This is an alternate event, it is not chronologically accurate, it's just an opportunity to explore a different view on things. I hope you enjoy it!
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters of Dr Quinn, just borrowing them
"Michaela Anne Quinn, you did what?"
"I'm sorry mother, I know you don't approve...but it's something I have to do."
"I...I forbid you to go!"
"It's too late now... I'm leaving tomorrow."
It all seemed a distant memory now, when in fact it was only days ago that it took place. It had been one of the hardest decisions Michaela had ever made, but one that was sure to change her life forever. She knew her father would have been proud of her, if only he were alive to see her now.
She sighed...if only. She knew her mother was terrified about her leaving, but Michaela felt the need to help, and this was the best place for her right now. Her mother would understand eventually, wouldn't she?
Michaela looked around the compartment watching the nervous faces of her travel companions; many of them nurses and doctors like herself heading different places. She wondered what it was that was going through their mind. Were they missing their loved ones? Were they running away from something? Or just wanting to help as she was? Michaela pondered these questions herself many a night. It wasn't a decision she hadn't taken lightly, nor would she ever, especially now; now that she was on her way to join the Union Army Medics.
She had received her papers for transport only last week, with only a days notice. When she first volunteered it was because she was angry and hurt. Her father had passed away, leaving her feeling stranded, unwanted and alone. He was her sole support. Her mother had never accepted the fact that she was a doctor, or that she could survive in a man's world without her father at her side. And when her father passed on Elizabeth Quinn, her infuriating yet loving mother, practically demanded she give it up.
It was this that urged her in her final decision, and she found herself caught up in the whirlwind. Stubbornness and pride ruling, yet underlying it all, she knew she could make a difference and she wanted to help in any way she could. It was a sudden farewell to her family and friends, each one wishing her luck, wondering whether she would see them again.
Michaela gave a nervous shudder at the thought. An older woman across from her, Clara, gave her a supportive smile. Clara had been a nurse for many years before joining the army, she had been a monumental force in recruiting medical staff for them, and that was how they first met in the streets of Boston only weeks ago.
Working for the army? No, that wasn't how Michaela saw it. She was helping the many men that were suffering, comforting the ones that would never see another dawn, and working alongside the doctors and nurses that were there to do the same.
"This is the officer's tent," said Clara pointing at a tent they were passing. Michaela only nodded. She hadn't been able to say much of anything just yet, feeling completely overwhelmed by the sights in front of her. She was grateful that Clara was such an old hand at all this, and that they would be working together in the same place.
"And this here's the medics' tent, though you won't see much of it once the battle's in full swing," Clara said as they entered the tent together. Michaela set her things down on an empty cot at the very back of the tent, and then turned back to Clara.
"Who do I report to?" Michaela finally spoke up.
Clara gave her a kind smile, "Dr Bernard is the head doctor, he's in charge of maintaining supplies and things, so if you need anything you can go to him. Though I wouldn't bother most days, he's so busy he aint got time for much else but doctorin'. Just do what ya came here to do," she said.
Michaela smiled. "I see," she replied.
From the distance an ear splitting boom rang out. Michaela and Clara both flinched out of instinct, but quickly pulling themselves together once more. A young man came rushing to the tent yelling "We need all medical staff, now!"
The women ran as quickly as they could to the casualty tent, while others scattered themselves to different areas around the camp, as more men than they could count began rolling in. The injuries were devastating for some, others escaping with simple lacerations to their bodies. Michaela had only just begun but she worked as though she had been here her entire life. She moved swiftly from patient to patient, and she never even had the time to notice that most of the men didn't object to a lady doctor as they did so in Boston. For here, the men were grateful for any sort of medical attention at all.
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Across the camp, laying silently in the brush was one of the army's sharpshooters. He had joined up a little over a year ago after his world was turned upside down. He had lived a relatively quiet life up until the tragic day he lost his wife and child. It was a pain he thought he could never forget, and with the purpose to try and do just that, he had joined the army. He had never killed a man before, nor even felt the urge to use a gun at all, but when the army saw his skill with the weapon, he was promoted immediately from general infantry to sharpshooter. He hated everything about it, but he still had a ways to go before his stint in the army was over, and he was a man of his word.
The position was esteemed by many, but not by him; to him it was a means to an end. Could he somehow find peace here amongst the war? He was numb now, and he felt better than he had since that day, so long ago. There was a light at the end of a tunnel.
"Sully?" came a voice quietly behind him. He crawled his way out of sight and headed to the direction of the voice. He saw the face of his friend and another soldier waiting behind a tree.
"Daniel, what's happening?" he whispered.
"Sergeant McKay wants ya back at camp to rest, got Mitchell to take over for ya," he replied.
"Alright, ya headin' back?"
"Yeah, let's go."
The two men waited as Mitchell took Sully's position and then headed quickly back the way they came. Once in the clear Daniel gave Sully a slap on the back and handed him a canteen of water. "Haven't seen ya in days. Ya sure could use a bath," Daniel grinned.
Sully smiled and took a large swig out of the canteen. "Yeah, I was wondering when I was gettin' called back. Been out for a lot longer this time," he said wiping at his brow.
"Well ya here now," Daniel laughed pleased to see his friend was alive and well. They talked easily together about nothing in particular, as they had many a day since they met, and headed for the camp grounds that lie just over the next hill.
Michaela had been working for almost a day and half by the time they had caught up on the most urgent patients. She had never seen so many desperate faces in so many young men, and it shook her to her very being. She was able to get away for a while and was directed by Clara to the spring nearby to wash up and refresh herself for her next 'shift'. She had headed over there not so much to clean her skin as to clear her mind, away from the busy camp.
She sat on a log with her feet dipped in the spring and her skirt pulled to her knees. She hummed herself a tune, trying to drown out the memories of the cries of the men. Her facade that she held while working was slowly beginning to break as she sat in the still quiet of the woods. She knew she was safe here; it was only a stone's throw away from her own tent, so she allowed herself to relax for just a moment.
Daniel left Sully so he could clean up in peace, leaving him at the edge of the woods leading down to the spring. After passing a few soldiers standing guard, Sully made his way to the water. He was never more grateful to be able to wash up than now, having been in the same position for days on end, he hadn't had the chance to do anything, except the call of nature.
He stripped off down to nothing, he didn't care about prying eyes, he had been with the army long enough to know that these moments were too few and far between to waste. He floated peacefully through the chilled water letting it soak to his core, he could almost feel his body sighing in appreciation. His hair floated around him as he glided through the water. It was a lot longer than it used to be, it sat almost to his shoulders now, but no-one had made him cut it yet so he left it to grow out. He would always tie it back when in camp so the officers didn't seem to mind, but he preferred the way it felt when it was out.
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Michaela had tears streaming down her face, not that she could pinpoint why. She guessed just out of pure release. She needed it, something just for herself. She had begun to feel better since and had decided to wade out a little, hitching her skirt up to its highest point without overly exposing herself. Her pantaloons were pushed high up her thigh so as not to wet them, and she gratefully let the water relieve her weary body. She wished she could swim letting herself drift along, but she knew there was no way she would be able to do that out here.
As she moved steadily through the water she heard a splash around the bend ahead. She moved toward the sound, as she wiped the remaining tears from her face. In an instant she froze. In plain view she saw a man gliding right towards her. She had no choice but see that he wore absolutely nothing and she felt her face flush in embarrassment. Her eyes were anywhere but on him as she tried to quickly exit the water. In her haste she lost her footing and went crashing into the water, clothes and all.
She felt extremely foolish for being so clumsy and embarrassed knowing that now she would be face to face with the naked man. She came up for air only to gasp again in shock as the man stood before her in all his glory. Sully's hands immediately went to the place he felt the most exposed and dunked himself down in the water again. If he ever told anyone he didn't care about anyone's prying eyes, he knew he would eat his words now as he looked at the most beautiful woman he had ever seen.
Michaela coughed and spluttered as she tried to regain her composure. Any thoughts they both had about how strenuous their last few days had been seemed to melt away as they stared into each other's eyes. Hers a mesmerising hazel and green and his like a clear blue sky. Sully cleared his throat. "H...Hey, N...Names Sully," he managed to sputter. He raised his hand in a wave only to realise it should have stayed where it was, covering himself.
Michaela swallowed. "Michaela...Dr. Michaela....Dr. Quinn, Michaela Quinn," she stammered, feeling like slapping her own forehead in embarrassment at her jumbled words. She was only able to capture one thought as millions raced through her mind, and it was the one that said how she admired his tanned and muscular body. Her face went red again as she tried to push that thought away.
Sully meanwhile had managed to conceal himself behind a branch that overhung in the water. He reached forward extending his hand, "Nice to meet you."
Michaela moved forward taking it in hers and they stood like that for a moment, both unable to identify the surge that flowed between them from their hands to their hearts.
"I'm sorry to have disturbed you," said Michaela apologetically.
Sully only laughed as he watched the water drip down her face, "Looks like I was the one to disturb you."
She smiled at him, feeling less tense than she had moments ago. She looked down at her dress and shrugged. Since she was in now, she may as well enjoy the water. She sat slowly back into the water feeling the coolness soak through her dress once again; she closed her eyes and sighed. Sully didn't think he had seen anything more perfect. She looked like an angel, a soaking wet, stunning angel. He was sure he felt an extra beat in his heart just at the sight.
"I ah... you new here?" he asked, still hiding himself away.
She nodded, "I arrived yesterday morning. I came from Boston," she said trying to avert her eyes, but failing to, as his gaze caught hers for a second time, sending a spark coursing through them both.
He raised his eyebrows in surprise. "From Boston. Why'd you come out here then?" he asked wondering why anyone obviously from her part of Boston would bother.
"Because I'm needed," she said softly, her eyes holding the pain she had so recently witnessed. He simply nodded his head, knowing all too well what happened out here.
"I should be going," she said, quickly making her way out of the spring. She wrung out her dress as much as possible before picking up her shoes and stockings to put on.
Sully feeling out of sorts at the feelings rushing through him suddenly called out, "I'd like to see you again."
Had he just said that? Were those words from him? What was he doing? A lady like her's not gonna want to see the likes of you again he chastised. He looked down into the water feeling foolish for saying anything at all. He began to turn away when he heard her say, "I'd like that."
He turned back around and smiled at her, she returned it. She nodded and said, "Goodbye Sully." He replied simply with, "Michaela." And she was gone.
