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.

Chapter Fifty

Cambridge, Maryland – July 21, 1848

"I can't take it," Michaela said standing and pulling at her skirt. "I don't care what anybody says. It's too hot for clothes especially all of these." Sully watched mesmerized as she quickly removed her skirt and petticoats. Her hand moved up to unbutton her shirt and soon she stood in front of him in just her camisole and bloomers.

"Michaela I'm not sure this is such a good idea," Sully said averting his eyes to stop himself from staring.

"Aren't you hot Sully? Come on let me help you out of that shirt." He felt her hands on his chest undoing the buttons and his heart caught in his throat as he found himself staring at the ribbon that tied the top of her camisole together. How could she not know what she was doing to him? When she finished with the buttons she slipped the shirt off his arms and dropped it on the floor with her clothes. Laying a hand on his chest, she smiled up at him. "You're heart's beating fast," she remarked.

"Michaela," Sully muttered again trying to look elsewhere but still found his eyes drawn to her scantily clad body. Her fingers started to stroke his chest tickling him and he began to squirm. "That tickles," he said laughing and pushing at her hands. "Stop you're tickling me."

"Wake up and I'll stop," Anne exclaimed. Sully opened his eyes slowly to find a mass of brown curls dangling in front of his face.

"Anne?" he asked confused. "Why are ya in my room?"

"Me and Robert slept with you last night remember?"

Sully turned to see Robert still curled up beside him as the night before came rushing back. Quickly he sat up and pulled the sheet up to cover himself, brushing Anne to the side. He need to find out how Rebecca was doing but he also needed to calm down from his dream. It had seemed so real to him that his heart was still beating quickly and his body was soaked with perspiration. "I must have fallen asleep when I laid down with ya two last night," he said putting the pieces of what had happened together. He moved to get up but Anne grabbed onto his shoulders. "Anne let go. I need to check on Michaela and your mother."

"They're both asleep," Anne informed him moving to the side. "I already checked."

"Is anyone awake?" Sully asked her.

"Just you and me." She grinned showing two rows of tiny perfect teeth. Sully collapsed back against the pillow yawning. "Don't go back to sleep," Anne warned. "You got to watch me."

"I wouldn't dream of going back to sleep." Sully's was being sarcastic but Anne didn't seem to notice. She continued on undeterred.

"Are you my uncle Sully?" Anne asked wrapping her hands around the top of Sully's right arm as she scooted herself in between Sully and Robert.

"No, Anne. Remember we told ya this before. I'm not related to ya at all."

"Good," Anne replied smiling broadly.

Sully was about to ask her what she meant by that when a light knock came at the door.

"Come in," Sully called.

The door opened to reveal Michaela in her nightgown. "Is there room for one more in here?" she asked with amusement written on her face.

"Certainly," Sully replied as he watched her walk across the room. "How's Rebecca?"

"She's still resting. The doctor is going to ride back out this morning to check on her. It wasn't as bad as we first thought. There was some bleeding and she was having a lot of pain. John rode for the doctor and brought back ice to help stop the bleeding. Her cervix wasn't dilated at all so Ida and the doctor are both hopeful." She took a seat on the bed and dropped her voice. "If something more is wrong we will know soon enough."

"Good," Sully said. "Did ya get any sleep?"

"Some," Michaela smiled. "How about you?"

"I didn't mean to fall asleep when I laid them down in here last night. I must have been more tired than I knew."

"Don't worry. There was no reason for you to stay up. You wouldn't have been able to do anything anyway. Besides, Rebecca was relieved to know that the children were in good hands."

"Did anyone ask why your clothes were all wet?" Sully whispered as Anne retreated off the bed to claim her baby doll.

"If they did no one said anything about it."

"Good," Sully said feeling relieved.

Michaela glanced over her shoulder to make sure Anne was still busy. "I must say I am not sure I like another woman sleeping in your bed. I might get jealous." Amusement was written on Michaela's face as she said it and Sully laughed.

"Don't worry you were the only one in my dreams," he whispered.

"So you dreamed about me?"

"He dreamed you were tickling him but it was really me," Anne said peaking over the edge of the bed at them her baby doll forgotten in the corner.

"What?" Michaela asked looking from her to Sully.

"I was tickling Sully to wake him up. That's how mama always wakes me up. He said your name and then he told you to stop tickling him. But you weren't tickling him it was me." Anne broke into a fit of giggles as she jumped up and down acting very pleased with herself.

"So I was tickling you in your dream?" Michaela looked over at Sully as she said it and couldn't help but notice the pink tinge to his cheeks.

"Sort of," Sully replied turning a darker shade of red. Michaela couldn't help but smile to herself. The fact that she wasn't the only one dreaming inappropriate things made her feel better. Sully brought his eyes up to meet hers. The tranquil shades of blue she found there pulled at her heart and she could not turn away from him at that moment. Some part of her was aware of Anne and Robert but another part of her wanted Sully to push her down on the bed and kiss her over and over again.

Anne did not like the fact that neither Michaela nor Sully was paying her any mind. She decided to make her presence known by jumping onto the bed and tackling Sully. This did in fact succeed in getting their attention but it also woke up Robert who began to scream at the top of his lungs. Michaela quickly picked him up and began to comfort him.

"Anne ya can't do stuff like that," Sully scolded her.

Anne stuck out her bottom lip as her eyes stared to tear up. "Nobody was paying attention to me," she whined. Sully rolled his eyes but picked her up and sat her in his lap to stay off the crying. Michaela smiled over at him as she watched him pat Anne on the back.

"What?" Sully said catching Michaela looking at him.

"Nothing," she returned but still did not drop her eyes.

"Aunt Michaela, when I grow up I am going to marry Sully," Anne announced turning the attention back to her once again.

"You are?" Michaela said looking at the little girl with a surprised expression.

"Umm-hmm. And we are going to live in Boston."

"Has Sully asked you to marry him?" Michaela leaned over to whisper near Anne's ear though she made no effort to be quiet as she wanted Sully to hear everything she was saying. Anne shook her head no. "Well, normally the boy asks the girl to marry him."

Anne looked up expectantly at Sully. "When are you going to ask me to marry you?"

Sully frowned at Michaela. "You're enjoying this, aren't ya?"

"I'm talking over here," Anne reminded Sully by tapping incessantly on his arm.

Sully turned to face her. "Anne I can't ask ya to marry me until after your coming out."

Anne's face lit up. "Like Aunt Marjorie?" she asked.

"Just like Aunt Marjorie," Michaela replied continuing to rub Robert's back.

This answer seemed to pacify Anne for the moment and she jumped out of Sully's lap heading across the room to get her doll once again. Within seconds she had returned and was thrusting the doll toward Sully. "Want to play house?" she asked.

Sully took the doll from her with a stunned expression on his face. "House?" he asked incredulously.

"You can be the papa and I'll be the mama."

"I think it's time for breakfast Anne," Michaela said rescuing Sully. He mouthed a silent thank you to her before the four of them set off downstairs to find something to eat.


Boston – August 1858

"Ready or not, here I come," sang out Sully as he uncovered his eyes and began to move through the backyard looking for any sign of movement. Robert and Rebecca's backyard was huge and full of great hiding spots so he knew it could be awhile before he found anyone. Slowly he stalked along the garden path trying to be as quiet as possible in hopes someone would give themselves away. A giggle caught his attention and he turned quickly in the direction of the sound. Creeping along silently, he startled Michaela as he touched her shoulder from behind.

"One down, two to go," he said laughing.

Michaela smiled up at him invitingly. "Let them hide for a few more minutes," she said wrapping her arms around Sully's back and drawing him near. Sully quickly leaned in and kissed her lips savoring the chance to be alone with her. These moments had been few and far between since they had returned from Cambridge. As he pulled away he felt her lips travel down his neck causing his pulse to race. Teasingly she pulled back running her tongue over her lips as she smiled up at him.

"If ya only knew what ya do to me," Sully breathed. Michaela giggled as she felt his arms run up her sides tickling her slightly.

"And what do I do to you?" she asked cheekily.

Sully shook his head and leaned in again to meet her lips. The kiss deepened and both became lost in the moment unaware of the time that was passing. Michaela's eyes were closed and she moaned in pleasure as Sully placed light kisses to a sensitive spot on her neck. Slipping his tongue out he tasted the sweetness of his skin as Michaela's hands slipped lower down his back.

A surprised gasp caught their attention and they both turned quickly to find Anne standing there her eyes wide and her nostrils flaring. "No wonder you weren't looking for us," she shouted her voice full of venom.

"Sorry," Sully muttered knowing that this was about more than a game of hide and seek.

"Why didn't you tell me? Why didn't either one of you tell me?"

"Anne," Michaela began. "We hadn't told anyone until this summer."

"How could you do this?" Her eyes were full of tears as she looked between the two of them. "I loved you Sully!" she cried and then turned to flee.

"Anne!' Sully started to run after her but Michaela stopped him.

"No I'll go," she said gently.

Sully hit the tree with his fist. "Another Quinn family member who is just thrilled to see us together."

"Sully it's infatuation. You know she has always liked you."

"I know. It's just…"

Michaela stood on her tiptoes and placed a quick kiss to his lips. "Don't worry. I'll talk to her."


Boston - July 30, 1848

Elizabeth stood looking out of the library window as she waited for Josef to return home. Logically she knew that it was imperative that she remain calm but she was already having a hard time controlling her anger. She knew it would only get worse when Josef arrived home. He had deliberately gone behind her back and orchestrated Michaela and Sully's extended stay in Maryland. Her mind ran through all the things she wanted to say to him knowing she needed to stay way from the subject of a relationship between Michaela and Sully. The opening of the front door caught her attention and she flew out into the foyer.

"We need to talk," she said her voice already full of fight.

"If this is about Mike and Sully," Josef began but Elizabeth interrupted him.

"Of course this is about Michaela and Sully. Did you really think I wasn't going to find out?"

Josef sighed and walked past her into the library knowing now that a fight was unavoidable. Elizabeth followed him inside and closed the door. Walking over to the window, he looked out onto the backyard contemplating what to say to Elizabeth. "I think they should stay in Maryland," Josef stated succinctly.

"That's fairly obvious," Elizabeth retorted. "You were the one that sent the telegram saying they could stay. You were the one who assured me that you would go to Maryland when Rebecca came home. You were the one who promised me that they would not be left alone in Maryland. You never intended to go, did you?"

"Elizabeth of course I was planning on going. But I think our daughter's health and the health of her unborn baby is more important than me chaperoning Michaela and Sully. I can't help that these new circumstances changed things. I'm needed here more than there."

"Stop acting like you are the only doctor in Boston," Elizabeth screamed her fists clenched in anger.

Josef took a deep breath as he glared at his wife. "If this is about some imaginary relationship between Mike and Sully…"

"No, it's about the fact that your mother is crazy! Who knows what kind of nonsense she is filling their heads with. They both are going to come back here looking like commoners stepping off of that train. Sully looking like some field worker while Michaela's hair will be hanging down like some street woman. So help me if Michaela comes back without a corset on, I am going to…"

"You are going to what? Yell at her? Take her to confession? Permanently attach a corset to her?"

"Stop being ridiculous!" Elizabeth exclaimed.

"No you stop being ridiculous, Elizabeth! My mother is old – she is not going to be around for ever and I cannot deny her the chance to see her grandchildren."

"How about the chance to see her son? You seem to be fine with denying her that."

"It's not me she wants to see."

"Don't use that as an excuse."

"I'm not. It's the truth. Why do you think she left Boston all those years ago? Why do you think my daughter will inherit basically everything she owns when she has two living sons?"

"The woman is batty, Josef," Elizabeth reminded him.

"She isn't Elizabeth. You can keep telling yourself that but she knows exactly what she is doing. Her body may be old but her mind is still as sharp as ever. That is one of the reasons she has taken to Mike. She sees herself in her. I was and still am too much like my father for her liking."

"Josef she loved your father. I may not know much about your mother but I do know that. His death is what pushed her over the edge."

Josef shook his head. "You never have understood my family Elizabeth. You never quite got it."

"What are you going on about Josef?"

Josef choose to remain silent. There was no use saying anything more on the subject. Elizabeth couldn't understand. She had never grown up in a home with the kind of pressure he was always under; having to live up to the Quinn family name every second of every day. "Drop it Elizabeth." His tone was not loud but she knew he meant business.

"I want them to come back with Rebecca," Elizabeth said hastily.

"They will stay until the middle of August just as originally planned." Again Josef's tone communicated the finality of his decision.

"Don't forget about our agreement. If anything goes wrong in those two weeks, Sully will be sent to boarding school."

"Yes Elizabeth. I do remember," Josef snapped turning to walk out into the foyer. Elizabeth stood watching him leave and wondering what he had meant by his earlier comments about his mother. Her anger had not abated but she knew that it was pointless to continue to argue with him when he had made up his mind. She would have to accept his decision and learn to live with it.


Baltimore, Maryland - August 3, 1848

Rebecca and the baby were doing fine and when a week had passed without incident the doctor had given Rebecca the okay to travel. When Robert had found out about Rebecca he had insisted that she come back to Boston at once. Josef too seemed to think this was best as he wanted to personally monitor Rebecca's situation.

Michaela and Sully were afraid that they would also have to return to Boston as now it looked like Josef wasn't going to come. Surprisingly, Josef had telegrammed to say that he would be coming to Baltimore to escort Rebecca and the children home and that Michaela and Sully should stay until August 12 as planned. This thrilled both of them and they were looking forward to nine whole days without Anne and Robert. Both of the children were very sweet and fun to play with but Anne's obsession with Sully was grating on even Michaela's nerves.

Rebecca stood on the dock with Michaela and the children watching John and Sully unload their luggage. The late morning sun was beating down on them making Michaela wish she didn't have quite so many layers of clothes on.

"Are you okay?" Michaela asked Rebecca who seemed sort of pale.

"I'm fine. I think the boat ride didn't help my stomach," she explained.

"Can I stay here with Sully?" Anne asked turning her face up and squinting her eyes at her mother.

"Anne, we've already been over this. You and Robert are coming back to Boston with me and granda. Your papa wants to see his little girl. He had missed her very much."

Anne pulled away from Rebecca and began to pout. Rebecca leaned in close to Michaela and whispered, "If she is already this crazy over a boy, I don't know what we are going to do when she's sixteen." Both women laughed at the comment as Sully and John approached.

As a group they made their way from the dock to the waiting carriages. Josef arrived shortly thereafter and helped get Rebecca and the children settled. Anne by this point was crying and hugging Sully's neck so tight that he was turning red in the face. Finally, Josef unattached her from Sully and put her in the carriage with her brother.

"Have a good rest of the summer," Josef said to both of them. "We will see you in a little over a week."

"Thank you for letting us stay, father." Michaela wrapped her arms around his neck and gave him a little kiss on the cheek. "Mother didn't mind?"

"I can't say we saw eye to eye on the topic but I thought this was only fair."

"Thank you," Michaela said again when her suspicion that it was solely her father's doing was confirmed.

"Sully, take care of my little girl." Josef placed his arm around Sully's shoulder in sort of a half-hug.

"I will," Sully replied smiling up at Josef.

Josef shook his head. "I think you grew another six inches this summer." With that he clasped him once on the back and then shook John's hand before climbing into the carriage.

After one more round of good-byes the carriage pulled away. John, Sully and Michaela stood watching it until it could be seen no more. Then they headed back to the boat to return to Anna's.

The return from Baltimore had been delightful. They took their time coming home as the day was truly gorgeous. Michaela had sprawled out on the deck taking off her stockings so that her bare feet could feel the breeze that blew. John and Sully had a wonderful time teasing each other before they turned on Michaela and begun to tease her as well. Once they arrived at home, Michaela pretended to be mad at both of them and had run up to the house before they had even secured the boat.

Slowly Sully and John sauntered up the front lawn to the house still enjoying the afternoon. Michaela sat on the porch waiting for them but pretending as if she was asleep in the swing. John chuckled when he saw her but went on into the house. Sully quietly snuck over to where she sat and begun to tickle her.

Immediately Michaela's eyes sprang open. "Stop," she giggled as Sully's hands found the side of her stomach. "Stop!" she exclaimed more fervently smacking at his arms to push him away from her. Sully moved back with a silly grin on his face. "I'm not talking to you," Michaela announced still pretending to be mad from earlier.

"Should be a peaceful afternoon then," Sully replied leaning against the porch railing.

"Very funny."

"I thought ya weren't talkin' to me."

"I'm not."

"Seems to me ya are." Sully wrinkled up his nose as he suppressed his laughter. Michaela turned her back toward him. "So what are ya so mad at me about?" Sully asked rather enjoying the charade.

"If you don't know, I'm not going to tell you."

Sully sat down on the porch swing on the end opposite of Michaela. "I think you're jealous."

"Jealous of whom?"

"Anne," Sully replied again suppressing a giggle. "She did kiss me when she told me goodbye."

"Well maybe you can dream about her tonight." Sully swallowed hard at the mention of dreams. Ever since the day Michaela had done her little strip down because of the heat, Sully had relived that moment every night in his dreams. Of course the children weren't there and usually Michaela didn't stop with just her skirt and petticoats. Michaela looked down the swing at Sully and noticed the way his cheeks had gone red. "Did I embarrass you?" she teased.

"No, I….it's just… it's warm out here," Sully finally managed to say.

Michaela didn't buy this for a second. "Have you been dreaming of Anne?"

"Of course not," Sully replied glancing over at her briefly.

"Good," Michaela said. "I want to be the only girl dancing through your head at night."

"Ya are," Sully confirmed offering a brief smile. Michaela's feet lay next to Sully as she was stretched out long ways and he lifted them up so that he could scoot over and rest them in his lap. Slowly he ran his fingers up and down the soles, making Michaela squirm and giggle but then his movements changed as his hands began to massage her feet.

Michaela sucked in a sharp breath as she closed her eyes, marveling at the way Sully's hands felt on her feet. She allowed herself to relax completely. Each pass of his hand from her heel to her toes made her heart beat a little faster. It took a moment before she registered that Sully had stilled his hands on her left foot. She opened her eyes and looked down the swing. Sully still held onto her foot but he seemed lost in thought. Slowlly she pulled herself up to a sitting position and swung her feet out of Sully's lap.

"Thank you," she whispered moving closer to him but still Sully didn't respond. "Sully," Michaela called a little louder and he looked over at her with a brooding look on his face. "What are you thinking about?"

"With Josef not coming, I won't be able to stop in New York and go see my mother's grave," he replied, his voice low.

Michaela winced as she heard the pain in Sully's statement. She had forgotten completely about this. "Do you know where your mother is buried?" Michaela asked.

"St. Vincent's."

Michaela screwed her face up. "But I thought that people who had…" her words faded off here as she didn't want to say the next word.

"It was ruled an accidental drowning so that she could be buried in the church yard," he replied.

Michaela nodded her head in understanding. "We will have a short stop in New York, we always do. Why don't we take a carriage over to St. Vincent's?"

Sully looked over at her as a smile spread across his face. "Yeah," he said grateful that Michaela was willing to do this for him. "Let's do that."


Pennsylvania countryside – August 12, 1848

The train rumbled down the tracks passing farms, crossing rivers and tunneling through the mountains of the Pennsylvania countryside. They had stopped briefly in Philadelphia but now their course was set for New York. Night had fallen outside the train compartment that the two shared. Michaela sat up reading while Sully had fallen asleep at least an hour before. Sully began to move around in his sleep causing Michaela to look up. At first, she thought he was trying to get more comfortable but she soon realized he must be dreaming. His face was contorted in a grimace and his arm reached out grabbing at the air.

"Ma," he cried out still reaching for some invisible thing.

Michaela dropped to the floor beside his seat and began to shake him. "Sully, wake up."

He seemed to calm for a minute but then he screamed out again. "Michaela!" His voice reverberated through the tiny compartment raising goose bumps on Michaela's flesh.

"Sully," she cried out her voice more urgent now. "Sully, wake up!"

Quickly he bolted up his eyes wide with fright. He looked at Michaela grabbing onto her face and running his hands over it. "Michaela?" he asked tentatively.

"You were dreaming," she told him.

Sully looked around reminding himself of where he was as he absorbed what Michaela had said. "It was just a dream," he repeated to himself calming somewhat.

Michaela moved to sit behind him and had Sully lay back against her so that she could gently stroke the side of his face. "Do you want to tell me what your dream was about?" she asked hoping that she wasn't making him uncomfortable.

Sully nodded his head but took a few minutes to compose himself. As he relaxed against Michaela he began to speak, "It was the same dream I had earlier this summer. I was walkin' in the city and my mother was right in front of me but she wouldn't turn around and look at me. I kept following her but I wasn't alone ya were with me." He stopped here and looked up at Michaela. "You were holdin' my hand and encouragin' me to keep goin'. She started to run and I wanted to run after her so I let go of your hand. I couldn't catch her though. As fast as I ran she always ran faster. I could still hear ya tellin' me not to give up. I was calling her name but she wouldn't stop. I tripped over something and when I looked up I couldn't see her anymore." Sully took a shaky breath and Michaela knew he was holding back tears.

Gently she leaned over and kissed his forehead. "Was that it?" she asked sensing that Sully wasn't finished yet.

"No. I turned around to find ya but ya were gone." His voice cracked as he said it and Michaela saw the first tear slip down his cheek. She wiped it away and placed a kiss on his cheek where the tear had been.

"I won't leave you Sully. You don't have to worry about that."

"I just have this bad feeling that I can't seem to get rid of."

"Maybe it will go away after you visit her grave tomorrow."

"I hope so," Sully said turning his eyes to look up at Michaela's. The deep sadness that she found there moved Michaela and she wanted to take away all of Sully's unhappy memories at that moment. She covered his lips with her own, gently placing a kiss there. Sully breathed in her scent as she leaned over him and felt his heart begin to calm.

"Go back to sleep," Michaela cooed against his ear. "I'll sit with you tonight and chase away your nightmares."

Sully sat up and turned in the seat so that he faced her. "You don't have to," he replied feeling slightly embarrassed that she felt the need to act as his protector.

"I want to," Michaela returned covering his hand with her own.

Slowly Sully sank back down and laid his head in Michaela's lap. Her fingers ran through his hair and down over his cheek encouraging his eyelids to close. Her touch was all he focused on; willing himself not to think about the dream that moments ago had seemed so real. Slowly the gentle motion of the train combined with Michaela's soft touch lulled him to sleep.


New York City - August 13, 1848

Michaela stood a few feet away watching Sully as he kneeled at his mother's grave. She had moved away to give him a chance to say whatever he needed to say and to cry without her presence embarrassing him. The carriage ride from the train station had been longer than she expected but they still had plenty of time so she wasn't too worried. They had stopped on the way so that Sully could buy flowers to lay on his mother's grave. Her heart went out to Sully as she watched him there with his head bowed low to the ground. She knew that in rejecting Josef's offer of adoption that he was giving up the chance to have a family but somehow it all became very real as they stood here in this place. Her heart felt heavy knowing that Sully had given it all up for her.

Sully rose and turned to find her standing over near a tree. His eyes were red from crying and his nose still dripped but he needed to feel her near at the moment. Quickly he crossed the short distance that separated them and wrapped his arms around her. "It's okay," she said hugging him to herself, making him feel as if he was the most loved person in the world.

"Thank you," Sully said pulling back a little. "I needed to do this."

"I know," Michaela agreed. "Are you ready to head back?"

Sully nodded and took her hand as they walked out of the cemetery toward the street and the waiting carriage. When they returned to the spot where they had asked the driver to wait, they found he was no longer there. Michaela felt her chest tighten but told herself to remain calm. They would find another carriage soon. The two of them began to walk hand in hand in the direction of the train station hoping that at any moment a carriage would come by.

Each step made Michaela a little more nervous and she held tightly to Sully's hand as she absorbed the reality of the situation. Looking around made her anxious. They were in a poorer section of the city and the poverty she saw scared her. Sully who had grown up not far from here was not shocked by the sights but he noticed how Michaela seemed to cling to him.

"Don't worry, I won't let anything happen to ya," he reassured her. Michaela nodded her head but did not let go of Sully's hand.

After walking another fifteen blocks or so, they finally spotted a carriage to hire. Quickly they climbed inside and set off for the train station. They had asked the driver to hurry and he did but still the ride seemed to take forever. Sully quickly paid the driver and they rushed inside the station running towards the platform that they knew their train would be leaving from. Both their hearts fell when they arrived there and found the platform deserted.


This is my first fan fiction. Please review and let me know what you think. Thanks for reading!