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Chapter 1 -- Gene's Beverly Hills Mansion, two weeks later

At her elbow was a glass of pink lemonade that nicely counteracted the blazing heat of the bright brassy sun. She lay there at poolside, soaking up the rays in a new one-piece red bathing suit, covered by a short robe. A broad brimmed hat shaded her neck, beneath which she pushed her shades up her nose more firmly. Women half her size and several inches taller would die for the opportunity to do what she was doing now, and she thought little of the significance. After all she had seen fads come and go. Centuries ago a woman with her figure was considered the norm and desirable compared to the out of proportion ones today. Just how long would she continue this monotony? It was nice, but already she had taken steps to get back into her career. This was just a lazy weekend before "life back as usual" at her new job at UCLA as a geology professor.

There came a terrific splash as a bronze figure in a purple French bikini leaped off the diving board and plunged headfirst in a spectacularly perfect dive. A few seconds later she broke the surface of crystal waters, shaking her straight black hair out of her eyes. Menne treaded water, glancing around her at the brilliant sun. It was a taste of home long ago. She was liking California far more then the chilly northern climate,  because it so resembled her home so long ago in Egypt.

A few drops landed on Marcy's magazine, and she shook the water off with a mutter.

"Sorry!" Menne laughed to her. Tossing aside the magazine, Marcy divested herself of robe and hat and leaped into the water after her. The terrific splash hit Menne full in the face.

"Hey!" she cried, when Marcy's head and shoulders broke the surface. Powerful legs kicked her out of the way of Menne's retaliatory strike.

"Turnabout's fair play, young one!" Marcy laughed, swimming just out of her friend's reach. After a few rounds of splashes the two burst into fits of laughter, because they did look really silly all soaking wet.

"I love this place," Menne sighed. "My compliments to Gene for such a refreshing pool."

"Not bad, but not as great as swimming in the ocean," Marcy said. "This chlorinated artificial freshness doesn't compare to moving water. And the real freshness of nature... poor substitute, but good enough for a scorcher of a day like this!"

"You seem to enjoy it all the same," Menne pointed out.

"It works," Marcy shrugged. "Why not. Since without the benefit of modern chlorinating there wouldn't be a drop of clean water in this whole city."

"Isis. My eyes do burn," Menne rubbed at them.

"Chlorine," Marcy shook her head. "We can get you some goggles to wear. Some people, the chlorine just gets them."

"Well, well what have we here? Two bathing beauties I see?" came a deep, sexy voice both of them knew all too well.

"How long have you been standing there?" Marcy called out.

"Just admiring the view," he smirked, coming out from the sliding glass door. "Don't stop on my account."

"I thought you had to make some phone calls," Menne said.

"Work hard, play hard," Gene shrugged, emerging with a towel around his neck and red swimsuit as he clicked off his cell phone.

Paul emerged, and both women glanced at his well-muscled form as he gracefully strode towards the edge of the pool where they were treading water. He tossed the towel from around his neck and crouched by the water near Menne. "Enjoying the swim, hon?" he asked.

"And the view," Menne put in, with a smile. He grinned back, and pressed a kiss to her lips as he leaned over. Suddenly Menne grabbed his shoulders, and yanked him in as she moved back. With a surprised squawk Paul plummeted into the cold water. Marcy couldn't help but guffaw at the look on Paul's face when he broke the surface, legs flailing to tread water in the deep end. "Whoa! Who the hell threw ice into this pool?" he gasped, shivering. It was far colder then he had anticipated. "What a dirty trick!"

"Just for you man," Gene laughed. "You should have seen the look on your face. She nailed you good."

"I couldn't resist." Menne apologized, not looking at all sorry, but rather mischievous.

"You little sneak, I'm gonna get you for that,"Paul laughed and shot out after Menne who was treading water five feet from him now. Playfully she yelped as he pushed off after her. His arms caught about her waist, snaring her under the water when he playfully dunked her.

Gene eyed them thoughtfully, then put his cell phone to one side as he moved towards the pool's edge. He saw Marcy treading water as she watched the other couple playing. Ever so stealthily he slipped in, barely making a ripple in the surface when he stepped quietly down the front steps in the shallow end. Marcy looked to where Paul and Menne playfully wrestled amidst splashes. A smile crossed her face at the sight of their blossoming comfort and playfulness with each other. It was a good sign that all was going well with the host of the Star Bearer and the woman he had chosen.

She didn't notice as the dark shape encroached from behind, and something snared her waist, yanking her under the water. The surface closed over her head in a dunk when someone pushed her shoulders down. For a brief second she couldn't breath, till a set of warm lips closed over hers and shared its breath in a firm gentle kiss beneath the water. When her surprised eyes popped open, she glimpsed the dark mass swishing into her face like a strange species of seaweed. Paul and Menne had heard the surprised yelp that vanished in a trail of bubbles. Menne was all set to rush to the rescue when Paul stopped her. "Don't worry, I think she's been rescued..."

"But she was pulled under the water and..."

From the bottom of the deep end the dark mass erupted from the surface in a rippling burst. Two heads broke water, locked face to face in a deep passionate kiss. Gene stood up on the bottom of the pool and walked towards the shallow end where Paul and Menne were, his arms full of Marcy. Their embrace broke as she flicked a bit of water in his face.

"I'm going to kill you!" she laughed in spite of her shock.

"You should have seen the look on your face," Gene grinned mischievously. "Seems you needed a little rescue breathing..."

"No thanks to you!" she said with a laugh, pushing him away as he darted after her and snared her ankle. For a moment she writhed playfully, then slipped out of his grasp.

Just then Gene's phone rang. Reaching up out of the pool he grabbed it and clicked it on, "Yeah? Mr. Eugene Klein? Speaking. What's up?"

Gene did not always use his stage name when doing his producing calls or private calls. Hence the use of his real name. The Simmons moniker usually came into play with anything KISS related.

When she heard Gene's voice change timbre, and saw the look in his eyes, Marcy stiffened up. Paul sensed the change of his friend's emotions, and glanced up, still holding Menne. Gene over the phone muttered, "You what. you mean it matched up? Yes. yeah he's here."

"What's that all about?" Paul asked.

"Police. Just confirmed a breakthrough in that house fire you had?" Gene said. "They wanna talk to you Paul."

Reluctantly Paul moved to the pool side, and Gene passed him the cell phone.

Keeping one hand on the pool's side, he trod water while he listened, "Paul Stanley here. Yeah! What have you? No! Really?"

Unlike Gene, Paul used his stage name interchangeably in public and private life.

Menne looked to Gene, then Marcy as she read the statement on Paul's face. A look of trouble passed over the dark eyes. "You mean it's one and the same? Are you sure he was responsible?"

"What?" Menne whispered, but Gene held up a hand.

"Thank you," Paul said, before handing the phone back to Gene. "They want to say something to you to man."

"What's going on?" Menne asked.

Gene held a hand for silence as he muttered more remarks. Clicking off the phone, he sat on the edge of the pool. Paul pulled Menne closer to him in the water, as Gene moved towards Marcy, who edged near him.

"They found who was responsible for the fire at my house," he said.

"It was the same guy, wasn't it," Gene said. "The one who broke into the party and held us at gunpoint, wasn't it?"

"Yes. And he worked for Pep. But the weird thing is that there was a go between..." Paul said. Relief mingled with anger in his eyes. Menne suddenly felt very cold in the pool, and Gene moved over to Marcy, resting his hands on her shoulders.

"So, this proves to be a conspiracy against you two then?" Marcy raised an eyebrow.

"If these are the same men, then at least we know Pep was behind all of this," Paul nodded.

"I knew it was too much of a coincidence," Gene muttered. "First Paul's beach house, then my mansion. So that son of a bitch Pep was responsible."

"Attempted arson, and theft? Why not steal from my place?" Paul asked.

"They tried to rob my guests and this place," said Gene. "Doesn't add up why they'd steal from me and kidnap Menne when they could have torched this place easily."

"No, it doesn't. Unless..." Marcy muttered.

"The answer is simple," Menne shivered. "Those responsible were not after you. They wanted me dead."

A shudder ran through her, and Paul suddenly pulled her close to him in the pool as she began to shiver spasmodically. "No way! Nobody's going to hurt you as far as I can say! Don't even say such things!"

"Now just a minute!" Gene snapped. "Stop that now you two. I don't wanna hear any of that now. You're alive Menne, and as long as Paul and I have anything to say about it, that fact won't change. So you can stop the paranoia now."

"Gene," Marcy said, taking his hand. "That isn't helping."

"Neither is the fear. Whoever it is wants us to be afraid. We can't let them get us!" Gene said with anger in his voice, even though he spoke very low and soft. Protectively he sat just behind Marcy, his legs slipping on either side of her shoulders as he lay them into the pool.

"Look at it logically Menne. If whoever was behind this wanted you dead, why didn't they kill you when they had you then?" Marcy asked. "They wanted money plain and simple from Gene and Paul. Rob Gene's place first, and hold you for ransom from Paul for your safe return. Besides, if they wanted you alive, Menne, the second time around, why try to kill you by burning Paul's place?"

"It was more then that," Paul said. "You sense that, don't you?"

"But it was an accident that you almost perished before," Marcy said. "Those SOB's didn't have the guts to pull the trigger on me, so they weren't the murdering sort. Just desperate men who were scared to death of their employer. Didn't you get that impression when you went through their minds, Paul?"

"I'm still far from being able to sort out what I sense," he shook his head.

"What I wanna know is how they knew to target Menne," Gene muttered. "Unless they used some mystical powers we didn't' know about. This Pep guy knew a lot about the modern world for an ancient enemy. So he must have used modern means to deduce where you were, and how to reach you if he used hired thugs. Those guys were afraid of Paul and me in our other forms, so the supernatural scared the piss outta them. Otherwise they wouldn't have been so freaked."

"What are you getting at Gene?" Paul asked.

"Think about it. If they knew Pep's true nature, then they wouldn't have been scared shitless to see what we could do. That shows that they saw him as a normal human being. They thought we were ordinary people. So whoever gave them their orders only wanted them to know enough to do their job. Nothing more. So he might have well counted on them to track Menne down. and connect her with KISS. "
 

"But Pep does have powers of ancient times as I do!"

"Why waste the time to use modern methods then to find you? And attack you like this?" Gene said. "His power's pretty limited. Or else he likes to be sneaky. So whoever is behind this doesn't want to be connected to it. They have a secret to hide."

"Exactly," Paul muttered.

"But how did they know?" Menne asked.

"Here's your answer," Gene said, and picked up the magazine Marcy had thrown away. "Look there. Front page of the Star Tracks. It's by some smut reporter named Karen Romano."

"Wait a minute! That woman Karen Romano...I thought she was a hot shot astrologer who does charts for you Hollywood types!" Marcy protested, grabbing the magazine from Gene. "Since when is she writing the column about Star Tracks?"

Menne shuttered at the photos, for there stood Paul in full Starchild makeup before a crowd gathered before a familiar building. The next shot had him reaching into the crowd, grasping someone's hand. At the very last picture, she saw his arms clutching a female figure to his muscled form, his lips fused to hers in a passionate kiss.

"Look familiar?" asked Gene. Menne shuddered, and Paul held her close. Images passed from his brain to hers of a time two weeks ago:

"Menne?" Paul said distinctly, turning as he glanced through the sea of people. The querying crowd, the reporters, the flashing cameras were inconsequential as he rushed back to the line of fans. When his eyes met hers, Menne felt a warm glow spread into her. Paul reached out a hand to her as she finally fought her way to the front. A dozen women fawned over him as he leaned into them. Menne reached farther, almost tripping as his hand closed around hers. Extending a long arm into the screaming mass, he gripped her arm and tugged her free.

"So great to see you baby," he whispered as he pulled her toward him. A dozen jealous eyes fell on Mennehotep, as Paul drew her close to him in a comforting hug.

He towered over her so much that he rested his chin snugly in the familiar curve of her shoulder as she pressed her cheek to his exposed chest. It seemed as if the rest of the world dropped out of sight and sound in that moment of communion. Warm lips closed over hers, and she felt his hands kneading over her back. He had to lean over to kiss her, his knees bent as he pulled her close to his beating heart. That warm soft tongue slipped within her mouth, his lips achingly soft and sweet upon hers. She knew Paul had no compunctions about kissing her in public, but somehow she felt shy, as if she should not occupy this privileged position. She drew back for a moment, glancing upwards into his warm, inviting eyes.

"Aren't you missing something?" she joked.

"That's an understatement," he said slyly. His star-covered eye teasingly winked back at her. Cameras whirled and clicked at the next series of events.

Those photos of Paul at the auction house in full makeup with the mystery woman soon appeared in quite a few of the celebrity rags.

"Oh Ra -- I mean God," Menne moaned as the images faded from the mental bond she shared with Paul. "Someone got pictures of me with you."

"But people take pictures all the time of us guys in KISS," Paul said. "They've probably taken close to a dozen of me with you since we've been together. Why should they think anything of me having a new girlfriend then anything else? You can't see your face well anyway."

"Unless you consider this too," Gene said, and flipped to another page of the same magazine. The images were dark, but there were two figures visible, in a rather compromising position.

"Sons of bitches," Paul hissed, seizing the mag in his wet hands. "I didn't know they took these. Bastards."

"Typical Hollywood," Marcy shook her head. "Someone's always got some damned camera waiting for the most intimate moments. If I were you I'd sue them for this."

"You can't connect that with the crime of arson," Menne said. But Gene shook his head.

"That's how they knew they were one and the same," Gene said. "Didn't you hear them when they said something about pictures Paul? And that Karen Romano chick... don't you remember running into her before?"

"I must have not listened clearly. So whoever took this picture must have been watching the beach house," Paul sighed. "That just wraps this all together."

"Yeah, just about dude. Those assholes are all behind bars now where they belong."

"Not the mind behind this," Paul shook his head. "Damn it."

"Pep didn't want me, for he said his master would pay greatly to have me back," Menne sobbed.

"That proves whoever wanted you didn't want you dead," Paul soothed, stroking her as he held her tightly.

"But you don't understand! In ancient Egypt women who were considered unfaithful were burned!"

"Shit," Gene muttered.

"That's why they attempted to rob us Gene," said Marcy.

Gene nodded, confirming what she thought, "Somehow they knew to try the same plan twice would have been dumb. Because then there would be a greater chance they could connect the two."

"I wonder if this Karen Romano is also working for Pep?" Marcy wondered. "I remember when I made up the guest list... I saw that name!"

"Son of a bitch," Gene gasped, slapping a hand to his head. "I totally forgot I invited her... did she show up at the party?"

"I don't know... I was so busy trying to keep track of who showed up that wasn't on the list..." Marcy muttered. However their conversation was cut short when they turned their ears back to Paul and Menne.

"By my presence I endanger your life, Paul," Menne stammered. "I cannot bear the thought of you coming to harm
for my sake."

"Hey now, come on, sweetheart," Paul said, shushing her. "It's my choice, okay? Love makes people do strange things."

"But is it worth it?" Menne glanced at them both. "I don't wish to die so soon after tasting life. But to be unable to defend myself..."

"Don't even go there, Menne. Paul's made his choice, and so have I," Gene said.

"We're going to do everything we can to keep you safe. These bastards won't get a second chance."

"Without my powers I am useless to help," Menne shuddered. "And if you should fail..."

"Bullshit," Marcy said firmly. "Don't even say that. Do you think the Elder chose women with supernatural powers all the time to aid the Four? Most of the time they were ordinary women. And they had less power then you do now. Their power was in their hearts and souls."

"You're worth it to me," Paul said softly, stroking her moist cheek. "Don't deny that for a minute."

"All right, enough of this syrup," Gene said suddenly. "Now who's up for a water fight?"

"At a time like this?"

"Especially at a time like this," Gene said, patting Menne's arm.

"We need to laugh when the going gets tough," Marcy said.

"Now are you chicken that we'll beat you? Or what?" Gene laughed.

"Come on Menne, are you gonna let him call us chicken?" Paul teased her.

"No way," Menne shook her head. "Challenge accepted..."

Marcy toppled off Gene's shoulders in a spectacular splash that narrowly missed the blonde receptionist who came pool side. He made his next attempt to fish her out of the water when he swam under her and scooped her up into his arms under the water.

"Sorry doll!" Paul laughed to her as he and Menne drifted backwards in the pool.

"What's up?"

"Tell Mr. Simmons when he's got a minute that someone's here to see him."

"Who would that be?" Menne asked, but Paul's face brightened up as he realized who it must be.

"They're back!" he said. "Hey Gene! They're back! And at the doorstep too!"

"Who?" Marcy asked, recovering as Gene glanced to Paul.

"Ace and Karra. They're back. And they're stopping by for a visit," Paul said excitedly.

"Holy shit, she did it?" Gene gasped. Was it really possible she could have pulled off a major miracle?

"Peter's there too."

"Don't just drip there, let's see them!" Gene shouted, and shoved himself out of the pool, only stopping to help haul Marcy out when he grabbed his robe. Paul boosted Menne out and heaved himself out from the side after them. He wrapped her in a towel as he got one for himself. Gene hardly stopped to grab a bathrobe on his way to the front door, not caring how he would look before his other friends. Had she really done it?

Marcy stayed back, glancing anxiously at the door. Paul stopped for a moment and regarded her while Menne headed after Gene. He said, "You haven't met Sohkarra, have you?"

"It's been a long time," she breathed. Indeed, she was a little nervous about coming face to face with the one she had heard much about in legend. The one the avatars had spoken of.

Already Gene swung open the front door on Peter and Nefertina, who had left for a day trip to San Francisco.

"They're back," Peter laughed, and glanced at Gene. "We got the call today."

"Son of a bitch you could have told me where you were going," Gene scolded him good-naturedly.

"We wanted to surprise you," said Peter. "They're just coming now."

"How is he? Did she actually do it?" Gene rushed the words out of his mouth. He had to see this for himself.

"See for yourself," Peter smiled, as if reading Gene's thoughts. Menne came up, and greeted the drummer and his girlfriend with a smile, and then moved in beside Gene as she gasped.

"Sohkarra!" The couple stood in the doorway. Ace was looking refreshed and renewed. Sohkarra was looking tired, but very satisfied. Both were glad to be reunited with their friends and band mates.  Menne rushed towards her friend, who set down the suitcase she was carrying to hold out her arms. Robe and all they embraced, while Ace put down his guitar case and moved up to Gene.

"Hey Curly, gone for a swim? Or should I ask?" Ace cackled, coming up to Gene. For a moment Gene's dark eyes narrowed as he peered at Ace. However, that clear look in Ace's eyes and the steadiness in his walk told him all he needed to know.

"Hey, get in here you," Gene laughed, and gripped his friend's hand. "Bring your lady in! Don't just stand there staring at the scenery."

"Hey Menne," Ace said, shaking her hand as she withdrew from Sohkarra's embrace. "What's shaking?"

"I'm so glad to see you." She said, embracing him warmly. "You are looking so good. Whatever Karra did must have agreed with you." Ace was surprised, but hugged her back all the same. He blushed as she pressed a kiss to his cheek.

"Yeah, I'll say." Ace answered. "She's really something."

"Come on in." Gene said bustled everyone inside. Sohkarra was the last to enter while the house staff got their suitcases and were directed to what guestroom to send them.  A look passed between just the two of them and Gene finally said, "You did it. Damn, you did it." He took her hand and gave it a squeeze. "I've never seen Ace look better than he does now. How did you do it?"

"It's good to see you too, Gene," she smiled as she accepted his gesture. "I'll speak of it to you when we have settled and rested."

"Sorry. Forgot my manners. How are you? You look kinda wasted. It must have taken a lot out of you."

"Yes, but we shall see."

"Holy shit I didn't believe you could, but you did." Gene shook his head. "So... is he clean?"

"For now."

"And he'll continue to be so, as long as he's staying here," Gene nodded to her. "You have my word on that, Karra."

"Thanks," she said. Gene grasped her hand, nodding as he led her out to the patio. "I appreciate that."

Suddenly Paul moved out to greet her, embracing Sohkarra tightly. Greetings were exchanged in a flurry of excited chatter. Nefertina and Sohkarra joined each other in a three-way hug with Menne, who was still in her bathrobe over her damp swimsuit. The guys exchanged handshakes and words while Marcy stayed in the background.

"There's someone I want you all to meet," Gene said, noticing her standing there. "Come here Marce and meet Ace and his lady."

Sohkarra had noticed the sensation of familiarity when she had first pulled up, but gave no indication of it to anyone. Marcy had also, but Gene paid it little notice. Only Paul had seen that sense of familiarity in the emerald eyes. Now both women stood at a distance, parenthesis around a space that seemed like a gulf as they regarded one another.

"Marcy, meet Karra. Ace's lady. Karra, this is Marcy MacLaren, an old friend of mine."

Emerald eyes fell upon sapphire ones as Sohkarra said, "A pleasure to meet you, Marcy. I am sure we have much to get to know about each other." She was sizing the other woman up in her mind. The avatars had spoken of her. Just what did she know? What would she represent to those present here?

"Indeed," Marcy nodded, that remote judging look present in her gaze as well. It hardly seemed possible that all the power the avatars said she had could reside in this one tall yet slender body. But she knew better than any that looks could be deceiving. That pretty face held many ancient secrets.

Ace glanced to Gene with a question in his eyes. Why did they seem to already know each other, and put on that strange aura that seemed too polite? Almost as if they were sizing each other up?

Marcy extended a hand to Sohkarra, crossing part of the distance between the two as Sohkarra crossed the other span. In the exact middle they met, clasping hands and shaking firmly. "There is much we must discuss," Marcy said in a low voice that only Sohkarra could hear.

"I look forward to that because I know it to be so. Paul has told me of you." Sohkarra nodded meaningfully. The slightest hint of tension was present in the room, noticed by Paul but unnoticed by others.

"He has spoken of you as well. I take it that you are aware that Paul has need of your skills," Marcy said, changing the subject.

"I know," Sohkarra answered. Excusing herself from Marcy, she decided there was no time like the present. "Paul, can I have a word with you? Gene is there somewhere we can be alone together?"

Gene saw that she was wasting no time. So much for her being tired. Apparently not as much so as she appeared. He quickly complied. "Sure. I've got guestrooms for all of you to stay if you want. The place is yours. Relax."

Paul moved over to Karra and they walked upstairs together, leaving Ace to stand a bit flustered at the foot of the stairs. "But Karra...what about later?"

Sohkarra turned and gave him a smile. "I'll be back soon. Be patient." She spoke to him from her mind.

"Let them be," Menne said, taking Ace's arm. "The sooner she helps him the better."

"Say what?" Ace asked. He had been planning on spending some time with Sohkarra resting after the trip, not suddenly having her rush off with his buddy. What was this about? He was still determined to spring the surprise he'd been planning on her.

"Uh, there's something really strange that's happened man. We gotta fill you in on it," Peter told his friend.

"What?" Ace asked, almost wishing he and Sohkarra had stayed a little longer at the cabin to enjoy their victory. Now he saw what Sohkarra had meant when she told him that they had to return as soon as possible. But he was determined to conduct his encore.

Gene looked to Peter, and moved over. "Come on, and have a soda with me, Ace. I'll tell you."

"I can hardly wait," he mumbled as Gene and the others led him away. Gene couldn't help but smile to himself as he thought how Ace looked like his favorite toy had just been taken away and how he was going to react to the notion of having an avatar who embodied his spacey self.

"No way," Ace shook his head when Peter had finished his story. Gene joined them again, having changed his swimsuit for blue jeans and a t-shirt. Marcy was elsewhere with Nefertina, swimming in the pool. Mennehotep sat near Ace, filling in what details she could that the others left out.

"Paul's house got torched?" Ace asked. "And what the hell is this about you guys changing??"

"It's all true man," Peter said. "I became this werecat, Gene turned into a Demon. and Paul...man, he became just like Sohkarra; all astral and into the head trip gig."

"If you all changed, then why didn't I?" Ace demanded.

"Because you weren't in danger in the same way," Menne supplied, not very helpfully.

"What?" Ace asked.

"Well... the powers always seemed to come in a moment of stress..." Menne said slowly. "Didn't you say at the party, Gene, that your power manifested itself when Marcy..."

"Yeah, yeah," Gene said hastily. "I went Demonic..."

"Face it Gene, you did it because she was in trouble," Peter needled. "You rescued her like some freaking damsel in distress..."

"I thought that was Paul's job to be the hero!" Ace joked, but then did a double take. "So you... changed?"

"Yeah, and so did Lion King over here," Gene joked to Peter, who chuckled.

"Marcy..." Ace muttered, eyes staring into that far off dimension suddenly. "I could swear I saw that chick somewhere before..."

"No kidding," Peter said. "She said she knew us from back when we cut Hotter then Hell. She was in that rock band..."

"Sweet Revenge," Gene said. "Best damned organ player I ever met..."

"But I thought she said she was a teacher..." Mennehotep said slowly. "And that she knew you Gene when..."

"Wait a minute," Ace raised a hand. "You knew her before Sweet Revenge?"

"Duh," Peter laughed. "I knew that!"

"But she said she knew you..."

"Doesn't matter. Ancient history," Gene held up a hand. "I've known lots of women over the years..."

"Gene," Ace grinned. "Another teacher chick? Holy shit..."

Just then Nefertina and Marcy wandered into the room, holding drinks and chatting. The three guys went quiet when they heard Nefertina saying, "So there we were, my three friends and I, hiding when we ducked into a room... and it turned out it was an underground club. It was open mike night, and we were pushed on stage. We didn't have enough money, so when the guy offered us money to make the crowd roar, we took him up on it..."

"And that's when you and your three friends realized you didn't know how to play anything?" Marcy laughed.

"We all winged it. And they actually liked us!" Nefertina laughed.

"So you sing after all?" Marcy asked, when they reached the entrance of the sitting room, apparently not noticing that Ace, Peter and Menne were sitting there with Gene.

"Since then?"

"I did a little singing when I was modeling. And Peter and I, when we were in New York City, he took me to the clubs where he was jamming. And I sang with the group... hey, there you guys are!"

"Hey ladies!" Peter winked. "Getting to know each other?"

"Peter did you know she plays bass guitar?" asked Nefertina with a hint of excitement.

"I'm not that good," Marcy waved a hand.

"But you said you were in a rock band..." Nefertina said.

"Back when I was younger and sillier," she said. Gene's look of awkwardness was not lost to Ace or Paul.

"I'm sure you could teach us a thing or two, eh Gene? Once a teacher always a teacher..." Peter needled, nudging Gene's knees. Marcy raised an eyebrow at this remark.

"Marcy, I was just talking to the guys. Ace was wondering why he hasn't changed into his avatar," Gene said, to change the subject hastily.

"Yeah!" Ace said. "Why haven't I seen this Celestial yet?"

"I had been wondering that too," Mennehotep said, keeping the subject changed as she noticed Gene's discomfort. "Since Gene, Paul and Peter have transformed..."

"It could have something to do with the fact that Gene and Paul were free and clear of drugs," Marcy said. "And you too, Peter..."

"What?" Ace asked.

"The drugs in your system inhibited the development of your powers," Marcy said.

Ace frowned slightly.  "So let me get this straight...Because of the booze and snort I wasn't powering up?"

"That's it, exactly..."

"And Paul and Gene... is that why they manifested their powers before Peter and Ace?" Menne asked.

"Hey, I don't drink much..." Peter laughed nervously.

"But your body has suffered the effects of years of damage," Marcy said. "The fact you are clean and sober now is a good credit to you...and that your powers developed as soon as they did..."

"But Gene... your powers were developed so quickly," Menne said. "Out of the three you used them with the most ease in rescuing me..."

"So because I don't smoke, drink, or use drugs my powers are the strongest?" Gene muttered, rubbing his chin. "Something to be said for sober living..."

"Exactly," Marcy nodded, with a look of what appeared to be pride.

"No offense intended, Ace. But now that you're free and clear of the drugs, your powers are already beginning to manifest..."

"How? I haven't felt anything..." Ace said, looking even more confused.

"Why don't you come out into the back yard. I want to show you something," Marcy said, reaching a hand out to him. Ace backed a way a little at first. After all, her direct challenge of his lifestyle was a little abrasive. Yet Sohkarra had faced him with the truth before, and he had to own up to his mistakes and make a fresh start.

"Go on with her," Gene said. "She knows what she's talking about..."

As they moved out into the other area, Marcy was telling Ace a few things she wasn't sure she should but felt it her duty to do so.

"You were asking about Celestial, your avatar?" she asked the guitarist.

"Yeah, I wanna know why I didn't know about him until now."

Marcy felt that Sohkarra should have forewarned Ace that this would be coming up when they returned. For some reason she had not. What that could be, she couldn't imagine. But Ace would be a stranger to Celestial no longer.

"Maybe I should wait for Sohkarra to tell you," Marcy started.

"What would she know about this?" Ace asked. "Are you saying that she knows him already?"

Marcy nodded. "Yes," she answered. "Celestial himself spoke of his meeting with her shortly after the two of you had arrived at the resort you've been at for the last few weeks."

"Why didn't she tell me about it?" Ace wanted to know. "If it was something that important?"

"I suppose she figured she should deal with one ordeal at a time Ace," she tried to explain. Deep within her, she knew this to be Sohkarra's true reason for keeping the Celestial from Ace. "She knew you must have a clear mind and heart in order to accept your avatar. She didn't keep it from you for the sake of secrecy. But waited until you were going to be able to handle it."

Ace stopped in his tracks. "Damn!" he stormed. "The time that was wasted!"

Marcy took his arm and gently pulled him with her. "That was the past. It is time to deal with the here and now." She smiled at him. "It's not so bad. There are some things you are really going to like."

"Really?"

"Yes, really..."

"What did you find out?" Paul asked, as he sat opposite Sohkarra. He felt a little uncomfortable as she continued to look at him as if trying to discern something she would not yet tell to him.

"Take my hands," she said, reaching her own out to his. His fingertips pressed flat against her upraised palms. Sapphire energy merged from her mind into his, as he extended a halo of his own energy.

"Match with mine. Don't push it or try to fight it. Yes, your power is strong. Pretend you are the wind pushing back the clouds of a storm."

Sohkarra's sapphire eyes opened, and fixed into Paul's mahogany ones. Their gazes locked, neither one blinking as their minds merged. Images passed between them but their lips made no muttered words.

"Very good. It is time for the lessons to begin," she said quietly. "Do not expect to become too powerful too quickly. It will take time as all worthwhile things do. My own powers, though I was born with them, didn't become as they are today overnight."

Paul looked around himself and saw that they were floating softly to an Egyptian-style temple. Before him in a white sheath dress and gold arm and wristbands, along with her Egyptian headdress befitting her true station, her blue hued form drifted. Glancing down at himself he saw he wore his Reunion Tour costume, his face painted white with his trademark star.

"This is how we see ourselves within. You see me as I truly am. As you see yourself as well," she said at his surprise. "What have you learned thus far?"  It seemed to him that she seemed very at home in this realm of dreams and surrealistic images. He'd never dreamed such a place could exist.

"Star Bearer showed me how to enter people's dreams," Paul said softly. "We merged for a time. He made it clear to me that he wanted you to be my teacher. He said if he entered my mind it would be as bad as taking it over."

"Star Bearer is more considerate than some teachers," Sohkarra muttered to herself as she briefly thought of how Celestial worked himself into her affairs. She pushed the thought away as she continued. "But the next step is to assess your powers; your upper limit. This is something the Masters tested me on when first I began."

"There seems to be so much to learn," Paul stammered. "I don't know if I want this at all. I'm just a rock and roll singer."

"There is indeed." Sohkarra softly answered him. Her voice sounded as soft as the warm winds of autumn. "Do not let what we must do frighten you. As for what you are, that will be seen in its reality in good time. You and your bandmates are much more than mere musicians."

"But what if I don't have what it takes? And I let the team down?"

"We will learn together, believe me. This will be a new experience for me as well. I have never had a student before. I have already surmised that you have learned a few techniques from the woman Marcy, about how to seal your mind off from the stray thoughts of others. That is a good thing. I know from personal experience that it doesn't pay to let your defenses down."

"She told me it was inconsiderate to listen to other's thoughts without asking," Paul said slowly. Already he felt their philosophies on how they used their powers would be at odds if he was not careful. Yet he was eager to learn, and pushed those doubts momentarily aside for now. This woman was his single best chance to learn the best of what he could derive from this blessing or curse he had inherited. She alone would understand his doubts through the learning process for she had already told him of her own problems when she first learned she was different.

"True. But you never know when an enemy may strike," Sohkarra's answer came.

"What do you mean by that?" Paul asked.

"I have been guilty of letting my defenses down even after being instructed not to by my esteemed teachers. I thought I knew what was best," she confided. "I paid the price for my arrogance with the lives of my brother and guardians." She couldn't believe she was telling Paul of that day that changed her forever. Momentarily she broke off from him.

"Go on," he gently urged her. "You can tell me anything."

Sohkarra refocused on what she must do. "I lost my brother and guardians that day as well as my own life," she reflected. "I was bold beyond my abilities that day. Since then I have been put on trial and retrained. Now I know that my purpose for this action was because of all of you and your avatars. I also know of Ace's avatar, the Celestial."

Paul waited for her to say more, but she would not. At least not about that. But he could sense the pain she still felt when she relived that day once again in her mind."

She looked at him through knowing sapphire eyes. He saw something in her now that he never had before. He could see the passing of the ages in her eyes as she shared her own path with him. He saw the road she had been down as she had been forced to endure her trials to perfect her powers. She had loved and lost those whom she had cared for most. She had nearly killed one of those she considered friend. He could see as she had struggled back from the brink of madness for crimes she had been made to believe she had committed. He saw as she fought her way back against all odds to become the woman she now was. Teacher, friend, lover, demon, savior. Anything he would need her to be in the times that lay ahead.

The visions stunned him. "I never realized." He shook his head as he tried to clear it from all she had allowed him to see. "You really have seen and done it all, haven't you?"

"No Paul. I have not. There is still much more for me to do and experience. Some of these we will do together. Some things I will still need to do alone," she answered. "As for the judges, I'm sure they could have done far worse to me if they had wished. But you need not worry. Now that you have seen some of what happened to me, you will not repeat my mistakes. You will be made wiser."

He looked at her again. "Please help me." He asked. "I trust in you."

"Then you are ready." She said. "You acknowledge your need for assistance and have placed your faith in me. I will be honored to assist you all I can."

"Then let's do it."

"So be it," she acknowledged. She sagged slightly against him as the exhaustion she was feeling was coming to the forefront.

"What's wrong Karra?" he asked as he caught and steadied her. "You're not sick, are you?"

"No, not ill, but just very tired," she answered. "The time has come that I must refresh my mind and soul before we can continue. In the meantime, I suggest we rejoin the others."

"I know," he agreed. "Ace didn't look too happy when we came up here. Did you see the look on his face?"

She only smiled as only a brief thought brought them both back to the present inside the room. "He'll get over it," she told Paul.  That caused Paul to laugh aloud as they both went back down stairs where further lessons were in the works...

"Feel the fire in your hands...good, that's it," Mennehotep spoke to Gene as they stood near the swimming pool, under Marcy's watchful eye. Already Gene was getting a crash course in handling fire magic from Menne, who was once a master at it. Gene was quite a natural, his own competence from fire breathing coming into play. Yet this was nothing compared to the sheer potential she sensed.

"I'm assuming I don't get burned because of this Demon inside me," Gene muttered in fascination as the flame flickered through his fingers, emitting heat, but not consuming his hands.

Menne nodded, a smile on her face. From somewhere else they could hear the strange caterwauls and snarls coming. Nefertina was showing Peter how to scale a wall with his claws alone, and he was having a devil of a time keeping up with her in her cat armor. Marcy laughed inside her mind when she saw the black panther with the white patches on his face slip backwards, then dig his claws in at the last moment.

"Come towards me now. It's only ten feet," Marcy spoke to Ace.

"What's the point of this?" he asked sullenly.

"Cross the pool without getting wet," she said. "That's the point."

"How can I move without walking?"

"You're an sci-fi fan and you don't know that?" she asked with a laugh. "How do you think?"

Ace narrowed his gaze and thought for a moment. He judged the distance within his mind, and it seemed to make sense, the space around her. A gland seemed to ooze a chemical, and a switch closed in his mind. Suddenly the world exploded momentarily into silver glitter as he found himself standing toe to toe with her.

"Nice. But now you must work on your arrivals," she said, pushing him back lightly.

"Man, I'll never get over this," he shook his head.

"Teleportation is an art rarely developed in this time," Marcy said. "You need to focus your skills."

"What's the limit?" he asked.

"Places you've seen before. But you have to realize teleportation takes a certain amount of energy. You can't just do it everywhere. You must pace yourself and work up gradually to longer distances."

"Don't worry, it will come with time." Came a feminine voice. None had seen as Paul and Sohkarra had rejoined the group.

"Yeah babe, did you see?" Ace asked her. He could scarcely believe what he had done himself. He hoped she had seen as well. He needed to prove to her as well as everyone else there, that he really was okay. Plus he was really starting to get into this new gig Marcy had shown him.

"I did indeed,." She answered as she went to his side. Once she reached him, she winked at Marcy. "It has begun." She said to the other woman.

Marcy nodded as she understood what the Princess meant. Paul's training had begun. She was relieved to know that. She had been able to help at the outset. But now it was time for another with a greater understanding and veteran of the ways of the mind to take over.

"Is everything cool?" Gene asked Paul and Sohkarra.

"Yeah man, real cool." Paul answered. "At least for us." He was speaking of the whole group assembled there knowing that none of them could ever be described in normal terms again.

Sohkarra looked at everyone. "If you will excuse us, there is someone I must introduce Ace to. I think I have been remiss in a certain introduction."

Marcy looked at her approvingly. "I think now would be a good time. Then you must rest yourself."

Ace looked at her questioningly. "What do you mean? Do I have an avatar too?"

"Most assuredly. You have known, just not directly." Sohkarra answered as she looked to Marcy and received a nod of ascent in return.

Ace looked at her, "Nothing like a nice, clear cut, plain answer. Thanks Karra."

She smiled at him.

"As you said Princess, it is time. Those two need to formally meet. It falls to you."

"So it would seem," Sohkarra answered. Then looked to Gene.

"Mi casa es su casa mi amiga," Gene answered her in Spanish. "Do what you must."

"Muchas gracias senor Simmons," she answered him. Her comment in Spanish surprised everyone. "Don't ask," she told them as she noticed everyone's looks. Then she took Ace's arm and led him away.

Once they had retired upstairs in what was to be their room, Ace immediately wanted answers. "What the hell is going on?" he asked. "How is it the others knew of these so-called avatars before I did?" It slightly irked him that Sohkarra had known something like that and not told him. Plus what was she planning with Paul? Was there something going on there that didn't have to do with the avatars?

Sohkarra picked up on his emotion. "I am totally offended by what you are thinking about Paul and I." She turned on him. "You of all people should know by now that with that type of assistance, I am the only one who can help him. Just as I helped you."

"Not with that type of help I hope," he told her. She knew what he was thinking.

"I will not honor that with an answer." He felt a slight tingle within his mind that more than signaled her displeasure at what he had insinuated.

"All right, I'm sorry." He took her hand as the tingling subsided. "But will you please tell me what the hell is going on?"

"Yes I will." She told him. She could not stay angry with him. It had looked strange when she had disappeared upstairs with Paul and left him with Menne and the others. But it had been for the good of both. But now she realized she needed to explain what she knew of Celestial. Leave it to that particular avatar to not let his presence known to his own host, but rather leave it up to her. How typical.

Ace looked at her expectantly. "Well? I'm waiting."

"Very well," she answered as she let out a long sigh. "Keep an open mind on what I am saying. You will have need of it later."

"I met Celestial shortly after we arrived at the retreat. It was only then that I understood who and what he represented. They know of my own ancient teachers, the 'Masters'."

"And what would that be?"

"He represents the vastness of air," she explained. "His domain is the whole of forever. He roams the endless realms of space and time. He has seen the coming and going of civilizations and whole worlds in his journeys." Then it happened. Sohkarra's attention was suddenly diverted from her companion. Ace could only stand back in surprise as she seemed to forget his very presence.

"I see you have finally come, avatar," came Sohkarra's voice. To Ace it seemed it took on an astral sound. As if she was here, but wasn't. "It certainly took you long enough. There are many questions only you can answer for my friend here."

Then came a voice only she could now hear. "I have, little one. I am pleased at the result of your effort. It speaks well of your and your teachers."

"Hmmmmph!" was the Princess' reply. "Will you speak now?"

"It is not like you to be so forward, but I will speak now," came the reply of the one known as Celestial.

"There is much you also do not know about me. I have told you this before," came the saucy answer.

"We will discuss this in the near future, little one. But now I must meet my host."

"High time too, I might add."

Ace was still standing there, just watching. He couldn't believe what he was seeing or hearing. Sohkarra still there seemingly talking to something he couldn't see, but had a feeling he was about to.

Sohkarra came back to him then. "Celestial is ready to meet you now Ace," she said softly. "Are you ready to meet him?"

"I'm not sure babe," he started. "Do I have a choice?"

She smiled at that. "No, I don't think so this time. But I'll make it as easy for you as I can. I will act as a channel between the two of you."

"Channel?"

"Yes, I must touch you and also the source of Celestial's entry point, namely the mirror here," she explained to him. "Then you will be able to both see and hear him as well as speak to him. And he to you."

"I never saw anything like this on Star Trek," he commented. This was starting to freak him out a little. "Do you suppose the others freaked when they met their avatars?"

"I suppose they probably did," she answered. "After all, it is not every day that one wakes up and finds oneself a host to an elder."

Ace shook his head in uncertainty, making his brown mane shake.

"Are you ready?" Sohkarra asked as she touched his arm.

"As much as I'll ever be," he answered with uncertainty.

She gave him a quick kiss. When he looked at her, she quickly said, "For luck."

Sohkarra then looked at the reflection in the mirror. It was right somehow. Like Ace's own stage makeup, twin silvery stars, linked together. She touched the mirror and its surface shimmered and glowed with sudden life; another ancient face looked back at her. Pushing her hand through, it felt as if it were enveloped in cold water, such was the way of space. At the same time, she reached out and Ace took her other hand. Passing from one world to the other, she felt the energy pass through her and into Ace.

As for him, he felt his body move with new awareness as boundless energy moved through him. His consciousness was spread across dimensions, the very atoms of his being screaming with new life. His mind was able to focus as never before, drinking in distant supernovas, and arcing comets, falling stars and majestic planets, wondrous things; some infinitely great; others infinitely small.

Ace looked at the reflection of Celestial. "Man, you look like me when I put on my war paint." His own voice had also taken on the astral sound that Sohkarra's had.

"That is not coincidental, human. But rather for a purpose. Do you know why you are here?"

"I think so," came an uncertain reply. "Karra told me."

"You are here because you have been found to be worthy of the Elder. You are but one of four. One of great power whose place in infinity is only limited by your own imagination. For we are all and we are nothing without the others. Through me you will know power beyond your wildest imaginings, beyond dimensions. Do you understand?"

"I do." Came Ace's answer, more sure this time. Indeed, in his wildest dreams, he had never dreamed power like this could exist. As he opened his eyes, he knew. He looked into a face that mirrored his own when he was in stage makeup. And he knew that he had always been destined to be more than he seemed. More than a musician; maybe more than a man. Through the mind of the Celestial, he saw worlds as they truly were -- infinite. The thrill he felt could not be contained in words. Or even in actions. "Tell me more about the others," he requested of his avatar.

"There is the question of balance. Each aspect of the Elder is part of us, as we are part of them. Nothing must be allowed to disrupt that balance."

"I understand after what you have shown me," Ace answered. "But where does Karra play into this? Or the other women? Are they part of what you are saying as well?"

"Princess Sohkarra was brought to you for a reason. The Egyptian god Bes thought it was his doing, but it was not. She is the other half of you; as the other women are the other halves of the other Elder. One half without the other cannot long exist."

"What do you keep saying we must do?" Ace wanted to know. "We're just musicians who happened to be lucky enough to make it in the big leagues. And if Karra is my other half, does that mean she can't leave me?" The last part of his question he really wanted to know.

"All of what you ask will come full circle very soon. She has issues she must deal with that originated before she met you. Only she can do what must be done in that front. I cannot and will not interfere. I have, however, spoken to her of you."

"Great, so I don't know anymore about her than I did before," he grumbled. He was really hoping the Celestial would tell him Sohkarra would be staying with him. Especially after the way she had helped him.

"If I told all, where would be your quest for answers?" asked the god-like being. "I must go now for the Princess is near her point of total exhaustion. She must rest her soul if you all are to get about what you must. But know this; she cares a great deal for you even if at times it does not seem to be so. Do not be put off by her actions. She will do what she must. There will come a time of confusion and confrontation between yourself and one close to you."

"Who would that be?" Ace asked the figure.

"All will become clear in time. You will have need to remember my words."

"Yeah, whatever."

Then it was over. Sohkarra again sagged. Only Ace's catch prevented her from crumpling to the floor like the rag doll she now felt like. "Ace Lady, are you okay?" he asked, concern for her evident in his voice. He picked her up and tenderly carried her over to the bed.

Her eyes were closed. But her mind was active. "I will be fine in a few minutes. Just lay me down please."

His mind was its usual catchy self. "Lady, if you only knew," he whispered.

"Sometimes your thinking is to typical," Sohkarra tiredly told him. There was also a hint of humor in her voice, however.

"Any way, you love it."

As promised, she soon was awake again, at least slightly recovered from the drain of the channeling process. "What did you think?" she asked.

He was distracted from his thoughts at the sound of her voice. She could tell by looking at him that he was having a hard time digesting all of what he had seen and heard in the last hour or so. It must have been the same for the others when they had first met their own avatars.

"Baby, are you okay?" he asked again. "You looked like hell right after that Celestial or whatever he calls himself left."

Sohkarra smiled slightly at that. "Thanks a lot." She said softly. "That is just what a girl wants to hear when she first awakens."

"You know I'm kidding," he answered her.

"Yes I do know that," she told him. "As to your question, I will be fine as soon as I've rested. I am so tired now. And I know you have questions."

Ace got the hint, and even with her summer clothes, he wrapped bed covers around her so she would be comfortable. "Then you sleep now lady," he said softly as he gave her a light kiss. "I'll go downstairs and let everyone know we survived this little ordeal."

She closed her eyes as sleep finally overtook her. For a moment, he just sat and looked at her. It was so strange; to desire a woman like he did her and he was just sitting here looking at her instead of doing what he had always done in the past; namely, getting his rocks off with someone he met and letting it go at that as he moved on to the next conquest. Somehow he felt like he was the one who had been conquered this time around.

He put his face close to hers to plant a soft kiss on her cheek. It seemed like the right thing to do. "I love you Ace Lady." He said softly, thinking she was asleep and not able to hear him.

As he stood and started toward the door that would lead him back to his friends, he heard a soft voice in his mind, "I know."

'That little devil' he thought as he closed the door. Was there nothing she couldn't read from him? He also noticed that she had not returned the sentiment. It still spooked him to think that there was someone, especially a woman, who could be that in tune with him.

He made his way downstairs where everyone was waiting for the outcome. He stood at the foot of the stairs. Everyone was sitting around talking in low tones. He could just imagine what about.

"Hey people, what's shakin'?" he said in his usual tone when addressing his band mates. It was a tone they'd long since grown accustomed to. Everyone noticeably jumped when they heard his voice.

Paul was the first to respond. "Hey man, how did it go? Are you all right?"

Ace gave himself a once over then looked at the concerned faces. "I guess you could say I survived. That Celestial dude looks just like I do when I got my war paint and threads on."

Marcy came up also. "And Sohkarra?" she asked. "How is she?"

"She's finally gone off to sleep," Ace informed her. "That channeling routine did a major number on her. Whatever she had left, she don't have anymore."

"What do you mean?" Menne asked.

Ace went on to explain how Sohkarra had acted as a channel between himself and the Celestial. Through her he had actually seen and spoken to the being who occupied the airwaves. "I've never felt anything like it in my life." He said. Then with a sheepish grin, added, "Well, almost nothing."

They all groaned as they grasped his double meaning. "Oh Ace ."

"What?"

What Ace had said surprised Marcy. "I was not aware that she had the power of channeling. Most unexpected." This was but one more little detail that the avatars had left out when speaking of her. How much more had they left out? It was obvious that Sohkarra had a direct link to them through this channeling process. This could be good or bad thing. What was this Princess to them? What unknown purpose did she serve?

"I have a feeling there is a lot they are not telling Marce," Gene told her. "They seem to have a lot of secrets."

"That they have," Marcy answered, more to herself than anyone there in the room.

Menne was a little surprised by what she heard as well. She herself had not known of this side of Sohkarra. "It seems they are not the only ones withholding secrets," she told everyone.

"What do you mean?" Peter asked.

"I had no idea that Sohkarra had that type of gift," Menne answered. "Even in all of the time I've known her, this has never been spoken of."

"There was never a need before now," Nefertina spoke up in defense of her friend and Princess. "She's not even sure herself what all she can do!"

"No one is suggesting that there has been deceit. I do believe there is much about herself that even she doesn't know about," Marcy told her.

"There was also something mentioned about some old dudes called 'Masters'," Ace told them. "Said they were Karra's teachers in the past or some crap."

"Now them I have heard of," Menne stated. "They taught Sohkarra the dark magic. It was done with the understanding she would only use them for the purpose of good. She always held to that. At least that is what the legends spoke of. I've also suspected they hold the secret to her unique mummification that makes it so she does not have to recharge as we do and appears as human as the day she died. But she has never spoken of it to me."

"Apparently the avatars also neglected to mention them as well," Marcy stated. "Even though I always suspected that Sohkarra had teachers other than her tutor Rath. Even he with his skill would not have the kind of knowledge that could teach her such magic."

The band members could only listen with rapt fascination at what the women were saying. This was a rare glimpse into a past that was mostly closed off to them. None of the women, especially Sohkarra, had ever spoken much of their past life in a civilization that was now glorious only in legend.

"I say we all have a talk with Her Highness when she wakes up," Marcy stated.

Chapter 2: The Recording Studio, the Next Day

"Hey Paul, phone call," said one of the studio technicians.

Paul stepped out from behind his microphone. He grabbed the phone and spoke for a few minutes. A concerned look came over his face, which abated when he saw Menne come over into the glass booth.

"What's wrong?"

"Darling, I'm sorry but something has come up..."

"What kind of something?" she asked.

"My niece is sick... and I gotta go see her at the hospital..."

"Want me to come..."

"I don't think this a good time Menne..."

"Why not?"

"Well... look, everyone's gonna be worried sick about her, and I don't think it's the best way to introduce you... and... well... I want them to like you... so please just bear with me on this one..."

"But Paul I know that it's an emergency, but I thought you might like some moral support....."

"I know... but I promise I'll make it up to you okay? Why don't you go shopping instead.... buy yourself something nice, and you can use the Mercedes while I'm gone..." he said, cutting her off with a kiss and pushing the car keys into her hand.

"Shopping..." Menne asked, frustrated as he rushed off in a hurry. Ace noticed Menne's look of astonishment when he happened to glance in her direction. What was that all about, he wondered.

Already the others were getting ready to continue the recording session. Only Menne and Nefertina had shown up for this one, Sohkarra and Marcy having made other plans that day.

"Menne, what's wrong?" Nefertina asked.

"He asked me to go shopping," Menne shook her head with disbelief. She sank down into a chair and watched the other three talking among themselves from behind the glass. Paul's sudden departure had interesting ramifications.

"Family emergency," Menne said. "and he wouldn't take me..."

"Well, maybe it was personal..."

"But I have come to know him so well... why would he..."

"Keep something secret?" Nefertina asked. "Good question. Why did we?"

"I need to get some air,"she sighed, wandering off with Paul's keys in her hand. Shrugging, Nefertina went off to find Peter. She knew Menne well enough not to pursue her when she was like this. Menne brushed past Gene, with a deep sigh.

"Hey Queenie, you okay?" he asked her, taking her arm in his large hand.

"Never been better," she muttered.

"You're an awful liar," Gene said. "Normally I'd say it's none of my business... but I hate seeing a sexy woman with a frown like that on her face..."

Hot tears came to Menne's eyes, and Gene's face wrinkled into concern. "Hey now... is it because Paul..."

"Family business, and he wouldn't take me along? What is with that?"

"Oh shit," Gene shook his head. "C'mon, let's find someplace a little more private." Taking her hand he lead her into the office of the record producer. Shutting the door, he pulled out a chair for her to sit behind the desk. He sat in the opposite high backed one, and folded his hands on the table. "So, out with it. What did he say to you that's got a pretty lady like you so upset?"

"Doesn't Paul love me?" Menne asked, wiping a tear from her eye. Gene reached over and passed her the box of Kleenex.

"What did he say Queenie?" Gene asked, voice lowering.

"I don't mean to whine," Menne put a hand over her face, clutching the tissue in her other hand. "But I miss Paul. He's spent so much time training with Sohkarra... and I know that it's necessary that you all work on this new album... but when he wouldn't let me accompany him on this family emergency..."

"Is that what this is all about?" Gene asked, folding his knees and leaning back in the high backed chair. "Go on. What else is on your mind..."

"We're practically together... if you know what I mean. In ancient Egypt that is as good as marriage... but when he said that it wouldn't be a good time for me to go... and then he said I should just stay here... and go shopping... and he passed me his damned car keys... I felt like some... some..."

"Aw shit," Gene gave a slight laugh and shook his head. "I warned him about this..."

"Excuse me?" Menne asked, eyes narrowing.

"I warned him about this. Guy's scared shitless right now. Look, Paul can be a real butthead sometimes when it comes to getting the picture."

"I know you both have busy lives; that you're used to women everywhere you go. But I thought that Paul had lain some exclusive claim. If he hasn't, I wish he had told me... I could accept it... but now..."

"Aww Menne..." Gene shook his head again. "That's me, not Paul. He's fallen really hard for you, and this is all new to him. He's not sure of how the hell to fit you into his life. Give him some time to adjust..."

"How much time, Gene?" she asked.

"Look, it's like this, doll... its not the first time he's fallen in love with a woman. But he's scared of taking the next step I think. Don't push him..."

"So I'm just supposed to sit back and wait for him to..."

"You could do that, or you could make him fight for you. Don't let him take you for granted. Get his attention. Make him realize you have your own life. If I know Paul... and he's my best buddy, he likes the thrill of the chase. Right now don't make it easy for him to take you for granted. I think that's what's going on here."

"Oh Gene..." she groaned.

"Hey, you have all this time right? Make the most of it. Do something with your friends... Beverly Hills is a big place, and so is Los Angeles. You might be Paul's woman, but you're not blind. If you get my drift..."

"I don't want to lose him..."

"Who says you have to? Just remind him of what he could lose. Fight every step of the way to keep him coming after you. Don't let either one of you do all the work. But don't forget that he's not always gonna be around all the time when you want him to... so you might as well make your own life and have fun! He's freaking loaded, if you know what I mean. So he's given you the car and told you to go play. Well... go play!"

"I think I see what you mean..." Menne smiled slowly, seeing the twinkle in his brown eyes.

"Yeah, that's the ticket. Go play. Life's too damned short not to have fun. And when he's missing you, he'll get the message..."

"You're so right," Menne smiled, and leaned over the desk. "Thank you Gene..."

"Anytime..." Gene grinned. "Paul's lucky to have found a woman like you. Don't you worry. If he breaks your heart I'll kick his ass..."

"Or give me a ride I won't forget," she grinned.

"Hey, I always like a challenge. Make the most of every minute you have with him. It can work, if you make it work..."

"But you and Marcy... are you friends or lovers?"

"That's a whole different story," Gene sighed. "She and I... we have this understanding... that if either of us want to go out to play, it's okay. Sometimes we get our itches and have to scratch. Sometimes it is with each other, and sometimes with other people. She accepts what I am, and I accept who and what she chooses to do. I wouldn't want her any other way. As long as we're honest about what we expect..."

"So if she left, you'd be cool with it?"

"I'd miss her, but I know if she wanted to she could come back any time. My door's always open..."

"And your bed too?"

"Touche," Gene laughed. "You got it baby..."

"Do you love her, Gene?" Menne whispered.

"Yes," Gene said, without hesitation. "But love means different things to different people. With us it means we'll always be there for each other, no matter what. If she ever needed me, I'd come. The same with her. We've always looked out for each other."

"But Paul..."

"He's different. Out of all of us, he'd be the one most likely to want to settle down. He always said marriage isn't right... unless it's with the right person..."

"So there is a chance..."

"Always. And I'd like to think he'd not let you slip away. You're the best thing to happen to him in a long time, sweetheart. And I mean that..."

She gave him a warm smile as she stood up. Leaning over the desk she pressed a kiss to his cheek, saying, "You're the greatest..."

"Not the first time I've heard that, and it won't be the last. Go out and play doll. And let me know what's shaking..."

Gene watched her leave, armed with his words. Strange that he should be giving a woman advice about how to approach his best friend. Usually it was the woman who went to Paul asking for how to best get him. He inwardly hoped he wouldn't have to resort to being the one to give a neighborly chat to Paul for a change. Many a time it was the other way around with Paul telling him not to screw up a good connection with a promising woman.

"Stay out of it, Gene," he told himself. "It's his life... but damn if he lost her... what a freaking shame!"

As Menne walked out of the office, she noticed Ace and Peter were still there, packing up their instruments. Walking past them she grabbed her coat and was all set to leave when someone asked, "What's shaking baby?"

"Oh Ace... I"m just leaving early."

Ace set down his Gibson into its case, and walked over to her. "What are you doing here? I thought when Paul left..."

"He had some family business... and didn't want to take me..."

"Oh...really?" Ace wondered, lifting an eyebrow. "That sucks... why didn't he take you with him?"

"I don't know," Menne said. "But I'm not gonna sit around crying about it."

"Good for you. Say, are you heading back by Gene's? Could you give me and Peter a ride?"

"Sure... Paul left me the Mercedes..."

"Have You seen Karra?" Ace asked.

"She and Marcy said something about going on a trip. To get to know each other better."

"That's good. The two of them seemed kinda tense at each other when they first met earlier this week. I'm glad that they're trying to get along..."

"Well I hope it works out..." Menne said. "But the recording session... is it over?"

"Yeah, since Paul's gone vamoose. We've done all we can for this track..."

"But..."

"We'll record his portion later, and dub it in. So I'm going out to play..."

"Out to play?" Menne asked, suddenly hearing Gene's words in her head again. "As in guitar?"

"Yeah! Say, why don't you come along?"

"I'd love that," Menne smiled. "I can pick my guitar up at Paul's on the way out..."

"Cool!" Ace grinned. "Let's get Tina and Peter to meet us there, and go!"

"Ace, where exactly are we going to 'jam'?"

"Gene's house. He said it was cool if I wanted to get some of my friends together to jam. As long as we kept the place standing... and don't use any illegal substances..."

"Let's go!" Menne smiled, and they both exited the studio. Ace tossed his Gibson into the back seat of the Mercedes when Menne walked over to open the door of the convertible.

Back at Gene's house, Peter was already putting together his drum kit in Gene's studio. Other old friends had gathered, assembling their guitars and amplifiers. John Regan was there, strumming his bass experimentally while Todd Howarth was setting up microphones.

Ace strode casually in, setting down his guitar case to one side. He shook hands and slapped backs with his old friends. Todd and John drew in a breath as their eyes fell on Menne.

"Who's the lady? Is she the one..."

"No," Ace laughed. "She's her best friend. Menne, meet a couple of my buds from the Comet... Todd Howarth and John Regan. They were in town at the same studio, and I asked them to come over and jam..."

"Menne huh?" they both said, shaking her hand. "So, are you Paul's new woman?"

"I guess you could say that," she smiled. Ace gave her a wink and tossed his head, indicating she should bring her case over as well. Nervously Menne watched the eyes of the two men from Frehley's Comet fall on her appreciatively. She could feel them watching her as she leaned over to take out her guitar. Securing the strap she pulled the cord over to the amp and plugged it in.

"Nice piece!" Todd muttered.

"Can it play though?" Peter joked.

"Paul taught me how..." Menne began, but shut up when Todd began to chuckle, and John rolled his eyes.

"Did he teach you to play it or pose with it?" John cracked.

"Yeah," Peter laughed. "Does it sound anywhere near as good as it looks?"

"Want to put it to the test, Mr. Regan?" Menne asked, leveling her gaze on him.

"You're on," Peter laughed, clicking his sticks together.

"What the hell are we playing?" Jon asked.

"How about 'Rip it Out', for a warmup?" Peter asked.

"Okay, whatever," Todd shrugged.

"Try to keep up with us, little lady," John joked to Menne, who had plugged in next to him. Rolling her eyes, she groaned. Ace winked at her when he noticed her wince, and began to pour into the lead. John ended up on vocals, while Todd undergirded with bass. Menne found a hole to fill when she doubled on the rhythm. Suddenly Ace nodded to her, waving for her to take the lead line while he sang.

For a moment she panicked, but then fell into the line easily. Ace grinned, giving her the thumbs up as he began to play a line, and then bobbed his guitar neck. "Follow the leader!" he shouted.

"Oh!" she laughed, and duplicated what he had strummed out. He grinned, and played yet another intricate pattern, adding a little more. When she returned it with a strange flourish of her own, John looked to Todd, raising his eyebrows. Todd gave a little nod, pursing his lips.

Back and forth Ace and Menne traded lines, standing opposite one another by now. A grin split Ace's face when his fingers moved ever faster, and Menne's raced to keep up with his. It seemed an invisible ball of energy passed back and forth betwixt them. On and on the game of musical hot potato continued, with Todd and John adding their own contributions.

Sweat crept down Ace's forehead, dripping onto his Gibson. Rivers of moisture soaked Menne's chest and cheeks, glistening wet on her dark cinnamon skin. So intensely did she pour herself into the line that Todd and John were left breathless, their own playing clattering to a halt so they could listen to the duel.

"Awesome!" Ace laughed, when Menne and he finally stopped to take a breath. "Now you're getting into it!"

"Whoa," Peter laughed. "You rip a mean axe, little girl!"

"Where the hell have you been hiding her, Ace?" asked Todd. "She's not half bad!"

"You said Paul taught you to play?" John asked, suspiciously.

"If truth be told, I have watched a few tapes of you playing, Ace... to get more of a feel for improvisation..."

"Hey, you never told me that..." Ace grinned slowly, eyes lighting up.

"Ask her to play with us tomorrow night!" John said, suddenly.

"Tomorrow night?" Menne asked.

"We're gonna jam at the Trocadero. what do you say Ace? Just like in Frehley's Comet... huh?" Todd asked.

"I don't know..." Peter muttered. "We do have to get the next track in the can..."

"Why the hell not?" Ace asked. "As long as Paul's out, we can play a little! Who says we have to mope around here all day?"

"You got a point..." said Peter. "Hey, why don't we invite the gals too? I betcha Karra and Tina would love to join us!"

"Sure!" Ace grinned. "I'll ask her when she gets back!"

Sohkarra and Marcy pulled up to Gene's mansion, in the bright red Dodge Dakota sport. Sweat and dust covered both of them head to toe, but they were triumphant, glowing with the flush of their physical activity.

"That was quite an incredible experience..."

"I knew you'd like climbing the local hills. But wait till I take you to Mt. Shasta..."

"A volcano? But I thought they could erupt..."

"Shasta's dormant. As a geologist we learn to read the seismographs and other signs to predict when they'll erupt..."

"Like the little devices you were implanting into the hills around L.A.?" Karra asked.

"Yes. They record minute vibrations in the earth. UCLA just hired a bunch of us to plant them, and study the recent quakes that have been happening. They're worried that another Big One is due..."

"Big One?"

"The last huge quake in 1906 leveled the whole shebang in San Fran."

"Oh, that earthquake I read about..."

"Another one's due. Overdue. The stress builds up in the San Andreas Fault... where two crustal plates slip and rock..." Here Marcy locked her fingers together, and tugged one along the other. "Sometimes they slip and catch, for a long time. The stress builds up, and then gets released... sometimes as minor tremors... or else as large quakes..."

"And the longer between quakes..."

"The more energy builds up," Marcy said, turning off the engine. She hopped down from the cab, and Sohkarra leaped down from the other side. Together they grabbed their packs from the bed in the back, and dragged equipment in. When they walked in the front door, a loud raucous sound met their ears, and they exchanged a grin.

"While the cat's away the mice will play," Marcy laughed.

"Indeed," Sohkarra nodded.

"Sounds like your friend Ace has friends over..." Marcy said, swinging her pack down from her shoulder.

"Let's go surprise them!" Sohkarra grinned. Conspiratorially the two women headed towards the small recording studio. However when they saw who all was playing, they were both surprised!

"Karra!" Ace laughed, seeing her standing at the door. "What's shaking? Had a good time Ace Lady?"

"Menne, you're good!" Karra smiled. "I had no idea..."

"Been learning from the master," Ace laughed back, going over and pressing a kiss to Karra's cheek. She responded with a warm smile, seeing the excitement in Menne's dark eyes. It was good to see her smile, for she had not been doing so very much lately.

"If you shake your hips like that, they won't pay attention to your playing girl!" Todd laughed as he and John gathered up their stuff.

"Hey Karra, long time no see!" John grinned, giving her a hug as she greeted them. When she had been with Ace in New York before she came back west, she had met the members of Frehley's Comet. They had heard of Ace's recovery from the drugs and booze, and were anxious to see for themselves if it was true; Ace was clean and sober.

They had shared a night of jamming, together with Anton Figg the night when Karra and Ace returned to Ace's townhouse apartment. All had met the wonder that had turned Ace's life around for the better. Marcy moved over to Menne, who was just packing her BC Rich away into its case.

"Nice going. Good to see you doing something more then moping around after Paul left..."

"You knew?"

"I heard it from Gene... he called me on the way back. Sorry to hear it..."

"I know..."

"Don't worry. Gene and I aren't about to let Paul get away with doing something stupid..."

Suddenly Peter interrupted their conversation when he clapped Menne on the back with a grin, "You're all right Menne! But next time don't distract us so much with those hip movements. Damn, it's hard for the gals when Paul does it... but when you do it.."

"You're a big boy Peter," Menne grinned, pinching his cheek. "I'm sure you know a thing called self control, like all the big boys learn..."

"Good one," Ace cackled, catching their parting shots. Peter grinned, and moved off to show Todd and John out.

"So, did you two gals have fun?" Ace asked, turning to them.

"I took Karra here with me on a geological survey. Seems she wanted to know what a geologist does for a living..."

"But aren't you on vacation?" Ace asked.

"Who me?" Marcy joked. "Not anymore. I was getting a little crazy just siting around. Gotta get back to my work sometime. Even though I'm on sabbatical from NYU, UCLA offered me a position in their department."

"That's great," Menne smiled.

"Why is that? As long as you're staying with Gene I thought..." Ace began, and Karra rolled her eyes.

"That I would sit around the pool all day drinking tonic and gin. No way. I didn't just come here to play chaperone to you guys. There is a serious risk of an earthquake striking in the next decade. And they just found a new way to measure vibrations... a new seismograph... and they need a lot of good geologists here... so since I was in the neighborhood..."

"This is another job that saves lives," Sohkarra nodded. "Isn't it..."

"Yes."

"I am glad to have shared it..." Sohkarra smiled.

"I'd love to take you to Mt. Shasta... next week..." she smiled back. "I could use someone who loves outdoors... You wouldn't believe the excitement of walking along the crater of a live volcano, like Mt. St. Helens, and seeing the steam rise from the new lava dome..."

"That's insane, walking on a volcano!" Peter shook his head.

"Why the hell would you wanna do that?" Ace asked, incredulously.

"To study them... in order to learn more about how and why they erupt... and thus save lives."

"But you could get killed!" Ace laughed. "That's the dumbest thing I ever..."

"And I suppose it's stupider then getting high on drugs?" Marcy snapped back, suddenly irritated at his attitude.

"Marcy, that wasn't called for..." Sohkarra began.

"No. But I know what risks come with my job..." Marcy sighed. "Just know that there are things beyond your little world of limos, seven inch leather heels, and the shows... never let down your guard for a moment. Because it could all end in an instant..."  At these words her fingers snapped sharply to punctuate her point. Everyone had gone silent, tension mounting in the studio.

"Hey why are you so pissed?" Peter asked.

"I'm just reminding you all of the importance of staying alert..."

"That doesn't mean you get off picking on me!" Ace snapped back. "Who the hell do you think you are?"

"Never mind..." Marcy snorted, and whirled around. She stormed out of the room, feet pounding the floor in the same way that Gene's dragon boots did sometimes on stage.

"What the hell brought that on?" Peter asked.

"Where does she get off saying that shit?" Ace yelled.

"She has a point. We can't become complacent," Sohkarra said. "Especially when one has been a Royal Guardian like me. I learned the hard way that anything could shatter the peace of a quiet life..."

"Yeah, really," Ace grumbled, shoving his hands into his jeans pockets and shuffling the toe of his battered sneaker on the floor. Sohkarra drew in her breath sharply when she felt the wave of emotion wafting from him. He was thinking about the sessions with Paul she had put in lately. Resentment pure and simple came through with something else.

"You'd better mend the fences with her Ace, considering she's teaching you how to use your powers..." Sohkarra reminded him.

"Yeah, well maybe you should worry about your next lesson with Paul," Ace shot back as he stormed off.

"Ace... I resent that..."

"Yeah, well... life sucks sometimes, doesn't it?" Ace shot back.

Chapter 3: Paul's Mediterranean Villa, The Next Day:

Next day passed quickly, as Menne geared herself up to get ready to play with Frehley's Comet that night. Excitement was building to fever pitch, when she suddenly heard the phone ring. Rushing to the kitchen, she answered it.

"Hello?"

"Menne?" came a familiar voice. "So good to hear you, baby..."

"Paul..." she said, her heart pounding.

"Got good news. Everything's okay here. So I'm coming home tonight... I should be back really late... but I'd love it if you waited up for me..."

"Er, Paul... I don't know if that's possible. I'm going out..."

"Oh... that's okay. I'll see you when you get back then... my plane comes back at ten... I should be back by midnight..."

"Okay..."

"Where are you going?"

"Out to play... with Peter and Ace... they're playing at the Trocadero..."

Silence ensued, tense and thick. Finally Paul's voice came, sternly, "I don't want you playing with them..."

"Excuse me? Why can't I?"

"It's just that they play in rough places... and I hate to think of you being in danger..."

"But Paul I won't be there alone! Besides, Karra, Marcy and Nefertina go out, and Gene and Peter don't blow a fuse!"

"I know... but it's different for them..."

"Why?"

"You don't have powers..."

"And they do!" Menne snapped back. "Paul, what is going on... why are you being so protective..."

"Baby, I don't want you to get hurt," came his reply. "Not like last time... if I were to lose you... please... don't go..."

"But Karra and Marcy..."

"Why don't you just go out for a girls' nite out..."

"Okay... I will..." she said slowly.

"Don't be late. I'm looking forward to seeing what you bought..."

"But Paul I didn't get a chance to get anything yet..."

"Oh..." came what sounded like a noise of disappointment. "Well, you still have time! The banquet's in three days... and we'll find you something really great then..."

"Paul... I don't really feel into it..."

"Is something wrong, baby?" came a note of concern in his voice.

"No... I'm fine. Look we'll talk when you get home okay?"

"Menne I'm really sorry I ran off without you... but it was last minute... and to top it all off I missed that damned recording session..."

"But Ace said that you can dub your track later... when you get back."

"That's terrific. Look I gotta go. Bye! Love you, baby..."

"Love you too... Paul..." she whispered back. The things she wanted to say to him, the anger and resentment she felt were impossible to express when she felt the tenderness in his voice. How could such pleasure come from such pain?

Chapter 4: A Small Downtown Club in LA

That night she picked up Nefertina and Sohkarra to drive them over to the small club where Frehley's Comet would be performing. Excitement buzzed among the three women, who had not gone out together for the longest time.

"I wonder if they'll let us play?" Nefertina wondered. "After all..."

"I don't recall us needing a permit," Karra laughed. Mennehotep drove the nimble black Mercedes with the violet upholstery, feeling glad for once that Paul had entrusted it to her.

"Let's just have a good time ladies and see what unfolds," Marcy said to them from the front seat of the car.

Nefertina and Sohkarra leaned back in the comfortable padded rear seat, while the night air whistled through their hair. It was a good feeling they all shared. It peaked when they pulled up to the club, and Menne handed the keys over to the valet.

"Nice place... not like the dives Ace sometimes plays in," Sohkarra muttered appreciatively.

"Well, this is a normal place compared to some in Beverly," Marcy muttered. "Not that I'm proud to know a fact like that..."

"Gene dragged us to many of them," Menne supplied as they got out of the car and took their possessions. "In the last week I've seen more clubs then we had visited even in San Fran..."

They emerged into the smoke filled room, watching the band setting up on stage. Sohkarra felt a pang of familiarity, for this was how she had first come back to meet with Ace after their first memorable encounter... at a club in New York City. Already Ace was on stage, checking sound with his Gibson Les Paul. At the sight of the girls he grinned, waving them to the front. They threaded their way around the forest of tables excitedly to stand right in front of the small stage.

"Hey Karra!" Ace laughed. "Glad you could make it! And Menne, you brought your guitar! Cool!"

"Just what the heck are you guys playing anyway?" Sohkarra asked, resting her hands on her hips. Ace reached down his hand and pulled her up on stage to join him.

"Some Frehley's Comet stuff..." he laughed. "Mind if we borrow your friends?"

"Where's Todd and John?" Sohkarra asked.

"They both got sick would you believe it?" Ace groaned.

"What sort of sickness?" Sohkarra asked.

"Food poisoning," Peter shook his head as Nefertina went over to help him finish setting up his drum kit.

"Where are they now?"

"In the back... we just called the ambulance..."

"Maybe I can help them," Sohkarra suggested.

"But we're on in fifteen minutes..." Ace groaned. "Say Menne... Marcy... would you mind filling in for them till Karra gives them the big health zap?" Ace asked Menne.

"I don't know..." Menne muttered.

"Go on ahead," Sohkarra urged her, with a smile. "There's no reason why you shouldn't... and I won't be too long... once I find out what is wrong..."

"And Marce, we could sure use a bass..." Peter shouted from the back.

"Okay, you're asking for it," Marcy shook her head. She moved over to Todd's guitar and picked it up, glancing over the piece with a critical eye.

Mennehotep pulled out her Ibanez, painted glossy black with a purple rose and lotus flower on the black body. She plugged in next to Ace, who was nervously pacing.

"Good luck," Sohkarra whispered, kissing his cheek. "I'll not be long..."

"Break a leg," Peter whispered to Menne. "It'll be okay..."

"Let's try 'Deuce'," Ace shouted back to Peter for a warmup. Moving up to the mike he tapped on it.

"Hey, I know you were expecting the guys and me from the Comet to blaze by and give you a concert... but there's just one tiny delay. So we have two lovely ladies who just landed who are gonna rock this place with us till they get here! Say hello to Menne Curie and Marcy MacLaren!"

A murmur and a half hearted clap came from the audience, yet when they saw Menne turn around they stopped in mid moan. She was indeed an attractive woman.

"One two three four!" Peter shouted. He set up the beat which Marcy easily moved into with her bass guitar, followed by Ace in the lead.

"Just follow me, girl," he winked at Menne. She realized why he had started with a KISS song, for she had heard 'Deuce' and played it often enough with Gene and Paul to know the rhythm part. Taking a deep breath she tuned out the anxious faces in the small club as she joined Ace.

Sohkarra moved backstage towards the green room of the small club from the sound of her friends on stage. Nefertina moved with her quickly. They were directed there where Todd and John were laying down, huddled on sofas uncomfortably hugging their stomachs with low groans.

"Man, it's awful!" Anton groaned, shaking his head. "Thank God you gals showed up. I'm glad Peter's filling in for me on drums, cause I feel like crap myself..."

Sohkarra lay a hand on each man's forehead, a blue aura seeping over them both as they stopped moaning. A look of relief came over both Todd and John, as they were able to drop into a peaceful and nurturing sleep. Their pain seemed to seep into Sohkarra, who let out a low noise of pain herself.

"What did you eat?" Sohkarra asked him, her sapphire eyes opening to peer into his eyes. A strange feeling shivered her when she glanced at Todd and John. That strange tone to their skin, and the high fever seemed like food poisoning, but her mystical senses were screaming with familiarity. As a healer she was acquainted with many of the ancient herbs used for medicine and poison. The source of their pain seeped close around her own stomach, bringing back memories of a similar event when her own father was close to dying...

"They've been poisoned!" Sohkarra gasped.

"What?" Nefertina asked with a gasp. "Are you sure?"

"It's an ancient poison, known in Egypt," she said slowly, fear rising.

"Can't you help them?" Anton asked, anxiously. "Ace said you had these awesome healing powers!"

"My powers can only cure acts not caused by violence... if they were poisoned deliberately..."

"Karra you gotta try to help them... till the ambulance comes..." Nefertina told her. "Can't you take their pain away at least..."

"I can keep their fever down..." she said slowly. "And urge their body to stave off the poison. But that's all I can do..."

"Menne might help..." said Nefertina, moving off to the front stage.

"No, they've gotta keep playing for now... we don't wanna big spectacle here..." Anton said.

"But she's an alchemist and she can help..." said Nefertina.

"I'll be able to tell them what poison it is... as long as I stay with them they'll live. But I pray the ambulance comes soon..."

Despite the warning from Sohkarra and Anton, Nefertina rushed out to the main stage. She brushed past a reporter who had just slipped in with a camera and a tape recorder.

"Get the hell out of here!" Anton shouted when he saw the camera flash. "No press allowed..."

"Is it true that food poisoning..."

"Get out of here!" the stage manager growled, waving violently to the security guards. The reporter was unceremoniously seized and carted off towards the back alley.

Just then the sirens blared, and there was the hustle and bustle of white and blue suited technicians. They quickly rushed towards the three stricken musicians. One by one they were placed on stretchers and eased out the back. Still Sohkarra kept physical contact, rushing out the door after them.

By this time Nefertina had rushed out on stage, only to be tugged off by another security guard. "Whoa, where are you going young lady?"

"I gotta talk to Menne..."

"It's the middle of the set..." he said slowly. "If you stop now, things could get ugly..."

A strange scent wafted up from the crowd when Nefertina turned her head. Very familiar. On the back of her neck the hairs rose. Quickly she brushed past the guard, heading backstage again. Suddenly she saw a dark haired figure that looked a lot like Mennehotep moving from the green room.

"Hey Menne... I thought you were on stage!" Nefertina cried, catching hold of her. Instead of onyx eyes, two green eyes fixed into hers from a face heavily made up.

"Excuse me?" the woman asked, voice exotic.

"Sorry I thought you were someone else..." Nefertina's voice trailed off. A familiar scent flooded her nose, and she realized who it was.

"Do I know you?" the strange woman, who looked almost exactly like Mennehotep except for her dress and green eyes, asked. At her throat glistened an amulet of the goddess Sekhmet, the lioness of sickness and health.

"No... it can't be..." Nefertina gasped. "You can't be..."

"You must be mistaken," the woman said, a low feral hiss escaping her throat.

"Karahamnon..." Nefertina got out before a pair of green eyes fixed into hers.

"I can't let you interfere now," she whispered, her fingers raising up to clench around Nefertina's throat. "Not when so much is at stake..."

"But... what do you want..."

"My dear Nefertina, must you ask?" Karahamnon said slowly. A strange stony paste seemed to creep over Nefertina's body, snaring her. She struggled to no avail as she was encased in what had the consistency of concrete.

"But... why here, why now?"

"Apparently your boyfriend failed to make his message clear," Karahamnon shook her head, dragging Nefertina into the dressing room. Of its own accord the door swung shut, and locked.

"You poisoned them?" she asked.

"Very clever for a lowly guardian. I must add detective to your bourgeoning list of skills acquired in this new time," Karahamnon laughed, letting go of Nefertina. Pitching backwards with the weight of the plaster surrounding her, she fell lengthwise onto one of the couches.

"What do you want?"

"Vengeance... against my sister," Karahamnon laughed. "And since she is out there now... what better then a controversy. Oh, your mistress Sohkarra couldn't resist playing Florence Nightingale to those sick band members. I have seen you both with those rock and rollers over the past few weeks..."

"But..."

"How you might ask? My dear Nefertina I do get around in this modern world. The body of this Egyptologist suits me quite well. To you I am Karahamnon, sister of Mennehotep. But to them I am Karen Romano, Egyptologist and psychic to the stars. Those foolish Hollywood stars pay me lots of money to 'tell their future'. That's how I knew you were with KISS... and how I knew you had taken to the outside world... amazing how fast rumor flies in Hollywood,"

"We'll stop you..."

"Oh please spare me that canned speech about your precious Princess coming to the rescue. And dont' count on any help from my dear sister Mennehotep either. She has no more powers to help..." Karahamnon laughed, moving away towards the back door.

"I..." Nefertina gasped.

"I want her to know I've been here. Tell your princess that it's a simple enough poison to counter. But also tell her this... if she tries to come after me or who I am, she'll lose a very special friend she's come to make. And if she's wise, she'll not try to fraternize any further with Celestial. I cannot be responsible for what happens next..."

"You... you..." Nefertina spat. Suddenly a bright light exploded in her eyes, and she was blinded.

"Oh, and I wouldn't tell your little friend Peter Criss about this. Not even the King of Beasts can protect you from what may happen. And I guarantee it won't be pleasant. My master has heard the challenge of the Four... and he is not amused. However, if you girls lose your association with the Four... perhaps the punishment will not be as severe for you, them or your precious city..."

"What are you talking bout?"

"The recent rash of disasters will only continue to get worse. Soon all sorts of 'accidents' might continue to plague you and your friends. So if I were you I'd go back to your precious refuge and leave the Four to face my master... alone..."

Before Nefertina could get another word out, she realized she was speaking to empty air. There was no sign of Karahamnon in the cramped dressing room. Even the concrete bonds that ensnared her had vanished. Had she imagined it all?

"Menne..." she shouted, rushing out to the stage. "I've got to tell her..."

Sohkarra heard the psychic cry of her friend Nefertina vividly as she arrived at the hospital. John and Todd were still feverish, but the intravenous fluids and careful attention of the paramedics had kept them stable long enough to get them inside. She sensed the poison would burn itself out of their systems soon. When she heard the treatment they would receive, she knew that her help was no longer required. Unfortunately it would also mean the members of Frehley's Comet would be in no condition to play tonight at all. Rushing out of the emergency room she almost knocked the lead paramedic over.

"Whoops, you in a hurry?"

"I gotta get back to Ace and my friends... something's wrong at the club..."

"Sorry we couldn't do more to help them. but they'll be fine once they get 'em on the stomach pumps. I don't know what you did to help them, but they might have been dead or worse if we hadn't gotten them here in two more hours... doctors say it was an extremely aniphylacitic shock to some irritant..."

"Will they be all right?"

"Should be. But they can't play anything tonight..."

"I gotta get back... thanks..." Sohkarra nodded, and rushed out the sliding glass doors of LA General. That psychic cry worked on her nerves, and she knew she had very little time left.

"By the Power of Isis!" she chanted, grabbing her amulet. Instantly she was wrapped in sapphire fire, the black and gold armor precipitating on her slender body. Shielding herself in her power, she soon vanished before the eyes of the curious spectators who had gathered. Reality misted out as she levitated herself through the midnight air.
 

Chapter 5: En route to L.A.

On the KISS jet, Paul stretched out on the padded seat and muttered to himself. Strange dreams worked their way through his mind, and he hated to think of their meaning. Again he saw himself and Gene standing on one side of the street, while Ace and Peter stood on the other. Ace and Gene were cursing at each other, shaking their fists threateningly.

"Guys, stop it!" Paul shouted, and placed himself between his band mates. Suddenly cracks snaked across the blacktop, the ground heaving and pulsing. A huge crack split the earth in two, the rift increasing in size by the minute.

"You've got to stop! You're tearing us apart!" he shouted at Gene and Ace. Under his feet the earth crumbled, and Paul slipped, only to have Gene catch him and pull him back up beside him. Suddenly Peter turned and walked away, a disgusted snort in his throat. Paul gasped in surprise. Since when would Peter walk away just like that? Ace turned, backing away as Gene did too.

"You okay man?" Gene's voice came.

"The others..." Paul cried. "They... left?"

Both whirled around to face a huge creature of darkness, which had suddenly eclipsed the sun. Instantly in a blaze of power they were in their makeup and stage costumes. Gene's fire blazed against the darkness to no avail, and Paul felt his mind being slowly squeezed apart. Just then two new warriors entered the fray--Ace and Peter. Together they beat the darkness back...

"We did it!" Gene's exultant howl shouted. However when they turned to face Ace and Peter, they saw both Space Ace and Catman turn their backs. Space Ace hesitated, turning back to Demon and Starchild. Yet Peter walked on alone.

Paul couldn't help but hear Peter saying, "I am the cat who walks alone... all places are the same to me..."

"Peter..." Paul cried. "Don't leave like this man... we gotta stay together..."

"No Paul, it's time we all moved on," came Sohkarra's voice as she stood next to Space Ace. They shared a small kiss which blossomed into full passion. Tears ran down his silver cheeks as he saw Sohkarra stand opposite him for a moment.

"Goodbye, Ace," she whispered, backing away.

"No... Princess... don't leave me!" he cried, gripping her hand ever tighter. But she pulled back, slipping her hand out of his as she faded from their sight into a blue mist.

"I have my own duty... my own life... I am sorry Ace..." her voice echoed. Ace rushed after her, glancing around in vain but did not see her.

"Karra!" he shouted. "Karra, don't leave! You're my other half!

"Don't go!" Paul shouted. "Don't go..."

"Mr. Stanley... wake up... we're about to land... Mr. Stanley?"

"What..." Paul gasped, snapping up out of his padded seat. Gone was the darkness, the ruined city scape to be replaced by a distant humming of jet engines.

Suddenly another vision flashed through his mind, and he frowned. What was Menne doing playing alongside Ace? And what was this? Other images of someone who was her...her twin, save green eyes instead of black burned through his mind. Desperately he forced the images away, struggling to sort them into a coherent picture instead of the scattered mosaic he was seeing now. A name floated to the surface, catching on his brain. It screamed for recognition, and then he remembered. Karahamnon. The woman's name was Karahamnon. Just what significance this fact held was lost to him now, except she looked just like Menne, except a little older, and the fact that it was another Egyptian name.

"We'll be landing in five minutes Mr. Stanley..."

"Get the limo fast!' Paul shouted. "Menne's in trouble!!!"

A cold shiver shot through Menne when she heard shouting from the back of the club. A woman screamed as two men seemed to be dragging her. The sounds of smashing glass and shouts filled the room, drowning out Ace's guitar line.

Uh oh," Marcy muttered to Peter. "What is that about?"

Suddenly the floor began to shake under their feet. Lights swung left and right like crazy pendulums. Everyone panicked and shoved to get out of the small room. People even rushed the stage in an effort to get out.

"We've got to stop them!" Ace cried. "Or they'll kill themselves getting out!"

"Done!" Menne cried, reaching into her skirt. She ripped open a paper pouch, and blew something from her palm. It shot out over the crowd, purple curls of smoke hitting the nearest people. They dropped to sleep as soon as they inhaled the odd smoke.

"That's great, but have you got any more?" Marcy asked.

"Guys... guys!" Nefertina shrieked, rushing out on stage. "We've got a problem! Karahamnon's here..."

"Who?" Ace asked, stopping in mid riff.

"One of our enemies is here! She poisoned the guys in Frehley's Comet!"

"Damn!" Ace gasped.

"Karra's on her way! But we gotta get Menne and Marcy out of here..."

"Wait a minute!" Menne shouted. Suddenly Nefertina flashed into her armor, followed by Peter who shifted into his Catman mode.

"Don't worry about me!" Marcy said, swinging her bass as she beat the onrush of panicking people off who suddenly rushed towards the stage.

Ace grabbed Menne about the waist tightly. One second she saw the screaming scrambling masses climbing over the mass of people who hd already fallen unconscious to her sleep mist, the next she saw a flash of silver sparklers. Reality ripped and reformed into a back alley. Still she felt Ace clutching her close, her own heart pounding with fear.

"Ace.. you can let me go now..." she gasped. Ace released her from his embrace, backing away.

"Sorry. You okay?"

"Yes... but the others..."

Marcy shot out into the alley, followed by Peter and Nefertina. "What now?" she asked. "All those innocent people are going to kill each other..."

"Not so," came a familiar voice from above. Out of thin air a black and gold figure materialized just ten feet above their heads.

"Karra! Just in time!" Ace cried. "How can we..."

"Already on it! Get everyone out of here. Nefertina, Peter, come with me! Ace, get Marcy and Menne out of here and back to Gene's house pronto!"

"Gotcha!" Ace said, grabbing Marcy and Menne's hands. Quickly they vanished in a flash of silver glitter to appear by the Mercedes in the valet parking. Quickly they piled in, pulling out onto the street.

"Karra..." Ace said. "We can't just leave her..."

"I agree," Marcy nodded.

"I am sure she has it under control," Menne responded, as they pulled before the club. Sure enough, they saw the flashes of sapphire energy against the high windows of the large modern building. Slowly a line of people began to file out of the club, their eyes glassy and tranced.

"Mass hypnosis," Marcy muttered. Menne stopped the car as the people walked by towards the parking garage.

"Awesome..."

Soon Sohkarra exited the club, flanked by two figures, one gold and black, the other glistening black with green coals for eyes. Peter sniffed at the street, wrinkling his snout.

"I've got a scent alright. You sure you said you smelled this before, kitty cat?"

"It's that alright! Didn't you smell her scent on me?"

"Karra! Baby!" Ace said, disappearing from the passenger side of the Mercedes to appear next to her. "That was incredible!"

His kiss pressed to her lips as he pushed back her horse visor, and took her in his arms. Karra let him kiss her for a few minutes, before surfacing for breath, panting, "I'm glad you're all okay... but it wasn't something I'd care to repeat in the next few days..."

Ace caught her in his arms and carried her to the Mercedes. Peter and Nefertina sniffed around, only to stop cold.

"The trail?" Sohkarra asked them.

"It's gone. Vanished into thin air," Peter growled.

"What about these people?" Marcy indicated the wandering mass of clubbers that had spilled into the street. Thankfully the earthquake had stopped.

"They'll come around in a few minutes, when we've left," Sohkarra panted, in Ace's lap. He had sat down in the back seat, holding her on his knees. Peter shifted to human form, and plopped down next to him as Nefertina crammed in on Ace's other side.

Menne suddenly looked at her watch and groaned, "Oh damn! Paul's gonna be home any minute..."

"Hey, I'll drive them back to Gene's and bring the car," Marcy offered. "Ace could you port her back?"

"Sure..." Ace said. "Karra baby... will you be..."

"I'll be fine, Ace. Just get Menne back to Paul's..." she urged him. Leaving her in the care of Nefertina and Peter he took Menne's hand in his. A quick snatching seized them both, and she found herself right outside of Paul's Mediterranean-style villa.

"There you go!" Ace cackled. "Space Ace Express does it again!"

"Thanks!" she said, hugging him. "You saved my life. But next time, remember I can protect myself..."

"No kidding..." Ace grinned. "Just don't keep your man waiting..."

Before she could say anything else, Ace jerked his thumb backwards, and vanished in a shower of silver glitter. It made her jump, even though she was no stranger to magical spells. There was no sign of Paul's limo, or any lights on. Digging in her purse she extracted the keys and rushed to the front door. Her feet pounded the steps as she rushed upstairs and slammed the door behind her. Quickly she peeled off the smokey clothes and tossed them into the hamper. There was no time to take a shower, for it was already twelve thirty, and Paul would only take another half hour to get home from the airport. She slipped on the silk nightgown, and dove under the covers. Quickly she grabbed the remote control for the television and flipped it on. She struggled to calm her pounding heart, wiping sweat off her forehead. Slowly she began to relax a little at a time. A car engine sounded out in the driveway and she tensed. She sprang to the window to see who it was. It was only Marcy pulling up, and she saw Paul's limousine pulling up at the second after.

"Oh damn how am I gonna explain this?" she asked herself. Voices drifted up as she pressed her ear to the glass, but she could not hear what they were saying. The click of the latch at the front door made her leap back into the large king-sized bed, and bury herself in the sheets.

"It turned out to be a car accident," Paul's voice came. "She's stable, but she gave her mom a nasty scare..."

"I know how much she means to you..."

"She's like a daughter to me..."

"Why didn't you take Menne with you?"

"I just didn't think it was the right time to..." Paul's explanation began. "I know it sounds dumb, but I was planning next week to take her to meet my family... but to do it now in the middle of a traumatic experience..."

"Paul, that's just an excuse. And it's a pretty lame one. I can understand you wanting to keep some aspects of your life away from her... but really..."

"Let me handle this okay?" he responded, voice growing louder as his footsteps sounded in the hallway ever closer. Burying her face in the pillow, she closed her eyes shut and feigned sleep.

"Okay, whatever you want Paul. But sooner or later you're going to have to decide how much of your life you want to share..."

"I know. Look, I'll talk to her tonight. I'll try and explain things to her..."

She heard him open the door, his footsteps soft as he made his way to her side. There came the rustle of plastic as he must have procured flowers. Weight shifted as something sat on the bed next to her, and she felt hot breath on the back of her neck. Anger flushed her, and she refused to move.

"Baby... I'm home..." came his soft coaxing whisper. She willed herself not to so much as twitch. Hot tears seeped into the pillow as she ignored his gentle kisses down her back.

"Menne... I'm home," he shook her softly. Again Menne did not respond, willing herself to lay still as a statue. A deep sigh tore at her heart as she felt him rise from the bed.

"I guess you're all worn out," he said to himself with a sad laugh. He didn't see her hot tears as she lifted her face from the pillow and saw him in the light of the bathroom. She turned on her side away from him, gathering the sheets around her. Soon she was fast asleep.

Gene's Mansion, 1 PM:

That next day Ace awakened to find Sohkarra gone from the bed. He patted the mussed place next to him, grumbling with annoyance. This was getting to be annoying, he thought. Slowly he stumbled into the guest bathroom, and into the shower. Thirty steamy minutes later he wandered downstairs into Gene's kitchen. Already the residual smells of eggs and bacon reached his nostrils, and the distant laughter and splashing from the pool in Gene's backyard met his ears. Opposite each other sat Nefertina and Peter who were feeding each other bits of bacon and omelettes on a fork.

"Hey sleepyhead! Wondered when you were gonna rise and shine," Peter joked.

"Who made breakfast?" Ace asked, rubbing his eyes.

"Paul did. Guy came over pretty early before we all got up."

"Is he out swimming?"

"Nah, that's Gene and Marcy out there, getting in their laps," Peter chuckled, pouring more coffee as Ace plunked down in an empty chair.

"Where's Paul's gal? She come over?"

"Nope. Paul said she was busy with something at his place. She might come over later to teach Gene fire lessons," Nefertina answered, sipping at her orange juice.

"Karra?"

"She and Paul went off for another psychic lesson," Peter shrugged. "They've been at it since nine o'clock..."

"It's one thirty now!" Ace complained, stabbing his eggs with a fork. There were still plenty of omelettes and pancakes left, but he felt an odd pang of jealousy creep over him.

"Well, who can tell with them?" Peter joked.

"Shut up," Ace grumbled, and slammed down a cup of coffee.

"Hey man don't bite my head off..." Peter muttered, climbing out of his chair. "I was just busting your chops..."

"Go bust 'em somewhere else... I'm not into that shit this morning..." Ace snapped back.

"'Scuse me," Peter sniffed, and left the table. Nefertina thumped Ace on the arm, asking, "What's with you?"

"Don't ask," Ace grumbled. "Nothing... just that I'd like to wake up with my girl once in a while..."

"Why don't you tell her that?" Nefertina asked.

"What difference would it make," Ace rubbed his face. "She'll just say I'm jealous... and I won't hear the end of it!"

"Then do something about it," Nefertina shrugged, getting up from the table and tying Peter's bathrobe around her slender hips.

He slammed down his coffee cup and rose to his feet. He heard laughing coming from the edge of the pool, and his ears pricked up in interest. Walking arm and arm were Sohkarra, wearing a sapphire blue bathing suit, right next to Paul! Both were laughing and talking excitedly. Gene's head and shoulders poked up from the pool as he splashed Marcy. Marcy grabbed him and yanked him under, sending a wave of water at Paul and Sohkarra. It was then that Paul leaned close to Sohkarra and gave her a little kiss on the cheek. In return Sohkarra gently hugged him close, keeping her hands in his after backing away.

"Son of a bitch," Ace gritted, his anger rising. "So that's the way it is, huh?"

"Thanks for your help this morning. I thought I was gonna go nuts," Paul shook his head. He sat in the small library, across the large oak table from Sohkarra. For the umpteenth time they were having their latest lesson since he arrived home.

"It's okay, really. Those dreams you are having are clearly prophetic," Sohkarra explained to him. "Your abilities are blossoming..."

"Thanks to you," he said, kissing her on the cheek.

"How sweet," she laughed, hugging him close. "Menne would be proud of you..."

"I just feel like she's pissed at me and won't talk..."

"Well, you have been spending a lot of time on your training..." Sohkarra pointed out.

"I know... it's just that I worry about being able to protect her..."

"Fine Casanova," came Gene's voice. How much of their conversation had he heard? Damp with chlorinated water, Gene heaved himself out of the pool and stood near the two.

"Gene..."

"Look Paul, she is worried. That you don't love her anymore. Especially since you ran off without offering to take with you..."

"Gene don't get me going on that... I feel awful already... and when I asked her to come with me here today she said she was busy..."

"Paul, give her time," Sohkarra said, patting his arm. "She'll come around..."

Within Paul's villa, an ancient ritual was being performed. Slowly Mennehotep lit the sacred torches, and unrolled the papyrus scroll. Taking off her amulet, she lay it down on the table. Incense wafted from a small stick thrust into a wooden stand. In this dark corner of Paul's basement she had made her small lab, the wooden table covered with a mass of beakers and flasks each containing liquid. Lifting a gold plate she scattered a powder on it. She threw it into the small fire she had lit under an earthenware pot. Slowly the flames burned hotter and hotter till they glowed white hot. Menne moved the pot to one side, whispering ancient incantations. She pried the amethyst out of her ibis amulet, letting it fall into the boiling water. Moving out an earthenware crucible, she set it out over the hot coals. She tossed the amulet into the crucible, letting it grow molten hot. Slowly the ibis merged and shaped into a puddle of liquid silver.

"By Isis, Osiris and Set, I command the energies of Star Bearer to enter this silver. Enchant it with your magic, that it may serve my purpose... though this daughter has forsaken your magic... I implore you one last time... grant me this last favor..."

Fire flashed up, hissing and leaping in a purple glow. Slowly she lifted the crucible of liquid silver and poured it into a clay mold. Steam rose when she let it sit, then plunged it into cold water. A definitive hiss shot through as the flames in the fire glowed violet, then lavender. She tossed the amethyst into the mold quickly. Slowly she broke away the clay, to reveal a shimmering object within. In the heart of the clay lay a gleaming five pointed star. At its heart glistened an amethyst, crackling with inner fire. Slowly she threaded the ancient chain through the loop on the top, and raised it to latch around her neck. At her throat glistened the silver star, five pointed and shimmering bright as new.

"Now to show the others," she smiled. Picking up another amulet to one side, she placed it into the box. "Marcy especially..."

Excitement filled her when she pulled up in Paul's Mercedes, behind the red Dodge truck. She saw Paul's other car, a Porsche, parked nearby, and guessed he must be here for another lesson. A twinge of jealousy still burned, but she could overlook it for now. What she had to share was even more important. Especially with Marcy and the others. In her hand she carried the velvet box, lined with silk and its precious cargo within.

She rang the doorbell, and it was Marcy who answered it smiling, "Hey Menne, glad you could make it. Is everything okay?"

"Yes and no," she said slowly. "But I'm glad to see you first. I have something for you..."

Marcy's eyes traveled to Menne's chest, and they widened. "Good grief... a new amulet? What happened to the Ibis one..."

"I wanted something different..."

"A power transmitter," Marcy muttered, fingering the star shaped amulet around Menne's neck. Conducting her inside, the two ladies wandered into the kitchen. She could hear the sounds of laughter coming from the pool as Nefertina and Peter splashed each other outside.

"Tell me what this is all about," Marcy asked her. "I'm sensing Star Bearer energy from you... and am I correct in assuming that this amulet has somehow captured that power?"

"Yes... but it's only enough for me to change..."

"Change?"

"I may not have my powers anymore... but I am still an alchemist. Using that sleep mist last night reminded me that there are still many things I can do with the ancient elixirs and potions of Egypt. If my sister is in this world I have a duty to face her myself..."

"She sounds pretty damned powerful from what you and Karra told me last night...."

"She is a mistress of earth and air magic," Menne whispered. "As I was mistress of fire and air. But the edge I had was my alchemy. If Paul as the Starchild is the master of dreams, and I am his woman, then I can create illusions as well. The illusion that I have powers. With my smoke powders and flash fire I can confuse an enemy. Also, I can still fight hand to hand..."

"Good point. But are you doing this to prove something to us, yourself, or to Paul?" Marcy asked.

"To myself... mainly... that I am still good enough..."

"Hey, you're good enough no matter what you can and can't do, Menne," Marcy grabbed her hand. "Don't you dare forget that. Paul loves you not for your powers, but for who you are as a person..."

"I know... but I wish he wouldn't treat me like crystal..."

"He's a man. They all get this complex about being the big bad warrior... protecting their woman..."

"I know but it's frustrating! I can protect myself... and I intend to prove it! "

"Good, but don't lose your head over it."

"I have something for you too, Marcy. This amulet only provides protective armor that will shield me from her magic. It absorbs the residual Starchild power that Paul leaves around his home. Like my Ibis armor so long ago this amulet will give me an armor... a costume to shield myself from my sister's magic. And this amulet here will give you protective mystical armor too, like that of Sohkarra and Nefertina. Only it is tuned to living not dead..."

She opened the box and showed her a glistening gold amulet, in the shape of a winged dragon. Marcy drew in her breath, and shook her head. "That's quite impressive. But the last time I channeled the Demon's power..."

"You got burned. This will stop it from happening. You can channel enough of the Demon's power inside of you to protect yourself from my sister's enchantments. And the fact that you are a fire avatar will give you an edge on her in power..."

"Hmm, but I hope it will be enough," Marcy muttered, taking the amulet and fastening it around her neck.

"It will..." Menne nodded. "By the way, have you seen Paul?"

"Yes. He and Karra came out to eat lunch, and then they went back in for another psychic pow wow..."

"Oh..." Menne sighed, glancing down at the floor.

"Hey, look I know it's hard for you... but why don't you tell Paul how you feel?"

"And what would that be?"

"That you feel left out... neglected. Dammit Menne, he can't read your mind..."

"He is a telepath..."

"He needs to hear how you feel... before you have any more problems...."

Suddenly Ace wandered in, glancing from Menne to Marcy. He rooted through the fridge and extracted two cans of soda.

"Hey Menne... nice to see you. Want a Coke?"

"Sure," she muttered, taking it from him.

"Hey, why so blue?"

"I don't know..."

"Why don't we take a walk, beautiful," Ace suggested, tugging her arm. "Clear the mind. And you can vent if you want to.."

Marcy watched them leave, and felt a strange sense of foreboding slip over her. Should she go after them or not? Why did she feel that things were about to get ugly? Because it had happened like this so many times before, she told herself. When would this duty end? The Demon had said something about a little dividend. What did he mean by that parting shot?

Slowly she got up, and felt queasiness in the pit of her stomach. Gene had just come into the kitchen, and caught her as she doubled over.

"Marce, you okay?"

"I feel like I want to throw up," she moaned, wiping sweat off her forehead.

"Why don't you lay down, doll? Want me to call a doctor?"

"Gene don't be such a mother..." she laughed. "It's probably just Paul's omelette..."

"He's a gourmand, sweetie. You never got sick before..."

"I dunno..." Marcy shook her head. "To get nauseous for no reason..."

"Better lay down..." Gene urged her. "If not for your sake, then mine okay?"

"I just miss him," Menne said to Ace as they walked through Gene's backyard. She sipped her diet Coke and sat down on a stone bench. Ace plunked down next to her.

"I miss Karra..." he shook his head. "She spends so much time with him..."

"I know it's to train him in the use of his powers... but when he rushed off on that family emergency and didn't want me along... Ace... it hurt!"

"Hey I know that wasn't cool," Ace said, taking her hand as the tears slipped down her face. "If it was me I'd have taken you... no questions asked... hey... c'mon now don't cry..."

Her silver star glittered in the sun as her chest heaved up and down. Ace held her close in his arms, letting her cry into his shoulder as the emotions from the past few days poured out. He stroked her back, shushing her as he rocked her in his arms.

"Hey baby, don't cry... You're too pretty a lady to mess yourself up with those tears..." Ace said, pulling away to rest a finger on her cheek. He wiped the tears away from her lashes with his thumbs.

"I know... but I miss him..."

"Have you told him?"

"I tried to... but he just says he's doing it for me... for us..."

"Sure, right," Ace snorted. "But that doesn't give him the right to ignore you, pretty lady. Man if you were my girl I wouldn't let you out of my sight..."

"But I'm not," she laughed slowly.

"Paul's being a dork," Ace shook his head vehemently. "He may be Mr. Romance and flowers, but when it comes to sticking around... well..."

"One might say the same about you..."

"I know. But look, we've got the same problem. Karra's hanging so much with Paul; we both miss our lovers. So I've got to thinking maybe it's time we did something about it..."

"What?" Menne sniffed.

"Well, let's use the old Vulcan logic. Karra and he are together a lot of the time... so doesn't it make you wonder..."

"Paul would never..."

"Yeah, but are you sure? I mean are you really sure..."

"I trust Paul," she shook her head. "Im not the jealous type..."

"Bullshit! You're so jealous of Karra right now that it's screwing up what you have with Paul! And I wanna help you guys..."

"But what can I do?" she asked.

"Fight fire with fire..."

"Ace..."

"I saw them kiss today, by the pool..." Ace said slowly. Menne stared at him in disbelief.

"No way..."

"Would I lie to you? Look, the only way you can get Paul back is to make him jealous. And when he gets jealous..."

"You get your face busted," Menne shook her head. "No... it would hurt him..."

"He's hurting you..." Ace said, taking her hand. "Look, what I mean is that you just make him think you're interested in me... so you'll get his attention... I can handle Paul. He knows I'm a big joker already, so he'll know I'm not serious! And Sohkarra can read my mind so she'll know it's not real..."

"How do you propose to do this?"

"Just the next time you and I see them together, just lean over and give me a smooch..." Ace laughed.

"But Ace, no offense but kissing you... I just can't get into it... it's not that you're not attractive in your own way, but you're more like a... friend... I don't think kissing you on the cheek is going to convince Paul or get his attention that anything is going on..."

"You'll have to give me a real smooch then," he grinned.

"Ace, you're nuts," she groaned.

"You let Gene kiss you right? Back in cyberspace? I know what I saw. You did it to get Paul back... so how is this different?"

"I'm somewhat anomalistically attracted to Gene, that's why," she blushed. "With you it's not the same..."

"Well it's simple! Just close your eyes and pretend I'm Paul. That way it'll look convincing... let's practice..."

"I can't believe I'm doing this," she muttered when he took her in his arms. She had to admit he did feel somewhat pleasant in her grasp. He put her hands behind his head, pressing his chest against hers. Squeezing her eyes shut she leaned forwards, and felt a feather kiss brush her lips gently. It was not soft and firm like Paul's, but very different indeed. A silver shiver shot through her senses, making her gasp. Gene's kisses had been full mouth presses, filled with that insatiable tongue, but these were just tentative puckers. Paul knew exactly how to drive her mad when he brushed his lips to hers, burning her to the core with soothing passion. When Ace did not pull away, she panicked there in his arms as he hugged her closer. His lips closed over hers hungrily, choking the breath from her throat. He didn't open his mouth, but the force of his lips on hers made her shiver all over. It was both clumsy and deliciously forceful simultaneously.

"Menne!" came a gasp that made her heart stop. She jolted in Ace's arms, fear creeping in her at the sound of the voice.

"What the hell is going on here?" Paul's voice rose in pitch. She whirled around to see his dark eyes filled with disbelief that stabbed at her own heart.

"Hi Curly," Ace cackled with a silly grin on his face.

"Menne... What is the meaning of this?" Paul shouted at her.

"I didn't want to do it!" Menne cried, wrenching free of Ace's grasp and running past a shocked Paul. She couldn't bear to see the look of hurt in those dark eyes, sparking with anger.

"As if you had to ask," Ace laughed again, rising from the stone bench.

"You son of a bitch!" Paul thundered, and hurled himself at Ace. His fist flashed out, cracking Ace in the jaw. However Ace had anticipated this, and stuck his foot out, tripping Paul. With an angry cry he hurled himself on Paul, his own fist flashing out. Both men rolled over in the grass, shouting. Ace's next punch landed in Paul's stomach, as Paul pinned him under his muscular body. With a booted foot Ace shoved Paul off of him and scrambled to his feet.

"You stole my woman, man!" Ace snarled back. "It's what you deserve, bastard!"

"You liar!!! I'll tear you apart for that and for hurting Menne..." Paul yelled, throwing himself on Ace. His arm worked around Ace's neck, slowly squeezing. Ace slammed him in the abdomen with a sharp elbow jab, and wriggled his lean body free.

"C'mon pretty boy, you wanna fight?" Ace taunted him. "C'mon, show me what you've got!"

Paul suddenly stopped cold, realizing how silly Ace looked. The waves of pure jealously wafting from Ace were almost painful. In that instant he knew it was not Menne's fault, but a clever plot by Ace... born out of jealousy towards him and Sohkarra. As he took this reality in, he felt Ace tackle him about the waist, knocking him over. Paul thrust him off, and the two began to roll and wrestle at each other. Ace's hand shoved into Paul's face, trying to push him up off as Paul pinned him under his greater weight. He had to stop this soon or Ace would really force him to hurt him...

A blue energy flowed over both men, and yanked Paul off of Ace with incredible force. Both hung there in midair, looking into a pair of sapphire eyes that blazed in anger. Gene stood there at her side, a look of sheer surprise and confusion on his face.

"What the hell is going on!" Gene shouted at both of them. "Break it up now!"

"He stole my woman!" Ace pointed a finger at Paul.

"That's not true! You used Menne to get at me!" Paul shouted back.

"Enough!" Sohkarra shouted. "Stop it this instant! Or I'll be forced to use my magic to make you stay still for the next day!"

"You'd better listen to the lady, guys. I wanna know what the hell is going on, and I wanna know it now!" Gene bellowed. "I don't tolerate fighting in my house, get it?"

"Gene, this asswipe forced Menne to kiss him!" Paul shouted. "All because of some fricking jealousy..."

"Well, you kissed Karra!" Ace shot back. "I saw you!"

"That was a kiss of friendship, Ace," Sohkarra shook her head. "I warned you I didn't appreciate your jealous rampages. Do you think so little of me that I cannot have friendships with your bandmates? That I am some harlot that would leave your side for such a stupid reason?"

"You spend all your goddamned time with him! What the hell am I supposed to think?"

"I thought you were more mature then that. Obviously I thought wrong," Sohkarra sighed. The blue mist left Ace, dropping him unceremoniously onto his backside into the wet grass.

"Baby, can you blame me?" Ace asked.

"Don't... just... don't say another word. I'm extremely displeased with your behavior..." Sohkarra held up a hand. "You had no right to attack one of my friends physically for the sake of mere jealousy. If you do not trust me... then I am sincerely hurt..."

"Aw come off it, Princess!" Ace snapped back. "He was neglecting Menne!"

"That may be, but you had no right to drag her into this. I am heartsick about this... and I urge you to consider carefully what you have done this day... because right now Isis knows I am..."

"Baby..." Ace said. But she walked right past him, not looking back.

"Karra... wait..." Ace shouted, rushing after her. But she vanished before his eyes, nowhere to be seen. Sullenly Ace stalked back to the house, slamming the door behind him.

"So, are you happy now?" Gene asked Paul. "That you got that out of your system?"

"I don't know what came over me..." Paul shook his head.

"Jealousy man. Plain and simple. You just let it get to your head, that's all.." Gene said simply.

"I almost lost it there," Paul sighed.

"Look Paul, do me a favor and do something about you and Menne. Do something quickly before you lose her."

"I love her..."

"Is that enough Paul? You're my best buddy, and I hate seeing you drag yourself over the coals. And now you've got Ace under your skin. Not good. But its Menne and you I'm worried about. That woman loves you, and what have you done about it?"

"I live with her for God's sake! I've shared everything I can think of with her!"

"Things, Paul. She needs you, not a bunch of crap. Can it with the flowers and just be there for her!"

"Isn't that enough? Jeez, I can't believe you're telling me what to do about women, Gene!" Paul turned on him. "As if you were the expert on permanent relationships!"

"Granted I'm not. But you're not me, Paul. And as your best friend I'm telling you, don't let this one slip away. I know you've been burned. But that's no excuse to shut her out. So either do something about it now, or don't expect her to stick around much longer..."

"What are you talking about?"

"You're the romance expert, you figure it out, Romeo," Gene snorted. "Choice is yours..."

Paul watched as Gene walked away in the direction Menne had gone. His face throbbed where Ace's punch had landed, and already it was going to be one heck of a shiner. He had seen the black eye he had given Ace, and was not too proud of the bruises on Ace's neck either from his sleeper hold.

"Now what, Stanley?" he asked himself. Glancing at his watch he saw the date.

"Shit, that party is tonight..."

He had just enough time to make this work. He rushed after Menne, only to find her talking carefully with Marcy. Gene caught him before he could go over.

"Let her go for now, Paul," he said.

"Dammit Gene you just said..."

"Use your brain, dude. Let her cool down. Then make your move. Think like Paul Stanley, you dope, and not like Ace or Peter!"

"Yeah, I am Paul," he chuckled ruefully as Gene thumped him on the back. "Thank God for small favors!"

Mennehotep buried her head in her hands, sobbing as she sat on the stone bench. Marcy looked into her eyes, wiping away the tears. Just then Sohkarra stormed by, icy blue fire in her eyes.

"Karra..." Menne whispered.

"Menne, are you okay?" Sohkarra asked, momentarily stopping to see her friend.

"I... am all right... but you..."

"That's not who I'm worried about," Sohkarra said. "I just hope that you don't think that I really..."

"No... I know you wouldn't do anything with Paul... it's just that Ace..."

"Had no right to do what he did, or drag you into it. No Menne... I'm not mad at you. But Ace... I'm so furious I can't think!!!"

"What will you do about it then?" Marcy asked, matter of fact.

"Frankly, I don't give a care anymore!" Sohkarra threw up her hands. Menne buried her face in Marcy's shirt, sobbing.

"I've ruined everything..."

"No you haven't!" Karra said firmly. "It was Ace and his damned jealousy... why I put up with him..."

Just then a cough startled them as Peter stood there with Nefertina. "Is this a bad time ladies?"

"Peter..." Karra breathed.

"Peter, could you and Tina stay with Menne? Karra and I were just going out for a drive..." Marcy said, leveling her gaze on Karra.

"But..." Menne stammered.

Green eyes met sapphire ones, and an invisible message passed between them. *You need time away, don't you? Marcy's mindcast came.

*Yes... Sohkarra answered. *I can't stand being in the same place as he is any more...

*Let's go. Peter and Tina will take care of Menne... and I have a feeling Gene will have his say with Ace...

*Why Gene? Sohkarra frowned.

*Because he cares for you and what you've done. Now let's go...

*Yes... Sohkarra nodded. *Let us not linger a moment longer...

"How long will you be gone?" Peter asked.

"I don't know..." Karra said, turning to them. "Tina, please stay here with Menne... Peter..."

"Look, go and cool off. I don't blame you..." said Peter. "I'll handle things here okay? You gals just take care, alright?"

"Karra..." Menne sniffed.

"It will be alright, trust me," Marcy said to Menne. "I will be with her."

"Don't be gone too long..." Tina said to Karra.

"I won't miss the fireworks for long," Sohkarra said. "But I need some time away to decide what to do... Isis help me..."

Peter watched as both women took duffle bags and tossed them into the back of the large pickup truck. Just where they were going and for how long neither would say. Yet he was glad that Karra wasn't running off alone. He sensed that Marcy would help her stay out of trouble. He only hoped it wouldn't be forever.

Tears dripped down Menne's face, and Nefertina looked to Peter, her grey eyes holding a question. Peter took Menne's shoulder, and tilted her chin to gaze into his eyes as he said, "Hey little girl... don't you worry about Paul. I'm gonna have myself a little chat with the big guy."

"He probably hates me," Menne sobbed.

"No way. He loves you. And I'll be damned if I'm gonna let this go by. Why don't you two girls go off and let us guys rap for a little bit."

"Where is Paul?" asked Tina.

"He's coming this way now..." Peter said. Menne flinched, burying her head in Nefertina's chest.

"Go on ladies. I'll handle him. Why don't you take Menne into the house, kitty cat." Peter suggested. Arm around Menne's shoulders, Nefertina kissed his cheek and conducted her inside. Paul noticed the two women, and moved quickly across the yard toward them, but was intercepted by Peter stepping in his way.

"Peter, I'm not in the mood... I need to talk to Menne..."

"Look I think she needs to cool down, and so do you. Why don't you and I take a little chat over at your place..."

"But Menne..."

"She's gonna rap with Tina. Look, why don't you and I take a drive to your place. I wanna have some words with you, man to man..."

"You and me talking Peter? That's a new one... I was thinking that Gene..."

"He's reading Ace the riot act. He suggested I talk to you... before you guys tore each other apart again..."

"Man, I feel so stupid thinking that Menne..."

"C'mon... let's go..." Peter urged him. Climbing into Paul's Mercedes, the two men pulled out and drove away...

"What the hell were you thinking, Ace?" Gene snapped, pointing a finger in Ace's direction. Sullenly Ace sat on the couch in front of the television in his room, chewing on cereal and making so much noise he was trying to drown out Gene.

"Go away! I don't wanna talk!"

"Tough shit! Cause I'm gonna make you listen! What the hell possessed you to do such a stupid thing! And with my best buddy's woman too?"

"Why are you so pissed Gene? It's not like it was Marcy I was..."

"No, but Sohkarra is a good friend of mine! She hauled your ass outta drugs and booze. I hate to think of you screwing up the best thing that happened in your life!"

Ace grumbled something under his breath, flouncing out of the sofa, and plunking the cereal bowl down. "Just why you even give a shit..."

"I do, Ace. Believe it or not. I want this to work as much as the rest of us. But what you did was just uncool."

"Come off it, It's only cause you've got the hots for Menne..."

"So what if I do?" Gene threw back. "That's why I care about what happens to her and Paul. And why I care for you and Karra. You and your goddamn jealousy! When are you gonna get your crap together and take some responsibility?"

"I love her, man!" Ace shot back. "And seeing her with Paul, I flipped!"

"You sure did, Ace. Can't you see you're gonna lose her if you keep this up?"

"Dammit Gene what do I do?" Ace groaned. "I love her so much it hurts... I'm not used to having one woman in my life..."

"Tell her that. You've gotta eat a lot of crow to get her back. So stand up, be a man and say that you're sorry. That's a good place to start!"

"How? She probably hates me!"

"I don't know. But we'll think of something. I'm gonna help you..."

"You, help me about women?" Ace groaned. "I know I'm doomed!"

Chapter 6: Back at Paul's Villa

"Peter, what is this about?" Paul asked him as the two sat in his studio. Paul was restringing one of his Washburns while Peter looked on.

"You, Paul. And your woman. When are you gonna admit that you love the gal and do something about it?"

"I told her I loved her. I've bought her clothes, romanced her, given her all any woman could want..."

"Did you ever think that maybe she is the one?"

"Excuse me?"

"C'mon Paul! You're supposed to be the expert at this relationship stuff! Weren't you the one who said that if the right woman came along..."

"I know... but when all this is over, what if she returns with her own kind?"

"Then give her a damned good reason to stay with you, Paul." Peter said.

"It's a big step, man," Paul sighed.

"What have you got to lose?" Peter asked. "By asking her?"

Paul said nothing as he tugged on the string, and it stretched with a twang. He began to turn the pegs while he held up his digital tuner. Peter nudged his knee, saying, "Paul, she just might if you don't give her an incentive to stay. Call me old fashioned, but popping the question isn't out of the question, is it?"

"She lives with me, Peter. To her that's as good as it needs to get. What if she doesn't say yes?"

"She's living in a modern world. Your world. You're gonna have to decide if it's worth losing her or not, and you'd better hurry man..."

"Alright," Paul said, setting his guitar down. "I'll do it. But it's a question of the right setting..."

"Now you're talking like Paul again!" Peter grinned. "Alright!"

"Peter..." Paul said as he turned to leave.

"Yeah?"

"Thanks man..."

"Anytime. What are friends for?"

"Hey, can you wait a minute. There's something I gotta do, and I need a favor from you..."

"Sure... what?"

Paul grinned as he pulled Peter along after him...

"He makes me so angry!" Sohkarra grumbled, sitting hunched up in the front passenger seat of the Dodge Dakota Sport. The red truck whistled down the Interstate, headed toward San Francisco.

"Are you sure that leaving is the answer?" Marcy asked, pushing her sunglasses up her nose.

"I need time to decide what I am going to do..."

"I respect that. But how long can we escape our duties?"

"Ra, I am sick of duty!!" she shouted.

Suddenly Marcy stopped the truck, and pulled to the side of the road. Sohkarra opened her mouth to protest, but was cut off with Marcy's own remark, "You don't think I'm sick of this? Every stinking time I think I have my own life, they show up to screw it up!!!"

"Then why put up with it?" Sohkarra asked her. "What do you get out of it?"

"God knows I wish I could answer that!" Marcy sighed. The weight of centuries shone in those green eyes. For a time the two women sat there, each in their own silent contemplation.

"I so much want to take this truck and keep on driving sometimes," Marcy said slowly. "I wish Gene had never come back into my life..."

"But you met up with him..."

"Because... the Demon and Celestial told me it was time," said Marcy. "Even if I said no, they would have found some way of pushing me into it..."

"Why not say no?" Sohkarra asked.

"Can you say no to Celestial?" asked Marcy. "I know that you have the channeling power. I was surprised that you and Celestial had communicated. Especially since he has been communicating with me since the beginning, along with Demon. He told me that you would be the help I needed..."

"What is it that we are supposed to do?" Sohkarra asked.

"We must help KISS, the host of the Elder, fight some great menace that threatens our world. I wish I knew what it was. But I think it has something to do with ancient Egypt. That's why you and your friends were chosen to help..."

"Does it mean I have to stay with Ace?"

"Not necessarily. When the threat passes, you have the choice to leave him," said Marcy.

"What are the exact terms of our assistance in this matter?" Sohkarra asked her.

"To encourage and train them in the use of their powers..." Marcy recounted. "And to provide moral support when needed."

"Does that involve other more intimate sharing?"

"Yes and no. You and Ace have shared so much already without taking that last step..."

"How do you know?"

"Come Princess, I know what sort of woman you are. Your heart is with that guardian of yours. I see that you are the sort who would wait before taking the last run to home plate. It's to your credit I agree. But that's not necessary for the fight ahead. Only the intense emotional trust that has developed between you and Ace..."

"A trust he violated!" Sohkarra pointed out.

"Yes. But look at it this way. As long as you are there to support him during the fight, that's what matters. But the choice to remain his lover is yours. Just like the choice to remain with Gene is mine..."

"Are you going to stay?"

"I don't know...Yet..." Marcy sighed. "I have known Gene for many years. I have my own life to return to. And most likely when all this is over I'll be going back to it."

"So... I don't have to stay with Ace..." Sohkarra said. "Not even now?"

"No. But remember this, Ace is not used to having one woman love him. It's all new to him. You have every right to be hurt and angry with him. But think of it this way; he was willing to fight to keep you. Even if he picked a very childish way to do it!"

"It was pretty stupid," Sohkarra snorted.

"Yes, but it was out of love. Two wrongs don't make a right, but for what it's worth, don't give up on him completely. You're brought him so far so fast. He's going to slip up once in a while..."

"I am so tired..." Sohkarra shook her head.

"So am I, my friend, so am I," Marcy sighed, laying her hand on Sohkarra's. "The centuries catch up with you after a while..."

Suddenly Sohkarra's eyes popped open. Was it her imagination, or did she sense another mind present? Was it the Demon avatar that seeped through Marcy, or something else?so  Another life force had taken root in her friend.

"Marcy..." she started to say. "Does the Demon's avatar inhabit you as well, when you spoke of each Avatar having two hosts?"

"Yes... to some extent. Why do you ask?"

"It's... just that when I sensed you just now... my powers picked up another mind. Another presence..."

"The Demon's power is strong, but it's dormant in me," said Marcy, a questioning look on her face.

"But I sense another mind! Another heartbeat..." Sohkarra gasped, her eyes flaring blue. "The only way that is possible..."

"You must be mistaken," Marcy shook her head, unbuckling her seatbelt.

"I'm a healer. I can sense life and minds. Even if they are shielded from me like yours is, this mind isn't. It's young... so young..."

A look of shock and horror filled Marcy's face. Her eyes snapped shut, and her head tilted back as she clenched and unclenched her fists. Suddenly her eyes popped open as she regarded Sohkarra again.

"That would mean... if you sense another mind... Oh God... it can't be... after so many centuries... the nausea, the vomiting this morning..."

"You... felt nauseous?" Sohkarra repeated.

"Yes... but then..."

"Marcy..." said Sohkarra, taking her hand. "I know this is frightening..."

"I never in a million years thought it possible... but the Demon said to me... there would be a dividend for me this time..."

"A dividend?" Sohkarra lifted an eyebrow. Marcy in halting tones recounted her conversation with Celestial and Demon. Sapphire eyes widened.

"A new life..." They both whispered.

"Now what?" Marcy asked, turning to her.

"I don't know... but I think we don't need to turn around right away do you?"

"No..." Marcy smiled. "Why don't we just rely on those psychic powers of yours? If they need us badly enough they'll let us know right?"

"Right," Sohkarra nodded. Marcy turned the key in the ignition, nodding back. Slowly the Dodge Dakota sport pulled back onto the interstate and roared off to its destination.

Mennehotep opened the small envelope Peter handed her when she came downstairs. There was no sign of Paul, but she had noticed Gene speaking to Peter softly before he came over and gave her the envelope.

"What is this?"

"A note from a secret admirer..."

"I'm not in the mood..."

"Too bad. If you open it you'll find the answer to your problems..."

"What the--?"

"Trust me Menne, if you don't open it, I'll be really in deep ka-ka," Peter said, a pleading look on his face.

"Better open it," Gene nodded.

Menne sniffed the lavender paper, inhaling the familiar scent of Paul's cologne. Her heart pounded when she read the small card inside: "Go upstairs and you will find the answer to your heart's desire... in the guestroom of Peter and Nefertina..."

"Go upstairs?" Menne asked. "Here?"

"Read the note," Peter chuckled and shrugged as he moved away.

"What the..."

"Just read the note!" Peter repeated. Menne showed the piece of paper to Gene, who grinned.

"Play along. This should be very interesting..."

Menne rushed upstairs to the room Tina was sharing with Peter in Gene's home. Tina was unpacking a long velvet gown, black in color.

"What took you so long?" she winked, laying the garment on the bed.

"What do you mean?"

"You read the note right?"

"Did everyone get in on this except me?" Menne asked suspiciously. Nefertina pulled her over to the bed and showed her the outfit there.

"Just shut up and put this on, silly!" she whispered.

"But I don't..."

"Put it on or I'll put it on ya!" Nefertina threatened teasingly.

"Okay..." Menne held up her hands in resignation. Nefertina lifted the dress to her and helped her change.
 

Chapter 7: A downtown hotel in L.A.

A limousine ride later, both women emerged outside a large overhang of a tall skyscraper. Already women in long flowing gowns strode into the glass doors beside men in crisp tuxedos. She spied the vertical card that said, "Charity Benefit Tonight."

"You didn't!" Menne groaned when she regarded Nefertina.

"C'mon! Can't keep them waiting!!!" she laughed, tugging at Menne's arm. The long black silk dress whispered around Menne's ankles like a dream. Nefertina shoved a plastic box into her hands.

"Put this on..." she whispered.

"What..."

"Read the card.," Nefertina pointed to the lid. "It has your name on it!"

Menne let her friend slip the purple rose onto her wrist, set off with baby's breath and white lotus flowers. It was an unusual touch, she reflected. Her long hair hung in many multiple braids, each terminating in a gold bead this night. Nefertina's was in an up do, her short babydoll gown swishing around her thighs.

A red-coated bell hop conducted both women into a large sumptuous banquet hall. There was a large balcony overlooking the forest of tables that ringed the ballroom floor. Already reporters were setting up their microphones and cameras on the railing, where a podium was being shifted into position.

"Ladies, your invitations?" the tuxedoed Maitre'D asked.

"Here," Nefertina said, showing the embossed card from her small black pocketbook.

"Ah, you are this way," he said, showing them to a table just beneath the balcony, up front and facing the sea of other round ones. Name cards were placed by the tables, and Menne noticed the place she had been invited to sit. Her heart leaped when she saw the surname was wrong.

"This must be a mistake... this isn't my name..." she pointed to him.

"You are Menne, are you not..."

"But the last name isn't..."

Nefertina stepped on her foot and chirped, "It's spelled L-E-Y, not L-Y!"

"Sorry, I am most apologetic! I'll have it replaced at once!"

Menne glared at Nefertina, who grinned and said nothing. One by one the guests arrived and filed into the hall. They took their seats, and Peter moved into a seat beside Nefertina and Menne.

"Where is Paul?" Menne asked.

"He's coming," Peter winked. "Who do you think is giving the toast?"

She glanced up from the forest of made-up faces and black ties to the balcony, where Paul had stepped up to the podium. Cameras flickered and flashed on him when he straightened his tie and cleared his throat. The white tuxedo with the purple tie and cummerbund was most fitting on him, his long hair was tied loosely back in a ponytail at the nape of his neck.

"And now ladies and gentlemen, the toast for the Children's Cancer Society will be given by Mr. Paul Stanley..."

"Ladies and gentlemen it is an honor to be here tonight..." he cleared his throat. Mahogany eyes fell on Menne, and they sparkled with excitement.

She peered up at him on the balcony, wondering who the strangely dressed woman in red was who accidentally fumbled with her camera as she leaned against the balcony. She suddenly bumped into Paul, who was thrown forward. The podium bumped into the railing. To everyone's horror the metal railing buckled while Paul caught himself. Menne's heart pounded in her chest when plaster fell off the bolts that held the railing in place. It began to swing out from the ledge. Suddenly, the podium toppled over, taking Paul with it. Everyone's screams echoed in her ear. How was this possible? Menne grabbed at her throat instinctively, leaping from her chair onto the table.

"Paul!" she screamed.

Mennehotep suddenly found herself drifting upwards without any assistance, running to stop him from falling off the railing, Even though she knew she could not fly, she raced out all the same. Suddenly her feet seemed to touch thin air, her body drifting upward in seconds to the balcony where the reporters and others were assembled. Arms latched around Paul just as he pitched backwards. Together they hung in midair, Menne's arms tightly wound around a startled Paul.

"Baby... how did you do that?" he gasped in astonishment.

"I don' t know... I just did it without thinking about it..." Menne gasped. Other eyes fixed on them floating there twenty feet above the ballroom floor. Fingers pointed as cameras flashed.

"Paul, we have witnesses..."

"Uh oh, better do something about them..." Paul muttered. Eyes flared bright purple, his aura extending to the reach of the stunned room. Instantly they stood stark still.

"You haven't seen anything unusual," Paul said clearly and calmly, voice carrying far in the silent room. "Except me catching the railing at the last minute and hanging till my girlfriend pulled me up to safety. That's all..."

Menne silently willed herself to drift towards the balcony, much in the way she did when she had her powers and armor before. It was so easy, so simple to float over and land on the balcony without so much as a thud. Seconds later the crowd all glanced at each other and muttered. Paul wiped his forehead, and turned around to face Mennehotep. His eyes shone brightly.

"We have to talk," he whispered to her.

"Yes... it's high time we did..." she nodded gravely. Suddenly a wave of nausea flooded her, and she pitched forwards. Paul caught her in his arms.

"Sweetheart... are you okay?" he asked.

"I feel sick..."she gasped. Paul led her over to a chair and sat her down. He grabbed a glass of ice water from a tray and held it up to her.

"Take deep breathes honey," he urged, his hand on her shoulder as she struggled not to throw up.

"Paul thank God your girlfriend saw you fall before we all did," Doc McGhee gasped, rushing up to the couple. "   I don't know how she sensed you were going to fall, but you should have seen how effortlessly she pulled you up..."

"She saved your life," said one of the other reporters in awe.

"I know..." Paul whispered, still noticing Mennehotep was huddled over, ashen faced. "Will you excuse us... please?"

"Sure..." Doc said. "Go off and have a good time you two..."

"That was incredible," Menne whispered to him as he took her arm and led her out onto the garden of the large hotel. It was a rooftop garden, open to the star filled sky. Here above the haze the air was clear and bright with excitement. Far below the city blinked and honked in its nighttime life.

"Not as awesome as what you did, baby," Paul whispered. He moved up behind her, slipping his arms around her waist. Tears filled her eyes at the caress of his lips on the back of her neck.

"The fresh air feels better..." she sighed.

"Doing okay? You scared me a moment..."

"You scared me far worse in there Paul..."

"I could have been badly hurt... or worse..." he whispered. "But it's even more amazing, because I thought you had lost your powers..."

"That's the problem Paul... I know you love me and wanted to protect me, but you got so protective I felt stifled... and then when you went away without..."

"I am so sorry," Paul apologized, turning her around and taking her face between his hands. "I had no right to shut you out of my life... not after what we shared together. I guess I was..."

"Scared? That's what Gene said..." Menne shook her head.

"Son of a bitch," Paul laughed. "That's it. I haven't felt this way for someone for so long... I've been hurt by so many women... and yet I know you'd never intentionally hurt me, Menne. God I love you so much it hurts sometimes... which is why..."

"Shh," she whispered, putting a finger to his lips. "I know now what's been going on. And I had no right to use Ace to..."

"Baby, I trusted you. I just didn't trust him..."

"And now Ace and Karra aren't speaking to each other."

"We have to do something to get them back together," Paul sighed. "If we are to have any chance of fighting the threat I have been dreaming about... we must stand united in our love..."

"Sohkarra wants to go back to San Francisco. Already she has talked to me and to Nefertina..."

"Do you want to go back?" Paul asked her. "I mean... if you wanted to... I'd understand... but I had hoped... hoped that you'd stay here with me..."

"What are you trying to say to me, Paul?" she asked.

"Dammit," he laughed softly. "I'm supposed to be good at romance... but all this is coming out wrong... I didn't mean to break your heart... but whenever I look at you... I see everything I need... You're everything to me... Menne... and to lose you..."

Tears dripped down her cheeks, her hands tightening on him as she sobbed, "I don't want to go Paul. I love being with you... I can't imagine living apart from you... not for very long... and I love you so much..."

"I don't know how things were like in your country, but here goes," Paul took a deep breath. Slowly he knelt before her on one knee, and her eyes narrowed in question.

"You already apologized..." she said.

"Shh... let me finish..." he urged her, reaching for something in his jacket pocket. "You know I had said I had a surprise for you when I came back... well... here it is... Menne would you do me the honor of consenting to... consenting to be my wife?"

The words did not register at first, but he looked so beautiful kneeling there before her in the moonlight, her own response was choked off. Slowly he opened the small box, and she saw a flash like a brilliant star nestled on purple velvet.

"Will you marry me?" he asked, clearing his throat, hand over his heart as the dark eyes fixed into hers.

"Paul," she laughed, grabbing his hand. "I can't..."

"You can't... I'll understand if you need time to sort this all out... You don't have to answer right now... but... I do feel kind of silly up here waiting... even if I have to wait all night..."

"I can't imagine not saying yes..." she finished, clearing her own throat as her words deserted her.

Just then she felt another nauseous wave in the pit of her stomach. Paul saw her queasy face, and stood up to catch her. It seemed oddly familiar to her, and Menne's heart inwardly leaped. Was it possible that she could be...

"Baby are you okay?" he asked her.

"I felt for a moment... like I was going to... going to..."

"C'mon let's get you downstairs..." Paul urged, helping to carry her as he moved her inside. From a short distance away, a pair of green eyes watched them, set into a face identical to Menne's.

"You may have saved his life, dear sister. But can you save your own, or that of the new life that will depend upon you?" she laughed lightly. Turning, Karen Romano, astrologer to the stars pushed the sunglasses on her face and strode away.

She strode to the edge of the garden, and looked toward the moon. Fingering the amulet of Sekhmet aroudn her neck, she whispered an incantation, "Goddess of Sickness, Goddess of Health, grant your daughter your magic's wealth..."

Sapphire energy surrounded her, cloaking her skin. Blue mist wafted around her, encasing her in golden Lioness armor. She spread her arms to the rising moon, leaping off the railing of the garden in a golden somersault. Twenty feet on the street below she landed, her clawed boots grinding into the pavement with the force of an earthquake.

"The challenge has begun, dear sister! Soon another will join the fight, and you will not succeed! I shall have my revenge!"

In a flash of fire she vanished. Not before the stunned looks on two bystanders noticed her presence and absence.

"Who the hell was that?" Peter asked Nefertina, who let a low growl escape her throat.

"Trouble! We've gotta contact Sohkarra and get her back here! That was Karahamnon again!"

"That chick from the club, who poisoned Todd and John!" Peter groaned. "Here?"

"Yes... and I have a feeling she was laughing at us!" Nefertina snarled.

"And was she behind what almost happened to Paul?" Peter asked her.

"Does Anubis have fleas?" Nefertina gritted. She reached for her amulet, and concentrated.

"Karra... you have to come back now!!!!"

(Find out what happens next in Part 3 of "Heaven's on Fire"!)