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…

Oh, it's really great to see that you still like my story! And about the relationship between Hank and John… well, maybe this chapter will reveal a little more about that… But remember: Patience is a virtue…

Chapter 5

"We need to talk," John said to Hank. He walked towards him and looked him straight in the eyes. He looked self-confident and Hank knew John meant business. Hank stood tall, pretending not to be afraid of him. John knew better however… "What about?" Hank asked with a strong voice, although he had to work real hard to prevent his voice from shaking. "You know damn well what about," John answered as he drove Hank into a corner. Hank swallowed but continued to look at John as tough as he could. "I don't know what yer talkin' about," he said in a gruff voice. "Well, let's refresh your memory then," John said with a smile. He suddenly grabbed Hank by the throat and slammed him into the wall. Hank was surprised, not just by the action, but also by the man's strength. He knew the man used to be strong, about twenty years ago, but he obviously still had it in him.

Hank grabbed John's hands and tried to make them let go of his throat. He didn't succeed however. "You're hard to find you know that?" John squeezed Hank's throat a little which caused Hank to moan in pain and discomfort. He was still struggling to get out of John's grasp, but John didn't let go. Hank just couldn't believe the strength the man had. Meanwhile John continued his speech. "It took me twenty damn years to find you! I almost gave up you know… but then… one day… I visited a school in Denver, an art school by the way…" he smiled as he saw realization dawn on Hank. Hank's eyes grew wide and he tried to yell at John. However, John's grip on his throat was so strong he could hardly make a sound. He could still breath a little though, which was a small relief. "I met a boy there," John continued, "I forgot his name…" He looked thoughtfully at Hank and then moved closer to him. Hank was now stuck between the wall and John's body. He felt John's breath on his face as the man continued his tale. "Anyway, he was real gifted and I asked him if he could show me a little more of his work. And you know what! He showed me a drawing he once made of his father…" John smiled evilly at Hank. "It was you…" he chuckled, "Now… what was the boy's name again? Oh, I know… Zack…" As he said it his grip tightened on Hank's throat. Hank started to get dizzy and had the feeling that he was going to throw up. You stay away from my son! You son of a bitch… You stay away!

Hank felt anger welling up inside of him and suddenly he found the strength to push John away from him. He pushed the man away with such force, which almost caused John to fall to the ground. As the pressure was released from Hank's throat he started to cough. He fell back against the wall and grabbed his throat as another fit of coughing seized him. "You... Stay… Away… from him!" he yelled between coughs. John just smiled at him watching him struggle for air. "Don't you dare… come near him!" After a few more coughs he finally managed to get some air into his longs. He took a deep breath, his hands still on his throat. "You want me? You got me… But leave him alone…" Hank continued. He tried to stand up straight but he was still unsteady on his feet. His throat still hurt, but the dizziness was gone. He looked at John and saw that the man's smile had faded and was eying him angrily. "Make me…" John said dangerously, then he stalked towards Hank. He grabbed Hank by the collar and pushed him to the ground. "You deserve to suffer the same fate I did! How dare you ask me to leave your son alone! You son of a bitch! The blood of my children is on your hands!" John yelled at Hank, his eyes shooting daggers at him. The man was beyond madness and for a moment Hank thought John was going to kill him. "Those children died because of YOU, Jonas!" Hank yelled back. He got up from the floor and leaned against the wall, sweat dripping from his forehead. "Their blood is on YOUR hands… not on mine…" Hank continued. He suddenly felt tired. He closed his eyes and wondered when John was going to make his move on him. Please, just get it over with… He looked over at John who was standing just a few feet away from him. "It should have been you…" John said. His voice was low but full of hate. Hank shook his head and snickered. "Well, ya made a little mistake then, didn't ya?"

John could feel anger boiling up inside of him. He was about to make his move on Hank as he heard footsteps right outside the saloon. He looked over his shoulder then back to Hank. "This ain't over yet," he said, then he turned around and walked outside. He nearly bumped into Sully who was about to enter the saloon. John paid no attention to him and walked off. When Sully got inside he saw Hank leaning against the wall. He looked awful. "What happened here?" Sully asked a little concerned. "Nothing," Hank replied curtly. He just wasn't in the mood to explain. Sully moved closer to him. "What happened to your throat?" Sully asked as he noticed some bruising on it. "I just had a little fight with a customer… I'm fine… You should see the other guy…" Hank tried, however he had the feeling Sully didn't buy his story. "John helped you?" Sully tried once more. "Sully, will ya please leave?" Hank almost begged. "I'm tired…" he sighed, feeling exhausted. Sully nodded. "It's just… I heard voices… yelling… I was just worried, I guess…" "Well, I'm okay… so now get out…" Hank knew he sounded harsh but he just couldn't help it. He needed to be alone right now and think about what had happened tonight. Let everything sink in… And he needed to rest! He hadn't felt this tired in a long time. Sully looked at Hank one more time. "Well, Goodnight then," he said. Then he turned around and left the saloon.

Hank sighed and let himself slid to the ground. He propped up his knees and hung his head. He felt the tension he had felt from the moment John walked in leave his body. If he comes near him… If he hurts my son… I swear I'll kill him! I'll kill him… he thought before he fell into a restless sleep…

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

What on earth happened there? Sully thought as he walked back to the homestead. He'd never seen Hank like that before. Usually the man was just self-confident, arrogant and rude. Tonight he had looked insecure, confused and… scared? Hank was never scared, or insecure for that matter… And there was no way that he had gotten into a fight with a customer! Sully didn't believe that story for a second. But what DID happen? And what was John doing there? After closing time… Sully's mind was racing. It really annoyed him that he knew something was going on, but that he didn't know what it was… I have to talk to someone about this… he thought; I need to talk to someone about this soon… because it's driving me crazy!

TBC

Pfew! I have to admit, MY throat actually hurt as I wrote this chapter. It was almost like John was strangling ME! Yeah, yeah… I just have a vivid imagination… So, what do you think? Let me know please! For those who are getting anxious to know when Hank's secret will be revealed: SOON! Muwhahahaha! Sorry, that's mean… Chapter 7! I promise…