiders choose for the exhibition, both grabbing a glass of champagne on their way in.

It was crowded inside, every little artifact was surrounded by groups of people. Lara actually was here for one reason, the three rings of the Ming empire. She could remember her father telling her stories about the Ming Empire. It was in the year 300 when this empire was at its best. There were many wars inside of China but the Ming Empire stayed neutral and did not mix them into the war. It was a prosperous city where everyone was able to live peaceful. There were no weapons allowed in the empire anyone who did have weapons was banned out of the Empire.

But one day the war made a dramatic change, two rival Generals, Xiao and Luau had made a pact and joined forces to take over the Ming Empire. The news was spreading fast inside the Empire and Emperor Ming hired a scientist to invent the perfect weapon to protect them from the two Generals and their army. The scientist, whose name was never known, created three rings, a black one, a white one and a blue one. He offered Emperor Ming the rings and told him how to use it. The white ring could be used to heal the wounded and the dead that might fall during the war. The black ring gave him powers to fight of his enemies and the blue ring gave him immortality.

What the scientist didn't tell him was that the three rings were more powerful then the Emperor could handle, they won the war but the Emperor almost died because of the power of the rings. To make sure no man or woman would ever use the rings again, he ordered to have them destroyed, but the scientist told him the rings couldn't be destroyed. That's when the Emperor decided to have them hidden in a secret location. He ordered ten men to do this. After these men had built the temple, they were forced to end their own lives, just so that not a single soul would ever find out the location of the rings. But one of the ten men had written a diary and hid it somewhere outside the temple. He thought that such an invention must not be forgotten and hoped that someone might find his life story about the three rings.

Ming himself had brought an end to the scientist's life, after that the Empire continued with its prosperous existence until time and nature ravaged the beautiful Empire. About twenty years ago her father had found the diary, but when her father died the research about the three rings was stopped. Until three months ago when an old friend of her father, Dr Wagner, had found the location of the temple. He started a dig and he successfully found the rings just a few weeks ago. Dr Wagner had called her immediately because he believed she deserved to know first. They were all in one piece only a bit dusty, that's what he told her but Lara wouldn't be herself if she couldn't see it with her own eyes, heads the reason why she is in the exhibition.

"Earth to Lara."

She was distracted when Alex was waving his hand in front of her eyes, trying to get her attention. She grabbed his hand from the air and pulled it down. A male voice sounded from behind them.

"Lara!" The tomb raider turned and looked straight at Dr. Wagner "you look wonderful." He said. They hugged shortly, it's been quite some time since they last seen each other.

"You don't look so bad you're self Dr Wagner." For a man of his age he surely didn't look bad at all. Except for the grey stains in his hair the wrinkles in his face.

"Please Lara, I am nothing but an old archaeologist, you on the other hand are looking more like you're mother every day."

They shared the moment and laughed together, this was disturbed when Alex cleared his throat to get some attention.

"Oh, Dr Wagner this is Alex West."

The two men shake hands "It's nice to meet you Dr Wagner, I've heard interesting stories about you."

"I didn't know America was aware of my specialties in archaeology."

Alex laughed "Me neither but I heard the stories from Lara."

The three started laughing, then Dr Wagner motioned them to follow him "come Lara, Alex, let me show you the rings."

They walked through crowd and entered a room less crowded. Lara could already see them, there they were in the center of the room, the three rings in a much better condition then Dr Wagner had told her. They were shining like they were just forged.

"They are beautiful doctor." Lara said moving her hand over the glass that was protecting the rings. The diary of one of the soldiers was resting behind the same glass surroundings.

"I know, I wish you're father was here to see them."

"He would have loved to see them, and he probably would have found them if Powell..." Lara changed the subject quickly "Did you find anything else during the dig?"

"No...we did not find anything else." He said but Lara noticed a small tremble in his voice.

"This must be one of the greatest founds in archaeological history." Alex said as he finally moved his eyes from the rings.

"I'm afraid not Alex, the rings are unknown by most of the archaeologists, there are only few who know about their existence, heads the low attention of the crowd."

It was a surprising answer for Alex. He could not see how something beautiful like that was hardly known among archaeologists. Come to think of it, if Lara hadn't told him about it he never knew about the rings either.

"The reason why no one knew about it was because Emperor Ming had hid his secret this good. If this one soldier hadn't left his diary outside the temple, I think no one would ever found out about the rings." Dr Wagner looked at his watch "let's go to the restaurant and let me offer you two something to drink."

"Good idea, my glass is empty anyway," Alex said "you coming Lara?"

But Lara wasn't listening anymore, she kept staring at the three rings.

"Lara?" Alex said again only this time a little louder.

Lara looked up and smiled "yes, I'd love something to drink." She said and followed her two friends to the restaurant. "Dr Wagner, can I come back tomorrow to have a much more closer look at the rings and perhaps at the diary?"

During the walk the doctor placed his hand on her shoulder "off course my dear, come to my office tomorrow evening." They entered the restaurant "you two sit down, while I bring you some wine."

Lara and Alex looked for an empty table and seated themselves. The yank wrapped his arm around Lara and kissed her softly at her cheek, it resulted in a questionable look from Lara.

"What was that for?" she asked.

"When I see you looking at those rings, you're thinking about you're father, I just want to comfort you."

She sighed "I just imagine how he would have reacted if he'd seen this. It was a part of his life work and it makes me sad knowing he will never be able to see it."

Again Alex kissed her cheek at the same moment Dr Wagner appeared, with the wine he promised. Alex pulled back his kiss but kept his arm around Lara.

"If you want to, you can help us with the translation of the diary, we've managed to translate over more then fifty percent, but perhaps with the help of Bryce the translation could go faster."

Lara took a sip from her wine "I think Bryce wouldn't mind, but I'll ask him anyway."

"You've found the book twenty years ago and still it's not completely translated?" Alex asked moving his glass towards his lips.

"Alex," Lara replied "the language in the diary is almost two thousand years old, it's not that easy to translate it."

Suddenly, just when Alex wanted to reply, all lights went of. In a flash it was completely dark inside, only the moonlight coming from the windows was visible. There was the sound of breaking glass and an alarm ringing. Lara jumped up as she knew where the sounds were coming from. People started screaming, running for the exit. Lights went on again and Lara immediately hurried over to the place the alarm was coming from.

What she feared was right, Lara had reached the crime scene. The three rings and the diary were stolen. Someone had broken the glass and took the artifacts. But that someone still had to be somewhere. Lara glanced around, looking for a trace that could lead her to the thief. She looked up, to her left, to her right. Still no sign of the burglar. Who ever had stolen the rings and diary was someone who knew to do his job. In only a minute he managed to steal the artifacts and escape without being noticed.

"Lara, are you alright."

It was Alex, he was close behind her.

"No, not really, someone stole the rings and the diary."

The disappointment clearly sounded in her voice. A comforting arm wrapped around her shoulder, Alex pulled her closer "I'm sorry Lara."

The young tomb raider sighed and pulled herself free from Alex. At the same moment Dr Wagner and some security guards entered, it was too late for that, the burglar is long gone.

"I'm sorry Dr Wagner someone stole the rings and the diary."

Lara could see the Doctor was fighting back his tears, she couldn't blame him. A whole life's work just vanished in a snap. It hurt her as well and why would anyone want to steal it. It's strange because such few people know about the artifacts.

"Let's call the police, they'll handle it from here." One of the security guards said.

Lara walked to the doctor "the police won't help you Dr Wagner, there is not a single lead to the killer."

The sad doctor found a place to sit down to think through all the events from the last ten minutes. It was more then the poor man could handle and Lara could see it. She kneeled down in front of him and got hold of his hands.

"Are you alright Dr Wagner?" a concerning tone left her mouth.

He sighed "A life's work, we worked so hard for it, you're father and I, now it is all gone." He aimed his disappointed eyes at those of Lara. "Who would do such a thing?"

"I don't know Dr Wagner, but I'll promise I'll get the rings and diary back."

"Lara dear, leave that to the police."

She stood back on her feet "They won't do anything, the thief didn't leave a single trace. They'll close the investigation in a week."

"Besides, Lara has someone the police don't." Alex said as he stepped next to Lara.

"Yes, I have Bryce."

Finally a smile was forming on Dr Wagner's face "thank you Lara."

"You're welcome doctor." She placed a soft kiss on the doctor's forehead and then left.

"You have any idea's who could have stolen the artifacts?" Alex asked on their way back to the manor.

"Not a clue, but Bryce can find out for us."

The American shrugged "It's amazing how that guy always manages to find another turn when the road seems to have a dead end."

The corners of Lara's mouth moved up "That's why he works for me." She said.

"I know, I know, Lady Lara Croft is only settled when she has the best."

"Off course, I have the best butler, I have the best tech and I have the best-"

"Lover?" Alex cut her off.

"No, I was going to say the best cars, but you're alright Alex."

She started laughing and Alex actually could see the humor behind her words as well.

"Well, I might be alright for you and you might have the best butler, tech and cars. But you are the best I have and there is no one who can take that away from me."

His warm eyes locked on those of Lara for a second before he turned the car and moved it on the property of Croft manor. They stepped out of the car, Lara looked for her keys and opened the door. Immediately she brought herself to a halt. She was startled, shocked. Right there, not even a meter in front of her was Hillary's body lying unconscious on the floor.

So what do all of you think about it? Tell me in a review!