(First Class)

By Trynia Merin and Jade

07/15/01

Disclaimer: KISS, Gene Simmons, and "Stone Cold" Steve Austin are real persons, and the portrayal here is purely fictitious, with no harm intended to the individuals. Calen McGregor and associated characters of Luck of the Irish are property of Jade, © The Black Rose collection. Terri Mason is property of Trynia Merin, © Trynia's Journies. Please do not use without permission from either author.

Chapter 14

That next day, Terri awakened very refreshed, more refreshed then she had for the past week in fact. It seemed a little easier to face whatever lay ahead, but she still knew she would have to talk to Calen about the feelings she had discussed with Gene last night. Just how she was going to bring it up was another challenge though. Gene was still fast asleep, and rather then wake him for breakfast, Terri decided to let him wake up on his own.

For the time being, Terri was absorbed with helping Calen with another challenge. In the expansive bathroom Calen's clothes lay in a pile on the floor. Terri had Calen's arms around her neck, and was steadying herself as Calen shifted herself into the large tub.

"Easy now… almost there…" Calen joked. She slipped easily into the tub full of sudsy water, brimming with her favorite bath salts. She turned on the whirlpool jets, letting the currents flow hot against her tired muscles.

"You have everything you need?" Terri asked her, as she indicated the bath items she had gathered and set to the side of the tub. She was about to leave when Calen stopped her.

"You don't have to leave if you don't want to, beside, you wouldn't want me to slide down and drown, do you?" Calen said, jokingly.

"Well I just though you'd like a little privacy..." Terri said slowly. "Considering that nurse was into your stuff till Gene fired her..."

"Is it that, or do you and demon boy want to go for round two?"

Terri flushed for a moment, and gave a nervous laugh. "Well he's still sleeping the first one off..."

Calen laughed at Terri's embarrassment. "I wasn't spying, but I did forget that the air conditioning duct links the downstairs guest room, and the upstairs guestroom."

"I guess this makes up for me hearing you on Gene's birthday party..." Terri returned, nudging Calen's bare shoulder as she sat on the edge of the tub.

"Oh, I almost forgot about that! It seems so long ago, when everything was going great..." Calen strangely trailed off, as if something was bothering her.

"What's on your mind..." Terri asked her, sensing the awkwardness. "I didn't mean to embarrass you by bringing that up..."

"No, you didn't embarrass me...I just...its nothing, never mind." Calen replied shortly. "How are things now with you and Gene?"

"It's funny you should ask that. Because to tell the truth last night was the first time we made love in over a week... weird huh?"

"Over a week? I think that's a record for Gene. How did you keep him from climbing the walls?"

"Uh," Terri said, with a chuckle. "Actually we were both so tired helping to keep you out of trouble... I think we sorta... well got out of the old routine. Scarey huh?"

"Not as scary as you trying to keep me out of trouble. You really don't have to help me so much, Sheri can come over after work and help. You and Gene are still new in this relationship, and you need to be with each other, not watching out for me."

Terri felt a sense of relief wash over her and gave a slow smile as she said, "Thank you... that is sweet of you to think of us. But Gene is insistent on helping... you know how he is once he's made his mind up... especially since that nurse is gone now..."

"Well, no one is more happy to see her gone than me. I am not invalid, I just can't move my legs. I can function. But I know about Mr. Simmons, stubborn old fool...."

"Yeah, he is pretty damned stubborn, and he'd hate to hear the old part," Terri admitted. "But it's like he's obsessed... and I just... felt weird about it... I mean he wants to help you and all, but I just felt like I was getting in the way of him helping you... that's all..."

"Why? I get the feeling you're not telling me everything. What is up.... really?"

"Calen... I know this sounds stupid... but I was beginning to think.... Naw this is silly I shouldn't say this.... That Gene has feelings for you... and I uh... well wondered if you had ever uh... man this is embarrassing... " Teri flushed, trying not to lose her nerve. She turned to leave, not sure if she wanted to continue.

"You aren't telling me that you think Gene and I have had sex? That's it, isn't it? You think we had a sexual relationship."

"No I mean... I was thinking that you and he might consider one... man this is stupid... that you are sexually attracted to each other and might be thinking about it... that's all... that there is some romantic attraction too..."

"Ok Terri, sit down." Calen instructed. Terri sat back down on the edge of the tub. "I'm not sure why you are having these doubts, but you shouldn't. Gene loves you. He is in love with you. If you want me to say that Gene and I don't have feelings for one another, then I would have to lie. I have loved Gene ever since I first saw him when I was seven years old. He has been part of my life and my memories ever since. The love I have for him goes deeper than anything or anyone. But, it goes beyond just sexual. That's it. I love Steve. I am in love with Steve. I want to spend the rest of my life with him. I don't love gene more than Steve, or vice versa, just different. I know that sounds confusing, but that's the only way I can describe it."

"That's a relief. I am so sorry I am being so silly about all this. I told Gene last night, and he admitted he loved you, but in the way you described just now. And I am so glad to have it out in the open now," Terri sighed deeply, tension flowing from her body.

"Don't be silly, and don't ever be afraid to ask me something, even if you think its silly, 9 times out of 10, it isn't silly at all." Calen smiled. "Well, I think I am getting wrinkled, how about helping me out of here, or do I have to get Gene to do it?" she laughed.

Terri laughed back, and extended both arms to help Calen out of the tub, "well I think that I'll give you a hand... and let him help me out of the bath later on.... For round 2... but we gotta convince him that he doesn't need to be such a mother to you... I can't seem to convince him... maybe you can?"

"I'll talk to him. Believe me, I already have a mother, I don't need another one."

"Thanks," Terri grinned, and helped pull Calen to the edge of the tub. She passed her a towel, and waited for her to dry herself off before holding up a robe. "Gene can be a real pain in the ass sometimes when it comes to smothering someone... maybe it's that Jewish guilt thing... but I won't lie. I love it sometimes about him..."

"Honestly? I love it too. I miss my Steve though, I miss him sleeping next to me. He was so distant when he left, I just don't understand why. I felt that maybe he blamed me somehow for what happened, or that I can remember anything.... I don't know."

"Well... Calen, I wish I could help you there. But I guess it's a man thing. I don't think what happened was your fault, but I hope you can remember, so we can help you..."

"I'm trying...." Calen sighed.

"Well, you will remember when and if you need to, I'm sure. But the best thing to do now is to get well... and get into that PT stuff ASAP..." Terri nodded, helping to drape the bathrobe over her.

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

Gene felt her gentle kiss against his ear as he blinked awake. For a moment he forgot where he was, when he saw her smiling face peering into his, the other hand holding a cup of coffee.

"Coffee, breakfast or me?" Terri teased him, leaning against him as she held the coffee away from the bed.

"Mm, a little of each," he smiled back, shuffling out from the covers to recline on one elbow. Gratefully he took a chug of coffee, and set it aside. She leaned over and pressed a kiss to his lips, slow and deliberate.

It registered in his head suddenly this wasn't his bed, or his room either. Especially when his hand brushed against the homemade patchwork quilt on the bed. "Boy I really was out," Gene joked as he surfaced for breath.

"I know… I didn't want to wake you after such a stressful night…"

"You are entirely too good to me," Gene laughed.

"I know it," Terri smiled. Gene took the offered coffee gratefully, and sipped down a steamy mouthful that woke him almost immediately with its bitter taste.

"Calen get her bath?' Gene asked.

"Sure did. She's ready to have her morning workout…" said Terri. "I was wondering if you were going to help with the physical therapy stuff… or if we were gong to have to take her to a rehab center?

"Well, I'm not sure we're to that point yet…" Gene began, but the look in Terri's dark brown eyes told him she was serious. He stopped and took her hand between his. "What's going on here, Terri? I thought that…"

"Gene this has nothing to do with what happened last night. Calen and I talked about it, and we cleared the air. But she told me that we don't need to stay here with her watching out for her. She said that Sheri or Beverly could care for her during the day…"

"I know but…"

"Gene, there's only so much we can do. There are facilities to help take care of Calen. At a residential therapy center, they can help her get better. Far better then here at home… and then we wouldn't have to worry about her…"

"She's my friend and…"

"She's mine too. And she doesn't like inconveniencing you and me like this. She said herself that she doesn't want to interfere in our relationship… you can ask her yourself…"

"Terri, that's good of her but I…"

"Talk to her Gene. I think she's right. As much as you and I care for her, we can't replace doctors and therapists who are trained for this…"

Gene sighed deeply and squeezed Terri's hand. "All right," he relented. "I'll ask her what she wants us to do. And then we can decide… but I still think we should stay with her…"

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

"Calen, Terri and I… we want to know what you want to do," Gene asked her as they sat down to the table at lunch.

Calen's hazel eyes shifted from Gene to Terri, and she gave a small smile. "Well the first thing I want you two to do is to stop worrying so much about me. I can manage. It's sweet of you to watch over me, but I'm not an old lady, so don't be so wrapped up about this…"

"Calen…" Gene said. "I just worried…"

"I know Gene. But you and Terri, you both need to be with each other right now. It's less then a year since you've found each other, and the last thing you need is to be focusing all your energy on little ol' me…."

"It's not a problem," Gene said.

"No it isn't," Terri nodded. "I mean we have coped so far… but it's what you want that is important here, right Gene?"

"What do you want, Angel?" Gene asked her.

"I want you and Terri to stop worrying so much, and stop hovering over me, you silly man," Calen scolded him. "And spend some time with each other! I'll go to that rehab center if that will get you to stop being such a mother hen, Gene!"

"Are you going to be all right?" Gene asked.

"Oh stop! I'll be fine! Now both of you pack your stuff and go home! I'm going to call my doctor and then see about what rehab center he wants me in."

"We could take you…"

"Nothing doing. I'll call Sheri to come over tonight and take me over there and we'll see how it goes."

"But I could…"

"You can visit me there once I'm settled in," Calen completed.

"But Calen… it's no trouble…" Gene protested.

"Gene, shoo!" Calen smiled, with a wave of her hand. "And you too, Terri. Go out tonight and have dinner. And don't you dare come over till tomorrow for a visit. Late tomorrow…"

With these words she gave a wink to Gene, who groaned. He knew her mind was made up, and there was no point in convincing her otherwise. She watched with satisfaction as both scurried upstairs to pack their things. It wasn't long before they came back down with their suitcases, hand in hand.

"Calen, take care…" Terri said, leaning down to kiss her on the cheek.

"Sure thing. And I'll be fine!" she said kissing Terri's cheek in return. Gene moved in, and leaned over to give her a hug. It was awkward, so he leaned down on one knee in front to reach his arms around her in the wheelchair. Calen patted his back and kissed his forehead softly.

"Take care, Angel," he whispered.

"You too!" she said back. "Now get your woman and get out of here!"
 
 

Chapter 15

At the rehab center the next day, late the next day, Gene and Terri wandered into Calen's room. It was far more spacious then those of the hospital, thank goodness. Considering that had been the ICU of Cedar-Sinai Medical center, and this was a rehab center, it wasn't surprising.

Terri accidentally felt someone slam into her and Gene caught her before she cold fall. They looked right into the face of someone picking up his bouquet of flowers.

"Sorry!" he apologized, on his knee as he struggled to get up. "I didn't mean to be so clumsy…"

"That's okay, no harm done," Terri said, as Gene brushed her off.

"We've all been distracted lately," Gene said, helping the stranger to pick up the stack of gifts he had with him.

"Uh… thanks," he said, his eyes meeting Gene's. He was between Gene and Terri's height, with a goatee and long dark hair falling around his shoulders. Tinted, Jon Lennon style glasses concealed his eyes, but he seemed dressed nicely enough in a casual shirt, Dockers and a loose blazer.

"Do I know you?" Gene asked slowly. "You look familiar."

"Uh I don't think so, but I know who you are. You're Gene Simmons, right?"

"Yes," Gene said with some amusement. "You a fan?"

"Actually I hear you're friends with Calen McGregor. I'm an admirer of hers, and I wondered if you could tell me where her room was…"

"Uh sure," Gene said. "It's room 16. We were just on our way there to visit her…"

"Really? Well I'll just wait out here till you guys are done your visit, then I'll see her," the stranger said, looking a little flustered.

"Sounds good," Terri said. "We'll just give you a wave when we're done…"

"What's your name, by the way?" Gene asked him.

"Uh… John," he said. "John… Smith."

"There are a lot of those around," Terri laughed. She slipped her arm into Gene's and they continued down the hall to Calen's room. Leaving John Smith alone in the waiting room.

"Wait a minute," Gene whispered to Terri. "You go on ahead…"

"Okay…" Terri said. Gene went over to the nurse's desk, and leaned over it.

"Excuse me, there's a gentleman here that wants to see Ms. McGregor. Just keep an eye on him, okay?" he requested.

"I will, Mr. Simmons. She's back from her first PT session, so don't stay too long. She needs to rest…"

"Make sure he doesn't linger either," Gene whispered.

"Will do. Just leave it to us. She's in good hands," the nurse whispered back.

Gene rejoined Terri. They reached room 16, and Gene peered in. "Hey, special delivery!" he called.

"Hello you two," she smiled to them both. Then she tensed her face in a frown when she scolded, "I thought I told you guys to come very late… and it's only three thirty…"

"Sorry we failed to deliver," Gene grinned as he carried the bouquet of white roses over to her bed. She smiled and accepted his kiss on her cheek. Terri came over carrying what looked like a hardback book in her hand.

"I thought you might like some reading material. I just got a bunch of these in the mail…" Terri said, handing her the book. Calen weighed it in her good hand, and was stunned to see the name on the dust jacket.

"This came out and you didn't tell me! Shame on you!" she scolded Terri. "Your novel went to press and you didn't even… oh man this is terrific…"

"I submitted it about five months ago. At Gene's insistence here… I gave them one of my SF stories, you know the one about the time travel civilization… and I thought it was going to stay on the slush pile. But before we left for England, I got a call from a publisher, Virgin books, that he was interested in my Dr. Who story I'd sent him about the same time I had sent the other novel off to Tor. And then he Fed Ex'd me a few copies for my closest friends and family…"

"Oh my goodness," Calen beamed, reading Terri's name under the title, The Geological Conundrum. "You did it! Your first novel! And you used your real name!"

"I thought you'd like it. They just came this morning…" Terri smiled as Calen opened the book, and saw that Terri had autographed it especially just for her.

"Well speaking of novel, are those producers bugging you about the movie?" Calen asked Gene.

"Well they want to know when the leading lady will be able to come out and start filming again…" he winked. "So they sent their love in the form of this…"

He put a box to the side of the bed, and she saw him pull out a T-shirt with the movie logo on it, over a castle of Stirling. The bright rainbow arched gracefully over the stylized film title superimposed on the castle by the lake. "Only you would be into that merchandizing," Calen groaned.

"It's nice, really," Gene said, holding it up to her chest. "The novel's been selling more and more now that there's a movie in production…"

"I wouldn't want to let them down… but I've only just checked in yesterday…" Calen groaned. "Is this more of that instant gratification you producer types want?"

"I don't know… but it wouldn't hurt to have some incentive to get out of here," Gene teased her.

"As if you two, and Steve weren't enough…" Calen smacked his arm. "He's not going to be able to get time off to come back here for a visit for another few weeks…"

"Bummer," Terri said.

"Hey it's okay. He's a working man, remember?" Calen shook her head. "And speaking of working, I should be resting…"

"Okay, we get the hint," Terri smiled. "But we thought it wouldn't hurt to drop in and give some moral support…"

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

After a good hour and a half of moral support, the nurse arrived and gave a dry discreet cough. "There's someone else here to see you… a fan…"

"Okay," Gene said. "Take care…"

"Go home you two! I'll be fine. You can visit any time during the visiting hours…tomorrow!" Calen shooed them out.

Gene and Terri regarded at each other. "Why don't we get something to eat, then come back?" he suggested, nodding at the door once they were in the all.

Terri rolled her eyes, and grabbed Gene by the arm, "You heard her, she told us to shoo! If you ask me, she's doing fine here…"

"I'm just a little… uneasy," Gene sighed. "Call it a gut feeling… but I can't shake the feeling that something strange is going on… or is going to go down…"

"If you keep that up, I'll have to go down with you… in more ways then one," Terri nudged his thigh. She pulled him along after her, by the hand as they moved out into the main waiting area. The stranger had disappeared, and they gave it little thought as Gene noticed the mischievous twinkle in Terri's eyes.

"Tell me more about 'going down'," Gene whispered to her.

"You'll have to wait, till we get home for that one," she winked.
 
 

Chapter 16

They visited Calen the next day, but they were a little bit puzzled. When they arrived at her room, they noticed that fan passing them in the hallway, and Gene waved a hello to him. Gene momentarily pondered this and then they went into Calen's room.

She lay there, watching television. At sound of Gene's entrance she turned her gaze to meet them both, a distant look in her eyes.

"Hey, remember us?' Terri joked, standing on one side of the bed as Gene bracketed Calen on the other.

"What are you doing here?" she asked. Gene and Terri exchanged an odd glance.

"Visiting you, dummy," Gene joked. Calen sighed.

"What?" he asked, seeing the look of sorrow on her face, that wasn't there yesterday. "Is everything all right?"

"Please Gene, I wish you wouldn't worry so much," she implored, laying a hand on his arm, and gripping it tightly with her good hand.

"But you're my friend I can't help…"

"That's the problem. You have your own life to live. With Terri…"

"Calen, you are part of our life, as our friend…" Terri put in, trying to nip this strange protestation in the bud.

"Terri, Gene. You don't have to visit me every day," Calen sighed, glancing at both of them, one after the other. "Really you don't…"

"We want to…" Teri began, but Gene held up a hand to silence her.

"Calen, what is going on here… is something wrong? Please tell us…"

"I'm just tired, okay? Could we take a raincheck on the visit?"

"Sure, if that's what you want," Gene said slowly. "But you know we're here if you need anything…"

"I'll call… now if you don't mind I need to rest… ok? See you…"

"Okay…" Gene said, taking Terri's hand and walking out the door with her. They noticed the strange man coming toward Calen's room as they walked out of the center.

"Wonder what his deal is," Terri muttered. "If he's here to see Calen, he's got another thing coming…"

"Let's get out of here," Gene muttered. He seemed pensive, brooding while he gripped Terri's hand tightly in his. The pressure from his dragon rings and other jewelry were a little uncomfortable. When they had reached the parking lot, Terri turned to him.

"Gene… something's wrong with Calen, and you know it. What do you suppose it could be? Depression?"

"Most likely. I don't like it. I don't like it at all…"

"Nor do I. She almost seemed like she didn't want us there…"

"That's what worries me," Gene snapped. "Why would she push us away?"

"Did you notice that look in her eyes, as if she were a million miles away?"

"Yes, now that you mention it…" Gene muttered.

"Why don't we get something to eat, and go home. Or better yet I'll whip you up a special dinner… and we can just relax."

"I'm just worried about Calen…"

"Gene, enough already," Terri sighed, moving in front of him. She wrapped him in her arms, and gave him a firm hug. Gene accepted it gratefully, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. She felt him resting his chin on it, the rush of his sigh under her ear with the heaving in and out of his chest. Rearing up on her toes she pressed a kiss to his lips, hoping that her presence would somehow rise him out of the funk he had slipped into know. Her hands stole down and gently squeezed his backside as she continued her ministrations.

Gene squeezed her tighter in his arms, and pulled her hips into his so she could reach him better. Against his lips she whispered, "Let's let them take care of Calen. She wouldn't want us to be bummed because of her… and if she wants to sleep, let her sleep…"

"Something is just not adding up… and it's creeping me out…" he sighed. "Let's get the hell out of here…"

Arm around her waist he led her to his Mercedes for the drive home. He noticed the strange man they had seen the other day emerge from the center, and stopped for a moment.
 
 

Chapter 17

A week later…

"Is that guy here again," Gene grumbled when he saw the man waiting outside Calen's room. This was getting to be a habit, he thought. Worse yet, he was just walking out of Calen's room. As he closed the door, Gene noticed light flash off a ring on his hand. The edge was flat, for it was a square stone set in a gold band.

Shaking his head, Gene waited with his head buried in a magazine, till the man walked off. Lowering the magazine, Gene slipped into Calen's room.

She snapped her head up, tensing at the sound of him entering. When her eyes registered Gene they were wide with fear. "What are you doing here Gene… you shouldn't…"

"Why?' Gene asked. "Calen are you okay? I'm worried about you!"

"Gene, please, don't ask me. I'm exhausted… the physical therapy takes a lot out of me…"

"Too exhausted to talk to me, but not that guy who keeps dropping by? Who is he?"

"He's just… a concerned fan…"

"Well I'm a concerned friend," Gene said.

"Please Gene… I can't… I can't…" Calen stammered, tears welling up in her hazel eyes.

"Hey I'm sorry, I didn't mean…" Gene said, reaching over the bed to embrace her. "Please don't cry…"

Calen held him close for a moment, burying her head into his shoulder. "It's not good for you to be here Gene. The therapists… they say that it's better if I focus on getting well… and…"

"If you want me to stay away that's okay. But I'm really worried…"

"That's the problem. Anyone here who is a negative influence… they… they want' me to limit contact with…"

Just then he heard that familiar dry cough from the nurse waiting at the door. He pulled away from Calen's embrace, and stood up straight to regard her. Taking his arm she said, "I'm sorry Mr. Simmons, but I need to ask you to speak to me alone for a minute… Calen needs her rest… since she appears to be agitated right now…"

"All right… but…"

"Please," the nurse requested.

Calen collapsed on the bed when he left, pressing her face into the pillow as she cried bitterly. Gene noticed this as he glanced over his shoulder at her once last time through the open door. Reaching around him the nurse closed it behind them both.

"What's going on here, why did you cut my visit short?"

"Because, I wanted to inform you she hasn't been responding well to therapy lately," the nurse admitted.

"Say what?" Gene asked, trying to keep his fear under control.

"She downright refuses to go sometimes, and says she's in pain and only wants to sleep. The doctors are concerned that she's slipping into depression. She doesn't always eat as much as she should for her condition either. I don't know if she's getting much sleep…"

"What about that guy who keeps coming in here. Has he been in here every day that I have?"

"He comes usually before you show up, and leaves right when he sees you coming in…" said the nurse.

"Who is he?"

"Mr. John Smith. He claims that he's an old friend of hers… always has a huge bouquet with him…"

"Does he now?" Gene asked. He felt anger burn inside of him at this weird situation. Why was Calen so distressed? Did she miss Steve, or was there something more sinister going on?

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

Gene awakened out of a sound sleep, sitting bold upright. Some realization had slammed into his mind, and it wouldn't let his brain go. "Shit, this is terrific," he muttered. Beside him Terri remained fast asleep, her breathing soft and steady. What time was it? What day was it for that matter either?

Leaning over Terri he glanced at the digital clock. All he could see was a red glow, and realized something was in front of it. Muttering he leaned more over her to move whatever it was out of the way. His hand contacted a curved surface that was slick and smooth. It was a jar of honey, the effects of which he still felt on certain parts of his anatomy. Once it was out of the way, in burning red the numbers displayed the time, 2:45 AM.

"Shit," he sighed. "The middle of the damn night…"

Again he glanced down at Terri, liking the feel of her under his leaning body. He moved over to his side of the bed and snuggled down next to her. He buried his face in her shoulder, and enjoyed the curve of her body folded into his that was wrapped around it protectively.

He reached around her to caress her breasts and stroke a hand through her soft hair. To the back of her neck he pressed a fond kiss. She had valiantly tried many tricks earlier to get his mind off of Calen. His imparting of his knowledge of such experience was paying off nicely, he thought. Especially when she pulled something that he had never heard of out of the pages of Redbook or other women's magazines.

Slowly he turned her over in her sleep, and leaned up on one arm to look at her in the dim light cast by the outside, and the alarm clock. Overhead he saw the reflection in the large mirror they had come to enjoy so much over their bed. She murmured something in her sleep. With the back of his hand Gene stroked her cheek, the multiple rings on his hands brushing her face.

"Mmm," Terri moaned in the dark. "Gene… what was that? It feels cold…"

"How long have you been awake, sweetheart?" he asked.

"Long enough to know you moved that jar of honey, honey," she laughed back. Then she caught hold of his hand that passed once more over her cheek tenderly. She pressed a kiss to the back, feeling the cold of his rings again.

"Most people take off their jewelry before going to bed," she laughed slowly. "Did you put those rings in the fridge? They're cold against my cheek, Gene!"

"What did you say?' he asked.

"They're cold against my cheek," Terri repeated. "Did I say something wrong…"

"No… it was making me think about that cut on Calen's face… her cheek… I was wondering what in hell would cause it. And then what you just said… it made me think… what if it were a piece of jewelry that cut her?"

"Say what?" Terri asked, sitting bold upright next to him.

"Whoever assaulted her might have been wearing a ring or watch, and they probably slapped her face or punched it. And that cut came from jewelry on their hand. You mentioning my rings… well it adds up!"

"Ohhh I get it!" Terri gasped. "You mean that whoever hurt Calen… we could figure out who it was based on what rings they were wearing?"

"Exactly, sweetheart!" Gene grinned in the darkness. He grabbed Terri and pressed a passionate kiss to her lips.

"Mm… I think I should help you more often," she giggled as their kiss broke.

"Definitely… but I just thought of something else…"

"Being?"

"That guy at the hospital… Mr. John Smith. Well isn't it weird he was there, right when we came to visit, two days in a row?"

"Yeah… but… wait Gene, do you think he's really a fan?"

"He's familiar, but damn it I can't put my finger on it…"

"Gene… he was wearing a fancy ring," Terri said soberly. "I got a look at it when he was picking up the flowers the other day. I thought nothing of it till I saw it on his hand again when he waved to you…"

"What sort of a ring?" Gene asked, panicking when he remembered earlier that day.

"Large and gold. Thick. And the stone was square, with sharp edges…" Terri recounted. "Gene… you don't think that…"

"John Smith my ass," Gene growled through the dark. "I wanna know what the hell that asshole's real name is and why he's visiting Calen!"

"Well if that's the case, why is she letting him visit her, and why hasn't she called the police?" Terri shouted back, anger filling her now. Both were wide-awake now with no hope of sleep. Shivers of terror came over Terri and Gene felt her trembling through he darkness.

"Son of a fucking bitch…" Gene snarled.

"We can't do anything about it at this time," she told Gene.

"No, but first thing tomorrow we're gonna go to that center and get Calen to tell us what the fuck's going on!"

"I'm with you, Gene. Enough is damn the hell enough!"
 
 

Chapter 18

That next day, Gene and Terri marched hand in hand up the hallways of the rehabilitation center. Both fixed their purposes clear and firm, not wanting to accept no for an answer. For the first time in ages Gene felt the anger welling up inside at something he couldn't control.

"Ready?" Terri asked him when they stopped before room 16.

"As Ill ever be," Gene nodded gravely. He squared his shoulders and grabbed the door handle.

Inside the door, Calen snapped up at the sound of their entrance. Dark circles ringed her eyes, and the hazel eyes were dull and swollen red. Why did she look so pale, Terri wondered? It was a pathetic sight, and Gene had enough.

"Calen, you and I have got to talk…"

"Gene… you shouldn't…"

"Don't even say it Calen. I wanna know what the hell is going on, and I wanna know it now!"

"Gene… please don't…"

"Damn it Calen, you're worrying me sick!"

"You shouldn't concern yourself I'm fine…"

"Bullshit!" Gene snapped.

"Why are you being such a jerk about this!" Calen shouted back at him, a bit of the old fire returning. "Can't you leave well enough alone!"

"Not when my best friend is laying here, refusing to get better! Damn it Calen why are you giving up on me! Why are you shutting me out?"

"I… Gene… please… I just can't take this now… can you come back later?"

"Tough shit," Terri said calmly as Gene struggled to compose himself. "You're going to listen to him, or else to me. Take your pick. You wouldn’t give up on me when I had problems with Gene, and I sure as hell won't stand by and let you destroy yourself with whatever secret's eating you…"

"Damn it Terri, I wish you wouldn't have listened to me so well sometimes," Calen muttered.

"Calen, enough is enough. Are you in trouble? Are our lives at stake? Is that why you're holding out? Have you remembered anything from the accident?" Teri asked.

"Shit," Calen sighed deeply, lying on her side with her back to them.

"We're staying here till you say something," Gene snorted. "And we aren't going to give up."

"Please give up. I can't be putting you in this position over me," she cried softly.

"What position? Calen, talk to me!" Gene threw up his hands in frustration.

"I… I…" Calen stammered, her eyes brimming with tears.

"Who the fuck was that guy who's been hanging around here? Let's start with that question!" Gene snapped, folding arms across his chest.

"Did he threaten you Calen, is that it?" Terri asked calmly.

"Please…" Calen sobbed quietly.

"Don't shut us out Calen. Don’t' give up on life. Don't give up on us…" Gene pleaded. "Calen… this isn't you!"

"I'm not me! How can I possibly be me like this?" she shouted back, rolling over to glare at Gene and Terri.

"You're in therapy, there is a good chance you could recover," Terri said.

"I may never walk again!"

"How can you if you don't even try to go to therapy?" Gene argued.

"You don't know how humiliating it is to…"

"Uh uh, don't even dare trying to make me feel sorry for you," Gene wagged a finger at her. "No sale honey. You know better then that."

"Aww damn it," Calen howled in frustration. "You sneaky son of a bitch!"

"That's right. I know you pretty well. And I think this is all a lot of fuss and dicking me around to keep me from finding out what is really going on. That guy threatened you, and it has something to do with Terri and me, and that's why we're getting the cold shoulder. So out with it. I'm onto you, Calen. The jig's up."

"Even if it means you might be in danger?" Calen shouted back.

"Yeah. Especially that," Gene nodded vehemently.

She sighed deeply; letting go of the fear that had wracked her for so long. It was out now, and there was no going back. Slowly she blinked and fixed her gaze on both of her friends, intimating they should come closer.

"I… almost didn't want to believe it was him," she whispered. "But it was. Plain as day. He started coming as often as you did… bearing gifts…"

"Who?" Terri asked before Gene put a finger to her lips for silence. Calen would answer in her own time or not at all.

"He said he wanted to make it right. To make everything like it was before… and I told him it was impossible. Because I loved someone else. Our lives were too different… and then he got angry…"

"He did?"

"He said that if I told anyone that he had come back to see me, he would personally make sure that an accident happened to both of you… like what happened to me. That what happened to me wasn't an accident…"

"Oh shit. I knew it…" Gene groaned.

"I fell down the stairs… I remember. But then… I remember now… it's not an accident. Someone pushed me, and hit me… I…"

"Someone did push you?' Gene asked, anxious for her to continue.

"They hit me hard and I… I… oh Gene if I tell you anymore… they'll hurt you… I can't take that risk…"

"Who was it Calen? Who was it?" Gene whispered, leaning close.

"I… can't remember, I can't," she cried. "Please don’t ask me anymore…"

"You said a lot, Angel," Gene whispered gratefully, pressing a kiss to her forehead as he wrapped arms around her and hugged her tightly. "Thanks… now we can get to the bottom of this shit…"

"Don't just yet Gene… I…"

"Well this asshole, I think you should stop letting him see you," Gene said. "Not let anyone in to visit you…"

"Yes… but he threatened me that if I told you this he'd make sure an 'accident' happened to you… and I… I…"

"Calen, it's all right," Gene soothed, kissing her forehead again. "You don't have to be threatened by this shit anymore… let us protect ourselves and help you now… and think of a way to connect this shit with all of the pain he's caused you…"

"He taunted me Gene, that I couldn’t prove anything. That he was in any way connected with my accident… and I can't remember what the person looked like, that hit me or pushed me…"

"It's okay…" Gene continued to coo, softening his voice as he stroked her back and hair. Calen sobbed into his shirt, shaking in her release of tension. Terri had the distinct feeling she was still holding something back. One vital link she was withholding from Gene that she refused to divulge.

Terri felt someone tapping her on the shoulder, and she turned to see one of the doctors catching her attention. "Can I speak to you a moment… Ms. Mason or Mr. Simmons..."

"Not now…" Terri whispered.

"Please…I need to speak to at least one of you. Since you are friends of the patient… according to Calen herself…"

"Go Terri. I'll stay here with Calen," Gene said.

"Right, I'll tell you later…" Terri nodded, and Gene blew her a kiss. He sat on the edge of Calen's bed now, pulling her close to him so she could feel his arms wrapping her tightly and safely to his body. All she could do was continue to sob out the pain and fear that collected over the past few weeks. The worst seemed over, Gene sighed. Unfortunately he had the same nagging suspicion that she wasn't telling him all he needed to know. However she had made a crucial step in admitting it was foul play. Could she be persuaded to remember more?

Out in the hallway, the neurosurgeon led Terri to one of the private conference rooms. She closed the door behind them both, as she indicated the table with chairs ringing it. "I know you're a chemist, Ms. Mason. That's why you might understand best of Calen's friends what I'm about to tell you. I ran a battery of tests on her at the hospital for possible signs of nerve damage after she was first admitted. Since then I've run EKG's on her extensively, and follow up CAT scans of any possible brain damage. She suffered sufficient brain trauma to account for her memory lapses. Yet this last battery of tests is suspect…"

"In what way?"

"We have been monitoring her levels of epinephrine and other neurological transmitters in her bloodstream. The usual tests we run on those that suffer neurological damage and paralysis. Calen's back injury caused nerve trauma, but she is regaining mobility quickly in her legs and injured arm. CT scans show that the swelling in her brain has settled down nicely. There isn't much sign of trauma. That's why these memory lapses she claims to have regarding the accident make me suspect…"

"Yes, it would seem so. You think that Calen, based on all the evidence before you, really does remember more then she is willing to admit to the police?"

"Yes. And when I happened to look in to see if you or Mr. Simmons was here, and realized what she was saying, I'm even more concerned…"

"You have every right to be. Gene and I well, Gene knows Calen, he's known her for years. He had a gut feeling she wasn't forthcoming with all the information."

"I spoke to her psychologist, and we're concerned she's lapsing into depression. It's not unusual in such cases. Which is why I'm relieved you convinced her to come here. Where we can best treat her. But I only hope that she shows more willingness to heal then she has in the past few days… if she is unwilling to keep up with the physical therapy, I am afraid what little mobility she has gained will be quickly lost…"

"Oh man," Terri managed to say, stunned. As a scientist she dealt with facts, and this was yet another case of where the facts had proven the validity of a gut instinct.

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

"Are you sure that you can't remember anything else?" Gene asked Calen, once her sobs had abated. Now she breathed more rhythmically against his chest.

"No I can't," she sighed. "I'm sorry but it…"

"Okay, just take it easy… right now you've got to concentrate on getting well, and getting the hell out of here," Gene told her.

"How can I be sure this won't happen again? That I'm prone to some accident that will stop me from living my life how I want?"

"Calen, don't even say that you are jinxed. That's a bunch of crap! And you know it."

"Gene, you sit there and downplay luck and destiny… and you're where you are now because of it… with KISS and with your production career."

"I'm here where I am now because I believed in myself. KISS didn't become the hottest band in the world by luck. We believed we were the best, and acted like we were the band we always wanted to see. That's what carried us through it all! And you live your life the way you want it to be in the same way! Back luck or not, you always rise to it, and overcome it. That’s one of the things I love about you!"

"Aww Gene, you're terrible!"

"I know it. Now, are you gonna be a good little girl and take your medicine, and get better?"

"Yes you old man you," she stuck her tongue out at him.

"And remember what happened?" Gene asked, ignoring her last verbal jab.

"All right, dad," she joked. Just then the neurologist returned with Terri, and gave that discrete cough they had come to know so well.

"Mr. Simmons, may I ask that you and Ms. Mason leave shortly? I have some more tests that have to be run, and she will require as much bed rest as she can get…"

"Okay," Gene nodded. "See you later Calen… and remember what I said…"

"Sure Gene," she nodded, and smiled at Terri. The two took hands and walked out from her room, with one last glance at Calen over their shoulders. Gene's eyebrow raised when Terri cast him a very concerned look.

"I need to talk to you… about Calen's condition… the neurologist told me…"

"Save it for the ride home…" Gene whispered.