Hello again. I am here with the new chapter.

I want to thank: MissSparrow, GladeSistas, Misunderstood Evil, BleedmetoINSANITY, Sparrowlight and MidnaLovesLinktotheendoftime! Thank you all for your comments! :)

P.S: I apologize if Ichabod is a bit OOC…

Review replies to unsigned reviewers:

MissSparrow: Hello! Thank you for the review. I think you misunderstood my first author's note. This is going to be an Ichabod/OC story. And definitely not with Katrina into the mix. Not my sort of thing. It's just starting with Ichabod married to Katrina but it will end differently. Sorry if I confused you. :)

Sparrowlight: Glad to know that you like the new story, love. Thank you so much and I hope you'll continue reading this! :)

Disclaimer: I do not own Sleepy Hollow! I only own Christine and my DVD copy.

Chapter 3

The constable walked out of the bathroom and entered his bedroom, buttoning his vest. His eyes went wide when he saw his wife on a chair, putting new curtains on the windows. He shook his head and almost angrily walked towards her.

"Katrina…what are you doing up there? Get down immediately." He said almost sternly but with obvious worry in his voice. His wife looked down at him and scowled.

"I'm fine. I have to do something. I feel useless sitting in bed all day and night."

"You know you're not supposed to be doing this. The doctor said you have to rest if you want the child to be healthy." He said as he took hold of her hand and tried gently to make her get down from the chair.

"I am perfectly able to hang a couple of curtains!" she said stubbornly and he sighed.

"Where is Christine?" he asked with some edge and she sighed.

"Cooking. She has too much to do." Katrina said as she fixed the curtain properly.

"Yes, that's why we are paying her. Now get down. She can do it." He said but she shook her head. He looked at her for a few more minutes before walking towards the door. He opened it and called Christine. A few moments later the girl was up and into the room, a frown on her flushed face.

"Yes, sir?" she asked breathlessly from running up all those stairs.

"What is the meaning of this?" he asked calmly pointing at his now glaring wife.

'Um…she's hanging the curtains, sir." Christine stammered.

"And why is she doing this? You know, Christine that she can't do this kind of work. Why did you let her? She's stubborn but I thought you weren't so careless." He said and Christine was speechless. She had never seen him angry.

"Oh, for God's sake! Leave the girl alone! I wanted to do it. She tried to stop me." Katrina said as she got down from the chair and looked at him. He looked away from Christine who was looking embarrassed.

"Katrina…why do you insist on doing exactly the opposite from what doctors tell you? The same thing happened and the previous time!" he said loudly and Christine was dumbfounded.

Previous time? Where is the baby then? She wondered silently.

"They don't know everything. That time was…it was just bad luck. I feel fine." Katrina exclaimed and Ichabod sighed.

"I don't believe in luck. Either you're careful or you're not." He stated calmly and Katrina scowled.

"You never believe in luck or anything other than facts and science am I right?" she snapped, hands on her swollen stomach as Christine stood there, looking between the two and wanting to disappear.

"That's right. I also believe in reason and you're being unreasonable." He said as he walked to the closet and took out his coat. He put it on while Katrina threw her hands in the air.

"God! Stop worrying so much. It's not happening again." She said and he turned around to look at her in the eyes.

"We'll see about that." he said as he brushed by Christine and left the room, heading for his office.

Katrina stared after him, her eyes narrowed.

"He blames me you know." She said softly and Christine looked at her confused.

"I'm sorry, madam?" she stammered and Katrina looked at her.

"I lost the first baby. He doesn't say it but he thinks I'm responsible for it. He thinks I'm not careful enough. That I overwork my self." She said and Christine finally understood.

"I am sorry…but he's right. I can do whatever you want. That's why I'm here for." She said and Katrina smiled.

"Maybe but you're not a slave. The house is big. You can't run it on your own. I'm not as fragile as he thinks." She said as she took the chair and placed it neatly near the desk that was next to the window.

"He's just worried. It's reasonable." Christine said and Katrina nodded.

"I know that but he shouldn't be. I'm fine." She said as she walked out of the room, motioning to follow her.

"Let's take care of the garden now." She said with a smile and Christine followed her downstairs, feeling very weird and uncomfortable.

****************************

Christine was sitting in the kitchen, reading a forgotten newspaper when Katrina entered the room.

"Christine…"

"Yes?" she said, looking up from the paper.

"I'm going to the shops for a while. Could you bring some tea to my husband? Oh…and give him some of the cookies you made. He'll love them." She said and Christine nodded with a smile.

"Okay, I'll see you later." Katrina said, winking and leaving the room.

Christine put the paper away and prepared tea. She placed three cookies on a plate and took the tray towards Ichabod's study. She knocked and waited.

"Come in, Christine." He said softly and her eyes widened. She opened the door, holding the tray with the other and entered the candle lighted room.

"I brought you some tea, sir." She said with a smile as she placed it on his desk. He looked up from his book and nodded.

"Thank you." He said softly and she turned to leave.

"Wait…" he called and she stopped, turning to face him again.

"You have work?" he asked as he closed his book.

"Um…not right now…"

"Come and sit with me then." He said, pointing to the chair next to his desk. She blinked but obeyed nonetheless.

He took a sip from the tea and cleared his throat uncomfortably while she fumbled with her hands.

"Did you make these?" he asked as he took a cookie.

"Yes…"

He took a bite and smiled.

"Excellent." He praised and she smiled back.

"Um…I'm sorry for snapping at you earlier today…I apologize." He said almost shyly and she shook her head.

"No, it's okay. It was my fault in a way, sir. I should have insisted harder." She said and he shook his head with a bitter smile.

"If she wants to do something she'll do it. You can't stop her." He said softly.

"Obviously." Christine said and he chuckled, leaning back in his chair.

He turned quiet again and she looked at her lap. She rather liked his company. He never spoke too much, unlike the joyful chatter of his wife. But it suited him in a way.

"She was seven months when she lost the first child. She came into labor too early…she…I mean the baby didn't survive." He said after a while and Christine looked up at him.

"I am sorry…but everything will be fine now." She said with a smile.

"I guess it will…I hope…" he said, sifting in his seat.

"Do you have someone, Christine?" he asked slowly and she looked startled.

"Me? No…no sir…" she replied with a shrug.

"So, you're free for the taking." He said chuckling and her eyes widened.

"Um…I guess." She stammered and he looked amused at her embarrassment.

"You blush more than me. I thought I held that benefit." He said and she laughed too.

"I better go check on the chicken…I mean food." She said as she quickly stood up and walked to the door.

"Thank you for the cookies." He called and she nodded before exiting the room, closing the door behind her.

Ichabod smiled and stared at the closed door for a long time. She was amusing to say the least and he liked it. If you didn't know that she was in the house you'd probably never find out about her. She always stayed in the kitchen or in her room when she was not needed. Her voice was quiet like her footsteps and her eyes were even brighter than the emerald stone on Katrina's ring.

Realizing the train of his own thoughts he shook his head and grabbed his book again.

"What am I thinking?" he muttered, shocked by his thoughts. He cleared his throat and started reading again, trying to block out those kinds of feelings. But could he?

End of chapter 3

Author's note: Thank you for reading! Please, please review! A few words are highly appreciated! Feedback is very much wanted! :)