True confessions:

Part 1

(An alternative ending for To Touch a Distant Star)

by Trynia Merin

Inspired by Jade McAllister

Disclaimer: KISS, Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons are real persons, and this story is not meant to harm or demean them in any manner. It is a work of fiction. Terri Mason and other characters are property of the author. Rated R for sexual content and language, so no readers under 18 please.

Paul and she had returned to the hotel in solemn silence, and now she left the hotel room to return home. Strange awkwardness drove her to leave him far behind with many heated words of accusation.

"You can't just make it right with even this…" she had said. "Where did you go…"

"I can't really say… I went to see an old friend who needed me…"

"But I needed you…"

"I'm sorry, this isn't easy for me…"

"It's not easier for me…" she shouted, and stormed out of the room.

"Then you will or won't take the job?" he asked. "At least give me a freaking chance to make it right?"

"What do you think, Paul? I'm sorry, but I've got a lot to think about…"

"Okay… you need space, fine. Just remember, the offer still stands…"

She slipped away, excusing herself before he could see her angry tears. After all he had gotten her fired from her job! She picked up her car keys and briefcase as she left. She well knew when Paul had to leave for Los Angeles, where the next leg of the tour would resume in two days.

"Goodbye Paul," she said, looking back at the hotel before she left the lobby. It wasn't too far to the parking lot where her car was parked. It was for the best, she told herself. Even though she appreciated the job offer, this was something she had to face alone. Something told her that things weren't quite right, suspicion burning inside her. Her gut feeling had never been wrong before.

It was her life, wasn't it?

*******************************************************

Next day, her feet ached when she left Chemistaff 1, a temporary staffing service. So far the interview had gone well, and they promised to call her as soon as a job came up matching her criteria. Fortunately they had been willing to schedule an interview as soon as she had walked in with her resume. Even so she wondered if this was the right choice.

Glancing at her watch she noticed it was 10am. 12 hours after a fresh nights sleep and a good hot shower in her own apartment. Fortunately she had enough saved up to cover this month's expenses. Beyond that, who knew? Around her neck something jingled and tugged at her neck. She reached into her blouse and tugged the chain free of her bra strap where it had caught. Between thumb and finger she peered at the rose pendant, worked with a shimmering diamond among the rose petals.

Sighing, she unlatched the pendant and put into a pocket of her purse. As soon as she had his address she would send it back. Where was he now? She remembered he had a tight schedule to record the last track in LA, or so he had said. There was no question he had to leave now or else loose a profitable day's recording at the studio there.

No question at all that all band members had to make this recording session, followed by a press conference and their latest performance. She couldn't think of this now without feeling her throat knot up. Quickly Terri pushed those latest revelations from her brain when she pulled up to her apartment, and parked on the street in front.

When she exited the car and walked up the stairs to her front door, she didn't notice the black limo pulling up opposite the house where she made her apartment. Inside the limo, the figure sunglasses up his face to confirm the address he had scribbled down.

**********************************************

Terri pushed open the lace curtains in her bedroom to let a little more light in. She knew there was a chance that someone might look in, but who the hell would be tempted this time of day? Quickly she stripped off her encumbering business suit and draped her nylon stockings over the back of her desk chair. For a moment she let the wind hit her bare skin before digging out a T-shirt to pull on. Strains of "Only You" drifted in the background. Despite what many KISS fans thought, she liked this 'concept album' which many thought was the biggest mistake the band could have made.

It was then that the phone rang. Raising an eyebrow she debated about whether or not to answer it. She let it ring, and the machine clicked on. Oddly enough whoever it was hung up. Terri wandered into her living room, bare legged with her T-shirt hanging around her knees. Under her feet the carpet felt soft and inviting, and she enjoyed the feel of it on her aching toes.

Dark Light clicked on, and she wandered into the kitchen to fix herself something for a late afternoon snack. Again the phone rang, and she whirled about at the sudden sound. Should she answer it? It could be the agency with a possible contract. She hadn't bothered to check the messages she had accumulated while she was gone, electing to erase the tape. Terri could guess who had left the five messages recorded there on answering machine.

Again the phone rang. "This is getting silly!" Terri muttered. Angrily she picked up the phone, automatically saying, "I don't want any! I can't afford..."

"Hello yourself sweetheart," came a voice. She shivered when she realized who it was.

"If this is some charity... I just lost my job..."

"This may be your lucky day. You have a minute to talk?"

"Depends on what it's about," she answered. "If this is some sick joke..."

"Look, I really need to talk to you. It's important..."

"How do I know you're really Gene?" she asked. "For al I know you could be some smart-assed fan who's gotten my address and phone number from God knows where."

"Ask me anything..."

"What color underwear am I wearing?" she asked with a slight smirk.

There was a momentary hesitation, and the sound of rustling papers. "White, with purple flowers on them..." came the answer. "Goes well with that Solo album shirt you have on your lovely body. The one Paul gave you..."

That was Gene all right, she nodded to herself ruefully. Only he would be bothering to play peeping tom.

"Which comes to why I'm here..."

"I thought you'd be in LA recording those last tracks..."

"We hit a technical snag...
"Gene why are you here?"

"I understand Paul offered you a job. I was just here to ask you why you didn't take it?"

"I'm considering all possibilities..." she said.

"Why?"

"Unlike you gentleman I can't just pull up my tent stakes and go wherever I like. For instance I signed a one year lease on this place... and there's a little thing called money that I have very little of..."

"Something that we'd be willing to help you out with..." came Gene's voice.

"I'm a professional Gene," she said. "A chemist. I can't just take any job that comes along..."

"Look, it's hard to talk like this. Can't you let me speak to you face to face?"

"Okay," Terri relented. "Give me a minute to make myself decent... not like I really need to..."

"Fair enough..." Gene agreed. She clicked off the phone. A few minutes later she answered the knock at the door. Swinging it open she glanced up into a pair of soft brown eyes that towered head and shoulders over her. Black leather pants conformed to a wrestler's body, matching the leather jacket and black denim shirt he wore. His long hair was pulled back into a ponytail at the nape of his neck, and she could see the distinctive markings of age lining the handsome face. Still he looked damned good, she inwardly thought. She'd have to watch it with him, knowing how he could be around the ladies.

She could feel his eyes tracing up and down her body, dressed casually in the solo album T shirt and blue sweat pants with Villanova in large white letters down the left leg. Most ladies, she told herself. Terri knew she could resist his charms well enough. At least for the time being.

"So why are you really here? Did Paul send you to come get me?" she said, resting a hand on her hip. "To drag me kicking and screaming to the opportunity of my lifetime?"

"I came of my own volition, doll. I'm worried about a friend," Gene said seriously, the 'I'll eat you alive' look fading from his face when he went from leisure to business in thirty seconds. Did he mean Paul, or someone else?

"C'mon in," she said, realizing he wasn't going to leave. It would be rude to slam the door in his face, because despite her better judgment she did admire the man. Not to mention she found him extremely attractive right now, for some reason.

"Want anything to drink?" she asked. "I'm afraid diet Coke and water's all I have..."

Gene watched her turn to the kitchen, and shut the door behind him. She grabbed two cans of coke, and turned to find Gene right behind her.

"All right, there is a thing called personal space..." she sighed.

"I'm serious. I need to talk, doll. Level with me..." he said, leaning his arm against the fridge and pinning her there between his body and the door. "You and Paul... you care about him, right?"

"Here's your soda," she said, pushing the can into his hand and dodging under his arm to move into the living room.

"Terri... why didn't you take the job he offered you? We start performing tomorrow! And Paul's worried sick that you..." Gene asked, chasing her into the living room. She sat down on the couch and cracked open her soda. Picking up the remote she switched on the TV.

"Okay, you want it straight Gene?" she asked, when he lowered himself to sit right next to her. "I like him a lot... but I resent being uprooted in my life. I worked hard to build a career as a chemist. Most of my life spent in school. The type of life you guys led... its one city to the next. He might be with me this month. But when I'm no longer the flavor of the month... I need to know I have something to fall back on."

"Damn, you know the drill, don't you," Gene shook his head.

"I have no illusions. I know who you guys are. Love em and leave em."

"Don't you think for a moment that you might be different?" Gene asked.

"You're asking me that?" she laughed sadly. "Gene, I'm a scientist. I deal in facts and statistics. I know from past experience what KISS is like when it comes to women."

"He was damned disappointed when you didn't come with him yesterday…"

"But we had an argument!" she shot back.

"So? Maybe he and you can work things out!" Gene said, exasperated. He was getting nowhere fast with this one. "I wasn't lying when I said I came myself. I saw how down in the dumps he was when he got on the plane yesterday morning. Ace and Peter had already gotten there on the KISS jet."

"Paul has faced disappointment before," Terri glanced matter of fact to Gene, sipping her coke.

"Not like this. I had to almost wring it out of him what happened. Guy's in such a funk he said he didn't give a shit about tonight's show. He's already feeling like shit because he knows he got you fired! I knew there was a chance maybe I could convince you myself to come back with me and take the job he offered... "

"Well, Paul's guilt is his own fault," Terri said firmly. "I'm not responsible for that."

"Can't you at least let him iron out the kinks?" Gene asked her, setting his can of diet soda on the coffee table. "When Paul gets into a funk, you know what he's like! And besides, don't you think if you at least got together and hashed this out… you'd come to some understanding. I mean, I take it you're sweet on him…"

"That's too bad. I'm only trying to make things easier for both of us in the long run. I can't throw my life away on Paul's whims... any more then you could throw your life in KISS away on some woman you met. You and Paul are KISS, as much as I am a scientist. It's my profession. The same as yours or any other mans."

"You wouldn't be throwing your life away!" Gene smacked his thigh. "Don't you realize the opportunity..."

"Gene you are on your farewell tour..." she sighed, staring him straight in the face. "What happens to job security once you're done?"

"You can be guaranteed employment for at least the duration of the tour..." Gene said.

"After that?"

"There are many places in California to work... for our organization..."

"But it's the principle of the thing, Gene. To be handed some job because I was good in bed... that's not how I work. I like to at least know I have the criteria for the job..."

"But Paul offered you the job because he was responsible for getting you fired from your last one! Can't you let him help?"

"Gene... I wasn't even hired based on my skills!"

"Well, can't you at least let him even the score?" Gene sighed, folding arms across his chest.

"It's just not right…"

"Hey, wait a minute…" Gene said slowly, catching the look of anger in her dark eyes, as dark as his own. "You're really doubting if Paul cares for you?"

"Call it a gut feeling Gene…"

"I don't want to take the job just because he feels sorry for me. I have my pride after all. I can find a job somewhere else. I don't need his handouts!"

"Shit, this is just perfect…" Gene muttered under his breath. It was taking all his self-control not to come right out with the truth.

"Paul's an incorrigible flirt like you are. But at least you're honest…"

"Honest, yeah…"

"To tell the truth, I feel he was only seeing me as a challenge… trying to bed a smart woman for a change. A conquest. Mr. Romance and flowers. Then on to the next woman. His offering the job was just his trying to save his ass and come clean."

"Well, we're used to that…" Gene admitted. Boy was she reading Paul like a book! Regret filled him at what he was about to do.

"You're honest about it at least," she looked at him.

"Yeah, honest," Gene muttered.

"Gene… what's going on?" she asked him, seeing that pensive look cloud the dark eyes.

"Nothing," Gene answered, taking a swig of soda.

"Bullshit," Terri folded her arms. "It's something about Paul, isn't it?"

Gene sighed, folding arms across his chest. Paul sure knew how to pick them sometimes, he inwardly muttered. It was frustrating and a massive turnon to be dealing with such a stubborn girl. To boot she was highly intelligent, and could see through his story quite well. Too well.

"Well, it's like this…"

"You saw Paul with someone else, didn't you? And you don't want to tell me about it?" she asked, voice low.

"Terri…" he started, then shut up again. Uncomfortably he crossed and uncrossed his knees.

"I had a feeling…" she whispered, eyes clouding over as she looked away. Slowly she rose from the couch, pulling off her glasses. Gene felt trapped between saying anything else, and remaining silent. By his silence he had admitted the truth of the situation.

"Who was it? Was that why he disappeared without telling me… leaving me that note?"

"Damn it I wish you weren't' so fucking smart," he sighed.

Terri dug through the trash, and pulled out Paul's note. Again she read the text aloud, and Gene continued to sit there, paralyzed momentarily.

"This is a Dear John note," she muttered, and hurled it down in disgust. "He went to see someone when he left, didn't he? But out of guilt he came back… is that it?"

"No, that's not what I saw," Gene blurted out. Then he shut up again when he picked up the discarded wad of paper.

"What did you see?" she demanded, whirling around.

"He had to come back because one of his friends was in an accident. That's what he told me… and then I saw him in this strange funk when he was stringing his guitar. Singing got to choose under his breath…"

"A friend in an accident? Was this friend female?"

"He didn't say in the phone call when he called us to tell us where the hell he was. We assumed he was with you, but then it surprised the hell outta me to hear he'd up and split and was calling from somewhere in New York City!"

"Did he see his 'friend'?" Terri almost spat, whirling around.

"Let's just say doll, when he came back for the next rehearsal, he had a blond on his arm that me and the guys knew all too well. With a cute little cast and on crutches. They ordered takeout, and he came back very late for rehearsal the next day."

"Who was this friend gene?"

"His ex girlfriend Linda…"

"But if that's so, why did he come back?"

"She wanted to get back together with him. They had been trying for some time for a reconciliation till this contest started." Gene muttered. "But when she heard about you it put her over the edge, and it fell through. They had a big argument and she left in a huff. Paul was heartbroken. And then he hopped another plane on the way back to see you… and…"

"Oh god," Terri got out, pulling off her glasses as she crumpled to the floor. It seemed like her legs gave way. In a heartbeat Gene's legs carried him off the sofa and to her side. He caught her against himself, steadying her.

"I… I'm so sorry," Gene got out. "I didn't want to tell you… I thought maybe it wouldn't matter… because I figured he was guilty for it, and realized what a putz he was being…"

"What was so great about her?" Terri spat, turning around in Gene's arms. "Long legs to heaven, blond and a great ass? Could she write a goddamned song, or an equation? She's a fucking actress, and I'm a nobody, without a goddamned job!"

"No way, baby," Gene got out before Terri threw her glasses onto the table. She buried her head in her hands, shaking uncontrollably.

She broke away from Gene, bending almost double at the waist as she sobbed through her hands. The muffled cries made him follow her to the kitchen, wondering what she would do next. "Son of a fucking bitch!" she shouted at the top of her lungs, not caring who would hear. Her fist pounded the doorway to the kitchen, almost denting the wood in her anger. Pain made her wince and nurse her bruise. Whirling around she walked right into Gene who had moved up behind her.

Finally she accepted his embrace, burying her face in his denim shirt. Arms held her close, his voice low as he shushed her. Only he seemed real at this moment, and Terri felt as if she wanted to rip and strangle Paul for what he had done.

"Why? Why the hell did I have to fall for him?" she cried. Gene continued to stroke her back, making shushing noises.

"Most women ask that," Gene laughed ironically. "He's the goddamned heartbreaker of the band, after all!"

"Why did he even bother with me? That's what I like to know? Other then my talent, I can't compare with those women… those beautiful people! Why did he even get serious when he wanted to get back with his ex? And then I'm the first person he turns to for a piece of ass for a consolation prize!"

"Yeah, it sucks…" Gene sighed, taking her hand and gripping it tightly. "You see why I didn't want to tell you… the last thing I wanted was to see you get burned. Godamn it I should have done something from the start…"

"What?"

"You're a smart, sexy woman, Terri. It's not right he did you wrong. Paul's a playboy. You're far too good for him. And like a dumbass I stood back and let it happen. If anyone's to blame it's me…"

"Please Gene…" she sighed. "Don't make it any harder then it already is… I opened my heart and got burned… story of my goddamned life. He wants a glamorous woman, not a nerdish freak who's a reject from a chemistry lab…"

"Oh stop! You're making yourself sound like a biological mistake," Gene groaned. "Last time I checked, there was only one Frankenstein… and people didn't dig him because they never gave him a chance. Hell, look at me! I wasn't born rich and famous, and neither was Paul! And I'm no Mel Gibson…"

"And the chicks still dig you," she laughed sadly. "You're just so animalistically attractive they're drawn to your irresistible sexuality. Or else they're just sick of your incessant flirting!"

"Half it it's because I'm rich and famous. They want a piece of the Demon. I give the fans what they want."

"It's not the fame I mind…" she interrupted him. "I can deal with limos and groupies. It's the feeling like I'm a piece of goddamned meat I hate. Paul can't just waltz in, romance me and screw up my life without taking responsibility…"

"Now wait…"

"Oh here it comes… the big speech about knowing what I was getting into. Save it Gene, I don't wanna hear it! I was obviously either a second choice, or a safety blanket he could just take for granted, like everything else he's gotten because he is who he is!"

"Don't say that," Gene shook his head. "Look…"

"That's how I feel, Gene!" she shouted, pulling her hand from his. "All I wanted was honesty!"

"He should have leveled with you then," Gene nodded slowly. "Me, I see a woman, and I let her know right up front what I am. I'm not the type who's gonna get married and tied down. I'm a slut, plain and simple…"

"Exactly. That's who you are, and admit it…"

"I don't go for head games…."

"I've got better things to do then play games now," she snorted, as he passed her a tissue.

"That's what makes you so attractive, other then the fact you've got a nice ass, lovely hips, and an exceptionally nice rack," Gene admitted. "You're a woman with your own mind, who knows what she wants. It's irresistible to men like Paul… men like me who have everything they could want. For Paul it's a challenge to seduce an unattainable woman…"

"Well then, he's very good at what he does. But there are some things you can't fix with flowers and money. Sometimes all someone like me wants is to feel special… to be held or made love to once in a while. No strings even…"

"So you're not adverse to one night stands?"

"Not at all. Just as long as the person is honest with me. I just can't believe I'm having this conversation with you of all people! By now I half thought you'd be getting me alone so you could seduce me…"

"Would that disappoint you that I'm not?" Gene asked with a mischievous twinkle in his eye.

"Oh shut up!" she laughed, smacking his knee. "Down boy! Seriously, what do you look for in a woman anyway? Who's the best you've ever had?"

"The woman I'm with at the time," Gene admitted.

"Now that's a Gene answer if I heard one," she laughed, wiping a tear away. "I can live with that…"

"Can you? That's very interesting. Because from what Paul had said…" Gene asked simply, his eyes fixing her in a stare that made her feel quite uneasy. Uneasy in a deliciously unsettling way. Rather like the first hill of a wild new roller coaster. She knew the ride would be fun at the end, but it was climbing the first hill.

"What exactly did Paul say about me?" she asked him, meeting his gaze. "That I was a good lay? Or that I was a disappointment?"

"Now why would you say that?" Gene asked, giving her a dig in the ribs. "Stop selling yourself short! It kills the conversation!"

"I'm sorry… can you blame me?"

"No, considering the circumstances. You've got a lot on your mind… and it's okay… I'm not here to judge you. You need someone to listen, and since you're hell bent on venting about Paul, who better? After all, who knows him better then his buddy Gene?"

"What the hell did I do wrong?"

"Absolutely nothing," Gene said, taking her hand again. Lightly he stroked the back, and the action seemed to calm her down a little bit. Her eyes were swollen and red from crying, and Terri felt like the most unattractive thing on two feet in her t shirt and Villanova sweat pants, her hair in a tousled mess from that hairclip.

"And I like a woman to look me in the face when I'm talking to her," he added, taking her shoulder and turning her torso to face him. His leather clad thigh brushed close to hers, the warmth shooting through her like wildfire. She felt her face flush as his gaze fixed into hers. All he had to do was look at her and she felt herself loose control.

"You're making me nervous," she grumbled.

"Really. How am I making you nervous?" he asked, his voice lowered to a tone that made her shiver.

"You're doing that thing with your voice, and giving me that 'I'll eat you alive stare' that you're so famous for," she laughed.

"And what would that be?" he continued, amused at her reaction.

"Don't bullshit me," she shook her head. "You know exactly what you're doing. I bet right now you're imagining what I'd look like naked under these clothes. Waiting for the right moment to jump my bones…"

"My you do use a mix of slang with the intelligent vocabulary, don’t you? I like it when a woman is both intelligent and down to earth at the same time…" he teased her. "And you're sure you've got me figured out? Why exactly does it make you nervous?"

"Because… I rather enjoy it…" she breathed deeply. "And I'm afraid of what might happen next…"

"What do you think will happen next?" Gene asked her, pressing her hand to his lips and giving it a soft kiss.

"What's your hypothesis?"

"Well for starters, you're lowering your voice into that slow sexy tone you just know is making me nervous… and the way you're stroking my hand like that… it's really weird, but I would have expected a guy like you to have larger hands… I mean they are a good size mind you… but in proportion…"

Here she took his one hand and pressed her palm into his. Firmly he pressed against hers, and his fingers curled over the ends of her small short ones. Like Paul's they were soft on the palms, and hard and callused on the fingers from his musicianship. He took her hand in both of his, slowly and deliberately massaging it between his.

"You like that… don't you…" he whispered.

"There, you're modulating your voice. So I have to lean closer to hear it… I half expected you to pretend to yawn so you could put your arm around me…"

"Really? You think I'd resort to such a childish prank?" Gene chuckled. "Honestly, who do you think you're dealing with?"

"Yes, shame on me. That's too obvious for you…"

"Indeed," he smiled, turning up the smolder in his gaze. Suddenly she felt his hand on her cheek, slowly caressing it with the back. He moved his fingers over her lips, lightly fingering her teeth. She lightly brushed her tongue along the exploring finger, eliciting an amused chuckle from him. Her hand stole up his thigh, stroking and caressing. She couldn't help wanting to explore further.

"Now that's very interesting, isn't it?" he laughed lightly, pulling the clip and letting her hair fall loose around her shoulders. "You're perfectly aware of what I'm doing, and yet you seem very far from wanting it to stop, don't you?"

"Very," she nodded, her breath coming in short gasps when she felt his arm steal around her shoulder and draw her close so her chest was pressed up against his. All of a sudden she realized how close he have moved. Every reason why this shouldn't be happening flew out of the window, and she realized she wasn't thinking about Paul at this moment. Perhaps that was what Gene wanted, but she didn't care.

"It's best to get this over with now, isn't it…" she asked. His eyebrows raised in question, but she leaned forwards and touched her lips ever so tentatively to his. A hot flush claimed her face when she felt his hands moving across her chest experimentally. For a moment she savored the sensual feel of full perfect lips against her. Why he didn't open his mouth surprised her, rather taking his time to inhale the ghost of shampoo on her hair, and the scent of her warm soft skin. Drawing back she opened her eyes and noticed that he had the look of a detached observer. Her reaction was just as important to him as his own pleasure. In fact she guessed he derived pleasure from seeing her own.

"You're playing with me now… waiting to see if I'll loose my nerve," she whispered.

"IT isn't what you expected, was it?" he laughed.

"The stories all say different things about you," she flushed. "In fact…"

"And which stories would those be?"

"The ones on the egroups listing…" she began, but felt her breath cut off in her throat when he pulled her close to him, sealing her lips with his own. This time she felt the heady rush of firm lips moving hungrily over hers. Arms folding around his neck she buried her hands in his hair, drinking in the sensation that flooded her.

"I'm impressed," he smiled, fingering her nose when they drew back for breath.

I didn't think this was a contest…"

"It isn't. Only with yourself… so just relax. Unless you don't want to do this. If you don't… just tell me, all right?"

"Believe me, I couldn't stop even if I wanted to…" she gasped, laying a kiss on his cheek. He sighed deliciously when she combed fingers through his mass of wiry soft hair. A low growl sounded in his throat when she traced a hand up his chest and under his jacket.

"To tell the truth I'm not sure of what I want…"

"Why don't you tell me, now that you have my undivided attention?' he whispered, leaning close to breath into her ear. Slowly he tugged at her T-shirt, pulling it up out of the waistband of her sweat pants. She lifted her arms without thinking, letting him pull it over her head gently and lay it across the coffee table. For a moment his eyes took in the sight of her chest, covered in the black lace bra she still had on from work. Lightly he ran his finger over the lace, slipping toward her back. His lips lowered to her sensitive neck, guiding her hands to his chest again. She pushed his leather jacket off his black shirt, gasping as he ran his tongue down her goospimpled flesh. The path stopped just below her braline, and she leaned forwards so he could unfasten it and pull it away.

"I like that…" she managed to get out.

"Good," he smiled.

She unbuttoned his shirt and running her hands under the cloth to explore his chest. He did not have the abundance that Paul did, but she liked what she felt. Slowly she inhaled the scent of fabric softener and musk cologne that impressed itself into her mind. His kisses extended to her shoulder, tongue exploring the firm and soft parts of her exposed breasts. He was taking his time savoring each one, pulling her one thigh to rest on his lap, and pinning her in place as he rested his other on top. This allowed him to shift his body to press his now bared chest to hers. Again he made eye contact, savoring the pleasure in her face.

"I want my own life," she whispered back, breathe coming in short gasps. "To be appreciated for who I am, and not have to apologize for who I am, or the decisions I make…"

"Mmm hmm," Gene nodded. "And what else?"

"Not to be jerked around by anyone… ohh god…" she moaned, shivering with embarrassment with the sound of it from her own lips. Again he trapped her lips in a deep kiss, teasing her lips with his tongue. She beat him to coaxing her lips apart, running her own tongue lightly inside his moist mouth. A shiver shuddered her whole body when their mouths merged in an intricate dance, arms wrapping around his neck tightly. He freed her thighs from his, pulling her to straddle him instead. Under her she felt his arousal with her own satisfaction. He pulled back again, as she gripped the cloth of his shirt to pull it out of his pants.

"Go on… if this is what you want, doll…" he urged her, voice low and deep. "I'm not stopping you. Tell me what you want right now?"

"Actually I'd love to kick Paul's ass," she chortled, feeling the tears come again.

"And I was doing so well till now that you didn't say a word about him," Gene teased her. "We'll have to do something about that, won't we. Besides if there is any ass kicking to be done, leave that to me…"

"How gallant of you. So if someone were to come in and force their way in here… you'd actually give them a reason to forget it?"

"Definitely. You are far too beautiful and sexy of a woman for a playboy such as Paul… and right now I'm going to give you a reason to forget about him and his little game… for now…" Gene smiled, leaning forwards. He latched her legs around his waist, and got up with no effort, lifting her up in his arms. Paul had done this with difficulty, but for Gene it seemed almost too easy. Tenderly he carried her toward her bedroom, kicking open the door with one booted foot. She pushed his shirt off and threw it down when they entered. His eyes made a quick survey of her room and the posters there before laying her gently on the bed. He pulled aside the sheets and tugged them out from under her. Leather clad thighs straddled her hips as Paul had done. From above his full weight pressed down on her, hands massaging her breasts lightly. She guided his hands to her waist, and he only took a minute to strip off the sweatpants, tugging them down before shifting onto her again. He guided her small hands to his belt, waiting to see if she would continue.

For a moment she hesitated, peering up into his eyes to see the dark desire present. "Do you want me?" he asked, holding her hands in place. All she could manage was a nod. Bending over her brushed his tongue over her lips, making her shiver spasmodically. She didn't feel frightened at all. Soon she unfastened his belt and tugged the pants down. He shifted off to his side to remove them, and lay down next to her, weight shifting yet again.

They lay side by side, exploring each other's bodies with kisses and licks. She savored the feel of a body no more perfect then her own, long legs that stretched past hers at least a good foot. Laying down he didn't seem so intimidating.

"What's so funny?' he asked, looking up from his latest foray to her chest.

"For a moment I forgot who you were. Forgot that you're a man who's had close to three thousand women…"

"Don't think that I think any less of this, here and now. Every time is different. Just relax and enjoy it. I certainly am. Is it what you expected?" he asked, rolling on top of her to press her down under his weight again. Lightly his hand moved between her thighs, teasing her ever so slightly. A smile came to her lips as she wrapped his thigh in her own. His hands moved up and down her back now, with just the right combination of pleasure to tease her and yet not overstimulate her. Paul had done much the same, but he waited for her to explore him as well.

"It's better then I had…" she admitted.

"You want me, Terri?" he asked, reaching for something down from his discarded pants for a moment.

"Yes…" she nodded. "God help me, but I do…"

"You wanted the best, and you've got the best," he said.

"Now that was cheesy!" she laughed. "I was expecting that!"

"Were you expecting this?" he asked, and she gasped as she felt him teasing at her already moist need. He pulled away, lying on his side as he lowered his face to her. Lightly he explored her inner thigh with his tongue. She laughed and suppressed a shriek.

"Yes… as a matter of fact! It goes without saying that it's what you'll do! Considering whom you are…"

"But you never know…" He laughed deeply, rolling her over. Parting her legs with his hands he slipped between them, entering her in one expert thrust that took her breath away.

"Whoa! Oh God that's intense" she got out, as he began to rock gently at first, then harder. "This is a surprise…"

He laughed gently, his eyes dark with desire, for her. In turn she surprised him when she struggled to lift her leg to his shoulder. Gene nodded with satisfaction, pulling her knees to rest on his shoulders while he continued to move. Her mind detached to seemingly watch herself at work, and she could see the reflection of his tensed back in her bureau, muscles rippling. She reached the first wave with a low moan that shuddered them both.

He lowered her leg, tugging her up onto his lap so he could peer into her face. They were exactly the same height now, eye to eye, gazes locked.

"Oh yeah… you are definitely surprised!" he laughed, panting as he increased his pace. Her half shut eyes still fixed their gaze into his, enjoying the sight of pleasure on his face. The first wave of pleasure had abated, soon followed by the second, much more intense. Clearly he was enjoying it as much as she was, for when she suddenly tensed inside he let out his out moan of pleasure. Back and forth their game continued, her sweat mingling with his as her nails dug into his back and legs tightened around the bast of his spine. Her cries had risen in pitch to screams now, not caring who would hear.

Gene reached close to the end of his own climax, for she saw his face tense in sweet pain. The low growl shot through him, rumbling into her. Gazes again locked, that moment of last intensity shared when she reached a third and final orgasm simultaneously to his. Sheer pleasure filled the once empty void, and a wave of incredible peace shot over her.

"There we are… feel better love? I know I feel incredible right now… thanks to a certain young woman."

"Thank you," she whispered, pressing her lips to his. He held her close to his beating heart for a moment before withdrawing and cuddling her close under the sheets. Sheer exhaustion claimed them both.

"I never told you," Gene whispered as he felt sleep encroaching. "What I came here to say. The reason why… because I really…"

All he heard was her snore, and shook his head with an ironic smile. It figured. Either he would never bring himself to say such words to a woman; or else he would never get the chance.

*****************************************************************************

Later Gene lifted his head from the pillow and opened his eyes, seeing the glare of the red letters on the clock that said four PM. He had slept peacefully along with her for close to four hours. Slowly he kissed her and shook her awake.

"Sweetheart?" he asked, nudging her. "You awake?"

"Mm, I am now," she whispered, turning over to face him. He delighted at the smile on her face. Gently he stroked her cheek and pushed her hair aside. For a moment he cuddled her close to his warm breathing body, relishing the feel of her skin to his. It felt as if she belonged there, oddly enough, and Gene realized why Paul had wanted to be with her. Comfort and relaxation, instead of the need to perform for some dazzeling beauty who expected them to be larger then life between the sheets.

"Are you coming with me, sweetheart?" Gene asked, as he sat up on the bed and patted her on the thigh.

"Coming with you? Where are we going?" Terri asked muzzily.

"To Los Angeles," Gene said, climbing out of the bed. "If I help you pack, you should be able to join me on the next flight out…"

"Gene… what about my apartment! I can't just up and leave!"

Gene tugged on his pants, fastening his belt as he hunted for his wallet and watch. "I had thought that since you'd calmed down you and I could get back there a day early… so you could tell Paul how you feel… what's on your mind…"

"I can't go, Gene. I never want to speak to him again… and chances are he won't admit he's wrong! I'm so tired of fighting…"

"Terri… you've got to tell him…" Gene demanded, leaning over the bed. "This will tear you apart!"

"Did he send you here to seduce me and convince me to come, kicking and screaming! Just to save his sorry pride?" Terri asked, sitting bold upright.

"Paul is my friend. And I want to get this all out in the open before it gets any worse, that's why!" Gene answered, buttoning his shirt. "Either way I have to get on that plane. Now are you coming with me or not?"

"Will you force me to come?" she asked, anger filling her face. "Or did you think you could wear down my resistance by going to bed with me…"

"Is that what you think this is, doll?" Gene asked her. He actually looked hurt, judging from the pained look in those dark brown eyes. Why, she wondered?

"You and Paul always do find ways of getting what you want, don't you?" she shot back.

"This isn't about what Paul or I want!" Gene shook his head, holding up a hand. "Is that what you think?"

"I don't know what to think!" Terri yelled back. "I wish I had never met any of you! That I could just close my eyes and make it all go away!"

"That would be the easy way out, wouldn't it? Terri… you can't ignore this! I won't let you!"

"Who are you, Jiminy Cricket?" she asked. "This isn't a movie Gene. It's real life! It isn't some fantasy where I can wish on some goddamned star…"

Gene was floored at her choice of words, because he had recorded that very song on his solo album. From her expression she had chosen that reference specifically for the most emphasis. It only made him admire and love her more.

"Yes, it is. So why aren't you dealing with it?" Gene shot back.

"It's my life Gene, goddamn it!"

"What do you want out of it then?" Gene shouted, anger filling him now.

"I want you and Paul to get out of it…" she began to cry.

"Terri, this isn't necessary… look, I know you're upset…" Gene sighed, coming over to her as she turned away. She flinched away as he sat on the edge of the bed and tried to embrace her.

"Please Gene… just… go away…"

"If that's what you want…" Gene sighed. This was not how he envisioned it at all. She buried her face in the pillow sobbing as he stroked her back.

"Leave me alone…" she whimpered. Sighing, he rose from the bed and collected the rest of his clothes. She heard his footsteps in the hall. Automatically she too got up and pulled on her bathrobe.

"If you change your mind," he said, poking his head in the door. "It's still not tool late. Please Terri… don't shut out someone who can help you…"

"You have somewhere to go, Gene Simmons. Don't let me hold you up…" she said, walking him to the door. Gene bit his lip and left, when she closed the door behind him. Slowly she slid to the floor, feeling the ache returning. With each passing minute she felt more tears threatening to burn paths down her flaming cheeks. Intense pleasure mingled with intense pain, sweet pain. He had been so gentle and so sweet with her, and yet she knew his track record with women. Why did this suddenly seem so sincere, compared to her flights of passion with Paul?

There came a dry scrape of something being pushed under the door. She saw a plain manila envelope with his handwriting on it. Grumbling she tore it open and a handwritten note fell out.

She recognized his block printing, very different from Paul's handwriting. IN plain capitals it said, "IF YOU CHANGE YOUR MIND, CALL ALLISON…."

The words were followed with a phone number. She took the note, and looked thoughtfully at the phone. He had seemed genuinely upset when she had pushed him out. Was it possible that she had touched him in some way other women didn't? Why Gene, and not Paul? She dialed the number, half expecting no answer. Instead she heard a secretary say the company name, and she shivered.

"May I speak to Allison Blaire? Gene Simmons told me to call her…"

"I'll connect you… hold on…"

So this woman exists, Terri told herself. She soon heard a bright voice chirp, "Hello! Is this Terri?"

"Yes…" Terri answered, genuinely shocked.

"We got your resume. Looks pretty damned good to me. You seem to have quite a broad experience as a chemist. Considering all the temp assignments you had before this latest job..."

"Yes..." she said.

"We offer a wide range of excellent benefits..." Allison continued. "And you have a good shot at employment as a pyrotechnician with other bands on tour. Plus excellent references."

"The best, right?" she lifted her eyebrow. "What about relocation expenses?"

"We could buy out the lease to this apartment."

"So. Gene really did tell you about me… you really do need a pyrotechnician."

"Of course. That's why you're calling right? Gene did speak to you didn't he?"

"Yes… but…"

"When can we expect you…"

"I… just can't believe it…"

"Believe it. He spoke very highly of you…"

"Did he?" Terri asked again.

"He says you're one smart cookie. That you'll pick the job up with no problems whatsoever… so when can you start?"

"So... do I really have to leave tonight? I mean this is all very sudden..."

"Let's just say that you would make a very solid paycheck on tomorrow's show alone. We really do need someone to help out our pyrotechnician. My assistant is sick..."

"So, you really do think I'm qualified?" she asked.

"Hell, you're a chemist aren't you? And you need a job, and we need another pyrotechnician. And we need one now!"

"But he already left… and oh shit… is the concert tonight? I missed my plane…"

"No worries! It's an E ticket. I can get you another reservation. Are you flying out of Philly?"

"Yes…"

"Well then you can still leave tonight. How soon can you be ready?"

"Two hours from now…"

"Great! Just go to American Airways and tell them you have a reservation under Terri Mason. Then all you have to do is get on the plane…"

"But my car… and my apartment…"

"Gene's made arrangements for movers to come pack your things till you find an apartment here. Keep it in storage till you find a place in LA. And we can have your car shipped out to you too…"

"Great… I'll be there as soon as I can then. But Allison… why would Gene offer me the job? I thought Paul…"

"Don't you know? The way he's been going on about you you'd think he was in love! Imagine that…"

"Yeah… imagine that," Terri said thoughtfully. Saying goodbye, she rushed to pack.

*************************************

Tentatively she clung to the arm of the narrow seat, and peered out the window. Even though it was first class, she still felt claustrophobic with only 6 inches between her knees and the sat in front of her. In the background the whoosh of jet engines filled the silence of her contemplation with its white noise. Shortly after they had first taken off, she had fallen fast asleep from the rigors of his day. She could only imagine what Gene had gone through to get here and chase after her on Paul's behalf. How sweet, she inwardly reflected, to go to such lengths to help his friend. Still a thrill of disbelief washed over her that moment when the reality again hit. This was Gene Simmons, a man who had reached the peak of fame and fortune when she was barely in first grade. Her earliest memories of KISS were from the press releases and TV shots of the band. Since her parents couldn’t stand the painted faces, she had gone for years without knowing what the band had sounded like. Only recently had she come to hear Rock and Roll all Night and Beth, realizing in amazement that they were something she wished she hadn't missed all those years.

Now she remembered his features from earlier that day, realizing that for a man his age he was still quite attractive.

It was too late to back out now. As if she could go anywhere while the plane soared thousands of feet over the United States, Terri laughed to herself. Peering out the window she could glimpse clouds drifting lazily over the patchwork quilt of farm fields. They must be over Indiana at the point, she guessed. Even though she had taken numerous plane flights, the excitement of leaving earth's gravity behind never ceased to thrill her. That first push of her stomach into her back during takeoff always took her breath away, followed by the snatching when the wheels retracted and the plane rose steadily upwards.

Terri felt poised at the edge of a fall as great as one would be from this airplane. If she walked the tightrope the wrong way, would she have a safety net to fall into? What exactly did a pyrotechnician do? From her chemistry background she remembered it was the discipline of choreographing and installing fireworks. What if she could not learn this new job? Could she count on Paul's infatuation and interest in her as true love, or just a flavor of the month? She was glad that Gene had actually submitted her resume and given her the job through a real interview.

Too bad about his track record with women. Since things would most likely not work out for her and Paul, Gene might make for an interesting diversion till she figured out her next move. He certainly diverted her attention so far. Could it really be possible that he had feelings for her? Was that look in his dark eyes true desire not only for physical pleasure, but out of true desire for her as a person? How selflessly he had comforted her a few hours ago. Was it just a clever scheme to get her to return, or something else?

Inwardly she cursed herself for such thoughts. Yet her head scolded her for ever having let Paul steal her heart. From what Gene told her, Paul was equally smitten with her. Could fate twist and favor an ordinary person such as her? Already it had carried her this far on its roller coaster. Was she poised at the top of the next hill, or nearing the end of the ride?

Only a short time ago she had packed two suitcases of clothing and a few momentoes. By two thirty she schlepped it downstairs to the waiting limo, and roared off. Forty-five tense minutes later they pulled up at the terminal with only fifteen minutes to spare. Allison promised after she was settled that he would send movers to pack the rest of her things and have them sent to her new apartment.

"New apartment?' she asked, shivering with a mingle of delight and surprise.

"Yeah. Gene said you gotta have some place to put that great collection," Allison had said. "Besides, he thinks it makes it easier for a gal to have her own place. Especially with the paparazzi and all…"

She had thanked Allison for Gene's forethought. After all, this relationship might now work out, and where would she be then without her own place. Terri could imagine what her parents would say about this decision. Already she had contacted them shortly after she had first mentioned something about looking for a new job.

"What about your position at Orphan?" they asked her. "I thought you were up for a pay raise?"

Or :"You worked so hard to get settled, and you're moving where?"

Doubtless they would flip over this recent development. Just how she was going to break the news to them she wasn't sure. At least not till she was sure of how the cards would land. Her head ached from all the thoughts, and she lay it upon the pillow. Soon she felt the recesses of sleep claim her.

Terri's train of thought rushed back to the present time. Already the sun played hide-and-seek with the high piled clouds. Terri jolted awake, brown eyes popping open in fear and shock. Nerves exploded in her stomach, and she gripped the underside of the seat again. Something about Gene had constantly made her unsettled. Was it that legendary sexy stare, or just his imposing presence? Either one would either repulse or attract women. In her own apartment it was easy to keep guard on her nerves, here on a plane coming in for a landing it was far different. Would she get a chance to share again what she had tasted only a short time before?

"I don't think I have a choice," she laughed nervously. Again nerves seized her when she felt the plane shudder and shake under them. She felt her teeth rattling with the rest of her body as the plane bucked and roared to a slow halt.

Over the loudspeaker she heard the familiar words of greeting. She forced herself to stare at the sprawling terminal. Slowly their plane coasted after the "follow me" truck toward a waiting gate. Other jets nestled close to the rows of windows on twin levels. A faint gray haze spread over the darkening blue sky. Already the sun crept closer toward the horizon. They threaded their way through the aisle already choked with tired and frustrated frequent fliers. She thanked God they let first class off the jet first!

For a moment she felt disorientation when the flight attendant directed her to a staircase leading down. Her mind detached from her body and seemed to drift away to watch the events from an objective viewpoint. She soon found herself in a VIP suit, with clusters of suits and executives. A few had phones grafted to their ears, briefcases and backpacks nestled at their feet. They made an interesting contrast in their casual clothes when she walked quickly past the lines of business class Vice presidents and company CEO's.

Neatly dressed chauffeurs and redcap services held up signs before them in the lobby downstairs

A guy dressed in bluejeans and neat black shirt, strikingly casual next to the others held up a sign with her name on it. Terri guessed this man must be one of the band's personal staff.

"Hey, you made it! So, is this the gal who's been causing so much trouble? I'm Steve. Allison sent me to get you…"

"Hi. Does Gene know I'm coming?"

"Other things on their minds. We haven't got a whole hell of a lot of time before we go on, so let's haul butt… The luggage is already taken care of… so just follow me, okay?"

She trekked after him, feeling very awkward and nervous when he led the way out of the double glass doors. Her eyes fell on the sleek black limousine parked there, its trunk open. Steve opened the passenger door, and indicated she should get in.

"Man… this is just for me?" she wondered.

"Hey, we don't got a lot of time. If I don't bring you Allison will kick my ass," Steve joked. He helped her stumble inside, and she took a seat opposite the television. Steve flipped it on, and closed the door behind her.

"Make yourself comfortable. If you want to listen to music, lemmie know. And there's lots of sodas and other beverages in the bar there. Help yourself."

**********************************************************

Another limo's leather seats welcomed her. Terri's nerves resurged with a vengeance only matched by when she had attended that rehearsal earlier that week. Plush seats and a fully stocked bar were luxuries she did not feel in the mood to enjoy. Not even the stereophonic system that belted out the local rock station could divorce her fears from her body.

"How about something to drink?" he asked her. She nodded silently, and soon rooted through the ice to extract a can beading with condensation. For the whole ride she remained silent, staring out the tinted windows at Los Angeles. More and more her world seemed so blasted far away compared to the clots of traffic. Even Philadelphia was nothing like this forest of Spanish American architecture and tall palm trees. Steve's efforts to make conversation kept falling flat to her one-word answers, and he couldn't help but wonder what he could do to ease her fears

"What the hell's eating you? You came this far…" Steve asked.

"But you gotta understand this is a really big step. What the hell have I gotten myself into?" she blurted out. While she hated herself for showing a total stranger how vulnerable she was, she needed to tell someone or she felt she would throw up or faint.

"I was wondering when you'd say that," he laughed back.

"Don't start with me," she groaned. "What if I screw up?"

"Well, considering you have some personal pull with your employers, how can you?" he answered. "Do you realize…"

"Yeah, here comes the speech about do I realize how many fans would kill for this chance? Well, I'm not the average groupie, so you can forget that…" she snapped irritably.

"Hey, easy now," Steve held up his hand. "Calm down, okay? I sure as shit know that's not the case. Didn't you know Gene was freaking crazy over you? Why do you think he had to haul ass out to Philly to come get you?"

"He didn't come get me, I decided to come…" she clarified.

"Now don't worry. We're not gonna have you wiring the whole platform on your first night. I mean there is some training to blowing things up, despite what the fans might think…"

"At least Gene's not like Michael Jackson who set his hair on fire…" she laughed. "During a Pepsi commercial!"

"And I thought you were a diehard fan," he laughed. "Most of the books say how many times the Demon set his hair on fire perfecting that firebreathing trick."

"You know a lot about Gene, don't you?" she asked him.

"Sure do. I've been his personal limo driver for the last five years…"

"You mean you're Gene's 'Jeeves'?" she laughed.

"Sure am. In LA I take him everywhere. And on most of the tour."

"What about Chris? And Joe?"

"He's Paul's driver. And Joe's Gene's personal bodyguard on the road. Chuck hangs with Ace, and Dan is responsible for Peter."

"So you mainly know Gene then. Did Gene say anything about me?"

"We're not paid to know our employer's business. And even if we do, we're not allowed to discuss it. Cause Gene would fire my ass if he knew I said anything about his private life. Or anyone else in the band. I'm not paid to know their personal business. And I keep it that way."

"Thank God for that…"

"Hey it's my job. And my job right now is to take you to Allison."

"Did Gene say anything about me, back in Philadelphia?"

"Only that he wanted to make sure you got the job…"

"Were you in Philly with him as his driver?"

"Sure was. But the LA limos are a hell of a lot nicer then the ones on the east Coast. We get them through a contract service. Gene always wants one of us though to drive him around though, instead of a stranger."

*****************************************************

"Hey, this is Terri. She's that chemist you had me pick up. Show her the ropes okay? She looks pretty tense…" Steve said as he introduced her to Allison. The slender attractive woman pushed a lock of blond hair out of her face to reveal the band logo in silver over one breast on her dark shirt. All the road crew wore jeans, and security badges.

"Hey there, Terri! Great to have you onboard. Our lead tech Joe is sick, and they've got me running my ass off here…"

"Take good care of her… till after the show…" Steve grinned with a knowing wink. "Gene doesn't know she's here…"

Alison grinned as she watched him disappear into the bustle backstage. For a moment Terri watched him while she fingered the plastic badge around her neck. Some things never changed no matter what career she was in. The need for security was the same. Armed with this similarity she felt herself relax a little bit more.

"Okay now… where do we start. You ever work with fireworks of any kind before?"

"No, but I'm accustomed to working with flammable chemicals on a day to day basis," Terri responded.

"Okay, well that's a start…"

"Sorry…"

"Hey, relax. Just do what I tell ya and we'll be okay." Allison told her.

********************************************************************

Everything had literally gone off without a hitch. Terri's nervousness mounted to fever pitch again when she first saw them onstage on the monitor. She did not get to see the show live, but considering how many times she had seen them in concert before…

Terri nervously hugged Allison with excitement when the final round of pyros exploded. "All right!" Allison cheered. "Another crisis solved! Way to go!"

"I was scared to death!" Terri laughed. "

When the last round of pyros exploded, the music crescendoed to a climax that slammed throughout the entire stadium. Three silhouettes were backlit by the orange and amber blazes of sparks. Huge video screens magnified each band member larger then life. Everything exploded at once, the heat of the flashpots radiating into the pushing audience. Over the forest of hands and din of the crowd, Paul's gratitude rung out, "We love you, goodnight!"

From a booth high up in the press box, two women snapped to attention. "All right!" Alison screamed. Her whoop shattered Terri's intense concentration. So into the sequence had she been that all focus narrowed to the control panel just in front of her. A hand slapped her on the back and drove the breath from her lungs.

"We did it," Terri gasped with relief.

"You rocked gal! Not a freaking hitch!" Allison laughed, leaping out of her chair. Propelled by her sudden rush of adrenaline, Terri soon jumped up and down with her in a victory dance. They hugged each other excitedly.

Allison's blue eyes sparkled when she next said, "and you were scared you'd mess it up?"

"I still can't get over it," Terri shook her head.

"I gotta tell you girl, you really came through tonight! I was beside myself wondering what was gonna happen!"

Just then the door to the booth opened, and someone stuck their head and shoulders in. Mark was a handsome middle aged man in the same black T-shirt with the band logo in small silver letters on his left breast. "Ladies, great job! The guys are jazzed!"

He hugged Alison and gave Terri the thumbs up sign, "So you're the new gal eh? Allison was saying something about Gene getting her a replacement."

"Well, she sure picked it up fast! You're one of the family now, girlfriend!"

"Thanks!" Terri beamed, feeling a warm flush of pride.

"Let's go to the wrap party and get some eats," the supervisor suggested, nodding his head in the direction of the door. Laying an arm around Terri's shoulder, Allison guided her out the door after Mark. Still Terri could swear she was walking one inch above the carpet by now.

All three techs entered the large room already packed with road security and road crew. Huge coolers full of ice were crammed with sodas and beers. Large buffet tables were piled high with cold cut sandwiches and mini bags of chips. Allison pushed a plate into Terri's hand and started grabbing for her own needs. Terri selected a huge tuna fish sandwich and other items before joining her two co-workers at a large round table.

They were joined by at least three other roadies and security guards, which all nattered on excitedly about he show. Introductions were rapid, and Terri suddenly felt as if she had been among them for weeks, instead of mere hours. Nobody seemed to scrutinize her background when she told him or her about being a scientist. Mark thought it was cool, and Allison simply grinned and said how smart she was. Their excited chatter was punctuated by the sudden explosive pop of a champagne cork. Turning they saw two other supervisors frantically sticking plastic glasses under the foamy stream. A glass was passed to Allison, who put one into Terri's hand.

"A toast to one hell of a show on this West Coast leg! And a special welcome to our new pyrotechnician, who came in literally at the last minute… say hi to Terri Mason…"

Allison and Mark patted her on the back, and she felt the flush of embarrassment creep over her. Drinks were sipped and the chatter resumed. She had never gotten this sort of welcome when she started at Orphan Pharmaceuticals! Taking her laminated badge in hand, she saw the green printed picture of the band under the letters that spelled out her name and position.

"Let's get going guys, we got to pack some of this stuff up before tomorrow's show," Mark said. "And then it's off to the hotel for a good night's rest!"

"Did you get your hotel room number yet?" Allison asked her.

"I'm not sure…"

"Well, don't worry. We all find it out sometimes at the last minute. With this crazy stuff on the tour and all…"

"Was it true that Paul Stanley was having some trouble playing before the concert?" Terri ventured.

Allison looked around, and then whispered back, "Yeah. At first we weren't sure if he would play or not. Something really got him down. At least that's what Angelo in Road security told me. Something about his ex wife not showing up…"

"Ex wife, huh?" Terri laughed nervously. A sudden sinking feeling came over her. Everything Gene said was true. Everything.

"Yeah. She was supposed to watch the show with him, but boy was he bummed when she didn’t show up. But her limo was late…"

"Did he happen to mention if they were getting back together?"

"No way. Kept it a secret from the press," Allison cupped her hand around her mouth. "But rumor is she's forgiven him for his most recent romantic conquest. After he told her that he was broken up with his new girlfriend. So now they're reconciling…"

A sick feeling came over Terri, and she fell silent. Even so, she had this job that many would die to have, and somehow things would work out all right. She prayed they would. Trying not to cry, she pushed images of Gene into her mind for some small comfort. NO use crying over spilled milk. After all, there were so many other women that Paul could have. Women who threw themselves at his feet. At least it wasn't some girl he had just met, but a woman he had known a lot longer then Terri. How could she compete with his ex wife?

"What's wrong?" Allison asked her, when she looked about ready to cry.

"I hate him!" she cried, pounding her fist against the table.

"Who?"

"Paul!" she snapped. "Son of a bitch! How could he do what he did? And now he's making it sound like I'm the evil bitch for messing up his reconciliation…And then sending Gene to come drag me back if he and Linda didn't get back together!"

"Wait hold on a minute!" Allison said, grabbing her hand. "Gene didn't come because Paul sent him, Terri! He came because he was worried sick about you!"

"What?" Terri got out, shock replacing her anger.

"Yes! Do you think it was just to offer you the job?"

"I did… at first. But then things happened so fast. I was crying my eyes out… when I figured out what was going on… and Gene held me, and he was so gentle… and then…"

"And then what happened?" Allison asked, blue eyes begging to know the rest of the story.

"He asked me… what I wanted…" Terri blushed. "I told him and then one thing led to another… "

"God girl don't keep me in suspense!" Allison practically squealed. "I have to know how it ended…"

"Well to make a long story short… Gene and I… we slept together," she said slowly, blushing as she remembered just how good she had felt.

"All right! Great going girl!" Allison grinned. "So what's wrong?"

"I wasn't sure… if it was because Gene felt sorry for me…"

"He did, but didn't he tell you?"

"Tell me what?"

Allison snorted with disappointment, "And after I gave him that lecture…"

"What are you talking about?" Terri wondered, baffled and frustrated that this woman knew something that she didn't.

" Jesus girl, Gene didn't get on a plane and fly out to Philly just to offer you that job! He wouldn't do that for just any girl…"

"You mean…"

"He digs you. I mean he really digs you…"

"Gene digs a lot of women."

"Not the way he does you."

"Didn't you two used to date?"

"We had a thing a few years ago. He's a real sweetheart. That macho jerk thing he pulls is just a defense. Under it all he's a gentle giant. Once you've got his attention, he's all over you."

"Well, he was all over me," Terri said.

"Sounds incredibly fantastic…" Allison sighed.

"Was he like that when he was with you?" Terri asked.

"OH hell Yes! What do you think? And even when we broke up, he's still one of my best friends. We talk about all sorts of stuff. You should have heard how pissed off he was when he found out about Paul and Linda getting back together. He was livid."

"He was?"

"Yes, girlfriend! Back when I was telling him about my assistant getting sick, he blurted it right out. 'What do you mean Paul's gone off to see his ex? What about Terri!' Those were the first words out of his mouth."

"Wow, he actually worried about me… and he hardly knew me…" Terri gasped, suddenly feeling a sense of relief wash over her. Everything was starting to make sense.

"He loves you," Allison said. "I mean he really does. He told me himself. And Gene and I… we go way back…"

"Excuse me, is Terri Mason here?" someone's voice asked nearby.

"Terri… Chris wants you for a minute…"

"Chris?" Terri asked, snapping her head up to look into a familiar face. It was Paul's chauffeur from Philadelphia!

"Oh there you are! Been looking all over for you!"

"Chris, long time no see!"

"Yeah! Can I butt in her or am I interrupting something?"

"Nope…" Allison said. "Look, just find me at the hotel if they don’t' give you your room assignment… okay? Ask for Allison Beryl…"

Tapping Terri's shoulder the pyrotechnician for KISS excused herself. Chris took her seat and set a large manila envelope on the table in front of Terri.

"Gene told me to make sure you got this," he said importantly. "Boy will he be surprised when he knows you're here…"

"Gene? He doesn't know I'm here…" she asked, a little unsure.

"Not yet…"

She tore open the envelope, and a set of keys jingled into her hand with two white envelopes. She recognized his handwriting when she opened one, which was a note and address. The other envelope contained a good amount of fifty-dollar bills.

"What on earth…"

"He said he wanted to make sure you got paid in cash… at least till he could get your direct deposit set up with payroll. And those are the keys to your new apartment. First month rent's covered in the relocation fee. And for a rental car he gave a number if you want to get a few things settled before you head off with the tour…"

"When do we leave?"

"We've sold out three performances!" Chris laughed. "Can you believe it? Means we'll be heading out this weekend for our next show."

"Great…"

"But another thing, could you spare a few minutes helping the costume lady out? She needs a hand putting away the items in the dressing room for the night…" Chris asked, getting out of his chair.

"Sure… but…"

"Yeah… that would be great."

"But Allison needed…"

"I'll let her know you've been borrowed…" Chris grinned. "C'mon… they're just getting cleaned up now…"

Past the abating crowd they pushed, into the back hallway. Road crews already pushed crates and other items into a lockdown area for the night. It was close to eleven PM, and Terri felt the events of the day catching up with her fast. Sorrow and regret suddenly bubbled up in her again when she followed Chris to the dressing room.

She wasn't too surprised to see the superman sheet hung over one side. "Go on in…" he urged, lifting it so she could step under. Already a matronly woman in her forties, with one or two young assistants, was bustling about the four make-up tables.

"Here she is, Gloria…"

"Great! You can help me hang up the costumes and get them ready for cleaning…" she said, gesturing to Terri. Chris grinned and vanished from the room.

"Where are the guys?" she asked.

"Taking showers. But Mr. Simmons is taking his own sweet time as usual," Gloria grumbled. "I told him three times to get the lead out…"

Some pushed his way under the sheet, and Terri muttered, "Speak of the devil… here he is!"

Gene laughed when he heard her comment, because he was still in full costume and makeup. For a moment it took Terri's breath away. She had seen him that first night at the complementary concert in Philly for the contest winners, but she had not spent more then fifteen minutes talking to him. Again here was the real deal, in full gear. Sweat beaded on the surface of the black and white face makeup, and there were still traces of stage blood on his armored top.

"Now what did I tell you about getting in here late?" Gloria spoke to him like a disapproving mother.

"Sorry gals, had some territory to cover…" Gene shot back good-naturedly.

"Gene…" she got out, gasping as she strode up to him. "I… owe you a huge apology… I am so sorry…"

"You called Allison, didn't you?" he asked.

"Yes," she blushed. A grin game over his face. He strode over to Terri and wrapped a strong arm around her shoulders. She was pulled to his side in a fierce but firm hug.

"Damn girl, you were worried about screwing up?" he laughed deeply.

"Sorry to disappoint you!" she laughed back. He gave her a playful pinch on her butt and she countered with a hearty slap on his back.

"Feel free to disappoint us more often then, doll!" he grinned. "Allison just gave me the news! You really came through…"

"Wait… you knew I was here?" she asked, drawing back.

"Not till Allison told me," Gene whispered to her. "It's awfully good to see you here…"

"Thank you so much," she whispered. Impetuously she seized him about the neck and tried to reach up to give him a smooch. Strong arms boosted her up, setting her on top of his dragon boots. He held her in place as her soft lips contacted the greasepaint of his chin. Bending his face over hers he guided her lips to his. Coarse thick hair tickled her cheek; the hard cold metal pressed tightly to her soft flesh beneath the cloth of the T-shirt. What an odd contrast it was to feel his arms wrapping her close in massive metal spikes, to the incredible softness of his lips traveling over hers. All her anxious hopes and fears she squeezed into that kiss to him. In response his mouth increased in firmness, gently coaxing hers apart to taste the soft moistness of hers. A jolt of desire surged over her at the feel of his hands tightening on her backside and pulling her close to his hips.

"Mmmn, Nice," he moaned appreciatively, when they parted to catch their breaths.

"Very nice…" she panted. Still he held her close in his arms, not releasing her at all. It felt very good indeed, and for a moment she realized she wasn't thinking about Paul!

"So I take it you're not sorry you came? The trip was worthwhile, wasn't it?"

"It was incredible…. I just never expected that I'd be lucky, lucky enough to have a chance like this…"

"Everyone gets a chance. You just have to seize it when it passes you, and grab onto it tightly so it doesn't slip away," he whispered, gently taking her face between his hands. In the mask of the Demon those dark eyes softened with a tenderness that sent a surge into her aching heart. She knew what she saw was true concern, true happiness for her.

She stepped down, still clutching his hands as she said, "I have to take a chance now… I have something incredibly important that I have to ask you…"

"You know you can ask me anything. What is it, baby?" he asked, leaning over as he continued to feast on her with his eyes alone. As if he was afraid she would vanish if he didn't continue to look at her. Somehow she would cease to exist.

Terri inhaled deeply, then let her words tumble out on her next breath, "Gene, I have to ask you...do you love me?"

His hands released hers. A look of shock came over his face and he turned away from her, embarrassed that his secret had been revealed.

"I...don't know what you mean..." he tried to answer, but Terri saw right through it.

"Gene, you can't hide from me, please...look at me!" she urged.

Gene slowly turned around to face her. There was no going back now.

"Yes," he said softly, "I have fallen in love with you. I just never got the chance to say it before.... With Romeo hovering over you..."

Terri put her hands to her mouth, feeling the surge of emotion that welled up. She gripped Gene's hands in her small ones, pressing a firm hard kiss to them. Gene held her hands to his lips and bestowed a soft sweet kiss to them in return. He pulled her close to him, wrapping her tightly in his arms as she wound hers around his waist. She felt moist tears forming in her eyes, but they were not of sorrow but of joy.

"I've been so stupid Gene… can you forgive me?"

"What's to forgive, doll?" he asked, wiping away a tear with his index finger.

"Gene," she whispered, putting her hand over his one covered in the spiked glove. "All this time you were looking out for me… talk about going blind!"

"Only thing is I'm not 93, doll! Thank God for that!"

"I'm hardly sixteen!" she blurted out with a nervous laugh in return. Gene laughed a deep rich baritone laugh that made her smile. All the anger and tension seemed to disappear for a moment, and he pulled her close again, armor and all. Their hands stroked over each other's backs, not wanting to let go of the other.

"Gene… there's just one other thing."

"Mm hmm?" he asked, with a mischievous twinkle in his eyes.

"Paul, is he still here? I have a few things to say to him…"

A look of momentary disappointment filled the Demon's face, but he soon recovered. In an instant, pleasure shifted to business and he had that distance that mirrored her own.

"Why don't you, here and now?" Gene suggested, giving her an encouraging squeeze on the shoulder. "I told you that you need to face it. Take this opportunity to tell him how you feel now."

Just then she heard a cackle as Ace emerged, pulling on a pair of jeans. Still he tugged a T-shirt down over his head. Terri's anger resurfaced when she saw who was right at his heels. Dressed only in a towel hitched around his hips, Paul toweled his hair dry rapidly as he finished some sentence with Ace.

"Hey, I remember you," Ace said, when he noticed Terri standing next to Gene. "You're the gal with the sugar problem. You feeling okay?"

"She's working for us now," Gene said, with his arm around her waist possessively.

"Hello Paul," Terri said slowly.

The towel stopped, still obscuring his eyes when he registered her voice. Partly muffled by the towel he said, "Terri… is that you?"

"Yes… it's me!" she said, looking down at her feet, wringing her hands. "Who did you think it was?"

"You came! You came! I mean Gene you really pulled it off. I didn't believe you could do it… but why didn't you come before?"

Paul lowered the towel, his dark eyes glistening. He noticed how close Terri was standing next to Gene, but it didn't seem to phase him much. Slowly she pulled away from Gene, moving closer to Paul.

"I didn't want to come at first, because I didn't want to believe that what I felt was real… what you felt was real…" Terri began again, stumbling over the words that would not come out right. Everything ceased to exist that moment, except the intensity of that feeling she could no longer deny the anger.

"What are you saying Terri?" Paul asked, face becoming serious. Ace and Gene exchanged glances, when Peter suddenly moved out of the shower himself. They felt as if they were interrupting something.

"I want to tell you the real reason I didn't come. It wasn't because of how I felt then, it's because of how I feel now. And I've come to a realization. I know you’re pissed at me for blowing you off, and I am going to tell you why I did."

"Yes… but… why are you looking at me like that?"

"I understand now what you are… and what you wanted from me. I've been really stupid all this time, and now I'm finally getting it."

"Getting what?" Paul demanded, voice raising in pitch. "Jeez can't you give me a straight answer… why did you get all cold on me?"

"There was a perfectly good reason for it, Paul. I thought I loved you…"

"Terri," Paul choked out. "Why didn't you tell me how you felt…"

"It doesn't really matter now, does it? You love someone else. I can rationally comprehend the reason why you did what you did, but it disgusts and angers me! God damn it Paul! If anyone has any right to be angry it's me. Paul… did my feelings not matter to you?"

"How can you say that?" Paul answered, voice rising to a shout.

"Now this is getting interesting," Peter muttered to Ace.

"Yeah… this is full on… what happened when we weren't looking?" Ace joked. Peter gave him a rude shove.

"Lover's spat?" Peter wondered.

Gene gave both a low growl, indicating they should keep out of this. Both backed away to their respective makeup tables, pretending to mind their own business.

"I feel sorry for you Paul, I really do," she said, almost loosing her nerve as those eyes fell on her.

"You're sorry, for me?" Paul shouted. "What the hell is this?"

"You had me right where you wanted me, dammit! Why did you lie to me? You could have told me that you wanted to be with someone else instead of jerking me around! What in God's name gives you the right to play with my emotions as if I'm some game! Well, I am not a game; I'm a woman! And I have feelings, and you trampled all over them!"

Paul's mouth dropped open in shock. Anger burned in the dark eyes that he had not seen before.

"Gene, you son of a bitch, why didn't you tell me!" Paul shouted at him. Terri didn't know if he was pissed at her or not, and backed away for a moment. She lost her courage. Yet she collided with Gene, who stood right behind her. His hand rested on her shoulder, pushing her toward Paul again. Still he kept that hand on her shoulder, gripping it tightly for moral support. As if to say, tell him how you feel. Tell him how angry you are. Eyes filling with tears, she squeezed them shut, then opened them again. Gene stepped back from Terri, as if to say that this was her battle to fight now.

"You used me for a good time, isn't that right, Paul?" Terri asked. "A second choice if you didn't get back together with her… isn't that right…"

"Terri I cared about you!" Paul protested. "Didn't you understand? I…"

"No I don't. I thought I loved you, god knows why. But I deserve better. And you yourself said so. Why did you lie to me Paul… if you didn't want a relationship with me…"

"I didn't wanna hurt you!" Paul shouted.

"But you did…" she said. "By not being honest…"

"Shit…" Paul sighed deeply. "You probably hate me now…"

"I don't hate you Paul… but I want to know if you felt anything for me at all?"

"I care a lot about you Terri… but I just don't know… you need someone who can give you a family… a good steady life… I saw how you got nervous around the bright lights and big city…"

"Paul, you don't know if that's what I really want."

"But I assumed…"

"You could have asked. You could have been honest…"

"Terri… I don't know what to say," Paul hung his head. "Except I'm truly sorry… I wish I did love you, because you're one hell of a woman."

"I can't force something to happen that isn't meant to," she said. "I should have known that from the start."

"Will you be okay?" he asked, laying a hand on her shoulder. She moved his hand aside, and stepped back.

"Yes, I'll survive. If anything is true, writers need to suffer once in a while for their craft. I experienced pleasure and pain with you, and that will supply me with more then enough of a muse…."

"I still want to be friends," Paul said. "Even though you're probably pissed…"

"Another fucking friend. Just what you need right?"

"I wish I could make it up to you…" Paul sighed. "I was wrong…"

"At least you're man enough to admit that," she said. "And that's a good start, by telling me you're sorry. But you've deeply hurt me Paul, and I don't think I can forget it. Even if in time I will forgive it…"

Turning away from him, she moved over to Gene. She reached out her hand, and the Demon clasped it in his. Anger and regret teared up Paul's eyes.

"Gene… do you have something to do with this?"

"I'm not saying anything, dude," Gene said slowly. "She said enough already."

Just then Gloria poked her head into the room and asked, "Are you going to ever get out of that costume, Mr. Simmons, or do we have to help you take it off?"

"Don't give him any ideas!" Ace laughed, almost beside himself.

"I think I can help from here," Terri said, looking thoughtfully at Gene. He licked his lips, and peered at her with a sexy wink.

Peter looked to Ace, and a slow smile came over his face. Paul looked uncomfortable for a moment, his eyes full of questions.

"Oh man…" Peter groaned "Here it comes…"

"Gene… what's going on here?" Paul asked. "And don't jerk me around man! I wanna know what you did!"

"Surprise," Gene said. "She didn't come her because of you, but because of me."

"Gene… what did you do?" Paul demanded.

"She came here because I convinced her to face the problem. I gave her the choice to stay or go. You wanted her then, and now you don't. But you can't just walk away from this any more then she can. Now deal with it…"

"Did you say anything about…"

"Do you have to ask?" Ace cackled.

"She figured it out for herself. After all, she's highly intelligent, isn't she? That's what you told me, Paul,"

"You'd better be careful," Paul started. But he shut up when the towel slipped off his waist and he grabbed it very quickly to stop it from falling.

"Whoops!" Ace cackled again. "Better get the crazy glue."

Paul grabbed a robe, while more people slipped under the Superman sheet hanging over the door. Ace held out his arms to Christy, who gave Terri a surprised look and a grin. The contest winner was dressed in a blue minidress covered in planets and stars. Tall boots came to her ankles.

"Cool! You got a job with KISS? You rock girl!"

Peter saw his wife and daughter standing there, and moved out quickly to join them. Gigi waited patiently with Jenilee, who was looking into the room with curiosity. Especially at the girl she hadn't seen before standing next to Gene. He whispered a goodbye to Ace, and passed by Terri briefly.

"Look out for yourself little girl, okay?" Peter whispered to her.

"I'll try, Peter."

"Don't worry, Gene's a good guy."

"I know he is," Terri said. "So was Paul…"

"Hey, I'm sure it'll all work out… but remember what you're getting into…"

"I knew it going in," she said slowly.

"And if he breaks your heart… Ace and I'll kick his ass for you…" Peter joked.

"Thanks," she grinned. Peter pecked her on the cheek and vanished under the sheet with Gigi on one arm, his daughter Jenilee on his other. Perhaps some rock and roll relationships did work out, Terri reflected. Look at what it got Peter.

A blonde woman on crutches came under the sheet, her body clad in a tight minidress. Terri recognized her from old magazine pictures. She hobbled up to Paul, who was just grabbing some clothes from his duffel bag. Terri shook her head when she saw the cast on her leg. Paul turned to her and folded her in a hug, the look of affection glowing on his face. Terri forced herself to look away. There was something more important to do now.

Gloria was scolding Gene about taking off his costume, and he was shooing her off as he yanked off the pieces of armor already. Terri was playfully trying to help her.

"What is it with you and clothes?" she joked. "Want some help?"

"Maybe you're gonna have more luck…" Gloria threw up her hands.

"I'll make sure it gets put back," she winked at Gloria. Gene gave a low growl, and Gloria rolled her eyes as she left the room.

Glancing up at him, Terri gave a lopsided grin, "So, what's the deal? You're kinda slow tonight…"

"And what are you going to do about it?" he laughed.