"Not bein' funny, but you don't look like Robin!"

Allan's supposedly witty response to Marian's "I have a plan," made her lash back with a vengeance.

"Lord Locksley isn't the only one who can plan!" she stormed, her eyes flashing. "Just because I'm a woman, doesn't mean I'm not every bit as clever as he is, and twice as smart!"

"Lord Locksley...? Don't let Guy hear you say that."

Utterly exasperated, Marian let out a groan, then wheeled on Allan, saying, "We don't have time for this! Are you going to help me rescue Djaq, or not?"

The mention of his pretty Saracen friend in danger turned Allan serious again. "Yeah," he told Marian, somewhat calming her nerves. "Course I am. What's your plan?"

With a confidence she didn't feel, Marian began to tell him. "It's the same plan we used before, when we rescued Locksley from the sheriff's birdcage-"

"What's all this 'Locksley?' You and Robin have a fight? And we didn't rescue him. Robin got out on his own."

"Since when have you been a stickler for the truth?"

"Oi! I spin a few yarns, but so do you."

"But I don't enjoy it! Are you going to listen to my plan?"

"Yeah, alright. But you and Robin musta' had some fight."

Again, Marian uttered an exasperated groan while rolling her eyes. She wanted to continue arguing with Allan about a few things concerning Lord Robin of Locksley, but she knew that Djaq could not wait. "It's the same plan," she continued urgently, "but in reverse. This time, I'll be the distraction, while you provide the muscle. Now step outside. I need to change."

"What? You gonna put on your Nightwatchman suit again?"

"No. A red gown I once wore, in the sheriff's casino. Now, go! I'll tell you when I'm ready."

Obediently, Allan stepped outside her room, into the castle corridor, wickedly keeping the door open a hare's breath. He was no "Peeping Tom," but this was too good an opportunity to pass up. Unluckily for him, he didn't see anything worth bragging about, since Marian simply exchanged one gown for another without removing the long white chemise she wore as an underdress.

While hastily changing her clothes, Marian couldn't stop her thoughts from dwelling on Robin's unfounded jealousy.

Why, Robin? she kept thinking, pulling one gown over her head. You're not normally jealous! It's only Gisbourne! Yes, he's done unspeakable crimes, but that's only because he follows the sheriff. You thinking he travelled to the Holy Land, disguised as a Saracen to try to kill the king, is ridiculous! My 'friendship' with the man is only to help you. If you can't accept that I love you...only you...especially now...

Having finished dressing, she joined Allan in the hallway, wondering for a moment why her door wasn't fully shut. "I'm ready," she said, not realizing how devastatingly gorgeous she looked.

"Nice!" Allan grinned, approving her appearance.

"You would like this gown," Marian scolded, feeling embarrassed by the grin on Allan's face. "There's a reason I've only worn it once."

"Robin ever see you in it? Not bein' funny, but if you want to make up your fight-"

"Stop. There's really no difference between this gown and one I had on, other than the color."

"The skirt's tighter," Allan noticed, with a gleam in his eye. "You look good in red. You know...'The Scarlet Woman.' "

"How dare you?"

"Come on, Marian, cut the 'Better Than You' attitude. I had enough of that with Robin. Oi, now you wanna defend him! A minute ago, you couldn't even say his name."

"You deserve Gisbourne. You're both-"

"What?"

"We don't have time to argue! We've got to save Djaq!"

"Yeah, you're right. What'll we do?"

...

It took under a minute for Marian to tell Allan to sneak up behind Ruthless Rufus while she distracted him, and to knock him unconscious so that they could rescue Djaq. Having no better idea, Allan agreed. However, the best laid plans, and even those that weren't well laid, often went astray.

When they arrived in Ruthless Rufus' rooms, they found he wasn't alone with Djaq, but was entertaining the sheriff, while Gisbourne stood glowering, leaning against a wall. The Saracen was nowhere to be seen.

Everyone seemed surprised to see Marian, especially dressed as she was. The sheriff took note of Allan accompanying her, without mentioning the fact.

Allan, appearing nonchalant, immediately joined Guy, but Marian had a more difficult time hiding her distress.

"Oh! The Leper!" the sheriff cried, swilling his wine. "And dressed to impress! My, my, Missy! It seems, Gisbourne, hmm, that Marian here has already scented the shift in the wind of my favor, so to speak!"

"I came to apologize," Marian stammered, her cheeks nearly as red as her gown. She could feel Gisbourne's eyes boring through her dress, even more hotly than Rufus's leering gaze. "I was rude to your guest, Sheriff, and I want to say I'm sorry."

"So, you're ready to dance now?" Rufus demanded, pointing a finger at her.

Marian was quick with an excuse, wondering all the time where Djaq could be. "I'm sorry. I twisted my ankle on the stairs. But I do want to mend things between us."

"Very good!" the sheriff crowed, darting his glance back and forth between Marian, Rufus, and Gisbourne. "What did I tell you, Gisbourne, hmm? Fickle, Gisbourne, fickle. Lepers flit from one man of power to another. They're not like us, hmm? They don't know the meaning of the word 'Loyalty.' All they care about, is who can provide for them. It's a nesting thing, really."

Seeking to prove himself to Marian, Gisbourne objected. "My lord, with respect, Marian isn't like other women."

"No?" the sheriff asked, drawing out the word. "Let's just see, shall we?" Snickering, Vaisey turned to Ruthless Rufus. "How are you finding your accommodations here, in my castle?"

"Cramped," Rufus sneered. Then, leering at Marian, he said, "And crowded, now that I have company."

"Oh, never fear, Gisbourne and his boy and I will soon go, and leave you to it! But first," the sheriff continued, gleefully, "I'd like to offer you a little sweetener, if you catch Robin Hood. How would you like a house of your own, hmm? One of Robin Hood's own properties? I hear that Bonchurch Lodge is vacant, at least some days!"

Marian felt the color leave her face, wondering what the sheriff knew. His eyes were staring at her knowingly, and it took all her courage not to flinch.

Gisbourne, for his part, was furious. Unable to control himself, he stormed from the room. And with Djaq missing, Marian felt no call to stay.

Excusing herself, to Allan's annoyance, she hastened after Guy.