Soulmates Beyond Time
"You must add the herbs slowly or you will damage them."
Peter listened carefully to what Lo Si, uh Ping Hai, was saying. It was not easy at first to try and think of the man that he got to know as Lo Si as Ping Hai, again. Having believed that Ping Hai had been dead all these years was startling to say the least. Ping Hai explained it as having to also protect himself. If Tan had learned that he was alive and aided both Kwai Chang and Peter, his life would also be in danger.
"How better to protect that life by pretending to be dead." Ping Hai had said.
Peter could understand that reasoning. He had on occasion pretended to die to catch a killer. He certainly could not fault Ping Hai for that need. Peter concentrated on the lesson. Since he took the brands, the need to learn more increased. Part of that learning and helping others was understanding the mysteries of herbal Chinese medicine. Shaolin, not only were known for helping people either with their wisdom through knowledge or kung fu skills, but also for their understanding of herbs and how they ccould help relieve many ailments.
Two weeks, he could not believe two weeks had just flown by since his father left. During that time Peter worried that the Chinese community would not be accepting of him, but he was wrong. Peter had done much to help protect the people of Chinatown as a cop as much as his father had helped with his many skills; that included being an apothecary. With Peter taking over the responsibility in the community, the people were more than happy to accept him. They knew that a Shaolin was there to stay. And a Shaolin for many meant good luck, prosperity, and safety. Peter felt humbled at just how much the people cared that he was there. One little boy brought him a cricket in a box. Peter smiled at the memory when his father brought him one in the hospital. Some in the community, however, were a little wary of him. They saw Peter as an outsider. Peter tried to explain in his rusty Chinese that he was part of them. He, too, was part Chinese. He did not expect those that mistrusted him to accept him right away, he would have to be patient and let his actions speak for him.
"Peter, you must strain the herbs and recover as much of the liquid as possible. You must add honey to make it into an elixir. Then the liquid must be poured into a dark bottle and corked for storage."
"Lo Si, I mean Ping Hai, how did my father know which herbs to take with him every time he would leave to help someone?"
"Your father would concentrate and meditate on the situation at hand. He would extend his Chi and feel the need of others. Plus, there are common herbs like yarrow that can be kept on hand that are excellent for many uses, sort of an all purpose herb."
"I understand."
"Peter Caine!"
It was Jordan.
"Peter, what in the hell do you think you're doing?!" She was upset about something, and it involved him in some way. "My god, it stinks in here. You know I could have you arrested if you're cooking something illegal."
"Jordan, if you will please calm down, we can talk. You're emotions are too strong right now."
Peter was now aware how his father must have felt. Being suddenly buffeted by strong emotion was reminiscent of a hurricane battering the shore. The best you could do was ride out the storm until it passed. With Peter more sensitive to emotions, he would need to exercise as much patience as his father exercised with him.
"My emotions!?! What do you know about my emotions. First you end up getting your father involved with police business when he's a civilian and you ignore the fact that I am your partner. Then you let yourself be talked into joining some cult and not only that I find when I get back from vacation you've moved out and taken over for your father. Peter, what in the hell's happen to you? Have you lost your mind? You're a cop!"
Peter did his best to stay with her and remain calm. Jordan did not want to listen to reason. How could he explain that being a cop had been important to him at one time, but being Shaolin mattered more. He had grown tired of the shootings. Taking a life, though in the line of duty as a cop, had bothered him more than he would admit to himself. It may have been his job to protect the innocent, but it had also been his job to bring those that committed crimes to justice. That meant keeping even those committing the crimes alive, but too many people had died at his hands. Plus, there were several occasions before he found his father again where he had been a "loose cannon," reckless. In the eyes of others, it made him the best, but as he reflected back on those days he began to wonder if he had a death wish instead. The thought now frightened him. To think if he had continued on that path, and had not found his father, he would certainly have ended up in the morgue, dead from some bullet from any number of persons making a name for themselves in the criminal world.
"Peter, why did you leave?"
Peter moved over to where Jordan stood and held out his arms in a gesture that spoke of patience and trying to understand. It was then that Jordan noticed the marks. Grabbing him by the arms, the look on her face was one of horror and anger.
"What did they do to you!?! They mutilated you."
Peter gave a look that was both a plea for understanding and sadness.
"They are the marks of a Shaolin priest. The tiger denotes strength and the dragon wisdom."
"I don't care what they are. It's cruel and inhuman to force someone . . ."
"No one forced me. It was my choice. Jordan, I was raised in a Shaolin temple for nearly half my life. I learned from my father what it means to be Shaolin. When I lost my father, I needed direction in my life. All I thought about was getting revenge for what had been done. Even when I became a cop, I thought I would be able to search for the man that was responsible for his death, not to bring him to justice, but to kill him myself. And if I died in that process, I didn't care. At least I would be with my father, again. But when I found him alive, things changed. I found that I had a second chance. At first I didn't know what that could mean, but these past few years I learned. The Caine line was meant for something more than just carrying a badge, flashing a gun around, and retiring after 25 years with a small pension that would or would not sustain me into my old age. There has always been a Caine for over 100 years helping those in need that cannot help themselves. There are forces in this world that require other skills necessary to confront them when conventional means do not apply. Please, try to understand. I care for you but this is my life now."
Jordan shook her head and buried her face in her hands. The life she had hoped for would not happen. She could not understand how Peter could choose this life over her. Then anger set in. Anger for the persons responsible for taking Peter away from her. Without another word, she left. Within her own thoughts and heart she had been betrayed. And betrayal was the worse crime of all. She needed to get Peter back and the only way she could do that was to seek out the one responsible and make him pay for that betrayal. Maybe then Peter would come to his senses.
"She is a very troubled woman. I fear she will do something terrible."
Peter watched her leave.
"You may be right, Lo Si. There may be nothing we can do right now. She needs to face her own demons, as my father would say. I just hope she will listen when the time comes."
End of Part 2
Alisa Joaquin Copyright@2000.
This story cannot be reprinted or sold in any other form without strict permission from
the author. It is being distributed here solely for your enjoyment.
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