He was here!

She wouldn't need to go in search of him in the forest, to let him know about the transport of the revenue monies. No, he was here, audaciously parading himself right under Gisbourne's nose, though disguised in a guard uniform. It was wonderful, completely unexpected, and the moment she caught sight of him, her heart began to sing.

Yet, was it truly so unexpected, after all? With so many men under arrest, and the sheriff hinting about his devious "entertainment," it only stood to reason that Robin would place himself in the thick of danger, to rescue others. Especially when those others numbered many from Locksley, not to mention Little John.

Yes, he was here, waiting outside her door, and it was wonderful!

"Marian, be with me."

Guy's hot breath on her neck, his scalding hands beneath their black leather seizing her around her waist, pulling her against his strong thighs, brought her back to the present moment. She had completely forgotten him, in her elation at seeing Robin.

And now, with this fresh assault upon her chastity, she almost forgot Robin.

She was trembling, hating herself for her weakness. Whatever allure Guy of Gisbourne once held over her had been lost when she'd come face to face with his cruelty, when he allowed Lambert to die. Denying her love for Robin, bullied and threatened into her betrothal, she'd tried making the best of things, hoping her influence might change Gisbourne, even when confronted time and again by his brutality. And one day, unless Robin or she could work a miracle, or God would provide one, she would be forced to become this man's wife, sharing his life and his bed.

His obsessive passion for her consumed him, and threatened to consume her in a terrifying way. No wonder she trembled.

Pulling his hands off her, she struggled to tell him, "Guy, not now."

Not ever, if I can help it, she was thinking, gathering strength in her anger against him. Didn't I tell you I was a little tired, and unwell?

She wanted him gone. She wanted to see Robin.

And so, as soon as Gisbourne departed, she flew to her door to look for the man she wanted, hoping he'd be there. Not finding him, she reentered her room, shutting the heavy door behind her with a disappointed sigh.

"Please don't send me away," the voice she adored teasingly implored her, somehow materializing within the room. "We really should be spending more time together."

Ecstatic once more, she turned to look upon him smiling back at her, finding him wonderful though somewhat ridiculous in his guard's uniform, cradling his helmet under one arm, with his forest worn threadbare trousers displayed from his knees down.

"You have some nerve, parading yourself under Gisbourne's nose," she scolded him, wishing she could say something kinder, though not knowing what to say. "Aren't you concerned he'll recognize you?"

Pushing back the chain mail hood off his head, Robin smirked and answered, "I would be, if I thought he had any brains. As it is, he's so stupid, he can't tell the Nightwatchman is a woman."

"You couldn't tell, either," Marian reminded him, wanting nothing so much as to run her fingers through his mussed up hair, only to straighten it, she lied to herself. "May I remind you, you fought with me, rolling with me down a hill, and you didn't recognize me."

"If I'd known, that roll would have been a lot more fun!"

"Grow up."

Why must there always be tension between us? Marian wondered, frustrated. I was so pleased to see you. I still am! Why can't we say what we really want to, to one another? Why must I be stern, and you flippant? Why do we hide our true feelings?

Robin, she noticed, had grown as serious as she. Sitting side by side, she longed to reach out and clasp his hand in hers. But of course, she didn't. Instead, she asked him his purpose and plan in being here, gently scolding him for wanting to do so much with so few, worried for his safety.

She took pleasure sitting by his side, knowing she could help him by telling him of the lockpick she had hidden outside the dungeon, and the news of the revenue money. She longed to do more, almost as much as she longed for him to declare his feelings. They shone in his eyes when he looked at her, but why wouldn't he speak?