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 Twenty-two

Driving out of Colorado Springs, Michaela sat in the middle of the pick-up once again straddling the gear shift. Sully rested his hand on her knee, loving her need to be so close to him because he felt the same. "You're still not going to tell me where we're going, are you?"

"You'll know soon," was his only response as they drove on down the highway reliving their favorite moments of the wedding and reception. When they slowed at the turn for Sunrise Ranch, Michaela looked a little skeptical.

"We're staying at the ranch?"

"Not exactly." Sully stared straight ahead pressing his lips tightly together so as not to laugh. He knew how hard it was for Michaela to be left in the dark but he wanted everything to be a complete surprise.

"What do you mean, not exactly?"

"We'll be on their property," he replied mysteriously, still not giving away more than necessary. "Just relax and enjoy the scenery. Michaela tried to relax but when the truck turned onto a tiny dirt lane she grew apprehensive. It would be like Sully to want to spend their honeymoon surrounded by nature. While she normally enjoyed their afternoon treks into the woods, her idea of a honeymoon was not a tent and campfire. When the truck stopped some fifteen minutes later, Michaela decided to try and let go of her expectations of something more, focusing rather on simply the fact that she was with Sully.

Sully opened the door to the truck and helped her out before unloading two packs from the bed of the pick-up. They weren't normal back packs but camping back packs, large and bulky. Michaela sighed under her breath as Sully leaned them against the truck. "I'll help you get yours on." She nodded and then turned allowing him to slip the straps on her shoulders. "It's not to heavy, is it?"

"No," Michaela replied adjusting to the new weight. Sully turned her gently and did the clasp about her waist.

The displeasure was now showing on her face, though she tried hard to hide it. "You okay?" Michaela nodded but she wasn't convincing. "It's not as bad as it looks," Sully teased now straightening under the load of his own bag.

"I don't think it looks bad." There was an edge to her voice, the kind you could hear whenever she became defensive.

"Yes you do." Flashing her a quick smile, he grabbed for her hand. "Come on. Let me try to redeem myself."

She tried to make the most of it, believing Sully would surprise her with something at the end of this trail. Yet she knew there wasn't a Hilton at the end of this path that seemed to close in the further they walked. The important thing was that they were together, she told herself. Still she couldn't help but think that it would be nice to spend that time together in a five star hotel, getting massages pool side. Sully walked in front of her but glanced back occasionally, enjoying this a little too much. Soon the encroaching branches grew less dense and they stepped into a clearing. The faint sound of running water could be heard in the distance and over to the left was a small cabin. Michaela couldn't help but smile, grateful that a tent wasn't involved.

Sully turned to face her, a wide grin on his lips. "Here let's get this off of you," he offered already undoing the front clasp of her bag. As he went to lift it from her shoulders, Michaela threw her arms around his neck. "Thank you for not making me rough it," she whispered against his ear.

She could feel the chuckle beginning in his abdomen and spreading upward. "I'm not stupid. I do want to have sex this weekend." Pulling back just enough, he kissed her softly, teasing her lips with his tongue. Michaela opened to him leaning her body weight against Sully fully as his tongue explored her mouth. When they finally broke apart, it was so that they could each catch their breath. Sully slipped his hands under the shoulder straps to rid her of the load. "Let me show you the inside."

Michaela found she was even more pleasantly surprised when Sully opened the door. The place was small, which gave it an intimate feel, but it still had all the amenities of home. Stepping inside felt like entering their own private haven and Michaela suddenly couldn't wait to spend the next few days here. Sully set down the packs leaning them against the wall as Michaela explored the cabin.

"What do you think?"

"Very charming. The perfect place to spend a honeymoon except… where's the bed?"

Sully raised his eyes to the ceiling. "There's an upstairs. He walked to the far side and pulled down a ladder leading up to a loft that was hard to see from where Michaela stood. "Did you want to check it out? Make sure the bed is sturdy."

"Sully," Michaela chastised, yet then smiled, the color barely rising on her cheeks. "I heard running water when we were outside."

"A little creek runs down out of the mountains. There's a waterfall but it's a bit of a hike. I wouldn't want you to rough it."

"Perhaps a little roughing it would be alright." She chewed on her bottom lip as Sully laughed, rejoining her now so that he could pull her tight against himself once more.

The trip to the waterfall took a good forty-five minutes but the terrain was easy to maneuver. The last five minutes were the hardest but it was worth it. Michaela quickly shed her boots and socks then rolled up the legs of her jeans in order to dip her feet in the water that cascaded over the rocks, pooling at the bottom. "Oh it's so cold," she shrieked the minute her toes touched the water. Sully came up behind her quickly, pushing her slightly as he grabbed her mid section. "Don't do that. If I get wet you will carry me back." There was nothing but amusement in her voice, making her threat completely empty.

Sully only laughed and hugged her tightly, still finding it hard to believe that she was his wife. "We're married," he whispered against her ear wanting to hear the words out loud.

"I know," she giggled. "I was there, remember?" With a hard kiss to her cheek, Sully stepped back letting go of her. "Want to go wading with me?"

"Nah, you go on. I'm gonna sit here and watch you." He plopped down a few feet away from her as she cautiously stepped in again, letting her feet adjust to the temperatures. Michaela moved slowly over the rocks being careful to keep her footing steady. A little school of fish dashed off and she giggled rather like a little girl. Sully loved watching her like this, so uninhibited and free. She played for a bit more at the water's edge and then turned towards him. The bottom of her cuffed jeans was wet as she made her way back to the shore. The pink of her cheeks told him she was in a playful mood and Sully opened his arms to her as she neared.

Quickly Michaela moved to sit between his legs, letting her back rest against his chest as he wrapped his arms around her. Neither spoke at first, simply enjoying the sound of the water running over the rocks and the light breeze rustling the leaves. Lacing her fingers through his, Michaela closed her eyes and sunk her toes into the soft grass. "I could sit here all day with you."

"Mmm, me too." Sully nuzzled the side of her face and she instinctively turned towards him to meet his lips. The kisses were lingering and rich, their tongues twined together in a sweet invasion. Neither escalated the physical contact just yet. It was nice to focus on only the other's lips and tongue, letting all other thoughts alone for the moment.

Sully was the first one to move on, his tongue tracing a trail down to her shirt and then back again. Michaela twisted in his arms and before she knew it, he was laying her back on the grass as he kissed her clothed body down to her waist and started back up again.

Continuing his sensual movements, Sully never noticed that she'd gone completely limp, her mind working against his intention to arouse her. Absentmindedly she tangled her fingers in his hair, letting her nails brush lightly against his scalp. "Sully?"

"Hmm." He didn't stop his movements, refusing to be distracted.

"Do you regret not waiting?"

Sully roused a little, raising his head to see her better. "Not waiting for what?"

"To consummate our relationship."

Trying not to laugh, Sully pulled himself up and lay down next to her. He could tell this was important to her and he wanted to respond appropriately. Laying his fingers against her cheek, he made lazy circles there tickling her. "I don't regret not waiting." He let his hand trail lower his fingertips brushing the valley of her breasts. "Do you?" He watched her face carefully, continuing his soft movements as he waited for her to answer.

"I don't know," she admitted honestly. "If it was our first time, things would be.. .well.. special."

Sully turned slightly so that he could hook his leg over hers. "Tell me what you remember about our first night together."

Michaela looked up at the sky, her lips pressed tightly together. "Umm, I was scared. I had no clue what I was doing but you were so gentle and patient with me."

"Did you enjoy it?"

He could see the color rise on her cheeks. "Of course I did."

"As much as you do now?" Michaela remained silent but a slow smile spread across her face as she realized what Sully was doing. Sully rolled over onto his back, bringing his hands to rest under his head. "The first night we were together I kept telling myself not to rush. I wanted it to be good for you. I was your first… that was a lot of pressure." He laughed lightly. "I kept thinking what if I ruin it for you forever and then I thought I had."

Michaela laughed as she turned towards him now. "What do you mean? You didn't ruin it."

Sully reached over and took her hand once more. "It had been so long and you felt so good. I tried to hold off.." His voice trailed off as Michaela realized he was truly embarrassed by his performance on that night.

Taking him off guard, Michaela sat up and looked down on him. "Well then Mr. Sully, I'm certainly glad that tonight you'll be able to control yourself and that I will know what I'm doing."

"We don't have to wait until tonight."

Michaela placed a hand against his chest and leaned in close. "But it's not even dark yet."

Fully intending to make love to her right here, Sully wrapped each hand around her waist and pulled her down against his growing arousal. Michaela kissed him hard only igniting his passion more. A delicious idea took over in her mind and she pulled back abruptly deciding to make him pay for the mysterious trip through the woods. "Where are you going?"

She was already on her feet. "I'm hungry," she teased, brushing off her pants and going to collect her boots and socks.

Sully sat up. "So am I," he laughed, clearly talking about a different kind of hunger.

Balancing against a tree, Michaela smiled over at him. "So what do you have planned for dinner Mr. Sully?"

Accepting the fact that he would get no further at the moment, he stood and walked towards her. "Thought I'd wow you with some of my cooking, Dr. Quinn." He pulled her close once more as she finished tying her boots. "And just wait until you see what I have for dessert." It was his turn to kiss her hard, hoping that he could still convince her to stay.

Michaela pulled back though, innocence shining in her eyes. Lifting a finger, she trailed it gently over his lips. "After dessert, Mr. Sully. Patience is a virtue." He groaned loudly but smiled, taking her hand in his as they started back towards the cabin.