A/N: Reviews make me smile.
Chapter 2 :
Sam and Lara were still on the roof of the old house, trying to figure out what happened to them.
"What is the last thing you remember?" Lara questioned.
Sam glanced around as she searched through her memory. She was glad that at least, they ended up in a house a bit away from the city. "We were trying to escape from Dr. Zuller and his goons but we got surrounded. I felt something stick into my neck and then nothing."
"Same, except…" The archaeologist tried to clear the fog in her mind to remember more details. "I gained consciousness for a few seconds, I felt like my body was being dragged then put on a chair."
"So they put us in their damn machine and pressed start?" The filmmaker said incredulously. "Why are we ourselves then? Aren't we supposed to be our ancestors?"
"They weren't in Greece at the time and since the main test subject is Katherine, I guess our minds were transported here with her as spectators…" The Englishwoman deducted. She should have done more research on the device when Katherine mentioned it but it wasn't like she was planning on using it.
"But I can touch things," Sam let her fingers graze against the wall behind her. "Feel things." She gently caressed Lara's arm. "And…" She sniffed the air. "Smell things… God, what the hell is that smell?" She looked around for the source of the odor until she found the culprit. "Goats…"
Lara chuckled. "Yes, if we are stuck here, you better get used to that, and pigs, and bad smells in general."
The producer made a face. "Great… So what's our plan?"
Lara looked at Sam then at herself. "We need to find clothes if we want to go unnoticed. Then, we'll have to gather information so we can find Kassandra."
"We don't even know what she looks like." Sam reminded her. "And even if we do find her, then what are we supposed to say? Hi, we're from the future, we know one of your descendants and we somehow ended up here to find an artifact we know nothing about."
"It won't be easy." The archaeologist conceded. "But I think she's our only chance to leave this place."
The older woman sighed. "We don't even know how this animus thing works, for all we know we could be stuck here until they decide to unplug us."
The Englishwoman took a moment to think. "Dr. Zuller said that they needed information on an artifact and that's why they wanted us here with Katherine. It means, somehow, they have a way to monitor our movements so they can bring us back when we have what they need."
"Can we leave on our own volition?" The filmmaker asked, despite knowing Lara didn't know more than her. "Maybe there's a safety switch if something happens to us."
"Let's hope so, but for now, we need to find Kassandra."
They made their way to the city, hiding in the tall grass so no one would notice them while still taking the time to enjoy their surroundings, as surreal as it was to be back in ancient Greece. They moved from house to house until they found some clothes drying outside. It was two simple chitons, the classical apparel at the time, although Sam decided to drape a himation over her shoulder for a better look.
Once they were dressed, Lara stated. "It itches and it's not practical. If we have to stay, I'm gonna need an armor and weapons."
"Me too." Sam agreed. "This dress is cute but I'd rather have something easier to run in."
"I saw a few soldiers. We should find a small camp, wait for the night and then steal their armor once they are asleep." The archaeologist suggested.
"Okay." The filmmaker nodded. "But we'd better be discreet because if anyone sees us, things could turn to shit pretty fast."
"I know." Lara looked around the street. "We'll also have to hide our weapons, they were prohibited in the agora."
"I'm more concern with the fact that we are women and we're barely above slaves on the scale of rights and on top of that, I don't look Mediterranean at all." Sam answered, knowing that they could get in trouble for a lot of things that were just mundane in their century. "But I guess we'll have to be careful about that too."
"I remember reading somewhere that they had a few contacts with China but Japan was unknown territory for them." Lara told her. "I guess if anyone asks, you could say you're a slave."
"Is that supposed to make me feel better?" The producer asked bewildered. "What the fuck, Lara?"
Lara noticed the worry on her wife's face and reached out to squeeze her shoulder. "Hey, I know none of us were expecting that when we left the manor this morning but I promise you, we'll find a way to leave this place and go back home safely."
Sam sighed, resting her hand on top of Lara's on her shoulder. "Safe and sound?"
"Yes." The Englishwoman saw Sam raise a doubtful eyebrow. "Fine, maybe bruised, but I'll do my best to keep you safe, like I always do."
"And I'll do the same." Sam smiled at her wife before groaning. "Damn, I want to kiss you."
Lara chuckled, kissing Sam's cheek before stepping away. "As soon as we're back to the little house we woke up in earlier, you'll be free to kiss me as much as you want."
"Can't wait." The older woman winked. "Now, let's find people to rob."
"We are not Pirates." The archaeologist answered, amused, slowly walking away from the Agora.
"Oh, do you think we'll be able to sail on one of these triremes?" Sam wondered as she followed her wife.
"I don't know, love."
"Then maybe we should ask a Priestess," Sam joked. "I think I saw a temple over there."
"Right," Lara shook her head at her wife's silliness but decided to play along. "And why not asking them when we'll be back to London?"
"Oh, good idea. Should I invite them for tea?" They both laughed as they continued their walk.
Sam and Lara wandered around the city borders until they found a camp in the woods, with a couple of drunk soldiers. They hid behind trees, waiting for the night to fall. Once one of the soldiers was asleep, Lara knocked out the one keeping watch and rummaged through the crates of supplies to find what she needed.
The archaeologist was almost done when out of nowhere, a third guard came out of the shadow. Lara quickly unsheathed the sword she had just found to take care of him but Sam stopped her.
"Don't, it will bring too much attention." The filmmaker whispered.
Lara frowned. "What do you want me to do then?"
"Leave it to me." Sam patted Lara's cheek before stepping away.
"Sam, no…" Lara whispered-yelled but her wife was already walking away.
Sam grabbed something on the ground and moved toward the soldier. "Yassas!" She greeted him, trying to remember the few Greek words she had learned during her previous vacation in Greece with Lara.
The man straightened up. "You shouldn't be here, kupia."
"I'm sorry but I think I am lost. I was looking for mushrooms for my master," The filmmaker showed him the mushrooms she had just picked up. "And I can't find my way back to the city." She smiled, feigning shyness as she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.
The soldier studied her for a few seconds before smiling back. "Let me walk you out of the wood, you should find your way back from there."
"Efharisto." Sam thanked him, her hand waving behind her back to tell Lara to gather their findings and leave.
Lara picked up all the gear and worriedly followed her wife and the soldier from a safe distance. She only relaxed when the man nodded in goodbye and left. She rushed at Sam's side. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine." Sam reassured her. "I even stole some drachmae when he was walking a bit too close to me." She added proudly.
"How did you learn that trick?" Lara looked at Sam, impressed by her wife's skills. She knew Sam had many talents and could sweet talk almost anyone but the pickpocket part was a surprise.
"Not that I'm proud of it but I did some shoplifting and other less than legal stuff when I was in high school, thinking it would get my parents' attention." Sam shrugged. "I felt bad and quickly stopped, that's why I don't like to talk about it."
"I'm sorry… It went better than I expected, he could have manhandled you but… For what it's worth, you did great, I'm proud of you." Lara congratulated, knowing it wasn't the time nor the place to discuss the topic of Sam's past.
"What can I say?" The older woman smiled proudly. "Sometimes you get more with sugar than salt."
"What is that supposed to mean?"
The filmmaker cupped Lara's face in her hands. "It means you are amazing but we needed a more peaceful way to deal with him back there and I am the master of seduction."
"I can be seductive." Lara scowled, pulling her face away. "I've never heard you complain before."
"You are with me, and you can be quite charming when you want to be but you're often aggressive toward men." Sam pointed out.
"I am not!" The Englishwoman crossed her arms defensively.
Sam looked at her pointedly. "Really?"
Lara opened then closed her mouth, realizing Sam might have a point. She tended to be defensive in expeditions. "Maybe a little but…"
"But it's okay," The producer assured her softly. "I mean, most of the people we run into when we're traveling aren't really trustworthy. You're just protective, that's something I love about you."
"Good." The taller woman nodded to herself, glad to know her wife wasn't put off by this side of her. They slowly started walking toward the house they had settled in.
"And by the way, you can seduce me as much as you want tonight." Sam winked seductively.
Lara chuckled. "It's not like you can resist me."
Sam gasped, shoving Lara with her shoulder. "Oh, look who's cocky now."
"Am I wrong?" Lara raised a daring eyebrow.
The filmmaker giggled. "You are not, Mrs. Croft, you are not."
In the end, they were able to steal a dagger for Sam, a bow and an old sword for Lara as well as pieces of armors that looked like they had been looted after a battle. Lara also found a map which would come in handy to figure out where they were and where they could go next.
Sam and Lara had been in Kirrha for two days now, gathering information, stealing food and whatever they could use to survive.
It was late afternoon and the couple was walking around the dock. Lara was wearing her armor under her traditional cloak while Sam had opted to only keep the dagger on her for now.
They were approaching yet another shop when they heard a man exclaim.
"Kassandra, my friend! You came back." The merchant smiled.
"Yes, Sargon, I did." The tall brunette answered. "Do you have what I asked for?"
"Oh my god…" From her spot, Sam's eyes went wide. "Do you think it's her?"
"She certainly fits the description in the manuscript but we need to make sure." Lara gently led Sam to the side, so they could watch them without being seen.
"Always straight to business." Sargon replied with a chuckle. "Yes, I found what you wanted. It wasn't easy but I am not the best for no reason."
"Good," The mercenary nodded. "Here's your special money." She handed him the orichalcum. "I still don't understand why you don't use drachmae like everybody else."
The merchant reached for a wooden box and gave it to the brunette. "Special money for special goods, misthios."
"It's her." Lara confirmed as soon as she heard the title.
"So what do we do?" Sam questioned. "Do we try to talk to her alone?"
Lara shook her head. "Let's just follow her first."
Sam and Lara followed Kassandra until she reached a docked ship and stopped on the pontoon. Even if the place was pretty open, they quickly spotted a crate to hide behind.
"Do you think it's hers?" The filmmaker asked, nodding in direction of the ship.
"I don't think she has enough money to own that kind of ship." Lara answered before focusing back on the mercenary.
Kassandra nodded as another woman joined her. "Odessa, is there something I can help you with?"
"You surely can, Kassandra." The petite woman replied seductively.
The mercenary raised an eyebrow. "And what is that?"
Odessa leaned closer, her hand slowing caressing the mercenary's arm. "I found a quiet place on top of a cliff earlier, why don't you follow me and I'll tell you there."
The misthios frowned. "Should we leave the ship?"
"You are the commander, what you say goes." Odessa stated. "For old times' sake, champion, let's have some fun for one night." She gave her her most charming smile.
Kassandra smirked. "Lead the way then."
Sam watched the women walk away before saying. "Ohhh, guess who visited Lesbos for something else than the beauty of the landscape."
"Sam!" Lara chastised her. "They could be just friends."
"Sure," The producer snorted. "And we are just gal pals sharing a bed." She sighed. "I guess unless we want some free porn, there's no point into following them now."
"God, you're impossible." The archaeologist laughed despite herself. "But you're right, they'll come back here eventually."
The next morning, the couple waited at the dock for Kassandra's return. The mercenary stayed long enough to talk to a gray-haired man with a scar before leaving once again in direction of the agora.
Sam and Lara were following Kassandra on a dirt path for almost half an hour now when suddenly, three men with masks surged toward her. The couple watched in awe as the mercenary swiftly unsheathed her weapons and slammed her spear straight into one of the men's belly.
Sam gapped. "Holy shit, she's hot…"
"You have to be kidding me …" Lara gave her the side-eye.
"Malaka!" Kassandra growled when her last opponent's blade scratched her arm.
"I can't stay here and watch." Lara removed her cloak and got ready to help.
"I don't think she needs our help." Just as Sam finished her sentence, a fourth man ran toward Kassandra.
Quickly, Lara came out of her hiding place, drew her bow and shot an arrow at him. The mercenary turned around in surprise. The archaeologist lowered her bow, to show that she wasn't a threat but Kassandra didn't leave Lara any time to speak before she tackled her to the ground and brought her spear to her throat.
"No!" Sam ran toward them. "Please stop, we're not with them, we were just trying to help." She raised her hands to show she meant no harm.
Kassandra looked at Sam, then back at Lara. "If you are not mercenaries or cultists, who are you?"
Lara pushed the spear away from her throat and coughed. "It's a long story but please let us explain, I swear we are not your enemy here."
The mercenary pondered her choices for a moment, looking intently into Lara's eyes before pulling away and standing up. "Fine, you have five minutes." She put her sword back in its sheath but kept her spear close.
Sam hurried at Lara's side and helped her stand. "Are you okay, sweetie?"
The Englishwoman nodded. "Yes."
Kassandra tapped her foot in impatience. "I don't have all day."
"Give us a second, would you." Sam snapped. "You almost killed her!"
"She came out of nowhere with a weapon," The mercenary crossed her arms defensively. "A lot of people are after me, I was just defending myself."
"She was trying to help!" The filmmaker exclaimed angrily.
"Everyone, calm down. I'm okay." Lara reassured, touching her wife's arm gently. "Let's just tell her everything we know."
"Why aren't pissed about this?" Sam asked baffled.
"It won't change anything," The archaeologist answered. "Besides, weren't you the one who thought she was hot a few minutes ago?"
The producer's jaw fell in shock. "Seriously?"
Kassandra raised an eyebrow but didn't comment. "Three minutes."
Lara sighed. "I know what I'm about to say is going to sound crazy but I need you to listen. We are from the future."
"Sort of..." Sam added.
"We know one of your descendants, she's…" Lara tried to find the correct word to describe her relationship with Katherine.
"Not one of our friends, more like an acquaintance really." The filmmaker finished for her wife, knowing there was no point in lying.
"She was looking for some information on you so we tried to help her," Lara continued. "But a secret organization got involved and forced us to use a machine that sent our spirits here, in the past, to find an artifact you are connected to."
"By Zeus, what are you two talking about?" The mercenary questioned, slowly losing her patience.
Sam waved her hand as if to say 'I told you so.' "Yeah, told you that speech wouldn't work."
"We are here to help you." Lara tried again, rummaging through her brain for a way to convince the woman.
Kassandra scoffed. "Help me do what exactly?"
"We… I… I don't know…" Lara saw Kassandra take a step backward, ready to walk away so she rushed to add. "Yet, I don't know yet but if there's something I'm sure of, it's that it's connected to you."
"I don't have time for this." The mercenary waved dismissively. "Thank you for killing that cultist, now you can be on your way."
"No, you can't leave, we need you too." Sam said, aware that the woman was their only chance to wake up from the nightmare they were in.
"Unless you have drachmae, I'm not interested…" Kassandra stated as she started walking away.
"Your name is Kassandra. You were born in Sparta. Your mother was the daughter of King Leonidas. When you were little, her husband, Nikolaos, threw you from a cliff after you tried to save your brother Alexios." The Englishwoman said in one breath, in a last attempt at making Kassandra stay.
The misthios stopped walking and lifted her spear, turning around with fire in her eyes. "How do you know this?" She roared.
"I told you, we are from another century." Lara raised her hands in a pacifying gesture, trying to prove once again that they weren't looking for a fight. "Your story was recorded in a manuscript, based on old tablets."
"They wrote stories about me?" Kassandra frowned in confusion. "Why?"
Sam snorted, pointing at the woman. "Have you seen yourself?"
Lara ignored the comment and continued. "Is there any way to convince you that we are telling the truth?"
"Maybe, but I'm not sure how it works exactly." The mercenary moved to the side of the dirt path, right under the trees surrounding it for some discretion.
"If it's pain-free, we'll gladly do it." Sam declared as Lara and her joined the tall woman.
Kassandra wordlessly approached the spear from Lara. The archaeologist sighed tiredly. "You need to stop threatening us if you want this to work."
"If I wanted you dead, you would be already." The misthios announced mightily. "Just touch it."
Lara paused and took a good look at the weapon, quickly recognized it. "It's the spear of King Leonidas."
The producer leaned closer. "Do you think it's what Dr. Zuller is after?"
The Englishwoman shook her head. "I don't think so, it would be too easy."
Sam looked at Lara in disbelief. "I wouldn't call this journey a walk in a park so far."
"Just touch it already." Kassandra ordered, trying to get the women's attention.
"Fine, here." Lara put her hand on the weapon. A few seconds passed with nothing happening. "What now?"
"Hum," The mercenary seemed to hesitate, staring questioningly at the spear. "Do you feel anything?"
"Should I?" The archaeologist glanced at the spear then at Kassandra. "Do you even know what you're doing?"
"No…" Kassandra trailed off before hardening her resolve. "Yes, it worked once!"
"What worked?" The filmmaker inquired.
"By the Gods, stop talking!" The mercenary shouted, exasperated.
"Well, you asked…" Lara muttered, rolling her eyes.
Kassandra seemed to think for a moment before grabbing a gold triangle piece from a hidden pocket. She put it right on top of Lara's hand and kept hers there. Suddenly, both women saw flashes of Lara's past, her parents, the manor, Roth, Uni, Sam, Yamatai, Kitezh, all in a quick succession of images. The Mercenary pulled away, confused and uneasy. "Who are you?" She questioned, turning suspicious again and bringing the spear to Lara's throat.
"Easy there! You're a bit too gun-happy, or like spear-happy for me." Sam slowly touched the spear, trying to push it away from Lara when a flash of memory hit her and Kassandra. This time, the mercenary felt a wave of nausea at the sight of an evil Queen sacrificing young women.
"Himiko…" Sam breathed out when the mercenary removed her hand. She felt her legs go weak just before Lara caught her, holding her close.
"And who are you, witch?" Kassandra turned her spear toward Sam, just as Lara grabbed her wife's dagger.
"I wouldn't do that." Lara stated coldly, bringing her weapon to the mercenary's throat, both women entering into a staredown.