"Tanya? Charli?" Robin pushed open the door to their room, whispering their names. "Are you awake?"
The two were sprawled over the bed, still fully dressed. The tub of ice cream was now half full of melted goo, the vodka bottle empty. Robin began to chuckle, as he crept over to the side of the bed. "Um...hello?"
"Go. Away." Charli growled, her voice muffled from where her head lay stuffed under the pillow.
"I think not." Robin pulled the pillow away from her. "You look awful."
"Thanks Robin, that's so nice," she whispered sarcastically.
"Sssshhh!" Came the hiss from Tanya. "Trying to sleep here!"
"Once again, I think not. Get up! It's midday already and we have things to do."
"Yeah, like die." She groaned.
"What 'things', exactly, do we have to do?" Charli managed to roll over onto her back and open one eye.
"Well, Much won't stop moaning about being fed," Robin began, "and..."
"We are going to Starbucks to start sorting this mess out."
"Mess?"
"Charli!" Came the cry from the kitchen. "Feed me!"
Robin turned and glanced back at the door. Charli, finally managing to sit up, let out a loud groan. "Yes Robin, mess. As much as we love your company, this whole thing is a shambles. We have to find a way back, if not for you, then for Vaysey and that slimy companion of his." She threw her legs over the side of the bed. "First things first though. We need to feed him..."
"How much did you drink?" Tanya peered up at her. "I didn't do anything embarrassing did I?"
"Yes, you took off all your clothes and pole danced for the boys." Charli grinned, climbing to her feet gingerly.
Tanya looked half skeptical and half amused. "And you didn't stop me?"
"Are you kidding?"
Robin, who didn't have a clue what they were on about, joined in. "She joined you!"
Charli gaped at him. "I did what?"
Tanya cackled evilly. "Charli, you bite too easily."
"I wish it were true though," Robin shrugged.
"What?" Tanya sat up then, groaning when her head began to pound. "You don't even know what pole dancing is!"
"I know, but she mentioned you taking your clothes off in the same sentence-"
"Robin!" She picked up a pillow and threw it at his head.
"Ow!" Charli complained.
"That didn't hit you!"
"Sympathy pains!" She headed out of the door. "What do you weird people want to eat? And get out of my kitchen before you burn it down or flood it again!"
"No fair!" Much protested. "I flooded the bathroom!"
"And destroyed my microwave! Out!" She ushered him out of the kitchen before opening the fridge to inspect what was there. "TANYA! WE NEED TO GO SHOPPING!" She called back into the bedroom.
"We can do that after out visit to Starbucks then," Robin appeared in the doorway, holding up a very tired and dish shelved looking Tanya.
"You look worse than I feel! Coffee?" Charli flicked the switch on the kettle.
"Hell yeah," she mumbled as she shuffled into the kitchen. Making her way over to counter top, she turned and tried to haul herself onto it, much to no avail. "Robin," she sulked. "Help me up."
"Lazy," Charli muttered as she threw some bread into the toaster.
"I can't do it," she cried.
Robin picked her up, but instead of putting her on the counter, he carried her into the lounge and sank down onto the couch with her in his lap. "Robin - the coffee is in there!"
"Charli will bring it in!"
"Will she heck!" Charli called.
"I've not said good morning," he ignored Charli, grinning as he moved in for a kiss.
"I don't want to say good morning," Tanya pushed him away. "I want to sleep."
"And I wouldn't push your luck any further," Charli stormed in, slamming two cups off coffee down on the table. "Tanya is NOT a morning person. If she says she wants to sleep, she wants to sleep. No matter WHO wants to kiss her."
"You're in a bad mood!" Robin grinned.
Charli seriously considered throwing her coffee mug at him, but Will caught her around the waist and pulled her away. "Don't fight with Robin today."
"He was fighting with me!"
"Just don't fight with him!" He ordered as he spun her around and kissed her.
"Why? Is there something special about today?"
"No, it would just be nice to go a day without the two of you arguing," he shrugged before kissing her again.
"Morning!" John appeared in the room.
"Afternoon," Robin corrected him.
"Still morning." Alan held up a digital clock, which read 11:59. "At least...I think it is. Is that was this says?"
"Yeah. It's 11:59." Tanya grumbled. "Technically it's still morning Alan, which means I can go back to bed." She pushed out of Robin's arms and rose from the sofa. "Goodbye."
"No." Robin reached out and took her arm, pulling her back. "We have things to do." His voice was reluctant.
"You mean you'll talk about finding a way back?" There was disbelief in Tanya's voice.
"Yes...we need to…" He looked around the lounge. "I mean, I just needed a day or two to come to terms with it, but when I woke up this morning I realised that time is something we don't have."
"Ironic or what?" Charli mumbled.
"Where are the others? We need Djaq and Much here too."
"Much was mumbling something about Claire." Alan looked disgusted. "And Djaq is in the bathroom."
"Not any more," she walked into the room, towel drying her short hair in the process. "Did you want me?"
"Yes, today we're going to Starbucks."
"For coffee?" Much entered the lounge too.
"Don't be so bloody stupid Much," Charli rolled her eyes. "Nice to see everybody present."
Robin got up fro the sofa and stood in the middle of the room, his hands on his hips. He turned on the spot several times, his mind going over what he was about to say. He had thought about this moment so many times since that dreadful day, finally plucking up the courage to face the truth, and now he found himself pretty speechless again. "I...we..."
Tanya bit on her bottom lip, noticing Robin struggling with his words. Getting up from the sofa, she joined him at his side. "Today we're going to start looking for a way back," she said for him. The two were met with stony silence. "Okay, somebody say something." Tanya said nervously, taking Robin's hand.
"Now you've said it, it seems so...final" Alan muttered. "I like it here. I think we deserve a break like this."
"Yeah, it's been more than a break." Much said a little sadly.
"Alan is right, and you too Much. I haven't had this much of a good time since long before the Holy War. It was needed, well earned and..." he looked at Tanya. " Something I definitely won't regret..."
"But we need to find a way home." Will finished before Tanya could answer him. "And you girl's think we will find it in Starbucks?"
"Well, it's worth a try...can you think of anywhere else to start?" Charli asked him gently. He shook his head.
"Well I think its great." Much grinned. "While you people search, I can order all of those cakes we saw that first day! Finally!"
"Much," Robin warned. "This is serious."
"Oh let him joke," Tanya nudged him and smiled. "Someone has to keep us entertained around here. Otherwise we'll crack up."
"What time shall we head over?" Charli asked, leaning back into Will's arms. He kissed her earlobe tenderly and she closed her eyes, sensing his slight un-easiness.
"As soon as we're showered and we have eaten, I guess." Tanya shrugged, unsure of what else to say. "Robin? Is there anything else?"
"I...um...no. We should just go...and take a look around..."
"What exactly are we looking for?" Little John asked. "And is something burning?"
"Toast!" Charli pulled herself out of Will's arms and headed for the kitchen, reappearing moments later with a plate of burnt toast and handing it to Much.
"My Food!" The young man cried, mournfully.
"Maybe we should eat out?" Charli suggested, tiredly.
Robin looked around skeptically. "I don't want to be out too long, it's not safe. But I'm sure we can get some food, if you like..."
"Well, I'll need to go shopping," Charli said.
"We can have a roast dinner." Tanya grinned. "Much will like that."
"Well, I'll definitely need to go shopping then. They just about ate everything in the house last night!"
"They did?" Tanya grinned as she looked around the group. "Pigs."
They all laughed as each finger pointed at Much. "What?" He gaped.
"Okay guys, lets get the ball rolling!" Charli clapped her hands together. "I'm using the shower first. Tanya you can go next. Then Robin. Or together, I don't care...just be quick."
"Much, come on!" Charli held the door open, the others waiting in the hallway, slightly impatiently.
"Coming! Sorry!" Much came running with an apple in his hand. "Had to get my snack!"
"We are going to eat!" Robin grumbled. "Food in ten minutes. How can you..."
"Shush Robin, lets go!" Charli shut the door and took Will's hand. "Its only a short walk."
"Walk?"
"Yes, walk. I.e., you use your legs."
"No car?" Much sulked as he took a bite out of his apple.
"No, remember the day we met? When we walked back from Starbucks? Well, it's the same as then, only we go the opposite way instead."
"Hilarious." Much deadpanned as they all finally filed out into the crisp afternoon air.
"I thought so." Tanya said cheerfully. "Oh look - there's your arrow's Robin!" She pointed at the tree they had been using as a target, six arrows in the tree trunk, the ground littered with broken shafts.
"Complete waste," Robin half growled as they headed down the road and toward the metal framed bridge that crossed over the wide jewel-carriage way.
"Don't be such a party-pooper," she smiled as she took his hand and swung it in hers. "Hmmm...Maybe I should take some archery lessons?" She wondered more to herself.
"Advised." Robin deadpanned.
"And who better to teach you than the expert himself?" Djaq pointed out as she smiled at the pair.
A silence fell on the group, as they walked, hand in hand with their respective partners; towards the room they had met each other in for the first time. Djaq's words had hit Robin the hardest. He suddenly realised that he wouldn't be able to teach her archery, as his friend suggested.
He frowned and looked sideways at her, catching her eye. "Are you okay?" She asked, squeezing his hand.
He tried to smile, but it did not reach his eyes. "Of course."
"Liar," Tanya chuckled.
He shrugged. "What if I am?"
"Just be honest with me, Robin. I know you're not happy."
"Well of course I'm not happy!" He tried not to snap, but his words were sharp none the less. He sighed and pulled her to one side, leaving the others to carry on walking. "If we find the way back, Tanya, that's it. It's over."
"It is NOT over," Tanya narrowed her eyes, nudging him hard in the chest. "Yeah, we find the way back, so what? We're doing this for the Sheriff and Gisborne because we don't have a choice! Because THEY want to go home! It doesn't mean YOU have to go back, and it certainly doesn't mean it's OVER!"
"Tanya-"
"No Robin, just listen-"
"You know I have to go back!"
"Maybe…" she rubbed her eyes tiredly, her mind wondering back to something Much had mentioned in Paris. "Maybe if I came back with you…"
Robin shook his head, his eyes mirroring her own sad ones. "You can't. As much as I would love that, you just can't-"
"Why not?" Tanya challenged, more determined now than ever to prove that maybe it wasn't such an absurd idea.
"It wouldn't be safe for a start. I live in the forest, I'm an OUTLAW! That's no life for a lady. Your life is here, in 2006!"
"Yes, but is it?" She shook her head doubtfully, taking his face in her hands. "Robin. If and when this happens, my life here won't be-"
"Oi! You two! Get a move on!" Charli yelled from the other end of the bridge before she disappeared down the steps.
Robin chewed on his bottom lip for a moment, his eyes searching Tanya's. "It's out of the question."
"What is?" She played dumb.
"What you just suggested. Don't even think about it."
"Alright, alright." She said waving her arms about in a fluster.
He smiled before pulling her forward into his arms, capturing her lips with his own. He pulled away slightly, his forehead still touching hers. "Thank you."
"For what?" She whispered, a little breathlessly.
"For being in the privy the day I fell through that hole."
Tanya giggled. "You're lucky my hair was a mess, otherwise I wouldn't have been in there."
Robin frowned. "A mess…?" His mouth opened when realisation dawned. "Ooooh yeah! That's right! I forgot about that."
"Oi!" Tanya swatted his arm. "You're not supposed to agree with me!"
"Whoa, woman!" Robin laughed as he held her at arms length. "You just told me to be honest with you!"
"Don't push your luck!" She attempted one last lunge at him, but Robin caught her arms, swinging her around and onto his back in a piggy back fashion.
"Come on, let's go." He began to jog, catching up with the others.
"I hate it when you pick me up. I thought we'd cleared that up already?"
"What were you guys doing?" Charli asked as the pair finally rejoined them. They all reached the bottom of the bridge and began to head down the highway that held most of Lockley's shops, including Starbucks.
"Smooching AGAIN?" Alan rolled his eyes.
"No." Tanya said at the same time Robin grinned and said, "Yes-OW! Stop hitting me!"
"We were talking," Tanya narrowed her eyes at him. "Nothing more!"
"Yes, you keep telling yourself that…" Robin mumbled. "Oh-" He stopped dead suddenly, Tanya still on his back. "Is this it?"
The group came to a stand still as they looked up at the huge green letters above the shop that read Starbucks. No one spoke for several minutes, each of them unsure of what to say and no one wanting to make the first move. Robin took a deep reassuring breath, his arms reaching round to lift Tanya down. He took her hand, pulling her to stand beside him. "Shall we go in?"
Djaq sniffed. "Let's just get this over with."
"I don't think I want to go in…" Much began, but was quickly cut off when John grabbed his sleeve and began to drag him to the door.
"We're not backing out now!" He bellowed. "We have to find a way home! Think about the girls!"
Will said nothing, but Charli noticed the creases that now appeared to be etched on his forehead in worry. Taking his hand, she led him gently to the door, following the rest of the group. They all filed in, Much shuffling his way toward the cake display almost immediately.
"Can I help you?" Came the bubbly voice of the assistant, causing him to jump out of his skin.
"Uh…" He looked at her blankly and then back at his friends for help.
"Yeah, actually you can." Alan stepped forward this time, a huge grin forming on his face. "We're here to find this vortex that will take us back to 1192. We think it may be in the privy somewhere, but-"
"Yes Alan," Charli moved forward this time, plastering on her fakest smile. "What he really means is that we'd like eight coffees-"
"Actually, I would rather have a café latte-"
"Much!" Robin warned.
"Eight coffees," Charli tried again. "And we're staying in, thanks…maybe for a while."
The assistant busied herself making the drinks while the group stood around just waiting. "Now what?" Will asked quietly, his eyes flickering over to the toilet door every so often.
"Um…" Tanya took a deep breath, "maybe Charli and I should go take a look around?"
"We can all go." Robin stated.
"Yeah, that's great and all, but in case you failed to notice, it's the ladies toilets. You can't just wonder in and out of there as you please."
"We go in together." Robin said again.
"But-"
"Together."
Tanya rolled her eyes, biting down on her tongue to stop herself from snapping. She knew Robin only meant well, but the last thing she wanted to do was cause a scene. Six men walking in to the ladies toilets were bound to draw some attention.
"I'll stay here for a moment and get the coffees," Much volunteered.
"And I suppose you'll want cake too?" Charli shook her head in disbelief.
"Yes please," he nodded eagerly, eyes wide like a child.
"Cake later," Robin pointed at him. "The coffees now. The rest of us, let's move."