Forgotten Times 8/17
By Debbie Eng (wan-ping@juno.com)

*******

	A large group of people was in the waiting room again, awaiting
for the doctor to come out of Peter's room.  This was the day when the
doctor would decide whether or not Peter was well enough to come home. 
He finally came out to see them.  He had a look of disbelief on his face.
 Then as he caught sight of Kermit, it turned to a look a mouse had when
a cat was circling it.  Paul placed a hand on Kermit's arm, " Don't
intimidate the doctor, Detective. "

	Carolyn stood up with her husband, " Well?  Can Peter come home?"  
She voiced the question that was in everyone's minds.

	The doctor replied, " Detective Caine is physically healed enough
to go home, however, he is still unsure whether or not this is all a
dream or not. "

	" What does that mean, doctor? " Annie asked.

	The look of disbelief crossed his face again, " I think that
Detective Caine wants to confirm everything with an imaginary friend. 
But this pretend friend hasn't come yet. He's been asking the nurses to
bring his friend to him, and they don't know how to respond."

	" Imaginary friend? " Annie asked.  She didn't remember Peter
having any imaginary friends.  But then Peter hadn't told her everything
about his childhood.

	" Yeah, he keeps asking to see I think he called him, Frog Man? 
" the doctor gave an amused chuckle at the name.  He stopped when he saw
them all look at each other.  Then tensed as he saw Kermit ball up his
fists, " Damn you, doctor, he hasn't been asking for an imaginary friend,
he's been asking for me! "  Then he turned and hurried to Peter's room. 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Peter was sitting in the chair looking out of the window when
Kermit came rushing into the room.  Peter turned around and looked up. 
Then he hesitantly smiled, " Frog Man, you came! "

	" Of course, Peter, I would have come sooner, if that stupid
doctor had told me that you wanted to see me, " Kermit replied as he
removed his glasses and sat down at the edge of the bed so that he was
facing Peter.

	Peter frowned then remembered, " I forgot, you go by Kermit, " he
hung his head.  He couldn't seem to do anything right.

	" Hey, none of that, " Kermit said sternly as he raised one hand
to lift up Peter's face.

	From his peripheral vision, all Peter saw was a hand moving
towards his face.  He cringed inside.  Frog Man had never hurt him
before, why was he going to hit him now?  But then again, why not? Peter
thought to himself.  

	Kermit aborted his movement as he saw Peter's reaction, " Peter,
I'm not going to hurt you. "  He saw Peter look up in surprise.  He
changed the subject,  " What did you want to see me about? "

	Peter looked away, then back again, " Frog Man, you've never lied
to me before.  You told me that in The Trade, it was very important to
find out the big picture before doing anything.  I need some information"

	Kermit looked at him, " What do you want to know? "

	" What is going on? " Peter asked, " Is this all a dream or is
this all real?  I've been collecting bits and pieces of information, but
they are all contradicting themselves."

	Kermit sighed, Peter always jumped to the million dollar
questions first," It's real.  "

	Peter gasped, " I was so sure it was a dream.  Kelly said that my
father was alive.  Is that fact or fiction? "  Peter visibly braced
himself for Kermit's answer.

	Kermit tried to think of a softening way to tell Peter, but
couldn't, " Fact. "

	Peter shuddered, " May I ask where he is then?  I know I haven't
seen him in years, but I would think that I would remember him. "

	Kermit was beginning to wish that Peter hadn't asked to see him. 
Anybody would have been better at this then him.  He didn't know what to
say to Peter.  Peter was looking at him as if his whole world depended on
Kermit's answer.

	" We..." Kermit struggled for an answer, " He's...."  Peter
looked expectantly at him.  

	" He's on a journey at the moment, " Kermit finally said, " We
haven't been able to reach him as of yet. "  Kermit saw Peter try to hid
his disappointment.

	" Oh, " Peter replied, " I should have known. "  Then Peter
changed the subject, " Frog Man, what do I look like now? "

	Kermit looked at him, " What do you mean? "

	" From what I've been able to overhear, I've lost 15 years
somehow.  But when I wanted to look at my reflection, I couldn't.  All of
the mirrors seemed to have disappeared. "

	Kermit took out his sunglasses and handed them to Peter.  Peter
gave him a questioning look.  Kermit pointed to the lenses, and Peter
looked at his reflection shining up from the mirror green lenses, " I
guess I didn't come out too bad, did I?" he said looking for a little
reassurance.

	Kermit grinned and took back the glasses.  He helped Peter up and
slung his arm around Peter's shoulders, "  Nope, not too bad at all. 
Come on Peter, let's go home. "
------------------------------------------------------------------------