IN REMEMBERANCE OF THINGS PAST
PART ONE
by
BlackFury
Peter Caine stood on the terrace overlooking Chinatown and watched the sunset. It had been ten years since he had stood here and someone was missing. Peter let his mind go back, back to the last time he had been here.
FLASHBACK, TEN YEARS AGO-
Peter had traveled far since leaving home and family behind. Once he had taken the brands, he found that he couldn't stay in Carlsburg. He had his own wanderings to learn from. He hadn't been all that upset, ever since his father and Mary Margaret had gotten married a few days before.
He was in his father's kwoon, packing the satchel he would take with him. Kwai Chang Caine watched from a corner, his heart breaking over Peter's leaving but knowing that it was necessary for his son.
Peter had married fellow detective Jordan McGuire after the events surrounding Peter's taking of the brands of the Shaolin. Then, she had become pregnant. Peter had resigned from the police force and was working with his father, looking forward to continuing the family line and getting to know his father even better.
Nine months later, complications had set in and both Jordan and the little infant had died. Peter had been inconsolable, staying at his father's place, crying, trying to understand what had happened and why. Finally, Peter thought he had come to terms with fate and had started packing.
Caine watched his son, feeling the pain and sorrow still eminating from him. Finally, he walked over to his son. "Peter, I am here if you wish to talk. I understand your going, I do understand that but, not talking, that does not help you."
Peter had stopped as his father spoke, he listened then, sat on the edge of the sleeping platform. "I know, Pop but, sometimes, it's so hard to put into words how I feel. I was ready, ready to be husband, father, friend, companion and then, it was all snatched away from me so suddenly, I really didn't have time to absorb it, I guess."
He then walked out onto the terrace, Caine following, and looked out over the city. "I wonder sometimes, if I'm ever destined to know the happiness that you had with Mom. Everytime I get close, it's snatched away from me, Kira, Rebecca, and now, Jordan and frankly, I don't know if I'm even going to try anymore. It looks like that I'm the one destined to walk my path alone."
Caine heard the tears in his son's voice and laid a hand on his taunt shoulder. Peter turned and buried his face in his father's shoulder, his long arms wrapping around the elderly man's waist. Caine held his son, letting him cry as grief finally found an outlet.
Caine stroked his son's silky hair and mummured to him, like when Peter was a child. Finally, Peter raised his head and wiped his eyes with the back of one hand. The other hand was clinging to his father for reassurance. Caine smiled softly as he reached up to cup his son's face in his hands, his thumbs stroking the silken cheeks. His grey eyes were radiating compassion.
The two of them went back inside and Peter sat in the meditation room, trying to meditate. Soon, Caine brought the tea and Peter tried to drink it but, he couldn't. He sat it on the floor beside him and closed his eyes. Caine sat across from Peter and knew his son had to work this out for himself and, to do that, he knew, Peter had to leave.
The next morning, Caine was up as Peter shouldered the leather satchel. "Peter," Caine said softly, "There is one thing I would ask you to do before you go." Peter smiled sadly and nodded, "I know, go to the 101st and tell them goodbye." Caine nodded, "Yes, they are you friends, your family. Do not shut them out." Peter nodded, "All right, Father, I will. I will miss you." Caine smiled, "And I you, my son however, we will know how each is doing, remember?" Peter nodded, "I know." He hugged Caine and walked away, headed for the 101st to say goodbye.
End Part One