Author's Note: I will write two more chapters after this and that will be it for "Simply Ichabbie." Twenty is a good number to stop at for now. I may write more once the season starts, but this was just to hold me over until then. I also wanted to try writing Ichabbie fanfic. Now that I know I can do it, there is nothing else to accomplish. I will miss you guys. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the reviews, favorites, follows, requests, and support for these short stories. I means the world to me. Again, I may write more once the season starts and if I'm not too busy for school. I'm not completely stopping this fic. There is hope. Lol (Excuse the corniness in this short story. Lol)

The shower woke Abbie from her sleep. She yawned, stretched, and removed the covers from her legs. She had to pee, but she figured she'd enjoy some coffee since Crane was in the bathroom. She got out of bed, went into the kitchen. When she opened the cabinet, her blue mug had a blue sticky note on it. She smiled, put her mug on the counter, and took off the note to read it. "Your lips are a treasure. They make me rich." Abbie put her fingers to her lips and smiled some more. He was talking about last night, where she kissed him until they fell asleep. There was no sex. She needed to remember what his lips provided for her after the long battle they had. She was crammed with relief and comfort and courage and love and the simplicity of being with someone she cared for.

The leather jacket she brought over was in Crane's closet; she didn't bother to get it at the moment, but she decided she'd leave the note in there. One of her leather jackets got ripped due to a battle they encountered last month, so she couldn't wear it anymore. For now though, she folded the note and placed it in Crane's robe that she wore. After she finished making their coffee, she sipped hers while sitting at the table. Crane was probably planning something special for her birthday. Today was Monday; her birthday was Friday. She guessed this was a part of her gift. Of course, she didn't have any clue what he was up to, but whatever it was, she was excited. The only other people she's celebrated her birthday with were Corbin and when they were young, Jenny. She was eager to see what Crane would do for her.

"Good morning, early bird," Abbie said as Crane kissed her on her forehead, then her lips.

"Good morning, my Abbie." He filled his mug with coffee and sat across from her.

"Thank you." No one had ever left her a love note. She thought it was very sweet and thoughtful of Crane to do that for her. The sticky note was in her favorite color, which meant she liked it even more.

"You're welcome." He dropped sugar cubes in his drink. "Are you thrilled about your birthday coming up?"

"I am. What will you get me?"

He grinned. "It wouldn't be surprise if I spoiled it for you, would it? I won't blindfold you if that's what you are implying."

"It was a surprise."

"A rather joyful one, but I can't tell you. No blindfolds will be involved."

"Can I get a hint?" She knew Crane wouldn't tell her anything, nor Jenny if she asked, but she wanted to push her luck.

"No."

"Is Jenny helping you?"

"No."

"Not this time?" Last year for her birthday, Jenny helped Crane decorate the cabin in a Star Wars theme. There were swords, pillows, balloons. The food and drinks were also a part of the theme. They played Star Wars games and watched the movies. Abbie gave them both long hugs after they finished watching the films.

"I am planning this gift on my own accord, Leftenant."

"I can't wait to see it."

"I can't wait to present it to you."

"Was this note supposed to hold me over until then?" She put her hand in the robe pocket.

"They are."

"There's more?"

"For everyday until your birthday. There will be four more of those."

Abbie lifted her eyebrows. "Where will they be?"

"It's no fun if I tell you, Leftenant. They could appear anywhere."

"I guess I better keep my eyes open."

"They won't appear if you look for them."

"I'm going to look for them anyway, Crane." She smiled at him.

"I know." He smiled back and sipped more of his coffee.

After Abbie finished her beverage, she stood in the bathroom, thinking about Crane's gift for her, the possible locations of her notes, and the jumbling of their lips last night.

Abbie rubbed her eyes and yawned as she tried to stay awake in the archives. They had been doing research all day. They made some progress, but they still had a bit more work to do. Sometimes she would glance at Crane to check on him. His head was always buried, and she would smile at him. He loved reading, no matter what the topic. She was glad they had each other.

"Are you alright, Miss Mills?" he said as she stood up.

"I need some coffee to keep me up. You want some?"

"That would be wonderful. Thank you. Do you need some assistance?"

"I got it. Thanks though."

Abbie stepped out of the archives and went into the break room. She fixed two cups of coffee and grabbed four doughnuts. They would need all the caffeine and sugar they could get.

It was the middle of day, yet Abbie didn't find her second note. She thought she would find it in the cabin or in her car, but she didn't. It kind of disappointed her. His notes gave her something to look forward to. It was a welcome distraction from everything else. She figured it would show up soon. Sighing, she walked back to the archives. When she pushed open the door, Crane was waiting for her. She handed him his coffee and his two doughnuts.

"There were doughnuts?"

"Yup. Knock yourself out." She sat back down with her coffee and food.

"I will enjoy this very much. Thank you again."

"You know you're always welcome." She sipped her coffee, ate one of her treats.

When she finished her first doughnut, she looked at her partner. "Crane?"

"Yes?"

She wanted to ask him about the note, but she knew he wouldn't tell her. She shook her head. "Nevermind."

"Are you sure?"

"Positive."

"Alright." He kept his eyes on her a bit longer before he continued reading.

Abbie brought her attention back to her book as well. As she flipped another page, she found another blue sticky note. Putting her doughnut down, she traced it with all of her fingers. She bit her lip to keep from smiling so much. "Your lovely brown eyes tell me little secrets I enjoy each day." Abbie removed the sticky note from the page it was on. She folded it, then stuffed it in her leather jacket with the first note he left for her.

When she looked towards Crane, he was already watching her with a smile on his face. She patted her leather pocket with smile. He nodded his head. She knew she was always welcome.

Crane sat at the kitchen table. There was a really bad scar on his arm that Abbie wanted to fix for him before it got worse. She was surprised he didn't argue with her. He probably didn't want to upset her again like he did earlier this morning. They had to get to the precinct to create a plan with Reyes about how to stop "the person" responsible for killing another resident. Yesterday, after their long night researching, they finally found what they needed to defeat the creature. Abbie had waited in the car for Crane, honking the horn. She didn't ask him what took him so long. She was too upset to talk to him. He made them ten minutes late for the meeting; Reyes wasn't happy about it either. She was still upset with him, even as he sat in the chair with a bleeding arm. She knew she shouldn't be this way, but they had a mission to complete above anything else. There were no excuses for Crane.

When Abbie opened the first aid kit, there was a note waiting for her on top of the bandages, gauze, and other supplies. She hadn't thought about his notes all day today. They didn't have the time. It surprised her, and she finally realized why Crane was late this morning.

"Your bravery and strength keeps me from drowning," Abbie held the note in her hands. She folded it, put it in the same leather pocket with the other two. Standing in front of Crane, she placed her hands on both sides of his face. He wrapped his uninjured arm around her waist, the she leaned down to kiss his lips.

"You get a pass for being late this morning, but don't do it again." She kissed him once more.

"As you wish," he said as she started on his arm.

When Abbie woke up, there was the fourth sticky note beside her pillow. Crane wasn't in bed with her. The shower ran again. She sat up, stretched, yawned. She picked up the note. "I love you so much that I would give you the breath in my body if you asked me to."

Abbie smiled and shook her head. Crane knew exactly what to say to her. He meant everything, too. He was genuine. It made Abbie feel special and dearly loved and appreciated. She folded this note as well and got up to put it in the same pocket of the leather jacket that hung currently hung in Crane's closet. She walked out the bedroom and into the bathroom. Crane never locked the door in case she needed to get to him or use the toilet. She didn't have to use the toilet this time though. Trying not to make too much noise, she closed the door behind her and removed her pajamas.

"Crane?" she said as she opened the shower curtain.

He jumped when she called him and turned around to face her. "Are you alright, Miss Mills?"

"I didn't mean to scare you." She laughed, stepped in the shower with him. "Yes, I'm fine."

He rinsed the soap off his back. "Are you sure?"

"Positive." She wrapped her arms around him and kissed his chest.

His hands circled her back. "Did you like my note?"

"I love you, too." She kissed him.

Since Reyes gave them the rest of the week off, they spent all their time in the shower until the water ran cold.

Crane's lips on her shoulders woke her up. She moved around, yawned. She was a bit tired from the day they had yesterday, even though it was enjoyable. Abbie only wanted to rest now, but Crane kissed her shoulder again.

"Happy birthday, Leftenant," he said.

"What time it, Crane?"

"8a.m. sharp."

"We just went to bed five hours ago. Can I sleep until noon?"

"After you open your gift and eat breakfast."

"Where is my gift then?" She sat up and yawned again.

Crane got off the bed to get it. He handed her a box with blue wrapping paper. There was the last blue sticky note on top. "Being inside your soul is a gift I will always cherish."

Abbie kissed his lips. "Thank you for all of these notes, Ichabod."

She took the sticky note off the paper, folded it, and put it on the nightstand for now. She would put it with the others later. After unwrapping the paper, opening the box, and pulling out her gift, her mouth was open. She stared at Crane.

"You got me another leather jacket? Do you know how expensive these are?"

"I've been saving the wages I make at the tutoring center."

Abbie looked closer at her gift. "My Leftenant" was imprinted under the two zipper pockets on the front of the jacket. She traced the letters with her fingers. She had a new place to keep her notes.

"You shouldn't have done this, Crane."

"You can't give it back."

"I wasn't, but you didn't have to spend this much money on me."

"You've spent more on me. I just thought I would purchase you something blue."

"I love it. It's another one to add to my collection after the one I lost last month."

"Indeed."

"Thank you again, Crane." Her forehead touched his. "Really."

"Happy birthday, Abbie" His fingers slide through her hair. "I know you've been meaning to buy another one. However, I figured I would do it for you."

"I love my leather jackets." She placed her gift back in the box.

"Why do you wear them so much?"

"Instead of giving me jewelry for my birthday, Corbin said, 'A girl's true best friend is her leather jacket,' so every year for my birthday, he got me one. I can't wear some of them now, but I keep them in my closet at home."

"That was very generous of him."

"It was. I'm glad you got me this. It's one of the best gifts I've gotten from a boyfriend."

He raised his eyebrows. "What did your other boyfriends give you as gifts?"

"That's another story for another day." She stood up.

"What were they?"

"What's for breakfast?"

"Leftenant?"

"Crane?" She grabbed his hand and opened the door. "Come on."

"I would very much like to know."

"What did Betsy Ross give you for your birthday?" She glanced at him. His cheeks turned red.

"As you said before: 'That is another story for another day.'" He ushered his hand for her to go.

She laughed. "I would very much like to know."

"Breakfast is waiting, Miss Mills."

She walked out the door. "Crane?"

"Leftenant?"

"This isn't over." Abbie sat at the kitchen table and Crane sat a plate of French toast, bacon, and eggs in front of her with a cup of orange juice. After he fixed his own plate and sat at the table, they laughed and joked about the silly presents their exes gave them as Abbie continued to enjoy her birthday with Crane.