Come What May
Prologue:
I want to first start of by saying that I, like so many other fans, do not, unfortunately, own the rights to Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman, as it is owned by CBS, the Sullivan Company, and A&E.
(FYI): I have changed the character's ages to fit the needs of my story while I will do my best to keep the characters true to the show.
This story uses the strong relationship between Michaela and Sully and places the characters in a slightly earlier time period (Civil War) to challenge their love. ...It's a story of love's enduring promise and a tale which portrays of the tragedy of war...enjoy!
"Come what may, I will love you till the end of time..." (Moulin Rouge)
Chapter One: The Distance of Love
"No…" She breathed.
Staring aimlessly at the walls that surrounded her, Michaela suddenly realized how different they appeared from this point-of-view. What once was the welcoming support of her haven, now were walls of confinement; walls that contained memories of receiving news of an unwanted joy.
"Is there something wrong, Dr. Quinn?" The elderly gentleman spoke while concern and confusion grazed his face.
"Life, life is wrong! Life tortures; it gives you your heart's desire then pulls it back by a string and makes you watch it dangle dangerously over the edge of a cliff" Michaela's heart sang out from worry and angst. But alas, her heart had no chord to vocalize itself with; so Michaela merely shook her head and gave him a smile that did not quite reach her eyes.
"No, everything is fine, wonderful…"
The man looked Michaela up and down, perplexed by her behavior. "Is…is your husband going to be upset?" he questioned curiously.
Michaela's eyes shot up to meet his. His question was almost amusing to her. "No, no Dr. Bernard that's not a problem at all. Thank you for coming." Michaela said flatly while sliding from her perch and walking quickly towards the door.
Dr. Bernard looked the young woman up and down once more before concluding that he was no match for her stubbornness. After he retreated to the desk for his jacket and following Michaela's path to the door, Dr. Bernard tipped his hat as he passed her on his way out of the clinic.
Michaela smiled slightly in acknowledgment and closed the door as he exited. The 'clicking' of the bolt locking with the door sounded like a gunshot, breaking the silence of the room. Michaela turned and leaned her back up against the oak portal as tears swelled in her eyes before they broke their controlling barrier and cascaded down her cheeks. So many tears had fallen over the past month. Now, when good news actually came, it was shattered by heart break that had taken Michaela's spirit for week now.
"I should be overjoyed…I should be running home to his outstretched arms, to tell him of this miracle. But now…now of all times, I can't…It would hurt him too much…it would hurt both of us too much…"
Michaela's legs trembled from beneath her and she gave into their request by sulking down onto the wood floor and resting her head in the bulk of her skirt; as tears fell and soaked the burgundy fabric.
She sat there, head bent and knees tucked close to her chest, for an unknown length of time. Miserable torture took hold of her as she debated whether to tell him or not. In mid-thought, Michaela was awakened from her reverie when she heard the faint sound of a knock and felt pressure breaching the door.
Michaela stood quickly, composing herself and drying the tears from her sore face, before reaching for the bolt to unlock the door. As the door sprang open, Michaela's breath caught and her nerve failed her.
He saw her tear raked face and shaking figure and took in a deep breath before rushing to catch her falling body. Michaela broke down; sobbing into her beloved's shoulder, soaking his shirt with her misery.
"Oh Michaela, what is it? Shh…I know…I know this is hard. I don't want to…God; I don't want to do this…" He whispered gently into her ear, as he held her trembling body in his arms.
Michaela shook her head and tried to catch her breath between sobs. "Then don't…please…please don't leave me…"
It tortured him to hear her cry out that way, and killed him to know that he could not do as she requested. "I wish…you know I wish I could…but there's no way to get out of this. I'd be a wanted man if I didn't go."
"I know…I know…but…I love you…I couldn't bear to lose you, Sully!" Michaela cried, taking in short, heaving, gasps of air.
Sully cradled Michaela's head delicately in his hands and stared deep into her eyes, vowing his very soul to her. "I promise you Michaela…I will get back to you…I will do everything humanly possible to get back to you! I love you…we'll be together again…I promise you…"
Michaela shook her head, doubting Sully's words. "How…how can you promise such a thing?"
Sully answered by enveloping her lips with his in a gravity defying kiss, which sent both souls soaring in a burst of exultation and love. Slowly pulling away, Sully looked down into his love's eyes, brushing away the tears with the soft pad of his thumb. "Because I can feel it, Michaela…You've touched my soul, and I've touched yours…we were meant to be together…and nothin' can tear that apart! Not a thousand miles between us, not even the damn union and confederate armies…nothin'…"
Michaela nodded slowly, never allowing her gaze to drop from his admiral blue orbs.
"Let's go home…" He whispered gently, as he lovingly caressed her cheek.
Pain seared through her body and gripped her soul as she crawled through the tar-like substance that pulled her down, preventing her from moving or even drawing breath. "No, no you can't be gone…..you wouldn't…you promised!" Michaela whimpered. Gazing up into the blackened heavens, she pleaded with whatever God or spirit would listen; but her only response was the constant swirling and darkening of the malicious storm…and as the clouds gained power, Michaela faded along with her hope "No…you promised…"
"NO!" Michaela sat up with a start, sweat blanketing her naked body. She trembled violently as a cool breeze blew into the room; while she sat, still reliving the nightmare. The fear, the pain, the agony…it was all so real. Taking in deep breaths, Michaela tried to calm her racing heartbeat but found the effort to be useless.
"I have to tell him…he has to know before he goes…" Michaela whispered to herself.
"Michaela? What's wrong?" Sully said drowsily while raising his arm up, beckoning her down to him. Michaela fell back into his enveloping arms, unsure yet of how or what to say.
"You'll be leaving in a few hours….and you may never come back….that's what's wrong…" But she was cut off by Sully, who placed his finger tenderly over her lips.
"I told ya before…I'm coming back…"
"But you're not God, Sully! You can't be sure of these things!"
"You don't have to be God, to know what's in your own heart…" Sully whispered while slowly caressing her cheek.
Tears continued to spring anew in her eyes as she watched Sully try to hide the pain that was evident in his own crystal orbs of columbine-blue. She couldn't believe how brave he was trying to be for her…everything was for her. "Sully…I'm sorry…I…"
"Shh…don't be sorry, Michaela…" Sully silenced her once more with a passionate kiss that sent her begging for more. Much to Michaela's disappointment, Sully suddenly pulled back. "Did ya want to talk about something else?"
Michaela's eye-brows slanted with confusion. "Something?"
"When ya woke up, ya seemed…upset…ya said something about needed to tell someone something…just wondering if I might be that someone?"
Michaela instantly dropped her gaze, unable to find the courage to tell him. It would hurt him, she knew it…it would be too hard for him to leave…and yet he needed to know…it wouldn't be fair not to tell him…but since when was anything fair?
"Oh…that…it was…it was nothing…well…I mean…young Brian Cooper…he just wanted me to tell you good-bye…" Michaela smiled slightly, hoping Sully wouldn't see the nervousness in her eyes.
Sensing that he would get nothing more from Michaela, Sully decided to disregard her odd behavior. "Ah well…will ya tell Brian bye for me?"
Michaela smiled up at him, relieved that he did not push for more. "Yes of course…" Then she stared up into his face, so full of love and angst…hope and fear…but she did her best to not allow it to overwhelm her as Sully kissed her feverously, igniting the spark of passion and a night of love that would not be forgotten.
Sun rays danced across her face as Michaela awoke from the long night before. Turning to face Sully, Michaela gasped when she found his place untenanted. "Sully?" Michaela whispered. When she received no reply, Michaela called out again. "Sully, where are you?"
Suddenly her eyes fell upon an envelope, lying neatly across Sully's pillow. Michaela reached for it, fearful of what it might say…fearful that this maybe good bye. Withdrawing the letter inside, Michaela silently read Sully's loving reminder…
I promise you, Michaela
All my love,
Sully
Tears broke through their barriers once again, as Michaela realized that he had left…"Oh, Sully…why did you have to go? Why did you have to join this dreadful war?"