The weeks went by quickly. Every day Cloud Dancing and Michaela took walks and talked about medicine and Nature –sometimes Brian or some of the other children would tag along, but mostly it was just the two of them. Luckily they had been spared for any big medical emergencies, and Michaela had primarily tended to cuts and bruises and she had had long talks with some of the kids who needed an adult. On the final night of their camp they had arranged a party. They had divided the children into groups with different responsibilities for the party, so everybody contributed with something. That evening they built a big fire, and gathered as always. Daniel had joined them, too, and after they had eaten there was music and entertainment. Snowbird had taught some of the girls and Michaela some Indian dances that women used to perform, and now they were moving around the fire while some of the children were playing music. Daniel could not take his eyes of Michaela and neither could Sully. She and the girls looked so pretty dancing, and very sensual, too. Oblivious to the effect she had had on the two men, Michaela sat down between them smiling. "Weren't the girls wonderful?" she exclaimed. Sully nodded feeling her right arm and leg against him. "Hannah and Colleen have been practicing all week in the meadow." She smiled at him touching his thigh with her hand. At that moment Hannah and Colleen joined them sitting on Sully's other side. "Did you like it, Dad?" Hannah asked. "Yeah, you were great. Well done. I'm very proud of you –of all of you." He eyed Michaela who blushed a little, and Daniel added looking directly at her: "Yeah, you all looked really pretty." His eyes searched hers, and she felt a little uncomfortable remembering what Sully had told her. She liked Daniel a lot, but she didn't want him to get the wrong impression.

"Let's all dance!" Hannah pulled Sully up on his feet, and Michaela laughed. Colleen went off with Matthew, and Daniel extended his hand to her. They danced a couple of dances and Sully watched, Daniel lean closer whispering something in her ear that made her laugh. Michaela enjoyed dancing and Daniel was funny. They were about to return to their seats by the fire, when Daniel pulled her aside. "What's this?" she laughed, and her eyes met his. "Oh no … " she could tell by the look in his eyes what was coming but could not utter a sound. "Michaela, thanks for dancing with me. I'm glad we've met…" He leaned closer wanting to kiss her. But she took a step back. "Daniel, I'm glad we met, too. But I can't… I don't feel that way about you." She wanted to be honest with him. He looked at her a little hurt "Is it because of Sully?" he asked quietly. She was not sure how to respond, but she suddenly remembered Rebecca's words. "I… we…" she stammered a little. "We are friends…" was all she could say. "If you say so…. It's none of my business." Daniel smiled a little "I feel so foolish…" "Don't." Michaela said extending her hand to him.

Sully was observing them from a distance he could tell from their body language that something was going on, and it looked like Michaela was trying to patch things up with Daniel. When they returned arm in arm he could not help but frown a little. "I think it's your turn to dance with the lady" Daniel had seen the look on his friend's face, and he had not been oblivious to their interaction throughout the weeks camping: the casual touches and the looks between them, but no more, so he had still felt he had to tell her how he felt about her. However, when he had asked her about Sully the look in her eyes had told him all he needed to know. Even if she was not ready to fully admit to it. So now he offered Sully her hand with a wink in his eye.

Sully felt a little puzzled over Daniel's behaviour, but willingly took Michaela's hand and led her to the dancing area. The music was still on, but the live band had been replaced with music from a stereo which Daniel had brought out to the camp for the party. As they entered the dancing area, the music changed into a slow song, and Sully saw Daniel whispering something to the two boys who were in control of the music. Michaela didn't notice what was going on behind her, but simply stepped a little closer to Sully. "You know, you were right about Daniel" she said while they were dancing to the music. "Right about what?" Sully was still trying to make out what was going on. "He thinks I'm…. how did you put it… hot?" she giggled a little to herself, and he was brought back to reality "Oh, that!" he exclaimed, "how do you know?" She looked at him, and got a little lost in his eyes, "because he told me. But I had to turn him down." Sully didn't know what to say, and simply closed the distance between them entirely pulling her closer, and she buried her face in his shirt. He caressed the small of her back sending tingles through her body into her core. She closed her eyes. "I'm not supposed to feel like this" she thought thinking how it would be if his hands were in other places. "He asked me if it was because of you", she blurted out instead, and he drew back a little searching her eyes. "Why?" he asked, and she shrugged her shoulders "I don't know…."