Chapter 3

Sully had been unable to rest sitting on the bench in a secure dark cell in the Federal Prison in Washington. He was making no sense of the current appalling situation he found himself in. The continual questioning in his head was giving him one of those severe headaches he'd experienced when he and Michaela had sworn their love to each other and become engaged. Oh! How he wished he could get a drink of willow bark tea and cease the continual chatter going on relentlessly in his head. Putting his head down he felt that it caused more pressure inside his brain. Shutting his tear filled eyes didn't help either; he was just too tense.

They had concluded their business for coming to Washington and where heading home to continue their lives full of hope. Having completed business Michaela had not only managed to be heard in the hearing with such decorum that it took his breath away; but had actually convinced the President of the United States to consider some changes to some of the appointments for Indian agents. Sully felt such pride for this woman who was going to become his wife. They had spent some wonderful hours in the White House, had dinner, danced and spent the night. She had even ridden one of the thorough bred horses; and they had been accepted with warmth he had never experienced before. This had all been due to the incredible woman who held his heart the other part of his soul. Byron Sully and Cloud Dancing acquaintances to President Grant no less! This memory brought a slight smile to his face as he remembered Chief Black Kettle and President Lincoln with the American flag.

Then there was the promise of the wedding; he was building their dream home out of love. He knew what his wedding gift was to be. The children were happy that finally they'd be a completed family; everything was being discussed and decided as if the family already existed. Michaela had overcome her shyness and accepting his love more comfortably. As far as he was concerned…another limpid smile slid over his face as he remembered their conversation on "Snuggling". Well, he was experiencing a love and companionship he had thought for years to be out of his grasp. Love had smiled on him, for a second time, and he had never dreamed he could be so incredibly happy. Michaela filled him like a cup overflowing with a sense of something he just didn't have a word for to describe the sensation his heart felt for her.

He knew that his being arrested was not some small mistake as a shiver of cold ran up and down his spine: no this was something more sinister and he knew it had to do with his past. But what, how and why?

…

The last time he had seen his family they were about to board the train to St Louis, the first leg on their way home to Colorado Springs.

The unit of soldiers marching up the platform towards them had not worried Sully till it was finally his family and them.

"Excuse me sir, but is your last name Sully?"The officer had asked.

Surprised at the question he had simply responded, "Yes."

Continuing after this confirmation the officer had said producing an ordinance piece of paper he recognised, "Is this your signature Lieutenant?" He'd handed the sheet of paper for Sully to examine.

"Yes," he simply had replied.

"I have a warrant for your arrest, issued by the Department of War," the Captain continued looking at Sully.

Up until this moment it was if he had been a participant in some weird dream yet suddenly he was aware of his family and their growing distress.

Michaela's voice saying in a tone higher than normal, "Arrest, what for?"

Unperturbed the officer replied, "Desertion from the United States Army."

The guards had surrounded Sully and began to drag him towards the exit of the train station.

She yelled, "There must be a mistake."

At the same time Matthew was chiming in, "Sully wasn't in the army."

Struggling with the detachment Sully in desperation looked back seeing rifles in front of his family. Michaela screaming at his retreating image, "Sully! No! Sully, I'll come and find you, Sully I'll get you out!"

…

Shivering again he drew his legs up and clasped his hands around his knees. The iron manacles biting into his wrists and ankles he lowered his head to his knees and wept again. He was at his lowest ebb of despair at that moment.

He was tired of trying to figure out what and why this had occurred; he was losing all hope. None of this situation was making any sense.

….

Late the next day suddenly was she here. "She shouldn't see me like this!" His chained hands flew up to cover his face and wipe away the tears. Her face was so beautiful and so distraught with fear that he could hardly bring himself to look at her.

Surprised Sully said, "Michaela."

Looking at him and the condition he was in and the filth of his surround behind bars she asked, "Sully what have they done to you?" She noted that he wasn't dressed in his own attire but an alien dress of that of a prisoner. Seeing him like this was tearing her in two.

Sully nodded to the guard silently requesting a bit of privacy. Leaning towards the bar they shared a …. kiss.

Emphatically she stated with a determination, "I'm going to get you out of here they've made a terrible mistake."

Softly without looking at her he said, "Michaela."

Continuing on as if she'd not heard him she said, "I'll get an attorney."

Louder this time trying to get her attention he said,"No."

With a beseeching look of misery and distress she asked, "What do you want me to do?"

With an aching heart and a feeling of desolation he replied after a short hesitation, "I want you to take the children and leave Washington." He was so close to breaking down at this point he could hardly breathe. He didn't want to look onto her sad eyes but he was drawn to them.

Michaela was astonished that he'd even make such a request and asked, "Leave? I won't do that. I'm staying here until they understand they have the wrong man," She finished indignantly.

Sadly Sully tried again, "Michaela! They have the right man I was in the army." Beseechingly he looks at her for understanding. "And I deserted…" He quietly continued, "After Abigail died I went back east, signed up, figured to lose myself in the war for awhile…"

Stunned at the revelation she was hearing for the first time she asked, "Why did you lie to me?"

Dropping his gaze he admitted in a low voice, "I'm not proud of what I did. I just wanted to forget."There was no time for him to see her reaction to this revelation, or for him to explain further.

They were disturbed by the voices of the guard and a Captain who had come in annoyed. He barked that she shouldn't be there as they hadn't interrogated the prisoner yet; and that she needed to leave the prison. Taking her by the arm he began to take her out.

Seeing the officer pulling at her annoyed Sully who angrily yelled, "Let go of her."He grabbed at the bars but unable to do anything to prevent it.

As she was ushered away she shouted back, "I'll be back."

Finally Sully let his feeling flood to the surface. "I love you!" he roared.

Being thrust through the door she replied in a loud voice, "I'll get you out, Sully! I love you…" Then she was gone.

Slumping back onto the bunk Sully's heart was racing. He didn't want her to see him like this. She was always so positive that she could fix anything. But the feeling he had this time was she couldn't fix this as they didn't have a clue where it was coming from or who was responsible and driving it. Whatever their agenda was; Sully had no idea.

Another restless night was fast approaching. His meal was only a weevil infested hardened stale biscuit and a *pannikin of stale water.

Laying down covering himself with the thin prison issued blanket he tried to will himself to sleep knowing it was going to be another long uncomfortable night. Unwanted dreams would once again disturb his sleep.

* pannikin; small metal drinking vessel. (Australian Oxford Dictionary)