Series: Of Tigers and Dragons
Title: Meeting the Dragon
Author: McRaider
Summary: Alex was a strong, vibrant young woman, it seems that Peter Caine has met his match in Karen Simms' little sister…or perhaps he's found it. Meanwhile he and Kermit must solve a case of strange bank robberies. Author's Note: This picks up right after season 4, Peter however doesn't leave the police force. Rather he becomes the Shaolin Cop. Caine has left; but he shall return at some point.
Time Period: Post-Season 4
Rating: PG-13

Chapter One

The leaves were beginning to change; fall in Chinatown was on its way. A familiar chill had taken to the air, combined with the crisp smell of leaves and coming snow. This marked the fourth month since his father had walked out of his life to find his path…and possible the mother he'd spent his entire life believing was dead. It had been three months since he'd returned to the police force, realizing that was where he belonged.

Karen Simms watched as her former Detective Peter Cain stepped into her office. Paul had once described it to her as slinking in, he'd always warned her that in most cases when he did this she was to say no immediately. Karen didn't think this was one of those times, "What can I do for your Detective?" she knew it wasn't really his title anymore, but she refused to see him as anything else. She knew Peter and he was a cop.

Peter smiled, "That's actually why I'm here—"

Karen slid back and opened her top drawer, a moment later she tossed him his old badge. He was surprised to say the least as he caught it, she offered an explanation, "I asked the commissioner to sit on your letter of resignation for a month. It wasn't that I didn't believe you; I was just hoping you'd realize this was where you were meant to be. I must say you're cutting it awfully close. The paper work to reinstate a cop is horrendous."

He chuckled softly at her, "How did you know?"

"I make it my job to know all those who work for me. I also know you and Kermit. I didn't doubt for a minute that your intention was to leave, but you've never been able to turn your back on those who needed you. The streets of Chinatown need you."

"Can I have my old job back Captain?" he grinned.

"You mean you left?" she joked, "You can even have your old desk back, I'll call the commissioner and ask him to tear up those papers. But just for the record you're out of vacation time for about the next year."

The transition back into the department had been easy. Obviously everyone agreed with Captain Simms, this was where he belonged. Peter was trying so hard to ignore the constant thrum of exhaustion and loneliness that had been plaguing him since his return to police work and the absence of his two fathers.

"Peter, come into my lair," joked Kermit Griffin from his position in his office door. Peter glanced up and shook his head; Captain Simms had paired the friends together less than a week after he'd returned. No one in the precinct was surprised that they rapidly became two of the most successful cops in town, or that they only proceeded to grow closer. The functioned perfectly, Peter was still a hot shot; he was young and rough around the edges. Kermit evened him out; he was ruthless, older, wiser and took his time to make decisions.

"What's up Kermit?" Peter questioned his best friend as he stood from his desk and headed into the small office.

"I may have a lead on the rash of bank robberies, check this out…"

o0o

Karen smiled softly as she took another sip of her coffee, they'd finished eating a few minutes ago and now they were becoming reacquainted. "How's the apartment?" she questioned.

Alex Campbell shrugged her slim shoulders as she looked back up into the blue green eyes she'd known all her life. "Its okay, the new job is great too! Dr. Hamilton has been a huge help." It wasn't an uncomfortable silence; Alex adored her older sister and enjoyed spending time with Karen. But at the same time the looming silence of everything that had happened haunted them both.

"How are you Al?" Karen asked gripping her little sister's hand.

The younger dishwater blonde shrugged, "It's been a year—I'm here," she forced a softly laugh.

"That's why I'm concerned about you," offered Karen.

"Thanks Kare, but I' fine. I've moved here because I was offered a great job opportunity. It made it easier because I needed to get away anyway. Mom understood, doesn't make it easier, but I'm surviving."

Karen nodded, "Well let me know if you—" the Captain glanced up just in time to see her lover and best detective walk through the door of the little diner.

Alex's eyes slowly watched him walk in. She took in his long lanky form, the dark brown hair, the beautiful hazel green eyes that were easily the window to his soul, "Whoa," she whispered softly at the sight of him.

Karen followed her sister's line of sight and realized she was looking directly at Peter. "Detectives, to what do I owe the pleasure?"

Kermit ignored his lover's question and smiled at Alex, "Greetings Al, how's my favorite Campbell?" He questioned playfully.

She chuckled softly, "I'm good, how's my favorite cyber frog?" she'd been quite fond of him when she'd met Kermit a little over a year ago. He was mysterious but fun to joke with and poke fun at.

"I'm here," he wiggled his eyebrows.

"Detective Peter Caine, I'd like you to meet my younger sister, Alexandria Campbell, Al, this is Peter."

Peter grinned as he met the two beautiful green eyes. He reached out, accepting the petite hand with a firm shake. He felt his heart skip a beat for a moment before he managed to clear his throat for a moment, "Nice to meet you."

"You too," she returned completely lost in his eyes.

Karen watched the exchange before clearing her throat and snapping them out of their little world, "What can I do for you two detectives?"

"Oh you mean you didn't want to eat lunch with us?" joked Kermit smiling as he too caught the exchange between Alex and Peter.

Karen shook her head in disbelief, "No."

Peter laughed as he clapped his partner on the shoulder, "Ooh, she's got you right where she wants you. I'll go order lunch."

Kermit glared at Peter as he walked off, aware that Alex's eyes watched him walk away the entire time. He turned his attention back to his lover and Captain, "We think we've got a lead on a possible crime scene. We thought we'd stop by and get your permission to go check it out while we grabbed lunch to go."

"Since when have you needed permission?"

"About the time we had to walk into a bank and tell them they may be robbed. I don't want to be sued."

"Okay hot shots, I get you drift. I'll make sure we're covered. I expect a briefing when you return to the 101st."

Kermit nodded, "Of course."

Peter returned with a back of their food, "Captain," he smiled at Alex again, "I hope to see you again sometime."

A warm smile lit her face, "Count on it."

With that the two detectives left the little diner, Alex watched as they climbed into the navy blue stealth. "Is he single?"

Karen nodded, "Careful Al, he's generally got a girl of the week."

Alex chuckled softly, "I can take care of myself thank you. Give him my card and tell him to call me if he's got some free time for dinner."

o0o

"Wow, how long have you known her?" Peter asked as Kermit took a bite of his sandwich. Peter pulled to a stop in front of the stop light.

Kermit shrugged, "I met her shortly after the incident with Todd a couple years back. She's quite a lady."

Peter nodded, "Oh yeah," he grinned, "She single?"

Kermit eyed his friend for a moment, "She should be the one to tell you the whole story. Let me put it this way, she was engaged when I met her and now she isn't. We'll leave it at that. Karen is remarkably over protective of her so tread carefully my friend."

"Is that your way of saying don't do anything stupid?"

"Oh yeah."

"All available units we've got a 211 in progress at bank on 4th and main," the police radio crackled.

"Shit!" Peter growled as he hit the breaks and threw his car into a u-turn. Kermit grasped as he slammed against the door. The food was going to fly everywhere.

"Peter!" yelled Kermit in annoyance as they righted themselves and raced down towards 4th and main, Peter knew they weren't even close.

"All units we've got a man on the inside," Broderick's voice came on over the radio this time.

Kermit grabbed the radio, "Who is it Serge?"

"Detective Kincaid," returned Broderick.

"Sergeant this is Baker 9-2," we're available and on our way. ETA is two minutes," Skalany's voice crackled on the radio.

"Baker 9-4 and 5 also checking in ETA…five minutes," Kermit returned.

"SWATs been called in—reported shots fired."

"Step on it Peter!" Kermit hissed as he grabbed his Desert Eagle and checked the ammo. He reached over as if it was the most natural thing in the world and grabbed Peter's .9 mil from his holster, checking the ammo and putting it back in. "We're gonna blow this case."

"Officer down!" Another shout came over the radio.

"Who?" Came the Captain's voice over all the other radio activity. She'd obviously left lunch and was now listening intently.

"Detective Kincaid and two possible other victims—SWAT has gone in—"

"Bastard!" yelled Peter as he screeched to a halt in front of the bank.

o0o

"I don't understand how two people can get away so quickly and how one situation can go wrong so bad," Skalany stated, she knew full well how it went wrong as they walked through the bank slowly taking evidence.

Kermit and Peter walked in, both men looking and feeling like idiots. "How's TJ?" Peter asked first.

"He'll be fine it was a leg wound, the EMT said nothing vital appeared to be hit. He's going to be out for awhile though, what the hell happened?" Mary Margaret questioned.

Peter shook his head, "We don't know, there were two possible banks these guys could have hit next—this wasn't one of them."

"Can TJ make an ID?"

"No, he didn't see their faces. They got out somehow; it's our job to figure out how," Jody Powell offered as she looked around, "Three people were shot, two died. These aren't just bank robbers anymore, they're murderers."

"Maybe their getting desperate—it may mean we've got a better shot of catching them."

Skalany shrugged, "Maybe, but either way we'd better solve this case before Simms pulls it. She's not going to be happy."

TBC