Re: Say the Words - ch.51 -- The Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman Fan Exchange

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Date Posted: 08:51:20 03/26/03 Wed
Author: dqfan
Subject: Re: Say the Words - ch.51
In reply to: dqfan 's message, "Re: Say the Words - ch.50" on 08:42:32 03/26/03 Wed

CHAPTER FIFTY ONE

"Feel better?" In a hushed voice, Stephanie drew Sophie and Peter into the hallway outside Alexander's hospital room.

Even though Alexander was on oxygen for the smoke inhalation and had been sedated for the pain, Sophie had insisted on seeing him. The visit had, indeed, made her feel much better. Devotedly, she'd sat by his bedside, just stroking his bandaged hand. The burns would heal with time and care. Surgery would not be necessary.

Relieved, Sophie whispered her goodnights and kissed Alex's forehead, remembering to tell him just how much she loved him and thanking him from the bottom of her heart for taking such good care of Peter�

Peter, on the other hand, felt only guilt for his entire handling of the situation. In retrospect, a little more honesty would have been a very good start. But, as he and Sophie stood over Alex's bedside and heard the comforting, steady beat of his heart monitor, Peter was struck by how very lucky all three of them were to be alive and well, and together once more. That outcome was the one result Peter wouldn't change for anything in the world. Hopefully, Alex would feel the same way, too, and forgive his future son-in-law's unorthodox methods and lackluster skydiving abilities.

Moments before Stephanie arrived, Peter made sure to give Sophie a tender kiss on the cheek, fulfilling the one request Alex had made of him.

"It's from your Dad�" Peter answered in response to her quizzical expression. "He asked me to give you a kiss and tell you that he loves you�"

Sophie smiled down at her father, so peacefully asleep. The two men in her life were back safe and sound. Sophie's hands stretched out to her sides, reaching for both Alex and Peter. She was so very, very grateful.

"Thank you for taking such good care of each other," she smiled tearfully, filled with abundant love and pride.

Eventually, Stephanie succeeded in drawing Sophie's attention away from her father's sick room.

"So, do you think you can get some sleep tonight?" she beseeched Sophie once again.

"I'll try�" Sophie promised sincerely.

"Peter, are you sure you won't let me give you a complete physical?" Obviously, Stephanie disapproved of his decision.

"You bandaged my neck and I feel fine, really�" Peter reassured his doctor. "I just want to go home."

"Okay�" Stephanie nodded reluctantly. "Please, call me if you need me."

"We will� Thank you�" They both agreed at once.

"How's he doin'?" Josh joined the threesome in the hall.

"He'll be just fine with a little rest," Stephanie smiled at Alex's latest concerned visitor.

"Don't know how much rest he'll get with the media clamorin' to hear about his death-defying leap from a burning plane," Josh reported excitedly.

"There's even talk at the base about givin' him a medal for saving the lives of all those spectators," he added proudly.

"Guess he got his illustrious farewell after all," Sophie shook her head in amazement at Alex's uncanny ability to turn disaster into triumph.

"I'd be happy to check your cuts and bruises, Josh," Stephanie volunteered, aware that Josh, too, had refused medical attention at the scene.

"Oh, thank you, Ma'am, but I feel fine, really�" Josh echoed Peter's sentiments word for word.

"Where have I heard that before?" Stephanie muttered in exasperation.

"Well, if I can do anything, call me," she rolled her eyes in defeat, leaving, unneeded. "I'll be in my office."

"Can I sit with him a spell?" Josh asked Sophie, as she and Peter prepared to leave also.

"That'd be nice, Josh. Thank you�" Sophie gave the young man a purely platonic kiss on the cheek in gratitude for all he had done.

Any earlier bouts of jealousy faded, as Peter offered Josh his thanks as well. "Couldn't have done it without you, Josh," he extended his hand warmly.

"Sure you could�" Josh chuckled. "You've got a real talent for this. We've just gotta work on your form, is all�"

Peter smirked at Josh's backhanded compliment. "Uh, I don't think so, but thanks."

As Josh made himself comfortable in the chair by Alex's bed, Peter wrapped his arm tightly around Sophie's shoulder, walking them wearily toward the elevator.

It was time to go home�

^^^^^^^

"Peter, stop squirming!" Sophie pushed Peter's hand out of her way for a third and final time.

Successfully, her stern reprimand halted his efforts to stop her from applying a fresh salve and bandage to his neck.

"Soph, I'm fine�" he threw his hands against the mattress in frustration.

Unceremoniously, Sophie placed the palm of her hand flat upon his bare chest and pushed him back on the bed. "Stephanie said the bandage should be changed before bedtime, so lay there and be quiet!"

Immediately, Peter did as he was told and relaxed against the pillows. Folding his arms behind his head, he stretched his body comfortably and crossed his pajama-clad legs.

"Yes, Ma'am!" he grinned, beginning to enjoy this domineering side of Sophie's personality.

Sophie grinned, too, happy to see that Peter, obviously, was feeling so well. Still, she was fearful of hurting him, even unintentionally.

So, as Sophie began applying the ointment lightly with her fingertips, her touch was cautious - even tentative - and so incredibly gentle. Lovingly, she stroked the cool gel downward from his chin to his Adam's apple and then sideways along the width of his collarbone.

Instantly, Peter began to reap the benefits of being injured�

After securing the bandage with care, Sophie attempted to rise from the bed. "All finished�" she whispered, disturbing Peter's heavenly trance.

"Soph�" his voice was husky and low as he stopped her with his eyes. "Stay with me tonight�please?"

"Peter�"

Sophie didn't know what to say. God knows she wanted to. God knows they needed the reassurance that lying in each other's arms would bring. But, after today, neither one of them was in any shape, physically or emotionally, for a passionate encounter.

Intuitively, Peter understood Sophie's reservations. "I just need to hold you, Soph," he promised her.

"I need to hold you, too�" Choking back her tears, Sophie traced a dark bruise on Peter's bicep, finding even his smallest hurt unbearable.

Wordlessly, Peter slid over onto his side, and opened his arms to her, watching as Sophie kicked off her shoes, shut off the lights, and joined him in bed, fully clothed.

Intoxicated by the scent of Sophie's strawberry shampoo, Peter buried himself in her hair and sighed. Curling closer against her back, he smiled when Sophie snuggled warmly into his embrace, openly relishing the feel of his body next to hers.

But, sleep would not come easy� Visions of Peter, hanging by his neck from that harness, invaded Sophie's dreams and she shivered uncontrollably. Quickly, Peter pulled the blankets securely around them both. A quiet sob escaped her lips but Sophie felt Peter's arm tighten about her waist as he smoothed her hair away from her face and kissed the tears from her cheek.

For Peter's part, he was perfectly content to lie there, like that, forever. Sophie's love had given him the strength to survive. Now, it would give him the strength to forget.

Peter knew what he had gone through today, but he couldn't imagine what it must have been like for Sophie, thinking she was about to watch him die. Perhaps, in some ways, his ordeal was far less. Peter shuddered to think how easily their positions might have been reversed, if he hadn't intervened. He would do it all over again in a heartbeat to save her.

Eventually, Peter sensed Sophie's body calm and the steady rhythm of her breathing soon matched his. Even as their eyelids drooped closed, Peter's embrace stayed strong and secure. At last peaceful, he and Sophie drifted off into a much-needed sleep - safe in each other's arms.

^^^^^^^^^^

The morning sunlight came far too soon as Peter rolled over onto his stomach and reached out for Sophie. With eyes shut and arms outstretched, he patted down her side of the bed, only to find it - empty.

"Soph?" he grumbled, cracking open one eyelid. "Where are you?"

"Kitchen�" she replied in a lilting voice.

Hazily, Peter could see her slender form standing in front of the refrigerator.

"Well, come back here," he muttered, wondering what time it was.

Peter rubbed the sleep from his eyes and Sophie came more clearly into view, standing before him now, holding a glass of orange juice.

"How are you feeling?" she asked, clearly worried.

Peter turned over onto his back, ran his hands through his hair and considered the question.

"Sore�headache�sore�" he winced, pulling himself up slowly to a sitting position.

"That's what you get for thinking you're some kind of skygod," Sophie smirked.

"Skygod?" Peter raised a suggestive eyebrow. There was something about the term that he found quite appealing.

"Skygod�" Sophie recited the definition with glee. "One whose ego excels faster than his ability."

"Ouch�" Peter grimaced, much preferring his imagined interpretation.

"Here, drink this�" Cheerfully, Sophie handed him the juice. "It'll make you feel better."

"I want you to take it easy today, okay?" she pleaded. "Remember, we're getting married in less than a month."

Peter took a sip of juice and placed the glass on his bedside table, pretending to be shocked by the news.

"Are we?" he asked, his blue eyes sparkling.

"Well, unless you're backing out on me?" Teasingly, Sophie placed a kiss on his nose.

Gently, Peter placed his hand at the back of Sophie's neck and urged her head downwards until their lips met in a deep, leisurely kiss.

"Not a chance�" he promised her.

Sophie pulled away slowly. "Glad to hear it," she smiled shyly.

A brief, awkward moment followed as the conversation turned suddenly serious, with Sophie summoning the courage to say what had been on her mind since she awoke. "Peter�I'm sorry�I should have told you I was planning to jump..."

"And I should've told you I knew," he confessed equally, stopping her apology by placing his finger on her lips.

Sophie kissed his finger and smiled. "How 'did' you know?" she asked, still curious.

Peter hated to bring up such a sore subject but decided that honesty, from here on out, was definitely the best policy.

"I overheard your conversation with Charles�" he admitted softly.

Sophie was a bit taken aback by Peter's revelation. She'd certainly never imagined he knew anything about Charles! But, especially now, after all they had been through, Sophie was determined that Charles Armstrong would have absolutely no place in her life.

"It's the past," she stated firmly�a little too firmly.

Peter shook his head, disagreeing with her. "It's a part of you, Soph," he whispered quietly. "It's a part of me now, too," he added lovingly.

Sophie didn't know what to say. She only knew that she was the luckiest woman on earth. "Thank you�" was all she could manage, as she rested her hand tenderly over his heart.

"You're welcome�" Peter covered her hand with his, treasuring their good-fortune.

"So�" Peter began with a mischievous twinkle in his eye. "Do you think you could, maybe, take it easy - with me - today?"

Peter's provocative suggestion was cloaked by a boyish tilt of his head and an eager grin.

"Nope�I have the final fitting for my wedding dress this morning," Sophie revealed excitedly. "The store just called to remind me."

"Great�let's go�Can't wait to see it�" Peter taunted, full of mischief and the joy of being alive.

"Nice try," she laughed, "but Charity and I will be going alone. I popped over to the trailer to tell her and she'll be ready in a half an hour."

"C'mon, Soph�" Peter whined petulantly, "Just one little peek?"

The look on Sophie's face matched her determination. "No way, Sparky�not a chance!"

Then, with a very happy face, Sophie twirled and headed for the shower, leaving "Sparky" lunging at thin air.

^^^^^^^^^^

Peter dressed casually in his most comfortable sweatpants and sweatshirt and a baseball cap turned backwards atop his head. He'd shower later after Sophie was finished.

His breakfast consisted of orange juice, some aspirin and a slightly burned piece of toast. Nevertheless, Peter sat at the kitchen table and munched contentedly. In fact, he was about to reach for the newspaper on the counter when the doorbell rang.

Rising a little too quickly from his chair caused the room to spin and the headlines blurred for a moment. Peter shook his head and placed his hand on the counter in order to steady himself. Walking toward the door, he made a mental note to eat something more substantial than toast as soon as possible.

"Good grief, you still look terrible," Charity quipped, eyeing her nephew's unkempt appearance. "And, toast is not a proper breakfast�" she continued, barging right in.

"Glad to see you, too, Aunt C.," Peter kissed her warmly as she sailed by.

"Thanks for offering to stay in the trailer last night," he added gratefully.

"Should I plan on staying there, now, until the wedding?" Charity fished none-too-subtly.

The doorbell conveniently came to Peter's rescue. "I'll get back to you on that," he winked, answering it swiftly.

"Hi, Peter�" Daisy and Ezra were never far away these days, it seemed.

"Mrs. Mitchell," they greeted Charity politely.

"Good morning, children�" Charity replied affably.

"So, how're you feeling?" Peter's unexpected visitors inquired on behalf of all the Cliffhangers.

"I'm fine, thanks�but shouldn't you be at school?" Peter appreciated the concern but he'd appreciate their good grades even more.

"We're volunteering at Oakhaven today," Eza answered sprightly. "So, we told everyone we'd stop by here to check on you first."

At the mention of Oakhaven, Peter's guilt returned once again. He hadn't exactly given those poor old folks the most relaxing of outings yesterday.

"Hope I didn't cause any heart attacks�" he worried aloud, as a thought suddenly occurred to him. "Maybe I should drive you over there and give them a chance to see for themselves, I'm okay."

"Great! We could use the ride�" Ezra approved of anything that kept him from taking that rickety old bus into town.

Just then, Sophie emerged from the bathroom, dressed and ready for her trip into Vancouver. She was a bit surprised to see that she and Peter had guests.

"Am I late?" she asked Charity nervously.

"Not at all, dear, but we should leave soon�" Charity tapped her watch, fully aware that her main duty, as matron of honor, was to continually remind the bride about�everything.

Sophie nodded agreeably, then turned her attention to Daisy and Ezra.

"And what are you two doing here?" she asked, in a pleasant, yet suspicious, tone of voice.

"Peter's going to take us to Oakhaven," Ezra explained succinctly.

"What?" Sophie scowled but had little time to object. "I thought you were going to rest," she eyed Peter sternly as she and Charity headed for the door.

"It's just Oakhaven, Soph," he promised her. "I'll drop in long enough to say hi to Ted, let everyone see that I'm fine, and then I'll come right home."

Sensing that Sophie wasn't entirely convinced, Peter sought reinforcements.

"Daisy and Ezra'll make sure I don't overdo�won't you?" he encouraged them openly.

"Sure�" Ezra piped up quickly.

"Absolutely�" Daisy concurred, taking her duty most seriously.

Outnumbered, Sophie agreed begrudgingly, comforting herself with the fact that Peter would be visiting a medical facility, after all.

"I guess so�" she pursed her lips in a tiny smile. Sophie had so many things to do today that her mind was positively racing.

"I'll meet you back here after lunch so we can be at the hospital in time to see Dad during visiting hours," she reminded him with a quick peck on the cheek.

"I'll be here�" Peter nodded obediently, snatching a full kiss on the lips before she left.

"Peter, we should go, too," Ezra nudged diplomatically. "I have rounds this morning�" he boasted grandly.

"Rounds?" Peter shot Daisy an amused look.

"He delivers breakfast�" Daisy reported nonplussed.

"Oh, we wouldn't want to be late for that." Peter turned quickly for his keys and felt the room spin once again.

"Peter?" Daisy and Ezra both reached for him simultaneously.

"It's nothing�" he reassured them swiftly, regaining his balance almost immediately.

"Just haven't had much to eat this morning," he comforted them with a sheepish grin.

"There's always plenty left over at Oakhaven," Ezra offered helpfully, as Peter herded them out the door.

"C'mon�" Peter laughed good-naturedly, hoping, with any luck, he might be able to snatch a breakfast that consisted of more than toast�

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Replies:

Re: Say the Words - ch.52 -- dqfan, 08:55:14 03/26/03 Wed
- Re: Say the Words - ch.53 -- dqfan, 09:00:07 03/26/03 Wed
  - Re: Say the Words - ch.54 -- dqfan, 09:04:41 03/26/03 Wed
    - Re: Say the Words - ch.55 -- dqfan, 09:07:41 03/26/03 Wed