Conclusion [Three Months Later]

[Althanor]

Even as the seasons progressed from winter and through spring heading toward summer, the priestesses watched silently as affairs continued on Outer Earth. From time to time, they checked discreetly on both the Sisterhood and the Cranes to insure that the goddess' peace was still intact.

And so it went…..

Cybelle watched as her niece administered a final examination with interest. She liked to see Jennifer pursuing her own career of course. She also respected the younger woman's ability to speak about the past even as she couched it in contemporary terms. Besides she could also see Kate scribbling away in a blue book as well. "And so things proceed as they should."

"How is Kate doing with her finals?" Deirdre queried from the side.

The high priestess smiled. "Such things are not in our providence. Just know that she is expressing herself at length even as her classmates have wrapped things up. Katherine Crane learns more about herself and the world with each day. As much as her parents can assist, there are things she will need to learn for herself. This summer will be interesting for her indeed."

"Interesting? How so?" the younger priestess queried expectantly.

"She will make new discoveries. When the time is right, she will assist her parents in returning to lone prodigal to the fold. Purgatory has held too many secrets. As I said, when it is time, all will be known," Cybelle foretold serenely. "When the goddess reveals it to me, I will relay it onto you."

"Of course, Auntie. Forgive me for pressing."

Cybelle shook her head. "There is nothing to forgive. You care for our friends and serve our bigger needs. You do your duty well, my Dear. If you can excuse me, I require solitude."

"Sure. Just take care." Deirdre embraced the high priestess. Then she left the area without further ado.

Cybelle sighed deeply. How she wished she could tell Deirdre the whole story. "Take heed, Child. Soon the gates of Purgatory will open anew drawing the Cranes and your father into that accursed realm. Then will the hidden secrets and denizens reveal themselves…." With that she waved her hand dispelling the view portal. She sat in a lotus position and closed her eyes.

The universe had many secrets, it seemed. It was time to tap into some of them…..

[Forsburg Hall's Lecture Room—Greenwich State College]

Jennifer set the tome down on the desk from which she'd been reading. The majority of the class had finished at least ten minutes prior to that point. Her eyes glanced around the mostly empty auditorium….

…empty that is except for Kate scribbling some last minute ideas down. Then the younger woman set the pen down and closed her blue book. She collected her things and surveyed the rest of the room too. "I'm sorry if I kept you waiting, Professor." Her cheeks blushed with embarrassment.

"You still had three minutes to spare, Kate. It's all right. No harm in being thorough. I will look forward to reading your responses. Any big plans for the summer?" Jennifer assured her.

"I'm going to spend it with my folks up in Sleepy Hollow. Maybe I might talk with your friends in Wabash. They're interesting. For now though, Mom and Dad deserve all of my time and attention," Kate indicated while handing over her exam book. She set her pens into her backpack and zipped it shut. "Maybe if I run, I can get the subway to Penn Station and catch the 5:00 bus there." She motioned to the desk. "That's everything I have packed."

"Really? Would you mind a ride instead? I'm heading north as soon as I drop these exams off at my office. Meet me at the Student Union in a half an hour? Then I'll drive you to the Hollow myself," Jennifer offered while dropping the booklets in a yellow envelope and tying the red thread on its back in a knot to seal it.

"That'd be great. Dr. Dubois, you don't have to…."

"I know. I'd like to do that. It'll get you there a couple of hours sooner," Jennifer agreed while sliding the book and exams into her satchel. "Do you have everything?"

Kate nodded while taking her backpack and duffel bag out of the room.

Jennifer shut the light off and shut the door behind them. She marveled how her student had developed understandings beyond the straight historical ones as a result of the class. At least she knows herself now and her parents. May she keep having such good fortune! She led them toward the door and down the stairs.

Seemed the summer approached faster than they thought…..

[Sleepy Hollow Police Department—4:45 PM]

Ichabod paced around the interview room pensively. Every so often, he'd gulp anxiously on the Starbuck's coffee that his partner had provided. He ran his hands through his hair. He had long since given up on reading or trying to keep his mind occupied.

"It's okay, Crane," Abbie assured him. "We'll head for the bus depot at 7. When it gets in, we'll be there waiting."

"Of course we will, Leftenant. I just worry is all. I do apologize. I should be working. I can't understand why I'm feeling like this," he puzzled. He saw Irving stick his head in the door. "Yes, Captain?"

"You're a father waiting for his daughter to come home. It's natural for you and Katrina to be excited and nervous too. Just take it outside. You've got the station ready to come unglued," Irving noted firmly.

"I'm on it, Captain. Thanks," Abbie agreed. "Come on, Crane. We'll take another ride around town."

"Really? I don't know what that's going to solve. I…." Ichabod doubted. His reply though died in his throat as the object of his worrying walked through the front door and waved to him. "There! You see? It would have solved nothing."

Abbie let a sassy remark die in her throat. She wasn't about to ruin the moment. Nice timing, Kate. Real good timing.

Meantime Ichabod embraced his daughter with proper dignity and presence. "Good afternoon, Katherine. How did your examinations proceed?"

"They went well and are done. Thankfully." Kate glanced at him surveying his face. "You okay, Dad?"

"Hmm? Oh yes of course! Nothing out of sorts around here. Come, Lieutenant Mills and I will see you to the cabin. Your mother is making a great meal to welcome you home with," he lied for her benefit.

"Professor Dubois is waiting in the car. Can she join us? She drove me up here to get me back sooner," Kate proposed.

"Indeed she shall eat with us. Coming, Leftenant?" Ichabod accepted while leading his daughter from the station.

"Right behind ya both, Crane," Abbie concurred while following their lead.

After they left, Irving smiled and shook his head. Fatherhood's really doing wonders for Crane. I hope he does better than with Parrish with Kate! Reminds me, I need to talk with Cynthia about having Macy up here at some point! Nodding at the thought, he walked back into his office and closed the door.

It seemed that Kate's return prodded other such visits…

[Crane Cabin—6:30 PM]

After a hearty meal of slow cooked ham, baked beans in molasses and a spinach salad with freshly drizzled vinaigrette, Kate set her silverware down by her plate with contentment. She took another long draught from her milk glass before setting that down on the table. "Now that is a meal!" Her eyes beamed at her mother. "Thanks, Mom and Dad. It feels strange to be welcomed like this."

"This is your home, Katherine. We are enjoying your company as much as you're enjoying ours," Katrina declared with a warm smile on her face. "And it is so good to have you back!" She embraced her daughter tenderly.

"I will, as the modern expression goes, second that notion," Ichabod concurred. His eyes sparkled at the younger woman. "We can use the summer to get further acquainted."

Jennifer wiped her mouth off with her napkin and set it on her now-empty plate. "Speaking of that, I do need to be pressing on. Wabash is still three hours away. With any luck, I can be at the farm so as not to put a certain bodyguard on alert. Katrina, this was marvelous! Thank you so much for the dinner."

"You are most certainly welcome anytime, Jennifer. Please pass along our regards to David and Angela if you would?" Katrina accepted warmly.

"I shall indeed. Ichabod, I hope I didn't startle you too badly by bringing Kate in. I wanted to save time," Jennifer excused.

"Nonsense! Your assistance, as always, is most appreciated, Jennifer. It gives us all more time to be together. Thank you for the consideration," he assured her.

"Thanks, Dr. Dubois, for the ride! I'll talk to you when I get back to campus in the fall?" Kate supposed.

"Of course! You know where my office is. Meantime look for the grades to be posted within the week," Jennifer replied pleasantly. She pulled on her coat and opened the door. "Take care, Everyone!" With that, she headed toward her car. Once inside, she started it and headed down the dirt road back toward the Hollow proper.

Kate chuckled.

"Is there something amusing, Katherine?" he wondered.

"Dr. Dubois' class certainly gave me a lot of insight on what you both went through. Don't get mad, Dad, but I wrote my paper about you. Would you like to see it some time?" Kate indicated. "It was so weird but she knows so much about you both. It's almost like she was there." She shook her head. "Whatever."

"Silly notion indeed. Still it is good to have such expert guidance on the past so as to bridge it with the present," Katrina dismissed half-truthfully.

"I would indeed be honored to see what you discerned about me, Katherine. Whenever you are ready, I'd be delighted to read your essay," he agreed with a smile. "So any ideas as to your leave?"

"Leave?" Kate queried in confusion.

"He means your time away from the college," Katrina clarified.

"Oh okay!" Kate shrugged. "I was going to work a job in town. Maybe though we'd have time to catch up with the garden, Mom? Think we might try some fishing, Dad? I'd like to talk and work on those things."

"I would enjoy that too, my Dear. Welcome home," he accepted while allowing his eagerness to press through. He would get to know this child better than he did Jeremy and forge a stronger bond accordingly.

"I can always use help in the garden. For now though, I have the apple pie you like," Katrina added with a smile. She walked over to the counter and carried the dessert in its dish over to the counter. "Ichabod, would you mind setting a towel on the table please?"

He did so with rapid aplomb. Then he fetched a knife and fresh plates from the cupboard. "For our treat and the occasion at hand."

"Now that's what I'm talking about!" Kate cheered. She savored the scent of the treat in anticipation of her stomach's delight.

In such ways the atmosphere, ruptured centuries earlier by Moloch's malice and the Sisterhood's pursuit, bonded the trio more closely together. They had questions. Their minds held issues with the society around them. They all desired the return of the Prodigal Son. They would plan a summer's worth of activities together….

…but those were all matters for another day….

At that point, the little family just wanted to enjoy each other's company over pie and drinks of choice. They laughed, talked and reassured each other mixed with the occasional reassuring eye contact. Some day shortly, the war with the demonic presences around Sleepy Hollow would return to jar them back to the waking world.

For now though, they and we can allow them some bonding time as such. For after too long a time apart, the Cranes deserve nothing less…..

THE END