On one side of the marker stood an Army chaplain and full honor guard. On the other side stood D.C.'s wife and his parents. Behind them stood Lara, Jack, Terrell, and several other Delta operators. 

Lara was grief-stricken on this day. Not only was she sharing in the mourning of D.C.'s death, she had just come from London and the funeral of her friend Princess Diana, who was killed the same night Lara was in Africa. The black Armani dress Lara wore on this day was the same one she wore then before the eyes of the world. Despite her stiff British exterior, she was gripping Jack's hand through most of the ceremony. Jack was stoic himself, though Lara knew he was deeply sorrowful. Terrell stood on Jack's other side, a tight expression on his face. 

Lara took a moment to look around at the scene before her. All the soldiers were resplendent in dress blue uniforms, their medals and badges glinting in the sun. D.C.'s young wife was overcome with grief, clutching a folded American flag to her breast. His parents were obviously rural people, uncomfortable in their dress clothes and all this ceremony. Especially moving to Lara was the sight of D.C.'s father, tenderly consoling his sobbing wife, his sunken eyes reflecting what everyone felt. 

After the ceremony, Lara and Jack had a brief time together before her flight out. They walked hand in hand through a small garden talking about life and their future together. They both agreed that any relationship would be difficult given their demanding careers. But there was no denying the powerful feelings they had for each other. And Lara was surprised to learn that Jack was actually a soft-spoken and thoughtful man when not "on the job". Nevertheless, they agreed that they needed to put things on hold for now. They kissed and parted. 

********************************* 

The latest exhibit in the British Museum was an enormous raw diamond that made the Hope Diamond look like a pebble. Its origin was a strictly kept secret despite rumors of its association with the recent violence in Kenya. It was known that Dr. Lara Croft, Oxford adjunct and renegade adventuress, was involved in the stone's discovery. Late at night, when no one but custodial and security staff were in the building, people reported seeing an ethereal green glow from the stone and the unmistakable feeling of a presence in the room. When asked about this presence, people would characterize it as "blissfully happy". 

********************************* 

TWO WEEKS LATER: 

Lara was in her downstairs office working at the computer when she heard the doorbell chime. Remembering that Jeeves was taking a day off, she got up to answer it. As she crossed the tile floor of the massive Great Hall, she wondered how the security system failed to register the arrival. Well, it wasn't likely a threat. People with ill intentions don't generally come calling in the afternoon. Lara glanced at the small TV monitor by the vestibule. The figure standing outside seemed vaguely familiar but she couldn't place him. She opened the door. To her surprise, standing before her was Jack, wearing a leather jacket, jeans and black T-shirt His hair had grown out a bit and he had a couple of days growth on his face. He looked fabulous. 

"Hey, kiddo." 

"Jack! My God, what are you doing here?" 

"Well", Jack replied, "I'm on assignment to the SAS for cross training. I'll be in Hereford for the next year." 

"That's brilliant!" Lara exulted.  "But wait. How did you get through my security? Where are my dogs?" 

Jack laughed. "Boris and Karl are chowing down on a nice flank steak I bought in town. As for your little burglar alarm here, well, that's what I do for a living, isn't it?" 

Lara giggled despite herself. She threw her arms around Jack's neck and held him tightly. "Jack Kraemer, you are a man of many talents." 

Jack grabbed her around the waist, beaming. "Yup," he replied. "And I'm also a great cook." 

Lara pulled Jack inside and slammed the door shut. 

"Prove it." 

Dedication