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.
Renewing Bonds
Chapter Four: Old Wounds
This story takes place after the episode Promises, Promises and follows Sully to Virginia City, Nevada to help his friend Daniel.
Virginia City
Daniel felt sick to his stomach, as he placed his hand against the rocks that now blocked his path. Memories of the first mining accident in which Sully had been trapped came racing back. He let out a ragged breath and swallowed hard. Who was in there? He tried to remember who he had passed on his way out but the only person he could remember specifically speaking to was Pacer. Was Sully in there?
Dejectedly, Daniel walked back out to the camp to see if anyone was possibly there instead of in the tunnel. The sun blinded him for a moment making it necessary for him to shield his eyes before looking around. Deserted- he was the only one in camp. Looking up into the heavens, he raised his fists skyward. "Why?" he cried. "Why are you doing this to me?" He knew he needed to rescue those who were trapped in the tunnel but he would need help for that and right now he could barely even bring himself to remain standing. Dropping down to his knees, he expelled the contents of his breakfast on the ground as his breath came in rapid pants.
"This wasn't supposed to happen," he whispered knowing that there was a good chance that every man in the camp had been killed. Guilt overtook him as he slammed his fists against the ground.
"Daniel?" Sully called from the edge of the camp wondering why his old friend was on his knees.
Daniel reeled around, forgetting all about his previous fight with Sully. "I thought you were in the tunnel," he whispered his eyes wide as if he had just laid eyes on a ghost.
"No, stepped out to relieve myself. Why?"
"There's been a cave in," Daniel informed him as he got to his feet. He watched as Sully's eyes grew large with thoughts of the past. They both knew from experience what was facing them and neither was exactly ready to come to grips with the reality of the situation. Yet they also knew that every second was of the essence. Sully ran to the wagon where several crates stood full of supplies that were yet unpacked.
"What are ya doing?" Daniel asked slowly approaching Sully from the side.
"We're gonna need lanterns to see what we're doing." He pulled through two different boxes before he finally found what he was looking for. Daniel stood to the side a blank look on his face. Sully tried to hand him a lantern but he did not even acknowledge that he saw it. "Daniel," Sully exclaimed. "We have to hurry!"
"This wasn't supposed to happen," he muttered. "It wasn't supposed to be like this." Obviously Daniel was in a state of shock and Sully couldn't really blame him. They had both endured this before and while Sully knew how those trapped on the other side felt, Daniel was reliving what it was like to dig them out. He had told Sully that the uncertainty of whether or not they would find them dead or alive was horrible and only grew with each stone they had removed.
Sully placed one hand on each of Daniel's shoulders and gave him a firm shake. "Listen, I know how hard this is but we have to get those men out of there. We don't have time to stand around."
Daniel furrowed his brow. "Do you think I don't know that!" he yelled snatching away from Sully's grip. "I've been through this before in case you've forgotten."
Sully let out a deep breath and clamped his mouth firmly shut. This wasn't the time to get into another fight with Daniel even if that was an extremely low blow. Quickly, he lit the lanterns and thrust one into Daniel's hand before starting off in the direction of the mine. Once inside, Sully set his lantern down and felt along the pile of stones for a weak spot. He thought he sensed one up near the upper left corner. Carefully he removed a few rocks revealing at least an air pocket in the rocks, though possibly it was a way inside
Daniel had finally made his way into the tunnel and started taking the rocks from Sully as he passed them down. "I think we got a hole here," Sully informed him.
"Might just be an air pocket," Daniel replied. "When I was digging ya out, we hit several. Each time thought we'd found y'all just more rock on the other side."
Sully brought down another rock and handed it to Daniel. "I don't think I ever imagined how it was for those of ya diggin' us out," Sully commented. "I guess I never considered how it felt."
Daniel watched Sully as he spoke and nodded his head. "I'm not sayin' it compared to what you went through. I know it was hell. Losin' all track of time.. not even sure someone was searchin' for ya."
"That was the hard part," Sully said as the memories of long ago came flooding back.
"We need to hurry," Daniel said moving closer to Sully now and helping him by actually beginning to move rocks himself. They worked in silence for the next ten minutes painstakingly making the hole bigger but being careful so as not to cause more rock to come crashing down. After about twenty minutes the space they had cleared was fairly large but the rocks underneath were much bigger and couldn't be extracted alone.
Daniel climbed down and handed up a lantern to Sully. Sully leaned into the hole they had made and brought the lantern in. He could feel air moving which was a good sign.
"Can anyone hear me?" he called.
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Colorado Springs
The ground was growing much steeper now that they were off the lower slopes and Michaela knew that they would be letting the horses go soon and walking as the terrain became rockier. Matthew was leading the trio with Mr. O'Connor in the middle and Michaela in the back. The sun created such a glare that it was hard to see Matthew in the front as they rode along. For a moment, Michaela imagined that it was Sully up in the front leading them. Sully had taught her everything she knew about the woods, about tracking and about survival. Being out here in the wilderness without him felt strange and made her miss him more. Yet at the same time, the fact that she was doing this without Sully held a slight exhilaration. Wouldn't he be surprised when he came home to find out that she had climbed the Peak? Than it occurred to her that they most likely wouldn't climb to the top. The climbing party they were seeking was more likely to be down the mountain rather than at the top.
She lifted her eyes up towards the heavens, imagining she could see the tip of the Peak, which was impossible right now because of cloud cover. What would it feel like to stand up there she wondered. Before Sam had died, she had promised her she would return and climb the Peak and so far she never had. Could she keep that promise now that she was married? Surely Sully wouldn't have an issue with her going. A smile spread across her lips as she thought about making the journey on her birthday. Yes that was what she would do - climb Pike's Peak for her birthday. It would feel good to be able to accomplish something like that.
"We better stop here for water and to let the horses go," Matthew called back as he drew his horse to a halt. Michaela shook her head, letting her fantasies of the past few minutes go, as she slid off Flash's back. She reached up and grabbed her canteen following the two men down to the stream.
Mr. O'Conner looked over at Michaela as she bent down at the stream's edge. "I must say Dr. Quinn, I am most impressed with your knowledge of the outdoors. When Matthew told me you would be accompanying us, I have to admit I was worried that a woman would slow us down. I do hope you will forgive me for my erroneous assumptions."
Michaela smiled up at him. "I am rather used to that," she said her eyes sparkling with amusement. She looked over at Matthew who was grinning.
"Matthew said you are from Boston which only intrigues me more. I'm from Denver and admit that I far lack your skills. How does a woman from back east know so much about the outdoors?"
"My husband, Mr. O'Conner. He knows this land like the back of his hand. Everything we both know," she indicated Matthew as well as herself, "is in large part due to Sully. If he was home, he would have taken you himself."
"Where is he?" Mr. O'Conner asked rising from the stream's edge as he did.
"Nevada," Michaela replied with a far off look in her eyes.
"That's a long way from home. Whatever is he doing in Nevada if you don't mind me asking?"
"Helping a friend set up a mine."
Mr. O'Conner couldn't help but notice the look in her eyes as she spoke about him and he wondered at the love he saw there. He felt a little envious wishing that he could see that same expression from his own wife. "How long have you been married?" he asked unable to restrain his curiosity.
"Five months, well almost six now," she replied as a light blush crept across her cheeks.
"Newlyweds," he said joyfully. "The children are from a previous marriage?" He had seen Colleen and Brian saying good-bye to her this morning.
They both turned when Matthew chuckled. "Sorry," he said. "Guess our situation is a little different." Mr. O'Conner raised his eyebrows at the young man. "That's my brother and sister. Dr. Mike took us in when our ma died."
"Oh," he replied with a gentle laughter in his voice. "Seems Dr. Quinn here is full of surprises."
Michaela blushed a deeper shade of red and dropped her eyes to the ground. "And if you don't mind me saying, Mr. Quinn is a very lucky man."
Michaela glanced up at him quickly, an odd expression on her face. Matthew who had been taking a drink from his canteen, spit his water out when he heard Sully referred to as Mr. Quinn.
"I'm sorry, did I miss something?" Mr. O'Conner looked from Michaela to Matthew and back again.
"I kept my maiden name when we married," Michaela corrected him. "His last name is Sully but he prefers to be called by that rather than his first name."
Mr. O'Conner laughed and shook his head. "And I thought Denver was progressive." Michaela smiled at him, glad that he hadn't made a big deal of her keeping her maiden name.
Matthew had pulled out a map and was busy looking over it. "I think we should head up the trail on the left. That would have been the easiest route and so I am sure that's the one they took."
"If you'll excuse me for a moment," Michaela said as she slipped away to relieve herself before the trek up the mountain continued. She walked in the direction of the right path, winding her way through the trees until she found a secluded spot. When she was finished, she started back her eyes searching the ground as Sully had taught her for any clues. For a moment she thought her eyes were playing tricks on her so she bent down to get a closer look. Yes these were definitely tracks and from the look of them, they were only a day or two old at the most.
Quickly, she ran back towards the men. "Matthew, I saw tracks leading up towards the right path. Only a day or two old at the most."
"Looks like I was wrong. Okay - change of plans. Take as little as possible because according to the map the trail is fairly rough." Within moments, the three of them made their way through the trees heading towards the overgrown trail.
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Virginia City
"Can anybody hear me?" he repeated once again.
All Sully heard in return was his own voice echoing back to him. He sighed loudly and turned to Daniel. "Hear anything?" Daniel asked, his voice hopeful. Sully shook his head but then turned quickly back to the hole holding his hand up to indicate Daniel should be quiet.
"Hello," Sully called again. "Can anyone hear me?" This time he stuck his head as far into the hole as he could and listened intently. A voice – he heard a voice. The sound was weak and indistinguishable but it was definitely a voice. He turned towards Daniel and smiled. "I can hear 'em."
Daniel breathed a sigh of relief. "Well guess we better get started on clearing these stones. We got some rescuing to do."
"Yeah," Sully agreed hopping down so they could work together on the bigger rocks near the bottom.
At first, they worked in silence pushing and pulling on the larger rocks as they moved them out of the way. Soon the work became a little easier, once they had cleared a few of the big ones. Things began to go faster and as they did Daniel couldn't help but glance at Sully grateful for his level head and willingness to help out in whatever way he could. His words from last night came back to haunt him and he started to feel guilty for speaking to Sully as he had. He must have sounded like a selfish, jealous little boy.
Sully had noticed Daniel's looks mostly because he couldn't help but look himself. They worked well together clearing the tunnel. No one would ever suspect that they had argued the night before but Sully couldn't help but wonder if after the men were out, things would go back to being tense. Eventually, they had cleared a large enough opening to pass through one at a time.
Sully stepped back and picked up a lantern. "You better stay out until we know it's not gonna cave in again," he said to Daniel.
"Then let me go," Daniel said. Sully turned and gave him an odd look. "I couldn't live with myself if I had to take your body back to Michaela."
Sully swallowed hard to stop the emotion he felt from showing. He nodded his head and handed him the lantern. "Thank you," he whispered and then stepped back as Daniel scrambled into the hole.
The waiting was hard and he was tempted to follow Daniel through to the other side several times. His eyes were trained on the hole and he continued to watch for any sign of movement in the darkness. Finally, he saw a hand emerge and then Daniel's head as he pulled himself into the opening. "Looks like most of the guys are okay. One of them hit his head pretty hard and the rest are scraped up. Pacer didn't make out so well. Something's wrong with his arm."
"Is it broken?"
"Don't think so," Daniel replied. "At least ain't like no break I've ever seen. Might have injured his shoulder. Here come the guys," Daniel informed him as he moved away from the hole helping the other men to begin to exit. Slowly each one emerged. Some Sully helped up the tunnel to the outside while others were able to walk out on their own. Soon the only person who remained trapped inside was Pacer. Sully grabbed a lantern and climbed through the hole despite Daniel's protests.
Hastily he approached the two men and tried to examine Pacer's condition. "Looks like he dislocated it," Sully said noticing the way he held his arm. "Daniel I want ya to hold him while I move it back in place."
Daniel hesitated and looked over at him. "Are ya sure Sully? There's a doctor in town."
Sully smiled. "I know what I'm doin'," he assured him.
"Did ya forget his wife's a doctor?" Pacer asked trying to make a joke even in the middle of his pain.
Sully smiled down at the man. "Hope ya can keep your sense of humor after this. It's gonna hurt."
"I can take it," Pacer assured him.
Sully quickly undid his boot as Daniel and Pacer both watched in wonder. He placed his heel against Pacer's armpit and firmly gripped the bottom of his arm. "Hold 'em Daniel," he said. With a nod to Pacer, he turned the arm until he heard it snap back in place. Pacer cried out but once it was back in, it felt much better. Sully took off his own shirt and quickly fashioned a sling to hold Pacer's arm while they moved him out of the tunnel.
Slowly they eased him to his feet and moved him gingerly towards the opening. Sully climbed out first and reached back in. Pacer groaned as his arm was jarred but it could not be helped as they pulled him through the hole. Eventually he was out, leaning against the side of the cave in agony. His breathing was fast and shallow.
"Pacer," Daniel called as he climbed through the hole but the man did not answer him but continued to moan in pain.
"He's probably goin' into shock," Sully informed him as he moved Pacer so that he could support him better. We better get him into town to see the doctor. Slowly they made their way out of the shaft supporting Pacer between them. It was only in the light of day that they noticed the deep gash on the back of his leg that had soaked his pants with blood.
The wagon had already been hitched to take the man with the head injury into town. Pacer was loaded beside him and Sully sat in the back to keep pressure on his leg wound. Daniel meanwhile took over the reigns driving them into town as quickly as he could. The man with the head injury wanted to lie down and go to sleep but Sully knew better than to let that happen. He had him sit up and tried to talk to him as much as possible. The ride into town seemed to take an eternity especially with each of the men complaining about each little bump and jostle. Finally Daniel pulled up in front of a clinic and ran inside to get some help.
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Colorado Springs
The path that they now followed was overgrown as if no one had used it in many months. Matthew and Michaela watched carefully for any sign that someone had been there recently. Again, it was Michaela who first spotted the broken underbrush indicating someone's recent presence. Matthew looked around perplexed but then noticed that the grass on the other side appeared to be trampled down. Quickly he led them down that path stopping right before a steep drop where the path had been washed clean away. Looking over the side about a ten feet drop below, he heard a voice calling to him.
"Mister, down here!"
Quickly, Mr. O' Conner moved to the edge and looked down. "Paul," he called and was greeted with a wave. "Are you okay?"
"I've injured my wrist. The others have worse injuries. We need to get them to a doctor."
"I've brought one to you," Mr. O'Conner called back and turned to Michaela. Matthew was already securing a rope on which to lower her down.
"Dr. Mike, if we lower ya down then ya can take a look at them, start treatin' 'em. We're gonna have to look for a better way down there. If they're injured, ain't no way that they gonna be able to climb back up. There was another fork in the map maybe that path will take us down there easier."
"Okay, Matthew but please be careful. I don't need you and Mr. O'Conner making a similar mistake."
"Hey you're not the only one Sully taught about surviving in the wilderness. Though ya did show me up today." He smiled at Michaela as he spoke and for a moment Michaela was glad to see the old Matthew reflected there. Without wasting anymore time, Matthew helped her get situated and then she slowly made her way over the edge, holding onto the rope as she lowered herself down the mountain.
At the bottom, she quickly set to work examining and assessing each of their conditions. Paul was right – his wrist was in fact broken. His two climbing companions had not been so lucky. One suffered a broken arm and a badly sprained ankle. The other had a broken leg and the bone had broken clean through the skin complicating matters. Michaela had plenty to do to keep her busy and was grateful that Paul could assist her somewhat with minor things. She had no time to think about Matthew and Mr. O'Conner so that when they showed up, it felt as if almost no time had passed.
"That was fast," she said looking up at them both.
Matthew wrinkled his brow. "Took us over an hour to make it down here."
Michaela laughed and returned to the gentlemen's leg that she was preparing for travel. "You have been rather busy, Dr. Quinn," Paul remarked as he looked up at his brother. Quickly Mr. O' Conner leaned down and slapped his brother on the back.
"Aren't you a sight for sore eyes? I was afraid we'd lost you."
"Can't get rid of me that easy," Paul teased. "I can't believe you trekked out here to find me and with a lady doctor." He raised his eyebrows but his face was full of amusement.
"That lady doctor is the one who found you," Matthew replied as he moved over to help Michaela.
Mr. O'Conner nodded at his brother. "It's true. She found your tracks."
"Well Dr. Quinn it seems I am in your debt," Paul said waving his uninjured hand towards her.
Michaela simply smiled and went back to work so that they could move the others as soon as possible.
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Virginia City
Sully stood at the end of the bed beside Daniel as the doctor checked the wound on the back of Pacer's leg before releasing him. Sully noticed the stitches and smiled, thinking of how much smaller Michaela's would have been. She was always so careful about things like that, always mindful of leaving scars. How many times had he watched her small fingers nimbly sew up a cut? Her hands filled his mind and he closed his eyes for a moment as thoughts of her washed over him. After the stressful events of the day he wished he could go home to her. He wished he could be held by her.
The doctor's voice brought him out of his reverie. "Mr. Sully, Pacer here tells me you are responsible for realigning his shoulder and helping to keep him from bleeding to death. I must say I was impressed. Do you have medical training?"
Pacer spoke up from his awkward position on the bed. "I told ya doc, his wife is the doctor."
Sully frowned, unsure whether Pacer was getting in another jab or simply stating the truth. Pacer was practically face down in the pillow and there was no way to see his expression from this angle. The doctor looked up expectantly at Sully as if Pacer might be loopy on the pain medication. "He's right," Sully confirmed. "My wife's a doctor."
The physician raised his eyebrows. "A lady doctor," he said as if it left a bad taste in his mouth. "I dare say I've now heard of everything."
Sully was just about to open his mouth when Pacer turned over quickly in the bed, alarming the doctor. "Look here doc, don't ya go puttin' down lady doctors. That one probably saved my life by teachin' Sully here what to do."
The doctor turned a light shade of pink. "I didn't mean to offend anyone," he replied quickly unable to meet Sully's eyes. "It's highly irregular."
"I wish to God she was here right now instead of ya. I done seen her picture and she's a might deal easier on the eyes. Bet her bedside manner is better as well." Sully couldn't help but laugh and Daniel joined in.
The physician cast a scolding look in their direction but they ignored him. "I do believe Mr. Pacer has recovered enough that he can leave," he said quickly.
"Thanks doc," Pacer said. "I can't wait to get the hell out of here." This was accompanied by a full out belly laugh as Sully and Daniel moved to help him up.
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Colorado Springs
"Look here, Dr. Mike. They got a full page write up on ya in the Denver paper," Loren said hanging over the front counter of the general store. A cane was propped to the side still evident of Loren's recovery from his recent stroke.
Everyone had been excited to hear the story of how the climbing party had been rescued including folks in Denver. Mr. O' Conner and his brother Paul weren't your average fellows but both were bank executives and they had been more than happy to shine the spotlight on Michaela and Matthew for rescuing them. They had simply gotten lost using an old map and had not noticed that the trail was washed out. The O'Conner brothers had insisted on paying Michaela and Matthew handsomely for their assistance despite both their protests. Yet as Michaela stood in the mercantile admiring a striking blue dress, she decided that the money might come in useful after all.
"Dr. Mike? Did ya hear me?" Loren asked his lips turning down at the corners.
"Loren, leave her alone. Can't ya see she's busy thinkin' about somethin'." Grace said from where she stood beside the counter waiting for her groceries to be tallied up.
"She's been lookin' at that dress for twenty minutes," he mumbled under his breath as Dorothy came over to join the two of them.
"Leave her alone," Dorothy scolded. "And for goodness sakes wait on Grace."
Loren screwed his face up but began to pull Grace's basket towards him still favoring his right hand. Slowly he removed the items and started tallying them. "Whatcha want that dress for anyway, Dr. Mike?" Loren called over, unable to resist poking his nose in one more time.
Dorothy scowled at him but Michaela turned around quickly as a light blush settled on her cheeks. "Sorry," she said.
"Ya got some fancy occasion ya want that dress for?"
"No, nothing in particular," she said a dreamy quality evident in her voice.
"'Cept Sully's comin' home next week," Grace giggled.
"'Bout time," Loren growled.
Michaela blushed a deeper shade of red and turned back to the dress, running her hands one more time over the material. Dorothy had now made her way over. "Are you planning something special for when Sully returns?" she whispered standing close to the doctor.
"I hadn't really thought much about it," Michaela lied, knowing that she had thought of little else over the last few weeks.
While Loren finished tallying her items, Grace walked over to join the two ladies. "You know Robert E and I would be happy to keep the children if the two of you want some time alone." A knowing smile was on her face as she gently touched Michaela's shoulder.
"That's very nice of you Grace, but I'm sure the children will be just as anxious to see him as I will."
Grace suppressed a laugh and lowered her hand to give Michaela's a quick squeeze. "I wouldn't go that far," she replied with a sly grin. Dorothy couldn't help but giggle as Michaela demurely dropped her eyes to the floor.
"Gonna be three dollars even Grace," Loren called. "And this ain't some quilting circle where the three of ya can sit around yappin' all day."
"My, my, someone is awful grouchy today," Grace replied turning back towards the counter to settle her bill. Michaela and Dorothy watched her as she picked up her basket. "My offer stands Dr. Mike," she called as she exited the store.
"Thanks, Grace," Michaela replied as she watched her friend go.
"Do ya want that dress?" Loren asked again leaning on his cane as he walked over to join them.
"Loren, you are doing very well with your cane," Michaela exclaimed watching the older man walk in their direction. "And yes I will take the dress."
"Good thing – weren't gonna be able to sell it if ya didn't stop running your hands up and down it."
Dorothy and Michaela laughed together before Dorothy turned to take it down. "You will look beautiful in this," she said smiling. "I'm sure Sully will love it."
Michaela breathed in deeply and simply smiled. She was too unsure of herself right now to speak. The thoughts of Sully were swirling around inside her brain and she felt giddy with happiness. One week, she repeated over and over to herself. He would be home in one week.
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Virginia City
The campfire crackled loudly, drowning out the sounds of Pacer snoring a short distance away. Daniel and Sully sat looking up at the stars, cups of coffee in hand, and a comfortable silence between them. They had not spoken anymore of their fight but things had returned to normal between them after the cave-in. There had been moments when one or the other would start to say something but each time they had been interrupted, usually by work. The clean up from the cave in had been time intensive but they had hired some additional men to help and Sully pressed on, determined to be back to Michaela on time.
Daniel sighed loudly causing Sully to look over at him. Daniel didn't meet his eyes but he knew that his attention was focused on him. After clearing his throat, he began to speak in a soft voice, a little louder than a whisper. "I owe ya an apology Sully." His voice drifted off for a moment but Sully could tell he was not finished. Patiently he waited for him to continue. "I don't know why I felt so betrayed when ya married Abigail. I knew it was comin'. I mean ya had told me how ya felt about her but I guess in my mind I just had this idea that it was gonna be you and me forever."
"I wish ya had told me Daniel. When Abigail died, I wanted to write to ya. I thought maybe I could have joined ya."
"But then you never would have met Michaela," Daniel pointed out as he watched the orange flames lick a new piece of wood he had added to the fire.
"That's true," Sully agreed, nodding his head. "Still would've been good to keep up with ya."
"Yeah," Daniel agreed. "I really am grateful for all ya've done in the past few weeks. I know it was a big sacrifice for ya to come all the way out here."
Sully smiled and dropped his eyes to the flames as well. "I made ya a promise and I was gonna keep it."
Daniel looked over at him trying to stem the tide of rising emotion. There were things he thought of to say but he couldn't bring himself to speak in fear that his tears would spill over. He rose from his spot and came over next to Sully indicating for him to stand as well. "Thanks, "he whispered and placed one arm around him giving his shoulder a firm squeeze.
Sully smiled up at him and placed his arm on Daniel's back giving it a firm pat. "You're welcome," he replied. The situation felt resolved and they both knew it from the look in each other's eyes. Old wounds had finally been healed and this time properly healed. Life could move on and the friends would certainly stay in touch.
"It's late," Daniel said. "And we gotta be up early. Wouldn't want to keep your bride waitin' by not finishin' the work on time."
Sully nodded. "Night, Daniel," he called walking over to where his bed roll was unfolded.
"Night, Sully."
Sully lay down and pulled the blanket over him. Lying on his back he cradled his head in his hands his eyes still fixed on the night sky. One week he thought to himself as he closed his tired eyes and let his exhausted body finally relax. One week and he would be home with Michaela, sleeping in their bed. Sleep came on him quickly as his mind hovered in the halls of unconsciousness weaving a magical encounter that existed only in his dreams.
"Sully," she whispered as his eyes flickered open. "Sully," she said again her breath warm on his cheek.
"Michaela?" he asked, surprised to see her here in the mining camp. "What are ya doin' here?"
"I came to see you," she replied, a crooked grin on her lips. "I've missed you." Her voice was light and airy drawing him in. One of her hands rested on his chest and was moving down towards his waist. He gulped as he felt her pull his shirt from his buckskins. The warmth of her hand on his stomach, caused him to shiver in delight and she wasted no time in moving it upward to caress his chest.
Sully moved his arms to encircle her but she stopped him. "No," she whispered. "Just lie still." Her eyes were full of passion and Sully gasped when she ran her fingertips over his nipples, lightly teasing them. Then she dipped her head low, planting light kisses to his stomach muscles before moving upward pushing his shirt every higher. When he felt her tongue on his flesh, he moaned back in his throat trying hard to say in control of his body. It had been too long he thought to himself. Too long to stay in control. "Sully," she whispered, her voice deeper than normal.
"What?" he whispered.
"Sully," Daniel called again. "Ya okay?'
Sully quickly opened his eyes to see Daniel standing overtop of him. "What?" he asked still groggy from sleep and the very vivid dream.
"You were moaning. I just wanted to make sure you were alright."
Sully felt slightly embarrassed. "Sorry, guess my muscles are protesting more than I thought."
Daniel laughed. "Well ya are gettin' kind of old," he teased. "Night."
"Night," Sully returned and rolled over onto his side hoping to finish that dream.
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Thanks for reading! I hope you enjoyed it. Thanks to Priya for suggesting this storyline!