The streets of Boston were even busier than he recalled as he walked up the roads towards Beacon Hill. When he finally arrived at the Quinn household, he knocked gently and waited patiently. The hat covered his hair and the scarf around his neck managed to shadow his face. Weeks of spying had led him to this moment, noting the Quinn household in its schedules and gossip. Never had his name graced the lips of a servant while he was hiding in the darkness.

Harrison opened the door. "Can I help you, sir?" he was cordial.

"Yes, I am here to see Mrs. Quinn. Is she by chance available?" His voice sounded a bit strange. Within the pocket of his coat, he clenched his fist once, twice, three times.

With a nod, the butler replied. "Yes, she is. May I ask whom is calling?"

"Well," he hesitated. "It is a surprise. It has been years since I have seen her and I would appreciate it if I could surprise her." He looked up and gave a fleeting smile to the butler.

The butler pondered the request. The man was dressed nicely enough, and if it was to be a surprise, Mrs. Quinn would no doubt be happy. Ever since Michaela's announcement of her engagement to Mr. Sully, his employer had been temperamental when the topic was brought up. And Maureen and Claudette seemed to thrive on mentioning it.

"Permit me to guide you in, sir. You… do appear familiar." He smiled and nodded his head slightly before taking the coat, hat and scarf and guiding him towards the parlour.

"Who was at the door, Harrison?" Elizabeth's voice called out when she heard the footsteps behind her. The door shut to the parlour and she furrowed her brow at the lack of response. "Harrison?"

"It has been a long time, Mrs. Quinn," he was polite, smiling, and he walked towards her, guiding himself into line of sight.

A look of confusion was on her face and she looked at the guest. "I apologise, but do I know you?"

There was a nod and he pulled his hair out of his eyes. "I spent much time here with you. I know that I do not look the same. I was injured in the war and it severely affected how I look, and how I talk."

Elizabeth's mouth dropped briefly in shock before slamming shut, letting herself dare to believe.

"David?"

He nodded, a slow grin claiming his face. He watched as she slowly let her face crawl into a beam and laughed at her obvious enthusiasm.

"Oh, David! It's a miracle! I thought you were dead!"

"It is a very long story, Mrs. Quinn. But the point is that I am back. I am alive."

She reached for his hand and gripped it slightly, the pleasure obvious on her face. "Oh, David. Your timing is phenomenal. Have you seen Michaela?"

Smiling, he nodded. "Yes. I just came from Colorado Springs." It was a lie and it flowed from his lips easily. "I wanted to talk to you about her."

"She is engaged to that… mountain man, Sully." There was a bitterness and lack of understanding in her voice as she shook her head. "We have barely spoken since. I haven't heard from her since her letter a few months ago. I wonder why she hadn't told me that you were alive…" A frustrated sigh escaped her lips and she looked at him. "You seem quite pleased."

"You haven't heard. I wondered if she would keep the secret. I am pleased that she did." He was incredibly pleased. How could he have been so lucky? "You see, Michaela is not engaged to Mr. Sully any longer. We have decided that we want to marry."

The delight on Elizabeth's face could not be denied, so he continued with his façade.

"She wanted to surprise you. She doesn't know that I am here, now. I was hoping that, well… we were going to wait until spring to marry. But if you could convince her to come to Boston now? We could be married before the end of next month! But you have to be able to convince her to come without her knowing about the wedding. She was concerned of what you might think of her – going from being engaged to Mr. Sully and then back to me. The gossip, the hope for your approval. She was quite upset by all of it. That's why she did not want you to know right away. But I knew, Mrs. Quinn. I knew that you would understand."

"Oh!" Elizabeth exclaimed. "That is a fantastic idea! How much fun! We could have everything planned for when she arrives. Shall we tell her sisters? No," she shook her head. "We won't tell anyone. And then we'll have a large reception!"

He tried not to let his contentment be so obvious, but it was so hard. She mistook the beaming as his content to have his life back together once more.

"Oh, David. You simply must tell me what has happened. And we won't tell a soul!"

Getting himself comfortable, he nodded, stopping his story only when Martha or Harrison entered, in which he kept mum and Elizabeth did, too. He mentioned Andersonville, the recovery, though he left out Michaela's reaction and offered what were obvious discrepancies to the truth, had she known the truth to begin with.

"Do you have a place to stay?"

Nodding, he smiled. "My mother passed on, and my father is in England, but I could not stay there. He is not aware of what has come to pass and I would rather him to know before returning to his household. I have a room in a boarding house. I prefer it."

"I will get Michaela up here. I promise. I will pretend to know nothing of your engagement and act as if she is still marrying Mr. Sully."

Weeks passed to bring school and the beginnings of fall. Sully and Michaela's relationship remained in good terms, contently settling into their "married life" though there was the occasional disagreement and the battle of wills. Brian, Colleen and Matthew enjoyed the feeling of having both a mother and a father again, only Brian making comment about the fact that they now shared a bed – though it was a positive comment.

The town only occasionally reared with rumours; when it became obvious to Hank that Michaela had no pregnant belly to justify the unconfirmed elopement, he had lost money on the betting pools. Then again, Hank had suspected that their marriage was more "real" now, and he constantly poked fun at the two of them until Loren properly slapped him upside the head with a verbal barrage that would have inspired many. But for the most part, the gossip had died down and whatever the situation was at the homestead remained unconfirmed, unchanging, and therefore, uninteresting.

Michaela and Sully's physical relationship continued in stolen moments, though never in the homestead bed at night. With only a sheet separating them from the children, there had been an unspoken agreement between the couple to not tempt fate. Instead, they pocketed their moments of happiness at the homesteads when they were alone, and even a few times at the lean-to. If anyone had noticed, with the exception of the gossip queens to be found in Hank and Jake, no one had made a public comment; after all, much of the town had assumed it had happened already. There were even a few critics who believed that they had been together long before.

Sully walked up to the clinic, the bundle of mail in one hand and a small bundle of flowers in the other. Knocking on the door, he waited for her to invite him in before entering the clinic. After a few moments, she hadn't responded and he entered the clinic to find her asleep at her desk. She had been busy the last few weeks, even making herself sick again, so he wasn't as surprised as he should have been.

Gently placing his hand upon her shoulder, he looked at her softly and kissed her forehead.

"Hmm?" she tried to wake up, looking around the clinic. "Sully." She spoke his name for the sake of saying it, smiling as he leaned down to kiss her.

"Ya need to rest," he said, rubbing her arm. "Been wearin' yerself to the point of bein' sick again. Thought ya learned your lesson this last spring."

She smiled and closed her eyes, leaning against him. "Yes, but when I was sick in the spring, I had received the care of one Doc Sully. And I slept in his arms all night." She smiled fondly.

He reached for her hand and kissed the leather band on her finger, which had been joined by an engagement ring a few weeks prior. "Now ya get to sleep with me almost every night. Though I might haveta find this Doc Sully fella." The flowers were pulled forth from their hiding place behind his back.

"And you know that I have been sleeping at the homestead. I'm just… I will be fine, Sully. Once this run of chicken pox is done. I cannot believe three adults contracted it." She sighed and buried her head into her hands, but when she saw the flowers, she smiled appreciatively, kissing his hand in thanks.

"No excuse for ya to not be eatin' right." He pointed out.

"I've been trying," she countered, sighing once more before scanning what was in the mail pile. "One I have Mrs. Brandae, Miss Roger and Mr. Phillips recuperated fully, perhaps I'll be able to…" Her voice trailed off. A letter from Boston. "Mother?"

"Yer ma?" Sully looked down in concern at the letter as she picked it up. He knew that the relationship between his wife and her mother was very strained at best in the recent months. The fact that Michaela had not told Elizabeth about their marriage had frustrated him some, but the conversation had been recent and short lived in reaction to her ill health. He felt as if she was ashamed; she felt as if her mother might die from the news. Eventually, they had managed to come to an agreement – Elizabeth would not understand, but they would tell Elizabeth that they had eloped at some point after the reception took place.

He watched her expression as she skimmed the contents, which grew from surprise to confusion. "What's it say?"

"She would like me in Boston by… is that a six or an eight?" She pointed to the number for Sully to look at and he shrugged. "It has something to do with our engagement. How strange that she doesn't mention…"

"What?"

Looking at him, she blinked. "She doesn't mention you. In fact, she merely refers to the wedding. But never your name."

Sully looked over her shoulder and skimmed the letter, which she moved so he could read it, but he discovered that he couldn't read the elaborate handwriting easily. Sighing, he ran his fingers through his hair. "What's she want ya in Boston for?"

Michaela shook her head. "All she has written is… 'something to do with your wedding.' It could be," she paused to speculate. "An engagement party? Something to do with the wedding itself? A dress?" Struggling to think of anything logical, she leaned back in her chair, rubbing her neck. Sully took over massaging it for her, attempting to focus.

"Do ya wanna go?" he looked at her a bit apprehensively. It wasn't that he hated Boston; he would merely prefer a dinner with General Custer over a plate of bugs.

That was the question of the hour. "I do not like the idea of taking the children out of school this year. Brian struggled to catch up last time, and Colleen is focusing so much. Matthew would refuse to leave Ingrid for such a long period. And I don't want to leave the clinic…"

He sensed it. "But?"

"But," she hesitated. "It would be nice to see my sisters once more. And… and I suspect that she should be told that there is no longer a wedding, but a reception. That is something I would prefer to tell her in a letter, but I ought to do in person." Biting her lip, she shook her head. "Though I doubt she will understand our decisions and actions."

Kneeling beside her, he rubbed his hands over her back. "So let's go to Boston."

"Us?" She raised a brow, admittedly surprised. "As in… you and I? How long were you in the sun today, Sully?"

"Yup. You and me. I ain't gonna leave ya to tell your Ma all by yourself." He gave a cheeky grin. "You'd haveta divorce me for bein' so cruel. We'll tell her, I'll be there for ya. And maybe…" His eyes looked up at her, amorously, the glint of humour behind his intense blues.

Leaning down, she curled a lock of hair behind his ear. "Maybe…. What, Mr. Sully?"

"Maybe you and me could finally get that marriage certificate." He sighed.

"Oh." She did not intend to sound so disappointed.

Grinning, he kissed her softly. "And maybe," he breathed. "We can try havin' that honeymoon."

Biting her lip, she nodded. "I would like that. But… the homestead?"

His mind worked around the calculations, looking at the letter and attempting to read the smudged date that Elizabeth wanted Michaela there by. "I reckon if I give Matthew the list, and I work real hard the next two weeks, when we get back we can move into the new homestead. And the whole world'll know that Michaela Quinn is my wife."

"You would return to Boston for me?" She asked.

"You're the only one I'd go t'Boston for, Michaela." He smiled. "But if we're gonna make it by the sixth, I'm gonna haveta get back to work." Kissing her deeply, he exhaled before finally breaking the kiss. "You get some rest, get some food." He hesitated.

She smiled, a blush creeping over her cheeks. "My patients are stable. If no emergency arises, will you… will you be able to make time for me?"

Her blush made him smile, though he prevented himself from chuckling. "Michaela?" He kissed her softly. "Remember what I told ya? I appreciate your enthusiasm. And I'll always have time for ya."

"Why d'ya haveta go?" Brian pouted, staring at the food on his plate while the family sat around the table. "Without us? We wanna go!"

"Brian!" Colleen exclaimed, sighing as she shook her head.

Clearing his throat, Sully interjected. "Brian, your Gran'ma wants t'see your Ma. And ya can't miss school."

"But," Brian sighed. "She'll be gone a long time. Last time, we kept puttin' off comin' home and I don't want ya to be away for so long."

"Think of it this way, Brian," Matthew spoke up, a mischievous gleam in his eyes. "Sully's gonna go with her. How long do you think they'll last?"

The whole of the table chuckled as Sully reached for Michaela's hand and gripped it gently. His eyes spoke of the love that he felt for her and she smiled in response. "Matthew'll watch over you and Colleen."

"As will half of the town," Colleen smiled. "I think it's excitin'."

"And…" Michaela began.

"What?" Brian bounced slightly in his seat before reaching to gulp his milk.

"And… when we get back from Boston, we'll have the reception."

"Yeah!" Brian exclaimed.

Matthew nodded. "Dependin' on how long ya wait to come back, we might be able to move everything into the homestead with Robert E to help."

"That would be wonderful," Michaela smiled. She pushed her food around on the plate some more, eyeing her bed in distraction.

Watching in concern, Sully stared at the plate. She wasn't eating. He would make sure that she had some bread after the children were asleep and make her get some rest.

"I will bring you back some new clothes," she had promised, the dark circles under her eyes more accentuated than he had previously noticed.

"Your Ma needs sleep," he whispered towards Colleen.

"Brian and me'll clean up, Dr. Mike. Why don't ya get ready for bed?"

Not even bothering to object, Michaela nodded and stood up quickly. She clutched the side of the table as her eyes closed. Sully reacted immediately as he jumped up from his chair and she fainted into his arms.

Colleen rushed to retrieve the smelling salts from Michaela's medical bag and shortly, Michaela was revived.

"Go t'sleep, Ma," Colleen whispered, nodding for Sully to get her into bed.

"What's wrong with her?" he asked Colleen after settling Michaela to sleep.

Shrugging her shoulders, the young woman sighed. "Ya know how she gets. Works too much. I think Boston might do her some good. Get her away from the clinic." She looked at Sully a bit embarrassed. "You two can spend time together."

He let a smile tug at his lips. "Thanks, Colleen."

"Mornin'." Sully called out as he approached Cloud Dancing outside of his teepee.

"Ah-ho," Cloud Dancing rose his hand in greeting before clasping the upper forearm of his friend with Sully reciprocating the action. "How are you?"

Nodding, Sully smiled and they began to walk away from the tribe and towards a more secluded area. "I'm good. And you?"

Cloud Dancing smiled and shook his head. "I am doing very well. But I suspect that you are doing much better, my friend."

"Hmm?" Sully had been distracted by a sound and as he turned his attention back to Cloud Dancing, he heard his friend chuckling. "What?"

Looking away, he hesitated briefly before looking at Sully with a raised brow. "We have known each other for many years. You cannot hide much from me."

Swallowing, Sully looked around. "I'm hidin' somethin' from ya?"

There was a silence between them. Then the Indian spoke.

"Does she show enthusiasm?"

Sully was never one to blush but the statement definitely had not been what he was anticipating. Not even attempting to speak, he took a deep breath and merely stared at Cloud Dancing while his friend found amusement in his brother's reaction.

"That ain't fair," he finally said, after much silence.

"Do not worry. I understand. The Spirits performed your ceremony. But even then, you did not partake in the ancient joining until much later." Nodding, he continued. "I do not question this. The Spirits wanted it this way."

Sully merely nodded, still embarrassed and rather ashamed that he hadn't told his Cheyenne brethren. "I've never been this happy," he confessed.

Cloud Dancing looked up to the sky, then to the ground, then to Sully. "Will the people of the town understand?" He inquired.

"No."

"But she wanted this. She knew it would be difficult." These statements were that – statements. Not questions. "I am happy for you. The Spirits are grateful, too."

"I'm worried 'bout her, though," Sully looked at Cloud Dancing. "She's been sick. Anxious and not eatin'. Not sleepin' right. And now… we're goin' t'Boston. And we're gonna tell her Ma."

Cloud Dancing stared at Sully for a long time, understanding precisely what the man was attempting to convey without actually articulating any antagonism against his wife's family.

"This will be difficult."

"Do the Spirits have any advice for me?"

Shaking his head, Cloud Dancing gave a nervous chuckle. "No, my friend. The Spirits say that you must fight this battle on your own. But remain strong. The Spirits work in strange ways. Remember – the bad has to happen, my friend. Only when we have seen the worse will we be able embrace the happiness, and appreciate the gifts from the spirits."

Sully's head shot up and he looked at Cloud Dancing with frightened eyes as his stomach dropped down to his knees. "Ya told me that. Ya told me that before. Don't tell me I'm gonna lose Michaela…" He reached for Cloud Dancing's shoulders and stared at him, fright apparent as he tried to contain his greatest fear.

"No," Cloud Dancing shook his head. "I did not mean that. But I cannot control the Spirits." There was silence between them. "You have not told her yet, have you?"

Shaking his head, Sully sighed. "I wanted her t'know before… before… now, ain't a good time."

"I think it would be better for her to know before you arrive in Boston. The longer you wait, the greater the breaking of trust."

Nodding, Sully sighed and followed Cloud Dancing without thought. His heart was still heavy, his body still recovering from the fear, but now the plague of guilt that had been ignored was started to eat slowly away at his stomach.