Forgotten Times 17/17
By Debbie Eng (wan-ping@juno.com)

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	" Has he woken up yet? " Kelly asked.  She had driven Annie to
the hospital as soon as they had heard.  

	Paul shook his head, " Matthew and the Ancient are with him now."

	" Is he really Peter's grandfather? " she asked.
 
	" Yes...," came a voice from behind her.  When she looked behind
her, she saw Peter's father  on crutches, slowly making his way towards
them.  He looked like he had been through a war.

	" Caine, " Paul said, " What happened to you?   Should you be
up?" he guided him to a seat.

	Caine gratefully sat down, " That is a story for another time.  I
came as quickly as I could.   Peter,  how is he? "

	" We don't know yet, " Annie said as she gripped her husband's
hand.

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	Matthew looked at his grandson.  He had been through much more
then anyone had known.  But enough was enough, " Peter? "

	Peter struggled with the darkness as he heard a voice.  What
happened?  He recognized the smells of a hospital.  He hated hospitals. 
I wonder if I can charm my way out early.  He heard the voice call his
name again.  It didn't sound like his father's.  Although it was very
similar.  He opened his eyes.

	" Grandfather? "

	" Yes, Peter, " Matthew replied, standing up with the aid of his
cane, " Do you remember what happened? "

	" I was chasing some car thieves, "  Peter started, in his mind's
eye he saw the steel pipes come crashing down on him again, " I was in an
accident.  There were pipes.  They fell on me."

	" Yes, but that happened quite some time ago, "

	" What are you talking about? " Peter tried to sit up.  His head
and every muscle in his body seemed to ache.
 
	" Now that is a long story, " Matthew said.

	A nurse came in, " I see that you're awake, I'll go and tell the
rest of your family. "  She turned to go.

	" Wait, when can I leave? " he threw her a devastating smile.

	" Glad to have you back, Detective Caine, " the nurse said as she
left.

	" Back?  What is she talking about?  They hate it when I come in.
 I'm a lousy patient,"  Peter grumbled.

	A couple of minutes later, the rest of the family came in.  They
looked apprehensively at him.  As if waiting for him to say something.

	" What's wrong with all of you?   I'm fine,  its not like my head
turned green, did it?" Peter said.

	" Peter, do you know what year it is? " Kelly asked.  She
remembered this scene too well before.

	" 1997, why? What's up with all of you?"

	Annie cried tears of joy as she hugged a bewildered Peter.  The
rest of them cheered. And Todd hugged his wife.  Peter was back to normal.

 	 Paul tried to explain what had happened.  Peter couldn't believe
it.  He turned to Kermit, "Kermit?  I want the truth now.  You've always 
told me the truth. "

	Kermit took off his glasses, " That was the truth, Peter.  It was
nothing but the truth."
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