DQMW Ch9

I was on a roll last night, so I got a lot more written than I thought I would. So here goes…

Read & Review!

-Ash

Throughout the night Sully drifted in and out of sleep. He wanted to keep an eye on the fire to make sure that she stayed warm, but more than that he wanted to get a jump on first light. Sully knew that Dr. Mike would never forgive herself if something were to happen to Brian, and he was determined to be the one to find him. It was torturous watching her sleep in his teepee. Now that she was asleep, Sully could admit that something about it seemed so natural, and he wondered how he could possibly feel so comfortable with a woman he barely knew. Don't get used to it. He thought. She just needs your help. Everything will go back to normal tomorrow.

As dawn broke Sully stepped outside to relieve himself and to get ready to depart. Groups of Cheyenne Braves were also gathering as they discussed where to look first. As he headed back to his teepee to wake Dr. Mike came storming out. Her eyes flashed as she lashed out at him "Why didn't you wake me?"

"I was just comin to…" Sully answered. The peaceful ambiance of the prior evening lost in the morning light. Sully reminded himself that she was exhausted and worried, so he bit his tongue and went about his task.

Michaela felt awful for assuming that Sully wasn't going to wake her, but was too proud to apologize. So, Michaela gathered her things and began to saddle Bear so that she would be ready. She was anxious to get going and Michaela was again surprised that Sully did not ride a horse like the others, but kept her questions to herself.

Without a word he walked towards the outskirts of camp, and Michaela took that as her cue that they were leaving. So, she kept as close as possible without trampling him. She didn't want to risk him leaving her behind. They headed towards the mountains, the opposite way of the braves.

In the light of a new day, and the fact that Brian had been gone for over twenty four hours, Michaela was in a panic. She had a feeling that if anyone could find him, Sully could, and she prayed that they would find him soon. Sully kept quiet while Michaela screamed Brian's name over and over again. He was focused on any sign that the boy had been through this area. Without anything for wolf to get his scent, Sully was flying blind.

Back in town, Matthew had gone for help. He had a group of townsmen gathered to form their own search party. They started from the homestead and set out into the woods. Before long they came across the Cheyenne search party. Loren, assuming that it was a war party, sent one of the men for the Army. Matthew had the feeling that this was turning into an Indian hunt instead of a search party for his little brother.

After an hour of searching, Sully and Michaela came to a stream. Wolf's ears perked and he ran to a large fallen tree. On top laid a piece of clothing. Faithfully, wolf brought it back to Sully, and Michaela instantly recognized it as part of Brian's shirt. Sully thrust the fabric back into Wolf's face and instructed him to find. His heart lightened a bit, as he knew that wolf would find him quickly, it was just a matter of what kind of shape the boy would be in. Wolf immediately took off up the side of the mountain and Sully did his best to keep up with Michaela trailing behind.

As the trio reached the top of the ridge wolf began to whimper. Brian was close. Sully noticed the small footprints and then what looked like he slid down the hill. Leaning over, he said a quick prayer to the spirits that Brian was alive. Michaela finally caught up and fell to her knees nearly knocking Sully over as she looked over the hill. There he was, he was lying still and for a moment Michaela feared that he was dead. "Brian! Brian!"

Finally, he moved and looked towards his rescuers. "Don't worry. We're gonna get you." Michaela promised and looked to Sully for instruction. Instead she found him already removing his hat and the blanket that shielded him from the cold. Without a word he started down the hill. As he descended Michaela thought about how selfless Sully was, and she was astounded. She had never known a man that would put himself in harm's way to save another, and the feeling that they were kindred spirits enveloped her.

Sully quickly reached the boy and lifted him easily to his back. Instructing Brian to hold on tight, Sully began the trek back up the hill to Michaela. Relief set in as Michaela pulled Brian to her in a warm embrace. After showering is small face with kisses she heard him groan and realized that he was hurt.

"Where does it hurt?" She asked him quickly. "My leg" he whimpered. Michaela lay him down to assess the damage and found that his leg was broken just above the ankle. She looked to Sully "His leg's broken. I need a splint."

"I'll get something." Sully said as he took off to find something suitable. He was back in a matter of seconds, and Michaela instructed him to hold Brian while she set the bone. "here son, bite on this." Sully told him as he placed a small branch in his mouth. Sully had had a few broken bones in his life, and did not envy the boy the pain setting his leg would cause. He brushed the hair from his eyes and tried to soothe Brian the best he could. The gruff mountain man exterior had melted away, and was replaced with a kind and gentle spirit.

Nodding to Sully, Michaela braced herself for what she had to do. Never had she been responsible for someone so close to her, and for the first time since she was in medical school, she doubted her abilities. However, she had no choice. Brian's leg had to be set before they could move him. Getting a grip around his ankle she placed weight on his thigh to keep him from jerking, and swiftly pulled his leg into line. Aside from a wince, Brian barely made a sound.

Michaela looked to Sully and was rewarded with a small smile and nod to say that she had done well. "I need your knife." She said. Sully handed it over and watched as she cut a strip of her petticoat to tie the sticks together for a splint. Sully stared in awe. The women he knew never would have done something like that. But of course, they wouldn't have been here in the first place, he reminded himself. Sully scooped Brian up, and making sure that he was comfortable started back down the hill. This time he was slower so that Michaela could keep up. He looked back in time to see her slide a bit. "Put your hand on my shoulder to steady yourself." Now that Brian was found, nervousness set in again at the impropriety of being alone with a man in the woods, but she didn't argue and used his sturdy frame to steady her descent. Once at the base of the hill Michaela took Bear's reigns and they walked back towards town.

Neither had said anything but had shared many sideways glances on the way back. Sully could hear voices in the distance and picked up his pace. They came across a small knoll and found the Cheyenne search party. Cloud Dancing was at the front of the pack, and jumped from his horse when he saw that the boy was injured. But, Michaela affirmed that he was fine before he could take a look.

The sound of horses caught their attention and everyone froze as the Army appeared at the top of the hill behind them. Dread filled Sully. He knew that the Army would be unforgiving and could easily kill the friends that stood before him.

Matthew had returned with Colonel Chivington, and was doing his best to talk him out of attacking the Indians. Just as they crested the hill, Matthew thought he spotted Dr. Mike, and his heart fell as Chivington ordered his men forward.

The band of braves instantly mounted their horses and took off towards the reservation. Michaela and Sully moved into the trees for protection. Sully knew there was nothing that he could do to save them now. Michaela however knew that this was all because she asked for their help, and couldn't bear the thought of this group of men being slaughtered because of her. As the Army troop rounded the bend of trees she stepped out with her arms raised to halt the attack. Sully was too slow in his attempt to stop her. "What are you doin?"

"No! Stop! You don't understand! Please listen to me! Stop! Stop!" Michaela shouted. The troop stopped just short of trampling her.

"Damn it woman!" Chivington groused from the back of the mob. He pushed his way to the front of the pack to confront her. Meanwhile Sully set Brian down and moved to place himself between Michaela and Chivington. Sully knew that Chivington hated the Indians and wouldn't let anyone, not even a woman, stand in his way of killing a few.

Chivington was now talking to Sully "YOU are interfering with government business." Before Sully could respond she jumped in. "No, we're not." Michaela gently touched Sully's arm and he immediately backed down. "This is a search party sir. My boy was lost, and these people tried to help me find him."

Chivington paused, realizing that he had been beaten. Not wanting to be a pushover in front of his men he argued. " The Cheyenne have broken federal law by leaving their reservation in a number greater than two."

Sully was having a hard time no lashing out, but he held back and let Michaela finish. "That's my fault sir. Please accept my apology." With a huff, Chivington ordered his men to fall back. Michaela turned to hear the Cheyenne yelling "Ha Ho'o" She smiled, knowing that she had kept them from certain death.

As she turned back she spotted Matthew racing down the hill. "Brian?" he inquired. "He's all right." Michaela informed him. The three raced towards the small boy and knelt down beside him.

"You sure told em Dr. Mike!" Brian beamed. Sully thought the same thing. She had been wonderful in her defense of the Cheyenne.

"thanks" Matthew said sincerely. He had been so hard on their new caretaker, and was truly grateful that she had Brian back safe and sound. "Poor Colleen will be worried sick by now. Let's go home." Matthew lifted Brian and started towards the horses. As he situated Brian in front of him Michaela pulled Sully aside.

" Sully…?"

"yea Dr. Mike?" He replied looking her square in the eye.

She looked up into the crystal clear blue of his eyes and felt compelled to tell him everything she had been holding back. But, she settled for thanking him. "Thank you so much for finding Brian. I don't know what I would have done…"

"It's no problem. Any time you need me, you just let me know." Sully knew he was pushing his own boundaries, but he needed her to know that he was willing to be around for her and the kids. "Well… I guess I better be goin" he stammered. He didn't want to go, but felt awkward joining the family home.

"Wait… won't you join us for dinner? I think we have a lot to celebrate." She said shyly averting her gaze.

"Yea Sully, ya gotta eat with us." Brian shouted from Matthews lap.

"Uh, all right. I'd like that." Sully gave in. He offered his hand to help her up the last bit of hill, and their eyes met before she took it. As before, sparks flew through their touch and Michaela's pulse quickened. She smiled demurely and stepped ahead of him on the path.

Matthew rode ahead with Brian firmly in his grasp as Sully and Michaela walked behind with Bear in tow. Tonight would be the first of many dinners to come where Sully joined the family at his homestead. It was indeed the start to something very special.

Thanks again everyone! R&R!

Lots of Dr. Quinn Love!

-Ash