I wanna thank my two adorable betas Jas and Kat for being super sweet and encouraging with me. Love ya!
Have fun and be patient Ichabbie will come soon ;)

Sleepy Hollow

University Campus

9:30 am

"Do tell me again why I agreed with this so called idea?" teased Ichabod, as Abraham on his side shook his head and rolled his eyes, already admitting to himself he should have had a plan before accepting the position and telling the headmaster that, if needed, his friend was also a history teacher looking for a job.

"I, for once, needed to leave London, and you, may I add, decided that coming with me and a change of air would do you some good as well," Abraham answered as they walked side by side at the city's only university. God's wounds, what were they thinking?

"She was your wife, Bram. But she was also a dear friend of mine, and honestly: since when did you and I ever do something without each other?" asked Ichabod, laying his hand on his friend's shoulder and pressing it gently.

As they were stopping in front of the advertising board, both wondered if they would be lucky enough to find an empty place this time.

"Abraham, look!" called Ichabod grabbing an ad from the board and showing it to Abraham. "They are looking for roommates!"

"What would I do without you, I sometimes wonder?" Abraham laughed as he pushed his friend forward.

"Come on, it's not so far, and it's a historical townhouse."

"Hold you excitement, Icky. We wouldn't want you to scare the owner."

"I would never!" Ichabod said, sounding extremely offended by Abraham's words.

Ichabod punched his arm playfully, taking the left path, his best friend following him close behind. He knew that calling the school had been a good idea. Thanks to Irving, Abraham had no idea that their moving had been a plot to take him away from his funk, that had been going on for too long. And came fire or rain, Ichabod would not let him fall deeper into depression, granted he knew what to do some fresh air, new people, students that knew nothing about him or his past would do Abraham good. There was no time like the present, and Ichabod would make sure Abraham found a new reason to live after his wife's death.

Fredericks Manor

14:30 pm

As Jenny closed the entrance door for the eighth time that day, she knew that it was fruitless. So far it had been a freak show, from the first person till the last one; three of them had insisted the house was haunted - she promised it wasn't, it was just a silly rumor. Two of them said they had some sort of religion that included not eating or drinking anything toxic, they would grow their own food - that was a no can do, how about pizza and buzz nights?

At least four said they wouldn't be able to help with house chores, which was a problem since the house was big and at least once a week, the main rooms needed cleaning. The last person she had interviewed wanted to expel the spirits living inside the cursed house and it had taken all of Jenny's strength and more not to simply shove the wannabe priest out of her home.

It was not like she and Abbie needed the money, it was simply because she hated the prospect of spending almost three months alone. As much as she loved their colonial home, it got very lonely without the presence of her older sister. Somehow Abbie lighted their home - which was funny considering her line of work - she was the best police officer in town, and also the youngest.

Jenny sighed tiredly at the same time as a knock on the door was heard. Okay, maybe just one more, and if nothing came out of it, she sure would have a good story to tell her sister later.

Jenny opened the door and had to hold her own drool as she looked at the two male specimens standing in front of her.

"Miss Mills?" asked tall, dark and British - damn he was fine, but tall and blond was silly pretty. He was just mouth watering.

"Yes?" blinked Jenny as she smiled back at them.

"We found your ad and we were wondering if the rooms are still available."

"Oh, yeah, yeah, they totally are. Please, do come in," said Jenny holding the door ajar.

Ichabod smiled and pass through the door. Meanwhile, Abraham held his laughter; he knew how much his friend was dying to get inside, could almost feel his excitement coming out in waves.

"What is his deal?" asked the enchanting woman at his side. She was everything his late wife wasn't, where Katrina had been light, she was dark. It was striking how Miss Mills was essentially different from her with her deep brown eyes, dark curly hair and the most delicious shade of russet brown skin, her lips were simply inviting in that lopsided smile she was currently portraying.

"Ph.D. in History. He has been controlling himself since we arrived at your door."

"He's gonna love this place. And you, also a Professor?"

"Criminology, Headmaster Irving called me, somehow he learned about my reputation and invited me, Crane is a plus. We have been together since ever, so it was natural I would bring him with me."

"Of course," The same two words echoed in Jenny's mind: Of course, of course, they are gay. No one this beautiful is just gonna show up at your door and be available.

"Abraham, this ceiling is to die for! Come here, will you?" shouted Ichabod from somewhere inside.

"Like I said, he is excited about your home. I hope this doesn't stop you from accepting us?" Abraham asked, shaking his head and smiling warmly at her.

"As long as you don't decide to perform an exorcism, you're in. We have some rules, though," she said walking slightly faster to keep up with him. How did he know from which direction Ichabod's voice was coming?

"Sure, whatever you say we are game," Abraham affirmed.

"We are that desperate!" Ichabod confirmed as they found themselves in the Mills living room.

"Well, home rules are pretty simple, if you see something is dirty, you clean it, if we're out of something, see if there's more or buy more. Food is free territory, no one is gonna go hungry in my home."

"Miss Mills," said Ichabod drawing her attention.

"Jenny, please. Miss Mills makes me feel so damn old." She smiled despite the fact he seemed to be surprised by her request. "Are you all Brit's so formal? Geez relax, will ya?" said Jenny, waving her hand and smiling at him.

"As per your request, Jenny. So, any more rules?" Abraham inquired, watching her every move.

"Laundry. If you're ever washing anything white or color, please just put my things inside, I tend to forget it," she answered, waiting for a whine, but was surprised by the simple calming tone of Ichabod's.

"Not a problem."

"When can you move in?" she found herself asking.

"Right about now!" Ichabod and Abraham said in unison, happy smiles on their faces.

"Welcome to the Mills house, now also yours for the time being."

"Thank you!" exclaimed Ichabod, bowing to her theatrically.

"Knock that off, it's bad enough you two are ridiculously good looking. I don't need you two to be perfect gentleman either. This way you're gonna ruin me to all the other man available."

"We wouldn't," replied Abraham, smiling with his eyes.

Since that day a sort of routine was created in the house, the boys were excellent companions, they would share the chores so well sometimes Jenny thought she was living with private maids.

One particular weekend Jenny had to travel abroad for work, just a couple of days she mentioned to them, enough to arrive at her destination, make the offer, buy the product and come back. She mentioned to them that she was working for an auction house, usually finding rare paintings, jewelry, doing business, and that was also why they had a library inside Frederick's Manor with the most unusual artifacts.

As she arrived home, dressed in the most elegant suit she owned, Jenny was taken aback. Somehow, in three days, the house was completely different. It had been so long since they had flowers in the garden, or rather since they had any Bougainvillea climbing over their portico.

"Wow," she murmured underneath her breath. It was, well, impressive to say the least. The pink Bougainvillea was a favorite of the Mills children when they were young, but after mother died, it was as if the plants gave up on them, Abbie, who was eighteen years old then had tried, but no matter what they always died. It was just another reason for the locals to call them witches and curse the house. Since then, neither Abbie or herself had ever tried growing climbers and creepers plants, they had given up as well, knowing they would die soon after.

"Abbie's gonna die when she sees this." And just then, after almost two months of cooking, cleaning and sharing the same space, it crossed Jenny's mind that she hadn't talked about her sister to her roommates at all.

Well, they are in for a surprise of their own. She thought, smiling secretly to herself as she touched the flowers at the portico, before opening the door and entering. It was interesting how the house didn't seem to mind Ichabod's or Abraham's presence as if it knew they were in love with each other and it wouldn't ever touch them, it even seemed to accept them as their own.

"Boys, are you home?" Jenny called, stopping her musings. She could make questions for their own personal ghost whenever she felt like, but right now, she was content. Even if Abraham was out of her league, his presence was soothing as much as Abbie's, and Jenny had grown used to his and Ichabod's ways. They were both hard working men, wickedly smart, patient and loving. It wasn't rare to find breakfast ready, groceries bought, and flowers in the kitchen.

"In here, Jenny! What do you think? We thought the house was a bit sad –" Abraham started, before turning and drinking on the sight of her. Jenny was breathtaking, but right now, she was – in less gentlemanly words – good enough to eat. Her suit complimented her as a second skin, long legs covered by pantyhose the color of her smooth skin, a white shirt with the first buttons opened, and her hair styled in curls framing her beautiful face. Biting his lower lip to regain his senses he finished: "And in need of a little warming."

Whatever game him and Ichabod were playing, Jenny had no idea, but damn – the eye-sex look she had just received had warmed her in more ways than one.

"It's beautiful."

"No, you are. So very beautiful."

"Abraham, look, I understand okay, you and Ichabod are an item and I wouldn't want to be –"

"I'm sorry, we are what?"

"An item."

He had the indecency of bursting out in laughter. Jenny put her purse down, ready to punch his pretty face when he said: "Where the hell did you get that idea from?"

"From day one, when you said you had to bring him with you."

"Oh, that? Well, me and Ichabod have known each other since we were boys, he has been there for me and I for him since I can remember, his is my a brother in arms. We are not lovers, we never were lovers. I was married once before and when she died I was lost, and I am sure if Ichabod hadn't been there, I would have fallen in despair.

"Well, this revelation makes me feels a hundred times better for what I'm about to do now."

Abraham didn't know what hit him first if it was her whole body fitting perfectly to his as her hands glided over his chest and rested on his neck or the taste of her kiss. Jenny was everything he wanted and didn't know, she tasted like mint gum and smelled spicy, with a bit of amber and fruit scent. It overflowed his senses, and it didn't take him long to kiss her neck and collarbone in return. Jenny yelped when his arms pulled her up, giving her more access to his body, she continued kissing, touching, his hair was already a mess when he let her lips go, breathing heavily.

"Maybe… we should take this to –" He started in a whisper, resting his forehead on hers.

"Bed, yes, please."