This is my very first fanfic! So please be nice… English is not my native language and I don't have a beta reader, so if there are spelling or grammar mistakes… I'm sorry! But if you want to apply for the job as my beta reader… Be my guest!

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

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

Warnings: Nothing graphic, but there are references to child abuse! Oh, and I really suck at the towns geography. So I apologize to all the fans who do know exactly what Colorado Springs looks like and where which building is standing… Because I really don't, so I made up some things… So maybe this story is slightly AU… : )

Summary: A stranger visits Colorado Springs. Not everyone is happy to see him…

Chapter 3

John stood in his hotel room and looked out of the window. He heard the church bells and knew the mass was over. He hated going to church. He didn't believe in God and all that. At least not anymore. He stopped believing a long time ago.

He looked over at the church and saw many of the citizens walking outside. He recognized many of them as he had met most of them in the last two days. He smiled, remembering a few of these meetings. Oh, how he had loved his meeting with Michaela Quinn! He would definitely visit her a few more times. He saw her walking out of the church. She looked stunning! She wore a beautiful blue dress with a hat in a matching color. There was no doubt now that she was from the city. And that she was wealthy. Otherwise she wouldn't be able to afford a dress like that. Two children walked beside her. A young blond boy and a beautiful blond girl. They obviously were brother and sister. Were they hers? Could it be that Michaela Quinn was their mother? But who was the father then? There was no man near Michaela. Well, I'll figure that one out, he thought.

He watched as most of the townsfolk walked in the direction of Grace's Café. John thought of going there as well, but he wasn't ready yet… He wasn't ready to see him… Him… The man that was responsible for everything… for everything he had been through in the last 20 years… He clenched his fists at the thought of this man. Anger welled up inside of him. And hate, so much hate…

Then he smiled. He had a feeling what the townsfolk would be talking about at Grace's Café. All conversations would be about him. After all, he was the new big attraction in this small town. And he had made a favorable impression to most of the people he had met. Oh, how I'd love to see the look on his face when they talk about me… When they say nice things about me… He chuckled at the thought. That would really piss him off…

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Grace's Café was crowded as always on a Sunday. Every Sunday many townspeople would come to Grace's Café after church to have lunch. Today was no different. Dr. Mike sat down at one of the last free tables and looked around for Sully. He said he would be here, she thought as she couldn't spot him. "Can I have some of Grace's pie, Ma?" Brian asked and looked at her pleadingly. "MAY I have some pie," she tried to correct him, but she knew it would no of no avail. "Of course you can, Ma!" Brian said, "but that means I can have some too!" He ran away from the table to get the piece of pie he was after. Dr. Mike sighed and wondered if he'd ever learn… Then she saw Sully approaching her table.

"Hey Sully," she said as he gave her a nod, "where have you been?" He sat down at the table and sighed. "I just needed some time to think, Michaela. Sorry if I worried ya." He looked into her eyes and was surprised that he saw understanding in them. "Oh, it's alright, it's just…" she replied not really knowing what she was trying to say. "Oh I don't know… Can we just pretend that nothing happened? I hate not seeing you… and fighting with you. I love you, you know!" Sully looked up at her and smiled. "I know that… I love you too! You and the kids… Just… Just don't try to change me, Michaela. I like who I am. And believe me, it took me a long time to learn to be happy with myself. Don't take that away from me…" As she listened to his speech she closed her eyes. She knew she'd hurt him. "I'm so sorry Sully! I know I do that sometimes… Trying to change people I mean… Can you forgive me?" she almost looked at him pleadingly. Sully couldn't help but smile. "Of course I forgive you," he said, "Now let's eat! I'm hungry…"

As they ate Dr. Mike heard the people around her talking about the arrival of John Kerrigan. She had to smile when she heard his name and remembered the day they had met. Oh how charming the man was. Then she heard Dorothy ask her a question: "Have you met this John Kerrigan already, Michaela?" She turned her head and looked at Dorothy. "Yes I have," she replied. "Oh, I met him as well! Isn't he just charming and handsome!" Dorothy said enthusiastically. "He even gave me a compliment about 'The Gazette'. He thought it looked very professional." Michaela had to laugh. The way Dorothy was acting reminded her of a teenage girl who had just met the most gorgeous boy in town. "That's real nice Dorothy," she said with a smile.

"Well don't take it into your head Dorothy," Loren called, "You're way too old for him!" The comment got a big laugh from almost everyone. "Loren!" Dorothy exclaimed, but decided to say nothing more. "Well, I like having the man around," Loren said, "he ordered three very expensive suits at my store yesterday!" "Three expensive suits, Loren?" Jake asked, "Well, that should be good for business then!" Loren nodded happily. "Well, this man could be good for everybody's businesses," Jake said. Suddenly everyone was quiet and looked at Jake suspiciously. "As all of us can see the man is very, very wealthy. So I asked him what business he was in. And you know what? He's a banker and an investor. He may be willing to invest in this little town," Jake explained, feeling very proud of himself.

Some people started to cheer and as he looked at their faces he saw excitement and gratitude.

Not everyone shared these feelings however. "Is that so?" Jake heard a gruff voice saying. He turned around and saw that it was Hank. "What do ya mean Hank?" Jake asked. "What I mean is, we don't know anything about this guy… Who says he ain't foolin' us? What makes you so sure that he ain't someone who's here to steal our money or whatever?" Hank looked at Jake, daring him to go into discussion with him. "Oh Hank," Loren said, "Look at the way he dresses! His whole behaviour He's just a nice man from the city that wants to make this town a better place! What's wrong with that?"

"I didn't ask you anything Loren," Hank shot back and continued to look at Jake. "I'm with Loren, Hank," Jake said. "There's no reason why we shouldn't trust this man. We've all met him, and talked to him. He's a good man! Besides, I checked with some people in Denver. He does own a bank there."

Hank sighed and remained quiet.

"I'm with Hank," Sully said suddenly, who hadn't said anything during the whole conversation. "He's right… What do we really know about him? Except that he's a banker… Does anyone know WHY he's really here? You obviously told him so many things about yourselves, but what did he tell you about him? I think we should find out a little bit more about him before we do business with this man. It ain't the first time we've been fooled…" Hank looked over at Sully and nodded his thanks to him. He was grateful that at least one person was supporting him in this. "Well, I think we should do this," Jake said. "Wait a minute! You two haven't met him yet, have you?" Sully and Hank slowly shook their heads. "Well, I'll have him come over to the saloon tonight! Then you can both meet him. You'll see that I'm right! We have nothing to worry about! Be there at nine…" Not giving the two man a chance to respond he stood up and left. Hank sighed. "Oh, he's real nice!" Michaela said to the two men. As they eyed her suspiciously she looked away and blushed a little. Great! Sully thought, The woman I love is attracted to a man who is old enough to be her father! Will I ever figure this woman out? He sighed and decided to finish his lunch…

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As lunch was over, everyone left Grace's Café and went home. From a distance John Kerrigan was watching… again. He saw Michaela Quinn again with the two children. He really admired her beauty. Then he caught sight of a tall man walking behind her. He clenched his fists as he recognized him immediately. You dirty bastard! When I get my hands on you… and I will… you'll regret the day you were born… He followed the figure that was now walking past the hotel. He couldn't help but to feel hate towards this person. He swore vengeance on this man. He'd make him pay… He'd make him pay for what he did 20 years ago… Oh yeah, he would get what's coming to him… Hank Lawson would pay the price…

TBC

Muwhahahaha! Surprise! Not Sully's eyes after all… Please don't hate me: ) So, what do you think? I have to tell you, I had real difficulties writing this chapter… I just hope I haven't messed up totally…