AN: This chapter is from Sam's POV


We managed to make it to the beach in good time. Jonah had said on our journey down that we were right to leave at night; apparently the darkness made us less easy to spot. Still, I'm kind of surprised that we didn't run into any more of Mathias' goons. Especially when Alex thought it was a good idea to talk the entire way down about why Lara should consider applying for Survivor. Like, I get that he was only trying to lighten the mood, but damn he has a loud voice. Lucky for him we reached the beach before I had a chance to throttle him.

We managed to get a small fire going next to a few old ruins that were near the PT boat. Reyes had immediately started working on the thing, much to everyone's concern. She was pushing through her grief, ignoring the fact that she should probably sleep and eat. It was obvious that Roth's death had taken a toll on her. I mean I knew Roth and her were close from that time I caught them on the Endurance, but I didn't realise she was gonna take it this hard. Maybe she loved him? I'll have to ask Lara when she catches up with us.

I, on the other hand, have no issue with getting forty winks in. There was a make-shift shelter next to the fire where I found some old sleeping mats to lie on. Had I been by myself I doubt I'd I've been able to sleep, but with the others around me I felt pretty safe. After all, Alex was only a few metres near me trying to fix our radio. I woke later to the smell of fish cooking on the fire and the sound of my stomach grumbling. Jonah must have managed to catch some for breakfast. God he was my hero.

I sat up and rubbed the sleep from my eyes, before I went to get some food. Alex was in the same position as before, when I slumped down next to him.

"Morning," he greeted with his mouth full. No wonder Lara didn't wanna go there, he was inhaling his food like a vacuum cleaner. "Want some?"

"Hell yes," I replied, taking one of the fish skewers. "God this is amazing."

Funny...I never really liked fish. Yet here I am having a food orgasm over it.

"I know right?" Alex laughed. "I swear Jonah could cook with marmite and it'd still taste amazing. I never understood how Lara can stand that stuff, my flatmate made me try it once and I spent ages hovering over our sink feeling sick."

"Ugh tell me about it. She eats it on toast for breakfast every single morning."

"Gross...but hey speaking of Lara, I managed to get a hold of her on the radio just before you woke up. She's on her way down."

Thank god for that. I'd be kind of worried if we still hadn't heard from her this morning. Don't get me wrong she was more than capable of looking after herself, but she didn't seem very stable after Roth's death. And all those injuries...they were gonna slow her down sooner or later. She'd already mentioned her broken ribs when she fell over after our near-kiss. And when I finally grew some balls and planted one on her, she was wincing in pain. It didn't stop her from enjoying it though...I think. I hadn't really given her much time to react when I threw myself on her. I couldn't help myself though; after the crash, I wasn't going to throw away the chance. I felt pretty smug sitting next to Alex; he'd been into Lara since forever. Poor guy would be heartbroken if he found out about that kiss.

"So you fixed the radio then?" I asked him.

"Yeah! It wasn't that hard. All I needed to do was re-wire the-"

I had to cut him off. Kind of a dick move but when Alex starts talking geek, he's just as bad as Lara when she tries to explain the importance of trowels on dig sites.

"So I can use it then?"

"Oh...um, be my guest," he stumbled handing over the device. "I'll go see if Reyes wants some grub."

Alex wandered off, leaving me alone by the fire. I turned the radio on but all I could hear was static. Twisting and fiddling with the knobs, I eventually decided to try my luck.

"Lara, are you there? Alex said you're on your way down?"

"I should be there soon," came her reply.

"Where are you?"

"Erm...I'm not sure. Some sort of cargo gondala? It seems to be going in the right direction. Listen I need to tell you something."

My heart jumped. Was she going to talk about the kiss?

"I'm all ears Sweetie." I purred into the receiver.

"I don't think we can leave this island." Well that killed the mood. "Something is keeping us here. I have to go back to the monastery."

Wait wasn't that the place where the Solarii had been ambushed by these Samurai things and where Lara had nearly been killed? Does she really have to? I don't want her to die!

"Are you sure?"

"Yes Sam, I need you to keep this to yourself for now. I'm going to help Reyes fix that boat, but then I'm taking it inland."

Oh no, Reyes is gonna be so pissed.

"Lara...I don't know about this..."

"Just trust me...it's the only way."

"Alright, you be careful."

She didn't reply. Huh I guess that was it then. I'd have to try and get her to talk to me about us when she got here. In the meantime I should probably go make myself useful and see what I can do to help. It turned out there wasn't a lot I could do. Jonah and Reyes had pretty much everything covered, leaving me and Alex sitting on the edge of the PT boat chatting aimlessly.

"...and that's why the original Star Wars movies are the best." Alex exclaimed.

He'd been talking non-stop about the movies like they were his pride and joy. To be honest I wasn't really listening. I don't think Alex could go longer than a minute without talking anyway, it just so happened he was talking about something I couldn't give a fuck about. Lara had once forced me to watch one of the Star Wars movies on the TV one Sunday afternoon. God talk about cheesy. The only redeeming quality in it was that the main actor, Hayden Christensen, was kinda hot.

"Is it bad that I've only ever seen one?"

"What?! Are you kidding me? It's the greatest movie franchise of all time."

As Alex continued to drone on about stormtroopers and lightsabers, I watched Reyes work. It was quite fascinating really, watching her mess about with the mechanics of the boat. If only I had my camera...

"Damn it!" Reyes yelled out, pounding her fists on the deck.

"Everything alright?" Jonah inquired.

"No," Reyes sighed. "Without my tools, I ain't ever gonna fix this piece of crap. I'll have to go get them."

"But won't you have to go all the way over to the Endurance?" I asked.

Reyes nodded. She looked exhausted and in need of a good rest. Jonah noticed this too and mentioned to her that she should lie down.

"I don't have time to rest, I need to go get my tools," she protested.

"I can go get them," Alex offered."And you can rest up while I do."

Reyes narrowed her eyes, before she relented. She was busy telling Alex the details when I felt a hand on my shoulder. It was unexpected, so I could help let out a bit of a girlish scream at the contact. When I turned around I was relieved to see it was only Lara. She was chuckling softly at my overreaction.

"Fuck, you nearly gave me a heart attack!" I said before pulling her into a hug.

"Sorry."

Jonah came over and engulfed us both in his large arms. Aww he's like a big teddy bear. I couldn't help but smile.

"Little bird it's good to see you! We were worried."

"Sorry I took so long, I was...distracted."

Lara zoned out and had this distant look in her eye. It was only in daylight that you could see the full extent of her injuries. The cuts and bruises on her body were worse than I'd thought, and her face was slightly swollen from the beating back at the palace. The thing that worried me the most however, was the huge wound on her side. The hole in her tank top was stained with dry blood, and underneath, the flesh looked almost like it had been burned. Worse of all the skin around the wound was tinged red. I mean I'm no doctor, but it doesn't take a rocket scientist to know that it was infected. I looked from Lara's injuries to see that she had caught me staring.

"I'm okay," she reassured.

I'd have to believe her for now. There was nothing we could do about it...actually hold on there was! The sea could help clean her wounds!

"Right I'm heading out," stated Alex, slugging his backpack onto his shoulders.

"Where are you going?" Lara inquired.

"Just to the Endurance to get some tools for Reyes."

"I'll come with you." She offered.

"Oh no you don't!" I said, grabbing her back by her arm. "You need to clean those wounds!"

"Sam..."

"No buts Lara."

She grumbled, but said nothing further. She knew she couldn't argue with me. Alex muttered something about not being long before he headed away from the camp. Reyes and Jonah were busy catching up on sleep, so I decided to take the chance to drag Lara down to the shore and clean her up.

"Sam really, I'm fine," she protested.

"Pfft like hell you are. That wound in your side is getting more infected by the minute. Now shut up and get in the water."

Despite her pride, Lara did what I said. Christ she was stubborn sometimes. Brooding, Lara placed her weapons and tools on the ground. She sat on the sand and took off her boots and socks before wading into the sea. I could tell from her hisses of pain that the salt water was reaching her cuts, but at least it was helping. She waited until she was waist high until she dunked her entire body under. A few second later she remerged glistening in the sun. How did she manage to look so good? If that was me, I'd come out from the water looking like a drowned rat.

"Happy?"

"Very," I beamed at her.

Her clothes were soaked as she got out of the water, but the sun was hot so hopefully it wouldn't take long for her to dry off. Lara was busy readjusting her ponytail when this boar came out of some shrubbery behind me squealing. My scream nearly mimicked the animals as I instantly latched on to Lara's body in fear. Evidently Lara was too busy laughing to care about my safety. That boar had sharp tusks! Tusks that could of impaled me had I not moved! The animal was still squealing as it bounded off down the beach.

"It's just a boar," she said in between giggles.

"It could've hurt me!" I argued, still gripping onto her.

It was only then did I realise that clinging to Lara had gotten my clothes wet too. With my arms flung around her neck, our bodies were pressed right into each other, so much that I could feel her muscles through the wet fabric. Strangely enough, I didn't want to move, in fact I was kind of turned on. Lara on the other hand was oblivious.

"Oh god sorry, I'm getting your t-shirt all wet," she exclaimed, prying my arms off her.

"That's not the only thing that's getting wet..." I muttered under my breath.

"Pardon?"

"Nothing!"

As I pulled my mind out the gutter, Lara picked up her weapons off the sand. We headed to Jonah and Reyes, who'd finished sleeping and were now back by the PT Boat.

"Jonah give the hoist a try!" Reyes commanded.

"This has gotta be our best chance right?" I asked Lara.

"We've got to try."

Her smile was genuine. It was the old Lara in front of me right now. Not the war machine fighting off scores of men that I'd seen back at the palace. In the end I couldn't do anything to stop Lara when she offered to go and get some block and tackle off this old wreck for Reyes. It wasn't far though, so what was the worst that could happen?

I was sat by the fire reading a battered copy of Robinson Crusoe when I heard gunshots. Panicking I stood up abruptly and looked out to the wreck where Lara was. Jonah came jogging over with the same look of worry on his face as me. Although we couldn't see anything, it sounded if the 'battle' didn't last long, and I hoped that was a good sign. A few minutes passed before we saw Lara heading back towards us on some zip lines. Phew, panic over. Or so I thought. She landed in the shallow water with a thud, and almost instantly fell onto all fours.

"Argh bloody hell."

Only then did I notice the red water around her. She'd been injured. Stumbling down the sand dune, I ran to her side. Lara stood and faltered, but luckily I managed to catch her. She was struggling to put pressure on her right leg; she must have been hit by a stray bullet. I slung her arm over my shoulder to support her whilst she walked.

"What happened?"

"A few Solarii were on the wreck. I practically walked right into them." She grunted. "I'll be alright, I've had worse. This hasn't got anything on a burning arrow."

"Little bird, are you okay?" Jonah asked as I sat Lara down by the fire.

"It's nothing Jonah, don't worry," she reassured. "Here, I got the block and tackle."

"Thanks. Oh that reminds me, here."

Jonah grabbed this fancy looking bow that had been leaning against a wooden post. He handed it over to her.

"I've been saving it for you ever since I found it. It's powerful...it can shoot an arrow into almost anything."

"Thank you Jonah."

Whilst they talked, I grabbed a few rags from a nearby hut. When I returned, Lara was sat casually looking through Robinson Crusoe with her new bow beside her, as if she didn't have blood pouring out of a hole in her leg. I kneeled down next to her and began to bandage it up for her. Lara looked away from the book.

"You don't have to do that Sam."

With one final tug to make sure it was wrapped securely, I glanced up to meet her eyes.

"It's the least I can do after you rescued me."

I can't say who leaned in first or how it happened, but I found myself kissing her once more. You know in all those cheesy romance novels when two people begin to make out and time just stands still? That was literally what I felt right now with Lara. Her lips were soft but urgent, and soon enough I found myself opening my mouth to explore deeper. I couldn't help let out a moan as our tongues slid together. Jesus I was seeing stars. As amazing as the kiss was, all good things must to come to an end. Lara pulled back gently and rested her forehead on mine. As she opened her eyes she let out a long breath.

"Wow...that was so much better without alcohol," I whispered.

"I agree," she rasped, stealing another kiss. "I suppose we should talk..."

Lara trailed off as Jonah reappeared. If he noticed our closeness, he didn't question it. I blushed as Lara placed her hand over mine.

"How's the leg?" he asked.

"Not bad," Lara replied as she hauled herself to her feet.

She tested the injury tentatively; pacing around the camp, stretching, and even jumping jacks. Yes Jumping jacks. She was such a dork sometimes. Jonah smiled before turning towards the horizon. In the distance you could make out the wreck of the Endurance. Actually now that I thought about it, Alex had been gone quite a while. As if reading my mind, Jonah spoke up.

"Alex should've been back by now..."

Our attention was drawn away from Alex by the sound of gunshots once more.

"Help! Heeeeeelp!" It was Dr. Whitman. "Jonah heeeelp!"

He came sprinting down the hill, occasionally firing shots behind him. When he reached the camp, he fell to his knees, breathing heavily. I moved beside him to help. Reyes had appeared with her gun and was taking a defensive stance along with Jonah.

"How many are there?!" Reyes barked.

"I don't k-know..." he stuttered.

"I can't see anyone!" Jonah yelled, lowering his shotgun.

"I must have...scared them off..." Whitman wheezed, standing up. "I feel like I've run for miles."

"And yet you've barely broke a sweat," Lara stated, stalking around behind him.

She had her barriers up again like back at the campsite with Mathias. She didn't seem at all convinced by Whitman's story. She had this superior air around her; like, she was calm and collected but at the same time ready to pounce at any minute.

"I must be fitter than I thought," came Whitman's reply.

"You could've let them straight to us! Like you did back at the palace!"

Lara's composure had snapped. Reyes and Jonah were confused, and I was wishing I was anywhere other than here.

"That's not how it was Lara, t-they caught me while you were getting Sam."

"What the hell's this about?" Reyes demanded, seeing right through Whitman's bullshit.

Whitman looked down guiltily, before continuing.

"They said it was the only way they'd let you and the others live...I-I tried to warn you!"

Lara wasn't happy, I could tell by the snarl on her face. It was like she was having a Mexican standoff with the good doctor.

"We've don't have time for this!" Reyes scolded the pair. "Look I don't know what the problem is between the two of you, and to tell you the truth, I don't much care."

"I was only-" Whitman started but Reyes cut him off.

"Another word and I swear to god I'll start smashing that expensive dentistry of yours!"

"Stop, stop, stop," Jonah interjected. "If we fight among ourselves, then we lose."

There was a moment of silence. I turned and saw Lara struggling to contain her urge to lash out.

"You're right," said Reyes. "Which is why this is not happening, okay?"

Lara let out a huff, rolled her eyes and turned away.

"I'm going after Alex," she stated curtly. "Where were the tools?"

"The engine room...look he can take care of himself Lara." Reyes chided.

"Good. Then we'll be back soon."

And with that Lara all but stomped over to the fire, grabbed her weapons and began to head away from the camp. I was about to go after her, until Jonah placed a hand on my shoulder to stop me.

"Let her go Sam. She'll be fine."

I hoped he was right. I slumped back down beside the fire and picked up Robinson Crusoe. With any luck it would take my mind off things.


At this rate Sam and Lara are never going to get a chance to talk!

Also I hate Whitman, he's such a prick.

As always, thank you for the reviews I keep getting! Much appreciated!