This story takes place shortly after Great Expectations

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.

That weekend:

"YOU really LIKE my LIMOSINE, you really LIKE the way the WHEELS roll..." echoed through the screaming audience in Atlanta. Trynia stood before the chairs in the front row, people to her left and right joining her in singing the lyrics to Do You Love me. Only twenty feet away Paul turned and shook his rear, showing off his million-dollar backside encased in spandex. His dark eyes saw her for the first time and he turned to beam a rare smile at her.

Doing the peacock dance, he again turned around to shake his butt. Around her neck, she fingered the VIP pass, tucking it into the front of her gauzy spaghetti strapped dress decorated with tiny silver stars. Tall leather boots completed the ensemble, laceup and black to her knees. Grabbing the rose she had in her hand she hurled it up onstage while the song finished.

He reached down to grab it and winked at her shortly, before scratching his hair cutely with one hand. Hurling it to a road crew to one side, he strutted back to his microphone.

Next to her, the blond struggled to get onto her seat, only to be yanked down by her boyfriend for fear of losing their five hundred-dollar seats. A pick sailed out from Paul's hand, clearly headed in Trynia's direction. She reached up to grab it as it arched overhead, only to be shoved out of the way by the blonde beside her.

Noticing this, Paul looked at her and pouted before continuing the last refrain of his song. Trynia shoved the blond back, and pushed her into her boyfriend.

Paul pointed right to Trynia and motioned her to come to the edge of the stage.

She did so, noticing how the security guards moved aside to let her pass. A hand grabbed her and tried to pull her back, but was stopped by a watchful security guard. At the verge of the stage, in the press pit, Paul ducked his head, while Ace took the guitar bridge. Taking a pick from his guitar, he waved it for her to see. For a full minute he placed it in his mouth, then opened his lips slowly to reveal it on his sensuous tongue. With a toss of his head he flicked it out and it sailed out and over to land onto her chest. The crowd around her laughed and cheered. She quickly rushed back to her seat.

Unfastening her bra, she slipped it through the straps of her dress and whirled it around her head. It sailed up and over into the press pit. One of the road crew took it and hung it over Paul's microphone. He looked at her and rolled his eyes, clearing enjoying the show.

He began to flick his fingers lightly over his nipple. She is folded her arms across her chest and arched her back. The redhead two seats down from Trynia flipped up her KISS shirt before Paul, and he smiled, mouthing his thank you to her.

Next to Trynia on her left, a guy tipped his beer and snaked his arm around Trynia's waist. He whispered, "Hey, show him your tits, pick lady!"

"I can't," she whispered back.

"Do it," he whispered. "You know you wanna..."

"WE got some GOOD Looking GIRLS out theah... and I gonna say... you look MIGHTY FahhhINE! So if you wanna get KISSED... get it to the LADIES ROOM!"

Paul danced away for a moment, guitar in hand, and goes to the other side of the stage. Trynia leaned over the front railing, trying to get a better view as the blond pushed into her again. Ace stumbled over, winking at Trynia and giving her the thumbs up.

"Flash 'em!" the guy next to her called, and grabbed Trynia, putting her onto her chair.

"Wait, let me go!" she laughed. He put her on his shoulders, with a bit of help from the other guy behind him. She gasped as she was afforded a nice view of the guys onstage. Gene flipped his tongue at her, motioning her to take off her shirt.

"GET DOWN!" someone screamed from behind Trynia. She craned her neck and almost fell off balance. Hands tore at her, and she felt herself falling backwards into the crowd. Fortunately, she landed on the man whose shoulder had borne her, and his friend drunkenly helped her up.

Paul's on the mini stage off to the right, flirting with the women and throwing picks everywhere. Ace saw Trynia her topple and chuckled slightly. "Watch it, Paul chick" he mouthed, cackling.

"You asshole!" the blonde behind Trynia snapped as the guy climbed to his feet. Her boyfriend began to argue with him, and he tipped his beer on the man's chest. Suddenly his friend reached around and grabbed Trynia by the front of her shirt, squeezing her breasts.

"Show us your horns, girly!" he laughed.

"LET ME GO!" Trynia snapped. A fist swung over her head, crashing into the face of the guy who had put her onto his shoulders. He countered with another punch, and Trynia was pulled aside into the seat of the man's friend.

"C'mon baby!" he yelled.

Ace looked over hard at one of the security guards, then back to Trynia. Security raced out to assist, but Trynia was dragged into the second row. She screamed and kicked, as hands groped and lips searched hers. Her hand worked free and slapped HARD across the offender's face. Climbing over the seat she lost one shoe and tore her purse into one arm. IT was hard to climb over the seat but she managed it. A hand seized her wrist, and cries and punches sounded next to her as the blond grabbed her VIP pass.

"COME BACK, you bitch!" the offender snapped, rubbing his jaw where she had slapped him. Andre suddenly moved out, grabbing Trynia and hauling her bodily over the safety rail into the press pit. His fist flashed out, landing into the guy's jaw. Trynia noticed him falling into the blond, almost knocking her over.

Paul looked over periodically and noticed with concern something is going on.

Another security guard moved up to Trynia, urging her into a folding chair near the banks of cameras.

"You're in the photo pit?" Paul mouthed to her with concern as he passed by.

She nodded and hugged herself, her dress torn.

"Don't get him all upset," one of the guards whispered to her. "He'll have a damn cow."

Just then, the first guy who had put her over his shoulders struggling to put one leg over the rail. He grinned and motioned to her. Quickly people tugged at him, and Andre hurled him back into the mass of screaming fans. Fists flew and a major free for all ensued. Trynia hugged herself, shivering.

Gene and Paul exchanged glances, and Paul drew a finger across his throat, signaling Ace to stop playing. Rushing over to his mike he snarled, "We're got some fucking idiots here tonight? Someone looking to stop the show?"

"Oh shit," whispered the guard to Trynia. Several people hissed and booed, as the others yelled in protest. Paul glared in the general direction. The man who had been thrown off suddenly jumped up on his chair and flipped Paul the finger. He hurled a beer bottle onstage, which crashed at Paul's feet.

"YOU SUCK!" someone shouted.

"NO ONE fucks with my show!" Paul yelled as he walked in the general direction, dark eyes flashing with anger.

Three fans grabbed the offender and punched him, dragging him down from his chair before he could further heckle Paul. Gene stormed over, furious as well, about to say something into the microphone.

Trynia flicked her gaze back into the audience where fists flew and banners ripped a free for all right before the band. In anger, Paul stormed shortly offstage. She saw Paul arguing vehemently with the head of security, his hands flying wildly as he pointed.

She heard Gene yell, "Stanley, get your ASS out there. This is becoming a fucking free for all."

Security rushed out, diving into the audience to break up the fray. Several fans were hauled, kicking and screaming out of the arena. Paul threw Gene a look, then moved tentatively onstage. Ace glanced to Peter, who nodded. He leaned up to his mike and said, "HEY! You guys WITH US? Or are you dumb fucks gonna turn this into a free for all? Cause I dunno about you, but I wanna see if ol' Starchild is gonna come back out..."

He began to doodle on his guitar, strumming the theme from Jeopardy. It then merged into the 2001-space odyssey, a bit early, but enough to catch the attention away from the security guards hauling people out of the way.

Paul walked up to the microphone center stage, and shouted, "I want to apologize for the fucking ASSHOLES who busted their way into YOUR show tonight."

Ace stopped playing and made a silly noise on his Gibson, to emphasize Paul's speech as it continued, "Because we're committed to giving you what YOU want to see, and we won't let a couple of scum suckers ruing the SHOWWWW!"

"PAUL!" everyone screamed.

Paul looked at Ace with a slight smile. He played a teasing riff from King of the Nighttime world, then switched to New York Groove. Cutely he shrugged, shaking his head.

"Now...boys...what should we play?" Paul asked, his hair dripping with sweat.

"Well my name it is a number..." Ace began to sing. He stopped and cocked a hand over his ear to listen.

"KISS AHHHHHHMMMY," Paul said, playing up the N Y accent, "You want to hear the space man sing about the new millennium?"

"YEAHHHHH!" everyone shouted.

"Orrrrr do you want to hear something really obscure?" he winked and teased.

"Something we NEVAH play any more."

"GOT TO CHOSE!" someone yelled. Paul cupped his hand over his ear as if to listen.

"LOVE HER ALL I CAN!"

"LOVE THEME!"

He noodled around on his guitar a bit, and shook his head.

"SHANDI!"

Ace winced and shook his head, starting to play a riff from Shock me. He switched to Quanta La Mera briefly. Paul shook his head and laughed.

"Well, you know...you KNOWWWWWW...." he says, then smiled at the cheers.

"It's get very lonely for a stud like me on the road, going from place to place, NO ONE to take care of me!"

The females whistled, and Paul strode to the edge of the stage, leaning down to wink at Trynia. He said seductively, "Because you KNOWWWWWWW...I like my sex! Soooooooooo, when I'm not playin' for you tonight up here, making all you ladies HOTTTTTT...."

One girl fell into her waiting boyfriend's arms, nearly fainting from the sheer testosterone crackling off the stage. Paul continued to tease, strutting as he enjoyed the screams of the ladies. He pushed one of his straps down to more screams.

"I'm going to be ordering me up some ROOOOOM SERVICE tonight!" he yelled, as they begin to play the song.

"YEAHHHHH!" Trynia screamed. She stood on her chair and Screamed to him, to cheer him on. The concert continued bangs and flashes merging into a sight and sound assault on all senses.

During the song Black Diamond, Chris urged Trynia backstage. She followed him as he bustled her past the other guards, into the small door that led to the press pit, under a labyrinth of tunnels. Out of darkness into light she passed, where white painted bricks peeked out from the huge stacks of crates with the band log on them. She felt cold air hitting her back, and glanced around to see her dress torn up the back.

"Oh shit..." Chris groaned. "You're a mess, girl. If Paul sees that...'

"Oh god... he can't see me like this..."

"No, because he'll be pissed all night. We'll take you to the costume lady, Gloria. She might have some black thread, thank GOD."

"WE gotta fix that... MATT get the costume lady!"

"OH jeez," Trynia sighed.

"Wait here, let's get you backstage... to the spare room," he said, bustling her in the direction of the rear of the compound. She was hastened to a semicircle of trailer busses, where road crews climbed on and off of them. A lady spied Chris frantic waving, and rushed up with a T-shirt in hand.

"Oh my..."

"Get her dress fixed, pronto..." said Chris.

"Let's get you inside here for a moment you poor dear," another girl, who appeared to also be wardrobe, suggested. "I can get you some jeans and a T shirt..."

"Can you fix her dress?" Chris whispered to Gloria.

"Sure, I'll get right on it..." she nodded. "Get that poor dear some food and drink!"

"Sheri?" Chris asked the other girl, standing near Trynia.

"I'll take care of her. You just tell the big guy she was hungry and needed some food," Sheri winked.

"Just stay with her," Chris urged. "I'll bring Paul to you..."

Once inside the roomy tour bus, Sheri urged her to the back room where a double bed was set up. Pushing a 2x shirt into Trynia's hand she said, "Just throw your dress out to us, and we'll have it fixed up as good as new..."

"Thanks," Trynia nodded. She closed the door, and shed her dress with a sigh. It was close to being ruined, one strap ripped in two with pulls and tears up the back. Pulling the 2x shirt over her head, she found it came to her mid thighs like a miniskirt. She retrieved the silver studded belt from her dress and belted the large shirt with it.

"Okay here's the dress," she said, tossing it out to them. "You mind if I get some fresh air? I feel a little closed in..."

"Just be careful. Go RIGHT to Chris when he comes back for you," said Gloria. Trynia stepped off the buss and into the night air, the orange haze of sodium lamps painting everything in an eerie twilight. At the edge of the lot, she noticed someone creeping between the fence and the busses, headed toward the back door of the arena. Something about her seemed suspicious, and she looked like a fan. For a while Trynia watched her sauntering over, as if to avoid the gases of anyone who might notice her.

A road crewmember moved up to her, and she giggled, giving him a flash of what appeared to be a press pass. He led her to one of the trailer busses, and told her to wait outside. In the quickening cold of the approaching night, the girl gathered her jean jacket around herself, and flicked a bit of blond curl out of her eyes. Her mascara was thick, as was her eyebrow pencil, the pancake makeup plastered over her face. Attractive, but in a strange cheap manner.

Trynia wandered casually over, her stomach churning with sudden fear. At sound of Trynia's heels the blond glanced to Trynia, shrinking away.

"Hi," Trynia said. "Pretty cold, huh?"

"Oh, well, WHO wants to know?" the girl said defiantly.

"Don't get all cranky, I'm just asking a question," Trynia said.

"Well, who are you?" she asked. "Cause ...I'm with Paul. I'm carrying his baby..."

Incredulously Trynia blinked, wondering what on EARTH the woman was talking about. She saw no evidence of pregnancy, so even if the woman WAS telling the truth, she must be early on.

"You are?" Trynia asked, raising an eyebrow. "How far along ARE you, and where did you meet him..."

"We had HOT sex in Atlanta..." she said, backing away in the direction of the stage "And you better stay away from him cause he's mine!"

"Are you SUPPOSED to be back here?" Trynia asked, moving after her.

"I'm his fiancée, and I'm CARRYING his baby," she repeated, trying to look confident. "And if he sees any groupies like you back here, he'll send SECURITY ON you!"

"REALLY?" Trynia laughed in her face.

"Yes. Really." she said, trying to look confident, but her eyes are darting around.

"If you guys would get your HEADS out of your ASSES and quit trying to pick up girls for Gene...." yelled a familiar voice that drifted to them both on the breeze. Trynia saw the silhouette of a tall figure wandering out, his hair puffed around his head, glints of what appeared to be rhinestones studding the long black tights he wore.

"OH shit," Trynia whispered.

"There he is now, coming to meet me!" the girl said, moving toward him. "He doesn't want anyone to know. The fans get too jealous. Hey Paul!"

The figure stopped short, noticing Trynia standing there. The girl rushed toward him with open arms. He stepped back, doing a double take as she moved close.

"HEY!" Trynia shouted, anger boiling up in her stomach. Quickly she raced over toward the offender, who was grabbing at Paul. He struggled to push her away without seriously hurting her.

"This days' not going worth shit" he muttered. "Look, I said LEAVE ME ALONE!"

"I'm your girl!" she cried.

"LEAVE HIM ALONE!" Trynia shouted, grabbing the stalker by the arm.

"ANDREEEE!" Paul hollered as the girl clung around his waist. He was very tall compared to her of course, towering over the girl on platform boots. She elbowed Trynia in the stomach, her hands all over Paul's legs. Trynia regained her balance, hurling herself onto the girl.

Just as Rebecca grabbed Paul between the legs, he snarled, "ENOUGH!" and grabbed her wrist, pulling it back.

"I want you!" she screamed, fighting against him. Helplessly Paul glanced around, trying to run. Which in platform boots was close to impossible.

"I said, LEAVE HIM ALONE!" Trynia screamed, pouncing on Rebecca bodily and tearing her off Paul. She swung her by the arm, throwing her down to the cement of the parking lot.

"You bitch!" the girl screamed, lunging at Trynia. Without thinking, Trynia's fist flashed out and connected with something hard. Rebecca crumpled to the pavement, rolling over and sobbing.

"LEAVE HIM ALONE, DAMN YOU!" Trynia screamed, panting with fury. Paul moved over to Trynia, gripping her shoulders and pulling her back.

Brushing tears from her eyes, the girl blabbered, "I'm just a fan...""How many DAMN times do we have to tell you?" Paul sighed in anger to the girl, restraining Trynia as if she would do any futher harm.

"If you come near him again, I'll kill you," Trynia stammered in rage. "You hear me?"

Two guards rushed out, flanking her on her left and right, and another two surrounded Paul, trying to pull Trynia from him. However he shouted, "She's with me you DUMB SHITS!"

"Let her go!" Andre shouted, yanking Rebecca to her feet. She whined and screamed, whimpering Paul's name.

"She's GONE, Paul!" Andre said. "This time, I mean it, if I have to stand at the damn door myself."

Hands balled into fists, Trynia quaked with the adrenaline coursing through her system. Paul slipped his arm around her shaking shoulders, snarling to Andre, "ABOUT fucking time." Her hands uncurled, and she stared at them in fear and horror."Oh god... I actually HIT her... I didn't think..." she whispers. "Are you all right, Paul?"

"I should be asking if YOU are alright? I swear, baby, most nights are NOT like this," he said as he kissed her cheek. She hugged him tightly to her.

"I actually hit her..." she stammers, burying her face in his chest.

He chuckled a bit as he hugged her, "Yeah, I noticed, you toughie, you. And it was much appreciated..."

"C'mon to your trailer Mr. Stanley," Chris urged.

"Can we get out of here?" Paul asked. "I can send the costume back..."

"Sure Mr. Stanley..."

"Tryn, where's that awesome dress you were wearing?" Paul asked, noticing she was wearing a T-shirt instead.

"Some jerk spilled beer on it, and Gloria's fixing to wash it," Trynia said quickly.

"Oh, good," Paul purred. "Because I'd love it if you wore it later... when we get back to the hotel..."

She kissed his chest and listened to his heartbeat. Feeling his sweaty body against her, she leaned up to kiss him. "You're too damn tall," she whispered.

"Things can be done to remedy that" he whispered back. "Let's get out of here, though, and I just might have to show you."

"Yes," she whispered. "Wherever you want lover..."

"Paul, limo over here!" cried Chris. "We gotta get you all outta here..."

"C'mon love," Paul urged, taking Trynia and hurrying her with him.

"My luggage..." she suddenly gasped.

"Chris got it, didn't he?" Paul asked.

"Yeah," Chris nodded. "This way..."

Gene, Peter and Ace were urged out the backstage door, each into a separate bus. Trynia heard their curses of protest, as road crew hauled their baggage with them. Paul urged Trynia into a limo that pulled up, opening the door and bundling her inside before climbing in himself. She saw other limos and buses pulling up, and the flashing of news cameras as they pulled away.

Paul dabbed at his makeup in the limo, accepting the baby oil that Chris passed to Trynia. She helped him wipe off his starchild makeup stroke by stroke, as the music blared overtop to sweeten his sour mood. POD's I'm So Alive drowned out the awkwardness of the past few minutes, and Trynia jammed to the music to Paul's amusement. Paul said little, except giving her a small smile and pulling her to cuddle next to him as they rode along.

"You play a mean air guitar," he whispered to her.

"Well in truth I stole my brother's gibson a few times, and he did teach me a few chords, but I never had the time to learn it."

He pulled on a tank top and lifted his boot onto Trynia's lap, pointing to the tape. She unwrapped it as he fluffed out his hair and wiped his face with a moist toweled. One after the other she unzipped the boots and threw them down.

"Hmm, I MISSED you," she whispered.

"That was one hell of a night," he sighed. "And I'm DAMN glad you are here, baby... nobody helps me off with my boots as well as you do..."

"You want some more help?" she winked, pointing down to his tights.

"I'll take a rain check," he giggled. "Or else I'll jump your bones in this limo!"

"Would that be so bad?" she asked.

"No," Paul whispered, pulling her into a passionate kiss. Relaxing in his arms, she didn't notice as they pulled up to the Hilton's back entrance. Chris turned down the radio and slid down the glass, coughing, "Mr. Stanley, we're here..."

"Ah," Paul said, breaking his kiss with Trynia. "Let's get this over with fast... I'm freaking TIRED!"

"Sure thing... nobody knows we're back here..."

Paul stopped her from getting up; urging her to wait till Chris opened the door. She grabbed her purse in one hand, and took Paul's with the other, letting him help her out after him. The comfortable sneakers Paul wore were a funny contrast to his star spangled leggings and white tank top, his arm pulling her along after Chris into the back door. Through the lobby and to a back elevator they scampered, while other security guards flanked them from any nosy spectators. Underfoot she noticed the blue and white patterned carpets, brass light fixtures high at intervals on the spacious walls. They emerged from the elevator to stand near the larger generous doors of the main suits. Chris slipped the key card into the door, and glanced inside. Seeing nobody, he motioned the other two security guards to stand watch at the door.

"Have a good rest Mr. Stanley... and if you need anything, let me or Dan know..."

"Will do," he winked to Chris, motioning Trynia to follow him inside. Already the lights were flipped on, and Trynia froze as she absorbed the opulence of the spacious suite. Behind them the door shut firmly, and Paul locked it. He showed her where her luggage had been neatly placed, and motioned to the bed.

"I don't know about you, but I need a shower," he smiled.

"You want me to join you?"

"Just put on that little black dress and I'll meet you in a moment..." he winked. She noticed that her black dress lay on the expansive king sized bed, neatly repaired. Quickly she threw off the T-shirt and wriggled her way back into the dress. Taking the remote control, she punched buttons to channel surf. At least a hundred or so channels flickered past as she lay out on the bed to relax a bit.

Paul vanished into the bathroom, taking his duffel bag with him. She noticed the bottle of champagne in its silver icebucket to one side, neatly chilling with 2 glasses. A slow suspicion passed her mind for a moment and she hesitated before continuing to surf her next option.

Why did it continue to nag her, she wondered? Her breast and side were still sore from where the enthusiastic fan had grabbed her. Great, just what she needed another set of bruises to replace the odd ones, which were already there. Had she fallen that night at the bar? It seemed so close and yet so far away from this comfortable bubble equipped with champagne.

Sighing, she stretched out again and closed her eyes, banishing away the fears and suspicions. Should she partake of the champagne? Ever since she had woken up with the mother of all hangovers, she hesitated to touch alcohol in any form. Any form that involved ingesting it that is. The analytical side of her mind pondered the mysterious gap, tallying up the beers she must have had that night. Also, the matter of the vibrator continued to trouble her. Something did not add up, and she had pushed suspicion out of her mind for so long that it welled up now with a vengeance.

An electronic trilling rang in her purse, and she grabbed it, debating if she should answer it.

"Hello?" she asked.

"Tryn... that you?"

"Yeah, Sharmane," Trynia laughed, trying to banish away her sudden fears.

"I was well... wondering if you got there ok..."

"I am, and I'm waiting for sexy boy to get out of the shower..."

"Tryn... I uh, was wondering if I could talk to you for a few minutes..."

"Sure... what's up?"

"You know Charlie..."

"What about him?" Trynia asked.

"Uh... well... Harvey was kinda worried about you two, because we were all just sitting around last night after I told him about you guys... and well... he said you looked really out of it that night. He saw you being carried off..."

"Wait, Shar... why did this all of a sudden become a concern?"

"Well Harvey and I hadn't really talked for a while. He was out sick... and well he happened to ask if you were okay, because we all met for drinks...and when I brought up the subject of you and Charlie breaking up...he got all angry like..."

"That's nice of him to be concerned, but we're through..."

"I know, but the fact he said that you were half drunk girl... just how MANY drinks did you have?"

"Only two beers..."

"That's it. Harvey and Art only remembering you having two. And it seemed STRANGE that you'd be so out of it so early on..."

"I left pretty late... Charlie said..."

"Well Harvey said he saw you stumbling out with Charlie at nine thirty! And I know you can't drink THAT much THAT fast..."

"Shit... what are you trying to say? I don't' remember ANYTHING!"

"That's what bugs me, girl," said Sharmane's voice, dropping into anxious quiet. Such a tone made Trynia shiver all over from head to toe.

"Shar... I don't black out... and I SWEAR I only had two beers!"

"Damn it..." Shar sighed. "And you say you remember NOTHING?"

"No... Oh God Shar... this is really FREAKING me out..."

"Girl, this is really bad news," Shar said. "Because I'd been hearing about some other girls on campus, who were having the SAME symptoms... they'd have a few drinks at the same bar... and then they'd wake up having remembered NOTHING... and it was just really WIERD when Harvey told me you left with some strange guy you hardly know... because I know you'd know better then that!"

"I would!" Trynia said. "That's just what bothers me!"

"And girl, you say that you bought a vibrator at a sex shop? Well I opened your credit card bill, and I saw NO such purchase... and I don't think you had more then forty bucks in your wallet when you left... cause I asked you for some money before I left for the night..."

"Shar..." Trynia muttered. "This isn't sounding good at all...I remember I lent you at least twenty... cause I had gotten out sixty..."

"Girlfriend, you HAVE to stop and wonder what really happened. Because I have a HORIBBLE feeling about this guy..."

"Shar... you think he can really..." Trynia trailed off, her blood running cold. For a moment she tracked back in her mind to that hazy night, struggling to dig through the blanks. What was the dream she had, she wondered? Something about hot steamy sex with a man who looked a hell of a lot like Charlie. Her might caught on the familiarity of the situation, to something she had heard about a while back. Concerning a drug that had made its way into a nefarious use.

"You remember that expose we saw on that one drug... that's been misused... it was a sleep aid but it's been banned in the us... robidinal or rohi... something..."

"Rohipnol?" Trynia asked, shivers racing up and down her spine. "The date rape drug... oh god..."

"That's it... and damn girl if it doesn't sound like..."

"Oh shit," Trynia gasped. "Damn it... you don't think... oh god..."

"Girl, you HAVE to call the police!" Sharmane said. "And you HAVE to tell Paul..."

"Shar... it's just... not possible is it..." she began to shiver and shake all over, hugging her knees to herself.

"Can you call Harvey and get him to tell you what happened... for sure?"

"I can call him now," she said. "And if you want, I'll call the police..."

"What am I going to tell them," she gasped. "They won't believe me..."

"They will," said Sharmane.

"Then... call them..." Trynia began to shiver with fury. "Call them on the son of a bitch... but oh god, what if they don't believe him?"

"Tryn, maybe he's tried to do this with someone else..." Sharmane said firmly. "And you HAVE to tell Paul..."

"He'll hate me..."

"Well if he REALLY cares for you he'll listen!' Sharmane said firmly. "And I know Harvey will stand up and verify your story!"

"Then call them," she said. "I don't' think I'd have the nerve..."

"Yes, but you HAVE to tell Paul... Pronto!" she said.

Just then she heard Paul's voice rising above that of the shower, and she whispered, "Shar I have to go, he's almost done..."

"Tell him girl! I'll call the police! And GOOD LUCK! Don't wimp out! Remember he could do this to someone else!"

No sooner had she hung up on Sharmane then she heard Paul emerging from the bathroom, clad only in a towel slug low about his hips. She struggled to compose herself; loath to tell him about the filthy revelation imparted to her.

Shortly she distracted herself by staring at his handsome body, hair wet and slicked back in damp ringlets. God he looked so good right now. But what was that on his nose? Glasses?

"Hey baby, ready to show me that dress?" he asked.

"You wear glasses?" she asked. He strode over slowly, and lay down next to her on the bed, stretching lazily as he did so.

"Hmmm, lately. A bit. You like?" he smiles. "I think it makes me look VERY intellectual..."

"You do look distinguished," she said slowly, turning over and sighing.

"That's the dress you wore to the show tonight, right?" he said, studying her. "Thanks to these babies I can see EVERY DETAIL... It's very nice and the stars...very...uh.... Sparkly..."

Long fine fingers tickled her shoulder as he played with the strap. Turning over, she attempted a kiss on his lips, hoping he wouldn't suspect why her heart was pounding so fast.

"Hmm," Paul sighed, parting from the brief lip touch. "Too bad I don't have my Love Gun coat with me. That would look killer with that dress."

"I'm so glad to see you again," she whispered, her heart pounding. She forced all she could out of her mind.

"Likewise," he whispered, drawing her close. "Sooooo, what did you think of the show tonight?"

"You have scratches on your arm," she notices the red striations on his left arm.

"Oh, THESE?" he said as he regarded them, "they come compliments of my friend."

"Yes," she whispered, trying to force tears from her eyes at the feel of his hands on her body. They felt so good, and yet she felt a strange emptiness and dirtiness that she did not deserve to be treated so kindly.

Paul rolled her over, laying one arm alongside her and lowering himself to kiss her. His hand flickered over her breast lightly caressing it through the fabric. She winced.

"Is that too much?" he whispered.

"No" she whispered. "I'm just trying... to get used to this again."

"Why don't I give you a backrub Hon, to relax you?" he asked. Paul rolled her over onto her back, and began to rub her shoulders. He slipped the straps down, and she froze momentarily. As he fumbled with the zipper, she felt the ripping of cloth.

"Oh...GOD..." Paul jumped back a bit. "I didn't do a THING."

"Damn cheap dresses," she joked weakly, quickly turning over. The strap came loose, and the back was ripped to her waist.

"That's really weird" he looked at her, puzzled. Then she felt his finger tracing over sensitive areas, and she winced.

"Trynia..." he asked. "Where did you get these bruises?"

She stiffened and said, "Well I don't want to tell you, but some jerk tried to grab me during the fight..."

"SHIT..." Paul sighed, closing his eyes. "Tryn, what the HELL? Did this happen during all the crap tonight?"

"Yes, but I didn't want to worry you," she stammered, trying to hide the bruises from him. "You were having enough problems as it was..."

He sighed loudly. "You know, our security isn't worth CRAP sometimes," he regarded her with dark, angry eyes.

Sighing, she sat on the bed, and hugged herself. The bruises were still tender, and she couldn't help but wince. From behind, he hugged her gently, rocking her against himself. "Damn I'm glad you came," he said. "All this way, just to get hurt."

"You are?" she asked. "Fight and all?"

"Mmmmmmhmmmmmmm. You are my favorite last night treat," he smiled. "And it's been entirely too long since I've been treated."

He noticed the bruises on her side and a bit on her breast as her dress fell open even more. She sighed and saw the darkness growing in the bottomless soul pools again.

"Tryn, this all happened TONIGHT?"

"Yes," she whispered. "Except I fell..."

Paul looked at her, eyebrow slightly raised, "Why do I get the feeling I'm not getting the whole story?"

She turned away, hugging herself. Shivering with fear as to the cause. She had guessed it must have been Charlie who had given them to her, when he... when he...

"If you don't want to talk about it....." he begins, winding his finger in her hair. "Was there someone back home? We never really committed to each other in that way, did we?"

"Yes," she began to cry, holding back her tears.

"Tryn... ""

"Please don't be angry," she cried.

"Look, it's a bit of a ...a shock, I guess... But you're a grown woman and there's no ring on your finger." he said quietly. His hand strayed over her back and she cried out in pain.

"Tryn... wait... these bruises are AWFUL bad. Did this person... who you dated... did he do something he Shouldn't have done... did he put his hands on you... in a way he shouldn't? Because if he did... I mean, SOMETHING happened. I know I didn't do this. And hey... they really hurt don't they?"

"If you want me to leave," she says slowly, trying to put the T-shirt on over her ripped dress.

"Trynia! NO! I don't want you to leave," he said, bringing her slowly down to the bed again, "Do you think I'd fly you all the way out here just to have you go? I'm more pissed that he hurt you. Damn it, no MAN has the right to hurt a woman in ANY way physically! And if he DID it to you he'd do it to someone else!"

"Paul... I didn't even KNOW he did it!" she cried.

"WHAT?" he asked.

"I... dated a guy for a week... and..."

"Trynia, tell me everything," Paul demanded, voice low. "I want to know EXACTLY how it happened..."

"Don't be mad... please..."

"I won't be. Are you scared that I'm going to get mad if you tell me more? Because I swear no matter what if some man has hurt you..."

She turned on her side away from him, shivering. Paul moved up behind her, warming her with his body. Numbly she said, "Sharmane called me earlier. I had been dating this guy Charlie. I was out with some friends, and we met in the tavern. I had a few drinks... and then I passed out..."

"Trynia... you weren't drinking that much were you?"

"Paul I only had 2 beers! And I remember NOTHING after that point, except waking up on my bed with a sex toy in hand, that wasn't mine, and being stripped totally nude with bruises! Of course I thought NOTHING of it, but then Sharmane calls and tells me that a friend of mine Harvey saw me being DRAGGED out of the bar with this guy!"

"Shit, Trynia you HAVE to be careful! What if you were Dead!"

"PAUL I know!" she cried back, shrinking away. "You make it sound like I DESERVED it!"

"No you didn't!" Paul cried, grasping her shoulder firmly yet gently. "No woman deserves to be taken advantage of!"

"But Paul, I had no idea! Then Sharmane started talking about how other girls have been having the same thing happen, and it hit me... he must have slipped something like rohipnol into my drink... and that drug makes you forget what happens... and you are forced against your will... it's called the date rape drug!"

"Can you positively identify this bastard as the one who did it?"

"I left my drink alone with him for a moment..." she shivered.

"Son of a fucking bitch," Paul half growled. "And you've called the police on him, right? You know the guy. You know his friends. You can't let him do this to someone else."

"Stupid, so stupid," she cried hugging herself.

"Again, did you CALL the police?"

"Yes, Sharmane did..." she said slowly. "I wish I wasn't so stupid!"

He exhaled and looked at the ground, "At least that is something..."

"Why didn't I?" she whimpered. "It's my fault for not..."

"Trynia, why on earth would you think this was your fault?" Paul asked her.

"I am a chemist and I didn't' even know a drug was involved till now?" she laughed angrily, pounding the wall. "The fucking BASTARD had the NERVE then to say that he would NEVER take advantage of me... and then he goes off and back to his girlfriend!"

"Tryn, I'm just glad Shar is calling the police. You really ought to talk to them yourself too... And... If you don't really want to... you know.... Tonight, that's fine too." he said softly.

"I'm so scared Paul... what if they don't believe me?" she shivered. "When I think of that... jerk putting his hands on me...I feel so dirty..."

"You need to brave, Trynia. Just think, if you didn't call anyone he'll do it to someone else, and what if she's 16 this time.... Or 15?"

"I know..." she sighed. "I just..."

"Look, if you want me to get you an extra room, I will," he whispered. "Or else I can sleep on the sofa..."

"Paul, please don't leave me..." she pleaded softly, catching hold of his arm.

"I won't, but I think you need your space... am I right in guessing you want to feel safe?"

"I do... but I don't want to be alone..."

"You wont' be," he promised. "I'll be in the other room if you need me. I always get a room with an adjoining room, in case my kid drops by... it will be okay..."

"You're not going to just leave me here..."

"No way," Paul sighed. "Look, I can't deny I that I want to make love to you, but I'd feel like a first class heel demanding sex from you..."

"I know, but I came all this way, and I feel like I'm letting you down...'

"Wait a minute, missy, I was only talking about the sleeping arrangements!" Paul said firmly, taking her shoulders and meeting her stare with his own. "I wanted you here to spend time with me. Whether it means between the sheets or watching a movie with a board game of Parcheesi, it doesn't MATTER. The fact is I want you WITH me. Here and now, baby. And right now, I think we BOTH could use some food. How about it? I'll get the menu, and we can order room service. Whatever you want. And I don't know about you, but I saw that fridge just stocked with sodas, wine and anything else you could want..."

"You really never fail to amaze me, you know," she laughed slowly.

"Now that's what I want to see... you smiling, baby," he cooed, stroking her cheek tenderly with the back of one hand. "I'm going to help you forget about what that jerk did to you, at least for tonight. And enjoy spending time with the woman I love. I can even teach you to play Parcheesi if you want."

"Never played it," she chuckled. "What about chess?"

"That's another option," he nodded. "Now, about dinner..."

"Paul... whatever that bastard did... I don't want it to ruin what we have."

"I know, and I won't let it," Paul said. "But sometimes when you fall, you have to take a few steps backwards to go one step forwards. And right now it's about making you feel safe and comfortable."

***