Title: Timeless

Author: Annaliesegrace

Vicissitude (n): a change or variation occurring in the course of something

Paring: Ichabod/Abbie

AN: I decided to start a word of the day fic for Sleepy Hollow because…why not! There wont be a new chapter each day but I'll try to update at least once a week. They wont be connected, all are independent one shots. Pairing will vary – mostly Abbie/Ichabod but some Joe/Jenny will slip in for sure, I'll put the pairing right at the top.

They had been so close, he had seen her in that terribly, lonely place while astral projecting. Though they hadn't been able to speak to each other in that moment it was if a weight had been lifted from him. His Abbie was alive and somewhat well and now she knew they were looking for her. It had energized his efforts, rewarded his faith that she was out there. Jenny had picked up on his enthusiasm and worked by his side relentlessly to figure out how to get her back to them.

It took a week to sort it all out, every minute of which had been pure torture for him, Jenny and even Joe – and for Abbie he had to imagine.

So now they stood in the masonic temple in a circle, Sophie included, each holding one item of Abbie and a bizarre Egyptian symbol painted on the floor. Crane wasn't even 100% sure it would work but after being able to see where she was being held he focused on Egyptian lore and incantations. Buried in a book deep in the archives he'd found, hopefully, what they needed.

On Crane's nod they all began reciting the incantation they'd memorized, focusing their thoughts on Abbie and picturing her with them.

For several moments he closed his eyes tightly until Jenny's breathless "Abbie" had Crane snapping them open to see Abbie flickering to life in front of them.

"Don't stop!" he commanded and they all continued, repeating the words louder and louder each time and with every passing minute Abbie's form became more real and solid.

"Crane…" her voice was weak but there and so, so sweet.

For a second he stopped and she faded just slightly.

"Almost there," he said, this time keeping his eyes open and watching. When his chest suddenly tightened and he felt all the energy drain from him somehow he knew that they had her back for good and stopped again, relieved when her form on the floor remained without so much as a flicker. Then whispered, "Abbie".

For a moment they all froze, unsure if this was real, if they had actually succeeded. Then Crane was on his knees, scrambling toward her even as Jenny moved toward her as well.

"Abbie!" he cried and pulled her desperately into his arms, unwilling to let go for even a moment. It had been a long seven weeks without her and he wasn't sure he would ever really let go of her again.

Then Jenny was squatting on the other side of her sister, hands running up and down Abbie's arms. Joe and Sophie stood several steps behind, watching – Joe's expression one of relief, Sophie's more confusion mixed with awe.

As soon as he had wrapped his arms around her, Abbie had curled into his arms, fingers digging into the material of his shirt even as her eyes darted around the room in near panic. He swore he heard his name pass her lips.

When they landed on her sister, Abbie relaxed and whispered "Jenny".

"Abbie…oh, Abbie," Jenny cried and hugged her despite Crane's arms still wrapped around his partner.

Again her eyes darted around, almost suspicious. "Is this real?" she asked in a wavering voice.

"Oh, very much," Crane replied and Jenny pulled away, leaving Abbie safely ensconced in Crane's arms.

The suspicion didn't leave her eyes even as she caught glimpses of Joe and Sophie, if anything the other people seemed to confuse her.

Then slowly one hand came up and she formed a tight fist, pointing it at Crane. A large smile graced his face and he returned the gesture, completing the fist bump with an open hand and quiet "pow".

And any misgiving left her expression as she released Crane, all but launching herself at Jenny, who pulled the woman into a long hug. "Oh, Abbie," she whispered into her sisters hair, both women had tears flowing freely down their faces.

By then Joe had crouched behind Jenny, one hand on her back providing support, the other clapped onto Abbie's shoulder.

"Welcome back," he said firmly and smiled widely, which she returned in kind.

"How…" Abbie started as she pulled away from Jenny.

"I think that is a discussion for another day lieutenant," Crane replied. "Right now I expect you need rest and food."

"Oh, food," she sighed happily. "I would love that."

"I propose we adjourn at your home, Lieutenant."

"Yes, please," she said and allowed Crane to help her stand, leaning on his much taller frame. She hadn't actually done anything but was exhausted nonetheless.

That was the moment her eyes landed on Sophie and she glanced up at Crane for guidance.

"Umm…Agent Foster has been…most helpful in the efforts to return you. Without her help I doubt we would have gotten this far." It was the truth; it was her insistence that the markings he had seen "over there" were Egyptian that set them in the right direction.

Abbie nodded. "Then thank you, Agent."

Sophie gave the other woman a half smile. "You're welcome."

"Come then," Crane instructed. "Let all of us continue this in a more comfortable environment." The "all of us" was clearly directed at Sophie and the woman nodded in acceptance.

As Jenny appeared to her other side, Abbie would have sworn she saw Joe's hand ghost over her sister's lower back, squeezing her hip a little too intimately. But she was far too damn tired to sort it out and filed the tidbit away for later.

"Joe's going to stop and grab food," Jenny stated.

"I'll go with," Sophie replied and looked at Joe. "If that's ok."

"Appreciate it," he said and turned toward Jenny. "See you in twenty."

It was both a command and confirmation born of something that had happened while she was gone. Jenny nodded.

She had missed a lot apparently.

"Are you up to walking to the car?" Crane asked and she bristled slightly.

"I'm not an invalid, Crane." But when she tried to move independently wobbled significantly, causing Crane and Jenny to reach out and steady her. "Though I might need some help," she amended.

Jenny and Crane shared a smile over her head; she was back.

The food was consumed quickly by all; the stress over the last few days had left even the earth-bound members of the team ravenous.

Abbie was curled up into the corner of the couch, a blanket slung over her legs, Crane next to her and Jenny beside him on the floor. Joe and Sophie were across the large coffee table in separate chairs.

Crane and Jenny seemed unwilling to leave Abbie's side for even a second so Sophie had cleaned up the takeout containers, bidding goodbye after she was done.

"Glad you have you back, Mills," she said while slipping on her coat. "I can buy you 24 hours to come up with a story but then Danny's going to need to know you're…" The agent struggled a second with the right word. Alive? Returned to the right dimension? "…back."

"Thank you," Abbie said, truly grateful.

Several minutes of silence ensued, the remaining team member's content to simply be together, something they hadn't been able to do in a long time. Besides, it felt far too early to start grilling Abbie about what had happened.

At some point Jenny moved across the floor just enough to be able to grasp her sister's hand – a confirmation of sorts that she was finally with them and this wasn't all a dream.

"I hate to be that guy, but I am seriously exhausted," Abbie finally said.

"Well, I'll take that as my cue," Joe said with a smile and stood, looking pointedly at Jenny. "I'll see you guys tomorrow."

"Ok," she said and stood, following him to the door with the pretense of locking it behind him. As they stood out of eyesight of Abbie or Crane she placed one hand on his chest and whispered, "She's back, Joe."

"I know," he smiled back. "Look, I'm on shift tomorrow starting at 3 so I'll come by before ok? But…call me in the morning, let me know how she is."

"Will do."

"Night Jenny," he said and pressed his forehead to hers.

"Night, Joe."

After he left she did lock the door and then checked the rest of the first floor entry points – old habits died hard.

By the time she circled back around to the living room both Abbie and Crane had started to doze off, Crane leaning into his partner. Jenny smiled, it had become obvious that Crane's feelings toward Abbie extended far past merely partners. They all knew it, she just wondered when the two of them would realize it.

For half a second she debated leaving them where they were but Abbie had just returned from another dimension and deserved to sleep in her own bed. So she leaned over the pair, carefully shaking them both.

"Hey, hey…guys."

It took several more good shoves before they woke, mumbling in annoyance.

"Off to bed with both of you, c'mon now."

Crane moved first, getting off the couch and holding out a hand to Abbie, who gratefully took it to pull herself up to standing.

Carefully they moved upstairs and Jenny followed Abbie into her room, assisting her in getting off the grimy clothes she had been wearing for weeks.

"Wanna shower?" Jenny asked.

Abbie considered it a moment but in the end the exhaustion won out. "I'll just wash up real quick and take a long, hot shower in the morning."

Jenny nodded and waited in Abbie's room for her return. Once her sister was tucked into the bed, Jenny leaned down and kissed her on the forehead.

"Night, Abs. I love you."

"Night, Jenny. Love you too."

As Jenny stood Abbie's hand popped out from under the blankets and grabbed her wrist. "Thank you, for getting me back."

"Every time Abbie. Every damn time. Now get some sleep."

"Can you send Crane in?"

"Only if you promise to sleep after."

"Promise."

"All right, I'll be on the couch if you need me."

Less than five minutes later the prim knocking of Crane announced his arrival.

"Come in, Crane," she mumbled, nearly back to sleep.

"Miss Jenny said you wished to speak to me."

Abbie twisted under the covers and looked at him before indicating for him to sit on the bed next to her. He looked distinctly nervous but did as requested, sitting equally primly on the edge of the bed by her hip.

"Crane, I…I cannot thank you enough. What you did…"

"We need you Abbie. You are that which binds our team, we would be lost without you." He paused and looked at her. "That is...not accurate. I would be lost without you. I was lost without you…these last weeks have been trying and…" Again he paused and let out an annoyed breath. "I am not expressing myself well."

Her hand covered his. "It's ok, I understand."

"I am most grateful that you do."

A sudden anxiety covered her face. "I wanted to ask a rather big favor."

"Anything."

"Stay with me tonight. I don't want to be alone right now; I've been alone more than enough lately."

"Abbie I do not know…would you like me to call Miss Jenny?"

"No, I don't need Jenny right now. I need you."

In the end it was the plaintive look on her face that made the decision, she looked lost and a little desperate. "Of course," he replied.

When he stood Abbie scooted back in the bed and pulled the covers back just enough for him to crawl in next to her. Initially he kept his distance, lying ramrod straight on his back next to her.

Abbie smiled to herself, typical Crane, but it was exactly what she needed. His presence but nothing more, so she reached out a small hand and twined it with his.

For the moment she was safe, warm and near the people she loved.

FIN