After a bit longer pause, here we go with the next chapter. I'm not totally satisfied with it, but I hope you'll like it anyway. Maybe this time I leave you with an easy choice, so forgive me for that :)

Reviews are appreciated as always, and let me know what you want me to do :)

"Well, Mr Smartguy," she whispered. "You need to tell me a bit more. That's not enough. I remember your intentions, and you're not going to mislead me once more."

"Oh no, Lara. That's not how the game is played. You believe me or not… but I know you can't resist." He flashed a smile that annoyed her to no end because he was right. He had piqued her curiosity, and no matter how her better judgement told her otherwise she had to find out whether what he had said was the truth. Had she really missed something? Was there more hiding in that grave than a simple coffin with some gold in it?

"What do you want?" she asked, keeping her eyes on the audience that tried to catch every word with aching interest.

"Decide, Lara. I gave you the options. Come with me or bring anyone along if you don't trust yourself to stay alone with me."

He didn't touch her, they were just standing there, very close to each other, bodies almost brushing. And he was whispering in her ear in a way that brought her to the edge. So annoyingly interesting.

The silence was almost irritating and Lara thought that the students were even holding their breaths to hear more.

"Okay, everyone." Lara stepped aside, talking to the students, who quickly straightened up, trying to pretend they were not eavesdropping the whole time. "Let's make this lesson a bit more interesting."

Lara saw from the corner of her eyes that Kurtis was smiling a wicked smile and she didn't like it. On her other side, Alister was standing, narrowing his eyes on the stranger. He actually looked like he was trying to decide whether to intervene or not. Funny, Lara thought, how this shy guy felt like this was his territory and no one else should enter it. This could be interesting.

"What do you mean?" someone from the audience shouted, bringing her attention back to the lecture.

"I just thought you had enough of the dry theories. What about a field trip? Anyone interested?" Lara asked and waited for the effect her words would trigger.

The students were so surprised for a moment that they didn't react, then the murmur was spreading, growing louder, and in the end it was like a sea of words melting together into one big mess.

"Oh yes we are," a male voice shouted from somewhere in the back rows, and they all got excited, some of them already standing up from the chairs. "Where do we sign up?"

"Wait a moment," Lara said, holding up a hand, and she waited for them to calm down a bit. "It's not for everyone. You need to win the chance to come with me."

"What should we do?" they asked in chorus.

"It's very simple," Lara continued. "All you need to do is write one word on a piece of paper. I want to see one word what archaeology means to you. I'll take ten of you whose answers I like the most."

The students started to quietly discussing the offer, and Lara turned away from them.

"Nice touch," Kurtis stepped to her. "I see you're staying on the safe side."

"Well, I've never been stupid and I learn from my mistakes." Her hazel eyes travelled down his body, and she had to admit that he had kept his form over the years. Very much so.

"Wonder why you think it had been a mistake."

"I don't like to lose, and I especially don't like to make it easy for me opponents," she smiled, watching it from the corner of her eyes how the students were scribbling, then crumpling the paper, and starting it all over again.

"Don't think of me like an opponent. I'm giving you a fair chance. Why else would I be here?" He leaned his hips against the wide desk in the middle, and returned her curious look from earlier. "I still like the way you dress lately. Very teacher-like," he smirked.

"What are you doing?" Alister's voice interrupted them, and Lara had no possibility to answer anymore. "You can't bring the students to an excavation. This is against the rules." His voice sounded eager, but when Lara looked at him, Alister diverted his eyes, his face flushing.

"Who is this?" Kurtis asked with a mocking voice. "Is he the one to take care of you?"

"Leave him alone," Lara said.

"Professor Walker won't like this idea, I'll tell you," Alister continued in a less confident tone.

"Just leave that to me. The professor will love it. It's not every day that his students can see something like this from up close."

"I can't let this happen. I'm going to talk to him." Alister set his jacket right, his face determined.

"Keep it easy, pal," Kurtis laughed. "I'm not going to kidnap the lady. You'll get her and your students back in one piece, I promise."

"Shut up, both of you. No one is taking me anywhere. I'm going whether you like it or not. It's my grave, so I'm the boss. Understood?" Lara raised a brow on Kurtis, who gave her a funny look.

"Whatever you say," he smiled back at her.

"But… this is… insane," Alister gaped.

"And what are you going to do against it?" Kurtis challenged him, and there was silence for a few seconds.

"Don't worry, Mr Fletcher. It's going to be the adventure of their lives," Lara ensure, collecting her papers from the desk.

"Take me with you." Alister's voice became stern, and when Lara looked at her, he held her gaze confidently. At least for two seconds, before he had to break the eye contact.

"What did you say?"

"Take me with you or you leave me no other choice but to stop you from doing this."

Keeping her eyes on him, Lara considered the possibilities she was left with.