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Part 2, Scene 6

"Is he dead?" Bon Bon Hai asked his subordinate, as he stared into the cold dark night.

"No," the man said with the bravest voice he could muster.

"Where is he?" the evil man queried, successfully hiding his disappointment.

"County General ICU."

"And Peter Caine?"

"We followed him to the 101st."

"Did he know you were there?"

"I do not think so, sir. He made no attempt to lose us in traffic."

"Very good. At least that is going as planned."

"Shall we bring him to you?"

Bon Bon Hai laughed sinisterly. "That will not be necessary. In time the old man will be dead, the son of Caine will come to me of his own accord and Kwai Chang Caine will be helpless to stop the destruction."

The subordinate looked confused, but he chose to say nothing, lest he risk receiving the brunt of his employer's wrath.

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Part 2, Scene 7

Matthew handed his son a steaming cup of tea and settled down next to him on the front porch. The two men sat in silence, staring at the forest before them. "Fifteen years is a long time to search," the older Caine finally spoke.

"I needed to find the essence of what I lost," Kwai Chang Caine explained.

"You found more than essence. You found him."

Caine smiled at the memory. He could still feel the mix of joy and surprise at the discovery that his son lived. "It was quite by accident. He found me."

"And then you left him?" the old man questioned.

Caine felt a surge of anger at the words, but he held his tongue. His father continued. "You are angry with me. I am sorry. I did not consider the implications of that question. Yes, you left him. . .as I left you." The old man was silent for a moment. "But, I did not leave you with my life. . .with my responsibilities. I did not force you to become me. You decided for yourself how you would live your life."

Caine felt the heat rising up inside. "That is not true, Father. I have forced nothing upon my son. He made the decision to take the brands. He chose to help me with my work. He agreed to stay and watch over the community."

"Ah." Matthew simply replied. Then the old man stood and hobbled to the edge of the porch. "Interesting, don't you think?" Caine tilted his head, confused by the sudden change in the tone of voice. "You spent fifteen years searching for your son, and he finds you. If you had not searched, would things have been different?"

"I do not understand, Father," Caine responded, trying to douse the burning flame in his chest.

"If you had not left the temple, would Peter have been lost to you? Would you not have been reunited if you had stayed? You did not search for me. And yet we are here, together." Matthew turned to reenter the cabin. "Perhaps searching is not the answer when trying to find something you have lost." He walked away from his son, allowing the words to have their full impact.

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Part 2, Scene 8

Peter pulled into the Emergency Room parking lot. He parked the Stealth in the designated Visitors' area, regretting that he no longer had the privilege of parking the vehicle in the more convenient 'police vehicle' parking stalls.

Kermit opened the passenger door and climbed out. It took him a moment to register that Peter had not done the same. "You coming?" he said to his friend as he leaned into the car.

His words seemed to break Peter's concentration. "Uh. . .yeah."

"The old guy's strong. He'll be okay. You'll see."

Peter nodded and climbed out of the vehicle. "I know. It's just that. . .I've never seen him like this before. . .at least not where he wasn't faking it."

Kermit grinned. "Look, the Ancient's as old as dirt. You don't get that way without being tough."

Peter smiled as flashes of memory came to mind. He remembered Lo Si. . .Ping Hi lying in state, the temple's priests paying tribute to the fallen master. He remembered as a child, looking down into the lifeless features of the old man, much as he had done earlier that evening, and then the Ancient's eyes popping open, scaring the living daylights out of the young boy. Peter could only pray that the master would choose to take such pleasure in scaring him now by waking up unharmed.

The two men entered the hospital lobby and proceeded to the ICU floor. Dr. Sabourin, coincidentally, met them as they exited the elevator. "Peter, I'm glad you're here. I was just getting ready to have one of the nurses try to call you."

"Lo Si?" Peter felt his stomach knot in concern. "Is he. . .?"

"No. In fact, he's been stable since we placed him in ICU. He hasn't improved. . .but he's not any worse either." The woman placed a hand on Peter's arm and started to pull him down the hallway. "He did regain consciousness a few minutes ago and was asking for you."

Peter sped his progress to the patient's room. Following the dark-haired woman into the small cubicle, his breath caught in his throat upon seeing the pallor of the old man. His mind flashed back to the temple memory. . .to Lo Si's fake death. Peter thought the man looked dead then. He looked worse now.

He approached the Ancient's bedside and gingerly grasped the small, wrinkled hand in his own. The fingers were cold and flaccid. The eyes were closed and showed no sign of opening upon the touch of skin to skin.

Peter's heart sank. He realized that the man was no longer a part of the conscious world. He had sunk back into the world of the comatose. Stubbornly, Peter spoke out to the man. "Lo Si. It's me. I'm here."

He moved his free hand to the man's chest, feeling the slight movement of its rise and fall. "Lo Si, please. Wake up. I'm here." Peter closed his eyes, reaching his chi out to the man. The silent thoughts pleaded with the Shambhala master. "Please, Master. Tell me what has happened. . .who did this to you? I need to know how to help."

He heard the weak, but gentle words of the man in his mind. "Peter. I am here. Do not worry."

"But Master. . .you are weak. You need help."

"You can help me. Use the skills that you have been taught. You have this power, my young friend."

"Who did this, Lo Si? Who attacked you?"

"It is not important, not at this time. The tiger has returned to its lair."

The connection was suddenly severed. Peter, startled, was shocked back into reality. He was suddenly aware of Kermit's hands on his shoulders. "You okay?"

The Shaolin swallowed, ignoring the dryness of his throat. "Uh. . .yeah." He looked around the room to see that the doctor was still present. Standing, he faced the woman. "His mind is aware, even though he is not conscious. I think he's. . ." Peter paused, searching for the right words. "I think he's using his chi to heal from within."

The woman nodded, the information not surprising her. "Is there anything we can do to help him?"

"I don't know," Peter confessed in defeat. "I'm not sure how to assist him." He shot a guilty look at Kermit. "I'm not my father."

Kermit gave him a sympathetic look. "Do you know where your father is?"

"Still searching for my mother."

Kermit turned to the doctor. "Is there any indication of the poison that has been used?"

She looked at her patient and then back to the sunglass-wearing man. "No. And without knowing for sure, finding an antidote becomes virtually impossible." She immediately saw the growing worry in the hazel eyes of the Shaolin. "We'll keep trying. But without more information, I'm afraid I don't hold out much hope." She stepped forward, reaching out a hand to Peter. "We must have faith that Lo Si is strong enough to fight this from within. You can't lose hope."

The woman smiled warmly at the two men and then left the room. Peter felt a growing anger. "I should know how to help him." His words were full of venom.

"Peter, you're new at this apothecary stuff. You can't be expected to know secrets that have taken decades for your father to learn." Kermit knew that he was right, but that Peter would not hear his advice.

As expected, Peter ignored the man. Instead, his mind had drifted back to his brief contact with his elderly friend. The quiet words of the master came to him again. "The tiger has returned to his lair," he whispered.

Peter turned to the ex-mercenary, eyes suddenly ablaze. "The tiger has returned to his lair!"

Kermit, startled by the suddenness of Peter's actions, took a step backwards. "What tiger?"

Peter stepped forward, grabbing the arms of the dark suit jacket worn by his friend. "That's it. The tiger poisoned Lo Si."

Kermit, confused, repeated in frustration, "What tiger?"

Peter turned away to look at Lo Si's still form. "There is no doubt now. It was Bon Bon Hai."

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Part 2, Scene 9

Peter left the hospital, Kermit following close behind. "You mean Lo Si told you that Bon Bon Hai was behind the attack?" the detective asked his friend. No answer was given to the question.

Peter climbed into the Stealth and started the engine. Kermit entered the passenger side of the car. "Peter, what did Lo Si say? How do you know it's Bon Bon Hai?"

The fury in Peter's eyes was reflected in his words. "He's the tiger."

"What?"

Peter ignored his friend's question and pulled out of the parking lot. Without hesitation, he made a right hand turn at the corner and sped down the street. "Where are we going?" Kermit asked.

"I'm taking you back to the precinct," Peter muttered.

"Why?"

"I have things I need to do" was the cryptic answer.

"What things?" Kermit already knew, but needed to hear Peter say the words anyway.

"None of your business, Kermit."

Kermit turned to the young man and repeated his question, the words methodic and even. "What things?"

Peter didn't respond. Seeing the brick building that was his destination, he pulled the car in front of the main entrance and turned to the detective. "I'll be in contact with you later."

Kermit shook his head. "I don't think so, my friend. We're partners."

"Out of the car, Kermit," Peter ordered.

Kermit sat back in the seat, resolutely.

"Out! Now!" Peter's words grew louder. Kermit didn't flinch. Peter sighed and then climbed out of the car, circling the front and opening the passenger door. "Out."

"Peter, I'm not getting out of this car. I've known you too long. I know what you're thinking and I'm not going to let you do it."

Peter said nothing, at first. He mentally debated the options available to him. Making up his mind, he reached into the car and pulled his friend out by the lapels of his suit. "I don't have time to play this game, Kermit."

Kermit didn't struggle against the man but leaned against the frame of the car. "What are you going to do, Peter? Take on Bon Bon Hai's army of Sing Wah assassins by yourself?"

Peter said nothing as he pushed the ex-mercenary out of the way of the car door and slammed it shut. Kermit placed a hand on the man's arm, stopping his movement. "Peter, you can't do this. It's suicide." Peter still said nothing. He pulled his arm away from Kermit's grip, but found that his friend held fast. "If the Ancient wasn't strong enough to fight off an attack, what makes you think you are?"

Peter's opposite hand gripped Kermit's and pulled the fingers up, releasing their hold. Kermit tried a different tactic. "Okay, you want to go after the man. I can understand that. But you can't do it alone. You need back-up, Peter. Your dad's not here. Let me help you."

Peter turned his hazel eyes to face his friend. "No, Kermit. I need to do this alone. I can't involve anyone else."

"That's bull, Peter. . .and it's stupid. If Bon Bon Hai attacked the Ancient, then he had a reason. . .a master plan. Hell, for all you know he could be behind the reason your father left. And you going after him might be exactly what he intended."

"That's a possibility. But it's a chance I'll have to take. I need to find out what poison is killing Lo Si. Only the Tiger has the answer. It's the only way I can help him. I have to enter his lair to discover the truth."

"Damn it, Peter. Don't be an idiot. You're smarter than this." Kermit's words were shouted loud enough that they caught the attention of other cops standing around the front of the building. The dark-suited man stepped forward and grabbed his friend's arm again. It was time to play by mercenary rules. He pulled his gun. "Peter, I won't let you do this. You're under arrest for obstruction."

Peter turned a look of vengeance on the man. "You can't stop me, Kermit. You and I both know it." Kermit didn't flinch at the man's words. The irresistible force had just collided with the unmovable object. Peter looked into his friend's eyes and whispered, "I'm sorry."

Kermit felt a surge of energy pass from his friend to his gun hand, and suddenly the Desert Eagle had grown unbearably hot. Instinctively, his hand lost its grip on the weapon and it fell to the ground. His other hand also lost its hold on the Shaolin's jacket as he gasped at the sudden pain of his burning palm. Inhaling at the shock, he took a step backwards from his friend. Peter circled the car and climbed into the Stealth. Quickly, he locked the doors and started the engine. He then pulled away from the curb, leaving his injured friend behind.

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Part 2, Scene 10

"Master?" The whisper penetrated the Ancient's subconscious mind, causing Lo Si to divert his attention from maintaining his chi strength to acknowledging the source.

"My friend" was the quiet response.

"You are injured." It was not a question. Kwai Chang Caine could feel the elderly priest's pain.

"You must come." Lo Si's thoughts contained a sense of fear.

"You are dying." Caine had to concentrate to keep the link. The sudden surge of panic would sever the contact, and in the Ancient's weakened state, it could be permanent.

"My death is not important," Lo Si replied factually. "What is of concern is your son."

"My son? What has happened?"

"He is in danger of stepping off his path."

"Why?"

"I have made an error in judgment, my friend, about many things. These errors may cost Peter his life. . .perhaps more."

"What has happened?" Caine repeated. He wanted desperately to know the truth, to allow his thoughts to cross the distance and detect the facts which endangered his son.

"The time which we knew would arrive has come. Bon Bon Hai has made his move against the Shaolin. . .against Shambhala. Your son is a part of his plan."

Caine hitched his breath but said nothing. The old man's thoughts continued. "I had hoped that Peter would see how he could grow in his skills as a Shaolin; I was wrong. He is not ready. He does not see the trap which is being laid for him." There was a moment's silence. Caine feared that Lo Si had lost the strength to continue. Then the feeble voice returned. "You must return, Kwai Chang Caine."

Caine was at a loss. "Master, I. . .I am looking for my wife. I have not found Laura."

"That was the Tiger's plan. You must return now." The elderly voice was stronger, but then faded away, as if the Ancient had expended all of his energy.

Kwai Chang Caine jerked awake. A gentle hand caressed his shoulder. "He is right, my son."

Caine frowned at his father's words. "How did you. . .?" he started to ask.

"Your emotions are overwhelming. I could not help but feel your pain and fear. You must go back."

Caine shook his head. "But if I go back, I might never have the chance to find Laura. She may be lost to me forever." Caine took a deep breath, fortifying his resolve. "No, Peter is strong. I have seen my son's capabilities. He will not be swayed by this evil."

"You have blinded yourself to the truth. The more you search for what has been lost, the more difficult it is to find. You will only end up losing what you already had." The words were met with silence. "If you do not go back, you will lose your son. Is that what you want?"

Caine pushed himself from the floor, feeling another surge of anger. "No!"

Matthew took a deep breath, preparing to say the words he knew he must say. He had no desire to hurt his child, but he had no other choice. "That is what will happen. If you do not return, you will lose it all. You will not have your wife and you will, most definitely, lose your son. . .my grandson. Yes, he is strong, but he alone cannot defeat the great evil. He will be taken from you. . .from us if you fail to return. I will not allow that to happen." The words were delivered harshly. "If you lose Peter, then finding Laura will mean nothing. Nothing to you. . .and certainly nothing to her." Silence was the response, once again. The father continued. "Do you truly believe that even if you found your beloved she would understand that you chose her life over your son's? You must make a choice, my son. You can choose to search for your wife and the past or you can save your son. . .the future."

The words cut deep, but they were true. A single tear streamed down Kwai Chang Caine's cheek.

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