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!

That next morning Ray moved in, with help from Steve and some of Gene's other friends, including Brooke Ostrander. They lent willing hands, saying little under Gene's watchful eye as they carted her belongings into his apartment most of that day. By the time afternoon game, Gene paced around like a caged animal; feeling nervous and he heard a knock on the door. Ray was out grocery shopping for dinner and most of the stuff was moved in, stacked in boxes and various containers about an apartment that suddenly seemed to close in around him. Moving over to answer the door he peered at Gloria through the peephole. She smiled at him when he opened the door.

"Uh... hi, you're early," he said pensively.

"I know I'm early, but I figured you could use some help. Surely there's SOMETHING I can do." she teased.

"Uh, yeah," he said, indicating the boxes piled here and there with Ray's suitcases he'd had trouble unpacking. She looked around at them, hands on her hip. Already he'd moved some of his things around, she could tell. Gene closed the door, a bit distracted.

"You could have organized better, you know. Looked like your friends just dumped everything...HERE." she sighed.

"That's the problem..." Gene mumbled, sitting on his sofa. "I wonder just WHAT I've gotten myself into here."

"You referring to all this junk...or to something deeper?" she said, watching him.

"Uh... what makes you say that?" he asked.

"Because I've never known you to care about clutter before."

"She said she only had a few things to bring," he muttered.

"But what do you EXPECT, Gene? She's going to LIVE here. That sort of means, bringing everything you own."

"Not everything," he muttered. "Thank god she's leaving her furniture and books...well most of them. She said she put those at your place."

"Besides, it's not about things, is it? There are entire FAMILIES who live in apartments this size." she notes. Gene pushed around a box or two, containing her records to another side along the wall. He sighed and sat down again.

"You starting to wonder if you made a mistake?"

"Yeah that's about the size of it," he mumbled. "Steve called wondering if I was nuts borrowing his car to schlep this stuff. I told him I wasn't driving it... and he still thought I was nuts."

"Heck of a time to figure out you might have goofed." she sighed.

"I don't know WHY I'm suddenly so hopped up about this," he mumbled. "After all we did say it was a trial basis..."

"And you know that means you can have her move on at any time."

"I guess," he muttered.

"Of course, it's not always that easy, is it? Not like taking back a cold hamburger at McDonalds."

"Wait till her old man finds out she's moved out," Gene laughed, shaking his head. "I wonder what he'd think of his little girl living in sin. Not like I care, but I know she does."

"No, most likely they won't be nuts about it, for several different reasons, most of which you can't change." she said. "But it's a step she NEEDS to take."

"I know," he sighed.

"And I'm pretty sure Ray is crystal clear on your stance regarding marriage, if that's a concern," she said. "You know what they say...first she gets her foot in the door...then she's moving in....then she's demanding a ring...then.... It’s kids."

"She knows the score," Gene said. He winced at Gloria's last statement, shaking his head.

"She does." Gloria repeated.

"It's just a lot of ... stuff," he said.

"Physical or emotional?" she analyzed.

"Since when did I care about clutter... well when you're used to living on your own."

"It's going to be an adjustment." she finished his statement.

"Because she's here every day without being INVITED, you know."

"Yeah, less control..." he nodded grimly.

"Gene...you've got some things to work on TOO. You need to be more damn open."

He mumbled something and snorted, "open to what?"

"I MEAN it. Not EVERYTHING has to go your way. And I think you'll find that with Ray here.... It won't."

"Yeah, maybe that's my concern..." he admitted sheepishly.

"I'm not sure that's entirely bad. Not like a band is going to let you have your way all the time either. Again, it won't kill you to compromise." she teased.

"Well I guess I'll have some home cooked food," Gene slowly relented. "I mean I haven't really had the privilege of having her cook for me..."

"She's not a bad cook, given half a chance."

"I'm assuming its more then coffee you've had the chance to sample?" Gene lifted an eyebrow. Gloria slapped him a bit.

"You watch. She can make most meals, and if she doesn't have the practice, she can figure it out, given a cookbook or two. Not like you're a culinary expert either, Gene." she laughed.

"I suppose eggs and Tabasco sauce isn't a delicacy for most," he pretended to snort.

"And I don't exactly think you've suffered from malnourishment on your own." she chuckles, "Besides.... It won’t do you in to cook for Raina every once in awhile."

"Of course," he shot back.

"It's not for everyone, I'll give you that, but I think you'll find it will go much easier than you anticipate."

"Maybe I'm thinking too much, Gloria," he sighed, rising up. "I mean this doesn't have to be a chore does it? It was so much simpler NOT thinking."

"I think you just need to let it happen, Gene. If it doesn't work, then, decide what you want to do then. Don't doom it NOW by overthinking, for God's sake."

They heard the key being turned in the lock. Gene started up. "That must be her," he said. Gloria looked at him and winked. They heard the key being turned in the lock. Gene started up. "That must be her," he said. Gloria looked at him and winked.

"Just RELAX, champ." she grinned, and cocked an eyebrow at him. "It's JUST a place to live, right?"

"Just a place to live, right," he repeated as Ray opened the door.

"Hi, love!" she smiled as she dragged bags groceries into the apartment.

"Here let me help you with that!" Gene said, moving to help her.

"Gloria, hi. Uhh...sure..." she said, as she handed a bag to Gene. He grabbed the bags right out of her hands and rushed them to the kitchen.

"I didn't know what kind of peanut butter you like," she said, "So I bought what was on sale. Hope you're not picky."

"Whatever's the cheapest," Gene said, coming back to grab the other bags.

"And... Umm...Gene..."

"Yes?" he asked, carrying the other bags into the kitchen.

"I didn't really...well...there were some items labeled KOSHER and I didn't know if it was a big deal to GO kosher all the time...or how you handle that...or what maybe you don't eat." she said, blushing a bit.

"Um, that's hardly a problem," he laughed. "Because I know you don't go to synagogue."

He started unloading things and sticking them into the kitchen in various places. She looked at Gloria a minute, who smiled. Ray hurried into the kitchen, following him. He was putting things away according to his system.

"I did get ingredients to make cookies," she said.

"Do tell," he smiles slowly. She picks up a few jars and looked at them, in confusion.

"I wondered what this flour was for," he said, holding up the bag. She pulled out a box of sugar cereal and puts it on top of the refrigerator. He laughed.

"My breakfast." she said quietly.

"You're talking to a man who eats jelly and peanut butter," he grins. "I don't care what you want for breakfast, that's your call hon."

"My mother HATED that I ate it, but damn, it tastes great at six in the morning." she chuckles a bit.

"No rules here," Gene said, and noticed the Twinkies in the other bag. He smiled. She smiled back at him slowly and walked up to him to kiss his back.

"You sure know how to make a girl feel at home." She said. He seems a bit startled and his mind seems elsewhere.

"Uh, yeah sure," he said, blushing a bit. She's not usually seen him blush.

"This is.... wonderful, being here with you." she said, attempting to calm him.

"Yes," he nodded, and took a deep breath. "Well, I see you got some steak... and a few potatoes... that for dinner?"

Gloria is out in the living room, looking at Ray's comic book collection. Nervously he said, "I um... didn't know what to do with your... sketchbooks. So I put them on top of the bookcase for now..."

"That will be fine, Gene," she said, not knowing what to say. "And if my things get in the way, Gloria's got space. You know that."

"I know," he said. "Don't worry... I'll find space. There's still plenty of room in one closet... And there is always Gloria's place, like you said..."

"Yes...." she said, hugging him tight. Gene hugged her back and kissed her head softly.

"This was a GOOD move, Gene." she said after awhile. "I promise you, I won't be a pain in the ass."

"No more then me?" he joked. "I can be a real pain in the ass. Not the easiest man to live with..."

Gene glanced at Gloria, helpless for a minute as he continued to hug Ray. Gloria looked at him a minute. "I think you two will be fine," she said with a slow smile.

"I guess all you have to do is agree on the boundaries," Gloria added, and Ray groaned a little.

"Huh?" Gene asked, snapping his head up. He gently disengaged from Ray for a moment. His hands are shaking a bit. He was very annoyed with himself for loosing his cool.

"You know, Gene, like in a band. Who's going to sing a song? Who's going to play lead? Who's going to write? Who gets to do what and when," she said pointedly. "Because if you think you ought to be able to date, something tells me Ray won't agree. But... that's your
call. Not mine."

Gene's hands were sweaty and he looked at Ray, uncomfortably for a moment. She looked back at him. "If' you're asking for me to give you permission to sleep around..."Ray starts, then stopped.

"I am not," he protested, breaking away. "Gloria don't put words in my mouth!"

Ray looked at Gloria in frustration. Gene mumbled and sat on the sofa, rubbing his face as he struggled to control his nerves. "I'm not going to sit here and say it's OK. I know Gene... how you feel and if it happens and I don't KNOW about it, then... what can I
do." Ray said quietly. "But I don't want it in my face."

"I don't think this is the time or place to get into this," he said to Gloria. "It's Ray and my business... not yours."

"Agreed. Whatever works for you...." she said, voice rising a bit in irritation ash she throws up her hands.

"You're worse then my mom sometimes," Gene shook his head at her.

"You know how I feel about what you do." she said, folding arms. "But for some damn reason, you get it to work."

Gene suddenly gets an irrigated look on his face, unable to think of what to say. "Glor, I PREFER not to think about this topic." Ray said, sinking into a chair.

"As far as I know, Gene has never slept with anyone else while he's with me. And that's the way I intend to keep It." she said, eyes blazing a bit.

"As far as you KNOW." Gloria repeated. Gene got up and paced the room, clearly trying not to lose his temper.

"Yes, as far as I KNOW, but the same could be said about you and your boyfriend. Or about anyone's relationship." Ray said, rising in irritation.

"You had to pick NOW to bring this up, Gloria?" Gene snapped at her.

"Look! I'm SORRY. I'm not meaning to get under your skin." Gloria said. "I'll just drop it."

"She's only JUST moved in, and now you're stirring the damn pot!"

"Good," grumbled Ray. She looked at Gene, irritated a bit that he's not denied sleeping with anyone else. She sighed as she realized he was not going to.

"As if it's your job to make me feel miserable when I'm supposed to be enjoying this," Gene glared. "And for your information, when she is with me, she is with me," he snapped the best answer he can give.

Gloria walks up to him, "GENE! I said it's closed, OK? No more talk from me about it. What works for you... hey... it's not up to me."

"Besides, you can't tell me nothing happened with Tony." Ray said, unable to resist.

"If you must know," he said angrily. "I did go off with someone else. But do you want to know what happened? Nothing... absolutely nothing!" Gene snapped. Ray looked at him a moment in shock.

"Because I was thinking of HER!" he pointed to Ray. She folded her arms and tried to hold back tears.

"Yes, I did meet a blonde. Her name is Candy. And she was so enamored with our performance we went off to her place. But I couldn't get Ray out of my mind. It spoiled the mood... so guess what I ended up doing... I left... Nothing happened, because I couldn't
get my mind off you Ray," Gene admitted.

"This is just... it's too much, so if you two don't mind, I'm sure there's something I've got to do." Ray said. Gloria looked directly at Gene.

"Ray, this was before you came here," he said, stopping her from going.

"And she meant nothing to me... not like the way you make me feel..."
he stopped. She turns to look at him.

"Gene... I don't understand you. I swear to God, I don't. I have tried, and I WILL try to give you what you want and what you need, but for the life of me, you make no sense!" Ray gasped.

"This was before..." he gets out. " You remember when you were angry at me because you heard Harold and Mark say what they did... Before I saw you again… I thought I could just go about my business, compartmentalize it. But it just didn't work out that way. I don't
expect it to make sense... and I probably should have kept my damn mouth shut."

"At least you realized you didn't want her, but what about the next time?" she asked, voice choking. Gene said nothing. He simply looked away, helpless at Gloria, angry and confused and hurt at the same time. Ray sighed a bit at his silence.

"I really need to unpack...just some time," Ray said, turning from him.

"I can leave if you want." Gloria said, watching Gene.

"Fine," Gene muttered. He wandered over and picked up his guitar, starting to play with it.

"I guess sex doesn't matter if it's platonic.... Right?" Ray mumbled to Gloria, who put her arm on her shoulder. Gene played his acoustic, trying to work out his frustration on it. He was feeling all sort of emotions he normally wouldn't allow himself to feel. Ray walked over and started opening some boxes. He continued to play, mumbling some lines to himself. He scribbled them down on his paper, trying to hide himself in his music. He had no idea of what he can say to fix this mess. Ray wheeled to look at him.

"I've never put conditions on you, Gene." she said softly. "I promised you I wouldn't, and I never have."

"No, but I can't somehow stop feeling I've let you down, Ray," he mumbled. "I don't know what I can say."

"I... well, actually yes, you have, but I can't say I didn't know it was coming." she said, and turned back to remove a book from one of her boxes. She rubbed the cover a bit.

"So what do you want me to say, Ray?" he asked, momentarily frustrated.

"We are so different, Gene. I love you so badly sometimes it scares me, and I'd never want to be with anyone else... physically, emotionally. I just don't want it."

Gene lowered his head and sighed. She squinted her eyes at him a bit. He closed his eyed for a moment and then exhaled. "If it means that much to you," he breathed, shaking his head. "I... could try..."

She smiled slightly. "I would like it... if you would try."

"I guess that's the best I can do," he looked at her gloomily.

"I guess." she said, a bit sad, returning to her books. He mumbled and put down his guitar, and then wanders into the bedroom. For a moment he closed the door, and sat on the bed, trying to grip his self-control. Ray threw the book back in the box with a hard thump,
muttering to herself. For a while he puts his head in his hands, muttering to himself. Ray walks into the kitchen, where Gloria was putting glasses away.

'He's going to drive me batty." Ray muttered to her. Gene opened the door slowly, listening to the two women talking. He felt so helpless and out of control, and it was making his skin crawl.

"He's trying, Ray. He really is." Gloria said.

"I can not IMAGINE crawling in bed with anyone else." she sighed. Gene started to open her suitcases, glancing at her clothes. Slowly he hung them up in the closet, pushing his aside. He emptied out one of his dresser drawers on the bottom, and started to pack her
underthings into it with her stockings and socks. Mumbling he put them in the drawer, and gently fingered the silk on her bras and slips.

"It's a control thing, can't you see that?" Gloria said, "If he doesn't give up his ways, he still has that SLIGHT bit of control."

"And as long as he holds onto that "I can screw anyone I want" bachelor philosophy, he's one step further away from the big jump." Gloria added. Then he started to put her T-shirts in the second drawer, and crammed his stuff into the other two bottom drawers. He
finds a cardboard box and tosses her pairs of shoes into it in a messy pile. Then he pushed her comic book boxes under the bed, one by one.

"But... he claims he's not had sex with anyone. You DID notice that, didn't you?" Gloria added.

"Yes... I did." Ray sighed. Gene walked out into the living room, unseen by the women. Picking up one of her boxes of books, he carried it over to one of the bookcases and started taking his books off it. He began stacking some of her novels up on the shelf.

"So...maybe it's reserving the right to do something you have no intention of doing, just so you CAN." she added. Ray cracked a smile.

"You don't ever shut up, do you?" she grinned. Gloria laughed and hugged her. Slowly and methodically Gene packed his books into one of her boxes, some that he didn't read as much anymore. Taking her crate of records he stacked it on top of his own.

"I'm right. You KNOW I'm right." Gloria whispered. "And....you asked about Tony."

Gene continued to put some of her books up, and then noticed some of her pictures of her family. Brushing one off, he set it next to the picture of his mother. It's of her and her brother. He picked up her sketchpads and put them in a neat pile by his music notes as if
trying to integrate her stuff into his apartment.

"Let's just say... that we had fun, and leave it at that." Gloria winked.

"Oh, BULLSHIT!" Ray laughed, "Here you're into every intimate detail of MY love life, and here I can't even find out if you got laid."

Gloria laughed again. "Ok... yeah... so we did." she said, blushing just a bit.

Ray winced, "Oh, Glor.... TONY?"

"He's not THAT bad. He could use a little work, but he gives KILLER backscratches." Gloria grinned.

Then he opened the next suitcase, and pulled out her other dresses. He opened a nearby clothing wardrobe he had kept for extra space and shoved the hangered stuff inside. Then he took her emptied suitcases and filled them with some of his miscellaneous books and magazines with her sketchbooks to save space. He dropped one of her notebooks she used for songwriting, and a paper fell out. He scanned it, then guiltily stacked the papers next to his on his desk. Overall the pile of her things was slowly getting smaller.

"He's a freakin' KOOK." Ray laughed, "but if the sex was good..."

Gloria whispers something to Ray and they both laugh. Gene then returned to the bedroom, and stubbed his foot on his amplifier he shifted out of the way of the other boxes, and cursed in Hungarian. The phone rang and Ray answers it. She came padding into the bedroom.

"Gene?"

"Yes?" he asked holding his foot and wincing.

"Some guy on the phone wants to know if you want to subscribe to the newspaper," she said quietly.

"Tell him I already get the New York Times," he mumbled. "Please?"

"I'll tell him," she said as she prepared to leave.

"Thank you," he winced, still nursing his sore foot. She walked over, got rid of the salesman, and walked back toward the door.

"Friggin..." he mumbled as he sat on the bed and pulled his boot off.

"Not a bad rate they were quoting, if you change your mind."

"Damn amplifier!" he mumbled. "What was that Hon?"

"I SAID. ... Not a bad deal for the paper." she said, wishing she could smooth things over. Gene rose up and limped out, one boot off and one boot on. He's holding onto the frame of the door. She looked at his foot a minute.

"I'm assuming you're OK?"

"I tripped over my own damn amplifier," he looked sheepishly. "And my foot hurts..."

"Too much stuff in the way?" she said.

"Umm, too much of my stuff in the way," he said, emphasis on 'my'. "I was trying to put your books under the bed..."

"It... Felt weird answering your phone." She said. He hobbled over and sat on the couch, rubbing his foot. It still hurt. "Dumb salesman called me Mrs. Klein," she said. Gene burst out laughing.

"It's not FUNNY." she pouted, then began to smile.

"Mrs. Klein can you please get me some ice for my damn foot?" Gene asked, still snickering.

"That's the closest I'll EVER come to that damn name." she laughed.

"Who knows, I might change it," he laughed. She walked into the kitchen and brought out a small bag of ice. Gene pulled off his sock, and nursed his toe. It had only a small bruise. She sat down next to him and began fussing over his toe. He rested his foot on her lap.

"You have a gig coming up... maybe... and here you're getting hurt." she scolded, rubbing it gently a bit. He winces a bit, then sighed in relief.

"It's not broken. You can move the damn thing."

"Good thing for these damn boots," he pointed to his other toe. "But it still smarts like hell."

"Doesn't help that you are a baby about pain." she grinned as she rubbed it.

"No," he mumbled. "I guess there are a lot of things about me you don't know... and things about you I don't know."

"And things about ourselves we wouldn't be caught dead sharing." She added. He winced.

"Like the fact I can't stand lobster," he mumbled. "Or the fact I hate heights."

"I was talking about deeper things...but those will work." she smiled as she continued to rub his foot.

"That feels incredibly decadent and good right now," he moaned, lying back on the sofa. "Would it help in the least bit if I said I was sorry?"

"Sorry for what? For doing exactly what you've told me time and time again you would do," she said, watching him.

"No, just sorry for well... aww shit I don't know. It just seemed like I need to apologize for something because I hate seeing you so upset and hurt..." he mumbled.

"I guess I'd better get used to it," she said.

"You're the only one here right now," he said. "Living in my apartment."

"Thank GOD. I'm quite certain we don't have room for anyone else."
she grinned.

"Not really, and I can't imagine having HER for a roommate," he mumbled. He sat up and looked at Ray, brushing his knuckles over her cheek softly.

"Just to play what if for a moment..." she smiled. "What if I decided to take a lover?"

She waited for his reaction. Gene looked at her for a moment. "Good question."

"Say... a guy in the band." she watched him.

"I can't say I'd be thrilled," he admitted. "But I couldn't stop you from doing it."

She looked at him a moment, amused and leaned up to kiss him. He let her; pleased she had calmed down a bit. He leaned slyly back, pulling her off balance on top of him. "Complicated issue, isn't it?" she whispered in his ear.

"It is," he whispers back. He liked how she feels laying on top of him, and brushed her hair out of her face.

"I still say... I catch you with her...you're going to PAY." she laughed.

"I can't say that I wouldn't want to go over and fuck with someone who was messing with you, if it happened in front of my nose," he mumbled.

"God, we're complicated." Ray smiled at him.

"WE are," he said, looking up at her lying on him.

"We're not like anyone else face it," she grinned. Gloria left them alone, smiling to herself.

Mashed potatoes slathered in dollops of golden butter accompanied the best home cooked steak Gene had in ages. The woman sitting opposite him was totally responsible for an extremely satisfying meal that Gene was feeling the pleasant soporific after effects of. As Gene basked in his gastronomic high, Ray rose to carry her plate to the sink.

"Was it any good?" she asked after awhile.

"I have to say love this was the best dinner I've had in a long time," he smiled, rubbing his belly.

"I know I'm not Betty Crocker," she chuckled self-consciously, turning on the dishwater to fill one side of the sink.

"You're almost as good as mom," he said, rising and picking up his own plate to take it to her. "My mom doesn't cook prime rib. You sure know how to spoil a man, Ray."

"I can't imagine I'm even approaching your mom, but thanks for the compliment." she sighed and dumped the rest of the dishes into the sink.

"Hon, let me help you with that," Gene offered, nudging her out of the way. He tucked a dishtowel in the front of his pants and rolled up his sleeves.

"I'll dry then," she said, still down from before. Gene glanced at the dishes he scrubbed, noting the blue floral design around the edges.

"I've got a decent book to read, so I'll probably turn in early, if you want some time alone," she said after awhile.

"Nice plates," he commented. "Old family ones?"

She looked at him a minute and smiled, "Mom's plates."

"Nice taste," Gene said, carefully cleaning each one. He was very meticulous on how he handled them, reverently placing each into the dish-rack after he rinsed each one. Ray watched him finish washing up, taking each plate and rubbing it dry with her dishtowel.

"Thank you," she said quietly.

"I've got a better idea, then you just sitting here reading," Gene said. "What do you say we go out, on a date?"

"We've got so much to unpack," she tossed her head. "I'm not sure that's.... Hell..."

"Let me spoil you rotten," Gene said, turning as he dried his hands.

"What do you have in mind?" she said, her curiosity piqued.

"Uh uh, it's a secret," he waggled his finger at her, his dark eyes mysterious. "But suffice to say, you might want to dress warm."

"PLEASE don't say we're going to Steve's," she groaned, grimacing to spit out a bad taste. "If I have to spend any more quality time with Audrey...."

"Nope... it's going to be FUN," Gene said, eyes widening as he handed her glasses to her with a cheesy grin.

"It's not going to involve that damn sleeping bag, was it?" she grinned slowly. "I'm NOT a camper."

He drained the soapy water and dries his hands on the towel tied around his waist. Ray opened the cupboards to stack the clean plates on the bottom of the others already present, and place the glasses above. On the shelves too high to reach, Gene swept the glasses and
mugs from her hand to put them up on the top shelf with ease. Ray turned away to wipe the table surface off with a damp cloth, back turned to him momentarily.

"Nope, even better," he grinned, twisting his towel between two hands and zinging her pretty ass with it. "So, let's get ready. We have..." he looked at his watch. "A half hour or so before our transportation arrives."

"So... What... jeans, skirt? Warm doesn't give me much of a clue, Gene," she yelped, whirling around.

"Jeans was fine," he smiled. "Although I prefer you in nothing at all."

"Warm, as in ALASKA warm, or as in crossing the street in New York warm?" Ray further queried, clearly very intrigued.

"Crossing the New York streets warm," Gene clarified. "If you don't have any clean t shirts or sweater you can borrow mine..."

"I hate sweaters," she glanced at him with a grin. "And I HATE being cold."

"I'm there to warm you up," he said, snagging her with one long arm and pulling her close. "So, what do you say we get dressed more appropriately, huh?"

"So it DEFINITELY involves sex, Gene," she chuckles. "My first clue."

"I think you'll like this," he laughed, tugging her toward the bedroom.

"You drive me NUTS, do you know that?" she shook her head at him with mock despair when she realized the hanging garment bags and suitcases seemed to have vanished since she last came back.

"Top two drawers are yours," he pointed to the dresser. "Hanging stuff's in the closet."

"You're taller than me, Gene. You need to take the top drawers," she protested, pulling him closer.

"Then you won't get to see my ass shot in the morning Hon," he winked.

At the same time she said, "Not that I'm going to mind you bending over and showing me that FINE ass."

"Great minds," he laughed at the sound of their statements making a verbal train wreck. He tugged open the bottom drawer to get a warmer pair of bluejeans and thicker socks. She grinned at him, her anger gone, and tugged a pair of jeans and a sweatshirt from the closet. Raina was surprised to see her stuff neatly put away in the top two dresser drawers.

"Don't tell me I need hiking boots, or I'm going to slug you," she growled.

"You don't," he smiled, shedding his jeans and tugging on the warmer ones. "Just comfortable shoes."

"You didn't get a cabin or anything, because Hon, we can't afford...." she started.

"Nope," he cut her off. "It's a surprise."

Not losing time he pulled on a pair of boots, sitting on the bed to do so. They are steel-toed things that tuck under the expanse of his bell bottomed pants. He tucked his T-shirt in, and rose up to scoot hangers over in his closet so he could find the perfect shirt to wear.

"We're not going to pan handle, are we?" she smiled, pulling on her gym shoes. Already she had traded her dress pants for long wool pants, plaid, and a turtle necked shirt, off white in color.

"Mm, you showing those legs, I think not," he growled playfully. She winked at him.

"Nice underthings," he laughed, pointing to her opened drawers. "Real silk?"

She laughed pushed the drawer shut. "Keep on YOUR side, mister." she scolded. "And for your information.... They are."

Gene grabbed a belt that would coordinate with his other pair of boots. Snaking it through his loops he fastened it with a sizable sturdy buckle, and buttoned up his shirt. She watches him, hands on her hips, admiring the light blue and green paisley shirt he had selected. He folded down the wide collar when he added a long leather vest to his ensemble.

"You look like Paul Bunyon," she giggled. "Only it's more like CHAIM Bunyon."

"You are one naughty little girl," he comments, walking over and pulling on her turtleneck sweater, in an effort to try and take it off her.

"I swear to God, if you make me cold tonight, you're warming me up afterward."

"That you can be sure of sweetheart," he kissed her briefly, holding her to his hips.

"In OUR bed. Does that freak you out?" she asked quietly, playing with his hair.

"My why should you in the bed freak me out?" he asked back, winking at her. "I might have to get a larger bed."

"Considering I haven't fully unloaded my stuffed animal collection yet." she teased, pointing to an un-emptied canvas bag sitting precariously on top of his amplifier.

"So that's what this was," Gene said, pulling out her teddy and putting it on the center of the pillows of the freshly made up bed. "I thought he looked lonely... maybe he needs a girlfriend..." he said taking a stuffed raccoon with a cute floral pinafore and putting it near the teddy. "There, sugar next to sugar daddy."

Ray watched him, smiling. "I would NEVER have thought you as a guy to arrange stuffed animals on your bed."

"Hmm it's your collection. Lucky I didn't bring out my spider collection," he laughed. "But I doubt you'd scream at bugs like the other girls I scared in school."

"I don't mind bugs," she said. "I had a LOT of male cousins. And I'd be interested to see this spider collection you have someday…"

"Hmm we'll get along fine then,' he laughed charmingly, picking up the small Chinese bronze dragon she had arraigned on the top of the dresser. There were other members to her collection, including a small sand sculpture of a European dragon, and a set of gargoyle
bookends. Even the print of George and the Dragon he had hung on their bedroom wall next to his posters of the Fab Four and his Godzilla movie poster he had sneaked away from the premier American showing. He was pleased when he discovered on one of their lunch
dates that she loved Japanese monster movies as much as he. There was a knock at the door, which startled them both. Totally unexacting any company since Gloria discretely left them in their argument, she glanced at Gene in surprise. "Hmm, our transportation
arrives," he said, going over to answer it.

"This had better not be a snowmobile," she smiled. He grabbed her wool coat and held it out for her. While she took it he opened the door on their mystery guest. Ray looked at him critically, noticing the beret jammed over his tangle of curly black hair, growing longer
it seemed with each time she saw him, and more bushier then Gene's now. He wore a loose shirt, whose collar was folded up a bit under his long wool coat and the multicolored bohemian scarf twined around his neck a few turns. It looked like something an aunt or a
grandmother must have knitted, along with the thick boots poking out from under his own jeans. Each time she saw him she couldn't keep her eyes of the slight attractive slant to his dark eyes that she could lose herself in. It was dangerous to have such thoughts about someone who would be a fellow band member.

"Stanley what the hell took you so long to get here?" Gene asked, pulling on his coat and his own hat, a homemade knit affair that matched the scarf his mother had knitted. The unexpected cold snap post Christmas had persisted into the second month, and they were
freezing cold.

"Stan!" Ray smiled. She had heard he had recently had a birthday, and the specter of fear arose in her heart, setting it to flutter. Would he be drafted?

"Don't even start Gene," he held up a hand. "You know how long it took me to convince my parents to use the car?"

"Ray," he smiled one of his rare charming smiled, holding his arms out for a hug. "Lovely to see you here..."

"He's dressed for cold weather too, Klein. May I ought to just stay HOME." Ray teased. Stan set foot inside their apartment, hugging her closely in his strong arms. It stunned her a moment just how strong and firm the muscles seemed, even under the layers of clothing.
Still a teenager, he looked like he would well reach Gene's height almost.

"You do and you're dead,' Gene said, watching their embrace to one side.

"Couldn't you two knuckleheads have picked something WARM to do?" she asked as Stan gave her an extra squeeze before letting her go.

"Shall we go?" Stan asked, smiling. He glanced around Gene's place, laughing a bit. She smiled at him, wondering a bit about his friendliness. Glancing at Gene she wondered if he noticed this, but he held out his hand to her eagerly with a warm smile of his own.

"All right Woody Woodpecker, let's go," Gene said, ushering Stan out the door.

"Shall we, sweetheart?" he asked. She grabbed it and plunged it into her coat pocket.

"I suppose. I may live to regret this." she sighed. Gene locked the door after pulling it to securely. The tips of Stanley's multicolored scarf temporarily dragged as he trotted down the stairs before them to the stairwell and the front street.

Steam rose out of the back of the car's exhaust, and Marcia waved to her from the window of the front passenger seat. It's a roomy car a few years old, but in running order. With amusement Ray noticed Marcia was in a matching coat, hat and mittens. Everything coordinates. Gene grinned as Stan ran around to get behind the wheel, his hair frizzing out in the night. Stan opened the back door for Ray and Gene to climb into the running car.

"It can't be TOO bad if Marcia's going," Ray whispered to Gene.

"Not at all," he smiled, holding the door and to help Ray in first. He climbed in next to her.

"Hi, Ray...Gene!" she smiled broadly.

"Hello Marcia," Gene smiled, kissing her hand.

"Marcia!" Ray smiled at her, reaching forward to hug her quickly.

"Are you ready for... oh... wait... never mind," Marcia giggled.

"Okay Gene where to?" Stan asked.

"Already he's a freaking cab driver, would you look at this?" Gene laughed.

"It's OK, Marcia, you can tell ME." Ray winked at Gene.

"Bite me Klein," Stan laughed. He pulled out, turning on the radio over Marcia's tittering giggle. Glancing over the seat Ray saw the eight-track player wired under the radio, and a bottle of vodka clutched in Marcia's other hand. Stan selected a tape from somewhere
under the seat and shoved it in, picking a track he liked. They coasted out of Gene's development to the tune of Twist and Shout. She's not a drinker at all, but was eager to try. Gene plunked down his six pack of Fresca at his foot, and then looked at the tape deck.
Marcia reached over to the back of the driver's seat and massaged Stan's shoulders while he drove.

"Hope you don't mind a little traveling music," Stan said.

"So, from the way you're all dressed, this isn't a joke, this 'dress warm' thing." Ray said.

"Well I do have to admit you surprise me, Stan. You show some intelligence in music, after all," Gene commented.

"No, it's going to be COLD!" Marcia laughed. "At least until the guys do their thing."

"And we DO do our thing," Gene winked at her. "Watch out cause we're going to steam up the windows..."

Marcia smiled, still massaging Stan's shoulders. "Oh we will all right," Stan laughed as he turned up the music to drown out Gene. Ray leaned her head back into her seat, enjoying being out with friends and away from the awkwardness of earlier. Gene put his arm behind her head, wondering if she'll let him put it around her. She snuggles next to him, as Marcia smiled at them. Gene stroked her shoulder and leaned back to enjoy the ride. Ray glimpsed Stanley turning his head to one side and the flare of a match lighting a cigarette in his
mouth. Thankfully he rolled down the window to let the smoke drift out.

"You guys won't BELIEVE who asked my sister out," Marcia started.

"Christ Eisen, do you need to light that cancer stick in here?" Gene demanded.

"It's my car Gene, so deal," Stan laughed, taking a drag.

"Who, Marcie?" Ray said, cutting in over Stan and Gene's argument before it blossomed into another tense confrontation.

"You guys heard of that new band, the New York Dolls? Real new?" she asked.
Quickly Gene rolled down his window and coughed. Stan grins and continued to smoke with one hand, drive with the other.

"I have," Gene said. "They're up and coming."

"One of the guys in the band asked Stella out. No shit...I mean...no KIDDING," she said, playing with Stan's hair.

"No really?" Gene asked.

"Do you think you could get us tickets?" Stan asked her.

"Yeah, I guess she's going to one of their gigs with him...to watch...you know." she said.

"Someday you'll see us in concert, Marcia," Gene said confidently. "And we'll knock you all on your rears."

"Oh, sure, I could ask anyway. He's called the house about 5 times. You'd think she was Marilyn Monroe or something," she said, stroking Stan's hair.

"Uh huh Gene," Stan said, turning his mop of curls to glance at Gene in the rear view mirror.

"I've heard some things about them," Ray warned. "Just have her be careful...as with ALL musicians."

"Yes, she's right," Gene said. Marcia caught her wink and played along.

"Oh, I know. Only out for ONE thing," she said, playing along.

"Yes, they all just want a piece of ass." Ray smiled and winked.

"And little girls do tend to end up... as a piece of ass when it comes to them," Stan added. Gene mumbled something and sat there, folding his arms.

"My sister doesn't put out," Marcia said quickly.

"I thought she was the one who tried oral sex." Ray added.

"OK, well, she did THAT." Marcia titters.

"Wow, this was a first, you stopping your talking," said Stan. "People I give you Mr. Gene Klein, in a moment of silence…"

"You're lucky I don't drive, kid," Gene said pensively, biting his lip as he forced a smile. Ray's eyes widened at sight of their destination. A large flashing arrow above a signboard bearing the words "Tonight's feature Godzilla vs. Mothra" ushered in a line of cars before them. It was a drive in theatre, a place she'd not been to since her first dates in high school.

Stan rolled down the window to pay the ticket attendant when their car approached the kiosk. Fumbling for his wallet, Gene tugged out some bills and handed them to Stanley over the back of the seat.

"He does seem nice. I've talked to him, since he calls so damn often." Marcia continued.

"Four please," Stan said, handing the money to the attendant and taking their tickets. Fortunately they had gotten there early enough to still be able to take their pick of where to park in the large lot. Already the coming attractions were playing across the huge screen when Stan coasted around the lot.

"Park near the front," Gene instructs him. Marcia was playing with Stan's collar and looked over to see Ray motioning for her to sit back. She pouted and did so.

"The drive IN? You MUST be joking!" Ray laughed.

"Is this going to be gross? I hate blood movies." Marcia winced.

"Prepare for an evening of Japanese entertainment,' Gene laughed.

"I don't think it's bloody, was it, Gene?" Ray asked.

"Oh man the guys in monster suits," Stan chuckled.

"Okay it's not Ray Haryhausen, but it does the job," Gene said. Rolling down his window, Stanley turned on the speaker and adjusted its volume so they could all hear.

"Jason and the Argonauts ruled," Stan said. Ray watched the last attraction fade to black to be replaced by a singing hot dog, anthropomorphic dancing pop corn and a candy bar marching towards the refreshments counter.

"So THIS was the cold bit." Ray laughed. "You're going to roll the damn window down on me and subject me to GODZILLA."

"Do you want anything, ladies?" Gene asked. "Popcorn, candy, anything? It's on me…"

"Anything on you was fine by me," Ray purred. Gene chuckled deeply.

"I'd love a candy bar," Marcia smiled. Ray chuckles a bit.

Gene asked Stan, "Anything for you?"

"Popcorn and maybe a hot dog... mustard, no chili. And a coke, Gene," Stan said. Marcia slowly pulled the bottle of vodka out of her coat pocket.

"Ray?" Gene asked.

"Popcorn, love. And something cool to drink. Tons of ice."

"Sure, coke all right?"

"Sure, and hurry BACK. I'm cold already." she growled seductively and kissed him lightly as he opened the door.

"Umm," he smiled, kissing her back as he climbed out. He walked away towards the rear of the lot with the other patrons lining up at the refreshment stand.

"Stan, I'm going to open this." Marcia said, looking at the bottle of Smirnoff's in her hand.

"All right, but hide it from Gene," Stan laughed.

"Marcia and a bottle of vodka," Ray chuckles. "You are going to have FUN tonight, Stanley."

"You know it," Stan winked, taking the bottle from Marcia. Tipping it back he took a sip and gasped as he pulled it back.

"Just don't drink too much and get sick." Ray sighed.

"Want some?" he handed the bottle back to Ray.

"I'd better not. SOMEONE has to drive home, and it's not going to be Gene." she said.

"Okay," he chuckles, handing it to Marcia. He lit another smoke and puffed on it.

"I think smoking was so sexy." Marcia purred shyly as Ray grinned at Stan. "Just like in the movies."

Ray couldn't suppress a chuckle when she watched Marcia take a sip of vodka and cough loudly. "Took like MEDICINE!" she whined.

"DON'T drink too much. I'm warning you." Ray said. Stan laughed and hands her the cigarette so she could take a drag. Marcia tentatively took it from him, never having smoked before.

"Easy, just a bit," he said. She looked at the cigarette for a minute in her hand, then puffed some into her mouth and right back out again.

"You didn't inhale," he laughed. Taking it back he inhaled the smoke for a second before puffing it out again.

"Yes...I did...." she pouted, reddening a bit. Over Marcia's shoulder Ray saw the cartoon feature before the main, a Bugs Bunny one.

"God, cigs and hard liquor. She was going to be SICK tonight." Ray giggled. Stan turned off the radio.

"Where is Gene, I hope he's not eating my hot dog," Stan mumbled. Marcia and Ray both giggled uncontrollably at the double meaning.

"Thank God you're not sleeping at our place." Ray said.

At that minute they saw a dark shadow pass by as Gene approached their car with a tray filled with drinks and food. Ray laughed so hard; tears ran down her face. He knocked on the front window, indicating Marcia should roll it down. He passed her Stan's chilidog and a coke, with a second soft drink and her candy bar.

"Stanley, get your ass in the back seat," Ray said, scooting over to open her door and get out to the surprise of Gene standing there with the cardboard tray. "I want my man beside me...and plenty of room. And if you're going to do what I think you are, I'm driving home!"

"Sure," he laughed, nudging Marcia out of the car. They climbed out, and Ray scooted in first, getting the tray of food and setting it on the middle of the seat while Gene climbed in and pulled his long legs into the front passenger seat. Once in the back seat, Marcia slipped
her shoes off already and spread a blanket over her lap.

"Gene, do you want any...." Marcia started, holding out the vodka.

"NO, he doesn't." Ray cut her off. Gene handed Ray her coke, and starts to eat a chilidog with the works. He sipped his 7-up nosily, eliciting a chuckle from Marcia and Stan in the back seat.

"Your favorite episode of Bugs Bunny." Ray winked.

"Aha, Hareway to the Stars," he chuckled. He quoted lines as they appear in the cartoon imitating the voices of the Martian and the rabbit.

"I've seen this one," Marcia piped up. "Damn, you're GOOD, Gene!"

"Mm," Stan mumbled, eating his hot dog. "And I thought he was the grown up. Look at him, watching those like a kid!"

"One of his MANY talents," Ray said with amusement. He wipes his fingers on a napkin.

"One of many," Gene smiled. Marcia slipped the blanket over Stan's lap as well and began rubbing her hand on his thigh.

"Hey Gene, did you get my Hershey bar with almonds?" Stan asked. Gene threw it in back over his shoulder. Reaching down at his side he tilted the seat back a bit. Hungrily Marcia ripped the paper off her candy bar and gobbled it down, sipping her soda. Stan slowly licked chocolate off her fingers. She smiled at him and hands him the bottle. He tucked his coke between his knees, and took some of her coke, tipping it out of the cup. He poured vodka into each cup, and closed the plastic cup lids. "Vodka and coke... try it sweetheart..."

"Damn, you can hardly taste the alcohol." she said, "Thank you, sweetie."

She smiled and did so. Gene mumbled something under his breath as the cartoon ends and the movie starts. Ray took his hand and squeezed it. "You're welcome," Stan said back.

"Shit," Gene mumbled. "Friggin kids and liquor."

Ray leaned over to him, "They'll be drunk and horny in no time, and will forget ALLLL about us, if you know what I mean."

"Mmm, that was true," Gene winked at her. "Luckily Stan's parents have a boat..."

He put his arm behind her head, finishing off his chilidog. "And I don't driving. Part of my chaperoning duties." she smiled. In the rear view mirror she saw Stan kissing Marcia, in between sipping more liquor.

"Good girl," Gene smiled as the movie started on a pacific island. It seems idyllic till the first action scene happened.

Intent on the movie Gene grabbed a handful of popcorn and nibbled it. He lowered his arm behind her head to slowly reach down and take her hand. Ray stroked his fingers, enjoying being with him, and put his hand on her leg. Gene rubbed her thigh slowly.

Marcia buried her face into Stan's hair, feeling warm. "You have a very sexy hairy chest." she cooed, "Just in case I've never told you that."

"Hmm, you have but i don't mind if you repeat it,' Stan smiled. Gene snickered.

"OK...you have a VERY sexy chest." she laughed.

"And so do you," Stan winked at Marcia.

She giggled at him, "You're not supposed to know that."

"Oh?" Stan winked, tugging at her coat. He reached a long finger past her coat and sweater to her shirt.

"SHHHHH!" Marcia tittered. "You're going to make me cold."

"Some day I'm going to Japan." Ray murmured to Gene, in the front seat. "I've always wanted to go there."

"Maybe we will," Gene smiled. "They like rock and roll over there..."

"I had an uncle who went there once on business. Said it's an amazing place." Ray whispered.

"It was, everything was in miniature," Gene winked.

"Especially from your vantage point." she teased.

"Mm," Gene laughed. "Are you implying I'm too big for some pursuits, Ray?"

"No, I'm referring to the fact that you're 6 foot, 4 inches. " Ray teased.

"Mm, the six feet or the other inches?" Gene laughed.

Stan starts pulling the zipper down on Marcia's coat. She playfully slapped his hand away and took another drink. Stan started to creep his hand up Marcia's leg. "Ha! I showed you. I wore PANTS today." Marcia giggled.

"Damn," Stan snapped his fingers.

"But I have a BLANKET. I could slide them off." Marcia brazenly winked, taking another sip of Stan's coke. Stan smiled and unzipped her coat, pulling the blanket up.

"You ever seen live sex?" Ray chuckled lightly to Gene. "Because I think you're going to."

"Mm," he laughed. "Entertainment in the front and the rear."

"Kids these days," Ray giggled.

"That's why I am thinking of giving up teaching," Gene laughed. Ray fell quiet a moment.

"I wish sometimes I had the guts to do it."

Gene raised her hands to his lips to kiss it, "You will when you're ready, love."

"You just DO what you want. Me, I have to analyze it, and reanalyze it, and by the time I decide, it's too damn late," Ray sighed, eating some popcorn.

"I do plan," Gene said, snaking his arm around behind her head.

"This coat was the ONLY thing keeping me warm." Marcia moaned.

"Hmm, let's change that," Stan said, kissing her.

"GOD, Stan, your hand was COLD!" Marcia shrieked.

"You warm it up Hon," he said, slipping it in her blouse. She moaned into his kiss. He tugged her sweater up and over her head.

"I wish I had really, really big tits." she whispered to him. "Like a movie star."

"I like yours the way they are," he said, unbuttoning her shirt.

"Awww, you're just saying that." Marcia said, enjoying his compliments.

"Am I?" Stan said, reaching to stroke her through her blouse.

Gene coolly watched the movie, stroking Ray's hair. "But you plan a way to get what you want. I'm too busy planning on my plan to change my plan," Ray said.

"Umm, sounds complicated," Gene commented, half pretending to be riveted to the movie.

"I'm rambling.... I'm sorry." Ray said, watching him with affection, "When all you want to do was watch Godzilla raise hell."

Gene smiled and reached across the popcorn, slipping before her and slowly kissing her. His kiss was slow and gentle, not hasty. And she enjoyed it, his lips moving over hers, tasting her.

"Are you getting... Umm... excited?" Marcia smiled, taking another quick sip.

"Yes," Stan panted, unbuttoning his coat. He pulled off his hat and wormed out of his coat and scarf.

"Gene, I found an advertisement for an all girl band." she said, "I called, but I'm not what they are looking for. But it got me to thinking." Ray said quietly.

"That's a good start," Gene said, fingering her cheek, hitting the popcorn at his hip and spilling it. She smiled and lifted the popcorn to the other side.

"Care for any, love?" she asked. He reached in and took a handful eating it.

"Thank you," he said.

"You get excited so easily, Stan." Marcia laughed. Pulling her closer to him.

"You're exciting me that's why," Stan said back, nibbling her ear.

"There's nothing about me that's exciting," she chuckles, clearly enjoying the attention.

"Bull," Stan said, unbuttoning his shirt a bit to expose his chest and put her hands over it. He sipped more coke and sighed with satisfaction. She rubbed up and down a bit.

"Hmmm," he moaned then drew closer to kiss his chest. He pulled off her hat.

Gene pulled Ray to lean against him, and moved the popcorn to the left side of her. She had just washed her hair for the date, and it was still a bit damp. He fingered her hair, running his hands through it. Reaching around Ray, Gene massaged her chest.

"Strange, because the girl I talked to said they were looking for someone with experience, and apparently my college band's resume' just didn't cut it."

"Their loss," Gene said. "What music style?"

"But she said she'd keep my number, whatever that means."

"Hmm, means your on their long list," Gene mumbled, sipping seven up.

"She said they played Beatles type music."

"But I'm proud of you for stating out." He said. She looked down a bit.

"Maybe I should join," he joked.

"It felt like a big step, only sometimes I think I want to be on the ground floor, starting out, like you are. Making your own band, having your own rules."

"Ray, come over here," Gene whispered, lowering his voice to a sexy whisper. She scooted next to him and grinned.

"I wonder what it's like to do it without a condom. My sister said if the guy pulled out in time...." Marcia whispered into Stan's ear.

Gene said, "don't get any ideas, kids! That's bullcrap."

Marcia looked at him, embarrassed. "I didn't think you were listening."

"Gene, Jesus!" Stan snapped. Ray was trying not to laugh.

"Sorry I opened my damn mouth," Gene mumbled.

"Watch the movie, love." she smiled at him.

"Stupid..." Gene griped.

"And my best friend...one time she had a guy do that inside of her, and she said it was all over." Marcia whispered.

"What was all over?" Stan asked.

"Sperm," Gene mumbled.

"You know...stuff...." Marcia blushed, face buried in his shoulder. Ray bit her tongue to keep from laughing.

"It's called sperm," he said a bit louder.

"God forbid you have any daughters." she chuckled.

"I KNOW it was." Marcia said, " I'm not a baby. I just didn't want to SAY it."

"Gene you sure don't know when to shut your mouth do you?" Stan asked, annoyed.

"Can I be excused for wanting to use the proper term?" Gene asked Ray.

"I think she's just curious, Gene. She's not going to do anything DUMB." Ray said, to be overhead.

"Well, if you must say something else, the other term was cum," Gene said to Marcia. She reddened quite a bit. Marcia snuggled in close to Stan.

"That's what the decent pornographic magazines designate it as." He continued.

"Gene, not EVERYONE was as comfortable with this as you." Ray smiled. "Give the poor girl a break."

"Gene shut up... do me a favor," Stan said. "Ray, shut him up."

"Gene...lay off." Ray said, giving him a sideways glance. He threw up his hand. "Be a good boy...for me," she said.

"Aww hell," he gave up.

"I just won't say anything any more." Marcia whispered to Stan.

"I'm not into talking, I'm a man of action," Stan whispered back. She took another drink unbuttoning her shirt. He swigged directly from the vodka bottle.

"Sounds like a super hero," she giggled. "You're my super hero."

"I'll rescue you any day... I'm your sir Lancelot..."

"Oh would you listen to him," Gene whispered to Ray.

"You're my Gwenivere."

"Brave sir Lancelot.... Can we have another cigarette?" she laughed flirtatiously. He handed her one and opened the window.

"WATCH the movie," Ray said, very amused by Gene.

Gene cursed, "Crap, if they are going to smoke that all night..."

"I had no idea why you say you don't want kids. You have got the father mentality DOWN." Ray smiled.

"God forbid," Gene mumbled. "If I had a daughter I'd lock her up. And if I had a son... watch out."

"I think you'd be much better than you think." Ray said.

"Really?" Gene asked, carefully.

Marcia puffed a cigarette and watched Stanley. Stan had his shirt unbuttoned all the way. "I keep screwing this up. I don't think I'm holding it right." Marcia said. She lets him show her.

"Hold it like this... and flick the ashes out the window."

"Good god," Gene mumbled, rubbing his forehead. Ray noticed his widow's peak very slight but there as he pushed his hair back. She reached up and played with it a bit. Gene laughed as she smoothed his hair back to look at his sideburns and hairline.

"I wonder how I'd look with a beard," Gene said.

"I had a moustache once," Stan said from the back seat.

"I look like a hooker.... A cig in one hand, a bottle of booze in another, and a naked man next to me." Marcia chuckled.

"Half naked," Stan corrected. Ray looked back at her. "Rest if up to you, sweets."

"You are not a hooker," Gene said.

"I look like I'm really bad!" she chortled.

"Far too classy to be one. Good girl gone bad," Gene laughed.

"You're a strutter," Stan whispered to her. "Satin and lace girl."

"Just the way you like them, hon." Ray laughed.

"Uh huh," Gene whispered.

"I'm going to take my bra off," she laughed, boldly. Chugging more vodka and coke.

"General announcement," Gene whispered to Ray. "Get ready for the peep show hon."

"God, now I'll NEVER get you to watch the screen." Ray chuckled. Gene glanced intently back through the rear view mirror.

"Marcia, WATCH the booze." Ray called to the back seat.

"Yes, mom." she giggled.

"So that's why you had me sit up here," Gene laughed.

"Gene, shut up," Stan giggled, his accent broadening.

"You're catching on." Ray said. "I MEAN it, Mar. You drink too much vodka, you WILL be sick, and there's nothing charming about that."

"Pukeorama," Gene said. Marcia looked at Stan with doe eyes, then started giggling. Stan pouted at her.

"I won't get sick. I never do." she laughed back.

"Hmm what was that?" he asked, sipping vodka straight from the bottle.

"You have SUCH a sexy pout, baby." Marcia said, starting to slur. His own speech had taken on the same haze.

Gene watched them, then leaned over and kissed Ray. She kissed him back, attempting to tune out the banter from the back seat. Stan kept an eye to see what Gene was doing.

"Let me ask you something." she whispered to Gene. Gene's hands started snaking over Ray's body.

"What love?" he whispered.

"What are we going to do if we get very...umm.... Aroused?" she answered.

"Hmm," Gene whispered. "Good question. I think they will before we do."

Marcia pulled back a minute and eyes Stan wickedly as she pulled off her bra.
Stan whooped and puts it on his head. "You look like a REAL rock and roller." Marcia laughed.

"WHOO!" Stan whooped, scaring Gene.

"Christ Stanley what WAS that?" Gene grumbled.

"Awl RIGHT" he laughed in a very resonant voice. "That's my girl!"

Marcia crossed her arms over her chest as Gene looked back. "Save it for the stage, kid," Gene said.

"Gene, turn AROUND!" Ray teases as she tugs him to face front.

He looked at her innocently. "What?"

"I know...you guys can play...and I'll be your stripper." Marcia giggled, clearly inebriated. Stan was licking her breasts, hair tickling Marcia's chest.

"Daddy will LOVE that. " Ray murmured. Gene laughed.

"Did I tell you I found out who DADDY was?" Ray whispered to Gene.

"Who?" Gene asked.

"Marshall Greenburg. Ring a bell? Third circuit JUDGE?"

"Uh oh," Gene mumbled. "Crap."

"Stan doesn't know, I don't think." she whispered. Marcia threw her head back as he licked her, taking another drag off her cigarette and coughing loudly.

"She inhaled that time." Ray remarked to Gene. Gene coughed and started to wipe his eye, the smoke getting to him.

"Marcia, get RID of that before you spit a lung out." Ray snapped.

"I feel sick," Gene mumbled. Marcia had pulled away from Stan and was coughing.

"Easy honey," he said, patting her back. Ray leaned back in the seat and plucked it from her hand. Gene looked visibly green. She opened the car door and smashed it in the rocks.

"NO more cigarettes." she said firmly.

"Aww shit," Stan cursed.

"OK, mommy." Marcia giggled to Stan.

"What the hell?" he grumbled.

"I mean it Stanley," Gene mumbled, holding his stomach. He rolled down his window and leaned his head out, panting in nausea.

"I got you in trouble.... I'm SORRRRY." Marcia pouted into Stan's chest.

"Will you ever FORGIVE me?" she said, licking his neck.

"Sweetheart?" Ray said, watching him.

"Crap," Gene cursed.

"Take a walk with me up to the refreshment stand, love." Ray said, sliding out of her seat, "Get some fresh air."

"I'm sorry, Gene." Marcia said, sadly.

"Yes," Gene said, stumbling out of the car. Gene mumbled and leaned against the car, panting as his stomach churned. Ray moved up to him, putting his arm around her and getting him to walk.

"He's MAD at me." Marcia panicked, looking at Stan.

"No he's just ready to hurl," Stan slurred.

"Ray..." Gene mumbled, as he held his stomach.

"Just don't think about It.," she said, helping him towards the restrooms to the side of the lot by the refreshment stand. "Just keep going.'

"I think... I think..." Gene gasped, leaning heavily on her. "I am going to throw up."

"It's OK." Ray said, rubbing his back.

"Dammit," Gene cursed, as he leaned over.

"Maybe you just need.... To sit down."

He stumbles over to a trash bin and leaned his head over it, puking and thoroughly embarrassed. Ray was behind him, rubbing his back and holding his hair. He sank to one knee, gasping and retching.

"Stupid fucking kids." she mumbled.

"Mother f..." Gene mumbled, and heaved again.

"Hooooooooooooooooo GOD!" he shouted. She could feel him cum inside of her. And closes her eyes as she cam as well, hot and sticky and sweet.

"Oh baby I love you!" he cried, holding her to him. She was panting heavily as it finished, fearful for the fallout.

"I love you too, oh, Stan, I DO1" she cried, biting her lip. He pulled out quickly. She watched him, suddenly sober while he started to mop himself off.

"It's probably OK...because I just had my period not too long ago...." she babbled. He kissed her hard for a moment and then put himself together.

"It will be all right," he promised her.

"And my cycles are usually pretty long," she said, feeling like she was going to cry.

"Come here. It's okay," he pulled her close. "We'll take care of it. Promise."

She let him, feeling very guilty because she was aware of it and said nothing.
"Stan...." she said, very scared, "I knew.... I remembered...and I let you anyway."

Stan sat in the car, watching the movie, with a nervous look on his face. By now he had put his shirt back on, tucking it in quickly as he saw someone approaching. Gene opened the door and sat down in the front, closing it behind him.

"Eisen, we need to talk."

"Feeling better, man?" Stan asked.

"Yes, much," Gene said. "You don't look so good yourself."

"I didn't know you were that...freaked out about cigs. I won't smoke around you any more," he said quickly, scratching his hair.

"Thank you, but that's not my main concern," Gene said. "Please tell me you used a condom..."

"Uh...really?" he said, picking at his candy bar. "I have a nasty feeling you forgot."

He paused a moment, then muttered, "Shit."

"Stanley, you and I both know what can happen..."

"She said it's not TOO far from her period. What the hell does THAT mean, Gene? I'm no damn period expert. Is that GOOD or was that BAD?" he said, shutting his eyes.

"If it's two weeks in you're safe... but you have to watch it," Gene shook his head. "Not to mention what VD you could have gotten from that other chick."

"She's a sweet girl.... Hell...I can't get married. Or a baby. Crap. My father would DIE."

"That's why you must muzzle it. And no pulling out. If you need protection see me. And if you have any questions, you come to ME, got it?"

"She's...damn.... She's...she looked really upset when she took off."

"She's angry I'm sure at herself for forgetting," Gene said. "And do you want a baby on the way right now? I can guarantee that's on her mind."

"Hell, no. Are you nuts?" Stan cried.

"Then you have to TRY and be responsible."

"I was...I was GOING to...but I've never really had sex without one and I thought I'd do it JUST for awhile, and well, you know..." he stammered out excuses.

"If you're going to play in my band... you have to be ready," Gene said sternly.

"Or she has to be on birth control."

"I don't have money to buy her birth control," he said miserably.

"Are you going to go to bed with a woman you don't know her sexual history? What if you bagged a groupie? You can use a condom, dummy," Gene said angrily. "I always do."

"Maybe if she went home right now and took a hot shower...."

"Stanley that isn't the answer... Didn't you ever have sex Ed?"

"Or what's those things that women stick up there? Those flushing things. Steve said those work."

"Douche pushes it up further." Gene winced.

"I'm just.... God... I'm just pissed at myself," he hissed in disgust.

"You should be," Gene reproved him.

"She looked up to ME to make these decisions, right or wrong. She's ...she's just a sweet girl...." he threw up his hand, hitting himself on the thigh.

"Stan, I know you think I'm an asshole..." Gene began. Stan regarded him a moment, but said nothing to his admission. "And that I talk too much, but trust me... I want you to be responsible... And I don't want you to fuck up your future."

"Something's got to give, because I'm not ready to be someone's dad," he said, looking really scared.

"You might just have a bat's chance in hell of making a name for yourself... You and me both."

"With your help.... Right?" he said, taking a drink of vodka and leaning back in the seat.

"Do you want to be saddled with a kid and wife now? If you chose," Gene said sipping his 7-Up. "I wanted to ask you, to join my band."

"Like that family of hers would ever let me be a presence in her life," he mumbled.

"Don't sell yourself short. You'll someday be rich and famous. And then you can buy girls like her for whatever price."

"She hasn't even really told them much about me. The only good thing in their book was I'm Jewish. How are they going to feel when they SEE me?"

"Not too thrilled the way you are tonight,' Gene sighed.

"You...really want me in your band..." he said, twirling the liquid around in the bottle.

"Yeah, I guess I do. You have raw talent, and you can write. And you're pretty... the girls like that."

"I tried out for another band last week, Gene," he started.

"Oh?" Gene asked slowly. "I suppose they were... impressed?"

"Yeah. Really."

"Anyone I've heard of?" Gene asked.

"I suppose. A bunch of guys, young 20's. Calling themselves The Astronauts. Got kind of a Led Zeppelin feel to them," Stan said. He took another drink.

"Hmm," Gene said slowly.

"They want me to play lead. Their lead guitarist was leaving to go fucking FIND himself."

"Well i suppose you know what's best... But it's up to you. If you join us, you get to write."

"I hate lead." he mumbled.

"And we will consider everyone's stuff... equally... if it's good enough. And... You sing lead."

"But they've got gigs lined up already, and honest to God groupies. They even have a deal worked out with a manager."

"Well, sounds like you have made up your mind then," Gene said seriously as he turned back to the film.

"Yeah, actually I have." he said, watching the screen with disinterest.

"I suppose. This means you won't be at next rehearsal, then," Gene said quietly, looking at the screen.

"I wouldn't have put up with your shit all this time, if I didn't think we had SOMETHING." Stan said, after some silence. "And with them, I felt...nothing."

Gene looked at him and blinked. "What was that?"

"I said, I wouldn't be giving you the damn time of day if I didn't think you had something to offer me...or that I have something to blow you on your ass."

Gene took a long hard look at him. "You have guts kid."

"You know, I don't want to be in a cover band. I hate fucking cover bands, and I know you do too."

"I guess that's what sets you apart from the rest of those clowns. And you have the voice and the talent to back it up... somewhat."

""Somewhat?" he said, raising an eyebrow.

"All right... you do..." he throws up his hand. "I'll cut the crap... you have talent."

"I just hope I didn't fuck it up tonight." he mumbled as he played with his cigarette pack.

"Well, you just have to decide what's more important, and take responsibility for your actions. Because life with fuck you over if you don't."

"And if she's pregnant, I've got to deal with that, right?" he said, looking Gene in the eye.

"Yeah, you do," Gene said. "And there are options."

"Come on, Gene. You know as well as I am what will happen if she was. Mommy and Daddy will whisk her away so fast, my head will spin. Both of them."

"Yeah," he said. "Not exactly like they're going to welcome me with open arms to the family. And you might land your ass in jail. She's 16 you know."

He groaned, "FORGOT about that one."

"There are other women, Stanley," he said. "She's the first, but she won't be your last."

"I know," he said, playing with his long fingers nervously.

"Look, I'm speaking from experience. And I know you're sick of hearing me preach all damn night."

'I just don't want to mess it up for her. I don't want to ruin her life, any more than I want to ruin mine," Stan despaired.

"But I guess in some way I do care what happens to you... as a musician and a colleague," Gene added hesitantly, unsure of wanting to cross the lines he had drawn around himself. To show any weakness before a rival was a risky thing, even if this rival would soon be an ally. He was not accustomed to letting down his walls for anyone, least of all an upstart kid.

"I know you do, and I appreciate that," Stan said, putting his hand on the back of the seat near Gene's arm.

"Cause I did feel something right about us playing together too. Granted we probably hate each other, but we somehow work."

"I'm passing up a big opportunity for you." Stan said quietly, jaw firming.

"I know, but i will make it worth both our whiles. Someday we'll be the band people want to see... the ones we want to see. And we'll be rich and famous... With anything at our fingertips, the world."

"Anything's better than this. At least you have your own place, and your girl with you 24 hours a day."

"Yeah," Gene said. "Lucky me, huh?"

"You ARE lucky."

"Her parents would just adopt me right? Bullshit," Gene laughed ironically. "I'm probably next to Satan in their book."

"But you got yourself a place and a job. Fuck them. If they don't like you, who cares? Me, what am I going to do? Don't look for Marcia and I to be shacking up anytime soon."

"I might quit that job," Gene mumbled. "Work for a magazine."

"Her little rock god still lives with mom and dad."

"Well you have both parents alive."

"That might be cool." He said, watching him.

"And more family then I can claim alive." He chuckles.

"That's important. Family was very important."

"I can just picture my folks if I moved my pregnant girlfriend on in."

"Yeah," Gene mumbled. "My mother was bugging me when I'm going to get married. SCREW that. That's one institution not in my book."

"I'd like to get married some day," he said. "Find me a good woman and have a couple of kids."

"You're a romantic, kid," Gene sighed. "Me I deal in cold hard facts."

"Yeah...suppose," he said, looking out the window. "We're as different as night and day, Gene."

"You're the ideal guy, who wants to be a star. Me I just want fame and money, and lots of it," Gene laughed.

"Nothing wrong with money," Stan said. "But I want the fame too, and I want a family. Is it wrong to want it all?"

"Nope," Gene said. "And you have to dedicate yourself to that goal. Decide once and for all that's what you want and make the sacrifices. Put your whole self into it."

"Hmm, sacrifices," Stan mumbled, staring at the liquid in the bottom of his vodka bottle.

Ray waited tensely in the bathroom, judging from Marcia's distinctive shoes, just what stall she occupied. Finally Marcia emerged from stall, crying. She ran right into Ray and jumped back in surprise.

"I want to know WHAT happened," Ray demanded.

"Shit...I'm.... Sorry..." she mumbled.

"What for?" she asks, taking her shoulders.

"I don't know what you're talking about," she denied, face in her hands.

"Did you have sex without protection?" she asked, softening her expression.

Nervously, Marcia clutched her purse tightly. Weakly she groaned, "No....it's just that I don't feel well."

"Bullshit! Look, I have to know... I'm responsible for you!" Ray sighed, shaking her head. Strangely this peek at what she had once been was sobering. Had she been so innocent and so clueless before she had been thrown head over heels into the world of adult sexual relationships? No, Ray decided. After all she had gone to college, and learned some of the ways of the dating world, while Marcia was still young and childlike, free of the college cosmopolitan taint. This was why it pained her all the more to see Marcia half drunk and scared for her life of being pregnant. Marcia shook her head, unable to speak and meet Ray's concerned gaze.

"Shh, look... just tell me..." Ray urged. "I want to know... I want to help you."

"God.... Ray.... I just wanted to TRY it. I'm such a damn stupid fool. Stan is MAD at me..." she sobbed, wiping her eyes on toilet tissue.

"No he isn't," Ray sighed. "I'm more mad at you for being irresponsible. How could you put yourself in such danger?"

She cries harder, "I've never even been to a female doctor. Not ever. What the HECK am I going to do if I'm p-p-pregnant?"

"You GO to a doctor,' Ray said firmly, realizing that the roles had been reversed. Even as a teacher she had never been confronted directly with the issue of teenage pregnancy. That wasn't even considered a possibility, even though Gloria had educated her otherwise on its existence. "I know one. I will take you MYSELF, even if I have to drag you kicking and screaming."

She wipes her eyes furiously and cried, "Stan doesn't want me to have a baby."

"No, I don't want you to have a baby!" Ray snapped, suddenly feeling the parental instincts awakened within. "You have your whole life ahead of you, what ARE you doing?"

"My dad will KILL me," she sobbed. "He still thinks I'm a virgin!"

"Not if he doesn't find out," Ray said, hit by a pang of aching familiarity. "Look... you have to THINK if you're having sex... And believe me my dad still thinks I'm one too."

"Ray...can I tell you something?" she said, as Ray led her over to the park bench just outside the door.

"Yes."

"My dad told me last night I can't see Stan any more. He doesn't know I'm here. I had to LIE and tell him I'm out with a girlfriend!" Marcia related in raking sobs, burying her face in her hands.

"Oh god... Marcia. I'm so sorry! Come here... easy girl..." Ray despaired, pulling Marcia close to her. She hugged her tightly, rocking the girl in her arms.

"He says.... That all a boyfriend is going to do is make me grow up too fast," she cried bitterly.

"Honey..." she sighs, rubbing Marcia's back. "I wish I knew what to say..."

"He said.... Damn it.... He said that I need to finish out school, then I can date in college."

"You need to finish school," Ray said firmly.

"But I'm NOT giving up Stan. I'm NOT.' she says angrily, chin set firmly in teenage defiance.

"You might think you love Stan and that's fine, but you need to stop being irrational," Ray shook her head, pulling at her auburn hair in frustration. "What if Gene and I took Stan to meet your parents, would that help?"

"So you SEE...I can't quite go back and tell him I'm pregnant," said Marcia, dabbing fresh tears from her eyes.

"You're not. You are jumping to conclusions."

"I don't know. Stella tried to cover for me, but my other sister saw you guys walking up...and told dad Stan's got long hair and is a hippie, Stan's NOT a damn hippie," she scowled, not listening to Ray's last statement.

"Oh god," she moaned. "Listen to me... you might not be pregnant. You sound like you wish you were!"

"Dad thinks he does drugs and has free love. Isn't that GREAT?" said Marcia sarcastically, then she fell silent at Ray's accusation.

"Having a baby will not solve any problems. It will make it worse," Ray said firmly.

"I don't want to go to some European college. I don't want to leave home." Marcia said miserably. "He doesn't CARE what I want. He never has."

"I know honey... look, you have to listen to me," Ray said, shaking Marcia's shoulder lightly in her frustration that she was not getting through to the girl. "You have to decide what is right... and think about your future."

"If he asked me today to marry him, I WOULD." she snapped, stomping her foot with the same stubborn defiance. Her determination wrung at Ray's heartstrings and held up a large uncomfortable mirror to her soul. Laid bare were Ray's own frustrations and fears that were reflected in this girl's scared eyes. How was she able to pass judgement on this girl who had tasted the same forbidden fruit she shared with Gene. The snake had seized her in the Garden of Eden, and Ray knew she had no right to preach without thinking about what she next said.

"I..." Ray started and then fell silent, chin wobbling as she pressed a hand to her head. She could not banish her own hot tears that suddenly seeped down her face.

"I just don't want...oh.... God...Ray?" Marcia gasped, putting her arm around Ray. Instantly roles were reversed and the victim was the comforter.

"Please... just listen to me a moment," Ray pleaded. "It's not without... understanding that I'm giving you this advice... hear me out."

"Are you OK? Are you MAD at me?" she says with wide eyes.

"Here i am judging you and I’m stuck too," she sobbed, and Marcia shook her head, unknowing her situation. "I mad at you and at me... I was going to say you shouldn't let your parents run your life and I let MINE run my life!"

"Maybe they're like mine...never home. Always doing the social thing," Marcia groaned.

"You and I aren’t' that different. My dad has no idea I'm dating Gene. It's what my father would think about Gene." Ray said, snatching the tissue away that Marcia handed her, and wiping her tears away.

"About you and Gene?" she asked. "You mean they don't know that you and he are..."

"Yes," Ray sobbed. "They are EXACTLY like yours. And they don't know about me and Gene."

"I'm sorry, I didn't know," Marcia mumbled. "So that's why you were nervous at the JCC... that night we met. You didn't want to be seen with Jewish people and have it get back to your parents?"

"Yes and no. I'm so ashamed..."

"Ray... you don't have... to say you're sorry," Marcia shook her head.

"I don't WANT to be a teacher, I don't want to be what they want me to be!" Ray suddenly cried in her own defiance.

"I don't either," Marcia chimed in. "I want to marry Stan and travel the world and have his cute little pouty babies.... Only I know that will never happen. My dad won't LET it happen."

Even though Ray bristled at her words, she knew their ring of truth as she sobbed, "I don't know if I can marry Gene. He doesn't want to get married. He wants to have a rock band and be rich and famous."

"Your parents.... Are you close with them? Do they CARE about you? If they did, they'd accept Gene, right?"

"My father is a high school principle at the same school where Gene teaches. He could have Gene fired. I am so scared he'll find out and ruin what Gene and I have. They..." she sobbed, control eroding as the silent fears she had carried were given voice. Marcia put her arm on Ray's shoulder.

"Oh," she said, quietly. "Wow... you mean... he doesn't want you dating a teacher in the same school he works at? But why would THAT..."

"My mother... I think she might... but my father... he... oh god... he doesn't even know I’m dating a non Christian. He sees people who aren’t like us... aren't white, and Anglo-Saxon and Protestant as not being the sort that we should mix with. He believes in separate but equal. Not that we're superior but that whites should be with whites, Jews with Jews, etc."

"Bigotry goes both sides though. Dad doesn't want me to date someone who's NOT Jewish. But here I find someone who IS, and he's still not good enough," Marcia nodded in silent understanding.

"Yes, and I'm sure your choice won't ever be good enough. Nor would mine... except for two men that Gene tells me are no good for me," Ray nodded. "And they don't know me, the real me."

"No they don't," said Marcia. "You've been so nice to me... and I never had non Jewish friends be so nice to me..."

"But I tell you getting pregnant will make your situation worse. And it will ruin Stanley's future too."

"No, it won't, because if I'm pregnant, Stan will marry me, right?" she said, looking at her. "And if he marries me, we can move away and not CARE what dad thinks."

"It's not that simple. Do you want to be married so young? That's not the answer!" Ray snapped. "It's not the answer. It's selfish for you and Stan not to think of one another."

Marcia puts her head in her hands, emerging as the victim again. She sobbed, "But it is for me! I thought you understood..."

"Honey I know what you feel like. But getting pregnant will NOT solve your problems," said Ray.

"He didn't take precautions either, so maybe he was thinking what I 'm thinking," she said quietly.

"His parents won't be nuts either. And you have no degree, and he has no degree and no future. Do you love him enough to put that selfishness aside?" Ray asked, struggling for the right conversation. "I don't know if he WAS thinking. You are both drunks! And Irresponsible! You aren't thinking! You are children thinking about having children for God's sake."

"Ray, how am I going to tell him we have to sneak around? He's going to be so hurt. They didn't even give him the courtesy of meeting him first," Marcia cried.

"You need to tell him. Be honest. He will understand. Gene and I will help you I promise! And if Gene gives me shit I'll threaten not to sleep with him," she winked.

"He's already so.... So...vulnerable," she said.

"I know. You need to wait till your head clears and think about what you want. And you can't do it in your present state of mind," Ray wipes away tears and sniffles, thinking of Gene. "You know I moved in with Gene, don't you?"

"Stan told me," she said quietly, "And I'm really jealous, but I think it's great."

"I know, but wait till my parents find out I've moved out without telling them. They'll be pissed. And they think I'm living at Gloria's place. I left some of my stuff like my bed and dresser there in case they try to look for me." She sighed deeply, and looked at Marcia, stroking her hair. "Please promise me you wont' have sex without protection... again."

"I don't want my parents to be telling me what to do when I'm your age, Ray, but I know they will," Marcia sighed.

"Then you find a way to get out. Not now, but when you’re in college," Ray said in strange advice. "I need a way out. Gene might be that way out."

"I won't.... be irresponsible again. That is, if Stan even wants to still see me after tonight."

"I thought of a way we can see Stan... I mean you can see Stan," Ray said. "Your sister who has New York Dolls tickets... Can she get tickets for you and Stan, and pretend you're going with her for a concert?"

"Yes."

"There you go. Then you can talk to him about this..."

"I HAVE to be able to see him, and if it's behind their back, well, then, so be it," Marcia nodded.

"Well I'll help you. I'm a teacher. Do your parents think Gene and I are married?"

"Yeah...my sister told them you were Mr. and Mrs. Klein," she giggled a bit. "And she TRIED to cover for Stanley, but my sister...damn, she's only 10."

"Yeah," she laughed. "No wedding ring. Gene is opposed to marriage actually. What about Stella?"

"Stella told dad Stanley was very presentable and friendly, but my other sister.... She saw him walk up, and told dad he was a long haired freak," she said angrily.

"Maybe he should cut his hair," Ray mumbled.

"I couldn't ask him to do that. He's got his band."

"Hard to pretend you're married without a wedding ring," Ray laughed.

Marcia smiled at her a bit, "You'll be married some day. You and Gene. I just know it. He'd be nuts to not marry you."

"Thanks," she smiled, wiping her eyes at Marcia's childlike acceptance of the impossible. "Now are you ready to go back?"

"Oh....Ray....what am I going to say?"

"I will help you... and here...take this..." she handed her a bottle of douche. "This might help you."

Like it was a foreign object Marcia held it between thumb and forefinger a minute, confused, "Um..."

"Just use this and come back out. Hopefully this will help. It's worth a try... I'll wait for you... be quick ok?"

"I will..." she looked at it uncertainly and walked into the stall.

"You know how to use it? Just squirt it up inside you, and it will at least make you fresh and clean."

"Well.... Maybe...." she called from the stall. "Ray.... Thanks."

"Anytime," she said, sighing as she sat there and waited. Ray then glanced down at her hands and turned them over. Finally she sees Marcia when she walks out, looking somewhat more presentable.

"Let's get this over with." she looks at her glumly. Ray held out her hand to Marcia.

"Do you think he thinks I'm trying to sabotage him?" she said, peering up at her.

"No. I think he doesn't even think of that. I'll be with you, honey, every step."

They walked out to the car. Marcia trailed behind, looking like a guilty child. She climbed into the back seat, too ashamed to look at Stan.

"I'm sorry, Gene, for the smoke, and for making you sick." she said quietly.

""I'm fine, it's okay Hon," Gene said. Ray slipped in next to Gene and takes his hand. She reaches over to turn up the sound on the movie, so they can talk in peace.

"Honey, please are you ok?" Stan asked, holding her. "Are you okay? Please look at me..."

"I don't know. I guess we'll see." Marcia said in a small voice, not looking at him.

"Honey I'm so sorry I didn't use protection," Stan's voice broke. "I was being selfish..."

"Stan, it was me. I knew... I swear, and I didn't say anything. I screwed it up," she said, tears springing to her eyes.

"No you didn't!" he cried. "It was MY fault, damn it."

"No, honey, it wasn't. Don't you see how much I LOVE you?" she turned to him with pleading eyes.

"I guess we have to be more careful," Stan said. "Here we are blaming each other, and it isn't helping."

"A LOT more careful," she mumbled. "About everything."

"Yeah," he sighed. "I guess... that your parents aren't nuts about me. They probably think I’m a freak or something."

"No....no, they aren't, Stan," she confirmed quietly.

"They think boys are only good for one thing," she said, looking down.

"Honey, they don’t' want us seeing each other do they?" he guessed. "Is that why you’re so miserable"

She sighed, and spat, "They said I can't date any more. That I need to concentrate on school."

"Aww honey, I'm so sorry," he whispered, fingering her hair. "I shouldn't have... damn I'm so sorry..."

"I guess honor roll isn't GOOD enough for them. They have to kill ALL my fun. I WON'T stop seeing you," she said, with clenched teeth.

"You won't?" he asked slowly. "But what if they catch us?"

"I could get a job...something dumb," she said, quietly. Despite the volume turned up, Gene could still hear parts of their conversation, and already it was making his skin crawl.

"No you can't. And I can't either. "I wish I could take you away, but i have no job... and I need to finish school," he said, and Marcia began to cry harder. "You have to finish school I don't want to mess up your future. I will not have you hating me for ruining your life."

"And do what? Date some idiot from one of the Jewish Teen Dances? Someone who's going to trip all over himself and take six months to kiss me?" she wailed.

"Honey... please..." he sniffled. "I don't know what to do but i can' marry you and have a job. It's not right for you or me. It isn't fair... we're too young!"

"Are you saying.... This is IT?" she sobbed. She reached down to grab her coat and buried her face in it, crying hard.

"No!" he cried. "IT just means we have to be more creative... Find ways to see each other that wont' make your parents suspect us. Honey please... listen to me. I will do what I can... to help make sure they don’t' bust us up..."

"I'll tell them that I LOVE you and if they don't let us be, I'll run away!" she cried.

"I didn't tell you... but I got a job in a deli..." he says slowly. "And I have to finish school. It isn't enough to help you and I live on. I have to live with my parents at home... my sister is really screwing up and..."

"I wish we could get a place, like Ray and Gene, but I know facts are facts." she said glumly.

"I know. We'll just have to find a way to be together... and keep seeing each other... but we'll have to sneak around," Stan sighed.

"If' I'm pregnant, my dad will send my away." she says quietly.

"I don't want that to happen... You shouldn't have to face that..."

"No, but I would. I'd raise it up...I LOVE you, Stan," she said.

"Oh god," Stan started to cry. He sobs bitterly, and Ray just looks at Gene with a lost look. Gene shook his head, closing his eyes at the lunacy of this situation. Enough was enough, and he looked ready to explode.

"Oh, damn, honey, PLEASE don't cry," Stan begged, holding onto the sobbing girl.

"Damn it, someone has to say something," Gene whispered to Ray. "I can't take any more of this..."

Ray shuts her eyes a moment, and then turned down the movie. She said, "I think you two.... Let’s at least find out if you ARE."

"I know a doctor," Gene muttered. "She asks no questions."

"And if you are, and you need help...a place to stay...." Ray says, then stopped when she realized that this was not going to be an option. The last thing they needed was a sobbing teenager underfoot in their home. Also her parents would never take Marcia in either.

"She can stay with Gloria," Gene said. "I'm sure she won't mind... in fact I know she'd help."

"And Stan, your parents would help, right? They wouldn't turn their back," Ray said.

"Gloria has helped girls in this situation before," Gene said. "She's a teacher."

"No they wouldn't," Stan sniffled. "They wouldn't do that. They would support us but I can't... oh shit..."

"Damn," Gene puts a hand to his head shaking it. Marcia rubbed his back and looks helplessly at Ray.

"I'm sorry I screwed up your date Gene," Stan sobbed. "I fucked up!"

"Stanley STOP feeling sorry for yourself, damn it," Gene said softly, letting his defenses down in sympathy for this poor kid. "Shit happens."

"But I fucked up, it's my goddamned fault!" he shouted. Gene suddenly bristled, his anger rising to the surface. This was the breaking point, and Gene had heard enough of Stanley's pouting and sobbing. It was time to shock him into reality.

"Stand up and be a MAN for God's sake. Take responsibility, and stop crying like some weak little prissy pants!" Gene barked in his best school teacher voice. Stan stopped crying and looks at Gene, in shock.

"Y...yes... Gene," he stammered.

"That's better. Now what are we going to do about this, kids? We need a plan of action," Gene said pragmatically. Ray looks at him a moment, then smiles at him with approval. Sometimes Gene's bossiness served a definite purpose, especially when it came to reigning in Stanley's artistic moods. After all, Stanley had no older brother of the same generation to snap him into reality, and she guessed from what Stan told him about her parents they were hardly the ones to go to with worldly questions regarding teenaged sex.

"I think the first plan of action is Marcia needs to see a doctor...and a prescription is in order." Ray said.

"Yes," Gene said, watching the closing credits of the movie. Cars already started to pull away, the lot emptying slowly.

"But we can't pay,' Stan stammered.

"I will.... I’ll go get on the pill." she said eagerly, trying to calm Stan down.

"All right," he breathed. "But can you take it without your parents knowing?"

"Sure she can," Gene said. "There are ways."

Marcia looked at him a minute, "I have allowance...and babysitting money."

Stan sighed and leans back, breathing hard to calm down. Gene looks back at him with some compassion on his face. He lowered his voice to a soothing tone that Ray could swear would melt butter, and said,

"Just calm down man... we're taking CHARGE of this before it gets out of hand."

"And if there is a baby...I will do the best I can to raise it." Marcia says, looking at the ground.

"Oh for god's stake," Gene mumbled, slapping his forehead. "Will you STOP! Dammit!"

"We don't know if she will have one," Stan said, gripping Gene's arm tightly to shut him up. Gene grits his teeth at Stan's grip, astonished at the strength in the kid's long fingers. Apparently they were well served playing on a guitar.

"What's WRONG with that?" Marcia protested. "What's WRONG with wanting to have his baby?"

"Oh, for God's sake, we've BEEN through this, Marcia." Ray sighs loudly.

"Because young lady, you will have no future," Gene said firmly. "And you condemn Stan to no future also."

"We are NOT going through all this if you are going to sabotage it." Ray glared.

"I won’t." Marcia says miserably.

"And I will NOT sit here and let TWO selfish people fuck their lives up!" Gene added, sharply. "You and Stan are being BABIES. You have no clue what you're getting into!"

Ray turned around and looked at Stan directly, "Consider me out of line, but shouldn't this be coming from YOU and not from Gene and I, don't you, STANLEY?"

"Because they REFUSED to fucking THINK and got smashed and screwed around!" Gene added, merciless with his gaze fixing into the two young mistake makers in his midst.

"I..." Stan stopped.

"If you two are going to have sex you act like ADULTS!" Gene yelled at them both.

"Are you going to ALLOW this, Stan? Stand up and take some damn responsibility, if she won't. She's 16, for freakin' sake?" Ray cried, adding fuel to Gene's fire.

"I'm NOT a child." Marcia wailed.

"You stand up and be a MAN," Gene barked at Stan. "And you young lady... stop whining! You're acting like a child!"

Marcia flings herself back in her seat, sniffling in anger at Gene's highhanded tone. She snorted and bit her lip, but knew better then to talk back to Gene. Ray glared at Stan and gritted, "TELL her you WILL not have unprotected sex. End of STORY. TELL her."

"I won't have sex, if you and I don't take the proper precautions," Stan said to Marcia. "And if you're not able to live with that, I'm sorry honey."

"This is your FUTURE, Stan. If you don't want it fucked up, you need to address it," Ray bit. Marcia looks at him a moment, in shock at the steel in Stan's voice.

"I agree. This shit ends now,' Gene said.

"It's only because I love you," Stan says to Marcia. "And I have to be a man. And think of something other then my libido."

"I don't..." Marcia started.

"You don't what?" Stan asked her, irritation rising in him at how immature she seemed to him now.

"I don't know what to say because everyone is yelling at me," she said quietly.

"I won't be the reason ten years from now that you never did what you waited," Stan lowered his voice and touched her face. "I won't let my fucked up life ruin yours."

"I wouldn't look at it like that." she said quietly.

"IT will get fucked up if we don't stop and think before we screw," Stan said.

"We can buy pills for her until the cows come home, but we can't stand over her each day and force them down her throat. Are we wasting our damn TIME here?" Ray muttered in frustration.

"I've got a chance to make it as a rock star, and you as whatever you want. And the mistakes we make now will forever impact us," Stan further explained to her, sounding remarkably profound for a man of his age.

"It's now or never baby. You decide."

"Because if you're not going to be responsible, just leave, Marcia." Ray said angrily, pulling out of the lot and onto the street. There was steel in Stan's voice that visibly impressed Gene. The boy had suddenly shed his skin and become a man in the blink of an eye.

"Just leave and let Stan move on with his life." Ray continued.

"I will be responsible from now on," Stan said. "That's it."

"I.... I will be good," she said quietly.

"Good," Stan said. "And you'll do it for your own sake."

"Umm." she says, tears springing to her eyes again.

"Oh god here come the water works again," Gene winced. Ray shushed him, putting her hand on his knee as he squirmed visibly.

"And I won't let you have some fantasy of having a baby just to get away from your family. It won't work," Stan said. "I love you too much to do that to you."

She grabbed her coat and hat and holds them tightly, not making eye contact with anyone. Stanley asked her, "Do you want us to take you home?"

"I don't care," she said shyly, still not looking at him.

"You should," he said. "Because I do. And if you can't think ahead of your own problems, then I don't know if we can be together, baby."

"I said I would be good," she said, shaking. Ray looked at Gene a moment and Gene rolled his eyes, gritting his teeth as he struggled to keep from saying something acrid at this turn of events.

"I think... we should go somewhere where we can sleep this off," Stan said. Taking the vodka bottled he poured the rest out the window, then hurled the bottle into the street, smashing it.

"You feel better?" Gene mumbled.

"Tomorrow. I'll call tomorrow and make an appointment." Ray proposed.

"OK" Marcia said.

"Let's go Ray," Gene mumbled. "Go drop them off at Gloria's. I'm sure she won't mind the company."

"I want to sleep with you," Marcia looked at him with dark eyes.

"I need to go home," Stan mumbles. "This is after all my parent's car..."

"I'm not babysitting them," Gene hissed to Ray.

"Oh.... Well, if you want to go home...." Marcia started, crying softly into her coat. Ray looked at Stan a moment, with a look of helplessness.

"Honey I didn't mean..." Stan sighed in exasperation. "Shit... You can stay at my home, my sister Julia isn't home."

"Your parents wouldn't care?" she asked.

"My parents would be sort of weird, but I'm sure if I explained..."

"I don't have a nightgown," she mumbled.

"They would, but we'd have to sleep in separate beds," he said. "Julia has one."

"I'm not taking them home with us," Gene mumbled. Ray patted his hand.

"No, we're not," she whispered to him, realizing he must have one hell of a headache.

"Ray take us to my house..." Stan said. "I'll figure something out."

"I can maybe sleep in the car," Marcia said.

"You will NOT!" Stan snapped. "Stop being foolish, girl!"

She looked at him in fear and jumps a bit. Ray smiled to herself and mumbled, "About damn time."

"You are going to sleep in Julia's room," Stan said firmly. "And sleep this off. Or else I take you home NOW."

"I don't want to cause problems for you at home...damn, Stan, why are you being so MEAN to me?"

"Because I care," he snapped. "And because..."

"No, you don't. You just like to yell at me like everyone else," she pouted.

"Then stop being irresponsible," Stan mumbled. "And stop being selfish."

"I am NOT!" she cried. Ray pulled into the large suburban area where the rich homes began, unbeknownst to the arguing couple. For a few minutes Stan and Marcia bit their lips and then said nothing, till Marcia switched again.

"Stan?" she asked. "If we do go to your home... can we be together?"

"I can't," he sighed. "Please don't put me into this..."

"We can get a hotel room," she suggested. "I have some more money..."

"Good god," Gene sighed. "I think I've had enough of this drama..."

"Easy," Ray said, patting his thigh as she pulled up to Marcia's street. "Okay Marcia, we're at your place. Do you want me to drop you off here... or someplace else? Because you have to decide now."

"My home?" she stammered. "I don't want to go back there!"

"Honey," Stan sighed. "We have to drop by my place... this is my parents car."

"All right, that's it!" Gene snapped. He opened the door, and climbed out of the car, angrily slamming the door. Ray and the others started up in surprise, at Gene shaking his fist and kicking the nearest curb impatiently.

"What is HIS problem?" Stan asked as Gene knocked on the window.

"You decide WHAT the hell you're going to do. I'm washing my hands of this. Like you said, it's your damn car, and you damn the hell decide it, Stanley Eisen," Gene said, as Ray rolled down the passenger side window.

"Gene..." Stan stammered. Ray smiled and turned the car off, climbing out.

"He's right. And you should get your car back before your parents have a fit," said Ray. Stan suddenly smiled, and got out of his side of the car, getting behind the driver's wheel.

"Will you be okay?" he asked.

"Let's go Ray," Gene said. "Have a good night kid. Call me tomorrow... I want details... either way..."

"Bye Gene, you sick son of a bitch!" Stan laughed. "See you at rehearsal!"

"Not if I see you first, kid!" Gene yelled back as Stan pulled away, with a very perplexed Marcia. It stunned Stanley to see Gene taking charge in such a dramatic manner, and at that moment he wasn't sure if he was grateful or annoyed at Gene.

"I guess we'd better get inside," Ray mumbled as she struggled to keep up yet again with Gene's long legged stride.

"Ray, this is not our neighborhood," Gene mumbled back as he stopped, before the front of a total stranger's home. "This is the RICH end of town..."

"I know," she chuckled. "Well, got any bright ideas? Since you decided to take matters into your own hands and strand us out here?"

"Damn," Gene chuckled. "I really did it this time, didn't I?"

"Sure did," Ray laughed.

"Look for a bus stand I guess..." Gene said. "If I could remember where the damn stop is..."

"I recall it was up this way," she said, leading the way. Soon they emerged from the street after walking a few blocks, and arrived at the stone bench beside a small strip of park. Gene sat down first, sighing as he lay one leg along the bench and settled down to wait for the next available bus. Ray lowered herself to sit, but then winced as her jeans contacted the cold stone surface. Gene patted his lap and she sat down there instead, and they glanced up at the stately homes rising proudly around them.

''Someday I'll have a home like this," Gene said with definite surety. His arrogance and presumption both annoyed and astounded her, he seemed so sure of his destiny.

"It would be nice," she sighed. "But what the hell do you put in all those extra rooms?"

"Comic books," he grinned. "And whatever the hell else I want."

"No doubt," she smiled leaning into his arms. Gene hugged her close in the quickening breeze, and leaned out on the bench, pulling his long legs across. He shifted Ray to sit more sturdily on him, and the two simply enjoyed the closeness of physical presence. It stunned her how content Gene could simply enjoy her without always making a sexual move.

"Wonder when the next bus is coming," Gene mumbled, feeling the weariness set in him again.

"Let me check," she said, craning her neck to read the sign. "Hmm I can just make out... twelve thirty... what time is it..."

Glancing at his watch, Gene mumbled a curse, "Crap, missed it by ten minutes."

"Now what," Ray asked, with a deep sigh.

"Hmm, I think we walk back," Gene mumbled. "Damn, I'm sorry Ray..."

"Well it will keep us awake... but I don't know if I can keep up for long... I'm dead tired..."

"I know..." he sighed. "Well, maybe we can get a hotel..."

"In THIS part of town?" she chucked, as Gene urged her off his lap.

"We'll just have to try. And if you feel like you need a break I'll carry you," Gene laughed.

"You carry me?" she slapped him on the arm as they started off at a brisk pace. "RIGHT."

"You doubt me?" Gene growled playfully, putting his arm around her, and then conducting her along. She leaned on him heavily, and slowly they made their way in the growing night towards some unknown destination, knowing it would take a long haul before they reached a taxi or a subway station. Since Ray had driven into the area, she hoped she could recall something she had passed on the way out here from Gene's place.

"Damn, I'm glad I wore my tennis shoes," she laughed well naturedly, trying to keep up with Gene. He walked more slowly, trying to match her steady pace as they walked along past a park and a playground. For the next twenty or thirty blocks they wandered, Gene and Ray struggling to remember some way they had come into the neighborhood.

"One o'clock," Gene mumbled, glancing down at his watch again.

"Wait a minute, I think I recall seeing a hotel or a motel somewhere around here," she muttered, pulling Gene by the hand. They came at last to a parking lot ringed by a four-leveled motel. Its flickering neon sign said "vacancy," and things were definitely starting to look up when she saw the office lights still on.

"Hmm, 'the Lamplighter Inn'," Gene read the sign thoughtfully. "Hopefully it won't cost an arm and a leg..."

"Well, considering our options," she laughed. "Why don't we give it a try? It does say 'free breakfast'..."

"Can't pass that up," Gene agreed, too tired to argue. He held the door open to the office while she walked in and glanced around. A young Cuban gentleman slid open the glass window, glancing at Gene and Raina expectantly.

"Can I help you sir?" he asked Gene immediately, in good clear English.

"We'd like a room please, for just tonight," Gene said. The man noticed their lack of luggage and nodded politely.

"With a king sized bed if possible?" Ray added.

"Of course Ma'am," the man nodded. "40 dollars per night plus tax sir..."

"All right," Gene nodded, reaching into his wallet and pulling out some money. Mumbling he pulled out a twenty, and grumbled.

"Let me, dear..." she offered, reaching into her purse and handing him a twenty. Gene took her money and smiled as self confidently as he could.

"I'll just need your signature and address," the man said, and Gene signed his name to the registry book. Raina chuckled when she glanced over his shoulder and saw him signing Mr. and Mrs. Klein.

"Here is your key, breakfast is served in the dining room from 8 to 10, and checkout is 11 am. Enjoy your stay," the man said with a polite smile, handing the room key to them. "You are in room 203... second floor at the end of the building..."

"Thank you," Raina smiled, and they both exited the lobby.

"It's not the Ritz, but it's nice," Raina joked when Gene flipped the light on to their room, and they walked into the comfortable space. Shag carpet, a bright orange, coordinated with the golden brown of the plaid bedspread and the orange and yellow flowers on the wallpaper. Above the bed was a modern work of string art, giving a geometrician certain nightmares trying to solve the proofs for.

"Remind me of Mr. Hobart's geometry class," Gene joked. "Damn... I'm wiped out..."

"I am dying for a shower..." Ray sighed. "I hope they have the complimentary shampoo and soap... do you want it first?"

"Nah," Gene smiled, flipping on the television, and laying down on the bed. "Knock yourself out doll... ladies first..."

She watched him pull off his leather coat and hang it over the chair as he sat up to pull off his boots. He settled down and began to hunt through the complimentary newspaper for the television guide for late night movies. Chuckling to herself Raina kicked off her shoes and walked into the bathroom. Fresh towels and a small bottle of hotel shampoo awaited her, and she had just started to turn on the shower when she heard the door swinging open.

"Room for one more?" Gene asked, shirt unbuttoned.

"Always," she smiled, shedding her blouse. They helped each other undress the rest of the way, and Raina realized she hadn't showered with him before. Another new chapter had opened before them, and while she had seen Gene naked before, it seemed a novel experience to step into a shower while Gene adjusted and felt the temperature of the water with one hand.

"Feel good?" he asked, holding her hand out. She nodded and climbed in, slowly pulling the shower curtain to with Gene standing behind her. Opening up the shampoo bottle she stuck her head under the steamy stream and wet her long fall of hair. Gene grabbed a washcloth and began to soap it up, rubbing it down Raina's back sensually. She moaned and giggled as Gene worked his way down the small of her back to her butt, and then down her thighs to her calves. She lathered the shampoo through her rich waves and slowly arched her neck back while Gene took over and rubbed her shoulders.

"Oh yes, it's nice," she said, glancing over her shoulder at him coyly, not turning to face him. He again took the washcloth and rubbed it over her breasts teasingly, eliciting a giggle from her.

"Only nice?" Gene chided playfully in hear ear, over her shoulder.

"I was hoping there would be enough in this bottle for your hair," she laughed, turning around in his arms. She put her arms over her breasts reflexively, only to have Gene pull them gently away.

"I like to feast my eyes on your lovely body. How can you honestly stand there all hot and wet and deny me that pleasure, huh?" Gene coed in a velvet soft voice.

"Not very easily," said Raina, shivering into deep desire, propelled by his low tone. "But you need to wash first..."

"I had hoped you could help me with that detail," he licked his lips. He closed his eyes as she lathered up the same washcloth and traced it over his neck, then down his chest and then nudged him to turn around so she could reach up his back. She poured a quarter-sized portion of shampoo into her palm and reached up vainly to try and mash it into his hair. Gene smiled and knelt down on one knee before her so she could reach the top of his head. Stiff curly hair she squelched between her fingers, working the small amount of shampoo through it. Gene's moan of satisfaction was music to her ears, and she increased the pressure on his scalp through her fingers. He leaned his head against her belly and slowly kissed up as he rose again from one knee.

"And I thought you said you were tired," she shook her head.

"Tired, but I DIDN'T specify the cause as to what caused it, or the nature of my weariness..." Gene said slyly, looping arms around her and pulling her tightly so their soap slick skin merged. Raina slowly pressed her ear to his chest as her hands worked over his back to rise away soapsuds, and Gene's hands simultaneously tickled over her back. He squeezed lightly along her spine working magic with those fingers as she did the same.

"Gene," she said, feeling a lump come to her throat.

"What love?" Gene asked, stroking her hair as he rinsed it out. "What's going on in that pretty head of yours?"

"Well, I just can't get my mind off of Marcia," she sighed. "Gene, do you know of any girls we could hook Stan up with... I think she REALLY needs to stop seeing him..."

"I think I might have some ideas," Gene said. "Maybe he needs some woman with more experience..."

"And more maturity. Someone who isn't so clingy..."

"Right," Gene nodded. "Absolutely. This needs to be nipped in the bud before it gets in the way of the band..."

"Yes, before she gets any more ideas," Ray nodded. She yawned deeply and Gene smiled as she rested her head on his chest. It suddenly occurred to her that maybe nocturnal activities could wait a bit, perhaps till tomorrow morning, and perhaps he might be all right.

"And I think I have some ideas about what you and I should do," Gene whispered sweetly in her ear. "Namely in the nocturnal activities department..."

"Oh Gene," she sighed. "I'd love to oblige you..."

"Let's get out of here and try to discuss this at length..." said Gene, rinsing the rest of the shampoo off his hair and hers. He got out first and then held out a towel for her to step into. For a few minutes they dried off before Gene hitched the towel around his hips and she around her chest to make an improvised sarong.

"Not much in the way of elegant nightwear," she joked as Gene opened the bathroom door and she felt herself picked up in his strong arms. "This is getting to be a habit..."

"You said you'd oblige me," Gene said slyly, carrying her to the bed and setting her down on it. He sat down next to her and pulled the sheets aside, slipping under them and pulling them up to his chest. She watched him throwing her his most innocent and demure look that he was capable of.

"You're nuts," said Ray, shaking her head. "Worse then a big KID sometimes..."

"I try my best, love," he laughed, lifting the sheets.

"So what's your master plan?" she asked, snuggling up to him. Gene lifted his arm and draped it around her, propping up the pillows so he could get comfortable. Her eyes fell on the late, late movie The Incredible Shrinking Man.

"Master plan, who me?" he asked. "As I recall, the kid and his girlfriend were supposed to be renting the hotel room..."

"You're not thinking they could have picked THIS very hotel, could you?" she groaned.

"We'll hear soon enough," Gene winked wickedly.

"You shaddup," she groaned. He nuzzled into her hair and licked her earlobe lightly, exploring the valleys of her ear softly.

"I could get used to this," he cooed, tugging the towel from around her and from around himself and tossing them to the floor on the side of the bed.

"So could I," she yawned, making a nest in the soft flannel sheets and curling up with her head on his chest. He sighed and stretched out his legs the full length of the bed for a change. The mattress that cushioned them both was midway between firm and soft, perfect for a tired body worn out from traipsing around the city. Glancing down at Raina he heard her soft even breathing in his arms. He leaned down and kissed her lips softly, whispering, "Good night love..."