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.

Full Moon

Part One

The first rays of light were slipping over the horizon as morning broke over the snow topped peaks of Colorado. Autumn has come early that year so that by now the trees had long since turned their vibrant colors and dropped their leaves. The bare branches made it feel like winter and the cold temperatures weren't helping. Sully awoke shivering and looked down to find the blanket only half covering his body. Turning to the side, he couldn't help but smile seeing his wife curled up with the blanket tucked neatly around her. He tugged at the covers loosening them enough to slip in close to Michaela. Sully hooked his leg over hers while pulling the blanket over his head. His mouth found her shoulder and he placed warm kisses there, lightly nipping at the skin. She stirred slightly raising a hand to brush at her shoulder. Sully moved back to avoid her hand, while suppressing a laugh.

Shifting lower in the bed, he managed to find the hem of her nightgown. Slowly, he eased it up her thigh letting his fingers walk up her leg. She stirred again and Sully stilled himself momentarily, enjoying the game he was playing. He laid back resting his hand against her hip and letting her settle once more before he started his gentle explorations once again. With only his fingertips, he slipped his hand over the curve of her leg tracing a path towards her inner thigh.

"Your hands are cold," Michaela murmured making Sully jump.

"That's 'cause you're a blanket stealer," he accused playfully pressing his whole hand against her warm leg.

"I am not," she defended turning quickly so that she faced him. "You're just like Katie – you both kick the blankets off in the middle of the night."

"And ya take advantage of that fact- blanket stealer."

"I can't help it if I get cold."

"Are you cold right now?" Sully asked running his hand past her waist and stopping just shy of her breast. Lightly he tickled her delicate flesh, watching desire dance in her eyes.

"A little but I have a feeling I will be very warm soon," she laughed as Sully brought his lips down to meet hers in a good morning kiss. Sully's hand closed over her soft fullness as his tongue eagerly sought entrance to her mouth. Michaela moaned and moved closer to him, slipping her leg between his. A child's giggle interrupted them at that moment both turning to see their daughter standing in the doorway, clapping her hands in delight.

"Since when can you open doors, young lady?" Michaela asked her cheeks turning crimson. Sully removed his hand, tugging her gown back in place for her. Katie laughed again, running to the bed and pulling herself up.

"Mama, Papa," she giggled wedging herself in between them.

"She seems quite proud of herself," Sully said looking over at Michaela and shaking his head.

"I wake up papa," she said proudly reaching her small hands out to touch his face. Sully pretended to try to eat her fingers and she squirmed with delight, laughing and flailing her legs wildly. He grabbed for her stomach, tickling her sides as she tried her best to get away from him. Sully let her go and she retreated to the other side of Michaela, peeking up over her mother's shoulder at her father.

"Papa's silly," she giggled.

"Yes he is," Michaela agreed sitting up in bed and pulling Katie into her lap. "I suppose we better get you dressed missy."

Sully moved his leg back towards her, running the arch of his foot up to her knee. "Don't go yet."

Michaela looked at him questioningly. "Your daughter is up, Mr. Sully."

"Can't a man lay with his girls for a little bit," he teased giving her a wink. Michaela shook her head at him but pushed herself back down under the covers. Katie took the opportunity to jump onto her father, landing squarely on his chest.

Sully groaned. "How can a three year old inflict so much pain?"

"Papa you're hairy," she said making a face as her hands ran over his chest. She wrinkled her forehead as she regarded him. "Papa you turn into wolf?" she asked.

Michaela laughed instantly brining her hands up to cover her mouth. Sully looked from his wife to his daughter missing the joke. "Sarah was over here yesterday afternoon and Brian was trying to convince her that he had seen a werewolf before. I'm afraid little ears might have overheard him."

"Who's wittle ears?" Katie asked making both Michaela and Sully smile. Slowly she caught on, giving her parents a disapproving look as she wiggled off the bed.

"Where are you going Katie?"

"To look at my ears – I don't think they're that little." They could hear the angry tones in her sweet voice and they both suppressed more laughter, watching as Katie stood in front of the mirror.

Sully moved closer to Michaela so that her back was flush against his chest as he dipped his head to place a light kiss to her earlobe. "Your daughter," Michaela warned but she didn't move away from him in the least.

"I can't help myself," Sully replied. "I'm turning into a very hungry wolf." He nipped playfully at her neck as Katie turned around to face them.

"What papa hungry for?" she asked forgetting her earlier anger.

"Your mama!" Sully exclaimed bringing his hands down to tickle Michaela's sides.

"Sully!" Michaela scolded trying to wriggle away from him. "Little ears!"

"Stop callin' me wittle ears!" Katie exclaimed. The commotion on the bed broke up as they once again turned to look at their daughter. She stood with her hands on her hips and a disapproving look on her face.

Sully laughed lightly remarking how much his daughter reminded him of his wife. He sat up in the bed. "Come on sweet girl. Why don't we get ya dressed while mama get's ready?"

"I wear my angel wings?" Her little face was alight with joy and Michaela almost hated to dash it.

"Tonight, Katie for the party."

Her bottom lip quivered and her bright eyes pooled with tears. "But papa not at party."

Sully moved quickly to scoop her up, lifting her high in the air. "I'm sorry sweet girl. Why don't we try on your costume now and you can show me?" Katie sniffled loudly but nodded. "But after that we have to put on our regular clothes." Once again Katie nodded albeit much more reluctantly.

"You're poutin' just like Katie," Sully teased standing in the clinic with Michaela as he prepared to leave.

Michaela smiled at him sheepishly knowing he was right. "We don't like it when you go away." Her voice was tender and sweet - not accusatory in any way.

"I don't like it when I go away either," he whispered stepping in to gather her in his arms. "And I love our daughter but her timing really has to get better."

Michaela laughed. "Well if her papa wasn't so hungry all the time..." She looked at him suggestively as she spoke her own hands caressing his chest through his shirt.

"Guess you're like the full moon.. ya bring out the wolf in me." Michaela groaned as Sully leaned his head back and pretended to bay at the moon. Quickly, she pulled his head back down, covering his lips with her own. Sully's hands wandered lower down her back forcing her flush against him as the kiss deepened. When they finally broke apart they were both breathless. Sully continued to hold her close. "I'll be back before ya know it."

"I hope so," she replied leaning in to give him another quick kiss before pulling away. Sully sighed deeply and then moved to the door looking lovingly back at her. Michaela moved to the window to watch him mount his horse and ride away, her heart feeling heavy as it always did when he was gone.

Sully rode out of town and then circled back around watching intently until he was certain the coast was clear. He came up on the livery from behind where Robert E was waiting at the back door of the barn. Jumping down, he handed him the reigns and followed him inside.

"I want to thank ya and Grace for keeping the kids tonight."

"We're always glad to have them over Sully. Plus I think Katie enjoys watchin' Grace with Adam."

"She does. She keeps askin' if we can get her a little brother or sister." Sully laughed. "Ya can't explain to a three year old that it's her sense of timin' that's keepin' it from happenin'."

Robert E smiled and gave him a hearty pat on the back. "I know what that's like. Seems every time I even get close to his mama, Adam starts screamin'- needin' to be fed or changed or something."

Sully nodded in understanding. "Let me tell ya it don't get much better when they learn to open doors. Least Adam can't walk in on ya." Robert E let out a hearty chuckle imagining inquisitive Katie peeking over the edge of her parent's bed.

"So what's the plan for tonight?"

"Once Michaela leaves for the town party, I'm gonna get the house ready for her. I think I'll surprise her by showing up at the party, and then we'll head home for a little alone time."

Robert E nodded his head in approval. "Well ya better get going then. Ya don't want Dr. Mike catchin' ya around town."

Sully nodded. "Thanks again, Robert E."

"Sure thing." He watched Sully depart jumping at the sound of his wife's voice.

"Robert E?" Grace called stepping into the front of the barn. "Who were ya talkin' to?"

"Shh… woman keep your voice down." He walked toward the front where Grace stood with her hands on her hips, a little put out at his reply. "It was Sully – he's hidin' his horse here so Michaela don't suspect anything."

A wide grin spread across Grace's face as she turned a critical eye towards her husband. "Why don't ya ever do anythin' sweet like that?"

"I do stuff," he defended. Grace looked unconvinced and made a gentle clicking sound before walking out of the barn. "Women- can't ever do anythin' to please 'em," Robert E mumbled as she walked away.

"I heard that," she called back making Robert E retreat further back into the barn.

The day had turned warm - warmer than any of the days had been recently. The winter chill seemed to have disappeared making the prospect of the Halloween party even more appealing. School had been dismissed for the day and children could be seen running home eager to don Halloween costumes for the night's festivities. Sarah held her winter coat over her arm, her other hand entwined with Brian's as they walked along. Brian smiled over at her, giving her fingers a gentle squeeze. "I think it's gonna be a full moon tonight," he teased.

"Brian don't start with that werewolf story again," she scolded in mock anger. "I don't believe there are such creatures."

"Just wait until you hear him howling at the moon tonight." Brian threw his head back letting out a long howl. "Better not be caught out alone or he might get ya." Brian let go of her hand and grabbed her arm quickly making Sarah jump. She pulled away from him and swatted at his hand.

"Stop it!" Her voice was stern but Brian could see the amusement in her eyes. Neither had noticed Katie crossing the meadow toward them.

"Brian a wolf too?" Katie said falling in step with them.

"Where did ya come from Katie?" Brian asked, knowing that his mother had told him not to tell werewolf stories within earshot of his sister anymore.

"From over there," she pointed at Michaela. Brian and Sarah looked up and waved at Michaela who was helping set up the tables for the Halloween party.

"Come on, let's see what's goin' on," Brian said hoping to distract her from her earlier question. He grabbed Katie's hand in his while Sarah took her other one. They swung her between them being careful not to pull too hard on her small arms. Katie giggled with glee encouraging them to do it again and again.

"Hey, Ma... Miss Dorothy," Brian said as they approached.

"Good afternoon, Dr. Mike and Miss Dorothy," Sarah echoed purposefully trying to sound more proper than Brian. She cut her eyes in his direction to see him shaking his head.

Michaela smiled warmly. "Good afternoon."

"Mama, Brian's a wolf like Papa," Katie piped up from between her brother and Sarah.

Michaela blushed instantly, dropping her face to hide the rosy glow. "That's nice," she mumbled.

Brian was surprised at her reaction, sure that he would get a stern talking to for letting Katie hear more about werewolves. "Sorry, ma," he mumbled.

"Why does she think Sully's a wolf?" Dorothy asked amused by the little girl's murmurings.

"He's hairy like a wolf and he's hungry for mama," Katie giggled as she laughed at her own words. Everyone suppressed their laughter sensing Michaela's embarrassment.

"What are you dressing up as tonight?" Dorothy asked. She kneeled down beside Katie, trying to distract the little girl from embarrassing her mother further.

Unfortunately, Katie's voiced had traveled beyond the small group. Hank swaggered over with a smirk on his face. "He was bound to turn into an injun or a wolf, seeing as that's who he spends all his time with," he laughed. "Course Michaela'd bring out the..."

"Hank," Dorothy warned straightening up to her full height. "Be mindful of little ears." Hank gave a slight shrug of his shoulder and smiled suggestively before shuffling slowly on.

Katie let go of the hands she was holding to cross them firmly over her chest. "Why does everyone keep callin' my ears wittle?" She stuck out her bottom lip once again as Michaela quickly scooped her up in her arms.

"I think we better head home to get ready for tonight." Katie nodded excitedly and hugged her mother's neck tightly as they started off.

"See ya tonight," Dorothy called as Michaela walked briskly across the meadow towards the bridge obviously in a hurry to leave.

Brian turned toward Sarah. "Guess I'm leaving too," he said watching his mother's hasty retreat.

"I'll see you tonight." Sarah smiled widely at him and reached over to give his hand a light squeeze.

Brian started to walk away but then turned back to her. "Oh... watch out for you know who!" He laughed and then ran to catch up with his mother leaving Sarah shaking her head.

Brian drove the wagon towards town as Michaela sat on the other side with Katie perched between them. Her wings lay in the back of the wagon too delicate to be worn during the wagon ride. "Mama is bootiful," the little girl said fingering the red silky cloak that Michaela wore.

"Thank you sweetheart." She pulled Katie close, nestling her under the silky billows. She had almost relented in dressing up tonight after the wolf incident earlier today. Michaela had decided to go as Little Red Riding Hood weeks ago, long before any of the current talk about wolves. The thought of enduring more of Hank's comments made her angry and she wished once again that Sully was accompanying her. Never having been one to back down though, she had decided to dress in costume and simply make the best of the night.

It wasn't long before they arrived in the meadow, the festivities already under way. She climbed down from the wagon and then reached up for Katie. "Wings, mama," she reminded impatiently. Michaela collected them from the back and tied the ribbons to her arms and around her torso. Katie scampered over to Grace twirling in circles to show off her costume. Michaela reached in the back to retrieve her basket as Brian raced off in his pirate costume to find Sarah. Slowly Michaela strolled over to join her daughter keeping her eyes peeled for any sign of Hank.

"Why Dr. Mike, Sully's gonna be sorry he missed this," Grace laughed admiring the way the red cloak looked on Michaela.

"Mama is bootiful like me," Katie chimed in grabbing her mother's hand excitedly.

"Sure is... but they'd have to call ya All Grown up Red Riding Hood." Grace gave her a knowing look. Michaela blushed slightly. She had chosen the costume with Sully in mind before knowing he would be unable to spend Halloween with them.

"Let me see your little ghost," Michaela said peeking over at the baby. Grace turned Adam around showing off his little white shift and cap perched on his head.

"He won't leave the cap on." Grace rolled her eyes as Michaela leaned over and touched his tiny hands that were once again pulling at the cap.

"Come on mama." Katie pulled on her mother's hand impatiently. "I wanna show Mr. Bray my wings."

"Go on- I'll be there in a minute." Katie took off without further encouragement, her movements so graceful it almost appeared as if she was flying. "Lots of people here tonight," Michaela commented letting her eyes roam across the many faces.

"Folks from the chateau. Must be rich too - have ya seen some of their costumes?"

Michaela nodded as he eyes settled on a gentleman on the far side of the crowd. He stood off to the side and though his eyes were masked, she was certain he looked right at her. There was an intensity to his gaze that made her blush and though she wanted to look away, she found she couldn't. "Grace is that..." She bit her bottom lip deciding she was only being paranoid.

Grace followed her gaze though and smiled. "Looks like ya got a secret admirer."

"No," Michaela shook her head and turned her back to the costumed man. "Think I'll check on Katie." She hurried away hoping the gentleman would lose sight of her among the other party guests.

"Michaela," Dorothy called hurrying to her friend's side. "You look wonderful."

"Thanks," she whispered cutting her eyes towards the other side of the meadow.

"Is something wrong?" Dorothy asked noticing Michaela's uneasiness.

She moved in close to her friend and began to whisper. "There's a man over there staring at me." Dorothy turned her head to see but Michaela stopped her. "Don't look!"

Letting out a gentle laugh, Dorothy patted Michaela's arm. "Michaela, there's no harm in looking at a beautiful woman." Michaela's brow wrinkled at Dorothy's words. "Well it's true."

"It makes me uncomfortable!"

"Sully stares at you all the time," Dorothy pointed out.

"Sully's my husband," Michaela defended as they drew closer to where Katie stood now showing off her wings to Sarah.

"Dr. Mike!" Michaela turned around to see Brian's friend Stephen approaching. "That man wanted me to give this to ya." Michaela looked down at the folded piece of paper in his hand and reluctantly took it in her own.

"Thank you," she whispered as Stephen ran off.

"Open it," Dorothy nudged her.

Michaela fingered it for another minute, startled by this new turn. Slowly she opened the fold. Beautiful looping letters stared back at her. The penmanship was magnificent. The words seemed to blur for a moment but finally her eyes focused. It read:

Red,

I would be honored if you would dance with me.

The Highwayman

Michaela swallowed hard and then looked up at Dorothy as if for advice. "It's only a dance," she whispered. "I'm sure he is harmless." Michaela barely heard her though as her eyes caught the gentleman approaching them. He wore a rich blue velvet coat trimmed with gold. White gloves covered his hands standing out against the darkness of the night. A hat was pulled down low over his brow and a white mask hid most of his face. A slim mustache was perched on his top lip and from here Michaela couldn't tell if it was real or part of the costume. Yet still his eyes were riveted to her. They weren't menacing exactly but Michaela couldn't help but feel as if he was mentally undressing her. He stopped in front of them without a word and simply held out one gloved hand in Michaela's direction.

Part Two Tomorrow - Just something fun for the holiday – Happy Halloween everyone!! Hope you enjoyed!!