CH. 4 Dr Mikes Cheyenne friendship.
Disclaimer I do not own the characters in this story. I wish the people who did would use them and create new series.
Dr Mike was exhausted she had never in her entire life felt so tired or worn out. She'd been on the go for nearly a week saving people with no rest. Town's folk were afraid, history had proven that influenza killed large numbers of people especially in towns. Dr Mike felt the entire force of the epidemic and had taken on the responsibility of saving the entire town. She'd had to instruct Olive and the other helpers how to assist but keep themselves as safe as possible at the same time. Olive was now prepared to help although she still held her predigests on who could help at this critical time. Bathing the sick with tepid water to bring down the fever and the Quinine yes! Well that had long gone now all she needed was a lot of luck.
Colleen knew she was hiding her own illness manifesting itself she saw it in the child's eyes. She couldn't risk letting the town down not now. Everyone was relying on her to be strong. She always was the strong one giving in was not an option. Matthew was assisting as well she was blessed with such great children. Brian had become sick to the influenza illness.
Sully had tried to encourage her to try the Indian medicine fever tea made from Purple Cornflowers though once she'd rejected his suggestion he'd responded "You remind me of Jake Slicker" She felt she had a valid argument as she didn't understand the traditional medicine and felt she couldn't use the folk as guinea pigs.
Brian had only now come out from the fever that had been present during the influenza. He'd been unconscious for a couple of days while his small body fought off the illness. Now she'd just informed Matthew and Sully on the porch that he was going to be okay she felt now she was able to let go. Sully was becoming her strength, this was her last thought. Blackness enveloped her as she sank down into a blackened void.
She was rocking from the motion of the stage coach. She had made a mammoth decision in her life to become a doctor in the frontier town of Colorado Springs much to the disgust of her pious mother. Travelling by coach now she saw the Indians for the first time. So many horrendous stories were emerging in the papers back East about these traditional owners of the land.
Thinking she recalled "her father taught her that different customs, language or colour of skin were not causes for predigest or of hostilities. But as she saw Indians for the first time she could not reason with the knots in her stomach". She experienced the feeling of real fear.
Next minute she was seated at the dinner table in Charlotte Cooper boarding house and Chivington snapping at her "I am fully satisfied that to kill the red rebel is the only way to have peace and quiet".
A feeling of sadness descended on her. Why did the Army want to eradication the Indians? Sully loved these people and she respected them her feeling of friendship and the need to protect them surfaced.
Heart speeding up she was desperate Brain where was he? He'd run away in this hostile environment one she didn't even know herself. "BRIAN, Brian" she was screaming.
Watching she was in the tee pee questioning herself about letting Charlotte down. She knew that Sully wanted to take her ache and perceived guilt from her.
"How long before we go?" She asked anxiously looking out into the dark night.
Sully replied "You're not goin the women stay in camp"
"Not this woman" she stated emphatically.
"Ya know the Cheyenne believe if a woman acts like a brave she'll become one" He continued.
"I'll risk it" she replied in a determined voice.
Charlotte was saying what? She had to really listen to her friend.
"I hate ta tell you Doc but nobody out here cared too much about that war they're too busy killin Indians"
A storm was raging around and she was out of control hurtling into space.
Falling she was falling she couldn't stop and there was no bottom was she descending into hell was she dying. The feeling of being out of control was so incredibly strong. Screaming she needed someone to catch her. PLEASE someone.
Strong arms surrounded her. The smell she recognised that smell "Oh! Sully thank you for saving me" Grasping his cloths determined never to let go. He had rescued her from some renegade Indians. They captured her and Sully was here he'd saved her. His strong arms holding her securely rocking her, making her feel safe in his embrace.
Relaxing she felt safe 'No Please don't leave me" She felt his touch removed where was he where'd he go? "Sully hold me"
She felt so tired she needed to sleep just go to sleep and never wake up all she needed to do was give into her exhaustion. NO people were sick they needed her, her children needed her and she needed Sully she knew it now he was the one she'd waited all her life for. She couldn't surface as her foggy brain wasn't responding to her muddled thoughts.
"Jake what are you doing" she asked going into Jakes barber's shop.
Looking up with an instrument in his mouth replied "Bleeding him letting the poison out" He responded leaning over an obviously sick gentleman.
"That's barbarous" She replied disgusted.
"Has nuthin to do with barberin" he looked surprised. That's not right she was jumbled again Jake along with Horace have the influenza now she knew. No quinine I need to get help. There no stage coming.
Her heart was speeding up again she was so hot burning up sizzling the feeling of cool water on her skin. Hot! Need to calm the racing heart focus need to feel safe driving her mind to stay calm.
He was holding her again she felt his strong arms rocking her Sully they want to obliteration the Indians we need to save them she tried to tell him this was important, must remember to tell him. The Indians are in danger.
Everyone was becoming anxious as Dr Mike was slipping further as the illness engulfed her body. She'd become run down in the previous week tending the sick now extremely weak and struggling to fight the illness. All the family and Sully had observed the decline although unable to get the stubborn Doctor to slow down. Sully watched her as Miss Olive and Emily sponged her. He saw the desperation in the unspoken glances the women shared. Mesmerised at her smooth skin and even sick she was the most beautiful woman he'd seen. Not having gazed on a woman for so long. Colleen spurred him into action mentioning that the Quinine was all gone. He was her only hope he and his brother Cloud Dancing. If nothing was done she would surely die she was so sick.
Rocking from the motion of the stage coach again. She had made a mammoth decision in her life to become a doctor in the frontier town of Colorado Springs. She had defied her mother who thought she'd fail. Her mother had never supported her ever. "Father you supported me" seeing his huge frame standing in front of her. "The sisters hated me called me Daddy's little girl. You loved me for who I was". She wanted to feel his arms hug her again, "No don't go stay with me" Why was he fading away. Too tired and exhausted now to run after him blackness again engulfed her."Daddy! Daddy don't go". She began to cry he'd gone.
Suddenly the sound of pounding on the door heart rate going up again Sully with Black Kettle saying he'd been shot. Need to save the Chief otherwise an all out war would begin. What Chivington had attacked the village to eliminate them? She needed to help Sully save them. She would do all in her power to help him save his family. Black Kettle can't breathe need to do something a tracheotomy "Please god let me save him" Sully trusted her to bring him here. Sully talking to him after saving the Chief and learning more about each other. She was grateful for these quiet moments with him. He was talking about the wolves and his love of the Cheyenne. "Oh! Sully whoever ends up with you will be so lucky. Your beliefs are so pure, standing for trustworthiness, loyalty, honesty and above all your honour". She thought looking at him sinking into his gaze as they sat at the kitchen table in the homestead.
Next Chief Black Kettle was a friend of the President, Lincoln had presented him with the nations flag Sully had told her the day outside the telegraph office.
Sully was cooking for them out in the forest she was seated on the ground on his bed roll. He was cooking rabbit and some wild vegetables. His cooking skills even on an open fire surpassed hers. He was looking at her as she'd never been aware of his eyes showing his concern and feelings for her. Where'd he go gone "No! Come back we haven't finished don't leave me I don't know the way back". Heart beat pounding in her chest. Sweat pouring out of her feverish body.
Surfacing brieflyshe pleaded with Olive who was in the room to look after the children she doesn't want them to suffer. Trying desperately to hang onto the conscious state.
Olive reassured "No need to worry you're going to get well".
What a relief plummeting down again.
"No! You can't shoot him he doesn't know anything Sully do something" the gun shots are heard can't look "Cloud Dancing" crying now so sad Custer just shot their friend.
They need protecting "BRIAN, Brian" she was screaming. He ran away. The Indians helped find him now Chivington was charging down the hillside intent to ending their existence. Running save them need to save them now. Chivington needs to know they were helping find her son.
Relaxing she felt safe 'No Please don't leave me" Sully was holding her need to hold on tell him he was her strength. He was calling her she felt him caressing her face "Oh Sully you are my life, I can't tell you please don't leave me". Too tired brain is confused all over the place.
Something warm need a drink yes I need to drink. That cloud coming again. No need to hang on.
Falling she was falling she couldn't stop and there was no bottom to the feeling of being out of control. Screaming she needed someone to catch her. PLEASE someone.
"Cloud Dancing look at me I have the key, hold your hand here have to work quickly"
"Sully LOOK OUT! Custer has a gun good you got him."a feeling of relief engulfed her then suddenly a change.
"You are a traitor Dr Quinn" Custer had just sneered to her. She didn't care she'd help Sully save their friend.
"Dr Mike I want to thank ya did" Sully had said.
"What we did" She replied.
"Oh! Sully you just told me I had the*Courage of a Warrior!* you appreciate my efforts that means so much to me" Cloud Dancing is safe thank goodness.
Michaela was flip flopping back and forth so quickly scenes coming and going making her confused lying there rolling her head. Sully was beginning to become anxious. He'd asked his friend Cloud Dancing to help as he felt he was the only one able to assist now that she had no more Quinine as Colleen had informed him. Cradling her head in his lap hearing she mumbled the name of her father, Custer, Brian, Cloud Dancing and more often she called him. While he held her hand or held her she settled like there was a stronger connection. Somehow like a life line. He seemed to calm her.
She felt hot again needed to cool but how she couldn't move. There was a vague sensation, of beginning to fall once again this time a feeling of wanting to be sick. "Sully!" She desperately called.
When Cloud Dancing had finished the Medicine Wheel Sully jumped up and anxiously asked "is she going to die?"
Cloud Dancing's reply was "she fights hard"
Sully in a more urgent voice repeated the question "is she going to die?
To which Cloud Dancing replied "that's up to you"
Feeling the rocking from the motion of the stage coach once again. She had made a mammoth decision in her life to become a doctor in the frontier town of Colorado Springs. Trying to make sense of her thoughts why was she replaying this again, feeling cooler now still feeling Sully's strong arms supporting her she relaxed. Why he is in the stage they haven't met him yet?
"BRIAN, Brian" she was screaming confused she'd been here already. He ran away. He is sick he has the Grippe he has to live he's so sick been unconscious too long Quinine is running out, need help. Sully had suggested Indian medicine he'd dejectedly said "You remind me of Jake Slicker"
"Savages don't knock Mother" Mother never understood people. She refired to Sully as a Savage. She never understands or likes her friends she was too controlling to the point of being obsessive.
Falling she was slowly falling she couldn't stop the feeling of being out of control again. Screaming she needed someone to catch her. PLEASE someone.
Sully she can smell his unique odour wood fire, pine trees and Wolf. Yes Sully please hold me give me your strength PLEASE she pleads. Holding her hand again hold on tight don't let go it's the life line she needs. Sully is living he won't let her die a thread to the living. Sully's fingers are going blue and numbing but she won't release them like she needs the contact or she will die if it ceases she just knows.
Hearing Sully and Cloud Dancing talking in low voices why are they here everyone is sick with the influenza. They may get sick as well. Need to tell them. But can't and afraid of that awful feeling of falling again. Can't get out of the fog don't need to worry about falling Sully will be there to catch her. He has before many times.
Confusion nothing was making sense she was all over the place memories from the past. Other were they future events from now the present all jumbled together it was making her head hurt. She knew she wanted to help the Cheyenne. They'd been there assisting her with Brian. Cloud Dancing she needed to learn their medicine he'd help her understand. Sully had spoken of the Medicine mans ability to understand how spirit communicated. Must remember. What did she have to remember she'd forgotten?
Importantly she needed to tell the children she loved them. Sully she was not going to take his presence for granted. She needed to tell him she was so grateful for his support, she'd not ignore his advice again.
The storms were still there but less intense she wasn't falling as frequently as she had been but her mind wasn't free from the ideas and scenes that tortured her. She imagined seeing Abigail Sully's deceased wife and baby but they didn't come close. She witnessed the reunion between Maud, Abigail and baby Hannah they seemed content. Maud was happy she was smiling and waved to her.
Then suddenly Charlotte appeared she was saying "Dr Mike I knew ya'd look after my own as ya own I want to thank ya, Dr Mike ya gotta go back ya needed"
"Oh! Charlotte I'm just so tired just a little longer I need to rest awhile". Michaela pleaded.
Calming down a little where is Sully she can still feel his hand. He is her strength.
The pictures in her head are getting less confusing not as hot now cooling a little that is good.
It's more quiet can't hear Cloud Dancing anymore need to ask him... something what was it?
Have to help Sully and the Cheyenne as they're in danger. Feeling less confused now. So thirsty need to drink.
She slowly surfaced from the fog looking over Sully is here "Sully, Sully" he jolts awake relief written all over his face. "The children?"
"Wait here, wait here" Funny she didn't feel she could even move. The cup ugh! What is that a vague memory she'd had a drink of this tea.
The children and Olive entered the room.
Olive with a satisfied look says "Told you you'd get well come on Dr Mike needs her rest come on skedaddle"
Sully he's still here she will have to tell him about these weird scenes when she remembers them. Most importantly is that we are all equal and begin life the same way. I need to reassure him that I will work with him to help Cloud Dancing and the Cheyenne and learn their medicine.
So tired need to rest now.
Sully softly places a kiss on her brow as he lowers the lamp light and settles on a blanket on the floor near the bed she knows he has been with her the whole time.
"Thank you Sully" she thinks smiling in the dark before drifting into a more restful slumber.
...
Nothing like being out of control and desperately sick, unbearable pain, combined with anaesthetic allergic reaction.