TOMB OF LIFE

TOMB OF LIFE

CHAPTER 16

It took almost a day for all the alter realm beings to finally be eliminated. With the combined forces of SOLDIERS, Avalanche and the ShinRa army, the planet was once again safe from the invaders. However, it had come at a high price, many civilians and ShinRa personnel alike had lost their lives in the process. And even now Vincent Valentine was fighting for his.

Lara stood with Sephiroth in the waiting room of the Deep Ground infirmary ward. They had come there after Tseng had informed them that Vincent had been found lying in a deep crater on the outskirts of the city where he must have fallen from an extreme height after being blasted sky high, due to the aftershocks of the Mako cannon blast. He was still alive and although his body had already repaired his injuries he remained unconscious. The doctors were dumbfounded by this, he should have regained consciousness as nothing appeared to be physically wrong with him, yet he seemed to be in a comatose state.

All they had found of Natla was one of her leathery wings, but the rest of the Atlantean queen was never found. If she were dead or alive there was no way to tell. Lara sincerely hoped that Natla was out of her life for good.

Tria had stayed for the extra day to provide any other information they required. She had explained that the disappearances of those two villages in Wutai; were most likely due to the advance squad that had been sent through the portal to verify Lara's whereabouts. The creatures had been recalled and later sent to Midgar, but not before they had wreaked some havoc on the local Wutaineese population.

Anxious to return to her world, Tria had thanked them once again for their help in liberating her people. She had left two portal devices with instructions on how to work them precisely so as not to mistakenly travel to the wrong reality.

Lara didn't even consider returning home until Vincent regained consciousness, he had been such an integral part to the success of her plan that she felt like she owed it to him to be there when he awoke. The ex-Turk had been reluctant to assist her at first, but she had managed to convince him that it was the only way they could end this without major loss of life. As he had escorted her to Deep Ground, she had continued to rally support for her cause until she finally convinced him to aid her.

She glanced over at Sephiroth who had been pacing back and forth. His concerned reaction alone told Lara that he cared more for the man laying in that hospital bed than he was willing to admit. It seemed the two would finally have an opportunity to bond as father and son, but Vincent's recovery was contingent upon that.

Lara had been able to manage a brief nap on one of the hospitals lounge chairs since coming here, but she knew Sephiroth hadn't slept at all. He had been awake for days now, super SOLDIER or not, sooner or later that was going to catch up to him. She knew she wouldn't be able to get him to leave so she had to try another approach. "Seph," Lara said softly.

Sephiroth stopped his pacing and turned to look at Lara. He hadn't heard her use his pet name for days now. It also reminded him that they hadn't made love in a while. She still wore her patent leather cat suit and looked as sexy as ever, even though it was a little disheveled due to her battle exploits. There was a small rip in the shoulder and the shiny black leather had a few definite blood and dirt stains. "You should go back to the apartment take a shower and get some rest."

"I'm not leaving you," Lara said adamantly. "What I wanted to say…" She stood up and walked towards him, taking his gloved hands in her own. "On Earth – some believe that it is possible for coma victims to hear when someone they love is talking to them. It's a long shot, but why don't you go talk to him?"

Sephiroth paused for a moment, his emerald green eyes held her tawny gaze. "I wouldn't know what to say."

"Try speaking from the heart," Lara suggested.

Sephiroth nodded and squeezed her hands tightly, then turned to Vincent's room never letting go of her hand indicating he wished her to accompany him.

Inside they found Vincent lying on the hospital bed dressed in a white gown with the covers drawn up to his neck. Lara realized this was the first time she had seem him without his red headband or the cowled red cloak. His lustrous black hair fell over his face making him look younger. Dark lashes fanned out against pale cheeks lending to his androgynous features. Lara had not gotten the chance to get to know Sephiroth's reclusive father very well and hoped she would still have the opportunity to remedy that in the future.

Sephiroth finally released Lara's hand and came to stand next to Vincent. He just stood there for a long moment simply staring at the man – a father he barely knew. Sometimes though rarely, he allowed himself to imagine what it would have been like had he been raised by both his parents. To have his mother and real father there during the trials and tribulations of his childhood. He did not regret his upbringing – he'd loved Gast and Aeris was the best sister anyone could ask for, but he couldn't help wondering what he had missed out on because fate had decided to deal him a different hand.

Sephiroth glanced down at Vincent's pale hand which lay at his side and very gently covered it with his gloved palm. He turned his gaze back to Vincent's sleeping persona and wracked his brain for something to say. What could he say? He had vowed to despise this man for as long as he lived. He had hated this man for as long as Lara had known him, but now all that had changed. Vincent had risked his life to save him, the woman he loved and the planet. Now he was paying a high price for his good deeds. "I'm sorry for everything," Sephiroth finally began. "I was wrong. I should have given you a chance. I was so angry, but there is no excuse for my behavior. I wish…"

Sephiroth paused with a sigh as he continued to stare at Vincent's prone form. "I wish there was a way for us to start over. I want you in my life – please don't leave me now."

Lara's hazel eyes glazed over as she listened silently to Sephiroth's speech. She knew very well that the stern General was capable of such passions, yet she also knew it took a lot out of him to actually express them. It made her think back to when she had lost her own father. He had gone missing only to turn up dead, and Lara had never felt such utter devastation before except when she had lost her mother. She prayed for a happy ending for Sephiroth – he deserved one.

Sephiroth finally turned back to Lara, he didn't know what else to say to Vincent but he knew he certainly needed Lara's support right about now. He embraced her in his arms and just held her, reveling in the feel of her warmth.

"Sephiroth,"

Sephiroth and Lara both turned around quickly to find Vincent gazing at them wearily. His crimson orbs were barely open a sliver, but the fact that he had regained consciousness was a very good sign. Sephiroth came to stand on one side of Vincent's bed while Lara took the other side. "You came back," Sephiroth said softly.

"I'm back, though I'll take a rain check the next time I decide to go up against a she-witch," Vincent said.

This brought a smile to Sephiroth's lips, though the silver-haired man wondered if Vincent had heard anything he'd said. "We're glad to have you back."

Lara smiled at the ex-Turk and gave him a brief hug. After straightening she said. "Thank you for saving my life, but I have to ask. Is Natla dead?"

"I'm unsure. We were thrown apart when the blast hit. I did hear her screaming just before I lost consciousness myself," Vincent replied.

"We'll continue to search for her – if she's still alive we'll find her and immediately remedy that," Sephiroth said, mostly to reassure Lara. Turning back to Vincent he said. "I should probably call the nurse in to have her check you over."

"I'm fine," Vincent began. "I was simply taking an extended nap."

Lara began to chuckle. She wasn't sure if he was being funny or serious but it still made her laugh to think about it.

"We were worried about you," Sephiroth blurted out.

Vincent turned knowing crimson eyes towards his son, "I know."

Sephiroth was silent for a moment as he processed the fact that Vincent most likely did hear the heartfelt speech the General had given. He couldn't help the smile that eventually tugged at the corner of his lips. It seemed getting to know Vincent was going to be interesting indeed.

--

Cissnei exited the restroom located on one of the training levels of the ShinRa complex. She was about to go about her business when she heard a familiar voice speak behind her. She turned around to find Sephiroth leaning against the wall, his arms folded across his chest with his gaze pointed at the floor. His stance indicated ease yet the emerald green eyes that he raised to her face spoke the truth of his feelings. He was angry.

"Cissnei," Sephiroth said with deadly calm, as he closed the distance between him and the nervous Turk. "If I ever find out that you conspired to hurt someone I care about because of your petty jealousies – I will be forced to take matters into my own hands. Once I am through with you, not only will you never work for ShinRa again, you'll have a difficult time getting anyone to hire you. So do us all a favor and grow up, for if you ever cross me again, I'll make certain you regret it for as long as you live." Having said his piece, the General turned away from the wide eyed woman and strode down the corridor.

Cissnei stood there for several minutes – her breath coming hard. She didn't know how he found out about the vendetta she had against Lara, was it possible Reno sold her out. No one else knew how she felt, did they? Having blanched to the pallor of a sheet she quickly ran back into the rest room and began to retch.

Sephiroth had been so disappointed to learn what Cissnei and Reno had been up to. The red-headed Turk had come clean about his involvement in Cissnei's antics that were meant to break-up him and Lara. He was told about the picture of Lara with Cloud and worst of all – the fact that Cissnei knew when Lara left the Deep Ground Compound yet had failed to inform him. He was almost certain it had been intentional, and even though everything had worked out fine, it still could have progressed so differently and Lara could have died.

He found it hard to believe that Cissnei had been pinning for him after all these years, due to one night when he'd had just a little too much to drink and had indulged himself in what she had to offer. He had made it clear the following day that there would be nothing between them, but apparently she'd had difficulty accepting that.

He sighed, putting the disturbing thoughts out of his mind just before he made it to Lara's chambers and rapped lightly on the door. After a short pause, his auburn haired lover opened the door and stepped aside to allow him in. Today she was wearing tan colored shorts and a beige short sleeved shirt with her rugged sole boots. She was dressed much the same as the day she had arrived on Gaia, which was ironic for this was the day she would be leaving him.

After closing the door behind them – without further ado the two fell into each others' arms indulging in a deep throated kiss. A few minutes later when they finally came up for air – Lara allowed her body to sag against his, reveling in the passions their kisses tended to ignite. She felt as Sephiroth gently grasped her chin and forced her to look up at him.

"Don't go," He said softly. It must have been the 10th time since Vincent's recovery a few days ago that he had begged her to stay.

"It won't be forever, we'll see each other again – soon," Lara assured him.

"I have something for you," Sephiroth stated as he pulled a small black box out of his pocket. He then opened it to reveal a white sapphire ring inside.

Lara looked from the ring to Sephiroth's face and back. She was quite literally speechless. "I…"

"It's a friendship ring," Sephiroth said quickly, after realizing he had stunned her into thinking the ring meant something else. Not that he'd mind that something else. He quickly grabbed her right hand, removing the black fingerless gloves and placing the ring gently on her middle finger. "Whenever you wear it – I want you to think of me."

Lara glanced at the glittering gem that sat on her finger, it was so like a diamond and the taboo engagement ring but it wasn't. She wasn't sure if she should be disappointed or relieved that it wasn't an engagement ring, which was rather telling in itself. "Thank you," She finally managed to get the words out. "But I didn't get you a present."

"Being with you these last moments is all I need," Sephiroth said smiling, before leaning in to claim her lips once more. "Now come, let's go downstairs."

Lara paused, "You promised you wouldn't have any elaborate going away party for me."

"And I have kept my word, it won't be elaborate," He said with a grin.

Lara sighed and then faked a moan as he dragged her from her room, while holding her small luggage pack in the other hand that was filled with a few memorabilia that she was going to take back to Earth with her, as remembrance of her trip. She was anxious to see Zip, Alistair, and Winston again, although she was just as saddened to be leaving Sephiroth and all the new friends she had met.

The good news was that inter-dimensional travel was now a breeze with the two portal devices Tria had left, one for Lara's use and the other in the care of ShinRa. Lara and Sephiroth would be able to visit each other with ease. The fact that Natla's body had not been found still bothered her, but she was leaving with the premise that if the demon ever resurfaced she would return straight away to help finish the job.

Once they made it to the ShinRa lobby, Lara was not surprised to find a contingent of the friends she had made during her stay there all present, awaiting their chance to say goodbye. She glanced at Sephiroth who hadn't told her he had been planning this. He did quite literally shrug, which made Lara laugh as it was not a gesture she commonly saw him use.

Zack was standing with Aeris and they were the first ones to approach the Tomb Raider. With mock sadness on his face Zack said, "Don't Go!"

Lara gave him a knowing look but said nothing. She would miss the upbeat SOLDIER too.

There was a sheepish grin on Zack's face now. "It was worth a shot."

Aeris moved forward to hug Lara. "We will miss you," She began, then on a quieter note she added. "I still hope you will become my sister-in-law one day."

Lara stared into her green eyes that were so unlike her brothers – hers were always a forest green whereas Sephiroth's changed color depending on his moods from emerald to jade. Lara realized that she actually wouldn't mind having the brunette for a sister-in-law considering the two had got along famously during her stay there.

After the couple moved away – Lara received parting hugs from Angeal, Genesis and Weiss. She had enjoyed working with the talented SOLDIERS and certainly looked forward to doing so again in the future. It was not the end of an adventure. Lara certainly intended to visit Gaia for as long as they would have her.

Tseng was next and he was holding a parting present. It was a miniature ShinRa insignia plate with her name emblazoned across it. It was the equivalent of a medal of honor that she would be proud to hang at home on her trophy room wall. "President ShinRa wishes you all the best and we hope to see you return in the very near future. We will welcome you back with open arms."

"Thank you Tseng," Lara replied after accepting the medal.

Tseng bowed, lowering his bindi-ed forehead before stepping back allowing the next person to approach.

It was Cloud. He could not miss her departure, it didn't matter anymore that he had lost her to Sephiroth, he only wished for her happiness.

"I'm sorry about Fenrir," Lara spoke up, feeling apologetic over having wrecked Cloud's prized motorcycle on the Midgar streets.

"Its fine, I'm already working with Cid to have a new one commissioned. I'll miss the original, but I know the new one will do it justice." Cloud hugged her then, holding her for perhaps a second or two longer than he should of. When he finally released her he smiled – a smile that lit up his bright blue Mako eyes. "Come back soon," Cloud said before stepping back, pointing at her as if his last statement was an order instead of a suggestion.

Only Vincent and Sephiroth were left. Vincent stood behind his son with a guarded expression on his face. Lara was more surprised by the fact that she could see his face given that they were in public. His cloak's high mantle had been removed allowing all of his handsome features to be revealed. No longer was he half covered from the nose down. Lara now realized that sheltering his face was in lieu of the gunman's guilt relating to his past. Now that he had a bright future with a son who had begun to accept him – he didn't feel the need to hide beneath his guarded intensity or his clothing.

Lara walked up to the ex-Turk and smiled. She hugged him briefly before saying, "Take care of him now." She glanced at Sephiroth indicating who she was referring to. Vincent nodded and she thought she even saw a hint of a smile on his face, but it was for so brief a moment she wondered if she'd imagined it. She supposed it would take a lot more effort to get the gunman to break into a full smile.

Finally, Lara turned to Sephiroth and his smile also seemed to be a bit subdued. "I'll see you soon?"

"Count on it." Sephiroth knew she was referring to his promise to visit Lara on Earth in the very near future.

Lara shuffled the portal device in her hands and turned around only to have Sephiroth yank her back to face him. His lips collided with hers in a fierce kiss. This was the first time they had engaged in a lip lock while at ShinRa and in view of the public. Lara stunned, had blinked for the first few seconds of the kiss before closing her eyes and allowing herself to enjoy it. She could hear the hoots of the gathering around her as they encouraged the kiss.

Finally, Sephiroth broke the kiss. The intensity in his emerald eyes telling her he wished they had more time.

Lara squeezed his arm gently – reassuring him. It was a long moment later that she finally turned away and punched the correct sequence of buttons on the portal device. The room grew chilly as the swirling black misted portal appeared. Grabbing her luggage pack she spared one last glance at the contingent gathered there – waved once more before walking through the portal.

--

It seemed as if one moment Lara was waving goodbye to her friends on Gaia, and the next to she was standing amidst the well cultivated lawns of her manor. She had arrived in one of the gardens that housed the memorial of her father. She kneeled before the headstone and placed her hand against the cool stone. She read the familiar dedication engraved on the stone before squeezing her eyes shut as she allowed it to settle in that she was actually home. Eventually, she stood up and made her way down the cobble stoned pathway to the main building.

Lara let herself into the mansion with her key and quickly ran to Zip's office that was located off the foyer. She was pleased to find all three of her friends there huddled around Zip's main computer. "Hello boys." Lara watched slightly amused by the surprised expressions that crossed their faces.

"Hey Lara!" Zip shouted.

"Lara, my god!" Alistair exclaimed.

"Welcome back Lady Croft – I knew you would return," Winston stated with a smile on his wrinkled yet friendly face.

"Where have you been?" Alistair asked as he walked up to the tomb raider, looking at her as if she had five heads.

"It's a long story," Lara said with a smile.

"Well we can't wait to hear it," Zip began. "But as soon as you get done – we've got a few adventures that have been put on hold during your hiatus that I think will probably peak your curiosity."

"Really? Like what?" Lara wanted to know.

"I found a reference to a possible stone dais in a Mayan tomb," Alistair explained.

The surprised expression on Lara's face quickly changed to one of determination. Lara knew this meant another chance to use Excalibur to help her locate her mother. That is if the stone dais was the correct one and if she could find it. Either way, it was a great start. "Alright then – make the usual arrangements and I'll leave tomorrow," She said to Zip and Alistair; then turned to her loyal butler. "Winston, I am simply famished – would you whip up some of your stewed bean delicacy for me I've missed it so."

"As you wish Lady Croft," Winston bowed slightly, a bright smile on his face as he excused himself.

"So what else has been going on around here?" Lara asked the remaining two.

"Nothing much, though I wanted to report you missing to the local authorities, but Zip kept saying that we ought to give you more time. I suppose it did work out in the end," Alistair said with a bored expression on his young face.

"And I obviously was right like always, we knew if Lara could come back to us it would only be a matter of time," Zip retorted.

"You're not always right! Why I can name several instances where you were clearly in the wrong." Alistair stared at the black man with the short cropped dread locks.

"Whatever dude, you were wrong and I was right."

"Ok that's enough," Lara said, finally having enough of the silly banter between the two, though she had found the exchange quite amusing. She certainly did miss them, and was excited by the prospect of going on another Tomb Raiding adventure. However, thoughts of Sephiroth still lingered in the back of her mind. She longed to be in his arms again but would have to be patient, for if the saying were true – good things came to those who waited.

The End

Roll the end credits and cue "Bleeding Love" By Leona Lewis (Do a youtube search)

As for book two -- I already have some ideas circulating. It may take a while to be realized as I'll probably work with a beta reader and maybe take my time instead of rushing it out like I did this one. Either way thanks for reading! )