Lara was training at the library, using blanks instead of live rounds. The rest of the Scoobies were watching in awe - the only other girl they'd seen fight like this was Buffy. But then, Buffy joked a bit when she slayed, Lara remained totally violent and serious.

Finally the mini-droid collapsed in a heap and Lara tossed her Colts on the library table.

"Wow," Cordelia said. "You can actually fight. I mean, you're not supernatural and you can fight."

"Even Buffy will be impressed," Willow added.

Xander was speechless.

Lara turned to Bryce. "Have you dug up anything on Manfred Powell?" she asked.

Bryce looked away from his laptop. "Zilch. Not a thing. In fact, I looked at the site which Willow looked at. It hasn't been touched since the Aurora. I'd say that after finding the triangle, they were going to uncover our amulet," Bryce tapped the laptop's keys. "Let me get into the database to find some files. Maybe something on the amulet."

"Angel," Giles said, noticing the arrival of Buffy and Angel . "Is something wrong?"

Lara looked up. *This must be Buffy's boyfriend. Not bad looking.*

"Buffy explained to me about how she's not going to be locating artifact and you hired someone else who is.." Angel began.

"In a completely honest and neutral way," Lara interrupted, smiling.

Everyone turned to look at her. And Angel. Angel had a look of recongnition on his face.

"Lara Croft," he said, half surprised and impressed.

Buffy looked shocked. "You know her?"

"Of Lady Croft," Angel nodded at Lara. "One of the finest archeaologists in the world. Multibillionaire."

Lara gave him a small smile. "Then you'll put your girlfriend's worries aside, because I am quite capable."

Angel frowned. "Against other achaeologists, maybe you can hold your own, but not against demons and vampires."

Lara rolled her eyes. She had noticed the others had stayed out of this debate (she would have liked Bryce to say something!) and was rather...pissed off.

"Have you heard of the All Seeing Eye?" Lara asked. Angel nodded. "I got it. Both pieces. And destroyed it. I have met with the man who murdered my father for the Eye. My home has been invaded and robbed and I was unarmed. I'm sure that I can hold my own against the 'vampires'," she said. Then she picked up her .45's and slid them into her holsters.

"Come on Bryce, it's getting late. Where's Hillary?" Lara closed her laptop.

"Here," Hillary appeared from the stacks, reading. "It seems that the amulet is quite famous in Romania."

Lara noticed Angel and Buffy wince at the name 'Romania', but decided to let it pass.

"Yes, we'll continue with the research tomorrow. Good night," Lara slung her laptop bag on her shoulder and left, Hillary and Bryce hurriedly following her.

Angel shook his head and picked up the book Hillary had left lying around.

"Angel, what do you know about Lara?" Willow asked.

"Was she an 'old friend' - like Darla and Dru?" Xander asked, his expression innocent, but his eyes provoking.

Buffy looked a bit betrayed. "How do you know Lara? Was she your girlfriend?" her voice cracked on the word 'girlfriend'.

Angel shook his head. "I have never had the honour of meeting Lady Croft - until now."
*~*~*~*~*~*