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In Dr. Goyette's laboratory, three organic chemistry graduate students bustled about on their research. It was a good sized lab, with three lab counters, and four fume hoods under which there were various conglomerations of glass reactors set up to make and discover new chemicals. Each one seemed a modern sculpture of glass tubes, round vessels, and hoses with a specific function known to few except the students who had assembled them.

Arthur shoved up the glass sash that pushed up and down on the front of his hood, so he could adjust the settings on his glass chemical reactor. Next to him, Melanie had just stopped her reaction, and was carefully opening a clamp to pull out a large glass sphere, which contained a brown liquid. Across from them, Trynia Merin bustled about assembling her own glass reactor. On the front of her hood, she had drawn chemical structures to spell out the reaction that Dr. Goyette had asked her to try. Whether it would work or not was what she would hope to find out this week.

"Hey, how do I set up for a deacetylation?" she called over her shoulder.

"Use an ion exchange resin, in a chromatography column," Arthur said.

Taking a long glass tube with a valve in the bottom, she poured sand into it first. Then she took glass wool, and tucked it down into the column with the aid of a dowel. Next she heaved out a large jar of silica powder, and proceeded to clamp the column to a ring stand in the hood. She poured the white powder into the glass tube, until it was halfway up. Then she opened the valve at the bottom, and pushed a beaker under it. Slowly she washed the silica powder with ether, a fast evaporating solvent, which was used in years past to put people to sleep. It was a solvent that they used a lot to dissolve their chemical components that water could not dissolve.

Trynia had just started research this semester, and had taken to it quite easily. He wondered why she spent so many long hours in the lab, instead of bothering to socialize with other students. It was as if she were trying to hide from the world in general.

"Say, she's been here since eight this morning," he whispered to Melanie.

"Well she said she wanted to make sure she was here early to start the reaction on time, so she could run an NMR sample early this afternoon, since you said the reaction would take five hours," she whispered.

"But the pool girl didn't even eat lunch. Is she ok?" Arthur asked.

"I dunno… she seems ok…"

"Well I'm just worried. She reminds me of my sister, who is a total bookworm. How's she gonna stop and enjoy life if she's here all the time?"

"Well don't let the hard work fool you," Melanie laughed. "I've seen here in here when the reactions are going, and she has her sketchpad out. She's one artist…"

"Really,"

"You're too busy being out with the other guys from Dr. Crenshaw's lab next door for a beer at Brownies," Melanie nudged him.

"Hey, Tryn, wanna get some dinner with us later tonight? A couple of us were gonna go out for a beer, wanna come with?" Arthur asked, striding over.

"I dunno, I'm not really into it," Trynia sighed. "But thanks for offering… Arthur…"

"Ouch, no need t' be formal, Tryn," he laughed. "Call me Artie. Everyone else does…"

"I appreciate it but, well… the reaction…"

"Can wait," Melanie said, joining Artie on her other side. "You're working WAAAY too hard. Time for you to get out and have some fun! After all there is a thing called Friday night, and you haven't lived till you've had a beer at Brownies…"

"Besides, dontcha live above brownies?" Artie joked.

"Okay I'll come with," she relented. "But the NMR…"

"Will wait till tomorrow afternoon. You can use my time slot for a change," Artie offered. "Call it a gift from a concerned lab mate!"

"Thanks," Trynia smiled.

Soon they joined Mike, Steve, Sharmane, and Michelle in Brownies. They clustered around a table, and ordered several Zimas and Coronas. Trynia ordered Killians red, while Artie had a Molson golden. Lit and Linkin Park clattered their latest tune over the jukebox, while the friends munched peanuts and sipped their beverages. Lost in the conversation, Trynia sat back and basked in her friend's chatter and laughter. It felt good to 'hang' with her fellow graduate students for a change on a Friday night.

"Thanks for kicking me in the butt to come out with you," she thanked Artie.

"Hey, what are buds for?" he asked her.

"You needed it, girlfriend," Sharmane nudged Trynia.

Artie glanced down at the amethyst ring on Trynia's left hand, third finger. While it didn't appear to be an engagement ring, it seemed to occupy that significant place sure enough. Other girls had similar rings, but he couldn't help but wonder who the lucky man was. Her fashionable floral blouse with the lace collar and the above the knee skirt fit her figure well. She had a good sense of taste compared to many girls he had seen at 'Nova, and the gold crucifix around her neck suggested her religious affiliation, as the "chai" symbol around his neck suggested his. It was like a Star of David, except it meant "life" and it was a gift from his Bar Mitzvah years ago, as that crucifix must have been from Tryn's confirmation. The two had become fast friends when she joined the group this semester, his second year experience giving him the role of 'guardian' for the two newbies in the group, Melanie and Trynia.

"Nice ring, you got a guy?" Melanie asked her.

"Duh," Sharmane nudged her friend.

"Who's the lucky guy?" Artie teased her. "You never told your lab buddies… does he go here?"

"Nope," Trynia said.

"What's his name?" Artie asked.

"Uh, Stanley," she said.

"Sounds either like a stiff or an ultra cool who likes the odd name," Melanie laughed. "But if he got you a ring like that… wow…"

"Stanley… as in…"

"Stanley Eisen," she said slowly. Artie's eyebrows went up, as did her friends, for other reasons.

"I could be wrong, but that's up your ally right Artie?" Melanie asked.

"Stanley Eisen huh? He REALLY isn't from around here is he?" Artie asked.

"Uh no. He actually lives in Los Angeles…"

"How'd you meet?"

"Summer vacation," Sharmane answered for Trynia. "Right?"

"Yes," Trynia nodded, twisting the amethyst ring around her finger. For a moment she slipped it off her left ring finger, and put it on her left pointer finger. Interesting, Artie thought. Considering in a Jewish wedding ceremony the bride's ring is put on the pointer finger first by the groom, as directed by a rabbi. Only after a part of the blessing was said, was it then moved to the ring finger.

"So what's everyone doing for Winter break?" Melanie asked.

"It's time with the 'rents," Sharmane said. "You Trynia?"

"I told them I might have plans, but I wasn't sure…" Trynia muttered.

"Well, why don't you see your boyfriend?" Artie teased.

"Well he travels a lot and I don't know what his schedule's gonna be like," Trynia sighed.

"Well, you could spend part of it with him, I mean at least the Chanukah right?" asked Melanie.

"Well contrary to popular believe not all Jews thing Chanukah is a big deal, like Christians think Christmas is," Artie said. "In my family it's a big deal, but some of my friends are like 'gimmie a break'."

"I'd love to know more," Trynia said.

"Well ask away," Artie laughed. "I mean since you're interested…"

"So, I'm Grasshopper?" Trynia joked.

Sharmane and Trynia returned much later, their apartment directly over the bar. Trynia could kick herself for not venturing down much lately. It was already mid October, and she had only gone three times in the course of the semester.

"Did you check the mail?" Trynia asked.

"Why, expecting something?" her friend teased.

"Oh come on," Trynia groaned. "It's not like it's my birthday…"

"No way you crab you," Sharmane joked. Trynia laughed, and saw her pick up the mail. She playfully leafed through it, tossing junk mail side.

"Usual?"

"Oh, let me see… bills, Science Magazine… Redbook… and ohh… an XMAS card?"

"Xmas card…"

"and it's addressed to you…" she said. "LA…"

Trynia opened the card, in a beautiful red envelope. She extracted a card covered in gold and silver glitter, which fell onto the floor in a shower of stardust. In familiar handwriting, she saw the signature, and the heartfelt message. Instead of the signature she would have expected, it matched that on the note given with the ring at the time of their parting.

Hugs and KISSes, and heartfelt fond love,

"Anyone you know?' Sharmane asked as she saw her friend perusing the letter eagerly.

"What does he mean, look in the note…" Trynia muttered, and unwrapped the purple paper. Her eyes widened as she extracted a paper folder, and what appeared to be a ticket.

"And what's that?"

"Oh my GOD!" Trynia laughed.

"What?"

"Pack my bags, I'm going to CA!" she laughed, brandishing the airline tickets in her hand.

"So Stanley's fetching his lady for the holiday, huh? Tryni's boyfriend misses her huh?"

"Oh shut up," Trynia laughed, almost wanting to jump up and down in her excitement, heart skipping beats. Then a look of fear and trepidation came over her face.

"Now what's that look for?" Sharmane demanded, seeing the full spectrum of emotions cross her friend's face in the space of five minutes.

"What in hell am I going to get him?" she groaned.

"Paint him a picture," Sharmane suggested.

"That's cheesy!" Trynia interrupted.

"Well why not?"

"But I was planning to give him that for his birthday… what on earth can I get him…"

"Jewelry?" Sharmane suggested. Trynia scratched her head, struggling hard to think of what she could possibly give a man who could get anything he wanted.

"Uh, there's something else here for you," Sharmane said, holding an envelope with a plastic window in it. she passed it to Trynia, who took it with confusion.

"Am I a millionaire?" Trynia groaned, seeing the words Publishing on it. She ripped it open, expecting to have to buy six magazines for a chance at a jackpot sweepstakes. However, when she unfolded it she saw what appeared to be a letter, printed on thick marbled stationary, and what appeared to be a check. Her knees went weak when she scanned the letter, and realization hit her. So did the amount of zeroes on the check addressed to her.

"Yo, earth to Trynia… what is it?"

"A check…"

"I can see that, but what for?"

"Royalties. Two thousand dollars… two thousand dollars!" Trynia cried.

"Holy shit no way!" Sharmane shook her head. "What for? Your book?"

"An advance…" she shook her head. "And this is my share?"

"There you go! Get him something NICE!" Sharmane teased, slugging her on the back.

"Artie, can I ask you a question?" Trynia called out over her shoulder, as she stood in front of the NMR terminal. Five feet away a huge silver shape, bulbous and curving over like something out of an SF movie misted with liquid nitrogen as they fed the huge magnet. She set her sample in a long glass tube, and thrust it through a collar. Once the DEWAR, the large jacketed cooler for the NMR magnet was filled, they could run their samples.

Artie pressed a few buttons, and the pumping of the liquid nitrogen stopped. They waited for the pressure and magnetism to build up, as he answered, "Sure, shoot…"

"What would be a good Chanukah present?"

"Can you be more specific?" he asked. "Are we talking about something for a certain gentleman of yours?"

"Uh… busted," she groaned.

"Hehe, well how serious are you two?"

"I've been reading the book you gave me, and it's very interesting. But I want to get him a nice piece of jewelry…"

"Does he have a Star of David?" Artie asked.

"Uh well I have seen him wearing one in pictures, but it's been years…"

"Why not get him a real nice one?" he asked. "As a present… like a going steady present?"

"Is it that obvious?"

"Well with a ring like that, yeah," he teased her again. "Hey, I'm on your side, Tryn."

"It's not like I'm gonna convert, but I don’t' know how religious he is…"

"Thing you gotta understand is that even if some Jews don't practice, it's part of our culture. Our blood. Even if Stanley isn't into the rituals, that's only part of the thing. Some of us are very private about our beliefs and how we choose to express them…"

"Yes, like me with my religion…"

"Well if you guys are serious, you need to talk about it openly," Artie said. "And don't be afraid to ask him and be open. I mean interfaith relationships will work, as long as the people are willing to be realistic, and open…"

"I appreciate the moral support."

"Hey, my sister's seeing an Episcopalian," he laughed. "That's like Catholicism…"

"Yes, very much… Roman Catholic light, or so they say," Trynia groaned at her own joke.

"Samples' ready to go?' he asked. "Magnet's all warmed up…"

"Okay," Trynia nodded, and carried her tube in its plastic collar over. She climbed up onto a footstool, and turned on a pressurized valve. Into the heart of the large bulbous flask, she placed the sample, suspended over a shaft by air pressure. Signaling to Art, she let go, and he hit a switch that cut the air off. The sample slipped into the center, spinning fast.

Before long, a set of peaks shot across the screen. They started to tweak the signal with the various controls, before a clearer picture of the chemical appeared.

It was difficult to wait for the end of the semester, but fortunately, her days were filled with classes, teaching assisting and research. The tickets she taped to her mirror, as a reminder of her eventual end of semester reward. She had a whole month of winter break, and planned to spend the majority of it with the man that had sent her the tickets. The fourth Sunday of Advent she would spend at home with family, but Christmas and New years she would spend with Paul.

Finally the day arrived when she had her bags all packed, and Sharmane offered to drive her to the airport. Her car was totally dead, and Trynia dreaded having to shop for a new one. However with the advance, it became a distinct possibility she could at least afford the down payment on another used car.

Now they roared off to Philadelphia International Airport in Sharmane's Jetta, and Trynia endured her roommate's incessant teasing. The latest barb made her cringe, "Soo… are you looking forward to the 'reunion' then?"

"Sharmane…" Trynia groaned, shading her embarrassment with one hand.

"I bet, look at you blush! I think you're really gonna need those birth control pills, girlfriend!" she laughed.

"Verry funny," Trynia giggled, despite her embarrassment.

"I saw them in the bathroom," Sharmane wagged her finger. "No hiding them. Did he pay for them?"

"Well I have a full months supply, and a few extra in my overnight bag in case my luggage gets lost," Trynia nodded. "And then there's Stanley's present…"

"Wrapping in blue and silver?" she asked.

"His Chanukah present. And his birthday present I'm having shipped…"

"That's what you had me schlep to the post office for Fed Ex, huh?" Sharmane said.

"You knew what it was, so don't start," Trynia wagged a finger at her.

"Get ready to roll, girl, cause we're at the terminal!" Sharmane said with a laugh.

Trynia blinked awake in First Class, shifting her feet. She didn't realize how long she'd been out, but the morning flight had yielded to the afternoon, and she could see the haze hanging above LA like a gray disc. A shame that the smog was so notorious, she reflected.

"Please return your tray tables to the upright and locked position, and turn off all laptops and cell phones," the stewardess' commanded. Trynia complied, and drew in her breath, trying to steady her pounding heart. Below there, somewhere someone was waiting anxiously for her, or so she hoped. Would he really miss her, as much as she had him.

On the other hand, had he found his amusement elsewhere? Doubtless he had, she sighed, because that went with the territory. Anxiously she chewed her lip while waiting for the plane to taxi into the terminal, and took her purse in hand. If she could have jumped out and run the rest of the way she would have leapt off the plane then and there, for she was impatient with the snails pace at which the plane taxied to the gate.

After another fifteen minutes, she filed off the plane behind the other first class passengers, into the main lobby. Glancing back and forth she looked for someone, anyone. Over the loudspeaker she heard her name, and rushed over to the courtesy telephone. Picking it up she heard someone, a desk attendant say, "Hello, Miss Merin?"

"Yes?"

"Your party is waiting for you down by the baggage claim 15b. Make sure you meet him! Thank you…"

My party, she thought. She'd heard that there was a concert tonight, and the phone conversations she'd had with Paul made her heart anxious for their meeting. His cheerful voice rang in her ears, encouraging enough that he was very hopeful she could come. Their last call was just before she left, and he had told her about a benefit concert they were performing in LA. She knew better then to expect that Paul would be there to meet her himself, for she saw a familiar driver holding up a sign with her name on it just by the turnstile.

"Chris," she smiled, glad to see Paul's personal driver and security guard. Grinning, he held out a hand for her, and she strode up to him to give him a greeting hug.

"Hey, great! I was worried your plane was gonna be delayed! C'mon, let's get you out of here… do you have your luggage claim?"

"Right here," she nodded, and he walked her over to the turnstile, grabbing a luggage cart from the side. They fished her suitcases out of the conveyor belt, and tossed them onto the cart. Anxiously she walked at his side as he pushed the luggage out to the front waiting area. A black limousine pulled up, and Chris waved to someone in the driver's seat.

"Dan's here?" she asked.

"Yeah, let's get you there," he laughed, throwing her suitcases into the trunk. "It's good to see you again, Miss!"

"Likewise…" she nodded, as he moved around and opened the door for her to climb into the limousine. Once she was situated, he closed the door behind her and climbed into the front passenger's seat beside Dan.

"Ready to go?" Dan asked.

"Let's take her there," Chris nodded. "Help yourself to something in the bar ok, Miss Merin?"

"You can call me Trynia," she laughed. "Everyone does!"

"Well it's just a formality, you gotta bear with him," Dan teased. "Soo, how was your flight?"

"Great, but I can't wait to see everyone again… what's this about a benefit concert?"

"Take the shortcut Dan… we wanna get her there on time, or heads are gonna roll," Chris whispered to him, as traffic began to pile up on the LA freeway.

"Yeah, hours," Dan laughed.

Despite Dan's best efforts to evade it, they were still trapped for a good two hours. Trynia tentatively asked, "So… has Paul missed me?"

Anxiously Dan and Chris exchanged glances. For a moment, she had forgotten the unspoken rule that the guards and staff didn't discuss personal band business.

"Let's just say that if we don't bring you there, there will be hell to pay," Chris said.

"If that doesn't tell you something, I don't know what will," the other said. Chris passed Trynia a purple card, and a dozen roses.

"Nearly forgot to give you these," he said. Trynia took them, and noticed half were a dark purple, the rest dark red. Hands shaking she tore open the purple envelope and read the card within. She struggled to make out his handwriting, which curled and scripted across the lavender paper with its own elegance.

This seemed encouraging, she decided. Dan and Chris struggled to thread their way through a variety of shortcuts, Chris navigating, and Dan weaving along alleys and streets she had never had the privilege of seeing. They slipped into Burbank, and she peered at the scenery that had appeared in many television shows whenever footage for LA was required.

In bands of sherbet green intermingled with orange the sun slipped to the horizon, and Trynia peered past the silhouette of Los Angeles' unmistakable skyline that superimposed over the spectacular sunset. Green gave way to a fiery red, the sun a slowly sinking disk that vanished in horizontal strips one by one. By the time they had arrived at the stadium, the evening glow of red blared into the limo, like a shot of brilliant fire within. A sudden shift to the side, and the light was obscured into darkness for a moment while they pulled around past a fenced off area. Chris lowered the window to shout something to two security guards in black shirts with the band logo in silver on them; their security passes hanging around their necks on lanyards.

"Yeah?" one asked, leaning to peer into the passenger side window.

"Special delivery, Lady Starchild," Chris whispered to the guard. Nodding, they waved the limousine on through, Trynia glancing at the people lining up to enter the stadium.

That was a new one, she decided. Terri's joking name had turned into a code identifying her, she realized. If that didn't say volumes, she wasn't sure what else other then the card and the roses would? Finally, the limo pulled to a stop, under the orange glow of street lamps mingled with the yellow squares of light from the loading docks. Buses and trucks were pulled around in a semicircle, from which crates had already been unloaded.

"They're getting ready, right?" Trynia asked.

"Yeah, why don’t we get you back there and you can eat some dinner. I'm sorry that we're late here, but you can watch from backstage…" Chris nodded.

"Backstage as in the lounge, or elsewhere?" she asked.

"You'll see," Chris winked, as he slipped out to open the door for her. His hand steadied her as she climbed out, and he closed the door behind her. Turning for a moment he said to Dan, "Make sure you take care of her luggage okay?"

"Home Plate?" he asked.

"You got it. Thanks Dan," Chris nodded.

"Bye Dan, thanks!" Trynia called.

"Have a good night," Dan smiled, and pulled the limousine further in to turn around. Chris led the way, indicating Trynia should walk close to him as they strode back amongst the black shirted road security.

She smiled at the sight of the casserole dishes lined up on the back table, noticing that several of the tables were already being cleared up by caterers. A familiar face greeted her as Terri Mason waved at her from behind a table, her pregnancy in a most advanced state indeed. While she had been traveling with KISS, Terri had been about four months along. Now she was in her last trimester, ankles swollen but she was radiant.

"Hey Trynia!" she called out, waving her to join her. Trynia reached down and gave Terri a hug, leaning over the chair to do so.

"Wow, you're really coming along! When's the due date?" Trynia asked, indicating her distended and very pregnant belly.

"February," Terri said. "I hope to god this baby comes out when they say! Or there will be HELL to pay!"

"Judging from your statement I bet they'd better guarantee it too," Trynia laughed.

"You look excellent, Tryn. Have you been working out?" Terri asked, noticing Trynia's now toned calves and thighs. Even her bared arms were slowly starting to show signs of toning up.

"Yes, at least three times a week, and I swim most mornings," Trynia nodded. "Couldn't quite give up the rabbit food…"

"You look great!" Terri smiled. "Woohoo, guess who's gonna be surprised!"

"Are they on yet?"

"We've got thirty minutes," Terri nodded. Trynia hastened over to the various entrees, and quickly made herself a plate. It had been a long flight, and the airplane food failed to encourage her appetite anywhere near to the degree that the custom catered KISS dinner did. Trynia had a feeling she would need all the fuel for a long night ahead.

First Christina Agulera, then Lit had performed. Next up had been Bon Jovi, followed by Cher, Alice Cooper, and then KISS. Each was performing anywhere from six to ten songs, a full day's gala. Alice Cooper would end the entire set with his own shock rock, and it was something she would enjoy seeing for the first time in ages. KISS was the last act, their own stage having been put up around that of Alice Cooper's own setup, which was considerable in itself.

Gigi and Jennilee moved quickly into the room with Chris, and a girl that Trynia had not seen before. She glanced at Terri with a question in her eyes, and Terri said, "That's Ace's girl Christy. They got back together…"

"Oh," Trynia nodded. Was that Christy from the list, possibly? What had happened to Andora, she wondered? Terri then explained that Andora was back home with her family for the holidays, heavily into her degree.

"Trynia… looks like it's time to see the boys," Terri nodded, and slowly got up. Trynia and Terri both accompanied Chris down a long hallway, flanked by Joe on Terri's other side. Distant at first, the sounds of screaming shouts rose to a dull roar, then a drowning din by the time they approached the side of the concert stage.

Peering around the guards, Trynia saw the black curtain from the backside, the technicians scrambling last minute to rush offstage. The loud announcement boomed with the undercurrent of Gene's bass tone, "ALL RIGHT LOS ANGELES…"

If she glanced up into the blackness, she saw the reverse of the letters hanging suspended and the gleam of the band set, and high above was the underside of the thirty-foot platform. Smoke curled in from the machines onstage, as the voice continued, "YOU WANTED THE BEST YOU GOT THE BEST…."

By the time the words, "THE HOTTEST BAND IN THE WORLD…. KISSSS!" yelled out her heart had stopped for a moment. As many times as she had witnessed this, it still held the magic of the time she had sat in the audience and watched from afar. Suddenly the curtain fell and she saw the row upon row of screaming fans pounding the air with their fists as they pushed and jockeyed for the best view. Painted faces gleamed amidst regular ones; eyes fixed on the descending platform that bore their favorite gods of rock onto the stage below. Technicians lined up waiting for their cues as Detroit Rock City slammed into life, punctuated by the first flares of the flashpots and rounds of relays.

"Eat your heart out, Allison," Terri nodded. Trynia remembered she had been a pyrotechnician, but in her advanced state, she contented to watch from the sidelines now.

Joe moved up a stool, and she sat down on it while Trynia continued to watch from the side. Ace eclipsed her view of Paul shaking his shapely ass, and she moved to compensate. Chris nudged the one guard aside so she could admire Paul. They finished the first song and moved to the second, then the third. Her eyes were riveted to Paul's lean muscular body sheathed in spandex. Especially when Peter's drumbeats tapped out a stripper's cadence and Paul shimmied out of his top, throwing it down to hundreds of screaming fans.

"So close and yet so far," she sighed. It was even more maddening to know he was fifty yards away, making love to the whole crowd with his voice and his dark deep hypnotic gaze. She could hardly wait till Peter's drum solo during 100,000 years.

Paul dashed offstage, handing his guitar to Rodge, his guitar tech. Security parted like the red sea, and she moved aside to let him pass, but suddenly the dark eyes met hers. For a moment, he looked away as if in disbelief, and then focussed on her again as he rushed toward her on silver platform boots.

"Hello, m'love," she whispered, choking her response, holding out her arms to him. Eagerly he moved within six inches, dark eyes sparkling under the dark frame of his curly bangs. Curves of rhinestones glittered like patterns of force, contouring his glorious muscles on his shapely legs.

"Trynia, hello there baby…" he whispered, and suddenly threw his arms around her. She was gripped tightly to his body, sweat seeping through her dress to soak her own flesh. Grabbing her hand, he pulled her with him, toward the dressing room where the bathrooms were. She guessed by his urgent nature that nature itself was calling.

"Stay right there, I've gotta go," he apologized, and disappeared into the bathroom. She knew he only had five minutes or so to relieve himself. A minute later he burst forth from the room, and strode over toward her in only two steps. An arm slipped around her waist, and pulled her tightly to his body. His muscular arms gripped her close, and she pressed a kiss to his bare chest, wrapping her own arms tightly around his waist as she could.

"Damn it's good to see you, Tryn," he panted, hugging her firmly.

"I missed you so much, you wouldn't believe," she laughed, kissing his chest.

"Hey, let's have some of that action up here, baby, where it belongs," he laughed back, separating enough so they could look into each other's eyes, the smile on his face warming her heart, and making it race far faster to double time.

"Paul, you're back on in two," Gene shouted back to him as he rushed past them to use the bathroom.

"Shut up and leave them alone," Terri told Gene, whacking his butt as he walked past her.

Warm lips closed over Trynia's, and she leaned up on tiptoes as Paul bent his knees a bit to reach her. Pulse pounding in her ears drowned up all sounds of Peter's throbbing solo that echoed their anticipation inside. Only the soft warmth of his lips gliding over hers lubricated by her lipstick and his own became her reality now. She was hesitant to part his lips and deepen the kiss for fear of not smudging the work of forty-five minutes.

Down her spine to her ass his hands traced, feeling the muscles of her back, and stroking over and down to grasp and caress. Into her mouth, he plunged his tongue, and she tasted the hint of diet Pepsi still present.

"Paul, hurry up!" Doc McGhee shouted. "I hate to break it up…"

Trynia gasped, surfacing for breath as Paul pulled away with a broad smile on his Starchild countenance. He laughed, and pulled away reluctantly, still gripping her hand.

"I'm sorry sweetheart…" he pouted. "I wish… damn I wish I could take you here and now… but 100,000 years only lasts less then five minutes, even though Peter's adding extra fringe and stuff so I can have our moment alone…"

"I know you gotta go to work…" she laughed, as he pulled her along toward the stage with him. For one last minute he pulled her hips to his, bending over to plant one last firm kiss on her lips before trotting back onstage to join Gene and Ace.

"Backstage, later!" he mouthed.

That next hour was the longest, but she was most anxious when Rock and Roll All Night blared out with confetti snowing upon an anxious crowd. Ace and Gene rushed offstage, followed by Paul. As he walked by, he snared Trynia around her waist with one arm to guide her out with him.

Ace and Gene headed off into one direction, while Peter moved over to join his wife and daughter. Glancing up at Paul, Trynia asked, "Where are they going?"

"To sign autographs and schmooze with the other acts," he laughed.

"But what about you?" she asked, slipping her own arm around the wide belt of chains and rhinestones worked into leather. "Don't you have a few dozen fans to entertain…"

"I did my schmoozing before the concert. And now it's time to do some schmoozing of my own, with my number one fan," he laughed, reaching down to stroke her backside as he pulled her toward the Superman sheet. It partitioned them off from the other parts of the dressing rooms that were being shared.

"Did Christina want her own dressing room?" Trynia asked.

"Yeah, we're sharing with Lit," Paul laughed. "They're gone, and that means…"

He pushed her under the sheet first, then followed. She glanced at the four mirrors, opposite each other, and realized KISS was relegated to a far smaller space then they ordinarily would have enjoyed. There was no sign of anyone else, and Paul hugged her from behind, nudging her into the midst of the tables.

"C'mere and give your Starchild a welcome," he whispered.

"Gene and the others… won't they have to change…"

"Don’t' change the subject. I'm beginning to think you didn’t miss me much at all with this rap," he pouted.

"Ohhh don't do that…" she whispered.

"Why not?" he whispered back, leaning down to breathe in her ear. Softly he kissed her neck, moving her hair aside as his hands stroked over her chest. He turned her around so she faced the mirror, and could see his red lips leaving a trace over her shoulder. Slowly he moved the strap of her dress aside, and rubbed her breasts through her dress top affectionately. Against the curve of her, back he pressed his belly, harness conforming to her as he made his way to her arm.

"Hmm, that tickles," she laughed, squirming in his arms. Paul turned her around, and although she was wearing four-inch platform shoes, she was still dwarfed by his six foot seven inch frame.

"Mmm," he laughed, and slid his arms around her. "I've waited a LOONG time for this…"

"So have I. Alone at last…"

"With you AAALLL to myself," Paul cooed, leaning down to kiss her.

"There's a bit of a height discrepancy," she laughed, as his nose stroked hers, and she almost tripped leaning up to kiss him. He caught her firmly against his body, holding her as close as he could with clothing separating them. Sweat soaked her chest, mingling with her own body's moisture. The marvelous hair glistened with the sheen of his perspiration, which also beaded through his white makeup.

"Let's see what we can do about that, huh?" he winked his star covered eye at her. "Besides, my feet are killing me…"

"Then get those seven inch leather torture devices off," she scolded him, and Paul leaned on her shoulder to reach down.

"No, let me help," she said, slipping down to unwind the duct tape from the boots first. He leaned on her shoulder as she held the one boot down, and he pulled his foot out of it with some difficulty.

"Whoops," he laughed, almost toppling over. She caught him, and he steadied himself as he balanced on his other leg.

"Now don't knock yourself out yet! I want you to be awake for this…"

"Baby you'd have to hit me with a sledgehammer to knock the excitement out of this star child," he laughed. Again, he pressed down heavily on her shoulder for support, as she held his other boot steady, and he pulled his other foot out.

"Better?" she asked, as he stretched and rubbed his sore feet. She kicked off her own shoes, and they both laughed.

"Now that isn't fair for you baby," he pouted. "Damn, it feels good to get those off… but now we're back to square one…"

"Hmm," Trynia grinned, and looked at his boots. She leaned over, and Paul wondered what she was doing when she took his hand and slid one on.

"What…"

"I've got a solution," she said, and he began to chuckle as she put his boots on, one after the other. She almost tripped and he caught her for a moment. It was then that he realized she was almost equal to him in height. He stood back for a moment, steadying her with just one hand as she stood there in his silver platforms.

"Now, let's see…" she muttered, pushing him away for a moment. She tried another step and began to strut around in them and imitate his famous walk.

They were eye to eye, her dark gaze right before his, and Paul smiled. She looked so funny there in his boots. "How do you walk in these damn things?"

"Twenty nine years of practice baby," he boasted.

Trynia turned, and lifted one boot, shaking it as she swayed her hips. Pursing her lips she said, "Well I love your seven inch leather heels."

"Yeah, but do ya love me?" Paul laughed, holding his sides.

"You really need to know, don't you?" she winked, and blew him a kiss. He strode up to her and she spun around kicking high in a fair imitation of another move. In a sizable leap, she launched herself into the air. For a moment her legs splayed, and then brought back together. She landed awkwardly, stumbling.

Instantly he caught her against himself, half-laughing and half scolding, "And what are you doing there? Stealing my act, baby?"

"It goes to show nobody can fill your platforms Paul," she laughed. Paul burst into a fresh guffaw, holding her close against him in case she tried any other foolhardy efforts in his footwear.

"You fill them pretty well," he gasped, tears of mirth as he pressed a kiss to her lips. For a moment he peered deep into her eyes, which were directly ahead of his. Eye to eye same height with barely an inch of difference. Their gaze locked, and smiles exploded into fresh rounds of laughter.

Backing her up, he trapped her between his body and the makeup table. Lips merged in a warm wet kiss, their hands stroking down each others backs. Paul freed her a bit to pull up her skirt and stroke his hands down her backside. His eyebrow raised a bit in interest as he found the thigh high stockings and absence of anything save the black lace thong. She felt hard firmness growing to life, as he rocked his hips against her, rubbing his body against hers. Winding arms around his waist she fused her lips to his and tasted the sweetness of his hot moist mouth.

Hunger grew to a longing that she could not ignore. Twinges of it shivered over the private recesses outwards to raise her skin into goose-pimples under his massaging fingers. Through the deep dance of tongues he moaned, her own groans answering muffled by his ruby painted lips.

"I definitely love these seven inch leather heels," she whispered throatily when they parted for breath, panting in anticipation of where this was headed.

"And I definitely do too," he grinned. He tugged her dress up, raising her arms so he could remove it from her trembling body in one steady fluid movement. Reaching around he unhooked her bra, and let it fall to the floor. Sighing, he rubbed his chest against her bare breasts, her sensitive skin tingling with the contact of his. He kissed her chin, her collarbone, and breasts in rapid succession, tongue teasing each nipple to firmness. White streaks traced his progress as she stroked her fingers through his hair and held him as he suckled her for a few delicious minutes. Again he leaned up; lips parted with his tongue tracing along his teeth hungrily. Eyes darkened with greater desire when their gazes met again.

Her hand sneaked down between them both, her gaze still fixed into his. Eyebrows raised in surprise at her hand stealing into his leggings, and her surprise answered his, eliciting amusement and a chuckle from him. Fingers felt skin, with no confines except his rhinestone encrusted leggings!

"Did you forget something?" she asked, breathing deeply.

"Not at all, baby," he whispered, pushing her underwear down. She was about to rid herself of the boots to step out of them, but Paul tugged the thong down and whispered for her to step out of it. "Keep the boots on, Lady Starchild," he joked.

Bare except for his boots and her leggings she felt open and vulnerable. For a moment, he pulled her close, spandex and bumpy rhinestones against hot bare skin. She laughed, and tugged down his leggings a bit as he wriggled his hips seductively.

Before she could bend her knees and lean down, he stopped her and pulled her up. Firmly his hands held hers, eyes pleading as he whispered, "No baby. Not this time. This is extra special, just for you and me…"

"But I know you like…"

"Shh," he whispered, stepping out of the leggings and standing before her in little more then his Starchild makeup and a lascivious smile. She freed one hand and stroked him, and he nodded as he reached down to caress her intimate places. A sharp gasp passed through parted lips as he massaged her, and she gently clenched him between both of her hands to give his lovegun an intimate massage of its own. Arching his back, he threw his head back in desire, and she could see the boundary of whiteface meeting his own skin.

Paul moved her hands away from him, and pulled his other hand from her. Taking both her hands into his own, he pressed himself to her and traced her lips with his tongue teasingly. She gasped at the feel of his firmness stroking nearer to her softness, knees bending to position himself between her legs. Shifting she stood apart with both boots so he could proceed as she guessed. As he thrust inside, she moaned with the contact of his skin on hers that she had missed for what seemed an eternity.

Lower bodies joined, and she met her gaze with his, fingers clenching tightly into his as he shifted his hips. Reaching down he lifted her and set her on the makeup table, and she freed her hand long enough to sweep carelessly behind herself to push a clear space.

"Damn you feel good," she moaned, as he began to thrust into her. Jars on the counter rattled in time to his advances, and her rocking in unison to him. Eyeliner pencils dropped, and containers of Stein black clattered to the floor as Paul hammered himself into her eagerly. She bracketed his firm hips with her thighs, leaning back so her shoulders hit the cool glass of his makeup mirror.

They groaned each other's names, increasing their tempo. Hard and firm, he continued to make love to her, working her into a fast frenzy that wrung a loud cry of climax from her. His hands released hers, his hands grabbing her booted legs and supporting them to raise them and spread her legs wider so he could thrust deeper.

"Christ, Paul! Keep it down in there," came Peter's voice as he rapped rudely on the door.

Inside her, Paul shouted back, "Screw you Peter!"

"No thanks!" Peter shot back. "You're already busy!"

Paul and Trynia exchanged a look, and burst out laughing as they hugged each other. "Now, where were we?" she asked.

"Right about here!" he laughed, resuming his eager thrusting. Awkwardness at being caught melted away, while he brought her to the brink of where they had been before Peter's rude interruption.

Paul slowly moaned, eyes shutting as he pushed one last time inside her as far as he could. She reached around to grip that million-dollar ass and help him as much as she dared. Arching her back she felt his last deep stab push as far in as it could. Trynia felt his excitement exploding into her depths, flooding her soundly.

"Oh Paul," she groaned, resting her head on his neck while he held her in his arms.

"I waited two months for that," he whispered in her ear. "And it was worth the wait…"

"Mmm, it was," she sighed, wrapping her legs around his waist. Paul continued to remain inside her, holding her for a time. Both savored the intimacy of their embrace for as long as they could.

"I mean to tell you, sweetheart," Paul whispered after a time.

"What?" she asked.

"You look incredible," he smiled, stroking her breasts with his fingers, then tracing the muscles of her toned arms. "What have you been doing?"

"Next best thing to the Paul Stanley workout," she laughed, flushing red.

"Sounds interesting, I can't wait for you to tell me more…" Paul chuckled, and pulled reluctantly out of her. She grabbed a face cloth and handed it to him so he could towel himself off, and kicked his leggings the rest of the way off.

"Oh man… what a mess," she groaned, leaning over to pick up the steins. She covered her nakedness with her arms, and Paul grabbed her his bathrobe from the pile of his things.

"Throw this on," he whispered. They heard banging on the door coupled with voices, and Trynia quickly found a towel and threw it to him. He tied it around his waist and helped her to clear up the rest of their mess. Carefully he collected the rest of his costume and laid it over a chair for Gloria to put it away for cleaning.

"Hey Stanley, you gonna let us in or what?" Gene's voice boomed.

"Go on and get into the shower," Paul whispered conspiratorially in her ear. "Take the one on the left front. I'll be there ASAP…"

"Hey what gives?" Ace's voice joined Gene's.

"Just a minute, people!" Paul yelled back. He rushed after Trynia unlocking the door and dashing to the bathroom with a container of baby oil and shower things.

Gene kicked open the door, and noticed Paul's boots and costume laid to the side. Strange, he could swear he'd seen Paul rushing off with Trynia in this direction. Of course his was not to reason why, because his own makeup was smeared almost beyond recognition from his own encore with a vivacious red head.

"Well, what do you think Paul was up to?" Ace asked peter.

"You really have to ask?" Peter snorted. "You really are freaking further gone then any of us thought! Paul plus girlfriend equals... you know..."

"One chick as a landing pad for his rocket ride," Ace completed.

"No shit sherlock," Gene laughed. "Spacey and clueless as always…"

Ace cackled when he saw Gene taking the two bras he had over his arms as trophies, and opening the door.

"Hey, Joe! Give these to the rodies, will ya? Playtime!" Gene shouted, and hurled them at the road security guy that happened to walk by. Eyes lighting up he took the trophies from Gene.

"Here's a few more for ya!" Ace called, and grabbed a handful of bras that he had retrieved from his own microphone. "Knock yourself out man!"

"Thanks…" Joe laughed, arms filled with various bras of all shapes, colors and materials. "Bumper crop tonight, huh?"

"Get outta here, you perv," Peter groaned. "And get me my goddamned pan! My arms are freaking KILLING ME!"

"You heard him, get someone in here now!" Gene shouted. "Ice water Pronto, or heads are gonna roll!"

Within a few minutes, several road crew rushed in with a huge tub of ice for Peter, and a comfortable chair. Gloria rushed in, as Peter sat down and plunged his arms into the tub to the elbows. She began to help him remove his garments, glaring at Gene and Ace to hurry up.

Gene finished first, shedding his spandex without even worrying that he showed his nude body to the world in general. He grabbed his robe and towel, rushing off to the shower to get the blood stains and makeup scrubbed away. Ace was next, while Peter continued to soak for a good portion of an hour. Soon his daughter lifted the sheet to come in and keep her father company while he reduced the spasms of pain in his wrists and hands.

Paul emerged from the bathroom a few minutes after Gene and Ace had disappeared, glancing around to see who was in. Seeing Peter, he froze for a moment.

"Don't worry man," Peter said, glancing at him. "I'm not gonna be the stool pigeon… coast is clear…"

"Thanks, Pete," Paul sighed gratefully. Trynia slowly wandered out, clad in the purple bathrobe with the P and S in cursive stitches. A towel was wrapped around her hair, and Paul was already drying his own wet locks as he led her over to his makeup area.

"Hi," Jenilee waved to Trynia, who flushed red. They were definitely not alone.

"Hi…" Trynia said slowly, attempting to hide behind Paul.

"It's cool," Paul told her. Peter was grinning like a Cheshire Cat, glancing at both of them.

"Get outta here you lovebirds," he teased.

"Uh Dad…" Jenilee said.

"Don't say a word kiddo," Peter said.

"DAAD, I'm legal! You don't have to plug my ears up! They won't burn!" Jenilee groaned.

"C'mon, lets get you something to wear," Paul said slowly.

"I can just wear my dress," she whispered back, as Paul retrieved it for her. He held up a blanket to shield her from Peter, who discreetly turned his gaze away while Trynia slipped her dress back on.

"Where's my underwear?" she whispered back to him, grabbing him. Still he held the towel up for her.

"I don't know…" Paul gasped, sheepish. He finally found them laying under his costume, and handed them to her. When she had put herself back together, he began to dress as well. Jenilee was shooed out of the room with a glance from her dad.

"Hand me those overalls would you sweetheart?" Paul asked. For a moment, she was a bit stunned as he slipped on a pair of briefs and dropped his towel simultaneously. Shyly she handed him the clothes, and he chuckled at the expression on her face.

"We're all friends here," he whispered, kissing her cheek. "You don't have to be shy around me…"

"I know… I guess I am just out of practice…"

"Hmm we'll have to do something about that…" he laughed, and stepped into his overalls, pulling them up with his back to her. "Gimmie a hand… I can't get the one damn strap…"

"There you go," she said, reaching over and tossing the stray strap over his shoulder so he could fasten it. Grabbing a bandanna, he tied his wet mass of curls back. He hunted for socks and his battered, comfortable sneakers to wear.

"Thanks…" he nodded, and leaned over to kiss her cheek softly. Arms stole around her waist and pulled her close to hug her tightly for a moment. She buried her face in his chest, stroking hands up and down his back. It was hard to believe even after their rendezvous that it was actually happening. Any moment she was afraid, she'd awaken from this wonderful dream, alone in her own full bed in her apartment.

She tensed when she remembered they weren't alone in the room. Glancing over Paul's shoulder, she saw Peter watching them with a smug Cheshire cat smile on that painted face. Still he kept his arms immersed in the frigid water.

"Aww," Peter laughed. "Isn't that sweet?"

"Oh shut up," Trynia flushed, hiding her face in Paul's chest with embarrassment.

"He's harmless," Paul said. "Hey, what do you say we get outta here and get something to eat?"

"Sounds like a good idea to me. Get outta here you love birds!" Peter scolded them.

"Sorry I told you to shut up Peter," Trynia sighed. "That was rude of me…"

"Hey don't apologize, little girl. Just do me a favor and get this goon outta here. He's been mooning over you the last two goddamned months!"

"Is that right Paul?" she asked, goosepimples erupting on her bare arms.

"Hmm, why don't I show you?" Paul laughed.

"Paul stop drooling over your girl and do something dammit," Gene said, striding into the dressing room from the small shower area.

"Yeah, stop talking and start doing something useful with that mouth, man!" Ace cackled, toweling his hair off. He was wrapped in his blue bathrobe, leering playfully at the couple.

"Shut up Ace," Paul snorted at him.

"Wouldn't you like to see it," Peter laughed at Ace, flicking ice water at the spaceman, wrapped in his bathrobe.

"Hi sweetie," Gene said, winking at Trynia. "So, is Stanley behaving himself?"

"Unfortunately," Trynia joked, feeling the tension ease a little.

"Ouch!" Peter chuckled. "She nailed you…"

"C'mon let's leave this clowns baby," Paul suggested, arm around her waist.

"Get outta here and screw already!" Gene scolded them. "I swear Paul, you have got to light a fire under your damn butt sometimes!"

"Good night Gene," Paul laughed. "Speaking of clowns, make sure the kitty takes off his face this time?"

"Shaddup you," Peter retorted, flicking water over both of them.

"Get the catnip, quick! Kitty's freaking bitchy!" Ace joked. Grabbing the pan, Peter threw a sluice of water directly at Ace. Squawking he leapt back and tripped over his own feet to land flat on his backside. Paul grabbed Trynia's hand and led her out of the room. Gene and Peter laughed at the drowned Spaceman shaking water off his soaked robe. He spat water out and shook his freshly wet hair.

"I'm gonna NEUTER YOU for that, Peter!" Ace warned.

"You guys are worse then children sometimes," Trynia chuckled when they strode quickly down the hall, Paul's arm wrapped tightly around her waist.

"Well they keep me off the streets, and out of trouble," Paul joked. "but enough about them. How was the flight here?"

"Very long. It was very difficult waiting for the plane to land, and I was tempted to get out and walk the rest of the way to the terminal…"

Paul chuckled, and kissed her ear softly. They reached the back exit, and saw Chris standing patiently there. He waved to Paul, "Ready to go home?"

"Definitely. Is her luggage…"

"All taken care of. The limo's out back and ready to go…"

"Great. Ready to blow this popsickle stand, baby?" Paul asked Trynia.

"That sounds incredibly demented, but yes," Trynia nodded.

"Let's do it," Paul nodded, leading her out after Chris.