Author's Note: Hope you guys like this one. There is an Ichabbie fanfic called "The Kisses" by 26Chapters. I thought about hers as I was writing this. I don't want to be accused of taking someone else's ideas or anything, so please don't think I copied off of her. My story may seem kind of familiar to hers, but I promise it's not. :) I just wanted to throw that out there as a precaution. Anyway, enjoy this chapter. ;) ;)
Abbie and Crane sat in the archives, huddled over books and maps. Flipped pages, closed books, and Crane's humming were the only sounds between them. Abbie liked listening to him hum. He'd been doing it recently, since Jenny let him borrow her Ipod again. This time it was for the whole week, which Abbie still couldn't believe. He'd been listening to it a lot. Everytime they were in the archives, he hummed a different song. It ranged from hip-hop to country to reggae to pop. Abbie looked forward to what was next. She was glad he liked modern music.
As they continued to dig for information on a demon they were trying to destroy, Abbie stopped reading. Crane wasn't humming anymore. She thought something was wrong. When she snapped her head up from her book, she found Crane staring at her. She lowered her eyebrows; she was beginning to speak, but she didn't say anything. Crane stood up, walked towards her, and stopped in front of her. He held out both his hands. Abbie took them. His arms wrapped around her waist; his breath was on her face. When he placed his hand on her cheek, his thumb skimmed over her lips; his other hand traced her collar bone. Abbie closed her eyes. She didn't know what Crane would do next, but she was enjoying this physical comfort, this level of intimacy. Within a few seconds, Crane was kissing her lips. It was light, a few pecks and a few pauses. He kissed her just enough to tease her, to satisfy her for now, and to make her want more all at the same time. She felt space between her. When she opened her eyes, Crane had sat back down. His head was in his book and he was humming again. Abbie stared at him. Then she sat back down without saying a word. What the hell just happened? she thought.
Abbie was reaching for a book in the library when she felt Crane grab it for her. She turned around to tell him that she had it, but the look on his face stopped her. Abbie felt her lungs in her throat. Crane handed her the book, but he wouldn't let go of it. They both held it. She lowered her eyebrows at him. He leaned in to her once again. He didn't kiss her though; he nuzzled her nose. His breath smelled like the gingerbread muffin he had for breakfast. Then she felt his lips again. This kiss wasn't like the one before: calm and sweet. This one was a little bit faster, but still gentle and enjoyable. Before she could fully taste the ginger on Crane's tongue, he pulled away completely. She wanted more, wanted his lips, his breath on her nose. Crane's teasing was starting to bug her. He left the book in her hands and walked away, leaving Abbie confused again.
Abbie and Ichabod were sitting at the kitchen table. Crane saw a commercial on television the other day about s'mores. He said he wanted to try one, so they made some for dessert.
"Ready, Captain?" Abbie said as she picked up her treat. The chocolate was dripping on her plate.
"Ready, Leftenant." Ichabod picked his up, too.
They bit into their sandwich at the same time. Ichabod's eyebrows rose, and he put his s'more down to stick out his fist. Abbie bumped her fist to his, then let their fingers explode.
"I take it you like it?" she said after they finished chewing.
"Very much so. We should have did this sooner."
Abbie nodded her head.
They ate in silence. As they did, Abbie thought about what happened between them a few days ago. Crane had kissed her out of nowhere. Twice. Once in public. Not only that, he also didn't ask her permission, which was fine. She told him he didn't have to ask if he could kiss her. He already had her consent. Abbie figured that it finally clicked in his brain or something, but she also thought it was something else. She just didn't know what. It was a little intense, overwhelming, but Abbie liked it. She liked it a lot.
She didn't know what Crane was doing. She kept her eyes on her plate, but then she listened to him. They liked to sit in silence with each other. However, Crane normally said at least one thing. Glancing at him, she saw him staring at her again. It was the same expression: eyes focused, knitted eyebrows, no smile. He did what he did last time: he helped her up. Only this time, he didn't trace her lips, didn't touch her collar bone, didn't nuzzle her nose. He placed his hands on both her cheeks and kissed her. Abbie sat on the table. Crane's hand were on her thighs and she wrapped them around his waist, ran her hands down his chest. As she did so, she felt his tongue. She tasted chocolate and honey. His hands were under her shirt now, circling her back. Then his lips were on her neck. Abbie sighed. It was overwhelming in greatest way possible. What had gotten into him lately?
She wasn't complaining, of course. She loved it when Crane kissed her, but something was going on. They hadn't talked about the other moments before. They went on like normal. Abbie wanted to ask him what going on with him, but she didn't know how to approach the topic. Plus, she figured he would tell her when she was ready. She didn't want to push him, but she would have to push him today. She wanted some kind of explanation.
Crane stopped kissing her neck and went for her lips. They tongues melded again and so did their breathing. This kiss was nice. It made Abbie feel desired, wanted. The way his hands circled her back made her want to explore Crane in other ways. She wanted more; she never had enough of him. She didn't know how to stop. She didn't want to, but she didn't want Crane to do anything he wasn't comfortable with.
Abbie stopped kissing him and put her forehead against his. She put her hands on his cheeks, traced his lips with her thumbs. She placed soft pecks on his lips. His eyes were still closed, but he opened them when she didn't kiss him anymore.
"We have to talk."
He removed his hands from her under shirt, but left them on her back; he nodded his head. "I owe you a reason for my odd behavior within these previous days."
"What's going on? I don't mind the kissing. I just want to know what you've been thinking about."
His palms and fingers rubbed her thighs. "You have been on my mind as of late."
She laid her hands on top of his. She didn't say anything.
"I kissed you in a very intimate matter and in three varieties. I wanted to display to you some of the ways in which I desired to make love to you, Abbie."
Abbie was speechless. She didn't know what to say, wasn't even expecting him to be so bold to tell her that. She thought she would be the one to bring up the subject about sex first.
To her, their kisses all differed, too. One was slow, sweet; one picked up speed, was a little more involved; the last kiss was straight-forward, no beating around the bush; it was more physical, even more intimate than the first two. Crane said some of the ways. There were more? Abbie blushed.
"You're beautiful when you blush." He kissed her cheek.
"Stop it, Crane." She couldn't look at him, only played with his fingers. She didn't want him to see her so vulnerable.
"You avoid my gaze."
She still didn't meet his eyes.
"Please don't. Can I see you?"
She bit her bottom lip, lifted her head to face him.
Crane gave her a small smile. "You are a glorious woman."
"Thank you." Abbie stared down again. This wasn't like her. She wasn't one to run away or back down from anyone, especially Crane. She always told him what was on her mind. Even though it took time, she usually opened up to him. However, she wasn't able to do it this time, which was new to Abbie. She was never timid.
"Why won't you look at me?"
"It's hard."
"Would you mind explaining to me why?" He moved hair out of her face.
Abbie took a deep breath and finally meet his eyes. "I'm just surprised. You've surprised me with your words and actions. I know it's not just sex to you, Crane. It's not to me either. You've been so open with me in one of the most intimate ways. It scared me. I'm afraid."
She was terrified of having sex with Crane, even though she really wanted to. She craved that closeness to him. It was all she could think about every time he kissed her. It was a powerful thing in her. It was bigger than her. She was afraid though. Afraid of rejection. She found her body attractive, but what if he didn't? What if he changed his mind? She didn't think he would. He just confessed to wanting to sleep with her, but there was still a bit of doubt in her.
She's only slept with one other person: Luke. It was only once, before they broke up. It was nice; Abbie enjoyed it. He was gentle. But sex with Luke wouldn't be like sex with Ichabod. She had a feeling it would be on a much deeper level, above anything Abbie could imagine. Maybe it had something to do with their bond. Or maybe she really loved him. Abbie thought it was both of those theories; mostly the latter though. She loved him with everything she did for him, with everything she said to him. It came from within her, from her heart. She meant it. And now, with being so close to connecting with Crane in such a physical way, Abbie was fearful.
"Would you mind telling me why?"
"You may not like what you see."
Crane's eyebrows fell closer to his eyes. His mouth was open. "Grace Abigail Mills, what on earth would make you ever think that I would dishonor your body? You have to know that I would never turn away from you in disgust, especially in such an exposed situation. How could you even─?" He shook his head and looked away from her.
"I hurt you. I'm sorry." She wasn't trying to insult him. She knew he deeply cared for her, would even die for her.
"I know you did not intend to speak those words intentionally. I understand, but, Abbie, I will respect your body in every which way. I will never mistreat what so rightfully belongs to you. You have my word."
"I know. You have to know I respect your body, too. I'm not going to push you into something you aren't ready for. We can wait. You don't have to rush because it's something I want."
"Are you absolutely positive you have the same sentiments as I? It's perfectly alright if you do not. I respect your wishes." He kissed her forehead.
"I'm certain." Abbie played with the buttons on his shirt. "I want you more than you know, Crane"
He smiled at her. "Me, too, Leftenant." He gave her soft pecks again. Abbie sighed against his lips. She would never get tired of this.
He paused before his lips found hers again; his fingers circled her back again. It was skin on skin. "I want to trail my fingers along your curves. I want to kiss your sweet skin. I want to touch and be inside your soul, Abbie."
Abbie was speechless again. Luke didn't even come close to Ichabod. This was definitely on a whole other level. Abbie couldn't say anything; didn't know what to say. She could only express it through kissing him until the right words came to her. "Show me."
Crane's hands were under her thighs. He pulled her closer towards him and lifted her off the table. She held her arms and legs around him as tight as she could, laid her forehead against his. As Crane walked them to his bedroom, she saw the s'mores on the table and smirked.
"What do you find so funny, Miss Mills?"
"We didn't finish our s'mores."
He raised one his eyebrows and smirked at her, too. "Perhaps, we could make use of them another time and in an innovative way, if not by eating."
"Indeed." Abbie said as they made it to Crane's bedroom, where he showed her everything he spoke about.