Actually it's 17 - E, but the DD is for Gene  :)  
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KISS In Paradise Part 17-DD 
By Demoness

Shocked into stillness, Samantha watched as Gene got the fire going using the branch. 
When he was satisfied with the fire, he glanced up at her, his eyes twinkling. 

"We need to talk," he stated. 

When she still did not move or reply, he took the carcass from her and went about setting 
it up and placing it on the fire. 

He heard from behind him, "You finally learned how to create fire without using those 
fire making things you mentioned." 

Gene stood up. "Well, that's one way of putting it." He chuckled at his own joke, his eyes 
on Samantha, expecting the confusion he knew he would find on her face. He stared 
pointedly at her, his gaze saying what he did not with words. 

Samantha shook her head. "You could not have. You have no fluid and you still need fire 
to light the fluid." 

Gene smiled. "I should be freaking out about now, but I'm not." His smile wider, he 
pulled her close and held her. "I'm changing, Samantha. That's why I felt how I had. 
Something inside me is changing and for a while it hurt, but now it feels great." He pulled 
his head away, and added, "I know it's not over. I'll be hurting again at least once more. I 
can feel it within me." He reached out with a hand to run through her hair. "But I'm not  
dying," he assured her. "I'll be fine." 

She studied the growing excitement in Gene's eyes. "How?" she asked him. 

"The only thing I can figure is because I have your blood in me now. It shouldn't be 
possible, but it seems as if it's affecting my body and changing it. But then again, until a 
couple of days ago, I never figured that to get a blood transfusion, all I had to do was 
latch onto a cut on you and drink away." 

Samantha thought about it for a moment. "It's possible, I guess," she said slowly. "I heard 
things, but never found out for sure if they were true or not." She pulled away from him 
and turned around. 

Gene came up behind her. "What's wrong? I would think you would be happy." 

"I guess I should." She turned to face him again, but made sure there was some distance 
between them. "I never intended it to... I was only trying to save your life. I didn't want 
you to die." She almost started to cry again. She realized she had done that more in the 
short time with Gene than she had in she could not remember. And she wanted to save his 
life. She wanted to save a life. That was normally not her way before the strangers 
showed up. She lived not caring who died, as long as it was not her. What was happening  
to her? She gazed up to Gene. "I want you to know, I never meant..." 

"Thank you," Gene said quietly, yet his tone spoke volumes more than had he spoken in 
his normal voice. "You saved my life. " 

"You would not need your life saved if I took you back earlier. Or never have taken you 
here in the first place." 

"Would you believe it if I said I'm glad. Not that I enjoyed my run-in with Darkraven, but 
in a way, I did what I set out to do. I know Peter is still alive. All I need to do is find 
Darkraven again and something tells me I found Peter." He took a step to close the 
distance between them, but she stopped him with a hand on his chest. "You want the 
truth?" he asked, folding his arms across his chest. When she nodded, he continued, "If  
anyone is to blame, it's me. For deciding to go searching for Peter when others  
thought it wasn't wise. For calling the meeting on my island, and we lost Peter  
on his way over." He smiled. "Yet strangely I'm not much into guilt trips at the  
moment as I should be." Then to drive his point across, he turned his head  
toward the fire and opened his mouth. 

Samantha's eyes widened again as she watched the fire leap from Gene's mouth to the 
firepit. 

Gene chuckled. "Hey, charbroiled. See, it's getting stronger. I couldn't do that before, 
which is why I only lit the branch." 

"This really doesn't bother you?" she asked cautiously. 

Gene shook his head, and then winced. He held out a hand. "I'm fine," he assured her. 
"Now, how about I go and get that basket we left back there." 

Samantha wanted to protest, but knew what Gene wanted. "I can handle..." 

"No, you can't," he stated firmly, starting to scratch his arms. "There's not much you can 
do about it anyway," he snapped. "Damn Samantha. I'm sorry. I didn't mean it that way.  
Honestly." 

"I know." She looked at him. He was flushed. Sweat started to break out in beads on his 
forehead and trickled down his face. "I wish I knew more about what is happening to 
you. It would make it easier than just guessing." 

Gene nodded. He started to look jumpy. He swayed a moment, then righted himself. "I 
better go. If it makes you feel better, you can check up once in a while, if I take too long. 
Just in case." 

"I will. I will also scan the area from here to make certain you are alone." 

Gene, who was glistening with sweat, droplets running down his near nude body, smiled 
at her. "Thanks." 

With a sigh, Samantha settled down on a rock near the fire, and watched as Gene made 
his way into the woods. She hoped Piglet would not come back into the area so soon after 
they chased him away. She did not need him to find Gene when he was so vulnerable. 
Before Gene went out of her sight, she noted with amusement that she would have make 
him something new to wear. Not that she did not enjoy looking at him as he walked 
around nude or with that loincloth that barely did its job. 

************************************************************************ 

Gene crossed the woods and came into the clearing. He was stumbling, grabbing onto 
whatever he could to help him along his way. Just a little further, he kept telling himself. 
He was almost doubling up in pain as his insides twisted again. He was burning up with 
fever. If he stood in one place for a while, he was certain there would be a puddle at his  
feet from his sweat. His vision was becoming blurry, almost guiding himself along by 
touch alone. When there were no more branches and shrubs, he knew he would be in the 
clearing. He could have stopped in the woods, under the cover of the trees, but he had no 
idea what the next seizure would bring and did not want to take a chance of causing a 
fire. He nearly fell a few times, and doubted he might make it to the clearing. As an 
afterthought when he was halfway through the woods, he thought that it might have been 
a better idea to let Samantha help him to the clearing, then ask her to leave him. 

He let out a groan as his legs buckled and he found himself falling into the grass. He let 
out a string of curses before curling up, letting out another painful cry. His skin was itchy 
all over. Even if this was not going to kill him, he was not sure if he would not go insane. 
He threw his head back and let out a roar, fire shooting up. He cried out again. It  
was more than he could stand. At least he was sparing Samantha the pain of watching 
him, unable to help. 

That was his last coherent thought. He thrashed about on the ground, as first his legs, then 
his body went into convulsions. He alternated between scratching wherever his hands 
were to flinging them around as his arms twitched with convulsions.. He did not realize 
that now blood mingled with the sweat pouring from his body. His hands had nasty 
looking talons protruding from his fingers. He let out another pained roar and then cried 
out. His head turned from side to side as he babbled incoherent words in between the  
roars and cries. When his eyes were open, he could not see anything except a fog  
of pain in the form of flashing, blinding colors. His mind seemed to shut down on 
everything except the pain. 

************************************************************************ 

Samantha peered carefully from her spot in the woods into the clearing. She wanted to 
run and help Gene, and cursed feeling so useless. She had to satisfy herself doing the only 
thing she was able to, watch and protect Gene. Upon hearing some of his roars and cries 
while at her cave, she thought it wise to place herself closer to him, and to watch should 
he attract any unwanted visitors. As she watched the flames shoot out of his mouth  
with some of the roars, she had to chuckle. She could just imagine the surprise some 
unwitting beast might experience if it got too close to Gene at the wrong moment. 

She knew he told her he was going to be okay, but looking at Gene at that moment, she 
was not so sure. She just had to be patient, something that was not in her nature. He did 
give her permission to go to him if it was taking him an unreasonable amount of time or 
if something looked like it was going wrong. As Samantha turned her attention back to 
Gene from her scan of the area, she had to wonder what was considered going wrong. 
She winced as she watched Gene scratch at his skin, long talons tearing his skin. His arms 
and chest were very cut up. 

Gene let out another painful roar which Samantha guessed could be heard back at her 
cave. She found herself ducking and then stamping out some flames in the area around 
her. His fire was growing stronger. She knew he intended to get further away from the 
wooded area, but probably could not go any further than where he was. Good thing she 
followed him anyway. The woods could have been set on fire with that last roar, if she 
was not there to put them out. Gene must not have been able to think it through 
completely. Even with the recent rains, there was still something able to catch fire in the  
clearing. 

He had known what he might be doing, Samantha thought. Something was allowing him 
to know enough for him to take that precaution. Her mind calmed a little, coming to the 
conclusion that if he knew that, then he was probably also right about his being all right. 
All he had to do was ride out the convulsions and pain that contorted his body. His hands  
lashed out at his skin again, this time shredding what was left of his loincloth. Samantha 
only hoped he somehow knew better than to start scratching at a very sensitive and now 
exposed part of him. 

Unable to stay still any longer, she decided to circle the area surrounding Gene, keeping 
guard over him. He let out another roar, and then went still. Samantha stood on the edge 
of the clearing watching him for a few minutes. When he still did not move, she rushed 
over to him. She found his pulse racing, almost matching hers. He was still flushed and 
hot to the touch. To her relief he was breathing, a bit irregularly for a few minutes,  
then steadied into a rhythm. He was bloody, but did not appear to be bleeding too badly 
from where he had slashed himself. His skin had a strange leather-like appearance to it. 

Samantha did not need Gene to tell her there would be at least one more time this would 
happen to him. She already could see that each time his body went through what it had, it 
would alter. He would continue to suffer until he was completely changed. Despite her 
misgivings on how Gene might feel, Samantha could not feeling overjoyed that there 
would be another like her in this world. She would have a like companion, and that  
companion was someone she was very fond of even in his previous strange form. A small 
part of her mind lamented for the form he was losing, as she also found that attractive. 
Yet she could not help but feel joy for his transformation. 

Gene let out a low groan, his hand going to his head. "Ow!" he cried out as a talon cut his 
forehead. "What the hell?" He opened his eyes and found Samantha looking down at him. 
To his surprise, she was smiling. "How long have you been here?" 

"Long enough to check you out and watch you wake up," she said, then offered him 
assistance in sitting up. 

She watched with amusement as he looked at his hands. "Wow!" he said, turning his 
hands around. "Nice." 

"That's not all," she told him, gesturing to his body. 

"Did a fine job at tearing myself to shreds, didn't I?" but his eyes were on his skin and the 
texture. "I never imagined..." Instead of fear, he appeared to be in awe of what he was 
becoming. "What a way to retire," he chuckled. "After all those years of stomping around 
on stage, acting like Godzilla, I find myself becoming Godzilla." 

Samantha laughed. Godzilla had come up in one of their conversations and he explained 
it then. "You're still very handsome," she stated. 

Gene grinned back at her, then looked back down at himself. "Will these things heal 
themselves like they do on you? Or will I be needing more of your medical attention?" 

Samantha smiled, running a finger along his chest, then placing it near her mouth. She 
started to lick her finger, her eyes on Gene. She shrugged. "Not sure," she stated when 
her finger was clean. "I would say if they were going to heal on their own, they would 
have started by now. I think you need some attention, Gene Simmons." 

Gene's returning grin promised many wicked delights. 

************************************************************************ 

"Well, at least dinner is ready," Gene commented as they returned to the cave. He 
released Samantha's hand and knelt near the fire to check on their food. Samantha placed 
the basket nearby and went into the cave. 

With combined effort, it was not long before they were eating. While they were eating, 
they talked. Yet a part of Gene's mind was going over the changes within and outside of 
him. His eyes glimmered even when turned away from the fire. Samantha noted that even 
his eyes had changed somewhat. They were amber in color, and had a glow to them. As 
expressive as he was with his eyes before he started to change, she noticed the different 
ways the light in his eyes would change with his emotions. 

At Gene's insistence they took a walk, Gene appearing to see everything as if for the first 
time. They sat by the brook as Gene pointed out more stars. To Samantha's amusement, 
he also ate fruit while they sat and talked. When he seemed to finally be satisfied for a 
while, and stopped eating, he did not appear to look so flushed. 

"It is getting late," Samantha at last said. "We should be getting some rest now." She 
went to stand up, but Gene grabbed her arm and prevented her from standing. 

"I have a question before we do," he said. 

"Okay." She settled herself comfortably again, sitting close to Gene. 

He let out a sigh. "I've been thinking and found myself wondering. A few days ago, I was 
human. Now I'm part dragon, and will probably be like you, half dragon before long. I 
can't help but wonder if there ever was a time..." 

Samantha lowered her head. "I don't remember," she replied. "I have recently had dreams 
that I looked like what a female of your type would look like. And it bought back 
memories of a time so long ago, I cannot tell you how long, that I used to have those 
dreams often, but forgot about them until the dreams returned. When I first saw your kind 
when they arrived here, I believed it was the first time I had ever seen any creature that  
looked like you do -- well, as you had, and the others still do. Now I know that's not 
true." 

"Are you sure they were just dreams?" 

"I don't know. For as long as I can remember, this is what I have been." 

"But parts of you look very human." Gene took her hand, and looked down at it. "Like 
your hand. It is not entirely a claw. It is more like what my hands used to look like." He 
held one of his hands next to her. "See? I can still see the humaness in my hand even if it 
is not so now." 

Samantha pulled her hand away from Gene and laughed. "You make me laugh, Gene," 
she said, leaning forward to kiss him gently on his cheek. As she made a move to pull her 
head from his, he held her in place with a hand going through her hair and kissed her on 
her lips. Their kiss lasted for a minute. She pulled away smiling. "You still kiss great," 
she commented. "In fact, I already thought you were very talented with your tongue 
before this happened." 

"Just wait until later and we'll see what else my tongue can do after I change more." 

"Have you had any more dizziness or whatever?" 

"Slightly, all night. But nothing that I wasn't able to quickly recover from." 

She kissed him again. "I do not know where I come from. I just am. But it would be nice 
to know," she said wistfully. 

Gene nodded, appearing to be distracted. "This place is starting to remind me of a 
movie," he said absently. He glanced over to Samantha and held out his hand to her. As 
she took it, he stood up. "You are right. This has been an interesting day for me, and 
probably sleep should go along with relaxing." 

"I am glad you are a reasonable man, Gene. I would hate to have to hit you with 
something to get you to sleep." 

Gene turned his head sharply to look back at her as he started to lead them through the 
woods. "You wouldn't. Would you?" 

Her reply was simply a laugh. 

************************************************************************ 

Samantha awoke and looked around the cave and found she was alone. Getting up, she 
went over to the entrance and looked out. The sky was starting to get light. There were 
dark clouds in the distance. She hoped they would not bring more rains. Not that she 
would mind being stuck in and around her cave with Gene for a few days. 

As she scouted the area, looking for Gene, her mind wandered. There were things she had 
to do in the next few days, depending on Gene, and rain would just get in the way. 
Considering how Gene was feeling that day, she thought of taking a quick trip to some of 
the closer islands and scout around to report back to Gene how things were going. He 
would be glad to have some news of his friends until he decided if he would ever return 
to them. She knew his decision to stay with her so long was not because he wanted to be  
with her. Not that he made her doubt he enjoyed being with her. If he had not started to 
change, he would have been back with them already, and she would have been on her 
own, hopefully looking forward to meeting with him once in a while until the newcomers 
were rescued. He stayed until he knew his changing was complete. Then he would decide 
if he would return and show himself to the others. Gene was uncertain of his future. He 
knew he could not return to his homeland as he was. He told her about freak shows and 
people taking him to study him. He was not sure if those he called fans would accept 
what happened to him. He still wanted to see those he called friends, especially the others 
who were in KISS with him. He needed to discuss some things with the one called Paul. 
He also mentioned something weird about how Eric Carr will most likely not be the  
only one to fake a death, whatever that meant. 

Instinct took her back to the clearing. What she saw made her gasp. He lay in the grass on 
his stomach. He was moving but unable to do what he wanted. "Gene!" she called out and 
ran to him. 

"Help me," he said weakly. 

She went to gather him to her and noticed his limbs were like rubber. He only had control 
of his arms. She studied the half-dragon in the grass, and ran a comforting hand across his 
scaled back. "You're going to be okay," she assured him. "My guess is that your muscles 
are just getting used to the new bulk." She smiled as he turned his head a little.  
The only part of him that did not follow the pattern of her form was his head. It was still 
the same shape. His eyes were wider and glowing brighter than they had the night before. 
"You gained some weight overnight and now you aren't used to it. I told you, you were 
eating too much." 

Gene let out a laugh at her joke. "I feel like shit," he complained, his voice cracked. "You 
think you can help me roll onto my back?" 

"Not yet," she said. "You're not finished yet either." Her hand ran across the expanse of 
his strong back, "Your wings are not completely formed yet. It's best you remain like this 
until they do. I would guess that shortly after your wings form, you'll be starting to get 
control of your body again." 

"I'm thirsty." 

Like a mother with a newborn, Samantha's instincts kicked in, even if she never had this 
happen before. "Of course you are. But not for water this time." She settled herself on the 
ground more comfortably and held out her arm near his hand. "Here you go," she said 
softly, in wonder of what she had helped create. She no longer felt guilty. Gene did his  
own type of healing to soothe her fears and erase the guilt. 

A taloned finger stroked across her arm, going through scale and skin, as he was able to 
do the night before, and made a slash. She threw her head back and gasped as he bought 
her arm to his mouth and started to drink. Gene let out a relieved moan as he drank. 
Samantha ran her free hand across her breasts and across her stomach, letting out a moan 
of her own. She had to remind herself that Gene was in no condition at the moment to 
oblige the thoughts that ran through her mind. With concentrated effort, she moved her 
hand to his back, and gently rubbed him, noticing the wings were coming out more.  
Carefully she took one in her hand and pulled it out a little, then leaned over to do the 
same with the other side. He let out another soft moan as he continued to drink. Smiling, 
she admired Gene's new wings, caressing them softly. 

She turned her attention back to his head when she felt him start to lick her arm, tickling 
her. She peered down at him as he gazed up at her with impish eyes. "Even now," she 
scoffed, trying not to laugh. "Food and sex. Do you ever get enough?" Unable to hold it 
in any longer, she laughed, taking her arm away from Gene, knowing from the way he 
kissed it he was done. "Have enough? Keep this up and we'll have to start calling you  
Piglet." 

"Hoglet," Gene joked back, licking his lips. He moved his head slightly to allow her to 
kiss him, letting out a sigh as her tongue joined his in cleaning off his mouth. He let out 
another sigh and managed to stretch a little. "Now that felt good," he said with a smile. 
"Oh yeah," he cried out and she realized that he kicked out with one of his hind legs. "I  
might be able to start moving soon because I'm getting feeling back. I didn't know I didn't 
have any until everything just started to feel tingly." He turned his head to look behind 
him. His eyes sparkled with delight. "Sweet," he sighed as he saw his new wings for the 
first time. 

Samantha followed Gene's gaze and her smile widened. "Why Gene Simmons, I do think 
you have wings!" she exclaimed with a laugh. 

"When do you think I'll be able to try them out?" Gene asked anxiously. 

"After you get some rest. When you are able, we go back to the cave. You will sleep. 
You will eat and then sleep more." 

"And eat more?" Gene asked hopefully. "And what about..." 

"None of that for a while. You need to gain your strength now. ALL of your strength, 
which is much more than you started with. So you rest and I will nourish you for a while. 
You will know when it is enough." 

"Considering I'm in the mood right now, I won't trust if I really am ready or just wanting 
to be." 

She swatted at him. "I think that if you want to, we should see if we can move you." 

Gene nodded. "I'm getting some control in my legs now. And my back is feeling pretty 
good too." 

"That is good. But you can't just roll over. Not until you learn how to fold your wings 
properly so you don't hurt them or yourself. It's best they are at full spread for a while 
right now." 

"Whatever you think best. You're the expert at this dragon stuff." 

"Patience, Gene. If you go too fast, you can hurt or kill yourself." 

"Understood. So which way are we moving me?" 

"You're going to try to lift yourself from where you are, and I'm going to try to move you 
so you are sitting up." 

"Boy, this is embarrassing. I can't wait until I get used to this." 

Samantha laughed. "Okay. No more joking, please. No laughing until we are done. 
Ready?" 

Gene nodded and together they managed to get Gene sitting up. 

Samantha shook her head. "Male mass," she muttered. "Figures you'd end up heavier than 
me." 

"Does that mean you can't pick me up anymore? And I can pick you up?" Gene said 
hopefully, feeling a part of his male ego that was lost return. He was moving his legs, his 
eyes on his lower half. "This is cool," he said. 

"That means we stay here until you are able to carry yourself back to the cave," Samantha 
pouted. 

"Don't pout," he said. "You look sexy as hell when you do and make me want to do 
things to you." 

Samantha shook her head. "I give up," was all she said. Both her and Gene started to 
laugh. 

************************************************************************ 

Sitting around and not doing much gave Gene too much time. When they got back to the 
cave, he discovered that sleeping was not a hard thing to do. He found himself doing 
exactly as Samantha said he would. He slept for a while. When he woke up, he was 
starving and glad she had food waiting for him. He did not talk much while he ate, but 
afterward they would talk. Then he would sleep more. Each time he woke up, he felt 
stronger. One of his thoughts was what he would give for a cookie or a Twinkie or 
several dozen. His other was about how Samantha came to be. The more he thought 
about it, the more he convinced himself that like him, she once was human. 

Those thoughts turned to others. He worried that with time, one day he would wake up 
and not remember he was ever human. Would he forget his life before? He decided it he 
felt it happening, he would fight it. He did not want to forget KISS and his life before. 
Hopefully with Samantha around, she would remind him of that part of his life. 

He thought about Peter with Darkraven. Samantha told him all she knew about her. Gene 
had a feeling he was not the only one who was unable to return home. From the way 
Darkraven had acted during his encounter with her, Gene sensed that Peter would not be 
upset over it. He had to admit there was plenty he would miss by staying where he was, 
but life was full of changes. This was just another change in his life. He would move on, 
survive in his new form. At least he was not alone as Samantha had been for so many 
years. And there was no guarantee he or any of them would be rescued. The more time  
that passed since they had to abandon the ship, the less likely they would be rescued. The 
crew might not have been able to send out a message and something could have 
happened to the ship. He hoped he was wrong for the others' sake, especially the fans. 
They did not deserve being forced to live on the islands for the rest of their lives, even 
with members of their favorite band being with them. It just wasn't fair. 

He might not be able to go back to his island and live with the others, but he could do 
what he can do make things as easy as possible for them. He had no clue what that might 
be, but he vowed he would figure that out. He almost felt guilty knowing he also planned 
on raiding one of the cooking tents and grab a pan or two. As much as he now felt 
comfortable living as he was, he still felt better having a few modern conveniences. If 
only he could figure out how to make cookies or something sweeter than the dried  
fruits Samantha offered him. He also wondered if there was any coffee beans to be found 
on one of the islands. Having coffee again would be nice too. 

Samantha and him talked more about what to expect since he changed. He was still 
curious to know more than she knew. He wanted to find Peter. If he was altered too, then 
it would be a good thing that him and Peter stuck together. Assuming they could get their 
ladies to behave around each other. Assuming that he was still welcome around Peter. He 
had to at least know how Peter was doing and see for himself that Peter was well, then 
take it from there. Samantha said that usually in her going from island to island, she 
would see signs of Darkraven, but no more. Samantha even flew out for a quick scout of  
Darkraven's dwellings and it appeared abandoned. She also did not see any other ships in 
the area or strange flying machines as she called planes and helicopters. 

Gene practically jumped with joy when Samantha finally told him he was ready for his 
first flight lesson. He practically dropped the pile of wood he was carrying. Samantha 
found herself standing on the ground looking up at Gene, shaking her head. After a few 
faltering starts, he proved to be a quick learner. He already learned how to fold his wings 
in correctly when he wasn't using them and they would get in the way. He learned  
how to gracefully unfurl them and ignite them with the flames which gave him greater 
flight power. He needed to learn a bit more control with them while having sex. 
Controlling them was still not second nature to him. He would lose his concentration on 
them when they made love. He accidentally knocked Samantha across the cave once. 
Another time he nearly set them both on fire. It would take some time, but until then, they 
would have to be more careful when engaging in certain activities. 

Gene kept going up in the air and flying until he was physically too exhausted for more. 
Samantha laughed, amazed that he just curled up and fell asleep, not stopping for food or 
sex. When he woke up, she told him she had a plan for them to find Peter for Gene. 

"So can you locate this Calista?" Gene asked between mouthfuls of food. 

Samantha nodded. "Yes. I know where she stays. That Vinnie creature infested her 
island." 

Gene laughed at how she referred to Vinnie. She did not like him, never had upon the 
first time she saw him. Gene did not waste time telling her anything about Vinnie except 
that he played guitar for them for a couple of tours. "Then if you think she will know 
where we can find Peter, then I think it's a good idea." He frowned a little. "Are you sure 
I am ready to travel that far?" he asked. He had only started to fly that day. 

"You are more than ready. I would not suggest this to you if I thought you were not." 

"Cool. So when are we raiding my camp?" 

"When it gets dark. After when you think most of the others will be asleep. You will still 
stay in the forest nearby and pay attention to all sounds around you. You must be ready to 
leave quickly, even if it means flying out. That is, if you still want to stay hidden from the  
others." 

"Gene Simmons is dead," Gene stated in a flat tone. "I could never go back to that world 
again. And some of the fans might actually get scared at what I've become. Not everyone 
can understand this. It is better they think I'm missing and presumed dead than knowing 
this. It would be kinder to some of the fans." 

"If you insist. I'll know if you have to fly out. I'll take whatever I have at the time and join 
you. Now finish your list of what you want." 

"There's some things that you might not be able to figure out no matter how I explain 
them. Then what?" 

"Then if you really want them, we'll return even later and you take the chance of getting 
it." 

"Guess we'll see how important something might actually be if that happens." For the 
first time, Gene realized he had to rethink this priorities. He had already started. Money 
seemed to drop low. In fact, his wallet wasn't on the list at all. His driver's license was 
lost with his pants. He didn't need those things in his new life. Oddly enough, Twinkies  
and cookies were on the top of his list of things he needed the most to be comfortable. 

"Then we rest up and go search for Calista," Samantha said, moving closer to him, 
running a hand down his chest. "Good thing I didn't make that new loincloth, since you 
don't need one now." 

"Me too. Hmmm...don't we have some time to kill before we go raiding?" he asked her, 
pulling her into his arms. 

************************************************************************