Hello everyone. I have the new chapter here for you. Hope you like it.

I want to thank: The’Masked’ButterflyMaster, sparrowlight, loganlethalhxc, BleedmetoINSANITY, Necropolis, Midna Hytwilian, Haeronwen and GladeSistas!

I also want to thank pumpkinpuss for her support and wonderful words. Thank you so much for your very encouraging message. It really meant a lot to me. By the way I want you to know that I loved your Sleepy Hollow story. I read it a few months ago and I loved it. :)

Review reply to:

Sparrowlight: Hi, love. Thank you so much for the review, hon. Glad to know you liked Ichabod in the last chapter. :)

Disclaimer: I do not own Sleepy Hollow!

Chapter 12

The living room was dark. A single candlelight was the only proof that someone was sitting there. The constable’s light breathing was interrupted again by a heavy, troubled sigh. He had been sitting there for hours. He didn’t know how long. The only company he had was Christine’s slow footsteps coming from her room, echoing in the silent living room.

Ichabod leaned forward in his chair, his elbows coming to rest on his knees, his face in his hands. He was feeling utterly embarrassed and…crestfallen. His fingers brushed almost unconsciously against his lips, his mouth opening as he remembered how her lips had felt against his.

“Why…? What I don’t know, Christine?” he whispered with pained eyes. He closed his eyes and ran a hand through his hair in desperation. He, of course knew that she might not want what he had done. He knew that she might not want his affection but her last words had confused him. They had made him wonder their meaning. What was he ignorant of? What did she mean by her words?

Because she had responded; she had kissed him back and he had felt it. Then she had pushed him away and fled the room.

“Have I done something wrong?” he murmured as he stood up and walked to the cabinet that was settled in the corner of the living room by the fireplace. He opened it and took out a bottle of liqueur. He took a glass and poured some in, his hands cold all of a sudden. He took a sip and he felt the liquid burn his throat as he swallowed. The footsteps appeared again and he looked up, his eyes settling on the ceiling. She was awake as well. He finished the drink and took a deep breath before walking out of the living room. He walked up the stairs and arrived in front of his destination. He licked his lips and reached with his hand to knock. He hesitated. He sighed and finally knocked once. No answer. He frowned and waited. A minute passed and he knocked again, harder this time.

“Christine? I know you’re awake…please open the door.” He said softly and he heard footsteps approaching the door.

He heard a key slipping into the lock and then Christine appeared in her night clothes, her eyes not meeting his as she stood there.

“Why aren’t you sleeping?” he asked in a hoarse voice and she shrugged.

“I don’t know, sir.” She replied and he closed his eyes at the title.

“Please stop calling me that. I don’t think it’s appropriate anymore.” He said and she looked up at him.

“I am sorry?” she asked but he ignored her question as he walked inside her room. She let her hands fall limply behind her back as he turned around to face her.

“What I don’t know?” he asked and she swallowed, her eyes wide staring at the carpet.

“Excuse me?”

“What is it that I don’t know, Christine?” he asked again and she didn’t know how to respond.

“I…nothing. It’s nothing…” she stuttered.

“Christine…why did you leave like that? Was it because of me?” he asked, his eyes looking at her intently.

“It’s better if we don’t speak of it again.” She whispered, her lower lip trembling and he noticed it.

“Christine…please tell me…is it because of the man you said you…love?” he asked and she bit her lip.

“I…I can’t tell you.”

“But I want to know. I…want to know what you think…what you feel.” He insisted coming closer to her.

“Did I offend you?”

“No! No…you didn’t.” she said looking up to his face.

“Then…if I didn’t offend you…what is it?” he asked and she shook her head.

“It’s not about me…it’s…this is not right and you know it. Your wife…trusts me…and I shouldn’t have…”

“You didn’t! I did. And I know it’s wrong…I know it…but…I can’t take back what I did and to tell you the truth…even if I could…I wouldn’t want to…” he said as he took hold of her arm.

“Sir…I can’t…this is not my place…” she whispered shaking her head.

“What if I wanted it to be…?” he asked, his eyes soft, a flicker of a smile on his lips.

“You can’t…I thought you loved Katrina.” She said and he looked away.

“Loving her, caring for her…does not stop me from having feelings towards you…different feelings…” he said and she stared at him with astonishment.

“Like what?” she asked and he closed his eyes briefly.

“You know what…” he stated in a low voice.

“No, I don’t.”

“Is this because you love him?”

“I don’t love anyone.” She said before she considered twice the words that left her mouth. Ichabod froze and stared at her with a dumbfounded expression.

“What? You lied to me?” he asked or better whispered.

“No, I never lied to you. What I said that day in the park it’s true.” She whispered as she turned away and leaned against the wall.

“But you said you don’t love anyone…” he said as his hand that was holding her arm fell limply at his side.

“Why are you asking this?” she asked suddenly, trying to avoid telling the truth.

“I…kissed you…” he stammered, suddenly the realization of what he did settling into his mind.

“Why did you?” she asked and he licked his lips.

“You know why.”

“No, I don’t. I am sure you don’t love me though.” She said as she hugged herself.

“How can you be so sure?” he asked and she looked into his brown eyes.

“You’re married.”

“Oh…and that…stops me.” He said, pursing his lips.

Were they being very circular in their conversation or was it only her imagination?

“Maybe…” she said, face flushing.

“Do you love me?” he asked and she gulped, averting her gaze.

“Sir…even if I do…it’s meaningless.” She whispered and he stilled, his heartbeat speeding up.

“Why?”

“I think you know why…”

“Yes…yes I do…I know that…but I …want to know you…I want to spent some time with you…” he said and she didn’t know what to say.

“I think…Katrina’s leave has affected you…” she said and he shook his head.

“No…no…this is not about her…”

“Do you not care if she knows what we …let happen?” she asked and he blinked.

“Christine…I think my wife knows what I feel for you…she knows it.” He whispered as he came to stand in front of her. She shook her head and ducked from the brush of his fingertips on her hand, moving to stand next to the bed.

“I think you don’t know what you’re saying…I think tomorrow will be a clearer day…” she said and he frowned.

“Christine…I want to know if you …I want to know if you feel something for me…I want to know.” He said hopefully.

“I …please leave. I know it’s your property but I can’t do this right now.” She asked but he shook his head and came towards her again.

“Tell me.” He demanded as he reached for her cheek.

“Please don’t.”

“Tell me and I’ll leave.” He said, his breath hitting her face and she frowned.

“Sir…did you drink?”

“Answer the question, Christine.” He coaxed.

“You never drink.” She said and he closed his eyes, leaning his forehead against hers, their noses bumping together.

"Christine..."

“I do…” she confessed and a warm smile spread on his face, his hand caressing her cheek.

“You do…”

“But that doesn’t change anything. I work here. Katrina trusts me.” She said pushing away from him but he gripped her wrist.

“Christine…I already know that. She trusts me too…and look…” he trailed off miserably.

“This is what I mean! This was not supposed to happen…I swore that I’d never let anyone know of my feelings.” She said loudly and he let go of her hand.

“No one has to know what happened.” He said to calm her and he looked at him.

“Of course…” she whispered and his eyes widened.

“No…no I didn’t mean that I regret it. I told you that I wouldn’t change what I did…I’m just saying that for now…there’s nothing we can do.” He said as he approached her again, cupping her face in his hands, his lips placing a lingering kiss on her cheek.

“There is something I can do, sir…”

“Stop calling me that! And what is that?” he asked, looking into her eyes, his fingers threading into her hair.

“I can leave…I could stay in my mother’s house.”

“No! You’re not quitting your work here. You can’t go…” he hissed gently.

“But…”

“I don’t want to be alone. This is your house…I want you here.” He whispered as he pulled her forward and into his arms. Christine closed her eyes and clutched at his vest, her fists curling around the fabric. She buried her face in his chest and he smiled softly, tightening his arms around her form.

He nuzzled his face in her hair and inhaled her scent, his mouth kissing her temple before brushing her forehead. She tensed at his kisses but didn’t have the will to push him away again. She was feeling guilty, like she was betraying Katrina and that was what it was for it was happening behind her back.

“Just stay here with me for a while…like this.” He whispered and she nodded against her better judgment. He moved slightly back and slid his hand behind her head before he leaned down towards her. She shook her head but he held her to him.

“I promise I’ll never do it again until…things are clear. I swear.” He whispered against her lips before he closed the gap between them, his other hand wrapping around her waist to bring her closer. Her breath left her when she felt him kiss her and she gasped, her hands tightening around the fabric they holding onto. He broke the kiss and placed small kisses on her face before embracing her again.

“Christine?”

“Yes.” She was breathless.

“I…I don’t think I’ll be able to keep the promise I just gave you.” He whispered, clutching her to him.

“Oh…what are we going to do then?” she whispered as he stroked her hair.

“We’ll see…don’t worry. We’ll find a way.” He said to her and she nodded, closing her eyes against the reality that was cornering them.

End of chapter 12

Author’s note: Thank you for reading! Please review. :)