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…

Thank you for all the reviews! And shame on me! "The two mAn…" Major spelling mistake… I'll try not to rush things, so that the following chapters will be better than the previous ones.

Chapter 4

Hank stood behind the bar of the saloon and looked at the clock. It was 8.30. He clenched his jaw and tried to ignore the bad feelings he was having. He was nervous, although he would never admit that to anyone. He also felt insecure, which was a feeling he hadn't felt in a long time. He had no idea how he would react if he'd come face to face with John Kerrigan. Would he be able to pretend he had never met him before? Or would he just explode and hit him in the face? He watched as several men entered the saloon and then looked at the clock again: 8.35.

Why in hell is he here? Is he here because of me? Or is it something else? Just a coincidence… Why didn't he just stay in Norway? God… I thought he was out of my life for good… I thought I made sure of that… Let's just hope he won't recognize me or anything… Oh, who the hell am I kidding? Of course he'll recognize me… My face is probably etched on his memory just as much as his face is on mine… There's no way I'd forget his face… his voice… his… What time is it? 8.40… Damn! He'll be here in twenty minutes… The moment of truth… He looked up at the ceiling. I know it's been a long time since I've prayed… Hell, I can't even remember the last time… but eh… I could really use some help with this… He shook his head and wondered what the hell he was doing. He stopped believing in God a long time ago; why would God be listening to him now?

His heart skipped a beat when he saw the doors of the saloon swing open. For a brief moment he thought John Kerrigan would be walking in, but then saw it was Sully. "Hey Hank," Sully said and walked to the bar. Hank nodded. "Hey Sully…" He watched the clock again: 8.50. His heartbeat sped up and he even felt himself starting to sweat. "Damn it!" he said out loud. "What's wrong?" Sully asked. "Nothing," Hank sighed as he grabbed a bottle of whiskey and poured its contents into several glasses. "So, they ain't here yet?" Sully asked, stating the obvious. "No," Hank replied. "Ya curious to know what he's like?" Sully asked, trying to start a conversation. "Not really…" Hank said, not really in the mood for a chat. "Well, I am a little," Sully continued, "He must be something if he can get a whole town to adore him." Hank looked at Sully. "Sounds to me that he's up to somethin'. He's trying a little too hard to get people to like him… Don't ya think?" Sully sighed and looked around. "Don't know… But we'll find out soon enough," he pointed at the door, "They're here." Hank swallowed and felt his heart racing when he saw Jake walking into the saloon with John Kerrigan. "Fantastic…" he murmured, hoping that it would all be over soon…

"Gentlemen!" Jake said enthusiastically. "Meet the man you've heard so much about. Mr. John Kerrigan. John, meet Byron Sully" he pointed at Sully and then turned to Hank. "And this is Hank Lawson… he owns this place." John Kerrigan looked at both men. "Well, well, Mr. Sully," he said kindly and offered his hand to him, "I've heard so much about you. Only good things, by the way…" he smiled as Sully nodded and shook the man's hand. "And Mr. Lawson," John said as he offered him his hand as well, "I've heard much about you too." As he said it he smiled. Hank didn't know whether to burst out laughing or to punch the man in the face. He really doesn't recognize me or he's a damn good actor! He took John's hand. The handshake was strong. A little too strong… Hank tried to pull his hand away from John's grasp however John continued to squeeze his hand harder and harder. Although his hand was almost being crushed, Hank didn't move a muscle. He looked into John's eyes… Damn it! He knows… Then John let go. Sully watched the two men and got a strange feeling while doing that. Something wasn't right here. He just couldn't figure out what.

Sully decided this was the time to interrupt the silence. He turned to John. "I heard you're a banker and an investor?" "Yes, I am," John replied. "So you're a businessman," Sully continued," What's your interest in this town? Why invest in it?" John smiled at Sully. "Well Mr. Sully, as you may have noticed… this town is growing! And not just in size and population. Colorado Springs is turning into a very prosperous town. It could turn into a successful city like Denver. Investing in a town like this is good for everybody's businesses as well as for mine." Sully eyed the man suspiciously. "So it's about money?" he asked. John chuckled and said: "Everything is about money these days Mr. Sully. But don't worry… I have this town's interests at heart. And this town won't change overnight… It'll take years!" John tried to reassure Sully, however Sully wasn't convinced.

Sully looked over at Hank who hadn't said a word during the whole conversation. He kept looking at John with this strange look in his eyes. This was so unlike Hank. He usually spoke his mind. Something was definitely off here. He just couldn't put his finger on it. Suddenly Hank spoke. "So… Why don't ya tell somethin' about yaself? Where do you live? Ya married?" He then hesitated but then blurted it out anyway. "Ya have kids?" For a brief moment Hank thought he saw a flash of anger in John's eyes, which gave him a little bit of satisfaction. John was about to answer when Jake interrupted. "Oh come on! We've been over this. Leave the man alone now! He told you why he wants to invest in this town, isn't that enough?" he turned to John, not noticing that Hank's eyes shot daggers at him. Damn it Jake! Those were the questions I needed answers to… I needed to see his reaction… "Can I get you something to drink?" Jake asked John. "Let's go sit over there… There are some other people I'd like you to meet."

John nodded at Jake. "A whiskey please," then he looked at Hank and Sully. "Well gentlemen, it was a pleasure to meet you both. I'm sure we'll see each other again!" He looked at Hank and smiled, his eyes saying much more to Hank. He knew exactly what these eyes were saying: I'll be seeing you again. And when I do… I will not be this friendly… Hank gave him his toughest look, however he could feel his heart pounding in his chest. Then John turned around and walked to the table Jake had pointed to earlier and sat down. Hank poured some whiskey in two glasses and gave them to Jake. "On the house…" he said. He smiled at Jake but didn't really mean it. Sully eyed Hank curiously, but decided not to ask anything. At least not yet… He knew something was wrong… Something was wrong with Hank… Or was it between Hank and John? He didn't know what it was exactly. But he would find out…

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After the last customers had left, Hank closed up the saloon. The place was a mess… as usual. He decided to clean up before going to bed. Usually he'd clean up in the morning, but his mind was racing and he figured he wouldn't be able to sleep anyway. He thought about what happened tonight. About his meeting with John… He had recognized him, which scared him. What was the man going to do? Why is he really here? Hank just kept wondering. As he swept the floor he heard the doors of the saloon swing open. "We're closed," he said, not bothering to turn around to see who it was. He didn't hear the doors again which only meant that whoever entered the saloon was still there. "I said we're…" Hank started as he finally turned around. Then he saw who it was… "Well, well… Hans…" the familiar voice said, "Or do I have to call you Hank now?" "Jonas…" Hank said feeling his heartbeat speed up again. John Kerrigan chuckled and eyed him evilly. "I told you we'd see each other again! And right now… we need to talk…"

TBC

You liked it? Personally I think this chapter is much better than the previous two. I was really on a roll while writing this one! I just couldn't stop writing! It was like the story wrote itself… or something like that… Anyway, it's my personal opinion! Now I'd like to know yours! R&R please!