"Perchance To Dream" (Chapter 4)
Ichabod involuntarily shivered when Louise Hunter softly whispered in his ear. He was still surprised by the obvious display of affection between Big Ash and his fellow Witness. That look was unmistakable. These two people had shared a past as lovers. The most unsettling thing of all was his distinct impression that the feelings they once shared were still present. He had never actually seen his Lieutenant in this light before. Yes, she had taken to playfully flirting with Nick Hawley of late. But, the gaze between these two was so intense, it alone spoke volumes. He chided himself silently, for his feelings of jealousy. He realized his dear friend was looking at Ash in the same way his dream Abbie looked at him. The five minutes Ash and Abbie spoke quietly, seemed an eternity. It was painful to watch. Abbie smiled her sweet smile and laughed softly. She and Ash seemed to be in their own little world, unaware of anyone else. Ichabod decided, he had seen enough.
"Ahem," Ichabod cleared his throat, loudly. Louise shot him a warning glance, she was overjoyed Abbie and her grandson were reconnecting. Ichabod was undeterred and continued his attempt to jar the former lovers from their reminiscences.
"Lieutenant, I certainly do not wish to be rude, but I am sure there was a reason you came to fetch me with such urgency. Was there not?"
Louise rolled her eyes and shook her head. Ichabod did feel a bit childish at that moment, but he was not sorry, no not at all.
Abbie (reluctantly) turned away from Ash to face Ichabod.
"Yeah, ...ah Crane ...Sheriff Reyes needs to speak to you. It's kind of important."
"Then we should make haste, should we not Lieutenant?"
"Yeah. Listen Crane the car's open. I'll be there in a minute."
"As you wish Lieutenant. I will be waiting." Ichabod emphasized the word "waiting,"
and went outside to the car. Abbie, Ash and Louise heard the car door slam a bit too loudly.
"I'm gonna have to take a rain check on dinner Grams. Things are kind of um... hectic at the moment", Abbie said.
"Ok, honey. I'll give you a pass this time. But only if you promise to come to dinner one day next week. .You should never let things get so crazy that you don't eat. You need to keep your strength up. Especially if you're working with that tall drink of water out there."
She pointed to the car. "He's a little on the nervous side, if you ask me." Louise decided to let Abbie and Ash say good bye in private. She went out to Abbie's car, where Ichabod was sitting with an annoyed expression and what looked like a definite pout. He was straining to catch a glimpse of Ash and Abbie saying goodbye.
"Stewing in your own juices I see, Mr. Crane." Louise observed as she stood next to the passenger side where Ichabod sat brooding. "Listen things are not going to get any better for you, until you own up to Abbie. You wear your heart on your sleeve, my dear. Not a good thing in a situation like this, believe me."
"I simply wished to remind Miss Mills of the purpose for her visit. She seemed to lose all reason when she saw Big Ash." Ichabod frowned..
"Mrs. Hunter, I don't mean to pry, but what sort of relationship did your grandson have with the Lieutenant?"
"Not my story to tell Mr. Crane. All the more reason for you to have that heart to heart talk with your Partner. One thing about Abbie Mills, she appreciates honesty."
Ichabod Crane had ceased listening to Louise and was, at the moment, watching Abbie write down something on a piece of paper and give it to Ash. Abbie then left the shop and proceeded to the car. She stopped to say goodbye to Louise.
"OK Grams, Ash invited us for Sunday dinner. Think you'll have corn pudding again?"
"I'll make it special for you, honey." She gave Abbie a tight hug before Abbie entered the car. "
The two Witnesses drove in silence for 10 minutes. Ichabod could read his Partner well. He knew Abbie was lost in thought regarding her encounter with Ash. He decided to bring her back to reality.
"Lieutenant, could you elucidate a bit regarding the reason Sheriff Reyes wishes to see me."
"Well, Crane I think she should be the one to tell you, but I think you'll like what she has to say."
"Really? That is intriguing. No further hints then?"
"No, not from me. You will just have to wait and see."
"I think you are enjoying this Lieutenant." Crane smirked
"Enjoying what, exactly."
"Refusing to fully answer my inquiries."
Abbie simply smiled, that mischievous smile that melted his heart each time he saw it. They continued their ride in silence. Abbie went back to her private thoughts. Ichabod brooded for he knew her musings were most likely about her former beau. His curiosity finally got the better of him, and when they were just seven minutes from the station he spoke.
"Lieutenant, I was a bit curious. Were you and Big Ash , Ah ... close friends at one time?"
"Yeah. We were. But, hey that was a long time ago. I really don't want to talk about this with you. Ok?" Ichabod heard the hint of warning in her voice.
"Of course , Lieutenant. It was impertinent of me to inquire about your romantic past. I do apologize."
"Ok." Abbie replied, as they pulled into the Sleepy Hollow Police Station parking lot.
Once inside they headed straight to The Sheriff's office.
"Mr. Crane. Mills tracked you down, I see." Sheriff Reyes said, arms folded. "So. I was discussing your role here with the Lieutenant."
"My role?" Ichabod asked. He wasn't sure where this conversation was going.
"Listen Mr. Crane, I can no longer deny that there are strange things happening in this town. And I've finally realized you and Mills, need to work together if we want to beat the evil that's obviously really out there. So, our budget allows us to hire consultants from time to time on difficult cases. Therefore we are making this official. You, Ichabod Crane now work as a bona fide consultant of the Sleepy Hollow Police Department. Welcome aboard. The Sheriff smiled warmly and offered a hand shake.
Ichabod gladly acquiesced and shook her hand enthusiastically.
"Thank you Sheriff Reyes. It is an honor to serve the town of Sleepy Hollow in an official capacity. This town and its citizens have always been special to me."
"Now please understand, our budget is rather limited so the consultant's fee you'll be receiving isn't much. But after speaking with Mills here, I believe you'll find it will cover many of your living expenses. It will take about 7 - 10 days to receive your first check. So, unless there are any questions you two can get back to work." Reyes returned to her desk.
"Certainly Sheriff, and thank you again." Ichabod smiled broadly, as he followed Abbie out of the office.
"So, Crane now you can finally pay your own bills." Abbie teased, as they walked back to the Archives.
"Quite true Lieutenant. This is most definitely good news." Ichabod stopped walking for a moment. And gently touched Abbie's arm. "Lieutenant, please know I am ever grateful for the financial sacrifices you have made on my behalf. And I fully..."
"Stop right there Crane." Abbie interjected. "Listen I know I tease you about money sometimes and all, but don't sweat it. I'm not expecting a payback. Listen, I just want you to have my back, when I need you. Ok ?"
Ichabod's face immediately fell.
"Lieutenant, I will, for as long as I can draw breath, do everything in my power to " have your back." You must never doubt that Abbie." He attempted to take her hand, but Abbie quickly turned away.
" Just as long as I can count on you. That's all I want to know. Anyway, Jenny's waiting in the Archives. She's probably wondering what's taking us so long. Let's go."
The two Witnesses walked in to the Archives and were greeted with a smirk from Jenny.
"Took you two long enough, I was about to go and look for you."
"Well, we're here now." Abbie replied.
"So sorry to keep you waiting Miss Jenny". Ichabod apologized
"Hey is anyone else hungry? I'm starving. I think I'll head over to the deli. Do you want anything?"Abbie asked.
"BLT for me Abs." Jenny said.
"I would love one of those delightful grilled chicken wraps we had the other day, Lieutenant." Ichabod added.
" Ok, be back soon." Abbie departed.
When Abbie left, Jenny took the opportunity to take a good look at her sister's partner.
"Hey Crane! Hate to tell you this, but you look like crap! Haven't you been sleeping? What's going on?"
I appreciate your honesty Miss Jenny. Indeed, I have had trouble sleeping. An unfortunate side effect of my encounter with the Succubus."
"Bad dreams, huh? Wait a minute, a Succubus plays on your hidden desires, right?
So what kind of dreams are you having exactly Crane?"
Ichabod could see that the ever perceptive Jenny was close to discovering his secret. He couldn't let that happen, at least not yet.
"Miss Jenny I would rather not discuss my dreams at this time. There is a more pressing inquiry I have for you."
Jenny, sensing she had hit a nerve, didn't pursue her line of thought with Ichabod any longer. "Okay so what do you want to know?"
"What can you tell me about your sisters relationship with a Shawnee by the name of Big Ash?"
"Big Ash? Abbie told you about Big Ash? She never talks about him."
"Your sister did not tell me. I had occasion to see them together today."
"What the? Ash is back in town? Abbie didn't tell me."
"It was a surprise to her as well."
"Wow. I bet it was. Those two used to date in high school and Abbie's first year in college. Listen Crane, I don't know if I should be telling you this but anyway , Big Ash, was the only guy my sister ever loved. They were pretty serious for a while there.
He taught her how to ride a bike."
"A bike?" Ichabod asked.
"Yeah, a motorcycle. He was the only one of Abbie's boyfriends who actually had August Corbin's seal of approval."
"Why on earth did they part?"
"Yeah well that's a big mystery really. And Abbie's always been pretty tightlipped about it. But whatever it was it was enough to make Big Ash want to leave Sleepy Hollow and head out west. I'm surprised he's back. So you said Abbie saw him today?"
"Yes."
"Wish I had seen that reunion." Jenny moved closer to Ichabod and leaned in conspiratorially. "You know Crane I had never seen Abbie look at someone the way she would look at Big Ash until she ... , oh never mind."
Jenny apparently thought better of what she was going to say. Ichabod, however pressed her to continue.
"Until what Miss Jenny?" He asked, earnestly.
"Until... "
Just as Jenny was ready to explain, Abbie walked in. She immediately sensed something was up.
"What's going on you two? Care to share?"
To be continued...
Notes: What do you think Jenny was about to reveal to Ichabod? Are you feeling sorry for Ichabod yet? I'd love to know your ideas. As always, thanks so very much for taking the time to read one of my stories. I appreciate all of your insightful and kind comments.