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Never so painful as today, for she had caught the tail end of a conversation between two road crews. She had kept to herself mainly most of the time, to try to stop any friction that might occur. Yet, as she walked by the canteen near the start of the show, she realized that avoidance might not have been the best policy.
"Well its cold cuts again," one road crew, named Sam, complained to the other.
'Well not all of us are stuck with liverwurst," Roger muttered back. "Some people around here are eating like the royal family!"
"Well some of us aren't screwing the bosses," the other replied. "And getting to sleep in a king sized bed while we have the trailers!"
"Uh huh… there's more then fireworks going on offstage as well as on," Roger laughed. Terri flushed and realized whom they were talking about.
"Better watch it, or else the Demon himself will bust your ass for talking about his woman like that!" Sam cautioned.
"Well, is she Starchild's woman, or Demon's?" the other asked. "I mean like… it's hard to keep track."
"Romeo's got another lady friend who can't make it on tour," said the first. "It'll be encores galore."
"Wonder if the Demon lady's gonna throw a shit fit once her sugar daddy's banging the groupies."
"Ten to one she doesn’t last till close of the shows!"
Enough was enough. Terri stormed out of the range of the conversation, and toward the door. She was due to the pyro booth in a half-hour, and didn't want to be late.
Sure enough she arrived five minutes ahead of schedule, and took her place near Allison. The two of them started their usual routine. Terri performed the intricate dance flawlessly, her mind elsewhere until the final set.
"Uh, Gloria needs some help in the costume room," Chris said as he peered in toward the end of R and R all nite.
"That's your cue," Allison grinned.
"Uh I think Sam and Allison will be more help here then me. I have to put in my time," Terri cut him off.
"You know how she gets," said Chris.
"Tell them that I need to lock things down for the night. Allison, why don’t' you go instead…" Terri asked.
'If you really want me to, but I know Gloria will be disappointed," Allison said, with an odd look at Chris.
"She'll just have to be once in a while," Terri said firmly. "Now I'm closing down tonight…"
"Okay… I'll let Gloria know," Chris shrugged as Allison followed him.
"Terri, are you okay?" Allison asked her.
"I'm fine, why do you ask?" Terri wondered.
"Well you usually help Gloria this time…" said Allison.
"That has to change," Terri said firmly. "There can't be any special treatment--now of all times. Now go before Gloria screams our ears off."
"Okay…" Allison sighed. "But if you need to talk… let me know…"
"I will," Terri nodded. "Don't keep the boys waiting."
********************************************************
By the time she wrapped things up, ten minutes early, the road crew was coming toward Mike, the chief road security for their room assignments. Some grumbled in disgust that they'd have to spend the night with three or four others, but they all had little choice.
Terri decided to forgo waiting around, and waited with the first group going out to the hotel. It was the Hyatt Regency, not too far away. She got a few strange looks from others, while some were too tired to even care. Sitting down, she pulled out her notebook and began to write some notes for her latest novel.
Tucked into the front of the hard-backed writer's journal, something fell out. She picked up the brochure and glanced over it again with a slow smile. Panopticon, in London, one of the large Dr. Who and general SF conventions in England was on in a few days, and she read the list of speakers. A smile crossed her face at the guest list that included Kate Orman, Dr. Who novelist, Ben Bova, scientist and SF writer from the general SF writer's world. Joining them were Greg Bear, and new authors. Her name was on the list, and she smiled in self-satisfaction. Here was a world that most people here were unaware of. She pushed the brochure into her holdall, and pulled out the glossy paperback novel that was in next to it. "The Geological conundrum, and the newest book she had published, called Castaway in Time and Space were present and accounted for. Both of them were mint condition, and she enjoyed carrying them for good luck. Her latest project, Young Chemists in Love, was in the bare bones stage, where she had submitted the synopsis and first five chapters. Chapter 6 and 7 were on her laptop's hard drive, and eight was on her notebook now. It would take forever to get it done at this rate.
Finally the bus jolted to a stop and her pen went spinning out of her hand into the mess of road crew. Sam picked up the pen much to her embarrassment, and held it up. "Whose is this?"
"Uh ask Madame Shakespeare," the other laughed, named Ed. He passed the pen to Terri, who muttered a thank you.
They all clambered off the bus, and grabbed their duffel bags and luggage. Terri glanced frantically for her suitcase, or at least put in a good imitation of where it was.
"Where's my case?" she asked the bus driver.
"Is your name Ms. Mason?" he asked.
"Yes…"
"It's already been taken up to your room. I thought you knew that already," the bellhop said in a British accent. "Please excuse the inconvenience."
'Uh… what room?"
"Did you not find out the number from your… husband?"
"What, I'm not married," she laughed.
"Oh, pardon! Well I must be mistaken."
"I'll just confirm it at the front desk," Terri said, bustling in after the bulk of the road crew had gone in. Keys were handed out over the desk by the harrowed desk clerk to the supervisors, who in turn handed them out to their various road units. Finally, everyone began to file into the elevators to go up. Terri slipped as unobtrusively to the front desk and asked for her hotel reservation.
"Ms. Mason? Ah yes, your husband… he has already checked in."
"Uh… excuse me?" she asked.
"Suite number two, penthouse?" he said. "That is what it says here."
"Oh… sorry I'm just confused myself," she said in half relief. None of the guys in the band ever signed in under their real names. They used monikers to stop any nosy groupies from finding out where they were staying.
"I'm gonna kill him," she muttered to herself when it registered what name Gene had used.
"Just this way, Ma'am," the desk clerk said, waving down a bellhop to take her duffel bag and lead the way.
"It's no problem I can…"
"It's our job to serve you," the clerk waved dismissively. Shaking her head, she followed him up to the private elevator, and into another world.
She brooded over all the rumors that she had overhead by the time they reached the top floor. A ding from the elevator announced their arrival, and a gentle urging from the bellhop. He led the way along a sumptuous hallway, with white carpet underfoot, and Renascence wallpaper and gilded ornamentation along the walls. Very Louis 16th, she sighed. Mirrors were set at intervals along the white painted doors, of which there were limited numbers. He stopped and knocked at one, and listened for the call from within. Opening the door, he indicated the way with a polite wave of his hand, and followed her in.
"Oh God this is much," she gasped, realizing the size of the suite. Granted she had been in others for the tour. However, this place blew her away. A large HDTV, complete with DVD player and Nintendo system dominated the sitting area, opposite a small kitchen suite with wet bar. Rich piled carpet; paintings and flowers in ornate vases dominated the decor, near a fireplace. She heard a dry cough from the bellhop who was still there just at the door, holding out a hand.
"Oops, sorry," she groaned, and started to dig through her purse. Just then, the door across the sitting room of the suite opened, and he walked out confidently from what must be the bedroom.
"Terri, there you are, sweetheart," Gene smiled as he strode up to her and took her in his arms. Fresh from the showers backstage he was dressed in bluejeans, flannel shirt and boots. That smell of cologne mingled with fabric softener drove her wild, and she gladly accepted the soft kiss of greeting.
"Remind me to kill you later… for unauthorized use of my name, without letting me know," she rested a hand on her hip and shot his a momentary sour face.
"You know the rules. I couldn't very well use Rusty Blade!" Gene joked.
"You could have in tribute to Eric," she teased back. "But now you're going to have to pay the penalty…"
"First things first, sweetheart," Gene winked, squeezing her hand as he turned to the very patient bellhop. Reaching into his jeans he extracted his wallet, and fished out a few bills. Nodding, the bellhop smiled politely and backed out the door.
"I thought this day would never end," Terri yawned, stretching as she wandered over and settled down on the sofa. She placed her feet on the coffee table, and lay back her head, shutting her eyes. Gene moved behind her, rubbing her temples gently with his fingers as he pressed another kiss to her lips.
"Same here. No matter how many times I come to Europe, it's the same damn jet lag…"
"Australia wasn't so bad," Terri glanced up at him. "But Tokyo…"
"You loved Tokyo, especially visiting those Anime studios, as I recall to see the making of Outlaw Star," Gene smiled, and moved around the sofa to sit next to her. Letting out a groan he stretched, and let his arm fall around her shoulder, pulling her close. She lay her head on his chest, simply allowing herself the simple pleasure of listening to his heartbeat. Closing her eyes, she shut out the opulence of the suite for a few minutes.
"I hope you're hungry, dinner should be here soon… and I know I'm famished…" he said, stroking her hair aside of her ear as he pressed a kiss to it.
"There's one thing I'm famished for," she laughed, and peered up into his dark eyes. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she pressed a kiss to his lips. His sigh rushed into her mouth at the feel of her fingers tracing through his hair, undoing the hairholder that kept his hair pulled back. She didn’t' give a damn that his hairline was receding, he was glad to realize.
The knock at the door caused him to break the kiss shortly. He smiled his apology and shouted out a response. At first the man peered at him oddly, speaking in what sounded like something in a Slavic language.
"What's he saying?" Terri asked.
"Holy shit, he's apologizing in some broken French. Here, let me handle this," Gene muttered. He spoke something in what sounded like the same language, and the man's face brightened up.
"He's Hungarian," Gene explained to Terri. "Regular guy on day shift's gone, so he's the only guy they could get this time of night. Go figure!"
She forgot this was Gene's native tongue. While he was fluent in Hungarian, German, English, Spanish, Hebrew, and several others, she was glad she had been able to know German passably. The door opened, to reveal a while coated hotel staff, pulling a cart behind him.
"I might have known," she laughed. "Room service!"
"Well this is a five star place, and I was curious to see what they had to offer," Gene said, beckoning the server to push the cart and park it over by the sofa in front of the HDTV. He again extracted his wallet and paid the man, while Terri tried not to look at how many bills he peeled out of the wad of cash he'd produced. It was better not to even ask about some things; she had learned early on.
When they were alone again, Terri couldn't help but be astonished at the menu selection. She was glad for the fruit platter and extensive entrée choice, but lobster and prime rib as main choices blew her away even tonight. Even the desserts seemed like something that was only two steps from being completely decadent. Cheesecake, Black Forest cherry cake, and number of other confectionery delights were there as well.
"Did you order everything on the menu?" she joked when he indicated she should dig in.
"Well it has been a long day," he grinned, and that hungry gaze filled his dark eyes that drove her wild. Terri was glad she wasn't allergic to lobster! Each bit dipped in butter melted literally in her mouth, and filled the ravenous urging inside. On the other hand, that was only one of the ravenous urgings she desired to be quelled.
Gene glanced up from his meal at Terri, who had been rather silent. "Are you all right, sweetheart? You're awful quiet all of a sudden. Is everything …"
"It's incredible," she said through a mouthful of lobster. He cut off a piece of prime rib, and presented it to her on a fork, and she nibbled a bit of it half-heartedly.
"If it's too rare I'll have them do it up again," Gene said with some concern. "I like it a bit rarer then you do I'm afraid."
"No, don't bother, it's fine," she held up a hand. Concern darkened his gaze when he saw the faraway look in hers, and he leaned closer. He put the plate down on the coffee table, and stroked a hand up her thigh.
"Hey… are you okay… c'mon now, you know you can't pull things over on me, doll… so out with it…"
"You are too clever sometimes," Terri sighed. "Well, I was overhearing something today, and well it made me uncomfortable…"
"What did you overhear?" Gene asked, concern sparkling into a hint of anger.
"Nothing major, just two road crew guys… I mean they didn't know I was there, but this is the fourth time in three days that I've been nagged about being the 'Demon's woman'…"
"So, is that a crime?" Gene laughed, pressing a kiss to her lips. She stiffened in his embrace, and he pulled back with concern.
"It's not funny Gene. They know we're together, and I think people are resenting the fact that I am who I am."
"It's none of their fucking business," Gene said firmly. "So just let it ride."
"Easy for you to say, you don't have them up your butt all day," she sighed.
"Hey, you and I faced this shit before, remember?" Gene said, taking her hand. "It's just something that goes with the territory. Just ignore them. If they get to be a pain in the ass, you tell me about them and…"
"Gene, you can't fire everyone that says something about you and me!" Terri groaned.
"The hell I can!" Gene snapped stubbornly. "Just watch me!"
"Gene, that's not necessary, please! I don't want to make this a big deal I just…"
"Terri, you're my girlfriend, and that's a fact. They're just gonna have to live with it and deal," Gene told her. "Now…"
"Gene, it's not just that, it's all this," she said slowly. "I mean… I'm terribly flattered by all this… but it's… well… what am I supposed to say when they bitch and whine about eating cold sandwiches when I had lobster?"
"Well, that's up to you," Gene said. "I can't stop how I feel about you, and this is my way of showing it…"
'You spoil me rotten," she groaned.
"I love to spoil you rotten," he said seductively, voice deepening. "You know that's who I am…"
"You're as bad as Paul!" she sighed.
"No, I'm worse," Gene laughed, and pulled her into his arms. Terri pressed her lips into his that descended, devouring the hungry kiss that seared her mouth. Reaching over, he grabbed her legs, pulled them across his, and boosted her into his lap. He pulled off her glasses and tossed them neatly onto the table as he felt her kiss returning the passion. Effortlessly he reached under her knees and back, and lifted her up as he got up from the sofa.
"Now I know you're completely rotten," she laughed as he carried her into the back bedroom. Soft candlelight flickered from the bedside tables flanking their destination. The king sized bed was not the size of the one they shared at home, but it was still large compared to those that the road crew had to double up in. When he lay her down, she felt the soft mattress press against her tired back. Gene wrapped himself around her for a moment, resting his weight on her as his tongue thrust hungrily into her waiting mouth. It never ceased to amaze her how he still had stamina enough to go so far after a full night of performing. She well guessed he must have had one or two groupies, for she released what she had her hand closed around and held it up before him as his kiss broke.
"Hmm, I wondered what happened to that," he joked, as she held up a pair of pink lace thongs before his eyes. He sat up on her, straddling her hips with those marvelous thighs.
"I take it these aren't yours?" she said with a serious look.
"Well, I can't help it! I was hungry, and besides, I missed you backstage," he pretended to whine.
"Any pictures?" she asked with a wry smile, fingering the underwear thoughtfully.
"She wouldn't stay still long enough," Gene joked. "But I hope…"
"Gene, I could give a damn less," Terri laughed, and threw the underwear away. "Just don't tell me about it okay? Not tonight."
"I promise…" Gene held a hand over his heart. "Cross my heart and hope to die."
"Just give them to some roadie to play with," Terri chuckled as he began to pull her T-shirt up and over her head. She raised her arms so he could easily divest her of the garment. Soft kisses rained on her chest as he explored her as if for the first time. He reached around and unfastened her bra, lips not leaving hers. One she was free he buried his face in her chest, tongue working over her sweat soaked body. As she reached down to tease him he stopped her with one hand saying, "Nuh uh, little girl, it's my turn to please you tonight."
Before long, they continued the exploration under the sheets. She glanced past the massive form of Gene's body bent over hers to the mirror in the dresser opposite. Terri had to admit she did still enjoy watching herself being ravaged and made love to by someone many women would consider their ultimate dream. A sort of mean gladness filled her as Gene lowered his face to taste her passionate juices for the first time that night, and her fingers worked into his hair. Her ankles slid over his shoulder blades as she lay back and let the first wave hit. Gene then moved up, and lowered himself to lie on top of her, pressing another passion filled kiss to her mouth. She tasted herself on his perfect lips, and wrapped herself around him.
"Mm, Gene that feels so good," she got out, pulling out of the kiss as she had him trapped there in her arms and legs. Small fingers tunneled through his hair, playing with it in ways that drove him wild.
"I like how you said my name just now," he whispered back, breathe tickling her ear. She struggled to stifle a yawn, but it would not be denied.
"Sorry…"
"I'll take it easy tonight," he promised. "We both know that damn jet lag is murder."
"Don't stop on my account," she pleaded. He smiled wickedly, and started to tease her. She opened her mouth to say something because she realized there was something different this time. However, when he plunged in with his first strong thrust she knew what it was.
"Oh sweetheart I've waited all day for this," he gritted, working hard and fast, then stopping as his dark eyes shut. Taking most of the weight of his body on his bent knees, he rose off his wrists to knead her swollen breasts. The expert touch sent another wave of pleasure tingling across her, bringing her closer to the verge then the mere thrusting alone.
Under him she trembled, and tensed. There was no barrier between them this time! As her next wave almost subsided, he resumed his thrusting, judging the right timing from the pleasure flickering over her changing expressions. His even sure touch was expert, honed by thousands of romantic and sexual conquests. There was much to be said for being with such experience.
"You with me, sweetheart?" he asked, stopping for a moment, hands bracing on either side of her face for balance now. Their bodies were intimately joined, and not for the first time, he initiated a conversation while in the throws of lovemaking. One hand slipped down and gently found her pleasure center, stroking for added stimulation to bring her to the same point as he in the journey.
"Oh god yes," she whimpered. "But aren't you forgetting something?"
"I see very little I'm forgetting this time, little girl," he joked back, a self-satisfied grin on his face.
"Protection?" she asked with a slow smile of amusement.
"From what? Me?" he joked, but she knew he knew well what she meant.
"I don't always feel you, like this… skin to skin," she said, glancing up at him with her face flushing in embarrassment. Gene laughed lightly at how beautifully she blushed.
"You have nothing to worry about, you know," Gene told her, stroking her cheek. "I don't do this with just anyone… despite what the media might think."
"I know," Terri nodded. "Considering you still alive and still sane."
"Nice one," he laughed back. Then he stopped, and looked deep into her eyes again. "Do you want me to get one this time?"
"No I'm prepared," she whispered up to Gene. Sometime before the beginning of the show, she'd slipped in her own barrier, grumbling as she had struggled to get it in. Unfortunately, it didn't always sit right without some messing about, and she felt loath to check if it was in place now.
"You sure?" Gene asked again.
"Yes… please… let's just go ahead," Terri whispered, kissing him softly.
"You know you don't have to worry about any diseases love…" Gene told her.
Terri burst out laughing and instead of shrinking away, Gene urged her to share the joke. Finally, she breathed in and out to gain control of herself again.
"Gene's clean," she joked. "I couldn't help but remember that line Peter had in Phantom of the Park!"
"Very funny, little girl!" Gene growled playfully. "Now, where were we?"
Normally Gene used condoms, and she had used the pill. It was more out of a sense of protection from venereal diseases at first. For a time, she had been on the Pill, and Gene had shifted to doing without sometimes. Unfortunately, the pill had undesirable side effects for Terri, and she opted to go off it after six months. About a month or so before this trip, she had taken her last birth control pill, opting for using a diaphragm. Gene switched back to fulltime use of condoms, and she had succumbed to the irregularity that resulted from her body coming down off the hormones.
It made her choke to realize the level of trust they'd reached. For a moment her mind wandered back to that shower, she had taken with Paul so long ago. How they had forgotten the precious protection, and she had felt a man inside her, skin to skin. But that level of trust she had placed in Paul was equal to that which she placed in Gene now and he in her.
They reached their release together, and she felt the
massive hot surge of his excitement entering inside her for a change. It
was an odd sensation, and she drank it in, finally letting the last bits
of tension fade from her body in the loud scream of release.
Chapter 2
Next morning, she was loath to get up out of the expansive bed. Terri raised her head from a soft pillow and peered at the digital alarm. How soundly she had slept, she realized, before the numerical values of the time really registered in her brain. Flickering red digits spelled out 10 AM, and she slowly straightened up. Granted she wasn't due back at the arena until one, like the other pyros. Nevertheless, the other road crew would have to be up at eight.
"What's wrong baby?" Gene muttered sleepily as his hand closed around her arm. He pulled her back down into the bed with him.
"I have to go soon," she said, raising herself off him again. "Due back at the complex in two hours…"
"Relax, who's gonna care?" he responded, tugging her once more into the comforts of the bed.
"Allison, and her supervisor for one, Gene," Terri answered, playfully wrestling with him for a moment. Finally Gene let her go, and she rose from the bed. He watched as she swathed her nude form in one of the many silk bathrobes he'd given her, and walked into the bathroom off the suite's master bedroom.
There was enough time to get a shower, and have a late breakfast she reasoned out as she started the water. She wasn't at all surprised at the sound of the shower stall opening behind her. Alternatively, the feel of fine hands rubbing soap over her bare back down to her rear with soothing strokes.
"Got room for one more, baby?" he asked her.
"Always," she said, only glancing briefly over her shoulder at him with a slow smile.
"Saves time showering with a buddy," he joked. She turned around with shampoo in hand, and reached up to lather what was on her hands through his hair as well.
"Mmm, hmm," she nodded as he folded her close in soapy arms. They shared a steamy kiss, literally because of the hot vapors that rose around them from the hot shower. He teased her for a moment, and she pulled back to shake a warning finger at him.
"If you keep this up I won't make it out of here alive!" she groaned.
"Just one to remember me by," he laughed, pulling her hips to his again.
"You make it sound like I'm going away somewhere!" Terri laughed as he resumed his teasing, soaping the washcloth and rubbing the cloth up the inner surface of her thigh.
"Right now the only place you're going is where I'm going to take you, baby," Gene chuckled, laughter echoing in the shower. Turning in his arms, Terri pressed herself close, and Gene pulled her up into his arms. Pinning her to the wall, he sealed his lips to hers, and she wrapped herself around him. Quickly they brought each other to the brink of passion and back. It was swift and quick this time, satiating their passions and hungers in one fell swoop. Passion echoed in the acoustic shower as they let their releases be known in their cries.
Within her, she felt him move one last time, and they remained fused into one organism. Panting, they let their breathing slow with their heartbeats pounding close. Only the flesh and bone of their chests separated them in such a close proximity. One last time Gene kissed her and released her from where he'd pinned her against the tile.
Quietly they set to work cleaning each other off in the shower, neither one wanting to spoil how good they felt now. There would be time later to pick up where they left off. Terri said nothing about the sticky feeling inside that she had only felt once before. Surely once wouldn't matter now, would it?
Gene got out first, and she saw his body swirled behind the glass of the frosted doors. He wrapped a bathrobe about him, and she saw him pulling another down for her. Leaning out, she saw him holding up a towel for her to step into. His eyes bade her to remain silent, while he vigorously rubbed her dry, and handed her back the robe she had entered the room wearing. Quickly he set about shaving and the other routines of his day while she hunted for her razor.
"Damn, where is it," she wondered. Gene tossed her something from his bag, and she saw that it was her own electric razor.
"Sorry I was shaving with it by mistake," he apologized, finding his own. Laughing she rested her leg on the side of the tub, and began to lather her legs. Finishing his shaving, Gene quickly brushed his teeth. He had moved out into the bedroom to dress while she lathered her other leg.
Something caught her eye when she glanced back to grab the lotion. Her breath drew in sharply when she opened the case for her diaphragm, and saw that it was already in place. For a time her heart pounded, feeling the strange sensation up inside her. Two and two added into four within her brain, and she almost panicked for a second.
"Oh damn… I forgot…" she groaned, putting a hand to her head.
"Terri, have you seen my necklace?" Gene shouted from the other room. "The dagger one?"
"No… I haven't," she shouted back, catching her breath. "Did you look on the bedside table?"
"Never mind!" came his reply. "Got it!"
"I don't see why you need it, you're only gonna change tonight anyway!" she shouted.
"What?" he asked, leaning in, already clad in jeans and a button up shirt. Seeing the panicked look on her face, he moved over to her. "Is something wrong?"
"Uh… no…" Terri replied. "And you make me sick, getting ready before me!"
"Want a little help?" he joked, pulling his hair back and fastening it with one of Terri's spare hairholders.
"Very funny," Terri said. "I'll do fine by myself. We don't need any more… distractions…"
"Suit yourself," Gene laughed, and turned to leave. He suddenly winced when he heard a crack and felt something zing him in the backside. Turning quickly, he saw Terri innocently wringing a towel between her hands, looking away.
"You little devil you," he laughed, and scooped her up. "You're going to pay for that, little girl!"
She shrieked as he caught her up, tickling her against his body. Bare skin and terrycloth pressed up against the slick leather of his pants and flannel shirt, a strange sensation. He carried her into the other room, towel, robe and all. Dumping her on the bed, he trapped her knees against his legs, and pressed a slow burning kiss to her lips.
Under him she squirmed, and he pulled away, "You're not getting out of it that easily," he teased.
"You're going to be late too, for breakfast, smarty," she told him, pointing to the clock. Already it was eleven, and Gene groaned. "Doesn’t the buffet close at twelve?"
"Yeah, but there's room service," he grinned again, pinning her under him with a wicked gleam in his eyes. He never quit sometimes, she inwardly groaned. Not that she cared if she ever left the room, but she would like to be able to walk straight today!
"Do you want me to set a bad example to the rest of the road crew? And I'll have to hand Allison my ass?" Terri asked.
"You win, for now. But tonight it's payback time," he winked, and let her go. As she got up, he tossed a pair of bluejeans and her polo road crew shirt at her with a pair of her underwear. She began to dress while he sat on the bed, and pulled on his leather boots.
*********************************************
Finally the limo carrying them both arrived, and Gene helped her to get out. She slung her backpack over her shoulder and they walked into the music center together. Castle Donnington loomed overhead, and the large tent with its vast expanse spread overhead. Trailers had been set up behind the huge stage, and an enormous billboard with Eric Carr's portrait graced the backdrop near the twin KISS logos.
"This is where I get off," she joked as she saw the bus pull up. Gene leaned over and pressed a soft kiss to her lips, pulling her against him. She pulled reluctantly away, whispering, "I have a job to do… remember?"
"So do I. See you later, all right?" he whispered back. A moment later and he disappeared into the trailer to meet with the other band members. Terri rushed away to join the line of employees arriving for that day's setup. It wouldn't take as long as yesterday she was glad.
As she walked along, she remembered the momentary panic. She pulled out a small pocket calendar, and saw the X's by several days. She counted back about three weeks, and realized she was almost due for her period.
"Well, I got lucky," she laughed. Any time now she would
probably start. All that worry for nothing. Still she would be more careful
tonight, and insist that it was Gene's turn for protection.
Chapter 3
Work spilled over into an endless blur that was only interrupted at lunchtime around one thirty. Terri practically had to be dragged way from her work by Allison who pointed at her watch.
"Lunch time, girl! C'mon out of space already! You trying to emulate Ace?" she teased.
"Sorry, I'm just working on a new novel in my head."
"Let's go get a sandwich, I'm starving!"
"I don't really feel like it I…"
"C'mon you can't fool me. You have to keep your energy up, girl," Allison teased. Terri shot her a sober look, and her friend's face wrinkled in concern as she dragged her out of the booth.
They wandered down to the canteen a few minutes later, where a few members of road security were already picking up sandwiches. Terri selected a salad, and sat down next to Allison, trying to avoid the gazes of Sam and Roger, two roadies who had been talking about her before.
"Doesn't want to eat our food, does she?" one of them joked.
"Man, egg salad again!" Roger groaned.
"Hey Terri, aren't you gonna eat anything?" Chris teased.
"I'm not hungry," she muttered.
"Too good to eat with the rest of us girl?" Sam joked.
"No way," she sighed, and turned her attention to the notebook she pulled out. "I had a large breakfast…"
"Well I had egg salad last night," Roger said loudly to Sam. "You?"
"Pastrami on rye, cold cuts and those chips. How about you Chris…"
"The chicken salad…"
"And how about you, Terri?" Sam asked, looking pointedly at her.
"Uh, this and that," Terri answered, not liking the way they were looking at her at all.
"Well, not all of us can have lobster every night, can we?" Sam joked to Roger.
"Seafood makes me ill," Terri responded, and was about to get up, when Allison pulled her down again.
"Really? That's not what I heard," Same said.
"And what precisely did you guys hear?" Terri demanded, voice raising.
"Oh nothing you don't already know," Roger said quickly, both of them looking very uncomfortable as her dark brown eyes fixed them in a 'go to hell stare' they knew all too well from someone else.
"Whoa… if looks could kill…" Chris laughed, trying to break the tension.
"Uh I gotta get back to work," Terri said, and got up, throwing her notebook into her bag before Allison could stop her.
"But Terri…"
"You know how the supervisor hates it if we're late," Terri said hastily, wanting to be very far away from Sam and Roger as possible.
Allison rushed after her, and grabbed her shoulder. Terri kept on walking, down the hall to the main stage where the pyros were kept. Throwing her bag in the secure area, she began to pick up the loads of chemical flash powder and carry them onstage. Allison grabbed a crate of small pyros and rushed after her.
"Terri… look girl…what's wrong…"
"Nothing," Terri answered. "Can we just get to work please?"
"They were just jerking you around girl! You don't have to give them that death stare, for crying out loud…"
"I could give a shit less what they meant. I don't like games," Terri practically growled back.
"Whoa, girl, calm down! Who died and made you a type A!"
"I thought you wanted me to help you lay the main flashes!"
"I do but you don't have to be so damned serious!"
"Allison, they are up my butt like something else. Eventually I'm gonna snap someone's head off," Terri gritted.
"Don't let them bug you. They gave me shit when I dated him too, remember?" Allison said. "You can't let it bother you."
"Easy for you to say, you're not sleeping with the boss and eating lobster while they're eating leftovers…"
"I know but its not that bad…" Allison began, but shut up when Sam and Roger walked past and cast Terri a rather sheepish look.
Minutes later the sequence was ready to be tested. Gene and Paul happened to walk by, glancing at the relays as Terri and Allison wired them up. "All right, standby to fire," Allison called. "On my mark… main two, three and…"
Terri's hand jerked when Gene winked at her, and she lost her concentration as her hand hit the wrong switch. He continued backstage, his rear swaying seductively as she lost her control. Premature bangs and flashes slammed into the air prematurely.
"Wait! Not that set!" Allison shrieked. Nervously Terri's hand hit the flashpot switch, and flames blazed up inches from Sam and Roger who were pulling Gene's Punisher bass into position.
"What the hell are you doing?" Sam shouted. "Trying to fucking kill us?"
"Terri… get with it!" Allison cried.
"Sorry!"
"That's gonna have to be laid again!" she sighed.
"I'll get onto it," Terri muttered, and rushed backstage. She grabbed another stack of boxes, and almost blundered into Roger who was walking with part of Peter's drum kit.
"Oops," he said, when the pyro box tipped over, spewing a bunch of charges onto the stage. Terri leapt back with a squeal of alarm, as a few exploded upon impact.
"Shit," she snapped, and cleared up the rest.
"Hey, save it for tonight," Roger joked, maneuvering Peter's tom-tom into place as he hefted it up onto the main riser that would levitate. Terri flushed back her embarrassment as she started placing the charges around Peter's riser. Taking the trigger wires, she took the ends from Allison, and began to reel out the long intricate maze of triggers and tape them down one by one as Allison recharged the flashpots.
The supervisor, Ed, suddenly stormed onstage, eyes dark with annoyance, as he demanded, "What the hell was that fucking noise?"
"Uh, one of the firebugs," Sam said, pointing over in Allison and Terri's direction.
"We're on a tight schedule, I don't want the damn place burning down!" Ed snapped, storming over to where the trip wires were being laid. His boot got tangled up and he almost tripped and fell over. Just in time he righted himself, and snarled.
"All right, who left this here?" he asked.
"Uh… I did," Terri said. "I was just about to tape them back… but since the pyros detonated…"
"Don't you realize how dangerous that is?" Ed snapped at her. "We're already behind as it is!"
"I'm sorry, I just was trying to make sure that the charges were in place on Peter's riser before the triggers were set… then Allison needed help with the relays on Ace's instrument…"
"There's no excuse for leaving shit laying around here lose without some warning," Ed grumbled, and turned back to Roger, who was holding his Punisher in one hand.
"Hey, watch it! Gene just had that thing restrung," he yelled, and stormed away from where Terri stood fuming. He launched into a tirade at Roger about a scratch or two and Terri felt something snap inside. The last straw came when Gene turned back in their direction, all set to complain about something else.
"Geez, would you just calm down?" Terri shouted back. "We're all very much aware of the deadline, thank you! We're not deliberately trying to destroy the stage, you know!"
He whirled about, eyes flickering with anger as he saw the source of the voice. She had gotten a taste of the type A, and it was something she didn't particularly care fore. "Well if some people would do their jobs properly we wouldn't be behind," he snapped back.
"Well if some people didn't have other people riding their asses at simple mistakes, then we'd have no course to fall behind," Terri retorted, before realizing just what she had said. "Is busting on Sam and us worth risking when it could compromise the quality of our work!"
"You stick to your job, and I'll stick to mine," Ed yelled at her. "Got it!"
"Perfectly loud and clear," she muttered back, and turned away from him. "And if you're quite done, I have to get back to what I’m doing!"
Allison and the others were riveted to the scene. That look of shock on Ed's face was priceless when Terri turned away from him. He opened his mouth to spit out another rejoinder, but clamped it shut seconds later. Fuming, he turned heel and stormed offstage, cursing under his breath.
"Whoa, you really rattled his cage," Sam shook his head. "Shit!"
"You realize if you weren't who you were he'd have fired your ass for that?" Roger asked.
"I was sick of him busting on all of us," Terri said. "Especially when we're trying to set up their show… and without us…"
"What you mean to say is because you can get away with this, you spoke back," Sam said. "Not that I don't appreciate it, but he's gonna be pissed all night because of what you said!"
"Yeah blame my ass for everything when I'm trying to save yours, that's gratitude," Terri muttered.
"Guys, shut up and let's get back to work!" Chris barked as he wandered through. Sam and Roger rushed offstage quickly for their next task.
"Terri, you really lost it there," Allison said quietly.
"I shouldn't have opened my big mouth I know it, but he was being an ass," Terri said slowly.
"Well it was nice of you, but I think you just poured gas on the fire. Now Ed's gonna be in a bad mood, and he might even make it worse for us."
"Well I feel guilty enough as it is, thank you very much. Care to tell me anything else I can screw up today?" Terri muttered sarcastically.
"Terri I'm sorry I…"
"Save it Allison. I just… let's just get back to work okay and drop it…"
"Okay," Allison nodded, and bit her lip. Neither of them noticed that Gene and Paul had witnessed the act itself. It was all that Gene could do to hold himself back and let Terri deal with it herself. It was her battle after all.
As Ed stormed into the backstage area, he felt someone's hand clamp down on his shoulder. "May I have a word with you?" Gene asked levelly.
"Glad to find you. You won't believe the nerve of those road crew…" Ed began, but seeing the look in Gene's darkening gaze, he stopped in mid sentence.
"You and I have to have a little chat, Ed," Gene said quietly, voice with a hint of a growl.
*******************************************************************
Her foul mood continued as she readied herself for the evening performance, and sat behind the switchboard. Everything thankfully went off without so much as a hitch, and she found herself tuning out most of the performance anyway. It was a two concert run for London, and Terri would be thankful when it was over, and she could get some time off to quickly go to the convention. She after all was one of the gusts invited, and it would be a simple matter of slipping away during one of the three days off between London and Paris.
Still it would be a shame to miss the whole convention, and meeting the other writers on the Friday Meet and Greet, which was tomorrow. Many the best times happened then, while the panel was on a Saturday, and the book signing the following evening. Then Sunday was the last round of panels and Sunday night was the huge sendoff bash for one of the largest SF conventions in Europe.
"Terri, ready for the finale?" Allison asked. Terri bit her tongue and nodded, feeling her jaw clench. Allison suppressed the sigh and both women moved into readiness. This last bit had to fly just right, their hands dancing in choreographed movements over the switches. Pyro after Pyro exploded right on cue, and Terri heaved a huge sigh of relief as Rock and Roll All Night ended.
Chris came in, and glanced at Terri. However, Terri deliberately ignored him. Even when he moved over and tapped her shoulder while she busied herself over the breakdown, she kept her attention at her work.
"Gloria needs…"
"Oh please, give it a rest," Terri snapped irritably. "They can wait, damn it. I have to break down for crying aloud!"
"Well if you really want but…"
"Then he'll just have to be disappointed then. Tell him I'm helping with breakdown so we're not going to be late leaving tomorrow."
"But…"
"Oh tell him whatever you want," Terri sighed. "I'm sorry. I'm having a bad day."
"Chris, could you leave us alone?" Allison asked. "I really do need Terri's help on cleanup."
"Okay I'll let them know," Chris said, moving out of the room and closing the door. Terri plopped down in her seat, and buried her head in her hands.
"Hey, girlfriend. Wanna talk about it?"
"No," Terri sighed.
"Well let's start in here…" Allison nodded. They began the laborious process of breaking down the kit and moving stuff into place. She knew that Gene was most likely wondering why she wasn't there. But it wasn't like he didn't have company, because any time now Chris and Joe were selecting the girls who were to be invited backstage to meet the band. Gene would likely go back to the hotel and take his choice with him, and she didn't even feel like dealing with it right now.
Two hours of breakdown followed as they packed everything away. Sam and Roger said nothing to her as they passed her, and there was no other tittering or gossip she could hear. The silence was almost worse then the gossip and whispers. She managed to tune out enough so she didn't burst into tears. Finally everything was completed, and the exhausted crews were ready to go to their hotel for the night.
Terri rode back with the group, pulling out her notebook. She scribbled down the mess of anger she carried in her brain, trying to put words to uncomfortable feelings. How had it gotten to be so uncomfortable, she wondered? When she was on tour before this with Gene, it was fun waiting for those rendezvous after each show. Now it was just a chore. She found herself getting angry at the thought of the girls that she saw being brought into the hotel with the roadies and road security. Even worse was the roadie's girlfriends who ran out to greet the mostly male road crew and technicians as they approached the hotel. Terri wandered past the desk clerk and into the pub part of the hotel.
"A pint of bitter please," she said to the bartender, putting down two pound coins. He pressed a foaming glass of house ale into her hand, and she took a small sip. Pulling out her notebook, she began to write again. Sounds of the local radio station blared over the nicely sized pub, and she slowly began to relax. A few people giggled as they moved by, and she noticed British fans in makeup and costumes wandering in and out of the hotel lobby. She laughed to herself and shoved her security pass away and pulled her leather jacket more securely around her to hide the KISS logo on her polo shirt.
"Let 'em wonder," she muttered.
"I wonder if there are here," one woman said to her significant other. Terri glanced at a couple sitting at the table with two young girls. One of them was in Cat makeup, and a tight black dress, while the other woman was in tight jeans and a Farewell Tour shirt. She had no makeup on, except dark mascara and long bleach blond hair. The older couple, who appeared in their thirties or early forties were in black T shirts, the woman in a Paul Stanley solo shirt, and the man in a Gene Simmons firebreathing jersey. Other KISS fans wandered up to the front desk, as if they were trying to figure out a way into the inner sanctum.
Terri began to laugh hysterically, wiping the tears from her eyes as she scribbled down more for chapter 9 of her book. Glancing at the entrance of the bar, she could see someone being led past the desk to what must be the executive elevator. Several girls, one with long jet black hair and Demon makeup in a tight black number with fishnet stockings strode next to what looked like Joe or Chris, while her companion was in a knee length black leather skirt and Reunion tour shirt, in Ace makeup. They were being led up to the hotel rooms no doubt. Especially one in the company of Joe.
Laughing, she ordered another pint of bitter, and settled down to start chapter 10. It was relaxing, and a good distraction from the green-eyed monster in her gut. She heard the chitchat of other KISS fans, and she felt someone sitting next to her at the bar.
"This seat taken luv?" a softly accented voice asked.
"It is now," Terri said, glancing up into the handsome features of the Englishman, in leather and a Gene Simmons solo shirt. The design was unfamiliar to her, and most likely homemade. His painted face made her chuckle, especially the black lipstick, and the topknot of hair which was clearly a cheap wig.
"Hope I didn’t give you a turn," he laughed.
"Not at all," she laughed. "Everyone's probably the same because of the concert…"
"You're a fan?" he asked, glancing down at her hand. She pulled it back when she noticed the dragon ring was obvious on her left hand poised on the pint of bitter.
"Yes…" she smiled back. "I guess you guys in England are glad they came bye for a last KISS…"
"I saved up for months for tickets," he nodded eagerly. "Did you get to the show?"
"Both nights," Terri said, realizing he had no idea who he was talking to.
"Incredible, isn't it. May I ask where you got such an unusual ring? It looks just like the one Gene Simmons always wears."
"Someone very close to me gave it to me," she said.
"Lucky girl. Your guy with you tonight?"
"He's… occupied," Terri said.
"Shame. Any man who would leave an attractive girl like you alone at a bar has to have his head examined," the Gene fan sniffed.
"That's sweet," Terri flushed, liking the attention of the blue eyes fixing into hers. She met his gaze with hers, turning up the smolder a bit. "And I might ask you the same…"
"She's not really a fan…"
"I meet more KISS fans who have spouses or dates who aren't. What's up with that?" Terri asked him. "If KISS is your passion… your life…"
"She doesn't get it. But I take it you do. Not every girl would have a ring like that."
"What's your name?" Terri asked.
"Steve. Sorry I took things out of turn…. And yours?"
"Terri," she said.
"Come to London all for two sold out shows," he smiled, the corners of his dark lipstick pulling up. "You really are an Army Gal!"
"And you're local?"
"Just about. If I was caught like this on the job, they'd really lose it!"
"Where do you work?"
"I'm a chemist at this company called Lonza, in Birmingham," he laughed.
"Not many KISS fans, who are chemists," Terri looked down, feeling the lump forming in her throat. His eyes walked all over the curves of her face; even peering at her legs propped up on the rung of the barstool. She loved the attention she was getting, as he brushed his shoulder against hers and asked her about herself.
"I write science fiction," she said. "In fact I'm working on my latest book now…"
"How intriguing. Published anything yet?"
"A Dr. Who novel called the Geological Conundrum . And I know that you're going to know what that is…"
"You don't say. An American writing a Who novel? Now that's unique! And a you're a diehard KISS fan too!"
"Yes," she sighed, and turned away, taking a sip of beer to drown away the next lump that formed in her throat.
"So why are you so sad? I mean two concerts with the hottest band in the world! I would be over the moon… I mean I am now."
"I… well… got into an argument with my boyfriend," Terri said slowly, face flushing.
"His mistake then," Steve smiled, and rested his hand on hers. "Care to talk about it?"
"Well it's complicated and I…"
"Terri!" Joe shouted across the bar. "There you are!"
"Uh… I’m sorry… excuse me a minute," Terri told Steve, and rushed over to Joe, bag and notebook in hand. Joe rested a hand on his hip, and looked frantic.
"Where were you? Gene was giving me hell trying to find you…"
"Didn't I just see you escort a groupie up to his room?" Terri asked back. "I don't see why he'd miss me…"
Joe groaned, "That wasn't for Gene! It was for Eric. Terri, he's worried sick about you! You have to come now… or there will be hell to pay!"
"That's not fair of him," she snapped, anger filling her face. She stormed out of the bar, and marched right past the desk, the sick feeling building up in her stomach.
"Hey I'm just doing my job!"
"I don't want you to get canned or hell at my expense," Terri grumbled, getting into the elevator by a slightly relieved Joe. They walked down the hall quickly to Gene's room, and Terri didn't even bother to let him knock on the door for her.
There came a shout of acknowledgement from within, and Joe opened the door. Barely were the words, "I found her," out of his mouth then Terri stormed over to where Gene was sitting in front of the television. He rose quietly, and faced them both.
"Thank you Joe, for bringing her here," he said. "You can take off now."
"Thanks Gene," Joe said, heaving a sigh of relief. "Let me know if you need anything else."
Silence passed between Terri and Gene as she looked at the far wall, not making eye contact. His hand closed around her arm, not firmly, but gently as he asked, "Where the hell were you? I was worried sick."
"I was just having a drink, that's all… Thought you were with a groupie and I didn't wanna get in your way."
"Sweetheart, you weren't in my way," Gene said firmly. "I was looking forward to a quiet dinner with my lady. Then I had no idea where the hell you were. Why didn't you come backstage?"
"I thought Chris told you that I had to help Allison," Terri said equally firmly, glaring at Gene. "I have to do my job!"
"Terri, I can understand if you're pissed off about this afternoon. That supervisor was just having a bad day. Sometimes he just blows off steam. You handled him quite well on your own!"
"But he was riding everyone's ass!" Terri shot back. "I just can't believe how he came down like a ton of bricks on everyone for some stupid little mistake!"
"Look, you've had a hard day, and so have I. Can't we just relax and spend some time together. I'll order us up something nice, you can take a hot bath, slip into something more comfortable, while I slip into something much more comfortable…" Gene purred, that lascivious grin sparkling his eyes. Unfortunately, his pickup line was lost on her this time.
"If you say so," Terri muttered, sitting down on the sofa, and peering at the television. She felt the tears running down her cheeks. She struggled to wipe them away before Gene noticed. Yet, he did anyway.
"Want to tell me what's going on?" he asked, settling next to her. He rested his hands on her shoulders, rubbing them firmly to release the tension from her muscles.
"I'm just tired Gene," she sighed. "Tired of feeling guilty for having privileges the others don't get."
"Is that all?" Gene asked. "Look, it's not something you have to worry about. You just need to get over it and…"
"What if I can't, Gene?" she asked. "I've tried so hard, but it's like I don't fit in anymore! When I'm with you, and the guys, I'll never be a normal person. I can't just forget that I'm Gene Simmon's girlfriend! I can't just hang with the guys and their girls, and have them not know who I am!"
"Who says you have to forget?" Gene asked, raising an eyebrow.
"That's not what I mean… I just…"
"You just what? Tell me," Gene urged.
"Maybe it would be better if I roomed with Allison the rest of the performances… I…"
"Why should you?" he demanded.
"People talking. I just can't overlook that they know about us. About the fact, I get to sleep in the luxury suite while they are jammed into econo rooms. Or that they have to settle for stale chips and cold cuts when I drink Evian water and nibble cheesecake! I'm supposed to be working for you guys, and yet it's painfully obvious I'm not being treated the same! And isn't' it union rules that they get equal treatment…"
"You're working for us, and we have the final say," Gene said firmly. "You're also a friend of the band, and that means you get privileges other's don’t…"
"That's just the way it is then?" Terri asked him.
"Exactly," Gene nodded, seeming satisfied she had finally 'gotten it.' "Now, why don't you let me know what I can do to…"
"I… I'm just not into it," Terri said with a sigh. "I'm just so tired, I just think I'll collapse as soon as my head hits the pillow tonight."
"Hey, that's all right," Gene said slowly, with a sigh. She could still see the disappointment come into his face, and turned her back as she tried valiantly to fight her own tears. The snowball continued to gather momentum as it plummeted down the slope, and she could feel her control fast deserting her. A gentle hand stroked over her shoulder and she felt the warmth of his touch. He rested his chin in her shoulder, holding her close from behind as she began to cry softly.
"Turn around and face me, little girl," he said in a low growl. She turned; pulling off her glasses as she squeezed shut her eyes, and shoved down the sickness in her stomach. His hand tipped her chin, stroking over her cheek softly. Terri buried her face in his chest, crying softly.
"Hey… now, don't cry, sweetheart…" he urged. She broke away, cursing herself for disappointing him further. What was she thinking, she wondered? Whatever she was feeling would not go away, even if they did make love.
"I can't do this. I know you want to make love to me, and I want to also, but knowing they are down there, jealous of what I have here, then having to face them tomorrow," Terri stammered, grabbing her things and throwing them back into her suitcase. "It's too hard!"
"Can't do what, Terri… what's going on here?" Gene asked, gently putting himself between her and the suitcase. "Are you upset because that asshole Ed yelled at you?"
"Yes! And then everyone was pissed at me for stepping in!"
"Well you had every right to. But why didn't you tell me about it?"
"Gene, they all know I'm with you. I just feel awful that I can't hack it, like I used to… I'm just not…. I can't stand there and let them say things about you and me, and expect to live this lie…"
"What lie? Trying to work like an ordinary person… with a job?"
"Yes, I can't go back," she sobbed, and Gene pulled her into his arms. He guided her over to sit down on the sofa, and draped an arm over her.
"Nobody is asking you to," Gene sighed. "Look, I wanted you with me on this last performance… if you don't want to work, you don't have to."
"What am I supposed to do, if I don't work on the tour?"
"Be with me," Gene said simply. "That’s all I expect of you…"
"As your lover?"
"That's enough for me," Gene said slowly. "The only reason I had you working was so you'd feel better. I don't want you to be miserable!"
"I hate it! I just hate being a go alonger. And I remember you once saying to Paul something about not caring for women on the road… it interferes with the groupies… and then when I saw Chris leading those 2 upstairs I thought you were wanting some time alone for one last fling…"
"Aww shit Terri, that wasn't the case at all. I sent him down after you, and the groupies were for Eric and Ace!"
"I feel like a complete and utter fool," Terri groaned.
"Do me a favor and don't," Gene laughed, and stroked a hand up her thigh. "Now, can we get something to eat? I'm famished!"
"Oh man I'm so…"
Gene stopped her apology with a finger to her lips. He grabbed the telephone and punched a few buttons. Soon he had put an order in, despite the late hour.