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 safe from John Kerrigan. But will Zack really be safe?

Chapter 3

Michaela was standing in her kitchen preparing diner as she heard someone knock on the door. "One moment, please!" she called and took off her apron. When she opened the door she was surprised to see Jake standing there. "Jake!" she said, surprise evident in her voice. "What's wrong?" she asked a little worried. Jake would never visit her except if there was something wrong. "Dr. Mike," he greeted her, "I've just received some important information about John Kerrigan… information I think you should know about…" He looked very serious which didn't really take Michaela's worries away. "What kind of information?" she asked. Jake sighed and pointed at a chair. "Let's sit down first." Michaela nodded and sat down at the diner table. Jake took place in a chair opposite.

"Hank and Sully were right," Jake started as he got some letters from his pocket, "John Kerrigan cannot be trusted." Michaela looked at Jake. "I already knew that," she stated. Jake looked at her a little confused, but decided to continue. "But I don't think you know how right they were… I don't think Hank and Sully even know that," he said. His face was dead serious which scared Michaela. "What was in those letters, Jake?" she asked softly. Jake sighed deeply, looking at the letters in his hand. "They were from the United States Government," he said and hesitated before saying: "The man is dangerous Dr. Mike… He's wanted in at least six states and not just for fraud… He's wanted for murder…"

"Oh my God!" Michaela exclaimed and shook her head. "That's not all," Jake said softly and got another letter from his pocket. "I got this one from the Norwegian Government… It contains a summary of his medical and criminal file… from the time he lived in Norway… Did you know that he is Hank's stepfather?" Michaela nodded her head. "Right…" Jake said, "then I assume you know the rest of the story as well… about the so called accident that got his children killed?" Michaela nodded again. "Hank told Sully about it… John blames Hank for their deaths," she informed Jake. "Yeah," Jake replied, "That's what this file is about… After his children's deaths he tried to hurt Hank as much as he could… The authorities often spoke to him about it, but he always denied that he'd hurt him… The authorities however, had no real proof that he DID hurt Hank so they were never able to arrest him for it… When Hank was sixteen his mother died… he ran off and ended up here in America… However, this particular little fact drove John over the edge… From that moment on John has almost searched the whole world for Hank… Unfortunately, not without casualties…"

Michaela listened to Jake's story and was completely stunned by it. The situation was even worse than she thought. "Casualties?" she asked hesitantly. "John was so blinded by his hate, that he saw Hank in every tall, blonde, longhaired man… He has hurt and even killed a few of these men…" Jake said keeping his eye on Michaela. She just kept shaking her head in disbelief. How she had misjudged this John Kerrigan. How the man had fooled them all! She just couldn't believe it… "There's more," Jake said softly, feeling a little guilty that the enormous load of horrible information just didn't seem to end. "John was treated by a psychiatrist a few years ago… back in Norway… He got arrested after hurting one of those men I told you about… Well, he told this psychiatrist about his hate for Hank… and that he wouldn't rest until he'd have his revenge…" Jake was quiet for a while not really knowing how to say what he was about to say. "He told him the best revenge would be to kill Hank's own children before Hank's eyes… He would love to see Hank's face if he did that… He had told his psychiatrist he would do anything to make that happen… He would let nobody get in his way…" Jake kept silent as Michaela was trying to make sense of what Jake had just said.

"What I'm trying to say is that the man is more dangerous than anyone thought," Jake said, "Sully and Hank went to Denver, didn't they? They went after him…" Michaela looked at Jake. She looked miserable. "No," she said, "I mean… Yes, they went to Denver… but just to make sure that Zack is safe!" They were both silent for a while. Then it hit Michaela. "He won't be safe, will he? Neither of them will be safe… John will get what he wants… even if he has to kill all three of them!" she felt tears welling up in her eyes. Jake gave her a sympathetic look, but had to admit that she was right. "I'm afraid so," he said softly. "We have to go after them," Michaela said suddenly and started to grab some things. Jake nodded. "I totally agree," he replied," But are you sure you want to go? This can be dangerous…"

"Sully is there," she said, "I can't just sit here and do nothing! I have to help him… warn them both before it's too late… There's too much at stake here…" She was quiet for a moment but then said: "Too many lives…" Her voice was soft but determined and Jake knew that fighting her right now would be of no avail. "Alright," he said, "then let's go!" Michaela nodded and packed the last few things as fast as she could. "What about your children?" Jake asked suddenly. "I'll ask Matthew," Michaela replied as she grabbed her medical bag. Jake looked at her and frowned. "Just in case…" she answered. She then grabbed her coat and got outside. Jake followed her and closed the door. He had a bad feeling about all this… a very bad feeling…

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Hank stood in front of the art school and watched the children play on the playground. He never thought he could get so much joy out of watching this. I must be getting old, he thought and smiled to himself. "What's so funny?" he heard a female voice asking. He looked up into the beautiful dark eyes of Elena. "Nothing," he said casually, then grinned. Elena had to laugh. She had to admit, the man was very charming. "Thanks for letting us stay here," Hank said to her. "You're welcome," Elena replied. She had offered Hank and Sully a room inside the school for a few days, so that Hank could see his son more often. They were both very grateful. It meant they could keep an eye on Zack more.

"So," Elena started, "what's the deal with you two anyway? I mean, I've seen many overprotective parents around here, but this definitely tops everything!" Hank was a little bit taken by surprise by her statement and immediately fell back in his old habits. "None of ya business lady!" he said in a gruff voice. "Well, you're at my school, so it kind of is my business," she challenged him. Hank gave her a dangerous look, however, she didn't seem to be impressed by it. "You're obviously here to check on your son," she continued, "but I think there is more… Are you an outlaw?" Again Hank was stunned. He had been called many things in his life, but an outlaw hadn't been one of them. "No," he replied, "I ain't an outlaw… Now mind yer own business." Elena gave him a thoughtful look. "Hm… well, if you aren't an outlaw, then maybe you know one… You obviously think your son is in danger from someone… and if that is true, don't you think this school has a right to know? There are other children living here as well… Do you want to put them in danger too?" Elena looked Hank straight in the eyes.

Damn, Hank thought, what is it with women these days… Can't hide anything from them! He sighed and gave Elena an annoyed look. She couldn't help but laugh at it. "Oh, what is it with you men!" she said shaking her head, "you all have too much pride… that's not good you know… It'll only get you into trouble!" Hank melted at the sound of her voice. Her Spanish accent was like music to his ears, as was her laugh! He grinned at her, which made her laugh even louder. "You're quite a looker, aren't you?" she asked cheekily. "Ya ain't seen nothing yet," he replied amused. He couldn't remember the last time he had met a lady as beautiful and charming as this one. "Let's go inside," she said with a smile, "You can tell me your story." To his own surprise he did as she had asked and followed her inside. Man, I really must be getting old… I let a lady order me around… But she's a beautiful lady… and charming… and funny… For the second time that day he smiled to himself. And for the first time in weeks he felt quite happy and content. Maybe, for once, things were looking up…

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John was in his room, pacing the floor. He had seen the exchange between Hank and Elena, and it had made him furious. Why do you always have to interfere? Why do you always have to mess up my plans? You WILL get what is coming to you Hans! Tonight! Tonight I will get to your son! We're going to play a nice little game of hide-and-seek… He laughed at the thought. It was an evil sounding laugh, one that would bring chills down someone's spine. Elena will be mine and so will Zack… We will see who has the last laugh…

TBC

Okay, I had to squeeze this one out as well… maybe it's a little bit boring, but I promise you… I'll make it up to you! Thank you for all the reviews! It's good to see that I still have a few loyal readers. Please let me know what you think of this chapter…