Disclaimer: Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons and KISS are actual persons, and they are property of themselves. The portrayal of them in this story is fictitious, and is the work of a fan, for entertainment purposes only, not to demean or harm the people mentioned. Other characters are copyright by Trynia Merin. My thanks to Eisencookie, Ms Starchild and Ilovepaul66 for help with this story!

Jeannie awakened alongside of him, and saw the pale shades of morning peeking through the window in the far wall. She noticed the posters lining the gable windows, and stretched in the small bed. It was large enough for them to lie side by side in, comfortably. Fingering his eyebrows with her manicured fingernail, she bent down to kiss him softly.

"Good morning Tiger," she whispered.

"Jean," he whispered, opening his eyes and blinking up at her in the morning light. "It really did happen..."

"Yes it did," she smiled, tracing his lips with hers. He pulled her into the sheets for a moment to hug her tightly to him.

"I love you. I always have," he whispered.

"I love you too," she whispered back. "For so long..."

She lay there in silence, resting her head on his shoulder in a close erotic hug. Feeling the texture of his hair. It's a bit stiff and wiry, like hers.

"Sooo.... What are we going to do?" he whispered back.

"I don't know," she sighed. "Try to love each other?"

"You realize what this means though... if we DO end up married or something. We inherit QUTIE a lot of money," he laughed.

"I'm sure you'll have to split with Evan, little brother... And I've got a three way with my siblings."

"Yeah, and a lifetime worth of soap opera drama to go with it," he groaned.

"It would be worth freaking your dad out to just wake up with you each morning."

"But I sat down and figured just WHAT the hell my dad was making in the last year on his magazines, his clothing line... it BLEW me away," she muttered.

"That doesn't even begin to scratch the surface of his franchise of the band's merchandise... holy SHIT... But I almost don't CARE about the money. Call me sick, but I don't. I like being well off, but I don't need as MUCH to get by."

"We've got a lot to think about, but damn this feels right" he sighed, leaning up on one arm in bed to regard her. "And for just a minute, before the reality of the whole thing sets in, I just want to enjoy thinking about it."

"IT feels VERY right," she chuckled. "In a strange way. Some people would call this incest... Hell, they are practically like family."

"But thank God, not THAT much like family," he teased. "At least according to Peter... who said his REAL family was his wife and kids..."

"Oh GOD yes," she groaned. "Your dad can be a pain in the ASS, when he's in his moods! Please TELL me your mom was more even tempered!"

He smiled, "Mom's got herself a temper, don't you worry. Don't forget this is the woman who held a grudge for so many damn years. Who wouldn't even call my dad for luck on his wedding day."

"I know," she sighed. "Shit."

"I need to get Evan back out here to visit" he said.

"My temper is worse then my dad's. I got my Mom's Scottish temper."

"You stand up for yourself. You always have. Just maybe you need to do that just a bit more with your dad. Just a thought."

"What's he going to do, lock me in my room?" she joked.

"And tomorrow night when he comes to see us play, and he asks what happened tonight, will you tell him?" He watched her with dark eyes.

"Gladly," she said. "And I'll see if he tears out his hair or not."

"ALLLL of it?" he asked, squinting in the sunlight. "Or mine. He shouldn't be TOO bad. It's not like you're SOPHIE! You're not his baby."

"No," she said. "But I was his first kid... And I guess in some strange way he's been the hardest on me. Although I came to live with him fulltime when Nick was born. Strangely enough, Shannon was the one who took me to get my first bra... and my first makeover. My mom's a tomboy."

"But you know, your dad and mine, they have to realize that beyond all that went on, we were raised RIGHT. We turned out OK. It's gotten beyond the point of feeling bad for the past. We turned out NORMAL, for God's sake," he said.

"Yes. He's a wonderful father," she said slowly, getting up from the bed. He saw her body fully against the morning sun, and admired the view. She leaned down to pick up one of his shirts, threw it over her and buttoned it before she turned around and sat on the edge of the bed.

"I love him," she sighed. "Even though he can be a stuck up pain in the ass... with an ego the size of North America..."

"And..... I love your bra," he winked. "And what's under it?"

Paul heard the phone screaming in his ear. Wearily he turned over and shook his head, wondering what the source of the noise was. Finally he threw off the covers and fumbled for the telephone. Half asleep he muttered, "Yeah?"

"Paul, thank god I got hold of you," Christine's voice answered, anxiously.

"Christine, what's going on?" he asked.

"She's gone. All her stuff... I came back and got your message, but by the time I came in, I saw some stuff being packed into suitcases... What happened?" Christine asked. "She was in TEARS! She told me goodbye, and that she had gotten a job someplace... and she said she had to leave... that was only thirty minutes ago... I tried to stop her..."

"Don't worry about it, Christine. Apparently that's the way she wants it" he sighs, rubbing his eyes. "If she's back in touch, just let her know she's welcome to stay there."

"What happened? Did you have a fight?"

"What's wrong is that she doesn't know what she wants, and I'm starting to become more sure that whatever it is, it's not me."

"Oh my god..."

"So yet again, Chris, here we go." he smiles, "I'm alone again."

"Paul... she left behind the clothes you bought for her..." she said.

"I'm sure she did. Apparently she wants nothing to do with me," he said sadly.

"Paul... aren't you going after her?" Christine asks.

"Look, Hon, I'm going to stay here an extra night and catch up with Elliott. If you don't mind, you can expect me back on Sunday night."

"All right... are you okay?" Christine asked.

"To tell you the truth, I don't even know how right this minute."

"I'm sorry," she whispered.

"You should be used to it by now" he chuckled. "This DOES leave me dateless for Doc's party, however, so I need to do something about that."

"I'm sure someone will figure out they want you," she whispered. "If not, I have a sister who would love to be your date..."

"Thanks, I'll keep that in mind," said Paul. He heard the sharp staccato of a familiar knock, and said, "Look, Chris, I'm going to run. Do me a favor and make sure Sarah has gone through those guitar pictures for me. She was supposed to do it 2 days ago and so far I've seen nothing."

"All right," she said. Paul hung up the phone. He opened the door with the draw chain to see Gene peering at him through the cracked door.

"Paul?" he asked.

"Yeah?" he said curtly.

"You in here?" he asked.

"Yeah. Trying to get some sleep. Not succeeding."

"You look like shit..." Gene commented. "Something told me I should come in here... call it a sixth sense... which I don 't believe in..."

"Come in," Paul offered, opening the door. Fully dressed, Gene strode in and sat down on the sofa.

"Damn Paul, you know what time it is?" Gene asked. He tugged at the curtains and full daylight spilled into the dark room, almost blinding Paul.

"Shit Gene..."

"You slept right through the night..." Gene commented. "So I take it she's not here... and from the fact you're not up and about it's a major kiss off?"

"She's gone. Back to L.A., I guess. So all that planning and that whole pep talk of yours for nothing."

"Shit, Paul," Gene sighed. "I'm sorry..."

"You don't have to be," Paul sighed, sitting down on the sofa as Gene got up and took the armchair across from it.

"So what was it? The age difference?"

"Apparently you were right. She took a liking to Elliott."

"Damn. I hate being right sometimes, especially when it's something to do with you getting burned," Gene muttered.

"And I guess the time to tell me this was AFTER she'd already kissed him."

"How could she tell you before?" Gene asked.

"Oh, I don't know, Gene. Maybe something to the effect of, your son reminds me of you and I find that oddly attractive!" he griped.

"Well, damn if she isn't any more perfect then YOU are?" Gene commented.

"Call me crazy, but the time to pull the plug would be BEFORE she kissed my SON."

"I think she was hoping she wouldn't say anything. But her conscience got the better of her," Gene pointed out. "She COULD have kept quiet... And you would have been hers. But she didn't."

Paul turned around and threw a pad of paper in the air, snorting, "Forget it, Simmons. This is the end."

"So that's it?" he asked. "You're giving up?"

"Besides... how am I supposed to find her ANYWAY?" Paul whirled on him, shouting. "Does she ACT like she wants to be found?"

"I don't know," Gene sighed. "I wish I had some words of wisdom, but I'm stumped."

"Like you said, she needs to meet me half way. Otherwise, forget it. What are we doing tomorrow night? Did you talk to Jeannie?" Paul said sullenly.

"Yes," he said. "She wants to meet us for lunch with Elliott. And that tomorrow night your son is playing a club in the village, and you're invited."

"That will be fun," Paul said flatly.

"I really wish I knew what to say," Gene sighed. "I hate seeing you like this."

"You can't, Gene. Even I don't know what to say. One minute I thought I was doing great, then BAM!"

"Life sucks sometime," he sighed. "But she could have said nothing, like I said before."

"Yeah, it does. Can't wait to see Elliott play though."

"It should be interesting..."

"If she wants to talk this out, she'll find me," he says grimly. "Otherwise, I guess I need to find me another date for Doc's chance."

"I think she will, eventually," Gene said. "I take it you were LESS then thrilled."

"What could I say? How do you react to something like that?" Paul demanded.

"Oh yeah, I love you, but I kissed your son?"

"I don't know," Gene sighed. "But she did tell the truth. For whatever it is worth. Look, I sound like I'm playing devil's advocate, but it strikes me funny that she could have just said nothing. Don't you think she knew it would destroy your relationship? Instead of leaving you wondering for YEARS, and then having it blow up in your face?"

"But here's the THING" he says in frustration, "If she supposedly did this to SAVE our relationship, why did she just walk out like it didn't matter? I didn't even get a chance to digest the whole thing and she's out the door."

"Because she knew you were hurt," Gene said. "Look at it from her perspective. The moment she sees a man pissed at her, that she's let down, she knows nothing better then to run."

"But that is still no excuse for just running out!"

"It did matter. That's why she left you. Because of her shame in hurting you."

"If I mattered to her, she wouldn't do this. I'm not an IDIOT, Simmons," he snapped.

"What is she supposed to do?" Gene asked. "Sit back and hear you scream at her?"

"At least hear me out, let me get angry, and have her fight back damn it!" Paul shouted. "It's normal and healthy for couples to fight!"

"She's not USED to that. I mean she's heard it all over the time from Chad. She must be scared shitless that you hate her. And that it's all her fault."

"If she wants to talk, she knows where to find me," Paul repeated bitterly.

Gene rose from his chair and sat next to Paul. He extended a hand in his friend's direction, but pulled it back quickly. "Is there anything I can do?" he asked plaintively. "Or is this one of those "I want to be alone' times?"

"I think... I want to be alone," he sighed, hands folded. Gene knew his friend too well, for whenever Paul adopted this 'I don't care' attitudes, Gene knew how much Paul must be hurting inside.

"So, you up to it?" Gene asked. "Lunch with the kids? And then we have another talk show to tape..."

"I'd love it, actually," Paul muttered.

"Well you have about two hours to get ready for lunch, and then it's taping at four with the Conan O'Brien show..."

"Excuse me for my transgression, but in case you didn't notice, it was a shitty night," he said, groaning.

"I did the Good Morning America interview myself," Gene said.

"Anything out of the ordinary? Or the usual?" Paul asked.

"Just the usual questions we've heard a million times before..." Gene smiles.

"It's about ten thirty..." Gene glanced at his watch.

"I don't suppose when you talked to your daughter, you were able to drag any scoop out of her?" Paul asked.

"She said that she was meeting up with Elliott's band this morning... to see what they were like... and that she would probably spend the rest of the day there..."

"Oh, lord, that can't be good," Paul sighed, then a grin passed his face. "She's not STRIPPING, is she?"

"OH SHIT," Gene growls.

"Remember THAT?" Paul needled, his sorrow momentarily forgotten in ribbing his friend.

"You had to bring THAT up!"

"You were fit to be fuckin' tied!" Paul laughed.

"If she is I'm KILLING her," Gene muttered. "Even if she decided to pose nude for playboy, I'd be a bit reserved..."

"You'll never forget the sight of those idiots pawing Ray, will you?"

"I mean granted Shannon... she did it... but it's one thing when it's your girlfriend and ANOTHER when it's your daughter," Gene shook his head. "And totally ANOTHER when it's unwanted attention."

"Besides, I don't think we have to worry. I'm thinking my son would fight you for the right to defend her honor," he smiled. "And I know that she knows better.'

"Thanks to the mistakes her mom made, and I made, right?" Gene grumbled, hands folded in his lap.

"It's going to be weird watching Elliott up there performing," said Paul

"I know. Show starts at six... I thought we could go sign some books at Boarders before then, and then catch dinner before we head on over..."

"This had better be a GOOD surprise," Paul shot him a warning look. "Trust me, I am in no mood for further drama."

"Well it can't be worse then what you just faced," Gene shrugged.

Paul chuckled a bit, eyeing him, "I've learned to NEVER make that statement. We STILL haven't heard from the kids and what they did last night."

"Shit," Gene sighed. "I think a lecture is in order..."

"Maybe if we tag team her," Paul said, hand on Gene's shoulder, as he walked by. " A book signing, huh. "Do I have a half an hour to shower?"

"You have an hour and forty five minutes total," Gene said. "I'll blow out of here so you can get primped up. And Paul..."

"Yeah?" he said, distractedly as he is starting to get things ready for his shower.

"Don't let her ruin your life," Gene called back as he reached the door. "I have a feeling she'll be back."

"From your mouth to God's ear," Paul responded from the bathroom. Gene shook his head, leaving the room and closing the door on his friend.

***

"She left, didn't she?" Mandi guessed when Gene returned to the room.

"Yes," Gene sighed, flopping down onto the sofa. "And now I have to deal with the fallout..."

"Damn, and he's such a nice guy," she whined.

"I know," Gene sighed. "Shit...

"SOMEBODY has to know where she is...right?" Mandi said pragmatically, rising from the desk where her laptop computer sat, open to a raft of word documents. She sat down next to Gene, nudging his sleeve.

"I thought SHE was going to be different... what is it with some women?"

"I don't know," Mandi said. "Some of us are more complicated then others I guess. You know what I think?"

"What do you think, doll?" Gene asked.

"I think she felt like maybe she wasn't good enough for this life...that she didn't EARN it, like you guys did. Personally, I can relate to how she feels."

"Can you?" Gene asked. "Explain it to me."

"Sure. I'm not a part of your world. Not REALLY. I didn't earn these millions. I didn't play in flea bitten hotels. I didn't go through the agony of band members leaving. This whole piece of pie, this isn't mine. And it's not Julia's."

Gene sighed, realizing she had a valid point. He rubbed the back of his neck, which had developed a tight knot in the last few hours. Mandi moved closer and said, "It's yours, and we're lucky to live in it, but it can be yanked away at any time. ANY time, Gene."

"I know," he sighed. Mandi knelt on the sofa and reached behind to rub his neck with her fingers. He moaned softly as her fingers worked out the hard crick present.

"And sometimes it's a strange feeling like we've been let backstage. Exciting, but yet we're still just outside looking in."

"I know," Gene acknowledged. "That's part of the KISStique, isn't it?"

"I know I sound stupid," she giggles a bit. "But it's a weird place to be."

"You aren't stupid, girl," Gene said. "You give GREAT neckrubs."

"Not to MENTION the feeling that you can be replaced in a heartbeat. Hell, Paul can have himself another girlfriend in 10 minutes time. He could literally go down to the lobby and meet himself a KISS fan in seconds."

"Yeah," Gene muttered. "A little to the left?"

"And that's sort of unsettling, assuming you're in Julia's place."

"It's hard to live up to," Gene looked back at her.

"Hmmm," she smiled as she moved to the left.

"I guess, I do like to sometimes let some people in. but Paul he lets NOBODY in," Gene nodded.

"And you have to figure, he's spent just about his whole life in this kind of fish bowl. It's probably sort of normal to him. For her, heck, it's freaky... to be with a guy who millions want."

"I know," Gene laughed.

"I can't imagine trying to satisfy a guy in bed who's been with hundreds of girls before me... Ok, well... never mind." she giggled. "Scratch that."

"But you do," Gene says, stretching.

"It's useless to try. It makes HER miserable, and it boggles my mind way too much."

"That's why I don't compare women."

"Sure and you can tell me that, and Paul can tell Julia that, but do we REALLY believe you?" she asks.

"I guess you don't," Gene sighed. "You take it on faith."

"When you've made it with every type of woman, every ethnicity, every walk of life, can you really be satisfied with Mandi from L.A., the little stenographer?" she sighed, removing her hands from his neck and sitting down again, next to him.

"I can be," he said slowly. "At the right place and time."

"No, you can't, Gene" she says, practically, "You'll never be satisfied with one woman."

"That's why I give every woman a chance," he said. "I like to leave my options open. You can't blame me for that can you?"

"Not at all, because that's who you are," she laughed. "Paul, on the other hand, I think he's screaming for the one to satisfy his every need. Make him forget all the others. Kind of like what Gigi did with Peter."

"Yeah," Gene sighed. "I guess this rock god thing isn't something he embraces like I do."

"I think that maybe he doesn't know how to deal with a "normal" woman."

"Yeah," Gene said. "Maybe that's why I like the groupies. They remind ME of what I once was."

"When every damn dream you've ever had in your life comes true, its probably frustrating dealing with people who struggle," Mandi asked. "And I might be WAY out of line, but I get the impression Paul compares women too damn much."

"I want someone to have a piece of the dream... I mean they DO, sleeping with me don't they?" Gene asked. "Don't I serve a public function?"

"Hmmm, of course, dear," she tittered, moving closer to his neck for a kiss. "And besides, his son IS yummy..."

Gene momentarily winced at the high pitch of her laughter, and slipped his arm around her. "He is," Gene smiled. "I wonder how I'd feel if Nicholas started getting all the women..."

"I think you'll live that before too long. Nick is plenty yummy too."

"Yeah, he's still not LEGAL," Gene reminded her. "Maybe when he's 18..."

"He's almost there, Gene" she smiled, kissing his neck. "I think that maybe someone who's not you or Paul will be in contact with Julia...and will most likely save your asses again."

"I hope so," Gene sighed. He looked forlorn for a moment.

"Cheer up, sweetie," she said perkily. "Surely there's SOMETHING to be happy about, right?"

"Mmm yes," he said, pulling her into his lap. "I still got you, right?"

"You do, and I'm not going anywhere"

"I'm glad," he murmurs, leaning up to kiss her.

"Unless of course, you invite me to that show you were talking about tonight."

"Well if you'd like to go," he said. "But really do you want to hang around with a bunch of old farts looking at their kids?"

"As long as one of them is you, sure!" she smiled. "Unless of course, I could do something ellllllseeee," she said as she traced her finger on his leg.

"Hmm, we do have an hour before we have to go sign books," he pondered.

"Yeah, but I was ACTUALLY hoping that maybe there might be time for me to go shopping some more."

"Sure," Gene smiled. "Why don't you go shopping tonight... while I'm entertaining Paul? This is the city that never sleeps you know..."

"It's my sister's birthday next week and I don't have ANYTHING yet, plus there was this really nice cashmere sweater at Saks Fifth Avenue, and I KNOW I won't be able to wear it much in L.A. weather, but damn, it's really pretty." she prattled. Gene listens to her rapid conversation, glad for the distraction.

"And it's white, so I look all innocent, and it's sort of form fitting so it makes my boobs like sort of big..."

"Sounds nice," Gene smiled, stroking her breasts.

"The only thing is, it's not real LONG, so if I would wear it and maybe stretch to reach something, you could see my belly, which is, I don't know, a little flabby, I think...."

"Not at all," Gene says, stroking her belly. "I like not being able to see ribs."

"I think it would look WICKED with a short black skirt, don't you?"

"I agree," he nodded.

"I can't afford it though," she sighed. "What am I thinking?"

"Take the company card and charge it against expenses. Take it as a tax write-off."

"Mr. Simmons, I could NEVER..." she gasped, but with a subtle wink.

"Mmm, can I persuade you?" he lifted an eyebrow.

"If you told me, maybe, that I needed to wear it for work."

"I'd consider it essential," he purred.

"Julia liked it too. She almost bought a pink one."

"Mandi, did you have any idea of where she might have gone?" Gene asked her.

Mandi fell silent for a minute. "I promise I won't tell Paul."

"Oh, Gene, yes you will!" she pouted.

"No I won't," he said, looking RIGHT into her eyes. "I don't want to make it that easy for them."

"I remember her telling me once that there was an older lady in her apartment complex who used to take her in occasionally when Chad was particularly abusive.

She said something about how she could always go there when there was no where else to go."

"Her next door neighbor?" Gene asked.

"Yeah, I think that's the one."

"Hmm, sounds like she has a place to crash. Well at least that cancels that worry..." Gene said. "And there IS Shannon. Shannon and she are friends..."

"Besides, it's not like her and Elliott were going to have SEX or something. I think maybe it was just temptation, curiosity maybe. She was a Paul fan. We've all wondered what it would have been like to kiss those red 26 year old lips."

"Yeah, I wish Paul could," he muttered.

"And I just can't believe he was MARRIED," she gasped.

"Excuse me a moment... I need to ask someone something," he said. "I'll be in the other room..."

***

"C'mon honey... please be there," he muttered. Anxiously he waited for Shannon to answer, praying that his hypothesis was correct. It was that or else Molly or Cheryl. He could easily get their phone numbers if necessary.

"Hello?" a familiar voice finally greeted.

"Hello darling... it's me..." Gene said in a sweet voice.

"Hang on, love... SOPHIE! Turn it DOWN. It's daddy. The TV. Down!"

"How are things...?" Gene asked casually.

She chuckled a bit, "Interesting, to say the least, and you?":

"Oh, pretty much the usual," he says. "But Mandi is taking good care of me."

She laughed playfully, "Don't go any further, mister. I DON'T want to know..."

"I know. Look honey, have you heard from Julia at all?"

"Uhhhh HUHHHHHH," she said.

"You have?" Gene asked. "If so, you don't have to tell me where. Just let me know if she's okay."

"Uhhh... yep," she said, as if someone was there listening.

"And let her know, I'm not looking for her. Just want to know if she needs anything."

"I know you said you'd pick that up for me, sweetheart. I just wanted you to know that I REALLY appreciate it, and everything is JUST fine."

"And that I won't tell Paul." gene said. "I just want her to know she has a place to stay, if she needs it. No questions asked."

"Yes, tell your friend I appreciate the help and that he has NOTHING to worry about," Shannon said cryptically.

"Good. And let her know if she DOES drop by, that I have no hard feelings. I can relate..."

"Just a moment darling, I need to ask Marianne something... be JUST a moment..." Shannon said loudly, then he heard her walk into the other room. He smiled to himself as he realized his suspicions were confirmed.

"She's HERE, Gene. She showed up last night, all torn up about this. She's in the guest house..."

"I know," Gene said. "I had a feeling she'd come to you. Or her friends Molly or Cheryl..."

"Now TELL me, she shows up HERE and doesn't think word will get back to Paul? Sounds to me like a girl who WANTS to work it out, consciously or not."

"Yes... well she kissed Paul's son," Gene announced. "And she only just told Paul... He flipped out."

"I know she did. She told me. Elliott's a handsome kid. It's not like she went to bed with him."

"Yes." Gene sighed. "Paul's pretty busted up. He's very upset."

"Granted, her judgment at that moment kind of sucked, but I really think those two need to sit down and work this damn thing out."

"I agree. Can you keep here there for a week?"

"Sure," she chuckled quietly. "She has no money. I don't think she has a choice."

"And does she have a job?"

"I'll do my best, Gene."

"Any openings at Playboy? For a staff person or writer? Or cosmetician?"

"She says she doesn't want to do that. She's afraid Paul will think she's a slut," said Shannon.

"Oh man," Gene moaned. "Look, maybe we could get her her old job back? Have a word with that center which fired her..."

"I'm sure we can do something love, but right now we're working on just getting her to get her ass out of bed, AND stop crying. Once she can do both at once, we'll concentrate on a job."

"Well you just do your best," Gene said. "I'll do what I can here."

"Good. And not a word of this to Paul, I promise."

"Mmmm. Like I believe you," she chuckled.

"Hmm... I think THIS time it's too serious for me to blab," he said quietly. "I don't want to blow this for him. Not this woman."

"I don't either," Shannon agreed. "She's good for him. And by the way, I miss you..."

"I miss you too," he said softly. "I will be home soon. Promise."

"My bed's lonely," she cooed.

"Jeanie misses you too," Gene said.

"Now, you're going to get me jealous. A whole weekend with Jeannie! Tell her she needs to come around more often!"

"Well HALF of one," Gene sighed. "She's taken off with Elliott..."

"Bless her heart..." Shannon laughed. "She's had the hots for Elliott for years."

"She told YOU!" he throws up his hand. "Sheesh, I'm chopped liver?"

"Sure, but she didn't HAVE to. I could just tell."

"She trusts you," Gene says. "She thinks of you as her second mom, you know."

"Did you NOT notice that every time she saw Paul at one of our parties, she asked about Elliott?" Shannon laughed, exasperated.

"I did. But I was too busy watching the other 100 girls drool over him."

"He's just a BABY. She's FINE, Gene."

"I know," he sighed. "I guess I am having trouble letting her go."

"Rehearsal for Sophie," said Shannon. "Sophie will be MUCH worse."

"OH GOD," Gene groaned.

"And if you MUST know, she thinks Elliott is cute too" Shannon chuckled.

"Don't go there..." Gene sighed. "Next she'll be chasing EVAN!"

"It's NOT beyond the realm of possibility. You and Paul could be relatives, times two."

"Ugh," he groaned. "Look honey, thanks... and I owe you BIGTIME..."

"As always," she reminded him.

"Umm hmm," he purred into the phone. "Keep that bed warm..."

"It's VERY cold without you," she said. "That's a hard task to undertake."

"Just put in that footage of me in Exposed... you'll let your mind do the rest..."

"And don't forget, love. Little secretaries are like Twinkies, they're not good for your figure." she laughed.

"I know. But I'm entitled to some treats... And she's a bit nicer then the other ones... but I'll say no more."

"SOME treats!" she laughed loudly. "Tell Jeannie I said hi, bad boy, and I'll talk to you later."

"You know you're the one I come home to," he whispers low. "Always."

"I know."

"Love you," he whispered.

"Love you too, you nut!"

He hung up the phone, sighing. Only to peer up into the doorway where Mandi was standing. She quailed at the look of challenge on his face, but did not back down. A pang of something crossed his stomach, and he wore an expression like a kid with his hand caught in the cookie jar. But it was ridiculous! This was his life partner he was talking to, for goodness sake, and it was his assistant and mistress who was listening in! Of all the weird situations!

"I might go shopping now, if you don't care," she said softly.

"I'm sorry," he murmured, turning around.

"Gene, you don't have to apologize," she held up her hand.

"I do," he whispered. "I did tell you to wait in the other room, didn't I?"

"I should have listened," Mandi muttered. "You love her. She was the first."

"Sooner or later someone gets hurt," Gene shrugged. "And I guess I am getting a bit sad of seeing it be people that I come to care for... And you're not a piece of fluff."

"But they enjoy the ride, don't they?" she said simply.

"You deserve someone who can love you all the time," he muttered. "Not some rock god who thinks of you as a fling..."

"Gene...." she started. He turned to the window and looked out at the city.

"Whatever you can give me is fine," she said quietly. "I've told you, I love this job."

"Are you sure?" he asked.

"Yeah, I think I am," she said quietly. "No offense, but you're GENE SIMMONS. I didn't exactly expect you to pick out china with me after we had sex."

"I know," he said. "But sometimes there are the conquests that make you sit back and wonder how this whole game got started. When you realize that she is falling for you, and would do anything for you."

"Mr. Simmons," she says, playing nervously with a strand of hair, "I really just want to go get that sweater."

"I'll drop you off... on the way," he said. "And if you want to come to the show, tomorrow, you're invited."

"I appreciate that, but I think I'll be conveniently occupied here... I mean what if some old girlfriend shows up?" she winks.

"Can a fiftysomething rock god give his secretary a hug?" he asked, looking plaintively at her.

"A hug and MORE" she grinned. Gene held out his arm to her, and she eagerly walked over to give him a hug. A real fear of losing him overtakes her, but she pushed it away.

Leaning down he gave her a hard kiss, surprising her. She seemed so small when he crushed her to his body, and simply devoured her lips, venting the frustration he felt. Mandi moaned, letting him pick her up and carry her over to the bed where he lay her down. For the next five minutes he kissed her hard, straddling her between his thighs as he nibbled on her neck and buried his head in his chest.

"Mr. Simmons, you're not allergic to cashmere, are you?" she joked.

"No," he whispered.

"Good," she winked.

"I'm sorry but we'll have to continue this at a later time," he said, glancing at his watch."

"Let's go," she nodded. He kissed her lips tenderly before getting up off her and extending his hand to help her up. The reality of her age hit him suddenly, when he remembered she was about his daughter Jeannie's age.

"Ready when you are, Mr. Simmons," she said, as he got her coat and held it out for her. They exited the room together, Gene's arm around her waist.