Thanks to Linda for beta reading this chapter as Kruemi is away.

Chapter 19

The sun shone through the curtains of the recovery room causing Atlantis to squeeze her eyes painfully as the bruises on her face were too sensitive for the sunlight.

The voices from the hallway caught her attention and she smiled hearing her son's and Katie's giggling and Colleen's obviously unsuccessful attempt at keeping the children in one place.

Slowly, Atlantis pushed the blankets from her and looked for her slippers on the floor. Finding them, she took a big breath before standing to her feet. Her legs still felt like they were made of jelly, but that didn't stop her from taking few steps forward and opening the door, eager to learn how was Matthew doing.

Colleen looked up at the sound of door opening, still smiling about little Matthew and Katie's running around the waiting room.

"Atlantis," she quickly reached toward her friend. "How do you feel this morning?"

"Much better, thank you," Atlantis quickly avoided the truth, hugging her little son who just ran toward her for a good morning hug, and skipped to what she really wanted to know. "How's Matthew?"

"Oh, he's just fine. His fever broke late in the night and he's asleep now," Colleen's smile got even wider and Atlantis let out breath of relief. Closing her eyes, she sent a silent prayer of thanks to God for helping Matthew.

"Can I see him?" Atlantis asked.

"Sure," was Colleen's reply accompanied with a warm smile. "Tell you what; why don't you go over to his room while I get you some food from Grace's? You think that you can lie about your health to your friend who's above all a doctor?" Colleen fussed, pretending to be serious and angry. Atlantis let out a sigh and pressed her lips tightly together.

"No. But I could try," she tried to make a joke and Colleen's face lightened up with a smile again and the friends hugged.

"I won't be long. I'll take the kids as well so you can have some time alone with Matthew."

Atlantis nodded thankfully and watched as Katie and little Matthew each took one of Colleen's hands and trotted down the stairs, chattering all the way.

Eagerly, Atlantis reached Matthew's room as fast as she could and opened the doors.

Her eyes took in the sight in front of her; Matthew was fast asleep, the only sound that disturbed his breathing was the tick of the clock on the wall. Careful not to wake him up, Atlantis pulled a chair over and sat down beside his bed. Her hand took his hand and she gently caressed his fingers, never taking her eyes away from the face she loved more than words could ever express…

~*~

The days rolled on under the sky of Colorado Springs, sometimes washed with sunlight, sometimes bringing the rain kicking its hard drops on the windows of Dr. Mike's Clinic. Atlantis watched it all from the room where Matthew was healing. Each day brought sunlight to her heart as he felt better and stronger with each minute that passed by. Even when the heavy rain was pouring, colouring the day in dark gray, for Atlantis the dark colours didn't exist anymore as she sat at the bedside of the man whom she loved with her whole heart.

They spent hours and hours talking about everything and nothing or sometimes not talking at all, just enjoying each other's company. During the first days, Atlantis helped Dr. Mike and Colleen to take care of Matthew as his wounds were still preventing him from functioning normally. After Michaela and Colleen would clean his wounds and change the bandages, they would leave the room and Atlantis would wash Matthew's face and helped him to get some food and drink, followed with few kisses that he managed to steal from her when she would get too close. These precious moments they spent alone during his recovery days were connecting them with a bond that was visible only to the two of them.

Atlantis healed completely under Dr. Mike's watchful eye and she started to look forward to the days in front of her. With Atlantis' approval, Michaela started to work with little Matthew to get over his traumas that were still having their effect on little boy. It surely helped to have Atlantis and Matthew near by because little one had grown very attached to Michaela's oldest son.

Hank came regularly to inform them about the prisoners that he was keeping an eye on until the judge arrived and Matthew recovered well enough to testify. Atlantis didn't want to hear anything about her Mother and her husband so she stayed away from Hank during those times.

This particular day Atlantis went to get some groceries from the mercantile. Entering, she greeted Loren and looked around on the shelves for the things she needed.

She took a few apples and placing them into the basket, she looked around at the people in the store. They were all talking to each other and discussing the matters of the town, as children ran through the shop searching for candies and toys.

Atlantis watched all this, wondering if the town would ever accept her after everything that happened. She did get some "hellos" and polite nods from the people, but there were also some who judged her merely by their eyes.

She was certain that her life was here, in this town. She was safe here, protected and – the most important thing – loved. She didn't want to lose that and decided to fight hard to gain these people's trust.

But what can I do? I've been in the circus whole my life, she thought, walking between shelves as her hand softly passed over the things that were laid out for the people to buy. All of a sudden, she stopped in front of one shelf and looked at it intently. She heard Jake and Hank coming inside the store and a smile curled up her lips as she got an idea.

Picking a few more things in her basket, she walked toward the counter. "I think I got everything I need, Mr. Bray," she nodded, a soft smile still dancing on her lips "Good day, gentlemen," she nodded to Jake and Hank.

"Miss," Jake tipped his hat in a reply while Hank merely smiled one of his famous smiles.

"You sure seem happy today," Loren couldn't hold back his curiosity and Atlantis shrugged, looking innocently at him as he packed her things.

"Just thought about what I want to do with the rest of my life," Atlantis said, causing Loren's smile to grow even bigger. She had to bite her lower lip as to not laugh at the sheer curiosity that was bursting out from the old man.

"So, you're planning on staying here in Colorado?" Loren asked. As Atlantis nodded, Hank jumped in. "For that, you need a job, Missy." Taking the cigar out of his mouth, he grinned, "And I can always use a pretty face like yours in the saloon."

Atlantis raised one eyebrow at the three men chuckling like the three old gossipers. Tilting her head at her right, Atlantis shook her head, trying to hide her smile.

"Sorry, gentlemen, I'll have to disappoint you. My plans are quite different than that." She took her money out and placing it on the counter, she declared, "I'm going to be a hairdresser." She nodded her goodbyes and started to walk out from the store, only to be followed by Jake who yelled like a child who hadn't gotten the toy he wanted. "But, you can't!"

"Why?" Atlantis turned around, shielding her eyes from the sun with her hand above them.

"Because I'm the hairdresser in this town!" he huffed.

"Not for the women, Mr. Slicker," concluded Atlantis and smiling, she continued her way toward the Clinic.

"Aaaaahhh, another Dr. Mike-like!" groaned Loren.

"Yeah, what does she think? That she can do a man's job?" Jake was pissed.

"Scared of a little competition, ey, Jake?" smirked Hank, causing Jake to storm away from the store porch. Loren grumbled his way back to the store and Hank couldn't help but laugh. He watched Atlantis going down the street and said, "This should be fun. You sure got yourself a heck of a woman, Cooper," and he went back toward sallon, smirking all the way.

~*~

Still smiling about Jake and Loren's reactions, Atlantis entered the Clinic. Michaela looked up from cleaning the medical instruments and smiled seeing young woman in such a good mood.

Atlantis looked at her doctor and smiling, she asked, "Is Matthew ready?"

"I think so, he'll be down any minute," just as Michaela said that, doors that led to recovery room opened and Matthew showed up, supported by Colleen. Atlantis was by his side in a flash and she looked worriedly at Michaela. "You sure he is up to it?"

"Just make sure he takes it easy. A walk and some time in the fresh air will do him good," replied Dr. Mike. She looked at her oldest son and said, "Now, if you feel any dizziness or sickness, Matthew, I want you to…"

"I'll be fine, Ma, I am big boy," Matthew smiled warmly at Michaela. "Plus, I have a police officer who will watch every step I take," he grinned as Atlantis playfully tickled him on his side and he chuckled saying, "That's not a way to treat a wounded man."

"Oh, really?" smiled Atlantis, reaching for the doorknob and leaving the Clinic, her eyes fixed on Matthew's feet as they reached the stairs.

"Yeah", Matthew replied, his arm resting comfortably around Atlantis' shoulders. He took in her lovely face and raised one eyebrow as they walked slowly toward Grace's café. "You sure look happy about something."

Still concentrating on Matthew's steps, Atlantis smirked, "Had a funny talk with Mr. Slicker earlier."

"Jake? What did he want?"

"Oh, nothing, I just gave him something to think about," she giggled, "And probably Loren and Hank, too."

Matthew's smile grew wider as he heard her laughter. It was music to his ears and he loved to see her like this. "Okay, fess up, Miss Mischief, what did you do?"

"Well," she smiled, looking up at his blue eyes. "I figured out what I want to do for a living and I don't think that Mr. Slicker is comfortable with that idea." As Matthew gave her quizzical look, Atlantis continued, "I decided I wanna be a hairdresser, maybe even doing make up for women in town. I was in the circus all my life, always took care of it and people said that I am good at that."

Matthew felt his heart speeding up at the mere thought of what this actually meant. "So… that means you're staying?"

"Well… Yeah. If you want me to," blushed Atlantis, all of a sudden feeling uncertain about the whole idea. Did she allow herself to hope for what couldn't be?

She felt Matthew stop a few steps before Grace's and his arm around her shoulders slid down her back in a gentle move. Atlantis watched breathless as he slowly leaned his face closer to hers and heard him whisper, "More than anything in this world," and with those words, he pulled her closer to him, closing his warm lips over her soft lips in a way that made it impossible to stop the soft moan that escaped her throat. As she kissed him back, her fingers gently caressed the hair at the nape of his neck. Her whole being ached for his touch and he wasn't making it easier for her as he deepened the kiss, his tongue gently exploring the sweetness of her mouth. The earth felt like it disappeared under her legs as his fingers caressed her back.

Voices in the distance broke the magical moment between them and Atlantis thought that her legs would fail her as Matthew slowly pulled away from her lips. He noticed that and held her more tightly with his arms to steady her, giving her a smile full of love.

"I thought I was the one who should support you," whispered Atlantis, feeling her cheeks becoming a nice shade of red from his intense gaze, yet she couldn't suppress a soft smile as she lost herself, swimming in the blue oceans of his eyes.

"Lets just say that I'd like to return the favor," he replied, winking at her and she chuckled, shaking her head as they continued their way toward Grace's café.