Chapter 13

Having decided to see where it would lead just beginning with friendship she winged her way back to base. Looking down at the red dry earth marvelling that nature painted the most incredible scenes on the planet, knowing people did not take the time to either look or say thanks for. The view was new just like her new friendship with Sully if it even took off.

Straight from the base she went to the hospital.

Shyly she stood outside his room knowing this was a huge step in her life and also realizing she would have to hand him to another doctor if she became involved with him. Doctors did not look after family...suddenly wondering how she had thought of him, as family so soon.

Stepping into the room she stood looking at him her heart racing as if he was waiting he looked up and they locked eyes and once again was in awe at the connection.

"Hi," he said softly, "how was ya' trip?"

Smiling that he had shown interest in her work, non of her family had bothered. She moved over to the bed and drew out the chair and sitting, "busy as usual."

"Ya' I can imagine."

Sully had not taken his eyes off her face while she had spoken, encouraged that she had sat down as if she was prepared to talk and had dropped the doctor and acted more like a friend.

Under his intense gaze she finally broke the spell and dropped her eyes to her hands clasped tightly on her lap.

"Michaela," he said making her look at him again, "I don' know how to do this." He admitted.

"Neither do I, how about we start off as friends," she suggested.

"That sounds like a good place to start," he said as a broad smile lit up his face, eliciting a smile on hers as well in return as she nodded in agreement. "Good." Taking her hand he gave it a gentle squeeze.

...

Sully improved and the next day he was discharged. But due to the expanse of distance he could not get back to the station for a few days so Michaela offered her spare room. She wanted just to be sure he was fully recovered and allowing them time to get to know each other better as they had not really had any time until now.

"I hope you will be comfortable." she sated.

Matthew was more or less his size and had given him something else to wear although the hospital laundry had washed his dusty work clobber. Openly laughing he said it would beat his swag any day.

"Swag?" she asked confused.

"It's my bed roll when I am out mustering cattle." He informed her. She nodded in understanding having seen utilities with the green canvas rolls travelling through town now assuming that was what he was referring too.

They sat and talked for a long time when she asked if he minded a simple meal for tea (Dinner) blushing a bright red she admitted she wasn't too good in the kitchen. With a big grin she triumphantly said she could boil an egg.

"Not a problem," he announced and watched as she boiled a few eggs made some toast and tried frying some sausages poking them. Smiling he understood she really was not joking when she had admitted she couldn't cook well.

In the evening they sat and watched the DVD "Rabbit Proof Fence" and talked about how a government could be so cruel. Sully explained about his mate Jackie and how he was one of the stolen generation and that at home they had tried to annihilate a whole culture.

Sully said, "much as they did in the US with the Native American Indians."

To lighten the mood they watched "Red Dog" and giggled at what the outback was like back in the early sixties. Michaela fell quiet when the main character was killed watching her Sully suggested, "Come here," and he put his arm around her shoulders and let it rest there, she settled against him with a feeling of being safe.

Finally they retired comfortable that they had begun the first steps to friendship but neither had admitted how they had felt in the previous months. Michaela had a shift to work the next day.

...

Sully had become quite domesticated through his life and had no trouble tiding up a little. Although it took no time at all he found only medical books and texts piled on the coffee table and there were no photos of family or friends.

Bored he walked down the town and purchased some groceries from the general store having decided to surprise her by cooking the evening meal. On his way back he met Charlotte who introduced herself as the teacher of the air. Brian was enthralled at having another friend.

"Sully," said as he shook her extended hand, "I am staying with the lady doctor." He added.

"Oh! you're Doctor Mike's friend." She smiled.

Suddenly it occurred to Sully that the gossip had begun and nodded. The grape vine of the outback smiling he had witnessed it even on the station news travelled at lightening speed.

"I am glad she has a friend." The older woman sincerely added. "She needs someone her own age." Nodding and calling Brian she proceeded into the store.

As Michaela approached the house the smell of cooking wafted out. Silently she entered the kitchen and suddenly her mouth dropped open. There stood Sully leaning over the stove he had a tea towel tired around his waist tasting the beans. She smelt the air and he sensed rather than saw her turning he smiled, "thought I'd surprise ya' hope ya don't mind?" he questioned his eyes shining.

"No...no not at all," she smiled amazed once again that he looked no different to what she remembered.

He turned back to the stove and told her to put her feet up as tea would be ready really soon and he'd call her when it was. As she watched she thought how nice it would be to go up and have him feed her a bean and before she took the whole lot for him to bend forward and bite off a bit and the gesture turn into a kiss.

Reddening she hesitated and he turned around and saw the colour of her cheeks and wondered what she was thinking, she spun around and said she would change before dinner into something more comfortable.

"Okay it'll be a short while," he added.

They had the dinner at the small table. It was the best meal she had for some time. Generally she didn't bother or ate raw vegetables, made a sandwich or had noodles simple things she could handle. Occasionally she would have Charlotte leave a casserole or other tit bit. Watching her Sully knew she didn't eat right and resolved he'd do something about that occasionally.

After the dishes were put away they sat on the lounge and he put his arm out and she took the invitation to lean against his chest, it felt good to have his strong arm around her shoulders.

"Ya know when ya' left the island it felt so lonely." He commenced.

"I didn't know what to do, I had never felt like that before and it frightened me," she admitted in a small voice, "I wasn't ready."

"I know I was the same I didn't know ya', it was real strange."

He asked a question that intrigued him not only because he had but was wondering if she did as well. "I dreamt about ya'...all the time, how about you?" He asked.

She recognised that he had put himself out there for her, so taking a big breath she nodded. "I did as well it was confusing but I did all the time, I could not forget you."

Smiling he was just happy that they did share something he never dreamed was available to him. Then he stiffened and she felt it sitting up slightly she peered into his blue eyes and waited. "I don't know what happened but I know I said things while I was concussed," he began hesitantly, while she waited silently for him to continue. "I meant them."

"I know." She whispered. So the silence didn't become too uncomfortable she went on, "I have no idea what or why I felt an instant attraction to you, I have not forgotten you all this time and it sometimes..." she didn't know how to put into words the feelings she had.

"It scared me as well," he finished for her.

Finally it seemed the right moment to say goodnight as she stood he did as well, bending his head he placed a soft kiss on her lips. Looking into her eyes he said."Good night Michaela." Next minute he was gone.

Touching her lips where he had just kissed her she whispered. "Good night Sully."

Both dreaming dreams of a possible future.