"Ma! Ma! NO!"
Colleen looked up from the she had been reading as the yelling became a piercing wail and filled the entire house. She was on her feet instantly and then she was out the door and running from room to room until she found Brian, huddled on their Ma's bed, his arms covering his face.
"Brian? Brian!"
She rushed over to him and sat down, pulling him into her arms.
"What's wrong? Did you fall asleep? Did you have a bad dream?"
Sweat mingled with his tears and Brian looked up at his sister and nodded.
"I dreamed Ma was dead..." And then his voice broke and he began to sob.
"Oh Brian...It was just a dream. I'm sure Ma is fine. Sully will find her."
She shushed him and rocked, brushing his hair from his forehead.
"You don't know that...I dreamed she was hurt...She was dying...I couldn't get to her and she died." Brian cried harder and Colleen felt her eyes well with tears.
She tightened her arms around her little brother and they held each other as the late afternoon sunlight streamed into the room.
"Please find her Sully," Colleen whispered pleadingly, "Please."

Michaela spit dirt and blood out of her mouth and tried to roll over but couldn't move. Wallace was on top of her. She could smell his breath, hot on her neck, she could feel his hungry eyes looking her up and down.
"Let me up, "She whispered.
"I like this, "He hissed into her ear and Michaela shrieked and struggled to get out from under him. Wallace laughed and spun her over, his grin widening. She whimpered and he lowered his mouth to hers...
"No...Please..."
His mouth was on hers, his hands fumbling for her skirt and Michaela's heart nearly burst from her chest. She didn't care what he did to her anymore...She only knew that he was trying to rape her like before and this time he just might succeed.
She began screaming.
"SULLY! HELP ME!"
"Shut up hellcat," Wallace groaned and he leaned down and bit off a button on her blouse.
"SULLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLYYYYYYY!"

Sully froze in midstride, his eyes searching the trees. The scream had sliced through his heart and the trees and he spun around and looked at Matthew and Cloud-dancing who were looking at him with wide eyes.
"I heard her," Matthew said, "I heard her. Where is she?"
"SUUUUUUUUUUULLLLLLLLLLLLLLLYYYYYYYYYY!"
Sully felt his heart stop and he yelled, "This way! HURRY!"
Matthew shouted. "HYAH!" And his horse rose to a gallop as he followed Sully and Cloud-dancing as they began to run.

Michaela slapped at Wallace's shoulder and actually managed to bite his hand but he slapped her down. And then his gun was at her head and he snarled, "Scream again for your injun and see if I don't blow your brains out all over the ground!"
She stopped struggling and stared up at him, the fear choking her, his hands sliding inside her blouse.
She turned her head away and he laughed. "You're so beautiful...I told you I would get to play doctor...It's my turn...M-i-c-h-a-e-l-a..." He drawled out her name and she gagged as his voice dripped with lust.
His left hand started sliding up her stomach while his right held the gun to her head. Michaela bit her lip, praying she wouldn't scream but her mouth opened anyway as his touch became unbearable.
She screamed again.
"You little hellcat, "Wallace swore, "I told you to shut-"
"MICHAELA!"
And suddenly she heard him and Michaela went limp with relief, tears beginning to trickle from her eyes. She turned her head and looked Wallace dead in his eyes and cried, "Get off of me..." A look of fear flashed across his face but then Wallace shook his head and pressed the gun to her temple and cocked the hammer.
"You're mine...Either I have you...or no one does..."
The gun pushed against her head and Michaela closed her eyes and waited for the gunshot to come.
But it never came.
What did come was the sound of a tomahawk whistling near her ear, knocking the gun from Wallace's hand and hearing his bellow of pain. Suddenly she could breathe again and Michaela opened her eyes to see Wallace being thrown down onto the ground several feet away by Matthew and Sully on his knees beside her, his anxious face looking her over.
"Michaela..."
Sully's voice was hoarse with emotion and she gave a weak smile and reached a hand up to caress his face. "I knew you would find me," she whispered and then burst into tears.
Sully wasted no time in sitting her up gently and enfolding her into his arms. She laid her head on his shoulder and wept and Sully had to fight back his own tears as all of the hurt and fear poured out of her now that Wallace was no longer a threat.
"Sh...It's over. I've got you now. You're safe. I am so sorry it took so long to find you. I'm so sorry...I've got you. I won't let you go."
"Oh Sully...You found me. That's all that matters." She lifted her head and looked into his eyes.
"Are you all right?"
"Now that I am with you...I am just fine."
Sully smiled and then his lips were on hers and Michaela melted into him, her arms flinging around his neck, her own lips kissing him back, their love true and alive.
"Ow..." Michaela suddenly pulled away with a groan and touched her lower lip. It was bleeding again.
"Michaela, you're bleeding."
"It's nothing. He hit me a few times..." She whispered.
Sully let out a roar of rage and got to his feet, letting go of her gently. "I'll kill him!"
Michaela struggled to her feet as Sully marched over to Matthew who had Wallace on the ground and was tying his hands together to take back to town.
"Let me at him Matthew."
"Sully! Sully!" Michaela braced her hands on the ground and tried to stand but her twisted foot protested and she gave a cry as she toppled over.
Sully spun around but Cloud-dancing got there first and he steadied her with his hands and she gave him a grateful smile.
"Thank you Cloud-dancing."
"You are welcome. I am glad you are safe Dr. Mike. The spirits are pleased that Sully listened and that the danger is over."
Michaela smiled again and then began to hobble over to Sully who was looking back at Wallace with absolute loathing.
"I should kill you right now," He snarled and Wallace looked at without any emotion.
"Go ahead injun, "He replied.
Sully took a step forward but Michaela grabbed his arm.
"No! It's over. Please Sully. He'll suffer anyway because he didn't get his way. He didn't get me." She looked down at Wallace and he grinned lazily. "Yeah, you win. But I did get to do one thing."
"What thing?" Sully asked angrily.
"I got to touch the doc," Wallace sang with mockery in his voice and Sully rushed forward but Michaela grabbed him and stepped up towards Wallace herself.
She reared back her hand and slapped him and the sound echoed through the trees.
Blood flew from Wallace's mouth and he stared up at Michaela, his face red.
Sully took Michaela's hand and led her away from him and she hobbled after him. Tears ran down her cheeks.
"He touched you?"
"He didn't hurt me. He hit me and I tripped over a root in the ground and twisted my foot..."
"But he touched you?" Sully's voice was rough and Michaela looked at him and then slowly nodded.
"He didn't get very far. You showed up in time."
"He shouldn't have had the chance at all. I should have been here sooner."
"Sully..."
"No. I'm sorry Michaela."
She put a finger to his lips and shushed him.
"Take me home. Take me home Sully." Her voice was raw, her eyes pleading.
And without another word he nodded and swept her up into his arms and they turned in the direction of home.

Dawn came early at the homestead and Brian slowly sat up and yawned quietly, not wanting to wake Colleen who was lying on the bed next to him. She had stayed with him yesterday afternoon after his nightmare and late last night he had pleaded with her to stay with him when it was time for bed. Brian slid off the bed as quietly as he could and headed for the door.

"Brian?" Colleen was sitting up and rubbing her eyes.
Brian turned around and said, "Yeah?"
"You going to do chores?"
"Yeah. Figured I would get them done."
"Okay. I'll see about getting breakfast going."
"Okay Colleen," Brian said and shut the door behind him. He went to his bedroom and dressed quickly. Robert E and Grace would be in town already. Even though they had agreed to look after both him and Colleen, they both still had jobs in town and they left at dawn every morning and returned late every night. Colleen took care of things during the day. As much as Brian loved Grace and Robert E, he liked it more when it was just him and Colleen around the homestead. A rooster crowed in the distance as Brian opened the front door and headed down the porch steps toward the barn.
He got the chicken feed from a bucket on the floor, walked outside and began to feed the chickens.
"Eat up," Brian mumbled, sprinkling chicken feed onto the ground. The chickens clucked and pecked all around him, the horses snorted and whinnied softly from their stalls. Suddenly another sound rose over them. Brian's eyes widened and his small head jerked a little ways down the path that led into the woods. The bucket of chicken feed slipped from his fingers and fell to the ground. The chickens clucked in excitement but Brian didn't notice. He felt his feet propel him forward, away from the barn and toward the road that led to the homestead from the woods. His eyes widened, his mouth dropped open and suddenly he was running.
Giving a loud whoop of joy, Brian began to yell, "Colleen! Colleen, come quick," as he ran.
The door flew open and Colleen stood on the porch, alarm on her face, her hands holding a cleaning rag.
"Brian! What is it?"
"Ma's back! They got Ma! She's okay!"
And Colleen turned as the rag fell from her hands and her eyes filled with tears. A smile split her face and she raced down the steps, following Brian as he ran towards Matthew who was leading the horse that carried Sully.
And in his arms, safe and secure, was their Ma.

Michaela saw Brian and Colleen waiting to meet them and her heart swelled with joy.
Tears welled in her eyes and spilled over her lashes. Sully said softly, "Whoa…" And pulled on the horse's reigns until he stopped. He got down and then reached up for Michaela who went into his arms.
He smiled at her but it faded as he saw the tears.
"What's wrong Michaela? You all right?"
"Yes," She laughed quietly and reached up to wipe her eyes. She turned and smiled at her children and said, "I'm just so happy to be home."
"Ma!"
Colleen and Brian lunged forward and her arms went around them, her love flowing from her like a fountain.
"Oh God I have missed you so much," Michaela said, crying openly now, "Thinking of you all got me through each day. I'm just so happy to be home…Oh…" She held on to each one and then Matthew came forward and said, "I'm glad you're okay," And she hugged him.
Sully watched everything, his gaze solemn and then he said, "Matthew take her inside and get her something to drink. Colleen, can you see if she needs any doctoring? I'm going to put up the horse."
"I can do that Sully," Matthew offered.
"No. I'll do it." Something in his voice caused Matthew's eyes to narrow but he only nodded and turned to lead Michaela inside. She looked over puzzled but didn't say a word as Sully walked into the barn without another word.
"C'mon Ma," Colleen said, leading her into the house, "Let's go get you cleaned up and get you something to drink."
"That sounds wonderful Colleen," Michaela sighed and she allowed herself to be lead inside.
Cloud-dancing came down the path at that moment and he looked around the homestead with sharp eyes.
They had taken Wallace to town and he was jailed waiting to go to Denver to await trial. While they took him, Cloud-dancing had gone back to the reservation to let Snow-bird know that everything was fine. He then came to check on everyone.
Now he surveyed the homestead listening to the trees and the earth, letting the spirits assure him that the danger had passed.
But not the healing.
As if on cue, Sully came out of the barn and stopped in his tracks, seeing Cloud-dancing.
"Ha ho," Sully said softly.
"Hello my brother. All is well? Dr. Mike is safe?"
"Yes she is safe," Sully said. He didn't elaborate. He didn't have too. Cloud-dancing could see it in his eyes.
"Something troubles you."
"No. I'm fine."
"Your eyes give you away. Your feelings are naked to the spirits. I can see you are troubled."
Sully folded his arms and shook his head.
"You are my Cheyenne brother, from the beginning when you came to our reservation and we taught you the ways of our ancestors…I know your heart Sully. I know when you are hurting."
Sully looked up at him, tears pooling in his eyes and he swallowed.
"I couldn't get to her Cloud-dancing. He was on top of her…hurting her and I couldn't…I should have…No." Sully shook his head vehemently and forced a smile.
"You know what? She's home now. Everything is fine. Would you like to come in and have dinner with us?"
Cloud-dancing stared at him for a moment before blinking and saying, "No. Thank you but Snow-bird has missed me. She did not like that I was gone for several days."
"She understands why right?"
"Yes she understands. I too have missed her and wish to be home tonight. I will see you soon my brother."
They grasped hands for a few seconds and then Cloud-dancing was walking back down the path towards the woods.
Sully watched him go and then he took a deep breath and turned and walked inside the house.

Michaela's dreams were haunted that night and she tossed and turned a few times but never wakened.
When dawn came that morning her eyes flew open, her breathing fast, her heart thudding. But when she rolled over and saw her own home the relief she felt made her weak.
Smiling to herself Michaela sat up and yawned, her stomach rumbling as delicious smells wafted from the kitchen.
She got out of bed and walked into the adjoining room, saying, "Good morning Colleen."
"Morning Ma!"
"Breakfast smells delicious."
"Thank you. It'll be ready soon. Here's your coffee."
Michaela took her cup and walked over to the front door and peered out. Chickens covered the ground outside and she heard hay flying in the barn.
"Matthew and Brian are doing chores?"
"Yep. Since early this morning."
"How late did I sleep?"
"It's not late all."
Michaela sat down by the fireplace and took a drink. Warmth seeped into her muscles and she groaned.
"Ma?"
"I'm fine Colleen. Just a little sore."
Colleen came over to her chair and regarded her with a frown.
"You look pale, and you can see the bruises and cuts on your face. Your lip is swollen. I'll get you a cold rag. You should stay home today."
She walked away and Michaela said, "Thank you," and then, "Nonsense. I have patients to see. Good Lord knows how much they have needed me since I have been gone."
"Everyone's been fine Ma. Everyone's gone to Jake if they needed anything.
Michaela sighed and said, "Hmmm, yes. That's what I'm afraid of." She took another sip of her coffee and then realized that Colleen had gotten quiet. She looked over and Colleen's grin vanished behind her hand. Michaela looked at her for a moment and then they both burst out laughing.
"Here's your cloth Ma," Colleen said, when the giggled had subsided. She walked back over to the stove and the front door opened.
"I thought I heard laughing in here," Matthew said, taking off his hat and sitting at the table. Brian followed behind and shut the door. He turned immediately and demanded, "What is so funny?"
"Nothing. It was between a doctor and her assistant," Michaela said smiling and she rose to her feet and came to the table.
"Matthew, will you get the wagon ready after breakfast so I can go to the clinic?"
"Sure."
"Thank you." Michaela sat down and then said, "Has anyone seen Sully this morning?"
"Not me," Matthew replied, pouring himself some coffee, "He must be at the reservation."
"Ah…all right." Michaela felt uneasiness in her heart but she pushed it away and forced a smile as the plates were passed around, the blessing was given, and she was able to eat and think about the rest of her day at the clinic.