A/N: Just so there's no confusion, this story is set one year from now. Also, happy new year!


The following day, Jenny set out to give Ichabod a bit of a makeover, not too over the top, just a change of clothes and a bit of grooming. Jenny had gone to the cabin to meet Ichabod. She had the feeling that Crane had a thing for Abbie, and she noticed it the first time they met over a year ago.

Katrina had passed on a few months ago, having finally acknowledged her wrongdoings and giving her soul up completely. The news had Crane on an emotional rollercoaster, but he eventually came to terms with the nature of the situation. Even though he loved Katrina, he found himself being comforted by Abbie more often, and he couldn't resist seeing her smile and hearing her laugh. Sometimes, when they would talk to one another, he would find his eyes straying to her. He shook the idea from his mind. He hadn't even heard Jenny speaking to him.
"Hey, Earth to Ichy. Are you there?"
"Oh, I am sorry, Miss Jenny, I was lost in my thoughts. What were asking?"
With a sly grin and raised eyebrow, she said, "I bet you were. Anyway, as I was saying, I am taking you to the mall to get you some new clothes, and maybe a haircut."
"You most certainly will not! I will agree to procuring new vestments, but I will not have my hair cut!"
"Whoa, calm down. If you don't want a haircut, at least get your beard trimmed."
"Fine. I will look into that. Shall we now be leaving for the mall, as you say?" The idea of him getting new clothes was not new to him, since Miss Mills had taken him shopping several times before, many time with unsuccessful results. But the idea of him getting a haircut, well, that was absurd! It would be the only thing left of his past, other than the garments that he had when he was resurrected, and he wanted to keep onto that. It was not a big deal, really, but he wasn't ready for that.
Once they had come to an agreement, Jenny took him to the mall at the center of town. He had been there with Miss Mills a few times, but he was weary of going there. If the Wal-Mart had been a surprise, the mall would be much more surprising.
They walked into a few stores, and while it was Jenny's mission to find something suitable for Crane, she couldn't resist finding something for herself. They eventually stopped at Macy's, where she had spotted some nice dress shirts, a few t-shirts, slacks, and a pair of jeans for Crane. She told him to go try them on while she went and tried on a few things herself. After about 10 minutes (Crane had tried on and decided on the clothes in about 5), Jenny walked up to him and looked a bit shocked.
"Hey, Ichy, you look pretty good. But I think we should get you a pair of shoes as well. We'll go in a bit, but let me just go and pay for these." So he changed back into his clothes, and handed them to Jenny to get them paid.
Since Jenny had been released from the institution, she had done a few odd jobs here and there, and had saved up a bit of money, enough to even move out. But she would be lying if she said she didn't want to stay with her sister. She had enjoyed staying with Abbie, and they had begun to get closer and opened up a bit more, though the banter between them never left. It was nice that they had found each other again, and were making up for lost time.
"I will wait." Ichabod had thought about what Miss Mills would think of his new outfit. His thoughts were interrupted when Jenny had come over with a few bags in her hands.
"Hey, watcha thinking 'bout there, Ichy?" He didn't really like that moniker, but it seemed only she could get away with it.
"Oh, Miss Jenny, you startled me. Well, I was, um, yes, I was going to..."
"Doesn't matter. Let's go to the shoe store. It's not too far from here." She had an idea of what he was thinking about, especially by the way he stammered and the dots of pink that appeared on his face.
He regained his senses and followed after Miss Jenny. She had spotted the shoe store and they walked in. She attempted to guess Ichabod's shoe size by looking at his feet, but his large stature and gangly figure made her give up. So she asked him to take off one of his boots so she she could measure it on one of those charts nearby.
"Why must I remove my boot, Miss Jenny?" He had an idea as to why, but in this modern era, he would appreciate clarification.
"I need it to get your shoe size. Don't worry, I'll give it back." She giggled a bit.
"Ah, well then, Here you go."
Apparently, Crane was a size 10. He had pretty large feet, so that would make sense. It didn't take long for Jenny and Ichabod to come to an agreement on what to buy him. She got him a pair of loafers. They had found a nice pair of chukka shoes in black that fit him well. She thought he could could pass off as a hipster, so the clothes and shoes would be fitting. Except for one thing.
"We need to get you a scarf!" That would top off his 'look', which she thought would suit him well.
"What? Why?" He seemed a bit confused, but for some time now, he seemed to be a bit more optimistic and open to fitting into the 21st century. He had seen some men of this day wearing scarves for fashion rather than comfort or necessity, bu the idea of him in one surprised him. But he had promised himself, and to the lieutenant that he would be more open to this century's changes.
"You would look really nice in one, and it will finish off your outfit, Plus I'm sure that Abbie will be surprised to see you in one." She gave him a sort of smirk when she mentioned Abbie, and his cheeks turned a bit pink again.
"Right, then. Let us venture off and find one of these scarves then." If she was not mistaken, Jenny could see a bit of a smile on his face at the thought that Abbie would be seeing him in new clothes she hadn't seen him in before. He was a bit skeptical at the beginning of the trip, but as it ended, his face lit up with excitement, both because he could imagine the lieutenant looking upon him in his new outfit, but also of seeing her in something other than trousers and a blouse. Abbie had worn a gown to the holiday ball, but he wanted to respectful. He would be lying if she didn't already find her stunning, but with her in the gown, he was left without words. But he remained silent, only simply telling that she looked quite nice.
They stopped at a small store not too far from the shoe store, and Jenny saw the perfect scarf for him.
"This one is perfect for you. It was a grey scarf with the ends torn.
"Alright then, as long as you and Miss Mills find it suitable for me, I will accept it."
She made the quick purchase, and she had decided that they should get something to eat. So, they went to the nearby food court and ordered a few slices of pizza, a water, and a soda. Just as Jenny was pulling out her wallet, Ichabod pulled his out and decided to pay for their food.
"It is my treat, Miss Jenny, as you have made the nice gesture of purchasing new garments for myself, it is only right that I pay for our food. It is the least I could do."
"Alright, well, thanks. But hurry up, I'm starving!" She could not be more right.
They sat at one of the tables and at their food. They didn't chat much, but Jenny could see Ichabod lost in his thoughts, and she just shook her head and laughed.
When they finished, they headed off to her car, and he set the bags in the trunk. Always the gentleman, he quickly made his way to the driver's door and held it for Jenny.
"Wow, I can see why Abbie likes you. Your chivalry makes her all giddy. And as we are both capable of opening the door ourselves, I don't think we mind. I can speak for the both of us in this instance."
She could just see the flush of red on his face at that moment. "Yes, well, I did promise Miss Mills to assimilate to this century, but some things never cease." His usually eloquent speech was slurred a bit out of nerves, and perhaps flattery.
The car ride to the cabin was met with a comfortable silence, but was interrupted by Jenny.
"So, Lemme get this straight. You like my sister, but you're still a bit set in your proper ways to say anything. And don't tell me this isn't true. I can see it from a mile away, and so can Abbie. But don't worry, I am pretty sure she feels the same way." She had a wide grin on her face as she glanced over at Crane in the passenger seat, fidgeting with the seatbelt.
"How do you- how does she know that?" He was a bit flustered, but managed to compose himself enough to not feel so embarrassed.
"Really? It's so obvious. The way you look at her, the way you smile when she smiles and laughs, and the way you seem to 'accidentally' touch her. The deal is, you're smitten with my sister. It's alright, Ichy, you have my blessing. But, I want you to treat her like a lady. You know what I'm capable of."
A warm smile grew on his face as he thanked her, despite still being a bit pink.
She dropped him off at the cabin, and he grabbed his bags and they said their goodbyes.
"See ya in a couple days! Remember what I told you!"