A/N; Picking up where we left off in chapter one.

Disclaimer: I am no affiliate of the Sleepy Hollow series.

Chapter 2

As Abbie drove she contemplated why she was so open with Crane. She wanted to believe that it's because he is very coercive but thinking back on their conversation she couldn't detect any coercion in their exchange. Abbie shook her head smiling slightly, she silently told her self to accept the fact that Crane had become a trusted friend and ally so, that's simply why she was contented to confide in him.

As they neared the cabin; Abbie, still replaying the evening in her head when she remembered a very curious point in their conversation. She wasn't naturally inquisitive but she had to wonder what could have transpired the first time Crane 'did it' that caused him to harbor resentment towards himself. Curiosity got the best of her;

"So, whose virtue did you steal," she asked in jest. An unresponsive Crane causes her to steal a glimpse at him; Ichabod however had a very distressed look on his face.

"Its okay Crane you don't have to tell me if you don't want to" Abbie recanted.

"No no no lieutenant I wouldn't mind sharing my story with you, as you have trusted me to share yours, its only fair we are on equal footing." Ichabod assured Abbie. "It's just that my bladder, feels like its about to explode" he continued.

Abbie threw her head back laughing "that's what four beers can do" she sniggered still.

"Three and a half" Ichabod corrected her as he strangled the unfastened seat belt.

Abbie pulled up to the cabin and came to a stop, in a matter of seconds Crane was out of the car and at the cabin door, he disappeared inside before Abbie could turn off the ignition and exit the vehicle.

An amused Abbie took her time walking to and entering the cozy space. She always like how she felt oddly at home here. Abbie shrugged out of her jacket, threw it over the ratty sofa and unhitched her holster and gun placing it on the table.

Abbie headed to the kitchenette with tea in mind and as she was putting the kettle on, Ichabod rounded the corner bearing apologies about his discourteous departure, "that's okay Crane, you gotta go you just gotta go" Abbie interrupted him.

"I'm making tea, you want any" Abbie asked pointing to the kettle.

"Oh yes, thank you" Ichabod replied "but as you are the guest …to some extent, I should be the one servicing you."

A sudden cough escaped Abbie. "Are you okay lieutenant" Ichabod asked concerned.

It was clear to her his innuendo was unintentional," I'm okay" she replied, giving her throat a rub as Ichabod eyed her curiously.

"Why do you have to be so… gentlemanly all the time, its twenty fourteen Crane, lighten up."

"Maybe I am making up for times where I wasn't such a gentleman." Ichabod said stoically.

Abbie didn't expect an answer yet alone that one. She couldn't comprehend Crane not being a gentleman; never in her life did she want to pry into someone personal life as she did now;

"What do you mean; I can't see you being any other way than…you." Abbie pointed him up and down to emphasize her gist.

"I am answering the question you asked earlier." Ichabod replied

"What question?" Abbie asked slightly puzzled.

"The one my almost explosive bladder stopped me from answering."Ichabod reiterated.

Realization coming into Abbie's eyes; "its okay Crane, I told you, you didn't have to answer, I was just being nosy."

"Its all right lieutenant, I assure I am not telling you just to satisfy your curiosity, honestly it is something that has come back to plague me quite recently and I think talking about it might give me some reprieve." Understandingly Abbie nodded for him to continue but the whistling of the kettle drew their attention.

Conceding to her twenty first century argument Ichabod left the making of the tea to Abbie while he went to get changed.

Abbie placed two mugs of very fragrant jasmine tea on the coffee table as she waited for Ichabod to return; he did, more quickly than anticipated,

"How do you do that?" she asked a bit mystified.

"To what are you referring my dear lieutenant?" Ichabod queried slightly bewildered.

"How can you change clothes so fast I mean?"Abbie clarified.

Ichabod shrugged, "a talent that had come in handy in quite a few circumstances," Ichabod smirked.

"I don't even wanna know" Abbie replied as she lifted her hand in a motion of surrender.

Ichabod walked over to the couch smiling; a single eyebrow rose in inquiry as Abbie appraised him.

"You wear modern clothes well also." She answered his silent question.

Ichabod blushed faintly at her compliment "although I am certain most modern attire are of the devils own design, there a few comforting convenience among the lot." Ichabod assessed his pajama pants and long sleeve cotton shirt.

"Crane, learn to take a compliment without complaint" Abbie commanded as she sat reaching for her tea cup.

Ichabod nodded disconnectedly and copied her, taking the wooden chair adjacent to her; he too reached for his own cup, he wrapped his fingers around it enjoying the warmth. He watched Abbie take a sip; slightly captivated by her appreciation of the beverage, the way she closes her eyes, her moany sigh at the taste.

Abbie's reverie was disrupted by the sound of Crane clearing his throat, she eyed him curiously "you okay?" she asked.

"My throat became arid quite suddenly." He replied. Abbie lifted her cup imploring him to take a sip of the contents in his own.

"Ah yes"; he raised the mug to his lips. Abbie watched him; her brow scrunched pondering his peculiar behavior. She waited for him to finish before asking;

"So you gonna tell me what's been bugging you? Although Abbie still felt kinda weird discussing Cranes 'sex life'; learning that something about it was bothering him naturally made her want to help.

"Where do I begin?" Ichabod mused.

"At the beginning would be a good place." Abbie supplied impishly, but she added more seriously "no gory details though just who, what and why; if you can work with that." Abbie didn't think she could handle imagining crane in any compromising positions. She shook her head clearing the mental picture that began to form against her will.

"Of course not, it would be most ill-mannered to discuss at length the details to which you are implying and especially not with one of the fairer sex." Ichabod ranted hoping to dispel Abbie's qualms. Abbie nodded and waited for him to gain his bearings.

After a moment, Ichabod said, "Her name was Grace."