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 Seventeen

Sully stood at the corner of her desk looking sullen as Michaela made some notations on her patient's computer chart. One of Michaela's colleagues had offered to show William the new cardiac unit. William, who specialized in cardiac medicine, was only too eager to go along promising to meet Michaela afterwards. Sully had followed her back to her office, acting rather aloof. She peered up at him once more from behind the machine, only to see little change in his facial expression. Closing the laptop, louder than necessary, she gained his attention. "You never said why you stopped by," she pointed out, wondering why the sudden moodiness. "Did Kat or Max call again?"

"No." He shook his head and smiled weakly. "The house passed final inspection."

Michaela launched herself out of the chair running around the desk to grab Sully about the neck. "We can move in?"

"We can move in," he said smiling widely now. Her next words were muffled as she pressed her head against his shoulder, squealing as she spoke. "We can go out and see the place tonight after work if you want."

"Yes," she affirmed moving back to slide onto the edge of her desk. She parted her legs and pulled on Sully's shirt until he moved to stand between them. "We should take carry out and have dinner there and perhaps…" She smiled up at him alluringly but Sully missed the look in her eye, his thoughts elsewhere for the moment. "Sully what's wrong?"

"Nothing."

Michaela let go of him and frowned. "Something's wrong. I just suggested a romantic interlude and you didn't even blink."

Sully cast his eyes downward and laughed lightly at himself. He glanced at the door and then back at Michaela. "You gonna have lunch with William?"

"Yes… you know you can join us, if you want."

"I gotta get back to work," he said apologetically, unsure how to say anything more about his earlier observations.

Sensing that this was the source of his consternation, Michaela ventured a question. "Does it bother you for me to have lunch with him? I mean there is no need – he was only ever a friend."

"You never dated?"

"No," she assured him. "He never even gave me a second look." Sully's brow furrowed. Michaela wasn't aware of how men viewed her and he knew that. Yet Michaela thought Sully was being ridiculous, acting like a jealous boyfriend rather than her husband. Sliding off the edge of the desk, she went about collecting her things, her mind set on having lunch with an old friend. Yet her conscious felt guilty. If the situation were reversed would she feel differently? Turning she walked back towards him and placed her hand over his on the desk. "Sully, if you don't want me to go…" She stopped and swallowed fighting with herself over what she was about to say.

Yet Sully was a step ahead of her. "No, I want you to go and catch up with your friend. I ain't worried." He picked up her hand, caressing the palm with his thumb. "I don't want ya to think I don't trust you. I just think you're wrong about him."

Michaela smiled curiously as she stepped closer once again. "Wrong?"

"I think he's given you a second look…" He smiled. "And a third… fourth…probably a fifth look too."

Michaela's cheeks turned red. "Oh Sully, you are so different than other guys. You don't even know it." She raised her hand to his cheek, letting her thumb stroke his skin gently. "You've always accepted every part of me… my intelligence and all."

"I think your intelligence is sexy."

That brought a wide smile to his wife's face. "I think it was a turn off for most guys." She hesitated as she leaned more fully against him. "But you have no reason to be jealous."

"Jealous? I'm not jealous," he said defensively but then quickly laughed as Michaela gave him a scolding look. "Okay perhaps just a little bit."

"No need," she reiterated again. "There's only one man who I could ever love and he's standing right before me."

Sully smiled secretively and then leaned in to kiss her, hard and deep. "Have a good time," he whispered near her ear before he moved away but Michaela held fast.

"What about tonight?"

"I'll come back this afternoon and we can drive out together."

"No sense in that. I'll stop and pick up some carry out and meet you." She ran her hand down his chest and around his waist, not wanting to say goodbye just yet. She lifted her chin once more, closing her eyes in anticipation.

Sully kissed her gently but sensually, leaving her wanting more. When he pulled back, Michaela surged forward grasping his top lip between hers and giving it a playful nip. A low growl in the back of his throat, spoke of his appreciation as the dance of love continued. Breathless they broke apart as a knock came to the office door. "William," Michaela muttered under her breath almost in a hateful way.

Sully laughed but then kissed her gently once more. "Looking forward to tonight."

Michaela rummaged in the picnic basket once more, ensuring she hadn't forgotten anything. Running back into the kitchen she grabbed a book of matches from the drawer beside the stove for the candles. The idea of bringing carry out had evolved throughout the day until she had planned a full fledged romantic dinner for the two of them. A picnic in their new house so to speak. She'd ordered the food and would pick it up on her way out of town. Tucking the large quilt they would spread on the floor under one arm, she picked up the basket with the wine, candles and utensils in the other and headed for the door.

Halfway down the hall she met Matthew just coming in for the night. He looked tired, his tie loosened and his shirt untucked. He smiled when he saw her, instantly offering his help. Michaela protested at first but then accepted his offer as he followed behind her with the picnic basket in hand.

"How are things?" she asked tentatively.

"Confusing," he replied with a shake of his head. "By law the children are my father's responsibility but he doesn't want custody of them. Says his lifestyle isn't conducive to having them around."

Michaela grimaced, wondering how a father could ever say such things about his own children. "What will happen to them?"

"There going to have to stay with me. I mean I'm not letting them go into foster care. I can provide for them financially. It's time wise that worries me."

"I'm sure you'll do fine," Michaela assured him. "And you know we will help you in anyway we can."

Matthew nodded but then looked at her sheepishly. "Actually… I did want to ask a favor."

"Go on," Michaela encouraged.

"I have to go away two weekends from now for work. I am taking some depositions in Boulder. I should be able to wrap things up fairly quickly but I can't take Brian and Colleen with me."

They were at the car now and Michaela opened the back of the Cherokee to throw in the blanket and basket. "Hold on," she said running around to pull her schedule out of her laptop bag, wanting to be sure before she committed herself. "Do you think they'd like to help Sully and me move in?" she laughed.

Matthew smiled widely. "The house is done?" Michaela nodded excitedly. "Oh well never mind then. I don't want to impose."

"No, really it isn't an imposition. We're going to start moving in stages and I know they are both great helpers. Plus the house has a huge yard. I bet Sully will even put up a swing for them – he has the tree all picked out. He's worse than a child sometimes."

A gentle laughed escaped his mouth as he looked around sheepishly once more. "Are you sure, Dr. Mike?"

"Yes. Yes. It'll be great."

"I really can't thank you enough," he sighed. "It's hard enough trying to explain to them why their father doesn't want them."

Michaela nodded. "You're a good man," she said giving his shoulder a gentle squeeze. Matthew shrugged but inside he felt confirmed by her words. "I best be off," she said with a quick glance at her watch. "But call me with the details and I'll let Sully know."

Matthew stepped back on the curb. "Will do," he said as she climbed in the car and gave him a farewell wave before pulling away.