Disclaimer: Well ... as far as I know, I still don't own anything.

Author's Note: Still a little unsure about writing fanfiction, but I'm enjoying myself. I'd like to thank MoonFey and Capt. Cow for taking the time to review ... my first two reviews ever on this site :) Your reviews are much appreciated!

Chapter 2

"I'm not bein' funny but isn't your girl supposed to be with you?"

Robin walked through the camp, ignoring Allan and the others after his return from Knighton. He walked down over a small hillside, ending up at the foot of a stream. And he just stood there, staring at the water.

Robin didn't know how long he stood there before Much followed him. He didn't even have to look to know it was Much.

"Master?" he asked tentatively after a few silent moments of just standing idly by.

"Not now, Much."

Robin realized Much was only concerned, as he always was, but it wasn't just concern for Robin this time. He didn't have to say it for Robin to know he was worried about Marian and why she wasn't here as everyone expected.

Maybe he needed to, but Robin didn't want to talk about it. It was enough the outlaws realized Marian wasn't there nor was she coming. He didn't want to discuss the whys of it, not even with Much because the truth was, Robin wasn't even sure he understood the whys of it.

The Sheriff could guess, but he'd never know what testimony Edward would've given. The Sheriff had nothing against Edward, and he couldn't risk the outrage by trying or hurting Edward without any real evidence. If the Sheriff thought the nobles were turning against him now, it would only get worse if he lashed out against Edward without proof.

So no, the Sheriff had nothing on Edward. But Marian … he already suspected Marian of sympathizing with Robin, which was why she'd been forced to agree to a marriage with Gisborne in the first place. Now, she no longer had Gisborne's protection. While Robin was thrilled, that had been before Marian staunchly refused to leave her father and Knighton. After everything that happened, Robin was so certain she'd agree her leaving was for the best.

Perhaps he'd eventually have to explain his choices to her. As it was, only Much saw and knew the panic Robin had felt when he'd lost his father and the responsibility of Locksley and its people fell heavily on his shoulders. And Much was wise enough not to discuss it.

But that wasn't the reason - that was just Marian's excuse, her defense. Of course Robin could understand Marian's devotion to her father. He wasn't so self-centered to think Marian's world and affections revolved around him alone. Though, at the moment, he almost wished they did because then she would be here and not at Knighton where she was open bait for the Sheriff and Gisborne. Now wasn't the time to think of her father, and Robin was certain, if he had the chance to speak with Edward, Edward would agree.

"I will never understand women, Much," Robin said finally.

"But she cannot stay at Knighton."

"That is what I told her."

"But you argued."

Robin folded his arms across his chest, never glancing over at Much, but he shook his head with a small, disbelieving smile. Much knew him too well. "There was some arguing, yes. I may have called her a fool … and accused her of putting my men in danger when we had to rescue her again."

Maybe Much wanted to say something to that. In fact, Robin was quite sure he did, but he held his tongue and simply said again, "She cannot stay there."

"I know that," Robin said. "But short of knocking her out and carrying her away in the middle of the night, there is nothing I can do. Her decision is made."

"Well maybe … maybe you ought to. Gisborne … the Sheriff … she is not safe. Surely even her father would see that."

"So then, I have your blessing to knock Marian over the head and drag her into the forest?" Robin grinned, finally looking over at Much. "While the idea might be appealing, I do not think Marian would see it that way."

"Well you might find a more … delicate way of going about it."

"Are we discussing the same Marian?"

"Right," Much said after considerable thought. "Then what are we going to do?"

With a sigh, Robin shook his head. "Wait, watch … keep her safe the only other way I can."

If he could keep her safe while she remained at Knighton. Robin didn't voice that opinion. He couldn't even put that into words. He'd nearly lost her twice in as many days – once to death and once to Gisborne. The thought of losing Marian again … Robin closed his eyes. He wouldn't think about that. He couldn't think about that.

Djaq watched Much disappear after Robin. Maybe everyone else had the same question, but it was silently accepted that Much would be the one to ask that question. Much understood Robin best and matters like this were better left to the former manservant. No one argued that point.

Poking a stick at the dying embers of the fire, Djaq broke the silence first. "Why do you think she is not here?"

"Because women are …" Allan's voice trailed off when Djaq shot him a dark look. "Sorry, Djaq. Uh, because most women, present company definitely not included, are bloody daft. No use trying to figure them out. You'll go crazy that way. Love women and all, but their minds just don't work right. Everything's complicated … can't just answer yes or no. They gotta say everything in between."

Djaq exchanged a glance with Will. She had to bite back a smile when Will shrugged and shook his head, but Djaq knew they were both wondering the same thing. Who was Allan talking about? At the end, Allan sounded as if he was almost talking to himself, and it certainly wasn't about Robin and Marian.

Well, that was interesting.

"That was helpful," John commented before Djaq could think further on that. No one could mistake the sarcasm in his voice.

"She can't leave her father," Will said before Allan could open his mouth.

Djaq frowned. Of course that made sense, but it didn't. "Her father did not testify, did he?"

"No," Will replied. "Robin got there before Marian's father could."

"Nothing but trouble," John said. "She'll find nothing but trouble staying at Knighton. And we'll have to go to Nottingham … again."

"Nothing new there," Allan pointed out. "We always end up at Nottingham. It's like a second home to me. Maybe once all this is said and done, I'll see about moving in there. The time we got lost – that tower room had a nice view."

"That view was the kitchen girl tossing out the garbage," Will said.

Allan smiled. "Yeah, nice view all the same."

Djaq shook her head. Apparently, Allan was over whatever memory sparked his earlier comments. For the few times she'd actually seen Allan quiet or contemplative, it never took him long to snap out of it. That was just his nature.

Silence fell over the group once more as Djaq looked over to where Robin and Much had disappeared. She thought about the past few days and realized Robin wasn't likely to rejoin camp anytime soon. She'd seen Robin's reaction to Marian's "death" and near marriage to Gisborne – they all had. If that was any indication, she could only imagine what Robin was thinking now. He was facing the thought of losing her again, and how many times could he almost lose her before it happened for good?

Still, perhaps they were all overreacting to the situation. Maybe Marian would be perfectly fine remaining at Knighton. After the Sheriff's latest scheme – introducing the nobles to a King Richard imposter – would he be so quick to lash out? Or would he lay low for a few weeks at least? It was difficult to tell with him, really. Of course, there was always Gisborne to consider. The scorned bridegroom.

"Do you really think the Sheriff or Gisborne would hurt Lady Marian?" Djaq asked.

"Neither one's got a conscience," Allan said. Propped back against the thick base of an oak, his arms folded, Allan never opened his eyes. "So … yeah."

"You can at least be sure they'll use her against Robin now," John said.

"The Sheriff may have suspected before, but now they know," Will added.

"Girl's worried about protecting her father," Allan said, finally opening his eyes again. "What about us? It'll be our necks when she ends up in Nottingham's prison. Don't see her none too worried about that, do you? She could've made it right easier on us by coming here. Bloody women. Sorry, Djaq."

John muttered something that sounded like an agreement, which shocked Djaq. Even more astonishing was the fact Will looked embarrassed, as if he wanted to agree but couldn't believe he would actually agree with such a callous assessment.

"You cannot really believe that," Djaq said to the three of them, but her glare was for Will alone. He flushed and looked away.

"Now, Djaq," John said with a sigh. "We aren't saying that to be unkind. There isn't a one of us who won't be there to save her if she needs saving. There isn't one of us who won't face everything the Sheriff can throw at us to save her. But Allan has a point, for once."

"Well, I do hope you share your opinion with Robin," Djaq replied.

"Djaq," Will said. She looked at him expectantly, waiting to hear his explanation. Besides Much, Djaq had come to expect Will to be a little more sensitive, a little more thoughtful. To hear Will agree with Allan and John on this was disappointing. And it bothered her that it was disappointing because she'd come to view Will a little bit differently than the rest of the gang, and that was something she just really didn't want to contemplate at the moment. So, she waited for Will to say what he wanted to say. "I … well, uh … you know … it's … Djaq, it's just …"

By now, Djaq noticed Allan staring at Will with his eyebrow raised and a faint grin lingering at the corners of his mouth. "Well, spit it out, mate."

"Well, it is frustrating," Will finally managed to say. "I mean, I can understand Lady Marian's loyalty to her father. I think we all can. But she isn't thinking about the consequences. John's right. None of us would leave her to the Sheriff or Gisborne, but Allan's right too. She isn't thinking about the danger she's putting us in, especially Robin."

"Perhaps she does not think there will be consequences," Djaq said. "Or perhaps she is brave enough to face those consequences alongside her father without expectation of rescue. We know we would not think twice about rescuing her, but maybe, in her mind, she does not expect us to. She made her choice, and she will see it through no matter the consequences." Djaq paused, watching as the three men looked at each other but remained quiet. "Besides," Djaq continued, "we would not leave anyone behind. Why should we expect her to leave her father behind?"

After a few moments, John said, "Then it's settled. I take back what I said earlier about Allan making a good point for once. Djaq made a better point."

"Well, you can't take it back," Allan replied. "You said it, and we all heard it, so there is no taking it back."

"Strange," Djaq murmured, biting back a smile, "but I do not remember John saying anything like that. Do you, Will?"

Will grinned. "No, not that I can recall. You must've been dreaming, Allan."

"Right, well if I was dreaming, I can tell you, you three certainly wouldn't have been there. I see enough of you lot during the day. Hardly need to be dreaming about you at night."

Djaq, Will, and John laughed, and even Allan smiled at that. Djaq reflected it was good to have something to laugh about again. After the past few days and knowing the future was anything but bright, they all deserved a laugh once in awhile.

Then, Will and Allan's grins faded abruptly, and Djaq looked over her shoulder to see Robin and Much had returned.

"We need to move camp," Robin announced unceremoniously.

"What?" John asked. "Robin, it's the middle of the night."

"And we have no idea how long the Sheriff will wait," Robin replied. "We need to be closer to Knighton. I want a rotating watch on Knighton Hall. We will go in pairs. Much and I will take the first watch."

Djaq noted Robin appeared strained, and she briefly wondered how much longer he could stand this. The past few days had been hardest on him, which was why she suspected no one, not even Allan, offered anymore protests. Instead, they gathered up their belongings as quickly as possible and followed Robin.

Author's Note: Well, again, reviews are welcome and appreciated. I do think I'm going to have to go back and watch my copy of the first season because for some strange reason, I can remember everyone else's voice, but when I wrote dialogue for Little John, I kept hearing Gibbs' voice from Pirates of the Caribbean ... odd, that. Right, well, anyway, that's my weird side note for the day.