By StarbearerTM

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!

Ray rushed out of the club, panting in the chill of the night, which mirrored the chill she felt inside. Why couldn't Karen let it go after so long? It had snowballed for so long, she feared they would harm each other. Oblivious to the drama back at the club, she rushed to the parking lot to find Karen and Paul involved in a heated argument. It took all her willpower not to intervene, especially when she saw Karen slap Paul. However as they walked back to the club, arms around each other, Ray made her presence known with a percussive cough.

"Ray..." Karen gasped.

"You guys, I think you need to come back to the club..."

"Elliot," Karen and Paul gasped together. They hurried after Ray, Paul leaning heavily on Karen. Ray moved on his other side, helping to take the weight. With Paul between them, the women soon reached the club.

Inside, Elliott sat in the dressing room downstairs, listening to Gene giving his account to the police. They had already given their own testimony, and the officer was writing every detail on their form, carefully.

"Is that it, Mr. Simmons?" the officer asked.

"Yes," Gene nodded. "Jean... Ell?"

"Yes," Jeannie nodded, holding Elliott's hand. It was cold with shock in her grasp, his skin pale and clammy. He was facing his worst nightmare and she wished she could have the power to take it all away.

"Yes sir, but do you want to press charges?"

"Do you want to press charges Hon?" Gene asked Jeannie.

"Yes," she sighs. "Get his ass out of here..."

"Good, take him way..." Gene muttered.

Elliot suddenly released Jeannie's hand, muttering, "I've got to go out. They're beating the SHIT out of each other."

Gene suddenly stopped him with a hand on the boy's chest, saying, "They have to go through this. Twenty friggin' years is TOO damn long. If they're killing each other, so be it."

"DAD!" Jeannie cried.

"Would he HURT her?" Elliott said, wide eyes.

"I don't think so, kid," Gene reassured him. "Besides Ray went out after them... and I'm sure she'll make sure... besides I think it's your mom that needs to work through this the most."

"They need to bury the damn hatchet," Jeannie nodded, looking up as Gene put his arm around her.

Elliott looks over at Jeannie, motioning her to sit on his lap. Gene rolled his eyes. Just then, he saw Ray entering alone, and at sight of her daughter shivering, she rushed over.

"What the hell happened, Gene?" she whispered.

"We were going to ask you that," Gene said. He whispered something to Ray, and her eyes darkened with anger.

"My mom and dad where are they?" Elliot cried.

"Easy... relax... they're okay..." Ray said. "I get the feeling that your dad has buried the hatchet a long time ago."

"Just hopefully not in mom's head," Elliott muttered.

"Oh brother," Gene muttered. "Of COURSE..."

Jeannie looks at her mother and father, then at Elliot as he begged, "Well don't just STAND there... WHAT HAPPENED?"

"Dad, Please let me go to him," Jeannie begged.

"Shit," Elliott shook his head, combing his hair violently with his fingers. "This is ALL screwed up... I need to know damn it, Aunt Ray, what did you see?"

"Elliott, we need to let them WORK IT OUT." Ray insisted. "Last time I checked they weren't killing each other... in fact..."

Jeannie gets up from beside her dad, and goes over to hug Elliott from behind, as Ray said to Elliott, "the last thing they need is some MIDDLE man, going out there, siding with Paul and enraging Karen... and I think they're going to come back to us when they're ready and not before."

"All right, damn it," he said, very embarrassed.

"I have something to say to you, young man, but I think it can wait, cause you've had enough shit happen." Gene said, looking carefully at Elliott. Ray looked at him and smiled gratefully. She slaps his rear end lightly. Winking at her, he turned to Elliott, and said, "I think you and my daughter have a thing going on. And I warn you right now, I'm not going to sit back and say nothing. But I can't kick a man when he's down..."

"Good boy," she smiled. She leaned up to kiss Gene's cheek and he gave her butt a pinch as he left the dressing room.

"Mom, please..." Jeannie said.

"You knew that was coming. Gene is the monster of all protective daddies." she smiled.

"I know, but he's so annoying!" Jeannie growled. "Why can't he back off?"

"I'm not a.... A.... Bad person" Elliott said, trying to calm himself.

"No you aren't, you're wonderful..." Jeannie said. "And if my father hadn't flattened Kyle, you would have." He pulled her close to him and kissed her lightly.

"If you're asking my opinion of you too, I just hope you take it slowly and carefully," Ray said.

"Yes," Jeannie nodded. "Of course."

"I know you don't want to hear this, but I too was once young and in love."

"Mom, I KNOW This story," she groaned.

"And I know what it's like to be in love, and I know what it's like to lose it."

"Yeah," Jeannie sighed. "What DID happen with you and dad anyway?"

"Jeannie, both Karen and I made decisions to have babies with men who couldn't commit fully. I don't want to hurt any feelings, but was that a GOOD decision? I don't know. I'll never ever regret having you for one moment, but I don't want to see you do something you might wish you could take back later," Ray sighed.

"My parents loved each other once," Elliott said softly.

"I know that Mom... I just..."

"Yes, Hon, they did, but they also have hated each other for a long, long time." Ray started.

"Did you and dad ever hate each other?" Jeannie asked.

"I've never truly hated your father. I've been very aggravated with him; I've wanted to be far, far away from him, but hate? Never."

"Well then you see, it's different from Karen and Paul," she protested. "You and Dad never married."

"Well, I think it was primarily Paul who wanted to get married. Karen had such a rotten family life, I think she would have been just fine if they had lived together forever. Not that I'm CONDONING you two running out and doing something extreme."

"I don't want to," Jeannie said slowly. "But marriage isn't something that I'm really ready for either."

She looks apologetically at Elliott for a moment, and he glanced away, then toward the door.

"I hope Gene's not screwing it up" he muttered. Ray put her hand over his.

Jeannie sighed, and wrapped her arms around him from behind, kissing his cheek. "You don't deserve to be put in the middle of their mistakes," she said to him. "I'm just glad mom, that you never did that to me... with Dad."

"My opinion, and no hard feelings, Elliott, but I really think your mom needs to let go of this." Ray sighed. "And I hope to God some day she can.'

"So do I," Jeannie muttered.

"I think.... I think that when she left dad, it was like losing her family all over again, but her family has never given a damn about us," Elliott said bitterly.

Gene returned from outside the dressing room, a smile on his face. He sat down on the sofa next to Ray, nudging her. "I saw Karen and Paul just now..."

Elliott looked at him, his eyes full of questions, "Well, where ARE my parents? Did you see them, Gene?"

"Well they're not killing each other," Gene said.

"Well?" Ray said quietly.

"They're talking, and crying on each other," he announced, folding his hands behind his head and leaning back in the sofa.

"No bloodshed at all?" Ray gasped.

"Well Paul has a shiner... but that's it."

Elliott gasps for a moment, "Oh, shit, she HIT him?"

He was out the door in a flash before Ray and Gene could stop him. They raced after the boy, as he stopped at the mouth of the stairs. Jeannie reached him first, followed by Ray and Gene.

"Easy," Jeannie urged. "Relax... it's going to be okay..."

"I guess, but they were sobbing on each other's shoulders when I saw them..." Gene shrugged. "And well they saw me and told me to take a hike."

"Your mom's got guts," Ray chuckled a bit.

"Look, they're coming here," said Jeannie. She pointed to a couple with their arms around each other's shoulders, sitting down at the table Paul and Gene had occupied.

Jeannie stopped Elliot from rushing over then and there, as he watched Paul being helped into a chair by his mother. Slowly they all walked over to the table to join the couple, who were holding hands and talking quietly.

"This evening is...a little strange...." Paul started, glancing up at them.

"Elliot honey, you were perfect up there," Karen said.

"You were wonderful." Paul added. Elliott just watched them, mouth hanging open.

"You HIT my dad?" he exclaimed, staring at Paul. "Mom, how COULD you?"

"I invited her to," Paul blushed.

"What the hell..." he gasped.

"Easy," Ray whispered, holding his arm and pushing him down into a chair opposite his parents. "Just let them explain.

"Dad flattened the lead guitarist," Jeannie piped in. "He apparently decided to blame Elliott, and I got in his face, slapped him, and he tried to deck me... And Gene flattened him..."

"Jeannie, shh," Gene interrupted her, urging her to sit down as he pulled up a chair for her and himself.

"Yes, he asked me to," she said, wiping a tear away.

"Ell, I'm fine, and I know that you have lots of questions and we'll do our best to answer them, but this just isn't the place," Paul looked around uncomfortably.

"Karen, are you OK?" Ray asked, eyes narrowing.

Suddenly the blond drummer from CBS rushing up, panting, "Hey, what about our band interrupted them! We're supposed to PLAY!"

Elliott looked at her a moment in shock, saying, "Think we're sort of MISSING something, Jan..."

"Oh man are you GENE Simmons..." she gasped, looking at Gene. "Holy freaking SHIT!"

"That's me," Gene smiled.

"If you guys don't get up and at least try to finish, your name will be mud in the bar circuit. You'll never get another gig." Paul said firmly. His arm still around Karen.

"We have no lead," Jeannie said dully. "I could play... but what about a bass then?" She looked helplessly at Ray and her father.

"Paul's right," Ray said. "If you don't finish, you'll be in breach of contract."

"How hard is it to grind out that amateur shit?" Gene laughed at her. Ray regarded Gene, a slight smile on her face. "I mean hell, Paul and I could play that in our sleep!"

"Oh, God, we can't play with you. You'll make us look like idiots." Elliott protested.

"They don't have to know who we are," Gene winked. "Do your friends have some old clothes we could throw on?"

"Ell, is there some stuff left behind in the dressing room, that they could throw on?" Paul asked him. "So we fit in?"

"I can't sing as good as you" Elliott whines, looking at Paul.

"Are you kidding, how many people know who you are anyway?" Jan laughed.

"You don't have to," Paul leaned down to put his arm on Elliott's shoulder, "Let's just get through this damn set."

"I know the songs," Jeannie said.

"There should be stuff in the back. There HAS to be." Elliott said.

"Let's go see," said Gene, getting up. "You young lady, just announce that your band WILL be going on, but with some last minute changes."

Paul gave Karen a small kiss on the cheek and got ready to follow Gene. "Don't forget, you promised me some time tonight," he whispered to her before he left. Jan ran off to find the manager to make the announcement.

Jeannie rose next, hugging Elliot from behind, who looked terrified. "I think I'm going to be sick," he said quietly to her.

"Hey it's okay... just relax... it will be ok," she urged. "My dad will take the baseline, and I'll just fill in with organ. And I think your dad can pick up the leads..."

"I can't play with him. He's 10,000 times better than me." Elliott said, very nervous.

"So what? They don't know that."

"What if he freakin' YELLS at me or something?"

"Then I'll kick his ass," Jeannie growled. "Besides, we need to tell them about what the chord progressions are... so let's go and help them in the dressing room before our break is over..."

He looked at her blankly for a moment, then grinned. "I love you, you know." he whispered.

"C'mon... let's do this," she whispered back, and gave him a kiss.

"My mom HIT my dad," he laughed. "I'll never get over that."

"He seemed to be asking for it," she laughed as they headed downstairs to the dressing room.

***

Jeannie knocked carefully, waiting for an answer. Paul poked his head out, hair wrapped in a red bandanna that held his hair back much like in one of the revenge posters.

"Well, what do you think?" Paul asked, opening the door. Gene struggled to pull on a pair of sneakers as he jammed his foot into them. They were a size too small. Jeannie giggled at both of them, wearing clothes much younger then they would imagine them wearing. Paul had found an old bar T-shirt with the neck ripped out, faded jeans with a leather belt. He slipped sunglasses over his eyes to hide the welt on his face.

Gene was wearing a baseball cap backwards, also with sunglasses on. For his outfit, he wore bell-bottomed jeans, platform sneakers and a sweatshirt that said New York Yankees on it. He grabbed his blazer, the last vestige of his modern clothes and put it on overtop.

"What are we starting with?" Paul barked, moving effortlessly into the leadership role he usually took.

"Back off," Gene whispered to him, taking the bass from Jeannie.

"Uh..." Elliott started, then stopped.

"Son?" Paul said, eyes softening.

"I'll play you the line," Jeannie whispered, taking Kyle's distaff guitar.

"I guess maybe we'll try to play KISS," he said, nervously.

"Cover band?" Jeannie asked. "Oh man..."

"Revenge era?" Gene suggested. "Might be better with this crew."

Elliott walked over and sat down on the sofa, exhaling loudly. Paul continued to muse, "We can play Unholy if you can handle the lead part, Jeannie."

"I can," Jeannie smiled.

"It's very loud and very ballsy," Paul said. Elliott remains quiet.

"I watched Bruce," she remembered. "But what does HE think? This is HIS Band, remember?"

Paul turned to his son, "Ell, what do you want to play?"

"Unholy is fine," he whispered.

"Stand up and SAY something!" Jeannie urged Elliot, sitting down next to him. "Damn it, he's your DAD not your freaking IDOL!"

Gene's eyebrows went up, and he started to say something, before Elliot cut him off, "I SAID Unholy was FINE..." Paul looked at Gene and rolled his eyes a bit.

"Ugh," Jeannie throws up her hands and walked out of the room, frustrated. "Whatever you play, let me know... MEN!"

Gene was about to follow her, then glanced back at father and son. Paul walked over to Elliott and crouched down. "Son, this isn't Guitar Competition 101. This is supposed to be fun, and it's supposed to be entertaining as hell so that your audience forgets all about the disaster that befell them earlier."

Jeannie turned around again, to look at them, defensive of Elliot, "OH fine, so we were a disaster?"

"He didn't say that, little girl," Gene interrupted her.

"He practically insinuated it!" she glared at Gene.

"What I was REFERRING to was the little fist fight you had right there in the middle of the bar," Paul said, looking at her darkly. "And if you don't go out there and kick ass, you'll be the laughingstock of the city."

"Fine, I was rushing to your son's freaking DEFENSE, so sue me!" she snapped.

"Honey, settle down!" Gene hissed at her. "WE do not need this now."

"And Elliott here has taken guitar lessons since he was 4 years old, and if he can't strap on a pair and go out there and melt some heads, I've been wasting my money all these years." Paul said, hotly, extending the challenge to Elliott.

"And I'll have wasted my trip out here for nothing," Jeannie said to Elliott. "I believe in you god damn it, and THIS is what you do?"

He stands up a moment in anger. "Be a man," Gene said firmly.

"I can DO this, damn it. I don't need the three of you riding my ass." he snapped.

"Prove it here and now..." Paul winked at Jeannie when he is not looking.

"Yes you do," Jeannie said firmly. "I believe in you, and THIS is what you do to thank me? Dammit! I thought you had a dream!"

"Prove to me you can play better than I can. There are those who say I suck, so show me where the talent in the family REALLY went." Paul said.

"He's right," Gene added. Elliott started pacing around. "You might have his genetics, but do you have the balls to prove them wrong?"

"I said I'd do it!" Elliott barked. "I want to start with She, then we'll do Unholy."

"NOW you're talking!" Gene nodded. He pulled out a paper to get a set list going.

"And we'll end with Cold Gin, and if none of you can do the solo, fuck it, I'll do it" he said angrily. Kicking the guitar case next to him.

"Good," Gene nodded. "Now let's get out there and do something damn it."

Paul stood up and patted him on the shoulder. "What about an encore, I'm NOT doing RARAN!" Jeannie snapped. "I HATE that song!"

"Black Diamond,' Gene said slowly.

"Or let the lady chose." Paul said.

"What about something from Sweet Revenge?" Elliott said.

"Virgin to love," she suggested.

"We can do that," Paul said slowly.

"Good,' Jeannie nodded.

"Are we ready?" Gene asked Elliott.

"Hell, yeah!" Elliott growled.

"Tell you what," Paul winked. "You go out and knock 'em dead, and I'll get you kids a hotel room in town tonight."

"Paul," Gene sighed. "Not now, damn it! Besides what are you playing?"

Paul looks around a bit. "Fuck, I don't know" he smiles.

"Ell, you have a spare guitar?" Gene asked him.

"Ell, I remember you brought both your guitars," Jeannie said.

"I've got one in the car," he said. "It's not very good..."

"It's your Gibson, right?" Jeannie asked. She looked down at Kyle's Stratocaster, admiring how beautiful it was.

"Yeah, but it doesn't play that well...I don't think."

"I'll get it to work," Paul said.

"I think Kyle had some strings," Jeannie said, opening the case she finds. Gene and Jeannie regarded one another as Paul and Elliot rushed outside the back door.

"Just WHAT does he mean to you?" Gene asked her. She shuffled her feet and looked at him before she considered her answer.

Meanwhile Paul and Elliott braved the light flakes of snow whirling around them as they made their way to Elliott's car. Paul smiled tightly and said, "I'm going to spare you the dad lecture. I think she's a great girl, Elliott, just make sure you are careful, for God's sake."

"I know... but I love her," Elliott said, opening the trunk with his remote. He rooted around the trunk and extracted the case.

"I know this is 2nd grade sex Ed, but it only takes ONE time for a woman to get pregnant." he warned.

"I know. We used that condom you gave me," he winked, then flushes red. Paul regarded him a moment, sort of stunned that he admitted it.

"Shit," he sighed.

"Well...that's good...." Paul said. "I'm not going to fault you for that, and I'm not going to stand here and act like I thought you were a virgin, but I do expect that you are respectful and responsible."

"This is a Gibson," Elliott muttered. "One of my first guitars..."

"Nice guitar. Very nice," Paul said, glancing at the battered case.

"It's not a Ps 1200 Washburn or an Ibanez... but it plays."

"That's all we need, something that plays," Paul said. "C'mon let's go in."

***

Much to Elliott's discomfort, Paul switched the subject back to Jeannie when they reached the club. There was a small parking lot for visiting acts and club employees. Elliott tensed up and sighed, "Dad, please give it a rest... I know about the birds and the bees!"

"I know son, but I just want to know the score... I know it was between two adults... two consenting adults... so no problem," Paul said as they entered the back door of the club.

"Yeah right," he muttered.

"I KNOW, Ell. I'm just saying...shit...you know how it was with your mother and I. Just be careful."

Elliot glanced uncomfortably at Paul. His father put his arm around him for a moment. Elliott shrank away a bit. "And of course, you know about diseases," he started.

"Please dad, I can handle that..." Elliott sighed. "I'm just... well... it's playing with you..."

"I know you can. It's just that I'm not here every day, and we can't always talk like this. I wish to hell I WAS," he began, breaking down.

"There are times I really miss New York..."

"I wish I was as good as you are, but I'm not," Elliot said. "I can't write lyrics worth SHIT."

Paul looked down uncomfortably, then walked over to his son and rested a supportive hand on his shoulder. He carefully said, "I think it's something you can work on. Do you have any idea how many dumb songs I wrote before I finally found my style?"

"No," Elliott muttered. "I never thought about it."

"Hell, your Uncle Gene wrote a damn song about Eskimos and a parrot named Stanley."

"WHAT?" Elliott laughed some of the tension vanishing. "No shit..."

"Yeah, he did, but between the shit, he wrote some gems," Paul nodded.

"But Jeannie she writes GREAT stuff... she's so damn talented..." Elliot shook his head. "She plays circles around Kyle, and he hated it."

"And some people are better at some things than other. I'm not the most musically inclined guy in the world, but I'm a hard worker and I've been a DAMN lucky bastard," Paul continued, leading him towards the backstage area where Gene and Jeannie were already setting up their links to the amplifiers.

"I know," Elliott muttered, showing Paul where he could plug into the nearest amp, on the middle of the stage. "I wish I was... I mean I am, well... but I just..."

"But the thing of it is, I dare anyone to say I'm not great, because in my mind, I am. You HAVE to believe that you can do it."

"Jeannie believes in me," he whispered.

"You have to be able to throw away the crappy songs, and move on to writing good ones," Paul smiled, unrolling the chord from his guitar and sliding home the peg into the outlet.

"You believe she tells me I'm gorgeous," Elliot laughed insecurely. "Shit."

"I know Jeannie believes in you' he said softly, "And the rest of us do too.'

"Can't even get a damn date in grad school. Except for a religious nut..."

"And of course you're gorgeous. You look just like me," he teased.

"Well you don't wear glasses," Elliot said, pointing to his. "And long hair isn't exactly the in thing..."

"And you've got a damn beautiful woman over there, just waiting to go up on stage with you and save your band. Forgive me if I'm having a hard time feeling sorry for you." Paul chuckled.

"I guess I am lucky..." he smiled. "I'm scared of Gene though... he'll kill me."

"Ell," he said slowly, "Does she love you too?"

"She told me so," he said shyly.

"She is one of the first girls who has said it and meant it."

"Do you have...umm.... plans?"

"I wish we could live together..." he blurted out. "But you'll say I'm nuts. I have been thinking of moving to LA. I hate not being able to see you and Evan."

"Ohhhh, Elliott, that's such a can of worms." Paul sighed. "And what about school?"

"I can transfer..." he protested.

"Sure you can transfer, and when you meet the NEXT girl, are you going to transfer too?"

"Dad, speaking of worms, I'm sorry about Julia..." he blurted out.

Paul held up a hand, to silence Elliot, "Don't worry about it. Julia and I are having some problems, that's all you need to know."

"But dad..." he stammered.

"Let's just go in and play, damn it," Paul cut him off, nodding as Jeannie and Gene turned their heads to notice them standing there.

Paul looked at him and growled. As Karen and Ray passed by the stage to stand near the front of the dance floor, Paul made eye contact with Karen and shakes his head in frustration.

Karen sighed, and mouthed, "Go easy on him. He's had a horrible night."

Jan strode onto the stage, and glanced at the set list Gene handed her. She blinked hard, eyes bugging out, then glanced from Gene to Paul. Already Gene had chosen the left side of the stage, stage right, opposite where he'd normally stand. Paul and Elliot were center and stage left, with Jeannie to the far end by her father.

"I know, they took damn long enough," Gene joked to his daughter, waving at Paul. Scowling at Gene, Paul snorted his response. Elliot stopped him.

"Dad..." he said. "I'm sorry... can we just..."

Paul looks at him a moment, hissing, "We'll discuss this later!"

"Fine," Elliot grumbled.

Jeannie moved over to Paul, giving him a good-natured smile as she experimented with a few riffs on Kyle's stratocaster. However, the glare Paul shot her in return made her cringe. Nervously she walked away, putting Gene between herself and her father. Gene glanced at his daughter, then glared at Paul to back off. Paul shook his head and grumbled, "let's just play this fucking thing..."

Gene nodded, "Whatever. Turn on the juice..."

Amplifiers buzzed into life, the curtain screening them from the rest of the club with the lights low. AS Paul tuned his guitar carefully; he walked over to Gene and muttered, "Wait until you hear the fucking latest."

"I don't," Gene muttered. "Let's just get through this."

"Yeah" Paul grumbled.

"Kids," Gene muttered.

"All right," the club manager said from before the curtain. "WE had a little altercation, but it's been cleared away. So, I'm going to present the last band of tonight... and we have some special guests along for the ride. They promise you one hell of a set, so please stick around..."

"Announce us, Elliott," Paul said firmly as the curtain parted.

Mustering his courage, Elliot looked at the somewhat diminished audience, and cleared his throat. He said, "I want to apologize for the crap earlier. WE had a little altercation. But we found two new members to help us complete the set... my dad, and his best friend... who HAPPEN to be able to KICK your ASS... and that's NO lie!"

Paul looked out into the crowd, then gave Gene a half smile, remembering the Wicked Lester days. Elliot saw Ray and Karen giving him the thumbs up, and noticed a few new people milling into the club, looking up to the stage expectantly. He breathed again and continued his banter, raising his accent considerably, "Because we want you to leave tonight, feeling happy... and can you FEEEL happy people?" he asked them. "Because we are here to serve YOU."

Gene glanced at his daughter who is still wary of Paul. "Relax," he mouthed to her.

"Dad, he looks ready to kill me," she whispered.

"We'll get through this," Gene whispered. "I'm RIGHT here next to you, and you just have to FORGET them. Play the best damn way you can, and make ME proud. You kicked ass tonight. I know you can do this... you're my daughter..."

Paul cloaked himself in silence, feeling very frustrated with Elliott and with Julia. Seeing Karen had brought up old feelings to the surface. He glanced again at his son who continued his banter, "So we're gonna play a few songs that you might not have heard for a while, but they ROCK... and they are the FOUNDATION on which all this other new CRAP is built, so we're here to pay TRIBUTE in this set, people!"

An anxious mutter came from the younger contingent, and Elliot continued his momentum. Sink or swim it was, and he would go down fighting. "All this partying and fighting has made me feel... made me feel," he said, waiting to hear the audience. They heard a few cheers and shouts.

"Like I want to talk about a woman I admire... because SHE... makes me FEEELLLLL... aww you know..."

Nodding to his father, he started the opening chords. Paul moved in complete unison with him, while Gene's bass was already under for the cue. Jan was so stunned she almost forgot to come in. Jeannie's lead line effortlessly chimed in the first bars. The four guitars together were a VERY solid sound, Paul doubling under Jeannie's lead.

Paul stood back a bit, letting his son take the lead. He is secretly touched to hear some of his stage banter in Elliott. Then when his son began to sing, he felt a second burst of pride, and nudged over to sing the accompanying harmony with Gene over at the other microphone.

Jeannie stood by her dad, following the chords and trying to find her place after the first verse. Suddenly she felt the worst mental block. Trotting over to the Yamaha, she began to play the manual chords, much like in the Wicked Lester cut.

Gene glanced at her in surprise, then to Paul, who nodded in appreciation. After all it was Elliott's band still and THEY were the fill ins. Paul looked down at Karen again, a small smile.

Ray nudged her and said, "Don't look now, but I think pretty boy is flirting with you."

Elliot tore into the song, leaving Paul to play the lead as Jeannie supported on chords and Gene's solid reliable baseline was far easier for Jan to follow then Bill had ever done.

"Oh god," Karen sighed. "I don't' think I could go through this again."

"Kar, what the hell are you going to DO?"

"I can't take him back, I can't."

"You know he's wanted you back since the day you walked out on him." Ray said, nibbling on some peanuts.

"I can't take him back," she started to cry. "I don't want... I mean I care... but it's all too much at once..."

"So, what if you don't? What if you, maybe, use him for sex, kind of like he did with you at the end?"

"Ray!" she snapped. "And then go your separate ways?"

"I could sleep with him," she said slowly.

"You would HATE it in L.A. and it's not like Mr. Hollywood is going to leave any time soon..."

"At least tonight," Karen nodded. "But then, it's separate ways. He IS lonely."

"So, get your kicks, then part friends. Or at least SORT of friends."

"Maybe sex with him would help you get rid of some of that anger. Make you see that maybe Mr. Stanley Harvey Eisen isn't totally dead."

"Everybody, did that get your BLOOD going?" Elliott drawled.

"God, he looks like his dad," she whispered to Karen.

"Because I've got ANOTHER song that will make you sweat... Because that song left me feeling a little UNHOLY..."

Paul nodded to Jeannie, as the song is very heavy and very reliant on her. She strapped on her guitar again, still standing by the synthesizer. Positioning herself solidly as if to plant herself on stage for the upcoming impact, she ripped the opening chords.

Gene added in his baseline, which really throbbed into the audience. He starts to sing in a VERY raspy voice. Ray beamed as Jeannie played. She imitates Bruce Kulick in her actions, adding her own flourishes.

Elliott is trying to keep up with the rhythm part, but he feels blown away by the force of the music.

Paul walked over to him, playing the part so he can catch up. Jan pounded out an improvisation, not quiet Eric Singer, but her own hard fast drumming style to mimic Gene's crunching baseline. It was far harder and heavier then even the things she had played with CBS.

"God I don't know this one," Elliott groaned. Jeannie harmonized into her dad's microphone, and both are covered in sweat. It felt like they were playing a tug of war with bass and lead in the song.

Paul took over, adding his crunch to the mix. He nodded his head in time for Elliott, encouraging him to try.

Everyone screamed and cheered in the club, although most were teenagers

Who haven't' heard this song for years or never have. Hands beat the air from upraised arms, people chanting and singing along wildly. Energy passed a threshold that rose the excitement to fever pitch. By the time the end comes, Gene almost screamed in high falsetto. Jeannie's own scream drowns it out, piercing and loud, releasing the tension and exemplifying the catharsis of the last five hours for the whole group it seemed.

Someone rushed up onstage with water for them all, stunned and bubbling about how good they sounded. Gratefully Paul took the large plastic cup handed to him and swigged half of it in a long gulp. Gene handed a bottle to his daughter, and they both wetted their stinging throats.

Ray just about jumped onstage in her anxiousness and excitement. "WHY didn't I bring a CAMERA?" she moaned.

"Oh my GOD," Karen gasped. Next to them, a girl with multiple piercing and tattoo sleeves clicked pictures. "This is fucking cool!" The girl cried.

"Give my your address!" Karen flagged her down. Ray screamed and shook her fist in acclamation of the band. Paul turned around and walked toward Elliott. Karen managed to convince the girl to give her the camera for more pictures.

"Just do the best you can," Paul said as they sipped their water. "Don't quit on it."

"Dad," he panted. "I'm trying..."

"Of course, you are," Paul said matter of factly as he turned around. Angered, Elliot returned to the microphone. Paul's perfectionist anal side was emerging in its gory detail.

"Well we certainly got HOT with that one!" he yells. "So we're gonna need to take a breath for a moment... it is WILD here tonight... We're melting that snow..."

Ray ordered two drinks and set one in front of Karen. She patted her knee as they share the excitement. Elliott glanced to Gene and Jeannie, then to Jan, wondering what comes next in the set list. Then a gleam came in his eyes.

"So we're gonna keep up the trend, and get this place... HOTTER THEN HELL..."

Jeannie grinned, and so did Paul, although Elliott was not looking at him. He started the guitar part up, and she followed his lead. Gene gave an amused wink as Elliott sings the lead line, similar to Paul, but in his own style. With a little fewer rasps and a little more melody, it sounded almost like a modern alternative band would do it.

Paul walked a bit onstage, watching Elliott with amusement. He looked down at Karen again, half wanting to spit a pick at her, but not wanting to upstage Elliott. Blushing, he chuckled to himself at the thought.

Elliot suddenly put a pick on his tongue and leaned over to the front of the stage. He spit a pick at his mom. Jeannie seized a CBS pick and tossed it with her teeth to a young man ogling her down front on her side.

Paul saw his son's antics him and laughed hard. He hopes it reminded Karen of the days of the early band. He tried very hard to attempt to seduce her, to take away shortly some of the hurt from Julia.

Karen smiles at him, and takes his picture. Gene winked at Ray, lifting his sunglasses a moment. Hotter then Hell ended, and Elliott glanced at the band.

"I wanna end this all up with a little number for the ladies. It's about young love... And how it can make us all a little crazy..." he said, seeing Paul and Karen smiling at each other. "About how we all feel like virgins when it comes to that special first love... and how new we all feel when we fall in love..."

Paul pulls back a moment and looks hard at him as he and Jeannie started the song together. It was a pretty melody, but both sensed a sudden wave of sadness when they saw Paul rolling his eyes slightly at Gene. She nudged Elliot and put her hand over the microphone, whispering, "we can't do this... we need something ELSE!"

Elliot laughed and nodded, "Sounds good. But I think you are all not in the mood for the sappy stuff. So we're going to skip the sappy stuff for now, because we KNOW that there's a certain REALITY to life in the hard streets... and on the stage..."

He looked to Jeannie, who was a bit nervous, then whispered something to her and then back to Jan. She nodded, moving behind the keyboards as he began to play the guitar part that lead into black diamond. She repeated it on her keyboard. Paul watched his son intently, not realizing he is frowning. Gene instantly picked up on the bass, as Elliot and Jeannie started the song's intro. Automatically Paul chimed in on lead, looking for confirmation to switch to his usual part. Elliot nodded, signaling his lead in this.

Jeannie started to sing the first verse, but Gene and Paul glanced in momentary confusion when she sang lyrics that are NOT by KISS, but by her own mother, twisting the tune around to more of how it originally sounded. Ray stood up, floored.

Paul looked out at Ray, grinning slightly, then at Karen. Gene struggled to put down a baseline, trying to remember thirty years ago how ray wanted it.

"Oh my...oh shit, Karen..." Ray gasps, eyes beginning to fill with tears. The original song with its nuances lay before here, with Jeannie and Elliot reconstructing it the best they can. From behind the organ, Jeannie even recaptured Ray's old organ part. Jan loved this, being a huge SR fan.

Ray stopped near the stage and watches her with wide eyes, filled with tears. Jeannie's sweat blistered all over her face, dripping down and soaking her shirt.

They finally ended with the last chords, and Jeannie almost collapses with exhaustion on the keyboard. Everyone screamed in the club, throwing up their hats or other clothing items in tribute.

"Thank you and GOOD NIGHT!" Elliot shouted as the lights clicked off.

Ray applauded wildly, approaching the stage to go behind the curtain.

Jeannie staggered against the keyboard, muttering, "I don't... dad... help..."

Gene rushed over to her, grasping her as she wobbled on her rubbery legs. He helped her to sit down in a chair nearby as her consciousness slipped away.

"Jeannie... oh SHIT get some water here fast," he shouted. Elliott gasped and runs over to her. Paul rushed out to grab water from the bar.

"Get some orange juice!" Gene bellowed. Paul nodded, passing Ray who had just climbed onstage.

"For God's sake, WHAT HAPPENED?" Ray screamed, as she pushes everyone aside to be next to Jeannie.

"Easy it's okay," Gene said. "Give her some AIR damn it..."

Elliott crouched next to her, eyes wide, as he's rubbing her forehead.

"Jeannie?"

She blinked and looks up at them, groaning, "What happened?"

"You finished the damn song and just dropped," Elliot said, still in shock.

"You scared the hell out of us," Gene said gruffly.

"Baby, are you OK? Can you talk to me?" Ray exclaimed.

"Yes," she moaned. "I don't know what came over me... I just..."

"Jeannie, have you been sick?" Paul said, returning with a bottle of ocean spray orange juice.

"Maybe you ought to go to the hospital?" Elliott worried.

"Yes," she moans. "I got lightheaded and I just... I just want to sleep... I feel so tired..."

Ray glared at Elliott, demanding, "When's the last time she ate?"

"Uh-huh, we've been so busy practicing..." he said guiltily.

"Shit," Gene sighed. Paul thrust the juice at him, and Gene supported his daughter's head as he tipped the juice past her lips.

She at first fussed and refused it, gritting at Paul, "I'm NOT taking him away from you!"

"I just...." Paul started, then stopped.

"I'm NOT damn it... and stop treating me like a baby!" she roared.

"No one ever told me she was diabetic!" Elliott protested, grabbing Jeannie's hand and stroking it.

"Jean, drink it NOW!" Ray ordered.

"C'mon drink it now..." Gene urged, tipping it under her lips. She shook her head, moving her lips away from the bottle as they tried to pour it down her throat.

"Honey, STOP!" Elliott pleaded. "The rest of this shit can wait until later."

"Come on..." Gene urged, tipping some juice into her mouth. She swallowed, then sighed as the gray haze slowly dissipated, and the weak sickness began to ebb.

"Oh god... oh god..." she sobbed. "I'm sorry..."

"Don't you THINK someone could have TOLD me she was diabetic?" Elliott said with accusing eyes. "Is she on insulin?"

"She's non insulin dependent!" Gene snapped at him. "If you were with her for two damn days you could have taken the time to notice!"

"Calm down, Gene," Ray said. "Type ii, did she take her pills?"

"I didn't even know she was ON pills!" Elliott yelped, still stroking her hair.

"Give me her purse," Gene muttered. He fished out her glucophage, and gets her to take it. He noticed she had skipped a dose.

"Seems to me that she needs to be more careful about this kind of things," Paul said quietly.

"Yes," Gene muttered.

"Can we all just cut the "They're just KIDS" crap?" Elliott screamed. "We are old enough to take care of our own damn selves!"

Paul exhaled, then walked away. Jeannie starts to cry, sobbing,

"I'm sorry..."

Elliott leaned down to kiss her forehead softly. Looking at ray he asked, "Does she need to go to the hospital?"

"She should see a doctor," Gene said firmly.

"Jeannie, honey, do you need someone to look at you?" Ray asked, stroking her daughter's hair.

"I'll be okay, I just need to sleep," she sighed. "So tired."

"Dad, please... can I just go home with Elliot?" she asked slowly. "I need to rest..."

Ray looked at Gene for a moment, and he muttered, "I think she needs to stay in the hospital overnight."

"Elliott, do us a favor and take Jeannie by the ER. If it's nothing, Gene will give you some money to spend the night some place close to the hospital just in case," Ray said, eyeing Gene.

"I can do that," Elliott said quietly.

"Fine," Gene grumbled, fishing money out of his pocket. He shoved it into Elliott's hand. "You take CARE of her damn it."

"Good boy," Ray said, smiling at Gene. "And we'll talk tomorrow, right? Carry her to the car, Gene, and Elliott can handle it from there."

"Okay," Gene nodded.

"And tomorrow when this all clears up, Gene, you and Jeannie need to talk, and Elliott, you need to make up with your dad also."

"Right," Gene nodded.

"We have all come through far too much crap to let this tear us up," Ray reminded him. He scooped up Jeannie up in his arms, taking her carefully to the exit while Elliot brought her purse.

"Where's her coat?" Gene asked. Jan grabbed her coat and hands it quickly to Gene. He wrapped her in it, and then carried her offstage. They walked to the back exit; glad there was special parking for the staff and performers. Elliot opened the front door, and Gene set her in the passenger's seat carefully.

"Mr. Simmons, I PROMISE you I'll call you on your cell phone as soon as she is discharged."

"Thank you," Gene said, putting her purse into her lap.

"And sir, I'm not sure about her insurance company, but I'll just pay the bill. I have the money." Elliott said proudly.

Gene ignored him and said, "She has her cards in her wallet."

Elliott looked dejected, and sighed. Gene gave him the bottle of juice, still half full. "And don't forget to give her some juice on the way there..."

"Yeah, I'll make sure of it," he nodded. "And the snow doesn't seem THAT bad. I don't think we'll have any problems getting there."

"Good, now go. And call us tomorrow," Gene said, grabbing Elliott's hand and shaking it.

"Absolutely, sir," he said, breath evident in the cold air.

"Get going," Gene said gruffly. Elliott jumped into the driver's seat and started up the heater.

"Love, do you want it hot or cold?" he asked.

"Warm," she whispered. Gene leans in and hugs her, giving her a kiss. Then he rushed back into the club to leave them alone.

***

When Gene returned to the club, he found most of the patrons filing out, and Jan sitting at the bar while the manager counted out money and pushed it towards her.

"You earned this, your band and more. Make sure to give the others their cut," he said. Paul Stanley sat down a ways from her, sipping a glass of wine gloomily, and looking remotely at Jan.

Ray sat next to Jan, who looked stunned at the pile of money that the manager had just pushed her way. He smiled and said, "Can I get you a drink?"

"Sure," Jan nodded. "Just some coke... but my other band-mates..."

"I'm sure they'll be glad to see what you earned," Ray smiled. She saw Gene's return, but stopped Jan from walking over to join him and Paul, because she sensed Paul's black mood.

Karen moved over to Paul, putting her hand on his and patting it. He gave her a sad smile, and returned to his wine. Gene perched on a barstool near Paul and said, "Well that went well..."

"Bullshit," Paul grumbled.

"Stan, what are you so upset about?" Karen asked Paul, brushing a lock of his hair aside.

"Guess WHAT?" he said sarcastically. "They are in LOVE and our SON thinks he's going to drop out of school and move to California."

"WHAT?" Gene exploded. "The HELL he will!"

"What on EARTH!" Karen gasped.

"I paid for how many years of school and he's just going to walk out on it? No offense, Gene, Jeannie's a great girl, but this is fast as HELL."

Ray patted Jan's shoulder and excused herself to join the growing heated debate erupting between Gene and Paul. "She would KNOW better then to let him do that!" Gene growled. "She wouldn't LET him!"

"And NO way is Elliott mature enough to run a household."

"I think we all just need to calm down," Ray said, making her presence known as she sidled up beside Gene.

"And he'll get MY DAUGHTER to mother him, no fucking WAY!" Gene pounded the bar.

"My son CAN take care of himself..." Karen starts, but shut up.

"Well, it's better than getting your daughter PREGNANT, isn't it?" Paul snapped.

"I'm not even going to dignify that with an answer," Gene glares at him.

"She can't remember her insulin pills. God knows if she remembers her birth control," Paul said bitingly.

"Oh, Paul." Ray sighed. "Now just a minute here..."

"Paul, she DOES remember!" Gene growled. "It would take a LOT to get her to FORGET! And for your info she's on the birth control SHOTS!"

"I'm surprised you even admit it, what with the blinders you have on for that girl."

"Are you shitting me?" Gene asked. "She needs to have protection from that eventuality."

"In case no one has noticed, I don't think either of them intend to ask us for permission" Ray said firmly.

"I can't stop her from doing it... I can just make sure she does it responsibly," Gene finally gritted.

"Gene, Paul, excuse me, but it's not YOUR decision to make, guys," Karen said firmly. Paul sighed.

"But Ray..." Gene protested.

"She's right," Karen added.

"If he does not reenroll in school, I am going to go through the roof" Paul gritted.

"SAME here!" Karen cried. "I will NOT have my son, OUR son drop out!"

"I won't either!" Paul stated angrily. "He told me he wants to be a music teacher and I think that's great. I will not have my son give up on his dream just because suddenly he's got himself some tail."

"Thank GOD Jeannie's done with college, but I will not let her screw up her job and career!" Gene said firmly. "Not for anything!"

"You know what I think?" Ray said simply.

"Let's hear what you think," Karen nodded.

"I think you BOTH make it too easy on them, financing every damn move they make."

"I don't finance EVERYTHING she does," Gene bit. "She has her OWN job, her own apartment! Damn it ray you KNOW that!"

"No, maybe not, sweetheart, but she surely knows that there's a nest egg waiting for her, and let's face it, she has advantages being your daughter."

"I don't finance every damn thing he does" Paul snapped.

"Maybe she should move in with you and sweat it out being a college professor?" Gene threw up his hands. "You'd rather CHOKE then let me help you in ANY way."

"I TOLD him I'd pay for his school and his room and board, so he could concentrate on his studies!" Paul protested.

"But he HAS gotten used to the money," Karen said. "You can't BUY him love Paul."

Paul turns to her, ready to snap, but sees her face and softened. She put a finger to his lips and begged, "Please... I want the fighting to end."

"I just don't want him to have to work while he's in school. It's that simple."

"He's not in school any more apparently," Ray said.

"I want my son... our son... to have the best start in life..."

"Since WHEN?" Karen demanded.

"No, I guess he's not" Paul said, after a pause.

"I will NOT have this!" Karen cried.

"Hold on a minute," Gene said.

"From what Paul told me, he's transferring. You know what that means...maybe he'll reenroll...maybe he won't." Ray said.

"Isn't it semester break?" Gene asked. "Maybe if the kid came to LA for a few weeks to have a reality check...'

"He's got one quarter to get his ass back in school or the gravy train stops," Paul said.

"Get a job, have to pay rent... He'd see it's not all sunshine and flowers," Gene nodded.

"Where is Elliott going to work?" Paul said desperately.

"Maybe for Doc?" Gene suggested.

"He's not even had a McDonald's summer job," Paul sighed.

"WHAT?" Gene asked.

"He's not had to work" Paul said, embarrassed.

"Even JEANNIE worked as an assistant every summer!" Gene snorted, throwing ice at him. "For Shannon. And NO not as a playboy centerfold!"

"He was in SCHOOL, and as long as he's in school..." he stopped, then looked at Karen and sighed.

"Paul, even people in school can work," she sighed.

"I'm not saying I want him to skate forever. God, you guys know how I feel about hard work."

"Maybe he needs a dose of reality," Karen added.

"But this way, Elliott's had time for his studies and to practice. Plus he's been in bands."

"I hate to think of him thinking you might always be there to bail him out," said Ray.

"It's not like he does NOTHING," Paul protested, his argument getting weaker.

"No, but what DOES he learn?" asked Karen. "Last I heard, he wasn't interested in next semester..."

"So what do we do if he goes out there and doesn't reenroll?" Paul said, slowly taking Karen's hand.

"And his bands suck," Gene added.

"WE cut off the gravy train," Karen said firmly.

"Shit..."

"It's tough love," said Karen. Gene sighed, rubbing his forehead and looking at Ray.

"If you think so. I just don't want to see his grades suffer," said Paul resignedly.

"Nor do I," Karen sighed. She slipped her hand through his bent elbow and lay her head against his shoulder.

Ray glanced over at Gene, who looked very lost. He sipped on a glass of Diet Coke, and set it down with a plunk. "You heading back to the hotel?" Ray said softly.

"Yes," he sighed. "Shit, it's been one damn thing after another..."

"Well, then... I guess I'll see you tomorrow' she said, a bit sadly.

"Plus where are my clothes...?" Gene asked.

"The dressing room," Ray reminded him.

"Unless you wouldn't mind me stopping by where you're staying," Gene said, taking Ray's hand.

"Actually, no, I wouldn't mind it," she smiled. "And that will give Paul and Karen some time alone."

"Exactly," Gene nodded.

"Karen, you promised me an evening," Paul said, hands in his hair.

"You'll have it,' Karen said.

"C'mon, let's go get you dressed," Ray nudged Gene. "As long as they promise, no more hitting..."

Jan suddenly turned to them, money in hand. "I wanted to thank you both for bailing us out..."

Paul chuckled, "My eye hurts. Thank you... Jan, isn't it?"

"Yes," she said. "I have the money here for the band... but who should I give it to? Bill's sick... Kyle arrested... Jeannie isn't a member of the band... and Elliot I can't find him..."

"You're the bright spot in a band that needs some serious help, present company and their offspring excluded, of course." he smiled.

"Thank you," she smiled. There was almost a thousand dollars in the band envelope.

"I tell you what. Why don't you keep it?" Paul said, "For the baby."

"But Elliott..." she stammered.

"Elliott will be just fine," Paul said firmly. "He doesn't starve. "Besides, I'll pay Elliott his due."

"Why thank you, Mr. Eisen," she smiled. "I'll be sure to take it and put it in the bank. This baby will be going to college."

"Good for you" he smiled. She gave him a kiss on the cheek.

"Your son is a good guy," she said.

"I know he is," he smiled. "Exasperating, but good."

"I just wonder if he'll stick with our band... we need a new lead guitarist," she said slowly.

He turned to Karen and smiled, "Kar, where are we going to go?"

"My place," she said. "After the diner."

He raised a teasing eyebrow at her, judging her reaction.

"Besides, you DO have a change of clothes," she points to his bag, which suddenly appeared by his elbow.

"Keep the other clothes," Jan laughed.

"You still have Woobie?" he winked. She blushed.

"Let's get out of here before I throw up," Gene rolled his eyes at Ray.

"You remember that friend for him I bought you.... Wally? You still have him or did you stab him after we broke up?" Paul asked her, stroking her hand and kissing the back.

"Paul, let's talk about it at the diner," she said firmly, taking his hand and standing up.

Ray laughed, "Tell him the TRUTH. You beat the crap out of it"

"Ray, later," Gene urged, rising and taking his bag. He slipped his arm around Ray's waist. Paul laughed and let Karen take his hand.

"Well doll, shall we?" he asked her.

"I thought you'd never ask, sir." she smiled. He led her out the door, waving to Paul and Karen.

"Good luck kids..."

Once they were alone at the bar, Karen looked at Paul, a bit nervous and shy. "I'm out of practice at this," she admitted to Paul.

He smiled at her, then sighed, "Karen, I want you to know..."

"What?" she asked.

"Before we start this evening, that the worst thing I ever did was cheat on it and I will regret it until the day I die."

"Stan," she whispered. "WE can't change the past."

"And whether or not we would have made it, I regret like hell that I was the cause of the breakup."

She started to cry. "I've waited 25 years for you to say that."

"And that I've caused so many years of pain for you and Elliott."

"I've waited 25 years for the chance to say it," he said quietly.

She sobbed into his chest, crying hard. He hugged her tightly. "You'll probably slap my other cheek, but if I could have a wish it would be one more night with you." he whispered.

"You have it," she whispered.

He pulled away a bit. "Really?"

"Yes. I remembered what it was like, seeing you onstage performing... And I miss you..."

He looked around a bit, then back at her. "I miss you too, love. In a weird way, it was almost like it was before."

"I still love you Stanley," she wiped her eyes. "Even though I could swear it was hatred..."

"God knows, I still love you, Karen Valentino." She leaned over to him, and took his face in her hands. Almost as if looking at it for the first time, narrowing her eyes.

"Different," she muttered.

He smiled, "Besides, dad said you were the only girl I ever dated who had any sense."

"You've had work done, haven't you?" she asked. He leaned over to kiss her impulsively. Then pulled away a bit and sighed.

"So have I," she said.

"A few things. Nothing major. Nothing that matters."

"It's part of the deal," she added. "I should know. You think I stayed this young on my own?"

"Yeah, it is, and its part of the reason why we're not here any more playing clubs like these."

"Look at me," she whispered, lifting her hair.

"I am. You're beautiful" he murmured. He saw a few scar marks, just the hints of a healing recent plastic surgery.

"I had this done a few months ago... they want me to look 20..."

"You were ALWAYS beautiful, Karen. Always a knockout. You ask me, you didn't need this."

"Nor did you," she countered. "But you and I we did it anyway."

He chuckled, "Nah, I did."

"You think these breasts stayed perky on their own?" she laughed. He noticed she seemed to have gone slightly up one-cup size.

"I was actually hoping for a demonstration," he smiled, a wicked gleam starting to appear in his eyes.

"Let's go," she whispered, taking his hand and leading him out.

"I can't wait to see your place, but God knows, I'm starving!"