Lost and Found
It was a day like any other, the world bustled along as it had always done, and there was a cold chill in air coming from the north confirming that winter was not far behind. Ichabod Crane sat in the study of the home belonging to one Miss Grace Abigail Mills, piles of books on every surface, bags under his eyes, and an ancient map held in his hands. He knew if he could figure out where this map led he could find the key that would direct him to his partner, a woman who he simply regarded with high esteem, until recently. She was so incredibly incessant that she selflessly sacrifice her own life so her sister could live, an act that drove Ichabod mad, not because of her choice to save her sister (he would have done the same), but because she held a great power over him. A power he wasn't ready to surrender as easily as he had done in the past, but unfortunately for Ichabod his head had no say in the matter. He supposed this was motive to the reason for his nine month sabbatical prior to his return before discovering she had gone and enlisted herself with the federal police. Abbie's change of employer did not surprise Ichabod because he always knew she was capable of great things, but he didn't expect to learn she had moved on. They had been together for two years fighting forces of evil and saving the world, but Abbie wished to return to her old life when he left. He wasn't sure why this had irked him that was until Ichabod took a long hard look at himself in the mirror one day and realized he had done the same, but was unsuccessful because his path had inevitably returned him to her side. Even tip toeing around what had happened and forging a new relationship in light of their choices to flee their responsibilities, Ichabod had found that his highly esteemed regards for Abbie had changed rather staunchly. Because when she disappeared into the black abyss that was Pandora's tree of death Ichabod knew she had won his heart too.
It had been a grand total of three weeks since that fateful day and Ichabod was no closer now to figuring out where Abbie was, or if she was even still alive. He did know however that he would go to the ends of the earth and time to find her. He had worked tirelessly with Miss Jennifer Mills and Mr. Joseph Corbin, but even with their special expertise in all things supernatural they were at a dead end. Ichabod got up to pace, hoping the motion would encourage enlightened thoughts in hopes of accomplishing his end goal, however the evidence of the well-worn path in between the papers and scattered books may have proved the contrary.
Ichabod heard his name called from the next room and he stepped out to find Miss Jenny standing there, a bag of what looked like fast food in her hand.
"You look like hell Crane."
Not really in the mood to engage in playful banter or discuss his current well-being Ichabod accepted her offering quietly and walked into the kitchen with the younger Mills sister. Food no longer had taste but he knew he needed to eat if he ever wanted to find Abbie.
"You should not have troubled yourself Miss Mills. I have enough rations here in this pantry to last for two fortnights," replied Ichabod.
"Yeah, well if you knew how much sodium was in those ramen noodles, you might think twice about having that as your only food source. You'll thank me when you taste this."
"I am much obliged." Ichabod took what looked like a large meat sandwich, removed the paper wrapping and then took a bite. He had to admit it was relatively appetizing and a few calibers above the noodles. "Thank you," he concluded in-between bites.
Jenny smirked and took out a second sandwich for herself. "Don't sweat it."
She passed Ichabod a bottle of water, which he took from her examining the label before taking a long swig.
"You've been reserved these last few weeks. It can't be healthy to keep things all bottled up either."
"Bottled up?"
"Yeah, it means keeping your thoughts inside-bottled up."
Ichabod gave a nod and took another swig of his water.
"You know I was trying to give you an opening there. Is there anything you'd care to share with me? Something you'd like to get off your chest perhaps?" She hedged with one curiously raised brow.
"I appreciate your concern Miss Mills, but I assure you I am fine. I am most concerned with finding your sister."
"Ah. Well that's a no brainer. It's not a matter of if but when. We're going to bring her home Crane."
Crane gave Jenny a thoughtful look as if he was mulling over her words. Jenny took his silence however as evidence that he was holding more back from her and she decided now was as good a time as any to find out what that was.
"Speaking of home, I thought you were looking at getting your own place, but you seem to be in no hurry to leave la casa de Abbie. Care to share?"
He coughed after swallowing a bite of his sandwich and his brows furrowed. "I was meaning to discuss that with your sister when she returns." He closed his eyes as if preoccupied by the thought of Abbie's return and Jenny chuckled.
"Relax Crane; I don't think she's going to kick you out." Jenny put her hand on Crane's arm to console him, but Crane flinched under her touch.
"Ichabod, really, she wouldn't be mad. I know she's good at compartmentalizing her feelings, but I think she really missed you when you were gone."
It was the first encouraging thing Ichabod had heard in a long time and he lifted his head to meet Jenny's gaze urging her to continue.
"What evidence has led you to this assumption?" Questioned Ichabod.
"Well, she paid to have a small tombstone next to Katrina's headstone in the church graveyard for Henry. I know she did that for you. So you would be able to come back to pay your respects once you were able to accept what happened. "
Ichabod reflected inwardly for a long moment recalling the dark history of his family and the mixed emotions they left him with. He still wished to this very day that he could have gone back in time to save his son from the life of hell and abandonment that had been inflicted on him, but unfortunately he was not able to save him or Katrina for that matter. And here he was again at a cross roads wondering if he might fail Abbie as well. He couldn't bear the thought of failing her too.
"There is something of grave importance which I feel I must confess Miss Mills."
"Well don't keep me in suspense."
"I'm in love with your sister."
AN: This was just a conversation I dreamed up between Ichabod and Jenny. Not sure if I should continue this story or leave as a one shot. Please let me know if you want to read more. Thanks.