GOOD/EVIL
Part 37-C
By Star

"I don't understand this."  Gena protested, as she looked at each member of 
Kiss, and then at the women standing, watching her warily.

"Lorie?"  Raven asked softly.

Lorie frowned, "She's telling the truth."

"Are you sure?"  Ana asked, wrapping her arms around Ace, as if to shield him, 
her eyes travelling suspiciously over Gena.

Lorie nodded "It's my gift, remember.  I'd know if she wasn't telling the truth."

Gene sighed in relief.  "Then we can undo her restraints."  He went to move 
towards her, avoiding the hurt evident in her eyes.

Shannon grabbed his arm, stopping him from undoing the binds holding Gena 
"Not yet.  I don't trust her."

Gene looked at her "Lorie said she was telling the truth..."

"But she's a mage, surely she could cast a spell to hide the lies, let people 
believe she was telling the truth."  Shannon began hesitantly, adding "We still 
don't know what happened to her, and if she's so good why did she attack 
Andrew?"

Paul looked at Stephanie, watching her eyes darken as her gaze settled on 
Shannon, her voice husky "Maybe she had her own reasons.  Instead of making 
more accusations why don't we just ask her?"
Brushing abruptly past a surprised Shannon she moved to sit on the bed, leaning 
over and untying Gena's restraints.

Gena smiled at her gratefully, wincing as she felt circulation coming back to her 
wrists.  She rubbed them gently, her eyes moving over each member in the 
group, feeling the heat of their stares.

"Fine then I guess we have to trust your judgement."  Shannon said, a hint of 
annoyance in her voice.

"What exactly do you remember about everything?  Start from the beginning."  
Stephanie said gently.

Gena nodded shakily, adding, "Can I have a glass of water first?  I'm kind of 
thirsty."

Gene poured her a glass, handing it to her he knelt down beside the bed "I'm 
sorry we had to do this, but you do understand why don't you?"

Gena shook her head "No, not really.  I don't understand why you would think 
that I would do anything to hurt you…after everything we've been through Gene."  
She looked away from him "That hurts me more than you can ever know."

Raven was the first to speak in the silence "Gene didn't want to believe it, but 
Gena what you were doing...with a Drow of all things."

Gena looked at her in confusion, "I don't understand."

"And Raven will tell you everything later.  We want to know what happened?  
What you remember?"

Gena took a sip of water, avoiding Gene's eyes "I remember Raven and I 
planned an attack on E.V.I.L- we figured if we could find out what was planned 
for KISS and us we could be better prepared.  It worked well, we got captured 
and they believed I was on their side…I remember killing their accountant, and 
then everything is a blank…except waking up in this bed with everyone accusing 
me of doing horrendous things, of betraying you."

"What about Andrew?"  Paul asked quietly, studying Gena. 

Gena frowned, "What about him?"

"He said you attacked him, threatened him."  Ace interjected.

Gena nodded "I did...I'm not going to deny that."

"Why Gena?  He's an innocent."  Peter said, adding, "We already cleared him."

Gena shook her head "Touching him I saw images, dark images.  No-one that 
innocent could have given me those."

"What images?"  Paul asked gently, watching Gena closely, and feeling her 
anxiety and pain.

She closed her eyes, opening them again to look at Gene and then Peter, her 
eyes filling with tears "I saw you Gene, and you Peter…being killed by E.V.I.L- 
just flashes of them.  But agents of E.V.I.L watching you die."

"You saw all that from touching Andrew?"  Shannon asked, turning to Lorie 
"Lorie?"

"She's telling the truth."  Lorie said quietly, staring at Gena.

"I don't understand...he was supposed to be an innocent, are you saying that we 
were wrong, and Mark was right about him?"  Peter asked, surprise on his face.

Raven shuddered at the images of Peter being tortured by E.V.I.L.  She 
instinctively knew she would have felt the same way Gena had if she had 
touched Andrew, and seen the images.

"She's not the only one that's wanted to hurt Andrew."  Paul said softly, his gaze 
resting on a quiet Stephanie.
All eyes turned to Paul, and he shrugged "Not me.  Stephanie."

Stephanie felt everyone turn to look at her, and she nodded silently.

Gena looked at Stephanie "You too?"

Stephanie nodded again, still silent.

"And you were going to mention this when?"  Ana asked sarcastically, tapping 
her foot impatiently.

"I wanted to, but with Raven and Gena being in E.V.I.L's clutches I didn't think 
the time was right.  That, and I knew you would all think I was going evil too, and 
try and shut me out of everything."  Stephanie said quietly, adding, "And I was 
confused myself."

"I don't get it."  Ace said, looking from Gena to Stephanie "Why you two?  What's 
so special about you two?"  He turned to Stephanie "Did you see images too?"

Stephanie stared at him in annoyance "Oh yeah it's a real special feeling Gena 
and I felt when we touched Andrew.  I'd gladly let you have it if you wanted it."

"But did you see images?"  Ace asked curiously, still fascinated with Stephanie's 
gift.

She shook her head "No, just emotions…they were cold, almost like death, and 
pain.  Touching him…"

"Scared you?"  Gena interrupted, watching Stephanie nod fervently "Me too."  
She shared a knowing smile with her.

Stephanie added "I wanted to hurt him, make him feel the pain, the despair, the 
grief…the cold touch of death I felt when I touched him.  More than anything I just 
wanted to hurt him.  It took all my restraint to not do so."  She smiled at Paul, 
adding, "If I hadn't been taught to control my emotions I don't think I would have.  
A novice like Gena would never have been able to control them, which is why 
she probably hurt him."

Raven studied Gena, frowning, "So E.V.I.L programmed you the second time?"

Gena nodded, and then shook her head, chewing her lip as she remembered her 
dreams.  Were they only dreams or something else?  They felt so real!
She said hesitantly "I don't know if they did…"  She broke off shaking her head 
"Everything feels muddled…I had dreams, strange ones.  But they didn't feel like 
they were just dreams.  They felt real.  Kind of like snapshots from my past."

Gene took her hand "Take your time talking to us."

Stephanie interrupted him "Where's Andrew?"

"The Erics are guarding him.  He won't be going anywhere.  I think he's worried 
that Gena might attack him again."  Cyn said quietly, speaking for the first time.

Stephanie nodded, turning to study Gena.  It felt good knowing that Gena had 
attacked him for the same reasons she had wanted to.  It meant she was okay.  
That she wasn't evil, that the darkness hadn't consumed her, not yet anyway.

Gena said softly "It's strange…and they're all muddled but I'm sure I dreamt I 
was in Buttercup's clutches, that he programmed me."

Raven smiled "Maybe your memories are coming back.  You're probably just 
remembering the process of programming."

Gena chewed her lip "Maybe…but it felt like it was…I don't know, not the 
present.  More so the past."

"The past?"  Peter asked, staring at Gena in surprise.

Gena shrugged "It's all muddled…there were other dreams.  Rav is probably 
right.  It might have just been me beginning to remember the programming, and 
adding it to a really bad dream."

She closed her eyes tiredly, and Gene watched this, stood to face the group.  "I 
think that's all for now.  Gena needs her rest, and we can talk to her more 
tomorrow."
He watched them move out of the room, turning in surprise to see Paul and 
Stephanie still there.

"I want to talk to Gena privately."  Stephanie said softly, "I need to ask her a few 
things…please leave us."

Gene went to protest, his eyes watching Stephanie suspiciously.  Paul grinned, 
pushing Gene towards the door "Relax, I think Gena can handle Stephanie, and I 
know Steph can handle Gena."

Stephanie nodded, "You both need your rest.  It's already almost morning, and 
you've got one hell of a day ahead.  Go to bed."

Gene scowled at her, grumbling to Paul as they walked out of the room "And 
when did we start taking orders from her?"

Paul shrugged, "We didn't.  Give her time with Gena.  She's confused about 
things, and maybe Gena can help her.  Maybe she can help Gena in return."

***

Gena studied Stephanie, watching her chew worriedly on her bottom lip.
"You're worried about how you felt when you hurt Andrew aren't you?"

Stephanie nodded, "It felt good, damn good."

Gena closed her eyes, remembering her own memories and the pleasure she felt 
from hurting Andrew.  It was like an Elixir, intoxicating.

"Knowing I'm not the only one who felt this way…makes me feel better, but my 
gifts worry me."  Stephanie said, her lips twisting as she emphasized the word 
gift.

"You're worried you'll hurt Paul aren't you?"  Gena said gently, watching 
Stephanie nod.

"I've hurt everyone else I've got involved with, why not him too?"  Stephanie 
murmured, adding quickly "I know he can control my emotions, especially with 
our link to each other, even broken it's still strong, but at the same time I can feel 
this gift getting stronger.  I can do things I couldn't before, and it feels like it's only 
the beginning.
I worry that this power will overtake me, consume me, turn me to darkness, and 
the idea of having to come up against Paul…it scares me."

"It's not going to happen.  Something's not right with Andrew…I honestly believe 
he's been tainted by E.V.I.L, which would explain our emotions towards him.  It's 
not us, it's him."

"And what if it's not?"

"It is.  I know it is.  Don't ask me how but I know."  Gena said, closing her eyes 
again she added "It's strange but I had dreams, dreams that were of my past, like 
a past I had forgotten, and was only just beginning to remember again."

Stephanie looked at her "You mean you really believe that you've been in 
Buttercup's control before?"

Gena nodded, "I don't know why, but I just think so.  When, and how I don't 
know."  She paused, closing her eyes as she added, "That's not all I dreamt 
about though.  I dreamt of my childhood…flashes, like a short glimpse of 
something I didn't remember."

Stephanie's eyes narrowed, her instincts kicking in "Like what?"

Gena shook her head, "They're fuzzy but I remember one thing.  Something 
strange, just the words really, and an image."

"What?"

"My parents arguing about me, saying that I should never know, no one should."  
Gena said, looking down at her hands.

"Know what?"  Stephanie asked.

"That I was half-demon."  Gena shook her head, "I know it was probably was a 
dream, but it felt real.  So damn real."

Stephanie patted her hand "We'll figure it out."  She tried to hide a yawn, grinning 
at Gena "Sorry it's been a long day."

"You're telling me."  Gena said with a groan.

Stephanie nodded, saying softly "The reason I wanted to talk to you alone was to 
suggest something."

Gena closed her eyes, saying in a soft voice "The last time I heard the beginning 
of this sentence I ended up being programmed by E.V.I.L"

Stephanie sighed, "It's nothing as drastic as what Raven and you did."

Gena opened her eyes, unable to hide her intrigue "What exactly do you have in 
mind?"

"Andrew.  I think we should have a little talk with him.  Find out why he's really 
here.  If we're both experiencing emotions by being near him, maybe we can 
convince him to tell us what he's up to, or at least find out if he knows anything."
Stephanie said, her eyes glittering at the thought of Andrew causing any harm to 
KISS.

Gena sighed, "I know I'm going to regret this but ok…"

Stephanie smiled in pleasure "It'll be fun."

"Gene and Paul might not feel that way."

"They don't need to know.  We'll keep it our secret."  Stephanie said, already 
formatting a plan.
She looked up when Gene entered the room, standing quickly "We'll talk more 
tomorrow?"  She murmured to Gena, who nodded.

Gene watched her go, turning to Gena "Why do I have the feeling I interrupted 
something?"

Gena smiled "Girl talk that's all." 

He grunted, moving to sit on the bed beside her.  "I'm so damn sorry Gena."  He 
began.

She stopped him, placing a finger on his lips "It's not your fault Gene.  None of it 
is."

***

"Ace this isn't fair!"  Ana said impatiently.

Ace shook his head "Damn it Ana.  You weren't supposed to go in there all guns 
blazing.  You could have been captured."

Ana shrugged defiantly, "And then they would have see what my gift was...I could 
have handled it."

Ace frowned, "I want you to promise me."

"No damn it I won't."  Ana snapped, throwing the book she was holding on the 
bed, and crossing her arms defiantly.

"Ana."  Ace warned.

"No I won't."  Ana argued back, tilting her chin stubbornly. 
Ace scowled and she scowled back, narrowing her eyes nastily "And why exactly 
am I the only one who seems to be getting told off.  No one else seems to have."

Ace gave a slight smile "Apparently Peter gave Raven a telling off."

Ana rolled her eyes "So?  She deserved it.  I never thought Raven and Gena 
would be so stupid as to creep into E.V.I.L."

//You're just jealous because you didn't think of it first//

"Shandi!  This is a private conversation."  Ana said with a scowl, unable to add, 
"If I had thought of it first, and been involved it would have worked."

Ace groaned, "Promise Ana, promise me you will not go behind my back again."

Ana sighed "If I promise this will you stop treating me like a child?"

Ace nodded.

"Fine I promise."

***
"Promise me."  Paul said sternly, watching Stephanie carefully.

"Promise what?"  She asked, keeping her expression angelic.

"That you will never go in without our protection again."  Paul paused, shuddering 
slightly as he continued "I would hate to know what would happen if Buttercup 
had captured you.  The power he could wield with Raven, Gena and yourself.  
With all the delicates, it's just not safe."

Stephanie crossed her fingers behind her back, keeping her expression normal, 
and thinking of something calm "Of course I will."  She lied softly, leaning over to 
kiss him passionately.

***
Buttercup watched her, watched the woman kissing the man passionately.  So 
this was the woman who wielded the rage.  He studied her.  He wanted her, 
wanted to control her.  With her powers he could unleash hell on the world.  
Hers, Raven and Gena.  Then one by one he would take all the delicates.  Take 
them and control them.  Turn them into fighting machines against Kiss.

He smiled as he watched the man begin to strip.  So Ace Frehley had the woman 
who wielded the rage.

He smiled wider.  Not for long.  She would soon be his.  Ace Frehley would be 
the easiest KISS member to bring to his knees.  He would beg his lover not to 
hurt him.  He would die begging,

Buttercup rubbed his hands together, a plan beginning to develop.  It was going 
to be all so easy.  So very easy.

***
Ana shivered, feeling as if someone had walked over her grave.  She cuddled up 
closer to Ace, closing her eyes she sighed.  She was glad it was all over.  She 
felt guilty about lying to Ace, promising to do as she was told.  She would do it 
again if it meant protecting him. 

She wrapped her arms around his waist.  But it was okay.  Nothing was going to 
make them do it again.  They were all safe from Buttercup.  As long as they stuck 
together they were safe.