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.

Morning Dreams

Part Two

The emerald green of the forest canopy swaying gently in the morning breeze. The dappled sunlight streaming through branches and leaves casting dizzying patterns on the ground. The rich earth awakening from its winter slumber as it brings forth new life. The creeks swelled fat with April rains and the melted winter snows rushing through the forest deep. The melodies of birds singing to the world that morning has arrived. The ferns unfurling their fronds to welcome the suns rays. The moon disappearing into the brightness of the sun, following the stars into day's slumber. The coolness of night lingering in the air waiting for the sun's kiss. The forest floor carpeted still with dew that no creature has yet disturbed. All of this and more floated through his mind, filling his senses, as he prepared to begin a new day.

Without opening his eyes, he turned his face skyward, breathing in deeply. He waited for the fragrant perfume of the wildflowers blooming on the creek bank to reach his nostrils. There was a sweetness in the air that he could not identify but he knew it wasn't wildflowers. Again he breathed in trying to ascertain the fruity smell of the cedar tree grove but it was obscured as well. Turning his head back towards the ground, he drew another deep breath but found no earthy aroma or sweet smell of newly grown grass. Laundry he thought. It smelled like clean laundry that had been dried outside on a spring day. Yet there was another smell, strong and overpowering that dulled all other scents. He breathed it in selfishly feeling as if he could never get enough of that intoxicating fragrance.

Pressing his lips together, he felt the dryness there. Slowly his tongue slipped out to wet his lips but he was not prepared for the sweetness he encountered. A slow smile spread across his face as recollections of Michaela's kisses stirred from his memory. The softness of her lips meeting his in a warm passionate encounter. Her sweet breath as she opened to him, her tongue meeting his in a lover's dance. A dream of those lips trailing kisses down his neck and across the expanse of his chest. Or was it a dream?

Gradually his mind began to stir putting together the smells and tastes. His right hand reached out to touch the firmness of the earth below him, encountering an unexpected softness. His mind reeled with the thought. A bed – he was sleeping on a bed. Why on earth was he sleeping on a bed? Again he drew a breath letting the warm engaging balm swell in his chest. A vision of chestnut locks danced through his mind as he imagined himself running his fingers through her hair. He slowly realized the sounds that greeted him each morning were not present. There were neither birds singing nor wind rustling the leaves in the trees. In its place was an endless rumble.

A hazy remembrance of soft moans filling his ears, gasps of surprise, and rapturous cries of delight. Her eyes sparkling green in the lamplight, an endearing mixture of trust and fear written upon them. The soft hands kneading his chest moving ever lower, transporting him to another realm where only she existed. Please don't let this be a dream he thought as he contemplated opening his eyes. He took another staggering breath letting the essence that was her fill his body and then before he changed his mind, quickly he opened his eyes.

There was no dappled light making its way through leaves and braches. There were no leaves and branches, only endless billows of chestnut curls splayed out before him enticing him to bury his face in their depths. There were no birds singing or streams rushing, only the low rumble of the train carrying them ever closer to Denver. For a moment he wondered if he missed the sights, sounds and smells of the outdoors or if he would grow to miss them. Yet one look at only the curve of her shoulder drove all such thoughts from his mind. Here was where he belonged, the only place he wanted to be.

The light was low in the room but that didn't matter. To him her hair still shimmered as it did in the bright sunlight. Last night, he had pulled the pins out so that her curls tumbled down her back. Now they lay haphazardly on the pillow, trailing down to the mattress. A strange yearning to brush out her tresses stirred within him. Would she allow such an intimate gesture? Then he remembered that once before he had brushed out her hair against her protests. They had been alone in the woods, her wrist injured and her hair tangled with the day's exertions. Gently he had pulled through each knot until every strand lay in a silky stream that cascaded down her back. Yes, she would let him he thought.

Gazing at the ceiling his mind wandered to his first wedding many years before. How different everything had been. The ceremony itself was solemn as the weight of Loren's absence had weighed heavy on Abigail. The reception was quick and hurried as if they had something to be ashamed of. The wedding night itself had been difficult at best. Both had brought expectations to the night which neither seemed able to fulfill.

Even as inexperienced as he was, Sully had tried to be gentle with her, offering reassuring words to help her relax but nothing seemed to work. The pain that had gripped his heart when Abigail had turned away from him after they made love still seemed fresh in his mind. The next morning he had awoken to find her side of the bed empty and cold.

These feelings of rejection still lingered in his mind ready to stab at his heart with their sharp blades, threatening to suppress the happiness he had experienced only moments ago. Quickly he turned his head back to Michaela as the weight upon his chest lightened immediately at seeing her form beside him. Things were so different this time around – a joyful celebration of family and friends as they started their new life together. With the knowledge that Michaela had fears about their intimacy, he had vowed to himself to be patient and understanding. Yet as the train door had shut behind him, it was hard to suppress the eagerness he had to be close to her, to feel, to touch and to see. Drawing the window shades against the waning afternoon sun, his anxiousness had increased. When Michaela had risen from the bed, his heart panicked, afraid he had pushed too fast. Fearfully, he had watched as her hand drew the shade and she turned back to him with a delicious glint in her eye that negated all his fears. The touch of her hand upon his cheek as she returned to the bed - their bed. The joy of that euphoric thought was still coursing through his body.

Approaching the situation like an enthusiastic student, she had followed his lead, mirroring his actions. The feel of her fingers caressing his chest for the first time had made him moan with delight. The kisses were deep and passionate leaving him breathless. The gasp of surprise that escaped her as he nipped lightly at her bottom lip had powerfully aroused him. And when he had joined with her, her eyes had communicated such love and trust that he found he could not look away even if he tried.

Afterwards, the gentle caresses and hushed murmurs of love as the gentle swaying of the train lulled them to sleep. To wake with her at his side filled him with awe. The way she had spooned herself against him with her hand resting on his thigh spoke of her deep love.

From his vantage point he could just see the curve of her face and he wondered now if she was sleeping. Already his pulse was quickening at his thoughts of the previous evening. Even now his desire was building within him at her nearness. The mere thought of a second encounter was driving him wild. A million options ran through his brain. The notion to move his hand up to cup her soft fullness overtook him but he rejected it as too overt. The possibility of hooking his leg over hers came to him and he considered it. Again, he discarded the thought as being too explicit. The idea of a light kiss on her shoulder struck him and he settled on it as sweet and loving without the overtones that the other actions held. Still he held back, afraid that any movement may cause her to draw away.

This was ridiculous, he told himself. She wasn't Abigail. She was so different from Abigail – so passionate and full of spirit. The thought of what that would mean in their intimate moments had always entranced him. Now that his suspicions had been confirmed, he knew things would only improve more and more over time. Their moments together would not be hurried or performed out of duty as he had often felt with Abigail. No each time would be special as they renewed their vows to one another in the most intimate of ways. Feeling his confidence return, he started to lean in to kiss her shoulder but stopped when he felt her stir. A light sigh escaped her lips and he wondered if she was asleep or simply dreaming. Certainly he had dreamed of being with her like this many times before but had she? Could she be dreaming of him, of the love they had shared the night before?

Relaxing back against his pillow, he observed her, enchanted by this sensual being at his side, wondering what dreams might be running through her mind. A strange thrill entered his body as he watched her lift up the blanket and peek underneath. She wasn't dreaming – she was awake. Yet still he did not stir, choosing to watch this heavenly creature as she explored the newness that surrounded them both. Raising up a little, he watched as her eyes darted about the room from the door of the compartment to his wedding shirt on the end of the bed and stopping at last on her wedding dress. Again he felt his senses aroused by the thought of that dress slipping from her body, leaving her form naked to his eye. Beautiful she stood before him with a deep blush upon her cheeks. Seeing her embarrassment he had sought to ease it by reassuring her that he found her completely perfect.

Lost in his thoughts, he lightly tickled her stomach. Her body tensed at the sensation and he abruptly stopped. All his fears from earlier returned twofold and a nervousness settled in the pit of his stomach. The hand that lay on his thigh began to move and Sully's mouth dropped open as he felt his body react. She wasn't frightened in the least; she was actually massaging his thigh. Closing his eyes he reveled in her touch wondering if she even knew the effect of her movements.

Then as quickly as she had begun, she stopped as her side of the bed dipped with her movement. Slowly, lifting one eyelid he peeked over at her. She had turned to face him and in the process his hand had dropped to the bed. The way her face was pointed downward, he could tell she was looking at his hand now lying between them on the mattress. The desire to place his arm back around her and pull her close was so great but his curiosity to see what she would do intrigued him more. He waited but nothing happened. Still she stared at his hand. Again he chastised himself for acting foolishly. Why should they be disconnected so, when one simple motion would draw them back together. Yet even as he wrestled with himself, he felt her hand on his picking it up and returning it to her side. His fingers once again connecting with her flesh as the warmth of her body washed over him.

Quickly he closed his eyes as he watched her head begin to rise. A delicious anticipation to discover what she would do next made him decide to feign sleep. Though he could not see her eyes, he knew that they were focused on him. He felt their penetrating stare bearing into his very soul. Visions of green played out before him as he imagined the desire he would find in those breathtaking orbs.

Fingers brushing against his lips, brought him back to reality unsure how much longer he could continue with this charade. There was a yearning to lightly kiss each digit but still he managed to hold back. A warm sweetness enveloped him as her breath hit his cheek. A moment more found her lips brushing his in a soft sensual kiss. His lips parted but he did not respond even though he longed to. Now she raised her fingers to stroke his cheek. The movement was so light that it tickled his skin. He fought a losing battle against the smile that was forming on his lips and he wondered if she had noticed when her fingers stilled against him. Again, he willed himself to relax and allow her to continue her explorations.

Then her hand was moving again, downward lightly grazing the side of his neck. Fingers running through the fine hair of his chest until they settled over his heart, where she pressed her palm against him. As it rested there, he willed her to feel the love that each beat was conveying for her alone. A soft giggle escaped her mouth and again he could not suppress a grin. Then her fingers were moving once more, this time in light circular motions through the fine hairs of his chest. His skin prickled at her luxurious touch silently begging her not to stop.

What happened next surprised him as he felt her hand running down his side and coming to rest at the top of his thigh. No longer could he pretend to sleep when Michaela was lighting an all consuming fire in his very depths. His eyes opened expecting to meet hers but her head was turned down and her face scrunched up in thought. Sully laughed in spite of himself. Her eyes flew to his, a look of shock gracing her face. Sully expected her to withdraw her hand but she didn't, which only enflamed him further. Her cheeks were bright pink and he saw the shyness in her eyes right before she dropped her head sucking her bottom lip between her teeth.

"What were ya thinkin' about?" Sully teased taking the opportunity to wrap his arm more firmly around her. Easing down some in the bed, he drew her close trying to allay whatever fear or embarrassment was plaguing her.

"Nothing," she whispered with a look of consternation on her brow as if she was worrying about something. Still he held her firmly against his body trying to assure her without words. There was nothing for her to be ashamed of. Things were exactly as they should be and he wanted more than anything for her to know that.

"Then why was your face all wrinkled up like when you're frettin' about something?"

Michaela giggled lightly and Sully relaxed as he felt the tension leave her torso. "I was trying to decide…" she began but then stopped as she raised her eyes to meet his.

"Decide what?" he asked trying to suppress a grin at the look of amusement he found written on her features.

"Whether to leave my hand or move it," she replied sheepishly.

Inwardly Sully groaned, again not wanting to frighten her but definitely not wanting her to change the placement of her hand. "Do I get a vote?" he teased, hoping his playful manner would put her at ease. The edge of her lips curled up in a smile encouraging him to continue. "'Cause my vote would be to leave it."

"Majority wins," she said now beaming from ear to ear.

Taking a deep breath to calm his racing heart, Sully leaned in to place a gentle kiss on her lips. Michaela eagerly met him, expressing her desire for the kiss to continue which he was only too happy to oblige. Pulling back slightly, he ran his hand over her stomach to her soft curves feeling her own arousal. Slowly he continued his movements until he reached her cheek. Settling his palm against her face, Sully lovingly caressed her. "Good morning Dr. Quinn," he said seductively.

"Good morning," Michaela echoed. "You don't have to be so formal." She was the first to laugh and he followed her lead as he closed the short distance between them once again.

This time when he pulled away, she left her eyes closed which made him smile. Tenderly, he trailed kisses down her neck until he reached her collarbone. In between each kiss he spoke one word until he had asked her "Are you going back to sleep?"

"That is normally what you do in bed," she teased.

Sully turned his face upwards trying to read her expression. Even with her eyes closed, he could see the playfulness in her face. "I can think of other things if you're interested."

"I'm interested," she replied quickly. With two words, he felt his whole body react to her invitation. This time it was Michaela who dipped her head to kiss him. "I love you," she whispered, her voice breathy as he placed kisses to her shoulder, lightly nibbling at the flesh there.

"I love ya," he returned. Again she had closed her eyes but her hands were already enthusiastically exploring his body. Her lips soon joined the expedition and he gasped when she gently nipped at his bottom lip with her teeth. Within moments, he found he could hold out no longer and he rolled her slightly so that she lay on her back. She opened her eyes seeking to find his as he moved over her. The passion he saw reflected there amazed and delighted him. Slowly, he moved to join them as one as it occurred to him that the reality of her was better than any dream.

End of Part Two

Thanks for reading. I hope you enjoyed it!