It's been a while since I've updated, sorry about that. I lacked inspiration and kinda wrote myself into a hole as I don't really have a set plan for this story. (I've never been one to outline a story...) So, I'm just winging it as I go. However, after this chapter things should get more interesting, or at least it shouldn't take me 3 chapters to get to the point. (hopefully, anyway...) Also, I will share the reasoning behind the short hair very soon, I'm just trying to figure out the best way to go about it.

TR Kurtis Trent, Ferilium & Nemesis thank you for your reviews/comments. :D

Since I'm a visual person I had to create an actual floorplan of what I imagined Kurtis's home look like. Otherwise, I wouldn't know how to describe anything. So if you want to see that go here: bit. ly/kt-floor-plan
(but remove the spacing between t. & ly)

She got blood cold as ice
And a heart made of stone
But she keeps me alive
She's the beast in my bones
She gets everything she wants
When she gets me alone
Like it's nothin'
She got two little horns
And they get me a little bit
Horns by Bryce Fox

Looking back at him, after I finished surveying the room, it seemed I was correct in my assumption that he was cataloging the changes in my appearance. I raised an eyebrow at him in the silent question - You have something to say?

Kurtis just smirked, then in a tired but playful tone said "That's an interesting look for you, Ms. Croft."

Before I could respond, he continued in a more serious tone as he walked into, what I assumed, was the living room. I couldn't help but look at his scarred but sculpted back as he walked… Jesus Lara get a hold of yourself…

Kurtis leaned against the arm of a worn black leather loveseat and crossed his arms. "I'm sure you didn't come here from your cozy manor to my shack of a home for my comments on your appearance. So why are you here, Lara? And how did you find where I live by the way?."

"I have my ways... Mainly just friends in low places that owe me a few favors." I said as I made my way to a couch that was adjacent to him and sat down... no collapsed tiredly in a very un-ladylike fashion. The lack of sleep and the very long plane ride was catching up with me. "As for why I'm here. I honestly don't know." I rubbed my tired eyes and rested my head on the back of the couch.

"For some reason, I don't believe you. You flew who knows how many hours, then took an hour-long cab to get here, and then you knocked on my door at 3-something in the morning – waking me up – for no reason. Come on, Croft, just spit it out. You've never been one to hold back."

I scrunch my eyes shut in frustration of not wanting to admit weakness but I came all this way. My pride and ego be damned, I knew I had to say something, I just didn't know what to say and how to say it without making it seem like I've lost my mind.

With my eyes still closed I mumbled "I keep having nightmares about what happened in Paris and Prague. Not just about what actually happened but about things that didn't. They feel more like things that could happen." Opening my eyes, I noticed that Kurtis was staring at me over his lighter as he was lighting a cigarette. "Before you say anything, I know we took care of Karel and Eckhart and that damn Sleeper but something isn't right. It was too easy."

Before the last word was out of my mouth Kurtis erupted with, "Easy?! That was anything but easy. I was almost killed by Boaz - you could have been obliterated by Karel or Eckhart from what you told me about the fight with them. There was nothing easy about that situation."

I figured he wouldn't believe me but I hoped deep down that he would. Frustrated I snapped, "I know it wasn't easy but their deaths feel like it was too neatly wrapped up. I can't but feel like we missed something."

After taking a deep drag of his cigarette he said in a calmer tone, "Lara... If we missed something I would know, Lux Veritas... remember. Also, I've been back to both Paris and Prague and searched around to make sure we didn't miss anything. There is nothing there but rotting corpses and empty buildings. Well... and those unfortunate people... creatures left in the sanatorium. I've also heard nothin' from my contacts about anyone involved in that mess."

Pulling my eyes from him, I moved them to look at the ceiling trying to think of a response but for the first time in a while, I couldn't think of anything. I didn't know what to say because he was right. We did take care of everything and I honestly didn't have a reason to doubt him about finding nothing when he went back and checked those horrible places. Before I could even admit he might be right he started talking again.

"Look, Lara, I don't doubt you are having nightmares about the shit that happened but it's just that...nightmares. I've had my fair share of them since then. But you need to figure out how to get rid of them and not let them take over your life - as I think they are doing judging by the fact you look like..." I moved my eyes back to him waiting to hear what he had to say. He just smirked at me and said, "...a zombie. A pretty one but still a zombie."

My response was cut off before I could even get the first syllable from my mouth as Kurtis jumped in and said "It's almost 4 in the morning and I'm exhausted - since someone..." Kurtis said looking pointy at me "...rudely woke me up. Why don't you take my bed and get some sleep? I will take the couch here. And we can chat more when we both aren't going to fall over from lack of sleep."

With that Kurtis pushed off the arm of the loveseat and walked back to the hallway. There was some shuffling and before I could get up, Kurtis was in the doorway with my worn leather carry on and backpack in his hands. "Well are you going to follow me or do you want to sleep on that horrible couch you are sitting on?"

Snickering a little as I got off the couch and walked over to him, "If this couch is so horrible why are volunteering to sleep on it?"

"I may act like an asshole sometimes but I'm not going to let you sleep on that thing. I have some manners. Well, that and maybe I want you in my bed...", he said while trying to hold back a laugh.

"Kurtis!", I exclaimed, as my face turned red, as I wasn't expecting that comment from him. Please don't let him notice how red my face feels.

My reaction caused him to burst out laughing and I had to fight to keep myself from smiling. Once he was able to get himself under control a bit he managed to say "Only joking... Ms. Croft." But I saw the way his azure eyes danced with more laughter and something else I couldn't quite figure out. Was he actually joking? Or… no, I'm just delirious from my lack of sleep.

As my thoughts began to stray, Kurtis started up a set of creaky wooden stairs that were in the main hallway. How did I not hear him come down these stairs? Following him up, Kurtis directed me to the door that was cracked open just ahead of us.

Walking into his room, he set my bags on an old-looking trunk at the foot of the unmade bed, that I could barely make out as the room was only lit from the lightning flashing through the windows. "Here you go," Kurtis told me while trying to fight off a yawn. "If you need anything else I will be just downstairs."

Trying to fight off a yawn myself I managed to say, "Thank you."

He mumbled something in reply but I didn't catch what he said as he was already closing the door and presumably making his way to the stairs to get some sleep of his own.

Usually, that would have annoyed me but at the present moment, I couldn't be bothered to care. As I was too exhausted to think properly and I was still distracted by his joking comment from the hallway below.

Taking a seat on the unmade bed I unlaced my boots and kicked them off, letting hit the wood floor with a thud. Following the boots hitting the floor so did my jeans, jacket, and bra. The jet lag and general lack of sleep for the last few months seemed to have finally caught up with me after that because the next thing I remember is the scent of tobacco and sandalwood surrounding me and the sound of heavy rain hitting the roof then... peaceful darkness.

A very warm and bright beam of sunlight is what woke me, causing me to groan and cover my head with the soft grey blanket. Trying to go back to sleep seemed frivolous and honestly, I couldn't believe I was able to sleep without being woken up by a nightmare. God, when was the last time that happened? After a few blissful moments of actually feeling rested the reality hit me that I was in Kurtis's bed... Why did I get on that plane again?

Deciding it was time to figure out what time it was and not hide in this room. I pulled myself into a sitting position and grabbed my backpack off the trunk at the foot of the bed. Searching through it for a moment I finally had my hands on what I wanted...my phone. I was pleasantly surprised to see that it was still charged and…11:23 in the morning! Bloody hell! I haven't slept this late in who knows how long.

While I had my phone out I spent the next few minutes checking emails. Junk...Junk... Invitation to an Alchemy & Mysticism Art Museum Exhibit... A note from Winston...

I can't read Winston's email right now, not after how horribly I treated him before I left.

Throwing my phone down, I pulled myself out of bed and walked to the end of the bed, where my carry one was still placed. Opening it up, I took out a clean set of clothes and undergarments and set out to find the closest bathroom for a hot shower. Which didn't take long as there was ensuite attached to his room.

Twenty minutes later, I was clean and dressed in a fitted pair of high rise skinny jeans, a charcoal grey jumper, and a horribly disappointing french braid that barely stayed in place.

Distracting myself, from the incoming dark thoughts that always come to mind when I think about my hair, by taking in Kurtis's room. Now, that I could actually think clearly and not be in a half-asleep daze.

His room, like the living room and hallway below, was quite dilapidated. The once white walls were now a beige tone that held old scratches and old water stains. The only reason I could figure out the walls were once white, was because it looked like something once hung on the wall above a dresser. There were also missing chunks of plaster missing from some sections of the walls. Hmmm, has someone lost their temper or have home improvements gone haywire?

Papers, books, and boxes were sporadically stacked around the room. The armoire, to the left of the bed, was slightly ajar and an empty holster hung from the door. Some clothes were on the verge of falling out of it as well.

Taking a few quiet steps to the old oak desk adjacent to the bed, directly across the room from the armoire. I looked over what was there; loose papers in a language I didn't recognize, a few well-used notebooks, old newspapers, and some old books. Nothing of interest... Hmm, wait what is this?

Sticking out from underneath an old newspaper, a newer journal was open to a page that held sketches of the creatures in the sanatorium, an interesting rendition of Boaz in that strangely mutated form and before I could turn the page and continue my investigation. I was interrupted by an amused voice.

"You really can't help yourself, can you? First, you take my Obscura painting, then you turn off the power and release all the monstrous creatures and now you're snooping around my things after I invite you into my home."

Shit...Seriously, Lara, you have to start paying attention to your surroundings. You can't just let someone sneak up. Even if that said person isn't a threat to you.

Refusing to let my surprise show, I looked over my shoulder intent on giving him a glare. But I was caught off guard when I saw him leaning against the door with his arms crossed, still shirtless and in his boxers, staring at me...well not just on my person but his eyes were distinctly lower on my body.

"You know Trent, it's rude to stare," I teased, hoping my face wouldn't deceive me, as I straighten and turn around to lean against his desk. "For the record, I didn't steal your painting - it was mine as I found it first. Also, how was I supposed to know that there were monsters hiding in that place?"

Chuckling lightly and shaking his head. "Why don't cha continue your snooping downstairs so I can put some clothes on. Unless…you would rather I stay like this, I don't mind."

"You're awfully full of yourself," I said with a slight smile as I pushed off the desk and made my way over to him. Stopping just in front of him, put a finger under his chin, like what in Prague when we decided to work together, and conceded by saying, "fine I will stop my snooping here and explore around the downstairs. I hope you at least have some coffee made otherwise I may just make a mess of everything."

After staring at me for a moment he gently shoved me out of the room towards the stairs. "You'll probably make a mess anyway. But there's coffee in the kitchen."

With that, I made my way down the stairs in search of coffee and to snoop.