I do not own Robin Hood.

Squire Thornton, the new Sheriff of Nottingham was becoming very popular. He had kept his word to Guy and Prince John had given him one last chance and had Isabella locked in his own personal tower. He had lowered taxes and therefore Guy's job was made rather easy when he collected money from families. Rachael was able to happily get on with the running of Locksley and the house-hold, she too was proving popular with the locals as she hardly ever refused them anything such as wedding blessings. Of course there were those who were not so happy.

The outlaws had nothing to do. There was no injustice, no over-taxing, everyone was well-fed and had what they needed. They couldn't understand it so Robin ordered them all to investigate. He made a grave error as he took Kate with him as the others split up around other villages. It was Kate who Guy saw first. He turned to some men who were more than aware of what was going on. As Robin led the way, Kate was grabbed around the mouth and when he turned around she was gone.

"Kate? Kate!" He hissed.

He was too late. A guard who had Kate came forward and behind him stepped Guy with a smirk on his face. He looked at Kate carelessly.

"This yours?" He asked.

"Not bad for an outlaw." Replied Robin.

"Not me. I've been given a full pardon." Corrected Guy.

Robin too was taken away. The outlaws realized what had happened. Guy took the outlaws to Nottingham, passing Locksley on the way. Rachael walked out of the manor and he smirked at her and she shook her head. He had what he wanted, but she couldn't help but wonder how long for? She remembered the multiple times the outlaws had caught him out in the past and couldn't see this time being much different.

Sure enough, later that day Rachael saw that the outlaws had won again as people all rushed to see them coming. She looked out of the window but found that there was one member missing. The girl was clearly still in Thornton's custody. Yet that didn't matter to Guy who returned to Locksley in a terrible mood. Rachael winced as the door slammed behind him and rolled her eyes and got him a drink.

"A thank you would be nice, perhaps not." She said, noticing the dark look upon Guy's face.

"I had him. I had him!" He said angrily.

"I noticed one still remains." She said positively.

"She's not him." He said coldly.

"Gives you another chance. Hood won't see her in danger. He can't help but be the hero. That's his weakness." She added.

Guy looked at Rachael with interest. She knew Robin Hood better than he did, but she was on his side. She smiled at him knowing full well he wouldn't thank him for the idea, he was too proud for that sort of thing and found it secretly amusing if he adopted the idea as his own.

"What does that make you for saving me?" He asked.

"One person in my entire life against lord knows how many? I think not." She replied.

"One rule for him and another for you." He said.

"Why not? It's how my life used to be. I know you heard me." She added.

"Why didn't you tell me?" He asked.

"Would you have helped me?" She asked.

Guy wanted to say yes. Of course now if he'd have told her that she wanted to go home, he would arrange for something, but he knew that he was once in a very dark place also, he still was but she was starting to show him that not everyone was against him.

"I didn't think so." She added.

"If you want to go home..." he began.

"No. No I don't. I passed missing them a long time ago." She added.

"They're your family." He warned.

"Isabella is yours. I can't help who I'm related to but I can help the company I keep." She corrected.

"Problem?" He asked.

"Last in line and a woman. What do you think?" She asked.

"Your father..."

"Loved me I don't deny, but I won't miss the chance to do things my own way. Without him involved I live how I choose, every-one's dream." She added.

"I'm tempted to say you don't deserve it, but you never told me, never let on to anyone." Added Guy.

"You wouldn't have believed me. I'd been missing a good few years before I came to you." Said Rachael.

"Now I come to you." He said.

"Ironic isn't it?" She asked.

"Very. Fortunate for you." He replied.

Rachael smiled at him and he left with a smirk. Later that evening she heard a noise and found another intruder. Robin Hood grabbed her by the mouth and said her name with a smirk.

"Lady of Locksley! There was only ever one!" He added.

Rachael struggled and he let her go to defend herself.

"I got here without a choice. I'm not here by marriage. I am not your enemy." She said.

"No? But you give my enemy house-room. Does that mean I get my place here back?" He asked.

"If you had a pardon and you don't." She replied.

"You're as bad as the rest of them, no worse! I heard about you, nothing more than a cleaning maid." He said.

"That's what you think. Do you really think Squire Thornton would have me here if that were so?" She asked.

"Maybe. So, tell me, what is he planning?" He asked.

"Bored already are you? You of all should know that not everyone is like Vasey was." She replied.

Robin glared at her darkly.

"I will find out. I'm going to get Kate back, and I will find out." He said.

"Will you?" She asked.

"Give me a reason why not?" He asked.

"HELP! OUTLAW! OUTLAW IN MY HOUSE!" Shouted Rachael.

She had made her point and Robin didn't leave quick enough and almost went straight into Guy of Gisborne's sword. Robin slowly backed away and Guy forced Rachael behind him.

"I want your death to be seen as a favour." He said.

"Sorry to let you down..."

Robin fell out of a back window and quickly got up. Guy was furious and chucked his sword aside. He half expected a grilling from Rachael, instead he felt her hand upon his arm. He turned to her and she looked at him with a slight smile.

"Thank you. At least you came." She said.

Guy was taken aback and confused at her response to what had just happened. Rachael continued to smile at him and then her eyes darted down to his lips. Guy failed again as she moved away and changed her mind at the last moment, leaving him alone.