Robin stepped out of the taxi and into the Olympic Village. He was instantly swamped by press,
'Are you competing this year?'
'How was the east?'
'How long have you been back?'
'Are you going for gold?'
'What about Marian?'
The questions came thick and fast, but he loved the attention.
'Um…yes I'm competing. The east was great, a real experience. I've only just landed early this morning. I will try for gold, of course I will, but we'll just have to see what happens'
'And what about Marian?'
'I really don't know' he sighed
'There was talk before you left. About a possible engagement. What can you tell us about that?'
About 15 microphones were shoved in his face eagerly awaiting his answer, For once he didn't know what to say.
'No comment? But I think you need to remember that that was 4 years ago and lots of things have changed since then' he was quite pleased with his quick answer.
'So, do you have a girlfriend?'
'No, I don't,' he grinned his famous Locksley grin, 'it seems I'm married to the sport!'
Marian and the rest of the gang were all in Will and Allan's room watching Robin arrive on the big screen, live. Marian was in a sort of trance as he spoke. Especially as he described his love life, and her.
She was wrong; he hadn't changed a bit. He was still as cocky and cheeky as ever. And he still wore that grin that made her go weak at the knees, she wanted him.
No, she scolded herself mentally for even thinking such things.
Suddenly Richard appeared on the screen pushing through the crowds,
'Robin, welcome home!'
'Richard! It's so good to be back'
He embraced him in a manly hug as the cameras snapped away and caught the moment.
'Come on, the team are waiting inside' he dragged Robin through the people towards the doors.
'Where's Much?'
'He jumped out to get some food; he refused to eat the crap the plane served up'
'Same old Much' laughed Richard.
They were now just meters away from the door, behind which the gang were all waiting.
'So, any big changes I should know about?'
'Will and Djaq are engaged'
'About bloody time!'
'And we've got a new girl on the team. Her name's Eve. Marian was doing so brilliantly that we took on another female, Eve Notts'
'Yeah, I think I read a bit about her a few years ago'
'So you've been following everything?'
'Yeah, when I cam. I watched Marian win gold in the cross country and kung fu championships'
'Yeah? We were all so proud. But all she really wants is a gold or two here'
'Don't we all!'
'Yes, so are you ready?'
As ever'
Richard put the key in the lock and turned it. The door swung open and Robin was rugby tackled to the ground by the gang. But Marian hung back a little. She still wasn't sure what to make of the whole situation.
Robin noticed her standing there awkwardly. He pushed out of the gang's grasp and walked over to her.
He tried to hide his nervousness with his cocky attitude.
'So, did you miss me?'
'I missed you more that you could ever know,' she replied in an icy voice, 'but I moved on and knuckled down to sport'
'Yeah, I saw you win the championships. You were amazing Maz'
'Thanks, but no one really calls me Maz anymore so I'd rather you didn't'
'Maiden then?'
'No, please don't'
'But it's my special name for you. I've always used it, like you always call me Hood'
'Well don't!' she snapped, 'that was four years ago! I've grown up! Maybe you should too!' She stalked out of the room and down the corridor to her own. Robin tried to follow her but she slammed the door in his face.
'Marian, are you ok? Open up'
'I'm fine,' she lied, 'I'm gonna get ready for the ceremony. I'm opening it then doing the flame and carrying our flag'
'Wow, busy day and the games haven't even started'
Yeah, so if you could leave me in peace please'
'Yes, yes of course. I'll be down the hall if you need me'
'Doubt it; I can dress myself'
Robin walked back to his room; he wasn't really in the party mood. And, in truth, he needed to get ready and un-pack too.
Marian threw her team GB track suit on and tied her hair up in a loose bun. He wasn't supposed to remember his pet name for her. He was supposed to have moved on and forgotten all about it like she had. Or at least, she thought she had. Maybe she did still love him. She still loved how hot he was, but surely that was just physical attraction and nothing more. Right? She didn't mean to be so nasty; she wanted to be civil. But in the heat of the moment it was all just too much and she had to get out. She needed to say sorry.
She rushed down the hall and flung open his door. She stopped suddenly,
'Sorry, I'm so sorry. I'll just…go'
He was standing in his room topless with his trousers un-done and he was just about to pull them down. He pulled the zipper up,
'No it's ok. You've seen it all before anyway'
'Yeah but…we were together then, it's different'
'I suppose. Anyway, what did you want?'
'Just to say sorry. I shouldn't have snapped at you like that. I'm just tired and it was all a bit much'
'And PMT'
'What?'
'Don't think I've forgotten your cycle! You were always so careful about not getting pregnant 'cos of being an athlete and all'
'Yeah but…how did you remember?'
'I haven't forgotten anything about you Marian. I never forgot you; you were always on my mind. What were you doing? Did you have a boyfriend? Were you training? Did you still look as hot as ever? And yes, you do'
She hadn't changed much in the 4 years he'd been away. Her hair was slightly longer and darker and she looked slightly more toned. But she still had the amazing round breasts and beautiful face that he remembered.
'Well so do you, annoyingly'
'Why?'
She sighed as she told him the whole thing,
'I thought I was over you. But you being here the same as ever…maybe I'm not. I don't know. Maybe it's just the stress of the games or whatever'
Her eyes glazed over his still exposed torso, he eyes landed on a long scar just under his right arm. He caught he looking and quickly threw on his track suit top.
'What's that?'
'Nothing'
'That's not nothing' she walked over to him and pulled up his top. She ran her fingers lightly over the scar. Her touch set fireworks off all over his skin. It burned, but in a good way.
'I…I just got hurt'
'Richard said, but he said it wasn't sporting'
'No, some idiot stabbed and mugged me. Nothing really'
'Shit! That's hardly nothing! Did they catch the guy that did it?'
'Nah, they had nothing to go on. He came from behind so I didn't even see him'
'Well as long as you're ok'
She realised her hand was still resting on his chest and she whipped it away. So fast that she whacked it on a chest of draws
'Fuck! That hurt!'
'Here, let me see. I'll kiss it better'
'Dream on! But I'm telling you, if it still hurts when I compete any medal you win will me mine!'
'You're on. So tell me what's been going on while I was away'
'Robin, you were away for 4 years and we have to be at the stadium in half an hour! I can't fit it all in! What do you want to know?'
'About Djaq and Will. How did he propose?'
'It was quite sweet really. He's a long jumper, right? Well, he does it all but you know what I mean. Anyway, he carved the question into the sand and then asked her to come and watch him. She thought it was a joke at first but then he gave her this slim wooden ring that he'd made'
'He made a ring? Out of wood?'
'Yeah, it's this little flower and the looped stem makes up the band. She loves it'
'Wow! What about you? You must have had suitors'
'I must have! No, I've had a few but not as many as you might think. I didn't want to get hurt again so I just put everything I had into sport. I didn't want a man in my life. But there's this one idiot, Guy Gisborne'
'He's an athlete right? The one with the gross black hair and the all black clothes'
'Yup. He sniffs around me at all my competitions and stuff. He wants me to go over to live and train in the US with him. But I like it here. He just can't take a hint'
'Want me to deal with him?'
'No way! He's got friends in high places'
'I was thinking of just thrashing him next week'
'That would be great. He needs to be brought down a peg or two. In fact that whole team does. Vasey, Guy, Sarah and Davina'
'That's John's team, the US'
'Yeah, they went to live out there to get in the team 'cos Richard wouldn't have them'
'Can't blame him'
'What about you? Any girlfriends?'
'None'
Marian raised her eyebrows at him,
'None?'
'It's the truth. Much runs a tight ship, he wouldn't let me have any distractions'
'Was I a distraction?' she asked seductively; she enjoyed playing with him
'The biggest and the best'
'But I bet you improved without me'
'It's funny. Much thinks on some level I got worse 'cos I didn't have you to impress. He's expecting a perfect performance now I'm back. Even with my injury'
'Robin…'
'Yes Maz?'
'I told you not to do that! But in all honesty, did you really think about me?'
'All the time! I swear on my life I did! You may not believe me, but I do still love you'
'Well I quite like you. But I think it's best if we just stay friends for now. I need to trust you again and sort of re-get to know you. But I can't stay mad at you like I'd planned'
'No-one could ever hate me for long'
She shoved him in the shoulder
'Ow'
'What Marian?'
'I used my bad hand'
They looked into each other's eyes and laughed.
'So,' Robin didn't break eye contact; he loved getting lost in Marian's deep blue eyes, 'we should get down to the stadium and get ready for the best Olympics ever!'
'You sound like all the news reporters!'
I just can't bear to keep them apart, sorry!I was gonna let her do the icy thing, but I want them at least to be civil.
R&R
XXX
Hannah