Some flirty Ichabbie for ajhanderson on Tumblr. :) And Abbie's throwing some shade at Zoe. Lol This was fun to write. I hope it makes sense though. Lol
"I, too, believe that water should be a free resource for every citizen. It is extraordinary how one takes advantage of a person's well-earned money for their benefit. This capitalist society is atrocious and not what our Founding Fathers wanted. They would be ashamed," Crane said to Zoe.
She had agreed to their date. Somehow, they ended up in a phone conversation about what should be free to the public.
"Absolutely, Crane. Everyone deserves free, clean water."
"It should be an inalienable right," he said.
He heard the door open and saw Abbie walk in. She smiled at him; he smiled back. He watched her as she started to put some books on the shelves.
"Banks are another story altogether."
"Indeed. I took a quick visit to the bank once. You won't believe it, but I found it most agitating that those fellow managers and bank tellers could not offer their customers a simple pen. It was attached to a little chain. Can you believe it? These citizens trust them with their fortunes after all. Would it have really hurt to provide them with a proper writing utensil?"
Crane watched Abbie shake her head and chuckle at him as she put up the last book.
"I know. Why not give your customers an actual pen? What do they have against pens anyway? Do they think someone will steal it? It's just a pen. I don't get it either."
"Exaclty. And why must clothing, food, lodging—all the bare necessities—be so expensive? These are resources that people need on a daily basis. Must one pay an outrageous fee for what one should so rightfully have free of charge or at least without the penalty of taxes?"
He glanced at Abbie. She lowered her eyebrows, then rolled her eyes. She put some maps in a drawer. He shrugged at her; she shook her head again.
"I completely agree. What's that all about?"
"It's complete madness, isn't it? It is a shame. Quite a shame."
Crane and Zoe talked about the amount of staggering technology and fast food that's taken over the world. She agreed with him on every point he made. It was nice to know that someone understood his perspective.
"I'll see you for our dinner this week, Crane?"
"Yes, you will, Miss Corinth. Thank you for accepting my offer, even though you could have rejected it. I look forward to experiencing our time together on our first official outing. I really do hope we can—"
He heard Abbie clear her throat. She motioned for him to speed it up.
"I am looking forward to our evening. I will speak to you another time. Goodnight, Miss Corinth."
"Night, Ichabod. I can't wait either."
"Can you get to the point a little quicker next time, Crane?" Abbie said after he hung up.
"I'll have you know I was not taking my time. I was simply expressing my gratitude." He stood up to finish helping her clean the archives.
"Can you hurry your gratitude up?" She passed him a file to put with the rest of Corbin's cases.
"I shall not make haste, Leftenant." He put it where it belonged.
"Of course, you can't."
"What is that supposed to mean?" He pushed his hair from his face, stood in front of her.
She stepped at bit closer to him, left her fingers on his chest. "It means what it says it means. You take your time about everything. It has to suite you."
"For your information, Leftenant—"
"Don't get haughty with me, Crane. You do go by your own terms, like when you didn't study for your citizenship exam after I told you what to expect. Or how about the fact that you didn't call me for nine months until you were in trouble? My point is you decide to let time go by without regard for anything or anyone sometimes until you're tired of it or up against a wall."
"I do apologize for not contacting your much sooner."
"I know, Crane."
He looked away from her. "Miss Corinth doesn't seem to think I take my time."
"Clearly she doesn't seem to mind. Plus, she agrees with whatever you say, which doesn't help your ego."
"Are you implying Miss Corinth isn't a challenge for me, Leftenant?"
"Like I said, she's a good one."
"Do you believe I like to be challenged?"
"You do." She looked him up and down, let her fingers inch down his chest before she moved them. "Tell me I'm wrong."
He smirked at Abbie. He knew what she was doing.
"You are correct, Leftenant. A good challenge keeps me guessing and wanting to figure it out. Do you know what else it sometimes happens to do?"
She shook her head.
"It turns me on." He brushed his shoulder against hers as he walked past her to finish cleaning up.