Dr Quinn, Medicine Woman Abduction Aftermath

A Sacrifice of Love

Author's Note:

This story was originally commenced in December 2005, and written intensively until approximately 2010, where, due to health concerns, I needed to step away. I'm thrilled to have picked it up again after 14 years, and I hope that many of you will enjoy continuing the journey with me!

I warmly welcome all feedback and reviews – additionally scene ideas or plot suggestions will be enthusiastically (yes, I know what I said!) considered.

Thanks so much for all your support over the decades!

Emerald . strawberries (previously emerald . horizon)

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Summary

Abduction Aftermath follows directly from the final cliff scene in "The Abduction" and delves into the consequences following the struggle between One Eye and Sully, with a different ending; Michaela must deal with being recaptured by the dog soldiers, and fight for her survival until she is ultimately rescued. The struggle does not end there, as Dr Mike must overcome life-threatening trauma, only to live through the town's judgments and contempt, to begin the slow and painful path of healing. Michaela is not alone on her journey, as the trauma of her abduction has long-lasting effects on others: from Brian's attachment insecurities, to Colleen's limited adult-thinking. Matthew struggles to determine his role, be it son or 'man of the house', and Sully endeavors to salvage not only his relationship with Michaela, but her very view of herself. Trauma does not affect one person, or even one family alone; each member of this community will battle with their own opinions, and perceptions, in the ultimate yearning for human growth and healing.

Chapter 1

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X.O.X

Tuesday, 11th May, 1869

Day Five of Michaela's Abduction

X.O.X

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Michaela ran towards the edge of the cliff, stumbling in an attempt to halt her speed as she noticed the sharp drop to the rocks below. Turning back towards Sully, he too began looking desperately for an alternate path from the pack of dog soldiers, the pair quickly making their way up the rocks in front of them. They continued to dodge bullets, unable to find an escape, as the dog soldiers' war cries closed in on them. Michaela turned, noticing One Eye behind them, tomahawk gripped securely in his right hand.

"Sully!" she screamed and grasped his arm. As he turned around, he narrowly missed the sharp blade as it flew past, only several inches from his head. Michaela felt her breath catch in her throat, as she took several steps away from Sully, watching the renegade approach him, and drew a knife from his right side. Sully hesitated, trying to gauge the dog soldier's movements, his eyes darting frantically between the anticipated struggle and Michaela, who remained several feet to his left. One Eye lunged towards him and managed to throw a punch to the right side of his face. The force of the blow threw Sully off-balance, and the men arrived on the rough cliff edge, locked in primitive struggle.

Michaela felt her jaw drop, and a silent gasp of horror escaped her lips, as she witnessed the vicious brawl which ensured. Sully and One Eye continued to roll, until they arrived dangerously close to the edge of the cliff, still wrestling with each other in unwavering determination; both knew what was at stake.

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X.O.X

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The several seconds that followed felt like an eternity, as Michaela continued to watch the scuffle; occasional grunts of protest and effort were emitted, as Sully managed to flip One Eye over onto his back. For a moment, as he prepared to push him from the edge of the cliff, Sully felt the relief wash over him; it was nearly over. Michaela took a step closer, sensing that the struggle was nearing an end, however felt her eyes widen in disbelief, as the renegade dog soldier secured his hands tightly against Sully's upper arms. Sully felt the force of the grip, and was momentarily distracted by shock, this giving his attacker the mere fragment of a moment to shift him off-balance, and throw him forwards above him. Sully felt the man's fingers released from his arms, a strangled cry welling from his chest, as he was sent hurtling over the edge of the cliff, to the mass of jagged rocks below.

"No!" Michaela screamed, as her hands covered her face. She could barely feel the movement of her feet underneath her, as she raced to the edge of the cliff. Michaela felt the terror flash through her veins, as her eyes located Sully's motionless form, lying sprawled on the rocks below.

"Sully! Sully!" Her voice was hoarse, and tears fell uncontrollably from her cheeks, as she squinted, leaning forwards to desperately glimpse any sign of movement. Michaela's attention was diverted, when she felt a hand on her arm, pulling her back from the edge of the cliff.

"Sully!" Automatically resisting against the grasp, Michaela turned back around to the cliff edge, her eyes flickering between Sully's lifeless form, and the tempting salvation of the jagged rocks below.

She felt her chest tighten with anxiety as she considered allowing herself to drop forwards to a self-determined fate, suspecting that death may be a more desirable outcome than the one that awaited her. Michaela didn't get a further opportunity to contemplate the decision, as One Eye secured his hand firmly around her upper arm and dragged her away from the edge once again.

"No, no. Let me go to him, please," Michaela begged, however received no response. She struggled against One Eye's grasp, fighting the pain in her damaged feet as much as the mental battle to return to Sully's aid. She felt his large hands squeeze painfully around her delicate wrists, as One Eye pulled some rawhide from his belt and, once again, bound her wrists.

Feeling the uneven surface tear at her already lacerated and bleeding feet, Michaela continued her echoing calls. Her voice was high-pitched and raw with terror and pain. Her gaze slipped from his still body, as she felt her feet trip along the torturous surface.

"Sully!" Michaela felt tears once again well in her eyes. The pain of the rocks under her feet provided a numbing distraction from the realization that Sully's lack of movement indicated the very worst of outcomes.

As the group of dog soldiers headed back down the mountain, Michaela still fought to pull back and check on Sully, and each time was forced more violently in the opposite direction.

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X.O.X

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Colleen and Brian ran to the Reverend's side, as Custer and his soldiers prepared the Indians on the gallows. "Reverend, can't you stop this?" Matthew pleaded, certain that Sully and Dr Mike would have arrived back in time.

"No." Timothy looked up and saw Grace and Robert E. leave, disgusted by the sight. "I want you children to leave right now," Timothy spoke, as he ushered Colleen and Brian away, now feeling certain that the unspeakable massacre was going to occur.

"Please, Cloud Dancing is my friend." Brian protested, gripping the Reverend's arm, a child-like expression of pleading coming to his face.

"You can't let him do this, please, you have to stop him," Colleen continued, her eyes betraying the horror she felt, as she looked between the gallows and the Reverend.

Timothy shook his head, and slowly scanned the meadow around him, confident Sully and Dr Mike would have arrived back by now. It was already two in the afternoon; he'd begged Custer for as much extra time as he could. It was then that he saw the movement; a small gray presence coming towards them at a fantastic speed.

"Wait! General!" Timothy called as he spotted the animal running toward the crowd. Yes, that is what it was. A wolf.

"What is it Reverend?" Custer replied angrily, the endless distractions and hold-ups fueling his frustration. He merely wanted to get this over with, however, did not want to risk criminal liability for killing Indians should it be avoidable. Taking a dozen or so steps across the crowded meadow, the General approached the Reverend's side.

"I think that's Sully's wolf," Reverend Johnson pointed out the animal to the General and the children.

"It is. Here Wolf, here boy!" Matthew called, immediately fearing the worst. Bystanders turned, as the exhausted animal dutifully stopped by Matthew's side.

"He's got something in his mouth," Brian commented, as the wolf dropped Sully's beads at Matthew's feet with a whimper.

"They're Sully's. Something's wrong. He mustn't be able to get here. Please General; you've got to go look for him. There's no way Wolf would have these unless something was wrong." Matthew picked up the colored beads and patted Wolf in gratitude.

Colleen clutched closer to his side, a small utterance of fear causing Matthew to wrap his right arm supportively around her back.

"Are you out of your mind? I've got a job to do son. Mr. Sully was specifically instructed that there would be no rescue attempt, should he get into trouble. And frankly, I wouldn't know where to start looking." The General dismissed quickly, and turned back to the gallows, however was distracted once again by the sound of the young boy's voice.

"Wolf could show you, sir," Brian whispered, and gripped the man's arm with the pleading look that only a young child has.

"He's right, General. Sully and Wolf are never separated, unless he's hurt. And if Sully's hurt, Dr Mike's still out there. We know she'll be killed in a matter of time. Please, just search until the end of today. These Indians aren't going anywhere, and they'll be just as dead this time tomorrow." Matthew continued, gesturing to the caged villagers across the meadow.

"I'm not traipsing around the mountains following some dog. Sergeant," The General turned back to the gallows, signaling his approval.

"Please!" Brian pulled harder on the General's arm, the tears glistening against his pale cheeks. "Please, sir, don't do this. Killing all these people won't bring my Ma back. Can't you just look for her for a while? Don't want nothin' to happen to her. Please?" Brian begged, his right arm shaking, as his older brother stepped forward to remove him.

Custer tried to shake the small boy off, however was not able to escape the truth in his words. Brian looked hopefully between Colleen and the General before continuing. "Please, sir, it's my birthday tomorrow, and I want my Ma back. I mean, I did want a horse, she's a real pretty horse and all, I asked Ma if I could," Brian rambled on, eventually being cut off by the General in exasperation.

"All right, enough!" Custer relented, and ordered the Indians returned to the confinement. He could finish the job tomorrow; however he'd look even better if he managed to rescue the Doctor as well.

"Reinforcements have arrived from Denver; we'll start a search party. Half of the soldiers will stay here and guard the Indians, the other half will look for Dr Quinn." General Custer responded, not expecting Colleen to rush to his side in gratitude.

"Oh, thank-you, sir. General," she corrected herself, her hands clasped tightly together. "It's been five days now. You've got to get her back. Please," Colleen begged. Brian hugged her, as the three Cooper children watched the General return to the soldiers.

"What about Sully?" Matthew commented, noticing the whining wolf still at their feet, sniffing Sully's beads in a forlorn manner.

"I don't think they're interested in him, somehow," the Reverend replied, watching on as the soldiers mounted their horses and prepared to leave the town.

"Well then, we'll have to find him ourselves," Matthew replied, gathering the Reverend, Jake, Hank, Horace, Robert E., and Loren together into a small circle.

"We gotta head out there, can't leave it up to the army. Custer ain't interested, all he's interested in is killin'." Matthew folded his arms tightly across his chest, gesturing back towards Cloud Dancing and the other villagers.

"You're right about that. Ain't gonna stick with it any longer than he needs to. Reckon we'd have a better chance," Loren nodded, considering the proposition, Hank retorting with a cynical grunt.

"I ain't wasting my time on this; I've got a business to run. If Sully had a found her by now, they'd be back. He's probably tied up over some campfire bein' tortured, and Michaela's," Hank raised his right eyebrow, receiving a very disproving glare from the Reverend.

"Talk like that ain't gonna help no-one, Hank." Robert E stated curtly, Hank responding with a flick of his long hair, as he sidled back to the Saloon.

"Wolf here can lead us to Sully; Dr Mike's gotta be with him," Matthew reasoned, the others agreeing, and quickly dispersing to the livery to commence their search.

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X.O.X

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"You going to be all right Grace?" Robert E. secured a blanket and canteen to the back of his horse, turning to glance at Grace, who stood between Colleen and Brian.

"Now don't you men start worryin' 'bout us. You just get on out there. Find Sully and Dr Mike," Grace nodded, glancing around as Matthew, Robert E., Horace, Jake, and Loren all finished preparing their horses.

"Don't you worry about anything here, I'll look after things," the Reverend reassured, incapacitated by the wound to his left arm and unable to join them.

"Might be a few days, depends how far we have to travel," Matthew warned, as the men began mounting their horses and departed from the livery.

"Just don't come back 'til ya got Ma, Matthew." Brian squeezed Colleen's right hand against his shoulder, seeing the convoy depart hastily.

"Don't you worry little brother. Gonna be fine," Matthew reassured, quickly locating the Wolf by his side. "Go on, boy, find." Matthew watched as the wolf quickly broke out into an even pace, the six men having to push their horses to keep up.

"Let's go check on that soup, Brian." Grace patted the young boy's shoulder, attempting to distract him from the inevitable wait; perhaps in truth, more to distract her own mind from troubled wanderings.

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X.O.X

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The Cheyenne dog soldier rested his hands loosely around the white woman's waist, ensuring she was still secured on the horse as they neared their destination. From his position, sitting close behind her, One Eye could smell the faint floral scent of her hair, as it brushed against his face. She had remained quiet for their journey, barely moving as they rode along the uneven terrain. Moving closer against her back, aroused, he smiled to himself, knowing she would soon be his.

Ever since she had challenged him that day on the Reservation, he had wanted her. He saw the fire of determination in her eyes from the moment he first held the knife to her neck. It was that terror which had captivated his interest for the past four days. He was glad Walks on Cloud had dissuaded him from killing her earlier, for her contained fear and panic had provided him with many moments of enthrallment.

As they arrived at the abandoned reservation, One Eye slipped a hand to her stomach, running it against the smooth material of her skirt, feeling her soft flesh underneath. He felt the warmth of her back against his broad chest, and once again, indulged in the sight of her creamy, smooth skin, exposed through her torn blouse. Surprised when she did not resist, the dog soldier smiled to himself; night would fall soon.

Michaela lifted her head when she felt the horse come to a stop. She had been asleep and had no recollection of the journey. Brushing her matted hair from her face, Michaela looked up to see the deserted camp surrounding her. It was the same place she'd been taken the first night when the dog soldiers had abducted her from the Caraway's homestead, however it was now empty, as unbeknownst to Michaela, the army had taken the women and children prisoner. From the position of the sun in the sky, she guessed it was late in the afternoon. As she felt herself being pulled from the horse, Michaela dismally comprehended that she was to spend another night here; another night, cold and hungry. She felt tears sting her eyes once again, as her scratched, blistered feet touched the rough ground.

She was so tired.

However, it was not cold nor hunger which she dreaded the most; it was the unshielded look of desire she could read in her abductor's face.

"Please," Michaela sobbed; the pain of trying to walk exacerbating her already fragile emotional state. One Eye continued pulling her across the camp, eventually pushing her down onto the ground as he lit a fire several feet in front of her. Michaela wiped the tears from her face awkwardly, as she took a breath, gazing around at her surroundings. She felt isolated, alone. Worst of all, she felt helplessly vulnerable; her fate now dictated by men she knew would kill her without conscience. The other dog soldiers chatted amongst themselves, occasionally laughing and gesturing to her. Michaela once again pictured Sully's body lying at the bottom of the cliff, the image immediately dashing any lingering hope she had that he would appear and take her home. After several minutes of solitude, Michaela startled when she felt a hand on her shoulder. Instinctively, she pulled away.

"Don't," she pleaded, trying to pull away from One Eye's touch, however this not deterring him, as he stroked her hair in an attempt at affection. Michaela felt herself gasp several times, as she fought the repulsion that consumed her. Barely able to muster the energy, she struck her abuser directly in the chest with her bound hands, however, instantly regretted her actions, when she felt a smarting pain as his hand collided with the side of her face. Not knowing whether it was his hand, or the collision with the ground, Michaela moaned at the burning pain which radiated from her right cheek, as she raised her head slowly, spitting the dirt from her mouth. Protectively rolling over into a defensive ball, Michaela buried her head in her chest and drew her knees to her stomach, her breathing heavy as she tried to block out the throbbing pain.

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X.O.X

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"You don't have to stay here with us, Miss Dorothy." Colleen smiled over at the red-haired woman as they prepared to eat supper at Grace's.

"Don't be silly, Colleen, I'm happy to. What with Loren away, I was glad of the company." Dorothy sat down as Grace placed the fried chicken on the table and turned around.

"Oh Grace, why don't you join us?" Dorothy asked.

Grace shrugged, "Why not, I'll just get another plate."

"Brian, gotta eat your dinner." Colleen called to the young boy, who was tapping his fork repetitively on the table.

"Colleen, think they've found her yet?" Brian asked, not ceasing the tapping against the table.

"I don't know, Brian. Come on, you love fried chicken!" She smiled, taking the bowl of chicken from Dorothy, and moving some onto her plate.

"I'm not hungry. I want Ma back." He looked away from her with a frown, as he stared back at his fork against the tablecloth.

Grace and Dorothy exchanged glances, not sure at what point to intervene.

"Starving yaself ain't gonna bring her back, silly," Colleen was just as worried as Brian, and his tantrums were not helping to ease the solemn mood.

"I ain't silly, I don't want any dumb old chicken!" Brian yelled back.

"Come on, children, please don't argue. We'll know more in the morning when the men get back. Brian, you don't have to have any supper, but you want to be strong tomorrow, don't you? It's your birthday, we're gonna have cake, and you'll get presents." Dorothy tried to lighten the atmosphere, returning her attention to the crispy chicken and vegetables on her plate. After several moments of silence, Brian eventually skulked to the table, nibbling on his favorite meal.

"I don't want a birthday party tomorrow, Miss Dorothy. Don't much feel like celebratin'," Brian whispered.

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X.O.X

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Michaela gazed from the starry night sky down into the fire burning only several feet away. Her eyes were sore from crying, as was her bruised cheek and bleeding feet. Moving her head slowly to look around her, she felt a strange sense of deja-vu creep over her. She remained perfectly still, holding her breath as One Eye approached her, handing her some cooked meat and water. Realizing she had no chance of escape, and feeling nauseous with hunger, Michaela accepted the offering, drinking until her throat no longer burnt from thirst, and eating the first food she'd had since the plate of berries and honeycomb. She remembered the taste of the honey on her lips, as Sully held her in his arms. Swallowing, she felt fresh tears trickle down her cheeks. He would be dead by now for certain; if the fall alone had not killed him.

Her thoughts of Sully were quickly interrupted when she was again pulled to her feet. Immediately resisting, Michaela gasped as she felt his hand once again stroke her cheek. She held her breath, every ounce of strength being used to resist the urge to pull away or defend herself. Her mind was in turmoil; intellect, and instinct grappling against each other. Even if she got away, she had nowhere to run, and she knew he could still kill her if he did not think she was worth the trouble. Michaela was brought back into the present moment, when she felt his hand move down her throat to her chest, cupping her left breast firmly.

"No, please," she pleaded, looking desperately around the camp at the other dog soldiers watching on. There were no women left anymore, and the faces staring back at her were cold and unsympathetic.

Michaela felt his hold on her upper arm strengthen and was directed back towards a nearby tepee. Paralyzing reality struck her in a single moment. She didn't think she could move, however, knew physical resistance was a dangerous defense.

"Please, I don't," Michaela begged again, knowing she had no choice, but not being able to go willingly, fully aware of the fate which awaited her. Feeling her fear rise as she took one step in the intended direction and then another, Michaela heard the choked sob catch in her throat, almost wishing herself dead rather than the alternative.

Feeling the roughness of the ground underneath her injured feet, as she tried desperately to resist being pulled towards the tepee. His arms were tight around her ribcage. Everything hurt, her shoulders, her neck, her forearms and wrists.

It was in that instant of complete mental isolation, that Michaela found herself unintentionally picture the children; Matthew, Colleen, Brian. She felt a small pebble under her right foot, the intrusive pain enough to force Michaela to concentrate more firmly on the images inside her head.

With each step towards the tepee, Michaela tried to focus on being back home, being back with her children. Brian. It was his birthday tomorrow. She couldn't see him hurt again. He couldn't be put through the loss of another mother.

Michaela knew in that moment, that whatever happened, she had to stay alive. That she wouldn't be killed unless she fought. Somehow, no matter what, if she could stay alive, she would be rescued.

Michaela saw fragments of her life pass through her eyes, she thought of her father, of Sully, and again of the children. She was strong; determined.

She would survive this.