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Subject: Third Time's A Charm (Part 7)
Date: Sat, 31 Aug 1996 22:51:24 -0500
Message-ID: <19960901034940441.AAF129@denp1-26.iglobal.net>

THIRD TIME'S A CHARM
by Deb Parizek and Rhonda Hallstrom

*****

"DAMMIT! Why can't people around here make coffee?!" Peter asked, loudly and
rhetorically, as he neared the empty pot in the 101st precinct. He HAD to
have coffee. He, Caine, Sam, and Lo Si had been brainstorming on possible
ways to wrap up this case for two hours without much success.

"Got a problem...Partner?" Skalany/Alia asked.

"Problem?? When do I ever have a problem...??" he joked, pouring the water
into the machine then putting a cup under the spout to catch the first of
the coffee as it flowed. Peter handed her the cup he had just filled after
positioning another under the spout. "Here...."

"Thanks," Alia replied, bringing the cup to her lips.

Peter did not notice that Mary Margaret was not who she should be. "So
that's it, then? You just love me 'cause I make the best coffee?" he joked
again, his attention on replacing the second full cup with the pot.

A gunshot rang throughout the squadroom.

Peter ducked as the shot ricocheted off the mission board in front of him.
"WHAT the HELL????" He turned to see Sam standing behind Mary Margaret,
holding her hand back as she struggled, preventing her from shooting him in
the back. Her first shot had missed, thanks to that intervention.

"I'm not going to let you kill him, Alia, so give me the gun," Sam hissed.

"'Alia'?" Peter echoed, confused.

A stampede of officers were drawn to the area. Caine and Lo Si stepped out
of Kermit's office. "Not again!" Strenlich groaned, as he assessed the
situation.

Sam, thinking quickly, handed Alia, still in her guise as Mary Margaret,
over to Caine for restraint and said, "Yeah, Chief, it happened again.
She'll be okay in a minute."

"But...I didn't know she knew Chinese...." Strenlich mused.

"Um...she must have accidentally seen the translated version," Sam ad-libbed
as Caine half-dragged, half-carried Alia into Kermit's office and closed the
door. Sam was thankful that no one  - except the intended victim - seemed to
notice Mary Margaret was trying to kill Peter, not herself.

"All right," Strenlich said, his voice raising to the crowd, "excitement's
over, nobody's hurt - GET BACK TO WORK!!!" Everyone scattered once again,
murmuring something about it being more dangerous in the squadroom than out
on the streets.

As the crowd dispersed, Peter looked gratefully at Sam. "I think you have a
new career, Sam," Peter joked, then added, levity aside, "Thanks!"

Sam sighed in relief as he looked at his watch. It was 3:01 p.m. "Maybe YOU
might try to stay out of trouble for a change!" Sam joked back.

"Making coffee isn't staying out of trouble???" But Peter was still
confused. "But what the hell was wrong with-"

Sam grabbed Peter's arm and took him to a quiet corner where Lo Si joined
them. "Okay, this is a long story," Sam began. "Her name is Alia...."

*****

Caine sat Alia down on the guest chair and stood over her, disapproval
obvious. He had already taken the gun away from her. *How did she get ahold
of another one?* he wondered, since he knew Lo Si had taken her first gun away.

"This path you have chosen," he told her sternly, "will only lead to your
destruction. If you continue to plague my family, I will be forced to take
action!"

Alia stared at him in disbelief. "I told you, I DON'T HAVE A CHOICE!!!!!"
She sprang to her feet as she defended herself and Caine automatically
blocked her way to the door. "Didn't the Ancient tell you?!? I don't have a
choice!!!!"

The familiar chimes sounded as the door to Lothos' domain opened and Zoey
stepped through, her features ugly and twisted in her displeasure. You
failed AGAIN!!" she snarled at Alia. "Lothos is quickly losing his patience
with you! You had better-" She gasped as Caine swung around to face her.
Unlike Al, Zoey had never before been seen by someone other than Alia. She
recovered her composure quickly. "You would do well to stay away from us,
you old fool! Or we'll kill EVERYONE you hold dear!!"

Caine fought to control his anger and hatred. He saw now that Alia spoke the
truth; this woman was a part of the evil that was controlling her. He
summoned his chi, waved his hand....

Alia covered her eyes with her hands. "No, don't hurt him!" she cried, even
though she knew it was in vain.

There was a sudden quiet in the room - and peace. Alia was afraid to open
her eyes. Then she felt gentle hands on her arms.

"You are safe," she heard Caine's gentle voice say. She opened her eyes to
see only Caine - and he was smiling at her! "It's all right," he managed to
get out, as she impulsively launched herself into his arms. He held her
comfortingly as he murmured, "It's all right."

She shuddered. "What hap-"

"That-" Caine fought for a neutral term, "-WOMAN is not important."

She leaned into him, feeling his warmth and peace. She could stay here
forever. Like everything else that she wanted, though, it did not last.
Caine gently pulled away from her embrace and sat her down in the chair. He
reached into his pocket for a handkerchief and tenderly wiped away her tears.

"It is not over," he warned her as kindly as he could. "They will return for
you. You must be strong for the battle that lies ahead."

"Battle?"

"There will be many, but the final battle is for you to fight alone. No one
can help you defeat your demons."

"Alone? But...I can't...! They're too powerful...!"

Caine looked at her earnest, innocent face and lightly caressed her cheek.
"You are a special person - a beautiful soul that has been denied the light
for far too long. Yet, you still have hope. That hope will aid you - embrace
it for all your worth. Your faith WILL save you. I promise it." He knelt
next to her, making her look at him. "You CAN do this!"

"Zoey-"

"SHE does not matter! She has no soul. Her destiny is to die with dishonor.
There is no hope for her."

Alia blinked in surprise at Caine's tone of utter contempt. She saw how
seriously he took Zoey's threat and, at that moment, understood the strength
of his power...and his love for others.

"You must fight them with everything you hold dear: love, hope, honor,
faith....Only then, will you be free. Sam believes in you - as do I!"

The reddish-pink glow began to surround her form. "Caine!" she exclaimed, as
she reached out to him. "Help me!"

"Fight, Alia!" Caine told her. "Be strong! We have faith in you!"

"Caiiii....!"

Mary Margaret's body slumped as if it was merely a puppet and the strings
had just been cut. Caine was quick enough to catch her and position her more
comfortably in the chair.

"Mmmmmm...."

"Mary Margaret...?" Caine murmured. He was fairly sure Alia was gone. He
only hoped that he had managed to get through to her.

Skalany opened her eyes to see Caine bending over her. "Hey, handsome," she
grinned, and suddenly grimaced. Caine was unsure if her discomfort was
physical, mental, or spiritual.

Slightly blushing at the "handsome" remark, Caine was quick to reassure her.
"You are safe," he said comfortingly. He thought various excuses for a
moment and decided that the one Sam had fabricated as he was leaving was
probably the best one. "You have been under the influence of a message-"

A knock sounded at the door. "Pop? Everything okay in there?" Peter asked
through the door.

Caine strode over to let the others in. "Yes. MARY MARGARET-" he said,
stressing her name, "-is fine now. We should take her home."

Peter realized that Caine already knew about Mary Margaret's possession.
*Why am I always the last to know these things?* he complained to himself.
"Sure, Pop."

Skalany stood up and swayed, still a bit wobbly. "I feel so weird...." she
complained.

Peter went over to help her. "Yeah, yeah," he teased good-naturedly, "don't
hand ME that; you're just trying to make Jody do all the work on the
Middleton case."

Skalany groaned. "We got the Middleton case??? Since when?"

"Don't worry about that," Strenlich said from the door as he poked his head
in. "You go home and get some rest." He walked away, muttering, "I wonder
who's going to try to commit suicide next..?!"

"Commit suicide...?" Skalany repeated, puzzled. She looked to Caine for an
explanation.

Caine put an arm around her. "We will explain later. The Chief is correct;
you need rest."

Skalany grinned at him as she snuggled under his arm. "Care to join me?" she
teased.

That got a half-blush from Caine as they led her out of the building.

*****

With Mary Margaret deposited safely at home, the men sat in the Corvair,
considering the recent events.

Caine turned to Sam. "Once again, I owe you a great debt. Thank you for
saving the life of my son."

Sam smiled, a little embarrassed. "You're welcome." Actually hearing the
gratitude made him feel as though he was really doing some good.

"So, this Alia is gone and Skalany is back to normal?" Peter asked, wanting
to be certain.

"Yes," Caine replied.

"Good...but I still don't understand Alia's part in this. She wasn't Wing
Tsun, right?" Peter asked.

"No, she was not."

"Then, who is this Lothos?"

Caine shrugged. "A greater evil...."

"What does this greater evil have against me?"

"You were born my son," Caine replied wryly, alluding to the possibility
that Peter was the target because he was a Caine or to the possibility they
would strike at Caine though his son.

"Gee, thanks, Pop!" Peter smirked, sarcasm evident in his tone.

Caine shrugged again.

"Sam-" Peter asked suddenly, "- don't take this wrong - but why are you
still here?"

"There must be more for me to do here."

"What - save my life a third time???" Peter asked, his distress evident in
his tone. Caine squeezed his son's shoulder in sympathy.

"Maybe. I won't know until Al...uh, Gooshie, comes back with some new
percentages," Sam was not pleased with Al's absence. Al was a partner in
every sense of the word and seemed to know when Sam needed him. Sam had
nothing against Gooshie but...it just wasn't the same.

"Okay." Peter changed tracks and asked, "Where do we go from here?

"We must find Mai Li," Caine stated.

"Do you think if we find her, we find the Wing Tsun, Pop?"

"Yes."

"Is Alia still a player in this?" Peter asked.

"Possibly...." Sam said.

"Definitely," Caine corrected.

"Can you locate her, Pop? Sam?" Peter looked from one to the other.

"I cannot detect her but I am certain we have not heard the last from
Lothos," Caine said.

"Usually, Ziggy can tell that she's here in the vicinity," Sam informed
them, "ONCE I can ask her via my observer." His irritation for Gooshie
threatened to rise and he pushed it down. It wasn't Gooshie's fault that
they didn't have a rapport like Sam and Al. He continued his explanation.
"That still won't tell us who she's leaped into or where she is. I can't
even see that the leapee is Alia unless we happen to touch."

"Great. So ANYONE out there could be ready to kill me?"

"Isn't that the way it is every day, Peter? You are a cop, after all." Sam said.

"Well, when you put it that way...." Peter said, looking thoughtful. Then,
thoughtful became fearful. "Would they join forces?"

He received a slow nod from each of his companions. They all shared the same
gut feeling.

"So we find them post haste, right?" Peter encouraged.

"Perhaps, one of your contacts in Chinatown has picked up word of them?"
Caine suggested.

"Okay, I'll check with Roger Chin and Donny Double-D," Peter agreed. "What
about your contacts in Chinatown, Pop?"

"We shall check with Yuen Ye."

*****

Peter and Sam stood in the alley behind the brownstone where Caine once had
his kwoon. Now, it held a wholesale dress factory. Peter paced nervously.
Sam alternated watching both ends of the alley.

"Roger should be here by now," Peter commented impatiently, checking his watch.

"Take it easy, Peter. He's probably just running a little late." Sam heard
the imaging chamber door open and saw the associated light. *About time!*
Sam thought despite himself. He focused his attention on the spot in space
where someone - probably, Gooshie - should appear. Peter focused on the spot
as well.

"Hello, Doctor," Gooshie greeted. "We thought we would check in."

Sam surveyed the image of the diminutive programmer. It was fuzzier than was
usual and Gooshie's voice reverberated unpleasantly, even to Sam.
"Gooshie...? Is something-"

"Doctor," Gooshie's voice cracked, "do you anticipate an end to this leap
fairly soon?"

Sam studied the image. There was definitely something wrong! Standing up
straight, he approached the image. "What is it, Gooshie?" he asked
worriedly. "Is it Al? Is he worse? What's going on?"

Gooshie shuffled from foot to foot nervously.

"TELL me!" Sam demanded.

Peter could see bits of the hologram but still could not hear the speaker.
He was attracted to the situation by Sam's reaction and watched Sam
worriedly. He squinted his eyes - Gooshie definitely did not look like he
was happy. *Probably found a death certificate for me - AGAIN!!!* Peter
thought. Then, to his utter astonishment, Sam started laughing! "What's
going on, Sam?" he asked. "What - is the third attempt on my life that funny?"

Sam was laughing so hard, he had to take out a handkerchief to wipe his
eyes. He shook his head at Peter, barely able to speak. Peter, puzzled,
glanced at the hologram, who was looking VERY annoyed.

"It's...it's okay, Peter," Sam managed to choke out. "It's not you."

"Is it Al?"

Sam shook his head and finally got himself under control. He noticed
Gooshie's expression and held up a protesting hand. "Sorry, Gooshie, sorry -
I couldn't help it." Clearing his throat, he explained to Peter that those
at Project Quantum Leap were scientists and, it seemed, were completely
unprepared to deal with the inventiveness and the desperation of a clever
mercenary.

"Kermit???" Peter's tone spoke volumes.

"He tried his second escape attempt," Sam said. "I guess I can't blame him.
He doesn't know where he is, what's going on, probably has a swiss-cheesed
memory, and is held somewhere against his will."

"But what was so funny?"

"Kermit figured that the computer - Ziggy - was responsible for the sleep
gas and tried to take the computer out...by throwing his chicken noodle soup
into it," Sam lost it at the end and started chuckling again. He was VERY
glad that he didn't have to listen to Ziggy complaining about it. He was
even more glad that he didn't have to clean up the mess.

Peter, chuckling at his friend's inventiveness, resumed watching for Roger Chin.

"Is there any information you require?" Gooshie asked icily.

"Could you find Roger Chin, a co-worker of Peter's, and tell us where he
is?" Sam requested.

Gooshie entered a command into the handlink. Several seconds later, the
handlink beeped. "Ziggy says he is about to enter the East end of the
alley," Gooshie reported.

Sam looked to his left. A dark-haired man soon entered the alley from the
South. Sam called him to Peter's attention. "Is that Roger, Peter?"

Peter's gaze followed Sam's. "Yes."

"Good. You talk to him and I'll check around to make sure he was not followed."

"Okay."

Sam turned and headed for the side of the building. He, behind Peter's back,
indicated to Gooshie that he should follow. Gooshie tagged after him. When
they were around the corner, Sam stopped and said, "Gooshie, I need more
information. Have Ziggy check for another death certificate on Peter."

Gooshie typed on the handlink. Ziggy beeped after a few short seconds.
"Ziggy does not see one in the records, Doctor."

Sam breathed a sigh of relief but still wondered why he was still here. "Any
on Caine, Lo Si, Roger Chin, Mai Li...anybody?"

Gooshie put the request to Ziggy. Ziggy responded. "None found on any of
them either, Doctor."

"Okay, Gooshie. Thanks. Keep an eye on this timeline for me and let me know
immediately if anything changes. Try to run percentages through Ziggy to
find out why I'm still here...and please, give my condolences to Ziggy!" He
suppressed a smirk of amusement.

"Yes, Doctor." Gooshie opened the chamber door and walked into the light.
Sam returned to find Peter alone. "Well?"

"Roger said the word on the street is that a group of rather nasty females
are in town. He hasn't heard where they call home or what they are up to."

"Has he heard a name for them?"

"He said people seem to be afraid to speak it."

"Sounds like our gals!" Sam exclaimed, with a smile.

"I think I've dated most of them...." Peter replied, displaying his crooked
half-smile.

"Think Donny will know more?"

"Let's find out...."

*****

Yuen Ye opened the front door of her home and found Caine and Lo Si standing
there. She had been expecting them. She bowed. They bowed in response.

"We need your help, Yuen Ye," Caine said, sensing that their visit was not a
surprise and that she was afraid to have them here.

*I feel her fear also, Kwai Chang Caine,* Lo Si thought.

"I know....Please, enter," she replied, stepping back from the threshold so
they might step into the foyer. Once they were inside, she cautiously
scanned the area in front of her house. Seeing no one, she closed the door.
"Please, come with me...."

She led them into her sitting room. It was a small room, darkened by heavy
drapes. In the middle of the room stood a small, circular table covered by a
brocade tablecloth. Four chairs were positioned evenly around it.

"You would have me read my cards?" she asked Caine.

"Please."

She nodded and moved to the far side of the table. As she sat down, Caine
sat down opposite her. Lo Si sat down to Caine's left. She prepared then
laid the first card down with a trembling hand.

"It is the 'Wheel of Fortune'....As before, the forces of light and dark
shall do battle."

She laid the second card next to the first. "The King of Swords....You, Kwai
Chang Caine...."

The third card was the Queen of Swords. "You shall face the leader of the
women you seek...."

Slowly, she drew another card from the desk and placed it face up on the
table. "It is the 'Devil'...Another, the essence of Evil, has joined forces
with the women whom you must defeat."

The fifth card she laid down was the 'Jack of Coins'. "...Your son is deeply
involved."

With the sixth card in place, she said, "...the Moon....Your son is threatened."

She placed the final card in its position. Yuen Ye, Caine and Lo Si looked
at it; it was the Death card!

"Death....This battle will result in change. That change may take one of
many forms, including the passing of your son from this life...."

Caine sighed. Again, his beloved son was in danger. *Will I be able to
protect him this time?* he wondered. Aloud, he asked, "Where are these
women, Yuen Ye?"

"The cards tell me only that they are here...." She met Caine's eyes,
endeavoring to convince him she knew nothing more.

Caine didn't believe her. "You have other sources to tell you their
location...."

"This you do not know...."

"I know the leader of the Wokma Tong seeks your counsel," Caine persisted.
"Has he not questioned you about these women? What have you told him?"

"I cannot betray his confidence." Yuen's fear filled her eyes.

"We all seek the same end," Lo Si added. "You would not be betraying, but
helping, him."

Yuen fell silent, considering his words.

Lo Si pressed his advantage. "You fear them also. Your assistance in our
quest has earned you death as far as they are concerned...."

Yuen inclined her head. "They are at the Chinatown market...in the buildings
abandoned by Tan's men."

"Thank you, Yuen," Caine said, placing his hand atop hers. "Now, get your
things and we shall see you to safety."

*****

"Pete," Donny breathed, emerging from the shadows behind the Ancient's
current residence. "I was just about to leave...."

"Sorry....What have you got for me?" Peter asked, pushing Donny back and
entering the shadows himself.

"Man, I could get seriously dead talking about this to you," Donny said,
dancing around, very twitchy. "Then, Lula would kill me! Do you know
what....NOW, she wants to have a baby...!"

"Some father you'd make, Donny....Now, talk to me before I HAVE to kill
you!" Peter could feel his anxiety level rising.

"There is a gang of women - called 'Wings' or somethin'-"

"Wing Tsun?"

Danny considered it, nodding. "Could be....Anyway, they're here. Even the
tongs are staying clear of them."

Peter whistled quietly. *Damn, if the tongs are spooked....* He forced the
thought to the back of his mind for later. "Where are they?"

"Rumor has it they are in the heart of Chinatown...near the market."

"Oh, great!" Peter said, sarcasm evident. "Get lost in a crowd!"

"Well, I'm outta here. You owe me BIG for this one, Pete!"

"Thanks, man. Be careful!" Peter clapped Donny on the upper arm, then they
parted company.

*****

Alia blinked as the rosy glow of the aura subsided. She hoped that she had
left Sam far, far away so she could get on with her job and earn her freedom.

*...love, hope, honor, faith....Only then, will you be free....*

*SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP!* Alia's mind answered as she surveyed her
surroundings.

It looked like some sort of temple. She was female and in a crowd of other
women all dressed in black. She was standing in front of a woman wearing
black robes.

"YOU!" she said, pointing to Alia.

Alia's eyes widened and came forward tentatively as Zoey stepped through the
doorway to Lothos' domain.

The women deliberately swung her gaze to look at Zoey...and smiled. Her
smile gave Alia the chills.

"You are both welcome in my domain," she said.

Zoey, taken aback but once again recovering quickly, stepped forward, hoping
to take advantage of being seen. "We are here to help you," she said. "Our
wish is to destroy the one known as Kwai Chang Caine."

"As is ours," the woman replied.

*You are a special person - a beautiful soul....*

*SHUT UP!* Alia's mind answered as she fought to control her tears.

"The Caine line MUST be destroyed," the woman continued. "I am grateful for
your assistance," she told them. "Together, we shall reach our goal."

Zoey, bowing slightly, glared scathingly at Alia. Alia reluctantly bowed.
"What will you have us do?" Zoey asked.

"You will kill Peter Caine. Do not fail me."

"We shall not," Zoey promised. Alia's stomach knotted.

"I will destroy Kwai Chang Caine. We must prepare. They will be here soon."

*****

Peter paced the main room of his father's apartment like a caged tiger. Sam
watched from his position seated on the dias where Caine treated his patients.

"Peter, relax," Sam suggested. "They'll BE here...."

"How the HELL do you know???" Peter spat as his course brought him back
toward Sam.

Sam stared at him through the green glasses and didn't reply.

He didn't have to.

Peter stopped in his tracks three feet from Sam and rubbed his eyes with his
fingertips. Dropping his hands back to his sides, he said sincerely, "I'm
sorry, Sam. Guess I'm a bit on edge...."

"No harm, no foul," Sam replied with a smile. Then he added in a serious
tone, "Peter, I understand how it affects you when you think your father is
gone. I loved my father the same way you love yours. I, though I tried to
stop him, watched him kill himself with cigarettes...."

"Sam, I'm-"

Sam held up his hand. "That reminds me...."

Peter rolled his eyes. *Here we go,* he thought.

Sam smiled at Peter's reaction. "I was just wondering about what's going on
with your pop and Mary Margaret."

"Oh, is that all?"

"Well, I don't mean to be nosy...."

"No, that's okay," Peter said, relieved it wasn't about HIM. "*I* think
they're going out just to drive me crazy."

"Why would that make you crazy?"

Peter shrugged.

Sam restrained the urge to scream. *Don't block me now!* he thought
fervently. "I was just thinking...how long HAS it been since Caine
was...involved?" Peter shrugged again. "Well, THINK about it!!" Sam urged.

Peter thought about the past two and a half years. He was astonished to
remember that there were plenty of offers made to his father. Not only did
Mary Margaret seem interested (he wasn't sure how serious she was), he had
met Serena from San Francisco with whom Caine had a past. Also, Judge
Reynolds didn't act as though she kissed him merely because he had saved her
life. Dr. Sabourin, although completely professional, took on an interest in
antiquities because of Caine - could HER interest be more than academic? And
finally, there was Theresa Becker, who seemed VERY fond of him and him of
her - although he denied any stronger ties.

"He always walks away from them," Peter realized out loud.

"Why do you think he does that?" Sam asked.

"I don't know," Peter said.

Sam stood up. "Peter," he said, "I know no kid likes to think of his parent
this way but don't you think he's lonely???" Before Peter could reply, Sam
asked, now that he COULD ask, "What about you? Whom are you dating?"

"Ummm...why don't we go back to my father?"

Sam laughed out loud and Peter couldn't help smiling wryly with him.

"Yeah, okay, Sam," Peter said. "Point taken. Pop and I aren't very...stable
in the romance department."

"You said 'he always walks away.' Peter, I think this is important," Sam
said. "WOULD you be pleased for him if he found someone he could love?"
Peter opened his mouth to automatically assent but Sam held up his hand. "No
quick answers - THINK about how that might change your life. You're already
sharing Caine with his work as a Shaolin priest-"

"-AND Shamballa master...."

"-and his friends, his neighborhood, his community....How WOULD you feel if
he was away more often, involved in a romance? Be honest."

Peter slumped. "I guess I would feel...ripped off. Like I lost him again."

Sam nodded; he had expected this. *And Caine, with his...enhanced empathy,
would be well aware of Peter's feelings,* he thought. Sam looked at Peter
sympathetically and asked, "You'd feel that way even though he'd still be
here for you?"

Peter glared. "You SAID to be honest!"

"I know," Sam said. "Now, why do  you walk away from YOUR romances?

Peter shrugged.

"That's a REALLY bad habit you picked up from your father," Sam said, "and
it doesn't answer the question. You don't know why you walk away...? I can't
believe that!"

"I'm just too busy," Peter said. "No woman I've met yet could tolerate my
schedule. One minute I'm out chasing perps and the next, I'm fighting Shadow
Assassins, and the next...who knows? Women seem to have an aversion to guys
not showing up for scheduled dates or guys not being able to say what
they're doing a week from next Saturday."

"Okay," Sam said, "it sounds like you are just not ready for a steady
relationship, which is fine. There's nothing wrong with that." *At least now
the seed is planted,* Sam thought. "What about your dad? Do you think he's
ready for a steady relationship?"

"...maybe...."

"-But you don't like to think about it," Sam finished for him.

Peter thought a bit and finally nodded agreement. "You know," he said, in an
attempt to defend his selfishness, "it wasn't always this way. I remember
asking him at the temple if he would ever consider remarrying."

"What did he say?"

"'Maybe' - or something to that effect."

"So, what changed your mind?"

"Maybe it IS time to remind him," Peter mused, avoiding the question.

Sam smiled. "Your dad is probably scared, too."

"Pop isn't scared of anything."

"Oh, come on, Peter," Sam said. "There isn't a man alive - sane, that is -
who isn't scared of something."

"So, what's Pop scared of?"

Sam smiled again - he knew that Peter knew but the young man just needed to
hear the words. "He's scared of losing his son again."

Peter looked down.

"Sound familiar?" Sam asked gently.

"Yeah, it sure does," Peter said.

"I think," Sam said, "that if you and your father REALLY talked, you'd
really get somewhere. You're not alone in a lot of your feelings - you and
your dad are so alike, it's scary!" Peter smiled at that. "Most importantly,
your father loves you VERY much. Just like you love him. If you communicate
honestly about your feelings, you two can maybe bridge that chasm of fear
between you."

Peter stared, speechless, as his mind endeavored to accommodate the ideas
just presented. He shook his head and finally said, "Sam...'thanks' seems so
inadequate...."

"Thank me by reconnecting with your father!"

Peter nodded.

"Do the same with Blaisdell, if he returns....You have a couple of mighty
interesting fathers there, kid. Shaolin and mercenary-turned-cop...."

"Will Paul return?"

"I don't know...but right now I wish I did!"

Peter smiled wryly at Sam as Caine and Lo Si entered.

"We have met with success...." Caine said.

"The Hardy Boys strike again!" Peter joined him and Lo Si near the door and
patted Lo Si on the arm. Caine and Lo Si smiled, recalling the reference to
their detective work.

"Well?" Peter asked.

"The women are in Chinatown, at the market."

"Donny said the same," Peter confirmed.

"Was he able to tell you that they are occupying the buildings abandoned by
Tan's operatives?"

"No....That's where they are?"

"Yes."

"Then, let's go!" Peter said, heading for the door.

"Peter, what about backup?" Sam asked, standing his ground.

"We must do this alone," Caine told him.

*****

TO BE CONTINUED!