Hope you guys like this one. ;) Also, I'm not really sure how their bond works exactly, but just go with it for this story. lol It'll make sense once you read it. There's a little deleted scene at the end of this, too. Enjoy. :)

Abbie stared out the window in Crane's room. He was still asleep from last night. It was their first time sleeping together, and it was more amazing than Abbie could have imagined. It was indescribable. She felt more whole than she was before. Crane's lips and his fingers roaming across her body were intoxicating. He kissed her everywhere. She loved it when he kissed the middle of her back. He enjoyed it when she rubbed her fingers on his chest and down his back.

She smiled, touched her lips. It was really wonderful to experience Crane in such a way. Luke would never come close to this. Ever. She played with the belt on the robe that he never wore. It was soft like his hands. His hands. She wished she could feel them now. She wanted them enter all the cresses and crevices of her body over and over again.

Suddenly, she felt fingers slide up her hips. She was getting her wish. His hands stopped at the knot in the belt; he pulled her closer to him.

"Good morning," she said.

"Good morning, Abbie." He kissed her shoulder. "Did you enjoy yourself last night?"

"Thoroughly. Did you?"

"Oh, immensely. I hope we can do it again," he said as he kissed her neck, "and again and again. I would never grow tired of making love to you, Abbie."

Abbie blushed. "What was your favorite part, Captain?"

"Every time you sighed and moaned and squeezed your legs around my waist."

Abbie's breathing was shallow and her face grew warm. She couldn't believe he was having this effect on her just talking about their night. She felt teased with his words and a yearning for him only he could fulfill.

"What was your favorite part, Leftenant?"

"Everything you did with your hands. The gentle movements and caresses, the swiftness and fluid motions of your fingers everywhere on me."

"I'm very happy you enjoyed yourself and that I was able to satisfy you in such an intimate way." Crane gently turned her around to face him. "Thank you, Abbie, for giving me permission to enter into the most special and vulnerable parts of you. My soul drank from yours; it gave me a new kind of strength and courage I didn't know I could possess. Our experience last night opened me up to you. I hope you feel me in ways you hadn't yet. I definitely feel you in ways I hadn't before."

"It's funny. I was just thinking about feeling your hands again. Then I did. I do think that's what last night created. It strengthened our bond. Now, it's like we don't even have to talk to each other. We already know what the other needs."

"What do you suppose I need?" He rubbed his hands up her back.

She kissed the scar on his chest. "More of me and coffee."

He smiled at her. "Right you are. It's going to acquire plenty of energy to keep up with you, madam."

"Well, you are about two hundred something years of age. Maybe it's catching up to you, old man."

"You mock me so, Abbie."

"You wouldn't expect anything less. Now, put on your boxers, so we can get some coffee."

He kissed her forehead and released her from his arms while he threw on his underwear. They walked out the bedroom together. Crane sat at the table while Abbie made them their morning starter. As Abbie waited for the coffee to heat up, she thought about Katrina. She wondered if Crane thought about her last night, if being with her resurfaced memories of his ex-wife. She did think about Luke, but it was only in comparison to Crane's performance versus his. She wanted to ask, but she didn't want to make things awkward. She would ask him later, when they were dressed and a bit more focused instead of distracted.

"Something is preoccupying your thoughts at the moment," Crane said.

Abbie turned to face him. She was starting to rethink this whole feeling-each-other thing. It was cute at first; now, she wasn't so sure and felt exposed.

"This isn't something I wanted to bring up right now, but I guess I may as well." Abbie paused. "Did you think about her last night while you were with me?"

"I did." Crane didn't look at her.

"You don't have to be sorry about that, Crane. It's okay. I understand this is your first time being intimate with someone other than your ex-wife. Those thoughts come up. I thought about Luke."

He looked at her. "Really?"

She nodded her head. "I don't miss him or anything. I enjoyed having sex with you more than I did him. That's all that came to mind."

"Of course, I do respect Katrina and the unions that we shared. However, my romantic nights with her do not compare to the night I had with you either. It was euphoric, unlike anything I ever encountered."

"Definitely."

Abbie was relieved that Crane felt the same way she did. Luke wasn't bad at sex, but Crane had something he didn't. Maybe it was her bond with him. It could've been that she found Ichabod more sensual in bed than Luke. Crane certainly had a way with words and his hands and his tongue and his lips. He knew how to get a response out of Abbie, especially one she meant. Although Luke was good, sometimes she wasn't completely honest about her pleasurable expressions.

More so than anything though, they was an emotional response to the way Ichabod touched her and the way he moved inside of her. With everything he did, Abbie needed it more and more. She was afraid she would lose it forever if he stopped. Each time any part of them connected, those were the moments she knew that he could be gone in an instant. It was only then that he reminded her of his presence, that he was still there fighting for good with her. It was reassurance. He gave her strength and courage, too.

He also marveled at her body when she was completely naked. He didn't turn away from her or make any stupid comment about how hot she looked. He treated her body with respect. Of course, Abbie has always been confident in her body, but since it was her first time with Crane, she felt exposed and a bit nervous. They've never done this before. Abbie still had a small fear that if she opened up to anyone too much, showed them this side of her, they would use it against her. But she was wrong with Crane, and she was wrong with Luke. They both treated her body like it deserved to be treated.

"I'm glad you asked about Katrina. It was great alleviation to express that to you."

"You're welcome. Also, thank you."

He lowered his eyebrows.

"For being open to complications. To be able to be honest with another person. Katrina won't ever go away, but I do appreciate that you found it in yourself to give and trust once more."

"You have allowed me to do that once again, Abbie. Don't ever think that you are a complication either. You are not in the least bit. In addition, it is I who should be thanking you." He got out of his chair. "But if you must thank me, I have a much better idea. Words won't suffice."

He untied the knot from the robe. Abbie felt air and Crane's hands around her waist. She wrapped her arms around his neck. He picked her up from behind her thighs and placed her on the counter.

"What did you have in mind, Mr. Crane?"

He reached over to turn the coffee maker off. "Please allow me to drink from your soul again, Miss Mills. Can you be my coffee?"

Abbie smiled at him, wrapping her legs around his waist like before. "Of course."

DELETED SCENE

As Abbie and Crane kissed, someone cleared their throat. Startled, they looked behind them.

"Miss Jenny?"

She waved at them with a smirk on her face. "Getting it in early, huh?"

Abbie fixed her robe and Crane helped her off the counter. They didn't hear Jenny come inside at all.

"Where did you come from?"

"I have a key, remember? We decided I should have one in case of an emergency."

"Is there an emergency?" Abbie glanced at Crane. His hands were in front of him while his whole body was red. He was staring at the ground, not knowing what to do. Although Abbie felt bad for him, it was funny watching him squirm.

"No. You didn't come home last night. I figured you slept over here, and I was right. You definitely slept over." She looked Abbie up and down.

She tightened her robe and gazed at Crane. "Maybe you should get cleaned up."

Crane nodded his head. "Excuse me, ladies. My apologies, Miss Jenny."

"It's alright. Do what my sister says."

He hurried out of the kitchen. Jenny and Abbie sat down at the table.

"When were you going to tell me?"

"Last night was the first night."

Jenny smiled. "How was he?"

"Incredible."

She gasped, shook her head. "I can't believe this. You and Ichy? Getting your freak on?"

"Shut up, Jenny." Abbie tightened her robe.

"Don't be shy, Abbie. This is only the beginning."

"Don't give him a hard time. You know he's sensitive about this kind of stuff."

"What's a little bit of fun?"

"Stop it. You'll make him even more uncomfortable. Did you see how red he was?"

"He was mortified." Jenny laughed. "I may go easy on him, but you're my sister. I have to torture you."

"Just what I want."

"I know what else you want."

Abbie glanced at her sister.

"Ichabod's d─"

"Jenny."

"It's true."

"This conversation is over." Abbie got up from her chair.

"For now. You have to come home eventually."

Abbie away walked from her sister. "I'll be right back."

"Don't screw Ichy while I'm here. I do have ears. 'Oh, Ichabod. Don't stop.'"

Abbie held up the middle finger toward her sister.

Jenny laughed. "I love you, too, Abbs."

Abbie walked into Crane's bedroom and found him with damp hair and a pair of pants on. His was digging for a shirt in his drawer. He turned around to face her.

"We need to take away Jenny's key," she said as she stepped towards him.

"Agreed."

Abbie laughed at him and helped him find a shirt.