Will grimaced as he pulled his left hand into a fist. There is something satisfying about pain, he mused, it's there as proof that your body is strong enough to put up a good fight. It's like scars, its not a pleasant experience to get one - but once you have it you're proud and show it off. So that's why he insisted on painfully curling his still burnt fingers into a ball - because it was a challenge he had to overcome. The pain was worth it once he got that grim satisfaction that accompanies accomplishment.

It had been awhile since he'd been able to move his hand at all, but that hadn't stopped him trying. Djaq insisted on keeping it bandaged the first week or so to try to let it heal by itself, although she did expose it everyday to engulf it in cold water from the stream. After that first week she'd allowed him to leave it un-bandaged and told him he could try to strengthen it, "Just don't over do it."

So, happy with his newfound freedom, Will tried every day to make the appendage stronger. This freedom was indeed that; a freedom. For ever since his stay in the dungeons over four weeks ago Will had been practically bedridden. Djaq didn't want him to hurt his ribs while they were still broken. So he stayed in his bunk all day allowing various people to bring him things or sit and chat - before they have the luxury to walk away he sulked.

Even when Will was well, he had been constantly doing something. Ever since he'd been a boy he couldn't sit still for long. Whenever he did have to sit still for a bit he would fidget - for even if he wasn't in action, his hands had to have something to occupy them. That was one reason why carpentry was perfect for him - when all else failed he could always start whittling. So that's what he did, as best he could with only one hand - for four long, monotonous, weeks. In fact that's what Will had been doing when he'd gotten distracted by trying to pull his hand into a fist.

Djaq walked in just as he managed to accomplish his goal. He was visibly panting with the strain of moving the damaged flesh, but when she walked in he immediately looked up at her with that adorably proud look on his face. She couldn't help but smile at him as he lifted his hand showing it to her and said, "Look, it's getting stronger! I can make a fist now." That smile really is so adorable.

She walked over and placed a hand on his chin saying, "Well I guess that means you're able to punch and fight now." His smile shrank in size a bit. She'd meant it lightly, but he really was aching to fight again and rejoin the rest of the lads. "Well, maybe not quite - but I wish I could…" She sat down next to him grabbing his good hand, "In good time my love. Really, you'll be up and fighting again in no time." His smile was full size again - made so especially by the words 'my love'.

"What's this?" she asked picking up the wooden box he'd been sculpting for the last few days that was currently laying in his lap. His cheeks turned a little red as he replied bashfully, "Well… your medicine box was looking a bit worn - you've had the same one for a while now. So I thought I'd make you a sturdier one." She looked at him with all the love in the world behind her eyes. How did I wind up with such a wonderful man? "Will, I don't know what to say…"

They were sharing one of their 'You're the only other person worthwhile' looks, the kind where they clung to one another's eye contact as if clutching on to life itself. "Well, you could say yes…" Will countered playfully. "Because I was about to ask you if you wanted to go for a walk through the forest with me."

The physician Djaq was back, because the lover Djaq already had her own answer to this, "Are you up to it? Really?" It was a legitimate question she asked seriously, searching his eyes for the true answer. He just nodded at her with those brilliantly green eyes that took her breathe away. She grinned and stood up offering her hands to help him up, "Alright then."

It felt good to have both of his hands in hers. His left one had been out of bounds for so long. Now it was still ginger, but he trusted her to be gentle when touching it so she could finally have the pleasure of both his rough carpenter's hands in her own. She helped him out of bed and grasped his right hand in her own heading toward the door.

This wasn't the first time Will had walked since their escape from the dungeons, but he hadn't walked very far since then. He usually got up at some point during most days over the past few weeks when he got fed up with feeling so useless. He'd walked across camp a few times or over to where someone else was sitting - trying to make himself useful to make up for the fact that he couldn't fight or go to drop-offs with the rest. He helped Much cook and sat with Robin making arrows and discussing all sorts of plans. He carved a new staff for Little John and helped Djaq arrange her special herbs. He also whittled all sorts of toys and trinkets for the gang to bring to drop-off points for little kids. Robin was thrilled with this idea. And Will was always pleased (though he never admitted it - he just gave his classic proud yet bashful grin) when he heard Robin talk of how excited the kids were to get these new play things.

Will was really much more talkative now-a-days. He had to be, for there was little else to occupy his time with. Ever since last year as he'd gotten more and more used to his company he got gradually more and more talkative. He would always be 'the quiet one' but at least he couldn't be labeled as 'shy' anymore, at least around them - the gang - and especially with Djaq. He told her everything. She sat and listened as he poured out whatever was on his mind. From his worries about little Lukey - to happy memories of life before the sheriff - to his mom - to what he wanted to do when everything returned to normal. Then he would sit and listen as she told him everything that was on her mind - how it had been being a POW - her brother Djaq - how her uncle raised pigeons - to life as Saffiyah - as well as what she wanted to do when life was normal again (if it ever would be with them as leaders of their lives). Once life did return to normal he would open his carpentry business and she would become a full-time physician - it remained unsaid whether or not they would still be together but they both sort of knew the answer anyway. The one thing that Will didn't tell her was about the little tiny wooden box under his bed that would eventually contain a ring meant for her. He would have to be able to walk all the way down to town before that would happen though - and he wanted it to be the right time anyway.

They walked out of camp hand in hand. They passed by Much who was on his way in. He beamed at their interlocked hands. They'd kissed numerous times - but usually liked to be alone when they did, so except for that first one the day Will woke up, Much's only sign that there was any honey was the constant hand-holding, the private talks, and the obvious glitter of love behind both pairs of eyes when they looked at each other. He clapped a hand on Will's shoulder and said, "It's good to see you up! Going for a walk, ey?" Djaq was the one who replied saying, "Uh-huh." "Well then. Try to be back by supper if you can - we're going to be having duck!" He left his hand on Will's shoulder for a moment as he walked away into camp, humming in his high-spirits.

Once he was out of earshot Djaq looked up at Will and said laughing, "Perhaps we ought to be late. If 'chicken' is really squirrel I can only assume that 'duck' means sparrow." Will snorted and they had a good laugh as they continued their walk, swinging their hands slightly.

A little farther out from camp the pair ran into Robin and John. "Hello! Where are you two off to then?" Robin asked them cheerily. "Just a walk." Will replied just as brightly (everyone seemed to be in a good mood today). John ruffled the young man's hair and said in a fatherly way, "Just try not to get yourselves into trouble, 'k?" Djaq relied with a mischievous smile, "Well, it usually manages to find us no matter what we do, doesn't it?" Robin let out a laugh at this then said casually, "We were just off to see Allan, he has some useful news for us. Tell you when you get back, shall we?" "Absolutely." Will said.

Robin had gone to see Allan that first day that Will had woken up. He thanked Allan for his help on behalf of his men - to which Allan said something along the lines of, "'twas nothing, really, mate." Then he'd downright offered to help Robin and the gang out. Robin had been wary at first, after all they weren't here to forgive him (just yet anyway). But then Allan made it clear that he realized he wasn't welcome back at camp yet - he just wanted a chance to redeem himself in their eyes.

And so for the last four weeks they'd been getting little tips - little pointers from Allan about what to expect from Gisborne's lot. He told them he couldn't give them too much - if he gave away a lot of information then Gisborne might get suspicious and Allan would be no use to them on the gallows. No one said it aloud, so Allan was unsure, but the rest were pretty certain at this point that if that man needed their help -if he got in trouble because of them - they would be there to help him out, and he'd (probably) be welcomed back at camp. However, even if they were slowly regaining trust in him, he still wasn't exactly forgiven (yet) so this arrangement worked well the way it was, with him not living with them.

"Alright, see you back at camp then… John." Robin gestured letting John go ahead of him. Then with a wink and a clap on Djaq's shoulder both parties were on their way.

Will and Djaq walked a little ways farther and Djaq was pleased to see that Will was barely limping. He really was coming along well. He'd told her his head had stopped hurting almost entirely by now, it had been fine for weeks. He no longer needed the splint for his foot - and his shoes fit him again. His ribs were really healing nicely, it would be uncomfortable for him to run or do heavy activity - but he probably could manage it if needed by now. Even so, Djaq thought another week or two of recuperation - just to be sure he didn't make anything worse, would be the best thing for him. His hand was still pretty bad, but it too was healing, slowly but surely. And anyway he was right-handed so even with it damaged it wouldn't hinder him much. He wouldn't let it hinder him much, and she knew it. The red scars that ran along his back in crisscrossed patterns were no more than ed marks by now - they didn't hurt him anymore, though she was fairly sure he'd be stuck with the markings for the rest of his life. His arms had a few scars on them from the deepest scratches he'd received - but they weren't long or noticeable anyway. Any bruising he'd obtained had healed itself up within the first two weeks - leaving him considerably less sore ever since. Djaq was still filled with mixed feelings when she thought of Will's injuries - everything from absolute love for him, to pity, to guilt for letting him take this punishment to spare her the agony. She decided just to let it be - help him heal, and continue to love him with all her heart.

And so they walked through the woods in silence. Little did she know he was thinking about her body just as much as she was thinking about his - although in quite a different way. She didn't notice but he felt his face burn as he caught up with his thoughts. Not till you've married her. He berated himself.

"Lovely day out, today, isn't it?" Djaq had been looking at all the greenness surrounding her and it was truly beautiful. She still had a bit of that appreciation for everything, that comes from narrowly escaping death, it hadn't quite worn off yet. "Yea, it is." he said quietly. He sighed happily as he gazed out at his surroundings. This was true perfection. He stood outside (finally, to walk about outside the camp!) in what must surely be the most beautiful place in all England, with his hands interlaced with the most beautiful, brilliant, all around amazing woman in all the world. And he was in love and knew she loved him. Life doesn't get better than this. He was absolutely overcome with emotion as love coursed through his veins.

He used his newly capable left hand to grab Djaq by her shoulder and pull her into him. She didn't complain as their lips met and they kissed passionately. She felt his tongue on hers (a new sensation for her) as their eyes fell shut. There was a tree behind her which they both fell into - her one hand grazing his back while the other was going through his hair. He placed his right hand on the tree supporting them and the other behind her neck. Djaq moaned softly as the kiss extended deeper and she felt the heat of his hand run along the nape of her neck. They stayed like this for a few minutes - letting true love develop into passion that they allowed themselves to explore - knowing only the touch of the other on their skin and lips.

When they finally came up for air both pairs of eyes were glazed and both their faces red. Both were panting slightly. Will had never kissed Djaq like that before - and she liked it. They both gazed at each other smiling lazily and saw the raw unhidden love behind the other's eyes. Then Will pulled Djaq into a hug and just held her close, feeling the love he had for this woman flow through his body and thanking the heavens that she had come here - that she had picked him.

They stayed like this for awhile - clinging to each other like nothing else in the whole world existed. Djaq listened to his heartbeat, breathing in synch with her love. He rested his chin on top of her head and relished the feeling of having her in his arms as he'd dreamed of for months. I am going to marry this girl. She's the only one for me - she's perfect.

Then without a word they both knew it was time to end this perfect moment. They untangled themselves, locked hands again and made the walk back to camp - taking the long way around, appreciating their world around them - and their lives. By the time they reached the camp they were still beaming, and the rest of the gang didn't have to ask why. Djaq's left hand in his right and her right on his left elbow said it all for them.

As they came in they sat side by side on Djaq's bunk and Much came over to hand them plates of food. They shared a look and looked down at their plates. Well, it looks too small to be duck… Looking back up at one another they both burst into a fit of giggles, sharing their private joke. Much looked on curiously, grinning, as he had no idea that he was the butt of the joke.

After they all began eating the first few bites of food (which did taste good - no matter what it was) Will looked up at Robin and asked lightly, "So what's this news we have from Allan?"

"Well according to our person on the inside" Robin started "there's going to be a cart full of tax money coming down the North Road in about a week and a half. It's gonna come later at night, about 10'o clock to divert attention - and if we want to take it it's only gonna have about half a dozen guards."

Robin looked pointedly at Will. "Think you'll be well enough by then to give us a hand?" Robin smiled at the man knowing how much he'd been itching to get back into action. Will looked to Djaq, pleading with his eyes. How could I say no to that face? She pulled her mouth to the side as if thinking it over but he thought he already knew by the glitter in her beautifully exotic eyes. She finally smiled exasperatedly and nodded her head only a fraction of an inch - but that was all he needed. The whole gang smiled as they watched his reaction. Like a child on Christmas morning he grinned broadly and turned back to Robin exclaiming enthusiastically,

"I'm in!"

--The End--

--

Wow, I think that was the fluffiest thing I have ever written. I'm really pleased with it, I really hope you are too. So, not bad for my first multi-chapter fic huh? (or maybe it was - I can never judge my own writing). I'm sorry it has to end. I think this may be the longest chapter yet but it has to be with all that fluff. Well, please please please review. And thanks for sticking with me for twelve long drawn out chapters. Hope you enjoyed it - I know I have.

- Love, The Freckled Advocate (of Robin Hood).