SUAD 12

Marian walked down the street as she pulled her coat closer to her body, trying to keep in the warmth. When she and Robin were together he would wrap his arm around her and pull her close and keep her warm. She missed those times. But no she couldn't think about Robin. Especially not now. She jogged up the stone steps. The echoing of her heels as she walked through the empty hall ways. She hated these apartments. They were always clean and tidy, but for some strange reason, they always seem ghostly in a way. They were always abandoned and the people that you ever did meet here, were always strange. They would avoid eye contact and run past you, as if your carried some infectious disease. Finally she reached the door. She didn't know what to do now that she was here. She stood and stared at the door. As though it would give her some sort of x-ray vision. She looked at the silver name plate on it. It had sharp harsh edges likes its owner. Guarded by a protective glass shield. She slowly raised her hand to knock on the door when she heard muffled voices coming from inside. Marian frowned and leaned her ear softly on the door. She could barely hear what they were saying. But then the voices got louder.

'We gave Locksley our warning. If he doesn't leave town within the next week, then we will simply have to...upgrade it.' Marian made out the voice of Vaisey.

'I don't think he will leave. That was quite a beating we gave him last time, and he didn't even seem to care about it.' Guy explained.

'Well then. Perhaps we should make sure he got the idea.' Vaisey added. 'But come on we better go or else we will be late.'

Marian stood back in shock from the door. She starred at it for a few moments before turning and running up the next flight of stairs as the door handle began to turn. Robin had been telling the truth. Why hadn't she believed him? She couldn't even think of a reason now. What a stupid girl she was. She heard them exit the apartment and start walking out of the building. Marian slowly made her way down the stairs, taking extra precaution that they do not see her. She reached the street and saw them walking off in the direction of the docks. She followed slowly behind them. She had to know what they were up to.

They reached the docks. Marian held back and hid behind a large storage container. She was close enough to hear, but not close enough to be seen. She watched as Guy and Vaisey walked up to two other men. They were tall and had lots of piercings and tattoo's. One was bald and had a dragon or a snake all over his head.

'Are the dugs in the bikes ready to be shipped?' Vaisey asked as he picked his finger nails.

'Yes.' The bald man replied.

'Gisbourne, check them. These fools have already made one mistake.' Vaisey ordered. Guy groaned and rolled his eyes as he walked into one of the large containers. He soon reappeared.

'Yes, they are all fine. Now can we go and see Locksley?' Guy sneered.

'Hmm, yes. I need some enlightenment.' Vaisey said as they turned and walked away.

Marian's heart raced. She had to get to Robin. She turned and ran as fast as he legs could carry her in the direction of his house. Her legs ached and her chest felt tight and sore, but she had to get to him. She had to get there before Guy and Vaisey did.

Finally she made it into his street. She charged for his house, and was relieved when she saw no sign of Guy or Vaisey any where. She barged up to the front door and pounded on it with all her might.

Robin frowned from the kitchen to the sudden hurricane of banging on his front door. He got up and walked to the door, ready to kill who ever kept pounding on the the door. He threw it open and to his surprise he found Marian.

'Marian not now.' Robin sighed.

However, Marian took no notice at his request and barged in. It was then that Robin realised she was out of breath and frantic.

'Marian are you OK?' Robin asked closing the door and turning to face her.

'Robin.' Marian said tears coming to her eyes. 'I am so sorry. I didn't believe you when I should have. How could I not believe you.' Marian said.

Robin stood completely shocked and confused. Only the morning she had practically admitted to being with Gisbourne. Now she was here saying sorry.

'Marian what are you talking about?'

'I heard Vaisey and Guy talking, they told me about how they beat you up.' Marian sobbed as a tear slid down her cheek. 'I followed them to the drugs. You were telling the truth and I threw it back in your face.' Marian fell to the floor crying.

Robin was at her side in an instant and holding her in his arms.

'Shh, its OK.' Robin calmed her.

'How can you ever forgive me. You trusted me and I turned you away.' Marian continued to sob.

'I already have forgiven you.' Robin laughed as he hugged her close.

'Robin. I love you and I am so sorry. You deserve so much better than me.'

'I love you to. And until Jessica Alba knocks my door, you'll have to do.' Robin answered and Marian laughed and playfully hit him in the chest.

Robin smiled and wiped some of her hair that was sticking to her tear stained cheeks away from her face. He reached down and slowly and gently locked their lips. Marian sighed into the kiss and pulled him by the neck into a more passionate one.

Robin wrapped his arms around her tighter, and smiled into the kiss. He had missed this. He had missed her, more than he had ever known.

Marian felt her her heart come back to life. It had been dead since he had left, but now she was alive again. Her soul had been returned to her. Her other half and been given back to her. Marian would have stayed locked in that kiss all night, but a sound made fear quake through her body. She pulled quickly back from Robin. And listened carefully praying that she had only imagined the noise.

Robin looked at her frowning. Petrified that she was going to run away again. That he was going to lose her.

'Marian?' He asked tightening his grip on her to stop her from running. He wasn't going to lose her again.

'I forgot!' Marian wept panic rumbling through her voice.

'Forgot what?' Robin laughed.

'Guy and Vaisey they were coming back to warn you again.' Marian explained. 'I heard their bikes.'

Robin listened. She was right. He could hear bikes pull up outside. God knows what Gisbourne would do if he found Marian here. Robin stood taking Marian with him. He looked around quickly, trying to find somewhere safe for her. He then saw it. Robin took her hand and walked her over to the cupboard.

'Robin? What are you doing?' Marian asked quickly. He had to get out of here. They can't hurt him. She can't lose him. She loves him.

'I love you.' Robin said pulling her quickly into a passionate kiss and then putting her in the cupboard and locked it.

'Robin! Please Robin let me out. I don't want you to get hurt.' Marian yelled crying through the door, while banging it.

'Marian please be quiet.' Robin begged. Her pleas were enough to break his heart.

Before she even had time to respond she heard the front door be kicked in. Her heart erupted against her throat. She couldn't protect Robin, because once again, he had protected her. She would do anything to be out there and give Guy a piece of her mind. She pressed her ear to the door as she heard voices.

'Ahh Robbie.' Vaisey said walking in after Gisbourne.

'Paying me another delightful visit again, I see.' Robin said standing crossing his arms.

'Actually no this is more for my enlightenment.' Vaisey smiled.

'Ah I see. You come to me for entertainment when EastEnders isn't on.' Robin mocked.

'Well I think I am the one that will have the punch line at the end of this.' Vaisey nodded his head towards Gisbourne who smirked and walked forward.

'Round two. Where's your other lackey's this time?' Robin asked.

'Here.' Gisbourne answered as he pulled a baseball bat out from behind him. Robin almost gulped. He wished now more than anything that he had hid Marian upstairs. She was going to be able to hear everything from the cupboard.

Before Robin could think or register the situation he felt a gash of pain in his stomach and then his face smash against the floor. He looked up blearily to see Gisbourne smirking at him, holding the bat out ready to strike again. Robin closed his eyes and waited as he felt excruciating bashes one after the other hit his body. It felt broken. He couldn't feel anything. He was numb, and the only comfort he had was knowing that Marian was safe.

Marian silently wept as she heard Robin being thrown around the room like some rag doll. Her body shaked as she heard bones break. She could not even imagine the pain that he was experiencing at this moment, and all she wanted to do was break the door down and rush to his side. She almost screamed as the cupboard door banged as Gisbourne threw Robin's battered body against it. The fright made Marian move back, where she tripped over shoes on the floor and fell with a thud to her bottom.

Robin heard Marina fall and banged the door with his back to disguise the noise. He didn't care what happened to him, as long as she was safe. She had to be kept safe.

'Part two Robin.' Gisbourne sneered as he swapped his base ball bat for a golf club. Now Robin did gulp. He didn't think his body could take any more, and now he was going to beat his with steel. He cried out in pain as Gisbourne violently struck his body.

'Right enough Gisbourne. I am tired now.' Vaisey said as he turned and walked out. Gisbourne kicked Robin swiftly in the stomach and then walked out. Robin collapsed against the cupboard doo.

Marian called Robin once she heard them leave. But there was no answer. She was petrified. What had they done? Was he OK? Was he alive?. Marian called again and gently banged the door knowing he was laying against it.

Robin moaned in pain as he turned and slowly with little energy he had turned the key. Marian was put and by his side in a flash. Holding his blood covered body close as she wept. Robin breathed in her scent, knowing that now he was safe, in her arms.

Marian stayed the night at Robin's. He had refused to go to the hospital so she had cleaned up all his cuts and bruises. Most of them had not been as bad as the appeared. He had some very nasty bruises covering his stomach and, arms and back. She winced as he gasped when he pulled his T-shirt over his head causing the bruises to move and pain once again to merge with his body. He had been stubborn as usual and moaned like a toddler when she had come out with some anti-sceptic lotion to help clean the wounds. He was looking a lot better now, though. To begin with he didn't even have enough strength to stand up himself.

Marian watched him as he lay in bed asleep. She had also replaced the bandages on his torso. To which she took great delight in. Seeing him topless was the only thing that night that made her heart jump, well that and the kiss. The moon light shined on his face, and illuminated him. She was worried. To say the least. What would Guy do. If they came out in the open as a couple Guy would surely go berserk. The last thing she wanted was for Robin to get hurt again. Another beating like this would surely kill him. And life without Robin, was not a life worth living. Marian heard the pillows and sheets rumble and looked up to see Robin wiping his tired eyes.

'Marian?' He asked tiredly.

'Yeah baby I'm here.' Marian said as she got up and sat on the bed next to him.

Robin looked her up and down and realised that she still had her jeans and top on. He turned and checked the clock on his bed side table. It read two thirty. He began to slowly and painfully get up out of bed. Marian helped him, wondering what he was getting up for.

Robin walked over to his wardrobe and pulled out a white T-shirt and an old pair of boxer shorts. He tossed them to Marian, who was watching from her sitting position on the bed.

'Get changed and come to bed.' Robin stated sleepily as he walked around to his side of the bed and climbed in.

Marian smirked and walked around to the bottom of the bed and faced Robin who was sitting up, with his head resting on his arms and his eyes closed. Marian lifted her top off up over her head. Robin still had not opened his eyes. She threw the top which lightly hit him on the face. He opened his eyes frowning at what had hit him. Then he realised Marian standing at the bottom of the bed, with nothing but her bra covering her torso. His mouth almost hit the floor. She was gorgeous and she was his. Marian smirked when she saw his face. She slowly slid her hands down her body and unbutton her jeans. She smoothly and seductively pushed them down and slipped them onto the floor. Robin gulped. He wanted her so badly. He thought for one second if his body wouldn't hurt so much to jump for her, then he would already have her in his arms.

Marian smiled seductively as she crawled her way up the bed towards him. Robin gave her a cocky smile and tried to reach for her but she was to far away. Marian giggled and continued moving up the bed until she was next to him. She leaned half on the bed half on his but holding up her own weight so not to put pressure on his bruised torso.

Robin smirked and pulled her closer for a kiss. It started off gentle and soft but soon turned into a passionate kiss. They had been apart to long. Their passions needed each other. They needed each other.

'Right.' Marian said breaking the kiss and hoping over Robin and walking over to the shorts and T-shirt he had given her. Marian laughed when she turned and saw Robin's face. He looked like a toddler that had had his candy taken from him. She started to put the clothes on.

But Robin was not having that. He lunged forward and grabbed her around the waist pulling her onto the bed and pinning her under him. He let out a groan of pain and looked to Marian, who was smiling underneath him.

'You see what you made me do?' Robin pouted.

'Shouldn't be so horny then.' Marian laughed.

'Kiss it better.' Robin teased.

Marian laughed as she sat up and gently kissed every bruise over his broken torso.

Robin pulled her face up to look at his and slowly lowered his head and captured her lips once more. Marian broke away and lay down on the pillows.

'No running away this time?' Robin asked softly.

Marian smiled and shook her head, and pulled him in gently.

'And no throwing hair brushes at me tomorrow morning?' Robin laughed as he kissed her.

'Hmm. Can't guarantee that.' Marian laughed as she pulled him into another kiss.