Chapter 4 – Provoking The Monster Within

I'm actually quite proud of the first part of this chapter, not so much with the ending lol

Anyhoo as promised chapter 4

Please review and enjoy!!

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Marian was browsing through the clothe rack at New Look when she felt a strong pair of arms wrap around her waist and heard an all too familiar annoying whine whispered in her ear "Can we go now" She stifled a laugh as Allan rested his head on her shoulder "Please" He begged rather undignified.

"I thought this was suppose to be my treat?" She questioned, "Anyway I'm nearly done, so would you please shut up" Allan smiled wickedly before pinching at her sides making her giggle uncontrollably. She gave Allan a playful smack before composing herself in front of the other costumers who were giving them vulgar looks.

"Come on we'd best leave, that old lady at the counter is giving us the most dirtiest look" Marian covered her mouth to hide her smile, just in case the old women saw them and decided to tell them how indecent and inconsiderate there were being to the people around them.

Allan, who really didn't give a stuff about the women said loudly "She can look all she likes" He then stared directly at her "I don't know why she's in here anyway, theses clothes are bit too modern for her, she'd be more happy at… er…erm, Marian what's the place called that sells carpets and curtains" Allan mocked, while Marian dragged Allan out of the shop before the old women could hit him with her bag.

They ran down the street to get out of sight of the shop and the old women, Marian hissed to him, "One of theses days your get in trouble for talking like that especially to an old women" Allan pulled on her arm making her walk at a more reasonable pace "I'm not worried"

"Well you should be, because if I hadn't of pulled you out of there then I think that lady would of beaten you to death with her bag" Allan merely laughed as they approached there next shop.

"But that's the thing isn't it Marian" He pulled her close to him "Your always be there to stop me doing stupid things" She smile cheekily "Why don't you just stop doing stupid things"

Allan researched his brain for a witty comeback but when he couldn't think of one he pouted "Shut up!"

They wondered through Tesco picking up various items while they continued there little game of witty banter. When Marian was examining a product she hastily put it down and moved on, Allan was puzzled by Marian action and asked "Hey what's up I thought you liked lasagne" He then pressed "What is it? Haven't you got enough cash? You know I'll loan you some if-"

"No Allan its fine and Yes before you bombard me with any more questions I'm having a bit of a cash flow crisis and No I don't want a loan" She sighed heavily.

"Come on Marian don't be so proud you shouldn't be shamed because you need money, even the best of us get a little hard up on cash at times…" He cupped her cheek with his hand "Tell me what's the matter"

She smiled "There no problem its just, well, I teach dance after school a few times a week ad it doesn't bring much money in and don't get me wrong I love it there, and I'm not stupid I know I need to find a second job to help pay the rent but…" She stopped for breath before continuing, "I thought I knew what I wanted to do but now I'm not so sure"

"What do you mean?"

"I don't know what my vocation is"

"But I thought it was dance, you know to star in music video's" He smiled

"So did I but, I… I don't think I'm good enough" She bowed her head while Allan's smile only grew, he lifted her chin with his fore finger and thumb and whispered, "We both know that that's not true, your amazing and if you find you need a little extra cash" He wrapped his arm tightly around her waist, his lips just hovering millimetres away from hers making her catch her breath "You know where to find it" His words were spoken deliberately slow making Marian shiver. He then cashed his lips down onto her; the pressure from his mouth caused her to take a step backwards to recover herself. Her small hands instantly wrapped themselves around his neck to pull him closer. And his arms moved up to her shoulder blades as his tongue darted in her mouth. Pulling away for breath they couldn't stop the huge grin that spread across their faces.

"So should I write you a cheque or should I just pay you in cash sweetie" He whispered huskily. Marian, with her arms still wrapped around Allan's neck, leant back away from his lips, just in case he tried to kiss her again. And began to bite her lower lip in her owe alluring way, almost pondering the thought. His drove Allan crazy and he couldn't help but add, "You know there's more then one way you could pay me back" His lips started to travel up her neck and he smiled when he heard her lustful moan. Moving back towards her face he then planted one long kiss to her lips before leaning his head on hers.

"We should get going" She smiled and kissed him quickly again before pulling him into a hug. As she pulled back she noticed that Allan's face had lost its bright smile and that he was staring at something behind her. He looked down at Marian who was still in his embrace then looked back at the person behind her. His face then twisted into a sinister smile, curious Marian turned around to see none other then Rose with little Hailey in her arms and Robin with a small basket hanging limp in his hand.

Marian face reddened, she almost felt ashamed about what she was doing with Allan, and the last thing she wanted was the two of them to find out like this. Marian then buried her head in Allan shoulder unable to make any eye contact with the two. Rose was the first to speak "What's going on here?" She asked shocked to her very core.

Allan just smiled and locked Marian in a gripping hug, "Oh hey there" He sang loudly "Look Marian it's the Locksley's, well isn't this a pleasant surprise and as to quote the sheriff a clue… no" He patronised evilly, reminding everyone of their high school bully, "No, I mean…" Rose started but couldn't think of the words to continue.

"You mean what are me and Marian doing here?" He guessed "Well I decided to take out my beautiful girlfriend here and treat her to a few new clothes, it what any good boyfriend would do" His smile began to frighten Marian so she uttered to him quietly "Please stop" Allan looked surprised by Marian's comment, he unlike Marian was still unwilling to forgive the two and put this whole thing behind them.

"No" He said like it was the most obvious thing in the world "We have nothing to hide, I love you and you love me, there's nothing wrong about the world knowing that, right?"

"Of course not, but please Allan can we both just go, I don't want to make a scene" She began to look around at all the spectator pretending to inspect there food product when really all there senses were locked on the mini scene, which looked like at any second could turn out to be a full blown argument if not a fight.

He shook his head angrily "I don't care what other people think, and neither should you" He barked quietly.

Robin just started at the two while there little argument was going on, they already looked like an old married couple bickering in the shops like that. But nothing could distract Robin long enough for him to see past the fact that they were still locked in a tight embrace, he felt like someone had torn open his chest, ripped out his heart then through it on the floor and jumped on it repeatedly. She had moved on, and not just on to anyone but to him. Allan a dale. Sudden a thousand thoughts came rushing through Robin's mind, what if they got married? What if they had children or moved away from Nottingham? I could never see her again or worse I could see her everyday with him by her side. He wasn't thinking rationally but it didn't stop him wondering. Is this what she feels like every time she sees me with Rose and Hailey? He thought No wonder she can't even stand look at me he sighed sadly.

Rose was thinking the same things as Robin, but one very important point stood out to her like a sore thumb. She had a secret that no one knew about, and only she knew the damage something like this secret could cause. She never knew if she would ever get the chance to tell her secret, she thought she did at one point, but now the hope of revealing it seemed to get farer away from her everyday. Which only added to her guilt by not telling it even if it did mean doing more bad then good. But she kept quiet and buried her feelings and true emotions.

Anyone watching the four of them would find it hard to believe that they were all once very good and close friends. But now Rose thought, I'm not even good enough to clear the dirt off there shoes. Tears once more began to form in her eyes as she stared lovingly at the man she could never have.

Marian sighed heavily she wanted nothing more then to scream at Allan for making her feel so uncomfortable. But she kept her feeling in check; she was pretty good at that. But it was hard to think when Robin was around, she loved him so much but the pain he had caused her, she feared would never go away. And then their was Allan, who like everyone on this planet had his moments where he completely pissed her off. But Allan could be so sweet and so loving at times that she could forget everyone else in the world, and there were times where she thought she could really make a go at there relationship, but when Robin was here in her presents the idea suddenly felt wrong.

Allan was still whispering hoarsely in her ear about them standing there ground and telling them the truth about there love for each other when Marian finally lost her rag "That's it!" She shouted at the top of her lungs causing little Hailey to jump and drop her toy, which she had been playing with in Rose arms. She was completely obvious to her parent's distress and just looked on in bewilderment at the people around her.

"I've had enough Allan, I'm leaving!" She bellowed with the same loudness as her last words.

"What do you mean leaving?" He snapped angrily.

"It means I can't deal with this at the moment Allan, you're making this too hard!" Her voice had broken into a harsh whisper.

"Oh I'm making this too hard am I well I'm-" But he stopped mid-sentence realising she was no longer present.

Allan turned bitterly to Robin "Are you happy now!" He spat getting in Robin's face.

Robin felt extremely guilty for what he had done to both Allan and Marian and he had fought all his natural instincts every time Allan got in this face to provoke him into fighting him, but if Allan push him anymore Robin worried he'd do something he would regret.

"Allan I can't say I'm sorry enough, what do you want me to do ay?" Robin snapped getting annoyed that Allan wouldn't back off. Rose sensing what was coming took off with little Hailey in her arms and left the shop.

"You know I would do anything to turn the clock back… I know I hurt you Allan but nothing you could do to me could ever make me feel any worse them I already do about myself" Robin spat at his former friend.

"Oh my heart bleeds for you Robin it really does, you don't want forgiveness from me, come on lets face it Robin you miss Marian you don't care about me, this is all to do with Marian" He narrowed his eyes and him then the disgusted look on his face turned twisted and evil again, making Robin almost shudder. The look on Allan's face didn't look human, not like the Allan everybody knew; it was a creepy, scary Allan he was almost irreconcilable.

He smile darkly before saying something that he knew Robin would completely flip out over "But do you know what Robin" He tone was a mixture of sarcasm, betrayal and disgust "I understand why you want to be back in Marian's good book" He took a step back preparing himself for what was to come next, and he said smugly "She is a great shag"

Robin's blood began to boil over it was one thing that they were together, but Robin didn't even contemplate for a moment about the idea of them sleeping together. And as Allan predicted Robin threw a hard punch at his jaw, which he successfully ducked while laughing, "Touch a nerve there did I?" Robin threw another punch, this time he was successful as his fist connected with his Allan's stomach. The people around them began to crowd around as the two boys began to fight one another.

This time Allan returned a punch to Robin's eye, which would leave a nasty purple bruise there for tomorrow. After holding his head to recover from the blow from Allan fist Robin took a swing at Allan's legs, he kicked him hard in the back of then knee's causing him to buckle and fall onto the floor. Allan quickly scrambled to his feet and spat "Your gonna pay for that one you bastard" He then took a dive at Robin by running into his chest and pushing him backwards into a row of shelves covered in tomato soup cans. Robin's back connected with the shelves causing him to yell out in pain. Now complete enraged by Allan, he took his own dive at him, he was now sat on Allan's chest beating the crap out of him, and he only stopped when the security guards finally arrived.

They were both throw out of the shop and asked never to return there again. They were lucky that the police weren't informed but neither of them cared, once they both left the shop they stormed away in different directions.

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Allan walked quickly to Marian's apartment and ignored the gasps and stares from the people off the street who were commenting on Allan now bleeding forehead and bruise cheek. Although Allan didn't really care about the people who had nothing better to do then to make a passing comment to him. He only cared about Marian and how he had left things with her at the shop, he was still absolutely fuming about what happened at Tesco but he decided it was best to go and see Marian otherwise he might be tempted to go and find Robin and finish him off.

He got to the front door and knocked on it twice.

When Marian answered surprisingly she didn't look shocked, almost like she knew this would happen "What do you want" She said bluntly.

"What do you bloody think I want" He growled.

She let out an irritated moan "Well if that's gonna be your attitude Allan then you can shove off" She tried slamming the door but Allan held it open with his foot "Look I'm sorry but what did you expect?" He then came barging through the door.

"What?" Marian asked confused.

"Don't play dumb with me Marian, at the shop what the hell was that!" He demanded, blood still trickling down his forehead

"Right ok" Marian smiled sarcastically as Allan poured himself a drink "I'm getting abuse from the man who's just come back from what can only be described as a war zone"

"Pfft!" Allan grumbled bringing the glass to his lips, "Did you win?" Marian asked, as Allan stopped from drinking his drink.

"What?" Allan spat annoyed.

"Did you win" Marian repeated, still looking confused at Marian's word's she pointed to the fresh, new bruise that was beginning to form on his face.

Realising he said "Oh leave it out would ya"

"No I won't because I knew, I just knew this would happen Allan, that's why I wanted to leave, but you can't let it go can you" She snapped angrily "You need to learn to control your temper!"

Allan leant back on the back of the sofa and started laughing heartily; confused Marian asked, "Why are you giggling like an idiot?"

"I just don't know why I bother" He began to trail his finger around the edge of his glass.

"What do you mean now?" She huffed getting frustrated.

"I said I don't know why I bother" He took a sip of his drink and as he removed the glass from his lips he caught a glimpse of Marian's disapproving stare "You know I don't like you drinking" She said calmly with her arms folded across her chest.

He just smiled as he raised the alcoholic beverage to his lips "I know" He said bitterly.

"Do you care for me at all?" She asked quietly not meeting his eyes.

"Do you?" Allan growled back "What happen at the shop" He stopped to find the right words "That was so, so…humiliating"

"Humiliating?"

"Yes, Marian humiliating… there I am telling everybody how much I love you and you just look at me like… like your ashamed of me"

"Well it's not like you chose the right place to do it in now was it" Marian snapped back "What did you really expect me to do Allan, did you want me to stand in front of a microphone and have me pledge my undying love for you"

He let out a moan "I don't understand you" He slammed the glass onto the table and began to walk towards her, "Why aren't you more angry with them, this is the man that slept with one of your friends and had a child with her, how on earth can you expect me to be civil to them!"

"Well Allan you have to try because we can't go on like this, because this is beginning to stress me out too much ok, its just too much!" She stated passionately with tears coming to her eyes. Allan stood shocked and a little taken back he suddenly realised how much this was affecting her. There Allan was plainly making it clear to everyone how much pain and suffering Robin and Rose had caused him, while Marian on the other hand was bottling up most of her true feeling inside and it had begun to eat away at her until she finally cracked.

"Hey, hey look I'm sorry sweetie" He sighed enveloping her into a warm loving hug "I'm sorry" He rubbed her back gently as she soaked his shirt with tears.

"Look sweetie" Her head was still resting against his chest but she looked up at him with caring eyes "I'm sorry, for acting like an prick" he began to caress her cheek "I guess I was so focused on concentrating my angry towards Robin and Rose that I forget about you and your feelings" She smiled at him for his comforting hug and turned her head slightly to kiss the palm of his hand. She then sighed, "Do you think we made the right decision getting together?" She then hastily continued at the sight of his hurt expression "You don't think we did it for the wrong reason's?"

Allan thought for a moment he probably did go out with Marian for the wrong reasons at the start, but now his feelings for her had changed he wasn't entirely sure if it was love or lust, but he knew one thing for sure he didn't want to see her get hurt. He wanted to protect her from everything bad in the world and he wasn't sure if that came from being romantically in love with her or just came from the love he had for her as a friend.

He sighed, "Honestly I don't know, but I do care for you Marian, I don't want to see you get hurt" He repeated his thoughts.

"And I care a lot for you too but maybe we should slow things down a little, I mean the main reason were not living together now is because I don't want to ruin what I have with you"

"But you still want to be with me?" He asked a little scared of the answer.

"Do you want to be with me?" She answered his question with her own question

Suddenly the silence between them had broken as they heard the front door go "Hi ya it's only me, how was your shopping trip with-" Djaq jumped at the slight of Allan bloody and bruised face "What on earth happen to you?" She asked concerned rushing over towards the pair. They broke apart and breathed a sigh of relief, the intrusion was welcomed quite happily "It's a long story Djaq" Marian sighed shaking her head.

"Well don't just stand there come on Allan in the kitchen we need to clean those up and maybe one of you would like to enlighten me as to how this all happened" Djaq sighed heavily and mumbled under her breath "As if I don't already know" before wondering into the kitchen to get a damp cloth for Allan's head. Marian and Allan soon followed her through to the kitchen; they were both trying to avoid that awkward question that they never got to answered.

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I don't have the foggiest clue when this will be updated next hopefully I will post another chapter before I go away for a week but no promises, ok?

Let me know what you think :D

Robyn

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