Disclaimer: I do not own the characters from Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman. The rights to those characters and to the show belong to the creators of the show, to CBS, The Sullivan Company and to A&E.
Renewing Bonds
Changes
This story takes place after the episode Promises, Promises and follows Sully to Virginia City, Nevada to help his friend Daniel. There will be five installments - Changes, An Old Life, Always on my Mind, Old Wounds and The Ties that Bind.
Somewhere off in the distance a train whistle blew and he smiled to himself feeling like a young child anxiously waiting for Christmas Day. Ten years. Was it really possible that it had been ten years since he last saw Sully? He shook his head still smiling at the thought of him. Daniel couldn't help but wonder if married life had changed him greatly or if he would be the same old Sully. The image of a dirty faced little boy standing on the end of the dock ran through his mind. That was the first time he met Sully and the first time he had lost a fight. To this day, he wasn't sure how it had happened that the two had been pitted against one another. The sounds of the older boys egging them on still rang in his ears and he felt as if he could still taste the blood in his mouth from where Sully had punched him. A booming laugh echoed forth from his lips as he thought how ironic that they had become inseparable friends.
"What's so funny Daniel?" Pacer asked looking up from his breakfast of oatmeal.
"Thinkin' about the past." Daniel gave a shake of his head as if brushing away the memories once again.
"That friend of yours is comin' today, ain't he?"
Daniel nodded. "Sure is. It still don't seem quite real. Been ten years since I last seen him."
Pacer let out a long low whistle. "Ten years is a mighty long time. Must be some friend to come help ya out after all that time."
"He's a good friend," Daniel agreed digging into his own oatmeal. "We go back more than twenty years, met as children. Came west together when they struck gold on Pike's Peak."
"So why haven't ya seen him in ten years?"
Daniel smiled. "He got married."
Pacer raised his eyebrows. He had his own opinion about men who left what he considered the perfect life to settle down with a woman. Preferring to live life on his own terms without anyone to worry about or to worry him, Pacer preferred the occasional visit to the saloon over what he considered the tamed life. "He go willingly?"
Daniel laughed. "Ain't no woman every gonna tame ya, are they Pacer?"
"Ya just wait. Sully ain't gonna be a thing like ya remember him. Ten years of marriage probably done broke him by now."
Shaking his head, Daniel laughed again. "Don't you think it says something that he's coming out here? I have to admit I was a little worried that Abigail wouldn't take to the idea."
"He got kids?"
"I assume he probably does. I told ya we haven't really kept in touch." Daniel scraped the rest of his oatmeal out of his bowl and rose to rinse it out.
"That boy gonna be so whipped ya ain't gonna recognize him," Pacer added already drawing a preconceived notion of what Sully was going to be like. "Probably ain't gonna be up to this kind of work anymore."
Daniel shook his head. "Pacer ya really should wait until ya meet him before deciding about him. I think Sully is gonna surprise ya."
"Yeah, well, it'll be me sayin' I told ya so when he's runnin' into town every morning to telegram his wife and let her know he's okay. Probably been sleepin' in a bed so long, he'll be complain' about how hard the ground is. And that wife of his probably got him spoiled with her cookin' – he won't be any help come meal time. He'll be waitin' on someone to serve him."
"Pacer," Daniel scolded jokingly. "Ya ain't even met him yet! 'Sides unless somethin's changed, he could cook better than anyone else in the mining camp."
"I tell ya what, if he can cook better than ya, he'll be alright in my book."
Daniel slapped him on the back. "We better get on into town. I gotta meet that train and ya need to finish rounding up some workers."
Pacer nodded and made his way over to the horses. "Ya want me to bring a horse along for Sully?"
Daniel looked down at the ground not wanting to tell Pacer that Sully didn't ride for fear this would only add to his dislike of a man he hadn't even met yet. "I thought maybe I'd take the wagon on in today. Need to get some supplies."
He cast a dubious look at Daniel. "What supplies?"
"Just hitch up the wagon," Daniel said as he turned around, silently hoping that Sully hadn't changed too terribly much.
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The first rays of the sun drifted through the bedroom window illuminating the room with their soft glow. A fall chill was in the air making Michaela snuggle down deeper under the covers as she reached over towards the other side of the bed missing Sully's body heat. Her hand touched only the sheet and she opened her eyes to find his side of the bed empty. It was only then that she remembered that Sully was gone. He had left the previous morning for Virginia City, Nevada to help his old friend Daniel.
Michaela closed her eyes once again, trying to imagine where he was and what he was doing. The train wasn't due in Virginia City until early afternoon and so she assumed he was waking up in a sleeper car. Was he reaching for her, wondering why he was all alone? Or had he remembered right off? Again she reached over to his side of the bed, letting her hand settle on his pillow. Was it possible that she missed him this bad when he had barely been gone a day?
Five months. They had been married a little over five months yet it was hard for her to remember life before their marriage. When she tried, she always felt as if she was reliving some strange dream where she had been missing something – some part of herself. Always she had described herself as independent and the fact that she had come to depend on Sully greatly scared her still. He always assured her that he needed her as much as she needed him but sometimes she doubted if that were true. Something strange had happened the day they pledged themselves to one another. She couldn't have imagined it – after all they were only words. Had those words really altered the nature of their relationship? Or was it the physical act of giving herself to him that had changed things. No that wasn't completely it either – there was some combination that had wound its way around her heart and then around Sully's connecting the two of them together for what she was sure would amount to eternity.
Rolling over in the bed, she lay on his side her nose pressed into his pillow as she tried to find his scent. It was there – the woods, the fresh air, and the leathery smell of him that filled her senses and often made her long to be alone with him. Now she turned onto her back, looking first at the ceiling and then at the window as she imagined waking up from Sully's point of view. From this vantage point more of the outside was visible and she wondered if that was why he liked sleeping on this side of the bed. Then she remembered that he was rarely turned towards the window. Usually he was turned towards her, with at least one arm wrapped around her, holding her close.
He would often kiss her shoulder to wake her up. Lightly run his hand up her body awakening each and every pore of her being. It never ceased to amaze her that someone who often worked with his hands, had the softest touches she had ever felt. After that, he might place a kiss to her neck, tickling her if she continued to feign sleep. She would turn towards him, their lips finding one another in good morning kiss. Sometimes the kisses were gentle and innocent, other times they were deep and heated.
Yesterday morning came to her mind as she thought of heated kisses. She had known he was leaving and they had spent the night before in each other's arms, waking several times during the night to share their love. Inside, she felt that should have been enough but when she had woken to start the day, she felt the need to be with him once again. It had been quick and heated as that was all time would allow but it was still immensely satisfying for both of them. Michaela marveled once again at the feelings Sully evoked in her. Her body ached for him and he had only been gone for one day.
Slowly she rose from the bed and padded to the washbowl. She barely noticed the chill of the room, her body warmed by her previous thoughts of making love to Sully. Splashing the cool water against her face, her body began to cool down. Quickly she dried her face and hands, making her way over to the dresser to pull out her undergarments. Today would be a day like any other day she told herself. There would be patients to see, charts to update, medical supplies to unpack. Colleen would come to the clinic after school to help her and then they would come home to have dinner. She wouldn't think about Sully being so far away. No she would pretend he was simply out at the reservation and was running late for dinner. Turning the bed came into view again. The only problem was no matter how late she waited up, he wouldn't be home to share their bed.
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Sully watched out the window as the train slowed for its arrival in Virginia City. The mountain was so close he felt that if he stuck his hand out the window he could have touched it. The gentleman sitting next to him noticed his fascination. "Close isn't it?" he asked.
Sully nodded. "Never seen them build the train track so close to the mountain."
"Ya ain't never been to Virginia City then," the man returned. "Name's Tucker." The man offered Sully his hand as he introduced himself.
"Sully," he replied taking the man's hand and shaking it. "And you're right, I've never been here before."
Tucker smiled and shook his head. "Virginia City is built on the mountain."
"What do ya mean?" Sully asked furrowing his brow.
"It's literally built into the side of Mt. Davidson. You'll see for yourself when ya get there. Building foundations are chiseled right into the mountainside with an additional floor on the side where it doesn't touch the mountain. And the streets are all at an angle. Ya either gotta walk up or down to get anywhere."
Sully raised his eyebrows in wonder. "That will be somethin' to see."
"Every time I come through here it feels like the place has grown larger. I here the last census they took in this area had twelve thousand people living here."
Sully's eyes grew wide in amazement. "I didn't know Virginia City was so large," he remarked watching out the windows on the other side of the train as they began to pull into the town.
"Won't lie to ya though. It makes a good site to see but it's not the kinda of place ya'd want to settle down. Saloons and gaming houses on every corner. People got gold fever here and they ain't afraid to let their guns do the talkin' for 'em." Tucker looked over at Sully and noticed his strange garb. "Where ya from?"
"Colorado," Sully replied. "Just comin' out here to see a friend." He decided against telling him about the gold mine as he wasn't sure if Daniel's discovery was yet public knowledge and he didn't want to cause trouble for his friend.
"Ya won't be stayin'?"
"No," Sully said laughing. "Don't think my wife would care much for that."
Tucker joined in his laughter but then added, "She might not be too keen on ya visitin' if she knew what this place was like."
"She knows she ain't gotta worry about that," Sully replied, his blue eyes sparkling with the love he felt for her.
Tucker gave him a knowing smile. "We'll see about that," he laughed as the train lurched forward and then backward, stopping on the station platform. "I wish ya the best with your visit, Mr. Sully."
"Thanks," Sully said offering his hand as a goodbye. Tucker shook it and then quickly made his way off the train.
Sully reached down and picked up his traveling bag and bed roll, slinging it over his shoulder and setting off down the aisle. Once he alighted onto the platform, he looked around for Daniel. There eyes locked from across the platform and they at once knew each other though both had changed in the time they had been apart.
"Sully," Daniel called waving at him enthusiastically. Sully smiled widely and set off in his direction. The old friends greeted each other with a hug, slapping each other hard on the back, just like old times.
"Daniel," Sully said moving back to look at him. "It's been too long."
"It has," Daniel agreed. "And just look at ya. I barely recognized ya beneath all this hair. I ain't seen ya with it that long since ya first came out west."
Sully laughed. "Yeah, well I been wearing it longer for the past few years."
"I guess Abigail likes it like that?"
A look of shock crossed Sully's face. In all the commotion surrounding Sully's leaving, he hadn't given much thought to the fact that Daniel didn't know how much his life had changed. "Uh.." he stuttered not sure of how to tell him that Abigail was dead without being blunt. "Daniel… there ain't no easy way to say this…. I mean lots happened since we last saw each other."
"Two of ya not together anymore?" Daniel asked confused by Sully's shocked face and his lack of words.
"Daniel, Abigail is dead."
Daniel flinched when he said it, unprepared for those words to come out of Sully's mouth. "I'm sorry," he whispered gripping his friends arm with his hand. A movement on his other side caught his attention and he realized that Pacer had returned already. Hastily he dropped his hand but leaned in towards Sully to whisper, "I wanna hear all about it later." Sully nodded as Daniel turned so that he face Pacer and Sully at the same time. "Sully I'd like ya to meet Pacer. He's gonna help us set up the mine."
Sully greeted the man by shaking his hand. He could tell Pacer was regarding his clothes warily. "Nice to meet ya," Sully said.
"Same here," Pacer replied his eyes fixed on the medicine pouch around Sully's neck. "Ya part injun?" he asked rather skeptically.
"No," Sully said shaking his head but deciding it best not to share anymore at this moment in time.
"Wagon's just over there." Daniel smiled at both men sensing some tension on Pacer's part. "We can go on up to my claim and get caught up. Sounds like ya gotta a lot to tell."
"I'd like to stop by the telegraph office first, if ya don't mind."
Pacer looked at Daniel as if to say I told you so. Daniel was confused about who Sully would be wiring but when he wasn't forthcoming with more information, he simply nodded. "Telegraph office is right on our way out of town," he said as they turned and made for the wagon.
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When they arrived back at the mining site, Sully settled in while Daniel put on a pot of coffee. Pacer had decided to stay in town to visit the saloon. Daniel was relieved by his decision, thinking it best for him and Sully to catch up away from Pacer's presence. He was a good man and one of the best workers Daniel had ever known. Pacer's expertise would be invaluable in setting up the operation. Yet he knew that Pacer made harsh judgments about people before taking the time to get to know them. He knew he already had judged Sully and Daniel only hoped that wouldn't mess up their working relationship.
"All settled," Sully said brining Daniel out of his own thoughts and back into reality.
"Good. Coffee's just about done. Do ya want some?" Daniel offered.
"Sounds nice." Sully sat down on a nearby log as Daniel poured two cups of coffee and brought them over. He handed one to Sully and then sat down beside him.
"I still can't believe it's been ten years," he remarked staring at a spot on the ground a few feet away.
"I know," Sully agreed as an awkward silence fell between them. Each man sipped at their coffee, Sully unsure of how to start and Daniel unsure of how to ask. "Pacer seems nice enough."
"Yeah," Daniel replied. "He's a hard worker. I think the two of ya will get along just fine." Sully nodded and took another sip of his coffee as his thoughts skipped to Michaela. Daniel turned suddenly to look at Sully. "So what happened to Abigail?" he asked, feeling immediately sorry that he had.
Sully smiled at him when he saw the distressed look on his face. "It's alright Daniel. I wanna tell ya about it, just wasn't sure how to start."
Daniel chucked. "And I just did a bang up job of askin'."
Sully's face grew more serious as he started and Daniel sat enraptured by what he heard. "It meant a lot to me that ya came to the wedding," Sully began. "Meant a lot to Abigail too. I know that wasn't easy for ya." Daniel nodded as he felt his cheeks begin to grow warm. "Loren never really did come around. We'd been married a little over two years when we found out she was pregnant. That just seemed to make Loren even angrier."
"Same old Loren," Daniel mused. "Though I must say I thought he'd come around eventually."
"Abigail thought that he would when the baby was born."
"But he didn't?" Daniel asked seeing the expression on Sully's face.
"Baby was stillborn," Sully replied his voice no louder than a whisper. "They rushed Abigail to Denver but it was too late."
"Sully, I know what havin' a family meant to ya. I'm so sorry." Daniel reached over and patted him on the arm. "It don't seem fair."
"I ain't gonna lie to ya Daniel. I didn't know what to do with myself. It hurt so bad. For a time, I went back east and enlisted with the army."
"Ya fought in the war?" Daniel asked.
"Briefly," Sully replied unwilling to tell him the whole story right now, wishing instead to move on to what he considered the good news. "It dulled the pain momentarily but in the end I returned to Colorado just as broken as when I'd left. I stopped carin' about livin' and it wouldn't have mattered to me one way or the other if I had died."
"I wish I could have been there for ya," Daniel said seeing the pain etched deep in his friend's face. "I'm sorry I wasn't."
"Ya didn't know," Sully returned, growing silent once more. Daniel sensed there was more to his friend's story so he tried to wait patiently for him to share the rest of it. After a moment, Sully began to speak again. "Cheyenne Indian by the name of Cloud Dancing found me. Him and his wife took me in and nursed me back to health. They helped me finally begin to heal from my loss."
"That explains the clothes," Daniel laughed. "Ya still livin' with 'em?" Sully shook his head no as a secret smile formed on his lips. Daniel was intrigued by the look and he pressed Sully to continue. "What's she like?" he asked.
Sully smiled up at him. "Am I that obvious?"
"Well we had to stop to send a telegram and now that look. I'm not sure I ever saw ya look that happy even on the day ya married Abigail."
"To this day, I ain't quite sure how it happened. When Abigail died, I swore I'd never love anyone ever again. I never counted on meeting somebody else." Sully paused, his eyes taking on a far off look. "I was in town one day helping with negotiations between the army and the Cheyenne when I saw her. She was dressed up all fancy. I just couldn't take my eyes off her even when she plopped down in the mud."
"She fell in the mud?" Daniel asked laughing. "Did ya help her up?"
Sully shook his head. "No but I couldn't stop looking at her. I had never seen a woman more beautiful than her. Next day, I rented my homestead to her. I hated goin' out there after Abigail died but I found that with her livin' there, I couldn't stay away even when I tried."
"So what's a single lady doin' in Colorado Springs all by herself?"
"She's a doctor," Sully answered grinning at Daniel.
"A doctor? A real doctor?"
Sully nodded. "All the way from Boston too."
"Now how did ya get some fancy doctor from Boston to fall in love with ya?" Daniel teased.
"I don't know to tell ya the truth. It seemed like it wasn't gonna work so many times. I wasn't ready at first and I was scared. Somehow though we made it through everything together."
"Ya two got kids?" Sully nodded. "How old are they?"
"Matthew's twenty, Collen's fourteen and Brian is eleven," he replied looking over at Daniel sheepishly as he suppressed his laughter.
"Uh.. Sully.. I think I'm missing something," Daniel said confusion written on his face.
Sully laughed. "Sorry, I couldn't help havin' a little fun with ya. Do ya remember the Coopers? They moved to town about two years before ya left."
Daniel screwed his face up in thought. "She ran the boarding house after her husband ran out on her. Is that right?"
Sully nodded. "She passed on and Michaela took in the children… well I suppose you could say we both kind of took them in."
"Michaela? Is that her name?"
"Yeah," Sully said feeling a lump rise up in his throat at the thought of her. "She's amazin'."
"Ya two got any children together?"
"Not yet. We've only been married a little over five months. Guess I'm kind of hopin' I might come home to some good news." Sully's lips curled on the edges as he spoke.
"You're newlyweds," Daniel exclaimed smacking himself in the forehead. "I can't believe I'm takin' a husband away from his wife when they ain't even been married a year. She okay with this?"
"Not at first but in the end she understood why I needed to come."
"I wanna thank you for comin." Daniel grew serious as he looked at him. "Ain't many men I can trust in this world. I can't imagine how I'd do this without ya."
"I wouldn't be alive if it wasn't for ya," Sully replied. "I couldn't not come."
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To: Michaela Quinn, Colorado Springs, Colorado
From: Byron Sully, Virginia City, Nevada
Arrived safely. Will wire again soon. I miss you and the kids already. Thanks for making my good-bye so special. I love you.
Michaela read the telegram over and over as she sat in bed that night. She couldn't help the fact that her thoughts drifted to him. He was probably sleeping under the shadow of the mountain, the stars twinkling above him. Sully was once again in his element, probably enjoying himself immensely. A momentary fear gripped Michaela as she realized he was in a very real sense going back to his old life. Would he enjoy it she wondered. Would he realize he missed it? There would be freedom, connecting with an old friend and plenty of time spent outdoors. Would he compare his new life with his old one and if he did which one would come up lacking?
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Thanks for reading! I hope you enjoyed it. Feel free to let me know your thoughts. I would like to post a new chapter every other day but I can't neglect my other story, Homecoming in order to do this (without some rabid readers coming after me) so I won't promise but that is my intention. Thanks to Priya for suggesting this storyline.. I have really enjoyed thinking about it and finally writing it… hope I do it justice!
