Disclaimer: I do not own Robin Hood, it is all property of the BBC

Author's note: Thank you as always, to Mara Scarlett, and to Dreamsand, Kayli and xxCee-Gxx.

Also, I have now decided on the pairing for this. I am going with the pairing I was originally going to go for, as the reviews seem to have strengthened it.

Chapter 9

When Ava awoke, the first thing she felt was a great amount of pain in her leg and across her back.

She looked around to see that she was laid on her back in the tent that Djaq used to patch up whomever was hurt.

Djaq herself was currently wiping Ava's face with a damp cloth, having claimed that the cold water may help bring her around.

Ava groaned and attempted to sit up, only to have a hand pressed against her shoulder, and gently push her back down.

' Rest,' Allan told her. She looked to her left to see that her father was seated besides where she was laid, clutching her hand.

' Father,' Ava said weakly, staring into his eyes, seeking comfort.

' Shh, I'm here,' Allan told her, smoothing down her dark hair with his free hand, ' Thank heavens your all right.'

' How are you feeling? ' Djaq asked her.

' Like death warmed up,' Ava replied at once, causing her father to grin at her retort.

' Does it hurt? ' Djaq pressed.

' My leg,' Ava breathed, ' and my back.'

' You have a nasty gash on your leg, which I have stitched up and bandaged but you shall not be able to walk properly for some time. I need to see to your back now, and clean the wounds, can you sit up? '

Ava attempted to push herself up, but had not the strength so Allan took hold of both of her hands and pulled her into sitting position.

' You will need to take your bodice off,' Djaq instructed.

Ava looked down at herself, ' Oh my dress is ruined! It was my nicest one too! ' she cried, ' the whips have cut straight through it! '

' You can get a new dress Ava,' said Djaq sternly shaking her head at the way the younger woman cared for a mere garment - it was ridiculous., ' but I need to tend to your back, so take it off.'

Allan cleared his throat abruptly, ' I'll go outside then,' he decided, before swiftly leaving.

Ava undressed slowly, peeling off the dress, which was sticking to her blood soaked back. She then unlaced her upper undergarments and turned so her back was facing Djaq.

Djaq did not understand Ava. She didn't understand how she could wear these silly dresses with their layers underneath and then all those undergarments that took so long to lace up - why did she not just wear breeches and a shirt like the men? It was much more comfortable, and practical too for all this running around the forest.

' Can I ask you something? ' Ava asked of Djaq, as the latter set about cleaning up Ava's wounds and Ava concentrated on holding a thin sheet over her otherwise bare chest - it was possible that any of the men could enter the tent.

' If you want,' Djaq said aimiably.

' Do you like Will? ' she aked.

Djaq's face froze in shock, but she continued about her work, thankful the younger woman could not see her face in the position she was in.

' I like every one of our gang. They are all fine people,' Djaq replied calmly.

Ava rolled her eyes, ' You know what I mean. I mean you like Will, as in, you know, romantically.'

Djaq laughed nervously, ' I do not,' she said.

Ava smirked, thought Djaq could not see, ' Yes you do. It is quite clear in the way you look at him.'

' Oh? ' Djaq asked, ' and what would you know of love? You are barely an adult.' she did not sound annoyed, just amused.

' I know enough,' Ava said defensively, ' I know that love is the greatest feeling in the world, and that men are blind to love.'

' What makes you say that? ' Djaq asked, ' are you in love? '

Ava shook her hed, ' No, but men are so, so clueless.'

Djaq sighed, ' Men are idiots,' she said with a laugh. Djaq was not convinced that her patient was telling the truth about being in love - why would she make such a comment if she was not? - but she knew there was no point in pushing her, or she would get no answer.

Men are idiots. It had become something of a saying between the only two women in camp, and despite their vast differences, they could bond over laughing at the stupid things their male friends did. Robin and Allan always protested to this statement - usually just with a single 'Oi! ' - but the other men knew not to wast their breath.

Just after Djaq said this, the cloth used as the entrance to the makeshift tent flapped open and Robin appeared in the tent, after closing up the entrance behind him.

Robin glanced at Ava, who was clutching at the sheet in an effort to protect her modesty. Robin blushed slightly.

' Forgive me, m'lady,' he said with a smile, ' I did not know you were not dressed - I can come back later.'

' No need, my Lord,' Ava told him with a grin. Robin and Ava had a running thing of adressing each other in a formal manner at times, just for the sake of it - it put a smile on their faces and it was nice to pretend that they were normal people in society, not outlaws.

Ava and the leader of the gang had a strong bond. This was because she idolised him, after hearing stories about his great skill, and he was only too willing to tell her stories of his adventures, and teach her new skills.

Of all the outlaws, Ava was close to them for different reasons:

Robin was her teacher and her mentor
Allan was her father
Much was there when she was fed up or bored or hungry or tired

Will was there so the pair of them could just joke about

John was there to stop her killing Will after one too many joking insults

and Djaq...well, she was there when the men were being idiots

' So, why are men idiots now? ' Robin asked, in reference to Djaq's comment just as he had entered, as he knelt by Ava and watched Djaq at work.

Djaq shrugged, ' It was Ava's complaint that started it.'

' Why are men idiots, Ava? ' Robin asked, grinning stupidly at Ava.

' You are all so blind,' the 16 year old declared, ' A woman talks to you constantly, and smiles everytime she meets your eyes, and laughs at your jokes which are not funny, and does not join in when the others are teasing you, yet you cannot see this as a sign.'

Robin smirked, ' Are you speaking by your own experience? ' he asked her.

' No! ' the youngest woman declared, ' I am merely making a generalisation.'

' Are you sure you do not have feelings for someone? ' he asked her, with a stupid smirk, that she felt like wiping right off his face.

' I do not,' Ava said, rather calmly this time.

Robin laughed, ' I am a man Ava,' he told her, ' and according to you two, that makes me an idiot but I am not blind. I can see it.'

Ava shook her head, ' Well, even if you are not, I know a few men who are blind.'

--

A week later, and Ava was still unable to move anywhere unsupported due to her leg, and she also could not lay on her back because of the wound - some of which may scar, Djaq had warned her.

She had not left the camp all week, and whenever everyone else left to go sort something out at the castle or do the regular routine of handing out monet and food to the surrounding villages, she was left at camp. Will, Allan, John, Much, Djaq and even Robin took turns to stay at the camp with her, which she had protested against, saying she did not need a babysitter, but the others had insisted upon it.

This particular morning, Robin, Djaq and John had gone to give out money and food to the poor people of Clun and Nettlestone - Locksley, Knighton and Nottingham Town were due for the following day.

Will had gone out in search of more firewood.

Allan had been sent to hunt something down, so that the rest of them could each a good dinner that night.

Much was sat on top of a large stone by his bed area, simply looking out at the surrounding area.

The silence of the camp annoyed Ava greatly, and fed up, she resolved to do something about it.

At that moment on time, she was sat leant againt a tree, and decided to try and move. It had been a whole week - surely she could move?

She pushed her arms against the forest floor and grabbing one of the branches of the trees, hauled herself to her feet.

She wobbled a little, and grabbed another branch to steady herself.

' Excuse me! ' Much called, rushing over to her, ' what do you think you are doing? '

' Much I am bored! ' she announced loudly, ' I am utterly fed up with not being able to go anywhere or move, and having to sit around all day. So... I am moving.'

' That is not clever,' Much warned authoritively, ' I will not let you move.'

Ava laughed, ' What are you going to do about it?' she asked in amusement.

' I shall tie you to a tree if I must! ' he declared.

Ava looked at him in mild suprise and he realised how stupid that sounded, and burst out laughing, Ava letting out her laughter too.

Much shook his head at his own stupid comment, but sobered up when Ava attempted to grab hold of another branch and pull herself forward.

He caught hold of her hand.

' Come now,' he said with a kind smile, ' you'd be best to sit down otherwise you may injure that leg even more and have to sit around for longer, therefore you shall be even more bored.'

Ava smiled at him in return, ' You are not going to let this go, are you? ' she asked of him.

Much shook his head, ' Sorry, but it is for your own good.'

' Very well,' Ava sighed, allowing him to take hold of her waist and guide her back to her seat upon the forest floor.

Neither noticed that their hands were still touching.