I don't own these characters. Disney/ABC does.

A/N: there are references to chapters eight and nine from Right Here. This chapter went from being short 3,000 words to being over by 2,000 words.

3: When Sorrows Come

Training with Emma was… comical to Mulan. It was so different from when she was in the army. Maybe it was because of Emma's personality, which bordered on goofy and clumsy under the right conditions. Mulan felt like the actual difference boiled down to the fact that Emma believed she was totally capable. She was not used to that, but she liked it. Of course, there were some things she was not totally capable of, but Emma still acted like Mulan was, so sometimes they were left in a bit of a lurch. They worked around their way out of messes, though.

"So, computer lessons… I hope they do them at your adult classes because…" Emma rolled her eyes as she watched Mulan attempt to type on the keyboard. It was slow going, as Mulan stared down at the keys, searching for the right letters. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see Emma shift from one foot to the other and looked like she wanted to tackle Mulan.

"Do you try this hard to be mediocre at everything?" Mulan teased, squinting at the computer screen.

Emma laughed and shoved her a little. As the desk chair moved her away from Emma and the computer, Mulan chuckled. She watched Emma carefully as she inched the chair back over.

"I find it hard to believe Regina has not murdered you eight times over with your behavior," Mulan said. This was partially true. She heard stories of the Evil Queen and the Regina she saw in the Enchanted Forest did not seem to suffer fools lightly, but she put up with Emma enough to where it seemed Emma lived with her now. Mulan was not sure how that happened and was not sure if it was polite to ask.

Emma shrugged. "Eh. I'm cute."

Mulan cocked an eyebrow. "Is that what she tells you?"

"That's what I tell me. Oh, hey, speaking of things we weren't talking about, I saw Robin and Marian when I went to Granny's. How's everything going with Marian?" Emma asked. "I wish I could check on her more. I mean, does it seem like I abandoned her?"

Mulan looked at Emma. "Are you kidding? You saved her life and you delivered her to people who should take care of her." They did not do a great job, but Emma was the last person who should feel guilty over everything.

Emma's brow wrinkled. "Are they taking care of her? I mean, you brought her to training and when I dropped you guys…" She shrugged.

"She is fine, Emma. Do not worry yourself over Marian, please." Mulan did enough of that for both of them anyway.

Emma nodded. "Okay. I just… I want you guys to feel at home here, like I do."

Mulan smiled. "We do. We're making friends." In fact, Ruby invited her out later.

"Good. Good."

Emma went back to showing Mulan basic computer moves before they were able to quit the shift. Mulan did not have a set shift yet, still in training. She tended to come in an hour or so after Emma and David. There was training during slow times, which there were plenty of, and she helped them when there was action.

Once the shift was done, Mulan returned to the camp. She was saving for a place of her own, but she had not found somewhere worthwhile yet. Emma tried to help and Kathryn, who did the adult classes to help people without cursed identities figure out how to navigate this place, had also been of great assistance. Mulan wanted somewhere she could be comfortable and call home and mean it. Nothing stood out yet.

"Hey, if it isn't the sheriff's deputy. Have fun saving the world?" Arthur called to her.

Mulan ignored him, planning to go right to her tent, but she could hear yelling coming from the cabin. She paused for a second, listening. Robin's voice thundered across camp. Her brow furrowed. What is making him yell so loudly? She did not understand why Robin was always so angry, especially since he did not seem to be that way in town.

"Robin had a little too much to drink," Will Scarlet said, stepping over to her. Like this was a valid excuse to roar with a child in the house.

"Yeah, because someone kept shoving whiskey into his hand," Little John said as he walked through.

Will threw his hands up. "It was good whiskey!"

Mulan was not sure what was up, which was a normal for her around here now. She did not stick around to hear more and was not surprised when Marian was at her tent less than a half-hour later. Mulan did not get much of Marian's rant over what Robin had been screaming about, but she had an idea to help cope with it.

"Would you like to get away from here for a while?" Mulan asked. It worked before, when she took Marian to her training session. Now, Marian could hang out with her with Ruby during what Ruby called "girls' night."

Marian agreed and they left camp to the stares of the Merry Men. Neither of them looked back. The girls' night was great in the sense that they got to be around other people, people who were happy for their company. It was amazing. Emma and Ruby were great as expected. Ruby dated a woman, Dorothy, who was just as lost as she and Marian were in the new world. Snow was nice, as always.

Each woman made sure to keep Mulan and Marian included. Emma practically forced beers into their hands. They got a chance to dance, even though the music was unfamiliar to them. Dancing in general was unfamiliar to Mulan, but she could not fight everyone off to make her escape from the dance floor. It was fun. Ruby borrowed Snow's truck and drove them home since she invited Mulan. Snow took Emma home.

"I hope you guys had a good time," Ruby said.

"It was very good, yes," Mulan replied, stuck in the middle of the seat.

Ruby chuckled. "One day, I'm gonna get you to talk like you're from here. Marian, how about you? You enjoyed yourself? I saw Emma trying to get you to do tequila shots with her."

"Yes, Snow White put an end to that, though," Marian replied.

"Yeah, probably for the best. Emma's probably walking into a shit storm when she goes home drunk. Rabbit Hole tequila is serious stuff, which is why I stick to vodka." Ruby laughed at her own remark.

Mulan did not get it and, from the look on Marian's face, she did not get it either. Ruby had downed a couple of drinks with Emma. Mulan knew from the way Emma staggered out of the bar, tequila was rather potent. She was glad Marian did not have any, even if it might help her forget about her troubles for a while. Robin being drunk earlier might have influenced Marian's decision to remain sober, but Roland did not need to deal with two hung-over parents in the morning.

"Thanks for the ride," Marian said as Ruby pulled up to the front of the camp.

"It was my pleasure. I'll be sure to let you ladies know the next time we get together. I'm glad you had fun," Ruby said.

"Thank you for inviting us," Mulan replied.

Ruby smiled at them and they smiled back. Mulan walked Marian to the door. She gave Marian a lingering look. It felt wrong to offer Marian a good time, a moment to forget, only to return her back to the source of her troubles.

"I'll be all right," Marian said, as if she could read Mulan's mind.

"Are you sure? My tent is always open to you," Mulan replied.

"I know. But, I want my family to work and I think there are times when Robin does as well. We just have to figure out how to make it work." Marian went into the house and Mulan felt like there were rocks in her stomach. She stayed at the door for a long time, waiting for yelling that did not come. It was only then she felt all right returning to her tent.

-8-8-8-8-

In the morning, Marian sat at the breakfast table with the others. Robin glared at her from across the table with Roland tucked under his arm. Marian sat up straight, shoulders back, trying her best not to reach over the table, grab her husband by the neck, and slam his face into the wood.

"Why do you insist on looking at me like that?" Marian decided to ask. She thought they were trying to make their marriage work, which was why they went into town with Roland, trying to relearn each other. But, now, he guarded Roland from her and watched her as if waiting for her to eat someone's flesh.

"Because you don't usually go out with strangers," Cook said as he slid her breakfast in front of her, like she was diseased and using the sound of the dropped plate to emphasis his statement. Her bread was not worthy of butter apparently and her sausage did not appear all the way cooked. At least she did not have to worry about her food getting cold in the chilled weather.

Marian frowned. "They aren't strangers. They're Mulan's friends. My friends." She counted Emma and Ruby as friends. The others could be friends with time. They were pleasant enough.

Arthur scoffed. "We're your friends."

Marian arched an eyebrow. "And there can only be one set of friends?"

"You're either with us or with them," Second Will said.

Marian's frown deepened. "Excuse me? I think we're all in this together and they're not our enemies."

"You just seem more with them than with us and it's weird." David shrugged from all the way down the table. He bit into his sausage as he watched her.

She blinked. "It's weird?" Did they honestly think she wanted to be around them all the time, judging her, watching her, and keeping her son from her? "Why would it be weird? I get to be around other women for the first time in a long time."

"There are women here," Alan-a-Dale said, motioning around the mess area. There were a few women, different from the few who were there days before. They seemed to be on rotating shifts and Marian tried to ignore them, but now Alan-a-Dale wanted them to be noticed. "How do you think I get to keep writing songs?"

Marian scoffed. Did he really think their groupies counted as women she could socialize with? Why would he think that? From what she could tell, the Merry Men did not even like to socialize with the women they dragged back to camp, which was sad on many levels.

"The one woman here who is interested in talking to me is not usually comfortable enough to be around you, even though she was with you for a year," Marian pointed out. It would always be a sticking point for her.

Will Scarlet scoffed. "You talking about Mulan?"

"Who else would I be talking about?" Marian asked.

"Yeah, you're weirdly close to her." Arthur chewed on his bread as he watched her, like something was wrong with her.

"What does that even mean?" Marian shook her head. What was going on here? She considered she could live to be a thousand and not understand the people who were once her family.

"You'e just close to someone who betrayed us. It's odd," Robin said with a shrug.

"She didn't betray anyone. She hasn't been treated well here from what I can tell and she's looking for somewhere to belong. There was a time when you all understood that." Marian sighed and felt such disappointment in the Men.

"There was a time you would've been with us," Robin said.

Marian narrowed her gaze on him. "And what's that supposed to mean?"

He shrugged and did not elaborate. Marian scowled and pushed away from the table. "I've suddenly lost my appetite." Not that she had much when she sat down. She had hoped for some contact with her son, but Robin did not seem to be in the mood to allow that.

She did not know where to go. Mulan was not in her tent, having left for deputy training earlier. She walked into the woods and sat on a large, cold rock. It was a spot she found her first week back, some place she could think. But, she could hear leaves ruffling, which let her know she was not alone with her thoughts.

"Marian, are you all right?" Little John asked as he came into view. Will Scarlet was tucked at his side. She could only wonder how this would go. They were good guys, but Will had a knack for saying the wrong thing with the best intentions.

"I'm fine. You didn't have to follow me," Marian replied.

"We care about you," Little John said.

Marian fought off rolling her eyes. They had a funny way of showing they cared. "Yet you guys whisper about me when you think I'm far away enough."

Will laughed, but could not meet her gaze. "You know we don't mean anything by it."

Marian wished she could believe that. In another lifetime, no, they would not mean anything by it. She would have been part of the inner circle. Now, she was on the outside looking in and she doubted she would ever get back in. Why were they not happy she was back?

"You don't have to worry about me," Marian said. It was disingenuous when they treated her as if she was diseased most of the time and did not say anything about Robin's treatment of her.

"You're one of us," Little John replied.

The statement should have filled her with joy, but his eyes did not back up his words. She did not understand why she was not one of them anymore. What had she done? Was it that they had all moved on from her death and now there was no space for her in their lives anymore? Why did that have to include pushing her from her son's life, though?

"I know," she said.

Little John and Will nodded and thankfully left at that point. She took some time to gather herself and then returned to camp, hoping to spend time with Roland. All she could do was hope, but everyone was gone, including Robin and Roland.

"And yet I am one of them." Marian scoffed. If actions spoke louder than words, Marian might as well not exist to them.

-8-8-8-8-

Mulan should have been concentrating on the words coming out of David's mouth, but her mind was stuck what Emma told her. It was not weird for two women to live together in this world. She worried over how Marian might cope in camp once she moved out and she was close to moving out. Emma helped her narrow down her choices using the computer and Kathryn walked with her through several apartments. In fact, Kathryn had an appointment with her to look at other places as soon as she was done with her training.

"Mulan, are you okay with me doing this?" David asked from the cruiser's driver's seat.

Mulan blinked and turned to him. "Excuse me?"

His eyebrows pinched in with his mouth in almost a pout. "Do you want to wait for Emma to come back?"

"No, no, no. You are quite fine, David." She had no problems with David and would consider him a friend at this point. "Why would you ask that?"

"It just seems like you're uncomfortable."

"No, no, no. I am sorry. I have things on my mind. But, I should concentrate. Emma said it is important for me to learn to drive."

"Yeah. If we can get you a cruiser, you can do patrols in a car and you can get to crime scenes faster. So, we're going to go to a parking lot and get you familiar with the basics, okay?"

Mulan nodded. Driving did not look complicated, but she learned differently when she got behind the wheel. David was patient with her, though. Whenever she felt like she was about to get out of control, he talked her through it. He had to grab the steering wheel a couple of times, helping her keep the car right, but only in the first hour. After a couple of hours, he was confident with taking her down a street and letting her drive around a couple of blocks. They did that until lunch.

"I have to meet with Kathryn. Can you drop me off at this address?" Mulan pulled a piece of paper from her pocket.

David shrugged. "You're the driver. I'll show you how to use the GPS and you can drive us there. We'll leave the cruiser there and just meet back up in an hour."

Mulan nodded. She watched him as he put the address in the GPS and then listened as it gave her directions. She drove slowly to the street and saw Kathryn standing by her car. Mulan grinned and sat up straighter.

"We made it," Mulan said.

With a smile, David nodded. "I see why Emma likes training you. You're a good student."

Mulan smiled more and David talked her through pulling up to the curb to park the car. They both got out. David gave Kathryn an awkward, tight wave with an equally tight smile. Kathryn's greeting was just as tense and then David was gone.

"Everything all right between you and David?" Mulan asked. She never got any bad vibes from Kathryn, but it was a little off-putting to see David so eager to leave her presence.

Kathryn shook her head. "It's just some stuff from the first curse. Don't think about it. Now, I have a few spaces that I want you to see. I talked to Emma to get an understanding of your price range, if you don't mind."

"No, I don't. I'm still trying to understand money and currency here. Emma's been trying to tell me what I should be putting in a savings account, but I feel like she doesn't know either." There were a few things Mulan had learned in her "adulting classes," as Emma liked to call them, that Mulan believed Emma did not know much about, but she tried. Mulan appreciated the effort.

"Yeah, Regina's probably handling their finances. I can't see Emma making the best choices with money. It's good we opened the savings account. I wish all the other students were like you and went out to do things as soon as we've discussed them."

Mulan nodded. "I should get Marian to open one."

"Yes, you should. Help her adjust to being here. She should come to town more often."

"She's trying to spend time with Roland."

Kathryn nodded. "I can't imagine what it would be like to be separated from your child for so long. Is she doing well?"

Mulan shrugged. She did not like to talk about Marian's life. Kathryn smiled, knowing how Mulan was. They had a fledging friendship, built from Kathryn running the adult classes. Emma encouraged Mulan to confide in Kathryn, assuring her that Kathryn was trustworthy.

"Do you think she'll be fine when you move into your new place?" Kathryn asked as she led Mulan to view a space in the apartment complex.

"Marian is strong." Mulan told herself that to feel more at ease with leaving Marian behind, but a stone settled in her stomach. How would Marian survive the torment alone? "And she will be welcomed at my home, just as she was welcome at my tent."

Kathryn smiled. "That's good. I went out with Fred the other night and some of the Merry Men were in the bar and it was…" She shook her head.

Mulan could imagine. Ruby told her some of the things she heard the Merry Men say when they wandered into the town to drink. They were not kind, which Mulan expected. She could only assure people Marian was not like the Men said.

"Marian is a fine person," Mulan said.

Kathryn smiled. "I don't doubt that. You're always there with her, after all, and I know your type. If you're with her, she's got to be all right. Just like Emma being around Regina all the time now. It's the best way to judge Regina isn't about to destroy us all."

Mulan did not say anything to that. They walked through the apartment Kathryn wanted her to see. Kathryn had a habit of showing her two bedroom apartments, which she did not understand. Emma also liked her to look at two bedroom apartments on the internet. She would be fine with a room, a studio she learned it was called, but Emma and Kathryn would hear nothing of it. It might have something to do with space since she did expect Marian to be over.

"What do you think of this place?" Kathryn motioned around the apartment.

"It is functional." Mulan was not sure what she should like about it. It was a home. It was warm. It could contain her personal items. It would do.

Kathryn snorted. "You're a pain. Come on, let's look around. They have a garden out back and a playground."

Mulan was not sure what to make of that. The garden was nice. It would be a good place to do her morning exercises. The playground was something Roland would probably like, but it did nothing for her. It would be a nice place if Marian managed to come over with Roland.

Kathryn took her to a few other apartments in the area. They grabbed a quick lunch in between places, which they ate while walking through. Then, Mulan had to get back to get back to training and David took her to pick up some takeout for dinner. "Nothing fancy" he dubbed it as they exited the chicken restaurant. It was a good day, until she got back to the camp to find out Marian had been abandoned for the day, not allowed any time with her son.

"Come with me. I have food." Mulan held up her bag. Marian gave her a sad smile, but did not argue. "You could have come into town to find me since they have disappeared on you."

Marian shook her head as they made their way to the tent. "You were working."

"True." Mulan doubted David would have cared if Marian was there. Emma did not care if Marian showed up and David was very similar to Emma. "I am sorry they left you."

"Don't be. It's getting more and more apparent I am not one of them." Marian sighed as they settled into the tent.

Mulan wished that were not the case. She wished the Merry Men opened their arms to Marian. They used to speak so highly of her, but now did not know what to do with her. Maybe they should be without her again and then they would understand their lose.

"Perhaps you should move into town," Mulan said as she passed Marian takeout container. She did not even realize she bought Marian food until just now. Is that odd? Never mind it. She had enough to worry about.

Marian blinked, flipping her container open. "What?"

"Come with me to the adult classes. Learn how to live here. I think the Merry Men might appreciate you more if they risked losing you again. I heard how they spoke of you when I first joined. You were a goddess to them. Perhaps they need to be reminded of it," Mulan replied.

Marian played with her food a little, moving around rice and grilled chicken with her plastic fork. "I don't want to leave Roland. I don't want to be without him."

Mulan reached for her chopsticks. "You do not have to. At least go to the classes. They will see you are planning to learn to live here, which they have rejected. Perhaps then, the fear of losing you to this place will kick in and they will remember you."

Marian glanced away, possibly considering it. "That's not a bad idea. We'll see."

Mulan nodded. "If need be, you can even stay with me some days. Emma does the same with Regina."

Marian frowned. Mulan forgot Marian disliked Regina. She decided to quit while she was ahead. She ate her food, finding it delicious. Marian seemed to enjoy her meal as well. If enough time passed, the air would clear itself and they could speak on other topics. She could even tell Marian how she had spent the day driving.

-8-8-8-8-

Marian would have thought Mulan's idea of leaving the camp laughable, but each day it seemed like a grand plan. Robin ran hot and cold with her, more cold than hot, though. She could not be around her own son without Robin or one of the Men there and most of the time, Roland away from her before she could get any time in. Her heart was constantly in her stomach because of this.

"Do you see your own son doesn't want to go to you?" Robin said, motioning to Roland as he marched off to his room. They were barely in the house before Roland shot off, away from them.

It had been yet another day where Roland did not want to spend time with Marian. Granted he was fishing with the Merry Men when she proposed the idea of going into town together, but seeing the way he hid behind Little John when she asked filled her with crippling pain. It was not made any better when Robin confronted her over it, claiming Roland did not know her because she spent too much time with Mulan, as if it had nothing to do with the fact that the Men whispered and snickered about her when she was not around and seemed to think she was too stupid to notice.

"Perhaps because you keep starting fights with me in front of him," Marian replied. Neither of them flinched with the way Roland managed to slam his door. It should not be normal for their five year old to slam the door, to hear his parents fighting, and to not want his mother. But, this was her life now and this was his life. It was not good.

"Maybe if you tended to him, these sorts of things wouldn't happen," Robin stated.

"I have tried, but how often do you let me?" She glared at him.

"He doesn't want to be around you. He doesn't trust you, yet. You should be around him with the group."

"So he can avoid me?"

"That's on you. You haven't gained his trust. You have to be there for him."

Marian could not believe what she was hearing. "You slept with the Evil Queen. You had my son around the woman who murdered me and you're going to tell me to be there for him?" Not to mention, whenever she tried to be around him on her own to get to know him, Robin interjected himself, like pretending they were a happy family.

"He's been fine for me and he was fine with Regina," Robin said.

Marian slapped him before she even realized it. "You bastard! I don't know who you are or who you think you are, but you do not have the right to say that to me. She's the reason I wasn't here and you just had my son with her. You spat on my memory and now you look at me as if I'm something on the bottom of your boot."

Robin's eyes burned brighter than his cheek. "You're acting high and mighty for some creature brought back by Emma Swan meant to distract me."

Marian reeled, stepping back. Who was this man? How dare he say those things to her? She had no words for him. She did not even want to suffer his presence for now. Is that what they all think? I'm some creature who is meant to harm them? It helped explain the whispering. She left the house, rushing to Mulan's tent.

"Marian, you get back here! I chose you! How dare you refuse to choose your family? How dare you?" Robin's voice boomed loud and clear, even as she felt. She did not stop, did not respond. Mulan was up to greet her immediately.

"Marian, what's wrong?" Mulan asked with wide eyes.

Marian fell into her arms and found herself weeping. She did not know what else to do. Mulan held her close. Marian sobbed, feeling all the pain of Robin, Roland, and the Queen pouring out of her. She hardly realized how much everything hurt until she could not hold it in anymore. It was like being gutted, bathed in acid, and then left to be picked clean by vultures.

Mulan wrapped her in secure arms, sitting her down, and letting her cry. It took her a while to realize Mulan even stroked her head. She melted into Mulan and never wanted to leave.

"How could he?" Marian wailed. "How could he?"

"I am sure he did not mean it," Mulan said.

"That's just it. I'm certain he did mean it. Who is that man? My Robin was kind and caring and he would never have our son around that monster! He would know me and he would never question if I am myself!" Marian wailed. Then she looked around. There was something off. "Mulan, where's your stuff?"

Mulan shrugged. "I packed. I'm… I'm moving."

"Moving?" She swallowed. She knew the moment would come, but she did not think it would be here so fast, so soon. Whatever was left inside of her was torn, shredded, and she feared she might throw it all up.

Mulan shook her head. "I found some place. It could hold us both. Would you come with me?"

"Come with you?" It sounded insane. Things were moving too fast. Robin did not believe she was herself, the Merry Men probably thought the same, and the only support she had was leaving.

Mulan chuckled. "To my apartment in town."

Marian's face twisted up. "You want me to move in with you?" Mulan had pitched the idea of her coming to visit, which seemed reasonable, but living with her? The thought made her head spin. What was going on? Robin thought she was a specter of some kind and Mulan was about to leave her with everyone who seemed to be waiting for her to pull off her face.

"Yes. I know how hard it is here for you. Maybe it does not have to be permanent, just something to give you time to breathe, like we talked about," Mulan explained.

Sighing, Marian shook her head. "I can't leave my son." She could not prove Robin right. She could not push Roland away like that.

"You do not have to leave him. Emma and Regina share a son and they live in two different places… well, they lived in two different places," Mulan said with a furrowed brow. She seemed a bit confused by the situation, but was more knowledgeable of it than Marian.

Marian was barely aware of what Emma and the Queen were up to, having her own things to deal with. Mulan seemed to be good friends with Emma and kept up with them. Emma apparently lived with the Queen now. They shared Henry, but were not in a relationship. She never got the full story on that, more concerned with her own family, especially as it seemed to slip through her fingers like grains of sand.

Marian shook her head. "I will not run from my problems."

Mulan nodded, her hand drifting through Marian's hair to her cheek. "I understand. I greatly admire that about you."

Marian smiled, holding in a shiver. It had been quite a while since anyone complimented to her. In fact, without Mulan, Marian probably would have forgotten what it meant to be treated normally. What would she do without Mulan at camp?

"I'll miss you," Marian said.

Mulan gave her a smile. "I will still be around and we are friends, yes?"

"Of course we are."

"Then, we should make time for each other, just like we do here. If you ever need a rest, my home is open to you just as my tent has been open to you."

"Thank you." Marian went in for a hug. She did not usually touch Mulan. Something about the warrior always seemed untouchable, like too much power, especially in such a little package. She did not know what to expect, did not know if Mulan would appreciate being touched, even though she often touched Marian.

Mulan hugged her back, like the embrace was completely natural. Marian sighed in Mulan's arms. Mulan held her tight, which she was used to. Mulan tended to offer physical support, hug her after trying times, and the closeness always assured her things would be all right. Now was no different.

"My home will always be open to you," Mulan said.

Marian only nodded and remained pressed to Mulan. Mulan did not say anything, holding her as if she was worthwhile, maybe even precious. It was tempting to follow this feeling, follow Mulan into the town proper and be human again. But, she had her son and she needed him, as he needed her, regardless of what Robin seemed to think.

"Will you be all right living in town by yourself?" Marian asked.

Mulan shrugged. "I have Emma, David, Ruby, and Kathryn. Kathryn teaches the classes I got to, showing people like us, who have never been here before, how to live in this world. You should come."

Marian nodded. While she had no plans to leave the camp, she would like to learn how to live in this realm. She needed to learn more, so she could rely on herself. She could not rely on her family and Mulan was moving. She would have to stand on her own two feet.

"Everything will be fine," Mulan promised. Marian wanted to believe her, but feared those were empty words of comfort.

Eventually, Marian went home to the cabin. Robin was not there. Will Scarlet was in the living room with Roland, sitting on the floor and pushing a little car back and forth. Not the most reliable babysitter Robin could have chosen.

"Where's Robin?" Marian asked.

"He and Little John went out for a pint. Asked me to watch the kid for whatever reason. I think we all know I wouldn't have picked me for this job," Will answered with a grin.

Marian could not help chuckling. "Well, you can take off. I'm here now."

Will studied her for a moment and then looked at Roland, like he was trying to decide if it was safe to leave her there with her own son. How dare he?

"He's my son, Will. I'm not some monster," Marian said.

Will nodded. "I just think Robin would feel better if I stayed on. Usually, he'd just leave the kid with Mulan, but she's on his shit list now, too."

Marian scowled. "Don't use that language around my son." Of course, she knew Roland heard all that and worse when he hung out with the Men. It was how they were and she loved that about them, but she wished they were more conscious of the fact that Roland was five.

Will's eyes went wide. "Sorry."

"You said he would leave Roland with Mulan?" Marian asked, making her way to the couch. Had Robin become a man who thought just because a person was a woman they should be left alone with a child? Not that she did not trust Mulan, but Mulan was probably as good as babysitter as Little John, meaning they would keep track of Roland, but probably had no idea what to do with him. Not that Will knew what to do with him. "Will, what are you feeding my son?"

"Gummy bears. He said he was hungry." Will had a big bag of candy next to him and took a fist full of gummy bears for himself. Roland went elbow deep into the bag right after.

"So, you're just going to feed him gummy bears?" Marian asked, not that Roland was complaining.

Will shrugged. "Cook went into town for supplies and a drink with the lads."

Marian groaned and went to make something in the kitchen. She was not great in this modern kitchen. Mulan had been good with helping her adjust to this world, but she did not know much about the kitchen, so Marian had to learn on her own. Yes, they befriended Ruby, but she could only explain things to a certain extent. Ruby could show her if they were in the diner and things were not busy, but that was not often. Now, she had to put the words into practice.

She kept things simple, partially because their refrigerator, she believed it was called, was not well stocked, nor was their pantry. She felt comfortable with the stove top, so she made beef stew with potatoes, carrots, and beans. There were spices and seasonings in the pantry, but she was not quite confident enough to use more than salt and pepper.

"Roland, honey, come eat some dinner," Marian said.

"I've got dinner!" Roland jumped on the couch. "I've got so much dinner!" He stuffed a tiny fist full of gummy bears into his mouth.

"You need actual food. Come on." Marian marched over to him and plucked him from the couch. He yowled and squirmed, but she had a firm grip. She sat him at the table with his food and a glass of milk.

Roland tried to run off as soon as she let him go. She grabbed him up and sat him back down. Will watched the struggle from the living room, laughing over it for more time than Marian thought was good. But, Will got up to help.

"Hey, if you're not going to eat it, Roland, I think I might have to. It looks mighty good," Will commented, leaning down over Roland's food.

"You can have it! I'll have the candy!" Roland tried to make a dash for the gummy bears.

Marian caught him and sat him down once more. "No more candy. You have to eat real food if you want to grow up and be a strong Merry Man, right?"

Will nodded. "Definitely." Then, he grinned. "In fact, can I get on some of this?" He pointed to the stew pot.

"Please. There's plenty." Marian said.

Once Will sat down to eat, Roland was a little more open to the idea. He was not usually so difficult for Marian. He still shy or skittish around her, but this was new. Marian hoped it did not last long, but then again, she hoped fighting with Robin would not last long either and that was just getting worse.

-8-8-8-8-

Ruby helped Mulan move her things from her tent to her apartment since Ruby could legally drive. She borrowed David's truck to get everything in one go, not that it was a lot of stuff. Ruby was shocked there was space to spare.

"You certainly do pack light," Ruby said as they pulled up to the complex.

Mulan shrugged. "The life of a nomad. You do no want to be burdened with many things if you need to move at a moment's notice."

"True, but now you can settle down. Did Marian decide to come with you?" Ruby asked.

Frowning, Mulan shook her head. "No. She does not want to be separated from Roland, which I understand."

"Have things gotten better at camp for her?"

Mulan shook her head. She doubted the camp would ever get better. The suspicious looks had not let up for Marian. Robin seemed to keep Roland from her and when she was around Roland, everyone seemed intent on making the time spent awkward.

"No. I've told her to come here whenever she needs to." Mulan was ready to start a new life, for the third time. Hopefully, she would get it right this time. She felt like she had a good start with friends who liked her for her and tried to understand her, like Emma and Ruby.

"That's good. Well, we've got everything unloaded. Let's go have a drink. I'd love to be able to tell Emma I corrupted her deputy before she did!" Ruby cackled and rubbed her hands together.

Mulan smiled as Ruby threw and arm around her shoulders, leading her out the door. Mulan was not much of a drinker. In fact, the wine she kept was mostly for Marian, but it was good to be around someone who wanted to be around her just for the hell of it. They went to the Rabbit Hole. Mulan was fine until they went inside and there was Robin and several Merry Men. Before she could leave, Robin spotted her.

"Well, if it isn't the deputy sheriff." Robin sneered, like it was an insult.

Mulan squared her shoulders. She would not let him, or any man for that matter, push her around or treat her like she was less than. She had saved a country and she had helped save the town. She saved Philip's soul from the impossible and brought him back. She was not someone to be treated as less than, but then again, she did not think anyone should be treated as less than.

"Yes, I am a deputy sheriff," Mulan replied. She would have to remember to wear her badge more often. She was proud of the job. Emma and David were good and fair people, who wanted to protect the town and uphold justice. That was more than she could say about Robin Hood lately.

"A damn good one!" Ruby clapped her on the back. There were a few agreements in the back of the establishment and even some raised glasses. "And I'm buying this damn good deputy a drink."

"Of course you are." Robin glared at them.

"And you're a dick. Are we done stating the obvious?" Ruby smirked.

"Ruby!" Mulan yelped. Yes, Robin was out of line, but Mulan could ignore that. She did not need Ruby to be rude for her.

Ruby took Mulan around the shoulders and moved her over to the bar. The bartender was familiar with Ruby and smiled at her. Ruby rolled her eyes.

"You don't want my girlfriend to come in here with a crossbow, Kelly," Ruby said.

"You're dating your grandma?" Kelly winked.

Ruby curled her lip. "You're such an ass. Get the good deputy a cocktail with some alcohol in it."

"Ruby," Mulan objected.

"How about some wine? Come on," Ruby said. "It's to celebrate."

Mulan sighed and gave in. It was a celebration and she drank wine on occasion. She would feel better about it if Marian was with her. When they were done, she would call Marian. Hopefully, Robin would still be out so she did not have worry about him answering the phone. For now, she had to put up with him loudly badmouthing her for being a deputy.

"Yo, bro, what's your beef with the Sheriff's department?" a customer called to Robin from the back. "First, you're in here shitting on Swan and now Mulan. They're cool people who stand in the way of a lot of shit that comes our way. The hell have you done?"

"Thank you!" Ruby grinned and raised her glass.

Mulan blushed and shrugged her shoulder. She could defend herself, but it was nice people stood up for her. It had been a long time since she felt like people cared about her. Robin quieted down, but Mulan worried over a drunk Robin returning to Marian. She did not know what to do about that, though. It would not be helpful for her to turn up at the cabin when Robin came home. She would have to wait for Marian to come to her.

-8-8-8-8-

Next time: Marian continues to try to keep her family together while Mulan tries to live her life.