Chapter 3 Reappearance

She reconised the deep, husky American voice. No, it can't be, don't be stupid Lara he's been dead for ages, stop imagining things. She gnawed on her lower lip. Her eyes flickered as she thought. He placed his gun in his holster carefully and twisted Lara around to face him. Her jaw dropped and her dark eyes widened. Her eyes could not accept what was in front of her. All kinds of thoughts were running through her mind. Was she dreaming? It all seemed to happen so suddenly. His deep blue eyes searched her face; he laughed slightly at her confusion. Nice to know I still have this effect on women. He thought. A smirk spread across his face, he moved her slightly away from him. He did not want to make her feel pressured.

"But… no…this can't be right." She finally spoke while shaking her head in confusion.

"Didn't think you could get rid of me could you? ". She half smiled as her eyelids crossed her eyes. She had never felt so elated yet confused before.

"Lara?" he said softly while gently shaking her shoulders. It appeared that she had fallen into a trance. When she opened her eyes she tilted her head up slightly to face his own. A faint sigh of relief escaped her lips. Without intent she wrapped her arms around his sturdy body. Everything was so unexpected. It felt like only a second ago she was in the pool and now she found her self buried in Kurtis' chest. His powerful arms gripped her tightly almost crushing her. She felt so safe in his hold. He rested his head on hers and closed his eyes.

Winston peered out of his window after hearing the faint sound of guns shots. He noticed the two figures in a tight embrace near the entrance of the manor. He smiled, so that's why she's been so upset lately, men troubles. He closed the velvet curtain and returned to his bed.

After a few minuets Lara pulled away from Kurtis. She did not know what had overcome her. Quickly brushing herself down she apologised.

"Sorry, its just, its all a bit sudden." He smiled and looked down at her figure, she was only wearing a swimming costume. He raised an eyebrow.

"Not really appropriate for the night time Croft." He explained by pointing towards her costume.

"Yeah, lets just say I wasn't expecting you." she said blushing.

"Yeah, I might have guessed." He nodded in response, he took off his jacket and placed it around her shoulders.

"Thanks… Kurtis…"

"Yeah." he replied calmly.

" Nothing, don't worry." She backed down figuring that it was not really the time or place to ask questions.

" Okay, looks like I'm all yours tonight, if that is alright with the lady of the house? I've not seen any motels around here and seeing as you've got a bloody great mansion here…"

"Yeah it's fine, lets go inside before I catch pneumonia." She joked. She wandered towards the timber entrance and Kurtis followed. She felt comfortable in his presence.

"Gunna give me a tour of this old place then Lara?" he asked as they entered the mansion.

"Maybe in the morning, I don't know about you but I'm exhausted." She pointed towards the far door at the top of the stairs.

"You can sleep in there tonight."

Kurtis shrugged and agreed.

"Well you could always sleep outside if that suits you better?" she replied in a sarcastic tone.

" I think I'll be fine up there."

"Good I'll see you in the morning and I'll give you that tour I promised you." She smiled and began to ascend the stairs. Kurtis rolled his eyes and smirked, he followed her up the stairs towards the guest bedroom.

Just before he entered the room, he glanced back at Lara. She had also paused before entering. When she noticed his eyes on her, she quickly turned her heal and headed towards her bedroom slightly blushing. He laughed to himself.

"I'm so irresistible."

Both Lara and Kurtis were now silently lying on their beds. None could sleep. Lara refused to agree with her heart that she felt something for him. She was too stubborn. The way she had acted when she found him was very unexpected and unlike her. She was just caught in the moment. At least this was what she was convincing herself to think.

Kurtis questioned himself whether he should go and see her. He neglected the thought. She may not be asleep. This would cause too much embarrassment. He twisted and turned trying to doze off to sleep. Yet his mind was fully awake.

Lara screamed into her feathered pillow. How could she be so stupid? He was some guy she met on a mission and she was just some chick that he liked her bra size. Her long braid lay gently on her back brushing her slender back as she moved. The silk curtains still were swaying. Lara carefully got up and closed the balcony doors. She took in a deep breath of the cold night. It sent a chill down her spine and all the tiny hairs on her back sprung up. After returning to her bed she finally fell into slumber.

However Kurtis was still restless. He wished that he would build up the courage to go and see her. Don't be so weak. It's only a woman. Coward. He huffed and gave in to his mind. Placing his boots onto the floor, he began to search for her room.

The mansion was captivating. Each tick of the grandfather clock made him feel even more relaxed. He clasped the cold door handle and began to turn it. The quiet creaks of the door made Kurtis' eyebrows draw together in suspense. He tried to not wake her. He was thinking of excuses that he could use if he had awoken her. He observed the majestic room as he entered. Lara lay peacefully and silently on the bed. Her chest raised as she took each delicate breath. She looked so calm. He did not want to disturb her serene dreams so he backed off into the corridor.

The sound of the door closing awoke Lara. She gently wiped her eyes as they adjusted to the dark night. Not knowing what had awoken her; she took off the safety on her pistols and placed then securely in each hand. Arrgh I'm too tired for intruders! She whined. A small fragment of her hair fell in front of her twinkling eyes as she forcefully opened her bedroom door.

She slammed her gun against the intruder's head, he jumped in shock as she did so.

"Oh, Kurtis, it's you, what are you doing?" slightly embarrassed she lowered her gun.

"More like what are you doing Lara? I only wanted to know where the bathroom was, but you were sleeping so I was gunna find it myself." His hand rubbing the back of his neck as he lied.

Lara could see right through him, like she could all men.

"Uh-huh, really? Well it's along to the right from your room, third one down." A smug smile spread across her face as she spoke. Kurtis' heart began to race, he knew she had figured his game. Not just a pretty face then he thought. His face clued to the floor, not daring to return to hers.

"Kurtis, what did you really want me for?"

His electric blue eyes wondered to the floor. He folded his muscular arms.

"Oh nothing." He concluded.

"Well there are a few questions that don't have answers at the moment. I'd like to talk even if you don't. By the looks of you, it doesn't look like you can sleep either. Come on follow me we can talk in the library instead of in my doorway!"

Kurtis half smiled at her. His eye traced her petite figure descending the stairs. Her long plait swaying as she moved. He quickly followed her before she noticed his stare.

The library was mesmerising. The calm light welcomed them into the room. Hundreds of books were stacked all the way around. It was so peaceful.

"Beautiful isn't it, my favourite room."

"Well you certainly have enough to choose from." He raised an eyebrow.

He fell down onto the nearest chair and rested his head on his rough palm.

"So, what do you wanna know?"

"Well for a start how come you're alive? The last I saw of you was when you had to fight our wonderful friend Boaz." She moved her chair closer in curiosity.

"I…I don't remember." He dismissed the conversation.

"Come on, you must remember something." She replied disappointed with his response.

"Okay it goes like this, you will have to bear with me remember I was stabbed though the gut."

He closed his eyes and began to talk. His body now slouched against the back of the armchair.

"I'd just defeated that bitch, then out of her corpse there she was again in a flying form. She wasn't hard to defeat, a few bullets in the head and she was gone. I turned around to catch up with you and the venomous cow stabbed me. I fell to the floor in pain. I must have been unconscious, I remember waking up in an ally in Prague. I must have dragged myself to hospital of something, because the next day I was told I had just come out of operation, I was lucky to be alive. Had a darn great hole in my stomach." He sighed and slowly opened his eyes. "I had a lucky escape."

"Must have been painful, got a big scar?" She tilted her head down to look.

"You could say that." He lifted black his T-shirt. The wound was nearly as big as a hand. Still not fully healed. Lara could not help her eyes wandering away from his wound. Her heart beat quickened; she could feel her hands sweating a little. Kurtis half smiled. He knew that she felt something for him, even if it was just a little bit. There is only a certain amount of time that you can observe a scar. He laid his shirt back down and started to speak.

"So, what happened with Eckhardt and Karel? I'm guessing they're dead?" He brought Lara's eyes away from the burning embers back to his face.

"Yeah. Kurtis I think you ought to know something."

"Go on."

"…It was Karel that killed your father."

The colour drained from his face, he turned it away from her.

"When I was about to kill karel, he tried t gain my trust by turning into your form, he said that he had been helping me all along. He said you were not real." She paused.

"What do you mean?" his face was pale.

"Karel can take the forms of others. He is very manipulative, a scheming malicious bastard! He alters his appearance, voice, jester and even mannerisms. I know this must be hard for you, Eckhardt did not kill Werner either. It was once again the malevolent actions of Karel. He was the one trying to revive the Nephilim. I have killed them both. It was difficult but I managed it. The sleeper is destroyed." She explained in a soft tone.

"It's late we should get some sleep." He did not face her as he left the room. He did not answer to her explanation. His mood had changed, he had returned to her in a somewhat flirty mood, his temper had risen and he did not want to lose it with Lara.

"Kurtis…" she grabbed his forearm and made him turn to face her.

" I know this is shocking news for you but it would be better if we could talk about it. For both of us." He stared into her deep brown eyes. After a few seconds her just turned and began to climb the stairs. Lara followed his step.

At the top of the stairs he turned around to face her. She was closer to him than he expected. He could feel her breath on his chin. She backed off a little.

"Lara, I don't feel up to it. Maybe I'll talk about it another time just not now." He turned away.

"I'm sorry, I'll see you in the morning."

He closed the door to his room after him. She shook her head disappointed by how little she had achieved. She returned to her room.

Author note: Sorry that this chapter was mainly conversation and not much happened! More will happen in later chapters. Please review good or bad. I not a brilliant writer so sorry if some things do not make much sense. I will try my best to improve my work! Thank you for spending your time reading my story, I will go over the story soon and try and make some improvements. I will update as soon as possible. Once again, please review and I'll marry you! Lol Love –Kiss-me-898