Hanging by a Moment

Five. It had been five days since Robin's deadly fall. Five days since Marian was taken by the dastardly Winchester. And now, it came to this. Djaq placed her hands consolingly on Much's slumped shoulders, "It will get better, I promise. It will take awhile but the pain will lessen."

Much felt his nose drip and he hastily wiped the offending object on his sleeve - he would not cry. He would not! "He looks so peaceful. Do you think he's suffering?"

Djaq shook her head in response, "No, only sleeping. In time, you will be able to speak to him again. You only have to wait."

Much gulped down a sob, Robin wouldn't want him to cry. "He always did say that he would be there for us… Do you think he can hear me?" His eyes were questioning hers and Djaq gave a quick nod.

"You can talk to him if you like - I'll leave you alone," and with that she moved away, letting Much be with his friend and master.

Pulling his worn cap off and holding it in his hands, Much knelt at Robin's side, "Do you have any idea the worry you've put me through? Probably not, and if you did you wouldn't care would you?" He sighed loudly, unable to contain the emotions of now knowing that Robin would live - Djaq had just told him so. Much sighed again, putting on a false show of annoyance, "That's just like you Master Robin, always thinking of yourself! If you couldn't hear me, I'd tell you just how selfish you are!" He fidgeted with his cap, "You had just better be glad that we have Djaq here - or else you would have ended up as dead as - as - that fur you're sleeping on. So there." Much gave a decidedly triumphant nod of his head, feeling slightly liberated by his freeness of speech.

He patted Robin on the shoulder, about to move away and let him sleep without further interruption. Robin gave a groan and poor Much thought that it was in response to his touch. "Djaq!" he cried, "Djaq!"

She came without delay, to see what was wrong with her recovering patient, "What's the matter, Much?"

Pointing with wide frightened eyes, Much said, "I think I hurt him."

Djaq watched Robin breath, regular and steady, "No, he is fine. Stop worrying about him so much and worry about supper." When Much did not move from his master's side, Djaq said, "I am sure that Robin would like to be spoon fed some broth today. That is, if we have any…" She smiled at how quickly Much responded to that, bustling over around the stew pot and grabbing flasks to go and fill. She didn't dare remind her comrade, how much Robin detested turnip surprise…

Djaq, as well as the awake members of the gang, were relieved when the Sheriff gave up his hunt the previous day - calling the guards and Black Knights back to the castle. For the brief time that she was able to see the Sheriff, she did notice that Gisborne was absent and the Sheriff was in a fouler mood than usual, barking orders to no end and cursing intermediately. One thought kept creeping into her head - where was Gisborne? Had he finally snapped and abandoned the Sheriff? Sadly, she told herself that would never be the case - he loved power far more than Marian, he would never leave the man who could give him that…

Guy stood waiting. His back was turned to the large ornate door, sardonically recalling that this is so similar to the last wedding he and Marian almost shared. Would this one end the same way? Guy knew that he should be waiting outside the door, where the wedding would take place - but he was too skeptical to leave the priest alone. He had learned previously, by Marian's quick sharp words, that he was not supposed to greet her as she came in - how could he have been such a fool? He had never been to a marriage ceremony and had not known the stipulations for his attendance.

Guy's hands clenched and unclenched as he waited; he was in agony. Heart pounding, blood rushing, and yet he stood still - waiting an endless wait. He couldn't will Marian to get there any faster, if she was even coming that is. Guy of Gisborne was hanging by a moment, hoping and praying that Marian didn't abandon him and crush the shred of trust that he still had.

It took too long, his wedding was ruined again; his life and hers both shattered by her refusal. Guy turned, getting ready to walk out of the church and leave the fat priest to wallow in his own muck. It was then that she walked in.

Marian's hair was still tangled from lack of care, her gown ripped and dirty, she looked tired - but to Guy of Gisborne she was the most beautiful thing that he had ever seen. He could not force the smile away from his lips, "You came."

Marian looked at him, not knowing if what he said had been more of a question or a statement. If she hadn't been so frustrated, she might have truly noticed his smile "Of course," the statement was matter-of-fact and dry - she didn't see the smile fall.

As they knelt before the church doors, Guy was motionless for most of the ceremony - rolling his shoulder once on accident and hissing in pain, startling the priest who in turn forgot what he was saying. Marian clearly saw the large man's hands shake and shiver. It was only when the priest stammered out, something about the ring that she watched Guy blanch.

Guy gulped, instinctively feeling the outside of his jacket as though he was sure he had it. Marian rolled her eyes, was he putting on a farce for the priest? Blatantly staring at the priest's colorful hands decked out in expensive jewels, Guy said, "It is at home." Marian couldn't tell if he was lying or not, what she did know was that, this wedding would be less than perfect…

The priest quickly moved to shut the Holy Scriptures, "Well, come back when you have one."

"You will perform this ceremony you little tw-" Guy diverted his eyes from Marian's appalled expression, "The ring is unimportant, continue." On a growl, he added, "Now."

Sucking down a mouthful of air, the priest said, "You need a ring."

Guy muttered a curse, the priest crossed himself, and Marian warily wondered why she had decided to go through with this. It was at that moment that Allan came proudly forward, "I have a ring." Thrusting his hand into a pocket in his breeches, Allan pulled out a glittering ring. The stone was bright red, probably jasper, Marian almost laughed when she recalled that the stone symbolized love…

Allan twirled it, almost longingly before he stretched it out in Guy's direction.

Guy stared at it judgmentally, "Where did you get that?"

"Does it really matter?" Allan asked.

"Whose is it?" his tone was slightly demanding now.

Allan looked annoyed that his gift was being questioned, "Well 'e's not really gonna to be needing it now." He raised his eyebrows, trying in vain to give the nervous groom a hint as to whose finger he had pilfered. "Is he?"

"Who!" Guy's exclamation was toned down as much as possible under the circumstances.

Glancing between Marian and the sweaty priest, Allan mouthed, "Winchester."

Guy barely contained his yell and instead only croaked out 'Winchester' in response - he didn't want to upset Marian.

Apparently, Allan had found something else to keep his hands occupied aside from unhitching the dead man's horses. Dear God, Guy thought, how was he supposed to wed Marian with the ring of the man who - who had just raped her?

His thoughts were interrupted by the priest's sudden, 'That will do fine.' His nerves were set on edge by the whine in the man's voice - who said women had the worst whimpers? With unexaggerated furry, Guy snatched the ring from Allan. He paused when he went to place it on her finger, whispering, "I'll get you another one."

She nodded, resigned to finish what she had started and felt a small shiver run down her spine at the warm pressure the ring caused - sealing her fate… Everything is a choice…

Marian's heart stopped when the priest concluded his speech. She looked up at Guy, his face was stiff and ridged but when he caught her glance, he smiled softly. Her heart quickened unexpectedly, clenched, and swelled. Stilling, Marian questioned her feelings - was this the 'stirring' Robin had spoken of? Attempting to appease Guy, Marian smiled back and was greeted by his stooping and taking her lips in his. She hadn't even heard the priest tell him to kiss her…

The kiss was more awkward than she would have expected with a reputation as long as Gisborne's. The thought struck her that maybe the talk of kitchen wenches was less than truthful - maybe he wasn't as experienced as she had believed. Marian doubted that he was as innocent as a newborn lamb, but mayhap castle gossip should not be heeded as readily as it was spoken.

He took too long to pull away, savoring the moment. It was only when he considered that she may not be ready for his advances did he stop. Guy stood back to his full height and went to another subject, "Let's return to the inn, shall we?" He watched her nod and was fascinated by the way she still held her head erect after - no! He would not think on it again! He worried that his thoughts about her misuse would taint his feelings for her - somehow make him love her less. Guy refused to let that happen! His own Father had forgiven his Mother - and her sin was willful! No, he would not dwell on that either, he couldn't.

Gripping her hand in his, Guy turned away from the priest - not bothering to go inside and celebrate, their only attendee being Allan anyway. Slowly they walked back to the inn, and Marian's heart sped up again when she realized that the room Guy had taken her to earlier was not hers, but theirs…

Guy ordered a small feast at the ordinary below the rooms. Marian was pleased that he made no qualms about letting Allan join them, she was grateful for the extra person to lighten things up a bit - her world could use some of that now.

The roast pork went fast, and though Marian sat with Guy and Allan on into the evening, she felt stifled - as if someone had thrown a bucket of water on her, oppressing her every move. Finally, she rose and made her way up the stairs and to the bedchamber, knowing all too well that this might be the last time that she could truly be alone. She hated the thoughts that she was getting ready for bed, and she firmly shook her head at the notion that she was preparing herself for him.

Though she knew that God did not approve of any manner of deceit, Marian said a prayer to Him, with the intent of keeping Guy at bay. She recognized that Guy thought Winchester had had his way with her; Marian gulped as the word 'rape' sprang to her mind. Maybe Guy would leave her be if her violation was distasteful to him - she had seen a friend of her Father's treat his wife with utter disdain after she was attacked by a drunken stable-hand. Marian prayed to God that Guy would feel the same way… She certainly wasn't going to offer any information to displace what he already believed happened - though she doubted he would believe her anyway. This could be a marriage of convention! She avoided the unwelcome thought that Guy would never tolerate an unconsummated marriage…

Guy watched Marian's - no, his wife's - retreating form and sighed, he wouldn't bother her until she made it clear that his advances would be accepted. He took another drink of ale, washing away the past five days. Allan joined in the revelry, downing his glass for the third time.

Guy raised his brows, wondering what fascinating things he would find out from Allan after a while; a man was always truthful when he was drunk. Guy avoided that state as much as possible, he never felt in control when he was in his cups, and hated the feeling of weakness that stole over him. It had been well over a year since he had indulged slightly too much - that ended the night Winchester took Marian. Guy had tried to dull the pain and anger, eventually waking up on the unturned down bed of his room, his head throbbing like it had been cracked open. If he wanted to be truthful, he hadn't woken up alone… Vaisey was above him holding a suddenly empty bucket that had contained water, yelling at the top of his lungs for him to get up because they were going after Hood.

Guy hadn't realized that Allan had still been talking. His eyes snapped to the man across from him and Allan rolled his own, "Did ya 'ear what I said, mate?"

Guy gave a glare; Allan shrugged, and continued his talking. He only halfheartedly listened, and continued his thoughts on Marian, he fingered his mug and took another sip. Guy stopped mid-swallow as Allan's next set of words jumped out at him.

"What did you say?" Guy said, almost standing with his hands gripping the wooden table.

It was not only Allan who stopped and looked at him. But Allan was the only one who spoke next, looking at Guy he said, tone low, "The priest probably thought that you were in such a rush, 'cause you got 'er with child."

Guy sat back, dumbfounded; his head dropped into his hands. Oh God, what if she was with child? Winchester's child… It had happened more than once, one encounter had changed a life - mostly for the worse. Could he raise a child that was not his? One that was conceived when its Mother was being forced? Though Guy wished that he could, he didn't think so. What would be done with it? He could take it to an Abby; leave it there to grow. Paying for its keep would be far different than raising it.

That was what he would do - but he doubted Marian would share his thoughts. She had too large of a heart to give away her babe - even one that wasn't intended. She would fight him tooth and nail to keep that child and he would fight to get rid of it. He would not rear Winchester's bastard!

There would be no uncertainty as to who the father was. That was because Guy was going to let Marian recover before he even did more than kiss her. Guy rested his head on the table - the only way to avoid the situation would be to consummate his marriage with Marian and, if there was a child, claim that it was his and there might be a chance it was. He would not raise Winchester's child, but he would raise a child he could pretend was his. Sighing, Guy decided to give Marian a few days to get composed and mend before he tried anything…

Allan cocked his head, "You alright, Guy?"

It came out as a growl when Guy said, "Yes." He wasn't about to tell Allan of his new marital difficulty. He suddenly didn't want to watch Allan get foxed, he wanted to go up and hold Marian - his wife. He needed to tell her everything was alright, and that no matter what, he would care for her, even if there was a babe... Guy waited but a moment, before ascending the stairs to join his bride.

He did not enter the cramped room right away; he lingered outside the door, composing his thoughts. The time seemed to drone on, though he yearned to go to her. Guy needed to make certain that he didn't pressure her tonight, but God knows that he wanted to. This was never how he imagined his wedding night to be… His roving dreams had depicted it so many different ways, but that was all he would have to contend with - dreams. Tonight he would only hold her and with that, he would have to be content.

Slowly he creaked the door open, only to hear Marian's startled yelp. Guy slammed the door shut at her cry and her chastising words, "Don't you knock?"

He leaned his head against the door - how could he be so addled? Guy had forgotten that she could very well be dressing; his heart jumped into his throat at the thought. Then his mind registered something else - she did not have anything to change into… Through the closed door, Guy said, "I have a tunic you can wear."

He sighed as she snapped back at him, "What?"

"I said: I have a tunic you can use, unless you want to go without." The strangled sound that she made shouldn't have given him the devilish grin that it did and before he recalled Winchester, he said, "Believe me, either would suit my tastes." He jumped back to the current situation when a loud thud resonated on the other side of the door - most likely her shoe. He cursed himself, he realized he should not be making lewd, suggestive, comments to a girl who had recently been harmed; he would only succeed in pushing her away.

Before more could be said, Guy reopened the door and entered the room. There stood Marian, hands clenched into fists and glaring. Guy walked over to a small satchel that he had placed there earlier, one that had been brought from the castle. He tugged out a long shirt and thrust it into Marian's hands. Turning his back, he listened as Marian quickly changed out of her soiled clothes and into his clean one.

Once she had the tunic over her head, Marian looked down and was ashamed to note that it didn't even reach her knees. She sprung under the bedclothes and felt the overwhelming desire to cover her head and hide. Restraining herself, she looked over at Guy's back as he worked the buttons on his jacket. Marian felt a wave of emotion rush over her as he groaned, sliding the leather to the floor; she remembered his slashed arm.

Horrifyingly Marian found herself fixated as he began to remove his boots and leather breeches, tossing the latter on the ground with his jacket. She gulped, fearing that he would start untying the belt of his braise. Guy did not; he remained in his underclothes and stiffly walked to the cot. His eyes diverted themselves from hers and he looked at the fresh blood oozing from his shoulder, having torn the new scab while he was undressing.

Maybe if he were in too much pain he wouldn't want to exact his husbandly rights. Yet Marian felt a stinging pang of conscience that questioned how she could leave the man, who saved her life, her husband in such suffering? Despite wanting more time to think about her situation, Marian spoke up and said, "Bring me the basin and a cloth."

Guy's icy blue eyes questioned her but he obediently went and fetched the clay dish and a rag, handing it to her. While she wrung out the cloth, Marian felt the blush rise to her cheeks when she knew her next request. "Take off - your shirt," she tried to make her request detached, but her words ended up catching as she spoke.

Guy grinned roguishly despite the throbbing of his arm but when he went to tug the shirt up and over his body, the pain jolted him back to reality. Gently, he managed to pull the garment over his head and sat down at the edge of the paillasse, wincing at the movement.

Marian dabbed at the blood smeared on his arm, watching as he grimaced in pain. She tried not to look at his bare torso, but try as she might her eyes kept finding it and she would flush when she saw Guy was watching her gaze. Her heart melted as he looked at her with a sorrowful expression. Guy stretched his hand out and brushed her cheek; Marian gasp in surprise, not at the fact that it was displeasing but that she wanted him to do it again.

Guy rested his right hand on her upper arm, "I'm sorry Marian. I'm so sorry."

Marian stopped her ministrations, "For what?"

"For not coming sooner. For not protecting you. For hurting y-"

Marian's head fluttered, Guy of Gisborne could not say these things - not to her! "It does not matter!" She turned her attention back to his shoulder, "I have nothing to wrap it; you will have to go without."

She felt him grow tense under her fingers. "Of course, Marian," he said, he looked anywhere but at her - lost in his miserable thoughts. Scolding herself silently, Marian continued to clean the wound. How could she be so foolish as to hurt his pride as well as his heart? Why should she care? Nevertheless, she did and she felt regret at having lashed out.

Once she was finished with her tending, Marian took his hand in hers, "I'm done. I - I hope that it doesn't hurt any worse."

Taking the bowl from her hands, he gave a weak smile and set it on the floor. Guy lay down on the thin mattress and motioned for Marian to join him. Hesitantly Marian settled down on her side beside him - fully prepared from him to take her, though she was bothered by the fact that the thought didn't repulse her as it should. She stiffened when she felt his arm encircle her waist and he rested his chin on her shoulder, "Go to sleep, Marian."

His words tickled her ear and Marian shivered. She let go of a breath that she hadn't realize that she was holding - so he was not going to demand the right to consummate their marriage. Oddly enough, Marian felt a sense of gratitude to him and a feeling, which most would describe as love, grew in her.

As Guy held her, he felt a completion that he never had before. He finally had what he wanted - Marian. And, in time, she would get better and learn to love him as much as he did her. He felt her breathing start to even out and Guy pulled her closer, but stopped as he felt a ragged lump beneath the thin undershirt - a scar. His brow furrowed, when was she hurt? He could not ever recall a time when she had been injured - hardly a time when she had been sickening in all the years he had known her. Surly there would have been some mention of it - talk about the castle that Edward's daughter was wounded. No one would try to hide an injury like that. Unless they had to…

Guy skimmed his fingers over the raised flesh once more, and heard Marian sigh in her half-asleep state. Though part of his resolve waned at her muffled sound of pleasure, Guy was suddenly determined and angry - he knew of one other person wounded there… Moreover, he himself had done it. He pulled his hand away, as though burnt by the scar when the memories and coincidences flooded his head, "Marian, when did you get stabbed?"

It wasn't so much his deadly low tone but the words that awakened her. Marian shot upwards and out of his reach. Her eyes were wild, but her tone was calm - trying to hide something, "What do you mean, Guy?"

He could see the fear, "Where did you get that scar?" His tone was on a steady rise, as he glared at her fiercely.

Marian stuttered for a believable falsehood to feed him, and said "When I was younger I-"

"Don't lie to me!" he was not about to wait for her ridiculous explanation. "I stabbed the Night Watchman in that very spot!" Guy lowered his voice to an almost seductive tone, "Now, tell me the truth - where did you get that scar?"

Her expression was all the confirmation that Guy needed. "You stupid girl, working with Hood this whole time - outlaw filth. All the times I tried to protect you and here you are, more than capable of saving yourself. Maybe I should have let you stay with Winchester - you probably had everything planned out already - didn't you?"

Marian looked at Guy, hate coursing over her face, "You should have, I am no better treated in your care than his. I can take care of myself and, unlike you, I don't have to beg for my supper!"

Without thinking, he had his hand raised to strike, but when he saw Marian flinch away, he stopped abruptly. He would have smiled to see the old Marian - his Marian - snapping back at him, were it not for the topic of the fight. Lowering his hand but still with a growl to his voice, Guy said, "For God's sake, whatever possessed you?"

"I wanted to help," her words were spoken firmly - she was not afraid of him.

"I could have you hung!" but Guy knew too well that she was his wife - tied, bound to him; the sheriff would hold him just as culpable as her now. As well, he could no sooner lead her to the gallows then cut out his own heart…

"For what? For helping the poor? I have done no crime worth death!"

Guy hung his head, "All this time. What else have you hidden from me?"

The fact that I am yet a maid… Marian composed her thoughts, "Nothing. That is all."

So badly did Guy want to yell at her, shake her, hit her, but he didn't. The only things that kept his raging anger at bay were the facts that she was his wife - and he loved her, he would be shamed later if he harmed her in a fit of wrath, and that he didn't want to damage her anymore - Winchester had done enough. But there was something else… With his curved blade, Guy of Gisborne had almost killed her. That one notion caused his world to blacken for a moment - then, gone was the hate and anger that he felt towards her for her lies and deceptions - he turned it against himself. If Marian were dead his life would end as well - though he would continue to remain in the world of the living. It caused him to shudder and he felt dirty and low that he should dare to come so close to taking her life.

Lips twisted into a sneer, more at himself than her, Guy pushed Marian back down to the bed and replaced his arm about her, "Go to sleep." Dear God but he wanted to forget that he had ever found that scar; leave the dark memories in the shadows were they belonged. He was so angry that he considered going to Allan's room to spend his wedding night there - designating A Dale to the floor yet again after pushing him out of bed. But that was only a passing thought…

"Guy?" Marian breathed into the dark - she did not know what he was about. One moment he was in a fit of rage, the next he was holding her and pretending that he never felt the proof of her hidden identity. She also wanted a closure of the matter - would he use it against her, letting the wound fester and fume in his soul? Or would he drop the subject like a lit coal that burned him?

"I don't wish to discuss it," he said, tightly drawing her to his chest yet again - trying to regain some of the peace that had been lost. As he gripped her waist, Guy of Gisborne was careful to avoid the place on her side, for that was a part of the past that not even the devil himself would want to resurrect.

A/N Well there we go! Chapter five is done! YAY! Thank you for reading and if you want to, please leave a review and tell me your thoughts - reviews make my day!

I hope that everyone was in character - especially the Night Watchman bit… I know that Guy was going to take her to the gallows in 2/11 but remember in my story: he just got her back, she is his wife now, and he doesn't want to hurt her.

Sorry, still not a bunch of outlaws in this chapter. And, another sorry to all the Alan fans out there - he will have a larger role in the next chapter. ;)

Oh, and what do you think of Allan's revelation to Guy? That might cause a few problems later on…

Did I scare you with Robin at the beginning? Did I? :)

Disclaimer: I do not own Robin Hood BBC and any conversations that you recognize are owned by the BBC - not me.