Perspiration dripped down the sides of his face, and Peter gasped painfully, "A couple more days like this and I won't be able to get out of here. Where did you learn this stuff? Take a class in Torture 101?"
The therapist laughed at him. "Grumpy, are we? That's a good sign."
Peter made a face at her and rolled his eyes without comment.
"You are being a difficult patient, my son?"
Peter's head snapped over toward the soft baritone voice. "Pop! You're back!" His face lit up with a glad smile.
An answering smile glowed in identical hazel eyes and spread to Kwai Chang Caine's lips as he walked to his son's bedside.
The discomfort in his chest and ribs forgotten, Peter could do nothing but grin at his father. "Pop! I've missed you!"
"And I, you, my son. You are better? I have been worried because I could reach you no sooner." He rubbed his hands together and hovered them over Peter's body, covering every inch. A pleased smile lit his face after he finished his evaluation.
Peter filled his eyes with his father, who had been gone for nearly six weeks. After being separated for fifteen years, he hated the times they were parted from each other since they had been reunited three years ago.
"Maybe I should've gone with you to that temple in China, Pop."
"You were invited."
Peter laughed and winced, clutching at his ribs. "You knew I couldn't stand to leave Kacie for four days, let alone four weeks, Pop."
Caine chuckled. "Yes. I am surprised that Kacie is not here with you now."
The happy look on Peter's face faded and was replaced by a worried frown. "She got sick yesterday, Pop, and she looked awful again today. I sent her home, and she's supposed to be resting." His mouth drooped sadly. "She's made herself sick again worrying about me."
Caine tenderly caressed his son's temple and cheek. "As you worried about her, when she was injured." Father and son studied one another intently as Caine continued. "You both have suffered much loss in your lives, and you each have a great fear of losing the love that neither of you dreamed you would ever find."
Peter grinned crookedly at his father and asked huskily, "Wisdom gained from your time spent meditating in the temple?"
"Insight gained from observing my children, whom I love very much." He put his hand on Peter's shoulder and gently squeezed it. "I am glad to see you looking so well."
"I'm feeling pretty good right now, and I'm getting real sick and tired of the doctors telling me how 'fragile' I am. I wanna get out of here."
"As you would say, Peter, 'so what else in new?'"
Peter started to laugh, and pressed his arm close to his side. "Ouch! Pop! Don't make me laugh." He moved carefully and settled into a more comfortable position. "Tell me about your trip."
Normally a very reticent person, Caine could see how anxious Peter was to be distracted from his forced idleness. The priest sat cross-legged at the foot of Peter's hospital bed, making himself comfortable before he starting his recitation.
Peter looked at the clock on the wall and frowned. {It's almost six and Kacie hasn't called once today.} The color suddenly drained from his face and he turned to his father anxiously. "Pop, I'm worried about Kacie. I haven't heard from her all day, and she said that she would call, and --"
Caine raised his hand, palm out toward Peter, and the torrent of words stopped. "I will go and see her now."
"Thanks, Pop," Peter spoke gratefully. "See if you can get her to eat something, too, will you? She looks terrible. I don't think she's looking out for herself."
"I will go to her. I have missed my daughter almost as much as my son."
"Tell her I've missed her today, and to call me."
Caine bowed with a smile, and started to leave, until he was halted by Peter's voice.
"Pop?"
Caine turned to look at his son quizzically.
Peter's eyes were moist. "I-I-I'm just really glad you're home, Dad."
The Shaolin's heart warmed at the 'you can make everything all right' message on his son's expressive face. "It is good to be home, my son."