A/N: I really don't like this chapter, but no matter how many times I rewrote it, I just couldn't get it right. Sorry it's so short.

Meanwhile, over at Robin's house…

One-shot Locksley: Marian? Are you there? It's me, Robin.

One-shot Locksley: Come on, Marian. Talk me. Please.

XxMarianxX: What do you want?

Robin winced as he read her words. She was even using a red font.

One-shot Locksley: …I was wondering how the Bio project was going…

XxMarianxX: Oh. Erm. It's fine.

One-shot Locksley: That's good. Anything I can do to help?

XxMarianxX: No, I think I have it all under control. Thank you though.

Robin leaned back in his chair and ran a hand through his hair. Having sensed that she wasn't in a brilliant mood he had decided against asking her what he really wanted to.

One-shot Locksley: Are you sure? It wouldn't be fair if you did all the work…

Marian sighed as she read his latest message. She had decided to unblock his mobile number and e-mail address, but already she was beginning to regret it. The man just didn't give up easily. His determination was one of the things that she had once been drawn to, but used against her it was just annoying. She was still unsure of her feelings for him. She was angry, obviously, that he felt he could just walk back into her life and pick up where they left off. He didn't even ask if she was seeing anyone, and when she did he completely ruined what could have been a lovely evening for her.

And who knew what had happened in London. People change after all. For all she knew he could have had three girlfriends left back in the city.

And it was a lot of work…

XxMarianxX: Well, all right. We need diagrams, explanations and dictionary definitions.

One-shot Locksley: Why don't you come over to mine? My parents are both out at my cousin's baby shower – we'll have the house to ourselves.

XxMarianxX: I'm not sure, Robin…

He banged his head against the desk a couple of times. What would it take it get this girl to willing be in a room with him? Or even talk to him face to face? What had happened to the bouncy, cheerful, caring Marian he knew? And what would it take to get her back?

One-shot Locksley: I promise I won't…I just want to see you…please?

She sighed again. She was doing that a lot recently. Another thing she could blame him for.

XxMarianxX: …OK then.

Then she logged out and switched the computer off.

A few blocks over and Robin was smiling smugly to himself. Then he suddenly leapt off of his chair and dashed to the small bathroom attached to his bedroom. He ran a bit of gel through his hair and then slapped himself on the cheek.

"Looking good," he mumbled.

He quickly changed out of his ugly school uniform and into a pair of loose jeans and a bicep hugging T-shirt. On the off chance that she came into his bedroom he picked up random pairs of boxers and socks that had been left lying around on the floor.

Marian knocked on the front door a few minutes later. As she stood on the porch she couldn't help but think of all the times that she had been round to his house for 'study sessions'. Most of the time they had ended up studying the inside of each other's mouths. She pulled at her skirt, trying to make it cover more of her long legs and wished that she had worn trousers. Her dark curls were tied back into a high ponytail on the top of her head, her laptop case swung over her shoulder.

He answered the door, leaning against it in a relaxed pose. He was smiling his usual boyish grin and looking as cute as ever.

I did not just think that! She thought as she stepped past him, brushing against him as she did so.

"We can set up in the kitchen," he said, taking the laptop and folders from her.

The two of them sat in silence and at opposite ends of the table, each with a mug of freshly made coffee in front of them. They got to work cutting and sticking the necessary pieces of information needed for the stupid project. The only sounds that could be heard were the tick-tocking of the clock on the wall and the low hum of the refrigerator. Robin racked his brain for something to say – anything to start a conversation.

"You look nice," OK maybe not that.

"Thank you," she said politely, her eyes never leaving the screen. She wasn't even working; she was searching the net for a new pair of shoes.

"So…" he tried again. "Tell me what's been happening since I've been away. Are you seeing anyone?"

She thought about lying and saying yes, she was, but decided against it and shook her head. "No, I'm not. Did you date in London?"

He smiled and shook his head. "No, I didn't want a rebound relationship," he took a sip of coffee in an attempt to give himself a jolt. "Marian, I hate this. Not being able to just sit and talk like we used to. Isn't there anyway we can try again."

She looked him in the eye. He hid his emotions well, but she knew what to look for and where. "I don't think so, Robin."

"Why not?" he asked, looking around the room to avoid her eyes. "Don't you care for me anymore?"

She waited a moment before answering, choosing her words carefully. "A part of me will always care for you, but Robin, you barely left with a goodbye."

He stood up. "Marian, I made a mistake. I realise that now, and I'm sorry. But this is stupid, we're fighting over nothing," he walked around the table to her. "Can't we just act like this never happened and start again?"

He took her hand in his and pulled her to her feet. "Please?" he whispered before his lips captured hers.

He felt her reluctance, but neither of them pulled away. Her lips were soft and warm; he couldn't have pulled away if he wanted to. He sucked gently on her lower lip and then pulled back. "I love you," he whispered so quietly that he wasn't sure if she had heard him.

But she had. Even when they had been dating, those three words had never been uttered by either of them. They had been younger back then, both physically and emotionally, but the attraction they had shared was intense.

He kissed her again. Her lips parted on their own accord and his tongue slipped into her mouth, dancing with hers. She bought her hands up to his chest and gave him a firm push backwards.

"I have to go," she said calmly, but on the inside she was anything but.

He mentally sighed; he'd blown it again. "Marian, I didn't mean it."

"Didn't mean what?" she quickly spun around to face him again. "Didn't mean that you love me, or didn't mean to kiss me?"

"How many times do I have to apologise?" he asked, running a hand through his hair.

She gave a half-shrug. "I'll let you know when you get there," she folded her arms across her chest and took a deep breath to calm down. "This is, all going way too quickly for me. You only just got back."

"How much time are you going to need?"

She shook her head to herself. "I don't know. I have to go," she said quietly.

Robin bit his lip until he began to taste blood, but nodded. Silence came between them, each afraid to say anything in case it started another fight. He closed his eyes and heard her shuffle around and gather his things about. "I'll see you tomorrow then?"

He just nodded. She let herself out, leaving him standing in the kitchen. We'll, he thought, it was better than a slap to the face. And it may not have been a proper goodbye, but it was a start, and better than nothing.

TBC

I know, OK. But I promise the next chapter will be better, and has lots of angst, fights, and a bit of fluff too!