Title: My Son, My Soul

Author: Alisa Joaquin

Special Credit: I give credit to my beta reader for giving me excellent suggestions and helping to clean up any errors in grammar, punctuation, and spelling.

Characters: Peter, Kwai Chang Caine, Lo Si, Kermit, and Diablo.

Time Period: Takes place some time after Magic Trick.

Warnings: None worth mentioning.

Story: Diablo returns to bargain for Kwai Chang Caine's soul with the soul of his own son, Peter.

Disclaimer: Kung Fu: The Legend Continues is a creation by Michael Sloan and distributed by Warner Brothers. This piece of fiction is based on KF:TLC. No copyright infringement is intended or implied. This work is available to the public for reading. Permission for reproducing this story in another form must be aquired from the author. (If you ask nicely, I may grant it, but all rights revert back to the author after one year.)

"Has Caine come in yet?"

"Not yet."

"He’s two hours late for his shift."

Peter struggled to wake but he could not move. Something held him. His mind felt clouded and it was filled with dreams. He found himself within the throws of a nightmare. He dreamed he was back within the Magic Club. All the rooms were empty. No matter which door he would open, there was no way out. The rooms took on a distorted look, much like the Bardo, only there was no anger, only fear. Peter opened another door. This one had a deep cavern, the bottom far below and out of view. Peter backed away and ran into the wall, fear etched on his face. Peter tried another door. Fire erupted. He saw himself, lying on his bed, not moving. Fever had taken over his body. The fire signified what was happening inside him. Peter shut the door. There had to be a way out. Peter tried to concentrate.

"Father!" Peter cried out but no one answered. "Father, help me!"

Diablo watched as the young detective struggled to free himself. Ever since the night at the Magic Club, when he had been defeated by Caine, Diablo had plotted his revenge. He thought of the night when he had gleaned information from the cop. The older man that sat next to him had also reacted to what he had said. It wasn’t hard to find out that they were related. His master had not been too happy with him when he tipped his hand. There was really only one way to defeat white magic and that was with white magic. Diablo, however, did not see it that way. He was going to have the Shaolin’s soul, even if it meant taking the soul of his most precious possession, his son.

Diablo raised his hand and grasped the silver cosmic sphere that was Peter Caine’s chi. He then encased that sphere within a glass bubble containing a miniature likeness of the Magic Club. How fitting a place for one such as this 'one'. The club would become his prison. The only way to release him would be through an exchange. His chi for the chi of another. The other, though, would have to act quickly. The longer this one’s chi was away from its body, the weaker that body would become. It would be a matter of hours, perhaps days before the chi would simply sever itself and become lost. Then the body would die. Either way, he would have his revenge, but the one he wanted must be given freely. It was time for the magician to play his hand.

Six hours went by and still Peter had not reported in. Strenlich was becoming livid.

"Kermit! Go check on Caine. He should have called in by now, even if he is sick."

Kermit cautiously entered Peter’s apartment. Everything seemed in order but you never could tell. Ever since Peter got back from that Shaolin Temple in the north somewhere, 'the kid' and his father became magnets for any and all kinds of trouble. Kermit stepped through the rooms with care. He drew his Desert Eagle just in case there was trouble. Seeing no one, he headed for Peter’s bedroom. What he saw shocked him. Peter was bathed in sweat and his breathing was haggard. Kermit touched his forehead and immediately reacted. He would have called an ambulance but he felt this was too urgent to wait. Besides, he knew someone already who could take care of him far better than any doctor. Kermit wrapped Peter in a dry blanket, carried him to his Corvair, and headed to Chinatown.

"CAINE! CAINE WHERE ARE YOU?"

Caine came in from the terrace and nearly dropped what he was carrying. He rushed to Kermit’s side and took Peter into his arms.

"He is burning up with fever!" Caine was shocked both at his son’s condition and the fact that he had not sensed that his son was in any distress. Kwai Chang gave Kermit a questioning look.

"He didn’t show up for work today. Strenlich asked me to look in on him in case he was sick. I found him like this. I brought him straight here."

"You did the right thing, Kermit."

Caine placed his son on the raised platform and examined him. Shock and despair filled his mind and heart.

"This is no ordinary illness. His chi has been tampered with. He is fighting something but I do no know what."

"What do you mean his chi has been tampered with?"

"The essence that is Peter has been severed somehow from his body. Yet a part of him remains and struggles to be free of whatever has done this. There is great fear. If I cannot discover what has happened, my son will die."

Diablo watched as the priest tried to discern what was causing his son’s illness. A smile formed on his lips. Soon priest, soon.

Peter found himself in a new part of the Club. This place looked different than he remembered. The dungeon room had been replaced with a hall of mirrors. Each mirror showed him an aspect of his life. Every petty thought and action, every jealousy, and every hateful act he ever considered. Peter stared in fascination. Yes, this had been a part of his life, but he had dealt with this before. Suddenly the mirrors changed. They became like windows, looking into his past, his present, and possible future. It was these future events that Peter was drawn to now. One showed him married with a son of his own. That son was also growing up within the setting of a Temple; the very Temple that had been destroyed. His father was with him, teaching and helping. Another future showed him to be alone. He was at a funeral, his father’s. A third was also a funeral. His father, however, was the one who was burying him. A fourth could also be seen. In this future, both father and son were shown dead. Everyone they both knew and many others from the community were present. Peter turned from the windows. Four futures were shown him, why? Was he required to choose or was this another illusion just to taunt his tortured mind?

"A question."

Peter spun to face the being that spoke. The figure was familiar and yet strange.

"Let me assume a form that you should recognize then."

The figure wavered and changed.

"Diablo."

"Very good detective."

"Where am I?"

"In a world of my making. Don’t you like it here?"

"No."

"You're free to go then."

Peter eyed the demon suspiciously. "What’s the catch?"

"There is no catch, only a simple exchange. You for your father’s soul."

"My father would never go for that."

"He has no choice. You see, one of those futures will come true. But it will be his choice that will decide which future."

"I’ve always decided my own future. And I choose to leave this place."

Peter ran for the nearest exist only to be thrown back. A weakness came over him that left him dizzy and he fell to his knees.

"I would not do that if I were you. The more you struggle, the more you drain your energy. Your weak as it is now. I must leave. I have a message to deliver. Enjoy your stay. I understand the Magic Club can be rather entertaining."

The being that was Diablo dissolved. Peter rushed to where the demon had been only to find he was back in the main hall of the Club. There had to be a way to escape to warn his father. Peter searched more carefully and slowly. Diablo had been right. Since he found himself in this place, his energy level had been drained. He had to find the door that looked into the room of his body. It was there that he might find his father and the means to try to communicate. With the door open, maybe he could draw strength. He had to try.

Kwai Chang went over to his workbench and gathered the necessary herbs to strengthen Peter's chi and prepare to enter his Bardo. There had been one other time he did this. That time had been also very dangerous. Peter's soul required saving before surgery could be performed. Kwai Chang had asked Kermit to stay and assist him. He knew with Kermit's help, it would be easier.

"Caine, something's happening to Peter. His breathing's getting slower, shallower."

Caine reached over and touched his son's face and chest. Alarm was in his face.

"He is weakening. His heartbeat is half of what it should be. We must hurry."

"That will not be necessary. You will not find him in what you call the Bardo."

Caine and Kermit looked up to see a man standing near the doorway.

"Who are you and what do you have to do with this?" Kermit's anger was barely kept in check. If that man was responsible for Peter's condition, he would rip him apart. Seeing Kermit's anger, Caine laid a restraining hand on his arm.

"I know who he is. I will handle this." Caine moved so he was between Kermit, his son, and the man in the doorway. "What do you want?"

"Isn't it obvious? Your soul. You defeated me the last time so I raised the stakes. This will be just a simple exchange. No parlor tricks. Your soul for your son's."

The stranger held out a glass ball containing the miniature. It glowed and pulsated with a silvery essence. Kwai Chang's eyes became wide with fright then narrowed in anger. Seeing what the man held, Kwai Chang knew there was no way he could save his son with simple herbs and medicines. It was going to take all the powers of his Shaolin training at his disposal.

"Release my son's, chi." Anger flared. "You have no right to it. You have stolen what you do not understand." Kermit watched in fascination. He had not seen Kwai Chang so filled with anger. "You would use the soul's of others to gain which you cannot possess. Release him!"

"It is you that does not understand. You took one soul from me that I was required to take. It does not matter which soul I have, but in this case, I am making an exception. Even if you do not agree to this exchange, either way, I will have a soul and fulfill my needs. I would rather have yours. It is said that a shaolin's soul is the only soul that cannot be defeated. Remember this, the longer you delay, the weaker your son will become and the ties between body and soul will be diminished. You have less than 12 hours. I will give you up to 11 of those hours to decide."

With that proclamation, Diablo disappeared, leaving Kwai Chang with his stricken son and Kermit looking worried for both.

Kwai Chang went about his work in silence. The anger that he felt permeated the room. He mixed the herbs he required to strengthen both him and his son's chi. It was the first part of the ritual that needed to be performed.

"Caine, what are you going to do about that man? You can't just let him have your chi. Are you going to just let Peter die?"

Caine turned toward Kermit and saw confusion and pain, even though Kermit still wore his trademark sunglasses, it was in his voice and body language. There were other feelings there as well. Love for both.

"No, I will not let Peter die, you know that. He is my son."

"Then you're just going to let that man have your chi. I don't even know what the hell I'm talking about. Caine, what is going on?"

"Kermit," Caine put a gentle hand on the distressed ex-mercenary's shoulder. "I know you are concerned. I do not intend to give that demon my chi. And yes, he is a demon, not a man. He is called the destroyer. He uses black magic to control others and to steal their souls. There is another way that I will be able to bring my son back. I need you to fetch the Ancient and bring him here."

"Sure."

"Go, we do not have much time."

"I must do one thing. I'm going to need to report in. I'll call the precinct from my car phone. I'll be back as soon as I can."

Kermit turned to look at his friends. 'I really hope Caine can bring Peter back. I don't want to loose both of them.' Kermit thought as he left to follow Caine's request.

Kwai Chang turned back to where his son lay. Seeing him in this state brought other memories back from the Temple. Memories that were not very pleasant. There was one when Peter had been no older than a toddler. He had just returned to the Temple after trying for three months to raise his son on his own after Laura died. It had been liberating to be able to have the help he needed but at the same time it had been painful to leave the small house behind that had been his home with his wife for three year. When he entered the Temple with his young son, there had been a monk there that looked upon him with disapproving eyes. He saw the Shaolin as an order to be separate from the lives of those outside. He looked upon Kwai Chang with scorn and especially at his son as if he was dirt under his feet. Days later, that monk tried to take Peter from him saying that children were not allowed. That if Kwai Chang was returning to the Temple as a monk, he must be separated from all outside contact, including his son. Kwai Chang remembered when that monk grabbed Peter and tore him from his grasp. The fear and the anguish in Peter's eyes tore at Kwai Chang's heart. He lost his wife, he was not about to loose his son, too. The monk, however, was not the life force of the Temple. That was the privilege of another. The Master of the Temple intervened at that moment and saw the truth of what that monk was. Taking a child from his only parent was cruel and not the way. He ordered the monk to return the child. When Kwai Chang reclaimed his son, Peter clung to him so tightly that bruises formed around his neck. Kwai Chang would not allow the apothecary of the Temple to soothe them. He wore them as a badge to show that he and his son would not be separated under any circumstances.

Kwai Chang sat next to his son and brushed a stray lock from his forehead. At his father's touch, Peter suddenly reacted and grabbed his father's hand squeezing it tightly. The strength that remained showed Kwai Chang that his son fought to live. In some way, Peter was letting him know that he was not ready to give him up as well.

"Peter, hold on my son. I will not let you go. I am coming for you. We will fight this demon together."

Kwai Chang tried to remove his son's hand to finish setting up the protective circle but Peter would not let go as if to say, don't leave. There was a hidden strength that even Kwai Chang did not realize his son had. It reminded him of the bruising he received from his son's tiny hands that day many years ago. At that moment, Kwai Chang was proud of his son.

"Alright Peter, I will stay. I will not leave you."

Kwai Chang sat quietly holding his son's hand as he waited for Kermit to return with Lo Si.

The Ancient set the candles in a circle as Kermit watched. Kwai Chang was still sitting by his son's side holding his hand. The grip still strong. Kermit and Lo Si found them that way when they returned. Both Lo Si and Kermit tried to remove Peter's hand from his father's grasp but the grip was just too tight. Instead, Lo Si concentrated on setting up the rest of the items for the ritual.

"Kermit, please place this pot in the circle close to the center. I must continue to mix the herbs for Peter and Kwai Chang."

Though unsure as to what was going to happen, Kermit assisted as much as he could. Lo Si directed Kermit to the shelf and tried to instruct him in the finer points of being an apothecary. Kermit listened but with only half an ear. He was too concerned for Peter.

"How's this going to help Peter come back?"

"It will give his body the strength it needs to pull the chi force back within. Even though his chi is being held elsewhere, a part of him still remains in his body. We must strengthen that part."

Lo Si proceeded to feed the mixed herbs to Kwai Chang, to Peter, and to Kermit. Kermit at first was reluctant to take the herbs but Lo Si insisted.

"With your energy being added to the circle, Kwai Chang will have a higher chance of succeeding. If he does not succeed, they will both die."

Kermit stared at Lo Si, a questioning look was in his face.

"Watch and learn, Kermit Griffin."

Kwai Chang carefully lifted his son from the platform and carried him into the circle of candles. As if there was an awareness of what was about to happen, Peter let go of his father's hand so he could be settled more comfortably in his father's arms.

"Lo Si, will you light the incense? Kermit, sit close to Peter opposite of me. Place your hand on his chest. Concentrate on Peter. You must not show any fear. Keep your mind solely on your love for him. Do not remove your hand from his chest. It is vital that you maintain a link."

Lo Si proceeded to light the incense then light each candle. He began by lighting the candles in the eastern quarter. He then proceeded around the circle in a clockwise motion, lighting each candle as he moved. Soon all the candles were lit. Kwai Chang breathed in the incense and settled himself. He sat in the center of the circle in a lotus position and lifted his son into his lap. Kermit sat opposite Kwai Chang and placed his hand on Peter's chest. He could feel is friend's heartbeat, slow and rhythmic.

Kwai Chang closed his eyes and began a deep meditation. Kermit was also aware that he too was falling into a meditative state. The rhythmic beating of Peter's heart helped to calm his fears. Kermit looked into the face of his friend and remembered the day Peter became a part of his life. It had been synonymous with Paul bringing him on board.

*****

Kermit had returned from a grueling assignment. He had barely gotten out alive. The agency had done nothing to bring him out. He was beginning to think that the next time he would enter into another such situation, he might not make it out alive. This last assignment had been a bloodbath. More innocent people had been killed than he wished to admit. Kermit's own sensibilities had been shattered. If there was anything that had been taught to him, it was that innocents should be protected, even if that innocent was on the other side. Kermit thought of the man that taught him such a lesson and began his search for Paul Blaisdell. Paul had been a legend in the agency. It seemed like he helped save more people than Jesus, though others would say to the contrary. It really wasn't that hard to discover where he had ended up. Before Paul entered the agency, he had an interest in police work. It made perfect sense that he would continue with that interest.

Kermit arrived in the City and he soon found himself looking into each police precinct he would come across with no results. He was about to give up thinking he was in the wrong place when he spotted an old building that looked more like a public library than a police station. The only thing that told him he was in the right place was the uniformed officers that entered and exited the building on a regular basis. With a sigh, he decided to try his luck one more time. Kermit walked into the squad room to the sound of phones, people yelling, and a general feeling of chaos. There was an energy about the place that felt right. An exciting energy that said, here was a place that his friend just might be.

"Okay, who's next?"

"I'm looking for Paul Blaisdell?"

"Tell the Captain someone's here to see him. Wait over there."

Captain? Kermit watched with an amused look behind his trademark sunglasses. He started wearing them first to keep out most of the glare from the desert sands. In the end, he liked the way they made him feel. Somewhat dangerous and mysterious. He later learned they were more of an asset than he thought. A few times in tight situations, it was better to keep ones identity hidden behind some kind of shield. That way you did not give away too much.

"Kermit, is that you?"

"Paul, it's been a long time."

"I heard you'd been killed."

"The rumors of my death had been greatly exaggerated."

"What brings you to this neck of the woods?"

"Can we talk in private?"

Paul led Kermit to his office and shut the door.

"So, what's a man like you doing in my precinct?"

"Your precinct?"

"Didn't you hear? I'm the Captain of this wild bunch. So what brings you here?"

"I left the agency."

"Do they know?"

"They will when they get my resignation next week. In the mean time, I need some place to stay. Can you recommend a good hotel in this town?"

"Well your welcome to come live with me for a few days. Annie won't mind. How long's it been since we've seen each other?"

"At least four years. We worked on that assignment in Singapore."

"Yeah, I remember, but how long since you've seen the family?"

"Oh, gosh, 12 years, I think. Do you still have that foster kid, what was his name, Peter?"

"Yup, only he's not a kid any more. He's one of my best detectives."

"Your kidding? Did you adopt him?"

"Nope. He wanted to keep his last name. Something about honoring his father."

"What was his last name? Oh, I remember, Caine. Is he here?"

"Actually, he's recovering from an injury from a pretty rough case. I'm kind of worried about him."

"In what way?"

"He has a tendency to be rather reckless. Don't get me wrong, he's a good cop, but there are times when he takes too many chances. He'll usually listen to me, but not always. He rushes in sometimes before calling backup. I really wish I had someone like you to watch his back from time to time."

"Why not?"

"Kermit, do you know what it would take to get you on this police force?"

"Paul, you and I both know, I have more experience than these guys will have in a year."

"It would be rather nice having you here. We've just got a new computer system and these guys just don't have the expertise that you have."

"You remembered." Kermit smiled behind his green shades.

"I could bring you in as a computer expert? You could crack more codes than the CIA. We could work up a file on you later."

"Sounds good. When do you want me to start?"

"How's tomorrow sound?"

"Perfect."

"In the mean time, why don't you come home with me. Meet Annie and the girls again and get reacquainted with Peter. You'd be surprised how he turned out."

Kermit remembered when Paul took him back to his place. He was surprised that Annie remembered him from the aftershave that he wore. It had been a long time. He was impressed just how much Paul's children had grown, especially Peter. He had turned into one handsome young man, but Kermit could see there was something behind his eyes that spoke of a pain that had not been fully put away. Kermit recognized exactly what it was, because he had seen it many times before. It was the pain of deep loss, mixed with the need for revenge. This young man hungered to find someone to kill, for a pain that would never be fully healed. Kermit could understand that pain, because it also happened to him. It was one of the reasons why he had joined the Agency. It was also one of the reasons why he quit.

Kermit's eyes refocused and suddenly he was aware of an energy surge. Something was happening that he could not fully comprehend. He looked into Kwai Chang's face and somehow knew that he had gone looking for his son. Kermit said a silent prayer, even though he really did not believe in a higher power. Whatever was happening, he hoped Kwai Chang would succeed.

Peter found the room that looked out into the material world. He saw that his body had been moved to his father's rooms. His father was mixing some herbs and Kermit was there. He could see the agitation and concern on both their faces. Peter tried to calm his fears and his chi. Being nearer to his body, he felt like he could draw strength. Suddenly his father sat next to him and brushed a stray lock of hair from his forehead. This gesture tore at Peter's heart. He had to find some way to get his father's attention. Then a memory from his father, strong and pure, came through in the touching. Peter concentrated and swiftly the left hand of his body came up and grabbed his father's. 'Do not let go, he said to himself. Please, father, do not let go.'

This gesture became his lifeline. As long as he stayed by this door, he felt the strength of his father's chi. Maybe his own body and chi would stay together a little longer. Suddenly Peter remembered a way how he could bring his father to him and maybe stop Diablo. He recalled the time at the Temple when a visiting monk came to demonstrate the discipline of the iron shirt, in which the monk could use his mind to turn his skin like iron. Peter remembered that Clarence Choi had used this technique to try to escape from him. Clarence had been selected as one of the new Tong leaders. He had no intention of going back to prison and it was Peter's job to see that he did. He remembered that his father gave him his chi through the exercise of the candle. With his father's chi, he was able to defeat Clarence. If Peter concentrated hard enough, was it possible to draw his father's chi to him? And with their chi linked, could they find some way of defeating Diablo? He had to try.

Peter watched as his father carried his body over to a circle of candles. His father also was trying to find a way to reach him as well. Peter sat on the floor and folded his legs under him in a lotus position. It would take the timing of both chis working together to bring about this union, his father concentrating on his, and Peter likewise focusing on his father. There would also have to be a third as an anchor point to pull them both back. Peter focused on his father. A strong image of him was needed to draw him to the place that he was at. Suddenly, light flared around him and when he looked up, His father stood before him.

"Pop. Am I glad to see you." Peter got up and embraced his father. In this world, their essence had body and form. They could touch and be touched.

"My son, where are we?"

"It seems to be a distorted version of the Magic Club. Diablo is behind this. I don't even know how I got here, let alone how we can even return."

"Kermit awaits us on the outside. He guards my body. We must find the center and bring light to it. It is the only way Diablo will be stopped."

"I can show you the way. It won't be easy. This place is filled with pitfalls and false doors. Everything seems to shift."

"I will follow your lead my son."

Peter led his father through the distorted corridors of Diablo's Magic Club of Hell. Peter opened one door and was about to go through when his father grabbed him from behind. The floor had opened up before him.

"Whoa! Thanks Pop. Let's try this way."

Soon they found themselves within a hall of mirrors. Each reflected the past, present, and future of their lives.

"I've seen this before. Don't look too long. It's this way."

Suddenly the mirrors started breaking, spraying glass in every direction.

"What caused that?" Peter questioned. Then he got a good look at one of the mirrors that reflected his father's essence. Peter's eyes went wide. Around his father was an aura of golden light.

"This place was designed to hold only my soul. With you here, it must be setting up a chain reaction."

"If we link our chi my son, we may be able to disrupt Diablo's plans."

Kwai Chang held out his hands with the brands facing upward. Peter hesitated at first, seeing that they appeared to glow in the light. Facing his father, he took a deep breath and placed his forearms face down. Expecting to feel a burning sensation, he was surprised to find that they were cool to the touch, but for an instant, Peter could feel the universe open before him. 'So this is what it means to be Shaolin,' he thought. 'I'm going to have to do some serious meditating on this.'

Father and son concentrated. Slowly they sank to the floor, their arms still linked. A low harmonic vibration could be heard. It was the chant of meditation. As they concentrated, the harmonic vibration grew. Soon another silvery aura could be seen growing and expanding outward to mix with the golden one already present. Peter could feel his energy surge. Then the light engulfed them both.

Diablo waited. It would soon be the 11th hour. Kwai Chang Caine had not contacted him. Could his love for his son be purely superficial? Would Kwai Chang Caine really let his son die for the sake of his own soul? No, the priest was too noble for that. Then something caught Diablo's eye. The globe that contained Peter's soul glowed with a light that should not have been present within its small casing. Diablo walked to where the globe had been placed. Other globes could be seen. They also contained the souls of others that Diablo had taken. Diablo reached to pick up the globe and found it was warm to the touch. Suddenly, the globe started vibrating. The sensation that it caused in Diablo's hands made him start and he let go. It fell to the floor and shattered. Light spilled out blinding Diablo with its brilliance. It was the light of goodness. Diablo tried to shield his eyes but it was too late. The light and the vibration from the globe that contained Peter Caine's soul started a chain reaction. Soon other globes burst and the souls within set up a wail that could not be shut out.

"Damn you Caine!" Diablo had lost. He was going to have to face his Master after this. Suddenly, Diablo was aware of Him. Fear crossed his face. "It is not my fault! The Shaolin is responsible. Please, give me a chance to get even. No, Master, please. NO!" Diablo cringed down, curling into a ball. The Master did not like failure. This one would be made an example for all.

Peter arched his back as his breath and life returned to him. His father still held him in his tight embrace. The tall candles that had been set up had burned down about half way. Kermit was brought out of his meditative state when Peter suddenly moved. When Peter and Kwai Chang both returned, Kermit wasn't even aware that it happened. If it hadn't been for Peter's sudden movement, Kermit would not have known.

Kwai Chang opened his eyes to the feel of Peter's chi reentering his son's body. Tears of joy came to his eyes to know that he would not loose his son this day. They had succeeded in stopping Diablo and saving more than just each other. The many souls that Diablo stole would also find peace.

Peter opened his eyes to see his father looking down on him as he did many times when he was a boy, cradled in his father's embrace. The feeling of being safe once again came to Peter so strongly that he did not want to leave it. Then a sadness came over him as he realized their chis were no longer mingled together. Kwai Chang could feel his son's sadness. With his mind, Kwai Chang reassured him. A look of puzzlement and wonder came to Peter's face at how his father was communicating with him. Peter realized he wanted to be able to do that as well.

*You have the power within you, my son. All you need to do is focus your chi. To do that, you must choose to continue your training.* Kwai Chang smiled.

"Kermit, I thank you. You have helped to bring my son back to me."

"Not really. I just made sure no one disturbed you and that if you needed me, I kept my mind open to the possibility."

"We better get you back to bed, my son. You may still be weak."

"No, I think I can make it." Peter tried to rise but was quickly being supported by his father and Kermit. Dizziness over came him and he threatened to black out. The next thing he felt was his father lifting him into his arms. The strength that he had kept Peter from struggling.

"Pop!?! This is embarrassing. I can walk."

"You had a very high fever, my son, and you were almost lost to me. I am not taking any chances."

Kwai Chang carried his son over to the raised platform and tried to force him to lay down. The look on his father's face told Peter there would be no argument. Suddenly, Lo Si was at Kwai Chang's side handing him a cup of tea to give to Peter.

"It will help in your recovery."

Peter drank its contents and he frowned from the bitter taste. "Can't you make anything that tastes good?"

"If it tasted good, it would not do its job." Lo Si said smiling.

Peter tried to stifle a yawn but was not successful.

"I'll let Captain Simms know where you are and that you'll be recovering soon."

"Juss don tell 'er about . . . Yawn . . . My father carrying me okay," Peter's words were a little slurred.

"Sure anything you say. Goodnight sweet prince." Kermit watched as Kwai Chang covered his son with a blanket and kissed his forehead.

"I'll get you for that Kermit," Peter said with a sleepy voice with no conviction and settled into the warmth of his father's deep love.

"Rest, my son." Kwai Chang picked up his flute and began to play.

Kermit continued to hear the sound of the flute as he left the building, grateful once again that all was right in the land of Caine. As he looked up at the light emanating from the windows, Kermit finally let the tears of joy come. He did not know when it happened, but Peter somehow replaced the hole within his heart at loosing his little brother, David. He would not want to loose another as well. Someday, he will let Caine know just how much his son meant to him. Without Peter, Kermit too, would be just as lost as Caine had been without him. In some way, whether it be from Shaolin gifts or from all the trouble they have seen, Kermit knew that if Peter decided to truly be Shaolin, Kermit would go with him. It was the least he could do for someone who healed his soul. Kermit kept watch a little longer and saw the glow in the windows diminish as Caine put out each of the candles one by one.

"Good night little brother. Sleep well. Take care of him Caine. He's one special kid."

End