Disclaimer: KISS, Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley are actual persons. This is a work of FICTION, and is not meant to harm or demean. It is a fictional account of what things might have been like for a personal friend of Gene and a friend of Stan getting to know KISS in their formative years. Raina MacLaren, Karen Valentez, Trisha Malloy and Liz of Sweet Revenge are property of the author, Trynia Merin.

Karen and Stanley had continued to live together, enjoying the perks and pitfalls of life as a couple. Ray and Gene stopped by one night when invited to dinner at their place, finding two people bustling about and fussing and bothering over dinner.

Finally Karen pulled the bamboo screen to fence off the kitchen, and Ray shoed Stanley out so he could do what he really wanted when Gene was around, namely jam. For the last few days Stanley and Gene had begun to flesh out a core of new songs, unknown and unheard by the girls. Both guitars were out, and they swapped musical advice till Karen announced dinner was ready.

"This is the best damn meatloaf I've had in a while," Gene commented, as they sat clustered around the small kitchen table with both drop leaves extended.

"Can I have seconds?"

Karen served him another piece of meatloaf, and he reached for a second baked potato. Around them they noticed some of Stan's sketches decorating the brick walls, tie-dyed sheets tucked as makeshift curtains. Their guitars rested on stands in the music corner, where a desk was piled high with Stanley's music notes and Karen's lyrics.

Stan laughed, "Go ahead. She's both gorgeous AND a good cook".

"Aww thanks," Karen blushed.

"Gotta keep up my energy, songwriting and all," Gene joked.

"Honey, there are a few dishes of mom's you really ought to try. I'd bet you could do them justice," Stanley grinned.

"Like your mom's chicken soup?" Gene asked.

"Or the kosher beef ribs?" Ray joked.

"Just as long as I don't have to make ANYTHING with gefilte fish," Karen winced.

"But then again, she's old and she's a mom. She's had more PRACTICE," Stanley said, looking at Ray, hoping to see some sign that he's not in trouble.

She rolled her eyes at him.

"More milk, anyone?" Stan muttered, embarrassed.

"Fill me up,' Gene said, holding out his glass.

"Gene you're going to eat us out of house and home," Karen teased him.

"Better yours than ours!" Ray laughed. "Gene's just got a healthy appetite, right, love?"

"Mmm," Gene said, through a sip of milk. Stan choked on his milk at the mention of Gene's "appetite".

"Love are you okay?" Karen asked.

He winked at Gene. "I'm fine, sweetie."

Karen became thoughtful for a moment. Stan began, "So, anyway you all been hearing about this possible cab strike?"

"Oh god Stanley you didn't tell me," Karen gasped. She went pale.

"Uh, news to me," Gene said slowly.

"Now, honey, don't panic. I'm sure everything will be fine. And if it's not...there's always dad's place," Stanley held up his hand.

"Um you guys want Ray and me to clean up?" Gene asked.

"That's all we need!" Raina sputtered. "A damn cab strike while we're trying to fill seats at our performances."

Gene got up and started to collect his dishes to take to the sink. Ray looked at Gene for a moment and realized what he was saying.

"I need a smoke," Karen sighed. "Excuse me... I'll be out on the 'patio'..."

"Now, KAREN..." Stan protested. He looked at Gene with an irritated look, looking for commiseration. Karen grabbed her smokes from her purse and slid out the window.

"Suppose I ought to go out too" Stan muttered, getting up to follow her.

"You'll regret having that voice get lower, Hon," Gene said slowly. "Smoking's not the best habit to have... it's a filthy..."

"Gene, PLEASE! Can it." Ray hissed, stepping on his foot.

Karen slipped outside and sat on the fire escape. She lit up and inhaled a few puffs, feeling the evening air around her with its familiar noises. Behind her, the window was only slightly open, and she stared out into the forest of city lights. Stan came out behind her and shut the window. He sighed audibly and leaned against the foundation.

"You sure that's a good idea. I mean, we STILL don't know..." He began.

She inhaled again, letting a curl of smoke drift into the night. Across his chest, he had his arms folded.

"Well you can forget about worrying about it," she said slowly. "I didn't tell you..."

"What do you mean, forget about it? This is just as much my baby as it...."

"There is no baby." She said dully. Her announcement was met with silence.

"Oh..." Stanley finally said after five minutes staring into the sherbet sunset behind the forest of buildings.

"My period, I was right about it," she admitted. "I kept such good track of it... that I was right when it was safe to have sex..."

"So there was, and now there's not, or there never was?" he asked softly.

"There never was," she responded softly.

"Ahhhhhhhh..." Stanley sighed.

"I saw the doctor the other day... and told him about my cycles... and he said I was right on top of my body's rhythms..."

"If you're upset.... I'm sorry..." he began, not knowing what to say. She inhaled another drag, and exhaled a puff of smoke into the night.

"I... guess I wanted to have something... to bond us together," she said softly.

"A family..."

"I personally think we're already bonded together, Karen. Living together is a big step for me. I don't have to mention that I've never done this before."

Karen laughed sadly, "And there are all kinds of things I've never had to deal with."

"Not that I don't LOVE it here!" he said, panicking because he sounded like he was complaining. "And not that I don't love you."

"This is the best I've had in so long," she said softly. Blue eyes held a distance and an age that belied her young years. "I feel so... happy...'

He squatted down next to her, and said, "I'm happy TOO, honey, you have to believe that. It's just that, a baby NOW?" I don't know...."

Yet again she takes another puff of cigarette, and exhaled, "I agree. I was so scared... I'd hold you back... from your dreams."

"Karen, look. Nobody's going to do that. No one's going to hold me back. I'd just make a way. That's all," he said, pulling his hair nervously.

She turned to look at him, and sighed, "I'm glad... I just don't want to wake up 20 years from now, with you hating me for not letting you fulfil your dreams."

A small tear formed in her eye. He put his hand on her knee, and said, "Karen, it won't happen, OK? We both have our eyes open. We might be young, but we're not idiots. If we have some proverbial bridge to cross some day, then.... well...we'll deal with it then."

She stubbed out her smoke and let the butt drop to the street below. With shocked eyes he looked at her and asked, "Jeez, you're not looking to get MARRIED, are you?"

"No," she said. "There's no... rush... I guess..."

He started to speak, then stopped, before saying, "This is.... quite a shock, I have to admit."

She turned away to look at the city lights again. Softly she whispered, "I'm sorry I don't have a baby. It's almost like you're disappointed in me..."

"NO!" he snapped as he maneuvered before her to look her in the eye. "Then it's all coming out wrong, then, and that stinks because I'm supposed to be some damn song writer."

She sniffed and wiped away a tear, laughing sadly, "I'm sorry I'm not making sense... And I'm supposed to be a songwriter too..."

"Karen, this is not a bad thing. This is a good thing."

"I know it is... but why am I sad?" she asked.

"Because I'm not sure I'm ready for a baby. Wasn't too damn long ago, I hadn't even had a date before. It's just moving SO quickly, that's all," he admitted, rubbing her hand gently.

"I'm glad it's stopping," she said. "So we can catch our breath..."

"Kar, we can't afford it!" he pleaded.

"I know we can't."

"And like my dad says, there's plenty of time to do all the things we want to."

"Yes love, I know," she nodded sadly. "AT least now there's nothing to hold us back now..."

"So, why don't you look convinced?" he asked as he pulled away from her a bit.

"I don't know, it makes NO Sense," she started to cry. "I'm all messed up lately! I don't know what to feel sometimes..."

"Were you thinking that if you had my baby, I wouldn't be able to leave you some day?" he asked, turning around with his back to her. He folded his arms again and looked at the sky, growing dark with a few stars peaking through.

"NO!" she cried. "How can you possibly THINK TAHT?"

"Then why are you in such a hurry?" he asked firmly.

"I'm NOT! I thought YOU'D be disappointed we didn't have a baby... Considering how hard you've been working to be the breadwinner all of a sudden!"

'Hell...I guess I am, maybe a little. It would have been sort of fun to have a little guy who looks just like me, but DAMN, a baby, now?" he asked, whirling around on her.

"I guess I misinterpreted that... for you being ready to be a dad... and for that' I'm VERY sorry," she snapped sullenly. He closed his eyes in frustration and pounded his head lightly on the stair rail.

"Don't do that... please!" she begged.

"Sweetie..." he began, then stopped. "I would have been happy either way. I promise. No, I SWEAR. Either way it works out is fine with me. I'm not THRILLED with the idea right now, that's it, but if it happens and you get pregnant, I'll do my damn best to be father of the year."

"I love you so much," she whispered.

"Shit, Karen, look what happened with Julia. She's divorced and home with a kid already. I don't want that for us."

"I don't want that for you or me either!" she cried. "Stanley, I just want us to be happy... I guess I'm just scared... For the future..."

"And I love you so much, too, you've GOT to believe that. The future is...you're going to make it big.... I'm going to make it big..."

"I mean what happens when you and I become smash hits, and end up touring... separately?" she asked. "That's what I'm scared of."

"That I don't know" he says quietly. He reached down, pulled a cigarette from her case, and lit it. He was a VERY occasional smoker, but he needed something to fidget with. Karen pulled out another cigarette and lit it for herself. She started to watch the smoke curling from her cigarette again.

"If you're asking me if I think we can make it, then yeah, I think we can. Obviously, I wouldn't be investing this much in you...in US.... If I didn't think it might work," Stanley sighed. "It's not like I just make it a routine...third date, move in."

"No.. I know that." she shook her head.

"And it's weird for me, going against my parents like that. Can't say I've ever done that before." he kicked his toe on the patio a bit, and took a drag from his cigarette.

"I guess you know what it's like for me... it's a way of life for me..." she said.

"My mom actually started to cry. I felt like crap," he sighed, as he peered down from the edge to the street below.

"I'm sorry," she apologized.

"But you know what, I'd do it again in a heartbeat."

"Really?" she asked.

"Absolutely. I love it here. It's OURS. I've never been happier. The band's going places...my job doesn't stink TOO badly...I have the world's most beautiful girl to share my life with."

"I wish my parents would give a crap enough to cry about me moving out... instead of bitching and screaming that I'm going to the devil..." she sighed.

"Sometimes I wonder if they even WANTED me as a daughter..."

"I think you'd like my mom, love. Granted, she has her moments, but she'll DEFINITELY worry about you."

"Or if they just wanted a bunch of good little catholic soldiers to make THEM look better..." she continued, chin wobbling.

"Hell, she ALREADY worries about you!" he said as he crouched down to hug her.

"She does?" Karen asked, tears in her eyes.

"She already has asked me about five times if it's safe for you here alone while I'm at work."

"Aww god... she DOES care about me and she hardly KNOWS me?" she sniffed. He kissed her quietly as he discarded his ashes. She cried through the kiss, holding him tightly.

"Well, they've asked me all about you and I've told them," he whispered. "And as my dad says, if you're able to get me to move out, you must be special."

Karen continued to cry, her tears falling heavily now. He hugged her tightly, simply holding her. She sobbed into his shoulder, weeping. It was as if a dam broke and all her pent up emotions rushed out.

"Karen, I want to try to give you the family you want. I swear. It's just going to take time. That's all."

"You and Ray...and Gene... are like family," she whispered. "Already. You and the girls..."

"And besides, there are male/female bands. Who's to say we don't end up in the same one," he smiled.

She looked up at him, and managed a small smile. "Wouldn't Gene object to that?"

"Or who's to say, you don't open for us?" he grinned. "I'll even let you carry my bags. You can manage that, right, baby? My bags plus a child on each arm?"

"Sweet revenge opening for... Wicked..." she hesitated. "What IS the name of your band ANYWAY?"

"I've got a few ideas on that." he winked. "Give it time."

"You're not calling it Albatross I hope!" she winced.

"Thought about calling it F**Ck" he grinned widely.

"Stanley Eisen you are RIDICULOUS!" she groaned.

"Hmmm, not that's not it. I just like it so much" he grinned.

"Designing a logo for THAT?" she asked. "Will you have two stars for the censored letters?"

"And I like YOU so much!" he purred.

"Hey let's got an F**k concert girls!" she laughed.

"Nah, we'll be shocking. The full four letters for THIS band" he teased.

"How about SCREW?" she asked. "Nope that's five letters..."

"Hey, now I LIKE that sound of that...a F**CK concert. Will you be my first F**CK groupie?" he asked, as he licked his lips. Hugging her sides, she laughed hysterically.

"I'll be your groupie no matter WHAT you call your band... whether it's f**ck or screw or grind or SHIT or anything else!" she laughed.

"This is going to sound remarkably cheesy...." Stanley giggled.

"What?"

"But I swear to you, I will give this relationship my best effort. I won't run out on you on a whim. I want us to mean something. No matter what happens."

Karen fell silent for a moment, her blue eyes intently staring into his as she whispered, "I want us to mean something too... I want our love to last forever..."

"And I will ALWAYS love you" he said with emphasis.

"Forever and always," she whispered back.

"Yes," he nodded. Their eyes met, hands clasped in silent promise. Suddenly Stanley leapt up and jumped back.

"Ouch. Damn!" he yelped as he looked down at the ash burning low. Suddenly they heard the phone ringing through the night.

"Yikes!" she shrieked.

"Crappy cigarette!" he jumped. There was a knock on the window, and they saw Gene waving to them.

"No wonder I'm no good at this!" he muttered, shaking his hand.

"Who is it?" he mouthed to Gene. His friend pushed up the sash and hung his head out.

"Hey, Eisen Lovebirds, I don't know who gave Peter the number... but he's calling us..." Gene apologized.

Stanley grinned at Karen at the term Eisen Lovebirds. He asked, "So what's up Gene?"

"Mrs. Eisen, you finished out here?" he chuckled. She flushed and giggled.

"Some people have been calling him about guitar tryouts..." Gene said.

"Crap! He found some good ones? We really need to get moving on that."

"He says he got close to fifty people calling him up..." Gene nodded. "Not to mention I've been getting calls at the apartment..."

"We need to get them in then. We need to set up a time at the loft. Just let me know when and I'm there. Because I sure as hell don't want to play lead."

"All right," Gene nodded. "Also Ray and I are gonna leave soon... So you guys just carry on... we'll find our own way out..."

"Leaving so soon?" he smiled, and waved at Ray. She leaned her head out the window next to Gene. Karen grinned and lets Stan lift her over the window ledge. Gene helped her step into the apartment, and Stanley followed close behind.

"We're the perfect guests. Even cleaned up your kitchen. And NOW we're leaving you alone for a night of cheap, hot sex." Ray grinned. "Now that you two have NEW life."

"And DON'T forget this time," Gene reminded Karen.

"Right..." Karen laughed. Gene grinned and reached over to kiss Karen on the cheek. He put something into her hand, and she blushed when she saw it was a condom.

"I'll have you two KNOW that I am perfectly capable of protecting what's mine" Stan chuckled slightly.

"He does me proud," Gene joked to Ray. "Taught him everything I know..."

Karen laughed, "Now I'm scared!"

"Now, sweetie," Stan teased. "Do you really think there's anything this schmuck could teach ME?"

"I dunno," Karen laughed. Ray joined in.

"He's thrown down the gauntlet, love" she hooted.

"Just for that remark Stanley..." Gene pretended to threaten. Stan walked up behind Karen and put both arms around her.

"You'll do WHAT?" he teased.

"I'll write a song where you HAVE to play lead..." Gene shook his finger at Stan. "Because either I or Peter or the new guy will be SINGING."

"F**ck you" he laughed.

"No thanks. That's Ray's job..." Gene grinned. She wrapped her arms around Gene as well.

"And I'm not complaining about the overtime," she kissed him on the shoulder.

"Mmm," he laughed. "Well Stanley here can kiss my ass..."

"Now, baby, who would you rather hear sing? Me or some other guy?" Stan said to Karen.

"You of course..." she answered.

"The fans have spoken," he nodded.

"Besides, I think Ray would love the honor of kissing Gene's ass don't you?" she giggled.

"As a matter of fact, it's on my agenda tonight as a matter of fact," Ray smiled as she began to walk him backward toward the door.

"Gene, what's this about naming your band F**k?" Karen asked him.

"Shhhhhhhh, sweetie. It's not official yet," Stan shushed her.

Gene gave a questioning look, "Uh no offense Stanley, but I do think we need an ass kicking name that isn't censurable. After all, we need to have people REMEMBER us..."

"And they wouldn't remember a good F**CK?" Stanley asked. "Even though I LOVE that word... personally."

"Yeah... but unfortunately I was thinking of a light up sign," Gene said, rubbing his chin. "And having a big sign that says F**K" is a hell of a lot harder to make then one with letters you CAN have..."

"Just an idea. Nothing's coming to us, so I thought I'd play around with it a bit," Stanley said.

"Just think, I'd have an F and a K with two damn asterisks in the logo... That would look rather stupid, don't' you think, Hon?" Gene asked Ray.

"A light up SIGN?" Karen raised her eyebrows.

"Sorry, Stanley..." RAy said with an apologetic look.

"Hell, yeah, a light up sign. Bigger than life. Just to remind everyone who the heck we are. We'll burn our name in everyone's corneas," Gene said seriously. "Cause I was talking to some electricians today about rigging a light up sign..."

"Just need to find that name," Stanley sighed.

"And perhaps a pyro crew for some bangs and flashes..." Gene wondered.

"Perfect! Let's do it!" Stanley laughed."Nothing much at first... maybe a few candelabras onstage... and I have a little trick I've been learning involving Fire..." Gene winked. Karen looked flabbergasted at Gene.

Stan threw up his hands, 'Hey, fire is all yours, man. Keep me out of that."

"Fire?" Karen asked Gene, blue eyes wide. "Don't tell me you're going to set yourself on FIRE!"

"No honey, I'm gonna BREATHE it," Gene laughed.

"Gene, what the hell is this?" Ray asked, hands on her hips.

"Oh nothing," Gene grinned. Smugly.

"We need to discuss!" she said with annoyance. 'I will not have you burn yourself on a regular basis."

"Uh see you later Stanley," Gene laughed, shaking his friend's hand.

"Gene... I'm TALKING HERE!" Ray gritted.

"Honey, I've been taking LESSONS from a professional..." he said to Ray. Stan disentangled his arms from Karen, laughed and shook Gene's hand.

"Oh, SURE you have!" she glares and snorted. "And it's 100% safe, right?"

"Okay, you wanna demonstration?" Gene asked slowly.

"Uh... you're kidding, right?" Karen asked.

"No I'm serious," Gene said, rushing into the kitchen. Ray glared at him in a state of panic.

"Gene, don't be RIDICULOUS! Stop this right now!" she cried. Stan stepped back and pulled Karen with him.

"Knowing this nut, he's really going to do it" he told her. Gene grabbed a bottle of 151 that he found in the cabinet. He picked up Karen's cigarette lighter.

"Hey! That's expensive stuff!" Stan cried, but watched him in interest.

"Stan since WHEN did we start keeping THAT in the closet?" Karen asked. Ray was transfixed in horror. Sliding out the window, Gene climbed onto the fire escape.

Stan looked at Karen sheepishly, "Uhhhhhh..."

Gene took the bottle and swallowed some, filling his mouth. Taking the lighter he flicked the flame open and spat a cloud of liquor into the air. Ray raced toward the window. She screamed, "GOD!"

A stream of flame shot up into the night, not very far, but a good distance. Ray fell backwards onto the sofa with a shriek. Karen jumped back, grabbing Stanley's hand.

"WOW!" Stan yelled in appreciation. "That is SOOO rock and roll!"

Gene swallowed another mouthful, and tried again, this time getting the stream of flame LONGER then before. Karen rushed to help Ray up from the floor, both women glaring at Stanley muttering, "Even the f***cking Beatles couldn't do that."

Gene grinned and turned to face them, climbing back into the window. Ray backed away from him, as Karen joined Stanley again. Stan clapped loudly and smiled at him.

"Good show, chap!" he says, imitating John Lennon.

"I reckon this will bring those chaps in what?" Gene says in an English accent like Paul McCartney.

"You're going to get hurt!" Ray whimpered. "Damn, do you even know...."

"Honey it's okay... I learned from a firebreather in the circus..." Gene assured her.

"Only YOU, Gene, would know a fire breather," Ray muttered, still upset.

"Honey, please don't be mad," Gene begged.

She glared at him, in anger and worry, "You're a raving lunatic that's what you are."

"You already know that about me, sweets," Gene joked. "Have you ever known me to be SAFE when it comes to show biz?"

Stan hugged Karen tightly from behind, watching the show between Ray and Gene. Angrily she glared at him, grabbing the liquor and the lighter from him as she shouted, "There's a difference between being a wild man from hell onstage and frying yourself to a crisp over some ridiculous gag."

"Oh you mean like this?" Gene asks, putting his hand to his mouth. Karen noticed he had momentarily had it at his side where his pocket was. All of a sudden he bent over, and coughed. Ray looked at him angrily and shook her head.

"God, what now?" she demanded, her eyes widening as she came toward him. Hand clapped over his mouth, a small stream of blood dripped from his fingers. Stan grinned as he has seen Gene do this before. Gene made a very strange face and looks at Ray with blood dripping from his lips. She looked anxiously at Gene, then back at Stan. He let the blood drip down his shirt and pretended to cough more up till it runs down at a fair pace now.

"You are an absolute MORON!" she huffed as she rushed to the front door. Gene grabbed a napkin from the table and spit the rest out.

"Honey it was a JOKE!" he cried after her. He leapt before her and the door, blocking her exit. She looked at him with wild eyes.

"It's okay... it's just a SHOW!" he cried.

"OK, so that little bit was cute, sort of.... But Gene, FIRE?" she shouted.

"Honey... please... it's part of the act..." he said.

"We're going to own this town, ladies!" Stanley said with determination, "They've never seen anything like us before."

"I'll bet," Karen shook her head. "Blood spitting and FIREBREATHING?"

Ray closed her eyes in frustration, knowing her words will have no impact as she said, "Is this rock and roll, or the circus?"

"A little of BOTH," Gene laughed.

"And I suppose you're doing something ridiculous too?" Ray said, looking at Stanley.

"Are you going to paint on clown makeup next?" Karen asked with a laugh.

"Uh.... no....shaking my ass, I suppose," he gave her a lopsided grin. Gene looked sheepishly at Stan.

"Band secrets, ladies," Stan grinned. "You'll all know soon enough."

"They're a bunch of clowns," Karen giggled, shaking her head. Stan continued to cuddle Karen.

"I bet they're gonna paint on CLOWN makeup and go out there with kazoos and other stuff..." Karen teased. He bit her neck as she laughed.

"Bright red lipstick, funny pants... and floppy clown shoes!" Ray said sarcastically.

"Laugh now, girls. Wait in line for tickets later." Gene grinned.

"And besides, just because you're my main girl doesn't AUTOMATICALLY mean you get good seats. You've got to earn them, right Geno?"

"Exactly. We're gonna be the band we ALWAYS wanted to see..." he answered.

"If he's blowing fire, I'm not sure I WANT good seats," Ray muttered.

"And people are gonna CLAP," Gene nodded. "Hell they're gonna fall on their ASSES... Because we'll knock them FLAT!"

"And women are going to throw bras at us and crap like that," Stan smiled. Karen groaned. He cuddled her again and buried his nose in her shoulders.

"Kidding!" he whispered.

"So don't complain to me about guys throwing their numbers to me," she commented to him.

He winced, "Ouch. I'm still going to complain though..."

"Ray, sweetheart, please don't be mad at me," Gene pleaded. He gave her his best puppy dog eyes.

"Mad? Me. Nahhhh. I think I just added a new bit to MY act too. I'll play keyboard AND pour battery acid in my eyes!" she said sarcastically.

"Don't do that," he said. "You have such PRETTY eyes."

"Yeah, and don't WORRY. I learned it from a professional.... Mr. Battery Acid." She chuckled, beginning to soften.

"Hmm I learned from the great Amaze-O," he said. "Who really IS a circus performer..."

"That fits, because you never stop amazing the hell out of me!" she snapped.

"Have you ever known me NOT to amaze?" Gene asked with a smart-ass grin.

Stan gleefully watched them spar. He leaned down shortly to kiss Karen softly on her neck. Karen kissed his ear. Gene caught Ray before she can dodge around him to go out the door.

"I can tell you this much. The only thing you will be amazing tonight is the couch!" she said icily.

"Oh really?" he asked, then lowered his voice to a very low seductive tone.

"And what do I have to do, to convince you otherwise?"

She was trying very hard to be angry with him but fought the smile she cracked, "Tell me you're not going to take outrageous chances up there on stage, just to impress a bunch of drunken idiots."

"Hmm me?" he asked.

"Hey! Now our fans will be classy!" Stan protested. "With nice, lacy bras!"

"Oh YEAH!" Gene growled, in a very demonic like voice. Ray leaned over to the couch, grabbed a pillow and flipped it at Stan. He laughed and moved Karen out of the way. Gene grabbed Ray by the sides and began to tickle her, dragging her onto the couch.

"Leave already, you two, so we can screw!" he chuckled. "Or...if you don't want to...at least crank up the TV so you can't hear Karen scream."

"C'mon can you be angry at me when I do this?" Gene asked Ray, flicking his tongue down Ray's neck.

"Oh PLEASE!" Ray burst out laughing, unable to contain herself.

"Gene what IS the deal with that tongue of yours?" Karen asked him. "Are you part SNAKE?"

"The COUCH, I say!" Ray sputtered, laughing.

"This couch good enough for you?" he growled in her ear.

"And NOTHING can change my mind" she shrieked. Gene flicked his tongue at her and pinned her under him on the sofa.

"It's all yours, guys" Stanley grinned. "And hey, not to be gross or anything, but.... Uh.... There are towels in the bathroom.... Don't mess up my couch!"

"Get AWAY!" Ray laughed as she struggles with him.

"No worries I'm an expert," Gene winked at Stan.

"Come on, Karen!" Stan tugged her toward the bedroom. "Let's let these idiots make up."

Oblivious to them Gene leaned over ray and kissed her passionately. Stan made a quick trip over to the kitchen and grabbed the 151 bottle from the counter. With a wink at Karen, he dragged her and the bottle into the bedroom.

"Have FUN kids!" she laughed.

"Night, guys!" Stan whispered. "If you want, that folds out into a bed...I think....""Hmm," Gene grinned. "Sounds VERY appealing..."

Ray was still laughing, trying hard to appear angry. She teased, "I'll keep Gene here for the night. I'll just head on home!"

Gene kissed her neck, and drew his tongue down her ear. Playfully he growled, "You're going NOWHERE little girl... Unless I take you there..."

"If you think you can scare me into sex," she grinned at him with wicked eyes. "You are dead wrong, fire boy!"

"Umm not scare you... SEDUCE you..." he hummed. "With the devilishly decadent part of me..."

"Uh-oh. Seduction. That's more potent than horror any day."

"Hmm isn't it?" he winked.

"I'm just BAD for you, aren't I? Corrupting a good little girl like you?"

"Kiss me, you idiot!" she teased, her eyes beginning to grow wide with lust.

"Hmmm," he laughed, lying across her.

Despite the fact they had a recording contract, Ray still felt in a foul mood when they had left the studio that day. Yes, everything had gone well those last few weeks, but she had the distinct feeling everyone was forgetting something very important. Something that was her fault for not dropping hints about, but was something they should know.

Liz and Trish had left in a hurry, saying little. Leaving her only with Karen to poke her and prod her, asking what was wrong. Ray had said little, morosely collecting her things before Karen suggested they go for dinner.

Ray's call to Gene was fruitless, and soured her mood even more. By the time, Karen announced Stanley was also otherwise occupied, Ray's demeanor was downright poor. Finally Karen had grabbed her and tugged her out of the lobby, brooding over a can of Tab and a Hershey bar, saying she had a surprise that Ray might like.

"Nothing you could possibly have could make me feel better," Ray complained.

"Oh come on, I have something you'd REALLY like. The thing is you have to put on this blindfold..."

"Karen come on," Ray groaned.

"Oh, don't' worry. You'll find out soon enough," Karen grinned. "C'mon what have you got to lose?

"Nothing I guess, but a certain gentleman friend of mine is going to lose something when I get hold of him," Ray muttered. She reluctantly let Karen tie the colorful scarf over her eyes with a few playful tugs.

"Now, come with me... and no peeking..." Karen laughed.

"I'm doomed," Ray sighed.

Thirty minutes later in a lurching car Ray felt her stomach left behind. Twists, turns, and honking horns told her Karen was violating every traffic law posted. She worried that she'd soon hear a siren, but was surprised when Karen actually continued uninterrupted to wherever they were headed. Anxiously she pulled at her scarf.

"Hold on a minute. You're almost free!" Karen giggled as Ray felt the vehicle pull to the side.

"Wait... what is going on..." Ray asked suspiciously, hearing a familiar engine and set of sounds filtering in. "I'm getting a rash from this scarf!"

"Shhhhhhhh!" she whispered. "Not so damn loud. You think I'm ALLOWED to be driving this damn cab."

"Hang on.... HANG ON... you DIDN'T use Stan's cab did you?" she asked. Ray heard the door shut and Karen walking around outside.

"Karen Valentine, you DIDN'T use Stanley's cab did you?" Ray repeated, when she heard the click of the door opening on her side of the vehicle. Reaching up with her one hand, she fingered the hanging items dangling from the rear view mirror. Feeling their shape she knew it was true. Fuzzy dice confirmed it was Stanley's cab indeed.

Karen's hand closed on her arm, and tugged. A voice laughed, "Busted. Luckily, we weren't pulled over. I don't exactly have a cabby license."

"Karen you are NUTS!" Ray groaned. "I hope you have a good reason for this!"

"Ah, what are they going to do to us anyway? Stan hates this job. Wouldn't be any big loss," she shrugged as she pulled Ray out of the cab.

"Well, I don't know... they could make YOU drive it," Ray joked.

"Bite your TONGUE!" she laughed as she lead Ray along. Pavement clicked under her heels, and Ray heard the sounds of traffic beeping and swooshing all around them. It wasn't far till she stumbled over what must be a door threshold.

"OOPS... you didn't say there were STAIRS!" Ray complained almost tripping on the first step.

"Hang on, you'll have your answer in a minute!" Karen urged, tugging her up the flight of stairs. They reached what must be a landing, for Karen spun her playfully around and around to disorient her.

"HEY!" Ray complained. "I don't want to LOOSE my lunch thank you!"

"Oh calm down! We're almost there!" she whispers as she reached the door.

"Where is there?" Ray complained. She heard what sounded like a door being opened and felt Karen push her from behind into an open space.

Suddenly she heard Karen shout "Surprise!" as the strains of guitars burst around her with throbbing drum beats. An unfamiliar tune assaulted her ears, sung by a familiar voice as she was dragged into the pulsing rock beat.

"I know a thing or two about her! I know she'll always make me CRYYY YY!"

"What the hell!" Ray cried.

Karen laughed loudly and clapped her hands. Other people slugged Ray on the back and handed her off up toward the source of the sound and the singing. The music numbed and permeated her being, raucous and primal with its energy. Unlike anything, she had heard since the New York Dolls.

"Is that," she asked, hearing a strong baseline. Still the scarf hid her eyes, and she pulled at it in frustration.

"Just watch!" Karen cried from down below.

"I can't SEE!" Ray shrieked. "What the hell kind of knot did you tie in this thing?"

"I know someone who doesn't mind taking care of that!" she laughed. Ray felt strong arms lifting her up and setting her on what seemed like a raised surface.

Suddenly she felt footsteps pounding over in her direction, the strong baseline right beside her as someone pressed a greasy soft kiss to her cheek, and tugged at the blindfold.

"Happy birthday, love!" someone growled into her ear. Instantly the blindfold fell away, revealing a figure towering over her. Patches of black and white gleamed in a cloud of long frizzy hair, gleaming leather and the light shimmering on a Gibson Grabber bass she had seen in a very familiar place.

"Oh my GOD!" she gasped. "What... what IS this?"

Glancing down the stage in shock, she saw someone leaping up on platform boots, his black jeans encasing shapely legs. Black curls he flicked out of his face, and she realized one of his eyes was lost in a half mask of black as he continued to sing. Further downstage she saw another guitarist, long brown hair hanging over a face flushed with silver, his hair streaked with silver paint. A tight bodysuit of leather and jeans covered his body, and he was slender and tall. Behind her, she heard the pounding drumbeats as s feline figure kept pounding time in an odd rhythm that was hardly rock, but more jazz. A spiderweb throw hung over behind him, flashing lights blaring shortly in her face.

In the light of a candelabra she saw the first figure lick his lips and lean over her, his fingers stopping inches from touching her face. He bent on one knee, dark patches of midnight framing a pair of eyes that gleamed with a devilish mischief.

"Good god, what is this..." she laughed, recognizing the amber eyes, which looked far darker. He wore a black peasant blouse, laced up in front with tall laceup boots that must be at least a five-inch heel, complete with tight leather pants that showed many contours. Her heart pounded, seeing his neck encased in a spiked collar.

"It's KISS!" he laughed, leaning over and putting his face right into hers.

"Your band... oh you damn STINKERS!" she laughed. She recognized the middle figure as Stanley, strutting onstage, with his guitar in hand, and a new guy with silver on his face playing lead.

"I saiddddd HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" he grinned evilly at her and motioned her to sit on the stage. She almost fainted to see Gene in that bizarre makeup, his hair pulled up into a topknot.

He turned his back to her, and kicked into a strong baseline. She sat down on the edge of the stage, staring up at them. She noticed him mimicking a monster's movements, acting very brooding. He turned to her at one point during the song and glared at her with hazel eyes. Ray gasped as he stared at her with an almost demonic stare.

Stanley pursed his lips, in a pouting motion and lifted his legs as he shook his backside. Karen smiles widely, biting on her finger. From beside her, Trish tipped her beer and whooped, "HOLEE SHIT! He's HOTTER THEN HELL!"

Decked in black jeans, and a leather jacket, Stanley flicked his hair out of his face and held his guitar up to strum it. Then leaping again he held the guitar out before him like a flat plate, landing again on platform boots similar to Gene's. Karen looked momentarily at Trish, then back at Stan. A flutter of annoyance crossed her face.

"Hey BABY! Gimme some BUTT!" she shrieked. "STRUT that ASS!"

"Trish!" Karen cried. She gaped in horror as Trish reached under her shirt and undid her bra. It fell out into her hands. Whooping she whirled it around her head like a sling and hurled it onstage in Stanley's direction. Unfortunately, it landed right next to the boot of the lead guitarist.

Pursing black painted lips he leaned down, snagged it with the headstock of his guitar, and playfully pointed at it. Trish rolled her eyes and shook her head. He winked and began to play a raucous solo that knocked her over with shock. It had the raw vibrancy of Jimmy Hendrix, and the liquid feel of something mercury and magical.

"Shit, he can rip that thing," she muttered, sipping back more beer.

Karen elbowed her sharply, "Trish! What the hell are you doing?"

"Oh Shit, wrong guitarist!" she cursed. Then the man in the silver paint strode over, dropped on one knee and played to Trish, winking at her with the thumbs up.

"Wrong guitarist? And just what the HELL...." Karen began, then noticed Stanley dancing over to her. Stanley leaned over, and blew her a kiss. She smiled seductively at him, deciding to teach Trish a lesson.

"All right people!" he broke in over the song. "We've got an intimate group here tonight, but it's all for a lovely lady here! Hell we have a bunch of GOOD LOOKIN girls here!"

Karen shivered as his dark eyes fixed on hers. She noticed him slipping his hands under his head to scratch his hair as he often did, but this time it seemed a bit erotic. Especially when she noticed the shape of his makeup as he lifted his hair up for a moment. It hit her that each makeup was distinct and different, although they all seemed coordinated in black and metallic silver. That metal studded choker around Stan's neck framed his whiteface and black perfectly.

"And on behalf of your lovely ladies, we got a SONG for ya!" he shouted. A drum pulse punctuated a slow teasing guitar line, and a solid lead combined with rhythm.

"She walks in moonlight..." Stan began to sing. Karen giggled as she recognized a familiar tune, played out not in flutes and organ, but in solid three lines. It was stripped down, primal and oh so much better then before, she had to admit.

Stanley leaned over and out to the stage. He lifted his guitar and held it before him, pointing RIGHT to Karen. The shape of the star graced his right eye, framing his dark eyes. The left seemed lost in the white makeup, both gleaming at her intently.

"I love it!" she mouthed to him. "I love you"

She cast Trish a sideways glance to see if she was noticing. He tossed Karen a smile, and then slipped back into character. Karen continued to give him direct eye contact, swaying to the music. Trish paid more attention to the lead guitarist in his tight bodysuit. She pulled a small notebook from her purse and periodically made notes on the show. He continued to give her the eye.

Meanwhile, Gene continued to prowl all areas of the stage. Ray giggled to see Gene's high platform boots. As he walked by the candelabra, it cast upon his face an eerie glow. He glared at her and licked his lips hungrily. She gasped.

"Mine," he mouthed mischievously, hunger in his eyes. He stalked away. She realized she matched him in some strange way, wearing her leather ensemble, of jacket and short skirt with high boots. Her top was a lace-up bodice; sleeveless and held together with the leather thong that laced up the front.

She noticed Gene walk over to the new guitarist and interact with him. He leaned his neck back and Gene licked his long tongue down it. It looked so silly and out of place, she giggled.

Trish whooped and blew a kiss to Stanley, who was looking in her direction now. Karen noticed her and glared. Glancing back, she noticed two men she had not seen before. Leaning over she grabbed Lydia as she moved closer and asked, "Who are those two?"

"That well dressed guy is Bill. He's the new manager. Pete mentioned they just meet him recently. And that other guy is a record producer... some guy named Neil..." Lydia shouted over the music. She grabbed her camera and snapped a picture.

At least ten or more people were crammed into the small space, whooping and clapping to the music. Karen felt her jealousy bubbling up within the pit of her stomach. She didn't want to disrupt the show but she felt herself getting more and more annoyed.

"All right People!" Stanley shouted, as She clattered to a halt. "I bet your wondering just WHY we're here tonight?"

Karen smiled at him and shivered. Loud for the small room, it reverberated with a force and power that shivered her desire. It finally dawned on her how much talent was packed into that performance before her, oozing into a charisma that she could not resist.

"Well we've got some lovely looking GIRLS in this place tonight..." he continued. "And one of them has a BIRTHDAY... So I was thinking there's a very special SONG WE can sing for this very special lady..."

Gene made a loud growling hoot and clapped his hands together, arms extended over his head. Ray blushed. Stanley winked at her and laughed, "So we're gonna make this one fast..."

Leaning over to the drum set, he grabbed a party hat and put it on his head. He swung round with a white box, which he shoved into the hands of the lead guitarist. Reaching in he lifted out the flat sheet cake and shook his head, "Aww what's THIS... it isn't LIT?"

The lead guitarist shook his head, as Gene folded his arms across his chest and scowled. Stanley put on an exaggerated pout and scolded, "Well we can't have that can we people? I think we're gonna need to get it lit, don't you? So we'll turn this one over to our FIRE expert..."

Karen backed away from the stage a bit, still in awe of him. Gene stalked over to the cake and grabbed it. Ray was amazed how well they moved in the platform boots. He placed it on a stool and walked away. Going to the side of the stage for a moment, he had his back to the audience. As he returned, he moved along the edge of the stage and went down the line, glowering at each individual present.

Stanley started to play a tension filled chord, while Peter played a drumroll. Twitching and jerking, Gene turned his head. Paul motioned to Ace. Suddenly Gene stopped playing with the crowd, and a far away angry look came to his eyes. The lead guitarist started to doodle a whining line that mirrored the strange impatient mood. Gene swung his head very mechanically and slowly fixed his glare on Ray. On long legs, he stalked toward her, his gaze maniacal and primal. Almost to her, he then wheeled around and grabbed the cake. She froze still, wondering WHAT he was going to do. In his other hand, he took a small torch from Stan.

"Oh my god..." Trish slurred. "He's a freaking PYRO!"

Gene turned back to the audience, commanding them silently to cheer for him.

"Clap your hands people!" Paul commanded. Peter continued his drum roll, while Ace played a sustained chord. Karen began to clap her hands in hopes that the rest will join. They did, adding their voices to the tension. Everyone chanted Ray's name. Gene turned his glare to Ray again, placed the cake on the stool, and stood back. Bending down on one knee, he blew a line of fire at the cake. She shrieked, and almost fell backwards. Instead she swung to the side and lay flat on her back, legs in the air in surprise.

"Get some WATER!" someone shouted. Stanley grabbed a bucket and hurled its contents onto Ray and the audience.

"Holy SHIT!" Trish cried.

Confetti splashed in a multicolored rain over Ray and the entire audience. In shock, she lay there, legs up in the air as Gene waved the birthday cake near her.

"Call out the FIREHOUSE!" Stanley joked, exchanging his party hat for a fireman's hat. Peter clanged a bell offstage, and cranked an old fashioned siren. Flickering lights pulsed and a loud siren split the small room.

"She'll adore you, and she'll floor you, with her wisdom and her vision..." Stanley began to sing. Gene smiled slightly and returned to the back of the stage where he extinguished the torch.

"And the quicker, she gets sicker... she'll remove your hesitation!" Gene sung directly to Ray, leaning over her. As he was playing, he broke character for just a moment, just for her.

He grinned devilishly and again said, "Mine", licking his lips. Extending her a hand, a grin spread on his face that he couldn't help. She felt him draw her up beside him for a brief moment. Karen began to smile at Stan again.

"Get the FIREHOUSE!" they all sang together, whooping after the refrain.

"OOOH YEAH!" Trish yelled to Stanley, trying to grip his boot.

"Oh my GOD!" Karen muttered to herself, rolling her eyes, as she began to move closer. Noticing the grabby Trish, Stanley suddenly LEAPT over her hand. His legs spread WIDE as he jumped then landed without fumbling.

Beginning to lose her good mood, Karen struggled not to ruin the show. Although she personally wanted to throttle Trish and drag her back, she was glad when Trish fell backwards off balance. Stanley belted out the chorus, leaning over to peer DIRECTLY at Karen.

He seranaded RIGHT at her, "The FLAMES ARE GETTING HIGHER!"

Karen crossed her arms, beginning to show a look of irritation. Dark eyes fixed on her, he opened his mouth, and she saw something on his tongue. It was a guitar pick. She began to smile slightly as she regards him with blue eyes, and invited him to go further. He leaned over WAY over... his tongue extended to her. She came closer to him, licking her lips in anticipation. On one knee his on the EDGE of the stage. She moved even more close, but suddenly felt herself shying away. Almost as if he was already a rock star. He beckoned with his finger at her. She bit her lip, the way she knew he liked, and moved forward a bit. As far as he could, he leaned over the stage to her. Teasing him slightly, she enjoyed the fact that Trish must be watching.

She smiled lustfully at him, and came closer. He pouted, closing his mouth for a moment and motioned right before him. Her eyes grew dark as she regarded him with amusement. Heart pounding she moved where he asked. Then he pointed for her to stop right at the edge of the stage. He pursed his lips in an exaggerated fashion, reaching out one hand toward her. She raised an eyebrow teasingly at him, refusing to move, then slowly took a step forward. Stanley's hand just managed to seize her chin.

She was transfixed by him...utterly amazed. Leaning down, he looked DEEP into her eyes with his. She moaned slightly at his touch, and licked her lips again.

Opening his mouth, he traced her lips with his tongue. She threw her head back and closed her eyes, feeling the room spin, as if no one else was there.

"Stanley," she whispered, reeling. He transferred something from his tongue to hers, kissing her FULL on the lips for a second.

Then he backed away from her, whispering, "It's Paul, love..."Her eyes flew open, wide and blue, and she backs away, almost stumbling. On her tongue was the guitar pick. She took the guitar pick out and twirled it in her fingers. He continued to sing the song till he finished.

"Oh...God...." she whispered to herself. Trish still lay on the floor, and Liz helped her up. Karen backed up a bit, looking around her, suddenly thinking that everyone must be looking at her. She made eye contact with Bill Aucoin and smiled nervously.

"How's EVERYBODY FEEL?" Paul yelled into the mike. "Do you feel GOOD?"

Bill smiled at her politely. She looked over at Ray, blushed a bit, and rolls her eyes. Bill nodded and whispered, "I take it you know the birthday girl?"

"All RIGHT people... who wants to hear ONE MORE SONG?"

Karen cheered loudly for Paul, and turned to Bill. Proudly she announced, "She's my best friend and band mate! Sweet Revenge."

"I heard you ladies have been recording some songs," he said.

"Yes, we're just about ready to go into the studio. We've got some great material," she nodded. "Actually if we can kick the boys off, we'll play you some! I mean, they have to rest SOMETIME, right?"

"Gene's mentioned you a number of times... too bad you didn't try Casablanca," asked Bill.

"At this point, it's only a one record deal, so who knows?" she winked.

"Well yes," he laughed. "But they'd kill me if I didn't let them play this next one..."

They heard a soft guitar rift that sounds VERY familiar. Ray's ear pricked up.

"You.....ummmm.....pretty interested in them?" Karen asked Bill.

"Let's just say, and it's between us... but Neil here... he's ready to offer these guys a deal... if he can convince them to take off the makeup... Neil's from Casablanca..."

Karen glanced quickly over at Neil, then back at Stan. She said, "I don't know. They're pretty hard headed."

Neil clapped a bit and looked up at the band. Ray was floored when she recognized the melody she had helped Gene write so long ago. As he played it, he turned slightly to wink at her, then inclined in a slight bow. Her jaw dropped.

"HIT IT!" Stanley shouted, and the song kicked into high gear.

Gene began stalking the stage again, moving to the other side, stopping momentarily to flick with his tongue at the very drunk Trish. Ace's fingers flew over the guitar like magic. Trish groaned and reeled, pulling up her shirt to flash her boobs at him. Ace scoots over and his jaw dropped as he feasted his eyes on the sight before him. Gene licked his lips as she flashed and moved along. He stopped midway back toward Ray and flicked his tongue evilly at Bill and Neil, then continued over to play with Ray again.

Ray looked up at Gene, transfixed. She had noticed how wild he has become, going from one end of the stage to the next. On the edge of the stage, she sat frozen in place by his performance. He spun at one point, back to the stage, to nod his head to the beat for Peter. Peter clicks his sticks and continues. Then wheeled back around and looked at her again. Her gaze met his. Eyes darkened with desire. She licked her lips at him. He glared at her, then breaks into a small evil smile.

"Mine. Want it..." he hissed. She started to spread apart her jacket, and bare her shoulders. Karen noticed and grinned at Stan. She wore a bustier top, lace-up under the jacket. Slowly she undid the top lace and stopped. He heaved his tongue out at her, panting. She licked her finger and stroked it over her bare arm. A loud chord sounded in answer from his bass.

He turned his back to the audience, but so that she can see. Ace dropped to his knees, rattling off a guitar solo toward the end of Black Diamond. Gene chuckled and said, "Tease", then put back his brooding face.

She grinned and mouthed, "I believe your song is almost over."

Karen approached the stage again as she is drawn to Stan. On his knees, Ace played his heart out to the two women watching him intently. Both eyes were shut, head thrown back in a contortion of silent meditation amidst the noise.

Gene reached to the bottom of his bass and pulled out a pick. The last chords banged out, and Peter slammed the drums. Letting it fly through the air, it landed on Ray's chest. She gasped, and he wheeled and began to stalk the other side.

Karen screamed as loud as she could, hoping to impress Bill and Neil for Stan. The final chords ended up in a tense frenzy of release, clattering to a halt with a low rumbling slowness. Eerily it wound down, like a music box coming to a halt after someone forgot to wind it again. Lights faded to black and silence amidst cheers and hoots.

Bill clapped hard. Neil shrugged and raised his eyebrows to Karen. Trish screamed and Liz cheered, along with Peter's brother, Lydia, Max, and Maurice.

The stage is plunged in darkness. Karen began to chant, "KISS, KISS, KISS"

Trish joined in, drunk. Stan had asked her to appear wild for the group in order to impress, but she needed no promoting.

Ray screamed for Gene, hooting and hollering. The lights flared on again, and the guys were still there. Karen ran over to Ray and hugged her as she slipped down from the stage.

"Thank you people! GOOD NIGHT AND Let's PARTY!" Stanley yelled.