A Little Something For Those Cold, 
Lonely Nights 
Part 2

Murray Johnston was frighteningly stereotypical for his former
profession if not his name. 

To be assured a Johnston, if not a Murray, had been on the beaches of
Normandy and Okinawa. Had and was currently performing technical,
medical or culinary artistry if not making works of art. There were also
some who dug ditches, hauled garbage and mugged old ladies for a living
just as anyone with or without a name was bound to do. 

But any Johnston, much less a Murray, would have only been too happy
that an accountant who bore their name had changed it to Otto von
Slegenhimer after an external audit of his work had found a discrepancy
of a million or twenty point seven causing a hasty trip south. Felt pity
for the von Slegenhimers of the world. Doubly so for the Ottos. 

Some however, namely the male half, might have been willing to trade
places with the self proclaimed father of the fourth Reich for just an
instant as he woke to the inverted rearview sight of a certain        
lycanthrobe as she attempted to clean out a clogged cave mouth. But then
most would have remembered how they came to be laying upside-down
against the opposite cavern wall much less who had done it to them. The
cause of the current discomfort of ridding up shorts would have
certainly reminded them. 

But then again, they weren't this Murray. 

Brittany Diggers for her part was too worried to think about Johnston
or Slegenhimer or whatever he called himself much less that he had
woken. Beyond the snow packed boulders she currently removed and chucked
as wadded paper—something else Murray was willfully unaware of as he
stirred his unconscious troops—was her sister as well as her sister's
worst enemy in the whole world. And aside from being buried under tons
of snow if not washed down the mountain by the avalanche—something the
reputed luck of both would not allow Brittany assured herself—was the
fact that said enemy most likely had no idea she was. 

Laura Croft had made her name by going places and doing things whole
teams of explorers had failed to do, including returning alive. Because
of this and the fact that when she returned it was often with a small
fortune wearing only hot pants and a tank top, the press had named her
Tomb Raider and made her the centerfold girl of archeology. 

By contrast Brittany's older human sibling had been branded Gold Digger
by a simple play in their shared last name, even though most of her
finds were more of intellectual value. And while she was younger than
the other by a few years but had been an archeologist - indeed, Gina
held doctorates in several fields if not creating a few - longer than
Croft, when the woman had burst onto the scene Gina was quickly
considered nothing more than a copycat. And since she had a bodyguard in
her adopted sister she was a poor one at that. The weight of the insult
had started to show at the first award one had won seemingly over the
other but could now be seen at the mere mention of Croft's name. 

Gina was definitely headed towards psycho-ville and being trapped with
the cause in a snow pocket would no doubt speed her way Brittany
considered as she dug. 

Despite the ease the effort looked, it was still a chore. And while her
natural fur allowed excess heat to escape, the busty werecheetah's
parka jacket had threatened to cook her. It now lay discarded and
near buried as she worked in only form fitting snow pants and sports
top. And as stated before, the tall shapely girl had other things to
consider than modesty. 

Besides, it wasn't like she was naked or anything. 

Not that a small fact like that really stopped a forty-something balding
former accountant turned fake-nazi pseudo-major from dreaming. Sight of
a certain ponytailed British, cotton shirt wearing adventuress during a
muggy rainy Brazilian afternoon had made him trace half the world behind
her after all. 

And this strangely furry exotic amazon was wounded, he remembered that
much at least. From the…for lack of a better word…novels he read about
this type of woman—as he ate watercress and milquetoast for lunch as
Murray—dealt with that sort of thing on a ‘date’ all the time. Getting
trapped and tortured, trussed up to hang precariously over pits of
molten lava or cliffs high on chilly windy mountains with garments torn
to scantily scraps. 

And while they were indeed on an arctic panicle, the man self-christened
Otto could only envision rope, lather and a razor as he watched his
unaware pray sway her tail from side to side. 

And he had to admit…her butt wasn't half bad either! 

Brittany only realized, remembered, that others were with her as the
last of Murray's goons stirred and righted himself dislodging a lose
stone or two. Black tipped feline ears prickling at the noise, drooped
low and threatening as she eased a three hundred pound rock back from
where she had begun to pick it up. Stood into a contemptuous slouch with
a deep growling sigh before standing to her full height. Just the way
they sounded behind her, making no noise, failing to scuttle away like
the beaten and disarmed dime-a-half-dozen-thugs they were, told her that
they were looking for a rematch. Maybe some fun from a lone woman. Only
she was in no mood to play. 

She turned facing them with a look that said: What do wha—IT DOESN’T
MATTER WHAT-YOU-WANT!! 

The thugs by their fearful reaction clearly read and understood this.
While Murray…was Murray. Or Otto Rather. 

"Zo," von Slegenhimer announced with casual triumph striking a dramatic
pose, "I oave lost Croft, but gained a furry Valkrie? Zo be it! Come to
me mine lepchin, let me…heh, heh, heh…tend your vounds ja?" 

"And if I don't," Brittany replied with a sneer, "who's going to make
me? And, you are aware that your shorts are over your head?!" 

Major Otto von Slegenhimer ignored this last comment while Murray had
been wondering why his toupee was fitting so snugly. Remembered that it
had been shot off still dismissing it as he took in the wonderful sight
of his economy sized consolation prize for losing the Tomb Raider.
Considered not shaving her once he had her fully at his mercy. 

Not all of her anyway… 

"If that iz how you vish it Frauline, zo be it." von Slegenhimer said
with a pleased chuckle looking away coolly with shorts on his head.
Actually, he preferred it this way. This was just like one of the
stories he read at night or during an hour long bathroom break when he
was an accountant. Ending his melodramatic pause and musings, he went
into another pose, challenging as well as commanding, as he ordered, "Go
mine men! Tame me zhat wild beast! Break her! (Just remember to save
some for me!)" 

Not for one instant did he think his men would not obey his command no
matter that he had ordered them to attack a woman. A woman who was
alone. A woman who was no doubt as tired as they. A woman who was just a
bit on the furry side of harry. 

A woman, his men noted above all this, who was seven shapely feet of
muscles and claws who had handed half of them their asses in nothing
flat. And they had had guns then. But then he was the boss,he had
underlings to consider such small details. They did. 

As ‘Otto’ held his pose waiting for his men to surge past him,the
problematic fact that the moment was drawing on entering his mind,
Brittany's sneer turned slightly amused as she commented, "Oh, I should
have said, ‘You and what army?’ Sorry. My bad." 

"Vhat?" von Slegenhimer replied as he at last looked behind. Added in
stunned, lacking an accent, shock upon sight of his retreating men.
"H-Hey! Get back here! Swine…hoods." 

An actual German among Murray's hired goons, who Brittany now nicknamed
Rommel since he obviously had more smarts than his boss, simply looked
back long enough to roll his eyes as he helped a buckshot wounded Stumpy
limp away. Another merc who had kissed Laura's boot, had a half swelled
face to show for evidence, now known as Rambo slinked away in a cowering
hunch wanting none of her tall spotted friend. 

And since Brittany was handing out names as ‘Otto’ bellowed something
about, ‘Finding medical and dental coverage in their line of work!’ the
werecat casually christened two of the remaining three thugs Lumpy for
said lumps on his head and Swiss for the cheesy condition his flack vest
was in after she had shredded it. The last however had named himself
with the snake tattoo on his arm. Displayed a level of sophisticated
intellect as he rebutted the complaints of his and the other mercenaries
former employer. Turned fully around to give his staggering
philosophical retort. 

"Dude..." 

It all said, he rejoined the limping and wounded retreat of his fellows.
Major Otto van Slegenhimer was so cross, he began using Yiddish curses
he once heard from his immigrant grandfather. 

A famine, but yet not dainty, cough from behind suddenly got his
attention and the man once—still—known as Murray Johnston was reminded
of an altercation in a hallway during his youth. A hand where it
shouldn't have been followed by one that should from the reaction to the
first leaving a reddened cheek. 

That one along with his other now went pale as he at last fully
considered why his men were disobeying him. And from the feel of her
huffed, irritated breath as it blew on his boxer covered scalp, even he
could tell his ‘prey’ was Right behind him! 

"Oh no you don't von Bozenhimer!" Brittany growled as she plucked up the
short man once more by his now stretched out underwear. Otto made to
correct her, but Murray caught the rebuke before it left his mouth.  It
came out stillborn as a slight peep. 

The werecheetah for her part, her nose far more sharper than she would
have liked at the moment, paused to hold her catch at arm's length.
Thanked God—as did Murray not too oddly—that the man's mid-life crisis
alterations had not included a leopard thong. 

"I've seen enough of you nth-rate Doctor Doom wanna-be types to know if
I let you outta my sight," she considered aloud knowing she was
unwillingly giving him a complement, "you'll just try something else
later. Your boys will keep going, but you are gonna stay were I can see
you. Once I get my sis and Croft out, you can crawl back into your
little crack!" 

With an inward groan looking to her dangling foe, she really wished that
last word had not been there… 

                                    ******

Ancient architecture always amazed her, Laura Croft thought to herself
in wonder as she looked about what had to be the central courtyard of
the temple. In a mountain, under hundreds of tons of stone much less
ice, and the spacious Spartan clearing shown with the light of full day.
Looking to the distant roof of bluish crystal as it caught and brought
illumination from somewhere, she could only consider it the ultimate
masterpiece of indoor lighting. The surrounding structures that were the
temple itself gave little hint to the passage of time. Did show some of
the damage from the recent avalanche as well as signs of disuse, but was
otherwise intact. 

An enterprising Realtor could have turned the whole thing into a condo
with only a little sweeping she mused with a grin. And if it was      
anything like past examples, she further concluded, he wouldn't even
have to worry about indoor plumbing. Just set up a dish outside, run in
the cable and power and find a place for the TV's. Of course there were
still the booby traps that the former residents had left behind to
contend with, but then the avalanche had tripped most of them. The ones
at the front door anyway. 

Not to mention the location was lousy... 

As she looked to inscriptions and refilled her canteen from a babbling
fountain, she let her mind wonder into further quips and thoughts of
research as she often did when exploring. It was something she did when
alone that not only kept her sane, but her mind sharp for the odd verbal
retorts she had to give out at times. Before she resorted to more
speedy, solid and overt means of debate. 

Never in the habit of talking to herself, she unconsciously surpressed
an urge to voice serious conclusions about the find much less her less
than serious antidotes. Had an odd feeling she indeed would be doing
just that though she was now with a companion. 

Who, unaware to Croft, would have throttled anyone who used such a term
to describe their forced paring. Especially the infamous Tomb Raider
herself. 

If, as her British counterpart, her mind was on setting rather than 
companionship, Gina Diggers would have been far more enthralled than the
other. Might have been inspired to create an improved solar cell after
inspecting the reflective and recessed gutters that lined and lit the
corridors they had come up to from darkness. Rediscovered ancient
secrets of indoor track lighting. At least would have been held In awe
at the works of bronzed aged builders who structures still stood where
the steel and artificial stone of post industrial man still failed to
compare in durability. 

As it was, she inwardly seethed at the presence of her more well known
college. That when this discovery that she herself now ignored came to
public light, it would bare Croft's name over her own. If hers showed up
at all. By simply moving around a few pebbles and glancing at some young
monk's graffiti, Laura Croft would lift the veil from the ancient world
telling the modern all it's secrets. Become second only to Einstein as
the best known nerd. 

Even though she came with better packaging Gina found herself admitting
with a jealous frown. 

"At least I won't have to go through my flares," Croft said at last
despite herself. Pointed to passages that lead deeper into the temple
which glowed with soft light. "I wonder why ours was so dark. That one
looks like it goes lower." 

Gina gave a shrug in lue of an answer. Drank from the fountain after the
other was well away. Croft noticed the cold shoulder with a smirk as she
tried to decide on which path to follow. Concluded on her own it was
more damage by the slide. 

"This one looks like it leads into the commons. The Library." She said
of one portal that was larger and more elaborate that the rest. "But the
monks of this region are notoriously paranoid. Would you have any
suggestions?" 

It's obviously laden with traps, Gina thought noting the warning
hieroglyphs above the opening. Illiterate barbaric invaders would have
missed it in their hurry to pillage. She was midly surprised the
Englishwoman wasn't rushing through. Put on a mock grin as she suggested
of another, "That one is the same size but they specifically put it out
of the way." Croft examined it. Stooped to take a handful of dirt. 

"You might be right Dr. Diggers. This one looks more used. And recently
too." 

Well aware of their ambush. That she as well as Croft were without    
weapons, the comment snapped the arrant explorer to full attention.
"What?!" she said looking to low level structures for snipers or
erupting attackers. Croft managed a full smile as she noted the other's
fright. 

"Relax Gina. There's a trail here, but it's months old. Most likely the
hermit's," Croft said as she stood. Tossed dry dirt to the ground. "and
from these tracks, he was moving out." 

"Whatever," Gina dismissed grumpily as she made her own survey of other
corridors. "I just don't want to meet anymore of your trigger happy
boyfriends." 

"That should have been all of Murray's goons. And from the earlier   
encounters I had with him," Croft was paying more attention to Gina's
suggested path. Checked for any signs of traps. "He concentrates on the
competition. Not the prize." She said not knowing what his true
objective had been. 

"Didn't you say something like that while he was shooting at us? Then
your Nazi lover started tossing rockets!" Croft took the comments as
double amused blows to her ego. With the second carrying far more weight
than the first. 

"No one's perfect dearheart." She reproached with hands held up
defensively. Grinned as she gave a nod to the passage she stood before.
"Shall we get going? We can discuss each other's shortcomings after we
get out of here." Gina was paying her no visible attention. 

"Go were you want to, that's your shtick right? Lone wolf?" 

If Gina was right, if Croft went down that corridor, she'd end up in the
temple's monk's quarters. The outskirts at the very least. The path she
had found however would take her right to the library. Inwardly cheered
at the other's gullibility. "Later." 

"Gina wait!" Croft called jogging over to the other, "This place is  
bound to be a maze regardless of what path we take. It's best if we
stayed together. And you are going to need my help." 

I'm going to need YOUR help?!? Gina mentally growled just checking
herself. Pshyically gave the other a mild reproachful look. Let out a
centering breath with a lame smile. 

"Yeah, I guess we better," she managed realizing she should keep an eye
on the other. Waved her on to take the lead. Croft's grin was far more
jovial and honest as she accepted the gesture with a courtesy. 

Thanks Gina, I just hope we get there quickly." She moved on failing
to note Gina's growing dull ire and frustration. 

All she needed was time alone in the library with certain scrolls,
tablets or whatever medium it's information was stored on. Check to see
if it was accurate. And then—thought it went against everything she
believed—alter certain records of the locations of two certain lost
cities that were host to two lost yet still living civilizations.
Civilizations the world at large might not take to kindly too if they
knew they existed. 

If she had had a choice, vandalizing history was the last thing she
wanted to do. If she had been the first, and only, one here those
records would either go safely into her own vault or to the people they
endangered. But Croft the well known exploiter had met her at the
entrance. The woman held as much reverence for the past as she did life.
She'd sooner kill the inhabitancies of Atlantis and El Dorado as sell
them off to a zoo. The woman absolutely had no scruples! 

Yes she had saved Gina's life, the young woman thought darkly, but it
obviously had been for her own good. As soon as she came to a trap she
couldn't get past without tripping, in Gina would go. Everyone knew
Croft did that sort of thing to her guides all the time. She was nothing
but a heartless cow who deserved to get back what she had done to others
for so long. 

"Gina!" Croft called testily, "don't dottle there, let's get moving!" 

A nervous tick that had grown over years of being overlooked and
outstaged showing itself, Gina began to follow with a rather dark    
expression. Wished she had gone with her first impulse and shoved Croft
into the trapped corridor. The smile that suddenly yet slowly took her
features was frightening in it's honesty. Her choices were getting more
and more limited after all. 

Her opportunities however, were starting to look very good indeed… 

                                    ******

The limbs of the body were at odd contorted angles. As broken and
shattered as the rubble it lay upon. No matter what sights she saw
during all her explorations with her older sister, Brittany Diggers  
considered as her heart beat a mad tempo in her ears, death was a rarity
she never wanted to see nor get use to. 

"I…I don't know what happened…" Gina Diggers droned emotionlessly of the
corpse behind her. Shoulders slack, head drooping with eyes hidden in
shadow, she looked more the unfortunate's ghost than the specter itself
would have in the afterlife. Even with her long blonde loose locks as
opposed to the other's ponytailed brown. 

"She…she just went crazy…" Gina went on as Brittany went past her as if
drifting on her shock. The words seemed a horrid calm narration to the
scene. "I…I had to do it…" 

Drawn as if against her will, Brittany lent close to the body of Laura
Croft wishing her sister would not talk. She wanted to believe it was
an accident, but Gina's words seemed wrong. Practiced and rehearsed for
an audience. 

"You believe me don't you Brittany…" the girl seemed to beg with a 
delight bubbling in the throat of the act of protection. Of the
'accident' that had claimed her hated rival's life. "Please say that
you believe me…" 

And then she saw them. The bruises about the twisted neck. A contortion
of terror on the face as life was slowly, pleasurably, taken. A shade
caught in the dead Englishwoman's wide brown eyes. A shade with
outstretched hands bent into claws. 

"I'd…" Gina only went on. Then her tone changed as the shade in Laura's
eye gained features. "I'd hate for something to happen to you too…" 

Brittany turned from the reflection of the shade with flowing blonde
locks only to meet the creature itself as it's claws found her throat.
Looking into it's stark stare with bleak pinpricks for pupils, she at
least tired to assure herself that this insane thing was not going to 
take as much delight in killing her as it had it's first victim… 

                                    ******

"NO!!!" Brittany Diggers screamed as she woke. Sat blot upright putting
hands to her neck to ward off the assault of her nightmare. Gave a
shiver that was not part of the cold of the cavern. Tried to assure her
conscious mind that her sister's jealousy of Croft was no were near the
level her subconscious had portrayed. 

She was tired and hungry and wanted to take a break from digging but she
didn't mean to doze off. Just rest her eyes for a minute or two, which
was now a few hours by her watch. The still weary cat-girl let out a
groan as she slid from an alcove that was a little warmer than the
cavern. And took her from view of Murray. 

Unwittingly fulfilling the repressed lecher's desires—just not the way
the had intended—she had left him bound against a rock pillar well in
view as she went back to clearing the tunnel. Putting on airs only made
the task all the more trying. Knowing that a pervert was drooling at her
wearing on her already frayed nerves. But she couldn't show weakness
just like she couldn't let him go or toss him down the chasm that
dominated the cavern and lead down the mountain. 

So a break to the sandbox had turned into a catnap. If she was lucky,
he'd be well asleep himself and she could dig with some piece of mind at
least. And in a way she was very lucky indeed and didn't have to worry
about the pseudo-Queens Nazi from ogling at her. 

Murray was gone… 

Taking pains to rip up his thick coat before him and use the scraps to
tie him up with, it had never occurred to her that the mousy man could
get free. Only he had. But since she had not woken to have the tables
turned, to be at the mercy of the little rat, Brittany also concluded
that she was safe. After all, he was nothing without his men and she had
thrashed them well and good. Even if he chased them down the mountain
and gave them an inspiring peep talk—complete with a lot of zeros—and
they charged back up with whatever they could scrape up for weapons,
she'd still kick all their butts. 

Of course she wasn't a hundred percent right now. Would be even less if
she went back to digging. But waiting for an ambush if and when it came
would be just as exhausting. 

The image of a demon phantom Gina choking the life out of Laura Croft, a
new friend who did not deserve such a fate, past before her eyes.
Brittany blinked and shook it from her head. More than likely, it would
be Laura standing over her sister's body looking to Brittany with true
remorse. That or her hysteric and insane sibling writhing in better
knots than her own as the British explorer suffered bewilderment. 

And besides, pure and simple, Gina wasn't a killer. No matter what,   
Brittany thought calming herself in that regard at least, her sister   
would never actively hurt another living being. She'd might think about
it sure, but she'd never do it. Not that this said trust had kept the
werecat from losing the key's to her blind aiming sister's armory. 

Brittany sat on a bolder with her face buried in her hands. It was 
exhaustion making her think like that. Hunger. She couldn't risk getting
more sleep, but she was sure she had enough energy left to get down the
mountain and to her sister's third self-named Ginamobile for spare
supplies. Maybe even use the car's communicator to order some pizza from
Shangri-La. The hidden paradise/library was a good distance away but was
still apart of the Himalayan range. It's chef librarian, a former
boyfriend of her sister's, had given Gina the secrets of lightgate
teleportation. They could have a super-duper tuna and anchovy with extra
mozzarella to her in no time. That would more than recharge her
batteries to finish digging and rescue her sister and Croft. 

For a second or two, hope showed on her raised face as she licked her
lips at the idea of food. 

For the remainder of the minute it was blank as communicators,
Shangri-La and working lightgates actually made the first item take a
back seat. Easy, available aid that she could have called on hours ago
managed to latch on to the train of thought as eating as others did the
work became a caboose. 

"DO'H!!!" she chirped with a grimace. Slapped her forehead. While not
the brightest of the three Diggers sisters, she was far from being a
dummy. Or had thought she was. 

It was all the stupid tension and worry. The running around and dealing
with Murray. Inwardly, she had been just as tightly wound as Gina. After
globe-hopping, the long climb and the attack, a nap had been just what
she needed. That and meeting Croft, realizing that she wasn't the
opportunistic, amoral crazed gunwoman her sister saw her as. 

"Okay girl," a centered Brittany told herself, "now that we've got that
figured out, let's get on the horn to Kahn and get a rescue party up
here. Shangri-La has to know more about this place than…" 

Brittany suffered another revelation. One away from the frenzy of trying
to find one library as she remembered another. Her new dumbfounded
expression was far more pronounced than the first. 

"Well," she admitted to herself dully of another's blunder. One she
would remind her sister of again and again in the months to come, "at
least I'm not mom and dad's dumbest kid anymore." 

That fact wouldn't do Gina or Laura any good as they broke out in a    
catfight or a just plain bloody rowel in a snow pocket or some room
of the temple. Brittany had at least caught some of their scent in the
packed snow which only fueled her belief that the avalanche had not  
killed them at least. Just get down the mountain and to the car she told
herself and get in contact with Shangri-La. They probably had a portal
to the place for crying out loud! 

Brittany stood to flex and work kinks out as this new awareness gripped
her. Murray and his goons might have regrouped and could still be a
problem to contend with, but no way would his small band of thugs be
expecting to meet any competition coming down. And her senses could not
only detect which paths they took, making her egress all the more easy,
but would warn her if the mercenaries were coming. Now if only Laura and
her sister did their part and stayed alive. 

The first indication that at least some of her conclusions were in
error, that Murray would not fail to return, came to Brittany's feline
nose with as rank organic stench drifted up from the chasm. Of course he
would come back, he was trying to be a villain. A second rate perverse
villain, but a villain nonetheless. Only the odd smell caught her at a
loss. As did a slight vibration she felt from the floor. 

That Laura Croft was not a blatant murderess had been evident in her act
of saving her attackers. Though her guns had been all but empty before
encountering Murray and his ambush. Of course she had spent the bullets
on someone, just as Murray had hired more goons. 

In murky light, looking over the side with natural eyes better than many
night-vision goggles, Brittany could make out shapes moving farther down
below on the opposite side of the chasm and the spiraling path. They
were casual in their approach. Did not yet suspect an enemy had caught
sight, much less scent of them. Smelling old blood from tended wounds
the werecat suspected Croft had at least whittled many from their
original number. At least two or three of the ones she had bounced
around were among the now twelve. They had found more guns and by the
looks of their faces in their electric torch light, they wanted payback
and were going to get it. 

Brittany tried to put some confidence in an anticipating smirk. Lost it
as a bestial hiss rose from the true darkness of the cavern. A limb,   
massive long and black, reached up to cling to a sloped craggy wall. Was
eventually joined by several others that tethered and pulled a massive
hour-glass like shape at their center. Murray rode it's back like a king
as his men lead the advance. 

"Eep…" Brittany managed as her flesh crawled under her yellow, white and
black spotted pelt. 

It wasn't that she was frightened by the odds she now faced. Though this
was a cause of great concern. Nor was it terrified worry that after   
taking a sever beating from his goons, that she would be turned into
Murray's love-slave—not that she wouldn't jump and accept the pain of
the fall if the latter was an even remote possibility. No, the cause of
her fear was something even worse than her nightmare of Gina turning
into the bastard child of Jason Vorhese. Something wholly unexpected. 

And spiders just scared the Willie's out of the girl. Especially the 
monstrous, giant black harry kind… 

                                    ******

Laura Croft hated ancient architects. Sure, they designed the structures
others had built to withstand the ages. Looked awe inspiring covered in
growth in some muggy jungle or gathering mold and dust in some
underground tunnel complex in a remote corner of the world. But then
that was part of the problem wasn't it? The smug ripe bastards didn't
layout places for easy living or access in mind. Oh no she thought
huffingly as she pulled at her umpteenth bloody lever hanging inverted
on the ceiling. They built to really piss off the people who in the ages
to come would come and explore them! 

"That's got it!" she announced in triumph as a stone slab swung open
revealing a passageway. Thousands of years old, and the mechanism
functioned perfectly. More proof that the planners made sure either
young monks got a good workout, or future archeologist would earn the
secrets they found. 

She had had to climb twenty feet, jump to five ledges then shimmy along
a light gutter before she reached handholds set in the ceiling. Seeing
an easier return, the nimble and lathe explorer swing to an angular rock
crop and used it's slick surface as a slide to the floor. Mountaineering
boots causing a halted decent, she stood after landing patting off the
dirt her firm rump had collected. 

"Yes I know," she said with a cheeky grin to Gina Diggers, "if I had a 
shilling for every shoe slide I'm suppose to land semi-gracefully
from..." 

No sedate snap. No insult inserted. The other young woman just gave her
a look, the same irritating look she always gave when Laura tried to
start a conversation, then walked over to the opening. Stopped short of
entering. 

"(Most impressive Croft. Well done Croft.)" Laura whispered hissingly to
herself on behalf of her ‘companion’. "(Mind seeing if there's a pit of
vipers or impaling spikes in the next room Croft?)" to which she
answered, "(Why no Gina, I'd love to.)" 

Went past in not quite a stomp forcing herself to pay attention to any
possible danger before her adding in correction, "(What? We're not on a
first name basis? I'm terribly sorry. Yes I quite agree, I'm such a   
stupid ninny!)" 

The hopeful straight path had lead to proof  that even in the past they
cut corners on building materials. Cave-ins lead to some wondering and
for hours Laura found herself doing most of the work while Diggers stood
and watched giving grunting commentary. If Croft was even that lucky. 

The room, chamber, beyond was dimmer than the first lighted area. Others
dark and truly gloomy showing that the lighting system was in disrepair
and supplied from other sources than the courtyard. This one, which had
a sloped channel ten feet deep, had a dusk atmosphere to it. A rope
suspension bridge was set along it's width and lead to a dark opening
set in the opposite wall. 

By the cemented crust and lime that trapped a small stream in the center
of the channel Croft judged it to be part of the temple's waste system.
There was no real smell. Downstream lead out, but would most likely end
in a cliff and a passage she really didn't want to go through even if it
was worth it. Up had to be a floodgate and of little use. Across the
bridge lay the other end of the temple. Living rock and very elaborate
traps no doubt. But it was what they were looking for. At least that was
her conclusion. 

Before the condition of the bridge could be determined however, to
Laura's surprise Gina was doing this, a growl from the channel got the
attention of both. A blur leapt before the blonde and began to bark with
bared teeth. The girl showed fear naturally but was wise enough not to
run. The only thing going through her head; that this was it. 

Croft was going to make a run for it and leave her for monster chow! 

"Easy fella," the coward in question softly urged slipping between Gina
and the creature in a careful duckwalk. "That's a nice fella," Reached
into her backpack. Carefully tore open a produced food packet. Broke off
a piece offering it to the animal. "Laura's got treats for good little
dogs. And you're a good little dog aren't you?" 

The now identified medium sized brown dog sniffed at the offered chunk
of brown foodstuff and her hand before taking it into it's jaw to chew.
Was looking to Croft with ears up as she held out another. Took it with
more soothing urging. It's tail began to wag as the adventuress gave it
a tender scratch behind an ear. It licked and bit happily at the rest of
the nutrition bar. 

"My, you are a friendly one aren't you," she jibed rubbing at it's jaw
once it was done eating. Which it replied to by licking the women's   
face while Gina stood behind her stunned. Croft replied taking it's  
head in both hands in a rubbing frenzy adding, "Who's a good dog then?
Who's the good dog!" 

"uh…" Diggers managed after a time as her rival turned a beast that was
going to rip out the other's throat into a pet, "uh…aren't you going to
shot it or something? um…break it's neck?!" 

The dog was on it's back with legs lazily sticking up as Croft patted
it's tummy. It had defiantly fallen in love. She looked to the other 
woman with a hurt expression. 

"Why would I do something as horrible as that?! He's only protecting
his home." then once more addressed the now placid animal with,       
"Weren't you? Yes you were!" Which Gina refused to accept this. Inched
forward to lean over Croft perplexed. 

"But you…you…" to which the other let out a breath that made the dog
look up. Tired of the long, silent treatment, the other felt a sudden
wave of irritation at Gina's reproachful and timid tone. 

"Yes. I'm suppose to come across rare and endangered animals such as
lions, gorillas and tigers and blow then away. Forget the minor fact
that they are in places that can't possibly support them and wouldn't
bother you unless you bothered them. I also pump two or three slugs from
each of my trusty firearms into blood thirsty crows, snakes and spiders.
Not that a good boot stomp would do just as much damage…except for the
crow of course." 

"But how did you know this dog wouldn't attack?" Diggers asked with both
her and the dog exchanging glances. Croft's petting made it look away. 

"I didn't, but he was in a strict threat posture. As long as you didn't
do anything stupid or he was the only one, he wouldn't have come right
at you." 

The dog, seemingly realizing the passage, the way to the temple, was
clear, bolted first to all fours, then leapt into a run. Paused to turn
and give a questioning yelp before running out. Laura stood with an  
expression of amused hurt. 

"That's most of my dates right there. A little heavy petting and then  
out the door. At least he thanked me." 

"Where's he going?" Diggers managed. Croft gave the shy and timid girl
she saw a reassuring look. 

"Off to find his master and tell him about us. It's not often an
intruder gives belly rubs but loyalty does have it's place. We better
get going." 

"What a minute," Gina urged shaking her head in disbelief of many
things, "You said there was no one else here. And why are we going this
way? It's no were near the library!" 

"Doubtless he belongs to our late, lamented and mouthy hermit. Either
was trapped or put here or some reason. Looked in good enough condition
considering how long he's been here…" 

Once more mystified at how crotchety old men could easily work levers
she herself had to perform minor gymnastic feats to get to, Croft found
herself ill prepared to have her college back away from her. More than
just worried concern showing on her face. 

"But…" Gina asked once more with a tremble. Chided herself for acting
like a sheep all this time. A lamb lead to slaughter. "But why are we
here? Away from the library?" Didn't bother to wait for an answer as she
pulled out her gun. Croft was more than a little surprised. 

"G-Gina?!" 

"Don't move!!" the blonde ordered as the other took a step. Took a more
ridged stance with both hands holding her weapon. Gave a grin. "You
honestly think I'm stupid?!" 

"With ten times my academic credentials?" the other said making a
gesture of putting up her hands, "Hardly." 

"Damn straight!" 

"That is," Croft added as she saw that Gina had managed to hold onto her
grapple gun, "till now of course. Gina," she added noting the suction
cup was aimed at her chest, "unless you're planning something kinky, I
suggest you put that thing away. And even if you are, for one thing this
is hardly the time and place for it. For another: contrary to what The
Sun says, My bread isn't buttered on that side." 

"What does toast have to do with anything? And that's Doctor Diggers to
you, you…you grave robber!" 

Right, Croft thought with a raised eyebrow, that's it! 

"Hear now, there's no need for name calling! Thank you very much…Miss
Gold Digger!" 

"Tomb Raider!" 

"Stereotypical blond! (If you really are!)" 

"Augmented British tart with extensions!" 

"Silicone injected American!" 

Gina Diggers paused to physically level her aim before verbally firing
off, "Cold blooded murder…" to which Croft reacted as if truly shot. 

"It's true isn't it?" Gina went as the other reeled. "Everyone who's   
ever gone against you. Has ever been with you, has died. And now you
want to kill me!" Croft's expression was truly wounded. 

"The only time I've killed is in self defense." she answered in a hush.
"And the last thing on my mind was hurting you or anyone." Gina was
unconvinced and inching towards the opening they had come from. 

"Oh, is that why you've been leading me here? We share in the risks till
I just happen to break my neck, skewered or feed to the old man's pets?!
Then I get turned into the next villain in your game series!? Probably
make me into some psycho lesbian while you sell off everything here!" 

"At least you're half way there." A deflated Croft dully retorted with
eyes cast down. Paid no attention to Gina as she hugged herself. Took in
a breath. Let it out. "So, that's what you think of me…I’m just some
murdering bitch in it for the money? I'm probably nothing more than Wile
E. Coyote with breasts. Heh…I should have seen it. I should have known.
All this time at the ceremonies, I just thought you didn't see me waving
to you. You were never around after I accepted and I told myself
something other than the obvious fact…I am such an idiot…" 

Taken aback but still fearing an attack, Diggers relaxed her stance
almost to the door as Croft took a deep inhale. Drew in strength. 

"Right!" she said loudly expelling the breath, "Now that that's out, can
we go now? As you've well pointed out, clever girl that you are, I have
a habit of losing colleges. I'd hate to lose their sisters as well." she
made to cross the bridge. 

"Ho-Hold it! Where do you think you're going?! What are you talking
about!?" 

Laura Croft turned around with a prim smile on her lips. Talked as if 
addressing a simpleton. 

"Why Mario, I'm going to go rescue the Toadstool Princess of course!" 

"Huh?!" 

"Oh, I'm terribly sorry," Croft corrected herself with a dismissive
wave, "wrong game. But you know the girl. Tall. Athletic. Can get     
away with wearing fur the only way animal rights activist won't       
complain about? I think she's an adopted relation to you or some such.
Lucky her…" 

"What…who are you talking about!? Brittany?!" 

"Ooo…we are the genius of the family aren't we? And if you recall, she
was last seen trapped in an avalanche with a dwarf and six other mental
midgets who would just like that kind of set up." 

"But she can take care of herself…" Gina heard herself say with little
confidence. 

"Well, six to one odds not including a falling mountain? I guess you   
would know better than me, she's suppose to be your sister and all.    
Still, if you don't mind your moral majesty, I'd like to see for myself.
Even if she is okay, she's probably sick with worry. You being trapped
with a murderess and all…" 

"But you're…" Gina began as a notion came to her. Laura filled the     
silence as her ‘victim’ at last lowered her gun. 

"…going the wrong way? Oh! How stupid of me! Or the monks rather. Making
only one way into their temple. You'd think that if they could figure
out the secrets of the universe, they'd be smart enough to put a secret
backdoor in somewhere. Use it only in an emergency and make so it can
only gotten to from one side. Say…the back of their temple in the
service areas. Even the last of their number would have forgotten about
it." Clapped her hands to together in mock awe.  

"Why Doctor Diggers! What a brilliant observation! I wish I had thought
of it, but I was just so busy trying to stab you in the back and steal
all the credit, that it just went over my scheming limey head! I
wouldn't even think about seeing to your sister who right now could be
dead for all we know. Or worse. But things like that wouldn't bother me
now would it?! I'm a heartless murdering real life bitch accurately
portrayed by a bloody video game character!!" 

After a huffing pause in which Gina could not meet her stare, Laura
Croft turned and crossed the bridge. The shamed blond held her grapple
gun to her chest for comfort. 

"A…Doctor Croft…" Gina managed humbly as the other was two thirds
across. Croft didn't even bother to turn. 

"Sod off…" 

"La…Laura…" 

"I SAID SOD OFF!!!" Croft barked giving the other one last glance. 

"You know, right now I am very tempted to live up to your expectations
of me." Croft growled. Added with a snort, "Goodbye doctor Diggers,
please enjoy your find…You're more than welcomed to it!" 

And she was gone. 

Feeling microscopic, Gina Diggers just stood there looking to the dirt
replaying every thought and conclusion she had ever had about her     
better known college. Reconsidered that all she really knew about her,
really knew about her, was gleamed by a four by four inch pamphlet that
told you more about how to make a character run, jump and die over and
over and over again. 

Before her sisters copy of the game broke ‘accidentally’. 

Something on the ground caught the girl's attention and she picked it up
having a remote idea it did not belong there. And while the folded piece
of yellowed paper did indeed look old, she highly doubted the ancient
monks would have used modern day newsprint to inscribe their records.
Thought the fragile looking wax paper it was sandwiched between would
have confused a lesser archeologist. 

Unfolding it however made her try and deign it's probable origin as she
accepted the information it contained. Her reaction was mixed: her
stunned face going pale with shock, then gaining a blush. She refused to
believe it. 

A growl from the returning dog awoke her from a stunning revelation. It
looked to her with it's head lowered from a safe distance, then came
closer seeking the one this other intruder was with. At Gina's side
however it sat on it's hindquarters taking a more friendly posture.
Wagged it's tail more as she knelt to pat it's head. Her own face a
frown. 

Gun with no real offensive ability on the ground, she let the dog sniff
the paper and confirm her own suspicions with it's hopeful whine. Looked
to it, then the bridge and the passage beyond before holding up her chin
and offering the mutt her throat. 

"Right here friend, just bite down right here. Do me a favor." 

The dog licked her cheek instead. Then showed it's belly for patting as
it wiggled in the dirt. Gina complied absently. 

"Lets hope some of us can make a better second impression just as
easily…"  

To be concluded...