i just saw episode 9 of series 3 and omg kate!!! what happened to you!??! you liked allan remember??? whatever--so this chapter has elements of that episode thrown in...with marian causing lots of trouble obviously...please read review and tell me what you think!!! thanks to Liisa gatewatcher magpie287 all of you thanks

Chapter Two: Kate

The former girl from Locksley, now turned outlaw, was in love. Kate had not been in love before with anyone. She did not realize that the feelings of hate and anger she experienced towards Isabella were manifestations of her love for Robin.

Kate was sitting in front of a small fire which she had just lit. At the moment she found herself in tears. The tears were for the man she loved but would never love her back. He was with Isabella. England's Robin, the gang's Robin, her Robin, was with that awful Isabella.

She did not trust Isabella anymore than she trusted Prince John.

Not at all.

Not in the slightest.

She knew, more than anything else, that Robin should be with her. Holding her, kissing her, touching her. Not Isabella.

Meanwhile, Marian floated through the forest listening to the shuttering leaves on the trees. She wished that she could return to the Sherwood she had known and loved. She wished she could breathe in the beautiful air and appreciate every aspect of the nature surrounding her.

Suddenly Marian heard a sniffle.

It was short, quiet, but still a sniffle.

Marian invisibly glided to the source of the whimper. She hid herself from the sniffler's view and watched as a young girl, with pretty blonde hair cried. Marian felt sympathy for the poor creature and was about to comfort her when she remembered the current situation.

Marian was no longer alive, she could not comfort anyone anymore.

She could not put her arms around another's neck.

Or rather, his neck.

Marian found it curious that the girl was so close to Robin's camp. Maybe the girl was a spy, sent by the evils of Nottingham to bring havoc to the gang. Marian was about to frighten the blonde when she stopped herself.

What if the girl was a spy?

What if the girl tried to kill Robin?

Then Marian stopped her rambling brain as a new, different thought seemed to bubble to the surface.

How bad would that be?

If Robin did die, be it by this woman, Isabella, or Gisborne, then he would be with her again. Marian's sorrow eating away at her would end finally. Because Robin would be with her again. Marian smiled at this thought. He would be free from any pain or feelings of duty. He would be hers, through and through.

But then faces flashed before Marian's face, each face more sorrowful than the last. Marian saw Much weeping over Robin's motionless body. She spotted Allan fighting back that lone tear he let escape. She even noticed how John turned away from the lads to hide his teary eyes. And though they were half a world away, Marian spied how Djaq held onto Will as they sobbed for the hero of Sherwood.

His death would cause so much pain and anger.

So yes then, yes it would be wrong to dare to wish for Robin's death.

Marian shook off these feelings and continued to stare at the girl. Suddenly Marian heard a shuffling of feet behind her. She jumped and stared at the intruder, who could not see her. She looked directly into the dazzling eyes of her husband. Marian could not help but smile at the man she loved.

"Robin," she whispered.

And Robin felt the wind blowing at his hair and cooling the back of his neck. He almost shivered with goose bumps because the wind seemed to breathe a name. It seemed to breathe his name. Robin shook his head at the absurd thought.

He walked right through the woman he loved and fought for and into the clearing. Marian wept as he passed through her like the very air he breathed. She turned back to see him step out into the clearing and smile at the blonde.

"Hello Kate," he said.

She wiped her cheek on her sleeve. "Hello."

Robin raised a brow. "What are you doing here away from camp? Where are the rest of the lads?"

Marian narrowed her eyes. So, this girl was in his gang? Living with him, fighting with him, sleeping with…

The angel stopped herself from even thinking that dreaded thought.

"Allan and Much are in Clun, handing out food to the poor. John is making a trip to Scarborough to visit his wife and child. And I think Tuck is visiting the church of Nettlestone."

"Why aren't you with Allan and Much?" asked the leader sitting down beside Kate.

Kate shrugged. "I needed some time to think, to collect my thoughts."

Robin nodded. "I need that sometimes as well."

Marian rolled her eyes, but so far, everything was still innocent.

"I thought you would be with Allan at least," said Robin throwing a twig into the fire.

Kate gave Robin a curious look. "Why?"

Robin blushed. "Because, well, you know…" His voice trailed off.

"Because, you know, what?" asked Kate with a laugh.

"You like him," said Robin quietly, looking at the fire and not at the girl by his side.

At Robin's words Marian calmed down a bit. She took a deep breath and cooled herself. This was not one of the girls she was tracking obviously. Her fears had been for naught. This Kate creature was not after Robin, but after Allan.

Marian smiled. Poor man needs a girl of his own.

She found the idea of Allan and Kate very refreshing and beautiful. Perhaps it was a love underneath the surface, like Djaq and Will. Or perhaps it was obvious to the rest of the gang but not to the two of them. Either way it was…

But Marian's hopes were shattered by the girl's harsh laugh.

It was high pitched and would have made dogs shriek with fear and confusion. It echoed through the entire forest and sent birds flying this way and that. Yet, at the same time, it was something else.

Hopeful?

Marian watched in horror as Kate shook her head and Robin's words. "I do not like him."

"Really?" Robin asked with a smile.

"Truly," answered Kate twirling a strand of hair.

Robin shrugged. "But you have flirted with him, you have spent lots of time with him, surly you do feel something for him."

Kate bit her lip. "Nothing."

"Nothing?" Marian asked worriedly.

"Nothing?" Robin asked.

"Nothing," Kate answered.

Marian shook her head. "Then that means…" She did not finish for fear of the answer.

Robin blinked. "Then that means…"

Kate smiled. "I do not like him."

Robin and Kate sat silently together as the fire crackled.

"What about you?" Kate asked.

Robin smiled. "I like him fine."

Kate lightly hit his shoulder. "I am not talking of Allan."

Marian closed her eyes. "I was worried you'd say that."

"Who then?" asked Robin.

"You and Isabella," said Kate. "How is that going?"

Robin shrugged. "I'm not so sure. She seems so amazing one minute and then the next so…"

"Evil?" Kate asked.

Robin gave her a curious look and shook his head. "Weird."

"Weird?"

Robin nodded. "We were in the meadow a little while ago, just talking normally, suddenly she starts talking about seeing things."

"Seeing things?" Kate repeated.

"Ghosts."

Kate blinked and laughed. "You're not serious."

Robin nodded.

"I always thought she was crazy," said Kate. "Are you going to see her again?"

Robin shook his head. "I don't think so. I'm not good for someone that mad."

"What sort of someone are you good for?" asked Kate quietly.

Marian's eyes flashed with rage. "No, you did not go there Kate." Still she remained invisible and waited.

Robin closed his eyes and thought of Marian. He thought of what kind of woman she was. He thought of her laugh, her smile, every detail of her face. He opened his eyes and looked at Kate. Robin wondered what this girl was thinking of, asking a question like that.

He wondered if she might feel something for him.

What should he do about that? Kate was so pure and innocent compared to Isabella. He was not a complete man and he could never make Kate happy. He knew that she could not make him whole again.

He remembered something John had said to him.

You cannot let someone like this get away from you Robin.

Robin had not answered John. He wanted to tell John that he was never going to love again, no never again. He had tried not to let 'someone like this' get away from him and it had only ended in her death at the hands of his enemy.

No more. He would not do that again.

"Kate," said Robin shaking his head. "No."

"No what?" asked Kate.

"Us," breathed Robin. "There will not be an us."

"Why not?" asked Kate sweetly.

"I am a broken man," said Robin.

Kate leaned close to Robin. "I am not so innocent Robin of Locksley."

Robin smiled at the girl. She would give him momentary happiness. Maybe, for now, that was all he needed.

"Oh really?" he asked.

"Yes," she said.

"Right," said Robin, "how could I have forgotten? You are so good, and brave, and smart, not innocent."

Kate nodded. "Exactly."

Robin leaned closer to her and kissed her on the lips lightly.

Marian gasped. This interaction had moved way past innocent. Now was time to act.

She stepped out of the trees and walked around Robin and Kate, who were still kissing, and stood before them with her arms crossed. Marian waited for the perfect moment to reveal herself to the unfortunate girl.

"You shouldn't kiss so hard, you might get hurt."

Kate pulled away from Robin's lips at the sound of that voice. It frightened her.

"What is it?" asked Robin.

Kate shrugged. "Nothing."

But then Kate saw the angel. She was pale as death and decked in a long white dress. Her hair was like the color of night. She smiled at the mortal.

"Kate," said Robin gently, "what are you staring at?"

Kate pointed. "Her."

Robin raised an eyebrow and looked in the direction she pointed in. He saw nothing.

Marian smiled. "He cannot see me, only you can."

The blonde shook her head. "Never mind."

"Do you see it too?" asked Robin. He smiled at Kate.

"I'm not mad," said Kate angrily. "She's right there."

"Weren't you paying attention?" asked Marian sweetly. "He cannot see me. You can see me Kate."

Kate stood up and grabbed Robin's arm so he could stand up too. "We need to leave."

Robin kicked out the fire and looked at Kate. "You sure?"

Kate nodded.

She and Robin walked arm and arm away from the fire. Kate hoped that the angelic figure would not follow her. But she heard Marian's voice by her side.

"Hello."

Kate jumped.

"Leading poor Allan on," said Marian sadly, "that was cruel of you Kate."

She ignored the voice and suddenly turned to face Robin. "Kiss me."

Robin did as she asked without a thought in his head. He needed another lips on his own, he did not care who but he needed to forget. He loved Kate as a friend, but she was so innocent. He could learn to move on. Robin had been with someone who was so like Marian, and that did not work. What he needed, what he craved, was someone who was the opposite of the woman he loved.

Kate filled that position perfectly.

"I wouldn't do that if I was you," warned Marian.

Kate, as if to spite the woman, ran her fingers through Robin's hair. She used her free arm to wrap itself around Robin's waist so that he was pulled closer to her. Robin did not pull from the embrace. He yearned for a body. It did not matter whose anymore.

Suddenly an image came to his mind.

Marian.

He quietly let out a moan. "Marian."

But it was so quiet, so hard to hear, that it gave pleasure to Kate and infuriated Marian. How could he be enjoying this? How could he do this to her?

"Kate," said Marian bitterly, "I think you should turn and face me!"

Kate pushed the voice from her mind and grabbed Robin tightly. Then she broke his embrace quickly and stepped away from him.

"What's going on?" asked Robin.

"Everything is fine," said Kate breathlessly. "I just need to take care of something. I'll catch up with you later." She smiled cutely at him.

Robin nodded and then took a quick look at the empty air by Kate's side. What he did not realize was that he was staring directly at Marian. She was worried that he could see her somehow. But all he saw was empty space. Marian almost laughed bitterly as she saw Robin's eyes stare through her and past her.

"Fine," said Robin, "I'll see you back at camp. Be safe."

Kate nodded and watched Robin run off.

"You little witch," muttered Marian.

Kate turned back to face the ghost with a smile on her face. "I know who you are."

Marian smiled curtly at the blonde. "Oh really?"

Kate nodded. "Yeah, you're Marian aren't you?"

"Lucky guess," said Marian.

"Not lucky," said Kate, "he told me about you. With your long brown hair, eyes that shone of the ocean. I know you."

"Touching," said Marian, "I don't think he mentioned you though."

Kate rolled her eyes. "You scared Isabella didn't you?"

Marian shrugged. "What of it? And you are not scared of a ghost?"

Kate shook her head. "What could you possibly do to me?"

"Want a list?"

"You wouldn't dare," said Kate. "Because you want Robin to be happy, he is happy with me."

Marian shook her head. "No."

Kate rolled her eyes. "Oh give up Marian! Get over yourself you are dead! You cannot do anything. You have no power over him anymore. You are dead! You cannot even touch his cheek. You cannot touch his lips with yours. I can! I will!"

Marian smiled at Kate. She snapped her fingers. Suddenly the grass under Kate's feet began to grow longer and longer. The long blades of grass grew strong and began to wrap themselves around her wrists and legs pulling her and twisting her.

"No power?" asked Marian. "Think again."

Kate did not answer. She was kicking and screaming, trying desperately to release herself from the bonds Marian had willed around her.

"How?" gasped Kate.

"When you die," said Marian, "and you give all of yourself to the forest you love, you find that the forest can give back to you."

"Very pretty," said Kate writhing in the bonds. "But your words are simply words. You talk about giving yourself to a forest. I am going to give myself to a man. He is waiting for me at camp. Right now. Tonight I will give myself to him. There is nothing you can do about that."

Marian looked on with horror at the girl. She tried to search for evil she had found in Isabella. But, to her horror, she did not find a drop of evil. She found love in the girl's eyes. She found love for the hero of the forest.

"You love him," said Marian in whispered shock.

Kate nodded.

"How could you do that to Allan? To Much?"

Kate grinned. "Arguing over me like a bunch of school boys."

The rope like grass bound Kate tightly and she screamed louder. She fell over and the grass wrapped itself around her mouth to keep her quiet.

But before Marian could finish her off, or decide what to do with her, Robin came leaping out of the forest. He had heard screams of pain. He saw Kate trapped and ran over to her side. He began undoing each blade of grass around Kate's body.

Marian let him.

She just let him.

She did not want to do so, but she knew he needed someone that night. Just any body. And it could not be her body.

Robin helped Kate sit up and hugged her tightly. "What happened?"

"I must have taken a hard fall," said Kate falling into Robin's warm arms.

"Let's go back to camp," said Robin. He stood up and helped Kate stand up too. They walked together back to camp. Robin looked back at the clearing.

Strange things were happening.

Things of a most supernatural nature.

Could it be…?

Robin shook his head. That was impossible. It was downright foolish.

But Robin gave an inward smile.

Marian?

As the two walked away Marian's eyes grew watery. This was not supposed to happen. This was not going according to plan at all. She sunk to her knees and began to cry. What she did not realize was that someone could hear her.

Someone who had not been meant to hear her cries.

This man was walking through the forest alone and unloved. The girl he loved, with hair of gold and eyes of blue, had told him she did not love him. She loved another, stronger, better man. She loved Robin Hood. She would never love a nothing like him.

Much wandered through the forest helplessly. He wanted to run away and leave the gang forever. He wanted to forget about Kate and her blue eyes. He did not want to picture how Robin would kiss her and stroke her hair. That would kill him.

Suddenly he heard sobs.

He heard the tears of an angel.

He broke into a run and ran to the source of the sobs. He did not see Marian curled up in a little ball. But he heard her crying.

"Hello?" asked Much.

Marian gasped and turned around. She smiled when she saw Much.

"Much," she said, thinking that he could see her.

"Yes?" he asked. There was something about this voice that was very familiar to him.

Marian remembered that Much could not see her. She made herself visible. Much gasped and nearly fainted. He saw an angel, sitting in the forest, with tears sparkling her cheeks. But this angel he knew very well. He loved the angel.

"Marian?"

Much knows now!!! do you think he can help her beat kate??? would he tell robin?? maybe robin suspects already??? what abotu the girls of season one?? should i inculde them?? lots of love to you all