Simple Type

Part 2

By Starbearer TM

Disclaimer: I don't own KISS, and Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons are real people. This is a work of Fiction, written as a tribute to these great guys who are a rock and roll legend, based on some facts mentioned in KISSTORY and KISS and Makeup by Gene Simmons. Raina MacLaren, Karen Valentez and the idea of Sweet Revenge are both fictional characters property of Trynia Merin.

***********

Slowly Ray turned over, and it dawned on her where she was. Alongside a man who was not Mark, but a face she had dreamed about much over the past year. It startled her and gladdened me, but there were things that made her nervous, and this was one. Reality would soon assert itself, and Mark would be waiting Sunday Night. But just what mood would depend upon Ray.

There were things Gene was better off not knowing, and Mark was one of them. Ray felt cheap and guilty as she rose from the bed, and saw him laying there so peacefully, the ghost of a smile on his face as he had held me to him. It was that same safe warm feeling she had not known for so long, wrapped in a man's arms as if she was wanted.

If she were to tell him about living with Mark, would he hate her? Throw me out? Think that she was using him? How had things gotten so complicated, she asked herself with a sigh? Quickly Ray glanced around the room making a survey of Gene's things. Opening up the closet Ray found a number of button up shirts, so she took the more well worn looking one he wouldn't miss, and put it on as a sort of makeshift bathrobe. It fit her easily, the tails hanging to her mid thighs. Thank God for larger men, she joked.

At the next thought she flinched. There were some things that she didn't want to consider, and explaining this to Mark was not something she looked forward to. Would she catch him in a good mood, home from a weekend conference with the other Lodge members? Who knows what they did? Every night of the week there was something going on lately... and of course the later it got, the later she would have to make sure dinner was out on the table, even after a long day of work for both of them.

Some nights he was so tired when he came home grading papers, he would literally eat, mumble and go to bed. Without so much as a quick peck to the cheek. she slipped out of Gene's room, leaving him fast asleep, and tiptoed past the sofa where two blanketed figures cuddled together. Karen wore an oversized T-shirt, with a few iron-on patches, while Stanley pillowed her head on his bared chest. Gasping she noticed the profuseness of dark silky hair covering well defined pecs, and it dawned on her how handsome he looked asleep. Memories of that special week raced back from so long ago... well, such thoughts were dangerous, she scolded herself.  People could get hurt for having such thoughts.

The insanity of Mark came to her mind when she turned on the shower, and rid herself of the shirt. She hoped Gene wouldn't notice the bruises on her neck. she mean it was her fault, and had nothing to do with him. Nobody must know what a bad girl she had been. How she probably asked for it sneaking out. And because of what she was doing now, she didn't even want to consider the consequences.

Seeing Gene was worth it. Worth any price. Even if she would hurt him with her secrets, she would not trade those hours in his arms. Fresh towels were present on the rack opposite the sink and the commode, the toilet seat raised of course. Morning light poured through a window with frosted glass, right by the sizable claw foot tub. she found soap and Johnson's Baby shampoos there, and helped myself. Gene's bathroom was a modest closet, with a tub that had a shower head that curved up and over the shower curtain suspended on a raised ring. It wasn't the most modern of setups, but it was pleasant, and thankfully not in the middle of the kitchen. The huge showerhead had a valve midway along it to bypass the tub faucet, and she enjoyed adjusting it to blast a shot of cold water at me, followed by the hot. Slowly she lathered the soap on a washcloth she'd found hanging over the sink. she tried to scald the guilt rising in me. Gene need never know, nor Mark. Not that it mattered that Gene had been the only one of late giving her the soft caresses and touches she so craved. No, she didn't deserve it, surely.

Suddenly there came a rasping scrape from behind, and she screamed, soap dropping from her hand. Someone's hand clamped over her mouth, a wet slick body behind her as a voice reprimanded me. Her heart pounded in double time before she recognized who it was, and the soft strong touch that held Ray to his sturdy body.

"Shhh easy there," Gene hushed, lips near her ear. "I'm sorry to startle you doll, I just thought you'd like some company..."

"In the shower?" Ray gasped, when he released her mouth. Ray kept her back turned to him, folding her arms over her chest.

"Why not?" he asked, tracing a finger over her back. She felt what seemed to be a back brush lightly scrubbing her, and relaxed a bit.

"I'm sorry to freak, I just wasn't expecting..."

"What's this, shy again, doll? I'm going to think that you're a little bit scared of the big bad wolf or something..." he teased her. "And I think Red Riding hood needs her hair scrubbed as a punishment..."

"Gene you don't have to," she said.

"Why not turn around and tell me that, doll?" he laughed, taking her shoulder gently. "You don't have to hide from me you know... not when it looks like you've shed some serious weight on that sexy body of yours..."

"I... well... have my reasons... and well I just did my hair," she said, feeling extremely vulnerable. Especially when Ray felt her hair being lifted from her neck, Gene kissing her shoulder softly and tenderly. Hot tears began to burn her cheeks, and she stifled the lump in her throat that formed. His hands felt so good on her.

"Ray," he whispered, trying to smooth the fall of her auburn hair from her back. Ray stopped his hands, and turned quickly around in his arms. Before he could say another word Ray leaned up to distract him with a kiss. Ray heard his soft moan of pleasure as she wrapped her arms around his neck and covered his lips with her own working her tongue past his lips. Down his back and arms she ran her hands, feeling the substantial size of him, the strength of his arms, even though he was still a bit on what some would call the pudgy side. Even though a year had separated the last time we had done this, to see glimpses of him in full daylight she was sobered by how good he looked and felt.

He parted from her kiss, touching his lips to her cheek, then her ear. She felt him lifting her hair aside and froze as he stopped and regarded her with some concern. Ray turned away, feeling his hand on her shoulder.

"Ray, where did you get these bruises?" he asked. she froze.

"It's nothing... just a small injury... I'm fine..."

"And on your arms..." he said, taking her hand and running his finger over her upper arms. "I know I didn't do this to you..."

"Please don't ask, it's no big deal," she got out, shrinking away.

"Ray, easy, why are you so tense all of a sudden... it's a simple question," he said, catching her before she could open the shower curtain. "I'm just wondering if you're all right... how did you get hurt?"

"I fell down the stairs a week ago," she said.

"Damn that must have been some fall, I'm sorry," Gene sympathized, gently kissing her neck. she winced because they were still tender. "But it's a bit weird, don't you think... I mean it explains the bruise on your arms... but falling on your neck?"

"Well sometimes I have been a bit clumsy..."

"You?" he asked. "I don't think so, doll. You know what this looks like to me? It looks awfully like what happens when someone puts their hands around you neck and tries to choke a person..."

"Gene... it's not like that..."

"Care to tell me what really happened?" he asked firmly, turning her to face him. His eyes darkened from their soft amber to a disturbed tan.

"I can't tell you, you'll be angry with me..." she blurted out, trying to get out of the shower. But Gene blocked her way and held her close to him in an embrace.

"Ray, you can tell me anything, doll. When her friends come to me with bruises on their necks, and are scared shitless when I ask them simple questions, I worry," he said softly. "And I'm worried about you..."

"So worried that you told me not to come after you?" she asked bitterly.

"There was a reason for it, and you know it," he said. "And now that I am here, I'm making it my business. Who did this to you?"

"Don't ask me Gene, please don't," she pleaded, burying her head in his chest.

"Shh, hey now... why are you so terrified? I want to know what's going on here... the whole truth Ray... did someone attack you... or is someone putting their hands on you that SHOULDN'T be?"

"I... Gene... you'll hate me... I can't..."

"No. I don't want to hear you say that. I can't possible hate you for telling me the truth, so get over it. I want you to tell me what the hell is going on here..."

"I... let things go to far... I'm not living with Gloria, I have been living with this guy named Mark... for the past six months..."

"Uh huh..." Gene said. "Go on..."

"My parents were driving me insane. I had to get out. And he was so kind to me at first... he invited me to move in with him, because they had jobs at the same school after I got my certification. My parents weren't crazy about me living with a man I wasn't married to. Well... he told me he loved me... that nothing would ever happen to me... but then things started to be... different..."

"Go on..."

"I didn't want to tell you last night, that I'm still living there... because I know you told me not to look for you, and you were so happy to see me... I never stopped caring for you all this time, but I had to get on with my life... and since you weren't a part of it..."

"Never mind that, tell me what is going on," Gene said practically. "Did Mark... did he do this to you?"

"It's no big deal... he works late and so do I... and sometimes he has gotten a little upset when I don't come home in time to meet him for nights out. And if I don't make sure he has his dinner at a certain time he gets a little mad. Especially if the home isn't straightened up after my messes..."

"No big deal?" Gene asked, voice tingeing with anger. "This guy throws a shit fit when you don't wait on him hand and foot? What is THAT about?"

"I kind of deserve it, because I do love going out. Especially when he's not around... what am I supposed to do when he' out with the boys on Lodge meeting nights and when he comes home late from grading? I'm only going out with my friends, but he has a right to get angry when I don't come home on time..."

"Now WAIT a damn minute," Gene said sharply. "This guy is hardly ever there, and he gets angry when you're not there on time, and he can come home as LATE as he pleases?"

"I'm probably not doing enough or doing it right. It wouldn't surprise me if he was interested in other women..." Ray trailed off. As many times as she had repeated it to herself it made no sense trying to explain this to Gene. It sounded alien and irrational.

"Damn if he's never there, and he bitches and whines about you not doing things his way... then he's the one with the problem, not you!" Gene snapped. "And then he does THIS to you? And you say it's YOUR fault? Help me out here... that makes NO sense!"

"And now I've gone and found you, and made love to you, and now you'll hate me for hiding this from you...."

"Ray, let me get one thing straight... I'll admit I was a little hurt when you told me you were in this relationship with this Mark guy. But that pales in comparison to how furious I am at this asshole for putting his hands on you and slapping you around at all. You don 't deserves to be treated like this. No woman deserves to have a man choke her or hit her... it's not right! And there's no denying that the fact you're here with me says that you and I have something special that goes beyond all this shit with Mark. How can he have a right to be mad at you when he's probably not even being faithful to you?"

"Please don't make it any worse then it is..."

"It doesn't need me to make it worse, it is horrible, and you DON'T deserve to be treated like shit..."

"Gene, it's my fault. I was the one who couldn't stay away from the music. I had to go to the clubs, see the acts, meet people who had the same dreams... I......"

"Ray, let me ask you something," Gene sighed.

"What?" she asked.

"Hon, if this were Karen and Paul....what if Paul was doing this to Karen? What if he was treating her like garbage? I'm Karen, let's pretend. What do you tell me to do?"

"I... would tell her that she needs to think twice about dating him... that she should be with someone who respects her."

"OK," he said quietly, "So you're telling me Karen shouldn't have to put up with that, but you SHOULD?"

"Gene... he... it's not the same! He can be nice and supportive sometimes. Like he even bought me that piano I play... and he always apologizes for getting angry... Sometimes he tells me to go out with my friends and play... he doesn't mean to..." and she stops herself.

"Oh, sure and I'll bet even Jack the Ripper had his good days," Gene said sarcastically. "And what the heck? A guy buys you a piano, he ought to get a chance to slap you around a bit for it, right?"

"Gene, it's not like that," she sighed.

"Yes, Ray, it IS like that. You need to wake up and realize what you're into. What are you waiting for? 2.5 kids and a station wagon? Then you're REALLY stuck."

Ray reached to turn off the water, but Gene stopped her hand. she winced, for her wrist was sore, and she couldn't hide the tears in her eyes.

"He grabbed you there too, didn't he?" Gene asked, taking that hand and softly kissing it. This action completely eroded her last sense of self control. Tears, now released could drip freely down her cheeks.

"Oh god Gene, what am I doing," Ray sobbed. He pulled her close to his slick wet body, shushing her as he stroked her hair and back.

"Easy now baby, it's going to be all right... I've got you.... I've got you," he soothed Ray, kissing her forehead tenderly.

"How did I let my life get so screwed up?" Ray asked, pulling away for a moment.

"I'll tell you how, baby. You've painted yourself into a corner and some night you won't make the right casserole and he'll break your arm or something. Damn it, girl, don't let that happen. Especially not when I'm standing here, with you, naked, hot and wet in a shower, and I'd LOVE to have your company every day."

"Even if... I was with you when I was supposedly in some relationship?" Ray stammered. "And I conveniently DIDN'T tell you about it..."

"Ray, the fact you're here with me instead of him tells me that you don't want to be with him. Why else would you have slept with me? I didn't force you to kiss me last night... and I sure as hell didn't twist your arm to carry you off to my place and have my way with you."

"I was so afraid you'd hate me..."

"You know me. I don't pull punches. If you make me mad, I'll sure as hell tell you. But you know what? If I make YOU mad, you tell me too. I promise you this. I will NEVER physically hurt you. Not ever."

"Thank you," Ray whispered. "I only wish that I had never let this happen... not like this..."

"Sweets, you got yourself into a damn mess. It wasn't my place to tell you what to do. I'm not going to judge you. I think....I HOPE....you've learned from this."

"But I can't just walk away..."

"Baby, look me in the eye and tell me you're NOT going back to that moron," Gene said, taking her chin and tilting it to gaze directly into those brown eyes.

"Gene... what are you saying... that I... should just leave him..."

"That's it exactly. Besides, it gets lonely here..."

"I never should have moved in with him," Ray sighed. "Come to think of it, he's probably cheated on me. I knew I smelled perfume... and he as constantly bothering me about my weight..."

"I had noticed you had dropped a few pounds baby. Was he calling you names and crap like that?"

"Yes," Ray hung her head in shame. "At first there was a connection there. And then over time..."

"Look, I'll tell you what, why don't we get out of the shower here, and we can go get breakfast. I think you could use it, and I know I could. And then we can talk more about this... sound good?"

"Yes," she nodded.

"Good girl," he whispered, kissing her softly. In silence they dried each other off, and Gene led Ray into his bedroom again. Opening his drawers he found a clean shirt that Ray could change into with a pair of older jeans.

"I'll have to roll these up considerably," Ray groaned.

"With those clogs you were wearing," he chuckled. "I think they'd be the right length..."

Ray still needed to borrow a belt from him to cinch them up tight enough, but it was a good feeling to have a fresh change of clothes. They crept past Stanley and Karen, still asleep on the sofa. Gene took pen and paper and scribbled a note for Stanley before they took their coats and left.

***

Around the corner from his apartment, they found a restaurant that served breakfast. It was a Greek joint, with sit down booths and a breakfast counter. Settling opposite Ray, Gene smiled and handed the menu to me. Ray tentatively glanced over the tempting food, while he ordered hot coffee for both of them.

"See anything good?" he asked her.

"I don't know... I think I just feel like toast and juice and coffee," Ray started.

"Nonsense. Don't you dare just get away with a continental breakfast little girl. Get some real food for crying out loud, or I'm going to think you're trying to starve yourself to nothing," he joked. "Besides, I'll just order something truly rib sticking and make you eat the rest of it... if you don't hurry up and order a decent breakfast..."

Just then the waiter moved over and asked us in his thick accent, "Ready to order?"

"The lady first," Gene said. "What'll it be love?"

"Uh... pancakes," Ray said hastily.

"Bacon and eggs?"

"Uh well, no thanks..."

"Sir?" he asked Gene. He gave her a slow smile as he ordered an omelet, French toast and a good-sized order of bacon. It dawned on her that Ray hadn't eaten so much food for a morning in a long time. Especially when they placed the stack of four pancakes drowning in butter and syrup in front of her, with a glass of that fresh squeezed orange juice that New York eateries are famous for.

Past them on the street, people came and went for their Saturday business. It was already ten in the morning, New York pace not halting even for a day off. That sense of familiarity raced back and Ray felt as if no time had past since they used to meet for lunch so long ago.

"So... are you going to help me eat this bacon?" he asked, pointing to the loaded plate with his fork. He already had drowned his French toast in powdered sugar, cinnamon, and a good dollop of syrup. Ray was taking measured nibbles of the pancakes, trying not to eat them as ravenously as she felt inside. Considering what she had done last night it was a wonder she didn't devour half of it in the first ten minutes like Gene was inhaling his.

"Well it's yours..."

"C'mon, it'll do you good. It's never too early for protein..." he said, stabbing two pieces and dropping them alongside her pancakes. Then he proceeded to take some of the hash browns and push them onto her plate as well. Touched, Ray began to nibble on the bacon. she caught his eye and took a more sizable bite, not bothering to hold back. Just who was she impressing? Ray was starving!

"You would drive my mom up the wall," he teased me. "Any girl who turns up her nose at a decent meal she'd have a thing or two to say to..."

"Considering that food is equal to love in your culture," Ray joked back.

"That is true," he nodded. "First thing out of her mouth when she saw Stan was, "You're so thin Stanley! Have some soup... which is really hilarious when you consider that he was just as well fed as yours truly a few years back..."

"C'mon that guy?" Ray laughed. "He's definitely not pudgy!"

"Turns out the kid got sick, and lost a ton of weight," Gene continued, sipping his coffee. "I guess somewhere along the line he decided he liked the sudden attention he got..."

"Well it is healthier to lose a few pounds," Ray said.

"Yeah, but for who?" Gene asked me pointedly. "I think a woman shouldn't feel uncomfortable about undressing in front of a man who's hot about her, or who wants to step in the shower with her... like some people we know."

"Gene, I know what you're trying to say," Ray sighed. "But are you really serious about me just blowing out of there..."

"Absolutely," he nodded, swallowing a mouthful of French toast. "And anyway, I was serious when I mentioned that it does get a little lonely around here..."

"You would actually consider letting me live with you..." Ray said. "At least till I get my own place?"

He grinned a bit, "Who else is going to help me share the rent? Stanley? Good God, we'd kill each other if we had to live together. Sure, it's great when he crashed here, but damn it, we're both still glad when it's time to go home."

"You really... would consent to having me stay here?" Ray repeated slowly. "After not telling you about mark?"

"Ah, yeah, sure. Absolutely. I'd love the company."

"Then I guess I have to go and get my stuff then," Ray said.

"Now that's my girl," he nodded.

"He's still going to be away till Sunday night," Ray said. "That gives us today and tomorrow to get what I need." "Well, you're partially right. WE go get your stuff. I'm not chancing you going back there alone."

"Aww shit Gene," Ray sighed. "I am the biggest moron on the planet not realizing what a stupid situation this was..."

"No you aren't... why are you saying that. Am I going to have to give you a spanking, little girl?"

"Raina, it takes a lot of courage to stand up to some body who's hurting you and say, "F**ck you. I'm not doing this any more. Which is, of course, basically what rock and roll is all about."

"Not like I even did any of that... since we were last together..." Ray muttered. "Why should I even feel guilty about being with you... when Mark never even wants to... be near me..."

Gene put aside his coffee and took her hand across the table, "But look, Doll. I've got to tell you....I've got to be honest. We'll have a hell of a time together. I love you to pieces. I'm not.....I'm not looking for a serious relationship, though. Not in the matrimonial sense, that is."

Slowly she nodded, understanding. Ray didn't want commitment at that moment. Hell she wasn't even sure what she wanted. Except to get as far away from Mark as possible, and have Gene in some part of her life. Was this what people lately meant by free love with no strings attached? It somehow felt less threatening, and more comfortable all of a sudden.

"Trying to be June Cleaver... isn't me. Whereas being a singer in a rock and roll band... that's what I want."

"I'm right behind you... and it's NOT just because you have a sexy ass," he winked at her. Despite myself I began to wipe away the tears that formed.

"Hey.....HEY! What's up? What's with the faucet all of a sudden?"

"Mark never told me anything like that," she says. "I miss having a man tell me how good I look... You know what's totally MESSED UP?"

He reached over and brushed her hair lightly from her face, "No, tell me."

"Well, we shared a place together, engaged for nearly a year... And we never really... I mean we slept in the same bed, but we were never together... It was like marriage without the sex..."

Gene's jaw dropped and he shook his head in shock, "Are you kidding? No sex? Now I KNOW that guy's got a problem."

"Well... there were a few times, but then he'd just say I wasn't doing it right... or something messed up... He'd make up some excuse..."

"Raina, you can bet......there was somebody else doing it "right" for him. You said yourself, you think the man is cheating on you. I think that's pretty much proof right there."

"Staying out late, and bitching if there was no dinner out... and then... it was even more bizarre... I was too tired and too glad to have a place away from home... what a smart girl I turned out to be," she shook her head. "What guy goes out almost every night of the week with the guys or with work... and bitches when supper isn't on the table when he comes in at 10 at night?"

"I'm too much of a cynic. My only advice to you is what I've already said. Get your cute butt out of his life NOW."

"I understand Gene..." she nodded. "No strings attached, right?"

"I just don't want you to misunderstand. I don't want you to regret knowing me some day."

"I am glad you're honest," Ray said.

"And thinking to yourself how I'm some asshole man who won't commit." He said further, stroking her hand softly. "It's....part of who I am, I suppose."

"No Gene I'm not going to think that at all," Ray said firmly. "Right now I'm just trying to get my life together. The last thing I need to think about is a long term commitment. I guess after this shit with mark... I don't think I'd want to be tied down. This engagement thing was holding me back... I want to be free..."

"You understand then," He said with some surprise.

"not after six months of hell," Ray said. "I don't want to get in the way of what you're doing... any more then you would me. And I think I can accept... if you even want to see other people..."

"Well, true, but I don't want you to think that my feelings for you would be any less then they are now," Gene answered carefully. "I mean you and me... well it' snot like anything else I have with anyone else. I just hope you can be willing to be cool with it... I guess, honestly, this band is taking 100% of my time...my energies...I guess I just don't have the inclination right now to settle down and start sprouting kiddies."

"I know what you mean, Gene," Ray nodded with a slow smile.

"Good. And when we head out to get your things, I don't want you to forget a single one of your comics in the process, little lady."

"Yes... they are worth MONEY!" Ray laughed. "What if they are collector's items some day?"

"You can count on it, especially the ones you have. And if they're not, they should be," he chuckled, fingering her cheek.

"I wonder if Stanley would mind putting that yellow cab to use and helping schlep the stuff out here?" Ray said, trying to keep the mood light.

"Look, speaking of the Eisen-love birds, let's go break up whatever tryst they have going on and drag them with us. I could really use a hand dragging all your things out, not to mention that he's on duty and has the cab tonight."

"And you and Karen can go around the corner to that little deli and have a sandwich and talk, while we're hauling butt," Gene laughed. "I think you two need some girls time together to relax and just help you feel like yourself again. Go shopping and get yourself some new threads while us men slave to get your stuff taken care of..."

"I'll have to get my apartment keys," Ray laughed. "Maybe Karen and I can figure out HOW I'm going to break it off with him... officially."

"Good thinking. By the time you're done, we'll be too. I think coming home to an empty apartment just might be hint enough."

"Well most of the stuff is HIS..." Ray said, through a mouthful of hash browns. "I'm just going to take what I can carry... money, comic books, jewelry... The furniture is his... for his damn house in Long Island... except some stuff I have in storage he didn't think would go with the theme of the apartment..."

"He'll at least notice that no dinner is on the table. That will be his moment of truth," Gene nodded, refilling her coffee.

"Yes... and all my clothes out of the closet... and my comic books gone... and one last touch.." Ray muttered, reaching into her purse. Ray extracted out her apartment keys and passed them to Gene. Her hand brushed against a velvet box, which she pulled out. Slowly she opened it and noticed where she had put the engagement ring whenever she was out with Karen or the girls.

"And THIS left behind..." she added, brandishing it before Gene. He regarded her for a moment, a question in his eyes.

"You're not going to keep it and sell it?" he asked her. "Just think, you could get a good deal of money for it, to help yourself get situated in your new life..."

"True. Karen's been needing a new guitar, and we need good amplifiers and a decent drum kit for Karen. She's been using a used one. This is worth five hundred dollars. And all the other jewelry he's gotten me could make a tidy sum in a pawn shop... getting Sweet Mystery on their feet..."

"I say, do it. Just look at it as payback for all of these." he agreed, touching her bruises lightly.

"You are so right. Is that a Gene thing I should know about?"

"You mean the part about looking out for number one?" he chuckled.

"Yes..." she whispers. "And about being honest with yourself... and not letting anyone take advantage of you."

"I didn't' coin the phrase, but I'm sure as hell going to live it." Gene nodded. "Which reminds me, can I swear you to absolute secrecy?"

"Depends on the circumstance..."

"I've been seriously thinking about the Lester. And it's just not working. Stan knows it too. And it's time we did something about it. So I have to figure out a way of breaking it to him, that I'm planning..."

"Gene, is this anything to do about Ron not coming back last night to the studio?" Ray asked.

"Everything doll," Gene said. "I just have to make sure I have the best shot possible at making it. And you do too. And that means that I have to let the guys go, and cut away the dead weight..."

"You mean... you're going to fire the guys in Wicked Lester?" Ray asked, shocked.

"Yes, it's nothing personal. And there's the matter of that record deal. I don't think it's going to work either..."

"You... turned your back on a record deal?" she asks suddenly. "And let all those guys go?"

He sighed a bit, then sipped his coffee. "Ray, I have to force the issue with Stan. He knows I'm thinking about this, but he's been dragging his feet on letting it happen. I've got to get his backing on this."

"Sort of like Karen and me convincing Liz and Trish to quit their old band."

"Yes. Well, Ron says he's quitting. The rest of the guys...I guess we have no choice."

"You mean because Brooke is an asshole, and Tony is a pot head?" Ray asked.

"That and more," Gene shook his head. "See, that's the thing. This is going nowhere. They've seen our album. Frankly they aren't impressed, from what I gather. I just honestly believe that with THIS group of guys, that recording is the best we can do. I don't think we can get any better. Stan and I can. They can't."

"Well Gene, if they aren't cutting it... then you have no choice," Ray sighed. "Mystery machine wasn't talented, except for Liz and Trish. Trish have more talent in her little finger then the rest of those jokers together..."

"Then you see where I'm coming from..."

"Yes. You can't have crappy musicians. You need the best," Ray nodded. "Now some amateurs..."

"No, we don't, and either we take a chance now, or we just resign ourselves to driving cabs and working in delis. I can tell you this much, my fingers are talented, but they are NOT cut out for a life time of professional typing."

"You have more IMPORTANT things to do with those fingers," Ray winked.

"It's time to move on, for both of our bands. I just need.....to convince Mr. Eisen" he paused.

"Gene... I hope he understands..."

"So do I."

"I was just thinking... I don't want to go back to that damn school Monday... I've had it with this semblance of a life... I want to go into music full time... put everything into my band..."

"Now you're talking. Now Raina's back! I make a decent living too," Gene said with a slow smile. "It's not going to line the street with Cadillac's, but heck, I get by. I've even bought sandwiches and such for your buddy Stanley out there. I make sure I have what I need. Got that from my mom. You can't expect anyone else out there to take care of you."

"That's just it. I HAVE to find some way of making money without going back to that teaching job... Mark works at my same school. I can't go back. What the heck can I do till then?" she asks. "Even if I have to eat ramen noodles and crackers I'll do what I can... I "

"What about your music? Give it a try. Seriously. Yeah, it's going to be tough, being a girl band and all, but still....just wait for awhile, OK? See how things work out."

"But I need to quit that job Gene... or should I let it ride and just ask for a transfer to another school perhaps..."

"I've got rent covered. Don't worry about that. From the looks of you, you CAN'T eat much. I can handle the food bill."

"It's almost the end of the semester," Ray said. "I could hand in my resignation at the school full time... to get away from Mark. Then next semester start at a new school far away from him. Till then I can write new music, practice like mad, and help put our first album together..."

"Sounds like a nice plan. You're finally thinking clearly, you know," he said, patting her hand.

"Thank you," Ray smiled warmly. "I can do this..."

"Yes, you absolutely can. I have no doubt."

"Thank you..." Ray whispered, reaching across to squeeze his hand. "I could never talk to Mark like I am talking to you... or any other guy I've dated. I mean... no other guy I've been with I could ever talk like this with..."

"You know this by now, I'm sure, but I'm the kind of guy who lays it out like I see it. I think that's part of what's going to drive Stan nuts when we sit down to take about the inevitable demise of the Lester. I've got some things to tell him that.....he doesn't want to hear. Screw it, though. We've got to go forward."

"Yes. Karen and I had to lay it down for Trish and Liz. They had to loose Mystery machine and join us to make a new band, or else it is no go."

"And Wicked Lester is a crappy name," Ray giggled. "It just doesn't' cut it."

"Stan....he's young. He's never had to tell a friend to go screw himself, you know? He's never done it. Personally, I don't even think he's had a ton of friends. This will hit him pretty hard."

"Yes... but how will Steve take it?" she asks. "I thought you guys were buds..."

"He'll be pissed. I have no doubt. He'll probably feel betrayed. Let's face it. There's no easy way to take that kind of news. We're basically going to have to tell him "We're looking to make it big, and well, you're a zero."

"Ouch," Raina shakes her head. "but this is business... not personal... It's hard when you mix the two. It's also hard to tell someone you like that they have the talent of a ripe cucumber..."

"See, that's it exactly. Steve's a hell of a guy. He'll probably buy all our records. He'll cheer for us. I mean.....I hate to break his heart, but he's just not what we need."

"He's a fan, not a musician?" Ray said.

"He's the kind of guy that maybe plays a block of songs at your local college bar. He'd be great at that. He's not the guy you want in front of thousands of people at Madison Square Garden. No women are going to scream to have his baby. That's just it. It's cold, I know, but he's not one of us."

"Gene, this is putting you on the spot... but you think I have what it takes?" Ray asked. "I'm no bombshell, but I give 110 percent out there... and I know Liz can play drums... but they have her thumping tambourines in the other band...and Trish... she plays like a DEMON... and Karen wails like Grace Slick!"

Gene stroked his chin for a moment, not answering her. Ray turned away her gaze for a moment, saying, "Maybe I'm out of line asking you."

"You guys have a great set-up. You're talented musicians. With the right breaks, I think you can go far. I still think you've got a challenge ahead of you, being an all-girl band. You'll have more than one critic not wanting to take you seriously. But then, I'm sure you already know that."

"Sure..."

"But again, Ray, don't EVER let anyone tell you that you can't do it. The hell with them."

"That's what makes us different. We HAVE to be ourselves..." Ray nodded.

"But Gene, how are you going to break it to Stan? Was that performance last night your LAST one with the other guys?"

"It was. Only I'm the only guy who knows it. And Ron. He's gone we.....sort of got into it a bit last night after the show. Everyone else was gone, and you know me, I had to open my big mouth."

"I remember that Tony and Brooke got into it with Stan an Steve... Before you and I met up?"

"I told him I thought his playing wasn't worth shit, and that honestly I had serious reservations about this whole damn band to begin with."

"Sheesh..." Ray sighed. "I remember Brooke and Tony bitching about drums versus flutes being in a band..."

"As you know, doll, Stan and I have been practicing on our own a bit, so this that's coming....it was inevitable."

"You have?" Ray asked in total surprise.

"He asked me what my point was. I told him that I thought that Tony and Brooke were just about useless too and I was going to tell them so. He tried to get in my face about it, sticking up for them."

"Hmm... I did think they were weaving in and out of the beat with your bass playing and Stan's chords.."

"I told him if he was Mr. Sensitivity, perhaps HE would do a better job telling them they were horse crap and needed to either shape up in a hurry or get the heck out. He, of course, accused me of making HIM fire them."

"Tony plays like he's in marching band..." Ray quipped.

Gene snorted and continued, "As if he would even have the power to do that. Next thing I know he's telling me he's quitting. Fine by me. One less person I have to cut loose."

"You need a real drummer Gene... Someone with EXPERIENCE... and get rid of the instrumental crap... Just stick to basics..."

"Hmm, you mean like two guitars, bass, and drums..." Gene muttered.

"Strip out the flutes and crap..."

"Yes," I nodded. "The essentials."

"We do, you're right. We need a REAL band. We need members with talent and charisma too."

"Yes... someone with personality... say Gene... are you going to just stand there like a bunch of guys or have a look?" Ray asked. "Like I was thinking... if you were like the Beatles you could use a look that everyone would remember... But you guys don't look distinctive enough..."

"Yes that's it. With this new band, we're going to have to completely overhaul everything. Nothing stays. Everything goes," Gene nodded. "The only thing that stays ..... Stan and I. Problem is....Stan has no idea what happened last night. That is, unless Ron got to him first, but Ron and Stan used to fight like cats and dogs, so I think that's probably unlikely."

"Yes... you need a new drummer, lead guitarist... and a new NAME... and you need a LOOK!" Ray said excitedly. "You need to let people remember who you are... or am I out of line here..."

"You're totally right, love, and you're preaching to the choir," he smiled, winking at her.

"I'm glad SOMEONE listens to me..."

"You think we ought to finish up and go back and get the kids? Someone's got to break the news to Stan that he gets to perform some manual labor here pretty soon."

"Well I'm sure given the fact he's doing it for your lady I'm sure he can be convinced... with a little persuasion from my friend," Ray teased.

'So, baby doll, you going to eat that?" Gene asked, in a slow sexy voice. He pointed to her emptied plate, still thick with syrup. Running his finger through it, he lifted it to his lips and began to lick it slowly off.

Ray shivered with strange desire as she watched his dexterous tongue lap the syrup off, and it struck her. she had not noticed or stopped to think how unusual that tongue was. Granted some men had unusual attributes, but to think of him slipping that tongue into her mouth to taste her for those times or to perform other talented actions... it made her blood boil with desire.

Noticing the expression on her face, he laughed. The amber eyes darkened with a strange stare Ray had not noticed before. It was far different from the come hither stare. No, it was more like that look of desire on his face that first night we had spent together, like Dracula staking out his prey. So intently did Ray answer his gaze that she failed to notice his hand snake out and grab the check.

"Hey!" Ray cried, when he waved it in front of her face. Ray reached for it, only to have him dodge out of the seat and walk past her toward the cash register, shaking that backside of his in an exaggerated fashion. He cast her a slow smile when he pulled out his wallet. Ray grabbed his coat laying over the chair, along with her own. Moving up behind him she groaned, "You are a STINKER!"

"Nope. Got to be faster than THAT to get it from me," He grinned at her, folding out a ten to cover our breakfast. "And that THAT's any way you like...."

"Well when you start leaving your coat laying around... you can't be that swift... Mr. Klein!" she laughed.

"And who would that be," he joked.

"Excuse me?" she asked as he took the change and moved back to the table to leave a tip for the waiter. Grabbing her coat from her, he held it out for her to slip into. Taking his own coat back, they walked out of the restaurant.

***

"Wait Gene, what did you mean with that comeback?" she asked him, as he took her hand and let her out onto the morning streets. It was still slightly before noon, and a good three blocks walk back to the apartment.

"Oh, only that I'm not answering to that particular name," he grinned. "It's part of the little secret I let you in on..."

"Wait, you're changing your name again?" Ray asked.

"Kind of," he said. "How many band members do you know of with the last name of Klein?"

"Not many," Ray said. "Don't tell me, you're coming up with some hot shot stage name like Ringo Starr?"

"Not that exotic..." he laughed. "I'm still going with Gene..."

"Gene who?" Ray joked, slipping her arm through his.

"I thought Simmons had a good ring to it. And it looks good in an autograph," he said.

"You're kidding, like the movie actress Jean Simmons?" Ray chuckled. "She was an Actress!"

"It has a ring, you gotta admit," he said.

"True..." Ray nodded.

"Not to change the subject too much," Gene asked her. "But about your friend..."

"What?" Ray asked.

"Karen......she's pretty hooked on Stan, isn't he? Or have you been sworn to secrecy?"

"Uh well..." Ray cleared her throat. "She's admired him since high school. He went to a school up the street from her catholic school..."

"I figured as much. Stan....he's pretty nuts about her. It's hard to read him sometimes because he can be pretty quiet about this kind of thing, but I can tell."

"Well... she's never had a serious boyfriend before this...at least not in the... ahem way you and I know each other..." Ray answered.

"I sort of figured as much," he grinned, squeezing her hand. "My....uhh...virgin radar went off."

"She's trying to get over the RC thing..." Ray said. "And break away and be herself..."

"She's young yet, and so is he. I guess let's see what happens," he said.

"Hmm, as I recall that virgin radar was rather tuned into someone else we know.." Ray teased.

He blushed a bit and chuckled, "What can I say? I'm Gene. Love me or hate me."

"By the way Gene... you did play a nasty trick on me last night making me think that roach hotel was your place at first!"

"You almost fell for it, though, didn't you? Figured I'd see how much you REALLY love me."

"Oh brother," Ray groaned, rolling her eyes. We reached the base of the stairs to his front door, and he pulled out his keys to open the outside glass part.

"I was almost heartbroken at the thought of you getting rid of that nice comfy bed.." Ray smiled.

"Aha, surely you don't expect a pervert like me to rid himself of a nice, comfy bed, do you? Especially one that's favored by someone as gorgeous as yourself," he winked, opening the door for her. As Ray walked past he gave her a devilish look and a friendly swat to her butt.

"Mmm, well I wondered," Ray smiled, as he followed, and suddenly moved in front of him. Leaning up Ray ran her hands up and down his shirt under his coat.

"Hey, now! We've got two kiddies to throw out of bed, and all your stuff to move. First things first...and then.....the other," Gene said, raising an eyebrow at her.

Ray smiled saucily back, lowering her voice to a sultry tone as she said, "Yes master... your humble servant obeys..."

He growled into her ear, sending her heart racing again, "You know what they say.....'Don't make promises....."

Ray purred softly into his ear in response, caressing his chest as she pressed close to him. Wrapping arms around her he pulled her hips to his and leaned down to give her a hungry kiss. Right there in the stairwell he kneaded down her back and gripped her ass, squeezing it tightly.

"So, you suppose the kiddies are behaving themselves?" Ray asked, pulling out of a kiss that left her breathless and anxious for more.

"Most likely not, at least if Stan has anything to do with it," Gene winked. "Your friend Karen.....she's one hot firecracker, you know."

"Well I think the RC influence might cool them off a bit..." Ray laughed, stroking Gene's cheek. "I mean she is wearing a Virgin ring..."

"Well, if there's anyone who can see that it's removed eventually....I have faith in my boy," he said, nuzzling her ear. Gently he stroked his tongue down it, hot breath fanning her face.

"I could swear that you think of him like your long lost little brother!" Ray chuckled.

"Someone's got to do it, you know. All the poor boy has is an older sister, and a mom and dad who are straight out of a television show."

"Oh no... the CLEAVERS!" Ray cried, working her hands free and making an X out of both index fingers in front of her face.

"God forbid," Gene laughed, tickling her ribs. He sized her hands in his, putting them behind her back as he leaned down to capture her mouth in another soft and hungry kiss.

"Funny, you told me earlier last night... between our trysts... that he got on your nerves at first..." Ray said between kisses.

"Yeah, I've got to admit he did...and sometimes still does. He's coming from somewhere entirely different than me, you know. He's got a nice middle class family...basically no money worries. Little Mrs. Eisen makes sure he has his nice hot meals. It's....uhhhh.....cozy. Me? Other than having the world's best mom, that's about it. And no one would ever accuse her of being conventional. God love her."

"It sounds like my family...." Ray sighed, holding him out at arm's length. "Except... they are WASPs to the core... and I hate it..."

"Different things drive him, than what drives me," Gene explained, arm around her waist as he guided her to the stairwell. "He's all ready to prove himself to the world. He wants to be Mr. Rock Star, so that he can prove to himself and to everyone who was an ass to him in high school that he's worth a damn."

"I want to do it, because I HAVE to..." Ray answered, following him up the first flight.

"Personally, I don't care what anyone thinks. I just want to play tunes, get rich and get laid. NOT necessarily in that order, sweets," he panted. "Paul's more the sentimental side. I'm more the Pain in the Ass."

"I wouldn't mind having enough money to do what I want.. I'm not going to blow it on drugs and crap... just a nice comfortable home... and a nice car..." Ray answered.

They stopped before his apartment, and Gene leaned over to pick up the paper. Ray gave his backside a slight pinch and said, "I like your ass... and the pain you are in mine..."

He jumped around and caught her again in his arms, "Now THAT is a line that should have come from me. You are learning well, my pet."

"I'm being corrupted very well aren't I?" she asked. "you're an evil influence on poor little me..."

"I intend to," he said, unlocking the door.

They entered to see a rather domestic scene. Stanley was sitting at Gene's breakfast table while Karen scraped something in a frying pan. Ray smelled scrambled eggs, and Gene and she exchanged a laugh.

"So, are you guys making yourselves at home?" Gene asked.

Stanley and Karen almost jumped out of their skin as they jerked their heads around. Nervously Karen stammered "I was uh... just... fixing some breakfast Gene... I hope..."

"Relax sweetheart, he's just growling at you," Stanley threw up a hand. "So, you guys FINALLY got home from breakfast? It's almost lunch..."

"This it he thanks I get for leaving them alone, you see?" Gene turned to her. "I get NO respect!"

"Okay okay," Stanley laughed. "Thanks for blowing out of here for some quality time. But what's this about helping move something?"

"Karen, you and I need to talk," Ray said, moving over to her.

"Sure Hon, what about?" she asked.

"Well I have a confession to make..." Ray said, awkward about revealing what I had to Gene before her friend and a man who I had only just met.

"Uh oh, get the priest," Stanley joked.

"Shut up," Gene snapped at him. "This is serious shit. Basically you and I have to move some things out of her apartment over here..."

"You mean you're moving in together?" Stanley asked, with a hint of a smile. "Way to go.."

"It's more then that," Ray said slowly, taking a deep breath. "My boy... my ex boyfriend had been abusing me... and well, I want to get the hell out before anything else happens..."

"What the hell... you mean he hit you?" Stanley gasped, his eyes glazing over with anger. "Who in HELL does he think he is??"

"Ray, why didn't you tell me that Mark..."

"I was ashamed..." Ray said, wiping away tears. "I wanted to pretend it was nothing..."

"Shit you should have told Liz and me and Trish!" Karen cried. "You could stay with us..."

"She's staying here with me," Gene said, taking her shoulders in his hands. "As long as she needs to..."

"Till we get the band going," Ray interrupted him.

"Right... you want me to go over and beat that guy's ass to pulp?" Stanley snarled.

"No, just haul some of my stuff..." Ray said.

"So what about it, kid, feel up to helping me fetch and carry?" Gene asked.

"Just show me where and how," Stanley nodded.

***

"Why didn't you tell me he was hurting you?" Karen exclaimed. She had pulled her aside to talk privately in Gene's bedroom as she pulled on some clothes she'd borrowed from Stan. It was comical to see her sporting a pair of man's bell bottoms and one of the funny shirts Ray could swear she'd seen in his possession.

"I didn't think... I didn't know what to think, I was so confused," Ray said quietly.

"Well girl, I'm just thanking GOD that we ran into Gene and his friend. You realize he probably saved your life..."

"How the hell am I going to get him off my back... Mark I mean. I'm scared to DEATH to go back there... but Gene and Stan insist that I go..."

"You have to. And I'll be right there with you..." she said before being interrupted by a knock on the door.

"S'cuse me ladies, but we're ready to go. You got a list of what you want, Ray?" he asked.

"Aren't I coming along?" Ray asked.

"Well..."

"How are you clowns supposed to know WHAT'S mine if I don't go with you?" Ray asked Gene through the closed door.

"Good point," came Stan's voice. Ray opened the door and saw them both sheepishly standing there.

"Well I think that you and Karen should uh... have a girl's afternoon out... to cheer yourself up," Gene said again. "Once you show us WHERE this place is, you two can take off and.."

"Nothing doing," Ray said. "I'm going there myself..."

"Count me in. Gene, can I use your phone? I think the girls should know about this s well..." Karen said firmly. She moved past Gene and went to call her own loft.

"Help yourself, I'm sure we won't mind the company of as many lovely ladies as possible," Gene said, realizing that Karen wouldn't be convinced otherwise.

"Liz has a van," Ray said quietly. "It can hold more then a taxicab..."

"Perfect. We'll meet over there and take care of this," Gene nodded.

***

"Girl, you really should have told us," Trish said when Ray met them in front of Gene's apartment a few minutes later. Liz pulled her van up. Ray had sent Gene and Stan on ahead, so Ray could ride with her band mates and tell them the news.

"I know," Ray nodded.

"Good thing you decided to stop here. So we can get some of your things… the valuables… you can sell." Said Trish practically.

"What if Mark files a report with the police?" Ray asked.

"Well, we'll get what we can of your clothes… and that engagement ring, you're gonna sell it… and use the money to get band equipment, right?" Karen asked.

"I don't want to put you to trouble," Ray said to them.

"We're your friends.…" Karen said.

"Karen forgot to tell you," Liz interrupted. "Our manager loved our demo, and they want us to open for the Runaways a week from now... in Jersey.."

"Holy moley!" Ray gasped. "You mean..."

"So we have our first real gig!" Trish said.

"Are you coming with us, as our organist?" Liz asked.

"Please say you are," Karen said. "This is the perfect thing to get your mind off your problem..."

"But we don’t have an organ…" Ray gasped.

"We do now…" Karen said, looking at her engagement ring. "Right there once you pawn that albatross."

"Sell this?" Ray nodded, fingering the velvet box with her diamond watch he gave her. "Gladly…"

"Okay, it's settled then," Karen said.

"Guys, we're there," Liz announced, pulling up behind a taxicab that had just parked. Tugging open the sliding door to the Volkswagen bus, they hopped out.

"Hello... who's the babe of a guy?" Trish whistled as Stanley, then Gene climbed out of the taxi.

"Hello yourself," Gene whistled at her two other friends. "So I take it you lovely ladies are the rest of Sweet Revenge..."

"Sweet Mystery," Ray corrected.

"I think I like Revenge better then a mystery," Trish winked. Gene's eyes walked all over Trish's svelte hips encased in tight jeans, and her high school letter jacket. Stan looked at the attractive Hippie in long skirt and peasant blouse that locked the van's door.

"Meet Gene and Stan," Ray introduced them both.

"so you're the guy that Karen crashed with," Trish licked her lips looking at Stan. He felt a bit nervous the way she was eyeing him hungrily.

"That'd be me," he nodded.  “And didn’t I see you at the party last night with Tony?”

“That’d be me. He’s crazy, but fun,” smiled Trish.

“You stinker, you didn’t TELL us you were with Ray’s band,” Gene said wagging his finger.

“You didn’t ask, big boy,” Trish cooed at him.  Gene stuck out his tongue at her.

"And you're Raina's long lost love," Liz said, looking to Gene, who laughed.

"I take it my reputation proceeds me," he said, giving her a hungry look. She gave a slow smile and brushed past him.

"Rrrow he's a tiger," Trish whispered to her. "Not bad at all... but that other dreamboat... WOW!"

"He's spoken for," Karen said, overhearing the WOW.

"Too bad," Trish snapped her fingers. "I'm just kidding!"

"Uh huh," Liz joked.

"Hey ladies," Stanley smiled at them. "Ready to do it?"

"Depends on what you mean by it..." Trish laughed. Her high pitched cackling laugh made them all chuckle.

"Okay, lead on, and show us what you want to take, and then you ladies go off and have fun... we'll finish the rest," Gene said.

"And just who died and made you king?" Trish teased.

"I'm self appointed foreman," he joked.

It was very strange for her to let these people into her apartment other then just Karen, for Trish and Liz had only been over her a few times themselves. The neatly arranged furniture in avocado green and the shag rug ringed a console TV.

"Damn, nice digs," Trish commented.

"However it rings far too orderly... there is a certain amount of chaos that must predominate any space," said Liz. "And your vibes Ray are extremely disturbing.."

"Don't blame you there about the bad vibes," Karen sighed.

"No, me neither,' Gene said softly to her. "Show me what you want to take... and we'll go from there..."

"C'mon girls, let's hit the closet. Gene and Stan... my comic book collection's in the closet in the home office.."

"Gotcha," Stan nodded, heading out where she indicated.

"What should we do?" Liz asked her.

"Uh well... you can help me pack my clothes," Ray said. "and then start carrying it to the van..."

"Too bad we can't take this piano," Liz muttered. "Unless..."

"It's an upright but I don't know if it will fit in the van," Ray sighed.

"If we take out the seat and shift it we can," said Liz.

Soon they all set to work deciding what could be taken, and what couldn't be. Ray gathered most of her clothes, knowing what she didn't wear she would give to her friends. Ray heard Liz playing on her new piano, and sighed. Could they REALLY get it up several flights of stairs?"

"I think we can work it if you get Chris and Roger to help," Ray heard Trish say to Liz.

"It's worth a lot, damn it's brand new," Ray heard Gene say. "C'mon... let's put our backs into it..."

Among all six of us they managed to put it on a wheeled dolly that Stanley had borrowed from his parents furniture business. He seemed to know the right way to move larger pieces. Soon they had shifted the piano into Liz van, along with the boxes of comic books. Liz volunteered to go with Stan and Gene to move it to her apartment, riding along in the van. She promised to stop off and get help from her other friends she had known on the commune she had once inhabited. They often served as the roadies to help us set up our band items.

"I don't know if I want to leave you here alone," Gene said, wiping sweat from his forehead.

"She won't be. I'll stick behind with her," Karen said.

"So will I," Trish added. "You guys get that piano and those bookcases outta here..."

"Too bad there's no room for the piano in your place Gene," Stanley muttered.

"I want my band to have it," Ray said. "And the tape recorder... it'll be good for them... and then you can stop by and get the bookcases there too..."

"It'll be great to have those," said Liz. "They'll make a great partition for the studio..."

"Make sure you take the extra sheets too," Ray said. "I'll just get the rest of my clothes..."

"See you later," Gene said. "And make SURE you come back in time for dinner... after you gals go out and do something nice together..."

"All right," Ray nodded, watching him jump into the van, along with Liz and Stan.

***

"Thanks so much for the sheets and curtains," Trish told her. "You are so sweet!"

"You're welcome... how would you like some of these SF novels and magazines?" Ray asked, sorting through a cardboard box. The study was picked clean of a lot of her books by now, loaded into boxes and trekked out to the car.

"COOL!" she cried, looking at her treasure trove of Astounding SF. Karen regarded the box of jewelry Ray was rooting through.

"Damn girl, did your parents work at Diamond row?" Karen asked. Ray remembered how her father and mother had lavished many a piece of jewelry on her and her brother, whenever they would reach an age of significance. Ray pulled out her 12th birthday present, a small gold cross, while at age 16 a pair of diamond earrings for her "coming of age" party.

"And these pearls..." Karen breathed.

"My prom gift," Ray said slowly.

"And that emerald and diamond ring... what was THAT for?"

"My college graduation," Ray said shyly.

"With all this..." she breathed. "I can't believe..."

"I know. But it will serve me well in one way or another... Just some coming of age stuff. Those earrings I don’t' want… and maybe you can get something else for the rest of the clothes… I don't want them anymore…"

"We got the comic book collection loaded," Stanley announced as he returned, wiping his forehead. "Liz got her friends to move the piano to your apartment Karen..."

"Great!" Karen grinned. "you are SUCH a doll!"

Ray thought about the pieces of jewelry that her mother had given her that had belonged to her grandmother. Sighing, Ray took a last look at them, and packed them away with the rest.

"Well, we don't have to sell it all at once," said Trish to her. "Just the engagement ring, sometime tomorrow… I know a good pawn shop in NJ…"

"Good…" Karen nodded.

"This is your drum set Liz," Ray said, pointing to a ruby and diamond pendant.

"You're serious,” she gasped.

"No, I am. It's time you got a good drum set..."

"Ah..." she sighed, speechless.

"This everything?" Karen asked her, noticing that Ray had filled three suitcases.

"Yes," Ray nodded. "It's all I want to take...."

"Ready to go?" Liz asked. "Gene said to come get you guys and he will finish the rest with Stan... there's something we gotta do..."

"What?" Ray asked.

"Something that might help you start a new life," she said. "C'mon..."

"Yes..." Ray nodded, looking at the bedroom where the closet was half emptied. They walked past the linen closet and other places in the two-bedroom place, Ray taking a last look at it all.

***

Gene and Paul drove past them in the taxi, and Ray waved. They had loaded the kitchen table and chairs into the van, cramming around them as they headed off. That left Gene and Stan to take her suitcases of clothes back with them, and her jewelry to Gene's place.

"These will go great in the dining area... it's groovy to have a place to sit," Karen said, admiring the four stacked chairs tied together as the ancient bus rattled along.

"You didn't have to give all this stuff to us, really," Liz told her.

"I did. It beats having you guys sit on boxes. And that spare mattress and box spring from the guest study area will be a good bed for Karen..."

"Thanks girl," Karen nodded. "And now it's our turn to get this stuff up into our place..."

Huffing and puffing, they got the furniture out. Liz's two fellow hippie friends helped to haul the table and chairs up to their loft, three floors up.

"Curtains are great," Trish nodded, reaching for the curtains Ray had taken down from the bedroom, that matched the bedspread she had also brought. It would do better for her friends here.

Ray helped Liz to unpack the set of dishes and put them in the kitchen cupboard of the small studio, all one room. They had taken the bookcases and partitioned one area off, where there was an old kid's bunk bed set up.

"I got that used, from Salvation Army... but now we have another bed..." Trish laughed, finishing setting up the curtains.

"I don't know WHY we need a TV, but thanks," Liz muttered, as Ray set the small black and white 12 inch TV up on the stand she had also brought from her apartment. Since Mark had his dream console TV he had insisted hers be put neatly away in the closet. Surely it wouldn't be missed, put to better use in her friend's place. Karen had made up the sheets on the new mattress and box spring, Mark's 'guest bed' in another corner of the apartment.  Ray’s comforter from the double bed was spread over Trish's bed.

Even a few throw rugs Ray had down in storage, from her old room at home were put to use on the main floor where she had the easy chair she had bought for marks' and her apartment. Ray began to finger on the piano, sitting against the far wall, making sure it was still tunable. Her stereo system sat near it, with its turntable, speakers, and eight-track deck. All in all it was a small amount that went very far in this sparse studio with its high ceilings. What Ray considered extra furniture from storage and odds and ends, they considered a luxury.

"What was this stuff you said about helping me to start my new life?" Ray asked them.

"Oh yeah," Trish said. "Liz and I were talking, and we think if you dyed your hair and had a new image... you might be able to feel better..."

"Especially if you know who comes looking for you," Karen nodded.

"Don't even mention it," Ray shuddered.

"Liz, get out the dye. We're gonna make you a star…" Karen said.

"Sit down," Trish told her, and guided her to a chair near the sink. She took out a bottle from a large tub, and tilted her head into the sink. Scissors began to snip, as Ray felt strange liquids being dumped on her thick hair.

"Your hair is auburn, but do you mind going brown?" asked Karen.

"Nope," Ray said, sighing. Ray bore with them, because it would make her feel better. Later after the hair dye was applied, Ray glanced up. Plastic crinkled around her head while Karen waited with an egg timer.

"Hey, how does it look?" they asked, as Karen peeled her cap away in a wash of plastic and let her hair fall free. Liz and Trish helped her wash off the dye as they leaned over into the sink.

"Looks um… dark," they both muttered.

"I hope you don't mind some streaks," Karen groaned.

"Camouflage…" Liz said. "It's not that bad... Let me blow it out. To get the full effect."

The hairdryer zizzed, and Ray was fearful of what to expect. In the full length mirror Ray stood, stepping into platform shoes and a pair of comfortable jeans that Liz had brought. The Hard Day's Night t shirt completed the outfit, with a sturdy leather belt. The short cropped hair fell around in a strange bouffant around her ears.

"We got you something else to shade those eyes," Liz said, and handed her a pair of square narrow glasses, with green tinted lenses and thick black frames. Once Ray slipped them on, Ray felt like someone else was staring back at her in the mirror.

"Hello, Raina…" they all laughed.

"Shit you look cool, and tough," Karen laughed as Ray slipped on her leather jacket.

"I'm not Raina anymore, Ray can't be," Ray said to them soberly.

"Good point…" Trish said. "

"I'm Ray Macintyre," Ray said.

"Ouch, you need something short and memorable. How about Mack?"

"Whatever works," Ray said slowly. "But I think it sounds a bit cheesy."

"I'll get my friend to make you a fake ID Ray…" Trish said.

"Oh no…" Ray groaned.

"It' s okay… you need one now…" Liz said. "You have to stay away from him…"

"You sure?" Ray asked again.

"We're your friends," Liz said, giving her a warm hug. "And you're gonna be okay. No man is going to push you around again…"

"I think I'll just go ahead with the name change," she said slowly. "Rachel Macintyre it is now..."

***

 

That evening Ray returned to the apartment to meet up with Gene. Liz dropped Karen and her off, asking if she wanted them to wait.

"Sure, I'm gonna see what Stanley's up to," Karen nodded eagerly.

They made our way up to Gene's apartment, where Ray knocked on the door. Ray heard the scrape of deadbolts and a chain being drawn, and saw him open the door.

"Hi Karen, who is THIS with you?" he asked.

"Me," Ray laughed.

"Holy shit," he got out, looking at her in her new outfit. "I hardly recognized you... Ray?"

"Where's Stanley?" Karen asked.

"I'm sorry sweetie, he had a previous date with Yellow Cab. But he did tell me to give you this..." Gene said, handing a slip of paper to Karen.

"Ohh, his phone number," she gasped.

"Well well, now you're getting somewhere," Ray laughed.

"I'll just leave you two to get used to each other again," Karen laughed. "I'm gonna go crash in my new bed with the gals..."

"You be all right?" Gene asked. "Here let me walk you both down to the street..."

He did just that, making sure that Liz was still there. Gene opened the door for Karen, who swung into the front seat. With a wave Liz pulled away, leaving Gene and her still standing on the block.

"Let's get upstairs, love. I think you're going to have to tell me what these little changes are all about," he whispered into her ear.

***

"I know it's a shock," Ray began as she walked into the living room. Ray drew in her breath because she realized he had set up a smaller bookcase with some of her favorite novels. While she had given the other larger cases away to the girls, along with her SF magazines to Trish, she had kept at least one for the books she really wanted.

"Well, I have to admit it is a surprise," Gene said, running his hands through her hair, which was now a dark brown, with red streaks in it. Also it was a great deal shorter, shoulder length instead of down her back, and much easier to style, the sides slightly feathered and flyaway from her face instead of straight and long.

"It was the girls... they thought that if I looked different I'd be less of a target for Mark..."

"If that's what you want, I have to admit it looks pretty on you," Gene said, moving before her and slipping his arms around her waist. "But sooner or later you'll have to face up to your fear. I can't tell you how to live your life, any more then you can tell me how to live mine..."

"That's for sure," Ray teased back.

"Uh huh, doll," he laughed. "But seriously, you can't live in fear of this clown... you have to get on with your life..."

"That's why I'm here with you, instead of there with him," Ray said.

"And I'm proud of you... I really am," Gene repeated, pushing up the tinted glasses from her face so he could see her eyes. "Don't let that bastard make you afraid to live. Not when I've already worked my ass off trying to make you feel better about yourself..."

"You've done so much in so short a time... why did you tell me not to come after you?"

"Because you had to figure out for yourself what you wanted. I didn't want to make things more complicated," he said. "I told you before, we both had to get on with our lives. It was very hard for me to do..."

"I never stopped thinking about you," Ray said. "I know it's damn cheesy but..."

"Yeah," he nodded, fingering the side of her face with one hand while drawing her hips close to his with his other arm. "Tell me one thing, is part of this new look involving adding several inches to your height?"

"Well, the platform shoes do put me up a bit higher. It's your damn fault you're so tall," Ray scolded him. "I have to stand on a damn step ladder to kiss you otherwise..."

"Not that I mind, but they do say that when you're laying down, it equals the playing field..."

"Who's they?" Ray asked mischievously. "If I didn't know better I'd say YOU coined that phrase just now!"

"Guilty as charged, little girl," he laughed. "So, are you hungry?"

"Depends on WHAT appetite you're talking about," Ray smiled, feeling an odd boldness surging through her. It was so much easier to let go around Gene, and she found she liked this strange sexy flirting.

"Oh yeah baby you KNOW what I like," he responded in a very deep sexy voice that floored her.

***

"I'm very disappointed in you, young lady..." Mark said. Ray found herself in her living room, the furniture just a bit out of place.

The towels in the bathroom he had arraigned symmetrically, the carpet fringe even lined up to his specifications. After a long day's work of arranging and cleaning that Saturday, he'd come home to her from his bowling league.

"Mark, what on Earth do you have to be disappointed about?" Ray asked him

"I expect that since we are living under the same roof, you could at least do me the decency of upholding your end of the bargain..."

"I spent all DAY cleaning in here, on Saturday while You were out!" Ray shouted back. "What do you think I did all day?"

"Must I remind you that I pander to your whims when you wish to go out, with your girlfriends?" he shot back. "I've been very fair, don't you think..."

"How would You KNOW?" Ray hollered. "You're NEVER HERE!"

"Shut up!" Ray heard him shout, and she felt the sting of a slap landing into her face. Landing on the floor Ray shook her head. It was followed by a foot planted firmly in her back.

"Why are you doing this?" Ray sobbed, wiping her eyes. Why did Ray never have the sense to fight back?

"I don't ask for much... letting you LIVE here..." he yelled. "And THIS is how you show your gratitude, you ungrateful whore! Parading around the cities to do GOD KNOWS WHAT when you SHOULD be here kissing my feet and THANKING Me for letting you stay here! Begging me to let you move in when your parents were about to throw you out?"

"That's not how it is, please... let me up!" Ray shouted back.

"I will, only when you APOLOGIZE, like a good girl, and promise me you won't speak in such a way to me again," he said coldly.

"Why should I apologize?" Ray asked, voice shaking. "I didn't do anything wrong.."

"That's where you're mistaken, Raina Lindsay MacLaren... this is MY apartment, and I am the man of this house. And I expect respect from my fiancée. It's only a peace of paper that keeps us apart, and until I see fit that you and I can marry, you will do me the decency of listening to me and upholding your end of the bargain..."

"I pay rent too.."

"You do. And for the fact you are employed, that is good. But I demand much from my significant other. And it's only because without my help you'd be out on the street right now. Do I have to waste me time here ALL night with this nonsense?"

"No," I said.

"Will you DO what I say?"

"Yes," Ray whispered, feeling his heel grinding into her back. Grabbing her by her arms he tugged her roughly to her feet.

"Good. Now say it LOUDER so I can hear you..."

"Yes... anything you say," Ray repeated.

"Good. Now tell me WHAT this is..." he said, holding up a half crumpled piece of paper.

"It's mine..." Ray said, trying to take it from him. However he read it, and her heart pounded.

"You were going to sneak out again, weren't you, you..." he asked, voice low and making her blood run cold. Anger creased his face, and Ray felt his hand enclose around her neck.

"No... leave me alone!" Ray cried.

"THIS is how you thank me... for providing shelter... planning to run away from here?" he demanded. Ray felt his grasp tighten on her neck.

"You're hurting me, stop!" Ray cried, grabbing his wrists and trying to pry his hands from her neck.

"ANSWER ME! ARE YOU trying to run away... after ALL I've done for you, you ungrateful willful harlot?" he shouted right in her face.

"let me GO!" Ray yelled back. "Damn you!"

"Running away with your good for nothing bitch friends... is THAT how it is? Probably picking up MEN and parading around like a bunch of sluts? That's what this is, isn't it? ISN'T IT?"

"No!" Ray screamed, tearing his hands from her neck and smacking his face in an effort to get him off of her. Ray felt him reel and then grab her arms, and slam her against the wall, pushing her hard against it as he screamed at her.

"Leave me alone!" Ray shouted, trying to drown out his filthy cries of accusation. "You have no right... you have NO RIGHT!"

***

"Let me GO!" Ray screamed.  She turned over in bed, shivering in the cold. Light spilled in from the street, orange tinged. In the distance she heard the siren of a fire truck run by, and started bold upright. When it receded into the distance Ray returned to her senses, her heart pounding in double time.

"Are you all right?" Ray heard him mutter, reaching for her in his sleep. "I heard you yelling..."

"I'm sorry, this just takes some getting used to," Ray laughed nervously.

"Shit, you're all sweaty," Gene whispered, pulling her close. Ray flinched a bit from his touch, laying on her side next to him.

"It was nothing... just a bad dream..." Ray said dismissively.

"Ray... it sounds like it was a whopper of a nightmare... are you SURE you're all right..."

"Perhaps I should just go sleep on the couch... I'm sorry to disturb your sleep..."

"Hey, you can disturb my sleep ANY time you want, little girl," he whispered, kissing her shoulder.

"Gene I don't want to be any trouble..."

"You aren't. Why are you so skittish all of a sudden Ray?"

"Now I've disappointed you... I'll just..."

"Ray, what's going on... you're scaring me," Gene urged, gently pulling her down on the bed with him. He wrapped her in his arms from behind, softly kissing the back of her neck.

"I'm just so afraid... that if I get you upset... you'll not let me stay here anymore..." Ray got out.

"Ray, that makes NO sense whatsoever," Gene reprimanded her. "I invited you here to stay with me because I care about you, and you don't seem to have anywhere else to go yet..."

"That's it exactly..."

"Now WAIT... I told you there were NO strings attached..." Gene sighed. "the only thing I want you to do for me is to get your life together and do what you want with it, instead of what everyone else wants you to do..."

"I wish it were that easy..."

"You were dreaming about Mark, weren't you?" he said softly. "Ray, please turn over and look at me..."

She did so, at first not wanting to accept the loving caress of his embrace. He pressed his skin next to hers, kissing her cheek delicately. Amazing how someone of his height and weight had such a gentle hand.

"Yes," Ray sighed. "I could just see him there... in the darkness... screaming at me..."

"Want to talk about it? If not, that's cool too, but Ray you HAVE to move on. I'll help you if I can... but I HATE seeing you torturing yourself like this..."

"I just want to forget it ever happened..." Ray said.

"Even though you know better, right, baby?" he asked.

"Yes... it WONT go away..." Ray sighed, chest heaving up and down against Gene's.

"You're safe here. I won't let anyone hurt you as long as I can help it... and neither will Stanley or your friends. You're really lucky you know... because you have people who REALLY care about you... and do you know what I'd like to do for you now?"

"What?"

"Take you here in my nice cozy bed, and screw you so hard you forget all about that jerk, and feel GOOD about yourself for a change," Gene whispered. "How would you like THAT?"

"Sounds wonderful..."

"I'm glad you think so, because it's torture laying here next to you and NOT doing it," he laughed. "After it's been so long, we need to make up for lost time..."

"Hmm?" Ray asked.

"Mmm hmm, you know it," he cooed, pulling her body close to his and rubbing seductively against her. Laying on his side he snaked his arm between the sheets and her hip, curling it round her while his other hand squeezed down her back to her hips. Over her left hip it traced massaging her stomach to her front to play with her breasts. So sure and even was his touch that it momentarily banished her fears. Gene would never hurt her, or lay a hand upon her in anger. Instead of pushing her away with her fears he sought to draw her in. Ray decided she would let him take her away from the anger now.

His fingers worked between her legs, teasing her to a quickening of the heart that was caused by something far healthier then fear. Ray traced her nails up and down his chest, feeling his flesh through her fingers. Down his belly Ray scratched, before seizing his member and teasing him as he teased her. Softly his tongue teased her sensitive neck, where the bruises were the worst, trying hard to please her without hurting her. As if he could kiss away the horrible pain and shame.

"You are one sexy woman, you know that?" he whispered hoarsely in her ear. "And now I'm going to give you a reason to forget all about what that other man did to you, and believe you are worthy to be ravished and teased and pleased all night long..."

"All night?" Ray gasped, feeling his fingers teasing between her legs again.

"All night long baby," Gene repeated. "I have to work up your resistance baby... after all it makes it even more fun... don't you think?"

That new found hunger and confidence inflamed her desire. He rolled over and pressed her into the sheets. Ray wasn't scared of his massive body covering hers, because she felt safe and protected under this living blanket. Gene would protect her, she sensed.

"Besides, how's ANY one going to get to you with ME here?" he laughed, teasing her lips with his tongue. Ray groaned as he pushed inside of her suddenly, then pulled out.

"Good point..."

"Glad you agree..." he nodded, reaching under her neck to pull something from under the pillow and pressed it into her hand. Quickly Ray opened its contents and tickled down between their bodies to prepare him for what they were about to do.

Grabbing his shoulders Ray readied herself for the first thrust, which was hard and firm. The force was sweet and strong, wresting a cry from her throat. Knowing that they were alone, Ray moaned at the sudden fast pounding deep into her moist core. He took her legs and tilted them up in a rather awkward angle, and it was then Ray realized the pleasure increased. As his thrusting increased, Ray felt the fast building of her first orgasm, mercilessly surging over her.

He rolled her over so he was under her, slamming up into her so hard it was almost painful. "Oh god Gene!" Ray panted, holding onto him for dear life. What had Ray unleashed she wondered. Whatever it was, it felt so good that it brought tears to her eyes. Another orgasm slammed into her bucking body, taking her as swiftly as the first. Again he rolled her over, so she was pressed under his powerful body, his knees bent and fast pumping into her with even greater force. Tears burned down her cheeks as hot and fierce as the passion between them both.

Finally she noticed his face tensing, his groans and cries equaling her own. He stiffened, shoving one last time deep inside, her legs spread wide to receive this last assault. Ray’s fingernails dug into his back, and she was sure that she had drawn blood. Ray’s scream echoed along with a loud growling moan that increased the height of her third and final pinnacle. The two lovers came to that place together this time; bodies locked together, sweat mingling, their mouths merging in a contact as intimate as that below.

For an instant it seemed like time stopped, and her senses exploded in white light behind her closed eyes. When it was over, she lay under him, exhausted but radiant. Every inch of her body seemed on fire with this pleasure.

Gene caught his breath, lifting himself from her. she stroked his hair softly, cradling his head on her bared chest as he rested there. Skin to skin they enjoyed the slowing of our mighty pulses to a stopping point, giving their selves time to enjoy what they had unleashed.

***

The next few days were sheer heaven compared to the hell she had lived for six months. she mailed in her letter of resignation, typed on Gene's typewriter, taking a few days in his home to relax. He would go off to work, and she would remain behind and wait for Karen or Trish or Liz to stop by and pick her up. Then they would proceed to the studio/loft and practice.  She had sold the engagement ring and some major pieces of jewelry. From the resulting money Ray had purchased amplifiers, an organ, and a better drumset for Liz. Day and night she hammered on it in an effort to perfect that which she had taken lessons on a few short years ago.

Trish taught Karen the ways of the guitar, when she was there in the evenings. Ray had heard her parents were not thrilled with the long hours she spent away from home. It was all she could do to keep up with her studies, work at their restaurant, and still have time for practice.

Ray dreaded the day when Gene would come home and tell her he had told Stanley about his proposal. Ray kept her mouth shut about it, because it wasn't her business. Instead Ray filled her time with piano and organ practice at the loft, seeing Stanley sometimes stopping by to pick up Karen or she meeting up with him after his cab routes.

However, the following Saturday, Gene returned home in a black mood. Ray could almost see the gray cloud floating over his head when he closed the door and didn't bother to disturb her where Ray was scribbling away at a new song for our album that had been ringing in her brain.

"Gene," Ray said, getting up as he silently tossed down his briefcase and threw his coat over the kitchen chair. "I didn't see you..."

"Sorry sweetie," he said softly. "Just been a rough day..."

"Isn't this when you usually jam?" Ray asked tentatively. A terse look in those amber brown eyes stopped her question.

"Usually, if there was ANYONE worth jamming with..." he shot back.

"Sorry..." Ray muttered, turning away. She quickly turned back to her work, wondering if she should leave well enough alone.

"Stupid son of a bitch... I TOLD him it was only business... but he goes and freaks like I'm stabbing him in the back," Gene shook his head, tossing down the mail and ripping open a few envelopes violently.

"What is that?" Ray asked.

"Baby, I'm sorry," he apologized. "But you wouldn't BELIEVE what Steve told me...."

"You told him finally?"

"Not just him, but the kid," Gene said. "I finally tried to find a place and time earlier today to break the news. When they were over at the studios. I took a day off from work... and who should show up but Steve?"

"What happened," Ray asked, moving over to Gene who sank into the easy chair. He had tossed the mail on the kitchen table. Ray sat next to Gene, who buried his head in his hands momentarily.

"Stanley didn't get it," Gene sighed. "Kid almost lost it. He was torn. I mean he could see where I was coming from, but he just didn't get it at first... and then after the blowup with Steve at us, he tried to play mediator. Then it got ugly."

"And then?" Ray asked.

"Steve left in a huff, leaving me there with Stanley, and a VERY startled record producer. He asked us if we'd been drinking, and I told him just WHAT he could do with his record deal..."

"And then..." Ray continued, taking Gene's hand. He let her move close, shaking his head and closing those eyes that she could loose myself in.

"Stanley just didn't say much to me. Then we started arguing again... and I told him I wouldn't talk anymore till he cooled off... so he did. Any guess now where he's cooling his heels... DAMN IT, sometimes Stanley can be so hard HEADED and STUBBORN!"

"Like someone else I know?" Ray asked. In response Gene shot her an angry scowl, and pulled his hand from hers. Angrily he paced about, hands behind his back.

"He doesn't GET IT... that we have to be the BEST!" Gene wagged his finger at her. "And I know I'm stubborn, Ray, but that's NOT the point!"

"Give him some time, he'll come around," Ray said.

"He'd better... or else he'll miss the chance of a lifetime!" Gene shouted. "I can't believe him being so freaking stupid sometimes!"

"He's a teenager Gene," Ray said calmly, looking up at him. "He has a dream too... but you CAN'T do it without him. You said so yourself... no matter what you say now if he's got sense he'll see you two NEED each other..."

"Shit," Gene laughed ironically, rubbing his chin. "I guess he will, if he knows what's GOOD for him. Damn it Ray, I can't let some second rate blockheads screw up her chance... our chance to make something of ourselves! Stanley HAS to learn that business is business, and pleasure is pleasure..."

"He'll learn to separate them in time... he doesn't' have your experience," Ray said. "But you have to realize that you have to be patient with him... if this is something you want badly enough!"

"Stupid kid," Gene snapped, sinking onto the couch.

"That's right Sherlock, he's a kid, like you were once," Ray said. "But the way you're acting right now I wonder about that... all grown up and mature, Mr. Simmons..."

"Thanks a lot," he snorted. "Obviously you don't get it either!"

"Sorry... I'm just trying to get you to see that you need to give him a break, that's all," Ray held up her hands. "Excuse me for expressing my opinion. which obviously means NOTHING to you since you're already made your mind up that you're infallible!"

At the sound of her sarcasm, Gene chewed his lip. Ray sat there, fuming in anger how he had just casually dismissed what she had to say. For a few minutes he clenched his jaw, breathing heavily to calm down. Ray got up and went into the bedroom, to let him cool off.

Finally Ray heard a knock at the door, and asked, "What?"

"Ray, it's me..."

"Who else would be in here?" Ray asked sullenly.

"Please, can you let me in... I want to apologize to you, and I feel like a dumb ass trying to do it through a door... can you open the door please?"

"All right," Ray sighed, getting up from the bed and opening it. Behind it was Gene, looking very pathetic, rather like a wounded dog that was ashamed of wetting the carpet.

"I'm sorry I yelled," he said. "I really DO value your opinion Ray. Sometimes I just... well... let my big mouth get in the way..."

"All right, I forgive you this time," Ray said with a hint of mischief.

"I really AM sorry," Gene repeated. "I guess I am too hard on the kid. But I don't want him to blow a chance over something like this... especially when I picked him to start the whole band over again... over those other no talent clowns..."

"Well, like you said, he's probably cooling down somewhere. I'm sure it wouldn't hurt to give him some time. If he wants to come back, he will. And if not..."

"I don't want to lose him," Gene said slowly. "He's got real talent... and he might be stubborn and annoying... but I miss having his input. He really CAN write songs..."

"Well this is a day... you admitting you need someone," Ray laughed. "Just kidding..."

"You're right," he said. "I am playing this lone wolf thing too far sometimes. But when you're used to providing for yourself..."

"Hey, it's cool," Ray said. "I just hate having arguments..."

"So do I, baby. Is it all right to give this big bad wolf a hug and a kiss hello?" Gene said. He held out his arms to her in the hopes that at least between us, things were copasetic.

"You big dummy, come here," Ray groaned, shaking her head. He strode over, wrapping her in a close hug as he lifted her off her feet and pulled her into a hungry kiss. Ray only hoped that Stanley had someone helping him through this.

"Hang on a moment," Ray said, breaking free of the kiss.

"What?" he asked.

"I think I know someone who can help find Stanley and make sure he's okay..."

"Who?"

"Karen..."

"You can't tell her..." Gene got out.

"Trust me... she'll just be worried... that he's okay..." Ray said, reaching for the phone to call Karen.

***