We've Been Through so Much Together

Lara Croft played by King of the Klondike
Samantha Nishimura played by Toxicinsanity

Sam watched as Lara paced around their apartment. She'd known Lara ever since college, and they'd grown so close. When Lara talked about going to Yamatai, of course Sam went with her; She wouldn't know what to do if Lara got hurt. Plus, there was a need for adventure in Sam, too. She just wasn't prepared for how awful the island was. Sam was kidnapped and almost killed, and Lara almost died way too many times. Now, Lara wanted to leave again. "Lara, Sweetie, I know you've always been interested in this stuff... But have you forgotten about Yamatai? The things that happened to us? I thought we were never going to get home." Sam looked at her friend, mournful. "Most of us didn't."

@ ToxicInsanity
Lara had been informed about the possibility of an ancient king's tomb in the middle of Africa. A warlord had been attempting to uncover it to gain political power.Lara turned to look at Sara and sighed. "Sara, I've got to go. It's hard to describe but I've this urge to go where nobody has been in decades to centuries." Lara shut her suitcase and plopped down on the bed next to Sara. 'Besides if I didn't go to this what would I do? I'm not used to not having to do things." she told her.

"I know, but... Look, I think you need to slow down is all. We got back a few days ago. Aren't you still in a shock or something still? Please, just stay for now. Think about it. And if you really do still want to go..." Sam took a deep breath and looked at Lara, reaching over to touch her hand. "Then you can. God knows that there's no stopping Lara Croft once she has her mind set." Sam smiled slightly.

@ ToxicInsanity
Lara buried her head in the pillows and sighed loudly. Sam was right, she was still hurting a little from that last expedition. Especially with all of the friends she lost. Roth and Alex's death still rang loudly in her ears. Sleep was an option most night unless she had exhausted herself to the point where she didn't dream. But Sam had a point. "Alright, I'll stay for a week. But after that I am on the first flight out of here. Deal?" she asked.

"Deal. Thank you, Lara. Really. I just don't want to see you hurt, is all. You saved my life." Sam smiled at her friend. "I'm just grateful. I figure the best I can do is make sure you're safe." Sam moved closer to Lara and rested a hand on her arm. "I sure feel a lot safer with you."

@ ToxicInsanity
Lara smiled as Sam told her what she did. She patted her hand before standing up and grabbing a change of clothes out of the dresser. "Well, time for a shower." she told Sam as she padded off to the bathroom of her apartment. "I never realized how much I miss hot water." she told Sam as she shut the door.

"It's definitely a privilege!" Sam called out as Lara shut the door. She paused as she heard the water turn on, and turned to face the bathroom door. She remembered the time in college when she had accidentally stumbled into the bathroom when Lara was in the shower. She was incredibly drunk, and started laughing until she saw Lara... nude. it was quite the sight. She left, apologizing, but never forgot what she looked like. Sam questioned her sexuality a lot after that. She'd never felt like that.

@ ToxicInsanity
Lara stripped down to nothing and turned the water on. When the steam rose from the bottom of the tub she knew it was time for her to get in. Starting tomorrow she would be taking cold showers to prepare herself for being out in the field. For a moment her mind slipped off of Africa and went back to Yamatai. Roth, Alex she whimpered for a moment as she let out a small and silent sob. I'll never let that happen to my crew, ever again. she whispered before finishing the rest of her shower and drying off. She slipped sweats and a tank top on before tying her hair into a ponytail. She walked out back into her bedroom and looked at Sam. "Alright, what do normal people do these days?" she asked her.

"I'm not entirely sure what normal people do. But as for us? Why don't we put on a movie and I'll grab some popcorn." Sam stood up, grinning. She led Lara out of the room and walked to the kitchen. "Unless you have anything else on the brain? Maybe instead of the movie you could tell me all about the African adventure thing you want to do."

@ ToxicInsanity
Lara pondered for a moment. She really did want to tell Sam what she was going on an adventure for. But decided against it. "No, let's watch the movie. If I get started on Africa I'll go all night love." she told Sam as she walked into the kitchen with her.

@ King of the Klondike
"Alright, then. I can get the popcorn, you go pick a movie." Sam smiled. She honestly could listen to Lara talk or night. The utter passion in her voice is what convinced her to go to Yamatai in the first place. It was nice seeing her so happy.

@ ToxicInsanity
Lara walked over to her limited movie collection and started to thumb through it. She really needed to go buy some more DVD's. After a while she picked up a DVD one of her neighbor's lent her. "How about 47 Ronin?" she asked Sam as she sat criss crossed on the floor.

@ King of the Klondike
"Sure, fire it up." Sam said, smiling.

Sam smiled at her phone. Her friend, Rick had sent her a text about a big party. She hadn't been to a big party in a while, so the offer was very intriguing. Now it was just the task of getting Lara to go. Sam walked over to Lara, who was on her laptop. "Lara. How would you like to go to a party? You remember Rick, I introduced you to him ages ago. Anyway, he's having a party and you haven't been to one in a while. I haven't been to one in a while. Do you want to go? I won't go if you want to stay, But I think it'll be fun."

@ ToxicInsanity
Lara looked up from her laptop. She was checking her list to make sure everything was ready for her trip that was going to be in a few days. "A party?" she asked Sam. Lara frowned a bit. "I don't know love. Remember the last party we went to? How horrid everything turned out?" she asked her with a small amount of worry.

@ King of the Klondike
"Lara, I promise, I'll make sure everything is okay. I trust Rick, and you'll just have to trust me." Sam moved closer to her and smiled. "Before you go away, I want to be able to get out and have some fun. We might not get to do that for a long time..." Her smile shifted to a frown.

@ ToxicInsanity
Lara looked down for a moment. She knew that Sam really wanted to go to this party, but she was worried that she would embarrass Sam in front of all her other friends. After thinking about it for a minute she put on a small smile. "Alright, let's go to this party." she told her as she stood up and headed to her room. If she was going to go to a party she would have to look like she was at a party.

@ King of the Klondike
"Great! Aw, you're going to enjoy this, I promise." Sam said gleefully, rushing to her room to get changed. When she came out again in her little black dress, she grinned. "Oh, Lara, you're going to look beautiful! Well, more beautiful." Sam called, waiting for her friend.

@ ToxicInsanity
Lara smirked as Sam told her how beautiful she was going to look. She smiled and then stopped applying makeup to think for a minute or two. Who was she trying to impress? She wondered. She had never been the one to go out on dates or have boyfriends. Not that she didn't have time but she just never thought about it like that. Although there was that one boy once upon a time. She had lost her virginity to him and they had sex a few other times but it was never anything special. She stopped thinking and finished her makeup before putting on a tight little red dress that she wasn't even sure why she had it. Stepping out into her living room she looked at Sam. "How bad do I look?" she asked.

@ King of the Klondike
"Bad? Sweetie, you look incredible!" Sam reassured her with a big smile. "Now, come on! You and I are going to have so much fun!"

Sam knocked on the door to Rick's apartment. She and Rick used to have an on/off relationship, but agreed to stay mutual friends with the occasional hookup. Rick opened the door, already looking drunk. After walking inside, Sam looked around, smiling. "See? Music, alcohol and dancing! What's not to like, Lara?"