Chapter 7 - Going home…for a while

"I'm so glad that you decided to come along.  We will make history"  Alexa was excited beyond anything.  Behaving like an excited child really.  It made Lara laugh.

"How old are you anyway?" asked Lara

Alexa turned red..

"20"

"And what age was it that you said the Guardian came into power?"

"Err..that would be 21"

"Why are you so interested anyway?"

"Merely the fact as I have told you.  That I was sent the message. Maybe some anonymous researcher who'll pounce on me afterwards.  That's why I need you. You're the best"

"Hmm" Lara smiled.  "Alright then. I'm still coming, so don't worry. I wouldn't miss this for the world! But we have to make some plans.  Do you have any idea where this place is to start with?"

"Yes.  I believe its location to be in Egypt, somewhere!"

Lara started, then frowned.  "Egypt, again?.  Bryce…make a call to Hilly, we're coming home"

"Wahayy!"

"And then we're off to Egypt"

"Boooooo!!"

"Shut up Bryce.  You know you love it.  You always wanted to come. Well, now you are!

"Oh.. OK.   I thought you were being sarcastic"

"But what am I going to do while your gone?  Where shall I meet you?"

"While we're gone.  You're coming too.  I need you to help me make these plans"

"Wow!  Really.  Excellent.  I'll get packed"

Alexa ran off around the apartment, gathering her things and getting them packed up.  She got it done in an amazingly quick time.  Lara went and stood over at the balcony.  She remembered that all Venetian apartments had balconies.  A bolt of lightning came down, and struck the roof of the building next to them.  The lights went out.

"Bugger!"  came Bryce's voice from the chairs. 

"What's going on?" came Alexa's voice. 

"Power cut!" yelled Lara.  "No problem!"   But frankly, Lara felt un-eased.  It had gone quiet, too quiet.  The rain had stopped, they couldn't hear Alexa, and Bryce wasn't making a noise.  Lara un-holstered the pistols she had, and primed them, ready, just in case.  There was a movement at the door.  The handle squeaked as it was opened from the outside. Lara was hidden in the shadows.  But the light from the figures torch showed that Bryce was hiding under the sofa, and Alexa was hiding in the bedroom.  The figure walked slowly into the room, listening.  Lara thought.  It's now or never.

"Stop where you are!"  she shouted at the intruder.

"I'm armed.  Turn around, slowly"

The figure turned slowly, obeying her orders, and..

"CHASE!!!  What in Gods name are you doing here?"

"Hey Cherie!"   Chase lowered his hands.  

"Put them back up where I can see them"

"Ok, Ok honey.  Bryce, sir, what are you doing on the floor"

"Fell" murmured Bryce. 

"You haven't answered my question Chase. What are you doing here?"

"I followed you, to see if I could chat to you"

"I thought I made it quite clear to you at the airport that I didn't want to say anything to you, or even see you again"

"Yeah.  And I said see you around, and you said No, and look who won that one.  Look, Lara, please can I put my hands down? They're aching"

"Tough.  It's your own problem.  How could you follow me from the airport?  We've been here hours"

Chase cleared his throat.

"Well, ah, I had to wait until I saw the same taxi, and taxi driver, and then I had to say that you had left me at the airport to get something, and then I gave a generous tip.  You know how it is, these Italians will do anything for lovers!"

BAD MOVE

"LOVERS!!.  Chase! I have never heard anything so disgusting, and revolting and down right stupid. I would never sleep with you.. You just infuriate me! Get out of here before I blow something of your anatomy off, so you won't just not ever be my lover, but anybody else's either!  Do you get it Mr Chase Carver, get out of my sight, and don't come back!"

Lara fired off a few shots very close to Chase's head.  He was surprised. He had never seen her like this. There was obviously something very important going on here, and she didn't want him to find it.  Excellent. 

"Ok I'm going"

He moved to the door, so he was silhouetted. She could see him standing there like a soldier.

"Au revoir Cherie!"  He blew a kiss.

"Lara fired..very low down, and…

"Jeez Lara. That was too close. I'm smokin!"

 Lara cocked the pistol..last bullet. Chase ran.

"Lara?"

Lara spun round, pointed the gun and Bryce leaped down to the floor again with a squeal. 

"Oh right.  Sorry Bryce. Alexa?  You OK?"

"That was amazing.  I am gonna be so safe.  Who was he? Your ex?"

"Nope.  Never was, and never will be!.  Bryce, ring the airport and Hilly.  3 tickets, earliest flight, first class, London Heathrow"

"Absolutely.  Home, here we come"

[~~~~~#~~~~~]

They had finally got on the plane, and been directed to their seats but a young cabin steward, who had leered quite openly at Lara's chest.  Lara, being Lara, had got her gun permits out of her bag, and shoved them into the boys face saying

"I use these daily.  I've shot people for less than what your doing!"

He averted his eyes rather quickly, and promptly brought complimentary champagne to which Lara replied

"They teach you well about hospitality. But I'll let you have a 5 second look at some of my better weapons if you get us the Dom Perignon"

The boy ran off, looking extremely happy, thinking about what to tell the managers when a £75.00 bottle of champagne was gone without being paid for. He returned quickly.

"Later" said Lara.  "You have a job to do first. Consider it a reward"

And so he ran off again.  Alexa was looking shocked.  Surely Lara could afford the champagne without doing this.  She looked at Bryce who was trying not to laugh to loudly.  Thinking that Lara would be

furious, she took a quick look. Lara was having trouble not laughing too. She saw the look on Alexa's face.

"Don't worry. I didn't say which of my weapons. I'll give him a quick glance of the Uzi's and then my part of the deals sealed. He can't argue that I didn't show him any of my better weapons..they're my favourites.  And they kill fast too.  I'll pay for the champagne"

Alexa saw the funny side, and started to laugh.

"Can I get a look too?" came a voice from behind them.  Lara froze in her seat. Alexa looked at her again in surprise.  She recognised that voice.  The look on Lara's face was like thunder. 

"That voice better not belong to who I think it does?"

She turned around.  Chase Carver was sitting in the seat behind her, a smug look on his face.  Right now, Lara wanted to be the upper-class lady, and deal his smarmy-arse, shit-featured face the hardest slap she could. And coming from her, that was hard! But instead, she turned around and considered. Chase was obviously following her, he wanted to provoke a reaction from her, he wanted to talk.

"So don't" she said quietly to herself.  She settled down in her chair and took a book from her bag, and started reading some more about the Miran.

"What's that Cherie?" ……………

"Lara, what are you reading about?" …………

"Planning a trip?" …………

"Who's your friend?  Now Bryce I know, but you Mademoiselle, I have not had the pleasure of meeting"

Alexa saw what Lara was doing and ignored him too.  Bryce didn't dare say anything.  He felt sorry for this guy, obviously liking Lara and getting nothing from it.

"Lara, have you gone deaf from the pressure?  I thought you didn't get affected?"………

"Oh!  I get it…  You know, you are so gorgeous when you are angry!"

"Carver. Shut It!"

"Ha.  It worked.  So if I pour out all my feelings to you, will you at least shout at me?"……….

Lara continued to ignore him.  Chase sat back in his seat, feeling extremely hurt.  He'd never had this problem with women before.  He went to sleep …….. and snored. Loudly.  He finally woke up, but they had already landed. And Lara was gone.

[~~~~~#~~~~~]

Hillary was there waiting at the airport to give them a lift home. He'd brought the Rolls Royce, and was now driving it back to Croft Manor.  The other 3 were sitting in the back, munching on sandwiches, which Hillary had thoughtfully packed.  Lara was so happy to see him she'd given him a hug. 

They arrived back at Croft Manor at around Midnight.  Lara took Lexa to her room, and bade her Goodnight. 

"If you need anything, just ring the bell and Hilly will be along in a minute.  Good Night"

"Good Night.  Thank you Lara"

Lara smiled, and went out closing the door behind her.  She wasn't at all tired. She went to her father's library, and sat down, reading through all the books which Hilly had dragged out with references to the "Miran".  She ready through all of them until 2am, taking notes. By the time she had finished, she had pretty much judge that the Lost Empire should have been in an Oasis in the desert, but no-one had been there for years. 

"Great" she thought. 

"This could get difficult"

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Disclaimer - I do not own any of the characters in this story, except for Alexa Munroe.  Eidos Interactive and Core Design do, so please don't sue me. 

If you wish to use the name Alexa Munroe in one of your stories, please contact me at  athlete@talk21.com

Thank you

This story is dedicated to my best friend, Jaina. 

Always, Lara

XX

Note - Please review my story,  Your reviews make all the differences.

This Disclaimer also applies to Chapters 5 and 6.  Unfortunately, the disclaimer did not download on those.  Thank you.