"Are you sure you're okay? Like at least eighty-five percent positive?"

Rolling his head across the pillow, the corner of his mouth lifted. "All in a day's work, Leftenant."

The roll of her eyes spoke volumes as to her lack of amusement.

"Tell that to the witch I just had to call and inform." Abbie gestured toward his face. "You look like you just faced off in the mma finals and got the crap beat out of you."

Ah, yes. Though, he was unsure of what the mma finals were exactly, he got the point. He was sure he looked awful and knew he felt even worse. His knuckles were still lightly bleeding as evidenced through the bandages and his nose felt as though it was swollen to twice its normal size. In all honesty, those were the least of his aches due to the pressing throb in his ribs telling him they were badly bruised and would likely give him trouble for some time to come.

This was, of course, all the result of his and Abbie's latest round in the battle to keep Sleepy Hollow free of being overrun by evil, a more trying task than he'd have imagined before today. At least, up to this point, neither of them had been hospitalized due to injury, save that one incident with the plague. They were now on a whole new playing field as the Wendigo they'd faced earlier in the night had taken none too kindly to the tazer he'd found in Abbie's glove compartment when his pistol had run out of ammunition. The beast had turned on him with a furious roar, catching him in the nose and knocking him clear across the Jeep. It had then taken to trampling him while Abbie fired from behind, desperate to remove the creature from his person.

"You've nothing to fear, Leftenant," he assured with a sigh. "Once Katrina sees me, she'll be so busy scolding me for my lack of informing her of my whereabouts as well as missing her doctor's appointment that she'll hardly notice my injuries." The thought brought on an unexpected headache. "It's highly likely she may add a few more of her own."

With a shake of her head, Abbie paced toward the window. "Good luck with that. Next time, we do it my way instead of rushing in their half cocked."

It was hard for him to admit he was actually afraid. However, the dampness under his armpits and over his brow told the story for him. Katrina was a force to be reckoned with when she was angry, or on any given day to be honest. Her wrath could make the most staunch man quake in his boots. Though, he could hardly blame her this time as he had neglected to inform her of the dangers involved in his day.

Knowing doom was surely approaching him, he allowed his eyes to wander over the tray of dinner the nurse had brought. The sight of the small cup of ice cream on the bedside table brought a small relief to his chest. "Oh, is that mine?"

"Yeah," Abbie said as she nodded toward the door. "But you might want to hold off on that."

"Ichabod?"

The small, rushed sound of her voice drew his gaze to the doorway where he found his wife, her eyes wide and worry filled, moving toward him with a brisk step.

"What has happened to you?" Her green eyes darted all about him as she reached out to run her fingers over his cheek. "Oh, my love."

Any movement brought a sting to his shoulder, but he pushed it aside as he lifted his hand to cover hers. "I assure you I'm fine."

Doubt laced her features as she ran her fingers over the bandages covering his arm, her eyes flickering from his head to his feet.

"I've had far worse, if you recall," he added lightly, hoping to draw a smile to her face.

It wasn't to be.

"This is no time to make light," she scolded, her gaze sharpening as those green eyes cut through him as surely as a knife would. "How did this happen?"

"It was my fault." Abbie stepped up to his other side. "I was unprepared and he paid the price."

"Oh, Abigail, I'm sure that is far from the truth." Katrina's eyes returned to slicing him to shreds. "Ichabod has a tendency to get himself caught up in situations he has no business being in."

"I'm a Witness-"

"And that gives you the right to act a fool?" She narrowed her eyes, effectively silencing his previous course. "Do not mince words with me. I know well enough who you are and what your role is."

He wanted to groan. He truly did. Then, after that, he wanted to roll off the bed in a tantrum to challenge all tantrums. She could be so condescending when she chose. It was an innate talent she possessed, but refused to acknowledge.

However, instead of doing all of that, he lowered his voice to bear one resembling a scolded child, the only reason being due to the hopes that she wouldn't interrupt him so long as he appeared a little regretful. "We were caught off guard by the power of the beast. We didn't foresee its strength."

"Yeah," Abbie added, the discomfort clear in her posture and voice as she ran her hands over the bed railing. "It was definitely hyped up on something."

Katrina glanced between the two of them, her hands leaving him altogether and crossing over her chest, her eyes cold as ice instead of the warm green he so adored.

Oh dear.

"And the reason you didn't inquire with me as to the facts regarding the creature...?"

He glanced at Abbie in the hopes of finding some common ground from which they could build only to find her avoiding Katrina's eyes altogether as she fiddled with the bar alongside his bed.

"We had books," he tentatively began only to be cut off by his wife's voice raising in pitch.

"Books!?" Katrina threw up her hands. "I'm a witch with personal experience in the supernatural. This has been my life since I was a girl and yet you chose to consult a book rather than your wife? It's a wonder you're even alive, Ichabod Crane. Then, to have gone and endangered Abigail as well in your foolishness!"

"Katrina," Abbie said, her eyes steady. "Crane and I make decisions together. He didn't endanger me."

One would think that would have put an end to Katrina's placing the blame solely on his shoulders, which was admittedly an accurate spot to place it, but it wasn't to be as she tilted her head, the fire in her eyes only sparking hotter.

"I'm sure he led you to believe that, but I know how persuasive he can be when he has his mind set on a certain path." She cut her eyes at him again, leaving him to feel like a small boy under her scolding. "He's a terrible influence where I've observed you to be more reserved and calm in your approach." Her gaze flickered back to Abbie, her eyes softening. "He doesn't deserve your defense in this instance, dear Abigail. I'm simply grateful you're not in the bed next to his."

"Right," Abbie muttered as she ran her hand over the back of her neck. "I'm gonna head down to the cafeteria and find something to eat." She pointed at Katrina. "You need anything?"

At tight smile thinned over Katrina's face. "Thank you, but no. I intend to stay here and feast on my husband's ego for a while."

Clipped and to the point rather than gracious. He internally winced with the knowledge that he was in deeper trouble than he would have imagined.

"Ok, then," Abbie said, backing toward the door. "I'll be back later."

"Leftenant," he called, wishing she wouldn't leave him and going so far as to endure shooting pain as he sat up to gesture toward his tray. "I have dinner here."

Abbie raised an eyebrow as she opened the door and slipped through it. "No, thanks."

With that, she pulled the door closed, leaving him alone with his very flushed, very vexed wife. Her still crossed arms were making him feel more tension from that gesture alone than he did in his whole body. She was certainly a menacing presence.

"My love, we had it all well in had until the very end." He pulled loose a bothersome cord that was caught beneath his arm. "I made the mistake by overlooking some vital information."

"You should have consulted me," she whispered, her eyes piercing his blankets the way he assumed she might do to him given the chance. "I may be carrying our child, but I'm not useless."

Taken aback by her train of thought, he watched doubt play out over her stormy features. Surely, she didn't assume he thought her useless? How many times had he praised her magic over the past weeks? All of the progress she'd made recently had been such a wonder to behold and he'd been doing his best to understand and comment on it with a supportive spirit.

"Of course, not," he protested while gently wrapping his fingers around her forearm and tugging her closer to the bed. "It wasn't anything reflecting against your abilities, Katrina. I simply can't stand the thought of you in harm's way."

"I don't need coddling," she groaned, frustration seeping from her as she gave a small stomp of her foot. "I was the leader of the most powerful coven in the colonies. I arranged all of your higher meetings. I made sure all was well with you." She lifted her shoulders and dropped them with a heavy sigh. "I know I'm being silly, but I just feel so utterly useless at times and seeing you so hurt brings me to shame when I know I could have helped prevent this."

"Katrina," he whispered as he smoothed his hand up and down her arm. "You're doing the bravest thing I could ever dream of. You're bringing a new life into the world."

"Something millions of women have done before me and millions will continue to do after I'm long gone," she countered, her discontent not lessening in the least. "It's nothing special."

"I beg to differ." He chuckled and brought her fingers to his lips. "No woman has ever brought forth such a special child, one borne of a witch and witness."

"Ichabod-"

"And I might say one so beautiful as ours will surely be." He raised an eyebrow. "We're both quite attractive, you know. The poor boys of Sleepy Hollow stand little chance of surviving her."

The fight she put up with her growing grin was admirable, but she lost it completely when he tapped her belly and said, "But she'll pay them no mind as her father forbids it."

Her laugh slipped through her lips, drawing his gaze to her shining eyes.

"All I ask is that her mother allow me the chance to make the world safer for her while she grows within her womb." When Katrina's smile faltered, he squeezed her hand. "I know you can handle yourself, perhaps even better than I handle myself, but is it so wrong that I want the chance to be able to protect my two loves? That I desire the purpose it gives me in life to defend and honor you?"

Katrina shifted her stance as her eyes lowered, a plethora of thoughts flickering in that sea of green. How he hoped she didn't oppose him on this point. It truly was a real reason he would rather she not involve herself in the matters he and Abbie tended to dive headfirst and blind into with little time for pause.

"You have to be more careful." She pulled his hand to lay over her belly, allowing his palm to press against the swollen place their child rested. "We won't survive without you."

"Come here," he whispered, tugging on her hand in an attempt to get her on the bed with him.

"I don't want to hurt you," she protested as he shifted over, ignoring his pain, and made room for her.

"Katrina." He caught her concerned eyes so she'd see how serious he was. "Come here."

A heavy sigh slipped through her nose as she hesitantly climbed onto the bed, being careful to avoid his wires. It took a bit of maneuvering and a great deal of care regarding his injuries, but they managed to make it work.

When she was finally situated beside him, he lifted his arm and placed it around her shoulders so she could press against his side.

"Am I hurting you?" she whispered, her fingers fiddling with the blanket he'd pulled over her.

He cocked an eyebrow at the way she was laying, all stiff and hardly touching him. It was interesting how she picked and chose her times to be considerate. Minutes earlier, he'd been sure she'd wanted to lay hands on him and make him long for the previous injuries he'd sustained.

"I promise, you're not." He pressed a kiss to her head as he pushed her hair back. "It's mostly my right side that's hurt and it's really just a great deal of bruising more than anything else."

Her nod gave him the first relief he'd felt, prompting him to reach for the small cup of ice cream which was surely melting by this point.

"Here." He handed her the spoon as he held the cup out for her to take a bite. "It's the flavor you like."

She eyed the cup for a moment. "But it's yours."

Rolling his eyes, he impatiently shook the cup at her. "Must you argue against my every word?"

With a huff, she relented and scooped a spoonful.

Satisfied she was eating, he asked, "How was your doctor's appointment?"

She twisted the spoon between her lips and shrugged.

Quite off put that she was unwilling to share, he whispered, "I'd have given anything to be there."

A small smile lit her face as she turned and brushed a kiss over his mouth, leaving the taste of vanilla on his lips.

"I heard the baby's heartbeat again." Her eyes flickered up to him. "I read in one of the baby books that she can hear my voice better than anyone else's."

He raised an eyebrow. "Really?"

Katrina nodded and scooped another spoonful of ice cream. "She can hear yours, too."

"Oh?" He ran his fingers over her belly, already having read the book she spoke of, but deciding against taking her moment to shine with knowledge of something modern. "Well, then, I might have to begin teaching her all my heathenness ways sooner than anticipated."

While Katrina merely laughed, he took this conversation to heart. So, he set the cup down and adjusted to rest his head against Katrina's chest.

"What are you doing?"

Tracing his fingers over her swollen belly, he began singing,

"Golden slumbers kiss your eyes,

Smiles awake you when you rise;

Sleep pretty wantons, do not cry,

And I will sing a lullaby,

Rock them, rock them, lullaby.

Care is heavy, therefore sleep you,

You are care, and care must keep you;

Sleep, pretty wantons, do not cry,

And I will sing a lullaby,

Rock them, rock them, lullaby."

By the time he had reached the end of the poem, her fingers had began to soothingly run through his hair and her breathing had calmed to a steady rhythm.

"What was that?" she whispered, her fingers scratching over the back of his neck.

He pressed a kiss to her skin before lifting his head to rest on the pillow next to hers. "She'll have to learn my voice somehow."

Her smile was bright as she lifted a hand to caress his cheek. "I love you."

If this was what it took to make her smile, he'd face a dozen demons of the night.

Next up: Katrina accompanies Ichabod to work. Encounters with Caroline and Abraham. There may just be a little jealousy from one of the Crane's.

Note: The poem is Cradle Song by Thomas Dekker; 1603.

Also, someone asked about Jenny. She was supposed to be in a previous chapter, but, as it sometimes happens, I hated what I'd written and scrapped it for another idea. I'm sure she'll pop up soon, though. Apart from Katrina, she's my favorite to write about which is why I like making them friends. Though, that could be due to the cute friendship between Katia and Lyndie more than anything to do with the characters ;)

One more thing: thanks for the reviews that have been given. They can be really great when you feel like your story is horrible or uninteresting. So, thanks again for the kind words :)