A/N: Okay, another chapter and there will be more Robin & Co. I've got a whole thing lined up for them, so any of you readers who feel I'm ignoring them, worry not. Thanks for reading!

"I can't believe he did that to you." Marian said as she watched Juliana pace around the room, shredding her lace handkerchief.

"I just stood there like an idiot." Juliana muttered, more to herself than to Marian. "I didn't say anything."

"What were you supposed to say?" she asked as she walked over and stopped Juliana from pacing anymore. "He was cruel."

"What?" Juliana asked, looking up, almost forgetting that Marian was even there. "Oh, yes, of course." she muttered as she remembered what Marian must be talking about.

"I can see why you wouldn't want to stay there any longer." she said as she watched her friend pace around again.

"Really, I only need a short time before I feel up to going back." Juliana said, banishing thoughts of what happened before she had left the castle. "I can't leave father on his own for too long." she added.

"He'll manage." Marian argued.

"Only there will be some poor maid who'll be made to take his abuse in my place." Juliana pointed out. "That wouldn't be fair."

"You're bound to run into Gisborne though." Marian said, feeling bad that her friend had been hurt and feeling as though she hadn't done enough to stop it.

"Once in a while." she agreed. "But, I'll soon be over it." she added. "Do you mind if I just sit on my own for a bit?" she asked, wanting a chance to snoop around.

"No, of course not." Marian said with a smile. "I need to run an errand anyhow." she added.

"Gee, I wonder where that errand will take you." Juliana said with a laugh. "You're going out in the rain?" she asked more seriously, looking out and seeing that it was still pouring.

"It's not far." Marian said as she moved to the door. "I hope you feel better soon." she added before leaving.

"Me too." Juliana said as Marian shut the door. "Time to get to work." she told herself as she waited a few moments to make sure Marian was gone before heading out to the room her father had been staying in.

She oppened the door slowly, hoping to avoid any noises that might attract attention to her search. She looked around the room and found half a dozen places her father could have hidden papers. Cursing him for his paranoid ways, she set to work.

Marian tied her horse up under a large tree, a shelter of sorts from the rain. Looking around, she saw that she was the first to arrive at the designated meeting place.

"Do hurry." she mumbled as she pulled her cloak tighter around her in an attempt to keep the rain out.

"Marian?" she heard Robin's voice call a few minutes later.

"I'm right here." she called back with a smile. "Took you long enough."

"Sorry." he said. "We had some...business." he explained as he came to stand close to her. "Been waiting that long?" he asked as he brushed a wet strand of hair from her face.

"Not too long, thankfully for you." she said as she continued to smile, a small tingle racing up her spine at his touch.

"So, I'm not in too much trouble?" he asked, a smile playing on his lips.

"Not this time." she smiled back.

"I'm a bit ahead of the others." he informed her, leaning in to kiss her.

"Interesting." she said as his mouth covered her own.

"Can't you two stay off eachother for a few moments at least?" Allan asked as he and the others walked up.

"I thought you lot were further behind." Robin said, a bit of annoyance apparent.

"You were wrong." John said. "You took off so fast, we thought there might be a good reason, so we quickened our pace as well."

"Well, he did have a good reason, didn't you, Robin?" Allan asked with a wink.

"You are all horrible." Marian laughed as she saw Robin blush a bit. "Well?" she asked.

"Have no idea so far what the sheriff is up to." Will said.

"What ever it is, they're being very careful to keep it quiet." Much put in. "Very hush hush."

"So, all we know is that the sheriff is planning something, and more than likely, it's not good." Marian said.

"Of course, that's usually the case with the sheriff." Robin said. "And Sir Guy."

"Has your friend heard anything?" Djaq asked.

"She hasn't said anything." Marian replied. "Right now, I don't think her mind is on being our spy."

"What happened?" Robin asked.

"I don't think Jules would want me to go into." Marian said. "Let's just say, women issues."

"Enough said!" Allan said, throwing up his hands.

"It could be a number of things." Djaq protested.

"And if you and Marian want to have a chat with her about 'women issues', be my guest." Allan said. "But I think Marian has the right of it, best not to discuss it with us, whatever it is."

"She'll be fine." Marian said. "I'll make sure of it." she sighed, hoping Juliana would allow her to do so. "So, you found out absolutely nothing?" she asked.

"All we were able to find out," John started as he took a seat on a damp tree stump. "Is that the sheriff is receiving some payments from some wealthy people."

"I didn't know that." Marian said. "Have you seen many carriages carrying these payments?"

"No." Robin answered. "We've seen nothing."

"That's a bit worrying." Much said. "He's got this money coming into the castle, and yet, we've seen and heard nothing at all."

"One of the maids said they were preparing for the arrival of some guests." Will said. "Perhaps they belong to the payments."

"I know he's greedy." Much said. "But, why does he need dozens of rich men sending him money?"

"And what do they get in return?" Djaq asked.

"You should try to get Jules to stay with you and your father again." Robin said. "It might not be safe for her there."

"The only way she'll come back is if her father does, and I don't see that happening." Marian said. "He and my father..."

"She's been arguing with Sir Robert." Robin argued. "Surly, she'd find it nice to get away with him."

"Other than the fact that she's not willing to force some maid to take care of him in her place." Marian sighed. "She won't leave." she looked to Robin and touched his hand. "She isn't helpless." she whispered. "She knows how to look out for herself. I'm sure if anyone tries anything..."

"She'll kick him to next week." Robin smiled.

"Exactly." Marian returned the smile. Looking up at the sound of thunder, she turned back to the group. "I should be getting back."

"Be careful." John said, standing untying her horse for her.

"I will." she said as she mounted her horse. "And you all must promise to do the same. Don't do anything foolish."

"Promise." they all mumbled at once.