Peter Caine began pacing the hallway of the County General Hospital. He hated Hospitals, especially if he shouldn’t be there. He was wearing his blue Police Jacket and ballcap, evidently just coming from a stake-out. “What the hell is taking so long,” he asked as he passed other members of the hundred and first. Kermit Griffin stood and placed a hand on Peter’s shoulder. “You know what a chest wound and head injury can do to a person. We’re lucky that she survived the trip here.” Kermit hated even saying it but he was right. Taking in a deep breath he added, “It’s a positive sign.” Peter just stood there and closed his eyes, “Has Guerrero said anything?” Captain Karen Simms walked up to the two Detectives and sighed, “No, right now he’s under a heavy sedative and won’t be able to say much until morning. But you can be sure that I’ll be there along with Captain Jones asking questions.” Kermit turned his face away from the Captain. “I guess this means that further assisting the 97th anytime soon is out.” He turned back to Simms and took her hand into his, “What went wrong? I thought that it was secure.” “I don’t know but I assure you that there’ll be hell to pay.” “Hey Partner, what happened,” came a voice from behind them down the hall. They turned to see Mary Margaret Skalany and Kwai Chang Caine walking toward them. Caine walked up to his son, “Are you alright, my son?” Skalany looked at her co-workers, “I called into work to find out how things were going. That’s when Broderick told us what happened.” “We got here as soon as we could,” Caine finished as he saw Peter turn and head down the hallway. He followed behind his son. He felt Peter’s fear, sadness, and love, “What happened, my son?” Peter stood by the glass door leading to the Operating Room. “Where to start?” “Start at the beginning.” Peter took in a deep breath and turned to face his father, “She was going to meet me at my apartment so that we could go the stake-out together.... That’s when things got ugly.” Peter’s eyes looked off into nothing, remembering. “I was in the shower....” (FLASHBACK) "Peter are you ready yet. Captain won't like it if we're late," came a voice from outside the apartment. "Peter?" Jody looked down at the ground when she heard someone beginning to open the door. When she looked up she saw something that made her blood boil. "Why hello, you must be, Jody. Peter's in the shower, he should be out soon," said a beautiful lady wearing only one of Peter's shirts. "Hi," Jody said as nicely as possible. "I didn't know that anyone would be here." "Oh I just thought that I would stop by to surprise Peter," she stated. Jody looked at the woman, with tears threatening to surface, "Well just tell my Partner that I'll see him at the stake-out." With that Jody's heart started breaking into a million pieces. I have to get out of here, she thought. "Jody, is that you," came a voice from the other room. "Yes, Peter. Jody's here," the other yelled to him. Peter ran out of the bathroom wearing only a towel. "Kathy?" He looked at the horrified face of Jody, "Jody?" Jody turned and started to walk down the hall. "See you there, Partner." Peter quickly headed to the door, glaring at his Ex-girlfriend. "What the hell do you think your doing?" He didn't wait for an answer, he ran down the hallway after Jody, keeping a tight grip on his towel that threatened to fall. "Jody... Jody, wait I can explain this." Jody stopped and turned to face him. Peter saw the pain and hurt on her tear soaked face. "Don't even. I'm not sure I really want to know." Peter reached out to take her hand but she quickly pulled away. "I didn't even know she was here. I went into get ready for tonight. I thought I heard you. I was just as surprised as you were." Jody took a deep breath. "Somehow I don't buy it. But let's say I do believe you. How'd she get in?" "How the hell should I know," he said a little to harshly. He regretted it as soon as it came out. He never wanted to hurt her but by the look on her face he could tell his words had just stabbed her in the heart. "Last time I knew you were dating Jordon. I know that it was over. I didn't know that you dated someone else." Peter tried to say something but Jody just continued. She had to say this before she lost the nerve. "But you said you wanted to give us a chance." "I do. Jody, please.. I hadn't seen Kathy in four years. I didn't even know she was in town. Jody, please..." he begged. "Maybe I should've slept with you instead of wanting to make sure that this is what we both wanted. Well at least now I know." Jody almost couldn't continue through the nervous breakdown she knew was forthcoming. "You never wanted us. Fine, I'll see you at the stake-out." Jody quickly got into the elevator and left. Peter could only stand there with his hand on the closed elevator door for awhile until he calmed down. He had to if he was going to face the person who ruined any chance of him finding happiness. Slowly he turned and walked back into his apartment. Kathy was saying how sorry she was and that she came over to see if he'd take her back. She said she had no idea that he was seeing someone now. Peter slowly walked over to his bedroom door and turned to face her. As calmly as he could he said, "You told me that we were over, what's with this a sudden change of heart. It's been four years, I don't feel that way about you anymore. Get your clothes, get dressed, get the hell out of my apartment and get out of my life.... Now." (END FLASHBACK) Caine placed his hands on Peter’s shoulders and said. “I’m sure that Jody will understand once she has.... settled down?” Peter shrugged his father’s hands off. He didn’t need this right now, or so he thought. “Yea, if she ever lives through this and we can talk, maybe.” Peter took a deep breath, getting ready to continue with the story. “Anyway, everyone met and we split up into teams. Kermit and I were stuck with two of 97th Detectives, Blake was working the camera, Captain Simms was with their Captain, and Jody was with a Detective Guerrero. Everything was quiet, little did we know that trouble was waiting for us...” (FLASHBACK) Peter, Kermit and two of the 97th detectives, Roy and Sanders, set up position behind a pile of boxes. They just sat there and waited for all of the mob bosses to show- up. Roy and Sanders were busy making sure that their guns were loaded and ready. Peter leaned over to Kermit, covering his mouthpiece, and shook his head, “Look at them,” pointing to the other two men with them. “I think that they are kinda jumpy. I wonder if they are always this anal.” “Who knows?” Kermit fixed his headset and talked into it, “So does anyone have any idea when this party is supposed to happen?” Across the airwaves Captain Simms answered, “Rumor has it anytime between now and Three a.m.” Kermit replied back, “I try not to place too much faith in rumors, Captain.” “Well just think of this as your welcome back party, Kermit.” Simms added “Yea, right.” Kermit had just returned from parts unknown, doing god knows what. Everyone just figured that it had something to do with mercenary work. He didn’t come back without a little souvenir from his trip. Jody spoke up and asked what a lot of them had been wondering, “Yea, you never told us how you hurt your arm.” Peter added as a side note. “Well at least it wasn’t his shooting arm. It’s just a little harder for him to play all of those games on his computer.” Kermit looked at Peter and grinned. “Let’s just say that I tried to play chicken with a bullet.” Fixing his ever present sunglasses he continued, “and lost.” Captain Jones looked at Simms, “Alright enough of the sideshow. All units report in.” “Unit one, all clear.” Peter said looking at Kermit. Over the radio, “Two, clear,” said Blake. “Three clear.” Guerrero added. “Four clear.” Simms finished. “Alright keep an eye out, and Captain Simms make sure that your people know what to do.” He added. Simms laughed, “They know what to do, Captain. Everyone at the 101st are professionals. If you don’t like the fact that we’re here we’ll just leave.” Kermit had to laugh now. He looked at Peter and added to her last remark, “Oh yea, we could be at Dalancy’s having a beer or two. You know us, Captain Jones, we at the 101st are nothing more than a bunch of hot-shot, shoot first ask questions later, drink all night type of Detectives.” Everyone laughed. Suddenly shots rung out in the silence of the night. Captain Simms went into her order mode, “What the... All units report. Report.” “One here.” “Two here.” “Four here. Where’s Detectives Powell and Guerrero?” Simms yelled into the headset. By the time she even asked, Peter ran out from his spot and headed in the direction where Jody was at. Turning around a corner he saw two figures lying on the ground blood pouring out of them. Peter ran up to Jody and noticed that she was bad. “We need an ambulance. Officer down,” he yelled. Pulling off his headset he continued. “Oh god, Jody. Don’t leave me.” (END FLASHBACK) Caine pulled Peter into a tight hug. “Kermit found a crowbar next to her head,” Peter continued trying to keep his composure. “It’s funny, really, we just started going out of sorts. Finally after years. Now we have that fight and she just may die.” He felt a lump growing in his throat, tears threatening to surface. Caine pulled away enough to place his hands on the side of his son’s face cradling it. “Jody will survive. But the path that she will now travel on will be difficult.” “I can’t loose her now, Pop. I love her. I never told her that.” Finally he let the tears flow. Caine just held his son, letting him know that he was there for him. Four hours later Doctor Sabourin opened the glass door from the OR, she walked over to the friends of Jody Powell. Karen Simms stood and looked at the Doctor. Fear showed in her eyes. Fear of loosing a great Detective under her command, and fear of loosing a friend. “How is she?” The Doctor looked at all of them, “She’s in critical but stable condition. They’re taking her into ICU shortly.” She lead them into one of the rooms close by. There were some x- rays hanging from a lighted mirror, “The bullet was lodged here” pointing at one of the ribs. “That is after hitting some of the arteries leading to the heart. Luckily nothing major.” Kermit cleared his throat, “She’s lucky it didn’t kill her.” Skalany glared at him but he didn’t care. He had seen too many people get hit like that, very few made it. “She also suffered severe trauma to the head. There is a lot of swelling and bleeding. The Neurologist, unfortunately has to wait until some of the swelling goes down before he can operate. We were able to release some of the pressure but that all that can be done for right now. I’m sorry that I don’t have more. I just wish that it was better news.” Peter spoke up for the first time in hours, “Can we see her?” “As soon as they move her into ICU. Figure about twenty minutes.” Doctor Sabourin turned and left them to themselves. Kermit turned and punched one of the walls nearby. “Dammit.” Karen just stood there and let him get this out of his system. If he needed her he would make the first move. “We need to know what the hell happened out there. Who shot her and why. I’m going back there to see if I can’t get some answers.” He looked at Karen and Peter, “I’ll be at work soon.” Kermit just stormed out of the room. He had been in this position too many times. One of his friends injured and there was nothing that he could do. He wouldn’t just sit by this time and let things run their course. He was going to find out just what happened. Karen looked down at the ground, she hated seeing the man she loved like this. She figured that she would something of her own. “I’m going to see if Guerrero is awake yet, excuse me.” Peter looked at his Captain, “Can I come with you, Captain?” “Are you sure that you don’t want to wait until Jody is brought to ICU,” she said worried about her ‘best Detective’. “I want to know what happened. That way I can have something to tell her when I go in and see her.” Karen looked at Caine, he just nodded. “Okay, let’s go.” Caine grabbed Peter’s hand, “Mary Margaret and I will wait here until Jody is brought up.” Guerrero was lying in his bed, arm in a sling. He was awake and watching the morning news. Looking at the visitors coming in to see him he knew he would have some explaining to do. Captain Simms, Captain Jones came into range along with Peter Caine. “Detective Guerrero, how are you feeling,” Captain Jones asked his detective. “I’ve been better,” came his answer. “Let me guess you want to know what happened?” They nodded, “Well I don’t really know. We just had reported in and then from behind I got shot. Detective Powell pulled her gun and went down.” Peter came closer to the man, he felt that something was not right. “Did you see who it was that shot Detective Powell and yourself?” “Nope. It was dark, and the person was wearing dark clothes.” Guerrero looked at Peter, “She did say that the two of you had a fight. Maybe it was you, Detective Caine.” Peter tried to reach across the two Captains reaching for the man’s throat. “Why you..” “Detective Caine! This isn’t helping the situation any. Back off.” Captain Simms yelled. “You better listen to her, Detective. Or I’ll have your badge.” Jones added. Karen turned away from Peter and looked at the other, “I can handle this Captain. I don’t interfere with things that go on in your precinct so I suggest that you do the same thing. Leave this matter to me. I know for a fact that Detective Caine had nothing to do with the shooting for he was with not only Detective Griffin but also TWO of your men. Don’t go making accusations without first knowing the details. Is that understood, Captain?” She was mad. Really mad at this man who was telling her what to do. Jones started at Simms, “Is that a threat Captain Simms.” “I don’t make threats, Captain. I make promises. If you don’t take in all of the possibilities and stop accusing my Detectives, I will have you written up and removed of your command so fast it’ll make your head spin. That I promise. Detective Caine, let’s go.” The two started heading out the door when she turned around, “Oh and by the way, this is my investigation.” Jones became mad, “On who’s authority?” “Commissioner Kincaid. This happened in China Town, my area, my case. Plain and simple. If you have a problem with it bring it up with the Commissioner.” When they got out into the hallway and out of earshot she turned to Peter, “Alright Caine, what’s wrong?” Peter sighed, “I don’t know. There’s just something about him that doesn’t feel right.” Peter just turned and clenched his fists. “I don’t know maybe it’s cause Jody’s hurt.” Simms looked him in the eyes, “What isn’t right about him?” “I just don’t think that he’s telling us the truth. I can’t explain it. Maybe it’s just..” “A Shaolin thing,” she finished with a smile. She grabbed a hold of his hand. “I trust you. So what are we going to do about it?” “There’s still a lot about this I don’t understand. I need to talk to my dad.” He turned and walked down the hall toward ICU, “And see if Jody’s in a room yet.” “Let’s go.” They arrived at ICU where Caine and Skalany waited. “They just put her into room four, Partner,” Skalany told Peter. “Thanks. Pop, can we talk?” “Always.” Father and son walked away from the room and the others. “What is troubling you, Peter?” He didn’t know how to explain what was wrong he was hoping that Caine could help. “Well it’s that Guerrero guy. There’s something not right about him.” Caine looked into his son’s eyes to try and see what he was. “What do you mean... something is not right?” “Well it’s like when we were talking to him my ears started ringing. He never once asked how Jody was. I know I would’ve asked if it was Roy or Sanders that was shot.” Caine slightly bowed as someone passed even though his full attention was on his son. “He was really vague about what happened. I don’t know. I guess I just don’t buy it.” Peter informed the older man in front of him. “Can you help me, Pop? I mean is there anyway we can, you know, see what Jody did? You know like how we found the real killer when Captain Simms was in trouble.” “I would like to wait until Jody wakes up.” Before Peter could Protest Caine Continues. “We need to know just how much she remembers. For as you had said before, Time travel is not admissible in court.” Peter sounded defeated. His own words came back to haunt him, “Yea, you’re right. I guess I should go and see her.” Caine knew the conflicting feelings that Peter had at that moment well. On one hand you wanted to see for yourself just how the person was. On the other you didn’t want to deal with the reality of it. “Pop,” Peter asked. “I will be with you.” Was all he had to say. “Thanks.” Peter slowly walked into the room. What he saw tore at his heart and soul. Jody was lying there, her head was bandaged from where they drilled to release the pressure. She had tubes and wires all over her body, one of them, the air tube, was down her throat to help her breath. She looked so peaceful and yet not entirely human at that moment. His heart was ripped out of his chest. The woman that he loved fighting for her life, it just seemed so unreal. Peter walked over to the bed. Tears streaming down his face, he grabbed a hold of her hand. “Jody,” he said as he placed her hand to his lips, kissing it lightly. “I’m so sorry about what happened.... I love you... Please... Please be alright... I don’t want to loose you. I don’t know how I could go on without you.” Caine walked over to his son and placed a hand on his shoulder. Peter laid his head on it, “I love you, Jody.” Peter could only stay by Jody’s side for awhile. Being there he felt so helpless, he had to do something. Captain Simms had informed him that if they didn’t need his ‘special talents’ then he would’ve had nothing to do with this case. Lucky for him they needed his newly found Shaolin skills to try and figure out what happened. It was moments like this he was really glad that he had finished his training. Peter looked at the file on the case, trying to find somewhere to start. Out of the corner of his eye he caught a glimpse of Kermit walking in. He was still in the same outfit he had been last night. Peter looked at his friend as he passed by the desk, “Any luck, Kermit?” “Nada,” he said as he walked toward his office with Peter in tail. He sat in the chair behind his computer while Peter sat on the couch next to the wall. “I couldn’t find a thing. You would figure that with the amount of blood at the scene there should be footprints or something. He had to get close enough to hit Jody with that crowbar.” Peter cringed upon hearing that, “Sorry.” Peter leaned closer, his hands clenched together on his lap. He thought about what Kermit had said. He was right there should’ve been some footprints, the guy had to get away somehow. “Maybe I should take my dad there. He might be able to see something that we haven’t.” Kermit smiled at the thought of the two Caines looking over the place. He has seen them do impossible things, including rescuing him from that terrorist prison. “Mind if I tag along?” “I wouldn’t have it any other way,” the younger Detective replied. “Good I’ll just go home, shower and change.” Kermit shut off his computer and headed for the door. “Meet you there.” Peter and Kwai Chang Caine walked around the area where Jody had been shot. Caine knelt down at the spot where she had been. He suddenly felt a sharp pain rip through his chest, the same spot that Jody had been. Peter quickly came up behind his father and helped him to his feet. “What is it, Pop,” Peter asked his father with concern. “I felt the bullet enter her body.” Caine informed his son trying to catch his breath. “I could not see what she did. Something surprised her but not something from behind.” Kermit walked up to the two men with a file in his hand and the biggest grin on his face. “Hello gentlemen. I say it time to find out the truth.” Peter knew when Kermit got like this he was on to something big. “What did you find something out?” Kermit laughed, “Oh yea. I guess you can say that my dear friend. I just received the ballistics report from Nickie Elder.” Peter waved his hands as if saying ‘Yes?’. “The bullet retrieved from Jody came from a Beretta, most likely one with a silencer. The bullet retrieved from Guerrero, get this, matches Jody’s gun exactly.” Peter looked down at the ground absorbing the information. “Let me make sure I’m tracking this right. Jody shot Guerrero?” “Check out the report for yourself,” the ex-mercenary said handing the file over to Peter. “Why?” “I think that it’s time to find out exactly what happened out here. We need to know what young Detective Guerrero saw.” Came the reply. Peter looked at his watch, eleven thirty. “He should still be at the hospital. Let’s go.” When Kermit and Peter arrived at the hospital they headed directly toward Guerrero’s room. Peter walked in first followed closely by Kermit. “Well, Well Detective Caine. Did you come here to attack me again?” Kermit smiled at the man in the bed, “Actually, Caine here is just my second man. You know the rules, there has to be two people to take a statement so there is no confusion.” “Just make sure he stays the hell away from me,” Guerrero glared at Kermit. “Do you always wear those stupid sunglasses?” “Don’t even go there,” Kermit snorted. “Besides, I’m the one who asks the questions. You are only to answer. It’s real simple.” “Fine, Detective.” “Good, now I’ll make this short and sweet for to tell you the truth you’re repulsing me.” Guerrero was going to say something but Kermit just raised his hand silencing him. “Okay now. You see I just want to get your story.” “I already told Caine here and your Captain the entire thing.” It appeared to Kermit that this man didn’t like the fact that there was a female Police Captain. “Well you see, I don’t always rely on hearsay and I’m the Detective on record. So I am the only one who matters. So explain it to me.” Guerrero seemed tired of this. “Okay, Detective Powell and I were in position when we were attached from behind. That’s all I know.” Kermit wanted to see just how true this story was and what wasn’t being told. Smiling he thought he would test his beliefs. “Do you know who shot you?” “Can’t say I can. I heard a shot, turned then I was shot myself. That’s when Detective Powell pulled her gun. The guy or guys were wearing dark clothes.” Kermit smiled and just looked at the young man. De lo que veas cree muy poco, De lo que to cuentren, nada, Kermit thought. Youth may blind the truth but Mercenaries always win. “Okay I’ll be back if I need to ask anything more. I hope you feel better soon. God knows when Detective Powell will.” He quickly grabs Peter’s arm and left the room. “He’s lying,” Peter yelled as they turned down the hallway. He quickly turned back toward the room, he wanted answers. Kermit grabbed him and slammed him against the wall with his hand under the throat. “I know that, you know that, but he doesn’t know that we know. This is my case, Peter. Let me handle it the way I want to.” Peter shoved Kermit away from him and stepped closer. “Don’t even think about it. None of your Shaolin training will help you, you’ll loose.” Peter glared at Kermit trying to see the look in his eyes behind his glasses. Kermit slowly took off his glasses and glared back, he had the look of death in his eyes. A fire that burns in him from his past that will never be extinguished. “If you even try and get in my way, I’ll have you pulled from this case so fast that your head will spin.” “I want to know what happened.” Peter stepped back from Kermit and lowered his head. “I’m going to see Jody and see if I can’t find something out, my own way.” He just stormed away. Kermit stood there watching his friend walk away. Kermit knew this from somewhere he just didn’t remember. It was time to do some serious digging into the past. “Guerrero looks so familiar. I just don’t know where.” Kermit sat at his desk back at the Precinct and began typing. It was time to call in the calvery. He knew one person who would help, if he could find her. “It’s time to come home, baby.” He typed away at his keyboard, proofreading the message, and sending it. “Please be here soon. I need you.” Somewhere in the Middle East an attractive lady sat at her laptop, lighting a cigarette, and accessed her files. Several E-Mails appeared on the screen. She began to scan through the names of senders, finding one she just smiled. “Let’s see, Paul, Rykker, Smitty, Kermit.... Kermit?” She clicked on the name and the message appeared, “Okay, Kermit what do you want now?” Jade, Need assistance. You are the only one that I know. Name: Guerrero. Picture: File.jpg. Come as soon as you can... Contact at normal time with answer. You know the drill. -- Kermit Jade glanced at her watch and thought. “2300 his time. Okay be there.” She picked up the phone and dialed his number. “Griffin.” “It’s me. Ready for secure?” “Now.” There was a small noise as the crypto gear kicked in. Then she heard his voice on the other end, “So you got my message.” “Yep. I’ll be there. Give me about a week though. I have some business to finish up here.” “Good. When you have the travel info contact me. I’ll see you then.” “Roger. I’ve missed you, you old war-horse.” “Missed you too. See you soon, Kiddo.” She hung up the phone and just sat there. Kermit never asked for help unless it was something from the past. Even then he rarely asked for help. This had to be big. A week Later Captain Simms and Kermit were in her office discussing what they had so far. It wasn’t much. Kermit was waiting until Jade came in, just a few hour more. Peter was sitting at his desk going over in his mind what to do next, then his phone rang. “101st Caine.... yes....really when... I’m on my way.” He hung up the phone and went directly toward the Captain’s office. He didn’t even know, just opened the door. “Captain, I’m sorry but I just got a call from the hospital. Jody’s awake and I’m heading over there now.” Kermit rubbed his eyes, they were all relieved that she was awake. “Did they say anything else?” Peter really wanted to go instead of answering questions, “No, but I’ll give a call from the hospital when I know more.” Kermit got up from his chair, grabbed Peter’s arm and dragged him out the door. “Let’s go. We’ll continue this later, Captain.” Before they could get too far they heard the Captain tell them, “Tell her that I’ll be by tonight.” Mary Margaret was standing outside of Jody’s room. She was there when Jody woke up, now she had to wait for Peter. Skalany started pacing, she didn’t want to go back into the room. Peter and Kermit turned around the corner and saw her there by the door leading to Jody’s room. “Skalany.” She turned and ran down the hall to her friends, “I am so glad you’re here.” Kermit stepped forward, “How is she?” Skalany just hugged Peter, she wanted to cry but knew she couldn’t. “She’s doing good considering....” Her words cut into Peter’s heart, “What do you mean considering?” He released Skalany and walked into the room. Jody was lying on the bed as he walked up to her. “Jody?” She was staring off into nothing, as Peter took her hand into his. “Peter I’m so sorry about what happened.” Peter sat on the edge of the bed still handing onto her hand. “It’s okay, it’s not your fault.” He bent down and kissed her squarely on the lips. As Jody started crying, Peter brought her into a hug and held her. “Shhh. What’s wrong?” Jody buried her face into his chest. “I can’t see,” she whispered. “The doctor told me that it might be temporary but....” Peter felt the tears that flowed from his eyes. Turning his head he noticed Kermit standing at the door, “Jody, Kermit’s here. Do you feel up to some questions?” Jody nodded. “Okay, everything will work out you have to believe that. I’ll be right here for you.” Jody moved away from Peter and sat up in the bed collecting herself before the questions started, “Listen, Kermit, I don’t really know what happened. I remember kneeling down talking to you guys over the radio. That’s the last thing I remember. Of course it wouldn’t really matter anyway, right. I wouldn’t be able to pick the suspect out of a line up.” Kermit walked up to Jody and placed a hand on hers, “It’ll be alright. You’ll see again. Just leave everything to me, I’ll find out who did this and he’ll pay.” Peter looked up from Jody’s face to Kermit’s, his face was drenched with tears. “I’ll meet you back at the Precinct, Peter. If you remember anything, Jody, just let me know.” “Thanks Kermit,” she said as the man walked out of the room leaving Peter and Jody alone. “Well I guess I’m glad that I have something to fall back on. Cause it looks like my Police Career is over.” “Jody, don’t say that. Everything will work out. You’re going to be able to see again and be back to work in no time.” Peter told her mostly for his own benefit than hers. Jody shook her head she knew that she may never be able to see again. It was time to realize that and move on. The sooner she did the better off everyone will be. Kermit arrived at the airport to pick up his help. He looked at the monitors and searched for flight 104 from Tel Aviv. “Gate 24. Well it’s time to face up, Griffin.” He told himself. As much as he needed the help from Jade he wasn’t sure that he really wanted to do this. There had been too many bad feelings between them that just wouldn’t die. He hated the fact that she became a mercenary. She deserved better than that. Once he arrived at the gate, his mind was still in the past. (FLASHBACK) A beautiful young woman about 20, sat at a table in the French Cafe. She had long Brown hair and eyes the color of emeralds. She was wearing the latest fashion of clothes there in Paris. Kermit Griffin walked up to her and sat down next to her. “So what are you doing here? I thought I told you to take some time off.” He said. The lady just looked at him, “Look you can’t run my life anymore. I’m old enough to take care of myself. Being what I am is all I know.” Kermit grabbed a hold of her arm and forced her to look at him. “You’re smarter than this. You should be in college, hanging out with people your own age, doing what every other 20 year old does.” “And what is that?” She looked at him. “I have been in this business since I was 15. I have had my fair share of mistakes. I know what to do. I was taught by the best, Right?” Kermit just sighed. “Rykker, Paul, yourself. I think I can take care of myself. I haven’t needed a family in a long time. I haven’t needed anyone in a long time. Not since that incident.” “That’s what I’m talking about. Are you completely over that? Can you get over what that monster did to you?” His voice the sound of concern. “Would you ever be able to?” Kermit lowered his head to think about it. “I didn’t think so. I’m fine. My work keeps me busy, I have fun. And one day I will find that bastard again and kill him. Plain and simple.” “Men like that can’t be destroyed. What do you plan on doing?” “I plan on recapturing my soul. The one that he took from me. This ‘man’ is pure evil, everyone he touches dies. He takes their soul and controls it, changes it to match his warped mind,” she said with a far off look in her eyes. “I just think that you need to move on with your life. I never did like the fact that Eric pulled you into this at your age. You should’ve been, I don’t know, dating, going to school, what normal teenagers do.” Kermit knew what she was going through. He was recruited into the business at a young age, not as young as her but young enough. He knew what it did to a person. “I never knew anyone normal. With mother leaving me into the care of my Grand- Parents. My father off saving someone. I guess that doing what I’m doing I finally realize why my father wasn’t there for me. It’s the same thing that he did. Isn’t that right?” “Your father cared for you a great deal. He didn’t want you to be raised in that type of atmosphere. He wanted you to have a better life than he did.” “Things never work out the way we plan them.” She stood to leave. “Keep in touch, Kermit. I miss you.” Kermit gave her a kiss on the cheek, “I miss you too. Take care of yourself, Jade.” (END FLASHBACK) Kermit caught a glimpse of the woman he was here to meet. Jade walked out of the plane and headed directly toward him. After about five years she hasn’t changed one bit, she still looked like her mother. The Middle Easter sun did wonders for her tan. That was the one thing that he liked about her, she could blend into any environment. “Jade, Glad you could make it.” Kermit stuck out his hand to shake hers. “I had to come.” Looking at his extended hand she smiled. “I think that maybe a hug would be better.” Kermit pulled her into a hug and held her tight. “I missed you. It’s been too long.” “Well you were busy, I was busy. Time management with the ones I care about has never been my long suit.” “Yea, well. It’s never been mine either. I did a lot of thinking about you. I don’t blame you one bit about what happened. You weren’t to blame.” She said as she took his hand. “That’s not the way I look at things but maybe you can teach me that someday. Forgiveness for past sins that is.” Kermit grinned. “Maybe. But you needed my help and here I am. What’s up? This Guerrero guy?” Kermit began walking down the hallway toward the baggage claim area. “We’ll talk about this later. Right now we have to get your bags and get you into a hotel.” “What I don’t get to stay with you?” Kermit just smiled at that. “Are you afraid of getting to know me?” “More like afraid of knowing myself. Afraid of facing my past, and my past mistakes. Like leaving you.” Kermit and Jade arrived at the 101st Precinct heading directly toward his back office, and shut the door. As soon as they were in there he tossed her a folder. “This is what we have on this case. I know that you have some special powers that is a result from what happened when you were 15. I want to know what you do.” Jade sat down in a chair glancing over the documents. “I’ll have to actually see the crime scene, and talk to Mr. Guerrero. That’s when I’ll be able to tell you more. Let me check my files and see what I can come up with.” Pointing over to Kermit’s computer, “May I?” Kermit waved her over. As soon as she sat down she was hard at work. Suddenly the words ‘FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESIGATIONS SPECIAL DIVISION, SECURITY CODE NEEDED.’ Jade quickly typed one in without running a code check. ‘ENTER LOGIN NAME AND PASSWORD’ Looking up at Kermit, “Remember this just in case you have to use this again. Just don’t tell them where you got it.” She typed in the needed information, ‘NAME: JADE CON-2, PASSWORD: TIGER56874’. Kermit looked at her in disbelief, how in the world did she have her own personal access into the FBI when he had to hack into it all of the time. “I did some work for them a few times, had to have one. I still do the work so I get to keep it.” She looked at the man standing behind her and smiled. “Jealous?” “Do you know how many times I have to get into this damn database by hacking into it?” Jade just shrugged. “I guess your not a special as you thought you were. I have access codes for almost every major institute in the world.” Kermit stared in disbelief. “It comes with sleeping with the right people or working with them. It’s called being a female mercenary. The only one I don’t have is some of the small world countries, and frankly the Koreans haven’t been too helpful. But I’m working on that one.” “Would you mind sharing this information with me sometime? It would be very helpful.” He added as he grabbed her shoulders and with his face close to hers, looked into her eyes. “I don’t know about that one. It depends on what I would get out of it.” “I’ll be forever in your debt.” Jade just smiled and began typing. *That might not be so bad,* she thought. *Having the legendary Kermit in her debt for the rest of his life. Damn, I’m good.* “Now let’s see, Guerrero, Erique. Here we go.” A file appeared on the screen. “These guys have everything on everyone. Even the ones who quote Do not exist, end quote. Like your mysterious Kwai Chang Caine.” The File Read: TOP SECRET Name: GUERRERO, Enrique DOB: 5 Aug. 1960, Current Occupation: Police Officer, Detective, Sloanville U.S.A. Looking over the record she spotted something, “Well look at this. It says here that our mystery man was under investigation by the FBI two years ago. It doesn’t say why. Maybe I need to talk to my boyfriend and find out.” Kermit was reading the information displayed, “Your boyfriend?” “It says here that Federal Agent Chono was the agent in charge of the investigation. And as luck would have it, that’s my current boyfriend.” She smiled at the thought that this was going smoothly. Unfortunately when things started off smoothly they always ended in disaster. “I promised him I would call tonight and while I do I’ll slip in that I have this guy a suspect. I’ll know more in the morning time.” Kermit just shook his head. “Is there anyway we can print this out. I want to let the Captain know about at least part of it. I just need something to throw into his face.” Jade just exited the system and shook her head. “Sorry can’t do that. But I know something that will be even better. Special Agent Chono will be making an appearance to talk to our man. That should make him talk.” “I don’t think so. I think that the presence of an FBI agent will scare him.” As Jade got out of the chair behind his desk he sat down in it. “Don’t be so sure about that one. I remember the circumstances behind this. Chono will get him to talk. That is if Guerrero lives to see morning.” When Peter left the hospital, he felt his life taking another turn. He knew in the bottom of his gut that police work wouldn’t work on this one. He needed to find a way to go back into time and find out what happened. That would be the only way to know exactly what happened. Driving down the road, he was trying to think of how to handle Jody’s sudden blindness. Yea, his foster mother was blind but this was different. He was now in Paul’s position, but even the truth be told this was different. How do you deal with someone who could see their entire life suddenly becoming blind. He needed to talk to his mother, and find out just what he could do. He pulled his Stealth into the driveway of the Blaisdell residence and shut it down. For what seemed like minutes he just sat there and stared. Finally he opened the car door and stepped out heading for the front door. Annie was standing there waiting for him. “Peter, I was beginning to wonder if you’d ever get out of that car and come in.” Peter walked up to his ‘mother’, hugged and kissed her. “I wasn’t sure that I could. I need to ask you something, mom. Are you busy?” Annie shook her head and lead him into the house. Leading him from the front door to the living room, they sat down on the couch. In the background, soft music played. Peter closed his eyes not sure just what to say. His mind had basically shut down the moment Jody said that she couldn’t see. He didn’t know what to do or say. “How did you feel when you lost your sight mom?” “I was real young at the time so all I really remember is being blind. Why, what happened?” She asked as she took her son’s hand. Even though she could not see in the normal sense of the word she could always tell when things were not right and she could ‘see’ the pain in the other’s eyes. “Remember me telling you that Jody was injured,” Annie nodded. “Well she woke up and can’t see. The doctors don’t know if it will be permanent or not.” Peter stood from his place on the couch and walked over to the window. “Honey, you’ve lived with a blind person for many years. You know what it’s like. She has to realize that now her life will be different. She wont be able to ‘watch’ TV, the sunset, the sunrise things that normal seeing people take for granted again. That is if it is permanent.” Annie stepped up to her son and pulled him into a hug. “But that by NO means mean her life is over. There is a lot of things that a blind chick can do.” The young man looked off into the distance. “Because we do not know when we will die we get to think of life as an inexhaustible well and yet everything happens only a certain number of times and a very small number really.” He said remembering the poem that he was taught in school. Granted Jody wasn’t dying, only a part of her life that meant so much to her. He continued to quote the Sheltering Sky by Paul Bowles, staring out into the darkness of the night. “How many more times will you remember a certain afternoon of your childhood, an afternoon that is so deeply apart of your life that you can't even conceive of your life without it. Perhaps four or five times more? Perhaps not even that. How many times will you watch the full moon rise, perhaps twenty, and yet it all seems so limitless.” Peter sighed, tears once again threatening to surface. “It makes sense. I always loved that poem, it reminded me of my time at the temple.” Peter turned back to his mother, “I know what it’s like to be with a blind person, mom. But this is different.” “No it’s not. She will have to go through a lot of pain for she will feel that she can’t do the same things that she used to do. But she needs to realize that she can still do everything she used to, it’ll just be different.” Annie told her son in a soft voice. “Can you talk to her, Mom? I mean you were there, you know what she will go through.” Peter asked her, praying that she would agree. “Of course, I will.” Placing a hand on Peter’s shoulder she continued. “But I think you are the one who will need help. You only know Jody as a seeing person. You are hurt and angry but that won’t help her any. You need to come to terms with this more so than she does.” Peter was going to say something, but Annie just placed her hand over his mouth. “If you want to help her. If you love her the way you say you do, you need to give her the space that she needs. You need to understand that there is nothing you can do but be there for her when and if she needs you. You can’t hover over her. You can’t pretend that everything is alright. If she doesn’t want you, you’ll need to walk away. At least until she’s ready.” “I don’t think I can do that, Mom.” Peter finally said. “If you want this to work between the two of you. You will.” Annie stepped away from her son to give him a chance to absorb what she just said. “She needs her friends not some overprotective Boyfriend. You have to let her experience the pain. You have to let her run into the furniture a few times, until she can come to grips with this.” Annie finished and walked into the Kitchen. Peter stood there for a minute then walked over to the couch and cried. He couldn’t do what she asked. He had to be there for her. All of his old memories of Kira came back to haunt him. He wasn’t there for her and she died, just as he wasn’t there for Jody when she was shot. How could she ever forgive him? How could he ever forgive himself. Peter walked into his apartment for the first time in days. The entire way home he thought about what his mother had said. *Could I do what she says,* he thought. He thought that he was over feeling guilty about what happened to Kira but now he knowshe wasn’t. And most likely he never would. The thought scared him. Peter heard a noise in his living room. As he approached he had the feeling that he didn’t need to be afraid and that his gun needn’t be pulled. He slowly walked around the corner of the kitchen, he saw his father sitting in the lotus position in the middle of the floor. “How long have you been here, Pop?” “For a while.” Caine looked up from his position and tapped the floor next to him. “Sit, my son.” As Peter did so, Caine continued to talk. “I came by earlier in the day, but you were not home. Did you enjoy your talk with the Blaisdells?” Peter glanced over to his father, “How did you.... Never mind. I don’t even know why I ask anymore.” Peter began to examine his hands as if seeing them for the first time. “Mom basically told me to leave Jody alone.” Caine turned, cupping Peter’s face to look directly at it. “That is not what she said. She is worried about you as we all are. I believe what Annie told you is that you need to confront your own demons. You still feel guilty about Kira’s unfortunate death.” Peter stood and walked away from his father, his anger at the entire situation began to surface. “What the hell do you know about what I’m feeling? You have no idea what I’m going through.” Peter started to clench his fists in anger, “You keep telling me that one must embrace the light. One must follow their destiny. Was this written in Jody’s destiny?” Turning to the window he continued. “Do you know how sick and tired I am hearing about destiny? My destiny, Kermit’s destiny, Jody’s destiny. All it is, is a bunch of crap. What is the destiny that I must follow? Huh, Pop. You always sit there and talk in riddles. I’m sick of it. Why can’t you just once come right out and say what is on your mind. Tell me what I must do.” Caine continued to sit in the same spot that he had when Peter walked in. “You will know what your destiny is when you are confronted with it. But you must first fight the current demons that are surrounding you and your friends.” “See there you go again. Being cryptic. I don’t even know why I bother. You wont help me go back into time and find out what happened. You wont tell me what my dreams are telling me, you’re not telling a damn thing. I mean haven’t I always done what you asked of me? Why can’t you do the same for me?” “I can not tell you everything that you need to know. Some things you must discover on your own. That is the way the world moves.” Peter’s anger continued to grow. He wasn’t sure if he was really angry with his father, what his mother told him, or with himself. “What demons? You keep saying that I must confront my demons. Can you tell me that much?” “I can not. You must follow this path alone. I can not be there with you.” Caine said. Peter realized what his father had said. “What? You’re leaving?” “I am not.” “Then why must I face this alone? I don’t understand.” Peter moved back to his father’s side. “Your dreams are telling you something. You must listen to them.” Caine grabbed his son’s hand. “The demons that you must face are the demons from your past. We must all face ones demons. I will assist any way that I am able to. But this path is yours alone to take.” Peter moved his hands to his face covering the pain that he felt and that shown in his eyes. “I don’t know if I can, Pop. Not without your help.” “You can. And you will.” In the morning Peter pulled his Stealth into the parking lot of the 101st. He didn’t get much sleep last night for all night long he was plagued with nightmares. Maybe everyone was right, he had to face his demons, but how? Walking up the steps leading to the front door he saw Skalany getting out of her car and walk toward him. “Skalany, how are you today?” he asked trying to sound as cheerful as possible. “To tell you the truth, I’m tired and scared.” Coming into step next to him they opened the front door. “I went to see Jody last night. I’m worried about this entire thing, Partner. What’s going to happen if she never sees again?” “I do not know,” Peter said not realizing he sounded exactly like his father. “I don’t know what to do.” They both walked toward their desks and waited for the morning conference with Chief. Chief Frank Strenlich stepped out of Captain Simms’ office with files in his hand. With the resent events no one including himself felt up to getting down to business. But he knew as they all did, that crime doesn’t stop and they must continue as if nothing happened. “Okay, everyone. Let’s get this done and over with.” Chief looked around the room, “Where the hell’s Kermit?” “Right here, Chief. I just had some pressing business to take care of before work this morning.” Kermit said as he moved to sat on the corner of Peter’s desk. “What do you have?” Chief asked the ex-mercenary. Hoping that there was something. “I’m working on a lead right now, as we speak,” came his reply. Chief let out the breath that he didn’t know he was holding. “Okay, let me know how it turns out.” Turning to the others he continued, “TJ, Skalany, I need that report on the....” Kermit bent down to answer the unspoken question that his young friend had while the chief continued to talk, “A friend of mine found out that our man had a little trouble. Come on let’s go to my office and I’ll explain.” The two detectives got up and went into the seclusion of the back office, closing the door. The others just looked at them in envy. Once in the office Kermit began to tell Peter about Jade, the FBI link in the situation, everything. “By the way have you had any, ah,” he said waving his hands in the air. “Any visions?” “Some but nothing that you can help with. Look Kermit, there’s something that you gotta know,” Peter began to explain but was interrupted by a knock at the door. Sergeant Broderick opened the door and peered in, “Sorry to interrupt, but we just got word from the hospital. Detective Guerrero has just disappeared.” “What?” Kermit yelled and pushed past the desk Sergeant heading for the front door. “I can’t believe this.” Peter followed Kermit out of the Precinct on their way to the Hospital to find out what had gone wrong. Once they arrived at the hospital Kermit saw Jade standing off to the side being questioned by the police officer’s there. He headed in the direction of her. Kermit pulled out his badge and showed it to the beat cop. “Detective Griffin, 101st Precinct. I’ll take over from here.” “Whatever you say, Detective.” The young man said as he moved away. Kermit pulled Jade off to the side, “What happened?” She just shook her head, “I have no idea. I arrived this morning with Chono and Mr. Guerrero was gone. No sign of struggle. It’s like he just got up and walked out.” “Damn.” Kermit said. The only one besides Jody who could tell him what happened that night just up and leaves. This was really getting him pissed. He hated this entire situation. “Look, just tell me what you know and you can get back to the case you were working on.” “If that’s what you want. I don’t mind sticking around though. I would like to get to know you better.” She informed him. “I’ll call if I need anything more. This entire thing is getting no where fast and I just don’t think that you should be wasting your time along with the rest of us.” “Fine then it’s settled. I’m not leaving.” She said as she turned and walked out of the hospital. “I’ll give you a call, Kermit.” Peter walked up to his friend, “Who was that?” “An old friend.” Kermit turned and faced Peter, “Let’s take a look at the room. See if we can find anything.” As the men walked into the room, everything seemed to be in order. Kermit walked over to the bed and started looking for signs of something. Peter meanwhile walked toward the window. Suddenly he ‘saw’ something. The images started to flow through his mind. It was night time, Peter couldn’t tell what time. There was someone in the room. Guerrero was talking to the other man, he couldn’t hear what was being said but he did know that it was about what happened. Suddenly Peter saw Guerrero get out of bed and start walking towards the window. The man opened up the window and jumped out. The image faded away as he looked out the window. Turning to the Forensics team he said, “Check the window frame for fingerprints.” Kermit came up behind his friend and comrade. “What? Did you see something?” Peter still looking out of the window told Kermit what he saw. “And then he jumped out of here.” Kermit looked out of the window. “We’re five stories up. How could he survive a fall like that? We’ll probably find his body down the road or somewhere close by.” Peter shook his head, “He’s still alive but in hiding. I can feel it. I have to go find him.” Kermit just turned and looked at Peter. “I don’t think so, Peter. I told you don’t interfere in this. When I need your help I will ask for it, until then stay out.” Peter turned away, “I have to do this Kermit, and you’re not going to stop me. No matter what you say. Don’t you get in my way, or so help me Kermit, friendship will be put aside and it wont be pretty.” Peter walked out of the room, he had to see Jody before he left. Kermit closed his eyes. He felt for Peter. What the kid must be going through was unreal. He had to do something to stop Peter before he did something he would regret for the rest of his life. Peter walked into Jody’s room, earlier that day she had been transferred to her own room. Peter walked up to her and gave her a kiss on the cheek, “Hey there, how are we feeling today?” “As well as can be expected, I guess.” She answered. “So do we have anything on this case?” Peter didn’t know what to do. Should he tell her the truth that they don’t have a damn thing or lie about it. He figured that the partial truth might be best. “We have some leads, Kermit’s checking them out now.” Jody smiled, “You’re a terrible liar you know that. Look, Pet. I know that all of you are trying to protect me, but I don’t need protecting. Okay? Everyone comes in here and walks on eggshells. The only one who has told me the truth is your mother.” “My Mom stopped by?” “Yea, late last night. We had a nice long talk. She helped me a lot. You know letting me know what it’s like. Everyone else wants to ignore it.” Jody said as she lowered her head. Peter closed his eyes, *Thank-you, Mom.* “We’re just worry about you, that’s all.” Jody laughed, “Well I don’t need it right now. Look I just want to be alone, okay? Can you do that for me?” Peter stood up and gave her a kiss on the cheek, “Yea, I’ll be back later tonight.” He turned to leave but stopped after taking a few steps. “I love you,” he said and walked out. End of Part One