A/N: Some of chapter four is from the episode. That will be italicized.

Michaela was lying on the bed. Her vision was fuzzy as she tried to focus on those around her. She saw Sully sitting by the edge of the bed. Colleen, Brian and Matthew were standing up behind him. Her breathing was rapid.

"Sully?" She asked quietly.

"Don't try to talk. Just rest." Michaela looked at them and then looked in the air as if she were trying to think of something, but couldn't find the words.

"Katie."

"She's right outside Ma." Colleen responded.

"We're here. We're all right here. We're safe." Sully softly replied. Michaela closed her eyes and rested against the pillow. There were tears in her eyes and one flowed down her cheek. They sat there with her, and after a little while, Andrew walked into the room.

"I don't mean to disturb everybody, but I need to examine Michaela." Mathew looked to Colleen and Brian.

"Come on, we'll go outside."

"I'll check on Katie Ma." Colleen said and the three of them walked outside. Andrew used his stethoscope to hear Michaela's heart, while Sully talked to her about the man who shot her.

"Do you know who it was?" He asked. "Have you ever seen him before?"

"No." She said. "He was real dressed. As if he had just stepped off the train. He, he asked if I was the doctor." She paused, "and that's when he…" she paused with an exhale. "I remember Hank coming in and carrying me out of the clinic." She paused. "Nothing."

"Your pulse is strengthening. It's been three days and I'd say it's safe for you to go home. But you need rest, two weeks at least."

"She'll get her rest, I'll make sure of it." Sully chimed in and they both looked at him.

"Good." She turned to Andrew.

"Thank you for everything Andrew." He nodded quietly.

"You're welcome Michaela. I'm glad to see you are doing so much better."

"I think I should stay another day."

"Are you not feeling any better?" Sully asked her.

"I think another day of rest would be beneficial." Michaela replied.

"I'll keep you here until you feel well enough to go Michaela, you know that." Andrew responded. Michaela nodded and there was a knock on the door. When they looked up, Loren was there with Jake.

"Horace got a telegram from Daniel, Dr. Mike." Loren said.

"What's it say Loren?" Sully asked.

"He found the guy that shot ya," Jake responded looking at Loren.

"He's taking him into Denver for a trial. He's shot three other doctors in the territory. His wife had an operation, but she died and so he's been killing doctors. He'll be swinging by the end of the week." Loren said excitedly. Michaela was feeling out of breath and leaned up against the pillow. Everybody was glad to have her back and to know that she was okay; especially Sully.

"Ma?" Colleen asked walking into the room later in the day. Michaela looked over at her. "You don't have to go back to the clinic if you don't want to." Colleen and Katie were sitting on the bed next to Michaela, and she had Katie's hands.

"I'll go back soon Colleen. Andrew says that I need to rest for two weeks and then I'll go back," she paused, "but you have to be in Denver don't you?" Colleen shook her head.

"It's only been a few days Ma, and it's more important for me to be here with you. And Pa, Brian, Katie and Matthew."

"I'm glad you're here for them."

"So are you." Colleen responded smiling. "We are all so glad that you are doing better."

"Andrew is quite a doctor." Michaela smiled and Colleen sighed gently with a smile.

"He is, we're grateful for that."

"I had a good teacher here in Colorado Springs." Andrew said as he walked into the room. "I'll check you again before leaving for the night."

"Thank you again Andrew." He nodded.

"It's a pleasure. See you Colleen, bye Katie." Then he walked out of the room.

"I don't know what I'll do the next several weeks. I can't go to the clinic or do my usual household things. I can't leave that up to Sully and Brian." Colleen smiled.

"You can and you will; you have to Ma." She nodded.

"I suppose you're right." She kissed Katie's hands. "It's not like it's a permanent situation."

"I have to go home and get Katie her lunch and do a few things, but I'll be back tomorrow." Colleen squeezed Michaela's hand one more time before she picked up Katie and headed out of the room.

"Bye Katie," Michaela smiled, "I'll see you later Colleen."

"When are you going to be able to come home Ma?" Brian asked. He was sitting in a chair next to the bed about dinner time. Matthew was walking around by the bed.

"Soon Brian, very soon."

"Do you need us to do anything for you?" Matthew asked looking at her and she laughed.

"No, but I want you to know something."

"What Ma?" Brian questioned. Michaela looked seriously at the two boys. She had raised them for the last six years and she did love them as her own; they were hers through adoption, and love.

"I want you to know I love you very much." She said reaching for Brian's hand and he held it.

"We know."

"Yeah Dr. Mike, everything's going to be fine." Matthew replied.

"You'll come home and things will go back like it never happened." She nodded.

"I wish it could Brian, but it won't ever be the same. Just remember how much I love you."

"Okay Ma."

That evening, Sully went to see Michaela before leaving for home.

"Oh I love you Sully." She said and kissed him gently. "That's something I never want you to forget."

"How could I forget it, Michaela? I love you too. We have our life together, children, our home. I want to spend every moment of my life with you."

"But you need to be getting home for the children."

"Brian and Colleen can watch Katie for a little while; I wouldn't be anywhere but here with you." He replied and she smiled.

"Thank you, for everything Sully." He shook his head.

"I love you and I'll always be here for you." She nodded and her eyes started to close. He sat with her until she fell asleep. When Andrew came in for the last time, Sully walked out of the clinic and headed home. He was thankful that she was still with them; the family had come so close to losing her; but it really seemed like she'd be okay.