Once In A Dream
By Mary ILP & Joni

                             11

Jack slamed the cordless phone on the coffee table,causing Carol to 
jump."There were alot of admissions to the E.R. last night."Jack said 
as he sat back in his chair.Carol nodded as she dished up the meal 
she had thrown together for the boys and Jack."Why don't you call the 
boys in from outside,Jack...."Carol said as she placed the food on 
the table.Jack nodded as he got up."Boys!"he shouted out the back 
door.Carol calmed herself down as she waited for the boys to come 
inside.The last thing that the boys needed right now was to see her 
or Jack upset.The boys each took a seat at the table.Jack walked past 
the kitchen table and back into the living room."Isent Dad going to 
eat?"Jordan asked as he picked up his fork.Carol sighed as she tucked 
a peice of her long blond hair behind her ear."I think your Dad is 
tired."Carol said softly."He wants mom to come home."Branden said as 
he picked at his food.Carol looked at the plate she had fixed herself 
and pushed it away."Your mom will be home soon.....She is viseting a 
friend."Carol said.Jordan nodded "One of her KISS friends?"Jordan 
asked as he picked up his ear of corn from his plate."Yes,Jordan one 
of her KISS friends."Carol said smiling brightly at him.Branden 
narrowed his dark blue eyes at his mother's friend."Witch 
one?"Branden asked as he picked up his glass and took a drink of his 
tea.Carol was lost for a moment as she searched for a name of one of 
the women that Sarah had mentioned......"Grace....Yes Grace!"Carol 
said as she looked at a photo of Paul Stanley taped to the 
fridge.Sarah had said a friend of hers named Grace had sent it to 
her.Branden nodded as he looked at Carol.Carol could tell that the 
young man still wasent satisfied but he wasent going to say 
anything.The boys finished there meal in silence as Carol got up and 
walked to the living room.

Jack was watching tv as he sipped a beer."Jack?"Carol said as she sat 
down on the sofa across from him.Jack looked over at her as he 
switched the tv off."Would you like something to eat?"Carol 
asked.Jack shook his head."No thanks"he said.Carol nodded "Jack....do 
you think that maybe...no never mind."Carol said as she shook her 
head.Jack looked at her and nodded,he knew what she was going to 
say."Yes,Carol....I think Sarah left me..."Jack said as he picked up 
the can of beer and took another drink."I'm sorry Jack."Carol said 
softly.Jack was never one to let his emotion show,he clicked the tv 
back on."Carol!"Jordan called from the kitchen.Carol quickly got up 
and left Jack sitting in the living room.One small tear escaped 
Jack's eye and rolled down his cheek.He thought of all the times he 
could of treated Sarah better.

                             12

Paul leaned aginst the back of the chair.It had been a long three 
days and there seemed to be no end in sight.Paul shook his head as he 
felt his face.Stubble from the beard that was begining to sprout 
scratched his hand.Maybe he should just go back to the hotal and try 
and get some sleep he thought as he looked at her.She hadent moved in 
three days.All she seemed to be able to do was squeeze his hand when 
he spoke to her."Sarah....wake up please."Paul said as he leand over 
the bed.Paul was willing to wait.What if he went back to the hotal 
and she woke up.Paul sat back in chair and closed his eyes.The 
painting he had done long ago of her flashed in his mind.Paul let 
himself drift into his mind as he thought of the dream he had so many 
times before.What does she want of me?Why is she huanting me like 
this?Paul's eyes sprang open when he heard her gasp....it was  the 
sound of someone fighting for air.Paul looked at her as she arched 
her back from the bed coughing.Her eyes were wide open as she turned 
to look at him.Paul quickly stood up knocking the chair over 
backwards."Your awake!"he shouted as he looked at her struggleing 
aginst the tube that was still in her throat."Nurse!"Paul shouted as 
he raced to the door.Paul waved his arms frantically as two nurses 
came raceing down the hall.They almost knocked him out of the way as 
they ran into the room."You'll have to wait out here..."a nurse said 
as she slamed the door.Paul looked at the guard who was now standing 
up beside his chair.Paul leaned aginst the wall and watched as more 
nurses and doctors raced inside the room.At least she is awake....he 
thought as he stood there.Now maybe he could find out what it was 
about her that made him dream of her.

                             13
"How is she?"Paul asked as Dr.Chavis came out of the room.The 
doctor shook his head as he put his hands up.The exsitment and 
concern were mixed in Mr.Stanley's quistion."I want to see 
her..."Paul said as he looked at the doctor."Mr.Stanley....lets go to 
the waiting room.The police will want to talk to her first."the 
Doctor said as he led Paul down the long hallway.Paul looked back to 
see detective Gray and another young doctor making his way into Sarah 
room."I don't want them to upset her."Paul said with concern in his 
voice.Dr.Chavis looked over his shoulder as he walked into the small 
waiting room."Have a seat,please..."Dr,Chavis said as he motioned for 
Paul to sit on the sofa.Paul sat down hopeing that everything was 
alright."Mr.Stanley....sometimes when people suffer a trauma they 
block things out."Dr.Chivas began as he sat down in the chair across 
from him."Please call me Paul...."Paul said as he looked at the 
doctor.Dr.Chavis nodded as he ran his hand through his graying 
hair."Paul.....the human mind is very funny sometimes....the young 
woman,it seems as blocked anything out about the attack,she can't 
remember anything."Dr.Chavis said in a low voice.It took a few 
moments for what the doctor was saying to sink in as Paul sat 
there."Are you saying that she has amnesia?"Paul asked in shock that 
after all of this the poor woman would awake to not be able to tell 
them anything.The Doctor nodded as he looked at Paul."She has 
forgotten everything....she has no ideia who she is or her 
family."Dr.Chavis said."Will she get her memory back?"Paul asked.The 
Doctor shrugged."Most likely, slowly it will come back."the doctor 
said.Paul shook his head as he stood up."I want to see her."Paul 
said.The Doctor nodded "When the police are done....You have to 
understand thoe."the Doctor said as he came to stand next to 
him."Understand what?"Paul asked all he really wanted to do was see 
Sarah."You have to take things very slow with her....Don't say 
anything about the attack....let her remember things in her own 
time."the Doctor said with concern."You mean don't give her any 
information?"Paul asked."Yes,let her tell you what she 
remembers,don't help her.Its better if she figures things out on her 
own."the doctor said.Paul nodded "What about her name?Does she know 
her name?"Paul asked hopeing that he could at least be able to call 
he by her name.Dr.Chavis smiled "Well she remembered her first 
name....Sarah."the doctor said knowing that at least there was some 
hope for the young woman.Paul nodded "I knew that was her name."Paul 
said softly.Sarah,the woman he knew once in a dream.

                             14

Sarah sat looking at the wall of her hospital room.So many 
quistions were in her mind as she looked around the room.Her body was 
sore as she tried to sit up strighter in the bed.The doctors had told 
her that she had been in a coma.Some horrible accident,what had 
happened Sarah wracked her brain as she sat there.Sarah looked down 
at her hands.They were as if they belonged to someone else.She put 
her hands up her face.What was it that made her feel like someone had 
been there with her while she was in her coma."Sarah..."Sarah turned 
when she heard the voice.Paul stood in the door way looking at her.He 
looked familiar to her some how."Who are you?"Sarah asked a little 
shocked that it wasent another doctor or nurse standing there."My 
name is Paul Stanley....I brought you to the hospital."Paul said as 
he steped into the room.Paul knew her voice the moment she spoke he 
had heard it in his dream.It was her alright the woman he had dreamed 
of so long ago.Sarah's dark eyes lit up as she looked at him.She knew 
that name."Paul Stanley,"she said shyly.She must be dreaming."Like in 
KISS right?"she asked.Paul nodded she remembered KISS,maybe seeing 
him would make her remember who had done this to her."Yes,as in 
KISS."Paul said with a small laugh.He steped further into the room 
and Sarah noticed he was holding a dozen red roses in his hand."For 
you."he said softly.Sarah nodded as she took the flowers from his 
hand.Paul noticed her hands were trembling slightly."Are you feeling 
better?"Paul asked as he sat down next to the bed."A little....What 
happened to me?"she asked still thinking she was dreaming.Paul 
searched his mind as he sat there."You were hurt at an exspo...."Paul 
said as he looked at her.Sarah nodded ."Its funny I remember 
you....but nothing else."Sarah said as she knitted her brow."Give it 
some time"Paul said.Sarah nodded "Were we friends before?"Sarah 
asked.Paul wanted to say yes.For he felt that some how they had known 
each other.Paul shook his head "No....."Paul said flatly not really 
knowing what to say.Sarah looked at him."Thank you..."she said as she 
looked away shyly.Paul cleared his throat.He knew she was thanking 
him for saving her."Your welcome....I should let you rest,I'll be 
back in the morning."Paul said softly as he reached for her 
hand.Sarah felt the warmth of his hand as his fingers curled around 
hers.A feeling that she some how knew,the feeling of his hand."Stay 
with me?"she asked shyly as an overwhelming fear came over her."Are 
you afraid Sarah?"Paul asked softly.A tear rolled down her bruised 
cheek."Yes,I'm afraid,but I don't know why."she said softly.Paul 
nodded,never letting go of her hand."Yes I'll stay right here....Just 
rest."he said softly.

                             15

Jack Moody's eyes were red from lack of sleep.The police officer 
sighed as he wrote down Jack's every word about his missing wife."Do 
you have a photo of your wife?"the officer asked as he looked at the 
paper work on his desk."Yes,right here."Jack said handing the officer 
a photo of Sarah.The young officer looked at the young woman smiling 
at him from the photo.He gave Jack a sympathetic look.The officr had 
heard this story before,wife leaves hubby and hubby files a missing 
person's report."I'll get all this on the wire and see what we can 
come up with."the officer said as he laid the photo on top of the 
missing persons report."Do you think you will find her?"Jack asked as 
he looked at the officer.The officer nodded as he got up from his 
seat to escort Jack to the door."We will do everything we can....the 
best thing you can do is go home and get some rest."the officer 
said.Jack nodded it just seemed like no one would take his missing 
wife seriously."You know....maybe you should try calling some of her 
kiss buddies.You said she was into KISS and had alot of friends from 
all over the world that she had met on the web.You might want to give 
some of them a call.See if they might have heard from her."the 
officer said as he shook Jack's hand.Jack nodded he had never even 
thought of calling any of them.Hell he dident even know there names 
let alone whare Sarah kept there phone numbers.Jack walked to his car 
thinking about what the officer had said.Sarah would have taken the 
boys....he just knew something had happened to her.Jack started the 
car and headed home to his young sons.What would he tell 
them...."Sorry kids,Mom ran off to be with KISS..."Jack said softly 
as he pulled his car into traffic.

                             16

Jack opened the top drawer of Sarah's dresser.He could almost hear 
her saying "Thats my stuff!"Sarah always told him that she hated 
anyone going into the top drawer.Pictures of KISS and magazine 
clippings cluttered the drawer along with guiter picks she had grabed 
from concerts she had a attended in the past.Jack was looking for a 
list of phone numbers.Sarah always called this drawer ,her drawer of 
memories.Jack reached far back into the corner of the drawer and 
pulled out the large note book."This has to be it!"Jack said as he 
opened the book hopeing to find names and phone numbers of other KISS 
fans.Jack quickly fliped through pages realizing that what he had 
found was Sarah's dairy.Jack's hands began to shake as he looked at 
the last page dated three days before the exspo.'Jack and the boys 
are driving me crazy!!I wish Jack would try and help me more around 
here.It seems all he does is come home and sit in front of the tv.Its 
been raining here and the boys are always under foot.I can't wait to 
get out of here and go to the exspo.A need a break.Its not that I 
don't love my family,its just that I'm so tired.'Jack noticed how the 
sentence stoped as if she wanted to say more but had been 
interrupted.Jack closed the note book and laid it back in the 
drawer.He had never realized how unhappy Sarah was.He sat down on the 
edge of the bed thinking about all the times he could of offered to 
help out around the house.He was always so tired after work.She had 
ofton tried to tell him what she would like him to do and he would 
blow her off.It was becoming more and more clear that Sarah had left 
him.Jack hung his head as he sat there.How would he tell there 
children.Carol stood in the doorway."Jack..."she said softly.Jack 
looked up at her."You need to talk to the boys.....We shouldent go on 
lieing to them."Carol said.Jack nodded as he got up from the bed and 
walked past her.

                             17

The Doctor shined the bright light into Sarah's eyes and 
nodded."Everything looks fine,how are you feeling?"he asked as he put 
the small flash light back into his pocket."Still a little 
sore...other then that I guess I'm fine."Sarah said.The doctor 
nodded,he knew that soon she would be able to leave the 
hospital."Well it looks like we should be giving you your walking 
papers sometime soon."the doctor said trying to sound cheerful.Sarah 
nodded walking papers,whare would she go.She had no clue whare she 
belonged or what to do when she left the hospital."Yes..."Sarah said 
softly."I'll tell your friend to come back in."the doctor said as he 
replaced the chart at the foot of her bed.Paul Stanley her 
friend...Sarah couldent remember anything at all.If Paul and she were 
ever friends she couldent remember anything at all about there 
friendship.Sarah sighed as she reajusted the covering on the bed.Paul 
stood in the doorway watching her before he entered the room."The 
doctor said that maybe you can go...."Paul stoped himself before he 
said the words home.She really dident have a home.The police were 
giving up hope of finding who ever had done this to her.Sarah looked 
up at the man who had been so kind to her.The last few days Sarah had 
tried so hard to remember who she was."Yeah....I don't know whare 
I'll go thoe."Sarah said with a small laugh.Paul sat down in the 
chair across from the bed."Sarah,I've been thinking that you could 
come back to the hotal whare the band is staying......I'd be willing 
to pay for everything till you get your memory back."Paul 
offered.Sarah looked at him she could tell that he really cared about 
what happened to her.At least God had sent her someone to look after 
her in this terrible time,Sarah thought."Paul thats very kind of 
you,but I really don't want to be any trouble for you guys."Sarah 
said knowing she had been the cause of the band having stay there so 
long."Sarah,its no bother....After all its better then staying in 
some place the cops have sat up for you.Really I want to do it."Paul 
said as he reached for her hand.Sarah nodded as a lump formed in her 
throat.Paul could tell she was about to cry."Sarah everything is 
going to be alright....I promise I'll look after you."Paul said 
softly.Sarah nodded "Thank you,you  have been so kind to me."Sarah 
said softly.Paul smiled at her.If she only knew that he had dreamed 
of her and that he felt he had to take care of her some how.Paul knew 
all of this had happened for a reason.

                             18

Paul walked into the small hospital room carrying a large bag.Sarah 
smiled at him as he sat the bag down on the foot of the bed."I think 
these will fit."he said smiling at her.Sarah nodded "Thank you."she 
said shyly."We can go when ever your ready."Paul said.Sarah turned to 
look out the window of her room.The world outside some how scared 
her."Let me get dressed."she said as she slowly got up from the 
bed.She whinced from the pain she still felt in her stomch."Are you 
alright?"Paul asked as he quickly steped to the side of the bed to 
help her."Yes,I'm just a little sore."Sarah said as she picked up the 
bag.Paul held her arm as he helped her towards the bathroom."I'll get 
a nurse to help you get dressed."Paul said.Sarah waved her hand in 
the air,"I can mange."she said as she walked into the bathroom.Paul 
nodded "Call if you need help,I'll wait out here."he said.Sarah 
nodded as she closed the door behind her.

Sarah swollowed over the lump in her throat.She was being dicharged 
today and it scared her to death to have to step back out into the 
world.She couldent shake this feeling of someone being after her.What 
had happened to her?she had racked her brain sense she had awoke from 
her coma two days ago.Still nothing came to mind.She remembered her 
name and that she loved the band KISS for some reason.Sarah looked at 
herself in the mirror.Her dark eyes still had hints of bruises under  
them.Who am I? she wondered as she stared at 
herself."Sarah....Sarah."she said softly wishing she could add a last 
name to herself.Sarah slowly pulled the gown from her body.She saw 
the large scar whare the knife had enetered her body.A surgical scar 
was across her stomach whare they had repaired her liver.Sarah looked 
at her body shaking her head."I look like a rag doll."she said in a 
whisper.Sarah turned around to look at her back.Sarah let out a soft 
gasp at seeing the words that had been carved into the middle of her 
back.'Kismet' Tears clouded her eyes as she looked at the ugly 
letters.A scar that she knew she would carry for the rest of her 
life.A sob escaped her throat as she looked at the scar."Sarah?"Paul 
asked as he knocked on the door.Sarah swollowed her tears as she 
looked at the door."I'm fine...I'll be out in second."Sarah called 
softly."Do you need me to get a nurse?"Paul's muffeled voice called 
through the closed door."No....I'm fine."Sarah said as she quickly 
picked up the bag and began to dress."Are you sure?"Paul asked with 
concern in his voice.Sarah held the kiss t-shirt up that he had 
brought to her.The four painted faces stared back at her.Sarah ran 
her finger tips over the picture of the cat.Peter Criss....is Cathlic 
the thought poped into her head.She remembered something.Sarah pulled 
the shirt over her head."I'm fine..."Sarah called realizing that Paul 
was still talking to her.Sarah heard him move away from the 
door.Sarah pulled on the pair of jeans and snaped them quickly.Sarah 
steped out of the bathroom.Paul was still standing next to the door 
with concern in his eyes."Are you ok?"he asked as he placed his hand 
on her shoulder.Sarah nodded "I just saw....I saw the scar on my 
back.It just shocked me."Sarah said.Paul nodded as he took her 
hand."I should have warned you."Paul said.Sarah shook her head as she 
looked into his dark eyes."What happened to me?"she asked.It was 
something she had asked many times sense she had woke up from the 
coma."Its best if you try and remember it on your own."Paul said 
softly.Sarah sighed."The only thing a remeber is that my name is 
Sarah and that I like the band KISS......"Sarah said as she walked 
over and sat down on the edge of the bed."Well thats a start!"Paul 
said with smile."I remembered  Peter Criss,is Cathlic."Sarah said 
realizing how silly she must sound to him."He is Cathlic....hey its a 
start.Come on maybe if you get out of here you'll remember something 
else."Paul said taking her hand in his.Sarah smiled as she curled her 
fingers around his.Paul had been so wonderful to her....She wondered 
if they were friends before all of this had happened.She some how 
felt like she had known him forever.

                             19

Sarah looked around the large hotal room as Paul laid the key card 
on the table."Do you think you will be alright?"Paul asked as he 
looked at her standing  there.She had a confused and sad look in her 
eyes."Yes,thank you."she said softly."You can order room 
service..."Paul said as he handed her a menu that was sitting on the 
table.Paul's hand brushed her gently as she took the menu from his 
hand.Both of them locked eyes as they stood there.Sarah some how felt 
so safe with him.She nodded quickly as she looked away from him.Paul 
cleared his throat as he droped his hand from the menu."I thought 
maybe tomorrow we could go shopping,you'll need some new 
clothes."Paul said.Sarah began to protest."You have done so much for 
me."Sarah said.Paul shook his head "Sarah,your going to need some new 
clothes....."Paul said as he walked towards the door.Sarah hated 
being such a burden to him."Paul....I don't know what to say,You've 
been so kind."Sarah said softly.Paul smiled at her."I'm happy to 
help."Paul said.She looked so small and helpless standing in the 
middle of the hotal room holding the menu aginst her chest.God she is 
so beautiful Paul thought as he looked at her.Who is she and why had 
this happened to her,he wondered."I'll be back to check on you in a 
little while."Paul said as he reached for the door handle.Sarah 
nodded "Thank you."she said softly.Paul looked at her as he was 
turning the door handle."You don't have to keep thanking me..."he 
said smiling at her.Sarah watched him back out of the door."Lock the 
door."he said as she walked towards the door.Sarah nodded as she 
closed and locked the door behind him.

Paul walked into the dining room of the hotal.He spoted Doc and the 
guys sitting at a corner table.Gene waved to him when he saw him 
enter.Paul walked over and took a seat."Hey curly!"Ace cracked as 
Paul sat down.Paul tried to smile but his tired eyes told everyone at 
the table that Paul needed some rest."How's she doing?"Doc asked as 
he took a sip of his drink.Paul nodded "She is alright....I'm going 
to check on her before I turn in for the night."Paul said as he 
rubbed his eyes."Man you look like hell."Peter said shaking his 
head."Well thanks alot,friend."Paul joked.Gene clasped Paul 
shoulder "You have gone above and beyond your duties to that 
woman....you need to get some rest."Gene said.Paul yawened as he 
nodded."Yeah,besides in two days were out of here....the cops told us 
today that we are free to leave."Doc said happily.Paul came to 
quickly at the words that Doc spoke."What about Sarah?"Paul said."Hey 
your paying for a room for her till she gets her memory back....what 
more can you do?"Peter said shaking his head."I can't just leave her 
here on her own....I mean,come on guys she has been through 
hell."Paul said."Paul we have done enough....We have a tour to get 
back on."Doc said as he rose from his chair.Everyone at the table 
nodded as Doc looked around at the faces of the guys.Paul was in 
shock,there was no way he could just leave that poor girl here all 
alone.

                             20

Paul knocked softly on the door."Who is it?"Sarah called through 
the closed door."Its me"Paul said as he heard the door being unlocked 
from the other side.Paul walked inside as the door swung open."I was 
going to my room and thought I would see if you needed anything."Paul 
said.Sarah stood by the door with her head hanging down her dark hair 
was covering her face.Paul looked at the table whare a tray of food 
sat untouched."I see you ordered some food."Paul said as he walked 
towards the table.Sarah stood at the door unsure of what to do.Paul 
couldent tell if she was nervous or scared or both."Sarah....you have 
to eat."Paul said as he looked at the untouched food."I'm not really 
hungry."she said never raising her head to look at him.Paul walked 
over and took her hand."Come on Sarah....Just try and eat a little 
for me."he said softly.Sarah let him guied her the table.Paul pulled 
the chair out for her.Sarah took her seat and looked at the hamburger 
and fries sitting in front of her.Paul took the seat across from 
her."Sarah....You can talk to me."Paul said as he watched her sitting 
there staring at her food."I just wish I could remember 
something."Sarah said softly."It will come.....You don't have to be 
so shy around me."Paul said hopeing he could bring her out of her 
shell.Sarah nodded as she brought her head up to look at him.She 
stared into his dark eyes.She felt like he could see into her soul as 
he stared at her."Go ahead an eat something...."Paul said never 
taking his eyes off of her.Sarah nodded as she looked back down and 
picked up one of the fries.Sarah ate it slowly as he sat there with 
her.Sarah realized as she sat there how hungry she really was.Paul 
smiled to himself as he watched her eat.Sarah finished the last bite 
and whiped her mouth."Not bad for someone who wasent hungry."he said 
with a chuckle as she looked down at her empty plate.Sarah gave a 
short laugh.Paul looked at her,it was the first time he had seen her 
give a real smile."You have a pretty smile."Paul said softly.Sarah 
looked away quickly as if she were embarrassed."Thanks...."she said 
softly.Paul nodded as he got up from his chair."Well I'll be 
going.....I'm right across the hall in room 602 if you need me."he 
said.Sarah followed him to the door.He looked at her as he opened the 
door to leave."Goodnight Sarah,I'll see you in the morning."Paul 
said.Sarah nodded "Goodnight...."she said Sarah closed the door 
behind him. Paul stood there and waited to hear the click of the 
lock.Paul stood there a moment looking at the closed door.He gave a 
long sigh as he turned to go to his room.