Jonathon and I began our journey at sunrise – the day could not have been colder. Our travels took longer than expected due to an unforeseen turn in the weather. Icy rains had washed out numerous roadways; we were forced to stop in several small towns for rest. I am not quite sure if I spoke more than a few words a day during the entire trip; Victoria consumed my thoughts. Each time I closed my eyes, her face was before me, her eyes bright, her lips inviting. I would have given my life for hers, but fate would not have it. I decided that I would never again lose focus on sense and reason…love was neither of those things.

I was asleep in the carriage when we arrived in Philadelphia. Jonathon woke me from a nightmare that revolved around Victoria being burned alive by the undertaker. At that moment, I longed to be in a specific moment in Sleepy Hollow – the moment when Katrina soothed my nightmares away. It was not so, nor would it ever be again. Ichabod Crane is not meant for love or soothing. I am meant merely for retrieving bodies from rivers, for sending headless horsemen back to hell, and for fainting whenever my body betrays me.

At least, those were my thoughts…

I felt that my tale was through, that I would live my life alone after Jonathon was no longer a boy and took a wife, leaving me to myself. Fate is cruel, that is true, but sometimes one cannot appreciate the wonder of fate at all if its cruel side does not rear its face.

My and Jonathon's new home sat in front of us, newly fallen snow covering the rooftop. I felt no thrill, no fear – simply emptiness. Only upon making my way up the front steps of the porch did I see the warm glow inside. Through the window I saw that a fire had been lit, and for that moment that was enough to cause a small amount of joy to course through me. I could barely feel my toes as I unlocked the door and stepped through the threshold. I was certain that my senses were playing a cruel trick on me as the scent of goose filled my nostrils.

"A housekeeper has not been appointed, correct?" I asked my ward.

"No, Ichabod," Jonathon answered, seeming just as confused as I.

I looked around me new home, fearing that my eyes deceived me as well. Everything was clean and strangely comforting. "Perhaps…perhaps the magistrate arranged something for us?" I asked no one in particular.

"Or perhaps someone needed to occupy her time?"

I felt that I had lost touch with the real world. Victoria's voice floated into my ears, causing my to drop one of my bags. She stepped through the doorway that led into the kitchen and I stood, frozen in place.

"I expected you days ago, Ichabod. I've cooked the same meal every night, hoping that…"

"If I have gone mad," I interrupted, "I do not wish for sanity."

"I see her too," Jonathan whispered.

Victoria smiled and rushed to me, arms extended. I wanted to reciprocate, but could not move. "I'm so sorry, my love," she cooed into my ear. "I did not wish to hurt you, but Father feared Hector would somehow learn about what we planned. We both decided that it would be safer if I made the journey ahead of you."

I did not faint. I did not utter any sounds mirroring a scared animal. Instead, I kissed her. My arms finally wrapped around her body and I held her as tightly as I could. I wept, not caring whether or not a man should. She had not chosen death over me…

"How?" I uttered.

"The pills that you gave to me worked. Hector found me in the bathroom and even Dr. Kindell thought me dead. Father insisted that I be cremated at once, due to the circumstances. It worked, Ichabod," she smiled. "Father entrusted a friend to bring me here. I simply told the magistrate that I was your housekeeper and I was let in. Are you angry with me?"

I entangled my fingers in her hair, a smile on my face despite the tears in my eyes. "I shall never show you anger, Victoria. I promise you the life you deserve. I love you."

"And I love you, Ichabod Crane. Always."

The End

Author's Note: Hm, was the ending too rushed or do you like it? Let me know! Just leave a review (sans flames, of course – like you guys would do that to me…you wouldn't, right?)