"Perchance To Dream" (Chapter 6)

Ichabod Crane awakened feeling well rested and alert. He was no longer plagued with the troubling, (far too vivid) lustful dreams that left him awash in guilt the next morning. No, Abbie had cured him of those. Louise Hunter had been right.

It was just after they had acquired the sword of Methuselah, when he told her.

They were on their way to Fredrick's manor. Hard to believe that was over half a year ago. So much had changed since then...

The need to reveal the truth to Abbie had been nagging him for much of the ride.

This was it. The battle against Moloch they had been anticipating since destiny brought them together as Witnesses was upon them. Truth be told, he wasn't sure why he had such a pressing need to reveal his dreams to Abbie, just then. Was his decision based on the belief that they might not survive the fateful night? Or was it because they might? In the end, all Ichabod knew was that he had to tell her.

"Lieutenant?" Ichabod said softly.

"Yeah Crane"?

"There is something I have been keeping from you concerning my encounter with the Succubus."

"I thought you said you were fine, Crane?" Abbie asked. Concern was evident in her voice.

"And so I am, Lieutenant. Physically fine." He took a deep breath. "I have however been experiencing a psychological side effect, shall we say."

"Psychological side effect? What do you mean?"

"Dreams Lieutenant. I have been having Dreams of you... And I..."

"Wait," Abbie interjected. "Listen Crane. It 's only natural to have dreams about each other. I mean we are Witnesses and all. It's the whole bond thing you know. I wouldn't lose sleep over a couple of dreams once in awhile or anything."

Abbie was obviously trying to ease his mind on the subject. But what intrigued Ichabod the most was her indication that she had been dreaming of him as well.

The Present:

Eight months and five days had passed since Jeremy and Katrina had taken their last breath. There were days when the guilt of their passing plagued him. Occasionally he would dream of their faces, just before they had vanished before his eyes. Lately, any troubling dream of his wife and son, was always followed by one where he and Abbie lay together , nude and sleeping peacefully. When he would awaken, he could swear the delightful scent of Jasmine, still permeated the air. These new intimate dreams of Abbie, never brought him shame or guilt; they actually brought him more solace and comfort than he thought possible.

Abbie had done everything she could to cheer him over the last 8 months. She would listen intently when he needed to talk, and she attempted to keep him busy when they had down time. He was grateful for every moment he spent with her. Luckily, there had been only occasional Demonic activity since that fateful night in the Town Hall.

In the beginning Ichabod had alternated between feelings of remorse and resentment. He wondered how he could have missed the seeds of Evil present in his lovely wife. It was his interaction with Abbie, Jenny and Frank that saved him from over thinking the tragic end of his family. He considered his dear friends his only family now, and trusted them with his life. The four of them were a formidable team against evil.

The bond between the two Witnesses appeared stronger than ever. Ichabod, now free from distractions, realized just how in sync he and Abbie were. They often finished each other's sentences One look between the two of them was sometimes all they needed to know the course of action to take. He couldn't imagine his life without Abbie by his side. Ichabod vowed he would never put their relationship in jeopardy again. The security he felt in his partnership with Abbie Mills sustained him.. It seemed to Ichabod, Abigail (happily) spent all her free time with him.

It was a complete surprise to him when on Thursday evening, Abbie announced her plans for that Sunday.

"So Crane, you remember Louise Hunter's invitation for dinner that we had to cancel several months ago?"

Ichabod hesitated briefly before answering. "Yes, Lieutenant. I do recall you told her we would have to take a "rain check". Curious phrase, that. I did Google the origin of it." He added.

"I'm sure you did." Abbie knew what he was waiting for. "Ok so what did you find out?"

"If you insist Lieutenant?"

"You know you're dying to tell me. Just spill it."

"It seems the phrase originated here in America circa 1890. The National League would issue Baseball fans "rain checks" to use at a future event, if a game was postponed due to inclement weather. The phrase quickly became part of the common vernacular. It is now used to indicate a desire to reschedule an engagement until a more convenient date."

"Well, that is interesting. Any way I rescheduled our dinner invite for this Sunday."

Abbie noted Ichabod 's look of hesitation. "Listen Crane, I really think you'll enjoy yourself. Louise is a great cook. Wait till you try her corn pudding. So are you up for it?"

"Lieutenant?" Ichabod asked, after a brief pause. "Will Louise's grandson be present at dinner as well?"

"Yeah, Ash'll be there.", Abbie replied, with a grin that unnerved her partner more than he would ever admit.

Ichabod's curiosity got the better of him. He could not miss the chance to gauge the relationship status of Abbie and her former beau. That settled it then.

"Yes, Lieutenant. I would love to join you."

"Great. I'll let Louise know."

Ichabod smiled, as Abbie turned her back to call Louise.

This was one dinner engagement he wouldn't miss for the world.