Disclaimer to all things RH...as usual...

So, here's chapter 7...I'm not entirely happy with this one, but I wanted to update before I go on another holiday for a few days...Enjoy!

Shortly after, Marian climbed back into the carriage to take her home to Knighton. After Gisborne got covered in flour, she had pleaded a headache and Guy had been forced to let her go home. She smiled to herself at the memory of the look on Guy's face as he was covered in white. She sat down in the carriage and told the driver to go.

"'I should like to know the concerns closest to your heart.'" A voice mimicked out of nowhere. Marian jumped a little as she looked across from her in the dark carriage. She could now see the faint outline of Robin's face bearing his famous Lockesly grin, once again.

Inspite of herself, Marian began to smile, but her practical side took over. Instead of smiling, she frowned. "Robin, grow up! You could have been caught and for what? Just to laugh at Guy?" she hissed.

But Robin's grin continued, "Don't be such a spoilsport, Marian. You know you are always telling me to grow up and what to do and what not to do. Haven't you figured out that I rarely listen? Oh, and by the way, seeing Gisborne's face was priceless and you know I always enjoy a good laugh."

"At the price of your head?" she was not impressed. "And I should stop telling you what do do because no matter what, you can't get it through your thick skull." She glared at him. He only shrugged and laughed. "You should not have been there." she stated, even more angered that he didn't care about what she thought.

"I thought we agreed that you wouldn't tell me what to do anymore?" he countered, glee spreading across his face. He laughed as Marian cringed with anger and frustration, then asked her with more seriousness, "What did the Sheriff want with Gisborne?"

Marian was surprised at herself for not remembering to tell him about the animals in the old mine. "He came to gloat more or less about-" she stopped and looked at him questioningly. "How long were you there?"

Robin shrugged, "Long enough to see the Sheriff leave. It's why I came in the first place. The flour was just a bit of improvisation." he winked to hide his lie. It's true he did come when he saw the Sheriff but it was just coincidence. He went to Lockesly to look after Marian. He hated leaving her alone with Gisborne. The thought of it made him flame with anger and writhe with disgust. However, he had to supress these feelings as Marian told him of the Sheriff's meeting with Gisborne

"Right," he said quietly after she had finished, "I have a plan."

"Robin, really." Marian said sarcastically,

"Alright half a plan." he admitted. Marian shot him a tell the truth look.

"What, I do!" he said defensively.

"Does it involve, get in, grab the money and get out?" she asked raising her eyebrows.

"Well, yes, obviously, but that isn't the entire plan." he said, looking flustered. Marian only laughed.

"You never have a plan do you?" it was more of a statement than a question.

"Well what were you planning to say to Gisborne tonight?" Robin asked, turning the tables once again.

"What do you mean?"

"Well he asked you if you loved him and if I hadn't made my grand entrance, what would your answer have been?"

"I-" Marian didn't know what she would have said. "I suppose I would have tried to find my way around it by saying that a lady didn't speak of such things, or something like that."

Robin snorted, "Why couldn't you have just given him an honest answer?"

Marian didn't answer. She didn't want to discuss it.

"Marian?" Robin said quietly, "What is the honest answer?"

"No, but-"

"Oh, there's a 'but'?" only Marian could send Robin higher than the angels with one word and send him crashing down the next."

"Yes, there is a 'but.' I was going to say that it should have no effect on our marriage. People have married complete strangers that they hate. I don't hate Guy, no matter what you say about him. So really, it is a decent match."

"Robin shook his head, "You never settled for decent. Why would you start now?"

"My father Robin-"

"Marian, why must you use him as an excuse?"

Now Marian was getting angry. How dare he suggest he use her father as an excuse? And what was this about settling for less. So, instead of showing she was hurt, she lashed out. "Look, Robin, just because I have commitments to other people doesn't mean that they are an excuse."

He knew what she was implying. "What and I don't? I protect my men and look after them. Don't even try to say otherwise." his voice carried anger and hurt.

"I'm not talking about them." she said, tears coming to their eyes, "I'm talking about making promises that you don't keep, abandoning people that you claim to love." Marian bit her lip to prevent from sobbing.

"Ah, here we are again." Robin whispered, "You won't forgive me will you?" there was no hope in his voice as he asked.

Marian said nothing. In fact, she couldn't even look at him.

Robin took that as a no. They sat in silence as the carriage rumbled along the road. Finally Robin spoke.

"Well, tonight the gang and I are going to see what the Sheriff has planned for us." he held no emotion in his voice. Then he got up and jumped out of the carriage. Marian watched him walk away.

Be careful, she thought as she blinked and let a tear run down her cheek.

When she reached Knighton she ran up to her room and got out her Nightwatchman clothes. There was no way that she was going to miss this.

TBC...I'm sorry I keep making them leave each other on such sad terms...but trust me it will all make sense in the end:)

Next Chapter: Both the Outlaws and the Nightwatchman will meet the Sheriff's newest plan.

Please Review and tell me what you think!