Hours later, the spinning of the many helicopter blades ceased and the mercenaries piled out onto the unfamiliar territory. Unfamiliar for Lara and Alex, that is.

Dusk was approaching as Lara jumped from the helicopter and took in her surroundings.

A three-story building lay in front of her; windows were scattered about its surface and a barbed-wire fence set the boundaries. Security seemed to be lacking until Lara's eyes fell on a deep chasm, encircling the entire vicinity.

Lara tilted her head and narrowed her eyes in quiet thought. Catching the faint rushing and trickling sound of flowing water, her mind quickly scanned a detailed picture of what the actual terrain might look like.

Ever since Lara had first become an archaeologist, she had trained herself to predict the outcome of turning a corner, of taking another step. Every new mission or adventure added to her own private tomb that resided in the depths of her very mind. It had become a substantial part of her survival and she worked to sharpen and better attune it to her surroundings and/or situation to help the Tomb Raider in any predicament she found herself in.

Or willingly walked into, rather. For that, Alex could kill her.

"Calm down, West. You'd think I'd just gotten us into a heavy ordeal! Relax. Everything will be fine."

But no matter how Lara tried to comfort her comrade, his conviction in their downfall would not waver. He was convinced that they had just skipped along merrily into their torturous doom.

But Lara thought different.

"Come along, Croft!" A mercenary barked loudly and roughly prodded her in the back with the barrel of his gun.

Then, in a split second, Lara whipped around, thrusting the rifle upward to point at the possessor's throat, just under his chin. The man stood stock still as Lara eyed him.

"You have extreme bravery for pulling such an impudent stunt like that, soldier," she said coolly. But then her tone changed and became absolutely acrid. "Either that," she spat, "or incredibly stupid."

The mercenary chose not to answer, but yet gesture with an elegant swoop of his hand.

"That's more like it," Lara said, releasing her hold on the rifle. And then an unfamiliar voice sounded, giving her an abrupt start.

"Lady Croft, please forgive my servants. They do not wish to harm you in any way."

Lara watched carefully as a tall black haired man, clad in equally dark clothing appeared through the midst of the soldiers.

'It's like Moses parting the Red Sea,' she thought briefly.

But Lara was not wrong, for each mercenary, whom had all stayed frozen in place and ready to attack, now parted as if by some higher power, omnipotent force. His soothingly dark and mysterious voice fluttered into her ears once again as Alex stepped closer to her.

"As you can see," the man boomed, "we have not taken your weapons, Lady Croft." And then sneering shortly, he let his eyes inspect Alex West. "Nor you, sir."

West clenched his fists together and silently challenged the ebony haired man. Luckily, Lara stepped in.

"Such a proclaimed act gives grounds for assumption of arrogance." Her light British accent floated on the air toward the lead mercenary. His eyes narrowed for a moment, but then a hearty laugh exploded from him and split the night air as cleanly and easily as tearing the wings from a butterfly.

"You would assume much to call me arrogant, Lady Croft. It is not as if I could take action against any of your assaults. But some..." He trailed off, but everyone knew exactly where the conversation was turning.

Anger boiled inside of Alex. He couldn't contain himself.

"Listen, asshole, if you want to play dirty, I'm game. But you don't drag ladies into your savage amusements!"

The night cloaked the world around them even more and torches were lit to provide faint light. The lead mercenary stepped closer to Alex and Lara, his muscular form evident underneath fitting black attire. He stopped at an intimidating distance from the tomb raiders and glared into Alex's eyes. The firelight accented the two men as they stared each other down like lions picking out the weakest gazelle from the heard.

"I think I know just as you do, sir, that Lara Croft is by far no regular woman. Considering her a lady would be an overstatement; no lady would do the things she does."

Alex couldn't believe what he was hearing. All of a sudden, his thoughts formed into harsh words upon his tongue:

"Lara is the most sophisticated and amazing lady you will ever encounter! You, standing here, doubting her aristocracy is just as dangerous as knowing her skill with a firearm. They both can kill. I don't think you realize, sir, what you're up against. I think that you need her because you're too incompetent to find the damn artifact for yourself! You need her to dig up your lost treasure. But you know, when you go up against Lara Croft, you need to remember one thing."

The man opposite West smirked and gave Alex a challenging look.

"And what might that be, 'Almighty Croft Expert'?"

Every mercenary that circled the trio hollered with laughter, but Alex's face remained grave serious as he duplicated the menacing look the lead mercenary had given him. Alex forced his fiery eyes to stare solidly into his opponents.

"You want to memorize your escape route," he whispered, "'cause when Lara Croft comes after you, you better know where to run."

Silence spread like a plague. No person uttered a sound as Alex's eerie speech echoed in the darkened chambers of their minds. Finally, the lead mercenary spoke:

"Enough of this!" He bellowed. "Throw them in a cell and leave them there until I call. Tomorrow, we set out! 0500 hours!"

All Alex could feel was rough arms yanking him through the opening of a barbed wire fence. Then in a matter of minutes, he was flung into a damp cell, followed by Lara. When the sharp clang of metal sounded, and the rattling of keys died, Alex knew that they were alone.

"That was a nice thing you did, West."

Alex turned toward Lara and stared at her blankly.

"Huh? Oh, yeah."

He sat on the damp ground and rubbed his temples as they throbbed. He didn't notice Lara inch toward him from the opposite side of the containment. It was only when she placed her hand on his knee when he suddenly became alert of his surroundings.

"Lara..." He started, but was interrupted by her.

"Shh," she said and smacked him lightly on the mouth. He smiled at her and she returned it.

"You know, you're really changing, West. I don't know what it is, but you're not the same person you were a few years ago." She paused for a moment and bit her lip. "And apparently, I'm a 'sophisticated and amazing lady'."

"Yeah, about that..."

"No, don't say anything. I'm sure it was just an impulse and you directed your anger that you held against me toward the main mercenary. Don't explain."

"Lara, that's not true! I..."

He heard Lara laugh shortly.

"I believe you, West. I'm just pulling your leg! But you don't understand. You are changing! You weren't going to steal the Amulet, you helped Bryce, Hillary, and I defend it at the manor, and now you're thousands of miles away from your home because I simply asked it of you." She grinned at him and placed a hand on his cheek. "You're different."

West raised an eyebrow at her. "Yeah, I guess I am as great as you say."

"Oh, now let's not get too much into this," Lara scolded him and punched him on the arm.

But before she could say anything further, Alex pulled her closer and kissed her with the passion of years of waiting.