A/N: Hey'o. So here's the next chapter, I apologize ahead of time if it's not very exciting. It'll pick up soon so please stick with me! Sorry for any typo's, I had to do some heavy editing to this chap. Any constructive criticism is welcomed :) Hope you like it!


Chapter 2:

A small groan from the girl to my side pulls me from my sleep, sleep that my exhausted body wanted more of. In my semi-conscious state I draw myself closer to Sam with the arm still draped across her side. Mumbling out something comforting (at least I think it was comforting, I don't really know what I said) I attempt to go back to my dreamless slumber.

"Lara" I hear Sam say in a small voice.

"Mhmm?" I question being partially dragged back to the world of the living.

"I uhm… Where are we?" Sam squeaks out, her voice slightly muffled by the blanket surrounding her.

With a sigh my eyes flutter open and I find myself squinting at brightness that engulfs the room. The fluorescent light that clings to the ceiling is still on from the previous night and sunshine is streaming in from the window on the far side of the cabin. Turning my attention back to Sam I study her face a moment before answering. She has a worried frown spread over her features as her cerulean eyes dart anxiously around the room.

"Were on the ship the Margane Sam, Mr. Carter and his crew rescued us after we escaped Yamatai" I rasp out to her before trying to clearing my voice of sleep.

"It's going to be okay Sam, were safe now" I give her a small smile while propping my head on my hand. Using the arm still placed over her I pull her closer to me with a side hug in reassurance. Only I think that just backfired. She stiffens under the contact, withdrawing herself from me she closes her eyes tightly as if to hide the panic dancing across them. Snapping them open moments later I can now see tears brimming along the edges. I extract my arm from her waist quickly and lay it awkwardly between us, afraid that I had upset her in some way with the contact since I usually wasn't the one to engage it.

God I hope she's not afraid of me after what I had done on the island to survive.

"Oh god, Lar' I'm so, so, sorry I didn't, I just, I woke up and…" She stops her illogical rant and searches my eyes for something, what that is I'm not sure of. Reaching out she brushes a thumb against my jawline lightly before sitting up completely. She shifts her head away from my view to wipe at her face discreetly. From there she drags the blanket up and over the white gown that still wraps around her body and leans back against aluminum locker behind us. Drawing her knees back she drapes her pale arms around them and looks down at her hands avoiding my hazel eyes that study her.

Sliding to sit up next to her, leaving some space between us, I feel my climbing axe dig into my thigh briefly. Wincing, I detach the forgotten tool from the leather strap that holds it down and lean off the bed to place it on the floor before focusing back on the petite figure next to me.

"Sam, Yamatai left an effect on all of us, don't be ashamed if it shows occasionally. I'm here for you when you need me and I'm not going anywhere. I made you a promise remember?" I plead, begging with my eyes for her to look at me again.

She does, but my words don't have the effect that I want them to.

"Exactly Lara, you had it the worst out of all of us out there and yet, you're still so strong, I don't even know half the shit you went through and here I am freaking out over something stupid like a touch. I should be the one saying those things to you!" she says with a huff, looking disgusted with herself as she darts her eyes away from mine yet again. We sit in silence for a moment, I watch as she picks at her fingernails, an old habit of when she's feeling upset.

"You can't compare what we went through Sam; all of it is as equally horrific. I mean my god you were almost possessed by an evil sun queen! Don't discredit yourself Sam, your one of the strongest people I know" I turn my body, reaching out to gently place a hand on top of hers that are clenched together.

Sam brings her gaze back to mine from where it had wandered and nods her head briefly, her short hair swaying slightly as she does. Grasping my hand in return a crooked smile makes its way onto her face.

"So the Margane huh? I could have sworn I was back on the Endurance when I woke up, freaked me the hell out." Sam sighs out with light humor, effectively changing the topic to avoid the previous one.

"I was a bit shocked when I walked in last night myself; I was almost disappointed to find that hideous rug you put in our last room gone" I smirk at her playfully before angling my legs off the bed and placing my battle scarred boots on the floor. Forcefully stopping myself from stretching, knowing it would do more harm than good, I turn to face Sam as she now stares off into the direction of the bathroom.

"Is that…" she drifts off before throwing the navy blanket off the bed dramatically and hobbling over to a doorway in the corner.

"Oh my god it is and there's even a bathtub" Sam says excitedly, her mouth hanging open in awe as she turns back to look at me with a spark in her eyes.

"They have hot water right?! It's a bath Lara, a real bath! I haven't had one in weeks" squealing she claps her hands together awaiting my answer. Folding my arms across my chest I school my face into something resembling seriousness.

"Sam you've got a little something right-"I point to the corner of my lips"-here". Sam turns a bright red and quickly wipes the back of her hand across her mouth, expecting real drool to have been there.

Shooting me a dirty look as I begin laughing she leans against the doorway to the bathroom.

"And for that Lara Croft, I'm going to use these marvelous -"she gestures inside the door with a wave of her palm "-facilities first and get out of this awful dress". Shuffling into the extra room she goes to close the door but peeks her head back out at the last second. "You wouldn't happen to have found my clothes by any chance did you?" she says meekly. I shake my head at her with a grin plastered to my face. With a dejected sigh she lets the door click shut and within moments I can hear water running.

Brushing a hand through my matted chocolate fringe I begin to search the cabin for any garments Sam can use. In reality I'm sure she wants to get out of that dress because it reminds her of Mathias, she's just trying to play it off nonchalant.

"Typical Sam…" I mumble softly to myself with a roll of my yes.

Opening the cupboards and lockers I'm unable to find anything useful. Knocking on the bathroom door I call out to her.

"Sam, I'm going to run up to the mess hall and see if I can't find something else for us to wear, you going to be alright here?" She calls out an affirmative so I make my way out the door. Pausing as I step outside I look back and do a double check, I'm not all that comfortable leaving her all alone yet. Closing the door firmly I step away from it with a despairing sigh knowing I can't hover around her forever. As I trudge through the once again empty hallway I can hear my boots echo off the steel walls when they make contact with the floor. I find the stairwell we came down on easily enough and make my way up the two flights of steps. I have to stop near the top and lean against a metal panel, clutching onto my side through clenched teeth I'm painfully aware that while resting may have helped my sore muscles; it did little for actual injuries. Gaining my composure with a few measured breaths I stride with as much confidence as I can muster towards the mess hall, fully preparing myself for the plethora of men I can't help but expect to be there. Checking that my pistol is still in its leather holster I let out a small breath of relief, reassured that I have something to defend myself with in case something happens. It's sickening in a way how much I've grown dependent on the weapon, but I can't bring myself to leave anywhere without it. Rounding a corner my ears pick up the faint noises of the clanging of pans, presumably from the kitchen ahead of me.

The corridor I'm walking through eventually widens to a large open area filled with long wooden benches bolted to the floor. The area is well lit with multiple windows lining the far wall allowing the bright sun of day to shine through. Pleasantly surprised, the mess hall is fairly empty with only a few stragglers sparsely populating the room. They glance up as I pass them but otherwise look uninterested in whatever I'm doing and let me by without a comment. Striding up to a counter in the back of the room I attempt to get one of the men's attentions who are working in the kitchen. Waving at one nervously as I catch his eyes he walks over behind the counter where I stand. With a shy smile he wipes his hands off on the white apron he wears around his waist before leaning against the counter on one of his twig like arms.

"What can I do for ya' miss?" he asks in a thick southern accent.

"I, well, I was just wondering if you had any spare clothes on board the ship? My friend and I are in desperate need of some replacements" I point to my ragged attire.

He lets out a deep throated chuckled before walking around the counter to join me. With a wave of his hand he leads me back out into the hallway and points towards a door a few meters from where we stand.

"In that room we have the 'lost and not found'. I'm sure ya' can find something to wear in there. Oh, and if yer' hungry I have a few sandwiches left over from the lunch crowd" he nods at me before turning around and heading back to his post. Oh wow, I wasn't aware Sam and I had slept in past noon, I guess we did really need the rest. With a shrug I make my way towards the door the man from the kitchen indicated. Sure enough inside the small room, more of a closet really, it's packed with random objects and bundles of clothing.

Picking through the piles of apparel I find the items that may fit Sam or I to be very limited. She is just going to love this though, I laugh to myself while holding up a pair of men's boxers. There black with little red kiss marks on them, and thankfully also clean. I add them to the other things I've picked out figuring they'll make good sleep ware.

Leaving the room I shut the door behind me. Taking one last look around the mess hall I spot the sandwiches the man had mentioned sitting on the countertop. Grabbing them I make my way gingerly back down to our room.

Closing the door behind me as I walk into the cabin, I find Sam sitting on the bed wrapped in a white towel trying to comb her charcoal hair with her fingertips. Seeing me enter the room Sam stops her administrations and stands up to face me excitedly. I can't help but notice the twinge that passes over her face as she does.

"Sam what's wrong?" I ask quickly and set the items in my arms on the desk next to us.

"Nothing, I just bruised my ankle or something. What did you get!" she asks before digging into the pile of clothing I had gathered. Holding up the boxers with one finger she shoots me a questioning look.

"Lara, is there something you need to tell me?" She asks in a serious voice, but there's humor in her eyes so I just swat at her playfully.

"There for sleeping in Sam, there wasn't a lot of options for garments I'm afraid. Now about that ankle of yours let me see it" I make for her to sit down so I can get a better look at it. She rolls her eyes but does as I say anyways. I sit down a little ways from her and set her foot in my lap. Upon closer inspection her ankle looks a bit swollen and there are dark purple and yellow bruises covering it. How I didn't notice this earlier is beyond me. With a frown directed at myself for not being observant enough I look over to Sam as she sit's uncomfortably waiting for my reaction.

"Sam this isn't just a little bruising, you could have seriously hurt yourself. I'm going to see if I can't find a med pack in the bathroom" I place her foot lightly back on the floor careful not to jar it too much. Standing I make my way into the smaller room linked to ours. Searching through the cupboard under the sink I find the first aid kit wedged into the back. Opening the kit I pick out the gauze to wrap her ankle with, finding some anti-inflammatory medicine I pull those out as well.

"Here-" I hand her one of the pills"-and now give me your foot I'm going to wrap it up so you don't hurt it any more than you probably already have" I give her a slight glare as I pick her foot back up, she has the decency to look somewhat embarrassed.

"Right. Well I'm going to go wash all this dirt and grime off me now. Take your pick of clothes, I'll grab whatever you don't want when I get out of the shower". Already moving towards the bathroom I stop and turn as Sam calls out to me.

"Lara wait! Thanks, you know for this-" she waves her arms around the room vaguely. When I raise an eyebrow at her she corrects herself with a sigh.

"What I'm trying to say is thank you, for rescuing me, twice actually-"she mumbles a bit to herself "-and getting me off that island. I don't know what I would have done without you and I'm sorry I didn't say anything sooner" she says shyly, not at all in character for her before shooting me a cheeky smile, white teeth and all.

"You're welcome Sam, but it's my fault all this happened in the first place. I wasn't about to let my best friend die after Grim, Roth and Alex… "I smile sadly at her and look away from her face, towards the narrow window at my right.

"Lara, that wasn't your fault. None of this was okay sweetie? I don't want to hear you say anything like that again" she limps over to me and places her hands on my upper arms rubbing them gently, careful of the cuts and bruises.

When I don't answer she takes one of her hands and grasps my chin pulling my face in the direction of hers. Sam locks her now dark eyes with my hazel ones until I acknowledge what she said.

"Okay, I won't mention it again" I whisper out. Just because I won't say it out loud though won't stop me from thinking about it. It was my idea to find Yamatai, and we did. All thanks to my brilliant idea of venturing east into a bloody storm. If only Roth hadn't listened to me back then…

I sigh and step out of her grasp and into the bathroom. Turning to close the door I see her standing there still looking after me with worry written on her face. I try to sooth her nerves by smiling, it doesn't reach my eyes and Sam knows it's forced.

After the door clicks shut I make my way to the shower and turn the water on before beginning to strip myself of the filthy clothes clinging to my body. Sitting on the toilet I unlace my boots and set them off to the side. There probably the only part of my wardrobe that I'll keep aside from the leather pistol holster. Unwrapping my palms of the makeshift gloves I wore I let the bloodied fabric fall to the floor. Standing I pull my cargo pants off slowly, cringing, I find cuts on my legs reopen as the fabric rubs against them. With a wince I discard the trousers to a corner in the room. Grabbing the hem of my once light blue cami, I use both arms to hoist it over my head. Before even getting half way I cry out in pain and feel my knees hit the floor as lights dance across my vision. Hissing through my teeth I can barely hear Sam pounding on the door asking if I'm alright. Taking in deep breathes to stop myself from passing out I force some control back into my limbs. While the front part of the wound by my waist was cauterized from the heated arrowhead I had taken to it, the back had begun healing with my shirt partially attached to it. Instinctually I call out to Sam reassuring her I'm fine as she's now trying to open the door I had enough mind to lock. She doesn't need to know about this. At least not until we get into port where a hospital can deal with it properly.

I can feel blood running down my back as I slip the torn up shirt the remainder of the way over my torso before tossing it over by my trousers. Kicking off my knickers I stand and lean over the bath to check the water temperature before straitening carefully. Catching a glimpse of myself in the mirror above the sink I pause and stare.

What I see isn't a pretty sight. I look wild, my fringe feathered in every direction and a flare to my eyes that makes them look like those of a predator. Which I suppose is what I am after all the men I killed on Yamatai. Some I had even hunted down like animals, with no remorse I would notch an arrow and release it, watching as it hit its target with a sickening satisfaction. Disgusted at what I'd become I distract myself by glancing at the rest of my body. I feel a grimace take over my face as my eyes roam the defined muscular planes. I can faintly see massive amounts of bruising around my ribs under the smudges of dirt and blood, not to mention all the small scrapes and cuts that run from my shoulders to my toes. I had been avoiding looking at them, preferring not to know the seriousness of my injuries.

I realized earlier that something about Sam is still able to bring out the lighter more innocent side in me that I thought had been stolen on Yamatai. Now if only I can hold onto that feeling while looking at my combat plagued body. She said she didn't know what she would have done without me but I think it's the other way around; I would have been just as lost without her.

Stepping into the shower I embrace the burn of the hot water, hoping to rinse away the blood, sweat and fear that I wore like a second skin for the past week and a half.