Chapter Text
Chapter one
Jordan came to the table with the drinks Mary Margaret and Jody had ordered she was supposed to be meeting Peter there. However, once again he is nowhere to be found. It had been three weeks since Peter took those ridiculous Brands to fulfill his suppose a destiny and save his lunatic father’s life and quit the force, which she just could not believe. Peter loves being a cop. It had to be that so-called father of his. Since Blaisdell left, Caine brainwashed Peter back into that cult religion they belonged to when Peter was little.
“At least with Peter off the force I thought we’d have more time together not less.” Jordan was saying to Skalany and Jody. Skalany scoffed into her drink. “Better get used to it a shaolin priests work is never done.” She intoned.
“Especially, if that priest happens to be a Caine.” Jody added saluting Skalany with her glass. Jody and Skalany shared a knowing smile between them that Jordan didn’t understand and certainly didn’t like.
“Oh, please don’t tell me you believe an all that mumbo jumbo!” asked, detective Morgan.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” both Jody and Skalany asked together at the same time that Jordan replied, “I never thought Peter did. He is, was a good rational modern cop.”
Morgan waved her hand dismissively at Jordan. “I can’t believe you’re surprise considering his freaky father and being raised in a cult until he was what 15? With Blaisdell gone, you can’t exactly blame Peter. For being influenced by his so-called father.”
“Excuse me?” Both Skalany and Jody said in Unison.
“You know Morgan; I’m getting really tired of all the snide comments and jabs. Caine is shaolin. A shaolin priest to be exact a Shambala Master. Just because the concept is beyond your comprehension does not make him a freak. Caine happens to be is one of the kindest most loving and caring men I have ever known. Who has saved all of our lives if not the world more than once, at great cost to himself.”
“One of two.” Jody put in.
“Yeah, yeah. We know all about how you carry a torch for Peter.” Morgan responded sarcastically.
Jody’s face flushed with embarrassment. Jody looked at Jordan who just smiles.
“Yes, I love Peter… Nevertheless, he loves Jordan very deeply and I respect that. And therefore, have nothing but respect for Jordan.”
Morgan just shakes are head. “Powell I can kind of understand Peter is hot. In addition, he was a hotshot cop he’s got that bad boy wildcard thing going for him or at least he did. I could see how working that close with Peter you could fall for him.” This time Jody shook her head. “You’re wrong, Morgan none of that is why I love Peter Caine.” This time Jody and Jordan shared a look of understanding. Morgan looked between Jody and Jordan and made an exasperated sound and a push away gesture. “You know most people would be upset if another woman professed her love for the man they were with.” Jordan and Jody looked at each other and shrugged. Jordan answered. “I Trust Jody, we had a long talk before she loves Peter for the same reasons I do how could I fault her for that? She would never do anything to knowingly hurt Peter and by extension me.”
“Whatever you say.” Replied Morgan skeptically.
“Still Peter I can understand like I said. But Skalany, his father? He’s so…”
“Shaolin?” Jody and Skalany said together with a laugh.
“What the hell does that even mean?” Demanded Morgan. “Everyone says that to explain Caine. But what does it mean? You say it’s not a cult fine. Then explain Peter. Here he was a good cop and now… Jordan breaks in. “He’s a shaolin priest. Peter never really explained the shaolin to me. I assumed it was just an understanding of the Kung Fu, which I thought he had when he completed his training. I thought things were settled when he came back without the Brands. Then three weeks ago, he gets them quits the force and becomes a priest. Sorry, a shaolin priest all without a word to me! All I can see now is that he’s grown more distant. That is when he isn’t with the old one playing with herbs or helping someone out in the middle of freaking nowhere in the middle of the night. Like now, he supposed to be here a where is he? At least as a cop, dispatch always knew where he was. I’m starting to think maybe detective Morgan here’s right!”
On the heels of Jordan’s last words both Skalany and Jody were bombarded with feelings, heartbroken anguish and frustration so strong that it was like a physical blow to each of their chests.
Skalany and Jody exchange looks acknowledging that they had both felt the same thing on the heels of Jordan’s words in it could only have come from one place. Unconsciously they link hands in acknowledgment of the blast of pain they shared. Both of them flicking their eyes around the bar and search of Peter. Jody catches Skalany’s eye with a subtle shrugged she mumbles stealth and shadow. Skalany nods, suddenly jerked back to the present.
“Jody, Skalany are you two alright?” Morgan asked. Jordan was watching them intently.
“Yeah, somebody must have walked over our graves that’s all.” Skalany said with a laugh.
“I’m glad you two find all of this amusing.” Jordan said with a bite.
“We don’t.” Skalany and Jody said together.
They looked at each other. “Look Jordan, you know that Peter took the Brands to save his father’s life. There wasn’t time to talk it over with anyone. He did not do it lightly, nor did he do it because he doesn’t love you. He should have taken the Brands at the temple before he came back after his training. But I believe…” Skalany stopped. With a nod to Jody, Jody continued. “We believe, that he turn down the Brands because of his love for us the people of the precinct and you and the responsibility that comes with them. His fear of just this reaction.” On the end of Jody’s words, she and Skalany were hit again with a blast of emotion this time a mixture of awe gratitude and love.
This time they had to stop and catch a breath while wiping their eyes discreetly. For a diversion, Jody orders more drinks. However, a distraction doesn’t work as she planned.
“What in the hell is wrong with the two of you? Asks Morgan.
“I’m sorry, if I get a little emotional at the thought of how close I came to losing the man that I love Morgan!” Snapped Skalany. Under the table, Jody gives her hand a reassuring squeeze.
“Explain. How did Caine almost die? How did Peters mutilating himself help save his father? And why should he have mutilated himself earlier? Moreover, how can two intelligent police officers as yourself not identify the signs of a cult? Its classic, Peter was raised in it. The townspeople had enough they burn down the compound. Saving Peter an all the other children. Blaisdell adopts Peter. Peter becomes a healthy normal cop. Incomes this so-called father, and now Peter’s acting strange quits the job that he loves. Believes he has to mutilate himself to save his father? Yeah, that’s sane behavior.”
At the end of this last little rant by Morgan Skalany was on her feet. “I’ll dare you! You have no clue what you’re talking about!” Jody lays a restraining hand on Skalany while looking at Jordan. “You seriously don’t believe this bull shit Morgan is spouting off, do you? Peter explained too you what happened didn’t he?”
Jody leans over and whispers into Skalany’s ear “Ease down remember fueling ignorance with anger; only breeds more ignorance and wastes energy.”
Skalany took a step back. “Jordan, if Peter explained what happened. Why in the hell are you letting Morgan talk this way about the men we love?”
“Maybe because what Morgan is saying makes a whole hell of a lot more sense; than some of the things Peters been saying. People can’t split in two and how does mutilating your forearms save someone’s life?”
This time, at the end of Jordan’s words Mary Margaret was hit with a force of despair so profound and deep that it made her want to stumble she could tell by Jody’s hand clutching her arm harder that she felt it to.
“Jordan, you should really talk to Peter about this, he loves you so much” Mary Margaret Pleaded.”
“Yeah he loves me, that’s why he’s avoided me all week and he’s not here.”
“He’s closer than you think,” mumbled Jody.
“What?” Asked Jordan.
With a look at Jody Mary Margaret shakes her head.
“I can’t talk to Peter about this right now. What am I supposed to say? Hi honey, sorry but I think you been rebrainwashed by the father he thought was dead for 15 years and by the way I think you’re better off without him. No, I can’t say that to him. Therefore, I am asking you two. Explain to me, Jody How as much as I know you love Peter you don’t feel the same way. Skalany you just said you love Caine and you know that he loves you. How do you know? He always seems so indifferent aloof much like Peter has been these last few weeks. How might not supposed to think of cults or brainwashing as a possibility first there’s the career change out of the blue. Then it’s like he has a whole different personality vibe whatever.”
“Have you been feeling this way ever since Peter took the Brands? And explained to you why?” Mary Margaret asked Jordan.
“Yes, wouldn’t you?”
Jody and Mary Margaret share a smile and a headshake at how far they had both come since their first mutual encounters with the mystical side of the shaolin. Jody shrugs. “She has a point we all tend to forget because Peter love’s her so much. They’ve only been together 6-7 months. Most of the time Peter has tried to keep parts of his life separate trying to find the balance between the cop and the shaolin that he was born to be.”
“Oh my god! Will you two listen to yourselves? What are you going on about? Jordan I don’t know what you hope to gain my talking to these two there just as far down the rabbit hole if not further than Peter.”
“Shut up! Morgan.” Both Jody and Skalany said in Unison so loud that people at nearby tables turned to look.
“Why did you ask how long I felt this way? You think Peter already knows my thoughts. That’s why he’s been so distant? That’s what you think isn’t it?” Skalany and Jody just stared.
“As a shaolin cop Peter was sensitive. As a full-fledged priest with Brands and your lover there’s no way, he doesn’t know. He’s probably overwhelmed with everything and doesn’t know how to approach the situation.”
“I’ve never heard of anything so stupid in my entire life. Jordan you can’t possibly….” Jordan holds up a hand.
“Can the two of you please! Stop being cryptic. And the inside looks and just explain to me why you two believe in any of this so-called shaolin crap?” Skalany and Jody exchange looks. “We are not shaolin.”
“I know that!” Jordan says exasperated.
“Like I said before, you aren’t shaolin your cops’ smart ones and yet unlike Morgan and myself you both seem to believe that Peter could somehow read my mind and that somehow mutilating himself helped save his father. Help me understand how the two of you came to the conclusions that you so obviously have.”
Skalany looks at Jody who shrugs. “I don’t know that WE can make you believe through talking either. Both Jody and I have experienced the Mystical side of the shaolin that we can’t deny. If not for some of the things I’ve witnessed, I would probably think we were crazy. We will try though as soon as I get back from the bathroom. So, long as I don’t have to listen to comments from Morgan.”
“Deal!” said Jordan, giving Morgan a stern look.” I just wanna understand.”
Skalany nods. “Jody this could take a while… will you order food for everyone While I hit the restroom?”
With a meaningful look at Jody, Skalany heads to the bathroom.