Author's Note: Sorry for taking so long to finish this chapter! I'll go back and reread for typos later. I just wanted to finally get this up. I have too many hobbies. But I'm still determined to keep writing semi-consistently!

Why was he still thinking about her? It was like she was implanted somewhere in his mind and he couldn't get rid of her. In the months following her escape from Nottingham, he had thought about her frequently. He'd never spoken her name. The Sheriff had cursed her and her family many times, but Guy had remained silent. But now that she was back…. She had broken into his own home. Like a common outlaw. Well, that's what she was, wasn't she? She was with Hood's band now. If the Sheriff were to catch her…. He would hang her anyway, but now that she was one of Robin Hood's bunch, hanging would be too good in the Sheriff's eyes.

Guy paced his bedroom floor. It had been an hour since he had let Ivy go, watching her flee into the night. Why had she risked robbing him? She hadn't gotten away with anything. Or had she? Guy sat down on his bed, his eyes going to the place where he always kept his sword. That's what had woken him. His sword falling onto the floor from where it had sat balanced against the nightstand. His eyes traveled down to the blade. And then he realized what was missing. He cursed. She'd taken the silver blade, the one the Sheriff had given him to use and keep safe. And she'd delivered it right into the hands of Robin Hood. She was no better than him. But then why did he feel conflicted. He realized that he didn't want to see her hang for whatever reason. But how could he keep an outlaw safe? She was bound to do something risky again. Maybe if he spoke with her, reasoned with her, she'd go home. Back where she belonged, wherever that was. Somehow he'd speak with her. She must despise him, but surely she didn't want to end up dead. With that thought in his mind, Guy lay down, staring up at the ceiling as he tried to fall asleep. She had to listen. He'd make her listen. Somehow….

…

"…will increase the taxes on the outgoing…." the Sheriff's voice droned on and then stopped. "I'm sorry, am I boring you?"

Guy looked up to find the Sheriff looking at him. "I'm sorry, I-"

"Was not listening."

"I didn't sleep well last night."

"Oh, boo hoo."

"I-"

"Never mind, I don't want to know." He waved his hand dismissively. "How goes the weapon distribution?"

Guy thought back to his stolen sword. "All the guards positioned in the towns have received their swords. So far none of Hood's men have been caught."

The Sheriff looked displeased, and Guy bit his tongue. He wouldn't say anything about his missing sword. He knew the Sheriff would be furious. And he would be on the lookout for the outlaw who stole it.

"I'll talk to the men today and make sure they don't let any more of Hood's men slip through their grasp."

"Make sure of that. Tell them if they let another one of Hood's men slip through their grasp, they'll be finding themselves a new job." Guy nodded, turning to leave. "And one more thing…" He turned back to the Sheriff. "If you hear anything about that little brat who vanished, I need to be the first to know."

Guy's mind stopped. "You mean Ivy?"

"Yes, whatever her name is. I don't really care." The Sheriff waved his hand to dismiss Guy.

"Do you mean she's back?" Guy asked cautiously.

"She'll come back. Robin is here. So it follows that she will be here."

Guy nodded. "I'll keep my eyes open." He turned to leave before the Sheriff could say anymore.

The Sheriff suspected that Ivy would come back. Perhaps suspected that she was already back. He had to warn her. Maybe she'd listen. Maybe she'd go back home, far away from here. Truthfully, he didn't believe she would ever leave. She had the chance before, but she'd come back despite the danger.

"Guy?" he turned at the sound of his name. Marian was standing there, her eyes filled with concern. "Is something wrong? You look troubled," she said, taking a step toward him.

"It's nothing," he said, feeling instantly on guard.

Marian frowned. "It doesn't look like nothing."

Her gentle tone was persuasive. Guy felt himself breaking down a little. "The Sheriff heard word that Ivy is back," he confessed, watching Marian's reaction closely. He saw alarm flicker behind her eyes.

"Really?" she asked. "But why would she come back?"

"I'm not sure. Probably to join Hood's gang."

"But would she risk her safety for that? After barely escaping with her life before?" Marian asked.

"I think she would do anything despite the risk to herself if she thought she could help someone," Guy replied.

"You seem to know her pretty well," Marian said, narrowing her eyes thoughtfully.

"I got to know her stubbornness," Guy countered, his voice gruff.

Marian smiled. "We all got to know that."

"If you hear anything," Guy started.

"If I see her, I'll advise her to get as far away from here as possible." Marian's voice was stubborn. How similar to Ivy she was, Guy thought to himself.

"If you hear anything, then report it to me," he finished. "Ivy is an outlaw and it is our duty to report any sightings of her to the Sheriff."

Marian's eyes clouded. "You helped her escape before," she whispered. "Please. Don't report her."

"You know I have a duty to the Sheriff."

"Then give her a chance to go back home."

"She won't go."

"Guy, please. I don't want to see her hang."

"I don't either."

"Let me speak with her."

"Then you have seen her."

"I know where she is."

"As do I," he admitted.

"How do you know?"

"I caught her the night she broke into my house to steal that sword."

"But you let her go?" Marian's eyes showed her gratitude.

"With a warning," Guy replied.

"Then she knows the danger of being back. We can do nothing more to convince her."

"Then let's hope she doesn't do anything rash. I might not be able to save her this time," Guy said before leaving Marian. Perhaps if he spoke to Ivy once more…. Maybe he just wanted to talk to her. His feet carried him toward his horse, and his horse carried him toward Sherwood Forest.