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.

The Places to Love

Chapter Twelve

With her hands full of grocery bags she struggled down the hall towards her door, knowing it had to be close to ten. She'd left the hospital a little after nine, knowing Sully would be home tomorrow night and there was hardly any food left in the house. One more night spent alone in their bed and he would be back. That thought alone was going to get her through the next day. As she approached her door, she set down one of the bags and fumbled for her keys.

"Dr. Mike?" The voice startled her and she dropped her keys as she turned to see Matthew standing in the hall light. Matthew laughed softly. "Didn't mean to startle you."

"It's fine Matthew," she replied bending to pick up her keys. Matthew took the other grocery bag from her and grabbed the one on the floor as well. Michaela nodded her thanks and opened the door for him to enter. "If you'll just put those on the counter."

Matthew crossed to the kitchen and set them down as Michaela followed, moving to unload the items that needed to be refrigerated. "Where are Colleen and Brian?"

"I'm expecting them anytime. My father took them today so I could go to work and just settle a few matters. I'm getting a little worried though. They should have been back over an hour ago."

Michaela emerged from the refrigerator looking concerned. "Is your father generally reliable"?"

"Well to be honest I wasn't sure I wanted to leave them alone with him at all but they wanted to go of course. They weren't old enough to know everything that happened during the divorce like I was. I still hold it against him…perhaps unfairly."

"It's hard not to," Michaela replied. "I mean I know how I feel about Everett. Course I never liked him much before Marjorie divorced him." She laughed a little but then stopped, afraid now was not the time for levity. Yet when she looked back at Matthew, he was smiling and she relaxed.

"Sully's home tomorrow?"

"Yes," she said smiling widely as they both became aware of noise in the hallway. Matthew crossed to the door and opened it peering out into the hall.

Sticking his head back in the door, he smiled. "They're back. I'll see you later."

"Night Matthew," she called as she finished putting up the last of the groceries. She sighed and looked up at the clock, realizing she still had ten minutes before Sully would call. It was just enough time for her to start her microwave dinner and change into something more comfortable. Opening the freezer she pulled out a miniature pizza and opened the box. She placed it on the silver crisper tray and then in the middle of the microwave, setting the cook time before disappearing into the bedroom. Quickly she changed into shorts and a tank top, glad to be out of her work clothes. It would be great to take a shower as well but that could wait until after Sully's call. A knock at the door interrupted her solitude and she rushed back into the living room thinking it was Matthew again. Michaela didn't even look through the peep hole before opening the door and so was surprised when a distinguished looking gentleman stood in the doorway. Michaela's cheeks reddened feeling as if she was dressed inappropriately though everything was covered.

"Dr. Quinn?"

"Ah… yes," she said feeling flustered.

"I'm Ethan Cooper, the children's father." He gestured to Matthew's apartment as he spoke.

"Oh right," she said warmly. "It's nice to meet you."

"I just wanted to thank you for all you've done for them in the past few days. I know Matthew has really appreciated it."

"It was no bother. I want to help anyway I can. My father passed away a few years ago and so I know how hard this sort of thing can be." Ethan nodded but continued to stare in a way that was making her feel uncomfortable. Thankfully the phone rang giving her an excuse to move away from the door. "I'm sorry. I really need to get that."

"Oh certainly," he said with a slight bow. "Well thanks again and good evening."

"Good night," she said closing the door and then rushing to pick up the phone before Sully hung up.

"Hello," she said slightly out of breath.

"About the third ring, I was starting to get worried that you forgot about me," he teased.

"Sorry. Someone was at the door."

"At ten o'clock at night?"

Michaela walked over to the microwave to grab her pizza as she laughed. "Okay, I admit it. I was on the other line with my boyfriend."

"Should I be jealous?" Michaela only giggled, holding the phone to her ear with her shoulder as she placed the warm pizza on a plate. "Is he rich? Good looking?"

"Both," she said trying to sound serious before taking a bite of her late dinner.

"Can he make you scream out his name when you…" Michaela chocked on her pizza cutting him off. "Michaela? Are you alright?"

"Fine," she said as she finally caught her breath once again. "Don't say things like that while I'm eating."

"You started this," he pointed out. "Sides I'm feeling rather lonely tonight."

"Are you?"

"I am." There was a brief silence as they both focused on the fact that they were each missing the other terribly.

"I stayed late at the hospital tonight so that I could leave on time tomorrow. I'm so ready for you to be home."

"Well get a good night's sleep cause tomorrow night there won't be much time for that," he teased.

"Don't worry I'm sure I'll be able to stay up all night," she giggled in reply.

"And you'll keep me up as well." She heard the innuendo in his voice and couldn't help but shake her head.

"Someone needs to pull their mind out of the gutter."

"Yes m'am," he said crisply and Michaela could picture him saluting as he spoke. "Well I'll let you finish your dinner. I'm going to turn in early myself. I love you."

"I love you too. Be careful tomorrow as you're traveling. Good night."

"Night," Sully said with a smile knowing that tonight would be the last such phone call.

Grabbing her purse off the table, Michaela stopped to look at herself one more time in the mirror before heading towards the door. She was leaving a little early for work, hoping to get a head start on rounds today. She wanted everything to be perfect for Sully's homecoming tonight, and she was determined work would not get in the way. As she opened the door, she caught a glimpse of Ethan sauntering down the hall, she waved to him as the phone inside of her apartment sounded. With a laugh she ran back in to get it, thinking it might be Sully as he hadn't called this morning. It was a wrong number but as she turned back towards the door, she saw Ethan there.

"Good morning," he said warmly proffering his hand as he had already stepped inside the apartment. "Are you off to work already?"

Michaela shook his hand briefly as she nodded. "Yes, I have a busy day in front of me."

"That's too bad. I was going to ask if you wanted to join the children and I for breakfast."

"Oh that is very nice of you. Perhaps another time," she replied again feeling a little uneasy about his presence. Michaela dropped her purse as she moved and both of them bent down to pick it up. The result was that they bumped heads, sending Michaela sprawling backwards onto the floor.

"I'm so sorry," Ethan said laughing as he offered her his hand. "Let me help you up."

"Thanks," Michaela quickly replied, readily accepting his help. He pulled her to a standing position but did not move away when she stood. Instead he raised one hand to her shoulder, taking a strand of her hair in between his fingers. Michaela tensed. "Mr. Cooper…"

"You're a very alluring woman, Dr. Quinn," he whispered. "I would love to take you to dinner." His fingers brushed her cheek, the other now on her upper arm.

Michaela pushed against his chest, taking a defensive stand. "Mr. Copper, I'm a married woman."

He instantly jumped back, stopping his improper advances. "Oh, I didn't know… I just assumed… the children never mentioned that you were married. And you're husband isn't here?"

"He's been out of town but he'll be back tonight," she said clearly hoping he got the message. As if she needed to prove it, she quickly jutted her hand out to show off her engagement ring and wedding band. "And your behavior is completely out of line."

"It was and I'm truly sorry. I hope there are no hard feelings." Michaela edged around him, headed for the door. "Please Dr. Quinn, Michaela… I didn't know."

"It's fine Mr. Cooper," she said hating that he had used her first name. "It was a misunderstanding."

"Right," he said now realizing that she was waiting for him to leave. "Perhaps I'll see you around?"

"Perhaps," she replied shutting the door behind her and quickly heading down the hall.