Sorry you all had to wait so long for the next chappie, but here it is, finally.

Darlian, busy with school huh? Everyone around me seems to have that problem, hope you don't have to make extra hours. Anyway thank you for your review and I hop you'll enjoy the next chappie.

Faith, thank you for ur review Faith, it gives me Faith ;) haha. Sorry for the waiting but I still hope you'll read the next chappie.

Pixie, Hillary is great huh, he often makes me laugh, especially in the first movie. Anyway thanks for the review and enjoy the next chapter.

Chapter ten, Power, pain and fear.

Daniel was pacing at high speed. He was on his way to Mr Powell to report what he found in Croft manor yesterday. Powell might be pleased to hear that Lady Croft is pregnant, even though it was not the information he had asked for.

When he reached Powell's office he knocked on the door and walked inside. Powell was sitting behind his laptop.

"Ah, Daniel you've come to bring me good news?"

"That depends Mr Powell, if I told you Lady Croft is pregnant would you consider that to be good news?" he said as he seated himself on the edge of the desk.

Powell's eyes immediately shot away from the laptop, he seemed to be surprised by Daniel's words but at the same time pleased.

"Pardon me, did you say pregnant?"

"Yes I did Mr Powell."

Powell narrowed his eyes.

"Now how do you know that?"

"I found the box of a pregnancy test."

Powell frowned "You found the box? What makes you believe that she's pregnant Daniel, when you haven't seen the result of the test itself?"

"You've made a point with that Mr Powell, but you told me that lady Croft is a woman who's very confident about herself. So I figure that she will only buy such a test when she's confident about the chance of being pregnant."

Powell leaned back in his seat and started to think about the words just told by Daniel. He might have a point. Lara could most certainly be pregnant. This could come in handy.

"This is good news Daniel, but I fear that it was the only thing you found out last night, am I right."

"Not exactly, when I reached Lady Crofts room I noticed she was not present and her bed had not been slept on." He paused for a brief moment. "That gives me a number of options, one, she fell asleep somewhere in the manor where I haven't been, two she's staying with Alex West or three she's on a trip that's connected with the rings or the stone."

Impressed by Daniels words, Powell stood up from his chair and walked over to his assistant. Powell placed his hand on Daniels shoulder.

"It is time to take some serious messieurs, but first we go to the lab."

Powell reached for his jacked and followed Daniel out of his office, he placed his key in the door and turned it until he heard the lock click. The key was placed in his jacked pocked and then they walked through the hallway to reach his car and drive to the laboratory.

Croft manor.

Covered with sweat, Lara exited the practice room. She had a small cut just above her left eyebrow and on her left fore arm. In her right hand she was dragging what was left of a new and improved model of Simon. She already saw Bryce sprinting towards it.

"Lara when will you stop torturing me."

"When you build a robot that can match me." She replied with a smile.

Lara unbuckled her gun belt and hung it over a chair.

"Where's Alex?" she asked.

"I don't know, somewhere in this maze you call home I guess." Bryce replied and seemed to be more concerned about his robot then Alex.

The tomb raider chuckled and decided to get a shower. She reached for a towel that was resting on the desk in front of her and used it to wipe away the sweat on her forehead.

"Lara may I remind you that you're pregnant and it's not good for the health of your baby to over train yourself."

Much to her surprise Lara saw Hillary coming towards her with a bottle of energy drink.

"Hillary please don't start, if Powell points a gun at me, I have to fight as well. That's how my life is and as long as I'm capable of protecting myself I will and you know that I will do anything to protect the baby from being hurt."

Hillary smiled "A typical thing to say for a Croft."

Lara smiled back at him and then continued her way to her room. She undressed and stepped under the shower. For over more then fifteen minutes Lara stayed there, then she reached for a towel and dried her body. Still naked, Lara stepped in front of the mirror looking at her belly. The idea of being a mother still hadn't struck her yet.

"Hmm, I seem to walk in just at the right moment."

Lara saw Alex walking in her direction as his body reflected in the mirror. She turned around and saw Alex nearing with an ear to ear smile. Lara chuckled and walked to the bed to put on her clothes.

"Well, there goes my view." Alex said.

"You'll have plenty of other times to enjoy your view Alex, but not today."

"I noticed you wrecked up another Simon this morning."

"You saw it?"

"No but I ran into Bryce and he was very, very grumpy."

Lara's lips perched into a smile.

"He's not grumpy because I messed up another robot, he's grumpy because he can't build a robot that can match me. Bryce is hoping for a moment where I yell for his help over the radio."

"Yeh right, in his dreams." Alex said as he followed Lara downstairs. "Anyway, did you come up with a plan against Powell yet?"

"Not really, Bryce is sorting a few things out for me, I'm waiting for him."

"What did you ask him to do?"

"You'll find out when he finds out."

Alex wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her towards him.

"You like teasing me, do you."

"Off course, and I also like to beat you at the assault course but I missed you there today."

Alex let go of her and smiled "I had some things to do." Was a mysterious reply from the yank.

"Some things to do?" Lara asked curious.

"I'll let you know, when I know." Alex said right back at her.

Lara smirked "Touché" she said.

By the now the couple had reached the library and Lara seated herself behind her desk. The box was resting on the desk, Lara trailed her finger over it, her eyes examining it carefully, like she already did dozens of times.

"This is the only chance we've got to stop Powell," Lara said "And it's a small one."

"I know Lara, but I also know you, and you will try anything possible to stop him, and with me by your side." Alex shrugged "Ha, Powell won't stand a chance, we are invincible."

"Watch yourself Alex, you're turning into a selfish yank again."

They laughed together barely aware of Hillary entering the library.

"Good morning love birds, would you like some breakfast?"

Lara looked up at her butler and smiled at him.

"No thank you Hilly, I already ate." Lara replied to her butler.

"Well, in that case, Bryce requested your presence at the tech room, he said it was urgent."

"Thank you Hilly." Lara said and stood up from her seat.

On a calm pace she walked to the tech room. Hillary and Alex were close behind her, wondering why it was so important Bryce wanted to talk to her. Bryce immediately jumped up when he saw the tomb raider approach.

"Lara, I've almost got it." He said. "With the help of Shugrave I managed to find out something about a Doctor who mysteriously left his home."

Lara folded her arms, ready to listen to Bryce his story with interest.

"Shugrave found out about a doctor, who is specialized in Ancient Chinese, had one day packed his backs and never returned. Right now one of Shugrave's men is trying to find out where this man is hiding, it will not take long before he finds out."

"What makes you believe that this man is working for Powell?" Alex asked.

"Nothing, but it's the only lead we've got, unless you have a better plan West?"

Alex shakes his head.

"Right," Lara said. "Stay on it Bryce, I want to get those rings before Powell manages to activate them."

"You got it Lara." Bryce relied and immediately turned back to his computers.

London, Powell's hide out.

"Welcome Daniel, to my humble laboratory."

Powell opened a door that leads to a secret lab, he spread his arms through the air and showed Daniel his newest hideout. It was a large room, you could compare it with the first floor of Croft manor. There were all kinds of computers all running on a large power plant at the backside of the room. Daniel was impressed, Powell had arranged this perfectly well.

"Impressive, isn't it Daniel?" Powell said as he paced next to the stunned man.

"Impressive indeed Mr Powell, if this is where you are translating the diary, with this equipment, it can not take long before the translation is finished."

Powell smirked.

"You are right Daniel, the translation had just been finished." he turned to one of the men walking around in the lab. "Professor, if you please."

The professor nodded and seemed to understand Powell's intensions. A few seconds later the old man returned carrying a small box. Daniel didn't even have to guess what was inside of that. The box was handed to Powell, causing the large smile on his face to increase.

"Thank you," Powell said. "You've done an excellent job Professor."

"Thank you Mr Powell." The doctor said.

Daniel couldn't help but notice that the man seemed to be scared of Powell. Most certainly Powell would have forced this man to do this work, probably by threatening the life of someone close to him. Actually, Daniel didn't care, he probably would have done the same thing, but he was thrilled to find out if the rings will prove to work just as the legend tells.

Powell opened the box, showing the three rings. Blue, black and white were their colors,

each one of them having their own powers. Powell put the rings one by one around his fingers, all on his left hand, except the white one. Daniel watched him with curiosity but also scanned the lab, hoping that Croft would not show up and disturb Powell's plans, like she had done before.

Once all rings were around his finger, the professor placed a piece of paper in front of him, then he took place next to Daniel, wondering what might happen. Powell pointed both hands forward, palms up, his eyes aimed at the paper in front of him. He started talking in a language Daniel had never heard before. Though it fascinates him to see this, Daniel took more priority in scanning around looking for intruders. He knows Croft has the ability to come out of nowhere.

For a moment he turned his eyes back at Powell. The rings around his fingers started to glow, it was amazing to see and Daniel wasn't the only one who seemed to be stunned by this occurrence. The Professor as well as Powell himself were surprised to see the strong force coming from the rings. As the light grew stronger, they were forced to cover their eyes, except for Powell, Powell's smile was increasing and soon he burst out in laughter, evil laughter as he felt the power and strength enter his body.

The light faded…

Daniel regained his sight and was shocked but at the same time very pleased to see what had just happened. Powell had grown stronger. The rings around his finger were shining, but what most surprised the technician were Powell's eyes. His natural brown eyes were gone, replaced by dark glowing eyes. For a moment it even scared him, but only for a moment.

Daniel looked at the professor and saw the man shaking with fear, he looked back at Powell and noticed he had seen it too.

"What's the matter professor, don't like my new look?" he asked vicious as he took a few paces closer.

Daniel smirked as he started to notice what Powell's plans were with the professor. The old man was speechless, unable to move any muscle.

As Powell was close enough, he reached for the man's throat and cut of the air from his windpipe. The old man clawed his hand around Powell's wrist but his strength was nothing compared to Powell's. His lips turned purple and his eyes widened as the old man let out his last breath and felt motionless to the floor when Powell released him.

An evil grin covered Powell's face, new powers, it will take some time to control them but it is the perfect opportunity for revenge. He will let Lara feel what he had been trough when she left him to die in the temple, he will let her feel real fear and pain. Her end is near but it will be a slow and unforgettable end filled with pain that she could never imagine, starting with the man she loves most, Alex West.

Well, finally chapter ten is finshed. Please review and I'll promise you will not have to wait long for the next chappie.