What the Deuce?

By Trynia Merin
Note, this story takes place after Within. Mennehotep is my character. Sohkarra belongs to Jaime, and Nefertina and Bez belong to Mummies Alive, owned by DIC. The members of KISS and their persona are based on real persons, and are property of themselves. This is written for fanfiction and fan amusement only, and means no harm to any party whatsover.
Menne still couldn't help but wonder if there was something she had missed before the KISS concert. A whole three hours had been lost, and she had nothing to show for it but a haze. Why had Gene given her that kiss on the cheek and that squeeze? Normally she would chalk it up to the usual rambunctious flirtation he was famous for. But what was this about a "promise" he swore he'd keep.

One by one the guys strode offstage in their platform shoes. They towered over each of the technicians to a strangely grotesque and larger then life height, all matching in black and silver except for the flesh that was exposed. She saw Peter Criss first, his costume in rags as he shook his head, and the costume woman Gloria clicked her tongue.

"Did the obsessives get to you again, Mr. Criss?" she asked him.

"I don't the hell know," he grumbled as he plunged his arms into a basin of ice water. Nefertina pulled up a stool and perched next to him to keep him company. Already the makeup was chafing.

Paul caught sight of Menne, who was rather confused and moved up to her quickly. He pressed a quick kiss to her cheek, the smell of his sweat thick on her nostrils. Some of it even soaked through her T-shirt. She hugged him close for a minute, before Doc McGhee interrupted them.

"Sorry Paul, but do you have a few minutes to sign some autographs?" Doc asked him.

"Sure. Excuse me Menne. I'll just be a few minutes. Then I'll get showered and cleaned up, and maybe we could catch some dinner at the hotel later..."

"Sure Paul," she smiled, feeling a little bit sad inside. Yet she knew he had his duty which seemed strangely familiar to her old royal ones so long ago. Turning, she walked away from him as he blew her a kiss, and the bodyguards whisked her away.

Well she remembered that fateful day she had taken him into the woods, to escape for a brief yet sweet interlude. He had kissed her there sweetly, sharing soft passion with her in a few stolen moments. It seemed as if the rock star had the heart and soul of a prince. Strange how someone who had come from a dirty city such as New York could be so complex.

Gene posed for the slew of groupies they had let into the green room with the VIP passes. HE raised one dragon boot and lifted his arms, sticking his tongue out. Menne walked by him and shook her head. He really did not frighten her much any more. In fact he looked comical, like the clowns of this time trying to amuse.

"Having fun?" she asked him coolly. He excused himself from the clot of women clustered around him.

"You know it, sweetheart," he laughed. "Come to worship the God of Thunder?"

"I have my own religion, thank you, Gene Simmons," she shot back. Gene laughed at this statement, his laugh deep and rich. For some reason she didn't feel as intimidated by him as she had in months past.

"Hey, can I get a picture of you and your groupies?" asked one reporter. Menne was pushed into the batch of squirming white-faced groupies unceremoniously. For a moment she fought against the pushing, shoving women, unable to breathe. She felt Gene's hand grip her hip and pull her close, till she was tight against him.

"Smile! Give me more tongue!" the reporter shouted. Gene had Menne in one arm, two or three girls in his other as he raised his boot, and began to wag his tongue for the camera, his eyes rolling around to the blood shot whites in a grotesque yet comical mask.

"Isis, help me," Menne groaned as a whole series of flash bulbs went off, and she was forever captured in the magazines next tot he Demon and his horde of women admirers.

Gene turned his head and wagged his tongue at Menne, who promptly rolled her eyes and turned away. Another flash immortalized this scene for all time. What tabloids would get these pictures, she internally wondered?

Enough was enough, she decided. In an unprecedented move, and one she was already regretting now, she leapt up and seized him around the neck. Her tongue reached out and touched his in the next photo. The second round of flashes sounded off, and Menne threw herself into his confused grasp as she seized his face and plastered a smacking kiss on his dark painted lips. Gene was so astonished he lost his grip on the groupies who vanished in a whirl of screams.

They separated, panting at each other with dark questioning gazes. Gene was flabbergasted, while Menne surprised. He had not expected this in a million years. Reporters raised their cameras, begging for one last shot. Gene's arm reached down and scooped her up, pulling her close with no effort at all till their faces were on the same level. Dark brown eyes met smoldering onyx, and Menne saw the challenge in them for a moment. The next her breath stopped in her throat at the feel of his lips on hers. For a moment she struggled to push him away, the next she folded her arms around his neck and matched his kiss with her own. Her feet left the ground as she forced all her frustration at him into the lip caress, her kiss hungry and anxious.

Strangely enough, the Demon pulled her away a little, rubbing his tongue over her lips to stop her assault. His lip touch was strangely soft and tender, sending flames of odd passion surging through her veins. Fear shivered in her body when she felt his tongue moving over her lips trying to tease them apart. In an angry gasp she buried her own tongue between his lips, beating him to the task of such invasion. However it was not invasion, but a strange merging of odd desires that floated to the surface of her confused mind. Gasping, she pulled away from him, realizing she actually enjoyed his kiss and the feel of his hands on her body.

"Oh Isis what am I doing?" she groaned, flushing dark rose as she turned her head away.

"Everything right, Queenie," Gene laughed lightly, still holding her off her feet. "That was nice..."

"Really?" she asked.

"Really," Gene smiled, eyes sparkling. "And it can be better yet..."

"You flatter yourself too much..."

"That was aimed at you sweetheart. You've got one hell of a kiss there. And I'll be damned if I don't see a smile on that lovely face of yours..."

"Hmm," Menne chuckled, shaking her head. "Don't push your luck."

"You're blushing, Queenie," he laughed.

"Oh shut up," she laughed back, scarcely believing that she was actually not punching his lights out. She couldn't resist running her hands through his hair when she realized how soft it was. Their eyes fixed again, and she found herself leaning forwards for another kiss. Gene bridged the gap, clutching her close to his armored form as their lips met simultaneously. This time she let his tongue slip past her lips, not ravaging but dancing intricately and surpassingly delicately in her mouth. Fingers buried into his hair, pulling his jaw closer into hers. Hungrily her kiss increased, her hands tracing down his armored back to plunge behind his cloak. There she felt soft spandex, and the strong muscles of his back. He was large and powerful in her arms, holding her there with no effort at all as his hands kneaded and caressed her back with a precision and skill few could boast.

"All right, break it up, peoples!" Doc shouted, snapping his fingers. Road Security swarmed over the reporters and groupies, pulling them away from Gene. They were about to pull Menne away when Gene held tightly to her.

"You idiots, she's one of us," he called out, pointing to her shirt. Sure enough they stopped when they saw the telltale plastic badge around her neck. Gene set her down, and led her away by the hand along the corridor of security guards toward the dressing room.

A loudly colored sheet almost hit her in the face before Gene lifted it up and pulled her along behind him into another world. Bright lights ringed the mirrors, and Menne realized she had seen this place only once before, when Paul had sent for her to join him. Just before they had escaped for a mere few minutes into the woods of Scranton so Paul could get a break.

Sohkarra was watching as Peter pulled his arms out of a huge tub of ice water, shaking them off. Nefertina quickly toweled him off helpfully. She glanced oddly at the sight of Gene and Menne hand in hand, and sensed Menne's confusion. What had happened between the Demon and her friend? Costume personnel descended on Gene, helping him to divest himself of the armor. Again Menne was separated from a band member, grateful this time, yet somewhat regretful. That kiss had shaken her up more then she would like to admit.

"Ra damn him," she sighed, rubbing the black lipstick off as she glimpsed her appearance in the mirror. "Why does something that feels so good have to be so annoying?"

Just then a tall stranger in a white towel walked out from the back, rubbing his wet hair with another towel. He dropped it, and mahogany eyes met Menne's.

"Menne, good timing, baby," he smiled at her. "Just gimmie a minute to get some clothes on and we can go..."

"Are you sure there aren't more pressing places you have to be?" she asked him.

"No way, they can wait," he laughed, grabbing fresh clothes from a pile on his makeup table. Ace had thrown off the rest of his costume till he was only in the undergarment now. He grabbed a towel and rushed back into the shower room after a quick see you later to Sohkarra.


"Mr. Stanley would love it if you could bring him a bottle of Chianti," Scott said, moving up to Menne. She was pushing a heavy crate into position with two other roadies as they put several of the more valuable pieces of equipment to bed for the night. Even the Pyrotechnicians helped out once in a while with the more menial chores. Menne felt it was akin to schlepping stones back and forth to build the Temple of Luxor or her mother's temple. At least that was what it must feel like.

"I'm sorry but he'll have to wait," she said.

"He's rather insistent."

"Ra damn it," Menne cursed under her breath. Sometimes these men of KISS reminded her of her own spoiled brat siblings growing up. Since they were the modern equivalent to royalty, she wondered if she had ever been this bad or stuck up. They treated their servants like well... servants!

"Look, he insisted," Scott said.

"Is he going to draw and quarter you if you don't deliver?" she asked.

"No, that's Gene," he laughed, then lowered his voice as he pulled Menne out of earshot of the other road crew. "No, he just wants to talk to you... but I was told it was a secret..."

"Oh, I'm sorry to be so dense," Menne apologized, catching his knowing wink.

"His hotel room is 616," said Scott. "Don't be late...."

He pushed a hotel key into her hand, and walked her over to where she could get a limo to the hotel. Already most of the guys had gone with their respective accompaniment. As Scott watched the limo drive away, he slowly morphed into a small green dwarf with a mischievous cackle.

"Isn't 'Mr. Stanley' going to have the surprise of his life," Bez cackled, rubbing his hands with glee. "It isn't fair that Sohkarra should have all the fun with these rock and rollers!"


Just then Paul came out from under the Superman sheet, glancing back and forth anxiously. Where had Menne disappeared?

"Chris?" he asked, grabbing one of the security guards. "You seen Menne? Menne Curie?"

"Oh well they needed some help locking down for the night, so she got borrowed..."

"All right," Paul nodded. "Just give her a message next time you see her that I want to talk to her about a possible pay raise..."

"Sure thing boss," he nodded, knowing not to ask questions. Ace was just getting dressed from his own shower when Sohkarra moved up to greet him.

"You did very well," she said with a smile.

"Thanks to you, babe," he smiled. Thank God he hadn't drunk a single drop before the show. She was slowly coming to know his various habits whether she wanted to or not, but the knowledge did have its uses.

"So, is the encore coming up next?"

"Yeah, that reminds me, have you seen Gene? He loaned me a copy of the latest demo to listen to, and I haven't found him lately..."

"There's only one place he could be," Peter cut in, as he came out of the shower in a bathrobe. Nefertina got up from where she sat in front of his makeup chair, and handed him a fresh change of clothes.

"You had to ask Ace, didn't you," Paul laughed before he got ready to go back to the hotel.

"Well it was an honest question," Sohkarra gently pointed out.

"Jeez Ace, come in for a landing," Peter nudged him. "And go with your lady and have some fun, and let Gene have his..."

Paul gave a slow smile, wondering what lady Gene had chosen for his nightly ritual of the encore. Thinking further along these lines, Paul hoped Menne would not be adverse to yet another enjoyment of his own 'encore'. He wanted to take things very slowly with this woman, for he somehow sensed it would be worth the wait. Unlike Gene or some of the other guys, he enjoyed taking his time with some women. In some ways he was the most guilty of wanting to take a woman they would meet on the road along for the ride, something Gene strongly put his foot down about.

"See you guys at breakfast!" Paul called out to his bandmates. He moved out to the back door, in search of a limo and relaxation. He hoped Chris could find Mennehotep soon and have her join him with the subtle hint.

Sohkarra back in the dressing room suddenly frowned. Her mystical senses cried out to her that instant, leaving her clutching the sides of her head. Peter noticed her at first, because Ace was just listening to some last minute demos before he would return the CD to Gene tomorrow morning.

"You okay little girl?" Peter asked. "You don't look so hot... you have a migraine or something?"

"No. It's nothing," Sohkarra quickly breathed. Nefertina moved over to her as well, concern in her grey eyes. She alone knew the true significance of that gesture; trouble was brewing, and anything could result from its fruit.

"What is it?" she whispered to her friend.

"An old feeling...." Sohkarra gritted her teeth. "Let's go find Mennehotep..."

Anxiously Mennehotep carried the bottle of Chianti to room 616. She could guess what Paul wanted, but knew that he would not press the issue. After all she had spent at least three nights in his room before, each resulting in hours of conversation followed by her release to the room she'd share with Nefertina. Only once before since her first night with him had she enjoyed the company of him in a more intimate way. He had been a gentleman however, and they had only gone to sleep in each other's arms, nothing more. She enjoyed the feel of his chest under her cheek, the soft silk of his bathrobe pressed up to her body. It wrapped her in a sense of comfort she hadn't known since... since...

Since a long time, she soberly reflected. When was the last time she and Tuthmosis had made love? Granted it was difficult in their mummified states, but through the power of Sohkarra's blush of life spell it would be possible. However, Tuthmosis rarely took the opportunity to take advantage of this rare opportunity. Menne hungered for the touch of a man, and wondered if Sohkarra had ever reached that level of intimacy with JaKal? She had tried to ask about how far Sohkarra had gone with Ace, but the topic seemed forbidden.

However Nefertina was more then happy to divulge her own times of late. She had found pleasure with a man of the modern world at last. It had started with Pep, but Menne had been led to understand that was little more then a platonic relationship with no promises to go further. Then there was Cameron, a loose thread that still begged to be tied off now that Nefertina had thrown herself into this tour along with Menne and Sohkarra. Things seemed to be going well on that front till now. How would Nefertina explain this current situation with him?

She had cornered Nefertina with two pints of Guinness, and the two began to swap stories. The subject of that first night came up, and Nefertina blushed profusely.

"So what did you two actually do on that balcony?"

"More then meowing and seeing the stars," Nefertina laughed.

"I thought as much," Menne said.

"Uh huh..."

Menne's mind wheeled back to the present as she raised her hand to knock at the door, and slowly a mischievous smile came over her face. Tuthmosis be damned, she decided. Tonight would be the night she gave herself to Paul. So what if it was considered an affair? After all Tuthmosis had more then one wife, didn't he?

She slipped in the key card, and crept into the room. It was dimly lit, and Menne saw the shape of the covers draped over a prone figure on the king-sized bed. This was odd, that Paul had suddenly gone to bed without waiting for her. Perhaps it was part of this romancing game.

She slipped off her jacket, and put the Chianti down on the bedside table. So that's how he wanted it. Surprised by her own boldness she slipped off her shoes, and moved closer. "I'm here, loverboy," she cooed softly. The sheets rustled as the figure turned over, apparently still asleep. Reaching under the blankets she felt what seemed bare skin.

She pressed a kiss to what felt like Paul's ear, and breathed into it. "I'm here..."

"Mm, I've been waiting," came a hoarse whisper, and she felt her chin stroked by those fine hands that were callused from guitar playing. "Why don't' you get rid of some of those clothes baby..."

"You are frisky tonight," she answered his whisper, amazed that Paul was in the mood for more. Her body ached for his ministrations. Would he let things take their course, or would he be the gentleman again?

Soon her appearance was like his, and she heard the rustle of the sheets tossed back as the figure of Paul sat up in the bed. He held out his hand to her, and she shyly took it as he guided her to sit next to him. The covers wrapped around them both in their soft satiny embrace. A strong muscled arm pulled her close to his body, so different from that of an ancient Egyptian man.

"I've waited all day for this," she whispered.

"So have I... and it's quite a surprise. I didn't think I'd have company tonight..." came the soft whisper, followed by a gentle soft press of his lips to her cheeks, then her nose.

Menne let him fold her into his strong arms, pressing her body to his. It felt so good, and so right. Why had she waited so long? Up and down her bare back his fine hands caressed and touched, each contact sending a firework show of sensations on her skin. His touch seemed magic itself, and she never tired of the soft kisses that traced down her cheeks to her neck. Menne pulled his body to hers, wondering for a moment why he didn't feel quite so hairy as she remembered. Little matter, for perhaps he had shaved? Hands plunged into the mass of wiry curls, her lips finding his in the darkness. She covered his mouth with a hungry kiss, pressing her chest close to his.

"Let's not wait anymore," she moaned to him. "I want to be with you tonight, my love..."

"Whatever you want, baby," came the hoarse reply, still barely more then a whisper. Soft lips closed over hers, tenderly returning her kiss with the passion of hot fire. She saw him separate himself from her for a moment, then join her again.

Again their lips met, their hands tracing and exploring each other's bodies as if for the first time. Indeed it did feel strangely fresh and new, and Menne wondered if it was the fire of her own passion changing her perceptions, or something far more. Against her heart she could feel his beating, and relished the soft caress of his lips to her body. He seemed so gentle, even when he lay her down, pressing her into the sheets under his weight.

They came together in the dark, their kisses a sea of sweetness she never wanted to end. In her mind she cast Tuthmosis out, and knew that he no longer held that place within her heart. Every need in her life grew painfully apparent, when she realized that he had been so inattentive. Nothing she had with him now could compare to this, or to what these modern men and the modern world could offer...

Sohkarra tensely road in the limo next to a confused Ace, and opposite a confused and concerned Nefertina and Peter. Nefertina bit her lip, wondering what precisely Sohkarra had sensed, and how it would involve them and KISS.

"Baby, what's going down?" Ace asked.

"I think Menne's in trouble," Sohkarra sighed, realizing even if they did know their minds could easily be persuaded to forget as they did before.

"How?" asked Peter. "Is someone out to get her..."

"The answer is yes," Sohkarra admitted, weighing her words carefully. "WE must see what has happened..."

"I don't get it," Peter shook his head. "She said she was gonna meet with Paul... for a encore. Paul had Chris wait for her to get a bottle of Chianti to take to him..."

"But Menne's nowhere to be found," Sohkarra said.

"Nope, nowhere..."

"You don't think she's been kidnapped do you?" Peter asked. He grabbed the cell phone and started to dial.

"What are you doing?" Nefertina asked.

"Calling Paul... in one case he'll be embarrassed if Menne is with him, Paul... are you there man?"

Peter waited tensely. Still there were a few more minutes to get to the hotel, and they were stuck in some late night traffic jam. Some fans had suddenly rushed on both side of the limo, and Sohkarra could hear their fists beating on the doors.

"Shit, groupies," Ace complained as the limo began to shake. It slowly rocked back and forth as the groupies seized hold of it.

"What's going on?" Nefertina cursed. "Can't they leave us alone?"

Sohkarra reached out with her mind as Peter struggled to hear the other end of his conversation with Paul. She could not tell what he was saying over the shouting of the groupies and the rocking of the limo.

Suddenly a blue flash shoved into the groupies, expanding from the surface of the limo. It gently but firmly nudged them away from the vehicle, knocking them backward with a wall of sapphire force. People blinked and shook their heads as they saw the limousine suddenly vanish before their eyes. As suddenly as the assault had started, it had stopped, and Ace turned appreciatively to Sohkarra.

"I don't know how you did that babe, but thanks," he said, knowing that her unique abilities had saved the day.

Peter hung up the cell phone, and looked at them tensely. "Well?" Nefertina demanded.

"She's not with Paul! I just called him and he said he'd sent Chris to find her, but she never showed up in the last hour!"

"Damn!" Sohkarra got out. "WE have got to get there!"

"Mr. Frehley, Mr. Criss," came the limo driver's answer as he slid the glass partition back. "We're here..."

"About time," Ace muttered as they shoved open the door and pushed past the groupies through the corridor of security guards to the hotel lobby. Nefertina and Sohkarra flanked them, anxious and worried.

Menne awakened to a strange cackle she could swear she heard before. A pair of strong arms hugged her close to the male body that closed around her protectively.

"What's wrong, babe?" the whisper asked. "You cold?"

"I thought I heard something," she sighed, shivering. Lips pressed close to her cheeks, the arms holding her close. "Someone in the room... laughing at me..."

"Nobody's gonna hurt you as long as I'm here," came the answer, still in a whisper. "Not unless they want their asses kicked..."

"How gallant of you," she laughed. They leaned together, pressing a soft gentle kiss to each other's lips.

"I'll be right back," he whispered, parting from the kiss and rising from the bed. She heard the rustle of silk as he pulled a bathrobe around him, and disappeared into the bathroom. She hugged herself and gave a slow delicious laugh as she stretched.

Again the cackle sounded, and she froze. It couldn't be, could it? But whom else could that laugh belong to? She remembered Sohkarra's story of a certain green dwarf that got her into this mess with KISS in the first place.

"Enjoying yourself, oh Queen Mennehotep?"

"Who the hell is there!" she shouted. "Show yourself... coward!"

"What, and miss the action? Really Mennehotep, you should know me better then that!"

Momentarily he rushed back into the room, wrapping an arm around her as she shivered in the darkness. "Whom are you talking to, love?" he asked. At first the voice didn't register, and Menne ignored that it didn't sound much like Paul.

"I don't know if you'd understand but it's someone who was responsible for us being with you guys in the first place..."

"Mmm, I'll have to thank him then, sweetheart," came his laugh, and she felt the strong arms go around her. Again the cackle sounded, and Menne shivered against him, pressing her body to his under the sheets.

"Paul. You don't understand. This guy is serious..."

"Paul? Aren't you mixed up, Queenie," came the answer. Suddenly someone pounded anxiously on the door.

"Menne, are you in there!" came Paul's voice. Menne shivered, and tensed. Again the cackle sounded and she choked with fear.

"Who the hell is that!" 'Paul' bellowed next to her. Suddenly the light flared on, and Menne let out a cry of surprise and shock.

"Surprise Princess!" came the cackle as she saw a little green dwarf appear floating in midair, with a very amused expression.

"Bez!" she shouted.

"Menne! Are you okay in there!" came Paul's voice from beyond the door. "Open up..."

"I... I can't..." Menne stammered out when she saw whose voice it was. What was Paul doing outside the door when he was inside with her? Was it one of Bez' tricks?

"All right, what the hell is going on here, and how the hell did you get in here, you freak!" bellowed the voice of her companion. Menne let out another startled cry when she saw who was in bed next to her. Dark brown hair curled over his shoulders, his dark eyes sparkling with concern for her. The red silk robe covered his massive frame, his chest covered in hair not as abundant as Paul's. No wonder he had felt differently to her. Protectively he held Menne to him, glaring daggers at the intruder who laughed his proverbial butt off.

"Gene!" Menne gasped, looking into his eyes. A sense of fear rose over her. "Oh my god..."

"Menne! Hold on I'm breaking the door down!" came Paul's anxious cry.

"Surprise!" Bez laughed, throwing confetti over them all. "Rock and Roll! I hope you enjoyed my little prank..."

"Holy shit who is this?" Gene asked, hugging Menne close, still in shock at whom she had been with these past few hours. "Before I rip him a new one!"

"Have fun, God of Thunder! You just got yourself the Queen of the Nile!" Bez cackled before he vanished.

"You get back here you... you..." Menne cried, shaking her fist at the disappearing green dwarf. Anger blazed in her dark onyx eyes. In that moment he felt intensely guilty for what he had just done, because she was clearly worth more then a one-night fling. Indeed he had desired her, but not in this way. Not like this, with subterfuge.

"Babe," Gene got out, laying a hand on her shoulder. "I don't know who the hell that was, but..."

"Gene... you... and I..." Menne got out as she backed away from him.

"Baby what..." he got out. "You didn't know it was me, did you? You thought I was Paul didn't you?"

"I thought Paul had sent Scott for me... and..."

Suddenly the door crashed open as Paul burst through it. Shock filled his face when he saw the occupants of the bed, and the room. "Menne are you all right... oh man..."

"Paul..." she got out, wrapping the sheet around her.

"She's okay, loverboy," Gene said, looking from his bandmate to Mennehotep. "But someone tell me what the hell's going on here?"

"That's what I want to know," Paul asked, looking oddly at the two of them. "Menne, I thought that you and I were supposed to get together tonight... What's going on here?"

"But I thought he was you, and I couldn't help myself..." Menne got out, before she began to cry. Paul's eyes had that hurt look, and she couldn't stand to be in the room a single minute longer.

"Menne... I..." Gene got out.

"Why didn't you tell me you wanted to be with Gene?" Paul asked. "I would have understood."

"But this is not what it seems like I mean... oh damn!" she cried, burying her face into the pillow. "I wanted to be with you Paul, tonight... because I felt it was the right time, and... then this happened!"

"Save it, Casanova," Gene sighed. Menne burst into tears, hugging herself tightly. Paul let out a deep sigh and sat down on the edge of the bed, folding her into his arms. Gene rested a hand on her shoulder as Paul held her sobbing form close to him.

"I didn't know it was him," she got out. "I never meant this to happen... I feel so ashamed... I thought you were in room 616, Paul. And then Scott came and told me where you were..."

"But I sent Chris to find you..." Paul protested.

"Hold on, this makes no sense..." Gene got out. Both rockers exchanged a glance, and knew that they had been tricked. Someone had a very nasty sense of humor, and Menne had been an unwitting victim.

"I feel so stupid!" Menne wailed.

"You shouldn't," Gene said. "I'm not. And you have nothing to be ashamed of! As a matter of face I don't think you felt stupid at all..."

"Gene," Paul snorted. "Don't go there..."

"I'm sorry Paul I just," Menne cried into the front of his overalls, as he rocked her close.

"Look, I'm not angry at you. Someone's played a nasty trick on you..." he said slowly. "When Peter called me and said you'd disappeared...."

"Oh shit," Gene realized, stroking Menne's hair as she continued to cry into Paul's shoulder. "Someone really got me, and you... I'm so sorry Menne I didn't want it to happen... I mean I wanted it to happen but not like this..."

"When I get the son of a bitch who did this... he's dead..." Paul growled.

"Make that double," Gene added, eyes darkening with anger. "They had no right to screw with you Menne."

"Then you're not mad, Paul?" she asked.

"No way. " Paul said vehemently kissing her forehead. "It's not your fault..."

"It was that green goon wasn't it? Was he somehow responsible?" Gene asked slowly.

"What green goon?" Paul asked. "What on Earth are you going on about man?"

"There was this jackass floating over the bed when we woke up, and he said something about Menne here being the queen of the Nile... I don't know what to believe," Gene muttered.

"Oh man, this is whacked," Paul shook his head. "Menne..."

"He's as real as you and me," she sighed. Paul gently wiped her tears with his fingers, continuing to hold her close. Gene had moved up next to her on the bed, his hand stroking over her back, and his face dark with concern and regret.

"So who is this 'he' that you're talking about?" Paul asked her.

"The Egyptian God of Mischief, known as Bez," she sighed.

"The who of what?" Gene asked, blinking in confusion. Yet the look in Menne's eyes was far from joking.

"You've met him before..." she started to tell them.

"Say what?" Gene roared. "I would've remembered meeting someone like him, guaranteed!"

Menne understood why he didn't remember his first encounter with Bez. She was certain that Sohkarra would have erased their memory of meeting the dwarf god. All except but Ace's that is. "Bez is the one responsible for bringing Sohkarra to Ace in the first place. He wanted to get revenge on her for what had transpired between her brother's spirit host and the royal guardians prior to her reawakening. After that Sohkarra joined Ace.... You know the rest..."

"You have got to be kidding me," Paul almost laughed, but then thought better of it at Gene's warning look. This was deadly serious. Both men knew that ever since these three women had become involved in their tour, nothing had been the same. The extraordinary became the ordinary. Their lives had become even more unpredictable than they already were. And definitely more exciting! But deep down, none of them would have traded the last few weeks with these women for anything.

"He has the power to play pranks on anyone. Make whatever is real into the absurd...He even managed to work his infamy with Sohkarra, so as you can see, no one is immune to his so called charms..."

"He has some super powers, like you and the girls do," Gene muttered. "Is he some sort of supervillain or arch nemesis like Lex Luther, or more along the lines of a prankster like the Joker... or Mzxklplick?"

"Who?" Menne asked, looking more confused then ever.

"Comic book characters," Paul explained to Menne. "Jeez Gene, can you get a clue? Not everyone is into that stuff as deeply as you are."

"A prankster he is, and an arch nemesis too," Menne clarified. She was at last beginning to calm down, even though she felt extremely self conscious and awkward wrapped just in the sheet, pressed close against Paul who was fully clothed in his overalls, and a white bandanna tied around his fall of curly hair.

A knock shattered the silence, and all three of them glanced at each other anxiously. Gene grabbed a bathrobe and passed it to Mennehotep and Paul. His look of question was met by Paul's answer, "That sounds like the cavalry."

"What took them so long?" Gene wondered.

"Oh...Kay, now what?" Paul asked, looking from Gene to Mennehotep.

"Why don't you get yourself decent, Queenie?" Gene suggested. Menne nodded and took the offered bathrobe, gathering the bedsheet around her. Gene handed her her clothing and showed her where the bathroom was.

"Paul, Gene!" came Peter's voice. "You guys okay?"

"We're fine!" Paul shouted through the door. "Give us five minutes, okay man?"

"Is Menne there?" asked Sohkarra's voice.

"Yeah, and she's fine!" Gene answered, before he realized this wasn't the right time.

"Man, this is gonna be interesting," Paul sighed. Menne emerged, dressed in the T-shirt and jeans again that she had worn into the room. Paul gently took her hand and they moved over to the door. Another awkward look passed between Gene and Menne, before Paul led her out of the room.

"Menne I'm sorry," Gene got out again.

"Look Man, just don't even bring it up, okay?" Paul asked.

"Nothing happened," Menne said firmly. "Right Gene?"

"Whatever you say, Queenie," Gene said, with a look of regret as they left the room to join the others. With a sigh he returned to the bed, and sat down on it, exhaling deeply. It was not going to be easy to get to sleep now, he reflected.

That next day, Mennehotep seemed most distant. Sohkarra had worried about her friend, but when she saw Paul taking her to his room, she assumed her friend wanted time alone with the Star Child. However, the strange emotional vibes that she got from Mennehotep worried her. Plus the residual energies were screaming of Bez presence.

"Damn, can't he leave well enough alone?" she asked. While the guys rehearsed that day, she had sneaked into room 616, and realized something had gone dreadfully wrong.

As she walked around the large suite, she sensed the ancient energies rising to fever pitch. Wrinkling her nose in distaste she realized what had happened. The room stank of Bez' mischief, and two other essences. Gene's naturally, and Menne's. She frowned. What was Menne doing in Gene's room unless....

Unless...

Anger boiled up in Sohkarra's ancient soul. She clenched and unclenched her fists spasmodically when the realization hit uncomfortably. Bez had done something to Menne, one of her closest friends in this time. Rushing out of Gene's room she raced off down the hall, her hand misting unconsciously. She did not hear the cackle that rose in the room at her departure.

"Well princess, the fun has begun," Bez laughed as he momentarily materialized.

It was a few minutes later when Sohkarra arrived at the arena where KISS was sold out for three nights in a row. This was the second night, and already they were slated to play a fourth show their performance had been so popular.

She bumped into Nefertina, who was just leaving Peter a message outside of rehearsal. "Oh, hi there!" she said, backing away. "Didn't see you, Princess..."

"There's no need for formalities between us," Sohkarra reminded her. "I wondered, have you seen Menne?"

"Yeah, but she refused to say anything to me, except that she was fine and not to worry. It's like she's withdrawing from me... us..."

"Damn," Sohkarra sighed. "This is worse then I thought. Is she talking to Paul?"

"I don't know. I saw her and Paul come to the rehearsal together, but even then she seemed out of it."

"Let me know when they get out," Sohkarra said. "I'm going to find her and get to the bottom of this..."

"You went back tot he hotel in a hurry..."

"Bez is behind this, I know it to be so! I hate to ask Menne to break her silence, but somehow... I know he has done something terrible to her... and it involves Gene..."

"Well maybe you should ask Gene if Menne won't fess up..." Nefertina suggested. AT this Sohkarra made a face and rolled her eyes.

"I doubt he will tell," she sighed.

"Well, it's worth a shot. He knows that you are friends... and if not him... then Paul?"

Sohkarra knew her friend's mental traces well, and searched for her among the other road crew. She found her friend busy at work with laying charges for that night' performance. Again she sensed the sadness and regret filling her friend's mind, and it confirmed her fear. Somehow she also knew this wasn't the time to breach the subject, in front of Menne's coworkers and friends.

It had to wait. Sighing, she went off to the rehearsal, and to wait for them to end. It was two hours that passed before this, and the four men of KISS decided it was time for lunch. They had already begun to break down their equipment when Sohkarra walked in as nonchalantly as she could.

"Hey baby," Ace grinned as she walked over to him. "Got a kiss for you main man?"

She pecked him on the cheek, and turned to Paul, ignoring Gene deliberately. With a snort Gene moved away, the tension still flying between the two. Peter stepped down from his drumset while Paul turned to Sohkarra, his mahogany eyes filled with concern.

"You know, don't' you?" he asked her.

"It depends upon what you mean. I need to know if Menne is all right..."

"Not here," Paul whispered, taking her arm.

"Hey, what about lunch..." Ace asked, before Peter stepped on his toes.

"Later man..." Peter whispered. He alone suspected what was going down, and knew that Sohkarra and Paul's conversation was for their ears alone.

They found a quiet corner of the sound stage, and Paul and she sat down on some crates piled there. Her mental senses told her that there was nobody present in the vicinity to bother their private conversation. Slowly she breathed, and looked at him with sapphire eyes as she phrased her question, "Paul, what exactly happened between you and Menne? I understand that what you do is your private business..."

"Nothing happened," Paul said with a regretful sigh.

"Nothing. But did something happen with her and Gene?"

"Oh man I knew it would come to this..." Paul sighed. "She didn't' tell you, did she?"

"No. She's my friend, and she's acting very strange. As her friend I would implore you to assist in my curiosity..."

"Of course. Well I had asked Menne to meet me... after the concert. I sent Chris to tell her. But he said he couldn't find her. I assumed she had either gone to bed, or hadn't' found the right room I was in. But then Peter called and said she was missing... and then I called Chris to see if he had any luck. He said that he found Scott bound and gagged, and one of Gene's hotel room keys had been stolen, that he was supposed to deliver to one of Gene's groupies he'd chosen to be with after the show! So I put 2 and 2 together, and then..."

"You found them together," she supplied.

"Yeah. It was weird! I mean he was the last person I would have suspected her to want to be with!"

"Did she say anything about mischief?"

"She mentioned this guy Bez... and..."

"Ra damn him, I knew it!" Sohkarra cursed. "Thank you Paul, you've been most helpful..."

"I'm worried about her too," Paul said slowly. "Judging from the look on both their faces, they were surprised as to what happened. Menne had no idea Gene was in bed with her. She thought it was me..."

At this admission Sohkarra saw the blush come over his attractive face. His chin twitched as he snapped his jaw shut. A wash of regret and anger filled him now, and she felt his discomfort. Along with the realization that this had happened before, and Paul was used to it by now.

"Still, I see that you indeed have feelings for my friend," Sohkarra nodded. "She means much to you, does she not?"

'Yeah. I wanted to wait till the right time with her. And to find she wanted me last night, and someone else was with her... well I'm not used to feeling jealous and all..."

"It's a new sensation for you isn't it, because you all can have whatever women you want," Sohkarra added.

"Yeah. But Menne's different. She's like you, she's special. IT seemed like desecration to rush things with her that first night..."

"So you and she didn't... get to know each other in the ancient sense..."

"No," Paul laughed. "Not yet anyway."

"Well, I thank you for your honesty. Bez has played a trick that has hit far too close and personal a blow. This he will pay for dearly, I promise you," Sohkarra gritted, her hand misting blue for a minute.

"I want to stand in line to get him for this," Paul said. "But I know we're not dealing with a normal person... are we?"

'No. And the best thing we can do right now for Menne is to support her. I know you wish you were with her, but please don't overwhelm her..."

"Gene didn't want to hurt her either," Paul said slowly. "He thinks a great deal of Menne... and it's not just the physical attraction. There aren't many women who get to him the way she does. And he's had a thing for her since he first saw her that night we first saw your two friends. But she chose me over him that night. He's never lived that down, having a woman turn him down. And not as lovely a woman as your friend Menne."

'Is she another conquest to him?"

"Hell no," Paul laughed. "He's really sorry for hurting her. Believe me, I know Gene. I know he wanted her, but not under false pretenses. He's just as hot to kick Bez' ass and rip him a new one as I am!"

"That's a relief," Sohkarra admitted.

"Look, I know Gene can be an asshole," Paul said, taking her arm. "But underneath it all he does have a heart, even though he doesn't admit it. Menne means more to him then just a fling. He really cares for her, as a person. Not just as a notch on his bedpost."

"Like you are feeling about her?"

"I care for her a lot," Paul admitted. "And my intentions are purely honorable. I think with more then my glands, even if you don't look like you wanna believe it."

"I am sorry, but you rock and rollers..."

"I know. We're a bunch of testosterone driven guys who want the women wherever we go. Yeah. I'll admit that. But I'm no less or more of a person then you are, Sohkarra. And I was driving a cab long before I was ever playing clubs or arenas... and I know that it's a privilege to have the honor to play for the fans. Because without them, we'd be just another band struggling to put food on the table... they made KISS what it is."

Sohkarra sensed the truth in Paul's words. She grudgingly nodded, and felt him pick up her hand and give it a respectful kiss. This gesture seemed most gracious indeed.
 



Mennehotep chose a table by herself in the Canteen, slowly nursing a cup of coffee. She watched the guys enter the room, immediately going for the buffet set before them. Gene warily glanced over in her direction, and discretely chose a table near some of the road crew and Doc, their manager.

Ace and Peter glanced at each other, and they came over to her table, trays of food in hand. Nefertina sat next to Menne, as Peter sat on her other side, and Ace sat across from her.

"You okay, little girl?" Peter asked her.

"I'm not in the mood for company today. I'm sorry..."

"Hey, we're all friends here," Ace cackled.

"Please... I just want to be alone..." she put her head in her hands.

"I'm your friend you can trust me," Nefertina got out before she heard Menne's muffled cries.

"C'mon, why don't you and I have a chat," Peter offered. "Away from these guys."

"I don't want to talk about it..."

"Tough, because I'm going to listen," Peter said firmly, taking her hand. "And if you don't tell someone, it'll eat you up. So it's either me, Ace, or Tina here... take your pick!"

"I'll talk to you, Peter," she said, glancing up at him. Nefertina glanced at him in confusion.

"It's okay. She needs an impartial third party," he explained. "C'mon Menne... let's rap somewhere privately..."

Ace and Nefertina watched them rise slowly, and leave the room with their mugs of coffee. Once they were alone, they sat down in the Green room. Peter closed the door behind them and locked it.

"Now, what's going on here. You're pushing your friends away, and that's majorly uncool. What's gotten into you, Menne?"

"Don't you know?" she asked. "I'm surprised Gene didn't' give you the intimate details."

"Of what?" Peter asked. "He didn't say boo, except that it was late and he found you wandering the halls lost, and offered you some Fresca. Then Paul came in and found you there... and you and he went to his room together..."

"He didn't tell you the rest?"

"No." Peter said.

"I'm surprised..."

"Yeah. So am I. Gene's covering for you, so you don't' have to worry about him blabbing what really happened. And I know or have a pretty good idea of what went down. And it's not the first time..."

'What do you mean?"

"Shit happens. Look, you two took a tumble together. It's okay; you're both human beings you know. And if you don't want it to get past us, it won't. He'll just chalk it up to another encore..."

"It makes me feel so cheap!" she got out, burying her head in her hands.

"Hey, now don't say that!" Peter scolded her. "I know this isn't easy, but shutting out your friends isn't' the answer! Tina and Karra want to help you. So do the rest of the guys and me."

"Bez played with my emotions! He knew that Paul and I... but Paul probably hates me..."

"Did he say so?"

"No... he just held me till I fell asleep. And then I woke up and found that he had slept on the couch."

"You see, he's not upset. He's giving you space. And Gene..."

"Is ignoring me..."

"He's giving you space too. You really shook him up, and not every woman does that..."

"Does he want a relationship with me?" she asked.

"I think he wants to know you don't' hate him. But he can understand if you do," Peter said slowly. "That's why he's leaving you alone, so you can get over this... deal with it in your own way."

"But Paul..."

"He's not angry at you or anything. Look, we know it's not worth fighting over women, because we get them everywhere we go. I hate to admit it, but it's true. Gene knows it, and so does Paul."

"It's not right..." she sighed.

"We're used to it. It doesn't' make it right, and you're right about that. And Gene wants to make it up to you, believe me. He's sorry about what happened. Even more then you maybe. And if you want to forget about it, and pretend it didn't' happen, then it's okay with him. I know Gene."

"I think that is what I want...." She said with a sigh. "But it did happen..."

'Yeah. And it's your call as to what to do. Both of them care a lot about you, girl. In their own ways. But Paul wants to help you. And so do Tina and Karra. So please do me a favor and don't give them the silent treatment. I mean you're gal pals, right?"

'Yes," Menne said slowly. She pressed a kiss to Peter's cheek gratefully. "Thank you."

"No problem. Now do you wanna eat lunch with us, or what?"

Later on, Menne seemed much perkier, but still seemed a bit sad. She wandered about the sound stage, unsure of what to do next. She felt still a bit uncomfortable around Paul, even though he had been quite the gentleman last night. Still that ache filled her, event though her body tingled from her romp with Gene. It had not been that bad. In fact it had been most enjoyable.

What would she say to Gene when next their paths crossed? She was about to find out when she wandered into the sound studio, and saw its occupant. With his back to her he strummed his Punisher, the low tones cutting into the very source of her being like thunder rolling under dark clouds. Each vibration rattled her bones and her hunger itself. For a time she watched, leaning against the soundproof wall as he continued to practice the low undercutting tones. His hips swayed gently as he continued his practicing session. Finally he turned, noticing her there. But had he known she had been there all along?

"Hey, Queenie, it's okay if you come in here... I won't bite... hard..."

"I don't want to interrupt your practice..." she got out.

"C'mon in and sit down, if you want to," Gene offered, pulling up a stool. Her face flushed hot at the feel of his eyes on hers, their penetrating gaze softening. The tension crackled between the two as she sat down on the stool opposite of him. Gene pulled up a stool himself and perched on it.

"So, what made you chose base?" she asked.

"It's a necessity," he shrugged. "Besides, there is something sensual about it..."

"I know," she whispered, resting her hand on the amplifier. "How do you stop the vibrations from rattling your bones?"

"You can't," he answered, stopping his strumming for a moment. "It just is part of what goes on. Can you stop pain when you get a cut or another injury?"

"So it's part of the package, is it not?" she asked.

"Most definitely," Gene nodded, his dark eyes fixing into hers. "And I have the feeling you've got something to unload. Your choice whether or not... though."

"I know that our meeting last night was... unexpected," she cleared her throat, taking a deep breath. Gene's eyebrow raised, encouraging her to continue. "What I want to know is..."

"Is?"

"Where do I stand with you..."

"Good question," Gene answered simply. "What do you want, doll?"

"Ra... I mean God this is awkward for me..." she sighed. "I never have spontaneously spent the night with a man before. I'm not used to this..."

"Well people have been doing it since the beginning of recorded history. Only thing is I don't' think people discuss it so readily as they do nowadays. Besides, sex isn't a dirty word, Menne."

"I know that," she snorted impatiently. "It's just that...well... I felt a little cheap..."

"Why am I not surprised," Gene laughed lightly. "Now why should you feel cheap? By whose standards are you judging yourself? Your own, or someone else's?"

"I well... it's just that it looks like by sleeping with you I'm somehow lowering myself because you sleep with any woman..."

"All the women I chose to sleep with, well it's their decision. I don't force them. It's a mutual decision. They want a night of pleasure, and that's what I give. That's why I felt guilty when I realized you didn't want that with me. And I am very sorry Menne. I wish I could make it up to you somehow, but I am not sure how, except to get you to see that you're not some tramp for doing it. And don't ever think of yourself in that way, Queenie. No woman should."

"I know..." she sighed. "I just... I'm not used to this sort of lifestyle, that's all..."

"Look what we shared last night, it's whatever you want it to be. If it's any consolation, I don't compare experiences. Each woman is different. And you have nothing to be ashamed of Menne. You're a special woman. And any one that thinks differently is either blind or a damned idiot."

"Thank you, I think," Menne said with a slow laugh. Gene moved his base aside onto his back, and gently cupped her chin in his hand.

"I wouldn't have said it, if I didn't mean it. Why are you so insecure? You're a beautiful woman. Don't deny yourself the pleasure of having a man tell you that...."

"You have had many lovers," she looked up at him.

"Yeah. Well that is another reality," he said simply. "And I had wanted my shot with you, but not under those circumstances. You're one of the few women who get under my skin. And I like that about you. You make me crazy, and it's a welcome change..."

"You drive me up the wall as well," she laughed.

"But you want to know where we stand with each other, right?"

"One night stand or the start to something more?" she asked.

"You take intimacy seriously, right?" he said. "The choice is yours. I know you and Paul have the hots for each other..."

"I cannot chose between you..."

"Who says you have to? One night of good sex can mean whatever you want, doll. The end of something or the beginning of something else. You can move on, or make it something more. I'm open to whatever you want..."

"Are you really?"

"Look, it's your call, Menne."

Menne's eyes shone, for she had never been given this choice before. She had chosen to side with Tuthmosis out of a childhood infatuation, but she had never had the chance to really explore relationships with other men other then he. It was with him she had first known sexual pleasures, and with him she had first made love. Subsequent trips to faraway places left her often without him in her bed. There were eunuchs to please the royal ladies, and she had found her appetites satiated thusly. But experience she had little of, other then the times he had claimed her.

Now a whole world of possibilities opened before her as never before. This time held so many wonders, she was not sure of what pleasures and freedoms to sample from the smorgasbord. It was frightening, and she had enjoyed her time with Gene, much to her dismay and her joy. What was so bad about enjoying oneself once in a while?

"I would chose to get to know my lover better," she finally said, glancing up at him.

"Sounds reasonable."

"After all, I hardly know you... or Paul..."

"Suits me fine, Menne," he said with a slow smile. "There are many things about you I don't know, that I would love to learn. And there are many things about me you don't know..."

"I would like to be friends," she said slowly. "If that is possible..."

"Anything is. As long as it's what you want, Queenie."

"Thank you," she smiled, laying her hand on his. She accepted the embrace he gave her, and both parted, feeling much relieved. From the studio door, Paul watched them both in their conversation. Neither had noticed him standing there, but they simultaneously turned in each other's arms, backing away from each other.

"It's cool," Paul held up a hand. "I'm just glad to see you smiling again, baby..."

He strode up to her, his hand outstretched. Menne walked over to him, face flushing profusely as she looked from one man to the other. Strangely they looked as if they could be brothers, even though both were vastly unique in their own ways. She had seen them argue as brothers did, and share the same interests as many did. Yet she had seen blood brothers hate each other as JaKal and Araq had, and seen two men who were not blood related be closer then most in the same family. Paul and Gene were two such peas in a pod, and the strange notion of this similarity dawned on her.

"You have shared women before, have you not?" she asked them, with a flush.

"Well yeah, but I get the feeling that's not what you want," Paul said. "And to tell you the truth I'm not really into it much myself. At least not at the same time. But you don't' have to make up your mind this minute."

"I want to get to know both of you," she said, holding her hands out to each.

"In the biblical sense?" Gene joked.

"I have no idea what you are talking about," she groaned.

"Never mind," Paul laughed. At this Gene lifted an eyebrow, putting his hand into hers. Paul took her other one in his, squeezing it gently. Menne breathed a lot easier, shifting her gaze from one to the other. What had she gotten herself into now?

"So now what?" Paul winked. "Would you mind if she went with me to a late dinner, or are you gonna tag along, man?"

"You're flying solo on this one, Romeo," Gene teased him. "Go have fun kids..."

Menne leaned up on her toes and pressed a kiss to his cheek. Gene squeezed her hand, and gently pushed her away. Hand in hand with Paul, Mennehotep left Gene alone in the studio. For a moment regret filled his face, then passed away as he returned to his guitar. He didn't know whether to thank this guy Bez, or to punch his lights out the next time he saw the goon. Either way, it was one of the best nights and the worst he had spent the whole tour. It was an odd feeling after so long to feel so protective of her, but he couldn't help it. Could it be called love? Gene denied it, but couldn't help but wonder. No matter, he didn't like the idea of her being hurt in any way. When next their paths crossed, this Bez would be toast, super powers or not!

At least that would be one common ground on which he and the Princess Sohkarra could meet. Both wanted to protect their friends, and those important to them. Perhaps there was hope yet to settle this dispute and unify their purposes. But would Menne seek his company again, or remain with Paul? There were no guarantees. As far as Gene was concerned, what she did was up to her. But he still couldn't help but be hopeful she'd learn to lighten up and have some fun. He was more then willing to show her how.