The Pass Along Fanfic

*Mountain Lion on the Loose*

Chapter 25 - written by: Tess

Thank you, Sully," Michaela whispered after her husband's kiss nearly took her breath away. "On your way back from the homestead, to make sure it's alright with Mother that she look after Colleen and Brian for a day or two, maybe you can stop at the telegraph office and see if Horace has a reply from the Denver Hospital yet."

Sully held her tight, caressing her shoulder as he spoke. "While I'm gone, you've got to promise me something."

"What's that?"

"That you don't go anywhere near Hank until I return."

"Sully, he's my patient."

"I know, but I don't trust him."

"I'm quite capable of handling myself, don't you think?"

"Sure I do, I just don't want to you to HAVE to."

"You won't be gone long."

"Not if I can help it."

"See… you have nothing to worry about."

"Michaela..."

She smiled sweetly at him. "If it will make you feel better, I'll only tend to him if he needs another shot of morphine. I'll prepare it and have it ready to go… just in case."

"I'd like that."

"And I'd like you to be extra careful. There's a mountain lion on the loose."

"She doesn't scare me," he taunted and Michaela blushed.

His lips claimed hers then and she eagerly returned his affections. Her understanding husband had given her a break last night, but if they wanted to make a baby, they couldn't have many nights like that.

"Hold that thought," he whispered seductively to her before exiting out the door.

The minute he was gone, Michaela wasted no time in preparing a dose of morphine. Regardless of his current state, Hank couldn't be trusted. Placing the dose into her apron pocket, she headed upstairs to prepare a place for her and Sully to sleep tonight. The remaining rooms offered only a single bed – guess they'll just have to make due.

After replacing the sheets, Michaela heard a thud followed by an agonizing yell. Hank. Taking the injection needle out of her pocket, she headed down the hall. Upon entering his room, he wasn't in bed. She stepped cautiously into the room and the door slammed shut behind her. The noise startled her so much that she dropped the needle as two strong hands anchored her arms, turned her around and pressed her to the door.

"Jules… there you are." Hank's smile was mischievous.

"Let go of me!" She demanded in her most stern voice, trying to hide the fact that she was clearly shaken. He had taken her completely by surprise.

"Why?" He grinned at her again. "Aren't you missin' me as much as I'm missin' you?"

"I thought you were hurt," she stated matter-of-factly.

"Just hurtin' for you is all, Jules darlin'."

Michaela glanced at the injection needle just out of reach on the floor as Hank bent to kiss her. She struggled with all her strength, managed to free a hand and slapped him across the face with everything she could muster. His nose started to bleed.

"H**l, Michaela!" He grabbed his nose. "What did ya go and do that for?!"

"Hank?" She drew a refreshing breath. "You called me Michaela!"

"That ain't no reason to hit me! Ain't that your name?!"

She quickly moved across the room and brought him a cloth for his nose, relieved that he was his old self again. Not that that brought much comfort, but it was better than the amnesia.

"Yes, it's my name, Hank. That's not what I meant. It's good to have you back."

"Back from where?"

"You had amnesia."

"Ya – right."

"You did. But you're obviously better now."

"Good." He tossed the bloody cloth at her. His nose had stopped bleeding. "I'm gettin' out of here." He stomped angrily towards the door.

"Careful not to rupture your sutures," she warned him.

As he turned to question her, his foot came in contact with the injection needle still lying on the floor. It rolled beneath his boot, causing him to fall backwards. Michaela watched helplessly as Hank hit his head against the wall. His body slowly slumped to the floor.

"Hank!" Michaela rushed to his side and checked his pulse. Strong and steady. She reached out to gather the injection needle lying just out of her reach when Hank's hand captured hers.

"Jules... At last I have you all to myself," he said softly with glazed eyes.

Michaela fought hard not to panic. She struggled to reach the needle again.

"What's wrong Jules? Can't I kiss ya?"

"No!" Michaela stated still struggling to reach the morphine.

"Why not… can't a man kiss his wife?"

"We're not married," she bluntly told him, then remembered her original plan to "play along." Now what was she going to do?

"We're not?"

"No."

"Didn't you say yes to my proposal?" He pulled her closer.

Michaela cringed. The man was nearly twice her size! She didn't want to anger him and she still couldn't reach the morphine, so she continued with this farce. "You never proposed to me." It was the truth, but not the same truth that Hank believed.

"I didn't?"

"No."

"So that's what's got you so fired up then."

He struggled to stand and forced her to stand up with him. She tried to shake free, but his grip was like iron. She kept glancing to the needle on the floor. Somehow, she HAD to get to it.

"Jules… hold still," Hank commanded. "How in the h**l can I propose to ya if you're wigglin' everywhere?" He pressed her back to the wall next to the door.

Michaela drew a long breath, trying desperately to think. To her left was the closed door, to her right, the morphine lay on the floor and in front of her, Hank held her securely to the wall. She was trapped. She glanced again at the door's knob. Maybe if Hank released his grip she could get the door open and get out.

Hank watched her eyes. She looked as if she were a frightened rabbit ready to run. "Aw come on, Jules… gettin' married can't scare you that much."

Michaela realized that if she were going to escape, she'd have to relax so Hank would loosen his grip. She forced a smile. "You're right. I think I might like being married after all." Her thoughts turned to Sully and a soft blush pinked her cheeks.

Hank smiled. "That's my girl." His hands slid down her arms, firmly grasping her hands as he dropped down on one knee. "Jules, I've waited a long time to find the right girl. Beddin' you will make my wildest dreams come true. I just know it. Marry me."

Before she could come up with a creative answer, the door swung open with extreme force. The doorknob, aligned perfectly with Hank's skull, made full contact. The barkeep fell to floor, completely unconscious.

"Sully!" Michaela ran into her husband's waiting arms.

"What's goin' on? I couldn't find you downstairs anywhere." He held her tight. She was shaking.

"Oh Sully, you were right. Hank can't be trusted, even when he has amnesia."

"Are you alright?"

"I am now."

Sully helped his wife get Hank back in bed. He secured Hank's hands and feet to the bed so he couldn't fall out and hurt himself again – if indeed that's what really happened in the first place.

DQ-DQ-DQ

Later, tucked securely against each other in their single sized bed, Michaela finished filling Sully in on everything that took place in his absence.

"I'm just glad that you're not hurt," he said with much relief.

"I can't believe I dropped the morphine."

"Well I know one thing," Sully began, "I ain't leavin' ya alone with him until all this is over."

"He's still my patient, Sully."

"I know… we'll just have to get someone else to check the telegraph office until the Denver Hospital replies back."

"I think that's a good idea," she agreed, snuggling suggestively closer.

Sully grinned. "Are ya still holdin' that thought?"

"Sure am."

"Good."

Using a gentle touch of his fingertips, he tilted her chin and claimed her inviting lips. Warmth coursed through him as he held her within a secure embrace. Their hearts raced. Kisses deepened as their lungs fought for air. In the heat of the moment and locked tightly within each other's arms, Sully moved to hover over his impassioned wife. Forgetting they were in a single sized bed, his knee slipped off the edge of the mattress and he tumbled to the hard wood floor with a thud… taking Michaela with him.