For personal use and select distribution only © June 1999 by Amber Miller
They had ridden for hours before deciding to camp for the night. Katie had long since fallen asleep, but Michaela wasn't about to let her daughter out of her sight, not after coming so close to losing her. So, she created a soft bed from the saddle blankets and laid Katie down right next to her. There was an overwhelming sense of reflection as everyone else bedded down for the night. Conversation was at a minimum as everyone was lost in their own thoughts, recalling how close they all had come to not making this trip home. They had gone to Mexico to rescue Katie, but in the end had rescued each other.
When the Federales had accused Michaela of aiding an enemy, Valdez, whenshe took a bullet out of his chest, they had sentenced her to death by a firing squad. Jake and Horace were taken, as well, and placed in Mexican torture holes where only their heads were above ground to be trampled by horse's hooves. This was after all three of them had spent the night in a Mexican prison known as the "Rat Hole." Sully and Robert E had gone to the Hacienda where Caraway, the man who had kidnapped Katie, lived. They returned to town to find Dr. Mike, Jake, and Horace under arrest, so devised a plan for Sully to go back and get Katie and Robert E to get what they needed to help the other three escape. However, their plans went awry when Sully was detained at the Hacienda after he was caught sneaking Katie out. He was tied up all night, and thinking that he was going to be killed, had almost lost all resolve. However, Marta Caraway, released him and let him take Katie, empathizing with him at the loss of his daughter, since hers had died on the way back to Mexico, and admitting that she could not keep a child that was not hers. He returned to Robert E, and together, with the help of a little dynamite, got the three out of the prison. Once they crossed the Rio Grande, they were joined by Valdez and a group of bandidos who fought off the Federales, with Valdez killing Captain Ruiz. Cloud Dancing and Brian, who had gone back to Colorado Springs earlier only to return, had enlisted the aide of Valdez. After the smoke settled, and the last of the Federales fleed, Valdez and his companeros left, and the the group headed for home.
Now, they were settled in for the night, and Jake had taken first watch. Everyone else was so happy to be alive that the sleep they had lost amidst recent events finally took its toll; everyone, that is, except for two. Michaela and Sully sat up against a log on one side of the campfire, with Michaela's head on Sully's shoulder and his arm around hers. They sat watching the flickering flames of the campfire bounce as the sparks flew into the air. They were both lost in their own thoughts until an owl's hooting broke them out of their reverie. Michaela shifted in Sully's arms and turned her head slightly to look at his face. He turned his head at the same time to look at her. "Sully.." , "Michaela..." they began at the same time. "You first," he told her."Sully, I wanted to thank you for saving our little girl....and me," she began, then paused to collect her thoughts. Sully waited quietly for her to continue. "I know that I have put you through a lot in the past few weeks, and as if it wasn't enough that our little girl was kidnapped, I had to compound things by not obeying your request to "stay low" when you went to look for Katie."
Sully started to respond, but Michaela held up her hand, silently asking him to let her continue. "I know that I blamed you for Katie's kidnapping, and I allowed that resentment to build up inside of me until we were barely talking. Then, once we were on our way to Mexico to get her back, I put those feelings aside....until you left to go find her again. I was upset that you had gone off and left me to wait, and I guess that was why I did what I did in doctoring the villagers. Even though my duty as a doctor keeps me from ignoring those in need, I was also doing it out of spite in refusing to heed your directions." She let out a long breath. "I was....I was angry, and scared, and worried, and I....I almost got us killed! I'm very sorry for putting you through all of this, and I wouldn't blame you if you wanted to go sleep somewhere else tonight," she finished in ragged and pain-filled whisper, looking away with downcast eyes.
Sully's heart had been breaking at every word his wife spoke, and the hurt and pain in her eyes had almost caused him to stop her confession. However, he knew that she needed to get that out, so he waited. Now, as she began to pull away from him, he tightened his hold, then reached with his left hand to turn her face towards his and her eyes to look at him. "Michaela. I know how ya feel, ‘cause I felt the same way. I was feelin' all kinds of things after Katie was kidnapped. I was mad at myself for lettin' it happen, I was scared at the thought of never seein' her again, and I was worried what you would think when ya found out about Garrick." He paused for a moment, then continued. "When ya did find out, and ya distanced yourself from me, I was even more angry with myself for not tellin' ya. When I lost Abagail and Hannah, it wasn't ‘cause of my doin'. But, Katie was. I let my pride get in the way of sharin' my problems with ya. If I had listened to your request about the surprise party, none of this woulda happened. So, in a way, I don't blame ya for feelin' the way ya did. You had a right."
The sound of twig snapping caused them to look away. Jake had heard their hushed tones and had moved to the other side of the camp to give them some privacy. He waved his hand to let them know everything was fine, and that they should just ignore him. Sully pulled Michaela tighter to him and dropped his voice as he caressed her face. "But, know one thing. Not once did I blame you for anythin' that happened. I love you and the children, and I'd give my life to make sure you were safe. When I learned that you were arrested and sentenced to death, I just figured it was God's way of punishin' me for what I did."
"Sully, I know I hurt you, and I'm sorry I put you through this. I was just so distraught at Katie being gone and thinking that we could have somehow prevented it, that I had to blame someone. I blamed you when I should have blamed Caraway. I caused a break in our relationship, when I should have joined with you in our loss."
"Michaela, like I said, none of this was your fault. I'm not sayin' that you or me acted in the best way, and we both did things that added to the problem, but we're not solvin' anythin' by layin' blame anymore. Katie is alive and with us again, no one was really hurt, and we'll be home sometime tomorrow." He brushed a tendril of hair out of her face, then continued. "So, how's about we think about goin' home and get some sleep?"
Michaela smiled. "You are absolutely right. Thank you for listening to me and for sharing your feelings."
"You needed to get ‘em out, and I'm glad ya did. It's all part of the healin' we had to go through, and now we can look to better things."
"Thank you," she whispered.
"You're welcome," he whispered in reply, then tenderly brought her lips to meet his. As their kiss lengthened, all of the love they shared and the pent-up emotions from the traumatic events of the past few weeks burst into the kiss. Sully held her tighter, and when his hand pressed on her upper arm, she winced and broke the kiss. "You okay?" he asked.
"Yes. I must have just leaned wrong or something," she fibbed, trying to cover up the pain in her arm from the bruises there. Now was not the time to tell him about the women in the prison. That would come later. "Why don't we get some sleep. Morning will be here before we know it."
Sully smiled, then placed a quick kiss on her lips. "Doctor's orders?" he teased.
"Absolutely," she teased in return and smiled, kissing him back. "Hold me," she whispered.
"With pleasure," he replied and shifted slightly, then placed his arm around her shoulders. Michaela glanced over at their peacefully-sleeping daughter, then laid her head on his shoulder, fitting herself against him and closing her eyes. "I love you," she whispered.
"I love you," he whispered back, then closed his own eyes and fell into a very contented sleep.
"Shall we go home?" Sully asked his wife as the remaining strains of music died down and the last remaining people headed home."That sounds lovely," she replied. Everyone in town had been very happy to see them when they returned. They had stopped in a town on the way home to send a telegram, and Horace hoped that the operator he had left in his place would get the message out. They all arrived home to the sounds of music playing and everyone gathered in the street by the General Store. When the wire had been received, Grace prepared a big "welcome back" meal and a birthday cake for Dr. Mike, since they had never had the chance to celebrate it before. Cloud Dancing had even stayed to celebrate, but he had left a little while ago, saying he was heading back home in the morning. Now, as the party ended, everyone said their "goodbyes" and went home.
Loren came up to Dr. Mike and Sully. "It's real good havin' ya home again."
"Thank you, Loren," they replied.
"Ahh, well, good night," he said and left them.
They smiled, then walked over to Grace, who was cleaing up the remainders of the party. "Dr. Mike. Sully," she said as she saw them. "Katie's sleepin' like a baby over there with Dorothy," she told them and pointed in that direction.
"Thank you, Grace, for everything," Dr. Mike said.
"Oh, it was nothin'," Grace waved it away with her hand. "I was happy ta do it. Now, you two get your little girl and get yourselves on home." She picked up a bowl of apple cider that was almost empty.
"Ya sure we can't help?" Sully asked.
"No! Not git on outta here ‘fore I dump this cider all over ya both!" she threatened.
"Yes, Ma'am!" Sully smiled.
Robert E came up then. "Hey Sully. Dr. Mike," he greeted. "Y'all have a nice trip home."
"Thanks, Robert E," Sully answered, "for all ya did."
"Glad I could help," he replied.
"Goodnight, Grace. Robert E," Dr. Mike said as she led Sully away to get Katie.
"She's out like a baby," Dorothy told them.
"Thank you, Dorothy," Dr. Mike said.
"You're welcome, Michaela. It's great havin' all of ya back. Now, you go on home and get yourselves some much-needed sleep. I'm sure you must be very tired after all that happened."
"Yes, we are, but it's good to be back," Michaela admitted.
"Goodnight, Ms. Dorothy," Sully said.
"Goodnight, Sully. Michaela," she replied as she walked away.
Sully picked up Katie and settled her against him. She stirred slightly, then snuggled close to him and fell back asleep. "I don't think we're gonna hear anythin' from her tonight."
"That's good, because as I recall, you and I have some unfinished business," she teased, a suggestive glint in her eyes.
"And what would that be, Mrs. Sully?"
"Let's just say that I owe you some personal attention," she answered, then kissed him, giving him a taste of what was to come.
"Well, I wouldn't wanna keep you from keepin' your promises."
Just then, Brian walked up. "Are ya goin' home?"
"Yeah, are ya ready?" Sully replied.
"Sure. I'm gonna ride Taffy home and you can have the wagon."
"Okay. We'll see you there."
Michaela could hear Sully saying goodnight to Brian. Katie was too asleep to even notice that she was put to bed. Michaela sat at her dressing table in her dressing gown, brushing her hair and thinking about what Sully would think when he saw the tell-tale bruises on her arms, and the cut on the side of her head. However, when she saw him, through the mirror, come in and lock the door, then walk up behind her, she put it out of her mind. He took the brush from her hand and resumed the task. After a few strokes, he brushed her hair to one side and leaned in to kiss her neck. He pushed the dressing gown aside, then placed a trail of kisses from her ear to her shoulder. She closed her eyes, enjoying his touch. As he moved back up to her ear, he turned her around to face him, stood them both up, then covered her mouth with his own. They both were lost in the kiss, until Sully placed his hands at her waist to draw her closer to him. He felt the material under his hands and broke off the kiss to look down at what she was wearing with a questioning look.Michaela smiled, coyly, at him. "You never did help me finish dressing the last time."
"I think that was ‘cause we were interrupted by a mischievous four-year-old."
"Well, there's no one to interrupt us tonight," she said as she untied the belt and dropped the dressing gown, turning her back to him.
He smiled as he placed his hands at her waist, then leaned down to whisper in her ear. "I guess we won't be needin' them bandage scissors tonight."
She blushed, becomingly, but returned, "Maybe not, but I'm sure we can put your hands to good use."
He tickled her slightly, and she squirmed, but he held her tight. "You don't really expect me to go through with this, do you?"
"What else did you have in mind?"
"Now that ya asked, I was kinda hopin' you'd remind me of your promise."
"I believe I promised to take care of you later."
"And I believe I was lookin' forward to it."
"Well, I don't know if I want to keep my promise, now."
Sully grinned, mischievously, and moved his hands up to caress her, then brought them around her back and slipped them inside the strings of the corset, separating the material even farther. He brought his hands around front again, then leaned down to kiss behind her ear, trailing his lips down her neck. She leaned back against him, enjoying his ministrations, then he stopped abruptly. "Ya ready ta take care of me, now?"
"Hmm, more than ready!" she replied, then turned to face him. She lifted her lips to his and began unfastening the buttons of his shirt. When the last one was loose, she helped him take off the shirt then ran her hands across his chest, biting her bottom lip as she caressed him.
As much as he was enjoying her touch, he was finding it increasingly hard to control his overpowering emotions, especially as he saw the look of passion in her eyes. "I appreciate your enthusiasm," he said, and she smiled. He ran his hands up her arms and caressed her, but as he touched her upper arm, she winced. He remembered that she had done the same thing when he held her by the campfire, and tonight he knew that it wasn't because she had leaned wrong. "Michaela, what is it?" She kept her hands on his arms, but looked down at the floor. He gently lifted her chin to look at him.
"I was trying to keep you from knowing about them."
"About what?"
"About the bruises," she said and turned her arm enough for him to see the ugly blue and yellow marks on her upper-right arm and shoulder.
He touched them, gently, then looked in her eyes. "How did you get these?"
"The women, in the Mexican prison? They weren't exactly happy to see me there."
"They did this to you?!"
"Well, actually, it was only one woman, but she was much larger than me."
"How did it happen?"
"She struck me and caused me to slam against the jail cell bars, and then shoved me again, making me hit the wall. I fell to the ground, and the next thing I remembered, I was helping a woman give birth."
"Are you hurt anywhere else?" he asked with great concern.
"I have a cut on the side of my head from when I hit the wall, but that is all that I could find. They're not bad, and they only hurt when touched."
Sully picked up his wife and set her on the bed, then went to open the door. "Where are you going?"
"Just wait right there," he instructed.
She heard him go down the stairs, then come up moments later and lock the door behind him. He came and sat down next to her on the bed, then held up a bottle of ointment and smiled. She smiled, slightly, in return. "Come here," he said, then helped her sit up as he reached around her back to undo the strings of the corset, kissing her at the same time. He laid her back down, then helped her roll over as he pushed the material off of her shoulders and back, taking the straps down and off her arms.
He leaned down to kiss each bruise, then opened the ointment and spread some in his hands. He gently began massaging it into her skin, taking great care in not hurting her any more than she already had been. He saw her close her eyes and smile, obviously enjoying his touch. After about five minutes, his massaging turned to caresses, and he leaned down to kiss the back of her neck. She rolled over to meet his lips as his hands began to work their magic on her skin. He was very careful to avoid her right arm, but covered about every other surface as his hands roamed. As the kiss deepened, Michaela's thoughts turned to more than the kiss.
As much as she would have loved to stay right there, she had made a promise to him, and she intended to keep it. She broke off the kiss and placed a hand on his lips. "Your turn," she teased, playfully, trying very hard to ignore the passion she had ignited, evident in his eyes. He smirked and shook his head, hardly believing that she would do that to him, but looking forward with anticipation to her "taking care of him." She moved over on the bed to allow him more room. "Now, lay down, please."
He shifted again, and as he looked at her beautiful body, glowing from the light of the fire in the fireplace, he found it very difficult to obey her request. Nevertheless, he laid down on his stomach and placed his arms near his head, turning his head away from her, so as not to be tempted again. She took some ointment and spread it into her hands, then began massaging his taut muscles. He always knew that her fingers could work magic, especially as a doctor, but this time, he relished her touch.
He closed his eyes and allowed her to massage his arms, shoulders, neck, and back. Every once in a while, her hands would go down along his sides, and she would place soft kisses along every place her hands had touched. After the adventure they had, his muscles were so sore and tight, he almost felt as if he would snap. He wondered how he lasted as long as he did, waiting for this massage. At times before, he would ask for a massage, and she would willingly oblige. This time, however, he allowed her to initiate.
After a few minutes, she asked him to turn over, and he eagerly agreed. She ran her hands across his chest, and up around his neck and ears, then along the sides of his ribs and down to the waist of his buckskins. Laying like this was becoming more and more difficult, since now he could watch her every move. She had pulled the straps of the corset up but as she moved, it would slip down, tempting him to reach out and touch her. He exercised a lot of self-control as he allowed her ministrations, and found amusement in watching her expressions. She almost had this look of fascination on her face as she worked, like she was awestruck at his body. Finally, he couldn't take it any more, and he reached up to caress her shoulder, moving the strap of the corset off so that it fell down her arm.When she glanced up at him, her hands stopped, and they found themselves mesmerized, completely lost in each other's eyes. It was almost as if their bodies moved of their own free will as his hand reached behind her head to draw her down to him. She was stiff for only a brief moment until his lips touched hers, and then she surrendured herself completely to his kiss. He helped her remove the corset with ease, and out of her pantaloons as he divested himself of his buckskins, all garments being tossed onto the floor. He paused, briefly, to stare at the glow of the firelight on her soft skin, and she ran her hands across his chest, marveling at the strength she felt there. As he leaned down to cover her mouth again, no further words were needed. They gave and they took of their love that night, and only once did they exchange any real conversation.
"Now, that's what I call taking care of me."
"I always keep my promises."
THE END