By Starbearer TM

Gene and Ray had stopped by Karen’s home to wait for Stan to get off his taxi shift. It was the afternoon, and evening and dinner were bubbling in the crock-pot plugged into the wall. A beef stew’s aroma filled the small studio, and Karen swigged beer as she heard the door open.

"My SWEETIE's home." she chirped as she ran to the door and jumped in his arms, wrapping her legs around him. He smiled and hugged her back.

"I have beer," he smiled, holding up a six pack of Bud. Seated on the battered love seat, Gene looked at Ray and rolled his eyes subtlety.

"Even BETTER." she grinned as she locked lips with him.

Ray looked up, and joked, "Are you going to drink some Gene?"

"Sure, and I'll give you the line about the moon and fucking Swiss cheese." Gene grimaced at her good-naturedly.

"Fucking cheese?" Ray groaned, slugging his arm.

"Who wants a bud?" asked Stan, tearing into the six-pack. He tossed one to Karen, and then threw his coat down on the chair. She smiled at him and opened it, sitting on the couch and patting it for him. He sat down and cuddled up.

"You'll never believe what happened today," she cooed in his ear.

"What?" he asked, kissing her as he cracked open a beer.

"Some guy bought a cup of coffee at the diner and left $20. The change was MINE!"

"OH god that's great," he laughed.

"Yeah, that's an hours worth of tips just like THAT."

"Well, will we pay the bill for the electric or what?" he joked. Ray turned to Gene and cuddled up to him, kissing his cheek. She felt a bit jealous of the loving young couple, so she linked her arm in Gene's. In response Gene rubbed her back slightly, and cleared his throat.

"What did you hear from Sean lately?" she asked him.

"Talked to Sean today...." he began, leaning toward Stan.

"Any ideas from the genius?" Stan rolled his eyes.

"Yeah, he's got a few. I told him again though...a ten-ton reminder. It's our band and what WE say goes," Gene smacked his fist into his hand for emphasis. "I don't want some damn outsider thinking he's going to come in, calling the shots."

"God forbid," Stan mumbled.

"But if he thinks he's got something good... I'll listen," he said.

"Well what did he say?" asked Ray.

Karen snuggled up to Stan again and began winding her fingers in his curls. He grinned and sips his beer, then threw one in Gene's direction. It landed in Ray's lap.

"Some moved on stage. Some things he wants us to try. I guess I have mixed feelings. Not like I want a choreographer." Gene grumbled.

"You need one," Ray teased Gene.

"And he wants to tape us so we can see your sorry ass screw up yet again." Gene teased, winking at Karen

"Shut up!" Stan groaned. Gene looked at Stan again.

"I like your ass," Ray purred in Gene's ear.

"He asked me again if we were sure that you were going to be the man doing all the talking," Gene said. Ray was trying to get him to respond like Stan was all over Karen. Gene reached over to tickle her leg, but turned back to Stan.

"Well you sound like a fricking schoolteacher!" Stan laughed.

"I like his ass too," Karen giggled as she slid her hand between Stan's ass and the couch cushion.

"You do," Ray smiled at Gene. Stan grinned.

"And Ace is too damn whiney, and drummers don't talk...so that leaves you."

"Aww crap," Stan groaned.

"Do your 'hey people' shtick," said Ray.

"HEY PEOPUL!" Stan shouted. "AH got a question for ya!"

"And the girls think you're pretty...." Gene grinned.

"I am," Stan said. "And you have to hide your ugly mug behind makeup."

"And if you get the skirt all worked up, that's to our advantage." he smiled, as Karen glared teasingly.

"Shut up," Ray grumbled, and threw an ice cube at Stan. Gene turned around and grinned cheesily at her.

"You are AWFUL," she pouted at Gene.

"What band worth a crap isn't wanting to appeal to the chicks? Do you think I went into this wanting GUYS screaming my name?" Gene chuckled at Ray.

"I want to hear guys screaming my name," Ray shot back.

"But just because they SCREAM, doesn't mean you have to DO anything with them." Karen pouted.

"I want them screaming fuck me," Ray purred in Gene's ear.

"I know a guy who'd LOVE to scream your name tonight," Gene licked his lips teasingly at her.

"Mmm who would that be?" she purred.

"I don't know how I'd feel about that." Karen said, her look darkening a bit, "I don't want women telling Stan to fuck the m."

"Why the hell NOT?" Gene challenged. "Isn't that what rock is all about?"

"Aww honey, I come home to you," Stan pouted.

"I know, but there's no reason these girls can't just watch the show and go home." Karen continued to pout.

"Aww honey," Stan said, leaning over to kiss her. He rubbed her thigh.

"NO rock star wants only guys at the show. Sure, it would be a rush to have 30,000 screaming fans calling my name, but I DAMN sure want there to be some of the female persuasion in the mix." Gene chuckled.

"Trouble in paradise," Ray whispered to Gene, sliding her hand on his thigh.

"So... what you're saying is that it's OK to misbehave, assuming you come home at the end of the day?" Karen said, scowling, "That's what you both are saying."

"Aww honey," Stan sighed. "Way to GO Gene."

"Sure. A committed relationship doesn't have to be sexually exclusive. I can care about someone, and not just because I avoided cheap sweaty sex on the way home," Karen snapped.

"Yeah," Ray sighed, hooking her arm into Gene's. "Your ass is mine Simmons."

"Gene you're not HELPING," Stan pouted at Gene.

"Just because I spent 15 minutes with someone after the show, doesn't change what's important to me," Gene said.

"Amen," Ray said, squeezing Gene's thigh.

"SURE it does!" Karen scowled again, "If you care about a person, you don't NEED cheap groupie sex."

"Um can we PLEASE change the subject!" Stan snapped.

"And why is that?" Gene grinned, determined to be a pain.

"Gene I'm gonna KILL you in a minute," Stan glared at him.

"Because Stan can have sex with me anytime he wants, without having to find himself some rock hooker." Karen stomped her foot.

"EXACTLY!" said Stan, arm around Karen. He gave her a kiss.

"Well, then, Stan's in the minority," Gene said, leaning back in the couch.

"Damn you." Karen grumbled.

"You're an annoying mother fucker Gene," Stan growled at him.

"Gene do me a favor and shut up about groupies," Ray scolded Gene.

"I'm just telling it like it is. You two are too damn naive to realize it's GOING to come up. There's no way you can achieve fame and not have women dripping to have your child." Gene said. "And to think otherwise is foolish."

"Gene shut up,' Stan snaps, jumping up. "Before I do it FOR YOU."

"But he'll be MARRIED by then." Karen growled.

"Shit...that's fine. It's called denial... but whatever you want to believe." Gene grunted, looking at Stan harshly.

"Can we just DROP it?" asked Ray angrily. "You guys talk about that on your band time ok?"

Gene sighed and threw up his hands. "I wouldn't sleep with you if you were the last idiot on earth." Karen fumed, refusing to let it go, "I don't care HOW big you get."

Gene folded him arms and shakes his head, amused by her. "Gene you are a major prick," said Stanley angrily.

"SEAN Delaney...." he grinned, deliberately changing the subject.

"Thank you," Ray said, squeezing Gene's thigh.

"They can think what they want, Ray. She's made it clear she wouldn't screw me for love or money, so I guess it's Stan's problem now." he chuckled.

"I'd screw you if you had zero dollars," Ray whispered in Gene's ear. "But money IS nice..."

"Hell, yes, sweetheart, and that's because you and I can deal with the facts. And the facts are, he's going to cheat and she's going to whine about it," Gene whispered to Ray. "And I’m going to sit back and laugh my ass off."

"Well you don’t whine when I have a quickie with Maurice," she whispered to him. Karen watched him with her arms folded. "And Peter's brother..." she winked mischievously.

"No....that's what you want to do. No reason you shouldn't be able to do it." Gene said matter of fact. Ray smiled self-righteously.

"But you’re the best," she whispered to Gene.

"You wouldn't cheat, Stan." Karen grumbled, still watching Gene and Ray with annoyance.

"I wouldn't," he whispered and kisses her softly. "You're too important to me, lover."

"I love you." she whispered, leaning to kiss him back.

"I love you more," he whispered to her.

"Ugh," Ray chuckled. "If it gets any more saccharine I'll put a finger down my throat Gene."

"Get used to these two." he sighed, "I give them a year...tops."

"You old poop," Ray smacked Gene's thigh.

"About Sean Delaney," said Stan coughing. "What ideas did he have now Gene?"

"He wants to tape our movements. Make us sit and watch them. See our mistakes, I suppose."

"Oh joy," Stan laughed.

"He thinks we all ought to have black hair...a common thread," Gene said, looking at Stan.

"I have dark hair," Stan rolled his eyes.

"It’s mahogany," Ray corrected.

"Mahogany, baloney,' Stan pouted.

"Dark BROWN. I'm talking darker than that." Gene said.

"So genius, how do you get dark black hair?" Ray grinned at Gene.

"I love your hair." Karen said, playing with it, trying to calm down.

"So KISS is the black hared facepainted goon squad?" Ray laughed.

"Dye the damn stuff," Gene said, "Sit your ass in the tub and dye it."

"You sit YOUR ass in it," Stan said. "I'm gonna do it in the fricking sink."

"Is THAT why you got the hair dye from the clown store?" Ray asked, holding up the paper bag Gene brought.

"Are you SURE about this?" Karen said, "My aunt tried to do her hair once and it stunk for weeks."

"Shit, I have no friggin choice, right Geno?" Stan laughed.

"And seeing as I am the one in bed with you...." Karen continued.

"Fat sofa Gene," Ray looked at him. She opened up the dye and looked at it.

"I thought you were willing to do ANYTHING for love," Gene smirked at Karen, who scowled.

"Fuck you Simmons," Stan said, getting up and grabbing a bottle of dye.

"That's my job," Ray smiled at Stan.

"I never said he couldn't dye his hair," Karen squawked. " I'm just SAYING, be careful how you do it."

"Okay Gene, strip and get your ass into the tub. I'm doing it in the sink," Stan said.

"And besides, it IS going to smell tonight. We practically share a pillow," Karen sighed, looking at Ray, who sighed. Gene took the bottle from Ray and grinned.

"For BETTER or for worse, Karen." Gene smirked at her as she flipped him her middle finger.

"This stuff is permanent Gene," Ray glanced at the label.

"Karen can you help me with this?" Stan asked her. "Since you're a girl and all..."

"Ugh," Ray made a face worthy of Gene.

She jumped up, "Uh...sure...."

"Okay... it said I need to wet my hair," Stan said, getting up and going to the sink. He takes off his shirt and strips to his shirt to his bare chest.

"This is going to get ALLLL over the bathroom." Karen whispered to Ray.

"Woo, strip tease!" Ray whistles at him. Karen's eyes narrowed a bit at Ray's comment, but she shrugged it off.

"What if you get this on your hands?" Karen reads the bottle.

"Umm, pretend I got into the ink vat at work?" Stan joked.

"Use the rubber gloves," said Ray pragmatically. Stan handed Karen some rubber gloves, and he started to fill the sink on one side with water. Gene rose from the couch and followed Ray. He was enjoying teasing Karen. Ray looked at the dye and opened the bathroom door.

"So Gene are you game?" Ray asked him.

"They're getting on my nerves," Karen grumbled.

"Yeah mine too," Stan moped. He sat down at the sink and put his head under the faucet.

"I just hope this doesn't mess you up. You are so cute, Stan," Karen pouted as she shook the bottle and took the top off of it.

"I know honey," he smiled at her. He handed her the rubber kitchen gloves.

"GOD, it smells AWFUL." she shuts her eyes. He hung his head under the faucet and waited for her to apply the dye after she wet his hair. She began to squirt it in his hair and giggles a bit at the consistency.

"What is that rude noise?" Stan quipped.

"You know what this LOOKED like?" she chuckled.

"Did Gene let one?"

"I HEARD THAT!" Ray shouted from beside the bathroom door.

"This is going to get EVERYWHERE." Karen laughed.

"Occupational hazard sweets," Stan looked up at her. "Ugh it feels like MUD!"

Ray sighed and pushed Gene into the bathroom. He wanted to watch Stan and Karen fuss.

"I think it looked like something ELSE." Karen winks, "It looked like...uh...well...."

"Shit?" Stan asked helpfully.

"TELL us, Kar." Gene yelled from the bathroom.

"Gene, shut up!" Stan shouted.

"I was thinking more like...well...cum." she chuckled.

"BLACK cum?" asked Stan.

"Sort of..." she giggled.

"Ewww," Stan laughed. "Don't hear Gene say that."

"Keep your head DOWN before it gets in your eyes," she barked at him. He sighed and propped his head back.

"The things I do for fame," He mumbles as he feels the stuff smelling bad.

"I guess...well, I suppose it's on...mostly... I guess I need to find a towel we don't mind ruining." she sighed.

"Take that old Beatles towel Gene gave us," winked Stan. "He doesn't need it anymore."

"And this said you have to sit for awhile. Let it set."

"Ugh what am I going to do for a while?" Stan groaned.

"WHERE are you going to sit, Stan? We can't get this black shit on the couch."

"I'll sit in this chair by the sink," he sighed.

"And don't even THINK of lying down in our bed."

"Wonder how Gene is doing with this shit," he mumbled. She walked back with the towel and helped him to sit in the chair. Ray ducked out of the bathroom for a moment.

"You're going to drip everywhere." Karen sighed, "And so is that stupid Gene."

"Have you guys got any extra towels?" Ray asked.

"Sure, check out the closet," Stan said.

"Thanks," Ray said, opening the closet and taking out some ratty old towels. Karen looked back at Stan and sighed.

"I hope this doesn't mess up your curls." she groaned.

"Honey I know Gene gets on your nerves," he looked up at her. "But he's a good guy... when he's not an asshole."

"He thinks everything he thinks is RIGHT. I get so sick of hearing him carry on. God, you'd think he was 95 years old, the way he acts like he's SOO damn smart."

"He is," Stan laughed. "He's an old fart compared to us kids. And in forty years he'll remember that! Shame that Ray's wrapped up in his spell... he doesn't deserve her."

"No, she doesn't, and I don't get how she can sit there and listen to him go on about how it's his RIGHT to cheat." she shook her head angrily.

"I don't know either. She'd be better off with Maurice or Peter's brother."

"I just don't want to see HIM bringing all these cheap women back and suddenly there they are...and there YOU are," she mumbled.

"Yeah… Peter's brother worships the ground she walks on... But Liz is all over him... honey, I don't want those cheap bimbos," he looked up at Karen.

"I know you don't, but I don't even want them AROUND you." she pouted. "Not very realistic, I know."

"I know honey, I’m sorry. Maybe we should just get married," he joked.

She began to rub his shoulders slightly, grimacing a bit at the feel of his wet hair. She stopped for a moment and sat in silence.

"Gene you putz WHAT are you doing in the TUB?" Ray shouted from the bathroom.

"You mean...if we had wedding vows, it would put it on a whole other level." she said slowly.

"I know," Stan looked up at her with dark eyes.

"Lydia and peter are married," Stan said.

"I know, and you know I'd marry you in a minute...if you're serious...." she said quietly.

"But please don't bring it up if you're not." she whispered.

"I know... but I don’t want to screw up your chances of making it big," he whispered to her.

"I think we should wait. But I DO want to marry you someday... honey."

She continued to rub his shoulders and looked at the wall sadly.

"Sure, lover. Some day," she sighed.

"Honey... I'm sorry I said anything..." Stan sighed. "Dammit Stan..."

"No, look...Stan, I’ve dreamed of being your wife. Many, many times. I just.... I don't want to pressure you."

"Honey I love you," he said, looking up at her.

"And I can't bear it if you tell me you want me, then change your mind," she stroked his forearms gently.

"I want you," he said. "You can run you can hide but you'll never get away Kar."

She chuckled a bit, repeating, "That's very sexy...I want you."

"Here? Now?" he laughed. "Smelling like an ink factory?"

"NO, Stan!" she laughed. "Not NOW!"

"Aww shit," he pouted.

"And God love you, but you DO smell."

***

"Gene, you are naked in a tub, for god's sake!" Ray sighed as she saw Gene's clothes lying on the floor in an unruly pile and him sitting smugly in the tub.

"I'm trying to get this damn stuff in my hair. If it's screwed up, I’m half black, half brown." Gene fussed back.

"Gene you REEK!" Ray held her nose in the bathroom. "GOD WHAT THE hell is in this shit?"

Gene moved out of the tub to sit on the toilet, towel around his hair. He wrapped a towel around his hips and hitched it like a toga. "I guess we wait... right?" he grinned at Ray.

"Oh god you are crazy..." she groaned. Ray picked up the bottle and looked at it, and then set it aside, not noticing the dye on her hands.

"I'm suffering for my art, love." he chuckled at her, "Think of how this will look on stage."

"You are awfully mean to Karen, you horrible man,' she looked at him.

"Karen's a nuisance." Gene grumbled good-naturedly, "But she does put out for Stan and that keeps him from getting bitchy."

"You cold blooded son of a bitch," she snapped at Gene. "Sometimes you really piss me off..."

"It's all in fun, Ray. You take it too seriously." he said, looking at her.

"Yeah I do," she sighed. "I'm sorry Gene... I just... damn... I wish it were easier sometimes for me to just fall into the rock star thing. You're born to it... I'm not..."

"You're too hard on yourself too. " he chuckles, "You have more talent than 99% of those in the industry...and I think deep down, you know that."

"Thanks, you big lug," she sighed. "Damn in one sentence you’re an asshole, but under it all you're just a big cuddly teddy bear. But I won't let anyone else know that. I might ruin your reputation if I did."

She smirked at him, trying to cheer up. He grimaced a bit as he feels a strand of wet hair fall down. "Oops," she smiled, going over to put it back up in the wrap.

"Your turn will come some day...and I mean that about a career AND about dying your damn hair," Gene said. She absently picked up the bottle, and some of the dye has leaked onto her hands. Oblivious, she again put it down, and ran her hand through her hair, streaking it with the dye, thinking the moisture on her hand was sweat. More hair fell into her face and she pushes it back, getting more dye into her hair.

"Your towel is coming un-turbaned," she tries to fuss with Gene's towel before it unfolds on him. He saw black streaks in her hair suddenly.

"Ahhh, CRAP, Ray." he said, jumping up quickly.

"What?" she asked. "What are you looking at me like that for?"

"Get in the damn tub. You've got black shit in your HAIR." he barked.

"Oh my GOD!" she screamed. She clawed at her hair and gasps as she saw it in the mirror. "How the FUCK did that happen!"

She started tearing at her clothes and kicks off her shoes, panicking.

He backed away, watching her moment. "Crap, Ray, that isn't going to come out." he gasped as he plunged her head under the bathtub spicket and turned on the water. He came up behind her, trying to help her wash her hair. As he grabbed the shampoo, he yelped, " Maybe shampoo... oh shit, hang on. Karen...damn...do you have any idea how to get this OUT?"

"WHAT?" Karen yelled back.

"What?" Stan shouted. "What’s going on?"

Ray is rubbing shampoo into her hair frantically, trying to rub out the dye.

"Rub it...HARD...shit, Ray." Gene watched her, panic stricken.

"I..." she stammers, rubbing the shampoo in.

"Oh, God, it's BLACK...in your HAIR!" Karen gasped.

"OH my god," Paul gasps. "What DID you do GENE?"

Gene leaned over and helped Ray scrub it. He watched with desperation, as it only seemed to fade slightly. It takes on a dark green color and some of her hair looked purple in places

"I didn't do ANYTHING, boy genius. She touched her hair and shit, now it's black... err...GREEN." Gene growled.

"Green?" Ray squawked, as she rinsed her hair off.

"And uh, purple." Karen squeaked.

"Oh GOD!"

"It’s... your HAIR, Ray. Your hair is ruined." Karen gasps, as Gene shoots her an evil look.

"Oh god," Ray sniffles, looking at it in the mirror. "It's... its..."

"Now it's NOT." he growls, "Worse thing is, she might have to dye it black."

"It looked... different," Paul said, sighing as he whipped his towel off. His hair was blue black.

"I don't know what was wrong with a natural haircolor." Karen scowled a bit at Stan whose hair had straightened out a bit. Gene looked at Stan and grinned a bit, his own hair still curly, but VERY frizzy and coarse.

"There... we fit together now," he said, as Karen rolled her eyes.

"Oh god Gene... what do I do?" Ray asked him, hugging him tightly as she sniffled into his chest.

"It's not like any of the girls I’ve seen onstage," said Stan slowly.

"Well... I don't know...maybe my mom knows one of those fancy hairdressers. Someone, who can fix this shit," he said, fingering it a bit. Ray sighed and looked up at Gene. He hair is on the short side, a bit spiky because it's wet.

"Bathroom's a MESS." Karen grumbled quietly, as she looked around at the tub and towels on the floor.

"If it was one of the guy bands, they'd leave this crap in," Stanley mumbled. "And say that it's a statement... damn I'm sorry ray..."

"I guess you either have to fix it... or you don't." Gene said, "Just see what happens. What it looked like."

Ray looked up from his chest and glimpsed her changed hair in the mirror. She grabbed some scissors and tried to cut out the bits that are colored. Soon she had given herself a shorter style with the streaks of color still present in it.

"Now THAT is DEFINATELY different. No other girl has hair like that," Stan said. "It looked kinda... cool..."

"Maybe I should smear on some of that damn clown white you use," Ray mumbled gloomily. "And then nobody will see what a freak I am."

"It could be a band persona, what do you think Gene?" Stan asked.

"What, the FREAK?" Ray groaned.

"You two are IMPOSSIBLE." Karen frowned, as she elbows Stan. "Jokes at a time like THIS?"

"Gene, I AM a freak with this hairdo," she mumbled, making faces in the mirror.

"It's not.... Terrible, right?" Karen said, walking up to her, trying to sound convincing, "I mean, hell, you'd look great no matter what you do to your hair."

Ray looked at Gene, and then grabbed some of her makeup. She started to put on wild eyeshadow to coordinate, making herself up like Gene and Paul tried in their Glam shots. "I can't look any worse then YOU did in this," Ray laughed sadly at Gene. She fingered his long jet-black hair, almost bluish black now with the dye. Karen watched her, taking a moment to frown back at Stan.

"You have ALL lost your minds." she muttered.

"Say something you dope," Stan hissed to Gene.

"I guess...I suppose you're stuck with it, unless you want hair like this," he said weakly. Karen sighed in frustration.

"Really supportive Gene," Stan mumbled. Ray sighed and looked at herself in the mirror again.

"What's this going to do to OUR band?" Karen squawked, "We didn't make plans for this."

"It's not HORRIBLE, is it?" Gene said, looking at Stan, "It's not like her hair fell out, and shit, it will grow out... eventually."

"No, but it gives me an idea," Stan suddenly grinned. "You know how we have our personas, Gene? Well you girls mentioned you had persona's right?"

"Yes," said Ray.

"Well instead of the street punk you can be the freak, and get a new costume to go with it..." Stan said. "And maybe a lot of girls will dye their hair when you're a big star Ray..."

"If you can put up with Karen dressing in a tight suit," Ray said slowly, glancing at him.

"Stan, I can't believe you're calling her a FREAK." Karen glared at him; "Do you honestly think you're making this any better?"

"He has a point," Ray said, getting an inspired look on her face.

"Nah, I think he's on to something. It's there. Might as well make it work for you, and hell, New York music scene, anything goes," Gene added.

"So WHAT if I'm a freak. What if this is the NEXT new craze? If you can be the Demon, I can be the freak, right Gene?" Ray chuckled. Karen looked at them, exasperated, and walked out of the bathroom.

"You need to learn to control your woman." Gene ribbed Stan.

"Oh shut up," Stan mumbled. "And clean up this damn mess!"

"Damn, he's grouchy." Gene sighed, as he began playing with Ray's hair, examining it.

"I know," she sighed, looking up at Gene.

"You were supposed to call me on your break tonight." she pouted.

"Your hair looked VERY different. I mean it WAS dark before... but DAMN..."

"Does it look demon like?" Gene smiled

"It does," she smiled.

"I know, love, and I'm trying to be patient, but..." she sighed in frustration.

"And I was thinking... well... you SHOULD go with the bat wing design..."

"Honey, what do you want me to do?" he whispered, sitting on the bed next to her. "I'm not the only one putting in long hours..."

"Too bad you're not onstage with us. This wild hair might look halfway intriguing." Gene said.

"I know... I wonder if I could get the girls to try something similar,' Ray said

"And I was thinking, you need to thin out your wings..." she said to Gene. "I like the spikes, but the last makeup design was too thick..."

"Well, you're going to have to work on Shirley Temple over there." Gene grinned, gesturing to the bedroom.

"I know. I can get Trish to try something," Ray said.

***

Stan sighed and rushed after Karen. She had wandered gone into the bedroom, slamming the door shut. He opened the door slowly to see her flopped down on the bed.

"I couldn't get away. Honey I'm sorry," Stan sighed, rushing out and calling to Karen. "I was trying to help..."

"Are you going back out tonight?" she pouted, not looking at him.

"I'm staying here," said Stan.

"About time," Karen grumbled.

"Honey... what do I have to do to prove how sorry I am?" Stan asked. "KISS is playing a concert at the Hotel Diplomat... and I had the idea that you and I could get a room... Not tonight... but in a few weeks..."

"How are we going to afford that?" she grumped. "We can't afford a burger on Fridays. That is, when you're not already working."

"Well it's not the BEST hotel... and it's complementary..." he said. "And it does come with champagne. I want you there to cheer me on... we have new costumes that we'll try... leather ones that Peter’s mom even helped us make."

She looked at him a moment, softening a bit, as she mumbled, "It's just that the girls at the restaurant always have hot dates planned on weekends, and it seems all I do is spend nights alone here, with my damn TV. Sometimes it's like I don't even HAVE a boyfriend."

"Honey..." he sighed. "I feel so bad about this. I wish I could..."

She looked out the window and sighed, "Every night you're off, you're rehearsing. EVERY damn night."

"Karen..." he sighed, getting up. "I'm sorry..."

"No, you're not." she muttered bitterly. "You're married to that band."

"What do you want me to do?" he cried as he turned around in frustration, slamming his fist into the wall. . "I just... shit..."

"Fit me in occasionally." She looked at him a moment, with wide eyes. ".... Let me baby you some times."

He sank to the floor, covering his eyes and starting to cry, "I don’t want to loose you Kar... not like I lost... aww shit... what's the use."

She sighed in frustration and moved over to him. She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed his cheek. "I'm sorry," he sniffled.

"I love you, and that won't change. I just...I need you, Stan. I need us to be a couple."

"So sorry I'm a shitty boyfriend..." he added.

"You're NOT. You're an incredible boyfriend...an incredible lover...I just need to have you HERE to remind me of that." she whispered in his ear.

"I should be able to give you more," he whispered back. "And I can't... I'm a failure... I can't be a man for you... you deserve better."

"Maybe we can ask your dad to float us a loan," she said quietly as she slowly slide her finger along his biceps.

"Maybe if we loose the apartment I can move into the loft... and you can move in with the girls..." he mumbled.

"So...you don't want to live with me any more." Karen said slowly as she pulled away from him.

"No, I just want to make it easier," he sniffed in frustration. "Dammit Paul... you putz.. You ALWAYS fuck up..."

"Is that why you never come home?" she asks as he scrambled to his feet and pounded the wall again, frustrated. "Lover, you work SEVEN days a week sometimes and when you're done, you practice. And you sleep at that damn loft with the fucking roaches. At least if you came home, I'd have you in my bed for a FEW hours."

"I even got friggin crabs on that toilet seat,' he mumbled, embarrassed. "That's why I didn't come home lately. I figured you thought I was cheating..."

"CRABS?" she said, dropping her pillow, "Down there?"

"Yes," he mumbles. "I got it taken care of... but shit..."

"Well...what...so, you can't have SEX?" she said, shocked.

"I can," he whispered. "I just managed to get clean of them tonight..."

"But..."

"I was staying away cause I was ashamed..." he mumbled. She watched him closely, very alarmed.

"But you weren't with anyone else, right? You wouldn't lie to me," she finally sputtered. "Because I don't want anyone else and I thought you didn't either."

"HELL no! I don't want anyone else DAMMIT!" he shouted. He sighed and sank to the bed, head in his hands.

"Alright, calm down." she said, still watching him. "Relax... You're totally on edge, this damn job, and your practice schedule, it's totally nuts."

"Yes," he sighed.

"Stan, I love you, you know that, and I know you can make it, but damn, don't kill yourself in the process."

"Karen, what if I don't make it?" he asks, looking up at her. "What if this is just another flash in the pan? Another shitty band?"

"Do you even have time to WRITE?"

"No," he mumbled.

"You WILL, Stan. I know you will. If you don't write, you'll be forced to be another cover band, and I know you hate that. That's the most creative part of you...your writing. Maybe you should just tell that damn Gene you need a few nights off to write...and we can spend some time."

"I know... I wish... I..." he sighed. "I have to stand up to him and just say it..."

"I'll help you write. We'll write some killer tracks."

"I'd appreciate it," he said, reaching up to stroke her face.

"And maybe after the restaurant closes, I could drive a cab for a few hours." she said knowing there's no way in hell he'd go for that. He looked at her and groaned.

"I could do it," she said, sticking out her chin stubbornly, "I know this city like the back of my friggin' hand."

"Kar..." he groaned.

"It's not like I can't drive." she said, "and think of the extra money. And it will give you some extra time to come home and sleep."

"I guess... I can't stop you if you want to," he mumbled. "And it does pay reasonably well..."

She looked at him for a moment and grinned slowly, "I didn't figure you'd let me get away with it."

"My brain must be fried, cause I am..." he mumbled. She came up behind him again, throwing her arms around his neck. He sighed and leans his head on her breast.

"I figured you'd tell me it was too DANGEROUS." she breathes seductively in his ear.

"Mmm," he sighed, and slowly stroked her cheek.

"If you want to know a secret..." she licked his ear lightly.

"I promise not to tell," he whispered. He fell down on the bed, stretching his arms out and sighing.

"I sort of like it when you protect me," she whispered again, hands moving down to his chest. He lay back and lets her take charge, moaning softly, lying back on the bed and just relaxing. She heard a blow dryer from the bathroom and sighed, knowing Gene and Ray are messing with her hair.

"I hope they're cleaning up the bathroom," he mumbled, pulling her close.

"Are you too tired for...you know?" she said, as she caressed him.

"I’m never too tired for you," he purrs, pulling her down with him. Stan drew her into a kiss. She leaned down and kissed him back.

"Are you sure it's OK...with the problem you had..."

"I do have some condoms," he said reaching into his pocket and putting them beside the pillow. "Gene loaned me some... when I said I was coming back here..."

"Hell, it's bad enough you two ACT like brothers..." she giggled.

"But I'm not giving them back once they're used. I guess the big bum is the closest I'll ever get to one," he mumbled, kissing her again as he rubs her breasts through her shirt and started to tug it off.

"Big bum," she giggled. "Keeping us apart."

"My brother Major asshole. By the way, it's NICE to see these again," he said, as he pulls off her shirt and reveals her bare chest, only wearing a bra.

"There were days I never thought you would." she grinned.

"C'mere," he said, unfastening her bra and burying his head between her breasts. He kisses and teased each one hungrily then put her hands on his belt.

"I was wondering if you missed me," she whispered, ".... Wondering if you were looking at other girls."

She began to unbuckle his belt slowly, enjoying his touch. He reached for her pants to undo them. "I might have looked, but I didn't touch. I'm yours alone..."

"My poor baby is soooooo eager." she murmured, as she finished unhooking his belt and slowly slipping his pants down. He almost tore the leather on her belt getting it off her and stripping her pants off her body. He touched her and kissed her breasts down to her belly, then grabbing her underwear with his teeth. When he pulled them off he licked her inner thigh, putting her leg over his shoulder and tracing down to plunge his tongue into her hot wetness. She gasped and arched her back, running her fingers through his hair, admiring how dark it was now. He plunged in his tongue, trying to bring her to orgasm. She closed her eyes tightly, enjoying having him near, and gasped quietly at each stroke. He nipped her thigh lightly and then pulled back a bit.

"Ohhhh...God...Stan..." she whimpered. Stanley put her hand down on his member, struggling to grab a condom in the process. She grabbed him and stroked him, her desperation evident in her strokes.

"I want you," she whispered, "My lover..."

He presented her with her the condom, asking her to put it on him. He waited in anticipation, and then lightly pushed her down on the bed as he prepared to enter her. She wrapped arms and legs around him, sighing deeply in his ear.

"Please...Stan...hard..." she begged quietly. He pushed her down and began to grind into her, moving his hips. Pinning her wrists down to trap them, he put her breast into his mouth and licked her nipples, pounding harder and harder.

"I've wanted...ohhhhhh, baby..." she moaned.

Stan continued to pound, groaning, "I wanted too... oh GOD you feel good! I want to make you cum, over and over..."

"Damn..." she moaned, biting her lip, "I want to make you want me."

"I want you," he groaned, pounding harder and harder. He caressed her pleasure spot with his fingers, then suddenly moaned, "I can't hold it... shit..."

She scraped her nails on his back, urging him on. "It's...Stan...it's ok..." she whimpered.

"Oh god... I can't... .I'm going to cum," he howled, pushing in one last time and getting that pained look as he screams. She joined him, screaming as well, as his excitement has spurred her to orgasm as well. He moaned and whimpered, falling onto her in exhaustion. She wrapped her arms tightly around him, kissing his neck quietly.

"I missed you so much," he sniffled.

"I missed you too." she said, hugging him tightly, "...every minute of every day."

"I wonder if Gene heard that..." he laughs. He gets up and pulls out, and then rids himself of the condom. Slowly he reaches for something in the dresser and hands it to her. She looked at it, then looked at him.

"What is it?" she whispered, "if it's something we can't afford...."

"No, it was something my mom said that a young lady should have,' he whispered. "It belonged to one of my aunts... It's your birth stone. Just something to remind you of how special you are to me..."

"It's BEAUTIFUL....God, Stan...." she said, eyes blurring with tears, "and here I was so nasty to you tonight."

"I love you," he said, putting the ring on her finger. "And you deserved to be angry at me..."

KISS had done their first series of shows at the various venues, and already the money was starting to grow tight. Many a night Ray woke up to hear Gene on the phone, trying to keep his voice low as he spoke to Bill Aucoin, and a new friend Sean Delaney who had promised to help them with production ideas. More and more time Gene spent in the loft on 23^rd street and 10^th avenue, struggling to put more songs in the can for a possible record. However he didn’t’ let on just how dire the monetary emergencies were.

As for Sweet Revenge, the girls were doing decently, but barely making enough to cover their own costs of rent and board. Ray’s part time teaching job at the private school wasn’t making nearly enough, and Karen was constantly worried about her next month’s rent that she could hardly afford to pay to Stanley. Often he spent nights at the loft, logging in long practices till ungodly hours, only coming home a few days out of the week. She would sleep alone, worrying he’d not return, but he always did in some way. As far as he knew she was working in a restaurant, but she was constantly in search of another job on weekends to help make ends meet.

At Sweet Revenge’s loft, only a few doors up from the guy’s loft, where Trish and Liz lived with Maxwell, the girls were struggling to find fresh new songs for their set list. Just as many hours passed as the year was wearing on, and Ray was hoping they could get more together for a second album, that would be far better then the mediocre sales of their first cut.

In between sets Liz and Trish smoked their cigarettes as Ray tuned up her organ, and Karen spoke softly over the phone to Stanley. Ray pricked up her ears, not wanting to eavesdrop, but wondering what subject was making Karen’s face twist into a frown.

"Lover, you DO sleep with me you know. Won’t you be back tonight… no I know that Gene wants to work on the latest song, but I’ve hardly seen you the last four days… I miss you…"

Moving closer, Ray ducked behind a panel of egg cartons to listen to Karen’s response after a long pause, "No Lover… we are putting in our own time. I KNOW what it’s like… but what do you MEAN IF we can pay the rent… lover… yes I know you have to go on shift… see me when you can… goodbye… love you…"

Karen hung up the phone with a sigh. Liz opened her mouth to say something, but Ray walked over and shook her head. Trish glanced up from her smoke and asked, "Trouble with the boyfriend?"

"I’m worried… Karen doesn’t talk much about her and Stanley, and I’m afraid they’re running low on money…" Ray whispered.

"WE could float them a loan," Liz said. "Or else she could move in here if they loose the apartment."

"You know Karen loves her love nest, are you nuts?" Trish shrugged.

"You weren’t listening to me were you?" Karen asked, folding her arms. Her friends glanced up, and flushed red.

"Who me, no, I was just going to take my cigs outside," Trish said, rushing to the window and climbing out. "C’mon Liz…"

"If you need help,” Liz said.

"Karen and I need to talk alone," Ray said. Liz nodded and followed Trish out on the fire escape.

"I couldn’t help but hear… but… well… you mentioned you needed a job," Ray said.

"It’s okay Ray. I know not to hide things from you," Karen shrugged.

"We’re your friends, we can help," Ray said. "If you need money…"

"I don’t want to borrow off you and Gene. You know Liz said something about ‘teach a man to fish and he can feed himself? I’ve been looking into extra jobs, and I think I know where to get one," Karen said. "You know those fans of ours, Steph and Shirl, well they said that the club they used to work at needs waitresses…"

"Wait a minute, you mean the Pussycat club?" Ray asked.

"Yes…"

"But they quit there to open their own club,’ Ray protested. "Why not ask you to work for them?"

"They said they didn’t have enough money to pay new people till they finished a few more jobs for the manager… and Ray, it will pay LOTS of money…"

"Karen if Stan finds out he’ll flip…"

"But we need the money…"

"There’s only one way you’ll do it. I’m going down there with you and I’m making DAMN sure you’re safe. In fact I’m going to apply as a waitress also…"

"But Ray…"

"No buts. We do it together or not at all," Ray said firmly.

"All right, if you say so," Karen smiled at her determined friend.

For almost a month Karen and Ray worked as waitresses at nights at the club, raking in large amounts of money. Step and Shirl were good to their word, making sure the girls were well treated, however, on the night that Shirl announced to the manager that Steph was sick, he was rather hard pressed.

"I need FOUR strippers for the masquerade tonight, and she’s SICK? Where the HELL will I get another girl who knows the steps like you and your sister?"

"I’ll find someone," said Shirl.

"Damn, you’d better," he mumbled. "The man ALWAYS want four dancers."
Ray heard her friend as she walked up, furious and flustered. "If I didn’t need the money for the club I’d fucking quit now," Shirl grumbled.

"Wait, you said that you needed another dancer?" Ray asked.

"Yes," she said. "Hey, would you consider?"

"Um me?" Ray asked.

"Yes, you dance really well! I’m sure you could learn it…"

"But if people recognize me…" Ray gasped.

"You can wear a mask for the masquerade number… and I think I have some gear that would fit you," she said.

"I’ve got some," Ray mumbled. "Underwear and garters that is…"

"But you need accessories… come with me… I’ll get you fixed up. Steph will LOVE you. And I promise we’ll canvas the hell out of our friends when our club gets off the ground…" she said.

"It’s for Steph…" said Ray.

"And you and Gene could use the money for your bands. You don’t have to tell him, you know," said Shirl. "C’mon. They AREN’T supposed to touch you. And you can just stay on the stage if you want. No lap dances if you’re not into that."

"All right," Ray nodded as she followed Shirl to the dressing room in back. She silently thanked the fact that she’d be masked.

***