English is not my native language and I'm still looking for a beta reader, so if there are spelling or grammar mistakes… I'm sorry! But you can still apply for the job as my beta reader!

Disclaimer: Sadly, I do not own the characters of "Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman"… One Beth Sullivan does… But I do own the characters Jonas "John" Kerrigan and Elena!

Rating: I don't know anything about these ratings, but let's say T or PG-13. Just to be safe...

Warnings: I know that in the official Dr. Quinn timeline Hank's Nana is introduced in Season 4, so after Dr. Mike's and Sully's wedding. However, in my story they aren't married yet, but they already do know Ilse. So, in my timeline the events concerning Hank and his Nana in the episode "Woman of the Year" have already happened. So this story is slightly AU… I hope it doesn't bother you…

This story is the sequel to "Past Fears" and "Child of Mine". If you haven't read those stories I suggest you do that first. Otherwise this story won't make a lot of sense… I think…

Summary: Hank is trying to pick up his life again, with a little help from Elena. However, there still is a man out there who doesn't want to see Hank happy…

A big thank you to my loyal readers and reviewers! You are great!

Chapter 4

"Good morning" Elena said as Hank walked into the tiny kitchen of the saloon. He looked like he was still asleep, his eyes were half open and his hair was still a bit tousled. He looked up at the sound of Elena's voice and saw her sitting at the kitchen table eating her breakfast. His eyes lit up when he saw her and grinned. "Good morning," he said as he took in her beauty. "I made you some coffee," Elena said in a kind of seductive voice. She pointed at the coffeepot in front of her. "Ya did," Hank said still grinning and sat down opposite Elena. He poured himself some coffee. "Want some?" he asked her. She shook her head. "I hate coffee in the morning… I've got tea!" she said mischievously.

No more words were spoken. They just enjoyed their breakfast and each other. They stared into each other's eyes and smiled at one other. What the hell am I doing? Hank thought. I can't believe I'm acting this way… I must be loosing it… Or I must be in love… Is this what it's like to be truly in love? If it is… It feels damn good! His thoughts wandered back to the day before. To the wonderful picnic they had. He had felt so at peace. And he had really got to know Elena better. She had turned out to be even more beautiful and sweet and lovely than he had thought she was! And they had kissed… She had let him kiss her and she had kissed him back…

He's a good kisser… Elena thought. The kiss had repeated itself over and over again in her dreams last night. Not that I have much to compare it to… But it was a wonderful kiss! And he's even more wonderful… She looked at Hank who was still looking at her as well. He gave her a wink which made her look away shyly. It was amazing how he could make her feel. The fluttery feeling in her tummy just didn't seem to disappear. But it felt good! She felt good. She felt safe… with him…

The comforting silence was brutally interrupted when Jake stormed into the saloon. "Hank!" he called. Both Hank and Elena stood up and left the small kitchen. "Jake?" Hank said as he entered the main room. "What 'd ya want?" Hank said, slightly annoyed that his peaceful breakfast with Elena had been disturbed. Though, the look on Jake's face worried him a little. "It's ya grandma," Jake answered. "What about her?" Hank said a bit more worried. "She collapsed," Jake said bluntly, "I just brought her to Dr. Mike." Okay, NOW I'm really worried! He turned around and looked at Elena. She nodded at him and said: "It's alright! Go!" Hank didn't need to be told twice. He immediately ran away with Jake to the clinic, leaving a worrying Elena behind.

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Hank didn't care to knock on the door, and stormed into clinic. There he found his grandmother lying on the examination table, Michaela right beside her. "Nana! Are ya alright?" he asked her, worry evident in his voice. "Oh, I'm fine Hans," she said and gave him one of her sweetest smiles. Hank wasn't convinced though. "What's wrong with her Michaela?" he asked the woman doctor. Michaela sighed. "I don't know yet, Hank," she answered, "I need to examine her first." Hank nodded and turned to his grandmother again. "Nana, I thought ya were seeing a specialist," he said to her gently. "I am Hans," she said to her grandson, "I don't understand…" Both Dr. Mike and Hank looked at Ilse questioningly. "Hank," Michaela said, "Would you mind waiting outside, so I can examine your grandmother? I'll call you as soon as I'm finished." Hank nodded and stepped outside where he found Jake waiting for him on a bench. "She okay?" Jake asked him. Hank just shook his head. "I don't know…"

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Michaela reached for her stethoscope and placed it on Ilse's chest. She listened carefully to her heartbeat and breathing, which both didn't sound as they should. She put the stethoscope away and decided to take Ilse's blood pressure. She sighed at the results. "Ilse," she said to the old lady on the examination table, "You've never seen a specialist, have you?" "Of course I have!" Ilse protested, but then she looked away and dropped into silence. "Alright," she sighed, "I've seen the man once." Michaela looked at Ilse carefully. "And?" Michaela said softly. "And…" Ilse said, "I didn't like what he told me." Ilse settled herself in a sitting position on the table. "What did he tell you?" Michaela was curious.

Ilse sighed deeply. "I have a serious heart condition, Dr. Mike," she started, "And the only way I can grow really old with it is doing absolutely nothing… well, nothing much anyway. The specialist told me to rest… I had to take it real easy for the rest of my life. He said I couldn't travel anymore, couldn't take long walks, go shopping, etcetera, etcetera. He prescribed me some medication which I had to take twice a day. But they made me feel so tired! I was in bed almost the whole day, every day! I decided I didn't want to live like that Dr. Mike… I'm already pretty old, and I've had a nice life… I just want to make the best of the time I still have left. Quality of life is more important to me now than quantity."

Michaela listened to the old lady and really felt for her. "Is there really nothing they can do?" she asked softly. Ilse shook her head. "No… and even if there was something… I wouldn't want it…" Both women were quiet for a while. "Hank doesn't know about this, does he?" Michaela suddenly asked. Again Ilse shook her head. "No, and I don't want him to know." she answered. Michaela couldn't believe what she was hearing. "Ilse, he has the right to know!" she almost sounded angry. Ilse just smiled at her. "He already has so much on his mind, Dr. Mike," she explained, "So many things he has to deal with… I don't want to worry him." But the lady doctor wouldn't understand. "And what if you suddenly die, Ilse?" she tried again, "What do I have to tell him then?" "The truth…" the old woman answered simply. "He'll feel betrayed," Michaela stated, "Do you really want to do this to him?" Ilse didn't answer.

"Ilse," Michaela continued, "He never got the chance to say goodbye to his son… And I know ho much this pains him… Please Ilse, at least give him the chance to say goodbye to you!" Ilse remained quiet, but the smile had disappeared from her face. "Just think about what I said, alright?" Michaela said gently. Ilse nodded at her. "I want to keep you here overnight," Michaela decided to change the subject. "Your breathing and blood pressure still worry me. I'll have Colleen prepare a room for you." Ilse nodded again at Michaela and smiled at her. "You're a good woman Michaela Quinn…" she said. The comment caused Michaela to blush. She returned the smile and said: "I'll ask Hank if he can pick up some of your things at the hotel." Then she walked outside.

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Dear Diary,

I know I already wrote you last night, but this morning something happened. Hank's grandma collapsed. I know she has heart problems… Hank told me that… I'm so worried about her! And I fear for Hank… He adores her! If she dies… I'm not sure he'll be able to handle that… especially not so soon after

Elena looked up from her diary. What was that? I'm sure I heard something… She stood up and opened the door from her room. She looked down the hall but didn't see anyone. "Hank?" she called, but there was no answer. She walked down the hall in the direction of the stairs. She stopped as she reached the stairs and listened carefully. "Hank, is that you?" she called again. I'm really freaking myself out… She was about to turn around to return to her room when she was grabbed forcefully from behind. She felt the blade of a knife pressed against her cheek.

"Don't. Make a sound…" said an awfully threatening, but very familiar voice…

TBC

Sorry it took so long! But I had to work, I've been suffering from food poisoning AND I had to get over the fact that I'm lousy Dr. Quinn fan… I scored ZERO points during the Dr. Quinn Second Season quiz… But I wasn't alone! LOL! I'm happy to be part of CLUB ZERO…