Ghosts Of The Past

Chapter 5

Lily stirred in bed as she heard rustling in the other room. She got out of bed, startled as she ran towards the sound, worried something might have happened. She gasped and covered her mouth when she saw Ichabod in the kitchen, coffee pods busted open and spilled with a pot for coffee on the gas stove.

Ichabod (mumbling under his breath): Blasted coffee pot...

Lily (clearing her throat): Good morning.

Ichabod (jumping as he hears her voice): Miss Lillian! My apologies. I was just trying to make coffee.

Lily: I see that. Let me help. (She smiles gently as she picks up a couple of unopened coffee pods and grabs two cups to put in the Keurig) Did you get any sleep?

Ichabod (walking over watching over her shoulder as the coffee is made, speaking quietly): Fascinating... (Lily looks over at him as he suddenly realizes how close he's standing and clears his throat before taking a step back) I, um, slept quite well, thank you. (Lily grabs a broom and starts sweeping up before Ichabod takes that broom from her.) Please... I insist.

Lily (stands by the coffee machine glancing at him as he takes quick glances back, smiling. As he finishes sweeping, she put the two cups of coffee on the table and he quickly walks over to her, pulling out her chair for her to sit.) Thank you. (He sits down across from her, watching her) What's the matter?

Ichabod (shakes his head): Nothing. Why do you ask?

Lily (looks down at her coffee): It's just. You're staring at me. Do I look that much like Katrina.

Ichabod: Well. Yes. But there is something deep in your eyes that's different. It's...A kindness and beauty. Katrina had kind eyes also, but not like yours. It's almost...like a curiousness for what's around you. You have an affection for learning and a hunger for truth. One could easily get lost... My apologies. I have said too much.

Lily (feeling like she could melt at his words, she fought the urge to reach across the table and touch his hand): I, uh, I think it's because of the spell. Katrina's spell I mean. I think that's what is drawing us to each other. (She stands and walks to the kitchen sink, looking out the window)

Ichabod: Does it not frighten you? This attraction? (he speaks as he stands and walks over to her)

Lily (turns with her arms crossed on her chest): Attraction? You mean this need to help each other? I mean the sensible part of me is thinking the is crazy...but... (she shrugs as her arms drop to her side and she looks down as Ichabod stands next to her)

Ichabod: What does your heart tell you? (He reaches and hand over barely touching his fingertips to hers as she feels a surge of warmth when their fingers entwine and he stands flush against her)

Lily (whispering as she looks at their hands touching, raising them together towards her chest): That I should...do what I can to protect you...no matter what the cost. (she swallows nervously as he takes his other hand and turns her face towards his, grazing his thumb on her cheek)

Ichabod: 'Tis the same for me as well. (He leans closer to Lily, stopping as his lips are near hers)

Andrew: LILY?!?!? (runs into the house and to the kitchen, startling Lily and causing her to jump protectively in front of Ichabod) What the...?!?

Lily: Andrew! What are you doing here?

Andrew: You didn't show at the hospital and Crane was missing. I was worried something happened and, apparently I was right. Have you lost your mind? Has he taken advantage of you?

Ichabod: How dare you imply...

Lily (walks over to Andrew and tries to keep her arms between him and Ichabod, who stood there with his fists clenched) Stop it! (She points at Ichabod) You... sit down. (She looks at Andrew): And you... how dare you say that! I'm not stupid and no one is taking advantage of anything. There is a lot of stuff happening and you will not understand it. But you're going to have to trust me. Let me handle this and help him. Please.

Andrew shakes his head and lunges at Ichabod knocking him to the floor from the chair as they start fighting. Lily screams as she tries to break them up, nothing working. Her anger grows and she grabs Andrew and as he stands, she puts her hand on his chest to push him, he falls to the ground and slides to the wall. Everyone goes silent as Lily looks at her hand and wonders how she was able to do that. Andrew stands up and looks at her wide eyed.

Lily (shaking her head): Go home Andrew. It's over. Just go. (Andrew takes a deep breath and storms out the door, and Lily turns to Ichabod, walking over to help him stand) Are you alright? (She leads him into the living room and sits him on the couch before she goes to grab her little first aid kit from the bathroom)

Ichabod (nods as Lily starts cleaning his injuries on his hand): He should not have said such things.

Lily (shrugs as she take a little bit of alcohol to wipe the cut on his forehead): He's just upset because I'm acting out of character to him. (Ichabod flinches as the alcohol starts burning and Lily leans forward blowing gently on the cut as she puts her hand on his leg)

Ichabod (putting his hand on hers): May I ask you how you were able to move him like that?

Lily (shrugs): I was angry and just willed him to move. And he kind of flew. I didn't mean it to happen. I guess I need to learn how to control my powers. I hardly know what I'm doing.

Ichabod: Perhaps Katrina's journal will explain. I glanced at it and remember it took time for her to gain full control.

Lily: I hope I didn't hurt Andrew. (She frowns looking guilty as Ichabod places his hand to her cheek, tilting her to look into her eyes)

Ichabod: I'm sure you only hurt his pride. (Lily feels a sudden wave of peace rush over her as Ichabod looks at her and she locks her eyes with his)

Lily (whispering): Do you...feel that?

Ichabod (nodding slowly): It feels like I am standing at the ocean, hearing waves as the sun sets... (he leans closer to her as he speaks) Like I can feel the wind blowing softly.

Lily (leans closer until her lips are just barely close to his, whispering): It's like complete and total peacefulness....

She closes her eyes as he moves his hand from her cheek behind her neck, gently pressing his lips to hers. Lily begins to feel her nerves gently pulsating in her entire body as Ichabod's hands start to move from her neck to her back pulling her closer to him. Ichabod's mouth travels from her mouth to her cheek, then her neck as he hums against her skin. Lily gasps as each kiss feels like a little awakening in her stomach, the feeling almost overwhelming her. She shakes her head and opens her eyes gently pushing Ichabod off her, covering her mouth.

Ichabod (looks at her with fear in his eyes): I'm sorry. I should not have taken liberties with you like that... I hope I haven't frightened you.

Lily (shakes her head as she stands up trying to catch her breath, whispering): I don't understand what's happening... that's just it. I'm NOT scared. I mean, I've kissed someone but, I usually stop because I'm scared to keep going. (She sits back down and takes Ichabod's hands) But this is different. For once I'm not scared at all. (Ichabod smiles gently and brings her hand to his lips, closing his eyes as he kisses it and standing up)

Ichabod: I still should not have taken advantage of the situation and for that I deeply apologize, Miss Lillian. (He looks away and goes to the kitchen to clean up the mess he and Andrew made)