Abbie Mills and Ichabod Crane have been fighting a tiring battle against the forces of darkness that threaten to swallow up Sleepy Hollow. All they have is each other and a few close friends and family to rely on. How will they survive the task at hand and will their ever-growing bond hurt them or help them in the trying days ahead?
A/N – Alright, I'm a little nervous about attempting to write my favorite prime time couple of late. I'm not used to writing supernatural and have only attempted it one other time so hopefully, I can do them some justice (it's a little intimidating considering how brilliant some of the other writers are). If you want me to continue, please review and let me know. I will probably update once a week since I write other fan fiction too.
This fic was edited/updated 2/11/18
Chapter 1 – Forging Ahead
Abbie watched Crane's mouth drop open as the remote stopped on an adult channel and smirked. "Cat got your tongue?"
Crane is simply at a loss for words. Out of all the gluttony and decadent escapism he has witnessed since he had rose from the grave, this has to be the most shocking and scatological display to date. His eyes widened as an extremely vocal female's whines and rhythmic gasping, almost comical in nature, left little interpretation as to whether she was actually experiencing pleasure or pain. Was she enjoying it or in need of medical assistance? Perhaps it was a combination of both? For a moment, he wanted to know what the rather beastly looking man with the satanic tattoos was doing to her to elicit such a salacious response, but then thought better of it. When they suddenly switched positions, Crane's head tilted as he tried to figure out how the woman could even breathe and then he snapped out of his haze long enough to glance at Abbie who is watching him gleefully. Her contrite expression and the amusement in her eyes are not lost on him, but he chooses to leave it be for the time being. "Lieutenant, do you mind explaining why you have the need for such a vulgar display of sexual promiscuity at your beck and call?"
Abbie grinned. "It came with the programming package for Cinemax."
"I won't even pretend to comprehend that and I fail to see the reasoning for such a vile, public display of affection," he said, fumbling for the remote. When he only managed to turn the sound up even louder, Abbie couldn't hold it in any longer and laughed loudly as Ichabod muttered under his breath trying to handle the offending contraption.
"Don't knock it til you try you try it," Abbie muttered.
Ichabod languidly sighed. It isn't as though he's a prude in any sense. God knows that sexual depravity was alive and well in the eighteenth century. There were gentlemen clubs that he knew Benjamin Franklin frequented routinely and there were also those nasty rumors that the founding father had created a child out of wedlock. The act of sex is not what had shocked him, for the most part, it was the ease as to which the act was readily available in such a public forum that set his mind adrift. Finally, he manages to turn off the offensive display and is just about to take Abbie to task again when Miss Jenny bangs on the door.
Abbie jumps up and unlocks it to let her in. "What's up?"
"We have a problem," Jenny said before walking over to the table where she releases the books she is carrying and then watches as they slid every which way.
Ichabod approaches them. "What happened?"
"Hawley called me. He got a tip," Jenny said trying not to dwell on him. He was gone and that was just the way it had to be. She just hoped that he would stay safe and not do anything stupid. "A man contacted him looking for a gold candlestick." She waited for the information to register in Crane's head and then watched as his mouth fell open.
"The Seven Golden Candlesticks," Ichabod explains to Abbie, "They represent the Churches. Jesus Christ is seen in the midst of the candlesticks. It's a way for him to manifest himself."
"So, just who are they trying to manifest?"
Ichabod begins to pace. "It would have to be some kind of demon; something like Moloch." Rushing over to the books, he flips through several pages and then slowly smiles. "Balaam. I remember Jefferson mentioning it before one of our meetings with Washington. He was a prophet of God and ended up successfully using another man to curse the children of Israel. Twenty-four thousand Israelites died as a result of his execrable efforts."
"How?" Jenny asked.
"Well, they used beautiful women to seduce them into celebrating an idolatrous feast which was predicated by fornication and drunken debauchery. Once they had sex and ate, they bowed down to the other gods and that resulted in their deaths."
"Was Balaam a man?" Jenny asked.
"He was. According to Washington, he was recruited for Satan's army as a result of his treachery."
Abbie took a long gulp of water before speaking. "You think it was the Brotherhood of St. Francis of Wycombe?"
"Well, debauchery is right up their alley and it was founded by Benjamin Franklin. I wouldn't be surprised if Balaam was using them to do his bidding."
It wouldn't be the first time that lust was used as a precursory measure to control the whims of men. Temptation was pretty standard in biblical times. It seemed that no matter what advances society had made in the last few centuries, men still seemed to think first with their nether regions.
Abbie observes Crane who is still deep in thought. The last candle must be in Sleepy Hollow. If Balaam was going to surface, then it made sense that it would be within the perimeter of the town, especially since they are such a hot bed of other worldly activity. Where would it be hidden though?
Their gaze connects and Jenny watches them seemingly have a silent conversation. Ichabod breaks eye contact first. "There are scads of places the candle could be. Is there a way you can find out who is trying to procure it?" he asked Jenny.
She shook her head, wishing she had a way to contact Hawley, but she doesn't. He wouldn't allow her to be placed in danger, which is quite funny and ironic considering where she lives. "No."
Everything had been messed up since Hawley left and Katrina went off with Henry and Headless. Irving was now locked in the room where Headless had been chained up until they could find a way to vanquish the evil that resides within him. It was the only way they could keep him safe and stop him from doing something he couldn't take back or hurting them in the process. Although, it was his idea and Jenny spent a lot of time there talking to him, trying to keep him sane. There is no way in hell that she is going to let Henry win, not after everything he has put them through.
Ichabod had been very hurt due to Katrina's betrayal and the breakup of his marriage, but as usual he was stoic and tried to focus on the task at hand. It is the three of them again and the only thing that is glaringly missing is Frank Irving.
They sat at the table and read until one by one they each fell asleep with their head in a book. A break is desperately needed. If someone else found the candle before they could and Balaam is resurrected, then the darkness will be upon them and evil will reign.
IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiI
Abbie groaned and pushed herself off the table. Her body is growing weary of their battle and she feels much older than her outward appearance portrays.
Crane, who had been up for an hour, placed a cup of coffee in front of her and then took a seat.
"Where's Jenny?" Abbie asked.
"She said that she had an errand to run."
"Did you find anything?"
He shook his head. "Not yet. I think going to the Old Dutch church would be too obvious. Maybe the Brotherhood of St. Francis of Wycombe is too obvious as well. Perhaps it was Franklin's Junto club that can provide the answers we seek."
"I remembering reading about that," Jenny said as she strode into the room unnoticed, "Considering the varied background of the members and Franklin's fascination with the underworld, there is a good chance that they worked together to keep evil from taking over."
"A little light reading eh?" Ichabod's right brow lifts as he smirks.
Jenny grins. "I think you're a bad influence on me, Crane."
"Thomas Hadley was one of the members of the Junto. He was erroneously credited for creating the first octant, a device used in navigation, when Isaac Newton was actually the original inventor. I remember Franklin going on and on about some derivative of the octant that Godfrey made. I wonder if it's in the museum here. According to the paper, there is an exhibit on loan from Philadelphia that contains some artifacts of Franklin's and the group. Perhaps we should make haste and see if it's there," Crane suggested.
Abbie purses her lips for a moment. "And what if it is?"
"Didn't you say that museum geek liked you?" Jenny asked.
Abbie rolled her eyes. "I am not going to seduce Nate Wimberly."
"Even his name is geeky. Sometimes, you have to take one for the team."
"What exactly does take one for the team entail?" Ichabod inquired.
Abbie chuckled. "She wants me to expose my cleavage and flirt."
"Ah," Crane said, "Normally I would defend your honor, but we are running out of time."
Her eyes narrow. "I'm going to remember this, Crane."
Amusement flickers in his eyes. "I'm sure you will never let me forget."
IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiI
Ichabod watches Abbie approach Nate with an extra sway in her hips. Awkwardly, he pivots and averts his gaze. Things are better between them now, but Ichabod still feels guilty for the state of their friendship. He had tried to make things work with his wife, but that was before he discovered her propensity towards lying and withholding information. Partly, he feels like an old fool. Katrina had played him as Miss Jenny had so aptly put it. If she could have just understood his position and admitted that her methods were unprincipled, they might have stood a chance. And then there was Abbie, who is everything Katrina is not. Her loyalty to their cause and to him meant everything to Ichabod. She had become his other half—his best friend.
Abbie smiles at Nate as he turns beet red. "Hello, Nate."
"Ab—Abbie, it's so nice to see you," he stammers, "How can I help you?"
"I wanted to see the Ben Franklin exhibit," she said evenly as she perused the room, "I don't see it out."
He pushes his glasses further up on his nose. Ever since he had seen Abbie at the coffee shop, Nate has been completely enthralled with her. "It's downstairs, but we'll be sending it back in a week."
Abbie pouted. "I guess I'm too late."
She watches him stare at her for a moment and then he grabs a key out of the drawer in front of him, "How would you like a private tour?"
"Really? I would love that," she said before slipping her arm through his.
Nate bit his lip and walked towards the back.
Jenny almost giggled at the look on Ichabod's face, which was a mix of jealousy and envy. "I think Abbie could take him."
Crane's head whipped around until his eyes settled on her face. "I think Abbie could take me. I'm well aware that she can protect herself, Miss Jenny, however my chivalry prevents me from letting my guard down completely."
"Uh huh," Jenny said. She wondered if the two of them would ever cross the line. Crane is still reeling from his separation and God knows Abbie wore her heart so close to her cuff that it was a miracle she had taken to Crane at all. They were the walking wounded. How fitting to have the two people who were chosen to save humanity turn out to be such hot messes. It is quite biblical and certainly gives credence to the belief that God can use anyone.
IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiI
Abbie follows Nate into the basement.
"Here we are," he said before entering a small room litered with priceless items.
Abbie quickly, but thoroughly, raked the room with her eyes. The artifacts are carefully arranged on a long table and unfortunately, she did not see what she came for.
"Do you have any questions?"
"I've been dying to see an original octant."
"Really? We do happen to have one as part of the collection," he said before opening another door, "Follow me."
Abbie felt a chill go through her body. Something wasn't right here. For a second, Nate looked like a completely different person, but she didn't have a choice and pushed forward. They needed the octant in order to find the candlestick, so leaving was not an option. Reaching into her pocket she pulls out her phone and quickly texts Jenny before slipping it back into her jacket.
"Here it is."
Abbie bent forward and gazed into the case. It is an odd-looking gadget, which seems to have some faint engravings. "Wow."
"Would you like to tell me why you have so much interest in it?"
Abbie's shoulder's pulled back as she noted the change in his vocal tone. "Would you like to tell me who the hell you are?"
A slow, mischevious grin creeps onto his face. "How very perceptive of you, Abbie."
"Did you really think that I wouldn't notice?"
"Touche. You know, if you came over to our side—"
Abbie glares at him. "I will never come over to your side."
"Suit yourself," Nate said before a light shot out of his hands and Abbie went flying into the wall.
Crane and Jenny rush down into the basement. Abbie has been gone too long and they sense that something is amiss. When Nate hears them, he runs into the stockroom and then out a side door.
"Abbie!" Jenny yells as she shakes her sister's body.
Ichabod knelt down and took her pulse. "She's still alive."
"Is it magic?" Jenny check her for wounds, but finds none.
"Perhaps. We need to get her back to the cabin."
"Can you carry her?" Jenny asked before pulling out her gun.
"Yes."
He picks up Abbie and begins to walk. Truth be told, she is slight in stature and weighs next to nothing. Right now, he needs her to move. At this point, even a twitch will suffice, but she does neither and his heart constricts tightly. Losing her is not something he is willing to face. It is simply not an option.
Jenny searches the table and realizes that the octant is missing and curses under her breath as she quickly follows behind them. Hopefully, Nate won't be hard to find and they'll be able to track him. She decides to stop by to visit Irving later to see if he has any suggestions.
Ichabod's gaze drifts down to Abbie who looks so peaceful. He is worried. While he knows that she is still breathing, he has no idea how she had been incapacitated so thoroughly or even if it could be reversed. Jenny opens the car door and Ichabod carefully arranges Abbie in the back.
Jenny rushes into the driver's seat and heads back to the cabin. When Abbie still hadn't awakened when they arrived, he picked up his phone and called the last person that he wanted to engage with.
"Ichabod?" Katrina asked as Abraham looked at her warily.
"Katrina, I need your help," he said softly before laying out all the events of the last few hours.
While helping Abbie is the last thing Katrina wants, it is the right thing to do and Abbie has sacrificed a lot for her. "I'll be right there."
"What happened?" Abraham asked. Katrina had forfeited a lot for him when chose him and Henry over her own husband and that only made him love her more. After all, Katrina was never really meant for Ichabod anyway.
"Abbie was struck by some sort of magical spell," she said before grabbing a bag and shoving some items into it that she would need later. "I'll be back as soon as I can."
He stood and then lightly kissed her. It is weird being back in human form. Katrina and Henry had found a way to give him back his life and for that, he is truly thankful. The only problem is that someone will have to take his place as headless.
"Maybe I should go with you."
"I would like that," Katrina said.
Henry glanced at them from his spot at the desk. "Be careful."
He hadn't seen his father since the fight with Moloch which was probably all well and good. While they were bound by blood, the repercussions of his actions were still a cause of contention. Even though his mother is attentive and loving towards him, he knows that she doesn't trust him completely. A slow smile inched onto his face as he watched them leave. Trust is definitely something that he doesn't deserve.