Sorry about the delay. And yes, to whoever asked, I am on Tumblr as obsessedsleepygirl44.

"So, it's like a festival?"

He cast a short look at Katrina, amused by her and Bella's ongoing conversation about the fair and all the festivities that went with it. Each and every new description from Bella had Katrina's eyes going a little wider. Granted, Bella did have an overinflated sense of how big the fair actually was. The last time she'd went, she'd barely been four.

"Yeah!" Bella exclaimed, her voice carrying around the car. "It has ginormous rides and cotton candy and animals. It's so much fun!"

Katrina laughed as she turned in her seat to look at Bella. "It sounds it."

"Will you ride the Ferris Wheel with me and daddy? We always ride that one together."

The look Katrina shot him was one of confusion, so he took the initiative to answer. "You should probably ask if she's afraid of heights, Bella."

"Are you?" Bella asked, her voice tinged with worry. "You can't ride it if you're scared. It's the tallest one! You can see everything from the top."

Katrina shook her head. "I couldn't say. I've never been very high off the ground before."

"Oh." Bella whispered, clearly afraid her mother wouldn't join them. "I hope you aren't."

"I'm sure she'll be fine, sweetheart." He reached over and took Katrina's hand. "Your mother's very brave."

The small smile that creased Katrina's face as she sat back in her seat warmed him. As her fingers threaded through his over the console, she turned her head against the seat and kept her gaze on him.

It had been a whole two weeks since they'd decided to give this a chance and he couldn't say he had one complaint about it. He'd finally gone and collected her things from the chamber, something he'd had to ask Jenny's help in doing. Abbie had been out of town for work and had yet to pick up his calls, which he considered odd even under their current circumstances. However, that hadn't stopped her from calling Bella every evening to tell her goodnight. How long this particular disagreement would continue was a question that bothered him more than he knew he should let on to either Katrina or Jenny. As much as he loved Katrina and valued Jenny's friendship, they weren't Abbie. They didn't understand some of the things he'd been through over the years with Bella. She'd been there through everything, not to mention all the ways she'd saved his life over the past eight years.

As he stopped at a red light, he wiped his hand down his face and adjusted his back.

The transition from the sofa to Katrina's old bed had been a relief, but it still wasn't his own and, no matter how hard he tried, he never seemed to be able to find a comfortable position. He was crammed in his office with his desk pushed to the side and a dozen boxes scattered and stacked on the floor around it. Of course, Katrina had protested his decision to allow her to remain in his room, but his argument had been that she should have the room with the bathroom as she needed it more.

"Look, daddy, look!" Bella squealed from the back seat. "I can see it!"

Nodding his head, he made a turn onto the next street. "I see, Bells."

"Are Aunt Abbie and Jenny already there?"

"I'm sure they are," he answered with a small glance at Katrina to see her eyes dart out the window.

Sucking in a deep breath, he squeezed her hand. This was going to be an interesting evening for sure. Anything short of murder would be a relief in his opinion.

"Yes!" Bella exclaimed, her happiness evident. "Aunt Abbie rides all of the fast rides because daddy's scared of them."

"Is he?" Katrina asked, her smile returning.

"Mhm. Aunt Jenny is, too, even though she won't say so."

It was tradition for everyone to go to the fair together. Since Bella was born, they'd gone every year upon Abbie's insistence that he needed to have traditions to pass down to his daughter. Granted, these weren't the sorts of traditions he would have had in mind, but they made Bella happy nonetheless.

"Alright," he said as he shut the car off. "No running off."

"I know, daddy," she groaned as she unbuckled herself.

Shaking his head, he stepped out of the car and opened her door before leveling her with the most serious gaze he could muster. "Yes, sir, will do just fine as well, Bella."

She avoided his eyes and muttered a low, "Yes, sir."

As he took her hand and helped her out, she once again began looking around. "Where are they?"

"We'll meet them by the ticket booth," he answered as Katrina came around the car, her eyes mimicking Bella's as they took everything in.

With a smile, she took Bella's other hand.

"Alright, do you have everything?"

He really didn't want to have to walk all the way back out here.

Bella nodded as she began tugging on their hands. "Yep, let's go!"

A mild apprehension washed over him as he considered this was the first time he'd see Abbie since their fallout. He only hoped they could all remain cordial for Bella's sake. She was so excited to have them all together and he just wasn't sure he could tolerate any disappointments delved toward her from either Abbie or Katrina this evening. They were all adults. He just hoped everyone could act as such and remember that the little girl they all loved was the most important person this evening. Everyone else's issues would have to take a back seat.

Katrina's reactions to all the lights and rides was amusing in and of itself. As she took everything in, he watched her face form a mixture of expressions he couldn't even place name to.

Leaning close, he asked, "Overwhelmed?"

She shook her head. "No, it's just..."

"A little different than our festivals?"

Her smile brightened as she chuckled and turned to him. "Just a little."

"There they are!" Bella squealed as she let go of their hands and darted straight ahead. "Aunt Abbie!"

Eyes following the rambunctious little person running through the throngs of people, he watched as Abbie knelt to greet Bella before glancing at Katrina who had paused, her steps ceasing completely.

Well... this is where it would begin.

Taking her hand, he brought it to his lips. "It's going to be fine."

Her eyes, full of doubt, came to his. "I think you're being a little too optimistic."

"No," he replied as he began leading her toward the others. "I'm demanding it."

As he did his best to keep her hand in his, he cast her another encouraging smile before turning to Abbie.

"Abbie," he said with a nod. "It's good to see you."

Her dark eyes flickered between them, seemingly absorbing everything at once. He hated how she could do that. Just one look from her made him feel like she knew his every secret thought. What's worse, when she seemed disapproving, no matter what it was, she had a way of making him feel as though he were in the wrong. Granted, he generally was the one in the wrong, but this time things were different.

"Yeah, you, too."

There were a great deal more things he wanted to say to her, but Bella bouncing between all of them reminded him of his own promise to keep the focus on her.

"So, what are we riding first?" Jenny asked as she took Bella's hand. "Or are we getting something to eat so you can puke everywhere?"

"Eww, no way." Bella shook her head with an upturned nose. "The carousal!"

As the two shot off, he, Katrina, and Abbie followed.

"Did you have a nice trip to Washington?" he asked, hoping to break the wall of ice between he and his dearest friend.

"It was ok." Katrina's hand squeezed his at the clipped response. "How about you? Good week?"

"I can't complain," he answered, nodding his head side to side. "Mr. Billings is still breathing down my neck."

Abbie smiled, settling a bit of relief in his chest. "Thought of anything, yet?"

"Not a thing." He shook his head as Bella and Jenny got on side by side horses. "I've been a little preoccupied."

"Mhm." Abbie leaned over the railing and waved at Bella as she waited for the ride to start. "How's Betsy?"

A prickly sensation tickled his back as Katrina's hand became the only thing he could feel. Clearing his throat, he answered, "I imagine she's busy with school."

Abbie shook her head as she turned to them, propping her elbow on the railing as her eyes inspected them like two bugs about to meet a boot. "That's not what I hear. I hear she's pissed as hell."

"And how do you know that?"

"Because she called me," Abbie answered matter of factly. "She thinks you're under some kind of..." Her eyes narrowed at Katrina. "Spell."

The bristle of Katrina's body next to his was enough to let him know she was about to react.

"You'd love to believe that, wouldn't you?" Katrina asked, her voice cutting. "You just can't accept that I'm Ichabod's wife and Bella's mother."

"Are you?" Abbie asked, standing to her full height. "Last I recall, you tried to kill him. He might not have been there, but I watched you join forces with Abraham and try to murder him." Abbie raised an eyebrow. "As for Bella, how many diapers did you change? How many sleepless nights did you stay up with her while she cried through teething and nightmares, through hours spent at the ER because of her earaches?"

"Stop, Abbie," he begged. "This isn't the time or place-"

"You want nothing more than an excuse to put me back in that cell," Katrina growled. "You don't even care to see if I've changed or not."

"You're damn right." Abbie narrowed her eyes. "It's where a murderer like you belongs. The things you did don't warrant second chances."

Lifting a hand between them, he tried to cut in, "Please, don't-"

"I've never murdered anyone," Katrina bit, thrusting a finger in Abbie's direction. "Unlike you."

Abbie's eyebrows shot up. "You call putting that evil son of a bitch down, murder? Are you kidding me?"

Katrina stepped forward, forcing him to lay a hand to her arm to stop her. "Katrina," he warned. "Don't."

Her eyes turned to him, dark and angry. If he didn't know any better, he'd say she was on the verge of losing her control.

"Please, think about Bella," he whispered.

As her gaze turned to a passing Bella, who was waving at them, he turned to Abbie. "You've both said enough for tonight. Neither one of you are being fair to each other and I've had it. Tonight is for Bella because she loves both of you dearly. I would hope you could both keep your insults to yourself for one night."

Katrina shook her head as she turned to walk away.

"Katrina-"

"I just need a minute," she said as she looked back at him. "Please."

Sucking in a deep breath as he nodded and watched her disappear, he turned to Abbie. "Must you?"

Abbie crossed her arms. "What do you want me to do, Crane? Fall to my knees and kiss her ass like you do?"

"She hasn't done anything to warrant such hostility."

"Oh?" Abbie asked, her eyebrows raised. "Tell that to the half of Sleepy Hollow she was prepared to sacrifice to her cause."

"Damn it, Abbie," he whispered as he leaned over the railing and placed his face in his hands. "She's changed."

A moment's pause stilled the air between them until he felt her lean down next to him. "I know how badly you want to believe that."

"I do believe it," he replied as he looked to her. "I believe it, Abbie. Do you think I'd jeopardize Bella by letting someone in her life that might hurt her?"

Abbie shrugged as her eyes ventured to the carousal. "I think the only person who comes close to holding as much of your heart as Bella could easily slip through your defenses." Abbie looked back at him. "She's certainly knows how."

"Abbie," he whispered. "I love her."

"I know," she answered. "And that's why you can't see what she's doing. That's why it's ok to admit your weak. That's why I'm here. To protect you when you can't protect yourself."

Eyes falling closed, he admitted, "You know I trust your instincts Abbie and, maybe you're even right, but I made a promise to her; a promise to give her a fair chance."

"And Bella?" Abbie asked. "Is she getting a fair chance?"

Lifting his head, he looked at Abbie. "What do you mean?"

"I mean," Abbie gestured to Bella. "Is this all for Bella, or is it for you?"

"Bella loves her mother." He stood straighter. "Can't you see that?"

"Of course, I can," Abbie agreed. "And she deserves to have her mother. She deserves that happiness."

"Then, why are you actively doing your best to agitate her mother?"

"Because if she can't take a little agitation, what good is any of this? What true challenges have you given to see if she's changed?" Abbie shook her head. "All the coddling and sweet whispers you give her aren't doing a damn bit of good in proving anything, Ichabod. If you're not challenging her, not watching her, how do you know if she's changed? Anyone can put on a show when they're living like a queen."

Swallowing against the knot in his throat, he answered, "What would you have me do? Pretend I don't love her? I tried to do that and failed." He glanced in the direction she'd gone. "I'm doing what I feel is right, Abbie. Why can't you trust me?"

"Because you've never once given me a reason to think you can make the hard choices where Katrina is concerned."

The knot in his throat grew, leaving him to nod his head as he backed away. "I need to go find her."

He found her at the edge of the park, leaning over the fence as she stared out over the river. The evening sunlight made her hair look vibrant as it illuminated the sky in front of her. Given better circumstances or any other day where he might have thought her at peace, he'd have left her alone and allowed himself the luxury of observing her. Circumstances, however, weren't on his side.

Quietly approaching her, he settled next to her, his own eyes on the water.

"Have you returned to doubting me again?"

Her soft question practically begged for his gaze to seek her out. "No."

A small nod was all he received as she looked down into the water.

Perfect. The whole evening felt ruined. Everything had been so lighthearted between them and now the suffocating weight of their past was now once again pressing into him.

"I wish I had better memories of him," he whispered, needing a common thread on which to begin. "When I think of our son, I have nothing good to latch onto as a means to help me defend him. All I have is the knowledge that we created him and how we created him. Sometimes, I wonder how so much love can be poured into a creation only to have it become so..."

Had his son been wholly evil? Misguided? Lost?

"Loneliness, hate, ridicule." She shook her head. "Beatings and cursings. Darkness and hunger. Coldness. Thirst." Her eyes found his, filled to the brim with tears. "Those were the only things he had, the only things he felt for two hundred years."

"You were alone for two hundred years," he countered.

"But I wasn't," she argued. "I had your love. I had my mother's love to guide me. I knew what it felt like to love and be loved. I had hope to have it again. Can the same be said for him? Was he ever allowed such a luxury?"

Unable to hold her gaze, he shifted and allowed his eyes to fall to the water.

"I know no greater joy than the first time I held him," she whispered. "Such an innocent little thing. He cried and wiggled in my arms; his small face red and warm."

"I wish I could have seen him, then." He reached to take her hand, the night air having chilled it. "Sometimes, I just want to go home. I want us to be normal and... wake up every day to our son and daughter."

"I wish that, too."

"Do you realize they'd have been about a year apart?" He smiled, sadness for what he considered a lost life sweeping over him. "Had circumstances been different."

"How do you figure that?"

Running a finger across her cheek, he answered, "If you take away Purgatory and my sleep and add how long after our reunion it took to conceive Bella, then, it's only seven months between his birth and her conception."

"It's nice to think they may have been close."

"Bella would have loved a brother," he chuckled. "Someone to boss around."

"Maybe she'll have one someday."

Eyes flickering to hers, he found her staring at him with a small smile and what he'd like to call a small measure of hope. There was so much there he wanted to touch on at some point, but now was hardly the time or place. "Maybe."

Ever so slowly, however, her smile faded as she admitted, "When I first came to live with you in the cabin, I was committed to you, to starting over with you, but it didn't take long for me to lose my way."

"Why?"

"Because I lacked focus. I had no one and nothing to keep me alive. Everything I'd known had faded away and even you had changed; adapted; made friends who gave you a purpose. I had no purpose." A hard swallow accompanied the bob of her head as her eyes fell. "You were the only thing I wanted and every time you looked at me all I saw was doubt and regret."

"Katrina..."

"Soon, I realized that the only person who shared the same discontent as me with the way things were was Abraham and I suppose it didn't take long for me to fall into the spell of helping him; of making amends. I found a purpose."

It rubbed him all sorts of wrong to hear her speak of Abraham in any other way than a disdain filled tone.

"If you had restored Abraham, do you think that would have been enough?" He tilted her face so he could see her eyes. "Abraham would still have wanted you; would have sought you out. He'd have never given you a moment's rest."

The way her eyes darted every which way told him he wasn't going to like what came next.

"As much as I know it will hurt you, I won't lie," she admitted, her eyes finally resting on his shirt. "It was a draw because, at least, Abraham showed genuine interest, not borne of obligation. Even if his thinking was possessive and skewed, at least, he'd wanted me."

Taking her hand, he kissed her knuckles. "I've always wanted you."

"Ichabod..." she whispered, her doubt slapping him. "You could barely stand to be in the same room as me."

"That's not true," he protested, even as his own words faltered in sincerity. "I just... lost the knowledge of how to talk to you and we became disconnected." He pressed his forehead to hers. "The secrets that came between us. They broke my heart, too, but, you were right, they didn't reflect our love." He rubbed his nose against her cheek, inhaling her scent. "The love was always there. We just lost the way to show it."

Her fingers crept up his sides as she turned her face into his neck. "This week, I've felt more connected to you than I have since before Abraham stole you from me on the battlefield." She kissed his skin. "I never want to be without this again."

"You won't be," he whispered as he pulled back to see her eyes. "At least, not because of my doing."

Her brow furrowed as she leaned away from him. "You still doubt me."

"No," he quickly replied, taking her face between his hands. "Every day, I trust you a little more. I just..." He shook his head. "Abbie-"

"Hates me," she answered, pulling away from him.

"No," he argued as his hands fell to his sides. "She's wary of you and thinks you have ulterior motives. She thinks I'm not challenging your intentions enough."

Her head bobbed as she turned to look out over the water. "Do you agree?"

"In a way," he reluctantly admitted. "But I'm not sure how I'm supposed to further challenge you."

"I didn't snap Betsy Ross's neck for touching you."

A chuckle bubbled from his chest at that. "I suppose that's something, but..."

"But what?" she asked, turning back to him, no amusement present in her features.

"I think Abbie's point is that if you're just playing a game and don't actually love me, then it's easy for you to say that about Betsy as you don't really care what I did with her."

"It makes me sick to think you've touched someone else; to think you enjoyed her touching you." Frustration practically seeped from her as she thrust a finger at him. "You imagined Abraham touching me. How did that make you feel again?"

"Katrina," he whispered, taking her hand. "I believe you. I just... I understand where Abbie's coming from. Surely, you can, too?"

"I didn't burn her where she stood," she admitted a little too harshly for him to swallow. "I don't think there's any doubting my hatred for her."

A knot lodged in his throat. "Katrina-"

"If I can control myself," she cut in. "If I can accept her in my daughter's life, that should be proof enough that I am doing everything within my power to put the past in the past."

Swallowing against the knot, he conceded to that as he knew it to be the truest example she could have given. "Alright."

Her fingers squeezed his. "I love you, Ichabod, and I just really hope you know that I am trying."

With a heavy sigh, he pressed his forehead to hers. "I know, my love."

"The Ferris Wheel!" Bella squealed as she saw them. "Daddy, it's the Ferris Wheel!"

The crowd was thick and bustling, but he managed to slip he and Katrina through to join the others in line.

"I didn't think you were going to come," Bella groaned, her arms crossing over each other as she frowned at him.

"Of course, we were coming." He nodded to Jenny. "She texted us."

"Good," Jenny started. "Now that you're here, the two of you can take our places and we'll go find some cotton candy."

"Ooh, get me some," Bella begged. "The pink kind."

"You got it, kiddo."

As Jenny walked off to join her sister, who was waiting a few dozen feet away with arms crossed and an accompanying scowl, he sighed and turned to Bella. "Are you having fun?"

"So much!" Bella pointed at Abbie. "See the bear I won with the water guns?"

"I see that," he chuckled as he lifted her up. "How did you get so good at shooting?"

"The Wii, daddy."

"Right," he muttered as he rolled his eyes. "I guess that's why I always lose. You practice more than me."

Bella's giggle drew Katrina's out, too.

"So, this is the Ferris Wheel?" Katrina asked as she tilted her head back. "It's very tall."

"Are you scared?" Bella looked from Karina to the ride. "It's not that scary."

"Oh, no, on the contrary." Katrina smiled. "I'm rather excited to see Sleepy Hollow from the sky."

"Next up!"

"That's us, daddy!" She began wiggling out of his arms. "Let's go."

As she took to darting up the steps, he shook his head. "So much energy."

Katrina chuckled as she followed Bella. "Keep up, daddy."

"I'm sitting in the middle," Bella proclaimed as she took her seat. "I'm the littlest."

As Katrina took a seat on her other side, he replied, "No such word exists."

Bella rolled her eyes as she groaned. "No lessons, today, daddy."

He laughed as he pulled the bar down to lock the chair in place. Turning to Katrina, he found her glancing around at the swaying seat rather nervously.

Laying his arm along the back of the seat, he wove his fingers through the hair at her neck, effectively pulling her gaze to his. Giving her a reassuring smile, he said, "I'm glad you're here this time."

A soft smile came to her face. "Me, too."

The ride suddenly jolted forward, signaling the beginning of their ascent to allow the next person to get situated.

"Oh," Katrina murmured as she gripped the bar. "This is..."

He remembered the first time he'd ridden this ride. It had scared the living daylights out of him. He'd been on it with Abbie as Jenny had held Bella below in watch. The whole time, he'd asked when it would be over. In his opinion, Abbie had taken far too much amusement out of the whole ordeal.

"A little worrisome at first?"

Katrina shot him a nervous smile. "A little."

"Don't worry," he assured as he scratched his fingers along the back of her neck. "It's really not so bad."

"Mhm," she murmured as she leaned over the side and looked down as they ascended a little further.

"Yeah, mommy, it's fun."

By the time they were at the top, he was sure Katrina was going to hyperventilate.

"Look," he whispered as he leaned over Bella to speak in her ear. "You can see where your family once resided."

Lifting his hand, he pointed toward the other side of the river where the trees had overgrown.

He was granted a gentle smile.

"That was so long ago."

"Daddy," Bella squealed as she pulled at his shirt. "Look, I can see my school."

"Yes, I see that," he answered as he watched Bella's excitement grow. "But look at that."

He pointed his finger upward. "The stars seem brighter up here."

As Bella's head fell back, Katrina stared out over the Hudson toward the place he'd pointed out moments before hand. There was a reminiscent spirit about her, one he couldn't deny. The times he fell into such states had the potential to make him glad of the memory or fall into regret for the lost life.

Considering the latter to most likely be on her mind, he couldn't help but reach out and touch her. Running his fingers over her cheek, he felt his chest swell with pride when she turned to him, her gold-green eyes glistening.

"Thank you for sharing this with me."

Unable to stop himself, he leaned over and brushed his lips against hers.

"Eww," Bella groaned as she covered her eyes. "Cooties!"

With a chuckle, he poked Bella in the ribs. "Always think that."

"Daddy?" Bella murmured sleepily. "Where's Bob?"

Easing her into her bed, he whispered, "Mommy's bringing him."

As she drifted back off to sleep, he wiped some of her sticky hair away from her face. The car ride home had seen her falling asleep with her hand still lodged in a bag of cotton candy.

"Where do you want him?" Katrina asked softly as she padded over to stand beside him.

"Here."

Loathe as he was to admit it, the little bundle of fur in Katrina's arms had brought Bella far more happiness than anything he'd gotten her for her last birthday. The puppy, a small weenie dog, seemingly as tired as Bella, curled up in the blankets at her side and never moved again.

"I'll go get her other things out of the car."

"Alright," he whispered with a smile before turning back to Bella and her puppy.

Bob was the name he'd received as soon as Bella had picked him up. Where she'd gotten the name was lost on him, but it seemed there was no talking her out of it. The livestock section of the fair was one he was going to avoid next year lest he end up with a pony due to Bella's begging and Katrina's encouragement of it.

After making sure she was asleep, he quietly left her room and pulled the door shut.

It had been a very long day, one to which he was ready to say farewell.

Trudging over to the sofa, he collapsed upon it and leaned his head back. The Ferris Wheel had been the last peaceful moment of the night. Thankfully, while there was still tension, they'd been able to spend the rest of the evening with some measure of normalcy, even if Abbie and Katrina had avoided even looking in each other's directions for the duration of the outing.

Maybe, with time, he hoped everyone would become used to one another.

Lifting a hand to his face, he chuckled and thought, not likely.

As he shifted to find a better position, he stirred up the smell of his clothes and body. The stickiness from the candy apple he'd had earlier along with Bella's cotton candy were enough to prompt the urge to take a shower. However, he wasn't sure he had the energy to even walk that far.

"Tired?"

Katrina's voice pulled his gaze to find her pushing the door shut and locking it.

"Very."

Her smile was contagious as she set Bella's bag by the door and made her way over to him.

However, instead of feeling the seat beside him sink, he wound up with a lap full of Katrina.

"Maybe a massage would help," she whispered as she settled her thighs on either side of his, effectively making herself at home.

That, added with her hands sliding up and over his shoulders, had him more alert than previously.

"What did you have in mind?" he asked, his hands finding her hips as he continued to relax his head against the back of the sofa.

"Oh, I don't know," she teased with a sly grin. "Why don't you take your shirt off and we'll see what happens?"

Raising an eyebrow, he said, "I doubt there would be anything relaxing about one of us removing our clothing."

"Hmm, I disagree." Her hair tickled his neck as she hovered over him. "I think with a little time and a little work, we could both end up very, very relaxed."

The naughty tone to her voice along with her gentle push against his groin had his pants stirring. It was just sexy enough to make him forget the fact that he smelled and felt like he'd swam in a bag of cotton candy.

"Katrina..."

His warning was left in the dust as her mouth slid over his, leaving him bereft of any protests as the slick heat that accompanied her tongue became his only concern.

"Mmm," he moaned as she moved over him, her hips easing into a slight sway against his.

If she was trying to break down his willpower, she was doing a fantastic job of it.

Fingers tangling in her hair, he held her in place and tilted his head to meet her from a better angle, allowing his own tongue to make its way through her lips. The sweet remnants of cotton candy occasionally met his taste causing him to smile into their kiss.

"You taste rather sweet," he murmured against her lips, just barely giving himself enough room to speak before returning to the tastes he'd been enjoying.

Her response came through a small chuckle as her fingers wove through his hair, twisting through it playfully.

If he could bottle this moment and keep it forever as a means to show everyone how innocent she could be, how playful and kind, he'd do it in a heartbeat. This was what everyone had always tended to miss about Katrina, both now and when she was still bearing her maiden name of van Tassel. It was the little things that made her happy; moments rather than objects. The serious way she always held herself faded to the background and she became a young woman full of life and wonder.

Breaths coming heavier between them now, he felt his blood pressure go through the roof when her fingers began scratching along his abdomen over the hem of his pants.

When had they ever gotten under his shirt?

Then, there it was.

Her hand found its destination inside his pants.

Nearly jumping off the sofa, he groaned, "Katrina..."

There was little use in protesting at this point as she had him well in hand.

Falling back against the sofa, his eyes sought out her workings and he nearly keeled over at the sight of her hand moving inside his jeans. However, she barely gave him any time to admire her work as she found his lips again, her kiss insistent.

Lifting both hands, he cupped her face and pulled her closer, swallowing her taste and allowing it to settle along his tongue.

"This is getting a little out of hand..." he whispered, his voice shaken.

Gold-green met steel blue as she pulled back, a sly smile on her lips as she took to trailing them over his cheek where her voice met his ear. "The temptation was too difficult to resist."

"I see." There was a deep regret on his part when her hand left his lap and resumed its previous place on his chest. "Temptation, indeed."

Laughter shook her body as she sat back on his legs and leveled her gaze on him. "You sounded as though I were torturing you."

"I believe you were," he replied, his eyes narrowed. "You're out to kill me." The smile touching her lips brought out his own. "I really should get to bed. Monday's are the worst."

A sigh slipped between her lips as she nodded and stood. Then, taking his hands, she pulled him to his feet.

"You could stay with me, tonight. I swear, I'll behave."

The tinge of hope in her voice was hard to resist. However, sleeping with Katrina was hardly something he could do if he intended to get some sleep. He'd spend half the night too excited over actually having the opportunity to share a bed with her. It'd be like that first week of marriage all over again what with his bewilderment over actually having her as his in the first place.

"As wonderful as that sounds..." He threaded their fingers together and began leading her toward her bedroom. "I really do have to sleep."

"And you would," she replied, determination fueling her voice. "I'd make sure of it even if I had to knock you out with a spell."

"Knock me out?" He cast her a raised eyebrow. "That sounds terribly romantic."

"Ichabod..." she groaned as she crossed her arms and allowed her head to fall back.

Unable to help his grin, he wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed her neck. "You look just like Bella when you do that."

A sound akin to frustration bubbled from her throat as she pushed him away. "You're so aggravating."

Instead of replying, he just stood there and watched her glare at him.

In truth, their banter made him feel lighter. Too much of their time was spent knee deep in emotional turmoil and tension. He enjoyed these moments of levity between them.

"Fine," she finally whispered, uncrossing her arms and reaching for the door. "Go be all alone in your cramped office. You snore anyway."

Not about to let her have the last word, he reached out and spun her to press into him.

"I'll have you know, my lady, that I, in fact, do not snore. I just breathe heavily. You, on the other hand..."

Her eyes widened as her hand met his arm with a sting. "Ichabod!"

"Shh," he whispered, placing his finger to her lips. "If you wake Bella, neither of us will be getting any sleep."

Her huff conjured his grin. Pressing into her, he replaced his finger with his lips and took to silencing her in altogether different manner.

When her hands relaxed over his shoulders, he said, "I truly do wish to stay with you."

Gold-green flickered to him. "Nothing's stopping you."

He weighed his options while doing his best to calm his racing heart. What would it really hurt? They were husband and wife. It wouldn't be wrong or immoral and they would just be sleeping.

"The first time you snore, I'm leaving."

A brief expression of surprise crossed her face before it was replaced with a grin. "Really?"

"Yes, but, Katrina-"

Before he could get the words out, she'd already opened the door and pulled him through it, her excitement evident.

Unable to help his chuckle, he said, "I have to take a shower first. I feel quite ill kempt."

"Alright," she said, already busy pulling back the covers and rearranging the pillows.

Shifting his feet, he felt his nerves catching up to him. So, with a sigh, he grabbed a pair of pants and headed for the bathroom.

However, not two minutes into his shower, he heard the door open.

"Katrina?"

"Don't worry, I'm not here to molest you. I'm just brushing my teeth."

Rolling his eyes, he eyed her silhouette through the shower door, seeing that she was doing just that.

"Color me relieved."

While listening to the sink run, he idly washed his body as he watched her head bob back and forth. A smile settled over his lips as he considered how many times he'd watched her wash her face before bed in the small basin in their room. That all seemed so long ago, like another life.

"All done."

Clearing his throat, he replied, "I'll just be another minute."

As the door shut, he turned off the water and reached for his towel, feeling much better now that he wasn't so sticky.

After brushing his own teeth, he paused and considered himself in the mirror.

The jagged scar running down his chest was a reminder of the life he'd left behind centuries ago; of the wife and child he'd unintentionally abandoned.

The various other scars here and there over his body were reminders of the new life he'd found here in this time; of the wars he'd faced and the future he'd preserved with each one.

Gaze drifting further, he took in his abdomen, not as tight as it'd been before, but still presentable enough. Should he have grabbed a shirt as well? Perhaps, sleeping bare-chested was a bit much for their first night, especially considering their desire to just sleep and not partake of any... other activities.

Rolling his eyes, he shook his head and reached for the door. It didn't matter. He wasn't getting any sleep either way.

She was already in bed, the covers pulled high enough that he wasn't even sure of what she was wearing.

"Are you alright?"

When she sat up, he felt relief wash through him at the t-shirt shirt she adorned.

Good, he thought. At least, she wasn't wearing anything too revealing.

"Uh, yes," he quickly replied as he made his way toward her. "I just-"

As he stood beside the bed, he felt himself doubting the wisdom of this.

"Ichabod," she whispered, her fingers wrapping around his hand. "It's alright, my love."

The kindness shining in her eyes was enough to cause his head to bob in the affirmative. "I-I know, I'm just..." He gave a thin smile. "I missed you."

Her eyes softened as she tugged him to sit beside her. "I'm here with you, now."

"Yes and..." He shook his head. "It's just that this is different than before. It's..."

"Real," she finished, a small smile on her lips. "We want to be here with one another... as we did in our home all those years ago."

Eyes falling from hers, he released a heavy sigh and nodded. "My heart is trying to escape my chest."

Her cool fingers rested over his heart. "It's not near as fast as it was on our wedding night."

A chuckle shook him. "I thought I'd surely perish before I undid the first lace."

"But you didn't," she whispered, her fingers now on his cheek to turn him to face her. "Everything you did, every word you said, made me feel more cherished than anything that had come before you."

She was so beautiful, inside and out.

Leaning in to brush his lips to hers, he allowed himself to relax in her embrace, to trust in her care.

Before long, he'd relented and laid down with her over him, her lips still caressing his. Legs tangled and hands gently roaming, they rested against one another, the heat between them comfortable; familiar.

"I still remember how it felt the first time I kissed you," he whispered, gently drawing his face from hers. "It felt magical."

Her eyes flickered to his as she smiled. "Well..."

Chuckling, he adjusted himself to wrap his arm around her back and hold her against his side. "Yes, yes, you surely spelled me."

"Surely," she replied with a roll of her eyes. "I suppose I made your eyes stick like glue to me every time we were in each other's company as well."

Fingers brushing her hair over her ear, he whispered, "I was just thinking earlier how much you've changed this week."

Her brow knit. "Changed?"

With a shrug of his shoulders, he answered, "I suppose that's the wrong word. I should say you've reminded me more of the person you were before the war."

She propped her head in her hand as she stared down at him, her eyes full of curiosity. "In what way?"

"Well, you're..." He chuckled, unable to hold her gaze for fear he was being ridiculous. "You seem lighter, like less of the world is on your shoulders." The right words seemed to be eluding him. "I mean... You seem more like the Katrina van Tassel I fell in love with." He lifted his eyes to her. "You have joy in your eyes and laughter."

A small smile touched her lips as she pressed her fingers along his chest. "My joy has indeed returned to me. For so long before we married, I spent my days with a thousand tasks to keep me busy. I held a position that allowed me to help people, to heal them." She bobbed her head side to side. "And, of course, my other position no one knew about was always evolving."

"You loved your work," he whispered, his eyes fixed on her roaming ones.

"I did, but you and Bella... you've given my life back, my purpose." She smiled. "I just... there's so much for me to share with you about those years. I couldn't before, but now... I just want you to know all that happened, everything I did during the war that mirrored what you were doing."

With a sigh, he ran his fingers over her cheek. "I'll be glad to hear it all, my fierce, little witch."

The way her lips curved spoke of the rightness of his words.

"I suppose I should allow you your sleep," she whispered as she snuggled into his neck.

Wiggling into the mattress, he took her hand and pressed a kiss to her knuckles.

As the room fell silent, his mind began to process her warmth against him. It had been a very long time since they'd been this way. Even in the short time they'd been reunited and even found the instance to create Bella, they'd never been quite so close; so intimate.

Just as his eyes closed, he heard the faintest sound come from her; a short little intake of breath that stirred the quiet of the room.

Smiling, he shook his head.

He'd be recording her one day for sure as his witness to her snoring.

Next up: Trouble. Suspicions possibly confirmed.