"Ah, Gisborne!" The Sheriff ran up to Guy standing on the steps to the courtyard of Nottingham Castle. Guy turned around. "I have news for you. It regards your recent… illness. Come to my quarters… hmm?" The Sheriff sprinted away.

Guy turned around, having already finished drilling his troops for the day. He could feel his muscles tighten at the Sheriff's request as he followed him into the castle.

Entering the Sheriff's quarters, Guy stood before the Sheriff's desk, the Sheriff sitting behind, throwing papers in all directions.

"Now," he said, holding a single piece of parchment, "Your… nearly fatal wound to a certain Robin of Locksley… this report says… has allowed the King to send Robin home, if he chooses to accept."

Guy's face hardened in fury.

"Now, don't get your temper up. There's more. Robin has taken a fever and infection, and is close to death. So good work, Gisborne. Your hatred for Robin has come in handy, I suppose." The Sheriff flung the report to the floor with the other papers, resting his on the arms of his chair.

"If Robin of Locksley ever returns, he will pay for his survival. I will see to that." Guy closed his eyes, remembering the attack at Acre vividly. Then he saw Catrine dying in her bed at the same moment, the two images collided in his memory.

The Sheriff clapped his hands, startling Guy from his dark thoughts.

"And you were getting so much better about lapsing into your moodiness. I even brought you a surprise as a reward."

Guy looked confused, "A surprise, Sheriff? What do you mean?"

The Sheriff stretched his legs out over his desk. "Well, it has now been two weeks since you've returned to your… present… situation. And what with all your voyaging, and attacking and current loneliness…"

"Sheriff…" Guy's voice lowered to only a threatening whisper.

"You need a new way to forget yourself. I just thought you could use some… company." The Sheriff smiled as he watched Guy squirm.

"No. Thank you." Guy clutched at his dagger.

"Oh, but I insist." The Sheriff stood, walking over to Guy and wrapping one arm behind him, leading him out the door and down the corridors. "You wouldn't turn down a gift from your Sheriff, now would you?"

"I can't, Sheriff. Don't waste your kindness on me."

"It's more selfishness, really. I can't have a lieutenant running my operations when he's… distracted… now can I? How long has it been, Guy?"

Guy was silent. His thoughts betrayed himself. The Sheriff guessed the memories running through his head.

"See. Indulge yourself, Gisborne. It will help you forget, help you… channel your passions… in a new direction." They stood outside a bedroom door.

"This is not kindness, Sheriff…" Guy tensed and tried to turn away.

The Sheriff chuckled, "I never said it was." He opened the door. "Now, allow me to introduce you to Alice, she will… distract you… for a while. Enjoy, Gizzy." The Sheriff pushed Guy in the room and closed the door.

Guy blinked. This was too far, even for the Sheriff, he thought. It was too soon. Memories of her touched every moment of his day with a bitter pain in his heart. And this wouldn't help him forget anything. Guy felt movement from the bed.

He looked up and saw a very beautiful woman, wearing very, very little. Her bright blonde hair hung far past her breasts, and her blue eyes shined at him with a sense of confidence in her trade.

"You, handsome, must be Sir Guy," her voice was too high, piercing Guy's ears. He winced. He nodded, but didn't move from his spot in front of the door.

"Oh come on now," her voice cracking in a high-pitched whine. "If you won't move yourself, then I will just have to move you." She walked closer to him. His steel-grey eyes never left her own.

Guy sniffed in contempt as she drew even closer. Her hands reached up to his face, drawing down his neck and began quickly unbuckling his jacket. "Sir Guy, it is far to hot to wear leather in here. Your jacket will just have to go." Finished with the jacket, Alice moved to his tunic.

"Not even a word of pleasure or enticement? You will be a tough customer, I think," Alice said as she pulled off his tunic.

Guy was numb, hungry for her touch, but numb nonetheless. He looked into her face. She smiled and began fingering the defined muscles of his chest. He felt her touching lower and lower.

"You still remain silent, Sir Guy? Unmoved?" Her hand reached for his cock, feeling his lack of excitement.

She pouted.

And then began rubbing his thighs and crotch harder.

Guy's eyes twitched once. And in that one second, Alice saw them grow cold, icy and hard.

He said nothing, but moved in to kiss her. His hungry lips and tongue almost suffocating her. He explored every inch of her mouth, biting into her lips.

Alice felt his erection growing through his pants, and she began untying his laces.

At her slightest touch, Guy pulled away, a leer on his face. He grabbed her shoulders tightly, and Alice cried out in pain. With one strong push, Guy spun Alice around, throwing her to the bed face down.

He couldn't stop himself. With that pout, something seemed to snap in his memory. He unlaced his pants as Alice supported herself for a split second on the mattress on all fours, trying to get up.

"Stay there," Guy commanded, his voice sounding strange to even himself. She did just that. Guy grabbed her hips, entering her from behind, just as she was. She cried out for a second in pain.

Guy's mind took over, and he closed his eyes. It felt almost the same to Guy. As he thrusted, he could feel himself back in time, almost willing himself to be with Catrine in memory one last time. He could almost see her face shining in the moonlight, her hair spread around her in the grass and her deep brown eyes smiling with her love.

He thrusted deeply and quickly, ignoring all of the little squeals and moans he heard. Instead, all his mind heard were soft, low moans from the past and his name softly murmured. His hands gripped her hips harder as he felt his muscles tighten in pleasure. He came with a groan, "Catrine…" he unbiddenly whispered.

He stopped and stepped away from her, retightening his pants. He opened his eyes. He was half shocked to see her blue eyes and straw-colored hair. "Alice," she said not even breathless. "My name is Alice."

And then she pouted again.

Guy's mind blanked, filled with rage at this woman. He lost all control, pulling out Catrine's curved dagger. Before Alice could even move or cry out, Guy pushed her on her back to the bed, stabbing into her stomach over and over again with loud and furious grunts. Alice cried out in pain and fear. But soon her struggles became no more than spasms. Then she lay lifeless on the bed, the sheets and her shift soaked through with blood.

The door opened, and the Sheriff walked in to see what remained of his surprise: a dead girl and Guy standing shirtless over her body, covered in blood.

"Tut, tut, tut Gisborne. I can't give you presents if you insist on killing them. Prostitutes aren't disposable, you know. In fact, they're rather expensive."

The Sheriff watched as Guy looked at his bloodied dagger, replacing it in his belt. His hands shook as he turned to face the Sheriff.

"I'm… sorry… but… she wasn't…"

"Your wife, Gisborne? How could she be when your wife is dead?" The Sheriff gave half a smile. "Now, I won't have this happen again, you understand. My lieutenant can't go around hunting whores for sport."

Guy shook himself, and then he began pulling on his tunic. "Of course, Sheriff." His voice had steadied itself. "I'll be more careful next time."

The Sheriff met Guy's look; he noticed something harder, even unforgiving about them. "Perfect," the Sheriff thought.

Guy moved to walk away, but the Sheriff grabbed his arm, meeting Guy's cold stare. "Life is a cruel mistress, Gisborne, though apparently not as cruel as you are to your own mistresses."

Guy sniffed, and then smirked as he walked away.