I do not own Robin Hood.

Rachael wasn't really concerned that Robin had indeed got Kate back to Sherwood. She knew that both Guy and Thornton were furious about it and felt quite sorry for them, until she found out that she had been betrayed. Thornton invited her to Nottingham and when she got there, found that he was not alone. In the main hall was a face from her very distant past. She remained close to the door in shock as the man she knew turned to her, with grey features and a more aged face than she remembered. Her throat dried up and made it impossible to speak and address the man she knew. Thornton smirked at her as the other grey haired man smiled at her in amazement.

"It is you. My daughter, my youngest daughter, Rachael McBain." He said.

Rachael looked at Thornton and then saw a huge sack of gold on a near by table. She looked at him in disgust and her father noticed.

"He didn't ask for that." He said.

"He didn't have to." She said coldly.

"Surely it doesn't matter? I'm here, after all this time, I thought you were dead. I should have known. You're a McBain through and through." He said.

Thornton continued to smirk and collected his gold and left the room to leave Rachael to come to terms with seeing her father again.

"Your own village I hear, not quite what you're entitled to. You remember or perhaps have forgotten Gordon of Glasgow was the one I..." he began.

"I remember, but I have no interested in that sort of thing." She said.

"You've met another?" Asked her father.

"No sir." She replied.

"Surely there is no harm in seeing him again? At least hear what he has to say, his family have been just as concerned as I about you." He said.

Rachael was given little option. Her father went with her to Locksley and raised an eyebrow as she received flowers and gifts freely from the locals. The manor door closed behind them and Lord McBain smirked as Rachael arranged the gifts and gave some to the staff.

"A popular one aren't you? They'll be sad to see you go." He said.

"If I go." Added Rachael.

Lord McBain jumped at the sight of Guy walking down the steps and was concerned as his daughter seemed unfazed by what he saw as a tall, well built man, walking down her personal stairs. She picked up on his concern instantly and smiled pleasantly at him.

"Sir Guy, this is my father. Sheriff Thornton kindly contacted him for me." She said.

Guy picked up on her tone instantly.

"Why was he upstairs my dear?" Asked her father.

"He lives here. My tax man. He's taught me everything I need to know about Locksley." Replied Rachael.

"Then he can leave." He added.

"It isn't my will that he leaves. You know you're welcome here don't you?" Asked Rachael.

"Like my own home My Lady." Replied Guy.

"I'm not happy about this!" Stated Lord McBain.

"Father let me make one thing clear, I never told you how to run your estate, now return the compliment. I have my reasons." She said.

"I won't be the only one. You wait until Gordon gets here, you wait." He added.

Rachael rolled her eyes and made it clear to herself that nobody's opinion mattered to her. Yet it didn't stop Guy finding her at the dining table late that night, when her father was asleep in a room upstairs. He sat opposite her and looked at her. She looked up at him and nodded.

"Who is Gordon?" He asked.

"The man my father chose for me. He's in charge of Glasgow, rich accent, probably won't even be able to understand each other. I don't understand. A few years ago I'd have given anything to have my old life back, but now, I'm happy here. Although if I do go, you could get Locksley back yourself. That wouldn't be so bad." She replied.

"Is it what you want?" He asked.

"In some ways. This house is everything to me. It represents everything I know, I earned my place here through work. I couldn't belong in a castle in Glasgow. It's too much and I don't deserve it, yet at the same time I know you should have Locksley." She replied.

"Many would disagree." He said.

"I know. My opinion counts for little as far as my father and Thornton are concerned." She said.

"They're wrong. It counts for everything if they would only listen to you as you listened to me. In some ways I want it back but I see how you are with the villagers. I could never be the way you are. It's not the taxes that makes Locksley, it's the people. I see that now. Thanks to you." Said Guy.

"Guy it's nice of you to say, but I'm a little out-numbered. Three to one. I'll be gone by sun-down after Gordon arrives." Said Rachael.

"No. Try a village to three. Locksley won't let you do, and neither will I. If you're happy here then that's all that really counts. They need to see that and what they could do if you leave. It's not over. Not yet." He said.

Rachael smiled slightly at him and looked at Guy suspiciously and he looked at her questioningly as though hoping he hadn't done wrong.

"Why are you doing this?" She asked.

"If I can't have Locksley and you can't have Locksley, there will be no Locksley, not really. Look at all the flowers you have. You're part of it and when the people here that you're wanted elsewhere, there will be a full uprising." He replied.

"I don't know what to say." She said.

"Say you'll stay." He said.

"For who?" She asked.

"Excuse me?" He asked.

"Am I really being asked to stay for Locksley?" She asked.

Guy's expression changed slightly. Rachael had some how broken into his mind and read into his real agenda. He wasn't ready to say goodbye to her. She feared his answer deep down. Guy's expression changed slightly. Rachael had some how broken into his mind and read into his real agenda. He wasn't ready to say goodbye to her. She feared his answer deep down. She had already tried to fight the attraction twice and now his silence and expression began to worry her.
"What is it?" She asked.
Guy stood up and avoided her eyes. Rachael's own eyes flashed with deep concern and Guy stopped when he heard a tone of worry in her voice.
"Guy please!"
He turned around and finally looked at her. He shook his head and she slowly went up to him and put her hand on his arm. He flinched as though her touch had burned him.
"No." He said.
"Don't do this. Don't shut me out." She said.
"Then stop pretending you care before we both get hurt." He said.
"Guy!" She protested.
"You deny it?" He asked.
Rachael was shocked by Guy's lack of faith in her. After all that had come to pass between them, she had hoped that he would at least trust her.
"I do. I've only ever done my best by you. I'm just sorry it's not enough." She replied.
"What does it matter Rachael? Me or Locksley, the point is you are wanted here." He said.

"There is a difference and you know it." Replied Rachael.

"No. I won't let it happen again. Either way I'll offend you." Said Guy.

"You won't offend me if you tell the truth." She said.

"If you stay for Locksley, life goes on. If you stay for me, I can't guarantee your safety." He said.

"My safety?" She asked.

There was a pause when Rachael looked at Guy, a man who had never caused her any harm what so ever. She noticed something about his eyes, though it was quite dark that they shone with a fear of the past. She understood. She understood perfectly what he was saying.

"I'm not her." She added.

Rachael bravely went to him again and slowly put her hand upon his arm again, giving him time to protest if he wanted to.

"Trust me." She said.

Guy did trust her. Yet after all he had been through he was incredibly uncertain about himself more than anything. He didn't trust his own judgement. Even as he thought someone cared for him as he did for them, he couldn't escape the ghost. When Rachael's hair and features began to change, although he wanted to kiss her and she clearly wanted the same, he couldn't go through with it.

"I'm sorry." He said.

Guy bolted upstairs and Rachael sighed sadly. Little did she know that her father had been lurking around as she too decided to retire for the night. Lord McBain made sure that she went to her own chamber, and regarded the whole situation darkly.