I do not own Robin Hood.

Isabella had managed to sweet talk Prince John into her release, just as her brother had once done. She returned first to Locksley, not knowing about a strong allience between the brother she hated and the young woman she trusted. She knew that her husband had taken over Nottingham but hoped some how that she would be welcome at Locksley, she had a feeling that Rachael would still be there, but not working through some papers, fighting the wanting glare that came from Guy. There was a knock on the door and Rachael, got up to answer the door. Guy watched her and when he saw the mere outline of Isabella, he was gone, as Rachael stood shocked and worried that she knew that it was she, who told Thornton where she was.

"Please. Let me in." She begged.

Rachael did so as she had little choice. She looked and saw no sign of Guy in the house and was quite glad that he had gone.

"I am so pleased you managed to stay here. I thought he'd get rid of you, but your better than that. I need Nottingham back. I won't put you in any trouble I promise. I'll be gone in the morning. I know what I'm doing." She added.

"What are you going to do?" Asked Rachael.

"Get Nottingham back. There's no point in asking nicely. I'm going to kill him." Replied Isabella.

"Your husband?" Asked Rachael.

"Yes. I should have done it years ago." She replied.

Rachael looked uncomfortable. Thornton was popular and his murder would make her unpopular but she didn't want her as Sheriff because she was scared of loosing Guy.

"What?" She asked.

"Things have changed. The people like Squire Thornton. He's lowered taxes, there is no outlaw problem because there is nothing for them to do. You kill him and the people will hate you." Replied Rachael.

"I don't care, as long as they obey me. Oh I am glad you managed to stay. It makes things so much easier." Said Isabella.

Rachael saw Guy in the window and he narrowed his eyes. Isabella made her way to the kitchen and Rachael mouthed for him to go to Nottingham. He looked back darkly and walked back into the house.

"What are you doing?" She asked quietly.

"She took my place here once, she won't do it again." He replied.

"Guy, she wants to kill Thornton, she won't hesitate to kill you too." She added.

"What?" He asked.

"Go. Quick before she sees you!" Begged Rachael.

"I'm not leaving." He said.

When Isabella saw Guy it was as though the world turned deep red. She went forward to kill him but Rachael stopped her.

"No!" She shouted.

"He's an outlaw!"

"No he isn't. He's my taxman." Corrected Rachael.

"He did this. My husband. To spite me. I think I'll get rid of you first!" Shouted Isabella.

"You can't!" Cried Rachael.

Isabella looked at her questioningly. Rachael did not move from her defence of Guy and it made no sense to her at all.

"Why? He had you as a slave, he tied you up." She said.

"I chose that path and, I asked him to." Replied Rachael.

Guy put his hand on Rachael's back, part of him didn't want her to tell Isabella the truth but he was almost glad she did, she was finally accepting her feelings for him. Isabella backed away from Rachael, who shook her head as she was looked at in disbelief.

"I couldn't see him given up for death like that, it was undignified and I owed him my life." She added.

"The prison..." Began Isabella.

"I gave..." She began.

"I took a hair-pin from her. I was free, Thornton came for you and had me excused by Prince John, I did not have the heart to take Locksley from Rachael, she has been good enough to give me house-room." Said Guy.

"How could you?" Asked Isabella.

"Guy never did me any harm. I won't see him suffer." She replied.

"I trusted you." Said Isabella.

"You were gone as far as I was concerned. I have fought to keep Locksley but I think now I need to step down, before I fall down." Added Rachael.

"Good! Because when I kill my husband, it will be the first thing you loose." Snarled Isabella.

Rachael shook her head and turned to Guy as she spoke.

"I'm not doing it for you, I'm doing it for Guy. Locksley belongs to you as it did when I first came here." She said.

Although shocked at first, Guy solved the problem instantly and Isabella was taken to Nottingham to await her fate by Thornton. Guy returned to Rachael and she smiled at him warmly.

"You don't have to do this." He said.

"I know, but look at Isabella. Maybe women don't belong in politics." She said.

"Where do you belong?" He asked.

"I'd like to think there is still a place for me..." She began.

"There is. You are still Lady of Locksley, you always will be." He said.

Rachael smiled even more and they were both very grateful to each-other. Her body did not feel like her own as Guy got closer and she tilted her head back to welcome his lips upon her own. Her eyes closed and she enjoyed the brief kiss before they wrapped their arms around each other and began to kiss more passionately. Rachael's heart beat so hard against her chest, that she was almost frightened it would hurt Guy too.

"Promise me, you'll never leave me now." He said.

"Never by choice." She said, running her hand down his face.

"Can you show me your love?" He asked.

"Guy?" She asked, uncertain if she had misunderstood him, she let go of him.

"On the night of our wedding, will you marry me?" He asked.

Rachael couldn't believe what she had been asked, nor could she believe that the choice was all hers. Guy got down on one knee and partly repeated himself.

"Rachael McBain, will you marry me?" He asked.