A/N: Would it be proper to really start a story like this with anybody BESIDES the wonderful Doctor Michaela Quinn? :D I think not. I won't be the exception. =) I will give a little bit of background, but then write a chapter for the story that shows a lot of what I talk about for personality and stuff. These chapters are not in any particular year! I could choose any different time or place for these to take place! The first one takes place probably around Season Five.

Doctor Michaela Quinn was a very complex person, but she was also very open when it came to friends and family. Growing up in the home of her father, Doctor Josef Quinn, only made her want to become a doctor when she got older. She was the youngest of five girls born to Josef and Elizabeth Quinn. Her father wanted a son named Michael; therefore his fifth daughter was named Michaela. She received her degree from the Women's Medical College of Pennsylvania. Michaela worked beside her father until he died and then she moved to Colorado Springs. At first, she wasn't accepted by the town because they weren't used to the idea of a female doctor out west. Finally, she won them over and is living among them and doctoring all the people of this little town with husband Byron Sully, son Brian Cooper, daughter Katie Sully and daughter, Colleen Cooper when she's home from college.

Michaela sat in a chair by the fire. Her eyes were drooping and she was practically asleep in the chair. Colleen walked into the room and chuckled at her. Colleen touched her shoulder.

"Ma?" Colleen said but Michaela didn't move. "Ma?" Michaela jumped about a mile out of the chair. Colleen laughed again.

"What's the matter? Is it Katie? What's going on?" Michaela asked.

"Katie's fine Ma. She's asleep just where you left her. I came over here because you were sleeping and I think you would feel better if you went to your bedroom and got to lie down and go to sleep." Colleen replied.

"I was just waiting for Sully to get home. He's been gone for a really long time." Michaela turned in the chair.

"It may take him awhile. He and Matthew took Jonathan to look for some land. Sully will know just where to take him. They should be back soon Ma. You just get some rest. Sully wouldn't be happy with me if I didn't try. Come on." Michaela stood up and looked at her oldest daughter.

"Shouldn't you be packing to go back to school?" Michaela asked. Colleen laughed.

"Ma, I'm already packed and ready to go. Don't worry about me; you should be going to bed." Colleen replied. Michaela stood up and walked towards the stairs when the door burst open. Michaela and Colleen stopped. Leaning up against the door was Loren Bray. Standing there with him was Dorothy Jennings and Brian.

"Loren! What's the matter?" Michaela asked.

"He got hurt. He tripped in the store. Mr. Bray didn't realize that something was on the floor and he tripped and hit himself pretty bad Ma. I think he might have internal bleeding." Brian said. Michaela walked over to him.

"Let's get him to the clinic." Michaela said.

"Ma! You can't go. You were almost asleep just a few minutes ago." Colleen exclaimed. Michaela looked at her, she was now wide awake.

"Colleen, Loren needs help. If he has internal bleeding he may not make it through the night." Michaela replied. Michaela, Brian and Dorothy helped Loren out of the house and into the wagon. Michaela looked at Colleen.

"Can you please stay here with Katie?" Michaela asked. Colleen nodded. They rushed to the clinic and got Loren on the table. "Brian, I need you to go outside." Michaela said.

"Why Ma? I can help you even if Colleen isn't here." Brian said.

"Brian, please do what your Ma says. Go outside and wait for us." Dorothy said.

"Why can't I help?" Brian asked. Michaela looked at him.

"Please Brian. I have to evaluate him before we cut into him." Michaela said.

"Oh let him stay!" Loren exclaimed. "I don't have anything to hide. Come here boy." Brian walked over to Loren.

[

Hours later, Michaela was back at the house with Katie and Brian. She was sleeping when Sully walked through the front door with Matthew.

"Brian, where's your Ma?" Sully asked. Brian looked up from his book.

"She's upstairs sleeping." Brian replied.

"No I'm not Brian. I just got up." Michaela walked down the stairs. She saw Sully and ran over to him. "I'm so glad to see you! I got so worried about you because you weren't home. I kept messing things up at the clinic. After a while Colleen and Andrew had to send me home to rest."

"Where is Colleen? Has her train left already?" Sully questioned.

"I guess so." Michaela replied. "When I saw her last she was still here."

"Well I'm sure Andrew took her to the train station so she wasn't alone." Sully replied. "I think Dr. Cook is quite fond of our Colleen don't you think?" Michaela smiled her beautiful white smile.

"Sully, are you worried about Colleen?"

"I'm just nervous that she might be getting into something a little over her head." Sully stated.

"David and I were just like Colleen and Andrew when we first started courting. I was up at the Women's Medical College. I only came home once or twice a month. I saw him every time I was home." Michaela paused. "Up until he joined in the Civil War. We got engaged when I was in school, and I was terribly upset when I found out he'd been killed in battle. But I don't think my life would be the same as it is now if I'd have married David."

"Do you ever regret that? David came for you, and still you chose me." Sully said.

"Sully, I love you, I love the children and our life together. I don't regret anything I've done in that regard." Michaela responded.

"Okay." Sully said with a smile.