A Love Which Heals All Wounds

Chapter One

Sitting alone at home on a somewhat uneventful Thursday evening, Bumi had been reading the daily paper – the one that Lin had told him to cancel the delivery of time and time again because she didn't read it – with the radio on quietly beside him. He had spent the morning doing things around the house so that he could have this time to himself and not have anything to do until Lin came home. When he finished the small comic strip towards the end he set it down on the coffee table, standing and walking to the kitchen to pour himself a drink. There wasn't much in the house, but he was glad that Lin and him preferred the same kinds of drinks. He took out the bottle of whiskey, pouring himself a small serving before putting it back in its proper place, label clearly visible. Lin was insistent about it, but he knew which drink was which by sight. He felt she did as well, but he didn't question her on such a trivial matter.

After plunking a couple ice cubes into the glass and walking back to his chair, he leaned over to pick the paper back up when a bulletin came over the radio. He couldn't hear it properly so he turned the volume up. A crackley voice came across the static:

"That's right, folks. A bank robbery at the UR Bank and Trust on 35th street has just occurred! Over 17 million yuans in cash and gold in jeopardy. I'm- I'm just getting word on the metal bending police unit arriving. Chief! Chief Beif-"

"Stuff it shorty. Lieutenant! I told you to keep the media under wraps. Get them back or I'll have you pushing papers until you pension out!"

Bumi couldn't help but chuckle at hearing his wife's voice, calling someone out without a care of public or media opinion. "That's my girl…" he commented to himself as the program continued.

"Uh, well folks this reporter's going to miss out on some of the action, apparently! But fear not, I'm still close enough to give you the story as it breaks!"

The newsman rambled on for quite some time about the police getting into position, being like a military force setting up for a siege. After a few minutes he grew bored, starting to read his paper again since he was nearly through as it was before the news story. He skipped the sports section, he didn't really care about them anymore. The games were all different now than they were when he was young. He got to the last page when there was an interesting point brought up on the radio once more.

"The police unit with the metal bending team is moving into position for a daring raid operation! It's backing towards the edge of the building, presumably they're going to break through the wall an-"

Suddenly there was a massive explosion, the radio going to static. A moment later the boom was heard by Bumi from outside, a low rumble slightly preceding it. There was scratching coming from the speaker of the radio until a shaky voice spoke.

"The van! It… it backed against the wall but the wall exploded! It… They must have anticipated it. A second unit is moving in." Sirens started going off in the distance, closing towards the radio piece. "Medical units have moved in from the staging area…"

Bumi barely processed what was said after the explosion went off. His drink had slipped from his hand onto the floor, the liquor splashing across his shoes and bottom of his pantlegs. He moved quickly to the door, snatching his coat and barely registering to close and lock the door. He hurried outside, snagging the closest cab and heading to the bank. The cab driver undoubtedly had heard the news when he was hesitant at Bumi's request for the bank as his destination. But, like all cabbies, Bumi flashed his wallet full of yuans and suddenly the cab driver had a massive change of heart.

Soon the cab screeched to a halt at the police roadblock, and Bumi hopped out, tossing the money plus extra to the driver – who sped off for a less crazy fare. Bumi walked over to the blockage and approached the officer. He recognized him, but couldn't place the name.

"Uh, hey… buddy. I need to get through." he tried to be as simple as possible.

"That's not happening, Chief Beifong's orders that no civilians get through." was the reply.

"I don't think you know who I am." Bumi tried to play it up a little, knowing that Lin probably put those orders in place specifically in case he came around for her.

"I do. And it doesn't matter." the officer wasn't budging on it. His face hadn't even cracked from the stone cold look he had when Bumi first walked up.

"Fine. I'm going, I'm going…" Bumi said as he turned on his heel swiftly, shuffling off before ducking in an alley.

As soon as he was part way down it, he shot a torrent of air beneath him, shooting up the wall to the roof. He didn't need to, but he ran as fast as he could and leapt to the next roof before taking the fire exit stairs down to the alley there so he was beyond the roadblock.

He made his way quietly back to the road to make sure the officers at the block wouldn't turn and see him before he quickly walked along to the bank not that far off. There wasn't a soul outside, likely hiding after that explosion. The bank was visible for miles because of the black billowing smoke trial coming from it. He turned the corner to see it firsthand. He rushed over to the scene, flames coming from the destroyed truck. A gaping hole was in the wall beside it, but all the people seemed to have been moved by the medical team. Running over to the area that the ambulances were, he let out a sigh of relief when he saw Lin barking orders to her subordinates.

He strolled over to her and she glared back, but seemed unsurprised that he was able to make it past the roadblock she had placed. "No civilians means no civilians, Bumi…" she muttered when he approached.

He smirked, "Linny-Bear… is that any way to say hello?" he smiled then as he closed the remaining distance and stood next to her. "How bad?" he asked, kissing her cheek.

She ignored the nickname, "I don't know," she lied, "the medical unit won't tell me specifics, but it can't be good…"

Bumi let out a sigh, "Well I'm here to help if you need me…" he offered.

"Thanks, Bumi. I know you ar-" she was cut off by the radio squawking.

"Chief?! Chief. This is Dao. We have the perps apprehended. Officer Cho's gonna need medical. Took an ice shard to the stomach. Over."

"Well done, Dao. Get your team and those scum bags out here. Over and out."

She clicked the mic piece back on the side of the radio and a small wince escaped her lips. Bumi heard it but didn't say anything, unsure of what the cause was. His eyebrow arched but he remained silent.

"Bumi?" she asked, turning around to face him. "I need to deal with some things. Everything is fine. Why don't you head home? I'll be there in an hour or two, ok?" She feigned being alright, not wanting to worry him.

"Are you sure? I wouldn't mind staying with you until everything's taken care of. You won't even know I'm here when you're busy!" he tried to convince her, but the look on her face showed that his charm only went so far. He sighed once more, "Fine… I'll go. Should I make dinner or-?"

"Don't bother, I'll pick something up." she wanted him away from everything as soon as possible. She didn't want to cut him off like that, but she had to.

"Oh… ok…" he replied rather dejectedly. She leaned over to him and gave him a quick kiss and put a hand on his cheek.

"Don't worry, ok?" she smiled, hiding the pain in her side when she had leaned.

"I can't not worry, after an explosion goes off where the love of my life is…"

She smiled softly, his concern warming her heart. "I'm ok. I'll be home soon."

He wasn't happy about it, but since she was alright he felt immeasurably better. He turned from her and began to leave, taking another look with a smile when she went back to ordering people around. He made his way out of the area, eventually catching a cab back home.