It Started With The Beers

This fic is about Ichabod's and Abbie's bond and friendship strengthening, so much so that it might lead into something more than just really good friend's territory.

Disclaimer: I do not own anything Sleepy Hollow….. just a huge fan

Chapter 1

At the bar

Ichabod held high his pint of beer "To George Washington, commander of the American armies, who like Joshua of old commanded the sun and moon stand still and they forbade."

"Namaste," Abbie cheered giving credit to him and his time for having better toasts but Ichabod quickly confessed that this particular toast belongs to Benjamin Franklin and although he begrudged Franklin's post humus fame he had to acknowledge that the man was an unrivaled reviler, Ichabod tipped his glass slightly, a silent toast to Benjamin Franklin Abbie assumed then he put the glass to his lips and down almost half its contents, "he wasn't the only" Abbie said shaking her head slightly taking just a sip from her own glass then resting it on the counter.

About thirty minutes later Ichabod was on his third glass of beer, Abbie just finished her first. She was okay just watching Crane let his hair down and unwind, he deserves it she thinks, after the past few days they'd experienced, she also kinda felt guilty that she made him do yoga kinda because it was funny as hell watching him trying to get his long frame to make poses that were entirely too unnatural for him, that was her thing and this was his apparently plus she's a bit light headed so she didn't wanna over do it, the one beer had her a little swayed already.

Ichabod was now starting on his forth beer. Abbie was laughing because he was rehashing the tale about the time he hid from Betsy Ross in the Adams family coat closet. Ichabod was about to take another sip from his glass but his attention shifted when Abbie's laughter stop abruptly, he followed her disturbed gaze and saw a young man waving to someone in both his and Abbie's general direction, "look Crane can we get outta here" Abbie said suddenly, Ichabod returned his attention to her and was about to query why they should leave when they were having such a splendid time but the look of discomfort on Abbie's face made him accept her request without voicing his question.

On their way to the exit the young man that was waving a moment ago stepped into their path stopping them from leaving. It was clear to Ichabod that this person might have had a few more beers than he did. After looking him up and down the young man extended his had to a slightly puzzled Ichabod who reluctantly took it for a weak handshake, "I'm Blake" he said "and I am Ichabod Crane"Ichabod replied, with a raised eyebrow he looked toward what seem like a very irritated Abbie.

Abbie grabed Ichabod's jacket sleeve "Crane lets just go" she said clearly annoyed. Abbie and Ichabod tried to go around Blake but said person grabbed Abbie by the arm stopping them from leaving. Abbie wrestled her arm from Blake's grip and reached for her gun, Blake who was apparently sober enough to sense the threat lifted his palms backing away, Abbie smirked with satisfaction "Crane lets go "she said again while heading towards the door, Ichabod still befuddle by the exchange could only nod jerkily and follow her lead, as they reached the exit Blake shouted "still got a nice ass Mills."Abbie didn't acknowledge him she just stomped angrily to where they had parked.

Ichabod mused inaudibly at how such a short person had such a long stride trying to catch up to her. When he reached the car she was already inside, he opened his door, took his seat, turned his attention to her and was about to ask what that was all about but she held up a finger stopping him, seeking a moment to regain her composure Ichabod assumed.

They sat silently for about two minutes, too long for Ichabod, he was really concerned about what got the lieutenant so distressed because of this Blake person so he took the risk and endeavored to ask.

"Why did this Blake character comment on your nice ass" Ichabod covered his mouth immediately he didn't mean to pose such a forward question but it seem the beers had affected him more than he thought. He side eyed Abbie hoping he didn't offend her too much with his ungentlemanly inquisition but she was smiling and he smiled too relieved.

He still felt he needed to apologize and so started; "I am sorry lieutenant…. A wave of her had interrupted and dismissed his apology.

Abbie looked at him with a mischievous glint in her eyes "it's nice to know that you think I have a nice ass though."

Ichabod could feel his face going red but Abbie only threw her head back and laugh diffusing what could be an awkward situation.

"So are you going to tell me what happened back there" Ichabod asked, silently thanking god this question came out right.

Abbie sighed putting her head against the head rest and giving attention to the ceiling of the car as she spoke "He's just a mistake from my past." She turned her head to look at Ichabod; he inclined his head for her to continue "you remember that time I told you about getting caught by Corbin after breaking into a pharmacy" she didn't have to continue as Ichabod interrupted saying with realization in his voice "he's the young man who as you said 'ditched' you" Abbie nodded in agreement.

After a short pause Ichabod continued "I can understand why you would be upset but if you look at things a little differently he did you a great service that day."

"Yeah yeah I know" Abbie replied "he indirectly led me to Corbin and you know the rest but I can still hate his guts cant I?" Ichabod smiled at her little rant.

"What are you smiling about?" Abbie asked him, "It seems as if there is more to the story than you've confessed my dear lieutenant" Ichabod replied.

"There is but it's none of your business" Abbie quipped.

"I think we were pass that" Ichabod pushed.

"Shouldn't you be drunk or some ways there" Abbie asked trying to change the subject.

"I am some ways there but for warrant I think my perception has been heightened." After a beat, Ichabod stated. "He was your first lover wasn't he?"

"Your inquisitiveness seems to have been heightened as well." Ichabod rolled his eyes at her jibe. "But to answer your question yes, yes he is." "Happy now?"Abbie replied acerbically. Ichabod smirked, pride filled as his prediction became the truth.

"How did you know?"Abbie asked curiously.

Waving his had jerkily Ichabod replied "because for a while I too bore the same resentment "Abbie looked at him slightly shocked. "Not for her but for myself I must state." Ichabod continued. Abbie became even more curious, scrunching her brow at his admission.

Ichabod turned his face toward Abbie "I don't think you really blame that Blake fellow wholesomely for what happened, I think you blame yourself too for causing something you now regret and you find it convenient to vent your anger and resentment towards him."

"Whoa… hold up there doctor Phil."Abbie replied teasingly but after a moment, she said without jest; "don't think I don't know that, after all it takes two to tango,"

Ichabod wanted to ask who this doctor Phil person was but he didn't want to interrupt as it was very rare that the lieutenant opened up like this so he remained silent and allowed her to continue.

"I was young and stupid, I thought I was in love, but after I realize what an asshole he is, I started resenting myself or giving him something that was so precious, the one part of me that wasn't corrupted," Abbie gave a false chuckle she shook her head and sighed, there was a thought somewhere in the back of her mind wondering why she was being so open but it felt good to confide in someone, she liked it… strangely.

Breaking her reverie Ichabod asked "so seeing him reminded you of the past, is that why you didn't want to be in his presence?" Abbie nodded, "plus he such an infuriating dick I didn't want him to piss me off and I then I would have to accidentally shoot him" Abbie added. Both she and Ichabod looked at each other and simultaneously burst into a laugh.

After a quiet moment Ichabod said " thank you for sharing so much of yourself with me lieutenant, I know you are not one to be so open and I take it as a great honor for you to unburden your heart to in me with such conviction." Abbie dismissed him with a wave of the hand and a small smile.

"I should thank you too for being here and for listening, I've never had someone I could talk to without been guarded and I must admit it felt great to talk so freely, so thank you Mr. Ichabod Crane for being my best girlfriend tonight"

Abbie said this a bit jokingly but her eyes didn't betray her sincerity and this sincerity wasn't lost to Ichabod who, in return gave her a beaming smile while grabbing her tiny had for a slight squeeze reassuring her that she's more than welcome.

After a couple minutes of comfortable silence Ichabod realized they were still in the parking lot in front of the bar and so did Abbie it seems because she said "I should probably get you home so you can sleep off those beers."

Ichabod nodded in accordance "although I assure you I don't think there is a need for 'sleeping it off' as you say I'm feeling quite sober at the moment" he bantered.

"Any thing you say" Abbie replied as she turned the ignition on, she pull out of the parking lot and started the short drive to Ichabod's cabin.

Sharing in the comfortable silence, Ichabod thought about how Abbie have changed since he first came to know her to up until just a few moments ago, how she went from thoroughly closed off to willingly been able to speak to him as a friend, his quiet musings however where broken when Abbie asked;

"So whose virtue did you steal?"

A/N; your reviews are very much welcomed. Let me know if I should continue.