A/N: 05.30.2018

I am AMAZED at how fast I finished this! Wow! A new chapter in less than a week. That's a rarity for me!

I want to send a BIG, HUGE THANK YOU to a group of Sleepyheads and Ichabbie fans on Twitter for the firing me up and inspiring me. I met them all because of sleepyheadfan20 and she is great! And there is a whole group that is awesome, too! And all of my readers and fans, thank you!

Enjoy!

Chapter 6: Parting Ways

Abbie and Ichabod went to the FBI office where agents and police were all standing around. They walked down to the holding cells where Danny was already speaking with other agents.

Danny looked at them, "Agent Mills, Mr. Crane."

Abbie was still too shocked at the news to take into account Danny's by-the-book tone. "What happened?"

Danny stepped out of the way to reveal Walters's body. He was thrown against the wall with a blade through his chest. Abbie and Ichabod looked at each other, shocked and concerned.

"Who did this?" Ichabod asked.

"We don't know," Danny said. "The power went out for 45 seconds. When it came back on…" He motioned toward Walters.

Abbie stared at the body for a while longer. She swallowed the lump in her throat before walking away. Ichabod watched her leave then looked at Danny. Ichabod gave Danny a slight bow and Danny gave him a nod in return.

Ichabod got back to the car where he found Abbie, gripping the steering wheel hard and staring down at her feet. He got in and placed his hand on hers.

"They got him," Abbie said in a low tone. "Just like that. I mean… I just saw him hours ago. I know he wasn't a friend or anything like that but… he might have been able to answer more questions about our mission, the Agency, just… everything. And any answers he might have had are gone."

"I know," Ichabod said.

She shook her head, "Who we can trust, who we can't trust. Gods, monsters. It's just getting to be a little annoying. A lot annoying. Infuriating. It's starting to wear me down a bit."

"We can handle it," he said, reassuringly. "We always have."

She nodded then stared at him. "Because we have each other."

"Because we have each other."

"I really love you," she said. "I need you to always know that. No matter what happens or comes our way going forward. I love you."

"I love you," he replied. "I pray you never forget."

She leaned forward and kissed him before starting the SUV and driving off.

Abbie and Ichabod met up with Jenny, Joe, Edom, Ray and Osiris at the Archives about a half hour later. The group sat in silence to process the news of Walters's death.

"One of my contacts with the Bureau provided me with a photo of the blade used to kill Walters," Edom said. He stared at Osiris.

"I wait with bated breath," Osiris said, sarcastically. He already had an idea of what was coming.

"It was a knife of Egyptian origin."

Osiris narrowed his eyes, "Set."

"He wanted us to know."

"Why?" Joe asked. "He already knows that you're after him."

"Because he's fascinatingly arrogant," Osiris said. "He was declaring how easily he could kill even a director of the FBI. No one is safe from him. That's what he's telling us."

"What do we do now?" Jenny asked.

"We have to find out more about the Sacred Sites," Abbie said. "Maybe even find them, if we can."

"Speaking of which," Edom said, "I've gone over what Abbie gave me and followed on some information I have."

"And…?" Jenny asked.

"And…" Edom took a deep breath then looked at Abbie and Ichabod, "we need to leave."

"Leave?" Ichabod asked.

"Sleepy Hollow."

The room came to a dead stop.

Edom shrugged, "For a little while. We should head back to Chicago." He pulled out the book he found, "Where I grabbed this."

"What for?" Abbie asked.

"This book is known as The Raven's Ledger," Edom explained. "It contains vast knowledge of various supernatural matters. Not the first edition, mind you. Meaning there is some missing information but it was enough for me to gather what I needed."

"The Raven's Ledger?" Ichabod asked. "I've never heard of that."

"Something Crane's never heard of," Joe said. "Well! That's it! We're doomed!"

Edom looked at Abbie, "That very statement provides overwhelming evidence of Ichabod's ego and you went on about my own!"

Abbie giggled.

Edom looked at Ichabod, "The Raven's Ledger is a rather lengthy journal that was compiled some time after your…" he paused. "Huh. Well, I was going to say 'death' but that's only marginally accurate. Your… not-so-eternal rest. It was a written by a man who was touched by dark magics. A human who is of the few who can gaze into the void and not be swallowed by it."

"Who's the author?" Abbie asked.

"He goes by the name of…" Edom smiled. "…Edgar. Allan. Poe."

The entirety of the room fell into utter disbelief.

"Oh, you are kidding!" Abbie shouted.

"I've read all of his writings," Ichabod said. "I was to understand that he died in 1849."

"A clever story that he came up with," Edom smiled. "He's quite the skilled author, even of his own life. He's been a great aid to me over the past century and a half. "

"So, why go back to Chicago?" Abbie asked.

"I have a friend there who can help with these matters and maybe even track down Edgar. I don't know where he currently lives. Do you both think that you'll be able to take him away from work?"

"How is Edgar Allan Poe still alive?" Joe asked.

"It's so sad how long it took to get to that question," Ray added.

Edom laughed. "He's been around a lot of magic, which prolonged his life. Now, granted, he's not immortal but he's amazingly close."

"For such a trip, will you be able to provide Abbie and myself with enough of an excuse?" Ichabod asked.

Edom smiled and scoffed, "Ichabod, please! I've been doing this for quite some time. I believe my officially recognized investigation firm will be able to provide the clout for you both to walk free."

Jenny paused and looked at her sister. "It'll be weird not to have you guys in Sleepy Hollow."

"I know." Abbie looked at Ichabod and raised an eyebrow, "But at least we'll be leaving together."

Ichabod knew she was referring to when he disappeared across the Atlantic after Katrina's death. "How often must I say I'm sorry?"

"Whenever I say. Coupled with foot rubs."

"Eww," Jenny, Joe, and Ray said, simultaneously.

"Shut up!" Abbie ordered.

"That does leave the matter of Set," Ichabod said. "I doubt that he's entirely through with Sleepy Hollow."

"He might be," Jenny shrugged. "I mean… he was only here because of Walters."

"You think that'll be it?" Ray asked. "This kinda the weird-stuff capital of North America. He might come back."

"Set will be my issue should he return," Osiris declared. "I'll gladly stay here to watch over Sleepy Hollow. I would be honored to help you all, if you wouldn't mind putting your trust in me."

"You seem pretty trustworthy so far, man," Ray said.

Osiris smiled and nodded, "I am grateful for your kind words. And, be that as it may, I'm sure your trust in me is still questionable at this time. I cannot blame you for that."

"But saving our lives from a giant snake and a mystery box works in your favor," Abbie said.

"There is another task you can complete, Lord Osiris," Edom said.

"And that would be?" Osiris asked.

"See if you can track down Set. Sleepy Hollow is in good hands."

"Are you sure?"

Edom smirked. "Aside from Jenny, Joe, and Ray being here, they have a bit of extra help. Gate is still guarding the forest of Sleepy Hollow. I think we're in good hands."

"The dire wolf does seem to be quite the powerful soldier," Osiris said.

"In more ways than one."

"Saved my ass a few times," Ray said.

"He's very good for that." Edom produced a cell phone from his pocket and presented it to Osiris, "Keep in contact."

Osiris smiled and took the cell phone, "I will do that."

Edom looked at Abbie and Ichabod and pulled out his own phone, "We should book plane tickets as soon as possible. Time is a terrible thing to waste."

As Edom was scrolling through his phone, a thought occurred to Jenny. She sucked air through her teeth, "Yeah." She walked over to Edom and put her hand over his phone and lowered it, "You got something else to do first."

Edom looked at her, curiously. "Aaaaand that would be?"

Jenny's eyebrows shot up as she gave Edom a knowing look.

He leaned his head to the side and shot Jenny droll stare back at her. He knew what she was referring to. "Right now?!"

"First of all, I didn't even say it and you knew what I was talking about."

Edom rolled his eyes.

"You should go see her if you're gonna be out of town for a while," Jenny said.

"That is so unnecessary! I doubt we'll be gone that long!"

"Yeah, like we can ever really tell with things like this. Besides, the more you leave and not tell her, the more she'll think you're not interested."

"That is ridiculous!" Edom countered. "First of all, I've never said that I was interested."

"You didn't have to!" Jenny replied.

Ray perked up, "Ohhhhhh! Is this about that waitress who's totally into him?"

Edom looked at Ray, incredulously. "How do you know about that?"

"Ed, we almost always have lunch there. And, yeah, that girl undresses you with her eyes and she ain't laughing."

Edom rolled his eyes, again, and pressed his hands to his face.

"We're talking about Claudia at Good Day, right?" Abbie asked.

"Yep!" Jenny said.

"Father, make them stop!" Edom shouted into his hands.

"Ah, yes!" Ichabod said. "Claudia. I, too, have caught her eyeing Edom with an expression of arousal on her face."

Edom dropped his hands, stared at them all, and, bluntly, said, "I, honestly, can't stand any of you."

Osiris chuckled a little bit.

"Jenny's right," Abbie said, smiling. "We can make plans after you talk to Claudia."

Edom shook his head. "We don't even know if…"

"She's at work," Jenny said. "She's been picking up extra shifts since she decided to go back to school."

Edom stared at Jenny, blankly. "I would ask how you do that… but I'm terrified of the answer."

"Stop acting like I'm a stalker," Jenny said. "I talk to the girl! More than you do!"

"Ha! This, I doubt! As a matter of fact, I happen to know that she's a lovely person, she raises her younger brother since her parents passed, and she wants to go to school for nursing and… and I am not helping this argument, am I?"

"Yours, no," Osiris said. "Theirs, however, you are providing overwhelming evidence."

"Why are you still here?" Edom asked.

"Because this is, without contestation, the most entertaining thing I've beheld since my revival. Any of my revivals."

"Glad we got that settled!" Jenny said. "Now, let's go see her." She grabbed the keys to Abbie's SUV and headed for the door. "I'll drive."

"Ya know, I could eat," Abbie said, trailing behind her sister. "Let's go."

"I find myself quite parched," Ichabod said, following the Mills sisters. "I could use a refreshing drink."

Joe smiled. "Ya know? I wasn't thirsty either until a second ago. And, hey! I'm hungry." He went after the others.

Ray laughed as he followed everyone else, "I can't believe we're making Ed do this!"

Edom stood with his jaw clenched. He looked at the door then at Osiris, who was still smiling.

"You look to me as though I can save you," Osiris said. "With respect, lord angel, there is no salvation from this mission."

"Got that right!" Abbie shouted.

"Get in the car, Ed!" Jenny yelled.

"We must face all missions without fear," Osiris said as he walked past Edom. "Didn't you say something similar to me just yesterday?"

"THIS IS COMPLETELY DIFFERENT!" Edom shouted.

Osiris stopped and looked at him and considered that. "Hm. Not so much." He walked out of the door.

Edom rubbed his forehead. "Father, give me strength."

Jenny poked her head in the doorway, "He did. That's why we're going."

"Oh, shut up, Jenny."

Edom walked into the Good Day diner and saw Claudia at the counter, reading a series of papers. Edom couldn't lie to himself: just the sight of her did improve his mood. The diner was empty besides Claudia and the cook in the kitchen. Abbie, Ichabod, and the rest of the family walked inside, moved past Edom, and sat down at a table. Edom rolled his eyes and walked toward Claudia.

Claudia looked up and her smile brightened the whole room. "Oh! Edom! I mean, uh, Mr. Thane, hi!"

Edom smiled, "Hello, Claudia. How are you?"

"Doing okay." She exhaled. "Long day."

He chuckled, "I can imagine. And you're more than welcome to call me 'Edom'."

"Thank you."

He sat down at the counter and looked around the diner, "A quiet night."

"It was really busy this afternoon and for the dinner rush. Just leveled off about an hour ago."

"Good for you."

"Tell me about it," Claudia smiled.

Edom looked at her papers, "May I ask what you're working on?"

"College admission papers and loan information," Claudia said. "It's a monster." She looked at Abbie and others. "Are all of you eating together?"

Edom looked over his shoulder at them and rolled his eyes. He looked at Claudia, "After a fashion. But don't be fooled. They may claim to be hungry, and, while that may be true, they're being nothing more than invasive."

Claudia jerked her head back, "Uh, okay." She looked at the others, "You guys ready to order?"

"Oh, no, girl," Jenny said. "Take your time. Besides, I think Ed needs to talk to you."

Edom let out a low growl.

"Umm, okay, again," Claudia said. She looked at Edom, "Did… you wanna talk?"

Edom took a breath. "Uh, yes, in fact. If you wouldn't mind sparing me a moment."

"Sure," Claudia said. She set her paperwork aside and leaned over the counter. "What can I do for you?"

"I received a case today and I'll be heading out of town for a while."

Claudia's mood suddenly became sullen. "Oh."

Jenny looked at Abbie and they both raised their eyebrows and shared a smirk before turning attention back.

Claudia straightened up and started, nervously, dragging her finger across the counter, "How, uh, long would you be gone?"

Edom shrugged, "It's a big case. I'll be accompanying Ichabod and Abbie to track down an artifact that was stolen. It's vital the artifact retrieved."

"Okay," Claudia said, sounding disappointed. She put on the best smile she could and brought her voice back to its previous timbre, "Well, hey! Thanks for letting me know! I, uh… I'm gonna miss my regulars."

"Jenny will still be around."

"Good to know."

Edom took a silent deep breath. "But… I wasn't merely informing you of that just to let you know."

Claudia perked up. "Oh?"

Edom smiled then considered what he wanted to say. He decided to be as honest as he could be. "I've… had a lot of difficulties in my life. Some a bit harder than others."

"Okay?"

"But in the past year, I've had several bright spots." He looked at his extended family then back at Claudia. "One of them has been getting to know you."

Claudia's mouth fell open, her voice caught in her throat. "Oh! Uh…" she cleared her throat. "Really?"

"Indeed. I was wondering, upon my return, if you would like to go to dinner some time."

"Yes!" Claudia said, immediately. "I mean… if-if you're not busy and really want to, then sure! Yeah. I would love to. Not love. Well, yes, love, but…"

"Oh, my God, she's as awkward as he is," Ray said. He looked at Ichabod and Abbie, "They might beat you two to the altar."

"Not likely," Abbie said.

"You do realize we can hear you!" Edom shouted at them.

All of them laughed.

Edom rubbed his temple and looked back at Claudia, "I do apologize for my riff-raff of a family."

Claudia laughed, "It's cool, it's cool." She took a second to gather herself together. "Wow. Just… I thought I was only imagining you checking me out."

"I did my best to be discreet," Edom shrugged.

"You failed miserably!" Jenny said.

Edom slumped his shoulders while Claudia tried to bite back a smile, failing to do so.

Edom shook his head and looked back at Claudia. "Ignoring them. I'll give you call when I'm headed back to town."

"Sounds good," Claudia said. "And, let me be frank, I would love to go out with you, Edom."

"Thank you." Edom reached into his pocket, "Also…" He pulled out his wallet and retrieved a business card and presented it to her, "give this number a call. They're good with grants for people who are looking to go to school. Tell them that Mr. Thane sent you."

"Oh, you don't have to do that."

"I know. You are strong enough to make your own way. You always have. It's the first thing that caught my eye about you. I'm somewhat an expert on helping people who are strong enough to fight their own battles. I rather enjoy it, in fact."

Claudia smiled. "I bet you're the best at it."

Edom looked at his family. "One of." He looked at Claudia. "I hope you don't mind my helping you."

"Not at all. I just didn't want you to think that I was taking advantage of you."

"Not even remotely a thought in my mind."

She held her smile, looking down at the counter. "It's… been a rough few years for me, too. With my brother, my parents and all. Not to mention wrong relationship after wrong relationship. Then… I met you. I guess… I've seen you come in day after day and I just would think…" She stopped. "But then like… you're so smart, educated, and clearly successful. Talked myself into thinking that kind of guy would never want me."

"I'm sure there's a longer list than you know of," Edom said.

Claudia put her hand on top of his and stared into his eyes. "Don't need it."

Edom's eyes widened in surprise as he felt heat coming to his cheeks.

Abbie and Jenny looked at each other then looked back at the scene and the Mills sisters, said in unison, "Awww, sookie sookie, now!"

"You two have never said that!" Joe said.

"Not in public, maybe," Jenny admitted.

Edom cleared his throat. "Well." He smiled. "I'm glad we have that settled."

"Same," Claudia said.

"About damn time!" a voice came from the kitchen. "You stare at the poor man every time he walks in here!"

Claudia's face hardened and she looked toward the kitchen, "Shut up, Carlos!"

Edom chuckled. "It seems really odd for you to wait on us now."

Claudia laughed, "Not at all. Work is still work."

"Right on!" Ray said. "And I'm hungry!"

"Maybe you can… sit with us," Edom said. "On a break?"

Claudia smiled. "I think I can do that."

A/N: Trivia time! Who knows where the phrase "sookie sookie, now" comes from? It was in a song and a TV show. The answer in the next chapter.

Let me get serious for a second: guys, thank you. My fans out there and my Twitter group, especially, because I was seriously thinking this story wasn't that great. But then I got bombarded with love from Twitter and it just energized me! I can't thank you all enough for that. I needed it, believe me. I tend to doubt my own skills a LOT!

Thank you all for reading and I will see you in the next chapter! Catch you later, Sleepyheads and Dreamers!