Hearts & Stars (A Paul Stanley X Tommy Thayer Rock & Roll Love Story)

Chapter 4- Contracts & Jealousy (Gene Simmons POV)

A/N: Another Journey song included..."Be Good to yourself"....I really think it fits & I love the song!

Today is the day, officially on paper that we as in myself, Paul, and my beloved cat & Husband Eric welcome Tommy Thayer into the Kiss fold. Oh, not that he hasn't technically been apart of Kiss in some form or fashion for years at this point. He  was our road manager and before that I'd become acquainted with him thru his old band: Black 'N' Blue & of course my husband Eric. And of course, as everyone knows Tommy taught both Ace & Peter their parts for the reunion tour. Peter and Tommy got along great and became friends. Ace & Tommy....Ouch would be putting it FAR too Mildly. Ace hated Tommy's guts, period...but Tommy was still nice as can be to Ace. I think part of it is that Ace was jealous of Tommy. He was jealous allright, let's face it...Tommy was & is more talented & technically a better sounding player. There's also the fact, that I believe Ace knew that Paul had a thing for Tommy and fell in love with him. Thankfully, Ace & Paul's rekindled "Fuck Buddies" relationship didn't last long.... but it was long enough to break Tommy's heart...I could tell. Tommy, I Knew didn't feel he could compete...with the memory, as a lover and he was jealous that it wasn't HIM that Paul was with.

Anyway, I am waiting on Eric to get ready.... The kids are with a babysitter, this meeting will take a while....

"Eric! Kitty are you ready yet?!", I yell up the stairs at my husband.

"I'm coming, I'm coming Demon baby....", Eric yells back. Eric soon fly's downstairs and straight into my arms, thankfully I catch him. We kiss and head out the door, lock it and drive to the meeting place where legally Tommy will become a full member of Kiss.

"Demon baby...Gene I am so excited! Tommy is perfect for the band!", Eric is fairly bouncing in his seat, but then he sighs, "It will be interesting too, to see the world's most stubborn and oblivious people who are in love with each other, but don't see it or don't want to...I dunno. I want both Paul & Tommy to be happy. Like we are."

I squeeze his hand gently before I reply, "Yeah Tommy is a perfect fit...and I know. This just MUST force those two to admit that they love each other. They have both loved each other for years and have danced around it. This time, there will be no place either can hide. I know they are what the other needs, this will be interesting.

We at last arrive and Paul of course is the first one there...figures. No Tommy, yet....

"Tommy not here yet?", I stated the obvious as I sat down with Eric beside me.

"No, he called said he was running a little behind.", Paul sounds concerned before sighing.

"Paul, relax...He'll be here!" Eric assures him and sure enough...Tommy suddenly bursts thru the doors & boy do Paul's eyes light up!

"Sorry, sorry.... traffic...alarm...", Tommy pants hands on his knees. "But I'm here!"

"Breathe Tommy! It's ok.... did you see Doc out there?", Paul asks him.

"Um...yeah! I think I saw him pull in just after I did...should be here in a minute!", Tommy plops down and promptly guzzles a proffered bottle of water given to him by Paul. Tommy takes it with a grateful smile, and you'd have thought Paul was given gold.

Doc finally arrives two minutes after Tommy & we get things underway. Contracts are signed, terms are agreed to, and details all hashed out. We take pictures and linger for a bit; Tommy seems a little nervous...but overall, he's bursting with excitement. An idea occurs to me and I whisper into Eric's ear...

"I have an idea...why don't we all go out to dinner as a band & celebrate? Make Paul and Tommy sit together too."

"Oooh, yea...I'm starved...and trying to play match maker are we, my demon?" My husband whispers back, eyes dancing with amusement. I chuckle lowly...

"What are you two love-birds whispering about? Must be interesting...been trying to get your attention for 2 minutes.", Paul arches an eyebrow.

"Well, I thought it would be a good idea for all four of us to go out & celebrate Tommy officially joining our ranks and well we gotta eat.", I shrug at the last bit.

"Seriously, you guys don't have to do this! It's enough for me just to be in the band! And you've always been so nice to me and all...Just don't go to so much trouble.", Tommy protests.

"Tommy...it's the least we can do. And it's no trouble! Sides like Gene said, we gotta eat!", Paul smiles at Tommy and Tommy laughs at the last bit.

Eric falls into step with Tommy and walks out ahead of me & Paul and animatedly congratulating Tommy and patting him on the back. Paul frowns & glares.... uh-uh...this will NOT do! Paul is jealous...really? Eric is married to me, in love with me...I'm not mad, but still.

"Paul why are you glaring daggers at my husband? Why are you jealous? Seriously? You know Eric and I are married; we have kids...Tommy & Eric are like brothers.", I whisper yell.

"I'm not jealous....", Paul feebly protests, and I give him a pointed hard look. "Gene I'm sorry...I know all that...I-I just..."

"I too have been thru a similar experience as what you are going thru as you well know. Paul as a friend, as a brother.... Tell him how you feel." I look seriously at him, my tone slightly stern.

"Gene, how can I? I don't think he feels the same way....", Paul sighs. Tommy & Eric are still talking animatedly, laughter sounding.

"Paul, I think you know that's bullshit. How the fuck do you not see? He does feel the same way...just take a chance and let yourself be happy. Let go!" At this point I can see Paul is deep in thought and us all pile in the car and head off. Eric & I am sitting up front and Paul and Tommy are sitting in the back together and Paul at least starts relaxing and soon him & Tommy are discussing art. Paul just let go...quit being jealous...Before long you will see, of that I have no doubt.

A/N: Also, just had to include Heart's, "What about Love?" ...got a soundtrack going here....anyway, I hope you enjoyed this chapter as much as I did writing it!