She had already left the next morning when Crane had awakened. He had sat in the kitchen, pondering over her statement in his head for two hours, until he realized her car was not in the drive and she had already left for work.

Not that he had been surprised. The Leftenant did not come freely with her feelings. And he imagined one as substantial as an admittance of need, was something she was not comfortable with speaking more of.

He hadn't gotten much sleep that night. His thoughts earmarked in wondering which way her need of him was essential. He knew from the prior night that her feelings for him were not of likeness to his for her. And he was truthful in his words that he was okay with it. And would never pressure her for more.

But now… Now that she had spoken aloud words that seemed to contradict those she earlier had vocalized, Crane was confused.

So much so that he barely heard the door open and Ms. Jenny appear before him until she was sitting down in front of him, staring and waving her hands wildly.

"Earth to Crane. You okay in there, big guy?" She said, laughing as he jumped at the realization that she had come into the house without him being the wiser.

"I am." He said, clearing his throat. "Just a bit heavy in my thoughts this morning."

She smirked as she got up to pour herself a cup of 2 hour old coffee.

"So… you got any big plans for today? Gonna do some shopping for the big event tonight?"

Crane turned and looked up at her, his face confused. "I do not know of which event you speak of?"

"Abbie didn't tell you?" She said as she sat back down in front of him, her face turning up at the drink she just tasted.

"The agency is throwing her and her team an impromptu soiree tonight at the Country Club to celebrate the capture of Myers. It's not that often that an FBI Top 20 criminal gets taken down by one of their small, remote offices."

Crane's brows furrowed and he looked down at his hands. "No, Ms. Jenny. The Leftenant did not make me aware of such an event."

"Well… I suggest you do your best to find something to wear that doesn't look like it's 200 years old, Crane. Apparently this thing is going to be a big deal. Lots of high profile FBI suits there. Don't want to make Abbie look bad."

He squirmed and rose from his chair, looking out the window in their kitchen. "Perhaps I am not meant to attend. If the Leftenant had wanted me there, I am sure she would have told me herself instead of having me hear it from you."

Jenny looked over at Crane and laughed. "Of course she wants you there, Crane. She just told me about it this morning. Maybe she just hadn't had the time to fill you in yet."

He turned around and looked over at her. Jenny was eyeing his clothing up and down and shaking her head in disapproval.

"Regardless… you're going and you need something other than…. that… to wear. I have a few extra hours to kill. I could help you out if you want."

He smiled nervously and nodded. "If you insist. I do not wish to be an embarrassment, as you say, to the Leftenant on a night meant to honor her. Although, I will say that I do take slight offense to your disparaging comments on my clothing. In my day, the clothing I wore was always looked up on with honor and esteem and….

"Oh lay off it, Crane. I'm not judging your gear. But these aren't the 1700s anymore. It's 2015. And with that you need something that says 'I'm here. I'm now. And I'm not looking back.'"

He closed his eyes and ran his fingers through his hair, painfully aware that today was not going to be enjoyable in the slightest for him.

….

She had almost finished getting dressed when she heard the commotion outside her bedroom door. A bunch of whistles and hollers from what appeared to be Joe and Jenny and she could only imagine what had gotten them so riled up.

She looked at herself once more in her full length mirror and smiled. The dress Jenny had chosen wasn't one that anyone would have expected her to wear. But Abbie didn't mind the eyes on her tonight and wanted to bask in the glory of nabbing one of the top criminals and making sure he wouldn't see the light of day for the rest of his life.

She put on a little more lipstick, a reddish blend that Jenny had insisted looked great with her form fitting black dress and opened her door to go out to the kitchen.

She saw Joe first and smiled as he turned around in his tux, smiling from ear to ear.

"Well look at you Joe… I'm not sure I've ever seen you in a tux before."

He walked over to where she was standing and kissed her on her cheek. "Not too bad yourself Agent Mills. You're pulling out all the stops to get that well-deserved front office, huh?"

He laughed as she punched his arm and turned around, looking for Jenny.

"Where's my sister? I heard her cackling about something in here with you a few minutes ago."

"I'm right here", she said as she walked into the kitchen, stopping as she saw her sister in the dress she had picked out.

"Damn, Abbie. I knew I was good but I didn't know I was that good." She said as she smiled.

"Oh please. You guys are giving me a complex about this dress…. And where's Crane, we're going to be late."

"I'm right in here, Leftenant." He said, walking into the kitchen with his head down, fumbling with the buttons on his new suit.

Her eyes took him in before he had the chance to look up and Abbie felt her breath catch in her throat.

This was not Crane.

It couldn't be. Not in the attire that just casually strolled into her kitchen.

His eyes suddenly rose to hers and he watched as she glared over him. He was wearing a dark black 3-piece suit which was definitely inspired by the 1700s but with a modern twist unlike she had ever seen. It was fashionable. Modern. And he looked damn good in it.

Jenny broke the silence a few seconds later.

"I did good, right, Abbie?" She said as she walked over and helped him with one of the last buttons on his vest.

Abbie's eyes slowly rose to meet his and she nodded slightly. "Yeah… you did."

Crane parted his lips to speak but was interrupted by the ringing of her phone asking of her arrival time to the party. It seemed that most of the other honorees were already there and things were waiting on the Leftenant before they could get fully started.

He followed behind her hastily, making their way to the SUV as Jenny and Joe got in the front seat and Abbie reached for the back. As he lifted his hand to help her step inside the vehicle, he could not miss the opportunity to tell her what he meant to say earlier.

"You look beautiful, Leftenant." He said as he closed her door softly.