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…
Again, thank you for all the reviews. I can't believe that I already have so many. And that for my first fic! This chapter is more about Sully and his motives for being so curious to know what's going on between Hank and John. It's a longer chapter than usual, by the way. I had lots and lots of inspiration…
Chapter 6
Michaela Quinn stood in front of the homestead, enjoying the beautiful pinks and yellows of the sunrise. It had been a cold night and it was still a bit chilly outside, however it looked like it was going to be a beautiful day again. She turned around when she heard a noise coming from the barn. She was about to walk towards it to check out what it was when she saw Sully walking out.
"Mornin'," he said, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. Michaela grinned. "Good morning," she said amused, "You slept in the barn last night?" Sully smiled at her, knowing that she was making fun of him. "Yes…," he replied, "I came home late… Didn't wanna wake ya…" He yawned and rubbed his eyes again. Michaela chuckled and asked: "Did you sleep well?" Sully looked at her incredulously. Of course he hadn't slept well last night. He had to sleep in the barn, on the ground, which wasn't very comfortable. Then there was the cold, the stench of dung, and not to mention his brain, which was working overtime to figure out what the thing was with Hank and especially with John Kerrigan. "Hmm…," he said to Michaela, "… a little… a bed is more comfortable though…" Michaela shook her head. She couldn't help but smile. She knew Sully hadn't slept well; it was written all over his face. He'd just never admit it.
"How was your meeting with John?" she asked suddenly, "He's a nice man, isn't he?" Sully looked at her and sighed. "I don't know Michaela… There's something about him…" Michaela cut him off. "Didn't he tell you anything about his plans? His intentions are good and it's good for the town! Colorado Springs will become more prosperous, which will be good for everyone!" Sully shook his head. "That's the thing Michaela… he didn't tell us anything. He just told us that he wanted to invest in this town, but he didn't tell us anything specific. And his reasons… I don't know… He was just being vague about it…" Michaela eyed him curiously. "Well, didn't you ask him about details then?" she asked. "I was about to, but then Jake interfered… He introduced him to some other people… Hank wasn't too happy about it either…" Sully said as he recalled the events of the previous evening.
"I don't understand that," Michaela said, "Hank's usually the first one to agree with someone's plans… Especially when those plans will bring in extra money…" Sully nodded. "Yeah, I know… That's exactly what I don't figure either…" He was silent for a moment. "What is it?" Michaela asked. Sully sighed, not knowing whether he should tell her or not. "I think something happened last night… in the saloon…" he started. Michaela looked up. "Like what?" Sully sighed again and then decided to tell her what he knew. "I came back after a walk through the woods and as I walked past the saloon I heard people yelling… fighting… I couldn't really make out what they were saying, but I decided to check it out… I was about to enter when John stalked outside. Now that I think off it… I think he was angry… furious even… When I stepped inside I saw Hank leaning against the wall. He looked like he had been in a fight with someone. He told me he was fine, but he looked awful, Michaela… He had bruises on his neck and throat… And I know this will be hard to believe, but… he looked scared…"
Michaela was a little surprised by Sully's story, she didn't show it however. "Did you ask him what happened?" Sully nodded. "I tried, but he really wanted me to leave, so I decided not to ask any more questions." Michaela looked at Sully curiously. "You think John had something to do with it?" she asked. "Maybe…" Sully answered, "He was the only one there, so… who else could it have been?"
Dozens of questions filled Michaela's mind. "But why would John attack Hank?" Sully shrugged. "I don't know… maybe Hank attacked him first…" "And why would Hank do that?" Michaela wondered. "I don't know Michaela…I wish I knew, but I don't…" Sully said slightly annoyed. "Why are you so interested in this anyway?" Michaela asked suddenly. Sully looked at Michaela and then said: "Like I said… There is something about this John… I get a bad feeling whenever I'm around him… He doesn't feel right…" he started to pace. "I have the feeling that he's up to something… He's here for a reason and it's not business… I think he doesn't care about this town at all… That it's just a disguise or something…"
Michaela grabbed his arm which put him to a halt. "Don't you think you're overreacting?" she asked softly. Sully turned to Michaela and grabbed her by the shoulders. "Michaela, have I ever been wrong about these things? He's up to no good… This town is falling for a story… for promises made that just ain't true…" Michaela shook her head. "How can you be so sure about this?" she asked him and eyed him doubtfully. Sully let go of her and looked down. "I can't…" he said softly, "Like a said… It's a feeling I have and just haven't been able to shake it…" Michaela hesitated for a moment and then asked: "Are you sure that this is not about you… That you don't want this town to change… I mean, it wouldn't be the first time we had that conversation." Sully looked at her with a hurt look in his eyes. "Michaela… I need you with me on this… Besides, are you willing to take the risk that I may be wrong?"
She sighed. "No… you're right… But if you're wrong about this, you will apologize to John!" Sully smiled at her thankfully. "I will… I promise." Then Michaela walked inside to get her medical bag and then went to the stable to saddle her horse. Sully eyed her suspiciously. "Where are you going?" he asked her. She got onto her horse. "I'm going to see Hank. You said he had bruises on his neck and throat… I just want to make sure he's okay. That's my job." Sully nodded in understanding. "I'm going with you…" he said. "No you're not," Michaela answered, "I'm going alone… My presence will be annoying enough for him…" She smiled at Sully and then rode away.
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"Good morning Hank," Michaela said as she walked into the saloon. Hank looked up incredulously. Michaela Quinn was in his saloon? Normally she wouldn't dare to enter the saloon, except if one of his girls was sick or something. And as far as he knew his girls were fine, so what was Michaela doing here? "Michaela…" he said curiously, "What d'ya want?" Michaela smiled as gently as she could at him. She hated being in the saloon and she didn't like to hang around Hank either. The man made her nervous, not to mention angry. He always knew how to get to her and he loved it.
She moved towards him and set her medical bag on the nearest table. "Sully told me you got into a fight last night. He saw bruises on your neck and throat… I'm here to look at them… to make sure you're okay." Hank clenched his jaw. Damn it! He just HAD to tell her… "I already told Sully that everythin's fine." He said in a gruff voice. Michaela smiled at him and pointed at the chair. "Just humor me Hank," she said. Hank sighed and sat down, so that Michaela could take a look at his neck and throat. "Why does he care anyway?" he murmured. "Be glad that someone does…," she shot back, "And I think people should care about each other more these days… It would make the world a better place, don't you think?" She looked at his bruises and checked for severe damage. There wasn't any. "If you say so…" he sighed.
Michaela let go of his throat and looked Hank in the eye. "What happened last night?" she asked. Hank eyed her dangerously. "Like I already told Sully… I got into a fight with a customer…" he said, not willing to tell her anything else… "Sully said that only John Kerrigan was here…" she tried again, "Did he do this?" Hank started to get impatient. He stood up slowly, his eyes still on Michaela. "Why don't you just mind your own business Michaela?" he moved closer to her and gave her his toughest stare. Michaela wasn't impressed. "If he did… then why?" she continued. Hank grabbed her medical back and handed it to her. "I think you're done here Michaela… Now get out!" Hank was nearly fuming with anger, but Michaela Quinn was on a roll. "Did you provoke him? Or did he strike you first?" she knew she was on the right trail, which also meant that Sully had been right all this time. "Are you deaf lady? I said GET OUT!" Hank yelled and smashed her bag outside. Michaela paid no attention to it. "Hank," she tried one more time, "If you know something about this John Kerrigan then you should tell someone! The future of this town is in that man's hands and if he's up to no good… people deserve to know!" Hank looked at her angrily. "Go. Away. Now." His voice was soft, but deep and his threatening look caused Michaela to shiver. "I mean it Michaela… I have a business to run…"
"Fine… Suit yourself…" she said. She turned around and walked out of the saloon where she found her medical bag. Sully was right, she thought, It HAS something to do with John Kerrigan… Hank nearly jumped out of his skin just hearing his name! She would tell Sully tonight, before dinner…
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Hank stood behind the bar of the saloon and looked around. It had been quiet all day, so he had decided to close up early. I deserve a night off, he thought. He poured himself a drink and was about to go to his room upstairs when he heard someone outside.
"Hank, can I come in?" a voice asked which he recognized to be Sully's. "Now what?" Hank asked annoyed. Sully entered the saloon. He saw Hank standing in the back near the stairs with a glass of whiskey in his hand. "Michaela told me she stepped by today… she came to check on you… She told me about your… eh… conversation," Sully said, a little unsure. Hank shrugged. "I had noting to say to her… Or to you for that matter… Now leave me alone…" Hank hoped that Sully would take the hint, but Sully didn't let himself being brushed off this time. "No Hank…," he said, "I want to know what's goin' on... and I want to know now."
Hank eyed him dangerously. "Don't push it Sully…" Sully, however, paid no attention to the threatening tone Hank spoke with. "What do you know about this man, Hank?" Sully continued, "You know that he's up to no good, don't you? Then why don't you tell someone?" As he spoke, Sully moved closer to Hank. "Sully…" Hank warned, but again it was of no avail. "Hank, this town is falling for his beautiful promises, but he's not going to keep them! Or is he?" Sully looked Hank straight in the eyes. "Why is he really here, Hank? You know why, don't you?" Hank started to get impatient. He really wasn't in the mood for this. "Sully…"
Sully was about to make another comment when it struck him. "It's you, isn't it?" Sully said softly, "You two know each other… He's here because of you?" Finally, the pieces of the puzzle fell into place. Hank sighed defeated and leaned back against the wall. Damn you Sully… he thought. He suddenly felt tired. For the last few days he had been keeping up appearances. Pretending he didn't knew John Kerrigan… He had smiled at the man, but inside he had been fuming with anger. He had shaken the man's hand, but he had rather punched him in the face… He was tired of it and suddenly he felt the desperate need to tell someone… Anyone… "Yeah… he knows me…" he started. Sully looked at him. "And you know him…" he replied. They remained silent for a moment before Sully asked gently: "You wanna talk about it? I'll listen ya know…" Hank sighed and walked to the nearest table. He sat down on a chair and gestured to Sully to do the same. He hesitated for a moment before finally telling his story. "John is my stepfather…"
TBC
Tell me what you think please! Chapter 7 will be out soon! I hope… I've been real busy lately (new job and all…) I'll do the best I can to have the chapter out before the end of next week. The chapter you've all been waiting for… Hank's Tale… : )