Hi everyone, I am so sorry for the delay. I bet many of you thought this story to be dead. Well my 2013 resolution was to come back to writing so here you go the long await Chapter 4. Please give me feedback and critique's and I hope to have chapter 5 up within the next two weeks. Much love Lady Nymeria.

**Last time: All her hatred towards this man, was slowly lifting. For months she had envisioned his death, a thousand times, a slow painful death and in her thoughts she enjoyed it because it was revenge for her brother. But now, being with him he was nothing more than a frightened boy scared of death and scared of being alone. She felt herself compelled towards him, she would try her best to heal him and if she couldn't she at least would not let him die alone.**

All he wanted to do was escape the heat. He was back in the Holy Lands and the sun's rays beat upon his skin, beads of sweat rolling down his face. All he could think of was the heat, he was so thirsty and just wanted to lie somewhere cool. Looking around he could see nothing but the dunes spreading vastly ahead. No people for miles, but voices could be heard in the distance. He strained to hear, he needed to find someone, anyone to help him find his way back.

'How is he?' Guy followed the voice that sounded all too familiar. 'Not too well, I'm afraid. His fever keeps climbing; will you sit with him for the next bit Allan?'

Lost and alone Guy looked around the empty desert and let his thoughts wonder 'Allan? Why was Allan here? Why is he looking for me? It couldn't be Allan, why would he come and help me? After everything I put him through…'

Allan pulled the stool closer towards the cot that Guy was resting upon. His skin had taken on a paler shade and dark circles started to form under his eyes. His breath was coming a little too fast for Allan's comfort. Taking the cloth from the bucket, Allan started to fold it in half.

"That should feel better mate." Allan stated placing the cool cloth upon Guy's brow. "It would make my shift a lot easier if you were awake. At least I would have someone to talk to." Crickets in the distance were Allan's only reply. "Come on Guy, I know you're stubborn but it would be nice if you would open your eyes and talk to me. You've been sleeping for hours and to be quite honest I think I should be the one sleeping…."

"You always rambled too much." Came Guy's raspy voice, lips curling toward a smile, eyes peeking open.

Allan smiled "And you always laid back while I did all the work"

Both men shared a laugh which was quickly ended by Guy's quick intake of breath followed by rasping coughs.

"Are you ok? Should I get Tuck?" Allan's eyes showed genuine concern that Guy had not seen for a long time.

Guy shook his head as he focused on his breathing, trying to get the rhythm back 'in and out, in and out' he told himself silently. His chest was on fire, his breath coming out in raspy gasps. He could feel a chill settling in his lungs, his body too weak to fight the incoming infection. "There is nothing the Father can do for me now, unless he can save souls from eternal damnation." Guy finished with a laugh which Allan did not return.

"Come on Guy that's not funny. You're not going to die and your definitely not going to hell"

Guy just returned Allan's response with a sad smile

"I know you have done some bad things but your making up for it now." Allan paused "I have done some unacceptable things in my past that I am not proud of either. But I think we all deserve a second chance before we receive final judgment."

"Just like the second chance you were given with that bar wench…what was her name?"

"She wasn't a wench" Allan shot back in defense "She was Damien's sister."

"Damien, as in the butcher?"

"Yes"

A soft chuckle left Guy's lips "Allan she had been with half of the Sheriff's men. And it took you two attempts to get her, must be hard for you. Can't even get the easy ones"

"Oy! I will have you know that I have had many women in my life that were dying to be with me. And I never tried to get her; I turned her away the first time. But then she came to me again, upset and I comforted her."

"Oh is that what you are calling it 'comfort'. Well if the story I recall the guards is true, you searched her out for 'comfort'." Guy shot Allan a sly grin and a quick wink.

A blush crept up Allan's neck as he stared at Guy, mouth a gap.

Guy lay on the cot softly laughing, the sound foreign to his ears. Laughter had always been absent in his life and he could not remember the last time he had laughed like this. Slowly his eyelids started to fall, the effort of the conversation finally taking its toll, as slumber beckoned his name. He had to tell Allan something before he succumbed to slumbers embrace, incase…incase he did not wake up.

"I'm sorry Allan, for everything I put you through." Guy whispered before his eyes slid shut.

Allan looked down at Guy, the apology had been no more than a whisper on the wind. But to Allan no other words had ever come out so strong. He never imagined an apology from Guy, nerveless asking for friendship. Allan placed a hand on Guy's shoulder and gave a reassuring squeeze.

Allan sat there over the next hour just listening to the forest, watching the unsteady rise and fall of Guy's chest.

"How is he?" Robin asked walking over to Allan

"No change really, just drifted back to sleep. Poor bloke as weak as a kitten, just a conversation tires him out."

"Let us hope all he needs is rest. Go get some sleep Allan I'll take the next shift."

Comments and thoughts... 3 Nymeria