Disclaimer: I do not own the characters from Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman. The rights to those characters and to the show belong to the creators of the show, to CBS, The Sullivan Company and to A&E.

A Path Through the Dark

Chapter Fourteen

Two weeks. Two very busy weeks at the beginning of December. Could you decide the course of your life on two weeks separation? It was David's pronouncement that two weeks would be enough time for them to decide what they wanted. Michaela appreciated practicality and efficiency at work but this constraint on her personal life seemed at bit much. It wasn't that she needed forever but it seemed sad to pack up several years of your life over the course of two weeks and decide whether it belonged in the garbage or not.

Michaela was also concerned about what would happen if they came to different conclusions. If they both agreed to stay together than there would be happiness, and perhaps a getting reacquainted with one another. There might be weekends away, gifts, and of course a wedding to plan. And if they both agreed to go their separate ways, then there might be some brief sadness but their parting could be amicable. Yet if one wanted to make it work and the other didn't – that would almost certainly be ugly. There could be repercussions at work which Michaela dreaded more than anything. She didn't want others in her business, especially not the hospital staff. No matter who wanted the break-up, Michaela would lose. She'd either be the object of pity or a frigid bitch.

It didn't help matters that the second Saturday in the month of December was the annual Lewis Christmas Party. It was a Boston tradition among the wealthy residents of Beacon Hill and David had decided to bring the tradition with him to Colorado. Last year had been the first so you could hardly call it an annual tradition here in Colorado Springs but that didn't matter. David had invitations printed in October and sent out the first week in November. It was important to get on people's social calendars, a statement David had borrowed from his mother. And so right at the end of their hiatus, they were throwing a party. There would be little chance to talk and no matter what decision they had come to, for the evening they had to pretend to be a happy couple.

Tonight she was staying away from her apartment on purpose. The professional decorators that David hired had showed up early this morning and wouldn't be gone for several more hours yet. It would be over the top like last year and it was better for Michaela not to be there. Instead she had agreed to meet Sully for dinner before group. It was just dinner in the hospital cafeteria but Michaela had been looking forward to it all day.

When Michaela walked in Sully was waiting for her at a table in the corner with two trays of food already in front of him. Michaela smiled but gave him a suspicious look as he waved her over.

"I took the liberty of getting your dinner." He said pushing one tray in her direction as Michaela approached.

"What if I didn't want this?" she protested, looking at the tray in front of her critically.

"It's good, eat it."

"I usually just have a salad."

"You need to put on some weight. Eat it."

Michaela sat down slowly watching as Sully took a bite of his meal. "What is it?"

Sully chewed slowly and swallowed, smiling at her stubbornness. "It's chicken pie and it's good. Now eat it." Michaela sighed but argued no more. She took a small bite and chewed thoughtfully.

"It is good," she said before taking another bite.

Sully smiled and let her eat for a bit as he watched her. He couldn't say that he hadn't enjoyed the last ten days. Without David around she had eaten dinner with him twice and tonight would make a third. His main motive was spending time with her but he also wanted to make sure she wasn't giving the possibility of returning to Boston serious thought.

"How's Hannah today?" Michaela asked as she met Sully's eyes.

"Stronger every day," Sully replied with a smile. "The doctor said that if she remains stable for the next week than he'll let her come home."

"We should have a party."

Sully laughed lightly. "I think Snowbird is already planning one." Sully looked expectantly at Michaela. "You going to be around for it?"

Michaela narrowed her eyes. "What do you mean? Of course I'll be around for it."

"Boston?" Michaela still looked confused. "It ain't my business," Sully started, "but….." He hesitated not wanting to say the wrong thing.

A smile grew around the corners of Michaela's mouth. "Are you trying to ask me if I'm leaving?"

"Umm…. " Sully felt caught, unsure what to say.

"I'm not." Sully looked up, relief obvious on his face. "Though I'm still thinking about leaving the hospital."

"And David?" From the look on Michaela's face, Sully felt sure he had crossed the line but Michaela didn't scold him.

"I don't know," she said and gave a shake of her head. "I need to talk to him but unfortunately we are having a party."

"Party?"

"David's annual Christmas party," she said with a roll of her eyes. "It's Saturday night. The same night as our hiatus ends."

"You can't cancel?"

Michaela shook her head. "What's one more night, right?"

Sully looked at her doubtfully. "It's not fun pretending to be happy when you aren't."

She just stared at him, wondering how he seemed to understand her so well. Her face lit up suddenly. "Would you come?"

"To the party?"

"Yes, to the party."

Sully wanted to say no but the look on her face was hard to deny. "Michaela…. I don't know…" Sully swallowed hard. "I won't know anyone."

"You'll know me… and Wil will be there."

"Michaela, I ….." Her eyes were practically pleading with him now and Sully couldn't say no. "Okay, I'll try to stop by."

Sully arrived at the party late. He didn't want to be one of the first ones there and have to talk to David. He wanted the party to be in full swing when he arrived so that he could see Michaela without David's interference. He had a Christmas present for her, something he had made himself. Sully had debated about whether this was the right time to give it to her but he couldn't resist the urge to show off his closeness to Michaela right under David's nose.

When Sully rang the door bell, it was Michaela who opened the door to him. She instantly gave him one of her beautiful crooked smiles that made him relax. "Sully!" She waved him in. "Will's here," she said pointing out their group leader across the room as if trying to show that she hadn't been wrong about him knowing someone here.

"Mike! Mike!" It was David from over near the Christmas tree. He was waving her over paying no mind to the fact that she was talking to Sully.

"I'll be right there," she shouted quickly turning back to Sully. "Food's over there. I'll be right back."

Then she was gone, moving over to David's side where he was holding out a box. Sully turned in the direction of the food table, shoving his present into his pocket. He did not want to witness David handing her some expensive jewelry. Why had he even bothered to come? He didn't belong here- he didn't belong with her.

One glass of punch and then he'd make an excuse to Michaela. He'd be home before nine. David's raised voice stopped him though and he quickly whirled around. Michaela was red faced and speaking to David heatedly. She was pointing to her necklace and Sully could clearly hear her saying something about her Father.

David was not as quiet as she was and Sully clearly heard his next statement. "I'm tired of your father standing between us." Michaela didn't say another word but walked away to the balcony doors as David turned back to his guests trying to laugh off the encounter.

Sully fingered the present in his pocket and smiled to himself before following Michaela.

Michaela stepped out onto the balcony and took a deep breath. Her anger had flushed her cheeks, only making her look more beautiful. She grasped the rail in both hands and pushed herself up slightly tottering back and forth.

"Don't jump."

Michaela let go of the rail and turned to the door with a funny look on her face. "Wasn't planning to," she said, her voice still sharp. Sully held up his hands, a small smile on his lips. "Sorry," she said, feeling slightly embarrassed. She shrugged her shoulders and looked down at the ground shyly.

"Hey, no worries," he said closing the balcony door behind him and moving over to the rail to stand beside her. "This is a great view."

Michaela turned back around to look at the city with him. "It is," she replied quietly. The city lights were set against the mountains, something Michaela had always found ironically beautiful. A comfortable silence settled between them and Michaela was reminded once again of how at ease she felt with Sully.

After a few moments, Sully spoke again. "You okay?"

Michaela exhaled slowly before turning towards him. "Yes, I'm fine. Just a little misunderstanding."

"Michaela." Sully stepped closer to her. "I know it ain't my business…."

"Sully," Michaela interrupted ready to defend David but then stopped at the look on Sully's face.

"I think wearing the necklace was a good way to remember your father tonight."

Michaela smiled at the remark, marveling at how perceptive Sully could be. "Thank you," she said quietly but with a wide smile that let Sully know how appreciated the comment was. "And thank you for coming. I know this isn't really your sort of thing."

Sully shrugged. "Well, I wanted to give ya your Christmas present." He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small wrapped box. "Merry Christmas," he said as he handed it to her.

There was no way to disguise the look on Michaela's face. She was clearly pleased that he had brought a present. She ripped the paper off right then, curious to see what was inside. When she opened it, she smiled widely. Inside was a small wooden owl carved out of olive wood. "Where did you find this?" she asked as she fingered the carving.

It was now Sully's turn to look down. "I carved it," he said humbly.

"Sully, you made this?" He nodded, the smile on his face now matching hers. "It's beautiful. Thank you so much." She moved forward wrapping her arms around his neck to give him a hug. It was a natural thing to do, hugging him in response to the gift. And it felt natural, perhaps too natural. Their bodies seemed to fit together perfectly, as he closed his arms around her.

Sully swallowed hard, hoping she couldn't hear how fast his heart was beating. Her silky hair was underneath his fingertips and it took a great amount of willpower not to rub it between his fingers. Her slender frame felt good against him and he did not have the desire for her to move away.

Michaela breathed in deeply, inhaling the scent that always seemed to cling to Sully. She felt drunk suddenly, unable to think clearly about what she was doing. She clung to him a little too long, not wanting to let go of this stranger turned friend who now tugged at her heart so. This was not proper she told herself as she finally pulled away.

Her lips were only inches from his now. One swift move would close the distance. He told himself she was forbidden; that he could not do this but desire won out. With a slight forward movement, his lips met hers. He expected it to be brief, for Michaela to pull away and scold him but neither happened.

Michaela felt like she was in a dream. She opened her eyes and the stars above seemed a little brighter. She breathed in and the air seemed warmer. There were strange tingles of excitement in her chest. Without thinking, she wanted to kiss him again.

And then they broke apart, hurried and guilty in their demeanor. "I'm sorry," Sully breathed out.

"No," Michaela said not wanting him to take the blame, not wanting to lose the moment but knowing it wouldn't continue. She should feel horrible about what happened but she didn't.

"I was out of line." Sully looked up at her and Michaela could read the guilt on his face. "I should go."

Michaela wanted to ask him to stay but she knew she could not. "Thanks for coming," she said weakly reaching out to touch his arm. "And thanks for the gift," she added .

Sully moved away from her quickly as if her touched burned him, igniting the smoldering fire that he could never quite douse. His hand grasped the balcony door. "I'm so sorry," he whispered again and this time there was true pain in his expression. The door was open before he could say another word and then he was gone.

Michaela stared at the space where he'd been standing moments before willing him to come back. Tears rose up in her eyes and spilled over before she could bring them into check. Why was she crying? She pulled the cuffs of her shirt over her hands and began to vigorously pat at her face to erase any sign of tears. A myriad of emotions were vying for control but she couldn't think through those right now. Everything was going to be alright, she told herself. She knew what she needed to do now and tonight, after the party, she would do it.

Happy Belated Birthday little owl!