I do not own the characters of Jonny Quest, 1960's TV version. Only borrowing them for this story as there are some questions never answered in this run of the series.

House in the Florida Keys

Dragonlots aka Dana Bell

Chapter 1

How does one prepare for something like this? Dr. Benton Quest asked himself as he slowly opened the nursery door. Sitting in the wooden rocker his wife had purchased only a few short weeks ago, the nanny held his son, Jonny, in her arms. The baby looked so peaceful, his tiny eyes closed and his blond hair, so much like the woman who had given him birth, smoothed over his head.

He pulled his eyes away to examine the room the two of them had so lovingly decorated. They had painted the walls yellow since they had no idea if they'd have a boy or a girl. The dark wooden crib sat near the wall with the colorful quilt his wife had made over the mattress. Light sneaked in despite the checkered curtains of green and white. A few stuff animals sat on a shelf and a large oriental rug covered the hardwood floor.

The entire room reminded him of his loss and all he wanted to do was retreat from the world. Hide in his anguish so painful he felt he couldn't breathe. Her face haunted him in his sleep and interfered with his work. Worse, the police had informed it hadn't been an accident. His wife had been murdered. He had no doubt one of his many enemies had been after him and taken her by accident, or perhaps by intent.

His fault, not matter who they'd meant to kill.

Quietly closing the door, he continued down the white hallway to his lab. Once alone he stared at the equipment, his notes still open and incomplete on his desk, and the unfinished experiment he'd been working on. He hadn't been able to finish since the call had come. The one which had taken his wife who he loved, his son's mother, away permanently.

He sank to the cold floor, trying to fight the sobs threatening to overcome him. There had been so much to do after he'd received the news. Arrange the funeral, hire a nanny, and inform his employers he needed time off. They'd objected letting him know his work was too important to interrupt. Benton had ended up hanging up. They didn't really understand he needed time to recover from his devastating loss.

Had it really only been five weeks ago? He hadn't been able to work since then. Wasn't sure he wanted to. Everything he'd done had been for their future. For their son and for the other babies his wife had wanted and he would have gladly given her.

Benton felt dampness escape his blue eyes and escape down his face. He'd starting growing a beard just before she'd died and although his wife had teased him about it, she approved. "Makes you look distinguished," she'd told him, running her fingers through his dark reddish-brown hair.

"Oh, God, I miss you!" he wailed into the cluttered room, his hands covering his face, his emotions overwhelming him and cracking through the control he'd tried to maintain. "It's not fair. It's not fair!"

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

The island Dr. Quest lived on looked fairly secure and easy to guard, Race Bannon decided as the helicopter set down near the plane parked on the runway. He gave the pilot a half wave and said, "Thank you," before grabbing his suitcase and gear. His feet made no sound on the pavement and he walked toward the house, listening as his ride lifted off.

"You won't have an easy time of it," his employers had told him. "Dr. Quest has just lost his wife and we are uncertain how this has affected him or his work."

"I can handle it," he'd assured the dark suited men in the gray sterile room where they'd met.

"You had better. His work is too important to sit idle." One of the dark suits had shoved a thick document across the metal table. "This is all you need to know about him."

"What about his wife's murder?" Race had looked over the table, narrowing his eyes when the other refused to meet his gaze.

"Best left to the police." The other tapped the table with his finger. He had such a normal looking face, Race doubted he could have identified him during a police lineup. "Your job is to protect Dr. Benton Quest and his son."

"Why me?" He didn't really know anything about kids. He'd been single with an on again, off again relationship with Jade.

"You are well qualified and come highly recommended." The man opened a file. "Experienced in hand to hand combat, proficient with firearms, a licensed pilot, mechanical skills, and well- travelled." The thick folder closed with a thud. "All the skills you need to keep Dr. Quest safe."

Why Race had finally agreed, he couldn't remember. Maybe it had been the lost expression on Dr. Quest's face taken, without him knowing, at his wife's funeral. Maybe it had been the little baby squirming in his father's arms. Maybe it had because they'd dropped a veiled threat about his mercenary and making certain the right 'people' knew where he was. Or maybe, he was just tired of being alone, since Jade had left again, leaving him with no purpose in his life.

His mind returned to the present. Straightening his back, he walked purposefully to the house, his red shirt sticking to his back due to the humidity. Taking in the outside layout, he spotted places where potential traps could be set and protections he needed to put in place to keep the good doctor and his son safe.

He reached the door and knocked, unsure why he felt a bit nervous, as if this was the most important meeting of his life. His dark eyes shifted from side to side, an old habit which had saved his life more than once. Race kept his body on edge, always ready to fight. He rarely relaxed.

The door swung open. Standing before him was the man he'd been assigned to protect. One glace told him Dr. Quest probably hadn't slept much, his face haggard and his clothes being rumpled. A faint mustiness told him the man needed to take a long hot bath.

"Dr. Quest, I'm Race Bannon."

"I know who you are. I told them I don't need a body guard."

Luckily, he'd been prepared for any objections. "I understand just as I'm sure will that you don't have a choice."

"Did you?" Dr. Quest's question caught Race off guard.

"That's not important." Deflecting always proved to be a good tactic. "Look, it's a bit warm out here and I'd like to come in. May I?" He wondered if he'd be allowed or forced to sleep in the hanger.

Dr. Quest sighed, his shoulders sagging in defeat. "Come on in. Might as well make the best of it." He stepped away.

Quick to take the advantage, Race pushed open the screen door and entered the house. Instantly he felt cooler and wondered how Dr. Quest had managed it. "Thank you."

With a shake of his head, Dr. Quest pointed down the hall. "Don't thank me yet. Your room is the first door on the right. Mine is at the end and Jonny's is in between."

"Once I get settled, do you mind if I take a look around?"

"Not at all." Quest turned the opposite direction. "Before I forget, I hired a nanny. Her name is Lisa Simmons. She's in the room across from my son."

No need to tell Dr. Quest he'd already been briefed. Their mutual employers had sent the woman to help out with the child, but hadn't said much else. He wondered if she worked for them or if she'd been referred like he had.

Once in his room, he looked around. The walls had been painted a pale orange brown and a twin bed sat against one side. A window gave him a view of the beach and the ocean beyond. He quickly stowed his gear and wanted to take a walk around the grounds. Time for him to get to work.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Dr. Quest ran water in his bathtub and lowered his body into it. The warmth embraced him and he sighed, wondering why it had taken him so long to realize he needed this. He closed his eyes, resting it against the hard surface.

His busy mind quieted and he took a deep breath. Benton hadn't expected to be a peace any time soon. He relished these few moments.

He jerked awake a while later, the water cooling around his exhausted body. More tired than I realized. Groggy, he managed to sit up and wash, before preparing to get out. Reaching for a towel, he froze. Slithering across the faded green linoleum a yellow, black and red snake slithered toward him.

Recognizing the poisonous Coral snake, Benton wondered if he'd live to see Jonny grow up.