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 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: This is NOT a very happy story! So, don't like… don't read... This story is the sequel to "Past Fears". If you haven't read that story I suggest you do that first. Otherwise this story won't make a lot of sense… I think…

Summary: Hank and Sully are traveling to Denver to make sure Zack is save from John Kerrigan. But will Zack really be safe?

Chapter 2

"Pa!" Zack said as he recognized the man who had grabbed him. "Zack!" Hank called out. He was trying real hard to hide the relief that was washing over him. He embraced his son and squeezed his shoulders lightly. Thank God, you're alright! Hank thought, then got aware of the fact that they weren't alone and immediately let go of his son. Sully shook his head in amusement and silently dropped the object he had found to strike 'the intruder' with. "So… eh… How are ya?" Hank asked a little uncertain. "F-Fine, Pa…" Zack answered softly. He still spoke slowly and he stuttered from time to time, but it didn't bother Hank anymore. He was proud of his son.

He thought back to that particular day, when Michaela had found Zack at Mrs. Jonson's place and decided to bring him into town. The townsfolk, however, didn't want him around, because they thought he wasn't 'normal'. They had called Zack a simpleton. Hank closed his eyes at the memory. He remembered being furious at the time. He'd also felt guilty, for not giving the boy the home he deserved. He still felt guilty about it. He wished he could give him a proper home and a mother… a family.

"Wh-What are y-you doing h-here?" Zack asked curiously. His father never visited him without letting him know first. "Well, we were just in the neighborhood…" Hank started, but the look in Zack's eyes told him the boy wasn't buying it. Hank shrugged his shoulders in defeat. Sully chuckled, which gave Hank a reason to change the subject. "I brought Sully!" he said and saw his son's face lighten up even more. Zack had already seen Sully the moment he had walked through the door, but hadn't been able to pay any attention to it as he was brutally grabbed from behind. Now that he knew who his captor was he happily turned around to greet Sully. Hank smiled. It was good to know that there were other people besides him that cared about his boy. "Wow, you've grown since the last time I saw ya!" Sully said. Zack smiled shyly. "I-Is Brian h-here too?" he asked softly. Sully shook his head. "No, he had to go to school, maybe next time, alright?" Zach nodded and turned his attention back to his father.

"S-So… W-Why are y-you here?" he asked again. Damn, Hank thought, and they call him a simpleton… Hank sighed deeply. He wondered whether he should tell Zack what was going on. He looked over at Sully, who remained quiet. "Zack," he started, "when I give ya a description of what a person looks like… can ya draw him then?" Zack looked at his father questioningly, not completely understanding where it all was leading to. "Can ya?" Hank asked again. Zack nodded. "Good," Hank continued, "It shouldn't be that hard 'cause you've met him once already. Ya remember a man called John Kerrigan?" Zack shook his head. Hank cursed inwardly. "He must have used another name," Sully stated. Hank nodded in agreement. "Okay, I'm going to describe him for ya and I want ya to draw him," he said to his son. Zack sat down at his desk where he had his drawing instruments. "Okay," Hank said, "here it goes…"

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John stood in the hallway, in front of the door of his room, and looked around. The building was enormous and he had a feeling that he would easily get lost in it. He scratched behind his ear, wondering which way would lead to the dining room. "I hope you're not going to stand there all night, supper will get cold," he heard a female voice say. His head jerked up and he saw the beautiful Elena standing a few feet away from him. He smiled at her. "I'm sorry" he said, "I was about to go downstairs, but I have to admit… I can't remember which way I got here… This building is huge!" Elena had to laugh. Her laugh was warm and fond. John couldn't help but to laugh as well. "Come with me," she said and turned around in one fluent move, "I got lost in here many times as well… But you'll get the hang of it!" John followed her, watching her every move, listening to the sound of her voice. It had been a long time since he was in the company of such a beautiful lady. He thought back to Michaela Quinn. She was very charming and beautiful, a classy woman from the city. However, compared to this Elena… Elena possessed a beauty he had never seen before. And he was determined to make her his. But first things first… he thought once more…

"You are lucky," Elena said to John as they entered the dining room, "one of the children just got a visit from his father, so he won't be joining us tonight… Which means there is room for a guest now!" She smiled at him and led him to an empty chair at the table. Then she turned her attention to the children who were watching John curiously. "Children," she said, "Please welcome your new English teacher Mr. Wilson." "Welcome Mr. Wilson!" the children said simultaneously. "Thank you," John said softly and looked around hoping to find the child he was looking for, however, he wasn't there. "Well," Elena said, "we'll save the introductions for later! Let's eat before it gets cold!" A cheer went up from the group of children as they were finally allowed to fill their empty stomachs. John, however, was still looking around, not understanding why the Lawson boy wasn't there. "Something on your mind?" Elena asked. John looked up. "Uh no… I was just wondering who the boy was that should be sitting here… but I'm sure I'll meet him soon enough," he said. Elena smiled. "I'm sure you'll meet him! Zack is one of the most talented boys we have in this school… But his father is here now, so…" John didn't here her finish her sentence. Well, well… isn't this interesting? So Hans got here before I did… Well, I like a challenge! Let's see who will win…

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Zack did his best to follow his father's instructions. It took a while, but the result was astonishing. Hank held the drawing in front of him and was amazed how well the man in the drawing resembled John Kerrigan. He felt anger building up inside of him, but he was able to stay in control. He showed the drawing to Sully. "It looks just like him," he said. Hank nodded and gave the drawing back to Zack. "I'm sure you're wondering why ya had to draw this," Hank said to his son. Zack nodded as Hank sat down on a chair. "This man is dangerous, Zack," he started, "he's someone from my past… It's a very long story, which I'm not going to tell ya right now…" He was silent for a moment. "The point is… he hates me… He thinks I did something to him and he wants revenge… And I'm afraid that he'll go after you…" Hank said softly. Zack looked at him a little scared and confused. "I don't want to scare ya," Hank said, seeing the fear in his son's eyes, "but still… I have to warn ya… If ya see this man… I want ya to get away from him as fast and as far as you can…" Zack nodded. "Y-You're not g-going away, a-are you?" he asked. Hank's heart nearly broke as he looked into the pleading eyes of his boy. "No… we won't…" he looked at Sully, "at least I won't… not until I'm sure you're safe…" Zack threw himself in his father's arms and held on to him for dear life. Hank held him tight and vowed to himself that he would not let John get near his son. "I won't let him hurt you," he whispered, "I won't…

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Jake walked past the telegram office as Horace called out to him: "Jake! I've got some telegrams and letters here for you! I think they're from the U.S. Government!" Jake turned around immediately and made his way to Horace. "Well, give them to me then," he ordered. Horace nodded and quickly grabbed all the letters and telegrams he had lying around. Jake rolled his eyes but said nothing. "Lets see," Horace said, as he searched the big pile of paper. "I got one here… and here…. oh and here!" He handed the letters over to Jake, who was clearly annoyed with Horace's chaotic behaviour. "Thanks," he said and took the letters from Horace. He immediately opened the letters. He had been waiting for this information for almost a week now. He knew these things usually took a lot of time, mostly two or three weeks, but he couldn't help being very curious to know what was going on with this John Kerrigan. Ever since he had spoken with Hank, he kept thinking about it. And now was the moment of truth… He read the letters carefully. Oh my God… he thought. He couldn't believe what he had just read. Just to be sure he read it again and again… "Oh my God," this time he said it out loud. Horace watched him closely. "Is there something wrong?" he asked with concern in his voice. Jake looked at Horace and said: "If you get any more letters like these, I want you to give them to me immediately!" he ordered. Horace nodded. "Okay… I will!" Jake turned around and walked away quickly. He needed to see Michaela. She needed to know what he had just found out… Sully and Hank had been right all along about John Kerrigan. Even more than they thought…

TBC

Pfew… What is it with chapters 2 and 3? I always have difficulty writing them. Well, I hope I haven't messed up to badly… Let me know what you think! I need reviews… lots and lots of them… Chapter 3 is coming up soon!