They found out a car had run a red light and had struck Sully's driver side door. Sully remembered travelling to the job site that morning but not making it there. The last thing he saw was the blue flash heading straight toward him. His truck didn't have too much damage anywhere except the door, but it would need a little work. The pain wasn't too bad, the pills he took doing their job well right now, but Sully knew it wasn't just them that kept the soreness away. It was love, pure and simple. He wasn't sure if he was dreaming when he heard those words...I love you, but when he opened his eyes and saw her, his heart and mind told him it was true. She loved him.

Michaela hadn't left Sully's side since he was first brought in. He had progressed very well through the night and his injuries looked better this morning. Michaela watched him as he opened his eyes again after a restless sleep. "Good morning," she whispered and reached out to smooth the hair from his face.

He stilled her hand, brought it to his lips and placed a soft kiss to the back of it. "Mornin'," he said with his deep hoarse voice. Michaela felt a shiver run through her body as she felt the warmth of his lips on her skin.

He was feeling much better, just a little tired, and if the doctor approved he would go home today. Michaela had managed to get a few days off so she could stay with Sully to keep an eye on him. His injuries weren't overly bad just a lot of cuts and bruises. But he had also broken a couple of ribs, which were fairly painful when he tried to move, sneeze or cough. Michaela assured him it would lessen in time, but he would need a while to rest properly.

Michaela carefully pulled into the driveway, trying to avoid as many of the bumps and dips as possible. She cringed at each jostle of the car, knowing it was causing Sully so much pain. "We're here," she breathed at last. She jumped out of the car and ran around to the other side, opening the door for Sully, and trying to help him out. He let out a moan as he stepped uncomfortably onto the ground.

Wolf came bounding up from the yard, ready to jump and play. Sully's eyes went wide as he realised what was about to happen and braced himself. But Michaela had seen him, too and quickly stepped between them. "Down," she ordered, and Wolf obeyed, still happy to be reunited with his family after a worrying night alone.

Inside the house Michaela asked, "I'll make you some tea. Do you want to lie down in bed?" Despite the discomfort he was feeling, he still managed a cheeky grin saying, "Only if you'll join me".

"Sully!" she scolded, blushing slightly at his comment. She took his hand and led him gently to his room, where she helped him lay back and remove his shoes.

"Ouch," he grumbled as he positioned himself on his pillows.

"I'll be right back," said Michaela. She returned moments later with a tray containing pills, a glass of water and tea. "Here take these" she offered the pills to Sully. He swallowed them down, as Michaela set the tray down on the chair next to his bed yawning. Sully frowned as it dawned on him that Michaela hadn't slept since before the accident. He patted the bed next to him. "Come here," he said.

"I really should get dinner started, and then I have to call Robert E. and Grace. Charlotte and the children are back from Denver, and they all wanted to know when we got home. Is there anyone else you want to call?" she said quickly.

"Actually there is, but first I want ya ta take it easy. You've been up for so long" he paused then said gently "It's ok, I'm a little nervous too," he told her.

Michaela smiled when she realised he had read her feelings so easily. She reluctantly moved lightly across the bed and sat close to Sully, being careful not to touch him. He reached out his arm across her shoulders and pulled her closer to him. "Sully..." she started.

"Shhhh... just rest for a while, that's all" he whispered. Sully shook his head as he heard heavy breathing from Michaela only seconds later. She was exhausted. He wasn't ready to sleep yet, so he grabbed his cell phone out of the zip lock bag they had brought home from the hospital. He powered it up and checked it for messages; one voice mail.

He closed his eyes as he listened, a smile forming on his lips. It was his mother; he guessed he wouldn't have to call her after all. She had been called by the hospital as his next of kin but had been away for the evening and just gotten the message. She called the hospital and they told her he had already been released. She was getting on the first plane out and would arrive tonight.

Sully couldn't remember the last time he had seen her. With her getting older it was too much for her to travel all that way very often, and he had been so busy lately, he hadn't had the chance either. He worried that with her failing health, she might overdo it, but knew there was no way he could stop her from coming. It would be great to see her. They were a close family even though distance separated them.

Michaela woke some hours later to the moon shining in through the window. As she stretched she heard Sully's deep voice coming from the kitchen. She sat up slowly running her fingers through her hair and straightening her clothes. She padded barefoot down the hallway to the kitchen.

Sully sat at the kitchen table talking quietly with an older woman. She had a warm smile on her face as she watched Michaela enter the room.

"Hey you're awake. Slept well?" Sully asked warmly as he stood to greet her.

"Oh Sully, don't get up," she rushed to his side and urged him, "You need to rest too, remember?" Michaela did a quick sweep over his wounds, making sure they were ok. Then she brushed the back of her hand over his cheek and looked into his eyes, smiling as she sat down at the table next to him.

Sully reached for her hand which she willingly gave as he said, "Michaela, I'd like ya ta meet my mother, Katherine." He looked toward his mother and said, "This is Michaela".

Michaela stiffened as she wondered what sort of first impression she had just made, having just woken from sleep, her hair in disarray and face looking tired, and to top it off, being so obvious of her affection for Sully in front of someone she didn't even know. Katherine on the other hand was only too pleased to finally meet the woman that Sully had mentioned to her so often. Who she knew now after Sully had blissfully told her, returned his affections. As far as she was concerned, her actions showed she truly cared about her son, and that was all that mattered to her.

Over the next few days, people came and went. Robert E. was in charge of the business while Sully was out of action. Grace brought over several delicious meals which everyone loved, while Charlotte and the children kept them entertained with visits. Katherine delighted in looking after Sully when Michaela had to return to work, and she and Michaela would often sit and talk while Sully rested. They had become good friends.

Soon days turned into weeks and Sully was all but healed. Katherine had reluctantly returned home a while ago, with the promise of more phone calls and visits from both Sully and Michaela. The pair had eventually revealed to their friends that they were now a couple, something they had all guessed anyway. The new couple hadn't taken the physical part of their relationship any further, rather waiting until it felt right for them both. That's not to say that they didn't enjoy touching and kissing though, but managed to control themselves when things could have gotten out of control.

They still both returned to their own rooms in the evening, but spent as much time to together as they could, at times Michaela would sit in the spare bedroom where the gym equipment was, reading the latest medical newsletter, while Sully worked out. I mean who wouldn't want to be around that as much as possible, she grinned inwardly. Other moments Sully would tussle with Wolf on the floor as she wrote notes for work on the couch; often casting longing glances in her direction, silently willing her to look over at him. Which she did more often than not. In all they were very happy.

Not long after, Michaela had announced that she was finally ready to open her clinic. She had finally set up with everything she needed and was proud of how it had all come together. She and Sully had decided that Michaela would still move into her apartment when it was ready, seeing as they weren't quite ready for that next relationship step yet. It was a surprise for Michaela to learn that Robert E. and some others from the building crew had kindly taken over the repairs of her apartment while Sully was injured. And it would be ready earlier than expected.

Everyone was so excited by the good news that they decided it would be fitting to celebrate with a nice dinner. They were all at Sully's place enjoying the food and each other's company, when Sully got a call on his cell phone. He got up to answer it and soon afterward he absently closed his phone and slumped against the wall. It was Charlotte that noticed his face first. "Sully!" she questioned. "Sully, is somethin' wrong?" The chatter in the room died down as they all looked over at him.

He averted his eyes and walked out of the room and down the corridor to his bedroom. Michaela rushed after him, and caught him at the doorway, laying her hand on his shoulder. "Sully, what is it?" she pleaded. "Who was on the phone?"

He stumbled over the words as a million thoughts ran through his head. "It was my ma's neighbour. They went over ta check on her 'cos she's not been feelin' too good" Michaela nodded. Katherine had only just called yesterday saying she was feeling very weak, and she had a tight feeling in her chest. Michaela had told her to get it checked out, but Katherine said she would wait and see if it passed. Sully continued "When she didn't answer the door they let themselves in". She was just layin' there in bed, like she was sleepin'. But... they couldn't wake her up" he whispered and tried to swallow the lump forming in his throat. "The paramedics said..." he paused a while, his breaths shallow. "Michaela, she's...dead".

Michaela's chest tightened as she heard the words. And her heart ached. She took a steadying breath, her grief over losing her friend would have to wait, Sully needed her now. She gathered him tightly to her body as he sunk his face into her shoulder, weeping silently.

to be continued...