The family reunion was indeed a joyous one, as they exchanged anecdotes and presents, though Sully withheld those intended for his wife as he would rather give them to her in the privacy of their bedroom.

Matthew experienced a moment's hesitation before accepting his gold nugget, but one look at his friend and mentor sufficed to convince him that his pride was not challenged here. This small golden nugget held more of a symbolical value than a monetary one and he felt he should simply consider it in that way.

Apart from the gold, Sully had made small wooden figures for each of them, carved and sanded in the long hours of the evening spent with Daniel by the campfire. For Matthew, he had carved a horse, proudly reared up on his hind legs, a symbol of strength and courage, but also of impetuosity; for Colleen he had made an owl, for its wisdom, its maturity, but also for its protective character; finally, for Brian, he had produced a beaver, for his inventiveness, his zeal and determination. Matthew fondly shook his hand, while his two younger siblings hugged him tight. Sully was delightfully surprised, never had he imagined that returning home to his family would mean so much to him. In his eyes, nothing could compare to the happiness found with his family, the home he and Michaela had created for themselves and their adopted children.

After Colleen and Brian had eventually but half-heartedly agreed to go to bed– the next day was a school day – Michaela requested Matthew to bring in the copper bathtub as well as two buckets of water to be heated over the fire so that she could prepare a nice warm bath. Sully, assuming that this was for her, wanted to help them, but Michaela caught him off-guard and commanded with playful authority that he sat back down and let her take care of it. It was then that he understood her intention and even though fatigue threatened to overpower him, the mere idea of being so lovingly pampered by his wife was enough to rejuvenate him.

He went upstairs to fetch his shaving kit and, as he descended the stairs, he just had time to hear Matthew wish Michaela "good night", and see him scurrying out after a hasty, almost apologetic wave goodbye. Their oldest son was in such a hurry to leave them alone that it was almost comical, they couldn't help but laugh out loud as soon as their eyes met in a knowing glance.

The presence of two youngsters upstairs and the risk that either one might come down at any moment somewhat reined in Michaela's demonstrations of affection. This however did not hinder Sully from physically reacting when she took the sponge to tenderly lather his back and chest, neither of them being able to refrain from kissing each other deeply. This was all that was needed to rekindle the passion that always simmered just below the surface between them. Nevertheless, Michaela pulled back just in time to avoid giving in to the temptation of plying him with more provocative touches and joining him in the bathtub, though she could barely articulate her invitation to join her in their bedroom once he would be done with his ablutions.

In her hurry, she flew more than she ran up the stair and straight into the sanctuary that was their bedroom, her heart beating wildly. She felt oppressed by a strange nervousness she vaguely remembered from her not so long-ago days of being a blushing and inexperienced bride, as if she had been thrown back to that time when she was still discovering the physical side of love. Perhaps those feelings were merely born out of that old conflict between wanting to surprise and please Sully by being more audacious and enthusiastic than ever, and still being held back by an instinctive, deeply anchored modesty from which she suspected she might never fully free herself. So far, she had been able to relegate her prim and proper side to a far corner of her mind, at least when she was alone with her husband, but it was still there…

She applied a thick layer of beeswax salve to her lips, swollen and sensitive from the kisses they had already exchanged during their exploits at the Clinic. She then untied her hair, lightly brushing them, just in case Sully would like to do it for her. Yet, she could not fully ignore common sense's voice warning her that Sully had to be exhausted, and might be longing for nothing else than a night of deep, undisturbed sleep, but she paid it little mind. If Sully wanted to just sleep, so be it! she would still relish in snuggling up to his warm body, finally sleeping peacefully after four weeks of feeling empty and cold in her too large, empty and cold bed. Moreover, the next morning, her eyes would finally open to see his beloved face and not just some stupid pillow.

The blazing fire in the hearth had warmed up the room to a pleasant temperature and spread about that fresh, moist air of an autumn night; it was warm enough that she could have chosen to await Sully fully unclothed, however, she went for a slightly less provocative attire. She wished she could put on the gorgeous silk robe, adorned with delicate lace, that her mother had offered her at her bridal shower, but unfortunately, she had never gotten around to try and remove the stains it had suffered during that particularly risqué breakfast on their honeymoon.

She picked out a flimsy linen nightgown that had also been part of her bridal trousseau, but which she had never been bold enough to try on. It was as transparent as a silk veil, the innocence of its immaculate white color contrasting strikingly with its come-hither diaphaneity. Hum, I don't think so, she thought as she examined her reflection in the mirror, her cheeks pink with a mix of embarrassment and excitement at feeling like she was doing something forbidden.

She had no time to change her mind and nor her negligee for a more modest garment, because Sully entered the room. He was freshly shaven, clean from head to toe, wearing nothing else but a towel draped over his hips. Michaela needed all the willpower of her well-bred, ladylike self to resist yielding to the sudden surge of aggressive desire to throw herself at him, to drink in his fragrance, to feast upon his virile flesh... she almost licked her lips as her hunger for her man's magnificent body culminated to unprecedented heights.

Sully, on the other hand, stopped short at the breath-taking sight before him. Michaela was standing in front of the mirror, her hair flowing freely onto her shoulders. Her eyes grew larger, not so much with surprise, as with unmistakable lust as she literally devoured him with her panther-like eyes, the firelight turning the green amber of her irises to molten gold. The rosy hue on her cheeks was evidently not one of embarrassment, but of sheer passion. Her lips, parted in a half-smile, gleamed like a fleshy and juicy fruit, beckoning to be savored. And last but not least, what covered her was far from being modest. The shift she wore left virtually nothing to the imagination, her sweet curves accentuated by the vaporous fabric, and as an ultimate provocation, she had left the ribbons at the collar untied, the gaping neckline giving him a privileged view onto her cleavage.

"Who's naughty, now?" Sully teasingly admonished her, even though he was totally smitten. The way she was confessing her desire for him might be silent, and still edged with an innocence she had never completely lost, but it was still eloquent in its daring expression. She was once more casting a spell on him against which he was defenseless. Not that he had even the remotest wish to resist her…

Despite the urgent desire that consumed them, they needed more to re-establish the familiarity of their loving touches, caresses and kisses, to allow their bodies to resume their amorous dialogue and restate the tender sensuality of their intimacy, which they had been missing for these overlong four weeks. So instead of tearing the flimsy gown apart, he methodically lifted it off, deftly using its silky softness in slow and torturous caresses, the delicious friction of the fabric on both their skins intoxicating. She just had to pull at the towel and the next second they sank together, naked, skin to skin, on the rug in front of the fireplace.

As he embarked upon the renewed discovery of his beloved wife's body, Sully had the distinct impression that something had changed. Was it because he had only had his memories and imagination to face his loneliness that now he found her beauty more radiant than ever... and more voluptuous? Her flesh felt softer, smoother... Her hair did feel thicker and silkier than before... For a second, he wondered if Michaela was pregnant[2], but he instantly rejected the notion. If she was indeed expecting, she would have told him already, wouldn't she? Unless of course, it was still too soon for her to tell... After all, she was a doctor and a woman... Anyway, he wasn't about to inquire about it: he knew enough about the feminine nature not to risk uttering a remark about his wife's figure, even if it was a compliment and that he meant to reassure her that he actually preferred her with healthy curves. She would certainly take it the wrong way, and it might reawaken her old insecurities about not pleasing him. Therefore, he thought it wise to keep mum on this specific subject and doubled his amorous efforts instead, letting her know of his appreciation through his attentions.

With the same fire, Michaela returned each caress, each kiss, offering herself without shame nor reserve. Even though she was getting carried away by all the gratifying sensations he was eliciting from her and was close to fully abandon herself to the flow of pleasure, she still perceived that he was somehow holding back. Of course, she had always admired and appreciated the extraordinary self-control that Sully had demonstrated on many occasions, but in these moments of intense passion during which he had taught her to let go, she particularly reveled in the instances when he too allowed himself to surrender to his emotions and sensations, when his tender attentiveness turned into wild sensuality, when his gentleness became triumphant virile power. With the benefit of hindsight, she was especially amused by the fact that what she had been most frightened of before their honeymoon, when thinking of her marital duties, had become one of the aspects of intercourse that she had come to enjoy the most: this complete abandon of themselves and the absolute trust they had in each other when their mutual desire, like ocean waves in a violent storm, threw them into each other's arms. Undeniably she had needed time to adjust, but with each passing day, moreover each passing night, she had learned to overcome her unease regarding these bouts of irrepressible passion between them.

She had also learned how to let him know when he no longer needed to restrain himself , that she was ready, by a touch or a deep look into his eyes. But tonight, she wanted to tell him, she wanted to say the words aloud... But what could she say without sounding too crude, too vulgar, or that would seem silly or nonsensical to him?

"Sully... Sully?" She panted.

Through those mysterious channels through which only they could communicate, enabling them to understand each other without a single word being spoken, even feeling the other's emotions over great distances, Sully guessed his wife's intentions. Though she was able to express her enjoyment with sensuous sighs and moans, and she could even indicate her needs by guiding his hands or his mouth, by controlling the pressure, the rhythm, she still hardly ever dared to say anything of a sexual nature in plain English. And Sully wanted nothing more at that moment than to encourage her to formulate her wants more openly.

"Tell me."

-...

"Tell me, 'Chaela."

"I..."

"Yes?"

"Sully, please," she sighed, almost convulsively tightening her embrace. He knew what her plea meant, but did not want to let her off so easily. His movements become faster and deeper, eliciting a long, guttural moan from Michaela, while a violent shudder shook her body.

"Do you like it like this?"

She vigorously nodded her head, her eyes glazed over in pleasure.

"So tell me," Sully demanded.

Lost, out of breath, she could hardly utter:

"It is... let yourself... go... it's all right!"

Sully did not need more to lose all control of himself and their encounter ended in a supranatural, blinding climax, pleasure hitting them simultaneously, leaving them panting, exhausted and finally sated. The rug, as thick and plush as it was, was not soft enough to sleep comfortably, so the two lovers, drawing on the last shreds of their strength, moved over to the bed and gratefully slipped under the covers. Once there, they let themselves be invaded by a sweet, irresistible lethargy. But neither of them could submit to the pull of sleep just yet, their proximity still needing to be reaffirmed, both in almost desperate need to be assured that their soulmate was right there. Still their entwined fingers, their joined lips continued their dance of love. Sully had come home, but in a certain way, Michaela felt as if she had come home herself after a long, lonely trip. She had regained her place, just as much as he had taken back his.

They snuggled together, just to enjoy their mutual warmth, relishing the sweet sound of their breathing and the peaceful beating of their hearts.

"How come you ain't sleepin'?"

"Mmm, I'm too afraid to wake up and find that you have not come home, that it was just a dream," Michaela answered. "And you, why aren't you asleep? You must be exhausted."

"For the same reason as ya, I reckon..."

"Would you like a massage? It could help you relax…"

"Nah, dontcha worry. I just wanna hold ya is all," he assured, tenderly caressing her shoulder.

Overwhelmed by the words and affection of her husband, Michaela snuggled even closer against his chest and inhaled deeply, drinking in his healthy male scent. At that moment in time, she did not need anything else than to know he was there, protecting and cuddling her...

"Mmmh, where are you going?" Michaela groaned sleepily, stirring from the light doze into which she had unwittingly fallen, and failing to hold Sully back when he suddenly got out of bed.

"Be right back."

As a matter of fact, not more than one minute later, he had indeed returned. He could not hide his joy when Michaela possessively drew him to her and nestled up again into him, like a child. She half opened her eyes and immediately answered his pleased grin with one of her own. How had he missed this mischievous and smug expression!

"You're looking very pleased with yourself... again," she remarked, with a playful wrinkle of her eyebrows.

"Well, isn't it a good sign when my wife throws herself at me?"

"Mmm, I suppose it is... What are you hiding behind your back? Don't tell me you went downstairs to get the jar of honey?"

"Nah, but thanks for the idea... You suddenly make me want something sweet..." With these words, he leant over to her and took her lips for a lusciously slow kiss that made her feel dizzy with amorous languidness.

"So," she asked, after getting back her breath, "what are you hiding from me?"

He held out his open palm to her, presenting her with the olivine. The fire cast its warm light upon the gemstone which took on a beautiful gold-green transparency, like feline eyes... so reminiscent of the nuance Michaela's eyes when they reflected the sunlight shining through the canopy of trees when they were out in the woods.

"Oh Sully! This is wonderful!" she murmured emotionally.

"One of the mine's galleries was full of them..."

"Peridot, isn't it?"

"You know 'bout them?"

"A little. You remember my sister Maureen? She was born in August, so peridot is her birthstone. She has quite a collection of them... It's so beautiful, I love it, Sully! Thank you so much!"

"It's pretty indeed. Truth is, I picked out this one 'cause... it's kinda the same green as your eyes..."

She kissed him before he had time to add more. He was still a little self-conscious about offering her a mere stone, as nice looking as it might be, moreover still in its raw state. But she didn't seem adversely affected by the crudeness of his present. She flung her arms around his neck and passionately claimed his lips, hungry again for his taste, for his breath, for the warm stroke of his tongue upon hers… Sully could only submit to such an enthusiastic proof of her gtatitude.

When she finally deemed having sufficiently thanked him, he told her:

"I should've got it cut and set, but I just couldn't wait no longer to get home to ya…"

"Oh, Sully… it's perfectly fine like this, I don't mind, really. What I care for is the love it symbolizes, not how decorative it might be."

Her statement only served to remind him of her generous and authentic nature, and he silently reproached himself for underestimate it.

"Speakin' of symbols…," he announced, reaching behind to seize the small wooden figurine on the bed stand, "here ya go…"

He had skillfully carved two hawks, their spread wings touching, in a breathtaking likeness of the majestic and harmonious flight they had witnessed together a few times. Once, Sully had revealed that hawks were highly faithful creatures and as such would mate for life. To the Cheyenne, they were also significant – they didn't always herald misfortune, for they also represented protective strength and foresight.

With her understanding of the portent of the sculpture, Michaela felt her heart swell close to bursting with gratefulness for her husband – her mate for life. They kissed, then kissed some more, to make up for all the kisses they had missed for that interminable month of separation. Yet, both were exhausted by four weeks of forced continence and their consequent passionate reunion, so they soon succumbed to the fatigue that swooped down on them, and fell into a deep, peaceful sleep, dreaming only of their loving reunion going on forever.

The next morning, Sully woke up in a seemingly empty homestead, considering the lateness of the hour and the silence all around. No sound of Colleen and Brian galloping up and down the stairs, getting ready for school. They had probably prepared for the day quietly, not wanting to disturb him as he recuperated from the rigors of the trip and the intense work at the mine… And Michaela must have driven them to school and was certainly at the Clinic. He must have been in a deep sleep, for he hadn't heard the wagon…

The bedroom's door opened slowly, and Michaela slipped inside, still in her bathrobe. When she saw that he was awake, she smiled lovingly, and before he could say or do anything, she reclined beside him and kissed him with such ardor that he forgot anything that wasn't her. This was the kind of kiss that had the power to distill a soft, subtle intoxication through the sole touch of their lips, anytime, anywhere they feel the need; whether they were stealing a few seconds from the hustle and bustle of their everyday life, or for hours to no end when they seemed to only live for and by the other's breath. Perhaps more than the joining of their bodies, this was their most intimate way of communicating their love to each other.

As Michaela broke it off to remove her robe, Sully asked:

"No clinic today?"

A gleam of longing lit up the green gold of his wife's eyes as she resumed her position alongside him.

"It depends," she murmured in that sensual contralto she had learned to make a wicked use of.

"Of what?"

"Of how long it takes for you to pay off your debt…"

Sully had a hard time keeping a straight face when he understood what she was referring to. Yet, his sense of humor prompted him to continue the witty exchange.

"So, how much do I owe ya, Ma'am?"

Mimicking the air of a scientist lost in a complex equation, Michaela rolled her eyes exaggeratedly before announcing in a sententious tone:

"According to your written statement, and taking into account a five per cent interest rate cumulative per day of absence, in retribution of the moral prejudice I suffered because of your absence, Mr. Sully, I hereby sentence you to a penalty of one hundred and nine thousand nine hundred and twenty-three kisses. And no suspension!"

They burst into laughter at the same time. Sully delighted at Michaela's rare display of her sense of humor. That one memory he would save and cherish like a treasure more precious than all the gold nuggets and gems he could have brought back from the mine… Just as he would find and keep the small note where she had written down her calculations with endearing precision, so she could take him at his word upon his return. For the time being, however, it was all he could do school his features back into mock seriousness to answer:

"Would you mind terribly if I stretched out the payments...?"

"Mmmhh… considering your reputation of producing top-rated work, I suppose I can afford to be lenient regarding the delivery schedule…" She couldn't remain serious a second longer, overcome by another fit of giggles. The kind of elation she was experiencing at being back in her beloved husband's arms made her feel as light as if she had grown wings and could fly to the heavens, singing out her joy. Presently lost in the paradisiac blue of his eyes, she thought she could never tire of contemplating his handsome features. He used to be so tormented and brooding when she had met him that it doubled her happiness to see him serene for the time being, and looking at her with so much passion, that was only matched by his tenderness and devotion to her.

Words were failing her to fully express how much she loved him, but if there was one thing Sully had taught her, it was that True Love had its own language. Therefore, she decided to begin claiming her dues without further ado.

The contact of his tanned, warm skin seemed beyond electrifying as she ran her hands down his back and writhed sensually under him. They literally talked in the flesh, through shivers, and responding with caresses so familiar as to have become instinctive, knowing their goals by heart… Their hearts beat the same rhythm; they breathed and moved together in perfect unison, their lips parting only to meet again in a deeper, more enthusiastic kiss, as they sought the absolute fusion, beyond all carnal pleasure.

Because the only thing that truly mattered was to be reunited at last with their other half. To be one again.

THE END

[1] I consider the action of the episode "Hell on Wheels" to logically take place before Sully's departure for Nevada, and even before "Dorothy's book"

[2] Indeed Michaela is pregnant. If one considers she gives birth to Katie on May 18th, 1871, two weeks early it means their daughter was conceived around August 25th. My guess is that Sully must have left for Nevada early enough to be back before Halloween, right after the events of "Dorothy's Book" during which Michaela starts experiencing the first signs she's pregnant, but dismisses them as her being upset over the book.