ELSEWHERE - THAT MOMENT

He closed up the phone in silence. What point was there screaming in frustration at an empty room? Even when your entire world was tumbling down around you; the world you had known for over two thousand years.

The bitch, Himiko, had flown her rotting coup; leaving the first of the powerful elementals trapped within a ruby in a gold talisman exposed, and open to capture by anyone.

The fools who tried to handle the 'probable risk of the orders exposure' from survivors who escaped the island had all but guaranteed their discovery by failing to kill one twenty-one year old girl: one who he was now convinced knew nothing

Yet not one whisper of 'secret societies', 'black magic cabals' conspiracies, or such nonsense... just a startling number of dead bodies - every one of them his people; well, HIS people: His mentor, his benefactor... his god. HE had made him what he was, all for one low price;the one thing he could never see, hold, fuck... but, apparently, COULD sell: his 'soul'

He was rich beyond all men, powerful in a real sense, and doomed to be the slave of HIS will for all time... he had no choice. His 'leash' was where it had always been for all these centuries, about his neck, a brilliant, multifaceted diamond, a jewel containing another spirit of nature. Now he needed to tell his god he had become too complacent... and failed to control his own 'dogs'.

He dreaded this. Never in all the history of their order had they suffered these losses, let alone stood THIS close to being exposed. He had to face him with news of this cataclysm. He needed his wisdom, power, protection... his master.

'The door into enlightenment could never be seen;it only can be sought with blind faith... and faith could never exist without being exercised by risk.' in laymen terms: 'Pay in pain to speak to your god' This he knew too well, and had been taught too well: his master didn't like disruptions; so, using two thick gold needles, he put out his own eyes... for the moment. The diamond would heal him the instant he removed his fists, as if nothing happened.

His blood seeped from beneath his clenched fists as they covered his eyes; his voice screamed out the intonation needed to bring forth HIS essence into his presence.

"Ow. Good boy Gaus, long time since we last talked... growing soft?" a thunderous male voice laughed from the darkness.

He remained silent.

"Good boy... indeed. No need to tell me anything... you know this well. That idiot you sent to baby-sit Himiko is dead. Poor stupid old dog never had a chance." a giggle, "She is impressive, this daughter of Croft, but so very fragile, so very mortal. She knows nothing. Still, send your more cautious brother to kill her. Shame really, she showed such promise."

...

"I'm ok, Dr. Van Helsing!," Evan laughed as Lara searched his scalp for any signs of blunt force trauma.

She smiled, but was still concerned. Evan was still woozy,his eyes slightly unfocused, still seated against the wall of the ravine - right where she left him.

She scowled, "Sit still, damn it!," she gasped out as he tried to squirm away,"Let me check your soft, round head, and I'll let you check my... tonsils. Besides, Van Helsing killed vampires, not werewolves."

He froze, and stared straight ahead - right at her cleavage, "Or... not. Hugh Jackman's version killed both... right?"

She glanced down, and grinned, "I don't recall those being able to answer movie trivia. But I'm glad you retain some consciousness."

"Maybe if you brought them in closer they'd whisper the answer to me," he muttered.

She laughed, "such a charmer," she sighed as she leaned forward to get a better look at the back of his head. She smiled as she pressed her breasts firmly against his face - and he began humming happily. "Lazy bastard," she sighed, "for God sake do me a favor, and show some signs of life. Do it before I smother you."

He did as instructed - by absent-mindedly kissing and caressing her breasts with such gentility she almost forgot what she was doing.

As her body began reacting to his soft ministration, she finally - regretfully - pulled away, and looked him in his playfully smiling eyes, "I am trying to find out if you have a concussion. You are supposed to be... well... not turning me on. Ah hell." she moaned as he kissed her neck.

"Soulless slave driver," he sighed with a smile as he leaned in and kissed her mouth.

She sat there, on his lap,savouring his lips,her hips unconsciously rubbing against his, moaning into his mouth as he gently squeezed her buttocks.

She reached for his pants.

Suddenly they both looked in one another's impassioned eyes... and laughed. Lara rested her forehead against his, and sighed as she smiled at him, "We need to take a break."

She helped him to his feet, and they trekked down the ravine a few yards till the sides sloped more gently, and they simply walked out, and back to the agents corpse.

Lara stared at the body almost mournfully, "Why? Why turn into an animal?"

Evan frowned, "Because you pressed your breas...," he joked.

She glared at him for a second, then laughed, "Not you; I mean him. He wasn't a 'natural' werewolf... if there is such a thing. He became it by putting on this," she removed the blood soaked talisman.

"I knew he was a gold chain wearing guy. Gaudy as hell..."

"I love you, but please be serious," she said softly.

He smiled as she kissed his cheek. He caressed her face.

She sighed sadly, "We need to wait at least twenty-four hours before you can sleep again to be sure you're ok... then I'll ravage you."

"Doh... stupid life threatening injury."

The bushes moved.

Lara reached for her guns.

Suddenly the night air filled with a lattice of red laser beams about the two lovers.

"SE DESISTAR!" a male voice shouted out in french. The laser beams vanished.

A well dressed handsome man of some thirty years strode from the woods, and bowed his head to Lara, "Mademoiselle Croft, I am Serge Leon. I am the personal liason of Rene Dupont. Evan's parents sent us your coordinates just after you ended your communiqué with them. We are your servants."

"We?," Lara asked, "I am very grateful, but how many are you?"

"Lots," Evan answered as he pointed to a sky full of helicopters and a sea filled with the lights of ships, and armed patrol rafts.

"Oh my," Lara gasped.

"Let THEM come," Serge growled, "I want to meet the men responsible. In the mean time, do what you will, no hurry. You will have all you desire."

Lara smiled at Evan, "Yes, in about twenty-four hours."