Juliana limped into the castle, tired and sore from her little fall just hours before. Damn crate only had to hold out just a little longer. But, of course, it had to give way when Marian and Guy were outside, drawing their attention. Oh well, she thought, Marian didn't seem to disbelieve her explanation.

"You've finally decided to return, have you?" Sir Robert said as he hobbled up, leaning heavily on his cane.

"Gout bothering you, father?" she asked, pointing to the cane.

"Of course it is, you twit!" he snapped. "That damned girl who was looking after me was so incompetent." he winced as pain shot up his leg. "I hope you enjoyed your little holiday, you won't be having anymore for a long time yet."

Juliana took a deep breath and pictured the look on his face when he was informed his plans had bee dashed. Very soothing, she thought with a smile.

"What are you smiling at?" her father asked as he banged his cane down on the ground.

"Excuse me." Guy said, walking up briskly, avoiding direct eye contact with Juliana. "The sheriff would like a word with your daughter, Sir Robert."

"You his little errand boy now are you, Gisborne?" Robert barked with laughter. "Spineless. That's your problem."

"The sheriff is waiting." Guy said, ignoring the old man's taunt.

"Oh, go on then." Robert said. "Get it over with so you can get back to your duty."

"Oh, with such a promising thing as that waiting for me, " Juliana said with a forced smile. "How could I not hurry?"

As Sir Robert began to grumble, Juliana followed Sir Guy to the sheriff's office.

"What does he want to speak to me about?" she asked.

"I don't know." was Guy's short answer.

"Earlier, at Marian's..." she began, hoping to get him to discuss whatever it had been he'd shown up for.

"Here we are." he said, cutting her off.

"So we are." she said, becoming annoyed. "Thank you, Sir Guy." she added as she went in and shut the door behind her.

"Ah, Juliana." the sheriff said as he looked up from some papers that were scattered all over his desk. "Miss Juliana Whitney."

Juliana stared in confusion at the use of her full name.

"Whitney, Whitney, Whitney." he repeated as he got to his feet. "Did you know, about six years ago, there was a woman who died here in Nottingham by the name of Whitney?"

"I was aware of that." Juliana answered, becoming nervous, but refusing to let it show.

"Yes, I'm sure you are." he said as he smiled, playing with false tooth, coming to sit on the edge of his desk. "Because, if I'm not much mistaken, she was your mother."

"Yes." she replied.

"Fell down the stairs?" he asked conversationally.

"Yes." she repeated.

"You were alone in the house with her at the time, from what I've been able to gather." he said, his snake-like smile returning.

She's beginning to squirm, he thought with satisfaction. How lovely.

"Yes, I found her." Juliana said, feeling as though she was going to scream soon.

"You have brothers." he said, changing subjects quickly. "Four of them?"

"Three living." she said, swallowing hard.

"Are any of them married?" he asked, even though he knew the answer.

"May I ask, Sheriff, why you're asking these questions?" Juliana asked, becoming more annoyed than anything.

"Because, my dear Miss Whitney, I want to make something clear." he said as he slowly walked forward, stopping just inches from her.

"What is that?" she asked.

"That if you're wrong about having things so well in control, and your father really does have any true friends, or is blackmailing anyone you're unaware of," he began, moving closer still. "It would be a shame to see something happen to you."

"I can assure you that everything is taken care of." Juliana said, her nervousness returning.

"Good." he said, his breath hot in her face. "I would hate to see something bad happen to you. That pretty little neck in a noose for instance." he added with a chuckle.

"If anything happens to me, you will be held responsible." she threatened, feeling as though her threat was laughable.

"Oh, I don't think so." the sheriff said as he moved forward more, forcing Juliana to walk back until she was pressed against the wall. "If you screw things up, or if anyone tries anything against me, then there are seven people who will pay." he smiled suddenly. "I think I like that idea more than handing you over to the hangman."

"Seven people?" she asked, not able to hide her fear anymore.

"Edward,Marian, Gisborne of course, oh how sweet the two of you are." he laughed. "Then there's the matter of your brothers and sister-in-law."

"How..."

"You didn't think I'd just hand the matter of hiring servants over to some little girl I don't know, did you?" he laughed in her face. "No, I'd heard of some new faces in the city, one of which being a Saracen woman. Even if I hadn't, your little chats with the new servants give it away."

Juliana turned her head away, not knowing how much longer she could bare the sheriff's breath. She also didn't know how long it would be before crying at the thought of being so foolish as to have led her family into danger.

"But, so long as you know that you've things well in hand." he said suddenly, moving back, giving her a chance to fill her lungs with fresh air. "Just remember, Miss Whitney."

Juliana shot him a quick glare, knowing how pathetic it seemed, and the sheriff showing how pathetic it was as he laughed at her retreating form.

One outside in the hall, ran for a ways before stopping and leaning against the wall, breathing hard.

"Idiot!" she hissed. "You stupid, stupid idiot!" she wiped at tears she felt finally falling down her face.

She looked over and saw her brother Marcus walking along, delivering a letter to someone. She knew she couldn't fall apart because of the sheriff. He would not get the better of her. If he wanted to play at that game, then let him, she could give as good as she got.