Soulmates Beyond Time
Caine walked around the garden. He had only been out of bed for a couple of days. The poison from the attack from Jordan was finally completely out of his system. Kermit had not given up the search that they could still find Jordan but Kwai Chang had insisted. Something in the way Jordan behaved had told Kwai Chang that Jordan would be back. Caine had seen the pain in her eyes and soul asking for release and forgiveness. Yet, something else other than Wei Ch'i was compelling her to act. The marks on her arms had been from the Black Widow Sect. Kwai Chang remembered a time when he had been captured by the Black Widow Sect. Peter had looked for him despite Master Khan's order not to. Peter had nearly been caught and Master Kahn had found him covered in black widow spiders. They found Caine covered in the Sect's poisoned nets. That had been a frightening time for both of them. Now Jordan was under their spell and he would have to tell Peter.
Suddenly Caine collapsed. The spell from the Gamemaster had been lifted. His sense of his son returned. Tears of pride and relief came unbridled with tears of pain and loss. Peter had won the challenge. Then realization set in that he had been manipulated into believing that Laura was still alive ached at his heart. Knowing the truth, however, freed him of that pain. The thought of returning home came strong and hard. Chinatown had become his home after finding Peter. It took six months to make him realize that his new path was to renew their relationship and help Peter to find where is destiny laid. To have his son back has been a great joy, sorrow, and pain all at once. He would not have it any other way. Kwai Chang hoped he could have found Laura alive and return with her but that was not to be. He would be returning home alone. Peter was sure to have questions and Kwai Chang found that he was looking forward to answering them. It was time to lay to rest the ghosts of the past.
There was also another who waited. The pain of leaving Mary Margaret had not been easy. She knew he had to search and if he had found Laura, he hoped that she would wish them well. Finding and facing the truth again that Laura was gone forever was not going to be easy. All the pain and grief from before would be brought back to the surface. Going back to Mary Margaret, however, offered him hope. Their relationship had been something he had never foresaw. She showed him it was possible to love another again and still retain the love he had for his long dead wife. Never had Mary Margaret asked him to forget his memories of Laura or tried to replace her in his life. In fact, there were many occasions when they went out to dinner together that Caine found himself talking about Laura to Mary Margaret. Caine had been reluctant to tell his son because deep down he did not want to relive those memories. Without Caine realizing it, Peter had been right about bringing up "bad" memories. The time that he and Laura had together had been brief but filled with passion, joy, laughter, anger, and sadness. One of those times of passion and joy, however, had bore fruit. That fruit had grown into a beautiful child and that child had grown into a man with great depth of feeling and compassion, a man that filled Kwai Chang's heart with pride and one who he was still learning about. Peter was such a unique person but he also contained qualities from both him and Laura. There were times that Peter would do something that would remind him of his wife, especially the times when Peter would errupted with anger and frustration. Laura had been the same way. Like Peter, she would soon cool down when he would give each of them a certain look. They could not stay angry for long and that brought a sense of pride and warmth to Kwai Chang. Then another thought came to him. Peter will be hurt over this. His hopes that his mother could be alive and getting to know her would be dashed. The pain of grief for Peter would also be renewed. Both thought that they had put it behind them when they returned to Braniff and Laura's gravesite at the Temple. It would seem that the grieving was going to take longer than they both thought. Kwai Chang thought of his son and found great urgency. Sing Ling was still in danger. Peter was also weak. If only I could give him some of my strength, Kwai Chang thought. Maybe there was away.
*****
"Peter," Lo Si began. "It would not be wise to go into the Bardo until both you and Sing Ling had time to replenish your chi."
"I have no choice in this Lo Si. If I do not go, Sing Ling could still die."
"If only your father were here. He could aid you in this."
"I know, but he's not and I have to do this."
"Very well. Let me prepare some herbs that will help you stay strong. Then we must gather by Sing Ling and begin."
Peter walked to where Sing Ling lay. He placed his hand on Sing Ling's chest and found that his heartbeat was stronger than the last time. It would seem that Sing Ling was not ready to give up. That would help them in the struggle ahead. Peter then walked over to where Mai Chi slepted. The pain from her injury was gone from her face and he could feel her chi strengthening. Peter was again amazed at how much he could sense the link with this woman. The link felt much like his father's but different. It felt as if she was a part of him from the very beginning. As if she had always been there. As he gazed upon her sleeping face, he realized just how much he wanted to know who she was. What her family was like, where she grew up, what her favorite foods were, did she want children, and most of all what she thought of him.
"Peter, it is time."
Peter went over to Lo Si and took the leaf containing the mixer of herbs. The herbs did not taste bitter but had a honey base. Not many of the concoctions or potions as Peter would refer them to ever tasted good. Lo Si also took some then placed a small amount into Sing Ling's mouth. The added herbs would only serve to strengthen him further. Then Peter and Lo Si each took one of Sing Ling's hands. Then they joined their own hands. They both reached out their chis and suddenly they were falling through the tunnel. Sing Ling's Bardo was different than that of Peter and Kwai Chang's. In this Bardo, Sing Ling was confronting all the petty things that he had ever done in his young life. The room twisted and turned. It looked like the rooms of the imperial palace that had been constructed and hidden in Chinatown. Servants were everywhere. Each wearing a tattoo of numbers on their foreheads. Peter and Lo Si looked around and found Sing Ling was arguing with someone.
"No, what do you care? You were not there."
"Your mother waits for you. Let me show you the path."
"No. I do not know you. You died before I was born. How could you know what I want? All I
wanted was to be a child once in a while. To run and play with the others. You abandonded me.
Leave me."
Sing Ling turned his back.
"We must help him to see the good that is within him."
Peter and Lo Si approached Sing Ling with caution.
Sing Ling looked at Peter."My bojaya. You were the only one who really understood."
"Come on Sing Ling. It's time to take you back."
"Back? What good is it? All they want from me is to be nothing but their puppet. They were
right. What kind of emperor would I be? I'd been nothing but a spoiled brat. Self centered and
caring for no one but myself."
"There is more to that and you know it. You must watch."
Peter and Lo Si led Sing Ling to a TV and had him face his life. Scenes showing Sing Ling how
he and Peter defeated their enemies and even when Peter tried to urge Sing Ling to get help, the young emperor-to-be stayed and fought at his side, Peter and him at the mall and the girls he met, Peter buying him a jacket. Being there when he faced his final step to the thrown. Being a friend and helping him to see what a friend was. Suddenly the room slowed it's twisting motions and settled into the familiar space. Soon they would be considered intruders in this place. Then Sing Ling spotted somone. It was his old advisor Lo Chang who betrayed him. Sing Ling approached him with saddness.
"I forgive you. You were only doing what you thought was right." And with that, Sing Ling bowed to the man.
"We must leave this place, now." Lo Si could see that Peter was beginning to weaken.
"I am ready." Sing Ling joined arms with Peter and Lo Si.
"We must link our chi."
Then suddenly, all three were falling through the tunnel and they found themselves back in the
underground temple. Lo Si was the first to stir. He quickly checked on the others. Sing Ling
came around and opened his eyes. At first the light from the torches and candles bothered him but he soon adjusted to their warmth and glare. Though he was weak, he was back and grateful for his life. Peter, his bojaya, had saved him when he needed saving the most. Sing Ling reached to touch Peter and found him laying on the floor next to him. What he found now was no longer just his friend but a full Shaolin. The marks on Peter's arms could clearly be seen. Lo Si bent over Peter and found him unconscience but alive. The journey had taken a great deal out of him. Having fought Wei Ch'i and now rescuing Sing Ling from the Bardo had taken it's toll on the young priest.
"Is he all right?" Concern showed deeply in the young emperor's eyes.
"He will be all right. He needs rest."
Just then the doctor came forward. "I did not want to believe it was possible. Forgive me. I wish to know more. And I am grateful to you both. You have given us back our emperor and our hope."
Lo Si did not know what to say only that he needed to move Peter where he could rest. Seeing the Ancient struggle with his burden, the doctor signaled and six guards came forward. Three of them went and brought a daybed out. The other three carefully lifted the Shaolin and placed him on the couch.
"He must rest, now. It may be a day or two before his strength will be fully restored. I will make a tea to help him. You also must rest, my emperor. You have been through a great ordeal."
"I wish to do something for him, though."
"You may discuss it in the morning."
Like a grandfather tucking in his grandchildren at night, Lo Si went to each of his charges and gave each something to help them sleep or to help them in healing while they slept. When all were secured, Lo Si finally breathed a sigh of relief. Now it was his turn to meditate and to rest. For now, all was right with the world.
End Part 13
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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