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.

The Places to Love

Chapter Twenty-four

All morning Michaela had been unable to think of anything but the sight of her sister on the floor with Daniel. Sully had thought quickly enough to run upstairs and grab bathrobes for both of them before they awoke. The two must have disappeared sometime while Michaela and Sully were in the kitchen making breakfast because they appeared at the table within moments of each other, both acting as if nothing had happened. Michaela wasn't sure whether to be mad at her sister or embarrassed for her. This sort of behavior was not something she found acceptable or that she even believed her sister was capable of. A light knock at the door distracted her though and she rose from her chair to open the door, surprised Sully had made it here so fast. "That was quick," she said expecting to see Sully there. Her face fell as the flash of red hair caught her eye.

"Expecting someone else?"

Michaela turned and walked back to her desk. "Sully and I are having lunch."

"Well I won't be long. Just wanted to stop by to say that I wouldn't be home for dinner tonight. I'm going out with Daniel." She smiled widely.

With a frown, Michaela sighed trying hard to hold her tongue. "Alright."

Marjorie raised her eyebrows. "You're dying to say something, just go ahead and say it."

"That's not true," Michaela lied avoiding her sister's gaze.

"I know you want to lecture me but I'm not a teenager. We both are consenting adults. There's no shame in wanting to enjoy myself."

"You don't have to defend yourself to me. If you want to…" Michaela grew quiet unsure how to complete this thought without being taken the wrong way. "I'm not your mother – do what you want."

"But you think I'm making a mistake?"

"Well…. Yes I think you're making a mistake. You don't even know Daniel and you slept with him last night."

"He's good."

Michaela shook her head. "I don't want to know that."

"And really it's your fault."

Michaela looked up, her eyes wide. "My fault?! How is this my fault?"

"It was fairly obvious what you and Sully were up to last night. It got us both a little worked up."

A deep hue fell over Michaela's cheeks as she protested, "Sully and I are married."

"What does that have to do with anything? Have you forgotten that I know you were sleeping with him before the wedding?"

Michaela's crimson cheeks now turned almost purple as anger was added to her embarrassment. "Marjorie, I don't have to explain myself to you but Sully is the only guy I've ever been with – the only guy I've ever wanted to be with."

"And I, little sis, don't have to explain myself to you." A cocky smile occupied her face as she continued. "Daniel is not the only man I've slept with and not the only man I've wanted to sleep with. Life's too short to limit yourself Michaela." With that she turned on her heels giving a little wave over her shoulder. "Don't wait up for me."

"Don't worry – I won't!" Michaela yelled after her sister as the office door started to close. Instantly a hand grabbed it and then Sully entered in the space Marjorie had just left.

"Michaela?" he asked, unsure of what he had walked in on. He could see the red cheeks, flashing eyes and he quickly crossed the room after he'd closed the door behind him. "Ya alright?"

"I hate her."

Sully laughed lightly as he shook his head. Moving behind Michaela, he let his hands run down her sides pressing himself against her back before he sat down in her desk chair and pulled her into his lap. "You don't hate her."

"No, I do. She lives to make me miserable."

Sully looked at her curiously. "I thought that was your mother?"

Michaela finally softened a little, shaking her head at her husband as she relaxed into his arms. "I just can't believe that she slept with Daniel last night… and that she feels absolutely no remorse or regret."

Letting the words settle for a moment, Sully softly stroked her arm still trying to tame the anger that was so near the surface. She turned slightly to look at him, waiting for his answer. Sully smiled and leaned closer, lightly brushing her lips with his. "I know how ya feel about what happened but ya can't live her life."

Growing slightly uncomfortable, Michaela twisted in his arms. "Sully, she slept with a man she hardly knows in the middle of my living room floor!"

Trying to suppress a grin, Sully replied, "Ya upset that she slept with him or that she was naked on your rug?" Michaela wanted to be angry at what she perceived as a flippant attitude on Sully's part but she simply shook her head. "Listen, I know ya don't like what happened between them last night and they should have at least gone upstairs but it really ain't our business."

Michaela nodded but Sully could tell she was still mulling something over. She moved a little forward so that she was sitting on the edge of his knees as she leaned over her desk. Sully pulled up cradling her against him as he let one hand settle against her upper thigh. "Something else bothering you?"

"She said they heard us last night." The words were low so that Sully had to strain to hear them. Caressing her skin through her pants, Sully moved close to her ear.

"I'll try to be quieter tonight," he whispered. Again Michaela wasn't sure whether to laugh or hit him but she decided to laugh and finally let the tension leave her body.

"Are you ready for lunch?" she asked taking him off guard as she rose from his lap and turned to face him.

Sully pulled her between his legs as he wrapped his hands around her waist, laying his head against her abdomen. "No," he whispered.

"Aren't you hungry? I'm starving."

"I'm hungry alright." He looked up at her cheekily.

"Sully," she admonished looking down to notice that he was indeed aroused. Leaning over him, she kissed him deeply, their tongues meeting in the fray. "I wish we could…" she began not wanting to refuse him but feeling uncomfortable about being intimate in her office.

Sully stood. "I'm patient," he whispered against her cheek. "I can wait. Sides don't want your stomach growling all afternoon. You're finally eating again."

"What does that mean?" Michaela moved around the desk to retrieve her things so they could leave as she asked.

"Just means that ya seem to have your appetite back which is good."

Michaela nodded in reply but then pondered his words to herself as they left, realizing that Sully was indeed right. It was a sign of healing, she told herself. Everything simply took time – and in time this Marjorie situation would be resolved. There was no sense worrying about it now.

It's been forever but I hope to finish up this story in the coming weeks. Hope everyone had a good holiday and a very Happy New Year!