Notes:

Though I really enjoyed Joe Corbin on the show, August Corbin did not have any children in this story. It is also assumed that though Jenny and Abbie were separated, they reconciled sooner than depicted on the show.

The following morning Abbie sat up abruptly in bed. Her eyes carefully searched the perimeter of the room until she was satisfied that no demons were present. She let out a heavy breath, and fell back against the pillows. For a while she lay with her eyes pointed toward the ceiling recollecting the previous day's events. She silently hoped that today would be much easier both mentally, and physically. Her legs were still sore from the previous night's battles, but she didn't mind really. It was exactly what she needed to remind her that this was all real. The previous night they had been engaged in a fierce battle with Moloch's minions, and opted to sleep at the cabin. She and Jenny shared the bedroom, while Crane took the sofa-bed in the great room. She cringed thinking about how ashamed he was after she had woken him the previous morning. Though she was certain he knew there was no reason to feel bad, he obviously did. He spent the majority of the day in his room, even going so far as to take his supper there. Come to think of it, the only time that he spoke to her all day was when they were chasing down a demon. She hoped today that he would put the matter behind him. Grabbing her clothes she headed off to the bathroom to wash up before getting dressed. Even though she bathed the night before, she could never bring herself to just throw on her clothes. She always felt that there were certain areas that could use a touch up. When she came out of the bathroom she realized Ichabod and Jenny were already outside. She grabbed a light sweater, and stepped outdoors to find Ichabod chopping wood, while Jenny cleaned her guns.

"Wow you two are up early, am I the only one feeling the effects from last night?" Abbie said to Jenny.

"No, I just came out here, and he was already up." Jenny responded nodding in Ichabod's direction.

Abbie walked over to Ichabod who was so enthralled with splitting wood that he didn't notice her coming until she was just in front of him.

"Oh Miss Mills, I did not see you there. Good morrow."

Abbie grinned shyly, "Good morning Crane, how long have you been at it?"

"A good while, I find it rather therapeutic. Would you like to try your hand?" He questioned holding out the axe.

"I don't know the first thing about splitting wood, besides are you sure you want me wielding an axe almost as long as me?" Abbie joked.

"I expect you'll fare quite nicely, and of course I shall be here to guide you through it." Ichabod looked towards the wood pile. "Let's see, first, we need to find you a good chump."

"Excuse me, I thought we were chopping wood not finding me a date, who, I might add, would never be a chump." Abbie stated.

"You misunderstand me Lieutenant, I take it chump now means a fellow of some sort, wherein in my time it is simply a block of wood. If however, it is taken to now mean a fellow who is likened to a block of wood, I would have to disagree with your previous assertion, having shared words with Mr. Morales." He fished through the pile for a sturdy piece of wood.

Abbie rolled her eyes not bothering to argue the point.

Ichabod placed the block upon the splitting post, and handed Abbie the axe. "Very well, the second thing you need to do is determine the appropriate distance for which to split the wood. Your arm wielding the ax should be fully extended upon impact." Ichabod started to reach for Abbie's waist to help her get into the appropriate position, but withdrew his hand at the last moment. Now that he was making a conscious effort to limit contact between the two of them, he was beginning to realize the freedoms he had taken with her. He often unwittingly touched, or grasped her body as if it were somehow acceptable, as if she was someone who belonged to him. It wasn't something he thought about, rather it simply happened naturally. He took a step back.

"If you would stand here." He said pointing to the space he wanted her to occupy. Jenny shook her head as she looked up from cleaning her guns.

"Very well, now I will have you spread your feet a shoulders width apart, and recheck your distance to ensure that it is accurate." Ichabod stepped beside Abbie, and looked on as she made sure her spacing was correct.

"Like this?" She asked.

"Perfect, now finally, you are prepared to split the chump." Abbie lifted the axe up high into the air, swinging it behind her back.

"Miss Mills you needn't hold it that far behind your head, it is merely a piece of wood, not an entire tree trunk." After briefly trying to explain to Abbie the proper way to hold the axe, Ichabod stood behind her putting his arms around hers showing her how to lift it straight up into the air. His pulse quickened as her familiar scent invaded his olfactory senses. Flashes of his dream crept through his mind, visions of her cries as he entered her, the noise the headboard made as it clanked against the wall, the way she felt surrounding him, the joy he felt inside of her. His mouth involuntarily moistened, as he strove to ward off such thoughts. Abbie concentrated on holding the axe steady, but it was difficult as the feel of him barely touching behind her caused the hairs on the back of her neck to rise, and her breath to flatten. She blushed at the increased wetness between her thighs. She was becoming more accustomed to it, as simply standing close to him, or hearing his voice could cause her to become wet, but she still felt embarrassed. So much so that she had even lied, and told Jenny that she'd misplaced a box of panty liners they had recently purchased, too ashamed to tell her that she was using them every day, several times a day, just to keep her panties dry.

"Now straight down with it." He instructed. Abbie followed his direction, and heard the crack as she cut cleanly through the wood.

"Whew, that was kind of exhilarating, pretty cool." She chimed.

"And on the first attempt, you should be quite pleased." Ichabod added.

"As should you, you taught me well, load up another one I'm ready," she said extending her fist to bump Ichabod's. He extended his fist to bump hers, but then quickly averted his eyes. He was acting really strange, it seemed as though he was doing everything in his power not to look at her, like she wasn't even there. She began to wonder if he would rather be alone right then. If perhaps she was disturbing him from something he enjoys doing on his own.

"Ahem" Ichabod and Abbie turned to see Jenny standing in front of them with her hands resting on her hips.

"Having fun?" she asked Abbie with a tinge of sarcasm in her voice.

"A little." Abbie shot back somewhat defensively.

"Great, are you guys' hungry?" Jenny questioned.

"I certainly could eat?" Ichabod responded hastily. His dream was still all too fresh in his mind, he needed time away from Miss Mills to recollect his thoughts. To be near her, was to want her.

"Me too," Jenny replied. Abbie would you like to join me in the kitchen."

"I was actually…" Abbie briefly deliberated whether she wanted to question Crane about his peculiar behavior.

"Sure I'd love to help." She decided after seeing the disappointed look on Jenny's face.

"What is this about?' Abbie asked as soon as they entered the kitchen.

Jenny pulled a few eggs, and a carton of egg beaters out of the refrigerator. "I'll give you two hints. He's roughly 6'2, incredibly handsome, and married."

Abbie handed her a medium sized bowl out of the cupboard. "That's three hints, C'mon Jen how many times are we going to go through this?" Abbie asked slightly annoyed. Jenny had been questioning her for months about what she considered to be an increasingly disturbing level of affection between her and Ichabod.

Jenny stopped what she was doing "That depends on how many times you're going to lie to me about it," she scolded.

"I didn't lie" Abbie said washing her hands. She turned off the faucet and hung her head as she dried her hands with paper towel. Her sister hadn't said anything but she could feel her eyes boring into her, she lifted her head.

"Okay I lied, I admit it, I lied, but I didn't know what to say or what to do. I barely understand the feelings that I'm having Jenny, how can I explain them to someone else." She questioned.

Jenny moved closer to her. "You didn't have to explain them to someone else Bells, it's just me. I am you, you are me, we are"

"—All we've got." Abbie finished her sentence. "I know, I know," Abbie shook her head "I just thought that maybe…maybe it's not such a big deal, or that maybe I could wish these feelings away." She sighed. "Only it hasn't been happening that way. "I don't know what you want me to say, you already know how important he is to me." She confessed. "I care about him."

"And?" Jenny stared at her.

Abbie looked at her crazily "And that's it, period. He's married, end of story." Jenny and Abbie communicated with their body language just as much as they did verbally from the time they were very young. Jenny twisted her head to the side indicating that she wasn't quite sold on her sister's story. Abbie looked her in the eye, and gave a slight nod of affirmation.

Jenny shook her head. "Okay, but Bells if you could only see the way you look at him, how can you be so sure? I've never seen you look at anyone that way. That coupled with the way he's always fawning over you is a recipe for disaster."

Abbie's eyes lit up. "You think he fawns over me?" Her voice filled with an air of hopeless enthusiasm.

"Ugh, do you see what I mean?" Jenny sighed, causing Abbie to giggle.

Jenny began stirring the egg mixture. It's beside the point, hand me the milk. The point is, he has a wife who you guys are trying to rescue from purgatory. What do you think will happen when you do? Men like Ichabod, as rare as they may be, will always choose what's right over their own desires, and I don't want to see you do something that you regret, or get hurt." Jenny advised.

"Okay little big sister, you think I don't know that. First, we are just friends, so there is no expectation, and there is no choice. He's in love with his wife. Second, even if he shared similar feelings, which he doesn't, I would never want him to change, or do something so outside of who he is for me. I wouldn't want that, and I would never ask it of him. But as I previously said the entire discussion is moot, because I am alone here."

Jenny moved closer to her sister. "You're never alone, you've got me." Jenny promised.

Abbie took a quick recess from the pan in front of her to lean her head onto her sister's shoulder. "I know I do."

Jenny returned to chopping vegetables. "Do you think part of it is that you can't really see or date anyone with how chaotic your life is now? I mean I know I feel that way, there's no time, and it just wouldn't be fair. Maybe you're just missing that part of your life, and your feelings for Icky are a way to compensate for that loss. If that's the case there's definitely an easy remedy." Jenny offered.

Abbie grabbed some turkey sausage, bacon, and jam from the refrigerator. Abbie made a lot of modifications to her diet for the sake of staying fit, but bacon she never compromised on.

"Well while I completely agree that my love life is undeniably over, I'm not sold on the whole I'm sublimating my lack of a love life with feelings for Crane. I think it has less to do with that, and more to do with the fact that..well he's kind, I mean he would go to the ends of the earth to help a complete stranger, and he's practically a genius, and you know I have a thing for smart men. Not to mention he's handsome, funny, quirky, and on top of all that he can be a little bit of an asshole, which renders him completely attractive. If all of that wasn't enough…sometimes when he looks at me," Abbie held her hand to her chest "I forget to breathe. Not like my breath hitches or gets caught, it actually stops flowing altogether. But hey, let's hear it Jung junior, if things are as you believe, what's the fix?" She questioned.

"Here's the problem; for you relationships, love and sex have always been blended. You have to learn to separate things. You don't have to seriously date a man just to sleep with him." Jenny stated.

Abbie's eyes raised, and her mouth opened instinctively. "Sex! That's the big solution—sex. Wow, why didn't I think of that." Abbie said mockingly, "I just need to get laid. Honestly I umm…I think it's bigger than that, and I just decided I'm not having this conversation right now."

"Maybe if you talked a little more about it you wouldn't be having this problem. You know maybe if you would have had more than a total of two lovers."

Abbie stopped turning the sausage and looked up from the skillet. "Seriously this conversation is over."

"Fine." Jenny said

"Fine," Abbie agreed. She returned her attention to the food she was cooking and counted backwards in her head three, two, one.

"I mean seriously Bells what woman at our age has only bedded two men?"

Abbie shook her head. "Here we go."

I'm not attacking you, but it's clear a love life doesn't fit well with what you've been called to do, and I'm sorry you have to go through that, particularly since you didn't have more fun when we were younger, but it doesn't mean you can't have a healthy sex life now." She insisted.

"I am certainly not having sex with some random guy, I can't imagine it, it's not my idea of a good time, and I know myself, the probability of me enjoying it with some stranger is slim to none." Abbie retorted.

"I'm definitely not saying just sleep with some random guy; instead find a decent guy who isn't interested in a relationship beyond a sexual nature. I mean c'mon, it's really not that hard." Jenny offered.

"I bet." Abbie laughed, "I hear you, I understand what you're saying, and though I don't think it's plausible, I'll give it some thought. Now can we move on?" Abbie questioned trying to put an end to the unpleasant discussion.

Jenny nodded her head. "Of course, that's all I want is for you to consider it, don't close yourself off to other men, for someone who literally has someone waiting on him."

"No I get it, the ridiculousness of it, I totally do, but..

"But? But what?"

"Honestly Jen, right now the thought of someone else touching me besides… you know who, is a little repulsive. How twisted is that" Abbie grimaced, "He's a married man." She added scrunching her nose up in complete confusion.

Jenny nodded. "Married to a witch at that, and you've seen what he's working with, hell you already know she isn't gonna let that go—even after two-hundred years. I'm sure all of those memories stuck with her. Hell I'm surprised she hasn't broken herself out of purgatory." Jenny joked. They both began laughing until they worked themselves into hysterics. Abbie regretted not letting Jenny in sooner, she always knew how to make her feel better. Ichabod entered the kitchen and poured himself a glass of water.

"What a sumptuous aroma!" He glanced at the sisters, "And what might you two lovely ladies be discussing, causing such an uproarious state?" He questioned taking a gulp of his water.

"Penises." Jenny deviously smirked at Ichabod causing him to gag on the fluid in the back of his throat, and spew out half of his mouths contents.

"Ahem, ahem, ahem. "He coughed leaning over the sink.

"Are you okay?" Abbie questioned growing concerned.

"I'm fine, I've only just realized—ahem, that I need to sever more fire wood." He said briskly retreating from the kitchen.

Abbie turned around shaking her head at Jenny who was all too pleased with herself. "Why? Why do you torture him?"

"I'm sorry but it's so easy, and too much fun. Did you see his face?" She laughed.

A few weeks later

Ichabod leaned back in his seat peering out of the car window. It had been nearly three weeks since what he'd come to regard as the most embarrassing moment of his life had transpired. That moment was only made worse by Miss Mill's insistence that there was no cause for his shame, and there was a "perfectly plausible biological explanation for your uhhh- for what happened this morning." She didn't know the half of it. If that wasn't injury enough, the following morning Miss Jenny made several snide comments that made it impossible to lay the regrettable experience to rest. And when he finally mustered up the courage to ask her why she found such joy in chastising him, she asked him if he wanted the kinder version or the hard dick. She'd erupted in laughter, as he felt his cheeks start to burn. After that he felt as though he was on constant guard. He realized that though he couldn't repress his feelings for Miss Mills in his sleep, he could work to control them when he was conscious, and he did. He couldn't believe it when he read that roughly half of all the country's marriages end in divorce. It's really quite preposterous he thought. Why certain people bothered with getting married at all was beyond him. He'd seen the way things were projected on television programming. Men and women alike were using misconstrued notions of fairness, and happiness as justification for their own selfish indulgences. Nonetheless it did make for a most enjoyable television viewing experience. In fact, last Sunday he'd watched Cheaters for nearly five hours in one sitting, it was actually quite addicting. "I didn't mean for this to happen" or "It was an accident" they would all proclaim. One thing he knew for sure was that no one ever accidentally had an affair. It is always a decision, and there is always a moment of choice. A moment when you decide whether the love and life you've built, and nourished with your spouse is worth protecting, and preserving. At any rate whatever choice is made, it would seem most sensible that your spouse be the first person informed of it. Since the dream, Ichabod took great measures to keep more effective boundaries between him and Abbie. He only looked at her when absolutely necessary and even then, never for too long of a period. He opted to read in the den or his sleeping chambers, instead of in the family room. It seemed that things were going much smoother since these measures had been implemented. However, she still haunted his dreams, sometimes elicit, other times not, but always inappropriate. Whether it was spoken, or not, in those dreams it was always clear that they were in love, as he would kiss and hold her freely. The glorious morning sun was always most unwelcome, how he dreaded greeting the new day, leaving barren all which he had throughout the night.

"Miss Mills, I believe we missed our turn back there, and to the right"

"Oh yeah I forgot to tell you I need to make a quick stop—I mean, a few quick stops before we head home. I shouldn't take too long, but if you have something you need to do I can take you home first." Abbie stated.

'No. I have no problem with accompanying you on a few errands, I merely thought that we missed our turn."

Abbie pulled into the parking lot of a local floral shop, and put the car in park.

"I'll be right back." She stated grabbing her purse before exiting the vehicle. This day seemed to only be getting worse. For weeks now Ichabod had been acting really distant. She had already asked him twice if she had done something to offend him, and each time he reassured her that she hadn't. Still there was just something amiss in the way they related to each-other lately. She noticed that he kept conversations with her very concise, and rarely ever joined her in the playful banter they used to enjoy. Somewhere inside of her she knew that he was still her dear and true friend, it just rarely ever felt like it.

Abbie entered the floral shop, and begin browsing for the perfect arrangement. Today was Corbin's birthday and she wanted to leave some flowers at his grave. With everything that had transpired since his death, she felt that she hadn't had the chance to grieve him properly. It was doubtful that she ever would.

"Evening, something I can help you find dear?"

Abbie smiled at the older women standing before her. Yes ma'am I'm looking for a nice arrangement with tulips." No, on second thought lilies." Abbie reconsidered briefly then decided again. "Tulips."

"Why don't we do both?" The woman asked.

"Okay." Abbie agreed.

"If you don't mind me asking who are they for, and is it for a special occasion?" She asked

"Uhh. They're for" Abbie saw quick flashes of Corbin stemming from her first encounter with him to his untimely demise. "They're for my dad, it's his birthday." Abbie stated trying to keep her composure.

"Oh, well then, we ought to make these extra special. Aren't you a sweet girl getting these flowers for your father, always seems like the mothers get all the flowers."

Abbie smiled politely as the woman started putting together the arrangement. The old lady worked quickly adding, and sometimes taking away various flowers, and colors. "Well what do you think?" She asked bearing a wide smile.

"I love them, they're perfect" Abbie responded.

Flowers in tote she felt a great heaviness come over her on the way back to the car. Jenny was off only God knows where chasing down a lead. Ichabod…well just wasn't himself anymore, and today further cemented the fact that Corbin was gone forever. She felt more alone than she had in a very long time. There was a time when she didn't mind being alone, in fact she welcomed it, but after living through all she had these last few years she wanted the people she held dear close.

She got back in the car, and Ichabod as per usual didn't even acknowledge her existence. However, she didn't waste any time dwelling on it as her mind drifted a thousand miles away. They rode to the cemetery in complete silence.

"I'll be back in a few." Abbie informed him hopping out of the car. She started walking down the curved gravel road when she heard Ichabod following behind her.

"I thought perhaps I should accompany you." He stated, standing with his hands locked behind his back. Abbie raised both eyebrows. Even though you've been completely aloof when communicating with me, you have the nerve to still try to be overbearing because you think I might be in some kind of danger. She thought. She had noticed that he been watching her more closely than usual when they were working. If they were fighting against monsters, demons, or humans in league with them, it seemed to be getting to the point where he paid more attention to her wellbeing then his own. She began to deeply resent it, and wondered if it had something to do with the way he'd been acting. She could hold her own as well as any man, but for whatever reason he seemed not to trust that she could. He doubted her, she thought, and she had given him no cause to. She didn't need a babysitter, or some strong man to swoop in, and rescue little defenseless Abbie every time things got tough. I'm a police officer, I do the rescuing.

She put her hands in her pocket, to shield against the unusually nippy air. "You thought wrong Crane, I've got this. You can just wait in the car." She ordered while backpedaling down the road.

"But Miss Mills we shall soon lose the sun, and I would find it more comfortable if I were by your side." Ichabod pleaded.

"Well that makes one of us, because I sure wouldn't. There aren't any goblins, or monsters out here, and this isn't business. It's personal and private, and I don't want you to come with me, so please just wait in the car." She demanded with a look of disgust, and fatigue spreading across her face.

She felt a bit bad for being so mean to Crane, but it seemed as if all of her anger towards him just began spilling over. It's not like he wanted to come with her out of friendship and support, he probably just offered to come out of some warped notion of nobility. Besides it seemed like he was already questioning her ability to hold her own, and the last thing she needed was for him to see her fall apart. She kneeled down, and removed the old dead flowers from Corbin's vase, before placing the new arrangement in it. "Happy Birthday. I bet you thought I forgot, with everything that's going on, but no chance old man. I have so much to tell you I don't know where to begin."

Ichabod watched from a distance as Abbie sat beside the grave. At first he wasn't certain who she had come to visit, but then quickly remembered seeing Corbin's obituary. Today's date was listed as his birth date so he was relatively certain that's who she'd come to visit. His heart hung heavy after their frosty exchange. She was so angry, and spoke to him with such venom and animosity. He knew that she had grown weary of his detached and unsociable mannerisms, but he was doing all he could to evade his true feelings for her. Unfortunately for him, it wasn't working, as she seemed to possess his thoughts and dreams more than ever. He could see her wiping tears away, and just that vision broke him. He instinctively started moving closer to her.

"I'm trying to do what you told me to, you know smile more, worry less, and…..it works …..sometimes,…..I think," her voice began cracking, "it would be a lot easier if I didn't miss you so damned much." Abbie sobbed. "I think about you all the time, and everything you've done for me. I used to watch you, you know, the way you were with the little league kids, the way you supported, and encouraged them every inning no matter what. I would watch you and I would think wow, it's such a shame he never had kids because he would've been really great at it. I used to think that you would have been the best dad that anyone could hope for. Now that you're gone, I've realized that…you did have kids. I know you aren't my biological father, but you were there for me in every way that counts, and I know you were there for Jenny." She cried. "I want you to know how much I love and appreciate you for that, and I'm so sorry I didn't tell you all of this sooner. The only place that I ever felt safe was with you. That's what a parent does, they make you feel safe, and you did that for me. What really sucks is that I didn't even recognize the feeling, that security, until it was gone. I am …..scared. All the time. And I'm not sure that I can pull this thing off without you. So if there is any light, or guidance you wanna cast down, please do. Abbie closed her eyes and whispered softly to the ground as her tears slipped from her face into the cool soil. "I love you; I miss you, until we meet again."

Abbie rose to find Ichabod standing less than a few feet away from her. "Of course he didn't stay in the car, why would he, I only asked him to." He reached into his jacket pocket and withdrew a tissue. Abbie wiped her tears away with her hand.

"No thanks I'm fine."

Ichabod extended his arm further trying to offer her the Kleenex. "Lieutenant please." He pleaded.

"No." She reiterated. "And I thought I asked you to wait in the car." She scolded drying the last of her tears against her hand.

"That you did." He replied.

"Then why, may I ask, aren't you in said car?" Abbie asked starting to move past him.

"Miss Mills." Ichabod said reaching out and grasping a hold of her forearm. She pulled her arm away just as he grabbed it, but stopped walking nonetheless. She looked up at him, waiting for him to say something, anything that could help her to understand the way he'd been acting. Ichabod looked into Abbie's swollen brown eyes, and could tell that she was searching for answers and explanations he simply did not have. He couldn't tell her how much it pained him to see her in so much grief. He could never relay how badly he wanted to make her feel better. How he longed to take her home, run her a hot bath, and catch every tear that fell from her eyes with his lips. It wasn't that he was at a loss for words, rather he could not say the ones he thought.

Abbie, having grown impatient, shook her head against his silence and started towards the car. She felt his hand around her belly first. Second, her forward motion suddenly ceased as she felt herself being pulled backwards into his arms. Her eyes closed as she winced at the joy, pain, love, and anger she felt being locked in his embrace. Her head fell back against his chest as her hands found his, and she struggled to pry them loose from her abdomen.

"Let go." She managed to say through clenched teeth. Her eyes reddening and filling with water all over again. Ichabod reluctantly released her. She pushed away from his arms, turning around to face him, a mix of wonder and irritation blanketing her face. He reached for her, but she slapped his hand away. His arms sought her out again, this time not to be denied. He wrapped her in his embrace, holding her close as her tiny frame finally stopped struggling and gently shook against his. After a few minutes her whimpers subsided, but he held on to her still, rubbing his hands up and down her back, serving as a plethora of tiny apologies. He whispered his regrets for the loss of her former captain, and mentor into the top of her head.

They stood this way for what seemed like forever, after a while Abbie dried her tears and pulled herself out of his arms.

"Wait," she pushed her hair out of her face "so does this mean, what, we're like suddenly friends again?" she asked, her voice was filled with hurt, and still raw from all the crying.

Ichabod slightly cocked his head to the side. "Abbie, I have remained your faithful and true friend since the day our alliance was forged, and I shall remain so evermore." he assured her brushing the single remaining tear from her cheek. He knew this part of her existed, this softer side hidden beneath a brigade of defenses, only so rarely he saw it, that it was easy to forget that it was there at all. He silently chided himself for allowing his private feelings to harm their friendship.

"But you barely speak to me, unless it's regarding work, I just…..I don't understand. Did I do something?"

"Positively not, Abbie you have done nothing wrong." He looked off into the approaching darkness. "I have been struggling with my own demons, so to speak."

"We both struggle with demons, it's what we do." She says gazing up at him, "I just don't get why you wouldn't share it with me. You are my closest friend, if there is something bothering you I want to help, I want to be there for you, but you have to let me." Abbie reasoned.

"I admire your loyalty and value your friendship more than I could ever say, but I fear it is something that I shall have to contend with on my own." Ichabod stated placing a hand around her arm.

Abbie raised her voice. "You know what forget it." She said shrugging away from his touch and throwing her hands up.

"If you want to go it alone be my guest, but you don't have to treat the people around you," she pressed her fingers into his chest, "People that care about you, like they don't matter, like they don't exist." She felt such a fool as she stood there wondering when he became so important to her. How could she allow someone else's presence in her life to become so pivotal?

Ichabod felt like Abbie's words had grown hands and fingers, and were reaching inside of his chest physically squeezing his heart. He couldn't stop thinking about how she didn't deserve any of this, and how she shouldn't have to feel the way she felt right now.

"Abbie please, it was never my intention to make you feel that you are of less importance to me than you actually are. Your friendship…..you mean more to mean than I can say. It is merely… how can I relay this? Have you ever cared very, very deeply for someone and not been able to express it. Have you ever longed for something so intensely that it haunts your dreams, even though in your waking life it is unattainable?"

A light bulb went off in Abbie's head. He misses his wife, of course he misses his wife. That's why he's been acting so withdrawn lately.

"Crane, I know things have been difficult, and I can't pretend to understand what you're going through, but listen to me, we are going to free Katrina. I promise that I will do whatever I can to help you get your wife back. I am so sorry that you've been suffering through this all alone, of course you're heartbroken. But you have to keep the faith, we'll get it figured out, I promise." Abbie pledged gripping Ichabod's hand. She felt terrible that she had been so caught up in her own thoughts, and desires that she couldn't recognize how much pain he'd been in. He went to sleep married, and awoke here alone. He needed the comfort of his wife, and she was going to help him get her back.

Ichabod gave her hand a gentle squeeze, and found that he had no desire to release it, though he did. He'd spent countless hours trying to devise a plan to free Katrina from purgatory, he swore to find her, to free her, and he intended to do just that. Still hers was not the love he craved, and her face was not the one that haunted his dreams. He couldn't share these thoughts with Abbie, so he allowed her to believe as she may. He did however resolve to be strong, and find another way to escape the nuances surrounding his feelings for her. But this distance, his withdrawal from her presence, and their friendship hurt her, and as such it would not suffice.

"Miss Mills your hands are freezing, are you cold?" Ichabod questioned.

Abbie nodded her head, "A little, we should probably head back."

Ichabod removed his jacket, and wrapped it around Abbie's shoulders. "Crane I'm fine, really." She protested.

"Very well, now you'll be fine, and warm," he smiled. While walking back to the car Abbie accidently dropped her car keys, as Ichabod bent down and picked them up, he noticed a small patch of dandelions and couldn't resist.

"For thy lady," he said bowing in front of her and offering her the weeds. She accepted them giving him a small smile.

"I know that they are not much, but I can assure you that they are cootie free." He promised.

Abbie laughed. "How are you so sure, did you get the cootie shot? They chuckled for a brief moment.

"Miss Mills, I think it best that I drive us home this evening." Abbie thought of telling Ichabod that she was fine, and perfectly able of getting them home in one piece. But truthfully, she was dog-tired, and he was every bit as capable of a driver as she was. She and Jenny had spent a great deal of time teaching him how to drive, and by the time he took his driver education road test he was a pro. As they made it back to the car Ichabod walked over to the passenger side to open the door for Abbie.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" She spit out so rapidly that it all sounded like it was one word.

"Lieutenant, you've had a long day, I'm merely trying to be helpful."

Abbie folded her arms, "All things being equal if I were a man, would you be opening my car door right now? Ichabod was silent for a brief moment.

"But you are not a man, and as I previously said you have had an exceedingly long day, so would you rather stand here bickering with me, or would you prefer to enter the vehicle."

Abbie smiled. "Just as I thought, get in the car, Crane." She closed the door, and reopened it before climbing into the seat. Ichabod scoffed at her stubbornness but did as she requested, and slid into the driver's seat. As soon as he got into the car he noticed Abbie was leaned back in her seat with her eyes closed.

"Miss Mills," he whispered "What would you like to eat?"

"You choose Crane?" She answered not bothering to open her eyes.

"I understand. I will stop and procure something for us on the way home." He said softly. Abbie smiled to herself excited that the invisible wall between she and Ichabod had finally been lifted. She sat listening as Angel Haze's Vinyl played through the car radio. "You know I searched the galaxy to find you, we're in love, we're at war, play my song, turn it up, turn it up", she had fallen asleep before the end of it. When they finally arrived home the stars were brightening the dark sky and Abbie was quietly snoozing. He looked over at her pleased at how restful and relaxed she appeared. He had heard her say before that she could never fall asleep in a car when someone was driving, not even Jenny, actually she had said especially not Jenny. Not because of reasons of lack of comfort, but because she never trusted anyone to pilot the vehicle while she slipped into a state of unconsciousness. Somehow looking at her now he knew it was important that she had that ability with him. That she trusted him to carry her home safely, and he was honored that he could. He nudged her shoulder. "Lieutenant, we have arrived home."

"Oh..okay." She said lazily trying to will her eyes to open. Before she was able to remove her seatbelt Ichabod had grabbed their food, and made it around to the passenger side to open her door. This time she didn't bother putting up a fight because she was beyond tired, and honestly didn't have any fight left in her. So after he closed the door and offered her his arm, she took that too. She even rested her head against him a little on the way to the door.