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 Six

Michaela closed the door behind her and leaned back against it wearily. Her lack of sleep over the past few nights was beginning to catch up with her. The day outside while enjoyable had only served to tire her even more, not to mention the energy she expounded dealing with her mother. The only thing on her mind at the moment was slipping between the cool sheets of her bed and drifting off to sleep. She turned to the side to undress and realized that her blinds were pulled up and the window partially open which worried her. Cautiously she strode to the other side of the room and looked outside the window for any sign of a disturbance. This window stepped out onto the fire escape and she was certain it had been locked but perhaps one of her sisters had opened it. Settling the issue in her mind, she shut the window and lowered the blinds. As she stepped back, two arms closed around her midsection as she opened her mouth to scream.

"Shh… it's just me," Sully whispered hastily realizing that he had frightened her. "I told you I had a plan."

Michaela turned towards him. "Yes but you didn't tell me that the plan involved showing up in my bedroom through an open window."

"It was more fun to keep you guessing." The alabaster color of her cheeks grabbed him at that moment and he couldn't help raising his hand to stroke her skin. His fingers lingered against her lips, as his eyes drank in her face. "You're so beautiful," he whispered, his voice already changing so that Michaela knew what was on his mind.

Part of her didn't feel up to a romantic interlude right now, knowing that six a.m. was going to come awfully early. Knowing Sully would understand, she turned her face up to him to explain. Yet as their eyes met, she felt something inside of herself change and she forgot about sleep. Sully pulled her close, his lips closing over hers softly at first but than increasing in intensity. She could feel his tongue in the corners of her mouth softly tantalizing her as she waited for the sweet invasion. His hands slipped under the back edge of her tee shirt as he edged it up. Stepping back briefly, she lifted her hands over her heads as Sully pulled it up taking care as he removed it from her head.

Standing now in her jeans and black satin bra, she felt a little naughty and it thrilled her. Never before was she concerned about coordinating her bras and panties or how her body looked in them. That all changed after the first night they made love. Victoria's Secret was a whole new world for her but one she secretly delighted in. From the look in Sully's eyes right now, she knew her work had not been in vain.

Running his fingers underneath the twin straps of her bra, he stopped when it met the cup his fingers rubbing at the black satin bow. Slowly, he ran his fingertip over the mound of one breast and then the other watching as the pink flush of arousal sufficed. Looking back up at her he swallowed hard, his jeans suddenly uncomfortable. His hands continued their odyssey of their own accord as he pushed the material down exposing her rosy crests.

Michaela's lips parted letting out a low moan as she reminded herself of the necessity of being quiet. Her hands pulled at his shirt now and in imitation of her earlier movements, he raised his arms to assist her in pulling it off. A little smile formed on her lips as she ran her hands over the hard warm muscles of his chest and down to his defined abs. "I can't imagine watching television during this," she whispered leaning in and placing a series of kisses to his collarbone.

In a rich warm voice, Sully questioned Michaela. "Television?"

"Nevermind," was her breathy reply as Sully released the front hook on her bra so that he had better access. The reply was lost on Sully, his attention focused on her inviting swollen lips rather than her words. Fiercely their lips met again as Michaela surprised Sully by darting her tongue into his mouth and then making wide searching sweeps. He felt intoxicated with her as he began to slowly walk the two of them towards the bed. The back of Michaela's thighs hit the mattress and she instantly fell onto it, pulling Sully down with her.

Two sharp knocks at her bedroom door broke them apart but neither moved from their location. Both looked over at the offending sound as if looks alone would stop it. "Michaela," came the hushed call as Sully laid face down onto her chest.

"Give me a second," she replied already pushing at Sully. Dropping her voice low, she ordered him about. "Go hide in the bathroom."

Sully groaned but obliged her request, hastily rolling to the side. Michaela pulled off her jeans as she crossed the floor, throwing them back towards the bed. In a matter of seconds she had pulled on pajamas, hiding her body once again. Sully still stared at her longingly until Michaela shooed him away, pointing emphatically at the bathroom.

Once she was sure Sully was inside, she opened the door to find Marjorie standing just on the other side. "What took you so long?" she asked casually strolling into the room. Michaela spotted Sully's shirt on the floor and panicked.

"I wasn't dressed." As she spoke, she moved across the room picking up the tee shirt along with her own and tossing them into the dirty clothes hamper.

Marjorie laughed. "I've seen you naked before. Or are you hiding your love bites?"

"Love bites?" Her forehead wrinkled as she settled on the edge of the bed wondering what her sister wanted.

"You know hickeys … bruises…" Michaela gave a little shake of her head and sighed loudly. "You're no fun," Marjorie accused joining her sister on the bed.

"Is there a point to your visit or are you just here to irritate me?"

"There's a point to my visit," she said in mock disgust. "I don't think that mother's upset about the fact that you told her David is gay. I think she's upset because you didn't tell her."

"What do you mean?" Michaela looked at her sister blankly wondering when she would start making sense.

"Well she came to me a little while ago and asked if I knew about David. I didn't lie- I told her I had known all along. I mean she didn't say anything but it was just the look in her eyes. I think she wishes you would have confided in her earlier."

"I can't change that now," Michaela said lying backwards on the bed unhappily.

"No but it might be a better way to address it. I mean perhaps she isn't angry just hurt. I'd rather deal with that any day."

Michaela remained noncommittal. "Maybe," she said.

From this new angle Marjorie could see the flushed skin of her sister and the way her nipples pressed against her pajama top. "You cold?" she asked, looking up knowingly.

"No not really," Michaela replied stepping right into her sister's trap.

Marjorie rubbed her hands together and tried to hide her little smirk. "Was I interrupting a little self pleasure?" She raised her eyebrows as she spoke.

"What?" Michaela's eyes grew big as it dawned on her what Marjorie was referring to. "No, no," she said adamantly. "I was just getting ready for bed."

"Umm-hmm." Marjorie looked unconvinced as she rose. "Well I'll leave you to it then." She stood and walked towards the door. "Night."

"Good night Marjorie."

As soon as Sully heard the door close, he cracked the bathroom door and peaked out. "Coast clear?"

"Yes," she whispered from her post on the bed. "My sister drives me crazy."

Sully couldn't help but laugh as he locked the bedroom door and joined Michaela. "She isn't afraid to ask the hard questions."

"No, she's nosey," Michaela corrected with a roll of her eyes.

Sully leaned in close, his lips only inches from hers. "So do you?"

"Do I what?"

"Think about me and touch yourself?"

"Sully," she chastised, her cheeks instantly growing pink. Sully laughed quietly, knowing she wouldn't dare answer. Leaning in he whispered in her ear, deepening the color of her cheeks even more.

"Stay right here. I'll be back." Running his hand across her stomach, he placed a quick kiss to the tip of her nose then disappeared back into the bathroom. He wasn't gone long but the softness of the bed pulled at Michaela. Closing her eyes, she felt herself slipping away, unable to evade slumber. Sully returned with his pants unbuttoned, ready to pick up where they left off. Her back was to him as he hastily disrobed and slid into bed beside her. Still she didn't turn. Running his hand along her waistband, achieved no response and she he peeked over at her, noticing the even deep breathing and closed eyes. "Michaela?" he whispered softly as he lightly touched her shoulder.

"Hmm?" she responded, turning slightly but never opening her eyes.

Sully exhaled slowly. "Night," he whispered and kissed her cheek as he reached down to pull the sheet up over them.

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