Unfounded Fears
Part 6
"Paul? Has something happened to Peter?" Annie's worried voice filtered through the other thoughts that had been tumbling around Paul's mind. Startled, he looked up into the face of his wife, Kelly standing at her side.
"What? Oh no. I just needed some fresh air," Paul stood, bringing the blond woman into a hug.
Annie tilted her head, her expression showing doubt. "What's happened?"
"With Peter? Nothing. The doctor has seen us. She wants to keep him a while for observation, but she says he appears to be fine. A couple of broken ribs and some bruises, but that's it." Paul felt Annie relax into his arms, knowing that he had spoken words that had brought relief.
Kelly watched her parents and smiled. Annie had been so worried about Peter, but wouldn't speak her fears.
Paul glanced at Kelly, seeing the smile on her face and held out an arm to gather her into the hug. Kelly welcomed the closeness and buried her head in her father's shoulder.
Annie was the first to push away from Paul's arms, "I want to see Peter."
Kelly nodded, "Me too. Will they let us this late at night?"
Paul nodded, "Yes, but only for a short time. Caine is already with him."
The three made their way to the front entrance of the hospital, the pneumatic doors sliding closed behind them.
Annie held Paul close, whispering up to him so that Kelly couldn't hear. "So why were you outside?"
Paul shook his head and shrugged a shoulder, "Like I said, I just needed some fresh air."
Annie's suspicious look returned, "Yeah. . .right. Try again."
Paul took a deep breath, "It's nothing, Honey. Really. I'm just a little tired. And relieved. I think the stress of the evening is catching up with me.
Annie's doubts didn't leave, "The 'stress' is catching up with you? You know what, Blaisdell? It's a good thing you got out of the spy business. . .you're getting horrible at telling lies in your old age."
Paul tried to smile, adding a chuckle to her comment, but was grateful she couldn't see the pain in his eyes. Although with Annie, seeing the pain really wasn't necessary. She could always feel it.
The blond woman let the subject drop. It was clear her husband was not ready to share what was bothering him. Perhaps he was telling the truth. Perhaps the stress of what had happened to Peter had taken its toll on him. Perhaps.
Kelly turned to her parents, "What room is he in?"
Paul shook his head, "Don't know. We'll have to check at the desk."
Kelly nodded, "I'll do it. Be back in a sec."
Paul pulled Annie to the elevators, held her close, kissing her on top of the head, "I'm so glad you're here."
"Where else would I be?" the woman whispered a reply.
"Nowhere else. You have always had a knack for being in the right place at the right time when it comes to Peter." Paul replied, not easing up on the embrace.
Annie caught the inference of Paul's words and brought her face up to meet his, "Are you saying that you don't?"
"Not tonight I didn't," Paul mumbled.
"Paul, what. . .?" Annie started, but Kelly came around the corner before she could complete the question.
"He's in 320." She frowned for a moment. "Is it just me or is that the same room he had last time? Or was it the time before that. Oh Lord, who knows. All these trips are starting to run together." She was trying to make light of her concern for Peter, but Annie could tell by the tone of her voice that she had been just as worried for her brother as Annie had been for the child.
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Caine held his son's hand, gently caressing the palm with his index finger. Peter had been asleep when he entered the room. Lo Si and Kermit agreed to wait in the hall until Caine had the chance to be with his child.
A twitch from Peter's hand indicated that he was cognizant of his father's touch. Caine focused on Peter's face and saw the eyelids flutter and then open. Peter's hazel eyes focused on his father's face and a gentle smile came to his lips.
"Hi, Pop." Caine didn't have the desire to give him the standard disapproving glare for the nickname. He was too happy to be hearing the voice speak.
Caine, while maintaining his hold on Peter's hand, brought his other hand to Peter's face, caressing the jaw lightly. "How do you feel?"
Peter closed his eyes for a moment, as if taking inventory, "Like I was beat with a crowbar." He shifted in bed, instantly regretting the movement. An involuntary groan came to his lips and Caine instinctively leaned forward, moving his hands to his son's chest to ease the pain.
Peter kept his eyes tightly closed, as if squeezing them shut would block the agony, but it didn't help. He took several small gasps of air and then swallowed, pushing the stabbing ache back down. "Oh. . .that was fun," he muttered. When the eyes opened again, they were wet with unshed tears.
"I would advise not doing that again," Caine offered.
Peter looked into his father's eyes, and saw the slightest hint of humor, "You are so insightful sometimes," he groaned. "Must be why you're a Shaolin master, huh." Caine shrugged one shoulder, a smile on his face.
A knock on the door redirected his attention. "Hey Kermit."
"How are you feeling, Kid."
"Don't ask," Peter muttered.
"Like he has been hit with a crowbar," Caine interjected.
Kermit chuckled, "Well, I guess that's to be expected."
Peter closed his eyes, taking another quick breath when a twinge of pain flared in his chest. Caine could see the hurt in his son's eyes and again brought his hand to the tense chest, trying to detect what happened.
Peter brought his hand to rest over his father's. "It's okay. The ribs are just giving me reminders that they're broken."
Caine nodded. Lo Si came to stand next to the injured man. "I have some herbs which will help in the healing process. I will bring them to you if you would like."
Peter tilted his head, his tired eyes narrowing, "What do they taste like?"
Lo Si smiled slightly, "Does it matter? They will help."
Peter shook his head and turned up his nose, "Trust me, it matters. It most definitely matters."
Kermit grinned at the look on Caine's face. The father looked shocked at his son's comments. However, Lo Si seemed to take it all in stride. The old man definitely had a sense of humor. . .of that Kermit was certain.
"Well, Kid. You ready to ride a desk for awhile?" Kermit changed the subject.
Peter shook his head, "Well, it won't be for too long."
Kermit let out a quick laugh, "Yeah, right. Blaisdell's gonna have you riding a desk until there are Ice Capades in Hell."
Peter's confused look brought even more laughter from the ex-mercenary. "You didn't exactly follow orders tonight."
Peter's confused eyes widened in surprise and then changed to slight fear, "He's mad?"
"'Mad' may not be the right word," Kermit corrected and Peter's face held relief. "'Furious' may be more accurate." The look of fear in the hazel eyes returned.
"Yep, 'furious' would just about cover it," growled the voice from the doorway. Paul Blaisdell stepped into the room, holding Annie tightly in his arms, Kelly following close behind.
"Paul? Mom?" Peter greeted them, suddenly feeling much weaker than he had a while before. "Hi Kel."
Kermit saw the look on Paul's face and decided that it was best to leave Peter alone with the force that had just entered the room.
Caine must have sensed it too, for he stood and bowed at the new arrivals. "Hello Annie. . .Kelly. It is good to see you again." He took Annie by the hand and gave it a quick kiss. "I will leave you alone with Peter and let you. . .talk."
"Pop?" Peter couldn't hide his concern at being left alone with his foster father. He had seen the look in the steel blue eyes before, usually after having disobeyed him as a teenager. The discussions had never been a pleasant experience then. He was certain that the passage of time had made no difference.
"I will be back later, Peter." Caine said as he left the room, a small smile on his face.
End Part 6
To Part 7