Disclaimer: I do not own Robin Hood.

"Are you sure you are fine?"

"Always," Much answered. "You're worrying too much, Djaq. I thought that was my role in our group."

"It will always be your role," Will answered. "My wife can't help channeling you at the moment."

Djaq, the former Saracen slave, lightly smacked her husband on the arm. "This from the man who has already made the baby's crib, even though she isn't due for months."

"If he's anything like his mother, he'll want to be early. And that was for Bassam's place, he's still going to need something for here."

Much watched the domestic scene with a sad smile on his face. "Have the two of you found a place yet?"

"No, Robin is insisting we stay with him until he can find us a small manor. Luke is also demanding we stay with him as is "Uncle Allan", as he now demands we call him."

"Which means the old camp for us until we can find a place," Djaq finished for her husband. "Truth be told, we both miss it."

"Same here," Much confided. "I stopped by a few weeks ago; the old girl is still standing. You did us proud, Will."

Will Scarlett let his simple smile express his thanks as he took Djaq's hand in his and the three remained silent for long moments, lost in their own pasts. Squeezing her husband's hand, Djaq Scarlett quickly got out of her chair; the pregnancy not hindering her graceful movements in the slightest. "Speaking of Allan, he wanted us to stop by the castle before we move back into the camp. Much, do you care to join us?"

"Actually, an argument might be just the thing I need to get me out of this funk. I haven't seen the rascal for a few weeks."

"We feel bad that we never get to see any of you when we are over in the Holy Land; so imagine our surprise when we get here and discover the rest of you never see each other either!" Djaq sighed, the twinkle still evident in her eyes, belying the concerned sound.

"Maybe I can organize a feast! That's it; and maybe we can even hold it in our old camp. With you two back, even John can't say no to some sort of festivity. What do you think?"

"I think it sounds grand," Djaq said.

"Like the days of old," Will agreed. "Only this time, we'll actually have meat and the Sheriff is on our side."

"Then it's settled. I'll talk to Robin tomorrow, but for now, let's go tell Allan."

The threesome set off through the town of Nottingham, debating various baby names.

"What's wrong with Mildred?" Much asked in exasperation as Djaq's nose scrunched at that suggestion.

"Do I even need to say?" she laughed. "I was thinking of Akmal."

"That's a name?" Much scoffed. "It sounds like you got some food stuck in your throat."

"You like it don't you, Will?" Djaq asked her husband.

"Um," Will stuttered. "What other names are you thinking?"

"See, Will agrees with me!" Much proclaimed proudly.

"He didn't agree with you, Much," Djaq pointed out.

"No, he's being smart and not disagreeing with you outright so that your crazy pregnant ways don't hurt him," Much said with a broad smile.

"Is that right, husband of mine?" Djaq asked archly. "Are you simply appeasing your pregnant wife?

"Thanks, Much," Will muttered, giving the former servant a black look. With his wife still looking at him crossly, opening her mouth to lecture him, Will did the first thing that came to mind.

Much watched with a sad smile firmly in place as Will Scarlett stopped his wife in her tracks with a passionate kiss in the middle of the Locksley Market.

"Stop you two, before I throw you both in the dungeon to dampen that inappropriate ardor," a voice rang out.

"As if anything is inappropriate in your eyes," Will said as he loosened his grip on his now slightly dazed wife. "We were just on our way to see you, Allan."

"Well then let's get back to the castle. I was just finishing checking on the progress of the orphanage, it should be ready in a few month's time."

"Thank you, Allan," Djaq said.

"Thank Robin for the funding, and Will for his free help building the place. I just oversee."

"Your favorite thing to do," Much chimed in with a smile on his face.

"Well hi, Much; I didn't see you there," Allan said with his own smile. "How are you, my friend? It's been awhile."

"Good," was all Much could say. Allan cocked his head at his; it wasn't Much's nature to answer questions so succinctly. He was distracted from pursuing by Djaq's hand on his arm.

"Come, we should talk more of the orphanage and we were also discussing names for the baby. I'm sure you have some pithy names you'd like to add to the list."

"Yes, and Djaq should be off her feet," Will added with an arch look at his wife.

"Stop worrying, mate," Allan said before Djaq could answer her husband. "But the castle is this way in case you've forgotten." Offering his arm to Djaq, the three headed off in the direction of Nottingham Castle, Much following to catch up to the trio. Nothing unusual here Much thought to himself, but with less vigor than he had experienced years ago. He had grown up to become a more thoughtful man; less prone to the emotional outbursts that had marked his years in the gang. Add to this his recent experience with Eve, which had crushed a part of him he hadn't known existed; Much didn't know who he was anymore. But with no woman and no real purpose in his life anymore; it left him with plenty of time to figure it out; as long as I keep Djaq from prying.

Much was jostled out of his blackening thoughts by the lithe form of a girl who he found tangled up in his arms. "Sorry, sir!" she said. "I was in a hurry and I guess I didn't look where I was going."

"Are you okay?" Much asked.

"I'm fine, sir. Good day!" the unknown girl ran off; Much watching her disappear down the street. She's kind of cute, he mused.

"Much, are you coming?" he heard Allan yelling. With one more look at where the girl had disappeared, Much couldn't shake a niggling feeling. Muttering to himself, Much shook his head and jogged to catch up to his friends. Listening to their conversation as the group reminisced; Much couldn't stop his thoughts from replaying the few moments with the girl. What is wrong with me? Why can't I let this go?

"And they never knew; no one can beat an A Dale when it comes to pinching purses!" Allan crowed; catching Much's attention. With a sinking feeling, Much felt for his own money purse only to find it gone. "That little thief!"

A/N: Once again trying to stave off writer's block on TLM. This is a story I've wanted to write for awhile, but thanks to narnal and magical-archer for convincing me to get writing. This is for you two!

Reviews are appreciated as always. As well as suggestions, wishes for the story and constructive criticism. Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoyed!