Disclaimer: I don't own Lara Croft!

Zip ran shaking hands through his hair, forcing himself to take a deep breath. He pushed his hands into his pockets, then pulled them out again and clasped them together in front of him, rocking slightly on his armchair. He pulled out his mobile, checking to see if there were any new messages, any missed calls. There was nothing, just like there had been nothing one minute ago. He flinched as a door behind him opened and leapt to his feet. Winston appeared, nodded to him, and walked slowly up the stairs with his arms laden with fresh sheets. Zip let out a groan of exasperation and strode towards the front doors. He began to pace back and forth in front of them, his hands rigid fists.

Why had no one called him yet?

What kind of state was Lara going to be in after going through all this? He knew she was strong, but what had happened to Alister had clearly affected her. He didn't even know if he believed the bizarre story she had told him only a few hours ago. He wanted to call someone, anyone, but he didn't want to distract them from anything important.

But why the hell hadn't anyone called? What was taking so damn long?

He turned towards the kitchen, rubbing his shaking hands together. He needed some form of coffee, or maybe tea... some kind of hot liquid. Maybe if he just gave himself something to do time might pass more quickly. He was halfway across the hall when his mobile rang. He shrieked and started before scrabbling for it wildly. It slipped through his fingers and hit the floor. Zip dived after it and flicked it open.

"Yes? What? Who is it? What's wrong?"

He listened, and then scrambled to his feet.

"Okay, coming. Yeah, just land! Hurry!"

He dropped his mobile back into his pocket before turning and sprinting halfway up the stairs.

"Winston! Its here!"

He waited but there was no reply.

"Winston! Oi, Winston!"

"Yes, sir?" The butler appeared on the left hand stairs.

"Its here!" Zip repeated. "Here now!"

"What do you wish me to do?"

Zip blinked. "I... It's here, okay?"

He turned and ran back down the stairs towards the door. He pulled it open and came face to face with dark brown eyes. He stared at her for a moment, and then exploded.

"Where the hell were you? I was sitting here worrying my ass off, no call, no text, no word that you were alright! I probably lost thirty years off my life just now!"

Lara managed a weary smile and moved slowly past him. Zip turned to watch as she limped over to the armchair he had recently vacated and slumped down into it, closing her eyes. Zip spread his arms slightly.

"What, nothing? Not even a 'sorry, Zip, how kind of you to think of me?'"

"Sir?"

Zip turned and froze. The pilot of the helicopter he had sent to pick up Lara glanced from her to Zip.

"What should I do with...?"

"I... I got him," Zip choked out.

He moved shakily forwards and pulled Alister's arm over his shoulder, shouldering his friend's weight. Alister winced and Zip bit his lip.

"Sorry, man, sorry." He glanced at the pilot. "Thanks for all your help, you can leave."

The pilot nodded and retreated from the room. Zip slowly made his way over to the sofa beside the fireplace and carefully lowered Alister onto it. As he did so, Alister's eyes opened and he met Zip's gaze. He smiled.

"Hey, Zip."

"Holy shit, man," Zip mumbled, crouching down in front of him. "What the... I don't... how?"

Alister smiled tiredly. "Maybe you should ask Lara that question."

"Are you... alive?"

"I think so."

Zip let out a strangled sound halfway between a laugh and a yelp. He leant forwards, pulling Alister's bloodied shirt aside. "You okay? How's your side? They said it was still there..."

"They fixed it up pretty well on the way here... doesn't hurt as much..."

Zip rose to his feet and moved over to the stairs.

"Winston! Bring the first aid kit down!"

He heard a muffled reply. Satisfied, he turned and moved back over to Alister. He glanced at Lara, and was surprised to see she had fallen asleep in the chair. But then it wasn't the only out-of-character thing she had done in the last few days. Winston appeared on the stairs with the first aid kit in his hands.

"Check him over, I'll get Lara," Zip said.

Alister looked up, as if about to protest, but then remained silent. For the first time, Zip wondered what had passed between the two of them in their time alone. For the first time, he wondered if Lara had been acting on more than just a desire to help a friend. Pushing the thoughts out of his mind, he moved over to Lara and nudged her arm. She groaned and turned her head away. Rolling his eyes, Zip scooped her up and moved towards the stairs carrying her, aware that Alister's eyes were fixed on his back.

Zip reached Lara's room and carefully put her down on her bed. He was about to move away and leave her to sleep when she suddenly rolled over, one hand fisting in his top.

"Alister...?"

"Downstairs with Winston. Don't worry," Zip replied, grinning slightly. "I'll look after him."

Lara let go, satisfied, and Zip walked softly away. He closed the door quietly behind him and made his way back down to the main hall. Winston was just straightening up, closing the first aid box.

"Take it slowly," he was saying. "We'll get you to a hospital tomorrow for a proper check up, but for now it looks fine. Just don't aggrivate it."

Alister nodded. "Thanks, Winston," he said.

His voice dripped with tiredness, and he was clearly fighting to keep his eyes open. Zip nodded to Winston as the man passed him before walking over to Alister and looking down at him. Alister blinked back up, his eyes drifting between focused and glazed.

"What happened?" Zip asked hesitantly.

He wasn't sure if he really wanted to know, but if he didn't ask now he might never find out. Lara never spoke of personal matters, and Zip was sure that this particular matter had recently become very personal indeed. Alister slowly raised and lowered one shoulder in a shrug.

"She came for me. She had Odin's staff... dunno where she found it... she dragged me out of... of wherever I was."

"You don't remember?"

"Not really."

Zip had no idea what 'Odin's staff' was, but at least none of Lara's enemies had been involved in ressurecting Alister. For a moment he had been worried that Lara had somehow found Natla and demanded her help. But no, that was impossible. And besides, Lara would never make any kind of deal with that harpie.

"You and Lara," Zip said slowly. "Is there something.... well, there?"

Alister remained silent, and for a moment Zip thought that he wasn't going to answer. Then he spoke up, his voice quiet and halting.

"I... I think... maybe... when she looks at me I... its just..." he shook his head.

"Great," Zip muttered. "Thanks for clarifying that for me."

Alister smiled at his sarcasm, his eyelids drooping once more. Sighing, Zip reached down and gently heaved the other man up to his feet, supporting him once more.

"Jesus, I'm playing nuremaid tonight."

"I can do it myself-"

Zip snorted. "As if."

They slowly made their way up the stairs and into Alister's room. When Croft Manor had been rebuilt, Lara had included it. The possesions that had been saved were dumped in the corner, as if waiting for their owner to return. As if everyone and everything had known he was coming back. Zip sat Alister down on the bed, careful not to jolt his side.

"You want anything? A drink?"

Alister shook his head. "Thanks, Zip," he mumbled.

Zip shrugged. He moved to the door, and then stopped and turned around again. "Good to have you back, mate. Things weren't the same when you weren't here."

Alister smirked. "Is that a trace of emotion I feel there?"

Zip scowled. "Shut up," he muttered.

He shoved his way out of the room, his ears reddening as he heard Alister chuckle behind him.

Lara awoke to soft, glittering sunshine streaming in through the open curtains. She lay in silence for a few moments, enjoying the warmth, before she got up and took a long shower. By the time she returned to her main room, a tray of breakfast had been placed on the coffee table along with the usual small note from Winston - Welcome home - and a short list of people who had called for her while she was away. Anaya was listed there, three times in fact. Lara made a mental note to call her later. She wolfed down the food and then made for Alister's room.

Although it was past ten fiffteen, there did not seem to be anyone around. Of course, Zip would either still be snoring or mucking about with some new peice of equiptment in the tech room, and Winston would more than likely have found something to do around the Manor. But still, it seemed eerily silent as she picked her way along the corridors and around the corner to Alister's room. The first thing she noticed was a second tray outside his room, untouched. So he wasn't up yet. She hesitated, but then knocked lightly on the door. She waited for a few moments, and then softly pushed it open.

Alister's room looked very different stripped bare. In the original Manor it had been filled with books and scattered papers, or models and artifacts he had picked up over time or most likely comandeered from some museum. Most of the books were also kidnapped from the Manor's library. She hadn't been able to face putting everything back, or throwing anything out. Therefore, Alister's belongings were now piled in the corner and stacked on the desk. He would probably clear it all up later. Winston had moved the bed back in after the Manor had been rebuilt; it was the only object that looked more or less the same.

Alister was asleep, as she had thought. He was still wearing the clothes from the day before, and was lying on his back with one hand over his side. His mouth hung open slightly. Lara smiled and inched inside, closing the door quietly behind her. She moved silently over to the bed and climbed onto it to kneel beside him. She reached out and gently moved his hand aide, peeling back his shirt to inspect the wound. They would take him to the hospital when he woke up, but for now it looked alright - the redness around the area had vanished and it was no longer bleeding.

"It's fine."

Lara started and looked up at Alister. His eyes were open and he was watching her with a small smile. She let go and sat back on her heels.

"Maybe, but we're still taking you to the hospital. You almost died. Twice."

"Once," he corrected. "The first time I actually did die."

He gingerly pushed himself up into a sitting position, leaning back against the headboard of the bed. He gestured to the pile of things in the corner.

"You didn't throw anything away."

"I couldn't."

He looked at her. "Lara... everything you've done for me..."

"No," she said, shaking her head. "I did this for myself. I was selfish. I was stupid. I shouldn't have started playing with life and death - that's what Natla does. But I just couldn't bear to let you go, and so I didn't think straight and-"

Alister reached out and put his finger lightly on her lips, stopping her in mid-sentence. "I wouldn't have you any other way," he murmured.

She let out a sigh of relief. She shifted over to sit against the headboard beside him, reaching out to take his hand. "So... what happens now?" she asked hesitantly.

It felt so strange to be giving herself over like this, not to be in control. But on the other hand it felt kind of nice too... safe. Alister cocked his head slightly.

"Well, now," he said slowly. "Now... I suppose we just carry on living."

She smiled and leant over to kiss him on the cheek. "Yes," she whispered. "To carry on living is enough for now."

The end! I'm going to miss this story, I really enjoyed it. I hope you people reading liked it too. Please REVIEW!

SUPRNTRAL LVR.