AN: The plot thickens! Or more correctly, some semblance of a plot is underway!

First date basically, I did some re-writes on this one. Feedback rocks, and is very much appreciated. Enjoy!

The One

I've seen so many faces
These hands have lied before
I've kissed so many lips it's blocked my mind
I've whispered bullshit, nothings
I've cried alone in night
I thought I'd found the one a million times

Fifteen minutes later Marian found herself munching on a delicious turkey sandwich at some deli/café-type thing downtown.

"So… I heard you overslept this morning. I take it your boss wasn't too trilled, huh?!" Robin asked in between large bites of his half eaten lunch.

"No, he wasn't. To tell you the truth I'm surprised he hasn't fired me yet. I'm constantly late for just about everything, I can't spell to save my life and my desk is always a total mess. I'm not exactly secretary material," she sighed and took a sip of her Diet Coke.

"Aww…I bet you have tons of other talents to make up for it," he said and gave her what he hoped was an encouraging smile.

"Sure, I'm great tap-dancer, I can make a killer lasagna and I speak Danish fluently… All very valuable skills but you can't exactly make a career out of any of them...not without some sort of degree anyway… Ugh… Going back to school is not high on my list. I don't even want to think about that right now... Do you mind if we change the subject?," she asked with a frown.

"Not at all, what do you want to talk about?"

"YOU…. I mean come on, we have been sitting here for quit some time now and all I know about you so far is your name."

"Fair enough. So what do you want to know?," he asked.

"I don't know specifically. I just want to know things like your age, what you do for a living, what you do for kicks, things like that. You know, general stuff."

Marian could have sworn she saw a blush creep on his cheeks as he shifted nervously in his chair. He didn't like to talk about himself that much was clear.

"Well, I'm 23, I was born and raised here in Nottingham. I tried living in London for a couple of years but that did not suit me so now I'm back. I have a degree in journalism and have been doing some freelance stuff lately."

"Freelance stuff? What does that mean? No, wait, don't tell me… Let me guess, I wouldn't peg you as the poet type, so I'd say you're either writing sport articles or current events. And I bet you've got a half written screen play tucked away in a drawer somewhere…"

"Close but no cigar… It's a crime novel not a screen play and right now I'm covering the election for the Nottingham Evening Post."

"Do you have one of those flashy photo bylines? What's your penname?"

"Actually, let me tell you a secret… Robin Locksley IS my penname. My real name is Robert Huntingdon III," he admitted with a grimace.

That information was not something he usually shared. It was in fact something he kept close to his chest for a reason; but then again he was fairly sure the best way to gain trust was to give trust.

"Ever heard of the Huntingdon corporation?," he asked, trying his best to sound nonchalant.

"The real estate group?!," Marian nodded and then it hit her. "Oh, my! You are one of THOSE Huntingdon's, aren't you?!," she stared at him in disbelief.

"Uhm, yeah. You make it sound like there is a whole hoard of us, but it's actually just me and my grandfather." This time there was no question, Robin was blushing furiously.

"I know, I've read about you guys. Your name has been all over the newspapers lately. You seem to live a fascinating life…," Marian trailed off and looked down at her lap then back up at him again.

"Robin why did you bring me here? I mean, with a lifestyle like yours, I'm sure you have tons of women chasing after you. Why waste your time on someone like me?!," she paused and looked away again. "Don't get me wrong, this "lunch date" is nice and all but what's the real deal? Is it a bet? A dare? or a pity thing? … Do I have 'EASY' stamped on my forehead, or something? You can tell me, I wont get upset. It's not like it hasn't happened before."

Robin's eyes widened and he quickly blinked searching for an appropriate response. "Well…uhm to be honest, it's more like a rebound thing, I think, " He made the mistake of glancing up at her and nearly cringed at the look of defeat on her face.

"You are everything my ex wasn't… The two of you are as different as two people can be… Looks, appearance and attitude."

At least that much was true…

"But that doesn't mean I'm not genuinely interested. You are a fresh and welcomed change in my life and I would love to get to know you better. What do you say? Can I get a second date?," he asked as he reached out and placed his hands over hers.

She frowned. "Second date?"

"Geez, is the idea that compelling?"

She shrugged. "No, I just didn't think . . ." she shrugged again. "Okay fine, I'll go out with you… again"

"Great, you wont regret it, I promise. I'll treat you like a queen… Flowers, dinner for two, and then maybe a movie…."

"…and a good night kiss at the door," she smirked. "…cuz that's about as far as I'll go on a. second date."

"Alright…If you want one of those, then sure…"

Boy, did she ever... Just looking at his lips, made her palms turn sweaty and her mouth go dry.

Robin wasn't oblivious to her longing stare. This girl was a wonder, one minute she was cocky and the next minute she was shy like a school girl. She had an innocence about her that absolutely could not be faked, and it drew him to her like a fly to a picnic table.

Carefully, as if testing the water, he tiled his head downwards towards Marian's and ran his index finger lightly over her cheek. "You know what they say, practice makes perfect…Wanna give it a try?"

Marian made what she hoped was an affirmative noise. "Mum-mummph"

Her eyes fluttered shut as his warm breath brushed her cheek…. and then his lips claimed hers in a rushed but very gentle first kiss.