This is it, everyone! The last chapter!

IXXX

Racing Home

The sword felt heavier in her left hand. Rebecca decided to sheath the blade until it was absolutely necessary for her to wield it. She stood in the corner closest to the back of hall. Kate approached her, "Where did you get that decent looking battle wound?"

Rebecca was surprised to find herself capable of a small grin, "Arrow," she said.

"Lucky it only struck your shoulder, eh?" Kate replied. The woman was shaking with adrenaline and fear. It was obvious she wanted to converse with Rebecca to establish some sense of normalcy. "Where's Guy?" she asked, looking around.

"Isabella escaped. He went after her," Rebecca explained in short sentences, her throat growing tight as the words escaped her.

"Figures he would leave the rest of us to fend for ourselves," Kate said.

"He told me there was an escape route through the tunnel. He was going to see if it was cleared. He told me t' stay behind and help the others escape. He didn't leave us. No matter what ya think of him, Kate, Guy is not one t' desert those he has pledged his loyalty t'. He would not abandon his own wife."

"You're his...?"

"I'll thank ya t' stop your hateful remarks. We're all fighting for our lives here."

"You really love him, don't you?" Kate asked, no trace of spite or mockery in her voice. Rebecca blinked, had she realized how hurtful her words had proven before? Or did she truly have no concept of her relationship with Guy and was therefore constantly mystified by her defense of him?

"For all my life," Rebecca said.

The doors to the castle shuddered under the force of the soldiers attacks. Rebecca swallowed hard. It wasn't going to be long now before they broke in and then they would all be cornered.

"I'll be so happy to see Sherwood again after this," Kate laughed nervously, "and the camp, I don't think I'll ever leave it for as long as I live. What will you do after the battle?"

"Leave Nottingham," Rebecca said. "Go someplace far away from here...maybe even out of England entirely."

"Sounds like quite an adventure," Kate said.

"No, no it's nothing so exciting as that. We just want a place to build a home; start a family," Rebecca smiled through her abject misery as she reflected on the future that would never be.

"That's something worth fighting for; family," Kate agreed. She looked over at Rebecca, "Say you'll at least give us a farewell before you go?"

Rebecca nodded to her companion, "I think I can manage that."

Kate held out her hand for Rebecca who shook it warmly.

There came a crash from outside. "They're coming!" Much shouted.

"We can't hold them off much more, Tuck!" Kate shouted.

"Just a little bit longer," Tuck urged, pouring the last of the powder into the barrels.

"Come on!" Kate urged, frustration heavy in her tone.

"Leave the door! Everyone is to follow me!" Archer's sudden return startled them all, he rounded up the small peasant militia, including the women and children. "Robin's orders."

Kate and Rebecca exchanged wary glances as they went to assist Archer gather up the rest of the people.

"With me?" Archer asked, "To the cellars!"

If Archer was urging everyone to follow through the tunnel into the cellars that meant the tunnel was no longer blocked! There was a way out, they could escape from this place. Rebecca dared not to allow herself to hope again, the rush of it was almost as painful as blood returning to numb limb. Robin was the next to emerge out of the trap door.

Rebecca tried to signal to him to let him know if it was safe to go down yet. Would Guy be waiting for her, or was he already out and waiting for the others to follow? She pushed through the crowd to get to Robin.

"Are we ready?" Robin asked.

"Yeah, we're done," Tuck confirmed. "Gisborne?"

The exhausted man shook his head, sorrow and regret heavy in his eyes. Rebecca felt herself freeze, a chill like her soul passing out of her body consumed her. Robin turned those sorrowful eyes to her as he caught sight of her and his grief seemed to expand tenfold. He seemed to telling her he was sorry so many times Rebecca felt the weight of the words pound heavily in her ears.

But the tunnel was clear...Guy should be out by the entrance helping Archer guide the others out of the castle. Or maybe he had been hurt. Yes, he had fought with his sister and he had been injured, that was all. Robin was merely going to tell her she had better hurry and tend to him, but he was still safe; safe and waiting for her.

"He fought bravely, Rebecca," Robin sighed. "You would have been proud of him."

She was proud. She would tell him when she saw him, as soon as Tuck and Robin led her out of this god forsaken hall she would gladly run with all due haste out of the tunnel and tell him how proud she was. How badly was he hurt that they could not tell her?

"Take me t' him?" Her voice trembled with the pressure of her denial.

Robin shook his head, "We have to leave. We don't have much time."

"I don't understand," Rebecca said, "Ya have t' take me t' him...we can't leave without him. Is he hurt? It's all right, ya can tell me. I can help."

"Rebecca..." Robin groaned, "Guy is..." he couldn't tell her. He couldn't look into her eyes and tell her the man she loved was lying dead. He knew what it mean to lose such a love, he didn't need to see it reflected back at him; especially from a friend.

"He died, Rebecca," Tuck said in place of Robin.

The two men went silent, expecting the woman to cry, or scream, or run herself mad. Nothing of the kind happened. Rebecca's eyes quietly darkened as her head sunk a little lower. Her arms hung as cut wires at her sides and her skin drained itself of color. She staggered forward, but Robin took hold of her arm before she could fall.

"Tell me it was quick," Rebecca's words were quipped as she heaved air into her lungs mechanically. "Tell me there wasn't any...pain..."

"He died peacefully," Robin soothed, "free of all demons and past crimes which haunted him."

"I should have stopped him. I shouldn't have let him go down there alone...I...I should have been there..."

"Rebecca, it's because of Guy that we've managed to find a way out of here. He saved all of us. If he hadn't gone down the tunnel we would have all died here," Robin said. "Come on, Rebecca," he began to lead her to the trap door, "you need to escape. You need to live for him."

She was supported by both Robin and Tuck as she went down the tunnel to join up with the others. She was oblivious to all that surrounded her, but she was painfully aware that she was still walking; that her blood still pumped through her veins that her lungs still stubbornly continued to breathe. Live for him? Rebecca could see the eternity of years spent living in this shell of a body, a mechanical automaton only capable of survival. That was life, but it was not living.

The trio paused as they heard the sound of soldiers marching up the way. Robin cursed in a whisper. They had come to a cross in the tunnel. One section heading deeper into the tunnel, and the other leading towards the way out.

"You two go, and join with the others," Tuck said, drawing his sword, "I'll hold them off."

"Tuck, no. We leave together or not at all!" Robin said.

The sound of soldiers drew nearer. Vaysey and Isabella were with them, their voices echoing in the dark halls.

"Robin," Rebecca croaked, "was it Isabella who killed Guy?"

Robin looked at her, shuddering at the dark light barely flickering beneath the surface of her eyes. "Yes," he could not refuse her the answer.

Rebecca looked as if she would crumble where she stood, but the destruction turned inward on itself as she drew her sword. "Both of you should go," she said.

"Rebecca, it's suicide to stay here."

"Robin, look at me," Rebecca said, tears steadily streaming down her cheeks from blank eyes, "I'm already dead."

"Rebecca, no!"

Rebecca glared at him, "Do not condemn me t' a half life, Robin out of your need t' save everyone. I'm dead, can ya understand?! There's nothing left t' be saved, now go! For God's sake, Robin get out of here!"

Tuck gripped Robin by the arm. "Do as she says."

"Good bye, Robin. Tuck, make sure he gets everyone out," Rebecca said through the haze of her tears. The man nodded to her. She gripped her sword tight in her hand before she went running down into the dark deep of the tunnel.

"Isabella!" Rebecca screamed. The inhuman wail echoed down the passageway like hundreds of knives sharpening on blunt stone. So haunting was the sound it caused the few soldiers examining the route into the cellars to stop and head back towards the main group. Was it even a human who spoke with such hatred and grief? Or were there ghosts in Nottingham Castle?

The bedraggled spirit stepped into the open passage, sword drawn and extended, pointing directly at the woman she so coveted. Isabella seemed surprised to see Rebecca, but not at all displeased. Vaysey was with her and he eyed with her more annoyance than shock. Two of the soldiers recoiled at the sight of the haunting vision.

Isabella smiled, "Becca, I was wondering if I might get the chance to see you again. Heard about Guy's untimely death, have you?"

"Don't ya dare speak his name," Rebecca hissed. The sword shook in her hands as Isabella side stepped about Rebecca cautiously, revealing the body of her brother. Rebecca fought to keep her eyes on the target of her hatred and not the broken image of her husband.

"Hate to interrupt this very amusing meeting, but we haven't the time to stay and chat," Vaysey said. "Isabella, either take care of your disturbed little friend or I assure you my men will."

"No need, Sheriff," Isabella grinned, her eyes glinting with an unbalanced light, "Becca and I have a score to settle." She drew forth a simple dagger.

Rebecca made no move to lunge for her. Isabella laughed, "What's the matter? Too much of a coward to try and kill me. God, you and Guy were ever the same; cowards to the last."

The sword flashed in the darkness; the only warning Isabella had to dodge out of the way. The blade managed to tear a gash in the sleeve of Isabella's gown, a thin line of blood marred her flesh where the sharp tip had grazed her shoulder. That had been too close. Rebecca's dark eyes burned, it was a demonic thing to behold. There was no life behind those eyes, merely the image of moving spirit bent on destruction. Revenge was the only thing forcing blood through the woman's veins.

Realizing that there would be no talking or goading to be done with the woman, Isabella had to concentrate on dodging the blind swings of Rebecca's sword. She wasn't looking for an easy kill. She was looking to maim her in any way possible.

"Are you really going to kill me, Becca?" Isabella asked, her voice laughing nervously with false confidence.

Rebecca pressed the flat of the sword against Isabella's throat as she pinned her against the wall. She did not speak, her lips drawn in a thin line as she swept the blade up to come slicing towards her enemy's throat.

White lights danced in Rebecca's eyes as Vaysey came up from behind her to ram the hilt of his sword against her skull. Dazed, Rebecca floundered backwards. Isabella kicked the blade out of the woman's hands. Rebecca's arms were pulled behind her as she was restrained. She did not even try to struggle.

"Couldn't have even faced me on your own, could ya, Isabella?" Rebecca chided as if she was speaking to her young charge the way she had several years ago. "I'm not surprised."

"You were a fool to try and challenge me, Becca," Isabella spat, circling her. She twirled the dagger in her hands, the silver steel glinting in the torch light once before it disappeared from view, buried in the chest of the restrained Rebecca.

Rebecca fell to her knees as she was released. Isabella looked down at her, contempt in her gaze. "I told you, you should have killed me when you had the chance."

Rebecca smiled up at her, blood trickling out of the corner of her mouth as she let out a raspy, keening laugh; the demon would not die! The blasted ghost would not be given up. Isabella kicked at her in her fright. Rebecca continued laughing, "Ya don't get it...miserable creature that ya are...I've won." Robin would have gotten out by now and with any luck he was making himself ready to set fire to the gallons of Byzantine Fire waiting int the Great Hall. She had bought him enough time. The fuse was ready, just waiting to be lit.

"I'll see ya in hell, Isabella!" She shouted with the last of her breath to the fleeing form of the shadowed woman. Isabella ran like a woman out of a nightmare. The rest of the remaining troops, including the Sheriff swiftly followed, wanting to get away from the mad and seemingly immortal woman.

Rebecca sat kneeling in the center of the tunnel. The dagger was still buried in her chest. Slowly she gripped the handle and drew it out. She let out a small whimper, but there was hardly any pain, merely the odd and rough, grating sensation of metal sliding out from between her ribs. She felt the wound in her chest fill with blood, the warmth spreading outwards in large rivulets. Almost immediately her vision darkened. She tried to rise to her feet, but she crumpled to the floor.

She could see Guy lying only a few paces away. Using what little strength she had left she crawled over to him. Breath was becoming harder and harder to come by. She collapsed at his side, curling up next to him. She could feel a soothing cold spread to all of her limbs. Rebecca's smile flickered on her face, like the light of candle slowly going out. Guy appeared as if he was only asleep. She pressed a hand to his cheek, letting her fingers trail along the contours of his face before all motion in them ceased, and her arm fell back to her side. She was tired too, sleep would be a blessing.

"Wait for me..." she whispered. Then she closed her eyes, the dark swirling around in a blissful cascade of shadow. And there was no more.

Early Fall, 1173

Rebecca lay on her back, staring up at the awning of branches and leaves. The foliage was only just beginning to golden, the only clue that autumn had at last arrived. The air was warm, the remnants of summer still clinging on. Rebecca bit her lower lip as she tried to restrain the contented smile spreading across her face.

A sudden, but far from unwanted, pressure came to rest against her. She looked over and saw Guy gently pulling her under his arm. They locked eyes, both wanting reassurance from the other. Guy knew very well the consequences which could be faced if anyone was to find out about what had taken place here. Rebecca could be sent away, her reputation slandered, not to mention his own. It seemed so unfair that those thoughts could suddenly be forced to the front of his mind. He did not want to think of them at this moment. He wanted to revel in this state of perfection.

Rebecca was smiling and Guy knew his thoughts were her own. He could not maintain his own smile and his face quickly darkened, a shift of expression that did not go unnoticed by his friend.

"What's wrong?" She asked him, sudden hesitation in her eyes. "Did I not...was I..."

"No!" Oh God, there was nothing could be wrong with all she had done. "I'm sorry, Becca, I was letting my thoughts run away with me."

She kissed the tip of his nose before settling against him once more. "Well, try t' keep your thoughts grounded on more immediate things," she teased.

That was easy enough to do once he tried. She was so soft against him, such a perfect fit for him. These last few months had been especially trying on him. He tried to convince himself that he should not be thinking of such sinful thoughts. Rebecca was his loyal and best friend. He should not be imagining her bare and curled against him, lying with him in a manner fit for a husband and wife not lord and servant. But it was hard to think of anything they had done as sinful or wicked. It could not be.

He wanted to ask her if she thought the same as he, but he could not properly voice what he himself was thinking or feeling. It was something he had never truly felt before. He felt an overwhelming amount of possession take hold of him. "Becca? Will you be with me always?" He felt childish asking such a question, but he felt he would burst if he did not glean a little of what the girl beside him was thinking.

"Of all the ridiculous questions ya have ever asked me, Guy this one takes it," Rebecca chuckled, nuzzling against him. "What do ya think?"

"That's not an answer," Guy said.

"Of course I'll be with ya, where would I go? I promise I'll always be with ya." Like she would say otherwise! Guy kissed her upon hearing her words. Rebecca laughed in pure delight and that only furthered his enthusiasm. He rolled over on top of her.

"Guy!" Rebecca gasped, trying to speak in between his fervent kisses, "The sun's about t' set. We need t' get back home."

Guy groaned, collapsing back onto his side, tugging her against him and half rocking her as he spoke, "Home! Why do we have to go back there? We can just stay here. No one will find us."

"You know we very well we can't stay here without the mistress or my mum sending someone after us," Rebecca said, "They know us too well by now."

"So? We can hide in the woods, build our own home."

"Guy, has the sun gotten t' ya? You're starting t' sound a bit mad," Rebecca comically placed her hand upon his forehead, as if to check for signs of fever.

So what if he was? He was the happiest he had been in a long time. If he was mad for wanting to prolong such happiness then he was more than willing to slip into insanity. Once they went back to the manor Rebecca would go back to the servant's quarters and he would return to his own. They would have to move in their separate circles. And the night; he did not want to think about the night. Rebecca had managed to sneak up into his room a few times just to lie with him for a time, as he had slept with her several times on her cot in her quarters, but they couldn't keep that up. He wanted to stay with her in the one place they were always totally alone.

Rebecca rolled over, grabbing her shift and her linen dress she began to slip back into her clothes. Realizing there would be no more convincing to be done, Guy grudgingly dressed himself as well. They both remained sitting, hidden in the thicket for a time.

"Guy..." Rebecca suddenly said, eyes shining nervously, "I'm really very happy...really...I've, I've never felt like this before."

She was answered with a gentle and understanding kiss. It was all either of them needed. Rebecca and Guy rose to their feet as they made their way out of the thicket. Rebecca sighed as she stared off down the path through the forest which would lead them home. She did not truly want to go back either, but there was time, she reflected. It was not as if they could never manage to steal away a few moments together. Rebecca took his hand in hers, squeezing it lightly. As he smirked at her she knew he must be thinking similar thoughts. She would never leave his side, she promised herself, for as long as she lived she would never ever--

"Race you back to the village!" Guy roared boisterously as he released her hand and sped off down the sun streaked path.

Inconsiderate rogue! Rebecca laughed at the challenge. She took off after her friend. "Guy! Wait for me!" She ran through the bright golden forest, the sun dancing off of the leaves as she went dashing away, each step bringing her closer to him, she could hear him laughing, urging her on.

"Wait for me!"

A/N: As always, a big thank you goes out to everyone who reviewed and to all the silent readers out there as well. Your support is always very much appreciated. I hope you all enjoyed reading this story, because I had a great time writing it. I look forward to hearing your feedback!

So what's next? Plenty of stuff still to come, I plan on taking "Sands of Morpheus" out of it's holding slot very soon, so expect a few updates in the near future; also, keep your eyes open for a RH holiday one-shot! Oh...and one more thing, a brand new fic taking place after S3...think of it as an AU S4 fic, if S4 was a Guy spin-off. Hows that for a teaser?

Until next time, thanks so much! :)