AN: First off, I'd like to apologize for the lack of updates over the past few weeks. Between school and work, things have been pretty chaotic and I haven't had much spare time to go on the computer, let alone make updates to this story. I can't necessarily guarantee that this won't happen again, because life has a tendancy to get in the way of things, but I hope that people will continue to read this, since Ihave no intention of abandoning this story any time soon. I have the next few days off, so I plan on updating as often as I possibly can.

Once again, thank you to all of my reviewers! At long last... here's chapter 5!

Chapter 5 - Reunion

Heart racing, Lara made her way towards the phone as it gave another ring. She hesitated for a moment before picking it up, and finally put the receiver to her ear in anticipation.

"Hello?"

"Lara?" A masculine voice sounded from the other end of the line, and Lara's heart began to pace even faster.

"Yes. May I ask who's speaking, please?" She asked, although she was already sure of the answer she'd receive.

"Oh, sorry…" he laughed slightly. "I guess that would help. This is Kurtis... You know, from Paris, in case you've forgotten. I know it's been awhile, but it's great to hear from you again."

Lara couldn't help but smile.

How could I possibly forget you?

"It's good to hear from you too, Kurtis. I don't mean to be rude, but how exactly did you manage to find my phone number? It's supposed to be unlisted."

He gave another laugh, only this time more deviously.

"Well, let's just say I have certain connections."

"Ha. I figured as much. So… how have you been?" the question didn't seem quite appropriate after what had happened after Prague, but she asked anyway.

There was a long pause, as if Kurtis was choosing his words carefully.

"I'm doing alright, considering the circumstances. But I don't really want to talk about that right now, if you don't mind."

"Are you always this elusive?" she asked teasingly.

"Maybe. We could chat about these sort of things later, though. My minutes on this phone are running out. And there are people around. "

"Oh, right. I nearly forgot. Where are you?"

"Gatwick airport. You familiar with it?"

"Yes, it's just a few minutes away."

"Great. So, do you mind if I stop by in a little while? I'd come sooner, but I need to find a bus and check into a hotel."

"Do you need directions, or did your connections inform you of my address as well?"

"Haha. Very funny. But actually, no. I don't know where you live."

The words left Lara's mouth before she could stop herself.

"You know, if it's easier for you, I could just pick you up and bring you here. I assure that it would save you some time. And the busses aren't allowed near my property, anyway, so you'd be out of luck unless you had some way of getting here yourself."

Kurtis seemed rather surprised.

"You'd do that for me? I mean, are you sure it's not a problem? I'm kinda low on cash, so it would really help."

Lara smiled even further.

"No problem, Kurtis. I'll be there in a few minutes."

"Thanks, Lara. I really appreciate it. So uh… see you soon then?"

"Yeah, see you soon. Stay out of trouble until I get there."

Kurtis laughed again. "I'll try."

Lara heard the click of the phone hanging up on the other line, and she stood for a moment in silence as her mind absorbed what had just happened. It was odd to think that the man whom she had assumed was dead for months was alive and well, and having a normal conversation on the phone with her. It was nearly too much for her to believe, but then again, she had witnessed more bizarre occurrences.

Realizing that she still had to get dressed, Lara opened her closet and pondered for a moment about what to wear. After much consideration, Lara finally opted on a casual pair of jeans and a simple t-shirt. She got dressed and then tied her hair into her usual braid before coming downstairs to meet Winston once again. He was in the parlor, intently reading the latest issue of National Geographic.

"I hope you're not too busy at the moment." she stated, as she walked into the parlor. "Because we have somewhere to be."

Winston looked up from the magazine, looking interested. "Oh? And where might that be?"

"The airport. We're picking up a friend."

"Kurtis?"

"Yes, Kurtis."

"Oh, Good. The Croft Manor hasn't has a visitor in ages, and I'd very much like to meet this mystery man."

Lara found herself rolling her eyes at Winston once again, and they both headed out to the car. The drive to the airport only lasted roughly 15 minutes, but it seemed to drag on for much longer, as Lara found herself growing quite anxious. She stared out the window, remaining utterly silent as Winston continued to drive. He seemingly didn't notice her odd behavior... Or at least if he did, he was keeping it to himself. By the time they finally pulled into the airport parking lot, Lara's heart was once again pounding furiously in her ears. As they came to a stop, she opened the door and gave an order to Winston.

"Alright, you stay here and wait for us. I'll go find him."

"Whatever you say, dear."

With that, Lara got out of the car and entered the airport. The interior was incredibly crowded, as groups of people were constantly coming and going. It didn't help that the airport was rather large, either, and full of shopping kiosks. She searched for Kurtis for several minutes, but it was to no avail. Finally, through the crowd, Lara caught a glimpse of familiar-looking figure near the phone booths. Her heart skipped a beat in her chest, and for a moment it seemed as if all of the air had been pushed form her lungs. Kurtis was leaning casually against the wall, with a backpack slung over his shoulder. Not surprisingly, it appeared that he had distanced himself from all of the social activity occurring in the airport. A smile spread across her face as she noted that he hadn't spotted her yet, and Lara took a moment to quietly observe him.

Kurtis looked mostly the same as he did since she last saw him, with a few noticeable changes. His hair appeared to be quite a few inches longer and it looked rather disheveled, as if he had just gotten out of bed. He also looked considerably thinner, judging by the way his jeans were practically falling off of him… and he was a few shades paler than Lara remembered him. No doubt, they were the result of Kurtis' long stay in the hospital. Lara noted that his clothing style remained largely unchanged, as he was wearing a t-shirt with a long-sleeved shirt underneath it, much like he did in Paris. As Lara drew nearer to him, she realized that he was smoking a cigarette as he took a long drag from it. Smiling to herself, Lara waited until she was only a few feet away from him before calling out a greeting.

"Smoking kills, you know."

Kurtis turned around to face her as he smiled sardonically, smashing the butt of the cigarette into a nearby ash tray.

"Good to see you too."

They both laughed, and they stood for a moment in silence, as they looked each other over. Besides looking rather jet-lagged and utterly exhausted, Kurtis looked amazing.She knew it was impolite to stare, but Lara couldn't seem tokeep her eyes off of him.

"You look good." Lara stated finally, as she couldn't really think of anything better to say.

Kurtis shrugged. "Heh. I think anything would look good compared to the last time you saw me… but thanks, anyway. You're looking pretty good, yourself."

"Thanks." Lara could feel heat rising into her face and she quickly changed the subject before he could comment any further. "So… uh… shall we make our way out to the car? Winston's waiting for us."

"Winston?"

"Yes, my butler."

"Oh… is that who I talked to on the phone this morning?"

"Yes."

"Ah, okay. Let's go then."

Lara and Kurtis made their way through the airport and found that Winston had parked near the front doors, allowing easy access to the car. He was standing outside of the car, politely waiting to greet them.

"Wow… nice ride. And your friend is a butler and a chauffeur? Where did you get this guy?" he joked quietly to Lara, making sure that Winston couldn't near them.

Lara shushed him, as they approached Winston and the car.

"Ah, so you must be Kurtis. I've heard much about you." Winston held out a hand for Kurtis to shake, and Kurtis shook his hand as he threw a curious look at Lara, who shrugged it off.

"Nice to meet you, Winston."

"May I assist you with your luggage?"

"Nah, that's alright… I've got it."

"Alright then."

Winston opened the car doors for both of them, and Lara resumed her place in the passengers' seat, as Kurtis sat in the back with his belongings.

The ride back to Croft Manor was relatively quiet, save for Winston's occasional questioning of Kurtis, regarding everything from his line of work to his marital status. When he asked about the latter topic, Lara promptly changed the subject as they pulled into the front gate of the Manor.

"Well, this is it." she stated. "My humble abode."

Winston parked, and he got out of the car before Lara and Kurtis so he could open the doors for them. Kurtis emerged from the car, and he looked mildly surprised as he gazed up at the expansive mansion.

"You live here?"

Lara nodded.

"Well, I can't say I'm entirely surprised, since you're the woman who has everything. But it's… uh… big."

Lara laughed at his sudden lack of vocabulary, and she ushered him towards the door. "I wouldn't say that I have everything, but I do have quite a collection. Would you like the grand tour?"

Kurtis smiled. "Sure. It'd be my pleasure."