Caine had finished preparing a meal of stir fried vegetables when he heard Peter's step on the stairs. He did not utter his customary 'Pop? You here?', but simply came on into the kitchen area.

"Sorry I'm so late. Smells good."

"I have prepared enough for you as well," Caine said as he began to divide the colorful mixture onto two plates.

Peter turned and looked at the table, noting that it was set for two. "Hey, how did you. . . nevermind."

"Perhaps," Caine said, answering the question not completely asked. "I merely set the table in the hope that you would arrive?"

An odd expression crossed Peter's face. "That sort of takes away the mystical Shambhala Master effect, leaving the hopeful father."

"That is what I am."

Peter seemed to think about that as he settled at the table. "There's a lesson in here somewhere isn't there?"

"Life is a lesson."

"Live and learn?"

Caine smiled. "Yes, live and learn."

"I had the dream," Peter admitted hesitantly as he began to eat. "Twice."

Caine bowed his head, appreciating Peter's honesty. "I did as well."

"It's not over is it? Even after today, it's not over."

"I do not know. " Caine shrugged. "I hope."

Peter rewarded him with a small smile at the joke. But his expression quickly sobered. "I know it's not over. I can feel it. Something is going to happen tomorrow."

Caine frowned as a frisson of anxiety pierced him but determined to remain focused on the task at hand. Peter had to be prepared. It was his honor and his duty as father.

"There is a lesson that I have neglected to teach you, my son."

"A lesson? What is it?"

"To die."

Peter blinked, seeming taken aback, then understanding dawned in his gaze. "The dreams always end in my death. Am I going to die tomorrow?"

Caine felt a tightness grip his heart. "You live a dangerous life. Many things are possible."

"All of this uncertainty coming from you is scary."

"The future is unknown."

"I'm not afraid of dying." Peter met his gaze, unflinching.

"Do you believe that you will die tomorrow?" Caine knew that he should not ask the question. But the fearful parent within him could not be refused.

Peter gazed off thoughtfully for a moment before answering. "No. I don't. I know something is going to happen tomorrow, but I don't feel like a man who's about to die."

Caine felt a perceptible brightening within himself at the honesty he sensed in the words. Peter was Shaolin at heart. It was enough.

"But then, I'm not sure what a man who's about to die feels like."

Caine chose to simply ignore the remark. He would hold on to the hope that Peter's instincts were correct. He would have faith in his son. It was as the Ancient had said, his father's heart was too clouded by emotion to see the matter clearly.

"You have never been taught to fear death," he told Peter. "But you must learn the way in which a Shaolin approaches death. Life is like a sea of --"

Peter rested a hand on his arm. "Is this what has been bothering you the past few days? That I- This lesson?"

Caine placed his hand over Peter's. "Many feel that it is a failing of the young to believe that they are immortal, that they will live forever. It is also the failing of a parent. In our hearts it is very easy to have the belief that our children will always be. I did not wish to imagine a future where you were not."

"It seems like a long time ago that I told you that neither of us would ever be alone again. I meant that. No matter where I go, or you go, or if I should pass from this life, I know that I will always be in your heart and you in mine. You're a father I'm proud to call my own. You've taught me so much. I'm ready for you to teach me this."

Caine smiled past blurring vision, letting all of his love and pride show in his eyes. "Then let us begin, my son."