| Disclaimer: I do not own the characters from Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman. The rights to those characters and to the show belong to the creators of the show, to CBS, and to A&E.
Born Again By, Ashley J. “Where the hell is she?” Hank demanded as he threw Horace up against the side of the telegraph office. His cheeks were practically glowing red from anger while his fists flew furiously at Horace’s face. Horace stumbled back as Hank pulled him away from the wall and shoved him toward the horse trough. Horace sputtered for a moment as blood started trickling from his busted upper lip. “I told you, I don’t know where she is!” Horace exclaimed as his face received another beating from Hank’s knuckles. He stumbled backward with his head aching and his eyes watering. His right eye was beginning to swell tremendously. “Don’t you lie to me, Horace! I know you’ve got a thing for Myra. She wasn’t in her room this mornin’. I got the feelin’ that you took her away from me. Now where is she?” He pushed Horace down into the dirt. Having heard the disturbance, Dr. Mike rushed out of the clinic and joined the crowd of people who had gathered around the two quarrelling men. She pushed her way through to see if she could somehow manage to break up the dispute. “Let me through!” She found Horace lying in the dirt with blood escaping from various cuts on his face. “Horace!” She threw herself over him as Hank moved to hit him again, knowing that no matter how tough Hank was, he would never hurt a respectable woman. He had come close to hitting a lady before, and he was rough with his prostitutes, but he knew that if he would try to hit a woman in public, especially one of Michaela’s status, the townspeople would turn their backs on him, even Jake and Loren. They were set in their ways, but they also had morals. Loren and Jake had made their way to the front of the crowd, secretly hoping they hadn’t missed anything good. “Stay out of this, Michaela,” Hank warned, his chest heaving in deep, angry breaths. “It’s none of your business.” “What’s the meaning of this?” the doctor demanded, standing up and helping Horace stand on his own two feet. Horace rubbed his sore jaw, hoping Hank hadn’t broken anything. “He’s hidin’ Myra!” Hank accused. Michaela looked at Horace. She wasn’t sure Horace was hiding her, but she also knew that Hank wouldn’t stop beating him until he got answers from someone, even if they weren’t useful ones. “Horace?” “It ain’t true! I don’t know where she is! But if she ran away from him, it’s probably the best thing she could do!” Michael helped Horace by putting her arm around him so he wouldn’t fall. “If she’s hurt, Hank, we’ll all know who done it.” Hank rolled his eyes and turned his back. “I’m keepin’ my eye on you.” He walked back into his saloon, and his girls followed him cautiously. They knew the penalty for running off. Myra knew it too. They got extra customers and no pay for a month. None of them had ever risked running off, because they knew Hank would be mad as hell. They were afraid to find out how far Hank would go if he got drunk enough. “Come on, Horace. Let’s get you to the clinic,” Dr. Mike offered slowly. Horace shook his head and walked back into the telegraph office, closing down for the day for the first time in years. Dr. Mike watched as the crowd broke up, and everyone went about their own business. She was left standing in the dust as the noon sun beat heavily down on her. She realized that she needed to be getting home, because a storm was coming by the looks of the sky. She knew the children would come straight home after school since Matthew had already offered to pick them up earlier that morning. “Dr. Mike?” She turned as she was walking over to her wagon to see Sully walking toward her. Wolf was following behind loyally. Dr. Mike smiled as she saw the man she loved. “Sully,” she said with a smile. Sully caught up to her and put his arm around her, walking the rest of the way to the wagon with her. “I heard there was a fight.” “Yes,” she answered with a nod. “Hank accused Horace of hiding Myra. Apparently she ran away.” “Can you blame her? Look at the life she’s livin’.” He pointed to the saloon where one of the girls was talking with some potential customers. Dr. Mike shivered. The thought of the business Hank ran made her feel ill. She felt sorry for the girls who worked for him, especially Myra. She had someone who loved her with all of his heart, but Hank didn’t care much at all for that. He was greedy, and he only wanted money. That’s all those girls ever were to him. Money. “No, I can’t say I do blame her. I’m concerned though, because it isn’t like Myra to run off.” “Maybe somethin’ happened that made her run off. Would it make you feel better if I went to look for her?” “Yes. Thank you,” she answered with a nod. Sully leaned in to kiss Michaela’s cheek before he helped her up onto the wagon. She rode off, and he watched her disappear around the bend before turning to go search for clues to Myra’s whereabouts. *~* She crossed the bridge and found herself looking down toward the homestead. She knew that place would welcome her, because Dr. Mike lived there. It was only a matter of time before Hank sent out a search party. She had left earlier that morning and rested in the afternoon with some food she had bought at Grace’s the night before. She left at first light, just in enough time to escape Hank checking in on her. She hated when he would come to her in the middle of the nights. Sometimes it was unexpected, other times it was like clockwork. Hank wasn’t as awful as he sounded though. She’d known him a long time, and he could be very sweet. But, she couldn’t stand what he made her feel like, and that feeling was worse than the most vile waste known to man. If only he knew how she cried herself to sleep on the nights he came to her. He did care for her, and she knew it, but her heart belonged elsewhere with Horace. She wished she could have gone to Horace, but she knew that was the first place Hank would look. Hank hated Horace simply because of Myra. Myra cared for Hank in the sense that he had fed, clothed, and sheltered her when no one else would, but she could never love him. Horace was the one man who would look at her and see her for the person she really was, not for her profession. Myra hurried up to the homestead and knocked on the door. “Dr. Mike?” she asked in a whimper, tears stinging her eyes. “Dr. Mike?!” There was no answer. “Colleen? Brian? Matthew?” She suddenly realized that the children were at school and Matthew was probably at work. She sighed heavily and hurried over to the barn. She let herself in and climbed up into the loft, dragging a heavy suitcase with her. The hay was a nice bed, clearly nicer than the bed Hank had had her sleeping on for years. A few months ago, the bed finally collapsed and he had bought her a new one. Myra lay down on the pile of clean hay, and she closed her eyes. The sound of the wind whistling through the rafters of the barn kept her awake, and she wanted nothing more than to sleep. She hadn’t had a decent night’s sleep in ages, and it was time that she rested. She knew she had to rest. She knew that in order to keep herself healthy, she had to rest and eat. It wouldn’t be too long before she’d leave. Maybe she could stay in Dr. Mike’s barn for the night and head off in the morning without saying a word. Oh, she couldn’t do that. Dr. Mike had been too good of a friend to Myra for her to leave and not say goodbye. After awhile, Myra dozed off, but about fifteen minutes later, she woke to the sound of a wagon drawing near. Her heart jumped, and she hoped it wasn’t Hank coming to find her. Dr. Mike slowed the horses to a stop as soon as she reached the homestead. She grabbed her medical bag and jumped down onto the ground. She breathed deeply and inhaled the scent of the countryside. She could tell that the boys hadn’t cleaned the stables out in a few days and made a mental note to remind them later. She was about to go into the homestead when she heard whimpering from the barn. At first she thought it might have been Colleen, but she remembered that the children were still at school for another hour and a half. Cautiously, Dr. Mike walked toward the barn and opened the doors. She wasn’t sure what to expect. Maybe a child got lost and found the barn for a place to rest. Maybe someone was hurt and knew to come to the house for help. She knew she had to be careful, but she also knew that whoever was in the inside might be frightened as well. “Hello?” she asked. She heard the whimpering subside a little. “Dr. Mike?” came a quivering voice from the loft. Dr. Mike looked up to see Myra looking down. She felt relieved when she saw her friend’s face. She took a deep breath. “Myra? What are you doing here?” “I’m sorry, Dr. Mike. I didn’t know where else to go.” Dr. Mike climbed up into the loft. She saw that Myra had a suitcase full of things at her side. It was obvious that the young woman was fully intending on running away. “Myra? Hank thinks you ran off, and I can see that he’s right.” “Oh he must be mad as hell.” “He gave Horace quite a beating.” “Oh . . .” Myra whimpered. “See, that’s exactly what I didn’t want to happen. I just figured that things would get worse if I stayed. Guess it’s gonna get worse if I don’t stay. I can’t win, Dr. Mike!” “Do you want to tell me about it?” Myra began to tear up again. “I s’pose I have to tell somebody, and you’re probably the only person I trust in the whole town ‘sides Horace.” “Well, you’re right. You can trust me. What’s the matter?” “I’m . . . I’m pregnant!” Myra exclaimed, dabbing her eyes with her handkerchief. Dr. Mike’s eyes widened with surprise, and she cleared her throat. “Myra, are you sure?” “Well, I’m almost positive, but that’s another reason I came here. I figured that you could tell me for sure. I haven’t had my monthly yet. It don’t feel like the time I had the tumor neither. I’m pretty sure, Dr. Mike.” Dr. Mike sighed and put a comforting arm around her friend. “It’s going to be alright, Myra.” Myra shook her head. “I ain’t so sure about that.” “Come on. Let’s go into the house, and I’ll be able to examine you.” Myra nodded and followed Dr. Mike out of the barn and into the homestead. She wasn’t sure if she should be happy that she was probably expecting or not. Considering the facts about the situation, she didn’t know what to think at all. *~* A little while later, Dr. Mike finished washing and drying her hands as Myra finished dressing. She hadn’t said anything to the worried young woman yet, because she could see the fear and doubt in her eyes. She was trying to think of the right way to confirm the girl’s news. But, she figured that just telling her straight off with work the best. “Myra?” Dr. Mike asked. “What is it?” Myra asked as she walked out into view. “Am I pregnant or not?” “You are,” Dr. Mike answered with a nod. “You’re going to have a baby, Myra.” She smiled a bit, but Myra couldn’t. How could she smile about something that was going to change her life forever. Sure, she loved babies, but she couldn’t take care of one while she was still working for Hank. Her contract was almost up, but she would forever be reminded of being a prostitute. That wasn’t something she wanted her children to know. She didn’t want her children to be teased about their mother when they were in school. It wasn’t fair to anyone for her to be a mother. On the other hand, she knew that she could love a child and give it the things she never had as a child. She could point it on the right path, and she felt she might be able to keep it from losing its way. “I wish I could be happy about it. I’ve always wanted to have children. I never thought it would happen like this.” Her heart was starting to break. She wanted terribly to see the light in the eyes of a child of her own, but she didn’t know how to raise a child, let alone without a father. What if Horace didn’t want anything to do with her after this? “Myra, I’m sorry.” “It ain’t your fault.” “It’s not yours either. It isn’t your fault that Hank won’t let you out of your contract until the year is over.” “But it’s partly Hank’s fault that I’m in this condition, Dr. Mike,” Myra replied, looking away. She felt ashamed. “That’s what I’m saying. If he had let you out of your contract when you wanted out, you wouldn’t be pregnant right now.” Myra knew that Dr. Mike wasn’t getting her meaning. She cleared her throat and looked away. “That’s true, Dr. Mike, but what I’m sayin’ is that Hank’s the father of my baby.” Dr. Mike looked at Myra for the longest moment before she reached out and put her hand on the young woman’s shoulder. “Hank is the father?” “Yeah,” Myra replied, looking down gently. “What am I gonna tell Horace?” “First of all, are you sure Hank is the father? I mean, with your profession, there could be several possibilities.” Myra knew it wasn’t an insult. It was a pure statement of fact. “I’m positive, Dr. Mike,” Myra responded. “See, over the past month or so, Hank’s been puttin’ me off limits to the customers. He’s been tellin’ ‘em that I can’t work ‘cause of a female problem like I had when ya first got here. I’ve been all his. I can’t say no to him, Dr. Mike. My contract is almost up, and if I cooperate with him, it’ll make things easier when I leave.” Michaela couldn’t believe this. First, Hank refused to let her out of her contract, and next, he lets himself into her bed to have his way with her. How despicable! “Oh Myra, I’m sorry this happened to you.” “Horace ain’t gonna want me now. Him and Hank hate each other. If Horace knows that I’m havin’ Hank’s baby, he’s not gonna think the same of me. I wouldn’t blame him.” “Horace loves you. It’s not your fault this happened, Myra,” Dr. Mike replied. “I’ll help you tell them both if you want me to.” “I don’t want to face them. Dr. Mike, can’t I just stay here until my contract runs out?” Myra asked. “By then I can make up my mind about if I want to stay or not.” “I wish I could let you do that, Myra,” Dr. Mike said gently. “But you could get into a lot of trouble if you run away from your contract. I don’t want to condone the kind of business Hank runs, but I don’t want to see him send the law after you.” Myra looked away. “You don’t deserve that.” “I know,” Myra whispered. “I want to have a baby, Dr. Mike, but I don’t want it to be like this. Is there anyway I could just . . .” Myra nearly choked at her own thoughts. “No. No. I don’t want to think about that.” “I’ll be here for you, Myra. I’ll help you break the news to both Hank and Horace.” “I’m so ashamed. I almost wish I never met Hank. My ma had big plans for me when I was little. I was gonna go to college and become a teacher. But when that didn’t happen, Hank took me in, and this is where he got me.” “You could always give the baby up for adoption when it’s born. I could find a good home for your child around here in Colorado Springs. Hank never has to know it’s his.” “He’ll know,” Myra replied. “You remember how mad he was the first time I thought I was pregnant? Well, it’ll be worse this time, because I think he . . . he cares for me. Dr. Mike, I want a baby. I don’t want Hank to be the father.” “He doesn’t have to be. You and Horace can still be together, raising the baby as your own. I’ve seen it happen several times.” “Hank won’t let it happen. I don’t want Hank to raise it. I don’t want my baby growin’ up around that saloon. It ain’t a good place, and that’s why he sent Zack away. But with this baby, it’ll be somethin’ he can hold over Horace and try to keep us apart with.” “That won’t happen. If Hank doesn’t treat you right, let me know, alright?” Myra nodded. The door opened and Matthew, Colleen, and Brian walked in. “Oh, sorry Dr. Mike,” Colleen said quietly. “We didn’t know you had a patient.” “It’s alright. We’re just heading back to town,” Dr. Mike answered. “The storm’s gonna hit pretty hard in an hour or so,” Matthew warned. “I’ll be back in no time,” Dr. Mike promised. “Come on, Myra.” Myra followed Dr. Mike out of the homestead, got into the wagon with her and headed off toward town. *~* The wind was starting to howl outside as Dr. Mike pulled her wagon up to the clinic. Horace, who had been standing outside of the telegraph office, and Hank, who had been sitting outside of the saloon, both saw Myra and Dr. Mike and headed over as quickly as they could. “Myra!” Hank hollered. Myra looked at Dr. Mike. The doctor squeezed her patient’s hand, and they got out of the wagon. Myra headed into the clinic while Dr. Mike waited on the porch. She kept her hand on the doorknob, and Hank waltzed over and glared at her. “You’ve been keepin’ her from me?” “No, Hank,” Dr. Mike answered. “But there’s something Myra has to tell you.” She looked up at Horace who was listening too. “You need to hear it as well, Horace.” The men walked into the clinic behind Dr. Mike. Myra was standing behind the exam table, her hands rested firmly on it to keep herself balanced. She felt like her knees would give out at any minute, and she’d fall to the floor. “What the heck is goin’ on?” Hank asked. “Myra, honey? Is everything alright?” “There’s somethin’ I need to tell you both. I ran away today . . .” “That’s as plain as day,” Hank replied, crossing his arms. “Why did you run off, Myra?” “Did Hank do something to you?” Horace asked, glaring at Hank. “Well,” Myra started. Horace started to swing his fist at Hank, but Hank ducked away. “Stop! If you’re gonna act like that, I ain’t gonna say another word!” “Gentlemen, please! Myra is trying to tell you something that is very difficult for her to say!” Dr. Mike interrupted. The men quieted, but Hank scoffed at Horace’s lousy attempt to swing at him. Myra turned to Horace and took his hands. “Horace, I need you to know somethin’.” “You can tell me anything, Myra,” Horace said with a nod, kissing one of her hands. “I’m gonna love you forever, no matter what,” she started. “And I’ll love you forever no matter what,” Horace promised. Myra swallowed hard. She let go of Horace’s hands and looked down. It was getting harder to get up the courage with every word that Horace said, so she needed to say it out loud before he said anything that would somehow persuade her to keep it a secret. “I’m pregnant.” “What?!” Hank asked angrily, his fists balling up at his sides. “What?!” Horace asked in shock. “Myra . . . are you sure it ain’t like the last time?” “I’ve examined her myself,” Dr. Mike explained. “She’s telling the truth.” “How could you let this happen, Myra?” Hank asked, glaring at Horace. “Don’t look at him, Hank. Look at me,” Myra urged. She looked at Dr. Mike. The doctor gave her patient and friend a gentle nod. “Go on,” she whispered. “You know Horace and I haven’t . . . been together,” Myra started, her voice cracking. “Nobody has, Myra. Not lately anyway. After this, ain’t nobody gonna wanna touch ya again.” “Except for . . .” Myra urged. Hank’s face grew pale, and he looked at Dr. Mike, Horace, and then Myra. “You mean it’s mine?” Hank asked, swallowing hard. Myra nodded. “You know it is, Hank. You haven’t let any of the customers come near me lately, not even if they offered to pay double. You know it’s yours.” “Myra . . .” Horace started, looking as if his heart had been ripped from his chest. “I’m sorry, Horace. I am so sorry,” she sobbed. “You know I love you, but I understand if you don’t want nothin’ to do with me anymore.” “Of course he ain’t gonna have nothin’ to do with you, Myra. You’re havin’ my baby, so you and me are gonna get married.” “What?!” Myra asked, her eyes widening in horror. “Hank,” Dr. Mike started. “Stay out of this, Michaela,” Hank warned. “As soon as Myra’s contract’s up, we’re gonna get married. “You can’t do that!” Horace protested. “Me and Myra are engaged!” “Step aside, lover boy. Myra and me are havin’ a kid, so we’re gonna get married. It’s proper.” Michaela had to roll her eyes at that one. She figured that was just a little jab at her proper Boston ways. “What would you know about bein’ proper, Hank?” Horace asked. “You never treated Myra with respect. You can’t give her a good life. I’m willin’ to change her life.” “I’m the reason she’s lived this long. If I hadn’t taken her in, she would have died on the streets.” “Why don’t you let Myra decide what she wants?” Dr. Mike suggested. “Because Myra belongs to me!” Hank exclaimed. “Myra is her own person, Hank. Nobody has the right to own another person. Just because she has a contract with you doesn’t mean you own her. She works for you, but other than that, she can make her own decisions. Most importantly, she’s carrying your child. You can’t order her around.” “Why the Hell not? Seen lotsa fellas treat their wives the same.” “It’s not right, Hank!” Michaela demanded, getting upset on her friend’s behalf. “Why don’t I just renew her contract?” Hank asked. “You can’t do that!” Dr. Mike exclaimed. “Hank, you are being childish.” “Childish, Michaela? I’m tryin’ to do the right thing in marryin’ Myra. Who else is gonna want to marry an ex-whore with a baby?” “Myra and I are gonna get married, and I’ll be a good pa to her baby,” Horace replied, stepping up beside Myra. Hank turned around furiously and lunged at Horace. “Hank! Stop it!” Myra screamed. Hank went for Horace’s throat, knocking Myra out of the way in the process. Myra groaned as she hit the floor, and Dr. Mike ran to her side. The door to the clinic burst open and Sully rushed in. He pulled Hank off of Horace and threw him toward the door. “Sully!” Dr. Mike exclaimed. “Take it outside,” Sully warned. Hank stood and walked out into the street after Horace. Sully shut the door and helped Dr. Mike help Myra up onto her feet. “You okay?” Sully asked Myra. Myra nodded. “Myra, I want you to lie down. I’ll come up in a moment to check on you.” “Alright,” Myra said with a nod. Sully turned to leave. “Thanks for breakin’ up that fight.” Sully nodded. “Do you want me to find you a place out of town?” “No. I need to face my life now. I need to be able to be strong for my baby, because soon, I’m sure it’ll just be the two of us. If bein’ with Horace means him bein’ hurt, then I should stay away.” Sully left, and Dr. Mike looked at Myra. “Do you still think it’s gonna be alright, Dr. Mike?” “I’m not sure, Myra,” Dr. Mike replied honestly. “But Sully and I will make sure Hank doesn’t do anything like he just did again.” Myra nodded and started upstairs to rest. Though she wasn’t thrilled about having a child with Hank of all people, she was nervous to find out whether or not Hank’s little outburst had harmed the baby. Before she reached the door, she turned back to Michaela. “Dr. Mike? Do ya think everything’s alright with the baby?” Michaela couldn’t say for sure yet, but she didn’t want to put any added stress on the young mother-to-be. “I’m sure everything is fine, Myra. Just rest.” *~* |