I have had a huge case of writer's block, I'm still fighting it actually. Sorry for the long delay and as I promised - ROBIN!!!
Enjoy!
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Clearing the Air
Guy sat up in the early morning and let his mind come back to him. All the muscles in his body groaned as he sat up. He twisted his torso from to left to right in hopes of alleviating the pain, but it didn't help. He looked out the window and saw that the sun was about to rise. He needed to get to Nottingham as soon as possible. As he was dressing he looked down and saw Charlotte curled up under the covers. She was so beautiful and looked so at peace when she was asleep. Or perhaps he was the one at peace. It was true that their time together had been short, but he was beginning to rely on her more than he had ever relied on anyone in his entire life. He felt a pull on his heart whenever he had to leave Locksley. That pull always tightened the farther he was from her. That same pull would loosen around his heart as he came home, every time.
He smiled to himself as he sat down on the bed next to her. He lightly brushed her hair behind her ear and lets his fingers linger on her cheek. She groaned and stretched her body out under the covers. He could make out the line of the stomach and the shadow of her hip. Being able to spend all of yesterday in bed with her was one of his best days. He hated that he had to leave her today. He relished anytime that he was able to spend with her. He would have to remember yesterday as he ventured away today.
It was then that he realized that he would do anything for her.
Anything that she asked.
Charlotte lightly sighed and slowly opened her eyes. Guy got up and went back to getting himself dressed. She opened her eyes and saw his back as he pulled on a shirt. The dim candle light gave the room a soft glow. She turned her head back to look out the window above her. She could just barely see the night sky turning to morning.
"You are dressed. Why are you dressed?" She asked as she sat up on her elbows. He laughed as he turned back towards her. He settled himself on the edge of the bed next to her and softly rested his hand on her thigh.
"I need to go into Nottingham today. I am sure that the sheriff will have something to say about mine being gone yesterday. I also need to deal with the new barn and stables," he finished and she let out a long sigh in response. She was resigned to his choice, but she did not have to like it.
"You are probably right," she smiled and he just could not help himself. He leaned forward and gently pressed his lips to hers. Her hands went to his face and she pulled him closer to her. Guy followed her movements and soon they were lying on the bed wrapped in each other's arms.
"Stop!" she nearly shouted as she pulled her mouth away from his. "You should leave. And right now," Guy's eyes suddenly went dark.
"Why?" He asked in a voice that was darker than he realized. Charlotte did not seem fazed by his abrupt change in attitude. He felt that familiar rush of distrust and anger flood into his heart. That feeling that had had its hold on him nearly his whole life. That feeling had been lessening in the past few weeks. A part of him wondered how long this could go on. Would that feeling ever go away?
"Because, the sooner you leave, the sooner you will be back," she responded with a smile and a wink of her eye. Guy felt that rush of distrust break free and hope enter him. He truly cared about her and he really wanted to trust her with everything. His past, what he does and has done for the sheriff, Marian, everything. Guy leaned forward again to kiss her, but she put her index finger on his lips. She shook her head in a silent no. She lightly kissed him and let her fingers trail down his cheek. "Be careful," she whispered. Guy touched his forehead to hers for a brief moment and then got to his feet. He secured his sword around his waist and left the room.
He gave the windows of his bedroom one last glance before he mounted his horse and took to the road toward Nottingham. That pull was tightening; he could not wait to come back home.
It was Thursday again and that meant another trip into Nottingham. Being raised to be a proper Lady, Julia never really had to deal with the things of a regular life. The things that everyone had to do every day; shopping, cooking, and cleaning. She was actually enjoying being a normal person. She would never admit this to Robin or anyone else for that matter. The pressures of being a noblewoman were much heavier than the weight of being a servant.
As Julia sat in the vacate booth, waiting for Robin, she let her mind wander. She kept thinking about Guy. Why did she react the way she did? She fought so hard to save him and she had the cuts to prove it. Many of the villagers were surprised by her behavior; almost as surprised as she was. She kept thinking, mulling over the entire idea. In fact she was so lost in thought, that she did not hear Robin enter. He waited for a moment, observing her before making his presence known. She looked deep in thought. She looked just like Marian when she was like this. Her forehead even crinkled in the same place.
Robin coughed to get her attention. Her gaze shot up to meet his and a smile spread across her face. She was up on her feet and her arms were around him before anything else was said. His arms wrapped around her and he held her close. Neither one wanted to let go.
As much as Robin wanted to stay this way, he still needed an explanation. He needed to know why. Why she was doing this? And how this came to be. He needed to know everything. It was Robin who pulled away first. He could see the smile on her face slowly fade as she saw his face. His expression was sullen, not his usual arrogance. He was carrying sadness on his shoulders. It was logical for him to be sad, but whenever they were alone like this, that seemed to fade for a short while. But today she could see that something was not right with him.
"What's wrong?" She asked.
"You tell me," Robin answered. Julia rolled her eyes and walked across the booth. He was always doing this. Asking a question that he seemed to already know the answer to.
"What do you mean?" She asked over her shoulder. It was obvious to Julia that Robin was leading their conversation and she was not going to give in. She did not turn to face him. At least this way, she could keep her facial expressions from giving herself away.
"When were you going to tell me about you and Gisborne? Robin could feel his stomach tighten as he anticipated the answer. He saw her shoulders slump and her head dropped just a bit.
"Who told you?" She asked.
"No one had to tell me! I saw you two. At the ruins at Long Bridge. I followed you there," he was explaining as he stepped closer to her; his voice growing louder. He stopped right behind her.
"You followed me?!" She demanded as she turned to face him. She didn't mean for it to come as such, but now that it was said there was no undoing it.
"Of course I did! He blindfolded you and I had to be sure you were all right. Imagine my surprise," he said as he could see she was becoming more and more uncomfortable. "Why Julia? Why?" Robin couldn't think of anything else to say. He wanted her answer the simple question of why.
"I didn't plan for this to happen," she said as she leaned heavily against an empty table. Her hands fell to her lap and she fidgeted with her fingernails. Robin looked at her closer. Her head was hanging and her shoulders were slumped; her entire body sagged. Shame is what he saw right now. He suddenly felt awful for being so angry at her. He sat down next to her; his left side touching her right. "It just happened. That night you and the gang helped that man and his son escape from Locksley…"
"Since then?!" He cut her off. Even he was surprised by his tone. "Sorry. Continue," he conceded to her. He knew this was hard for her to admit. Julia never opened up. He decided to just let her talk.
"I thought Guy was asleep. But when he came into his bedroom and you were in the barn. I had to do something. I had no other choice,"
"You always have a choice,"
"Robin please," she remarked as she got up and begun to pace. "Do you think that I like doing this? That I like how he touches me…" Robin cut her off again, but this time he pulled her into his arms. She clung to him; almost for absolution.
"I'm sorry," he whispered lightly into her hair. "I just worry about you," he finished. He knew that answer to his next question, but he found himself asking anyway. "Is this what you meant by the things you've had to do?" She simply nodded her head in response. Julia could feel tears began to fall down her cheeks.
"I know you worry, but I'm fine," their tight embrace loosened and Robin gave her skeptical look. "Guy would not hurt me. He loves me, well Charlotte. Besides, I could best him in a fight. You know that,"
Robin had to admit she was right about that.
"I hit Prince John," she said in a light moment.
"You what?" Robin said as a laugh came out of him. Julia then went on to describe the night of the sheriff's birthday. How she managed to give one to the Prince and the sheriff's reaction. It was the sheriff's reaction that really caught Robin's attention.
"The sheriff does not trust Guy anymore. He wanted me to spy on him," Julia said. Robin was liking how this meeting was progressing. The sheriff and Gisborne are not in league as much as they use to be. Robin was sure that he could use this to his advantage.
"Are you sure that everything is all right with you and at Locksley?" Robin asked, hoping that he would get a real answer.
"Yes, everything is fine. I promise. You found out the worse of it," she said with a light chuckle. "I will be careful, I swear," she said with a smile. Robin stood for a moment looking at her and then he did it. He leaned forward and kissed her. What started out as a small kiss soon progressed. His hands held her face while her arms wrapped around his neck. Robin then slipped his arms around her and lifted her up onto the empty table. He nestled his body between her knees and began to kiss down her neck. Julia let out a soft moan and pulled him closer to her.
Robin then saw it.
A quick flash.
The memory of Gisborne and Julia in the ruins doing this exact thing. The memory of them together made all of the anger come right back. He pulled away and tried not to make it look obvious. Julia, slightly out of breath, leaned back on her hands and looked at him with a mix of hurt and confusion. He did not mean to hurt her in any way. He stepped back and lightly caressed her cheek.
"I had better go before we are caught," he whispered. He was right and she knew it. Julia hopped down from the table, gathered her purchases and before ducking into the market gave Robin a peck on the lips.
Robin leaned forward on the table and took several deep breaths. He now realized that it was going to take a long time for him forget what he saw at the ruins.
And especially the emotions that that scene elicited inside himself.
Well...I hope that scene was enough for the Robin fans out there. The next chapter is mostly Guy, but I promise Robin will not disappear.
Stay Tuned!
