"So... you're dating now?" Jenny asked, unable to hide her grin.
"Shut up," Abbie replied, pulling a pair of earrings from her jewellery box. "You can't act like you didn't see it coming. Not when you've been mapping my life out with him since you've gotten out of Tarrytown."
Jenny shrugged indifferently and flopped down on Abbie's bed inelegantly. "Because, unlike you, me and everyone else aren't blind. I think everyone in town already thinks it. You have to tell me how it happened, there's at least fifteen people that had bets going on how you two would hook up."
Abbie sighed heavily. "It wasn't anything big or fancy. I accidentally left my browser open and he saw some stuff I had been searching for, misunderstood my reasons for looking it up, and confessed to his feelings." Jenny groaned and swore. "Seriously, Jenny? You lost the bet?"
"I had twenty on you two getting drunk at the bar and just having a night of passion and reckless abandonment. Then the next morning you both wake up wondering how the hell you ended up in the archives room naked," Jenny replied, grinning widely.
Abbie rubbed her temples trying to keep her head from imploding. "I never should have told you about that dream."
"Mine wasn't the worst one," Jenny said. "Before Irving left he put in a bet that Katrina would come back and put some kind of spell on you guys and the only way to stop it was to have sex."
"Don't even joke about that," Abbie said flatly. She wasn't even sure which part left her disamused the most, Katrina returning or the sex spell. "Were there any that didn't involve sex being the catalyst?"
Jenny thought a long moment then shook her head. "Nope."
"Then obviously none of y'all really know Crane," Abbie said sternly.
Jenny held her hands up in surrender. "Come on Abs, lighten up. Just let me live vicariously through you for a moment. There's no need to get defensive. So, have you two... you know?"
Abbie glared at her sister from the corner of her eyes. She sighed heavily and put down the earrings. "Fine. If you want to live vicariously through me, help. He said comfortably. What do I have that could be considered comfortable?"
"On a Saturday morning?" Jenny asked. She pursed her lips. "Maybe he's just wanting to take you to the re-enacting field. Although, if that were the case he would have asked you to-" Jenny put on a faux British accent "-don clothing which would fit in with the colonial era without arousing suspicions from the locals."
Abbie drew in a deep breath to roll her options over in her head. "He said to dress comfortably... he knows what I am comfortable in. Come on Abigail... think. What did he mean?" It came to her like a ton of bricks being dropped in front of her. "Jeans, boots..." She grabbed the items out of her closet along with a white tank top. She also yanked out a couple of see-through, button-up blouses. "Orange or yellow?"
Jenny appraised the choices. "Yellow looks better on you," she provided. "You sure you want to wear that?"
"Yes," Abbie said, hanging the orange shirt back up. "This is what I am comfortable in. What's wrong with it?"
"It's almost the same thing you wear to work every day."
"And why is that?" Abbie asked. "Because it's comfortable. What time is it?"
Jenny craned her neck to look at the clock. "You have ten minutes."
Abbie swore under her breath and quickly pulled on her clothes, leaving the yellow shirt unbuttoned and tied the ends in a neat knot at the bottom. She pulled her hair back in a ponytail.
Comfortable.
She looked in the mirror. Light make up and clothes she could move and breathe in. This was comfort for her. If Crane didn't like it or it was too casual she wasn't sure what her reaction would be. But she didn't foresee that happening. Crane knew what he was getting into and always chose his words carefully.
When he said comfortable, something like this was what he had in mind.
She was outside waiting five minute early, Jenny hovering close by to see her off. Because that's what sisters did... they tried their best to make their sisters as uncomfortable as possible in lieu of parents being available. And since there was nothing terrible going on, Jenny had the luxury of acting like a proper older sister.
They had grown even closer together in the weeks of quiet that were taking place.
Abbie looked at her watch. Three minutes. Maybe she should have insisted on picking him up. He could have gotten lost, a taxi could be taking him on a wild goose chase to boost the fare, or... He could have procured a motorcycle and was currently pulling up to the curb.
She wouldn't have believed it if she hadn't seen it with her own eyes. It took him removing his helmet and getting off of the bike for her to actually believe it was him. He was wearing the skinny jeans and black shirt she had bought for him, once upon a time. He had trimmed up his beard and his hair was pulled back in its customary ponytail. All of this was topped off with a long coat that wasn't his normal uniform but a similar cut and fit.
"Where did you get that and since when can you drive one?" Abbie said.
Crane looked pleased with himself. "Before he and his family departed for New York City, Captain Irving made me aware of places that were willing to make fair trade for one in proper working condition," he said. "One of the gentlemen from the re-enactments teaches motorcycling for a living. I was able to make adequate payment for the motorcycle and my instructor owed me a favour."
"When were you planning to tell me you had your own ride?" Abbie asked.
He tucked one arm behind his back and bowed elegantly. When he came out of the bow, he took her hand. "I was awaiting a opportune moment in which to share the news. And in the middle of our luncheon yesterday it occurred to me that this moment would be the most befitting."
"Well its certainly a surprise."
His eyes slowly roamed over her, he smiled with approval. "Your dress is most appropriate and befitting our outing today. And the colour is... most complimentary to your beauty." He glanced in Jenny's direction. "Good morrow, Miss Jenny. I take it you have no objections to your sister and myself embarking on the journey of courtship?"
"Have her home before midnight," Jenny called from the doorway
"Will certainly attempted to do so, Miss Mills," Crane said. He met Abbie's eyes. "If you would be so kind, Miss Abigail." He swept a hand towards the motorcycle. "Our carriage awaits, as it were."
Like a true gentleman, Crane escorted her to the motorcycle and offered her a helmet before donning his own. Once he was on, Abbie threw her leg over the seat and eased in between him an a leather duffel strapped down on the back edge of the seat. It had been a while since she had been a passenger on one of these things and that time hadn't exactly been comfortable. But, somehow, he just seemed to fit perfectly between her legs-a thought that made a tiny smirk appear on her lips as she wrapped her arms around his waist and rested her head against his back.
He started the motorcycle, it's engine roared to life, undoubtedly waking a few people on the street that wanted to sleep in on the weekends. Crane lightly put his hand over where hers clasped against his belly. His thumb gently stroked the back of her hand for a moment before it returned to the handles and he guided the machine down the street. She wasn't sure how long they had been riding, just that eventually they exited the city limits and entered into the outer fringes, flat pastures dotted with fat cows spread as far as the eye could see.
Crane took a worn road that twisted back towards town and up hill. Abbie had no idea where he was going and that in and of itself was amazing considering she knew Sleepy Hollow like the back of her hand. It wasn't long before Crane pulled the motorcycle to a stop and removed his helmet. "We have arrived, Lieu- Miss Abigail. Although this is little more than the end to one part of our journey. There is still a small amount of hiking to get to our final destination."
"You really like taking a girl off the beaten path, don't you?" Abbie asked as she removed her own helmet. She slid off of the bike and took a moment to smooth her clothes.
Crane turned off the bike and tucked the key into his pocket, frowning as his hand struggled to fit in enough to make sure the key would not escape. When Abbie cocked an eyebrow, he smiled bashfully. "I felt it was nigh time for us to have some kind of adventure. Albeit far from our normal excursions which involved hunting the wicked and disposing of them, exploring a new locale is an adventure in and of itself."
"You mean to tell me you have no idea where we're going?" Abbie asked speculatively.
Crane inhaled deeply and jutted his nose into the air with indignation. "I know precisely where our destination lies. The adventure, Abigail, is in getting there." He grinned and tapped the side of his nose then swept his hand towards the seemingly endless stretch of trees. "As long as I can fathom the location of the sun, we shall find the destination with ease."
Abbie stepped towards the treeline. Crane retrieved the leather duffel off the back of the seat before joining her. He clasped her hand and together they descended into the forest. The early morning sunlight filtered through the limbs, casting bursts of light on Crane's face as they walked. Words were few and far between as they walked. Both of them took in their surroundings with each step and looking to make sure the other was right there with them, despite the fact their hands were still joined, his fingers threaded between hers.
They reached a small clearing, Crane stopped and looked around curiously. He darted off towards the left and knelt down at a patch of berries. He plucked one juicy berry from the patch. "These shall go nicely with the refreshments I have brought along already."
Abbie knelt down next to him and helped him pick a suitable amount for their adventure. Once done, Crane sprang to his feet and offered a hand to help her up. When she got to her feet, she weaved slightly and fell against him and nuzzled her face against his shirt. His arms wrapped around her and he rested his chin on top of her head.
"We mustn't linger too long," he murmured, then pulled away. He recaptured her hand and pointed in the direction he would be going before continuing onward. Small woodland creatures scampered for shelter as they trudged through.
Finally the trees thinned out and opened onto a broad span of open space. The treeless span dropped down and gave an unobstructed view of Sleepy Hollow and a cleared plot of land dotted with people, tents, and smoking campfires.
The re-enactors. That answered the questions she had about how he had discovered the place.
Crane released her hand and placed the duffel on the ground to remove his coat. He spread it out on the ground and offered his hand to Abbie. Abbie took his hand and he guided her to sitting on his coat. He retrieved the duffel and carefully sat down next to her.
"The view is as breathtaking as I thought it would be," Crane said gently, casting a sly glance in her direction. He unzipped the duffel and removed two metal drink canisters from inside. "You will be delighted to know that none of the coffee has spilled and it still retains a delightful temperature. Or, rather, I at least am impressed. Items such as these would have been quite useful in my day."
Abbie took one container from him. "Never underestimate a good Thermos that keeps your hot coffee hot and inside," Abbie said, removing the lid to inhale the coffee. "I'm surprised Starbucks let you bring your own mugs."
He pulled out a box baring the siren. "I have managed to integrate myself seamlessly into your society, to the point I am considered a beloved peer to many shop keepers of Sleepy Hollow." He opened the box to reveal two danishes. "I feel I owe it all to you. If it hadn't been for your patience and relentless determination, I fear I may have been locked away in Tarrytown and the world would have fallen into chaos because we were not together."
Abbie plucked out a danish. "Well, you've been a good student," she said and took a bite of her pastry. "And oddly enough... since you've shown up, I feel like everything in my life has been falling together like it's supposed to."
"And now we are taking the most thrilling and mysterious adventure of all as a couple," Crane said. he raised his thermos. "May our romantic involvement only strengthen the bond we have already begun to forge."
Abbie touched her container to his. "To strengthening bonds," she grinned.
They took long drinks of their coffee and ate their pastries in companionable silence. Down below the re-enactors started filling their ranks and preparing for battle. Before long the air was filled with spent gunpowder, smoke, and battle cries.
"I helped them to be able to recreate several battles that took place in this area," Crane said. "And assisted them on becoming more accurate in their portrayals."
Abbie leaned her head onto Crane's shoulder. She understood what he was doing. He was trying to share with her, something which he enjoyed while also doing something he thought she would enjoy. When she was coming up, she had always hoped she would find someone so intuitive about her. She remembered, while she had been dating Morales, an old familiar dream had come to her that she felt directed her to her soulmate.
That had been why things hadn't lasted long with him or anyone in fact. The face of her "mystery man" had remained a mystery. However, not long after meeting Crane, she had the same dream, only the mystery face was crystal clear and Crane. Even the voice had matched the man in her dreams... telling her what he felt for her just before they descended into more interesting things that did not require clothing.
That dream had been the most common denominator in the end of relationships. She had it again last night, Crane's face was as clear as ever. She had practically been able to taste him on her lips when she woke up to her alarm clock to prepare for her date.
She was used to dates that consisted of going to a bar and just having a few beers. This was something completely personal and intimate. Just like Crane himself, it was a very pleasant deviation from the norm.
He rambled on about the battle taking place, what role he had played in said battle, jokes that had been shared between him and his comrades. Abbie listened attentively, feeling as though she was learning some of the most intimate details of his life. Although, being a soldier, his role in battles probably were the most intimate parts of him. The best part was, he was doing his normal thing of explaining topics using his hands, while her resting her head on one arm limited the movement of one, the other moved with its full ability.
Occasionally he would glance down at her face to make sure she was still listening, his eyes searching her face for any indicators of boredom. That's when she would ask a question to get more details or give a simple acknowledgement that she had soaked up the information, which would make him beam and continue on with his tale.
Once he had finished his sharing, they ended up stretching out next to each other, Abbie laid on her back, resting her head on a bundled up blanket Crane had packed in the duffel to prevent the coffees from spilling. Crane lay on his side, propping up on his elbow to look down at her. "What are some memories that are dear to you?" he asked.
"I don't really have that many," Abbie admitted. She thought a long moment. "I was actually hoping, if everything had quieted down as far as the Apocalypse goes, that I could start trying to make good memories with Jenny that didn't involve breaking into places and stealing stuff. Give her a chance at having a normal life." She looked straight at him. "Maybe you could be one of the sources of my new memories."
"I would be both honoured and delighted to do so, Miss Abigail," Crane said, trailing his knuckles down her cheek. His eyes shifted to her mouth. His tongue darted out to moisten his lips, as if contemplating using them for something that might require them to be soft and supple. "I find myself entranced by your eyes and mouth." His thumb stroked the apple of her cheek. "Your eyes... albeit you have had so many misfortunes befall you, they retain a softness and willingness to care deeply for those you surround yourself with. They truly are windows into a soul so full of love but that wants to protect itself from the pain that you undoubtedly feel will come your way by getting too close."
His thumb moved to her mouth, where he gently caressed her bottom lip. "Your mouth... Spouts orders that I fear could render the generals of my day to blushing school boys eager to obey your every command. I have yet to hear a word that is not grounded in wisdom come from these lips. If given adequate time I could probably write sonnets on the beauty and fierceness with which you speak. Both have proven to captivate my soul and exacerbate my admiration for you. Not to mention your mouth has been a most pleasant source of distraction for quite some time and they've only become more so since the kisses we shared just yesterday."
If anything, she could definitely accuse Crane of being one of the smoothest talkers in Sleepy Hollow. She didn't know of anyone in town, that liked people of the male persuasion, that wouldn't need a change of underwear after hearing what he just said. Although, his words weren't just a simple attempt at flattery. She could tell he meant every word and that he meant them with utmost respect.
When he leaned in to kiss her, she didn't dare do or say anything that might cause him to retreat. Instead she slipped a hand behind his neck and pulled him the rest of the way down. Crane's hand rested on her belly before sliding to her waist. At first his fingers brushed the tiny bit of exposed skin between her under shirt and her jeans, but he apparently thought better of it and slid his hand to her denim encased hip.
Abbie moved a hand to the one he hand on her hip and guided back to the exposed skin at her waistline. Crane made a beautiful sound at the back of his throat as his fingers stroked the skin. Before it registered in the depths of her brain that was able to concentrate on more than just the smell and taste of Crane invading her other sense, his nimble fingers had made their way completely into her shirt and was cupping the curve of her ribs.
If this went on much longer, she was sure his hand would drift even higher, even if it was a subconscious motion.
Much to her surprise, instead of moving upward, his fingers splayed out and his hand moved down to her backside, pulling her toward him. Abbie seized the moment the lean closer against him and got him onto his back. She easily shifted on top of him, a knee on either side of his hips, giving both of his hands no option other than to rest on the curve of her rear.
Kissing Crane was officially her new favourite past-time. It was better than baseball and all the hot bubble baths she could take in a life time. Especially with all the little noises he made. When his lips parted wide enough to inhale deeply, Abbie sat up, straddling his thighs. She grinned down at at him wickedly.
"What else did you have in mind for our outing?" she asked. Again, she was surprised at how well he fit between her legs.
Crane's eyes drifted up and down her body as he propped up on his elbows. His face was flushed, his lips full and moist from their kissing, his eyes full of intensity that made certain parts of Abbie's anatomy beg for attention. He panted to recapture his breath for a moment before replying. "I... I had every intention to have this portion of our outing to last only an hour and a half at the most, which then we would proceed to town and enjoy a leisurely stroll through the park or along the down town area, whichever was more to your liking. Then enjoying a delightfully light luncheon at the River Grill." His eyes closed and he gave the slight grimace he favoured when a modern word did not necessarily sit well with him.
"And now?" Abbie asked. cocking an eyebrow.
He sat up completely. His arms snaked around her waist, pulling her chest flush to his. "My only desire to to continue kissing you until we are both breathless."
"No arguments from me," Abbie murmured and locked lips with him again.
This time Crane was not passive and he certainly was not hesitant. The hungry animal version of Crane seemed to have resurfaced and was hell-bent on devouring her. One of his hands slid under the back of her shirt and spread out over her spine while the other gently squeezed the curve of her backside. He had gone from casual exploration to divide and conquer.
It was a very unexpected but pleasant surprise.
Abbie found the buttons of his shirt and carefully plucked a button free. Then another... and another. When she slid her hand into his shirt and came into contact with another layer of cotton, she gave a frustrated sound. Crane pulled back, his eyes wide as he panted for breath.
"Is something amiss?" he asked, his voice a low, sensual rumble.
"You're wearing an under shirt," Abbie grumbled, untying the knot at the front of her own over shirt. Crane watched as she removed her over shirt, letting it fall into a puddle of yellow next to them.
He brought a hand up to her shoulder and traced his fingers down the length of her arm. "As are you," he pointed out with a hint of humour in his voice.
Abbie arched her eyebrows and grinned. "Are you saying you would rather see me without it, Captain Crane?"
Crane opened his mouth and an undignified noise came out instead of words. He clamped his mouth closed, a red hue touching his cheeks again. "I..." He fidgeted uncomfortably. "What I meant was..." His voice trailed off when she started giggling. He huffed and laughter danced in his eyes. "These accursed skinny jeans are obviously causing issues with blood flow to allow me to communicate in an articulate manner."
Abbie rested her forehead against his and placed a hand on the small amount of skin above his under shirt. "Are you sure it's the skinny jeans causing blood flow issues?"
Crane's voice returned to the low, husky tone. It was a tone she felt would solely be used to drive her mad with desire as he spoke of intimate details. "Lieutenant, are you insinuating that the source of my discomfort is that I have become aroused by what has been transpiring between us?"
"I'm not insinuating, Captain, I'm flat out saying it," Abbie teased, feeling her face warm.
"You are a clever woman, indeed, Lieutenant," Crane murmured, brushing his lips against hers.
It was official. Never again would she be able to hear him call her "Lieutenant" without feeling at least moderately turned on.
Suddenly a mix of screaming, gunshots, and canon fire caused both of them to startle. When they had last looked, the group below had started a break. Not to mention screaming was not normally something that happened at the re-enactments-yelling and shouting of orders, yes, screaming no.
They both followed the flow of people exiting the battlefield. An old familiar white horse cried out as it reared up. Upon it's back was an all familiar headless figure wielding an axe.
Of course it was the Headless Horseman, Abbie thought bitterly. They had been wondering where the hell he had gotten off to.
Crane held her protectively. "I would like to apologize, Miss Abigail, for it seems we must find a more suitable time to reconvene our impassioned conversation. It seems we have duties to see to."