R+R PLEASE

Disclaimer: Ruby and Hazel only

Song credits:

Hopelessly Devoted x Olivia Newton John

CHAPTER NINE: So what makes you play this game, with results always the same and nothing but bad reputations to gain? It speaks to me like all is fine, when I could cry from all the bends and breaks that I took this time.

Luckily they didn't stay at the castle long. The mine was two miles east of Locksley and they were bringing more children to work within the week. That gave very little time to come up with a plan and train Ruby. Marion's father returned early from his trip and met them at the castle as they were leaving. He told them that Robin said to meet him in a tavern not far from the forest. So off they rode to the tavern.

AT THE TAVERN

The tavern was the perfect place to plan an ambush. There were dark corners and lots of people so no one would think anything of them. Ruby and Marion received many catcalls from the men. "Just ignore them." Marion whispered to Ruby, "I'm trying. But it's not exactly easy, breezy, beautiful cover girl over here." Ruby whispered back. They found Robin in a corner that was farthest from the crowd.

His hood was up so no one could recognize him. "Where is everyone?" Ruby asked as he led them to a back room. "They're keeping an eye out for anyone suspicious." He answered.

Ruby's heart sank a little bit. She was hoping to see Allan. "What did you find out?" Robin asked, "The mine is two miles east of Locksley. They're bringing more children in within the week. So we need to come up with a plan and I have to train Ruby." Marion said. "I can fight. All it takes is rock to the head. They pass out and wake up with a headache and no recollection of what happened." Ruby argued. Marion and Robin just stared at her. "Jack Bauer and Chuck Norris and that's all I'm gonna say about it." Ruby said.

Robin just shook his head before saying, "We'll have to set up camp near there."

"You can't. What if you get caught by Gisbourne?" Marion blurted out.

Robin smiled, "Are worried about me?"

"No. I just don't want your blood on my hands." Marion said trying to cover it up.

"Don't worry. I know where we can go without getting caught. I'll send word." He said, "Now then you both best be going." He said.

Marion walked out without saying goodbye. Ruby just shook her head and chuckled. "What?" Robin exclaimed, "You are so clueless." She answered.

Robin looked confused.

"Do you love her?"

"What?"

"Do you love Marion?"

"Of course I do. What kind of question is that?"

"Then prove it to her."

"Prove what to her? She knows." Robin argued. "No she doesn't. Robin, she thinks that you don't feel the same anymore."

"Why would she think that?"

"Because you left for the crusades without saying goodbye or telling her. You just packed up and left. She had to find out from Will. Now if you ask me that says enough. Not saying goodbye or telling her. I would think the same if it were me. But then again I have all sorts of thoughts. They come in like pearls of nuttiness. Anyway back to the subject, I know you love her Robin but she needs to know that too." With that said, Ruby walked out.

She began making her through the crowd to get to the door when she saw Allan and Will. She started smiling until a woman sat herself down in Allan's lap and kissed him. He didn't make any move to push her away. Will noticed her and nudged Allan. Allan looked up in time to see Ruby turning away who was now forcefully pushing her way out.

"Well don't just sit there. Go after her!" Will exclaimed. Allan pushed the young woman off his lap and ran after her.

"WAIT!" Ruby heard him yell as she finally made it out. Marion was waiting for her by the horses. She could tell Ruby was upset. "I'll tell you later." Ruby said as she mounted. Marion mounted her horse and they galloped off into the night.

MARION'S ROOM

Ruby and Marion were sitting by the fireplace in Marion's room.

Ruby told Marion about everything that happened between her and Allan.

"What did I expect? I'm going back anyways. It's better that I don't get attached." Ruby said looking at the flames as they danced about. Marion nodded. "Why did I think it would be different? All the guys I go for are the same. Selfish, lying, cheating bastards that only have to smile and I'm in the palm of their hand. What the hell's wrong with me? I should just give up. Love isn't for me anyways. It's for people who deserve it and I obviously don't." Ruby said.

"Don't put up a wall. You do deserve it. That's not your heart that's talking, that's your head. And the only reason your head is saying that is because you've let yourself believe every horrible thing your brothers have told you. You're not a mistake, you're not stupid, and you're not ugly. You do deserve love. You deserve happiness. If you put up a wall around your heart, you will be miserable. Trust me, I know. When my mother died and Robin left, I put one up. Now I'm miserable because I refuse to let anyone with the exception of you, in. You think you're protecting yourself from getting hurt by others when you end up hurting yourself instead." Marion said, "You're a good person Ruby. Don't ever let anyone tell you differently." Ruby smiled, "You're a good person too." She told Marion. Marion smiled as well. "Oh my God we totes had a moment!" Ruby exclaimed. Marion laughed and shook her head. "Are you like this at home?" Marion asked,

"Yeah pretty much. I get the urge to laugh at the most inappropriate times. I'm the kind of girl who laugh out loud at something that happened like yesterday when there's supposed a moment of silence." Ruby explained. "Come on, it's time for bed. We have get up early to start your training." Marion said standing up. Ruby said good night and went to her room.

Ruby couldn't fall asleep. She kept thinking about Allan and how much she wanted to be mad at him but she couldn't. So she did the only thing that helped her get to sleep if Bobo or Allan wasn't there. She sang.

Guess mine is not the first heart broken.

My eyes are not the first to cry.

I'm not the first to know

There's just no getting over you.

I know I'm just a fool who's willin'

To sit around and wait for you.

But, baby, can't you see

There's nothin' else for me to do?

I'm hopelessly devoted to you.

But now

There's no where to hide

Since you pushed my love aside.

I'm out of my head,

Hopelessly devoted to you,

Hopelessly devoted to you,

Hopelessly devoted to you.

My head is sayin', "Fool, forget him."

My heart is sayin' "Don't let go.

Hold on to the end."

And that's what I intend to do.

I'm hopelessly devoted to you.

But now

There's no where to hide

Since you pushed my love aside.

I'm out of my head,

Hopelessly devoted to you,

Hopelessly devoted to you,

Hopelessly devoted to you.

Ruby sang the last note as her eyes began to close and she fell into a deep sleep.