Disclaimer: I do not own the Characters of Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman


Assumptions

by Maritza Franklin

March 20, 2010

"Well, hello there," Michaela tried to muster a tamed and civil half smile ignoring how alarmingly handsome he was bearing such intense blue eyes. "You must be the landlord and Indian Agent finally coming to collect the rent. Charlotte said you would eventually come around. Sully, is it?" Her hand on her hips, she sauntered over in defiance towards him sitting high on his horse; his nose up in the air and showing up in his fancy white tie suit as though flaunting his importance. She couldn't believe there was someone like that here in Colorado Springs. She thought she'd managed to escape his kind leaving Boston behind. Why bother with the commoners—she mused—if he was so full of himself?

Sully couldn't help, but stare at the striking peasant woman—her long auburn-brown hair, cascading a delighted twirling mess; wildly loose over her shoulders unlike any other woman keeping their long main hidden in some kind of severe knot at the base—out west; or fancied high up like in high society. Her skin so clear and radiant—he couldn't help wanting to touch it; but most of all such enchanting, large rounded two toned emerald eyes just held him spellbound there.

"I…uh…yeahhhh…"

"Well before I pay, I'll have you know this place is in need of desperate repairs. How dare you rent out such a place in dire need? It wasn't even near habitable when I arrive the day before yesterday. It ought to be condemned."

"W...Well, I…" still lost for words.

"With Charlotte and her children's help, we tried to make do with what we could manage to repair. Poor Matthew did the best he could fixing the roof yesterday. Unfortunately, it still rained inside from this morning shower. When were you planning to have this place livable? It was due to be occupied the day after tomorrow—the lease was signed two weeks ago."

He came out here to find the doctor and instead came face to face with this lovely vision of a highly spirited woman all fired up to take him on—but, only hearing the melodic sounds of her voice. Was she the doctor's wife? Poor fellow, yet a lucky man he was, unlike him whose wife was taken from him so prematurely. They must be doing poorly to be taking on renting this old wretched abandoned homestead. After learning a doctor had rented the place, he sent his good friend Robert E. to start immediate repairs days ago until he was able to come and take over the rest. The poor woman's husband must not be handy with actual work tools, or maybes he's just too busy making house calls. Hopefully he's handy with medical tools.

Shifting focus back to his injuries, Sully needed to see the doctor for a possible broken rib, bleeding hand and a massive headache; all thanks to Chivington's men for having afflicted them upon him in siding with the Indians. Only the funny thing upon seeing her, the headache appeared to have disappeared. She was the cure he realized and he also ascertained he was rudely staring intensely at the captivating, uninhibited lady.

"Well, are you going to come down off your high horse, your Majesty?" Having been in such a fowl mood dealing with the dilapidated place, Michaela couldn't help, but to mock and bow with the way he openly stared smugly down at her. If she only knew it was his discomfort making him scowl. She had heard in town about the Indian agent going out of his way rubbing elbows with the upper class and that he was a difficult, proud man full of himself, and always causing some kind of trouble in town regarding the Indians. She even found army supplies meant for them being sold at Bray's Mercantile. This pompous man must have sold it to Loren for a hefty profit at the cost of the Indians.

After having a run in earlier this evening by soldiers at their prestigious banquet held at the church, Sully managed to get to Charlotte for her assistance only showing his wounded hand. That's when he learned that the new doctor arrived early in town before he was shoved off to see him.

A Dr. Quinn he was told, rented his homestead, but everyone called him Dr. Mike. Sully had been away in Denver for the Indian peace conference hoping to dissuade Colonel Chivington, when the new doctor arrived. He hated to wear the monkey suit attending these silly socials and functions; but trying to secure funds and justice for the Indian's sake was proving a challenge, and he needed to play the part if he was to get their cooperation, only he hadn't counted on being assaulted at the banquet.

In staring at Dr. Quinn's captivating wife, he heard of a benevolent elder Dr. Quinn giving so generously, but obviously her husband couldn't be the same Dr. Quinn living at his old homestead with such a beautiful and vibrant wife. He envied her husband even more, but right now, the pain in his rib was returning ten folds, and suddenly he doubled over falling off his horse.

Michaela switched to doctor mode when she suddenly saw the man further grimaced obviously in pain and ran to his side as he fell off his horse—managing to keep him from hitting his head on the ground. At this moment the sound of horse and carriage came, bringing Charlotte and her children. She was grateful for their help in getting this Sully gentleman into the homestead to be treated.

With Matthew's assistance, Michaela and Charlotte stripped off his upper attire and to her utter surprise; he wore Indian beads and a medicine pouch. She also couldn't help take notice of his magnificent pronounced physique before she chided herself and proceeded to examine his side—finding a massive bruise there.

"He took a beating from some soldiers and came to me for help, but I didn't think he was that bad when I sent him off to you. I would have taken care of him myself and sent for ya."

"That's alright Charlotte, he appears to be strong and healthy, and his ribs aren't broken," replied Michaela tending Sully's hand wound. "Of course he will be sore a few days. I suppose I should let him rest here a day or two. Maybe you can allow your eldest boy to stay in helping me with him."

Charlotte smiled broadly, glad that both her dear old friend and new friend will have the chance to get to know one another, which was her intention all along in sending him to her when he sort her out. Only, concern had overwhelmed her for him knowing how he often down played his injuries and had to come out to make sure Sully made it out to Dr. Mike.

"I think it's a fine idea and I'm sure you can handle him yourself. Sully is trustworthy, but I'll send Matthew to check in and stay if you deem it necessary. Besides, he ain't in any condition for fussing."

Charlotte filled Michaela in on how honorable and just the man was sleeping in her bed; his tragic loss forcing him to abandon his homestead to ruins, and adopting the Cheyenne's ways. And how bad he felt hearing that someone had rented his place, but hadn't gotten the chance to make the necessary repairs, which was why he contracted someone to make some urgent ones until he was able to finish it himself later in the week. It was learned the hire help was unable to get to them until tomorrow, the day before her alleged arrival in town. No one knew she would arrive in town this early.

The elder two children spoke fondly of Charlotte's friend, while little Brian chatted exuberantly of the man's heroic adventures trying to save the Indians, thus leaving Michaela at awe with this honorable man now peacefully resting. A fleeting thought came to mind of him asking her to take her to that dance Charlotte talked about, but he would likely snap her head off with how insolently she treated him. She felt bad as that was so unlike her. Something about him stirred mixed new emotions in her.

The Cooper family went their way leaving Michaela tending the stew Colleen started, and cleaning Sully's suit—imagining him in Indian garb.

"Uhhh," moaned the recovering man. She motioned to his side with a wet cloth and soothingly stroked his face.

"Shhh…you fell off your horse. Luckily it's not bad, but you obviously sustained a blow to your rib earlier today. It isn't broken."

"Www…where's the doc?" he croaked struggling to open his eyes and met again that intriguing woman now forever implanted in his soul.

"I am the doctor."

"What?" His eyes more focus now in embarrassed, but pleasant puzzlement.

"I'm Dr. Michaela Quinn," she extended her hand amusingly. "But you may call me Dr. Mike."

To be continued...


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