Chapter 9

Robin and Catherine walked hand in hand for several silent minutes. They were both lost to their own thoughts. Neither knew how to get out of this dilemma. Robin glanced at Catherine briefly.

Catherine looked up and met his gaze. She started to speak but stopped when his lips met hers. His arms wrapped around her waist pulling her closer to him. Catherine slid her arms around his neck, her hands tangled in his hair.

Robin pulled back slightly completely out of breath. "I'm sorry that was very forward of me," Robin said with a smile.

"I'd say it wasn't nearly forward enough," Catherine replied as she kissed him again. A snapping twig caused them both to freeze.

Robin's eyes scanned the trees expertly. Catherine loosened her grip on Robin and turned slightly.

"I should have known," Guy called as he stepped into the clearing.

"What are you doing out here Gisbourne," Robin asked angrily.

"I'm looking for my sister," Guy replied smugly. "It would seem you found the little whore first though."

Catherine stiffened at his words. She doubted Guy knew how deeply his words could cut her. No one can hurt you like family can.

"She's not a whore," Robin snapped.

"She's your whore," Guy said with a smug smile. "I haven't come to argue, I've come to warn you both."

"Warn us about what," Catherine asked.

"If you aren't back in the castle by sundown tomorrow ready to marry, then Robin and all of his outlaws will die at the hands of your fiancé's private guard," Guy explained.

"You're bluffing, they won't be able to find any of us," Catherine replied.

Robin grabbed her arm to keep her from saying anything more. "You've delivered your warning. I suggest you go back to your castle now and terrorize someone else," Robin said calmly. He sounded much calmer than he felt though.

Guy nodded slightly and disappeared into the trees. Robin motioned for Catherine to stay put as he snuck after Guy. He wanted to make sure that Guy actually left the woods. Catherine leaned against the nearest tree and sighed loudly. Things had gotten incredibly complicated much to quickly.

Robin reappeared across the clearing and leaned against a tree to study her. Catherine smiled slightly at him and shook her head.

"It reminds me when we were younger," Catherine said softly.

"What do you mean," Robin asked.

"Don't remember all those times we snuck of into the woods and Guy would follow us," Catherine asked. "It drives him crazy that we… we're…"

"We're what," Robin asked with a smile. He enjoyed making her nervous. She was beautiful when she got flustered.

"You tell me," Catherine challenged.

"In love," Robin replied as he pushed himself away from the tree he was leaning on.

"We're in love," Catherine said in surprise.

"I'm in love with you, I can't say if you love me though," Robin pointed out.

Catherine continued to lean against her tree as Robin drew closer to her. "I think it's safe to say that I like you quite a bit, but love? That's an important word," Catherine replied.

"It is," Robin allowed, "I'm ready to say it to you. I've wasted so much time being angry, that I just want to be happy. I want to move on from Marian's death."

A strange look ghosted across Catherine's face as she stared him. She pursed her lips slightly unsure of how to feel at that moment. She had wanted to hear those things from Robin, but she didn't want to hear them in conjunction with Marian's death. Had he finally accepted her death but felt that he was settling by being with her?

"Catherine," Robin said as he pushed some hair out of her eyes. "Say something."

"I love you, I never stopped loving you Robin. I just don't know if you have really let go of Marian," Catherine explained before she turned away from him and disappeared into the trees.

Chapter 10