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!

The change in their bedroom life held Paul sufficiently at bay, and she found a new level of peace and inner satisfaction in her private thoughts. Julia continued to search for work over the next week, continuing to see Charlene on the weekends, and avoiding the bullitan boards on KOL and Assyulum. She guessed the rumors were running rampant, but she took Paul's advice and tried to ignore the major sources of KISS dirt. So far, she succeeded as the days passed, bringing her closer and closer to the New York business trip. It was in honor of Gene and Paul's new book Kiss alive forever, and she was happy to contemplate what she would see.

Every muscle in Julia's body ached as she stretched out a bit in the confines of the Yellow cab. Julia and Mandi tensely regarded the thick gridlock of traffic that imprisoned them for the next two hours. Stopping to change after a whirlwind spin around New York's major tourist sights seemed a far worse idea each passing minute.

Mandi shivered with anticipation as the cab pulled up to the restaurant's front awning. Anxiously she glanced at her watch and wailed, "We are TWO hours late! Two HOURS. Gene is gonna KILL me!"

"Didn't you call Gene?" Julia asked.

"I know, but damn, I had no clue it was THIS bad. We just wasted another half hour trying to get across town," Mandi cursed, digging in her purse for her wallet. She spilled her change purse with an unceremonious jingle all over the cab floor.

"That will be ten dollars ladies," the cabdriver reminded them.

"Hold your horses, I got it," Julia muttered, grabbing her wallet out of her small purse and folding out two five dollar bills and shoving them into his hand.

"Thanks!" Mandi breathed with relief, scooping the change and dumping it into her purse quickly.

"Well, we did stop to change," Julia reminded her, glancing down at their eveningwear. "I'm sure once he sees you in that tight red minidress he'll forget ALL about you being late..."

"Yeah right. I can't afford this kind of place." she sighed, quickly checking the bills in her wallet, and her credit cards. "I hope to God he picks up the tab."

"Hey, if Gene gets obnoxious, leave him to me," Julia smiled mischievously, patting her back. "I've been itching to give that egotistical jerk a piece of my mind."

"This isn't good." she groaned, climbing out of the cab and clutching her coat around her. "He's not exactly a man you want to keep waiting."

The cab veered away into the column of traffic as the light changed green. Pedestrians passed them on the street, already illuminated by the dazzle of many lights from Times Square around them. They dodged to the side as a Pizza hut delivery guy on a bicycle narrowly avoided hitting them.

"So, he'll get over it. And if he bitches, then I'll just be on the next plane out," Julia shrugged, buttoning her raincoat. She followed Mandi's rapid clicking heels up the street of various electronics boutiques, adult bookstores, and ethnic restaurants toward the endless sea of noise and excitement.

"I NEED this job, damn it," Mandi muttered. "I hope I didn't just screw it up."

"If he tries shit with you, I'll tell him it's my fault," Julia reminded her. "It is you know."

"He's already just now getting over being pissed with me for forgetting to our his mother's birthday flowers." she sighed.

"Oh jeez," Julia sighed. "Look Mandi, I like you, I like you a lot... but you have to not be intimidated by Gene. Just cause he's got a few million..."

"I like you TOO..." Mandi half whined. "I just want to keep Gene happy...happy and out of my hair."

"Well then, he can blame me. He can't fire Paul's girlfriend," Julia teased, giving Mandi a reassuring hug.

"No, good point," Mandi giggled back, and tugged her friend's arm as she pulled her in the direction of a green awning where the menu was posted on a white marker board. What prices were listed stunned both women, and both women knew the score when this occurrence happened. The suited gentleman standing outside opened the door for them, and they bustled inside the small space. Modern jazz spilled around among chatter, the clink of glasses and silverware on plates, and the whisper of intimate conversations. Behind the hostess stand and before the main dining room was an ironworker staircase leading up, with a chain across it saying, "VIP's only."

"Mr. Gene Simmons is expecting me..." Mandi puffed, out of breath, to the young Marred who stepped behind the hostess stand. Her ruffled blouse was low cut, showing ample cleavage, and her black miniskirt showed shapely legs contoured by black stockings. Overtop she wore a three-quarter jacket coat, and a pearl necklace on her dark skin.

"Let me check your reservations," the woman requested, drawing her finger down the lines on the reservation book. "Ah, that must be in the skyview lounge... up this way... I'll have Tyrone take you up..."

She picked up the phone to one side of the book, and punched a few buttons. Mandi's heel tapped impatiently as they waited for her answer. A minute later a tuxedo suited middle aged black man marched up and smiled warmly at both women. "Ladies, follow me... I'll take you to your party... they're waiting upstairs in the piano bar..."

"Great," Julia smiled. Mandi gave her a hopeless look, and Julia patted her shoulder again for added reassurance. They strode up the metallic stairs after Tyrone, and emerged into a mahogany-paneled world of live piano jazz and live conversations. Overlooking the street on one side of the long room was a bank of windows that stretched from floor to ceiling, with boxes of decorative flowers about halfway up. Tables lined this set of windows, and muted purple lights shone on these tables. Each was set with a tablecloth and full service of plates with padded chairs around them. To the other side stretched the mahogany bar, with patrons suited in anything from casual Armani to black tie, their colorful gowned companions draping themselves artfully over stools and smoking cigarettes in a wafting cloud.

In leather pants and black blazer, Gene glanced up, pushing his glass of ginger ale aside. Julia's heart pounded faster when she saw Paul over Gene's shoulder, his dark eyes filled with a mixture of anger and concern. While Gene's angry scowl was unnerving enough, Julia didn't care for Paul's expression at all.

"Come on, Julia," Mandi whispered, as Gene rapidly rushed over to them. "Let's get this over with."

"C'mon, it' s okay," Julia nudged her.

"IT took you long enough," Gene said in a low disapproving tone as he reached the two women. "What the HELL happened?"

Glancing over his shoulder, Julia saw Paul drumming his fingers on the table of the bar, a glass of red wine at his elbow. He rose from the bar, walking over toward them with that dark eyed stare that frightened Julia with its intensity.

"Mr. Simmons, I am SOOO sorry!" Mandi whined, wringing her hands. "It's just that we got so carried away, and then we had a hard time hailing a cab, and then we had to change, and then...." she gasps, out of breath.

"Then WHY didn't you call!" he hissed under his breath, moving very close to Mandi. She stepped backwards. "I'm on a damn SCHEDULE HERE!"

"The stupid concierge gave us the wrong address for this place." she squeals, "and our stupid cabby tried to act like he didn't know where it was!"

"If you had stuck to the plan you wouldn't be IN this mess," Gene grumbled, glancing at Julia. "We're champing at the damn BIT here..."

"And I was GOING to call, but we were so rushed trying to get here in a hurry. I'm sorry," she cried, just about in tears.

"I expected MORE from you," he muttered, turning to Julia.

"GENE, it's my fault," Julia interrupted, stepping between Gene and Mandi, who by now wrung her hands in her purse strap. "If you want to blame somebody, blame me..."

"Miss Bryce, may I ask WHAT possessed you to go running off?" Gene asked, a bit annoyed. "And if you don't mind I'm having a private conversation here..."

"I don't want you to blame here when it was my idea to change plans. I've never been to the City before, and I wanted to see more then just Sak's fifth avenue..."

"You should have told Mandi that, and she SHOULD have called," Gene said impatiently, his light brown eyes sparkling with anger at being interrupted. At that moment, she noticed Paul had disappeared, and Julia wondered if he had been so angry, he had to step out, perhaps to the men's room. She focused her attention on defending Mandi, whom she didn't want to lose her job because of a simple whim.

"Yes, that is true, but you and Paul were occupied for the afternoon, and how were we to know when you'd be done? You DID say you wanted us out of the way. So we got out of your way."

"Now wait, Miss Bryce..." said Gene annoyed.

"I'll stay up as late as you want tonight to get everything done. I already confirmed all your travel arrangements for next week. It's all done," said Mandi, hoping to distract Gene's foul temper.

"This is a business matter... I'll thank you not to get involved... and if it IS your doing, you had Paul and me worried SICK!" Gene finally snapped.

"Gene, don't be too hard on her. She's REALLY trying," Julia snapped at Gene with a hand on her hip. "And it is ALL My fault, so don't' be too hard on her!"

"And your mom said she didn't care that the flowers were late!" Mandi squeaked.

Gene sighed, "I will talk to you LATER about this, in PRIVATE..."

"Ooh.... I'm in trouble! I'm in trouble!" she moaned.

"Gene, please, she's in tears!" Julia protested. "Can't you just wait till after dinner?"

Gene glared at Mandi and Julia, curling his lip in anger. He rubbed his forehead, his other fist down at his side clenching and unclenching. Finally, he said, "All right. But for now, I'm too fricking hungry to argue..."

Paul rushed up to Julia's side, panting, "Good GOD, it's about damn time!"

He tapped at his watch for emphasis, then looks at both of them. Julia's confidence evaporated at Paul's anxious stare, and she felt the vibes of worry and disappointment radiating from him in waves.

"Gene I'm not... oh god Paul I'm sorry I'm late... we ran into a snag," Julia said.

"I'm just WONDERING why we've sat here for two hours if you ladies were just planning on roaming the city all night.... a friggin' DANGEROUS one at that."

"It's between me and my assistant," Gene held up a hand. "But I thank you to not go SNEAKING off when I made arrangements to take care of you..."

"Gene!" Paul raises a hand, "Let me handle my own damn affairs and you handle yours, OK?"

"Paul, my damn ASSISTANT screwed up... and your girl didn't stick to the program! What the hell was I supposed to do?" Gene barked at him. "And Paul is RIGHT! That is why there are security guards, Miss Bryce... this isn't a pleasure park."

"Gene, whatever you've got going on with Mandi, you take care of that. I don't fricking care. But I'll ask you AGAIN, stop yelling at Julia," he said between gritted teeth. Mandi began to cry, secretly hoping to see Gene soften. She dabbed at her eyes with a tissue, trying not to smudge her mascara.

"Excuse me," Gene mumbled, and grabbed Paul's arm. He walked him back to the bar, out of earshot of the ladies.

"I was HOPING this wouldn't get in the way," Gene hisses to Paul.

"You've made it ABUNDANTLY clear that you don't approve of me bringing a lady friend along," Paul answered back, his eyes blazing like midnight fire to Gene's.

"Fine, but she's here now, and I'm fricking hungry... and she NEEDS to know her place," Gene snapped, and marched over to where Mandi and Julia still stood.

"This damn city is too hard to get around, Mr. Simmons," Mandi sobbed. "You KNOW that..."

"Excuse me, I need a word with Miss Bryce," Gene said, nudging Mandi out of the way. "You and I need to talk..."

"So talk," Julia said, folding her arms across her chest.

"Miss Bryce, we are on shop time here... and I thank you NOT to get it into your head that you can have your little way every time you like... KISS is the reason Paul and I are here, and I can't stop for your pleasure jaunts."

Paul turned to Gene, glaring at him. "Simmons, calm the hell DOWN!"

"Mr. Simmons..." Julia breathed deeply, her blue eyes sparkling with anger.

"So if you don't mind, let's eat, and learn from this," Gene cut her off. "And NEXT time, don't run off..."

Paul glared at Gene a moment, then walks over to take Julia's hand. She refused it, and stared angrily at Gene, her blue eyes piercing holes in him. If looks could kill, she would have ripped Gene's throat out at that moment. Gene actually looked a bit nervous, and cleared his throat.

"We need to eat," Paul said sullenly, grabbing Julia's hand. She pulled her hand away from his.

"Fine," Gene said. "Just REMEMBER WHY we're here... both of you."

"Mr. Simmons, I am painfully aware of that fact. And I want to make it clear that just cause you have several millions to your name it doesn't' give you the right to dictate my life!" Julia yelled at him, her face flaring red. Challenged, Gene's eyebrow raised, and he glares at her for a moment. Mandi gasped in surprise at the conversation. She jerked her head to watch Gene.

"Honey...." Paul interrupted said, patting her hand, "A nice meal, please?"

"Remember who PUT you where you are, Mr. Simmons..." Julia continued, chest heaving in and out before she continued her tirade. "And who buys your merchandise. The FANS!"

"True, but I work damn HARD to churn it out!" Gene retorted. "And I remind you..."

"Jul, look, Gene's got a point, and so do you. We worried our asses off, wondering where the hell you two were, and THEN we hear from the security guard how you've run off somewhere in the vicinity of Times Square," Paul interrupted.

"I'm a big girl, Paul, I can take care of myself!" Julia snapped at him, yanking her hand away.

"We've had a long damn day and all we wanted to do was eat a nice meal, conduct a little business, then hit the sack," Paul protested. "Just LISTEN Jul..."

"Well excuse US for ruining your little timetable," she grumbled.

"If you had stuck to the plan we wouldn't be in this situation," Gene mumbled.

"I never said you weren't, Julia, but there are BIGGER and MEANER men out there," Paul emphasized, nodding his head toward the street. "This isn't exactly Beverly Hills," he said.

Julia gave him a withering look. Gene exhaled in a long puff and sighed, "Miss Bryce, he has a point. Paul, can't you talk some sense into her? She has to know her place..."

"You are NOT helping!" Paul sighed in frustration. "Look Jul, It's different for me, I grew up on the streets and so did Gene. You didn't."

"Oh, and I'm some possession to be coddled? I don't know how to take care of myself?" she asked.

"I remind you I grew up in BURBANK! Right in the not so great section of LA!"

"You can take care of yourself to kingdom come and some idiot high on street crack comes along and shatters your world. Is ANY of this sinking in, love? ANY of it?" Paul asked, voice raising in concern and anger.

"And you could get SHOT by some zealous fan," she countered.

"You DON'T just go along on your merry way on the streets of New York at nine o' clock at night...two attractive women.... From out of town. Crap!" Paul threw up his hands.

"Why don't we eat," Gene interrupted them. "I'm starved, and they have our table ready."

"Agreed," Paul sighed, reaching out for her hand again.

She folded her hands in front of her, and said, "Excuse me but I need to use the ladies room..."

Gene waved the waiter over, and motions to Mandi to follow. She did gloomily, and wandered after him. Paul sensed Julia's anger, regretting she made no motion to take his hand, but simply stood there as he walked a few paces after Gene and Mandi. He said a bit coldly, "Looks like they're sending us somewhere in back. Meet us there when you're done."

"Fine," she muttered, wandering off to the ladies room.

The waiter led them toward one of the window seats, and pulled out chairs for each of them. Gene lowered himself to sit down as Paul dropped into a chair, exhaling and shaking his head. Mandi perched on the edge of her seat, and put her purse at her ankles in the seat next to him, wanting to avoid being next to Gene. Paul glared at her and she leapt up, grabbing her purse and shyly taking the place next to Gene.

Gene looks at her and said, "Relax, I said we'd talk LATER."

"Thank you," she said nervously.

"Some drinks before dinner?" the waiter asked, ignoring their conversation as his profession did. "WE have a very fine list of wines..."

Rubbing his hands together, Gene said, "Okay, I am assuming you don't' have Fresca, so what soft drinks do YOU serve?"

"Ginger ale, diet sprite, Perrier..."

"I'll have a ginger ale. Mandi?"

"A glass of ice water, with lemon on the side," she said quickly.

"Paul?" Gene asked. Paul snapped his head up from the wine list and said, "A bottle of Merlot please..."

"Very good sir. I'll bring your drinks right out and then give you a few minutes to look over the menu... and tell you about our house specialties this evening. My name is Greg, and if I can be of any assistance do not hesitate to ask..."

"Thanks," Gene nodded, when Paul buried his face sullenly in the menu. Gene glanced at Mandi, a look of concern on his face. Paul leaned back in his chair and sighed as the waiter left them alone. For a few tense minutes, the three waited for Julia, unable to make eye contact in the tense atmosphere.

"I can see you are having a bit of a lovers spat?" Gene observed after a while.

"Not your concern" Paul bites, "Don't worry about it."

"Oh yeah, it's not my concern when your woman starts snapping my head off..." he said sarcastically.

"Not all of it undeserved, I might add." Paul snapped quietly as he motions the waiter who was bringing their drinks on a tray. He put a glass before Paul and before he could go through the motions of pouring it for Paul, the star took the wine from him and waved him away. He patiently stood with his notebook in hand, ready to take their orders.

"All right, I'll admit I was a bit harsh," Gene held up his hand, sipping his drink. He picked up the menu to look at it. "But she has to know the deal."

"I think she's well aware of THE DEAL. She's a fan after all, for God's sake."

"Yeah," Gene sighed. "That's painfully evident. Look, let's just order something..."

"What's your seafood like?" Paul asked the waiter. "The surf and turf for two...I'm assuming you would recommend that?"

"Yes indeed," Greg nodded. He turned to Gene and said, "And for you and the lady?" he asks Gene.

"I'll have a chef salad," Mandi piped up. "No dressing."

"Anything else?" Gene asked her. His look at her softened a bit.

"And extra crackers," she said quickly and nervously.

Gene said, "Prime rib for me... and the baked potato, and oh damn... what do they call it... mixed vegetables?"

"Yes sir, will you have soup with that?"

"Yes, the Manhattan clam chowder..." He glanced at Mandi and remarked. "Since I've tried that Tae bo crap... I gotta watch the carbs."

"I think you look just fine, Mr. Simmons," she disagreed, as she handed her menu back to the waiter. Gene's eyes twinkled as he regarded Mandi, resting his head on his hand. Paul chuckles a bit.

"Well isn't that sweet of you," he smiled with mild amusement. "I happen to agree. Intelligent woman, this, Paul?"

"And you're NOT just saying that because he pays you, right?" Paul smiled. She looked at Paul, startled, then grinned.

"I can't begin to keep up with you two so I won't even try."

"There are MANY ways of keeping up, doll," Gene winked at her. "But I digress..."

Grateful to be off the hook, she smiled warmly at him. He leaned over her shoulder to pretend to ask her about something on the menu, his hot breath fanning her ear. She let out a small gasp, lips parting visibly.

"Are you SURE you don't' want anything else?" he whispered.

"Mr. Simmons, sir, I'm fine. You've done more than enough for me," she stammered. It was painfully obvious the chemistry sparking between them and Paul just shook his head in mirth.

"The book signing was a success?" she asked, shivering.

"If you call a line around the block success, Hon, I'd say a resounding yes."

"If you only knew," he joked. Blushing, she shrugged to Paul. He groaned.

"Seriously, you need to indulge a bit," Gene observed, lightly drawing his finger along her side. "I think Paul would agree women should have some flesh on their lovely bones... Remember Lane Bryant, Paul? Where we had REAL women, not those size 2 beanpoles they call models?"

This caused Mandi to blush almost as red as her mindress, and she glanced down at the tablecloth for a moment. Gene's eyes walked over her body, clad in that spaghetti strap form-fitting dress, far from slutty, and flattering to her size six body.

"I'm afraid in this dress, there's not much room to hide." she smiled.

"Besides, I'd hate to see a pretty little thing like you vanish away to nothing," he said, leaning over her shoulder.

"I'm not pretty, Mr. Simmons" she sighs, clearly enjoying the verbal volley.

"Some would argue I'm not either," he said casually.

"I'm sure you've met many women more attractive than I am," she returned, her light blue eyes batting playfully at him. Paul sighed again, knowing where this was headed.

"Every woman is different," he scolds her gently. "But they ALL have one thing in common that make them attractive..."

"Don't put yourself down, Mandi. You're very attractive" Paul interrupted at her as he sipped his wine. Gene studied him for a second; relieved his friend was finally relaxing out of his sulk. Julia had given him the cold shoulder despite his obvious concern for her. He was falling for her hard. Gene hoped she wouldn't turn out to use him for a ride for his money then leave him flat when she found a younger stud who caught her interest. Something told him she wasn't interested in money, and that was refreshing for a change. Especially when she stood up to him, Gene Simmons, intimidating stare and all. Not many women had the nerve to do so.

"Listen to Paulie, he's talking sense,' Gene nudged her. Just then, the waiter placed a large bowl of salad in front of her, and she smoothed her napkin in her lap. Beside Gene, he placed a generous bowl of steaming red soup, and Gene grabbed a package of crackers, crushing them in one hand to add to his soup.

"Even though we had to wait two hours to see you, RIGHT, Gene?" Paul goaded. She picked up her salad fork and picks at it a bit, moving the lettuce around.

"I like what I see," Gene smiled at her. "I must admit since you stopped to change into that lovely dress... I can overlook 2 hours."

"Mr. Simmons" she scolded shyly, pushing him back lightly when he leaned to peer at her salad.

"Yes Miss Peterson?" he teased.

"You flatter me, and you're a bad boy," she grinned, poking her lettuce again.

"And you think that's a bad thing, doll?" he asked, putting down his spoon.

"Man... Uh... man, sir. NOT a boy," she corrected quickly, blinking hard at her verbal error. Gene laughed and sampled his soup.

"It's good here, I would assume.... Being Manhattan?" she said innocently.

"Want to try a bit?" Gene asked her, spoon poised over the bowl for another bite.

"Do you mind? I don't have a soup spoon though," she said, leaning closer. He pushed the soup in between both of them, and stirred it thoughtfully with a smoldering gaze in those light brown eyes. Paul rolled his eyes, trying to keep from laughing. Like clockwork, Gene was moving in for the kill.

"Not at all," he said, holding the spoon up to her lips so she could taste. Mandi leaned closer, her knee touching Gene's under the table. She sipped a small bit to check the temperature, and Gene tipped the whole spoonful into her mouth.

She wiped her mouth delicately with her fingers saying, "You're right...it is delicious."

Gene took the napkin from his lap to wipe her mouth gently. She giggled again. Paul smiled at the two of them, looking anxiously around for Julia. Still there was no sign of her, and he was starting to worry if she was upset at him and Gene yelling at her. Luckily, Gene guessed what his friend was thinking, and asked directly, "Where is your lady, Paul?"

"I was just going to ask that very same thing." Paul sighed. "You don't think she'd LEAVE would she?"

"Mandi, be a dear... go check on Julia?" Gene asked her.

"Oh, sure, Mr. Simmons." she said.

"Thank you,' he smiled. "I'll baby-sit the rabbit food."

"Please excuse me," she said, as she put her napkin down delicately. As she rose and turned to leave the table, Gene gave her a playful pat on the backside.

Paul watched her walk off, then rolled his eyes at Gene, saying, "Please God, tell me I'm not rooming next to you. I have a feeling she's going to be yelling her damn fool head off all night."

"You're down the hall," Gene laughed. "There are a few suits between us."

"Hallelujah," Paul muttered gratefully, swirling his wine in his glass. He finished another nibble of shrimp cocktail, and anxiously waited for Julia.

"Say, look I'm sorry I lost my cool earlier," Gene apologized. "So are we all right, Stanley?"

"Yeah, but one thing bugs me, Gene. Tell me...do you HAVE to try to make every damn assistant you end up with?"

"Only those who let me,' he said innocently. "And if they don't, it's okay too."

"Mr. Simmons," Paul said in falsetto, mockingly batting his eyelashes at Gene.

"She IS a good assistant, despite my bitching," Gene observed, throwing a piece of ice at Paul across the white expanse of tablecloth. It landed short, and skittered across the table onto the floor.

"Apology accepted," Paul said over another sip of wine.

"Good," Gene nodded, taking another spoonful of soup.

"And she has a nice tight ass in that little red dress which doesn't hurt, does it?" Paul added.

"Nope, but I have to say your Miss Bryce is a VERY nice piece herself," Gene whispered. "She fills out that silver gown quite well."

"She's not EXACTLY a 'piece', Gene," Paul said coolly. "And anyway, It's a miracle Shannon doesn't kick your ass all the way from California. What she sees in you, I'll never know."

"Well, who says she doesn't have HER fun as well?" Gene said matter of fact. "She does go to the Mansion once in a while. This brings us off the subject at hand. Your lady... I am assuming from your death ray stare, that this one is serious."

"Sure wish she'd get the hell out here. If she's gone back to the hotel, I'm going to look like a damn idiot eating dinner with you and your fluff chick," Paul muttered.

"For your information, Mandi isn't fluff," Gene said simply, washing down his soup with a mouthful of ginger ale. "She has a brain, in that nice head of hers. And I still don't have an answer to my question. Is this one serious?"

"I think it has the potential to be," he admitted. "I'm not seeing anyone else, if that's your question."

"I just want to see that you're okay," Gene said. "You haven't been over the last girl too long...And SHE was fluff if I ever saw it."

"I guess we'll find out," Paul sighed as he consulted his watch. "She's been 10 minutes in the bathroom."

It was Gene's turn to mutter and roll his eyes, "So, that's SHORT compared to some of your dates!"

Paul played with the stem of his wineglass as he joked nervously, "Women take a long time in the bathroom!"

"I thought YOU would know that, Mr. fights for the mirror!" Gene teased him.

"Guilty as charged" Paul chuckled. "Susie was DEFINITELY fluff."

"Another model," Gene grumbled.

"But fluff's not ALWAYS bad" he grinned widely. "She WAS hell in bed...And hell OUT of bed, which was the problem."

"Damn it Paul, cut it out with the angelic blondes with small tits and BIG PMS!" Gene needled him. "That's why I like Miss Bryce. She's a woman of Substance. And I'm not talking about her body per se, which is VERY nice... but she's got an education."

"Speaking of the which, she needs to get her pretty tusch out here," Paul complained, pouring him another glass of wine.

"Mandi will flush her out," Gene assured him.

"Jul, you okay?" Mandi asked.

Emerging from one stall Julia sighed deeply, and pushed a piece of hair behind one ear. Mandi took her shoulders and turned Julia to face her, with blue eyes several shades lighter regarding Julia's with question. Shamefully Julia stared past her at the mirror, and said, "I don't know... Paul is just being... strange..."

"I don't think Paul's being weird at all. He just wants you, that's all."

"I figured but I don't' know if I should..."

"Girl, if you don't go for it, you're nuts."

"I know... I just... what is WRONG with me?" she moaned, resting both hands on the sink counter and tossing her head down, then snapping it back. "I should be happy to be here, and I WANT him so badly, but WHY am I pushing him away?"

"I hate to be a bitch, but damn, do you have any idea how much money he has?" Mandi said pragmatically.

"That's the problem," she groans. "I don't want him for his money."

"You'd never have to work again!" Mandi gasped, scandalized.

"I would go nuts if I couldn't," Julia protested. "I can't be taken care of so easily... I don't' deserve it."

"Boy, not me. The sooner I leave this rat race, the better," Mandi laughed. "Though I must admit, this is the most interesting job I've had in years."

"Am I being a bitch refusing him?" she asked.

"I think you should think about that too... long and hard before you just dismiss it girl."

"I mean I would love to go to bed with him," she said. "Wait you mean refusing him as in refusing him in bed, or refusing his money?"

"IN bed. I finally am accepting the money part."

"You HAVEN'T?" Mandi gasped, her eyes wide and round as her lips.

"No," Julia admitted. "WE uh... did horse around a little but no sex... not like you'd expect..."

"Wow," Mandi shook her head. "Shit..."

"He wants to be a gentleman about it," Julia admitted a bit with shame.

"But he's at least tried, right?" Mandi asked.

"Hell yes..." Julia laughed.

"Then there's nothing to worry about."

"But I freeze up, and I feel HORRIBLE not going through it. Like I'm hurting him."

"He can't be hurting TOO bad. He's here, isn't he, and he brought you. Besides, I saw him pawing all over you tonight. He obviously must not mind waiting TOO much.'

"I hope he doesn't' loose interest," Julia sighed sadly.

"Do you think he talks to Gene about it? Do you think they talk about that sort of thing?" Mandi asked softly, offering her a tissue.

"I am sure of it," Julia said. "I bet now they are talking about us in here."

"Love to be a fly on THAT wall," Mandi joked. Julia laughed weakly.

"So do I give in to Paul if he turns onto me tonight?" she asked.

"If you want, and it's my lucky night, I can try to get what I can out of Gene. Pillow talk, you know."

"Good luck," Julia sighed.

"I don't know, sis. The way you say "giving into" sounds like you don't want to. Like you're expecting a visit to the dentist."

"Oh what is wrong with me, that's NOT what I mean!" Julia sobbed, fighting the tears that formed again in her eyes. Mandi hugged Julia, patting her back.

"I want him so badly... and I can't..."

"From what you've told me, he knows the score, that you might not be ready. So it's not like you're misleading him, right?"

"No... But what if I never get over this... reluctance to have sex?" Julia sniffed.

"I don't think it will come to that. I think some night, it will be right," Mandi reassured her. "Sort of like Gene and me."

"Huh?" she asked with surprise, distracted by Mandi's statement. She was glad for the momentary distraction.

"Oh, well, I just meant that maybe some night, things will click with Gene and we will have sex. That's all' she said, reddening.

"Well then it's your lucky day," Julia smiled sadly.

"Man, I bet Paul would be good in bed," Mandi sighed wistfully. "You're so lucky. He's got those nice long fingers... and those pouty baby lips."

"Why not go for it, at least you aren't a cold fish like me," she sighs with regret. "Yeah, so lucky... that I can't enjoy it... I'm crazy, I have the sexiest man in the world... and I keep thinking about that asshole Chad..."

"Look, I've dated some jerks in my day too and all I can tell you is not all guys are the same." Mandi took her shoulder and almost shook her. "Just because Chad was an ass doesn't mean Paul will be."

"I know... Paul's been wonderful..."

"And from what I've read, Paul's super private about his sex life," Mandi reassured her.

"Oh thank GOD..." she sighed. "That was my worst fear... That he'd... oh never mind..."

"He won't say anything." Mandi nodded eagerly. "Besides, he's been with some many women and....uh, never mind."

Julia looked miserable for a moment. "That's the problem, he can have any woman, why pick me?"

Mandi grips her shoulders again. "You CAN'T do this to yourself. If you keep this up, you WILL drive him away. LOOK at what you've got out there. A nice, gorgeous man with a big fat credit card limit and definite plans on wining and dining you tonight. Am I nuts? Am I missing something?"

"I need to stop blaming myself and enjoy it,' she said quietly.

"Regardless of whether or not you actually sleep with him, damn, at least allow yourself to have a good time." Mandi sighed. "For YOUR sake as well as his!"

"Let's go and make sure I do," Julia said definitively.

"Besides, you can treat him nicely without sex. There are ways."

"I'm interested," she opened her eyes wider.

"Of course, you've tried oral sex, right... or no?"

"I never have with Paul," she said shyly. "Maybe its time to try..."

"Damn, that will freak him out for sure. A definite turn on."

"Why don't' we go back to our men?" she suggested. "I think I just got inspired... t hank you Mandi!"

Mandi winked back, "I'm right behind you."

"Tonight I'll give him a BLOW JOB!" Julia laughed, buttering up her courage for the challenge that lay ahead. "And rock his world..."

"Alright!" Mandi laughed, hugging her tightly for support. "And with any luck, I'll be doing the same down the hall."

"Go for it girl!" Julia grinned, slugging her on the back.

Out of the restroom, Julia strode confidently over to where Gene and Paul are sitting. Paul glanced up at her and said, "You're back..."

"I am," she nodded. "Miss me?"

"Always," Paul smiled. Julia returned the smile, and then sat down on his lap. He arched an eyebrow in surprise and kissed her cheek. She leaned over and turned her head to press a hungry kiss on his surprised mouth. He moaned a bit, clearly enjoying it. Mandi boldly touches Gene's shoulder lightly as she squeezes back into her chair.

Greatly surprised by her kiss, Paul asked, "So, you ready to eat baby?"

"Yes," she whispered, and got off his lap to sit down in her chair once more. He reached for her hand under the table, and they squeezed each other's fingers.

"Steak and lobster...sound good, love? If not, I'll catch the waiter." he suggested. "And here, have some of this wine."

"Sounds wonderful," she nodded. "I'm starving..."

She pushes her glass toward him. Mandi smiled at her as she continues to pick at her salad. Filling her glass, Paul handed it back to Julia. Gene muttered something to himself and pushes his soup toward her slowly.

"Mandi, forgive my manners. Would you care for wine?" Paul asked Mandi

"Oh, Mr. Stanley...." she started, then fell quiet. Gene lifted an eyebrow at her.

"That actually sounds...." she looks sideways at Gene, knowing he didn't drink. "I'd better not."

"You're off duty," he said softly.

"I don't want to offend," she protested.

"Like I said, it's your choice,' Gene shrugged.

"I'd better not. There might be work to do tonight. You said we had fallen behind."

Paul cleared his throat comically at the mention of work to do tonight. Gene chuckled deeply and remarked, "There's a good work ethic..."

Julia giggled, and shivered when she saw Gene smiling warmly at her for a change. Those were brotherly jokes they had exchanged over the past 30 years. They each knew what the other was thinking, and could even complete each other's sentences. Gene asked her charmingly, "So, Miss Bryce, may I apologize for my abrupt manners?"

"Only if you promise to behave,' she wags a finger at Gene.

"Me? Behave?" he protested, giving her puppy dog eyes. "Perish the thought!"

"Mr. Simmons did us the honor of securing a room far, farm from ours" Paul teasingly said to Julia.

"Thank goodness," she joked. "Now I won't hear his snoring..."

"How can you possibly eat salad without dressing?" Paul said in amusement at Mandi.

"I don't like oily things and all the creamy dressings taste like tartar sauce," Mandi said, and shook cutely. "Gross."

Gene sighed and clicked his tongue, "Girl, you really are missing out!"

"Sorry I asked," apologized Paul with a twinkle in his eye.

" Besides some creamy substances are very pleasing to ingest," Gene said softly to Mandi with a wink. Julia rolled her eyes and laughed. Paul laughed as well and teasingly pinches Julia.

"Oh somebody STOP him," Julia groaned.

"Well, now, that's different.... Gene," Mandi said coyly, becoming a bit more flirtatious. "And it's NOT sitting on my salad."

"Too bad you aren't," Gene winks at her. "But anyway, I prefer a bit of meat with my greens..."

Once their dinners arrived, Paul motioned the waiter to serve Julia her portion and asks for another bottle of wine. Leaning forwards he urged Mandi, "If I order another one, you've GOT to help me this time, Mandi."

"I'll have a glass of wine, if you insist, Mr. Stanley."

"Mr. Stanley is 83 years old and lives with my mom," Paul teased, as he cut into his steak. Before he put a piece in his mouth, he waited for Julia. She quickly picked up her knife and fork, cutting into her juicy six ounces and biting off a small mouthful. Nodding to him with a smile of bliss on her face, she heralded him that it was fine for him to proceed.

Gene took one look at hi mammoth steak garnished with potatoes and steamed carrots and broccoli, then glanced at Mandi. He nudged her, "Damn, this must be 16 ounces... this is a porterhouse, not a filet minion! How a bout a bit of steak to soak up that wine, doll?"

She looked at it, guiltily. Especially when Gene cut a third of it off and put it on his bread plate then pushed it before her. She moaned, "Oh, God, my diet..."

"What for?" he asked, scandalized. "Don't TELL me you're doing that crappy Hollywood 24 hour diet..."

"I'm on a new California Sun diet. No meat. No bread. Very little carbs. This is.... BAD."

"You should try the atkins diet," Gene said. "This portion would be RIGHT up your alley then, doll. IT has all protein, no carbs, you eat all the steak, and chicken you want. AND you stay thin..."

"I can't stand chicken" she snorted.

"Just try a little for me?" Gene whined at her. She observed him, enjoying the pleading in his light brown eyes.

"No salad dressing...no chicken...no fun.... GET it, Gene?" Paul teased.

"Figures," Gene muttered. "I'm out of the game before I even get started. How do you like that?"

"I'll try a bite" she winced. "For you, Mr. Simmons..."

"Here you go," he said, cutting her piece into a few sections. "You can SUCK on it if you want...Get out the JUICE..."

"Oh, SICK, Gene!" she gasped, not even realizing she is now calling him Gene. He poked a bit with a fork, and held it in front of her. Sighing, she took a bite, and Gene watched her chewing. Meanwhile Paul tied a plastic bib around Julia's neck to match his, and they started to crack open their lobsters with the clam crackers.

"UGH what is THAT?" Gene grumbles, looking at Julia's lobster. "Speaking of Sick!"

"Your favorite, Gene" Paul grinned, snapping apart the claw of his and tossing the shell into the discard bowl.

"Dammit Paul you KNOW I hate that!" Gene held up his hand to cover his eyes.

"Care for a BITE?" Paul said comically. Julia tugged at the tail on her lobster, and Gene felt his stomach turn when he saw the contents exposed. Paul tossed Gene a plastic bib and roared with laughter.

"Shit, I get NO respect," Gene grumbled. Paul leaned back in his chair, rubbing Julia's bare back.

"I respect you, sir" Mandi piped up. Gene turned away toward Mandi, holding up a hand to hide the view of Julia eating lobster.

"I'm very glad of that," he said. Pulling out a piece of the other claw, Paul popped it into his mouth, and sucked butter off one of his fingers.

"I'm not peppermint patty, and you're not Marcy, so forget the Sir business," Gene whispered to Mandi, and winced at the cracking sound of nutcrackers on lobster exoskeleton. "Shit..."

"Seafood is one of the most seductive foods to watch women eat," Paul said with a laugh at Gene. "Open your damn eyes, Simmons."

"Screw you Paul," he throws a piece of lettuce at him. Mandi laughed loudly.

"That's MY job," Julia pipes in. Paul snaked his other hand down and teasingly tickled her side.

She dribbles butter down her neck. Genes hid partly behind Mandi to block the view of the lobster feast.

By now, Paul and Julia both licked butter off their fingers, thoroughly enjoying their lobster special.

"So, what's the verdict, old man? We going to take this show on the road or not?" Paul asked Gene. "If we're going to tour soon, I need to know so I can make arrangements for Evan."

"Get that damn overgrown crawdad off your plate and I'll get back to you," gene muttered.

"Hmmm, delicious," Paul moaned.

Mandi smiled at this, taking another sip of wine. She nudged Gene who was trying valiantly to stay on the subject Paul had originally brought up; "All right, well are you going to have the kid on the road with us? "Or is it weekend visitations every other weekend?"

"Get this lady a plate," Gene ordered when the waiter came to take Mandi's empty salad bowl. "She's sharing with me."

"Mr. Simmons," Mandi protested.

"I don't know. He'll want to go. Pam won't want him to. I don't know if I have the energy to fight her," Paul sighed. Julia took his hand and squeezes it, butter and all. He looked down at his pant leg, butter on his leg and wiped it with his napkin. Glancing at her, he smiled a bit.

"Oh god I'm sorry," she apologized. "Your pants..."

"Christine will LOVE you," he chuckled, leaning over to kiss her lightly. "I'm not worried about them."

"Just take them off him, and he'll be happy," Gene joked. Paul licked his lips as he and Julia parted from their kiss.

"No argument here," he simpered, as Mandi tittered with amusement. Gene sneaked a few of his steamed veggies on Mandi's plate.

"Here you can eat THESE I assume..." he teased.

"I don't really like them steamed, but...." she protested playfully.

"Don't' tell me you eat them RAW," he moaned.

"Gene, sure! That's a big part of the diet...raw veggies. You even make your own juice." Paul broke in.

"Who asked you," Gene joked. "Eat your damned cockroach of the sea, and I'll get back to you."

"EWW!" Julia winced. Paul snapped his lobster loudly again, for effect. Gene gritted his teeth.

"He's missing out, don't forget..." Paul leaned over and whispered to Julia.

"You see what I put up with?" Gene said to Julia.

"Someone once told me a woman tastes like snow shoe crab," Mandi said suddenly. The other three fell silent, and she blushed beet-red. Then she looked at her plate, embarrassed at the silence. Gene leaned over and gives her a peck on the cheek.

"Did Eric Carr tell you that?" Gene joked. "I wouldn't know doll, but I'd say a woman has her OWN taste."

"Ever since I heard that, I can't eat seafood," she blushed again.

"Makes sense," Gene laughed, resting his hand on her shoulder.

"I know what I'd rather order," Paul said, winking at Gene, "They won't put it on the damn menu though."

"What?" Julia asked Paul, wide eyed. This brought a giggle from Mandi, and a knowing smirk from Gene.

"Oh now WHAT am I missing out on?" Julia asked, pretending to pout.

"Damn Paul, look at that, only a week and she's got your damned facial expressions down!" Gene groaned.

"We were talking about.... Umm... females and how they taste, and I SAID that I didn't see it on the menu and....ah, never mind," Mandi stammered.

"Well they don't have soy sauce on here either," Julia shrugged, winking at Gene.

He smiled deviously at her, "Damn shame."

"It IS an acquired taste," she said, rubbing Paul's thigh under the table.

Gene leaned over to Mandi and whispers, "You SURE you don't' want more steak?"

"Well..." she chuckled. "I don't need any more, I don't think."

"Mm, I think you need more," he whispered, pushing some of his veggies onto her bowl, overtop her salad.

She groans comically, and looks at him out of the corner of her eye, "I'm never going to be able to fit into my dresses. Not after this 3 course meal."

"Do you see me complaining?" Gene asked, leaning so close he peered right down into her plunging neckline.

"I'm not too sure Gene WANTS you in your dress, if you know what I mean." Paul teased.

"Paul," Julia groaned. "Really."

He looked at her, pouting slightly, "Sorry..."

"I wouldn't mind you in my dress," she whispered to Paul, emboldened by the dialogue between Gene and Mandi She rested her hand on his thigh, giving it a slight squeeze. He considered her and rolled his eyes comically.

"Funny, I had the same plan.'

"Mr. Stanley, if I can be so bold..." Mandi started.

"Please," he implored. "Be bold."

"Watch out"' Gene cautioned with an amused curl of the lips.

"I understand that you are looking for a personal assistant, from what I've heard..." Mandi observed. AT the mention of this, Julia shifted uncomfortably in her chair and glanced away from Paul. Gene lifted an eyebrow.

"Most likely," he sighed. "Mine's pregnant and I doubt she's going to want to come back to work. So its back to the drawing board, trying to find someone who will put up with me."

Mandi stated, "If you don't have any luck, I do have a friend who'd LOVE to work for you."

"Seems like you have a good choice sitting next to you," Gene nodded toward Julia.

"Oh!" she exclaimed. "Unless Julia wants to do it. I didn't mean to imply..."

Paul chuckled as he picked up his glass again, "From your mouth to God's ear. She's been ASKED."

Julia fingered her glass absently, and Gene asked, "What about it, Julia? Good benefits, and the fact you've put up with him on this trip already..."

"That's not my field of expertise,' she said shyly.

"It's not THAT hard..." Mandi chirped. "I have a shorthand and typing background, but with the tools out there now, you really don't need shorthand."

"I can use a computer," Julia muttered. "But I'm just not great at secretarial work."

"And Gene just dictates into a recorder and I type it out. A monkey could do it," she said, stirring her drink.

"A very intelligent monkey," Gene laughed, gently drawing a finger along her bared shoulder.

"And...I answer his calls and take messages," Mandi shivered, giving Gene's hand a playful swat. "And run errands."

"I guess that isn't too hard," Julia muttered, fidgeting and playing with her spoon, leaving the rest of her dinner untouched.

"You could do it. I know you could," Mandi assured her, licking hollandaise sauce from her fingers.

After a moment Paul said, "I don't want to push her. Obviously, she has real reservations. I'd venture to say it's probably a thankless job, putting up with me. But the fringe benefits are awesome..."

Mandi laughed at this, and Julia sighed. Paul looked at her teasingly, "I MEANT the travelling and such: he winks.

"Hon, why don't you eat some more of that overgrown cockroach," suggested Gene. "You know dinner's on us, so eat up."

"Lobster's delicious, honey, go on..." Paul added.

"I guess I'm full," she said, and pushes her plate away.

"Have more wine, then. It doesn't take up much room," Paul suggested, grabbing the bottle.

"If you insist," she said. Julia shifted her glass toward Paul as he brought the neck of the bottle down, and poured her another glass. After he put the bottle back down again, he rubbed her back reassuringly. She focused her attention shortly on Gene licking his lips playfully at Julia.

"Oh, Mr. Simmons, by the way, Allen called last night. Issue #5 of your magazine is in and ready for proofing. He knows you like to stay ahead of the game," Mandi said. "He seems to be doing a great job..."

Gene's eyes caught those of Julia's, glancing quickly at him, and she felt someone watching her carefully. Her gaze wandered down to her plate, where she prodded the rest of her steak with her fork. Gene winked at her, slowly and deliberately. In a seductive tone he said, "May I say you look exceptionally ravishing tonight, Miss Bryce?"

"You may say so," she glanced at him, feeling her skin shiver in a delightfully frightening manner. It resembled the sensation she would have before getting on a roller coaster she knew would scare the hell out of her. Something about Gene did unnerve her. Dealing with him fussing over lack of control was one thing, but standing up to one of the masters of seduction was another.

"So, ladies, first impressions of New York?" Paul asked, his attention focused that minute on Mandi. He didn't hear Gene's remark.

"Very big, very loud, very fast." Mandi smiled. "I HAVE been here you know, Mr. Stanley..."

"Do tell," Paul said charmingly. "Some wine?"

She pushed her glass to him, and he poured the rest of the bottle into hers. Paul topped off his glass and glanced at the bottle wistfully, "I guess we'll be needing another one of these... so you girls visited EVERYTHING? I have lived here on and off for a GOOD number of years, and I can tell you there's no damn way you can see the whole shebang in one day... it's like trying to cram the whole thirty years of British invasion into fifteen minutes..."

Mandi knew his penchant for obscure British rock, and listened intently, captivated by those smoldering mahogany eyes. Didn't Julia know how lucky she was to have Paul? Secretly Mandi hoped some of that luck would visit her tonight regarding Gene. The object of her desire still gave Julia the once over, his eyes searching her body as if able to penetrate the thin layers of clothing with xray vision.

"You're right on all accounts," he smiled to Mandi. "But it's home, or at least was."

"I'll take LA," Mandi giggled. "I can't imagine having to deal with snow.'

"In case you want your best friend kicking your ass, I suggest you turn down the smolder demon boy," Julia said defiantly.

"Oh she wounds me," Gene joked. "I'm just playing with you... no offense intended."

"And if you're fishing for a way to apologize for chewing me up earlier, apology accepted..." she smiled, a bit nervously.

"Thank you," Gene purred, a low growl entering his voice. Reaching across the table he lay his hand on hers, and lifted it to his lips. Soft lips, far softer then she would have imagined them to be pressed a kiss to the back of her hand. A bolt of hot fire spread through her trembling body, unsettling her even more.

Paul heard Gene apologizing and turns to hear the conversation, "Hey! Keep your damn mitts on your side of the table, Simmons."

"You do honor us with your lovely presence," Gene said, turning up the smolder a bit as he looked at Julia.

Paul looks at Gene, then at Julia, trying to establish the situation.

"You do have a talent for picking women Paul," Gene said to him. "I'm certain she is finding this trip quite exhilarating."

"Funny, you were JUST calling them blonde, size 2 bimbos, just a MINUTE ago," he said bitingly.

"I meant present company," he looks to Julia. "Who is a real woman. What some would call a spit girl."

"What?" she asked, not sure if she should be insulted or flattered. "You mean like on your album Revenge?"

"A whole lotta woman," Gene winked at her seductively. "And the whole is VERY nice from where I sit."

"Gene, don't you THINK that perhaps my date finds your line of conversation just a BIT awkward?" Paul said acidly as he bored holes in Gene with his familiar 'back off' gaze.

"I'm flattered Mister Simmons," Julia blushed cutely, and followed up with a cutting remark, "Coming from you that's a passable compliment."

"Perhaps, you could keep your wandering eyes on YOUR side of the table?" Paul suggested, biting off each syllable for emphasis.

"Okay, okay," Gene surrendered, lifting both hands. "Sorry Paulie."

Paul grumbled sulkily, and chugged a third of his new glass of wine. Another bottle appeared at his shoulder in its silver icebucket. The first had not taken too long to vanish. Gene noted this with concern and whispered to Mandi, "I guess I'd better tone it down huh?"

"I think so" she whispered, breath wafting sweetly against Gene's lips. "I don't want to see him mad. I mean, I've HEARD."

"So Mandi, are you ready for desert?" Gene asks.

Julia noticed Paul's sullen state, and reached over under the table to snake her hand over his leg. At first, he didn't notice and she passed her hand over his leg again, this time stopping to squeeze his thigh midway. Paul glanced at her sidelong, and she felt him resting his hand on top of her, giving it a firm pressure. Still he had that darkness in his eyes that unsettled her.

"Oh, God!" Mandi groaned to Gene, peering at the sinful delights on the desert menu. "Not unless it's berries."

"Mandi, give it a rest," Gene sighed. "How can I possibly share berries with you? I was thinking along the lines of something more decadent..."

Realizing more drastic action was called for, Julia pressed a quick kiss to Paul's cheek. As he turned to glance at her she caught his chin and grabbed him by the back of the neck, rubbing his hair. Leaning over she pressed her lips to his hard. Her hand traced over his shirt and jacket, and she fingered the gold chain around Paul's neck. He enjoyed the kiss as well, partly because it's in front of Gene.

"Looks like Paul has already chosen his course," Gene winked at Mandi. Mandi looked at him, slightly shocked and confused. She is afraid the evening will be over.

"Don't worry, we can take our time," he whispered to her.

"Sweetie, any cake to go?" Paul whispered as they broke the kiss.

"Hmm yes... chocolate..." she whispered back at him. "Enough for two."

He smiled at her and kissed her lightly again. Turning to Mandi he instructed, "Mandi, do a poor personal assistant-less guy a favor and let the concierge of our hotel know I'd like a bottle of champagne in our room, as well as fresh coffee in the morning with rolls."

"Certainly, Mr. Stanley," she said. "And Gene...uhhh...Mr. Simmons, I assume you want the usual."

"Certainly... And have our rooms been booked?"

"Of course," Mandi reported sadly. Seeing the crestfallen look on her sweet face Gene knew he was ready for the next step.

"Can I interest you in a nightcap?" Gene asked her quietly. He put his hand on her thigh briefly under the table.

"If you don't mind me not meeting your deadline. You said you wanted to talk to me about my performance," Mandi breathed, not moving Gene's hand away.

"That's the perfect time to do it," he said softly.

"And I haven't had a chance to get your typing done yet."

"You can bring the computer to my room," he whispered, stroking along the length of her leg, stopping just at the hem of her miniskirt. "I'm watching Lon Chaney as Phantom on pay per view... And I need some company."

She looks at him for a moment, then at Julia, pleading in her eyes for some encouragement. Catching her silent plea, Julia suggested, "Can we go to the ladies room before we split?"

"It MIGHT be easier if you dictate it to me in person," Gene whispered to her, catching her shoulder. Mandi looked a bit overwhelmed.

"Mandi?" Julia asked. "What do you say? Let's go powder our noses."

"Don't be gone so long this time." Paul sighs.

"I won't," she winks, leaning over to kiss him as she rose. Mandi glanced at Gene a moment, then rose tentatively. He handed her purse to her galliantly, and blew her a kiss.

"Go on, We'll settle things here," he smiled, full smolder trained on her.

"We'll be right back," she said quickly.

***

"Hey, are you all right?" Mandi asked Julia. Nervously the blonde was reapplying her lipstick, and from her shaking hand, was missing the obvious curves of her shapely lips. Julia noted in comparison her own lips seemed much fuller then Mandi's, her long light brown hair free of the crackle and courseness of Mandi's light blonde locks. They were twisted up into a loose weave, but by sight Julia could tell the texture of overly treated hair, stripped by chemicals.

"Everything's going well, don't you think?" Mandi said nervously.

"For me yes, after your little pep talk, but it loks like you're in the place I was before. What's wrong?"

"Julia, can I tell you something and have you PROMISE not to tell Paul?"

"Sure," she said. "Scout's honor."

"I've had the hots for Gene, ever since I first met him at his house for the interview. I mean, damn, LOOK at him," Mandi sighed. "And it's always been business, business, business, despite his image, but tonight... I'm just picking up a weird vibe."

"I think he's trying to make up for being such a jerk before," Julia shrugged.

"And he wants me back in his ROOM?" she squealed.

"He wants you, for your body," Julia asked. "Is that so bad, I mean it's what you wanted, right?"

"I'm just wondering if maybe, I don't know, maybe he's just being Gene," she said sadly. "Figures."

"I think he wants you, girl," Julia said. "It's all over his face."

"I'd had some REALLY wild dreams about him," she smiled.

"Mandi, why don't' you let it unfold and see if he wants you..." asked Julia.

"I just don't want to be disappointed, that's all," Mandi shrugged. Julia took a piece of paper towel and helped Mandi fix her lipstick.

"Well then, just relax and see what happens..."

"Because if all he REALLY wants is me to take dictation, I think I'll cry!" she pouted. Julia sighed, and shook her head.

"I don't think he wants that, from the look on his face," said Julia. She grinned and hugged Julia impulsively.

"Let's go out and find out then," Mandi nodded.

"I'm sorry hon, but I'm going to have to be in here a moment longer..." Julia said. "Why don't you go out first and I'll be right there..."

"Now, about you and Julia..." Gene asked Paul, when the ladies were otherwise occupied agin.

"What about me?" Paul asked, adding sugar to his cup of coffee that had just been brought out.

"You guys serious or what?" Gene asked. "Shannon's been bugging me for answers since you took up with her after the party."

He sighed a moment, "I am. Not sure if she is, though."

"You had sex with her yet?" he asked pragmatically.

"Every time I feel like I've taken 2 steps forward with her, something happens and it's more like 3 steps BACK."

"Hmm, her boyfriend was a bastard, that's for sure," Gene shrugged.

"Not for lack of trying." Paul said miserably.

"Man that bad huh?" Gene asked. "She scared of sex?"

"I feel like a first class ass for even thinking it, but damn, I'm trying like hell to be patient."

"Send her over to me and I'll convince her," Gene joked.

"You know me, Gene. When have I EVER had to work to get a woman in bed?"

"When you first dated Karen." Gene said simply. Paul grumbled and flicked wine at Gene.

"Sorry, just trying to lighten your mood, man."

"Yeah, but that was different. I wasn't a rock God yet, at least not in anywhere that wasn't my own mind."

"That's the problem. You're used to having it easy." Gene said.

"And Karen always wanted to, but felt the old religious guilt clinging in. I always knew Karen I would have sex, once she got her parents out of her head."

"Uh huh," Gene nodded.

"Julia, I don't know. She's fighting more than that, I think." He saw the waiter come by, and said, "Can we get dessert to go?"

The waiter holds out his notebook for the orders.

"I want something with chocolate and caramel." Paul requested. "And make it a big piece...I intend to share."

"Cheesecake for me," Gene smiled. "And plenty of strawberries..."

"Understood, Mr. Stanley... I'll be back soon," the waiter waved, and left them alone.

"So, here's my dilemma. I either keep pushing, bit and bit, and she does it, then feels terrible, or I'm just totally hands off, and you know what THAT means."

"Yeah," Gene nodded. "Like me when I get turned down. Look Paul, she's obviously got you good. And she's living in your home for god's sake... so just hold on there. So why not work for a change? You love the chase, right?"

He smiled, "I always have. I just like to see that the chase is mutually enjoyed, if you know what I mean. I just don't want to chart a path, then find out it's not what she wants."

"I wish I knew what to tell you, bro," Gene sighed. "But I think she is worth it."

"Or even worse, I work my ass off to get her to trust me, and she goes back with him. Things like that happen all the TIME, Gene. Women go back to the very men who treat them like crap."

"Then make sure he doesn't," Gene said decisively.

"And if he DOES, I'll have my lawyers on his ass so fast his head will swim."

"Did I tell you he called me and threatened me? Apparently Melanie's been talking."

"Shit," Gene groaned, hand to his head. "That bitch again?"

"Yes, her. She still thinks we're going to end up an item."

"Shit, delusional," Gene muttered, chewing the rest of the ice in his glass. "If I didn't know better I'd say she and Chad were together on this."

'Did I tell you she called me to find out what I wanted for Christmas, like she was going to get me a damn present?"

"Oh Christ," Gene sighed.

He smiled, "Had to remind her, I'm not even Christian."

"Pain in the ass..." he rolled his eyes. "You know Paul, I was just thinking..."

"What can they say, Gene? That I'm gay? That I'm a fucking tightwad? That I don't care about my fans? That I'm a slut?" he smiled, "Nothing I haven't already heard a million times before on the rumor mill Internet."

"I remember when we had our first big show... and we rented that room out?" Gene reminded him. "In the hotel, and invited the girls... not far from here actually."

"That big hotel?" he smiled, and took another drink of wine.

"Yes, and we treated them to rooms there..."

"And Ray and I had one suite, and you and Karen were in the other room, and we were having FUN..." he winked. "Those were the days..."

"That was a night to remember." Paul chuckled.

"I got my beta VCR, and ordered up some horror flicks..." Gene half smiled in reminiscence. "And Ray and I watched them till dawn..."

"I remember, Karen told me we could do whatever I wanted, anyway we wanted." he smiled at the memory. "And I think we did..."

"I look back on that night fondly," Gene said with a sigh. "I miss her, that girl. WE were all dumb, stupid shits without a care in the world, we KNEW we were gonna kick the world's ass..."

"I miss Karen too sometimes. Shit, there's been days I've thought to myself that she could have been the ONE, you know."

"Yeah," Gene muttered. "We were indestructible... the girls and us... Twin tracks to fame, and then... it all fell apart..."

"And most likely she would have been, if the young, fully developed groupies hadn't come along, and the fame and the money. And like you said, I was a dumb stupid kid..." Paul muttered bitterly.

"So was I Paul... not a kid mind you, but your damn surrogate father, and I fell for the same line of shit like you did," Gene muttered. "But that was then."

"Did I tell you I tried to call her a few months ago?" he said, looking at Gene.

"Oh?" Gene asks slowly.

"Wrong number. She's moved again," he said, as he took a drink.

"Damn, sorry... I keep in touch with Ray. Because of Jeanie," he said mildly. "She's doing okay... And Jeannie's loving college..."

"I'm glad to hear it" Paul smiled. "I ask Elliott about his mom and he just tells me she's fine."

"Yeah, figures she once walked out on me, for good... and then boom she's back into my life cause of that kid, god love her," Gene shook his head.

"So, I figure either she's not and he's covering, or she's told him not to tell me anything."

"Shit Paul, I'm sorry," Gene reached over and gripped his arm.

"Not a big deal" he shrugged, convincingly. "Typical child-of-divorce crap, I suppose."

"Like shit, it isn't'," Gene muttered. "That's why it's just as well Ray and I never married..."

"Worst fight I ever had with anyone in my whole life was with Karen, that night she came to the hotel room on the Love Gun tour," Paul recounted, closing his eyes at the bitter memories. "Of course, it didn't help that I had Laura with me."

"No I guess not," Gene shrugged, wincing. "I could hear your arguing all the way down the hall."

"If she could have ripped out my throat and not gone to jail, she would have." Paul said quietly. "And it was STUPID because we'd been fighting over the phone the other night and I SHOULD have been smart enough to figure out she'd fly out to see me, find out what I was up try. Try to bust me, you know."

"WE all do dumb things..." Gene shrugged.

"And I never even really wanted Laura, certainly not enough to break up my marriage."

"Take when I tried to convince Ray to move back in with me... when I found out she was injured..." Gene reminded him. "She had quit the band, stopped calling me... And then like magic I hear she's had an accident and almost is dropping out... Of grad school."

"Well, even I remember how strong willed Ray was. She didn't want to take help from anyone."

"Yeah," he sighed bitterly. "And I drove up there, like big daddy Gene, to solve her problems for her... she lived only thirty minutes from the hills you know."

"Worst part about that night is Karen accusing me of deserting her emotionally, just like her parents."

"Fuck," Gene sighed. "Well Ray was furious I was trying to fix things. I insisted she take my help if she wanted to finish her degree, I wouldn't' take no for an answer..."

"Strange, you two going back so far. Why do women DO that, Gene? Why do they push away someone who just wants to help?" he said darkly.

"I don't know. Ray was abused enough, she didn't want coddling," he said sadly to Paul, swirling the ice in his emptied glass. "She wanted to do it on her own... it took everything to convince her she needed my help. And she did leave Mr. Right for me."

"Sounds very familiar," Paul muttered.

"You know what worked with Ray?" Gene asked him, touching Paul's hand. "She was like a scared rabbit when she moved in."

"I'd like to hear." Paul nodded eagerly, hoping Gene's past would shed some light on his present situation.

"Well I told her there were no strings... she could come or go whenever she wanted... and that helped.'

"Not a bad idea." Paul nodded.

"She felt like she owed me everything... but I put no pressure on her. She could stay or go, whenever, but she'd ALWAYS be able to come back to me, if she wanted to."

"You know the worst part about that night? The last thing Karen said to me, no, SCREAMED at me was, "Did you fuck her, Stan?" Paul sighed.

"Shit," Gene groaned.

"And I literally couldn't talk. Hell, here was Laura standing RIGHT there. How the hell could I lie? So I just stood there like an idiot, and she gave me this look I'll never forget and slammed the door in my face."

"I'm sorry," Gene apologized quietly, looking down.

"I went running after her and she was gone. Almost like she vanished in thin air. Didn't see her or years." he sighed.

"I wish it were different... hell... I almost..." Gene said, then breaking off. Paul looked up at him.

"You know how opposed I am to marriage... right?" Gene finally said after a few minutes of silence.

"Everyone knows that."

"Well, there was a time, god help me for saying this, where it might have been different... and don't' tell ANYONE I said this..."

"You have my word. You know that." Paul promised.

"It's confession time...s like this..." gene hesitated. "There was ONE person I might have broken down for..."

"Uh-oh. Is this going to be bad?" Paul asked, sensing his friend's tension.

"Depends on your point of view."

"Ray" Paul guessed quietly. Gene nodded. Tears came to his eyes and he fights them.

"The road changed us, Gene. The band changed us. Not that that's BAD, but it's a fact."

"Yes, and it changed them too," Gene added. "Ray went from being a scared rabbit to a bold sex goddess, then to a scholar."

"Yes, it did, and what was a wonderful relationship back in that damn roach motel loft of ours might not have made it through the test of time," Paul wondered.

"She wasn't meant for the same road I wanted..." Gene sighed. "We could have been INCREDIBLE, me and her, you know? I would have given Ray the world."

"Hell, look at Karen and I. Do you think I would have EVER, EVER cheated on her back then?"

"No." Gene nodded. "I wanted fame, money, women and power. So did Ray at first... we shared a dream Paul, like you and I did... Minus the women I mean."

"But somehow fame comes and money comes, and good looking women come... and I guess somewhere I sort of lost touch with who Stan was. I don't know. Maybe he evaporated altogether." Paul reflected, tracing his finger over his wineglass rim.

"Hell look at me when the makeup came off?" Gene reminded him. "I had my head up my ass in tinsel town. And my dick up every rich woman's... well you know the drill."

"Yeah," Paul laughed in commiseration. "You know the weird thing? It seems like when things go bad and times get lonely, I want her again, kind of like a security blanket from the old days."

"Ray came to me in this, and in my mansion, and she was culture shocked after I helped her out..." Gene sighed. "She didn't' like my lifestyle, after she had tasted grad school. Go figure."

"I think if you had strayed your path, stayed a teacher, you two would still be together," Paul said simply.

"I don't know. If I had just said or done things differently, she could have been with me... making music together."

"And I'd probably be an unemployed cab driver with 10 kids, just like Karen's mom used to accuse me of aspiring to be," Paul laughed.

"She's a better teacher then I could ever hope to be now, as a professor at UCLA."

"Could you ever imagine Karen with 10 kids?" Paul smiled.

"Hell no." Gene laughed. "With a landlord named Vince, knocking on your door for the rent several months past due?"

"Her mother would have so loved 10 grandchildren of Jewish descent. Heck, she even blew a gasket over Elliott," Paul remembered.

"My mom would have been thrilled to see me kick out a few pups too. She loves the kids I have with Shannon..." Gene sighed. "She loved Ray. Said that we were two of a kind."

"Your mom's always had that vision of knowing what's best for you" he smiled.

"Yeah, whether I wanted to listen or not?" Gene muttered. "She kept asking me what ever happened to that nice girl..."

'Next time you talk to Ray, I mean if it's any time soon, tell her to tell Karen I said hi, OK?" Paul asked sadly.

"I will, buddy," Gene promised.

Then Paul grinned a bit, "Unless of course, things go like I plan, and I finally get somewhere with Julia... but regardless, still tell Karen hi."

"I will," he promised.