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A week or so later, Gene had returned home, to find that Jeannie had indeed moved out of her apartment she shared with two other girls, and into Ray's home. Most of her belongings she was having sent to her mother's house, or left to store at home with Gene and Shannon. No matter of convincing her otherwise would work, and Gene was in a foul mood. Not to mention that Paul had been on his back regarding trying to resolve his issue with Karen and trying to find Julia for the past seven days.

Back in his downstairs office, Gene sank into his comfortable plush high-backed chair and swiveled it to face Mandi. She sat across the vast oak desk from him, typing onto her laptop computer. Glancing at Gene with concern, she said, "I guess they haven't worked it out yet, have they?"

"My own daughter announces she's moving in with Mom to take a job on the east coast, so she'll be closer to her new boyfriend," Gene mumbled.

"AT least she's not moved in with him yet, huh?"

"Then I'll have to kill him," Gene said, with a devilish glint in his eyes.

"Could be worse, I suppose," Mandi chirped. "But what about Paul and Karen?"

"I think they're finito, I mean I hope..." Gene mumbled. "Even though he stayed a week extra there doing a guitar promo at her store... and a guitar signing..."

The phone rang, and Mandi picked it up quickly, chirping, "Simmon's office..."

Gene rested his head in his hands, rubbing his troubled brow. Starting up his record label again was giving him enough headaches since he arrived back in LA, but the budding relationship between his daughter and best friend's son was adding more to his plate then he had anticipated.

"You're back... and you want to see Gene? Oh sure... I'll check to see if he's available..."

"Who is it?" Gene asked, looking up at Mandi.

"Paul, who else," Mandi said, then quailed at the dark look in Gene's eyes.

"Finally he shows up," Gene mumbled.

"Do you want me to tell him he can see you?" Mandi asked, steeling herself for a possible case of shoot the messenger.

Gene's gaze softened at her nervous anticipation, and he reached over to pat her hand as he said, "Sure, what the hell. Tell Marianne to let him in..."

"Thank you Mr. Simmons," she said with a sweet smile. Gene kissed the back of her hand and let her pick up the phone again.

"Let him in, Marianne," she said to the housekeeper.

They heard the sound of boots clomping on the hardwood floor, and Gene and Mandi exchanged a glance. From the pace of Paul's gait, he was walking quickly and agitatedly, perhaps loaded for bear.

"Get ready," Gene said. "He sounds pissed off..."

"Geno!" Paul's voice echoed from the hallway, right outside the door.

"Oh brother," he sighed as Mandi opened the door to a frustrated Paul.

"What can I do for you?" Gene asked, trying to feign innocence.

"You didn't tell me about the fucking rubber ducks," Paul said sarcastically, holding up a paper. Gene motioned to Mandi that she should leave. She did, giggling. Both Gene and Paul heard her cry "RUBBER DUCKIES!" and giggle.

"Well I didn't expect it to go through so soon," Gene muttered, as Paul rested his hands on the desk and glared at Gene. "And anyway, everyone ELSE is doing it."

"That's TERRIFIC! Everyone's doing it!" he said, rolling his eyes.

"Paul, get a grip," Gene said. "It's out on the market. We'll see if it sinks or swims."

"So now I can put a Paul condom on my Paul rubber ducky, right?" Paul growled. He flopped down in the chair previously occupied by Mandi, looking grumpy.

"And if it doesn't, we'll make sure it goes on Ebay... or to the dealers who will sell it at the expos," Gene said, matter of fact.

"Either way, there will be SOMEONE who will buy them. Even if they do give them out as door prizes in their raffles."

"There's always SOMEONE to buy.....huh..." Paul snorted, rubbing his head. "We need to talk to the travel agency about that damn flight they booked me on."

"Paul what is going on. I have a feeling that you didn't come here just to bitch about rubber ducks," Gene looked at him seriously.

"How can you say something is WRONG? I come home to an empty house, a maid who reminds me that she has a vacation scheduled....starting TOMORROW...the gardener thinks maybe he got hurt last week, grooming MY lawn..."

"Because I know you too well," Gene said.

"And Buster is sick again" he sighed. "And Elliott's in damn love!"

"OH?" Gene asked slowly, staring darkly at Paul with an almost demonic look. "You think I don't know that?"

"Gene, my fricking house is empty," Paul said, trying to avoid the subject.

"You did BEFORE you mentioned your son was in love..." Gene said quietly, eyes dark.

"I have to do my own laundry tomorrow, I suppose, with Christine gone." he moped.

"Paul, what IS this all about?" Gene grumbled. "I'm in a bad enough mood as it is!"

Paul leaned his head back and closes his eyes a moment, "I was half hoping she'd surprise me and be waiting at the house. That's all."

"Elliot in Love... Christ my own DAUGHTER didn't tell me what happened!"

Paul looks at Gene again. "I thought we were talking about MY problems" he half-smiled.

"Well BACK to your problems, for the time being," Gene growled.

"I'd rather you bitch about them, then hearing about your son's romances. And I warn you, that you'd better be careful what you say before..."

'Mmmhmm," Paul chuckled a bit. "I know you don't want to hear it, but this could be it for Elliott."

"Oh?" Gene asked. "Anything ELSE I don't WANT to know?"

"Damn boys talking about IF he registers for school next term. Not WHEN......IF...."

"Shit," Gene sighed. "That's TOO convenient... Jeannie... oh HELL... he didn’t..."

"I've been trying to get him to come to California for 5 years. No can do, but all of a sudden, it's VERY intriguing."

Gene stood up abruptly, pacing angrily with his hands behind his back.

"Son of a BITCH..." he muttered.

"And on a personal note, I FINALLY just got on a fairly stable basis with Karen, and now I'm going to "steal" her son away from her?"

"This is perfect..." Gene shook his head. "I can't believe... oh SHIT... this is just too freaking ironic... Jeannie leaving to move in with her mom because of some job opportunity... because she's in love... I half thought it was some sick joke..."

Paul watched carefully as Gene shook his head and mumbled to himself, biting his lip. His hand brushed the stack of papers and sent them flying.

"He told me before I left that he was -- quote, unquote 'in love'."

"Funny he should say that..." Gene whirled around on Paul.

"GREAT idea of yours to bring your daughter for pizza" Paul teased him.

"Shut up Paul," Gene snapped. "For your information I already KNOW what you're going to say..."

"He told me other stuff I can't tell you, but let's just say, things are going really well, at least as far as THEY are concerned."

"Why the HELL didn't she tell ME?" Gene explodes, pointing at Paul.

"WHY? I ask you? Damn it..."

"Probably because she knew you'd act like this," Paul said quietly. Gene opened his mouth to say something, but stopped. Then he whirled around, back to Paul.

"And that at 22 years old, you'd try to tell her who to screw," Paul added. "So I take it she's already left..."

"She has, for your information, YES!" Gene exploded. "And it happened to be when I was on my way home here... Damn it, I know what guys that age are like... I was one... And I know what they'll do, and how they'll break hear heart!"

"Gene, look, like it or not, they're not 16 year olds. If they decide this is the path, all we can do is offer advice. That's ALL," said Paul.

"I will NOT stand for it being in the family, got it?" he snarled.

"That's the worst thing that can happen!"

Paul stood up from his chair at that moment, saying, "I don't think they're giving you much of a choice."

"Oh really?" Gene asked, marching over to the phone. "We'll see about that! I'm going to demand she come back here this INSTANT and level with me about what she's getting INTO! Moving away to live with her mom is one thing, but she will NOT stay there forever!"

"What? Do you want them to sneak around? Come to you someday and announce there's a love child?" Paul asked, watching Gene all set to dial a number, the receiver in his hand. "My son might not be the worlds most responsible kid, but damn, he does OK for himself. Besides.....if your mom had put her foot down about you and Ray, would it have made a damn bit of difference?"

Paul grabbed Gene's hand and slammed the receiver down, his grip strong and insistent. Gene snapped at him, "My daughter has made mistakes, and I will NOT let her heart be broken again!"

"Gene!! Do you remember two kids named Stan and Karen? Karen hated her folks so bad she cut them out of her life. What are you going to do if she chooses Elliott over you?" Paul shouted back. Gene stopped cold, and tugged his wrist from Paul's hand. He sank into his chair, head in his hands.

"Shit..." he muttered, rubbing his face.

"It's been done before," Paul said sadly, rounding the desk to stand beside Gene and rest his hand on his friend's shoulder.

"Damn... I never though I'd see the day..." Gene mumbled, resting his elbows on the desk and laying his head on them.

"All we can do is let this run its course," Paul urged, bending over. Gene lifted his head from his arms and looked up at Paul, helpless.

"I'd never though I'd see the day... that I'd ever be like Ray's parents," Gene sighed.

"They'll either make it or they won't," Paul assured him.

"I have given her everything she could possibly want," Gene said plaintively. "Everything."

"I'll tell you what. I won't subsidize my son if he chooses to drop out of school and enjoy the easy life," Paul said.

"Don't let him drop out, you hear?" Gene shook his finger at Paul

"If he picks this course, quits school, he'll have to earn his own money."

"And if she quits work, she'll get no help from me," Gene agreed.

"I will NOT let her off so easily."

"I hope he doesn't, though. He's come so far," said Paul.

"I guess there is no stopping her, is there?" Gene asked slowly.

"We're agreed on that, then?" Paul said seriously. "No school. No money from daddy. Either one."

"Agreed," Gene said, extending his hand. Clasping it, Paul shook firmly.

"You realize what this means though, don't you?" Gene asked.

"We're condoning them sleeping together?" Paul grinned.

"You put up with ME the rest of your damn life..." Gene grinned devilishly.

"That's even worse," Paul groaned. "I can't stop her no more then you..."

"What am I going to do, lock her in her room?" Gene asked, throwing up his hands.

"Look at it this way. Are you with the same person you were when you were 22? Am I? No, on both counts," Paul asked him, rounding the desk to resume his seat opposite Gene.

"No, I'm not," Gene said. "Neither are you."

"Let it run its course. Damn thing might fizzle out by summer," Paul suggested.

"Fine then. But if he does hurt her, I'll be coming to see you VERY soon," Gene threatened.

"Besides.....if we continue to object....might just make it MORE appealing," Paul said pragmatically.

"And it wont' be pretty," Gene said.

Paul threw up his hands, and chuckled, "Don't forget. He's part Karen too."

"Oh god forbid," Gene groaned. "But she's got a lot of Ray in her. He DOES have that wacky emotional side. She never wants to do what I tell her... just cause I say so. She's stubborn."

"And adventurous," Paul smiled. "Does sound like her mom."

"Yes, and she's got the WORST temper..." Gene said. "Wait, that's BOTH of us..."

"No kidding," Paul muttered.

"But I hope your kid isn't such a bitchy moody basket case..." Gene said. "Cause I think I'd puke listening to my daughter crying to her daddy over her lover's moods."

"Fuck you, Gene," Paul smiled as he flipped him the middle finger.

"Same here," Gene said, putting his hand on his arm and jerking the fist up. Paul hurled a throw pillow from his chair at Gene. In retaliation, Gene threw a few papers at his friend.

"Damn it, Simmons! I don't want to go back to an empty house!" Paul yelled. Gene leapt up and rounded the desk, grabbing Paul around the neck to wrestle with him.

"You're asking for it, pal," Gene laughed. Paul and he suddenly started to push and twist against one another, before Paul had Gene in a neck lock playfully.

"I don't want to fucking meet anyone else. I don't want to have to have a first date....make small talk....try to charm some woman, the whole time wondering if she's got her mitts on my trust fund yet," Paul said. Soberly he released Gene and regarded his friend.

"I don't know what to tell you, Paul," Gene said with a sigh. "but I don't think she's after your money. God knows WHY..."

"Not to mention, my personal assistant has become a first class bitch," Paul added, brushing himself off.

"I think you need to fire her ass," Gene said. "She's said horrible things about Mandi. And total lies... Regarding you and me."

"What kind of lies?" Paul asked, sitting down again. He listened pensively as Gene related what Mandi had disclosed, especially the parts regarding Julia.

"Do you have ANY clue where she went?" Paul asked.

"Well, I have some ideas. But your assistant had some connections with Julia's ex..."

"No kidding....I guess I ought to not be surprised. And last time I checked, I didn't pay her to have her damn nose in my personal life," Paul snorted.

"The clinker is she was feeding info to your ex."

"WHAT??" Paul shrieked, leaping out of his chair.

"She was. God's truth."

"To PAM?"

"I mean why would Mandi lie? she's a bit of an opportunist, but she's too eager to please to lie," Gene said.

Paul closed his eyes tightly and cursed, "Fuck. Here I thought Pam was pumping Evan for information."

"Nope, it was that bitch working for you," Gene announced. "She was ALSO jealous of Julia and you. She gave your number to Chad."

"Well, she's gone!" Paul gritted.

"That's how he got hold of it. And started calling your home."

"That's really ALL Julia and I need...someone messing up our situation even worse than I already messed it up myself," Paul snarled.

"You messed it up, how?" Gene asked carefully.

"I don't know. Did things to make her freak out. I was never able to fully make her comfortable. Even when she slept with me, I wasn't totally sure she was ready, but I pushed it anyway."

"And..." Gene said, waiting for more.

"And when she tells me something that happened...something stupid really....I guess I got kind of upset," Paul sighed. "I'm not saying it wasn't DESERVED, but maybe I flew off the handle prematurely."

"What DID happen?" Gene asked, feigning ignorance.

"You don't want to know."

"Ah..." Gene said. "My daughter DID say Elliot was freaked about something. She wouldn't tell me what of course."

"Look, Gene, that's Elliott's business, and Julia's business, and maybe if I had been more attentive...I don't know....."

"Paul, she made a mistake, you made a mistake," Gene sighed.

"I can tell you for sure, the 26 year old son did NOT go over well," Paul mumbled.

"When can you get it through your head you’re not the only one in this relationship?" Gene asked.

"I think it made me look old," he grumbled.

"Yeah, I think it sounds that way," Gene nodded. "But did that matter to Julia when you guys first met?"

"I'm not ready to look old, Gene," Paul mumbled.

"Maybe she NEEDS a man with experience... to get her head straight..." Gene challenged him. "Not some inexperienced kid."

"Yeah, but now, before, I was sort of a rich, quirky guy...recently divorced, one kid. Now I'm some sort of old psychopath with TWO, count 'em, TWO busted marriages and 2 children, 20 years apart."

"Maybe she was angry you weren't honest with her... you could have WARNED her he was coming to visit?" Gene suggested carefully.

"I suppose. I just frankly didn't know how to approach it."

"Well you should have TRIED, damn it," Gene said firmly.

"She didn't know about Karen, and I knew the first thing out of her mouth would be, "Why did you break up?"

"So, you didn't have to tell her the whole gory story, just the short and dirty," Gene said.

"HOW exactly do you say, "Well, sweetie, she surprised me on the road and I had a groupie in my room. Isn't that CHARMING?'" Paul spat angrily. "Now make sure you TRUST me."

"Paul, don't you think she knows what you were like in those days?" he sighed. "I mean she is a diehard member of the KISS Army, and she does know the difference between THAT and who you really are... unless I'm mistaken."

"I'm obviously a man who doesn't take his vows very seriously," said Paul sarcastically.

"But knowing YOU, who the hell ARE you?" Gene asked. "Does Paul Stanley love her, or the old Stanley Harvey frigging Eisen?"

"I know who I am," Paul shot back. "I'm the same guy I always was, Gene. The same idiot, still just looking for love."

"Then stop being an idiot," Gene said simply, crossing his arms and regarding Paul. "What would you say to her if she was here now?"

"That I want to take her out. That I want to go back and start slow. NOT saying I don't want sex...or whatever she wants to give....I just want someone in my life I can truly say belongs there."

"Sounds like a good start to me," Gene said.

"Geno, I got slapped by Karen when I was with her the other night. I've never been slapped in my entire existence."

"Maybe you needed it," Gene said.

"Karen nailed me HARD. I don't want to cause another woman to carry around years of anxiety because of me. And then when we were together... it just wasn't the same... I can't win for losing, Gene."

"Sounds like you needed someone to make you come to your senses. Far better then I could."

"She slapped me for something I did in 19-friggin' 78!! Give me a break," Paul muttered.

"Well, sounds like she wasn't the only one here getting over a bad relationship," Gene reminded him. "Remember what an asshole Chad was. And how Julia was carrying that around for a while."

"I remember. I just don't want to cause anyone else anxiety. I'll live all by myself if it comes to that."

"You really mean that," Gene asked levelly.

"Besides, I need Julia."

"Do you love her?" Gene asked.

"WHY did Christine have to pick THIS week to go on vacation?" Paul whined. "Of course I do. I told her I did."

"Well, do you STILL love her?"

"Uhhhh.....sure....." he said, shuffling his feet a bit.

"That doesn’t sound very convincing to me."

"Yeah, I do," Paul repeated, with conviction.

"Good then," Gene nodded.

"I just don't want to get dumped on any more," Paul said soberly.

"Sounds like you really do want to try again," Gene said clearly.

"I wish like hell I could."

"Why don't you take a walk and think about it. I have some work to do..." Gene said. "And it won't get done with you botching about rubber ducks."

"I have an appointment anyway today," he mumbled.

"Where?"

"The clinic, where else," Paul mumbled.

"Dr. Marisol?" Gene asked.

"Yeah," Paul said. "And shut your mouth. It's my decision... I need to head out anyway. I've got a shitload of stuff going on, with Christine leaving on vacation."

"And someone needs to take Buster to the vet." he sighs.

"I think you SHOULD see Dr. Marisol, come to think of it," Gene said.

"Oh, so you're HAPPY I'm going to the clinic? That's a new one. Whatever you've got planned Gene, you can fucking forget it!"

"Fine," Gene laughed. "Get outta here, Eisen."

Paul sighed loudly and got up, saying, "Survey SAYS, those ducks are stupid!"

"Survey says BBZZZZT," Gene imitated the infamous Family Feud buzzer, crossing his arms in front of his face. Paul laughed at him.

"Always having to get the last word, aren't we, Simmons?"

"Yep," Gene grinned, throwing a tongue depressor at him. Paul leaned over to pick it up, and realized it was an ad for Gene's new "Tongue" magazine.

"I'm gone," Paul said with a dismissive wave. He stuffed the piece of wood into his back pocket and joked, "I'll tell my son to use it on your daughter."

"Oh you are SHITTING me!" Gene groaned. "Get out of here before I change my mind to strangle you!"

Paul laughed loudly, "See you tomorrow, idiot!"

"You too, moron," Gene shot back. "More off then on!"

Paul poked his head back in the room and asked, "Hey, what are you doing tomorrow morning? I need someone to wash my fucking clothes."

"What do I look like a laundry service?" Gene shrugged. "This isn't 19 fucking seventy three!"

"Like you have anything better to do," Paul snorted as he walked out.

"Goodbye to you too," Gene shouted back.

****

"Ah the hell with it..." Paul sighed as he climbed into his car and pulled out of Gene's long driveway. He gunned the Mercedes onto the main streets of Beverly and headed off to his impending appointment at the Sterling Images clinic.

When he finally pulled up, he was in a low mood indeed, thinking of Julia. When Karen had delivered her ultimatum about not being able to have a relationship deeper then friendship he had been crushed, but the hope of seeing Julia again had cheered his depression. Paul clicked off the stereo and climbed out of the car, locking it with the remote alarm on his keyring. As so many times before he wandered into the clinic, walking more confidently then he felt inside.

To the world in general he was Paul Stanley, the man who had no problems that couldn't be solved with some determination and hard work. Charmingly he flashed a smile to the blonde angelic receptionist behind the glass window, and said, "I'm here for my 2 o'clock... name's Paul Stanley..."

"Sure Mr. Stanley," the receptionist smiled. "Come right on back... and you can leave your coat in the wardrobe just inside the door."

With a buzz the door opened, the young assistant behind it. She took Paul's coat and hung it up, closing the door to the lobby behind her. Checking his file she led him into the nearest cubicle in the ultramodern office suite. Others sat in their own cubicles, having facials or other procedures done. Down the hall he could see people walking in floor length spa robes, toward the steam room and the mud bath rooms.

Today he was resuming the current treatment to improve his image, and perhaps borrow a few more years for this upcoming tour. He smiled charmingly to the assistant who helped him into the comfortably padded chair resembling a dentist's chair, and position him so he was comfortable. She massaged his face, and then stopped.

"Your aesthetician will be here soon, Mr. Stanley," she said.

"Sure thing sweets," he said.

"Want a magazine to read or do you want a movie?"

"Just some nice music," he winked as he watched her leave the room. Paul sighed when she put on some classical music and he relaxed into the chair, letting the tension drain from his muscles. He had this done a few times before, and knew the needle would only sting a bit.

A few minutes later, the young aesthetician arrived, her long hair swept up into a bun, her white smock clinging to her shapely and now toned body. When her eyes fell on her client, she momentarily froze. He had his eyes shut, relaxing to the music that permeated the suite.

silently she turned her back to him, and readied the botox for the procedure she had done many times before to many other customers.

"That you, sweets?" Paul asked, his eyes closed. "You're awful quiet."

"Yes," came the whisper. "I'm a bit... nervous..."

"Relax, I won't bite...you're the one with the needle," Paul joked. He opened his eyes to see her from behind, and couldn't help but admire how nicely her ass curved under that lab smock and scrubs. Something was familiar about her hair though. "You can turn around," he urged, reaching out to tug her sleeve.

"I don't know... if I can do this on you today... I'll look for another aesthetician..." she said.

"Why?" Paul asked. "I don't see why a lovely lady like you can't... won't you at least turn around..."

Sighing, she turned around, realizing he hadn't recognized her crisp businesslike voice. Paul's eyes widened in shock when he saw who she was, clad in her scrubs and professional hairdo, makeup minimal but attractive.

"God!" he yelped, startled.

"I know it's a surprise, Mr. Stanley," she said slowly, unsure of what to say. She saw his legs encased in tight jeans, with a large hole in the knee, and a casual white shirt, unbuttoned to the waist.

"I should have figured you'd come here," he said after a moment.

"Yes," she said, not looking at him. "They gave me my job back... as you can see... so if you want someone else to do this procedure..."

"I don't want anyone else. I want you to go ahead," Paul said.

"Are you sure?" she asked.

"Quite sure. You’ve got a job to do, so go ahead..."

"You've had this done before," she said slowly. "So relax..."

He sighed at the touch of her fingers rubbing his muscles to relax his face.

"Buster's sick," he said conversationally, not sure of how to break the ice between them.

"I'm sorry to hear that," she said slowly. "Did you take him to the vet?"

"I'm going to today. I think Christine might have switched dog food brands on him. He hates that."

"I think that's the reason..." she said, backing up a bit.

"He might miss you too," he said quietly, looking up at her. She looked down at his shoes and his legs, admiring them.

"I know he misses rusty..." she said.

"Well, sure, but he misses you more. I can tell," Paul said.

"They've gotten fond of each other..." She played with her hands, unsure of what to say next.

"You used to unleash him and run around the yard with him. I'm more of the disciplinarian. You're the fun one." he winked.

"I... suppose," she said, and then looked him right in the eyes. "I wanted to say... I didn't expect you here in LA ..."

"And Bogie....he misses you too," he said, in a whisper.

"I came basically to rag on Gene and now that's done, I'm having this procedure done, then I'm headed home," he said, watching her with dark eyes.

"I thought you'd be staying in New York a while..." she said.

"I needed to get away, actually," he said.

"So did I... but that wasn't what you wanted was it?" she asked, glancing at him expectantly.

"I wanted to catch up on a few things. I never wanted to end up losing what I'd come to love here in the first place."

"I never wanted to hurt you," she said directly. "Not after all you've done for me."

"I never wanted to hurt you either, but apparently by not telling you what I should have, I've done that."

"I almost thought you'd never want to see me again..." she whispered, putting the botox needle down again. "But something tells me that's far from the truth."

"For awhile, I wasn't sure if I did, but when I thought about it, I gave you a lot on your plate you never asked for," he said softly. "And I have a few skeletons in my closet, as you can see."

"I'm far from perfect Paul... but I realize you aren't perfect either. I wished you would have trusted me," she said quietly. "Like I trusted you. God Paul, I told you EVERYTHING about my life..."

"I fell in love with a beautiful girl once, and we shared something that was very special... And eventually we got married, because that was the thing to DO when you got married, but we both had dreams, fast track dreams, and neither one of us wanted to let go...."

"Sounds like my parents," she nodded. "Didn't you think I'd understand?"

"And when things started to go bad, she decided we needed a baby, so we had a baby..... And Elliott was born. "Only our hero in this story was a GREAT guy, but not such a great husband, because every voluptuous female in the world was after him. And he was young and dumb, and eventually he met a girl named Laura."

"Why distance yourself from reality?" she asked. "By telling this in third person?"

"And......" he stammered, tearing up a bit.

"It's part of you... like Chad's part of me... and EVERYONE makes mistakes. My god I screwed a man who was married... and had Charlene! "And I... I kissed your son... When I was in love with his wonderful father..."

"I started having sex with her on the road. At first it was just a dare...every once in awhile, trying not to get caught, and before long, it was more often," Paul continued, wiping his eyes.

"And Karen saw you with her?" she guessed.

"And one day, one REALLY shitty day, Karen decides she's suspicious and she comes to find me. Only, you guessed it, I'm not alone."

"And freaked? Is THAT what you're hiding?" she asked, leaning over and wiping away a tear from his eyes with the Kleenex.

"She knocks on the door and like a complete IDIOT, I answer it. There she stands, baby Elliott in her arms."

"Ooh," Julia sighed, shaking her head. "No wonder..."

"She takes one look at me, and at Laura, screams, "Did you FUCK her, Stan?" and runs. I stood there like a deer in headlights," he said sadly.

"And she's hated you all this time?"

"I couldn't say a damn word," he mumbled, closing his eyes.

"Like me," she muttered. She wiped away a tear of her own.

"Yeah, she blames me for everything." he sighed.

"She needs to get over it," said Julia.

"You know what was weird, though? A few years back, someone was going to write a KISS expose' book and he or she contacted her for the scoop."

"And?"

"She could have BURIED me, Julia. She knew EVERYTHING about me."

"She didn't?" Julia asked, leaning close to hear his story.

"She said nothing. Just said we had a great time together and I was good to her."

"She still loves you then," Julia said softly, looking down at the tile floor. "I was so afraid... that you and her... would get back together... and... and..."

"Or at least she still pays homage to the part of me that was hers once. Oh it's stupid..." he said, then noticed her tears. "We're too different, Julia."

She looks down at him, eyes wide as he took her hand and tugged her over to him again. "We would just have way too much to overcome. Besides it wouldn't be fair to Elliott. I don't want to see him get so excited, and we break up in 6 months," he added.

"Paul I don't CARE if you're 21 years older then me!" she blurted out.

"I thought it mattered when I saw Elliott... But it doesn’t... Elliott didn’t rescue me. You did."

"I'll do whatever you want to do, Jul. Take you wherever you want to go. I'll show you a good time. I'll be a good lover. Just tell me what I need to do."

"I missed you so much," she cried.

"Because I'm getting SO tired of feeling like I'm a hamster on a wheel," he sniffled. "A CUTE hamster, mind you, but a hamster nonetheless...."

Paul reached up to hug her and pull her down, and Julia sniffed as she leaned down to hug him in return. His fingers stroked down her back, and she sobbed with relief and sadness. "The thought of losing you was more then I could bear..." she sobbed, burying her head in his chest and crying hard.

"You've not lost me, silly," he comforted her. "I was so stupid, but I realize I was punishing myself..."

"And then I almost throw away everything you've tried so hard to give me..." she sobbed.

"Jul.....I can't lie and say I wasn't a bit freaked by the whole mess, but you were confused, and Ell's just a kid."

"I guess... he is," she laughed, raising her tear stained face.

"And it's REALLY not a big deal. In the grand scheme of things..."

"Age isn't a factor, is it?" she asked him.

"I don't want it to be. I can't say it never WILL be, but I'll try damn hard not to," Paul said, caressing her cheek with the back of his hand.

"Besides, he doesn’t know how to kiss..."

"Watch it!" he teased. "That's my BOY!"

"I mean like you do," she added quickly. "And besides, I think he and Jeannie are learning together..."

'Come home with me and I'll hook you up," he teased.

"Now?" she asked. "Can we PLEASE go home?"

"Yeah. Get your things and let's go," he smiled.

"But what about your appointment?" she asked.

"Forget it. I can afford to miss one shot," he winked.

"My things are at Gene's," she blushed.

"I figured you were hiding there," he laughed. "And you can get them tomorrow. Don't forget that movie Gene made in the 80's. He might find your clothes and WEAR them."

"UGH..." she groaned. "PERISH the thought!"

He grabbed her hand and pulled her teasingly down on top of him. He whispered in her ear, "You know I always had a fantasy about a nurse giving me a physical examination... of a certain part of my anatomy..."

"Paul..."

"Should I take off my shirt and pants?" he asked, pulling her hand to his belt. "Can you take a look at my love gun..."

"Paul," she gasped, and blushed. Paul noticed the door was closed, and he grabbed her hips, pulling her to lie on top of him. She runs her hands through his hair and down his back, savoring the difference of experience. She gasped as she feels his hands on her backside, pulling her hips to his.

"I think Gene set us up," he whispered.

"GENE, that son of a bitch," she whispered back.

"You ever have sex in a doctor's office?" he whispered again.

"No, but there is a first time for everything..." she laughed.

"There's not a lot of damn room," he chuckled.

"No, there isn't... but I'm sure we'll make do..." she winked with a smile. "But you realize, if we get caught..."

***

"We won't if you just close that door there, sweetie," Paul urged. She got up for a minute and closed the door to the suite, locking it. When she turned around she saw Paul sitting up, taking off his jacket and laying it neatly over the chair. Fear and anticipation trembled Julia, and Paul beckoned her over with one finger.

"Mr. Stanley, since this is a medical procedure..." she said.

Paul leapt off the table, snared her around the waist and pulled her close, wrapping her in a sensual hug as his hands worked up and down her back to her rear. She gasped as his other hand reached up and quickly unpinned her hair, letting it fall loose around her shoulders. Before she could say another word, his soft lips snared hers between them, gliding over hers with a precision she had missed. Picking her up he set her down on the padded chair and pulled her hands to his shirt invitingly.

"Shall I take off my shirt, nurse?" he winked.

"You're awful... I could lose my job..."

"If we're really QUIET," he whispered. "Who will know?"

"True," she smiled, titillated by the chance of getting caught. Paul's hands slid up under her smock, tickling the insides of her thighs. She shakily unbuttoned his shirt to bare his marvelous hairy chest and ran her fingers over his well-defined pecs and abs. He closed his eyes and sighed at her gentle touch.

"Hmm I missed that baby," he cooed, pushing her legs apart and unsnapping her scrubs. Pulling off her tops he revealed the floral pull-on shirt below, and tugged it up and off so she had to lift her arms. When she was in her bra and bottoms he hugged her close again, kissing down her neck to her chest. Julia gasped and sighed, twining her fingers in his thick soft hair. She felt him reach around to unsnap her bra and tug it away before tickling her bare flesh with his lips, hair and fingers. It grew suddenly hot in the small examining room, and she closed her eyes to fully enjoy the sensation of his hands skimming over her breasts and belly to her waist.

"Do you want me, Julia?" Paul whispered in her ear, pulling her hand to slip into the front of his jeans. "What does your professional opinion tell you about my desire?"

"You're hard and hot," she panted, whimpering as his fingers slipped inside her bottoms and teased her into frenzy.

"And it hurts so good," he whispered.

"That ain't no pistol... in your pocket, is it?" she whispered.

"Your hands are cold," he chuckled, helping her unbuckle his belt and unzip his jeans as he moved between her legs again. "And that's no pistol, that's my love gun..."

Paul bit her lower lip gently between his teeth, and she gasped, while he guided her hands into his pants after pulling off her rubber gloves. She teased him for a few minutes, remembering just the way that he had showed her how all those weeks ago, and delighted in his moans. When he pulled her hand away, he pressed her gently down on the examining table, and tugged her bottoms off with her shoes. One by one the shoes clunked to the floor, and Paul slowly climbed on top of her.

"You ready to examine my love gun?" he whispered, breathing heavily into her ear.

"OH god yes," she whispered back, panting against his neck. He leaned up to do something first, and she heard the snap of latex and the sound of something being discarded along with her rubber examining gloves. Gently he knelt on the chair and pulled her legs on either side as he leaned down to let her examine his love gun up close and personal as she could. She stifled her cry in his neck, teeth clamping down as Paul moaned softly.

He pulled out for a moment and stood up, tugging Julia to sit up before him on the examining couch. Then he grasped her buttocks and pulled himself inside her, working in and out in a slow and teasing rhythm he knew would maximize her pleasure and his own.

The blood pounded in Julia's ears and she felt her own cries stifled by Paul's soft demanding lips kissing her hard. Tears slipped past her shut eyelashes as she and then he reached their pinnacle of bliss. Panting, Paul lay her down again and rested himself on top of her to catch his breath.

"I missed you so much," she sniffled into his neck.

"So did I... so what do you say we go home?" he whispered.

"Are you sure?"

"I'm VERY sure," Paul whispered, sitting up and putting himself back together after they started to clean up a bit. He handed her clothes back to her and watched her dress again.

"The rest of the afternoon..." she murmured absently.

"How many more patients do you have?" he asked.

"You were the last for today," she said.

"Sounds good to me. What do you say to coming home with me now?" he asked, helping her to put her shoes on.

"I'll have to ask Dr. Marisol first," she smiled. Paul pulled her close and kissed her one last time.

***

Hand in his, Julia walked out with Paul to the parking lot of the clinic. It was already three thirty, and she felt strangely shy and nervous. Was this a dream, or was it real? If it was a dream she was certain she didn't want to wake up. The last week with the psychologist had helped set her on the path to mental recovery, so Paul's sudden arrival was an unexpected treat.

Her eyes opened wide at the sight of the Mercedes, dark black in color as she remembered it. He depressed the disarm, and she heard the beeping of the alarm shutting off. Before she could pass around to the passenger side, Paul stopped her.

"Wanna drive?" he asked, tossing her the keys as he took her things from her.

"You're kidding, right?"

"Why not?" he smiled, opening the door for her. Tentatively she climbed into the driver's seat, and he closed the door after her. Julia ran her fingers over the leather interior as Paul climbed into the passenger side.

"Seatbelt's there, and there's a button to your left on the seat side to adjust it..." he said.

She slipped the keys into the ignition, and her feet found the gas and the brake, but her left foot found an extra pedal. Sure enough as she glanced down at the shift in alarm she realized it was a stick. Her hands gripped the wheel and she hesitated.

"Mirror's manual," he smiled. She gave him a nervous smile, adjusting the mirrors and clipping her belt into place.

"Uh, Paul... I'm not very good with a stick," she confessed, blushing.

"Don’t' worry, I'll teach you how," he smiled warmly.

"But what if I screw up?" she asked, her heart pounding. "This is a VERY expensive car... and I'd hate to..."

"That's why I have a thing called insurance," he reassured her. "WE can start out in the lot. Put your foot on the clutch, and press it in, and turn the key in the ignition. That's right, now shift it into reverse, and have your other foot on the brake. Now, keeping your foot on the clutch, slowly put your foot on the gas and let the car coast backwards. Don't forget to turn..."

Julia did so, her hands gripping the wheel with white fingers. Paul patted her shoulder and rested his hand on hers on the transmission as he said, "Now, shift into first with your foot on the brake, and the other to push the clutch in all the way.... don't take your foot off the clutch or you'll stall honey..."

Jarringly she panicked and took her foot off the clutch. The car stalled and she groaned. Paul smiled and simply put his hand on her left knee, urging her to push in on the clutch and start the car again.

"Easiest way to think of it is like a trade off. You have your foot on the clutch to shift while you're increasing the gas. While you're accelerating you're pulling your foot off that clutch. And when you want to brake, put your right foot on the break, push in the clutch steadily and shift down. That's how you slow down... Clutch, shift, gas... clutch shift gas..."

She repeated the mantra, starting the car to a slow idle that brought the car up the length of the parking lot. Paul's trust in her was strangely touching, entrusting her to drive his very expensive vehicle. It was perhaps worth more then she'd make in a year.

When she was finally comfortable enough to get onto the main road, Paul urged her to try heading toward the highway. She flinched at first, but Paul's warm smile and wink gave her courage. They continued to drive till they reached his home, and she couldn't help but feel it was some strange metaphor for the life that stretched out before them with all its possibilities.

***