A/N: *Reads Suetekh Seshat's review and cracks up laughing* Ahem. *Prepares
to get beat up by angry readers* Erm, yes, the ending to this story was
finished a long, long time ago and already posted at another site, and yet
I left you guys hanging forever. Um, forgive me and don't beat me with
sharp objects if I put the sequel up before this weekend? Deal? :D
Disclaimer: Tomb Raider, Lara Croft, Kurtis Trent, and any other characters you recognize all belong to a bunch of rich, lucky bastards, who, if they can find it within the goodness of their hearts, should sell me the rights to Kurtis. :D
Chapter Twelve
________________________________________________________________________
Hospital
Ecuador, August 23rd, 2003
She squinted into searing light, consciousness overtaking her with surprising swiftness. Her nostrils flared against the tang of medicine and antiseptics, the faintest hint of another, more pleasant scent lurking beneath.
She darted a tongue out to traverse dry lips, blinking in the harsh illumination.
A hand descended from above, slender fingers traversing the soft curve of one cheekbone. A softly smiling face eclipsed her own, a stranger possessing satin dark hair and brilliant verdant orbs, the uniformed woman stepping up to Lara's right and fiddling with something out of her line of vision.
"You are awake." she said in heavily accented English.
"Apparently." Lara replied, shocked at the weakness of her own voice.
"The drugs are working? You are feeling ok?"
"Where the hell am I?"
"A hospital. In Ecuador. You have been here one week, in a coma. You suffered a gunshot wound to the chest and lost a lot of blood. You were lucky the bullet hit no vital organs. He brought you here on a motorcycle, and kicked one of our doors down bringing you in." the nurse explained dryly, with a slight inclination of her head toward the dark-haired man dozing in a corner chair.
Mahogany orbs shifted to his slumped and fatigued figure, perusing the familiar features, exhaustion visible in the tense lines of his face. His chin drooped limply to the hard slope of his chest, hair tousled carelessly, strong hands draped loosely over the chair's armrests.
"How long has he been here?" Lara asked quietly, her gaze unmoving from him.
"The entire week. The doctor tried to get him to leave many times, but he picked up his gun and took off the safety, like a threat. He only leaves briefly, to shower and eat. He barely sleeps; this is the first time he's slept in probably two days. We told him there was a good chance you would not wake up. Ever. He needed to realize that."
"Well, at least he's bathing." Lara commented lightly, swallowing against a sudden thick lump crusting her throat. *Bloody hell. Don't start getting all sentimental, or something disgustingly sappy like that.*
"Is he your husband?"
"Hell no. And don't tell him you asked that; he just might shoot you."
The nurse slipped a dubious look from beneath thick lashes. "I walked in on him holding your hand once. He looked embarrassed, and left right away." She smoothed the covers, pulling them taut across Lara's slender figure. "He is your boyfriend, then?"
"No. Just a friend." Reluctantly, she turned her eyes from Kurtis' sleeping figure. "He wasn't crying, or anything embarrassingly soppy like that, was he?"
The nurse shrugged. "I do not think so. I only check in here every few hours or so." She patted Lara's hand briefly. "He will be happy to see you awake." She spun on a heel to leave, clicking the door shut behind her.
He snapped awake at the sound, cerulean eyes surging wide, body thrusting upright in a single violent motion. Exhaling softly, he cleared the last remnants of sleep from strained eyes and stretched, the sinews in his arms tensing then releasing.
She watched him without speaking.
Thick silence descended over both, his fidgeting momentarily ended. Hesitantly, Kurtis paced forward a step, approaching her bed, unaware of the change which had taken place while he was slumbering.
She met his gaze head-on, and nearly smiled when he froze, shock registering in both azure pools.
He stood completely motionless a moment, as though not quite sure whether to believe the sight before him, heart drumming powerfully. He'd come upon this exact scene numerous times in the past week, but always different; her flesh pallid, lifeless, dark orbs tightly closed, forever probably.
Kurtis eyed her coolly, covering the brief flash of emotions quickly. He wasn't sure whether to leap on her and kiss her like she'd never been kissed before, or bolt for the door and run like hell from this frightening, unnamed feeling welling in his chest.
He did neither, instead taking another step toward her. "You're awake." he said indifferently, careful to keep his voice casual.
"So are you. Should we throw a party?"
"Maybe later. And only if you bring the cake."
"You look tired." she commented, lifting both eyebrows. "Would you like to take the bed, and I'll go sit in your chair? I've been stuck in this damn thing long enough."
"I haven't been sleeping well." he answered succinctly.
"My fault, I suppose."
"The chairs in this piece of shit aren't what you'd call cozy." He shrugged. "I've been staying at a hotel a few blocks away, anyway. I was just here for a quick visit and I fell asleep."
Lara suppressed a smirk. *You filthy little liar.* "Really? So you haven't been here much, then?"
"Not much to do. You've been taking a long nap."
"Hmmm." She paused a moment, a thoughtful look seizing beautiful features. "Is that smoke I smell?"
"I don't smell anything."
"I think it's burning pants, actually."
He stared at her, uncomprehending. "What?"
"Isn't that an American saying? 'Liar liar pants on fire?' Charade's up, Kurtis. The nurse was in just a few minutes ago and told me that you haven't left this room in the whole week I've been here, except to eat and shower."
His face darkened, blackness roiling dangerously in both eyes.
"Don't get your knickers in a twist about it. Someone had to be here to explain what happened to me when I came out of the coma." She beckoned to him with a slender finger. "But not now. I'm tired, strange as that might sound. And I hurt everywhere. So you can tell me everything in a few hours, when we've both rested." Uncertainty stole briefly across her face. "This boat's big enough for the two of us. But only this once." Lara hastened to declare as he raised both eyebrows in an incredulous look. "I'll let you share the bed with me."
"That's generous of you." Kurtis replied, smirking.
"Oh shut up, Yank." Lara snapped, and nestled deeper into the blankets concealing lithe curves. *I'm sorry I offered.*
He paused a moment, his gaze resting on her face as her eyes slipped closed once more. Then, quietly, he closed the distance to the bed, and lightly nudged her shoulder, fingers closing gently against the material of her hospital gown. "Move over."
She cracked an eye at him and obeyed, shifting to create enough room for him to lie.
Kurtis swung a muscular leg over the railing encircling her bed, and settled beside her, drawing the covers over their inert bodies. His arms slipped automatically around her waist, drawing her small supple body to his larger frame, one stubbled cheek resting against a softly rounded shoulder.
They drifted into sleep only moments later, comfortably entwined, their breaths softly mingling.
* * *
"So tell me just what exactly happened, a week ago. I haven't quite fit all the puzzle pieces together yet."
Kurtis shifted beside her, the wide hospital bed squeaking its protest at his movement. One strong hand absently trailed the length of her arm where it lay draped across his firm stomach. "Karel was supposed to take my place. He had a sniper staked out on the top of the building across the street, ready to shoot you if something went wrong."
"And how could you possibly know all this?" Lara asked, quirking one eyebrow as she rolled over to rest her cheek atop his chest.
He smiled slightly at the unexpected show of affection. *Drugs must be affecting her thinking.* Shifting once more to accommodate her weight, Kurtis curved an arm around a voluptuous hip, holding her securely to his body. "Far-see."
"Excuse me?"
"Part of my 'magical powers.' I can go outside my body, like a vision, and see things up to several miles from where I'm standing."
"Learn something new everyday." Lara commented dryly. "I didn't realize you were a man of such talents."
He felt her hand drift slowly across his chest, taking up a meandering pattern over the cotton of his shirt, traversing thin material in lazy circles.
"How did you know where to find Karel? And how did you know he was hanging around, anyway? Don't tell me you can read minds." *I really hope your 'magical powers' don't extend into that, because if you've been reading some of the thoughts *I've* had recently...*
"Call it a gut feeling." he said coolly, ignoring her slightly mocking tone. "I had a feeling something was off when we got into Ecuador. When I told you I was ducking into one of the buildings to use a bathroom, I found an alley and scanned the area with my far-see, and found Karel talking to a few of his cronies."
"You can hear conversations with your far-see?"
"No. That's why I'm good at reading lips."
*And kissing them.* Lara thought, smiling slightly as she burrowed her nose into his chest, inhaling the clean masculine scent wafting lightly from his strong body.
"Karel was supposed to take on my shape after his men had captured me, to lure you into being captured too."
"Why did you pull your gun on me, you bastard? There was no need for that."
"There was if you wanted to stay alive. If the man on the building had suspected I wasn't Karel he'd have killed you. So I jammed my gun against your neck to take away any suspicion, until we could get out of the line of fire. And then you screwed it up."
Lara thrust her fist into his shoulder. "What was I supposed to do? Just let you take me into a back alley to ravage me? I thought you were Karel."
"It got you shot." he said coldly. The bullet hit you in the chest; you lost a lot of blood before I could get you here, to the nearest hospital. And when you went into a coma after surgery, they said it was likely you wouldn't be waking up again."
She smirked. "And let me guess: you were devastated."
"No." he replied indifferently. "But I was pissed that you bled out all over my motorcycle."
"You darling man." she retorted sarcastically, propping herself up on one elbow and playfully pinching his cheek. "I never suspected you cared so much." Her fingertips lightly grazed the curve of his mouth, the casual move prompting a shiver down his spine.
"What did you want me to do? Weep like a baby?" Kurtis snapped, iciness stealing over cool azure orbs. "This is just business, after all, right? Business partners don't cry over each other's close brushes with death."
"In that case, since we're just 'business partners,' get out of my bed." She thrust hard against him, the power of her shove surprising considering her weakened state.
His shoulder impacted the low railing hard, the ensuing clang reverberating all throughout the small room. "Ow! Dammit, Croft!"
"And for my next trick..." she murmured, setting both hands threateningly against his muscular back.
He twisted to seize her hands, gripping the slender palms tightly, his intense gaze burning into hers. Their eyes met, and held, for a long, agonizing moment, the heat between them flaring brilliantly. Then, abruptly, Kurtis released her and rose, his warmth dissipating into the surrounding chill.
"I've got business to finish up with Karel, anyway." he said without looking at her.
She tracked his movement from beneath thick dark lashes as he neared the door. For a moment she longed to call him back, but pride and stubbornness merged as one to still her vocal cords, only soft breathing permeating the silence now.
He paused, one hand resting lightly against the doorknob. The hard curve of his back remained facing her; it seemed he would not even allow her one last glimpse of his ruggedly handsome face. "Have a good recovery." His voice rang as cold and emotionless as always; for the life of her Lara could detect no underlying emotions.
Then the door slipped noiselessly aside, and her final view of Kurtis Trent ended, cut abruptly short by hard wood.
"Be careful, Yank." she said quietly.
Disclaimer: Tomb Raider, Lara Croft, Kurtis Trent, and any other characters you recognize all belong to a bunch of rich, lucky bastards, who, if they can find it within the goodness of their hearts, should sell me the rights to Kurtis. :D
Chapter Twelve
________________________________________________________________________
Hospital
Ecuador, August 23rd, 2003
She squinted into searing light, consciousness overtaking her with surprising swiftness. Her nostrils flared against the tang of medicine and antiseptics, the faintest hint of another, more pleasant scent lurking beneath.
She darted a tongue out to traverse dry lips, blinking in the harsh illumination.
A hand descended from above, slender fingers traversing the soft curve of one cheekbone. A softly smiling face eclipsed her own, a stranger possessing satin dark hair and brilliant verdant orbs, the uniformed woman stepping up to Lara's right and fiddling with something out of her line of vision.
"You are awake." she said in heavily accented English.
"Apparently." Lara replied, shocked at the weakness of her own voice.
"The drugs are working? You are feeling ok?"
"Where the hell am I?"
"A hospital. In Ecuador. You have been here one week, in a coma. You suffered a gunshot wound to the chest and lost a lot of blood. You were lucky the bullet hit no vital organs. He brought you here on a motorcycle, and kicked one of our doors down bringing you in." the nurse explained dryly, with a slight inclination of her head toward the dark-haired man dozing in a corner chair.
Mahogany orbs shifted to his slumped and fatigued figure, perusing the familiar features, exhaustion visible in the tense lines of his face. His chin drooped limply to the hard slope of his chest, hair tousled carelessly, strong hands draped loosely over the chair's armrests.
"How long has he been here?" Lara asked quietly, her gaze unmoving from him.
"The entire week. The doctor tried to get him to leave many times, but he picked up his gun and took off the safety, like a threat. He only leaves briefly, to shower and eat. He barely sleeps; this is the first time he's slept in probably two days. We told him there was a good chance you would not wake up. Ever. He needed to realize that."
"Well, at least he's bathing." Lara commented lightly, swallowing against a sudden thick lump crusting her throat. *Bloody hell. Don't start getting all sentimental, or something disgustingly sappy like that.*
"Is he your husband?"
"Hell no. And don't tell him you asked that; he just might shoot you."
The nurse slipped a dubious look from beneath thick lashes. "I walked in on him holding your hand once. He looked embarrassed, and left right away." She smoothed the covers, pulling them taut across Lara's slender figure. "He is your boyfriend, then?"
"No. Just a friend." Reluctantly, she turned her eyes from Kurtis' sleeping figure. "He wasn't crying, or anything embarrassingly soppy like that, was he?"
The nurse shrugged. "I do not think so. I only check in here every few hours or so." She patted Lara's hand briefly. "He will be happy to see you awake." She spun on a heel to leave, clicking the door shut behind her.
He snapped awake at the sound, cerulean eyes surging wide, body thrusting upright in a single violent motion. Exhaling softly, he cleared the last remnants of sleep from strained eyes and stretched, the sinews in his arms tensing then releasing.
She watched him without speaking.
Thick silence descended over both, his fidgeting momentarily ended. Hesitantly, Kurtis paced forward a step, approaching her bed, unaware of the change which had taken place while he was slumbering.
She met his gaze head-on, and nearly smiled when he froze, shock registering in both azure pools.
He stood completely motionless a moment, as though not quite sure whether to believe the sight before him, heart drumming powerfully. He'd come upon this exact scene numerous times in the past week, but always different; her flesh pallid, lifeless, dark orbs tightly closed, forever probably.
Kurtis eyed her coolly, covering the brief flash of emotions quickly. He wasn't sure whether to leap on her and kiss her like she'd never been kissed before, or bolt for the door and run like hell from this frightening, unnamed feeling welling in his chest.
He did neither, instead taking another step toward her. "You're awake." he said indifferently, careful to keep his voice casual.
"So are you. Should we throw a party?"
"Maybe later. And only if you bring the cake."
"You look tired." she commented, lifting both eyebrows. "Would you like to take the bed, and I'll go sit in your chair? I've been stuck in this damn thing long enough."
"I haven't been sleeping well." he answered succinctly.
"My fault, I suppose."
"The chairs in this piece of shit aren't what you'd call cozy." He shrugged. "I've been staying at a hotel a few blocks away, anyway. I was just here for a quick visit and I fell asleep."
Lara suppressed a smirk. *You filthy little liar.* "Really? So you haven't been here much, then?"
"Not much to do. You've been taking a long nap."
"Hmmm." She paused a moment, a thoughtful look seizing beautiful features. "Is that smoke I smell?"
"I don't smell anything."
"I think it's burning pants, actually."
He stared at her, uncomprehending. "What?"
"Isn't that an American saying? 'Liar liar pants on fire?' Charade's up, Kurtis. The nurse was in just a few minutes ago and told me that you haven't left this room in the whole week I've been here, except to eat and shower."
His face darkened, blackness roiling dangerously in both eyes.
"Don't get your knickers in a twist about it. Someone had to be here to explain what happened to me when I came out of the coma." She beckoned to him with a slender finger. "But not now. I'm tired, strange as that might sound. And I hurt everywhere. So you can tell me everything in a few hours, when we've both rested." Uncertainty stole briefly across her face. "This boat's big enough for the two of us. But only this once." Lara hastened to declare as he raised both eyebrows in an incredulous look. "I'll let you share the bed with me."
"That's generous of you." Kurtis replied, smirking.
"Oh shut up, Yank." Lara snapped, and nestled deeper into the blankets concealing lithe curves. *I'm sorry I offered.*
He paused a moment, his gaze resting on her face as her eyes slipped closed once more. Then, quietly, he closed the distance to the bed, and lightly nudged her shoulder, fingers closing gently against the material of her hospital gown. "Move over."
She cracked an eye at him and obeyed, shifting to create enough room for him to lie.
Kurtis swung a muscular leg over the railing encircling her bed, and settled beside her, drawing the covers over their inert bodies. His arms slipped automatically around her waist, drawing her small supple body to his larger frame, one stubbled cheek resting against a softly rounded shoulder.
They drifted into sleep only moments later, comfortably entwined, their breaths softly mingling.
* * *
"So tell me just what exactly happened, a week ago. I haven't quite fit all the puzzle pieces together yet."
Kurtis shifted beside her, the wide hospital bed squeaking its protest at his movement. One strong hand absently trailed the length of her arm where it lay draped across his firm stomach. "Karel was supposed to take my place. He had a sniper staked out on the top of the building across the street, ready to shoot you if something went wrong."
"And how could you possibly know all this?" Lara asked, quirking one eyebrow as she rolled over to rest her cheek atop his chest.
He smiled slightly at the unexpected show of affection. *Drugs must be affecting her thinking.* Shifting once more to accommodate her weight, Kurtis curved an arm around a voluptuous hip, holding her securely to his body. "Far-see."
"Excuse me?"
"Part of my 'magical powers.' I can go outside my body, like a vision, and see things up to several miles from where I'm standing."
"Learn something new everyday." Lara commented dryly. "I didn't realize you were a man of such talents."
He felt her hand drift slowly across his chest, taking up a meandering pattern over the cotton of his shirt, traversing thin material in lazy circles.
"How did you know where to find Karel? And how did you know he was hanging around, anyway? Don't tell me you can read minds." *I really hope your 'magical powers' don't extend into that, because if you've been reading some of the thoughts *I've* had recently...*
"Call it a gut feeling." he said coolly, ignoring her slightly mocking tone. "I had a feeling something was off when we got into Ecuador. When I told you I was ducking into one of the buildings to use a bathroom, I found an alley and scanned the area with my far-see, and found Karel talking to a few of his cronies."
"You can hear conversations with your far-see?"
"No. That's why I'm good at reading lips."
*And kissing them.* Lara thought, smiling slightly as she burrowed her nose into his chest, inhaling the clean masculine scent wafting lightly from his strong body.
"Karel was supposed to take on my shape after his men had captured me, to lure you into being captured too."
"Why did you pull your gun on me, you bastard? There was no need for that."
"There was if you wanted to stay alive. If the man on the building had suspected I wasn't Karel he'd have killed you. So I jammed my gun against your neck to take away any suspicion, until we could get out of the line of fire. And then you screwed it up."
Lara thrust her fist into his shoulder. "What was I supposed to do? Just let you take me into a back alley to ravage me? I thought you were Karel."
"It got you shot." he said coldly. The bullet hit you in the chest; you lost a lot of blood before I could get you here, to the nearest hospital. And when you went into a coma after surgery, they said it was likely you wouldn't be waking up again."
She smirked. "And let me guess: you were devastated."
"No." he replied indifferently. "But I was pissed that you bled out all over my motorcycle."
"You darling man." she retorted sarcastically, propping herself up on one elbow and playfully pinching his cheek. "I never suspected you cared so much." Her fingertips lightly grazed the curve of his mouth, the casual move prompting a shiver down his spine.
"What did you want me to do? Weep like a baby?" Kurtis snapped, iciness stealing over cool azure orbs. "This is just business, after all, right? Business partners don't cry over each other's close brushes with death."
"In that case, since we're just 'business partners,' get out of my bed." She thrust hard against him, the power of her shove surprising considering her weakened state.
His shoulder impacted the low railing hard, the ensuing clang reverberating all throughout the small room. "Ow! Dammit, Croft!"
"And for my next trick..." she murmured, setting both hands threateningly against his muscular back.
He twisted to seize her hands, gripping the slender palms tightly, his intense gaze burning into hers. Their eyes met, and held, for a long, agonizing moment, the heat between them flaring brilliantly. Then, abruptly, Kurtis released her and rose, his warmth dissipating into the surrounding chill.
"I've got business to finish up with Karel, anyway." he said without looking at her.
She tracked his movement from beneath thick dark lashes as he neared the door. For a moment she longed to call him back, but pride and stubbornness merged as one to still her vocal cords, only soft breathing permeating the silence now.
He paused, one hand resting lightly against the doorknob. The hard curve of his back remained facing her; it seemed he would not even allow her one last glimpse of his ruggedly handsome face. "Have a good recovery." His voice rang as cold and emotionless as always; for the life of her Lara could detect no underlying emotions.
Then the door slipped noiselessly aside, and her final view of Kurtis Trent ended, cut abruptly short by hard wood.
"Be careful, Yank." she said quietly.