WARNING: This chapter contains explicit material. This story is really the first story I've experimented with explicit sexual material, I'm not even certain if I'm comfortable writing it just yet and so I completely understand anyone's aversion to reading it.

XXV

Thicket

The North Road was always carefully watched under the eyes of Robin Hood's gang. At every crossing and intersection there were at least two of them scouting. They looked for anything of importance: messengers, carriages...anything that looked valuable. It was the single greatest highway of goods in Nottinghamshire.

Near the bend in the road hid two members of the gang, a most unlikely and incompetent pair. Rebecca and Kate had been functioning under the pretense that the other absolutely abhorred the other and this seemed to be a system they were happy to work under. Today they had been thrown together and it was clear they would both rather be spending their time with someone, anyone, else.

"We should move further south," Kate suggested.

Rebecca shook her head adamantly. "We were told t' keep an eye on this stretch o' the road."

"Yes, but we've been here for nearly an hour. There's another crossroads a ways if someone's coming up from Locksley?"

"Who would be coming from Locksley?"

"We won't know the answer to that if we keep standing in one place all day long!" Kate sighed, throwing a broken reed at Rebecca's head.

Rebecca swatted the offending plant away. "Fine, have it your way, but it'll be your fault if we come back empty handed."

The two made for the crossroad which led to Nottingham and Locksley Village. Rebecca had fallen behind slightly as they ran and she had been unprepared for when Kate forcefully came to a sudden halt. Rebecca slammed into her and before she could curse her soundly, Kate clamped a hand over her mouth and tackled her to the ground.

When she was certain that Rebecca would not shout, she released her. "What is it?" Rebecca panted.

"Soldiers," Kate said simply. She unsheathed her sword and peered around the bend.

A small group of soldiers, decorated in the colors of the Castle Guard, were making their way up the road. They were fanned out, weapons drawn, and they appeared to be searching.

"Want to bet there's another troop elsewhere?" Kate whispered.

Rebecca was more than willing to. "Kate, what if they're searching all o' Sherwood?"

"What would be the point in—we've got to warn the others!" Kate hissed, panic in her eyes.

"I'm sure they've seen them by now...I'm sure."

"Then in that case, we've got to get back to the camp until we the soldiers have gone," Kate said.

"Take the west side?" Rebecca suggested.

Kate nodded. "You take the east."

"See ya back at the camp?" Rebecca said, realizing she sounded like a true outlaw now.

"Right."

Rebecca went off like a shot, skirting around the trees in an effort to avoid the troop of soldiers. As she sped through the woods she could hear more and more men calling out to one another. As she turned to make her way back to the camp, and hopefully, find the other members of the gang, she nearly ran right into yet another troop. Isabella was certainly catching on to the outlaw's game of hide and seek. She was checking under every rock. Anger simmered through Rebecca, but there would be time enough for her revenge. She tore through the woods, one hand over the hilt of her blade; a weapon which she was still not entirely certain would protect her.

As she headed into the small canyon which led to the camp she saw Guy running up from the opposite direction. About to cry out to him she noticed that he did not go down into the canyon, but instead continued moving up the hillside away from the camp. Confused at this erratic movement, it took Rebecca a moment to realize what he was doing. Four soldiers followed in rapid succession, chasing after Guy. He was leading them off away from the camp on purpose. Abandoning the momentary idea of safety, Rebecca gave chase and followed after the soldiers.

Once sufficiently away from the camp, Guy turned on the men, unsheathing his sword he attacked. He managed to catch the first of the soldiers by surprise and he was quickly run through with the blade. Heedless of the casualty, Guy withdrew his blade from the body of the soldier. The guards would certainly show him little mercy. There was no other choice. Incapacitating the second soldier, Guy found himself overpowered by the other three remaining soldiers. One of the soldiers struck Guy between his shoulder blades with the hilt of his sword, knocking him off balance. It was clear that the men were not looking to kill him, merely capture him.

A shrill cry of outrage echoed in the surrounding glen. Rebecca burst out of the trees and launched herself into the fray. She struck one of the stunned soldiers over the head with her sword, knocking him unconscious. Nimbly leaping to one side to avoid his falling body, Rebecca pointed her blade at the remaining two men. "Get your hands off him," she hissed, sounding each word with deadly precision.

Recovering from his initial surprise to see Rebecca, Guy took the opportunity to rid himself of the two men restraining him. He whirled around, punching one of the men in the face so that his head would clang back into his helmet, stunning him.

The other soldier was having better luck fending off Rebecca. As she struck downwards, blocking a stab to her stomach, the soldier turned and nicked her arm with his blade. Jerking her arm upward, the hilt of Rebecca's sword crashed into the soldier's nose. Momentarily blinded by the spurt of blood from his broken nose, the soldier backed off. Swinging his sword blindly, Rebecca had to dodge quickly. It took only one more swing to the back of the man's head for him to pass into blissful unconsciousness.

Breathing heavily, and shocked by her own violent actions, Rebecca let her sword drop from her hands. Guy rushed over to her, half taking her in his arms as he quickly examined her for any signs of injury. "Are you all right?" He asked her.

"Fine...I'm fine," she panted, "Got t'ya in time I see," she laughed shakily, the adrenaline still raged through her blood, making her practically giddy.

"You saved my life," Guy said softly.

She laughed him away and tried to walked past him back in the direction of the camp. "Don't be ridiculous. Ya would have done the same for me."

Guy grabbed her by the arm, pulling her back to him with such force she was pressed against him. His lips were on hers before she could react. At first it was nothing more than a featherlight warmth, and then she was drowning.

Guy felt her struggle only for a moment at the suddenness of his actions, but now he had her. It had been unexpected. Not even he could have planed something like this. Rebecca's lips were soft and yielding against his. She opened to him almost immediately, tasting him with gentle, yet urgent flickers of her tongue.

The entire forest seemed to disappear, as for a split second in time their world was condensed into this one kiss. It was familiar, the way their lips locked together and moved in perfect connection. Rebecca felt herself grow weak, but Guy was not about to let her fall. He was going to keep her like this for as long as possible. If, for a brief moment, their lips would part so that they might breathe, he was quick to claim her again before she could regain her senses.

"No..." Came the rapid and breathless moan. Rebecca forced herself to break from Guy, backing out of his gentle hold about her.

She had a hand over her lips and tears were tracking down her face. Guy stared at her, letting the haze of contentment settle. "Becca?"

"I don't understand. Why would ya...h-h-how--"

He stepped nearer to her, as if to take her in his arms again. Unused to seeing such a tender and caring light in his eyes after so many years of painful indifference or even hatred, Rebecca tried to pull away. He hushed her, taking her arm gently and guiding her to him. "I did not mean to upset you," he whispered, rocking her back and forth.

A tearful gurgle of laughter was forced from her. "Upset me?" Feeling emboldened and riled with conflicting emotions she took his head in her hands and kissed him with all the courage she could muster. "That was the most perfect thing t' have ever happened," she said, kissing him again and again.

With joyful abandon she threw her arms about him, pulling him as close to her as she could. She heard his laughter, low and rich, in her ear. She closed her eyes, reveling in the most perfect bliss of holding him again. She did not have to wonder long over whether or not Guy was feeling similar emotions, for she was soon drowning in another kiss.

This time they only parted at the sound of hurried footsteps.

"Soldiers," Rebecca said. "We should go back t' the camp."

Guy shook his head, "They'll be watching the canyon. They're patrolling the entire area."

A second troop of soldiers stumbled upon them through the trees. Like lightening, Guy grabbed Rebecca by the arm and tore off into the woods. The men were quick to give chase, but Guy and Rebecca had the lead. Tugged along deeper and deeper into the heart of the forest, Rebecca began to laugh. It was a triumphant and giddy sound, heedless of the danger and death which raced after them.

When the threat of the soldiers disappeared to a few angered shouts and disembodied footsteps, it was easy to imagine them as children again running from pretend enemies. With bursting lungs and tired limbs the pair continued to run, neither feeling the true extent of their exertions.

Suddenly, Rebecca was pulled down a stretch of a steep hillside. She shrieked with surprise as she was suddenly forced down into a dense thicket. The sensation of falling was hardly noticeable until she landed on a clump of leaves and branches. Regaining her breath, she took in her surroundings. The sun lit up the green thicket, illuminating it as a network of tightly coiled tree roots, ferns, and low branches.

Guy pulled her close to him and held her tightly as the sounds of the soldiers could be heard over head. For a moment there was nothing to be heard, but the pounding of blood in their ears and their quiet, but heavy breathing. Once the threat of the soldiers left them, Guy relinquished his hold about her and lay back against the foliage.

Rebecca leaned back against a crooked, gnarled root. "I know this place," she panted.

She pushed back the awning of leaves to see the small stream burbling its way through the forest. She grinned wide as she fell back down, breathing in the rich green. "I thought ya had forgotten it."

Guy shook his head, "You don't know me at all if you think I could have possibly forgotten this place."

"That is where ya are wrong," Rebecca said, curling up beside him. "I know ya, Guy of Gisborne, altogether a little too well."

He kissed the top of her head, running his hands through her dark curls. They lay quietly together for some time, both trying to catch their breath again, neither wanting to part from the other. Rebecca propped herself up on one arm, a soft smile on her face as she gazed at the man lying beside her. The sunlight trickled in through the leaves casting warm shadow-green filters of light across his body. He lay with his eyes closed, quietly breathing so that Rebecca was not sure if he was awake or asleep. He looked peaceful, without pain or trouble, it was a beautiful sight; she was certain her heart might burst with happiness for him.

"I remember finding this place," Guy said, half opening his eyes to turn and look at her. "It was raining and we hid here until the storm passed."

Rebecca chuckled. "Oh God, we were so cold an' miserable!"

"I can recall other, less miserable memories as well..." Guy said, reaching up and giving her face a light caress.

Rebecca laughed as she felt her entire body shudder hot and cold. She cocked her head to one side, eying him with a most mischievous glint. "Guy?" She asked him, running a hand along his chest to toy with the buckles along his coat, "When was the last time ya made love?"

He obviously had not been expecting such a question. He gave her an inquiring look before averting his eyes. "I don't think you'd appreciate the answer to that question."

She punched his chest lightly. "Typical man, I did not ask ya when was the last time ya had lain with a woman. I asked ya when was the last time ya made love."

He sighed, relaxing once more, "The when of the matter escapes me..." he paused as if to go back through his memories, "but I can recall the woman....she was striking; dark eyes, smiling lips...golden blonde hair..."

"Blonde!" She pummeled him, laughing as he grabbed her wrists and pulled her down on top of him. She was quickly flipped onto her back and he was leaning over her.

"No," he said with a smirk on his face. "She's here, she was always here," he kissed her, his lips fit against hers perfectly, and he marveled at the sensation.

Rebecca sat up, nimble fingers working fast to undo the restricting buckles along the length of his coat. As she pulled the coat off of him, she could feel him undoing the laces of her dress. The simple linen dress was easily pushed down off of her, leaving Rebecca clad only in her shift.

Guy pressed hot kisses along her neck and throat as he cupped her breasts through the light fabric of her shift. He was quick to remove his black shirt, although he had some assistance from Rebecca's hurrying hands.

"I am dreaming," Rebecca laughed. "t' believe ya actually would want me again..." she caressed him, and placed butterfly-light kisses down his chest.

Guy stopped her and forced her to look at him. "I have always wanted you."

"Ya need not say that," Rebecca said, blatant disbelief in her eyes.

"Then what should I say? That I can not remember a time when I did not want you? That when I was an exile I dreamed of you? That when I returned to Nottingham and found you I was like a man recalled to life? Had it not been for my foolish bitterness you would have known. You are a part of me and I thought I could escape you," he could say no more, try as he might to convey what was dwelling in his heart. Rebecca could see how difficult it was for him to tell her even as much as he had, and she could read the truth of every word.

"I love ya, too," Rebecca said with a smile, understanding what he had been truly trying to tell her.

Guy ground his mouth against hers, as if to breath in those words. His fingers tangled in her hair as he drew her in close. By rights he should not be holding this woman now. He was a wretch and a villain, who did not deserve this chance at happiness, especially with one who was so perfectly fitted to him. He should have lost her, but with every movement of her body against his he knew that she was claiming him as hers.

Guy pushed up her shift as he placed a hand against her thigh. Rebecca removed the last of her clothing and lay back completely nude against the cushions of leaves. She smiled wickedly at the lustful look in Guy's eyes. His hands traveled over her body, rediscovering familiar territory. She gave a light moan when his fingers whispered over her sex. He teased her for a few moments, becoming taunted himself with the little whimpers of delight she made.

"Guy..." she panted, "Guy, I need you."

"You have me, Becca," Guy mocked, ceasing his stroking to lean down and place a kiss against her breast.

Rebecca gave a groan of frustration. She could feel the urgency of his own desire pressing up against her. She slid her hand down to the belt around his waist and mentally cursed him for his restrictive clothing. She managed to undo the belt, sliding it off of him and tossing it aside.

He nipped at the sensitive skin of her breasts, causing her to wriggle as he soothed those tiny bites with flickering licks. Rebecca tugged at the laces of his trousers, pausing every so often to stroke him through the fabric. She could feel him shudder against her, the movement bringing delicious shocks through her body.

Guy brought his mouth to hers once more in a fierce kiss as the last of his clothing was removed. "Guy...now.." Rebecca urged.

There could be no prolonging this coupling, they had been denied of each other for far too long. Guy thrust into her. Lightening shot through the both of them. For a moment it seemed even this rediscovered closeness would not be enough to satisfy them. Rebecca wrapped her legs about his waist, thrusting herself up in time to his own motions. They kissed, breathing life and moans of ecstasy into the other. Hands grappled, explored, touched, neither able to get enough. There was no thought other than that of perfect completeness.

Suddenly she was rocked against the peak of her pleasure. She let out a cry of joy as she allowed herself to swept up in the waves of this heated passion. Guy was quick to follow her over that edge, crying out her name as he rode out those delicious and all consuming waves.

Even after their climax there was no desire to part from the other. Guy slumped forward, rolling onto his side, taking Rebecca with him in his arms. They lay fused together still; sweating and gasping for air as their vision cleared and they were brought back to their senses again.

Rebecca buried her head against his chest, content to rest with him. The afterglow of their coupling still clung to them like a halo of light. Guy held her secure in his arms, his joy tinged with a myriad of conflicting guilts; had he really denied himself of her love for all of those years? How different his life would have been if he had not. His hands moved up and down her back in soothing strokes. He could feel the scars left there by the flogging she had been given as her punishment for saving his life. They would, perhaps, fade in time, but they would never truly disappear. He kissed her cheek and he saw her smile and he was hit with the sensation of true happiness. He closed his eyes, the drowsy after effects of their lovemaking finally sinking in.

"Gisborne!"

"Rebecca!"

The lovers were roused to life again at the sound of shouts from far off in the forest. They both sat up, recognizing the panicked voices of Robin and Tuck. They glanced at one another, they had completely forgotten that the rest of the gang would be looking for them by now. Both realizing their lack of judgement, the two burst into uncharacteristic gales of laughter. They were quick to don their clothing, moving at a furious pace so as not to be discovered in their current state.

Once dressed, they made there way out of the thicket to catch up with the others. They walked side by side, the light casting one shadow over the forest floor.

1170

The sky was black with clouds and thick with rain as it splattered heavily do the ground. The ominous block of clouds had been covering the sun for the better half of the day, but up until the evening there had been no sign of rain. Now, it appeared as if the skies would never be clear again.

Two figures ran through the woods, a boy and a girl, both drenched through with the rain. The boy was holding onto the girl's hand and leading her through the forest, though it appeared as if he had no clue where he was going himself. In the rain soaked woods everything looked the same, and the darkness was dizzying.

The girl cried out as she stumbled over a protruding tree root, falling awkwardly and splashing herself with mud. The boy paused, "Becca! Are you all right?" He asked as he helped her to her feet.

She nodded. "I'm fine. Are ya sure we're going the right way?"

"Of course I'm sure."

"I knew it. We're lost," Rebecca groaned.

"We're not lost...not exactly...I just can't see."

"Maybe we should take shelter until the rain stops."

He seemed to agree with her. "This way..."

In truth one way was as good as another in their current state. They went running pell mell looking for any place that would be suitable to wait out the storm. The slope of the hill caught the pair completely by surprise. They tumbled down the muddy bank, landing in a clump of wet leaves.

Coughing and spluttering, they tried to rouse themselves.

"Here!" Rebecca cried, pointing to the dim outline of a dense thicket.

The two ran towards it, crawling into the opening to find a semi dry shelter. The branches and roots surrounded them nearly on four sides. They collapsed onto their backs, gasping for air, grateful to have a moment of rest and to be out of the rain.

Rebecca was shivering violently. She curled up, hugging herself in an attempt to rid herself of the chills. Something damp and heavy was draped over her. She rolled over, realizing that Guy had placed his cloak over her. She looked over at him, he was trying to restrain himself from shaking, but Rebecca could see the way he shivered and his jaw clacked as his teeth chattered.

She inched herself over to him and placed half of the cloak about his shoulders as well as her own.

"That was supposed to be for you," Guy said, although he did not mind her huddling beside him for warmth.

"Oh, how noble o' ya," Rebecca rolled her eyes, "there's no reason for us both t' freeze t' death out here."

"Think the rain'll stop soon?" She asked.

Guy shook his head. "I don't think so."

Rebecca sighed. "Perfect."

"Wait...can you see that?" Guy squinted his eyes, sliding away from Rebecca to get a better look.

"See what?"

"It's the river!" Guy shouted. "You know what this means, Becca? If we follow it it'll lead us back home. We're not lost! I told you I knew where I was going. Well? Let's go....Becca?"

Noticing that he was receiving little comment on this fantastic finding he turned back around. Rebecca had curled up within the dry thicket and had fallen asleep under the weight of the cloak. He smirked, walking back towards her. He sat down beside her, placing an arm about her. She unconsciously snuggled closer to him. He sighed, "Or we could wait until the rain stops..."

A/N: I would be lying if I didn't admit to be extremely nervous about posting this chapter. I'm not a sappy person by nature and so writing romance is always a bit of a challenge for me. I did my hardest to not make this chapter seem overly fluffy, but rather in character.

Other than my own jitters with my writing; rejoice, Becca and Guy are finally together after 25 chapters. :)