Peter sat on a high table in what was the temple infirmary. His little hands clutched at his father's shirt. Kwai Chang Caine stood close to the child with a steadying hand on the boy's small back. The child would not allow his father to lose physical contact, which suited the young priest just fine since his own desperate need to touch his son was overwhelming. Ping Hi pried one of the child's hands from his father's sleeve. The palm and fingertips were scraped raw. The Shambahla Master dipped his finger into a small bowl next to him and brought forth a glob of soothing ointment. Peter tried to draw his hand back, but Ping Hi held it firmly.

"Ow, ow, ow, don' hurt, don' hurt!"

Ping Hi smiled and spoke softly, "Little one, this will not hurt. It will take away the fire and pain. It will help your hand to heal. Do not cry, Peter."

Caine put both arms around his son's back and the child hid his face against his father's chest. Ping Hi gently rubbed the ointment into Peter's hand. The boy's body began to relax and finally one large hazel eye peeked up at him. There was no resistance when the Master took the other small hand into his and applied the ointment.

Peter gave a sigh, pushing away from his father. "That not hurt! I not cry, I a big boy!" The two priests smiled at each other over the child's head.

With Caine and Ping Hi working together, it was not long before Peter was washed, dressed and all of his scrapes and bruises treated. He was exhausted from his ordeal. Kwai Chang lifted his son to his usual position against his left shoulder. The boy laid his head on his father's shoulder and after wriggling himself into a more comforting position, nuzzled his face into his father's neck and instantly fell asleep.

The young priest stood for several minutes, feeling the small, warm body nestled against him, his son's breath creating a comforting tickle against his neck. A part of him wanted to keep his child here forever, resting in the safety of his arms. He wondered if he would survive his son's childhood.

He sighed, and with a gentle smile, his features softened by the love for the small being he now held safely in his arms, began walking toward their quarters on the other side of the temple.

There were many sighs of relief and smiles as they were observed walking through the temple. Kim Li stood quietly watching father and son. His world was right again, but he knew that Kwai Chang Caine and little Peter would not be the only ones forced to face the coming nightmares of today's events. Kim Li had spent the remainder of the afternoon installing a very substantial latch, high up on the garden gate where little fingers could not reach.

Ping Hi watched Caine carrying his son to their quarters. It would be a long night for the young Shaolin. A plan had formed in the old Master's mind this afternoon as he had patiently waited by the garden gate for the young father to carry his sobbing son back up the hill. Tomorrow would be a day of enlightenment for Kwai Change Caine. He had much to learn from his small son. This young father would soon learn that even one as young as his own child was capable of teaching a Shaolin priest.

Kwai Chang Caine hurried toward the gardens. The venerable Master had summoned him. He knew Peter spent this time of day in the gardens with Ping Hi, who was teaching his child Chinese. He could think of no reason he should be summoned, unless it concerned Peter.

Just as he was about to walk out into the gardens, Kim Li appeared and gently brushed a hand against the arm of Caine's robe. "I apologize Master Caine, but Master Ping Hi asked me to give you a message. He asks that you step quietly into the gardens near the pond, but to stand back in the shadows so that your son will not see you."

The young father tilted his head to one side with a perplexed look. "I do not understand, Kim Li."

The young initiate sighed. "He did not explain, Master Caine, except to ask that you wipe the mist from your eyes and listen carefully with your heart." Kim Li gave a slight shrug of his shoulders. "I am sorry, Master Caine." With that, he bowed and walked away.

Caine remained standing for several minutes before moving out into the gardens and stepping back into the shadows behind the pond. He heard voices - Ping Hi's and Peter's - coming down the walkway toward him. Soon the elderly priest came into view with Peter by his side. The Old One sat down on a stone bench next to the pond with his back to Caine. Peter stood in front of Ping Hi, facing his father who was well hidden in the shadows.

"Come, Peter. I must put more healing ointment on your hands." The child moved closer and leaning against the old Master's knees, held out both hands, palms up.

"Dey is all better, see!" Shaking his head the child continued, "I not cry, I a big boy now."

Ping Hi smiled. "Yes, that is true, little one. You are very brave." Peter grinned, nodding his head in agreement.

Ping Hi took the child's right hand into his own. The boy watched with great interest as he pulled a small jar from within the depths of his flowing robes and set it beside him on the stone bench. With a glob of ointment on his finger, the priest began to gently rub it into the boy's hand. As he did so, he quietly spoke, "Tell me, little one, how did this happen?"

"I fall down!"

"It must have been a terrible fall."

Peter gave a negative shake of his head. "I only fall a little. I not fall waaay down. My Fadder catch me!" To demonstrate, the child reached across with his left hand and grabbing the upper portion of his right arm, added, "I only fall a little bit."

"Yes, it is lucky your father was there to catch you."

"Uh huh," the child replied, nodding his head vigorously in agreement.

"Tell me, why were you on the wall? How did you get up so high?"

"I follow da butterfwy. It was very big. I climb up on da wall."

"Ah, I see."

Ping Hi laid the small hand in his lap and reached for the other hand.

"Why were you following the butterfly, little one?" Where was it taking you?"

The child's animated expression suddenly changed to one of sadness, his head dropping.

From the deep shadows, the father's eyes had not once wavered from his child's face.

A few moments passed without Peter's reply. Finally, he spoke, "Da butterfwy spose to take me to my Mommy. She is lost. She misses me. I have to tell her I'm here! I loves my Mommy."

"Ah, I see, little one." The old Master felt the all consuming pain of the young Shaolin father standing in the shadows behind him.

Ping Hi would not have wished this most difficult task on anyone. He would have gladly pushed it from him had it been possible, but the task had fallen to him and him alone. He was, after all, the appointed guardian of Kwai Chang Caine and his son. Sometimes the most important lessons had to be learned in a most difficult and painful manner. The child would be lost if his father continued on his present path.

As he tended to Peter's hand, he asked, "Where does your mother wait for you, Peter."

"Waaay far away, where all da butterfwies lives an….an lots of flowers." Peter stretched up on his tiptoes, raising his hand above his head. "And a vewy big tree!"

"And in this place your mother waits for you?"

"Uh huh. Me an my Mommy loves butterfwies." Peter hung his head. "I couldn't catch da butterfwy. He go too fast. I run vewy fast and tell him to stop! He spose to wait for me, but I fall down." Raising his head to look at Ping Hi, Peter stated with great sadness, "Da butterfwy go far away. My Mommy can't find me. She will be vewy sad."

"Perhaps you could ask your father to take you to this place, Peter."

The boy shook his head, looking down at his other hand now resting in Ping Hi's lap.

Gently cupping a hand around the child's chin, the old Master raised his head until their eyes met and gently asked, "Why not, little one?"

Peter gave a deep sigh. "My Fadder be too sad." The large hazel eyes looking up at Ping Hi held such sadness, the old Master felt tears stinging his own eyes.

Shaking his head, Peter continued, "My Fadder not know where da butterfwies lives. He….he not know where to find my Mommy. He be vewy sad. I not make my Fadder sad."

Kwai Chang Caine thought his heart might shatter into a million pieces as the profound sadness painted across the face of his only child seared his very soul. His young son's words tore at his heart and tears tracked down his face. The pain of his own guilt was almost suffocating! What have I done!?

Caine knew, as he listened to his son's words, that it was his own selfishness and self-indulgence that had almost cost him the life of this precious child; his and Laura's son. Laura, I am so sorry! Please forgive me!

The Shambhala Master placed a gentle kiss on the little boy's forehead. The jar disappeared back into the folds of his robe and he slowly stood. "Come with me, Peter. I have a surprise for you."

The small face instantly filled with excitement. A" s'prise!?"

"Yes. I think you will like it very much." Taking the child by the hand, the Shambhala Master and little Peter Caine walked into the temple, leaving behind a young Shaolin father to deal with a very hard lesson learned.

Kwai Chang Caine had been alternately walking and sitting in the gardens for the better part of an hour. The weight of his guilt was crushing! Yesterday's horrific events had been his fault! How was he to bear this latest grief?

Hearing his son's excited voice, he looked up to see Peter bounding up the walkway with Master Ping Hi a short distance behind. Caine stood, watching his son running toward him. His face softened with love for this wondrous spirit that was his child. Since coming to the temple, Caine had marveled at the patience of the old Master with his energetic and noisy child. Meeting the old One's eyes, the words echoed through his mind. A spirit such as this is to be nourished and most carefully guided, Kwai Chang Caine. It is never to be squelched. Anything less would not be Peter!

"Fadder,….look! Look!" Just short of a slide, Peter came to a halt before his father. He practically glowed with joy as a huge smile engulfed his face. "See what….see what Penhi give me? It's my s'prise!"

Kwai Chang stood looking down at his small son, who stood proudly before him, arms held away from his body for his father's inspection. It took great control to keep a straight face. The new clothes Peter wore had obviously been sewn with a growing child in mind. Pant legs and sleeves had been turned up a couple of times to ensure a proper fit. Caine's eyes sparkled with love as he gazed at his child. "Ah yes, I see, my son. You do indeed look very handsome. These are new clothes?"

"Deese are my new gunfew clothes, Fadder. Penhi give dem to me. I can learn gunfew now!" Shaking both his head and one small finger, the child added, "Penhi tell me do not play in deese clothes! Dey only for gunfew!"

Ping Hi stood back watching father and son. Yes, my little one, someday you will indeed learn Kung Fu. One day you will be the most knowledgeable and formidable Kung Fu Master to walk this earth for many centuries.

Caine fought hard to suppress a smile, as did the Shambhala Master standing behind Peter. "Yes, my son. Soon you will begin your Kung Fu lessons." Canting his head, he peered down at the child with a serious expression. "Hmmmm, may I borrow your new clothes, Peter? They are much nicer than mine."

Momentarily caught off guard by his father's question, Peter's face registered consternation and then a big smile settled across his features. He looked his father up and down. "Nooooo, you too big, Fadder. Penhi has to find waaay bigger clothes for you." Shaking his head, he added, "You not fit in my clothes. Dey is too small."

Kwai Chang Caine smiled. "I believe you are correct, my son. I will ask Master Ping Hi to find clothes more suitable for me."

Having stood quietly for as long as was tolerable, Peter asked, "Can I show Kimli my new gunfew clothes, Fadder, pleeease?"

"You must hold my hand, Peter. We will go find Kim Li together."

The boy let out a sigh. "Okay." His hand disappeared into the depths of his father's much larger one.

The two of them started off down the path. As they reach Ping Hi, Kwai Chang Caine stopped and bowed deeply before his mentor. Straightening, their eyes met. "Thank you, Master."

The old priest returned Caine's bow with a shallower one. "You are most welcome, Kwai Chang Caine. You have learned a very painful lesson, my friend."

Yes," whispered the young father, pain flowing across his face.

"Remember, Kwai Chang, even one so small is capable of teaching both a Shaolin and Shambhala Master."

Caine felt his son's growing restlessness. Peter began trying to pull him forward.

"Patience, Peter, patience. Let us go together to find Kim Li. He will be very surprised to see your new clothes."

Ping Hi stood smiling as he watched Kwai Change Caine and his son disappear into the temple.

Kwai Chang knew he would find Peter in the back gardens with Kim Li on this Thursday morning. Kim Li stood and acknowledged the Shaolin Master with a bow as he approached. Kwai Chang returned the greeting. Peter, whose back was to his father's approach, swung around and seeing his father, the child ran to him, wrapping his arms around Caine's legs. Kwai Change bent down and lifted his son into his arms. As Peter hugged his father and gave him a big kiss, the priest felt a great up-welling of love for his child, which flowed between them, engulfing his son.

Kim Li's eyes widened in disbelief as he watched Peter being engulfed in a soft, vibrating golden light, which seemed to be radiating from his father. Unexpectedly, a hand rested lightly upon his shoulder. He looked over to see Master Ping Hi also watching Kwai Chang Caine and his son.

"Believe what your eyes tell you, Kim Li. Trust in yourself. What you see is true. You are witness to the all-encompassing, unconditional love of a very special father for a very special son. Your ability to see this is your gift. It is a great gift and is not to be ignored." The old Master turned and disappeared back down the walkway.

"Come with me, my son." Caine swung Peter up onto his shoulders.

"Where we go, Fadder?"

"On a picnic."

"What is a pit-nik?"

Caine chuckled. "You shall soon see, my son. I believe you will find it very enjoyable."

Peter wrapped his tiny arms around the top of his father's head and, laying his head on top of his father's, gave a squeeze and then promptly placed a big wet kiss on top of Caine's clean shaven head.

"Peter!" laughed his father.

"I loves you, Fadder."

"As I love you, my son, with all my heart and soul."

Kwai Chang Caine walked up over a small rise and stopped. Stretching out before him was a beautiful little meadow splashed with brightly colored wild flowers. A large tree stood majestically off to his right, but it was the butterflies that caught most of Caine's attention.

Peter, who had been talking non-stop while pointing excitedly in every direction, stopped his chatter with a quick intake of breath. "LOOK!" He pointed at the meadow before them. "Butterfwies! Mommy's butterfwies lives here! You find mommy's butterfwies!"

Swinging his son down off his shoulders, Caine smiled. "Yes, Peter, this is where your Mother's butterflies live."

Caine remembered the joyous times he and Laura had spent on picnics in this very meadow. They had come here when Laura carried Peter within her body. They had come here after their son was born. They had also come here as his wife's health deteriorated. Laura loved this meadow. It brought her both great joy and a profound peacefulness.

As he stood watching his young son run joyously through the grasses, while dodging around the multitude of wild flowers, Kwai Chang could not help but smile, even though a bit wistfully. This is the meadow Peter had spoken of to Ping Hi in the gardens back at the temple. Somewhere within the small child's memory was locked the vision of him and his mother running through this meadow, chasing butterflies.

Looking over to where Peter stood, he gasped! His son stood quietly, one hand held out in front of him with the largest Monarch Caine had ever seen perched on one small, outstretched finger. Next to his son, stood Laura, looking down upon her beloved child. A huge smile encompassed the boy's face. The Monarch suddenly took flight, causing Peter to laugh. Caine heard Laura's laughter, mix with her tiny son's, as it echoed out across the meadow.

Laura raised her head and their eyes met. She smiled at her beloved husband. <Do not grieve, my love. Let go of the pain. Let go of the guilt. Forgive yourself. Love and guide this, our beautiful child. You will always find me here in this special place where our son's essence began. Be happy, Kwai Chang.>

Laura once more looked lovingly at her small son and her essence enveloped Peter and then slowly faded.

For several minutes, Kwai Chang Caine did not move. A single tear rolled down his face. Wiping it away, he walked over to the large tree and set his satchel against its substantial trunk. He watched his son romping among the grasses, flowers and butterflies.

Kwai Chang Caine smiled and as his smile grew, a great weight lifted from his soul to disappear into the expanse of this sun-drenched meadow.

Surprising his son with a loud whoop, he ran to chase Peter amongst Laura's flowers and butterflies. Their laughter floated across the meadow, while someone watched with love from the shadows.

The End

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