TOMB OF LIFE

TOMB OF LIFE

CHAPTER 12

The night of the ShinRa party had finally arrived, and Lara couldn't help the anxiety that had crept into her chest while she got ready. She wouldn't have had anything to worry about if the thought of Sephiroth and Cloud in the same room together didn't spell big trouble. She was almost certain Vincent would not show up so she had no worries there, but what would she do should Cloud and Sephiroth decide to bring their personal differences to light.

Lara couldn't help feeling a lot of this was her fault. She had somehow managed to plant herself between the two men, serving as another reason to instigate their violent nature. Lara found the whole situation ironic knowing that she would never have gotten herself into such a predicament while on Earth. She just hadn't been as interested in that many men. Sure she had a few flings in the past but nothing serious ever came of them. What she had with Sephiroth was definitely different from the rest, but she had yet to label exactly what that was.

Lara sighed as she sat in her robe looking at herself in the mirror. A hairdresser had already come by to do her hair. The lustrous waves were pulled up into a tight coiffure. Loose auburn colored tendrils were allowed to frame her face delicately. Lara had only to get dressed and she would be ready to leave. However Rufus had opted that she would be arriving at the party fashionably late with Sephiroth by her side. As the guest of honor it was the only way to go. So Lara had to resign herself to wait for another hour or two until Sephiroth came to get her. She wasn't sure if she'd be able to survive that long, or if she'd be a nervous wreck once the General showed up.

Deciding she needed some reassurance, she picked up her cell phone and called him. She was pleased to hear his deep yet gentle voice over the receiver. "Seph, can you promise me something?"

"If I say yes do you promise to give me something in return?" Sephiroth asked.

"I suppose," Lara began, unsure of where he was going with this.

"Right now, all I can think about is coming over there and making love to you. So, if you promise me an all nighter, I think I can do just about anything."

If Lara had mistaken the sexual tension she heard in his voice, his frank words left no doubt. "I think that can be arranged," She couldn't help smiling. "Now I just need some reassurance from you that you won't get into it with Cloud tonight."

"Is that all?" Sephiroth asked. "Lara I'm already bound to my word with the president that I will be on my best behavior, so you have nothing to worry about."

"Oh, well in that case forget I called."

"Not so fast, I'm still holding you to your end of the bargain," Sephiroth said seductively. "I will see you soon."

After the conversation ended, Lara soon realized she was holding the phone to her chest and biting her bottom lip, fantasizing about her upcoming night with the General like a school girl on prom night. She quickly snapped out of it and went into the bathroom.

--

Cloud didn't know what he was doing there, he felt uncomfortable, though it's not like he'd bothered to dress for the part. He still wore his black motorcycle attire and had arrived at the well anticipated ShinRa party as such. His friends from Avalanche were there as well, but their presence did very little to ease the discomfort Cloud was experiencing.

The party was now in full swing – all the dignitaries and other influential members of society were present including the ShinRa execs and Rufus himself. Cloud's eyes followed the devious leader of ShinRa – the man had greeted him earlier, and it had taken all of Cloud's willpower to remain civil. He knew the type of man Rufus was, he could smile in your face one minute and stab you in the back the next.

Cloud supposed his uneasiness stemmed from the fact that Lara was nowhere to be found – neither was Sephiroth. This was strange considering the party was being held in her honor. Apparently this was the thought on the minds of many others as well. Cloud had overheard a conversation Rufus had with a reporter who wanted to know where the mysterious guest of honor was as well. Rufus replied that she would be arriving with General Sephiroth shortly, that had been almost an hour ago, and Cloud thought he would go mad if he had to pretend he was having a good time for a minute longer.

Tifa came to his side to check on him sporadically, but he kept telling her he was fine. Barret and Cid were off enjoying themselves with women and liquor respectively, while Yuffie had several party goers enthralled, as she depicted an adventurous story of a mission she had partaken as a child. "I feel like my head is going to explode if I'm forced to stay here any longer."

"How about a dance then?" Tifa suggested smiling. At the sour look Cloud gave her she continued, "Never mind." She was about to go in search of a glass of wine when the music quieted and Rufus stood up on the center stage of the reception ballroom to make an announcement.

"I thank you all for coming, and now it's time to introduce our guest of honor," Rufus began as the band began a drum roll. "Ladies and Gentlemen I give you, General Sephiroth Gast and Lady Lara Croft!"

Cloud looked around to see which entrance they would appear, it wasn't until he heard the surprised exclamations and saw people pointing upwards that he realized the couple were descending above the crowd in style. Standing atop a movable lift, Sephiroth and Lara were slowly lowered to center stage. Cloud couldn't take his eyes off her. She was breathtakingly beautiful is a sleeveless, deep red gown with a V neckline that accentuated the curve of her ample bosom. Around the waistline was a gold beaded strip that helped to redefine her gold jewelry accessories, which consisted of a thick bangle and love knot earrings. He barely spared Sephiroth a glance – even though he was not wearing his usual armor. The General was dressed in a black suit with a green collared shirt beneath it. However, the fact that he held Lara by the waist with one of her arms entwined in his own caused Cloud's jealousy to flare.

Rufus continued to speak, but Cloud wasn't entirely sure what he was saying. The din of pictures being snapped and people murmuring about the couple seemed to drone out the president, at least from where Cloud was standing in the back of the room. His Mako blue eyes never left Lara as they descended the stage into the audience – her smile never wavered and even Sephiroth seemed decidedly happy, and Cloud could imagine why.

Lara was relieved when the music resumed and Sephiroth was able to guide her away from the questioning reporters to the dance floor. Although the reporters had been provided with her cover story, it seemed they wanted to know even more about the mysterious beauty. It was an elaborate yet fabricated story with the gist of it being that Lara had grown up in Kalm, and was the daughter of some obscure SOLDIER 1st and had been trained as such. Her assistance on a recent SOLDIER mission had brought her expertise to the forefront and as a result was rewarded with a position in ShinRa.

It was a good enough story, but Lara knew if she were pressed for details the truth would come out, which is why Sephiroth had answered most of the personal questions that were directed at her and ignored those he deemed to be too intrusive. Although Lara didn't care about covering up the facts of her true origins, she understood why it needed to be done. To openly admit that she was alien to Gaia could cause a panic, and an unneeded one considering she didn't plan on staying.

As the night wore on, Sephiroth had yet to leave Lara's side. She was grateful for the continued support his presence awarded her. However, when Executive Heidegger engaged Sephiroth in a conversation on SOLDIER affairs, Lara excused herself and headed to the buffet table. Before she got there, Cloud intercepted her. She gazed at him and for a brief second thought she saw pain reflected in those blue eyes, but then it was gone and she wondered if she'd imagined it.

"Congratulations on your position, and by the way, you look fantastic," Cloud stated.

"Thank you," Lara replied. "I'm glad you came."

"Are you really?" Cloud asked.

There was no disdain in his voice yet she couldn't help feeling that he resented the way the evening had progressed. She glimpsed Tifa standing several feet away, watching them intently. "Tifa is beautiful. I had the pleasure of meeting her before tonight."

"Really?"

Lara nodded. That's interesting, so Tifa hadn't told Cloud about their little skirmish in the streets, but then why would she? Cloud most likely would have been displeased by her actions. "So, have you been enjoying yourself?" Lara regretted the question the second it left her lips.

A wry grin crossed his handsome face. "What do you think? I suppose it was all worth it to get at least one chance to speak to you."

Lara held his gaze for a few seconds but really had no idea what to say. He saved her from putting her foot in her mouth once more.

"Good night Lara – I do wish you all the best." He wanted to kiss her desperately but somehow restrained himself. His gaze lingered on her for several moments before he turned and walked away.

Lara watched him go unsure of what to do. She wasn't sure why his goodbye seemed almost permanent. The thought of that bothered her – perhaps a bit too much. She almost literally jumped when Sephiroth tapped her from behind. She turned around and gazed at the General. "You gave me a fright."

"My apologies," Sephiroth glanced over her shoulders at Clouds retreating form. "What did he say to you?" Sephiroth returned his emerald green gaze to hers.

"That he's leaving – I guess he's had enough of the party." Lara wasn't sure if he believed her or not, but he did not indicate otherwise as he opted to change the subject.

"I promised Executive Scarlet a dance. Every time we throw a ShinRa party I swear she has a dance card written somewhere with my name on it." Sephiroth sighed. "Will you be ok for about five minutes?"

"I'll be wonderful, you go right ahead," Lara said, giving him a reassuring smile. He returned the smile and she watched as he walked off, heading in the direction of a blond woman who was wearing a ridiculous amount of make-up. Lara took the opportunity to sneak out onto one of the empty balconies that overlooked the ShinRa lawns for a moment of privacy.

She hadn't been standing on the balcony for very long before a red cloaked figure dropped down beside her. Lara stared at Vincent Valentine and he too was searching her face with those sinisterly beautiful crimson orbs of his. She glanced at the closed balcony door and wondered what Sephiroth would do if he once again found her alone with his father.

"I won't stay long, but I do have a question Lara Croft," Vincent began, his ruby gaze unwavering. "Do you love Sephiroth?"

Lara paused for a moment before replying truthfully. "I honestly don't know."

"He looked decidedly happy tonight – I imagine that is due to you." Vincent walked to the edge of the balcony and placed his golden gauntlet hand on the marble railing. "I suspect there is a reason why ShinRa hasn't disclosed your true origins to the public."

Lara's eyes widened yet she remained silent. She wasn't sure how he knew she wasn't native to Gaia but he practically just told her as much.

"If you do not love him, you should tell him post haste."

"Perhaps you should take your own advice as well Mr. Valentine, and if you do love your son, you should tell him that as well," Lara stated calmly. There was about as much reaction to Lara's comment on Vincent's face, as there would be on a corpse. The man didn't seem phased that she knew about his relationship with Sephiroth.

"If he's told you the truth, then you mean more to him than you know."

"Why don't you wait here, let me go get him and all three of us can have a civil conversation," Lara offered.

"No, you must not interfere. It seems my son is prone to bouts of insane jealousy. Something I've never noticed about him until you came into his life. If you apprise him of the fact that I came here, it will only turn ugly."

"Then what do you suggest? That we stand around doing nothing?" Lara felt the anger rise in her veins when he turned away from her. "Stop wasting time. I think you've done that enough – for thirty years if I understand correctly."

"Hmm," Vincent vaulted onto the marble railing before turning back to look at her. "Perhaps you are just what he needs." He allowed himself to fall over the ledge.

Lara watched as his mist form sailed upward and out of sight. She was still angry that the man seemed so unwilling to compromise, now she could see where Sephiroth got his stubborn trait. After Lara re-entered the ballroom, she told Sephiroth she was ready to retire. He did not question her and made their excuses to Rufus then left immediately.

--

Later that night, Lara lay curled up in bed with Sephiroth. They were cushioned within his comfortable king sized bed. After an intricate lovemaking session, Lara had been pondering how to tell Sephiroth about Vincent's earlier visit with her. She never imagined keeping it from him, and how could she if she wanted them to eventually lose their resentment and truly become father and son? So she decided to just come out and say it. "Your father was at the party tonight." She felt Sephiroth's arm around her stiffen, indicating that he had heard her though he opted not to give a response so she continued. "We had a small chat on the balcony, he had been watching us – how, I'm not entirely sure."

"I'm sure he thought of something," Sephiroth said dryly. "What did he want?"

"What does he normally want when he comes to visit? Oh yes – to see you though I think his version of that is rather one sided." Lara sighed and retreated from the sarcasm. "I really think you two should try to come to terms with your relationship. It'd probably do both of you a world of good."

"And just when I thought I'd been having a good night," Sephiroth groaned.

"Will you at least think about it?"

Sephiroth was quiet for a long time before finally saying. "Ok, but I'll make no promises."

--

One week later, Lara was called into a meeting with Tseng, Rufus and Sephiroth. The location was the President's office – apparently there had been some disturbing disappearances in a small village in Wutai.

"Our SOLDIER unit stationed there made the discovery," Tseng began while passing out pictures of the deserted village. "That's blood you see, it's everywhere, on the ground and in the buildings."

"But no bodies," Lara stated the obvious.

"It's the second village to be discovered like this in the past week. Needless to say tensions are rising and the Wutai suspect that ShinRa had something to do with this," Rufus spoke up.

"Did we?" Sephiroth asked pointedly.

Rufus smirked at Sephiroth before replying. "Honestly, we didn't. There is something else far more sinister at work here. Sephiroth I want you to lead a team out there to back up Weiss's unit for a more extensive search. A few Turks and I hope Lady Croft will accompany you as well."

Lara should have known there was a reason Rufus had requested her presence at this meeting. She had hit a roadblock with Hollander and the progress they were making in recreating the Portal device's effects. She was frustrated but had kept it mostly to herself. She did find herself longing for a change of pace to get her mind off their disappointing work. However, she hadn't counted on a mission that would send her halfway across the globe. Lara didn't think she had a choice in the matter – Rufus had been extremely generous with her thus far and it was about time she repaid some of that generosity. "Yes of course, I will go to Wutai."

"Excellent, you may embark once you have your team ready," Rufus said nodding to Sephiroth. He watched silently as Lara and Sephiroth left the room, when only Tseng remained he said. "I'd like you to go as well – to keep an eye on things."

"Yes sir," Tseng replied. He knew Rufus's version of 'keeping an eye on things' dealt solely with covering up any misdeeds that would taint ShinRa's 'good' name.

--

Lara met Sephiroth twenty minutes later in the lobby of the main ShinRa building. The group consisted of four Turks; Reno, Rude, Cissnei and Tseng, who would round out the team once he got there. The two SOLIDERS present were Sephiroth and Genesis. Although she had misgivings, she was still excited to be going on a mission. Lara was anxious to get a chance to use some of the materia she had been given, which was now laying in her backpack. She had strength, levitate and healing materia to name a few.

Sephiroth was looking at Lara staring actually with an approving expression on his face. This was the first time he was seeing her so called 'work uniform.' She was wearing a black patent leather cat suit, with wedge squared booted heels. He couldn't make out much of the skintight suit as he would have liked, for it was covered by a long, flowing, black trench coat. As she walked, he could see her twin pistols strapped to her slender thighs. Attached to her black backpack was Excalibur, forged into the full length sword. Though Sephiroth hoped they had nothing to worry about in Wutai, he still longed to see her in action again and she was certainly prepared for it. Sephiroth caught Genesis looking at Lara with a roving gaze and swiftly gave the redhead a scathing look. The blue-eyed SOLDIER quickly looked away. The Turks didn't seem to be paying much attention to her, and the General ignored them as he headed towards Lara. "As soon as Tseng arrives we'll leave."

Lara nodded, though she was distracted by a commotion that was occurring just outside the building. She could see clearly through the glass doors as Tifa Lockhart tried to make her way into the building, only to be greeted by opposition. "Why won't they let her in?"

"Truce or not any member of Avalanche needs an invite to come here," Sephiroth said, but called out to the guards to let the brunette through.

Tifa had a pissed expression on her face as she walked up to the couple. "I need to talk to you," She was looking directly at Lara.

"Ok," Lara replied.

"In private," Tifa demanded.

"Right, there is a balcony over here." Lara gestured to the door a few feet behind them.

"Lara," There was a warning tone in Sephiroth's voice.

"I'll be fine." Lara reassured him before she joined Tifa on the balcony.

"Cloud is missing," Tifa blurted out immediately. "I haven't seen him for over 4 days and he never stays away that long."

Lara flipped open her phone intent on dialing his number.

"He's not answering," Tifa stated and became more annoyed when the hazel eyed woman completed her call nonetheless.

"It would seem you're right," Lara replied before flipping her phone closed. "Have you contacted any of his friends – anyone he might be staying with?"

"We didn't have a fight – he had absolutely no reason to leave me or the kids without telling us. But for your information, yes, I have called all his friends and none have heard from him." Tifa glared at the other woman her emotions too volatile for her to conceal. "I think we both know why he's gone."

"If you have something to say to me Tifa then just say it," Lara stated, leveling her gaze evenly on the agitated woman.

"After he talked to you at the party he wasn't the same. For the first couple of days I thought he just needed some time to get over you, but now this happens."

"What do you want me to do?" Lara asked.

"Help me find him! Chances are you're the only one who can bring him out of this – whatever this is." Tifa suspected it might be love but she couldn't bring herself to say the word. It hurt too much to think that Cloud had fallen in love with another woman on her watch.

Lara sighed, "I was just about to leave on a ShinRa sanctioned mission."

"Oh yes of course – first things first." Tifa's voice was dripping with sarcasm.

Lara held a finger up indicating she needed a moment and once again flipped open her phone. After dialing a number she stood awaiting a response. "Zack, its Lara, I know you're still on the tail end of a mission but I have a favor to ask. It seems Cloud has gone missing, but I'm about to leave with Sephiroth and the Turks for Wutai. Most likely you will be returning before I do…"

"Don't sweat it Lara, Tifa already called me about Cloud, and as soon as I wrap up here in Kalm, I was planning to head out there to search for him," Zack said.

"Wonderful, thank you Zack," Lara replied. She wouldn't have left the responsibility for anyone else if she didn't know that Zack and Cloud were very good friends.

"No problem Lara, you go on your mission and don't worry about a thing," Zack stated.

After Lara hung up with the SOLDIER she glanced at Tifa. "As soon as I return – I will join the search for him."

"Whatever…" Tifa muttered, before brushing past Lara to exit the balcony.

When Lara returned to the lobby, all members of the expedition were now present, including Tseng. "I'm sorry for the delay."

"No need to apologize," Sephiroth stated with a half smile on his handsome face. "Let's get going."

Lara's catsuit is similar to the one worn by Selene in Underworld. I didn't think the catsuits of the actual game did her justice.