"I didn't say what I'm about to tell you, Crane, 'cause I didn't think it'd be fair. After all that mess with Katrina, you'd finally found someone you could open up to and I couldn't get in the way of that."

Ichabod silently gazed at her, her uncertainty fueling his curiosity. What had she chosen to withhold from him? Why had she continued to keep it from him? His insides twisted with nerves. It could only be unpleasant if it warranted such resolute concealment on her part. He braced himself for the worst.

She quietly sighed. "That night, I-I'd made a decision."

She looked up at him cautiously. It wasn't easy for her to be so upfront about things like this but he deserved the truth. He needed to know why all this had come up after all these months and seemingly out of nowhere. She only hoped revealing her secret would not send him into shock.

She cleared her throat gruffly, hoping to downplay the significance, "I'd been thinking about it and decided it was the right time to…try things out. Try...this," she gestured between the two of them.

She shifted uncomfortable under his gaze as he knit his brow slightly, giving her a questioning look. She couldn't possibly mean…, his head tilted and lips parted in realization. Her apprehensive gaze confirmed what her words did not. So that was her secret. She had held affections for him long before the commencement of their courtship. His eyelashes fluttered taken aback by the news.

He recognized that an indescribable tension existed between them upon his return but he had assumed it was solely created on his part, a remnant of their near kiss. He believed he was alone in his sentiments. How could she possibly feel the same after he'd put her through? His comportment was deplorable. He had done nothing to earn her affections. Fortunately, his Lieutenant was a charitable woman.

He swallowed thickly, his guilt readily reemerging from the depths of his soul. How could he have not seen it? How had it managed to slip past him?

"I see," he managed to rasp out, struggling to contain his shame.

Her gaze shifted down to their entwined hands. She felt self-conscious. Though she'd just admitted to the truth she'd been trying to avoid, it wasn't everything. Yes, she'd chosen Crane but she could have easily chosen Daniel Reynolds.

It was difficult to admit that she'd even considered a life without her adorable string-bean of a partner, especially when he looked at her with those giant puppy eyes but it was the truth. She'd imagined the house, the career, the family, everything she'd dreamt about as a kid and none of it by his side. It was easy at the time. Danny had been there and he had not. It seemed like the smart choice.

She grudgingly continued, masking a grimace. "Danny...he-he'd made me an offer earlier that same day." She inhaled unsteadily. "Actually, he kind of took me by surprise."

Ichabod immediately recalled that particular strained encounter with Daniel Reynolds. His attempt to provoke him, her sudden distracted demeanor upon her return from his office, it all made sense. Of course, Reynolds had taken his opportunity to win her over for himself. He should have known. The underhanded gibes he'd directed at him should have been his first clue. Agent Reynolds' intentions were as noble as he had assumed. The crafty, no-good, lowlife, scum bucket, he asserted silently with an indiscernible sneer.

What truly bothered him was the agent's improper advances within a professional setting. Aside from being entirely in bad form, it had caught her unaware. Abbie's place of work was her sanctuary. It was where she felt the most accomplished, the most secure. It angered him that Agent Reynolds had spoiled it with his unwelcome advances. Abbie was not taken by surprise often. The unpropitious encounter had unsettled her, of that he was certain.

He frowned. What had the underhanded Agent Reynolds deemed necessary to confront her about in such an inappropriate setting? What had he declared to her?

She moistened her lips, awkwardly resuming, sensing a building tension in the room. "He said he wanted to pick up where we left off and, to be honest, I thought about it a lot." She continued to eye him carefully, reluctant to provide more details. She didn't find any joy in being this honest with him.

Ichabod's chest constricted at the thought of losing her to him. He couldn't imagine life without her at his side and the near possibility clenched his heart with fear. Though he believed the agent to be an arrogant fiend, Abbie trusted him. She trusted him enough to share in a brief romance with him. After what he'd made her suffer during his absence, she had every reason to choose Agent Reynolds over him.

It pained him to admit it but Daniel Reynolds had been there for her when he had not. Only his cowardice was to blame, an unforgivable travesty. He nervously rubbed her hand with the pad of his thumb, a soothing gesture mainly for his benefit.

She scoffed lightly at herself as she continued retelling her encounter. "Everything I ever wanted, the life I envisioned, it was all right there. I could've said yes. I could've just set aside my fears and accepted what he was giving me but the more I thought about it, the more I realized I…I couldn't imagine any of it without you." She exhaled with a huff, biting her bottom lip. She was getting sappy but she couldn't help it.

When Danny had offered his heart to her, she couldn't picture their lives together without Crane. She needed him by her side but she knew that it would be the first thing Danny would want from her, to cut off Crane. To do so would mean to lose a piece of her. She couldn't do it. Crane was her man. Nothing and nobody would change that. She came to that realization so quickly, she didn't see the point in waiting any more. It was what spurred her to confront him with the truth that night.

Ichabod inhaled deeply, his heart beating to life once again at her spoken words. The fear that had clenched it released its tight grip giving way to triumphant fluttering. She had rejected Agent Reynolds' offer because of him. The feelings he had assumed were unrequited were quite the opposite. Although Abbie held her emotions close to her heart, she had followed them down a path that led to him. It filled him with relief. He had done nothing to deserve her regard at the time yet she'd bestowed it upon him anyway. He was the most fortunate man upon the face of the earth.

He bowed his head, taking a moment to honestly reflect on the matter. Though he was the obvious champion, the battle for her heart had its casualty.

He was reminded of Abraham. In that instance, Ichabod had been the one to reveal news of his best friend's own disbandment; a poor decision on his part considering it truly was not his place and Abraham had been armed. Their fated duel had certainly resulted in a most regrettable - apocalyptic - outcome. He was grateful things had not come to that between him and Daniel Reynolds. He sensed Reynolds would not have reacted quite so recklessly. There was a reason Abbie had chosen the shrewdly devoted, brawny agent and it wasn't because he was a capricious swordsman who came from a good colonial family.

Feeling obliged to acknowledge his rival's warranted allure, he reluctantly admitted, "I understand why you contemplated a future with him. Though I'm obviously not a supporter of Agent Reynolds, I know he would have given you a life you deserved."

She tiredly blinked, shrugging lightly. She looked away as if lost in thought.

He nodded curtly. He could sense her guilt emerge. Though she presented a hardened exterior, Abbie was a tenderhearted, compassionate woman. She would never intentionally hurt someone. Rejecting Daniel Reynolds was no easy matter for her. Nevertheless, he could not allow her to anguish over her former…lover's emotional status. He indiscernibly rolled his eyes in irritation. It appeared that the green-eyed monster the Bard had alluded to had found its mark.

He closed his eyes and wrinkled his brow. This was no time to pay mind to his insecurities. She needed him. She had chosen him. He felt obliged in reassuring her that she had unerringly chosen the right man.

He licked his lips and peeked up at her with a smirk. She deserved happiness, joy, not more guilt. He needed to distract her. If anything, he could at least make an effort to bring a smile upon her face with his unique observations.

"Though, I am uncertain as to why you would envision this wretchedly archaic man by your side when worthier men would lay themselves at your feet, I must admit that I am honored." He gave a slight bow of his head, attempting to hide a smirk. "However, it does beg the question, what must it say about your preference in companions?" He arched his eyebrow questioningly.

A smile spread across her face. Leave it to Crane to turn this into a jibe at her expense. She schooled her features and gripped his lapels with a subtle shake. "You trying to say I have bad taste in men?" she inquired sternly.

He looked at her in mock outrage. "Me? Never."

She raised a challenging eyebrow, hiding her smirk behind pursed lips. "Yeah, well I don't know how I could resist you with those never-ending rants, that nasty ass two-hundred year old coat hiding in the back of your closet, and those damn prince charming bows."

He lowered his gaze blushingly, painfully aware of his antiquated imperfections that she kindly referred to as his 'quirks'. Only she possessed the patience and humor to see them as endearing. He laid his hands over hers, removing them from his lapels to entwine them once again in his.

He said rather coquettishly, "A two-hundred-year-old coat? Doesn't your generation fawn over those types of antiques?"

"Only if you plan on selling it."

"Never. It shall remain in the back of the closet alongside Mr. Snuggles, your priceless stuffed bear I wouldn't dream of asking you to part with, if I might add."

She half-heartedly rolled her eyes, gently rubbing his hands between her small fingers. He always found a way to make her smile. She loved that about him. Love, she pondered. That's exactly what it was. She looked up at him soberly, ready to say what she had meant to say that night.

"Crane, you're my partner and best friend. You know for a fact I can't say that about a lot of people." She looked up at him studying him carefully, hoping he appreciated the significance of her admission. "I never expected this to happen but you're everything I didn't know I wanted, everything I needed. You're at the center of my life now. Not Danny, not anybody else."

She stared at him with an intense sincerity he could feel in his soul. She'd loved him as much as he did. He filled his chest with a shuddering breath. Everything she admitted to him were the words he had longed to hear. He felt his heart grow larger with an overwhelming sensation. It couldn't possibly be love. It was something more, something beyond the realm of ordinary. It felt divine and transcendental, mystical in its ability to grow infinitely.

Suddenly, she knit her brow as a cloud of sadness settled upon her features. He held his breath. Her confession brought him life but there was still a part she had omitted. What had happened to prevent her truth from being revealed to him sooner? They could have realized their deeply seeded sentiments months ago instead of living in denial. Dread settled in his stomach as he slowly pieced together her glaringly obvious reasoning.

She shook her head resignedly, recalling that painful night. She hated to remember it. It was one of the biggest regrets of her life. She should have taken what was rightfully hers. Yes, she made it sound like he was some sort of carnival prize but she'd fallen in love with him. He was supposed to be her man, not some quirky tutor's.

She sighed, reluctant to say it aloud. "That night, you were right there, Crane, right in front of me but then she beat me to it, your Miss Corinth. That kiss, it-it hit me hard. And then it all just went to hell. Then I did. Literally." She widened her eyes for emphasis and to offset the terror associated with that time in her life.

He swallowed thickly. He felt horrified about his indiscretion but this blow Abbie had provided filled him with pure misery. The fact that she had – unbeknownst to him – chosen to remain at his side in the hope of initiating a relationship with him that very night only to sacrifice herself to months of torture tightly coiled his insides.

He didn't know. He shut his eyes tightly and held her hand, raising it to his lips pleading with her soft skin to forgive his negligence in failing to perceive her emotions. How could he not know? Her long-guarded heart had chosen him and he had betrayed her. She had suffered because of him. He may as well been the one to inflict those months of torture upon her. The air left his lungs as he processed this unrevealed truth. He roughly kissed her hand and pressed it against his knit brow.

Realizing that he was spiraling, she quickly reached up with her other hand to brush his hair off his forehead. "Hey, hey now. Don't, don't do that. I'm not blaming you, Crane, for any of it. I'm not telling you all this just to make you feel worse." She rubbed his cheek pleadingly as he continued silently berating himself. "Ichabod, please."

He opened his eyes, lowering her hand, and blinked sorrowfully at her. Though she had every right in the world to hate him, she gazed up at him in concern, her hand never leaving his cheek. He closed his eyes once again and imperceptibly shook his head. She was an angel sent by the heavens above to save him. He did not deserve her forgiveness.

She softly cradled his face in her hands, her heart melting at his show of sincere regret. "Hey now, look at me. I need you to look at me."

He reluctantly opened his eyes, guilt reflecting in his blue gaze. She looked at him determinedly. "It's not like that. Don't blame yourself. It's not your fault, Crane. Trust me. I just need you to understand where my mind was at the time."

He shook his head in refusal, guilt plaguing his insides. "If it were not for my thoughtless actions, you would not have–"

"Crane, no."

He placed his hands over hers and lowered her hands from his cheeks. He took a step away from her, his eyes downcast in shame. He could not hold her gaze, not when he knew the truth. "Had I thwarted that cursed kiss, had you confessed your true sentiments toward me, you wouldn't have felt it necessary to distance yourself from me. You wouldn't have sacrificed yourself and suffered all that torment for months on end. Your suffering is entirely my fault, Lieutenant, undoubtedly and utterly my fault."

She tilted her head tiredly. He was taking on all the blame for events beyond his control. Softly huffing, she crossed her arms, her eyes shifting away from him and resting her weight against the counter. She felt mildly irritated by his reaction, his willingness to accept the blame for everything bad that's ever happened to her could get overwhelming at times. She carried enough guilt for the two of them. It didn't make sense for him to carry the weight of the world, too.

Raising her eyebrows, she quietly reiterated what she held to be true. "None of what happened was your fault, Crane. You didn't know. I made my decisions. I could have been honest with you but I wasn't. That's on me, just me. Sacrificing myself for my sister had nothing to do with you. Even if things had turned out differently between us, I would have done it again. Every time."

They allowed the words to settle between them. The quietness of their sunny kitchen lending a contrast to their current mood. After a moment, she looked up at him calmly. Sensing her gaze, he looked up and searched her honest, brown eyes. He did not want to be excused of any culpability yet he realized she was right. Grace Abigail Mills was a force of nature and nothing would stop her from sacrificing herself for her family. She'd proven this fact repeatedly in the time he'd known her. It was what made her selfless, divine. It was why she was chosen by God to be a Witness. It was why he loved her. He nodded in understanding as she guardedly stared at him.

His hands fluttered at his sides as he attempted to accept her rationalization. Though she was correct, he felt disinclined to relinquish his guilt. Logic led him down that obvious path of culpability. However, she would not allow him to bear the guilt he felt he justly deserved. He could see it in her eyes. He forced himself to accept the uneasy task of accepting what she perceived as fact. He couldn't possibly deny her that.

He licked his lips nervously. "'Tis near impossible not to assign myself the blame, Lieutenant. And yet, you are correct, as always. I must respect your choices and decisions. I cannot disparage your sacrifices in pursuit of an eased conscience."

She nodded slowly, though his apology had come a bit late. The air had become thick with tension, an uncomfortable silence filling the room. The trust they'd built between them did not come without its moments of discomfort. This was one of those moments. They were both stubborn people therefore reluctant to accept truths that conflicted with what they held to be true. Though this time it was mostly his "hang-ups", as she referred to them, that instigated this tension.

They couldn't bring themselves to acknowledge each other's unease until Abbie looked up at her unusually quiet partner. She could see withheld emotions warring within him. His perturbed expression gave that away. Hoping to quickly alleviate the momentary rift between them, she wearily asked, "What is it, Crane?"

He shook his head uneasily. "If we are to be honest with one another, Lieutenant, then I-I must confess that I have experienced a moment of doubt as well."

She raised her eyebrow questioningly. If he had doubts about them or her, they must be well-founded. She just couldn't think of anything worth doubting for the life of her. "About us or me specifically?"

"Both, if I am to be forthright."

"Alright," she acknowledged calmly, though she felt a twinge of unease, resorting to her logical tactics of detached reasoning. "What doubt?"

Ichabod had not admitted this to her mostly out of fear that it seemed petty and it revealed his insecurities to her. However, it was important that she know the truth. He couldn't bear to commit the same mistake twice.

He licked his lips hesitantly. "Agent Reynolds referred to me once as an 'exit strategy'. At the time, I did not understand the meaning behind his assertion. However, that is no longer the case." He steadily held her gaze, searching for proof of his doubt being true.

She looked at him curiously, clueless as to what he meant. "What do you mean?"

Observing no indication of recognition, he sighed heavily. It appeared his concern, though reasonable, was unfounded. Nevertheless, he needed confirmation. "Lieutenant, am I preventing you from achieving your full potential? Again?"

She looked at him in surprise. Never did she think his doubt would have anything to deal with her potential. She wasn't sure if she should take it as a compliment or insult. She furrowed her brow in confusion. "My potent…the hell you talking about, Crane?"

"In the past, you delayed achieving your desired career for me. Given my recent inability to perceive your true feelings on important matters, it may be that you've confined yourself to this town out of a sense of duty to our mission, not necessarily by choice," he stated matter-of-factly, awaiting her response on bated breath.

She raised her eyebrow incredulously. She had no idea where this was coming from but it seemed that it was something he'd been holding onto for quite some time. She blinked rapidly as she tried to process what he was telling her. "Let me get this straight. You think I'm here because I don't want to be here?

He knit his brow, realizing how she could have misinterpreted his meaning. He attempted to quickly backtrack, "Well, I, no, that is not-"

She swiftly interrupted him. "Really? 'Cause that's what it sounds like right now." She crossed her arms defensively, amazed that he would think that she would put herself through all of this out of some misguided sense of duty or because she felt like she had no choice.

He raised his hands in attempt to ease the intensified situation. He'd managed to worsen the mood with his ridiculous theory. He needed to clarify the situation. "Lieutenant, that is not what I-"

She held her hand up abruptly, silencing him immediately as he lowered his hands. She slowly approached him, her voice low and firm. "Not you or any other person decides my past, present, or future. I am where I am and I did what I did because they were my choices, not anybody else's. Me putting off Quantico was my decision, it was what I thought was best at the time. Me living here in Sleepy Hollow is my choice. I want this life, I chose this life, and I chose you. We clear on that?" She widened her eyes to emphasize her point, providing him with no chance of challenging her assertion.

He nodded once as he looked down upon her tiny form, wordlessly accepting her word on the matter. She had a control over him that both assured and excited him. Her presence, as small as it was, was powerful and unmoving. She needn't convince him of her claim.

A ripple of fear mixed with arousal spread down his body. Farewell, decorum. Acknowledging both her assertion and the control she had over him, he managed to uneasily breath, "Indeed."

"Good," she replied assertively, "Now, get over here." She closed the distance between them and hastily pulled him into her arms, her cheek firmly resting against his chest.

At first, feeling off guard he stood absolutely still. Then he automatically wrapped his arms around her, enfolding her in a tight embrace. He rested his bearded cheek atop her head, relieved to be in sync with her once again. He could sense their bond grow stronger.

It was necessary they air these long held misconceptions. It felt as if they'd destroyed a giant barrier between them. Contentment filled their hearts. She squirmed happily for a moment before sighing in relief as if sensing the exact same.

After thoroughly basking in each other's understanding, she mumbled against his soft shirt, "Are we done?"

He knit his brow as he murmured into her hair. "Done?"

"Mmm. This, bringing up the past, my jealousy, are we done?"

He softly rested his lips against the top of her head. "I shall leave that decision in your very capable hands, Lieutenant."

She huffed and said with finality in her voice. "Fine, it's done. No more."

"Very well."

"I don't like bringing up the past but this felt right. Necessary."

"I concur."

"S'right," she said wriggling in his arms, "You keep on concurring with me and maybe I'll let you stick around."

His chest rumbled with a soft chuckle. "Mmm, I hope you do." He adored her completely in that moment.

She couldn't help but teasingly add, "Then again, who knows if you want to share your life with me? Maybe you're doing this out of some misguided sense of duty?"

His smile faded as he pulled away slightly and looked down at her. He could not allow her to doubt his intentions. She deserved to feel certain of his love for her, anything less would be unacceptable.

He lowered his hands until he held hers in his. He studied her face solemnly, hoping to convey his seriousness. "Our bond surpasses that of duty, Lieutenant. You and I were chosen to find each other and to remain together through the insurmountable challenges that await us. We were selected by God's very hand to not only defeat evil but to find love in one another. And if I were to die in this moment, I would die a very fortunate man. I have found my soulmate despite the impossibility of my very existence."

She flashed a quivering smile at him, tears gathering in the corners of her eyes. "You always find the right things to say, don't you?" she said softly, her heart preventing any other word from escaping without her voice breaking.

He gazed into her glassy eyes, assuredly confirming everything he held in his heart for her. "My only desire is to remain at your side for the rest of my days, Lieutenant. I am entirely yours."

They entwined their fingers, smiles overtaking their features. He lifted her hands to his lips and kissed her soft skin with a look of ecstasy on his face. She breathed in shakily, though his words had put her heart to rest, his kisses were awakening something else entirely.

He continued laying kisses upon her hands reverently as he murmured against her skin, without stopping to think twice, "If I didn't know any better, Lieutenant, this sounds as if this could be leading to a proposal."

She gripped at his hands tightly, putting an abrupt end to his caresses. His eyes flew open in realization as he lowered her hands. He had not meant to spring that upon her. His lips parted as panic overtook his senses. He awaited her quick dismissal but it never came.

She simply gazed at him curiously. "Like...marriage?"

He raised his eyebrow and tilted his head suggestively. Though he would take those vows with her in a heartbeat, he understood her aversion to rushing into such a commitment. She required time to solidify what she felt for him. He would not rush her into making such a commitment to him.

He did his best to communicate his lightheartedness behind his comment, not wanting her to feel pressured. "You voiced it, not I."

Realizing that he was quickly trying to put up a front for what he'd unintentionally suggested, she stopped to consider his words. He wanted marriage, probably the whole white picket fence deal with a bunch of little Ichabods running around. But was that what she wanted? After experiencing that blatant manipulation in hell, she couldn't say for sure that she'd be willing to give him everything he wanted. Though, it seemed like they already had foundation for it. They had the house - no white picket fence yet - and they had the commitment to each other. But kids, that was something she'd never really pictured as a possibility.

After experiencing what the life of a Witness had done to Crane's botched attempt at fatherhood, she could see the benefit of holding off on kids but for how long? Who knew how long these next tribulations would take? Who knew if they would even survive it? The more she thought about it, the more she realized she could never put a child through the instability she'd experienced as a child, let alone the instability of the life of a Witness. She just hoped Crane was on the same page as her.

"What about kids? How do you feel about kids?" she asked abruptly.

His smirk faded as he realized that she was truly considering what their commitment could entail. A bond like theirs could easily lead to marriage which naturally led to progeny. Though gazing into her eyes, he could sense her hesitancy and doubt on the matter.

He reassured her, "Children with you would be a blessing beyond my wildest imaginings. However, given our line of work and my past experience as the father to one of the four horseman of the apocalypse, you can rest assured that it is a decision I would leave entirely in your capable hands. If you desire children, then I shall give my very life to protect and care for them. But if you have no desire to up bring children in our unpredictable world, then I agree with you wholeheartedly."

"So you're good either way?"

"Yes, I am good either way, Lieutenant."

She breathed a sigh of relief. "Okay, well, in that case, I don't want kids. Not right now. Maybe when this is all over but not until then."

"Very well, as do I."

She nodded, heat rising up her cheeks realizing she'd have to add a bit more detail. "Not having kids doesn't mean we can't...you know...do things," she said, berating herself silently for her sudden prudishness.

He smiled knowingly. "Lieutenant, I was a married man for several years before we conceived a child. Abstinence between a young married couple wasn't common."

She pursed her lips, trying to hide her embarrassment. Of course, he didn't need her to explain how all that worked. "Right, of course, you-that...right."

He slipped his hands from her grip and rested them lightly on her back. It sent shivers up her spine. He lowered his lips to her ear. "And, in view of the onslaught of incessant advertisements on your various forms of media, I am quite familiar with the contraceptives your generation has invented to prevent such conception from ever occurring."

She audibly swallowed, a shuddering breath escaping her lips. "Right."

He gently kissed her ear, as he lowered his voice, "There is also the matter of pre-marital relations. You've made your position on that issue quite clear. Fortunately, I am of the same mind."

"God," she breathed, her fingers gripping his arms tightly. Her eyes fluttered open in realization. "I mean, good. That's good."

He continued to lay gentle kisses against her neck, pulling her closer to his firm body. She whimpered helplessly, tilting her head slightly to give him better access. He licked at her salty skin and laid a kiss on the same spot. "Though, I wouldn't object to a proposal," he murmured seductively, as he nosed at her soft earlobe.

She breathlessly replied, her eyes closed blissfully. "You're kind of putting me on the spot here, Crane," she managed to rasp out.

He smirked against her skin. He continued kissing her neck, walking her back against the kitchen counter. "Forgive me, Lieutenant. My humor is lacking at the moment." He brusquely lifted her and sat her on the edge of the counter. "I am entirely yours whether you put a ring on it or not."

Ignoring his cheesy line, she locked her knees on his hips, pulling him closer. She gripped at his shirt, lowering his lips closer to hers. He rested his palms against the marble, entrapping her within his arms. Without touching his lips, she sweetly breathed into his mouth, "At least give me enough time to rent out the Jumbotron at the next hockey match."

"Oh, Lieutenant, I require no audience." He groaned and chased her lips with his, eager to put an end to her torturous teasing.

She evaded his lips, kissing his chin instead. He moaned in frustration until her lips traveled down his jawline to his ear. She captured his earlobe between her teeth, gently tugging on it as her lips quickly traveled down the tense chords of his throat. She sucked gently on his skin, leaving damp, red marks in her wake. He sighed embarrassingly loud, quickly biting his lips to prevent louder moans from escaping.

Her eager kisses turned into her dragging her lips against his throat whilst she recounted a memory that had plagued her for a while now.

"You know, first thing I saw when I went into Pandora's tree was this house. I thought I was dreaming," she sighed against his skin, remembering her daze.

"Then I looked down and saw a ring. The same one that has saved my life more times than I can count. But when I saw it, I was scared out of my mind. It meant I was committed to someone, for better or for worse."

She kissed his throat as her lips traveled along his other jaw line.

"Then you were there. I didn't want to believe it. But that's what they counted on, me refusing to believe it. Me deciding to destroy my own happiness because of my doubts," she whispered against his ear, sending him into a whirlwind of emotions ranging from arousal to sadness.

She pulled away and rested her forehead against his as she untied the laces of his shirt.

"God, he really knew how to play me. Found all the insecurities I'd ever felt and just shoved it in my face. I believed it for a while, thought I wasn't worthy. And then this happened, us, and it's better than what I could have ever imagined."

Once his shirt was open, she rested her fingers against his chest, gently scratching it, enjoying the feel of his manly hair beneath her fingers. His hands found their way to her waist as he gazed at her, his eyelids half shut in arousal. Her palms slid up until her fingers threaded themselves through the hair on the nape of his neck.

She pulled away and stared into his darkened gaze. "For the first time in my life, I feel worthy. Of love, of you, of everything. This, me and you, this is real. I don't need anybody telling me what I deserve. I make those decisions. I don't need an audience or a Jumbotron to witness it. I just need you."

She looked at him confidently. He cupped her face in his hands, closed his eyes, and leaned in to finally capture her lips. She gripped at his hair lightly as he worshipped her soft pillowy lips, expertly tugging at them with his eager, pink ones. She moaned in satisfaction, the fluttering in her stomach urging her forth. He lightly ran his tongue along the seam of her lips, eager to deepen the kiss. She parted her lips allowing him access to her addictive warm taste. He groaned with pleasure. They kissed deeply, intensely, as if it was their first and last.

Okay, okay, I promised smut and this was more like teasing smut. Promise the next one is entirely dedicated to these characters finally consummating their…you know what? How about I just let you read on? :P