A/N: ABCs as in 26 individual One-Shots centering around Lara/Jacob. The stories belong roughly into a singular headcanon-AU unless otherwise mentioned. So, the Reboot-series has happened as close to canon as possible but the Divine Source was not destroyed at the end of the ROTR, thus, Jacob lives (pick whatever reason for this you want). Plus, Lara traveled back to the Valley sometime after the events of SOTR and they have built with Jacob from there.

A is for Associated

– Jacob has his qualms about meeting the people in Lara's life. The meetings are few and far between, stressing how every conversation might be the last, and how impactful first impressions can be. –

Jonah is the first one. They get the note that there is another outsider besides Lara who isn't part of Trinity. The message is almost lost with the warriors that die in battle, and he only receives the information when Lara has already left to retrieve the Atlas. He is still irritated at Sofia for guiding Lara there because it's far too dangerous and the dark-haired woman will swallow every lead thrown at her way like a famished wolf. Moreover, he is angry at himself for not being able to stop Lara. People make their own choices but the guilt of those will still be etched into his memory.

Thus, he is coming from the Acropolis after assessing the damage when one of his men runs from the destroyed upper village to say that a scout from the other side of the mountains had brought a man with him, non-Trinity, they say. He gives the command to bring the man to him.

The man, Jonah, is almost as tall as him and a hefty guy, an unusual combination of timid and calm, placating and raw strength. Jonah eyes his surroundings and he looks sympathetic in front of the destruction he must have witnessed on his walk to the Observatory. The man's eyes never linger but they do note every weapon they have. Still, Jacob gets the impression that the man doesn't fear them. The certainty of survival is very similar to Lara's.

It doesn't take long to exchange the greetings and introductions, and the man immediately steers the conversation to ask if they have seen a woman close to his age, dark-haired, petite.

"Your a friend of Lara's?" Jacob inquires but it's enough to make the man raise his hands on his face in silent jubilation and a burst of a relieved laughter, "I knew it! Yeah. Where is she?"

Jacob doesn't let his answer waver despite his own worry over Lara's well-being and he clarifies that Lara is retrieving an artifact for them. Jonah doesn't look at all surprised by the news and murmurs something to assure himself before offering his help to them. Meeting people in Lara's life would be interesting in any other moment, but now Jacob's mind is focused on the war and his people, thus, ordering Sofia to take care of Jonah.

However, between Trinity, emergency repairs, and the grueling environment, Jacob can already see that the circumstances are a gift in disguise, because Jonah never has the time to question how they let Lara go alone to the life-threatening task to retrieve the worthless Atlas.

Fortunately, Lara does manage to come back and bring the Atlas with her, even to Jacob's astonishment. Jonah, on the other hand, isn't taken aback which makes Jacob question how much the two of them have gone through together. Of course, Jonah hadn't known about the Deathless but there is utmost trust to the woman in front of him.

Moreover, there is a change in Lara, too. She is a guarded person – exceptionally so. But even if Jacob has thought to have made some headway with the young woman by saving her life and vouching for her, it's clear that he is only regarded as an ally while Jonah is much more. Lara's whole body language opens up, a genuine smile appears on her face despite the looming battle ahead of them, and there is an understanding between the two friends.

It turns out, that the bond is strong enough for Lara to abandon her quest in a heartbeat while Jacob hasn't been able to convince her with any reason or emotion. So, he'll save Jonah even at the risk of exposing himself and the aftermath that it might bring. And he feels that it matters more to Lara than saving her life had.

Winston is the second one. They meet a few weeks after his arrival to England with Lara. Lara has admitted that the extra pair of hands wouldn't have been a bad move from the beginning, but it's only after the threat of Trinity is diminished that she dares to expand her social circles. And the meeting is only for an afternoon tea and tour at the newest renovation projects; the man hadn't been young in Lara's youth and is closing in on eighty. But, like most people who have had the chance to be close to Lara at some point, Winston had taken the invitation earnestly.

Jacob stays out of the way when Winston arrives a few days later. Lara has taught him how to use a computer – he is still learning, though – and he has set to copy the salvageable manuscripts from the Geothermal Valley's archives into a modern format.

The sound of steps gives him time to prepare and stop his work before Lara leads Winston into the library. There is the briefest, curious raise of eyebrows when Winston spots him by the window. He walks to meet the two of them as Lara introduces him and tells how he'll be living at the manor for the time being.

"Sir?"

"Do you remember your last name?" Lara interposes, realizing that she has forgotten to ask the question.

"Just Jacob, is fine, Sir," he requests and moves to shake the man's hand. Winston's grip isn't strong but that's not because of his age, instead, there is a polite observation and the respectful self-diminishing.

"Of course, Sir," Winston replies but Jacob feels that even if his lack of mannerism pleases the man, having a last name would have made the interaction easier.

Lara tours the old man through the lower floor of the library and shakes off the gratitude for how excellent work she has made with the place by stating that the library had been one of the best-preserved rooms in the manor. It's only when Lara offers to go and fetch the tea and the biscuits, Jacob gets a better understanding of the dynamics between the two as Winston objects his voice soft, "Miss Croft, please, I insist…"

"I invited you, Winston. We can think of a better arrangement later, but for now, I'll serve." And Lara is out of the door before either of the men manages to say anything.

Jacob can read the sigh on the older man's lips even if it's kept from being exhaled in front of him. They keep up impersonal small-talk and he explains briefly what he is working on before Lara comes back with a tray in her hands.

Winston watches disheartened as Lara sets three servings on the side table and Jacob carries two extra chairs.

"Dash of milk, no sugar, right?"

"Miss Croft…" Winston starts but nods to her anyway.

"I'm sorry for not contacting you earlier, Winston," Lara begins once the refilled cups have become half-empty. "It's not been exactly safe to include you in."

Winston looks at Lara with great worry and Lara continues tentatively to weigh that the man can withstand the news, "My father… It wasn't a suicide. He was killed by this old, worldwide organization that he got too close to in his search."

Winston moves as to grasp his chest but lowers his hand back down in shock.

"Winston?" Lara inquiries softly.

"My dear girl… I've been thinking of that day for years. Your father loved you so dearly that it didn't make any sense… I…"

"It's okay, Winston," Lara assures with calmness that Winston probably hadn't been expecting.

And there is a moment of remorseful silence before Winston appraises Lara with new understanding, "They cornered you, didn't they, miss Lara?"

"They did," Lara states with a lax smile.

"Heavens, my dear girl," Winston exclaims but Jacob can spot the pleased – proud – note in the reaction.

"I used to get into trouble with the other kids from time to time," Lara elucidates to Jacob, "I usually got detention and a talk for it, but it rarely happened again. – Jacob's people fought against the same organization for over a thousand years. We've kind of built from that." Lara continues turning to Winston.

And they all build from that. Winston never questions Jacob's place in the manor. The man also never inquiries into his past more than he is open to share, but the understanding and the service he gets make it evident how attentive the old butler is. That's probably all thanks to Lara, whose past choices or habits speak nothing of meeting just somebody on an excavation and bringing him home and to meet the people in her life.

And they get along well. They are both calm, both old – despite Winston being a mere infant compared to him – and both preferring silent acceptance over things. And they need very few words to counterweight Lara's limitless vigor naturally.

Atlas de Mornay is the third despite Lara's attempts to do everything to prevent it. It happens soon after the paparazzi got a hunch of Jacob and his picture decorates the front pages. Lara is already livid after spotting the headlines on her way back home from the National Library and there is a Greek fire barreled inside of her.

All in all, when de Mornay rings from the front gate and demands to be let inside, the soil couldn't have been more precarious. Jacob hasn't been told much about the man but he has heard enough of his past words to Lara's father – and he has seen enough of the uncharacteristic anger in Lara's posture whenever her uncle comes up in a discussion.

The relatives still harbor the same will to keep their fights out of the public eye and with gritted teeth, Lara lets de Mornay drive inside the gates. Based on the force of Lara's steps when she sets outside, Jacob isn't needed in this argument. Still, he follows along; it's not fair that Lara is to take the contempt meant for him. Moreover, he doubts that Lara's uncle has quite grasped how dangerous Lara can be – especially when it's not her that's threatened but the people that are close to her.

He finds Lara standing with her arms crossed in front of her, staring at de Mornay after descending the front steps. The man is in his sixties, balding, and with a mustache, dressed to perfection and getting out of the backseat of a polished car which model Jacob hasn't seen often on the roads.

She isn't going to let him in, and he isn't going to set his foot inside the house.

De Mornay's eyes immediately land on Jacob as he follows Lara's steps more idly but keeps his distance. It's clear that he is neither a prophet nor a leader here, but another negative addition to Lara's already questionable resume.

Jacob has learned to be patient, to listen to people instead of speaking over them. Moreover, he doesn't mind de Mornay's scorn against him; the man could have had the power to affect him if this hadn't misjudged his character and thrown expressions and looks that missed their target like a four-year-old with their first bow. And similarly to Winston, de Mornay most likely sees the unnaturalness in his presence, the calmness, and the knowledge, but unlike the other, interprets it all the wrong way.

Still, he gets down the last stairs, past the ultimatum Lara gives to her uncle about time, and extends his hand in a greeting that de Mornay openly disregards. It almost amuses Jacob and he gets the impression that Lara's strongheadedness doesn't only come from her father's side. Yet, he keeps his face neutral and faces the man's gaze unaffected. How Lara's only living relative has decided to treat her is unfortunate.

"And here I already thought, you couldn't make any stupider decision than your mother. Where did you even find this one?"

Lara does an admirable job at swallowing her vexation and answers with sweet calmness, "I broke him out of prison in Russia."

It takes a minute for de Mornay to comprehend her words and immediately his gaze jumps to Jacob's rugged hairstyle, the beard, and the scars that crisscross his face. "Are you out of your mind girl?"

"I give you ten seconds."

"Lara…" Jacob interjects gently.

"Look, Jacob is even being courteous enough to build bridges because you are my family. But I'm done. If you aren't in the car, heading out of this yard in ten seconds, then I'm calling the police."

"The papers!"

Lara seems to have found some hint of peace at pulling herself out of this relationship and she lets out a deep breath of air "Then sue them. I don't have the time to do so."

"You really have taken after your father."

"Who was a fine man, and whom my mother loved dearly. Get out of my yard, get out of my life, like I've asked you to do."

When De Mornay steps into his car it's the last time they ever talk to each other. And at some unknown point in time, Jacob has surpassed blood relations.

Abby is the fourth expected in the unexpectedness. She arrives in Jonah's arm to the Manor on one bleak day in November, complaining about the weather and greeting Lara with a warm hug. She is outgoing and talks Spanish with such conviction that Jacob sees why the women get along despite their differences. Her bravery is loud where Lara's is discreet, she is social where Lara stands back, and guarded where Lara pushes forward.

Jonah gives Lara a bearhug of his own and it takes a moment before Jonah's attention can spare any thought on Jacob. However, when that happens, he becomes the same Jonah who is always ready to look after Lara and pray for her happiness. It's clear that people to whom Lara opens up to are rare and Jonah has vowed to take the ones that pass the test into his life as well. Abby and Jacob, however, are only connected by the long-time friends next to them, and they offer each other awkward greetings that are used to seek a common ground to bridge.

Jacob offers to carry the bags and follows from the distance at how Abby exclaims at the size of the Manor and talks about how sleeping on the floor wouldn't be an issue here.

They pass each other during the settling-in and dinner, but it's only the next morning that they find themselves alone. Despite the jet lag that the two must suffer from, Jonah has already disappeared somewhere in the manor with Lara, and Jacob and Abby have both been courteous enough to give the two some time alone.

The only problem is that neither one of them is a person to open up about their feelings and trust easily. Jacob has rooted himself to the kitchen table with the porridge Winston has prepared for him, whereas Abby is going through the fridge and the cabinets: more carefully at first before turning into Lara in her search and eventually settling for an orange and bowl of cereal.

They eat in silence for ten minutes before Abby finally breaks it unceremoniously and as in looking for a confirmation, "You are in this, aren't you? – I mean you must be."

Jacob can't help but pause his eating, he doesn't know what it is in every aspect of Lara's life and everyone she knows that always manage to keep him inquiring, on his toes, "Sorry?"

Abby gestures around her, "This, Lara, bad guys, ancient relics - -"

Jacob stays silent long enough to see the hint of regret dawning on Abby's face over potentially saying too much. In the end, he does nod, thus making her slouch in relief.

"I thought you must," she says her voice wavering between exasperation and relief, "The way Jonah speaks about you, and Lara doesn't seem the type."

Abby never finishes the sentence fully, so Jacob uses the opening to continue, "You met them in Peru?"

"Yeah, they came to my bar to ask for a place to stay. Completely mental, the two of them," Abby replies and pushes her cereal bowl away from her before looking at Jacob as if assessing him. "Jonah was nice from the start, he has that in him, he's funny and just… – And Lara, shit, she scared me, but she kinda came with the package," Abby confesses with a shake of her head.

"She has that in her," Jacob agrees cordially.

"Right? Absolutely crazy. I just… and the things they did in Peru," Abby shakes her head again. "But she's a sweet person. Scary still, but you should hear how Jonah speaks about her sometimes. Jonah makes friends so easily, but not like that. Not like that."

"I'd say that he carries a good heart with him," Jacob offers after a silence, interested but not discourteous enough to push to hear more about Lara from the people around her.

"He does... Where were you from, Russia?"

"I come from a village in Russia similar to Paititi, a village I helped to found in the 10th century." When Abby doesn't say anything to break her stare, he continues, "We sheltered an item that gave me an ageless life, and we fought Trinity for centuries before Lara arrived to our aid."

Abby stares at him for a good while before taking in her mug to raise it fruitlessly on her lips and placing it back on the table with a thud just to have something to do; there are a few quiet Spanish swear words that must be so new that Jacob doesn't recognize them by anything else than their intonation, "Of course you did. So, you are what, a thousand years old?"

Jacob nods again, enjoying himself more than he would have thought possible beforehand, "A tad bit closer to eleven actually, give or take."

Abby rubs her face, "Forget, I asked."

Sam is the fifth one when they ran into her unexpectedly in a Cambodian market. He knows the story behind Lara and Sam falling out of touch when trying to survive the trauma of Yamatai in their own ways. There is no bad blood, but it's been years since – and they have changed.

The greetings are warm though and he only notices Sam from where he is checking one stall as she pulls Lara into a hug. He is called to them soon after as Lara sets to introduce them.

Sam is a petite woman like Lara and looks at him like the eighth miracle when Lara asks him if he wants to define what his relationship is to her, "We are… together," Lara eventually settles in the end, making Samantha look at her and then stare back at him without words.

"You are coming for dinner, too," Samantha decides and looks at Lara as if to ask her to make sure that he won't run away.

Later that evening, they travel to Sam's AirBnB-loft that is closer to the city center than their own low-budget motel that they only use as a last resort amidst trekking through the surrounding countryside and the jungle. "Just as yourself," Lara had instructed his clothing choices while searching for the bottle of red she had bought from the corner market.

Sam greets them warmly and steps out of the way to let them in. It's a little awkward as both women are familiar with the past versions of each other but the present is unknown.

"Occupational disease," Lara explains as Sam's eyes spot the pistol strapped to her thigh.

"And this is mine," the other woman explains and gestures to the camera equipment packed in the room and the laptop that is processing material in the background.

"You still film?" Lara asks as she goes to inspect the gear.

"A little more on the directing and producing department, I'm afraid. Helps one to avoid Whitmans. I'm working on a series about youths amidst urbanization in different parts of the world."

"That sounds great."

"Thanks," Sam smiles sincerely, "You? Still archeology-ing?"

"Something on that side," Lara smiles back and hands her the bottle of wine to which Sam dismisses that she shouldn't have.

"And you, Mr…?"

"Jacob is fine."

"Alright, Mr. Jacob. What do you do?"

"Prevent Lara from wreaking too much havoc," he replies and sits on one of the modern black chairs - uncharacteristically unaccustomed because Lara has nothing like them on the Manor.

"We met in Russia while I helped him out of prison," Lara rights after him and accepts the glass of wine.

Samantha doesn't seem perturbed by the news and instead offers Jacob a glass, "You do know, she likes to do that to all the people in her life."

"Sam..."

Uncaring about Lara's good-natured objection, "It's true," Sam pushes forward, "Have you been together for long?"

"Five to six years now, but we met a few years before that."

"That makes what… Not much after Yamatai?"

"Yeah," Lara nods and Jacob smiles sympathetically as Samantha turns thoughtful at the answer. Her fast recall of the timeline makes it clear how Yamatai is still a timepoint in her life.

"Oh," Sam blinks and Jacob almost thinks it's because of the connection before the woman continues, "–that's a long time," and returns to searching for some kind of an answer from the both of them. Eventually, she clears her throat and changes the subject, "I was actually thinking, Lara, we have an inspirational series coming up next year. It's not that prominent, it'll most likely go to a streaming service but you'd be a great subject for an episode."

"What? Inspirational speaking?"

"Yeah," Sam answers without hesitation. "It'll be aimed at young people from disadvantaged backgrounds. How to reach for your dreams, and so forth."

"Sam, no. The stuff that I do is not for that."

There is a brief moment of hesitancy as Sam weighs whether she can still turn her old friend's head with the same tricks as in the past. "Not all of it is. But think about it. People need role models. Am I correct Mr. Russia?"

Jacob nods amiably and even more amused, because it's rare to meet people who know how to influence Lara and the game unraveling in front of him is intriguing. Lara, on the other hand, throws a look at him before turning back to Sam, "People don't need role models, they need to find what inspires themselves."

"Then say that!" Sam beams before softening her eyes, "Think about it, Lara. It's only next year, and I'll be producing it, so you'd know what you'd be agreeing to."

"She'll think about it," Jacob promises from the side and smiles when Lara throws him another look.

"Look, even Mister Cute-Guy agrees."

"Sam," Lara warns, more forcefully this time but without true heart.

Jacob doesn't know how to take the American woman's words and ends up looking at his wine glass with a mix of embarrassment and a chuckle.

They sail on safer waters after that – at least until the wine bottle is empty and the evening is drawing to a close, "You know, I'm not getting something in this, aren't I?" Sam asks looking at them but directing her question more to Lara. Jacob can see the gears turning in the woman's head. Maybe it's a learned habit, that when you once come face to face with the unexplainable, the supernatural, you learn to recognize it no matter the situation.

Lara simply hums an agreement to her friend's words.

"I don't wanna know, do I?"

"Nothing bad. Just an Italian lakes and tequila-level secrecy," Lara answers lightly and moves to grab another rolled banana cake.

He doesn't know what that means – which is probably the point, and he watches Sam open her mouth and eventually close it again before bowing her head, "I swear that this information may not leave me even with fourteen shots and I will guard with my heart like my friend's left shoe."

Here, he's not the only one with a story to tell.