Now in the 19th century, in the year 1800, It was around the middle of March, and all was going well in the state of New York... for the most part. Everybody enjoyed the holidays, and rung in the new year with glee and hope that it will be better than the last. Spring was right around the corner, flowers getting ready to bloom and the snow had finally come to a stop. For now, at least. 

Now you're probably wondering, if everything is going well in New York, why would it be "for the most part?" Well... it was going well for most people, except one particular person. One who was said to be a hero, a great man and leader... no not the president, he's doing alright, I guess. No, its none other than Ichabod Crane. 

If you're asking yourself, "Who the hell is Ichabod Crane?" Think back for a moment. He's a constable in New York, a great one in fact. Hell, he's probably the best one in all of New York! He believes in sense and reason, cause and consequence... thinks in the most logical ways, which some men seem to lack these days. He was sent to Sleepy Hollow, a town in New York, that was a 2 day journey North of the Hudson Highlands. Not very big, but it wasn't necessarily small either. He ended up staying with the Van Tassels and while staying there, he met the most beautiful witch in town. 

Her name was Katrina Van Tassel, the daughter of the mayor, landlord and banker, who goes by the name Baltus. Katrina helped Ichabod get through some tough times during his stay in Sleepy Hollow and they ended up falling in love. However, Lady Van Tassel , Katrina's evil stepmother wanted to inherit all of the van tassel wealth and did it the only way she knew how. See, when the headless horseman was killed, his head ended up getting stolen. By who? You guessed it, Lady Van Tassel. When she was little, she witnessed his death and at that moment, she offered her soul to satan, and made a pact with the headless horseman. If the headless horseman killed all her victims, then she would give him his head back. Long story short, Ichabod ended up giving his head back since there was a fight between him, katrina and Lady Van tassel. She ended up going back to hell with the horseman, meeting her deadly fate. So Ichabod, Katrina and Young Masbeth traveled back to New York, to go and start their new life together. 

But, like I said, it didn't end too well for Ichabod. About a month later after arriving back in New York, Young Masbeth ended up getting sick, I mean, deathly sick. He contracted a deadly disease, which you probably know as yellow fever. And it kills fairly quickly. He was so young, so full of energy, a kind and sweet soul, and he was taken from the earth way too early. It truly left Ichabod and Katrina heartbroken and devastated. But to make matters worse, it ended up destroying Katrina so much so, that she couldn't handle being in a relationship and she left Ichabod, when he needed her most. Young Masbeth was like a son to them, very close to both of them and he helped them through the events in Sleepy Hollow. So for this to happen to the both of them, it was absolutely awful. 

Ichabod loved Katrina, I mean, REALLY loved her. He thought he was going to spend the rest of his life with her, get married, and have a family of their own. But, now, with Katrina leaving him, he fell into a deep and horrible depression. Once again, he felt lonely, incredibly sad, and in a way, betrayed. His house felt so empty with Young Masbeth and Katrina gone... poor Ichabod. 

Right now, Ichabod was in bed, laying on his side, and just staring out the window, with his arm draped over his waist. He was supposed to go to work in 30 minutes but his head and heart were definitely not in the right space. Not only was he not feeling like going to work today, he felt that way for the past 3 weeks! He was so depressed, that he didn't even bother going to work and telling them why he hadn't been showing up. Ichabod wasn't exactly well liked in the law enforcement department. Despite him being very good at his job, the other constables were, how should I say this, very jealous and that would lead to some nasty and snide comments being thrown at him. He would shrug them off since he didn't really let that get to him but now, being depressed, he started thinking about all the hurtful things that were said to him. 

Even though he loved his job, why would he want to go back? Nobody liked him anyway, he was sure as hell they would not miss him if he never came back to work. Right? As Ichabod let out a sigh, there was a knock at the door. Ichabod's eyes shifted to the left, letting out a quiet groan before slowly sitting up, running his hands through his hair. He didn't want to get up, but he didn't want to be rude and ignore whoever was at the door. He stood up from his bed as the knocking continued, making him shake his head. He buttoned up his shirt as he walked down the stairs, before making his way to the door. He opened the door and his eyes widened slightly when he saw who it was. 

See, I might have lied a little bit when I said NOBODY liked Ichabod. Let me rephrase it, MOST people did not like him, but he did have one or two friends, who actually appreciated and respected him and his logical thinking. One of those friends, goes by the name Clark Smith. He had short brown, a little curly hair, white complexion, and he was very handsome. Not to mention he was a very kind, generous, and supportive man. Whenever the other constables jabbed at Ichabod, Clark was always there to have his back and defend him. 

"Clark, what are you doing here?" Ichabod asked and Clark looked at him with worry filled eyes, his hands behind his back. If you were there, you could totally tell how concerned he was for Ichabod. 

"Mind if I come in, Ichabod?" He asked politely and Ichabod thought about it a moment. He really didn't feel like talking, but again, he didn't want to be rude. Especially since Clark was one of his good friends. He gave a nod and moved out of the way, Clark walking inside the house. Ichabod closed the door behind him, before rubbing his hands together. He sat down on the sofa, with Clark across from him and leaning forward with his elbows on his knees. 

"Sorry I'm... not in the most appropriate dress code, Clark. I haven't been, I don't know, myself lately." He said and Clark nodded his head. He could definitely see a difference in Ichabod. He was usually upbeat, strong, willfully able, despite having some unmanly qualities. And now, he looked incredibly defeated. 

"I can see that, Ichabod. You don't look like yourself either. I don't mean that in a bad way, I can just tell that something isn't right. You haven't showed up to work in 3 weeks and the Judge is getting quite frustrated. You're at work every day and now you're not showing up. Do you want to tell me what's been going on?" He asked and Ichabod bit the inside of his cheek, looking to the side a moment. Even though he didn't really want to talk about it, he felt comfortable telling Clark exactly what was wrong, and felt he deserved an explanation. As for the judge, yes and no.

"Okay, so after I came back from Sleepy Hollow, I returned home with this young woman, named Katrina. Do you remember her?" Ichabod asked and Clark gave a small grin nodding his head. 

"I remember her. I met her a couple times when I came to see you. Very sweet and polite. And the young boy, Masbeth, wasn't it?" Ichabod felt his heart sink when he heard that name leave Clark's mouth. He truly cared for that boy and now, he would never see him again. Ichabod let out a sigh before running a hand through his hair. 

"Yeah... Masbeth. Well, I won't go into full detail, but he ended up getting really sick... yellow fever to be exact. He couldn't get out of bed, and he barely had any energy. Within a week, he did not survive. Shortly after, Katrina, she ended up leaving me. I thought we would get through this together, but I guess she felt differently. Every time I think about her, I can't escape the hurt and pain I've been feeling. That's basically why I haven't been showing up to work." He said and Clark was at a loss for words. He ran a hand through his hair, shaking his head. 

"Oh god, Ichabod, I am so so sorry that happened to you. You guys were perfect for each other, and I'm terribly sorry about what happened to your boy. Neither one of you deserved to witness something so horrible." He said softly and Ichabod felt his eyes water, so he looked away, biting his bottom lip. 

"I loved her, Clark. Damn it, I really did. And for her to leave after he died... how can someone do that?" He asked. He wasn't mad at Katrina for leaving. Hurt, absolutely. Betrayed, very much so. But mad? No, he couldn't be mad. He just couldn't really understand how someone who supposedly loved you, could leave after something so drastic. 

"Honestly, I'm not sure. I guess people process things differently. But I can't exactly tell you why. However, I really think you should go to work and at least tell the Judge why you haven't been showing up. Despite how much of a dick he is, I think he at least deserves that." Clark said gently, but also seriously. He didn't want to see his friend get fired. Ichabod quickly wiped away a tear that fell down his cheek before resting the back of his head against the couch. 

"I should, huh? I guess you're right. I don't want to sound like an idiot, but do you mind walking with me? I'll be ready in 10 minutes or less." He said and Clark stood up, walking towards him and patting his shoulder. 

"I don't mind at all, Ichabod. Now, go get ready." Ichabod stood up from the couch before walking upstairs and going to his room to get ready. He changed his shirt, put on his coat and boots, smoothing them out before going to the bathroom to freshen up. He combed his hair, looking at himself in the mirror one last time before walking downstairs. 

"Alright, we can go now. I feel somewhat ready to go back." Ichabod shrugged his shoulders and Clark opened the door, both of them walking out. It didn't take long for them to reach work and when they got there, immediately, some of the constables just stared at him, making rude faces. Clark made a rude face back and they quickly looked away. When they made it to the main office, Clark pat Ichabod's back once more, reassuringly grinning at him. 

"You got this, man." He encouraged and Ichabod nodded, before opening one of the doors. Thankfully, it was just the Judge in the room and he was standing at the podium, his head in his hands. When the door opened, the Judge's head lifted up and he was now met with Ichabod. His eyebrows furrowed, mouth slightly agape. He did not expect to see Ichabod right now, especially since he didn't show up for three weeks. 

"Aah, constable Crane. I was wondering where you've been. What made you decide to show up to work today?" He asked, trying to stay as calm as possible. Ichabod moved his arms so they were behind his back, swallowing a lump in his throat before clearing it. He didn't really prepare what he was going to say, so he had to come up with something and just tell the truth. 

"Sir, I just want to apologize for not showing up to work these past few weeks. I have... just been going through some really rough events. When I came back from investigating the murders in Sleepy Hollow, I don't know if you remember, but I brought a girl back with me. Her name was Katrina Van Tassel. Do you remember her?" He asked and the judge thought for a moment before nodding his head. 

"I've never met her, but you did mention her. She sounded like such a sweet lady. I also remember you telling me about the young boy that came back with you as well." He stated and Ichabod's eyes averted to the ground, giving a small nod. 

"Yeah, um... he ended up getting really sick and sadly, he did not survive. On top of that, not long after, Katrina ended up leaving. She said she couldn't handle the pain and that she couldn't stay in the relationship. It put me in a really bad headspace... so that's pretty much why I haven't shown up to work. Again, I am truly sorry." He said as he looked back up at the judge, whose eyebrows furrowed and he sighed quietly. 

"Mr. Crane, I am truly sorry that these events took place. You really didn't deserve that. I understand things happen, and a part of me can empathize with you. A few years ago, my dear wife passed away. I barely talked to anybody for a full month. So I can see where you are coming from. But you do know that you have a job to do, correct?" The judge asked and Ichabod nodded his head. 

"I 100% understand, your honor. And I know you didn't fire me, even though I am sure I came extremely close. Even though I am still heavily heartbroken, I feel like I need to come back to work, if you will let me. And I hope you will forgive me for being absent." He, in a way, pleaded. He didn't want to have bad blood with anybody, especially his boss. The judge couldn't help but smirk slightly, but not in a nasty way. The judge wasn't very fond of Ichabod, but he was glad that he came back to work, and explained why he had not showed up. 

"I appreciate your apology, Mr. Crane, and I will accept it." Ichabod quietly breathed a sigh of relief as he looked down for a quick second before looking back at the Judge. 

"Thank you sir. I want to prove to you that I am back for good." 

The judge, still smirking, leaned forward on his forearms, shifting his weight onto one foot as he rested against the podium. "Oh you will, son. Now, how do you feel about another case?"

Hey guys! So, I absolutely love Sleepy Hollow, it is one of my favorite Tim Burton movies. And I love Ichabod and Katrina so much, I literally have Ichabod as my screensaver on my phone right now LOL! I thought it would be so cool to write my own Sleepy Hollow story, and yes it will be romance. I am starting a dental assisting program so I will update as soon as I can, But i already have fresh ideas in my head so I can't wait to continue! Please like, comment and share with your friends! And don't be afraid to message me, I love talking to new people! Also, I do not own Sleepy Hollow or any of the characters from the movie.