I do not own Robin Hood.

Rachael waited at Locksley for some news. She had every faith that Thornton would get rid of Isabella and keep his word to her. He had to. If he didn't she would be in big trouble with Isabella and loose everything, even her life. Thornton rode into Locksley and got off the horse and stormed into the manor. Guy had set up camp near by and stood up from where he was sat against a tree with his eyes narrowed. Meanwhile, Rachael turned to her unannounced guest and looked to the staff present and silently asked them to leave.

"Lady of Locksley, I know who you are, who you really are." He said.

"You do?" She asked hopefully.

"A maid my wife trusted and you betrayed her. After all she has done for you, do you have no heart?" He asked.

"Squire, when one has no family, they place family values rather high before any loyalty to anybody." She replied.

"Now that is what I don't understand. She claims you always have been a maid, yet the way you speak tells me otherwise. Tell the truth. Who are you?" He asked.

Guy made it close to the window and listened closely. Thornton had a point. He knew there was something strange about Rachael but had been hard pushed to figure it out. She was far too well spoken for someone who had always been a maid. How had he missed it?

"I'd rather not. Walls have ears." She replied.

"I want to know or as new Sheriff, I will take it all from you and in time give it back to Gisborne!" Shouted Thornton.

Guy found himself listening very intently. She knew his sins now he wanted to hear hers. Rachael was backed against a corner in a metaphorical sense.

"How much do you know about Scotland?" She asked.

"Very little." Replied Thornton.

"McBain." She said.

"That I do know. You have a connection?" He asked.

"Rachael McBain. One of seven of the Lord and Master of McBain castle. Like the old Sheriff he upset quite a few people of Scotland with taxes and harsh punishments. I was the youngest." She replied.

"How did you end up here?" He asked.

"He pushed someone too far. Killed a child for stealing food. So clearly someone took me away, with the same intention. But when the time came, the family couldn't do it. The head of the family took me on a very long journey. We travelled miles, days upon days at a time. We were attacked by robbers. He was killed and had everything taken that I could have used. I survived, I was just knocked out. I found myself in dire need of food, water and somewhere to stay but I didn't even know where I was. When I found out I was in the very south of England I was surprised but knew there was no way home for a thirteen year old girl with nought but what she stood in. I was employed for many things, farming, cleaning, pottery apprentice, but all that was destroyed when Prince John took over and many began looking for work again. Staff was wanted at Locksley for the new Lord so signed up for what I could get." Replied Rachael.

"You have a royal blood-line. Deny it." Said Thornton.

"I shall. I haven't been a McBain for many years. It's clear that little effort was made to find me. Knowing my father he probably replaced me with another young wife and another seven children." She said.

"There could be a reward on your return." He said.

"Ten years on. He's probably dead." She said.

"Lady, I've helped you and replaced my wife as good as under your instruction. Now it's your turn to help me." Ordered Thornton.

"I helped you get your new position. I owe you nothing." Said Rachael.

"Alright. How about because I'm your superior?" Asked Thornton threateningly.

As Rachael was about to agree, Guy appeared from what appeared to be thin air. He stepped into the room and walked towards Thornton.

"Leave her alone." He ordered.

"Gisborne!" Shouted Thornton.

"Hello brother-in-law. Long time isn't it?" He asked.

"You don't scream Lady?" Asked Thornton.

Rachael shook her head. Guy smirked and turned to Rachael.

"Why should she? I'm here to protect her, as she protected me." He replied.

"Your only Alli." Added Thornton.

"And clearly I hers. I won't let you use her for money." Said Guy.

"And to think I was going to use you as my tax man, assuming I could convince Prince John to give you another chance." Said Thornton.

"You still can, but first you should win the people." Said Rachael.

"Oh?" Asked Thornton.

"And get rid of the outlaws." Added Guy.

Thornton glared at him and Rachael smiled at them both confidently.

"I'm sure we can manage both. As new Sheriff, you lower the taxes just for a while, you lower taxes, the poor aren't poor and they don't need Hood, who will start poking around trying to find fault. Then when you see him..." She began.

"I'll kill him." Added Gisborne.

"You will not! You'll bring him to me for a public hanging, Prince John in the audience too. You will make sure it all goes to plan, for once. Wonderful idea Lady." Said Thornton.

Rachael smiled in acceptance of his gratitude. Guy glared at him for lording it over him and then looked at Rachael before looking back at Thornton.

"Where is my dear sister?" He asked.

"Dungeon. Where she belongs I'm sure you'll agree. How many times did she try to kill you?" asked Thornton.

"Then what?" Asked Guy.

"I'm giving her to Prince John. I don't want her, he can have her, failing that it's the convent for her." He replied.

"I trusted you to make a good wife out of her." Growled Guy.

"I tried." Argued Thornton.

"Not hard enough." Added Guy.

Although Isabella had wronged him and tried to kill him, it was clear that he still cared about her, unlike her husband. Rachael narrowed her eyes at Thornton and curiosity got the better of her.

"What happened Squire? What was so bad to make your wife run from you?" She asked.

Thornton glared at her and then smirked.

"The same that will happen to you if you don't toe the line." He said coldly.

Guy then glared at Thornton to let him know that he would not make the same mistake again. He owed Rachael his life on more than one occasion and planned to see to it that no harm would come to her, while he was still alive to prevent it. When Thornton left, Guy followed him and squared up to him man to man.

"I meant it Thornton. She's not to be harmed." He said.

"As your woman?" Asked Thornton.

"As a lady of Locksley." Replied Guy.

"There's more?" Asked Thornton, smirking.

With one glare Guy made it clear it was no laughing matter. Thornton rolled his eyes and Guy started to notice some similarities between him and Vasey.

"You really care for her, or you wouldn't be out here now in plain view. I'd say she cares about you too." He said.

He walked away and Guy was silent as he went back into Locksley Manor. Rachael returned from up the stairs and smiled at him.

"Thank you. I've prepared your room for you. You're not on the run anymore, as far as I'm concerned." She said.

"What for?" Asked Guy.

"Defending me. It's been a long time since someone did that for me." She replied.