The long, frustrating road from partners to lovers.

What's in a name?

Crane comes back for Abbie, but how does she know it's really him? And hang on a sec, isn't he supposed to be saving the world or something? Ichabbie one-shot for Clarinetchica. Rated M for sexytimes and language.

The past is known and offers comfort but it is gone and powerless. There is a price to pay for only looking back.

"You are self-sufficient and independent and courageous." Crane reached out to brush a strand of hair that had fallen from her French twist, his fingers sweeping against her cheek. "But that does not mean you do not deserve care. You deserve to be cherished."

There's more than one way to be proven wrong.

"Before Abbie can reply, Crane reaches across the table and takes her hand. 'My dearest Miss Mills,' he says softly. He looks down at her hand. 'Abbie.' His thumb strokes across her knuckles and Abbie wants to break down and sob right then and there, it hurts so much." Abbie and Crane indulge in that bottle of rum. Spoilers for 1.09 Sanctuary.

She didn't think she'd be spending the year following the apocalypse following him across the country, but she'd given up trying to figure out any sort of divine plan for her soul about five years and two hundred demons ago.

It happens gradually.