OK, I can't be bothered to revise, but the coursework is all done... and it turns out I did eat all the biccies, sorry! =) A virtual cookie to my one reviewer! Thanks!

Boys Will Be Boys

Next morning, Kate awoke feeling completely refreshed, and as she lay remembering the events of the previous night, she heard a crash and the sound of Allan cursing loudly. Much had chosen to skilfully awaken Allan - by rolling him none-too-gently onto the floor. She looked down and watched as Allan extricated himself from his blankets, rubbing his head where he had landed on it and glaring up at Much, who was looking rather pleased with himself. In fact, Much was laughing so hard that he stepped back, putting his boot straight into a bucket. The bucket went forwards, and Much went backwards, landing flat on his back, causing the others to burst out laughing.

"Nasty Much; serves you right!" Kate teased as she climbed out of bed. "Aww, poor Allan; is he bullying you?" She stepped over Allan on the way to get her food, briefly patting him on the head as she did so. He pulled himself up, threw the blankets onto the bunk, and followed her over, holding their bowls while she spooned in the porridge. Robin, John and Tuck went back to their food, still chuckling at Much's antics. Allan and Kate sat leaning against her bunk, chatting amiably as they ate.

Much stood, removed the bucket and gloomily retrieved his own breakfast, feeling rather annoyed that his plan to humiliate Allan in front of Kate had backfired. He sat opposite them, gazing at them intently, overcome with jealousy as he watched the two together.

A noticeable bump was beginning to form on Allan's forehead, and Kate poked it gently, causing him to flinch and playfully poke her in the ribs in retaliation.

"What's this?!" She asked with mock surprise. "The 'big, tough outlaw' is mortally wounded from falling out of bed?" She tutted at him and then started to giggle as he pouted at her. He used her distraction to glare up at Much, who was still openly watching them. When Allan glanced over at him, Much recognised the look that said, 'I know what you were trying to do, and you'll pay for that.' Much looked away and chewed his food slowly as he wondered how Allan would get his revenge. Some ridiculous, embarrassing, and possibly painful, practical joke at his expense probably. As if he hadn't already embarrassed himself enough.

Once they'd all finished eating Kate went down to the river to bathe while the boys cleaned up, and when she returned they set off to the cave where the supplies were hidden.

"If we pair up, we can all take a share of the food and do a few villages each, that way we can deliver more of it, in less time." Robin informed them, as he handed sacks to them all. "Much and I will take Knighton and the villages over that way, John and Tuck; Clun, and Kate, you go to Locksley with Allan," He smiled at her and continued," I'm sure Rebecca and Maggie will be dying to see you, too. Watch out for Gisborne though. We can meet up in the Trip Inn to do the Nottingham deliveries later when we've finished in the villages. Don't get caught! And don't get into any fights!" With that he nodded, and they all headed off in different directions.

Much kicked his feet through the leaf litter on the forest floor as he and Robin strolled through the forest towards Knighton, glancing up at him resentfully every so often.

"Well, Much, it looked as though your plan this morning backfired rather spectacularly." Robin chuckled as they walked. "Allan's gonna have that bump on his head for a while, and you know he won't let it go that easily. He's gonna make you look as dumb as you tried to make him."

"I know; I need a way to outsmart him... oh, and by the way, thanks for sending him off to do deliveries with Kate!" Much glared at his friend and leader as he shifted the sack onto his other shoulder irritably.

"Well I was tempted to send you and him together, so you could sort things out, but I want you both back alive... and I want to talk to you about this first..." Robin turned to look at Much as he spoke. "I'll do the same with Allan later. You both need to back off and stop fighting over Kate, 'cause if she hasn't already realised that you are, she's going to be furious when she does, and then you'll both be in trouble! She can decide for herself, and, unfortunately for you, dear old friend, it looks as though she may have already done so."

"No way!" Much retorted, looking both shocked and furious, shrugging off the comforting hand Robin tried to place on his shoulder. Robin looked at him and stifled a laugh; the look on Much's face was nearly cracking him up. "I won't give up while there is still a chance!"

"Oh, come on! You've got no chance. At least accept defeat graciously!" Robin informed him sternly, and then continued walking towards the village. "Come on, Much! Keep up!"

Ha! I'll show him! Much thought as he trailed after him, but he couldn't stop his feet from dragging, causing him to tip on a branch and land on his face. Pushing himself up, his hand squelched straight into a pile of horse droppings.

"Ahh.... cr-"

Robin and Much were the first to arrive at the Trip, shortly followed by Tuck and Little John. After waiting for quite some time they started to worry. Just as Much was suggesting they go search for them, the door opened and in walked Kate, dragging Allan by the hand and laughing hysterically. Allan was grinning reluctantly, but it wasn't his expression that they noticed first. Much only saw their entwined fingers, but the Robin's words drew his attention elsewhere.

"Where on Earth have you two been?" Robin asked, trying not to join in with Kate's laughter, as both John and Tuck had done. "And, Allan, why are you soaking wet?"

Hehe, wanna know what happened to Kate and Allan? Read on and find out!

Hope you liked! Reviews welcome, as always! Virtual cookies for all!

xxlaxx