"It's just so hard for me to let go…you know?" Marian explained as Robin offered her a glass of wine,

"I know, he was my best friend, it was funny how we've never met before though," Robin smiled,

"I guess Carter was just being protective over me that's all," Marian laughed,

"Was he always like…protective?" Robin smiled,

"Oh god yea…there was this one boy when I was 16, my first proper boyfriend, well I went upstairs to get changed and I heard Carter go to him…If you break her heart, I'll break every single bone in your body," Marian laughed,

"Poor guy and did he break your heart?" Robin asked,

"Nope, the other way round actually, I just didn't see him like that…come to think of him…I never really did," Marian sighed,

"What was his name?"

"Guy…Guy Gisbourne…he even followed me here…Carter used to say he was obsessed with me,"

"I recognize that name…he was at our station a few weeks ago, looking for a new job," Robin said,

"Oh god, please say you didn't give it him?" Marian said,

"'Fraid so…only desk work like…he wasn't fit enough to come out with us," Robin grinned,

"Yea that sounds just like him," Marian nodded smiling,

"I'm gonna miss him," Robin smiled sadly,

"Me too…I have no one now," Marian sighed trying not to cry,

"Hey…that's not true, you have your friends…you can always talk to me?" Robin offered,

"That's really sweet of you…thanks," Marian said, kissing him gently on the cheek, as soon as her lips touched his skin an image came into both of their minds,

"Erm…we should get to the pub…" Robin said looking into her eyes,

"Yea, everyone will be waiting," Marian smiled getting up to put her coat on,

RMRMRM

Once Marian was there, she quickly got to introducing everyone,

"Girls, this is, Robin, Will, Allan and Much," Marian smiled, "Guys this is, Saffiyah, Mira and Dean,"

"Nice to meet you," Will said shyly as he shook Saffiyah's hand,

"The pleasure's all mine," Saffiyah smiled both of them blushing deeply, she looked deep into his eyes, she recognized those eyes, she recognized Will, but couldn't place him,

"Haven't I met you some place before?" Will smiled, he knew that he had met this girl before; he would never forget such beauty,

"I ain't bein' funny…I've met you before…did I sleep with you?" Allan asked Mira,

"Ha! You would be so lucky," Mira said as she smirked,

"Well…I was gonna offer to buy you a drink, but I guess I'm not that lucky," Allan smirked as he walked over to the bar, leaving Mira open mouthed,

"Oh my…you just totally got blazed!" Marian laughed as Mira turned back round,

"I can't believe that…he is so hot," Mira said,

"Where is Dean?" Marian asked looking round for her,

"She went off with that Much dude," Saffiyah said breaking her conversation with Will,

"Oh right, well…oh wait," Marian said as she answered her phone,

"Marian…where are you my love?" Guy asked,

Marian rolled her eyes at my love, "I'm out at a club Guy, and it's to celebrate Carter's life,"

"The Outlaw?" Guy asked,

"Yes, are you coming later?" Marian asked,

"Yea, sure I will, see you later," Guy said before he hung up,

"Guy's coming," Marian told the girls,

"Great, Marian I don't know why you don't break up with him," Mira complained, "He is such a bore,"

"I know, but I think he's fallen pretty hard, I don't…" Marian trailed off,

"Hey Saffiyah…do you want to dance?" Will asked finding a sudden interest on the floor,

"Sure," Saffiyah said smiling up at him bashfully,

"I like your top," Saffiyah shouted over the noise of the music,

"Thanks, you look very pretty," Will blushed,

"You don't look too bad yourself…so you worked with Carter?" Saffiyah asked,

"Yea, we worked with each other for years," Will said smiling,

"I miss him, I can't begin to understand what Marian or Robin might be going through," Saffiyah sighed,

"I know, it must be awful to lose a brother and your best friend," Will agreed

"You're a pretty good dancer," Saffiyah laughed,

"Thanks, makes one of us then," Will winked, he didn't know why, but he felt so comfortable around Saffiyah that he could be himself without feeling conscious,

"Oi, I'm gonna get you for that later," Saffiyah laughed slapping him gently on the arm, he made her relaxed, she didn't feel like she had to try and impress him,

XxX

"Robin, I made it as soon as I could," Sarah said pushing her way through the crowd to the booth were Marian, Robin, Allan and Mira were sitting,

"Hey babe, this is Marian, Carters sister and Mira," Robin said getting up to kiss her,

Marian felt her heart sink for some reason, but she couldn't exactly say anything as she was with Guy,

"I'm very sorry for your loss," Sarah said politely, but something told Marian that this was only pretence,

"Thanks,"

"Do you want a drink babe?" Robin asked as he got up,

"Yea please, vodka and coke," Sarah smiled as she sat in his place, next to Marian,

"Marian?"

"Guy, glad you could make it," Marian smiled as he pulled her into a hug,

"I got here as fast as I could," Guy smiled,

Robin came back with the drinks to see someone else had joined the table,

"Gisbourne?" Robin growled, "What the hell are you doing here?"

"You two know each other?" Marian asked looking from one to the other,

"Yea, we used to work together," Guy smiled,

"Oh right," Marian nodded slowly as Guy snaked his arm round her,

"I ain't bein' funny, you wanna go get a drink Mira?" Allan said dragging her away from all the tension between the couples,

"So how long have you been together?" Marian asked Sarah and Robin,

"We've been together for four years and engaged for two," Sarah grinned showing Marian the ring,

"Engaged…congratulations," Marian said forcing a smile as she caught Robin's eye,

Marian felt like crying right there and then, there was something about Robin that made her want him all to herself,

"What about you two?" Sarah asked as Robin reluctantly tore his gaze from Marian, he didn't know why, but he wished it was Marian he was engaged to, not Sarah, he felt like he knew Marian like his…well…his…soul mate,

"We've been together for a year, we met just after Marian had the accident," Guy explained squeezing her hand,

"Do you mind if we ask what happened?" Sarah asked,

"No, I was in a coma for six months," Marian said bluntly,

"Oh right,"

"Guy will you stop being all over me, for god sake," Marian snapped, all of a sudden she wasn't in a very good mood as she watched Sarah pull Robin into a kiss,

"Marian…" Guy warned,

"Do not Marian me!" Marian yelled storming from the table,

"Marian, wait!" Guy shouted thundering after her, "I warned you Marian," he said once he pulled her round the corner so no one could see her, as he brought his hand up and smacked her round the face,

"Do not do that again,"

"Sorry," Marian mumbled nursing her cheek,

"Now, we are going to go back to the table," Guy said as he held a tight grip on her upper arm,

"Sorry about that," Marian said as they sat back down again,

"It's ok," Sarah smiled, Robin could tell something was wrong, but the way Marian kept touching her cheek

Guy gave Marian a hard squeeze on her arm where he still had her on a grip,

"No I shouldn't have gone off like that," Marian said adamantly as she tried not to let the pain show,

Robin suddenly saw the red hand mark on her face and the way Guy was holding her upper arm,

"You know what I hate?" Robin asked looking directly at Guy,

"What might that be?" Guy asked,

"Fucking arse holes, who think it's ok to go around hitting woman, don't you Guy?" Robin asked,

"Sometimes they deserve it," Guy countered,

"How about I take you outside, give you a fucking beating?" Robin said standing up,

"She's mine, not yours don't tell me how I can treat her," Guy said, loosening his grip on Marian so he could stand up too,

"You are a fucking dick!" Robin shouted lunging over the table,

"For god sake, can that boy never stay out of trouble," Allan moaned making his way back over to the table as did Will, so they could drag Robin off of Gisbourne,

"Come on Rob, he ain't worth it," Allan said,

"I think everyone should go home," Will said looking over sadly at Saffiyah,

"Come on Marian let's go," Saffiyah said gently,

"She is coming with me," Guy said taking her by the arm and dragging her out of the club,

RMRMRM

"I'm telling you he is a dick; he hits her for god sake, what kind of man does that?" Robin fumed as they sat in his apartment,

"He hit's her?" Allan said clearly shocked,

"Yea, I saw the marks…" Robin said, "I don't know, it's something about her, like I've known her all my life, I have this feeling of wanting to protect her, but love her, make her mine you know?"

"I know exactly what you mean," Will and Allan said nodding,

"She's coming by tomorrow to collect the rest of her Carter's things," Robin said looking around the room at the boxes,

"What about Sarah though?" Will asked, cracking open another beer,

"What about her? Before we come out of the club I saw her shagging another bloke…she can keep the ring," Robin shrugged as his phone vibrated once more with Sarah's number across it,

"Shit, I forgot to get Saffiyah's number!" Will cursed,

"I ain't bein' funny right, but don't worry, I have a feeling we'll be seeing a lot more of 'em," Allan grinned,

"I hope so mate, I hope so," Robin smiled,

"I'm so glad it's our day off tomorrow, I could use some time out," Will sighed,

"I was thinking about have a little dig in the garden, you know music, like a get together if you fancy it?" Robin asked,

"Yea, don't see why not," Allan shrugged,

"I'll invite the girls," Robin asked as Will began to open his mouth,

XxX

"Robin, open the door!" Marian shouted, banging on the door, she should've got the spare key,

"Alright, alright I'm coming, Jesus!" Robin grumbled opening the door in nothing but some track suit bottoms, the sight which took Marian's breath away, if she thought he looked defined with his shirt on, he was even better, you could grate cheese on his abs, she wasn't even going to start thinking about the rest of his body or she might not be able to stop herself jumping him,

"About time," Marian smiled as she pushed past him, feeling his hard muscle as she brushed her arm against his chest,

"Sorry, late night last night," Robin grinned sheepishly,

"I know…I just wanted to say thanks, for what you said to Guy, but I could've handled it," Marian smiled,

"It's ok, I know, but I just got so wound up," Robin said shaking his head,

"He was never like this, that's only the third time he hit me in the club," Marian explained, sitting on the couch,

"He shouldn't have started in the first place," Robin said, "Would you like some coffee before we get started?"

"Yea thanks…he told me to stay away from you," Marian said following him into the kitchen,

"What did you say?"

"Well obviously I told him where to stick it, or I wouldn't be here now would I?" Marian smiled as she saw Robin give a little laugh,

"Did he hurt you?" Robin asked turning round to hand Marian her coffee,

"Just a little bit," Marian shrugged taking a sip,

Robin sighed sadly, she was beautiful and she could get anyone she wanted, yet she had him,

"Where did he hit you?"

"It doesn't matter…shall we get started?" Marian said changing the subject as she placed her coffee down,

"It does matter," Robin said,

"Please Robin," Marian said,

"Fine…listen I'm having this barbeque this afternoon do you, Saffiyah, Mira and Dean want to come?" Robin asked leading them back into the living room,

"Sure, we'd love to," Marian smiled, "I know this is none of my business but…don't you live with Sarah?"

"Nope, I caught her shagging another bloke so I called it off," Robin shrugged like it was no big deal,

"Oh, I'm sorry," Marian said,

"Nah, don't be, she was a slag anyway," Robin said,

"That's nice…well looks like we're both starting a fresh," Marian laughed, as Robin gave her a quizzical look, "I called it off with Guy,"

"Good,"

"Yea, I thought about what you said to him at the club and you were right," Marian shrugged, "Although I didn't get out without getting a beating,"

"Show me," Robin ordered,

"It's nothing really," Marian began,

"Marian, show me…please…" Robin said looking into her eyes,

"Fine, but I told you, it was nothing," Marian said lifting up her top, to show the bottom half of her torso covered in red nasty bruises,

"He did that to you?" Robin fumed making for his car keys, "Tell me where he lives,"

"Robin, you're not going over there, it's in the past, he's in the past," Marian said laying her arm on his shoulder,

Robin looked at her hand and then at her as his face softened,

"Now, how about the sooner we get these boxes sorted the sooner everyone can come over?" Marian smiled,

"Yea ok then," Robin smiled,

"There was something I was kind of planning to ask you…but if some else already has then that's ok…but you see…the rent at my place has been increased by a lot and I was wondering, you need a roommate I need one…so…how about I move in here? That way it's a win, win situation?" Marian asked, blushing, he loved it when she blushed,

"That is a brilliant idea…roomy," Robin grinned as Marian hugged him,

"Great,"

"You can start moving in tomorrow," Robin said,

"The sooner the better," Marian laughed,

XxX

"So, we meet again," Saffiyah laughed as Will answered the front door,

"Don't sound too disappointed," Will grinned,

"Oh, I'm far from disappointed," Saffiyah laughed,

"Good, because I wanted to see you," Will smiled as he put his arm on the small of her back and led her to the garden,

"Likewise, so I hear that Marian's moving in here…nice place," Saffiyah nodded appreciatively, Carter always had good taste,

"Saff, about time, you're always late," Marian laughed greeting her best friend with a hug,

"I'm not late, you're all just early," Saffiyah grinned as everyone around her laughed,

"Come on then, the food is done," Robin grinned as everyone stood with their plates,

"Where are Much and Dean?" Saffiyah asked,

"Ahhh, unlike us they don't waste time…they're on a date," Mira grinned,

"I ain't bein' funny…Much on a date?" Allan scoffed,

"Yes, on a date, it's just a pity Dean bagged his first," Mira sighed looking for Allan's reaction,

"Yea, but then you wouldn't have gotten me," Allan grinned,

"Lucky me," came the sarcastic reply.

As the night went on, everyone was pretty much drunk, Allan and Mira had taken to playing twister and were in a very graphic position, while Saffiyah and Will were too busy kissing under the fairy lights to take any notice of what anyone else was doing,

"You are a great kisser," Saffiyah sighed breaking the kiss to look up at Will,

"Thanks, you're not so bad yourself," Will grinned, his arms around her waist,

"I've had plenty of experience," Saffiyah laughed, as Will brought her in for more,

"I haven't been this happy and carefree since Carter died," Marian sighed, looking into her can of beer,

"Me neither, it's weird walking around and not bumping to Carter," Robin said,

"Well you have me to bump into around the house now," Marian laughed,

"Yea…I miss him like hell, I can't imagine what you're going through," Robin said looking over at Marian, she looked hot tonight, with her striking blue eyes under little make up, a nice changed from Sarah, her nice size ten hour glass figure in those tight jeans and yellow baggy top with a brown belt around her waist,

"He was my rock, especially when our father died, I just miss him so much sometimes, you know?" Marian said tears coming to her eyes,

"Yea I do…don't cry, come here," Robin said pulling her into a hug,

"I can't help it," Marian sobbed into the front of his shirt,

"It's ok, he's in a better place now," Robin soothed,

"I'm sorry, I've wrecked your shirt," Marian said sitting up as she wiped the tears from her eyes,

"It's ok, I have plenty more," Robin laughed,

"Do you mind if I crash here tonight?" Marian asked giving a little yawn,

"Not at all, looks like everyone is crashing tonight, I'll show you to Carter's room," Robin smiled, leading her up the stairs to the second door on the right,

"If you need anything, my room is there," Robin said pointing to the other side of the hall,

"Thanks," Marian smiled appreciably as she closed the door behind her,

"Goodnight," Robin whispered, giving one last look at the door, before going into his own bedroom,

I think this is my longest chapter to date lol,

Well, what do you think?

Read and Review please lol,

Thanks,

RMF x.