A/N: Well seems that I've lost most my commentators. I guess that's what happens to those who go a-wall *nervous laugh* Anyways, for those who are still interested, ENJOY! ... and comment? :')
"What do you mean you won't?" Robin shouted furiously.
All the while Marian and Djaq could not help but remain silent with shock at Guy's unreasonable declaration.
'What shall I do?' Guy thought as he lowered his head, 'Through out all of this commotion I have forgotten that Malak was the one who has been taking out the Sheriff's soldiers. Taking her back is out of the question.'
After a moment of silence, Guy looked up once again and stressed, "I can't. And that is why I will be staying here next to her until she regains her conscious."
"I don't know what is going on in that twisted mind of yours, Gisborne. But you are leaving for now, and once the lass wakes up you will be taking her with you. Back to where she belongs." Robin sneered as he glared at Guy.
"Listen, Guy, I do not know what is your relationship with this young lass, but you obviously care about her. So I presume you have your reasons for wanting to keep her here." Marian spoke while trying to hide the unsettlement in her voice, "But for now, leaving until she awakes is your best choice, and deep down you know that. You know the Sheriff the most and what he is capable of. You can not just disappear."
"Very well…" Guy sighed as he gave up reluctantly, "Then I will be sending Dale to check up on her."
"Definitely not!" Robin retorted, "That traitor is not welcomed in my camp!"
"Robin!" Marian scolded the outlaw and then looked at Guy, "Ignore him. Of course you can."
"No, this is my camp!" Robin pressed and before he could add anything Guy spoke.
"For a traitor, he has been keeping his lips firmly sealed about your camp's location, and quite impressively at that."
"You know, Robin, Gisborne has a point." Djaq intervened with a nod, "I am not asking you to forgive him. But don't you think that if Allan has any intentions of harming us he would have done it by now?"
After some thought, and seeing how the women in his camp were banding against him, Robin reluctantly gave in, "Fine, but only once!"
"All right. Once it is. But I want few minutes alone with Malak before I take my leave." Guy requested with a steady voice.
Djaq was the first to oblige; she stood up and gave Guy a reassuring smile before leaving. As soon as she left, a grumpy Robin and an unwilling Marian followed her.
"I have never seen Gisborne so affectionate about anyone besides you, Marian." Djaq stated with a bit of astonishment.
"Let us see how long that will last." A sulking Robin scorned as he walked away toward the campfire.
"Eh- Yes, I am glad for him." Marian replied nervously, and then she added mentally, 'But that is where you have got it wrong. He has never been this affectionate even with me. Or was I to ignorant to notice?'
Back in Djaq's makeshift room, Guy was still sitting next to Malak. He placed a hand over her cheek, tenderly caressing it as he whispered, "I know I have said that I would stay next to you. But I have to leave now to ensure your safety. I will back for you as soon as I can, Malak."
Guy looked around him before carefully leaning over the sick girl's forehead and placing a gentle peck. He then whispered into her ears, "I promise."
xXxXxXxXx
It was just before sunset when an all-familiar figure stepped onto the camp, coughing out softly to announce his presence.
"Well, well. If it isn't the son of Judas." Robin scorned while twirling with an arrow.
"Oh, hello there My Lord." Allan taunted back. He did not expect Robin to forgive him, but he wasn't going to remain silent either. It was never one of his good fortes.
"Already at it I see." Marian sighed at how all the men around her tend to act like little children.
"Marian!" Allan exclaimed with delight at her sight, he then added just for the sole purpose of annoying Robin, "Haven't seen you since that passionate kiss."
"Allan!" Marian frowned at the mention of the kiss, and as she looked at Robin all she could see was 'I told you so' written on his stoic face.
"My bad." Allan grinned apologetically, "So where is the lass that has been causing all of this upheaval? Djaq's, aye?"
Marian nodded and said, "Yes. You can tell Guy that the lass has regained her conscious. For just a little though, she is still quite weak. However, Djaq believes that by nightfall she will have regained enough strength to stay awake for a while longer."
"Now that is some good news." Allan beamed, "Hope it would help Gis out of his- eh- odd mood."
"What do you mean by odd?" Marian asked curiously.
"Well… I have never seen him so out of sorts." Allan explained with frown, "I am not being funny, but it is like he is not there. Just a brooding body. He hardly reacts to anybody. I am just glad that the Sheriff is too busy to heed him any attention."
'By God…This girl has this much effect on Guy?' Marian thought in disbelief, 'I am nothing compared to her, am I, Guy?'
"What is it, Marian? You seem- hmmm- quite dejected?" Allan spoke with a hint of mischief.
Marian had forgotten how sharp the brunet was. Fortunately, he was not really expecting an answer, for as soon as he said those words he headed out to Djaq's.
"What did he mean, Marian?" Robin asked as he came closer to the woman he loved.
"Who, Allan?" Marian replied with the steadiest voice she could muster, "Oh come on, Robin. You know, Allan. It is just another way to annoy you. It means nothing I assure you."
"Seems so." Robin nodded bleakly.
Marian was relived that Robin was not quite the bright one when it came to understanding people. Especially the ones he held dearly. Though she felt bad lying to his face, because Allan was right. The effect Malak had on Guy was causing her all sorts of emotion, and rather undesirable ones.
A few minutes later Allan came back and told the couple to expect Guy by nightfall. And that he would be leading him to the camp, of course while assuring the secrecy of its location. With that Allan left to bring the good news to Guy.
xXxXxXxXx
"She what?" Gisborne exclaimed as he grabbed Allan's shoulder abruptly.
"Well I am quite flattered, Gis, but I do fancy them in skirts rather than breeches- well- or tight leather." Allan teased as he saw how the news of Malak's awaking had brought Guy back to life. On the other end, Guy was not quite pleased and felt a tingling sensation creeping across his cheeks at the way he reacted.
"As I said. The lass apparently has woken up for a bit." Allan repeated with a wide grin, "I can lead you there by sundown. You are lucky that the Sherriff is not around today."
"Aha." Guy nodded as he rubbed the back of his neck.
"A thank you would have been nice." Allan frowned, but added mentally, 'Though his reaction is way better, priceless.'
"A what?" Guy glared at Allan for expecting gratitude for such a trivial task.
"Just being funny, is all." Allan grinned, he then chuckled as he thought, 'The glare at its full glory! Who would have ever thought that I would miss it.'
As the brunet headed toward the door he abruptly added before disappearing, "Good to have you back, Gis!"
"Huh?" Guy interjected quizzically.
xXxXxXxXxXx
It was finally sundown, and Gisborne was able to leave with no suspicion. He took his horse and rod along with Allan halfway through the forest before they took a halt.
"Sorry, Gis. But you know I have to do this." Allan smiled apologetically as he wrapped a cloth around Gisborne's eyes, and led him toward the camp. However, once they arrived, and before he could untie the cloth, Marian's cheerful voice cried out, "She is awake, Guy!"
At that moment, Guy felt his whole body go numb. His breathing became erratic, and his heart was beating like thunder in his chest.
"Is something wrong, Gis?" Allan asked rhetorically. He could clearly see how nervous that tall man was, and it amused him. When it came to love, he preferred to be a bystander and he enjoyed it.
Guy saw that and forced himself to calm down; he was not going to let himself became a source of amusement to others. As soon as he managed to let go of his nervousness, he cleared his throat and said, "Allan, you can leave now. But I want you to head back to Locklesly and inform Gytha of Malak's current status."
"Aye…" Allan sighed at being deprived of his fun. He was really excited to see how Guy would react in front of the girl.
With that, Allan left and Guy steadily walked toward Djaq's makeshift room. But before entering, he requested to meet with the girl alone.
"Sure thing." Marian smiled, and went in to call Djaq without alerting the girl of Guy's presence.
"Thank you." Guy nodded gratefully at the two women as soon as they appeared from behind the cloth.
"It is alright, Gisborne." Djaq smiled, "Now hurry up. She has been waiting for you."
Taking a deep breath, Guy entered through the hanging cloth. And as soon as he did, his eyes fell upon hazel ones that teared-up right away at his sight.
"M…m-master…" Malak sobbed uncontrollably as she rose from the makeshift bed, only to lose her balance and fall right into Guy's embrace.
A/N: Next chapter will reveal Malak's sudden disappearance. Stay "tuned"?