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.

A Sense of Belonging

Chapter Five

Sully was quiet on the ride out of town, his thoughts focused on what was occurring in the other car. Though he knew the sisters were only trying to help matters between mother and daughter, he wasn't sure forcing either of them to talk was the best solution. When they loaded the car earlier, Marjorie had called shot gun running for the passenger's seat as Rebecca took the back without complaint. Still Rebecca kept a close eye on her sister. She wasn't about to allow her to say something that would embarrass Michaela and she could tell from the look in Marjorie's eyes that she was up to something.

Once on the road, Marjorie leaned over towards Sully and gave his biceps a quick squeeze. "Do you workout?" she asked impressed with his physique.

"Some," he answered giving her a strange look. "Michaela started me going to the YMCA with her."

"Yes Michaela was always big on that sort of thing. I suppose she makes you eat tofu as well."

Sully chuckled. "I've managed to stay away from the tofu."

Adjusting herself in the seat so that she had a better view of Sully, Marjorie put on a serious expression. "We're rather protective of our sister and we really don't know much about you."

"Alright." Sully cut his eyes over at her wondering what was coming next.

"Do you drink?"

"Rarely."

"Smoke?"

"Never."

"Use drugs?"

"Uh… no," Sully laughed.

"Do you like men?"

Rebecca reached into the front seat and clamped her hand over her sister's arm. "Marjorie!"

Pulling her sister's hand off of her, she turned to face her in the backseat. "What? We don't need another David situation." Turning back to Sully, she raised her eyebrows. "You do know about David, don't you?"

Sully nodded. "Michaela told me about David. There isn't much we don't know about each other. Anything else you'd like to know?"

Marjorie tapped her chin thoughtfully. "How about one night stands?"

With a little smirk, Sully turned to her briefly. "Are you offering?"

Rebecca couldn't help but laugh as Marjorie pursued her lips together, irritated that Sully was turning her inquisition back on her. "I'm being serious. I mean exactly how many women have you been with before our sister?"

"Marjorie!" Rebecca exclaimed again. "That isn't any of our business. Sully you don't have to answer that."

"Thanks Rebecca," he laughed. "I love Michaela. I promise you I'm not going to do anything to hurt her."

"Good," Marjorie said acting satisfied with herself. Turning in her seat slightly, she relaxed back against the headrest. "So how are things in the bedroom? Do you need us to give Michaela a few pointers?"

Turning a bright shade of red, Rebecca's mouth dropped open. She grabbed a handful of her sister's hair and gave it a hard yank to get her attention but Marjorie simply ignored her, waiting for Sully to answer her question.

"I have no complaints," he finally said, realizing that no matter how he answered Marjorie could misconstrue his comments.

Before her sister could ask another embarrassing question, Rebecca spoke up. "Tell us about the house, Sully." Gratefully Sully started talking about the building process making sure to be as detailed as possible.

In the other car, Michaela's revelation of David's sexual preference was met with silence at first. Elizabeth gripped her handbag tightly and cleared her throat. "That isn't something to be thrown around lightly," she finally whispered pressing her lips tightly together. "Especially when you have no proof."

Again Michaela bit her tongue, not wanting to say too much. She gripped the steering wheel tightly and forced herself to concentrate on the road in front of her.

"Besides he's dating a cute little blond. I saw them out at Emile's just the other night."

Michaela sucked her bottom lip into her mouth and bit down on it as her foot stepped on the gas. Six years ago it would have been her at Emile's with him, believing that she'd found the perfect man. Pulling into the left lane, she passed Sully and then two more cars taking her anger out on the acceleration pedal.

Elizabeth let out a little snort. "I think you're wrong about David, Michaela."

There was no more holding back as Michaela felt the damn give way. "I caught him with another man, mother."

In complete shock, Elizabeth fanned herself with her hand as she clamped her mouth shut. Throwing on her turning signal, Michaela braked hard and turned into the dirt lane that led back to their property. Normally she would take the drive slowly, being careful not to tear up the car shocks but not today. Her mother made little sounds of protest as they flew over the ruts but she remained quiet about the bumpy ride. When they finally reached their destination, Michaela again stepped on the brakes hard leaving them in a cloud of dust. Throwing open the door, Michaela stepped out and paced anxiously back and forth in front of her car, taking care not to look in her mother's direction.

A few minutes later, Sully pulled up beside her. As he hopped out of the jeep, he smiled at Michaela. "Hey Michaela Andretti," he teased. "We'll have to get you on the Formula One circuit." Yet as she turned towards him, Sully realized that she wasn't in the mood for teasing. Turning around he caught Rebecca's attention. "Hey I'm gonna go talk to Michaela for a minute, if you all want to get the stuff out of the car."

"Sure," she said looking past him to where her sister stood angrily kicking at stones. "We'll take care of everything."

Quickly Sully rounded the car and grabbed Michaela by the hand pulling her away towards the house. "Come on, let's talk."

Michaela didn't resist but followed a step behind him until they stood behind a small grove of trees. Once out of sight, Sully pulled her close and turned her chin up so that he could look in her eyes. "What's wrong?"

"The same old thing. Why did I move to Colorado? Why did I leave David?" She shook her head as she spoke, finding herself just as agitated once again. "I told her that he's gay but she didn't believe me."

"I'm sure she believes ya. It's just a shock." Sully moved his hands up to massage her shoulders, feeling the tension that she carried in her body. "Give her some time."

Letting out an impatient snort, Michaela pulled away. "Why does everyone keep saying that? Why do I always have to make concessions for her?"

Sully let out a slow breath, waiting a moment for her to calm down before he spoke again. "Guess we all just figure that she'll come around." Michaela turned back to him, a little smile playing at the corner of her mouth. "Anyone ever tell you that you're sexy when you're angry?"

Michaela shook her head and laughed in spite of herself. "No," she whispered stepping back towards him. "I don't think I remember anyone ever telling me I was sexy."

"Now that I find hard to believe." His arms closed around her, one supporting her back as the other wandered down to her bottom, bringing their bodies closer together.

"How was riding with my sisters?"

Sully laughed. "Interesting."

Michaela raised her eyebrows. "Interesting?"

"Marjorie wanted to make sure everything was going well in the bedroom." Michaela turned bright red as she dropped her chin. "I assured her it was."

Resting her head against his chest, she felt the insecurities creeping in again. "You would tell me if I didn't please you, wouldn't you?"

Laying his head next to hers, he breathed out softly against her ear. "I never dreamed that making love could be like it is with you."

Barely daring to ask the next question, Michaela's voice was so low Sully had to strain to hear her. "What about Abby?"

Slowly Sully moved back, placing his thumb under her chin and gently raising her face so that he could see her eyes. "Things were different with Abigail. I never had the kind of feelings for her that I have for you. Every time we make love, it's amazing for me."

Michaela smiled and leaned in to place a soft kiss to his lips but Sully wasn't done. "I think about being with you all the time. I feel rather like a teenager again."

"Me too," Michaela admitted quietly.

"You feel like a teenager again?"

Blushing Michaela shook her head. "It seems like the more I'm with you, the more I want to be with you. Sometimes it's hard to concentrate on anything else."

Feeling his body react because of her proximity and words, Sully knew that they would have to end this soon. "I love you so much."

"I love you too," she replied. Sully closed the distance between them with a deep kiss that left them both gasping for air.

"We'll continue this later," he whispered stepping away.

"Sully I can't spend every night running back and forth between my apartment and your house."

With a smile, Sully took her hand in his. "Don't worry, I have a plan."