Disclaimer: I do not own Sleepy Hollow. The film Sleepy Hollow was made by Tim Burton who adapted it from Washington Irving's short story The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.

AN: A lot of people have been complaining about the length of my chapters and I just wanted to address that right now. I've written out the whole story on paper and unfortunately the chapters look a lot longer on paper then when actually typed out. I've tried to beef up the chapters as much as I could, but they still come up short. I'm sorry if your annoyed or frustrated with this, but think of it this way; with the chapters already written out, all I have to do is type them up and your less likely to get long periods of time without an update. I can't grantee that I'll have a chapter up every day or even every week, but I can try.

Chapter 6: Going Away

Ichabod knew that he couldn't stay here any longer. The sun had risen only a few minutes ago and Katrina would be waking up in a few hours. The carriage that he had called for to take him back home would be arriving soon and he wanted to leave Sleepy Hollow before anyone could see him. His heart was heavy and he felt as if he were on the brink of tears as he packed up his belongings. Why had he waited until now to pack? His fingers were trembling and he could hardly fold his clothes. His vision was blurred with unshed tears and he wanted so badly to collapse on to the floor and cry his heart out.

Funny, no more then a few hours ago he had been longing to leave the Hollow and return to New York, and now that Katrina had thrown him out of her home, he felt as if leaving was the hardest thing he'd ever have to do.

It's merely the pregnancy, he had told himself but to no avail. Katrina was quite possibly the last chance he had to get married, and now she never wanted to see him again, all because of a baby that he wasn't even sure he wanted!

Now he truly was alone. He had no other friends to speak of and no woman would ever love him now. The image that had come to him in the doctor's office was now back all the clearer. He felt certain that this would be his fate if he gave up this child. Placing a trembling hand on his flat stomach, he had to fight back a broken sob. Was he really so selfish that he would keep this child, ruin its chance of having a normal life, of possible happiness, simply because he was lonely?

I can't do that, he thought miserably. I won't... and yet... I cannot bare the thought of being away from this child! Why am I so attached to something that doesn't even exist yet?

He slumped down on to the bed, his legs no longer feeling strong enough to support him. His breathing became labored and before he even realized it, he was openly sobbing. He realized then that he loved the baby without ever even knowing it. The mere fact that it was apart of him, growing inside of his body even now was enough to make a connection on an emotional level. Resting his face in the palm of his hands, he sat hunched over on the straw mattress, crying out all of his weariness and frustration.

He came to the conclusion that he would simply have to bare the burden of taking care of this child all by himself. Perhaps he would get a safer job when he returned to New York. He had always enjoyed books and studying things, perhaps he could become a teacher?

The thought of books reminded him of the one he had borrowed from the doctor. He picked it up and flipped through the pages appsent mindedly. Maybe he should return it? No. Dr. Brown did say he could have it. Further more, he didn't want to draw any attention to his departure. Let the locals talk after he left.

Drying his eyes, he gathered up his things and headed for the door. He paused before he could reach the knob. He reached into his breast pocket and pulled the book of spells that Katrina had lent him. He'd kept it near him ever since she had given it to him. He laid it down on a near by nightstand. He didn't feel Katrina would want him to have it any longer

Ichabod descended the stairs as quickly and quietly as he could, trying his best not to wake anyone. As soon as he walked out of the front door of the Van Tassel home he saw his carriage heading toward him. He realized then that this would be the last time he ever saw Sleepy Hollow. He took a few shaky breaths, trying his best to hold back the emotion that was building up inside of him.

As the carriage pulled up in front of him, he gathered his belongings and readied himself for the long ride. Hopefully the driver wouldn't take too much notice if he started to cry on the way home. He didn't even set foot on the carriage when he heard a voice from behind him.

"Master Crane, wait!" He turned to see Masbath rushing towards him carrying a small bad of his own.

Ichabod quirked an eyebrow at the boy heading toward him. "Masbath," he said, surprise clear in his tone. "What are you doing? Shouldn't you be sleeping?"

"I heard you and Miss Katrina talking yesterday," he said plainly.

Ichabod blushed slightly. He hadn't realized that they had been talking that loudly or that anyone might have been listening. "So you know that I must be going now?"

"Yes sir."

"And you understand why?"

"Yes sir," he said, there was a slight sadness to his tone. Ichabod nodded and readied himself to leave, but was stopped when Masbath spoke up again. "But I don't understand why you didn't tell me."

Ichabod stared at him in disbelief. "Wha... what?"

"Why didn't you tell me that you were leaving? You didn't even wake me."

He smiled as he walked over to the boy, placing his hands on his shoulders fondly. "I'm sorry Master Masbath," he said kindly. "I did not wake you because I planned to leave you here."

"Why?"

"Because this is a burden I must bare on my own."

"But your pregnant sir!" he exclaimed in a distressed tone.

Ichabod felt his eyes widen in fear and surprise at Masbath's loud tone. "Masbath!" he hissed in a low panicked tone. "Please, you mustn't speak about this out loud! If word about my... my ... condition got out, there is no telling what may happen to you just because of our association.

"I am sorry, but I cannot stay here and I cannot take you with me. I've put you through enough in the short time that you have been in my service, but no more. I relieve you of your duties. You are no longer in my service.

"Katrina... I mean Miss Van Tassel has taken a shine to you. I am sure that she will take you in."

"But sir," the young man protested. "I do not wish to leave your side! You will need someone to look after you in your current state. Please, let me stay with you."

The young constable felt a lump begin to form in his throat. He had to turn away from the boy's concerned gaze as he felt tears stinging his eyes. He was touched by the child's kind gesture. It was so rare for him to have someone worry about him and yet this young boy was actually concerned about him! Actually wanted to take care of him in his time of need.

"Sir?" Masbath began, pulling him back to the present. "Are you alright?"

Ichabod nodded, pulling out his kerchief to whip at the stray tears that managed to escape. "Yes, I'm fine," he sniffed. He patted the young boy's back fondly then, on an impulse of pure emotion, pulled the startled young man into a tight embrace, pressing his body to his and nearly bursting into tears. Masbath stiffened and Ichabod could almost feel his eyes widen in shock at the gesture. He pulled away from the boy and straightened out his closes, trying his best to regain his composure. "Well, I think we've kept the driver waiting long enough. Let's go home."