Greetings to Y'all!

This is my first fanfiction that I have ever published. Any thoughts and opinions on this would be most appreciated. I started this story over a year and half ago and now I am updating and finishing this story. So, please let me know what you think of it. There are stupid typos and the writing is really bad, imo. But if you enjoy then I am happy.

I recently played the Tomb Raider (2013) and I really enjoyed the game. This story will follow mostly the game, but with some slight differences.

Of course, I don't own Tomb Raider… If I did, why would I be writing fanfiction? I would be writing for the games themselves. :)

Prologue: Many Meetings at Nine Bells

Rain… Rain… it maintained it's pessimistic drear persistently in London streets and dark alley ways. Tall buses and cars' horns with the busy hubbub of the metropolitan city echoed and marred the noise threshold. To say that it was raining in London would be like saying whiskey was alcoholic. The rain was coming down in torrent sheets while rude thunder rumbled nearby. Despite the unkind weather, there were a few people in the old Irish bar, and the young lady behind the counter really didn't mind the dim lights as she wiped the old oak wood with her cleaning rag. She was used to the rough environment she worked in. cracking her slender next and attempting to rub the soreness away with her hand, she looked at her reflection in one of the tall beer glasses before her. Rich dark brown hair tied back in her signature pony tail with her bangs rebelliously framing her face, a pretty face with softly defined striking features and two boring brown eyes under thin eyebrows… 'Why did I have to have brown eyes… so… common ugh!' It wasn't the first time Lara Croft had been annoyed she had not inherited her mother's vibrate green eyes, and she had pondered but was not vain enough to go get colored contacts to change her eyes. Those eyes caught a movement from one of her patrons that had come, though it was a slow evening. Sometimes it being slow was quite a nice experience and allowed her to talk with her good friends and regulars. At one dark wooden tables was Mr. and Mrs. Gary Morris, an elderly couple in their late 60s who would come as often two or three times a week, they played cards, talked gaily and laughed over jokes from their life together. Many times, she found watching them endearing as Gary (Mr. Morris) would ask his dear wife for a dance and then they would waltz around to an imaginary tune playing in their heads. Watching the display of that simple love, Lara would wonder what that must be like.

On this night though Lara couldn't help but wonder why they would be out here at such a storming and awful evening, but it was always good to see them. They had been frequenting the bar long before she had started working at Nine Bells and they always tipped well. They were the kind of people that generally cared about everyone and anyone. Annie Morris would gush and dote on her while telling her to never give up on her dreams. They were her greatest supporters who thought her goals of going into archology was exciting, cool and encouraged her to pursue her purpose with a steadfastness to conquer all difficulties.

Over in the far dark corner, which was his choice of location always, that was dimly lit was a young man. His face glowing in pale blue-white light from his laptop as he was busily typing away. Textbooks lay all around him as he sipped his Indian Pale Ale with great enjoyment.

'Probably programming again.' Lara thought dryly to herself as she watched his eyes flicker back and forth in his face as he typed furiously his eyebrows knotting in concentration. 'Alex always sits in the same corner and doesn't seem to notice anyone. And,' Lara happily grinned, 'like a typical American he always wanted his beer icy cold and with the highest IBU's and hops possible.' He always seemed to be dressed in what must be the nerdiest way possible. A grey hoodie with decals on the back, and a dark blue shirt with the Dungeons and Dragons logo blazed in red on the front. His black leather motorcycle jacket hung casually over the back of the booth seat. His brown hair was tousled and unkempt, as though he had just woken up and ran his hands quickly through it. 'He would look a lot better without those glasses covering his eyes. Not that he doesn't pull it off, but…' Lara blushed at the familiar thought coursing through her mind. 'It was rather ridiculous, maybe Sam is right, I need to just get laid. Could it really be that simple?'

Lara knew she did not lack in the looks department. However, only 19 years old, she had matured to the point where some guys would just come in to 'Talk' with her. With her long dark brown hair in a ponytail, soft brown eyes and a body, 'Even a Greek Goddess would be jealous of.' At least according to Sam. Mostly these men did not come to talk but to ogle her. While she appreciated the complement that was hidden somewhere deep in dark in that fact; she found it rather unsettling and had a few times had to ask people to leave. It was not something she enjoyed doing and it happened to never cost efficient since the jerks would stiff her by not paying a tip.

Still, she had never really tried to have a relationship though with a guy. Not that she was against it; she just did not have the time for hassle that comes with a boyfriend. Not that she had not had some rather interesting experiences as her best friend and roommate Samantha Nishimura had been trying to set her up for the last year that they had lived with each other. Lara had always said "No!" quite forcefully in fact, yet still went on some of the blind dates her roomie had forced her to go to attend them. Those dates had been abysmal failures and Lara had sworn off blind dates from that point forward. Of course, that did not stop Sam from pursuing her own 'activities'. There were many times at night Lara would wish Sam's room walls were more… soundproof.

Lara's eyes focused again as she suddenly realized that she had been staring at the young man the entire time. Only now, he was looking back at her, his piercing blue eyes curiously observing her. 'Damn! I've been caught staring! Look elsewhere; pretend to be looking at something else!' Lara could feel the heat rising to the roots of her hair, 'Thank God he won't see that I am blushing. Maybe no one will notice.' It seemed that God had abandoned her though in her deep need. Her dear best friend's voice teasingly broke Lara's troubled thoughts, "Sam calling to Lara, Sam calling to Lara, you there girl?"

Turning to the American, whose heritage was obviously of Asian descent due to her dark hair and slightly tilted eyes, Lara scowled trying to hide her embarrassment. "Of course I am here. Once up?"

Sam burst out laughing shaking her pretty tomboyish head. , "You ignored me for like 10 whole minutes while I was talking about the utter importance of how to maintain the most natural lighting for filming in a studio." The girl tilted her head slightly as she giggled. "I am just wondering why you find the corner so… interesting?" Mischief danced in Sam's brown eyes. "Could it be that its not the corner, but the occupant?"

If Lara had felt like her face was hot before, it was now burning like the Sahara Desert at noon. "Sam!" She groaned, "come on, it's not…"

"…like that, I know." Sam finished for her with a dismissive hand gesture that spoke the complete opposite. "You say that every time. It's hardly my fault though you are drooling over Alex."

"I was not… dr… drooling over him." Well, maybe a little. He's not bad looking and he's tall. However, he is so strange. Strange, go with that! "Besides," Lara continued quietly looking away from her roomie, "he's really strange."

"Strange?" Incredulous was the only accurate word for the shock on Sam's pleasant face. "Strange?!" Sam's voice was getting louder as Lara tried to shush her, sure, there weren't a lot of people in the bar, but they were now all looking at the two 19 year old best friends.

"What's strange?" A deep gruff voice startled the girls. Sam let out a squeak, why Lara's face broke into a broad smile at the rugged greying man next to them.

"Roth!" Lara came around the bar and gave the man a big hug, which he returned, his strong arms encasing her in warmth and the feeling of safety. "What a wonderful surprise! I wasn't expecting to see you until Saturday." She then saw the concern on his face and her heart clinched inside her in fear. "We are still going right? Dr. James Whitman didn't cancel did he?"

The man gave her a grim smile. "We're still on, well, as long as I can find us a new technician. Freddy Knox needed to go back to Scotland due to a family emergency. So if I can't find in three days we won't be going."

"Oh come on Roth!" Sam's mouth turned down in a pout, "we have to find someone; this adventure is WAY to cool to cancel. The lost treasures of Yamatai are waiting for us."

Despairing, Lara bit her bottom lip, disappointment fighting for control of her. Of course, she would not let it win but she was discouraged. This was her chance to follow her father's footsteps and it was slipping away from her like a ghost mocking her dreams. There was no way that Roth could have foreseen this happening, and she felt bad for poor Freddy, family emergencies were never good and she felt her heart sadden for the man rushing north at that moment. However, they would just need to find someone to take the technician's place somehow before Saturday's departure time.

The brilliant flash of white light and explosion of thunder happened instantaneously. Everyone gasped as the bar was plunged into complete darkness. Well, not complete darkness as the laptop in the corner was still running on battery power and Alex's face was lit even more as he stared up at them from his place in the booth.

"Damn!" Roth cursed, fumbling in his jacket pockets until he found his flashlight. As he turned it on, Lara and Sam both turned on their flashlight apps on their phones. Mr. Morris ambled over to them, as the lights hadn't turned back on. "Crackers, Ms. Lara. Seems like your breaker is duff!" He gently placed a 20 pound note down on the bar. "Have a good even' and I and the Missus be hoping to see ye pretty bonny face once ya get back from ye's adventures." He beamed down on her as he and his wife shuffled out of Nine Bells into the torrential rain as he held the black umbrella over his wife's head to keep her somewhat dry.

Roth weathered face turned to Lara, "Where is the breaker here, Lara?"

"I'm not sure, I would imagine somewhere in the back rooms would be my guess Roth." Lara shrugged wishing she was more knowledgeable.

Roth headed swiftly into the back. Lara and Sam stood next to each other as they waited impatiently. Sam groaned, "Seriously, this is just getting better and better. We might not get to go on our Awesome Adventure, but now I can't another margarita." She pouted at Lara, "You wouldn't be able to make me one by flashlight do you?"

"Of course she can!" causing both girls to turn as Alex walked up to them trying his best British accent. "Lara Croft is the most talented barmaid in all of London Town. Not only that, but her looks are smashin' enough to knock out the lights." He ended with a gentle chuckle. His voice was soft and strangely calming to Lara. 'Great,' Lara thought frustrated, 'just another thing that I can say is strange about him'. Alex didn't seem to notice that Lara was engaged in her own thoughts as he continued this time in his normal American accent "Lara, do you know roughly when this building was created?"

"First, your British accent is terrible!" Lara laughed feeling already at ease and could not resist ribbing the young man. "Secondly, my looks aren't enough to cause lighting to strike buildings. That's just plain silly!"

Alex's blue eyes lit up as he feigned hurt clutching a hand to his chest dramatically. "Ms Croft, I'm deeply cut to the heart. My London brogue is awesome! As for the lighting," he laughed lightly, "they say it only is attracted to hot stuff."

Both girls groaned at the painful line and Lara rolled her eyes. "Alex," Sam stated straightforwardly in a dry humorless tone, "that must be the worst line I have ever heard. And I know crappy ones."

"Fine! Fine!" Alex laughed good naturally, "You girls win." He had raised his hands in mock surrender, as his eyes danced back to Lara's. "But about the building Lara?"

"Oh yeah," Lara's brow furled as she thought. "I think it was 1920s, it's a miracle it survived the bombing of London. I am not sure though. Why?" Alex walked over to the door and for a second the barmaid in Lara thought he was going to leave without paying. However, he just looked out the window in the door. "Well, it seems like our block is finely lit." He turned back to the girls and gesturing with this thumb over his should toward the stormy weather outside. "It might not be our inside breaker but the outside especially with how old the building is. If so, we'll need to go outside to get at it for any type of repairs."

Lara blushed again, here she went thinking he was going to leave without pay. Instead, he was going to try to help. 'Damn it all Lara, you need to stop underestimating Alex. I need to focus on the task at hand.' Thankfully, Sam was on top of things and had started talking again.

"What do we need to do then Alex?" Her head slightly tilted as she analyzed the young man.

"Let me grab some tools and my coat." Grinning Alex replied as he headed towards his stuff in the dark corner where his laptop still eerily glowed with its blue-white light. He rummaged in his satchel obviously looking for something in the semi-darkness.

Sam watched Lara out of the corner of her dark eye, noticing how intently Lara who was focused again watching Alex. Because of that, she did not notice Sam lean over and teasingly whispered in her hear. "You should go with him. He might need help. Who knows, he might be able to help get your box all heated up."

Lara blushed scarlet, rounding on Sam she hissed. "Stop it! I am not interested in Alex in the slightest. He is a giant nerd!"

"I hear they can be great in bed…" Sam whispered back mysteriously. "It's some of the best I have ever had and that's for sure!"

"Sam! We are NOT going to discuss this!" Lara scathingly replied as Alex was heading back toward them.

Having donned his leather jacket with his hood over his head, Alex gave them a shy grin. 'He actually looks sheepish right now. What happened the confidence he had just a few minutes ago?'

"Uh so, I'm an idiot," Alex began and then sighed. "My phone's dead. Could I borrow one of yours?"

Smiling at him, Lara could feel Sam's glaring at her. Basically nonverbaling yelling at her, "Lara Croft, if you don't go with him you will be missing the opportunity of a life time!"

"No worries Alex, I'll come with you." As soon as the words left her mouth, she heard Sam start snickering.

"Of course she'll come with you Alex." Sam's voice heavily laden with the innuendo causing Lara to blush scarlet and start stammering. She was so grateful for the darkness but it wasn't enough to hid Alex's reddening face. As his wide eyes look away from them as he coughed out some words.

"Uhh… thanks Lara, I appreciate it. But you don't have to come… I mean help me. That is if you don't want to." 'While this is awkward,' Lara thought, 'at least he's cute when he is flustered, but I'm SO going to kill Sam when we get back to the apartment.'

"No problem." She stated quickly before her erstwhile best friend could make things even more awkward. " I'll just grab my coat." Lana walked swiftly behind the bar fiercely praying that no one noticed that she was as flustered as Alex was.

Piteously the rain had still not stopped and was coming down with angry forcefulness as the two of them headed out into it. Getting drenched was not something Lara really wanted, but she felt pretty sure neither did her companion. Who, unlike her, did not need to be doing this at all and yet had volunteered. Lara knew she had no reason to expect the young man to help, but she could not put into words how much she appreciated his willingness. She really had not known him all that long, and really never talked with him though he came every Monday, Wednesday and Friday to study in his corner. He was such a regular that Lara could generally predict to the minute when he would walk into the doors and head toward his corner after offering her a too brief smile. She had even gotten to the point of 'Reserving' the booth so people would not take his spot and had his favorite beer already poured. Not that she ever had told him that…

Still, even though she enjoyed having him there it was not his job yet he had volunteered to try to help. Alex really did not talk much as they diligently searched around the building until they found the old breaker box with is rusted hinges. Lara shined her light on target as the rain soaked through her thin coat, as he opened the box gently with great care and got to work.

Disaster… would be a poor choice of words as the condition of the box was greatly worse than the word could describe. Sparks flew around as Alex poked and prodded and eventually grounded the box. He just gave her a small smile as he settled on his knees getting to work with several tools he had pulled from his bag that she had never seen before. Lara was shivering and her teeth clattering painfully as time ticked by with nothing happening but the steady rain and Alex's low muttering to himself as he cut wires and reconnected them with an awful burning smell and smoke wisped around him. After what felt like a small eternity, an oxymoron Lara knew, before he had finally stopped tinkering with the breaker and then had stood up and looked her straight with his sapphire eyes serious. "Better step back, this could be pretty rough." He waited for her to move before he slightly exhaled and pulled the switch on again.

Nothing happened… beside the noise of the steady rain everything was calm and Lara's breathing sounded painfully loud to her ears.

Jumping in fright as her's phone buzzed loudly and suddenly in her pocket. Looking down she saw a text from Sam as her heart beat wildly causing her to clutch at it as she and Alex broke into laughter. Finally, her heart calming down as she pulled her phone and unlocked it so see what same had written.

Sam: The lights are back on! Whatever you guys did worked. Please tell me there was some really hot and heavy action to get it going again! ;-)

Groaning in frustration, Lara typed back quickly.

Me: Glad to hear. No!

Sam: O come on! Nothing?! There's got to be more than you're telling me!

Me: "Sam…"

Sam: "Fine, Roth is back and wants to see you…"

Sam: "And your boyfriend. :P"

Lara looked over her phone at Alex as he gave her a slight smile getting up after closing the breaker again and putting his tools back in his bag. "Did it work?"

Nodding, Lara turned toward the bar again.. "Lets get out of this rain."

"You don't have to ask me twice that's for sure." He laughed jogging through the cold dreary rain after her.

As they were walking back, Lara kept stealing sideways glances at him, she couldn't help it. Curiosity was too strong in her and she blamed that not only on her father but also on Roth. "So, Alex. You have been coming to Nine Bells for a couple of months and besides your name, I don't know too much about you. Why are you in London?"

Brushing his hand through his wet hair, Alex chuckled, "Education mostly, I am going to be an electrical engineer."

'Damn! That's really cool.' Surprised Lara smiled more fully at him. "Why London?"

"Change of scenery, I was going to a school in the States and then I had an opportunity to come here for two years and finish my degree so I decided to take it. Always wanted to see London. What about you?"

She shrugged casually as she faced him. "Well, working at Nine Bells, but also going to school."

"Really? What's your poison?"

"Excuse me?" Lara eyebrows arched on her face as she looked at him perplexed.

Shaking his head at himself, he explained. "What are you studying?"

"Oh, archeology. I love the aspect of finding lost treasures of ancient past civilizations."

"That's pretty doggone cool! What got you interested in archeology?"

"My father did. You could say that it is a family business." Lara smiled mostly at just how much that was an understatement.

"So that gentleman was your father?"

"Who? Or you mean Roth? No, he took me in after my father died."

Instantly there was a very awkward pause broken only by distant thunder from the storm. Finally, by Alex spoke gently. "I'm sorry for your loss."

Tears started to come to Lara's eyes as she turned and saw through the downpour Alex looked actually sad. And not just for show either, she had seen the faux sympathy in others and it never really reached their eyes, but the twin sapphires held a genuine grief at her loss.

"Thank you. It's still hard. I would rather not talk about it please."

"Of course. Well, we should go in. They are probably wondering what has happened to us." Alex stated looking at her quickly before gesturing for her to enter the door first.

It was then that Lara noticed that they had been waiting at the very doorstep to Nine Bells for quite a while which caused her to blush fiercely. 'It's just too easy talking with him. I hope that I will get more opportunities soon.' Lara laughed lightly, opened the door with its happy brass bell jingling merrily, and led the way inside.

Instantly Sam's voice greeted them laughing. "I don't know if I have ever seen two people that look more like drowned rats that you two." She turned to Roth continuing. "Roth, this is Alex. He is the EE I was telling you about earlier. He's pretty cool."

Lara glanced from Sam to Alex to notice he was blushing from the praise but trying to appear unaffected by it. 'Hmm… handsome, good with his hands, kind, funny and humble. Quite an interesting person.'

Sam continued with her monologue though. "He is SUPER smart, before he came here he was at Carnegie Mellon University and he's like, you know like, the top of his class and he can hack like into almost anything." She was babbling excitedly and then she glanced at Lara, "Alex is also really good with his hands." Lara blushed for what must have been the tenth time that night at the repeated innuendo Sam had used earlier on her, which Sam noticed before turning to Roth again. "He could be perfect for our technical needs on the Endurance!"

'What?' Lara thought frantically looking at each person in the group in confusion. She noticed though that only Roth and Sam didn't look confused. She and Alex were apparently out of the loop big time on this one. Before she or Alex could say anything Roth took over.

"Ever worked on a ship son?"

Lara didn't really know how it happened but in less than a half hour not only was the expedition still happening, but now Alex Weiss was going to go with them on the hunt for the isle of Yamatai in search of the tomb of Himiko.

Thank you for reading! I just finished updating this chapter after so long and hopefully it makes more sense now. With a few less typos in it.

Please R&R. I look forward to hearing your thoughts.

Sincerely,

Shadowlord7