The next morning, Djaq and Robin set off early for town to try and meet Allan. If anything, they were going to sneak into the castle. However, Djaq had a feeling that Allan would find them long before they had to resort to that plan. She knew that he knew that she would have gone right to Robin and Robin would want to talk to him right away.

As they walked along the path, Djaq was silent as Robin chattered away about his new plans for getting to King Richard, taking out the Sheriff, and finally marrying Marian. She did her best to hide the smile that kept creeping across her face as she thought of the night before, but Robin, as usual, was far too perceptive.

"What's on your mind, Djaq?" He playfully nudged her.

"Nothing, I am just enjoying your ideas."

"Ah, Djaq, as a leader, I know when I am only being tolerated. There are some other things on your mind, or may I say, someone else?"

"I do not know who you could be thinking of! I am listening to you! I heard everything that you said!"

"Then tell me, what did I say?" Robin smirked.

"You said...you said...that...uh...oh, Robin, that's not fair!" Djaq cried, throwing her hands up in exasperation. "Oh, you should have just ignored me!"

"I can't do that,Djaq. You don't think you and Will were totally inconspicuous last night, do you?"

Djaq gasped and covered her reddening face with her hands. "Robin!"

Robin laughed and threw an arm around Djaq's shoulders. "It's all right, Djaq, I had a hunch for some time that there was more between you two. At least now we know that Much was right about that honey euphemism."

"What honey euphemism?"

"Ah, Much thinks that yours and Will's honey trips were more than just collecting honey. Especially since it took the two of you, and we haven't had any honey in quite some time."

"Oh, no, no! We only got carried away with talking! There was never anything...you know...like that..."

"Yes, but there is more to love than...that. I should know, shouldn't I?"

Djaq nodded in agreement, knowing that Robin was alluding to his strange romance with Marian. The two were desparately in love with each other, but played a silly song and dance with each other constantly.

"It is just, Will and I, we know that now is not a good time for this. There is just too much happening. What if we start something, only to end moments later? There is just too much uncertainty in this life."

"I understand, and your secret is safe with me."

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Once in the town, Djaq and Robin threw up their hoods and moved slowly, waiting for Allan to come to them. They walked for a short while, speaking to the poor, garnering any information they could. Djaq could not help but feel a flutter of apprehension at seeing Allan. Things had been so different yesterday when she spoke to him.

She felt a bit guilty that he had basically poured his heart out to her yesterday, in typical Allan fashion, and she had chosen a place beside his best mate and rival for her affections. But if Robin said nothing, he wouldn't have to know. She was worried that if Allan knew about her and Will, his recently grown heart would wither away again. She wanted to hope that Allan's allegiance to the gang meant more, but she knew that he would need something to anchor it, and that appeared to be her.

After about an hour, Robin sighed. "I don't think today is the day. He must have other things on his plate."

"I'm not trying to be funny, but you're my first course."

Robin and Djaq whipped around, both reflexively moving hands towards their weapons.

"All right! I'm not here to attack! Didn't Djaq tell you what I said?"

The outlaws relaxed, and Robin jerked his head toward a deserted alley. The three moved quickly into the darkest corner.

"She told me, but that doesn't mean I trust you."

"I get it. But I'm telling the truth, I'm really sorry, and I want to help!"

"All right then. Help. What have you got for me?"

"Does this mean you're agreeing to my offer?"

"Not yet, I want to see how useful you'll be to me. If your information-gathering skills are as useless as your loyalty and friendship, this time, I'll kill you."

"Fine, fine. Here's what I've got right now. Ever since Marian came back to the castle, from her little escapade in the woods, with you lot, they've really been keeping an eye on her. Gizzy's besotted of course, but I don't think the Sheriff trusts her. They're planning a trip somewhere. I'm not sure if I'm going yet, but I know they're leaving her here. Probably under lock and key."

"Do you know when they want to leave?"

"Same week as your birthday, seem to think it's a great big joke. Wouldn't be surprised if they're planning on giving you a little party, you know what I mean?"

"Yes, I know what you mean." Robin looked thoughtful. "You've done well this time, we'll see how this progresses. Djaq and I need to get back to the camp ground. If you find out anything else, someone will be here same time tomorrow."

Allan nodded. Robin and Djaq turned to leave.

"Oi, Djaq. Wait a minute, yeah?"

Djaq glanced over at Robin, who nodded and moved to the end of the alley, out of earshot, but close enough to be useful should things turn sour.

"What is it?"

"Look, about what I said yesterday, I meant it. About you. When all this business gets sorted out, I want to know if there's a chance for us."

Djaq's stomach dropped. She could not say no, she could not tell him about Will, she couldn't risk him changing his mind.

"I...I...we..." She spluttered. "We shall, shall have to see, Allan. You have much to make up for."

Allan smirked. "Don't think I'll have a problem there."

He turned and ran out of the alley at the other end.

Djaq turned and made her way back to Robin.

"What was that about?"

"Why are men so useless?!" Djaq shouted. "Don't think anything through, do you?"

She ran out through the gate, leaving a bewildered Robin in her wake.

"What? Djaq!" He ran to catch up.

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Djaq refused to divulge anything about what Allan had said on the way back to camp, and Robin had given up, turning conversation to where the Sheriff and Gisbourne might be planning on traveling to, and what the surprise could possibly be.

Over dinner, he told the rest of the gang what been said, and they all took turns putting forth their ideas.

Much thought they were probably going to see Prince John, or maybe a new ally in their corrupt plan.

Little John and Will both thought that it was a ploy to see if Allan was as true as he said he was.

Djaq knew what her fear was, but said nothing. They wouldn't be going to the Holy Land, would they?

*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*

Djaq walked down to the river for a quick night time bath before bed. She rolled up her pant legs to sit with her legs in the water for a moment, to test the temperature of the water.

She suddenly had the feeling she was being watched.

Her hand went to her dagger as she carefully stood.

There, a rustle in the brush a few paces back.

She slowly made her way towards the sound. Just as she got to the source, it stopped.

She straightened. "Must have been an animal."

Suddenly her legs were whipped out from under her, but instead of landing flat on her back, strong arms caught her.

"I've been called an animal before, but never by a lady such as yourself."

"WILL!" She laughed and punched his chest. "I thought I was about to be attacked."

"In a way, but not quite the way you were thinking."

Djaq blushed. "Oh, really?"

"I missed you today."

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Will Djaq get to take her bath? Will something else happen?

Read & Review!!! PLEASE!!!