Visitations
Alice paced back and forth in her cell like a caged lion, hating the concrete walls that once again were her only friend. Looking up she thought she'd try the grating on the ventilation shaft once more, hoping that against all odds she'd been imagining the bolts around the edges. She dragged her chair in a sudden burst of enthusiasm to the center of the room, directly underneath the vent. She leapt up on the chair, tilting it precariously on two legs for maximum height. Her fingers traced the outline of the vent, pushing upwards vigorously. Once more convinced that she could not get out that way, she kicked the chair away and let out a furious, frustrated scream, which carried through the shaft to the cell next door.
Lara glanced up at Kurtis, imploring as to whether or not he'd heard the scream too. He did. Both of them new it was a scream of aggravation, not anguish, but still they thought of their companion and former rescuer.
"You probably should go get her and bring her here. I don't think they'll care if they find her in here, as long as she's not out there." Lara told him.
Nodding his head in agreement, he suddenly realized that was a direct assignment, not a general observation. "Me? Why don't you go and get that bitch."
"Kurtis, honestly, what has she done to you?" Lara explained maternally. "Besides, I could never help her get back up. Nor do I have telekinesis to lift the vent."
Acquiescing to her request with a grunt, Kurtis used his powers to lift their vent, and, flashing Lara a look that questioned why he was doing this, he jumped up before pulling himself up and scurrying off.
Alice perked at the sound of movement from the shaft above. Expecting the worst, she moved into the shadows, ready for an attack on whoever the unexpected guest was. Remembering the bolts, she was surprised when the vent was lifted, and a figure jumped down. She aimed for a punch when the figure stepped into the light.
"Alice? It's me," Kurtis Trent called to her. She kicked him anyways, sending him to the wall and pinning him with her boot pressed firmly, but not fatally, against his throat.
"What the hell?" he managed between gulps of air, her boot pressed even more firmly against his neck.
"You worked for... for that whore!" she yelled, at him. Not knowing who she was talking about his thoughts instantly turned to Lara. Enraged that she would insult his company, he lifted a palm and concentrated, pushing her into the opposite wall. She, having had to turn to gain her balance, hit it face on, and cracked her lower lip. In a few easy strides Kurtis was there, pinning her to the wall with one hand on her shoulder and the other around her neck.
"Who?" he demanded. She spat at him.
"Who?" he tried again.
"Gunderson!" She hissed.
Kurtis chuckled and smirked, "I've heard him called a lot of names," he said, relaxing visibly as he moved his hand from her neck, upwards to cup her chin, his thumb gently brushing her lips. Although it wasn't threatening, it served only to anger her more. "But never that before." He turned around and paced to the center of the room. Big Mistake.
"Well, apparently you worked for him too, Ms. Clarke—"he continued before being cut off.
"Never!" she screamed violently at him, lifting her hand to strike him from behind. Kurtis sensed this and spun to face her, grabbing her wrist as she threw it at him, holding tightly before she could do any damage. Enraged, she began to throw her other arm at him. He caught that hand too. Now defenseless, he pushed her back against the wall, pinning her hands up at her sides, surprised at how easily he could control her in such a furious state.
"You seriously don't like him, do you?" he accused her, forcefully meeting her cold gaze with his own
"He fucking killed my father!" She said, her voice betraying none of her emotion, but her eyes, fiery with anger and sadness, stared at him intensely, his own gaze softer now; his face dangerously close to hers.
In that instance he realized just how small of a world it was. He'd worked for a man who killed her father; sought the man who'd killed his own; and ultimately met her as a result of some unfinished business from that previous expedition. He could have laughed at the irony of the whole affair, but he stood transfixed by a fire that flashed in her eyes: An expression of vengeance and anger; an expression that was reflected in his own.
He was distracted briefly by her lips, which, slightly parted, seemed to beg him to come closer. He stood for a brief moment, understanding fully how a delay can increase passion. He moved his lips in for a kiss, but refrained from the actual contact before unable to contain his own desire.
He leaned in for the kiss, her arms still pinned to her side. He could taste the blood on her lips; Alice soon was kissing him back, slightly surprised but nevertheless concentrating all her fury and energy into the contact as he brought her hands behind his neck and she pulled him tight, searching his mouth for some harbor for her emotion. His arms circled her waist and brought his hips close to hers, pushing her against the wall and completely overcome with passion.
Suddenly, slightly afraid of her volatile nature, he pulled back. He stood there, lost in her silver eyes and she lost in his blue. He never truly noticed her eyes before. Bewitching and mesmerizing, he noted that for having thought they were such a dull color they were so vibrant; the shades of the horizon over a stormy sea; he could read the emotions coursing through them.
Suddenly, she removed her arms from their tender embrace, bringing her hand to her lip, wiping the blood away before glancing at it to verify it was blood. Her eyes, which had grown hardened at the sight of the liquid, returned to him; her hand suddenly connecting with his cheek as she slapped him before sliding from his grip at the waist.
Kurtis, in his vast experiences with women, Lara included, had received a fair share of slaps to the face, but with his limited knowledge of the female brain he assumed that he deserved just about every one of them. This was no exception, although he wasn't sure if he'd received it because he kissed her, or still because of his past affiliations with Gunderson. He turned to face her, shaking his head as she moved the chair underneath the vent.
"There's no way out, just a shaft connecting our two rooms. Everything else is limited by fans. C'mon, I'll give you a boost and we can get back to Lara," he responded, trying to keep his voice indifferent. Alice frowned.
"I'll get up on my own," she said adamantly, pulling the chair forward and tilting it, reaching and pulling her up into the vent.
"Connasse," he mumbled under his breath to the shadows in the room, still rubbing his smarting cheek.
"J'ai entendu cela," Alice said, turning around as she smiled slightly, thankful she'd known enough French to know that he'd just called her a bitch, leaving her enough knowledge to retort with I heard that. She reached down, offering Kurtis a hand. He ignored it, pulling himself up without her help, evidently furious that she'd understood what he said.
The two of them scuffled back to the adjacent cell, Kurtis trying not to check out Alice's ass as he followed her, thinking about what just happened in the cell, especially the kiss they'd shared. He wondered if she, too, was thinking about it. Of course, she was, but she never let on to it.
Lara saw, from her surprisingly comfortable position on one of the two cots, the scowls on Kurtis and Alice's faces. What the hell happened she thought, but was too tired to question it, pushing it into the back of her head reminding to ask later…
"We ought to try and get some sleep," Kurtis said, matter-of-factly, still hurt from the previous interaction. Alice only shrugged.
"You take the cot, I've got the chair."
"Suddenly so chivalrous?" Alice asked.
"Just being considerate. Don't make me regret it," What is it with her? He added mentally.
"You don't have to be a martyr." Alice said, coldly, before lying down on the bed.
It wasn't long before Kurtis wished he hadn't been such a gentleman, especially after the way she took it. The chair did nothing to lend itself to sleep. With a sigh, Kurtis looked at his two female companions. And, hungrily, at the cots they occupied. Lara was sprawled all over her cot, leaving no room for a tired Kurtis. He looked over at Alice. She was curled nicely facing the wall. Plenty of room, thought Kurtis, too tied to fear how she might react. He lay down, rigid but relaxed, taking as little room as possible, next to a presumably asleep Alice.
She felt the depression in the bed, too nervous to sleep. You are ignoring your number one rule; you are starting to trust them! She tensed at the heavy breathing, realizing it was Kurtis. Relax, give the guy a break, he's probably exhausted, she thought, afraid that she'd now be far too conscious to sleep. She was slightly surprised to find herself relax, feeling almost protected next to him, drifting into a deep sleep.
Kurtis groggily awoke, relaxed and refreshed, before realizing his surroundings. He checked his watch, silently cursing for letting himself sleep for nearly 5 hours. He could tell Lara was still sleeping, and Alice… he suddenly remembered he was sharing a bed with her. He turned to look at her, noticing how she'd turned in her sleep and was now facing him. He couldn't help but look at her. God, she is gorgeous, he thought, she looks so innocent, like an angel. Shame it disappears when she's conscious. As if on cue, Alice's eyes fluttered open. Kurtis tensed, expecting a harsh word at his being in bed with her. He wanted to move, to save himself some dignity, but couldn't. Fortunately, no response came. He took in her face: lips parted, slightly upturned at the corners, like a perpetual smile, eyes wide and refreshed. He found himself staring into her eyes as she locked into his. All thoughts melted away as he became lost in her silver and she in his blue.
She didn't know how long he'd been looking at her, or how long she'd at him. At first she was afraid he was dead, if not for the tell tale signs of breathing and blinking. She just lay there completely relaxed; at ease.
Suddenly, the door beeped and slid away, more artificial light shining brilliantly into the room, brutal, disturbing whatever peace was in there; waking Lara up.
"Good morning," Kaufman said as he followed three guards into the room. "I trust you all had a pleasant sleep. Good to see you have found your friends, Ms. Clarke. Saved us a trip." Three more guards entered behind the original three, and helped them to manhandle the prisoners, handcuffing their arms behind their backs and forcing them into the hall.
A/N: so i know that chapter may get me shot by all those diehard lara/kurtis fans, but i couldnt resist! yes it's a little fluffy, but i sort of like the interaction between Alice and Kurtis...to me it makes more sense than it would between kurtis/lara (at least in this story!) so enjoy it, but still things are always subject to change, so let me know what you think!
Special thanks to NFI who, once again, beta-read my chapter!
Shadow Rising, Ellethiel, City of Angels,and Froggie- i'm glad you enjoyed it! thanks for the review!
Hope you enjoy and dont forget to review!