Disclaimer: I do not own Sleepy Hollows
A/N: I changed the name from Paintball to Past Witch or Future Lieutenant because I'm making more chapters. There will be 2 more chapters to come because of reviews asking for more. I love you all! Thank you so much!
Ichabod had contented himself with his position in Lieutenant Abbie Mills's life, her best friend, confidant, and occasional protector. She seemed unaware of his feelings for her that he harbored quietly but were growing every day. They were out at a bar, their usual haunt, drinking their sorrows away after a long hunt; Ichabod became suddenly painfully aware of the eyes that had been drawn to Abigail's hunched form. She had spent a lot of time in this bar by his side, but not once had a man approached their vulture appetite for female affection thwarted by Ichabod's presence. His lanky bookworm body was tired from their fight and his old war scars were sore but his presence had kept the lurking men away until the first, and clearly bravest, approached. Liquid courage in his hand, the man leaned next to Abbie against the bar. "Hello beautiful." The man smirked flirtatiously at her. Her alcohol soaked brain sent faulty signals to her, Ichabod assumed, because she shifted closer to her partner.
"I have a gun. Go away." She mumbled. He looked abashed for a moment before looking between Abbie and Ichabod before deciding that his conquest was not yet finished.
"Do you have cuffs to match?" He asked grinning and giving her an appraising look that made Ichabod's fists clench in white fury.
"I have a badge that makes the whole set." She growled.
"Oh are we going to play cops and robbers?" He purred moving closer to her.
"We will play I shoot you in the foot if you do not leave Miss Mills alone." Ichabod leaned closer to Abbie, his height giving him an imposing look as if loomed protectively over the Lieutenant.
"I get your drift man. No need for the dramatics." He said holding his hands up, bit still held calmly in his hand before retreating. The two returned to their drinks before she left to the bathroom, leaving him alone at the bar. Of course, he was approached by a man, Ichabod tensed, expecting the worst as he turned to the man.
"Are you with that girl?" The man asked casually as he took a swig of his beer.
"Miss Mills would be better defined as a woman." Ichabod said.
"So you're not with her then?" The guy said.
"I am not with her now." Ichabod said motioning to Abbie's vacated seat.
"No I mean are you with her, are you and her together?" The guy was clearly becoming frustrated with Ichabod.
"If you mean to inquire whether or not I am courting Miss Mills, you need look no farther. Abigail is not interested in any man in this bar." He said firmly.
"So she's not with you then?" The guy was not trying to hide his frustration anymore.
"I believe I have already answered your inquiry." Ichabod looked down on the man. "Please leave me to drink in peace." He said as he resumed his drinking. The man, with one last doleful glance at Ichabod, left. Abbie returned shortly with a broad smile.
"A man asked me about you after I was done in the bathroom." Abbie said gleefully as she returned to her seat.
"To what did he inquire?" Ichabod asked curiously.
"If you are single." She smiled. Ichabod's thoughts flashed to Katrina before deciding he was single if Abbie was asking. Then Ichabod realized who had actually asked, the man who was now sitting a few chairs away and watching them curiously. Ichabod looked at the man; Abbie followed his eyes before turning back and nodding. That was the man. Ichabod really just wanted a quiet night of drinking and time with the woman he loved. She may not know how he felt and he was not planning on declaring his love any time soon, but he quite enjoyed spending time with her. Sometimes he even pretended she was his and that he could go home to her arms after a long day, the thought alone made him smile. He approached the man who shifted nervously.
"While I am quite flattered at your inquiry, I must inform you that I have eyes for only one." Ichabod said carefully. The man nodded.
"I figured, all the good ones are taken." He shrugged casually before moving on. Ichabod returned to Abbie feeling the need for her company. He had effectively thwarted her potential suitors and he was content.