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.

Chapter 11: Almost There

Constable Crane slept peacefully as he lay back on the soft mattress, his left hand on top of his swollen belly, his other hand hanging off the side of the bed. Long, dark lashes rested on top of pale skin as his eyes roamed underneath his closed lids. He looked oddly innocent, almost child like, in his sleep.

Masbath smiled down at him. He carefully placed the sleeping man's right hand on top of his stomach and pulled the blankets up under his chin. It wasn't really necessary, the weather had warmed considerably since they were now well into spring. The sun was shinning, the last bit of snow was melting away, and the birds had come back, singing their lovely songs. Still, he thought that he might want it, for the sake of comfort if nothing else.

Masbath sighed as he went to close the blinds in order to help the older man sleep. He was just about to leave the room when he suddenly heard a moan escape from the constable's lips. The boy turned and was surprised to see that he was grabbing his stomach, his face red and twisted in pain.

"Sir!" he exclaimed, rushing over to the constable's side. "Are you alright?"

Ichabod barely managed to nod in response. His eyes were shut tight, and his jaw was clenched. Finally, after what seemed like eternity, he relaxed his body, leaning back into the bed, gasping and panting.

"I'm... I'm quit alright," Ichabod reassured him between gasps of breath. He struggled to sit up for a moment before Masbath helped him, rearranging his pillows. "I've been getting cramps every ten or so minutes. I was about to call for assistance when I blacked out from the pain."

Masbath blushed slightly at his own obliviousness. This whole time he had thought the man was sleeping! A thought suddenly popped into his head as he looked at Ichabod, alarm spreading on his face. "Sir, is it the baby?"

Ichabod nodded. "I think so," he said, he tried to hide the panic building up in his voice, but it managed to seep into his words anyway. "Masbath," he gasped, feeling the beginning of another cramp welling up inside, noting mentally that it was coming much quicker after the last. "Quickly, go get D-Dr. Brown. Tell him... tell him..." his words were cut off as he felt the same wave of pain wash over him completely. He lost his train of thought as he clenched his eyes shut and moaned in pain.

Masbath didn't need to hear or see anymore. He knew what needed to be done. He quickly went out the door and down the stairs, nearly toppling Katrina in the process.

"Masbath!" she gasped in surprise, grabbing his shoulders in order to calm him down and keep him from running off. "What ever is the matter?"

"It's Master Crane!" he said in a panic. "He's about to have the baby!"

Katrina's eyes widened to the size of dinner plates, her mouth hung open in shock. "Now? Right now?" she asked dumbly, panicking further when Masbath nodded in confirmation. "Oh no! Not good!"

I'm going to get the doctor," Masbath told her, hoping to snap her back to reality and get on with his task.

Katrina nodded unconsciously. "Right, I'll go and comfort him." That said, she rushed up the stairs into the attic room, there she saw Ichabod thrashing about in pain. She rushed over to his side and grasped his hand. "It's alright Ichabod. I'm here now."

"Viktor!" he sobbed, tears of pain welling up in his eyes. "I want Viktor!"

Katrina starred at him bewildered. "Who is Viktor, Ichabod?" she asked calmly. "Tell me and I shall do my best to find him." She couldn't make any promises, for all she knew this Viktor person could have lived in another town, miles away.

Ichabod shivered, gasping as the pain subsided. He didn't answer her question; he couldn't even remember what it was she asked him. He merely went limp and concentrated on breathing.

Katrina took this as her chance to let go of his hand. The man seemed weak, but his grip was like a vise! She winced, her hand still tender. Hurrying out the door, she found the nearest servant and told them to bring cold water and a wet cloth to Ichabod's room. She then hurried over to her room to retrieve her book of spells.

Returning to Ichabod's room, she pulled a chair beside the tired young man's bed and began chanting. The pregnant man relaxed considerably, his eyes glazed over and his breathing steadied.

"Viktor," he murmured his voice distant and small.

Katrina ignored him and continued to chant.

Something was not right, he could feel it. The Hessian's head popped up and his ears strained, listening for any hint of movement in the Western Woods. He couldn't hear anything, couldn't see anything, but he could feel something. His stomach lurched and his heart clenched. It must have been Ichabod, he was in trouble. He couldn't explain it, but somehow he was able to sense that his lover was in danger.

With a mere thought, Daredevil was at his side. Mounting the ghost horse, he quickly rode threw the portal that connected his world to the living realm. He would never forgive himself if anything happened to his love.

Ichabod winced as another cramp spread threw his stomach and back. Thanks to Katrina's spell, the pain was no longer as extreme as before, but it still hurt him and he wished for this whole ordeal to be done and over with.

"Viktor," he said softly. He turned his head to the side, noticing that Katrina hadn't heard him. He spoke louder this time. "Viktor," he repeated. "I... I need him here."

Katrina sighed and turned her attention to him, pausing in her chanting. "You have said that before, Ichabod," she said, trying her best to hide her annoyance, "but you did not answer my question: who is he?"

Ichabod flushed slightly and licked his lips nervously. "The... the Horseman," he said truthfully. Katrina merely stared at him and gave him a look that said "surely you're joking!" "I know you do not like him, but you must understand, this is his child! He should be allowed to be around when the baby is being born."

Katrina merely shook her head, a humorless smile on her face. "And what will be the point of having him here Ichabod? It is not as if he shall be here with you when you deliver!"

"At least he will hold my hand!" he shot back. Katrina gave him a shocked look, but Ichabod did not flinch. "I need him here, Katrina. If you were in my position, you would understand."

Ichabod was interrupted when Masbath returned with Dr. Brown in toe. Katrina looked up at the old man startled and jumped out of her seat, her concentration was completely broken and Ichabod clenched his hand around the sheets, gritting his teeth in pain.

"I see I have arrived just in time," the old doctor said, putting down his medical case on the now empty chair. He lifted the young man's nightshirt and nodded. "Hm," he said. "Looks like we will have to take this baby out right now."

"No!" Ichabod gasped in distress.

"No?" Dr. Brown repeated, raising a quizzical eyebrow at the constable.

"No! Not yet," he panted pleadingly. "I need... Viktor. Please, please."

Dr. Brown turned to look at Katrina. "Who is Viktor?" he asked.

Katrina looked from the miserable young man's pained face to the old doctor staring at her in confusion. She sighed. "He is the father."

"Well, where is he?"

Katrina slumped her shoulders in defeat. "Can I have a moment alone with Ichabod?"

Masbath and Brown complied, leaving the room and closing the door behind them.

"Ichabod," Katrina began, kneeling down beside his bed. "I have a confession to make." He turned and looked at her wearily. "I... I lied about the priest coming by to bless the house."

His eyes nearly doubled in size. "W-what?" he stuttered.

"I... I just didn't want you to try and contact him, or think that he could come and get you. I'm sorry, Ichabod, but I can make it up to you!"

Ichabod frowned at her in annoyance. How many terrible things was she going to do and then apologize for? "How?"

"I shall go send Masbath out to get him. Just try and hold on a little longer."

AN: I know, I know. I'm a total bitch for cutting off the chapter here, but I promise to update next week. So just wait a little longer.