Part I

“Oi, Hollister!” the man with purple, spiky hair shouted. He bounced up and down on a thin-legged, antique chair. “This old thing sure creaks a lot.”

Alister looked up from the handwritten resume and his eyes bulged. “That’s a rare George II! Get off at once!”

“Sorry, sorry!” he said, and moved to the chair in front of Alister’s desk. “Could have told me not to sit on it,” he muttered. He lit a cigarette, saw Alister’s scowl, and then ground it out on the bottom of his pink sneaker.

Zip leaned back in his desk chair and chuckled. Alister’s face turned red.

“I’m…I’m a quick learner,” the man said in a deep, gravelly voice. He tossed the smoldering cigarette into a wastebasket while his round belly hung out from the bottom of his black t-shirt. “Well, not quick, really…”

Alister looked over the top of his glasses and drummed his fingers on the spindle-legged table he and Zip had brought into the glass partitioned area earlier that day. “Right,” he said. “Stanley, is it? Thanks for coming by today. We’ll be in touch.”

Stanley’s wide face fell. “It’s my hair, isn’t it? Could shave it off, if you like. Or change the color.” He brightened. “What’s your favorite color, Hollister?”

“We’ll be in touch,” Alister said again.

Stanley nodded reluctantly and gave Alister a weak, wet handshake. “Was really looking forward to meeting Miss Croft,” Stanley muttered, and followed Winston to the door.

Alister rolled his eyes and poured the rest of his water bottle over the smoldering cigarette in the wastebasket. It hissed and went out. “It’s amazing to me what passes for qualifications. Five GSCEs and six months of trade school.” Alister shook his head. “I have no idea how he got into the pile.”

“I slipped that one in,” Zip said with a grin. He pushed up the sleeves of his white leather jacket.

“Thank you for wasting,” Alister said, looking at his watch, “five minutes of my important day.” He separated the resumes from his personal notes and then dropped his pen in the holder. “Ah, well, perhaps I shall have to contact the good people at Stanford University and inform them that I won’t be able to come after all. And I was so looking forward to serving as guest lecturer for the next three months.”

Zip turned back to his computer. “I’m surprised Lara’s letting you do this. After her fight with Amanda in Bolivia a few weeks ago, I thought we would both be on lock-down until we found Avalon.”

Alister sat on the edge of Zip’s desk and swung his leg back and forth. “Well, we are at a bit of a dead-end, aren’t we? Eddington is nowhere to be found, and the chaps at the British museum weren’t much help.”

“I’m still trying to locate Eddington, but I’m stuck,” Zip said with a shrug.

“I certainly hope Amanda hasn’t gotten to him.”

Zip nodded. He changed the video feed on his computer to the house security cameras, and an image of Lara appeared on the left-most screen. She sat in a dim cellar with a pile of papers on her lap. Alister watched over Zip’s shoulder. “I see she’s tearing through her father’s things,” Alister said.

“Yeah. I guess he exchanged letters with a few different people during his search for Avalon. Any one of them could contain the information we’re looking for.”

Alister checked the wastebasket for flames and then threw in a pile of resumes.

“Any more interviews today?” Zip asked. “Guess that last one doesn’t really count.” He typed something on his keyboard and the display changed to Russian-language news.

“One more,” Alister replied. He picked up his schedule. “Let’s see. She should be arriving shortly, and I hope she’s better –”

“Wow,” Zip whispered. He had changed the video feed back to the security system and watched as a woman with long, brown hair approached the front door. She wore a white skirt and a dark purple, V-neck sweater. Zip turned to Alister with wide eyes. “She’s hired,” he said emphatically.

“Really? After your last…candidate? I’ll thank you to leave that decision to me,” Alister replied.

Winston came a few minutes later, followed by the woman in the purple sweater. She was shorter and more petite than Alister first thought. Her brown, wavy hair framed her slender face, and she wore a strand of fine, white pearls which stood in stark contrast to her dark, coffee-with-cream complexion. “Miss Erika Perez,” Winston said, with a polite bow.

“Ms. Perez?” Alister asked, and gave her hand a tiny squeeze.

“Please, call me Erika,” she said, with a dimpled smile. She handed him a resume.

“Came all the way from Reading, I see. Incidentally,” he said, “this is my colleague, Zip. You would be working with him while I am away.”

Erika gave Zip a firm handshake. “Zip, is it? There must be a story behind that name,” she said with a giggle, “although I’m a little afraid to ask.”

Zip let out a chuckle and stroked her hands. “We could talk about it over dinner.”

“Perhaps another time,” she said in a light voice. Zip’s eyes crawled over her, starting at her shoulders and working down to the front of her sweater. She tightened her grip. “And I’ll thank you to keep your eyes above chin level.”

“Sorry,” Zip muttered. “Bad habit.” He blushed, and Erika turned back to Alister.

“He’s often like that,” Alister said, pouring over her resume, “although since he’s braided his hair, he can barely get enough of himself. Come on, then, let’s retire to the library.”

Erika followed him through the main hall and up the steps to the second floor. They passed by tall, ornate vases and Egyptian pictographs, Mayan carvings and wooden Saxon battle shields. Erika did her best to conceal her wonder as they approached the library. Alister held the door for her and then strolled slowly to the bay window, her resume in hand.

“Alister,” Lara called out. She came through the hidden door next to his desk, holding a handful of wrinkled, yellowed papers. “Would you be so kind as to research the handwriting on these unsigned letters? I need to know who sent them and –”

Lara wore an old, blue work shirt with the sleeves rolled up, and a few cobwebs hung from her long, brown ponytail. She stopped in her tracks as she caught sight of Erika.

Erika rested her hands on a chair back and watched Lara over her right shoulder. She grinned, bit her lip, and bounced her right toe behind her.

“Lara, this is Erika Perez,” Alister said. “Erika, this is Lara. She is the Lady of Croft Manor, and she requires assistance with her research while I’m away…” Alister stopped and wrinkled his eyebrows. Lara stood next to the open door and stared at Erika, her mouth open an inch or so. “Lara…?”

“Sorry,” Lara said, with a little laugh. “I’m a bit preoccupied with these letters.” She set them down on Alister’s desk and held out her hand. “I’m Lara Croft.” She tapped the light clipped to her shirt. “Please, excuse my appearance. I’ve spent the day digging through the cellars.”

Erika gave her a very petite shake. She stood nearly a head shorter than Lara, and she tilted her chin until their eyes were level. “Lady Croft, it is a pleasure. Your reputation is nothing short of amazing.”

Lara blushed and laughed. “Please, call me Lara,” she said. She looked into Erika’s big, brown eyes, and her palms were suddenly moist.

“My, you certainly have a firm grip,” Erika said.

“Ah, right,” Alister said. He leaned against his desk and crossed his arms. “Lara, I do have an interview to conduct.”

Lara reluctantly let go of Erika’s hand. “Sorry,” she said softly. “Erika, it was…is a pleasure. Best of luck.”

Erika adjusted her skirt and sat down opposite Alister. She watched Lara from the corner of her eye and smiled at her again. Lara looked over her shoulder one last time and slowly stepped out the library door. She pushed it shut behind her and leaned against the heavy stone railing overlooking the main hall. Zip sat at his desk below.

“So,” Zip said, as he typed away at his keyboard, “are we going to hire her?”

Lara touched her flushed cheek and caught a quick whiff of Erika’s sweet perfume, which lingered on her hand. “What?” she asked absently. She looked back at the door. “I…I hope.”

Erika followed Alister through the great hall and admired the paintings near the stairway. “Thank you, Alister,” she said, as they approached the door. “I’ll need a day or two to take care of my affairs back home. You know, find someone to take care of my cat, that sort of thing. I still can’t quite believe I’ll be staying here.”

“You get used to it quickly, believe me,” Alister replied. “Anyway, I don’t leave for another ten days. If you can start on Monday, we’ll have a week to work together. Bye, now. Winston will show you out.”

Alister joined Lara and Zip behind the glass partition. Lara watched one of Zip’s many monitors while Zip typed on two different keyboards. “How did the interview go?” Lara asked, without looking up.

“Very well. Her credentials are superb. Graduate degree from Reading, doctoral work at Kent. I offered her the position,” he said, and stooped down to watch the headline news feed.

Lara watched him. “And?”

“She accepted.”

The color in Lara’s cheeks rose. She smiled and rubbed her chin. “That’s good. Very good,” she said, her eyes distant. Alister stood back and watched her. “I’m looking forward to working with her,” Lara went on. She bounced to her feet. “Anyway, I’m going to workout and then get back to father’s papers. Let me know if you’re able to put a name to the ones I found earlier.”

Zip swiveled in his chair after Lara had left and patted Alister’s shoulder. “Thank you,” he said with a big grin. “I kind of blew it with Erika before, but I’ll ask her out again. With you gone, there shouldn’t be any competition, anyway.”

Alister chuckled to himself. “Don’t be so sure.”

“Excuse me,” Erika said, as she crossed Lara’s study in the upper floor of the library. Bookshelves lined the walls, and the Croft family crest hung between the two windows.

“One second,” Lara said. She clicked the mouse on her computer. “There.” She pushed up the sleeves of her blue, V-neck sweater and sat back in her chair. “Yes?” she asked, with a bright smile.

“Alister asked me to analyze the unsigned letters you’d found.”

“Right,” Lara replied. She pulled a stack of yellowed papers from the desk drawer. “Here you are.”

Erika took the letters and flipped through them for a second. “Thank you.” She smiled back and started for the door.

“Please,” Lara said, gesturing to the chairs in front of her desk, “stay for a minute. We’ve not had a chance to talk, you and I.”

Erika wore a brown sweater over top a lacy camisole, and a short, black skirt. She sat on one of the high-backed leather chairs in front of the desk. “Thank you,” she said, her dimpled grin growing.

Lara leaned against the side of the desk. “Getting on OK? Settling in?”

Erika nodded. “Oh, yes, everyone has been so kind. Thank you again for this marvelous opportunity.”

“I consider it our good fortune that you were available. So, what did you do before this?”

“I completed my doctoral work in anthropology earlier this year. I’m torn between looking for work and pursuing a fellowship at Cambridge. This was a nice chance for me to put off that decision a little while longer.”

Lara laughed. “What kind of work do you want to do?”

“Teaching, most likely. My father is a professor at Reading.”

“Ah! Runs in the family. What about your mother?”

“She died when I was seventeen. Cancer. It’s been nearly ten years now.”

“I’m so sorry,” Lara said.

“Thank you. It still hurts, certainly, but I take comfort –” Erika stopped and grabbed her chirping phone. She checked the display and her face turned red.

“Something wrong?” Lara asked.

“No, just a text from an old girlfriend.” Erika rolled her eyes. “We broke up about six months ago, and she keeps sending me messages…” Erika wrinkled her eyes and offered a strained smile. “I’m sorry. That’s a bit too much information, isn’t it?”

“No, not at all. So…you’re not seeing anyone?”

Erika typed something on her phone. “No,” she said, without looking up. “You?”

Lara’s pulse raced. “No…I’m not.”

Erika watched Lara over top her shiny red phone. She stood and tucked it in her pocket. “The Manor is so beautiful, by the way. Perhaps you could give me a tour.”

“I’d like that,” Lara replied.

“There you are,” Alister said, looking down at some papers as he approached Lara’s desk. “Erika will be shadowing me until I leave.” He stood next to the other chair in front of the desk and crossed his arms. “Well, I see you’ve given her the letters. We’ve quite a bit to do, so we best get back at it.”

Lara nodded. “Erika, I’ll show you around later.”

“It’s a date,” Erika said. She followed Alister and gave Lara a little smile and wave as they left.

Lara waved and watched the empty doorway for a moment. She put her hand to her forehead. “Don’t you even think about it!” she whispered to herself.

Lara and Erika strolled through the great hall as the last of the late evening sun peeked through the windows above the stairs. They both had changed into comfortable clothes. Lara wore workout pants and a loose fitting, red top while Erika had put on a long, blue sweatshirt and shorts. Winston was just rekindling the fire.

“Over here,” Lara said, as they passed by the fireplace, “is a set of –”

“Wait! Don’t tell me!” Erika looked closer. “Tibetan temple bells. Fifteenth or sixteenth century, I would say.”

Lara smiled and nodded. “Sixteenth.” She let out a big breath and let her hands flop by her sides. “And that concludes the tour.” She gave an apologetic smile. “I hope I didn’t bore you.”

“Not at all,” Erika replied. “The Manor is wonderful!” She wrinkled her eyes. “I hope I didn’t carry on like a tourist.”

“Excuse me, Lara,” Winston said. “If you’ve no further need for me this evening, I shall retire.”

“Thank you, Winston,” Lara said, and kissed his cheek. “Sleep well.”

Winston gave a small bow and went upstairs. Erika sat on the nearest sofa while Lara stood by the hearth. “Alister leaves tomorrow,” Lara said. “Has he given you everything you need?”

Erika nodded. “Alister is a wonderful teacher, and….”

Lara’s eyebrows went up. “And?”

Erika chewed her lip. “And, he’s brilliant. I hope I won’t disappoint you, Lara. I’ve some pretty ‘big shoes to fill’, as they say.”

“You’ll do fine.” Lara rested a hand on Erika’s shoulder. “I saw how quickly you identified the temple bells just now.”

Erika blushed, and her dimples showed. “Thank you.” She leaned back and stretched. “My father would go crazy for this place, by the way.”

“You started telling me about him earlier. I’m guessing you inherited your lovely complexion from him?”

Erika nodded and blushed some more. “He’s originally from Spain.”

“Perhaps you could invite him to come up one day,” Lara said.

Erika’s face lit up. “Really?”

“Certainly,” Lara replied. “He could even stay the night, if he’d like.”

“That would be wonderful! He’ll be so excited!” Erika jumped from the sofa, stood on her tiptoes, and wrapped her arms around Lara’s shoulders.

Lara stiffened for a moment and then hugged her back. Erika’s slender, petite frame fit nicely in her arms, and Lara fought off the momentary urge to run her fingers through her sweet-smelling hair. As Erika pulled away, they each paused and watched each other’s eyes. Lara’s heart raced.

“Thank you again,” Erika said softly.

Lara slowly let go of Erika, nodded, and then stepped back.

“I’m going to go read for a bit,” Erika said, still watching Lara. “Goodnight.”

“Goodnight,” Lara said. Erika started for the stairs and Lara peeked at her over her shoulder. Erika looked back once and Lara’s heart raced again.

“Oh, my,” Lara said when she was finally alone. “Don’t you even…” she began, but stopped herself and went to her room.

“Lara,” Erika said, “could you come here for a moment?” She sat at the desk in the library with her back to the windows.

Lara walked in a small circle nearby and read a heavy, dusty book. She set it down on the sill. “Yes?” she asked. She laid a hand on Erika’s shoulder and leaned in. Zip and Alister watched from the balcony.

“Here’s my preliminary analysis. The letters you gave me obviously came from Professor Eddington.” Erika pointed to some scanned images on her computer screen. “I’ve analyzed the handwriting from nearly a hundred of your father’s letters. Take a closer look, and pay particular attention to the letters ‘y’, ‘j’, and ‘w’.”

“I didn’t know you had a background in forensics.” Lara leaned in closer, and their cheeks nearly touched.

Erika shrugged. “I don’t. I’ve read a few books on the subject, though.”

Lara stepped back. “The handwriting does match. But why are the letters so cryptic? Most of the phrases don’t even make sense.”

“There is definitely a code in place, but it could take some time to decipher. Perhaps we should ask Eddington.”

“Therein lies the rub. We haven’t been able to locate the good Professor.”

Erika chewed her lower lip. “That does complicate things a bit, doesn’t it?”

Lara sat on the desk and nodded. She crossed her arms and looked out the window. Erika joined her, and their hips nearly touched. “Room for two?” she asked.

Lara nodded absently and was about to put her arm around Erika’s shoulder, but caught herself. She pulled her arm back and tried to hide her red cheeks.

“I’ll keep digging,” Erika said. “These messages have been encrypted, and the method appears to be consistent.” She went back to her computer. “I’ll begin experimenting with different known ciphers and see what I can come up with.”

Lara nodded. She swung her legs back and forth and looked out the window, occasionally peeking at Erika.

Alister shook his head. “Honestly, Zip, we’re carrying on like a couple of voyeurs.” He took a step back from the railing of the balcony.

Zip chuckled and raised an eyebrow. “Don’t knock it ‘till you try it.”

Alister cleared his throat and pushed up his glasses.

“Lara’s really got a thing for little Erika,” Zip whispered.
Alister shrugged. “It’s been a while, hasn’t it?”

Zip nodded.

“Looks like the feeling is heartily mutual.” Alister wrinkled his eyebrows. “Hmm. It appears that Lara is…holding back. I wonder why?”

Zip patted him on the shoulder. “You better hope she gets over it. You might be out of a job,” he said, with a toothy smile. He chuckled as he watched Alister’s expression and made his way down the steps. “Hey, Lara, Alister is taking off now.” Zip grinned over his shoulder. “I think it’s time to wish him well in his future endeavors.”

Lara rolled her eyes at Zip and jumped off the desk. “Alister,” she said, with a slightly strained smile. She met him at the bottom of the steps. “Do take care. Send a postcard. Or an email.” She walked with him to the library door.

“You take care as well,” he said, with a blush and a grin.

“Is there something you wish to say?”

Alister chuckled. “It’s nothing. I just see you’ve taken a special…interest in someone,” he whispered.

Lara smiled and crossed her arms. “I would think that is none of your business,” she said, with a little shake of her head.

“No, I suppose not. I’ve just not seen you like this in some time.”

“You remember the last woman I dated, don’t you? Penny?” She put her hand to her forehead. “Those are three weeks of my life I’d rather forget.”

“I thought she was nice,” he said.

Lara raised her eyebrows. “Alister, on our fourth date, she wanted to discuss the color scheme for our wedding.”

Alister put his hand over his mouth. “Perhaps she was in love.”

“In love with the idea of living here, more likely. She spoke on several occasions of wanting to re-do the entire Manor in Danish-modern.”

Alister clutched his belly and laughed. “Oh, my,” he said, and wiped his eyes. “Well, you can’t let that experience spoil you for all others. Erika seems genuine enough. And I think she likes you.”

Lara looked back at the desk. Zip and Erika stood next to each other, looking down at an open book. She leaned closer. “You think I don’t know that? She and I have talked for hours this week. She’s a fascinating person, and we’ve a lot in common. And…” She watched Erika again and almost told Alister about their hug the night before, but decided not to.

“And?”

“And, in case you’d forgotten, I have some very important work to do.” Lara put her fists to her hips. “I don’t need any…distractions right now.”

Alister took her shoulders. “Listen to me. We do work on important things, but it’s not every day that someone special walks into our lives.” He edged closer. “Were she simply eye-candy, we wouldn’t be having this conversation. But Lara, she’s brilliant, and…there’s a spark between you two. I’ve felt it.”

Lara huffed. She finally smiled back and kissed him on the cheek. “Have a good trip, lad. And thank you for your good thoughts.”

“All the best,” Alister said. “Goodbye Zip, goodbye Erika. If you need anything, I’m just a phone call away.”

Zip and Erika looked up from their book. “Goodbye,” they said in unison. Alister grabbed his bag and went out the library door.

Lara watched Erika from across the room. “I’ve felt the spark, too,” she said quietly. She raised her eyebrows. “I hope I don’t regret this,” she murmured, and strode to the desk. “Erika, I was wondering if you’d be interested in a bit of lunch. There’s a new bistro not far from here that I’ve been anxious to try.”

Erika’s face lit up. “That sounds wonderful.”

Zip took a step back. “I’m free for lunch.” He smiled at Lara and bounced his eyebrows.

“Sorry Zip, but there’s only room for two on my Ducati. The weather is beautiful, and it would be a shame to waste it driving,” Lara said.

Erika stood and took off her glasses. Her long, brown hair cascaded over her bright, blue and white striped sweater. “Give me five minutes to change?” Lara asked, her heart racing.

Erika nodded and grinned. “This should be fun. I’ve never been on a motorcycle.”

Lara put a hand to her hip. “I guess this will be a first for both of us. I’m not sure I’ve ever had a passenger before.”

The sun rode high in the sky, and Lara hit the brakes hard as they came to a sharp corner. She and Erika bumped helmets. “Sorry,” Lara said into the microphone. “I’m not used to two.”

“That’s OK,” Erika replied. “This is fun.”

Lara was glad for the helmet, which hid her flushed cheeks. She wore a motorcycle jacket over a green, button-down blouse, while Erika wore a heavy denim jacket. In spite of their many layers, Lara still felt the heat between them. The simple act of asking Erika to lunch had changed things very quickly. Erika jumped on the motorcycle back at the Manor and had slipped her arms around Lara’s waist before the motor was even running. Since then, a raw desire burned inside Lara, a tiny, hot flame she was afraid to let go of. Erika held on tight, and Lara wanted more than anything to grip the soft hands clasped over her stomach.

They motored past a farm, which was separated from the bumpy, paved road by an old stone fence. The grass grew high on the roadside, and an occasional oak broke the fence line. A team of horses pulled a huge wagon full of hay on the other side.

“There’s a part of Croft Manor that I’d like to show you before lunch,” Lara said. “One second.” She signaled at an old wooden street post and turned down a narrow, dirt road. She rolled the throttle, and the Ducati roared down the dusty lane.

Lara pulled off the road and drove across a grassy meadow. Even though it was early summer, the grass was already tall in places, and the motorcycle mowed down a steady, thin patch. Lara slowed down as they came to a grove of trees by a stream.

They stopped next to a tall maple, and Lara put down the kickstand. She got off the motorcycle, took off her helmet, and helped Erika down. They held hands for a brief moment and their eyes met. Erika smiled and looked down, then took off her helmet and jacket.

They walked to the stream and stood in the short grass near the edge. The water gurgled and a few birds chased each other through the trees. Erika kicked off her sandals. “This is wonderful,” she said, digging her toes into the grass. “Looks like something out of a painting.”

Lara watched as a few strands of Erika’s hair blew in the gentle breeze. Without thinking, she put her arm around Erika’s shoulders.

“I love coming here,” Lara said. “It’s so beautiful.”

Erika peeked at Lara’s arm out of the corner of her eye and then held the hand draped over her shoulder. “Beautiful,” Erika said.

Lara held her breath. Her eyebrows went up and she tried tugging her arm back. “I’m…so sorry! I wasn’t even…”

Erika let go of Lara’s hand and slipped her arm around her waist. They locked eyes, and Erika touched Lara’s cheek. “No need for apologies,” Erika whispered.

Lara’s knees shook, and she let out a hot breath. Erika’s sweet smell filled her, and Lara put her rough hand atop Erika’s tiny one and kissed her palm. Erika moaned softly as Lara’s lips wandered over her slender wrist.

Erika wrapped both arms around Lara’s shoulders and slowly rose to her tiptoes. As their lips met, the fire Lara had been holding back came roaring to the surface. She scooped Erika off her feet and kissed her again and again.

Erika pulled back and ran her smooth fingers over Lara’s cheek. Lara kissed her, slower, deeper, and then sank to her knees and set Erika down in the soft grass. They watched each other for a moment, their embrace still intact, their hearts pounding almost in rhythm. Lara ran a coarse, tender finger through Erika’s hair and then kissed her again under the shade of the tall trees, forgetting all of her earlier misgivings.

Lara lay back in the grass and watched the wispy clouds drift by. Erika snuggled close to her side, and Lara played with her hair, pulling up a few strands and then letting them fall. “I’m so glad,” Lara said, “that we came here today. I’ve been wanting to…ask you out for a few days now.”

“I thought it might be on your mind,” Erika replied with a smile. She giggled and then gave Lara a long, slow kiss. “I’m glad you suggested lunch. Otherwise, I was going to have to attack you one night in a darkened hallway.”

Lara smiled back and pulled Erika closer.

“This is part of the Manor?” Erika asked.

“Yes. Father originally wanted this part bound by a fence, but mother wouldn’t allow it. She felt the stream was too lovely not to share.”

Erika nuzzled closer. “You’ll have to introduce me to her sometime,” she said, sleepily. “Sorry. Guess that’s a bit forward.” She rubbed her hand over Lara’s.

Lara stiffened ever so slightly, and Erika’s hand stopped. “My mother…isn’t here,” Lara said quietly. She let go of Erika’s hair and sat up.

“I’m sorry,” Erika said, pushing herself up. “I gathered that your father had died, but your mother, too?” She put a hand on Lara’s shoulder. “Did something happen?”

Lara bunched her lips together. “I’d rather not talk about it just now.”

Erika nodded.

“Oh, my,” Lara said, looking at her watch. “You won’t believe what time it is. And we haven’t even gone to lunch yet.”

Erika forced a tiny smile and stood up. She brushed the grass off her sweater and jeans, and then helped Lara to her feet.

“Still game to try the bistro?” Lara asked. “I hear they have an excellent lager on tap.”

Erika watched her, still holding her hand loosely, and nodded. “Sure,” she said, her smile finally catching up. She held Lara’s hand tighter and gave her another kiss. Lara wrapped her arms around her shoulders. “I just hope we can find my sandals,” Erika said.




Part II

“Thank you both for your continued attention,” Erika said. Lara and Zip sat next to each other at the desk in the library as a steady, late summer rain beat against the windows behind them. “This has taken several months, but I believe that I’ve finally made some progress with your father’s letters.”

Lara leaned forward and looked over the scanned images on the screen. “Eddington employed a dual-cipher method, which was very difficult to crack,” Erika went on. “He also did not date his letters. I’ve arranged them in what I believe to be chronological order.” She pointed to the wide monitor. “You’ll see them labeled ‘one’ through ‘eight’. As far as I can tell, your father and Professor Eddington were exchanging communiques regarding map coordinates.” She took her glasses off and rested them on top of her head.

“Is there any indication,” Lara asked, rising slowly to her feet, “as to the significance of these map coordinates?”

Erika leaned against the desk. “Eddington seems to be answering a series of questions that your father had posed. In the last letter, Eddington says, ‘Am certain that one of these six sites is the one you are looking for’.” She cleared her throat. “This part does not make any sense to me, but he writes, ‘The passage to Avalon’.”

Lara’s eyes bulged.

“I believe,” Erika said slowly, “that there may be a missing letter. Eddington implies in the eighth letter that he would be selecting the best site and supplying that information to your father sometime in the future.”

Lara tucked in her chin and walked in a small circle. “Father must have taken that letter with him,” she said. She went to Erika and hugged her tight. “Excellent work, by the way,” she said. Erika tilted her head and smiled while Lara gave her a quick kiss. “Six sites. Have you two been able to pinpoint them?” Lara asked.

Zip nodded. “Erika gave me the information a little while ago. Here’s what I have.” He looked down at a notebook. “Bolivia, Chile, France, Siberia, Nepal, and…”

“And?”

“I triple-checked it,” Zip said, with a grimace. “The last site is in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea.” He leaned back. “So, now what?”

Lara examined the screen for another minute and then walked slowly past the book shelves on the north wall. “I don’t know if any site is more promising,” she said, staring off. “The site in the Mediterranean will certainly be a challenge.”

Erika wrinkled her eyebrows. “What’s the significance of these sites, anyway?”

Lara and Zip exchanged a look.

“What?” Erika asked.

“Zip, could you give us a minute?” Lara asked. Zip nodded, grabbed his laptop computer, and slid out the library door.

Lara heaved a breath and sat on the edge of the desk. “I’ve been…looking for something for a few years now. My search started as more of a curiosity, and has now taken me down some dark and dangerous roads.”

Erika stood in front of Lara. “I see.”

“There are some dangerous people who are…looking for the same things. I’d rather that you know as little as possible about what I’m doing.”

Erika held both of Lara’s hands loosely and bunched her lips together.

“It’s for your own protection,” Lara said, trying to make eye contact.

Erika tried smiling back. “I…guess,” she said slowly. “But…”

Winston pushed open the heavy library door. “I beg your pardon. Lara, Zip requests your presence immediately.”

“Coming,” Lara said.

She and Erika ran to the main hall and found Zip behind his desk. All six of his monitors were ablaze with images of the French countryside. “It looks like Amanda is moving on the site in France,” he said, typing furiously on his keyboard.

Lara’s eyes flared. “What?! How do you know?”

“Chatter on the satellite channels,” he said, pointing at the monitors, “but the big black trucks and mercenaries were the biggest give-away. I hacked into Amanda’s network. We’re watching their video feeds.”

“Damn,” Lara said, and pounded a fist on the table. “Where is this site?”

“Normandy,” Zip said.

“A bit more specific, please.”

“This site is an adjunct of the La Mansonnière cave complex,” Erika said. “This part was discovered years after the main caves, and has not yet been fully explored.”

“We’d better get moving,” Lara said. “Zip, you and Erika will stay behind and man the intelligence and logistics stations. Winston, arrange immediate transportation for me to Bayeux. I’ll need the fastest motorcycle they have waiting for me.”

Lara turned to go, but Erika grabbed her arm. “What is it?” Lara asked.

Erika could feel her pulse racing. She pulled Lara close and wrapped an arm around her waist. “Hey,” she whispered, and touched Lara’s cheek. “Those men have guns. Please, be careful. I want to see you again.”

Lara wrapped her arms around Erika’s slender shoulders and they touched foreheads. “You will. Winston always books my flights round-trip,” Lara said, with a smile.

Lara turned the motorcycle off and coasted along a dirt path until she found a small clearing next to an enormous hill. She stopped and leaned the big BMW against a tree. “Excellent work finding a back door,” she said into the tiny microphone. She moved some branches over the motorcycle. “So, what’s next?” She pulled her backpack over her black, spandex shirt and checked her pistols.

“The entrance to the cave should be close to some white rocks,” Zip replied.

Lara stooped over near the rocks and saw a hole in the side of the hill about the size of a drain pipe. “I hope I can squeeze through there. What’s on the other side?”

“Not sure,” Zip said. Lara could hear the clicks of his keyboard through her earpiece.

“Before I go in, how’s the video feed from the earpiece? Clear?”

“No problems.”

“Good.” She tapped the light on her shirt. “Erika, you’re awfully quiet.”

“Are you sure you should go in there?” Erika asked finally. “Those men…are quite well armed.”

“As am I.” Lara leaned over and crawled face-first into the tunnel mouth.

The tunnel was about two meters long and led to a narrow walkway in a wide, tall cave. Lara stood up on the ledge and dusted her knees off. A few small shafts of light emanated from the ceiling, but the cave was very dark. “What am I dealing with here?” she asked. She took a step towards the edge and looked down, but couldn’t see the bottom.

“We’re making this up as we go,” Zip said.

“Where are Amanda’s men?”

“Still outside the main entrance. No idea if any are inside.”

“Right.” Lara walked further along the ledge and slid down a gentle slope to a wide landing. “I’ve not much to work with. I’m grabbing my binoculars. Zip, you’ll get the video feed from them?”

“We’ll see what you see.”

Lara put her binoculars to her eyes and tapped the night-vision button. A narrow ledge on the opposite wall led to a wide landing next to a pile of rocks. “I’ll start there,” she said and put her binoculars away. “Voices down, please. I need to concentrate.”

She jumped down to the next ledge and followed it until it became too narrow to walk on. She then lowered herself over the edge and worked hand over hand until she reached the platform.

The pile of rocks was much bigger than she first thought. After a quick inspection, she found a gap that she could crawl through. She stopped and caught her breath. “What’s happening on the outside?” she asked.

“Not too much,” Zip replied. “Maybe…forty guys, but most are just walking around.”

“Good. Maybe they’ve hit a dead end. I’m going to see where this passage leads.”

Lara crawled between the stones and came to a darker cave with a small lake in the middle. She tapped her light off and looked through her binoculars again. “There it is,” she said quietly. “Can you two see it?”

Directly across the pond was a raised ledge. She saw a gap in the rock, and what looked like a stairway leading to an arched doorway. “I’m going to have to get a closer look.”

Lara turned her light on and walked alongside the lake. The cave floor wasn’t as flat as she first thought. A few boulders littered the way, and it was very slippery in places.

When she finally reached the ledge, which was a little higher than the top of her head, she hoisted herself up and looked around. It was long and wide, and the gap she had noticed before was actually a tunnel. She poked her head in and listened, but didn’t hear anything, so she walked to the stairway on the opposite side. Her light flickered out.

“Damn!” she hissed in the darkness.

“What’s wrong?” Zip asked. “We can’t see anything.”

“Neither can I.”

“Lara – some of Amanda’s guys just went in the main entrance of the cave.”

“How far away are they?” she asked, waiting for her eyes to adjust. She could start to make out a few vague shapes, but not much else.

“Maybe you should…” Erika began.

“What?” Lara asked.

“Well, your light is broken, and all. Maybe you should…leave.”

Lara tapped the light on her shirt a few times. It blinked once or twice but wouldn’t stay on.

“What now?” Zip asked.

Lara held her binoculars to her eyes again and tapped on the night vision. A group of sloppy, tall symbols was scratched into the wall near the stairway. She zoomed back as far as she could and slowly panned from left to right. “What do you make of these, Erika?”

“I’ve got the image on the screen,” Erika said. “Let me get a screen capture or two. There.”

“I’ve…never seen these symbols before. God, the detail level from my field glasses is terrible. I want to get a little bit of video.”

She carefully set down the binoculars and pulled the video camera from her pack. She flipped open the monitor and clicked on the light. The camera whined as the autofocus attempted to lock on the wall.

“Lara –” Erika began.

“These symbols and this stairway…are odd,” Lara cut in. The light on the camera cast a feeble glow.

“Lara –”

“A moment,” she replied. The autofocus buzzed again and the images on the screen became blurry. “Can you see this?” She wrinkled her eyebrows. “I don’t recognize them. Erika?”

“We can’t see the images from the video cam,” Zip said. “Didn’t have time to install the uplink.”

“Damn. Well –”

“LARA!” Erika shouted.

Lara touched her earpiece and winced. “What is it?”

“Some men are coming down the tunnel. I see the light from your binocular feed.”

Lara snapped her camera shut and felt around the floor until she found her binoculars. She then crept behind the steps.

The tunnel mouth glowed, and Lara heard heavy footsteps and muffled conversation. Four men holding flashlights stepped onto the ledge. A short, stocky, dark-skinned man in black fatigues held an assault rifle across his chest while another man set up a light stand. The two others set down heavy boxes and flipped open the tops.

“Damn,” Lara whispered. Bright light filled the area, but she was still hidden in the shadows.

The dark-skinned man walked towards the stairway and stopped when he was only a few steps from Lara. “This is Williams,” he said into a microphone clipped to his shoulder. “We’ve found something Ms. Evret might be interested in.”

“Got it,” a deep voice replied. “Hold your position.”

The man let go of the microphone and put the rifle back across his chest.

“Lara,” Erika said. Lara scrambled her hand to the earpiece and tried to adjust the volume.

“What was that?!” Williams shouted, his voice echoing through the cave. He slipped his gun under his shoulder. “I heard something.”

Lara jumped from behind the steps. She dropped the video camera, which shattered on the hard floor, and kicked Williams in the chin. His head snapped back and his rifle fell to the ground.

“Hey!” One of the other men pulled a gun and squeezed off a few shots. Erika screamed. Lara winced again and grabbed her pistols. She fired back, hitting him twice.

“Oh, Lara!” Erika shouted. “Get out –”

“Zip!” Lara shouted. “Turn off her mic! Now!”

A man across the platform pulled a grenade, but Lara aimed and hit his throwing hand. He dropped it, and the other man with him ran back into the tunnel.

Lara ducked back behind the steps just as the grenade went off. The ledge shook and dust rained down from above. She took a tentative step towards the tunnel and dusted off her shoulders. A few big rocks had fallen down, but the tunnel mouth was clear.

“A bunch of guys just ran into the cave,” Zip said. “Twenty, maybe more.”

Lara checked her pistols. “How long until they get here?”

“Five minutes,” Zip said. “Or less. Hey – Erika wants to say something…”

Lara looked back at the tunnel. “Make it quick.”

“Lara?” Erika said in a quiet whisper. She sniffled. “You have to go. Please,” she said. Lara could hear the tears in her voice. “You’ll…you’ll be killed. Please.”

Lara chuckled and rubbed her chin. “Thank you for the vote of confidence. I’ll be fine –”

“Lara, ten more guys,” Zip said. “Most had grenade launchers.”

“Not good. What to do, what to do…” She looked around the cave. “Zip, ETA .”

“Two minutes, he shouted. Lara looked to the tunnel mouth and saw a faint light.

“Please,” Erika moaned again. “Oh, please, you have to run –”

“I have never left a site on someone else’s terms,” Lara said through clenched teeth. She heard a muffled thud on her headset.

“Erika’s off-line,” Zip said.

“No surprise,” Lara said. She watched the tunnel mouth again. The light was brighter and she heard some voices. She let out a big breath and holstered her pistols. “Bloody hell,” she muttered and lowered herself down to the cave floor. “I’m on my way out. Tell Winston to have a plane waiting. I’ll see you all in a few hours.”

Lara rested her chin on her knees and watched the crackling fire in the dim, late evening light. She sat on the lower part of the steps in the great hall, still wearing her spandex top and black pants.

“Hello, Lara,” Erika said. She emerged from the doorway behind the stairs, balancing a small, silver tray. “Winston’s prepared some hot chocolate for us.”

“That sounds delightful,” Lara said with a weary smile. She stood and rubbed her left hip. Erika set the tray down and joined her at the base of the stairway.

“Welcome home.” Erika pushed up the sleeves of her long, gray sweatshirt, put a hand on Lara’s shoulder, and gave her a slow kiss. Lara pulled her closer, and they smiled at each other and touched foreheads. Lara hugged her tight and then took her hand as they walked slowly to the sofas by the fireplace.

“I want to apologize for what happened today,” Erika said. Lara sat down on the sofa and Erika sat next to her.

“I don’t understand,” Lara said.

Erika handed her a mug. “Well, I did blow your cover, after all, and then I panicked.” She put her hand on Lara’s. “It’s just a bit hard for me to see the woman I care about dodging bullets in a dark cave.”

“You…care about…?”

Erika nodded and looked into Lara’s eyes. She gripped her hand tighter. “The woman I’m…falling in love with,” she whispered.

Lara leaned back. “Oh, Erika. This is a bit sudden.”

Erika’s face fell. “Thank you,” she replied, and jerked her hands away. “Just the sort of response a woman hopes for when she bares her soul.”

“Don’t be like this,” Lara huffed.

“We’ve been together for nearly three months.”

“Yes,” Lara said, with an emphatic nod. She set her cup aside. “A bit sudden.”

Erika rolled her eyes and crossed her arms. “You’re impossible. If we were casually dating, I would agree, but we’ve been living together since I arrived at the Manor, haven’t we? We take all our meals together, and I haven’t slept in my own room for months.” She bunched her lips. “I thought I meant something to you.”

“You do,” Lara said, and stroked her hair.

Erika watched Lara from the corner of her eye and pushed her hand away. “Really? Then what’s next for us? Alister is due back, so in the next few days, I turn into the proverbial pumpkin, don’t I?”

“You can…stay on…if you like…”

“You say that with such enthusiasm,” Erika said. A few tears rolled down her cheeks. “What do you want?”

Lara stood and strolled to the fireplace. “I hadn’t…thought about it, really.”

“So,” Erika sobbed, covering her face with her hands, “contract’s up, and…and…the relationship’s…o…o…”

“Erika, please. I’m very fond of you.” Lara rubbed her forehead. “I’ve so many important things happening right now…” She sat down on the other sofa and put her elbows to her knees.

“I know,” Erika said. She wiped her cheeks. “And I’d like to be a part of that. I’m not stupid, Lara. I’ve been able to piece some things together. Your mother…disappeared when you were younger, and you feel somehow responsible –”

“You know nothing of how I feel,” Lara hissed.

“Then why don’t you tell me?” Erika stood in front of Lara, the tears rolling freely down her cheeks. “Please, don’t push me away. Let me be the one whose shoulder you cry on –”

“I don’t cry on other people’s shoulders!” Lara said, raising her voice. She stood and turned her back.

Erika followed. She put her hands on Lara’s shoulders. “I’m sure it wasn’t your fault –”

Lara spun on her heels. “You don’t know that because YOU WEREN’T THERE!” she yelled, her eyes narrowed to slits. “You don’t understand! NO ONE UNDERSTANDS!”

Erika cringed, but held her ground. More tears ran down her cheeks. “You’re right, I…I don’t understand. Maybe you could help me to.”

Lara shivered and held herself close. “I…shouldn’t yell. Forgive me. But, this is…my problem…”

Erika put a gentle hand on her arm, tilted Lara’s chin, and looked into her wide, wild eyes. “We could make it our problem,” she said softly. “I love you.”

Lara’s mouth fell open, and her shoulders dropped. As she felt Erika’s soft fingers on her arm, a part of her longed to reach out to her, longed to let everything else go. She imagined Erika holding her in the dark, imagined her soft hands and her soft voice, and wished that the warmth between them would somehow be enough to heal all of her old wounds.

Their eyes met again, and Lara clutched herself tighter. “I don’t…know,” she whispered. “This…is all so sudden, and I’ve so many things…happening…”

Erika closed her eyes and put her palm to her chin. Hot, stinging tears rolled down her cheeks. She turned and stumbled up the staircase, her sobs echoing through the great hall. Lara watched her go. She sat on the big sofa next to the fireplace and held herself closer as the bright, red embers slowly turned to ash.

Zip drummed his fingers on his desktop. The screen captures Erika had taken the day before where displayed on all of his monitors. Lara stood behind him. “We could use some help,” Zip said. He looked over at Alister, who dozed in one of the office chairs. “He got in late last night, and I think his brain is mush right now. Where’s Erika?”

Lara frowned. “She and I quarreled last night. I think she's still in her room.” She huffed. “There’s something…wrong here, though. Wake him up,” she said, motioning to Alister. “I’ll go and see if Erika’s still talking to me.”

She strode through the great hall and passed Winston, who was just coming down the steps.

“If you are looking for Miss Perez,” he said, “she’s not here.”

Lara skidded to a stop. “What?”

Winston reached into the inner pocket of his blazer and pulled out an envelope. “She packed her things and left early this morning. She asked me to give you this.”

“You…didn’t tell me?” Lara asked. She took the envelope and tore it open.

“Miss Perez would not permit me,” he replied. “She made me swear to keep her secret.”

Lara unfolded the letter and sat down on one of the sofas near the hearth. “My dearest Lara,” she read softly, “After much soul searching, I’ve decided that I can no longer stay with you at the Manor. You made it very clear last night how you feel about me. Perhaps you are incapable of loving another, or maybe just unwilling. Either way, I deserve better.

“I know there is much inside you, Lara, much that is secret to the world, much that you cling to. Maybe you feel that clinging to memories makes them precious, but I believe the opposite to be true. The treasures we keep in our hearts become truly precious only when we share them. I’m sure this makes no sense to you now, but I hope that one day it will. With Love, Erika.

“PS. La Mansonnière is the wrong site.”

Lara put the letter on her lap. The fire burned merrily a few feet away. Winston, Alister, and Zip watched her.

“Lara,” Alister began, but Lara looked over her shoulder and held up a hand.

“If you won’t let him say it, then I will,” Zip shouted. “Get on that damn crotch-rocket Ducati and go find her!”

Lara let out a slow breath. Her eyes welled with tears, but she didn’t let them fall. She slowly stood up. “We all know I won’t be doing that,” she said, her voice hoarse. She folded the letter. “I’ve too many important things to do…and I hardly need her here…distracting me. Had I been thinking clearly yesterday, I wouldn’t have left that cave until I had the answers I sought.”

Alister rubbed his sleepy, unshaven face and pulled his bathrobe tighter around his waist. Lara watched him with some amusement. “Alister, good to have you back,” she said. “Winston, please prepare some strong coffee for us. We’ve a lot to accomplish today. I want us to analyze that image from the cave and –”

“It’s the wrong site,” Alister said through a yawn. “I took one look at the symbols and I knew. This might be a bit embarrassing, but I think it might be a contemporary site. A movie set, even. Well crafted, but a fake nonetheless.”

Lara put her hand to her chin. “I knew something was wrong. I guess we’ve got five more sites to work through. Winston, the coffee.”

Winston bowed and left the room while Zip shook his head and went back to his desk.

Alister stumbled past Lara and gave her a tired smile. “Erika and I exchanged emails while I was away.” He edged closer. “I gathered that things are serious between you two,” he said.

Lara clutched her elbows and walked in a slow circle, still holding the letter in her left hand. “Perhaps they are. Or were…” She put her fingers to her forehead. “Alister, don’t start. I have to move forward, you know that.”

“I know. I just bet it was nice yesterday.”

“You think it was nice running from that cave with my tail between my legs?” She waved her arms. “Zip’s right –”

Alister held up a hand. “No, no, not that. I just meant that…after a day of risking life and limb, you had someone to come home to. I just bet it was nice…coming home to Erika, that’s all.”

Lara’s tears came back for a split second, and her chin sagged. Alister saw a pain in her eyes that he’d never seen before. “It was,” she whispered, her eyes misting over. “She brought me cocoa, and…she told me…she said…” Lara closed her eyes. She said she loves me. Oh, God, a part of me wanted to say it back so badly…

Alister tried to put his hand on her shoulder, but Lara pushed it away. “Alister, this is not the time. I’m through discussing this,” she hissed.

“So that’s how it’s going to be.” He sighed and put a hand on the stair railing. “I know you too well, Lara Croft.”

“Lara!” Zip shouted from across the room. He stood and waved his arms.

Lara and Alister ran to Zip’s desk. “What is it?”

“I’ve finally got a line on Eddington.”

Lara’s eyes bulged. “Where is he?”

Zip held up a hand and touched his headset. “This is third or fourth hand, but someone tried to kidnap him. He’s been in hiding. Protective custody.”

“Amanda,” Lara said. She put both hands on the edge of the desk and leaned forward. “Where is he?”

“I’m still finding that out. I should have it soon.”

“Right,” Lara said. “I shall assemble the information we have while you do that. He can tell us which is the correct site. Alister, get yourself cleaned up and get some coffee in you. I’ll need you on headset.”

Alister shook his head and slowly walked away. He stuffed his hands in his pockets. “You’ll regret this,” he sang in a high voice.

Lara took a last look at the sweet-smelling letter. She carefully folded it up, slipped it in her front pocket, and joined Zip at his computer.

***

Epilogue - A snowy night, a flat in College Park, London

Erika gave the front door a gentle push with her foot and carried the heavy box into her small flat. She set it down next to the tall windows and took off her jacket. Horn honks and quiet conversation drifted up from the busy street below. “I thought I closed the door,” she said, and peeked over her shoulder.

Lara stood in the doorway, wearing a leather jacket with snowflakes on the shoulders. She held a long, gift-wrapped box. “Hello, Erika,” she said. “May I come in?”

Erika bunched her lips and shrugged.

Lara pushed the door shut and scanned the tight living room. She ran her hand against the coarse, recently painted wall. “This place is nice.” She walked to the tall windows and looked down. “Do you need some help moving things?”

Erika shook her head. “I brought over just this one today.” She crossed her arms. “How did you find me? Had me followed? Did Zip somehow track me?”

“I phoned your father,” Lara said. “He told me you were starting a teaching position here in London.” She held out the box. “He also told me that these were your favorite. Dobla chocolates, from Belgium.”

Erika rolled her eyes and shook her head.

“It’s good to see you.” Lara looked down. “You look splendid.”

“Thank you.” They stood a few steps apart. “I read about the fire at the Manor,” Erika said after a moment. “And about poor Alister.”

Lara nodded. “He was a good friend, and I miss him. He said something to me a few weeks before he died. It may have been the day you…left.” Lara swallowed hard. “He told me that I would regret letting you go. I’ve learned the hard way that he was right.” She looked at Erika, her eyes glistening, and played with the ribbon on the box.

Erika’s lips trembled. “That’s…very touching,” she said, trying to hold her tears back. “If you’re through then, I’ve got boxes to unpack –”

Lara reached for her arm. “No. Please, Erika, there’s quite a bit I’d like to…share with you, if…you’d like.”

Erika pulled a chair out from under the table. She was about to sit, but paced to the window and turned her back. “I kept hoping that you would come to me that night,” she said finally, the tears rolling down her cheeks. “I waited…and I cried…but you never came.”

Lara stood behind Erika and laid a hand on her shoulder. “I’m...not sure I could have then. But Erika, so much has changed. I’m very sorry, and I ask your forgiveness. I’d…like us to start again.”

“I don’t’ know. I haven’t heard from you in so long, and now,” Erika said, flinging her hand, “here you are.”

“I’ve been…away. Searching, like I always have. Searching…for the truth. I’ve looked my entire life, and I’m sure I’ll never stop.”

“Wonderful,” Erika muttered, and wiped away a tear.

“Along the way, I’ve found someone I care about. Someone…I love,” Lara whispered. She squeezed Erika’s shoulder and rested her forehead against her silky hair. “I’m sorry it’s taken me so long to realize it.”

Erika said nothing and bowed her head.

“You’re still quite angry with me, I see.” Lara sighed. “Perhaps I should go.” She set the box on the table in the small kitchenette and turned towards the door.

“Lara?”

“Yes?”

“How old were you when you lost your mother?”

“I was nine,” she said, with a steady gaze.

Erika faced her, a few tears still running down her cheeks. “It must have been awful. I know it was for me when my mother died.”

Lara bunched her lips and nodded. “It was. She meant the world to me.”

“I’d…I’d like to hear about her, if you’ve time to tell me,” Erika said, with a little smile.

Lara smiled back. “Certainly. May I…stay?” Erika nodded and Lara took off her leather jacket. She set it on a pile of boxes while Erika sat down at the small table. Lara joined her.

“My mother, Amelia Croft,” Lara began, “was an amazing woman.” Her face lit up. “She had the rare ability to command a room without being boorish or overbearing. When she entered, you almost felt her before you saw her.”

Erika put her hand atop Lara’s and gave her a quick kiss on the mouth.

Lara blushed, and she squeezed Erika’s hand and wiped away a little tear. “Anyway,” Lara said, smiling again, “mother and I were on a flight over Nepal during a severe, unseasonal storm –”

“Why were you flying over Nepal?” Erika asked, as she took a chocolate from the box.

“I forgot to tell you that, didn’t I? Let’s see here…”

Erika nibbled on the edge of another chocolate and moved closer as Lara shared her most precious memories.


THE END


NOTICE: This story is a work of fiction. Lara Croft, her likeness, and the Tomb Raider games are all copyright of EIDOS Interactive. There is no challenge to these copyrights intended by this story, as it is a non-sanctioned, unofficial work of the author's own. Entry for the 4th Village of Tokakeriby Tomb Raider Story Competition, 2009.