AN: Alright, here we go :) I had 2 very nice reviews for my first chapters of two of my stories.. However, since Tomb Raider is a little higher on my priority list.. Alex will be getting attention first. :) I'm a little unsure if I'm going to have a continuing story or little hop around. I work better with no set plot line unless the story is already worked out in my head.. I hate those meaningless loops when people can't figure out where to go.. hence why I won't venture there unless stated in the AN. I think for this.. I'll post one in a different scene and see how people respond to that. If you wanted a continuing story.. that'll take me a while to work into an idea. If you want more frequent updates, I'll be jumping around to various one shot scenarios that come into my head.
- My New Page Break-
'Come here.'
Brown eyes looked up to scan over the features of the speaker.
'N-No, .. I'm ok-ay' She managed the breathe out as her teeth chattered audibly.
The light rain that had plagued the Island for a while now plunked down softly against the rocks they were now huddled against trying to seek out some form of shelter.
'Don't think for a second that I buy that, Lara.' Alex scolded her gently.
The severity of the situation somewhat lessened by the playful gleam in his eyes.
She had managed to get a small fire going with the last of her matches and some wet wood she had also gathered. The least he felt he could offer was to try keep her warm.
She had done so much.. she was so worn out.
She didn't respond. Only pulled her arms closer against her freezing, wet form.
'Lara, come on, .. you have to be cold.' He immediately cringed. Squeezing his eyes shut tight.
Of course she's freezing, dumb-ass.. she doesn't have a coat..
He wished he could retract the statement, but she answered him.
'Y-Yeah, .. I am v-very, ve-very cold.' She agreed shuddering violently.
He let the breath go he hadn't realized was sucked in quietly.
Did she just agree with me..?
Yes.. she just said something..
Say something you moron..
She looked up at him, eyes pleading with him to say something more.
'Come here..?' he asked again gently.
She seemed hesitant.. again.
'Am I really that unlikable?' He gave her the most charming smile he could muster at the moment.
She barked out a shaky laugh. 'N-No.' She tried to say firmly. She moved her hands to the ground beside her and made moves to right her self.
Oh god, .. she is actually coming over here..
His posture stiffened as she walked over on her tired and sore feet, legs shaking the entire way over.
God she was tired. Too tired to even care about being warm anymore.. almost.
His breathing became even as she turned around.
His heart beat faster as she lowered herself down.
Alex's arm automatically shot out to help steady her as she took her place beside him and adjusted herself under the arm once it extended around her.
Lara's head fell back against his right shoulder and he heard her sigh in obvious relief. She seemed content.
She stared over head at the canopy of trees that protected them from the elements. Mostly. Little drips were still falling down onto her skin. Little paths of dirt streaked down her face, it almost looked as though she might be crying.
He knew she wasn't though. She was too tough for that now. Although, nobody would hold it against her if she did. With all she'd been though, she deserved a good cry.
She felt her eyelids becoming heavier and heavier with each passing moment. The placid atmosphere around them in the forest only adding to the deception that everything was safe for the moment.
Fighting it for a few more times before finally letting them slip closed.
It had been quiet for a while now.
'L- .. Lara?' Alex ventured quietly. 'You awake?' He was mindful of the gaping wound on her side as he squeezed her gently with the arm still slung about her waist.
He still didn't know how she managed to get that awful wound closed, he wasn't sure he wanted to know either. She was alive and that was all that mattered to him.
'Mm..'
He stilled.
'Hey..' he replied softly as her eyes drifted open.
'M'Hi..' She stretched lightly 'How long was I out?'
'A long – long time..' He replied dryly.
She laughed 'Sorry, your arm must be completely asleep.' She made to sit up.
'It's okay.' He assured her pulling back a bit unsure.
To his relief she leaned back onto him with no resistance.
It went quiet again
This time it was her who broke the silence.
'.. You .. like .. ' she mumbled.
What..
'What?'
She turned as much as she could to look at him and repeated louder.
'You are not unlikeable..'
He didn't know what to say. He hadn't expected her to respond to him.
'How do you know?' He teased, finally able to speak.
That got him a small, but sincere laugh. He smiled.
He was suddenly aware of the presence of her hand on the front of his shirt, fisting the fabric firmly.
'I like you..' she replied softly 'That's how I know..'
His eyes met hers.
'I .. really.. like you' she breathed leaning closer. If he'd been more aware of his surroundings he'd have known she wasn't shivering anymore.
'You aren't unlikable either..' he choked out.
They both laughed at that.
'Alex, .. please just kiss me.'
His eyes searched hers.
She really wants me to kiss her..
She seemed to sense his trepidation.
'It's okay, Alex. I'm being serious.' She tilted her head up slightly to make firm eye contact with him.
Every time he heard her say his name he felt his heart skip a beat. He moved the hand that wasn't wrapped around her waist to cup her jaw softly.
His eyes drifted closed as he pressed his lips to hers softly.
He felt her pull the hand still holding the front of his shirt toward her, successful in pulling him firmer against her.
The kiss lasted for a few more moments before he broke it reluctantly and started to pull away.
He would have seen her following close behind had his eyes been open, but all he felt was her lips back on his again.
His lips now moving softly against his own.
Oh god this was great. He was kissing Lara Croft!
He'd have loved to enjoy this moment forever, but no sooner had the thought passed through his mind had someone come crashing through the bushes.
'LARA! ALEX! Where ar- ..' The voice stopped.
It was Dr. Whitman. Wonderful.
The pair separated from each other reluctantly. Turning to look at the intrusion with what both hoped was a resounding death glare.
'What is it, Doctor?' Lara spat out bitterly. Whether it was from being interrupted or just general distaste for the man Alex didn't know. He knew his resentment was being intruded upon.
It's – uh.. it's the Scavenger you guys brought back yesterday.' he paused '.. He got away.' looking down the moment he finished his thought. Clearly uncomfortable with knowing what he'd just walked in on. The ground wouldn't have interested otherwise. They knew it wasn't shame for what he'd let happen
Lara was on her feet before Alex even knew Whitman had said anything.
'What?! You were supposed to be watching him! How could he get away? He'll go after Same!'
'You don't think I know that?' He stopped staring at the forest floor and his eyes locked on hers.
'If you did you would have paid more attention!'
'I was paying attention!'
'Clearly you weren't paying enough attention if he got away.' Alex suggested.
Lara shot him a quick sympathetic look before turning back to Whitman.
'No sense in fighting about it.. let's just go get him and regroup.. we'll work out things from there.'
He nodded 'Yes, that's a good idea, Lara.'
She sent him a quick nod.
He stood there.
'Well be there in a moment.' Lara shot him a glance, hoping it communicated that she wanted him to leave them alone/
He understood. It was Lara-speak for Move the hell away from here before I pummel you out..
'Right, .. I'll uh- see you back at camp.' He turned on his heels and left.
Lara let out a quiet sigh after he was gone. She turned to Alex and held out her hand.
He pulled himself upright and was surprised when she didn't immediately let go. She gave it a firm squeeze before whispering low enough that anyone still nearby couldn't hear.
'We'll figure this out later?' She looked and sounded as hopeful as he felt.
'Yeah, yeah, of course.' His face lit up in a smile.
She returned the gesture 'Sounds good. Now let's go find that bastard before he finds Sam.'
- Low Tech Page Break-
AN: S'okay.. I'm thinking next chapter Lara teaches Alex how to work the bow. I mean she is practically Katniss already, right? :) It makes sense since you can play MP and Alex uses the bow.. that's actually kinda what inspired the next chapter. I play the game and scenarios pop into my head. It's my inspiration method :) Hope that sounds interesting? I'm also wanted to do something with the cave scene to express my bitterness at Reyes. Who's with me?! :D So I guess that's where things will go. On the hunt for the Scavenger Lara will prep Alex a bit before hand and then she'll rescue them from the caves.. it looks like this is turning into a story with a purpose all on its own.
I also know that in the new game her eyes are Blue-Grey.. but I grew up on a Lara with Brown Eyes. So that's the way I want her to be in my Story.. plus, I loved Lara Croft growing up.. she made me proud to have Brown Eyes.. :) Review. Let me know whats up and whats down.