A/N **sob** this is it...the last chapter of Amour Sombre... :0(

Chapter 18: A New Beginning

The sun was just rising when Kurtis awakened. The warmth missing from Lara's body was what caught his attention. Sleepily, he reached out for her. She wasn't there. Finally opening his eyes, Kurtis's suspicions were confirmed. Lara was not in bed. Running his hand through his hair, and messing it up, he climbed out of bed. He had a hunch about where she was.

Lara let the water caress her body. Her arms made little waves as she did backstrokes through the large indoor pool. The dim blue lights bounced off the water. All was silent. She was completely at peace.

"Hey," said a gentle voice.

A smile danced on Lara's face. She could see him wading his feet in the water from the corner of her eye. Her backstrokes continued until she reached him. In one graceful movement, she pulled herself out of the water and sat next to him on the pools edge. Their feet swimming in the water.

"Hey," she replied, looking at him. He looked even better (if you can believe that). She loved his 'I just woke up' look. The boxers. No shirt. Tousled hair. It was adorable.

Kurtis walked into the poolroom already knowing she'd be there. And he was right. There she was, doing backstrokes. The water ran over her exposed flesh while soaking her bathing suit. It was a black bikini. Her hair was pulled back into a ponytail, but not its customary braid. God, she looked great. He wanted to say something, but she looked so peaceful. He didn't really want to disturb her. Yet, he couldn't help himself.

"Hey," he said softly while seating himself at the pool's edge.

The water was cool against his bare feet. Kurtis never took his two burning blue embers off of her form as she swam to the pool's edge. In one swift movement, she pulled herself out of the pool and sat next to him. Her eyes locked onto his own.

"Hey," she said.

A heartbeat passed before he could no longer hold back. Kurtis planted a kiss to Lara's lips, pool water mixing with her usual taste of honey and lily.

"You good?" he asked her.

Lara hesitated a moment before answering. "Better. Much better. I love you."

"How can you not? Look at me! I'm devilishly good looking."

"Why you egotistical git!" she said, shoving him. And it had been just strong enough to knock Kurtis right into the pool.

He paused for a moment, just looking at her with surprise in his eyes. But it passed and the look was replaced with one of mischief. Lara clamped her hand over her mouth to stop from laughing. It didn't work. Her laughter filled the room as she backed away from the pool's edge.

"Think it's funny do you?" he asked, climbing out of the pool and walking towards her.

"What? Of course not!" she replied, still laughing. Her back pressed against the wall. Nowhere to run. "Kurtis, don't you dare!" she warned.

"Is that a dare, Ms. Croft?"

All she could do was shake her head and try not to smile. Again, it didn't work. Kurtis grabbed her by the waist and before she knew it, Lara was being carried over his shoulder. He walked over to the pool, her protests filling his ears. But with a wicked smile, Kurtis dropped Lara in the pool. By the time she was back out, he had already run out of the room and was heading for the bedroom. She was hot on his heel though.

Lara chased him all through the gym and main hall. Then, taking two stairs at a time, she went up to the second floor and hung a left until she was in their bedroom. Slowly, she walked into the room. Where was he? Probably hiding behind the door, the idiot.

But she was wrong. He wasn't behind the door and as she was looking there, Kurtis jumped out from the bathroom, the showerhead in his hand. The cord was just long enough for him to reach the bathroom doorway. And without a moment to spare, he cranked the water on. Yes! Target hit!

Lara screamed as freezing cold water hit her from behind. Turning around, she saw Kurtis showering her with water from the bathroom's showerhead. That was it! Now it was war! Running to the bed, she rolled over it and landed right beside Kurtis. He quickly shut the water off, dropped the showerhead, and knocked them both onto the bed. He ran his hands to her hips and tickled her. Lara squirmed, laughed, and gasped for air, begging him to stop. Finally, he did.

Soaked and exhausted, they just laid there. Lara moved closer, resting her head on Kurtis's chest. He wrapped his arm around her. Holding her that close was becoming intoxicating.

"I love you too," he said.

"I know," she replied.

"Now what?"

"What do you mean?" she asked him, puzzled.

"Now what do we do with our lives?" he replied.

"Oh. I don't know. Just...live. I've gotten plenty of new requests for jobs. Feel like helping me get back to work?"

Kurtis thought about it for only a second. "Sounds good to me."

"Good," Lara agreed.

The sun finished rising, warming the Croft Manor. And they both remained there for a long time, in each other's arms. Embraced in love and peace.

::::: THE END :::::

A/N

Well...we have reached the end at last. Fear not, little ones! The first chapter of the sequel is up and ready for the picking. Hope you'll enjoy it as much as you enjoyed this one (and then some). Thanks SO MUCH for all the love and support...you all rock! Take care! ~ LadyFiend

p.s. Don't forget to checkout my Lara/Kurtis fansite and home of the official Lara/Kurtis fanlisting

Also...the sequel is named: Amour Sombre II: The Black Pearl