By Trynia Merin

Disclaimer: The members of KISS are real persons, and their makeup and albums are property of their organization and kiss Catalogue. However the characters in this story are based on their lives, for fan fiction reasons only. No harm is intended. This is an alternate fictional account of how Paul and Gene got together as a pair of musicians, so certain liberties have been taken. But other facts remain to make this a convincing story. Other characters involved not based on real persons are property of the author. Thanks to Eisencookie for help with developing and suggesting story ideas!

"I don't suppose you want any punch?" Gene said, shifting his feet.

"Uh, sure," she smiled.

"There's a boatload of chaperones here, " he smiled. "Can't imagine any slammed it too badly with vodka yet."

"Well, shall I go with you?" she asked, getting up and standing next to him. She had taken off her jacket due to the increasing temperature in the noisy gym.

For the first time Gene saw the sleeveless dress, and smiled, giving her a wolf whistle of appreciation. He reached out to offer to carry her blazer, and Ray handed it to him. He had taken off his leather jacket and hung it over his arm with her blazer. His flannel shirt with diagonal strips was revealed, and she saw that he had lost a few pounds.

"You look nice, in case I didn't mention it in my haste to piss you off," he smiled, offering her his other arm.

"Thank you," she whispered. "You said as i recall I looked hot... And you're looking VERY good yourself, Gene."

The young man who was dancing with Ray earlier walked by and cast Gene a nervous look. They ran into him on the way to the refreshment table, and he stammered, "Uh sorry man, didn't know she was with you…"

"No problem. She can make her own decisions," he smiled reassuringly at the young teenager, perhaps only 18 at the most. He laughed and walked off, relieved.

Yet as soon as they were out of earshot, he grinned at Ray and winked, "But don't FUCK with what is mine." he teased.

"You really HATE dancing don't you?" she asked as reached the line for the refreshment table.

"It's pointless, don't you think?" he smiled, offering her a paper plate and beginning to pile sandwiches and other appetizers on it. "Though really if you think about it, it's a physical prelude to sex, in a way. Men and women caressing all over each other. Guess it's NOT a bad thing after all."

"It's a horizontal instead of a vertical mambo," she joked, carrying the plate. Gene snagged a sandwich off it and nibbled it hungrily. They stopped by the punch bowl. She's touched by his earlier teasing comment.

"Boy, I really DID let you have it," she reflected, reaching out to get some punch. Nobody is behind the bowl at that moment. Gene reached for the ladle, but she handed him the plate and dished out two plastic cups for both of them instead.

"You're not the first. You won't be the last," he said, munching on some mixed nuts.

"Yeah," she sighed as he directed her over to a few tables set out for people to sit at. Resting the punch down, he pulled out the chair and offered it to her. He took the seat next to her, and they began to eat slowly.

"Gene, about those guys, you were right. They are jerks... I went out with some friends for my birthday Tuesday night, and they were trashing the new teachers at your school."

"Mark and Harold, I presume?" he said, nibbling on another sandwich. Just where did he put all his food, she grinned to herself. Maybe he hadn’t eaten dinner either.

"Yes," she sighed. "I’ve known them for years... They thought you were some comic fanboy who jacked off to wonder woman posters."

"Get new friends," he said simply.

"I'm DONE with them. I'm hanging with Gloria and her friends."

"If they hold you back, get rid of them," he said, rubbing her leg.

"I don't need them," she said, and reached under the table, unseen by Gene to unfasten the watch and slip it into her purse again.

His hand rested on the table as he continued to eat. She held out some celery with dip on it, and he leaned over to nibble off a bit. In turn he held up a sandwich for her to nibble, and she took it right from his hand, licking his fingers. Mischievously he smiled and leaned over to kiss her cheek softly.

"I'm sorry I didn't stand up for you,' she said ashamed, hanging her head. "I could have said something damn it, but i sat there like a stupid IDIOT."

"That’s over and done with," Gene waved his hand dismissively. "Since you aren’t going to see THEM anymore, why worry."

"Thank you," she murmured.

Gene reached over and took her hand slowly, rubbing it, "Hey Ray, does it really bother you if I can’t swear to you I'll be faithful?"

She looked at him and sighed, "Just be honest with me. And I'll be fine."

"I'm not admitting that I was, or that I wasn't, but just that there's the POSSIBILITY.... I might not be," he said, staring at her.

"You're a musician. And there will be girls and sex. I'll have to get used to it," she said, not meeting his eyes. Gene moved his chair closer and put his arm around her shoulders.

"But how honest do you want me to be? Are you saying you want to know every time it happens, or just that you don't want me to lie? Because there's a difference."

"I just want to know... where I stand with you," she said slowly. "Just don't lie, and I won't ask, Gene."

"I'm not lying now.... But then again, you've not asked me for any answers.... Not really," he began, tipping her chin to look him in the eyes.

"I really don’t' want to know," she said. "It’s your private life."

"Where you stand with me..." he repeated to himself. He exhaled a moment.

"Maybe we should stop asking that question," she sighed. "And just see what happens."

"I care enough about you to want you to stay the weekend," Gene said.

"And I don't have to. What I don't know won't hurt me…" she trailed off before Gene’s words registered.

"I care enough about you to give a damn what happens to you." he continued. "And I care enough that when I leave you, I'm already looking forward to when I can see you again."

"I know... and maybe that’s enough..." She smiled shyly. "That's more then Mark or Harold every said. Or any man I've been with."

"And I care enough to say I love you and mean it. But beyond that...." he sighed, rubbing her arms. At the mention of those three words she felt a jolt of warmth surge through her. Perhaps it didn’t matter. Already he offered her far more then any of her past boyfriends had. His honest sincerity moved straight to her heart.

"Then Gene, that's enough for me..." she said with a deep sigh. He slowly smiled and leaned over to kiss her lips. She leaned up to kiss him back.

"Good!" he murmured, lips against her ear.

"And I know you have your own life too, and I have mine. We’ll just keep it that way, ok? And just try to fit in our own time together when we can find it," she smiled, stroking his hair which he was clearly growing out in defiance of school regulations.

"I can live with that, little lady," he fingers her cheek teasingly. He turns and looked around the center a bit.

"Besides, I didn't just give up my virginity for anyone. I freely gave it to you. And that's something nobody else has with me. You made me a woman Gene. And I'll always be happy for that."

He smiled and said nothing to this, but the look in his eyes answered her statement well enough. "These kids have no clue what they have." he said softly, "No idea at all."

"No," she whispered, hanging on his arm. "And I'm thinking I was taking for granted what I have." She thinks about his mom in a concentration camp and sheds a tear, going over to hug him from behind. He shakes his head as if ridding himself from a chilling thought. Slowly he picked up his punch and sipped it, then made a face and spat it out into a napkin.

"Punch is TERRIBLE" he groaned. "Tastes like CRAP!"

"Yeah," she sighed; noticing a slight taint to it that seemed unlike punch should taste. "There's a soda machine in the hall. Want to get a soda?"

"Yeah, sounds good to me," he said, helping her up.

She took his hand to lead him into the hall. He followed her, digging in his pocket for some coins. Suddenly she feels a bit woozy as she finishes the punch, realizing she tastes alcohol, and clings to his arm a bit as her head spins a bit. He turned to look at her.

"Ray? Hon, something wrong?" he said, leaning down to help her. He led her back to the table and sat her down again.

"Oh god. Gene... the punch... it had... alcohol..." she mumbles. "Son of a bitch... i had some earlier... and when you said it tasted bad. I realized WHY. You don’t drink... so it would taste bad."

"You want to go home? I can take you if you want." he said, stroking her forehead softly. She mumbled something in Gaelic, a form of Scottish that she learned from her grandma. Gene raised an eyebrow at this, and then turned to look at the hall, torn.

"I want... to see Stanley," she said. "I just need... to relax. Go ahead and get some soda. I'll sit here... and can you get me a coke?"

"Umm, he’s still up there on stage…" he said, looking around wildly.

"Silly me. Well have to wait till when he probably finishes his set," she said. For a moment she fanned herself with one of the dance fliers sitting on the table. The feeling passed as she breathed deeply. Slowly she tried to lean forward to rise.

"Hang on...stay RIGHT here," he pushed her back down. "Let me go get you something to drink."

"Yes sir," she said with a slow grin. She smiled as Gene lay his jacket and hers over the chair he’d sat in, and walked out to the hallway.

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He stalked back to the soda machine, jingling his handful of coins. Moving over he plunked a quarter into the machine and selected a sprite for him. A strange familiar odor passed his nose, and he saw white smoke from down the hall. Hidden behind one machine he noticed Casey smoking something, and when he peered more closely he saw it was a roach.

"Hey man," she mumbled, stumbling out and waving at Gene. "What’s a sexy tall thing doing out here?"

Gene looked at her for a moment, shaking his head, "Thought you were with Stanley…"

"You his friend?" she asked.

"Yeah, I’m Gene," he glanced back at her, wrinkling his nose at the smell of the pot. Already it made his stomach turn over. "Perhaps you’ve heard of me?"

"Peace and love..." she held up two fingers in the peace sign. "Stan said your name. You’re the guy who bitched him out… right?"

"That’d be me. Why aren’t you with HIM?"

"He’s a shy goof," she giggled.

"Oh REALLY?" Gene frowned. "And just what makes you think THAT?"

"Woo hoo," she laughed, stumbling back into the gym. She dropped the rest of her joint, still smoking on the floor.

"Holy crap," he grumbled, as he punched in a Pepsi for Ray. Tucking both sodas under his arm, he stubbed the roach fragment out under his boot with disgust.

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As she waited for Gene, she zoned out to the music, tapping her hand. Just then she felt someone’s hand on her shoulder and glanced up into the eyes of a teenaged girl she recalled from the dancing group earlier. Dark pretty eyes blinked behind glasses and her slender body was covered in a long blue dress that came to her ankles. Around her neck hung an ornate Star of David, inscribed in a circle in gold with Hebrew writing under it. Just under it was a pendant shaped heart with more Hebrew writing that she hoped Gene could translate for her.

"Are you okay?" she asked Ray.

"I'm okay," Ray sighed. "Gene's taking care of me.

"Man you look a little sick. Are you SURE you're ok?" she said, sitting down next to Ray.

"Yes, Gene’s getting a soda for me… he should be back soon…"

"Bands not bad," she said, looking at Ray with dark pretty eyes. "Much better than who we usually get."

"Hey," Ray looked up at her, suddenly fingering her chin. "Your boyfriend here?"

"Um, I came alone," she blushed.

"Oh," Ray said, fingering her hand. "What's your name?"

"M-Marcia. Marcia Greenburg."

"Nice to meet you. I'm Ray. Raina McLaren." she smiled. Briefly she wondered if the girl will question her name, as she saw the girl’s surprise.

"It's nice to meet you too. My older brother dropped me off. I don't think he's coming back. He.... Uh... had other plans tonight and told me to get a ride back home, but I don't exactly have one," she said, hanging her head. "My parents are at a party tonight and I don't have a curfew."

"Gene and I can take you home," she smiled. "I’m sure he wouldn’t mind."

"But I don't really know you." she said shyly.

"So, we can get to know each other. I don't bite. And that's a pretty necklace you have. Did you get it for bat mitzvah?"

She looked at her necklace and smiled, "I did. Do you like it?"

"Yes," she smiled. "It's very pretty. Star of David. My friend Gloria has one like it."

"Gloria?" she asked. "So… um…"

"Do you want to meet Stanley?" she asked, quickly changing the subject.

"Huh?" she asked her eyes wide.

"I know the singer... Stanley Eisen," she smiled. "He'd love to hear that you think he's okay. He was scared out of his mind."

"Are you kidding? I'd love to. Damn, he's quite a...." she blushed.

"Hot?" she grinned.

"Oh, never mind. I shouldn't say it."

"I'll introduce you," she smiled. "My... boyfriend knows him."

"Oh.... Introduce ME?" She said nervously. "I don't really.... Uh...TALK to boys much."

"You should. You're pretty, and young," she smiled. "He's only 17."

"Oh, OK, well...I don't know what to say." she said, beet red. "Do...umm.... Stanley.... So is he Jewish?"

"Yes he is," Ray smiled.

"Here I am, acting like he'd even look my way," she smiled shyly.

"HE would. I think he really would," she smiled.

"You think? My parents won't let me date anyone who's not Jewish and only with a chaperone."

"And since he IS Jewish and technically you are a chaperone...." her eyes light up.

"Yes I am," Ray smiled.

"Wonderful!" she smiled. "Then you KNOW what I mean…"

"I know," she nods. "My parents only let me date Protestants. Hopefully of Scottish descent."

"Not to be rude, Ray, but what brings you here.... This of all places?" she said, fingering her necklace.

"Gene," she said. "HE... and I we... uh... well... He's Jewish and I’m not. And well, I don't care about religion. I care about the person."

"I feel the same way, but my parents don't...sorry..." she mumbled.

"That's okay. Don’t apologize," she said. "I know that soemtimes there are rules and beliefs that people have. I respect yours."

"Thank you," she smiled. "But you here… it’s weird… I mean you’re…"

"A non-Jew?" she laughed as Marcia blushed.

"It’s not like you aren’t welcome here,’ Marcia quickly said, taking Ray’s hand. "It’s just… sort of… outside what I’m used to. I live most of my life with other Jews you know…"

"Yeah," Ray said. "But my best friend Gloria Steinmetz is Jewish. I’m a student teacher and she’s my mentor."

"Oh… that’s great," Marcia smiled.

"She taught me a lot about Judaism," Ray trailed off, then sniffled. "I'm sorry... I just wish my parents were as nice as some of the people here seem to be. I just don't fit their mold... you know? I feel... like I’m just going through a dream... and only Gene has helped me wake up."

"Wow," Marcia sighed. "That’s… really… a big deal, huh?"

"Yeah," Ray mumbled. "My parents don’t even know I’m out with him… and well…"

"Hey, I guess you’re like me. Sneaking out when they’re not it town?" Marcia giggled. Ray grinned and they shared a laugh.

"Soooo...if I can be bold...." she blushed again.

"Sure," she smiled.

"What is.... Stanley like?"

"He's very sweet. And shy," she smiled. "And he's very nice to girls."

"Someone.... Said he had a girlfriend," she began. "She's an idiot. A pot smoking bimbo."

"Not much of one." Gene's voice comes from behind.

"Gene, this is Marcia Greensburg."

"Don't worry. If you want to hook up with Stan, I'll see to it he's game." Gene said, looking around.

"Thanks, Gene.... Right?"

"Uh-huh," he smiled at her, a twinkle in his eye. Ray smiled, and patted Marcia’s hand.

"She’s my new friend," she smiled at Gene. "I'm her chaperone…"

"We ought to take her with us," Gene winked. "Stan's going to need someone to mend his broken heart."

"I think so," Ray smiled, looking at the can of soda in Gene's hand.

"Damn, did you SEE him up there? Looked like a damn lost puppy," Gene mumbled.

"I know," she sighed. He handed her the soda.

"Thanks, love," she smiled at him, opening it. She took a bit of a drink and feels better. Marcia plays nervously with her necklace.

"I think I'm feeling MUCH better Gene," she said slowly, sipping more soda.

"I'm glad," he moved closer to her, rubbing her back. She smiled and rubs her hand over his backside teasingly.

"If we bring them home, they're either sleeping on the damn couch or we're sending them home. I want time alone with you," he whispered.

"I have the sleeping bag," she smiled. "But i left it at the restaurant... It's big enough for two people."

She noticed Marcia looking at them with something akin to question and wonder. The thought of a Jew dating a non-Jew must have been blowing her mind. In turn, Marcia noticed them watching her and turned her head guiltily.

"The SLEEPING bag!" Gene yelled with delight. "PERFECT. I left it out by the coats with your bag."

"Marcia you want to stay with us tonight?" she asked the girl slowly. "WE have a sofa and a sleeping bag. If you want to crash. And I'll see if we can get you to meet Stanley."

She blushed, "Oh...I'd have to make up a story. But I COULD."

"You could say you were staying with a friend," Ray said slowly. "I'd be happy to bring you back tomorrow... if Gene doesn’t mind."

"Nah, not at all, kid," Gene smiled, rubbing Ray's back.

"And that's true, right? We're friends?" Marcia asked.

"Yes of course!" Ray said.

"Well, if Stanley's Jewish.... That would be OK," she started. "Not like he'd want to date ME."

"Oh would you listen to her, Gene?" Ray rolled her eyes.

"Wait here, ladies," Gene said, wagging a finger in her face. "Let me get his damn ass out here."

She squeaks a bit, and looked excitedly at Ray, who said, "I'll follow and we'll meet you. I think this girl’s gotta use a phone… C'mon Marcie."

Gene leaned down to kiss her and hustles off down the hall. She smiled and kissed him back, and turns to Marcia, who nodded, "There's a phone in the back hallway there, Ray. Maybe I ought to get this over with."

"Okay, I’ll meet you back here. I'll be by the stage ok?" she asked.

"Don't leave without me!" she pleaded.

"I’ll come along," Ray said, following her as she grabbed Gene’s coat and her blazer. Marcia shivered, and Ray offered her the blazer.

"Thanks, I forgot my coat," she blushed.

"Take it," Ray said, putting it over her shoulders as they walked into the chilly hallway. A draft wafted in from a back door propped open. She noticed some people trundling out the band’s equipment from the stage, and recognized two of the friends who were helping Tree. But she saw no sign of Matt or Stanley. Putting Gene’s coat on, she stood by Marcia and slowly walked out to see where Stanley was.

"There, it’s done," she giggled to Ray. "They think I’m staying with my girlfriend Sheila…"

"Great," Ray said. "Now let’s find Gene… I think if we just go out back here…"

She led her friend out the door for some fresh air, to the parking lot behind the JCC. Already the equipment was mostly loaded up, but she still saw no sign of Stanley. It was then she heard a woman’s scream, and a man’s shout. Grabbing Marcia’s hand she pulled her back into the building.

Meanwhile, Stanley had still been onstage supervising packing. He had just grabbed his guitar and coat to look for Casey to leave. Already the next band was onstage, and Tree had used their equipment for a loan. Their concert on Tuesday night with Gene’s equipment ended in moderate success, but Matt had returned it, saying that he had managed to get a band named Mystery machine to lend them equipment instead in exchange for a few bags of pot.

"Where the HELL is Matt," he muttered, rushing out into the back lot. Gene roamed the gym, hunting for him.

The truck was already loaded, and his band mates were sitting around, smoking cigarettes. Stanley asked them, "Have you seen my girl?"

"I think she’s with Matt smoking pot," they said.

"What?" Stanley asked, as he rushed to where they indicated. Just inside the hallway by the soda machines stood Matt, his hands slipping up a girl’s shirt.

The girl, wearing a black beret and oversized blouse, was moaning as Matt fingered her breasts, pressing her against the soda machine.

Stanley’s blood ran cold when he saw her face. It was Casey, moaning and writhing under Matt’s touch. Angrily he shouted, "WHAT the FUCK is going on here! Casey!"

Casey looked up at Stanley, stoned, as she giggled. Matt turned around and looked at Stanley, clutching a half bottle of vodka in his hand. He swigged it down, and gave it to Casey. "Hey man, I spiked the punch. Those teens won’t know what the hell hit them…"

"You son of a BITCH!" Stanley roared, tearing him off Casey and throwing him against the wall. He dropped his guitar case and slammed Matt by the front of his shirt hard.

"STANLEY stop it!" Casey screamed, tearing at him. Just then Gene spotted them, and his eyes bugged out with concern. Stanley stood there with Casey tugging on his arm and screaming while he had Matt up against the wall.

"Get away!" Matt pushed Casey back. She fell back against the soda machine, stunned. He pushed his hand up into Stanley’s face, and shoved him off. Then he swung at Stanley, who dodged him.

"How could you!" Stanley hollered.

"She likes ME man. You’re a prissy mommy’s boy, you know?"

"FUCK YOU!" Stanley shouted. "You stole my WOMAN!"

"I wanted him," Casey mumbled, drinking some more vodka. She threw the bottle at Stanley, who raised his hand and sent his fist flying into Matt’s nose. There was a terrific crack and Matt landed on the floor, stunned. Gene ran down the hall, his long legs taking him to Stanley’s side before he could throw another punch.

"Eisen, exactly how long are you going to put up with this piece of shit?" he glared, grabbing Stanley and holding him.

"Someone STOP him!" Casey screamed as Matt hit the floor, his nose bleeding. She rushed to his side, trying to help him up.

"LET ME GO GENE, or so help me god!" Stanley shouted, flailing as Gene pinned his arms behind him in a bear hug.

"It's not worth a fucking trip to the police station!" Gene howled in his ear, turning him around. Casey snarled, grabbing the vodka bottle as she stalked up behind Gene.

Just then Ray and Marcia walked up, startled by the commotion. Seeing Gene holding Stanley, kicking and flailing, she said, "Quick, get a chaperone!"

Wide eyed, she turned to run. Ray rushed up as she saw Casey grab her empty bottle, raising it behind Gene’s head. She leapt on Casey, grabbing her hand and pinning her down. Matt shook his head, spitting blood as he saw Gene wrestling with Stanley and Ray with Casey.

"Let me go you BITCH!" she snapped, raising her fingers to scratch Ray’s face. However Ray couldn’t help but raise her fist and hit Casey hard enough to knock her out.

"You BITCH!" Matt yelled, as he rushed out of the building, screaming for his friends. Dazedly he stumbled, into the parking lot leaving Casey behind. Letting go of Stanley, Gene suddenly pushed in front of him.

"Let’s get the HELL out of here!" Gene hissed grabbing Ray’s hand, and tugging Stanley’s arm.

"Haul butt!" Stanley cried, rushing after them as Gene tugged Ray behind them. They ran into Marcia who was getting some chaperones.

"Just WHAT is going on here!" one of them said.

"They have POT!" Gene shouted, pointing behind them.

"WHAT?" the lead chaperone roared.

"Got to go," Gene said, grabbing Marcia’s hand and tugging her along with them. "Girl’s late… gotta get her home!"

Confused, they saw Matt and several band mates running and screaming, down the hall after Gene and his party. They ran into the chaperones, tangling their arms and legs.

"Go, go go!" Gene yelled.

"My coat!" Ray screamed. Gene grabbed her case and bag, throwing it to her. Stanley pulled Marcia by the hand as Gene bustled them out the front door. Shouts and cries came from a scuffle, and they raced around the side of the building after Gene. As fast as they could they rushed up a block and into a side alley.

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"Let's just get the hell out here before some event organizer decides they are going to charge your ass with disturbing the peace, or some shit like that," Gene said as they caught their breath in the alleyway.

"But what if the police…" Marcia gasped.

"I have an idea…" Gene mumbled, glancing around as they passed through the alley to the other street, his strange retinue behind him. "You mind taking a detour to Steve’s?"

"How will THAT help?" Ray asked him, as Gene tossed his head in the direction of the cross street lined with cars. A few stores were still open, including a cantina and a small 24-hour kosher deli. The sort that sold sandwiches and cakes with hot meals.

"I think he’ll cover for us," Gene said, leading the way down the street. Marcia held Stanley’s hand, her eyes wide with fear. Taking Ray’s hand, and the sleeping bag, he moved out. She followed, carrying her case and wearing Gene’s jacket.

"I left my coat," she mumbled.

"You didn’t have anything in it did you?" Gene asked, motioning towards the small deli. He opened the door as they reached it, and held it for the three of them to enter.

"No luckily I have my purse," she said, showing him that it was strapped around her shoulder with a long chain.

He nodded, and glanced around the small, well lit place with its booth tables and clean floors. Nobody was there save a man polishing cups behind a counter, and a kitchen cook ducking his head out of the doors to bob back inside. They all stood there in the silence and calm, as Gene motioned them to a table and told them quietly to sit down. Marcia shivered and Stanley put his arm around her as he slid into the both beside her.

She mumbled, "Oh god I don’t wanna get arrested…"

"Shh," Gene urged. "We won’t. You didn’t do anything. And am I right in assumed you were alone?"

"Yes," she whispered.

"Then it’s their word against mine," Gene said. "We’ll just sit here for a while, and then we’ll leave. Just act like NOTHING is going wrong. I’m going to call Steve to come get us."

"Steve, why?" Stanley asked.

"Cause he’ll give us a cover if we NEED it," Gene said. "Did you get those amps from us or where?"

"From another band," he said. "Oh god if Matt tells them… and the other guys…"

"Well then I’ll just cover for you," Gene said. "And if we need…"

"I know a lawyer," Ray said calmly.

"What?" Gene asked.

"I know a lawyer," she said again. "If need be. He’s my uncle’s best friend. And he’ll take any case for anything. Pro bono."

"Oh good," Gene smiled. He kissed her lips as he moved off to the back of the restaurant to use the pay phone.

Marcia whimpered as Stanley hugged her against him. He began to cry too, shaking uncontrollably. Ray waved to a waiter, and asked for coffee. Smiling he moved over and put cups out, pouring coffee for each of them.

"Marcia, Stan what do you want to drink?"

"Drink?’ she stammered.

"Yes," Stanley said, forgetting his misery in his protectiveness to this girl he hardly knew who clung to him. "Easy baby, we’ve got you now…"

"I’d… like some milk," she mumbled. The waiter smiled and went over to get some milk as Ray waited for Gene.

"It’s okay," She said, taking their hands. "Steve’s a friend of Gene’s. We’ll stay with him tonight I think…"

"Yeah," Stanley smiled, rubbing Marcia’s back. "He’ll take good care of us… I promise…"

"Will he?" she asked as the waiter put a glass of milk before her.

As Ray poured sugar and cream into her coffee, Stanley waited for the sugar, and held a still sniffling Marcia to him. She slowly took her milk and sipped it, hand still shaking. Ray pushed the sugar container over the polished surface of the vinyl table to him, and he caught it with one large hand. He tipped the container so the metal top dispensed a bit of sugar into his cup, then stirred the sugar into the hot liquid. He poured cream and slowly sipped the coffee, trying hard to settle down.

Gene returned, scooting in next to Ray as he said, "Okay it’s settled. Steve’s borrowing his mom’s car to come get us. He says his parents are out of town, luckily. So he’ll be here in about a half-hour. And we’ll just figure out a story between us. So right now, we’ll just sit tight and calm down."

"Oh god," Marcia whimpered.

"Relax," Ray said, reaching across the table to hold her hand.

"This is nuts," she whispered to Stanley, who sighed deeply, looking at Gene with tears in his eyes.

"She ... dissed me!" Stanley cried. "Gene... what is WRONG with me I couldn't keep her?"

"She's too damn busy getting Matt's hand up her titties to even worry a damn SECOND about you, Stanley, so why give a shit?" Gene mumbled. Marcia reddened at his language.

"Let's get the fuck away from here, Klein," he mumbled.

"Not till STEVE comes," Gene reminded him. "Besides.... Your band SUCKS."

"My sister was home and she said I could stay with a friend tonight." Marcia blurted out. For the first time Stanley got a good look at her. He could not believe his eyes, because she was very pretty.

"Uh, good," Ray said.

"Hey," Stanley smiled. "You okay baby?"

"You were GREAT," she said shyly.

"Hey..." he said. "You liked the band?"

"Oh...SURE!" she said enthusiastically.

"I'm glad, Gene you see this, i have a FAN!" he laughed, grabbing her hand and kissing it. "I'm Stan. Stan Eisen."

"My mom won't let me see bands. She thinks they were spinning big band records tonight," she said, playing with the buttons on her shirt nervously. She grinned widely as he kissed her hand.

"That's okay," he laughed. "I'll just say I was a deejay. What's your name baby?"

"Marcia. Some people call me Marcie, but it doesn't matter."

"Sounds nice," he smiled. Gene exchanged a glance with Ray as he picked up a coffee cup and she poured him some of the hot java. He sipped it black, mumbling something to himself in Hungarian as he looked up at the ceiling.

"What did you say dear?" she nudged him.

"Just that this is friggin unbelievable. Those two sobbing one moment without even LOOKING at each other one minute, the next they’re LOST in each other’s eyes like some…"

"Young love," she said, sliding her arms around Gene’s and leaning her head on his shoulder. "Isn’t it grand?"

"Oh brother," Gene moaned playfully. "I hope Steve gets his ass here soon…"

Stanley and Marcia continued their conversation, shyly glancing into each other’s eyes as they spoke to one another. Gene and Ray could have ceased to exist at that moment because Stan was so enchanted by the girl before him. Marcia herself was smitten with the young rock musician, whom she regarded as the sexiest creature on the face of the earth.