Crane spoke with Abbie for quite a while, until she convinced him she really should go and get some sleep. He didn't want to let her off the phone, but knew she needed rest to recuperate. When he hung up with her, his thoughts turned to Julie. He realized she was right to leave. Last night was not a mistake. It was real but it was somehow separate from reality. Tonight would have been very real. Tonight would have been a mistake. I cannot live within the distraction that her touch provides. I have not yet grieved for my beloved, and there is much to be done in this war. He made himself something to eat, took a shower and went to bed.

In the morning he went back to Tarrytown as planned.

"Good day, Captain Irving."

"Crane, I'm pretty sure I will never again hold that title. Please, call me Frank."

"Regardless of the status of your employment, it is a term of respect. However, if it makes you uncomfortable, I will stop."

"I'd prefer Frank."

"Very well."

"Hey, is Julie alright? She was kind of upset yesterday."

"Ms. O'Connor is in good spirits considering all she has been though recently."

"And she's OK with what happened between you two?"

Crane hoped that didn't mean what he thought it meant. "To what are you referring?"

"You know what I mean, Crane. You went to bed with her."

Ichabod was shocked. "She told you?"

"No, but you just did."

Crane closed his eyes and pursed his lips in frustration. He wasn't sure if he was more angry at Frank for tricking him, or himself for falling for it. "How did you know?"

"It is, or was, my job to be observant. After twelve years I know that woman better than I'd like to admit. And you, Ichabod, well, let's just say you probably wouldn't be very good at poker."

Crane had no idea what that meant, and wasn't sure he wanted to know. "Captain...Frank. I assure you that what happened between me and Ms. O'Connor was..."

"Woah, woah, woah...Time out, Crane. I don't need to know any details, but I do need to make something clear." Frank took a step towards Crane and looked him in the eyes. "Do NOT hurt her. Do you hear me? She has been through enough."

Crane met his stare. "I have no intention of hurting her. You have my word."

"Just be careful, Crane. Please."

"You really care for her, don't you?"

"You have to understand, I saw her during the worst moments of her life; things a woman should never have to go through. I still see a part of that every time I look at her. Makes it kinda hard not to be protective."

"Of course."

When Ichabod returned to Abbie's house, he thought about what Frank had said. He did not want to cause Ms. O'Connor any pain. He wondered if a discussion of future intentions may be a way to prevent any negative feelings. But what were his future intentions? Did he even have any? He hadn't thought about it. It was too soon. Julie certainly did not seem upset, nor did she express any desire to make changes to the status of their friendship. This was something he would have to carefully consider before bringing it up to her, if he would even do so at all.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Over the next few weeks, Jenny and Abbie were released from the hospital. They both stayed at Abbie's house with Crane so he could easily attend to their needs. He slept very uncomfortably on the couch while Jenny stayed in the guest room. A few weeks later Jenny was back on her feet and able to return to her apartment. Crane gladly relocated to the newly vacant bedroom.

He and Abbie actually got along very well as roommates. They were both neat freaks, so there wasn't any bickering about cleaning. They were very considerate of one another when it came to choosing what to watch for movie nights, which were usually Wednesdays and Saturdays. Crane was very eager to continue to try new foods, and Abbie knew the best places in the area to get take-out. It was nice. It was comfortable. It worked.

A few months later, when Jenny felt up to it, she asked Abbie, Crane and Julie to come over for dinner. She would have invited Irving as well, but despite there being some substantial progress made toward his release, for now he was still residing at Tarrytown.

It was the first time Crane had seen or spoken to Julie since she left Abbie's house that night. It seemed to be mutually understood that some distance was probably the best thing for them. Julie hadn't even called Abbie. By the time this dinner happened, everyone was just happy to see one another. The foursome had a nice, uneventful dinner with some drinks and laughs. A rare occurrence given what was usually going on around them. None of them took it for granted.

"Well," Julie said as she stood up from her kitchen chair. "I have a long drive. I'd better get going."

"We should go, too." Abbie agreed. "You about ready, Crane?"

"Quite."

"OK, let me help my sister clean up a bit, and we'll go."

"I'll walk Ms. O'Connor to her car and meet you outside."

Julie said goodbye to Abbie, thanked Jenny, and walked outside with Ichabod.

As they crossed the street, Ichabod seized the opportunity. "I think we need to talk."

"Oh, no."

"What?"

"Crane, it seems like whenever you start a conversation like that my clothes start falling off."

Ichabod smiled. "Not this time, I assure you."

"Good. I'm finally to the point where I'm not thinking about what happened on a daily basis. So, what is it?" She turned and leaned against her driver's side door.

"Well, we hadn't spoken since that night at Abbie's house. I want to tell you that I completely understand why you left. What we had started - it would have been a mistake."

"I know. I'm glad you agree."

"Secondly, I want to ask you a question. I have had some time to come to terms with Katrina's death and have begun to look toward the future. Perhaps, When I am ready and I'm not battling actual demons on a semi-daily basis, perhaps I may call on you to join me for dinner?"

Julie smirked. "Are you asking me out on a date?"

"Yes, a proper date. Not now, but someday."

She looked at him with a sad smile. "When, in seven years? I'm sorry, Ichabod. I can't."

Crane began to respond but just then Abbie walked out and toward her car in front of Jenny's building.

"Take your time," she said. "I have few calls to make."

Ichabod nodded.

"Why are you doing this?" Julie asked Ichabod as his attention returned to her.

"You are a kind and lovely woman. I enjoy your company."

"And?"

"And, I feel I should ask you."

"You feel you should. Should. So you're not doing it because you want to, but because it's what you think you're supposed to do?"

"I don't..."

"Ichabod, listen to me. As much as I would love to say yes - and I would LOVE to say yes - I can't go on a 'proper date' with you..." she pauses for what seems like an eternity, "when I know your heart belongs to someone else."

"But, Katrina is gone. And she gave me her blessing to open my heart to another."

"Oh, Ichabod. I wasn't talking about Katrina."

Crane didn't understand.

"And I'm fairly certain Katrina wasn't talking about me, either."

"What are you saying?"

Julie smiled sweetly and motioned her head over to the silver SUV which was waiting for Crane.

"...Abbie?"

"Of course Abbie," Julie laughed. "You really don't see it yet, do you? I see it every time you look at each other. No matter if we went on one date or one hundred dates, you would never look at me the way you look at her. You would never hold me with your entire soul the way you held her that day in the hospital."

"Julie, I...I don't know what to say."

"It makes perfect sense. You share a bond like no two people have ever shared in the history of...ever. You can't tell me you've never thought about it, about being with her."

"There have been fleeting thoughts, I admit. She is a wonderful, beautiful woman, but I couldn't..."

"You couldn't when you were married and it was improper. Well, now you aren't, and it's not."

"She is my partner, my closest friend. And you and I have..."

"Yes, you and I had sex. But think about it, what would have happened if she was the one that kissed you instead of me? Your partner and best friend? It would have gone a lot differently and you know it."

Crane was speechless.

"Don't get me wrong. Our night together was unbelievably amazing and I will never regret that it happened."

"Nor will I."

"But you said it yourself; to you, I am a distraction. And truthfully, to me, you're a fantasy. Sometimes I still wonder if you're actually real. That's not quite the makings of happily ever after. I care about you, Crane, and I know you care about me. We were there for each other through some really horrible stuff. But you will never look at me the way you took at her - with complete and utter devotion...and love. And it's not because she's your co-Witness. It's simply because she means more to you than anyone else in the world."

Ichabod was quiet for a few moments. "Perhaps you are right," he finally said. "I cannot imagine my life without her. Even so, I have the utmost respect for her. I would never want to say or do anything inappropriate. What if she does not feel the same?"

"Are you kidding? She feels the same."

"Did she tell you that?"

"No. She won't admit it yet, either. God, I feel like clunking your heads together like in a three stooges skit." She put her hand to her forehead and ran it through her hair.

"Stooges?" Crane looked at her to explain.

She held up her hand. "Never mind. Look, I'm not saying that you should get in the car and confess your undying love. I'm just saying that at some point it will probably happen for you two, and when it does it's going to be wonderful."

Crane smiled as he began to feel the affection for Abbie that he had been holding back. Now was not the time to act upon it, of course, but it gave him a warm feeling to admit to himself that the bond he felt with her was more than that of his fellow Witness.

"Thank you, Ms. O'Connor." Ichabod smiled sweetly. "You have been a good friend, and now you have opened my mind to a wonderful possibility."

"You're welcome, Ichabod."

A small smirk came to his face as he said, "It hasn't gone unnoticed, however, that you broke your rule. Apparently the answer is not always 'yes.'"

Julie grinned and blushed. "Yeah, I guess not." She looked into his beautiful eyes. "I just think we both deserve to be happy." She laughed, "...Eventually."

Ichabod smiled. "You truly are remarkable, you know that."

"Thank you. You, too."

Crane raised his hand up to touch her cheek. She leaned into his palm and kissed it softly. He lifted her face to his and kissed her lips slowly and gently. As the kiss ended, they stood there for a few moments; eyes closed, foreheads touching, his hand still on her cheek.

She placed one small kiss on his cheek and whispered, "You'd better go."

"Indeed." Crane straightened up and said as he bowed his head, "Farewell, Ms. O'Connor."

"Take care of yourself, Crane."

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Julie watched Ichabod Crane walk away from her, as if it was the end of a movie. This fascinating figure who appeared in her world one day in his frock coat and boots, now walking off into the proverbial sunset. She was really fine with letting him go. She never believed for a moment he would ever really be hers. He couldn't live in her world and she couldn't live in his. Logically, she had known that all along.

"Ms. O'Connor," Ichabod turned and called from across the street. "I hope you don't mind me saying so, but perhaps you should heed your own advice."

"What are you talking about?"

"I am fairly certain that you, too, have someone in your life that you would not want to live without, and who feels the same about you."

She smirked. He was right. "Understood."

Julie watched Crane get into Abbie's SUV and saw them drive away. She sat in her car and took out her phone.

'Hey.'

'Hey.'

'How are you?'

'Bored. Just happy they're letting me text now.'

'Me too. Any news?'

'The analysis of what they found in their bloodstreams during the autopsies came back. Cynthia's getting the report tomorrow. If it is proven to cause hallucinations and violent tendencies, I may actually get to walk out of here.'

'So glad! When you do, I need you to do something for me.'

'What?'

'Take me out to dinner.'

'Dinner?'

'Yeah. Like, dinner. You and me. Eating food. In the evening.'

'Smartass.'

':)'

'Gotta admit it's not the worst idea you've ever had.'

'I have my moments.'

'Yeah, you sure do.'

'Talk to you tomorrow.'

'Good night, Jules.'

'Night.'