Will had gathered a group of men to begin work. Not only did he have to get another camp up and running but he had to finish his special project as well. It had come to his and Robin's attention that a separate location to house and take care of the injured and ill was needed. He had decided that it would be the perfect surprise for Djaq, and he began working on it immediately. Everyone was in on it. Much and Robin helped with the design, recalling their experiences in the Holy Land, Marian helped prepare bedclothes and curtains, John chopped down most of the trees for the project, and Allan, well Allan stayed out of the way and tried to keep Djaq distracted as well.

Will had spent almost everyday here for the past two weeks working on this project, and it was so close to completion. He stood stiffly and wiped the sweat from his brow. Every rafter, cot, support beam, and table were all constructed out of love. He smiled as he surveyed the work. It should only be a few days before he could bring her here.


Robin walked up to Much shoving a piece of cloth in his face, "does this stitch look like it will hold?"

His former master really had become a different man since his daughter came into this world. The Robin he knew would never have picked up a needle and thread unless it was to stitch a wound. He looked at Robin's work, "it should hold."

"Should hold," Robin looked concerned, "it has to hold. It is going to be for my little girl."

Much had to laugh at the desperation on Robin's face, "then I would add another row of stitches, just to be safe." Much went over to the small crib Will had made while Robin set about his own work. "You are a cute little thing, you know," he lifted her up into his arms. "You've shaken things up a bit too," he tickled her softly. She had only been a part of the outlaw's lives for a few months now, but Much couldn't imagine the camp without her little coos and giggles.

Robin watched his best friend with his daughter. The others in the gang had all held her at some point, but Much was the only one who really coddled and played with her. A smile tugged at his lips, "you are going to make a great father one day, Much."

The shorter man tried to swallow the lump that had formed in his throat, "if I ever find a proper mother."

Robin winced at the pain in Much's voice, "still no news, then?"

"No one has seen or heard from Eve since we stole the ledger and destroyed the black powder," Much looked into the infants eyes as she wrapped her small hand around his finger. "I'll keep my eyes and ears open though. I will find her."

Robin nodded, "if you ever have need of me, my friend, all you have to do is ask."


Marian was busy washing clothes by the river. It was a chore none of them enjoyed doing, especially since the baby came. She brushed some hair out of her face before she bent over and continued her scrubbing. Her breath caught in her chest as she heard the soft crack of a twig and the rustle of leaves as someone approached her. She waited patiently, picking up another shirt and dunking it into the water. Whoever it was thought that they had the element of surprise on their side, but they were about to be horribly mistaken. As the foot steps came closer she jumped up, spinning to face her opponent.

Robin smiled cheekily at her and nudged her sword away from his neck, "hello my love."

"Robin of Locksley, do you have a brain in that beautiful head of yours? You know better than to sneak up on an outlaw," her anger quickly subsided as she noticed the ridiculous smile on his face.

"Well aren't you going to say something about my Baby Quiver," he asked her pointing to his chest. He did a slow spin so Marian could inspect his handy work.

"It looks like a normal sling to me," she said amused as she studied the dark green wool that was wrapped from his left shoulder to his right hip. Their small infant was carefully bundled inside.

"But Marian," Robin whined, "baby sling sounds so ordinary. Baby Quiver sounds manly and adventurous."

She laughed at her husband, "sometimes I feel like I have two children." She kissed him gently on the nose, "as long as you don't draw my sweet child across your bow and fire her at the Sheriff you can call it whatever you wish."

He beamed at his beautiful wife, "would you like some help with the laundry. You see the wonderful thing about the Baby Quiver is that I can take care of our child and have both hands free."

She put her hand over her mouth in shock, "you don't say?"

"And if you are lucky, I may make one for you too," he slapped her playfully on the butt.