Author's Ledger: THE LAST CHAPTER! I thank you all! (especially LinaLove for sticking with me until the very end. You were the main reason this got finished at all.) Enjoy it!

Your Faithful and Obediant Author,

Danbamina

Icabod was awake, though he kept his eyes shut. It wasn't because he couldn't open his eyes; it was simply because he didn't want to. He was so tired, and yet he felt like his body could harbor no more rest. A cool something briefly pressed itself to his forehead, he reached up and grabbed it. It was a hand, and from the feel of it a woman's hand, though the calluses along the upper part of the palm, just beneath the fingers weren't really something he was expecting to find on a woman's hands. Icabod let the hand slide through his fingers as his arm dropped. Something tickled his cheeks and he felt his torso being lifted from the bed, his shirt was quickly removed, though a bit awkwardly and a new replaced as quickly as the other had been removed and with a bit more precision. His legs were swung out of the bed next and Icabod shivered as the cooler air hit his bare feet. Whoever was holding him pulled him closer and stroked his hair gently. Icabod felt warmth near his face; he snuggled closer to it, and heard a light giggle. He was thoroughly enjoying this sleepy stupor that he was stuck in.

"Shhh! He's still sleeping. Now come on. We need to change these clothes of his. You can coddle him later." Liz's voice broke into Icabod's stupor.

"Right." Helen's voice said and then Icabod was laid gently down. He felt one pair of womanly hands around his right ankle and another, more work worn hands around his left ankle. Icabod lay very still, what were they doing? Removing his shoes? It was over in a flash, his pants seemed to fly from his legs.

"I can't! You do it Liz!" Helen's voice whispered, laced through with embarrassment.

"You don't mind changing his shirt, but his pants you do. He still has his undergarments on you know." Liz scolded Helen gently, "You can't be so shy when it comes to helping the sick, Helen."

"I know, I know, Liz, but you know how I feel about the Constable…." Helen trailed off and Icabod heard footsteps, "I'll be tending to Masbeth, if you need me."

"What're you doing that for? That boy's absolutely fine; it's the Constable that you should be worrying yourself about." Liz huffed out; Icabod could picture her clearly with her hands placed on her hips and her head cocked angrily to one side, glaring at Helen who was, no doubt, standing in the doorway and looking back over her shoulder teasingly at the older woman.

"Masbeth is absolutely distraught about Icabod, Liz. He deserves to know that Icabod is fine." Helen's voice stated simply, "Now then, I'll go tell him."

Liz sighed and Icabod heard his door close, he felt new pants being slipped on him with quick, deft movements. He felt Liz's strong arms lift him up and place him back under the covers. She was muttering to herself, he couldn't really catch the words but it was something about silly girls. Icabod opened his eyes slowly; Liz was fussing with the bedding, making it perfectly smooth around his legs. He laughed softly once.

"Good morning, Liz." He said, causing Liz to jump and turn quickly around, her hand flying to cover her heart.

"Mr. Crane, sir! I didn't know you were awake." Liz said quickly. She narrowed her eyes and looked suspiciously at Icabod, "How long have you been awake exactly?"

Icabod propped himself up on his elbows and studied Liz, she was obviously agitated that he hadn't made his return to consciousness apparent before, but she was also happy. He shook his head and sighed, "You and Helen didn't have to change my clothes. I could've done that."

Liz's entire, round face turned bright red, "Well, sir, it was necessary because you were dirty and getting the lines all dirty too. I hate washing sheets so I told Helen we should change your clothes, if you were still sleeping…."

"Still sleeping?" Icabod's forehead creased in confusion, "How long have I been asleep?"

"A day and a half." Liz admitted, "Must have been quite a shock that you received."

Icabod swung his legs from under the covers and stood up; he teetered momentarily as the blood rushed from his head to the rest of his body, creating a feeling of vertigo. He clutched his head as it throbbed for a few seconds and his vision returned to normal. Liz had her hands on his arms, trying to push him back into bed. Icabod shook her off.

"I'm fine, Liz." He said firmly heading for the door; he opened it and looked back at her, "I've had enough rest for now." Icabod went down the stairs and into the kitchen where Helen was bandaging a cut on Masbeth's upper arm. He stopped and ducked out before Helen could see him; he tucked in his shirt and pulled one of his coats from the rack by the fireplace in the living room. He slipped it on and smoothed his hair back. Deeming himself presentable, he went back into the kitchen.

When no one noticed him, he cleared his throat, "Excuse me." He said calmly, placing his hands behind his back and looking at Helen and Masbeth's stunned faces, "But I was wondering, what's for breakfast?"

Helen's and Masbeth's faces broke into wide smiles. Masbeth stood up and hugged Icabod tightly before releasing him a second later, "I'm glad to see you're awake at last, sir. We were beginning to wonder."

"Thank you Masbeth." Icabod replied, clapping the young man firmly on the shoulder. Helen stood, with her smile frozen on her face, the bandage she'd been using was dangling limply from her hand. Icabod allowed a small smile to play across his lips and Helen came rushing at him. She flung her arms around his neck and buried her face in his shoulder, crying.

"I thought you'd never wake up!" She sobbed against his coat, tightening her grip on his neck.

"Why are you crying?" Icabod asked, utterly confused as to how she could go from smiling to crying in a split second.

Helen looked up at him with glistening, silver eyes, clear tears leaving wet tracks down the curves of her cheeks, "I'm crying because I'm so happy that you're all right." She told him, moving her hand to wipe away the tears. Icabod pushed her hand away and brought up his own, he wiped the tears from her cheeks and eyes slowly. Carefully, he bent his neck and pulled her face to his, kissing her softly on the lips.

He pulled back and smiled down at her, "Don't cry." He whispered, "It's all over now." He bent his head again and kissed her more fully, he could tell that this would be a better and longer-lasting relationship than the one he'd had with Katrina as Helen seemed to melt into his arms and kiss. He was even considering staying in Sleepy Hollow with Liz, Masbeth and Helen in the big house on the hill for the rest of his life. Who knew? It could be interesting.

Author's Ledger: THE END! I suppose that may have been a little out of character for Icabod, but whatever works, works. I do hope you enjoyed the entire story. I enjoyed writing it. And thank you again, to all my readers and reviewers, it has meant the world to me that you have read so faithfully. :D

Your Grateful Author,

Danbamina