************************************

Part 8 Scene 33

"Keep these four apart. I don’t want them talking to each other until they've been interrogated," Captain Karen Simms said to the officers who were escorting the criminals to their waiting patrol cars.

Donny and Lula were sitting on the Ancient's couch, the woman protectively holding her husband. Kermit was standing next to Peter, who was sitting at Lo Si's small table while the old man cleaned and bandaged his injured face. The Captain looked with concern at Peter's physical state and then shifted her gaze to the other occupants of the room, finally focusing on Kermit. "So, who's going to tell me what happened here tonight?"

Kermit stepped forward. "Since I'm the first detective on the scene, I guess it's up to me." Peter started to speak, but then Lo Si made contact with a tender spot on his cheek causing him to grimace. Shrugging, he let the ex-mercenary take the floor.

"Bradford and his men found out that Donny was alive and ambushed Peter and Lula."

"Because of what they found at Nicky's lab?"

Peter shook his head. "I blew it."

Karen tilted her head curiously at the ex-cop, but didn't ask for an explanation. "So what happened next."

"Apparently, Bradford told Peter that he would kill Lula if Peter didn't take them to Donny. Peter led them here."

"And you were here?" Karen asked her detective.

"Uh. . .no. I was at Caine's. I just. . . Kermit was silent for a moment, considering his next words. "I just had this feeling that I should get back to the apartment. . .that something was wrong."

Lo Si smiled, but said nothing. The sunglassed man continued, "When I arrived I saw the patrol car outside the building. I ran the car number and dispatch told me it belonged to Bradford. I then realized that the van parked behind the police car was the same van I saw at Lula's earlier today. So I. . ."

Karen smiled at the ex-mercenary. "So you took out the men in the van and rescued Lula."

"It didn't take much. They weren't expecting Peter to have backup."

"Neither did I," Peter mumbled.

"So, once Bradford was in the apartment, what happened?" Karen pressed.

Kermit shook his head. "I wasn't here."

Peter didn't know how to answer. How could he reveal to his former Captain that Lo Si had done something simple, like split Donny's being into three separate images?

"We were expecting them," Lo Si answered from his position. "And we were ready."

"Am I. . .Am I alive again?" Donny asked from the couch.

"Well, I certainly don't see a reason to continue with this charade. It didn't work quite the way we planned anyway," the Captain answered. "However, until I'm sure all of this group is behind bars I don't want to take any chances. Both you and Lula are going into protective custody until this is over."

"Hey, wait a sec. . ." Lula protested.

Donny put an arm around her and pulled her close. "It's. . .it's for the best."

Peter gingerly rose from the chair. "If you want a weak link to bring this group down, bring in Mannie. . ." Peter realized he didn't have a last name for the man. "Donny, what's Mannie's last name. . .you know, the big guy. . .about 6'7"?"

"MacFarland," Lula answered.

Peter nodded, "Yeah. He's the one this group has recruited. I'd bet that as soon as he hears that these men were planning to take out the Chinese delegation and pin it on him, as well as kill him for his trouble, he'll be inclined to reveal everything he knows."

Simms nodded in agreement. "Okay. I'm going back to the precinct and talk to our guests."

"I'll join you," Kermit said to the woman as he moved next to her. Simms turned toward Peter. "Take these two someplace safe until this blows over. We'll handle it from here."

Peter started to protest, then realized he had no right. He had given up his rights to be in on the chase when he gave up the badge. He nodded to the Captain. "I'll take them to Paul's cabin."

=================================

Part 8 Scene 34

Lo Si had insisted on joining Peter on his trip to take Donny and Lula to safety. While Peter was still upset with the old man, he also was grateful for his assistance in saving the snitch and could not turn the man down. They had arrived at the cabin near dawn.

Peter opened up the cabin door to the musty smell of stale air. Even though it was near freezing outside, he moved to the windows of the cabin and cracked them open to allow for circulation. He returned to living room to find that Lo Si had already started a fire in the huge fireplace and that the rooms were comfortably warm. He was certain that Lo Si had added a little energy boost of his own to produce such results.

The young Shaolin showed Donny and Lula to the master bedroom and the two crashed on the bed together, without taking the time to change.

He took Lo Si to the girls' room. He knew he should say something to the man, but he didn't know what. How could he thank someone for his help while still being so angry at him for the lies? So Peter did the only thing he could think of. . .and that was to say nothing at all.

Peter went into his room, the room that had been his since first coming to the cabin after the Blaisdells took him into their family. He flopped down on the bed. His head and chest protested the sudden movement. He closed his eyes, realizing how tired he had become over the course of the day. His mind jumped from the events of the evening to events of the past. He could not bring his mind to rest.

"May we talk?" a quiet voice said from above.

Peter took a quick breath and snapped open his eyes. Lo Si stood next to the bed.

"I'm tired. I need sleep," Peter replied roughly, turning his back on the old man. He felt the bed move, heard the springs creak, as Lo Si's slight weight settled on the bed next to him. Peter didn't turn to face the man.

Lo Si, sitting next to his young friend, placed a gentle hand on Peter's back, "I am sorry."

Peter couldn't help the slight intake of air at the man's words but he gave no other response. Lo Si continued, "I have caused so much pain. But I also know that I have done what is right. . .what is best."

Peter closed his eyes tightly, but still did not respond. Lo Si spoke again. "Do you remember when Master Dao threatened your father on the night your father threw him out of the temple?" There was no answer to the question. Peter was too caught up in the memory to provide an answer. "Dao made it clear that he intended to take away everything your father cared about. Everything that made him a man." Lo Si closed his eyes, remembering the past. He opened them again and allowed his gaze to return to Peter's back. "That 'everything' was you. Dao would not rest until he could take away the one thing that would hurt your father the most. . .you." Lo Si's hand traced a small circle on Peter's back, but the young man gave him no response. "I could not. . .could not allow that to happen."

Peter suddenly turned over and sat up, bringing him next to Lo Si. "But you did! You took me away from my father. You may not have killed me but the effect was the same." His words were harsh and full of anger.

"In the instant after the disaster I had to make a decision. It was a decision which I knew would impact the future. . .and the past."

"It was a decision that you had no right to make!" Peter spat.

"No one else could have made that choice, Peter. Your father would have never been able to leave you, even if it was for the better." Lo Si sat up straight. "No, I made a decision to save your life, your father's life and the lives of many others."

Peter's eyes narrowed. "My father could have defeated Dao."

"Not without losing you in the process."

"So letting me think my father had died was better?"

"Yes," Lo Si answered simply.

"Better for who? Not me, Lo Si. Never for me." Peter rose from the bed and crossed the room.

"Wasn't it? Peter, you would have died if you had stayed with your father. I know this."

"No. You don't know. You are just trying to come up with excuses for what you did."

Lo Si crossed the room to stand in front of the young man. He brought his hands to either side of Peter's head and held the man's face firmly between them. In the dim light of the room, Peter was forced to look into the elderly brown eyes. "I knew, Peter."

Peter was captured by the stare. He tried to pull away, but the brown orbs held him fast. His mind flashed upon visions from his past. He saw visions of the temple walls falling down around him; of Ping Hi pulling his semi-conscious form out from under the rubble; of rough hands lifting his weight and transporting him to a cot; of waking up in a small clinic, Ping Hi at his side, telling him of his father's passing; of returning to the temple several days later to see the police sifting through the remains of the dead, looking for some clue as to the source of the attack; of leaving with the social worker.

Then later visions came to him. He remembered living with Ping Hi; the old man telling him that he was sick and Peter would need to go to the orphanage. Ping Hi moved him to a strange city, placed him in the care of strangers, and then disappeared. Then visions came to him of recent times. Traveling to the first temple in an effort to save Kwai Chang and seeing. . .Lo Si, no Ping Hi. Peter gasped at the memory. "That was you?"

Lo Si released his face and shrugged his shoulders. "A spirit lives in many disguises."

Peter's eyes grew wide and he pushed the elderly hands away from him. "Who. . .what are you?"

"I am life eternal," Lo Si said softly, bowing his head.

Peter felt his breath catch in his throat. The words and visions were confusing. He couldn't think. He had to leave.

Speechless, he ran from the cabin. Lo Si raised his head, watching the fleeing form.

===========================

Part 8 Scene 35

Captain Karen Simms exited Interrogation Room 1 with a smile on her face, leaving behind a disgruntled Mannie MacFarland. At the same time, Detective Kermit Griffin exited Interrogation Room 2, where one of the three men assisting Bradford was located, head in hands. The ex-mercenary held a similar look of satisfaction on his face. Mary Margaret Skalany walked out of Interrogation Room 3, leaving behind Bradford and two Internal Affairs officers. She nodded and grinned at the revelations that had been given.

"I have a name," Karen said proudly.

"I have a place," Kermit responded.

"I have a reason," Mary Margaret completed.

"Let's go," Karen ordered.

====================================

Part 8 Scene 36

Within an hour, just before dawn, Captain Lasher's SWAT unit, officers from the 101^st Precinct and two other precincts, along with ATF agents had completed the raid on the warehouse housing Daniel Brock. The man was taken into custody without a fight. Once he saw the warehouse was surrounded by law enforcement, he exited the building, arms raised. He smiled cockily, as if to say that there was no reason not to surrender peacefully. He had done nothing wrong. At least nothing that could be proven.

Strenlich leaned against the SWAT van as he watched Brock being pushed into a patrol car. "So he was hired to do the hit on the trade delegation?"

Karen nodded. "Yes. According to what Weathers said, they were to be paid $5,000,000 to make sure that no one in the trade delegation returned home alive.

Strenlich whistled. "That's a lot of money, even for a hit. Who ordered it?"

Kermit interjected, "We're not sure. Weathers doesn't know. We'll have to see what Brock can tell us. Whoever it was wanted to make sure that relations between the U.S. and China were destroyed."

Lasher walked up to the two officers. "ATF found enough C-4 to take out a city block."

"So, they'd set a bomb and leave, letting the delegation and all the attendees go up in the explosion. All they would need is a body to pin the blame on," Karen reasoned.

"And Donny was going to be that body," Kermit completed.

Karen nodded again. "And when Donny turned down the mysterious employment opportunity, they went after Mannie." She shook her head. "Mr. MacFarland seemed to be very shocked to find out that his life was going to be terminated as part of their plans. That really caused him to open up. He gave us Brock's name."

Kermit then spoke up. "With Brock's name we were able to convince Bradford it was in his best interest to cut a deal. After that, they all became very willing to talk. Gave us this location." Suddenly, Kermit's cell phone rang. "Griffin."

"Kermit, it's Annie." The woman's voice sounded strained.

"Annie, what's wrong?"

"Do you know where Peter is? Kelly and I are at his Dad's place. Kelly tells me that there is rubble in the street and police tape surrounding the alley. I've tried calling him, but he doesn't answer his phone."

Kermit closed his eyes, realizing that Annie had no clue of what had occurred in the past two days. "Peter is okay, Annie. He's at your cabin with Lo Si, Donny and Lula."

There was silence for a moment. Then Annie's voice returned. "Excuse me?"

Kermit chuckled, "I know it sounds strange. But there was a reason for it."

"Are you sure he's okay?"

Kermit remembered the blood on Peter's face. "He's okay, Annie. We've had some fun here over the past couple of days, but he's okay now."

"I'm going to see him."

"He'll be back soon, Annie. Just wait."

"No. Thanks, Kermit." She hung up before he could respond. He thought about calling her back and convincing her to stay in town, but there was really no reason for her not to go to the cabin. Things were under control. Then he remembered the strain between Peter and Lo Si. . .the emotions that Peter was trying to hide. Kermit smiled to himself, "Yeah, Annie. I think that's a good idea."

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Part 8 Scene 37

Peter sat cross-legged on the boat dock, watching the sunrise. The peach-red glow reflected in the calm waters. Lo Si's words, the visions that he had brought to Peter's mind, were confusing. No matter how Peter tried to rationalize what he had seen in his mind, nothing made sense. Lo Si had always been there. He was Mai Chi's grandfather. . .he was Ping Hi. . .he was Lo Si. How?

"You do not need to explain it. . .just accept it." His father's voice echoed in his head.

"How can you accept this, accept what he's done? He's manipulated you as much as he's manipulated me."

"I accept it because it serves no purpose not to not accept it." His father's rationalization was sometimes infuriating. "He did what needed to be done."

"He destroyed lives."

"He saved lives. He made the difficult choices. You have made difficult choices, quite recently, as well. You should understand what he had to do and why."

It didn't take a rocket scientist to know the reference. Peter started to deny his father's accusations, but knew it would be a lie. He had done the same thing to Donny. He had tried to make a decision for the man, doing what he thought was best to save his friend's life, and he never once allowed the man to take part in that decision. Why? Because he thought he'd known best. . .because he had the answers. And then, to make matters worse, he hadn't the strength to see the lie through to the end. He crumbled and with that he almost destroyed the lives of two people. "I know that what I did should make me understand what Lo. . .Ping. . .oh hell, the Ancient did. But I don't think I can accept it. I'm trying, but the pain is too great." Peter broke off the contact and buried his head in his hands. "He should have never lied," he screamed out loud.

His voice echoed across the waters and into the mountains. "I'm sorry, Peter, but I'm grateful he did." The familiar feminine voice caused the young man to turn in surprise, straining his neck.

"Mom?"

"Lo Si said you were here."

"How did you. . .?"

"Kelly brought me."

"But how. . .?"

"Kermit," she answered simply.

The woman took a few tentative steps forward, her cane playing back and forth in front of her. Peter, realizing that he should assist her, climbed to his feet and took her gently by the arm. She reached out for his hand and squeezed, causing the pain in the man's wrist to flare. He gasped.

Releasing her hold, fearful of hurting him again, she worriedly asked, "Peter, you're hurt?" Her son didn't answer. His silence made her suspicious. She brought a tentative hand to his face and felt the swelling of the wounds on his cheek and forehead. "Lo Si said that you were okay. But you're not." Her words were tinged with anger.

"I'm okay, Mom. Really, I am." Peter took her hand in his and brought the fingers to his lips, kissing them gently.

The woman shook her head, her face showing her disbelief. "Yeah, right." She took a step forward. "Sit with me, Peter. Let's talk."

"I think I'm all talked out, Mom."

"No. I think there are things we need to talk about."

Once the two were back out on the dock, Annie settled her petite body to the wooden floor and tapped the place beside her, indicating Peter should do the same, and Peter did.

The concerned mother spoke first. "Lo Si told me what happened last night and why you are sitting out here by yourself."

"He lied to me. . .then he abandoned me," Peter whispered. "He left me alone after taking everything away from me that I cared about. You don't understand."

"Oh, I think I do. You are angry because you had your life taken away from you. You were told a lie that destroyed who you were, which brought loneliness and suffering." Annie didn't need to see her son to know the pain he was feeling. "You forget. I was there, Peter. I saw what you went through. I sat with you when the nightmares overwhelmed you in the middle of the night. And I, too, feel the anger for what you went through. But as angry as I am, I'm also grateful." She reached out and placed a hand on his knee. "I am eternally grateful that Lo Si did what he did. I know it's self-centered of me, but if it had not been for him, I would never have had the opportunity to have you in my life. I know Paul feels the same way."

Peter felt tears gathering in his eyes. He realized that his words had hurt the woman. "I'm sorry, Mom. I didn't mean. . ."

Her hand squeezed his leg. "No, Peter. Don't apologize. You had something very special taken away from you. You have a right to be hurt. But at the same time, you must realize that what created your pain created the greatest of joys in my life. It brought me something very special. It gave me a son that I would have the privilege of watching grow into a man. . .a man who has filled my life with love."

Peter sniffed, trying desperately to blink away the stinging tears, but knowing that he was fighting a losing battle. "Mom. . .I. . .I don't. . .I'm so confused. . .." He lost the battle. The tears streamed over his cheeks and off his face. Annie moved in front of her son and brought him into her arms, absorbing the sobs that racked his body. Her tears matched his and ran from her cheeks and into his hair. She allowed her lips to touch the top of his head, planting a feather-light kiss on top.

Lo Si stood near the cabin, watching the scene unfold on the dock. He lowered his eyes and clasped his hands together in front of him. No one would see his tears.

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Part 8 Scene 38

Peter, emotionally and physically exhausted, walked Annie back to the cabin. He was, once again, immensely grateful for the woman's insight. She had made him remember what was really important. And now, before he could sleep, he needed to find Lo Si. . .he needed to talk to the man. He was ready to talk. . .ready to understand.

Kelly, Donny and Lula were in the living room of the cabin. Kelly was on her cell phone. After hanging up she turned to Peter, a look of confusion on her face. "That was Kermit. He said you could come home now. Everything was under control."

Peter nodded. Donny and Lula let out matching squeals of delight and hugged each other. Peter ignored their antics. "Where's Lo Si?"

"He went outside about a half hour ago. Haven't seen him since," Kelly shrugged.

Peter left the cabin and stood on the front porch. Closing his eyes, he reached out with his senses. He touched Lo Si's essence and began walking through the woods. After a few moments he had found the elderly man. The Ancient was sitting on a log, looking out across the lake.

"It is beautiful here. It reminds me of the area around the temple," Lo Si said without turning around to face Peter.

"Yes. It is. I have always loved it here. It reminded me of. . ." Peter's voice trailed off. He took a few tentative steps forward. Lo Si looked up at the young man, smiled and scooted over on the log so that Peter would have room to join him. "Sit with me, my friend."

Peter nodded and moved to the spot next to the elderly man. Neither said anything for a long while. Finally, Lo Si spoke. "I am sorry if I should not have spoken to your mother about what happened."

Peter bit his lip and smiled. "I think I'm glad you did." Peter put an arm around the smaller man's shoulders. "I. . .I owe you an apology."

"No, Peter, you do not. It is I who owes you. I cannot change what happened. I did what I had to, but I am sorry for what happened, for the pain I caused."

Peter nodded. "It still hurts, but I'm starting to understand." The silence resumed. After a few minutes, Peter turned to the old man. "You know, I kinda admire what you did. You showed tremendous strength and faith. I. . .I didn't have that strength. Even though I knew that Lula could be in danger if I revealed the truth, I didn't have the strength to do what I knew was best to keep her safe. I fell apart and became subject to her emotions." The young man took a breath. "I don't know how you did that. When I was standing at my father's grave. . .how did you keep the truth from me?"

"It was the hardest thing I have ever had to do in my life. . ." Lo Si responded quietly.

Peter chuckled. "And if I'm right, that's a very, very long time."

Lo Si smiled. "Very. I am not called 'The Ancient' for nothing."

Peter laughed and then looked down at his arms. He then pushed up his sleeves. "So were these your idea or mine?"

"Yours," Lo Si answered.

"You sure?" Peter said with doubt, still feeling that he was manipulated into taking the brands.

Lo Si shrugged. "You made the decision based upon the best reason of all."

Peter frowned at the answer. "Wanna try that again?"

The Ancient gave the young man a knowing look. "Why did you leave the police force?"

Peter thought about his run-in with Ralston and how he had determined he could best help others like Geena Sinclair and then shrugged his shoulders. "I thought I could be of more help outside of the system."

"Out of love or out of obligation?"

Peter thought about the words. "Love."

Lo Si nodded. "Why did you make the decision to take the brands?"

"To save my father's life?"

"Out of love or obligation?"

Without hesitation Peter answered, "Love."

"Then that should be reason enough," Lo Si answered, bringing his arm around Peter's waist.

Peter nodded. Lo Si tilted his head. "You have another question." It was a statement.

"Yeah. . .So, what do I call you now? I seem to have so many choices."

Lo Si let the laughter escape his lips. "You may choose. I am all those things. . .and so much more."

Peter matched the man's laughter. "Great. That's comforting. You'll understand if I stick with Lo Si."

"Bloody Marvelous."

The End