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!

"I'd like a room please," he said quietly, desperately hoping not to be recognized. Luck might be on his side, for the clerk was young, perhaps too young to have a real idea of who KISS was. Sadly, Paul laughed to himself when he realized that not everyone in this generation had heard of his band.

"Smoking or non?" she asked with no sign of recognition of who he was.

"Umm, smoking, if you don't mind. Something away from the traffic," he said. "And no first floor"

"Sure, we have one on the third, sir," the woman, whose nametag read Rita, said pleasantly. "Any special requests? Pay per view? Wakeup calls?"

"Hon, OK?" he asked, turning to Karen. Nervously she glanced from Paul to the clerk.

"Sounds good," Karen nodded.

"How will you be paying sir?" she asked, pushing aside a lock of her dark hair, set off by honey colored highlights. Most likely, from her features she was Puerto Rican, Paul supposed.

"Cash,' Karen whispered.

"We'll take it. Late check out please," Paul said. He leafed through his credit cards, purposely avoiding those with KISS on it.

"Cash," Karen insisted, digging his ribs. He found one in his personal name, Stanley Eisen, and presented it.

"I've got it, love. Relax." he mouthed. She stuffed the wad of cash she held back into her purse.

"It will be a few minutes," the girl said brightly. Taking the credit card, she ran it through and typed the information into the hotel computer.

"Great," Paul muttered, giving Karen a teasing smile.

"Do you have a car you care to register with us?" Rita asked, tearing the bill that spat out of the ticking printer along the perforated edge.

"Yes, the Monte Carlo, a 1998 with a champagne color..." Karen said, as Rita placed the printout before them both.

"Kar, what's your license plate number?" Paul asked. Karen scribbled it in the blank, the letters "STR WMYN". He looked, raising his eyebrow in confusion.

"Star woman," she whispered. He grinned at her with a smile.

"Forgive my big ego, but I'm hoping that's for me and not for your celebrity status" he teased. Rita made two X's by blanks and indicated where he should sign.

"Can I have your signature here sir, and here is your card back... with the imprint..."

In haste, he began to make a "P", then quickly changed it to read Stanley Eisen. Paul signed his name and handed it to back to her quickly.

"Here are your room keys, Mr. Eisen. I hope you have a pleasant stay," she said, then she stopped and squinted. "Mr. Eisen... are you related to..." He watched her for a moment, waiting to see what she said. "The Eisen who owns that cool guitar store?"

Karen smiled.

"I'm Karen Eisen," she said. "I own that store."

Paul smiled in amusement as she is recognized, and added, "I heard Paul Stanley's going to do an autograph signing there before too long. Paul Stanley from KISS..."

"You're KAREN Eisen?" Rita gasped. "Oh MAN you used to be on TV, and I saw you on Broadway in The Graduate! And you were in this band called Sweet Revenge! Oh my GOD my mom was such a huge fan! You replaced Kathleen turner for a few performances!"

Paul leaned over to rub her back, and Karen smiled with a faint blush of pride on her cheeks, saying, "You saw me in that show?"

"You were the BEST Mrs. Robinson! Can I have your autograph? My mom's a HUGE Sweet Revenge fan!" she gushed at Karen, ignoring Paul.

"Of course," Karen said, reaching into her purse and pulling out a black and white photo. "Whom should I make it out to"

"To Regina..." said the clerk. "My mom... oh GOD she'll flip!"

As if he ceased to exist, Paul watched her with amusement. He looked around the lobby quickly, and wandered over to the restaurant while Karen signed. He quickly looked at the menu at the bar and grin and grinned as he saw deluxe nachos.

Meanwhile the girl is showering her with questions, "Are you doing a TOUR?"

"Soon," Karen smiled. "And we do have an album... which IS for sale at the store..."

"I HAVE to tell her that THE Karen Valentine Eisen was at THIS hotel!" Rita gushed. "Oh GOD... it's incredible, I know ALL your songs!"

Glancing back at Karen to see if she is watching, and when she was not, he headed into the restaurant quickly and pulls a manager over, ordering nachos and Perrier.

Karen smiled and signed a second picture the girl takes from beside the computer. It's an old picture from a teen magazine she had framed. "I grew up listening to my mom's old records," Rita laughed. "And it was incredible... did you EVER make a sixth album?"

After Paul finished his business, he wanders back into the lobby, smiling for a moment at a parrot grooming itself on a perch. An elaborate cage protected it from possible curious patrons who might lose a finger to the sharp beak.

"We did, but it wasn't' released officially in the US till a year later," Karen explained, flattered by the attention.

"I keep it here to remind me that one day I'll get MY break..." Rita said, fingering the picture as she put it back in the frame.

"You sing?" Karen asked.

"Oh GOD yes, but I can't get a lead in... And nobody wants my demo tape..."

"You have a band?" Karen asked.

"Yes..."

Paul smiled cutely at the parrot, trying to get it to whistle Rock and Roll all Night. While he admired Karen from afar, he tried not to crowd her.

Karen said to Rita, "Give me your number...and I'll talk to some people... here's my card..."

Rita scribbled down her phone number on a hotel card, and pushed it over the counter to Karen, taking Karen's card eagerly. She then passed a paper envelope with two key cards to Karen, almost speechless with delight. Clutching Karen's card as if were made of gold, she put it in a safe place. She stopped Karen for a moment.

"Karen, who IS Paul Stanley?" she asked. Still messing with the parrot, Paul watched Karen with one eye.

"Your husband said he was signing at your store..."

"You don't' know who Paul Stanley is?" Karen hiked an eyebrow up.

"Nope," Rita confessed, and Karen started to laugh hysterically. "What? Is he some Actor? Did I say something wrong... oh my god I hope..."

"He was a musician around the same time," Karen smiled. "Have you EVER heard of KISS?"

"Oh GOD, you mean those clowns in the makeup? That Marilyn Manson liked?" she asked. "Never heard their music... but I saw their pictures and stuff in some old teen mages of my mom... that guy with the tongue sings in that group right?"

Paul started to whistle a Sweet Revenge tune to the parrot, oblivious to the conversation. "Well they AREN'T clowns," Karen giggled. "They were VERY serious about their work. And they DID tour with SR..."

"Wow... but honestly, what DO they sound like?" I heard they were satanic..."

"No way," Karen grinned, shaking her head no. Paul looked at her again and meandered over impatiently.

"They're a good group. They are hard rock... In fact, here's a tape of them," she said, digging in her purse. Taking out a cassette tape entitled Greatest KISS, she passed it to Rita. "You can borrow this. Tell me what you think when you come to the store..."

"Man THANKS!" Rita gushed. Paul reached Karen and smiles at the girl, indicating conversation was end.

"I'm assuming our room is ready, Miss?" he asked, hand on Karen's back.

"Yes," she smiled. "I'm SO sorry to keep you waiting, but your wife is a really big celeb... And I'm a HUGE fan... I'm so sorry..."

"That she is," he grinned flattered by the fantasy of Karen and he still being married. "She amazes me."

"Not THAT big," Karen sighed.

"Come on, you KNOW the SR fan club is still alive and well," the girl smiled. "Don't lose the faith! I want to SEE you gals on tour... no mistake!"

"Let's go," she whispered to Paul. "I'm sorry Rita, but we are awfully tired... we'll talk later ok?"

Paul grinned and begins to pull her away, "Tomorrow. You can chat tomorrow. PROMISE!"

"Thank you Mr. Eisen!' she gushed. "Good night!"

He looked at Karen and sighed, smiling. He walks her to the elevator, sensing her nervousness. "See. I TOLD you a tour would work."

She smiled warmly, "I never could have believed a KID would remember us. She asked me WHO Paul Stanley was! And she NEVER heard a KISS song in her life!"

"Perish the thought!" he teased, leading her onto the vacant elevator. "No, really. She obviously thinks a lot of you. I've always said, good music is good music, no matter how makes it. And you're one of the best. You always have been."

"Thank you," she whispered. "There might still be some life in the old girl yet."

"I KNOW there is, Kar," he said, fingering her cheek. The doors dinged open, onto the third floor. They both stepped off, glancing at each other.

"I think our room is this way," she said, pointing to the room numbers posted in brass, with the arrow leading the way. "Room 323."

"It all comes down to whether or not you girls... uh... women... can get it together and make it happen," he said, arm around her as they strode down the hall in search of their room. "Because BELIEVE me, with all those personalities and egos, it's a challenge sometimes."

She walks down the hall, hotel card key in hand, "I know... I learned from watching you guys..."

"I don't think you learned much from me," he said quietly. "I think you learned most of it on your own. You'll never believe what I found a few years ago, when I was getting ready to move..."

"This is it," she said, sliding the card in. The green light winked at them, and there was a whirring noise. Paul reached around her to push the door open. He flipped the light switch and looked around.

"Well, it's not the Bell Air Hotel, but it will do."

"It's nice, very nice," she said, glancing around. She closed the door behind her, and put her purse down on the dresser. There was a nice sized TV in an armoire, and the room smelled fresh and clean. Floral curtains matched the pink comforter on the huge king sized bed, and Paul glanced at Karen to see her reaction. However she ignored the bed, and moved over to grab the glass ashtray. Pulling out her cigarettes she inserted one into her lips and flipped her silver Bic lighter. Closing her eyes, she took a long drag, sighing with relief.

Mints, fresh towels, and complimentary menus were to the left of the ashtray, and Paul threw his wallet on the side table, and looking around a bit uncomfortably. He wandered over to the floral curtains and lifted them up. A sliding door leading to a balcony piqued his interest, and he knew he had to do something to stop the awkward silence.

Karen already took care of that, for he heard the sound of the TV chatter cutting in. It abruptly shifted to clapping, then to strange music, then to something else. Over his shoulder, he glanced at Karen flipping channels on the television, while sitting on the edge of the bed. He walked over to the bed and reached down to take off his boots. Once off, he placed them on the side of the bed he normally took while they were married.

"Pink comforter. It figures" he chuckled. She still watched the television, flipping channels absently. He sighed to himself and wondered what to do.

"I don't suppose you want to swim, do you?" he said, then kicked himself for his stupidity. "Not like we have SUITS..."

"That would be nice," she smiled. "But they don't' have an indoor pool do they?"

"Oh... you do? I don't know. Let me see," he reached for a brochure and leafed through it, desperately trying to think of a way to relax her. "Damn. They do, but it closes at 11:00."

"In that case Paul, I'm going to take a shower," she said.

"OK..." he said a bit sadly. Karen noticed his expression and pondered something for a moment. Surely, it wouldn't hurt to see just how far he would take this? After all, Raina DID say that sex was sex, didn't she?

"You wouldn't care to join me?" she joked.

He regarded at her for a moment, "If you want me to. If you're asking."

"I need to relax... and unless I'm not mistaken, I recall you give good back rubs..." she said, slipping off her jacket and hanging it up.

"That would be... wonderful, hon. Why don't you start up the water, and let me check on something here real quick."

"I have a change of clothes in the car," she said. "Sometimes I bring them along if I'm going to crash at Raina's, in case she drinks a bit of medicine..." she winked.

"Let me go run down, then and get them," he offered, quickly grabbing her keys.

Karen walked into the bathroom, and sees the soaps and shampoos. She heard Paul yell to her, "Right back, love!" as he quickly grabbed his wallet.

"Okay Hon," she called.

***

He ran down to the lobby and dashed out to her car. Minutes later he had her small overnight bag and his own paper bag of clothes he tucked into it. On the way up, he stopped by the restaurant to pick up his order. Noticing the gift shop is closed, he offered the manager $50 for a fresh cut flower arrangement in the restaurant. To his relief the manager smiled knowingly and sold him the flowers as soon as Paul explained they were for the lovely lady in his room.

"Good luck," the manager winked. Paul smiled and walked away, Karen's bag slung over his shoulder, the bag of their food in one hand, and the flowers clutched in his other.

Once back in the room, he threw the bag down, and put the food on the side table. Singing came to his ears over the hiss of the shower.

For a moment, he contemplated scattering the rose petals on the bed, but decided that is too forward. Instead, he pulled one pink rose out of the bouquet and carried it into the bathroom with him.

"Kar... you still want company?" he asked, trying to see his way through the steam.

"Come on in if you want..." she said. "The water's NICE..."

"All right," he laughed, and peeled of his clothes, glad to be rid of the bar shirt and tight jeans. He hoped she was ready for this, as he grasped the shower curtain and tugged it aside. Karen had her back to him, lathering soap all over her body, singing their song Around the Bend.

"Room Service," he grinned as he stepped in behind her. He reached around her to hand her the rose and kissed her cheek lightly.

She giggled, not turning around, but taking the rose from behind, "How sweet, it's not red, or white... but pink... Does it mean intense friendship?"

He rested his hands on her shoulder lightly and rubbed gently. "I guess you could say that," he chuckled warmly.

"OH that feels wonderful. My shoulders are one big knot..."

Across the expanse of her shoulder, he saw the spread wings of an angel, playing a guitar, and he noted with amusement that it was an Ibanez Iceman just like he played on the reunion tour. "This is new... like it."

Glancing at her shoulder, he saw another of a shooting star, in the place corresponding to where his rose was. Gently he lifted her hair aside and kissed her neck.

She giggled and smiled, then turned around to look at him. Blue eyes gave him the once over, and she rubbed his chest with the soap.

"You look DAMN good," she admired him. "Been working out?"

"Karen...' he started, eyes wide at the sight of her nearly hemispherical breasts. They were larger then he remembered, and spoke to him of possible implants, but still VERY attractive. They traveled down her body to first admire her, then stop at the level of her belly. A long low scar spread across, and he thought for a horrified moment of what surgery what might have caused it, and wondered if it was for a C-section. A few other scars slightly spread over her left knee, and a fall of flowers covered it. Two other bands traced around her wrists, in black and white roses. He had never remembered them since they had broken contact. What significance did they have, he wondered?

He begins to touch them lightly, and blurted out, "I... am so damn sorry..."

Picked up her hand, he looked more closely at the flower tattoos, and realized he didn't notice it before because she had long sleeves on. Both were where someone would slash their wrists if they were suicidal.

Gasping, he looked at them for a minute, then at her for a long minute.

'Is this my fault?" he asks in a whisper. "Am I that much of an asshole to make you do this?"

"No, it was Arthur's," she reassured him, kissing his wrist that held her hand. "I was so damn depressed at what he did to me. You remember me telling you three years of hell?"

"Karen, I can't help but think how if we'd made it work, we'd be looking at our 30th wedding anniversary," he choked, kissing her scars. "Thirty years. That's how it SHOULD have been..."

"I suppose you're wondering about the scar here," she said, pointing to the one on her belly.

"If you want to tell me."

"I HAD a C section..."

"But..." he stammered. "Elliot wasn't... and..."

"My ex husband... We had a baby, and they were supposed to operate... to bring it out... it had some problems... but the baby was premature... and I had endometriosis... They pulled out a grapefruit sized tumor, and the baby..."

"You have another kid?" he gasped, heard pounding.

"I named her Noel. She didn't live very long. She had a medical condition, her heart and lungs weren't formed properly... and she passed away only a few months later..." She sighed. "He blamed ME for it."

"Shit, Karen, I don't know what to say," he gasped, holding her hands tightly.

"I wish it were yours. They did manage to save my womb, and everything... but its not like I've had any other children," she sniffed.

"If he ever tries to come back... if you ever feel weak... PLEASE call me."

"I hate the bastard," she sobbed. "He blamed ME for the loss of our child."

"Good. You should," he said, drawing her close for a hug.

"I was CLEAN and sober for NINE MONTHS for this baby..." she said, story pouring out of her like her tears now flowed down her cheeks. It was back in 1983... shortly after he and I were married... it was perfect, but after the baby was born... it only lived for a short time. There was something wrong with it... it had some rare disease I can't even pronounce..."

"Kar..." he said, crushing her tightly to him, as if to squeeze the bad memories from her like wringing a wet sponge. "I am so sorry. So sorry I wasn't there. So sorry you had to go through this alone...you and Ell."

"He blamed me..." she sobbed, voice catching. "And he started being verbally abusive. Of course, I tried to keep Ell way from him... And then one night he actually tried to HIT me. He swung at me, in an argument, and Ell BIT his hand... he pushed my son down... And then I punched the shit out of him."

Paul sighed a moment, and opened his mouth to say something. Karen anticipated his question, for she said, "I filed suit, and he was arrested that night."

"Ell just told me he was a real prick. He couldn't stand him," Paul mumbled. "He actually asked me to come back to New York and beat him up. If I had KNOWN it was that bad...."

"Nobody messes with my son," said Karen firmly. "OUR son... he TRIED to hit ELL for trying to protect me. He was only a kid... protecting mommy..."

"You know, everyone says he looks like me, but I SWEAR I can see you in there too," Paul said, quickly changing the unpleasant subject. "He has your laugh. And when he's mad, he gets those same lines in his face, right HERE," he said, tracing along her face.

She smiled and sniffled, "I had a penchant for getting mixed up with bad men. But after Arthur, I gave up on it for a while. And then I had a few dates here and there but I never let myself fall in love. It was too painful."

"I... I have to agree with you there. So far, my luck has been shitty. Maybe it's God's punishment for letting the best thing I ever had get away," he sighed, holding her out at arm's length. "People just don't care like they used to, Karen. I don't believe what they say... fame DOES change things."

"It does," she nodded. "We've both been punished."
"And you can't trust anyone... well, ALMOST anyone," he said, absently playing with her curls.

"I know... I HAVE learned to trust," she said slowly. "I have had some boyfriends in the past few years. And they have been fun, but I never fell in love... just great sex."

"Maybe that's the best. Just good sex. None of the rest of the spoils. I'd still love you to meet Evan someday," he said as he leaned down to kiss her quickly. Arms around his neck, she kissed him back, hard and passionately.

He moaned softly, beginning to feel himself reaching erection. He reached over to grab the rose from the shelf where she put it and tucks it behind her ear. "You look like you did the night we got married," he said, smiling.

She smiled in return and shivered nervously against him. Her breasts brushed his chest, and he noted her face looked as if it has had some plastic surgery done on it. Most likely, a light nose job, to adjust her Italian nose, so it was smaller, and more uplifted, and her smooth tight cheeks reeked of a facelift. Like him, she had felt the need to sculpt her body to suit the whims of others, hoping to chase away time and stay young for a few more years.

He chuckled, "Remember? You wanted to pretend you were a virgin on our wedding night... just for tradition's sake."

She laughed, "Yes..."

"You are way too beautiful for all this work, Karen. All these doctor's carving on you. It's not necessary." he scolds softly.

"What about you?" she asked him, fingering his face. "You and I BOTH know WHY we did this. The fans WANT us young and beautiful."

"I know that, and I'm different." he sighed.

"Bullshit," she said. "You and I are cut from the same cloth."

He hesitated a moment, "I know that, but damn, Karen, you were the most gorgeous woman ever, and you still are."

"You flatter me," she laughed.

"And fuck... err... screw anyone who doesn't think so."

"People are PAID to tell me that. I know you really mean it... I wish the FANS knew that," she said. "And I wish you'd believe me and your adoring fans when they say what a sexy handsome man you are. Without a knife to YOUR face."

"But this handsome, sexy man is falling apart," he grinned at her, "A few more years and there won't be anything left of me."

"Your chin DOES look better," she said. "I like the way you look now..."

He groaned a bit, "I'm sorry I even messed with that. That was a BIG disaster."

"But you're still the same man inside, aren't' you?" she asked, fingering his cheek. "And you're not the only one falling apart. I've had reconstructive surgery on my knee and my shoulder. All those years of jumping onstage."

"I would like to think so. I'm afraid I'm a bit more jaded... not so damn naive."

"So am I," she nodded. "Time has not been kind to me."

"And I haven't driven a cab in a DAMN long time," he smiled. Her body was smooth, and well muscled, bearing witness to a woman whom worked out, although she still smoked.

"I have an idea, Angel," he cuddled her close. "How about we stop talking about how bad you look and START talking about how HOT you look."

"And you, don't forget..."

"And if you don't believe me, ask HIM," he grinned as he looks down.

She grinned, "Your love gun?"

"Mmmmmmhmmmmmm."

"Paul not to be insensitive... but are you clean?" she asked.

"Clean, as in...."

"No VD's?" she asked. "Just so you know, I am clean."

"Oh...." he said, shocked a bit as he stepped back. These words had the effect of cold water on him, and suddenly he realized the reality of the situation.

"I ask every man I've been with. It's better that way."

"Sure...I mean, sure I am." he looked at her a bit sadly.

"I'm sorry..." she sighed. "I shouldn't have said that... I just..."

"No, it's better to know. You're right." he looks at her a moment, sad that the obvious truth is that he was a one night thing.

She is turned away, hugging herself, and cursing her hasty tongue. Angry with herself for saying something so rude.

"I'll wear a condom. I always do," he said quietly, thinking back to when they first were together, and how she had been with no one.

"I don't want you to," she said suddenly. "I trust you."

"It doesn't make sense not to." he says quietly, "You have a right to protect yourself."

"I was just thinking that I've had too many things happen to me to be afraid of a VD," she laughed. "Life's too short... to worry, because you're the first man I loved. I guess I just want... it to be like... like..."

"Like it was?" he completed, fingering her cheek and pulling her to him again. Their wet hot flesh pressed close, his soft kisses like fire on her skin

"I want to erase the bad ones, and have some good ones... no matter what the morning brings..."

"I want that too, Karen, if only for one night," he answered, cupping her face in his hands. The silent understanding passed sadly between them, and they knew they had to seize the moment, and make it last forever, come what may.

"Yes... the memories of one night will last a lifetime," she said softly. "I wish that you and I were those crazy kids hat night at your neighbor's home..." she said.

"I never told you, but they found out about that."

"Oh GOD!" she gasped.

"Yeah, dumbass left his belt hanging on the chair."

"You idiot," she groaned. "Not like it matters NOW."

He chuckled, "She asked me if I thought she ought to tell my mom. Damn near blackmailed me. I had to cut her grass for months so that she wouldn't tell."

"You poor baby," she sighed. "Me putting you in danger..."

"And to top it off, she told her anyway," he laughed. "And mom ran around the living room, screaming that I was going to give her a heartattack. But then I reminded her that I was a good boy, and she agreed. Said it must have been someone ELSE's belt."

Together they laughed at the memory, and the innocence of it all, of a long forgotten uncomplicated time. "I put you through hell didn't I..." she said soberly. "All those wasted years..."

"Nah, I wouldn't change a minute of it, at least in the beginning."

"One of my fondest memories was the first time we played Cobo Hall, and you were there backstage, and you gave me a blowjob after the show," he teased. "Now THAT's rock and roll."

Teasingly to bite her neck he leaned down, and she began to rub his hands down his body to the source of his desire. "I've missed you," he murmured.

"So have I... you don't know how many times I made love to you in my dreams..." she breathed into his ear. "Even during the day when I was angry with you."

"Yes, I do. I think I was there." he whispered as he begins to run his hands up and down her back.

"There was always part of you with me," she reminded him.

"So...I'm THAT good?" he cooed in her ear.

"Yes," she whispers. "And more."

"If we do this...is it going to complicate the hell out of things?" he asked quietly, fingering the curve of her breasts. "Or can we agree that no matter what, no hating."

"I want to agree that we'll be friends after this... Always there for each other, whether we're lovers or not. And there for our son."

"Most important. Elliott" he agreed, beginning to explore her body further. "This is like a town I've not explored in years, but have DEFINITELY missed..."

As he moved his hands lower, he explored the features he remembered, and those that had changed. She did the same, her every touch doubling his desire, his hunger for her. His surgical scars on his hip she tallied to the others, and realized he has as many as she does.

"This world has chewed us up, torn us apart and we're sewn back together," she smiled.

"Yes, and unfortunately there are more places looking to be sown." he shut his eyes teasingly, enjoying her touch.

Kissing his chest, she worked down his body, to kneel before him without hesitating. He groans as she does so, holding her head, "I guess you can't spend 30 years as a whirling dervish on stage and not get the hell beaten out of you... oh god yes.... Right there..."

Lips enclosed and made a soft space for him to occupy, just the way he liked it. Perfect measured touches sent his mind reeling into insanity, far from the caresses of an inexperienced woman. It was so different to be the recipient of such mastery, and not the giver. She knew how to please as well as he did, he inwardly reflected. Through the decadence of her fallacio, he sadly observed how a grown and experienced woman had replaced the Karen he had once known. For the time being he pushed those thoughts far out of his mind and focussed on how good it felt.

"DAAAAAAAMN, I missed this." he moaned. He backed up so he leaned against the back of the shower. She pulled off of him, teasing with her fingers.

"You've GOT to be kidding" he gritted his teeth, enjoying her teasing.

"How much do you WANT it?" she asked huskily, looking up at him with hooded eyes.

"Very badly, Mrs. Eisen. TERRIBLY badly."

"Ooh MAN..." he groaned, realizing she wasn't going to succumb just yet, her fingers working him to a fast frenzy. Moaning he grasped her head and she finally relented, returning to her task. AT the perfect tempo, she moved, and he groaned incoherent strings of sounds before he reached his final release. When he screamed her name, his fingers tangled in her hair.

Slowly he slid down to the tile on one knee next to her. He sobbed into her shoulder, "Thank you Angel... I missed that SO much..."

"It's all right love," she whispered, hugging him close. Thoughts of Julia had slipped into his mind, and he was unable to dislodge them. For a time they rocked each other in the shower, embracing and sharing the warmth like two lost souls who had found an island of mutual comfort. Two lonely people who had found each other in the darkness.

****

They smiled in mutual shyness, wrapping towels around one another and stepped into the bedroom. Almost as if awaiting them, the king-sized bed lay there with its covers invitingly drawn and a full bouquet of roses ready. Karen smelled something familiar and gasped.

"You got food?" she asked eagerly.

"Oh yes," he nodded, leaning down and picking her up as easily as he would a small child, and carrying her over to the bed. Delicately he lay her on it, and straddled her towel-clad body for a moment, leaning down to kiss her. She leaned into the kiss, sighing.

"I think we worked up an appetite," he smiled, leaning off her. Picking up the plate of nachos, he presented them to her. In a small silver icebucket, he reached for something.

"I don't' drink..." she started.

"I know," he nodded, pulling out a bottle of Perrier. "And tonight in honor of your sobriety, I won't either... I don't want anything to diminish the memory of this night..."

He dipped a chip in gooey nacho cheese and olives, presenting it to her. She nibbled it eagerly, licking the cheese off his fingers. He reached over to pour two glasses of Perrier, and present one to her. Twining their wrists, they sipped from each other's glasses. Paul fed her another chip, followed by another. Together they shared their gooey mess, both having worked up a considerable appetite.

Karen snuggled down as Paul pulled the covers over them, and he picked up the remote. His arm enclosed her and she lay her head on his chest, watching as he flipped channels. They settled on a calm nature documentary, and finished off the rest of the chips by feeding one another.

"Thank you," she sighed, patting her stomach. "You remembered..."

"I did indeed... the first thing you wanted after you had Elliot was a big plate of these..."

"You're entirely too good to me," she laughed, snuggling into his arms. They basked in mutual comfort; simply enjoying the warmth between them as if they were two kids, fully clothed.

Paul glanced down as time passed, and then at the clock. It was past two, and he realized the night was fast passing. Lightly he rubbed his hands up and down her body; hoping sleep would not yet take her from him. Every minute had to stretch into an eternity, to make up for wasted years.

"Angel..." he whispered, leaning down to kiss her. Karen smiled and wiped away tears, meeting his lips with hers. Hungrily her lips devoured his, and she rubbed her body to his.

Like a match setting kindling ablaze, he felt the hot rush of passion return. Paul crushed her to him, and then whisked the towel off her body. She did the same, and they pressed their nude bodies together. Hands explored every contour, fingers feathering and flaming the fires that burned ever brighter with each touch.

Finally Karen turned over and pushed down the sheets, rubbing her backside against him. HE suddenly realized the open invitation, and she took his hands, positioning them on her hips.

"I need you," she whispered.

"This way?" he asked.

"I want you... so much..." she whispered. "Make love to me..."

"I've wanted this for years," he whispered, teasing her from behind. Slowly he pushed in, judging her reaction. Instinctively she bucked against him, drawing him into her. Reaching around her body he lay on his side, and began to thrust into her moist wetness.

"Harder!" she gritted, as his hands kneaded her breasts from behind. "Please... I want to FEEL it!"

"Oh GOD... KAREN," he groaned as she clenched her muscles up and down, moving in perfect tempo with him. Harder and harder, he pushed, till he felt the shuddering of her first climax. Pulling out, he rolled her over onto her back, then lay down next to her. Karen kissed him, then swung one leg overtop him, and his hands gripped her waist.

Blue eyes met brown, both dark with their desire. She began to ride him fiercely, breasts bouncing as her hair flew wildly. His soft moans grew in volume with her cries and gasps, his hands kneading up her hips to touch her breasts. Down again to grip her hips they traced, guiding her to just how he wanted. However, she needed no direction, bouncing in a perfect pace that sent him careening into wild frenzy. She reached a second and third climax, and Paul knew it would be difficult to hold himself off for long.

"I can't... oh god..." he groaned, and then saw the mischievous glint in her eyes.

"Come on, DO IT!" she cried aloud. "Do it to me GOOD!"

He obliged, and more, thrusting and pounding harder and harder into her. It seemed she had a hunger he could not satisfy, and it drove him harder to please her, tease her. They rolled over, Paul sandwiching her between him and the bed. He glimpsed their mingled skin, creamy freckles against tanned olive, his fingers twined in her hair as he felt himself rushing to that inevitable place where she had been just moments before.

From the back of his throat and the depths of his soul, he gave his war cry, impaling her with his last push of love. Karen received him, wrapping herself around him as if she didn't want to let go. They locked into their intimate embrace, screaming their pain and sorrow into a loud symphony of release. All the tension, the anger faded into the true emotion buried deep, their love for one another. AT that moment Paul ended and Stanley begun. Then the war cry signaled the Starchild's presence, and he was the love god that all women wanted. Karen sensed this, knowing his mastery was far from the man who had first claimed her for his own.

In that moment, she knew he was not the man she once knew. Stanley was buried deep, far deeper then Paul could reach with his considerable love hardening into her soul. Eyes met, and a sad understanding tempered with tenderness sparked the gap.

"I love you," Paul whispered.

Karen hesitated and then said, "I know... and I love you... Stan..."

He collapsed onto her, kissing her one last time before he pitched into sleep. Karen held him close for a while, glimpsing his reflection in the mirror in silent awe, and sad regret. She knew it would never be as it once was, for he was Paul Stanley tonight, not Stanley Eisen. She also knew he knew she was Karen Valentino Eisen, not Karen Valentine, the shy catholic girl who had surrendered her virginity twenty odd years ago.

"You and I can never be like that again," she whispered. "But I still love you. No matter what... and no matter how we will be to one another..."

Paul's soft breathing answered her, and she reached up to turn off the light. For a time, she let the hot tears come in morning for the man she thought she once knew, who was a stranger and a new friend. Friends were all they dared be. It had to be that way... it had to be. This night would last forever in her mind, treasured for its own uniqueness.

Jeannie Simmons had better nights, but this morning was a definite improvement. Wrapped in only a robe, she carried change in the pockets, jingling with each careful step. The vending machines were on the third floor thankfully, and not too far from the room she was sharing with Elliott. Sliding open the door, she grabbed the scoop and began to fill the bucket. Then she turned to the juice machine and surveyed the selection. Cran-orange sounded good, and so did the grapefruit orange. The bottles tumbled out of the machine and she stuck them into the ice contained in the bucket. She failed to notice the woman tiptoeing down the hall carrying her shoes in one hand, her purse in the other. Ice bucket in hand, Jeannie piled the drinks inside and balanced the bagel on top.

The next moment she collided with someone hard, and the ice scattered all over the floor, the drinks rolling on the carpet by the women who stared at each other in mutual confusion and embarrassment. Wearing only a bathrobe and little else, Jeannie struggled to cover herself from the woman who was like a second mother to her.

"Oh my GOD... it's YOU!"

"Jean....JEANNIE!" Karen stammered.

"M-Mrs. Eisen!" Jeannie gasped, struggling to her knees. "My god, what are YOU doing here?"

"I should ask you the same thing..." said Karen, slipping into mom mode. "I had......I had no idea you were staying here. How are you... uh... feeling?"

"I'm... fine... oh my god..." Jeannie muttered, picking up the ice and scooping it back into the bucket

"I'm sorry... Let me help you with that" Karen said, flustered. Together they helped each other up, and Karen helped Jeannie to get more ice and retrieve the drinks, which were still safely sealed. Thankfully the bagels were covered in plastic wrap, and had escaped unscathed also.

"I'm assuming you....you've seen Elliott," Karen said quietly, not able to meet Jeannie's inquisitive gaze at first.

"are you here to check up on your son?" Jeannie asked, raising an eyebrow. "Because..."

"He thinks a lot of you, I take it," she said, looking directly at Jeannie.

"Uh... yeah... well look, I guess you can put two and to together..." Jeannie said slowly. "And I totally didn't expect you..."

"Well... before you say another word, I have a confession," she said, looking around. "I didn't exactly plan to be seen here either. Stan and I had a few things to discuss, and....."

"Uh huh," Jeannie nodded. "So in other words, we're BOTH as guilty as the other... right? So you know why I'm here, and you bet I can guess what happened between you and Mr. Stanley... as much as you've guessed happened with me and Ell..."

"Oh, hell, I don't know why I'm lying to you. Stan and I, we had some unfinished business, only NOW it's finished."

"Ah," Jeannie said, squinting at her. "What makes me so unsure of that, Mrs. Eisen... Aunt Karen..."

"I'm not sure myself. I just....I need a favor, Jeannie. I promise I'll forget I saw you here if you forget you saw me here... deal? I know you think a lot of my son.... and I know you're not one to lie, but I REALLY don't think he needs to know" she says quietly.

"That you,,, uh... yeah..." Jeannie nodded, with a slow smile of understanding. "thanks Aunt Karen..."

"I don't want him to read something into this which is going to end up hurting him. Stan and I.....PAUL and I....we aren't getting back together. Not like Elliot would want. I mean I still have feelings and all, but I can't afford to fall in love again... I just need TIME to figure out what those feelings are..."

"I somehow figured that was the case..." Jeannie nodded. "So you did, right? Talk I mean."

Karen nodded. "I left him a note. I'm just... overwhelmed. I need time... and I don’t' want Elliott to get the wrong message..."

"I understand," Jeannie said. "You don't have to tell me anymore."

Karen sighed and closed her eyes, putting her hand over them, "And your mom just said think of it like a one night stand... I can't..."

"Mrs. Eisen, it's okay... I promise I won't tell your son."

"Please take care of him for me," Karen whispered, opening her eyes. "He is truly my baby."

"You don't have to worry about that. I love him..." she said. "And I promise I'll look after him."

"And it might sound trite, but he's all I have left of Stan."

"I know... my dad says that I'm all he has of Ray. All he CAN have of her," Jeannie nodded with a look of knowledge that surpassed her twenty-two years.

"Stan's no longer around. Paul's here and he's rich and famous and sometimes he steps on people," Karen said, a tear falling down her cheek. "He's not the same man I fell in love with all those years ago, and I'm not the same woman. I need to figure out if it's Stanley Eisen I want, or Paul Stanley... and most women would think me insane for walking away... but I just need to figure out some unfinished business... before I can come to a decision about where we are with each other..."

"I know..." Jeannie says, stroking Karen's cheek. "I'm sorry."

"And no matter what happens, I have to try my best to make it fit for Elliott's sake, only I can't help but MISS him."

"You could say the same thing about Chaim Witz..." Jeannie nodded in understanding, walking Karen toward the elevator. "He's in my dad SOMEWHERE, but he's been hidden for years."

"Yes, you can, and damn, Jeannie, I wish you had know them back then."

"So do I," she whispered. "And I wish I knew Raina MacLaren..."

"In a way, I'm glad that Elliott is a normal kid, so that you can love him and not have to sit back and watch him change." she says

"I hope he never does," Jeannie sighed. "But I know that won't be true. He’ll change if he gets to be rich and famous. I will too, but it's called growing up. I just... shit.. I wish I could help you...

"Look at me complaining," Karen laughed sarcastically and with a slight smile, "I'm the only woman in America who would complain after a night with Paul Stanley."

"Hey, it happens," Jeannie laughed. "You're human, and so is Paul Stanley."

"It's just......he's not Stan," she said sadly.

"No he isn't," Jeannie says firmly.

"And tonight that became painfully obvious."

"I've always know him as Paul. Not as anyone else," Jeannie nodded, arm around Karen’s shoulders. "He's like a second dad to me."

"I know he thinks the world of you, Jeannie," Karen smiled. "And I KNOW that you'll be good for Elliott. You're wise beyond your years. He's always admired you had a level head on those shoulders."

"I know... but he's annoyed that I'll beguile his son... And make him quit school, but I don't," Jeannie sighed, rolling her eyes much like Ray did.

"I mean, I don't like to think about my son in a hotel room with a girl," she teased. "But if it has to be so, I'm glad it's you."

"Thank you Mrs. Eisen, that means a lot! 'Jeannie said, giving Karen a hug. The two women embraced, and Karen sighed deeply with regret, glancing back again.

"If Elliott's going to do this....cohabitate...he's going to need to grow up."

"I will make SURE he does," Jeannie said. "And I will LAY down the law if I must."

"No doubt. I did talk to Stan last night about the money...." she started.

"I hope he's not going to keep the gravy train going," Jeannie twisted her lip, so much like Gene.

"No, he agreed it's too much."

"Mrs. Eisen, I was thinking, I'd move to NY so Elliott doesn't quit school."

Karen regarded her a moment, then smiles broadly. Excited she gave Jeannie another squeeze. "Jeannie, I'm so glad to hear you say that."

"I hate cold winters, but I hate Elliot dropping out even more. If my dad could hack it here, so can I. Besides I can get a good job out here I think."

"So strange to think of you two together. Seems like just yesterday you were babies and fighting over who got to ride the swing on the swingset first. And he used to come sobbing about how you beat him up!"

"I know, I kicked his butt!" Jeannie blushed. "Strange how that all changed when I was 6. When I came out to live in LA."

"And I always told him that no matter what, he needed to be respectful of girls," Karen chuckled. "And he always wanted to know WHY, since he had to be nice and you didn't. He was so sad when you left..."

"I was so angry at my mom... For a while making me leave my home... but then I understood why."

"Jean, your mom did the best she could. Getting pregnant with you really sent her reeling."

"I know... my dad says he was in SHOCK."

"Yes, he was, and it probably didn't help for your mom to see Stan and I fighting over Elliott."

"No," she sighed. "I remember when I first came to live there with Shannon and my dad...It was WIERD having a new baby brother... Shannon made this REALLY nice room for me... and I was floored at how BIG the house was."

"Shannon's done a word of great things for your dad. Other than your mom, she's about the only woman who could ever convince your father to willingly enter parenthood."

"Yes," Jeannie laughed. "Thank GOD for Nick. If he hadn't been born, I would have never come to live with my dad."

"If I could just give you some advice...." Karen said quietly.

"Yes?" she asked.

"Whatever Elliott says, go easy on having kids for awhile."

"I don't want kids now anyway," Jeannie blushed. "I'm not ready."

"Wait until you two are established, because things can change....people can change so fast."

"I'm in no hurry to get married. I hope you're not offended by that."

"It's just I know my son is romantic and I know he's liked you for quite awhile. I would just hate to see him in a situation he can't handle."

"I hope it wouldn't hurt him if I said no, if he proposed," she blushed. "I don't think marriage is something I could handle right now."

"Well he always DID dream of getting married," Karen said carefully.

"He's not said anything to me, but that doesn't mean he's thinking it," she sighed.

"I don't want to end up in some horrible situation. where we hate each other..."

"But if he DOES, I'll tell him that I TOO received a marriage proposal in a cold, godforsaken loft apartment by a guy who looks VERY much like him..." she smiled. "And it didn't actually turn out for the best."

"No, it didn't," Jeannie nodded. "I hope he understands my reasons."

"But in hindsight, it brought us the love of our lives, who's done the hall waiting for you," Karen reminded her.

"I know," she said. "Can I... call you Karen? I mean Aunt Karen makes me feel WEIRD, and Mrs. Eisen sounds so formal, and I can't call you mom, it's just too WIERD..."

Karen hugged her close and whispered, "Absolutely, sweetheart."

"I wish you luck, Karen," she whispered. "I have to take this to Elliot..."

"You too," she whispered back. "If you see Paul...Never mind..."

"What should I say?" Jeanie asked.

"Just tell him how you feel about our son. Be honest. No doubt he'll give you the lecture... and have Elliott call me sometime..."

"I promise," she whispered, almost tripping in her haste to return before Elliott awoke. She put the key card in the door, and clicked it open.

Karen watches her with a mixture of pride and sadness. She waved as she climbed onto the elevator, and stepped in. Jeannie waved back, then stepped into her room.

****

In the room, Jeannie put down the plate of bagels on the table by the bed, and set out the orange juice with two glasses. She sat down on the edge of the queen-sized bed to see Elliot still breathing deeply, arm covering his eyes. He turned over and muttered in his sleep, curly hair surrounding his face. She wished he would let it grow out, it looked a bit like a mop simply tangled on his head like that, with the streaks of red added for effect.

Jeannie slithered over and pressed her lips to his briefly. She picked up his glasses to one side of the alarm clock, and held them carefully in her hand, kissing him again as she lay on top of him.

"Ell?" she whispered. "Tiger?"

"Mmmmmmmm?" he mumbled.

"Breakfast in bed?" she purred.

"Jean......." he mumbled again. "Huh?"

"Bagels, coffee, juice or me?" she asked, smiling at how cute he looked blinking at her in the morning light. Slowly he lifted his head, rubbing his eyes. She handed him his glasses and he slipped them over his nose.

"Damn, what time is it?" he muttered, blinking.

"It's ten thirty," she said, smiling sweetly as she got up, and walked over to the counter where she had made the coffee in the miniature coffeepot. "Want some coffee? I've got hot hotel coffee, two bagels, you love the poppyseed ones... And orange juice..."

"Damn, I need a smoke," he muttered to himself, rubbing his eyes again.

He moved up on his forearms watching her. He leaned over and slipped his watch on his wrist, realizing thankfully she hadn't heard his comment about smoking. Jeannie poured him a glass of juice and arranged one bagel on a plate, bringing them to hand them to him in bed.

"How are you feeling, love? Should I be the one serving YOU breakfast?" he smiles and stretched.

"I'm wonderful..." she said quickly. He sipped the juice and nibbled the bagel, desperately wanting a cigarette. Secretly he plotted on how he would sneak one, if she would just take a shower. Sitting up in bed, he took the coffee she handed him. His hairy chest was bare except for the silver crucifix hanging around his neck, with the St. Joseph Medallion dangling behind it.

They ate their bagels, watching each other cutely for a few minutes. Elliot slowly woke up, blinking in the morning light streaming in through the opened curtains. Nudging her he asked, "Aren't you gonna take a shower, Hon?"

"Oh yeah," she nodded. "Care to join me?"

"Uh, I actually wanted to take a little walk, on the balcony," he said. "you mind? Morning air wakes me up..."

"Sure," she nodded. "You'll need a shirt and jeans for that, silly..."

He felt a pair of jeans hit him in the face, followed by a T-shirt.

"You didn't have to get me breakfast" he smiles, ruffling his hair a bit, as he slipped out of bed, and shimmied into his tight jeans. Buttoning them, he walked up behind Jeannie and hugged her tightly. They gazed at their reflection in the mirror. "Damn, I look like shit in front of the woman I love, and I really don’t' mind if you want a shower..."

"Well you look fine," she whispered, kissing him as she turns around.

"Nice of you to say so" he smiled.

"Although... I DO think men with long hair look VERY sexy, if you don't mind me saying so..."

"Oh?" he asked. "You don't like my style baby?"

"It's fine for a clown," she teased him.

"ARGH," he batted her playfully. Suddenly she grew sober a moment.

"I think I'm going to.....uh.......put on some warm clothes and go check out the patio," he said, rubbing her arms. "And how LONG did you have in mind for my hair?"

"Shoulder length or more," she smiled. "I'll just hop into the shower... and you can think about it... and about how WIERD you NYC people are..."

"Love you," he smiled, watching her as she turned to go to the bathroom with her cloth bag of toiletries in hand. He waited till the door closed, never taking his eye off it, and then sneaked over to his coat. He pulled on a T-shirt, then covered himself with his NYU sweatshirt, and shoved shoes on his feet. Pulling his coat around him, he felt the package of smokes hidden in his pocket with his lighter. Sliding open the door, he inhaled the fresh biting cold air. It was a fine morning, the cars passing by on the freeway below, the distant spires of New York rising from behind the maze of other buildings. They were perhaps six floors up, and he glimpsed the pool, covered with a solar blanket for the winter. Brushing the snow off the patio seat, he plunked down and tapped his smokes against his hand. He extracted one and put it between his lips, flicking the lighter with a practiced ritual.

"This sucks," he chuckled to himself, inhaling a deep drag. To his left, the balcony was empty, but a man in baseball cap and sunglasses, sipping a cup of coffee occupied the next one in line. He wore a long black coat, his back to Elliot as he flipped out a cell phone.

As he turned Elliot realized there was something very familiar about the shape of the nose and sloping eyebrows, the chiseled cheekbones and the set of his firm jaw. Back and forth the man paced, looking very agitated. Shock overcame Elliott when he finally registered WHO it was.

"Holy SHIT!" he gulped to himself, and felt trapped when he saw the man turning to the side. Apparently he gazed away from Elliot, phone pressed to his ear.

"This is......oh shit....." Elliot stammered. He watched in shock as the man pulled out a cigarette and lit it, taking a tentative drag that indicated only the shallow inhalation of a social smoker.

It was too much for Elliot, and he quickly rose, knocking over his chair as he rushed to go inside. Paul's head turned as he heard the clang, and the lady on the balcony below shouted up, "What the hell! It's Ten in the morning!"

"Sorry," Elliott mumbled, turning away. Jeannie was still in the shower, and he had to stand for a few minutes to figure out just what to tell her. He struggled to figure out why Paul would be there. Why his father was smoking and talking over the phone to someone in an agitated voice. Paul suddenly ducked back into the room.

"My fucking Dad!" he said to himself, and took another drag of his cigarette and regards the city. He glanced into the room, noticing Jeannie was still in the bathroom, and enjoyed the rest of his smoke with a sigh. Lightly the snow began to fall again.

"Forget your coat?" the lady down below cackled. Elliot turned briefly to see Paul emerged again, cell in hand as he glared down at the woman. Elliott mumbled a curse and turned away from Paul, who was thankfully still looking away from Elliot's direction.

"Gene, she was fucking GONE.." Paul said audibly. "YES she was and she left a note saying she needed TIME! What the hell does THAT mean?"

"Keep it DOWN" the lady grumbled. Paul glared down at her.

"It's a free country!" he snapped at her. She glared back, but slunk back to her chair. Elliott chuckles a bit at the dark eyed stare. He couldn't help but stay out and hope Paul wouldn't notice him overhearing the conversation.

"No I don't... look I'm at the holiday inn and I’m stuck... I seem to have lost my wallet! No ride.. no change of clothes but the swag I wore last night... and my own clothes... but I'm sure they'll recognize me... no Shit gene... my wallet is GONE! I don't know WHY... but all I have is my license and some cash! I have enough for the room, but shit... I want to get the hell out of here!"

Elliott stood up, and croaked, "Dad?"

Paul snapped his head around and saw Elliot, panicking. He quickly said, "Got to go Gene..."

Elliott stood up and walked toward the edge of the patio, not even thinking to hide his cigarette. Oh, this is RICH!" the lady cackled. Then she heard a man yelling at her and walked back into her room.

Seeing his son, Paul did a double take. Elliot looks at the cigarette, then at Paul. He lifted his sunglasses.

You need money, dad?" he says, voice cracking with nervousness.

"Elliott?" he asked. "what are YOU doing here?"

"Jeannie...we decided to stay the night until she felt better."

"Uh yeah... but... this hotel?" Paul said awkwardly. "Holy SHIT."

"It's close to the hospital," he said sheepishly. "But what are YOU doing here?"

"I uh... got a bit lost last night..." It was late, and I needed to check in somewhere, and I lost my wallet."

"No kidding' Elliott says, regarding him quizzically.

"I think I forgot it in my clothes... last night. But I couldn't... I mean I remember giving my credit card for the room... dammit where is my wallet?"

"You need me to come to the room and help you look for it?" Elliott offered. "Maybe you just left it somewhere, and it fell down? Or else... maybe it fell out in Mom's car when you drove her home?"

"Uh... yeah, that's it," Paul said. "She drove me here, after we had dinner. It was late, and she suggested I might want to crash here..."

"I can't believe she hit you," Elliot said quietly, reaching down for another drag, then blushing a bit.

"I didn't realize till this morning I lost my wallet..." said Paul. "I found her pack of cigarettes in my pocket... I remember I must have loaned her my coat to wear... but my wallet, maybe it fell out in her car... but wait... I had my card..."

"I've got money, dad. It's no big deal. Why don't I help you look for your wallet in your room?"

"Uh sure," Paul said. "Give me a minute, and I'll let you in..."

"Sure, I feel stupid talking to you like this," Elliott said, figuring he wasn't hearing the whole story. "Let me tell Jean. She's in the shower."

"Uh Jean... is in the shower?" Paul lifted an eyebrow.

Elliot reddened a bit, and stammered, "Yeah, morning shower. That's all."

"Never mind," Paul waved dismissively. Elliott gave him a slight smile as Paul shouted the room number.

"Can I bring this?" Elliot asked, looking down at his cigarette.

"Sure," he nodded. "I think we could BOTH use one.'

"I'm on my way," he said, as he put out his cigarette in the snow.

***

Jeannie had just climbed out of the shower, toweling her hair dry when Elliott came back into the room from the patio. She glanced at him with a question in her eyes as she saw him grabbing clothes out of his suitcase.

"Love, weirdest freaking thing. Turns out my DAD is here," Elliot laughed.

"REALLY?" Jeannie said, stunned.

"Yeah, just down the hall. I guess he got caught in the snow last night after mom went home."

"Uh is he ok?" she asked, her heart pounding in fear.

"He looks...sort of upset. I'm going to go down and see what I can find out."

"Sure," she says. "I'll come too..."

"Uh I think he needs to talk Man to Man," Elliot said slowly.

"Uh... but..." Jeannie said slowly.

"Whenever you dressed, just come on down...if you want. Tell you want, give me 10 minutes, just in case it's a guy thing." he smiled.

"I'll come in a hour," she said.

"I'll be back soon, unless it turns out to be really complicated shit," he winked, popping a mint into his mouth. She leaned up to kiss him.

"That coffee tastes horrible!" she made a face. "You just drank some right?"

"Yeah, it's rancid," he smiled, glad she didn’t' realize what a smoker's mouth tasted like, thanks to the mint.

"See you later, love," she smiled, reaching into the suitcase to pull out some clothes for herself.

"Back soon, lover," he winked, patting his pocket to make sure he still had his cigarettes.

***

Paul stuffed the note from Karen into his pocket as he heard the knock, which had to be his son. He pulled off his coat and threw it onto he bed.

"Come in!" Paul shouted, opening the door. He slipped into his dress pants and shirt from last night, sighing.

"Here's what I brought with me," Elliot said, handing him some jeans and a shirt.

"Thanks, son," he said, taking the sweatshirt that said Dead Spiders on it. "Man, I feel stupid. I hope to HELL I can find my fucking wallet!"

"I'm friends with the lead singer," Elliot explained. Paul laughed at the clothes, especially the bell bottomed pants which were from Hot Topic.

"I feel like I've gone back in time," he laughed.

"Is it back at the club, because if it is, you might as well kiss it goodbye," Elliot said.

"Shit," Paul cursed. Just then the phone rang, the hotel room phone. "Excuse me," he said, picking it up and struggling out of his jeans. He leaned down to light another cigarette, and worked himself into the pants and shirt Elliot gave him. He kept his white shirt, and pulled the sweatshirt over top of it.

"No... I haven't seen them... GREAT! you FOUND IT?" he gasped.

"Who?" Elliott asked.

"The front desk!" Paul gasped. "Where WAS it? A FAN? A FAN WAS TRYING TO SELL IT? Fucking SHIT! What... you found it at the front desk... Thank GOD..."

"Damn," Elliott said, under his breath.

"So the concierge has it... great... No, don't send anyone here... I found a ride... could you bring it up to me in a few minutes with some rolls and coffee? Thanks!" Paul said, inhaling another drag of cigarette smoke.

"Dad...." he said slowly.

"Yes, son?" he asked.

"Before you say anything, it's cool."

"I know this probably isn't my business...." he says, suddenly kicking his boot a bit on the carpet.

"What?" Paul asked.

"I was just sort of wondering how it went last night."

Paul sat down on the bed and sighed, "I have a HELL of a headache..."

"I mean, I hear she HIT you..."

"WE uh... we went to the diner... And we agreed... to disagree..."

Elliot smiled with relief, "She loves that place. So you talked."

"And well... we are friends again," Paul nodded quickly. Then tried to smile.

"Friends," Elliott repeated, watching Paul intently.

"Yes, it's better that way. It’s what SHE wanted..." he muttered.

"Did anything ELSE happen?" Elliot asked, a bit nervously. "Because frankly dad, you look torn up."

"Nothing that was... inappropriate," he answered finally.

"Inappropriate, as in......" he pressed. Paul's face hardened and he sighed, closing his eyes. "Shit, dad, it's OK..." Elliott says, bending down to look at his father. Slowly Paul rose, pacing back and forth. Grabbing the jeans from last night he rolled them into a ball, then hurled them HARD at the wall.

"Dad, something's messed up. Why won't you TELL me?" Elliott pleaded. "Did she tell you to go to hell? Is THAT it?"

"I guess... it didn't happen like I expected," he finally said.

"With mom..." he prodded.

"I'm Paul Fucking Stanley... not Stanley Fucking Eisen, that's what she said..."

"That doesn't make any sense." Elliott says, "Why aren't the same person, regardless of the damn name you choose?"

"Because in HER eyes, Paul Stanley walks over people," Paul whirled on his son. "I'm no longer the man she fell in love with. and that was the problem ALL along."

"She's walked over her share too, from where I sit," Elliot reminded him.

"I still love your mother, I do. and she is finally at peace with what happened. I guess I was lonely and... I was expecting... more."

"When she wouldn't let me visit you for awhile...when she wouldn't tell me you'd gotten remarried....when she hid birthday cards from you....shit, I felt walked on!" he said, with some anger.

Paul turned to him, gasping, "Shit... she HID my CARDS?"

"Yeah, she did," he said, tears coming to his eyes.

"Mother fucker," he cursed.

"One year she told me you'd didn't send anything because you didn't care."

"I ALWAYS cared, god damn it!" Paul yelled. "I love you! You're my son god damn it!"

"I know you did, dad," he said, sniffling a bit. "And I know that all along, she's tried to blame you, but she was no saint."

"She... she... hid my cards... told you I didn't care..." Paul stammered. He slammed the wall again in anger, and then flopped on the bed, head in his hands.

"One year. One year, dad, then she didn't do it any more" Elliott gasped, trying not to cry in front of his idol. Burying his head in his hands, he lost the battle, sobbing.

"I never believed it" Elliott says, losing the battle with tears, "I never believed her."

"It wasn't supposed to be like this," Paul sighed, putting his hand on his son's knee. "I... shit... I'm sorry..."

"Dad, I love you. I ALWAYS have. But something got fucked up....I mean, messed up last night, and you're miserable. Did something HAPPEN? Dad, please, let me be your friend."

"I stand in danger of losing two women I loved," he whispered.

"Because of WHO I am.'

"Lost....as in how?"

"Julia left me..."

"And your mother... I guess... I thought... well shit... it was stupid... 25 years of hate, she hit me, and then she melted. And then... we talked over dinner at the diner she once worked at... You know the strip joint we were by? She once WORKED there..."

Elliott sat down next to Paul, listening intently, and gasped, "Mom? At a STRIP joint?"

"And I gave her hell for it... and she was a waitress... not a stripper mind you..." he corrected his son.

"Oh, thank GOD," he croaked.

"My thoughts exactly," Paul nodded. "But we started talking about old times... and then I thought we could... well get a room... I was still sort of drunk... and then I remember getting a room here, and I woke up alone."

"So....nothing happened?"

"THAT’s the problem," he said quickly. Elliott looked at him puzzled and a bit in disbelief.

"Weird that she would come up here, then leave."

"Yeah," Paul said. "And next thing I know I'm alone, with NO wallet... and your mom's smokes in my pocket."

"Your eye looks bad, you know," said Elliot. "She must have hit you with a ring or something. It looks like something is cut."

"Shit," Paul said.

"If she had wanted to...... Would you have slept with her?" Elliot asked with wide eyes.

"What do you think?" Paul asked.

"Don't take this the wrong way, but right now, you look kind of desperate."

"Elliot... we DID sleep together..." he said with a sigh.

Elliott watched him, in shock. "You and MOM?"

"I didn't want to tell you at first, but I couldn't lie to you, son. I... shit... I didn't want to get your hopes up... and now..." he stammered.

"You're a hell of a guy, dad. What the hell do THEY know?" he says angrily. "My mom's not had a decent relationship in YEARS and she's just going to walk out?"

"Ell...."

"Wonder if she'll get pregnant now." he said bitterly, then walked to the glass door, folding his arms.

"I'll CALL her" Elliott sobs, "I'll call her and tell her what a selfish brat she's being."

"You will not!" Paul shouted.

"She CAN'T do this to you!"

"The hurt HAS to stop HERE!" Paul cried, grabbing his hand. He desperately searched for the note in his pocket.

"She used you. Don't you SEE. She did this to PUNISH you."

"No..." Paul said firmly. "If you'll let me explain..."

"She had the LAST laugh, dad. She thinks you busted it up the first time, now it's HER turn. God, I hate her." he says angrily.

"Elliot, CALM DOWN!" Paul shouted, tugging out the note.

"She's a bitch!" Elliot said coldly as he slammed his fist against the sliding door leading to the porch.

"Elliot, stop it NOW!" Paul shouted, grabbing his son and whirling him around. "Watch your tongue son! She is NOT a bitch. She wrote me this note, and if you'll stop yelling and LISTEN I'll explain WHY she left!"

Elliott watched him with tear stained dark eyes, "This is all her fault."

"No it Isn’t!" Paul shouted.

"Why would she fuck you, then leave you?" he said angrily. "Two bit wh..."

"Don't even SAY it!" Paul yelled. "That's your MOTHER you're talking about! And we will speak of her with RESPECT, got it?"

Shocked out of his anger, Elliot fell silent under Paul's angry glare. "Yes....sir" he says quietly.

"No more insults, no more lying, no more anger. Your mom and I both fucked up," Paul said. "Now if you'll PLEASE shut up and let me explain..."

Elliot sniffled a bit, still not looking at Paul. he took his son's shoulders and said, "I want to tell you right NOW I don't want you to be responsible for our mistakes. It's my burden and hers to bear, not yours."

"She made it yours," Elliot snapped.

"It's always been mine," he said quietly.

"Yeah, dad, it has, because I'm the one tangible reminder of you."

"Well hard shit for her."

"I've sat back and watched you suffer. And she promises it won't happen again."

"Today wasn't the end. It's anew beginning," Paul said.

"I don't have anything to say to her" he says quietly, pulling out another cigarette.

"Jeannie is going to kill me. This is my third one." he sighed.

"Ell, you're mad," Paul said. "And you're hurt at her. But don't walk away from her in anger. Anger is the worst thing. IT messes up families."

"She's going to explain this to me." he says firmly.

"She will, and I want you to read this. She didn't just leave me cold. She said she needed TIME to sort out her feelings for me... for us. And if you'd just let me explain instead of freaking out..."

"Sorry dad," Elliot said sullenly. Paul guided him over to sit him on the bed, and fixed his gaze firmly into his son's.

"She says in this note that I'm not the man she fell in love with. And that she needs time to figure out what I mean to her," Paul said. "And that is why she left... because she and I both have unfinished business to sort out. And she also reminded me to tell you NOT to think you should magically try and get us back together and solve all your problems... it's not going to happen whether your mom and I are lovers or not... got it?"

"But Dad..."

"No Elliot. It's a fantasy all kids have... I mean your brother Evan thinks the same thing about his mom and me... but it's a fantasy... a fairy tale. And I fucked up sleeping with your mom again... because I gave you some false hope it could be solved and we'd be one happy family again... but I want you to know that both of us love you regardless of how we feel about each other. The mistake was NOT you but in how horrible we were to each other... and your mom, she's feeling a lot of things she hasn't for years... so she's spooked, and so am I... I wish I hadn't told you. But I can't lie to you."

"I still can't believe you guys did it," Elliot said, watching Paul carefully as he read the note for himself. "And Julia is just....gone?"

"I was desperate and lonely," he sighed. "and Julia... after what she did... just don’t' know anymore."

"Dad.....something happened with Julia" Elliott started, fear in his eyes.

"She told me she kissed you," Paul said firmly. "How could she! You're my son... she's supposed to be in love with me!"

Elliott started, then stopped as Paul lit another cigarette and inhaled deeply. "It's probably my fault, you see, she and I.....damn....."

"Huh?" Paul asked.

"Dad, I kissed her. I was the aggressor. I fucked it up," he admitted, daring to look Paul in the eyes.

"You kissed her?" he asked, eyes wide. "She said... she kissed you!"

"And please don't ask me why, because I don't know," Elliot said with a sigh. He shrank away as Paul pushed up from the bed, standing up abruptly and pacing. When Paul turned around again he wore a look not of anger but amusement.

"She just looked so miserable, like she wasn't happy, and it had been a LONG time for me, and...."

"This is just too... too unreal," he laughed hysterically.

"I guess in some sort of weird way, I wondered what it would be like to compete with you," said Elliot, breathing deeply in fear. "But dad, I would have NEVER done anything. I mean, NEVER."

"Holy shit... holy shit... it FINALLY happened... I lose my women to my son," he laughed, wiping away tears. "Shit... this is just unreal."

"Dad, I'm sorry," he repeated, eyes filling with tears.

"Ell, it's okay," Paul sighed.

"I never meant to make her leave," Elliot sniffed.

"The joke's on me. I um, blamed her..."

"I don't want the joke to be on you" Elliott said.

"I'm an old man... she should have someone her own age," he sighed.

"I'm a bad son..." he said, chin wobbling.

"No you aren't," Paul whirled on him. He sat down again next to Elliot, putting his arm around his son's shaking shoulders. "you are a very good son, and I'm DAMN proud of you. It takes a MAN to admit he's made a mistake."

"I'm like her," he said miserably. "I hurt you like she did."

"No you aren't... don't you see?" he asked. "That means... that means... there is a chance... I have to find her..."

"I'll NEVER touch her again, not ever."

"I believe you," Paul said firmly.

"Besides....I'm in love, dad."

"I know. That's why I know that you won't lay a hand on Julia again," Paul laughed. "Don’t you see Ell, I can still get her back..."

"No, I'll never be with another woman again," Elliot said proudly.

"Well WHOA there," Paul laughed, leaping up. "You really... are in love with Jeannie?"

"I'll never make a woman cry because I can't be faithful" he says, then flushes beet red when he realizes what he said. He stood up and regarded his father nervously. Paul suddenly grabbed Elliot and bear hugged him, lifting him off his feet and giving a loud war cry that rang in the room as he whirled his son about.

"Dad, you've cracked!" he croaked in shock when Paul set him down on his feet, a bit shakily.

"I know... this is... awesome... it's awesome... I need to find Julia... damn..."

"While you're at it, find out why she looks so sad," Elliott said quietly. "But what about Mom?"

"I know," Paul sighed. "Damn... Shit, it's my fault..."

"Yeah," Elliot sighed. "What are you going to tell her... if she DOES want to get back with you?"

"I don't know if she does," said Paul, a bit miserably. "I mean when a woman says she needs time..."

"You have to tell her," Elliott said firmly.

"Yes," he nodded. "I have to go to your mom and we have to get it straight just WHAT our relationship is going to be..."

"Because if she's agreeing to kiss me, she MUST be miserable," Elliot joked.

"I guess I um... well you know she had a shitty boyfriend before me? I hope to HELL she didn't go back to him."

"Obviously there must be something good about what you have. She came all the way out here."

"I love her... and it took me forever to get her to trust me... and we made love... and then it was like... BOOM... all wrong."

Elliott laughed a bit, "Damn, dad, you sleep with these woman and they bolt."

"Yeah, what is it?"

"The fucking repellant gene" he laughs, "I hope to hell I don't get it. Sorry," he says, realizes he swore in front of Paul.

"Well I'm sure smoking these doesn’t' help," Paul nudged him.

"But seriously Dad, you HAVE to make up your mind about Mom... because..."

"WE will talk," Paul said. "After I figure out WHAT is going on, and what I want, and what's best for all of us..."

"I know," he sighed. "Shit... I just don't want you or mom hurt... So now what do we do?"

Paul grabbed a breath mint and threw it at him, saying, "Well Jeannie might be coming here any moment, and you don’t' want her to smell your ashtray breath, do you?"

"She's going to go ballistic. Nick told me she's like a little Gene in that regard," Elliot groaned. Paul opened up the patio door to let the smoke out.

"He got a pack from a friend one time and Shannon caught him. Both Gene AND Jeannie gave him hell."

Paul laughed, "I should kill you for smoking, but somehow I don’t' feel in the mood just now."

"Dad, I'm really sorry about mom, but I suddenly get the feeling when she says that she needs time, that it might not be a good thing... I mean it's good if you and Julia want to get back together... but..." he says, extinguishing his cigarette. "I know relationships can get hairy. Hell, I lived through the Denise debacle."

"I didn't like her," Paul sighed. "She freaked me out."

"No one did," he smiled. "She had....huh.....problems."

A knock interrupted their reminiscing, and Paul and Elliot exchanged a worried glance. "Crap!" Elliott hissed. "I think you're going to witness my public flogging."

"Uh oh," Paul laughed. "I'll tell her you saw Me smoking."

"NO way in hell she doesn't smell the two of us smoking for half an hour," Elliot sighed.

Paul's eyes landed on a can of hair spray. He suddenly realized Karen must have left it behind as well as her smokes. Seizing it, he began to fumigate the room with it. Elliot opened the door on a confused Jeannie who sniffed the air suspiciously.

"Ell, Uncle Paul... is that SMOKE I SMELL?" she winced.

"Are you nuts?" Elliott chirped, a bit too eagerly.

"All they had left was this damn smoking room," Paul said. "So....here we are."

The look on Jeannie face convinced them that she wasn't totally bamboozled. Especially when she eyed the can of hair spray in Paul's hand, which he poked behind his back.
"Elliott Valentine Eisen, and Stanley Harvey Eisen, you're dead, both
of you," she said firmly. "If I find out that you were BOTH smoking..."

"Oh come on, don't you believe my dad?" Elliott asked her.

"Not when you both have those guilty looks on your faces," she half growled.

"I might ask you what you're doing here with my SON, young lady," Paul mock scolded.

"Don't you even PUT on that angry DAD tone with me, Mr. Stanley!" Jeannie glared at him.

"And stop trying to out bellow your old man," Elliott burst into laughter at how silly she looked, stamping her feet exactly like her father did when he was furious.

"I think you and I have to have a serious man to girl talk, little girl," Paul said, patting the bed next to him. "About making my son an honest man..."

"Oh Elliot RESCUE me from this!" she moaned.

"It's only fair, I mean it's gonna be nothing compared to what your dad's gonna put ME through!" Elliott said. "So sit up and take your medicine like a big girl, hon."

"Stop calling me girl, or you'll be sleeping on a NICE fat couch..."

Jeannie started, then stopped, face flushing hotly as she saw Paul's warning dark stare.

"Jeannie, bed, now," Elliot barked.

"Shut up," she mumbled, sitting down next to Paul, and Elliott sat on her other side. Between father and son she flushed hotly, mumbling that it would have been most other women's fantasies to be in an Eisen sandwich, but this circumstance was FAR from any late night ShowTime sex flick.

"So my son here says you're in love with him," Paul said matter of fact. "Right, Elliott?"

"Yeah, that's right," Elliot nodded.

"Well don't look so smug son, cause you were right about one thing. This is going to be NOTHING compared to what the girl's old man is going to put you through. Now I just have a few things to say. What is THIS I hear about Elliot quitting school and moving to LA?"

"That isn't going to happen, Uncle Paul," she said firmly. Elliott's jaw dropped and he opened his mouth to protest.

"Sweetie I thought..."

"Shut up Elliott," Jeannie said firmly. "Uncle Paul, I will NOT contribute to your son dropping out of school that you paid for. So I've made the decision to move out to New York... and get a job out here..."

"Jeannie... are you sure?" Paul asked. "It's a big move..."

"I can hack it," she laughed. "If my father can move halfway around the world to make it big, why can't his oldest daughter move from one coast to another? After all you and Daddy are out here most every other month anyway."

"You HATE cold weather!" Elliott protested. "Dad, tell her she's nuts..."

"Elliot, please be quiet," Paul sighed. "It's the first thing I've heard that has made SENSE this morning... and not a word about our man to man, son."

"Dad..." Elliott groaned.

"Uncle Paul... I think maybe we should have our man to woman talk without your son present," she suggested. "I mean it is rude to talk about him when he's standing right there, wouldn't you say?"

"Yes, of course," Paul sighed. "I apologize. But this doesn't let you off the hook..."

"Besides Dad, you STILL need your wallet," Elliott grinned.

"Uh huh," Paul said. "And I ASSUME you two will be moving IN together?"

"Uh, that WAS the idea Dad," Elliot said, looking very awkward.

"Living together," Paul sighed. "That's a can of worms..."

"You do it, Dad," Elliott said quickly. "I mean..."

"Right, but you're in school..." Paul reminded him.

"With all due respect sir," Jeannie cut in. "He's right. And my father and step-mom have been living together for at least twenty years..."

"Jeannie that is NOT helping," Elliott hissed.

"I'm right, am I not?" she asked. "And it's not like I won't pay my share of the rent..."

"Jeannie, you don't..." Elliott interrupted.

"I think I do," she said firmly, holding up her hand to cut him off. "I will NOT live off your daddy's money. When I can make my own..."

"Gene will NOT be happy about this," Paul sighed deeply. "I can't say I'm TOTALLY thrilled, but I'm GLAD you're not quitting school to run out to LA, son."

"OH, so YOU can live with some girl half your age and I can't live with my girlfriend?" Elliot snapped. "What the HELL is up with THAT?"

"Elliott," Paul sighed. "I never claimed to be the world's best role model. I'm only HOPING you can learn from my mistakes, not follow in my footsteps."
"So it's do as I say, not as I do?" Jeannie snapped. "That's REALLY so not fair!"
"Jeannie, be quiet, please!" Elliot pleaded. "She's right Dad..."
"Elliot, don't cut me off," she snapped. "Uncle Paul, Mr. Stanley, you have to understand what action plan I have. I'm not going to just drop everything and live with your son immedicately. I'm going to plan ahead, and I hope you have the good sense Elliott to see that it has to be like this. I have to find a job first, and that means I'll be staying at my mom's house till I do. Only when I have a job where I can pay my share of the rent will I actually move in with Elliot..."
"Why not Jeannie?" he asked, combing his hand through his hair frantically. "I have the room..."
"Obviouisly you two need to discuss this at length," Paul said firmly. "But you can't blame me for being wary about this whole situation. You're young... and you might be making a big mistake when waiting..."
"How long Dad, how long?" Elliot cried. "With all due respect Dad, I am 26, and..."
"As long as you're going to school on MY money, I DO have a significant say in how you chose to live your life," Paul said firmly.
"Maybe that's the problem," Jeannie cut in.
"EXCUSE me?" Paul said, staring darkly at her.
"That's just it. Elliott here, it's important he finish school. But it's also important he learn to be self sufficient..." Jeannie said.
"Young LADY, what I chose to do with regard to my children is NONE of your business... least of all.." Paul scolded.

"Dad, STOP it!" Elliot cut in. "Please! Don't talk to her like that! I love her, and I won't stand for you speaking to her like she's only 12! This is the woman I love... and I want to be with her. Aren't I allowed to be with the woman I love, since she's probably the BEST thing to happen to me in a LONG time?"
"If I was any other girl, would you be the same, Uncle Paul?" Jeannie challenged, her voice low and calm, but steeled with determination. "Is it possible that since I'm the daughter of your best friend and business partner that it is making it more difficult
for you to see us as a couple?"
"That's not the immediate point young lady..." Paul shot back.
"Dad, with all due respect it might be a big factor," Elliot said firmly. "And as I recall, you didn't react nearly the same way when I told you about me and Denise... you warned me to be careful, but you didn't flip out like you are now. Just pretend Jeannie is another
girl that I love..."
"That's it Elliott. Is Jeannie a flavor of the month, or is this girl someone you really DO have strong feelings for. I don't want you to sacrifice your shot at the future over a fling..."
"It's not a fling Dad. I love this girl," Elliot said loudly, pulling Jeannie to his side and hugging her close. "And if you can't see it, I'm sorry."
"I love him, Uncle Paul. And I don't think there is anything you or my Father can do to change that fact."
Paul opened his mouth to respond, but then took stock of the scene. Elliot, fists balled and dark eyes blazing in anger stood between him and Jeannie. It seemed as if Elliot's passion had become enflamed in a way he hadn't known since the child first started guitar lessons,
and now his son was a true man, standing up to defend his woman from his father's lack of understanding. Jeannie was equally adamant about standing up for her man, green eyes sparkling with great intensity. Together they were a force to be reckoned with, and Paul
grasped the magnitude of the situation. Even if he said no, they'd find some way of subverting his authority, and that could have sudden and drastic consequences. For the first time Paul truly saw his son not as a guy, but as a man.
"Damn," Paul sighed, sitting down on the double bed again. "I guess I don't really get a say in this matter do I?"
"Dad, I want you to be part of this, and that's why we're having this talk, right?" Elliot asked. "I don't want you hating us for being in love..."
"I could never hate you, son," Paul sighed, ruffling Elliot's hair and tugging him down to sit next to him on the end of the bed. "Jeannie, sit down here..."
He patted the bed next to him, and sullenly Jeannie sat down on Paul's other side. Glancing from Jeannie to Elliot Paul shook his head slowly. His hands closed around each of the children's, squeezing tightly as he shut his eyes. "I've known you both since you were children. And man Elliot I wish I could have been there for all those times you really needed a father. And Jeannie I kind of thought of you like my niece. But don't you realize that there's going to be major legal problems when it comes to inheritance? You are in my will, you and Erica and Evan, Elliot..."
"I know dad, but I'm not sitting around waiting for you to die so I can collect," Elliot implored.
"Jeannie you must know where I’m coming from. After all, you're going to have to split Gene's assets and your mom's with your siblings... it might be a huge mess. I just want you two to know what you're getting into..." Paul said, facing her with a softness in his dark eyes.
"Uncle Paul I know that. We're going to be together, one way or another, and I'd really like it if you were on our side..."
"I guess you could say we'd love your blessing, Dad, as cheesy as it sounds," Elliot said shyly.
"Well at least we're coming to you with it in the open instead of hiding it," said Jeannie.
"I guess there is no convincing you to change your minds huh?" Paul asked, swinging both their hands in his.
"Nope," Jeannie said.
"I'm sorry Dad, but I love her..."
"Well, you have my blessing kiddos," Paul said with a sigh as he put both their hands together on his lap. "But you HAVE to be absolutely sure you've looked at ALL the possibilities and the repercussions before you rush into anything. And Elliot, you have to promise me you'll finish school... and that both of you are going to be responsible when it comes to sex. Don't be making any babies anytime soon... like your old Uncle Paul did..."
"DAD!" Elliot groaned.
"Didn't I just say I'm cool with this?" Paul asked him. "You're lucky you're getting off so easily, cause I guarantee your uncle Gene's gonna go nuclear when he gets wind of this..."
"That's why we're appealing to your sweet and generous nature," Jeannie cooed playfully, leaning over to kiss Paul on the cheek.
"Man, this is pretty heavy. I think Gene's going to be less then thrilled when he goes back to LA," Paul chuckled. "And I for one would love to be a fly on THAT wall..."

"We're both dead," Elliot nudged his dad.