She found herself in a service station café just off the freeway, idly flicking through a breakfast menu whilst a waitress poured her a refill of decaf.

"Thank you," she murmured, abandoning her menu. The waitress left, after being assured they weren't yet ready to order. Lara measured out no less than four sugars and stirred them into her coffee, trying to keep her eyes open. She was absolutely exhausted.

She swung her legs under the table and softly kicked Kurtis, who looked like he was about to slump unconscious over his newspaper.

"Remind me again why we're driving back and forth across this continent."

Kurtis didn't even look up.

"I love the outdoors," he muttered.

Lara sipped her coffee in amusement.

Outside the service station cars and trucks sped past on the freeway, merging together into one long industrialized blur. A dark blue pickup truck turned into the exit ramp and chundered into the car park.

Kurtis remained immersed in his newspaper, and Lara was suddenly reminded of her first sighting of him, back at the Café Metro. It was amazing how much their relationship had changed in such a short space of time.

"What?" He had noticed her staring.

"Nothing," she lied, "You just don't seem like the reading type."

He raised an eyebrow.

"Is that a compliment or an insult?"

She smiled. "I'm not sure."

He reached around his newspaper and drunk some of his coffee. She was concerned at how tired he looked.

She watched him silently for another moment.

"Maybe we should stop somewhere tonight," she suggested, "I don't trust you not to fall off that bike in exhaustion."

"I don't really mind," Kurtis answered, "It just means it's gonna take longer to reach Prague."

"We should probably stay for breakfast then decide everything later."

Kurtis grunted non-committally and took another sip of his coffee.

They couldn't just go back to the Archives. Things weren't as simple as that. Luther had wiped his computer system clean, destroyed the hard drives and disappeared, leaving them without the original translation. Lara had no doubt he had fled with his tail between his legs the moment he had heard of Karel's defeat.

At least it was one less person they had to deal with, she had thought. After a lot of discussion they had decided to go back to the Strahov, to find the tablet and make a rubbing of the engravings themselves.

They were back at square one and she knew it. Resigned, she called over the waitress and ordered breakfast for them both.

Lara glanced over at Kurtis' newspaper. Splashed across the pages were photos and articles about the Nephilim, featuring theories and eyewitness accounts. Whilst some were convinced the whole thing was an elaborate hoax, others pointed their fingers at terrorists or extraterrestrials. The latter made Kurtis choke on his coffee in amusement.

He read this out to Lara and she shrugged.

"In a way they are extraterrestrials," she said, "I mean they do come from somewhere beyond the Earth."

Kurtis just shook his head in disbelief.

"I know I'm a demon hunter," he said, "And I've seen some freaky stuff already, but some of these people are nuts." He folded up the newspaper and threw it down on the table. "They've watched way too many sci-fi movies."

The next moment the waitress came over with their food. They ate mainly in silence, both busy with their own thoughts. Lara cast her eyes down and pretended she didn't notice his hands shaking.

When they had finished the waitress took their plates and left the bill.

"How much money have you got left?" Kurtis asked, once the waitress had left.

"Not much," Lara shrugged, "But enough to cover this. How about you?"

"Less than that."

Lara frowned.

"Don't you have any credit cards in your wallet?"

"Yeah, but I've barely got a hundred dollars to scrape together. I made more than a lot in the mercenary business, but somehow managed to piss it all away. I'm not exactly the best financial planner."

Lara smiled. It was ironic how little income Kurtis made, when she had a vast fortune, a huge mansion and a collection of priceless artifacts.

"You know," she said suddenly, "You really need to see Croft Manor when this is all over."

Kurtis smiled.

"I'm looking forward to it."

XXX

Constant travel seemed to take their minds off other issues, and so they had made amazing progress by early evening, stopping as little as possible, and only twice then to rest and once to get gas.

Now Lara was sitting behind Kurtis as he drove, with her arms wrapped loosely about his waist. She wasn't too concerned despite their speed: she had had plenty of practice on such vehicles, and her balance was impeccable.

They weaved past a slow-moving Bentley and picked up speed, taking advantage of an empty stretch of road up ahead.

She was glad Kurtis was driving. It gave her some time to think, and she was safe in the knowledge that his thoughts were otherwise occupied.

A road sign loomed out of the darkness: Prague, 15 miles

She smiled. They were getting close now. She would be glad for firm ground beneath her and a new challenge to meet. In the last few days she had travelled enough for a lifetime.

Snow began to appear on the landscape on either side of the road. A plough had not yet been through, and Kurtis slowed his speed to compensate for the surface of the road. The wind picked up, and it became very cold. She had planned ahead this time, and was comfortable in her jacket and combats. Her usual shorts were definitely not suited for a typical Prague winter.

Suddenly Kurtis swerved violently to the right side of the road, his tyres screeching in protest. A pickup raced past them, travelling at breakneck speed.

"Stupid bastard," Kurtis muttered, squinting into the vehicle's headlights.

"What was that about?" Lara asked, startled.

Kurtis shook his head.

"I haven't a clue."

Lara watched the vehicle as it raced away, wondering how the driver had ever gotten his license. Travelling so fast on a slippery road was as good as a death wish.

Kurtis gunned the motor and the bike raced forwards, cutting across to the other side of the road onto the approaching exit.

XXX

They finally pulled into the outskirts of Prague. It was now late evening, and the landscape of the city was dotted with lights. Since they had been here only a few weeks prior there had been no trouble entering the Czech Republic. Kurtis had all of the appropriate documents, although Lara had a feeling his Green Card was a forgery. She doubted that Kurtis could afford insurance on his bike.

Once again the traffic throughout Prague was heavy, but they weren't encumbered by a car. They made their way quickly across the river, and noticed a sudden decrease in traffic as they entered the Strahov area of the city.

They soon found the reason for this. A police roadblock was set across the road, and when Lara walked over to ask she was informed that the whole of the Strahov area was under police lockdown.

She returned to Kurtis and explained the situation to him. She clambered back on the bike and they drove back a little way, not wanting the police to realise their intentions. Then Kurtis cut a sharp left down a back alley. An unmanned police barrier blocked their way. He let the bike slide to a halt, putting out a foot and stopping its motion. Lara got off as he cut the engine.

"It doesn't look like we're gonna get in," he muttered, "Security's too tight around here. They've got every entrance covered."

Lara leant on the barrier and peered at the towering Strahov complex in the near distance. Last time she had gotten in by the warehouses, but now that entrance would be guarded. Last time….

She turned to Kurtis, who was leaning against the wall with his head cast down.

"Are you okay?" she murmured, stepping over to him.

He nodded absently.

"Yeah," he said, "Just a little tired is all."

She gave him a sad smile.

"Fine," she answered, shoving her hand into his trouser pocket and grabbing his keys, "I'll drive then."

He looked affronted, and just a little amused.

"I'm warning you," he said, smirking, "You should never take a guy's keys like that."

She swung them around her forefinger.

"Whatever happened to ladies first?"

He laughed.

"You're not exactly an ordinary lady," he replied.

"Of course," she said, leaning in and kissing him. When she drew away he realised the keys were once again in his hand.

He looked down at them in amusement.

"Come on," Lara said, stretching a leg over the body of the motorbike, "I know a more discreet route."

Kurtis stood for a moment, his hair blowing in the night breeze. Then he threw up his keys, caught them, and followed her with a smirk.

XXX

Light flakes of snow began to fall, whilst the skies above continued to darken. A motorbike pulled abruptly into the deserted square, skidding tyre tracks into the fresh snow.

Lara clambered off the back of the bike and stood, gazing across the square, her braid stirring slightly upon her shoulder. The fountain still stood frozen before her. She searched the buildings and saw a familiar red car standing across from Vasiley's apartment. The roof was covered in a thick coat of snow, and yet she still recognised the vehicle. The sight brought a grim smile to her face. She knew that its owner was long dead.

Lara shook her head, turning back to Kurtis, who had concealed the motorbike down a nearby alley.

"What's up?" he asked, noticing the look in her eyes.

She smiled.

"Déjà vu," she told him, tugging her jacket tighter about her shoulders. The wind was picking up in velocity.

Kurtis stepped forward, his hands in the pockets of his jacket.

"Lead the way," he said.

Lara set off across the square, her boots crunching in the snow. Kurtis followed, dipping his head low against the wind.

They turned right down a nearby alley, lit by a streetlight. A barred gate blocked their way. Beyond Lara could see a dark tunnel. She knew it must lead into the Strahov, since there had been so much security last time she was here. The bars were freezing to the touch, and one was bent at an awkward angle.

"We need an entrance," Lara said, glancing at Kurtis, "Show me some of those powers, if you don't mind."

He raised an eyebrow at the innuendo. Suppressing a smirk, he blasted the gate to the ground with a huge crash of twisted metal.

"Show off," Lara muttered.

Kurtis just folded his arms and smiled. Lara made no move to approach the newly-created entrance.

"You first," she said, looking pointedly at Kurtis.

"And here was me thinking you wanted all of the glory."

Lara folded her arms impatiently.

"You followed me into the Strahov in the first place. You might as well do the dirty work for a change."

Suddenly the Chirguai flew up towards Lara's face and hovered there, teasingly. Kurtis grinned at her from behind its orange glow.

"Who says you're the dirty one?" he asked, a cocky smirk on his face.

He directed the Chirguai back and caught it in his outstretched hand. Then, without a word, he set off through the open tunnel and disappeared into the darkness.

Lara stood, torn between a look of scandalisation and amusement. Then she turned and walked after him, cursing herself for falling in love with the worst possible men.

XXX

I've lost count of how many times I rewrote this chapter, but I'm finally happy with it. That tunnel in the Monstrum Crime Scene always intrigued me, so I thought I should put it to good use. Glad to see everyone liked the sexiness that is Kurtis last chapter. Oh, and thanks for the suggestion Acid. I think I've got everything sorted now :) •hands over boxers to AKKON• I don't mind giving 'em away, when I can keep the real thing... ;)