Kermit watched chaos and mayhem storm through the One Hundred and First Precinct. The word spread that there was a bomb in the building. An evacuation progressed in a less than orderly fashion, but eventually everyone got out of the building.

Everyone, that is, except Kermit. Heart pounding, he searched for the bomb. He estimated that he had fifteen minutes left. Carefully, he searched the precinct, clutching his tool kit, opening doors, looking as thoroughly yet rapidly as he could. In the basement, he came across a door that was locked from the inside.

Bingo, he thought, this has to be it. Instinctively he drew his gun, knowing there had to be a trap. But he couldn't have anticipated the dart that hit him low on the leg. The razor sharp needle sliced cleanly through his sock and pierced his ankle. Before passing out, he guessed the dart was triggered by motion. Damn. There must be more of them. With his last bit of energy, Kermit moved his body so the rest of darts were fired. Just before he succumbed to unconsciousness, he thought, I can't believe this! I'm done for by darts!

~~~

Outside, Mary Margaret, Jody and Captain Simms stood together. Simms' cell phone beeped and the captain answered it. Finally, she said, "Thanks, Bob, keep me posted."

"All the passengers were safely evacuated from the plane before the bomb went off, thanks to a bald man with an earring warning the crew." Mary Margaret grinned, shaking with relief. Then Simms quickly added, "But the same man stayed on the plane to....find a cat." Simms raised her eyebrows and shrugged. "That's all my source knows. There is no body in the debris. Man nor cat. They can't find Caine."

"Damn him!" Skalany muttered. But she knew she could expect nothing less from him.

"Where is Kermit? Should we go in after him?"

Captain Simms replied, "Give him time to do his job." But she kept looking at her watch. "Where's Detective Caine?" she snapped.

"Civilian Caine is right here," Peter said, standing behind Jody and squeezing her shoulders. "We have thirteen more minutes. Has Kermit found the bomb? Where's the bomb squad?"

Simms answered him, "They're on their way. We haven't heard from Kermit yet."

At that moment they heard the brief howl of a siren. Peter looked puzzled. "Has someone been injured?"

"Not to my knowledge," clipped Simms. They turned to the ambulance just in time to see Kwai Chang Caine.

~~~

The Shaolin turned and bowed to the driver, then started walking toward the group. He surveyed the gathering, meeting eyes with each one, lingering a longer moment with Peter, and then Mary Margaret. He clasped his hands together and bowed.

"I am pleased to find you are all in one piece."

His arrival acted as a release valve. A chorus of "Caine!" and "Pop!" filled the air and they moved toward him. Caine's arms stretched to wrap around all of them in a heartfelt group hug. They quickly disentangled and waited while Caine closed his eyes and was silent.

The priest opened his eyes. "Kermit is in trouble and needs help."

Peter's arm stayed draped around his father. "Come on, Pop. Let's get Kermit."

"No, my son."

"I'm coming with you, Pop." Peter insisted

"You...will go alone. I must stay here." Caine hesitated a moment, then said, "I was injured by the blast and must sit down."

The priest gracefully lowered himself to the ground and sat in full lotus.

"Peter, there is no time to argue. You must go now!"

Peter nodded and ran up the steps.

~~~

As soon as Peter entered the building, Caine started to stand. Two firm yet gentle hands pushed him back down. Mary Margaret knelt on the ground in front of him, hands still on his shoulders, and kissed him.

"I thought I told you to never scare me like that again."

Caine shrugged. "You did not specify a plane."

"Oh, I see." Mary Margaret looked deep in his eyes. "I know what you're doing with Peter, letting him handle this himself. Sitting, however, is a really good idea. You've been through a lot. Did you find the cat?"

He raised an eyebrow and said, "I did."

She wrapped her arms around him, hugging him and whispered in his ear, "I love you, Kwai Chang Caine." She stood. "I suppose you know how much time is left, too?"

"Nine minutes twenty seconds."

She held both hands in front of her, palms out, as if attaching him to that spot. "Don't move. I have to talk to Captain Simms. I'll be back." She walked away.

~~~

Peter Caine acted on a hunch and stopped at Kermit's office. He found the PC and studied the monitor. "I certainly have been a busy! Not just one, but two bombs!" As he talked out loud to himself, he noticed the references to his mother's picture but had no time to look. "This is the way we build a bomb, build a bomb, build a bomb," he sang softly to himself as he memorized as much of the plan as he could. In his mind, he could see the minutes ticking away. "That's all, folks!"

Peter ran to the basement and he immediately noticed the open door. Kermit was lying on the floor surrounded by the darts. The young Shaolin knelt and checked his friend. Kermit's pulse still beat and his breathing was shallow. Peter didn't know what or how much poison was used but he did know one thing: Kermit had risked his life for all of them.

"Hang in there, buddy. I'll help you as soon as I can. I have an explosive situation to attend to first."

Scooping up the tool kit Kermit dropped he found the bomb. Recalling the plans, Peter started, excruciatingly slowly, to disarm the bomb.

"First this little guy," he muttered. Snip. "Next this nasty old fellow." Snip. There were two more wires and it was critical that only the right one be cut. Clearing his head, he allowed the image of the correct one to enter his mind. He held his breath. Snip.

The clock stopped - one minute, forty-seven seconds to spare.

"Not even close." Then he looked at Kermit and cursed. Kermit's complexion was white, and Peter feared he'd stopped breathing.

~~~

Outside, Caine jumped up. He ran to the ambulance that was just pulling away and shouted, "Sam, stop!"

Sam stopped the van and rolled down the window. "What is it now, Mister Caine? I can't be hauling you all over town."

Caine opened the door and yanked Sam out of the van.

"There is a brave man in the basement fighting for his life. He has stopped breathing. You must get the oxygen and go down there immediately and help him!"

"Yes, sir!" Sam ran to the back of the ambulance and grabbed his gear. Caine waited for him and gripped Sam's arm. "Follow me."

They ran to the basement and found Peter and Kermit. Peter was administering CPR.

"Peter," Caine said, "I have brought help."

The young priest stood and let Sam start his work. Peter was trembling and his eyes were full. "Pop, it's bad. I-I think Kermit is-Kermit is-"

Caine gripped both Peter's arms. "He is not dead, my son. His soul is still here with us."

Caine dropped to the floor next to Sam, who worked efficiently on Kermit. He attached the oxygen mask but still found no pulse.

"He has been poisoned," Caine said. "We must get him to a hospital where his body can be kept alive until we find an antidote." Caine placed both hands on Kermit's head and face. He took a deep breath, closed his eyes and directed every bit of energy he possessed into Kermit

"I got a pulse!" Sam shouted. Kermit's eyes fluttered but did not open. "Let's get him out of here!"

~~~

Mary Margaret waited with Jody and Simms, praying that Kermit would survive. Everyone had heard about Kermit as they carried him down the steps and to the ambulance, the crowd made a path and lined both sides. No one made a sound, and the air crackled with emotion.

"I'll ride with him," said Peter.

"I will too," said Captain Simms. "I owe him that. And a lot more."

"They can keep him alive at the hospital," Caine explained to Jody and Mary Margaret, once the ambulance had sped off, "but not save him. He will die, soon, unless I find the antidote for this poison."

"Where will you find it?" asked Jody.

"I must consult Lo Si."

"But Caine, do you trust him? How do you know he won't kill Kermit?"

"Lo Si? Kill Kermit? What are you two talking about?" Mary Margaret sounded incredulous.

"I must go now and find out," answered Caine. "It is the only chance Kermit has."

"You're right," conceded Jody. "Skalany, you and I should help the chief hold things together until Captain Simms gets back. And I can fill you in on the details."

"Tell Captain Simms to call us from the hospital," Mary Margaret said. "Come home," she squeezed Caine's hands, "when this is all done. Good luck."

Mary Margaret watched Caine leave and then she looked at her watch. It's only eight-thirty in the morning. What a way to start the day, she thought as she wearily climbed the precinct steps.

~~~

Caine stood in the doorway of the ancient one's apothecary. He watched Lo Si grinding herbs with mortar and pestle. "What is wrong, Kwai Chang Caine? Do you fear I may turn around and blow a poison dart at you?"

The sound of the Ancient's voice caused relief to flood through Caine. He did not yet understand everything but he knew all was well with Lo Si.

"Master, forgive me for doubting you.

"My feelings are hurt, Kwai Chang Caine, that you could think me capable of such a heinous crime." Lo Si smiled. "As you well know, my dear friend, my feelings are not hurt. I am honored that I could fool you."

Caine walked to the worktable started handling the herbs, tasting them and feeling them. He stopped at one and started to speak. "Have you--"

"Yes, I have. But it is not right." Lo Si gestured with a gnarled hand. "Taste that one."

Caine tried it. "Yes, of course. How far along are you?"

"It is almost done, Kwai Chang Caine. The poison was very strong, and very old. It is one I have not dealt with for many years."

"Master, perhaps you could enlighten me as to the purpose of this exercise?"

"Must everything have a purpose?"

"That is true," Caine replied evenly. "However, I believe that perhaps, on this occasion, there may be a lesson to be learned."

Lo Si answered as he worked. "Kwai Change Caine, my chi was poisoned when I would not let my daughter and granddaughter into my life or into my heart. When my chi healed, I could see you, too, were shunning those who loved you. You were ready to leave any time. You would have left us now."

Caine waited while Lo Si tasted more herbs. "When the men approached me about the picture, I knew there was a powerful force of evil at work. Knowing you would certainly fight the evil I saw an opportunity for you to face your demons. I went along with the scheme. I gave you the picture, blocking my so that you would believe I did not know it was a fake. What do you call it? Going under the covers."

Caine laughed. "Going undercover, I believe."

"Yes, that is right. Yet it seems that one of us has truly gone under the covers. Is that not true, Kwai Chang Caine?"

"And having me believe you are Ping Hai," Caine continued, ignoring Lo Si's teasing, "is this also part of my lesson?"

"When it is the proper time, all will be revealed."

Caine had no choice but to wait for that explanation. The younger priest sighed, still at odds with his master's explanation. "Lo Si, why did you not speak to me of this impending danger?"

For the first time Lo Si stopped working, and he shot a fiery glance at Caine. "You do not listen to a word I say about your personal affairs! That is why I cut myself off from you." The older Shaolin continued working. "I knew I would not keep quiet. You would have left and been gone for good! I hope you have learned that running away serves no purpose! You have a family here who loves you. It is time to stay home, Kwai Chang Caine. Stay home and let those who love you help you."

Caine had the grace not to argue. "So once again, I had to do battle with myself. Only this time I struggled with my chi united."

"Yes. You had to reach out to your friends for help and love. You could not depend only on Peter. Or on me." The ancient handed Caine a small, glass tube. "I am finished. Hurry and take this to Kermit. If he takes this at once, he will survive."

~~~

Caine swiftly delivered the herbal antidote to the hospital. The doctor knew the priest from the community and allowed Caine to administer the medication. The strong poison required three doses to be given every two hours.

Finally, the antidote took a firm hold and Caine watched Kermit start to come out of the coma. Opening his eyes, the cop managed to lift his head and look at Caine. Kermit had expended an enormous amount of energy fighting the poison, so he was completely exhausted.

"You're still in one piece and still bald as a billiard ball," Kermit rasped weakly. "Everyone else okay?"

"Yes, my friend. Everyone is well."

"Did you get me out of there?"

"No. Peter did."

"I hate it when that happens," Kermit muttered. "Now I'm going to have to thank him."

Kermit's eyes started to close, so he might not have heard Caine say, "It is you they will thank, Kermit. Now sleep well." Kermit's head sank into the pillow and he fell into a deep, healing sleep.

Doing something he would not dare to do while Kermit was awake, Caine gently stroked Kermit's forehead, smoothing back the detective's dark hair. "Yes, sleep well, my friend. We will talk later."

Peter Caine stayed at the hospital while Caine cared for Kermit. He watched but did not interfere, because he wanted his father to concentrate on their friend. When Caine finally left Kermit's bed, Peter followed and then joined him as Caine moved through the city they both called home.

They walked together in silence, Peter stealing an occasional furtive glance. On one of the glimpses he saw his father smile.

"What is it you wish to ask me, my son?"

Both men stopped and faced each other on the sidewalk.

"Ask you?" Peter replied. "First things first, Pop." The young man grabbed his Father's arms and pulled him into a crushing embrace. "I'm so glad you're back, Father," Peter said, his voice choking with emotion. Father and son lingered in the hug, oblivious to the rest of humanity passing around them.

"I am glad to be back, my son," Caine acknowledged, and freed one hand to wipe his own eyes.

Finally, Peter pulled away and stepped back. "And now I want to shake the daylights out of you! What on earth possessed you to pull a stunt like this? And on your own, too. I -- I thought you were gone." The young priest sniffed and rubbed his eyes. "And I'm not ashamed to say my heart was broken. Then you show up, riding in an ambulance! The big hero, fresh from rescuing a plane full of people and-- and a cat! If I wasn't so tired I'd be furious."

They both started walking again. "Peter, so much has happened," Caine said. "I have learned, am still learning, the hardest lesson of my life. You are not the only one who has unresolved issues concerning his father."

Caine's openness shocked Peter. The young man grabbed his father's arm, forcing them to stop again. "Are you talking about you, Pop?" Their gazes locked. "You and your father?"

"How is it that your grandfather is my father," Caine said wryly, "and I am your Pop?"

Caine started walking again, as if the physical motion facilitated the flow of his thoughts. Peter ran to catch up.

"My father was gone most of the time. As a child, it was difficult for me to understand. His absences were never talked about or explained. Growing up, I devised my own explanations, the kind that children often conjure. I have made many decisions in my life that have been shaped by my childhood thoughts, what I believed I had learned from my father's wanderings." Caine stopped and took his son's hand. "As an adult, I came to understand about the war and my father's research. But as you well know," Caine looked straight into Peter's eyes, "it is not easy to change the images that are imprinted on you as a child. It...is possible that I have been mistaken."

Both men started walking again. "But it is not too late. I will try to break the cycle started by my father, and his father. I will stop wandering and face whatever comes, with you, and with all my friends."

"Wow. That's a lot to handle," said Peter, burying his hands deeply in his pockets.

"Yes," agreed his father.

They stopped in front of Delancey's. By now, it was early in the evening.

"And you, Peter. You have taken the final step. You have received the brands."

Peter looked at his own arms, covered with the cotton of his long sleeved shirt.

"What are thinking, my son?"

"I...I'm not ready to talk about it. Not just yet." Peter leaned forward and kissed Caine on the forehead. "Come on, Pop. Let's stop in and see who's here."

~~~

Karen Simms, Jody and Chief Strenlich sat together at one table. Peter and Caine walked over and sat down. Peter spoke first.

"Kermit regained consciousness for a few seconds before we left. He talked to Pop, complaining that he would have to thank me. Sounds like he's going to be fine." Peter looked around. "Where's Skalany?"

Karen said, "She looked so miserable and so exhausted, I let her go home early." Looking pointedly at Caine, she added, "I certainly hope no one interferes with her getting the rest she needs."

Jody smiled at Caine. "I'm sorry, Caine, I guess I was a little late detecting the evil."

Caine smiled, reached over and squeezed her hand. "You were wonderful, Jody. We were all late uncovering this diabolical plot."

Simms looked at Peter. "You're going to have a lot of explaining to do, Civilian Caine."

Peter winced. "I know. Even though I was set up, it doesn't look good on paper. Anything new on who is behind it?"

Jody answered, "Not yet. But as soon as Kermit gets strong he'll unravel this mess. Believe me, we will find out."

"Not to change the subject, but Pop, you're going to have to put up with me for a while. I took you seriously. I canceled my lease and they found another tenant. It'll take me a little while to find another place. Should be no more than a week or two."

"I will not be moving in with you, my son."

"Come on, Pop, it'll just be for a while!"

"Peter, you misunderstand. It is not because of you."

Peter looked confused. "Then what?"

"I believe the young man is in need of some enlightenment," said Karen.

Peter raised both hands. "What? Will somebody please tell me?"

"I--" Caine gestured at the ceiling. "And Mary Margaret...." The priest lifted one shoulder in a shrug.

Peter banged both hands on the table, than grabbed his father's shoulder. "Pop, let me try and understand this. You and Skalany are-- I mean you both--" Peter looked around the table. "Everyone here knows this and I don't? Did-did this just happen?" Peter shook his head. "Boy, you must have been really broken up about leaving me again."

Caine stood up and patted his son's shoulder. "Mary Margaret and I were both despondent. We...gave comfort to each other. And now I must," Caine squeezed Peter's arms, "go home."

Caine winked at his son. Peter stared at him in astonishment. The young priest was still reeling when he thought of something important. He shot up and ran after his father.

Peter caught up with Caine and looped his arm over his father's shoulders.

"Boy, you sure are a man on a mission, Dad. An armed missile."

"What is it, my son?"

"Pop, can you stop, please? For just one minute?"

Caine stopped and faced Peter.

"I'm -- I'm afraid, Father. I'm afraid there isn't room in Chinatown for two Shaolin priests. And I don't mean you and the Ancient. I mean us. Room for two Caines in Chinatown."

"You are correct," Caine said gravely.

"Then what do we do?"

"There is not room for two Shaolin Priest Caines in Chinatown. But there is ample room for a father and his son. Peter and Pop." Caine smiled and lightly punched Peter in the arm. Peter smiled.

Then Caine suddenly flung his arms around Peter. "I love you, my son."

Caine hugged Peter tightly, but this time he did not hold back, and he allowed himself to draw strength from his son, in the same way he had given his own strength during their turbulent reunion.

"I love you, too, Pop."

As they went their separate ways, Peter stopped and called out one more question.

"Hey, Dad! Come to Chinatown. Ask for Caine. He will help you. But now, who does that mean?"

Caine shrugged and smiled. He thought of his grandfather and his father, him and his son. "All of us, my son. All of us."

....and the legend continues.

The End

Next Story: Eclipse

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