Chapter Seven- A Problem Shared

"For the record," Allan started, holding up his hands so that his palms were stretched outwards facing the other outlaws. "I did nothing."

His eyes flickered across the lads; eventually meeting Robin's gaze who scowled across at him. Allan swallowed hard, preparing to be hit with a thousand insults regarding the situation. He and Kate had returned from their 'adventure' an hour or so earlier and, when quizzed about their whereabouts last night, she had stormed off crying, resulting in a lot of unhappy outlaws, much to Allan's dismay.

"You did nothing?!" Much asked in confusion, taking a hesitant step forward to confront Allan before being stopped in his tracks by Robin's outstretched arm. Much groaned and looked at his former master for some kind of permission, but their leader merely shook his head.

"Allan," Robin began, dropping his gaze from his friends and glancing at the floor. He let out an exasperated sigh and rubbed his temple in an attempt to calm himself, before continuing. "What happened?" He snapped his gaze up to meet the tricksters once again and furrowed his brows. His face was intent and serious, something which Allan decided he did not like one bit.

"Nothing!"

The gang stood still, staring at Allan with their eyebrows raised, waiting for him to tell them what really happened.

Allan returned their long stare, refusing to let himself blurt out the real reason she was currently unhappy with him. He was angry at Kate- furious even- and could have happily told all the others how petty she was being just because she couldn't have what she wanted. However, Much was still Allan's family, no matter how much he denied it, and he did not want to start a family feud.

"I'll have to talk to her," Much declared, breaking the uncomfortable silence that loomed over everyone as they battled it out in what seemed like the longest staring contest in history. Allan opened his mouth to protest but was beaten to it by Little John.

"I'll go," he stated bluntly. He went to leave, not waiting for permission from any of the others. Robin nodded, casting his gaze across at camp and letting out a sigh.

"Right lads, let's get something cooking while they're gone. Much?" Much was staring into space, most probably thinking about Kate and Allan, and did not even register Robin's comment until a good few seconds later. He looked up and nodded eagerly, before making his way across the camp to the designated cooking area.

Allan grinned, pleased that he seemed to have been off the hook for now. He slumped down onto his bunk and listened to his stomach rumble as the aroma of lunch drifted through the air and into his nostrils.

* * * * *

Kate screamed in frustration, kicking up some fallen leaves on the forest bed and watching the wind blow up the dirt into a small twister before it fell, settling on the floor yet again.

She paced up and down aimlessly, hoping that this movement would somehow clear her mind of all that had happened today: or anything involving Allan in general. Sadly it didn't. She groaned, clenching her fists in frustration at the fact that she could not find anyway to get him out of her mind. He was like the plague, all be it a thoroughly enjoyable one.

As she paced she stopped abruptly in her tracks on hearing a rustling behind her. Automatically she withdrew her sword and swung it around, creating a high pitch whistle as the blade cut through the air. Before she had chance to cross examine the intruder, the steel had pierced his flesh creating a large gash across his right arm. He winced, gripping the arm with his left and looking up at Kate as thick crimson blood dripped from his fingertips.

"Kate!" Little John exclaimed. "We do not injure our friends," he stated, his voice suddenly loosing all sense of surprise or accusation, and instead sounding much like one of a philosophers.

Kate flinched when her eyes came to rest on the wound and she looked back up at John, astounded by what she had just managed to do.

"I'm sorry. I wasn't…. My thoughts were…" she stuttered, waving her arms around in the air trying desperately to explain her situation. Finally, after a few moments, she let out an exasperated sigh and slid her sword back into its holster.

"Allan," John said bluntly, making sure that it had not sounded like a question. He knew that this was about Allan, anyone could work that out!

Kate nodded and looked back up at her companion. With a heavy sigh she ripped the hem of her dress (all the while pretending that it was in fact an area of Allan that was widely talked about amongst the tavern girls) and made her way over to John. She wrapped it around his wound, resulting in a reluctant groan from the giant himself, and fastened it securely with a knot. She was no medic, but it would stop the bleeding. John didn't seem to be in too much pain, anyway.

"We kissed," she blurted out, her back turned to her companion as she walked further away from him. She couldn't hold it in much longer: half of her wanted to bury it and never speak of the incident again but another half of her wanted to brag about it.

John's eyes widened and he stood for a moment looking rather confused: he had expected this to be Kate getting hurt by Allan's teasing, not a kiss! He took a few hesitant steps forward and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. He was the closest thing she had to a father, after all.

"Then why are you upset?" he asked, deep concern lacing his voice.

"Because he blew me off! He got what he wanted and the made some excuse to never have to kiss me again," she exclaimed, knowing that she had been exaggerating slightly. She was just angry, so bloody angry! She spinned around on her heel and looked at John through teary eyes.

John's face contorted with anger, his brows furrowing and his mouth turning into a frown. He could feel his fist clenching and a strange parental protection began bubbling inside him. He automatically assumed, this involving Allan, that he had used her much like he used the girls of Nottingham: got involved, got bored and got lost.

"Stay here," he ordered, his voice becoming far more intense than it had been previously.

Kate looked at him in horror. What was going to happen once John returned to camp? Had she accidentally got Allan into trouble? Whatever had just happened, she could not bring herself to go with John… she could not face him.

John turned to leave, quickly patting the wound on his lower arm before continuing through the forest towards camp. He was going to talk to Allan- he could not get away with using Kate like that. The thought of it made John mad yet again and he quickened his pace to prevent himself doing anything unholy.

A/N: This chapter mainly just set the scene for the next chapter. Please rate and review! :D