Fifteen minutes later, a nervous Kat crammed the hamburger down her throat. Her father had threatened to strap her to the cafeteria chair if she didn't eat every bit so she surmised that the faster she finished, the faster she could get back.

"There, done. Now let's go." She was nearly out of her chair when Kermit placed a firm hand on her shoulder, pushing her back into it. Pulling a chair close to her, he sat down to try to reach her.

"Kat. What happened to KC wasn't your fault."

"Yes, it was."

"NO! It wasn't. You can't be responsible for EVERYONE on the planet. Something bad happened but you can't blame yourself. Trust me...that just gets in the way." Holding onto her hand, he watched the emotions play across her face. Usually a vibrant, confident face. Today, small and afraid.

"Daddy...I just should have...I mean...he counts on me. I can't let him down like Pa-"

Kermit stopped her before she could finish. "Wait a minute. This has nothing to do with Paul. YOU had nothing to do with Paul's death."

Kat's frustration and exhaustion overcame her control and the tears started to flow. "YES I DID! I wished he'd never been born when you brought him home. He took all OUR time. But then...just when I got to love him and wasn't jealous...he got sick. SEE! I spent all that energy wanting him to disappear. What kind of person does that?!"

He was shocked at first by her confession. Not the content. Those feelings are normal when a new baby comes into the house. The fact that she'd carried all that guilt for so long. Feeling guilt because he died after she'd been so jealous. Grabbing her out of the chair and pulling her close, he said, "What kind of person does that? *Everyone* feels that way at first. I did with your Aunt Marilyn just as your mom did with Uncle Billy. It's *normal*. Everyone works through it just like you did. It's part of growing up and realizing you have room in your heart for more than just a few people."

Savannah, cuddling her daughter from the other side, chimed in. "And just because you were jealous...that didn't hurt Paul. It just HAPPENED. No one's fault. We know you loved him. He knew, too. Let this go, baby."

Face still buried in her father's chest, she sobbed, "I can't lose KC. Not like that. I've tried to be a good sister but...."

Savannah interrupted her daughter's empassioned confessions. "You're the best, sweetest child I could have ever wished for. Come with me. Let's go wash your face." She pulled her up and wrapped a comforting arm around her on the way to the ladies' room. "Everything will be fine. Kermit," she called over her shoulder, "why don't you go back upstairs to Peter. See how things are going."

Kermit went back upstairs. Peter was gone, presumably with KC, so he sat down to keep watch. Savannah and a bleary-eyed Katherine joined him after a few minutes. Peter finally emerged, approached Kat and gave her a gentle hug. "Why don't you go on in, Tadpole."

She didn't say anything. Just went in and sank down beside the bed. KC was hooked to oxygen and an IV. All the attitude drained out of him. He looked so small. Picking up his hand, she said, "I'm here. They wouldn't let me in till now. I'm so sorry, KC...." Kat held his hand to her cheek.

"If you'll just get better...I promise I won't call you sprout anymore...No more names....I won't fight your fights or boss you around or get you in any trouble ever again." She sat there with her eyes closed to hold back more tears. "Just don't leave me. Please."

All at once, the hand she was holding pulled back and smacked her cheek. Jumping back in shock, Kat shouted, "KC!!!!!!"

"Just wanted...to 'push' that promise in so you wouldn't forget." He was very weak but the satisfied grin across his face made it plain that he'd been wide awake during her vows.

"YOU LITTLE...."

"Ah, ah, ah. You promised!"

Peter, Kermit, and Savannah grinned while standing in the doorway.

"Back to normal!" Savannah chuckled.

"Almost." Kermit batted Peter on the arm. "Come on, Partner. We've got to go to work." Kermit and Savannah walked out in the hall so that Peter could be with his son for a moment. Kermit reached into his back pocket and took out Savannah's gun that she typically stashed in her car. "Here," Kermit said, slipping it into her purse. "You've got to keep an eye on the kids. I doubt any of them will slip away from us but just in case...."

"I'll give them a surprise they'll never forget!" Savannah said, eyes glittering with emotion as she patted the purse.

Kermit didn't doubt her for a second.

*****

Clarence Choi knew he could beat Peter Caine this time. He had been humiliated by the ex-cop time and time again but now, he had gotten his revenge. He was the one that had pulled the trigger that killed Peter Caine's son. Better yet, they didn't know that and, even if they did, they had no way to prove it.

Now, even though the eight men that he had sent out had been caught, he had plenty more. He also had the funds now to make this a very expensive war.

Looking through the multi-plex wall of glass, he looked out into the night. With Peter Caine and his father incapacitated by grief and pretending that he had the daughter of Caine's partner, he could move ahead with his plans to finally seize the city once and for all. In fact, he just might as well insist that the Caines leave the city once and for all-

Clarence began to scream as he saw a pair of headlights heading straight for him. Their own black Cadillac smashed through the wall, spraying glass everywhere.

Clarence and his man scattered as something was lobbed in the center of the room by the occupants of the Cadillac and the warehouse filled with smoke. Running toward one doorway, ten of the men ran into Lo Si and Caine.

Clarence, seeing that avenue was closed, headed for another exit, only to be confronted by a very serious-looking Kermit Griffin with an automatic weapon cradled in his hands. The man in question pulled the trigger to spray the area in front of them with gunfire.

They turned back to see Peter Caine grab their boss and hold him in a painful armlock.

"You can't DO this!" choked Clarence Choi.

"Why on earth not?" Peter asked calmly.

"You're a cop!"

"Not anymore," Peter corrected as Kermit herded the others into a corner and cuffed them. "Why, we don't even have the power to place you under arrest! Except for a citizen's arrest, of course, but we have something a bit more interesting in mind."

"Oh, by the way," Kermit said, "thanks very much for placing your computer out of the way." He sat down and logged on. "Peter, get the password, please."

Clarence shook his head. Peter sighed. "You just don't learn, do you?" He tightened his grip until the man was screaming. "Believe me," Peter said cheerfully, "I don't mind breaking you in half - just as long as you go to a different hospital than where my son is." He continued the pressure.

"Bon Bon Hai!" Clarence screamed.

"No one's going to come rescue you," Peter said, "and Bon Bon Hai is LONG gone...."

"P...p...passw-augggh!"

"I think that's the password, Peter," Kermit said. He tried it. "Yep."

Peter loosened his grip slightly and some color began to come back into Clarence's face. He tried to cough but was unable to. "What...what are you...going to do-?"

"I don't think we should ruin the suspense, Peter," Kermit said, typing furiously. "Such nice, NEAT notes...Clarence, I'm impressed! Who's your secretary?" With a few notations, Kermit sent all of Clarence's files to his computer at the precinct and appropriated all drug money funds to various charities. Sending an email to Mary Margaret and Jody telling them to expect them, he signed off the computer. "Well. Shall we run them in, Partner?"

*****

Commissioner Simms walked purposefully into the ICU, flashing her identification to gain access to KC's room. She had personally selected the guard on his door. Peter Caine and Kermit Griffin meant a great deal to her. She owed them. Owed their families as well.

She walked in on the startling view of Peter's son, now peacefully sleeping. Tubes and monitors seemed to be obscene implements to be used by this rambunctious kid. He was *exactly* like his father. Wired and intense. *Payback is hell, Peter,* she thought.

Savannah got up to greet her. Kat had fallen asleep with her head on KC's bed so she tried to be as quiet as possible. "Hi, Karen," she said softly, moving to the far corner of the room. "He's doing much better. He's one lucky kid."

"Glad to hear it. Any more threats?"

"No. Not so far."

Noticing two conspicuous absences, Karen asked, "Where are they?" As if she didn't already know....

"Fishing."

"Where?"

"I don't know where but I know who. Clarence Choi. He was behind the attempt to kidnap Kat. His men thought they had killed her and he called Kermit, pretending to have her. Trying to get him and Peter to stop encouraging Chinatown to resist his organization." Savannah could see the anger rising into Karen's face.

"Why the hell didn't they report it?" Another dumb question. Before she could form another comment, her cellphone buzzed in her purse. After a few nods and brief comments, she disconnected and smiled at Savannah.

"Seems your husband just transmitted ALL of Clarence Choi's records to the precinct computer. He and Peter are holding them, waiting for a wagon. Case closed."

"Are they all ri-?"

"Fine. That is, until I get ahold of them." She held her firm expression for a moment, then let a slight smile cross her lips. "Why don't you two take a break. I'll stay with KC."

Savannah pulled Kat's hair back from her face. "Kat, honey. Let's go get something to drink."

Kat sat up, still drowsy. "No," she protested, "what if he wakes up?" Then she noticed Karen Simms. "Hi, Ren. Have you heard from my dad?"

"Hi, yourself. Yes, he's fine. Now, do what your mother says. I'll stay here."

Arguing with Karen Simms was pointless. "Okay, Mama, but we'll come right back?"

Savannah nodded as they left for the elevator.

*****

Marty Chan had been the only one to get away. When the explosion rocked his boss's headquarters, he'd escaped through an emergency exit. Now, he was on his own. Choi's little kidnapping attempt had left him hanging out in the breeze. He knew that girl had gotten a good look at him...and probably the other three as well. Now that he knew she was alive, he wasn't about to leave himself open to fifteen years in the state pen.

*If Caine's kid is here, so is she,* he thought as he walked down the halls to the ICU. The police guard let him know he was in the right place. Getting Peter Caine's son was of no interest. He hadn't been near THAT fiasco, but that girl was a different story.

Much to his pleasure, there she was. Heading toward the elevator with a blonde. He waited until just before the elevator door closed, then stepped inside, turning his back to them.

The minute he jumped in, Savannah's instincts began to scream. Something was wrong. When she met Kat's gaze, her suspicions were confirmed.

Kat caught the man's reflection in the metal of the control panel. He was one of the men who'd chased her into that warehouse. Her body tensed and she cut a warning glance at her mother.

Savannah shook her head slightly, to be sure that Kat understood to be still. Slowly, she slipped her hand into her purse, wrapping her hand around her revolver. If he WAS here for Kat, he'd have to stop the elevator.

When his hand slammed into the control panel, she drew the weapon, aiming it at his midsection. With the other hand, she shoved Kat against the wall.

Chan whirled to face Kat with a switchblade in his hand. His expression went from shock to amusement as they stood in the stalled elevator. He was a trained killer and this little blonde was going to scare HIM with a gun. It had been his intimate experience that women didn't like to shoot people. They hesitated.

"You take one step toward my baby and I'll blow you in half." Savannah held the gun close to her body at her waist. Kermit had always told her not to extend it away from her body. She would have greater control over it and it would be harder for someone to grab it from her that way.

*She doesn't have the guts!* Her voice hadn't trembled but the rest of her was shaking like a leaf. A cruel smile pasted on his face, he switched his grip on the knife and lunged for the teenager.

BLAM!!!

Savannah fired, blowing a hole in the man's abdomen. He fell back against the elevator door and slid to the floor. Eyes gaping open in shock and death. For a few seconds, neither she or her daughter breathed. Then, Savannah's trembling hand reached out to restart the elevator.

"Ma...ma!" Kat latched onto her mother. Filled with shock and revulsion.

Savannah held her with one arm, still clutching the gun with the other hand.

Kermit and Peter had just walked into the lobby when they heard the shot from the elevator shaft. They were at the door when the elevator deposited Marty Chan's body at their feet. Peter grabbed his collar and pulled him clear so that Kermit could get Savannah and Kat out into the lobby.

"Kat, you okay, baby?"

She nodded and looked back to her mother. Savannah was still silent. Her arm still frozen to her side with her knuckles white around the butt of her gun. Eyes fixed on the man she'd just killed.

Kermit gently wrapped his hand around hers. "Here, Scarlett. Let me take the gun. That's good." She slowly released her grip then exhaled her pent-up terror. He helped her sit down and dropped his jacket around her. "It's all right. Just relax."

Kat crouched on the floor in front of her mother. "Daddy, that was one of the men who chased me. He was going to kill us and Mama had to shoot him. Mama...? Are you-"

Finally, words returned. "Y...yes. I'm fine. Are you?"

"Oh, yeah!" she said, forcing the fear off her face. "Boy...do I have tough parents!"

*****

TWO MONTHS LATER:

*****

Kwai Chang Caine (the third) bounced up and down lightly on his toes, testing himself. It had been a very long month for all parties but, with the help of his grandfather's ministrations, he was almost back to his old self. He stretched his muscles carefully, bent himself forward and back....

*Don't sprain anything, sprout!*

*You promised.*

*So, I lied. Wanna come to the park?*

*Be right there!* He jumped up from his squatting permission and sidled over to his father, who was teaching a new pupil how to root. "Psst! Dad!" he whispered. "Can I go to the park with Kat?"

Peter frowned; somehow he just had a feeling...."I don't know, KC....You're still-"

"I'm fine, Dad. Really!"

Noticing that the young man wasn't calling him Pop, Peter was instantly suspicious and excused himself from his new charge to talk to his son. Guiding him into the other room, he put a hand on his son's shoulder. "KC, I have a surprise for you."

KC looked at him expectantly. Frankly, he had already been surprised at his father's statement. "What?"

"Ta-dah!" Peter whipped out two tickets and presented them to his son with a flourish.

KC looked at them. "Oh," he said, examining them.

"'Oh'? Your enthusiasm is almost overwhelming," Peter responded, a little hurt.

"Dad...I'm sorry but...you want me to be honest, right?"

Peter sighed. Sometimes KC's honesty left a LOT to be desired and he had a feeling that this was one of those times. "Go ahead," he said, resigned.

"Well, Dad...see, I've never really cared for basketball all that much. It's just too easy....Maybe you and Uncle Kermit could go and have fun...."

Peter gaped. "I thought you LOVED basketball! I thought that's why you went over to Wilson Junior High-" Peter stopped, suddenly noticing a light pink flush creep over his son, starting at his neck and spreading to his cheeks. "Who is she?" Peter asked with a grin.

"Nobody!" KC protested a little too loudly. He blushed harder as his dad ruffled his hair.

"Sure, Champ," Peter said, fighting to keep the amusement out of his voice and failing. "So on and have fun."

KC grabbed the opportunity and ran as fast as he was able.

"Be careful!" Peter called after him.

KC caught up to Kat, who was impatiently tapping her foot. "'Bout time, squirt!" Kat noticed her companion's blue mood and sensed that it wasn't the time for teasing.

"You ever feel that, even though you love them more than you can possibly imagine, that you want to SHOOT your parents?"

"Every day," Kat laughed, hugging him. "Hey, here's a horrifying thought: suppose our situations were reversed? I had your dad and you had my folks?"

KC laughed, instantly feeling better. "We wouldn't last a week." His expression suddenly changed to one filled with pain.

Kat grabbed his arm. "Oh, God, what's wrong, KC???"

"Not me," he gasped. "Her...."

He pointed at a woman partially obscured by a tree. She was being leaned on by a very large, very angry-looking man. "Please, Tony...." she begged.

"I don't give a shit WHAT your mother wants," he snapped, grabbing her arm painfully. "You and I are moving NOW! And I don't want any more backtalk!"

Kat's eyes blazed with fire. "Yo! Hey, Stupido!" she called. "Pick on someone half your size - like me!"

"Kaaaat!" KC sighed....

AND THE ADVENTURES CONTINUE....

Part 1   Part 2   Part 3   Part 4   Part 5    

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