Who Wants to be Lonely

Part 4

By Trynia Merin with ideas from Jade

Disclaimer, READ FIRST: KISS and Gene Simmons are actual persons, and this is a work of fiction, not meant to harm or insult the persons involved. Terri Mason and other characters are property of the author. This story deals with the issue of stalking, and we do no advocate it by the writing, but rather wish to show the consequences of such actions. This story is rated R for violent content, language, and sexual content. Do NOT read if you are under 18, or if the idea of stalking bothers you! You have been warned!

Later, Ace floated on one of those floating chairs in the pool, with Christy curled up over him. They had Ace's towel draped over them both. Paul and Liz sat in the grass, giving each other backrubs while Gene and Terri reclined on the deckchair together.

Terri gave Gene a gentle kiss, and he woke from his nap with a smile. Softly he whispered, "Hey sexy lady…"

"Hey yourself…" she laughed.

"Man, that was wicked," Paul whispered at Liz. Still they sat, Paul with a towel wrapped around him, and Liz wearing his tank top shirt.

"I know… but you had a blast, right?" she winked.

"Definitely the best fun I've had in a while," Gene opened an eye and snuggled closer to Terri.

"Man, I'm definitely not coming down from orbit after a rocket ride like that!" Ace cackled wearily from the pool. Christy wore his Josie and the Pussycat's T-shirt, while Ace had put his underwear back on. Only Gene and Terri were still in their birthday suits, nestled under a large beach towel to keep the chilly night air off them.

Liz felt Paul pull her to her feet, and nod in the direction of the house. "See you later kids! Have fun!" he laughed.

Ace and Christy looked at each other, and then drifted to the edge of the pool. Slowly they got out, and wandered over to the pool house hand in hand. They entered the sauna, giggling as they shut the door behind them. Gene and Terri waited and watched, then regarded each other again.

"So… you want to get something to eat?" she asked, sitting up and letting the towel fall from her shoulders. "I'm starved…"

"Hmm sounds great," Gene nodded. She managed to stand, pulling him up. He picked her up in his arms and carried her carefully to the house. Their clothes they had rescued and put over Gene's arm. In the chill of night they entered the warm villa, moving toward the sitting room. Already a fire had been built, and the television had been left on. Gene set Terri down on the sofa, and perched beside her. She seemed so comfortable now with him; she wasn't even phased that she had not even a stitch of clothes on her body.

"Looks like Paul and Liz left in a hurry…" Gene said, pointing to the robe draped over the chair. He passed it to Terri, who slipped it on. He took the towel, and hitched it around his waist, mentioning that it was still chilly.

"Look, Nosferatu is on," Terri pointed to the TV.

"Good, I'll get us some munchies," Gene nodded, wandering into the kitchen. He returned with a plate of homemade chocolate chip cookies, still chewy and slightly crisp on the outside, and two glasses of milk.

He pulled her to lean across his knee as he reclined there, resting the food on the coffee table. For the rest of the night they watched in silence, basking in the afterglow of well being. Soon Terri was fast asleep, and Gene carried her gently upstairs to their guestroom for a much-needed rest.

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

Paul murmured and turned over in the morning, feeling a warm breathing woman in his arms. With a smile he snuggled her closer, pressing a kiss to her warm soft lips. A soft exhalation came in response and his dark eyes fixed into blue ones, which smiled.

"Hey, what's going on in that pretty head of yours, sexy lady?" he cooed.

"Hmm... Just how nice it feels to wake up in your arms, Paul," Liz whispered back.

"Want some coffee?" he asked, stroking her soft blond locks.

"Sure, love some…" she smiled, watching as Paul slipped out from under the sheets and grabbed a pair of black silk boxers to throw on.

She fingered the gold rose pendant that fell around her neck, and peered at the diamond caught in its petals. Such a lovely pendant it seemed, and he had given it to her only a few days ago. IT meant the world to her, and she never could bear to take it off.

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

A few minutes later, Gene slowly arose at the sound of knocking at his door. He blinked at the alarm clock and noticed it was close to noon. "Damn, I was really out," he muttered. Terri soon stirred, feeling Gene move beside her. "Hey," she whispered.

"Paul's let us sleep in," Gene laughed. "Think he's mellowed…"

"Gene… where is your ring?"

"What, sweetie?" Gene asked.

Just then there was a light knock on the door, and Gene breathed a silent thank you to fate for this timely intervention. They heard Paul's muffled voice calling out, "Anybody want coffee?"

"Yeah!" Gene shouted. "Nice and black!!!"

"Gotcha! Here or downstairs?"

"Whatever's easier for you pal!" Gene called. He took Terri's hands, asking, "You want to go down now, or stay up here a little more?"

"I think it wouldn’t hurt to join the land of the living," she smiled, stretching. Gene handed her the silk Victoria secret robe, draping it over her. Something slipped out of the pocket and fell onto the floor with a thud.

"What on earth…"

Gene picked up the small velvet box, flat and the size of a pack of cigarettes. With a slow smile he presented it to her. Tentatively she took it, her heart pounding hard in her chest. He urged her to open it, so she swung the lid up to see a flash of gold meet her eyes in the morning light. Nestled in blue velvet were a line of clear diamonds interspersed with rubies.

"Oh lord… you didn't…"she gasped, pulling out a ruby and diamond tennis bracelet.

"You like?" Gene asked.

"Oh god… it's beautiful! Put it on me?"

Gene slowly took it from her and unlatched the clasp. He pulled her wrist and put the bracelet on her left arm, clicking the clasp in place.

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

When Terri and Gene returned to the house, Gene seemed anxious about something. But he was covering his nerves well, she thought. He quickly helped her out of the car, and tugged her along with his arm around his waist toward the front door. Momentarily he stopped to unlock it, and help her inside.

"Gene, what's the hurry?"

"I just want you to myself," he whispered in her ear, and slammed the door behind her. He locked it with both deadbolts and the chain.

"Why don't we take care of this stuff later," Terri asked, grabbing his hand, as he was about to carry it upstairs.

"Hmm," Gene fingered his chin, and saw the desire in her eyes. She wrapped both arms around his neck. Lightly he lifted her, as if she were a small child, and carried her upstairs to his bedroom. Once inside, Gene set her on the bed, and pulled off his coat. Leaning over, he pressed a soft kiss to her lips.

"Mm," Terri whispered, and felt his hands working over her back. She suddenly caught sight of her reflection in the mirror. Lightly Gene took her hand in his; pressing soft kisses up her arm.

"Gene… where is your dragon ring?' she asked, noticing it was gone amidst the other multiple ones he was wearing. Not only that, but it wasn't in the small jewelry tray on his vanity.

"Why do you ask?" he wondered, glancing straight into her questioning gaze.

"It's just you wear it so often, and I wondered if you'd misplaced it or put it somewhere safe…"

"It's not important now," Gene hastily answered.

"Why not?"

"Don't ask me okay?" he implored. "I just lost it… that's all… but I don't care about it now…"

"Gene… you told me it was your favorite… what is going on…"

With a sigh he pulled away, and turned to stare at the mirror pensively. He glanced over his shoulder at her and said, "Please… can we talk about something else?"

"Gene, what's wrong?" Terri asked, slipping an arm around his waist as she hugged him from behind.

"I just don't want to talk about it, okay?" came his answer. "Just drop it…"

Terri backed away, confused by Gene's sudden distance. Peering over his shoulder she noticed a red stain on the mirror.

"What the hell is this?" she asked, wiping at it with her finger. An oily substance came away in her fingers, and she realized it was lipstick.

"It's nothing… the cleaning team was probably playing a joke…"

"No… I don't think so…" she said, backing away. "This is lipstick, Gene. Where did it come from? Someone else was here, weren't they, while I was gone…"

"Terri it isn't what you think… I've been with you… just you this whole time…"

"No… that's not what I mean Gene!" she snapped. Everything started to add up in her mind, and it made sense why his ring had been missing. "Level with me… please! You didn't lose your ring, did you? I think someone stole it… and whoever did left you a message on this mirror…"

"Terri…" Gene pleaded, begging her not to continue.

"Isn't that what really happened?" she demanded, voice rising in volume. "Answer me!"

Gene said nothing, staring past her in defeated silence. He shoved hands into his pockets, and turned away.

"Why the hell didn't you tell me?" she shouted.

"I didn't want to upset you, okay?" Gene shouted back, whirling on her.

"Damn it Gene, what happened to honesty? To being in this together? Someone breaks into this place, steals something precious to you, and you don't tell me because you're afraid I can't handle it?"

"I was only trying to protect you!" Gene protested weakly. "Can't you see that this is killing me to see you like this? Doesn't that mean anything?"

"If you and I are together…" she breathed, anger flooding her. "Then you have to be honest! You said for me to trust you and tell you whenever I had a problem! Can't you give me the same consideration at least? I may not be rich and famous… but I have feelings…"

Gene opened his mouth to spit something out; finger all set to wave at her when the phone shrilled into their conversation. Growling he stormed off to answer it. Terri's face flushed and she turned away, fists clenching she was so angry. How could he hide something so important from her? Out of love yes, which was very sweet, but right now she was too furious to care.

"Who is this?" Gene asked. He listened for a minute, then came over with the phone to Terri, holding it out. "It's for you… it's the police. I think you might wanna hear what Det. Florez has to say…"

"Hello?' Terri asked, taking the phone from him.

"Det. Florez here, Ms. Mason. I just wanted you to know we arrested a suspect matching your description. We're holding her here in custody, and would like you to come out and see if you can positively identify her. Also the DNA test is done. We're going to take a blood sample to confirm it…"

"Oh god…"

"Her name is Brenda. She's as mad as hell… when can you come over?"

"Soon…" Terri stammered. A flood of relief mingled with disbelief, and she felt herself growing faint.

"Is it over?" Gene asked as she put the phone down and said goodbye.

"I… hope so… oh God I hope so…" Terri said, turning to him. "Gene… I'm sorry…"

"Shh…" Gene whispered, silencing her with a finger on her lips.

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

Brenda’s endless thoughts about Gene began to consume her whole world. Walking through her messy apartment, she meticulously tended to her shrine, adorned with faded pictures, a worn out Gene Simmons doll, and a multitude of bass pics. She lit her candle, and knelt in front of it, trying to summon up the courage to go back and visit her Demon again.

Through her endless meditation, she could swear she heard him speak to her…

‘ I’m here….your Demon awaits…. ‘

That was all she needed to hear. She began to make her way out the door, but stopped. She needed something….just in case. Once she gathered it, she left for Gene’s house.

She pulled into a grassy area across the street from his house, and got out. She made her way to the gate and back around to the house. She wanted to surprise him, so she didn't make her presence known. She went around to the window of his bedroom, but this time, found it closed. She pushed on it, hoping to find it unlocked, but was unsuccessful. She grabbed a rock, and paused a moment, hoping this wouldn’t scare her Demon, before breaking the glass with it. Again, she paused….nothing. Relieved, she reached in and unlocked the window and made her way inside. She looked around, but saw no one, but then her ears caught the sound of music coming from the downstairs, which explains why he didn't hear her break the glass.

She walked around the room, pondering whether she should go and find him, when she heard the music stop. She quickly dropped her black bag, and ran to hide behind the door. While she was there, she noticed sticking out of a side table drawer was a pair of handcuffs. A devilish idea came into her mind as she scooped up the cuffs, and hid then inside her shirt pocket.

Patiently, she waited for her Demon to come to her. She had been waiting for so long to finally show him that she was the only one that could love him the way he needed to be loved. When he came into the bedroom, she stood silent for a moment, watching him while he was still oblivious to her presence. Finally, when she thought it was safe, she stepped out from behind the door. She didn't get a chance to say a word before Gene spotted her. His face went pale with fear and anger.

"What the hell…?" Gene began.

"Don’t be frightened, my love, its just me. I’m here to make sure you were all right." Brenda said assuredly.

"You need to leave…NOW!" Gene demanded. "I will call the police…"

"Oh darling…I know you still are under the spell of that gold-digging little bitch…." She said, shaking her finger like a scolding mother. "That’s all right, I’m here now…I’ll take your mind off her."

She took the handcuffs and held them up, grinning. "I see you were waiting for me too huh?" Gene looked at the handcuffs, realizing they were his trick cuffs, but he said nothing.

"Look, I’m giving you one last chance to get out," he said, heading for the phone; his patience now growing thin.

Brenda decided that Gene was just still too poisoned by Terri’s influence and needed a bit of persuasion. She reached into her bag that she brought from home, and pulled out a gun. When Gene saw what she had, he began to back away.

"Looks like I need to get my point across a little better…" she said, pointing the gun right at Gene. "Now, just do what I say and everything will work out just fine."

"Now wait….we can work something out….you don’t need to…" Gene tried to talk his way out. Brenda wasn’t having any of it.

"We don’t have much time honey…" she began. "Get on the bed…."

Gene’s blood began to run cold as he realized what she had on her mind.

When Gene lay down on the bed, Brenda took the first pair of handcuffs she had found and handcuffed his arm to the bedpost. Now knowing that this might not hold him quite enough, she went back into her black bag and pulled out three more pairs. She used them to handcuff his other arm and both his legs. Now thoroughly satisfied with her new position over him, she smiled and leaned down to kiss him, but heard the sound of a door opening downstairs.

"Don’t say a word, my darling, I will get rid of them…" she said, heading toward the door with the gun.

Gene panicked…he was sure it was Terri, and didn't want her hurt. "Please don’t hurt anyone…you have me, no resistance…what if its Paul or Ace? You don’t want to hurt them do you?"

Brenda paused, she knew he was right, she wouldn’t want to hurt Paul or Ace, she loved them too. "Ok, let's see if they leave…I won't do anything." She said, waiting by the door.

"GENE???? I’M HOME!!!" came a call from downstairs….it was Terri. Brenda felt herself begin to get enraged!

"What the hell is she doing here??" she said to Gene, trying to whisper as best she could.

"Please…lock the door, and she will go away…" Gene begged.

"GENE??? ARE YOU HERE??" Terri continued to call, oblivious to the danger that awaited upstairs.

"No... no, its too late…she must be punished for this outrage! Call to her my Demon…bring her to me, or I will go find her and kill her" Brenda demanded, her anger beginning to get the best of her.

"I’M UP HERE" Gene said, to Terri, but Brenda knew it wasn’t loud enough.

"Louder, honey….or she will pay for your defiance"

"I’M UP HERE TERRI!!!" he hollered.

Terri came up and entered the bedroom. "Well, I picked up the DNA report from….." she started to say, but was stopped cold by a gun to her head.

"Oh my God!…what's going on?" Terri asked when she saw Gene shackled to the bed, with his own handcuffs. He twisted his head wildly and looked to her.

"Terri…" he got out.

"Ahhh… what's this…" Brenda hissed, grabbing Terri's wrist. She snatched her and held the gun to Terri's chest, and twisted her arm behind her. "You whore! He gave you this? You only want his money… admit it…"

"One false move and you die…" she snarled. The gun pressed closer into her chest now, and Terri heard the click of the hammer being cocked.

"Do what she says, Terri," Gene said softly. "She wants me…"

"Oh dear God no…" Terri got out.

"Sit down now…" she said, and forced Terri to sit in a chair. Taking ropes she began to tie them tightly around Terri, securing her arms and hands. Still she held the gun to her as she worked. All four pairs of handcuffs she had used on Gene. The ropes she pulled tight, tying them as best she could with one hand. Terri flexed her muscles, pretending the ropes were cutting much deeper then they actually were.

"Now… you will watch as I release the demon from your domination, bitch!" she laughed, backing over to the bed.

Taking her knife out of her skirt, she slowly began to cut Gene's leather jacket, and pull it off him. A smile came over her face and a slow tenderness as she began to unfasten his belt, and tug his pants down. She traced the knife lovingly over his chest, popping each button in slow deliberate succession. After each button was torn away, Brenda pressed a lipstick covered kiss to his chest. Gene didn't even flinch; his mouth whispering words that made Terri's eyes water.

"Please don't do this!" Terri shouted. "You can't… oh god no!"

"It's all right!" Gene called out to her. "She's just another woman…"

"No…. Please… no… I don't want her to rape you it's not right… not for my sake…"

"It's not worth it," Gene said.

Brenda laughed as she aimed the gun at Terri from across the room. "If you don't be a little more cooperative I'll kill her here and now…Say that I'm yours, Demon… say that I am your only woman…"

"Gene!" Terri shouted. "I beg you don't do it…"

"I am yours…" he growled low in his throat. "It's the only way…"

Brenda kissed a bright crimson path to his belly, then ripped his underwear aside. She slowly teased him with her tongue, her mouth closing over his length. Terri stammered, shaking her head as his moans reached her ears.

"My demon… say I'm yours…"

"I'm yours Brenda, all yours…" he groaned, gasping and writhing.

"See how I can do what she can't…" came the muffled laughs.

"No… oh god no!" Terri screamed, shaking. Tears fell down her cheeks, and she saw Gene's anguished look as he stifled his reactions. Something snapped inside her, and she began to rock the chair backwards. Anger forced aside fear as fight overcame flight in her instincts. She would fight with everything she had for Gene… the one she loved.

"Nooooo! Stop!" Terri screamed even more loudly. Slowly Brenda looked up, a mixture of anger and delight on her face.

"Shall I cut her tongue out so we can have some quiet?" she asked.

"You might want to gag her…" Gene whispered.

"Hmm…" Brenda laughed, and then slipped the gun into her skirt waistband. She took the knife, and advanced on Terri.

"You can't, you just can't have him like some goddamned trophy in your collection! And you call yourself a KISS fan?" Terri shouted. She suddenly noticed Gene was struggling with one of the handcuffs while Brenda's eyes were on her. Her eyes met his, and he mouthed something.

"Trick…" it looked like. Terri stopped convulsing. She watched again as Gene jerked the one hand. And mouthed, "Distraction…"

"I know what he needs…" Brenda snarled. "No one can love him like I can!"

"You call this love?" Terri spat. "To shackle someone down and force your will on them? You have a strange idea of what love is…"

"You have no right to him whatsoever!" Brenda shouted back. "He is mine! I hunger for him! I have what he needs…"

"Then…if you really want him to be yours…You must release the demon… I bear the mark…" Terri shouted. Gene nodded frantically.

"What is this…?" Brenda asked. "Is it true?"

"She bears my mark, close to her heart…" Gene growled. He knew what Terri had in mind. All he needed was a few precious minutes to act.

"Is it so?" Brenda hissed, pulling away from Gene. "Is it true? Have you stolen his power this way?"

"He's mine… because I bear his mark…" Terri whispered. "That is the power over the Demon… which you cannot have… unless you take it from me…"

Brenda started to cut with the knife, ripping into Terri's shirt. She yanked the shirt aside, and bared Terri to the waist. There in black and red ink she saw the Demon's face.

"You… clever whore!" she laughed angrily. "That's how you have your hold on him… isn't it?"

"Yes…" Terri said, glaring angrily into Brenda's face. Those brown eyes fixed into Brenda's watery blue ones with a stare worthy of Gene himself. She even managed a low growl in her throat for added emphasis.

A stinging slap hit Terri's face, knocking her glasses down. Brenda ground them under her heel, laughing, "Oops, did I break them?"

Terri continued her defiant piercing stare, seeing the knife in her one hand as it traced over her temple. Slowly she traced the line of the tattoo over Terri's chest. Terri slowly tugged at her wrists, feeling them wrench against the rope.

"I will cut the mark off," she laughed, pressing more firmly into Terri's skin with the knife. Terri could peer over her shoulder, watching the shape of Gene struggling. Was it her imagination, or did the left cuff suddenly fall free? He reached over, and slowly undid the other cuff. Why hadn't he done this before?

Trick… she realized. Trick cuffs! But now without her glasses she couldn’t see Gene's progress.

"Without this mark you'll be powerless," she laughed, and cut her bra strap, yanking the bra aside. Slowly she dragged the knife over the skin, making Terri stifle a scream. The pain made her convulse, and she suddenly jerked up in the chair. A fine trickle of blood followed the knife's point.

"You… have won…" Terri gasped, bowing her head. "I… have no more power over him…"

"Ahahhh. That got you…" Brenda laughed, and continued to dig with the knife. A warm sensation dripped down Terri's chest.

"Grraawwwwgrhhhh." Terri got out, struggling against the pain that erupted. Frantically she fought, and suddenly bucked violently to the side, taking herself and the chair. Brenda crashed to the floor for a moment, the gun flying from her hand. Terri struggled to no avail against the ropes. She desperately jerked the chair around, struggling to roll it with her body and bring it near where her glasses gleamed. A piece of polycarbonate lens fell into her finger, and she struggled to work it against the ropes on her wrist.

"You bitch… I'll slit your throat for that…" she screamed, and frantically hunted for the gun. Suddenly Gene unfastened the last cuff, and threw himself at her. At the last minute she rolled out of the way, grabbing the gun. Gene grabbed her wrist, pinning it as he pinned her under his body. She kicked and struggled, as Terri felt her wrists break free. She reached around, pulling at the ropes around her legs as she crawled away. Brenda fought like a woman possessed, as Gene slammed her wrist with the gun in it.

Suddenly she pushed him off, and landed a kick in his groin. Grunting, he doubled over in pain. Terri wormed free of the chair, stumbling into the hallway. Still her legs were pinioned, sending her flying. All she could do was roll away, crawling on her arms as her leg screamed with pain from the sprain.

"You'll die bitch!" Brenda screamed, firing.

Terri tumbled down the stairs, hitting the bottom with a thud that knocked the wind from her. A shot sponged from her head, from up above. Pushing against the railing she struggled to her feet, and blundered toward the panic button.

She shoved it hard, and the silence was cut off with the piercing alarm that rang through the house. Suddenly another shot blasted the wall by Terri, as Brenda fired again. Terri threw herself down, rolling out of the way. Her leg again screamed, unable to support her weight upon it.

"I'll kill you!" she screamed. Terri wriggled away, and lay still. Suddenly she felt the muzzle of a gun close to her head.

"Tell me how to turn that alarm off, or I'll blow your fucking head off!" she screamed.

"No… no more of this… I won't let you win…" Terri got out. "You don't even have the nerve to pull the trigger… you're not a killer…"

"I'll kill you… I swear I'll kill you…" Brenda continued to scream, shoving the gun into Terri's mouth. She lay there, waiting for the end. Even if she could grab the gun, it would be no good at this range.

"Tell me how to turn it off!" came the voice screaming in her ears.

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

Gene moaned, hearing the commotion downstairs as he struggled to stand. He stumbled out of the room, and down the stairs. His blood froze at the sight of Terri lying by the alarm, a gun shoved into her mouth.

"Brenda!" he shouted. "Leave her alone!"

"Tell me how to turn off the fucking goddamn alarm!" Brenda shouted.

"Just… hit the panic button…" Gene whispered. He groaned in pain, holding his stomach as he doubled over, and moved down the stairs.

"You hit it…" she said. "One wrong move and the bitch dies…"

Agonizingly slowly Gene made his way down each step. It pained him to walk, or so it seemed. Tears fell down Terri's cheeks from what she could make out.

A sharp kick landed in Terri's stomach, winding her. Brenda laughed when Gene finally staggered over, stark naked and leaned by the wall.

"Now… turn it off…" she said.

Gene's hand hit the panic button, and the alarm shut off. Brenda still began to squeeze the trigger on the gun.

"What… are you doing…"

"I think I'll kill her anyway…" Brenda laughed. "Then you'll have no choice but to have me…"

Terri heard the click of the gun cocking, and closed her eyes. She lay very still, waiting for the shot that would come, and the resulting explosion of light inside her brain. At least she knew that she loved Gene, and that was what would sustain her till the final end.

"Police! Freeze!" shouted a voice. Suddenly a shot went off, but it was Brenda who screamed.

Terri opened her eyes to see Gene grabbing Brenda, as he pinned her to the wall with his own body. The door burst open, and she saw movement all around her. Hot blood dribbled over her chest, and she felt herself blacking out…

Next thing she could remember was blinking, and feeling someone's hairy chest rising and falling under her cheek. Soft silk encased her, and a strong arm held her close. In the background she heard voices chattering and the sound of a newscast. Gene's heartbeat and breathing rose and fell under her cheek and she slowly blinked up into his face.

Daylight flooded the windows, and she could guess by the length of the shadows it must be afternoon. Plus the sound of Oprah's voice clued her in that it was perhaps close to noon. He held up the remote, slowly flipping channels of the large console TV opposite his bed. A pair of warm lips caressed her forehead, and Gene ran fingers through her hair, his eyes peering down into hers with a mix of desire and love.

"Gene," she whispered, looking up at him. "You… you're okay…"

"Good morning, sleepyhead," he whispered, kissing her gently. His tongue slowly slipped into her mouth, making her moan. Terri deepened the kiss, wrapping her arms around his neck tightly.

"Feel better?" Gene winked, pulling away to catch a breath. "You were out like a light!"

"Yes…" she sighed and stretched. Why didn't her ankle hurt anymore?

"I feel like I could sleep for a million years… what time is it?"

"Twelve thirty…" Gene said, matter of fact.

"I don't want to get up…" Terri sighed.

"You don't have to," Gene said with a mischievous grin. "Besides, I was thinking you and me could do a Jon and Yoko…"

"A… bed in?" Terri giggled.

"Sure," Gene laughed lightly and deeply. "I don’t have to be anywhere, and neither do you."

Anger still filled her when she thought of that fanatical Brenda. If only she did have the courage to go down on him….

"Gene… I…"

"What baby?" he asked, lightly stroking her face.

"I wish… I had the courage to go down on you… like that bitch did…"

"Baby what are you talking about?" Gene asked, seeing the look of embarrassment on her face.

"Don't tell me you don't know…" she got out. "Brenda... that stalker who the police arrested…"

"What stalker?" Gene demanded, eyes darkening with concern. "What are you talking about… you're not making sense… Shit… you're shaking…"

Slowly she blinked, and saw where they were, in his huge bed, set with satin sheets, the mirrors above reflecting their state. Tears fell down her cheeks as she looked back up at Gene.

"But there was this stalker Gene… and she put a message on your door… and then she handcuffed you to a bed… and held me at gunpoint…. And don’t' you remember anything?"

"Terri… are you okay… you're scared shitless! What the hell is this all about? You and I came home from Paul's house yesterday, because we wanted to let him and Liz spend some time alone. And then you and I stayed up late working on the demos for your new song…"

"Terri… what's wrong… you're scaring me baby," Gene asked, as she started to shiver. He lay on his side, pulling her close to his body. She felt every inch of his skin pressing up against her, and glanced down at her breast. There was no bandage or cut, just the Demon's tattoo present in red and black ink. Reaching down she felt her ankle, and realized it was fine no soreness present from any sprain. Realization crashed into her and she felt the greatest sense of release!

"Oh god… it was a dream…" she gasped, fingering her breast. "I feel so dumb…"

"Sounds like one hell of a nightmare," Gene shook his head, and cupped her chin in his hand. Slowly he stroked her back, pressing a light kiss to her lips.

"It was horrible Gene… I dreamt that there was this… stalker… and she tried to come between you and me… and she wrote a message in blood on your door, and called you her Demon and thought that I was after you for your money…"

"Don't worry, I'm right here… and nobody's going to do anything to hurt you if I can help it…" Gene soothed. "Not unless they want their asses seriously kicked. Or if they want a few new ones ripped for them…"

"Oh Gene…" she began to cry. Tears dripped down her cheeks, but Gene kissed each one away with those perfect lips.

"Hey, no need for that, sweetheart," Gene chuckled. "And we were doing so well…"

"It's so silly to cry about a damned dream!" she laughed out loud. With a sigh she looked at her wrist, noticing there was no bracelet present. Gene's dragon ring gleamed on its usual place on his hand though, and she felt the cold metal of his dagger necklace he seldom removed. Slowly her hand stole down under the sheets, and Gene lifted an eyebrow at her small fingers working their magic.

"Ohh, mmm…" he moaned, arching his back. "I had been waiting for that…"

"You don't mind it's not some other part of me?"

"Are you kidding me?" he asked, eyes shut. They popped open in surprise when she moved her hand away.

"It really was a dream then," she murmured with a sly smile. "Because if it had happened, that stalker kicked you so hard in the groin that if I even touched you you'd be in pain for days…"

"Damn," Gene winced, and put her hand back down to his erection. "I think you need some reminding then that it was a dream… and this… is reality…"

"Hmm… yes…" Terri smiled lasciviously. Moving up she suddenly straddled him, brushing herself teasingly against him. Already she was moist and warm against him. Another low rumbling moan erupted from Gene, vibrating deliciously through them both.

She teased him for a few minutes, brushing her chest to his as she kissed a path down his chest to just above his waist. Her hands enclosed around him again, working him to the brink of release.

"Damn I wanna cum inside you…" he growled, but she pushed up, off of him teasingly.

"Uh huh…" she winked, suddenly feeling quite mischievous. Gene's own eyes sparkled with excitement when she slipped off of him, just out of his reach. Till he finally grabbed her and rolled over on top, pinning her under his weight.

"Now how are you gonna tease, little girl?" he laughed. She laughed when his fingers teased her in turn, running her own tongue along his ear, then down his jaw to his neck. Her teeth bit down lightly, and Gene hissed through his teeth.

Gene parted her legs with one knee, thrusting in smooth and hard. She felt his substantial size enter her, and moaned. Gene's size was different from Paul's, she inwardly reflected. Not the same length, but the size was comparable, and Gene's technique was very different. Why was she even thinking of Paul, she wondered with a laugh.

"What's so funny?" Gene grinned, stopping for a moment.

"Nothing… I just wonder how many times we've done this…"

"Hmm… I'd say forty four," Gene said.

"So is there a special bonus when we hit fifty? And one hundred?"

"Good idea…" Gene nodded.

"One thing… does great sex in dreams count?"

"Hmm… no… but we can make up for lost time. Tell me about it…" Gene laughed lightly. Terri whispered the secret parts of her dream into his ear, driving Gene wild. They resumed their activity, till Terri reached her shattering climax, back arching. Gene flipped over onto his back, so she was astride him. Grabbing her backside he plunged the deepest yet inside her soft wet interior. Her scream echoed in the room, making her flinch with greater desire and fear. Gene's own growl of release rumbled low beneath it, a strange composition of high and low mingling together.

She moved off, collapsing next to him with a sigh of intense pleasure. Shifting onto his side, he wrapped her close in his arms. They held each other close for a long time, simply feeling the warmth passing between their sweating sated bodies.

"Mmm," Gene sighed, enjoying the feel of her beside him. "Only five away from fifty now…"

"Heh," Terri laughed.

"What are you thinking now, little girl?" he asked.

"Do you realize that I've had more sex with you in four months then I have in the last four years!"

Both laughed hard at this, cuddling each other close when Gene finally said, "Well, we definitely will have to do something about that…"

"I'm not complaining about that… believe me… but I wonder what you're going to pull out of the bag of tricks for fifty…"

"You'll have to wait and see, little girl," he chuckled, brushing her nose with his. "But that reminds me…"

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Paul murmured and turned over in the afternoon, feeling a warm breathing woman in his arms. With a smile he snuggled her closer, pressing a kiss to her warm soft lips. A soft exhalation came in response and his dark eyes fixed into blue ones, which smiled.

"Hey, what's going on in that pretty head of yours, sexy lady?" he cooed.

"Hmm... Just how nice it feels to wake up in your arms, Paul," Liz whispered back.

"Want some coffee?" he asked, stroking her soft blond locks.

"Sure, love some…" she smiled, watching as Paul slipped out from under the sheets and grabbed a pair of black silk boxers to throw on.

She fingered the gold rose pendant that fell around her neck, and peered at the diamond caught in its petals. Such a lovely pendant it seemed, and he had given it to her only a few days ago. IT meant the world to her, and she never could bear to take it off. Finally Paul returned, holding a tray with breakfast and an inverted coffee cup on it.

"Want some toast?"

"Sure… oh god… I thought you were going for coffee…"

"Well, here we are…"

Paul seemed to be waiting for her to do something, for he set the tray on her lap, and made no move to pour any coffee or juice. She eagerly started on the pancakes.

"Aren't you gonna help yourself to coffee?"

"I thought you were gonna pour it…"

"Uh… okay…" Paul said, seeming as if he were trying to keep a secret. "Just get the cup and I'll pour…"

She turned the coffee cup over, and suddenly noticed a small purple wrapped box tied with a lavender ribbon.

"What's this?"

"Oh, how did that get there?" Paul chuckled. "I wonder what's in it…"

"Paul…" she grinned, and ripped off the paper. Her face suddenly froze when she unwrapped a small velvet box. Anxiously Paul waited, as she pressed the stud on the front and it popped open. Her jaw dropped at the glitter of platinum and amethyst.

"Oh my god…" she gasped. "You… you didn't…"

"Baby… I know I can't offer you the kind of life most men do. But this is a promise ring… to a very special friend who only wants me to be happy. And I want you to be happy. I'm not… well… my heart's gone places with you I didn't think it could go anymore… and I don't know if I can commit to something like marriage any time soon. But I don't wanna loose you…"

"Paul… you don't have to…"

"Liz… will you stay here, move in with me? Be my best friend and lover?" Paul asked. "I'm sorry I can't offer anything else… but my love… and my heart…"

"That's all I wanted…" Liz gasped. She pulled out the ring, with its heart shaped amethyst, and Paul slipped it on her finger.

"I give you my heart with this… and my love. And I don't want any other woman with me…" Paul whispered, kissing her lightly.

Liz shifted the tray away, and pulled Paul down into the sheets. Tears filled her eyes as she said, "You don't have to be lonely anymore…"

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

Terri felt Gene pull away, and reach for something at the bedside. At first she wondered if it was some new sex toy or extra featured condom. But it surprised her when he held out both fists, clenched around something each.

"Which one?" he asked, with a hint of mischief.

"What is this?" she raised an eyebrow.

"Pick one. Lady's choice," Gene urged. She reached for the left, then moved her hand to the right suddenly, before moving back to the left.

Gene turned his hand over, revealing something on his open palm. Her heart stopped at that moment, and she let out a gasp. For in gold was a much smaller version of his dragon ring, complete with a bright ruby for the eye. Scaled down to something that would fit on her finger, so small in comparison to his.

"Oh god Gene…" was all she could choke out. "You didn't…"

"I did. Do you like it?" he asked, with the expression of a little boy who's waiting for his mother's approval.

"It's… beautiful… I never thought… why…"

"I thought it would exemplify how much you've come to mean to me… over the past few months. I can understand if you're scared about moving in. But I want you to know that I haven't felt this way about anyone for a long time… and I want you with me. Don't worry about an apartment. I'd love it if you'd continue to live here with me…"

"Aww man…" she got out, laughing as she shook her head. "It looks just like yours…"

"That's the general idea. You've become part of my life… like I've become part of yours. And I want you to have a reminder of that to carry with you, wherever you go. Even when we're not together. So you'll never forget, no matter what happens. You'll always be part of me, as I'm part of you."

He held up the ring, poised near her finger, and she felt the cool metal slip up her hand. A slow smile came over her face, washing away the last awkwardness of the dream.

"Best friends forever?" Gene asked. "And lovers?"

"Best friends… and lovers…" she whispered back.

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