Kurtis was sat down, quietly watching for any sign that Lara was waking up. He needed to ask her about her nightmares and get down to the bottom of it. Alex came out of his trip down memory lane and went out of the room. That memory was not one to be taken lightly. Alex had turned up at the last minute and had saved Lara from further humiliation. They had not told Bryce nor Hillary about what had happened that night; Alex had said that Lara had, had car trouble and twisted her ankle walking to the nearest payphone as her cell phone had died when the car broke down.

Alex found himself sitting on a bench outside the hospital, wondering how the hell he and Lara had lived this long without being killed. Kurtis went to go and find Alex and finally located him on the bench outside. Taking a seat next to him, Kurtis decided to ask him a few questions about the temple of ten thousand shadows.

"You know Alex, Lara seems quite accustomed to having you around" Kurtis said, trying not to make it sound like an interrogation. Alex looked up at him in confusion. "She's smitten with you" Kurtis said, by way of explanation; upon seeing the expression on Alex's face.
"Yes, she does; doesn't she" Alex replied, trying not to sound irritated.
"I would go as far as to say she couldn't live without you" Kurtis said, testing Alex's reaction.
"What is this? You trying to give me a not-so-subtle warning?" Alex said, his tone becoming agitated.
"Just trying to get to the bottom of Lara's nightmares" Kurtis said, holding his hands up in mock surrender.
"What was it about?" Alex asked, his curiosity peaked. " I knew that she had nightmares, but I didn't know what they were about"
"Judging by the setting I would say that it was one of her past adventures, you were there, wherever it was" Kurtis replied, his tone implying that there was more to it.
"Well me and Lara have never been on any adventures together, if that is what you're asking" Alex said, becoming agitated that Kurtis was being so obtuse.
"It looks to be during the planetary alignment, some sort of temple, there were a lot of people there" said Kurtis. Alex knew instantly where Kurtis was talking about. Kurtis carried on. "Lara looked pretty unhappy. Some guy, I'm guessing the leader of the crew, didn't want her around. Looks like he took every opportunity to criticize her"
"Manfred Powell. I can't believe she's still having those dreams that was just over two years ago." Alex said, his expression changing before continuing. "Then again, something happened that day that she wouldn't explain, I have a theory about what happened but she wouldn't tell me straight"
"I can tell you it was bad and now I know why she doesn't let you go on adventures on your own" Kurtis said, looking into Alex's eyes. "Alex, you literally died. It's no wonder that she worries for you."
"I...died, like as in DIED?" Alex mused, the news not really sinking in.
"Lara loved you that much that she sacrificed bringing her father back to save you" Kurtis said.
"So, let me get this straight. Lara has nightmares about my death but she didn't tell me even though I died..." Alex said. He was becoming less agitated with Kurtis and more at Lara.

Whilst that was going on, Hillary gone to see Lara; to see for himself that she was okay. He was quite relieved to see that she was. Knocking quietly, Hillary opened Lara's door and stepped in. He walked to her bedside and pulled up a chair. Lara slowly opened her eyes and focused on Hillary.

"Hello Lara" Hillary said cheerfully. He smiled at her and she smiled back.
"Hillary, nice to see you" Lara said politely. "Where's Alex?"
"I believe that Mr West has gone to get some air, along with Mr Trent" Hillary informed Lara.
"Kurtis stayed?" Lara asked, surprised that he stuck around, he was usually quite mysterious and disappeared at random intervals.
"Yes he did. He was quite worried about you, as were the rest of us" Hillary said, taking hold of Lara's hand. She squeezed his hand in assurance that she was still around.
"I know, I worry you all. I scared myself to be honest." Lara said, remembering her ghostly presence. "I'm glad to still be here though"
"Good. Croft Manor wouldn't be the same without Lara Croft; or any Crofts for that matter" Hillary replied.

Both of them turned around as they heard a commotion outside of the room. That's when they heard Bryce shouting at someone and then the sound of someone walking past the room. Lara raised one eyebrow at the door and then turned back to Hillary. Hillary stood up and went over to the door and opened it a crack so that he could see what was going on. Bryce was having a heated discussion with Alex who didn't seem to be listening. Bryce must have said something that Alex didn't like as Alex gave Bryce a punch to the jaw. Hillary made a 'one minute' gesture to Lara and stepped out of the room.

Lara was becoming impatient when Hillary still hadn't returned after ten minutes. She knew something was wrong but, as she was incapable of getting out of the bed, she couldn't find out until Hillary returned. She became worried when the shouting escalated and it sounded like a fight had broken out. Someone tried the door handle and slowly opened the door. Kurtis stepped in and leant on the end of Lara's bed.

We have a slight problem.
What? What is it?
Alex is on a rampage. He wants to see you and we are trying to stop him coming in here.
Why? Why is he on a rampage?
Let's just say that the temple of ten thousand shadows is on his mind.
What do you mean?
He knows what you did Lara – With the triangle of light.
How does he know? You didn't tell him. Tell me you didn't tell him.
He wanted to know about your nightmares. You should have told him after it happened.
What?! How do you tell someone that they died and you did nothing to stop it?
Okay, I get your point. Alex has a pretty strong right hook y'know.
Yes, I'm well aware. What has he done?
Bryce saw that Alex was angry and was heading straight for your room. He stood in the way to keep you safe.
What about Hillary?
Trying to keep Alex under control.
Right. Go and let Alex in.
What?! Are you insane?! You can't fend off an attack in this state.
If he truly loves me, he won't hurt me. LET HIM IN!
Okay, alright, going now.

Lara mentally prepared herself for what was to come. An angry Alex West was not to be messed with.

Alex charged into Lara's room and slammed the door shut behind him. He locked it to give them the extra privacy. Alex then forcefully placed himself in the chair furthest from Lara's bed and glared at her. Lara artfully raised an eyebrow at him.

"Y'know Lara, I'd do anything for you. I think the act in the temple of ten thousand shadows proves that" Alex spat viciously.
"Alex, you think you know what happened but really, you don't know the half of it." Lara replied, trying to keep herself calm but becoming irritated.
"Well why don't you enlighten me?" Alex replied, his voice deathly silent. Lara refused to look at him.
"I don't have to do anything Alex" Lara said, her tone showing impatience. Alex stood up and made like he was going to backhand her. Lara didn't even bat an eyelid. "Don't do anything you'll regret later Alex or you might find yourself in a bad way"
"Are you threatening me Lady Croft?! I don't think you're in any place to be doing so." Alex said, referring to the fact she was hospitalized.
"Alex West, do you really think I'm going to be intimidated by you, of all people?" Lara asked, raising both of her eyebrows. Alex then did something Lara did not expect. He backhanded her.

Of all the things that Lara had imagined he would do, physically slapping or hitting her had never been one of them. The sound echoed off of the walls. Lara placed one of her hands on her now throbbing cheek. Alex stood still, his hand hovering over Lara's face as if to hit her again as his anger had turned into full-on rage. The door to Lara's room unlocked on its own and the door flew open. Kurtis stepped into the room and saw this and sent a wave of energy Alex's way. He landed in a heap in one of the chairs; unconscious. Kurtis went over to Lara and brushed a strand of hair away from her face. He caressed the cheek that Alex slapped before pressing one of the buttons at Lara's bedside. Two minutes later, the hospitals security crew stepped in and towed Alex away.