Gently shutting the heavy oak door behind him Alex walked over to the large matching oak four poster bed that sat opposite the large open fireplace in the master bedroom. Placing the mug of steaming coffee on the bedside cabinet he gently moved the white voile curtain away from his view and looked at the sleeping form of Lara who lay in front of him and in the early morning light she truly was a sight to behold. Her tanned skin shone a golden brown which was a beautiful contrast to the ivory white Egyptian cotton sheets she slept on, her muscular arms were under the pillow that supported her head and as she lay on her stomach Alex was able to see every perfect muscular curve of her back. Even as she slept she kept her body poised as though she couldn't relax, the effect of living a life under threat obviously showing its toll on her. Tenderly brushing a strand of her dark hair which in the hazy English morning sunlight had taken on a reddish tone, away from her eyes Alex smiled as he knew that this was the best decision he had ever made.

He walked around to the other side of the bed and placed his mug of coffee on the nightstand before walking over to the large glass patio doors that led onto the stone balcony outside her room. Looking out of the glass before him he observed his new surroundings, her room overlooked the massive assault course that kept her body in such fine trim, looking to the left he could see the large frosted glass room that housed her indoor pool, the sun making the glass a gleaming crystal of pure light. Looking back round to the right hand side of the balcony he could see the hedge maze that apparently had been there for hundreds of years as well as that horrible fish fountain. He couldn't understand why she had her manor modelled to suit her perfectly then kept something as unusual as that fountain which had nothing to do with the Lady Croft he knew, he'd ask her about that sometime. Her Land Rover Defender sat on the gravel driveway in pieces and the odd occasional cuss word floated up from Bryce who was trying to do the latest illegal upgrade on it, which brought a smile to Alex's face after all, Lara was not the sort of person to have something done legally that would cost money when she could have it done illegally and put the money she saved towards her next adventure. Opening the door he stepped out onto the balcony, the marble flooring cold against his bare feet and sat down on one of the white ornate metal chairs, being shaded slightly by the large exotic plants that Lara had on the balcony. Yes indeed life was good, he had everything and he knew he could lose it just as quickly if he wasn't careful.

A gentle and cool breeze worked it's way into the room through the open door and ran it's invisible fingers over Lara's back, caressing her body tenderly rousing her from her slumber quickly. Her hand wrapped itself around the handle of the knife she slept with and unsheathed it's razor sharp blade, taking a deep breath she sat up quickly with the knife at the ready to attack whatever intruder happened to be close to her. Her sudden movements caused Alex to turn around quickly and run to her to assure her that everything was all right, but he finally realised just how insecure she was. The moment she saw it was only Alex she remembered the reason he was there and it hit her hard, not being alone anymore was going to take some serious getting used to. Getting on the bed next to her Alex wrapped his hand around her hand that held the knife and she let him take it from her, throwing it across the room he pulled her close to him breathing in the scent from her hair.

'I'm sorry angel.' He whispered to her.

'What are you sorry for? I was just being paranoid. Having someone else here is going to take a bit of getting used to.'

'I know baby, but I'll be a bit more careful.' Lara pulled away from him and glared at him.

'What do you mean a bit more careful?'

'You know, I'll try to protect you a bit more than you are.' Lara took on a defensive stance.

'I don't need protecting Alex. If I did then I would have a bodyguard wouldn't I? I have been looking after myself for years now and don't need people trying to take over me.'

'That's not what I meant Lara.'

'Yes it is, just because I'm pregnant Alex doesn't mean that I'm going to stop living my life the way I want to. The only reason you are here is because this baby needs a father, not because I need a protector! After the birth I will go straight back into adventuring and.' Alex cut her off getting angry himself.

'.And what Lara? You're going to go out and get yourself killed?'

'I've survived so far.'

'Yes that maybe but you won't be up to much after this will you? Having a baby isn't like having a vaccination Lara.'

'Don't patronise me.'

'I wasn't, you're just getting pissed off because you know I'm speaking the truth.' Lara sighed angrily and made to get up. Alex grabbed her arm and pulled her back onto the bed.

'For gods sake Lara, this is going to change everything and don't you think I'm scared too?' She looked at him.

'I'm not afraid,'

'Oh drop the act Lara, stop doing the whole I'm immune to emotions crap and for once tell me what's going on in that head of yours. Stop shutting me out!'

'I'm not shutting you out.'

'Yes you are. You do it to everyone, Hillary, Bryce, me even your father.'

'Don't you dare bring him into this.'

'Why not? Admit it, after the crash you shut him out. If you had talked to him about how you felt then perhaps he wouldn't have disowned you.'

'Shut up!' Lara shouted at him and got up again, he once again grabbed her but this time pinned her down on the bed so he could get her full attention but did it in a way that she couldn't be hurt but couldn't escape either.

'No I won't because you need to hear this Lara, you need to stop being so selfish. You are not the only person in this world you know. And everything that you do effects the people around you, when you run away on your adventures Hillary is here frantic with worry, you work Bryce down into the ground and does he ever get thanks from you? All he is looking for is your approval; he doesn't care how much you pay him. Then there's the guys at the museum, every one of them wishing they were you and when they come to you for advice you are so wrapped up in your own little armour plated world that you don't even notice them. You are an idol to them!' Lara looked up at him her façade cracking.

'Stop it.'

'No, do I deserve this Lara? What is so wrong about me wanting to protect you? You are going to have my child and yet you act as though you want me to have no part in it. My role as a father starts now not from the birth. I understand it's going to be hard but it is for me too! Put yourself where I am Lara. I have no money saved and the only thing I'm good at to get some is to go adventuring but I can't do that now. I know that at any minute you could kick my ass out of here and I will be on the streets. I'm scared Lara! I admit that I am, I don't want to lose you or the baby, I've never done the whole father thing either and I'm scared I'm going to screw it up.' Lara looked at him with a tear in her eye.

'Alex'

'Please, please don't shut me out anymore. If you do only want me here for the baby's sake that's fine but don't lead me on like you are it's not fair on either of us.' He kissed her forehead and let her go then got up and walked out of the room leaving her alone. As he passed the door he heard her break down in tears and each sob she gave made his heart ache. Maybe she didn't deserve that but she needed to be told. He walked into the guestroom and sat down on the bed in there and put his head in his hands.

'I'm scared Alex.' Came a voice from the doorway, he looked up to see Lara standing there in a short blue silk kimono her eyes red. 'I'm so scared!' He got up and walked over to her taking her into his arms as she started crying again holding him close to her tightly.

'It's ok.' He comforted her.

'No it's not, I've been a complete bitch to you and everything you said was right.' She said her voice catching with each of her sobs.

'I was just angry baby that's all. I'm sorry.'

'No I'm sorry, I don't know what's wrong with me. I didn't mean what I said, I need you here. Just promise you won't try and take over me like my father did.' She asked as she looked up at him. He smiled at her.

'Of course I won't. If you can promise me you won't shut me out anymore.' She laughed as he held his hand out to her. 'Deal?' Lara accepted his hand and they shook on it.

'Deal'