Disclaimer:  I only have a dog and a computer so please don't sue me.   
I would like to thank Julie, my senior editor and Shaun, Jen, Debbie, Mom, 
and everyone else who listened to my happy ramblings while writing this. 
Any comments, good or bad, please send to tigeresse@hotmail.com   enjoy!  : )              
by Sarah Kelly            Aug  1999


                    The Minds Truths and Lies

                               Prologue

	The room was a mess.  Tables and benches were tossed over, plants had 
piles of dirt surrounding them, boxes and other containers had been spilt.  
	He sighed as he slowly walked into the room, eyeing the catastrophe 
around him.  Bending over, he righted the nearest table and began to set 
the room in order.  A familiar noise came from the door he had just passed 
as a younger man waltzed into the room.  
	"Pop, what the hell happened in here?"  Peter stared at the scene.  
Kwai Chang Caine shrugged.  He never knew why they did this.  Peter sighed 
at his father's awnser and began to help with the clean up.
	It was almost sunrise by the time they finished.  Caine carefully 
put back the items he thought were most precious to him.  In a small 
cardboard box a few items were already assembled.  An old music box, 
a picture album, some faded papers, a little picture, a small stone,  
Caine remembered the stories behind each of the objects.  
	"Anything missing Pop?"  Peter asked coming up behind him.  
Caine noticed how tired his son looked.  Returning to the question, he 
thought for a moment, and realized something was.  
	"My son, have you seen my journal?"  
	"You mean the one you always write in?"
	Caine shook his head.  "No, the one I had when I was younger."
	"No, sorry Pop."
	"Then that is what is missing."

                  *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *
     


	Kinky
	The word flashed across the scene as Kermit typed it.  Leaning back 
in his chair, he laughed, "I love these chat rooms."  
	You have no idea, my first husband is probally impotant now, all
thanks from me
	The words penned themselves, sent from whomever was on the other end.  
Kermit gave an unbelieving smile and typed back.
	What husband are you on now?
	Six, until Friday, the papers are final then.
	Then what?
	Are you single?
	A knock on the door broke his concentration.  "This better be good."  
A familiar face framed by brown hair and a mischievous smile dared to 
disrupt the former mercenary.  "Peter,  go pester someone else about 
your big date tonight."  Kermit snapped in irritation.
	"Touchy, touchy.  I'm just letting you know that I just brought in 
the serial liquor store robber.  Resold the stuff to the same store he 
robbed last week.  Never took the store's label off the bottles."
	Kermit smirked "someone didn't know his vintages."  
	Peter Caine waltzed into the room, the Mighty Frog's Lair as 
everyone called it.  Consisting of a few chairs and two filing cabinets, 
the computer was the main focal point.  It seemed to dominate the room 
and Kermit's life, a strange god for him to worship.  Peter looked at the 
screen.  "What number of husband are you on now?  That doesn't sound much 
like police work."
	"Didn't anyone ever teach you its rude to read another's 
conversation?"
	"Nope, my Pop doesn't even know how to use a computer."
	"Lesson one," Kermit's shark-like grin gave a foreshadow of his words. 
"Don't ever read mine."  
	Peter looked at him, then to the screen. "Hey, can I write her back?"
	Kermit's eyes went back to the screen.  New words appeared.
	Are you there? We can finish this tomorrow.  Laura
	"Who's Laura? Does Karen know about her?  My mother's name was 
Laura...."  Peter's endless chatter began and Kermit stared at the screen 
thinking up some way to sabotage the bothersome detective's date for this 
evening.


	"The suspect's getting ready to leave, Peter."  A melodious voice 
purred out. Peter looked up at his dining companion. The dim lights played 
wonderfully off her light red hair and the candle on the table heightened 
her emerald eyes.  A feminine face was above a very feminine shaped body.  
Juliette D'Henri was a visiting officer and Peter could barely take his 
eyes off her.  The two were on a stakeout and hoping to shut down a large 
illegal arms dealer.  Pretending to be dining, they had watched him, 
waiting for him to move.  
	"Now."  They slowly rose up, following the suspect with their eyes as 
he left with a supposed business partner.  Walking out the door, Peter 
brushed alongside the man, 
	"Sorry."  The man glared at him.
	Once outside, they followed the men around a corner into a dark 
alleyway.  Peter sniffed the foul smelling air as he and Juliette walked 
past a dumpster.  Why do bad guys always pick the filthiest alleyways, 
Peter asked himself while stepping over an old garbagebag.  Alongside a 
wall sat a large delivery van.  Its once white body had turned to grey and 
graffiti decorated its sides.  The man they were after lifted the door on 
back of the truck, and pulled out a large gun.
	"That's it, lets go."  Juliette whispered to Peter.
	Peter startled, asked "what about back up?"  It was too late, she had 
her gun pulled and yelled freeze.  The men stared at her, unsure.  Peter 
pulled his gun and followed his partner.  
	"Hands on your head and don't even think of running."
	The men both pulled their guns and started firing at them.  Peter 
dodged behind a dumpster and shot the one man in the leg.  Chips of the 
building rained down , cursing softly Peter realized he had forgotten about 
the driver.  Across from him, he saw Juliette had taken cover behind a 
parked car. Peter looked around the side of the dumpster and saw the driver 
creeping up alongside the van.  Thinking now or never, he raced out and 
aimed for the man.  Sudden quiet took over after the last shots from 
Peter's gun faded.  It only took a moment to realize that their suspect was 
gone.
	Peter looked at Juliette who was fuming in anger.  "He must have run 
when the shooting started."
	"And now we've spooked him."  Juliette vented her anger against a 
trash can.  Peter leaned up against the van and gave his most charming 
smile.  "What are you smiling at?  He was the link to bigger fish."
	"And also has one of Blake's bugs on him."
	She smiled as a police cruiser showed up.  "Have any plans for later, 
detective?"


	Peter crept into the 101st and slid behind his desk.  Oh man, why do 
I do this to myself, he thought looking at the large piles of folders 
overwhelming his workspace.
	"Seems a little hopeless, doesn't it?  Well, a wise man once said, 
He who procrastinates is lost."  Mary Margret Skalany commented moseying 
past Peter's desk.
	Peter stuck out his tongue.  "So, how's my pop?"
	The brunette detective smiled, "He's doing fine.  Wishes you would 
stop by soon. He's interested in hearing all about that visiting red-headed 
detective."
	"You didn't ..."
	"Yup, I was over there last night and filled him in."
	Peter suddenly showed an innocent face, two can play at this game.  
"And you and my father just talked all night?  Alone together, candles 
flickering, stars shining,..."
	"You brat! Are you implying that we..."
	"Children please!"  Captain Karen Simm's voice rang out, "squabble 
on your own time.  Peter, in my office now."  The precinct's captain swept 
past them with Juliette D'Henri in tow.  Peter looked at Mary Margret who 
only smiled.  Rising slowly, he walked into the captain's office and closed 
the door softly behind him.


	Hello little froggie, are you there?
	Kermit's eyes followed the words as they magically appeared before 
him.
	Oh yeah
	Do you always say that?
	Whenever the need arises.
	You must be one interesting guy.
	Kermit reached over and opened a drawer.  Pulling out a brown paper 
bag he smiled.  "Nothing like gummi bears."  After popping a few in his 
mouth he typed back:
	So tell me about your husbands.
	One was an ambassador, quite boring but I was able to see the world.
Another was a pilot, divorced him because he was never home.
	That scumbag.
	He even cheated on me, the sex goddess that I am.  I'm still hoping 
his plane will crash.
	You're quite the lady. Who knows, maybe one day your wish will come 
true. 
	I'm still looking for Mr. Right. Anyway, I was married to an actor 
for nearly a year.  How about this one, back in the sixties I married a 
Shaolin priest.   
	Kermit scratched his head, suddenly more interested.
	Tell me more.
	That's odd, most people ask what a Shaolin priest is.
	I've been around. What was wrong with him?
	Lets just say being married to a priest isn't all its cracked up 
to be.
	Didn't like all the soul saving?
	It bored me to tears.  That and the fact I wasn't ready to settle 
down with a family yet. We had a son together but I still felt trapped.
I was desperate to get out but the religion forbade divorce, but I found 
a way. Do you have any children, Kermit?
	Kermit sat back in his chair, lost in thought for a moment. 
Rereading the lines again, something began to bother him, something about 
finding a way... A nagging thought began running through his mind.
	How did you "get out?"
	I faked my death.  Hell, his friends at the temple even helped me.
I think they thought I was a bad influence. They gave me some herbal crap 
that made me seem dead. I saw them bury my casket, it was odd.
	Kermit sat back alarmed, mind racing.  He debated the next line, but 
sent it anyway.
	Was his name Kwai Chang Caine?	
	After a pause, the person on the other end finally responded.
	Who the hell are you?
	Kermit whistled and swore between his teeth at what he discovered.
	Just your avreage ex-mercenary who knows someone who had lived
in a temple with his son named Peter.  The wife, named Laura, had died 
when the boy was a young child. 	
	Kermit waited for a reply, receiving none he kept on typing.
	I work with Peter Caine. His MOTHER had died when he was a baby.
His FATHER lives in the city as well and is an apothecary and Shaolin 
priest.
	I have to go.
	Typing furiously, Kermit summarized the relationship between father 
and son.  Telling about the lost fifteen years and the reunion.  When no 
response ensued, he began to wonder about the consequences of what he found.  
And if this was the truth.
	It would be interesting to see them.  It has been what? almost 
thirty years.  Do you think its worth it?	
	Without hesitating, Kermit offered back.
	Oh yeah.


	Kwai Chang Caine could feel his son coming long before he arrived.  
The peace and calm that flowed through the rooms always shattered when 
he visited.  Marveling at Peter's energy and charisma, he was truly a 
life-force all his own.  Caine sighed as he heard the familiar term of 
"pop" and quietly accepted the fact that Peter would always call him that.
	"Hey Pop, ya here?"  the boisterous young man bounced through the 
door. A smile graced his lips as Caine slowly stood to greet his son.  
"So Pop, how have you been?"
	Caine studied his son, tall and lean with brown hair that crowned his 
head. A favorite of the ladies, Caine looked past the outside appearance 
and stared into the young man's brown eyes.  Everything seemed fine, but 
he knew how fragile and swift it was to change.  
	 "I have been well.  Anything new with you?"
	Peter winced "she told you didn't she?  Well, Juliette is only 
going to be in town until we nail this guy, so don't get your hopes up on 
grandchildren anytime soon."
	Giving Peter an annoyed look, Caine replied, "Why would I think that?  
What will be, will be."  They had never really talked about grandchildren 
before.  Just alittle when Peter met his grandfather.  That had been a 
shock to both of them.  Noticing Peter's chastened look, Caine said softly, 
"I could use help with a couple of the plants.  Would you care to join me?"
	Perking up, Peter put his arm around his father's shoulders.  
"I would be honored.  Now I can fill you in on Juliette.  She's smart, 
intelligent,..."
	Caine whispered a silent prayer to the gods above for patience, and 
smiled, pleased that his son was happy.   


	Kermit watched the young man arrive the next morning at the 101st.  
The man whipped off his coat and hung it on back of his chair.  Hum, it 
must be raining out there, he thought.  Peter stopped at the coffee pot 
before arriving at the door of his observer.  
	"Good morning Kermit."
	"Come in and sit down.  I have some enlightening news."
	Peter, coming in, feigned a hurt look, "What, no good morning Peter.  
Did you sleep well?  How are you doing today?"
	"I'll save my small talk for tea time."  He'd spent many hours 
pondering weither he should tell Peter about his discovery.  This will 
once again put a new obstacle in the young man's path, not that the kid 
hadn't already suffered enough, but Kermit wondered what will happen if he 
reunites the family.  Kermit took off the green glasses that was his 
trademark and looked Peter in the eye.  Sorry kid if this hurts you, 
"Peter, I found your mother."
	Peter stared blankly before breaking up into laughter.  "I get it, 
happy April Fools day.  This is what I get for the coffee stunt I pulled 
on you.  Well, that was almost two weeks ago, if I knew you'd hold a 
grudge that long..."  His words trailed off seeing the seriousness in his 
friends face.  "My god Kermit, you can't be serious.  She died when I was 
a baby.  How could you have found a dead woman?"
	Kermit sat back in his chair as he gave out the information.  
"In one of the many chat rooms I came across her.  She said she had been
married to a Shaolin priest and had a son.  After some questions, she 
named your father as her husband.  And you as her son."  He watched as 
Peter slowly absorbed the knowledge, as if this new twist in the creeping 
vine line of Caine should be expected.  "Laura wants to reunite with you 
and your father.  Her plane will arrive tomorrow morning. We'll go 
together to greet her."
	Peter slowly rose and walked over to the door, turning back, he 
asked, "why do you think she's been gone for so long?  Why did they tell 
me she was dead? And does my father know?"
	"You'll have to ask her yourself.  And I don't think your father is 
aware of her."
	Peter nodded, "thanks, and don't say anything about this to him yet, 
I need to find out some things first."  With that comment, he left 
Kermit's office along with his thoughts.  
	Kermit stared at the door for a moment, suddenly feeling as if he'd 
made a mistake.


	As Peter made his way through the precint, his mind was working 
overtime.  
	"Hey Peter," a voice called out.  He looked up and saw Detective Jody 
Powell in front of him.  "Blake wants to know when you might go and get 
his bug back?"  
	He shook his head  "I don't know, Juliette is on surveillance, so 
whenever we get the chance is when we'll get the bug back."
	The blond haired detective gave him a funny look, "You feelin okay?  
You seem alittle out of sorts."
	Giving her his best grin, "I'm feelin' alright, just loaded down 
with paperwork, unless you want to do some of it for me."
	"Ha ha detective, coming to Chandlers' tonight?"
	"Nope, stuck on surveillance.  You can do that for me too."  With 
that, Peter breezed out the door to find a quieter place to think.

	The day dawned clear and bright, the very vision of peace and 
serenity.  Peter wished he felt that way.  Struggling all night with 
thoughts of this day, it didn't surprise him that morning came so quickly.  
Getting up and taking a shower, nothing could dispel the rising feelings 
of gloom.  It only deepened as the morning wore on till Kermit came to 
take him to the airport.

	"Quit fidgeting, you look fine."  said an almost out-of-patience 
ex-mercenary.  Waiting was neither of their strong suits, and today was 
no exemption. Peter quit playing with his car keys and sighed, he's waited 
twenty-some years so far, whats a couple minutes more.  
	"Passengers now unloading."  A computerized voice said above them.  
Peter's heart leaped into his mouth.  What if she doesn't remember me?  
What if I'm not what she expected?  What if... this really wasn't her?  
His thoughts were interrupted as two kids flew out of the doors leading 
from the just arrived plane.  Their parents came out more slowly, followed 
by a horde of noisy passengers.  Peter climbed on a chair to get a better 
look over the crowd.
	"Knock it off will you?"  Kermit yelled, pulling Peter down.  
"You're making a fool of yourself."
	"Well, you wouldn't let me hold a sign up with her name on, so how 
else will she recognizee me?"  Peter shot back to Kermit, who seemed to 
be studying the pent-up passengers through a green-tinged world.  
	"Don't worry, she will."
	Peter opened his mouth to reply when a tall woman wearing dark 
sunglasses approached them.  He studied her high cheek bones and sharp 
nose.  Grey-blond hair was done up as a high bun on her head.  She removed 
her glasses and for once Peter was struck speechless as features similar 
to his looked back at him.  	
	"Peter, my son."  The woman laughed and gave him a warm embrace.  
	"Mother."  He croaked out returning the hug.  How long had he dreamt 
of this moment? his mother's hug, what she looked like, how she sounded?  
	Kermit stood to the side and watched the reunion.  So far so good, 
he thought, knowing how things went with the younger man.  The two just 
hugged each other and looked each other over, amazed at this miracle.  
Kermit made a mental note to continue checking on her.
	Peter was the first to break the silence, "Hello Mother...err...Mom, 
do you know how much I've missed you?"
	Laura's smile slipped alittle, "Ah son, I dreamed of seeing you too.  
I never imagined this day.  Lets not talk of sad things today, just the 
joyous.  I want you to tell me everything about you.  What you do, your 
likes, dislikes, everything.  I missed so much, so much."  Her voice was 
soft and had an almost purr to it, but at the same time, phony.  
	Peter smiled bashfully, then glanced at his watch, "It's lunchtime 
here, are you hungry or anything? Oh and this is my friend, Kermit Griffin, 
the one you met online."
	She nodded her head curtly to Kermit.  "I believe I am greatly 
indebted to you Mr. Griffin. Thank you, for caring."
	"It's just Kermit.  And the pleasures mine."
	"I think I am a little hungry now that you mention it  Will you help 
me go collect my bags, Peter?" she asked, ignoring Kermit.
	"Sure.  Uh, Kermit, do you think you can go get the car?  We'll be 
right out."


	The evening was cool after the sunset.  Peter had spent the day with 
his mother, learning each others stories and lives.  It never ceased to 
amaze Peter that his mother had come back.  She hadn't given her reason 
for leaving. When pressed she'd reply that she'll tell it at some other 
time.  The day had gone by quick, and now it was nightfall.  Standing 
outside Chandlers', he had argued with himself if he wanted to introduce 
her around yet.  Seeing that today went well, he didn't know why not.  
She had professed that she wanted to get to know him better, as if to atone 
for the past, and would stay for however long that took.
	"Are we going to go in?" Her words brought Peter out of his revere.
	"Uh, sure, just follow me."  With that he opened the door.  
Immediately the sound of talking and pool playing washed over him.  Peter
smiled and waved to the familiar bunch seated at one of the tables.  Kermit 
and Karen were seated next to each other, both laughing at the story Blake 
was telling them.  Jody was flirting with a new waiter while Frank 
Strenlich studied a paper in front of him.  All seemed to be having a 
relatively good time.  Till I arrived, Peter thought making his way to the 
table.	
	"Hi guys, how's it going?"   All nodded a joyful greeting.  "I'd like 
to introduce you to someone, the blond haired detective there is my 
partner, Jody Powell.  Next to Kermit is my captain, Karen Simms.  Next to 
her is Blake and Strenlich.  Everybody, meet my mother."
	Silence ensued from the group.  All had their eyes on the woman that 
supposedly had died many years ago.  Karen Simms was the first to break the 
quiet.  "Well, its quite a surprise meeting you." They quickly shook hands 
and others around the table did the same thing.  Peter brought two chairs 
over and everyone looked at each other.  Jody asked the question first, 
"Laura, if you don't mind my asking, why are you here?  Peter told us his 
mother had died when he was little."
	Laura took her time answering, "It is a long story, and now is not 
the time to tell it.  I plan  to put the past behind and hope to be 
forgiven.  And most importantly, I want to know my son again."
	Peter blushed at this outward display of emotion directed at him.  
Karen, seeing this asked her own question, "Have you visited Kwai Chang 
yet?"
	"No, I haven't.  It will be quite a surprise for him. I don't even 
know how he will react.  Or what will happen."  Laura sighed at the last 
part, as if remembering how it used to be.  "He can be a very stubborn man 
sometimes."
	At this, a few chuckles of laughter from the group, knowing full 
well of what she means.  Peter and Laura stayed a little longer.  After 
some arguing, Peter convinced his mother to stay with him.  Peter fell 
asleep that night feeling better than he woke up.  And wondered what 
tomorrow would bring.


	Instead of dawning clear and bright, the day began with a steady 
drizzle.  Peter looked out the window and groaned, six-thirty already.  
Hitting the alarm he walked out into the kitchen, and saw a strange woman 
sleeping on the sofa bed.  It all came back, he'd found his mother.  Or 
rather the other way.  It didn't matter.  He sat down on the edge of the 
bed and watched her.  
	"You know, its rude to watch someone sleep."  A drowsy voice spoke 
from under the blankets.  "Uh, I see you hate getting up early too.  It 
was always your father who liked to get up and watch the sun rise.  He 
never could sleep past eight o'clock."  Laura smiled and sat up.  "Once I 
tied him to the bed and I left him there till almost noon.  He had a hard 
time explaining the rope burns to the other monks."  She grinned wickedly, 
recalling the memory.  "So what do we do now?"
	Peter flushed faintly with the thought of his father being tied to 
the bed.  "How about if I cook us some breakfast.  I have to work till 
three, but we can catch dinner later.  When do you think is a good time to 
have me introduce you to Pop?"
	Laughing, she replied, "Pop, he lets you call him Pop!  Mmm...How 
about tomorrow morning?  I want some time to be alone with you a little 
while longer."
	Peter was beaming at the attention.  Walking into the kitchen, he 
thought, I think we're going to get along just fine.


	"And no, I am not interested in a new refrigerator.  Good-bye."  
With that, Peter slammed the phone down.  "Yahoos" he muttered while 
shuffling papers in front of him.  Trying as hard as he could, his mind 
didn't want to cooperate.  That and the fact Mary Margret Skalany has 
been staring at him for the past two hours.  Taking a sip of coffee, he 
grimaced at the bitter taste.  But it was better than facing her.  He knew 
that her and his father had been dating for what seemed the longest time.  
He didn't know just how close they were but with the reappearance of 
Caine's wife, Mary Margret might wonder where she will fit into all of 
this.  Peter sighed, his father, now that was another problem.  He 
remembered asking his father before if his mother came back, would he love 
her the same as when he was married to her.  Peter hadn't realized until 
then how deeply hurt his father had been by her death. Caine responded with 
his own questions of why Peter would want to know that.  The matter was 
dropped and his mother was a topic rarely discussed.  And now, Peter had 
seemingly resurrected her, could his father love her again?  He asked 
himself that and decided he probably couldn't if he were in the same shoes, 
but Caine could seem to forgive anybody anything and ask nothing in return.  
	"Hello, Earth to Peter."  A melodious voice eased Peter from his 
thoughts.  He smiled sheepishly as Juliette took the seat across from him.  
"I could see you were busy in la-la-land but I'm informing you we're 
picking up our illegal arms dealer tonight."  Peter nodded his head, glad 
for the break. "Bring your best suit, we go undercover as a dealer.  
We bring it all down tonight."  
	"You better bring extra backup tonight, Ms. D'Henri.  Some really big 
fish are gonna be there," said the worldly voice of Kermit. Tossing a 
folder unto Peter's desk he added, "I need to see you in my office then." 
	Feeling ousted, Juliette asked Kermit, "Did you know, most people who 
wear sunglasses indoors are often narcissistic or are afraid to face 
reality?"
	"And did you know they used to burn red-heads because they were 
believed to be witches?"
	"And what exactly are you saying?  That I'm a witch?"
	"I'm only stating a historic fact.  Peter, I need to see you in my 
office now."  With that, the older detective left and went back into his 
lair.
	"Too many hours in front of the computer screen."  Juliette replied.  
Peter rose and went to where he was summoned.


	Laura stayed inside and examined Peter's apartment.  Going through 
his desk, she discovered that he had had numerous girlfriends.  There were 
pictures of some and letters from others, testimonies from all his on 
again-off again loveaffairs.  She sighed, had she helped caused this? 
	Browsing at the bookcase she noticed his father's influence.  There 
were many books on Zen and Buddhism.  Running her fingers lovingly over 
two old leather-bound books, she recognized them as the ones of 
Kwai Chang's father and grandfather.  He had carried them for so long, 
he was probably glad to get rid of them, she thought sarcastically then 
went into the bedroom.  Ignoring the trainset in the corner, she missed 
a whole chapter in his life.


	Peter sighed, after a quick dinner with his mom, he had to report 
back to the station.  And now, standing with Juliette D'Henri outside of 
a warehouse, he felt like an idiot.  
	"Come on, this hat is not me!"  He said defiantly.  The red-headed 
woman only gritted her teeth in frustration.
	"YOU are Salvador Enrique.  YOU run a small arms ring from Texas.  
Texans wear big hats, therefore you wear a big hat."  With that a hand 
came up and readjusted the large powder blue, ten gallon hat that sat on 
Peter's head.  "Got that?"  He nodded meekly.  "Good, now we're going in."  
She stomped off into the warehouse leaving Peter to hurry and catch up.  
	"Women" he muttered when he was sure she couldn't hear.  


	"And so Mr. Slakely, the best way to run an arms safely across the 
border would be through me.  I can almost guarantee the safe arrival of 
such a precious cargo to and from Mexico.  So what do you think?"  Peter 
Caine said as convincingly as he could.  Being undercover was dangerous 
in that you had to be a great liar.  And not get caught.  He carefully 
studied the suspects they were after.  Originally, it had been the one man, 
Jason Nezzel, who ran a small arms business out of his delivery van.  New 
information revealed that Nezzel's supplier's supplier was in town. Seeing 
this opportunity, a whole ring could be taken down tonight. Aaron Slakey 
was their Christmas present for following the ring so closely.  All Peter 
had to do was to get him to take the bait.
	"I think, Mr. Enrique, that your offer sounds extremely beneficial. 
But not necessary."  Slakey nodded and two of his bodyguards moved beside 
Peter  "You see, I do not trust you or know who you are.  Why would you 
come all they way up here to talk to me when I have an office in 
San Antonio?  Now tell me who you really are."  The men each grabbed an arm 
and Peter found himself in a very unpleasant circumstance.  He spared a 
quick glance at Juliette and saw that she was surrounded as well.  
"Search them."  Slakey commanded.
	Peter struck out with his left foot, sending the man flying.  The 

other man, stunned by the move, crumbled easily as Peter's hand connected 
with the back of his neck.  Juliette brought the one man down with a swift 
kick to the knee then one to head and Peter took out the second of her 
attackers.  
	"Stop."  
	The two looked and saw a gun pointed at them.   
	"I don't care who you are but you're both dead." Slakey said.  
	"It doesn't have to end this way."  Peter commented, slowly moving 
closer to him.  Juliette slowly began moving toward him as well, eyes 
trained on those behind the gunman.  "You could put the gun down and we 
can talk this over..."    
	"I don't think you know who you are dealing with."  Slakey stated 
waving the gun, as if to drive home a point.  Peter sprung, he briefly 
heard a shot go off as he wrestled it away from the man.  A few punches to 
the head and Peter looked around him as the police units rushed in to 
arrest the bad guys.
	"Oh, Peter, you've been shot."  Juliette's voice made him realize 
he had been.  Putting a hand over the bleeding side he gave her a smile. 
	"I've suffered worse."
	Juliette sniffed and led him over to the ambulance.  


	"It's only a scratch!"  Peter's voice bellowed, trying to get the 
nurses and doctors to leave him alone.  
	"Well Detective Caine, you still need to be easy on it and an 
overnight observation."  replied the voice of a frustrated doctor.  
Peter Caine was one of the most notorious patients to treat. Unfortunately, 
he was always in for something or other.
	Kwai Chang Caine smiled, hearing his son up and yelling meant that 
it was nothing serious.  And that was always one of his fears, coming in 
one time and not hearing that his son was going to be all right.  Caine 
quickened his step as the argument became a little louder. Only this time 
a new voice joined into the fray, a feminine voice telling Peter to be 
quiet and let the man do his job.  Upon entering the room, Caine observed 
his son upon the bed with an irritated doctor nearby.  He also noticed an 
older woman standing in the corner, a smile ghosting the corners of her 
mouth.  She seemed vaguely familiar, Caine put the thought away for later,  
right now he had to see to his son.  
	Peter had stopped talking and looked away from his father. "Uh, hi 
Pop."  Caine sensed the uneasiness in his voice.  "Do you think you could 
ask one of the doctors to let me go early?"  Peter smiled in hope it would 
work.
	The doctor already in the room threw his hands into the air and 
walked out, muttering something about how he should have studied for 
veterinary medicine, less hostile patients. 
	Caine gave Peter one of those parental looks that said I love you but 
don't push it all in one.  Peter noticed his mother coming over to stand 
next to the bed.  This wasn't how he planned reintroducing them but, 
sometimes Fate stepped in and changed your plans weither you're ready or 
not.
	Peter cleared his throat and eyed one parent then the next  "Hey Pop, 
I know something you don't know."  Caine raised his one eyebrow in 
response but didn't say anything. Peter's smile faded, knowing that the 
revelation would hurt his father, he continued on, "The other day Kermit 
told me some shocking news, that he had found someone I didn't remember but 
had been close to for a short period in time.  Who had given me life..."  
he hoped his father was getting a hint at what he was about to say, "and is 
getting reacquainted with me. Father she's back, my mother, Laura is back."  
	Caine studied her, she had a similar face and could pass for an older 
Laura, but he had seen the real Laura die many years ago.  "No son, your 
mother is dead. I do not know who you are," Caine began to the woman, "but 
please stop the charade and leave."
	Silence ensued.  Peter grabbed his father's arm. "No Pop, its her.  
She's back."
	Laura came over next to Caine and gave him hug, he stood tense, not 
sure of what to make of it.  "Its true, Kwai Chang.  What can I do or say 
to make you believe me?"  Laura knew he wasn't buying it.  She looked 
toward Peter for help.  He shrugged, it was up to her to persuade him.  
"Do you remember when we met?  It was a beautiful day in late April.  
The twenty-fourth, I believe. It was in San Francisco.  You were meditating 
under a tree and I was flying a kite.  When the kite became trapped in a 
nearby bush, you helped me untangle it.  Do you remember?"
	Caine blinked, Peter recognized this as a sign that his father was 
paying more attention.  "What was the color of the kite?"  He asked.
	Laura smiled, "Red and gold just like my dress.  You claimed I looked 
almost heavenly in it.  From there, we went to the pier and watched the sun 
set. Five months later you asked me to marry you."  
	Caine studied her closer.  "Need more?"  Laura's eyes shone in 
revealing the things that only the two of them would know.  She told him
more of what they had done and had traveled to.  Of issues important to 
them and Peter's birth.  Caine slowly backed away from her and stood by the 
window.  The drizzle that had started in the morning had turned into a 
steady downpour as the day had wore on.  Caine felt as if the world he knew 
had turned into the raining day and washed away all he knew to be true.  
He turned and looked at the woman claiming to be his long dead wife.  
She had stopped speaking and both she and his son were looking at him.  
"Why?"  Was all he could say.
	Laura sighed, and tried to seem as guilt-ridden as possible. "I'm so 
sorry for what I did.  I was unsure of myself and felt trapped.  You see, 
the Sing Wah were threatening to kill Peter if I stayed.  I could not tell 
you this, Kwai Chang because they threatened to kill you too.  The only 
one I could tell was Ping Hi, he gave me a concotion that made me seem to 
be dying.  When I had supposedly died, I went away with an evil man named 
Tan."  She started silently crying, her tears sliding down her face the 
way the rain slid down the window glass.  "I didn't want to," She yelled at 
Caine, who only stared in shock.  "Do you think I would willing leave my 
child and my husband.  It was all I could do.  I didn't want either of 
you to die.  I never stopped loving you, and Peter was the only child 
I had.  He's part of myself, my blood, my spirit."  
	All three looked at one another.  Father to son, son to mother, 
mother to father. It felt like the completion of a circle, a part that had 
been missing had now been found.  Caine crossed over to where Laura stood.  
She was wiping her eyes, and had regained most of her composure. 
	"Can you forgive me for what I've done?  Is there anyway to change 
what has happened in the past and begin anew? Forget the old grievances 
and forgive the obscenities?  And possibly be wife and husband again?  
With a son to raise, even if he is already full grown?" She smiled 
hopefully at the last part, trying to lighten it a little.
	Caine smirked at his son, who sat perched on the end of the bed.  
He still didn't understand why she didn't come to him, why he was lied to 
all these years, why everything happened.  And if this was the real Laura.  
She knew some things that were private between the two, but the pain of 
seeing her die was too strong in his memories. Could he have been mistaken 
all these years?
	Laura seeing the doubt still in his eyes, reached up and wrapped her 
arms around his head and pulled him into a long passionate kiss. Caine 
tried to push her away, she only held on tighter.  Backing up against the 
wall he finally yielded to the force pressing against him. It brought back 
memories of a simpler time to when things seemed easy and life full and he 
was happy.
	"Now do you know who I am?" asked the sultry voice of the woman in 
front of him. He nodded. "Good, I'll move into your place tomorrow. After 
our son gets released."  Peter couldn't hide the smile or the thought that 
now they were a family again.  Even though a nagging feeling was forming 
that said something wasn't right.





  "