This will probably be a oneshot. I have ideas but I may do them separately at a later date. Much later, as I'm supposed to be doing coursework and revising for my exams. We'll see.

I wrote this cos I actually quite like Kate, though I know a lot of people don't, so I wanted to show more of the soft, vulnerable side we've already seen a glimpse of, as well as a result of being rather peeved that it switched focus between eps 4 & 5 from Much/Kate/Allan to Kate/Robin without any hint (or chemistry!) and I know she does get with Robin at some point but I don't like the idea so I threw it out the window! Bye bye! *waves* And anyway isn't it just wrong that the cutest guy on the show (in my opinion, now that Will has gone!) has never had a girlfriend?! And anyway, Robin has every girl fall for him, what does he need another one for?! lol! OK, rant over! Hope you like!

xxlaxx

Dreams of Ruthless Rufus

Rufus circled the two outlaws hanging from the ceiling, his sword tip grinding along the ground. He was clearly enjoying the obvious terror of the girl, but the man's calm exterior was beginning to annoy him. They were chained to a pair of butchers hooks suspended from the ceiling, the man with his eyes closed and head bowed, waiting for his fate, while the girl panted with fear, watching him circle them. Him first then. Rufus' hand reached out and grasped Allan's shoulder, readying his sword for the kill, ignoring Kate's terrified pleas.

"No, don't, please! NO!" She swung herself sideways, desperately trying to push Allan away from the blow, but to no avail. Allan struggled equally hard to keep her out of the sword's path, pushing back against her so that he was blocking her efforts.

No last minute rescue. No Robin to save them. Not this time.

Rufus shoved Kate aside and struck Allan across the abdomen with the flat of his sword, knocking the wind out of him, before deciding to savour his moment of victory for a few seconds more. He walked back around in front of them, paused with a look of cruel satisfaction on his face, before suddenly plunging his sword through Allan's chest. Kate let out an anguished scream. Allan's head jerked up and his eyes snapped open, but he didn't make a sound. The two men stared each other straight in the eye, but still Allan remained silent, despite the shock and pain on his face. Rufus sneered as he twisted the sword in Allan's torso, grinning evilly when he was rewarded with a strangled gasp. He watched with satisfaction as Allan began to choke and gasp for breath, his blood pooling at his feet. Allan kept his eyes locked firmly on Rufus', even as blood leaked from the corner of his mouth and the light in his eyes dimmed. Rufus withdrew the sword and Allan fell limp in the chains.

Dead.

"Allan! No, no! ALLAN!" Kate was sobbing uncontrollably, cursing and screaming at the top of her lungs, struggling wildly against her chains, not caring about the blood running down her arms from her torn wrists or the tears streaming down her face. "Damn you! Damn you to hell, you bastard, you murdering bastard!" Rufus chuckled appreciatively as he watched her efforts for a minute, then held the bloodied sword at eye level in front of her as she continued to sob. She immediately fell quite, tears still streaming down her trembling face as she watched Allan's blood drip from it, horrified. She closed her eyes as he silently placed the edge against her neck, leered at her and then drew it quickly across her throat-

***

Kate sat up with a start, clutching her throat and panting heavily. God, she hated that dream! She quickly looked across to Allan's bunk, where he was usually sleeping soundly. The sight of him always reassured her after this particular nightmare... only he wasn't there!! Frantically she threw her legs over the side and looked around for him. Robin, Much, John, Tuck... all in their rightful places. Allan, however, was nowhere to be seen. She felt the panic rising in her before managing to quash it with logic. It was just a dream, she told herself firmly.

Only it wasn't just a dream; it had very nearly happened. But Robin had saved them, at the very last second. Kate shuddered as the memories washed over her. She resisted the feelings of resentment towards her friends and comrades, which sometimes crept up on her; resentment for fuelling her rebellious side, which she had managed to keep in check until she'd gotten involved with them. Two months ago she'd been safe at home with her mother, sister and brother, not homesick from being forced to live in the forest with a bunch of smelly outlaws, or mourning her murdered brother, and with no terrifying memories and dreams of 'what might have been' to haunt her. Instead here she was, having nightmares about things she had no business knowing about, and all because of Robin Hood. Not that she wasn't grateful, even if she wasn't good at showing it; it was her own fault she'd had to leave home, and her decision to stay with them, and they'd all welcomed her. Especially Much. Ugh, Much. She hugged herself tightly, and then looked up as she heard light footsteps just outside the camp. She sighed with relief as Allan's head poked in.

"Y'alright?" he whispered as he frowned worriedly at her, "Sounded like you were havin' one helluva dream; I could hear ya outside! I'm surprised you didn't wake the others."

"Yeah, I'm fine. Like you said; just a dream." She hesitantly smiled up at him as he walked towards her. His eyes narrowed as he crouched in front of her.

"Then why are you crying?" His voice was so soft it was barely audible as he reached up and gently wiped the tears from her cheek, his hand lingering there as he offered her a comforting smile, which she weakly attempted to return. Her lip trembled as she looked into his eyes, the agonising nightmare images of his death flashing through her mind. She squeezed her eyes shut and quickly turned her head away from his touch, and he slowly lowered his hand. He gave her a few seconds to compose herself before he continued.

"So, what were you dreaming about?" He asked her cautiously, so as not to upset her. "I mean, if you don't mind my asking?" Kate was silent for a few seconds, and then found herself blurting out the truth, still unable to look at him.

"It was just a nightmare. I've had it a few times now." She tried to shrug off the fear, to act like it didn't matter, but she could tell from his face that he could see straight through her. Her lip trembled as she confessed "It always seems so real. About... Rufus. About us, tied up in that butcher's shop. Only Robin doesn't turn up. He... he kills you, but always in a different way, and... and..." She swallowed and couldn't continue, but she didn't need to; he understood completely. Without a second thought he pulled her into his arms as fresh tears began to well in her eyes.

"Hey..." he soothed. "Rufus is dead. We're both here and we're both fine... s'alright!" She wrapped her arms around his neck, and he rested his chin on top of her head as he tenderly stroked her hair. They sat like that for a few minutes, him gently rocking her until her quiet sobs ceased. They pulled apart and Kate bowed her head and closed her eyes for a few seconds. Then she took a deep, steadying breath, and looked back up at him with a smile.

"Thank you." She whispered, the sincerity showing in her eyes, and the tears still glittering on her cheeks in the moonlight.

"Wow... 's'that gratitude?!" he teased affectionately, the warmth in his eyes causing her smile to grow into a proper grin. "Now I'm really worried!"

Her hands were still resting on his shoulders and his were on her waist. Both their smiles faded into much more intense looks as their eyes met and held. They stayed like that for a few seconds, gazing at each other. Her eyes flickered from his, down to his lips, and back again, as they slowly started to draw nearer to each other.

Suddenly, Much made a noise in his sleep and the spell was broken. They both looked over at their sleeping friend as they pulled away from each other, startled and blinking.

Kate closed her eyes and bit her lip as she shook her head to clear it, allowing her defences to quickly rebuild themselves, although she couldn't prevent the burning flush in her cheeks. She hoped that it was hidden by the darkness. What had she been about to do?! By the time she looked back up at him she had completely regained her composure.

Allan saw her movements and the hardening of her features and took it as a sign that he had overstepped his bounds. Their relationship was fragile at best, built on teasing, bickering, flirting and, occasionally, acts of heroism, or stupidity, or both, in life-and-death situations, but was not deep by anyone's definition. She was vulnerable, and he would never take advantage of that; he couldn't ever forgive himself if he did. It surprised him just how much that bothered him. She clearly wasn't comfortable with him yet, and they certainly shouldn't have done what they were about to do. He gave her his best cheeky grin to cover the awkwardness, gave her hand a reassuring squeeze, then stood and sauntered over to his own bunk. He lay down, and she followed suit. He lay listening as her breathing gradually steadied, watching her across the 'room' as she tried to get comfortable.

She turned onto her side, then propped herself up on her elbow, facing him. "What were you doing outside?"

She saw the twinkle in his eyes and the flash of his grin in the moonlight as he chuckled gently. "Just stretching my legs – I couldn't sleep."

"Oh, right..." She smiled, slowly settling back down and pulling the blanket up around her shoulders.

"G'night, Kate" he said gently.

She watched as the glint of moonlight in his eyes disappeared behind his closing eyelids.

"'Night..."

***

As it happens, she had woken one of the others.

Much lay filled with indignation at what he'd just witnessed while they'd thought he was asleep. He couldn't believe it; Allan knew how he felt about Kate! They were supposed to be friends! He was boiling over with anger; what would have happened if he hadn't coughed when he did?! So what if she wasn't interested in him at the moment; she thought he was legendary! Then again, she had technically included Allan in that too... and there was no way he could compete with him! Certainly not, considering the fact that he took his lead from Allan when it came to talking to girls, anyway. But, then again, Allan was also dirty, smelly, and much more trouble than he'd ever been! And, she thought he was full of himself! But still... after what he'd seen tonight...? Hmmm...

Inside his head he screamed at Allan:

Not fair! I saw her first!!

There ya go, hope you liked it! No smoochies, but hey, I didn't wanna give away too much, too soon! And yes, I do love Robin and Much too, but they had Marian (and Isabella!) and Eve, and I think Allan and Kate works better!

Please review! If you do you'll get a cookie! Or did I eat them all... =/

xxlaxx