THE CRANE AND THE WOLF

PART TEN

by

BlackFury

At the dining table, Peter kept watching Sabrina, a fact she was well aware of. She couldn't keep the love she felt for her son to herself and she knew Peter felt it. After the meal, Annie asked Peter to help her clean up so, Paul led Sabrina to his office and once they were inside, she sagged against the sofa. Paul looked at her. "You want to tell him, don't you?"

Sabrina sat on the sofa and nodded. "He needs to know that I didn't abandon him or his father. Paul, about six months before my 'death' I found out that three of my bitterest enemies were on my trail. You know what they would have done had they found out about Kwai and Peter. Fortunately, they had not yet discovered my identity as Laura Carter so, I was able to do what I had to to protect my husband and son. I'm just wondering if Peter will understand."

Paul sat on the edge of his desk in thoughtful contemplation and then smiled. "I think he will, once you explain it to him. He hates being lied to or decieved but, once he knows the situation, he usually understands. Want Annie and I there when you tell him?" The look in Sabrina's blue eyes was one of immesnse relief. "Yes, please. The two of you have given my son so much, I would never think of shutting you out of anything to do with him."

Paul nodded. "Good, I'll call him and Annie in here and we can talk. That be ok?" Sabrina nodded and got to her feet, pacing a bit as Paul asked Annie and Peter to come in. Once they were inside, Paul closed the door and watched as Peter and Annie settled onto the sofa. Paul looked at his tall foster son. "Peter, Sabrina has something very important to say to you. I want you to listen to her story before you say anything, all right? Hear her out completely then, she'll answer any questions you will have." Peter nodded, looking somewhat bewildered but, was silent, for now.

Sabrina took a deep breath and, breathing a silent prayer to Gaia for the right words to say, looked at her son. "Peter, this whole thing began about three years before you were born, when I first met your father, Kwai Chang Caine." Peter's eyes widened. "You knew my father?" He asked, breathlessly. Sabrina smiled, a slow, sad yet, sweet smile. "Yes, Peter, I did. Listen. I had arrived in Braniff, chasing a murderer. I caught him and turned him over to the Feds. I had some vacation time coming so, I had noticed the Shaolin temple on the plateau so, I went there."

Peter sat there in rapt attention as Sabrina told her story and he looked at her sharply when she told him of her marrying Caine. "I know," she said, "You're confused but, Peter, I didn't marry him under my real name, I was using an alias, I was Laura Catherine Carter. Peter, I'm your mother."

Peter shot to his feet and looked at her, his eyes showing fear warring with joy. "If you're my mother, why did you, fake your death? Why did you leave us?" Sabrina had expected this as she rose to face her son. "Peter, I came here to tell you everything so, if you will sit back down and listen, I'll tell you why." Peter nodded and resumed his seat as she gathered her thoughts.

"Your father and I were very happy together and that joy increased when I became pregnant with you. You see, Peter, you are a true miracle. Because of a fire fight I had been in several years before I met your father, the best doctors on earth said I would never be able to have children but, I had you. I had never been more happy but then, I discovered that three of my most deadly enemies had traced Sabrina to Braniff. I had to work quickly to protect you and your father. It turned out the only way to protect you was for me to die."

End Part Ten