A/N: 05.26.2018

Wow, this is a bit of short chapter! But, I'm glad that I have something for you guys now! Enjoy!

Chapter 5: Watch Your Back

The FBI and the Sleepy Hollow Sheriff Department were all over the warehouse area in just under 30 minutes after Set disappeared. Abbie put in the call, using the claim that she was following a lead given to her by Edom on an unrelated case. As Edom had a history of independent investigations with the Bureau and working with certain agents more than others, no one really questioned it. All major suspicion fell on Walters as he wasn't even supposed to be anywhere near Sleepy Hollow this evening.

As Abbie and Edom conversed with various FBI agents, Osiris and Ichabod stood staring at the site where Set faded away.

"What do you believe your brother's goal was?" Ichabod asked Osiris.

"I have no idea," Osiris replied. "Whenever I question one of his cult, they simply say that he will rise to glory again. They won't say how."

"Troubling."

"To say the least."

Abbie and Edom walked back over to them.

"News, my love?" Abbie asked.

"Most of the heat's falling on Walters," Abbie said. "And a bit on Ed," she admitted, nervously.

"Oh, please," Edom waved her comment off. "I am constantly viewed with a questionable eye. I just don't talk about it. If I'm not under suspicion, I become suspicious."

"What happens now?" Ichabod asked.

They all looked to see Danny show up, who stared at them awkwardly.

"That, Ichabod, is the question," Edom replied.

The following day, the team learned that Walters was being kept in holding under suspicion for the murders of the FBI agents and Set's followers. Things were even more confusing when Abbie learned that his one request was that he could speak with her alone. Abbie agreed to the conditions, very curious about what he wanted to speak with her about.

Walters was sitting in the interrogation room when Abbie walked in.

"I heard that you wanted to talk me, Director," Abbie said.

"I did," Walters said. "And no need for the formalities, Agent Mills. I'm sure I won't be a director for long."

Abbie sat down and noticed that the camera was off. "No observation?"

"A last courtesy for an outgoing official," Walters said. "I'll be signing a full confession for everything."

"Kind of falling of your sword there, aren't you?"

"I firmly believe that'll be the least of my worries."

"Maybe," Abbie admitted. "What did you need?"

"I wanted to inform that I never wanted any harm to come to you and Ichabod Crane," Walters said.

"Yeah, that's a little hard to believe."

"I don't expect you to. But it is true and there's one way I can prove it. I killed Atticus Nevins."

Abbie froze in place as she processed that. "You…" she swallowed a lump in her throat. "You what?"

"It was necessary. He was far too dangerous to leave unchecked."

"Why are you telling me this?"

"So that you won't look over your shoulder for him."

Abbie narrowed her eyes.

"Make no mistake: you're going to need to keep your head on a swivel but that's one less face for you to worry about." Walters leaned forward and whispered, "Set is looking for the Nine Sacred Sites. For what exactly, I don't know."

"What are they?" Abbie asked.

"They vary in use from person to person, group to group, and, obviously, from deity to deity. As for all they can fully do, I haven't the slightest idea." He paused for a second, taking a rueful breath. "I'll be making a full confession of my actions but I'll have the information on the Sites delivered to you."

"And then what?" Abbie asked.

"Then you have to go after Set. You must stop him."

"Kinda brave of you since you guys were just business partners."

"He never trusted me and I never trusted him."

"Can't blame you for that," Abbie said.

"He's a dangerous, destructive force," Walters declared. "I kept his attention to learn his true intentions. It didn't work as well as I would've hoped but that's a risk we all must take in this life."

"Ain't that the truth."

"There is something else you must know, Abigail. I'm sure, by now, you know about Agency 355 and the Vault."

"In passing."

"There may be others from the Agency who may not be too happy with my decision. I'm not sure if they'll do anything. They may be busy."

"Why?" she asked.

"We don't communicate very well but I have feeling events are occurring in other areas that may have their attention at the moment. And those who wish give control of the Agency to Ichabod may also be preoccupied. Sadly, Set isn't the only threat out there."

Abbie let out of a regretful sigh, "Yeah. I kinda figured that."

"You need to be careful, Abigail," Walters said. "I'll no longer be in your way… but you'll plenty to deal with."

Abbie stood up, "And if anyone who will get in my way come to see you, tell them this from me: if they want me, come and get me."

Walters stared at her a while then smiled. "You're much stronger than anyone we could've anticipated would be Ichabod Crane's partner."

"He needs someone as strong as him."

"And he got someone stronger. Watch your back, Abigail Mills. There's a storm coming."

"I'll buy an umbrella," Abbie said. "Good-bye, Director."

"Agent Mills," Walters nodded.

That evening, Abbie and Ichabod met with Edom and Osiris and Abbie explaining everything that happened in the meeting with Walters.

"The Nine Sacred Sites," Edom said. "Yes. That does make a lot of sense."

"I understand now," Osiris said. "He means to bring about his true resurrection. A full revival of his power. Ingenious."

"What are these sites, exactly?" Ichabod asked.

"Slightly out of my realm of knowledge," Osiris admitted. He looked at Edom, "Do you know anything about them?"

"Not that much," Edom declared.

"You know everything," Abbie said.

"I do not."

"You act like you do." She grinned.

"Oh, I do not!" Edom protested. He looked at Ichabod and Osiris, seeing that they curious looks on their faces. "Oh! You both agree that I give an air of knowing everything?"

"More of an insistence than an air," Osiris said, smugly.

"Said the Egyptian god!"

"I've never been as sure of myself as some of you angels are."

Edom growled. "I shall see what I can learn about these Sites. Since, at the moment, I do not know it all!"

"Never thought I'd hear an angel admit that," Osiris said.

"Shut up."

"And what should we do in the meantime?" Abbie asked.

"Probably would be best if you wait from word from us." Edom regained his own smug smile. "Actually finalizing wedding plans would be a good idea."

"Right now?!" Abbie inquired, agitated.

"You started this."

Abbie groaned.

"How do you think that Walters will get the information about the Sites to us?" Osiris asked.

"He has his ways, I'm sure," Edom said.

The following day, Ichabod had just gotten home from work to find Abbie already there. She was sitting at the dining room table with a glass of water in front of her and a forlorn expression on her face.

"Good afternoon, my love," Ichabod said, surprised.

Abbie looked at him and gave him a small smile, "Hey."

"Is everything alright?"

"No. I was at work for a while then came home. Really hard to focus."

He nodded, "I understand. Has there been any further questioning about Walters request to speak with you?"

"Not yet." She sighed. "But I'm expecting there to be."

He walked over and rubbed her back, "Is there anything I can do?"

She took hold of his hand and kissed his knuckles. "I'll let you know."

A knock came to the door. Ichabod walked to the door and opened it to find Danny standing on the doorstep.

"Agent Reynolds!" Ichabod said, surprised.

"Ichabod," Danny said. He presented a package, "Mind if I come in?"

Ichabod looked at Abbie. She exhaled and gave a quick nod. Ichabod stepped aside and allowed Danny to come in. Danny stopped at the opposite end of the dining room table from Abbie, staring at her.

"What is it?" Abbie asked, her tone more exasperated than angry.

"I came to give you this," Danny said, holding up the package. He set it on the table, "Walters's last order."

Abbie stared at it then looked at him.

Danny took this as the only chance he had left. "I'm so sorry, Abbie. Really."

"You should've told me," she insisted.

"I know." He started to walk around the table to take a step toward her, "I just…"

"Don't," Abbie said, immediately. She shook her head. "Just… don't." She scanned around the room before looking back at him. "You only want to apologize because… you want to see me as more than a friend."

"That's not true."

"If it's not true, why didn't you just tell me?"

"Because I wanted you to trust me," Danny said. "Because I was just trying to protect you."

"I don't need that from you. I have people who can do that just fine. Whether I want them to or not." She looked at Ichabod. "And the one who protects me, first and foremost, is doing his best to not throw you out."

"I know," Danny replied. "I just wanted to say… I'm sorry." He looked at Ichabod, "To you, too."

Ichabod looked down, unsure about to how to respond to the apology.

"I know you both must think that I'm the enemy. I can't blame you. I should've told you, either of you, what was going on." Danny sighed. "I only told Sophie that Walters asked to watch you, Abbie. We figured it was because you were Witnesses. I never told her how often Walters spoke with me or that I was still doing it. She's on your side. That you can believe."

For more than one reason, Abbie did believe that. Something about Sophie just told her she was trustworthy. But she did have questions for Sophie. "Where is she?" Abbie asked.

"On her way back to Sleep Hollow. We're gonna need some more local agents for a while to deal with this mess about Walters."

Abbie nodded. She looked at the package. "Thanks for dropping that off."

Danny nodded. "Agent Mills."

Abbie was surprised. She couldn't remember he'd addressed her like that.

Danny looked at Ichabod, "Mr. Crane."

"Agent Reynolds."

Danny walked out of the door without another word.

Ichabod closed the door behind him and looked at Abbie, "Do you think he'll be alright?"

Abbie shrugged, "He's tough but… I don't know."

"Will you be alright?"

She looked at him, "Are you?"

"It varies from moment to moment."

"Ditto."

Jenny and Joe came by Ichabod and Abbie's house that night and learned about Danny's visit.

"Ya should've hit him," Jenny said.

"Jenny," Abbie said, admonishing her.

"You should've."

Joe looked at the notes. "These are from my dad?"

"Yes, Joe," Ichabod said. "It constantly amazes me how knowledgeable he was."

"Me, too."

"You guys tell Ed about this stuff yet?" Jenny asked.

"Yeah, he's just busy right now," Abbie said.

"He informed he would meet us at the Archives later tonight," Ichabod said.

Abbie's phone rang and she answered it. "Hello?" She was quiet for a second then a horrified look came over her face, "What?!" She closed her eyes and exhaled, "I'll be right there."

"What is it?" Ichabod asked.

"Walters," Abbie said, setting her phone down. "They went to get him from his cell… where they found his body."

They all went still.

"He's dead."

A/N: Oh, boy! Walters is dead! The game is really getting into high gear! What's going to happen next? We'll see!

See you soon, Sleepyheads and Dreamers!