AN: Thank you so much to everyone who has reviewed or sent a PM, I'm glad that you guys are enjoying it. If you have any critique or advice as always let me know :) That aside, on with the chapter.

Chapter 4

Lara awoke with a start, drunk on sleep, feeling light-headed and a sense of nausea. She turned to face her clock.

6:00 AM

"Bugger." Lara thought to herself, "I must have been tired."

She felt like she was wrapped in cotton wool, and stood under the shower for a whole hour trying to revive herself. Winston emerged at 7:30 with the coffee tray.

"Apologies for not waking you, Lady Croft. You looked so peaceful. I considered stirring you, but then noticed the pistols at the foot of your bed and adamantly decided against it."

"Never mind, Winston. I feel the better for it."

She turned to the tray and noticed a pile of envelopes.

"Ah yes, some post came for you today. I don't know who it's from, I just placed it on the tray."

Lara opened the pile of letters (mostly consisting of bank statements and inquiries of health from long forgotten family members) and spotted a colourful flyer at the bottom of the pile. She took it in her hands, then dropped it with surprise.

"Winston, have you spilled some of the coffee? This seems to be awfully damp."

"I assure you, Lady Croft, I was very cautious in bringing this to you. Your other letters have not been affected?"

"No, Winston, it's very odd."

Winston could see a certain look in Lara's eye, a look of suspicion.

"What does the flyer say?"

"It's from that blasted UPP charity, they're demanding donations for their water scheme. Hardly voluntary is it? Fools, if they want money then they might as well deduce it from our bloody taxes."

"So, why is it so damp?"

"I have no idea. But I don't like this, or the extravagant water scheme. I think it's time I did some digging."

Lara took some of the liquid onto her finger, and felt an odd feeling come over her. She promptly shook her head and ignored it.

"So, I assume you will want the library unlocked?" Winston asked.

"Certainly, I feel there is something out of place here."

He chucked to himself.

"You must tell me what is so funny!"

"Oh, nothing Lara. I suppose I'm just glad to have you back again!"

Lara had flooded the table with various books. Considering the situation, she really had no idea where to start. Blowing the dust off the first cover, "Genius Schemes Throughout History" Lara opened the book and began to read. She found some wonderful plans, but nothing of any real relevance. She moved onto her next book 'The World in Which We Live.' As before, there was nothing here like Lara hoped there would be. She finally gave up on books and decided the internet would be her next best bet. Lifting the lid of her laptop, she typed 'UPP' into Google and the first hit described the noble work of the charity, and how the entire world would benefit. She looked up the charities's history, and was shocked to discover they were only founded three years previously by a man named Mart Perio.

"Strange," Lara thought to herself, "how a practically unheard of organisation could acquire the funding and government backing to launch such a project." She then typed in the words 'UPP scam' and hit enter. Thousands of results appeared, she was not the first to suspect. Browsing a number of these articles, she was increasingly unnerved. Her instincts were almost screaming at her to abandon the situation. She noticed a link at the top of the screen. 'Anonymous, have information.' She clicked the link and her mail client opened. She typed nervously, "What do you know?"

Suddenly there was a ping

CANNOT SAY HERE. COME TO ISLAND OF COAST OF ALASKA. BERING SEA. WORK IT OUT

Lara hated cryptic people, but didn't want to ruin her chances of discovering more, and typed back.

"Fine, meet you in three days."

She closed the lid of her laptop, and began to prepare herself. Requiring no persuasion she gladly readied herself for her trip. In usual circumstances she would have dug a little deeper before agreeing to such a meeting - exploring the work and reputation of her source, and trying to ascertain a knowledge of their connections. However this was no ordinary trip - Lara needed an excuse, any excuse to escape the stuffy manor and her stuffy butler. She felt purposeful once again. Swiftly exiting the library, she met Winston. Before he could speak she started giving orders.

"Winston, I'm leaving for Alaska. I'm going to need the plane. I want to leave as soon as possible."

"My God, Lara. Is there really something untoward occurring? Surely you must think this through?"

"Yes, Winston, I ended up having an unexpected chat. I have a theory, if one reacts badly as an instinct, then one doesn't make the trip. I had no such feelings. Give me the credit of my experience, Winston."

"Naturally, but be careful, Lara."

She nearly replied that she always was, but she wasn't sure how credible that answer was anymore. Smiling, she turned to him.

"Don't worry about me, Winston. I never do."