The next day Ichabod stood in front of his vanity with an olive bath towel wrapped around his waist. Tiny droplets of water still clung to his body as he pulled the towel from his abdomen and took it through his hair. Abbie had taken the liberty of laying out his outfit for Captain Irving's birthday celebration. She had a certain knack for pulling ensembles together, and he always appreciated it. Generally he saw to his own attire, but for certain events he thought it best to adhere to her suggestions. There had been a few occasions when he felt he was dressed and ready, only to have her send him back to his room to start again. This would be their first night out in a while, but not their first. Since his arrival in Sleepy Hollow, he and Abbie had frequented a few pubs, but Abbie informed him that this particular venue was more of a dance club. That unsettled him. Even though earlier Jenny had shown him how to do a simple dance called the two step, which essentially entailed stepping from side to side, he still felt a tad anxious about things. It was quite ironic considering that the dances from his era were much more complicated. Still Abbie had assured him that he would not be required to dance unless he so chose. She seemed most excited about the presence of a jazz club on the second floor of the establishment, as she'd openly hoped to have a chance to sneak away for a few minutes and enjoy some of the music.
After dressing, Ichabod sat out on the couch with a book to keep him occupied while waiting for the ladies. An hour later Jenny sauntered down the steps wearing a, form fitting, dark turquoise dress, which Ichabod immediately judged to be far too short.
"Miss Jenny you look quite lovely." He said peeking up from his book.
"Thanks Icky," Jenny smiled. She started towards the kitchen to grab some earrings she'd set aside when she noticed Ichabod staring at her with a strange look on his face.
"What, is there something else you want to say?"
"No, no of course not," Ichabod stated, returning to his book. What business was it of his how contemporary women chose to dress? His choice to bite his tongue lasted all of ten seconds.
"Do you suspect though that perhaps you might catch a chill, being so…scantily clad?"
"You think I'm scantily clad wait until you see Abbie!" Jenny laughed. Ichabod closed his book, and looked at Jenny with sheer amazement. Surely the Lieutenant's dress could be no more revealing than hers. At that moment Abbie centered at the top of the stairs, and Ichabod felt as if a gush of wind appeared from nowhere, and ripped through room taking with it all of the oxygen. He wanted to look away, he needed to look away, but as it were his eyes had forwarded his brain their immediate insurrection from his body, and did exactly as they pleased. And she was beyond pleasing. She wore a muted peach, strapless mini dress. The form fitting fabric clung to her hips with the ferocity of an overly spoiled child. Ichabod thought the dress tightened about her curves in the most flattering manner, deeply accentuating the already disparate ratio between her waist and hips. Her hair was styled in loose curls which she gathered to one side and let fall over her front shoulder. She was ravishing. Ichabod managed to close his mouth before rising to his feet. The peaceful expression that typically graced his features when he shared time with Abbie was nowhere to be found. The tension he was feeling tightened his jaws, and for a moment his eyes, fresh from their rebellion, threatened to reveal every secret he'd hidden from her.
"Miss Mills, you are…breathtaking." He said taking in every inch of her.
Abbie smiled "Thank you." He noticed that she stood taller, and looked down at the shoes responsible. Her eyes followed his.
"I can't remember the last time I got wear a pair of heels, it feels good." She looked back up at him. "You sir, don't look too bad yourself."
Ichabod looked down at his jeans, and T-shirt and straightened his jacket. "Oh this, I suppose it is rather well put together, I would offer to put you in contact with the lady who clothes me, but she really is very busy."
Abbie laughed, and turned to grab her clutch. "Is that right? Well clearly she knows what she's doing, you should listen to her."
"I do, at every turn." He beamed with a little twinkle in his eye.
No matter how he tried, Ichabod's eyes seemed not to want to fix upon anything except for her, and it struck him all of a sudden that he might not be the only man who would meet with such problems.
"Miss Mills" he called after her.
"Yeah," she replied, stepping back out of the kitchen.
"Are you to wear a shawl?" He asked.
"Uhh, I hadn't planned on it, why?" She questioned. Out of the corner of his eye Ichabod could see Jenny's disapproving glower.
"No particular reason, I merely thought it might get nippy." He responded.
As soon as they arrived at the club Ichabod discovered that the night was going to be every bit as long as he imagined it would. The trio walked in to the blaring of J Cole's She Knows and Abbie and Jenny subtly begin nodding their heads to the beat. Ichabod understood that they were beautiful, that they had a certain air about them that attracted people, more decisively members of the opposite sex. But what he was witnessing went far beyond the attention they normally garnered. Eye's fell upon Abbie and Jenny as if they'd just double handedly burst through church doors in the middle of a wedding ceremony. He felt a small amount of relief when they made it back to the quieter section where their tables were located.
Abbie spent some time reintroducing Jenny to some of her comrades on the force. By now, everyone was used to seeing Ichabod. He had handily won over all of the women in the department, and most of the guys. In fact, the only people that actively disliked him were Morales and his partner Jones, but Ichabod didn't seem mind, in fact Abbie knew firsthand that the feeling was mutual. It was an understatement to say that the two men detested each other, especially after they nearly came to blows in the living room of her old apartment. Months before while doing some cleaning, Abbie came upon some things of Luke's that were stored, and long forgotten in the back of her closet. When he came to retrieve them, he used it as an opportunity to get more information on the status of her and Ichabod's relationship.
"I don't understand Abbie, so you guys are just friends? He had asked.
"Yes we're friends, that's it." She replied
"Then why is he living here Abs?"
"He isn't living here." Abbie could see the disbelief and hurt in Luke's eyes, so she tried to settle his mind a little. "He stays over sometimes."
"He stays over sometimes, sometimes? I can count on one hand how many times you let me stay over, and you never, not once, slept over at my place. I can't remember the last time I seen you, and he wasn't around. Every time I see you, I see him. Every time I call you, I can tell you're with him. I mean, what the fuck?
"Luke, listen, Crane and I are friends, that's it, but to be clear, we," She motioned back and forth between them, "are not together anymore," Abbie softened her voice seeing how her words affected Luke, "and I'm sorry, but I don't owe you any explanations about this."
"I know you don't owe me anything, but damn, I guess I just thought after Corbin's death, when you decided to stay in town….that maybe you and I could…" Luke sighed looking off, before returning his eye's to her. "C'mon Abbie don't you remember everything we were to each other, all the fun we had? I know I do, I miss it, I miss you."
Abbie took an uneasy breath, she didn't want to do this, to have the updated version of a conversation they had previously had many, many months before. She hated doing it the first time around, but if she was honest with herself, she knew then that they would end up back here. Sitting on the couch with her telling him that there was no hope of rekindling their romance. When they first ended things, she could tell that he didn't fully understand her reasoning, there was something in his eyes alerting her to the fact that he didn't quite believe their separation would hold. He thought she'd miss him, that she'd want him back, because when you feel so strongly about something, about someone, it's hard to imagine that they might not feel the same. But she didn't.
"I do remember, and I agree we were happy then, but...as I said before, I feel like our relationship has run its course. It was fun, and it was…honest, and sweet, and I'm thankful for the time we shared, and grateful that I can call you a friend. But I don't have a desire to go back, or try to recapture that time. Luke I'm sorry." He sat forward on the couch ghosting his forehead with his fingertips, as he released a heavy sigh. He looked at Abbie, and clasped his hands together.
"Why don't just tell me. Look just once and for all, just tell me the truth, I can take it." He stated.
Abbie pulled her neck back. "Sorry, I don't know what you're talking about, tell you what?" She asked trying to comprehend his meaning.
"You're sleeping with him."
"Wow, okay…so here are your things." Abbie stood up from the couch and pointing to the small box on the table in front of them.
"Nah, nah, nah, just say it. You're sleeping with him. Tell me."
"Luke I have already told you, we're just friends, you need to go." Luke stood up from the couch facing her, making no attempt to collect his things.
"Abbie just tell me if you're screwing him, how hard is that," He pleaded. "Why are you lying?" He added through gritted teeth. She was officially offended, and rapidly approaching being pissed off.
"Take a look around you Luke, where are you?" She asked.
"Where are you?" she repeated raising her voice when he didn't answer right away.
"Your apartment."
"Ding, ding, ding. That's right my apartment." She pointed to her chest. "Not Abbie and Luke's apartment, not as in you did not pay for any-fucking-thing in here. I hold myself down, so I am the only person that I have to answer to. So who I choose to fuck, or to not fuck is absolutely none of your business. I told you we're just friends, that's the end of it, I don't have to lie to anyone, about anything, is that clear?" In that moment Luke knew Abbie wasn't lying, and he realized how ridiculous, and desperate he must have looked questioning her this way, but he couldn't help it.
"Damn calm down, I get it miss independent, look I'm….I'm sorry." He said dragging his fingers up the back of his head. "Really I didn't mean to accuse you of anything, I guess I'm just looking at it from a guy's perspective, and I worry about you."
"Worry about me?" She inquired.
"Yeah, and I should be. I know you. I know how kind you are, and how you try to help everyone, you hate to see anyone in pain or suffering, and Crane might have all of the women at the precinct snowed, they're all" he mimics a female's voice, "Oh Crane is such a gentleman, he's so sweet la da fuckin' da", but I'm not buying it, he wants some ass."
Abbie's eyebrows nearly touched her hairline, she wasn't going to dignify that with a response. "Okay Luke, have a nice night." She said handing him his box.
"Abbie, Abbie, Abbie." He spoke rapidly trying to get her attention before being thrown out. Listen to me, you were my girlfriend, you think I can't tell when another guy is feeling you. He wants. Some ass." He repeated slowly. "You might not see it yet, and I don't know what Crane tells you he's interested in, but that's it.
"I beg your pardon." Abbie cringed as soon as she heard his voice, she bit her bottom lip and released it silently mouthing the word "fuck". She knew immediately that things wouldn't end well. How she didn't hear him come in was while they were discussing such a sensitive issue was beyond her. Her heart raced, partially from utter embarrassment, and somewhat from the pressing confrontation.
"Aw man, this fucking guy." Luke mumbled under his breath sitting the box back on the table. "Listen I'm talking to Abbie, not you, and what the hell are you doing just walking into her place anyway?" Ichabod glared at Morales and tossed his keys on the table.
"Oh he has a key Abbie? Really, a key, but he isn't living here right?" Luke asked clearly pissed.
"Mr. Morales do you care to step outside where we can discuss this matter as gentlemen?"
"Whoa, wait a minute." Abbie stepped in front of Ichabod, sensing the urgency of the situation. She placed her had on his shoulder trying to bring his attention to her. "Crane let me handle this." She was always able to reach him, and he probably would have calmed down, if not for Morales egging him on over her shoulder.
"Am I supposed to be scared?"
"Whether or not you are unnerved is of no consequence to me, what does concern me however, are the disparaging remarks that you are making towards my character, to Miss Mills. I must insist that we have a word, whether you are afraid or not." Ichabod was fuming, his shoulders heaved up and down, and nostrils flared at the edges.
"No, no one is having a word, or fighting, or whatever is you plan on doing outside." Abbie said pleading with Ichabod.
"Let's go, lead the way." Luke teased.
"That's it, OUT!" She yelled at Luke. Ichabod started heading towards the door to meet Luke outside, but Abbie stopped him.
"No-n-no, not you. You stay." She said grabbing his wrist and leading him away from the door.
"You go." She said handing Luke his box and pushing him towards the door. She took care to take him around the other side of the table so he didn't have to walk past Ichabod. Abbie closed the door behind Luke and leaned forward resting her head against it. As soon as she turned around and pushed off of it, Ichabod went for the handle. She slid in front of him, and rested her hands on his chest, blocking his path.
"No. Please…just let it go."
"He has no right, to come here, to insinuate…"
"—I know, and I told him as much. He was angry, and lashing out, he didn't mean it. I know him, he'll probably call in a few days completely embarrassed, and apologize."
"He seeks to restore your previous relationship." Abbie couldn't readily tell if he was making a statement or asking a question.
"He does." Abbie responds honestly.
"And you?" Ichabod questions standing over her. Abbie eyes fall to the floor as she shakes her head from side to side.
She brings her eyes back to his. "I think he just needed to blow off some steam, so he didn't mean anything by that crap he was saying, it's no big deal."
"You believe so, it is my opinion that it is a rather enormous deal. You have been a most faithful friend…I would never…If he wishes to try to pursue your affections, that's one thing, but to imply that my intentions towards you are anything less than honorable…" Ichabod fists clenched at his side, "To attempt to lower you estimation of me, well that is another matter entirely, and to be frank I have seen better men killed for less." That was the first time that Abbie realized there were parts of Ichabod still completely unknown to her. The darkness invading his eyes at the moment, born from as place far, far, away. She recalled that was also the first time she understood the lengths he would go to in order to defend his honor, and hers.
As soon as they arrived in their section she saw Luke glaring at them. He and Ichabod took part in their usual stare down. Abbie hoped that they would keep their distance from one another tonight. Just as they were heading to their seats a young man with long dreadlocks came up behind Abbie, and tapped her on the arm "Aye gwal wah gwan (Hey girl what's going on)!" He asked in a thick Jamaican accent.
"Hey Marlo, I'm good, whatcha been up to." Abbie replied, giving him a hug.
"Ahh ya know, this and that."
"Well I hope it's not the same this and that, that landed you in hot water the last time." She cautioned.
"Haaa dis one mon, she have a real streaka fire no." He commented looking at Ichabod.
"Where are my manners you guys this is Irving's brother Marlo, Marlo this is my partner Ichabod Crane, and my sister Jenny Mills." Abbie had mentioned meeting Irving's brother to Ichabod on a few occasions, but it was on days when they were running separate errands. Marlo shook Ichabod's hand and exchanged hellos with him.
"I never knew you haffa sister but for sure I see da family resemblance." he said letting his eyes slowly trail over Jenny. Just then Irving, escorted by a few detectives, came back to the section faking extreme surprise.
"What, oh boy, this is too much. I am so surprised!" He lied putting his hand to his chest. "You guys, you do too much."
Abbie shook her head at his antics, as he shot her a wink. After Irving went through the formalities with the rest of the force, he joined Abbie, Jenny, Ichabod, and Marlo.
"Wow this is really nice." Abbie commented taking in the atmosphere. They had reserved seating in the lounge area, containing six or so extended couches, each complete with two oversized chairs on either side of them. The witnesses and company wasted no time flagging down a waitress. The idea of drinking was one they often discussed, but in reality they rarely found the time to do it. Whenever they were up for it there was too much work to be done, and whenever they had time to drink they usually slept instead. Abbie was the first to get the waitress's attention, she relayed everyone's order.
"Yeah we need five drafts, and that's it for now."
"What" Jenny interrupted, "Make that five drafts; and ten shots of patron to start." She turned to Abbie, "We've earned this."
"How exactly does one earn alcohol poisoning?" Abbie responded.
The five of them sat drinking and chatting about everything from music and politics, to religion. In other words a lot of things they say you should avoid talking about at a party. Ichabod was seated next to Abbie on the couch, and was actually having a much better time than he thought he would. So rarely they all got to enjoy each other this way, without work, or distraction. He looked around thinking if the forces of darkness sought to perpetrate evil tonight, they would enjoy great success, because their entire party, which included a fair amount of the police force, was three sheets to the wind. Bits of he and Jenny's conversation replayed in his mind, and no matter how much alcohol he consumed, he couldn't help but notice men he saw noticing Abbie.
Already he had kept a fair amount of her would be admirers at bay. He didn't mean to…well not at first, it was purely incidental. As a gentleman was approaching her, he leaned over and whispered into her ear, but as soon as it happened, the man retreated. That's what initially gave him the idea, after that he simply couldn't help himself. He could spot them attempting to make eye contact from afar, then endeavoring to come speak to her. He didn't want them anywhere near her, so the closer they got, the closer he got. He glared at them with eyes and body language that cautioned them to stay away. Before long he was sure that most who came upon them would judge them to be a couple based upon how closely they were seated to one another.
Every now and again when some foolhardy, determined soul didn't get the subtle hint, he would wrap his arm around her, and whisper something into her ear. Sure it was meaningless, at times as simple as "would you like another drink", but he knew how it appeared to the outside world. He did feel ashamed of this deplorable action, but not enough so to stop. The feeling he felt when he believed her heart belonged to another was still too fresh, and far too heartbreaking to risk feeling again so soon. It hurt him, quite instantly, and he would not revisit that sense of helplessness again if he could help it. He knew that he was wrong, but was nonetheless powerless to adjust his behavior. How he hoped with time that he would be able to free his heart from her clutches, or that perhaps she would realize that she didn't need someone or anything else. All they needed was each-other, their friendship, he felt, was more than enough to sustain them.
A little while later Abbie noticed Ichabod staring curiously into his shot glass. She gently nudged her shoulder into his.
"Crane, is something wrong."
He looked over at her. "I think I may have gone beyond my limit of alcoholic beverages"
"I think we all have" Abbie laughed. "Do you feel okay?"
"Yes I feel fine, but it seems I cannot decipher one word from this entire song. Perhaps the noise of the atmosphere has damaged my hearing. He said rubbing his ears. Everyone at the table erupted into laughter. The song playing was Lifestyle by Young Thug, and no one else could figure out what he was saying either.
"Tell me what you think you're hearing and I'll tell you if it's what I'm hearing right now." Abbie said winking at Jenny.
"I can tell that part of it is lifestyle?" Ichabod said.
"That's the part I know too! You're not drunk, well you're drunk, but that's not the reason you can't understand the words to this song." Abbie could barely get the words out without nearly going to tears so Jenny joined in to help "yeah like what the hell? "It sounds like he's saying nanananana ana nananananana beginning." The girls giggled until they were breathless clearly evidence that they were both well past their limit.
"Why on earth would anyone make a song like this, it is exceedingly appalling." Ichabod commented.
"I have to agree with Crane", Irving piped up, "this is craziness."
"Oh I like this one!" Jenny said grooving in her seat as Mapei's Don't Wait rang out. Marlo had been waiting for an opportunity to ask Jenny to dance, but while he was building up to it, Irving stood and held out his hand. "Care to dance?" Jenny looked at it hesitantly, she had always had an interesting flirtation with Frank but up until now it had remained just that. She really liked him, a lot, so naturally she didn't want to have anything to do with him.
"Wow are you just going to leave my hand dangling like this? C'mon, it's my birthday."
"Well, when you put it like that." Jenny said taking his hand.
Ichabod and Abbie shot each other knowing glances watching the pair walk out on the dance floor. For months they had watched the two tap dance around each other, they just shared this almost immediate connection. When Abbie started singing along Ichabod rose to his feet.
"Miss Mills I am afraid I will not be much of a dance partner, but nonetheless I am yours if you will be so kind as to do me the honor." he said extending his hand. Abbie looked up at him cautiously, feeling the center of her stomach nervously tighten. She couldn't remember a time when he looked more handsome. He was wearing her favorite jeans, looking as sexy as ever in them. She studied him trying to figure out what seemed a little different about him today. When he leaned in close to take her hand, her senses went into overload and she realized it was his cologne. God why did Jenny help him pick out that cologne. She was never one to be drawn to men because of certain scents or smells, but there was something about it, the way it seeped into, and reacted with his skin, it completely undid her. She wanted to breathe him in until her lungs collapsed. Abbie took his hand and slowly led him to the dance floor. She knew she was breaking one of her rules on limiting physical contact, but the opportunity to see him dancing was way too good to pass up. Besides by her count he owed her a couple of dances. Earlier her eyes had invited a nice looking, tall drink of water to come and check on her, but as soon as he was within six feet Ichabod put his arm around her and whispered into her ear. "I'm having a wonderful evening Lieutenant, are you enjoying yourself?" At first Abbie thought nothing of it, but he left his arm around her until the gentlemen changed paths. She knew she wasn't imagining things when that script played out a few more times. She wasn't upset though, her main priority was to have a good time with her friends.
Ichabod gazed at some of the people dancing around them and immediately worried he'd bitten off more than he could chew. He couldn't decide if half of them were dancing or having sex. He stood in the center of the dance floor straight as an arrow one forearm tucked across the base of his back. Abbie shook her head "remember here like this" she said putting his arms to his side.
"Okay do exactly as I do." Abbie stepped from side to side to the beat. She placed a hand along his side to help guide him. "You're right here the whole time, just keep doing that, see it's not too difficult." She pulled him close so he could hear her over the music, he bent so his ear was close to her mouth. "And remember, you can just sway back and forth if you prefer, you don't even have to lift your feet, if you don't care to."
"Got it!" he yelled back to her. Abbie started winding to the beat taking care not to actually touch him. He instinctually placed a hand around her waist, as he found his rhythm. Abbie couldn't believe how comfortable he was in this atmosphere, she was absolutely floored. She thought for sure that he would hate dancing, but as it was, she had never seen him smile so much. And he was pretty good too, he didn't move much beyond a slow sway, but at least he was on beat. She didn't know if it was the drinks, his cologne, or his hands touching her but as soon as she realized he could move, that he had rhythm, her mind began to wander. She couldn't help but wonder if he could move this way standing up, how good he might move lying down.
By the time she came out of her thoughts, they were wrapped in each-other's arms. She didn't know exactly when it happened, when their embrace tightened as it did, leaving their bodies pressed so closely together that she doubted even a single nickel could squeeze between them. She was completely unaware of when his palms begin pressing into the sides of her ribcage, or when his long fingers dug into her back, almost lifting and somehow bringing her closer to him. And she had no idea when everyone else in the room faded away, and the only thing she could see was his beautiful sky blue eyes staring down at her. Their smiles had vanished, and they looked at each other in a way that could only lead to trouble. The music stopped. Ichabod held onto Abbie a few seconds after the song ended, not wanting to forfeit the comfort of her warmth.
Once he released her he thought for certain he'd seen something akin to confusion, sadness, and more overwhelmingly a flicker of desire in her eyes. It was fleeting, and extraordinarily discreet, but knowing her as he did, he was certain, it was there. His entire body vibrated as it struck him that she might hold a special affection for him too. That's when it happened, she looked at his lips and nearly contemporaneously moistened hers with her tongue. His heart stilled. She wanted him. His lips parted under the realization, and he suddenly found it impossible to control his breathing. Abbie quickly realized that in her off-kilter condition, she was revealing too much of herself, her thoughts, her feelings, were written all over her face. She took a step back from Ichabod, and summoned all of her strength until she was able to display her poker face again. The one she'd used a thousand times questioning suspects, or interviewing witnesses to keep from accidentally revealing any classified information through her facial expressions. The one that says I have it all together, and I am in complete control. The one that more and more she found herself using to convince everyone that she wasn't in love with someone else's husband.
"You did great for your first time Crane, I have to say I'm pleasantly surprised." Abbie said trying to sound normal, like nothing had happened between them just then, like they hadn't just spent the last two minutes slow dancing to semi-fast song.
"Yes well, Miss Jenny…practiced with me earlier." He said slowly, his eyes failing to suppress the myriad of thoughts circulating inside of his head. Abbie looked down and noticed his fingers bending and unbending along his side. He knew. She wasn't sure if it was something in her voice, or her eye's that gave her away, but she'd truly fucked things up this time. He was smarter than most people. Aside from his eidetic memory, he had an attention to detail that allowed him to take notice of what others overlooked. All these months of hard work, of hiding her emotions in tiny little spaces in order to keep him from discovering them was undone. She had to get away from him. She was busy plotting her exit when she felt a hand wrap around her arm from behind.
"Hey Abs, did you save me a dance?" She turned to find Luke, smiling at her like he was dying of thirst and she was a liter of water. She glanced back at Ichabod and then just as quickly took Luke's hand, leading him a few feet across the dance floor. She hated what she was about to do to Luke, the last thing she wanted to do was give him false hope, but she had to find a way to undo the damage that had been done. So when he pulled her close, she pulled him closer. When his hands fell a little too low on her hips, she let them, and when she wound her hips against him, she held nothing back. She turned her back to Luke winding her frame towards the floor, while gripping the outside of his thighs. When she felt she'd gone low enough, she reversed her roll, and started snaking her way back up. She could see Ichabod taking in the view out of the corner of her eyes, and silently hoped that this would be enough to erase any seeds her actions had foolishly planted. Approximately sixty five seconds into Abbie's dance with Luke, Ichabod decided that he had seen enough. Still he couldn't bring himself to walk away. Abbie had been drinking. What if in her inebriated state Morales sought to take advantage of her, what if he kissed her, and worst of all what if they reconciled. He had to put a stop to it. He was halfway to them before it registered that he had even taken a step. He could have been patient, waited for the song to end to bend her ear, but quite honestly it twisted his insides to see her touching another man that way, especially Detective Morales. Within moments they were directly in front of him, he reached out his hand to grasp Abbie's shoulder but to his surprise it was intercepted by Jenny.
"Come on Icky, you ready to show me your moves."
His eyes skated to Abbie. "But.."
"No buts man, come on." She said pulling him to a different area on the dance floor. Ichabod's mind was racing a million miles a minute. When he and Abbie had danced, he thought for sure he'd seen something akin to desire present in her eyes. But after watching her dance with Detective Morales, he began to doubt that the longing was specifically for him. Instead he reasoned that it was attached to something in this night, here in this place, she wanted someone, and he was simply there.
"Miss Jenny, I have to get back to your sister, she has consumed a fair amount of alcohol and I believe she…"
A wry expression crept across Jenny's face. Did he really believe she didn't notice the way he'd been cock-blocking all night.
"–Crane she's fine, Abbie's a big girl, she doesn't need a babysitter." She said bluntly.
Though it looked as though he was preparing for fight or flight something profoundly different entered into his eyes that Jenny had never seen there before. Defeat. She watched as he sucked in a lengthy breath, and finally brought his eyes to hers.
"Very well." He said quietly. The song was slow so he wrapped his arm around Jenny's back and took her hand in his.
As soon as she realized that Ichabod wasn't watching she ended her dance with Luke. He tried to follow after her, until she let him know that it was just a dance, and her feelings about them reuniting hadn't changed. She felt terrible, it was the crappiest thing she'd done to someone in a while, but she didn't know what else to do. She strolled into the jazz bar hoping the relaxing music would help to subdue her muddled thoughts. She was barely there five minutes before Captain Irving came in and joined her.
"I thought I seen you creep up here." He commented sitting down.
"Hey." She replied.
"Getting a little break from the twerkfest downstairs." He joked, garnering a small laugh. "Yeah I saw you with Morales shakin' it like a salt shaker." Abbie cringed, briefly burying her head into her arms folded across the table.
"Ugh…God, why," she sighed bringing her hand to her forehead, causing Irving to chuckle.
Her eyes widened "Look, I know you're not talking, you think I didn't see you out there doing the cabbage patch? Abbie teased. "Are you serious," she snickered. "Then you reaaaally broke it down, and started doing the reebok." She laughed. "I'm surprised Jenny didn't walk off the floor!"
(laughing)"What are you talking about, I was killin' it out there, killing it."
"Because it's your birthday, I'm gonna let you stay in that zone. To killing it." She said lifting her glass to his. "Just remember to bury it tomorrow Cap'n, and never dig it up again." She kidded after taking a lengthy drink from her glass.
"Frank," Abbie said taking a more serious tone.
"Be careful with Jenny, she's not as tough as she pretends to be."
"Mills…I would never hurt her." He pledged.
Abbie raked her teeth over her bottom lip, mulling over his words. "How can you be sure?" She said after a moment.
"I don't mean to be rude, but is the ink is barely dry on your divorce papers?"
"Look Abbie, I get it. I understand where you're coming from she's your sister, you love her. My marriage is over, and honestly, it was long before the divorce papers were even filed."
Abbie tapped her glass against the table in time with her words. "Just know that she's the only thing I've hallways add" Abbie giggled lightly as she closed her eyes for a moment and attempted to clear her head. "Wait, wait..I mean I've always had." She said placing her hand on his shoulder. "Do you understand that?"
"No do you understand that?" He laughed causing her to lightly slap his shoulder.
"Seriously though, I hear you loud and clear Mills, and I'm not going to hurt her, I care about her."
On their way back downstairs to rejoin the group Abbie ducked into the restroom, while Irving headed straight to the table. Once he got there he found Jenny and Ichabod huddled around Marlo looking at his phone. Jenny looked up at him beaming.
"We were just talking about you! Oh my gosh, you had the flyest rattail I've ever seen," she smiled. "Why'd you cut it off?" she teased.
"Oh God, bro, you're killing me, not the braid." He chuckled.
Ichabod glanced around looking for Abbie. "Have you seen the lieutenant?"
"Yeah, she went to restroom, she should be here shortly." Frank answered, before turning to Jenny. "Would you like to dance?"
"That depends, are you going to do the cabbage patch again?"
He chuckled. "The cabbage patch, that's old, I'm about to teach you the tootsie roll." He said pulling her up from her seat.
Marlo looked on as Ichabod kept glancing in the vicinity of the restroom. After a moment he asked him how long he and Abbie had been together. Ichabod informed him that it had been over a year since their fates were forged. It wasn't until he congratulated him that Ichabod realized he had presumed they were more than partners.
"I am sorry for the misunderstanding, the lieutenant and I are merely friends.
"Wait a minute mon, you've been mean muggin' every mon come tree feet to her, me tink for sure she's yours." He said in amazement.
"Mean mugging?" Ichabod asked, his voice filled with curiosity.
"Yah, it's kinda like...well…ya know how ya look at every mon come near her like you want ta killem, dat's mean muggin'." Marlo replied.
For a short moment, the horror of anyone discovering a secret that he held so close to the vest was present in every square inch of Ichabod's face. If Marlo had taken notice of his actions, it was also possible that others had as well.
"Oh I see" He started. "Miss Mills is my dearest friend, I am certain that you, having made her acquaintance have an understanding of how kind and…virtuous she is. Still I am somewhat concerned that her manner of dress this evening will attract, shall I say, the wrong sort of man."
"Her frock will attract every sort a mon, I mean even Stevie Wonder'll have eyes for da gyal." Marlo interrupted.
"Therein lies the problem." Ichabod agreed. "I am simply making it plain that anyone with less than honorable designs upon her shall have me to contend with." He took a gulp of his drink.
"Right mon, can me ask youa question"
"By all means." Ichabod acquiesced, turning to face him head on.
"What do you trust be da right sort a mon?" Marlo posed.
"Well he would be….um let's see." Ichabod's mind scrambled, as worry lines appeared in his forehead. He tried desperately to imagine the sort of man that he would be happy to see Abbie with. Someone who unlike him was free to give her his heart for certain, but try as he may, he couldn't imagine a single one.
Marlo cracked a wide smile. "Yah, me know" he said downing his drink.
"Me gwine adoors for some air, wan come." Marlo said motioning for Ichabod to follow him.
"Hmmm I'm not sure, what if Miss Mills returns, and there is no one here to receive her." Ichabod hesitated.
"She'll be fine, she big big no, just fora short while."
Ichabod was getting rather tired of everyone telling him how much of a big girl Abbie was. Nevertheless he finished his drink, and decided to join Marlo. It was a splendidly warm and picturesque night, with a nice cool breeze Ichabod found refreshing. The sky was clear and the stars were shining with a soft illumination that made him happy to be standing under them, happy to be alive. Though he had become somewhat desensitized to the noise level in the club, he was happy to have a short break from it. The two men walked through the parking lot until they came to Marlo's jeep. Marlo unlocked the glove compartment and pulled out a marijuana cigar.
"Aye mon you blaze herb?" He asked lighting it up.
"Hemp, no I do not." Ichabod responded resting against the vehicle. He recognized the smell as he had witnessed people smoking it in a few smokehouses in his day, but he had never personally smoked any. He was also keenly aware that such activity was outlawed in most parts of modern day America, but that social mores seemed eschewed towards its eventual legalization.
Marlo inhaled "Suit yourself mon, I can respect dat. Well aye, you ungry?" He asked just before reaching into his glove compartment, and pulling a saran wrapped brownie out of a paper bag.
"Fresh baked mon." The nourishment from the meal Ichabod had consumed earlier had long left him, and he was starting to feel a bit peckish, not to mention that he absolutely loved brownies. Abbie had repeatedly scorned him for devouring them whenever she made a batch.
"Thank you" Ichabod said accepting the brownie, and immediately struggling to open the wrapper.
"Here mon ya only wan eat-a half it" Marlo said opening the wrapper. Ichabod was somewhat confused, he could eat another three brownies and still not be full, but he figured beggars could not be choosers.
"So what does your brother think of your partaking in the herb?" Ichabod questioned, taking a bite of his food.
Marlo let out a mouthful of smoke. "Ya know me Jamaica mon, born and grown, Frank was grown here, so he tinks different. I halfa respect dat. Ya know Frank my real and true braddah, but not by blood. He was my olda braddah's best friend in college. When my braddah get killed by a bad, bad, mon, Frank hunt heem down to arrest him, but he resist arrest and try fa kill Frank, but Frank killem instead. Ever since me braddah gone, Frank me braddah now, him look affa me ya know."
"I am most sincerely sorry for the loss of your brother, it is good that you and the Captain have one another to lean on." Ichabod offered.
Back inside Abbie spotted a handsome gentlemen she'd seen earlier just as she came out of the restroom. "Wow! He looks even better up close" she thought. Abbie diverted her eyes and smoothed her hair pretending like she hadn't noticed him. But she did. He was tall, as tall as Crane perhaps a bit more and she could easily tell that he was fitted with brawny muscle underneath his sport-coat, but the first thing she truly noticed about him were his dreamy deep chestnut eyes. "I mean that sun-kissed skin, and low trimmed hair isn't hurting him, but he definitely has nice eyes. Crane has pretty eye's, I wonder where he is right now—STOP IT, focus. There is a perfectly good, handsome, unmarried—wait, please tell me he isn't married.." Abbie's eyes darted towards his ring finger. "Yes! Unmarried man directly in front of you, stop thinking about Crane and..oh my he's smiling at me, and here he comes, smile back, smile back. Ugh not like that who the hell do you think you are, Miss America, calm it down, be cool." Abbie bobbed her head glancing around the room.
"Hello Miss, it's Abbie isn't it?" He questioned.
"Excuse me, how do you know my name?" She asked somewhat agitated that he seemed to know her.
He smiled, "Oh I didn't mean to alarm you, you see that lovely young woman over there in the blue dress" he said pointing at Jenny, "You know, the one with the beautiful eyes eerily similar to yours, she told me."
"I see, and what else did she tell you Mr.?" Abbie asked.
"Bradford," he answered extending his hand, "Talum Bradford. My friends call me Tal."
"Okay, Talum."
"Oh, it's like that?" He asked. Abbie smiled.
"Well let's see, your sister told me that you like swimming and spending quiet time on the beach, but that you don't get to do it as often as you'd like. She told me that you love going to the movies, romantic comedies are your favorite but again you haven't seen many movies lately. She also told me that you love listening to jazz, almost as much as you enjoy singing it, but the only place you sing these days is in the shower, and most importantly she told me that you are available."
Abbie was completely caught off guard, and she didn't bother trying to pretend like she wasn't.
"I cannot believe she told you all of that" She said through a forced smile. "Umm did she tell you when I had my tonsils out too?"
Talum smiled down at her "Don't blame her, I can be pretty persuasive"
"Clearly" Abbie agreed. They stood in a brief silence, "Well it was nice meet—"
"–One second," he said blocking her path, "You're stunning. I apologize if that's too forward but honestly every single time I've looked at you tonight, those words have been stuck in my head begging to get out. I would have said something sooner, but I thought you were with that guy you were sitting next to all night. As soon as your sister informed me otherwise, I couldn't imagine letting this night come to a close without having a chance to speak with you. I would like, to get to know you better, my personal life is…boring, you seem so…not boring. Let me take you somewhere—anywhere."
"Wow, not boring, you sure know how to make a girl feel special." Abbie joked.
"You have no idea." He said in an overly flirtatious manner.
Abbie cocked her head to the side, while furrowing her brow. "Do you have a cellphone Talum." She asked pulling her phone out of her clutch. He gave her his number, and she dialed it.
"I'm busy. A lot. But give me a call next week and maybe we can get together."
"I'll do just that" He pledged.
"Okay" Abbie smiled closed lipped "It was nice meeting you."
"The pleasure was all mine," he waved as she started walking away.
Abbie snuck up behind Jenny and lightly put her hands over her eyes "Guess who?"
"Hey! So I saw you talking to tall, dark, and sexy as hell, how'd it go?" Jenny gushed.
"He seems nice, but every guy seems nice when you first meet them." Abbie said skeptically.
"By the way, you wanna let me know why you told him so much about me? You told him everything! Like Lance Armstrong talking to Oprah everything, what the hell." She complained.
"Umm I told him that stuff because he was nice, and he looked like the birth child of Trey Songz and Willie Monfret, and because I wanted him to have a fighting chance." Jenny answered, trying to plead her case.
Abbie rolled her eyes, and took a sip of Jenny's drink, immediately making a face because of its strength.
Jenny looked around to see if anyone was in earshot. "Look you said you didn't want to be hung up on Icky anymore, I thought maybe he could help you with that."
"Pfff, speaking of which, I actually haven't seen him in a bit, have you?" Jenny shook her head. as Abbie began scouring the room.
"Well come on we better find him." After about two minutes of searching they bumped into Morales who was all too happy to inform them where Ichabod was.
"He's right over there at that table, with the dreaded dude, and all those girls." He said almost tauntingly.
"Okay thanks," Wait what? She thought as her brain actually processed what he'd just said.
"Excuse us, thanks for helping us find him." Abbie started towards the table but as she approached it looked like Ichabod was having a good time, so she decided against disturbing him. She didn't know what he was saying, but whatever it was had the full attention of most of the girls at the table. Abbie felt a bit nauseated watching them stare at him with their fuck me faces.
"Wow what do you think he's telling them?" Abbie asked Jenny as they sat at the bar.
"I have no idea, but whatever it is they are all about it." Marlo motioned to Ichabod alerting him to the presence of Abbie and Jenny watching, causing him to rise from his seat and excuse himself.
"Lieutenant, Miss Jenny" I've missed you both. I've not seen the two of you in….ages." He said with the utmost sincerity.
Abbie smiled "What are you talking about Crane I was just with you like an hour ago."
"What have you guys been up to?" Abbie asked looking towards the table of ladies.
"Nothing in particular, merely chatting with those nice young ladies. One of them performed the most remarkable task just now, she was able to tie a cherry stem using nothing but her tongue."
"Really?" Abbie said raising her eyebrows, and rolling her eyes with Jenny.
"I'll be back, I'm going to catch up with Frank." Jenny said giving her sister's shoulder a squeeze.
"So tell me more about this cherry stem." Abbie said directing her attention back to Ichabod.
"Yes, it was very interesting, perhaps I can coax her into demonstrating it again for you."
"That's not necessary," She smiled softly. "I'm glad you're having a good time."
"I am." Honestly he was having an even better time before he saw her talking to one of the gentlemen who tried to make his way to her earlier. Out of nowhere he starts laughing.
Abbie gave him a curious look "Did I say something to amuse you?"
"No, I simply….feel ...happy." He admitted stepping close to her.
"Of course you do, it's the tequila." Abbie said
"I have had stronger drink many times before, I feel it is something more. I'm not sure I can accurately describe it, everything just looks and feels so…well for instance I believe I can actually hear the beating of my own heart—clearly. Also I can hear my thoughts before they are thoughts, and I can feel every single cell in my body, does that make sense."
"No, not at all, even with the amount you've had to drink. Abbie said realizing that Ichabod's eyes were hanging lower than usual. She cupped his face with her hand
"Let me look at you." Just as she suspected his eyes were red, her mouth fell open and she shook her head in disbelief.
"Miss Mills" he said with his jaws still between her hands. "I know it sounds impossible, but…I can see…sounds. Just now when you spoke, I saw every word."
"No." She cringed shaking her head.
"I can, you must believe me." He joined his hands to hers still resting upon his face. "Your skin feels like what I imagine the clouds to be. You're so soft" he whispered, staring at her hands as if they were the first pair of hands he'd ever laid eyes on.
"You're stoned, oh my God. Listen to me, did you leave your drink tonight, or did you smoke something?" Abbie asked trying to gain any insight she could.
"No. I was with Marlo earlier when he partook of the herb, but I did not, as I told him-"
"What do you mean he–never mind I know exactly what you mean."
"He gave me the most delicious brownie, but I must admit, I am suddenly incredibly famished again. I feel as though I've not eaten in a week, can we stop by the McDonalds on the way home. I would like to procure a twenty piece order of their chicken mcnuggets, and an order of their chocolate chip cookies."
"I am going, to kill him." Abbie took Ichabod by the hand, and marched over to where Marlo was seated.
"Up now, outside!" Marlo looked at Ichabod with a please tell me you didn't tell her anything face. Ichabod simply shrugged his shoulders. The three of them walked outdoors, and Abbie wasted no time laying into Marlo.
"You're still on the same shit, after everything that man has done for you."
"Abbie please ease up, I toll ya I'ma changed mon. He say fa me not ta sell trees no more, me don't, now me only blaze." Marlo reasoned.
"I'm sorry did you just admit to an officer of the law that you smoke an illegal substance." She questioned eyes bulged. "Where is it?" she asked patting him down.
"Me don't haf anyting" he pleaded.
She looked at Ichabod who was occupying himself by balancing on a curb while humming a tune. He kept humming, and pointed in the direction of the parking lot.
"Let's go" she ordered pulling Marlo along. When they arrived at the car she forced him to open the glove compartment and took his stash. Unfortunately she was so busy lecturing Marlo she didn't notice Crane started eating the other half of the brownie.
"No!" she shouted. "Spit it out!"
Ichabod looked at her dumbfounded; if she had any idea how hungry he was she would have never made such a ridiculous request.
"It's drugs, spit it out." She said slowly. Ichabod opened his mouth and pushed the rest of the brownie off of his tongue.
It was then that Abbie saw some recognition in his eyes as to what had occurred. "I've been drugged? By a delectable dessert?"
Abbie looked at him in disbelief. "Of course you've been drugged, c'mon Crane, do you really believe you can see sounds?" She walked over to him and put a hand on his fore-head, he bent to her touch.
"You feel okay?" Ichabod nodded his affirmation.
"Remarkably, I feel wonderful." He replied.
After emptying Marlo's stash into the garbage can, Abbie headed back inside to round up Jenny. The gentlemen followed just behind her.
"Marlo, I do not understand. Why have you given me a tainted dessert. Have I done something to offend you?"
"Ichabod mon, I mean no harm ya know. I see how ya feel about da woman. Da herb push down da inhibitions mon, so you saya whatya feel to her."
"To whom?" Ichabod asked, but as soon as the words escaped his mouth, he understood perfectly. "You are referring to Miss Mills. "I understand what you were trying to do, but as it is, I am bound in matrimony with another, and Miss Mills…would never have me, he thought… suffice it to say that she and I are fated to remain friends." As happy as Ichabod felt moments before, he felt ten times as sad when he contemplated that truth. Marlo looked at him unfazed.
"No big big, me haffa uncle him got tree wives, trust and believe mon." The two gentlemen laughed at the thought as they re-entered the club. Just as they came in, the Dj was making an announcement over the loud speaker.
"Alright everyone this is the last jam of the evening, so hurry up and find that special somebody." Abbie saw Jenny and Irving in the distance coming together for the last dance, she decided not to interrupt them. Melanie Fiona's 4am filled the air, as pairs begin blanketing the dance floor. Morales, finished his drink looking for the courage to once again proposition Abbie. Earlier she'd told him that their dance was nothing other than that, but he couldn't help but feel there was more to it. Especially after she seen Dickabod flirting with those girls, he thought, Hell I'm in there.
"Hey Abs." He said, smiling.
"Luke" she said nodding in his direction.
"I was just wondering if…" Luke stopped midsentence as Crane came up behind Abbie, and interlocked their fingers.
"Lieutenant, I believe you promised me another dance," He said pretending not to notice that anyone else was standing there. Not waiting for her reply he led her to the dance floor as Morales looked on, seething. He placed his hands around waist and pulled her close to him. They moved slowly together gazing into one another's eyes until everyone and everything else disappeared. Abbie was thankful that Crane had saved her from yet another awkward conversation with Luke, but she still couldn't help but feel that she was jumping from the frying pan into the fire. She had no business stepping back into his arms, this is precisely what had caused so much trouble in the first place. But damn did he feel good. Last time it was his eyes that had ruined everything. They were literally disarmingly beautiful as they made her let her guard down, they made her forget that he that wasn't hers. This time she would make an effort not to look at them. So instead, she dropped her head and rested it on his chest, she felt his hands ease further up her back, and hold her even closer to him. Abbie wanted to stay in his arms forever, but she knew all too well that it wasn't a possibility.
She didn't want this, to be reminded how perfect, and blissful everything felt when his arms encircled her. To feel his fingertips on her shoulders, and heart beating against her ear, because it wasn't real. It was comforting, but it couldn't last. She pulled back and turned her back to him continuing to move in step. She moved forward attempting to create more space between them, but surprisingly Ichabod pulled her back to him, snaking his hand around her waist, and resting it across her belly. And there goes that, she thought as her stomach did somersaults. She stood there silently unraveling until she stopped moving altogether. How could she be expected to find the beat, when the world was spinning uncontrollably around her? He was the only thing that steadied her, so she lay her head back against his chest, and quietly prayed for the strength to walk off the floor. It never came. She surrendered to the feel of his strong arms encasing her body. He loosely wrapped his other arm around her waist crossing his wrist. Abbie stayed motionless resting her frame against his allowing him to move their bodies from side to side.
Ichabod was certain he could actually feel his heart breaking, he wondered if she felt it too. He had never felt more complete than he did at that very moment holding Abbie in his arms, and he knew he should have released her, but he couldn't. He was certain at that moment that he was quite helplessly in love with Miss Mills. He stopped moving, closed his eyes and rested his head against the top of hers. He then brought the side of his mouth to her temple allowing his lips to brush over it. He dropped his head against her so his mouth hung over her ear, and attempted to gather his breath.
"Abbie." His voice was low and husky as he whispered. He knew that she heard him but she didn't reply. They stood that way.
When the lights came on, and she turned to face him. She was dazzling, even with the touch of sorrow he saw hidden behind her eyes.
"That's our cue to go." She said quietly. Ichabod waited for her in the parking lot as she kissed and waved her goodbyes. After a moment she came over but she and Jenny seemed to want to speak in private so he and Irving decided to wait for them inside the cab.
"Jenny, I need a favor. She pulled her a few paces away from the open car door. "Were you going home tonight or..,"
"Uh, I really hadn't thought about it, why what's up?" Jenny answered.
"I was thinking of going home with"
"—Tall, dark, and sexy!?
"Talum. Bradford. Here's his number, and this is his address," she said typing into Jenny's phone. "But I'll send you a confirmation text when I get there."
"Wow, somebody finally decided to let her little freak out. On the first night too, sheesh you don't do it often, but when you do it, you do it big. I'll go home, but don't you think your being a little paranoid, Icky's an adult it's not like he's going to burn down the house."
"No, you have to keep a close eye on him, he's not himself."
"Wait, why?" She said glancing over at Crane.
"Look at him, do you notice anything different?" Abbie asked.
"Well now that you mention it, he does look a little…faded." Jenny thought it was a little weird because she knew that Crane had a seriously high alcohol tolerance.
A little faded, Abbie said. "Long story short, he ate a weed brownie, and he's blown out of his fucking misery right now." Jenny immediately erupts into laughter.
"How the hell did that happen?"
"It's not funny Jenny, how did I know you would get a kick out of this." Abbie didn't tell Jenny about her and Ichabod's last dance. The way he touched her, like it was okay. How soft his lips felt brushing against the side of her head, and the unmistakable pitch of his voice as he called her name, not Miss Mills, not Lieutenant, Abbie. He wasn't himself. And she wasn't sure that in her mental and physical state, she could be around this less restrained version of him, without somehow compromising the real him that would ultimately show up tomorrow. So when she bumped into Talum in the parking lot, she asked him if he would like some not so boring company.
"Okay," Jenny said trying to stifle her giggles. "Don't worry I'll keep an eye on him. You have fun, and don't forget to text me to confirm his address." Abbie gave Jenny a quick hug, and started heading towards Talum's car. She turned back around almost immediately.
"Oh yeah, I almost forgot. Have the cabbie stop by McDonald's, he has the munchies.
Jenny hopped into the cab still laughing about Ichabod's illegal drug use. "Okay boys, let's get moving."
"Miss Jenny, we cannot leave without your sister."
"Oh yeah, something came up, she'll be home tomorrow." Jenny said trying to sound casual.
"I do not understand." Ichabod stated.
"She's going home with a friend tonight, she'll be home in the morning, or the late afternoon if things go well."
"SSsss." Irving sucked a heavy breath through his teeth because he knew that one had to sting. He'd spent enough time working with the witnesses to see what was brimming between them.
Jenny could see the distress pushing through Ichabod's eyes, when he came to understand her full meaning. He sat back, and stared off out of the window.
Talum opened the car door for Abbie, and helped her inside. He couldn't believe his luck when she asked him if wanted some company this evening. He never figured her as the type of woman who would go home with someone on the first night, and truthfully, he still didn't, but he wasn't about to argue with her. Abbie rested her head back against the seat, trying to settle her nerves, as Talum walked around to the driver side. It was a beautiful night, she rolled the window down, and allowed the warm air to pass through, hoping it would help to suppress the quivering in her stomach. Talum was a nice, good looking guy, he drove a nice car, so he was probably well employed. Abbie was sure there were a bevy of women who would love to date him, but she wasn't one of them. She needed someone she could hold onto, and kiss, and touch, and more importantly pretend that they were Ichabod Crane, as she did it. She wasn't proud of herself, for using someone this way, but at least it was someone who most likely wouldn't be hurt by it. Talum Bradford might be the only thing saving her from creeping across the hallway in a drunken stupor, and slipping into Ichabod's bed. Because, even though she knew he was out of sorts, when he whispered her name into her ear on that dance floor, her mouth said nothing, but her body said yes. Yes to everything, and anything he wanted. Her body, her mind, heart, and spirit. He. Could get it. All. Abbie was broken from her thoughts by the sounding of Talum's car horn. She looked ahead to see figure standing in the road in front of the car.
"What the hell." He said coming to a stop. "Hey isn't that.." Abbie knew right away it was Ichabod standing there with his hand cast out in front of him, like he actually had some magical ability to halt a nearly two ton vehicle. He immediately walked around to the passenger side door. After tugging at the handle and realizing it was locked, he reached over, and opened the door using the inside handle.
"Lieutenant, please exit the motor vehicle."
A chill ran through her body. She didn't know what think. She wondered if something had happened, or if there was some kind of crisis she needed to attend to. She also worried that perhaps she had missed some sort of warning sign, and put herself danger. All she knew was that by the tone of his voice, Ichabod meant for her to do exactly as he said.
"Is there some sort of prob…"
Ichabod leaned forward and held up a single finger silencing Talum.
"What?! Man this is my car." Talum scoffed.
"Abbie," he spoke even more sternly then the first time, "Get out. Of the vehicle."
Some stereotypical things I'd written into this chapter bothered me. I know that having dreads or a Jamaican accent have nothing to do with cannabis use, it is not my desire, nor intention to perpetuate this belief. Apologies to anyone who is offended.
Also I listen to a wide variety of music, I actually became semi-addicted to the song they ragged on.
