Chapter 14

David and Sully went right to work. They met with congressmen from California and pitched their case for a National Park there. They also spoke about the survey Sully would perform. Michaela felt like an extra appendage on Sully's arm, so she decided to check out some of the shops around the Capitol. She purposely avoided David's office so she wouldn't run into Catherine.

After a few days, Michaela and Sully enjoyed a romantic weekend together before the hearing on Monday. As they laid in bed late Sunday night, a naked Michaela slid over and placed her head on his shoulder. Her fingers traveled through the mass of hair on his chest.

"How do you think it will go tomorrow?" she asked.

"I dunno. Everyone we've talked to seems interested, but we can't pin down their support."

"But at least they're listening to you."

"They've been listenin to David for over a year. Darn politicians are only in it for themselves. It's anybody's guess how they're gonna vote."

"There must be some good men left in Washington."

"If ya find one, let us know," replied Sully sarcastically.

Early the next morning, Sully stood in front of the full length mirror getting dressed. He was glad Michaela had convinced him to bring his suit, but he couldn't get over the feeling that it was some other man staring back at him through the mirror.

"You look dashing," his wife said from behind him.

"Well it sure ain't comfortable. I can't move my arms."

Michaela giggled. Sully felt her soft touch on his shoulders and looked through the mirror at her. She was beautiful — as always. "You could stay here with me instead," she suggested with eyes full of desire.

He embraced her. "But if I did that there would never be a National Park in California."

"Choosing work over me again," she teased.

Their lips met and desire rose inside them. She could feel his body against her, arousing the same passion she felt each time they were together. They continued kissing as they walked backwards towards the bed.

Sully raced through the doors on Capitol Hill. David was pacing the floor waiting for him. "Where have you been?" he asked Sully.

"Sorry, I got tied up."

David limped along as fast as he could. Sully could tell he was having trouble breathing and David kept dabbing his forehead with a handkerchief. Sully stopped him at the entrance to the hearing room.

"You gonna be all right?"

"I don't know, but I can't waste my time standing out here. In case I don't remember to say it later, I want to thank you for coming out east to help me." David extended his right hand. It was clammy when Sully shook it.

"I admire what you're doin David and I'll do my best to make it happen."

David nodded and the two men entered the hearing room, standing side by side, ready to wage their battle for a National Park in California.

The morning went smoothly, but Sully could see David was struggling. During the lunch recess, Sully went back to the hotel and asked Michaela to join them so she could keep an eye on David. The minute she saw him she knew it was bad. He had a fever and his breathing was noticeably labored.

"You shouldn't even be here," she told him. "Why don't you ask them to stop for today and see if you can come back tomorrow if you're feeling better?"

As David inhaled, Michaela heard a loud wheeze. "I'm not going to get better Michaela. You're a doctor; you know I don't have much time." He coughed as he struggled to breathe. "I want to leave this world doing what I love. Don't ask me to give that up."

Michaela fought back tears. She hugged him and could feel the fever through his suit. David opened the door to allow her inside and agreed to let Michaela walk him to his seat. He was forced to lean on her for support. He hoped no one else noticed.

Sully and David fielded questions for two hours. Sully tried to do most of the talking so David could sit down. Senator Conkling addressed David directly.

"Mr. Lewis, why should we allow this mountain man to perform the survey?" he asked with obvious disdain. "It is plain to see that he sympathizes with you. How do we know we can trust his findings?'

Sully opened his mouth to speak, but David tugged on his arm. David's head spun as he stood up. He held onto the arms of the chair, blinking to try and clear away the blurriness from his eyes. As he began to speak, his world went black and he toppled onto the floor.

Michaela raced to him. Her stethoscope confirmed her fears. "Bring in a stretcher," she ordered. "We have to get him to a hospital."

It was quite a while before Sully saw Michaela again. She had gone into David's room when they brought him in. He became anxious the longer it took. Catherine had heard about David and made her way there. She didn't attempt to speak to Sully; instead she hovered in one corner of the waiting room while he paced the floor.

Michaela's eyes opened wide when she saw Catherine. 'Of course, she would be here,' she thought. The gravity of her promise now seemed overwhelming.

Sully embraced his wife. "How is he?"

Catherine turned towards them so she could hear.

Michaela shook her head. "I doubt he'll make it through the night. He's got pneumonia. We've been trying to clear his lungs, but they keep filling back up with fluid." She leaned against Sully as the tears flowed down her face. "Oh Sully, it seems so much harder to lose him this time." Somehow she knew he would understand what she meant without explanation. "I had to leave for a few minutes. I needed to be away and…oh I don't know."

Sully rocked her in his arms. It was nice not to be jealous over Michaela's feelings for David. After all that had happened he knew she wasn't in love with him, and it freed him to let her express her remorse, without worrying over how it would affect him.

He led her outside for a breath of fresh air. The sky was full of stars. She closed her eyes and breathed deeply, trying to calm herself. The door to the hospital flew open and a nurse raced over to them.

"He's asking for you Dr. Quinn."

Before she entered David's room, Sully stopped her and held her close. "I love you," he said.

"I love you too," she replied.

Michaela heard David's loud breathing when she stepped next to the bed. He was pale, and beads of sweat covered his face. The patch had been removed from his eye and for a brief moment, Michaela looked at the man she had once loved. In some way she would always love him, but Sully was her soul mate, and there would never be another man in her life.

"David," she whispered.

"Mmmm, Michaela," he croaked. He swallowed hard, his throat dry from struggling to breath. She put a cup of water to his lips and helped him drink. "Thanks. I wanted you to know that I'm sorry for asking you to take care of Catherine. I didn't know about your past."

"I'm glad to know that David; but then why did you leave Colorado Springs so quickly?"

"I had to." He coughed and Michaela helped him drink more water. He nodded to let her know he had enough. "I had to get back here and get the hearing pushed up. I was feeling pretty sick."

"How did you find out about Catherine's first trip to Colorado Springs?"

"I dragged it out of her when I came back. It just didn't make sense…" He paused to take several quick breaths, "that she suddenly didn't want to go there. Are you still going to bring her back with you?"

"Yes, though Brian isn't speaking to me because of it."

"I'm sorry Michaela. Should I talk to Catherine; tell her you can't do it?'

"No. I gave my word. We'll bring her back to Colorado Springs and then we hope she'll want to go up to the Northern Territories with Cloud Dancing and the others. I'd like to be able to keep an eye on her epilepsy."

David nodded. He felt tired and it hurt to breathe.

"Rest now," she instructed him.

"Why, so I can die in my sleep?"

Her heart ached for him. She hated to see him feeling so defeated. She wondered if this is what is was like after he was injured in the war. Michaela stroked his hair.

"Catherine is outside. Do you want me to send her in?"

"Yes," he answered, his voice barely above a whisper.

Michaela turned to walk out. She felt David's weak touch on her arm.

"Sully's a lucky man," he said.

She smiled. "Thank you David."

When Michaela left the room she became overcome with emotion again. She wandered over to where Catherine stood.

"He's asking for you," she told her. Catherine nodded and disappeared into David's room.

Michaela fell into a chair. Her head in her hands, she knew David didn't have much longer. In all her years as a doctor, losing a patient was the one thing she never got used to. Death is always so final.

Sully knelt down and wrapped his arms around her. He rubbed her back as they sat together in silence.

"Dr. Mike!" yelled Catherine.

Michael jumped up and ran towards her with Sully close behind. "Wait here," she said to them.

Sully stared at Catherine for a moment. "You all right," he asked.

"Yes, thank you."

She didn't know what else to say. The years away from him had done nothing to ease the pain of his rejection. She wanted him now, just as she did then. Sully rocked back and forth on his feet, trying to hide his discomfort. He wished Michaela would come back.

"Thank you for allowing me to go with you to Colorado Springs," said Catherine.

"It was all Michaela's doin."

She nodded. "I'll be sure to thank her."

It seemed a long time since Michaela left to check on David. Why didn't she come out and tell them what was going on.

"Excuse me," he said. "I'm gonna go see what's keepin Michaela."

Sully knocked before entering. The darkness confused him. Why wasn't the lamp lit?

"Michaela, " he called.

With no answer, he walked farther into the room. He stumbled over something on the floor and fell against the bed. He walked around to where the night table should be and felt its surface for the lamp. He lit it and turned up the wick. David stared up at him with dead eyes. Sully examined the room. He strolled over and knocked on the door to the water closet.

"Michaela?" Sully turned the knob with caution. Pulling the door open slightly he called to her again. "Michaela?"

A cool breeze blew in from the open window. As he turned he spied Michaela's bag on the floor, its contents spilled out. He looked out the open window. There were three sets of footprints on the muddy ground underneath it — one of them looked like Michaela's.