ForevaXena's FanFic . . .

Time Flies

by Ri

Disclaimer: Disclaimer this is a crossover story of Tomb Raider and Xena. I don't hold claim to either of these ladies or any one else that I mention from their adventures. I just felt the need to borrow them for this tale. Please enjoy J 

Part 3            

Blue eyes met the black seductive eyes of the God of War with a cold iciness, “Aries,” it was Lara’s mouth moving but the voice and facial expression was pure Xena.

            “It seems Apollo took out my operatives rather easily so I had to come finish the job myself.  I should have known you and the battling bard would be all prepared.” Aries said with an amused smirk.

            “You sent that rogue tomb raider after the girls?” Said Gabrielle’s angry voice through Sarah’s sweet mouth.

            “Yep, I sure did.  I knew your little decedents were close so I thought I might just be able to stop them through your Great Granddaughter Gabrielle, she seemed really weak to me.  I misjudged you so I guess I should have known better, huh?” He asked looking into the angry green eyes with a wicked smirk. He was leaning against the door to the living area of the cave.  He was unarmed but they knew that would probably change quickly.

            “What the hell do you want!?” Xena asked angrily advancing on the God of War like a tiger.

            “Hey, Hold it Warrior Princess.  I’m unarmed and your not in your own body…”

            “This body is in exquisite shape. My Great Granddaughter is a lot like me. Except she’s never been lured to her dark side by you and she never will be.”

            “Not that I haven’t tried,” he replied with a chuckle.  “But yeah, Xena you’re right she can’t be lured that’s why I ordered Peterson to kill her. Unfortunately she never got a chance your granddaughter is too damn good. So she failed and then Apollo took them both out. How did he do that by the way?”

            Lara’s face smiled wickedly, “The ethers.”

            “Clever, Whose idea was that?” Aries asked with a slight grimace.

            Sarah walked closer to Lara her sais in the ready position as Gabrielle’s voice said, “Your sister, our friend.”

            “Figures. She is such a sentimental slob.”

            “That’s why we like her. Aries, you once claimed to be in love with me. Several time in fact, this is a nice way of showing it.”

            “Xena, Xena, Xena you know I never mix business with pleasure.”

            Xena’s laugh echoed around the cave as Lara’s face showed her contempt for the total lie. She again advanced on the God of War, the sword coming up into the ready position.

            “Xena you’re not seriously considering fighting with me yet again?” Asked Aries with an amused chuckle.

            Xena’s battle cry suddenly came out of Lara’s throat as she flipped through the air landing right in front of Aries with the sword at his throat and a wild gleam in her eyes, “Yep.”

            “Ar, Would you give it a rest!” Said Aphrodite from above them. “Get the hell out of here and let the girls finish their mission.”

            “No way, to make these scrolls even more famous and me more deviled, Nuh-huh, no way!”

            “Look at it this way it will make your name known again, “ Said Gabrielle’s voice as Sarah’s body walked behind Lara. “After all most people today think of Aries as a sign in the zodiac to look up to see what their horoscope is.” Gabrielle’s and Lara’s laughter was heard again at the thought.

            “Hm, That is true. Not bad, Bard. I’ll tell you what I’ll get lost for now but if I feel even a teensy weensy bit slighted by those stupid scrolls I will be back with a vengeance. Then watch out!” And he was gone.

            Aphrodite shook her head winked at her friends and said, “Later.” Then she vanished in sparkle of pink.

            “Gabrielle lets bring the girls into the living quarters. You know how their bodies will react when we leave them and I want them to be comfortable.”

            They walked toward the bed when Gabrielle asked, “Xena, Do you think the girls would mind if we kiss? I miss feeling you against me in the physical world and we haven’t in such a long time…”

            “No Love, I don’t think they will mind at all. They are both such loving women they will understand.  Let’s sit on the bed because after we kiss we will leave their bodies.”

            Sarah’s head nodded, they both put the weapons on the ground beneath the bed. Then Lara pulled Sarah onto her lap close to her Xena’s voice whispered, “I love you my bard.”

            “I love you too my warrior.”

            They kissed deeply and passionately holding each other tightly feeling the soft skin beneath their fingers. When they ran out of air the warrior and her bard left their descendants bodies. When Lara and Sarah’s eyes opened they were still kissing distance apart and they couldn’t resist falling back into a deep well-connected kiss. They finished the kiss with loving looks in their eyes they parted only a few inches as Sarah in her own voice the southern accent firmly back in place asked, “Did what I think just happened really happen?”

            “I think so, Angel,” Said Lara her rich clipped British tone back she looked down at the ancient weapons below them. They were both astonished by how they felt when they even looked at them.

            “Lara…I know how to use these…but I don’t know how I do.” Sarah said very confused.

            Lara nodded, “I know how to use this too,” She said as she lifted the ancient sword and admired it. It felt like such an old friend.

            Sarah tilted her head and asked surprised, “Didn’t you already know how to?”

            “No, I never learned how to use such a big sword, I was trained on the foil. I feel this…this is…um, apart of me.” Lara said her voice full of awe.

            Sarah nodded and said, “That’s how I feel about this too. I don’t really understand I have never held a weapon before but I know I could use these. In fact I feel I could use them well. How could they have given us this…um, knowledge?”

            Lara shrugged, “I guess they left us the knowledge. I have no idea how.”

            “How did Aries know about any of this? How did our Grandmother’s predict he would and be here to meet him and protect us?”

            “Angel, I don’t have any idea either,” she said putting the sword back down on the floor and said sleepily, “I am exhausted suddenly. Come on lets get some sleep we have a very, very long day tomorrow.”

            Sarah yawned and nodded putting the Sais with Lara’s sword. She cuddled close to the taller woman as Lara pulled up the covers up over them.

            “Good night, my Angel.”

            “Goodnight, my sweet.”

            They fell into a deep-exhausted sleep nestled comfortingly in each other’s warm embrace.

            ***                  ****                ***                  ***

            Lara woke up with the most heavenly weight on her chest and shoulder.  Just the feel of her skin against Sarah’s against her made her smile. She opened her eyes and looked at the head comfortably nestled against her shoulder. She bent down and gently kissed the forehead then she stretched her arms out and yawned quietly.

            Her eyes fell on the bronze box on the table next to their bed and narrowed. She didn’t remember her or Sarah taking it out of Sarah’s nap sack. She pulled it over and opened it. She pulled out the unreadable scroll and tried once again to decipher the strange puzzle and blinked. Then she suddenly sat up straight as an arrow.

            “Sarah, wake up Angel. Come on it’s very important,” she murmured into the little ear next to her. Sarah’s eyes fluttered open and she muttered, “Mmm?”

            One thing the two soulmates didn’t have in common was Sarah’s total reluctance to get up in the morning. Lara found it strangely endearing but right now she needed her to get up.

            “Angel, I need you to wake up all the way. Come on, right now.” She said as she gently bestowed a string of tiny kisses around the pretty sleepy face.

            That worked, Sarah’s arms suddenly wrapped around Lara’s neck pulling the dark woman into a deep kiss. They enjoyed exploring each other till Lara remembered the scroll and tried to pull away from her affectionate mate.

            “Come on Sweetheart, I need you to look…”

            Sarah opened her eyes and pulled Lara back to her kissing her passionately. That ignited Lara’s fire and not only did she fall into the kiss her hands began to explore other avenues of luscious body above her. She removed Sarah’s robe and began to feel her way to very aroused breasts. Soon they were tasting and grinding into each other lost to everything but each other and their shared passion. They reached the pinnacle together falling over the edge their screams echoing in the large cave.

            Cuddling and stroking each other Lara said in breathy voice, “Did you know you could be quite distracting, Angel?”

            “Didn’t you enjoy it?” Sarah asked seductively fingers caressing the breastbone and tracing the line to long neck making her love purr in contentment.

            “Oh yeah…but…a….Ohhh…” Lara lost her grip as the small mouth began to suckle her breast hungrily.  Lara's hands slipped down the beautiful body till she reached Sarah’s breast kneading them with both hands matching the rhythm created by Sarah’s hot mouth. Lara suddenly removed her hands and Sarah stopped what she was doing in surprise. Then Lara moved down so she could ride Sarah’s leg and gently put hand against the now soaking wet apex. She took her fingers and tangled them in the wet hair making Sarah slam back into her pillow. Then Lara brought the fingers to the opening not entering but skimming the surface making the blonde moan with need.

            “Lara…please…?”

            “Anything you wish my love,” Said Lara as she now entered the warm chamber creating a rhythm with her finger that she began to match with her body against the soft strong leg she rode. They both flew up the spiral of ecstasy together suddenly stiffening and falling over the edge crying out their loves name simultaneously. Lara crawled back up Sarah’s body and curled herself around her love like a cat cuddling close. They were both panting and Lara kissed Sarah’s cheek and gently brought the blonde head against her shoulder. Lara ran her fingers through the soft blonde hair while she waited for their breathing to get back to normal.

            Once they were both breathing normally again Lara said quietly, “Angel, You can be a wicked one every once in a while. Did you know that?” She asked her love kissing her neck softly.

            “Mmm, You bring it out in me. I feel so alive when I’m with you.” She purred as she enjoyed the tender attention.

            Lara lifted her head and smiled into the shining eyes beside her, “Good, lets keep it that way for a long, long time.”

            “Sweetie, wasn’t there something you wanted to tell me?”

            Lara suddenly sat straight up pulling the blonde with her, “Shit! Yes, I almost completely forgot…Here sit all the way up Angel,” She said as she helped the smaller woman sit up against the pillows behind them. “Ok look at the scroll its readable now.  Everything but the last paragraph.”

            “What?” Sarah took the scroll from Lara and her eyes grew larger and larger as she read it. “It’s their will. They are saying that the possessor of certain objects are their rightful heirs….”

            “Which according to that we have 4out of the 5 objects,” said Lara quietly nodding her head.

            “Everything except the Chakram. It’s the last item listed too. Maybe it’s at this next marker?”

            Lara smiled and shrugged, “I guess. It could be in their tomb too, we’ll just have to wait and see. What do you make of that last paragraph?”

            “Its like the rest was before unreadable…except…um I think…Uh…”

            “What?”

            “I think it says what the heirs will receive from their estates. See here in this sentence it seems to lead you there and then you lose the words. It makes it hard to be sure.”

            “A bit frustrating, huh?”

            Sarah nodded handing it back to Lara then she leaned against the pillow and looked agitated.

            “What’s wrong?”

            “I’m terrified of the climb today.”

            “Don’t worry Angel I’m an expert and I will watch over you each inch of the way.”

            “How?”

            Sarah stood at the foot of the mountain fitfully looking up at the climb ahead of them.  She then looked over to Lara who was carefully checking each piece of equipment to make sure it was safe and she shivered. She sat down on nearby log and studied the sais that were now holstered to her boots.  They had found the holsters and a scabbard in a cabinet within the hidden room.

            Lara looked formidable today. Her pack was beside her so she had clear view of her as she was checking each rope for any flaws. She was dressed in black shorts and a black tank top with army boots. She had holstered to each leg her especially made guns and rearming devise attached to her belt in back. In front was her knife and the scabbard she looked like she was ready for war. Sarah smiled slightly Lara looked so sexy like that and she pitied anyone who tried to attack her mate because they would quickly lose that war.

            Lara had carefully checked each line, the clips and all the studs for the climb.  All the gear was sound and very safe. She had been discreetly watching her nervous mate since they had left the cave. No matter how she reassured her that everything would be ok and not to worry, all her words went in one ear and out the other. It was frustrating because she would die to protect her and Sarah knew that.

            Lara saw a slight smile light her face as she straightened up from checking the lines and wondered what caused it. “A penny for your thoughts, Angel?”

            “I was just thinking how unlucky anyone who attacked you would be because you look so powerful right now,” Sarah said her smile widening.

            Lara smile was blinding in reply; “Well you look damn good yourself.  I want to spar with you as soon as I can. I want to see you in action with those sais.”

            “Really?”

            “Yep, your probably beautiful when you use them. Poetry in motion in fact. Actually I think your beautiful all the time anyway,” said Lara with a lopsided grin and broad wink.  Then she bent down and picked up her crossbow as she watched the blonde blush through her lowered eyelids.

            Sarah’s face became a deep red as she watched the tall brunette ready her weapon. Lara was always doing that and it was so new to her she really didn’t know how to handle it. She watched Lara as she put the bolt into the crossbow and asked quietly, “Are you going to go hunting?”

            Lara’s eyes lifted and met the curious green ones.  She smiled and shook her head, “Nope, these bolts are going to get the lines into the side of that mountain nice and sturdy.”

            “Lara, maybe I should wait here….I’ll just slow you down…”

            Lara’s head snapped up meeting worried eyes as she said, “Angel, I really need you. Haven’t you noticed that each marker is set for both of us? This quest is meant as a team ef..." Lara’s voice drifted off as she realized something. She sat down slowly on the log next to Sarah with a dumbfounded look on her face.

            “What’s wrong?” Cried Sarah putting her arms around Lara upset by the expression on her face.

            Lara pulled her into her lap and held her close,  “I am so stupid, Angel.”

            “What?” Sarah asked shocked by the sheepish look in the dark woman’s eyes.

            “Dumb, dumb, dumb…a bloody idiot!” Lara was getting very mad at herself and Sarah was still completely at sea why. She did her best to comfort her though cooing into her ear and gently rubbing her back.

            Lara pulled back slightly and looked the other woman in the eye as she said, “They’ve set us up. I can’t believe I didn’t see it sooner then this.”

            “I don’t understand, Sweetie. Who set us up and how?”

            “Our beloved grandmother’s that’s who.”

            “What??”

            Lara nodded bringing Sarah’s head to her shoulder and kissing her forehead gently.  “They do love us and care about us. We of course love each other so all that was in the cards. But Angel, Aunt Mel and Aunt Janice could just have easily taken up this quest.  Each marker was set up for descendants who were soul mates like we are, Like our aunts, like our great grandmothers. They waited in that pretty cabin for us to be born and set everything in motion before hand for us to meet and helplessly fall in love with each other. When our aunts hit all those road blocks Xena and Gabrielle had Janice set up that exhibition that brought me to you before we were even thought of. They calculated all this for some damn reason. What I don’t really see is why?” Lara was gently running her fingers through the golden hair as she stared into the distance focused solely on her thoughts.    

            Sarah pulled back and softly caressed a Lara’s high cheekbones as she said, “I think I do.”

            Lara’s eyebrow’s shot up and she tilted her head to the side “Oh why?”

            “If what you just said is right and I know it is, Then they delayed their next incarnation to arrange all this, right?”

            “I guess so. I don’t know how they would do that but it seems logical.”

            “The scrolls are the key. Remember what Aries said that he didn’t want them to become even more famous. We can’t read the end of the scroll but maybe whatever they leave us will benefit mankind. That’s why they set all this up and who else could they trust but their own descendants who were also soulmates in their own right to complete their quest?”

            Lara bent down and kissed Sarah passionately hugging her tightly against her.  When the lips separated she hugged her love even tighter giving her light butterfly kisses along the jaw line. “You are truly amazing.” She whispered in the red ear next to her mouth gently sucking on the lobe.

            “Why?” Sarah choked out her eyes were closed and she was enjoying the loving attention.

            Lara pulled back and looked at the confused expression on the face in front of her as green eyes slowly blinked open and focused on her own. “Sarah didn’t you just hear yourself? You took all the tiny clues I gave you and put it together in a neat and beautiful puzzle. I think I can call that amazing, don’t you?”

            “But you found all the clues?”

            “That’s what I mean, Angel.  That is the point I was making before we’re a team. I can’t do this with out you and you can’t do it without me. We can only do it together that’s the way our grandmothers set it up.”

            Sarah sighed and nodded. She leaned her head against Lara’s shoulder again and said quietly, “Ok.”

            Lara gently detached herself from her love and helped her up saying, “Come on, Angel its about 9am and we have to get a move on.”

            She then got her crossbow and shot the first bolt into the side of the mountain tugging on the line hanging from it making sure it was firmly lodged. Then started to set up the next line and said, “Get your stuff together we will be going for it in a bit.”

            ***                  ***                  ***                  ***     

            Lara amazed Sarah as she climbed up and down the mountain like some kind of beautiful sophisticated mountain lion. She was all agility and grace and not one ounce of fear as she hung upside down to help Sarah up the side of the steep mountain. She was hanging on the towline pushing and pulling the smaller woman up with incredible ease.

            They were sitting on the first plateau, Sarah was desperately trying to catch her breath but Lara wasn’t even winded. She was busy pulling out their lunch from her large backpack.

            “Sorry Love, but we have to eat K-rations. It’s the only thing I know that you can survive on that won’t go bad,” said Lara as she handed Sarah a box.

              Sarah looked at and sniffed, “Um this stuff looks and smells awful. We do have some cans of food can’t we eat that?”

            “That would be worse because we can’t cook it there’s not enough room on this tiny ledge to use the burner we have. You have to eat, Angel. We still have a lot of climbing to do and you’ll need fuel for that.”

            “Lara, Why aren’t you even winded?”

            Lara smirked and replied, “Wait to you see my work out routine.” She  put down her own box and took Sarah’s spork and plopped some spam into her mouth.  

“Mmm good, huh?”

            Sarah licked her lips she was staring into Lara’s eyes as the dark woman continued to feed her the lunch inside the small box. “Only because your hypnotizing me with those incredible eyes of yours.”

            “Well you have me deeply under your spell too,” said Lara as she took a napkin and gently wiped the sensual lips she was tempted to kiss at the moment.

Sarah started to lean into Lara’s lips but then stiffened as she felt herself start fall over the edge. Fast as lightning Lara’s other hand bolted across Sarah’s middle pulling her close to her, “Angel there isn’t enough room to um…”

            “Get frisky?” Asked Sarah with a smirk.

            Lara laughed and nodded her head, “That’s one way to put it. You will never hear me referring to that way though. Can you finish this so I can have a little of mine?”

            “Would you like me to feed you too?”

            “Mmm, extremely tempting but no we need to eat and get moving again.”

            “Lara, are you sure I can…” A light finger pressed against her mouth.

            “Put food in there please,” said Lara with a sweet smile.

            “Yes Ma’am.” She muttered behind the finger.

            ***                  ****                ***                  ***     

            They reached the second plateau that was much wider several hours later. It was a broad cliff face, which was a relief to Sarah as Lara pulled her up over the lip and onto the solid ledge right into her lap.

            Sarah was panting trying desperately to get her normal breathing back. The second part of the climb was much steeper and Lara literally had to pull the smaller woman over several wide cracks in the wall of the mountain.

            “When Grandmother said this was going to be harsh she wasn’t kidding, was she?” Said Lara stroking Sarah’s back and after she pulled them all the way against a wall of the mountain far away from the edge. She was kissing the sweating forehead trying to comfort her hurting mate.

            Sarah shook her head against Lara’s chest she felt fingers gently starting to stroke her hair, as her heart rate became normal again. Lara knew that Sarah had to get her breathing back to normal before she gave her a bottle of water to drink. Lara pulled back after a little while so she could see her face, the red was gone and her color was normal and she could hear nice even breaths coming from the smaller woman.

            Lara reached over Sarah’s shoulder to get the bottle of water out of Sarah’s bag. She opened it and brought it to her lips. “Drink this very slowly.”

            Sarah gratefully took the water and drank it as slowly as she could though she was so thirsty she ended up lapping it up. It soothed her parched throat she looked up at Lara and offered the bottle saying, “Sweetie?”

            Lara smiled and caressed her cheek; “I’m fine. Don’t choke please, just drink it nice and slowly,” She watched her carefully as the smaller woman began to drink again. “If your feeling steady enough I want to look at the cliff face over there,” She said pointing to the other side of the plateau.”

            Sarah nodded and said, “I’m much better go ahead.”

            Lara proudly kissed her love on the lips then pulled back and mussed the blonde hair saying, “Good girl.”

            “Mm, should I bark?”

            “No love, not till tonight.”

            “Lara!”

            “I’m just kidding,” said Lara with a wicked grin as she walked over to the other side of the cliff. Once again she was drawn to a certain spot and found an opening in the wall of rock. As she came closer she realized it was a cave and to her surprise she saw the marker right in the center of it.

            “Angel do you feel up to coming over here?” She called to the other woman who was leaning against the wall drinking another bottle of water. Sarah was feeling much better so she got up and walked up beside her beloved who was carefully studying the cave entrance. Her eyes widened, “The marker.”

            “Very sneaky our Grandmother’s aren’t they?”            

            “Almost predicable.”

            “No not quite. Look at the marker this time its too small for our hands to fit.”

            “So what do we do?”

            Lara smirked, “Well I’m not hanging around up here for the rest our lives so we need to concentrate.”

            Sarah and Lara carefully examined the wall around the marker looking for any clue. “I think it will be like the marker below look around the sides of the marker for the key.” Said Sarah carefully checking every crevice in the wall of rock.

            Lara was already doing just that. She had carefully checked the whole panel and then started to back away so she could see the entire wall from a distant perspective.

            “Lara be careful!” Cried Sarah as she was nearing the edge.

            “I’m fine Angel. Pull out one of your sais’s love.” Said Lara as she pulled out her sword. “Now put your sais here and just push it till you hear it click.”

            Sarah saw the groove and placed her weapon in it. It fit perfectly so she pushed it all the way till she heard a click.  Then Lara placed her sword into a large groove on the upper part of the wall. Again it fit perfectly she pushed it in till it clicked.  Suddenly the wall swung back like it was on a great spring and stood open inside the cave.  Next to the entrance were torches. Lara pulled the torches off the wall and studied them.

            Sarah tilted her head and asked, “We have flashlights don’t we? Do we need those?”

            “Mmm, I wonder.  Pull the sais and the sword out of the door while I light these, Angel.”

            Sarah bent down and pulled out her sais then stood up on tiptoes and pulled out Lara’s sword. Lara had just lit both torches when she heard a groan, “Sarah get in her now!” Yelled Lara panicked as she dropped the torches to get to the blonde.

            Sarah ran to her side just as the large boulder swung and they were closed inside the cave. Lara took a deep breath and hugged the stuffing out of her beloved. She kissed every inch of her face, “Are you all right? I am so sorry.  I could have lost you.” She whispered as she hugged her love even tighter. “My Angel, I am sorry…I am so sorry…” She muttered as she kissed her cheek and her eyes and her chin.

            Sarah slowly pulled back her head and cupped the beautiful face, “Shh, It’s all right. You didn’t know. I’m fine, really fine. Shh, not a scratch on me. I’m fine, love…I’m fine” She muttered back as the brunette searched her face to see if there was even the tiniest mark on her beloved.

            “Thank heaven, What a bloody idiot I am to have you remove the key like that…”

            “Hey, even the great Lara Croft can make a mistake.”

            “Not one like that! Look what could have….” A small hand covered her mouth.

            “Stop. I am fine. Come on lets see what’s in this place?” Lara kissed the hand then brought it up against her cheek. “Not yet, I am want to hold you for a minute.” Not releasing the smaller woman but bringing her head against her shoulder and putting her head possessively over Sarah’s.

            They stayed that way for several minutes then Lara pulled all the way back still holding Sarah’s hand she bent down and picked up a torch handing it to Sarah and then picked up the second one for herself.  They walked to the opening of a deep cavern and looked into the big dark area carefully.

            Lara let go of Sarah’s hand and pulled her close with an arm around her shoulder. Then she tilted the torch so she could see the whole cavern.

            “There doesn’t seem to be anything here, does it?” Asked Sarah in a whisper.

            “Hm, lets put these torches on that fixture over there and then I’ll pull out our electric torches so we can see the whole thing a bit better.” They each put a torch into a fixture and suddenly the back of the cavern seemed to light up.

            Sarah squinted at a sparkling light at the back of the cavern, “What’s that?”

            “I haven’t got a clue, Let’s check it out.”

            As they turned a corner in the cavern they saw that the sparkling light was the yin/yang chakram. It seemed to have a light within it as it spun on its own axis.

            They slowly approached it and it got stronger and stronger.  It seemed to beckon them and they couldn’t help but follow the plea.  Lara was on one side of the pedestal and Sarah on the other. They both reached out for one side of the circle and it seemed to meet their hands and pull apart in the middle.

            The girls were now entirely bathed in a pure white light. They smiled at each other as they joined the chakram again. The whole cavern seemed to explode in a warm loving bright white light then all of it faded from their view.

            ***                  ****                ***                  *** 

            They woke up on the floor of the cavern nestled in each other’s arms.  The chakram was securely attached to Lara’s belt but when they looked at each other their eyes widened their clothes were different and they felt different too.

            Lara was dressed all in black leather from head to toe. Her arms were sleeveless and there were black armbands on each upper arm with a stylized copper design. On her back she could feel her pack and Xena’s sword. Her knife was on the opposite of the belt from the chakram. Strapped to each leg were her holsters and guns and they seemed to glisten in the flickering light.

            All of Sarah’s normal clothes were gone. Her jeans were replaced by soft calf skin pants, which slipped neatly into her boots, which were attached to her holsters with the Sais. What was really shocking to the blonde was that she felt her backpack against her back. She then realized she was no longer wearing her tee shirt instead she was wearing a soft calf skin bodice with no midriff and no sleeves.

            The girls looked into each other’s eyes and saw something had changed within them.  They were still Lara and Sarah but now they saw they were joined by something else. Each saw a very well known and loved spirit in the eyes of their love.

            “Lara?”

            “I know, they are…inside…somehow.”

            “Sweetie, how did we get these clothes?”

            Lara sat up and gently caressed Sarah now bare stomach, “Not a glimmer of an idea but I do approve.”

            “Lara!”

            “Hey, I’m a sucker for seeing the abs and the cleavage of the woman I love,” said Lara teasingly.

            “We’ll you look pretty sexy too and lethal. It makes me want to just…”she stopped and blushed beet red.

            Lara smiled at her and kissed her cheek, “Well its mutual. It’s late and I’m not letting you down this mountain in the dark so we might as well set up camp here.”

            Sarah nodded and they went about setting up the cavern for sleep. They took off their new clothes and found their normal stuff neatly packed inside their bags.

            “Bizarre,” said Lara, “At least it’s packed nice and neat.” She said looking up at Sarah with a smile.

            They curled around each other in their sleeping bag and slowly fell into a deep sleep.  With in their minds they were both still wide-awake and ready to make passionate love to each other.

            Lara was kissing every inch of available skin while Sarah caressing Lara’s back and suckling a warm erect breast. They were both so deeply into each other they didn’t realize they weren’t alone. Sarah’s fingers played in the wet folds beneath her slowly waking every electric impulse with in Lara. Lara rolled them so she fell against the pillows as her body seemingly lost control arching as another finger was added to her apex. Suddenly Lara stiffened and fell over the edge, Sarah joining her in ecstasy from the intensity of the moment. The cavern seemingly rang with their sound of their loves names.

             Lara curled around her loves body and was just getting comfortable within her loves arms when they both heard clearly, “Did you girls have fun?”

            They both sat up straight and saw Xena and Gabrielle’s amused faces.

            “Were you watching us?” Asked Sarah shocked.

            “Not exactly,” Said Xena as she and Gabrielle stepped back. The room was lit and they saw themselves fast asleep in their sleeping bag.

            “It’s not really the same as in the body is it?” Asked Gabrielle sympathetically.

            “Um, are we dead?” Asked Lara holding onto Sarah tightly in her arms.

            Xena shook her head and said, “No, you are within your own minds. You will be carrying us with you to our tomb to complete the journey. Were inside you for a bit I hope you don’t mind?”

            “Um Grandmother, why?”

            “Lara you will know everything soon enough, right now rest your minds as well as your bodies.  If you want to talk to us in your awaken state just close her eyes and well be able to communicate with you. Now rest your minds girls you still have a lot ahead of you.” Said Xena as the their images started to fade away and there was nothing but blackness and each other.

            Lara felt herself falling into a deep sleep and she looked through slowly closing eyelids to see Sarah fast asleep on her shoulder.

                        ***                  ***                  ***                  ***        

            They awoke nestled against each other and they both looked into each other’s eyes and smiled. Lara glanced at the lit torches and then she looked at Sarah and could see Gabrielle spirit as well. She could feel Xena within her and shook her head in wonder at what had happened the night before.

            “What do we do now?”

            “Go to the tomb. Come on my Angel, lets get you of here.” Lara said as she got up and offered her hands to help Sarah up as well. She pulled her right into a hug and a deep well connected kiss.

            “Mmm,  I love to feel you against me like this,” Lara purred

            “Ditto.”          

            Lara smiled and kissed the little nose. She turned to get her normal clothes and saw the leathers. “I guess we should dress as they want us to, huh?”

            Sarah nodded.

            ****                ***                  ***                  ***

            Dressed in their new clothes they came out of the cave onto the plateau and looked down the cliff. “Lara there is slew of cars down there.”

            “Yes Love, I see that,” She said with an ironic smirk on her face. She pulled out her cell from her pack and sighed. “That’s Brice I didn’t have my phone on. Angel no Sweeties around him ok?”

            “Yep, I promised remember?”

            “I know I’m just reminding you,” said Lara as she got the towline and tested it for strength. Then she hooked Sarah and herself together with clips and then both of them to the towline.

            “What are you doing, Love?”

            Lara’s face brightened at that endearment she could deal with Brice hearing that. “We’re going down the express route the other way will take too long.” Before Sarah could protest Lara pulled her into her arms and over the side of the mountain. From deep inside Lara came the warriors yell as they jumped.

            They descended at a fast clip Sarah screamed and then put her head against Lara’s chest till it was all over one way or the other.

            They landed perfectly on the ground and Lara smiled at her loves expression.

She had her eyes shut tight and her face was scrunched as if expecting to be hurt any second. “Don’t you trust me, My Angel?” Asked Lara gently as she began to unhook them.

            “Yes, I don’t trust gravity though.”

            “Well open your eyes your on Terra Firma,” Lara told her with a huge smile.

            “Bloody Hell Lara, where the hell have you been? We’ve been trying to reach you for days and days! Why didn’t you answer your bloody page…!”

            “Brice!” Lara interrupted loudly.

            “Sorry.”

            “Better. Brice this is Sarah, my best friend.  You’ll get used to him, Angel he’s harmless.”

            “Best friend? What best friend?”

            “This one I just introduce you to her. Remember?” She asked gently poking him in the forehead.

            “Whatever, Come on I got the troops to take you back to Athens…”

            “Nope, can’t go to Athens right now. We have some errands to run.”

            “Lara, you just jumped off a mountain.”

            “So?”

            “Don’t you think you should rest a bit?”

            “No, bye Brice.”  She took Sarah’s hand and walked in the opposite direction of the fleet of cars.

            He reminds me of Joxer, Said Gabrielle’s voice.

            Nah, he’s smarter then ole Jox. He as nerdy as he was though. How do you deal with day to day, Lara?”

            Lara stopped, halting Sarah as well she nodded at her and they both closed their eyes. They saw their Grandmother’s and smiled brightly.  “He is ok, Grandmother. He can be a jerk but he’s a sweet and loyal jerk.”

            “He is Joxer then,” Said Gabrielle with a huge smile.

            “I thought Joxer was very sweet in the scroll and a good friend to you?” Asked Sarah a little confused.

            “Oh he was that and a lot more but he was a bit obnoxious.” Replied Xena smiling brightly.

            “Oh.”

            “Come on Angel, Grandmother, we have to get to the tomb before dark.”

            “You're right girls, Go for it.” Said Xena.

            They opened their eyes and looked at each other with big smiles. Lara looked over her shoulder toward a disgruntled Brice and snickered. Then she gave a gentle pull at Sarah’s hand led her to tomb of Gabrielle and Xena and their future.

            They went through the entrance of the ancient tomb. “Grandmother is this place booby trapped?” Lara asked the warrior as she grabbed Sarah’s hand to pull her beside her they both closed their eyes. Xena’s chuckle was heard as their eyes focused on the warrior and the bard, Of course it is. Start walking toward the cavern and when I stop you close your eyes and Lara give me complete control. Don’t worry nothing will happen to you. Lara opened her eyes and nudged Sarah. They looked at each other and Sarah took a deep breath as they walked to the archway of the tomb chamber. They both felt gentle hands stop them just a step from the archway. Both women closed their eyes and saw that their grandmother’s arms were around their waste’s holding them back.

            Xena smiled and said, “Ok girls we have a lot to do. Lara take one step put your hand on your Chakram open your eyes and clear your mind.”

            Lara opened her eyes and followed the instructions exactly clearing her mind of all thought through a meditation technique she knew.

            Xena went into action. She threw her Chakram at a precise angle and force that it hit the tomb’s back wall. It ricocheted through out the large tomb except where the girls stood. As the Chakram hit all the booby traps a frightened Sarah her eyes opened inched toward Lara’s side. As a huge spray of arrows hit the wall to the side of them, the boiling oil fell from its hiding space across from them, and the logs fell into a pit on the other side of the tomb. She ended up hugging tightly to Lara’s waste hiding her face against her shoulder. Lara was under Xena’s control and she smiled gently and waited for her Chakram to come back to her. She put her arms around Sarah and held her close trying to comfort the frightened girl. When the Chakram came she caught it well away from Sarah and put it on the belt.

            Xena gave control back to Lara who immediately hugged her frightened love even tighter, Kissing her cheek and saying quietly, “Its ok my Angel, shhh it’s ok. All tombs have traps to protect it from thieves. And considering whose tomb we are about to enter this isn’t surprising to me.” She continued to kiss the smaller woman all over her face as she whispered comfortably into the little ear.

            As Sarah’s eyes met Lara’s she felt better and said quietly, “I do know about that but to actually see it…”

            “Shh, it’s all over. Now close your eyes so we can communicate to our Grandmothers.”

            Sarah nodded and they both closed their eyes. When Xena and Gabrielle came back into view Xena rushed to Sarah’s side she took her hand and said, “I’m so sorry Sweetheart. I should have warned you about what to expect.” She looked very upset about scaring her young descendent.

            Sarah looked up at the anxious warrior and smiled, “It’s ok. You couldn’t have known I would react like such a big baby…”

            “Hey, you didn’t react like a baby at all,” scolded Lara shaking her head.

            “No Sarah you didn’t you’ve never been in this kind of the world. Reading is not the same as living it. I should have said something before we even entered the tomb. I am so sorry I scared you this badly, Sweetheart.” Said the Warrior sincerely.

            Sarah looked between Lara and Xena and only saw love and concern in their similar blue eyes. She said quietly, “That isn’t necessary Xena I love you and I know you love me. I…I…just wish I was stronger.”

            “Sarah you are a lot stronger then your realize,” Gabrielle said quietly to her great grandchild standing next to Xena. “You couldn’t have made it this far if you didn’t have a deep inner strength.”

            “Why would you say that?”

            “Because it’s true, Sweetheart.” Said Xena lovingly.

            “You are the strongest women I know,” Said Lara bringing her even closer and rubbing her back.

            Xena sighed and kissed Sarah on the cheek. Then she pulled back and put her hands on her hips. “Ok girls we have a lot to do before it gets too dark. The first thing I want you to do is to take rubbings of our sarcophagus’s.”

            Their eyes opened and met, they smiled at each other. Lara winked and took Sarah’s hand leading her to the packs that were leaning against the wall. Lara pulled out the wax paper and charcoal. She handed them to Sarah and got up.

            “Come on Angel, You do Gabrielle’s and I’ll do Xena’s.”

            Sarah nodded and they walked toward the sarcophagus’s separating when they reached their own ancestor. Sarah looked at the lovingly drawn faceplate and felt tears sting her eyes. Lara was having the same problem looking at the beautiful faceplate of Xena.

            “Lara?” Said Sarah in shaky voice.

            “I know Angel its hard to look at this from an academic point of view anymore. They are our family.”

            “Girls,” said Xena’s voice in both their minds, “We are not our bodies we are our souls. Please…”

            Lara closed her eyes so she could speak to her Grandmother and see her.” Ok, Grandmother, tell you what you can do for us. You can distract us by telling us why you set us up.”

            Xena’s eyebrow shot up and she shook her head in amusement. “Ok, I will. You girls get to work, I can project my thoughts to both of you like I did earlier so you can work while I explain.”

            Lara smiled and nodded, “Fair enough.” She opened her eyes and started to work on the rubbings of her great grandmother’s,  “ Angel, start working while Grandmother entertains us.”

            Sarah smirked and nodded. They both heard Xena and Gabrielle’s laughter then Xena started to explain this quest.  “Our last incarnation in the body ended in the early 1920’s. We spoke to the powers that be and it was decided that we delay our next incarnation till our legacy was given to someone we trusted and loved. Gabrielle and I went everywhere in the known world at that time. There was a lot of knowledge in the scrolls that would benefit mankind. Gabrielle has forgotten knowledge recorded in her writings things that were destroyed by the Roman invasion. Prominently in Alexandria when the great library burned down there was a lot of medical knowledge and literature that was permanently lost. Several original tales that Gabrielle had written and given to Cleopatra among them. My Gabrielle tried to save those scrolls, I was….um unavailable at the time, so she fought hard to try and save all that knowledge. Their was also writing that are unknown of philosophy, history, politics…um, Gabrielle, my Love…?”

            Gabrielle’s voice took over, “Wherever we went I wrote everything I saw and learned down. Sometimes it was just lists of things for future use. Some of it I did use later but in the scrolls you girls are about to receive there are facts that were lost to future generations. We wanted to leave them to people we trusted…”

            “Who could we trust more then our own descendants?” Interrupted Xena, “We knew that this was the right time in history everything was happening and it was all happening quicker then it ever had in any of our lifetimes. We wanted to find the right people. When I helped Janice and Mel I knew they were the right pair but…”

            “The politics of the time, the wars, the cold war all the paranoia, it was all against Janice and Mel completing their quest.” Gabrielle picked up the tale again. “My poor Janice was fit to be tied. Because of all the craziness that was happening in Greece at that time they couldn’t just enter and do the quest. The cold war was very much in that country as well as the United States.”

            Xena growled as she interrupted, “It was really painful for those girls. Then in the 1970’s Janice started show signs of sickness. As you know Sarah she had a very long horrible fight with cancer. My Mel cared for her lovingly through out that horrible illness. I started to guide Janice and Mel in their dreams as I did for you two. I guided them to set up for our next pair of descendants, you my loves, and helped them arrange the exhibition that joined you.” Said Xena sweetly.

            Lara and Sarah had finished they both had tears rolling down their cheeks as they listened to the tale of how they entered this quest.  Lara put down the wax paper and charcoal and held out her arms for her love.  Sarah dropped her supplies and ran into them. They hugged each other tightly and then closed their eyes again.

            Xena and Gabrielle were looking at them both with such love it was almost overwhelming to the two young women.  “You know we love you and how important you are to us, why should any of this be a surprise?” Asked Xena reasonably.

            Lara looked at her Grandmother and shrugged, “I guess to just hear it all was a bit…much.”

            Xena lifted an eyebrow and looked at Gabrielle who was smiling as Xena said, “Ok kids now let’s get on with this we have a limited time frame and I’m sure your Joxer like friend out there doesn’t like waiting.”

            “Brice is used to it,” Lara said with an amused smirk.

            “I need you girls to go to the wall behind you, there is a marker there but its’ different this time. Sarah unholster one of your sais and Lara draw out your sword. Place the chakram over the marker, then cross the sais horizontally and sword vertically then push as hard as you can.”

            Lara and Sarah opened their eyes and followed Xena’s directions. Lara pushed against the marker and the wall slid open. There behind the door displayed like a tree were all of Gabrielle’s lost scrolls.

            “There are scroll bags beneath the tree,” Said Gabrielle’s voice as they approached the treasure with awe. Sarah picked up the bags and handed one to Lara with a smile on her face. They both silently put all the scrolls into the bags. Then Lara took both bags picked up the rubbings and brought them to their packs still leaning against the archway by the entrance to the tomb.

            “Ok, Lara now keep the Chakram and put the rest of your things with packs by the entrance.” Xena said quietly.

            Lara did as she was told and stood up. Sarah joined her and they closed their eyes again.  “Now my darling children it’s time for us to go. Go back to our sarcophagus and stand by our heads.”

            Sarah and Lara’s eyes popped open at the same time. Lara looked into upset green eyes and held out her hand leading Sarah where they were told to go. Then she squeezed the hand and said quietly, “Angel you knew they wouldn’t be able to be with us forever didn’t you?”

            Sarah nodded, “Yes, I knew that but I really love them so.”

            “We love you too, Sweetheart. We won’t be going forever we are going to our next life and we are all apart of each other by blood so we will be seeing you again.” Said Gabrielle gently.

            “Kids, you are in our hearts and that will bring us all together again. I promise and you know I would never break a pledge like that.” Added Xena’s voice softly.

            “We both love you so dearly, It’s hard for us to know that we won’t be able to talk to you like this when we need you,” said Lara sadly.

            Sarah’s voice was very choked when she added, “I never had any grandparents before.”

            “Now my love, you have two who love you deeply. Come on girls, you know we are in your heart and your in ours. You will always have us because we love you.” Xena said gently. They could hear Xena clear her throat and then say; “Come on kids lets do it. Stand up by the faceplate and you will find a grip at the end grab hold of it tight. Then Lara hold out the Chakram with your other hand and Sarah you hold the other side of the Chakram when it comes close to you. Then take a deep breath and hold on tight to those grips you will need them.”

            Lara nodded and let go of Sarah’s hand as she opened her eyes. She met Sarah’s gaze and they nodded to each other following the directions to the letter. It felt like heat was going through their bodies as they held on tight to the grips, when they looked at their arms going to the Chakram they appeared to glow. The glow slowly became an intense light that seemed to use their arms a conductor. The light now shining from the Chakram was now twice as strong. The room was now a blinding pulsing light and they felt like they were flying as they held on tightly to the grips as a lifeline. Just before everything faded to blackness the girls heard two well loved voices saying, “We love you, we love you, we love you…”

            ***                  ****                ***                  ***                  ***  

            They woke up an hour later it was almost dark so they quickly gathered their precious parchments and other things and left the tomb. They walked quickly to where Brice was waiting with the car to take them back to Athens.

            Lara had Brice drive while she cuddled in the back with Sarah, “Are you all right, My Angel?” She whispered in the smaller woman’s ear.

            “Uh huh,” Sarah murmured into Lara’s shoulder.

            “Are you sure? You really don’t sound all right to me,” said Lara gently kissing her cheek.

            “I know it’s ridiculous but I miss them already. They just left on a great new adventure and I feel so sad.” Said Sarah very quietly.

            “Well my darling, if we had been their daughters during the own time this is what it would have been like. Remember Gabrielle’s scroll “The Prodigal”? Lila was really pissed that she had been gone so long and didn’t even write once.”

            Sarah nodded and then her head snapped up so she could meet the sparkling eyes above her, “When exactly did you have any time to read that scroll?”

            “I did a bit of research before I left home on the net. There is a wonderful site from your university that published all the known scrolls. I down loaded all of them and read them on the plane coming to Greece. There all at our place in Athens if you want to see them.”

            “Our place?” Sarah asked surprised.

            “We are married my love, what’s mine is yours and what’s yours is mine. Isn’t it?” Said Lara kissing the sweet lips deeply. She pulled back and rubbed noses with the surprised young woman and continued, “Speaking of yours after we rest we are going to your place. I think the best and the safest place for the new scrolls is the institute our Aunts started there.”

            “I think you will love the house, Auntie Mel was really your Aunt and you should see it. Um, Did you really mean what you said before?”

            “I’ve meant everything I have said to you since we first met but which are you talking about?”

            Sarah giggled and leaned into Lara’s shoulder, the sound of that mirth delighted Lara who gently put her head on top of Sarah’s “About us sharing everything with each other.”

            “Of course.”

            “Good. I love you so much.”

            “I love you too, my little Angel.” Said Lara kissing the forehead beneath her and cuddling her love even closer.

                        ***                  ***                  ***                  *** 

            When they arrived at the estate Lara put Brice in a wing on the other side of the house and gave him full access to her private computer system.  As she led Sarah to the bedroom that they would share from now on she said, “That should keep him delightfully busy for a while.”

            As soon as they got in the room and shut the door Lara engulfed Sarah in a warm embrace and kissed her passionately. They enjoyed exploring each other’s mouths while busy hand removed all of their clothes. They left a trail of clothes, gear, and weapons on the way to the huge four poster bed.

            Lara scooped Sarah up into her arms and gently placed her on the soft silk sheets and pillows. Then Lara got on top of the heavenly body and kissed her way down the woman she loved till she reached her soft neck sucking gently at the pulse point. Sarah’s head fell back among the pillows as her hand massaged the already aroused breasts above her.

            Lara moaned and arched her breasts into Sarah’s hands wanting more contact. Her hands caressed down Sarah’s soft body till she reached the already soaking wet golden mound. She softly stroked the soft hair back and forth making the small woman crazy with need. Sarah was desperately butting her body into the playful teasing hand.

            “Not yet my Angel, patience.”

            Sarah slid under Lara and captured one of her breasts in her mouth teasing Lara with her tongue as wickedly as the dark woman was teasing her. Lara moaned in pleasure but did not give in.  She reached out to a drawer in her end table and pulled out a little toy she had been saving whispering hoarsely, “Wait Angel look what is coming out to play.”

            Lara shuddered as the tongue took one more lick and then came off the heaving breast. Sarah’s eyes widened as Lara got on her knees to strap on the toy saying wickedly, “Only one owner and never been used.”

            “Um, Why would you…?”

            “Curiosity, I saw it in a shop in Athens the day before I met you.” She placed one end of the toy within her moaning in reaction to its placement eyes closed for just a moment in pleasure. Then she carefully positioned herself over Sarah and said in a purr, “We’ll take this really slow if it starts to hurt even a little just tell me and we’ll stop. Ok?”

            Sarah’s face was scrunched and she looked like she was readying herself to be punched in the stomach. She had her eyes squeezed shut and she nervously nodded her head.

            Lara shook her head and rolled off to the other side of the bed, “Open your eyes, Love.”

            “What?”

            “I only want to bring you pleasure and joy not pain and fear. I love you too much to ever hurt you like this. I’m taking it off…”

            “No…I want to try but I never…and it looks so big…and I…”

            “It shouldn’t hurt at all, your very wet and I have stuff here that will help if you need it. I guess I got the idea because you were soaking wet and wide open. Are you sure you want to try this? You really don’t have to it won’t upset me if we don’t. It was just new and fun. I won’t if your too scared though.”

            Sarah nodded biting her lower lip. Lara looked sweetly at her and kissed her tenderly. She slowly deepened the kiss exploring the mouth greedily. Then as she passionately explored her loves mouth she positioned herself over her again. She started to play with the nipples of her breasts with one hand while balancing her weight with the other. As she felt her love get more and more excited she released the breast feeling to soft hair below to see if it was ready. Slowly she lowered herself till she entered the golden mound. As she entered she released the soft lips and opened her eyes so she could see her loves face. Sarah had flung her head back in reaction but she didn’t seem to be in pain, as Lara began to pump she could feel herself going up the spiral and she could see her small love flying up it. When Lara felt they were going to climax she brought her mouth back down to Sarah’s they screamed right into each other’s mouths and fell over the edge together.

            Panting Lara reached back to unstrap the toy and then she gently removed the toy from their bodies as they both shuddered in pleasure in reaction to the removal. Then she crawled up the bed and cuddled close to her love holding her tight against her.

            “You ok?” She asked softly.

            “Mm, hmm,” murmured Sarah sleepily.

            “Should we keep the toy?”

            “Yes,” said Sarah as she fell into a deep sleep.

            “Good,” said Lara as she followed her in an exhausted sleep.

                                                ***                  ***                  ***

            The long black limousine pulled up in front of the old elegant antebellum mansion.  Two very tired women got out of the car as the driver pulled two large suitcases out of the trunk and headed for the front door.  A tall striking woman pulled out a backpack, knapsack and two overnight cases balancing it all on her own shoulders.

            “Excuse me but I do believe two of those are mine,” said Sarah with an amused expression on her face.

            Lara looked at Sarah after she closed the trunk with an equally amused expression on her face, “I believe they are, so?”

            “Sweetie, I can carry my own overnight case and knapsack I made it all the way to Greece on my own you know.”

            “I know that Angel, But it is my privilege to do that for you and I’m taking it.” She tilted her head and looked at the small blonde with her adorable lopsided grin.

            “You are such a nut! Um, ok if it makes you happy to lug extra stuff then you have to, then who am I to take that away from you.”

            “My wife, which is the reason that this is my privilege as well as my pleasure.” Said Lara as she put her arm through Sarah’s and escorted her to the front door. “The house is beautiful, Angel.”

            Sarah looked up into sparkling eyes and replied, “It’s my favorite place.”

            “Then its mine too,” Said Lara lovingly.

            The driver nodded as he passed the women on the way back to the limo.

            “Don’t you have to pay him?”

            “He was prepaid, Love. I hope I didn’t give airport security apoplexy when they x-rayed that luggage and saw all those weapons. I felt naked without my knife,” She said with a cute pouty face.

            “With what’s happening now a days it’s understandable. Also considering all the paperwork you filled out at the airport in Athens I’m sure everyone in the whole airport knew what was in our cases.”

            “Well I hope not everything in our cases that sex toy is suppose to be private…”

            “Lara!” She scolded as they got to the front door. The door was opened as soon as they got close and Sarah looked up affectionately at the older woman in the doorway.  “Hello Mrs. Peterson.”

            “Welcome home Miss Sarah.” Was said with equal affection and then they hugged.

            Sarah stepped back by Lara and said, “Mrs. Peterson, this is Lady Lara Croft my best friend and soul mate.”

            Mrs. Peterson’s eyebrows disappeared she held her hand out and shook Lara’s hand saying, “It’s a pleasure to meet you Lady Croft.” Then with eyes sparkling she said to Sarah, “That must have been some trip.”

            “It’s a my pleasure, Sarah has told me a lot of good things about you. Please call me Lara, I hate formality,” She said with a glittering smile and turned to Sarah with a wink.

            When Lara turned Mrs. Peterson saw the load the young woman was carrying, “Miss Lara let me carry some of that, your going to give yourself a hernia,” said the older woman as she pulled on the straps.

            Lara was amused and allowed the older woman to take the smaller bags, “I think I’ll survive.”

            “Would you like me to put Miss Lara in the room next yours?” She asked Sarah sweetly as they entered the main foyer.

            Sarah closed the door and then took Lara’s hand she said to her friend and housekeeper, “Mrs. Peterson, Lara will be in my room.”

            “But why? We have so much space why be all cramped up in one room?” Asked the confused lady.

            Sarah looked up at Lara who smiled and caressed her cheek. Then she looked at the charmingly innocent older woman and said, “Mrs. Peterson we are not just best friends, Sarah and I are a couple.”

            “A couple? A couple of what?”

            Lara couldn’t help it she burst out laughing which caused Sarah to laugh too. The older woman was even more confused and was now getting a little annoyed. “Sarah Deanna Covington, Explain yourself.” Said the upset woman.

            Sarah had her hand over her mouth trying to control her mirth, then looked at the calm and amused Lara who asked with a smirk, “ Deanna huh?”

            Sarah rolled her eyes and then looked back at one of the dearest people in her life. Mrs. Peterson was kindness itself and she loved her dearly. She took the older woman’s hand and led her to Mel’s study. Lara followed leaning against the door admiring the room she was waiting to see if her wife would need assistance.

            Sarah led her to the comfortable old couch and sat down next to her. “Mrs. Peterson, Lara and I are together, romantically. We fell in love at first sight. I know its shocking and not what your use to but it’s the right thing for me. I love you dearly and I hope you will accept us.”

            Mrs. Peterson smiled and said, “I accepted your Auntie Janice and Auntie Mel didn’t I?”

            “Oh…I forgot about that,” said Sarah who looked at a highly amused Lara who said with a smirk, “I didn’t.”

            “Gee, aren’t you smart?”

            “Yep.”

            “Yeash…”

            “Girls wouldn’t you like to get settled in your room?” She stood up and hugged Sarah whispering in her ear, “I am very happy you found someone to give all that love you have in your heart to.”

            “Thank you,” Sarah replied quietly.

            Then she approached the formidable woman by the door and hugged her gently saying, “Welcome to the family Miss Lara.”

            “Thank you and thank you for taking such good care of my Sarah till I came.”

            “It was my honor to do so.”

            ***                  ***                  ***                  ***  

            Sarah led Lara into her room followed by Mrs. Peterson who was carrying the lighter bags. Lara had taken possession of the two large suitcases and put them down just inside the door. Lara smiled brightly as she looked around her wife’s bedroom. She was delighted by what she saw she could see her beloved in every object. Mrs. Peterson put the bags beside the suitcases and caressed Sarah’s cheek and left the room with a wink toward Lara.

            The room was a medium sized obviously where the small woman had grown up. The bed was a Queen Anne style queen sized bed with simple wooden headboard all made in pretty chestnut colored wood. All the furniture was in the same style. The blankets and sheets were all in sea green. There were two large throws in light blue and multicolored both handmade and lovingly done. There were several framed pictures of sites of history mixed with movie posters. There were two bookcases crammed full of books of every description. The TV cabinet was stuffed full of vhs tapes. By the window on the window seat you couldn’t see the cushion because it was full of stuffed animals. Enchanted by the room Lara smiled at Sarah and hugged her close to her.

            Sarah whispered, “Is this too babyish for you to stay in?”

            Lara pulled back and shook her head saying sweetly, “No this is so you. I love it. I can see you here; I can feel your essence in every object in this room. It’s wonderful, it makes me feel like I finally came home.”

            Sarah lifted her head as she met sparkling eyes above her and asked sweetly, “Really?”

            Lara playfully licked the nose right below her mouth causing her beloved to squinch her face and giggle. “Oh yeah, I adore this room, this house, not as much as I adore you but close…”

            She didn’t finish the sentence because her lips were captured by overjoyed blonde’s lips in a happy passionate kiss. Lara found herself falling easily into the passion of the kiss she had just picked up the smaller woman and carried her to the beautiful bed when there was a knock on the door.

            “Shit,” She whispered into Sarah’s ear.

            Sarah shrugged and stroked her arm as she said sweetly, “Yes, Mrs. Peterson?”

            “Miss Sarah, your Aunt Anna is here.”

            Sarah suddenly stiffened and held Lara tighter against her. Lara could feel that her loves heart was pounding when she pulled back slightly she saw that Sarah’s face was suddenly frightened.

            “Is she the one…?”

            Sarah nodded her face looked like it was about to burst out crying. Lara’s warm eyes suddenly narrowed and became icy.

            “Mrs. Peterson, Could you please put her in one of the rooms downstairs and set up for tea?”

            “Of course, Miss Lara.”

            Sarah could see both anger and calculation in Lara’s eyes and asked quietly, “What are you up to?”

            “Revenge my Angel, sweet revenge.”

            ***                  ****                ***                  ***

            Mrs. Anna Covington sat straight as an arrow in the beautiful sitting room that Mel and Janice always used for entertaining. Janice had always despised her brother's wife. She had so much love for her baby brother that she put of with the snobby woman but she couldn’t stand the sight of her.

            Mrs. Peterson also disliked the woman intensely. She carried the ice tea into the room for the mean spirited woman who she knew emotionally abused her sweet Sarah. She still kicked herself for not going right to Mr. Covington and telling him what she had seen his wife doing to the sweet natured blonde. But Sarah had insisted that her Uncle not be bothered with her problems. She had remained silent and regretted it ever since because of the obvious effect that bitch of a woman had on her little Sarah’s self-confidence.

            Lara had changed from her comfortable T-shirt and jeans that she had worn on the plane from Athens to her very formidable looking outfit minus the weapons that her Great Grandmother had given her.

            She had lovingly instructed that her wife to do the same. She also told her to wait a bit in their room she wanted to see this bitch alone for a bit.

            She leaned against the door to the sitting room observing the woman unseen. She sat like she had an iron rod up her ass. She was actually sipping the ice tea with her pinkie sticking out. She actually sipped ice tea like a snob. She hated the woman before she met her and now she felt such a burning hatred that she had to quench it with a deep calmness so she could put her plan into action.

            Lara entered the room as quiet as a cat so the older woman wouldn’t realize she wasn’t alone till she was right on top of the bitch.

            “Mrs. Covington?”

            The older woman looked up shocked she was expecting her niece or some English nobility not this strange looking person. This woman did not fit the picture of what she thought a Lady of the realm would look like. She was very scary looking with all that black leather and the arm bands on each sculptured arm.

            “Yes, who are you?” Asked the woman snottily sure this had to be someone who worked for the titled friend of her niece.

            “Lady Lara Croft,” She said politely holding her hand out.

            “You are Lady Lara Croft?”

            “Yes, why? Were you expecting someone else?”

            “To be frank, yes. I had heard through the grapevine that my niece was traveling with a Lady of the realm. I was very surprised since Sarah is such a dull, uninteresting girl. I thought you’d be an older woman who took pity on my hapless niece.”

            Lara eyes went from coldness to ice in seconds. She was leaving nail marks in her hands trying to conceal her rage at this viper. “May I ask what business is it of yours who your niece travels with?”

            “I just wanted to thank you for taking pity on her and I of course wanted to show my appreciation by inviting you to dinner with some real society here in town.” She said with a sincere smile that grated on Lara’s last nerve she never wanted to hit someone so bad in her life before.

            This bitch is trying to steal me away from my Sarah! As if she could take me from my sweet Angel. I’ve got to control my temper or my plan won’t work. Viper!  She thought angrily to herself.

            “To be frank I am completely uninterested in either your appreciation or you invitation.” Replied Lara coldly.

            “But surely you must be bored to tears by now with Sarah? My daughters would offer much more stimulating company I assure you.”

            Mrs. Peterson almost dropped the tray of tea things when she heard this statement. She met Lara’s angry eyes with her own and they silently came to a complete understanding.

            “Mrs. Peterson you can place that on that side table,” Said Lara sweetly to the beloved housekeeper.

            “Yes Miss Lara.  Miss Sarah will be down in just a few minutes.”

            “Thanks Mrs. Peterson.”

            “Wait a minute, Mrs. Peterson. Why are you being so familiar with Lady Croft? You shouldn’t be calling her Miss Lara it is completely inappropriate.” Said the snobby woman to the nervous older woman.

            “Ma’am, Miss Lara asked me to…”

            “That doesn’t matter you know better…”

            “Mrs. Covington it does indeed matter.” Interrupted a very angry Lara. “I actually asked Mrs. Peterson to call me Lara with out the miss in front of it but she feels more comfortable calling me Miss Lara and that’s fine by me. It is my privilege to decide who can call me by my name and who can call me by my title.”

            “I see Lara…”

            “I don’t recall giving you leave to call me Lara, Mrs. Covington. You may call me by my title only. Thank you Mrs. Peterson please go see if you can help Sarah along.”

            With a huge smile she nodded and said, “Yes Miss Lara.” She left the room receiving a wink from the very calm brunette.

            “Why did you allow a servant to be so informal with you and not member of high society?”

            “Because I like Mrs. Peterson.”

            “I beg your pardon.”

            “Well I am not going to beg yours. In fact I am going to answer your earlier question very honestly. I find Sarah the most fascinating, beautiful and stimulating woman I have ever met in my life. After meeting you I am most certain your daughters would be as dull as dishwater,” said Lara calmly as she poured two teacups full of the hot elixir pretty sure it would be just Sarah and herself enjoying it.

            “I was under the impression that English Nobility had some taste but I guess I was wrong. All I was trying to do was rescue you from the boring clutches of my niece…”

            “Gee Thanks, Aunt Anna it’s nice to see you too,” said Sarah from behind the two women. She had decided to wear her soft sexy wedding dress. Lara smiled thinking Oh yeah that’s even better then the other outfit.

            Sarah calmly entered the sitting room as she watched the older woman deal with the way she looked. It amused Sarah to see the woman look so flabbergasted.

            “Tea My Angel?” Lara asked calmly.

            Sarah smiled and sat on the arm of the chair that Lara was sitting in. “Yes, thank you my Sweet,” Giving Lara such a breathtaking smile that the dark haired woman’s face lit up in reaction to it.

            The older woman was sitting across from them opening and closing her mouth. She was so shocked at how beautiful Sarah looked and how comfortable she was with this formidable looking woman in leather that she couldn’t seem to speak.     

            “She looks like she is about to hatch something,” Lara whispered into Sarah’s ear as she handed her a cup of tea. Her eyes were now warm and looking only at her Sarah with pure love. Sarah met Lara’s eyes with the same expression she wish her Aunt would leave she wanted so badly to kiss her wife at the moment.

            “Sarah, your guest was very rude to me just now.”

            “Aunt Anna, I was standing right in the doorway you know. I heard everything that was said she wasn’t rude at all. I think she turned down your attempt to lure her away from me in a very polite manner.”

            Lara reached up and caressed a soft arm saying quietly, “Thank you my Angel.  I think I kept my temper very much in check don’t you?”

            “Yes Sweetie, You sure did.” She said looking deeply into the beautiful eyes beside her and caressing her cheek.

            “Sweetie?” Asked the stunned older woman.

            “Aunt Anna, The person you just tried to seduce away from me is my best friend in the world. For some strange reason she likes me just the way I am, flaws and all.”

            “And I always will,” Said Lara lovingly with eyes only for Sarah.

            “What do you mean seduce away? I just thought you would both like a some time away from each other since you were traveling all that time in Greece…”

            “Excuse me, but I haven’t been acknowledged as a member of this family for years. Now all of the sudden you show up in my house to give me space from my new friend? I find that to be pretty damn transparent. Get out of my house now!” Sarah said standing up and pointing toward the door. Lara had never seen Sarah mad before it was an interesting experience. She found her incredibly sexy when she was pissed like this.

            “Are you throwing me out?”

            “Yep, you got in one. Out!”

            The old woman stormed out.  As soon as the angry woman had left Lara got up embraced the seething woman and purred into her ear, “You are beautiful when your angry.” Then she licked the rim causing Sarah to moan and lean into her.

            “I am?” Was Sarah’s breathless reply as Lara began to suck at the pulse point of her neck.

            “Mm hmm,” Lara murmured as she licked the pulse point then kissed it. She then pulled back and said, “So tasty too.”

            Sarah looked up into the sparkling blue eyes and giggled, “Just like candy?”

            “Oh yeah, My kind of candy,” Said Lara as she scooped her up and carried her up stairs to their room.  They were both giggling as Lara closed the door with her hip. Lara jumped into the bed with the beautiful giggling woman cradled in her arms. Lara kissed Sarah passionately as they quickly took each other’s clothes off.

            When they had to part for air Lara whispered, “You were so damn sexy down there I wanted to tear your clothes off.” She then proceeded to kiss her way down the beautiful body beneath her.

            “Was I? Just because I…um…I lost my…ah…temper,” Laura was sucking the pulse point of Sarah’s neck which was making Sarah forget how to say words. Lara’s hot tongue then began a journey to a very needy breast that was begging to be touched. Sucking one breast and playing with the other till her little love began to forget who she was mad at and that the stupid woman even existed.

            Lara kissed her way down to the bellybutton diving in to the beloved inny and tasting her love at her navel making the small blonde go totally out of control in reaction. Lara’s hand was playing with the soft wet hair at hair at the writhing blonde’s apex. When she reached the beautiful mound with her tongue she lapped up the sweet ambrosia. She was not entering because she wanted to prolong her loves climax as long as possible.

            She was now fully involved in exploring every inch hearing Sarah moaning and begging her to end the delicious torture. Her hands were tangled in her sheets her head was thrown back eyes tightly closed she had flown up the spiral and was waiting for her love to release her. When Lara’s finger entered and started pump the more then ready area Sarah screamed her loves name saying she loved her over and over again as she shuddered and shivered in pure reaction.

            Lara crawled back up her love's body and licked her fingers seductively in front of the still reacting woman. The she brought her lips to her own kissing her deeply so Sarah could taste her essence with her love’s mouth.

            Sarah fell asleep in her loves arms a happy and contented woman. Lara had fallen over herself in reaction to her loves release so she was quite content to cuddle and kiss the sleeping woman in her arms. She was amazed at how big an orgasm she had considering that Sarah wasn’t capable of touching her. She was just so deeply connected to her love that just feeling her shudder and screaming her name sent her crashing over herself. It’s amazing, Lara thought sleepily as she fell into a deep sleep beside her wife.

                        ***                  ***                  ***                  ***

            They walked around the exhibit arm in arm and looking at the scrolls that were on display for the public. They had only opened up the scrolls with stories none of the scrolls that had lists were opened for anyone but Lara and Sarah. They wanted the beautiful story of the Warrior Princess and the Battling Bard to be open for all to see though.

            “You know our grandmother’s were right.” Said Lara as they looked at the central display of 10 early scrolls from Janice and Mel’s dig in the 1940’s.

            “About which of the many things?”

            Lara laughed and said, “You are a very strong woman. I am so proud of you.”

            “Why because I lost my temper a few days ago?”

            “No Angel, Because you finally stood up to that bully. Have you noticed my Love that your getting more and more invitations?”

            “I don’t care about them I only want to be with you,” said Sarah nuzzling her cheek against a warm shoulder.

            “I only want to be with you too. That’s not the point,” said Lara as she led them out of the exhibition to their car.

            “Oh? What’s the point then?”

            “That by finally getting rid of her, keeping me and holding your head up around town people are starting to see what they had right under their stuck up noses the whole time. What they don’t know of course is what they’re seeing all belongs to me.” Lara said with a bright smile.

            Sarah blushed and looked away for a second. Then she looked into the amused eyes above her and asked, “What are we going to do now that this exhibition is all set and the researchers are hard at work on the rest of the scrolls.”

            “Well Henry called,” said Lara as she held open the door caressing Sarah’s arm as she helped her in the car.

            Sarah looked surprised and asked, “And?”

            “How do you feel about Egypt?”

            “I have no idea I’ve never been there…”

            “You were never in Greece before either but you went. Would you like to see the Pyramids with me and solve a new mystery?” Lara asked closing the door and walking to the other side of the car getting in and then looking at her love waiting for an answer.

            “Um, yes I always dreamed of going to see the Pyramids with someone special…”

            “Well my Angel, your dream just became true,” Said Lara with a blinding smile as she bent down and kissed her love.

            When they parted Sarah put a hand on each warm cheek looked deeply into the eyes she loved and said, “Actually my dream came true the day I went to Poteidaia and saw you across the site all back lit and beautiful.”

THE END
Continue The Story In  "In A Grain Of Sand"

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