Author's Note: This is the final chapter. I would just like to thank you all for reading this fic in its entirety and even more thanks for reviewing. It's been a while since I started it and I've loved it and hated it at the same time. If you enjoyed it, please let me know. Give feedback and even ideas for future fics. Thanks so much.

Searching for love again

Lookin' back on lonely nights.
Searching for love again I never knew
my journey began And ended with you my friend


Robin and Marian eventually left the garden and went inside, leaving the Nemo to amuse himself in the backyard.

"So, where are you staying? Robin asked as he opened the refrigerator in search for something to eat. "Not with your sister, right?"

"Hell no! I mean, normally I get along with her just fine but there is way too much rivalry going on between us right now... And it's all your fault.... Well, sort of anyway... Your interest in me bugs the hell out of my sister.... She expects everything to revolve around her. She thrives on attention, especially male attention. And usually she gets a lot more of it than I do. Until you came into the picture that is.... "

"Aww, sorry. I never meant cause trouble.... But I'd pick you over her any day of the week. You know that right?!"

"Uhm yeah, I mean, you have seen my love handles and flabby thighs and you still haven't fled the field. That has to count for something.... I know it and my sister knows it too. And that's why sharing an apartment with her right now would be a really bad idea. She's such a sore looser.!" Marian explained and sank onto one of the chairs by the kitchen table.

" Oookay, I see your point.... But you're staying, right? You're not going out of state again, are you?" he asked carefully, giving her a sideward cautious glance.

"No, actually I thought I'd live here."

"HERE." Robin's head shot up.

"Ha, relax, I'm only kidding.... So much for "I'll do anything... "

"Sorry, you just took me by surprise, that's all...," he said quickly with an uneasy smile.

"Christ, stop apologising every two seconds. The sooner you start acting normal around me, the better off we'll both be," Marian said with an irritated bite to her voice.

"Okay, normal it is. I'll try to remember that.... So how about some lunch? I have some great stuff in here," Robin said, turning back to the refrigerator. "Take-out leftovers from that Italian restaurant down the street that you love so much."

"Oh, yummy, count me in!" Marian chimed happily as she watched him place a plate of lasagna inside the microwave and turned the timer to three minutes.

"Hey, Robin you remember Fanny from my old job, right?"

"The receptionist?" he asked and moved on to the slicing tomatoes for a salad. "What about her?"

"Well, you asked where I was saying. Cindy has offered me one of her spare rooms until I can find a job and afford a place of my own."

"That's generous of her."

"Yeah, it's a win-win situation. She needs company and I need a place to stay. She came home early from work one day last month and walked in on her husband with some blond bimbo half his age. Needless to say she kicked him out on the street... literally. He got a concussion and had to spend a night in hospital for observation."

"Ouch! I mean he probably deserved it... but ouch... It kind of put things in perspective. I'm glad you're not the violent type..."

"I wouldn't be so sure if I were you. I throw a mean punch for a girl."

"Gee, thanks for the warning."

"Don't cross me again and you'll be fine." Marian allowed a hint of a scowl onto her face. "If I ever were to walk in on a situation like that…," she trailed off and made a strangling motion with her hands.

Robin felt himself stiffen involuntarily at her words, images coming to the fore of his mind with blinding clarity. The microwave beeped signalling the food was done. Thankful for the interruption, Robin took some cutlery out of the dishwasher and began setting the table.

"You're awfully quiet all of a sudden," Marian commentedwith a thoughtful expression. "Did I Hit A Nerve? You know what, if there is anything more you need to tell me, now is the time. Cause whatever it is, I'm pretty sure you can't hurt me anymore than you already have," her hands went to her chest, almost as if she expected to find a wound there.

One look at Marian and Robin knew he needed to come clean once and for all. "That party at my house, the condom wrapper you found...." he paused, studying his feet, too afraid to look at her face. "Something kind of did happen that night...."

"Stop, I have heard enough! No details..," she said weakly holding on to the edge of the sink for support.

"Marian, honey, I know you must be mad. Kick and scream if it makes you feel better. Don't hold back and don't shut me out this time. I don't think I can handle it if you left town again."

"I'm not mad, disappointed maybe....but how can I be mad when you actually told the truth for once," she shook her head, hot bitter tears rolling down her cheeks. "Besides, it's in the past. I'm not going to let it get to me. We are starting over as friends, remember?," she took a few deep breaths to keep herself from hyperventilating.

"I want to be so much more than just your friend. I want you to know that I'm going to do everything I can to make you trust me again. Because there is no one else in this world I rather be with. In fact I haven't been with anyone else since you and I...uhm...you know...."

"I don't want anyone else either. But we need to start over somewhere and I don't think I can handle anything more than friendship right now."

"Then friendship it is." He squeezed her hand and looked deeply into her eyes. He wanted to kiss her but this would have to do... for now. He wasn't giving up hope just yet. Someday, they would be together again.... he just knew it...

The end!