A/N: 08.08.2021

Just when I think I'm out… they pull me back in.

Hello, Dreamers and Sleepyheads! I'm back, one more time, with one of my favorite couples! And, to answer your next question, yes, I LOOOOVE Hamilton!

Also, this story is dedicated to my former coworker and friend, Kathy. I love and miss you, Kathy. You were one of the greatest. This won't be the last thing I dedicate to you. And... "I can't wait to see you again. It's only a matter of time" ("Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells Your Story", Hamilton: An American Musical (Original Broadway Cast Recording), 2015).

In memory of Kathy Clark Strain 1962-2021


That Would Be Enough

Abbie couldn't believe it. The one time she got off work early.

And she sent Ichabod out on a date with another woman.

Lisette wasn't even a bad person. She was a kind, sweet girl who worked at the deli Abbie and Ichabod liked. Abbie always noticed Lisette staring at Ichabod and she encouraged him to ask her out. After all, Lisette was beautiful, fairly attractive, and seemed nice enough. And Ichabod needed to get out of the house more often for more than just Witness work. Besides, it was one date. Abbie figured what did she care?

Then she got home. And he wasn't there.

Abbie realized she cared. She cared a lot.

Abbie looked at the television but decided against turning it on. She went to the kitchen, found some leftovers, heated them up, and ate in the living room. She considered calling Jenny and Joe but figured they were out being a couple in love and didn't want to bother them. She got on her phone and, out of pure curiosity, looked up Hamilton, the play she sent Ichabod to see with Lisette.

Hamilton tickets were practically impossible to come by, but a friend of Abbie's got her two sets of tickets; two for tonight and a practically unheard of six tickets for a couple of weeks later. Abbie knew a little bit about the play and heard a couple of snippets of songs, and it seemed interesting enough, even if musical theater wasn't Abbie's thing. Surprisingly, it even caught Ichabod's attention, though he thought some of the musical choices were questionable. Abbie insisted he go and let her know what he thought. If he didn't like it, they wouldn't go in a couple of weeks.

Abbie started to read up on the play and the reviews. She was impressed; it was overwhelmingly loved and even its naysayers respected what Lin-Manuel Miranda had accomplished. She found a streaming site that had the entire soundtrack recording of the original cast. She decided to give it a listen.

Abbie sat back, listening to the soundtrack. Plays and musicals really weren't her thing. But something about this musical hit her in the heart almost immediately. Maybe it was the style of music and the undeniably amazing flow of the lyrics.

Or maybe it was because she realized she had feelings for a man who actually lived through the time period the play was set in. Ichabod did say he knew Alexander Hamilton. She was curious how much of the play was accurate, how much was made up, and how much only Ichabod knew to be true.

Regardless, she wanted to hear the music and decide for herself if she liked it as well. All the while, doing her best to push her ever-invasive thoughts of Ichabod out of her mind. At best, not focus on them for now.


Ichabod was in the hallway during the intermission of Hamilton. He stood against the wall, waiting for Lisette, who had gone to the restroom. Ichabod pulled his phone out of his pocket and stared at it.

He felt the urge to call Abbie.

While he was having fun and Lisette was great company, Ichabod found himself missing Abbie and preferring she was here with him instead.

He even felt a little guilty: the play was fantastic and Lisette was a pleasant, absolutely wonderful date.

But he couldn't escape the feeling of wanting Abbie to be with him. If he were brave enough, he would almost say he desired Abbie to be here with him.

Ichabod saw Lisette approaching and smiled at her. Intermission was just about over.

"Having fun?" Lisette asked.

"Very much so," Ichabod nodded. He offered his arm to her and they walked back into the theater.

Ichabod felt bad. While that wasn't a total lie, it was still a lie.


Nearly two and a half hours later, Abbie had listened to the entire soundtrack. As "Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells Your Story" came to an end, Abbie let out an exhale, feeling a tear fall down her cheek.

She sniffed. "Beautiful." She sat lost in thought for a while. She had so many emotions running through her and the most powerful she couldn't deny anymore.

She felt something strong for Ichabod. And she had no idea how long she would be able to keep it from him. Especially since this play had completely put her in her feelings.

Just one more reason for Abbie to not like musical theater but Hamilton was the exception so far.

She heard the key in the door lock, and Abbie, quickly, wiped her eyes. She had no idea how long she'd been sitting but it was enough to make her react in a quiet panic.

The door opened and Ichabod called out, "Hello?"

She cleared her throat, "Hey, Crane!" She hoped all traces of her tears were gone.

Ichabod rounded the corner as Abbie got to her feet. "Good evening, Leftenant," he greeted.

Abbie smiled as best she could, managing a rather convincing and warm smile. "Hey! How was it?"

"Do you remember my initial misgivings?"

"How can I not? You complained for two straight weeks and you hadn't fully heard one song from it yet!"

"Well!" Ichabod took off his jacket and hung it on the coat rack, "Be that as it may…" he walked back into the living room, "I must admit… I stand 100% corrected."

Abbie jerked her head back. "Really? You liked it?"

"Actually… I loved it. Despite some historical inaccuracies… the play was amazingly produced, and the music was… extremely moving."

"Well, good! I'm glad you enjoyed it!" Abbie's smile slowly fell away. She shifted, nervously, on her feet, "So… how was… Lisette? How is she? I mean… I mean… hanging out with her? The date. How was the date? With her?" She wanted to crawl into a hole and die with how awkward she just made this.

While her wording didn't escape Ichabod's notice, he decided not to call attention to it. "It was a very enjoyable evening. Ms. Lisette is lovely company."

"Oh," Abbie said, some disappointment slipping in. "That's… that's good."

Taking note of her tone a second time, Ichabod decided to risk calling attention to it. "Is something wrong?"

"Oh. Nothing. Just… curious. Uhh… h-how did Lisette like it?"

Given her obvious attempt to change the subject, Ichabod decided to let the issue of what was bothering Abbie drop for now. "Hm. I don't believe Lisette cared for the play as much as I did but… I believe she enjoyed it well enough."

"But you two had fun?" she asked.

"It was a fine evening," he replied.

"Great. Great!"

"And what of you, Leftenant? How was your evening?"

Abbie stared at him and she wanted to respond with 'fine'. But she couldn't. Something grabbed hold of every routine response, pushed those back, and forced the truth to come out. Maybe she was still in her feelings or maybe because subconsciously was looking for a way to admit this.

But Abbie knew the real reason: Ichabod was staring her in the eyes when he asked. Where it used to be easy to just tell him anything and move on, lying or giving a routine answer was impossible right now.

"It was awful," Abbie admitted.

Ichabod blinked. "Why?" he asked, concernedly. "What's wrong?"

"I thought I had to work late, right?" She shrugged, "I ended up getting off early. And… I got home… and you weren't here. I listened to the Hamilton soundtrack. And… I felt like crap 'cause you were out… on a date… without me." She couldn't stop her next admission no matter hard she tried, "I wanted you… to be with me. I wanted to… to be with you." She shrugged again, "I missed you." She exhaled, pressing her hands to her face.

They were both quiet for a while. Abbie's admission took them both by surprise. But not by much. In particularly, on Ichabod's side.

Ichabod stared at her. She admitted a truth that was probably incredibly embarrassing and nerve-wracking for her. How could not do the same?

"I wasn't…" Ichabod began, "entirely truthful before. The evening was lovely. The play… outstanding. Lisette was fine company. But… one key fact kept the evening from being perfect."

She lowered her hands and looked up at him.

"You weren't there."

Abbie stared at him, stunned.

"I… wished… you were there. I wanted you to be with me, as well. In truth… I missed you all evening. Lisette is a lovely woman. But she isn't you. No one could be."

There it was. For both of them. They put it out there, as clear as day.

Abbie took a deep breath and exhaled. "Crane. You know what we're both saying, right?"

"I do," Ichabod replied.

"So… are you okay with that?"

"As long as you are."

She stared into his eyes for a moment. "Yeah, I am."

He nodded, "Then so am I."

They stared at each other before slowly approaching, their lips meeting a second later. After their kiss, they pulled back and looked at each other.

"We should've done that," Abbie said, "a looooong time ago."

"I couldn't agree more," Ichabod replied.

"We still have the rest of the tickets for a few weeks out."

"I look forward to it with great anticipation."

"Jenny will never let us live this down," Abbie pointed out.

"Jenny doesn't let us live anything down," Ichabod countered.

"You couldn't be more right, if you tried." She gazed into his eyes. "Are you tired?"

"Not at all."

She smiled, "Wanna listen to the soundtrack with me?"

"I would be delighted," he smiled in return.


A/N: And there you have it! What did you think?

I have a few old stories I need to update concerning Ichabbie, including from my AU and to finish out that series. We'll see when I can get to that. Thank you so much reading. See you next time, Dreamers and Sleepyheads!