The In-Between

by QuietLittleLives

Ichabod and Abbie doing an absolutely terrible job of keeping their friendship, just a friendship. M rating for later chapters.

14. Chapter 14

Notes: Thanks for reading, and I hope you enjoy the chapter. There is a lot more story to tell going forward, and some twists and turns I'm super excited about. Things have really gotten busy for me so it will most likely be weeks, probably three (unless things slow down) before the next update. :-)!

Brendan, Matt, and Perry were written like some of the characters from 40 year old Virgin. Brendan is essentially Romany Malco's charater, while Perry and Matt, where written in line with Seth Rogen, and Paul Rudd's characters respectively. They're very small parts but just fyi.

---

A lot had changed since Katrina's death. Abbie remembered how fearful she was of losing Ichabod that day, and looking back on it now she realized she did lose him in a way. He hadn't died the way his dream prophesized, thank God, but he wasn't the same. At first she reasoned that he was simply mourning the loss of Katrina, and perhaps at first he was, but half a year later he still hadn't come out of the fog he was in. There were flashes of course, little moments where he seemed to be the man she loved, the man who once loved her, but he never said as much, and not wanting to force him, neither did she. His teaching position began not even a full month after Katrina's death, and Abbie was grateful in that it seemed to get him over the first hump. Having something to focus on that didn't make him feel guilty, or ashamed for being alive when Katrina was dead. Something, she reasoned, that didn't make him feel the way that her presence seemed to. He flourished there.

The couple of times Abbie dropped in on him, once to bring him a plant for his office, and another time when he'd forgotten his lunch, she was surprised with how well he seemed to be fitting in. He made a good friend, a couple of acquaintances, and had gotten into a steady routine with his courses. She got a chance to chat with some of his new friends at a get-together earlier in the school year, and once again the day she brought his lunch. They seemed like pretty decent guys. Surprisingly, seeing him in that atmosphere she realized that it was the most normal she'd seen him in months. At home he was different, often quiet, and detached. There were days she wondered if he even saw her. It was an odd thing being with someone so often, and at the same time, never really being with them. However, the day when she'd taken him his lunch he rose from the table when she stood to leave, and walked her to the exit. He placed his hand around her arm, and gave her a gentle squeeze before thanking her for bringing his food, and visiting with him and his coworkers. He took her hand in his, and caressed her knuckles with his thumb, thanking her again just as she was leaving. She was immediately disgusted with herself for how intrinsically happy it made her. She stepped out into the sunny fall day with a renewed since of wellbeing, and a bounce in her step. It was the most he'd touched her in the three months since Katrina's death. Fast forward three months later, and it still was.

She was patient with him though, supportive, and unassuming. Abbie was doing everything in her power to make this difficult time easier for him, but most of it seemed to go unnoticed. It was challenging for her, trying to help him heal, while at the same time giving him the time and space that he needed to do so. He held it together most days, but often in battle an indescribable rage would come pouring out of him. The joy he got from killing Moloch's followers on the battlefield had become increasingly disturbing. He slaughtered the demon's minions with malicious and punishing impunity, and lately there was rarely a day that his sword wasn't covered in blood. He had even passed up the opportunity to teach an additional course, in order to focus more of his attention on the war. There were some good developments however, like he had learned to harness the power of the light within him, and could now use it at will, though he hardly ever did. He'd only used it on one other demon besides Moloch. They were markedly more proactive in their war against him. They no longer sat and waited to react to whatever schemes he was plotting, instead they took the fight to him. Destroying his troops and foiling his plots before they ever had a chance to get off the ground. Still Abbie was becoming battle weary, and she'd began to question whether the way in which they were seeking to destroy Moloch was efficient. They were destroying those aligned with him, but he remained untouched.

She'd began sneaking off to a nearby orphanage to volunteer every chance she got. Not sneaking because she needed someone's permission to do what she was doing, but simply because she wanted to be alone. There was something so heartbreaking about being with Crane, when he wasn't really there, and it became a feeling she sought to avoid. Jenny was as busy ever, and Abbie didn't want to detract from the free time she had to be with Frank, things were going well for them. Besides, for her being with the kids felt like giving water to a starving plant. Sure she volunteered her time, but they were the water, and she was the plant. They reminded her what she was fighting for, and filled her with a unique form of happiness that sustained her during these battle laden times. It was refreshing to be around people before the world had a chance to change them, and turn them into something that they were never truly meant to be.

Abbie had spoken with Talum about a month after Katrina passed. He called to ask if she still intended to go out with him. She'd already missed his call twice, so she ducked into the kitchen to speak with him. As luck would have it Ichabod came striding in to get a drink. She never said his name, but something must have changed in her voice, or her conduct that gave Ichabod an inkling as to who she was speaking with. She had just informed Talum that she wouldn't be able to see him again, and wished him well. He said something that caused her to laugh, and she looked up to find Ichabod scowling at her. As soon as she locked eyes with him, she could tell what he was thinking, and though she was still holding the phone, the voice on the other end of the line became muffled.

"Um I have to run, you take care of yourself, okay." She hung up the phone, and stood up from the table under Ichabod's disapproving gaze. Without uttering a word he walked out of the door. A few minutes later she heard the crack of his axe against the round of wood in the backyard. She made her way out to speak to him.

"Crane." He paused, turning over his shoulder to look at her, until she came into full view.

"I trust Mr. Bradford is well."

"He is. I was actually just letting him know that I wouldn't be able to see him after all, because-" she paused thinking, I want you, "because we've been so busy ya know."

"That we have." He answered sounding indifferent. She didn't know what to say so she just peered up at him through the awkward silence.

"Well if there isn't anything else." He said lifting his axe. Wow, Abbie thought, He's dismissing me, like I'm bothering him. Like he wasn't just staring at me five minutes ago like a crazed lunatic.

"No that was all, is there anything else you wanted to say?" She asked.

"Nothing." He replied quicker than she expected him to.

"Okay, well…I'll leave you to it." She said grinning weakly before heading back up to the house. She wasn't going to pressure him, his wife had just passed three weeks before. Later that night he came to her room the same way he had a few nights before, and would so many nights after. Without fail he would tap on her bedroom door and she would wake to let him in. He shuffled in holding a blanket and a pillow that he unfailingly laid on the floor next to her bed, before stretching out over the top of it. He was always gone in the morning when she woke up. But this little bit he gave her, at least knowing that somewhere deep inside of him, he still needed to be near her, is what kept her holding on.

---

Ichabod entered the coffee shop adjacent to the college where he instructed. He was quickly flagged down by his companion Professor Brenden Williams. He was seated with a good friend of his, Matt Tilman, the college's current Director of HR. Ichabod held up a finger indicating that he would be over as soon as he purchased his milk. By the time he made it to the table the duo had been joined by the Director of IT, Perry Chambers. He and Ichabod had gotten off to a rather choppy start, but they had long since put the misunderstanding behind them. As he approached the trio was huddled in quiet conversation.

"Gentlemen he said holding his tray at the edge of the table."

"Aye, Aye, Aye, P, move over make some room for my boy." Brenden stated.

Perry slid over, "Sorry, sorry. I didn't see you there. But," He resumed whispering. "Word on the street is, he had to take that sabbatical because he fucked that freshman. His wife found out, caught them red-handed during his office hours. And get this, I heard she had photographic evidence. Like she is getting everything, that new Maserati he had, it's fucking gone. I saw him last week coming out Subway getting into a 05' Corolla."

"Dayuuum." Brendan cringed. "That will never be me, I don't even look at these girls these days, man. No way I'm only getting to see my kids on Wednesdays and every other weekend, while some new dude is driving my car, giving it to my wife. I wonder how long they're making him take.

Everyone's eyes trailed over to Matt waiting for a more information. "I don't know why everyone's looking at me, I don't know anything. Further I don't think we should be speculating about this."

Perry piped up. "Oh bullshit Matt, come on. You're the fucking Director of HR, you're right there in the administration office, you're going to tell me you heard absolutely nothing about this. I'm your best friend stop being such a corny cornball and tell me what went down."

"First of all I'm not corny or a cornball, and…"

"Wait, wait, wait, you are kind of corny." Brenden interjected.

"Brenden how you can call anyone corny, you teach Physics, that's like the corniest thing on earth."

"Whoa, how is providing students with a deeper understanding of classical, quantum, and statistical mechanics as well as, electromagnetism, thermodynamics, and special relativity, corny. Does anyone else think that's corny?"

After receiving a chorus of no's from the other gentlemen seated at the table Brenden continued. "You need to get your life together man."

"Right, what he's doing is brightening young minds, you're just corny for no reason. You're fucking cornier than my grandmother's toes. You're fucking cornier than Ichabod and he brings a sack lunch, and has a compass in his left jacket pocket. No offense Ichabod." Perry stated.

"And none taken, I suppose." Ichabod says taking a gulp of his milk.

"What you're doing is holding out on your bro's because you're chicken shit." Perry accused.

"I am chicken shit, it's confidential information, and I am not at liberty to say. I could lose my job." Matt stated.

"It's not like it's going to go any further than this table, I mean Ichabod's new, but he's a stand-up guy, he's not going to say anything."

"Frankly, it's not Ichabod I'm worried about."

"What?! Are you kidding me, you're still talking about that piece of shit Whitman?"

"I trusted you, and you burned me." Matt scolded.

"It's not like I told anyone he was an alcoholic, all I said was he canned because he got shitfaced, before noon, and wrecked a university vehicle." Perry said defensively.

"What! That's the same thing!" Matt yelled.

"It is not the same thing, and that's why you're holding out on me because his reputation got ruined. He fucking deserved it. That tree could've just as easily been a family of four, so fuck that guy."

"Gentlemen, language." Ichabod said looking up to see Professor Rebecca Murray headed their direction." She taught Sociology at the college, and Ichabod saw a great deal of her working in the same department. Her long sandy blonde hair bounced through the air as she approached them.

"Hello gentlemen, I hope your day is going well." She said smiling warmly to the chorus of hellos. "Professor Crane I was absolutely fascinated with your piece in the journal last week, I found it brilliantly insightful."

Ichabod smiled proudly, "Why thank you, I'm glad you enjoyed it."

"No, thank you. I thought it highlighted some really intriguing nuances, though I was left with a few questions, perhaps you will be willing to get together sometime and discuss it further."

"Certainly, I'm always game for a discussion on classical liberalism." He chimed.

"Good then." She beamed. "I'll be in touch."

"Well that was very kind of her." Ichabod smiled. He looked around the unusually quiet table, and saw a three sets of wide eyes staring back at him. "What is it?" Ichabod looked down at his shirt. "Is there something on my attire?"

"No. But…" Brenden looked over at his friend. In the time he'd known Ichabod he'd realized that while he was truly intelligent, he didn't pick up on some things as easily as other people. In particular, the advances of women.

"But, what? What is it?" Ichabod asked confused.

"You do realize what just happened right? With Becky." Brenden questioned.

"Of course I made a loose arrangement with her to further discuss my article." Ichabod replied.

Brenden shook his head. "No. No. Ichabod, I read your article, it was great, congratulations by the way, but that woman does not give two shits about reconciling classical liberalism with modern day American politics. She has the hot's for you."

"That's preposterous, she is simply interested in my literary work." Ichabod stated, dismissively.

"Fella's, how long have we been eating our lunch at this exact table."

"Say about four and a half, almost five years, yeah nearly five years." Matt and Perry, reasoned together.

"Okay so, in those five years how many times has Becky stopped by this table to ask us how our day was going before Ichabod started sitting with us?

"Umm. None." Matt answered.

"Yep, never. And I even invited her to eat with me a couple of times, she is fucking hot." Perry added.

"Okay so how many times has she came by here to ask how our day was going since Ichabod started sitting with us?"

"Like every single day. Dude, I don't even get it. Am I missing something like what the fuck is it that this guy has that has these super-hot chicks throwing themselves at him. Like is it the accent, because I could totally adopt a fake British accent." Perry said.

Ichabod began to recall all of the extra kindness and attention Professor Murray seemed to give him. He simply reasoned she was being friendly, and welcoming because he was new to the academic establishment. She seemed to always end up seated next to him at department meetings, and one day she'd even brought him in some cookies she'd baked. Oh no! No, no, no,no,no,no. He thought. Ichabod believed he was agreeing to a casual social meeting, but he quickly came to realize that she very well may have had other plans in mind.

"Don't do that, don't." Brenden stated.

"Don't what don a fake British accent, because hell if it works." Perry questioned.

"No. Don't belittle my boy's game, man. It's not the accent. Give credit where credit is due. But Professor Crane" He added mimicking Becky's voice, "What I want to know is, what you are going to tell your quote on quote roommate about your plans with Professor Murray."

"Pardon?" Ichabod asked still in a daze.

"You know your roommate, the one that probably made that sandwich your ass is eating right now. What are you going to tell her?" Brenden quizzed.

Ever since about four months ago, his comrades had referred to Abbie as his roommate. Brenden had invited them all to a small mixer at his home, and when it came time to introduce Abbie he paused. He didn't quite know the proper way to introduce the love of your life who you adore, and want to be with, but can't because a powerful demon threatened to steal her away, when you least expect it. Abbie spoke through his silence and introduced herself as his friend and roommate. He couldn't blame her, that's how they'd been living since Katrina's death, and to be honest he hadn't been much of a friend. He was cordial to her of course, but he kept his distance from her emotionally. He couldn't help but to want her whenever he was near her, so he limited the leisure time they spent together and tripled his effort to kill Moloch. He'd even considered tendering his resignation to the college to focus more attention on the war. Ultimately, he decided that he needed the money to assist with their living expenses, and he also needed a steady stream of income to support some investments he'd began making.

Ichabod put his sandwich down. "There is nothing to tell, I will speak with Professor Murray at my earliest convenience and clear up any misunderstanding that we may have."

"Are you sure you want to do that?" Perry inquired, taking a bite of his burger. Everyone seated at the table looked at him crazily. Ichabod hadn't said anything specific, but he had sat with these gentlemen three days a week for over five months. During that time the only person he spoke about personally was Abbie, everyone could tell that he had feelings for her. Not to mention the incident that occurred at Brenden's mixer.

"What?!" Perry asked sitting his drink down. "Look, I wasn't going to say anything because she said you guys were just friends and roommates, and you confirmed that, you agreed. Even though later you tried to choke me just for complimenting her…"

Brenden eyes widened and he couldn't help but interject.

"–No he didn't try, he choked you, and you deserved it. And please stop acting as if you can't comprehend why that situation popped off the way that it did. It didn't matter if he said she was his friend, roommate, whatever, she was there with him. This is what I mean when I say the game is destroyed. I complimented her, he didn't choke me, Matt complimented her, and he didn't get choked, Ichabod complimented my wife, I didn't choke him, so obviously there was something wrong in the way that you complimented her. I said hey, your lady friend, she's beautiful, she seems like a really great girl. Bam, leave it at that, that's how you compliment another man's lady friend. But you, first of all triple complimented her, and you did so disrespectfully, you started talking about her body, all sorts of offside shit, I still don't see how you don't understand why you got choked."

Ichabod tensed, still somewhat embarrassed by how quickly and completely he had lost his temper that night. He was thankful that it was just the four of them in the basement.

"I get it, I got a little wasted, and said some things I shouldn't have. I am sorry Ichabod, I was out of line." Perry stated defensively.

Perry had already apologized and Ichabod had pretty much let it go, but he could still feel how angry he was after Perry went on and on about Abbie's physical attributes, including her arse. What had thrown him over the edge is when he stated that if she were his roommate he would fuck her every single day and three times on Sunday's. Then he proceeded to ask Ichabod for her number.

"It is water under the bridge." Ichabod said tightly.

"Awesome, now all I'm saying is, look I know you dig her, but do you think it's a good idea to push other women away, when you're not sure that she feels the same?" Perry questioned.

Ichabod had not told them much of his life, the person he shared the most with was Brenden, and even he knew very little. No one knew he was a witness, that he had a wife who died in purgatory, and he reasoned that they wouldn't have known of his feelings for Abbie be it not for the incident at the mixer. Abbie still loved him. He knew it, he felt it every time he was with her. What he didn't understand was why Perry seemed concerned with any of this at all.

"It is merely an exercise in patience. Abbie, is to be mine, and I hers. Why should I waste the time of other women?" He stated casually.

"What I'm say is, does she know that?" Ichabod could feel a low bubble of anger rising from the pit of his stomach. Perry knew nothing about Abbie, and frankly he knew nothing about him.

"How do you mean?" Ichabod's teeth gritted together without him even realizing it. Perry recognized that phrase well. They were the exact words Ichabod asked him shortly before he started choking him at the party.

"Whoa, I don't mean it in a disrespectful, or inappropriate way at all. Give me a minute, and listen, you know that orphanage off of Bender's Rd?" Everyone nodded their replies.

"Well my brother's buddy Nick volunteers there, he coaches the kids in a few little league sports, baseball, basketball, I think floor hockey…"

"—Dude, we only have an hour, get to the point." Brenden interrupted. "What does any of this have to do with Ichabod and his girl?"

"Right, so my brother asked me to drop off these shirts he'd had printed up as uniforms for some of the kids, and when I dropped them off I saw Abbie there talking to Nick."

"Perhaps you're mistaken, Abbie has volunteered there in the past, but she has been far too busy lately to find the time." Ichabod stated returning to his sandwich.

"No it was her because a week or so later I mentioned it to my brother just in casual conversation, like hey I know one of the girls that volunteers there with Nick, she's my friend's roommate. He asked if I was talking about the short African American girl, with really pretty eyes, and long hair. I said yeah, oh so you know her too. He said yeah because Nick really digs her, he told me they'd been spending a lot of time together, and he thinks he's going to close the deal pretty soon."

"Close the deal?" Ichabod questioned stopping mid chew, and holding his sandwich in front of him.

"Like that's what guys say in the states when they think they'll be able to get a girl into bed." Matt answered.

Ichabod sat up taller in his chair. "Ha, that is the most absurd thing I've ever heard. First, Abbie hasn't mentioned anything to me about volunteering at an orphanage. Second, she has been very busy lately and has not been spending time with anyone outside of myself and her sister. And third, even if everything aforementioned is inaccurate she is extremely selective, I doubt this Nick fellow could ever live up to her…requirements."

Ichabod left out the one thing that eased his mind the most, Abbie was in love with him. Sure he hadn't given her much of a reason to be since Katrina's death, but a love like the one they share doesn't simply disappear.

"Well he's a super decent guy, he's FBI, and I don't really rate guys, but he's not ugly, and he volunteers to help with orphans in his spare time, like what are her expectations. Besides when I was there it looked like the two of them were pretty chummy, I mean she was smiling a lot."

"Okay, okay, okay. We get it, but that doesn't mean anything. Some guy has the hot's for her, the same way Becky has the hot's for Crane." Brenden said, sensing Ichabod becoming bothered.

"On the contrary Abbie does not become chummy as you call it with many people, perhaps the more plausible explanation for all of this is what I reasoned in the first place, that it was not her that you saw after all." Ichabod reasoned.

"No, it was her." Perry argued.

"How are you so sure?" Brenden asked.

"What, it's not like I've only seen her one time, it was definitely her. Short girl, gorgeous face, tiny waist, and a perfect ass, it was her."

Ichabod lunged over the table and grabbed Perry by the collar before he could finish speaking.

"Did I not tell you once before to never speak of her arse again?" He said angrily, nostrils flaring wildly. The other men at the table quickly separated the pair, before anyone had a chance to see what was going on. Ichabod stood to clear his food.

Perry wrapped his hand around his throat trying to lessen the sting. "This is why I didn't want to tell you, I should have just kept my fucking mouth shut. People always want to kill the messenger."

"That has nothing to do with it. I warned you once before to never speak of her in that manner again, and you will find that I mean the words I speak Mr. Chambers."

"Oh here we go with this Mr. Chambers shit again, Ichabod I'm your fucking friend, call me Perry or P for fucks sakes, I was just trying to help you. And how many times do I have to apologize, that was months ago. You said she was your roommate, it was an honest mistake." Perry called as Ichabod started walking away.

Brenden caught up to him. "Yo, Ichabod. Hey man, come on, P didn't mean anything by it, he's just being P you know."

"I do, it's just…"

"Man I already know. Look don't worry about it, in the couple of times I've met her it's apparent she's crazy about you. Look if you don't mind me asking, why don't you just tell her how you feel?" Brenden asked.

"I have, but not recently, it's a rather delicate situation, and a very long story, for another time." Ichabod stated.

"Oh word. Well look man, I hope it works out for you, let me know if you need anything, alright."

"Thank you Bren,"

"Anytime, bro."

Later that evening Abbie was in the middle of stretching with a group of kids when to her complete surprise Ichabod turned up at the orphanage. She immediately assumed that something had gone horribly wrong for him to track her down that way.

"Hey." She said jogging over just as the kids were dividing into floor hockey teams.

"Good evening." Ichabod said unable to get over how radiant she looked. A slight glow covered her face from her physical activity.

"Is there something wrong, how did you..." She didn't want to say find me here, because she didn't want to imply that she'd been hiding.

"I was driving by, and I saw your vehicle." He said at first, and immediately felt guilty for lying. "Perry actually, mentioned that he… had seen you here before," He said glancing in the direction of the blonde man Abbie was chatting with when he came in.

"So I drove by on my way home, and saw the truck." He paused looking at her curiously. "I thought you had errands to run tonight?"

Abbie folded her arms detecting the sarcasm in his voice. "I was, this is one of them. Is there something wrong, do you need something?" She asked.

Ichabod drew his eyebrows together. "Why did you not ask me to join you?"

Abbie sighed. "I don't know it just seems like, lately when I ask you to do anything that has nothing to do with killing Moloch you're disinterested. So, I didn't really think you'd be game for this, and it's important to me, so I decided to do it alone. I need this, you know, it helps me to remember why it is we do what we do."

"Is that how I appear, disinterested in things that are important to you?" Ichabod looked at her a bit taken aback, and then started walking to the other side of the gym.

"Great." She mumbled, watching as he stalked across the gym. She was shocked when he stopped near the door and pulled off his overcoat and jacket, placed them in a chair, and headed back toward her.

"So precisely how is it, that one plays such a game." He asked. Abbie's face spread into the widest smile she'd had in months.

She took a moment to introduce Ichabod to Nick and the kids. She laughed when the children all gathered around him telling him how funny he spoke, and asking him where he was from.

"One question at a time you guys." Abbie reminded them.

"Ichabod, that's a really funny sounding name." Jenny chirped. Ichabod kneeled down to talk to the little girl.

"You're quite right, I think it's a rather odd sounding name as well. What is your name?" He asked.

"Jenny," The small girl beamed. Aimlessly putting her hands on top of her curly red hair.

"Why did you know that Miss Abbie has a sister named Jenny?" He asked.

"Noooo." She sang looking at Abbie for conformation.

"I sure do." Abbie said cheerfully.

"Jenny is a very pretty name." He said smiling.

"Thank you." Jenny chimed.

"Your welcome."

Abbie stepped back smiling watching Ichabod interact with the children. He was so comfortable with them, and they really seemed to like him as well. She was happy that he seemed to hit it off with Delton, the child she had most closely bonded with. He was quieter than the other kids, and didn't warm up to people easily. When she finally looked away she caught Nick peering at her, as she watched Ichabod. Just last week he had asked her out. She could tell for a while that he had been building up to it, and did her best to discourage him, but he came over just as she was getting into her car and asked if she'd like to get a drink sometime. She let him down easy, basically telling him that she wasn't in a good place to pursue a relationship.

Later that evening Ichabod and Abbie sat by the fire, sipping cocoa having a conversation about something other than Moloch in what felt like the first time in months. The talked about everything from his work, to current events, and a list of movies they should watch if they ever had time. Inevitably the conversation led to her volunteer activities at the orphanage.

"I find it quite remarkable…the fact that you thought to give your time in that way, particularly when already you have so precious little of it to yourself." He commented placing his mug on the coffee table.

"When I was little, there were a lot of good people, who did the same for me, I mean I wasn't in an orphanage, but, I spent a lot of time in programs for disadvantaged children so…just trying to do my part." Abbie replied lazily. She had become drowsy from the long day, and the warm fire was only pushing her further toward sleep.

"So this fellow Mr. Hawley, is he a good friend of yours?" Ichabod asked nonchalantly.

Abbie leaned her head back against the couch pillows. "Uhh, no not really, Why do you ask?"

Ichabod glanced furtively in her direction. "Merely wondering, you seemed very friendly with him…and he seems to be rather fond you." He added.

Abbie shrugged. She could detect a tinge of jealousy brewing in Ichabod, but she wasn't about to jump to rest his head when he hadn't done the same for her these past few months. In fact, when she'd come to his office to drop off a plant earlier this year she seen a plateful of fresh baked cookies with a flirty note attached. She wasn't snooping per se but she did take notice that they were from Professor Murray, this blonde with huge boobs she'd met at his friend's party last fall. She wondered if that was the reason he showed up at the orphanage earlier, because he'd gotten word that she was working closely Nick. It hurt a little, she had hoped that he was just interested in spending time with her, in seeing her. Not in determining whether someone else was doing so.

"It's late, I'm going to head up to bed." She said rising into a stretch before gathering up their mugs.

Ichabod stood, and took her mug just as she was reaching for his. "Allow me. I am going to sit and watch the fire a little longer. I bid you goodnight." He said quietly, a little sad that she was leaving his company.

"Oh thanks," Abbie said fighting off a yawn. "Well I'll see you"—a big yawn escaped from her mouth—"I'm sorry, in the morning." She smiled, "Goodnight Ichabod Crane."

He bowed, eliciting a small chuckle from her.

"Oh and Abbie." He called just as she reached the bottom of the stairs. She looked over her shoulder to see him. "Yes?"

"Thank you for a most pleasant evening. It was the most enjoyable time that I have had in a long while." He said wistfully.

She felt her brows come together as she bit her bottom lip. "Me too."

---

That night Abbie thought Ichabod had turned a corner, but in the weeks to follow she realized that he was heading the other direction. They worked tirelessly pursuing Moloch, spending every single second of time they had to spare, and quite a few they didn't trying to draw him out. Ichabod wanted so badly to tell Abbie that his feelings hadn't changed, that she was a large part of the reason he was so desperate to kill Moloch. Every night he lay upon her floor, fighting the urge to crawl into her bed, take her into his arms, and make love to her until sun rise. After spending the day with her at the orphanage he was painfully reminded of everything he was missing out on. He wanted that life, a regular quiet one, with her, and he wanted it now. But first he needed to kill Moloch. He peered over at her now, sensing that she was becoming disillusioned with his insatiable desire to pursue Moloch. A winter storm was settling in as the witnesses drove along the snow trodden trail to the cabin in a thick uncomfortable silence. Their battles had been growing increasingly grotesques, and it was easier to walk into a secluded cabin covered in blood than a suburban home. She glanced over at Crane to see him covered in the blood of the wicked. Nearly an hour before she watched as he dealt a hessian a blow so powerful that it literally split him in two.

When they arrived home, Abbie walked straight into the bathroom. She stood under the shower-head while the hot water washed over her. It was Thursday and already the third time this week she had co-washed her hair. Though she'd been around it numerous times she could never get used to the smell of death. It seemed the scent, or rather the memory of it managed to stay with her long after the battle was over. She shuddered remembering Ichabod's actions. She was fighting with the Hessian and finally got him on the ropes. She was trying to capture him, and submit him to questioning, but suddenly tripped over uneven turf allowing him the upper hand. The last thing she remembered was his large hand clasping around her neck before the force of Ichabod's sword separated the hemispheres of his head. The fact that he was dead before his body hit the ground didn't stop Ichabod from kicking him repeatedly until she pulled him away.

"Do give my regards to Moloch, tell him I'm coming for him!" He called out to the corpse. Abbie quickly finished cleansing and stepped out of the shower. Judging from the way he looked, Ichabod was going to need all the hot water they had, and some they didn't.

While Crane showered Abbie whipped up a batch of turkey sausage zuppa, it was one of his favorites. She hoped that it would put him in a good mood, and he'd be more open to the things she needed to say to him. He'd been in his present state long enough, and she worried that if she didn't find a way to reach him soon, it would be too late, and he would stay in it forever. They still hadn't spoken of the declarations made in the hotel room, the kisses, the intimacy, none of it. She assumed he felt a certain guilt behind it, even though it had been six months since Katrina passed, he hadn't said or done anything to affirm that he still felt the same. Truth be told she felt a certain guilt behind it as well, even though they had never made love, just the thought that she at one time possessed something that didn't rightfully belong to her, his heart.

"It smells delightful."

"Hey!" A startled Abbie bellowed turning from the stove. "I didn't hear you come in, I hope it tastes as good as it smells." She added.

"I'm certain it will be wonderful." He said flatly ambling toward her. That was when she really allowed herself to look at him. He always looked so handsome fresh out of the shower, and the smell of his soap was simply unnerving. He was wearing thin gray pajama bottoms, and a white v-neck t-shirt. His damp hair waved slightly around his face. She smiled to herself hoping her task would be made easier by the much improved mood he seemed to be in. Much to her surprise he kept moving toward her and didn't stop until his hand clung loosely around her waist. She took in a broken breath and gazed up at him. He met her eyes and saw immediately that hers was a look of befuddlement.

"Pardon me, you've gone through such trouble, the least I can do is ready the table." He said edging her towards the other end of the stove, so he could open the cupboard and grab their bowls.

"Oh…thanks" she briefly bent her lips upward.

"Of course." He smiled.

They pair had only just started eating when Ichabod remarked upon the raids he hoped to execute in the morning. Abbie sighed pushing her bowl away in frustration. When he scoffed at her suggestion that perhaps they could use a day to recuperate, she stood up from the table.

"Miss Mills." He said his eyes widening. He'd been with her all day, and knew the cereal she'd eaten at breakfast wasn't enough to sustain her.

"Abbie!" He exclaimed as she tossed her bowl into the sink.

Abbie pushed herself away from the counter and pulled her elastic band out of her ponytail allowing her curls to fall loose. She dug her fingertips into her scalp trying to massage away the stress she felt coming on.

"Your body requires sustenance, you must eat," Ichabod cautioned as he grabbed her another bowl from the cupboard.

"No, I'm not hungry. Just.." she sighed moving a few curly tendrils out of her face. "Just answer me this question. Do you even hear yourself right now? All you're concerned with are these raids, it's like it's ruling you, it's consuming you."

"I fail to see the problem with that. This is our duty is it not, to wage this war." He countered moving to her.

"Are we?"

"I beg your pardon." Ichabod questioned growing irritated.

"Are we actually fighting a war or just keeping busy, and exhausting ourselves in battle after battle. How do we even know that these victories are meaningful? What if they're just fools' errands Moloch is putting before us to keep us from doing what we actually should be doing, which is killing him."

"And how pray-tell do you recommend that we kill Moloch without first killing those who stand before him on the frontlines?"

At this point he's standing directly over Abbie causing her to hold her head nearly straight up when replying to him. It was the closest they had been in months. Their voices were raised, tinted with bitterness, and Abbie still couldn't help but be completely attracted to him.

"I didn't say that I had all the answers Crane, I don't know exactly how we kill him, but we've already killed so many…so, so many of his troops, and I don't feel like we're any closer to getting him so maybe it's time to try a different approach." She argued.

Ichabod considers Abbie's words. He takes a moment to let them soak in fully and reflect, and for the first time in a long time Abbie thinks he's listening to reason. He slowly shakes his head.

"No. No. This is the way, it will work. We'll continue to weaken his forces until they're so depleted that we can overtake him."

"So just like that, you call all the shots huh?" Abbie said rolling her eyes. "Well I'm not on board with this, and I'm not doing it this way anymore." She says emphasizing every syllable the last word. She turns and starts heading to the bedroom to get some rest, she can hear that he's still talking but she's done listening.

"Lieutenant, Lieutenant." He calls. She hears him close the space behind her before she feels his hand gripping her arm and turning her back around.

"I am still speaking Abbie, do not simply walk away from me." He says with just a little too much attitude in his tone for her liking.

"We're not going to agree on this Crane, at least not tonight anyway, maybe we should just call it, and talk about it in the morning." She reasoned.

"In the morrow the war resumes." He stoops down so he can look her square in the eyes, and softens his tone.

"Moloch's forces are weakening with our every victory. It shan't be long before we've defeated him, we cannot abandon our present course merely because it has yet to yield the returns you desire."

Abbie shakes her head. "You're not listening, you are not listening," she says slowly. "We are no closer to killing him then we were six months ago. And worse I watch you out there, I can see the sick, twisted, satisfaction you get with every enemy slain. The pleasure I see in your eyes whenever you send one of them to their death…Crane it's disturbing."

"So I should not be pleased when our efforts prove victorious?" He spat.

"That's not what I'm saying, all I'm saying is we can't become so consumed with defeating the enemy that in doing so we become just like them." As soon as the words escape her mouth she regrets saying them. Not because she didn't mean them, but rather because she couldn't bare the way they affected him.

Everything stops. A vacant glare spreads across Ichabod's face.

"You think …you think me a monster?" He asks unable to hide how much her words shocked and hurt him. Abbie looks away, and after she fails to answer him he walks over to the window and stares out of it.

"You are correct Lieutenant. You should go to bed, we are not going to resolve this issue this evening."

"Ichabod it isn't that, I don't know what to say. I lost people to this war too, I know it hurts, losing Katrina….losing Jeremy", her voices cracks because saying that name, Jeremy, the one in which they never spoke, was a full recognition of all he lost. Abbie kept looking his direction wishing he would turn and face her, but not at all surprised that he didn't.

"I can't even imagine, but all of that anger…all of that pain, you can't let it overtake you this way. Ichabod, you have to let it go."

"Let it go?" He turns and looks at her incredulously. "I see, so Moloch kills my wife, and tries to murder my infant child and even now he seeks…." He pauses deciding some things are better left unsaid. "I should just let it go?" He questions his tone raising.

"No, no, I'm not asking you to forget what he's done, but the pain its caused you, the way you blame yourself when there is nothing you could have done to stop this. I'm not asking you to forgive Moloch, I'm asking you to forgive yourself." They stand there in silence for what feels like the longest time, Ichabod not acknowledging that he heard her words, and Abbie unable to summon any new ones that feel worth anything. She wonders if he even loves her anymore, it all seems so long ago that she wonders if he ever did.

After a while she starts putting on her boots but doesn't fully realize she's leaving until she has her keys in her hand. Ichabod can hear that she was getting things around, he can hear her shuffling and moving about, but is still surprised when he hears the door close. His fingers flex anxiously at his side at the sound of it. He makes his way through the cabin in record time and catches her by the elbow just as her feet are touching the snow in the driveway. She yanks her arm away only to have him grab a hold of her with two hands.

She stands facing her car while his hands wrapped around her elbows from behind. "Please let me go, I'll come back for you in the morning. I just…. I want to go home." She pleads.

Tell her Ichabod. Tell her the simple truth, you're afraid of losing her, and the mere thought of it takes you to a place darker than you've ever known. Tell her of the warning Moloch levied in purgatory. Tell her not to go—beg her if you must, beg her to stay. Ichabod released Abbie from his grasp, but she didn't move. She stood there waiting for him to say something, anything that could help her to understand. Praying that he would wrap his arms around her the way he did on that dance floor all those months ago, and ask her to stay.

"The roads will become treacherous before long, you will call when you have reached your destination so that I will know you arrived safely?"

Her heart sank.

"I will."

She had hoped when he came after her that he was actually coming after her. That they could mend things tonight, that he would apologize for the way he's been acting. She turned to him after fastening her safety belt.

"Just remember Ichabod, it was foretold that we would wage this war for seven years, it may be some time before we kill Moloch. We need to be patient, slow and steady wins the race."

On the way home Abbie felt tears swelling behind her eyes like storm clouds on a hot day. She kept them inside. Her mind was on autopilot during the familiar trip home, giving her lots of time to digest the feelings of disappointment she had about the derision between her and Crane. Even with everything she'd gone through in her life she couldn't recall ever feeling so lost. Her mind sifted through some of the memories from the past six months, this weird mode of being they'd fallen into. She felt defeated in the fact that she couldn't reach him. He was someplace that their all-encompassing bond couldn't bring him back from, and she was terrified that he would never make it back on his own. Images of him, of them, laughing, crying, fighting speckled through her mind, the glimpse of a deer along the edge of the road reminded her to come out of her thoughts and pay attention. Ichabod stood in the spot that Abbie left him for nearly fifteen minutes after she'd gone. It was freezing, and he was coatless, but he doubted that he would feel any warmer inside. He wouldn't last another six years this way, not being able to treat her as he should…as he wanted to. Watching her shrug off her coat, and step out of her boots after a long day. Seeing the weariness across her face, and tension in her posture as she poured herself a glass of wine. Wanting to take the short steps to her, wrap his arms around her, and squeeze her until every drop of her awful day was erased. But he couldn't for fear of Moloch, so he stood there, watching her, not being the man that she needed him to be.

"Jenny? Jen!" Abbie called out into the empty room. She looked around the room spying a note lying on the table next to the front entrance.

Bells, staying at Frank's tonight, see you two in the morrow, lol love Jenny. She had drawn a little smiley face next to her signature which drew a quick smile from Abbie. She was glad that her sister found someone who made her happy, and treated her so well. She glanced around the room and quickly talked herself out of an array of things she needed to do, and headed up for bed. An hour later she was sitting in her bed reading when she thought she heard a clicking noise coming from downstairs. She sat up abruptly, opening her nightstand and removing her firearm. She headed toward the stairs shivering against a chill that was also creeping through the hallway. Her tank top and boy shorts provided her with little warmth outside of her bed.

"Jenny, is that you?" There was no response, as she stealthily moved down the staircase. "Listen I don't know who, or what is down there but I am a trained, armed, police officer and…"

"—Miss Mills?"

"Ugh!" Abbie breathed a sigh of relief as Ichabod appeared at the bottom of the stairs. She lowered her gun to her side.

"Crane what the hell, I could have hurt you, I thought you were staying at the cabin?" she question continuing down the stairs making sure to restore the safety lock on her gun.

"And I thought you would call when you arrived home." He lobbed.

"Oh." She said bringing her hand to her forehead. "It just slipped my mind, I completely forgot I'm sorry. How did you come all this way? You couldn't have walked, and your car's in the garage." she said looking at the clock.

"I called the taxi cab service." He replied stiffly. Abbie cocked her head to the side trying to gain more understanding for him travelling all this way.

"I was worried…when I did not receive word from you." He offered.

"Wow," Abbie said realizing the gravity of her oversight. "My bad, I really should have called, but like I said it slipped my mind. Look, I can reimburse you for having to waste money on a cab."

Ichabod stepped closer to her with an incredulous look on his face. Oh fuck she thought, wondering why she said that. She knew it was going to piss him off before the words even left her mouth. Even though she was standing on the bottom step she still had to look up at him, and the way he was looking made her not want to look at him at all. She pushed past him and walked into the living room setting her weapon on an end table. Ichabod turned after her.

"What in God's name are you talking about Abbie?" His voice raised a bit. "You think I want your currency, you coin?" He spit out bitterly.

"I didn't say that, I did not. Say that." Abbie reiterated bringing holding her had up.

"But you implied it, did you not. I am employed Abbie, I earn a wage. I do not care about the cab ride, and I am not concerned about the cab fare, my only concern is you!" He said with such authority she couldn't help but meet his eyes. She rolled her bottom lip under her teeth.

Ichabod ran his hand though his loose hair in an effort to steady his emotions. He moved closer still to Abbie, speaking softer.

"Earlier when you left, you said that you just wanted to go home, and I realized I wanted to go home as well."

Abbie folded her arms and across her chest while nodding impatiently. "Mm hmm, mm hmm, mm hmm," She said in rapid succession. "I get that. Everything you know is from another time, another place."

"—Allow me to finish please." She raised her eyebrows because he rarely ever interrupted her while she was speaking."

"I realized that home, for me, isn't here or there…rather it's with you. Wherever you are is where I am home…so when you took your leave I realized that you did not feel the same." He said carefully. Abbie's mouth opened and all of the air in her lungs seemed to flow out. She didn't know if it was embarrassment or shyness, but for some reason she couldn't look at him, so she just stared down at the floor.

"Earlier…you said that I was becoming like our adversaries, I disagree, but I understand how you might have come to see it that way. But know now, I am no monster Abbie."

His chest was pounding, and she was standing so close he wondered if she could hear it. "Moloch seeks to take away everything that I love…."

He thought about his next words briefly but carefully, arranging them in his head until he mustered up the courage to say them out loud. Because it was the first time he had the right to say such words to her, and he wanted to get it right. His hands reached over to hers and encircled them. He had allowed her to keep her eyes cast downward, because he knew that despite this, she heard him. But his next words, he wanted her to not only hear, but see him say as well, so she could look upon his face, and never have to question their veracity. He gazed down at her, overcome by the way his heart reacted to her beauty. Amazed and grateful for the way in which she conducted herself after Katrina's passing, when he was stilted, and angry, and hurt, and reclusive. Too afraid of losing her to tell her that he still loved her, too foolish to show her that she still controlled his heart. He gave her absolutely nothing, and suitors called upon her promising positively everything for a mere chance, but she turned them away. He wrapped one of his large hands around her waist while the other one pulled her chin up until their eyes met.

"And I have never loved anything in my entire life, the way that I love you." His said softly, "He threatened to steal you away, that day in purgatory. To take you from my very arms, so I began reason that perhaps it was best if you were never in them. I cannot lose you… I won't. I can't let him hurt you…touch you." A few tears that he'd be holding back finally escaped his eyes.

"Can you not see, Abbie. I have to kill him, I have to get to him before he comes for you. If it happens that I must run my sword through the skulls of thousands of his disciples then I will. And I will not apologize for it. If I have to become this monster you think me to be in order for you to remain safe, then so be it."

Abbie was speechless. She didn't know what she was feeling or what to say. She had no idea that he was afraid for her safety, all this time he was afraid to show her the way he felt because of Moloch's pattern of attacking those dearest to him. She knew it well, he had done the same thing to her. She realized that he thought he was protecting her, and maybe he was, but she still wished that he would have let her in. She gazed up at him in amazement her tongue finally managing to untie itself.

"Ichabod, why didn't you tell me…" She began resting her palms against his chest unsure whether it was to feel closer to him or to keep him away. He hurt her. His silence, his distance, it still hurt. How could she trust him again after he shut her out so thoroughly and completely. Abbie was never the jump out of the window, crazy for love type of girl, but something about him…something in him, made her want to give him everything, without censor. The only problem was that she was no longer sure that she could do so without being hurt.

"You should have told me, we…" She sighed. "We could have dealt with this together, but shutting me out the way you did." She shook her head. Ichabod cupped her head between his hands, sliding his fingers through the hair along the nape of her neck.

"I know." He whispered. She could feel his breath on her, and it reminded her how so very long it had been since they were close in this way. Her shoulders instinctually curved toward him, but her hands remained between them on guard. She missed him, their conversation, his quirky little quips, and outlooks on everything. He was just gone, there in the flesh but gone, and every time she went after him, that she thought she was reaching him, he disappeared again.

"No. You don't know. I was alone, I thought you'd changed your mind about us...about me." She said looking up at him through tearful eyes. "You…hurt me." She breathed.

Ichabod heart broke hearing those words from her. He looked into her beautiful eyes and silently cursed himself knowing that he was the one responsible for putting the tears there.

"I'm sorry." He whispered resting his head against hers. "I'm so sorry…" He repeated becoming weak at the sound of her soft sigh. He tilted his head so that the side of his lips lightly rested against the top of her cheek as he spoke.

"Tonight after you drove off, I watched after you until I could see your car no more, I missed you instantly. I know now that I never should have let you go, and when you failed to call, I began to imagine the worst. My attempts to phone went unanswered, and I was frantic, I was…mad. Throughout the duration of my journey here, I could not stop considering the amount of time that I have wasted. Being afraid. Being stubborn, and arrogant. Being everything except for what you most needed me to be, which is here." He dropped his head so that his lips hung directly next to hers.

"I'm here now." He said quietly. "And if you'll have me, I promise to never leave you alone again. Can you forgive me?"

Abbie was silent aside from a heavy breath that slipped through her lips, followed by the quiet sound from the back of her throat when she attempted to swallow the lump sitting in it. Ichabod felt the wetness from one of her tears after it slid down her cheek and settled against his.

"Apple please." He whispered, giving into his urges, moving his mouth to hers, and stealing a long sensuous peck from her lips. Abbie whimpered realizing she was undone the moment he touched her. Only he could do her this way.

"Forgive me." He whispered against her lips. Abbie could feel the fear, and pain of their unspoken estrangement coming to a head, just as the relief that it was over came flooding in. All of the emotion, mixing and swirling throughout her heart, and spirit overwhelmed her and came spilling out. Her tears fell freely.

"I missed you so much." She cried. His soft lips collided with hers as soon as the words were out of her mouth. Ichabod coiled his long limbs around her encasing her shoulders in his strong arms. He kissed her with all fury of the unspent love and adoration of the past months. To have her soft lips pressed against his, rightfully, under no rouse or guise left him completely overjoyed. His bones rejoiced to hold her again. An internal explosion rippled through Abbie's body as he parted her lips with his tongue. His fingers splayed through her still slightly damp curls while his other arm wraps around her waist pulling her tighter against him. They broke the kiss momentarily trying to calm their erratic breath.

"You shall never have to miss me again, I swear it." Ichabod immediately leaned forward humming a slew of I'm sorries as he kissed, and nipped her jawline and neck. Abbie moaned before slowly moving backwards until she felt the wall against her shoulders. It wasn't that she didn't enjoy everything he was doing to her, quite the opposite, she liked it so much she didn't trust her legs to hold.

Ichabod's shoulders heaved rigorously as he peered at her confused as to why she moved away from him.

"Abbie?" He questioned even more so with his eyes than his mouth, worried that he'd left her heart unattended too long. That he'd left her questions unanswered, for such an extended duration that she began to answer them herself. What if she didn't truly want this anymore? What if she didn't want him?

Abbie rested her head against the wall.

"Come here" she reaching out to him. Relief soaked through his body, as he quickly strode over to her, swooning over her weepy eyes, and swollen lips. If Moloch, or anyone else was coming for her, they had better bring all of hell with them, because he would move all of heaven to keep her safe. He bent down to take her lips again, softly, sucking and nibbling. The height difference was vast to say the least. He stood in his cloggy winter boots, while she rested upon her bare feet. When he felt her knee bend and rise against the side of his leg he took the opportunity to slide his hands down her sumptuous curves and cup the back of her thighs. Abbie was so far in the clouds, she barely noticed when her feet actually came off the ground. Smooth heavenly legs encircled his waist like a halo as he pinned her against the wall. A deep low groan escaped him and fell against the side of her mouth as his long fingers tightened around her bottom. His arousal felt like titanium against her damp center as he ground his hips in a circular motion while simultaneously pulling her closer against him. He kissed her, continuing his movements until suddenly he thrust his hips into her with uninhibited force. Abbie thought she was going to come at that very moment, she gripped him in her arms as breathy moans slid from her lips. The little nub at the top of her womanhood swelled crying for more. Abbie was certain this was as close as they could get without him actually being inside of her. Her whimpers caused him to pull his tongue from her mouth, stilling for a moment as his teeth lightly pulled her top lip between them. He could feel his closed eyes rolling to the top of his head as she suckled his bottom lip.

(Kiss) "Do you…feel mmm" (Kiss) "What you do to me?" He asked sliding his tongue between her lips.

"Mmm, what you've always done to me, Abbie." He pushed his throbbing length into the crux between her legs. How could she not feel him, she reasoned as his thick member brought her to the edge of insanity.

"I desire you." He confessed, before returning to her lips with a deep passionate kiss. For the life of him he couldn't keep his mouth off of her for more than three seconds. He raised his lips from hers long enough to find her eyes.

Abbie listened as whispers crooned from his lips. "I desire you. I want you…I want to make love to you Apple, this instant." He kept his eyes trained on hers.

"Do you want me?" He asked in a voice lower than she'd ever heard him use. Her entire body pulsed with need. She brought one of her hands from around his neck and held it to his cheek.

"More than anything." she replied looking directly into his eyes. His heart skipped a beat. He knew then that she was his, to do with as he pleased, just as he was hers. He slowly lowered her down long enough to remove his coat and shoes. His stayed with her the entire time, watched her shoulders rise and fall against the wall. A moment after he lay his coat across the couch he carefully scooped her up and carried her up the stairs to his bedroom. Her hands and lips played at his face and neck all the way. He entered the dark room and left it that way, placing her on her feet just in front of the bed.

Within seconds he'd lit the candles on his dresser and nightstand. He wanted to light the ones positioned upon his other night stand but he came back to kiss her, in-between, and didn't have the strength to leave her again. His hand fell against her head, pushing her curls out of her face. Abbie brazenly gazed into his eyes even though the unrestrained longing she found there brought about a shyness she couldn't quite hide. He found her shyness both amusing and appealing, it was such a contrast to how he was used to seeing her, so dominant, and in control. He felt privileged that only he got to see this vulnerable side of her.

Ichabod knew there were a few men before him, but he also knew that they didn't matter. He knew this partially because she told him so, and partially because standing before her just then, it became clear that she was his woman. It was as if God took the very rib from his side, and created her just for him. So how could she have ever been another's, when she had belonged to him from the start? She couldn't, and if she didn't know already, he vowed to prove it to her tonight. He lifted his cotton shirt over his head and let it fall to the floor. She just stared at him, drinking in his broad shoulders and lean muscle. Their definition a testament to all of the strength she knew he contained. Those shoulders that along with hers, had been charged with carrying the weight of the world.

"Come here." he whispered grabbing her around her waist and pulling her into a tender kiss. He slipped his fingertips beneath her tank top, and slowly pulled it over her head revealing her bare breast. The air in his lungs made a speedy exit. His eyes were fixated upon her in awe, as he carefully took the weight of her breast into his hand, dragging his fingers along her nipples. He spun her around so that his back was to the bed instead of hers, and sat down. He pulled her between his legs making eye contact with her just before his tongue slipped from between his lips, tasting her nipple before taking the whole of it inside of his mouth. Abbie's head fell back, and Ichabod tightened his grip around her keeping her steady as he licked, nibbled and suckled her breasts. He took his time, giving his full attention to each one. That was right around the time when Abbie began to feel like her had four hands. He caressed her so perfectly, driving her wild with the interplay between his tongue, and lips. She hissed as he gently squeezed her delicate nipples between his teeth. He was all over her wanting to touch and taste every part of her. She wilted under the feel of his rough axe wielding hands over her smooth skin so much so she almost surrendered to climax from that alone. The next thing she knew he was running his hands up her outer thighs until his fingers disappeared beneath her boy shorts. He pulled them down slowly, admiring the treasure hidden beneath them as he slid them off of her legs. His eye twinkled as they fell to her little patch of curls, watching as she stepped out of her panties. When he finally did tear his eyes away from her sex, his lips parted as his orbs travelled the span of her figure with look of lustful wonder.

"Abbie." He shook his head in amazement. "You're flawless."

By now she was shaking, not that she was still feeling shy, just full of nervous anticipation and excitement. Her hands gently stroked his beard, and he quickly grasped them and brought them to his lip. This entire time he had kept Abbie's hands from drifting too much across his body, he was already overly excited just from touching her, from looking at her. Her touch made every cell in his body want to explode. Without standing he took her in his arms, laid her across the bed, and began stealthily crawling over her covering her body with tender kisses. All the while, failing to notice her moving her hand toward his cock until he felt her tiny fingers gripping him through his cotton sweatpants. A broken cry slid from his mouth as he buried his head in the space between her neck and shoulder. He reached down pulling the offending hand up over her head trying to regain his breath.

"Abbie." He croaked, and she knew. She knew that she mustn't touch him there, or this will be over before it even begins. He stood simultaneously removing his pants and boxers. On his return to the bed he noticed Abbie's eyes had grown to the size of saucers. She looked at him slack-jawed, her eyes only briefly had the chance to admire how beautifully his waist intersected with the top of his hip before they took in what resided a few inches below. He lied to her, he was a monster. Her legs instinctually closed, and she slowly inched away from him as he sought to resume his position.

"Abbie…Abigail, we can take things as slow as you wish. If you have had a change of heart, or if you simply do not want..."

Abbie sat up keeping her legs closed, and to her side. "—I want to Ichabod, I still want to be with you, it's just…" she pursed her lips, and pulled a pillow in front of her as she gawked at the anaconda between his legs. How could she tell him that she'd never been with a man as…blessed as him? Further, she felt as though her first lover, who was of average length, fit her perfectly. She couldn't imagine taking anything bigger than him, and Ichabod was clearly thicker and longer. Still she felt embarrassed telling him, if for nothing else, the fact that he was already arrogant and cocky as hell. He slid next to her, threw her pillow to the floor, and ran his hand along her contours as he took her lips with his.

"Just what my love?"

"You need to be" Don't say it, Don't say it, Don't say it. She squeezed her eyes shut. "Gentle." Oh my God, could I sound more corny and weak, it's not like he's going to break it, wait could he break it?

"Abbie." He said as his mouth drug over her shoulder. "Open your eyes." She did as requested and almost drowned in the blackened pools staring back at her.

"You never need to feel afraid or embarrassed to share anything whatsoever with me." He drug his tongue and lips along her jawline, and spoke between nibbles and kisses. "You are the very whole of my heart."

He gently eased her back, sliding his fingers behind her neck. "I need you to trust me…I will never hurt you. Alright?" He asked. Abbie nodded her head.

"Alright."

He placed a soft kiss to her lips, fingers dipping into the seam of her still tightly closed legs.

"Abbie…open your legs for me." He whispered with a quiet confidence.

Her breathing was out control as his lips returned to her. His hand slipped up her shaking thighs as she slowly spread them open.

"Do you trust me?" he asked settling in between them.

Abbie cried out at the feel of his arousal rubbing against the wetness of her center. "I need to hear you say it." Ichabod demanded grinding himself against her while thrusting his tongue into her mouth.

"I…Oh!" She cried as his fingers reached down and traced along the outside of her slick labia.

"I trust you" She said breathlessly, nearly hyperventilating as he pushed his finger just inside of her wet folds. With that he began his descent downward. He took the scenic route exploring every nook and cranny, as attentive as a student given a study guide for a next day exam. He committed every touch, caress, kiss, suck, bite, lick and their elicited response to memory. Noting the way her belly jumped under his heavy breath, and the way her entire body twisted when his teeth and tongue slid across her thigh. The soft moans she breathed as he levied kisses against the middle of her calf. When he got to her toes he kissed them before making his way back up to the spot he had purposely avoided. He watched her body trembling with tension as he slid his hand along her leg and lifted it over his shoulder. He tightly gripped her thighs, moistened his lips, and ever so slowly let them fall to her vertical ones.

"Ugh." He heard her cry as her palms slapped and pressed into the mattress. He opened his mouth on her sliding his tongue up through her slippery folds. She gently grabbed a fistful of his locks, moaning under the contact. Her head swiveled against the mattress, as Ichabod slipped his tongue upward and flattened it over her tiny jewel. The top of her head pressed into the bed as her back arched off of it completely.

"Icha! Ugh…Baby mmmm." She moaned. He raised his head knowing she was already close to her climax. The first time she orgasmed for him, she would do so with every inch of him buried deep inside of her. She would feel his chest upon her bosom, and mouth covering her lips, and when she came, she would open her eyes to his, and remember precisely how she got there. Still he wanted so badly to continue tasting her, he'd only just started and wasn't nearly finished, but he didn't want to risk her climaxing. In the future she would climax this way, and then again as he made love to her, but not tonight. He looked down at her peach, tilting his head to the side, he gently opened her with him thumbs and hummed farewell kisses over her sweet spot.

"Mmm I promise you, I am coming back." He whispered to it. He wiped her from his mouth and kissed his way back up to her lips. Abbie could taste herself on his lips as her tongue slipped past his. He slid a finger down to check her readiness, and she could have sworn she her a 'fuck' mumbled against her lips as his finger delved into her taut flower. He closed his eyes at the feel of her wrapped around his digit.

"Ahh, Abbie cried with pleasure. When Ichabod found himself growing jealous of his own fingers he knew he couldn't hold out any longer.

"Remember love, you can tell me anything, if it is too painful, or you wish to stop, you must tell me so." Abbie nodded, widening her legs for him. Ichabod reached down and grabbed himself feeling pre-cum already coating his enlarged head. His length throbbed in his hand as he traced his head along her soaked labia before setting himself in front of her entrance. He took her lips as he began gently pushing himself inside of her. As soon as the tip was in he wanted nothing more than to drive his hip forward and search for her bottom. A desire, and want like he'd never experienced flashed through his body, and he felt himself using every single muscle to keep from thrusting into her. It took all of his strength to go slowly. Between his grunts, and moans he inquired about her well-being, every inch forward. He was nearly all in when he felt her fingernails digging into his shoulders.

"Apple," He groaned out. "Can you take more of me…ohhh, my God…or should I stop here." He panted.

Honestly he hurt a little, but at the same time Abbie felt a pleasure like she'd never experienced before. The mixture of that pain and pleasure was driving her wild, and she had no intention of allowing him to stop. He'd done everything he could to make her ready, she was relaxed and literally dripping wet, she knew that she just needed to adjust to his size.

"Mmm..Mor, more" she begged between breaths. He pushed the last of him inside of her, their mouths opened against one another's as the shock of how good it felt fell over them. He held still at the bottom of the stroke, nearly paralyzed, as every muscle in his body stretched. It was as if they were both fighting for the same air. As soon as he felt how wonderful she felt sheathed around him he knew he wouldn't last as long as he thought he could. He immediately begin covering her in kisses, happy that he didn't hurt her, grateful that she took all of him, that she didn't make him pull back. He had planned on letting her finish then removing himself and finishing upon her belly, but he knew he would barely manage to let her finish first, let alone last through her finishing and growing any tighter around him. He hadn't asked permission to finish inside of her.

He should have asked before he put himself in because now that he was, he couldn't think rationally, and he damn sure couldn't speak. He began slowly stroking in and out of her reveling in the feel of her warm sex around him. The only sounds filling the room were their moans, along with the squeaks, and thumps of his mattress and headboard. After a minute the pain had dissipated and Abbie was left with a cascading feeling of ecstasy. She held him tighter and wrapped her legs around him. Sensing her comfort he begin moving a little more freely mixing in a few circular strokes here and there. His unpredictability was controlling her life, her body spasmed, and twitched irrepressibly to the point that she totally abandoned trying to stifle it. Unashamed, she cried out repeatedly letting him know how much she loved the way he loved her.

She was consumed by him, writhing uncontrollably from the way he thrusts inside of her. Completely aware that he was literally touching places inside of her that no one else had ever touched before. Ichabod drove himself into her wet paradise making sure to punctuate every stroke, evoking whimpers of delight from the both of them. His hand gripped her plump ass, squeezing it as she thrust up to meet his force. Their bodies unable to fight the pace any longer quickened and began barreling toward climax. He lips nipped at hers, greedily capturing them in kisses as his fingers fondled and stroked her nipples. Abbie could hold back any longer, she cried out as his turgid cock literally drove her to the very precipice of joy.

"Crane, What..Oh My," She whined. In her head it sounded like complete sentences, and she was too overwhelmed to realize he didn't hear it the same way she did. To her, she said, Crane, baby, I love you, Oh my God, what are you doing to me, OH MY GOD what is he doing to me. This feeling was new to her, she hadn't experienced anything like it ever, and she needed confirmation from him that it was normal, that everything was okay. As if he somehow understood what she was asking for he reached down and took her hand in his whispering,

"I'm here Apple, it's alright." It felt like he was touching everything inside of her at the same time, and the feeling of him lingering upon this one particular spot was transcendental. She felt herself start to slip under a wave of pleasure, and knew from the increased frequency with which her name fell from his lips he wouldn't be far behind. As the wave approached she tightened her arms around him, and cupped her palms to his ass willing him to stay exactly where he was.

She whined begging, "Oh my God, please don't stop." It was the last thing she remembered groaning before her screams, and shivers overtook her. Her orgasm spiraled through her entire body, sending her soft moist flower closing around his unbelievably solid erection.

"Abbbie…Oh! Ichabod cried. She didn't need to ask him not to stop, he was absolutely powerless to do so. He knew from the moment he sunk into her, he wasn't pulling out. Even if she bore a child, even if this one load yielded ten, even though they were in the middle of a war, he wouldn't pull out, he absolutely couldn't, she felt too good. Her hands were locked around his rear, but it felt like they on the inside of his chest. Dipping underneath the protective layer of his ribs, fastening to the very essence of him, and pulling it deeper into herself.

He sputtered her name thrusting mindlessly into her as he succumb to the most intense orgasm he'd ever experienced. His body shook and shuddering as his seed slipped into the beautiful woman beneath him.

"My God…..My…!" Ichabod groaned driving into her one final time as the aftershocks were leaving his body. He collapsed onto her unable to move, chest heaving furiously as she gently drug her fingers up and down his back.

"I love you Abbie, I love you so very much." He whispered still inside of her. He looked up to see tears behind her gaze as he slowly withdrew himself.

"I love you too baby." She said as a few tears spilled from her eyes. He smiled, these ones he felt proud for putting there.

"Thank you for allowing me to love you, and thank you for loving my back." He said, lying next to her and wrapping his body around hers. He held her against his chest as they drifted off to sleep.

A few hours later Abbie woke to the feel of Ichabod's lips on her cheek, and his fingertips stroking her breasts. She had fallen into a thick sleep, the kind where all is forgotten, there were no dreams, or momentary awakenings, her spirit was at rest. She moaned rolling onto her back, still half asleep, but she could hear him speaking as she fought her way back to the land of the living.

"Abbie, Treasure." The feel of his moist mouth taking in her nipples brought her from her twilight state. Ichabod released her breast from his mouth, and began kissing his way up to her lips, as he slid his hand down her muscled abdomen. His fingertips stroked her wet pearl just as his tongue made landfall inside of her mouth. Her moaning was the most enticing sound he had ever heard, and he was eager to hear more of it. He explored her. How she tasted, the way she sounded, how she felt, the sweet smell of her sex. He listened to her incoherently uttering his name as he tore his mouth from hers, fingers leaving her tiny pearl in favor of caressing her body.

"You looked so peaceful, I hated to wake you, but," he glanced down in the direction of his swollen cock so her eyes naturally followed.

"I need more of you Abbie." His voice fell to a whisper, "I do not wish to be made to wait any longer." Abbie slid her hand down his chest, and curled her hand around his engorged shaft. Ichabod gasped letting his head fall to the pillow. Her smooth fingers moved about his cock rubbing and gripping him just the way he liked it. Abbie watched lustfully as his muscles flexed and contracted. Just seeing the way her touch pleasured him was making her wet. She started having flashbacks of their earlier session, unable to forget how good he felt buried deep inside of her. Before she knew it she was sitting on top of him moaning as she ground her soft folds against his hard flesh. Ichabod loved the way her slickness felt slipping against his manhood, too much so, he reasoned, especially as her thumb ghosted over the tip. He had been lightly fondling her the past twenty minutes, and already had worked himself up into quite a frenzy.

Abbie noticed the hunger in his eyes just before he sat forward to lift her onto his shaft. Her mouth opened, gasps trembling from her lips as she sank onto him. She sucked in a sharp breath when he filled her completely, meeting his half lidded eyes as he sank back into the mattress, one of his hands wrapped around her waist as the other gripped the top of her thigh. He fell into a stupor as she wound her hips in seductive circles on top of him. She started slow, taking the time to let his body fall into rhythm with hers as they moved to an unwritten melody. Ichabod reached up capturing the peaks of her mounds with his hands, and gently squeezing the tips. All she could think about was him, this moment, and how good he felt inside of her. Ugh he's..so deep, feels so..so good, oh his dick feels…so"

Her moans and cries grew as her pace quickened. She moved herself up and down his shaft, growing more abandon with every rise and fall. She can hear the sound of her rear slapping against him in rapid succession, mixing with the rhythm of his unintelligible chants. This isn't slow and gentle the way their first time was, when she was afraid of him, when she was unsure if she could take it. She was a grown ass woman, and she knew exactly what to do with it. Ichabod sat up briefly wrapping his arms tightly around her, kissing her as he cuffed her ass, raising his hips to meet her downward stroke. His feet began to clench and his toes curled.

"Oh God Ichabod! Please…fuck me" She cried. That's when it happened, he locked his hips at the top of an upward thrust, and started lifting her up and down his shaft—hard. Abbie's mind warped flashing back to the first time she laid eyes on him, she never would have imagined she would we be here in the center of his bed with him fucking the shit out of her. Absolutely no one had ever stretched her middle out the way he was doing at that moment. Her cervix tilted, and she screamed to the heavens as she tightened around him inside and out. She felt the warm gooey rush of her wetness sliding out of her, and gathering around the base of his manhood as she came. She never wanted to let him go. With one final thrust he spilled himself into her as strangled cries of passion fell from both lips. Her arms were still wound tightly around him after the last wave of their orgasm had come and gone. She looked at him euphoric, and dizzy, wanting to smile, cry, and sleep all at the same time because of the way he made her feel. Ichabod squeezed her in his arms as his heart swelled with pride and joy.

He lay back, pulling her with him, whispering I love you's into her ear.

Ichabod woke to the early morning sun streaking through the curtains. A smile grew across his face as memories from the day before came rushing back all at once. That smile quickly dissipated as he reached over to find Abbie absent from her side of the bed. He immediately thought of Moloch.

"Abbie?" He spat out quickly finding his footing. He checked his restroom. He hesitantly opened his door and stuck his head into the hallway. "Abbie, Miss Jenny."

"I'm in here." He heard Abbie call from the vicinity of her bedroom. He sighed, relieved and returned to his bathroom to brush his teeth, knowing he would want to kiss her good morning the moment he saw her. He looked across the hall noticing that Abbie's bedroom door was open and darted across the walkway following the faint sound of running water. He quietly stepped into her bathroom spying her reclined in the bathtub. He spoke just as she turned off the water.

"There you are." She jumped slightly not having heard him come in. He laughed at her timidity. She smiled at him sweetly, her eyes drinking in every inch of his lean, muscular frame.

"Hi."

"Good morrow, my heart." He replied with star struck eyes.

"You could have bathed in my bath, and saved me the trouble of tracking you down." He said, a devilish grin covering his face as he approached her.

"Yes but your tub isn't a whirlpool, and she really needed this." Abbie responded before she fully realized what she was saying. She pulled her knees into her chest to make room for him as he sat in the tub. Oh my God, great. Maybe he didn't hear that, or maybe he thinks I just misspoke, and decided to ignore it. Ichabod sucked in a deep breath through his teeth as he settled into the tub.

"Abbie this water is outrageously hot."

"It's relaxing this way." She smiled.

"Is it now?" He asked, getting comfortable. He reached out and grabbed her by the waist pulling her body to his. His soft kisses trailed over her face and lips.

"Oh," She cooed. "Good morning."

"Good morning Apple." He whispered.

He pulled her into a kiss, sucking on her lips before brushing his tongue against hers. Abbie was growing increasingly excited feeling his penis stiffen as it rubbed against her legs. She let out a soft moan and pulled back. He let his hands slide to the bottom of her hips and leaned his head back to have a better view of her face.

"She?" He said inclining an eyebrow.

Fuck, I knew he heard what I said. I guess that's what I get for thinking out loud again. Abbie looked at him with her best I don't know what the hell you're talking about face. "Umm did I say she, I meant I."

"You are aware that I can tell when you are fibbing. Now are you going to tell me who she is, or shall I tickle it out of you." He said grabbing her foot.

She quickly slipped her sudsy foot from his grasp. "No, n-no, n-no!"

Ichabod sat forward giving her a warning of an impending tickle attack if she didn't spill the beans.

"I am waiting. Should I be jealous of this she? The fact that you invited her to bathe with you instead of me?" He smirked. "Is she hiding underneath the suds?" He asked curiously.

"Actually she is." Abbie said smugly.

"I give in, I am not sure I am understanding, who is shee-eee." Ichabod said realizing what she meant as he followed her eyes down to the spot between her thighs. A flicker of thrill and desire appeared in his eyes, he licked his lips and cleared his suddenly dry throat.

"I suppose she did get rather….dirty yesterday evening. Since I am partially responsible please allow me to rectify this transgression be assisting her in" he raised an eyebrow, "tidying up." Abbie lifted her body and stood in the tub looking down at him.

"Aww thanks for offering but you're too late, I've already tidied up, this is my third refill, and I have an appointment in an hour sooo…rain check." She caressed his hair, and stepped out of the warm water. Ichabod swallowed hard, as his eyes trailed her figure. He wasn't yet accustomed to seeing her naked form, and her half sudded canvas covered with the tinted sunlight was more than enough to make his pulse quicken. Ichabod couldn't remember bathing so quickly before in his life. He fastened a towel around the waist of his freshly dried body, and walked into the bedroom. He stood in the doorway and watched her for a moment. She was sitting on her bed with a white fluffy towel closed around her chest, her hair still up in a bun from her bath. He took in her beauty as she slathered lotion over her calf. His mouth opened slightly as she inched up her legs, hiking up her towel to gain access to her upper thigh. She saw him out of the corner of her eye.

"You're staring"

"Forgive me, you are breathtaking."

He slowly stalked over to her. "May I" he asked lifting the bottle of lotion.

She raised her head to meet his eyes. "I have an eye appointment in fifty minutes, and the eye doctor is fifteen minutes away on a good day. Do you know how much snow is on the ground?"

"I merely wish to assist you." He replied innocently. "You cannot be expected to apply this," he glanced down at the bottle "moisturizing concoction to your own back, can you?" Abbie tilted her head to the side, and bit her bottom lip.

"Okay, but just my back and then I have to get dressed to go." Abbie shifted position turning and bending her knees slightly to curve her back towards him. She unhooked her towel and let it gather around her waist. He sat perpendicular to her with his feet of the floor. She heard him rubbing the lotion between his hands just before she felt him kneading it into the top of her shoulders. His strong hands massaged their way down her back, his thumbs pressing firmly into her spine, while his fingertips dusted over her breast. A soft moan climbed from the back of her throat causing his bath towel to become increasing uncomfortable. She smiled under his delicate ministrations. She loved the way they touched her, like she was the most precious thing in the world. The weight of the bed shifted, and she heard what she suspected was his towel hit the floor. Those suspicions were confirmed when moments later she felt hers gently pulled away from her bottom, only to be replaced with the warmth of his groin.

His legs splayed out over the bed surrounding her own. His warm hands slid up the rear of her torso as his lips brushed the back of her neck. She moaned softly hanging her head to allow his lips easier access to the area, shuddering as his teeth softly tugged at the supple skin there. He admired her neck while he kissed and nipped it, wondering what he'd ever done to deserve such a blessing. He'd learned to play the cello as a boy, and he couldn't help but think how Abbie felt like a tiny cello in his arms. Not that she was physically hard, because the feel of her skin beneath his made it utterly clear that she was not. But rather there were parts of her that were hard, and unyielding. Much like the instrument he'd always considered to be the heart of the orchestra, she wouldn't sing for just anyone. She required a special sort of dedication and attention that not many possessed, a delicacy of touch that lessor men could never hope to master. But he could. He would stroke and pluck her until her found all of her sweet spots. And once those were uncovered he would devote ions of time and eager energy until he discovered just the perfect…bowing, and by God her body would sing for him. His arms encircled her as he pulled her back against his groin, his large hand squeezing her breast, feeling the rhythm of her heart increase. Abbie whimpered as his firm erection throbbed against her backside.

Sensing her desire he pulled her back tighter against him, squeezing her waist and grinding his hips to meet her rolling ones. He bent forward and pulled her lips back towards her shoulders until his tongue found hers. His fingers found hers and guided them down to the tiny jewel between at the apex of her womanhood. His fingers stayed atop of hers steering them to slide around and over the top of her clit. She moaned throwing her head and body back until her torso leaned on his. His dick pulsed with an insatiable ache as she cried out from pleasure. She pulled her knees in and widened the space between them, panting as they spread open like the wings of a butterfly. He pushed her fingers lower dipping them into her warm wet center. Her breathy moans were constant now. He brought her fingers up to his mouth, and wrapped his lips around them tasting her sweet wetness. Abbie tried to slip her other fingers into her folds to replace the ones in Ichabod's mouth but, he grabbed that one too and pried it away.

Abbie whined. "Baby, please, I'm so close, please!"

"First tell me her name." Abbie quickly grew irritated trying to fathom what the hell he was talking about.

"What? What the hell you mean? Whose name?" She huffed between breaths.

"If there is a she then it stands to reason that she," he slid his hand down to cuff her center, "must have a name."

Abbie writhed against him. "Oh," she moaned. "Crane it's…it's private." She stuttered.

He ghosted a finger along the outside of her sex at the intersection of her labia, painting them with her dripping wetness. It was sheer torture having his fingers there ghosting along the center, without actually dipping inside. Her entire body shivered from excitement.

"Ahhh Chloe," she gasped unable to wait any longer.

"Baby, her name is Chloe just, please."

He quickly rewarded her by pushing his fingers through her lips and sliding them up to her little nub, tenderly fingering circles around it.

Abbie was lost.

He slid from behind her, and crawled over her body kissing her passionately. He travelled down her frame licking and sucking her skin along the way. When he reached her womanhood he brought his lips to it and whispered against her inner folds.

"Hello Chloe, I've returned just as I promised, and though we were never formally introduced, I'm certain you remember me from last evening." He slid his tongue through the length of her, flicking it over her little jewel, eliciting soft moans from Abbie. He kissed her clit as he continued speaking to her pussy.

"Never fear, you belong to me now, and I am going to take excellent care of you." He opened her with his thumbs and sucked her clit between his tongue and upper lip. Abbie was instantaneously undone. Her fingers tightened around his tresses as she thrust herself into his mouth. He could tell that she wanted more, a finger or maybe even two inserted deep inside of her. Something to clench around, to grab a hold of as inner muscles contracted.

"You're mine." He whispered sliding his middle finger into her core. His nostrils flared as he felt her tighten around it.

"Dear God," he hummed against her sex.

"Icabod I'mm…" she turned her lips against the pillows to cover her moans.

He kept his mouth on her pussy until she came down then rose and immediately brought his mouth to hers. He didn't bother wiping, he wanted her to taste how sweet she was, how perfect she tasted.

"Your flower contains the most exquisite nectar my love." He told her between kisses. "I want to taste it again." She wrapped her fingers around his shaft and pulled her knees up to her side, letting him know exactly where she wanted him. She held on to him, guiding him into her sweet spot. His lips pursed together tightly and his eyes fluttered shut as he pushed into her. She felt so wonderful stretched out underneath him as his lips met with hers. Abbie wrapped her legs around him as he fell into a slow steady rhythm thrusting in and out of her, back and forth. Each time pushing in deeper, and staying in longer, before long it was difficult for him to find the resolve to pull back at all. Abbie felt his entire body tense, and he stopped moving altogether. She stroked his back.

"Hold…perfectly still my heart, do not move." He pleaded with her keeping his eyes shut tightly. Their heavy gasps and their labored breathing sounded so much louder without the squeaking of the mattress. She knew he was trying to extend the moment, but she couldn't just stop moving. Being perfectly still may have worked if he wasn't at that very moment pressed against the exact spot that she enjoyed him the most. She managed to hold still for a few seconds before she felt a build in her belly that needed to be released. Her insides flexed against his stiff rod first, followed by her swirling her hips while thrusting upward.

"Mmmm I can't," Abbie whined. She immediately heard him suck in a sharp breath then make a noise that sounded like he started to say her name but ended up swallowing it instead. He resumed thrusting into her with an unbridled fervor that he had previously held at bay. One hand gripping the edge of the mattress, while the other one slipped under her and gripped her ass like it had always been his. His grunts and her cries grew louder with each stroke until his mouth fell open but the only noise that came from it was his attempt to gather breath, coming much too hard to emanate any other sound. Finally he was able to recover.

"Abbie…Fuck!" He barely managed to groan out.

Abbie on the other hand choked on various variations of his name, and made up a few new ones altogether, as she tumbled through her orgasm. She had known from the moment he entered the bedroom she was going to be late to her appointment, and for once the ever punctual Abbie Mills couldn't have given a fuck less.

After fifteen minutes or so, she sat up in bed with her phone trying to reschedule her appointment. Ichabod pulled her leg to him and started nibbling at the skin on the top of her knee.

"Oh wow you guys have an opening two days!" She said excitedly. Ichabod looked up at her and slowly shook his head.

"Um actually that day is no good either. Oh early next week sounds grea—," Ichabod once again pulled up shaking his head. "Actually I can't make that date either, can you please hold for one moment, I need to reference my calendar." She muted the phone, and looked at Crane. "What is wrong with these dates, do you know something about my schedule I don't? He sat forward.

"Check if they have any openings on the 24th or after." Abbie gazed at him completely dumbfounded. "Uhh, I'm sure they will it's over two weeks away, why does it.."

"—Abbie, trust me." He stated. She did as he asked and re-scheduled her appointment for the evening of the 24th. By the time she hung up the phone he was busy sucking the underside of her breast. She wrapped her arms around him.

"What the heck was that about, they could have gotten me in, in two days, now I have to wait two weeks." He took her nipple into his mouth, sucking gently. She fell back against the pillows whimpering, and he instantly moved over her.

"If my calculations are correct the 24th will be the beginning of your….cycle, and up until then every second of your spare time will be spent in this bed." Abbie about died. She ran through it quickly in her head and realized he was dead on.

"How in the hell did you know that?" She asked completed stumped. Abbie, without fail made a sweet once a month approximately two to three days before the start of her period. Ichabod had always recognized subtle changes in her behavior but never truly understood why until he'd stopped at the store with her one evening and the only items she purchased where sanitary napkins and a roll of cookie dough. He took her lips briefly before replying.

"I know everything about you Grace (kiss) Abigail (kiss) Mills."