Sully's recovery from Rankin
by Clare Quinn
January 2011
Disclaimer I do not own the characters in this story. I wish the people who did would use them and create new series. I have just borrowed the characters.
Sully after this attack had to be in bed/ recovering no less than 3 weeks I feel even more. Come on who really thought it would only take a week in 1868? This explores his thoughts and anxieties being in bed at the home stead. He'd wanted to have a family but not this way.
...
*WHAM* Sully felt the full force of the gun butt with all the force Rankin could muster to cause the most damage into his back.
He felt the whack vibrate like a lightning bolt up to his head and it caused his knees to buckle and him fall onto the ground. It made Sully feel instantly ill. Not knowing what was happening.
He'd come to the buffalo hunters camp to help his Cheyenne family at their request. He appealed to the hunters that they leave enough buffalo for food for the Indians. As there was a harsh winter expected that year. They were starving and many children died of malnutrition that concerned Cloud Dancing and the other elders.
Rankin and Sully stepped into each other's space in a confronting stance and Rankin baited him into a verbal confrontation. Sully pulled himself up against the bigger man. He already felt angry at witnessing the slaughter of so many buffalo the day before when they'd been out collecting herbs for Dr Mike. He knew that their killing would only increase the likely hood of a war between the whites and Indians. There was a distinct possibility of the inevitable inhalation of his Indian family much sooner than late.
Rankin sneering "they can eat coyote" goaded him even more.
Within seconds the pack of smelly co workers Bluey and Skinna and the buffalo hunter where on him. A fist slammed into his face and he was wrenched to his feet. Another butt from the rifle slammed into his gut. He fell to the ground again gasping for breath. Sully was totally winded by a kick in the ribs. He felt a couple of his ribs break. The unprovoked beating and kicking was meant to do harm even kill him he was sure.
Knowing he was in real trouble with the frenzied savage attack continuing kick after kick he quickly succumbed to unconsciousness.
Looking at his unconscious form Rankin was proud as he thought they'd killed the half breed. Throw him over with the other one he ordered Bluey and Skinna who never questioned their boss.
Much later as evening approached Sully surfaced slightly when he heard his brother Cloud Dancing leaning down calling his name. The voice was so far away it may not have even been there.
He didn't know how long he'd been here where ever here was. Sully murmured quietly "MMMaechlaaaa" on his breath.
Cloud Dancing picked him up and the pain caused his to be enveloped into unconsciousness once again. His brother was extremely concerned for him as it was dark and he only sensed how badly injured Sully was. The spirits told him he should hurry.
Cloud Dancing knocked on the door of the home stead and when it was opened he staggered in with his precious burden.
He placed a badly beaten Sully on the bed ever so carefully and seeing him in the light from the lantern shocked himself as well as the whole family. Colleen grasped Mathew and Brian as they all thought their friend was dead. Cloud Dancing told Dr Mike that Sully had mentioned her name when he located him after he'd not returned from the buffalo hunter's camp earlier in the day. There was a dead Indian in the ravine as well.
Michaela tried valiantly to hold onto control of her emotions as she listened for a heartbeat. Eyes filling with unshed tears for the man she was developing deep feelings for. Was it her own heart beat or his she was hearing? YES there it was! Not as strong as it would normally be but it was just audible. Did its weakness mean he had large internal injuries?
She was traumatized by the sight of Sully's condition. Who had done this to him? Why Sully didn't usually go out looking for this kind of trouble. At least not to the extent that this beating appeared to be looking at the outer injuries she could see. Not sure what was under the surface. There was severe deep bruising and swelling already evident on his tanned skin and his handsome face. The bruising only reminiscent of someone who had been run over by a horse and cart out of control. She'd witnessed these types of injuries only on Boston streets during her work at the hospital there. Horses and carriages caused extensive damage to the human body especially internal injuries when run over or stampeded on.
Michaela tried hard to control the rising fear within her. She'd glanced at the children and saw the panic in their eyes. She needed to control herself so the children would remain calm.
"Colleen will you fill a bowl with warm water" she said "I need to see how badly Sully is injured under all the blood" Colleen nodded and took off to do the job.
"Mathew I need clean cloths to bath Sully with also bandages from the clinic and other medicines" she instructed.
"Brian Wolf and Pup need feeding" she continued
"After that I want you all to think about getting ready for bed" she continued.
That would keep them occupied as she tried to estimate the extent of Sully's injuries.
Looking at her friend and Sully's Cheyenne brother she said she'd need his help as well. He only mutely nodded and was relieved she acknowledged she needed support as well. Together they began to work on Sully's unconscious form. Cloud Dancing with his traditional Indian medicine, praying to the spirits asking them to heal his brother. She gently bathed the dried and caked blood off his beaten body. She also prayed to her God to save Sully's life. He'd bled so much it was obvious that he'd had a few large blood losses.
She removed his beads and medicine bag placing them in a draw in her bureau. She tore off the tattered shirt exposing more damage to his chest and a huge contusion on his stomach.
Mathew and Cloud Dancing removed his buckskin pants. They covered him with a sheet. Dr Mike knew that his modesty would have been stretched if she'd done the job herself even though she was a doctor and he unconscious.
Dr Mike knew Sully would be in enormous pain but was not able to give him anything and was grateful he was unconscious. Together they worked on him all night. Taking turns to watch him as one would sit in the rocking chair for a nap. Not really resting but conserving energy for what may occur.
What she saw on the outside was a swollen and discoloured face and badly bruised eye socket that could have a break in the eye socket orb also a possible fracture to his jaw. Possible broken ribs as both sides had bruising. Also of worry was the swelling in his abdomen. His shallow breathing did not appear to indicate a punctured lung. Not to mention the deep muscular bruising getting darker by the hour. She had been anxious about his back as she'd been afraid to roll him just in case of severe back trauma. Then there was an obvious knee injury and this was just the beginning. Not knowing the extent of internal injuries she was afraid they may lose him during the night. Thankfully there was no bleeding from the ears that would indicate head trauma. The next 24 hours would be crucial.
The next morning after a fitful night for them all as Sully although he was breathing it was very laboured...
Colleen said "Dr Mike" Colleen turns to Mathew who puts his arms round her for reassurance. Brian is seated on the rocking chair with both wolves close by.
"Sully I'll look after Wolf for ya till ya better" he promises in his thoughts. "Ya always keep a promise just like ya said" He felt closer to Sully with Wolf so close by.
She replied "I can only see what's on the outside at this point I have no idea what's on the inside".
With the question in her eyes she looked at Cloud Dancing.
He causally replied "Spirits says it's bad."
She whispered "How bad?"
"He will live" was the reply.
This did not make her or any of them feel any better.
"He'll be all right" Dr Mike tried to reassure them that Sully was holding his own more for her own benefit than to anyone in particular.
The night was the longest any of them had ever experienced just watching and a feeling of total helplessness.
A day later...
Late afternoon was approaching.
Sully gasped for air as he experienced the searing racking pain. He was jolted back into consciousness suddenly and violently. He was being bashed he swung wildly with his arm at the shadow of the man leaning over him.
"AAAGGGGHhhhhh" he yelled as the pain in his side grabbed him.
He looked around confusion evident on his face. His one eye that he could just open offered some blurred vision. Cloud Dancing and Mathew were there instantly reassuring him. Mathew racing outside the home stead to fetch Dr Mike informing her Sully was waking.
Cloud Dancing filled him in on where he found him and why he was here. This did not make much sense to Sully.
Mathew running out the house while Dr Mike is hanging out scalded bandages with the clothes prop on the clothes line slung near the house.
He eagerly says "Dr Mike Sully's waking up"
"Oh! Thank goodness for that" she thought. Racing for the front door she bolts in looking towards the bed. She was afraid that he may go into shock as well. Shock killed just as easily as the serious injuries that she witnessed. Why some bruises even had a boot print in them. What kind of force was required to inflict that imprint so well defined?
Sully was grunting with each breath. He was obviously having more trouble with his ribs even though she was loath to strap them.
Quietly she said as he tries to look at her "Sully Cloud Dancing brought you here he found you near Rankin's camp"...pause... "Sully listen to me" She felt almost out of control at this moment.
He was groaning still with each breath, she continues "now that your awake it's very important that I examine you check for internal injuries"
He nodded groaning. Every time she presses on his sensitive skin he moans loudly.
"I know you're in terrible pain but please try to distinguish for me the different degrees. It's important" as Michaela is examining all the time he is grunting trying not to call out and his right side may have fractured ribs as he lets out another "AAGGhhhh"
Michaela shifts the sheet up from the bottom exposing his legs she presses near his obviously injured left knee and anxiously looks at him when there is no response from him. She presses again still no response. "oh no!" she thinks suppressing the thought quickly. But the concern is etched all over her face.
The room becomes quiet and Sully looks at Michaela. Suddenly he realises "I can't move my legs" he saysapprehensively.
Sully watched as she used an instrument down his leg.
Anxiously he said "I can't feel that"
Dr Mike went to on foot softly she said "That?"While running the instrument over the sole of his foot.
Exhaling he replied "No" His eye showing true fear now he continued "What's goin on?"
Trying so hard not to lose control of her own feelings that she had harnessed tightly she went on "Some sort of paralysis"... Another pause..."I don't know exactly" she concluded.
Trying to keep his own apprehension under control he said "I'm paralysed?" All of a sudden hesaw his life flash before his eyes. It was of his dream of being here as part of this family in this home. Also of all his love for her and affection growing in his heart threatened. His anticipation of their union in the future all these now dashed.
Michaela answered as everyone held their breath listening "the problem may just be temporary"
Sully frightened now asked "what da ya mean?"
"Well it just could be accumulation of fluid pressing on the spinal cord"... another pause... "with time the swelling will go down and the feeling will come back" she continued trying to sound convincing.
It felt that they all collectively were holding their breaths. Everyone felt so heavy at what was being said. Not really understanding but words like *paralysed* and *no feelings* as well as their implications meant they did recognise the seriousness of the situation.
Sully groaned out "how long?"
Michaela wanted to be reassured as well as reassuring the other but couldn't with a shrug she said "I don't know"
Her heart was getting heavier and torn as she was talking. Sully she just wanted to hold him. Kiss him and take the pain from him. Make it all go away. The realization of all horrid possibilities was enormous and she understood more than anyone the outcome may not be good. This rugged, gentle man that she had feelings of love for may never walk again.
Cloud Dancing stated that he'd heard of a root that may help. He was determined to look for and find this root that may assist his brother become well. He left immediately to seek this root.
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