This piece of Fan Fiction is my attempt to resolve some strife from the poor ending to "Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman" when it came to Matthew Cooper. I hope you people enjoy my attempt at wrapping up the loose strings of Matthew's life!

It was late on Thursday evening in early April. Most of the children had already gone to bed, and the few that had not were slowly but surely making their way upstairs. Jo and Nick were talking by the fireplace in the parlor. They had been married for only five days, and they both liked this new life they had together as one.

Outside the house a dark figure snuck through the trees and shadows and then approached the house. The an peered into the parlor window and saw Nick and Jo pleasantly talking. He smiled and then turned to walk up the porch steps. He raised his right fist up and knocked loudly on the front door.

"I wonder who that is?" Jo said. "Are you expecting anyone?"

"Nope," Nick said as his brow furrowed.

They both stood up and went to the front door together as the man continued to knock.

"Coming!" Jo called.

Nick opened the door and found a young man looking rather unsure about his presence.

"Hello," Nick. "Can I help ya?"

"Uh, yeah," the man said. "Can you let me rent a room for the night? I'm visiting a friend here in Concord, but she wasn't at her house when I arrived."

Jo studied the young man thinking he looked rather kind and good-hearted.

"You can stay in the guestroom," Jo said with a smile.

"Thanks. Matthew Cooper," he said as he entered the house.

"It's nice to meet you, Mr. Cooper."

"Call me Matthew."

"I'm Jo Riley, and this is my husband Nick."

"Nice to meet ya," Matthew said as he shook Nick's hand.

"Are you hungry?"

"A little, yes."

"Well, just follow me into the kitchen, and I'll get a plate of something for you."

"Thanks, Mrs. Riley."

"Please, call me Jo."

"Thanks, Jo."

"So, how long have you two been married?" Matthew asked as Jo sat a plage of leftovers on the table.

"Five days."

"Ah, newlyweds Y'all happy together?"

"Very. So, where are you visiting from?"

"Oh, well, my sister and her husband are living in Boston right now, so I came to Concord from there. I come from Colorado Springs, Colorado, though."

"My, you've certainly come a long way."

"It's not too bad. It's worth it to see my sister. She and I don't get to see each other too much anymore. She moved to Pennsylvania about a year ago to study medicine, and then she and her husband moved to Boston. They're going to be there for a few months on an internship, then head back to Philidelphia for a few more years, and then they'll go back to Colorado Springs to practice with our Ma."

"Two women doctors in the same family?" Jo said with surprise.

"Yeah. They've both worked real hard. When Dr. Mike came to Colorado Springs six years ago, she inspired Colleen to study medicine."

"Mike?"

"Oh, Michaela. We just call her Dr. Mike."

"Is she not your birth mother?"

"No, ma'am. She adopted my brother, sister, and I after our ma died."

"I'm so sorry."

"Dr. Mike was a good ma, though. She took some getting used to, but she was good for us."

"So, who are you here visiting?"

"My friend Emma. She left Colorado Springs about two years ago. She started writing me when she settled here in Concord, and when I decided to visit Colleen and Andrew I figured I'd come over to Concord to visit her."

"Emma the seamstress?"

"Yeah. You know her?"

"Yes. She does all of my sewing."

"So, do you know where she went?"

"She was in her shop this morning. I went and picked up a new dress for Nan."

"Well, I'll go back into town in the mornin' to see if she's there."

"Guest room's ready," Nick said as he entered the kitchen. "Jo, I'm headed up to bed. G'night, Matthew."

"Thank you, Nick," Matthew said. "Good night."

"Let me take that for you," Jo offerred when she noticed he was finished.

"Oh, thanks."

Jo placed the dishes on the counter and then showed Matthew to the guest room.

"Good night, Matthew. I'll make sure you're up in time for breakfast, all right?"

"Thanks, Jo. Good night."

"So, what'd ya find out?" Nick asked as Jo climbed into bed.

"Well, he's from Colorado, and he's visiting his sister and brother-in-law in Boston. He came here to visit Emma."

"The seamstress?" Nick asked as he rolled over onto his side.

"Yes. Apparently, they're old friends. She lived in Colorado Springs for a while, and then I guess she just decided to move. Oh, and Matthew's sister, Colleen, is a doctor, and so is their mother."

"You'll have to let Nan know about that."

"Yes, I will. I'll tell her first thing in the morning."

A soft rapping at the door startled Jo as she sank into Nick's arms.

"Who is it?" Nick asked.

"It's me, Rob."

"Come in, honey!" Jo called. She sat up in the bed and watched her young son come into the room, dragging his blanket on the floor behind himself. "What's the matter?"

"I had a nightmare." Rob climbed up into the bed in between Nick and Jo.

"Well, everything will be all right. Do you want a glass of milk?"

Rob nodded his head, so Jo climbed out of bed and went downstairs to get him some.

"So, Rob, what was your nightmare about?" Nick asked.

"I was being chased by a big bear that kept growling at me. And then he caught me and ate me."

"He ate you?"

"Yeah."

"Well, you're all right now, Rob. No bear's gonna ever eat you as long as I'm around, okay?"

"Thanks, Nick!" Rob smiled and threw his arms around Nick's neck.

Jo came back into the room a few minutes later with the glass of milk and found Rob asleep in Nick's arms. She smiled at the sight of her son so readily adapting to having Nick as his father.

"Well," she said quietly. "I guess he won't be wanting this milk."

"I'll get him into his bed," Nick said as he climbed out of bed and picked up Rob. He slowly walked out of the room and down the hall to put Rob back in his own bed.

"Nick," Jo said after he closed the door.

"Yes?"

"Thank you."

"What for?" Nick laid down in bed and pulled the covers up over his chest.

"For just being you."

Nick smiled and kissed Joand then fell asleep with her in his arms.

"Good morning, Nan!" Jo said as the young lady entered the kitchen.

"Mornin', Mrs. Jo."

"I have some exciting news for you."

"What's that?"

"We have a guest staying here whose mother and sister are both doctors!"

"Really?" Nan said. This news sparked her attention, so she immediately began listening to Mrs. Jo intently. "Well, where are they?"

"His mother lives in Colorado, but his sister lives with her husband in Boston."

"Do ya think we could visit them?"

"I suppose so. I'll ask Matthew when he comes down to breakfast."

"A woman doctor…wow! And Dr. Pierce said I'd never make it as a doctor…"

"What is this place?" Matthew asked Nick in the barn after breakfast.

"It's a school," Nick answered. "Jo and her first husband started Plumfield about six years ago. When her husband died three years ago, she was determined to keep the school going. I came into the picture and, well, we're pretty much up to date."

"How many kids are here?"

"Uh, about fifteen, I think. You'd have to ask Jo for an exact count."

"So, you take care of everything around here, right?"

"Yep."

"Is there anything I can do to help? I don't want to just sit around all day."

"Sure. You can help me fix a couple of fences."

Nick led Matthew over to the broken fence, and they began repairing it together.

"You and Emma are friends, right?" Nick asked.

"Yeah. She and I were engaged, but she ended up decidin' to move. I didn't really want to leave Colorado Springs, and she didn't want to stay there, so it all just ended. She wrote me about three months ago, right after so moved to Concord, and then we started writing more often."

"What are you gonna do when you go to see her?"

"Don't know. I figure I'll know when I see her, though."

"Matthew!" Jo called from the back door.

"Yes, Jo?"

"I was just about to head into town. Would you like to join me?"

Matthew looked at Nick who responded with, "Go on and see her. I can get Dan to help me with this later."

"Thanks!" Matthew hurried into the house and found Jo in the kitchen holding a baby. "Who's this?"

"Oh, this is my nephew Franz's son, Jeremy. Jeremy's brother and sister are upstairs sleeping."

"How old are they?"

"They're all about three weeks old."

"Triplets?"

"Yes. Two boys and a girl - Jeremiah, Braeden, and Laura. Are you ready to go?"

"Sure, if you are."

"Let me take this little tiger upstairs to his mama, and then we can leave."

Jo walked slowly up the stairs to Isabelle's room and then returned a few minutes alter. She and Matthew walked out the front door, climbed into the carriage and headed into town.

"Let's see," Jo muttered. "Emma's Dress Shop is the last stop on my list. She has a dress for Nan."

Matthew silently followed Jo down the street, wringing his hands and nervously darting his eyes.

"Well, here we are," Jo said cheerfully.

Matthew opened the door for Jo and quietly slipped in behind her. The bell above the door jingled pleasantly, and Emma came out of the backroom with a piece of delicate white lace in her hands.

"Good afternoon, Jo," Emma said with a smile.

Matthew had his back turned and was looking at some fabric on a table.

"Can I help you, sir?" Emma asked when she noticed him.

"Uh, yeah," Matthew answered. "I'd like to get this for my sister. How much is it?" Matthew turned to look at Emma with a piece of beautiful calico in his hands.

"Matthew!" she exclaimed. Emma dropped the lace on the floor and hurried over to Matthew. "How are you?" Emma threw her arms around Matthew's neck and held him tight.

"I'm fine. How are you?"

"Good. How's the family?"

"I just came in from seein' Colleen and Andrew, and they seem as happy as they can be. Dr. Mike and Sully are going to have another baby. Let's see, um, Katie is starting to talk pretty good now, and Brian's in love."

"Brian's in love? How old is he now?"

"Fifteen."

"Do I know her?"

"No, she moved into town just a few months ago."

"Well," Jo interrupted, trying her best to not be rude. "I'm going to go visit Laurie. Matthew, that's just two doors down on the right. You can find me there, all right?"

"Sure," Matthew grinned. "I won't be long."

Jo exited Emma's Dress Shop and headed down the sidewalk to visit Laurie.

"So, what made you come here?" Emma asked.

"I wanted to see you."

"Me?" Emma seemed rather surprised.

"Yeah. I was hopin' maybe we could spend a few days together, catchin' up and all. My train doesn't leave from Boston until Monday."

"That would be nice, Matthew."

"This is a real nice place you got here."

"Thank you! I've worked real hard to get it fixed up just right. Jo has helped a lot, well, her and her sisters. They helped me establish my customer base here in Concord. It seems like I've been living here all my life, eventhough I've only been here four months! The people are just so friendly and accepting. Oh, have you been out to Walden Pond, yet?"

"No, I haven't."

"Oh, then we must go there together this afternoon for a picnic."

"Okay. I'll come back into town at about one o'clock."

"Oh no, I'll come out to Plumfield. It's closer to Walden Pond if we leave from there."

"Sounds great. I'll see you in a few hours."

"Bye, Matthew."

"Nan, can we talk for a minute?"

"Sure, Nat." Nan came out into the hallway, and the two friends walked downstairs and out of the house together.

"What is it, Nat?"

"Well, uh, this is kinda hard. Um, Nan, I'm leaving Plumfield."

"You're kidding, right?" Nan responded in an attempt to gather her thoughts after this abrupt and heart- wrenching news.

"No, Nan, I'm not kidding."

"But why are you leaving?"

"Mr. Laurence has been making inquiries about my music with colleges, and there's one in Italy that has accepted me and offered me a full scholarship. If I don't go now, I don't know if I'll e ver get another opportunity like this again."

"Italy?!" Nan's eyes welled up with tears and her heart began to ache. "You can't move to Italy! I won't let you!" Nan took off running into the woods, leaving Nat standing alone in the frontyard deeply saddened at the sight of Nan's broken heart.

"Nat? Is everything all right?"

"Sure, Mrs. Jo," Nat answered, still looking into the woods.

"Was that Nan running into the woods?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"Whatever for?"

"Oh, she just wanted to be alone."

"Oh, well, all right." Jo realized that Nat was not interested in talking, so she turned and went back into the house.

"Hey, Jo."

"Oh, hello, Nick."

Nick took his hat off, lightly kissed Jo, and then sat down at the kitchen table. "So, you got any plans for this afternoon?"

"Actually, I do. Laurie is going to come out for a visit at four o'clock."

"Well, with Matthew's help I finished up all the chores early. I was hopin' maybe you, me, and Rob could go fishin'."

"Class will be over in a little while, so I don't see why not. Laurie won't be here until four o'clock, so we can't fish for very long, but at least we might have time to catch something."

"Jo?"

"Yes, Matthew?" Jo answered as he entered the kitchen.

"I'm goin' on a picnic with Emma in a little while. Just thought I'd let you know, so you wouldn't worry."

"A picnic. That sounds like a lot of fun. I hope you enjoy yourself."

"Thanks." Matthew left the kitchen and walked around the house to the frontyard where he discovered Nat. "Hey, Nat!"

"Oh, hey, Matthew."

"Somethin' the matter?"

"Yeah."

"Wanna talk about it?"

"If you want to listen, sure."

"Go right ahead, Nat."

"Well, I'm having to leave Plumfield to go to a university in Italy, and when I told Nan she got really upset. I know that she'll miss me, but I'll only be gone for two years, and I'll come back to Plumfield for my summer breaks."

"Did you tell her that?"

"She ran off after I told her I'm leaving."

"So, what are you going to do?"

"I don't know. It's not like I can turn down this opportunity. I mean, if she left to go to medical school, sure I'd miss her, but I'd want her to go."

"I'm sure she wants you to go, Nat. She just hurts right now."

"I guess so. I just wish she'd listen."

"Oh, hey, Mr. Laurence," Tommy said when he answered the frontdoor.

"Good afternoon, Tommy. Is Mrs. Jo here?"

"Yeah. She's in the parlor waitin' for ya."

"Thank you, Tommy." Laurie walked down the short hallway and turned left into the parlor. Jo, here you are."

"Oh, hello, Laurie. I'm glad you could make it."

"Just barely. I can only stay for a minute. I'm afraid I have a business meeting at four-thirty. You know that I have been making inquiries for Nat about college, right?"

"Yes."

"Well, a university in Venice has agreed to accept him for two years on a full scholarship."

"That's wonderful! Does Nat know?"

"Yes, I told him this morning."

"When does he leave?"

"He has two weeks until he sails."

"Two weeks?" Jo gasped. "That's no time at all."

"I really do have to leave, Jo, but I must. "

"Thank for you coming by with the news, Laurie. I hope your meeting goes well."

"So do I. This man is rather upset with me at the moment."

"What have you been up to lately?" Emma asked Matthew as he sipped his glass of water.

"Well, I've been studying law in hopes that I can become a lawyer. I'm pretty close to makin' it. What have you been doing since you came to Concord?"

"Mostly just working. I go to church every Sunday, and I visit with Jo. I mostly just work, though. There isn't much else to do around here."

"And you like that?"

"I suppose so. It gets kinda boring at times, but it's better than living out of a suitcase year round. Bein' in one place where you're respected as a person is very nice."

"Is that why you left Colorado Springs?"

Emma felt a sharp sting in her heart when Matthew brought up her departure from Colorado Springs a few years before. She looked down at her fidgeting hands and tried to hide the truth that was begging to come forth. An uncomfortable silence came over the clearing, and Matthew turned his eyes toward Walden Pond.

"I left because I was scared," Emma admitted while still looking down at her hands.

"Scared of what?"

"You, mostly. I mean, you make me look beyond myself and beyond the present moment into the future. Matthew, you touch parts of me that I have kept closed off for as long as I remember, and that frightens me."

Matthew could think of nothing to say, so he simply sat in utter silence hoping that some thoughts would enter his mind. But no words were found.

"Nick!" Jo hollered. Jo walked through the downstairs of the house unable to find Nick, so she walked upstairs to look for him. "Nick!" He continued to not answer Jo's calls. She noticed that the door to their bedroom was closed, which was odd considering that it was only the early evening. Jo quietly opened the door and found Nick asleep in the bed. She smiled and sat down on the bed next to him. "Nick," she said softly as she gently shook his shoulder.

Nick stirred in his sleep and slowly opened his eyes. "Oh, hey, Jo," he said, rolling over onto his back.

"Dinner is ready. Everyone's waiting for you."

"I'm really not hungry," Nick mumbled. He gently grasped Jo's hand and closed his eyes.

"Are you feeling all right?" Jo placed her left hand on his forehead to check for a fever, but he was not warm.

"I'm fine. Just a little tired is all."

"Well, you just go on back to sleep, okay? I'll come to bed later."

"Could you just let me sleep for about an hour? I've got some stuff I need to get done."

"Are you sure?" Jo pursed her lips and looked intently into Nick's eyes.

"Yeah."

"Well, all right. I'll come back up after dinner."

Nick looked up at Jo and placed his right hand on her cheek. She smiled and gently kissed his forehead. Jo stood up and walked out into the hall, quietly closing the door behind herself.

Later that evening Matthew returned to Plumfield without a word. He quietly entered the house and went to the guest bedroom, gently closing the door.

Nat noticed Matthew's silence and grew quite concerned. He walked down the hall to the guestroom and knocked on the door.

"Come in," Matthew muttered.

"Hey, Matthew," Nat said solemnly.

"Oh, hey, Nat." Matthew was busy taking his boots off, so he did not look up to see Nat.

"How was your picnic?"

"It was all right, I guess. How's Nan?"

"I haven't talked to her."

"I'm leaving tomorrow," Matthew said suddenly.

"Tomorrow?" Nat exclaimed. "But you've only been here one day."

"She hasn't changed. She still doesn't want to be with me, so why should I bother her?"

"If that's what you think is best," Nat mumbled. "I'm going up to bed. I guess I'll just see you in the morning."

"Good night, Nat."

"Good night."

"Nan? Are you all right?" Bess came into their bedroom and found Nan crying on her bed.

"Nat's leaving," Nan sniffed.

"Nat's leaving?" Bess's face lit up with concern, and she immediately sat down on the bed next to Nan. "What for? When?"

"He's got a scholarship to study music in Italy for two years, and he leaves in two weeks."

"Two weeks?" Bess gulped. "But that's so soon! What are you going to do, Nan?"

"I don't know. But he can't leave."

"Well, then we'll just have to convince him to stay."

"And how do we do that?"

"I don't know, but I bet Dan will."

The following morning Matthew joined the rest of Plumfield for breakfast and ate in complete silence. He methodically brought his fork to his lips, chewed, and then wiped his mouth with his napkin. He stared down at his plate, rarely looking up at the concerned faces around the table. Jo also ate in silence, observing Matthew's methodical behavior.

After breakfast Matthew packed his old leather valise and said his good-bye's to Jo, Nick, and the children.

"I am so glad you came and stayed with us, Matthew," Jo said sincerely.

"Thank you, Jo, for your hospitality," Matthew nodded.

"Now, if you ever come back to Concord again, you better come to visit us."

"Don't worry, I will. And I'm going to tell Colleen about Nan. I'm sure Colleen will want to meet an aspiring young lady."

Nan beamed at Matthew's remark.

"Well, good-bye."

"Good-bye," Jo lamented. She hated to see Matthew leaving so soon, especially since he and Emma were not on the best of terms. "Please, if you would, when you reach Colorado Springs, send us a telegram letting us know that you made it home."

"I will," Matthew agreed. He turned and walked sullenly down the front steps, down the road, and out of Plumfield. He did not look back as he walked; he instead cast his hard eyes on the horizon ahead. As he walked toward town he debated whether or not to say good-bye to Emma. Fortunately, Matthew's kind spirit led him straight to Emma's door. He opened the door and slipped inside.

"I'll be out in a minute!" Emma called from the back room.

Matthew looked around the dress shop at the dresses hanging on the rack, the bolts of beautiful fabrics, and the shelf covered with lace neatly folded and organized by type. His eyes were drawn again to the beautiful calico he had seen the day before, and he longed to buy enough for Colleen to have a new dress.

"Oh, hey, Matthew," Emma said with an almost disappointed tone.

"I was just comin' by on my way out of town. I thought I'd go ahead and buy this calico for Colleen."

"I'm sure she'll love it." Emma looked at Matthew's hurt face and could not help but long to ease his pain. She knew she wanted to be with him, but with every thought about him came Hank's cold voice - "You're only good for one thing, Emma." She could still hear his piercing words that brought on all of the feelings of worthlessness and shame she longed to abandon.

Matthew turned and headed out the door. The little bell jingled as the doorknob turned, and Emma's eyes flashed up to watch Matthew leave.

"Matthew!"

He stopped halfway out the door, but did not look back to see her face.

"Don't go."

"I got to." Matthew fought the desire within himself to run back to Emma and hold her in his arms.

"No, you don't."

"And why is that?" Matthew sighed. He looked over his shoulder and saw her standing in front of the counter with tears in her eyes.

"Because you can't. Matthew, please. I need for you to be here right now. I don't want you to leave."

"Is there any other reason?"

Emma's heart swelled, but then immediately sank. "You're only good for one thing."

"That's what I thought," Matthew muttered. He walked out the door, letting it slam behind him.

Emma rushed to the door and ran out onto the sidewalk. Matthew had not gotten very far down the street, but Emma felt as though he were an eternity away.

"Matthew!"

He paused in his stride, but then continued walking.

"Matthew, please! Please, wait!"

In a silent attempt to discover Emma's true feelings, Matthew kept walking. Emma grew frustrated and hurried down the sidewalk after him.

"Matthew!" Emma grabbed his arm, forcing him to stand still. "Please don't leave me."

"I got no reason to stay."

"Yes, you do."

His eyes narrowed, and he took a deep breath.

"Matthew, don't go. At least not, yet. I want to go back with you. I want to go back to Colorado Springs and open up a shop there so that we can be together. I want us to get married and have a family. I love you, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you." Emma fought the surges of shame and uselessness with every fiber of her being. She resolved to stand there, facing Matthew until he gave her his answer.

"Are you sure this is what you want?" Matthew sought to guard his heart, for he knew that Emma might change her mind like she had before.

"Yes. And I want to get married right away, before we have to go back to Colorado."

"You're sure?"

"Yes, Matthew." Emma looked intensely into his eyes and convinced him of her sincerity.

"All right, then. Who do we go to in this town to get married?"

"Reverend Charmichael."

"Let's go see him, and then let's get back to Plumfield and let Jo know that I'm going to need the guestroom for another night."

Dan, Bess and Nan all sat in a circle in the barn talking quietly. They had gathered themselves secretly in order to have a few minutes to discuss their plans to keep Nat from leaving Plumfield. p"Maybe if we just make Nat think that Italy's real bad and Plumfield is real good, then he won't leave," Dan suggested.

"But what will we say?" Nan asked. "I mean, don't ya think it's gonna be kinda obvious, what we're doin' and all?"

"Honestly, Nan," Bess interjected. "I don't think Nat truly wants to go. If he did, he would have told everyone by now."

"Hey, guys," Nat said as he climbed up the ladder.

"Oh, h-hi, Nat," Dan stuttered.

"What are you up to?"

"We're just talkin'," Nan shrugged.

"About what?"

"Nothin' really."

"Can I talk to you guys something?" Nat asked as he sat down between Nan and Bess.

"Certainly," Bess said sweetly.

"Nan already knows about this, but a-anyway. Um, I'm leaving to go to Italy for two years. I'll be leaving two weeks from tomorrow."

"Italy?" Dan pretended to be shocked.

"Yeah. Uh, Mr. Laurence got me a scholarship to a university there to study music."

"Oh," Bess smiled. "Well, congratulations, Nat."

"So, um, do you think I should g-go?" Nat's eyes begged for his friends' advice.

"Well, Nat," Bess began. "It is a wonderful opportunity, but if there's any reason why you think you shouldn't go, then I think you should really think about this decision. I'm sure that Father won't make you go if you really don't want to."

Nan and Dan both sat in silence, not quite knowing what to say or how to phrase what few thoughts did enter their minds.

"Maybe," Dan began slowly. "If a school around here found out that you were given a scholarship to go to Italy, they would offer you a better scholarship to study here."

"That's a great idea!" Nan exclaimed.

"Yes, a perfectly wonderful idea," Bess agreed. "Perhaps we should tell Father, and he could make inquiries for you, Nat."

Nat's expression was far from elated. He had not intended for his friends to look for ways to get him to stay at Plumfield. He had hoped that perhaps they would encourage him to go on to Italy. He stood to his feet, walked over to the barn window, and took a look at Mrs. Jo and Nick standing beneath a tree. He left the barn without looking at Bess, Dan, or Nan.