Disclaimer: KISS, Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons are real persons, and this story is not meant to harm or demean them in any manner. It is a work of fiction. Trynia Merin and other characters are property of the author. Rated R for sexual content and language, so no readers under 18 please. Picture from Dynasty.

"You have got to be KIDDING," Terri rolled her eyes when she heard the song "Living in SIN," click on. "Where did you dig up that old chestnut?"

"Wouldn't you love to know, baby?" Gene laughed, catching hold of her as she walked away.

"Gene, knock it off," Terri grumbled as he flickered his tongue in and out of her ear in famous Demon style.

"What?" he asked. "You didn't mind that before baby..."

"I guess I'm just preoccupied..."

"With what?"

"Paul and Trynia... they've disappeared..."

"Well is that a bad thing, doll?" Gene asked her with a smirk.

"No, but I just... oh never mind..."

"Now you KNOW better then to get my mind going on something as far as my best bud's concerned. Spill it..."

"Well, it's girl talk,"

"My favorite kind," Gene grinned.

"Oh good lord! You're especially exasperating and impossible when you're in the party mode," she groaned. "It's a damn good thing you don't drink because I bet you'd be 10 times worse!"

"Just sit down, zip it up and relax, it's NEW years," he scolded her, and tugged her onto his lap as he settled onto the sofa. "Or I'll personally drag you upstairs and show you some manners!"

"Gene I'm seven months along how could I possibly..."

"I've had plenty of practice with a brooding mate, sweetie. And if I know anything, a woman is sexy, especially when she's carrying my kid... why sometimes they say the sex drive quadruples..."

"Why does that sound like something you're going to print in your Tongue magazine?" she asked.

"Hey Dad, where's Uncle Paul?" Nick asked as he walked past, Pepsi in hand.

"Use your imagination, kiddo," Gene teased, tugging the baseball cap off his son's head. "And loose the hat. How the hell can the chicks see those sexy looks you inherited from me if you hide your face like that?"

Monique and Jenilee walked by, each holding a drink in hand and chatting. Both had changed into swimsuits and sarongs for a New Year's swim in Gene's heated pool, and Nicholas soon lost attention what his father was saying as he walked after them at a distance. He turned direction quickly when Peter happened to wander in and headed toward the game room. Ace was already in the midst of tackling Wing Commander, and Nicholas decided that was a far safer pursuit for now.

"Kid's growing up really fast, isn't he?" Terri said to Gene.

"Damn he's almost as tall as me," Gene shook his head. "Now, what is this thing about Paul and Trynia that's got your so down?"

"Oh brother, I suppose you have to know everything..."

"That's my business remember?"

"Well Trynia just needed some condoms that's all," she said innocently.

"Oh okay," Gene laughed. "Why is that a big deal?"

"Well unlike you and me, she's very private about her sex life... that's why," Terri sighed.

"Ah she's just like Paulie then. I told you they're a good match..."

"Thanks Yenta," she snorted. "Since you were against her sticking around to begin with!"

In another room, Melissa followed Eric over to the pool table once more. "You owe me a rematch, sweetie," he grinned at her.

"What kind of a rematch?" she asked, slipping the cue off the wall and handing it to him. He began to sort the balls and toss them casually into the wooden triangle.

"Oh... a little one on one," Eric winked at her, lifting the triangle off to reveal a perfect formation of pool balls. "So, it's your turn to break."

"If you insist," she smiled sweetly, and moved before him with her stick. His eyes admired the curve of her back, blond hair spilling down loose over her shoulders with a slight waviness. Like Terri, she was generous and curved in all the right places he thought. It had been a good year; Eric nodded as he saw her lean over, her backside discernable under her floral print skirt.

Melissa frowned for a moment as she noticed a dark stain halfway up the pool table. It was barely noticeable in the bright light of the overhead glass lamp decorated with pool balls and sticks in stained glass. "Eric, did someone spill something on Gene's table?"

"Why do you ask?"

"Look at this... there's a stain," she said. He leaned over her shoulder, and inhaled the scent of her perfume for a moment. Sheer heaven, he thought, as he felt his pants tightening ever so slightly. The heat from her body so close to his made his heart race faster.

"Oh yeah... heheeh I had almost forgotten it!"

"What is that laugh for?" she asked, turning and almost bumping her nose to his. A smirk of mischief spread across that Cheshire grin, indicating a naughty little secret.

"Well Gene told me what it was... but I didn't believe it at first..."

"What is it? Did someone spill a drink?"

"Uh not exactly," Eric giggled, unable to wipe the smirk off his face. "Let's just say it happened when Terri first moved into Gene's home... and they were playing pool just like we are now..."

Leaning close, he whispered in her ear, and Melissa's eyes grew wide as saucers. "No way..." she gasped. "You are joking, right?"

"That's what it is... and Gene decided he didn't want to change the felt..."

Paul slipped his arm around her shoulders, and lay her head on his chest. Slowly he stroked his hand through her hair and cleared his throat. These next few sentences were not going to come easily. He stalled for a moment to think by saying, "Baby, how about a little champagne? I could use it. Could you?"

"Paul..." she gave him a warning look.

"No I'm serious still baby. Here..." he said, and reached over to refill the two glasses. He handed the one to her, and took the other for himself. Slowly he took a sip to wet his dry throat, and cleared it once more.

"Paul, what would you have done... if you had found out I was pregnant?" she asked him.

"That's a very good question baby," he said. "And I'll answer it with what I was going to tell you earlier... but couldn't find a good time to. I suppose you were wondering why I cut my hair..."

"Yes, I did wonder," she said, sipping her champagne. "But how does that help either one of us?"

"You're scared baby, and so am I..."

"You bet I'm scared. I love you so much, but the thought of leaving everything I have behind... to stay with you... I don't' think I can. Yet, I can't just walk out of your life again... after what you just said... Paul I don't know if I can do this..." she cried, feeling the tears resurging again.

"Shh, wait baby, I think I have an answer. Well I'll tell you why I cut my hair. It wasn't just because it was getting short. As you know the tour's winding down... and well Gene and I are looking into other venues... and well..."

"Other venues?" she asked, straightening up and peering at him. "Does that mean... you're no longer going to be in KISS?"

"It'll go on baby, no doubt. But right now... well Gene and I were talking--and he's got the new baby and the magazine--and I've been thinking of doing something I've wanted to for a long time. That I had a taste of the last time I cut my hair."

"You mean you're going to do Phantom again?" she gasped.

"That's right baby," Paul smiled. "And can you guess where? Not Toronto..."

"Oh my god, you mean..."

"Yes baby. I've given this lots of thought. You don't have to face such a hard decision... because if I'm going to do Phantom I need to be near New York City, on the East Coast. And I'll be a lot closer to a certain Lady I can't bear to part with."

"Paul... I don't know what to say..."

"You live in Philly right, so you can go to school during the week? Well, I was thinking that you and I... we could get a place together on the East coast, where we can be together... and you won't have to give up your school and I can do what I want too..."

"Are you sure... do you REALLY mean it?"

"I want you with me, baby. Just you, and only you, Tryn. And seeing that look in your eyes... I don't want you to be in any more pain then me. It doesn't have to be impossible. We'll have to work very hard, but are you willing to try?"

"I... want to... oh Lord I do!"

"Then say yes," Paul urged. "I want us to be together... just you and me now. Nobody else."

"Absolutely YES then!" she cried with relief, grabbing him and hugging him fiercely to her.

"We can get a really nice place, move some of the stuff from here out there... you can have your own studio for painting and studying. I've been looking into apartments and houses already in the Poconos, it's just a two hour commute from there to New York each day for rehearsal..."

"Well you could also get a place in the city and I can come and spend weekends there...."

"But you have got to get a better apartment for school," Paul said thoughtfully. "Or maybe if I got a place in Jersey, that wasn't too far from where you are you could commute... after all I did get you that new car..."

"No Paul, I can't back out of the lease I signed with Sharmane..."

"I could help take care of the rest of that, I wouldn't mind," Paul said softly.

"I hate asking you for money," she groaned.

"Well it's mine to give baby, and I'm insisting..." he teased her gently. "I was going to rent my home here out to Bruce so he could stay here with Desiree and do some work on an album he's putting together for Eric..."

"This sounds like a lot of work, but it sounds fun..."

"We'll see how it goes, baby," he smiled, kissing her cheek tenderly as he held her close in his arms. He fingered the promise ring on her hand and joked, "You play your cards right, sweetheart, and I'll be giving you another ring like that some time soon, only THIS time, I'll place it on your left hand."
"The pointer finger first followed by the ring finger?" she joked.

"Jeez baby, you really have been doing your research!" he chuckled. "Damn..."

"Just wait till I take you home and show you off to my friends, and my family," she said. "That's another challenge!"

"And my parents, Man!" Paul groaned. "That's gonna be a doozy baby. "

"Well you'll give me plenty of pointers, won't you?" she purred, and tugged him down on top of her. Paul eagerly resumed where he had left off before, throwing the sheets over them both. Humps migrated under the bedspread followed by her laughter, and soft gasps. He paused only to reach down for her blouse and pull out one of the packages she had gotten from Gene.

"If you're so damn worried about them why don't we send someone to check on them?" Gene asked, still holding Terri on his lap in the entertainment room. What was it going to take to get her to relax, he wondered?

"I couldn't Gene," Terri shook her head vehemently, eyes shutting in embarrassment. "That would mean I told you what I told Trynia and..."

"Well I'll do the honors. After all Paul does know I left the door unlocked, and it's my nature to peek, remember?"

"You're terrible..."

"Would you have me any other way?" he asked, grabbing her and kissing her passionately for a long minute. She was left in heady breathlessness as he pulled away and smiled sweetly, as sweetly as he could that is.

"Get out of here and do your dirty work before I change my mind, you buffoon," she laughed. Gene saluted her and strode out toward the guesthouse. He walked past the pool Jenilee and Monique splashed about along with others of the crew who were still hanging around at that late hour.

Gene crept around to the particular window that was just barely shielded by the hedge. He discreetly glanced around to see if anyone was looking, then seeing nobody bent over to peer through the window. The blinds were slightly askew, and he could see the movement of sheets blurring back and forth. Occasionally he heard the giggles and moans that he had come to know as Paul's nocturnal calling card.

He couldn't resist tapping on the window to see if they would notice or not. Sure enough, his second attempt at distraction prompted the sheet to fall, and Paul to raise his dark haired head and glance around. Gene darted out of sight and rushed around to the patio.

Inside, Paul and Trynia exchanged glances, and Paul put a finger to his lips. Trynia's eyes were wide with fear. She pushed hair out of her face and felt her heart pounding to a slow stop. Who had made that tapping sound?

"Uh Paul... that wasn't just the wind was it?" she whispered, shrinking down into the bed. Paul protectively wrapped himself around her back and gave her a whole body a reassuring squeeze.

"Wait here baby. I'll just be a few minutes okay?" he whispered. "It's probably just a branch scratching the glass, or some person being a wise ass."

"Don't take too long..." she smiled.

"Catch your breath, because I have a feeling I want to Uh all Night," Paul winked. She smirked and watched him grab a pair of boxer shorts to pull on before he walked out the bedroom door. A small smile crept over Paul's face as he fished another bottle of champagne out of the kitchen, with two clean glasses. He had Gene to thank for leaving the fresh champagne chilling there in an icebucket. Crossing over to the patio sliding door, he peered behind the curtain and undid the lock bar. Slowly he slid it open and stepped out onto the patio to glance around.

"Psst! I know you're there Gene," he hissed. "You can't hide from me man!"

"Busted," Gene grinned cheerfully, stepping out onto the patio. "I couldn't resist. Terri sent me to check up on you two..."

"Uh huh, likely story," Paul grinned lopsidedly. "Well since you're here, you can have a drink with me man..."

"No way, I don't think so," Gene laughed. Paul popped the cord off the champagne and poured two glasses. "Do you want me to break the good habit of a lifetime, man?"

"C'mon Gene... It's a freaking New Year, and I'm in LOVE!" Paul whooped. He knocked back half a glass and threw his head back as if to savor the moment.

"You ARE happy," Gene shook his head with a laugh. "Holy Shit!"

"Drink up Gene, I'm in LOVE!" Paul laughed, thrusting the glass into Gene's hand. "C'mon, haven't you ever WONDERED what it's like to have some bubbly..."

"Well, actually now that you've mentioned it, not particularly," Gene admitted, scratching his head. He held the glass carefully as if it were arsenic or some other fatal poison.

"PAUL honey... are you out there?" came Trynia's voice from within. "Is everything all right?"

"C'mon Gene, you're my best buddy! Drink a toast with me... to the woman I love..."

"All right, but will you shut up and promise not to tell anyone then? I have an image to protect, ya know," Gene whispered.

"All right. To love, and women we can't get out of our heads... to save our lives!" Paul laughed.

"To friendship, and to the best goddamn New Year," Gene said, holding up his glass. Quickly they clinked the goblets, and Paul downed his in one gulp. Not wanting to be outdone, Gene knocked back half. Suddenly he felt the bubbles sliding down his throat just like soda.

"Damn, this stuff is actually pretty good," he laughed.

"PAUL! ARE YOU ALL RIGHT?" came Trynia's voice through the house. "Give me a damn sign already!"

"Uh oh... the ball and chain's getting rammy," Gene joked.

"I'd better get back in there and make sure she's okay," Paul winked. Gene waved goodbye with a cheesy smile on his face. He watched Paul rush back inside and quickly downed the rest of his glass.

"Holy..." Gene got out when he inhaled deeply. "That's... strong stuff... shit..."

It seemed like the blood rushed out of his body in one long warm streak to replace his blood with bubbly effervescence. A haze settled on his brain and he felt remarkably good. From inside he could hear the muffled conversation between Paul and Trynia, and decided to investigate further.

"What was that all about?" Trynia's voice came. "I was worried sick!"

"Well, nothing to worry about..." Paul's distinctive laugh came. "Now... where were we before we were so rudely interrupted?"

"Nothing to worry about," Trynia asked. "Paul... Mmm...."

"Hmmm," Paul laughed, the rest of the sentence unintelligible. Gene stealthily stepped inside, and crept toward the door, champagne bottle in one hand down the hall. Laughter rose in pitch until he reached its source, the master bedroom of the guesthouse and its sizable king.

"I can't believe you... with that big hint you stinker..."

"And what... Mmm ... big hint is that... hmm MMM yeah..." came Paul's voice from under the white tent of the sheets.

"You practically hinted at an engagement ring, you silly man!" her answer sounded. "Now what was up with that?"

"Well, hypothetically baby... but you gotta understand, I'll need a little... time...."

A fit of fresh giggles broke out, and Gene reached the threshold of the bedroom door. Peering around the frame he saw Paul's head poke out of the sheets and throw them back to reveal Trynia snugly sandwiched between him and the mattress.

"Now I'm gonna ask you what all this laughing stuff is about!" he asked. "Are you making fun of your man... after I've busted my ass trying to make sure you're all comfortable baby... really, there's just no pleasing some people!"

"The way you said 'time' was really funny that's all!"

"Well I think its time this man in your life stakes his exclusive claim, because TONIGHT, you're mine once and for all baby!"

Gene tried to duck out of sight, but tripped over the doorframe, almost dropping the bottle of champagne he held. Paul's head snapped around at the noise, and he saw the movement out of the corner of his eye.

"Gene, what the hell are you doing?" Paul asked, glaring at the doorway. Trynia hid under Paul, as he whipped the sheets around both of their forms.

"Admiring the view of the future Mrs. Starchild," Gene laughed.

"Say what?" Paul asked. Gene wandered into the room, bottle and glass in hand. He plunked the champagne bottle right near the emptied one and grinned.

"You sneaky son of a bitch," Gene chuckled deeply. "Trying to hide the news from your best buddy! Why the hell didn't you tell me you were proposing!"

"I wasn't... I mean...." Paul got out. "Oh shit... Gene..."

"Did you or did you not mention an engagement ring pal?" Gene teased him. "Are you gonna carry the damn thing around for a whole month before you give it to your lady this time?"

"Paul?" Trynia asked, glancing up as Paul struggled to block Gene's view of her with himself, and the sheet cocooning them both.

"Uh well..." Paul got out. "Gene, thanks for bringing the champagne and all, but I think three's a crowd..."

"How did he get that champagne?" Trynia asked. "Were you outside the whole time watching us?"

"Guilty as charged," Gene held up his hand.

"Normally I'd be extremely furious with you Gene... but I am sure you're going to come up with some stupid reason to justify being a peeping tom..." Trynia scolded him.

"Would it help if I said Terri was worried about you too?"

"Nice try, Gene," Paul told him. "But I'm not buying that line. Go sell it somewhere else, like NOW?"

"May I propose a toast to the lovely Mr. and Mrs. Starchild?" he asked.

He poured two glasses for them both, and Trynia laughed when he almost missed her glass. She asked, "Are you okay Gene?"

"Of course doll, you lucky, lucky girl!" Gene shook his finger at her, and shoved the glass into her hand a little clumsily.

"Gene are you sober?" she asked when he passed another glass to Paul.

"About damn time you got this man thinking straight," Gene continued, wagging his finger at Paul this time.

"Sounds like you aren't thinking straight, Mr. Simmons!" Paul shook his head.

"If I had to hear one more time how he'd MESSED IT UP WITH TRYNIA...." Gene chuckled. Paul still straddled Trynia there, half amused, half embarrassed.

"Gene, knock it off," Trynia laughed.

"I know about his boxing matches with himself!" Gene grinned, leaning close and smirking at Paul. "I know this guy like my own damn brother..."

"Oh man," Paul groaned.

"Is there a little star in the oven perhaps? Are you guys starting your own galaxy under my nose?"

"Gene," Trynia groaned. "Would a pregnant woman use one of your condoms? And for your information, this nebula isn't going to create any new stars for a while yet!"

"Uh Gene... this isn't a spectator sport," Paul commented. "And I think you should lay off the champagne..."

"Good idea... you finish it off... it's starting to taste just like gingerale," Gene muttered. He peered into the trashcan and noticed the used wrappers, much to Paul's dismay.

"Oho the Italian brand... nice choice," Gene grinned. "But what you really need is something particularly special. Just for the special occasion."

Here he reached into his pants pocket and pulled out his wallet. Rooting through he threw a couple objects at Paul, who groaned with embarrassment. "Try THAT on for size Paul! Your woman deserves the best!"

"Good lord, you carry one of these?" she laughed, picking up the wrapped square packet. Across it was the band logo in the familiar orange to yellow logo, on a field of red plastic.

"Gene... you have a warped sense of humor," Paul continued to moan, laying his head across Trynia's chest. He was completely mortified. "I'm gonna fucking KILL you for this in the morning... if you're coherent enough!"

"Special occasions.... Dictate special raincoats," Gene nodded. "Now get down to business already!"

Saluting to them, he walked out of the guesthouse, singing "Tough Love" in his deep voice. The din faded to nothingness, leaving a very confused Trynia and Paul to regard each other. Glancing up at Paul Trynia laughed, "HOW did you manage to get Gene drunk? Wait until Ace and Peter see this... They'll laugh their ASSES off!"

Paul suddenly thought to himself, "Oh God, what have I done?"

"How much did he have?" she whispered up to him.

"Honey, one glass. It was ONLY one glass. I SWEAR."

"But he has NO tolerance!" Trynia whispered back with control. "Hasn't the big bad Demon avoided the evil spirit of liquor?"

"As far as I know, but he could have been fibbing," Paul whispered back. "After all sometimes he's taken a tiny sip here and there the last time for toasts..."

"Uh Paul... does he even drink wine for Passover?" Trynia asked.

"Uh... well... I guess... but that's different," Paul shrugged. "And it's kosher Magen David..."

"Is he going to be okay?" Trynia asked. "You really blew it this time. Terri is going to kill him..."

"But...but.... We were toasting YOU. He's my 'brother'. What could I do?"

"Let me guess, he uses Grape juice for the damn Passover ceremony!" she sighed.

"I guess his 'I must stay in control' theory didn't work so well tonight," Paul sighed.

"I guess not!" Trynia grinned.

Paul laughed again, "You KNOW this is all going to be my fault when he wakes up with a headache the size of his damn ego tomorrow".

"Well I wonder if you're gonna wake up with a headache, buster!" Trynia grinned. "After all how many glasses have you and I had? I think we finished off this one bottle of champagne... and Gene was nice enough to bring us this other..."

"But you know. I just don't care. This night is all about my lady and what she means to me. I want EVERYONE celebrating." Paul whooped. "It's f***cking New Years and I'm in LOVE, damn it!"

"Well be careful what you wish for!" she laughed back. "You just may get more then you bargain for..."

"Besides, he gets too bad, we dump him off on Terri." Paul grinned, and leaned over to kiss her again.

"But what if he falls into the pool... shouldn't you make sure he's okay?"

"Which, by the way, is a DAMN good idea. Let me head him in her general direction. I'll tell him I'm pretty sure she was eyeing his crotch earlier. He'll sniff her out like a bloodhound. THEN you and I can finally enjoy our reunion in this nice big bed."

"Why not get Bruce and Eric to help you?" Trynia suggested. "He's a big guy... after all."

Paul got up and dashed to the door. He noticed Gene hesitating in the living room, as if he wasn't quite sure where to go. "You okay big guy?" Paul asked.

"Damn... I was going somewhere to do something but I forget what..."

"Okay Gene... I think you were going to go back to your party, and let me get down to business?" Paul suggested. Gently he took Gene's arm and led him across the back yard toward the noise from the main house. Gently he shoved Gene to the general direction of the party.

"Good idea Stanley... you do that... I'm gonna take care of my business..." Gene nodded and managed to keep from tripping over the pool furniture as he tried to enter the house again. The door handle seemed greased as it slipped in his grasp. Trying again he tugged the French doors open and entered.

Bruce glanced up from Desiree on the sofa, when he heard the shuffling at the door. Gene stumbled in, cursing as he slammed the door behind him.

"Okay, who the hell moved the door?" Gene demanded.

"Uh... Gene are you okay?" Bruce asked.

"I'm freaking fine, Brucey, how about you?" Gene laughed.

"Uh... yeah... I'm good," Bruce grinned. Maybe this was some silly joke.

"I'm getting back to my party. You having fun yet?"

"Of course sure man," Bruce nodded. "Say, are you okay?"

"Never better!" Gene said. "Except I have some news... hey, where is everybody?"

He left Bruce alone with Desiree as he wandered around the entertainment room. He noticed Ace playing a video game with his son, and shouted, "Hey Space Ace, when are you gonna stop interacting with the idiot box and get into meatspace?"

"Uh, hey there Gene," Ace said, glancing up.

"Sorry Dad I know it's late..."

"Hey don't stop for me, kid," Gene laughed. "You creaming this guy's butt?"

"He's killing me Gene... say for someone who hates the Internet and computers, you sure have a lot of toys for your kids..." Ace commented.

"I said I hated the INTERNET, not Game boy," Gene corrected him. "Especially when my sons whipping your outer space ass with it!"

Turning away from Ace for a moment, he glanced hastily around. "Hey, Peter... where are you man?" he called over the din of music. He took a step in the direction of the kitchen, tripping over the edge of the carpet. Just in time, Gene caught himself on the back of Ace's chair.

"Whoops, damn carpet," Gene muttered.

Ace peered at Gene carefully, and then a slow smile crept over his face. "Oh... I get it... Hey Gene, are you... a few sheets to the wind?"

"Shut up ACE!" Gene laughed. Rising from the chair, Ace peered closer into Gene's face, noticing his dilated pupils, and the unsteadiness of his footing.

"Well, Well, the big bad Demon finally touched some spirits huh?" Ace cackled. "Are you really the Gene from this space time continuum, or are you visiting from a parallel universe?"

"Say, did you know that Paul's married?" Gene leaned down to whisper in Ace's ear, grabbing his hand.

"Say what?" Ace asked. "I know I'm slow, but isn't he divorced?"

"That's just what he wants you to think. But I know him..." Gene grinned.

Just then, Peter wandered into the room, noticing Ace and Gene talking. Nicholas glanced at his father in confusion, and shook his head. Moving over to Peter he said, "My dad was just asking for you... where were you?"

"Getting a brewsky. Say what is Gene talking about?"

"Hey Petey boy, Paul's married!" Gene laughed.

"Excuse me?" Peter asked, staring at him in confusion. "Are you joking Gene?"

"Wait... make that 'getting married'," Gene clarified again in a louder voice. "I caught him right in the act..."

"Oh... really?" Peter asked. "Since when?"

"Since I caught him and lady Starchild in the sack together," Gene grinned, folding arms across his chest. He leaned on one leg, then quickly righted himself as if he lost balance shortly.

"Uh Ace..." Peter asked. "Is Gene..."

"Uh huh," Ace cackled. Peter grinned, and began to chuckle.

"Gene you son of a bitch... what was in that can of Fresca?"

"Not Fresca... gingerale... or something that tasted like it... smartass..."

"Try champagne... a little alcohol maybe?" Ace asked. "Now you can't bust on me and Peter anymore, for being the bad boys!"

"You're absolutely right man!" Gene nodded. "C'mere... I got something I gotta tell you..."

"What?" Ace asked. Gene grabbed him by the shoulders and planted a smacking kiss on Ace's forehead.

"You're a good egg all right, but don't even think of abducting any more space-bears pal, or I'll pound you next time we're on Tom Snyder!"

"Ack, hey!" Ace spluttered.

"Spread the news across the galaxy. Star child's getting married," Gene threw up his arms and laughed as he wandered off.

"What the hell was that all about?" Ace asked, looking at Peter in total confusion.

"Damned if I know. But it's totally funny you know. Gene's drunk!"

"How and what was he drinking?" Ace asked. "And can I get some?"

"Gene, what the hell was in that Fresca?" Peter teased Gene, catching up with him.

"Not Fresca Petey boy..." Gene leaned over and whispered close in his ear. "Champagne... the LEADED stuff..."

"Whoa boy, look out," Peter said. "Why don't you sit down for a little while Gene... and take the load off."

"How can I sit down when I gotta tell the world my best buddy is getting married?" Gene asked him. "Now where is my woman?"

Peter and Ace look at each other and go, "The world is coming to an end! Gene is plastered!"

Gene glared at him, "I'm NOT drunk."

"You just sit down here Gene and relax," Peter urged Gene, taking his arm. "Easy now, big guy..."

Bruce wandered over, Desiree behind him a bit. He glanced from Gene to Peter, who had him by one arm and asked, "Is he okay?"

"Uh, could you go find Terri and tell her that Gene's a little bit... snockered?" Peter asked him, taking him to one side.

"Sure..." Bruce said, wandering off to find Terri while Ace cackled and Peter sat Gene down on the sofa.

Thankfully, she wasn't far off, in the kitchen talking to Melissa and Nicholas. Bruce waved to her, "Terri, can I talk to you a minute?"

"are we out of refreshments?" Terri asked.

"Uh... no..." Bruce said.

"Is it my Dad?" Nicholas asked. "Is he okay?"

"Uh... well... we don't know," Bruce shrugged.

"What's wrong with Gene?" Terri asked. Bruce grasped her hand and led her off to the side.

"Terri... I don't' know how to tell you this... but Gene... he's a little... drunk..."

"Are you kidding?" she asked. "Get real!"

"No, he's tanked," Bruce said with a shrug.

"How the hell... did Eric slip him something in his Fresca?"

"No... he just wandered in after looking for Paul.. and next thing we know he's stumbling around telling everyone Paul's getting married!"

"Not my Gene!" Terri snapped, storming off. "This had better be a joke!"

Helplessly Bruce rushed after her. She found Gene getting up at sight of her approaching, and stumbling as he found his footing.

"There you are doll," Gene smiled, holding his arms out to her. "Come over here and give your Demon a proper welcome! Paul's Getting married!"

"Gene, what the HELL is this about?" she demanded. Peter and Ace began to dance around, laughing hysterically while Eric looked on, confused as Bruce was.

"Paul's getting HITCHED!" Gene beamed, and caught her up in a hug. He pressed a sloppy wet kiss on her lips, and she tasted alcohol.

Terri gasped, "What????"

"Look at your man, Terri! he's out of it!" Ace laughed.

"He's DRUNK!!!" Peter shakes his head. "Shit!"

"Gene, I just talked to Trynia. At NO point was an engagement ever mentioned." Terri babbled, running a hand through her hair.

"Times change," Gene grinned at her. He almost knocked her over before Bruce grasped his arm.

"Easy there, Gene," Bruce says.

"Gene, where is Trynia?" Terri asked. Peter moved over to Gene's other side, steadying him with Bruce's help.

"WELL.. in the love shack," Gene laughs

"And this you know because......" Terri said, tapping her foot.

"Okay Gene, nice and easy," Peter says.

"I WAS THERE DAMN IT!" Gene announced with a flourish. "A REUNION IN THE BIG BED..."

"Now that's the Gene we know and love," Ace cackled.

"Paul sneaked me champagne... but I'm not drunk!" Gene whispered to her, freeing an arm from peter and pulling Terri close to his body.

"Gene Simmons, I can't believe that I'm having this important discussion with you about one of my best friends and you're too drunk to answer coherently!" she yelled at him, pulling away. Terri fumed, hands on her hips when Peter grabbed hold of Gene again.

"The world is coming to an end!!!" Ace laughed.

"You're rambling about marriages and big beds and champagne. I need to see Trynia!"

"Gene is DRUNK!!!!" Ace teased. "

"Ace, you better zip it now," Peter snaps at him. "Or else do something USEFUL goddamn it!"

"Hey I'm observing this for posterity," Ace laughs.

"Gene, look at me. How do you know Trynia is getting married?"

"I asked them, doll, that's how I know," Gene grinned.

"Concentrate," Terri gritted.

"Paul told me..." Gene tried again.

"Focus Daniel San," Ace joked.

"No....." Terri shook her head. "That is not possible, you're shitting me!"

"Paulie... he found me... when I was checking up on them..." Gene grinned.

"Oh my god, the pill thing! She did it! She got him to open up!!" Terri gasped.

"And you know he had the biggest... shit eating grin on his mug..." Gene added.

"What pill thing?" Ace asked.

"Someone tell me what the HELL is going on here?" peter demands

"Never mind" Terri waved their questions away.

"Uh Terri should we get him up to his room?" Bruce asked helpfully

"Yeah, I think that's a good idea. Next thing you know, he'll be spilling secrets I DON'T want everyone knowing." Terri snorted, leading the way.

"Gene, you are fricking plastered," Peter said, tugging on Gene toward the stairs with Bruce on Gene's other side. "And it's our job to get you upstairs... now... one foot in front of the other..."

"Where the hell is Paul? Get his ass out here!" Gene laughed.

"I'll be happy to find him," Ace laughs.

"My best friend gets married and we can't do a little celebrating?" Gene asked.

"You dumb jerk she's not married yet!" Peter groaned. "Now come on..."

"He's heavy..." Bruce gritted.

"Hell, let's have it right here. Terri, we can marry them right now," Gene announced, as Terri rolled her eyes.

"What the hell is he going on about?" Bruce asked.

"You aren't a minister are you?" Ace cackles. "You're no rabbi Simmons are you?"

"Apparently, someone needs to find Mr. Stanley," Terri groaned, totally embarrassed.

"Yo, rabbi gene!" Ace laughs. "Get out the Manischevitz and the matzoth!"

"Jawhol, Herr Ace!" Gene barks at him, saluting Ace. The spaceman lost control again, bursting into a fit of cackles as he hugged his stomach.

"This is too much!" Ace howled.

Gene laughed to the guys, "I think there's a Jewish tradition. When your best friend gets engaged, you have to take your beautiful lady and screw her brains out."

At this he wrestled free of Peter and Bruce, and grabbed Terri. She gave a loud groan and struggled to hold him up. Instantly Peter, Eric and Bruce rushed to help.

"Oh brother... get him upstairs FAST!" Peter warned.

Ace called out, "Quick! Before the screwing starts!"

"Ace, make yourself useful and find Paul! WE can't get him upstairs by ourselves..." peter gritted. He and Bruce managed to get Gene to sit down in the sofa again, and Terri sat on Gene's lap to discourage him from getting up again.

"You sit there, mister, and think about what you've done!" Terri yelled at Gene.

"MMM, I intend to..." Gene laughed at her, his hands roaming all over her as he began to kiss a path to her lips. The sudden burst of affection was rapidly eroding her self-control. From a distance, Monique and Jenilee watched the excitement, shaking their heads.

"What's going on?" they asked Nicholas, who had just walked out of the kitchen.

"Someone got my dad snockered," Nick shook his head. "Wait till Mom hears about this... she'll laugh her butt off!"

"Oh man... Gene?" Monique asked. They all exchanged glances and burst out laughing.

"My dad's sure amused," Jenilee grinned. "This is not such a boring party after all!"

"I feel bad for Dad though," Nicholas groaned. "He's going to get sheer heck from Terri because of this... who do you suppose is the culprit?"

"Ace maybe," Jenilee suggested.

"Not my dad," Monique giggled. "He wouldn't think of something like this... maybe it was Eric?"

"Paul gives him one damn glass of champagne and he's toasted," Terri groaned, shaking her head.

"Toasted, and well done," Gene joked. "And all hot for you baby..."

"Why do we need Paul again?" Ace asked.

"Because you dingbat, Bruce and I are flyweights compared to him and you're not helping!" Peter snapped. "We need Paul to get Gene's ASS into bed!"

Nicholas wandered over while Peter and Bruce struggled to get Gene up again, without much success. Taking Peter's place he urged, "Dad, we need to get you upstairs. You don't want to fall."

"Anything to drink?"

"I think we're running low," Paul commented, glancing up at the champagne glasses that were emptied.

"Wait right here... I'll be back," Trynia grunted as she got up. Picking up Paul's shirt she threw it on and buttoned it while she wandered out of the room. Glancing back, she saw Paul blowing her a kiss.

"Don't be gone too long, baby," Paul urged. Suddenly he became aware of something very loud and raucous springing out of the silence. It sounded distinctly like singing, but Paul narrowed his eyes to concentrate on who it was. Not a recording, but two live voices, growing louder.

"BABY WANTS A BLAST, BABY WANTS IT FAST.... SHE WANTS A ROCKET RIDE, SHE WANTS A ROCKET RIDE!" two voices chorused, just outside the window.

"Oh man," Paul groaned. "Gene, I'll kill him..."

Trynia rushed back in, holding the halves of Paul's shirt closed as she gasped, "We have company... Paul, you'll never guess who's here."

"Damn Gene. Didn't we kick him out once before?"

"Uh, NOT Gene."

"Who?"

"From the sounds of the off key, drunken singing, I would say ACE and friend."

"Oh man, you're kidding me!" Paul sighed, rising from the bed.

"Darling, I WISH I was."

Trynia moved close to him on the bed, and they heard "GOING TO THE CHAPEL..."

"Damn if I wasn't pissed I'd be laughing my ass off," Paul says trying to pretend to be mad, but failing.

"Awwww, I think it's kind of cute. I would venture to say from the song selection, the masses have heard our news." Trynia smiled.

Paul rose from the bed, shaking off the sheets. She handed him his leather pants, and helped him to steady himself as he slipped into them. He grinned and buttoned his shirt around her, for want of a robe.

"You ready to go public, my future bride?" he asked her, taking her hand as he lead her out into the main room, toward the front door.

"Well... I want the whole freaking world to know!" she laughed. Breaking away from him she opened the door and yelled, "I LOVE PAUL STANLEY!!!" at the top of her lungs.

Out on the stoop stood Ace and Eric, both amused at the sight of the emerging couple. A cackle burst from Ace again, and he held his sides as he flushed beet red.

"Ace, you are not just a guy you're a sound effect," Eric laughed. Paul moved in front of Trynia, leaning out the open door.

Trynia asked wryly, "I really REALLY hate to ask this question, but do we have to let them in?"

"Nope... stay here sweetie, I'll see what they want," he kissed her cheek. Turning to Ace he asked, "Ace, do you have something useful to do or do you enjoy being a pain in the ass?"

"Uh....Paul....umm....look buddy, I'm really sorry to bother you, but Terri...umm.....she needs your help with Gene." Eric said sheepishly, hands shoved into his pocket.

"Why didn't you say so?" Paul grinned.

"We just loved seeing your face when we serenaded You," Ace cackled.

"And, well, if the rumors are true, congratulations are in order." Eric added.

"Thanks guys!' Paul grinned. "Hey Tryn... I have to go help Gene..."

"And hell, Paul, you'll still be one wife behind Peter". Ace blurted out. Eric winced.

"Ace, so will you pal!" Paul glared at him. "At least I have the courtesy to DIVORCE the one I didn't want any more".

"Guys, please"! Trynia interrupted. "Don't' start the pissing contest yet!"

Eric piped up with "Congratulations, Trynia!"

"Why thank you Eric!" Trynia smiled sweetly at Eric, and glares at Ace. "Ace tell me something... Why is it when you want to be you sing like a broken guitar?"

Ace, laughed, "Divorce. ACK! Does not compute on Jendell. Too damn expensive".

"Ace, why don't you beam up to the mother ship?" Trynia shook her head.

"But seriously folks," he slurred. "Paulie's got the right idea. Marry them young, beautiful and madly in love with you."

"And not interested in your f***cking money?" Ace needled.

"Emphasis on f--ing, right?" Paul asked.

"Speaking of which, how about a little coitus interruptus so you can get your million dollar ass down to the house before your buddy plummets down the stairs?" Ace grinned.

"Paul your brother is in trouble!" Trynia teased him.

"Coitus interruptus --- that's bigger than a gymnasium!" Ace cracked himself up again. "Sorry, I'm stealing Gene's lines now."

"And we're running out of raincoats, Paul," Trynia whispered to Paul.

"Oh, a trip with a purpose, huh?" he winked at her.

"Yes," she grinned back.

"Well, in THAT case...." Paul hummed with another sexy wink. "I'll be right back, sweetheart. Don't move a muscle while I'm gone."

"I will just wait here for you, baby," she smiles at Paul and returns to the guesthouse.

"'I'll be right back, Mrs. Stanley," Paul beamed, and leaned to kiss her passionately.

Ace turned back to Trynia for a moment, "Oh, and Trynia?"

"What?"

Ace winked at her, with the thumbs up as he said, "For the record, I never liked that damn Linda anyway."

"You are too kind," she said, and gave Ace a peck on the cheek.

Paul groaned jokingly and said, "Oh GREAT! Now I have to get my women approved by the Spaceman."

"Well he is all for interplanetary relations right, Ace?" Trynia asked.

"And my advice is cheap, man. A few beers, a nice warm chick. I don't cost much," Ace cackled. Paul promptly hit him on the side of his head.

"WELL then go find your chick and screw her brains out," Trynia advised Ace.

"Maybe I'll hit the side of the road before I head out. You never know when some young damsel might have car trouble." Ace teased. Trynia laughed and slammed the door in their faces.

When Paul finally helped Bruce wrestle Gene into his room, Terri yelled, "DAMN good thing you're getting married, Stanley Harvey, and that I love your bride-to-be, or I'd have to castrate you on the spot!"

"Terri, I swear to GOD he didn't have that much. What is he? A Gremlin? Can't give him champagne after midnight?" Paul half laughed in protestation. Paul lowered Gene onto his side of the expansive bed to a sitting position. Bruce shifted out of the way and trotted to the other side of the bed to further help with the manhandling of Gene.

"And we'll talk about this MARRIAGE thing later....I PROMISE YOU!" Terri growled, grabbing one of Gene's boots and tugging on it. "Honestly why didn't you tell me?"

"Terri! There's no "marriage thing". Paul retorted, helping her with the other boot. "At least....well....not yet anyway".

"Oh, brother". Terri groaned. Paul grabbed Gene's legs and swung him around so he was laying down finally. As Terri struggled to unbuckle Gene's belt and tug his pants off, she threw Paul angry looks.

Gene sat up and bellowed, "Terri, before I forget, get my brother here some more rubbers before these two start spawning Starbabies!"

"Ohhh Gene," Paul sighed. "Can't you shut up and sleep it off?"

"C'mon Gene, lay down!" Bruce urged from the other side, tugging Gene toward the center of the bed. Paul wrestled Gene's shirt off, and Bruce pulled back the covers while Paul rolled Gene under them. Terri sat at Gene's side on the expansive bed, tucking a pillow under his neck.

Still the door to the rest of the house was open a bit, and the other members of KISS were still outside laughing hysterically. From the hallway, Ace leaned his head and shoulders around the doorframe, cackling, "What do you get when you cross a Starchild and a Chemistry major?"

Eric peered around Ace and groaned, "Ace, what the hell are you talking about?"

"Jeez cut us a freaking break people!" Paul shouted back. He left Gene in Terri's tender mercies and rushed out to the hallway to deal with the two onlookers. "Now come on you guys! WE have it under control! There's a thing called privacy, and you're stepping over the line!"

Ace continued to laugh, asking, "Got a question, Paulie. To make Chemical Starbabies, do you actually get to screw her, or do you have to stick your d**ck in a beaker?"

Paul snorted, "Ace, in case you haven't noticed, this just ISN'T the time for this...."

Bruce wandered out into the hallway, where Eric was hiding his face in sympathetic shame for Paul The dark mahogany eyes sparkled with anger, smoldering when they drilled holes in Ace. Finally to break the tension, Eric grabbed Ace and said," Hey, why don't we all just chill and..."

"Paul, can't you take a joke?" Ace asked.

"I'm really starting to get pissed off here, Ace," Paul almost growled.

"C'mon Ace, let's take a walk," Bruce said. "I think I've heard enough... and Terri's got the Gene situation under control..."

"Can I help it if Star Child here wants to go supernova?" Ace still cackled.

"All right, that does it!" Paul snapped.

"Wait I have an idea," Eric winked at Paul. "Bruce get his legs, Paul, help me get his body!"

"Fine with me," Bruce nodded, knowing that Eric had a plan. Paul seized Ace's one arm while Eric grabbed his other. Bruce leaned down and snared Ace by his legs.

"One, two three lift!" Eric shouted.

"Hey!!! I'm getting carried away... what the hell are you guys doing?" Ace shouted as they ran down the stairs with him. "Yikes!!!!"

"Making sure you cool off," Eric grinned. Monique saw her father being carried away by the other guys and protested.

"Wait, I'm sure it's harmless," Nick said to her. "The way he's been going on I think he's asking for it..."

"Daddy!" Monique cried, rushing after them.

"To the pool!" Eric chanted. Reaching the side of the swimming pool, they swung Ace back and forth playfully.

"Now wait I'm sure we can talk about this logically guys..." Ace shouted in protest.

"No more logic crap, Jendell pioneer, you're gonna get yours!" Eric laughed. "On the count of four...."

"Four!" they all shouted, swinging Ace one last time. Arms and legs flailed in midair when they let him go. A second later Ace hit the water with a mighty splash.

"Happy New Year!" Eric called to him. Monique stopped in pure shock, seeing her father surface and splutter in a shocked curse.

"Don't mess with a Starchild on New Year's eve, especially when you know there's a pool nearby," Bruce taunted Ace.

"You guys are brutes!" Monique glared at them.

"You're next," Eric laughed and shoved Monique into the pool, bathrobe and all. Screaming she caught hold of Eric's hand and tugged him in with her as her arms flailed. Both of them surface near Ace, who was treading water.

"Look at you," Bruce burst out laughing.

"I guess the joke's on you," Ace grinned at Eric, who shook the blond hair out of his face that was plastered over his eyes with the chlorinated water.

"See you later guys," Paul laughed, and headed back to the guesthouse. Bruce grinned, and shook his head as he strode back to the house.

Back in the master bedroom, Gene caught hold of Terri while she adjusted the covers around him, and pulled her down to kiss him. Thrusting his long tongue into her mouth, he trapped her in a passionate embrace that drove the breath from her body.

She fought at first but then fell into his ministrations, clumsy though they were. He tasted of champagne still, hands squeezing and caressing her back with an almost hesitating boyish inexperience. It was hilarious, but a bit weird to even deal with him in such a state.

Finally she surfaced for breath and leaned over him, brushing his hair aside. "Gene, you've tied a few on... and I think you need to get some sleep now..." she sighed.

"Mmm, don't leave baby..." he pleaded her, grasping her hand.

"I won't. Just let me get some of these clothes off so I can join you..." she urged, slipping out of his grasp. It didn't' take her long to shed them, and turn the bright light off as she slid in next to him.

"I love you," he said in a slightly slurred voice, kissing any part of her he could reach.

"I know..."

"And I love Paul... that lucky son of a bitch... and Peter... and Bruce and Eric... and even that joker Ace..." he added with the same emotional emphasis. "Did I ever tell you that..."

"You just did, now just lay down and relax, love," she whispered, holding him close. Wrapping arms around his neck, she returned his frantic kisses on her ear and neck.

It wasn't long before she heard him snoring peacefully, arms still wrapped around her. Smiling she shook her head and chuckled at how absurd this all was. She would definitely have a lot to say to Paul tomorrow!