Us against the world

Chapter 2:

Five men walked swiftly through the trees together faster than they usually would unless they were chasing someone of course. Well...they were in a way.

Robin glanced ahead of him taking in the woman they were following back to the camp who was walking considerably faster than them and yet was significantly shorter than them at the same time. He frowned thinking of what had happened wondering what it all meant. Wondering what on earth had happened to make her react like that.

They walked for nearly half of the way quietly, silently just sharing uneasy glances with each other wondering how on earth they were going to bring up the topic with Djaq.

It was Much who broke first...although it wasn't that much of a surprise. His intentions were right and sweet, he wanted to help. Much always wanted to help and so he asked her,

"Djaq" He called but she didn't stop walking and she didn't turn around. Will even Allan and Robin caught her shoulders stiffen just slightly and she didn't stop walking anf certainly didn't acknowledge Much at all...

So he tried again,

"Djaq? ...Djaq!" His last call was almost angry or frustrated at the least but it made the woman halt in her tracks and seeing she did so Much also stopped suddenly causing John to almost trample over the man. She turned and they watched her as her eyes narrowed slightly focusing on their cook,

"What Much?" She asked and despite her stiff posture, narrowed eyes flashing with annoyance. Despite her defensive arms folded across her chest and her eyebrow raised challenging the man, they all heard the slight tremor in her voice. They heard the difference. It wasn't laced with humour as it was most of the time usually when Will, Allan and her were mucking around. It wasn't concern that they heard when she looked after somebody, anybody who was hurt. Or the serious tone her voice took on when they discussed a plan with a dash of excitement.

It was different. Something they hadn't heard before.

She was troubled. And simply watching her made them all begin to worry.

"Much" the man startled as she repeated his name and seemed to swallow the lump that was building in his throat as he tactfully tried to form the words he wanted to say, the question he wanted to ask...

He knew that if he said it wrong or harshly or in a way that would patronise her or belittle her he could very well have an arrow between his eyes or a knife dead centered in his chest before he could blink.

And on top of that not a very forgiving physician to save him.

Neither were situations he really yearned to experience. He looked back up at the youngest member of their group,

"So um...who was that" the others almost groaned at Much's blunt question and the outlaw himself felt his own eyes widen when he heard the words that had slipped from his mouth. They all stood there waiting and felt the air thicken.

But instead of the anger they thought they'd see. The anger that they all knew Djaq used very expertly to get out of many situations that related to her past never came. Instead, very uncharacteristically, a short answer left her lips in a very soft voice as if she was almost unsure of herself,

"It was no one" And it was all they got from her before she turned and resumed walking back towards the camp again.

The men stood still for a moment most of their eyes following Djaq's retreating back. Confused at what was happening they all felt their concern rise.

They knew Djaq hated well despised them being protective over her but they couldn't help it. It was something that they had learnt to stifle ...the need to protect the woman among them. All of them were gentleman at heart even if their crass humour and lame jokes masked it at times they had all been brought up to respect the women in their lives.

As Robin looked around at the men he knew this time it would be harder and as he watched Djaq disappear through the trees they began walking after her again. He wondered what it was that was going on with her. Who the man was?

It was obvious that he was not from England and the Djaq knew him...and of course didn't seem to happy to see him at all.

But it had been more than that.

He'd caught the flicker of fear in her eyes when she'd stood in front of him but it had disappeared so quickly that he almost questioned if it had ever been there to begin with. As they carefully slid down a steep hill part of the forest with grace only someone who did often enough could Robin couldn't help but think that there quiet days of laughter and good were suddenly threatened to become filled with drama.

"I'm going for a wash I'll be back later okay?" She stated and Robin nodded. As she walked out of the camp she passed Will who was returning with an arm full of firewood,

"You okay" She nodded stoically,

"I'm fine"

Will turned and watched her figure disappear between the trees feeling his heart sinking.

She was anything but fine.

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Sorry It's been so long but would really really appreciate a review guys to let me know what you think!

Thankyou

Nina xx