Crystal rushed out to the lobby, and pulled on her raincoat. She waved to the guard as she moved past the desk and through the double doors. Behind her the blue and white cakebox rose impressively amidst the green of landscaping and ultramodern office buildings.

She saw the red BMW pull up, its driver rolling down the window. Quickly Crystal bounded out to meet her, hardly believing whom she saw behind the wheel.

"Terri! O my god is that you?" Crystal got out.

"Where do I park, visitors?" Terri joked.

"Over there!" Crystal waved. She saw Terri park the car, and roll up all the windows. A few minutes later she watched the driver's door open, and a tanned leg slip out of the door first, ending in a tall platform sandal. The long leather duster coat flowed around the short skirt that swished around Terri's toned legs. Still she seemed the same built, but the streaks of light burgundy in the neat bun atop her head, and the dark sunglasses shaded her dark eyes.

"That's a rental," Terri explained when Crystal drooled over her car.

"Oh god… you look terrific!" Crystal laughed, rushing up to hug her. They embraced warmly, rocking against one another. It had been almost seven months since they had even spoken face to face, and Terri's fine clothing seemed strange against the business slacks and simple blouse she thought was so stylish on Crystal so many months ago.

"Crys, you are a sight for sore eyes…"

"C'mon in! They want to meet you for lunch!"

"Where?" Terri asked.

"Westside Grill," she said, arm still around Terri's waist. They strode toward the building together, Terri feeling a strange sense of forboding coming over her. With a whoosh the double glass doors slid open to admit them into a world Terri had left far behind.

"How is LA?" Crystal asked her.

"A lot warmer," Terri answered. "Oh gosh they did some remodeling…"

"Yeah, since Merck bought us, we've had to do some changes…"

"I read about Merck buying you guys out…"

"Well they were very interested in Thiralophen," she giggled, pinning a visitor's badge to Terri's suit front. She helped take her coat and leave it behind the security desk.

"Too bad she's not around for me to tell her to kiss my ass," Terri laughed conspiratorially to Crystal.

"You should have seen the look on her face. It was priceless how she got caught with her hand in the cookie jar! It was a picture I wanted to frame!!!" Crystal told her. They entered the hallway of offices bordering the labs, and ended up at Crystal's desk.

"They gave you an office! That's moving up!" Terri congratulated her.

"Yeah, go figure. We've got a few minutes before the first meeting. So tell me, how are things?"

"Well, it's incredible," Teri sighed, settling into the office chair opposite Crystal.

"I know you said you were a pyrotechnician for KISS! Get out of here!"

"Yes…"

"But since the tour's over, what have you been doing? I mean damn, you were with Paul, and now Gene?"

"Yes," Terri grinned, and held up her hand.

"Holy shit, you're kidding me! He gave you that?"

"Yes," Terri nodded. "Now you know why this isn't' easy for me… coming here…"

"Yeah, I can see why," Crystal sighed deeply. Awkward silence settled between the two women, friends, and former coworkers. It seemed a gulf had separated them, life advancing for them both. For a moment Terri realized how Paul must have felt when he first entered her world.
 

"I'll at least hear what they have to say," Terri said to her.

"It's a great chance… if your research notes are what they need, it could be your data they use to file the preapproval for the drug to get used in Clinical trials. Then your name would go on the official press release…"

"Damn…"

"Yes. After all, you helped work out how to analyze the drug via HPLC… those impurity assays…" Crystal reminded her. Terri glanced at her, feeling the strange surge wash over her. After so long, she had lost any hope of reentering the scientific world. And now a whole world of possibilities unfolded before her as never before.

When Terri stepped off the plane, she was surprised to see him standing right there at the gate to meet her. Such a contrast he made next to the VIP's in their suits and polished shoes, with his long leather coat, button up denim shirt and leather pants. She dropped her jaw at sight of the huge bouquet of roses he held wrapped in plastic.

"I missed you baby," he chuckled, sweeping her off her feet. Holding her close to his chest he met his lips with hers in a slow steady kiss.

"I was only gone for three days," she joked. "But I missed you too, Gene…"

"C'mon, let's get you home," Gene laughed, setting her down and grabbing her briefcase and carryon bag. It never ceased to amaze her how tall he was in comparison to her, topping her nearly by a foot. Even when she wore 4 inch platforms or stiletto heels as she did now with her red business suit.

"So, what all did you do when I was gone?"

"A few more tracks with Sweet Crude. They've got potential, but they just need to lose some of the damned fringe from the lead guitar line…"

"Fringe isn't bad…"

"Are you kidding?" Gene shook his head, rolling his eyes. "It's like some damn fly that goes BZZZ and you just wanna shot the thing and say shut up!"

"Not everyone can play the guitar with their male member," she laughed.

"True, very true," Gene nodded. Even as they climbed into the limo he couldn’t keep his hands off of her, not that she minded at all. She felt her own hand creeping up and down his thigh, melting inside at the gaze of his dark eyes on hers. She relaxed into the curve of his arm while they rode along. It was mid afternoon, and already the lunch hour rush had hit LA. She must have dozed pretty soundly, because the next awareness she had was of being gently shaken.

"Wake up, baby," he urged. For a moment she wonders when she would tell him about her trip. She had mentioned to him about them wanting to consider her for a position, but she had not revealed her answer yet.

"How's your pal Crystal?"

"She's been promoted," Terri smiled, when Gene opened the door and exited the window. He helped her out, and waited for Steve to get Terri's luggage. Hand in hand they walked through the front door into the sitting room. Jackets were tossed into a closet, and someone went to fetch them Fresca and Diet Coke.

Over salsa and chips Terri described the renovations and how well Crystal looked. Gene listened intently as she continued, "They kept my resume on file all that time. It turns out they reviewed her case for firing me, because the Director was looking for all scientists who worked on Thiralophen, to see if their data had been falsified or not. Crystal's and mine hadn't, so they realized they did have enough to submit a preapproval to the FDA… and they actually wanted me to okay the release of my name for the work. They also wanted to discuss the particulars of the case, and asked me to give a seminar on my work…"

"That's terrific. So they found out that you weren't in the wrong then?" Gene asked.

"Yes. I helped put the nails in the supervisor's coffin. I was a valued employee who knew more about the drug's analysis then most of the scientists there."

"Too bad for them they lost you…" Gene laughed.

"Well, to tell the truth, they offered me the position that she vacated. They want to make me lab supervisor for the Thiralophen project… now that it is going into production for clinical trials they need a scientist who is familiar with the analysis of the drug… and that's me…"

"Well I would pay a million dollars to see the looks on their faces when you turned them down flat," Gene laughed. He stopped when he saw the look of seriousness on her face.

"What makes you say that?" Terri asked him, looking a little annoyed. Gene backed a way a bit when she squirmed.

"I thought you hated that place," Gene asked her.

"Only the witch I worked for," she clarified, sipping a bit of diet coke. "Other then that it was a great job, with good benefits and most of the people I got along with well…"

"And…"

"Merck is acquiring them," she said. "And it's one of the top drug companies in the world. Orphan's going to be their new bioanalytical department…"

"Terri, you didn't say no, did you?" Gene suddenly got out, eyebrows lowered in concern.

"I didn't say yes, either. I said I would think about it. And then when they told me they'd give me a pay raise and relocation expenses… I told them I would strongly consider their offer and get back to them…"

"What did they offer you?"

"For sixty five thousand a year to start with, as supervisor, three weeks paid vacation, my name on the publication to Biochemistry for starters…" she said. "I could get up to 80 thousand in the next year if this drug turns out to be what it is…"

"They gotta be shitting you," Gene laughed. "That's chicken feed compared to what you could make if you sold your script to paramount…"

"Subtracting out the cost of living expenses in Burbank?" she asked him.

"You're not paying rent, so why sweat it!" Gene nudged her.

"Gene… please, I don't mean that…" she sighed, exasperatedly.

"Why do you want to crawl back to them, so they can kiss your ass all of a sudden?" Gene asked.

"It was a mistake on their parts, Gene. I worked for them for 2 and a half years. A lot of my ideas went into their patents. Now finally they realize how valued I was!"

"It's their loss. Make them suffer," Gene shrugged. "They'll find some other scientist. Just get them to pay you well for your ideas, and they can run with them. Let them get some other white coated slaves to make the drug…"

"Gene, it's a lot of prestige. I practically invented this assay and perfected it for them. Without me they'd have been set back at least five years…. I could even use this as the basis for a PHD thesis!"

"Too many damned people popping pills to solve their problems," Gene snorted. "If half the hypochondriacs would get a backbone, they'd put the drug companies out of business!"

"Gene, this drug isn't' some diet aid for a bored Beverly model! It's a treatment for ulcerative colitis!"

"Maybe so, but what are the side affects? All they want is to make people so dependent on their overpriced drugs so they can line their wallets!"

"You can't object to them making money, can you Gene?"

"No, that's not what I object to!" Gene shouted. "It their attitude at making pain obsolete! Well, if people would grow up and deal they'd be out of a job!"

"Now look here, Gene! A lot of people work for drug companies! They need the drugs to save lives!"

"Maybe, but why do you have to work for a company that abused you?"

"I wouldn't' be this time," Terri shot back. "I didn't say yes yet! I said I'd consider it!"

"There's a big difference between no and I'll think about it! And now you just said you would say yes!"

"Gene, don't overreact!" she told him.

"I'm not!" he stamped his foot.

"Then why are you all ballistic?" she shouted.

"I shouldn't have to have you ask me that!" he snorted, leaping off the couch.

"Now I know you're overreacting!"

"Is there anything else you've been 'considering?' " Gene growled.

"That's it! I resent the direction this conversation is going!"

"Well, too bad!" Gene snarled. "You're just breaking into writing! Why screw it up now with a job you'd be miserable in? For God's sake you're this close to selling a script to the Practice!"

"What?" she asked, stunned.

"Calen took one of your scripts to a producer!" Gene explained, turning away from her for a moment. Violently he combed fingers through his hair.

"Really?"

"He loved it. I was going to tell you after you told me what you did… but since you're 'considering' the job, I don't think I should bother you!"

"Excuse me?" Terri demanded, grabbing his arm.

"Don't let me interrupt you," he muttered, pulling his arm away from her. He stormed out of the room, Terri right behind him. She saw him grab his leather coat and planner.

"Where the hell are you going?" she demanded.

"Out!" he shouted, and rushed out the front door, slamming it behind him.

"Stupid arrogant son of a bitch!" she shouted, shaking her fist at the door. Hot tears formed in her eyes, and she forced them back with her anger.

"Be that way…" she added gloomily, turning away.

That afternoon she heard nothing from him, not even to her repeated pages to Gene. Except his secretary saying that Gene would not be back till late that night from the recording studio. It was late at night when she finally lay down in bed, watching television quietly. With all the channels available there was still nothing worth watching, she sighed.

The sound of a car engine made her dim the lights and turn over in bed. She feigned sleep, wondering what he'd do. Far below she heard the sound of the door opening and closing, and his footsteps on the stairs.

Slowly the door latch clicked open, and she buried her face in the pillow, leaving the remote in her hand so it looked like she fell asleep watching TV. There came the thump of boots and jacket hitting the floor, and the weight of the mattress shifting from him sitting on the bed.

Sheets whispered as they were pulled aside, and she felt him lying down in the bed. An arm reached over her, tugging the remote from her hand. She felt a pang of surprise when she realized he made no attempt to wake her. Slowly she leaned over and saw him lying a bit apart from her, his back facing her as he lay on his side. Sighing, she closed her eyes and lay down on her back.

Next morning, she patted the bed beside her and found it empty of him. Why had he not bothered to wake her, she wondered. Some of his clothes were gone from the closet, along with a duffel bag and some of his personal papers. She asked the housekeeper, who was preparing breakfast when she walked downstairs.

"Good morning Terri. Sleep well?" the attractive blonde housekeeper, named Lisa. She was in her mid thirties, happily going steady with Chris, Paul Stanley's chauffeur. She had come to know Terri very well over the past few months, working for Gene as Steve, Gene chauffer, and Joe, Gene's head of road security had.

"Not as well as I'd like. Where's Gene?"

"Oh, he told me to tell you that he'd be gone for the next two days. Had some business meeting with Doc about the tour…"

"Did he leave any note or message?"

"No, nothing," Lisa shrugged. "Just told me to make sure I provided breakfast, lunch and dinner for you while you were here during the day…"

"That won't be necessary," Terri said to her.

"Why not?" Lisa asked, looking a little surprised.

"I'm going to visit some friends," Terri said. "If Gene asks for me, tell him I'm at Paul's house…"

"But what if he…"

"It's not your responsibility to be a babysitter. Let him know, okay?" Terri asked, rushing off to pack some things and make a phone call. She hoped Paul and Liz were home. If not, perhaps Brad and Allison might want some company. Suddenly she didn't want to be alone in the large house like Gene's other possessions.

"I'll be damned if I'm gonna mope around here," she muttered, throwing some things into a suitcase. She picked up the phone and dialed Paul's number.

Liz answered, perkily, "Hey there!"

"Hey Liz, Gene's away on a trip. Mind if I drop by to spend a few days with you?"

"Sure! That'd be great. I'll just let Paul know when he gets back…"

"Terrific! Hope you guys don't mind…"

"Not a problem!" Liz chirped. Terri nodded with a sigh. Quickly she showered and dressed, then finished her packing. By the time she rushed downstairs she noticed that Gene had left the keys to the black convertible. The housekeeper was folding laundry when she called out, "I'm going! Let Gene know where I am, okay?"

"I'll do that. But are you sure…"

"I'm sure. I need to see Liz…" Terri said, walking out the front door.

She called Lisa later, to check in once she'd gotten to Paul's home, but the housekeeper had found no messages on the machine. Usually Gene would have called. In the background Liz and Paul watched her frustration on the phone, her voice tense and angry as she left a message.

"He didn't call in," she sighed when they both came up to ask her what was wrong. Both exchanged a look of concern, and thought it better not to ask her any more questions. Paul knew something was troubling her, but wasn't sure if he should breach the subject.

Later that night, as she settled into bed, she glanced at the ring she had never taken off since the day he'd placed it on her finger. Down from the distance she could hear the giggling and soft slow moans coming from Paul's bedroom. It was increasingly more difficult with each passing minute to listen to their passions.

"Oh god, Paul!" came Liz' scream.

"Come for me baby!" he shouted. Terri grumbled and threw aside the blankets. Enough was enough. Hastily she slipped out of her pajamas and dressed once more, throwing her stuff into her suitcase again. She rushed out of the bedroom, carrying her belongings as quickly and quietly as her legs would carry her.

It wasn't their fault, she told herself as she scribbled a note and slipped it under their door. She hurled her things into the black convertible, and leapt over the door. Something made her want to be as far away from Paul and Liz, and anyone having sex as possible.

It was close to ten PM, and she roared out of the driveway quickly, past the security gate. She was halfway out of the neighborhood before she realized she had no clue where she wanted to go. Tracking through her mind she wondered if Allison would mind some company. A phone call later answered her question.

"Hi Terri!" she chirped. "What' sup?"

"Hey, I was just wondering… Gene's gone out of town on business… and I wondered… if you would mind some company… that is if you and Brad.."

"He's outta town too. C'mon over! I have a pint of Rocky Road and some movies I was just settling down to watch."

"It wouldn't be a problem?"

"Hell no! Get yourself over here and we can have a ladies night in…"

"Thanks!" Terri sighed with relief. She turned the street toward Allison's apartment complex, as fast as she could without taking out any mailboxes. Inwardly she hoped Paul and Liz wouldn't be too sore at her disappearing in the middle of the night, but she knew they'd get over it. Besides they were very much wrapped up in their own love life, why should she sour it with her own problems?

Three days later, she finally got a call from Gene's secretary Elaina, asking that she come home. Terri wondered why Gene didn't simply call her himself. When she pulled into the driveway she saw his Mercedes already parked there. A feel of anger washed over her, and she marched right in to demand why he was so distant with her. Why had he used his secretary to call her?

She strode into the studio, finding Gene over the stereo system. Stealing up behind him, she leaned over and pressed a soft kiss to his ear despite her anger.

"There you are!" Gene said, turning around in his chair. "Where were you, I was worried sick!"

"Didn't the housekeeper tell you I was at Paul's?" she asked.

"Then how come it when I called him to see if you were there, he told me you'd up and left in the midle of the night?"

"Liz and Paul were enjoying themselves, and I realized it was a bad idea to interrupt. So I went to see Allison! I kept calling your pager to give you an update but I didn’t' get any messages from you confirming you'd gotten my messages!"

"You should have tried my other number!" Gene got out. "I forgot to take my pager with me! It was in my guitar case the whole time!"

"Well you could have called me!"

"I was in meetings most of the day…"

"Gene, I didn't leave without saying goodbye!" she snapped. "You didn't specify when you'd be back, as I recall!"

He let out a sigh, and rubbed his face as he said, "I'm sorry I didn't, but it was last minute. And anyway, I've gotta get these demos listened to…"

"Can't we talk about this?'

"Later maybe," Gene said suddenly. "I'm busy…"

"And you wanted to know where the hell I was?" Terri got out. "Why should I even bother rushing back! Now you're busy…. Isn't that just convenient!"

"I just wanted to know where you were, that's all!"

"Well, I'm fine! Are you happy knowing that I'm still alive?"

"Terri, that's not funny! You know how dangerous it can be if nobody knows where you are! LA is a big city! And considering who you are…"

"Don't remind me! Philadelphia is a big city too, but I was able to take care of myself very well there!"

"I'm sure," Gene snorted.

"You wanna brush me off, that's your choice! But I'm not some damned piece of furniture you can…"

"That's not what it's about," Gene snapped back. "I really have a lot of work to do! But I can't help being worried about you! I mean you are my girlfriend, in case you have forgotten! And unlike some, I protect what is mine!"

"So worried that you didn't even bother to wake me when you got back, or call me once during the three days you were gone? You've got a shitty way of showing your concern lately!"

Before he could say anything else, she stormed out, slamming the door. He slammed a fist into the table, rattling the stereo system with the force of his blow.

"Fine!" he shouted at the closed door. "Be that way!"

Terri hesitated before knocking on Calen's door. She felt reluctant to take this step, but realized there was no better way to turn then this woman. She knocked timidly, then more insistently. There came the sound of bolts being drawn back, and the click of the door swinging open to the attractive features of Gene's friend.

"Terri? Hi, how are you?" Calen asked, surprised to see her.

"Uh Hi Calen, can I come in... I need to talk..." Terri said slowly, fingering her dress.

"Sure..you know you're welcome here anytime. Please, come in," she said, opening the door for her. She led Terri into the living room and offered her a seat.

"Can I get you a drink?" she asked.

"Er... do you have any diet coke? And Bacardi?" Terri asked, sitting down. She struggled to not look nervous in front of Calen, but it wasn't working well.

"Sorry, I have Diet Coke, but no Bacardi. I'm not much of a drinker ya know." Calen said, getting up to get the Diet Coke. Calen paused in the kitchen, wondering why Terri would want a drink, she didn't think Terri was the type. She returned to the living room and handed her the Diet Coke and a glass with ice. "So, why don't you tell me why you're here, and why you are so nervous..."

"Oh man... this is stupid... but..." Terri began, and took the glass, struggling to pour it without making a mess. "Something's up with Gene. I can't put my finger on it..."

Calen held Terri's hands so she wouldn't spill the drink, taken back by how much she was shaking. "Is he ill?" she asked, now getting nervous. "Please tell me...how is he acting?"

"He... it's been over five days since we've made love, Calen. Isn't that weird for Gene?"

"Yeah, all things considered, it is a little strange...but is that all?"

"No. There's something else..." Terri sighed, peering down at her feet.

"What? C'mon Terri...what's got you so rattled?" Calen asked impatiently.

"Ever since I got back from Philly he's been distant. Obsessed with work. Sometimes he doesn't' get home till I'm already in bed... And he doesn't speak much to me... is there something I've done wrong?"

"I don't know...have the two of you been arguing?" Calen asked, shifting in her seat as she crossed her knees and leaned her chin on her hand.

"Yes... a little. I was pissed about the writing episode, but I think this started after I went to Philadelphia, and told him about what I'd found out.."

"I haven't spoken with you since the party," Calen reminded her. "What happened in Philadelphia?"

"Oh man silly me. Well I got a phone call from my old pal Crystal from Philly. She worked at the same drug company, Orphan. Well she said that it would be getting an important call soon and that they had fired the old bitch of a supervisor! Later I got a call from the Analytical Director... and he said that they had reviewed the case of my being fired... and that they were looking for a new supervisor... "

"Congratulations! So, you're going back to Philly then?" Calen asked, surprised and genuinely pleased for her.

"I told Gene about this opportunity, after I met Crystal and took a trip for the weekend. And they told me they wanted me as the new supervisor. When i came back and told him... he congratulated me, but he seemed a little distant. That night at dinner he made some crack about 'science' and started making rather asinine comments about drug companies in general..."

"Hummm..." Calen said, tapping her finger against her cheek. Her lips twisted into a thoughtful look as she pondered over what she knew about Gene. Terri anxiously sipped her drink, waiting for the answer that would help clear up the mystery.

"Terri, let me ask you...is Gene avoiding your questions? Is he avoiding the topic of the new job?" she asked.

"Yes... he was..." Terri nodded. "Whenever I tried to talk to him about it, he'd just shut up, change the subject... or make some comment about how he tried to pass one of my stories on to Molly and Cheryl..."

Calen sat silent. She knew, or at least suspected what was upsetting Gene. But, did she want to tell Terri. She opted for 'no'. Terri needed to find this one out for herself.

"Is Gene having an affair, Calen? I mean he comes home really late, almost like he's avoiding me. It's been the absolute worst the past three days when he went to some recording session... and didn't' even answer the cell phone when i tried to call him!"

"No...Gene isn't having an affair." Calen said emphatically. "Gene loves you, and he wouldn't do that to you. Do you want my advice?"

"I would welcome anything at this point! I'm miserable! I don't' want to eat, I feel like I want to scream..."

"Terri...you have to confront him," Calen told her.

"Oh man…"

"You have been asking questions, and accepted the answers, and I can tell you right now, that a bunch of shit! Stand your ground and demand to know what's going on with him, even if it doesn't seem right. For heaven's sake, Terri, you're in this relationship too. He doesn't have the right to give you the cold shoulder, you deserve and explanation, so go and get it!" Calen said, with a fiery force. Calen knew it was the only way to get Gene to come clean.

Anger built up in Terri, and she smacked her fist into her palm, jaw clenching as tears dripped down her cheeks. "He pisses me off so much sometimes i want to scream!"

"That's it! Get pissed off! Use that when you talk to him!" Calen nodded.

"Son of a bitch can't brush me aside," Terri nodded, standing up. "I'll force him to tell me."

"Good for you! Go and find him!" Calen said, pumping Terri up.

"Only one small problem... I don't think he's home right now..."

Calen chuckled. "Well, keep that energy up Tiger, until he comes home."

Terri grins, and lets out a sigh of relief. The anger burned strongly within her, and she hoped she could keep it alight. "Thank you. If it was any other man I'd have given up now... but I can't... not with Gene..."

"And you shouldn't...Gene's just..." Calen started, but paused, almost giving away too much. "Yeah, he's worth it."

"I hope so..." Terri shook her head. "God help me, but I love him. Don't ask why... but I just do... even though he's the most pig headed, obstinate jerk sometimes!"

"Yeah, but if he wasn't, he wouldn't be Gene, and it would be pretty boring, right?"

"Yeah, he would be..." Terri says, with a wry smile. "I'm just amazed I've made it this long without killing him..."

"I know, but you have grown so much, far beyond the killing stage. You didn't kill those bimbos at the party, now did you?" Calen laughed.

"Yeah that's true. I embarrassed the hell outta them though. And it was a lot more fun then killing them. Liz did me a favor punching that one gal Tiffany out!"

"Yeah, that was a classic!" she said. She checked the clock, "He might be getting home soon...do you want me to come with you?" she asked.

"If you would... I'd love you forever... but not in that way..." Terri grins.

I'll be glad to...let me get my purse, and I'll follow you over." Calen smiled, as she went to get her things.

"Thanks..." Terri nodded, and waited for Calen as she went to the black convertible she still drove.

Armed with Calen's words and her presence, Terri pulled up to Gene's home. With each passing minute she could feel her heart pounding ever harder. Would she be able to gather her nerves and confront Gene? She pulled up behind Gene's Mercedes, realizing that he most likely would be home if it were parked her. Still part of her hoped she would be spared the battle to come. Climbing out of the convertible, she waited for Calen to park her car in a less obtrusive place up the street. When both women met on the driveway, they regarded each other for a moment.

"I can't speak for you," Calen reminded her. "But I'm going to be right there with you. Whatever you do, don't lose your nerve. Tell him exactly how angry you are, and demand to know what is going on. Don't settle for anything less then that!"

"All right," Terri sighed, taking in a deep breath. Squaring her shoulders, she turned toward the walkway that would take them to the front door.

"Let's do this…"

Terri tried the doorknob, finding it unlocked. Nodding to Calen, she swung wide the door and entered. Those first few steps toward his small studio were the most difficult steps she had ever taken in her life, but it would be a minor skirmish in comparison to the battle she faced ahead. In the distance she heard the strains of electric guitar music echoing through the large mansion. Each heavy step brought her closer to Gene, and the truth, however uncomfortable it would be. Was this relationship worth fighting for, she couldn't help but ask herself as she glanced at the gold records lining the hallway on the first level. Her second thought answered this query; absolutely. It was worth fighting with all she had to make this work, considering the lengths Gene had gone to for ensuring that she would remain. What other reason them his own love would explain his sudden distance?

The door to the studio was ajar, and Terri turned to Calen for reassurance. Slowly Calen nodded that she should enter, and Terri pulled the door all the way open. Perched on a stool with his electric guitar balanced on his knee, he faced the line of windows overlooking his backyard, face not visible to her. All she saw were the imposing shoulders hunched over, his dark fall of curly hair coming to his mid shoulders in a black waterfall. Fingers jammed strings into their frets with tense violence, his gloved hand plucking at the fingerboard mightily. A few times she had tried playing the celebrated guitars Gene had patented, marveling at how difficult it was to hold down the strings to make even the smallest noises out of his bases. It took great strength and stamina to play such an instrument, and her small hands in comparison to his seemed inadequate to the task. Truly not everyone could play a BC rich Punisher, and few could play guitar with equal skill as Gene could.

He happened to turn slightly at the sound of the women entering. Calen stood off to one side, as Terri marched right up to Gene. Dark brown eyes regarded both with an expression that was exasperatingly unreadable, indicating more compartmentalization of a life that was more extraordinary them most. However it was a life that Terri had integrated herself into for six months of sweet pain and pleasure, two things she was not willing to let slip away without a fight.

"Ladies, what brings you here?" he asked, voice soft and level.

"Gene, you and I need to talk…" Terri said, clearly and as calmly as she could steady her voice.

"All right," he said, putting his guitar down to one side on the rack. He stood up from the stool, and leaned against the studio wall, eyes on both women. "Talk. I'm listening."

"Good. Because I want to ask you… what has gotten into you these past few days."

"I'd think by now that was obvious," Gene answered abruptly, folding his arms over his chest.

"Pretend that I have no idea of what you are talking about. Refresh my memory."

"C'mon, you know, doll."

"Humor me," Terri narrowed her eyes, striding up to stand face to face with him.

"You saying that you accepted that job, that's why," Gene said sternly.

"And that bothers you, right?" Terri asked him. "Why? What exactly is it about my accepting that job that's got you giving me the cold shoulder?"

"You honestly can stand there and ask me such a question?" he snorted. "How do you think I'm supposed to react? Why did you say yes?"

"Because, it's a chance to do what I love again. To be a chemist, without being held back…"

"Excuse me, I'm holding you back?" Gene half laughed, putting a hand to his head. "Help me out here! What the hell is that supposed to mean?"

"I didn't say you were holding me back Gene!"

"Then what do you mean? What about your writing! I thought you loved that!"

"I do. Look, this isn't what the issue is, really is it? What about this is making you pissed, Gene?"

"Why are you going away?" Gene demanded, voice rising in volume. "What can this job offer you, that I can't?"

"Prestige as a scientist, a chance at publications…"

"You got all that living here with me! Pursuing a writing career! Terri, help me out here, what is going on?"

"Yes, but being a chemist is part of who I am!" Terri countered. Calen stood offside, watching carefully as the argument unfolded. This was Terri's fight, and so far she was holding her own.

"What about being a writer?"

"I ache for the lab sometimes, for the interaction with m scientific peers!"

"So you're bored with us Hollywood types huh?" Gene snapped. "is that it?"

"Damn it Gene that's not it at all! 'Terri yelled. "Stop putting words into my mouth! If you were forced to stop playing in KISS could you stand it for long?"

"That's different!" Gene shook a finger at her.

"How is it any different?" she yelled back. "I thought what I wanted was something you would want for me!"

He whirled around, turning is back to her. She could see his fists clenching and unclenching at his sides. Anxiously she glanced over at Calen.

"Go on," Calen urged her, voice barely a whisper, but her eyes filled with encouragement.

"Isn't that what love is, wanting what is best for the other person involved?" Terri asked. "More so then one's own selfish desire…"

"Explain something to me!" Gene exploded. "Just who is being selfish here? Is it so goddamned selfish to want the person you've come to love to stay with you? Explain to me how that is selfish!!!"

Brushing past her he swept his hand across the table of demo CD's, scattering jewel cases everywhere. With a sickening clatter they smashed and slid on the hardwood floor in a colossal mess. Another swipe of his hand sent the music papers fluttering all around the studio in a crazy whirlwind of white sheets. Calen stood firm while Terri flinched, trembling with fear at what he'd do next. Anger burned in the dark eyes, scaring her half to death.

"You tell me what the hell selfish is!" He hollered. "Tell me now! Running off when things get deep, so you can have your fucking goddamned rap sessions with the other experts!"

"Selfish is holding onto the person you love so tightly, keeping them from doing what they want…" Terri responded in a low voice. "Then acting like a spoiled brat when they don't get what they want!"

"I'm spoiled? Excuse me?" Gene ranted. "You were given every goddamned opportunity here, and what do you do? You run away! You throw it all away for some job with other intellectuals, who have better things to do with their fucking time then listen to a bunch of dumb rock stars who think with their dicks!"

"Gene, what are you talking about?" Terri demanded. "What is this about? You and me, or something else? If you're pissed that I'm possibly leaving you… you can't be more wrong! This isn't any different then you running off on tour with KISS!"

"Tours end, Terri! What if this job is something you're so fired up about, that you don’t' wanna come back to Beverly Hills?"

"I won't know unless I try Gene! And you won't even give me the chance!"

"Because I want you here with me! How is that selfish of me, to want to have the woman I love with me, in my life?"

"I'll still be part of your life, Gene!"

"Tell me how! When you go there amongst the other scientists, can you be sure that you won't find them stimulating and intelligent? People who are more likely to steal you away? How can I compete with that? People who would take you away from me!"

"You're afraid of loosing me, isn't that it," she said with a deep sigh.

"Yes damn it! That when you've settled in that new job, you'll not wanna come back! That you'll forget all about me… and I'll never see you again!" he pounded his fist on the amplifier. Silence fell thickly as he buried his head in his hands, leaning over the amplifier, back turned to her.

"Gene… why didn't you tell me you were afraid…"

"Please… don't go…" he implored, turning to her, his eyes moistening over with tears. "I don't want to loose you…"

All the strength left his body as quickly as his anger, causing his legs to fail him. He pitched forwards into her arms, sinking to his knees as he lay his head heavily on her shoulder.

"Oh god," Terri sighed, wrapping him in her arms tightly. On one knee he rested, face buried into her neck and hair. Slowly she rocked him there, stroking his hair and his back as she shushed him. She pressed soft kisses to the top of his head tenderly.

"Don't leave me… please… not now…" came his urgent pleas, muffled by her neck and shoulder.

Calen nodded with a slow smile of affirmation. Terri let Gene cry for a time, holding him close as she kissed his forehead and hair tenderly. Finally when his sobs decreased and he lifted his head to face her, she took his face in her hands, caressing his cheeks.

"I was afraid," he admitted. "That you'd find some hot shot scientist who floated your boat. That you'd forget all about us, about me… and I'd lose the best thing that's happened to me in a long time…"

"You should have told me, Gene," she scolded him.

"Well it's embarrassing, considering…"

"Considering who you are?' she couldn't help laugh. "God forbid you of all people should turn out to be human…"

"That is pretty stupid, isn't it?" he raised an eyebrow, as she wiped away his tears. "

"That's the opposite of what I'd expected out of this," she laughed ironically.

"Yeah, because I'm the one that usually is the one the other person doesn't want to up and leave," Gene groaned.

"The shoes on the other foot, and you don't like seeing how the other half lives, eh?" she asked. "It's not stupid at all, Gene. I wouldn't just forget about you and then go away even though God knows it might make things less complicated. I'm a scientist. I can't just give that up…"

"You're a damn good writer too," Gene said. "And you can use your love of science in screen writing or television writing! Do you know how many shows need good scientific advisors? Star Trek, The Practice…"

"I can't believe you're worried about me leaving you? I was worried that you would find some pretty young thing that rocked your world… I could face that… knowing who you are… but…"

"You're a highly intelligent woman," he said. "And the world you came from is a very different one. That was what Paul couldn't face. He didn't want to hang on to you. It was too much work. But I'll be damned if I'm gonna let you slip away…"

"Why didn't you ever tell me?" she asked.

"You know how fucking stupid it sounds, coming from me," he admitted.

"It's not stupid at all," she reprimanded him. "Just think, Gene Simmons is a human being like the rest of the world!"

"Yeah, I am pretty full of myself," he laughed sadly.

"You don't have to tell me that, genius," she said. "I never though I'd have a chance in hell that someone actually would want my writing…"

"That's why I did things that way. I can't let you go, now that you're part of my life. Especially since these last six months… well… they've been more real then most of the goddamned tour. I don't usually admit it, but I can't think of not having you around…"

"You aren't going to lose me Gene, as long as you're honest. I love you, and now more then ever I know that is a fact. And I know you love me, and that's another fact. And I deal in facts."

"Do you really want this job that badly?" Gene asked her, taking her hand.

"Yes. I need to prove that I can still do it. Even if it's only for six months, a year. But that's no worse then you going on a World Tour, is it?"

"No it isn't," Gene laughed. "And I'm not exactly being fair, am I?"

"Not really," she smiled, kissing the tip of his nose. "Unless you would consider coming with me to Philly…"

"That's not a bad idea," Calen chimed in. Gene turned to face her, still on one knee with his arms around Terri's hips.

"What about your jet set lifestyle here?" Terri asked him.

"I have clients in New York," Gene shrugged. "And if I am gonna produce Sweet Crude's new album, what better place then their hometown of Philadelphia?"

"Oh God," Terri gasped, eyes widening.

"What?" Gene asked, concerned that some other crisis was brewing on the heels of this one, now resolved.

"I just realized, if I’m moving back, then my parents are gonna insist that you come over to meet them!!!"

"Well looks like casserole and the third degree," Gene grinned wickedly. "This is definitely going to be interesting…"