Always Near You/Nowhere to Hide

By Trynia Merin

© Trynia's Journies

Disclaimer: KISS and Gene Simmons are real persons. This story is a work of Fiction,and is not meant to harm or demean the parties mentioned. Terri Mason, and related friends are the author's creation. Note, Jade's character Calen MacGregor appears in this story with her permission. Thanks a lot!

"Don't worry, sweetheart, you don't have to change for me at all," Gene told her, as he fastened the matching ruby pendant around her neck. Her body felt tensed into a knot with a mass of nerves writhing in her stomach. Her long red dress was low cut and strapless, slit to the knee and form fitting as it fell just above her ankles. Just enough to show a bit of leg, and clingy enough to show her curves well. Gene certainly seemed to enjoy dancing his eyes over it so far! Plus the four inch platform sandals put her on a more substantial height next to him.

"I know that… but… how many people did you invite to your party? You said one hundred, but it looks like from the RSVP's that there are twice as many!"

"You made the arrangements for extra, right? So don't worry," Gene soothed. "It looks wonderful. And I know that everyone's gonna have a great time… so relax…"

She felt his hands kneading her tight shoulders, groaning as he worked. Leaning over her shoulder he pressed a kiss to her lips, then turned her around in his arms. For a moment she lost herself in the sensation of his mouth on hers.

The doorbell jolted her away, and she glanced up at Gene's amused face. "Must be the caterers…"

"Better not keep them waiting, love. I'll just finish up in here… and then join you. Relax!!!"

Terri pecked him on the cheek, and rushed down to the front door. It was indeed the caterers, and she quickly ushered them in. Before long they were setting up their tables with their precision, to her standards. Everything moved much more smoothly then she thought, but she still felt the tension wringing her insides.

It wasn't till the guests started to arrive that she breathed a little easier. First to arrive were Peter and Gigi, and some of the other members of the Band. Including Bruce and Eric even! Where was Paul, she wondered! Then the people just kept on coming, and she moved quickly to keep up with them, till the maid volunteered to take up the task of greeting.

She had fired up the CD system in his studio to blare the song "Break on Through" to start with, followed by a few other sixties and seventies hits. By the time Gene was presented with his birthday cake and presents she had switched on appropriate mood music. Champagne, toasts and all sorts of other activity flurried around her, merging into a blur. She kept the nerves at bay by running around behind the scenes.

Till Gene finally brought her out and introduced her to the guests already assembled, and she felt her courage melt away. On and on the party continued, till it was close to two PM. More and more people arrived each hour, till she felt lost in the sea of over two hundred guests. Where were they all coming from?

Most of them gathered in the back yard by the pool, while others moved through the voluminous downstairs. When she heard her song flicker on in the background, she lost whatever nerves she had left. Who were all these people, and what on Earth was she doing here?

"I'm sorry I have to check on the snacks," she said to Gene, excusing herself yet again.

"Sure… don't be a stranger," he said, before someone else whisked him away. He hugged an attractive blonde woman in a very stylish and classy dress, and Terri slipped into the crowd. She rushed quickly into the kitchen, unaware that she had been noticed by one of the guests better known to Gene. Quickly she slammed the door, and took in deep breaths to calm herself.

"Oh god… what am I doing?" she asked, leery and on the verge of tears.

"Hey, this is a party for your man, why aren't you enjoying it?" someone asked. Terri jumped and turned around to see the blonde who had just been with Gene.

"I don't know how I'm supposed to 'enjoy' it..." Terri blurted out, not caring about baring her soul to a total stranger. After all, chances were she didn't know her anyway. The bright eyes were filled with concern, and Terri let herself go, "I'm the only one here who's not famous! What if they see that I'm some sort of a sham..."

"How can they see anything if you don't come out of hiding?" the attractive woman asked. If only she knew she had seen her before, in full makeup and costume.

Calen MacGregor, a woman she had admired for years, and didn't recognize. How ironic.

"Don't let them intimidate you..." Calen said slowly, laying a hand on Terri's arm. Terri glanced at her, breathing deeply. She felt a little less awkward, and looks up at her.

"I feel stupid hiding like this..." Terri sniffed, dabbing at her tears. Calen handed her a tissue box, moving up next to Terri on another kitchen stool.

"Why are you feeling stupid? Help me out here…" Calen said. "I mean you are Gene's girlfriend, right? So why should you be in here instead of out there? Especially since this is a lovely party!"

"I was okay... for a while... but then... the reality catches up with you," she said slowly.

"What reality?" Calen asked.

"I know each person here was once a normal person like me. But fate has separated them from the ordinary... and now it seems too good to be true that it's happened to me..."
"Now lets put this in perspective...." Calen said, moving back a bit. "What exactly has happened to you? You fell in love with a man, and that man happens to be known...that's all. These people here are no better, no worse, than you, circumstances put them in an extraordinary situation..." Calen muttered.

"Hmm. you have a point. But do you know how I got here?" Terri asked, taking a tissue Calen handed her.

"Yes, Gene told me the story...I understand you were a chemist?"

"Yes... that is correct..." Terri sniffed, dabbing a tear carefully out of her eye. Her contact lenses were beginning to ache. "I... well... lost my job... because of something that happened with KISS..."

"Something that happened with Paul, right?"

"Yes... I suppose there's no harm in telling you... telling someone else..." Terri sighed. "Paul came into my place of work, and started 'apologizing" for dumping me. My supervisor walked in on us... and fired me..."

"Oh god, that must have been embarrassing for you! I'm sorry that happened."

"Thanks... I was mortified! And that was after Paul had sent me a note... and disappeared. Then he has the nerve to show up like nothing happened with flowers..."

"As if that would make up for it," Calen snorted in sympathy.

"I threw them in the trash I was so pissed... and marched into the lab to tell him off..."

"He went chasing after Pam.... Yeah, I know all about that!" Calen nodded.

"He gives me the song and dance... and I start crying... and then he's all over me... and I can't resist... and then... wham bam my supervisor walks in! And I finally just tell her to go to hell before she can fire me..."

"Gene told me…" Calen interrupted her.

"How much did Gene tell you? The... whole... story?"

"Only that Paul hurt you, by lying about his visit with Pam when she was in the accident...that's all."

"Oh..."

"Look...." Calen pauses. "Gene and I have known each other for a long time now. He confides in me, as I do in him. I was there to help him through all the problems he had with Shannon too. This is the happiest that I have seen him in a long time. The thing is that he told me about you long before the two of you got together... You made an impact on him, and that just doesn't happen everyday."

"Oh... whew! So you and Gene... are friends... that's a relief! I... never quite realized how much an impact I've had on Gene..."

"Why? Did you think we were lovers?" Calen asked.

"No I thought you were someone who had read about me in the tabloids…" Terri said slowly. "I know that not everyone here knows who I really am..."

"Believe me honey, I don't read the tabloids, I star in them!"

Terri chuckles. "Well, at least you have a sense of humor about them. I have all these fears of becoming some front page story... even though they are mostly crap…"

"They are nothing...after a while, once they have all they need, they leave you alone. The secret is to let them take tons of pictures of you."

"Really... interesting... I have no idea how many they've snapped so far..."

"When the supply is full, the demand goes away!"

"So I inundate them! Then I'm no longer the flavor of the month!" Terri realized, brightening up.

"Then make them know who you are.... Tell them, you are Gene's girlfriend...don't hide it!"

"Already I've seen my picture in a few... Not just the weekly world news, but the Inquirer... so I must have gotten someone's attention..."

"Exactly! If you are everywhere, then who cares...."

"Hey, I like your style."

"Thanks, I think we will get along just fine!"

Terri grins, and looks Calen in the face. "I could swear I've seen you somewhere before. I am terrible with names... but I remember faces..."

Calen chuckles, "Oh, no where special."

"Just a lot of guest roles?" Terri wonders, then takes another look. "Your eyes look familiar... and your voice is awfully familiar.... With a few spots... hmm... wait... no way!"

Calen waited to see if she could see a glimmer of recognition. "What?"

"Well... you look like that character... on Voyager... wait were you on Next Generation a few years back? The one that had the romantic attraction to Riker... and then... became a regular?"

"Umm, could be..." Calen murmured.

"Yeah..." Terri nodded eagerly. "Then the character appeared on Voyager... it was damned time they came up with another kick ass female character!"

Calen laughed.

"I'm not a trekkie. I don't wear Spock ears to bed, but I do go to a few cons here and there..."

"Will she win the $500 dollar question?"

"You... you were on the set the other day. I know who you are now! No way... you are friends with Gene! This is something else!"

"Who do you think I am?"

"Calen someone... MacGregor... Oh damn I suck at names... is that right?"

"Bingo...give the girl a prize!" Calen nodded.

"Well, that is my final answer," Terri grinned. <"I have people telling me I should be on that damned show!"

"Good thing spelling doesn't count" Calen laughed.

"But the questions are sometimes so dumb!" Terri grinned.

"Its definitely strange in that hot seat!" Calen admitted.

"Well, I have to admit I don't watch it that religiously... but I did see Gene in the hot seat, and I felt pretty bad for him..."

"What question did they stick you on?"

"I did too...and I was one of his phone friends!"

"Oh god!" Terri laughs out loud

"Something about literature.... The author of a 18th century book...I had no idea, but at least I walked away with 250,000!"

"Whoa! You rock! I would have been so damned nervous... I probably would have flubbed it... but then again... I do remember useless trivia!

"You would probably do great. After the 1000 dollar question, I began to relax."

" Thanks! Speaking of the which, you know what I said to Gene when I tasted Fresca?"

"Oh god, you drank Fresca?" Calen winced.

"Yes... I thought it was diet coke...You know the second time we were together... I was asking for something to drink and I thought he was getting me a diet coke and I sipped the damn glass, and it was a yucky surprise...."

"Oh no! What a shock!"

"He had this shit eating grin on his face..."

"He would"

"I told him the last time I had that it had the snowflake on the can! That shut him up!"

"He finally groaned and said 'oh god that was in 1976!'"

"Me too...and I hated it then! Gene slipped it to me one time, as a joke! I nearly poured it over his head!"

"I embarrassed the crap outta him... cause I made him realized how young I was when I first tried it! And this was in his own bedroom!"

"I do that all the time...he hates it!" Calen winked.

Terri grinned.

"I always tell him I was a fan as a "kid"! He hates that so much!" Calen nudged her.

"Well, he knows my parents hate KISS... so trying to explain to him what they thought of him was rather sobering for him... They still think I'm dating some Hollywood big shot producer named Eugene Klein... and they keep asking when they can meet him for dinner! I kinda feel really like I'm a good girl gone bad," she grins slowly.

"Oh boy! Better be careful!"

"Yeah... that's part of my problem... My parents never did like KISS... not that their religious nuts... but they just never cared for them..."

"Wow, hard position to be in," Calen shook her head.

"Would you believe I went till age 12 before hearing what they sounded like? But I could tell which one was gene since age 5! It was that damned tongue that did it for me..."

"Well, that would do it for most women," Calen said.

"And the blood... ooh the blood... it looked so sensual... and there was something about him in his armor... that made me feel tingly all over... I saw the pictures in the magazines..." her voice trailed off.

"Me too! All my friends always went for Paul...but me, I always went for Gene and the tongue..."

"Well I did meet Paul first..."

"Yes, and I don't blame you for falling for him, he is a sweet talker" Calen laughed.

"But it was Gene I found out later... who really looked out for me. All these times I tried to get Paul's attention and I wind up with gene! At a concert I was painted up in Paul makeup, and I was fighting to be seen, three rows back... Some nice KISS army guy put me up, and Gene was the one who saw me and wagged that tongue at me...and Paul was looking at some blond in the audience..." Terri laughs.

"Paul loves his blondes..." Calen nodded.

"But Gene... he was the first one to come up to me after that concert... for the contest winners..."

"He told me..."

"He made me feel like I was someone... not just a nameless fan... and stopped being the invisible woman..." Terri smiles slowly. "I found later that Gene was the one that picked my song originally... not Paul. It was a very sobering thought..."

"No, its ok...I hope you don't mind that he told me about you, especially when he didn't tell you about me."

"No I don't... he told Allison about me..."

"Gene loved your song..."

"I'm glad he has women who are friends..." Terri nods slowly, flushing with pride. "Like Allison."

"Yeah, Alli, there's a story!"

"She seems quite a character! Why did she leave Gene I wonder? Or was it Gene that broke up with her... she never quite told me... why..."

"She couldn't handle it."

"The fame?"

"Exactly. Everytime she turned around there was another girl trying to get in his pants...it was just too much! Not many people can..."

"OH boy... I had that experience... early on. I nearly made an ass of myself because of it..."

"You have to get through it.... Its gonna happen and there is no way around it."

"Gene practically picked me up and threw me over his shoulder... and he made wild passionate love to me in the green room..."

"Ha, that crazy Gene!"

"Paul and the guys walked in on us though..."

"That's no surprise..."

"Yes... and I realized that he was looking, but not buying them...but when it came to the act... I was the one that got the goods!" Terri starts to laugh at the memory of the dressing room.

"Good for you! That's the spirit! Now what the hell are you doing in here with me? Get out there and enjoy yourself!" Calen cheered.

"You are right... but you look so at ease yourself... got any secrets?" Terri nudged Calen and tosses her head in the direction of the party out back.

"I wasn't always this way.... If it hadn't been for Marina and Gates.... I would be a nutcase!"

"Cool... you actually had advice from them then... whoa! So now am I your 'grasshopper?'

"Yes, and now, you have snatched the pebble from my hand, you must go forth into the pool area, and prosper...wait, that's Vulcan! I get confused!"

Terri laughs and slugs her on the back. "Let me get you a drink, gal!"

"Thanks, let me introduce you to my man!"

Terri gave her a playful tug on the arm, and both walked back into the bustle of the party. Walking her over to the bar, she said, "Well I made sure we had plenty of choices other then Fresca! Name your poison. Leaded or unleaded?"

She dodged behind the bar, narrowly avoiding the apologetic bartender. He was a young Hispanic fellow with very nice features and light caramel skin.

"Umm, I am driving, so unleaded, please."

"Diet coke good for you?"

"How bout that caffeine free one right there?"

"That's my beverage of choice. Okay, here you go!" Terri says, and gets her a glass and ice with it. "So now let's meet your man!"

"Thanks.... See that good looking one over there? The one with thighs to die for? That's him!"
"Oh my god! Stone Cold Steve Austin... holeeeee..." Terri gets out with a laugh.

Immediately Terri had recognized him, and Calen laughed, "Oh yeah.... He's ALL mine!"
"Rroow! I like your taste, ma'am!"

Calen bowed, saying, "Thanks, you're taste isn't so bad either."

"Why thank you," Terri beams, feeling the awkwardness ease a little.

Steve walks over to Calen and puts his arm around her. "Steve, this is Terri, Gene's girlfriend.... Terri, this is Steve."

"Hello there!" Terri grinned, offering her hand.

"Terri. Nice to meet you, its a great party!" said Steve. "Did you make the catering arrangements?"

"I sure did. So are those insured?" she asks, pointing to his thighs.

Steve blushed,"Of course, insured by the WWF!"

"Nothing but the best!" she grins.

"Naturally!" Calen nodded.

"Well, when you make the money..." Steve winked. They all laughed.

"Yeah! Why the heck not, right? So, how did the WWF go where no man has gone before? Or was it after next Generation you two met?"

Calen laughed..."I was doing a guest spot on Nash Bridges, and we met there, our characters met, actually."

"I think that's more down to earth," Terri smiled.

"I was married at the time, but after my divorce, I looked her up" said Steve. "We had remained friends..."

"That's the best way..." Terri nods. "Well, you have one good taste in women."

"Thank you...I think so too," Steve said.

"Always being there for each other... that's the basis for a solid relationship..." she notes and glanced over where Gene was conversing with a few other guests, before glancing back to the couple again. Who were the two attractive women sitting at the umbrella table, she wondered, with a pang of jealousy? She forced herself to take another look. He was simply talking to them, his hands at his sides.

"That's the only way to go," Calen said, smiling.

"Yes. Sometimes friends are in the most unlikely places..." Terri reflected. Calen and Steve look at each other and smiled.

"Good to see some Hollywood relationships do work out. I sometimes forget all about people like Valerie Berteneli and Eddie Van Halen... when I see so many Tommy Lees and Pamela's..."

"Well, so far so good...it's just a one day at a time type of thing." Calen pointed out.

"Gene said the same thing... in different words..." Terri murmured. "Let's just see how this goes..."

"Yes...you can't think of Tommy and Pam....think of Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward!" Calen said.

"Good point. So far, it's been six months..."

"That's a great start!"

Terri heldp her hand, showing off the gold dragon ring. On her wrist was a matching ruby and diamond bracelet simple and elegant, "He floored me when he gave me this..."

"Wow...Gene doesn't usually do things like that!" Calen shook her head.

"He doesn't... does he?" Terri raises an eyebrow. "He said, 'best friends and lovers.'"

"He is very select about who he gives gifts to."

Terri blushes with pride, asking, "Really?"

Calen looks at Gene and grins. "He's really hung up..."

"I guess so," Terri smiles. "Man, it's something... I never in a million years would have thought..."

"I know.... I know."

"Wait here a minute..." Terri said. Grabbing a can of Fresca from the bar, she strode confidently over to where Gene hobnobbed with the two women. Casually he leaned on the umbrella table, facing the two women on a wrought iron bench beneath the palm tree. One of them, auburn, wore short shorts and a strawberry colored floral blouse that tied just above her flat, bare midriff. Her good-sized bust was nestled firmly within, her hips curving gracefully to long tanned legs. The other, exotic African American, pushed curls of dark brown hair streaked with blond highlights out of her smooth face. She sported a loose sundress that came to her mid calves, folding her legs at the ankles to reveal platform sandals. Light green eyes sparkled with intelligence. Were they models, actresses or singers, Terri wondered?

"Amusing yourself, love?" she asked Gene, striding up to him and holding out the can to him. He accepted it with a warm smile, holding out his hand and tugging her to his side. His arm wrapped around her waist and held her tightly to his hip.

"Always," he whispered, kissing her warmly on the cheek. "I want you to meet Molly Greenwich, and Cheryl Thompson. They're writers."

"Terri, nice to meet you, finally! Did you write that song we heard a little while ago?" asked Cheryl, fixing her in a warm smile.

"Yes I did…" Terri nodded, putting on her best cheerful face despite the wariness she felt welling up. In her mind she could hear Calen's advice.

"You're a chemist, right," Molly asked, her blue eyes twinkling with interest. "An analytical one…"

"That's right. Till now."

"Research, or quality control?" Molly further queried.

"Analytical services. Although I wasn't really happy with my job at Orphan, so when Gene and Paul offered me a job with KISS as a pyrotechnician, I took it. It's been interesting… to say the least…"

"My brother's a chemist for Merck," Molly said. "In their antibiotic development."

"I majored in Biology in college," Cheryl said. "Helps me writing…"

"Are you two writers, or actors?" Terri asked. "Or am I totally off here…"

"Excuse me, sweetheart. Gotta go say hi to a few more people," Gene whispered. "I won't be long… have fun…"

She savored his gentle kiss on her lips as he moved away. It was brief, but sincere, reminding her that she was indeed his. Encouraged, she moved her attention to the two guests, who listened to her with much interest.

"Want a recharge on your drinks?" she asked them.

"Sure…" Cheryl nodded. They followed her toward the bar, where the young Hispanic tender worked quickly to give the patrons orders.

"Take five," Terri whispered to him. "I'll take over…"

"You sure, ma'am?" he asked.

"You've been going non stop for the past three hours. It's okay. I'm paying, and I won't care. So vamoose and take fifteen…"

"Thanks!" he grinned. She returned with a nod and wink of her own.

"Now, what will it be?"

"Shirley temple for me, and you Molly?"

"Martini, extra dry," Molly said, sitting on a barstool next to Cheryl. "You okay with this?"

"I know a few things here and there…"

"She's a chemist, relax. And we're gonna be the guinea pigs to her experiment," Cheryl joked as Terri ducked behind the bar and started pulling out glasses. She dribbled Vermouth and Gin into a sifter, and shook them quickly, pouring them into a wide glass with a long stem. Popping an olive into the glass, she pushed it to Molly. Then she dolloped chocolate sauce, 7Up, and other ingredients into a sundae glass with Reddi whip and popped a cherry on top for Cheryl.

"Perfect," Molly nodded, giving her the thumbs up. "That's an analytical chemist for ya!"

"Ever thought of being a bartender?" Cheryl joked.

"Job's already taken," Terri laughed. Folding her arms on the bar she watched both guests sample their drinks contentedly. Questions and answers were exchanged, in light conversation. Terri was getting into the swing of telling them about her writing hobby when Molly was elbowed out of the way by two skinny figured women in loud clothes. One had a fake fur collar tied just under her chin, clashing with her blue tube dress; her reddish blond hair piled up onto her head with multiple strands of curls hanging down around her face. The other, an Asian featured woman with skinny thighs had on a tube top and a micro mini skirt with what Calen would call "fuck me" boots, in shiny white plastic leather.

"Can we have some drinks, girl?" they both asked.

"Who do you think you're talking to?" Molly snapped.

"The bartender… hey you…"

"You talking to me?" Terri asked, inwardly grumbling. They had no clue who she really was. Did they just arrive? Molly and Cheryl were about to say something when Terri held up a warning hand and shook her head.

"Yeah. Like give me an Orgasm, and Bobbi here… what do you want girl?"

"A sex on the beach!" she giggled, watching Molly's look of disgust. In comparison to the two writers, the two models appeared skinny and waifs as toothpicks. One called Bobbi was clearly lit, and her friend looked pretty much snockered all ready.

"You ladies driving?" Terri asked.

"We came by limo…" Bobbi chortled with an annoying snort. "We're models…"

"Happy models…"

"How do you two know Gene?" Cheryl asked, moving aside as Molly snorted with disgust.

"Oh we're friends of friends. You know he knows lots of women…"

"Uh huh," Cheryl muttered. "Likely story…"

"Are you two enjoying the party?" Terri asked.

"Not bad, but were' waiting for the real fun," Tiffany said.

"It's kinda lame so far. We were expecting some excitement…" Bobbi said with a dizzy grin. "I mean you know it is Gene Simmons…"

"Gimmie a break," Molly muttered. "Excuse me while I hurl…"

"Who asked you," Tiffany snorted. Molly moved away with disgust. Terri sighed, and realized she would have to do something soon.

"What is your idea of a good party…?" Terri asked.

"A few strippers, you know…" Bobbi snorted again with that annoying laugh.

"We heard his girlfriend catered this… figures since it's some excuse for classy…" Tiffany said in a low whisper.

"Does he even have a girlfriend! Like we never saw her," Bobbi joked.

"You're looking right at her," Terri said firmly.

"Oh… sorry…" Tiffany stammered, trying to regain her dignity. "Well you know we were only being silly… hahah…"

"Yeah really funny," Cheryl quipped.

"Don't mind us, we were just joking around… you know?" Tiffany said, as Bobbi looked mortified. "It's just that we didn’t expect you to be serving drinks… like… it's a bartender's job?"

"He's taking a break," Terri said.

"Oh," Bobbi said, with her lips hanging open in a very disdainful curl to reveal her teeth. IT reminded Terri of a teenaged girl who had just found out her best friend was a 'nerd.'

"Interesting…" Tiffany, said, with a gleam in her eyes that suggested Terri should be far above such a service task, and what sort of a common girl she must be. "I suppose you're used to that, aren't you?"

"I see nothing wrong with serving drinks at a party I planned," Terri said. "After all…"

"Well, like you're hostess or something… I mean… there is such a thing as appearances… don't you like care what the guests think…"

"Frankly, I could give a damn less, as long as everyone's enjoying themselves," Terri said. "If you're not, you can always leave whenever you like. I'm not keeping anyone here."

"That's like not what I…"

"Ms. Mason, I'm sorry I'm late," the bartender said, moving back behind the bar rapidly.

"Don't worry. You have some customers," Terri said slowly, pushing a fifty into his hand. "Try to have some fun ladies. And don't let your mascara run. It's rather hot today…"

"Whatever," Bobbi said with the most stereotypical leer she'd seen. Terri shoved past her with her shoulder bumping Bobbi's drink out of her hand. It tumbled down with a clink and she didn't even bother to look back at the annoyed squawk.

"Good going girl," Cheryl whispered to her. "You showed those two!"

"Who are they? And how the hell did they get in here? I hope Gene didn't invite them…"

"He didn't. They're gotten into parties before. They're just a bunch of social climbers who've starred in some music videos for Gene's production company. I guess they must have tagged along with Charlie over there… he's an old buddy of Gene's from the Hollywood days…"

"What?"

"I've known Gene since the eighties, when he was starring in movies. My dad was a script editor on Runaway… and I remember meeting Gene on the set when I was probably close to eight! He was pretty nice… considering he was the villain!"

"Funny," Terri smiled. Molly wandered back, seeing that both women had left the models far behind at the bar to flirt with the bartender.

"Sorry about ducking out like that…"

"It's okay. I'm gonna keep an eye on those two. I'm sorry that they got in…" Terri sighed.

"Don't worry. Let's just pretend they don’t' exist, and they'll dry up and blow away," Cheryl laughed.

"Really," Molly grinned.

Just then Terri saw a familiar face stride by, her blond hair blowing loose around her shoulders as she laughed alongside of Paul. Excusing herself a moment, she rushed over and gave a loud whoop over the crowd of guests. Immediately the couple turned their heads to notice Terri waving to them to join them.

"Terri! How's it going girl!" Paul grinned, moving over and giving her a big hug.

"This party rocks, girlfriend!" Liz laughed, moving into the hug herself. "You kicked ass!"

"Amazing what a few CD's will do…" Terri laughed.

"No kidding," Paul nodded. "The Doors, Jimi Hendrix, the Who! All my favs, and Gene's!"

"Well we put our CD collections together…"

"King Crimson even," Paul shook his head.

"I've got most of their compilations," Terri told him. "So, you're having fun?"

"You did an awesome job, baby," Paul told her. "I haven't seen Gene having so much fun at a party in ages!"

"Really?"

"Yeah, really!" Paul laughed, kissing her on the cheek. "Keep it up…"

Ace wandered by, with Christy on one arm, and a younger gal on his other. "Hey, how's it going'?" he asked, waving to Terri.

"Ace… is this a two for one sale?" Paul joked.

"Meet Christy, and her cousin Shandi," Ace grinned. "Say hi girls!"

"I wont' even ask," Terri laughed. She saw Ace give her the thumbs up, and then wander over to where Bruce Kulick and Eric singer were chatting with several prospective blondes. Shandi gave Bruce a wink when Ace introduced them, and Bruce cast Ace a grateful look.

"Oh, he's at it again," Paul shook his head.

"Old habits die hard, don't they?" Terri grinned. She knew well how Ace had gotten his legendary name. She just never though she'd see him in action.

"Where's Peter?" Liz asked.

"He had to leave early… his daughter's got something going on with school," Terri shrugged. "But he did have a good time while he was here… I hope…"

"I know he did, he told me himself," came a familiar voice that made Terri's blood sizzle with energy.

Someone pressed lips to Terri's ear softly and tenderly. Before she could think another thought she felt hands kneading her breasts through her sundress top. A low moan escaped her mouth at the feel of expert hands, sending massive shivers up and down her spine. Snaring his hands she pressed a soft kiss to the back of each. Paul and Liz excused themselves, and wandered away to leave the two alone.

"I still haven't gotten that spanking yet," Gene laughed.

"Mmm, I have been a little busy having fun, and so have you," she laughed back.

"I'm sure they won't mind if I insisted on doing it now…" he suggested. She turned around in his arms and wrapped them around him. Reaching down, she began to give him playful swats on the butt. His tongue traced down her neck causing her to giggle; "I'm losing count!"

"That's the idea, doll," he laughed.

"Smartass!" she laughed.

"I thought you liked my ass," he whispered.

"Believe me, I do…" she cooed.

"Good, because I definitely like yours," he whispered, reaching down to give hers a swat in return. Terri yelped playfully, jumping up in his arms. Gene pulled her hips to his, lifting her up to level her gaze with his.

"I sometimes hate the height discrepancy," she joked.

"That's not a problem here," he laughed. Wrapping arms around his neck she pressed a firm kiss to his mouth. Gene's hands held her effortlessly up off the ground, wrapping his arms around her waist to hold her in place securely as their kiss deepened in passion. His soft perfect lips claimed hers hungrily, and Terri couldn't help opening an eye to glance past his dark hair at a few of the models looking on jealously. His newly grown goatee tickled her cheeks deliciously, her hands tracing through his fall of black hair. Suddenly a flash went off, and Terri began to laugh against Gene's lips.

"Smile, you're on candid camera," Calen shouted when Terri and Gene caught sight of her.

"You stinker!" Terri shouted with a smile.

"Stick around, before it gets really interesting," Gene said without missing a beat with an amused devilish grin to his friend.

"That would be a picture!" Calen shot back.

"Mm hmm, and wait till your next birthday party, little girl," Gene laughed at her, setting Terri down.

"I can hardly wait!" Calen laughed. "You sensuous dirty old man! How does it feel to be over the hill?"

"That does it!" Gene growled playfully, rushing after her. He managed a swat on her backside before she darted behind Steve. The wrestler gave a completely innocent look to Gene, while Calen poked her head and shoulders out from behind him, sticking out her tongue.

Terri laughed out loud. Just then the two screenwriters she had met came up and joined her. Molly and Cheryl both joined in at watching the silly scene.

"Man what a flirt!" they all laughed.

"Wait till he gets hold of her!" Terri grinned.

"You're not jealous, right?"

"Hell no…"

"After that kiss he gave you, you shouldn't be!" Molly nudged her with a smile.

"Hey, leave me out of this!" Steve protested as Gene tried to reach around him to grab Calen. "I'm not in the ring now!"

"Later then," Gene pointed a finger at Calen. "You can't hide from me forever!"

"Say, aren't' you gonna stay for the rest of your spanking?" Terri laughed, grabbing Gene from behind. "I still have 35 to go!"

"I thought she lost count!" Calen laughed.

"Just how long were you standing there with the camera anyway?" Terri asked her. "Before you took my picture?"

"What makes you think I only took one?" Calen winked.

"What have you been teaching this girl?" Terri asked Steve.

"No comment," Steve winked. He grabbed Calen and she slipped her arm around his waist, pulling him close to her.

"If you'll excuse us, I was gonna show Steve here some of the more remote and interesting parts of your home," Calen said to Gene and Terri.

"Go right ahead," Terri waved a hand invitingly.

"Don't do anything I wouldn't do," Gene laughed.

"You can count on it!" Calen laughed, dragging Steve behind her toward the house.

"This is one interesting party," Terri said, turning to Gene. He took both her hands in his, softly kissing them both when he raised them to his lips.

"I'm just glad you're enjoying it with me, Terri," Gene said softly. "It's much more fun to have you out here…"

"Thanks to Calen's pep talk," Terri added. "She's one hell of a woman…"

"So are you," Gene raised an eyebrow.

"Aww," Terri laughed. "But she was so down to earth!"

"Steve's a damn lucky man," said Gene with a nod.

"He's not the only lucky one," Terri said, moving closer to Gene.

"You got that right," he nodded, pulling her to him again. His hands stroked her cheek, pushing aside a strand of hair that had fallen from the ornate bun she sported.

"Flatterer," she chuckled, wrapping arms around his waist. Gene rested his chin on top of her head, then kissed a path to her lips.

"If I didn't say it, I wouldn't mean it…"

"That reminds me, I haven't given you my present yet…" she whispered.

"I can hardly wait," he smiled.

Just then they heard shouting, and muttering. Two women were screaming at each other, and Terri tensed in Gene's embrace.

"Who the…" Gene got out.

"How dare you talk about my Paul like that!"

"Shows how desperate he's become. I'm only stating fact!"

"Shut the hell up!"

"If the shoe fits…"

"Fuck you!" came the angry scream. There was a punch, and a mighty splash that doused Gene and a dozen other people with a sluice of pool water. Squawking, the woman in question surfaced from the pool, and Terri realized it was one of the models she had seen earlier with Molly and Cheryl when they were playing bartender.

"You bitch, you'll pay for that!" Tiffany screamed, her arms flailing.

"Come up here and make me!" Liz shouted. Christy held her back, as Tiffany's friend helped fish her out of the pool.

"What the hell is that about…" Gene snapped, striding over with Terri struggling to keep up with him.
"What's going on here?"

"Oh god you gotta throw this bitch outta here!" Tiffany cried. "She hit me!"

"What?" Gene exploded, glaring at Liz.

"She said something awful about Paul… and about you!" Liz screamed back. "She's a backstabbing two faced bitch!"

"Now just a minute!" Gene snarled. "There's no need for this…"

"Let me handle it…" Terri whispered in his ear. "Please…"

"All right… but I wanna get to the bottom of this… I don't tolerate cat fights, or any fights at my parties!" Gene growled.

Just then Paul rushed up, and saw the look of outrage on Liz's face. "What just happened?" he demanded.

"Liz had a little accident," Terri said. "Liz, go into the house with Paul now… please…"

"You're gonna let her get away with that?" Tiffany screamed.

"Liz I'll talk to you later. Go with Paul, now, please? Gene…"

"I demand you call the police!" Tiffany shouted.

"And I suggest you tell me what you said that made her so mad," Terri said calmly, taking Tiffany's arm and leading her away. Her friend followed automatically. They moved into the privacy of the pool house as Tiffany sponged herself off with a towel that Terri threw her.

"Now why did she call you that name?"

"I merely expressed my opinion, and she hit me!" Tiffany snapped.

"Well Liz doesn't go off unless she has a good reason to…"

"She's just a damned groupie, obsessed with Paul," Bobbi, the other friend snorted. "What can you expect from such trash…"

"Excuse me?" Terri raised an eyebrow. "What was that…"

Bobbi shut up.

"Well, you know, she meant that groupies are obsessed. What can you expect…"

"Listen to me. I don't stand for this petty gossip crap at my home, get it?" Terri got out.

"Your home?" Bobbi snorted. "Excuse the fuck me?"

"That's right. And I suggest that either you change that attitude, or find another party to attend."

"How dare you…"

"How dare you," Terri countered. "Call my friend trash. That was uncalled for. Who do you think you are getting off on such snap judgements? So what if she's a KISS groupie? You could easily accuse me of being one! And even if that's the case, we both love them more then any social climbers ever would. What Liz she is and who she is is none of your business…"

"She didn’t' have to hit me!" Tiffany snorted.

"Maybe not. But if you can't keep your opinions in a more positive frame of mind, I suggest you take your friends and go."

"You think you're so all that? Well, just wait till Gene Simmons finds another flavor of the month…" Tiffany snorted, storming out of the pool house.

"I wouldn't come back here again," Terri said slowly.

"You think he loves you?" Bobbi laughed. "You're only here for so long, girl. Before he finds another broad to screw… another groupie to hang on his arm, or someone else who knows how to live the good life!"

Suddenly she stared right into his face, and backed away. How long had he been standing by the door of the pool house? How much had he heard?

"Uh… hi…" she got out.

"I will have to ask you girls to leave now," Gene said quietly.

"But it was just a joke…" Bobbi stammered. Tiffany's eyes were wide with fear and embarrassment.

"I don't appreciate people making such remarks about my friends, or my girlfriend," Gene said firmly to all three women.

"Uh… we… were just…"

"If you can't act like ladies, then get the hell out," Gene growled. "Got it?"

Dark eyes glared angrily at all three models as Gene moved over to Terri, and put his arm around her shoulders. That look would have knocked them flat if it were a weapon.

"Let's get outta here," Bobbi whispered to Tiffany, whose jaw had dropped. They didn't take much time before rushing out of the courtyard, and off Gene's property.