Wow, some of the reviews this has gotten have literally made me blush! Thank you! Especially to MrsJonesCullen for her regular feedback, which is much appreciated. And if you haven't read her Allan/Kate story yet, you should!

I'm so sorry it's taken me sooo long to update! I've been focussing on vidding; I made a Much/Kate/Allan vid to Ruby by the Kaiser Chiefs, and an Allan tribute, which are up on youtube if anyone is interested! Here's the next bit anyway... enjoy!

Friends & Lovers

The others watched smiling, even Much, as Kate clung to Allan, weeping with joy.

"It's over, Kate." He murmured into her ear. "I promise, it's over."

Ten days later...

Life in the camp had returned to normal very quickly. Except for the awkwardness that had set in, once the joy and relief had subsided. Kate and Allan were being extremely polite to one another, and barely spoke, which rather worried and confused the rest. And delighted Much; she often sat with him or went with him on deliveries, so he was more than happy with the way things were. Will had set about enlarging the camp, as there were now eight outlaws in permanent residence; Isabella had decided to stay with them. She was still extremely nervous, and refused to leave the camp, but the others were content to let her do things in her own time. Djaq stayed also, insisting it was so that she could keep an eye on both her and Allan. He had been confined to camp, and the three women insisted on fussing over him, to which he gave token objection at first, and then let them have their way. The clincher had been him trying to change his shirt without hurting himself, and having to be disentangled from it by a giggling Isabella, and then being helped into a clean one. Robin and Much in particular found this hilarious. Kate, however, had hung back, her throat closing as she once again saw the vicious burn across his stomach, and then left, hearing the sound of laughter fade as she walked into the trees. She had taken to spending a lot of time out in the forest on her own, thinking, so the others did not remark on her absence.

On one such evening, Kate sat on the grassy hillside, staring down at Locksley, watching the people going about their daily lives. The sun was setting, yet children were still playing in the streets. She could see her mother and little sister sitting outside painting pots, making the most of the bright summer evening. Even Gisborne was about, supervising his guards as they drilled.

She heard gentle footsteps, and then felt, rather than saw, Allan sit down next to her. His injuries had finally healed enough that Djaq had let him leave the camp, under the condition that he not go too far, but he was still weak and looking very battered, the scar forming on his cheek a permanent reminder of what could have been. She smiled at him and they sat there in awkward silence, watching the sunset. Although both had desperately wanted to talk to the other in private, they found themselves unable to do so, now that they finally could; as he had been trapped inside, this was the first moment they had had alone since... well, since. Eventually Allan plucked up the courage and looked at her.

"Look, Kate..." he swallowed, as she looked at him. "About the other day... you know, when we-" he shut his eyes as he corrected himself. "I mean, when I..." He shook his head and bit the inside of his lip, wondering how to go on. He'd spent the last few days planning out what he would say to her, but now that he was doing it, the words had slipped away. "I know we're just... I know you don't... but it's okay." She frowned at him in confusion.

"What are you trying to say, Allan?"

"I'm tryin' to say that... oooh, I dunno what I'm tryin' to say!" He huffed, making her smirk at him. He tried not to smile back; he was trying to be serious for once, but he was out of practice. "I guess... I just wanted you to know... none of this has to change anything. The last few days, I mean." He looked her square in the eye. She studied his face carefully. He looked as unsure as he sounded. "Kissing you. Things just got very... intense, and we both went through a lot. I just... I don't want things to be awkward between us anymore, that's all."

She turned her head away and bit her lip as she finally understood what he meant. But was he trying to tell her what he thought she wanted to hear, or did he mean what he was saying? Oh, God, she thought, I hope not! She swallowed and looked down, desperate not to cry. She nodded quickly, managing to smile brightly up at him, which he returned with a sigh of relief. As soon as they looked away, both smiles dropped rapidly, and he rose to his feet. She heard him draw a shaky breath, and then walk away, back up the hill. She hurriedly wiped away her tears. What is it with me these days? She wondered. I thought being with the guys would toughen me up, not turn me into a sobbing wreck every other day.

Djaq watched from behind a nearby tree, shaking her head sadly. She had changed her mind about Allan leaving the camp on his own, and so had followed him, taking Will in case help was needed. When they'd found him he was already with Kate, and they didn't want to interrupt. The two had barely spoken over the last few days, which was odd considering their tearful reunion. Clearly there was something going on, and she was sure she had heard Allan mention kissing. She hadn't meant to overhear, but she couldn't help it.

Will followed Allan back into the forest as Djaq stepped out of the trees and put her hand on Kate's shoulder, making her jump.

"Sorry! Are you alright?" she asked tenderly, giving the younger woman's shoulder a reassuring squeeze. Kate sighed and shook her head, so Djaq sat down next to her. "Forgive me; I did not mean to listen in, but I could not help hearing. Is everything okay between you two?"

"Yeah, of course it is!" Kate answered sharply, and then stopped to think about it. "No. I thought things were..." she sighed. "...just for a little while there, I actually thought things were better than okay between us. But I guess I was wrong..." she trailed off sadly, her head hung in disappointment as Djaq rubbed her back comfortingly.

"You do not think that there is something there?"

"I don't know! I thought, maybe... but now? I'm not so sure." She sniffed and smiled sadly at Djaq. "And anyway, even if he did, there's just too much to keep us apart."

"Like what?"

"Well, for one... Much. We all know how he feels, and neither of us wants to hurt him. And I just know my mother would never approve!" she chuckled at the thought, then grew serious again. "And what if we argue, and it splits the gang in two, or what if one of us is killed? What if he finds someone else? Or, what if-?"

"But what if it works out?" Djaq interrupted. "Much will understand. So would your mother. But I do know how you feel; Will and I are from different religions, and our marriage was not popular, that is one of the reasons we decided to return. And of course you would argue; you always do! But it does not always have to mean the end! And as for one of you getting hurt... I saw your pain when you thought he was dead. Can you honestly tell me that not allowing yourself to be with him would make that pain any less? At least you will have memories, rather than just regrets!" Djaq took a deep breath, allowing her words to sink in.

"But..." Kate's voice was barely above a whisper. "What if you're wrong; what if he doesn't love me?"

"Do you truly believe that he does not love you?" Djaq asked bluntly, giving her a disbelieving look. "If you do, you are a fool." Kate glared at her for a second, but her face softened as she saw the honesty in the other woman's eyes. "I know Allan a Dale as well as anyone can, I think. And I know how he feels about you! I know from one week with you both! You ask 'what if he meets someone else?', but we both know that he is charming, and that women will always love him. He acts in a certain way towards all women, but it is never more than a passing interest. You are the only woman I have seen him look at in the way that he does. He was willing to die for you, do not forget that; it is a big gesture for him! He needs time and space to think. He will come around."

"Oh, I don't know..." Kate huffed, frustrated.

"Give it time. Let life return to normal, and then you will see, I am sure."

With that the two women rose to their feet and began to walk back to camp just as the last sliver of the sun fell below the horizon.

Will followed Allan back into the forest and watched as his friend dejectedly kicked at a log, and then sat down on it. He cleared his throat as he approached so as not to startle him. Allan looked up at him as Will sat with a reassuring smile.

"You talked to her then."

Allan simply pulled a face in reply. Will sat staring at him expectantly until he became so agitated that he had to respond.

"Yeah, I think we're good now." Still he looked completely miserable.

"You weren't before?"

"Oh, come on!" Allan moaned in disbelief. "Everyone's noticed how weird it's been!"

"Why has it?"

Allan took a deep steadying breath, whilst he deliberated whether or not to answer.

"Because I kissed her. When I thought I was going to die." He stared up through the leaves at the darkening sky as he spoke. "I shouldn't have done it; I know that, but I just wasn't thinking."

"Why not?"

"Because!"

"That's not an answer."

Allan narrowed his eyes at him.

"Because I don't think she appreciated it." He confessed wryly, attempting a chuckle. "We're just friends, and maybe that's all we should be. At least things should be a bit less awkward now." He sighed forlornly.

"Well, Djaq's orders are to get you back to camp; I don't think you should have walked this far yet." Allan didn't even argue, just nodded glumly and then started back to camp, and Will silently fell into step beside him, keeping his thoughts, which were most decidedly not in line with Allan's, to himself.

A week later, whilst the others sat around the fire laughing and joking, glad that at least some of the tension had eased, Will and Djaq wandered through the forest hand-in-hand, discussing their two friends. Both understood the situation much more completely than either Allan or Kate; although they were fond of them both, they were not impeded by the strong emotions clouding the judgement of the other two. They could see how simple the problem was; fear. But they could not think of a way to help them overcome it.

Djaq sighed in frustration as she lay down on the grass. Will joined her and they lay in each other's arms, watching the clouds. It was nice to get a few moments' peace and privacy. Since their return they had been constantly surrounded by their friends. They had missed them dearly, but they had become accustomed to having time alone. Will had not had a chance to express his concern over Djaq's odd behaviour; she had been very emotional of late, seemed surprisingly invested in Kate and Allan's problems, and had stayed in camp and declined to go with them on some of their more risky missions, staying with Isabella and Allan instead, saying that too many of them would only draw attention, and that she was put to better use there. But Will had not bought it.

He was just about to ask her about it when they heard a scream from the direction of the road. Will ran to check it out, while Djaq went back for the others. He reached the road and peered around a tree to see a young woman, not much older than Kate, and a young boy of about eight being dragged roughly from their cart by a pair of outlaws. But not the good type. Others had were now in the process of robbing them, unhitching the horses and rummaging through their possessions. Will fidgeted impatiently as he watched, itching to help, but knew that he needed backup first. The woman and child were terrified, but they didn't seem to be hurting them, so he was contented to wait. After a few minutes he turned to see the others creeping through the trees towards him. Everyone had come, all heavily armed, and he was grateful, though surprised, to see Isabella with them, but she drew her sword bravely and appeared to be completely calm. There were at least twelve thugs robbing the woman and still only eight of them. Djaq and Kate were glancing worriedly at Allan as they planned their attack, but he was oblivious and just as anxious to help as the rest.

Robin nodded to them and they all ran down out of the trees with terrifying war cries, taking the robbers by surprise and quickly overwhelming them. Robin's outlaws were disciplined and well fed, whereas the others were mean and hungry, true criminals who deserved their outlaw status. When the last was sent fleeing into the trees, the outlaws turned to the terrified pair, who were both staring wide eyed, and at one of them in particular.

"Oh my Lord... Allan?!" the woman cried, throwing her arms around him. Allan returned the embrace, in complete shock.

"Grace? What are you doing here?!" He pulled back stunned. "Are you alright? Did they hurt you?"

"No, thanks to you." She looked around, smiling, and then returned her attention back to Allan. "Who are your friends?"

"Oh, right!" He glanced around at the others, introducing them all in turn, leaving Robin for last.

"And this, Grace, is Robin Hood." Robin smiled and they both stared at him shocked, then the woman slapped Allan's arm playfully.

"I'd heard you were still up here, and that you're one of Robin Hood's men, but I never believed it! I mean; you of all people!" The rest of the gang roared with laughter.

"She certainly knows you well!" Much chimed in. The outlaws began getting the cart back in order, whilst Grace and Allan talked. Allan chuckled, before growing serious.

"Not that I'm not glad to see you, but why are you here?"

She sighed and gave him a hard, sad look, pulling the boy close.

"Mary's dead." She informed him, stroking the boy's hair. Allan closed his eyes and hung his head at the news. "I came here, 'cause like I said, heard you might be in the area."

Allan nodded thoughtfully and then glanced at Mark before responding. Kate followed his gaze and noticed the shade of blue in the boy's eyes.

"Tom's dead too. He died two years ago."

"How?" She gasped.

"Hung." He glanced at the boy again, and frowned. "Can't say he didn't deserve it."

"Well," she sighed regretfully, "I'm getting married soon, and my fiancé won't have Mark." She indicated the boy with her head. "So you'll have to take him. You're the only family he has now."

Allan's normally easygoing demeanour changed immediately.

"Whoa, now! Hold on just one minute there, Grace! I'm an outlaw! You can't just-"

"He's your responsibility now! You should've been in his life from the start, and I know that's not your fault, but honestly, what sort of man gets an unmarried woman with child and then runs away?! If you weren't the last resort I wouldn't even be here!"

"That's not-" She thrust a bag into Allan's chest. "Oomph!"

"Don't make this harder!" She cut him off and climbed back in the cart. "I'm sure your friends will help. Goodbye Mark, Allan, everyone! Thank you for your help!" Then before he could argue she was gone, leaving the outlaws all staring after her in shock. Eventually Allan looked behind to see the others all staring at him accusingly. He saw the look on Kate's face and hurriedly tried to explain.

"Look, it's not what you think-!"

But she shook her head in disgust and turned away, heading back to camp, and the others followed suit. Allan slung the bag over his shoulder and walked up to Mark. He sighed and placed a hand on the boy's shoulder.

"Looks like you're stuck with me, kiddo. Come on."

And with that they headed into the trees after the others.

Sorry it took so long to update. And I know this chapter is all dialogue, and possibly confusing but it will make sense in time, I promise! Well, I hope so! Did you like?! No more cookies, but reviewers will get gratitude instead... poor substitute, I know! =p

xxlaxx