Usual Disclaimer to all things RH

Well here's chapter 20 (and I'm still pretty astonished). Thanks to everyone for all the reviews! I'd like to have 100 (so I need 8 more!) as it is the 20th chapter (hint hint) so I'd love to hear your thoughts. Enjoy!

When they reached the bottom, Marian asked casually, "Robin, what did you do with the money we got that night in the cave?"

Marian instantly hoped that he didn't hear her, or that he would lie to her.

"It's in our secret food store, where we keep all of the money. Where else?"

Marian shrugged, "I don't know. I thought maybe you would put it someplace else because it is such a large sum after all."

Robin nodded. "Well, the Sheriff doesn't know where it is, so we might as well take advantage of it."

Marian forced a smile. "Are we going to that food store now to make deliveries?" her stomach was beginning to feel sick. She couldn't believe that she was doing this to him.

Robin looked at her curiously. "Yes." he said slowly, "Why all the questions?"

"I am just trying to figure out how this whole outlaw business works, that's all." Now she felt worse, because coming up with the lies was almost too easy. She kept any signs that she was not telling the truth at bay, reminding herself that if she didn't, her father would pay the price. If that happened, she would never forgive herself.

Again, Robin took the bait. " Then I guess we should get on the 'outlaw business', wouldn't you say." he bowed low and offered his hand out, "My lady." he said gallantly. Marian rolled her eyes as she patted his head and brushed past him. Robin looked up and grinned and ran to catch up to her.

RHRHRHRHRHRHRHRHRHRHRH

That afternoon that Marian spent with Robin should have been the happiest that she had had in a long time. After all, the threat of her looming betrayel hung over everything she did. Still, it was refreshing to be able to do dropoffs with Robin, with little fear of being discovered. She also found that it was much more gratifying when people actually thanked her for helping them. The more she thought about it, the more she sort of understood why Robin needed to be loved. It was a wonderful feeling.

After they had finished Robin nudged her shoulder.

"Come on," he whispered into her ear, even though there was no one around, "I have something to show you." He walked ahead of Marian, obviously ignoring her quizzical look, into the middle of the forest. Not wanting to be left behind, Marian followed him.

Finally, Robin stopped in a sort of gorge amongst the trees. There were two large grey rocks on either side and last years autumn leaved covered the wide fissure that ran straight through it. He walked to the center.

"This, "he said stretching his arms and turning around, "Will be our new camp." he smiled triumphantly.

The expression of confusion did not leave Marian's face. In fact, it deepened. "Do you mean that we'll be moving soon?" she asked.

"Not yet, I don't think." Robin replied, surveying every corner of the area. "When we do move here, it will be permanent.

Marian lifted her eyebrows, "A permanent camp? Is that safe?"

"Why not? I think it's an ideal location. Will found it, and I think it's absolutely brilliant." he was practically gushing.

"But what if the Sheriff finds it?"

"He won't." Robin said with great certainty, "Even if he saw the loacation he would never find it. He would simply walk right past us." he gave a gleeful smile.

"Robin, you can't just dissapear." Marian looked at him skeptically.

"Sure we can. Yeah, it might not be for a while as Will is still working on the plans, but I think it will astound ever you, Marian." he winked at her.

"Even me?" Marian repeated, "What's that supposed to mean?"

Robin gave her an as if you don't know look, "Well, if there is any small fault to be had in anything, you will be sre to find it." he laughed as he watched Marian glare at him.

"But why take the risk? Surely it is not worth the effort." she took a step closer to him so that she could read his face better.

Robin shrugged, "We need a base, a go-to point and a place to hang our hats at the end of the day. That way, maybe we can establish some sense of organization, not just being some nomads scampering about the forest. Besides," his face took a more thoughtful appearance as he spoke more quietly, "I think that we deserve a home." he corner of his mouth pulled into a tiny smirk.

Marian sighed, so it seemed that after everything, Robin still wanted a home for himself.

"And what sort of places would you have in this camp?" she asked conversationally.

" Real beds, for starters." Robin said and they both laughed, "A kitchen for Much, a place for Djaq to keep her herbs, A spot for Will to work and an area big enough for Little John. And for Allan..." here he paused, "A space to do whatever it is that Allan does best." they past each other knowing looks "Oh, and finally an area for you do your embroidery." he flashed her a quick grin as she playfully punched him in the arm.

"And what would you do with your Lockesly of Sherwood, Robin?" inquired a rather intrigued Marian.

He shook his head, "This place will never be a Lockesly."

She tried a little smile, "I suppose not. A grand hall would be difficult to hide." she teased.

Robin returned the smile, "True." he said, "But that's not what I meant." Marian looked at him expectantly, suggesting that he should continue, "While Lockesly is a beautiful house, I do not love it for it's beams and windows." he took a shakey breath, " It was the people in that house that made me love it." he looked down, unable to meet Marian's gaze. Marian felt her heart go out to him. Just as she was about to speak Robin's head shot back up.

"But, that's neither here nor there." he tried to erase the last few moments with the smile. The way he always did.

It's just as hard for him to open up as it is for me, Marian thought. So, she figured this once she would leave him alone.

"You know, the curious thing about 'neither here nor there' is that if it isnt here or there, then where is it?" she offered him a playful smile. Robin gave a half-hearted laugh.

"Never become a jester, Marian." he told her.

Marian pretended to look offended, "But that was my dream, Robin. How cruel of you to crush it."

"Well you are an outlaw now." he pointed out.

"True." Marian said quietly. Now she looked down, silently wishing that she didn't have to do what she was about to do. Then, she took a deep breath.

"Robin, I'm going to visit my father." She made a point of making it a statement and not a request.

Robin's lips formed a straight line. "No" he sad, speaking as evenly as his gaze.

"I wasn't asking you." she told him hotly, "I'm just telling you so that you won't worry."

Robin looked at her, eyeing her strangely, now leaning up against the tall rock, " So that I won't worry? Marian, should I even have to explain how unwise this is-"

"Look" interrupted an increasingly perturbed Marian as she walked infront of him, "He needs to know that I'm alright and I need to look in on him. He is my father. I owe him that." determination was set in his face, if only to keep her from trembling in anxiety.

"At the expense of your life?" he asked

She brushed that comment off quickly, "I'll take care not to be seen."

"Oh, and that makes me feel so much better." Robin said sarcastically. "If you were so good, then you would not have been caught in the first place." He practically shouted the last statement.

"I'm not the only one who spent a night in the Sheriff's dungeon." Marian shot back.

Robin threw his hands up in exasperation, " Why must you twist things so that they are always my fault?"

"Why must you always make it seem as if I know nothing?" she turned to walk away.

"Marian" he said, his voice calming immediately as he grabbed her hand. She turned around to look at him, "I would not be at odds with you."

"Then let me go." she said stiffly, trying to ignore his touch.

Robin closed his eyes and sighed, "Promise you will be back by dark." he did not release her hand.

Marian nooded and looked back to leave. She would have kept walking had she not felt Robin give the tiniest squeeze of her hand. That simple act sent her turning around and letting go of everything she had faught so hard to keep hidden.

Her lips went crashing into his.

It took Robin a moment to register what was going on, but it was only a very short moment. Soon he was responding, his mouth devouring hers and then he quickly spun Marian around and pressed her up against the rock, his hands wandering through her chocolate brown tresses and her hands pulling get his collar closer, like she couldn't get enough.

It felt like an eternity, but when it ended, it seemed like it was over way to fast. For a few moments they stoof there, foreheads touching and breathing deeply. Finally her blue eyes met his.

"I have to go." she whispered, slipping out of his warm embrace. She walked out of Sherwood, fighting every impulse to look back and run to him. So, she kept on walking.

She walked towards Nottingham Castle

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