*Note: The Betsy Ross storyline does not exist in this story. It made no sense on the show and would make even less sense in this story. God, I love writing fanfic. I get to rewrite history. :)

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Abbie awoke covered in sweat, her fingers tightly gripping the pillow beneath her head. Her heart beat rapidly as her eyes adjusted to the sunlight filtering into her room. Another nightmare. It was the first she'd had in months. She closed her eyes at the realization, taking in measured breaths.

For the past six months, she'd spent most of her time trying to regain a sense of normalcy while dealing with her trauma. Memories of the time she'd spent tortured and isolated would come in the forms of flashbacks and nightmares. It made it difficult for her to let her guard down, even around Crane. Add on to it the fact that evil never took a break, Abbie had a lot on her plate. Yet, her personal issues had been cast aside to make room for a more important priority: take out Pandora and the Hidden One.

Since her return from the catacombs, they'd managed to successfully fight against the never-ending line of monsters existing in Sleepy Hollow. They teamed up with Joe, Jenny, their father, Danny, and Sophie to make the task more manageable. But it wasn't until Pandora joined the team that they'd come across an actual plan to defeat the Hidden One once and for all. The only problem was that they had to regenerate Pandora's Box.

The box had to be regenerated within the catacombs. So Crane and Abbie journeyed back to her own personal hell and returned with box intact. The only problem was that it had run out of juice. Apparently, the power had to come from a Witness' soul. That small piece of vital information didn't come to their attention until Pandora attempted to betray them. Of course, they'd expected her eventual betrayal but what they hadn't anticipated was what would happen if the power didn't come from a Witness.

When Pandora attempted to lure Abbie into sacrificing herself, the ring that had once helped her in her time of need prevented it from happening. It reappeared when the box opened, creating an invisible shield around her and Crane. It kept them a safe distance away while the box consumed the souls of all who'd utilized it. Pandora, the Hidden One, and all the evil monsters it had released were returned to it. It seemed that the box of horrors had quickly turned on its handlers the moment it required supernatural power to fully regenerate itself.

Once it had consumed its creations, the box became dormant. Fearful that it would awaken once again, they immediately hid it away hoping one day it could be used as weapon in their remaining tribulations. Aside from a near Witness sacrifice, everybody else had come away from the battle all in one piece and practically unscathed.

Almost everybody.

Daniel Reynolds walked away with the most damage, mainly to his ego. Even though he'd reinstated her as an agent when she decided to return to work, Abbie still had other loose ends with him to tie up. However, in an effort to keep everybody's mind focused, she and Crane decided to wait until after defeating Pandora and the Hidden One to break the news of their relationship to everybody. Abbie had been the one to explain to Danny how she'd chosen Crane. He took it hard but eventually came to terms with it, especially since Crane began working with her in an official capacity as the bureau's history consultant. Though, lucky for Danny, it appeared that Sophie had taken it upon herself to be his shoulder to cry on. Abbie could sense something budding between the two agents and she couldn't be happier for them.

As for her and Jenny's father, they were still in the process of healing. It had been a major revelation to them when he'd informed them of his knowledge and involvement with the supernatural. It brought up old resentments and questions about their mother. Their father answered what he could and apologized for what he couldn't. Jenny and Abbie were slowly coming to terms with the fact that he existed and was willing to work his way back into their lives. In the end, it was nice to have another person on Team Witness they could rely on for a change.

To put it simply, Abbie was dealing with a mountain of issues. She'd done her best to move forward and cope with it all. Yet, after nearly half a year of therapy with a private counselor and hundreds of hours of 'rehabilitation' with Crane, she still had moments in which her mind would lull her into a sense of false security only to betray her at her most vulnerable. Flashbacks and nightmares would occur and at the most inconvenient of times. It made it even more difficult for her to be open and willing to share her burdens, an inconvenience when it came to her 'budding' romantic relationship with Crane.

It had been slow-going in that department. They'd kept their intimacy somewhat tame. He would spoil her with romantic gestures and she would fluster him with her flirtatious behavior. There were lots of flowers, quiet walks, well-thought out dates, and plenty of hugs. But when it came to kissing, Abbie was guilty of heating things up beyond what she could handle.

It would start off innocently enough with pecks on the cheek and gentle kisses on the lips then quickly escalate into some of the hottest make out sessions she'd ever experienced. Crane's thirst for learning and eidetic memory made it almost impossible for her to tear herself away from his arms but then inconvenient memories would often douse any intentions of taking their intimacy further.

Crane, the ever-gentleman, reacted more than generously and understandingly than she'd ever thought a man was capable. He would give her space when she wanted it and held her tightly when she needed it. He was her rock and her motivator, her partner and her best friend. He had quickly found his way into her damaged heart and helped mend all the hurt that had lived within it for years. She'd never felt so loved and in love. It was only a matter of time before they'd be able to express that physically.

Though, as her head pounded and sweat poured from her skin, the thought of doing anything physically strenuous made her sick to her stomach. She sighed reluctantly. After that nightmare, it appeared that the memory of her trauma had made its return to the forefront of her mind. It annoyed her more than anything. Why couldn't she just stop thinking about it and move on? She sighed again swinging her legs over the edge of her bed. If it had made its return, it would just have to wait until she was in a better frame of mind to deal with it. She gingerly rose and padded her way to the bathroom, ready to wash away the evidence of a restless sleep.

After her shower, she felt better. Doing her hair and makeup improved her mood further but the annoying throbbing in her head would not go away. Maybe if she ate something, drank some water, it would eventually disappear.

She made her way downstairs to the kitchen. No sign of Crane. He'd probably gone grocery shopping or was picking up something to eat at his new favorite restaurant. She couldn't remember which one it was today as he had a new favorite every other week. It was a strange habit of his but adorable nonetheless. She loved it when he'd recite some sort of ode to a new restaurant or new food. He could make greasy cheeseburgers sound like a fine delicacy.

She tenderly shook her head and pain shot through the front of her head. She hissed and pushed the heel of her hand against her forehead. Though she usually waited for him to bring home their meals, she knew if she didn't get any sustenance soon, her headache would never go away. So she downed a glass of water and made herself a small bowl of oatmeal with a side of fruit.

She took her breakfast into the dining room and sat at the table. It was uncharacteristically quiet. Usually, Crane would be bustling around the house or singing at the top of his lungs. Even in their downtime, he was a whirlwind of movement and sound. It was the complete opposite of her. She loved lounging around and basking in the quiet moments. How he'd managed to sweep her up in his world of excitement and passion was beyond her. A smile crept on her face. Well, it wasn't too difficult to imagine how she'd lost herself in his passion. Memories of the last chess game they'd played at their table came to mind. Heat radiated up her neck as she recalled her and Crane's unexpectedly fiery night.

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"Checkmate."

Abbie smirked at Crane's baffled face. She could tell he'd been so sure about his last move by the way he had proudly sat up straighter in his seat. He'd looked so cute in his nightshirt and robe looking all smug and certain. She almost hated bringing him down from his high but she had to play fair.

When the smile from his face fell, a flash of guilt had come over her but it quickly passed when he began protesting. He could get so childish sometimes. It made her wonder how two centuries wasn't enough for a man to grow up. She crossed her arms and looked at him unimpressed.

"That wasn't…but your queen, my knight…that was an entirely underhanded move," he argued.

She rolled her eyes and took out her phone from the pocket of her pajamas to check through her messages, hoping his tantrum would pass quickly this time. "Yeah, yeah," she muttered.

Instead of ending it with a huff in typical Crane manner, he continued protesting. She silently widened her eyes in annoyance. He was not going to let this go. She put her phone down and listened to his griping until she couldn't take any more. She flicked the roof of her mouth with her tongue and leaned over the table, her face inches away from his.

She lowered her voice, "Crane, just accept the fact that you'll never be able to beat me at chess."

His whining immediately stopped. His eyes darted to her lips. Before she knew it, he captured her lips and kissed her fervently. She could only manage to whimper as he practically devoured her. He moaned eagerly as he expertly sucked on her full lips. His obvious enthusiasm unleashed something within her. Kissing him felt like downing a cool, tall glass of water after trekking through a dry desert her entire life. The only problem was that it wasn't enough to simply take a sip. She wanted to dive in, head first, until her entire body felt quenched.

She broke the kiss and pushed him back into his seat with an aggression that surprised the both of them. The shock quickly wore off when she knocked the chess board away from the edge of the table and crawled into his lap. She gripped his shoulders and straddled his hips, seating herself in his lap. She stared at him as she rocked herself against him. His legs parted and his nightshirt rode up thighs. His breath escaped in a lustful sigh, his eyelids slightly fluttering. It was unbelievable how turned on she would become from his reactions. Desire coursed throughout her body pooling between her legs.

She rolled her hips a few more times before he gripped them tightly with his large hands. His eyes were closed as he shakily exhaled. She wet her lips nervously thinking she might have crossed a line with him. Of course he would put an end to it, she'd overwhelmed him. He pleasantly surprised her when his hands slid over her ass. He gripped it and lifted her off his lap, tugging her closer to his body. She balanced her hands on his broad chest as she felt herself slowly slide down his hard stomach providing her with a delicious stroke of friction. She gasped. He situated where he wanted her and opened his eyes. He gazed into her soul as he slowly yet firmly thrust against her. Her eyelids fluttered closed as a breath escaped her lips. Her body vibrated with desire.

Feeling his rigid arousal pushing against her through the material of his nightshirt and her thin pajama shorts sent delicious shocks of pleasure throughout her body. She gripped at the fabric of his shirt and leaned forward, moaning his name into his slightly parted mouth. His hands ghosted under her tank top as he roughly pulled her in for another kiss. She lost herself in his lips and the sensual movement of their rolling hips. Her hands travelled up and caressed his bearded cheeks then through his supple hair, her breath coming in intermittent ragged gasps against his lips. It wasn't until his fingertips caressed her skin under the clasp of her bra that she realized what she was doing.

She abruptly broke off the kiss and leaned her forehead against his. She squeezed her eyes shut as her body tensed, awaiting the flashbacks or hyperventilating to start. He pulled his hands from underneath her shirt and rested them against her back in support.

"Lieutenant, it's alright. You're alright," he whispered reassuringly, rubbing gentle circles against her back.

When nothing came, she exhaled, embarrassed by her untimely apprehension. This time around it wasn't her trauma that sabotaged her, it was her.

"Shit, I'm sorry," she mumbled, mortified by her hesitation.

"Abbie," he murmured, gently cupping her face with his hands. She squeezed her eyelids shut tighter. "Abbie, please," he urged quietly.

She let out a controlled breath and set her jaw determinedly before opening her eyes. She studied his messily tousled hair, his flushed skin, and his swollen lips but it was his eyes that killed her. They were fully dilated but filled with an infinite amount of warmth and concern.

It was unmistakable, he loved her. As big of a mess as she was, as unstable as her mind currently was, as much as she rejected him, he loved her. He loved her so utterly and completely. He'd never leave her again. She knew it. What's more is that she believed it.

After continually disappointing him, she could only hope that he could see how much she loved him in return. She loved him more than she'd ever thought possible. Her heart and soul were so full of intense emotions for him. Love, acceptance, hope, devotion, passion, it was all too much to control. She sharply inhaled, her eyes pricking with hot tears.

"Fuck," she whispered as she looked up, trying to contain her tears but quickly lost the battle when they started to stream down her cheeks. Crane quickly wrapped his arms around her. She buried her face in his shoulder as her body shook with sobs.

She didn't know exactly why she was crying but she knew it had to do with him. There was so much she held back, it was taking a toll on her. He was everything to her. Her heart and mind told her he'd more than earned her love but her body was taking too long to catch up. It hurt her to see him get rejected by her over and over again. She knew it wasn't something she should feel guilty about but it hurt nonethless. She wanted to show him just how much he meant to her, she wanted to consumate their relationship in every way possible but she was getting in the way of that. It wasn't fair.

Once her sobs turned into soft hiccups, he hugged her tightly and stood up from the chair. She gripped his body tightly, refusing to let go of him. Feeling his body against her was the only thing keeping her together. He kept her close as he made his way up the stairs to her room. When they reached her bed, he threw the throw pillows to the floor and pulled the comforter the side. He kneeled next to the mattress and sat her on the edge of it.

"Treasure, lie down," he coaxed gently, carefully trying to pry her grip from his body.

She clutched him harder, irrational panic suddenly overtaking her. "No," she mumbled against his shirt, unable to bear the thought of sleeping by herself. "Don't go."

"I shall not leave your side. You have my word," he reassured her. "Now, please, lie down."

She uncertainly released him and slowly crawled into her bed. He quickly followed her and pulled the covers over them. She immediately pulled him into her arms and rested her damp cheek against his chest. His steady heartbeat thumped quietly against her ear. She felt calmer yet it did nothing to assuage her earlier guilt.

"I'm sorry," she whispered softly, as she rubbed the lapels of his robe between her fingers.

Crane caressed her arm. "No, there is no need to apologize," he said, gently laying a kiss atop her head.

"I don't know what's wrong with me."

"You've suffered, Lieutenant, more than anyone could endure. There is nothing wrong with you. 'Tis simply another obstacle you shall overcome."

She stayed quiet, considering his words. How he managed to remain cool headed about this entire situation was beyond her. She often forgot he was more resilient than what she gave him credit for. Nevertheless, she needed to reassure him after her blatant rejection. She swallowed nervously.

"I want to. I really do," she said quietly.

He smiled faintly. "I know."

She flipped over and rested her chin on her hand, looking at him curiously. "Do you?"

He glanced down at her playfully before returning his gaze to the ceiling. "Why do you think I've kept my robe on?"

Closing her eyes in mortification, a smile pulling at the sides of her mouth. She buried her face in his chest and mumbled, "Oh my god."

"I could not in good conscience impart the temptation of glimpsing me in my incredibly alluring nighttime attire. You would not be able to resist."

She snorted against his chest. "Stop."

"Though, I wonder if being a Witness comes with superhuman strength."

She furrowed her brow and glanced up at him questioningly.

"Oh, well, no mere mortal could possibly walk around, let alone up a flight of stairs, whilst in my…discernibly aroused condition." He raised his eyebrow and looked down at her roguishly.

Her face melted into a smile as she began giggling. "Oh god, no more details, please."

He chuckled along with her, holding her tightly by his side. He rest his lips on the top of her head while their laughter died down.

She soberly apologized again, "I really am sorry, Crane."

He sighed. "Abigail, do not apologize. Our moment shall arrive when it arrives. Until then, I am entirely content with affections you allow me."

"Are you sure?" She rest her cheek against his chest again.

"Treasure, I am unworthy of your mere caress. To bask in your affections is a privilege I don't deserve."

She quickly tilted her head and looked up at him. "Don't, Crane. Don't talk like that. You are worthy. You do deserve it. You deserve that and more," she said adamantly, wishing he'd believe her.

"Do I?"

Her heart clenched painfully. Hearing the doubt he felt about his worthiness hurt her. She wouldn't allow him to see himself other than the way she saw him.

Careful to avoid his nether regions, she straddled his body and placed her hands firmly on either side of his face. She steadily held his gaze. "Ichabod, I love you. And you are completely worthy and deserving of it. I…," she paused as she studied his unexpectedly bright expression as if he'd suddenly deciphered the world's most complicated puzzle. "What?"

He smiled widely, as his fingers slipped over hers. "No, I…it's just…it's the first time I've heard you utter those words."

She smiled in realization.

He studied her eyes. "You cannot imagine how I've longed for this moment."

"Oh," she said, slowly recognizing the significance of this momentous occasion. It was true. She never said those words unless she truly meant them, which didn't occur often. She looked into his joyful blue gaze and nodded as if to reinforce what she'd just said. "Well, I do."

He coyly smiled. "Pardon?"

She knit her brow in confusion. She thought she'd been clear. "I…," she began, until she realized he was teasing her. "You're messing with me."

He wriggled down the mattress and buried his face in her neck almost bashfully. She giggled as his nose tickled her neck, his whiskers prickling her cheek and shoulder.

She half-heartedly batted him away, her heart beating merrily. "Okay, alright, fine. I love you."

He paused, pulling up momentarily. "Hmm? I've the misfortune of a pair of two-hundred-year-old ears, I didn't catch that last bit." He continued his ticklish nuzzling, filling her with glee.

She smacked his chest playfully. "Stop, stop! I love you, damn it. Stop!" she squealed in between fits of laughter. He pulled away, a giant smile etched into his face.

She rolled off of him and on to her side, facing him breathlessly. "I love you, Ichabod Crane."

He sweetly kissed her. "And I love you, Grace Abigail Mills."

She smiled and leaned her forehead against his feeling as if the world was finally right, a lifetime of pain permanently fading away into the background. Lulled by his steady breaths, she fell asleep with her heart full and soul complete.

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Abbie bit her lip as she twirled her spoon, smiling dreamily at the memory. It was definitely one of her most treasured memories, in addition to it being one of their more memorable chess matches.

Crane was something else. The feelings she had for him were nothing like what she'd experienced with past boyfriends. There was this sense of understanding and acceptance she'd never felt before. It was like a heightened sense of trust with an underlying current of electric tension, a sexy combination. She wouldn't be surprised if every time they touched, they gave off sparks. The bond they shared was so strong she knew it was only a matter of time before their urges would overcome her trauma.

Then again, she may have spoken too soon.

A flash of a not so hot memory came to the forefront of her mind: his lips on someone else's at this very table. Her smile fell. Miss Corinth.

She furrowed her brow in confusion. The hell was that? Why did that suddenly come to mind? Abbie couldn't possibly still be mad about that, could she?

Her stomach fluttered with a violent sensation of anger and jealousy. It appeared that she was still holding feelings she'd thought she had successfully suppressed. How could she be jealous of a woman Crane no longer cared about? It made no logical sense. And yet, she couldn't shake the image that had seared itself into her memory. Did he think about her? Was he thinking about her when he kissed her in the same place he did his ex-tutor? What if he really did still have feelings for her?

Her mind was going into overdrive thinking of all the possibilities. It was as if it was on a mission to sabotage all the progress she had achieved in her personal life. What the hell was going on? she thought, desperately hoping she wasn't reverting back mentally.

The sound of keys jingling outside the front door snapped her back to reality before she tumbled down that never-ending spiral. Nonetheless, enough time had passed for her to feel a rage simmer within her. Crane was hers. She was his. She just needed to make sure they were on the same page, logic be damned.

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Welp. Hi again. I should begin by apologizing for taking a long hiatus from this story. I'm sorry for the wait. Life happened and this got pushed to the bottom of my priority list.

I had planned to write an extra super long final chapter but decided instead to cut it up into several chapters. It's easier to find motivation to keep writing that way.

Would you believe that my motivation to write anything Sleepy Hollow related completely disappeared? Because it did. But then I reread some of your inspiring messages and comments. You gave me motivation to want to finish this story. And I will.

It may take some time but I will push through my disappointment, my anger, and my resentment of the show to complete this story. Ichabbie deserves a better ending and I will do my best to give you that.

Thanks to those of you still reading and a special thanks to those people who sent me messages these past few months. Your lovely words of praise and encouragement lifted my spirits and inspired me. Thank you with all of my heart!

Your full of excuses author,

semul