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The room was cold and quiet. On the desk, maps and papers were scattered everywhere.
Sam stood by the window, she was staring at the empty street in London. Her hands were shaking, but she didn’t move. She was waiting for something.
Then she heard footsteps behind her.
Sam already knew who it was.
She turned.
Lara stood in the doorway, messy and out of breath, eyes locked on Sam like she could see right through her. She looked angry, but underneath that anger was something else. Something deeper. Hurt.
“London,” Lara said, her voice low. “Doesn’t really sound like ‘overseas’ to me.”
Sam didn’t move. She didn’t speak at first, just watched Lara walk closer, step by step.
“I didn’t want you to follow me,” Sam finally said, voice small but steady.
Lara kept walking, closing the door behind her like it was final. Like she wasn’t going anywhere this time.
“‘A job overseas,’” Lara repeated softly. “That’s what you told Jonah. That’s what you told me.”
Sam looked away. She hated this, hated how small she felt in this moment. “If I told you the truth… you would’ve dropped everything to find me. You always do.”
“And you think that makes it better?” Lara said, her voice shaking, but quiet. That was worse than shouting. It meant she was really angry. Really hurt.
Sam finally met her eyes again.
“I had to lie,” she said. “I can’t be the reason you keep throwing yourself into danger. I won’t be.”
Lara took another step closer.
“Don’t ever make that choice for me,” she said. “Not when it’s me.”
Sam felt like her heart was going to break right there. She could fight tombs, storms, enemies, but not this. Not Lara standing in front of her, looking at her like she was the only thing that mattered.
“This was my mess,” Sam said, voice shaking. “You always show up like I’m some kind of… of helpless girl who needs saving-”
“I don’t think you’re helpless,” Lara cut in. “You’re the only person I care about.”
Sam’s breath caught. Like the words hit her harder than anything else had. She wanted to run, but she didn’t.
“Don’t…” she whispered, “don’t say that…”
Lara tilted her head, studying her.
“Why? Does it scare you? Or does it make you happy?”
Sam swallowed hard, cheeks burning. “Both.”
Lara’s lips curled into a small smile.
“Good.”
That was it. Sam broke. She grabbed Lara’s jacket and pulled her close, hiding her face against Lara’s shoulder. Like she was done fighting. Done pretending.
“I’m sorry,” she whispered. “I didn’t want to lie. I just… didn’t know what else to do.”
Lara’s arms came around her, strong and steady.
“Just don’t lie to me again,” Lara whispered in her ear.
“I won’t,” Sam promised, voice shaking.
Outside, they could still hear the city. Gunfire, sirens, life going on like normal.
But in that room, nothing else mattered.
Just Lara. Just Sam.