Chapter 25

Sully's flight from the harsh reality was stopped abruptly by the raging storm outside. He wasn't able to open the backdoor for the tempest pressed against it with such might that he didn't even try again. Frustrated, he slammed his fist against the wall. He needed room to walk around because without that he couldn't think. The narrow space at the foot of the flight of stairs where he'd ended up didn't provide it though. Joining the others again was out of the question, and thus he squatted down, burying his face in his hands. What did it tell about him that no one thought it necessary to discuss Hannah's state of health with him, the father? He didn't know about any visits to a pediatrician or whomever they had seen about her heart problem.

Shifting so he sat on the floor he leaned against the cold stonewall, bending his head back with his eyes closed until it touched the bricks, too. His forearms rested on his knees as he commanded his body and mind to relax the way Cloud Dancing had taught him. How he wished his friend were here; but he already knew what he would say because he had said it before: Getting hurt is a natural part of life. As long as the wounds still bleed and hurt we tend to them, and our goal is for them to heal. We will always carry our scars; they remind us of what we have been through. But that is all what they are supposed to be: a reminder. It is not for them to command our future; it is for us to decide where to go.

Letting out a long breath Sully opened his eyes. He had tended to his wounds, alright. Why did he only recognize now that he hadn't helped them to heal but opened them again and again instead? After Abigail died he'd been so worried about losing Hannah too that he had lost something else: the sight of what was really important, that as her father he had to help her live and thrive. It had been easier to put this task into the hands of Maude and Loren; this way he didn't have to constantly face his fears. It must have looked to his parents-in-law as if he wasn't interested in what was going on in his daughter's life.

Suddenly he startled. Hadn't he proved them right again just a few minutes ago? Cursing under his breath he quickly rose to his feet. As much as he yearned for solitude right now –Hannah needed him more.

When he returned to the dining room he didn't notice the looks the others cast in his direction; he had only eyes for his little girl. She was sitting on Michaela's lap, probing with her forefinger under the doctor's chin. Holding her head still so as not to disturb the little girl in her exploring, Michaela cast him a sideways glance. It didn't give away how she had taken his running away, and Sully wished she hadn't witnessed his outburst. It was too late for that now; all he could do was make amends for his behavior.

With two long strides he went over to his daughter, wanting to take her into his arms but she didn't pay him attention. She peered up at Michaela and dared to ask, despite her grandfather's presence, "It hurt?"

Michaela smiled reassuringly. Touching the little one's nose playfully she assured, "Not one bit. But it's tickling at the moment."

Holding her hand before her mouth Hannah giggled before she reached up again, running her finger along the thin white line. Without looking at her father she said to him, "Ya see, Daddy? Scaa. It don't hurt."

For a heart-stopping moment Sully thought he had talked loudly earlier and his daughter had heard him. But he immediately caught himself. Plastering a smile on his face he reached for hiss little girl. "It's healed," he explained as he held her securely in his arms.

Laying her palm on her chest Hannah nodded with a newly-won confidence. "I heal, too."

"'Course ya will," Sully affirmed, glancing at Michaela but she didn't have time to respond.

Although everyone was aware of the storm outside they all jumped when first a lightening brightened the room and then a clap of thunder seemed to race through the house from roof to cellar.

When it was quiet again Olive frowned at the ceiling, asking no one in particular, "Did that lightning strike?"

"I'll take a look," Sully said and left the room with Hannah still clinging to him. "Ya alright, sweet girl?" he asked as he carried her up the stairs. The child nodded but tightened her grip around his neck.

"Shh," he soothed, stroking his daughter's soft blond hair. "I'm here."

When he joined the others again in order to report that he hadn't detected any damage to the house Michaela was just finishing a phone call.

"I'm needed at the emergency room of the Memorial," she said as she got up from her chair.

"I thought ya have your practice at the clinic." Loren knitted his brow in consternation; he had thought with a heart specialist working right across the street the problems his wife and granddaughter had were taken care of because a doctor would always be available. But when she also worked at the hospital…

As if guessing his thoughts Michaela explained, "I offered my assistance for exceptional circumstances. Lightening has struck an oak right next to a wooden shelter near the road up to Pikes Peak. Twelve people are seriously injured and they expect more people being hurt by the storm. They need every help they can get."

After straightening her jacket she pulled out her long hair from beneath it and was ready to leave when Sully stepped into her way.

"Where do ya think you're goin'?" he asked, incredulous that she actually intended to get out of the house.

Believing he hadn't listened to her explanation to Mr. Bray Michaela repeated, "I'm needed at the Memorial Hospital Central and…"

"Yeah, I heard that," Sully interrupted her, "but ya can't go there right away."

Recognizing the determined look in her eyes he shifted Hannah in his arms before he gestured for Michaela to follow him to the window.

"Ya see that?" he asked as he pointed at the trees that lined the sidewalk. The storm was throwing itself against the branches, pulling them all in one direction. The trunks seemed to bend under the violence of the tempest, and a forgotten bicycle was blown across the street as if it was made of paper.

Michaela's shoulders slumped. She hadn't mentioned that her colleague from the hospital who had called her had said that she should only come over once it was safe outside. The opportunity to be able to leave this room immediately had been too tempting.

Silently acknowledging her defeat she went back to her chair, sitting down again.

"Want some desert?" Olive asked. She could imagine what went through the young doctor's mind, but she also knew that they were a close-knit family that only looked rough from the outside. Once Dr. Mike had the chance to spend more time with them she would find that out, too.

xxx

Michaela had barely managed to take a quick shower and change her clothes but in the end she arrived at the clinic just on time to open her practice punctually. Fortunately she had given Emily a set of keys when they signed the employment contract, and the young woman had already prepared everything. The rooms were aired and the first patients waited, one of them Hank.

"Had a long night, doc?" he quipped and smirked when he saw the hoped-for flash of annoyance in Michaela's eyes.

"I wouldn't tease my physician if I were in your place, young man," a deep voice was heard from the threshold, drawing the attention away from the hotel owner.

"Dr. Bernard," Michaela exclaimed, pleased that her new partner had found the time to stop by.

The gynecologist ventured into the room, Charlotte Cooper on his heels. The midwife held a big pot with a Sanseveria plant in her hands, smiling broadly.

Stepping closer to Michaela Dr. Bernard stretched out his hand, saying, "It is my pleasure to welcome you officially at this clinic, Dr. Quinn. Cloud Dancing sends his regards; as you know he will only return from Boston in the end of the week so he asked me to do the honors."

After a firm shake of his hand he made room for Charlotte who gave the plant to Emily before she greeted Michaela as well. "It's good to have you around," she stated. Then she bent closer, adding quietly, "I'll make sure Brian won't disturb you again now that you…"

"But he didn't disturb me at all," Michaela assured. "On the contrary."

"Will I finally get rid of the stiches now?" Hank interrupted them, thinking he had waited long enough.

Raising her eyebrows Michaela exchanged an understanding glance with Dr. Bernard and Charlotte before she turned to Hank who had gotten up from his chair. "Only if you've been here before the others," Michaela responded. He had, and so Michaela began her first workday at her own practice.

There wasn't much to do for her during the morning. After Hank, a young man with a bruised toe, a five-year-old with an upset stomach and Robert E. who had strained a muscle in his back were all her patients for three hours, and tiredness eventually caught up with Michaela. She had worked at the emergency room all night and the lack of sleep was catching up with her. She was just thinking of making herself some coffee when, after a knock, Emily opened the door and came in, carrying a ceramic thermal mug.

"Some fresh coffee from Grace's," she announced, returning the smile that lit up her bosses face at hearing this.

"You must have read my mind," Michaela said, "that's exactly what I need right now."

"I can't take this credit." Emily almost giggled when she revealed, "The mind reader was Sully." Seeing the doctor craning her neck as she tried to take a look into the waiting area, she informed her, "He's already gone."

Michaela had barely taken her first sip when another knock at the door interrupted her. Sighing, she put down the mug and called, "Come in!"

Seeing her visitors she quickly forgot the coffee and rose from her chair in order to greet them. "Ingrid, Matthew! How nice to see you again."

While Matthew shuffled his feet nervously Ingrid avoided her gaze.

"What's wrong?" Michaela asked growing concerned.

Obviously pulling himself together Matthew looked up at her. "We're here for the bill," he conceded.

"What bill?" Michaela wondered. When there was no reply it dawned on her what it was that worried the young couple. "I never charge for emergencies and friends," she said softly. "And both criteria apply to you."

"We ain't no charity case," Matthew instantly refused the offer. "We can pay. We only hoped we could set up an installment plan." He had been taught by his mother that you have to pay for your debts, no matter what.

Silently, Michaela regarded the young man for a moment. As honorable as she thought it that he didn't want to owe her anything she had to make it clear to him that she didn't do that only for him.

"Emily," she called, "could you please come in for a moment?"

It took only a few seconds before Emily joined them and Michaela asked her, "Would you please tell Mr. Cooper the rules for emergency cases?"

"Sure, Dr. Mike," Emily replied eagerly and turned towards Matthew. "Rule number one: emergencies always first. Rule number two: no charges for emergencies."

"Thank you," Michaela smiled at her and then looked at Matthew again. "And there are no exceptions from these rules," she insisted.

Before her boyfriend could embarrass them Ingrid said gratefully, "That is very kind of you, Dr. Mike." It would have been extremely difficult for them to pay an additional bill, and they both didn't want to ask their families for help again after they had already covered for her stay at the hospital.

"That's alright," Michaela assured. "It's part of my pro bono work."

Only after hearing this did Matthew relax as well, recognizing that they weren't spared of the payment out of sympathy. The couple still talked with Michaela for a few minutes after this problem was solved and then left.

Not much later it was time for Emily to call it a day and Michaela was alone again. Letting this first morning pass before her eyes she thought it went quite well. Word needed to spread before more patients would find the way to her practice, and she refused to think they wouldn't.

She was beyond the point of being tired by now and contemplated whether to have lunch or rather study in her office. She was relieved from making a decision though because again, Sully appeared at the right moment. He was quite sure she hadn't had breakfast and so he took advantage of the fact that Michaela wouldn't refuse his daughter's wish. Thus he carried his little girl until they both stood before the desk. "Come Auntie Gace?" Hannah asked, and of course Michaela couldn't resist the little girl.

"Alright," she replied and blushed when she saw Sully's satisfied grin.