Disclaimer: KISS, Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons are real persons, and this story is not meant to harm or demean them in any manner. It is a work of fiction. Trynia Merin and other characters are property of the author. Rated R for sexual content and language, so no readers under 18 please.

One weekend, there was a nasty snowstorm Trynia saw approaching on the television Weather channel downstairs. A whole swath of green covered half the state of Pennsylvania, and most of New Jersey. She groaned and realized it was Sunday night. Sighing she rose from her couch and began to pace back and forth.

"Oh crap," she groaned, and rushed back upstairs. She began to throw some things into a suitcase, and jumped at the sound of someone coming in.

"Tryn honey, are you going back tonight?" Paul asked.

"Well if I leave now I could make it back... and stay at Sharmane's..."

"Tryn, I don't' want you driving out in this. Already we have a whole inch on the ground... I'd rather you just spent the night and went in tomorrow..."

"But what if this storm lasts all of Monday into Tuesday?" she asked.

"Well hmm," Paul muttered. "But surely if you called it would be all right..."

"I have to make the reagents for that lab," she protested. "I had been so into doing the paintings for the art show that I forgot!"

"Well sweetheart, I think you should call your professor and tell him you can't make it, because I am sure this is going to only get worse," Paul said. "I really don't want you risking your life for a class..."

"Paul..."

"No I'm serious. I just want you to be safe," Paul sighed, moving up behind her and wrapping his arms around her waist. He pressed a soft kiss to her cheek and held her close.

"Aww this isn't fair," she groaned.

"Tell you what, let's check the weather channel again. It's six, right?" Paul compromised, and moved out from behind her to walk down the stairs with her to the living room once more. "Surely there would be a school cancellation if nobody could get in, right?"

"Well yes... but Tuesday..."

"Relax," Paul urged. "Okay, it says here that two inches are accumulating in Philly, but four in Jersey, and six in the Poconos... by mid morning..."

"Damn," Trynia groaned.

"Well I think you should stay here tonight and see if they have it ploughed tomorrow," Paul said definitively. "I don't want you driving in this... you could get stuck..."

"Even with a new car?"

"Well a Mercedes isn't a Hummer," Paul laughed. "And anyway, it's you I'm more worried about getting stuck. I can always buy a new car. I can't buy a new you."

"I know that I just..." Trynia groaned. As she glanced back at the television, her stomach churned. For a second the screen went dark, the lights browning out.

"Whoa," Paul muttered, when the lights came back on. "That doesn't look good..."

"Brownout. Or power failure?" she muttered, moving closer to Paul. She rushed to the window, peering out to the snow that had drifted. Fat, fluffy flakes continued to vanish when they landed into the silent drifts. Already it was to the level of the porch steps, the snow accumulating on the ledge almost four inches.

"Damn, it's getting heavier," Paul observed, moving up behind her.

"I'll call the snow line at school first thing tomorrow... they wouldn't cancel till the last minute. And I'll call my professor..."

"Good idea," Paul nodded. Trynia grabbed the cordless phone from the kitchen, and dialed the number. She left a computerized message on Dr. Davis' answering machine.

"I'd better call Sharmane too," Trynia nodded. "Just in case... and she'll let me know if school is cancelled..."

"Great," Paul said, moving into the kitchen with her.

Again, the lights flared, plunging them into blackness. Paul moved closer to her, following the gleam of the glasses in the outside light beamed in through the rectangles of light. "Better get the flashlight," she said.

"Don't know where it is..."

"I think it's over under the sink," she said, as she stumbled against Paul.

"Whoops," said Paul, steadying her. Then the lights flared back on, and they were looking very oddly at each other in the full light of the kitchen.

"I still think you should light a fire, and get some candles out, just in case..." Trynia said. "I put a few over here..."

"What would I do without you," he laughed.

"I don't know..." she laughed back, shortly relieved. They hunted for the candles in the various places about the house. Trynia had suggested the provisions in case of emergencies, her mind often entertaining the possibilities of being caught without certain resources. Especially in the mountains.

Before long he brought several candles, and placed them in strategic locations. Trynia was already lighting an oil lamp in the living room. Paul watched her positioning wood in the fireplace, and stuffing newspaper in strategic locations before she asked for the matches. Soon she coaxed the tentative flame to life, in an attempt to have it catch on the smaller twigs piles atop the larger logs.

"Nice job," Paul glanced down at her. "Any more things we need?"

"Just put one of the oil lamps out here," Trynia told him. Again, the lights flared, plunging them into blackness. Only the light of the fire painted their silhouetted figures in a golden radiance. Pools of light from the various candles and oil lamps were oases from the encroaching darkness and silence.

"Man, talk about timing," Paul laughed.

"Yeah... really," Trynia laughed. "Damned ironic..."

"Good thing we have a fire... and plenty of firewood thanks to a certain young lady's suggestion," Paul nodded.

"Better check to see if the phone lines are out..." Trynia nodded. She was glad when she heard a dialtone still present, and hastily called Sharmane.

"Tryn?" Sharmane answered.

"Yeah, Sharmane, how's it down there?"

"Man It's really coming down," Sharmane answered. "You're not out in this are you?"

"No. I'm still at P... my boyfriend's place..." she answered back. "And it's almost four inches here..."

"I'd stay there if I were you. They're recommending people stay put," Sharmane said.

"Well Dr. Davis... I am supposed to make reagents for him... and I left him a message... but do you think school will be..."

"I don't know. But if you like I'll let him know you're not gonna make it... if you want," Sharmane said.

"Thanks, you're great," Trynia nodded. "I'll email you the directions... on how to make the reagents for this week..."

"Sure thing. And I'll substitute for you in lab... if you can't make it in Tuesday..."

"Great," Trynia sighed. She hoped it would be enough.

Trynia's eyes popped open, and she shifted in bed anxiously. Paul still slumbered in the cocoon of warmth she was loath to leave. Yet she saw the dim morning light, and decided to see if the power was turned on.

Slipping aside the blankets, Trynia turned around and sat up. She felt cold air blasting her legs, and shivered to the bone. Grabbing a robe hanging over the end of the bed, she slipped it on, and leapt down. The rug was slightly chilly to the touch, blocking out most of the cold from the hardwood floor. Quietly she crept toward the stairs, and trotted down. Snow lazily gusted past the widows, wind whistling as it caressed the house.

Damn, she thought to herself when she rushed to one window and saw the depths of the snowdrifts. Across the street, she could see the level of the snow up to the porches of the neighbors across the street. Soft humps indicated where the vehicles were buried inside their six-inch blankets, and Trynia shook her head.

She clicked on the television, glad to see it flare to life. Glancing at the weather channel, she saw the local newscasters debating the storm. Trynia grabbed the phone, and was about to make a call when she noticed there was no dial tone.

"Shit," she cursed.

"What's wrong baby?" Paul asked, sitting down next to her on the sofa. "It's kinda cold up there without you, you know..."

"Paul, sorry I left you, but I was thinking I'd call the snow line at Villanova to see if there's class..."

Paul yawned and draped his arm over her shoulders, to pull her close to his warm body. Kissing her cheek he said, "Well the phone's probably out then. So, don't worry. You called last night, right?"

"Yes... but I have to know..."

"I think they're saying something about Villanova now," Paul said, pointing to the television. He turned to channel 6, where a reporter was standing out on Cityline Avenue, cars slowly trundling past.

"That's the weatherman... in downtown Philly," she laughed. "And he's almost ankle deep in snow!"

"You see..."

"Well still..."

"You can call Sharmane on the cell phone, right?" Paul asked. Trynia got up, and freed herself from his embrace to retrieve her purse. Clicking on the Nokia, she dialed Sharmane's number.

Paul moved up behind her, folding her in his arms from behind. He nuzzled her neck, pressing soft kisses there as Trynia said, "Hello, Shar? How's the snow? Wow... four inches? Well... it looks like..." Trynia began, then stood on one toe to see the television. "A whole foot and a half up here..."

"Wow... we're socked in down here, and they're only sending the snowploughs out today..." Sharmane said.

Paul glanced at the television, noticing a warning flickering across the bottom of the television screen. He nudged Trynia and said, "Honey..."

"What?" Trynia asked, chuckling as he tickled her sides.

"They're naming a state of emergency up here," Paul told her. "They say they're trying to get the snowploughs out here, but they want everyone to stay indoors till they clear it... and it looks like they won't do that till late this afternoon..."

"Really? Oh damn," Trynia gasped. "The phones are out here... is there still school?"

"Well I called and they say it's cancelled till this afternoon," Sharmane said. "But I'm going in anyway... maybe around four. But stay where you are. I was seeing the Poconos on the news were buried... and it will take most of the day to dig you guys out!"

"So it's okay?"

"Yeah! I got your email about the reagents. I'll see if I can make them today. I read the lab, so I think I can muck through..."

"Thanks so much!" Trynia said. "I don't know but I still feel uneasy..."

"Take care, and have fun..." Sharmane laughed. "I've got your back girl!"

"Tryn, let her go, and come back to bed," Paul whispered in her ear.

"Yes... no that was Paul... okay. Goodbye..." Trynia laughed. She clicked off the phone, which Paul slipped out of her hand. She squealed and tried to get it back, but he held it well out of reach over his head playfully.

"Gimmie!" she cried.

"What's the magic word, baby?"

"Please?" she begged, reaching up on her tiptoes. Paul caught her around the waist and covered her lips with his.

"Oh... mmmmm," she groaned, as Paul tossed the phone down onto the couch, and rubbed his hand down to her backside. He gave it a firm squeeze, making Trynia yelp through the kiss.

"Come back to bed?" he asked her.

"I can't... I'm just worried..."

"Why not? I'm not going anywhere... especially not to NYC in this! So we might as well make the most of it," he grinned, holding her close to his bathrobe-clad form.

"Well..."

"I can see, that you're gonna need a little persuasion," Paul laughed, and leaned down to grab her behind the knees. He swept her up into his arms and she kicked playfully.

"Paul, put me down, you silly!" she laughed as he carried her toward the stairs.

"Not until you help me keep that bed upstairs warm!"

"But the power's back on!" she laughed, and shrieked as he tickled her.

"Well, I think we should make this place hotter then hell, because it's freaking freezing like an ice age!" Paul laughed in return, carrying her up the stairs to their bedroom.

Paul lay her down into the bed, covers already peeled back from when he had arisen. He tugged off her bathrobe playfully despite her temporary protests. Momentarily, Paul stopped to throw off his bathrobe and shimmy out of his boxer shorts before wrapping the sheets tightly around them both.

"But Paul... I really am worried about..." she started to protest again, but was cut off with a strong soft kiss. Laying on his side, Paul slipped his one arm under her and used the other to draw her close to his body. Satisfied, he groaned through their kiss, pressing tightly against her.

"Tryn, let's get one thing straight," he said, pulling away to catch a breath. "I can't go anywhere any moer then you can, baby, so let's just enjoy this time together... I am... and I really hope you will."

"Sorry sweetheart," she apologized, seeing her reflection in his desire dark eyes. "I guess I have real issues letting go of it sometimes..."

"You did everything you could to cover your rear, baby," Paul assured her. "And anyway, it's my turn to cover yours..."

With these words he stroked his hands down her back, and gripped her ass to give it a firm squeeze. Pulling ehr hips to his he rubbed invitingly against her warm body that shivered from contact with his. Despite their closeness, and the fact that the heater had just turned on, it was freezing in the bedroom. Any residual heat that they had generated was long dissapated from the cold dead sheets around them.

"And it's also your job to keep certain other parts of me warm," he winked as he tugged her nightgown. Trynia stripped off the garment and tossed it down on the floor by his bathrobe, snuggling into Paul's arms as she kissed him again. She wrapped herself around him, stroking her hands up and down his back to warm him, and herself, because she felt herself shivering.

"Now that's more like it baby," he hummed softly. He sighed deeply as she slipped herself onto his desire, slowly yet surely.

"Is that warm enough for you, love?" she asked with a laugh.

"Aww yeah," he gasped, groaning as she started to roll her hips, and rolled them both over so he was underneath her body. "That's PERFECT..."

Tuesday morning finally came, finding a tense Trynia pulling her Mercedes into the student parking lot across from Main Campus. She noticed the snowploughs had cleared the streets well by Tuesday morning, and her heart began to pound faster. Trynia felt hopeful that Sharmane could cover for her until she strode into lab.

It was already one thirty, and she guessed Dr. Davis was halfway through his lecture. Shouldering her backpack, she cut across campus to move toward Mendel hall. It was about two before she got into the building and threw on her labcoat to join the lab.

It was quiet, and Sharmane stood by the door, watching the students carefully. Turning, she noticed Trynia tiptoeing into the lab.

"You made it!" Sharmane whispered.

"How' sit going?"

"Uh well... okay so far, but Dr. Davis didn't look too happy when I told him where you were..."

"Uh oh, what did he say?"

"Not much..."

"Damn," Trynia muttered, her stomach sinking into her feet. Just then, Dr. Davis entered the lab by the other door, and his gaze fell on the two grad students. Blue eyes fixed into Trynia's with a disapproving scowl. Trynia cringed, wanting the floor to swallow her in an instant.

"Ms. Merin, I see you FINALLY made it to class," he said, glancing at his watch. His voice dropped the temperature in the immediate vicinity about 10 degrees. Even Sharmane shivered.

"I'm sorry, but the snowploughs were not even able to get in till this morning..."

"May I speak to you for a moment, after lab?" Dr. Davis asked her. "I assume you are prepared to take over?"

"But Sharmane..."

"Can go, you will STAY," Dr. Davis answered crisply. Shivering, Sharmane waved goodbye and slunk away, leaving Trynia alone.

"Uh, didn't you get my message sir?" she asked.

"What message? You mean Sharmane? Yes, she did inform me that you could not make it. However we will discuss this matter AFTER lab..."

***

After lab, Trynia was wiping down the lab benches. She felt the burning blue gaze fall on her, and she turned to face Dr. Davis. He stood there, hands thrust into his labcoat pockets.

"Ms. Merin, I am extremely disappointed," he started.

"Sir, I apologize, but I made the necessary arrangements...."

"Having an organic chemist preparing biochem buffers is understandable, but Sharmane has not taken this course. Why did you not find a replacement who had taken the course?"

"She has as an undergrad," Trynia responded. "There was no one else..."

"Aside from that fact, which I will overlook, why did you not attempt to come in early, on Sunday night, when the brunt of the storm was yet to come?"

"Because, where I live it's hazardous to drive on icy roads..." she responded, not wanting to admit that her boyfriend had strongly convinced her not to attempt the trip.

"Really? I had little trouble arriving here, even though I had some icy patches...."

"Well my boyfriend said it wouldn't be a good idea," she countered.

"Is he responsible for you, or are you?" Dr. Davis asked, folding his arms across his chest.

"With all due respect sir, I live in the Poconos..." she started. Davis sighed and shook his head.

"You could have anticipated the weather and stayed with a friend. Why you are living so far away is beyond me... when most full time students have taken it upon themselves to find places which are much closer..."

"Professor I'm sorry, but I did call you to tell you I couldn't make it..."

"I received no such message," he answered.

"But I swear I..." she shook her head. "I did!"

"Sharmane made a number of misleading statements to the students today. I cannot have someone ill prepared to teaching assist the lab. I was most dissatisfied with the way she was preparing the reagents. I am BEGINNING to think you aren't qualified either, from what I have seen of your work ethic."

"Sir, I did what the book said in this circumst..."

"I am the professor, and the book says that the professor has the liberty to decide how to teach his course. Since I have that right, I have the right to decide how to delegate responsibility. Which seems to be a word you do not take seriously."

"Professor Davis, I did what I could. If you want to call my boyfriend and ask him he'll tell you!"

"You are an adult, MS. Merin. You have to take responsibility and stop blaming other people for your mistakes. If you ever want to become a scientist of any consequence. Certain sacrifices must be made!"

"Even at the expense of my own safety?" Trynia asked.

"You should have thought of that ahead of time. Now because of your lack of responsibility, I have had to change my lab schedule. And you will have to make a whole new set of reagents for tomorrow..."

"I am responsible I just need to..."

"I'm sick of hearing what YOU need. I NEED you to think about what you're doing here at Villanova, and why you're wasting our time with your lack of seriousness when others are more deserving! Now I'm going to have to spend time changing my lesson plan. And I want you to carefully consider just WHY you are here, Ms. Merin!"

Biting her lip, she struggled not to cry. Dr. Davis turned away, and picked up his lesson planner. "Oh, and by the way, clean the lab. Your friend did not emphasize the need for cleanliness..."

He turned away, closing the door behind him as he stormed out of the room. Trynia spat a silent curse at him as he left, burying her head in her hands. Hot tears burned down her cheeks.

Trynia picked up her cell phone and dialed the number she had come to memorize. Taking a deep breath, she waited for the familiar voice. Just how was she going to tell him what happened without bursting into tears or yelling at him in frustration?

"Hey baby, how was your first day back?"

"It was horrible!" she grumbled. "I should have never spent Monday night in the Poconos! Dr. Davis totally reamed me out for not coming in!"

"Say what?" Paul asked. "But I thought you called him... and didn't Sharmane..."

"She did cover for me, for all the freaking good it did," Trynia snapped. "I should have left Sunday night! I could have made it! The roads down here were still clear at that point!"

"Whoa, wait a minute," Paul's voice cautioned her to slow down. "According to the weather channel up here, it was icy, and as I recall, people couldn't have even gotten down the mountains till Tuesday morning! Honey, you could have been killed. Think logically...."

She snapped, "Well, the logical thought right now is I'm about THIS close to losing my teaching assistantship."

"Well would he rather have a dead lab assistant then?" Paul asked.

"Dammit Paul, that's not the point!" she yelled into the telephone. "Everything I try to do, I can NEVER get right! This guy is impossible!"

Paul was silent for a moment at her tirade, before saying, "Sweetie, does this guy have a boss? Seems to me, like he's being damn unreasonable. Hell, even GENE would excuse his workers in a damn snowstorm."

"I... know... but it's just that I could have gone in..." Trynia responded.

"According to him..." Paul snorted. "That man's freaking crazy!"

"Damn it, Paul. I don't have your money. I don't have any pull. It's not like they will move mountains for me." She continued. "I should have lived closer..."

"Well, you didn't. You made the best choice possible. Who does this guy think he is?"

"He's the professor of Biochemistry, and he's tenured! That's who," she sighed. "He brings a LOT of grant money into this department."

"So what? I want you here with ME and no stuffy professor is going to stand in our way."

"Oh damn you just don't get it," she groaned. "I was afraid of this!"

Paul didn't seem to understand how academia worked, at least according to Trynia when he continued, "Besides, why can't you find someone else to work with? Surely there are other, more civil human beings in that school of yours."

"I suppose I could switch, but the whole thing is that I'm one of the few students who took graduate biochem..." she explained, trying to keep her voice from shaking. "And there are few others, heck no others I could switch this lab with..."

"Then, he should be bending down and kissing your feet, sweetheart." Paul snorted.

"Yeah... but I wish he'd see it that way..." Trynia responded. "Look Paul, I have to go now. Someone's knocking at my lab door. I'll call you later okay?"

"Sure, but please talk to someone about this, okay? I hate seeing you miserable..."

"Goodbye Paul... I'm sorry I snapped at you..."

"Hey, no problem. Sometimes things just come to a head. I'll call you this time, all right? Let me know when you're coming home..."

***

Dr. Davis stood behind the door when Trynia opened it to her research lab. Those cold blue eyes fixed into hers, and her heart sank again.

"What can I do for you, Professor," she said, swallowing her anger.

"I have decided to change one of the labs in the curriculum. Since we could not proceed with the cellular isolation, I took the time to cover the basics of electrophoresis. Therefore, I have substituted this experiment in Satellite DNA isolation. I would like you to prepare the reagents tonight, and attempt the experiment tomorrow."

"I had planned to devote tomorrow to research," she protested.

"If you plan accordingly you should be able to do both. I must have you try this experiment before I even trust you to demonstrate it to the students. It will continue the following Tuesday, so I suggest you get started now."

Handing her the book, he left the laboratory. Terri buried her head in her hands and cursed silently. For a moment she rubbed her head, and then reached into her purse nearby for her cell telephone. Clicking it on she dialed Sharmane's number.

"Hello?" Sharmane asked. "Are you still there?"

"Yeah. Say, do you mind if I crash at your place the next 2 days? I don't think I can afford to get away from here..."

"Sure. But what about your research?"

"I just need to be in Villanova. Hell, I'll probably bring a damn sleeping bag and camp out in the fricking lab at this rate," she sighed. "Electrophoresis!"

"Oh man I'm sorry. Why don't I bring you some food then?" Sharmane sighed. "I can stop by KFC and bring you some chicken."

"That would be great. You're a good friend, Shar.."

"Sure thing," Sharmane answered. "I'll be right over okay?"

Paul was disappointed when Trynia again called, and announced she'd be spending the next few days, including Wednesday at Sharmane's. He knew he had rehearsal that particular day, and this coming weekend was one more toward the premiere. Sighing, he acknowledged that Trynia should best stay at her friend's apartment for the next few days. After all, the snow was still thick on the roads.

Wednesday came, finding Paul returning late from another rehearsal at NYC. He hated sleeping in the bed alone, missing the woman whose company he enjoyed. It was nearly ten before he came back, but he still missed her as he lay down that night.

There was no message on the answering machine, and Trynia's telephone rang but she did not pick up. Frowning, Paul turned over and tried to sleep. It wasn't very easy.

That next morning he had no calls either. This was getting to be ridiculous, he sighed. Back to NYC he schlepped for a morning and afternoon rehearsal, electing to call at lunch. Still no answer. Perhaps she had forgotten to turn it on, or charge her phone. By now she was probably gearing up to have lab with that awful professor again.

Remembering lab ended at four thirty, Paul waited till five, on another rehearsal break. Dialing her number, he waited pensively.

Finally she picked up, and he asked, "Hello stranger! Did you drop off the face of the planet?"

"Oh god Paul, I'm so sorry I didn't call," came her answer. "I left the phone at Sharmane's, and by the time I realized that, it was Wednesday night. I figured it wouldn't be good to call late..."

"I would have really liked to know you were okay, sweetheart," Paul sighed. "I really missed you..."

"I know and I'm sorry..."

"Can you come home tonight?"

"Aw man... I'm so sorry," came her apology.

"You can't come home?"

"Well not till really late. I was getting some research in, and thanks to Dr. Davis he wants me to make more reagents before Tuesday. I'm trying to get a head start here before the weekend..."

"I hate to say it, Hon, but this man is really beginning to irritate me."

"How do you think I feel?" she snapped back. "I'm stuck here doing electrophoresis reagents till I get it done! Dr. Davis is still here..."

"I just...well...I just can't believe that this is your only choice...your BEST choice at the moment." Paul sighed. "Can't you just leave it till tomorrow? I mean it is Friday... a whole new day..."

"Well if I wanna get out of here I have to finish these reagents. Especially if I want to get some research in for Dr. Goyette before tomorrow. This reaction if I start it takes 18 hours. That gives me just enough time to run the electrophoresis materials once through. I'm not really good at electrophoresis and I have to practice!"

"Look, sweetie," Paul sighed deeply. "I just wish you would come home to me. There's got to be another way for you to do what you want without putting up with this colossal pain in the ass."

"Well if I don't know the electrophoresis before Tuesday..."

"Well come in on Sunday if you have to, or Monday! Can't you just wait and give yourself a break?" Paul asked. "I just hate to see you miserable."

"I suppose I could shitcan this... and hope that I can perform this tomorrow," she grumbles. "I'm freaking tired anyway..."

"You staying with Shar again tonight, or can I use my amazing sexual charms to persuade you to drive on home?"

"If I can drive I'll barely make it to Shar's," she grumbled. "I really have to go now..."

"Awwwwww, sweetheart, OK. If you can't sleep, call me later, OK?"

"All right," she sighed. "I'm sorry, but that's just how it is sometimes... good night..."

Paul sighed when she abruptly clicked off the phone. Glancing at his watch, he realized it was already five. In the background, he could hear the director bellowing at the chorus, and rose quickly from his dressing room table.

"Hey," he called back to the director, who was just backing to the side of the stage to get a good view of the chorus. "Do you still need me tonight?"

"No Mr. Stanley. I think your part's great. However, these people... I can't say the same for the rest of em.."

"Can I take off now? I mean will you need me tomorrow?"

"Nope. Most of the blocking's done. Make sure you head in here Saturday for the dress run through..."

"Thanks. I have to get home to my lady. She's had a stressful week..."

"Tell me about it. You go home and make her forget about it... I sure would if I was in your shoes. Now get out of here," the director laughed.

Paul laughed back, and rushed off to collect his things for the trip home. Scratching his head, he wondered just why Trynia was so distant and cold to him lately. It was not good. What could he do about the professor who was making Trynia's life a living hell?

Whatever affected Trynia affected him as well. Especially since he loved her, and had made significant changes in his own life to accommodate her needs. Soberly he realized that she had not smiled much at all lately. This had to change.

Once he collected his belongings, Paul headed out to his car, and threw his bag in the trunk. He turned the key in the ignition, and stared out at the strips of setting sun. Whom could he talk to about this, Gene perhaps? Chuckling Paul realized what Gene would say, "You dumb ass, make her stay with you! Tell her to tell that asshole to fuck off and bring her back to LA with you!"

"Yeah Gene," he muttered to himself. "I'd really love to. But Trynia..."

Wait a moment, he realized. There was someone else who could help him right now; someone else who had attended Villanova, in the chemistry department. A person who might have some pull with professors in high places, considering how he recalled a conversation that Gene had recently. About how Terri had donated a considerable grant to make a scholarship for young chemistry majors who were short on money.

Depressing the hands-free button, he dialed Terri's personal cell phone number. It was only early afternoon there, and Paul hoped he could get in touch with her. Driving along toward the Tappan Zee Bridge, Paul waited anxiously for her to pick up.

"C'mon Terri, please pick up," he prayed.

"Hey Paul, how's it going?" Terri's cheerful voice came over the speakers. It gladdened Paul's heart to hear her. Now maybe things could change.

"Terri, I'm really sorry to bother you, but I really need a favor."

"Hey, name it. Say, you sound bummed... what's wrong?"

"Well, it's Trynia...uh...not Trynia EXACTLY. She's working for this real ass of a professor and he's making her life miserable."

"OH... in what way?" Terri asked. "I mean I hate to say it but some professors think their job is to make students lives miserable..."

"Yeah, I get that," Paul frowned. "And I think it's gone beyond what's normal."

"How so?"

"Well for instance he reamed Trynia out for not being able to come in during a blizzard, when Trynia had called him, and also had her friend substitute..."

"Good grief," Terri snapped. "What is his name?"

"Hmm......Let me remember. Damn. Hang on. I think she has it written down here somewhere. Hold on... a Professor Davis."

"Oh... damn. He's a real piece of work... is she researching or teaching assistant for him?"

"She's supposed to be a teaching assistant, but at this point, he's treating her more like a glorified chemistry slave. She's working crazy hours. When she comes home, she's tired and stressed out. Terri, we had piles of snow the other night and she's beating herself up about how she should have driven through the mountains to get back to school. JUST for this guy."

"Oh for crying out loud!" Terri groans.

"I know. I mean, ask my guitar tech. He might tell you I'm an ass at times, but I at least try to be FAIR."

"He has done this before, even when I was there, and that was at least five years ago," Terri replied. "You see he's normally got Chinese students working for him who aren't afraid to do whatever they can to bust their ass to please him. And that spoils him to think and demand that all his students work up to that high standard..."

"You're kidding..." Paul rolled his eyes with another groan.

"I wish I was. He started the year that I did, but I was analytical, so I never took any of his classes... or worked for him. But I heard stories. He flunked someone from their comprehensives, and they were his own student, and she lost her teaching assistantship, and had to leave the school."

"I know how driven she is to get this done," Paul sighed. "Sometimes I feel like maybe our living arrangement is standing in the way of that. You know more than almost anyone, Terri, just by being with Gene. You know why I'm out here. I want to make sure this is the lady for me. I just keep getting the feeling that we're going in opposite directions, though."

"Paul, you have to see it from this point of view. she's so used to trying to fend for herself... that she's too proud to ask for help. You've got to get her to see it's okay..."

"Well, I sure don't want her to flunk, but I wouldn't be sad at all to see her leave the school," Paul admitted.

"Well, you could try to get her to see that she can transfer. That is if she switches to non-thesis. She doesn't need the fellowship to get her degree..." Terri suggested. "And she can still be a student there if she pays full tuition, and does research..."

"I tried to recommend that maybe there was someone else. I don't know. Can she change majors?" Paul asked, feeling totally clueless.

"Well she doesn't have to work for him. She's researching for Dr. Goyette, not Dr. Davis..." Terri asked. "She's only teaching assisting with Davis, right?"

"Yes, thank God," Paul answered. "Terri, you know me. Part of me wants to go in there, grab this idiot by his neck and just pound him through the wall."

"Uh Paul, that won't work..." Terri pointed out. "Especially in academialand..."

"I know."

"Well she needs to speak to her advisor... and switch labs... Say, does Dr. Goyette know what she's going through?"

"Terri, she won't listen to me about this. I get the feeling that whenever I bring it up, she either thinks I don't understand or she thinks I'm prying."

"Give her the options I told you. She is only using the fellowship to pay her way... she doesn't need it if she pays full tuition."

"And she'll look at me like she does, thinking, "And you went to college WHERE?" Paul sighed again.

"I know this is probably asking WAYYYY too much, but is there anything you can do?"

"Hmm, good point. You have to be firm Paul, but accommodating. Get her to tell you WHY she's being so stubborn. Remind her that she could just give up the fellowship if she has to," Terri said. "Look, I can ask Dr. Goyette if he knows what Tryn is going through... for starters."

"Aha, that would be GREAT."

"Then I can call my old advisor Dr. Groves, and get him to check into if Dr. Davis has done this to any of his current students..." Terri suggested. "And if that doesn't work I can threaten not to give the department its contribution from me... if they don't look into Dr, Davis' performance..."

"Terri, you're beautiful. Anyone ever tell you that? Other than that big lug you like to keep around?"

"Well... actually there have been many guys who have mentioned that... but that's beside the point..." Terri laughed. "Well, none ever meant it like me." Paul answered.

"Hmm... she might get mad if you found out you were meddling in her business..."

"I've thought of that. It's just to the point where she's almost hostile to me. I guess my choices are to take a chance on this, or end up sleeping on the couch for the rest of the winter." Paul sighed. "And Terri? In case you didn't remember, I can't STAND the couch."

"She's just worn down, the poor thing..." Terri said. "Yeah I know. It's bad for your back..."

"And bad for something else too." Paul answered.

"I can guess that. And even worse is her not even coming home to force you onto the couch..."

"Yeah, it is. She's either going to decide it's easier to stay with Sharmane all the time, or God forbid, she's going to wreck that new car driving here and back in a pissed off mood."

"Paul, I know what you mean..."

"I guess I've tried everything. Not even flirting works, Terri. "

"I wish I could talk to her myself, Paul. I was where she was, about 6 years ago..." Terri said sympathetically. "I thought Chemistry was my life. How wrong I was. But she has to figure it out herself.... and you have to help her see that your life with her is just as important... She has to accommodate you as much as you do her, Paul."

"True. Absolutely.

"Did I just say that?" she laughed.

"Uh, yeah. I think you've officially become demonized."

"Well, the point is this... that she thinks she has to do this the same way. But she has you and your financial resources..."

"I'm going to call her and ask her to come home." Paul said definitively.

"She can simply pay the tuition and SCREW the fellowship."

"Exactly. Screw the fellowship. Screw Me."

"And if that isn't good enough, she can switch to non thesis, transfer her classes... and her school if she needs to." Terri agreed with a slight laugh. "I am sure most of what she's taken will transfer out here. I'll even write her a recommendation for UCLA."

"I've told her before. I'll build her a lab in our house and she can blow up potions to her hearts content."

"Paul, she needs a DEGREE to feel like a scientist," Terri groaned. "Like you need a BAND to feel like a musician."

"Damn, I don't know. I don't know anything about chemistry. I'll pay her to tutor ME."

"Very funny, Paul. Look, you KNOW what I mean. Can you play without your Ibanez Iceman?"

"Look, that's different."

"That's how important a masters is to her..." Terri reminded him. "For instance, you can choose a different school like you can a different guitar right? If you can't have an IBANEZ you can have a WASHBURN..."

"I know that, but go ask Gene. From the very beginning, when we were driving cabs and working as typists, we did everything our way. There was NO one who was going to tell us how to run our operation and that has never changed..."

"Yes. You know that, and I know that. Let her know that if she wants something badly enough, she will find her OWN way."

"I totally respect Tryn chasing her dreams. Hell, I'd never deny her that. I just hate to see some washed-up pain in the rear discourage her to the point where she's not even believing in herself."

"Even if she has to take longer to get the degree, Paul. She should do it on HER terms, not theirs." Terri snapped. "SCREW Dr. Davis. he's ruined enough dreams..."

"But every time I try to tell her not to let it bother her, she gives me an earful about how hard it is and how I just don't understand."

"Well, then, tell her to explain it to you, Paul."

"To me, it's like going out to my front yard and repeatedly running the car over my foot. Yeah, I could live through it even though it hurts like hell, but what's the f**cking point?"

"Yeah, that's a very good analogy," Terri acknowledged. "She's just thinking she has to do it this way cause that's how everyone else has done it... but that's BULL."

Paul sighed, "I'm sorry, Terri. It's my male libido speaking, I'm sure. I was just hoping she'd be here tonight. Now I'll be alone, it appears."

"Well, can't you go see her?" Terri asked.

"I...well...she's staying with Sharmane."

"Go into that lab, and pay her a surprise visit? I mean they don't kick you out that late at night..."

"I didn't realize that..." Paul muttered, then laughed. "'ME? At college?"

"Yes. See what she's going through, and let her know you're TRYING to understand.

"Maybe....well....maybe I'll just drive down there and pick her up. She can sleep on the way back."

"Exactly, Paul. NOW you're thinking!"

"I think she has tomorrow off anyway," Paul said, tapping his chin. "That's a great idea. She can rant and rave all the way home and maybe she can get some of it out of her system. And maybe she'll come to the conclusion you and I both wish she would."

"Yes. Tell her you want her home, so you can resolve this. Tell her that you two need to talk... And that if she doesn't come with you, you're staying there with her."

"I want her to logically and calmly explain to me why she feels the need to continue to patronize this man," Paul said.

"Yes. Now get your butt into that car and get down there!"

"Oh love, I'm halfway there," Paul laughed. "I am on my car phone, remember?"

"Are you actually IN the car now?"

"You bet," Paul laughed. "Terri?"

"What?"

"Thanks a lot. I appreciate your input."

"You're welcome. I don't want this one to slip away from you."

"You and me both."

"I would hope YOU more then me."

"Hmmmmmmmmmm. Well, perhaps there are certain perks to my company." Paul laughed. He turned the car south on the blue route towards Villanova, guessing that Trynia would still be in the laboratory by the time he arrived.

Paul pulled up to the guard shack at the Ithan Avenue exit. Leaning out the window, he told the guard, "Excuse me, I'm here to pick up my girlfriend. She's working late. Can I park over here or get a temporary pass?"

"Where are you going, and how long will you be?" the guard asked him.

"Well I'll only be a few minutes hopefully. I think she's in Mendel Hall... the Chemistry department. I'm her boyfriend, Stanley Eisen..."

"Does she know you're coming?"

"Well she isn't expecting me... but if I have to get a pass..."

"Park over here, in the guest lot. And give me your address and phone number. It's just that we need to have security..."

"I understand," Paul nodded. He pulled over where the guard indicated, and parked. Reaching in the seat next to him, he grabbed the cheese-steak and the Italian hoagie he had bought at Campus Corner, a few blocks down, with the fries and diet coke. He remembered she always loved cheese steaks, and when Teri had first introduced Paul to a real Philly cheese steak, he could understand why native Pennsylvanians treasured them so. Although he had insisted on a turkey steak, because he was not crazy about red meat.

He trudged up the hill, past the rows of college students. There were two lines of dormitories opposite the huge gymnasium. Stopping one student he asked, "Hey, can you tell me where Mendel Hall is?"

"Sure thing man. Just up past the bookstore, and the library. Keep going till you see the green, and it's right there. You taking a class there?"

"Uh no, I'm bringing my girlfriend dinner," he answered innocently. The college age student, in his gray Villanova shirt, shorts and sandals didn't give Paul a second glance in his leather jacket, pants and button up shirt.

"She a continuing Ed student?"

"No, a grad student, in chemistry..."

"Hey, that's tough stuff. That'd be the third floor..." the guy said. "Take it easy... I gotta run to practice..."

"Sure thing. Thanks man," Paul nodded, and continued on his way. He was relieved nobody here knew who he was. Still it was sobering to see all the young college guys and girls bustling about in the evening. Most were headed the opposite direction, toward the vast expanse of parking lot that Trynia had said was the Main lot. Most of the dorms were off campus in two smaller tracts of land. Over the night air, he heard the pounding bass beat of Linkin Park and Nickleback coming through while he walked by the two dormitories up the hill. Past a large set of buildings which was the Student Union he continued, seeing the large gothic architecture that exemplified Villanova. He cut across campus past the library, and finally saw the building the guard and the other student had described. Still lights twinkled in the top floors, and Paul guessed one of them must have Trynia behind it, slaving away.

Two large buildings ringed the rear of campus, and he saw they interconnected with a walkway. Down a cement incline he walked, to the bottom where a young girl in long sport pants, and a tight crop top was buttoning her doubled breasted pea coat as she came out into the snowy night.

"Hey there baby, is this Mendel hall?" Paul asked her.

"Hey there yourself," she answered. "Sure is. You meeting someone?"

"My girlfriend's working late in the Chemistry department. Where is it?"

"Third floor. I just got outta class myself."

"Do you know her? Her name's Trynia..." Paul suggested.

"I remember the name like vaguely, but I don't have her as a TA..."

"Thanks, Hon," Paul smiled, and continued on where she pointed. Shouldering her backpack, the girl strode off in the direction of the library. Paul admired her slim hips and swaying blond hair, she was tucking up into a bun. She thrust a pencil through it to keep it up, and vanished behind the large white dorm he'd passed a few minutes before. He slipped in through the glass door and trotted up the stairs. Paul emerged on a landing, and glanced left and right in the long hallways. He realized he had no clue where Trynia was.

Hopefully the man walking down the hall could tell him. He carried a leather briefcase in one hand, and a long brown coat tucked over his other arm. Short-cropped hair was brown with encroaching white, the thick glasses perched on a hawkish nose. Blue eyes fixed into Paul's, with question.

"Excuse me sir," Paul asked. "I have a delivery for a Trynia Merin in the computer lab."

The professor grumbled, "It's damn late for any deliveries, but she's in the 2nd door down."

"Well it's just some dinner for her..." Paul said.

"She's working on an important assignment though... which I hope for her sake she's close to getting done... before she shows it to the students on Thursday..."

Paul nodded, "OK, thank you."

"You're welcome. Are you a student here? In our night school?"

"Well not exactly," Paul thought for a minute.

"Well then may I ask your name, and how you know Ms. Merin?"

"I'm....uh....Paul Merin," Paul said quickly, hoping perhaps this man, who he was guessing was a professor would think he was Trynia's husband.

"Mr. Merin, your daughter is a hard worker at times, but let's just say, her priorities need rearranging."

"My... daughter?" Paul asked, trying hard not to laugh.

"You are Mr. Merin, right? It's nice of you to bring her dinner, but will you please make sure to tell her that she should show a little more.. .priority in her studies... running off every weekend on some joyride isn't exactly... the best way to finish her research..."

"Well she is working late tonight, right?" Paul said, lowering his eyebrows in fatherly concern. "I mean Trynia has always put Chemistry first..."

"It's not to say she's not... intelligent, but I am concerned her undergraduate education did not sufficiently prepare her to think like a graduate student..."

"Oh? Why do you say that?" Paul asked.

"I'm just concerned that she needs to reassess her priorities about why she's here, Mr. Merin. Please speak with her."

"Well, it was nice to meet you. I certainly will apply the screws to my daughter." Paul said, wandering down the hall. Shaking his head, he burst out laughing. The professor continued on, exiting the stairwell at the midpoint of the hall.

Paul trotted down to the end of the building, where there was another stairwell. He almost dashed down the stairs and rushed to the lab where there was a light still burning. Glancing inside he saw Trynia move across the glass rectangular window set in the upper half of the door.

"Delivery!" he shouted, rapping on the metal door. There was no answer, so Paul tried the handle, and found it unlocked. He entered, gasping at the totally foreign world he had entered.

Along one wall were large glass fronted panels before metal awnings. Trynia stood before one, and then turned to a central lab bench, topped with flasks. Several were on metallic stir plates, the tiny bars whirling in the bottom of them. It resembled the lab he had seen a while back when he'd visited Terri's workplace, except instead of metal, the cabinets were wood and steel, stained with many splotches.

"Paul!!! What are you doing here?" Trynia gasped, whirling about. Her blue labcoat covered her form to her knees, plastic goggles covering her glasses. On her hands, she had blue rubber gloves, a long glass tube clenched in one hand, while holding a rubber bulb in the other.

"Special delivery," Paul smiled, and strode toward her. She made no move toward him, instead backing away and pushing up her goggles so she could see him more clearly.

"Paul! Holy crap, what the hell are you doing here?"

"Well, something told me this chemistry lab was seriously lacking in a genuine Philly Cheese Steak at the moment, not to MENTION some nice red roses for the lovely lady."

"Oh god Paul... no FOOD in the lab!!!" Trynia cried, pointing to the white bag he carried. "Don't you read the signs?"

Paul laughed, and stopped where he was. "What? Does this mean detention for little old me?"

"I'm SERIOUS!" Trynia snapped at him. "It could mean that whatever I'm working with in here could contaminate what you bring in..."

"Soooooo, what you're saying is if the cheese in this cheese steak turns pink, we've got a problem?" he joked. Scowling, Trynia grabbed his arm, and marched him toward the door.

"I dare not eat something while I'm working with dangerous chemicals," she muttered, grabbing the bag from him and a stool from one of the benches. Opening the door she put the stool out into the hall, and plunked the bag down on it.

"Sweetie, what's up?? I thought you'd be thrilled to see me." Paul protested, grabbing her shoulder and turning her around to face him.

"Paul, I just... it's late and I have to get this done... not that I don't like seeing you..." Trynia sighed, rubbing her face and not fixing her sight into his. "It's just that I thought I told you I was staying at Sharmane's!"

"Now, Hon, you did, and I've had a chance to think about it, and I decided that it just wasn't acceptable for your pretty little head to be sleeping alone on that pillow."

"Oh god," she groaned, and turned back to one of the large flasks stirring on its hot plate.

"And I knew you'd be working late without any food, and so..........here I am," Paul said, holding out his arms to her. "Your knight in shining armor. Only this one is in shining leather and smells like Campus Corner Hoagies and Steaks."

"I appreciate it, I really do," Trynia said, back still turned to him as she continued to pour a chemical from a beaker into another large flask. "But I'm right in the middle of this!"

"Tryn, all I want right now is a kiss. I'll even take a contaminated one."

"Paul, please try to understand... I can't just rush out of here," Trynia sighed.

"Look.....honey, I just don't know what to say to make it better for you. This coming from a man who writes lyrics for a damn living, but it's true."

"Paul, I can handle it... you'll just have to be patient, all right?" Trynia asked, turning her head to face him.

"Look, I'm trying to be patient, but I'm worried sick about you here!" Paul protested. "You might at least act like you're glad to see me!"

"I am, but this isn't a good time!" Trynia snapped at him.

"Then when is?" Paul asked her. "Please, I just thought you'd be glad to see me! Is it too much to take five minutes and eat something and talk to the man you love?"

"Oh god," Trynia sighed, and buried her head in her hands. "I'm so sorry... I just... shit... I can't explain this to you... I...."

"I would do ANYTHING to take this pain away from you. What happened to the beautiful, happy lady I fell in love with? I'll do anything, Tryn. Bring you hoagies, cheese steaks, flowers...I've even played your damn DAD tonight."

"What?" she asked, glancing up from crying, eyes filled with tears.

"Yeah, some guy just asked me if I was your dad," Paul laughed, and moved over to her with a wink. "And don't think THAT won't cost you in bed some night..."

"Oh brother," she groaned. "Who was it?"

"Apparently he has issues with your performance and would like me to take it up with you, MS. Merin." Paul laughed.

"Oh god... do you know who that was?" she gasped, jumping away from Paul.

"Huh... No. A cranky janitor, who just happens to know a LOT about you?"

"That was Dr. Davis!!!" Trynia wailed, grabbing Paul's arms and gripping them tightly. "Do you realize what could have happened? He was checking up on me!!!"

"Baby, relax. You're going nuts." Paul urged, removing her hands from his arms and holding them firmly in his own. She trembled, biting her lip as she pulled away.

"I can't relax anymore... I just... oh shit..." she threw up her hand and turned away, gripping the side of the lab counter. "He's driving me crazy!"

'If that was him, he struck me as a sour old man who has nothing better to do than to pull a hard worker down." Paul said, moving up behind her and gripping her shoulders. She flinched and moved away, grabbing a large jar of chemicals and another beaker from a shelf. She plopped the beaker down on the balance and tared it. Slowly she began to scoop a white crystalline powder out of the jar to weigh it.

"Has he not NOTICED that you are here, late into the night, putting in all these hours for him?"

"Yes he does..." Trynia answered, writing down the weight on a piece of colored tape. She stuck it to the front of the beaker, and moved the beaker off the scale. "He thinks that is what every graduate student should do"

"Seems like he would at least give you SOME credit for working damn hard." Paul snorted.

"No matter what I do, he's just not satisfied..." she said, pushing past him, beaker in hand.

"Trynia, look at yourself. This ass is making you sit here, shivering and crying. Doubting yourself. WHY are you letting him do that?"

"Because... he thinks that I shouldn't even be here. I want to prove him wrong!" Trynia snapped, plunking the beaker down.

"But you're destroying yourself in the process...and you might even be destroying us."

"What's that?" Trynia asked, glaring at him.

"I want you so bad, honey, and I just feel you pulling farther and farther away from me. Pretty soon, I'll just be an annoyance."

"Oh god, no... never..." she cried, turning toward him.

"I spent my entire day at the theatre, hoping the time will go quickly so I can maybe be with you." Paul explained, calmly as he could. "You have late nights in the lab. I understand that. But lately, it's almost if you don't want to see me, lab or no lab."

"Oh god," Trynia stammered, tears forming in her eyes. Pulling off her glasses, she buried her face in her hands. "I just can't balance it all... it wasn't supposed to be like this..."

"Aww shhh baby," Paul sighed, crossing the lab floor with his arms held out. He hugged her close, pulling her labcoated form to rest in his arms. Trynia sobbed into the shoulder of his leather jacket, glasses clenched in her hand.

"Honey, I want us to be happy. YOU to be happy. If this is what you want, I want it too. But I see this as becoming something other than that. I may be misguided, but I don't exactly see happiness in your eyes right now."

Trynia's response was a sob, gripping his waist tightly as she buried her head further into his neck. Hot tears burned her eyes.

"And I haven't seen it since you came back here." Paul continued.

"I just so want to tell him to stick it..." she whimpered. "But then I'll lose my fellowship..."

"Believe me, I would like nothing better than that, but you know you have to have a back-up plan."

"A back up plan? I can't afford to pay tuition!" Trynia cried, pulling away.

"Hmmmmmmmm. I wonder who you possibly know that might be able to cover it for you." Paul smiled, tucking a piece of hair behind her ear. Reaching around her, he tickled her ribs. Trynia's face crumpled again and she buried her head in his shoulder once more.

"But I can't just quit... can I?" she asked, muffling her voice in his neck.

"Tryn, tell me what you want to do. Ignore the money bit. Just tell me what you want."

"I want this degree..." she gritted. "But I'm so fucking sick of jumping through hoops for this bastard."

"You can do whatever you want. If you tell me, "Honey, I want to stay here and make reagents all night", then that's what you want. I don't believe it, for the record." Paul sighed, stroking her hair as he continued to hold her close. "OK, you want the degree. Where else can you go?"

Trynia broke away from him and gripped the side of the lab counter. She hugged herself for a moment, and then glanced at the beaker of reagents. Angrily she swept her hand against it, tipping the beaker and the powder onto the floor with a mighty crash. Reagent spilled over the floor in a white cascade.

"I take it that's my answer," Paul said quietly.

"I... oh shit I'm sorry," Trynia gasped, when she realized what she had done. Grabbing paper towels, she started to clean up the broken glass. Paul squatted near her, grabbing the broom and dustpan he had seen nearby.

"I'm loosing it..." she stammered. She let him sweep the glass and powder into the dustpan, and she pushed the trashcan toward him so he could dump the mess inside.

"No, now you can't. You have to stay calm," Paul urged as he set the dustpan and broom aside. "You want to stay here and talk or go somewhere else? I've got a cup of coffee in the car and I can drive us home, if you want."

Trynia sighed deeply. She rested her hands on her hips, and glanced at the reagents stirring away. Finally she turned back to Paul, and said, "All right... give me ten minutes to put this stuff away..."

"That's my girl!" Paul smiled.

"I'll store it till Saturday," she decided.

"That's perfect. I have 2 days to pamper you and make you forget this place ever existed." He whispered in her ear.

"Would you help me carry some things to the coldbox please?" she asked. "All you have to do is carry the larger flasks like this..."

"Uh, what if I drop them?" Paul asked.

"Put on these gloves here, and then grab the top of the flask with your hand... and then support the bottom with your other... that's it..." she instructed, showing him how to carry a large 4 liter conical flask filled to the top with reagent. The flask was capped with aluminum foil, and she showed him where the large glass coldbox was.

At last she washed her hands and threw her gloves away. She began to collect her belongings, while Paul washed his own hands. Still her eyes were red and swollen from crying.

"Say, Trynster, you really think my right arm will fall off if I eat a bit of that hoagie?" Paul teased her.

"No... you still left it in the bag, wrapped, and out in the hall, smart ass," she relents. "And besides, I'm working with biochemical... not flammables..."

He winked and laughed, "SPEAKING of my ass, it's been mighty lonely."

"Paul, what about my car... I can't just leave it can I?" Trynia suddenly asked him.

"Well where is it?"

"I mean it is in student parking..." Trynia said. "So it should be okay.

"Why don't you drop the keys by Shar's house? She'd probably love to drive around in a Mercedes for a few days. And I'll bring you back on Saturday."

"Oh man... I guess she would," Trynia laughed.

Paul smiled, and retrieved the bag from the hallway while she turned off the lights. Shouldering her purse and still wearing her labcoat, she shoved the door closed.

"Here, love. Have a cheese steak," Paul urged, reaching into the bag and handing her a wrapped parcel.

"Aww, perfect," she smiled, and unwrapped one half. Hungrily she bit into it as Paul shouldered her backpack over his left arm.

"The delivery is free, but MAN, the tip is going to cost you." Paul joked, grabbing her rear with his free hand. He carried the bag in his opposite arm.

Yelping, Trynia almost dropped the cheese steak, "Do you want to wear this? You're not even in a labcoat!"

"My dear, are you threatening me with a sandwich?" Paul laughed as she held the cheese steak, dripping with its juices, precariously close to his leather jacket. They were halfway down the hall now, approaching the stairs.

Trynia noticed that Paul was wearing a button down flannel shirt she loved on him. It was a soft maroon, tucked neatly into his flat front pants, made of a soft fabric. It set off the black leather jacket and his short dark hair, neatly slicked back.

"Oh-ho, sweets, I don't think you want to challenge me to a hoagie battle. As a good song once said, "You know what my hands can do."

"Mine can do a lot worse... with grease on them. And besides, I'm originally from Philly, so don't even try and go up against the Hoagie queen!" Trynia laughed back. They trotted down the stairs together, keeping pace with one another.

"Huh. This isn't starting to sound half-bad. You...me...and some nice hot grease."

"Oh GOD I'm starving!!!" Trynia interrupted, as he fished the fries out of the bag for her.

"Hang on," Paul said, and dropped her bag just before they reached the door. "It's cold out here... and you're not wearing a coat!"

"Oh god, I left it in my car!" she groaned.

"Wait a minute. Trade you," Paul grinned.

"You serious?" she asked.

"Gimmie your labcoat," Paul urged. Trynia shoved the fries back into the bag, and pushed it into his hands. She unbuttoned her coat and peeled it off. Paul took it from her, and handed her the bag again. He draped his leather jacket over her shoulders, and slipped her labcoat on. Taking her backpack, he hefted it onto his shoulders again.

"Paul, you look so silly," Trynia chuckled, seeing him modeling the blue labcoat.

"Ms. Merin, kindly allow Dr. Love to walk you out of here, if you please." He said, opening the door for her with a huge grin on his face.

"Oh brother," she laughed.

"Tryn, it's really good to hear you laughing." Paul smiled, taking her hand as they continued up the pathway toward the rest of campus. "For a while there, it was really getting to be at a premium"

"Busted huh?" she joked, holding the bag close. It was still warm with the food inside he had brought her.

"I just want you to be happy." Paul said, slipping his arm around her waist. They cut across campus, joining the other lines of students heading to their cars and dorms.

"I'm sorry I flipped... I guess I just never expected you to show up impromptu." Trynia apologized. "You drove all the way here just to come get me... that's sweet..."

"Mighty generous of a dad to come all the way out here, huh?" Paul teased. They crossed the street, to the visitor lot.

"Oh brother!" Trynia laughed again, wincing. "He thought you were my DAD?"

"Tonight, my dear, I am Paul Merin." Paul laughed. He held her hand firmly so she wouldn't slip on the patches of ice streaking the parking lot.

"Oh my god," she starts to laugh. "Thank god for you we have the same coloring... Or that jerk Davis wouldn't buy it!!"

"Nope. Bad word. No "Davis" for tonight." Paul scolded her. He reached into his pants pocket for the keyless entry, and she heard the resounding pop of the doors opening on his Mercedes. Still he moved around before her and opened the door on the passenger side. "Quoting another really brilliant song, "Tonight, you belong to ME!"

"Aww," Trynia sighed. Paul climbed in, divesting himself of the labcoat first. Under her the car vibrated as he slammed shut his door, and turned the car on.

"Are we even going to make it back home?" Trynia asked, when they pulled out of the lot, and turned onto Lancaster Avenue. "Or should we just crash in my old room at Shar's?"

"Hmmmmmmmmmm. The college apartment is intriguing, but the privacy factor......"

"Well she sleeps like a log..." Trynia said. "She almost slept through a fire drill..."

"I promise to be somewhat quieter than that." Paul laughed, taking her hand and squeezing it. "It's up to you, hon."

"Well, I'm totally exhausted... but I will be somewhat coherent... to please and tease..."

"I have a better idea. Any of these college boys ever do you the honor of taking you to a hotel?"

"Er no..."

"For the sole purpose of decadent behavior, mind you." Paul added, winking at her. "Your pick, babe."

"Now that you mention it... I do know a nice one... the Adam's Mark... It's a half hour up the street... towards Philly..."

"That's where we're headed then."