By Starbearer TM

Raina limply lay her head against Gene's arm, lying there on the sofa. They had just caught a late night showing of Psycho, and settled down to watch it with popcorn and hot chocolate. He seemed strangely impressed she even wanted to see a horror movie after having lived an episode of her life that was drawn straight from the script of one of the best.

"Ray?" he nudged her. She lay there fast asleep. Gene debated about leaving her there or carrying her back to bed. Sighing, he gently slipped out from under her, and bent down on one knee to move his arms under her knees and back. With a grunt of effort he lifted up, and took her easily into his arms from his kneeling position.

"C'mon babe, let's get you to bed," he muttered, carrying her back the short distance to their bedroom. Their bedroom, he thought with an ironic smirk. What had seemed impossible a while ago was now a fact of everyday life for him. Granted he had a few encounters here or there on the back couch of a dressing room, or in a car or taxi with notable female conquests. However he knew she had her fun as well, with Maurice or perhaps others in the short time of their co-habitation.

Realities like that failed to diminish what they shared, Gene reflected. He sensed Ray understood this too, and wondered how long she would stay. He'd grown accustomed to her presence, sharing the small one bedroom apartment, their music and books crowded around them. It was a cozy nest, a refuge from the insanity of the world outside, where they could make love till the wee hours of the morning, or exchange song ideas in absolute privacy.

He set her on the double bed first, peeling aside the covers then shifting her under them. He pulled off her bathrobe first, and tossed it onto the pile of laundry to one side. Granted the bed took up half the room, but it was worthwhile, since he liked the comfort and ease it gave him when sleeping. Regardless of if it was alone or with a willing recipient, it had never been easy to find a comfortable bed smaller then this size. After all, he was a tall person, and he had to force the world to accommodate him, not the other way around. Making his own way by his wits, fierce determination, and heaven help those in his way.

Shedding his own robe he climbed in next to her, and snuggled up to her back. That sense of instinctive protectiveness of all things his extended to her now. He would fight to keep all that he had worked hard for, considering out of nothing all this came into being. He'd crafted his own world, in the image, he always wanted, and he knew it took effort to sustain it. Softly he kissed her ear, and let himself relax his guard a bit. Hopefully the monstrosity known as Mark wouldn't find her here in the darkness at his side.

He'd just drifted off to comfortable sleep when he felt her thrashing in the bed. His arms closed around her, his voice whispering fiercely in her ear," It's all right, I've got you..."

"I know, and I'm glad," she whispered back, turning over in his arms and clinging to him tightly.

"Mmm, that feels remarkably good right now, despite my better judgement," he moaned at the feel of her body pressed tightly against him. "It's making it difficult to resist..."

"Don't resist it," she whispered. "Please..."

"Are you sure? I don't want you to think I'm forcing you to..."

"Never Gene. Even your damned flirting, which seems cheap, dirty, and wonderfully decadent makes me feel desired. I want to forget. Please... make me forget... unless you'd rather get some sleep..."

"Sex first, sleep later," he laughed. She really was serious, she wanted him. Glad to oblige he reached under the pillow, past the magazines slipped there, to find what he wanted. Hands slipping over her breasts he began to explore them as if for the first time. Feeling her all over again in the darkness without light, with only the sound of her moans and his touch to guide him.

"What do you want to do?" he asked softly. "Are you adventurous, or are you wanting something closer to home baby? Hot dirty decadent sex, or sweet good time lovemaking?"

"A little of both," she answered, desire choking her throat. Surrounded by his love and protection, she passed the night with a sense of security she hoped would persist.

They awoke to a frantic knocking at the door, which startled them both. Gene shook off sleep and muttered, "Shut up..."

"Gene... don't you think we'd better get that?" Ray mumbled, rubbing her eyes.

"Who would it be this damn time of the freaking morning?" Gene growled.

"I still think we should get it..."

"Son of a bitch," Gene mumbled. Another series of knocks invaded the headache Gene already had developing, and he grudgingly threw off the covers in a huff. Muttering, "Wait here babe," he hauled himself out of bed and grabbed his bathrobe. Throwing it on, he crossed the living room to peer through the peephole and find out who was interrupting his Saturday morning tranquility.

"Gene man, are you THERE?" came a familiar voice. Grumbling Gene noticed Stanley outside the door, still wearing the clothes he had sported last night.

Sliding the draw chain, he opened the door a bit and muttered, "You have a DAMN idea of what's funny, coming around here THIS hour in the freaking morning, Eisen!"

"Gene, can you please let us in? Karen and I... we need a shower and... We've got noplace to go..."

"Say WHAT?" Gene asked. "Is Karen with you... what's going ON here?"

"She's fine..." Stan answered. "It's just that we tried her place, and nobody answers the freaking doorbell, and I can't take her home cause my parents and my sister is there... and well..."

"Ray!" Gene called.

Ray came stumbling out of bed and wandered over to the door, wiping her bleary eyes,

"What... who is it?"

"The lovebirds..." Gene said, then got a teasing glint in his eyes. "Should we let them in before they get busted?"

"Gene for God's sake let them in damn it!" Ray snapped at him. "Shit, what is your deal?"

"Well..." Gene got out, thinking his joke was just payment for being awakened at an early hour. Ray pushed past him, sliding the chain back and opening the door on Stan and a very nervous and exhausted looking Karen.

"Hon, I was worried SICK!" Ray said, grabbing her friend in a hug. Gene stood by the door as Stan walked in, and he slammed it quickly behind them, locking it.

"What, I'm sorry man..." Stan apologized. "I couldn't bring her home... and well.. was I supposed to break down the door when we couldn't get into her apartment..."

"Sweetie are you okay?" Gene asked Karen, as Ray released her from the hug. "You look like you two had a rough night..."

"We did, but it ended up okay," Stan blushed. "But I hope you don't mind us using the shower..."

"You need a change of clothes, Hun?" Ray asked Karen.

"That would be great," she answered, clad in a pair of long jeans and an oversized T-shirt.

"Ray, I NEED to talk to you, privately, when things settle down..."

"So where the HELL were you all damn night, kid?" Gene asked him. "You blew outta there so fast..."

"I had to take care of some business," Stan apologized. "Look Gene, I'm sorry again for waking you up but... isn't it better then reading our obituaries over your damn omelets and bacon?"

"Got a point Kid," Gene laughed. "Look, I'm just glad you two lovebirds are okay. But you COULD have called."

"I know, but really..."

Gene stroked his chin, regarding the two new arrivals. Silently Karen sat on the couch, putting her head in her hands. From her to Stanley he fixed his glance, as if examining some hidden fact they were not revealing. After a minute of silence, he said, "Ray, why don't you show Karen where the towels are, while Stan and me go get a paper and a cup of coffee.."

"Gene..." Stanley began. Ray rushed off toward the bedroom, vanishing momentarily.

"Stanley, you need a cup of coffee. You look like hell. And I need one too. Plus you know I always like the morning paper on Sundays.." Gene said, hunting around the apartment for something. He grabbed a pair of boots, and plunked down next to Karen on the sofa. She stared nervously at Stanley, who was leaning up against the wall, trying to be as cool and casual as possible. Yet, his shifting from foot to foot drove nervous vibrations throughout the room till Ray returned.

A pair of jeans hit Gene in the face, followed by a T-shirt and a wad of rolled up socks. In full view of everyone he tugged on the jeans and discarded his robe. Karen sighed, glancing up at Ray. Her friend leaned over with a stack of towels, saying, "C'mon, why don't we take a shower..."

"All right... but Stan..." Karen said, looking up to her significant other.

"Go on honey, I'll go with Gene and get some breakfast..." said Stan, leaning over to kiss her on the lips briefly, yet softly. Tugging on the t-shirt, Gene tucked it in and fastened his pants. One after the other he thrust his feet into his boots.

"Okay..." she nodded.

"Ready to go?" Gene asked Stan.

"Waiting for you," said Stan. "Love you Karen..."

"Love you too," she muttered, taking the towels from Ray and heading to the bathroom silently. A silent moment of pathos passed between the young lovers, observed by both Gene and Ray. For that moment, their own eyes met, and a strange understanding dawned.

"I'll be back soon sweets," Gene said to Ray, catching her in a brief kiss. "Keep the door locked..."

"Thank you," she mouthed, watching them leave, then closing the door behind them and locking both deadbolts.

"Orange juice and coffee please," Gene said to the server behind the counter. Miguel nodded and turned to pour him a cup.

"Tea, hot and strong," Stan said, holding up a hand before they brought the coffeepot over to him.

"What's wrong, kid? Can't handle real java?"

"It's rough on the stomach man..."

"Give him some anyway," Gene said. "It's a hell of a lot stronger, and it'll do you good..."

"If you're gonna say it'll put hair on my chest you'd better shaddup," Stanley said. "I've already GOT enough hair on my chest thank you."

"Hey, I just want you to be fully AWAKE for what I'm saying... you know I hate being ignored."

"Yeah right," Stanley muttered. "Fill me up Miguel... and gimme two eggs over easy with a side of bacon, and a couple bagels toasted, with cream cheese."

"Right away sir," he said, pouring a brown stream of steamy liquid into Stanley's cup.

"Thank you," he mumbled.

"Now, care to tell me what's been going on the last few hours? Did you get lucky, because obviously you showed up together?"

"What do you think?" Stanley asked him, sipping a draught of coffee. Hot steam hit him full in the face, granting him a moment of alertness he hadn't experienced since last night.

"Well if either of you had showed up on my doorstep alone I'd have known your little lovers spat meant the opposite of what obviously happened. So did you guys have fun or what?"

"Okay Gene, we had FUN, you happy?" Stanley asked. "We sneaked into the neighbor's house, had great sex, and sneaked out before they showed up. There!"

"Did you remember to wear a parachute?" Gene asked him.

"Gene, c'mon for CRYING out loud..." Stan started, interrupted by the clink of a plate set before him.

"It's a simple question. Did you or didn't you wear a raincoat before going out in the rain?"

"Gene..."

"You didn't... did you?" Gene asked slowly.

"Why are we suddenly talking about my private business..."

"Because, if the little lady ends up carrying Stanley JR because you didn't provide some protection it IS my business... because that could pretty much screw up any chance the lady has of..."

"Damnit don't you think I freaking KNOW that?" Stanley hissed.

"I know... so... wanna tell me what happened?

"Gene... you really piss me off sometimes..."

"Well you didn't have to show up on my doorstep," said Gene matter of fact. " You could have gone to mommy and daddy this morning... so obviously you wanted to tell me something..."

"Gene I brought Karen over so she could shower dammit..."

"Yeah, and you obviously stuck around long enough to give me that vibe that you've got something to get off your chest... and since I'm the obvious candidate..."

"Okay Gene I admit it. We slept together, and I freaking left my protection behind. I had no idea we'd be seeing each other and..."

"You didn't stop to ask me if I'd have any? Stanley you know I'd be MORE then happy to loan you a few if you'd just ASKED," Gene reprimanded him. "That's part of my job, remember?"

"But she said it was all right... and well..."

"Eisen, you dumb shit," Gene rolled his eyes. "If you're going to play like a man you gotta take responsibility like one."

"I will, I told her if she was pregnant that I'd help her take care of it!" Stanley whispered back.

"And how do you propose to do that? I mean you and I have got a good thing going here. We're this close to getting our dream band together, and you go and play dummy for one stupid night..."

"Don't you give a shit about Karen?" Stanley hissed.

"Don't YOU?" Gene countered. "I mean your irresponsibility could cost HER a career too. That's EXACTLY what I'm thinking about here. She's got a good thing going, and the last thing she needs is to be stuck with a love child now. And you know it!"

"I love her dammit, are you suggesting I just...."

"No, but I'm saying you have to THINK before you screw Stanley. You have to know WHAT you're getting into, and out of," Gene said, stabbing a piece of egg with his fork for emphasis.

"Do you EVER think before YOU screw, Gene?"

"Of course I do. Things like that sometimes need a little planning a little strategy," Gene said through a few chews of egg.

From inside the steam filled bathroom, Raina heard Karen calling her. She rushed in, asking, "Everything okay?"

"I need to talk to you... NOW."

"In the middle of a shower?" Raina asked.

"Yes, now!"

"Raina, I think I just did an unbelievably stupid thing."

"What?" Ray asked, "You look like you didn't sleep too well..."

"Yeah, I suppose. It's just that..." Karen's voice started over the rush of the shower, but faded into its roar.

"Where did you and Stan spend the night, the taxi?"

"I'm sure you've figured out that Stan and I are...well...pretty intertwined these days."

"Knowing each other in the biblical sense, yes?" Raina volunteered. "As Gene would say..."

"And as you'll notice, I no longer have my virgin ring" she called. "Could you hand me the shampoo?"

"Oh man, did you give it to him?" Ray asked, passing a bottle to her friend over the top of the curtain rod. "What's so stupid about that? You're wearing his class ring I see..."

Indeed as Karen reached over for the shampoo she saw the glint of gold on Karen's middle finger, clearly trying to keep it in place with her other pinned beside it. "Yeah, I did. Last night when we left the club, he just couldn't get past our show. He just kept going on and on about how I acted, what I wore, what the men did. It was NUTS."

"Oh GEEZ," Ray rolled her eyes.

"He gets jealous, Ray. I'm his first real girlfriend."

"As if HE has room to talk when they go nuts over HIM and Gene," Raina sighed, sitting down on the closed commode seat.

"And, anyway..." she hesitated. "We finally managed to talk our way through it for now, anyway."

"And..."

"I don't exactly think it's resolved, but I think he at least sees my side of it, even if he doesn't love it."

"Karen, he has to get over it."

"And he was just so sweet and so jealous and so cute and so...damn it"

"You have to be who YOU are... not dictated by his whims."

"I know that, Ray. I do, but on the other hand, it's incredibly sweet to have a guy jealous over me," said Karen. "Do you have any conditioner?"

"Here," Ray offered, passing her another bottle. "Yes... you're really stuck on him, aren't you?"

"Well, I'd better be," she said with some sarcasm.

"What's wrong?" Raina asked. "Did you guys have sex?"

"We...uhhh...decided to go someplace a bit more private. Stan's folks know this guy, he was on vacation, and let's just say, we went to feed his cats. And one thing led to another, and another, and another" she sighs.

Just then, the shower stopped with the squeak of the knob being turned. Water dripped into the tub, filling an eerie silence. Ray asked, "Oh no... You didn't FORGET did you?"

"Here's the thing. Stan didn't know for sure that he would see me tonight or that we'd DO anything so I forgot that I even HAD one."

"Shit... Karen you HAVE to be CAREFUL!" Ray said, shaking her head.

"The LAST thing you need is to be PREGNANT!"

"Ray, I know it was stupid, but I felt SO bad for him. He looked like he lost his puppy or something when he found out he didn't have one. And to be perfectly honest, I've never done it without...and I'm a little curious," Karen answered, poking her head around the shower curtain. She grabbed the towel hanging to the rack on one side.

"Karen, you KNOW it's important not to risk it... damn it..." Ray said, running a hand through her hair wildly as she leaned forward on the commode seat. She leapt up and turned around for a moment.

"The WORST part is, I told Stan it's a week until my period, but on the car on the way here, I think I might have miscalculated" she said, with a guilty look. She wrapped the towel around her wet body, and grabbed another for her hair.

"Karen, you need a doctor... And you NEED to get on BIRTH CONTROL," Ray said firmly. "Forget the catholic stuff."

"Ray, what am I going to DO? My God, I could be PREGNANT!" Karen's blue eyes fixed on her wildly as she stood in the tub.

"Get a test. That's the best way. I'll pay for the visit... if you want. I'll say you're my little sister and that you need a test..." Raina suggested pragmatically, turning around.

"Pregnant! Me! Damn it, it wasn't that long ago, I was a VIRGIN," Karen babbled, not listening to Ray.

"Now look at me. Karen don't panic. We don't know for sure. It was just one time right?"

"Raina, what am I going to do if I am pregnant? Stan and I barely make enough to afford dinner out once a week. HOW are we going to be able to afford a place to stay, and diapers, and formula, and clothes."

"Karen CALM DOWN!" Raina said firmly. "You don't KNOW if you're pregnant!"

"He wants this band to work SOOOO badly. What am I going to do if I'm pregnant? What will I DO? How can I look him in the face?" She closed her eyes for a minute and fought tears. "My mom got pregnant with me right away. As soon as she started trying."

"That's why you need to take a deep breath and find out for sure..."

"And one way to help prevent it... I have some douche in the bathroom..."

"I know but... look Ray, he told me he'd stay.... help me out, you know, but that's easy to say and hard to do. What if I make him choose between the band and me? That will kill him, and me," she said quietly, grabbing a hairbrush and violently pulling it through her curling locks. "I hardly even know the Eisens. I'm going to go over and announce I'm pregnant? What a f**cking nightmare."

"Karen stop it!" Ray snapped, grabbing her shoulders and whirling her friend around. "Haven't you heard a WORD I've said? Don't get hysterical. We don't KNOW yet if you ARE!"

"He says he loves me, but I'm s-s-s-so scared that he doesn't love me enough to stick around if I am," she sobbed, burying her head in Ray's shoulder.

"Karen, LISTEN to me. You don't know... Karen... please... just calm down..." Ray hugged her tightly. "I know you're scared and that's an honest feeling, but you have to be RATIONAL about this!"

"Ray, I don't have any money to go see a doctor or go on the pill. Stan says he'll help, but I don't know. Maybe this is my problem, and I need to be a damn adult for once and solve it."

"I've got a prescription for pills," Ray said, holding her out at arm's length.

"I can't take money from you" she whispers. "I can't.... take money from you. I'll.... talk to Stan. He'll see that you are paid for them. I promise."

"No you goose, I already have some," said Ray, turning to grab something out of the medicine cabinet. She handed a circular box to her friend, and said, "Here you go. You take mine... They should be fine for you."

She looked up at them. "But what if it's too late?"

"One crisis at a time." Ray said. "That's why as soon as we can we should get you to a doctor to get a pregnancy test..."

"I wonder how soon it would be before there were any signs?"

"Two weeks at least... Maybe more.'

"I mean, Ray, we didn't even attempt to pull out or anything. We just went for it," said Karen, sitting on the edge of the tub with a sigh.

"Karen," Ray sighed. "We can at least TRY to do what we can."

"Thank God you are so practical" Karen breathed, trying to catch her breath. "This is like a dream sometimes. This just is not ME, dealing with these issues. I just can't believe how different everything is."

"C'mon, I will show you where the douche is, and we can start with that..." said Ray, taking her hand and leading her out of the bathroom. "Now let's find you some clothes to wear..."

"It....it totally freaks me out to think that Stan and I could be parents right now. I mean," she said sadly. "We're just not ready. We're too damn young."

"I know... Karen..." Ray said firmly, taking her and leading her to the bedroom.

"Ray.... let me ask you something."

"What?" Ray asked, digging through a pile of shirts to find one that would fit her friend, and not be several sizes too big.

"Do you think I'd be a good mom?"

"I think you would," Ray said. "But don't jump to conclusions."

"That's easy for you to say" she grumbled. "I've got two damn weeks to stress over it."

"Karen, I'm not unsympathetic... Believe me I've faced the SAME thing," said Ray, tossing her a pair of jeans. "Gene and I... well back when we were first dating... We forgot one time... and well I was SCARED shitless I was pregnant..."

"So, YOU'VE done it too" she said, grabbing the jeans and slipping them on with a mock gleam in her eyes, 'I'm not the only bad girl"

"Yes." Ray admitted. "It was when I was with Gene... in another life.

"You think the boys are talking about this very thing?" she smiled, taking a pair of socks from Ray and sitting on the edge of the bed to slip them on.

"Likely," she laughed, and sat next to Karen. "Karen, you're like a sister to me. I want to help, but you have to think calmly now...."

"Awwww, damn, Ray, you mean everything to me too," Karen blushed, and reached over to hug her friend. They embraced, Ray patting her on the back.

"We have to take care of each other Karen." She said.

"But why do I have such a bad feeling about this?" Karen asked, moving out to arm's length.

"Karen, it will be okay I promise," Ray said, squeezing her hand. "If you are pregnant, we can take care of it."

"I think it's probably because for the first time in my life, I finally have a real, TANGIBLE threat to my success.... and Stan's," Karen said softly. "This baby comes, our dreams are over. And we're living in a one bedroom apartment with a screaming baby, and I'm having to tutor my unhappy husband/lover/whatever he ends up being because he hates school, but needs a damn job. All because of me..."

Rolling her eyes, Ray sighed, "Karen, stop it. Even if you are pregnant, you STILL can make your life whatever you want it to be... I said we'd take care of it, didn't I?"

"How, Ray? HOW? Have you thought about what would happen if I had to tell Stan I was pregnant? And even scarier is the thought of what he might do. Would he stay? Go? His parents don't even know we are sleeping together."

"Karen," Ray sighed. "Didn't I promise, we'd take care of each other? Maybe it's time they knew you were a couple at least."

She stopped her quiet crying for a minute, and said, "The only time I ever talk to them is on the phone."

"Karen, you need to take responsibility,' Ray said firmly.

At these words Karen blushed, "Why in God's name didn't I tell him no?"

"Because you were in love. But Karen, you can't let this stop you. You need to be strong and brave."

"We should have gone back to his house. He could have run in and pretended to have left his wallet in the house or something. It was just his damn sister. What's she going to do anyway?"

"Exactly," Ray nodded.

"We should have made sure there were condoms," Karen said, angrily.

"Very true. You NEED to take responsibility. You're a woman now. Not a girl with stars in her eyes."

"Stan's almost 20.... jeez.... if they found out he had condoms, then, oh well, right?"

"Hey... Some Jewish parents are very matter of fact about this." Raina pointed out. "I hate to stereotype, but Gene's mom seemed okay with me... after he explained WHAT was going on."

"You're right about one thing, Ray. I think it's time I meet them formally. Stan's just so nonchalant about this. It's almost like...I don't know," she said in frustration. "He says he loves me, but...."

"I think he does," Ray nodded, with a smile.

"Worst case scenario, Stan is 20 when we have the baby. That's not TOO bad, is it?"

"Karen, you're doing it again... You don't KNOW if you ARE pregnant!' Ray says exasperatedly.

"Shut up, right?" Karen threw up her hands. "I'm doing it again right?"

"You almost seem as if you WANT this to happen," said Ray, shaking her head.

"NO!" she barked, almost too strongly, pulling away as if she'd been stung.

"Oh really?"

"Don't say that. It's not TRUE!" she snapped, hands forming into fists.

"You're so bent on imagining this baby is already here... You're jumping WAY ahead. I think you almost want to start a family with Stan..."

"That's not it at ALL! I'm just trying to think of all the possibilities. Nothing more. Nothing less!" Karen protested.

"Then WHY all this stuff about 'the baby'" Raina asked calmly.

"Besides, the first thing he said when we were done was -- Did I just do a stupid thing? Doesn't exactly sound like a man who wants my baby."

"Well he should have freaking known better," Ray cut her off. "And I doubt Stanley would run out on you if you were. But if you aren't..."

She smiled slightly, "It was.... uhhh.... nice. I'll admit that."

"Karen, you see what I mean..." Ray asked. "Right?"

"Ray, can I ask you something weird?"

"What?" she asked.

"Last night...it was.... incredibly romantic and wonderful and passionate, and it just seems like...how do I say this...? Hell, I'll just blurt it out. It seems like Stan got a lot better since the last time...." she asked, in hesitation. "Do you think maybe he's cheated on me?"

"No. I think he was holding back before."

"Really? So, do you think that it's...umm...""What?"

"I wonder sometimes...I mean, you hear about guys and their appetites. He told me in the car on the way over that he could do that every night. And sometimes he sort of brings up how he wishes we could live together."

"Yeah," Ray nodded, with a knowing look. "Gene and I, well we have an understanding... If he wants to screw around fine. Same applies for me. You know I'm with Maurice sometimes right?"

"Uh, yeah, I figured it out," Karen said, giggling a bit.

"He's a nice guy... a little bit sentimental. But sweet.... And it's all just a little slap and tickle. But it's not the same as what I have with Gene."

"So, what he's like...you know..." Karen asked, shyly.

"Maurice?"

"No Gene... look, what I mean is, Ray, do you think that maybe Gene gave Stan some pointers?"

"I think that's more likely then him cheating on you. Gene loves bragging about how he is teaching Stanley everything he knows."

"What do you think about us living together? I mean.... if he brings it up again?" Karen asked.

"I think that's a good idea if you want it. At least you'll be together. And have your own place."

"Because with the band making some money now, and the restaurant, and Stan's job and band, maybe we could afford it," said Karen.

"I'd say go for it. It works for Gene and me. Besides you have 200 dollars, remember?"

"My...uh...friend's uncle owns a shop not far from their loft and it's got a small apartment over it."

"There you go," Raina nodded with a smile.

"And it just so happens that it's for rent, and well, she'll put in a good word for me."

"Good! You should."

"I'm just scared to tell him. Ask him. Scared to death," Karen sighed, folding her hands in her lap and looking down at her feet. "How should I do it? You're so smart, Ray. Give me an idea. What would his parents do? At that point, it's pretty darn obvious that we are messing around."

"Hmm... Romantic candlelight dinner..." Ray mused.

"Think I could kick the girls out of the apartment for the night?"

"Well, I have an idea, that involves a different place," Ray said. "If you're open to taking a risk..."

"I'm all ears," Karen smiled.

"Okay, what you do is this..." Raina whispered conspiratorially.