Well, well... the day has come faster than I expected. I always loved writing Crossroads, so it was simply inevitable that I had to write a sequel. I always thought that Lara and Nate are just about the right pairing, so I hope you will enjoy this new adventure for the two of them and those who liked the first part will find it good enough :)

As always thanks for Lara Anne and Arthemida for the beta-reading and ideas... and any reviews are welcome, even requested! :)

Have fun reading and if you are interested how they met, read the first part with the same title!

The hotel was one of the most elegant ones in the city. Lara stood in the door of the great hall and received the congratulations. There was a patient smile on her face, though if anyone had known her better, they would have known that she did not enjoy it at all. Suddenly the thought crossed her mind why she said yes to this request, but she found no answer to it. After Genghis Khan's tomb had been discovered, all hell had broken loose. Everyone had been curious about her, and she had to devote all her energies to reject the army of journalists, the invitations of universities, the requests from museums and scientific circles. She had hardly put a foot out of the house, and the phone had been ringing without a break. Finally Hilary also had come to the conclusion that something had to be done about the situation. Lara then decided that it would be the best if she accepted one invitation. Then perhaps tempers would subside.

So a few days later she found herself in Berlin, and was standing on a podium, with several hundred pairs of eyes fixed on her. Lara's self-confidence approximated to zero, she could now very well understand why Drake did not insist that his name was mentioned. She could imagine so well how much he would be entertained to see how Lara suffered from her newly acquired recognition. She could almost hear his sarcastic remark: You wanted the glory, enjoy it!

But at least it was over now, and she only had to get through answering the lot of stupid questions the so called experts asked her. At the moment an older man was standing in front of her, who enthusiastically was explaining something in German, whereupon Lara just nodded in agreement. If she really wanted to, she probably could have understood the point, but she did not want. She was not even listening to his words, her mind was on its way home, where she could spend the time with something meaningful. The man was just talking and talking, and she needed all her patience not to send him to hell. It's only a few more hours - she tried to convince herself as she walked down the hall, where the reception was given. She could hardly take a few steps when more guests circled around her and they started bombarding her with questions. Lara was cursing herself for having agreed to this whole thing, but there was nothing she could do now.

In her annoyance she was wondering whether the man in front of her was wearing a wig, who was talking for minutes without making any break in rather bad English, when a young hotel employee approached her.

"Lady Croft?" - the boy asked softly, and after Lara nodded, he handed her a piece of paper without saying a word and was gone. Lara looked after him in surprise for a moment, forgetting about all the still eagerly chatting people around her.

"Would you excuse me for a minute?" – she looked at them lovingly, turned around and left them before they could have said anything. She moved to a quiet corner, and then opened the paper, on which only a single line was written. Meet me at 11 o'clock at the bar! Important!

Lara instinctively glanced at her watch, it was only nine. She looked around suspiciously to see if she could spot anyone who was watching her, but she only saw a few smiling faces when she met their eyes. Once again she read the few words of the message, and then meticulously folded it again, while thinking hardly who could have sent it. Hopefully it was not some bored fan of hers, who chose this stupid way to stay alone with her, but something told her that this was not the case. As she looked up, she immediately glimpsed the host of the event, who resolutely approached towards her. It crossed her mind to flee and simply disappear, but it was too late. Lara forced a smile on her face, while muttering a few inappropriate words under her breath.

"Well, Ms Croft. Why are you standing here alone, when everyone wants to meet you?" - the man came up to her with enthusiasm. "Come on, I introduce you to someone who really wants to get to known you."

"I can hardly wait." - Lara said gracefully, and fortunately he did not notice the cynical tone in her voice. A whole hour went by while she was listening to the experiences of a Frenchman in the field of archaeology. Since he had never set foot outside of the University, his stories were accordingly exciting. Lara retained a yawn while she was thinking of grabbing her gun and shooting herself if this would not end shortly. She raised her eyebrows and nodded approvingly when the voice of the man sounded like he came to an exciting part.

When she could bear it no longer, she had to do it. Suddenly she snatched to her forehead, and swayed for a moment. The men around her looked anxiously at her, the hosts grabbed her arm with a worried expression.

"Are you okay?" - he asked her startled.

"Sure." - Lara said softly. "I just felt a little dizzy for a moment. But please go on, I do not want to miss out on this interesting story." - she added faintly. She knew that she had exaggerated a little, but she did not care.

"Certainly not. We can arrange a meeting at any time, and I'll tell you the end." - the Frenchman said enthusiastically but a little worried. "Please feel free to retire to rest."

"You seriously would not be angry?" - Lara looked at him almost pleading, and put her hand on the man's arm. "I am so grateful."

"Could anyone be angry with you?" - he smiled, but Lara was not really listening to him anymore.

"Thank you for this wonderful evening." – Lara said thankfully.

"Should I walk you to your room?" - the host offered and stepped towards her, but Lara interjected.

"Oh no, it's really not necessary. You need to care for your guests." - Lara was so adorable as ever. That would put the lid on it - she thought to herself, smiling.

It felt like a relief when she entered her room and left the crowd behind. Immediately she kicked off her shoes that made her about ten centimetres shorter. She walked over to the window, and for a few moments was just watching the night lights. The piece of paper stuck to her hand as she absently reached into her pocket, she remembered the message right away. She only had half an hour to decide if she went there or not. Although she knew exactly that curiosity would not allow her not to do so.

After throwing off the stylish clothes she could not wait to get rid of, she then picked up her usual jeans and black t-shirt. She took one look in the mirror, and she realised with satisfaction that again her usual self was facing her. Just to be sure she pushed a small pistol in her belt, and then hid it under her shirt. Despite knowing that it made no sense to guess, she was constantly thinking who could have been the sender of the message. But soon she would find it out. Unless it was really just a stupid joke.

After carefully walking down the hallway not to accidentally run into someone from the conference, she entered the elevator. Some nice, quiet music filled the cabin as she pressed the button to the ground floor. After Lara found that the air was clean, she as quickly as possible passed the front desk, and entered the bar. The room was fairly deserted, the bartender looked up briefly, while wiping some glasses. Only little lamps on the tables provided some light, Lara was surrounded by pleasant dim light. She looked around suspiciously, but first she only saw a young couple, who huddled in a corner whispering. Then she glimpsed someone in the back, who sat with his back to her. Her eyes narrowed, while she went closer and increasingly felt that she knew that sloppy posture, these dense, dark hair from somewhere.

"Nathan Drake" - said Lara, whereupon the man turned and smiled at her.

"Lara. I knew you'd come." - he looked at her approvingly. He stood up, walked up to her and embraced her warmly. "Missed me?" – he asked jokingly.

"Extremely. I don't know how this day could have turned out any better still." - Lara said ironically, but her voice told that she was really glad to see him.

"I saw you were having great fun. That performance in there was just outstanding. The poor guy was seriously scared that you passed out right there." - Nate laughed, while they took place at the table.

"You were watching me?" - Lara raised her eyebrows.

"I wouldn't have missed it for any price." - Nate grinned.

"I can see you have not changed a bit." - Lara looked back at him, while her hands were playing with the stem of the wine glass, which the waiter brought her in the meantime. For a moment she remembered how different it had been when they first encountered in a similar situation a few months ago. Then she had not even imagined they would have so many adventures together. She smiled at the thought.

"Should I have?" - Nate asked back, then sat back relaxed and sipped the bottle of beer in his hand. "You don't mind if I don't bother with the glass, do you?

"I thought you realised by now that I do not really care about the etiquette." - Lara replied absently.

"I mean, this is more or less the first time we meet at a civilised place."

"Talking about that, would you let me in what you are doing here? Don't tell me that you're here by accident." - Lara leaned forward and looked at Nate querying, with a broad grin on his face.

"I thought I'd take my share of fun and excitement, too." - he replied jokingly, but Lara was just shaking her head in reprehension not to let him think that she believed any of his words. "Okay." - Nate said, and then he leaned forward too looking deep into her eyes. "I need you." - he said simply.

Surprise crossed Lara's face, and she moved a little further back, whereupon Nate smiled enjoying her confusion.

"Don't worry, I didn't mean it that way." – he laughed lightly.

"I didn't think that you did." - Lara replied right away, maybe a little too fast. She sipped the wine not to be forced to say anything. "So what are you doing here?" - she asked again, when she thought that she gave him enough time to enjoy himself.

"It's not that funny when others have secrets, right?" - Nate looked at her gaily, as he leaned back again enjoying the situation. Remembering how she had repeatedly tried to evade him in the past made him smile.

"Are you kidding me?" - Lara began to lose her temper, but did not show it, just calmly put down the glass from her hand. Even her voice sounded perfectly even.

"Yes, let me enjoy it a little that I know something you don't." - Nate grinned steadily whereupon Lara rose from the chair, but Nate grabbed her wrist when she wanted to walk beside him. "Since when have you become so sensitive to a bit of humour?" – he looked up at her from the chair. "I think you would regret leaving me here if you knew what was going on." - he said meaningfully, and holding the bottle in his other hand he took a sip from the beer again.

Lara came to a halt beside him and looked down at her arms, which he was still holding, but she did not try to shake his hand off.

"You get one chance, Nate. Don't forget that with me there is no second." - she said slowly sitting back down to the chair, crossed her legs and waited for him to start talking.

"Well, I think you realised that I'm not here for the pleasure of seeing that smile on your face." – he said after a little time, but Lara only sent him a sharp look at this comment. "There is a map that leads to a lost tomb." - Nate went on as if nothing had happened, and saw interest glinting in Lara's eyes.

"Go on!" – she said apparently indifferently but straightened herself a bit.

"I knew you'd be interested in it." - Nate grinned.

"I didn't say anything yet. So far it's pretty meaningless." - Lara retorted, while nodding to the waiter, who took the empty glass from her.

"I plan to get that map together with you." – he continued fixing his gaze on Lara whereupon she put her elbows on the table and leaned closer twining her fingers in front of her face and supporting her chin on them.

"And why is it exactly you share this with me?" - she asked, eyes narrowed, watching his face.

"Mere courtesy. Because you have shared Genghis Khan with me." - Nate said lightly, but his fingers were fumbling oddly with the beer bottle, which was almost empty in the meantime.

Lara wet her lips as she felt that she was starting to gain the upper hand. Knowing that the man did not tell the truth she began to enjoy the situation to gouge the real reason out of him.

"I see. This chivalry is really touching." - Lara smiled mysteriously. "And I guess you are even willing to give up the glory if we find it."

"I can see that you enjoy all this fuss more than I would." - Nate looked at her face, but it did not give away anything about her thoughts. Suddenly, it felt as if that same nerve-racking poker game was running between them, just like in Kuala Lumpur.

"Are you seriously thinking that I take all this bull-shit?" - Lara finally said cheerfully.

"Well, I wasn't sure, but I thought I'd give it a try." - Nate laughed, amused as he looked at her face.

"Then let's say that now is your chance to tell me what you want from me or I'm gone in a second." - Lara said in still a friendly tone and patted his hand on the table.

"Okay, let's start it again. So, the map really exists, but I don't yet know where it leads to. Therefore we need to get it to find out."

"Is it here in Berlin?" - Lara asked curiously.

"No."

"And what are you doing here then?" - she still could not put the pieces of the picture together, but now she decided to wait and see what he would be telling her.

"The map will be up for auction in a very closed circle in a few days in a rural mansion. That's the time frame for us to get it, else it will disappear in some collector's safe after."

"Where is this rural mansion?" - Lara asked the question.

"I don't know."

"Where is the map?"

"I don't know."

"Who puts it on sale?"

"I don't know."

"Then what do you know at all?" – Lara asked point-blank as she was losing her temper more and more.

"Calm down. Patience." – Nate teased her, but he began to realise that he had reached the limits. "Here it comes into the picture, why I'm here, and which will answer all your questions."

"And what would that be?"

"We get an invitation to the event. There we get hold of the map before it's up for auction." - Nate leaned back with satisfaction, like someone who did a good job. "What do you think?"

"I'm speechless. That's a simply phenomenal plan." - Lara taunted. "What makes you think that we can get an invitation just like that?"

"Use your imagination a bit." - Nate was teasing her even further, Lara was enjoying less and less that he was playing with her like this.

"Help me out if you are such a genius." – Lara retorted.

"Well, is it enough to say that there is someone staying in this hotel who has an invitation to this auction?" - Nate whispered although there was no one around who would have overheard the conversation.

"Hmm .." - Lara leaned closer. "Do you have the same on your mind as I do?" – she asked more and more enthusiastically.

"Well, I have some doubts, but let's say that I know what you're thinking." - he looked straight into her eyes and grinned cockily.

"Now tell me one last thing." - Lara was holding his gaze, ignoring his ambiguous comment.

"What would it be?" - Nate asked cheerfully.

"Why do you need me? I don't think that this small task would cause you trouble." - Lara was now watching him more intensely as ever before. She wanted to know whether he told her the truth.

"You'll see soon enough." - Nate looked back at her defiantly smiling mysteriously.