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 Twenty-four

Michaela turned the water on hoping to block out her sister's voice. She'd picked her up from the airport two hours ago but it might as well have been several days. Each word grated on Michaela's nerves, fraying what was left after an extremely stressful day at the hospital.

"Are you listening?" Marjorie was exasperated, believing that Michaela was ignoring what she considered sage advice.

Shutting off the water, she turned to look at her sister. "Marjorie, I'm not going to say it again. Sully is not having an affair. We simply had a misunderstanding the other night."

"Don't be naïve." Marjorie clicked her tongue as she finished speaking, flashing a superior look at her younger sister. "He's probably been seeing her all along. Possibly while the two of you were engaged." She sighed as she spoke, recognizing the frustration in her sister's face. "Michaela you don't understand men."

"I suppose you're an expert." The words were sarcastic and biting but the red head ignored them.

"It's in their nature to wander."

"Father never wandered," she quickly replied, immediately taking the defensive.

"We don't know that. But even if he didn't physically – his eyes sure did. You know he couldn't resist looking at a beautiful woman."

"That's not the same as having an affair," Michaela pointed out.

"Yes but that is how it starts. Tell me, does he have a subscription to Playboy or any other magazine."

A bright red color rose on Michaela's cheeks. "Marjorie!"

"Oh Michaela, you really are that innocent." She looked again at her sister with pity as she moved over to rub her arm. "But if he's hiding that from you, it's not a good sign. Everett was open about his but I didn't even realize that it was a sign."

Michaela snatched herself away from her sister, fury rising up inside of her. "Sully does not look at pornography! He is not having an affair. And I thank you very much to stay out of my business."

Reaching over to the cutting board, Marjorie picked up a carrot and chewed on it unceremoniously. "Well didn't we get up on the wrong side of the bed today."

"It happens when you get a late note phone call from your sister telling you she's coming for a visit."

Again the words rolled right off of Marjorie and she simply shrugged her shoulders. "You are a beautiful woman Michaela – always have been. But you have to face it that you won't always turn Sully's head like you do now. He'll get distinguished – you'll just get old. He may not be cheating yet but eventually they all do."

"They don't all cheat!"

"Some are just better at covering their tracks then others." She paused for a moment, still oblivious to her sister's anger. "Sometimes I don't think polygamy is a bad idea – at least then you'd know the other woman." She laughed casually. "Do you mind if I take a quick shower before dinner to freshen up?"

Michaela wheeled around quickly. "Not at all," she readily replied, grateful for any peace she could obtain at this moment. "Towels and washcloths are in the linen closet."

"Thanks," she said giving her sister a little pat on the back as she exited the kitchen. Michaela breathed in deeply and exhaled a few times to disperse her own anger, returning to the vegetables she'd been chopping only a moment before. The opening of the back door made her look up and she smiled when Sully walked in followed by Daniel.

"I didn't even hear you pull up." She left out that Marjorie's voice drowned out everything else.

Sully walked over to her and dipped down to kiss her lips. As he pulled back, he smiled. "Missed that kiss today." Michaela felt herself relax as the color in her cheeks darkened. "Where's your sister?"

"Upstairs taking a shower before dinner." She rolled her eyes as she spoke. Sully's hand began massaging her lower back, noticing the edge in her voice.

"Ya okay?" he asked quietly as Daniel pretended to be deeply engrossed in something on the other side of the kitchen in order to give them a little privacy.

"Better now that you're home." She leaned back into him, wishing that they were alone and could simply go upstairs and make love. That always served to quickly wash the day away.

"Your sister givin' ya a hard time?" He raised his voice a little so that Daniel would know that it was alright to join the conversation again.

"Well, let's see. I've been instructed on how to search through your pockets, how to check hang ups on our phone line, how to look on your cell phone…. Oh yes and as we speak she's probably upstairs now looking for your magazine collection."

Sully frowned. "Magazines?"

Michaela raised her eyebrows. "Gentleman's magazines," she clarified not wanting to say more. Sully still looked confused though.

"She's looking for your nudie magazines," Daniel threw in with a wide grin.

"I don't have any nudie magazines," Sully protested.

Michaela sighed. "I told her that but the woman doesn't listen to reason." She looked over at Daniel who was still grinning widely.

Just then she heard footsteps on the stairs and shook her head that her sister was already done with her shower. "That was quick," she remarked.

Marjorie had just stepped foot in the kitchen, wrapped in nothing more than a towel that barely covered all the interesting subjects. "Oh goodness, I didn't realize Sully was home." Yet her eyes weren't on Sully but rather Daniel.

"Marjorie," Michaela said as she motioned with her head for her sister to leave. "Why aren't you dressed?"

"I wanted to see if you had some lotion. I forgot mine. Aren't you gonna introduce me?" She raised her eyebrows as she looked over at Daniel once more.

"Aren't you going to get dressed?"

Ignoring Michaela once again, she pushed past Sully as she extended a damp hand in Daniel's direction. "Marjorie, Michaela's sister" she said by way of introduction

"Nice to meet ya Marjorie." He let his eyes wander for a moment. "I'm Daniel."

"Are you staying for dinner?" She looked at him almost suggestively but neither Sully nor Michaela noticed.

"Yes," he said almost breathlessly.

"Good." With that she turned and left the room, casting a backward glance in his direction.

------------------------------------------

Sully woke before Michaela the next morning and savored the opportunity to watch her sleep. She looked so peaceful and vulnerable, something he'd been acutely aware of last night. Picking at her dinner, she claimed she wasn't very hungry. Sully wasn't exactly worried, just a little concerned. She had been through so much recently and while some of the events were happy, they were still very stressful. The wedding, miscarriage and move could be affecting her more than she wanted to admit. Pressing a kiss to her left temple, he felt her stir.

"Mornin'," Sully whispered near her ear stirring the baby fine hairs there.

She didn't open her eyes but smiled. "I love waking up like this."

"That makes two of us." He kissed her cheek now shifting slightly to have better access to her. Michaela turned in towards him and met his lips with hers, a soft gentle good morning kiss. Sully circled her with his arm, laying the tanned skin of his forearm against the ivory skin of her back. "I love your skin," he whispered.

"Hmm?" Michaela was pressing soft kisses to his neck.

"This shoulder right here," he whispered and leaned in to kiss it. "I love this shoulder." Michaela giggled. He moved back a little. "And this collarbone. I love this collarbone." He kissed her again, making her squirm as his lips and unshaven face tickled her. He looked up at her mischievously. "Want me to stop?"

Michaela shook her head. "No you're making me forget about Marjorie. Just like last night." She let her hands slide down his back coming to rest on the top of his bottom as she spoke. "I wish I didn't have to face her this morning…. It's so peaceful here."

"Well she was up fairly late last night talking to Daniel. Maybe ya can get away before she wakes up."

"That would be nice," Michaela sighed as she slipped out of his embrace.

"Wanna have lunch today?" Sully asked watching her walk across the room without a stitch of clothing on.

She looked doubtful as she pulled on a robe. "It'll be a busy day."

"Ya can call me if ya get a few minutes. I'll bring some carryout to your office."

"Alright," she agreed as she gave a little nod of her head. "I'm going to put on some coffee. Do you want me to put in some toast for you?"

"You gonna eat some?"

Michaela gave him a funny look and nodded. "Though French toast does sound good."

Sully climbed out of bed. "Let's both go downstairs then. You can put on the coffee and I'll cook for ya."

"I love it when ya cook for me," she laughed as Sully rounded the bed pulling on a pair of boxers. Holding hands they started down the stairs, laughing quietly and feeling rather in love with one another. Neither was prepared for the sight that greeted them at the bottom of the stairs. There in the middle of the large area rug in front of the fireplace was Marjorie and Daniel. Both were obviously nude though the throw blanket from the couch was draped strategically over both of them.

Michaela's mouth dropped open as she turned to look at her husband. Sully shook his head. "Maybe she'll leave you alone now," he offered.