Watching You

Chapter 7

Gene sighed and stretched as he lay back in the warm water of their hottub. After a hard day's work, he had to find another relaxing pursuit for both of them to do. He hoped to keep her as distracted as possible lately. Terri lay with her legs resting on his, also enjoying the warmth of the bath. Lavender smelling salts bubbled in the water, the dim light of cinnamon scented candles illuminating the expansive bathroom.

"Mm, I really hated to leave this afternoon," Terri apologized, eyes still shut.

"Don't be. You needed to get out of this old house," Gene nudged her.

"I hated leaving when I had made such progress on my next novel…"

"Terri, I'm having a bad influence on you…" he said.

"I thought you liked that fact," she teased.

"Not the type A down to business crap," Gene groaned. "You're even worse then I am! And we're going to have to do something about that if it keeps up, little girl!"

"That's why I'm here now, instead of typing on it tonight," she reminded him, and they both settled down again.

"So I take it you and Veronica had a great time doing girl stuff today?" Gene asked her.

"Don't let her hear you say 'girl stuff'," Terri shot back playfully. "Yeah we had a great time just perusing the alternate bookstore, and then having a quick cappuccino with the poetry reading at Boarders."

"Good, I'm glad."

"How was your day, even though you got a little distracted this morning…" Terri asked him, nudging his thigh with her foot.

"Paul's going to driving me crazy about the new KISS magazine…" Gene sighed, leaning back and letting his legs slid further under hers.

"You got a few new articles from admiring fans?" she joked, nudging him with her foot again. Gene captured her foot in his hand, and slowly started to rub it between his fingers.

"Well just the usual several hundred. We can't print them all, but so far the readers like what we featured… about the Wicked Lester days…"

"If Paul tells that story one more time about you and him performing on the streets of NYC I'll bop him upside the head," Terri laughed.

"I thought you liked that story," Gene nudged her back, taking her other foot and massaging it.

"It changes with each incarnation," Terri chuckled.

"I like seeing you smile again. I was worried for a little bit…" Gene told her.

"What, two minutes?" she rolled her eyes. "I feel fine… really…"

"Good," Gene nodded. "That's what I like to hear…"

"I just wonder what that creep is doing now…" she sighed. "I just hate to think the only place we can do this is inside the home…"

"Hey I thought we agreed we wouldn't talk about that," Gene scolded her, pulling both her feet onto his lap and squeezing them tightly for a second. "Am I going to have to punish you again little girl…"

"Give me a break, I started last time…" she groaned.

"Anything you can start I can finish," he teased.

"Sounds like a challenge, mister."

"You'd better believe it. C'mere…" he urged, and took her hand, pulling her to sit next to him on the other end of the tub. He positioned her in front of him, sitting lower in the water and kneaded her shoulders firmly. She leaned her head back on his chest, groaning with the release of her tension.

"I can't get it out of my head though…" she sighed.

"Let me help you get that off your mind then. If you let it bother you, then it's what they want…"

"I'm sorry Gene…"

"Why are you so preoccupied all of a sudden?" he asked.

"Well, I just remembered I had to make a call to the publisher of my novel for the illustrations on the front cover… and Calen wanted to update me on how her 'plan' was going. Phase three starts tomorrow and I..."

"Make it later, she needs time to work her magic, and I need time to work mine…" Gene said, pulling her down into his lap. He turned her around so she straddled him under the water, so she sat atop him with her chest and belly pressed against his. She was steadily growing larger, but still not showing as obviously as Shannon had been at this point. It was almost four months, and not much of a sign of change, except she had gone up a size in skirt and pants, and her belly was starting to curve out a little more then it usually did.

"You feel anything yet inside?" he asked her.

"It's hard to say. Sometimes I could swear I feel something, but it's just like some sort of a flutter. I often think it's my stomach." Terri said. "Wonder if it is the baby…"

"Could be. But you'll definitely know for sure… in a matter of weeks. Shannon felt Nicholas at around four and a half months. Then around five, it was like the little guy was doing backflips… and she could really start to feel him kicking around. Sophie was so regular we could tell when she was asleep and when she was awake…"

"Really?" Terri muttered. "Hard to imagine. I thought it would creep me out to know something was growing inside of me. But it doesn't…"

"Why should it creep you out?" Gene asked.

"Well, I'm just worried… what if I screw up or do something wrong…"

"You already carried the baby through an accident," Gene said. "And you have your cell phone… besides, didn't you say that your mom never lost a baby?"

"No. But she only had us two. She said considering my hip size and build, I was a good childbearing woman. It was a huge hint for me to start having grandkids I think," Terri rolled her eyes. "I'm surprised. I was thinking I would be a lot heavier. I've gained about 25 pounds so far, and it's all gone to my butt and thighs… but you can't tell it on me!"

"You wear it very well," he said, his hand stroking over her belly. "Shannon really showed at about five months. It was like she gained twenty pounds overnight…"

"Twenty two weeks," Terri said. "Baby's the right size on the last sonar."

Their hands interlaced overtop her stomach, and Terri sat there very still. She felt the lapping of the hottub, set to a less hotter temperature, and the coolness of the air. Her stomach was full and sated, but she could swear what she was feeling was perhaps the movement of something in her large intestines. But it seems to be up front and lower, as if a butterfly had been trapped. She had felt it before, but wondered if that was what a baby was supposed to feel like. There was a light sensation, almost like a cat makes when its curled up atop her belly in bed years ago, and turns over with the sheets between her and it.

Gene lightly teased her with his increasing passion. Reaching down he slipped his fingers along her thigh and found her pleasure spot. Expertly he began to massage her to a start of orgasm. She groaned and arched her back, stopped only by his arm around the small of it. He guided her hand to him, and whispered, "My love's in your hands, baby… I wanna feel you go faster and faster…"

"Not that way," she scolded him, moving forwards and stroking herself overtop of him. Gene groaned, head leaned back in his own mounting pleasure. Unfortunately he did not enter but simply allowed her to continue, growing harder and firmer beneath her. In response to her moans his fingers again slipped between them, rubbing her wetness with the same tempo. Hot shivers of fire tingled up and over her body in a fast spreading wave.

"That's hardly fair…" she bit her lip, gasping with a soft cry.

"I know it… and I love watching you plead…" he laughed. Her firm hands grabbed his and moved them both down as she wriggled her hips in an attempt to take him inside.

"You're a fiend, you know that?" she raised an eyebrow, as Gene moved back a little so she was just out of reach.

"I know it. So what are you going to do about it, sweetheart?"

"Drive you wild while you drive me crazy…" she answered immediately, stroking herself over his firmness again, already moist in the water with her own excitement.

HE twisted his wrists in her grasp, with some difficulty, because her grip was quite powerful. Parting his legs, he let her bottom slip between them a bit, and in the surprise, she let go. He caught the small of her back with his freed hands, and laughed deeply. He grabbed one ankle and balanced it on her shoulder while he slowly eased himself in a small bit. With but the tip of his passion he began to tease her again, nestled between his thighs.

Leaned back in this awkward position, she made a vain grab for his chest, and he put her hand on his shoulder. Slipping in he whispered, "Let me know if you feel any pain sweetheart… we have to take it easy…"

"I hope… that will not diminish the pleasure…"

"It didn't before," he raised an eyebrow, and moved three quarters of the way in. Slowly he began to rock, agonizingly slow. He raised her other ankle to his other shoulder and held her back and one leg to support her. Slowly he lowered her to lie down along his legs in the water, bringing them together again under her buttocks. With the change in position she let out a cry, opened a bit more inside.

"Gene…" she cried out, heat of the fire inside building until it was greater then the water around them both. Desperately she wanted him fully inside her, but trusted he knew what he was doing. Up into her he thrust, not quite all the way, but fully enough to work her steadily to a full bodied orgasm that shot up from the base of her spine to her tingling toes. Her loud cry echoed in the bathroom, drowning out any noise he made. On the second, he joined her in mutual release, pulling her up to sit upright on his lap at the last moment.

Sated, they pillowed their heads on each other's shoulders, hugging each other close. Trapping his lips in a kiss, she slid her tongue against his. He groaned, softening but not spent as he let her work herself to a third and final moment of bliss. Collapsing into his arms, she buried her face in his shoulder and let her pounding heart slow to a steadier pace.

"That's my girl," he laughed. "Feel better?"

"Do you have to ask," she whispered against his neck as he stroked her back lightly. In that scientific part of her mind she remembered that if it had been a year ago there was little chance she could have kept pace with him so long. Indeed, she wasn't the woman she had been before.

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

Next morning, Kurt readied himself for a rendezvous with destiny. He put on his best suit, and took the precious folder in hand. Carefully he weighed it, and stared at the manila crinkled surface, as if to glimpse his future in it. However he could no more see his future then predict if he could win the lottery.

Who was this stalker? How hard would it be to confront her face to face and tell her to get lost? Nervously he tossed the pictures into his briefcase, and grabbed his open bristle hairbrush. He wandered into the bathroom, and looked at himself in the mirror there. Smearing gel onto his hands, he ran it through his crop of sandy blond hair. He brushed it painstakingly, leaving some of the spikes up front to stand up the slightest bit. For a moment he considered shaving off his goatee, but then decided she could eat shit and die before he'd acquiesce to her fashion sense.

His narrow face looked pale and his hazel eyes looked sunken from lack of sleep. Right now he looked and felt like a vampire dreading going into the sunlight. Yet, he had to make this next step if he was to gain the upper hand and the grip on his sanity. Breathing deeply, he rested his hands on the sides of his bathroom sink, and gave himself the pep talk he'd practiced for the last five years.

"Okay, Kurt Danvers, all systems go. Get out there and rake some muck!"

Turning quickly before he lost his nerve, Kurt strode into his apartment. A suitcase was open, with a load of clothing tossed into it. He folded over the top, after stuffing in his underwear and extra film. Pushing down on it, he zipped it shut. HE slipped his laptop computer into his briefcase, and all the cash he had with him. He had to remind himself to stop by the bank on the way to his interview to withdraw all his savings. Where he was going he'd need it.

However, he changed his mind when he grabbed a Powerbar and filled his travel mug with Maxwell house coffee. Shades were drawn and doors locked. Grabbing his case he threw his briefcase over his shoulder, and juggled the coffee with his keys and camera case around his neck. The suitcase he dragged by its leash, out the front door. He slammed it behind him, locking it tightly. The television was timed to turn on just about now, to fool any suspecting stalkers.

He threw his suitcase into the trunk of the Carallo, and leapt behind the steering wheel, throwing his briefcase into the front seat. One last look his took at his apartment, and turned the key. Each gesture took him far away from a sudden fishbowl he had landed into, he hoped.

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

Reluctantly Terri pulled herself out of the bed, disentangling herself from Gene's possessive embrace. It felt so safe there in his arms, but she couldn't afford to be safe. She had to leave this morning once and for all to take the upper hand in her destiny. They had not known the completeness of her plans. Calen had played her part nicely as a stalker, as she and Gene had concocted the letters.

Each telephone call or visit from Calen told them Kurt was an emotional wreck. He seemed to be rushing off very early that morning. Terri knew that he was reaching that point where he'd make a mistake. In addition, she was determined to be there when he did.

She shimmied into fresh underwear, and fished out a garter belt. Over her ankles, she tugged the stockings, even over the ace bandage. She slipped on a simple black dress, loose, and cut in a v-neck. It curved over her rounding belly comfortably. Next came the platform loafers, and a maroon loose blazer. She brushed her hair up into a ponytail, and twisted it backward to clip with a claw gripper into a familiar French Twist.

Next came a dash of foundation powder, applied in the bathroom. A shot of perfume, Vanilla fields, behind each ear, and dark brown lipstick. It needed one more touch. She reached into her jewelry box and pulled out the pendant Gene had given her for their one-year anniversary. She latched it around her neck, and it hung perfectly at the middle of the triangular patch of skin revealed by her neckline.

Wandering out of the bathroom, she moved over to the expansive bed. She pressed a soft kiss to Gene's lips, and ear before she exited. He appeared not to move, snoring soundly on one side. Sometimes he had the uncanny knack of feigning sleep, but this time he didn’t' even move or flinch.

This was something she had to do alone. She left the note she had written a day ago, right by the mirror where his tray of jewelry lay. Out of the hall she moved, down the front steps and picked up her purse. Taking her keys, she exited the front door and strode down to her car. She climbed into her black Mustang convertible, and backed out of the driveway.

By the time he awakened, Gene would know about the source of the Playboy calls Kurt had been getting. So would Calen.

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

Kurt emerged from his bank, counting the money before he stashed it in his wallet. Over two thousand in cash he had saved up and asked for in 100-dollar bills. Tens and twenties would not be easy to carry.

"That should keep me going for a while. Now… for Playboy," he murmured with satisfaction. Then if they wouldn't buy, there was one recourse.

It took only a short time to find the offices, for he had been there before, and find a parking place. He pulled up next to a mustang convertible, and thought little of it. He realized he was early, so he spent time rehearsing what he would be able to say. Would there be any models there, he inwardly joked.

He failed to notice a figure across the street, stepping out of a phone booth. Her spiky hair she ran a finger through to make it stand up on end, and she watching him with a pair of binoculars. He appeared so cool and collected. Taking a breath and the briefcase, he got out of his Carallo and walked from the parking garage upper level to the Playboy Corporate office.

Watching him go in, the shadowed figure waited carefully. What surprised her was to see a black Mustang Convertible pull into the lot and park only five cars up from the Carallo. The maroon coated figure carefully climbed out, and strode confidently toward the office. Light flashed off the ruby pendant at her neck, and the stalker cursed.

She grabbed the telephone, and frantically started to dial. She hoped he would be awake right now.

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

Gene sat bold upright in bed when he realized Terri was not there in his arms. Blinking, he licked his lips and tasted the greasy perfumed residue of lipstick present. He sat up abruptly and threw the covers off, groaning at the aches in his body. Apparently she had worn him out more then he had her! That was a first!

His eyes rested on the note, and he tore it open. Terri's hand was difficult for some to read, but he managed to piece together what it said. It helped considerably that she had taken on his habit of block capital printing to make it easier for people to read. Scratching his head, he threw the card down and yanked open a dresser drawer to find himself something to wear.

Gene was just tugging on a pair of leather pants and buttoning his shirt when the phone rang. Working with one hand, he grabbed the cordless, hoping it was Terri. "Hello?" he asked. "Sweetheart, where the hell are you…"

"Gene, thank God. It's Calen. I just saw her walking into the offices… what's she doing?"

"I'm not sure, but I'm going over there right now," Gene answered, pulling on socks and jamming his feet into a pair of black leather boots. He rushed out, still chatting on the telephone with Calen, when he realized he'd forgotten his wallet and watch.

"Do you want me to go…"

"No. Stay there. Wait until I get there and then we'll decide… I hope to hell Terri knows what she's doing. She left me a note saying she was taking care of business… and that she had gotten wind that the photographer would be there… I just wanna be there to see the look on his face when I punch his lights out…"

"Gene, now don't do anything rash…"

"Later, Calen," Gene said, and clicked off the phone. Grabbing his jacket, he rushed out the front door, planner in hand.

It was a full half-hour in LA morning traffic he battled on his way to the Playboy corporate offices, but he knew plenty of shortcuts. Unfortunately, it seemed that many others were availing themselves of shortcuts on the side streets through town also.

He reached the parking lot, and stopped to pick up Calen, waiting by the phone booth. They pulled into the lot next to Terri's convertible. "Well, what do you want to do…" she asked him.

"Wait a few minutes, and then come in…" Gene whispered to her. "I don't want to spill it all yet… till I find out what Terri's up to… she's got something up her sleeve and I want to know what it is…"

Calen patiently sat in Gene's car, cell phone in hand. She watched him climb out and rush up the walkway to the front entrance as quickly as his long legs would carry him.

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

Meanwhile, as Gene had been rushing around to get ready, Kurt Danvers was already waiting in the lobby. The blond receptionist had his name on the schedule, and had already issued him a laminated security pass with a smile on her attractive face. Other attractive women moved around in the building, far from the skinny models he was used to seeing in his days of model photography some five years ago.

They were nicely proportioned, some on the slender side, others a little larger. All of them were sizable chests and hips, different shapes, nationalities and sizes. Some photography went on here, but this was their corporate office for LA, and where they did much of their recruiting.

A young tan skinned beauty in brief black skirt and a silky blouse, buttoned tight over her bust strode out on stiletto heeled pumps. She held out her hand to Kurt, who stood up quickly and dusted his suit off, "Hello, Mr. Danvers? I'm Tina. Your contact is running a little late, but she should be here shortly…"

"My contact?"

"If you'll step this way I'll take you to our interviewing room, and you can relax and get your presentation ready," she directed him. He followed her down the halls through a set of double doors, oak paneled. They entered a conference room with a table and several plush roll chairs. He sat down as she pulled one out for him, and set down his briefcase. She took his coat, asking, "Coffee or soda?"

"Coffee's be great," he said. She returned later with a cup of hot steaming coffee, fixed just as he liked it, and sat down in one of the other chairs. He cast her a smile as she folded her knees and settled down to wait with him.

"So… how long have you been working for Playboy?" he asked.

"About three years, and it's been quite an exciting opportunity," Tina said, pushing a tendril of cocoa hair from her toffee-complected face. Green eyes fixed into his with complete confidence. She appeared to be like one of the girls Howard Stern would routinely have on his program.

"Do you model?"

She laughed warmly, "Oh everyone asks me that. No I'm corporate. I assist in the interviews of new photographers that submit pictures. I'm just waiting here for my supervisor and a few other important personnel to show up."

"Oh really?" Kurt asked.

"May I see the photographs while we're waiting?"

"Well… if you are with their recruitment department…" he said, and pulled out the envelope. He felt a little nervous showing them to a woman, but what the hell. She was a professional, right?

He passed them to her, and she held them up, examining them with a critical eye. "These are quite good. But I do notice they are rather grainy. What sort of film did you use?"

"1000, so I won't need a flash. And I develop all my own work," Kurt announced proudly.

There came a ringing, and she reached at her hip to extract a slim startak phone. Opening it up she sad, "Hello, Tina Fuentez here. Yes. He's here. What? Yes… have her come in shortly… he's waiting… and he has the pictures… good."

"Who was that?" Kurt asked when she clicked the phone off.

"There's someone else affiliated with Playboy, who wanted to look at your work," she announced. "My supervisor is on their way in. We'll just wait five minutes…"

"Great," Kurt smiled. This might work out after all!

Chapter 8

Gene strode into the offices, and the receptionist glanced up. At sight of him, she smiled warmly, "Hi Gene! Long time no see! What brings you here?"

"Hey Alice," Gene said, leaning on the counter. "I was wondering if you could do me a favor?"

"Depends on what it is," Alice answered with a smirk. "I'm on duty."

"Well I'm sure you won't mind accommodating me…" he winked and she laughed again. He glanced down at the spaghetti strap top, and playfully she slipped one strap down.

"Admiring the view?" she joked.

"Actually I'm in a hurry. Could you tell me if a certain young woman, about to my shoulder with a ruby pendant… did she walk in here?"

"About five minutes ago," she said.

"Good. You mind if I wander back there and see if she's there?" he asked.

"Well I'll have to ask… we're all friends here, but I still have to go through official channels," she winked.

"I can wait," Gene winked back, trying to hide his own anxiousness. She passed him a badge and one of the other receptionists strode out to escort him back to the offices.

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

Kurt straightened up when the door opened, and Tina stood up. First to walk in was a middle-aged man, nicely dressed in an Armani suit. Next was a tall blond, and they shook hands with Kurt. Eagerly he grinned, and they all settled down.

"This is my supervisor, Craig, and manager of photographic entries Shannon. May I introduce you to Kurt Danvers."

"I'm very excited to see both of you," he said.

"Are these the pictures?" Craig asked, and Tina passed them to him.

"Yes. I have the negatives right here," Kurt said. Craig glanced at them, one after the other with that same critical eye. Anxiously he waited, as the blond glanced over them, and they nodded. Why was she wearing those John Lennon glasses, he wondered. Otherwise, she would look damned familiar. Wasn't she one of the Playmates? Of course, she must have been at one time.

"Where were these taken?" Shannon asked slowly.

"Well to tell the truth they were taken at a time of day that was rather conducive to full exposure…" he said with a smirk. Craig rolled his eyes.

"I'm sure you must have seen them on Extra," he said.

"We have. One of our former Playmates saw them and we found out about you from Extra. However don't you work for the National Enquirer?" Craig asked.

"Yes. Are you interested in them?"

"Yes, definitely."

"That's the other problem," Kurt said. "If I sell these to you, I risk a breach of contract with Enquirer…"

"WE had anticipated that," Craig said slowly. "I'm not altogether certain we want to be involved in covert dealings if these are the property of the National Inquirer..."

"Well… I can necogiate. I quit my job there today," he said. "I've been going freelance for a while…"

"Really?" Shannon asked.

"I'm not sure if this can work to our advantage," Craig sighed. "These are good pictures, however…"

There came a small knocking at the door, and Tina stood up to answer the door. "Uh, the other interested party is here… she's apologizing for being late."

"I'm very interested in those pictures," came a familiar voice. Kurt realized it was the voice he'd heard on the telephone! Just then Tina stood up, and opened the door when there was a familiar figure that strode inside. Kurt slowly froze when he saw the hair swept up into a bun, and the black dress curving over her rounding abdomen. A glimpse of Demon tattoo stood out on her breast, disappearing into the V neckline of her dress.

"This is Mr. Kurt Danvers," Craig indicated him. He sat down, lying back in his chair in pure shock as the dark brown eyes fixed into his, and she sat down opposite.

"Uh… uh…" Kurt stammered out. "Pleasure to make… your acquaintance… Miss…"

"Terri Mason," she said firmly. "So, you are Mr. Danvers…"

"I uh… have to go," he said, trying to get up. He tried to take the pictures, but Craig already held them in his hands.

"I insist you stay," Terri said slowly. Kurt felt his heart pounding. Leaping up from the chair, he bolted out of the room, not caring if his pictures were left behind. After all, he had the negatives still in his car!

He dashed down the hall, pushing past a few models that were on their way out. All sense of preservation kicked in, and he couldn't get out of there fast enough. Till he blundered into something solid and tall. Very tall.

"Why don't you look where the hell you're going!" Kurt shouted, and then backed up to see who he'd crashed into.

"Well, well, where the hell's the fire you're running away from in such a hurry?" Gene Simmons asked, looking at Kurt with something akin to amusement. Dark eyes fixed into his, with a hint of something that looked like a cobra about to strike at its prey.

"Uh… fancy… meeting you here…" Kurt stammered.

"Where are you going in such a hurry?" Gene asked again, as Kurt shrank away and tried to get past him. However, Gene blocked his path.

"Uh… I must dash…" he said.

"I don't think so," Gene said slowly, taking Kurt's arm in his grip. Just then, he heard voices as the occupants of the office strode up.

"I can explain everything," Kurt stammered. "I…"

"Explain what?" Gene asked.

"Uh…" Kurt blabbed, his mouth going dry. He glanced anxiously as Terri strode up; her eyes fixing into his with a similar look to Gene's.

"I have a few things to say to him," Terri said slowly. "Gene… about time you got here…"

"I take it you wish to speak to this gentleman," Gene said, holding Kurt firmly by the arm. He quaked at the knees, unable to make a sound.

"Yes," Teri nodded. "All of us are quite anxious to speak with him."

"I want to call my lawyer…" Kurt stammered out.

"Now why would you want to call your lawyer?" Gene asked. "You seem pretty nervous, I wonder why…"

"Uh… I… can explain," Kurt stammered, when he realized there was no way out but straight through. With Gene's hand on his arm, he was walked back to the office.

He felt the hand clamp down and force him into his seat. Gene sat down next to him, and Terri sat opposite, near Craig and Shannon.

"So… talk," Craig said slowly.

"I… uh… well… it's like this… I don't think I owe any explanation, since she's in the public domain…. What about first Amendment rights?"

"Don't even go there," Gene began, but Terri held up a hand.

"Well I just want you to know that I'm quite ready to make you an offer I don't think you can refuse," Terri said. "I know how you make your living, Kurt. And I wanted to see the man face to face who took those pictures…"

"Uh… well… you can't prove that I did anything wrong?"

"How about trespassing on private property?" Gene asked, his hand squeezing tighter on Kurt's shoulder. "That is a jailable offense right there, ass wipe."

"These pictures are a little grainy," Craig announced. "And Shannon and Tina will agree that it looks like they were taken from a distance with a zoom lens…"

"So?" he asked.

"Did you ask for her consent?" Shannon asked, lifting her sunglasses.

"He did not," Terri said. "I was completely unaware of the process…"

"But you can't prove anything!" Kurt said.

"Oh yes I can," Terri said. "Gene, do you have the videotape?"

"Right here, sweetheart," Gene nodded, handing a small VCR tape to her. She put it into the VCR that Tina wheeled up. They watched the lines scroll across the screen.

"What's this?" Kurt laughed.

"Some interesting home movies," Gene said, clamping his hand down on Kurt whom had just tried to get up again.

"I think you should watch, Mr. Danvers," Terri advised.

"I don't have to sit here…"

"I insist you stay," Terri said, and Gene's glare knocked him right back into the chair. Clearly if he moved, Gene would not hesitate to force him to sit, and even though Gene was older, there would be bruises on his shoulder for weeks he could tell.

He froze at the sight of a shadow in the bushes, placing a small camera by the fence. For a moment, head and shoulders came into view, of a man with sunglasses and a thin small goatee and spiky hair. Kurt said nothing, but felt his stomach sinking into his toes.

"Look familiar?" Terri asked.

"I want to call my lawyer," he said flatly. "Now."

"Fine, then we'll call ours," Gene said, reaching for his cell phone.

"You still cannot nail me. She's in the public eye…"

"Perhaps," Terri said slowly. "But I want to make one more thing clear. Who owns the rights to those pictures."

"I did, because I took them," Kurt said slowly. Terri sighed, and looked at him. "I wish I could make you feel what I do now. How your privacy disappears in a split second, that starts with the click of a camera. I wanted you to be terrified to go out in public… knowing that someone is watching you somewhere. You sit there and have the audacity to ask how I could do this? No sir, I ask how could you?"

"I have to make a living. This is first amendment rights!" Kurt said firmly.

"All right, I've had enough of this," Terri said, holding up a hand. "I wish there was something intelligent I could say to you to express my anger. How can I put you in my place, being chased and watched by people you don't even know? I'm tired of living in fear of people just like you, waiting to snap a picture of me. And I can't hide any more. I only wish you could feel what I felt. Being watched day and night?"

"It sucks actually, lady," Kurt muttered, thinking about the mysterious stalker.

"Terri, you don't have to say anything more. With this evidence we can fight it in court, or settle it here," Gene whispered. He turned to the man.

"What will it take for you to keep quiet?"

"I want my money."

"Well if you took the pictures, she should get a cut," Shannon Tweed said slowly. She pushed her sunglasses up and faced him. "Considering that this lady has signed a contract with us to do a layout with this years KISS Playboy edition…"

"You're serious?" Kurt laughed incredulously.

"I already have pictures that were taken and submitted to Playboy for an exclusive layout…" Terri said, and reached into her bag. She threw a series of pictures down. Kurt's eyes and Gene's widened when they saw her scantily clad in a bathrobe, wearing little more then the sheets and a smile.

Gene opened his mouth to say something, but Terri put a finger to his lips. "They were taken over a year ago," she said. "By an exclusively licensed photographer."

"Ah, so what is different between mine and these?" Kurt asked, folding arms across his chest.

"Consent," Terri said.

"So you won't get much more then our standard fee, which is considerably less then exclusives. And since they are taken without the subject's consent I am afraid we cannot buy them," Craig said.

"Well, I'll find someone that will," Kurt shrugged.

"You might, and then again you might not," Gene said. "By that time, you'll be hearing from my lawyers in civil court."

"There are still other magazines," he said slowly.

"By the time they get them, these will already be in print," said Shannon. "You see, she already had exclusive photos taken of her in the buff. Yours isn't the first anymore, even if they have been seen on Extra. You're not going to get any exclusive fees for them. Not here or anywhere."

"Look lady, I'm sorry okay? But I need the money." Kurt said appealing to Terri. "I lost my job because I came here, thinking I could sell some pictures. If that makes you feel any better, lady, I'm sorry. But I still have a right to take my pictures."

"Maybe so," Terri said. "And I have a right to my privacy. And proof that you trespassed on my private property and took photos without my consent…"

"Still, that won't prove much," Kurt said. "I had a right to take them. You can't stop me…"

"I can," Gene said. "Can you afford a long and lengthy court battle? Because if it's one you want, you've got it…"

"Shit…" Kurt ran a hand through his hair. "Look, I'll sell you the pictures for a price…"

"No. I want them, free of charge. With a public apology, and a promise that you'll never do this again," Terri said firmly. "That's the only compensation I'll take."

"Terri, sweetheart, he won't settle for that," Gene said, taking her hand in his as he moved her aside. "Money is the only language these guys understand."

"Gene's right," Kurt said. "I'm sorry you're pissed, but the law is the law. I have my rights. You are a celebrity, like it or not."

"Then you should pay her, for being your model," Shannon said. "That's how it works in our industry…"

"The national Enquirer owns them," he snorted.

"Yes, and they can sue you for breach of contract," said Gene. "It's your choice, Danvers. Settle it here and quietly, or in court."

"You… win that point. I can't afford a lawyer without a job now," Kurt hung his head. Terri breathed a sigh. It was a pyretic victory at best. "I guess there's no chance I could sell these to you?"

"Where are the negatives?" Gene asked him.

"Here," Kurt said, and passed him a small envelope. Gene reached into his pocket, and Terri saw him take a generous amount of bills from within. It still blew her mind to consider how much he actually did carry with him.

"Two thousand is yours for the negatives and the pictures. Settled out of court."

"Thank you," Kurt said. He passed the negatives into Terri's hand, along with the prints. Gene gripped his hand and pushed a piece of paper into it.

"What's that?" Terri asked Gene.

"I had that drawn up for creeps like him," Gene whispered. "It's a non disclosure agreement. He'll leave you alone now that he's sold exclusive rights to those negatives to me. What I decide to do with them is mine alone."

"There you go," Kurt said. "Now, is there anything else?"

"Just get out of here," Gene said quietly, eyes sparkling with anger. "And if I hear anything about this in the tabloids, or if you or any of your friends ever creep around my place again, I'll break you. Got that?"

"Loud and clear," Kurt muttered. He stopped by Terri a moment and cleared his throat.

"There will be others, you know. You can't stop all of us from taking your photo…"

"Maybe not. But I can try to stand up for my rights, as you so defend yours," Terri answered back.

"Excuse me sir, but we must ask you to leave now," Craig said firmly. "I'll show you out…"

Taking his arm, Craig walked him out to the lobby. Leaving Terri alone in the room with Shannon and Gene. Tears formed in her eyes, but Gene gently wiped them away, kissing her cheek. Shannon rested a hand on her shoulder, patting her back as she cried for a moment, then looked up.

"That bastard still got off," Terri whispered.

"I know, but you stood up to him," Gene said slowly. "And that's what really matters. He won't try taking pictures of you again, because of the hell we put him through the past few days."

"He still got two thousand dollars of your money," Terri lamented.

"It was a drop in the bucket, and I was glad to spend it, to make sure he wouldn't bother you anymore," Gene said softly, taking her cheeks in his hands. "Unfortunately it's the only language these vulture get."

"He's still screwed," Shannon said. "WE know who he is now, and I doubt we'll buy any of his pictures. In addition, he lost his job. So he'll think twice before trying a stunt like that again."

"I feel like it was all for nothing," Terri sighed.

"So what if everyone knows what you look like naked?" Shannon said slowly. "Your body isn't something you should be ashamed to hide. A lot of people have seen those pictures on Extra. There is no going back…"

"I know I just…"

"I'm sorry," Gene whispered. "I wish there was something more we could do. This happens many times in this business. Settling out of court and things like that. This is a gray area, and all we have over him is a security tape. And a contract…"

"Do I still have to do the layout?" Terri asked Shannon.

"It's a contract you signed," Shannon said. "It's your choice. We're not going to pressure you at all…"

"My choice," Terri laughed, and let Gene wipe away her tears. "What a concept."

"Come on, let's get out of here," Gene said. He looked to Shannon, who gave Terri a reassuring hug. Taking Terri's hand, he walked her out of the offices into the morning light.

Shannon watched them as they strode out, together. She let herself have a small laugh, and wiped away a tear in her eye. No, that part of her life was closed, she had a new one now. They had their time together, and she'd always treasure that. Still she couldn't help but worry about Terri and this whole wedding thing. It didn't seem like Gene at all. When was he going to admit to her his haste?

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

"Why didn't you tell me about that contract?" Gene asked Terri as they walked toward the parking lot.

"Because, I wanted there to be no question or any idea of what he'd do. I had to do something myself."

"Well considering your exclusive photographer was me," Gene said with a smirk. "And I didn't get a fee for it."

"You did so," Terri shot back. "As I recall you were very satisfied with the events that followed."

"I was. I had wondered what you did with your pictures out of my scrapbook…" he said, fingering his chin.

"Sorry I took them, and sorry I didn't tell you about submitting them. But I had to have something to prove that he wasn't the only one who'd taken pictures. And that there were photos of me that I had consented to. Taken long before his…"

"I'm glad you did. It was very clever," Gene said, pressing a kiss to her lips as he turned her to face him. "And you didn't lose. You proved a point, and took control. And Calen…"

The actress strode up to them, from Gene's car. She held the spiky wig in hand, and glanced at them questioningly. Slowly she asked, "So I take it that it didn't go as planned?"

"Yes and no," Terri reported. "I'm very grateful for your help though, Calen."

"I was glad to do it," she said. "But what…"

"All he got out of it was two thousand dollars," Gene smirked. "Chicken feed. And we have the negatives. Because Terri signed a deal with Playboy to do an exclusive layout, they weren't even interested in buying his pictures. So he sold them to me, and I had him sign a non disclosure form."

"Shannon gave me the idea," Terri said. "I finally realized I wanted to face him myself. What better way then to lure him here?"

"Terri, that's diabolical, but it's terrific," Calen nodded. "I only wish there was more we could have done."

"We make a great team. Sorry I didn’t tell you sooner," Terri flushed.

"Hey, I doubt he'll be sneaking around here anytime soon, without a decent job to pay the rent. I think Beverly Hills will have one less smutty photographer at least," Calen said. "Next time, I'd like to have a clue?"

"I promise," Terri apologized. She turned to Calen and the two of them hugged tightly, and then Terri.

Gene joked, "Excuse me ladies, but may I interrupt this meeting of the Terri Mason mutual appreciation society?"

"Yes, by all means," Calen said. "And I think the Society will be amenable to lunch. My treat."

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

Calen changed in the restroom of the Playboy offices before they headed out to lunch. She rode along in Terri's car as they followed Gene, and everyone parked to go inside. Other celebrities ate in the bustling yet intimate restaurant somewhere in the heart of LA's high priced district.

"Damn the price of a steak would buy me gas for a whole damn week," Terri muttered to Calen.

"I'm sure the matre'd would love to hear that," Calen said. Gene and Terri glanced at each other, and Gene's hand closed overtop of hers. Neither said much.

"So what will it be ladies?" Gene asked them both. "Don’t worry, my treat…"

"Actually I'm not that hungry," Calen said, rising from the table. "I think you two have something very important you should discuss, before much longer."

Both Gene and Terri looked at her as if she had gone nuts. They stared incredulously at her, then at each other. Calen rolled her eyes, and sighed with impatience. "You both know what I'm talking about. This whole wedding thing."

"What about it?" Gene asked innocently.

"Wedding thing?" Terri asked. Simultaneously they glared at Calen, asking together, "Did you tell…"

"Calen, I thought…" Terri got out. Gene shot her an evil glare and growled under his breath.

"This is none of my business, and I'm not getting involved," she held up a hand. "So deal with it between the two of you, okay?"

"What the hell?" Terri asked.

"Terri, tell him! Moreover, you Gene, tell her. No nonsense or beating around the bush. I'm going to leave now, and you'd better admit to each other what's really going on. I refuse to act as a confidant when you should be talking to each other. That's all I'll say, got it?"

Calen turned and strode out of the restaurant, not looking back. She only hoped they would get the good sense to know what she was referring to, and talk it over to clear the air.

"Gene, what did you tell her?" Terri asked.

"Terri I have to admit something to you. Remember the other day when you thought we should slow down?"

"Yes… but I know how much this meant to you… I just didn't want to upset you…"

"Wait… you were afraid of upsetting me? How?"

"You were all excited and happy after your proposal, that I didn't want to upset you if I thought that we should wait… and not rush into something."

"Terri, why didn't you just say so?" Gene asked, a huge look of relief spreading over his face. "I was worried that you would be upset if I suggested we should wait! I was happy because I thought you were excited about going ahead…"

"Gene, you and I are some of the most hard headed people we know," Terri groaned. "I wanted to wait, because I just don't feel ready…"

"Neither do I," Gene admitted sheepishly. "I wanted to tell you, but I wasn't sure when would be a good time…"

"Well I'm glad we both told Calen, and she knocked our heads together," Terri laughed. "Man, I feel dumb."

"You do not feel dumb, sweetheart. Look, if you want to wait, that's perfectly fine. I do too. This doesn't mean I feel any differently about us though…"

"I know," Terri flushed. Just then, the waiter returned with their drinks, and their order. Both of them settled down to eat quietly.

"What do you want to do?" he asked.

"Wait. And see," Terri said. "You?"

"I think at least till after the baby is born," Gene nodded. "Sound amenable to you sweetie?"

"Definitely," she said, gripping his hand tightly across the table. He took her hand and raised it to his lips to press a soft kiss to it. A mass of fire shot up her arm, flooding over her. Gene moved his chair around until it was next to hers, and she felt his arm around her shoulder.

"Gene…" she whispered. "We are in public…"

"So we are," Gene said with a laugh. "And I want the whole world to see how much I love being with my baby. Both of them..."

So saying, Gene reached over and pulled her onto his knee on the chair, which was thankfully sturdy. Under her, she felt the firmness of his fine legs and around him the strength of his arms, that wrapped her close. He pulled her to sit firmly in his lap, hands stroking over her back as she buried her hands in his long soft hair, tied into a ponytail. She hated to admit she needed protection, but she was very glad of it at times. Especially now. Leaning forwards, his pressed a soft kiss to her lips, and she lifted her arms to wrap around his neck.

Gene didn't care that it was right in the middle of a restaurant as their lips met and their bodies pressed together in a tight embrace. As his tongue teased hers in the depths of their kiss, she slowly realized that if the world did see her, she wanted it to be like this. With the man she loved, living her life as she chose on her terms, not theirs.