Author's Note: Thanks to all the lovely reviews I have gotten and all of the amazing adds. I really appreciate it and they have inspired me to dust this story off for real and actually give it another go. I am so glad you all are enjoying it.
Disclaimers: Anything you recognize, I don't own…although believe me, I would love nothing more. Also, I make no money from this, it is purely for my own enjoyment and love of the characters. No copyright infringement or harm meant.
Spoilers: None, except that this takes place before Allan was Guy's man so an indeterminate part of season two as everyone is still alive and Allan hasn't betrayed anyone yet.
I watched as Will walked away and back out of the camp, the tears that were stinging my eyes finally spilling over and sliding down my cheeks. I wiped at them angrily as Djaq finished cleaning the cuts on my face and proceeded to check the other injuries I had sustained from being in the dungeon.
"He just needs to cool off. He cares about you," Djaq said softly as if she could read my thoughts.
I just nodded woodenly as I continued to stare into the fire silently.
"Well, it seems no harm was done other than the scratches. Now why did you go off into the woods like that?" Djaq asked, sitting beside me.
"I just needed some fresh air," I repeated.
"I don't believe you. What is the real reason? You can easily get fresh air in this camp at all times. We live in the trees practically," she said sternly and I couldn't help but look up at her tone.
"I just needed to think. I haven't done that properly in a long time and there are a lot of things I needed to think about. For example, my feelings for Will and what exactly they are as well as whether or not he will want to be with me after…." I trailed off, looking away again.
Djaq nodded before she took my face in her hands, turning it so I looked her in the eyes, well in my case eye since the other one was still swollen and bruised.
"Listen to me carefully. None of what Guy of Gisbourne did to you is your fault. He is a disgusting disgrace for a man and Will cares deeply for you. He told me when we were alone right after it happened and we brought you back to the camp that he will make him pay for doing that to you," Djaq said.
"He said the same thing to me just a little bit ago…." I trailed off as my mind began to work through that, "Djaq, someone has to go after him and stop him. He's on his way to the castle to kill Gisbourne."
Robin perked up his ears at this and came over quickly.
"Are you sure?" he asked as Much began to crash around grabbing weapons in the background.
"I'm positive. He said that he was going to make Gisbourne pay for what he did to me," I said quietly, looking at Robin with fear evident in my eyes.
"Calm down, Much and I will go after him and make sure that he doesn't get killed himself," Robin said to me, squeezing my shoulder and giving me a slight smile.
I could see in his eyes though that he was considering the possibility that they may have already been too late. However, I didn't say a word and just smiled slightly and nodded before he let go of me and the two of them hurried out of the camp. However, a second later, Much came clattering back into the camp and quickly came over and kissed my cheek. I stood there shocked as he turned and left again.
"For luck," he called back and that caused me to start laughing out loud as I watched him disappear through the trees again.
I went back over and climbed up onto the bed I had spent the last two days in and climbed back under the blankets, turning onto my side so that I was facing the fire and I just laid there waiting for them to come back. I had just started to doze off to sleep when I heard the sound of someone coming toward the camp. I sat up, forcing my good eye open to see Robin and Much coming slowly into the camp.
"Well?" I asked, practically bursting from the anticipation.
"We were too late to stop him from being captured. We need to start thinking of a plan to get him out of the dungeon before the sheriff decides to hang him," Robin said.
I felt myself go numb inside when he said this and Much came over and wrapped his arm around my shoulders, squeezing sympathetically.
"We'll save him just like we saved you," he said, "Robin will think of something. We have been in worse situations than this before."
"And was the outcome good?" I asked sarcastically, pulling away from him and standing up as I whirled around to face him.
I saw the hurt look that crossed his face when I jumped up but I also saw the look he exchanged with Robin when I asked this question.
"I thought not," I said, glaring at him.
Robin came over to where I was standing and put his hands on my shoulders, causing me to jump and whirl around to face him.
"You need to calm down Heather. We have already got half a plan. I can promise you that I will rescue Will at dawn tomorrow," he said.
I nodded and let him lead me back over to the bed I had been staying in, climbing under the blanket and getting comfortable.
"Now get some sleep," he said.
I closed my eyes and tried to get comfortable and get some sleep and not worry about Will, which was practically impossible since things hadn't ended well between us before he left and I would never forgive myself if Robin and the others were too late.
Okay, the inspiration for this story is back and I will be updating with regularity after all because the story is just pouring out of me. Oh and Happy St. Patrick's Day to everyone. Please remember to review and let me know what you think. :)