Sneaking through the darkened corridors of Nottingham Castle, a frustrated Marian wondered how her husband could have kept his sanity all those years, with Much as his constant companion.

This was nothing like those times she had crept with Robin through the castle, with danger lurking behind every corner. They had moved silently together as one unit, their very breaths synchronized. But Much! He wouldn't keep silent, with his anxious gasps, his explosions of "Unbelieveable!" and "What was that?", his bumping into things, and his resulting "Sorries!" As fondly as she loved him, he made Marian want to scream out loud, or strangle him. Robin had obviously been blessed with more patience than she'd ever guessed.

Miraculously, they arrived undetected at the door leading to the dungeons, and found it surprisingly unlocked and unguarded.

"No guards!" Much proclaimed, relieved but still anxious. "That's a good sign."

A few steps down he halted, grabbing Marian by her arm. "But what if it's a trap?" he asked, panicking. "I hate this! What do we do?"

"We keep going," Marian told him, removing his gripping hand from her arm. "Robin needs us."

Unknowingly, that was the wisest thing she could have said. Much, renewing his resolve to rescue his dearest friend, put aside his fears and charged ahead.

When they at last reached Robin's cell, neither found themselves able to speak, for an unexpected surprise met their eyes.

Four guards, still sleeping off the Cherry Pit's wine, lay sprawled within the cell, propped up against one another. The guard who had leered at Marian, begging her for "a peek," wore the flowsey red wig pulled down over his head. And Robin? He was nowhere to be seen.

"Are you sure this is the right cell?" Much asked, flabbergasted. "Where's Robin?"

Marian could only blink her eyes in surprise, but spun around to look at her husband, when she heard his proud voice announcing, "Right behind you, my friend!"

"Robin!" Much cried happily. "This...is a rescue!"

The two men embraced, congratulating each other as if they'd just won some teamsport at Nottingham Goose Fair.

"No need for a rescue," Robin grinned. "I followed my lovely wife's advice," and he actually had the audacity to wink at her, "and let myself out."

"How did you do it?" Much asked, and then realized, "Shouldn't we be going?"

"Not yet," Robin smirked proudly. "I have a call to make before I walk out of here, and I need your help, Much."

Marian stood silently by, glad that Robin was free from his chains and his dungeon cell, but angry and confused by his arrogant manner.

"How did you get out?" she coldly asked at last, her curiosity overcoming her pride.

Beaming at her, Robin replied, "I simply unlocked my chains, then reached through the bars to unlock my 'cage,' thanks to your help, my love! It's good to see you looking like yourself again," he added, wearing that irrestible look on his face that meant he really wanted to kiss her. "Marian here tossed me the keys," he explained to Much. "Good work, by the way," he added for Marian's benefit, his voice golden and tempting as his lips.

"Much," Marian said, "could you please step away, for just a moment?"

"A-a-away?" Much sputtered, indignantly. "Why?"

"To stand guard?" Marian offered, weakly.

Robin chuckled, his grin spreading. "You heard my wife," he told Much. "Time for you to disappear."

After a moment of indecision, Much unwillingly agreed. Huffing, he stormed away, muttering "unbelievables" under his breath.

Marian's eyes seemed to beckon Robin to her warm, soft, sweet mouth, and he moved closer to her, now that Much's wide blue eyes were no longer staring at them.

"Now," he said warmly, "time for me to express my thanks."

Just as his lips were about to meet hers, she tilted her face away, smiling triumphantly, but teasingly, too. "Not so fast, Locksley," she smiled at him. "I thought you told me you weren't planning to leave your cell."

"That was before I was visited by the king and queen," he informed her.

"I saw the royal coach," she realized, all teasing gone. "They threatened you?"

"Taunted me, more like. But don't worry. I have a plan."

"A plan you need Much's help for, but not mine."

"Hey," he said soothingly, the look in her eyes nearly breaking his heart. "You did your part, Marian, very well too, I might add! You set me free, by throwing me the keys, which by the way, I've hidden very well. But I need you now to go home, get to bed, and stay safe. I'll be along to join you soon, I promise."

"I don't want to go home!" she insisted stubbornly. "Why can't I stay? Because I'm a woman?"

Taking her in his arms, she at first resisted, then relaxed and melted against him, unable to resist the familiar feel of his strong young body, with its heart pulsing strongly against her own beating heart. "You are most definitely a woman," Robin answered, capturing her mouth in a long, slow, passionate kiss. "You are also the most precious person in the world to me. I love you, Marian, and I want to keep you safe."

"What of your safety?" she demanded, sadly.

"What I'm planning isn't dangerous," he assured her, lovingly stroking her hair. "I'm just going to pay Annora a visit, and-"

She pulled away. "Robin! Have you lost your mind? You can't barge into that woman's bedchamber, in the middle of the night!"

"I couldn't alone," he admitted. "That's why I was still here in the dungeons, when you found me. I was trying to think of a plan to clear my name. But, since you brought Much along, I can now visit her without suspicion, and talk sense into her."

Marian continued to stare at him, amazed and indignant. "I'm coming along," she insisted. "Two witnesses to attest to your honor have to be better than one!"

At her words, Robin's eyes lit up, a grin spreading slowly across his face. Kissing her cheek, he happily proclaimed, "Once again, Marian, you are a genius!'

"What?" she asked, hating not understanding his thoughts.

"You just reminded me...there's yet another witness! Daniel was in the stables, when she claimed I hurt her!"

Marian's face lit up as well. "He was?"

"Yes! And just for that, my love, you may come along with Much and me. You've earned it."