Chapter 24 - Into the Sunset

As Lara reached her yacht, Bryce jumped down onto the splash board and secured the boat to the back of the yacht. Lara silently passed the things she had been given to him, where Bryce gently put them down onto the deck. Holding out his hand to her, he pulled her up onto the boat. Instead of a word of reproach as he expected, Lara simply smiled, bent and picked up a box and walked to her rooms.

"So….did you save the world again?"

"Kind of. I had some help"

"Where's Alexa?"

"Gone"

"Dead!?!"

"No. Her love was waiting for her on the island. She has gone with him back to their own time. I wish them well. You wouldn't have believed what I have just witnessed on that island. A real adventure, that"

"Yeah? You enjoyed it then?"

"Yes. It was quite enjoyable. But I just want to be alone now"

"But, Lara. Someone wants to talk to you"

"Not now Bryce. I want to be alone. Do you understand? I lost someone today who I am not happy about losing?"

"Now who could that be, Red?"

Lara looked up, and took a deep breath.

"What's up honey? You look like you seen a ghost"

Lara bolted up the stairs and threw herself at Chase, who hugged her in return, thinking that maybe he was still dead, and now definitely in heaven. Lara pulled her head from his shoulder and looked up into his eyes.

"I missed you Chase"

Chase bent down, and caught Lara's lips with his own. She kissed him back. "Ahh Gods" he thought.

"I wish we could stay like this forever"

Lara pulled away and smiled. From behind her came a small cough. She turned, and there, along with the rest of her crew, was Bryce, smiling happily with a camera. The captain was beaming, and all the other staff started applauding.

"Oh Shut Up!" said Lara, laughing.

The crew dispersed, except for the captain.

"About time too, Miss Croft, if you ask me. You deserve him"

"Well I didn't ask you! But thanks for the advice. Back to land if you please Captain. I think it's time to go home"

"Aye Aye Miss"

What do we do for the hour we have spare now Lara?" asked Chase, smiling cheekily.

"I think you know the answer to that Mr Carver"

Chase held out his arm to Lara.

"Now which way is it to the bedroom??" he said, winking at her, and then ducking.

"Chase. I wasn't meaning that" she said, aiming a blow at his shoulder.

"I'm hungry!"

"Me too" he replied, and promptly picked Lara up. Lara laughed, and resigned herself to the fact that she probably wasn't going to win this one.

"Alright Lover-Boy. Left"

"Lover-Boy?"

"Shut up Chase" she said, blushing furiously.

"Madame!"

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The captain turned the boat towards the land, and then decided to delay it for a little longer.

"Sail in this direction for 30 minutes Peter. Then turn 180 and head back to Zante"

"Aye Sir"

The yacht turned, and headed into the sunset.

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Disclaimer: All recognisable characters belong to Eidos Interactive and Core Design. I own the characters Alexa Munroe, Aaron, Herity and the Xao-Tul-Ca.

This fic is dedicated to my best friend, Jaina

XXX

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