Living In Sin

By Trynia Merin and Jade

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, © Trynia's Journies. Veronica is property of Paulswomyn, Shannon is property of Lady Demon, and Melissa is property of Jade. Rated R for sexual content and language, so no readers under 18 please.

Chapter 12

Gene was fiddling with a new baseline along with Paul when Terri rushed past the studio, hands over her face. He heard the sound of her sobs, and shoved his bass to his back as he rushed out after her.

"Baby, are you all right?" he asked. Terri kept on walking, her sobs more audible by now. She yanked off her glasses, sinking to the sofa as she buried her head in her lap. Gene lowered himself to sit by her, wrapping her close in his arms. It distressed him to see her so upset.  His bass hung on his back, the arm of it protruding from his hip like an odd tail.

"Please, tell me what the hell's wrong…" he urged. "What happened, why are you crying your eyes out… please tell me…"

"I can't… I just…" Terri stammered, burying her head in his shoulder. Gene held her close, stroking her back as he noticed Paul walking in.

"Is she ok?" he asked.

"Give us a minute alone, Romeo," he said. Veronica by now had come to join them, her face full of concern for her friend.

"Terri… are you okay?" she asked, coming into he room despite Paul's protests.

Gene took Terri's face between his hands, wiping away her tears. She still refused to say anything, simply shaking her head as she struggled to grip control of her breathing. Veronica sat on Terri's other side, rubbing her shoulders.

"Terri please tell us what's wrong, we're your friends…" Veronica started.

"Baby, what's going on… I hate to see you crying your eyes out and you won't talk," Gene pleaded. "You know you can tell me anything…"

"He still loves me Gene, what the hell am I supposed to do," Terri sobbed.

"What?" Gene got out, shock filling his face. "Who?"

"Leo. He admitted to me, that he still loves me, and oh God the feelings just erupted and I wanted to hit him. And then he said he was sorry… sorry that he ever took me for granted. That he wanted me all those years. I don't know what to do…"

"Baby, why is this a problem," Gene laughed. "He's crazy if he thinks he can just waltz into your life and make nice-nice and get you back… right?"

"You don't understand, Gene. This man was my life for two years. All this time I thought he didn't give a shit about what I felt. And when I told him my anger, he apologized! He admitted he was wrong! That he ignored the question of him and me because my career was more important to him then his own desires with me…"

"He didn't exactly tell you that back then when it really mattered, did he?" Gene growled, his eyes darkening. "How could you fucking read his mind?"

"All that anger I had for him all this time… it just fell away. Gene I'm so scared…"

"Why?" Gene demanded. "You love me, and I love you. Right? So why is this an issue?"

"I can't answer that," Terri suddenly admitted.  She turned away from him on the sofa, pulling her hands out of his.

"Did you just say what I thought you said?" Gene suddenly shook his head. He couldn't believe this was happening to her, to him, to them.  All this time he had been sure that they would be a force that could take on any obstacle.  Even when she knew he had slept with Calen, she had remained with him. Now, some blast from the past threatened to tear her away.  This Gene could not allow to happen.

"Gene, if Shannon came back to you and admitted she still loved you, what would you say?" Terri demanded.

"That's not the same Terri, and you know it!" Gene answered quickly, turning away.

"How is it not the same?" she asked, grabbing his shoulder and squeezing it.

"You never had kids with this man! You never lived with him, slept with him, shared your life with him as long as I did with Shannon!"

"I did sleep with him! Yeah, we didn't live together, but we were intimate. We laughed together, cried together, he was there for me when I needed him!"

"I'm here for you when you need me," Gene said quietly. "Why are you doubting what we have?"

"I'm not…" Terri got out. "I just…"

"Just what?" Gene demanded, despite Paul's warning look.  He grabbed Terri's arms in his hands, squeezing firmly as he swung her torso around to face him.

"Why has one year suddenly changed us in a minute?  How can you sit there and say such things, sweetheart? Help me out here! Do you love this guy? Can you look me in the eye and…"

At that moment those were the worst words Gene could have chosen.  How could he have known that Leo had spewed his heart with that same phrase she now hated.  Anger built to a crescendo in Terri now, and she suddenly felt as if she wanted to run far away from him.

"Oh forget I even said anything!" Terri shouted at him, tearing away from his grasp. "You don't get it…"

"What the hell don't I get?" Gene was about to yell when the doorbell rang. Paul moved off to get it. He opened the door on a well-dressed executive type, in metal framed glasses.

"Is Terri there? I really need to talk to her…" he asked with a look of guilt on his clean shaven face.

"And you are..." Paul asked, flipping a black eyebrow up in annoyed curiosity.

"I'm Leo Malcolm…" he admitted.  "A friend of Terri Mason's.  Can I please speak to her?"

"Uh, now's not a good time," Paul shook his head. "She's really upset…"

"It's my fault she is. I want to apologize, explain myself… we had a few heated words and a misunderstanding I feel responsible to clear up..."

"You have a lot of nerve coming here," Paul said slowly.

"Who is it?" Gene's voice called  from inside.

"Someone who wants to apologize…" Paul yelled back.  "His name's Dr. Malcolm!"

"Let me talk to that son of a bitch…" Gene began, then bobbed into view as he pushed past Paul.  His eyes gleamed with anger as he stared right down at Leo.  However, the other man held his ground, only a few inches shorter then Gene, his hazel gaze cold and logical.  Whoever this man was, he wasn't intimidated like usual people.  The light of intelligence sparkled there behind those glasses, and Gene knew this was no idiot who could be dealt with via the usual Demon intimidation.  His fists clenched at his side, and he still had the Punisher slung around his shoulder.

"I would prefer to speak with Terri, sir," Leo answered calmly, pushing his glasses up his face.  "But if you insist on being present, I will accept that.  But I will not leave without talking to her..."

"No. Not alone," Terri said, grabbing Gene's arm. "For my sake please…"

"What do you have to say for yourself, Dr. Malcolm?" Gene growled.

"Look, I am sorry that I caused problems, but I must be heard. I won't just stand by and let Terri throw away her life. I care about her, about you, a great deal."

"How is she throwing away her life?" Gene growled low. "I ask you, and you'd better make it damn good, ass wipe…"

"Look at yourself! You're Gene Simmons, rock star and famous producer!" Leo put his hands on his hips.  "You can have any woman you want. And you just happen to have someone who is a sweet special caring person. And you're hardly one to know what she wants or needs…"

"Now wait a minute... who are you to say anything about this..." Gene waved a finger at him.

"Leo, please stop now. Don't say any more!" Terri begged.

"You're hardly in a position to know anything," Gene snarled at him. "Who the hell do you think you are…"

"Someone who loves her very much, and worries about her. Can you honestly say that you can offer her anything that I cannot?"

"I'd say that's not your decision to make. And I would advise that you leave now… or else…"

"You'll hurt me? Really. That's hardly warranted," Leo sniffed, clearly not impressed.  "Physical violence is overrated.  And you will find that even though I hate to resort to fisticuffs, I am not unprepared..."

"Stop it both of you!" Terri shouted. "I'm sick of this! It's my decision, damn it! Mine!"

"What?" Gene asked, glaring at her. "You would actually consider…"

"I don't know what to think!" Terri shouted. "I'm so pissed I don't want to talk to either one of you!"

Terri shoved past both of them, and climbed into her car. Veronica rushed after her, glaring at both Gene and Leo.

Both Gene and Leo shouted at the same time, "Where are you going?"

"Away from this!" she shouted back. Veronica leapt into the car just as Terri pulled out of the driveway, and roared away. Behind her, she left two astonished gentlemen, who didn't know whether to punch each other's lights out, or go after the girl.

"Now what?" Paul demanded of both of them. "She just left. And you're standing there like statues! Thank goodness Veronica had the presence of mind to go with her!"

"This is all your fault!" Gene and Leo said, pointing fingers at each other simultaneously.

"Who cares whose fault it is!" Paul exploded. "You both need to sort this shit out now! Before she comes back!"

Chapter 13

"Veronica, why did you insist on coming?" Terri sighed as they drove along the freeway.  The black convertible had no particular destination, only in a direction as far as they could from the home.

"To make sure you didn't do something stupid," Veronica answered, buckling her seat belt as she settled into the passenger seat. "And so far you did the right thing."

"Are they going to punch each other's lights out," Terri sighed.

"So what? They don't seem to remember it's your decision to make…" Veronica pointed out. "You should be proud. You took the decision into your hands and out of theirs…"

"I know, but I am so confused…"

"Why?" Veronica asked, laying a hand on Terri's, which rested between the seats.

"Because Veronica, a man I once thought I hated now comes back, and I still love him. And Gene, who I love so much… well he's driving me up the wall?"

"Why, because he slept with Shannon?"

"Not really. Well, I am not used to an open relationship. I opened a can of worms… and now…" Terri's voice trailed off.

"Well, he is willing to let you experiment. So why is that a problem?" Veronica asked. "What's really going on here?"

"I don't know…"

"I'll tell you," Veronica said, red curls flapping into her face while they drove along.  "You're seeking to define yourself in the terms of the man you're with. Why?"

"Wait, is this more of your feminist philosophy?" Terri asked, suspicious of the way Veronica turned her situation into a different light.  All of a sudden her thoughts took a different direction from the trap she felt snared in now.

"Exactly. You have your own life. Whether you stay with Gene or with Leo or anyone. Why should that change what you want to do?"

"Because… if I chose Gene I have my writing career, and if I chose Leo I have stability family and love…" Terri explained, as if it were set in stone.

"Terri, why do you have to change yourself for a man?"

"I have changed because of Gene. Everything I am now I owe to him…" Terri sighed, feeling her chin beginning to wobble.

"Bullshit," Veronica said firmly. "You change because you wanted to. It was your choice to go with Gene. Just like it was your choice to enter a relationship with him. All that you've accomplished was because you did it, not Gene, and not Leo."

"I don't know…"

"It's true."

"Then you're saying, it doesn't matter who I chose?" Terri wondered, slowly grasping what the other womyn was hinting at.

"Yes," Veronica nodded eagerly.  "Your life doesn't' have to change no matter who you chose. It is your decision. You should chose because it's what you want to decide. Look. Which one of them expects you to tailor your life to their whims? Gene or Leo?"

"Well…"

"Life with Gene. Has he ever made you do what you didn't want to do?"

"He's done things to get me to quit science…" Terri admitted.

"But he left the decision up to you, right?" Veronica persisted.

"Yes…"

"And look at Leo. Did he expect you to drop everything and go with him?"

"Not at first…"

"But that's what he's asking you to do."

"Gene wants me to stay with him..." Terri said.

"Why don't you ask both of them what they want out of a relationship with you? And then decide if it's right. You can decide that neither is right. And live your life for yourself…"

"Isn't that selfish?" Terri asked, somehow feeling this wasn't an easy way out like she had hoped.

"Isn't it selfish for them both to expect you to change for their sake?" Veronica turned the question back to her.

Terri bit her lip, hair flapping in the breeze of the passing traffic.

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

"What in hell do you think you're accomplishing coming here like this?" Gene exploded at Leo. He paced with his arms across his chest while Paul waited with Bruce and Eric. Both Shannon and Melissa also sat in on the tense scene playing out in Gene's sitting room.

Leo sat in the easy chair, knees folded with his hands on his lap.  Still he seemed very composed in comparison to Gene.  It was as if he was psyching Gene out by his detachment tempered with logic.

"I never thought I'd run into Terri again," Leo admitted, infuriatingly calm. "But when I saw her, it just brought back the old feelings. I had been searching for her…"

"Oh, so let me get this straight, you were just sitting on your ass living your life, then all of a sudden you decide she's the woman you want? That makes a lot of sense!" Gene laughed, rounding on him.

"She didn't answer my e-mails. I let her go. I got on with my life, but inside I knew that she was special. That she was compatible with me. I promised myself that even though I'd screwed up, if I ever ran across her again, I wouldn't make the same mistake…"

"Oh that's really big of you," Gene jeered, leaning right over and putting his nose only inches from Leo's. "And now you're here, and you just happen to find her at the AAAS and decide she's your woman an you can't live without her? How come I don't believe you?"

Leo flushed hot, stammering as he had been found out. "Well, it was coincidence…"

"Ohh, that one got him," Shannon whispered to Melissa, who held up a finger to her lips for silence.

"Bullshit," Gene gritted, resting both hands on the armrests of the chair, right in Leo's face. "You knew where she was, didn't you? Come on, her face is all over the tabloids. She's well known in public circles. You're expecting me to believe you have had your head up your ass all this time and…"

"Not everyone's a KISS fan," Leo countered. "Shows your arrogance, Mr. Simmons…"

"My arrogance is a known fact, Dr. Malcolm," Gene smirked, and drew back with a sense of satisfaction. "Which is not the immediate point here. What matters now is Terri, and how you're turning her into an emotional wreck…"

"How am I doing that, Mr. Simmons?"

"By playing these emotional games, that's how," Gene said.  "You realize she's here. Does the thought occur to you that she's happy for the first time in her life? That she wants to be with me?"

"Why?" Leo asked, shaking his head.  " I know Terri. She's sensitive, highly intelligent, and loves science. She's the sort of woman that would make an excellent wife and mother. A sort a man would want to marry and settle down with. My fault that I didn't realize it then. But you're putting her in a place that will slowly destroy her self-respect. And I can't allow that!"

"The hell I am!" Gene spat. "Maybe you don't know her as well as you think! Did the thought occur that she might have changed?"

"Terri's changed all right, under your constant alternative lifestyle. You're caused her to stray from the dreams she has set out to conquer. She always wanted to be a scientist first. To have a good steady life. Not this swinging with multiple partners and this screen writing… it's insane!"

"Shows what you know. I think I remember her saying that she wanted to be a scientist. But she always loved writing best. And she's good at it."

"But would you deny her the chance to do both?" he asked.

"As a matter of fact, Dr. Malcolm, no. Which is why when her company asked her back… I let her go. Take the job. And you know what she did?"

"What?" Leo asked, his turn to be surprised.

"She took the job. For a whole month, we were apart, and I visited her. Lived in her world while she walked into that company every day. And you know what? She finally decided she didn't want that job after all. But I gave her the chance to choose, although I wanted her with me… and I admit that. But she came back to me. She's one damn determined woman…"

"She is," Leo nodded. "But you cannot expect her to be happy forever in this life. What stability can you offer her?"

"As much as she wants," Gene said. "I accept who she is, and chooses to be. And you want the Terri you knew five years ago."

"Can you honestly say that you haven't put all sorts of thoughts into her head? Everything she says and does now reeks of you!"

"There isn't a thought in her head that she hasn't thought of herself," Gene said. "She thinks for herself… can you claim she did when she was you? You know what she said about your relationship? She said you were her life for 2 years!"

"She does love me…"

"No. She did love you. Past tense! But I don't think it was the kind of love she was looking for," Gene said softly. "When someone becomes your life, that's sick. IF someone else is the center of your universe, that's codependency. When I am in a relationship, I don't expect that person to answer to me, any more then I have to answer to them. That's what I offer her. Freedom. To be herself."

"What is this freedom worth without commitment, stability and a family?"

"What is any of those without love?" Gene asked. "Or are they worth loosing your sense of who you are? Sacrificing yourself on the altar of conformity? Having the shit worried out of you because you don't fit in?"

"I couldn't' expect you to understand, or get it," Leo shook his head, slowly rising from the armchair. "I pity you…"

"Feelings mutual. Hell we agree on something…" Gene laughed ironically. "But what's important here is what Terri wants. And if that means life with you, I can't stop her. But I don't have to like it. And if you hurt her I'll kick your ass personally…"

"If she does chose you, you had best keep stock of what a treasure you have," Leo sighed. "Because you won't appreciate it till it's gone…"

"Like you did?" Gene smirked.

"Are you going to admit that it's Terri's choice?" Veronica suddenly interrupted. Both men turned to see that Veronica stood there in the doorway, hands on her hips, with Terri right next to her. She fixed both Gene and Leo firmly in her gaze.

Chapter 14

"Terri, you came back…" Leo got out.

"Terri, are you all right sweetheart?" Gene asked, moving toward her, but was halted with Bruce's hand on his arm.

"Let her come to you," Bruce whispered to his band mate.

"Well, you 2 haven't killed each other yet, so that's a good start," Terri quipped.

"Thanks to us," Bruce put in.

"Terri, have you made up your mind…" Leo began. "Look, I know this is awkward but…"

"Leo, do me a favor and shut up," Terri snapped at him. "You've talked enough. And Gene, hear me out…"

"What are you saying, Terri?" Gene asked.

"That this isn't about what you two think. It's about what I think. I refuse to be fought over like some damn trophy. What I decide is my decision alone. And both of you have to live with it. So cut the jealousy crap now!"

"Terri," Gene began, but shut up with a warning look from Veronica.

"I knew you'd be reasonable," Leo affirmed, moving toward her. "You always were. That's the hallmark of a scientist…"

"Leo, didn't I tell you to shut up?" Terri glared at him. "You're so concerned about what's right for me, that it's a question of what you think is right for me. How dare you barge into my life and home thinking that you know me better then I know myself?"

"I didn't…"

"Yes you did. You presumed I was the same woman you knew five years ago, buried under the veneer of who I am now. When the opposite is true. What you see here is the woman buried under the veneer of the scared little grad student who made you the center of her universe. Well you know what? Satellite Terri just came crashing down to earth."

"What are you…"

"You and me. There is no more you and I, Leo. We ended years ago. The Terri you love is gone. You asked me if I still love you. Well that part of me that was the Terri you knew does. But the part of me that matters now has gotten over it and moved on. Because I had to… "

"Why?" Leo demanded.

"You're not right for me. Because you are trying to come back to some idealized conception of who I am…."

"She's right," Bruce suddenly put in. "Face it, buddy. You have this image of her in your brain. The Terri you knew. We all put women on pedestals, and when she doesn't' fit that image anymore, we think there is something wrong with her… when there really is something wrong with us…"

"It's all about perception," Terri explained. "As a chemist you know that there are many ways of studying one chemical. Under certain conditions, it exhibits specific properties. But by trying to measure that chemical we influence it…"

"True, but that isn't relevant here…"

"It is Leo." Terri shook her head. "It is. You keep trying to understand how I've changed. You don't give me credit for changing on my own. You blame Gene for 'corrupting' me, without stopping to consider that I am master of my own life. And that's what is at stake here."

"He's filled your head with all sorts of dreams hasn't he?" Leo asked.  "How he's going to make your life what you always dreamed?"

"The dreams are mine. He only wants them to come true," Terri answered. "Isn't that right Gene?"

"Isn't she just a diversion for the next woman?" Leo demanded, turning to Gene anxiously. "I saw you with that red head there! And you Terri with this man here! What sort of a relationship is this compared to what I can offer you Terri?"

"It's different, I'll admit. But it was a gift for my anniversary with Gene. He's giving me the chance to be fair…"

"Has the world gone mad?" Leo laughed nervously. "AM I hearing this right? You both slept with other people as a gift to each other?"

"Yes," Terri admitted.

"Now I know you're crazy," Leo sighed. "Terri, is this how you want to present yourself to the world?"

"That's how the world knows me now, like it or not. I don't have to apologize for being who I am anymore. Least of all to you, Leo Malcolm."

"I'm not expecting you to apologize for yourself, Terri. I am expecting you to take responsibility and do something meaningful. That you don't regret…"

"I am doing something meaningful," Terri said.  "I'm doing what I want with my life, instead of conforming to someone else's idea of who I should be. If you think the Terri you know is still here, you are wrong. I've grown up, and so have you."

"And what do you have to say?" Leo turned on Gene.  Finally the mask of patient detachment was cracking, and it gave Gene the strength to say what he needed at this point.

"I can't be more proud of Terri then I am now," he said slowly. "And if she did leave me, I couldn't stop her. I could try… but this woman does what she wants whether I like it or not. And that's one thing I love about her. I can't make her do anything she doesn't want to do, and to do so would make her into someone other then who she is now…"

"Do you mean that, Gene?" Terri asked him.

"I do, sweetheart," he said. "Man that sounds cheesy… doesn't it?"

"It does," Terri laughed, and strode over to Gene.

"And after all that you chose him over me?" Leo asked, dumbfounded.

"We are a couple. You just happen to be someone who missed out," Terri told him. "I'm sorry, but what you did was deplorable…"

"I love you… do two years mean nothing to you?"  Leo asked.

"We were apart for five.  You and I don't know each other anymore.  And I don't' think I want to find out who you are all over again."

"Then let me have a chance to prove to you... that I can give you everything you could want or need.  Don't I deserve that chance?  That's why I had to risk it to let you know this... especially when he's sleeping with another woman!"

"My love life is my personal business.  That doesn't make what you're doing right," Terri told him. "Love makes us do strange stuff. But your love isn't something I want in my life."

"I only want what is best for you… for us…" Leo responded, taking her hands in his.

"The best thing for you and me is to forget about there being an 'us'," Terri said firmly. "I love Gene. Yeah he's an arrogant son of a bitch, who can be a total asshole. But you have proven you are one. And I cant' let you screw up my life anymore. I told you I was in a relationship, and you didn't respect that boundary. How can you expect me to respect what you think?"

"He's not good for you…" Leo stammered.  Terri let go of his hands, and stepped backward.

"You aren't good for me," Terri corrected. "And this isn't about what you think is best for me, it's what I think is best for me. And the best thing for me is for you to leave… now…"

"That means you," Bruce said quietly, moving to Terri's other side.

"The doors that way," Veronica said, taking Leo firmly by the hand, while Paul bracketed him on the other side and they both marched him toward the front door.

"Don't let it hit you on the way out," Terri called to him, rushing to see her two friends escorting Leo out to his car. Gene's hand clamped down on her shoulder, giving it a squeeze. She looked down at her feet for a moment, then up into his face first, followed by Bruce's.

"You did the right thing, you know," Bruce said slowly to Terri, because she still had that momentary hint of doubt present in her dark eyes. Gene and the others nodded.

"Thank you," Terri answered. "That actually felt very cathartic…"

"It should," Shannon suddenly piped in. "That guy deserved it. And I'm proud of you for telling him off…"

Gene took Terri's hands in both of his. She glanced up at him; saying nothing but sensing all the awkwardness of the emotions that had been let lose. Some uncomfortable aspects of their lives had been brought to light, and both had much to discuss with the other.

"Eric, let's take a swim," Melissa nodded. They strode out, hand in hand. Veronica and Paul who had just returned walking Terri's Ex away, veered right out the way they came and wandered upstairs when they saw the silent tension rampant in the room.

Shannon looked to Bruce, both moving on either side of Gene and Terri. "You want us to split?" Shannon asked them.

"Gene?" Bruce asked.

"It's all right," Terri said slowly. "What we both have to say is no secret…"

Chapter 15

The silence and awkwardness continued for at least five minutes of Gene and Terri holding hands, but not quite looking at each other. One would be on the verge of putting words to their feelings, only to be stopped by the eyes of the other. What could they say to each other?

It was Shannon who broke the silence finally when she said, "Look, maybe Bruce and I should split and leave you two alone for a while?"

"Yeah Gene…" Bruce nodded. "If you want to find me I'll be jamming in your studio…"

"Is this the way you want things, Terri," Gene suddenly asked her. "Bruce, Shannon, please stay in here for a minute…"

"What do you mean by that?" Terri asked Gene, her hands tightening on his.

"All those things he said about stability, about you wanting a family, a long term relationship. The things he claimed that he could give you. Are you sure that you don't want to be with him? I need to know… please… just humor me…"

"Gene, I don't want to be with someone just to be with someone. That's not the point. And I said it wasn't a choice between him and you so much as me deciding what was best for my life…"

"That's why I'm trying to get you to tell me what you want," Gene said. "Because ultimately you being happy is what I want most for you… for us…"

"Thank you," Terri sighed deeply, her eyes moistening.

"As much as you've accepted me for who I am, have I done you the same favor baby?"

"Yes," she nodded. "I never once felt like you attacked me for who I was, even though sometimes you've pushed me to do things that I wasn't exactly ready for… but was glad you had pushed…"

"Same here…" Gene answered.

"But you acting like a jealous jerk didn't help matters," she breathed, knowing she had to say it.

"I guess not," Gene laughed sadly. "But seriously, I hated to see this guy twisting you around emotionally…"

"That's sweet of you to be protective but really…"

"You can fight your own battles. I know that. But I love you, and I can't just stand by when you need help. No more then you could stand by if me or one of your friends was in trouble. Nobody screws with my friends… that's just the way it is."

"I know that, but getting over him, I thought I had. Then it came back and figuratively bit me on the ass. All those emotions I buried for so long… if only I had communicated with him better…"

"That was past. Present's now and it's what you make of it. But I want to know, are you pissed at me for sleeping with Shannon here?"

"No," Terri said. "No more then you have any right to be for me being with Bruce here…"

"Terri," Shannon interrupted. "I'm not looking for Gene here to leave you. That's not what I'm about at all. I love him to death… but I don't wanna wreck what you have… I guess I wanted a piece of the Demon… whatever he was willing to give…"

"I know," Terri sighed. Bruce moved up behind her, putting his hands on her shoulders as he rubbed them gently, and looked up to Gene.

"She's a special woman, Gene. I'd lie if I said I didn't' have feelings for her. Always did. But I don't want to wreck something you have…" Bruce reiterated. "But if she wants me, I can't exactly say no easily…"

"Shannon, you enjoyed yourself, right?" Terri asked her slowly.

"Hell yes. I'd lie if I didn't. I just couldn't believe you were all cool with it… but now…" Shannon asked.

"That's why I asked Terri, if you wanted things to be like this," Gene said. "If you're uncomfortable with the idea of me seeing Shannon again, please say so now. But you should know this, if you ever feel angry or upset with something I'm doing, please tell me. I don't want to hurt you, or make you think I love you any less. That's why I want you to feel you can have your lovers too… like Bruce here…"

"I did begin to doubt that I 'did it' for you anymore…" Terri sighed, feeling Bruce's hands tighten on her shoulders. Shannon stood near Gene, wanting to put her hand into his, but not being quite sure if it were a good idea.

"I've loved you more then any woman I can think of," Gene said, breathing deeply in and out. "I don't want to lose you…"

"Nor I you. Now that I know why you are what you are, I understand. I would like to try this, for a time. That is if you want to be with Shannon again…"

"I can't guarantee that I wont," Gene said honestly.

"Nor I with Bruce, or someone else…" Terri answered.

"You have that right. Absolutely," Gene nodded. He moved forward to embrace her, wrapping her close in his arms as she buried her head in his chest. Shannon lay her head on his back; not sure of what she should do, but wanting to give him all the support she could for some strange reason. While Bruce did not relinquish his hold on Terri's shoulders.

Like it or not they were suddenly part of something far more serious then either could have anticipated. There was much more to this relationship then they could immediately see, and now they were both intertwined in its threads. Could this work, or would they have to walk away at some point? Neither Shannon nor Bruce could answer. However, neither could deny their feelings of attraction for Gene or Terri.

"I don't want commitment," Shannon repeated. "Just whatever Gene wants to give, and what I can offer. That's all…"

"Same here," Bruce said. "Hell I'd be happy to get a letter once in a while, just so you can let me know you're okay…"

Terri laughed and wiped away a tear, joined by Gene.

Chapter 16

Later Terri was relaxing in front of the fire, typing into her laptop computer. Melissa and Shannon were walking down the stairs, their bags in hand.

"Are you leaving so soon?" she asked them, slowly getting up.

"Well, considering how exciting things have been with your ex, we thought it was better if we split," Shannon said shyly.

"You sure told him off," Melissa smiled. "Way to go…"

"Yes," She said, glancing up at them. "I only wish it wasn't so long in coming…"

"You would have sooner or later, right?" Shannon asked. "I mean… well he seemed like a real asshole…"

"Yes… true…" Terri nodded. "But I wish it had been sooner. And I wish he hadn't come back. It doesn't make it any easier…"

"Relationships suck sometimes," Shannon shrugged. "But hey, sometimes they're worth it…"

"They sure are," Melissa nodded. "Are you going to be okay?"

"Yes," Terri nodded. "I think so. It's still going to take time to sort all this emotional mess out… especially since I had thought I'd dealt with it before…'

"Give yourself time," Melissa said.

Veronica and Paul strode past, also carrying their bags. They noticed the two women already on the way out, and laughed.

"This is turning into grand central station!" Veronica laughed. "You too?"

"I think everyone had the same bright idea to bugger out," Paul laughed. "If that's cool with you…"

"It's fine," Terri said. "And much appreciated…"

"Remember what we talked about Terri. What's most important is how you feel…" Veronica reminded her. She looked to the other women. "Hope you have a great trip back… nice meeting you…"

"Same here…" Shannon and Melissa each said, shaking Veronica's hand. Each of them embraced Terri, pressing a kiss to her cheek in turn.

"Uh… where's Gene? I'm sure he'll want to say goodbye to you guys too," Teri suddenly realized.

"We said our good-byes," Shannon whispered to Terri. "The big guy's elsewhere…"

"Oh," Terri smiled knowingly.

"Take care…" Paul nodded, giving Terri a warm hug and a kiss on the cheek. He and Veronica moved out with their things, followed by Shannon and Melissa. Terri followed them to the front door.

She wasn't surprised to hear footsteps behind her, and turned to see Eric and Bruce together. Each had their possessions in hand.

"There are few surprises tonight," said Terri with a smile.

"We're gonna get going. Gotta catch a flight…" Bruce said.

"but you have vacation left still…" Terri began, but Bruce rested a finger on her lips.

"We'll survive," Eric singer laughed. "Besides, we're heading off with two young ladies on their way home…"

"Shannon and Melissa?"

"For a few days. Eric's riding back with them, and I'm heading over to spend time with my brother," Bruce admitted. Eric waved his goodbye as he rushed to join Melissa and Shannon. Already they were packing the convertible for the long trek home. Eric busied himself with helping them figure out how to pack their purchases along with his own gear.

"Bruce…" Terri began. "What we had…"

"What we have… It's special. Who's to say we won't run into each other again in the near future. But you and Gene, you need to be together now. And believe me, I think he's ready for some quality time. Dessert's great, but it rots your teeth after a while."

"I hope Gene knows that…"

"Believe me he does. I know Gene, and he goes in cycles."

"A twelve month itch?" Terri grinned wryly.

"I'd guess, but don't forget all you've fought for. It's worth it if you can make it work. It did for him and Shannon… but remember, it's what you want out of it…"

"Goodbye Bruce. Don't keep your brother waiting," she smiled. Leaning up she kissed him softly on the cheek, as Bruce rushed his lips to her forehead. When she opened her eyes he was gone. Car after car pulled out, and she watched each one leave, waving to her friends she had come to know.

She turned when the last car had left, and strode back into the house. Behind her she closed the door, and strode upstairs. She had no idea where Gene was in the large house that she strode through room by room. She was beginning to make her own mark in the newly remodeled place. It was not a huge empty place, but a place that was filling with a new set of memories.

Finally she strode up the back stairs to the second floor, wandering down the hallway that led to the guestrooms. It was a mutual decision the décor after the remodeling, and it was as much hers as his. She never though she'd see the day she was helping to decorate a Hollywood mansion. One year ago, the apartment she had in Philadelphia was daunting enough, and it was a rental!

She walked past the master bedroom, stopping in to see if Gene was there. He wasn't, and she felt a momentary pang of disappointment. Where was he? Considering the size of the house, it could be anywhere!

"In here sweetheart," came his voice. Terri turned to the sound of Gene's voice, and glanced anxiously around the room.

"Where are you?" she asked.

"Come in of your own will," he said in a voice tinged with that familiar growl.

Terri stepped over the threshold of the door, entering the room. She noticed the lights were off, the only illumination from candles strategically placed throughout. A pungent scent of lavender mingled with cinnamon pervaded her nostrils. She inhaled it with relish, flushing out the awkwardness of earlier today.

"Gene…" she asked. "Are you here… or is it someone else?"

"Someone else is here tonight…" came the husky growl that sent shivers all over her skin. Slowly she stepped further in, striding into the pool of light that comprised the bed and the dresser. It seemed there was a trail of candles. There lay something draped across the bed, and she lifted it up. Soft silk whispered between her fingers.

She had no idea where he was in the room, but it almost didn't matter. Now she had crossed into a different world, one of the ones he would create for her. It had been a while since he'd tried role-playing, and it was best to play along.

"Those raiment are not acceptable here," he whispered hoarsely. She began to unbutton her blouse, slowly undoing each button painstakingly. Throwing her head back she spread the halves aside, and unzipped her jeans, slowly shedding them and tossed them aside.

"Very good. Now…"

Terri replaced her garments for the nightgown, sheer and almost see through. It felt good and soft on her skin like a cloud of coolness that would soon respond to her body heat. "And who is the one that commands me this night?" she asked.

"The lord of the wasteland… and the modern day man of steel," came the hoarse answer. Leveling her gaze she saw the tall shape emerge from the bathroom, veiled by darkness. Before her he stood, eyes gleaming bright in the patches of black amidst white. Booted feet carried him in long strides to her side, and she felt the cool caress of steel against silk as he brushed a spiked glove over her shoulder, then down over her breast.

"Ohhh my…" she got out, drawing back to see him towering over her in full makeup and costume. "I never expected… this…"

"It is as we first met, isn't it?" he responded, licking lips in anticipation as he drew his hands over her bared shoulders, then traced them over her breasts teasingly lightly.

"Indeed… I never thought I'd see that again after the last concert…" she sighed, running a hand over the steel of his breastplate, and over the exposed skin of his thighs.

"Your true anniversary present," he whispered.

"But I thought Bruce… and the others…"

"It was a day early," the Demon grinned wickedly.

"But I could swear that you of all people wouldn't forget!" Terri laughed suddenly.

"Depends on your starting date, sweetheart," he laughed, fingering her cheek softly, drawing a finger down to her sensitive neck. "Because if you considered yesterday, that was the first night that you and I were together… but this is the real anniversary… the night that I made you truly mine… after that first concert you assisted at…"

"The night I told you I loved you," Terri remembered. "Oh I feel so stupid…"

"Never say that in my presence," he growled playfully. "Now… come to me… and give me a proper greeting…"

Terri moved into his arms, feeling cold metal press against her hot flesh. Silk and steel merged in a passionate embrace, her cheeks feeling the coarse tickling of his hair. No wonder he'd gone missing for the last three hours. She could only guess how long it had taken him to paint up and get into costume alone.

"I love you, and you are mine," he whispered into her ear as he lifted her up and wrapped her around himself. She felt herself carried to the bed, and laid gently down. He pressed down from above, the added weight of the armor and costume taking her breath away.

Terri's protests and doubts vanished in the searing kiss he pressed to her lips. They came together as one in the darkness as they had one year before. And she knew his words were true then as hers were that first night they had truly claimed one another.

The End