From: b1223@ix.netcom.com
Newsgroups: alt.sex.stories,alt.sex.stories.tg
Subject: Lisa's TG Library: "Joe Bates" (Ch.  1-10)
Date: Mon, 29 Apr 96 08:49:30 GMT

   bates1.txt

   Chapter 1

   THE AWAKENING

   As sunlight moved through the trees to the back of the apartment
building, it fell first on the roof and then slowly moved its way down the
wall until it found the window on the corner of the third floor.  Seeping
through the open blinds, it traveled across the floor, then up the bed,
until it finally reached his eyes.  Probing, flashing, searing into his
eyes and then his mind, he faced the realization that a new day had dawned,
and it was time to get up.

   Hiding from the sunlight, Joe Bates placed his arm over his face, and
turned his head away, seeking the darkness.  As he did, he became alert to
the fact that something was different.  His arm seemed smaller, it did not
support his head as easily as usual.  And his body did not weigh into the
mattress as it had before.  His buttocks felt huge, like they were covered
with padding.  He rubbed his hand across his chest, and was surprised to
feel bare, soft, bulging roundness, where there should have been thick
chest hair.  He turned his head into the pillow, and it seemed that the
skin on his face was more sensitive to touch than usual.  He felt his
cheek, and was amazed to feel a smoothness and softness he knew was not his
normal, early morning, scratchy beard growth.

   Was this a dream?  Did someone shave his face while he was asleep? 
Surely, it wasn't his longtime girlfriend Linda, who he had been with last
night.  They had been discussing marriage, and argued late into the night
about his thoughts about discrimination and sexism.  Had she stayed over,
or gone home?  He couldn't remember.  The discussion had been pretty
intense, but Linda really loved him, and was always quick to make up.  He
groggily tried to jump start his brain.  He reached out for the other side
of the bed, there was no one there.  He was alone.

   Rolling over on to his back, he trying to rub the sleep from his eyes,
when he saw his hand.  It looked tiny, with slender fingers which had a
enhanced sense of touch.  He pulled himself up.  Sitting up straight he
looked into the mirror on the dresser.  He looked in disbelief at what he
saw looking back.  Instead of his usual face and usual stubble, he saw
another face.  It was his face, to be sure, but different, with no morning
stubble.  His eyes and eyebrows were different too.  His hair looked the
same length but seemed softer, or finer.  Looking more closely he noticed
his face too was softer, more defined, smaller, maybe even feminine.  He
thought of his knee, which two days before, he had sprained slightly while
playing racketball with his friend Jay.  He moved his right leg, and yes,
it still ached a little.  It was still him, no matter what the mirror said.

   Startled, he shot straight up in bed, and as he did so, the sheet fell
from his chest, exposing something which really threw him for a loop. 
Breasts.  They looked like female breasts.  His female breasts.  Staring at
disbelief at the image in the mirror.  He raised his hand to his face to
touch and feel, as if to prove that the person in the glass was him. 
Again, he ran his hand across his cheeks, feeling the softness, the lack of
stubble, and then to his cheekbones, which seemed higher and more
pronounced.  As he looked, he realized that he felt different all over. 
The most noticeable difference was that he felt much smaller.  Or, maybe
every thing else seemed bigger.  To be sure, there were other differences
too..  It felt like his butt was huge, compared to his upper torso.  The
center of gravity of his body had, somehow, shifted lower.

   In curiosity, his hand ran down his neck to his chest, to those breasts,
which he cupped and felt with his small hands.  His fingers moved to the
large nipples.  His fingers could feel, and he could sense them hardening
as he touched them.  With that pleasant sensation, he also felt a reaction
in hisgroin, a sensation he didn't recognize, a warmth, and tightening that
was not at all normal.  What next?, he thought.  He quickly placed his hand
beneath the sheets to check.  He moved down a smooth, flat stomach to feel
for his cock.  His pubic hair seemed finer than usual, but he wasn't
exactly prepared for what he found next.  His penis was not there.  His
scrotum and testicles were gone too.  Instead, his probing fingers felt a
warm, soft slit, with moist fleshy folds, which reacted to his gentle
stroking by opening slightly.  He was not unfamiliar with what he was
touching, but found it difficult to accept that he now possessed what
seemed to be labia, a clitoris, and a vagina.  A cunt.

   Totally confused, he explored his body, feeling new sensations.  The
unfamiliar softness and shape of his chest, a strange tightening of his
pelvic muscles, and the uncomfortable sensation of wetness in his crotch.
He ran his sensitive fingers over the unfamiliar contours, and then,
through-out his body, over all the curves, bumps, and creases, that his
hands and slim fingers could reach.

   As he did so he began to slip back to sleep, and into a languorous state
of semi-dreaming.  Soon, the clock-radio jolted him back into the now. 
Work, he thought, time for work.  A weird dream, just a dream.  At least it
was an interesting dream.  Convinced that's what it was, he cast the sheets
aside and swung his legs over the edge the bed.  Stepping out, his legs,
which now barely touched the floor as he sat on the edge of bed, tangled up
in his pajama bottoms, which somehow had slid down from his waist to his
thighs.  Catching himself against the dresser, he looked down and saw that
his dream had not ended, and his body was still different.  He knew it was
impossible, but to his quickly clearing vision, it almost appeared that he
had a, ah, a....womans body.

   Reaching down to pull up his pjs, the legs now were long enough to
almost cover his feet as he stumbled out of the bedroom for some coffee to
get his overloaded brain engaged.  Looking down, he realized that although
a guy could walk around in his apartment with out a shirt, a guy with a
chest like he had now, couldn't.  He grabbed a T-shirt and pulled it over
his head, and covered his protruding breasts.

   As he walked across the living room toward the kitchen, his brain
registered the differences it was experiencing, and started to make the
necessary adjustments for the shorter stride and wider hips.  Everything
seemed so much larger.  The kitchen counter was higher than his waist.  He
had to stand on a chair to get a cup from the upper shelf.  His conscious
mind continued to race ahead, thinking less about what had happened to him,
but what he was going to do about it.

   The first issue to be addressed he thought was work.  He figured he
couldn't go to work looking like this, but he could call in.  Had his voice
changed too?  He spoke aloud, It seemed the same...  He couldn't tell for
sure.  Pouring a cup of coffee, he began to review the problems he faced.

   If he had indeed changed, then his job was a problem.  He couldn't
report to his job looking like this, like a woman.  There were women at
work, but none were engineers.  And besides, his peers knew him as a man
anyway.  He could hardly walk in, with this new size and shape, and just
say, "Hi guys, look what I sprouted last night!" He didn't think his
present body shape would let him pass as a man, but he figured his mind
wouldn't let him pass as a woman either.  He would probably have to try
that, though, since he was quickly running out of options.  He had just
read in Playboy, about some woman who had passed as a man for years.  Maybe
he could do that.  But for now he realized that he was going to have to
deal with the immediate problem of looking like a woman.  Then he sensed
another immediate concern.  He had to urinate.  Strange, he thought to
himself, it looks so different, but it feels almost the same.  He hopped
quickly into the adjoining bathroom, and as he did, he felt his breasts
bounce uncomfortably.  He cupped them with his hands, and stopping when he
reached the toilet.  The seat was still up from the last time he used it.
As he reached into his pajamas, to stand, aim his penis at the bowl, and
pee, he realized that he couldn't do that, at least he couldn't figure out
a practical way.  Irritated, he lowered the seat, pulled down the pajama
bottoms and sat down.  As he relaxed, the urine started to flow, and he
felt yet another difference.  The pee didn't come out in a tight stream
like normal, but seemed to come out as a heavier flow, and it seemed to
him, from near his anal opening.  He finished quickly, and started to get
up, but realized that his crotch was still rather wet.  He took some tissue
and carefully wiped his unfamiliar genitalia.  This will take some getting
used to, he thought.  He flushed, pulled his pajama bottoms back up, and
went back to the bedroom.

   His pajama bottoms didn't fit, and, judging by the looks of the T-shirt,
and how it clung to his breasts, he was going to have get something he
could wear in public.  That meant he had to go shopping.  If he was going
to go shopping he would need money since all of his credit cards were in
his name, he was concerned as to whether he would be able to use them. 
With a name like Joe, it might be possible to use that name in public,
while pretending to be a woman, but it said Joel on his card, and that
didn't look like a womans name.  Identification was the next issue, his
drivers license, insurance, the basic ID's used during a normal course of a
day.  This predicament couldn't be permanent, and he was sure it couldn't
be, but if he had to act like a woman, then he was going to have to think
about his job.  Well, he may have somehow misplaced his balls, but he still
had his engineering skills.  At least he thought he did.  His brain seemed
the same as always.  If he could work out a way to get back to his job, he
figured, he could still do it.  He would work out that problem after
getting some ID.  Besides, he still had some money in the bank, which would
last a little while, at least till he could get this identity thing worked
out.  Writing checks might be a problem if his handwriting had changed.  He
tested it with a pencil and his notebook.  His small hand caused it to be a
little different, but he figured it would get by, and besides, an automatic
teller didn't look at that anyway.  What was he forgetting?  Suddenly, he
realized.  Linda!  Linda would be expecting him to call tonight.  If he
didn't, she would probably call him, since they usually went out to eat on
Friday evenings.  What would she think, what would she do, if...no, when,
she saw him looking like this?

   He put his concern about his relationship with Linda aside, knowing that
it presented an insurmountable problem for now, and then he remembered Jay.
Jay was a lawyer, very bright and skillful.  Jay was his best friend.  Jay
would know how to handle ID and the bank.  He might even know of a doctor,
who could help him with his physical problems, but couldn't think of
anything like this, happening to anybody else.  At least nobody who
admitted it, he thought.  He reached over for the phone to talk to, and
arrange an appointment with Jay.

   He called his office, and Jay's secretary answered.  As soon as he heard
her voice, he knew he had a problem if he didn't sound like himself, so he
simply said hello and asked if Mr.  Logan was in.  Denise, Jay's secretary,
said no, that he would be in court this morning.  Joe asked if he could set
up a meeting with him today.  Denise asked if he was a client, and Joe got
the bright idea of pretending to be his own secretary.  He said he was
calling for Joe Bates, and that Mr.Bates would like to have lunch with Mr.
Logan, to discuss some business.  Denise said Mr.  Logan would be free for
lunch, and suggested the health club where they both worked out regularly.
Joe said no, the Beacher Restaurant would be better for Mr.  Bates.  (no
kidding) He sighed with relief as he hung up the phone.  He had made the
appointment.

   This can be worked out, he thought, Jay could help him solve the
identity issues, and the money issues.  Now for work.  He called in, and
identified himself as a nurse, and told the receptionist that Joel Bates
had been admitted for a gastro-intensinal problems and would be staying in
the hospital for a few days for tests, and possible surgery.  He would not
be in to work until next week at the earliest.  Who knows?  he thought, it
might be true.  Remarkably, she didn't ask which hospital so he didn't have
to lie about that.

   Feeling better for the first time since he awoke, Joe leaned back in the
chair and reached for his coffee.  As he did so he realized that he was
crossing his legs like a man, and placed his feet flat on the floor. 
Seeing him through the open window, anybody would have thought he was just
another woman, maybe somebody's wife, sitting at a breakfast table drinking
a cup of coffee, free of the everyday need to go off to work.

   In reality, his engineers mind was once again going through the
schematic process of sorting, and collecting data in order to establish a
plan.  He reached out and started to make a list of things he would need.
By now, the realization had dawned that he had nothing to wear that would
fit, and that he had to go shopping for clothes.  He also concluded that he
was going to look like an idiot while shopping.  It also occurred to him
that he was going to look even more ridiculous, since he had no idea how to
dress like a woman, what sizes they wore in clothing, or what size he wore,
for that matter.  Worse yet, he was probably going to have to buy things
like panties and brassieres.  Now, he sure knew how to take stuff like that
off of woman, but he had no idea how to buy, or even put those things on,
like a woman.

   Finishing the coffee, he walked back to the bedroom, and decided that he
better take a quick shower.  While he stood under the hot water, quickly
soaping and rinsing his unfamiliar body, he was almost afraid to look at
it, thinking that if he would ignore it, the problems he was facing might
simply go away as quickly as they came.  He grinned a sarcastic grin, as it
occurred to him that he didn't have to shave this morning.  After the brief
shower, he went to the closet, and started looking for something to wear.

   His Jockey shorts just didn't seem to make it, he tried them on and
found that even with the elastic in the waist they wouldn't stay on his
hips.  Damn, he thought, I need to wear underwear at least.  Then he
remembered a Christmas present from two years back.  Carol was his girl
then, and she had given him three pairs of men's bikini briefs which he had
never worn because they were too snug fitting, and uncomfortable.  He found
them in the back of one of his drawers.  He slipped on the black ones. 
Although they had been tight before, they now fit pretty good.  Of course,
the "contoured pouch" crotch was now strangely baggy on him.  Then he tried
on a pair of jeans to see if a pair fit, and needless to say they didn't.
One pair however, had just come back from the laundry, and was tighter than
the ones he had worn a few times before washing.  Slipping them on, he
hoped they had a chance of staying above his hips, when he remembered his
suspenders, the ones with clips.  Putting them on, he was able to hold his
jeans up with some feeling of confidence.  He then reached down for his
loafers.  Sliding his small feet in, they felt like boats.  This wouldn't
do he knew, so he then pulled out some white socks and a pair of Reboks. 
They seemed too big, hell they were too big, but at least they sorta fit
with the extra absorbent socks on.

   Finally he came to the shirt, he tried on a couple and found them too
large, but at least they weren't too tight.  He didn't have a bra, of
course, but the embarrassing jiggle of his breasts when he moved made him
decide to put a cotton sweatshirt over his shirt.  He reached down to the
night stand, took his large Sieko aviators watch and put it on his thin
wrist.  It dangled loosely, almost large enough to go around his wrist
twice.  he eyed the time, as he put the watch in his pants pocket.  He knew
the mall would soon be open.  He had to get over there and buy some clothes
so that he could meet Jay for lunch, and start figuring things out.

   Chapter2

   THE MALL

   Joe went out to the parking area, and opened the door of his RX-7.  He
sat down in the semi-reclining seats, and found that not only could he
barely see over the steering wheel, he was unable to depress the clutch
pedal to shift gears.  He adjusted the seat, until he found a position
which suited his new, smaller proportions.  The seatbelt pinched his
breasts, until he adjusted the shoulder trap so that it passed between
those unfamiliar mounds.  Driving over to the mall, he remembered to be
very careful, since a traffic ticket, or an accident, would probably cause
extraordinary problems.  His mind was racing to consider the possibilities,
where he would go, how much money he had, what he had to buy, when he was
startled again by the recognition that he had no purse.  He tried to
remember if he had ever seen a woman without a purse on a shopping trip,
or, if he had ever seen a woman take a wallet out of her hip pocket to pay
for something.  Deciding the answer was no, he made a note to remove his
cash, atm card, and some credit cards, from his wallet.  He decided that
his first purchase would be a purse and a woman's wallet.  Damn, he thought
this is not going to be easy.

   Pulling off the highway into the parking lot, he parked near the
entrance to Sears.  He always parked by Sears, and walked through the store
on his way into the mall.  As he walked in, he found himself in the
lingerie department.  It seemed whenever you walked into Sears, you walked
into women's panties.  Normally, he might sneak furtive glances at the sexy
undies, and the women trying to decide from the huge selection of sizes,
styles, and colors.  Today, it was his time to decide.  He couldn't believe
the variety.  Although he liked the way women looked in a sleek, sexy,
string bikini, when he took one from the rack and held it up, he couldn't
imagine wearing something like that.  He looked at hi-leg, strings, and
hip-huggers, in nylon and cotton, lace and sheer, and all in every color of
the rainbow.  He liked the soft, smooth textures.  He finally settled on
some hip-huggers which came in a little tube of three colors, and were
labeled "Jockey for Her." He wasn't sure if it was brand loyalty, or just
that by selecting those, he didn't have to decide on color.  He looked at
some traditional briefs, high leg type, without any decoration, which came
in a variety pack of pastel colors, and decided that he would take one of
those too.  He hoped he could figure out a way out of his predicament,
before he needed any more.

   Bras were even harder to select.  He didn't really know what size he
was, and he wasn't sure how find out.  He was about ready to hold a bra he
thought might fit up to his chest, when a cute sales girl came up and asked
if she could help.

   "Can I be of assistance?" she asked.

   Embarrassed, he mumbled nervously that he was looking for a bra.

   "And what is your size?" she asked, smiling.

   "I don't remember," he lied, and then realized how ridiculous that
probably sounded.  "I mean, I lost some weight lately, and I might need a
new size." he tried, hoping that made more sense.  "Sure," she said, "Come
on back, lets measure you." She started to walk to the dressing rooms.  He
followed her into one of small cubicles and stood next to her.  She looked
at him.  He didn't want to show his chest to this girl.  Finally she said,
"You will have to remove, or at least, pull up that top please." she said,
looking at him strangely.  He pulled the sweatshirt over his head, and
removed his oversize men's shirt.  She seemed surprised when she saw he
wasn't wearing a bra.  His heart pounded, as this girl, who yesterday he
might have asked out, took a cold measuring tape and encircled first his
chest below his breasts, and then, pulled it snugly across his erect
nipples.  "I think we better try a 34B." she said.  She went out, and a
moment later returned with a glossy pink underwire, with the clasp in
front, between the cups.

   He looked at the dainty thing, and fumbled as he attempted to put his
arms into the proper places between the tangle of straps.  The girl watched
in amusement.  I wonder what she's thinking,?  he thought as he pulled the
straps around his back and roughly pulled the cups over his curves.  When
he felt he had it positioned correctly, he stopped, and the girl began
tugging and poking at the cups and straps, checking for tightness and gaps.
Her soft touch made him feel strange, and he just knew his face was red as
a beet.

   "Looks right, how does it feel"?  she asked.

   If you only knew, he thought, but said, "Feels fine to me."

   "Well I'll let you browse" she said, "Just ask if I can be of further
assistance."

   "Thank You" he said, removing the sexy thing as she left the small room.
He was putting his shirt back on when his breasts reminded him that maybe
he should get a bra to wear while trying on clothes.  Besides, he probably
should have more than one of these things anyway.  He left the pink bra,
and his sweatshirt, in the dressing room, and went back out to select
another.  Well, now I know what size I am, at least, he thought, grinning.
As he looked, he decided that he didn't want any type but front close,
since he figured that those were difficult enough.  He picked a flesh tone,
seamless cup number, he knew Linda wore that kind, and she sure looked good
in it.  Reconsidering, he grabbed two of them, wondering if Linda's breasts
were larger, or smaller, than his.  He concluded they were probably about
the same, and realized he was grinning like some kind of idiot.  As he made
his way back to the dressing room, he decided to get one more.  It was
plain, and white, like, he imagined, a nurse might wear.  And of course, it
was front close.  A proper bra for a guy like me, he thought,
sarcastically.

   Entering the cubicle, he removed his shirt again.  More experienced this
time, he carefully put the white bra on, and adjusted the straps for fit.
How does it feel?  he mimicked to himself.  Damn weird, he answered
silently.

   After he had paid for the underwear, giving the girl the empty box, and
telling her he was wearing the white one.  He walked out into the mall and
thought how funny it was that he had bought panties and bras at Sears, the
place he usually thought of only for tools to work on his sportscar.

   Walking down the corridor he entered a shoe store and started to look at
the women's shoes.  A man came over and asked if he could help.  "Yes", he
said and selected a few pairs to try on.  One of them had a low heel.  He
sat down, and removed his oversize shoes and his socks.  The salesman came
over and measured his foot.  Got to remember this size, he thought.  The
man returned with some boxes, and handed him some cut off nylons.  Looking
at them he wondered why, then he remembered that women wore nylons.  While
trying on shoes the foot had to be covered for some health department
reason.  He slipped the nylon booty on, and tried on his first pair of
"girl-shoes." They were simple navy blue, with a two inch heel, and they
fit, though it seemed as though they stopped too early on his foot.  He
awkwardly walked a few steps, all the while thinking he didn't know how he
could possibly fake anyone into thinking he was a woman, wearing these
things.  He decided to get a pair of women's Rebok exercise shoes too. 
They would be easier to walk in, he knew.  He then paid for the shoes, and
after receiving the change, decided it was time to get a purse.

   Next, he entered Dillards.  As he walked into the store, he nose was
assaulted by the smell of cosmetics.  Normally he could to get a headache
just walking through this section of a department store.  A woman walked
up, and asked him to try a perfume, he started to say he didn't wear
perfume, when it occurred on him that he had no makeup on, and he figured
women usually wore makeup, at least in public.  Oh hell, he thought, what
am I going to do about this.  He nodded, "No thanks" and moved over to a
cosmetic case and began to look.

   A woman in a white smock saw him, and offered to help.  He nodded yes,
and she led him over to a mirror and a chair.  Looking at his face, the
woman said, "If you have some time, I have some things that would look very
nice on you.  Did you have anything special in mind?" He replied, no, but
that he would like to see what she could do for him.  Sensing a good sale,
the woman walked behind the counter and came out with a whole series of
things.  In the next fifteen minutes, the sales woman did complete makeover
of his face.  Starting with a base, she applied a very light layer to his
entire face.  Then she moved to his eyes, and applied first an eyeliner,
then some mascara, and finally some shadow.  She then applied some blush to
his cheeks, and finally offered a lipstick.  All the while, she kept
chattering about how to apply the makeup, the pros and cons, and telling
him with both words and looks that he was starting to look pretty good. 
She commented on his rather exotic hair style.  Yea, he thought, exotic.

   Finally she held a mirror to his eyes so that he could look, and look he
did.  He appeared completely different, completely female in the face, and,
he thought, attractive, not drop dead beautiful, but attractive.

   Standing back with her arms folded, the saleswomen asked what he
thought.

   "I like it," Joe replied, "it's very nice." With that, he began buying
all the make up the women suggested, until finally, he began to worry about
the cost.  As he reached into his jeans, he noticed that he was down to a
few hundred dollars and that amount was about to be severely damaged by
this purchase.  Nevertheless there was nothing he could do about.  The
sales person noticed his American Express card, and said that they accepted
American Express.  He offered her the card, and she rang up the sale and
dialed in the number on the verification modem.  As she did that he
remembered the card was in his name, and that it was his signature on the
back.  The sales-person didn't even look at the back, but gave him back the
card and asked him to sign his name.  When he thought about it, he decided
that she probably thought he was his own wife.  It would be a perfectly
natural assumption.

   Next stop, some clothes to wear outside the underwear.  He took the
escalator up to women's dresses, and began to go through the racks looking
for something.  He wasn't sure of what he wanted, what size, or color, or
style, and was actually relieved when a saleswoman asked to help him.

   "May I help you, miss?" she said.  Together, they picked out a navy blue
skirt that he said he liked, two blouses, which the saleswoman recommended,
and a couple of dresses.  One had small flowers on a light background, the
other was a simple knit dress.  Then they moved back to skirts, and
selected a couple which Joe thought looked as though a school teacher might
wear.  He picked a couple of silky blouses worn by a mannequin which caught
his masculine eye.  What the heck, he thought, If I have to wear them, I
might as well like what they look like.

   The saleswoman took the clothes, and led him to the dressing room.  He
hoped she would not expect to go in with him while he undressed.  He was
wearing his men's black bikini briefs, and they looked a little strange,
with their "supporting pouch" bunched up between his legs.  But, she only
showed him to an empty cubical, and helped him carry his many selections.
Here, in the ladies fitting area, he could see women through the wide
slats, which served for doors to the small dressing areas.  They were
trying on dresses too, and were in various stages of undress.  His male
eyes, and brain, could not keep from looking.  A young woman probably about
his age, was in the compartment directly across from his.  She was a
goddess, with long blond hair, almost to her waist.  She was standing in
her underwear, an almost transparent flesh toned bra, with matching
panties, which hid nothing, from the tip of her toes, to the tips of her
firm breasts.  He stared as she pulled a sweater over her head,
unconsciously wriggling erotically as she did so.  His heart pounded, and
he thought he would die right there.  He felt familiar stirring's of
arousal coming from his groin, and he reached down to rub his cock.  The
damp softness he encountered, brought him back to reality.  She ain't for
you right now, tiger, he sighed.  Frustrated, he looked away, back at the
rack of clothes.  He tried the little floral print dress on first.  Not
knowing if it fit well, he walked out barefoot, into the mirror area where
the woman waited for him.

   "That looks very nice on you sweetie," she said.  He turned around in
the dress and found himself looking over his small shoulder, into the
mirror.  He looked so much like a woman, it almost made him cringe.  He
went back, tried on the rest of the clothes, and, to the saleswoman's
delight, purchased all of them.

   Again, he offered the American Express card, and again, no one
questioned his signature.  Laden with packages, he started to the escalator
when he came to Parklane Hosiery.  Pantyhose, he thought, I'll probably
need some to wear with these dresses.  He started reading the back of the
packages, and figured out his size (he now knew he had size 34 hips).  He
purchased three pair, in as many colors.  He looked around the store, at
the plastic legs covered with all types of sexy stockings and pantyhose. 
He saw some ladies athletic type, cotton socks, and decided he should get
some like that to go with his Reboks.

   Going down the escalator, he ran over his mental list of things to get,
and felt satisfied that he had gotten everything.  He left the store and
started back to his car when he remembered the purse.  He ducked into a
store, and quickly selected both a purse and ladies wallet.

   Now he had to return home, and get in costume.  He had a meeting with
Jay for lunch.

   Chapter Three

   GETTING READY

   Joe parked his car in the parking area.  The back of his sports car was
filled with packages from his morning shopping spree.

   Returning to the apartment, Joe felt exhausted, but relieved.  The
shopping trip had been only moderately difficult since he still felt like a
man, and was still dressed like one.  But meeting with Jay for lunch, while
pretending to be, and dressing like, a woman....  The very thought of going
out in public still embarrassed him, and left him with a queasy feeling in
the pit of his new, flatter, stomach.

   A part of his brain kept waiting to wake up, this had to be one wild
dream, but another part seemed resolved to the changes, which were beyond
his ability to accept.  So far, his disciplined mind was experiencing them
with curiosity, and humor.  He considered everything to be temporary, to
last only until he could figure out what had happened to him, and correct
it.

   He went to the bedroom to change clothes, and started removing the
underwear from the packages.  One by one, he examined each item, and tried
to imagine wearing it.  As he started to unbutton his shirt, his eyes were
fixed on the things he was about wear.  As he undressed, he again became
aware of the sensations caused by his new shape.  Having breasts was
different.  He could feel his nipples rubbing on his clothing.  Having
smaller biceps and triceps was different too.  His arms actually seemed
longer because they were thinner.  Sliding the shirt off his narrow
shoulders, he looked down at his chest, which was partially covered by a
white bra.  The bra was without lace, or decoration, just functional
underwear whose primary purpose was the support he now needed.  He
carefully opened the front clasp and opened the bra, exposing his breasts.
His chest, which only hours ago was flat, broad, and covered with dark
hair. Now, it was smooth, soft, and rounded, with large pink nipples.  Free
from the covering of the bra, his breasts felt cold, and, he could feel
their slight added weight on his chest.

   He touched his left breast, and could feel his nipple harden between his
slim fingers.  The feeling made him quiver, and his breasts shook like they
had a mind of their own.

   He sat on the edge of the bed.  Removing his socks and jeans, he stood
before the bed in his men's black lo rise briefs, he hooked his fingers
into the waistband, and pulled them down his hips.

   The sights and sensations he was experiencing, should have given him a
raging erection.  In fact, it felt like he had one, but when he looked
"down there," he felt and saw the crotch of his underwear was damp with
secretions.  The moisture made him feel uncomfortable.  A musky scent was
noticeable.  Time for a another quick shower, he mused, and walked into the
adjoining bathroom.  Turning on the shower, he felt the water temperature.
As it warmed, he again noticed that his skin felt thinner, more sensitive
to touch and heat.  He entered the shower and soaped down.  The soapy water
on his body felt great.  At least this situation isn't all bad, he thought.
He lingered in the shower, enjoying the sensations, but when he turned
toward the spray, the streaming water hit his soft breasts, he was jolted
awake by a sharp stinging sensation.  Enough of this, he thought, and
attempted to wash his unfamiliar genitals.  He wasn't exactly sure how to
begin.  He soaped his hands and rubbed the soap bar on his pubic hair. 
Then, using his fingers, he carefully cleansed the creases and folds which
replaced his penis.  It felt good.  Innocently, he gently began exploring a
sensitive little bundle of tissue near the top of his genital opening. 
Could this be what a clitoris feels like?  With the added lubrication of
the soapy water on his fingers, the feeling was familiar, yet different.

   When he finished his cleansing exploration, he rinsed off the remaining
soap, and noticed that although his body was now almost completely hairless
compared to before, he did have considerable hair under his arms.  He
thought about it for a moment, and decided that he had better remove it. 
He had never shaved that area before, but there were all kinds of new
things today.  He went to the cabinet and got his Trac II, and a can of
shaving cream.  He squirted some cream into his small hand, and rubbed it
on the soft hair under his arms.  He then took the razor, and began shaving
the light hair.  I never imagined I would be doing this today, he thought
to himself.  As he was shaving, he noticed his legs, and thought about the
pantyhose he bought.  I suppose I'd better do those too, he decided. 
Feeling and seeing the jiggle of his breasts as he was applying the shaving
cream to the light hair on his legs, he chuckled to himself about the irony
of his situation.  "If Linda could see me now" he said to himself, out
loud.

   When he completed shaving his legs and underarms, he rinsed the
remaining cream off his body and stepped from the shower.  He grabbed a
bath towel and dried himself.  He felt better now, and actually smelled
good.  He felt his smooth legs and was actually impressed with his looks.
"I'd better be careful" he thought to himself, "I might actually start to
like this 'female' stuff." He then found some underarm deodorant, the most
"feminine" he had, which was Right-Guard Musk.  "It smells OK to me" he
thought to himself.  Naked, he then went back to the bedroom to attempt to
dress.

   Fresh from the shower, he went to the dresser mirror.  He looked into
the glass.  What he saw looking back was a young woman.  He didn't have a
sister, but if he had, she might have looked like he did now.  He hadn't
washed off the makeup the lady at the mall had applied, and it had held up
well in the shower.  He actually looked quite attractive, with only the
short hair on his head to raise any question of his sex.  He had seen women
with hair as short as his, but he didn't like the way it looked on them.

   Even though he certainly looked like a woman, he still felt he was a
man, and his brain still thought like a male, and he could feel a trace of
lust surfacing, as he gazed at this naked person in the mirror.  "Well,
this is one babe you won't be screwing, you horny stud" he thought to
himself.  As he could feel himself getting aroused, he looked at himself in
the mirror.  His new clitoris felt just like his penis.  It didn't feel
nearly as small as it looked.  In fact he couldn't even see it, but he
could certainly tell it was there when he became aroused.  He figured he
better get dressed if he was going to make his appointment with Jay.  He
would have to go with wet underpants again, if he continued to gaze at his
new shape.

   Trying to put his mind on something else, he moved away from the mirror.
He looked at the array of new clothes on the bed.  He picked up a pair of
panties, and held them up.  Well, they sure don't look like they'll fit, he
thought.  He looked at the narrow, cotton lined, crotch strip, and sighed.
He felt perverted, like he was considering putting on Linda's underwear. 
Bending down, he placed one smooth leg into the small pink panty, and
followed with the other.  He pulled them up, over what seemed to him, his
huge, soft, butt, and found that they came up only to his slightly
protruding hip bones.  He looked down at himself, and what he saw was both
familiar, and unusual.  He had seen quite a few girls, women, in their
underwear before.  Now, as he looked at himself, he could see he looked
just like they did.  He felt the same as always too, but when he looked in
the mirror, the familiar bulge of his penis and testicles was gone.  The
snug fitting panty emphasized a small mound which was a little higher up
than where his penis had been.  Below that, the crotch gusset outlined,
with sexy sleekness, a flat area which replaced his absent male parts.  He
reached down to feel the smoothness of his mound, and could feel his pubic
hair through the thin fabric.  He went down further, and felt the warm
softness of his crotch.  The touch made unfamiliar muscles in his groin
contract, and he moved his hand away.  He grinned, and put it back,
pressing on the slick softness.  It seemed the changes he had undergone
were never more evident than right now.  As he gently rubbed the silky
area, he began to feel moisture.  "I suppose I'd better stop this" he said
to himself.

   He had to keep his mind on getting dressed.  He had to meet Jay for
lunch.

   He looked over at the bed and picked up the white bra he had worn home
from Sears.  He was about to put it back on, when he decided to wear the
pink one, also laying on the bed.  While the white one was plain and
simple, this one was different.  It was sheer, with small lace edges around
the cups.  It was an underwire, and even felt different than the white one
did.  He was talked into this one by the sales girl, who said it would be
just right for his figure type.  He had no experience in that area, but it
was a front close, the one thing he insisted on, and the girl was cute, so
he bought it.  Now, as he carefully untangled the thing, put his arms
through the straps, and was clasping the plastic latch between his breasts,
he realized that he could see his nipples right through the sheer seamless
cups.  He squeezed the softness with his hand, and just stared at his new
shape, and his erect nipples pressing against the thin fabric.

   He reached down and grabbed one of the packages of pantyhose.  The
wrapper said, Hanes Silk Reflections, 'Barely There'.  He ripped open the
package and looked at the wrinkled mass of nylon.  "OK" he said "lets get
on with it." He decided that the best way to approach it was to sit on the
edge of the bed, and slide the hose up one leg at a time.  He eventually
had both legs in and the waist about mid-thigh.  Awkwardly, he struggled to
stand up, and finished pulling the tight fitting monstrosity up above his
natural waist.  He looked down at his legs.  Pretty good, he thought, but
the crotch was still about three inches from his butt.  He grabbed and
pulled some more until he had them fitting the way he thought they should.
They made his legs feel slick, and very warm.

   Looking at the mirror again, he saw himself in panties, pink bra, and
the shiny pantyhose.  Seeing himself, all he could do was sigh in a
defeated manner.  Am I going to be stuck like this forever, he thought?  He
couldn't even imagine such a thing.  No time to worry about it now, he
decided.

   Glancing at the clock told him the time for day-dreaming was running
short, and that he had to get moving.  He reached for the new white blouse
and slipped his arms through the sleeves.  Then he buttoned the blouse
starting at the bottom until he had buttoned all the way the neck.  Then,
realizing that he was not going to wear a tie, he reached unbuttoned the
top button.  He looked down to see of his nipples could still be seen
through the bra and sheer white fabric of the blouse.  He looked carefully,
and imagined that he was staring at a woman's breasts.  "These little
babies are yours, big fella" he said, out loud.  He decided that the outfit
wasn't too risque, and went back to the pile of clothes on the bed.  He
decided that the navy skirt would look the best.  He always did like solids
anyway.  He took the skirt and slipped it up his smooth legs, and fastened
it around his thin waist.  The darn zipper is in the back, he thought to
himself.  He looked at himself in the full length mirror on the closet
door. "Looking good" he said, turning around.  But something didn't seem
right when he walked.  The skirt clung to his legs and bunched around his
crotch when he bent over.  He thought about the problem, and concluded that
he probably needed a slip.  He forgot about that.  Heck, I couldn't think
of everything, he thought.  He was trying to decide what to do and, when he
went to the closet, he spotted some of Linda's clothes hanging on hangers.
Too bad she's smaller than I am he thought, and then reconsidered. 
Although he used to push six feet, now he was closer to five feet five, or
six, about the same as his girl friend.  As he poked through her things, he
decided that she wouldn't mind, and would probably get a chuckle out of it,
if the shock didn't kill her first.  There were slacks, a shirt, and her
red, one piece swimsuit.  He began to think of Linda.  She looked great in
that red suit.  How would she feel about him, now that he could probably
wear it too.  The last hanger held a short black skirt, and under it, he
found a silver colored half slip.  Just what I need, he thought.  He took
it off the hanger and stepped into it.  It was a struggle to get it up
under his dress, but when he finally did, it felt OK.  Now, when he walked,
the skirt moved smoothly and didn't stick to his legs.

   Looking at the clock, he saw he had just enough time to look in the
mirror and he brushed his short hair into the most feminine look he could
muster.  He then looked into his plastic bag of cosmetics, and decided that
maybe just a little lipstick touch up would be good.  He wanted to be
careful, he didn't want to get carried away, and end up looking like a
clown.

   He took a last look into the mirror and decided he was ready.  He felt a
strange feeling around his upper legs and pulled up his skirt and slip. 
His pantyhose was hanging down again, and he contorted about in a struggle
to get them where they belonged.  That's better, he said to himself, and
stepped back from the mirror for a last look.  "My god,..  now I've got to
take a leak" he said out loud.

   He walked back to the bathroom and stood in front of the toilet. 
Suddenly, he realized that he couldn't just stand there, unzip his pants,
and relieve himself.  He had to turn around, pull up the skirt and slip,
hold it, and slide both his pantyhose and panties down, only then could he
sit and pee.  Unbelievable, he thought.  As the flow started, he felt
familiar relief.  He carefully wiped, got up pulled up his under-pants,
which were around his ankles, then the pantyhose, went through the whole
tugging and stretching thing again, and then smoothed his skirt down.  All
this, just to pee, he thought.  I'll sure be glad when I get back to
normal. When he finished, he went back to the bedroom.

   He looked at the stuff he bought, and found the shoe boxes.  Well, he
thought, we have a choice of white and pink Reboks, or blue pump "girl
shoes" with a medium heel.  The Reboks were definitely out with this
outfit, but the "high-heels" were downright scary.  "Take it like a man" he
joked to himself, and slipped the blue heels on.  He stood up and felt like
he was on stilts.  The heels seemed much higher than the two or three
inches they appeared to be.  Also his jerky movements made his breasts
bounce when he walked.

   From habit, he felt for his wallet, feeling only his very soft, slick,
and rounded butt.  Realizing his mistake he grabbed his new purse, and
checked that his wallet was in it.  After locking the door to the
apartment, he rushed down the stairs, well...  not exactly rushed, but he
hobbled down the stairs in the shoes.

   As he reached the end of the staircase he stepped out into a beautiful
spring day, with fragrant flowers blooming, and tree buds bursting into
leaves.



   Chapter 4

   THE MEETING

   The traffic was heavy, as Joe drove as quickly as he could to his lunch
appointment with his attorney and best friend, Jay Logan.

   It was about ten minutes after the agreed on time when he finally pulled
into the parking lot of the Beacher Restaurant.  He parked, awkwardly got
out of his sportscar wearing the skirt and heels, and tried to walk into
the establishment with as much dignity as he could muster.  He stepped up
to the head-waiters podium, and told the young lady that he was to meet
with a friend, who might already be here.  She asked his name, and he said
Joe Bates, she looked at her notes, and said "Please follow me, Ms. 
Bates." Joe walked behind her and almost fell against her as they went down
a few heavily carpeted steps.  She lead him to a softly lighted table where
he saw his pal Jay, seated, sipping on a Corona.

   Jay looked up at him, confused, and said, "May I help you maam?" Joe
didn't know exactly what to say, or how to start.  He didn't want to go
into an explanation with the waiter standing there, so he just said, "May I
sit down, Mr.  Logan?" Jay stood, and pulled out a chair for him, as he
took his seat.  At the waiters request, he ordered some white wine.  The
waiter said "of course", and went away.  Jay looked at him, puzzled.  Joe
just stared at Jay.  Before, he was larger, and heavier than Jay, who now
seemed huge.  Joe got up his courage, and blurted out, "Jay, It's me, Joe!"


   Jay grinned, "Right, and I'm Margaret Thatcher."

   Joe hadn't realized that he might have trouble convincing his best
buddy, who he was.  But the problem was quickly becoming evident.  "Jay, I
don't know what has happened to me," he pleaded, "but I need your help."

   Jay looked at his watch, and said, "It's a little late for an April
fools joke, don't you think?" Then he said, "I'm pleased to meet you.  I
didn't even know Joe had a sister, much less one as good looking as you."

   Oh no, thought Joe, now he thinks I'm my sister.  "Jay, I don't have a
sister, and you know it, and don't give me any come-on crap."

   Jay looked at him closely.  "What's going on here?" he asked.

   "I really wish I knew," Joe said, "I woke up this morning, looking like
this, and I don't have a clue as to what is going on."

   "You're serious, aren't you?" Jay said.

   "Never been more serious in my life, Jay.  I really don't know what I
should do.  If you saw what I did this morning, you wouldn't believe it,"
Joe said.

   "I'm not sure I do," said Jay.

   "Ok," Joe said, "Remember Wednesday evening, at the health club, you
snapped the ball at me, and I almost broke my neck trying to get to it.  My
knee still hurts," Joe said, his eyes on Jay's face, watching for signs of
acknowledgment.

   "Ok, let's say you are my friend Joe, and I must admit, your face does
look a lot like him, what can I possibly do for you?" Jay questioned.

   "I have to prove to everybody, that I am still Joe Bates, no matter how
I look on the outside.  I know you can help me do it," Joe returned. 
"Then, I need to get medical help to get my normal features back, or, God
help me, if I'm stuck like this, I've get to get my records changed so that
I can function, without the legal problems I know that I will have.  My
personal problems, I'm not sure about.  I don't even know what they all are
yet," Joe said, looking down.

   "Well don't worry, Joe, I'll help," said Jay, seeing his friend looking
so grim.  "I'm not sure what will have to be done, but we will do whatever
is necessary to help you.  Can I ask a rather personal question, Joe?" said
Jay.

   "Sure, Jay, I trust you, and besides, you're my only hope right now,"
Joe said.

   "I'm embarrassed to ask, but I'm about to die of curiosity." Jay asked,
"Joe, you sure look like a woman.  Are you female?"

   Joe looked at his buddy, and saw his longtime pal was eyeing his curves.
"I don't know Jay, I don't really know what I am.  But, I can tell you that
what you see is all me.  You should see me in Jocky shorts," he grinned, "I
don't believe I'll be chasing babes with you, for a while at least, much as
I would like to," Joe said, as humorously as he could.  "I don't feel like
a woman, in fact, I feel like a rooster in the hen house.  You can't
imagine what it's like, just to take a shower, looking like this.  I don't
know if my heart can take it," he grinned at his buddy.  He figured Jay
would understand his predicament, if anybody would, or could.

   The waiter returned with Joe's wine, and brought the menu.  Jay said,
"Give us a few moments, please.", the waiter nodded, and left.  "I think
I'll have just the salad bar," said Jay.  Joe agreed, he wasn't even
hungry. His stomach had never quit feeling like a can of worms.  He felt
the warmth of the wine as it went down.  Everything was more pronounced
now, he thought.  I could probably get tipsy on this little glass of wine,
especially since I have yet to eat anything today.

   When the waiter returned, and they ordered.  They both went to the salad
bar together.  Jay followed, watching his friend walk awkwardly in the
heeled shoes.  When they returned to their tables, he said, "Joe if I had
any doubts about you telling the truth, watching you walk to the salad bar
removed them.  No real woman would walk like that if she tried."

   "You should try it some time, pal," Joe said smiling demurely.  "And
walking in these shoes is not the half of it."

   As they ate, Jay discussed some of the things they would need to do.  He
said he had a friend on the police force, who was a specialist in proving
identification, usually on murder related cases, where the victim is
unknown.

   "You were in the Air Force, so there is a record of your fingerprints.
Do you think your prints have changed?" he asked.

   Joe said, "I don't know, Jay, I do know that my knee is still sprained,
from the other night with you.  And, even though my arms are smaller, my
right one still has scars I received from an auto accident twelve years
ago. Damn it, I don't know what has happened to me.  I feel the same, at
least as much as is possible, but I do seem to look female.  If you are
having a problem with this, think about it from my side.  I have to live
with it continuously," Joe looked like he was ready to burst into tears.

   "I'll call you as soon as I make some contacts, probably tomorrow
morning," Jay said, as they finished lunch.  "We'll get this worked out as
quickly as we can.  What are you going to do now?  he asked.

   "I can't go to work like this, so I guess I'll go home," said Joe.  "I
have to call Linda, but I don't know what I'm going to tell her.  Hell,
I've got her slip on," he said, blushing.  " This is so embarrassing.  I am
so worked up, and tense, I don't know what to do."

   Jay looked at his confused and dejected friend, not knowing what to say.
"Hey, it's Friday, let's meet at the health club at five-thirty, for our
usual game."

   "Aw, uh, Jay I don't know, I don't know If I'm ready for that," Joe
protested.

   "Hell, Joe, Exercise is just what you need to relieve tension, and it
might take your mind off your problems for a little while," Jay countered.

   "Well, ok, I'll be there, but I don't know how well I can play.  I
haven't been myself lately," Joe said, realizing how funny it sounded only
after he said it.

   "I'll get this one," said Jay, as the waiter came up with the check when
they were finished with lunch.  "But, I expect to see you this evening."

   "I'll meet you there," Joe promised.  He was concerned about how he
would react in a meat market like the health club.  But, he decided, he
couldn't hide under a rock either.

   As he walked out to his car, he thought of what he would need to play
handball, and where he would go to get those things.  He decided that he
must go back to his apartment to take stock, and plan another shopping
sortie.

   Joe drove back to his apartment, thinking, and decided that he should
call Linda.  She would be expecting a call, and he decided.  As he sat by
the phone, he considered what he should say...  What he would do.  He
dialed Linda's number.  After a few rings he heard Linda answer,
"Hello.".......

   "Linda?" Joe asked, "What's up?" he asked, trying for something to say.

   "Who is this?" she asked, confused.

   "Linda, It's me, Joe," he answered.

   "Joe?  Joe, what's the matter?  You sound strange.  Is something wrong?"

   "Linda, I have to talk to you.  I have a little problem.  Can I pick you
up about seven thirty, so we can talk?" Joe asked, nervously.

   "Sure Joe, what's the matter?  Do you have a cold?  What do you want me
to wear?" Linda sounded confused, but concerned.

   "Lets go to Bennigan's.  You'll find out when I pick you up," Joe said.
"See you about seven thirty."

   Joe quickly hung up the phone, not knowing how to deal with Linda. 
Their relationship was very close, but he didn't know how she would take
him in his present condition.  Hell, I don't even know what sex I am, he
thought.

   He decided his next task was deciding what to wear to play racketball
with Jay.  In a way, he was glad to have something to take his mind off his
relationship with Linda.  One problem at a time, he thought.

   He went to the foyer closet, and retrieved his athletic bag.  He carried
it to his bedroom, and emptied it on the bed.  The bag contained one smelly
towel, his running shorts, an Adidas T-shirt, his safety goggles,
racketball glove, three racketballs, and an athletic supporter.  His racket
was attached to a holster on the side of the bag.

   Well, it don't look like much of this is salvageable, he thought,
picking up the jockstrap, and stretching the waistband.  Another trip to
the mall would be required.

   He looked at what he had on, the white blouse, blue skirt, and heels,
and decided that would be appropriate to wear to the mall.

   He arrived at the mall, and entered Sears for the second time that day.
He was thinking about what he would have to get.  He remembered a small
shop called 'She Sports', and decided to look there.

   Walking into the little shop, he was surrounded by ladies athletic, and
dance wear.  As he looked at the colorful leotards, bike shorts, and form
fitting bra tops, he thought about how he might look, wearing things like
this, playing racketball with his buddy, Jay.  Hell, I'd still beat him, he
thought, grinning.  He couldn't keep his eyes off my butt.

   He was stretching the spandex of a jogging bra, when the young sales
woman walked over, and asked, "What can I do for you, miss?"

   "I am looking for something to wear to play racketball," he said.  He
felt much more confident than this morning, but he didn't know if it was
because he was more familiar with his anatomy, or his clothes.

   "What did you have in mind?" the woman asked.

   "I don't know, what do you recommend?" he replied.

   "What is your size?" the woman countered, eyeing his body through the
skirt and blouse.

   "Thirty four, twenty two, thirty four." Joe replied, grinning smugly. 
He knew what he was doing now, he thought.

   "Well, you are in shape, aren't you, but what are your clothing sizes?"
she said with a laugh.

   "I think I wear a size seven or eight," he said, embarrassed.

   "How much coverage are you looking for?" she asked.

   "Coverage?" he looked confused.

   "Do you wear tights?  Do you want shorts, or pants?  What kind of top
are you thinking of?" the woman asked, holding some of the items up as she
talked.

   Joe decided to use his standard, "What do you recommend?"

   The young woman looked at Joe, "I think a leotard, under some nylon
shorts, with a crop top, would look great on you." she said.  "Do you have
underwear?"

   "Sure, Joe said, I've got panties, and a bra."

   "How about an exercise bra?  You will feel more confident with the
support of a JogBra like this.  I also suggest a cotton sport panty, with
an absorbent terry liner," the woman suggested.

   "Ok," said Joe.  "Sounds like what I need all right."

   "Let's see which colors look best on you," said the woman, walking to
the colorful leotards.

   Joe followed, thinking, colors again, I didn't realize women's clothes
revolved around color, until now.

   "I think royal blue sets off your figure," said the woman "And some
white tights will make a nice contrast.  Maybe with this little short to
set it off," she continued, holding up matching blue light nylon shorts,
which seemed to have a panty built in.  She also had in her hand, a little
blue thing which looked like a short tank top.  Joe figured that it must be
a crop top.

   "Come with me," said the woman, taking the selections, and leading Joe
to a small fitting area at the back of the store.

   He followed and she hung the items on a hook in the little cubicle, and
left Joe to try them on.

   He closed the curtain, and removed his blue pumps.  He wasn't sure if he
needed to remove the pantyhose, with all the trouble that entailed, but
decided he better if he wanted to see if the snug fitting clothing fit
properly.  He removed his skirt, and carefully hung it, and his blouse on
the hanger provided.  He stood there in his pink panty and bra.  He looked
at the capri type tights, and figured that they would be a lot like
pantyhose, so he pulled them on.  They made his legs look great.  Be wasn't
sure if he should remove his bra, and decided it was best to leave it on.
He squirmed into the leotard, and arranged his breasts and buttocks.  It
felt snug and sleek.  Finally, he pulled on the little shorts, and felt his
slick butt.  He was glad that the crop top concealed his nipples, which
when erect, as they often were, poked through, even with the bra, and snug
fitting leotard.

   He walked out of the cubicle, and looked in the full length mirror.  He
was impressed with his appearance.  Jay won't be able to take his eyes off
me, he thought, and then realized the impact of what he was thinking.  Am I
turning gay?  he worried.  What is considered homosexual for me?

   The sales lady returned, interrupting his thoughts, "How do you like
it?" she asked.

   "I think it's perfect," Joe said, truthfully.

   "Well you certainly have the shape for it," said the woman, walking to
the counter.

   Yea, that's the problem.  thought Joe.

   "Did you want the underwear?" she asked, holding up a sport bra.

   "Yea, I guess I'd better," Joe said, considering.  He figured he better
get everything she recommended, since this was his only chance, before the
"dress rehearsal."

   "White?" the woman asked.

   Colors again, thought Joe.  He said, "Yes, I think white would be fine,
don't you?"

   "What's your size?" she returned.

   "I need a 34B, and my hips about 34 also," Joe replied.

   "Yes, that's right," said the woman, with a slight trace of envy in her
voice.

   Joe continued to look around the shop as he was talking.  He decided he
better get one of these more feminine looking gym bags to carry this stuff
in.  He decided on a white and blue bag, which matched what he had on.  He
also took a little white terry cloth headband, and at the suggestion of the
sales woman, some blue leg warmers.

   "Do you have shoes and socks?" the woman asked.

   "I have a new pair of Reboks," he replied.

   He was about to say he had everything when he saw a little terry cloth
romper thing, which looked like something women might wear in the locker
room.  He added it to his stack of clothes.  "I believe this will be all,"
he said.

   After he put the pantyhose, skirt and blouse back on, he went back to
the counter.  He took his American Express card from his purse and gave it
to the woman.  She rung up the sale, and he signed the bill.

   He was walking down the hallway in the mall, when in a shop window, he
saw a blue blouson jumpsuit.  That is just what I need, he thought, it
looks like something a woman could wear most places, with low shoes, even
Reboks, he thought.  The loose fitting top wouldn't emphasize his shape,
and he wouldn't have to be so careful about how he walked and sat.  It
would also make getting into his RX-7 a piece of cake.

   He entered the store.  A young girl, of about nineteen came up to him.
"Can I help you?" she asked.

   "Yes, I'd like to buy a jumpsuit like the one in your window," he
replied.

   "What size and color would you like?" she asked.

   "I guess I'd be a seven or eight, make it eight.  And do you have it in
royal blue?" He thought he looked good in blue.

   The girl went to the racks, and selected the size and color he needed.
She asked, "Would you like to try it on?"

   He held it up to himself.  It looked the right length, and it was loose
fitting enough to probably fit with no problem.  He said, "If it doesn't
fit, can I bring it back?"

   "Of course," the girl said.  "If you don't like it for any reason, just
bring it in.  I can give you an exchange, or a full refund."

   He didn't want to undress again, and was happy to take the jumpsuit
without that hassle.  "I'll take it," he said.

   He took his packages out to his car.  As he was driving through the
parking lot near the mall entrance, he saw a drug store.  He figured he
probably should get some girl things like deodorant, and maybe body powder.
He wasn't sure why he needed the powder, but he knew that Linda always had
it when she showered.  He stopped and went in.

   He walked down the aisles, looking for items a person, who had a body
like a woman's, might need.  He got some Secret deodorant, and looked with
a new interest at things like Massengill douche, feminine hygiene sprays
and powders.  He thought he had read somewhere that a healthy woman didn't
need things like that.  Anyway, he thought, he smelled pretty good in that
area.  He looked at feminine napkins, and tampons.  Again he thought about
his genitalia, and realized that he might actually start to have menstrual
periods.  He couldn't accept that.  What choice do I have?  he considered.

   He looked at the little thin pads called panty liners, and thought maybe
he should take a box of those.  Just in case, he thought.  He didn't trust
his new parts, but he was learning to be ready for anything.  Who knows, he
thought, this morning I find my cock is missing, tomorrow morning, I might
be on the rag.  What's a guy to do?

   He took a box of Lightdays panty liners, deodorant, and Shower to Shower
body powder, to the counter.  He paid for the items, and drove home.

   He had a racketball game to get ready for.

   Chapter 5

   THE GAME

   Joe drove home from the mall with his latest purchases.  He took the
clothes and placed them into the new blue bag.  He went to the bathroom,
and selected a large bath towel to take along.  He dumped the sack of drug
store items onto the compartment on the side of the bag.  He looked at the
box of panty liners, wondering what he should do with them.  Should he put
some of them into the bag?  Should he put some into the purse he started
carrying?  He didn't know if he would need them, and carrying them around
seemed to put more of a permanence to his situation.  He just couldn't
accept that.  Everything was just temporary.  It had to be.

   Leaving the box lay on the bed, he removed his blouse, and blue skirt.
After struggling out of the pantyhose, he flopped down on the bed. 
Sometimes, the situation just overwhelmed him, and he found he was having
one of those times.  He looked at the clock radio beside the bed.  It said
four thirty.  Just one hour till he had to meet Jay again, this time under
much more difficult circumstances.

   Again, he doubted if it was a good idea.  The health club was, among
other things, somewhat of a "meat market".  Muscular studs went there to
show off their bodies, and stare at the attractive women working out. 
Although Joe appreciated good looking women, he didn't go to the club to
ogle women.  He didn't go to strut his stuff either.  Now, he didn't know.
He never did consider himself a "muscular stud", but this was completely
different.  He couldn't even use the men's' locker room.  Under different
conditions, the idea of invading the private domain of the ladies' locker
room might perk his interest.  Not now.  He wouldn't just be a fly on the
wall.  He would be going in there to change his clothes.  Women's clothes.
With other women around.  And he would look like a woman too.  Hell, he
might actually BE a woman...  for the rest of his life.  He couldn't accept
that.

   Laying there, he felt tired, but decided he better get dressed.  He got
up off the bed, and picked up the royal blue jumpsuit he just bought.  He
stepped into it, and zipped up the front.  He looked at himself in the
dresser mirror.  It fit well.  It was attractive, and yet didn't place a
strong emphasis on his new shape.  He liked it immediately.

   He went to his old gym bag, and removed his racket from the side.  It
seemed too large now.  It would have to do, he thought.  He looked through
the bag, and found his safety goggles.  He put them on, and they were too
large for his smaller features.  He threw them back into the bag in
disgust. He could feel tears welling up in his eyes.  He noticed that
happening quite often today.  It seemed that he was more emotional now, or
at least, it was much harder to contain his emotions.  Was that part of the
change?  It was difficult to tell.  He knew that women cried much easier
than men, but he always thought that was because of differences in the way
they were brought up.  Maybe there was a more physical difference, hormones
maybe, and now maybe those things were affecting him.  What else would they
do to him?  He decided that no matter what he looked like, he was still a
man.  But, would he still feel the same way next week, or next year?  The
problem would be solved before it lasted that long, he decided.  He didn't
think he could stand to grow old looking like this.  There had to be a way
back.

   Joe went into the bathroom mirror, and made one last check of his hair,
and general appearance.  Ready to go, he decided.

   He took his bag, and racket, and went to his car.  It was getting
easier. He had no trouble walking in the new Reboks, and the jumpsuit
seemed more familiar than the dress he wore last time out.  I can almost
forget about the changes, he thought.  Putting the seat belt on again made
him aware of his new body.  There was no forgetting it.  Just as well, he
considered, it might really be embarrassing to forget at the wrong time.

   He pulled into the club parking lot.  His heart was pounding with fear.
He noticed Jay's car in the lot, and pulled next to it.  Jay was waiting
for him.  As he got out of his car with his gear, Jay walked over.

   "Hi Joe.  I'm glad to see you made it," Jay said.

   "I'm still not sure if this is a good idea, Jay," Joe returned.

   "It will be ok, Joe.  Where do you get all those sharp clothes?" Jay
asked, honestly.

   "Come on Jay, You know everything I do now seems to involve getting
different stuff.  Nothing fits, and I have more differences than just a few
inches shorter.  If I don't figure a way out of this, I'll go broke buying
all the stuff I need, if I don't go nuts first," Joe replied.

   "Well, you look real good, if that helps any," Jay said as they walked
up the steps to the entrance to the club.

   "I guess that's the problem, isn't it?" Joe said, as Jay held the door
for him.

   Although both Joe, and Jay were regulars at the club, and were known on
sight by the attendant at the counter, Jay sidestepped Joe's possible
identity problem by telling the girl at the counter that Joe was his guest.

   As they arrived at the men's locker room, Joe said, "This is where we
part company, Jay.  I'll see you on the court."

   Joe walked over to the door to the ladies locker room.  He took a deep
breath, and walked in.  As entered, he noticed other women, some of whom he
recognized as regulars to the club.  Well, it does smell better in here, he
thought.  His nose, which seemed more sensitive now, picked up the scent of
perfume, and cosmetics, not the old sweat sock smell of the men's locker
room.

   Although the layout of the rooms were similar, this one was arranged to
provide more privacy.  There were still rows of lockers, with benches down
the center, but the showers were partitioned, and there were some couches,
and vinyl upholstered seats available.  I've moved up-scale, Joe thought to
himself.

   He chose a row with only one young woman seated on the bench, tying her
shoes.  Selecting an empty locker, Joe opened his bag.  He removed the
capri tights and leotard, and quickly hung them on a hook in the locker. 
He slowly unzipped his jumpsuit.  Nervously, he looked around.  The girl at
the bench paid him no attention.  He pulled the suit off his shoulders, and
stepped out.  Standing there in his underwear, he rummaged in the blue bag,
for the running bra, and exercise brief.  Finding them, he laid them on the
bench.  He quickly unhooked the pink bra, and took it off.  Feeling
vulnerable, he looked at the running bra.  It didn't have any hooks, or
adjustments.  He had to pull it over his head.  It fit snugly, and sort of
pressed his breasts against his chest.

   He shook his chest, and for the first time since the change, he didn't
experience the jiggling he felt even while wearing the other brassiere.  He
liked the feeling, it was almost like before...  almost.  He removed his
panties, and could feel the cool wetness as the air circulated around his
crotch.  He looked down, and saw that the pubic hair on his mound was
matted flat.  He reached down and roughed up the hair, the way he might
have scratched his balls yesterday.  Again, he looked over at the woman,
but she didn't even notice he was there.  He took the stretchy white brief,
and pulled it on.  It was a good fit, not tight, but the cotton lycra
fabric followed his contours like second skin.  Looking down at himself,
again he felt the first sensations of arousal.  Lucky me, he thought, Now I
can get a "boner", even without clothes on, in public, and nobody can tell.

   He picked up the tights, and put them on.  The glistening slickness felt
great.  He rubbed his hips and upper legs.  He stepped into the light blue
leotard, and pulled it over his shoulders.  The light blue color emphasized
his shape, and buttocks.  His breasts, flattened to his chest by the sport
bra, looked smaller.  He took the crop top and pulled it over his head,
thinking that if he got too warm, it could be removed.  He decided to leave
the little nylon shorts in his gym bag.  He liked the way he looked and
felt in the leotard and tights.  He thought of Jay.  What will he think
when he sees me?  he thought.  He wasn't sure how his friendship might be
affected by the change.  He seemed to treat me the same to this point, he
thought, and I certainly need his help.  He put on the white and pink Rebok
socks and shoes, and tied them.  He got up from the bench, and hopped up
and down.  Since the change, he of course, felt smaller, but also more
flexible.  It seemed he could bend his body easier now than he could ever
remember before, even when he was a small boy.

   Actually, he considered, he felt great.  He took a towel, and his
racket, and closed his locker.  Walking towards the door, he passed the
sinks, and mirrors.  Looking at himself, he brushed his short hair with his
fingers.  He looked pretty good too, he thought.

   From the locker room, Joe walked to court three, the one they had
reserved.  He entered the small door.  Jay was already on the court
swatting the ball against the wall.  When he saw Joe, his eyes widened. 
Joe suddenly felt self conscious with Jay looking at his body, and crossed
his legs, and held his racket in front of his body.  He could feel the
blood rush to his face.

   "Wow, you are gorgeous, Joe!" Jay exclaimed.  "I didn't know you looked
like that."

   "Just keep your mind on the game, you horny toad," Joe said.  "Don't
forget, it's me in here, and I'm not about to put up with any shit from
you."

   "I'm sorry, It's just that....  I knew you looked feminine, but I wasn't
ready for this...  You...  you're beautiful," said Jay, continuing to stare
at Joe as he walked to the corner and bent over to put his towel on the
floor.

   "Now you have some idea what I'm going through," said Joe.  He could
feel that the bottom of the leotards had ridden up on his buttocks.  He
grinned at Jay as he pulled them down.  "I feel just like you do, I just
look like Debbie Winger."

   Jay had the ball.  He said, "Ladies first." and tossed the ball to Joe,
grinning.

   Unsure of his abilities, but wanting to do well, Joe served with what he
felt was more power than usual.  The ball went where he aimed, but didn't
have the speed he wanted.  My arms just don't have any strength, he thought
sadly, and felt his small bicep muscle.  I not only look like a girl, I
guess I play like a girl.

   Jay easily returned the ball, but, not taking advantage, he hit the ball
back to the wall with an easy lob, which Joe had no trouble hitting.  Joe
ran and back handed the ball with all the force he had.  He felt awkward
when he ran, since he still wasn't used to his wider hips and lower center
of gravity.  The ball went right to Jay, who snapped it back with his old
familiar speed.  The ball ricocheted to the opposite corner.  Joe dove for
all he was worth, but he couldn't get to the ball.  Jays point.  The game
progressed in this manner with Joe getting a point for every two or three
scored by Jay.

   The game progressed, with Joe getting trounced.  As Joe stood at the
back of the court, and prepared to serve.  Jay, standing in front, was bent
over, ready to receive the serve.  Joe hesitated, looking at Jay, at his
buns and broad shoulders.  He studied Jay, checking himself for signs of
arousal, but he found he was not nearly as interested in Jay, as Jay
obviously was in him.  He saw the bulge in Jays shorts.  He knew an
embarrassing erection when he saw one, but doubted that he had ever caused
one before.  Jay saw him staring.

   "Sorry Joe," Jay said.  "I don't know what's come over me."

   "No sweat, Buddy." Joe replied, grinning.  "I just wish that Woody would
slow you down a little, so I could catch you.  Looks like I'm going to need
all the advantage I can get"

   Seeing male arousal from the other side for the first time, he realized
that no matter how Jay felt about their friendship, as long as he looked
like he did, it would never be the same as before.

   The game continued quickly, with Jay scoring at will, and Joe getting
run all over the court.  His light blue leotard was getting dark spots
where the sweat was beginning to soak through.

   At the end of the third game, and near the end of their hour of court
time, Jay came up and held his hand out.  Joe took it, and shook the big
hand of his buddy.

   "Good game, Jay," Joe said.  "You beat the pants off me."

   "Considering the pants, you did pretty good," Jay joked.

   They picked up their stuff, and walked out of the court, towards the
locker rooms.  As they passed the exercise machines, Joe could see that the
guys working out were eyeing him as he walked by.  He knew that he probably
looked appealing to them, but he just felt tired.

   "I'll see you in a few minutes," Jay said, as he walked on towards his
locker room.

   Joe entered his locker room.  He wiped the sweat from his forehead as he
walked to his locker.  There were three women on the benches near him.

   "Looks like you had a tough workout," one of the young women said.

   "Yeah, I got beat three times," he said, wishing they would leave.

   He opened the locker and removed his gym bag.  He pulled the crop top
over his head.  He was soaked except for the outline of his bra.  He pulled
his arms out of the armholes of the wet leotard.  He then realized he still
had his shoes and socks on and sat on the bench.  He removed his shoes and
socks, stood up, and pulled the leotard down and stepped out.

   He looked over at the women getting dressed to exercise.  He was too
embarrassed to get completely undressed with them there.  He fumbled
around, hoping that they would finish and leave.

   After a bit the women gathered their things and walked out.  Joe removed
his underwear and taking a bar of soap, and a towel, which he held in front
of himself, he walked quickly to the showers.

   Joe hung up the towel and turned on the shower head.  As it warmed, he
adjusted it to a comfortable temperature and stood under the streaming
water.  It felt great as it pelted his tired sweaty body.  He let the water
stream on his face, holding his hands over his sensitive breasts. 
Suddenly, he felt the sting as the water washed some of the mascara into
his eyes.  He realized then that he was washing off all the cosmetics that
the lady in the department store applied.  Though it had held up well
during his earlier shower, now he had washed it away, or at least he had
messed it up so bad that he would have to wash it all off.  He didn't think
he could put it back on with the skill of the sales lady, but it was too
late now.

   After soaping and rinsing, he took the towel and dried himself quickly.
He wrapped the towel around his body, and walked back to the bench.  He
took the towel and quickly dried his hair, and then poked through his bag
looking for his underwear.  He found the panties he was wearing when he
arrived, and put them on.  The silky nylon again felt unfamiliar, and he
thought to himself that maybe he should get some underwear more like the
cotton lycra sport panty, which wasn't so feminine, and also seemed to firm
up his soft butt.  He slipped into the pink bra, and quickly put on the
jump suit.  Suitably clothed, he took his hair brush and went around the
corner to the sinks and mirrors.  He studied his face.  Without the makeup
and mascara, he looked much different, a little more familiar, but not
really like he used to.  He decided not to try anything here, besides, he
didn't bring anything along anyway.  He just brushed his hair over to one
side, making it look as feminine as it could.  He went back and collected
his things and placed them into the his bag.  He noticed the bath powder,
and wondered when he should have used it.  He then took the bag and walked
out.  It wasn't nearly as difficult as he had feared.

   Jay was not standing near the men's locker room door, so he walked to
the front alone.  He saw him standing at the counter talking to the girl
who staffed the desk.  Jay grinned when he saw him, and walked over to him.


   "I asked about your membership." Jay said.  "They have no problem with
it, as long as you have identification."

   Joe's face turned beet red.  "You told her about my problem?" he said
quietly turning away from the young lady, who knew him as a man, and was
looking at him with curiosity.

   "Well Joe, I don't know how to help you without talking to people about
your situation, and besides, there will be no way to hide from it.  You
might as well get used to it."

   "No!  I won't get used to it.  This is only temporary, until I can
figure a way out of this situation.  I'm sure that doctors will be able to
help.  For God's sake, They can do sex change operations on men to make
them women, they ought to be able to make me look like a male again." Joe
was visibly shaken, and almost to tears.

   The girl called to him.  "Joe, come over here, please.  Let me talk with
you." She had a friendly smile.

   Joe walked over to the counter.

   "I don't know what has happened to me, but I am sure it's only
temporary," Joe said quickly.

   "Whatever has happened, I'm sure we can help you.  If there is any way I
can help, or, if you have any questions which I might be able to help you
with, don't be afraid to ask.  My name is Judy," Judy said, reaching across
the counter, and taking Joe's hand.

   She's treating me like a I'm really a girl.  Joe thought, pulling his
hand away in embarrassment.

   "I really appreciate your concern, but I don't think you can help me
much Judy," Joe said.  "I think it will take a doctor to get me back to
normal."

   "Well, don't be afraid to come in here, or call me at home, if you want.
I work from five to ten every evening except Sunday.  I'll let you in here,
with, or without Jay," Judy said smiling knowingly.

   "Thanks, Judy," Joe said, and walked toward the door.

   Jay followed him out, and when they were outside, walking toward their
cars, Jay looked at Joe.

   "Joe, I will help you in every way I can, but you will have to trust
me," Jay said.  "I won't do any thing to embarrass you if it is possible,
but your problem is going to be difficult, I think, and you are going to
have to get over your embarrassment.  Damn it, Joe, It just might be
possible that you will have to remain as you are.  Would that be so bad? 
You are a GOOD looking woman."

   "I'm NOT a woman!" Joe almost shouted.  He looked around the parking
lot, and hoped no one heard his outburst.  "I'm a man.  I will always be a
man."

   "Well mister, you have the nicest ass I have ever seen, on a MAN, that
is," Jay said sarcastically, but grinning.  "Just in case you were
wondering how you looked."

   "I'll call my friend at the forensic lab tomorrow morning" Jay said,
suddenly getting serious again.  "Maybe he will see you tomorrow, even if
it is Saturday."

   "Thanks Jay," Joe said quietly.  "I'm sorry I snapped at you.  I just
don't know how to handle this sometimes."

   "That's Ok buddy, You are doing such a good job, that sometimes I just
forget that you are really a guy.  You look so much like a woman, and are
doing a pretty good job of acting like one, I just forget that you aren't
one," Jay said, patting Joe on the back, and squeezing his soft shoulder.

   "I have to meet Linda tonight," Joe said, as he remembered.  "I have to
tell her about this, myself."

   "Well, I don't envy your meeting with Linda," Jay said.  "I'll call you
tomorrow morning."

   "Thanks for everything, Jay," Joe said.  He took Jays hand and squeezed
it in his small one.

   Joe opened his car, threw his bag in the back, and slid into the seat.
He decided to go get Linda wearing the jumpsuit.  He had an hour to go
until the time he told her, and he felt the most comfortable dressed like
he was.



   CHAPTER 6

   LINDA

   Joe arrived at Linda's home more than thirty minutes before the time
they had agreed upon.  He sat in the driveway, wondering if he should go to
her door, or wait a while.  He decided to go up and ring the bell.

   Linda called out, "Just a moment." and then, "Who's there?"

   "It's me, Joe," Joe returned.  "I'm sorry, I'm a little early."

   "Hi, Joe." Linda said, opening the door.

   Linda was not ready yet, and was wearing a satin robe.  She looked at
Joe.  "Joe?  Are you Joe?" she questioned.  "You told me something was
wrong, but I don't understand.  You look different, smaller."

   "Unfortunately, size isn't the only difference," Joe said, entering her
apartment.  "I'll tell you about it, as much as I know anyway.  "

   "Why are you wearing that jumpsuit?" Linda asked.  "It makes you look
sort of feminine."

   "Linda, I...  I, When I woke up this morning, I found that I've gone
through some kind of change, I....  I don't know what caused it, but there
are some significant differences in my appearance," Joe stammered.  "In
fact, I look VERY feminine." He pulled the zipper of the jumpsuit down a
few inches, revealing his hairless chest, the cleavage of breasts, and the
lacy top of a bra.

   Linda's eyes widened when she saw his chest.  She reached out and
touched the edge of the bra, and quickly drew her hand back.

   "You're not Joe," she said "I don't know what you're trying to do, but
this is not funny."

   "Linda, I AM Joe.  I know I don't look the same, but I am still Joe.  I
don't know what has happened to me, but I'm still the same person, and I
still love you," Joe sprawled in a chair, and looked like he was ready to
cry.

   "Joe.....  It is you, isn't it." Linda went over to him.

   "Linda, I'll understand if you don't want anything to do with me," Joe
said, reaching out for her.

   She sat down and he pulled her to his lap.  It was awkward since she was
now about the same size as he was, and he wasn't as strong as he thought he
was.  They wrapped their arms around each other, and hugged each other
tightly.  Linda looked into his face, and could see that it was really Joe,
the guy, with whom last night she had talked marriage plans.  The man she
loved.  The man who loved her.  As their breasts touched, Linda pulled
back. She grabbed the tab of his zipper, and pulled it down further, below
the front clasp of the bra.  With her finger, she pulled on the lacy edge
of one of the silky cups exposing a nipple.  He looked into her eyes.

   "They're real, aren't they," she said, seeing the nipple erect to her
touch.

   "Well, they sure feel real to me," he said, taking her hand, and
squeezing it.  "I don't know what's going on, but I'm going to correct it."

   "Where did you get those clothes?" she asked.

   "I've made two trips to the mall today already," Joe said.  "None of my
old clothes fit, and I'm really at a loss as what I should do.  Jay knows,
and he's helping to find a way to solve my identity problems, and I've got
to find a doctor, to get me back to normal."

   "What can I do to help, Joe?  I'll gladly help you in any way I can,"
Linda said.  "I still love you too, no matter how you look."

   "I'm waiting for a call from Jay," Joe told her.  "He knows people who
can help, at least I think he does.  Until then, I just have to make the
best of it."

   "What do you want me to do?" Linda repeated.

   "I don't know Linda, just let me be with you.  I need a somebody to talk
to right now," Joe said.  I don't even know what kind of problems I'll have
next."

   "Do you want me to stay with you?" Linda asked.  "I might be able to
help with some of your problems.  I am a woman."

   "I don't know," Joe said again.  "I guess I could use your advice,
though."

   "Ok then, I'll do whatever you want," Linda told him.

   "Are you hungry?" Joe asked.  "I did say we would go to Bennegans."

   "I haven't eaten since lunch," Linda replied.

   "Well then, let's go get something to eat," Joe said.  "I'm famished."

   Linda got up from the chair, and Joe stood and zipped his jumpsuit. 
Linda watched him as he straightened his clothes.

   "Are there any other changes?" she asked, her eyes on his crotch.

   "I'm afraid so," Joe said.  "I'm not completely certain, but it's likely
we could be mistaken for sisters."

   Linda went to her bedroom to finish dressing.  Joe sat down, and waited.


   When Linda came back, she was wearing jeans, and a white cotton top. 
Usually when they went out on Fridays, she dressed up more.  She's probably
just trying to match my jump suit, Joe thought.

   They went out to Joe's car.  Joe opened the door for Linda, and she
smiled at him, and got in.  He went to his door and buckled in.

   As they drove towards the restaurant, they didn't talk much.  Linda put
her hand on Joe's arm, as he kept his hand on the shift lever.  Joe looked
at Linda, and smiled.

   "Whatever has happened, I'm sure there is a biological reason, and if
there is, there must also be a way for me to get back to normal," Joe said,
not sure if he was trying to convince Linda, or just thinking out loud.

   "Don't worry, Joe," Linda returned.  "We'll work it out, whatever
happens."

   When they arrived at Bennegans, they were quite busy, as they usually
were on Friday evenings.  They had to wait for a table.  Joe told the girl
at the door they would sit at the bar until they were called.  He and Linda
went to the bar and found two stools.  There were other couples at the bar,
and five men.  Joe and Linda took their places.  The bartender asked Joe
what he would like to drink.  Joe looked at Linda, letting her order first,
as he usually did.

   "I'll take a Michelob Dry," Linda said.

   The bartender looked at Joe.  "How about you, miss?"

   Joe could feel his face get red from embarrassment from the bartender'
words.  He looked at Linda, but she didn't notice, or pretended not to.

   "I guess I'll have the same, he said.

   As they sat at the bar, waiting for their table, Joe noticed that the
men at the bar were watching Linda and him.  Suddenly he realized why. 
They figure we're two single women, out on the town, and they're sizing us
up, he thought.

   Before they were done with their beer, the waitress came to them and
directed them to a table.  Joe started to help Linda with her seat, and
then reconsidered.  He would have to stop that kind of stuff in public, he
thought.

   They ordered, Joe passed up his usual big order, and tried to copy Linda
in the amount and type of things he ordered.  With his smaller size, he
probably couldn't eat as much anyway, he figured.

   Every time he looked at Linda, their eyes met.  He realized she was
watching him very closely.  He looked at her and smiled shyly.

   "Don't worry.  I'm the same guy," he offered.  "I feel the same, I think
the same, (at least that's the truth), I just look different.

   "You certainly do look different," Linda said.  "What does it feel
like?"

   "What do you mean, what does it feel like?" he asked.  "I feel just the
same as always, and sometimes, that's a problem.  I guess I do look like a
woman, but I don't know what it feels like to be one," he continued.  "I
still feel like a man, and men don't usually go to the places I've been
today."

   "How do you feel about me....  now?" Linda asked.

   "Damn it Linda, I feel the same as I ever did," he replied.  "I love you
as much as ever, but, I guess I just can't do much about it," he said,
touching her hand discreetly.

   "Don't worry Joe, I'll help you get through this, no matter what
happens," Linda said, looking at him, and smiling.  "I love you, no matter
what you look like."

   "It really helps to hear you say that," Joe said honestly.  "You don't
know how alone I've felt sometimes today."

   The waitress brought the food, and they started to eat.  Linda started
taking about what happened with her that day, and Joe almost forgot his
predicament for a few minutes.  Linda worked as a Realtor, and spent her
days showing houses.  She always had a story to tell about the people she
met while showing houses.  She was good at her job, and made good money.

   When they were finished eating, Joe picked up the bill.  Linda got out
her purse, and pulled out a twenty.  She dropped it on the table, and
looked at Joe.

   "Let's split the bill, OK?" she said looking at Joe for understanding.

   Joe saw what she was doing.  She was not "with him".  They were
together, as equals.  Joe pulled some crumpled bills out of one of the
pockets of his jumpsuit.  He wasn't used to taking a purse, and just had
his credit cards, drivers license (which he hoped he wouldn't need to
show), and some folding money stuffed in the pockets of the somewhat loose
fitting jumpsuit.

   Joe and Linda walked out of the restaurant to Joe's car.  This time, Joe
didn't open the door for her first, but got in on his side, and then
unlocked the door for Linda.

   "Where to now?" he asked.

   "Do you have anything you need to do?" Linda asked, looking at him.

   "I don't think I should push my luck in public any more than I have
already today," Joe said.  "And that beer really made me tired."

   "Yea, me too," Linda said.  "I worked my butt off today.  I would be
happy to just go home, and watch a movie, till I fall asleep, which won't
take long."

   "Your place, or mine?" he asked grinning.  Then he again realized what
he was thinking.  He was no longer capable of doing what he was thinking.

   "You pick," Linda said.

   Joe looked at her.  She looked at him, and grinned a devious grin.

   "Don't worry Joe, we can have a slumber party," she teased.

   "That's about all I'm capable of," Joe replied sadly, not feeling any
reaction to her attempts at humor.

   They arrived at Joe's apartment.  Linda got out, and Joe reached in the
back of his car and retrieved his new gym bag.

   "What's in there?" Linda asked.

   "Believe it or not, I played racket-ball with Jay today," Joe said. 
"These are the clothes I wore, and I'd better let them dry out."

   "You went to the health club?" Linda seemed surprised.  "You are a brave
soul."

   They walked up the steps to his door, and Joe opened it with his key. 
Linda entered first.  Joe followed, and went straight to the bedroom. 
Linda followed him.  He opened the gym bag, and removed the damp towel, and
the sweaty clothes.  Linda looked at the leotard, bra, and panty.

   "I'm sorry, I just can't believe you're wearing things like this," Linda
said, holding the leotard up.

   "It's much harder for me, I assure you," Joe said.  It was easy to talk
with Linda.  She seemed to understand him better than anyone.

   "I'll throw these things in the washer," Joe said, taking the clothes
and walking to the laundry area, in the hallway.

   "Better take these, too," Linda said, holding up the men's black bikini
briefs she found laying at the side of the bed.

   Joe grabbed the underwear, and added it to his pile of clothes.

   "Those things will last longer if you hand wash them," Linda said.

   "Hand wash?  I hope I don't need them long enough to wear them out," Joe
said.  "They'll stand up to at least one machine washing, I think."

   "Then use the delicate cycle," Linda called from the bedroom.

   "Yes mother," Joe whined.  He put the things in the washer, added some
other items waiting to be laundered that were laying on the drier, put some
detergent in the machine, and, setting the controls to delicate, he started
the washer.

   When he was finished, he returned to the bedroom.  Linda was holding the
box of panty liners he bought at the drugstore that afternoon.

   "What are these for?" she questioned.

   "I was at the drug store this afternoon, getting some things I would
need, and I saw those.  I don't know if I need them, but then, I don't know
what I'll need next, and I thought I better be prepared for anything," Joe
said, taking the box from her, and putting it in the under-sink cabinet in
the bathroom.

   "You seem to be adjusting pretty well," Linda said.

   "No, I'm not really," Joe replied.  "I am able to handle it because I'm
sure it is only temporary.  I know I won't be like this very long."

   He came back into the bedroom, and from the gym bag, took some deodorant
and bath powder and carried it into the bathroom.

   "I bought this powder this afternoon, but I don't really know when to
use it," he told her.

   "What do you mean, don't know when to use it?" Linda said.  "After your
bath, or shower, you just dust it on.  It makes you feel soft, and smooth."

   "Well, I feel too soft and smooth right now," Joe said.  "I hardly need
something else to help with that."

   "Joe, I know you aren't a woman, and don't want to be a woman, but as
long as you look like one anyway, even temporarily, there is no reason you
shouldn't enjoy the things which can make a woman feel good," Linda told
him.

   "I'm doing my best to make this a learning experience," Joe said.

   "I don't think I could do as well as you, if I were put in the same
situation," Linda said.  "It's almost possible to forget that you are not a
"real" woman."

   "I don't forget," Joe said.  "I'm getting stiff from the workout I got
playing Jay this afternoon.  I got beat three out of three.  That never
happens."

   "What you need is a hot bath," Linda said.  "I know you never take a tub
bath, but you might like the feeling of a warm soak in the bubbles."

   "I don't have any bubbles," Joe said.  "But a warm soak might feel good.
It's amazing how much more sensitive my body feels now."

   Linda went into the bathroom.  She looked through the cabinets. 
Finally, she said, "You're right, you don't have any bath beads."

   "Why would I?  I've never had the desire for a bubble bath before, and
my girl friends never found time to soak in my tub, until now," Joe said,
winking at Linda.

   "No matter, the warm water will feel good anyway," she said, and started
to fill the tub.

   Joe watched her as she filled the tub.  He still felt the same about
her, but wondered how she really felt about him, now that he looked like
this.  He decided that he wouldn't worry about it until it became a
problem.

   "Come on Joe, get out of that jumpsuit," Linda said.  "I'll have the tub
ready in just a minute."

   "You're gonna get in with me, aren't you?" Joe asked, grinning.

   "I don't know, do you think I should?" she looked concerned.

   "We're consenting adults, aren't we?  And besides, what would it hurt?"
Joe asked.  What indeed, he thought.

   Joe went back to the bedroom.  He unzipped the jumpsuit, and pulled it
off his shoulders.  He sat on the bed, and was removing his Reboks and
socks, when Linda came into the room.  She saw him sitting on the bed,
removing his socks, and stepping out of the jumpsuit.  She stopped, and
stared at him, her eyes wide with curiosity.

   "You really do look like a woman, don't you?" she said.  "I'm sorry, but
I just keep getting confused by the contrast of who I think you are, in my
head, and what I see with my eyes."

   "I know, I have the same problem, but you can bet it's even worse for
me," Joe said.

   "Forgive me for staring, Joe, I just can't help myself," Linda said.  "I
still think of you as a male, but as I see you standing there, you look so
different."

   "I think of myself as male too, and I hope you continue to feel that way
about me," Joe said, removing his bra.  The bra had made lines in his
breasts where it rubbed the soft skin.  He scratched at the area with his
hand.  He walked into the bathroom, still wearing his panties.  Linda
followed, just watching him walk.

   "Amazing," she said.  "Except for your hair, you look like an exact copy
of yourself, except female.  What could have caused this to happen?"

   "I wish I knew, and I WILL find out," Joe said firmly, removing his
underpants.  Again Linda couldn't take her eyes from him.  He felt self
conscious.  "Except for this damn wetness, I feel almost exactly the same.
Sometimes, I even feel like I'm having an erection.  I just can't see it,
that's all.  Do you ever feel like you're having an erection?" he asked
Linda.

   "Gosh Joe, I don't know, I've never had an erection," Linda said. 
"Unlike you, I've never been a man, you know?  How would I know what one
feels like?"

   "Yea, I guess you're right," he said sticking his foot into the tub, to
test the temperature.

   He got in the tub, and sat down slowly.  The temperature was just right.
He leaned back.  The porcelain was cool on his back, but warmed quickly. 
He closed his eyes.  He heard Linda wet her hands, rub them with soap, and
then felt her soft hands massaging his tired and sore neck muscles.  It
felt good.  He kept his eyes closed, and enjoyed the relaxing feeling.

   "I must be doing something right," Linda said, breaking the silence. 
"You're grinning like a cat."

   "It's unbelievable how different everything feels now," Joe said,
looking at Linda.  "It seems like all my senses are much sharper.  I feel
hot, cold, pain, and pleasure, in such a different way.  I kind of like
it."

   "So being a woman isn't so bad, huh?" Linda said, grinning.  She reached
down and gave his right nipple a little tweak.

   "Ow!" Joe exclaimed.

   "You've done that to me so many times, I just couldn't resist," Linda
said, laughing.

   "Are you going to take off those clothes, or will I have to pull you in
here with them on?" Joe asked, pulling on her arm.

   "Ok, Ok, I'll get in, but you'll have to promise you'll be nice," Linda
teased.

   "What could I possibly do?" Joe said, trying to look as innocent as he
possibly could.

   Linda removed her jeans and blouse.  Joe watched her, as she removed her
underwear.  In his mind, he was comparing her body with the one he now had.
They were about the same size, Joe maybe an inch taller, and probably about
the same weight.  Linda's hips were larger, he thought, even though his
seemed larger than before.  They had about the same size breasts, but his
were a maybe little firmer.  Of course, mine are only a day old he thought,
and he touched them, just slightly.  As Linda got in the tub, at the other
end, he grinned at her, and poked her butt with his foot.  They interlocked
their legs to find room in the tub.  Linda rubbed Joe's leg, which was
practically tucked behind her back.

   "Your legs are so smooth," she said.  "Where did the hair go?"

   "Well, I don't have as much hair as I did before, but I did shave my
legs and underarms this morning." Joe said.  "I didn't want to look like a
French farm woman."

   "Certainly not, my dear," Linda teased.  "We must look ladylike."

   "I've never seen a naked woman with hairy legs, and armpit hair, so I
thought I better clean it up before I went to buy some clothes," Joe
explained.  "I wasn't sure if I should, but I didn't like the way I looked
the other way.  When I get normal again, I guess it will have to grow
back."

   "I see you still have the scar on your arm from the auto accident,"
Linda noticed.  "It seems that you are feminized, but still have the same
body."

   "Yea, I guess so," Joe said.  "I know I sure feel mostly the same,
except for the different equipment, of course," he grinned at her, and
stuck his chest out.

   "Do you like it?" Linda asked.  "You look so good, so natural, wouldn't
you like to stay this way?"

   "I'm a man," Joe insisted.  "I'm still a man, and I want to remain a
man. This whole thing is an interesting experience, but I couldn't imagine
staying this way.  I don't want to grow old looking like a woman."

   "Would it be so bad?" Linda countered.  "I'll be a old someday, and,
although I can wait, I don't dread it."

   "But, you were once a little girl," Joe said.  "You probably dreamed of
becoming a woman, maybe a mother, and all that.  Someday, I would like to
be the FATHER of your kids, not the mother of some guy's."

   "Yea, your right, I guess if I were suddenly changed to a male, I would
react pretty much the same as you," Linda said.  "I probably wouldn't
handle it as well as you, though."

   "It sure ain't easy," Joe said.  "Sometimes, I want to cry, and
sometimes I just want to punch something."

   Joe started rubbing his leg against Linda's smooth upper leg.  She
looked at him and smiled.

   "You feel so nice, now that you're soft, too," she said.  "But of
course, I like you the old way better."

   They lingered in the water for a while longer, enjoying each others
company, until the cramped quarters became uncomfortable.  Joe felt his
legs going to sleep.

   "I'm going to have to get out of this tub, or, you will have to help me
out," Joe said.  "My butt is completely numb."

   Joe got up and stepped over the side of the tub.  He went to the towel
closet, and removed two bath towels.  He gave one to Linda, as she got out
of the tub.  They dried off, watching each other, and smiling.

   "Show me how to use this bath powder," Joe said, getting it out of
drawer.

   "There's no secret, even a GUY could use it if he wanted to," Linda
said.

   "Ok then, I want to try it," Joe said, and opened the cap.  He gave it
to Linda.  "Show me."

   She finished drying, and took the powder, sprinkled a little in her hand
and rubbed it on her breasts, buttocks, and legs.  Joe watched intently. 
When she finished, she gave the powder to him.

   Joe awkwardly sprinkled some powder on his hand.  He rubbed it on his
breasts very self consciously.  He took some more, and applied it to his
legs and soft butt.

   "There, don't that just feel great?" Linda asked.  "It makes you feel so
soft and smooth." She touched Joe lightly on his arm.

   Joe went to her, and put his arms around her.  Both naked, they just
hugged, standing right there in the bathroom.  Joe thought that Linda
seemed so big, but realized it was his smaller size which made the
difference.  He was just a little taller than Linda now, and din't have to
look down at her as he held her close.  Hell with it, he thought, and
kissed her.  Linda tensed up at first, but then she reacted like always,
willingly kissing him back, and rubbing his soft back.

   It feels the same, he thought, she just seems bigger, that's all.  He
wondered what Linda was thinking.  He decided to ask her.

   "Does this bother you?" he asked.  "I'll stop if this seems perverted,
or anything, to you.  I'll understand, but I just need to hold you if I
can."

   "Joe, I told you, I still love you, and it doesn't seem at all perverted
to me.  You are a man, after all, no matter what you look like, and
besides, you're so soft, and smell so nice," she said, winking at him.

   Joe picked up his underwear, and took it into the bedroom.  He was going
to put it in the laundry room, when Linda called from the bedroom.

   "Do you have any Ivory Snow?" she asked.  "Those things should be hand
washed here in the sink."

   "I have Ivory Liquid dish washing liquid in the kitchen," Joe replied.
"I'll get some."

   Joe quickly went to the kitchen, and got the squeeze bottle of
detergent. He gave it to Linda.

   "Now, where is your lingerie?" Linda asked.

   Joe looked at her.  "Lingerie?" he questioned.

   "Your underwear, Joe.  I'll show you how to wash it out," Linda said,
shaking her head.  "Men."

   "Oh, I see, I didn't think about doing that," he said, and went to
retrieve them from the top of the washer.

   "And bring your exercise clothes from the washer while you're there."
she called.  "They are surely done by now, and we can hang them in the
shower with our other things.

   Joe brought the blue leotard, the little top, and the underwear.  Linda
had the sink full of soapy water, and was already washing out her panties,
and bra.  She took Joe's things, and put them in the sink.  As she finished
each item, she carefully wrung the soapy water out, and placed each garment
on the counter in a little ball.  When she finished washing Joe's things,
she drained the sink, and rinsed each one under the tap.

   "Dainty things last longer, and look better, if you hand wash them," she
said.  "You may be a 'temporary' woman, but I'm not, and I hate to see you
wash them in the machine.  Besides, they can dry hanging in the shower, and
they'll be ready in the morning."

   Linda took each item, and hung it over the glass doors of the shower. 
Joe got a strange feeling, seeing his underwear....  his panties, his bra,
hanging side by side with his girl friends.

   "I hope you're happy now," Joe said.  "You have my bathroom looking like
two women live here."

   Linda pinched his breast again.  "They do, Joe, They do."

   Joe went into the bedroom.  He and Linda usually slept in the raw, but
now, he didn't know.  He went to his drawer, and got two old football
jerseys.  He would at least offer one to Linda.  Linda came out of the
bathroom, and Joe held up a jersey.

   "Do you think we should wear these?" he said.

   "Why?  Do you wanna play football?" Linda teased.  "Will it make you
feel better?  If it bothers you, I'll wear one."

   "It doesn't really 'bother' me, but I am a little self conscious letting
these knockers hang out," he grinned, shaking his breasts provocatively.

   "Wear one if you want to," Linda said.  "I don't think I love you for
your bustline," she teased, as she went over to the TV, and turned it on.
She turned on the VCR, found a cassette, and popped it in, without looking
at what it was.  When it came on, she saw it was a X rated movie they had
watched together, some weeks ago.  She left it playing.

   Joe was busy cleaning off the bed, and turned around when he heard moans
of ecstasy coming from the TV.  Linda pulled back the spread and sheet, and
spread out on the bed.  Joe put the football jersey on the dresser and lay
down on the bed next to Linda.

   "What are you trying to do to me?" Joe said laughing.  "Here we are, in
an almost perfect situation, and I'm stuck looking like this."

   "Are you having an erection?" Linda teased.

   "I've had one, ever since you hopped in the tub with me," Joe said. 
"Can't you tell?"

   Linda reached down, and with her soft hand, touched him lightly.  She
cupped his new parts with her hand.  Joe closed his eyes, and became very
tense.

   "Do you like this?" she asked.

   "It feels pretty good," he said, not wanting to open his eyes.

   "I know," Linda said.  "I know what it feels like.  Light touches are
the best.  Always remember that."

   As Joe lay there, enjoying what Linda was doing, he thought of the
things he and Linda had done in bed, other times.  He realized he had been
much too rough with her.  Now, she was showing him the error of his ways.

   With the fingers of her other hand, Linda gently circled the nipple of
his left breast.  It felt like there was a warm wire, stretching from his
nipple, to his crotch.  He began to feel a now familiar warmth.  He reached
over to Linda, but she pushed his hand back.

   "No, you just lay there," she said firmly.  "I am doing this for you."

   He lay back, and enjoyed the feeling.  He relaxed his muscles, but
constantly had the urge to push against Linda's hand.  Linda barely moved,
but kept slight pressure on the sensitive area at the top of his opening.
It felt so good, that he was gasping.

   "Oh, God...  Oh, God," was all he could say.

   Linda continued in with her manipulations, until the sensation became so
intense that Joe thought he would die, and held his breath as waves of
pleasure flooded his mind.  He fell back to the bed, and Linda took him in
her arms and hugged him tightly.

   When he recovered, Joe looked directly into Linda's eyes.  She was
smiling sweetly at him.

   "You devil," he said.  "How did you know about that?"

   "Joe, I'm a woman, remember," she said.  "I would know about things like
that."

   "Why didn't you tell me to do that to you a long time ago?" Joe asked.
"I would love to make you feel this good."

   "It's hard to tell a man how to do it," she explained.  "You have to be
a woman to understand.  You're fortunate to have had the experience."

   He thought about what she was saying, and he understood.

   "You can pay me back for the lesson anytime you'd like," Linda said,
winking at Joe.

   He moved toward her, and gently touched her, the way she had just done
to him.

   They continued throughout the night, waking in the morning, in each
others arms, to the glow of the TV which had glowed unnoticed all night
long.

   Chapter 7

   THE SECOND DAY

   The sun was just making itself known as Joe woke up.  The first thing he
noticed was the snowy glow coming from the TV on the other side of the
room. He also realized that Linda was with him.  She was still asleep, her
arm laying across his chest.  He looked at her.  She was lovely, he
thought. The dim light made her look almost angelic as she lay there,
breathing softly.  He thought of last night, and the things they did.

   He felt his body.  He somehow hoped that he would find he had changed
back to normal, but the now familiar softness told him that he was entering
the second day of his new body.  And, he was doing it in bed with his girl
friend.

   Joe reached for the remote control laying on the stand at the other side
of the bed.  Moving as softly as he could, he reached over Linda to get the
device, and switched off the TV.  His movements woke her.  She mumbled
something, and reached out for him.  He took her hand, and started stroking
her arm.  She closed her eyes as he rubbed her back.  She was so soft, he
thought, and so beautiful.  The way she made him feel last night, and the
way she taught him to please her, still seemed like a dream.  He didn't
feel self conscious around her at all.  He began to wonder about himself.
Was he destined to be a lesbian?  No, he figured, he didn't think, or act,
like a woman.  But, last night, he did experience better sex than he could
ever remember.  He really hadn't missed his penis.

   Joe rubbed his crotch.  The excitement last night left his pubic hair
matted and stiff with dried juices.  He roughed it up with his hand, until
it became soft again.  He was getting accustomed to his new shape, but it
still felt strange when he touched himself there.  He wondered what the
doctors could do to give him a working male organ.  He had to be able to be
changed back.  This body was an interesting experience, but nothing more.

   He looked at Linda.  She had not fully awake, but had rolled over to
face him.  She was naked also, and breathing moved her breasts very
provocatively.  Joe could feel himself becoming aroused again.  You horny
dude, he told himself.  You can't let up one minute.  He thought about it.
It was true, it seemed he was much more easily aroused now, and had far
quicker recovery, than even when he was a teenager.  He wondered, do women
all feel like this?  If they do, how do they keep their composure the way
they seem to.  Linda was always great in bed, but never before did she take
the initiative like she did last night.  Did his new body turn her on?  Was
he less intimidating now?  Or, was she just more uninhibited, now that the
risk of pregnancy was nil.

   The thought of Linda getting pregnant made him consider something else.
He loved Linda, and he was sure she loved him too, but he realized that no
matter what happened, if he stayed as is, or submitted to doctors and
surgery, or whatever, he would probably never be able to give her a child.
He stared at the ceiling.  Hell, I just realized, he said to himself.  I'm
sterile.  Then, he reconsidered.  Maybe I'm NOT sterile.  That was even a
bigger problem.  Until this minute, he had never really even considered
that HE might become pregnant.  Was it possible?  He certainly looked
female, and everything SEEMED to work.  Of course, he thought, relieved, he
couldn't get knocked up without having sex with a guy, and he could never
do that.  He mulled it over.  No matter who he considered, he couldn't
picture himself having sex with them.

   No, pregnancy would not be a problem.  Oh God, he prayed, please, just
give me my normal body...

   Joe lay there thinking, and looking at Linda, when he had the urge to
pee.  It seems I have to go so often now, he thought.  I must have a
smaller bladder, too, I guess.  He pressed on his abdomen, trying to feel
for differences between his male organs and whatever he had now.  His
stomach was a little flatter than before, and a little softer, but, he
couldn't tell any difference, otherwise.  I wonder if I've got female
internal organs, he considered.  His testical's were gone.  Maybe he had
ovaries.  He remembered from biology that ovaries were connected to a pear
shaped organ, the uterus.  Do I have a uterus?  he wondered.  It was at the
top of the vagina, he remembered.  He had personally explored a few
vaginas, and some, he knew, had something inside, which felt sort of like
the head of a penis.  That, he knew, was the opening to the uterus.  He
considered probing his vagina to check for a uterus.  Although he had
already examined his new parts somewhat with his fingers, it was a little
uncomfortable to do, and he hadn't gone in very deeply.  He now realized
how difficult it was for women just to see their genitalia, much less
examine them.  Till now, he hadn't actually seen his own vagina except
while standing at a mirror.  He couldn't see much that way, and what was
visible, was partially hidden by his pubic hair.  He needed a hand mirror,
but he didn't have one.

   He got out of bed as quietly as he could.  He tip-toed to the bathroom,
and closed the door without latching it.  He went to the toilet, raised the
lid and sat down.  Soon, he felt relief.  He was getting familiar with this
difference too.  No real problem, as long as you're not dressed, he
thought. He finished, and returned to the bedroom.

   Linda was awake, and watched him walk back to the bed.  She smiled at
him.  He laid down next to her.  She moved over to him, and kissed him on
the lips.

   "I heard you in the bathroom," she said.  "It must be difficult for you,
to be like this."

   "I guess I'm getting used to it, a little," Joe replied, "But being a
guy definitely has some advantages, especially in the bathroom," he
grinned.

   "You don't miss what you never had," Linda said.  She hopped out of bed
and scurried to the bathroom.  Without shutting the door, she went sat down
and relieved herself too.  It was the first time Joe had seen her do that.
She quickly finished, and returned to the bedroom.  She didn't get back in
bed, but stood at the end, looking at Joe.

   "What are your plans today?" she asked.

   "I'm expecting Jay to call, or I'll call him soon," he said.  "He said
he has a friend at the police who can help me prove my identification."

   "What will he do?" Linda asked.

   "I'm not sure, but I think he will want to take my fingerprints," Joe
said.  "I think I'd have a problem if I had an auto accident, or something
like that right now.

   "Do we have to stay here at your apartment?" Linda asked.

   "I don't see any reason to," Joe said.  "Why, what do you want to do?"

   "I would like to go over to my house," Linda said.  "I have a few things
to do there, and if you like, we can swim, or lay at the pool a bit."

   "Ok," Joe said, "I'll get my swim trunks"

   "Trunks?  You gonna wear your trunks?" Linda laughed.  "Well, no one but
me will see you, so you can, if you want," she winked.

   Joe grinned, and said, "Ok, Ok, so I forgot.  I'll get a girls
swimsuit."

   "You don't really need to, Joe." Linda said, seriously.  "That blue
leotard would be ok, and I probably have a suit that would fit you.  I'm
sure a two piece would."

   "I don't know, Linda," Joe said, "Wearing one of your suits might make
me feel strange."

   "Whatever you want," Linda said.

   "We can try it," Joe said.  "I'll call Jay in a little while, and then
we can do whatever we want."

   Joe got out of bed.  He walked into the bathroom.

   "I'm gonna take a shower," he called, noticing all the underwear hanging
from the shower door.  A little embarrassed, he removed the dainty things,
and took them into the bedroom, and put them on the bed.  He walked back to
the bathroom, and started the water flowing.

   He adjusted the water temperature, and got in the shower.  He stood
under the streaming water, holding his hands over his sensitive breasts. 
He soaped quickly, and rinsed.  The warm water felt good, but he didn't
want to linger.  He finished quickly, turned off the water, and got out of
the shower.  Taking a towel from the cabinet, he dried off, and walked into
the bedroom, where Linda was sitting on the bed, looking at his clothes.

   "You played racket-ball with Jay yesterday." Linda questioned.  "Why did
you wear clothes like this?" She held up his blue leotard.

   "What do you mean?" Joe asked.  "What should I wear?  My regular gym
shorts and T-shirt wouldn't fit me, and I don't think I need my jock strap
in my present condition."

   "And what did Jay think of you, in this sexy outfit?" Linda asked
jealously.

   "I guess he was surprised that I looked like this," Joe replied.  "He
saw me earlier, at the restaurant wearing a skirt, but I don't think he got
the full effect of what has happened to me, until he saw me wearing this."

   "Why did you wear it?" Linda asked.  "Were you trying to excite him?"

   "Excite him?  Excite him?" Joe was getting confused, and irritated. 
"Hell, I was trying to be as inconspicuous as I could be, considering I
woke up that morning with a body of another sex.  I wasn't trying to
'excite' him, it never really occurred to me that I might be able to.  I
went to the store to get some gym clothes, and this is what the lady
recommended.  I guess I should have worn a coveralls or something.  Damn it
Linda, give me a break, will you?"

   "I'm sorry Joe," Linda said.  "I guess I'm just a little jealous, and of
Jay, no less.  Considering how you ..  look now, I'm trying to sort out how
I should feel about that."

   "How you should feel?" Joe asked.  "How should I feel, for that matter?
I know I look different, like a woman, but I don't want to be treated like
one, not by people who know me.  At least not yet," Joe went on.  "I know
our relationship might have to change, but I don't want it to, unless it
has to.  I still think of you as my girl, but I realize it may be difficult
for you to think of me as your guy, especially when you can share swimsuits
with me, and all.  But I won't look like this forever.  I won't, so don't
worry.  I'll be your man again.  It will just take me some time to sort
this out."

   "Joe, I'm sorry I jumped on you," Linda said.  "I know you're doing your
best.  We'll both have to be understanding, if we're going to get through
this."

   "Lets get dressed, and I'll call Jay," Joe said.  He looked at the
underwear on the bed.  He sorted his from Linda's, then put it in his
underwear drawer with the other things he bought yesterday, as well as his
men's underwear.

   He selected pastel blue panties, and a beige bra like the kind he knew
Linda wore.  He tossed them on the bed beside Linda.  She was dressing too,
and the bra she was wearing was like his.

   "Is this stuff OK with you?" Joe said, joking.

   "Yea Joe, It's fine," Linda said, smiling.  "I'm sorry."

   Joe took his underpants and slipped them on easily.  He was now familiar
with the way they fit his hips, and the new sleekness of his crotch.  He
picked up the bra, and sorted the tangle of straps.  When it was arranged,
he stuck his arms in the appropriate places and fitted the cups around his
breasts.  As he was hooking the plastic clasp, he noticed Linda was
watching.  He looked at her, grinned, and shrugged his shoulders.

   "Hey, I'm doing my best," he said.  "This is only the fourth time I've
ever put one of these things on."

   "It's not that, Joe," Linda said, smiling.  "I guess I was comparing
your boobs with mine.  Yours are so firm, and you don't even want them."

   "If I could give them to you, I would," Joe replied.  "I know they look
OK.  I still have a male brain you know, but it just ain't the same when
they're mine." He grinned, stuck his chest out, and shook it suggestively.

   Linda wore the clothes she came with, but Joe didn't know what he should
wear.  He didn't want to wear a dress, and the only thing that he could
think of was the jumpsuit, or maybe try some of his men's clothes that
might be made to work.

   "What do you think I should wear?" he asked Linda.  "I don't have
anything, but this jumpsuit, and some dresses, or, maybe I can try some of
my bluejeans, but they're way too big for me now."

   "Wear the jumpsuit," Linda said.  "I'll help you find something later."

   Joe got the jumpsuit, and stepped into it.  It was his favorite thing to
wear now, it didn't emphasize his new shape, but it did look attractive. 
He zipped up the front, and smoothed out the sides.  Covering up his new
body helped him forget his problems, just a little bit.

   As Linda finished dressing, Joe lay on the unmade bed, and picked up
phone.  He punched the autodialer for Jay's house.  He waited while it
rang, for about a minute.  He then hung up, and selected the number for
Jay's office.  Jay himself answered, almost immediately.

   "Good morning Jay, Joe here," Joe said.  "Have you found anything?"

   "Hi Joe, Yea, I've got some news," Jay responded.  "I just got off the
phone with a friend of mine, his name's Dan McGuire.  He works in the
coroners office, at the hospital.  He is familiar with proving
identification, usually on unknown murder victims, but he said he could
work on living persons, too, as a favor to me."

   "The coroners office?" Joe said.  "I hope he don't want to hang a tag on
my toe," Joe laughed.

   "No problem there, Joe, but you can go over there anytime you want, even
today, between nine and five," Jay said.

   "Ok, Joe said, I'll run over right now." He glanced at the bedside
clock. It said ten minutes after ten.

   "Let me know what happens," Jay responded.  "And what did Linda say when
you told her?"

   "Linda is understanding," Joe said, watching Linda as she buttoned her
blouse.  "She's gonna help me with the things you can't.  She's with me
now," he continued.

   "Well, that's great Joe, I'm glad you are getting by," Jay said.  "Be
sure you call me with what ever Dan finds."

   "Thanks Jay, I'll let you know as soon as I find anything out," Joe
said. "See you later."

   "Later Joe," Jay hung up.

   Joe looked at Linda.  "I need to go to the coroners office for a little
while," he said.

   "The coroner?  What can he do?" Linda asked.

   "It's not the coroner, but one of Jays friends, who can help me prove my
identity," Joe said.  "I don't actually know what I will have to do, but I
can't prove that I'm me, with this body," he grinned, and then frowned.

   "I'll be a witness for you, if that will help," Linda volunteered.

   "I'll see what problems I'll have soon," Joe replied.  "Let's get
going."

   "I'm ready," Linda said, picking up her purse.

   Joe felt his pockets.  He had money, identification, charge cards, and
his keys, in the pockets of his jumpsuit.  He took the small handbag
anyway, but felt silly carrying it.  He took it because he thought it would
look more appropriate if he did.  Linda watched him, and almost started
belly laughing.

   "Joe, no matter what sex your body is, you look like a guy trying to
look like a woman," she said.  "Try to be more calm, and slow down a
little."

   "Right," Joe said.  "If you think this is easy, try dressing like a guy
today.  I'll be YOUR girl friend."

   "No deal," Linda said.  "I couldn't act, or look like a man, even if I
had something happen to me like whatever happened to you."

   "You might be amazed what you do when you don't have a choice," Joe
replied.

   They left the Joe's apartment, and walked to his RX-7.  Joe unlocked the
door on his side, got in, and unlocked the door for Linda.  She got in, and
they belted in, and Joe started the engine.

   "I never realized how these seat belts could pinch a boob until now,"
Joe said, as he arranged his shoulder belt.

   They drove directly to the hospital.  Joe was impatient to find out what
Jay's friend would want him to do.  As they drove into the lot and parked,
Linda walked behind him as he walked onto the main entrance.  They looked
at board in the entrance to find the coroners office.  It said room 23, the
basement.  They went to the elevator, and selected the down button.  When
they reached room 23, Joe walked in.  Nobody was in the office, but there
was a door in the back.  Joe walked through the office, and stuck his head
through the open door.  He saw a guy sitting at a desk, filling out forms.

   "Hi, I'm Joe Bates," he said.  "Would you be Mr.  Mcguire?"

   "Good morning, Joe.  Jay told me you would probably be stopping by
today," the man said.  "Please call me Dan."

   Linda peeked through the door.  Joe and Dan both looked at her.

   "This is my girl..  eh my friend, Linda.  This is Dan Mcguire, Jay's
friend."

   "Glad to meet you too, Linda." Dan said.  "Jay told me a little about
you, Joe, but I must have misunderstood.  I thought he said you were a man.
"

   "Dan, until yesterday morning, I WAS a man," Joe said, a little
irritation showing.  "Linda is my fiance.  I don't yet understand what has
happened, but when I woke up yesterday morning, I seem to have undergone
some kind of change.  I..  I eh..  I seem to have become female.  Near as I
can tell, I've turned into a girl."

   "You were a man?" Dan asked incredulously.  "Have you been taking
hormones?  How extensive are the changes?  Do you..eh..er..do you have male
genitalia?"

   "No, I wasn't, and no, I don't, not anymore," Joe answered.  "I was
about five eleven, but I must be about five seven or eight, now," he zipped
the jumpsuit down a little, so that Dan could see his bra covered breasts.
"And it seems I've got these now, too.  I think I've got a real problem."

   "Amazing," said Dan.  "I have never seen anything like this."

   "Can you help me?  Can you prove that I'm still the same person?" Joe
was almost pleading with him.

   "Joe, if your body is the same, I can prove it." Dan said, as a matter
of fact.  "Jay said you were in the Air Force?"

   "Yea, I was in for more than eight years," Joe said.  " I have a Secret
security clearance too."

   "Well then, we'll just take your prints, and a blood sample, and that
should be enough to do it, as long as you still have the same body.  I
never heard of anybody changing bodies, but then I never heard of your
situation, either," Dan said, shaking his head.

   Dan got out a small ink roller and a card with little squares on it.  He
rolled some ink on a little pad.

   "Please come over here, Joe," he said.

   Joe went to him, and he held out his small hand.  Dan took it, and held
back all but one of his fingers, and in turn rolled each on the ink, and
then rolled each finger on the card, in the appropriate square.  When he
was done he gave Joe a tube of hand cleaner, and a roll of paper towels.

   "Next, we go up to the examining room.  I can't draw blood here," Dan
said.

   Joe cleaned off his fingers, and they all went up the elevator.  They
followed Dan into a regular examining room.  Dan asked Joe to take a seat.
He walked out of the room, and returned in a minute, with a nurse.  He
quickly introduced her, and from a cabinet she took a syringe and a small
test tube.

   "Please roll up that sleeve, Miss," the nurse said.

   Joe pulled the sleeve up.  He was amazed how easy it was, now that he
had such small muscles in his upper arm.  The nurse wrapped a length of
surgical tubing around his arm, above his elbow, and started feeling for a
vein.  She quickly found one, and deftly stuck the needle in.  The syringe
filled with his blood quickly.  She pulled the needle out, and gave Joe a
small cotton ball to hold over the wound.  Dan gave her a form, already
filled out, and the nurse left the room with the tube of Joe's blood.

   "There, that's done," Dan said.  "I should have the results by Monday at
noon.  I'll send for you're military records, and I should have them about
the same time.  Call me Monday afternoon.  Better yet, give me your number,
and I'll call you as soon as I have some news."

   Joe was holding his arm crooked, with the cotton ball soaking up the
small amount of blood which oozed out.  He shook Dan's hand.

   "Thanks a lot, Dan.  I don't know what I would do without help from
people like you."

   "Well, don't worry, Joe," Dan replied.  "Whatever your problem is, I'm
sure we can help you out."

   "I hope you're right," Joe said, less sure about it.

   "Nice meeting you too, Linda," Dan went on.  "Help this guy through
this, will you?"

   "I will," Linda said.  "He's doing pretty good so far."

   "He certainly is," Dan said, lightly hitting Joe on his shoulder.

   Joe and Linda walked out of the office, and went back up the elevator.
As they went through the hospital lobby, they saw a woman who was checking
in, who was obviously very pregnant.  Joe looked at the woman, and then
looked at Linda.  She saw him staring at her.

   "What will happen to us?" Joe asked.  "You know, whatever they do for
me, I doubt I will ever be able to father children.  Hell, I don't know
what they can do for me, assuming they can do anything."

   "Joe, whatever happens, or, whatever don't happen, I'll be with you,"
Linda reassured him.  "Maybe we won't have kids together, but let's cross
those bridges when we get there."

   They went out to the parking lot, and get in Joe's car.  Joe looked at
Linda.

   "Where to now?" he asked.  "Are you getting hungry?"

   "Yea, I sure am," Linda replied.  "Let's go to the mall, and look for
some more casual clothes for you, maybe some shorts and tops.  We can get a
quick bite there."

   "Ok," Joe said.  "It seems everywhere I go, I have to get clothes
first."

   "Well, I wish I could get new clothes every time I went out.  You're
kinda lucky, actually," Linda teased.

   "Right.  I'm with my girl friend, going to the mall, to buy myself
women's clothes, because it seems I woke up one morning with a new body. 
Yea, I guess I'm real lucky all right," Joe lamented.

   "It could certainly be worse, Joe," Linda scolded.  "You're healthy, and
you don't know, there might be a simple answer to you're problem."

   "Well, if there is I sure will have a bunch of useless clothes, won't
I?" Joe returned.

   "Don't ruin them.  I think they'll fit me," Linda teased, laughing.

   "I hope I can turn 'em over to you real soon," Joe said.

   They pulled into the mall.  Joe parked by Sears, as usual.  They went
inside.  It was hot outside and very cool in the mall.  They walked through
the women's lingerie section.  By instinct, or whatever, Linda stopped by
one of the tables, which was now covered with colorful panties, all on
sale, thirty percent off.  She rummaged through the things, sometimes
pulling a pair out of the pile, seemingly at random.

   "Now is the time to buy these things," she told Joe.  "You can save a
bundle when they're on sale like this."

   "Great," Joe said grinning.  "I foolishly went out and bought mine
yesterday, and NOW they're on sale," he said sarcastically.

   Linda looked at Joe, and realized that he was a little uncomfortable in
the lingerie section with her.  Maybe he looked like a woman, but he was
standing there with the somewhat interested, but embarrassed look most men
have when they are in the women's section with their wives, or girl
friends.

   "Lighten up, Joe," Linda tried to reassure him.  "You don't look at all
out of place here, you know."

   "Well that makes me feel a LOT better," Joe said somewhat sarcastically.
"Now I look right at home, digging through the panty pile at Sears."

   "Quit your complaining, Joe," Linda admonished.  "If your problem can be
corrected, I will help you with it.  If it can't, and you have to stay like
you are now, I'll help you with that too.  Just don't bite the hand that's
feeding you," Linda was smiling, but serious.

   "I'm sorry," Joe said.  "I just get so frustrated with this whole thing
sometimes."

   "I think you are doing great, Joe," Linda said.  "Now, how many pair of
underwear do you have?"

   "I don't know, I guess I bought...  lets see...  one..two..three...yea,
I think I have five.  Three sort of like this, and two like these," Joe
pointed at styles in the pile, as he talked.

   "Well you might have enough then," said Linda.  "But it wouldn't hurt to
get a few more.  If you 'suddenly' don't need them anymore, I think they
might fit me.  You do seem to have smaller hips, though.  Do you know what
size you wear?" she asked.

   "I think the ones I have on are size five," Joe replied.

   "Five, huh.  You're smaller than me," Linda said.  "I wear a six."

   "Well, they're not tight on me," Joe said, holding his arms away from
his hips, as if to show Linda.

   "Ok, Ok, You don't have to rub it in, Joe.  You have smaller hips than I
do," Linda said.

   "Yea, and firmer breasts, too," he said, grinning, and sticking his
chest out as far as he could.  See how they look like when you've had em
almost twenty years, you teeny bopper," Linda reminded him.

   "Touche'" Joe said.

   Linda selected a few panties for herself, and helped Joe to decide on
which he would take.  She suggested he get some stretch cotton type which
had a narrow "V" front, with leg openings that went high up on his hip.  He
was curious how they would look on him, so he took them.  Linda selected
black, and light blue, he didn't have a preference, so he agreed.  They
took their selections to the cashier, and paid for them with Linda's charge
card.  Linda then took Joe to Dillards, to look for shorts and tops.

   "I think you would look good in a tank top," Linda said.  "What do you
think, Joe?"

   "I don't know," Joe replied.  "Ain't a tank top a little breezy, kinda
open on the sides?"

   "No, you'd look great in one," Linda went on.  "I'll show you."

   She went through the racks with the speed and confidence that showed
that she liked shopping for clothes, and did it, a lot.  Joe, who was out
of his league, shopping with her, decided to watch, in amazement.  Linda
quickly selected a light cotton top, with little hot air balloons across
the front.  It was kinda cute, Joe thought.

   "Here, this is just the thing for a pilot, Joe," Linda said.  "I'll bet
you would look good in this," she was serious.

   "Gee Linda, I don't know if I'm ready for something this 'cute'," Joe
said, but he took the top from Linda, and held it in front of himself.

   "Joe, you have to wear something other than that jumpsuit all the time,"
Linda said.  Something like this is just right for you, the way you look
now."

   "You don't have to remind me," Joe said.  "Ok, I'll take it."

   "No, Joe, You have to try it on first," Linda said.  "Never buy clothes
like this without trying them on first.  It's part of the fun."

   "Fun?" Joe asked.  "I NEVER thought trying on clothes was fun."

   "Well, it is, and it's time you found out," Linda insisted.  "Darn it
Joe, you look like an attractive woman, if you like it, or not.  You might
as well try to enjoy it while it lasts."

   Linda took the top and walked to the dressing rooms.  Joe followed,
still feeling like an outsider in this area.  They entered the small closet
sized booth, and Linda turned to Joe.

   "Take that off, and try this, I know you'll like it," she went on.

   Joe unzipped his jumpsuit, and pulled it off his shoulders.  He left it
around his waist.  Linda gave him the top, and he pulled it over his head.
The cloth was so light.  He still wasn't used the lighter construction of
women's clothes.  The fabric seemed to float on his shoulders.  He looked
down at his chest.  He now had three hot air balloons aloft over the hills
of his breasts.  He stood up straight and put his arms up.  He let go of
the jump suit, and it fell to his knees.

   "Take the jumpsuit off," Linda insisted.  "I'll find some shorts that
will go great with that top.

   She went back out into the store, and Joe sat down, and tried to pull
the jumpsuit from over his Reboks.  He decided to take his shoes off, since
he figured he couldn't get the shorts Linda would soon be bringing back,
over them anyway.  He stood there, in the top with the balloons, his light
blue panties showing out the bottom, and his white sweat-socks with little
blue Rebok logo's on them.  He raised his arms again, looking down at the
large armhole openings on the little top.  He just knew people could see
the sides of his bra through the large openings.  That didn't seem to
bother REAL women, and before, he had always thought the little peek at
their undies was kinda sexy.  Now that it was his undies "hanging out" he
felt like he was half naked.  He adjusted the top, pulling the little thing
up, down, back, and forth.  It didn't make any difference, it always seemed
like he was "hanging out."

   He was still worrying about it when Linda returned, with two pair of
shorts, one white, the other blue.  They went to just above his knee.

   "Try these on, Joe," Linda ordered, handing him the white pair.

   He opened the zipper, and stepped into them.  They were a little baggy.
He buttoned the button at the waist, and pulled the zipper up.  They were
loose at the waist, too.  Just a little.

   "I guess they're ok," Joe said, smoothing them down, and arraigning the
top, trying to keep his boobs from popping out the armholes, or so it
seemed to him.

   "No they're too big," Linda insisted.  "I brought the size that should
fit me, but you're a size smaller, darn it.  And yet you're still a little
taller than me too."

   "Isn't this top a little loose too?" Joe asked, hoping that she would
agree.  I seem to be hanging out at the sides."

   Linda stood back a little, and looked at him real close.  "No, the top
is just right," she decided.  "What do you mean, you're "hanging out?"

   "Just look at this," Joe explained.  "You can see my underwear through
the armholes, can't you?"

   "No, it fits just right," Linda said again.  "Maybe it just seems like
you're 'hanging out' because you've never worn anything like this before.
Actually, you look great in it, Joe."

   Before he could protest any more, Linda took the blue shorts back out,
looking for a size smaller.  Joe decided to remove the white shorts.  As he
bent over to pull them off his feet, he caught himself looking down the
neck of the little top, sneaking a peek at his own breasts.  It was weird.
They just didn't seem like they attached to him, and he felt wicked staring
at them.  He took a long look, and then stood up, grinning.  He rubbed his
chest through the light top, and could feel the slick nylon of the seamless
cups.  I guess I'm still not used to having these things after all, he
thought.

   Just then Linda returned.  The big grin on his face made her curious.

   "Just what is so funny?" she asked.

   "Oh, nothing," Joe answered.  What could he say, he thought, just
copping a feel of my own boobs.  "Nothing at all."

   "Well then, try these on," Linda said, handing him some more white
shorts, and holding another blue pair.  Joe put them on.  They were much
more snug fitting.  Not tight, but they fit his hips and buttocks in a
fitted way that look just right.  Joe buttoned up, and pulled the zipper.
He felt his buttocks.

   "These are sure snug," he declared.

   Linda stood back again, and gave him the critical eye.  "They are
perfect!" she declared.  "Here, try these on," she gave him the light blue
shorts, and went back out.

   Joe was removing the shorts, when Linda came back.

   "Leave those on, and come along with me," she ordered.

   In his socks, Joe followed politely along behind.  They went to the
racks of tops again.  Linda started looking for another.

   "If you see something you like, let me know," she said.  "I want you to
get what you like."

   "Oh, really?" Joe asked, grinning.  "Are you starting a new policy, all
of a sudden"

   Linda looked at him, and saw he was grinning, almost laughing out loud.

   "What is going on with you, anyway?" she asked.  "Is something funny
going on, that I don't get?"

   "No, I just in awe of the seriousness that shopping seems to envelope
you with," Joe replied.  "I guess I've never shopped with a woman, for
women's things before.  It's an art form for you isn't it." he laughed.

   "Ok, Ok, I'll try to lighten up a little," Linda said.  "I guess women
do take clothes more seriously than most men.  I never thought about it
much before."

   Together they selected another top for Joe.  A light blouse, tailored
more like a man's shirt, in an off white, with little trees printed all
over it.  Joe liked it when he tried it on, but had a little trouble with
the buttons, which were the opposite of a men's shirt.  They paid for the
things, left the mall, and went outside, to Joe's car.

   "Were to now?" Joe asked.  "We've got the whole day."

   "Let's go to my place," Linda said.  "I think a few hours at the pool
would feel pretty good right now."

   "Rats!" Joe said.  "I forgot the swimsuit.  We have to go back in."

   "No, Joe, I think I have a couple that will fit you." Linda declared. 
"I know they're a little tight for me, at least on the bottom."

   Joe looked at her.  She looked at him.  They both grinned.

   Chapter 9

   DOCTORS.TXT

   Joe woke Sunday morning in Linda's arms.  He carefully untangled himself
taking care not to wake her.  He pulled the sheet away, but was no longer
surprized by his appearance.  He was getting used to the way he felt, too.
He gazed at his body, and contemplated the way it looked.  He was always
amazed at how some women's breasts seemed to flatten, almost disappear,
when they lay on their back.  Now, as he looked at himself, he observed
that his own chest seemed flatter too.  It was still hairless, and the
larger areolas affirmed that he still looked feminine.  He touched them,
feeling the now familiar softness.  No, they weren't getting smaller, and
he was entering his third day as a woman.  The third day.  How many more
would he have to endure?  Would he ever be back to normal?  The question
began to haunt him again.  He could hardly wait for Dan to call.  Dan
McQuire was Jay's friend, and Dan was going to help him with the reason why
his body had somehow become female, apparently overnight.

   Changed to female....  He was starting to accept it.  At first, he
reacted by denial, he wasn't really a woman, no matter what his body looked
like.  Yesterday, when he had seen what he looked like, all over, he began
to realize the situation he was actually in.  His engineers mind, trained
to trust the facts and to keep an open mind, was now fighting with the
obvious fact that his body was no longer masculine, and no matter what he
thought, or what he said, people now reacted differently to him.  He would
have to relate differently to them too.  That included his friends. 
Friends both male and female.  That included Linda, too.

   Linda.  He thought about her.  She was unusually understanding and
tolerant of his strange problem.  Sometimes, she almost seemed amused to
watch his reactions, and the way he handled the differences.  He couldn't
complain about her help or understanding.  He really couldn't understand
why she was so understanding.  In fact, it almost seemed like she enjoyed
his predicament.  He knew he loved her, and that she loved him.  But now.
What about now?  How should he feel about her?  He felt the same as before,
as when he was male, and she was his fiance.  That would probably have to
change.  Even if something could be done for him, and he could become male
again, even if not a completely functioning male, it was unlikely they
could, or would, continue as before.  Hell, they had even made lesbian love
together.  At least it was like lesbian love.  He didn't consider himself
homosexual, but if he was now female, then he must be, since he still loved
women, loved to be around them, and loved to look at them, and touch them.
Just like before.  Just like a man.  Even his own body now turned him on
sometimes.  But then why not?  The change had transformed his body into a
quite attractive, female form.

   Joe got up, and went to the bathroom.  As he sat there, he noticed the
hand mirror laying on the sink.  He took it, and after he finished
relieving himself, he stood, and raised his leg on the closed lid of the
toilet.  He positioned the mirror to get another look at that new
genitalia. He could hardly resist looking at himself.  It was so different.
It was like looking at someone else, but there was no doubt that the image
in the mirror was the reflection of his own body.  Truth be known, he even
sort of liked the way he now looked.  But...  he knew he would have
problems if he tried to forget his past, and resume his life with this new
body.  He couldn't expect everybody to suddenly accept him as a girl.  He
didn't think he could accept it himself.  He had thirty years of experience
being a boy and a man.  He didn't even know how to act like a woman.  He
didn't want to be treated like a woman either.  He was a man.  He knew how
to be a man.  He liked to be treated like a man.  He wished, with all his
heart, he could look like a man again.  It would make everything so much
easier.

   Disgusted, Joe put the hand mirror down, and looked into the mirror over
the sink.  He saw himself, his almost familiar face, and his new body.  He
turned to the side, looking at his profile in the mirror.  His new shape
would be a problem if he was to become a man again.  He looked at his
shoulders.  They were not as wide as before, but might possibly pass for a
man.  He looked at his waist and hips.  His waist was much smaller, and his
tummy flatter.  That could easily change.  His hips.  He put his hands on
his hips, and ran them up and down, following the shape.  Maybe they were
not much different than before.  Maybe he was just smaller everywhere else.
He turned and examined his butt.  Now that sure didn't look like it did
before.  It was softer and rounder, and completely hairless.  He rubbed it
with both hands, feeling the softness.  It was nice.  Maybe his best female
attribute.  He turned back, and faced the mirror.  Yea, his butt was his
best feature.  He examined his breasts.  They were pretty good too.  They
were firm, and nicely shaped, but were, just maybe, a bit small for his
body, since he was somewhat tall for a woman.  He had been almost six feet
tall, but now he measured about five eight or so, and he was thin,
noticeably thinner than Linda, which made him look even taller.  It might
be difficult to pass as a man, but not impossible, if that's what he
decided to do.

   Joe went back to the bedroom, and sat on the bed next to Linda.  She was
awake and turned to face him.

   "What's up for today?" she asked.

   "I don't know," Joe said "I hope I get a call from Dan, but I doubt he
works on Sunday."

   "Yea, I'm sure you want to know what's going on, as soon as you can, but
I doubt that anybody is working around the clock on your problem," Linda
said, smiling sweetly at Joe.

   "Mind if I take a shower?" Joe asked.

   "No, please do," Linda quipped.

   Joe looked at her, and stuck his underarm up to his nose.  He smelled
different, even to his own nose.  Like a woman.

   "I'm only teasing, Joe," Linda said.

   Joe didn't say anything, but went into the bathroom, and turned on the
shower.  He looked through Linda's drawers until he found a razor.  He
found a pink plastic Daisy.  He found some Noxema shave cream, and took
them into the shower with him.  He carefully adjusted the water
temperature, and then wet his body down.  He took the shaving cream and
applied some under his arms.  He then took the razor and shaved himself
smooth.  His underarms felt real good without the soft stubble, which
didn't feel at all like the stubble he used to get on his face.  He touched
his face, and felt a softness unlike anytime as a male, even immediately
after shaving.

   He put some shave cream on his legs, one at a time, and carefully shaved
them, feeling them for stubble, and removing it with the razor.  His legs
felt great after shaving too.  He felt his "bikini line," as Linda called
it.  He carefully applied shaving cream there.  He carefully used the blade
to keep the outline of his pubic patch a narrow triangle as Linda had done
for him on Saturday.

   When Joe finished shaving, he rinsed off, and soaped himself all over
with the bath soap Linda used.  He loved the way his body now felt, and
enjoyed the sensations when he caressed his body.  He never felt like this
when he had a male body.  He wondered if the feeling would go away when the
doctors changed him back...  if they could.  Probably would, he decided.

   Joe rinsed, dried off, and went back into the bedroom.  He found the
underwear they bought yesterday.  He looked, and realized that he only had
fresh panties, no clean bra.  His other clothes were still over at his
apartment.  Linda saw his problem, and went to her lingerie drawer, and
tossed him one of her bras, just like the one he wore yesterday.  He took
it, and then decided not to wear it, but put his old one back on.  He was
getting accustomed to wearing a bra, and even liked the more "secure"
feeling he had when he did.  Besides, his breasts seemed to bounce around
embarrassingly when he didn't.

   Joe found the white shorts, and the other new top, and put them on.  He
was hunting around the side of the bed for his socks, when Linda went into
the bathroom.  She closed the door, but Joe could hear her pee, and then
turn on the shower.  He finished dressing, and went out into the hallway.
As he passed the open door to the hall bath, he noticed that Jay's swim
trunks were still hanging in the shower.  He walked into the bathroom, and
picked them up.  They seemed very large.  Before, he was slightly bigger
than Jay, but now, holding his trunks, Jay seemed huge.  They were dry, and
Joe held them up to his waist.  No, they wouldn't fit.  He held open the
waistband and looked inside.  His groin muscles tensed slightly when he saw
the mesh pouch designed for male organs.  It seemed strange now.  It had
only been a few days but he was already used to the contours, the sleek fit
of feminine attire.  This men's stuff, huge and baggy, already seemed alien
to him.  It was weird.  He put the trunks back, and wondered about it.

   Joe went to the kitchen, opened the fridge, found some orange juice, and
took it out.  He went to the cabinet, and found a large glass and filled it
with juice.  He took the glass and went to the breakfast area.  He was
looking through yesterday's paper when Linda came into the room.

   "Would you like some breakfast?" she asked.

   "No, thanks, I usually don't eat breakfast," Joe said.

   "Well, I'm going to have a bowl of corn flakes if you don't mind," Linda
said.

   "Not at all," Joe replied.

   "I think I'll go over to my place for a while," Joe said.  "I need to
wash some things, and straighten the place up," Joe said.

   "Joe, can we talk?" Linda asked.

   "Sure, absolutely," Joe returned.  "What about?"

   "Joe, You have some real problems.....  changes facing you in the next
few days, or weeks, or maybe even months." Linda went on.  "What ever
happens to you, you are going to need some help.  Even if you can change
back, I doubt that it can happen over night, and you will need someone to
take care of you.  If you can't be changed back, you'll need even more help
adapting to the changes in your life.  You are doing quite well, but I can
see, you would need a woman to guide you along.  I love you.  I love you as
a woman loves a man, and, even if you must remain a woman, I will still
love you.  Don't ask me what that means, what that makes me, because I
don't know, and I don't care.  Whatever you are, or whatever you become, I
want to help you.  I'll be your girl friend, lover, fiance, or just your
best friend.  Whatever you want.  Just don't drive me away, whatever you
decide to do." She had tears in her eyes.

   "While you live as a woman, why don't you move here...  with me?" Linda
asked.  "I have plenty of room.  I can teach you the things you need to
know, and you won't get stares from your neighbors, if you stay here."

   "I don't have any problem with staying here," Joe said.  "I still think
of you as my fiance, but I don't know what we can ever do about that.  You
deserve more of a man than what I can ever be again," Joe continued.

   "Don't worry about your damned manhood," Linda said, showing an
uncharacteristic irritation.  "That's not as important to me as you seem to
think."

   "Ok, I'll move over here, but I'll keep my apartment, at least for a
while," Joe said.  "I like it over there, and you may change your mind when
we find what's in store for me."

   "I'm going to drive over there and clean up," Joe said.  "Do you want to
come along?"

   "Maybe later," Linda said.  "I better work on some papers today."

   "See you in a little while," Joe said, and went into the bedroom.

   Joe found his wallet in the jumpsuit.  He took some money, credit cards,
and his drivers license.  His shorts had only very small pockets, too small
for credit cards.  His top had no pockets at all.  He didn't know what to
do, but then he had an idea.  He pulled the loose top up, above his bra. 
He slid the license and credit cards into his bra, between his breasts.  He
pulled his top down, and looked in the mirror.  He felt his breasts, and
could feel the cards, but he couldn't see them.  They fit ok there, but
would be difficult to retrieve if he needed them.  Tuff, he thought.  A
guy's gotta do, what a guy's gotta do...

   With his key ring in his hand, Joe went out the patio door, to get to
his car.  He opened it buckled up, and started the engine.  He went down
the drive, and carefully drove over to his apartment.  It would really be
hard to explain to an officer, after getting his license from his bra, why
although he was obviously a woman, he had male on his license.  No, he must
be careful.

   Joe entered his apartment, and looked around the familiar surroundings.
He had lived here since he came to town, and liked it here.  He didn't know
his neighbors, and there was a good turnover in neighbors anyway, but
everyone was friendly, and there was no crime in the area.

   He went to his bedroom.  He was surprised at the smell.  It was
obviously a guy's room.  He hadn't even noticed it before.  Maybe his nose
was more sensitive now, or maybe he was just used to the scents of Linda's
room.  He took a whiff of his clothes.  He didn't smell like that now, at
least.  Did he even smell like a girl now?  Probably did, he considered. 
He probably didn't smell like a man, at least.

   Joe went around retrieving his dirty clothes, some under the bed, others
in the hamper, and even a dirty shirt in the kitchen.  He sorted the
clothes and threw a load in the washer.  As he was tossing one of his
shirts, he took it, and held it to his nose.  He could smell his old
familiar sweaty smell.  It made him feel strange now.  It was the scent of
a male, and he was beginning to become accustomed to the sensations, and
maybe, the urges, of being a woman.  Even his own man-smell was now
slightly arousing to him.  What was happening to him?  He didn't even like
to think about it.

   After he got the washer going, he went back into the kitchen.  He opened
the refrigerator, and took out a can of beer.  He was thirsty, and it was
all he had in the house.  He took the beer, and went to the couch.  He
looked through his magazines on the coffee table.  Flying, Car and Driver,
PC Magazine, and Playboy.  The latest issues.  He had only quickly glanced
at the Playboy since it arrived, so he selected it.  He thumbed through it,
and as usual, stopped at the center-fold.  He looked at the pictures of the
young woman in the magazine.  She was maybe mid-twenties, and beautiful. 
Joe looked at her, and felt the same excitement as always.  As he looked,
and imagined being in bed with her, he remembered the irony of his
situation.  The girl in the pictures could now be him.  He put the magazine
down.  It would take time to get used to the different point of view.

   Joe finished his wash, and cleaned the place up a little.  After all his
male clothes were washed and dried, he hung them in the closet.  He
wondered what he would do with all this stuff.  Most of it wouldn't fit him
anymore, no matter what sex he was, or would become.  Maybe Jay could use
some of them.  It was a problem for another day.

   He gathered up his female clothes, and the went into his bathroom.  He
took his shaving kit, his deodorant, and his new bath powder.  He selected
his biggest, and best bath towels, and took them also.

   It took a few trips to his car to get all the stuff loaded.  When he had
it all, he locked up his apartment, and drove back to Linda's.

   Linda was still working on her papers when he returned.  Joe made some
iced tea for both of them.  When Linda finished her paperwork, they went
out and sat by the pool the rest of the afternoon.  That evening they went
to a restaurant and then came back to Linda's.  When they entered the
house, Joe went in straight to the bedroom.  He had decided to keep his
things in the second bedroom, which also had a bath of its own, and was
quite nice, much nicer than the bedroom of his apartment.  Joe removed his
shorts, and top, and in his underwear, went back to Linda's bedroom. 
Linda's clothes were laying on her bed, and she was in her bathroom.  Joe
heard the toilet flush, and the shower start.  Linda would have to go to
her office in the morning.

   Joe lay down on the bed.  Soon the shower stopped, and Linda finished in
the bath.  She came out, wearing her short robe, and sat on the bed with
Joe.

   "Would you sleep with me?" Linda asked.

   "Try and stop me," Joe responded, taking her in his arms.

   They went to sleep, caressing each other, and enjoying each others
company.

   Morning came quickly, and the clock radio on Linda's night stand began
to blast out in song.  Joe woke, and looked at the digital readout.  Seven
A.M.  Already, it was time for Linda to get up.  She had an appointment at
nine.

   Linda moaned and stretched.  She got out of bed, and went into the bath
room.  She brushed her teeth, and went to work on her makeup and hair.  Joe
lay in bed, and watched her as she went through her normal routines.  He
watched as she applied the creams, powders, eye shadows, and other stuff
that woman did to make themselves "presentable".  Would this be his fate
too?  He remembered the other day, when the woman at the cosmetic counter
gave him a "makeover".  He looked so much different afterwards, much more
attractive, though he looked pretty good with the well scrubbed look too.
He touched his face with his hand.  It was so smooth, and soft.  He closed
his eyes, and tried to sleep a little while.  He would have nothing to do
until he received a call, either from Dan, or Jay.  He didn't think he
would be get a call from work, since he said he would be going to the
hospital for maybe a few days.

   Linda finished in the bathroom, and came back in the bedroom.  She was
wearing black panties, and camisole.  She looked so sexy, Joe thought.  She
went into her closet, and brought out a gray wool suit.  Joe watched as she
selected black hose, not pantyhose, but the kind that stay up by
themselves, without garters.  She put them on and when she stood, she saw
Joe was observing her.  She smiled, a little embarrassed to be watched so
intently while she dressed.

   "Is something wrong?" she asked.

   "Absolutely not," Joe replied.  "I was just watching you, thinking about
how sexy you look, and the about the things women wear under their clothes,
even to work.  It seems it would make you excited, just thinking about what
you have on beneath that business-like, gray exterior."

   Linda looked a Joe with a devilish grin, and winked.

   "Maybe it does," she said.  "I guess it's one of the advantages of being
a woman.  Why don't you try it, while you can?"

   "Nope, I wore a skirt the first day, and I don't know what was more
difficult, that, or the heels," Joe countered.  "It may look great, but I
know now it don't feel like it looks."

   "Well, it gets easier when you get used to it, but you're right, it
don't feel as good as it looks," Linda agreed.

   Linda finished dressing, and went out into the kitchen, to make some
breakfast.  Joe got out of bed, and went across the hall to his bedroom. 
He opened the top drawer of his dresser, and looked inside.  Yesterday he
had put his underwear there, and now he looked at the selection of panties,
bras, and pantyhose.  His things looked strange to him, there in the drawer
by itself, without any of his familiar men's underwear for company.  It
sort of made his situation seem more permanent, but for now, it was
probably the for the best.  He selected the white cotton bra he bought the
first day.  It was the first one he had worn.  He picked some beige nylon
undies, and went into his bathroom.

   This bath had a shower, and a sink with a large mirror.  He decided he
didn't need a shower, and just brushed his teeth.  He hadn't put his
underwear on, and the jiggle of his bra-less chest as he brushed his teeth
caught his eye.  Never a dull moment, he thought.  When he finished, he
pulled the panties on, and found his deodorant.  He rubbed some Secret on
his smooth underarms.  He took his bra, and put it on.  It was getting easy
to do, now that he was familiar with the procedure, and he even liked the
way it felt.  He shook himself, and was pleased by the limited jiggle.  I
see why girls wear these things, he thought.  He looked at his face.  His
hair was still too short.  He took his hair brush, and began brushing it
back, and to one side.  It was just too short to do much with it.  He tried
brushing it forward, and decided that was the best it could be.  He looked
at his face again.  He pursed his lips.  It made him think of the cosmetics
that he had bought.  He opened the drawer, and looked at the things he had
placed there.  He just didn't know how to use this stuff.  He took the
lipstick, and removed the cap.  He carefully rubbed some on his lips, as he
pursed them tight.  He did a fair job of applying the color, which looked
good as he examined himself.  Only a little got on above his top lip.  He
took some toilet tissue, and was daubing the offending bit of color away.
Suddenly, he realized what he was doing.  He was standing in front of a
bathroom mirror, putting lipstick on his face....  What was happening to
him.  He tried to get control of himself.  What the hell is going on, he
thought?  Am I losing control of my mind.

   Joe looked at himself in the bathroom mirror again.  The lipstick had
added some color to his tanned face, and made him look more feminine.  He
was trying to decide if he would try some of the other cosmetics when Linda
entered the open bathroom door.  She looked at Joe, and smiled when she saw
what he was doing.  She looked at the things he had in the drawer.

   "Well, it certainly looks good on you," she said.  "Why don't you try
some liner, and blush?" she asked.

   "I would, but I don't really know what I'm doing," Joe replied.

   "Here.  I'll help you," Linda said.

   She opened the lid of the powder, and brushed some on his face, and
continued until the colors were as she liked them.  She then used the
eyeliner pencil very sparingly, to put some emphasis on his eyes.  The
effect was amazing.  Joe looked even better than after the makeover at the
department store.  The tasteful use of makeup made his face look much more
feminine, and attractive.  It hardly looked like he had any makeup on at
all, and yet he was completely transformed.  He had to touch his face to
believe it was him looking back from the mirror.  Linda smiled at his
reaction.  He looked at her, and back at the mirror.

   "Very impressive," was all she said.

   She walked out of the bathroom.  Joe followed her out, into his bedroom.
She didn't stop, but went out into the hallway, and toward the back door.
Joe followed, but realized he was still in his underwear.

   "I've got to get going," Linda said.  "I'll see you this afternoon."

   "Bye," Joe called, as she went out the door.

   Joe went back to his room.  He went to the closet, and was looking at
the few things hanging there, trying to decide what to wear.  He grabbed
the jumpsuit and took it out into the bedroom.  He still favored it most of
all, but he was getting more comfortable wearing more revealing, and
cooler, clothes.  He stepped into the light blue outfit, and zipped it up.
He then went to the dresser mirror, and looked at himself.  The lipstick,
and makeup that Linda applied made him look attractive, but less familiar
than his "plain" face.  The loose fitting suit concealed his figure.

   Joe walked into the kitchen, trying to decide how to spend the day.  He
was snooping through Linda's refrigerator when the phone rang.  He wondered
if it was for him.  He had call forwarding at his house, and had
transferred his calls to Linda's.  He went to the phone, and picked it up.

   "Hello, Joe Bates here," he answered.

   "Joe?  Joe Bates?  This is Angela Beaman, from Honeybone Avionics
Personell.  Sorry to bother you.  I have a message for you," the voice on
the other end said.

   "What can I do for you, Angie?" Joe replied.

   "I had a call from Mr.  Matheney, from Flight Test, I believe he's your
boss," she said.

   "That's right," Joe answered.

   Joe was an electrical engineer, and often worked in the Flight Test
Department, testing new avionics hardware.  Thursday he had worked on a new
Nav receiver system which was designed to fix its position from signals
from satellites positioned around the earth by the Department of Defense.
He and an associate had been using the company Learjet 35 conducting
ground, and flight tests on it.  Jim Matheney was the department head of
the group which conducted these type of tests.  The company Joe worked for
had a number of aircraft, A Gulfstream I turboprop, and a twin Cessna 421,
as well as the Lear.  Joe was a pilot, and was checked out in all of but
the big G-I, which was almost never used for test work anymore.  It was
simply too expensive to operate, and they didn't need the room.

   "Mr.  Matheney would like you to call him as soon as possible," the
woman said.

   "Do you know what it's about?" Joe asked.

   "No, I don't really, but I think it's regarding your illness," she
answered.

   "Ok, I'll give him a call," Joe said, not really hiding his irritation.

   "Thank you, sorry to bother you, and I hope you get well soon," Angie
said and hung up.

   Joe hug up the phone, concerned about what he would say to Jim.  He
didn't want to go back to work like this, but what kind of excuse could he
use?  He decided to tell him that the doctor recommended a week of bed
rest, and would figure out what to do later.  Everyone would know
eventually, since not only was he a girl now, but he was much shorter, and
smaller in general.  No matter what he did, he couldn't hide that from his
associates.

   Joe dialed the Jim's work number.  The phone was answered on one ring.

   "Flight Test.  Matheney," Jim answered.

   "Jim, this is Joe," Joe responded.  "I had a message you wanted me to
call."

   "Hi Joe.  You sound funny.  I hope you are alright," Jim said curiously.

   "I have some medical problems, Jim, I think I'll be out for at least a
week or so," Joe lied.

   "That's what I called about Joe.  I was wondering what your problem is,"
he said.  "Dave Skinner called in and said he had some kind of problem, and
Mike Osborn called in Friday, but I haven't been able to call him at home.
I was wondering if you all came down with the same thing, or what," he went
on.

   "Well I got some problems, I don't know exactly what they are yet," Joe
offered.  "When I find out, you'll be one of the first to know, but I
suspect I'll be out for at least a week," he said.

   "I was concerned when all three of you called in sick at the same time.
I had to stop testing the GPS receiver, since my two engineer/pilots, and
technician all got sick at the same time," Jim said.

   Jim's words made Joe start to think.  Could the other guys be having
problems too?  Could they all have been exposed to the same thing... 
virus, or whatever?  There could be some connection.  He would have to call
the other guys.

   "I'll call in a few days, and let you know how I'm doing," Joe said.

   "Well, don't worry, just get well as soon as you can.  We need you
around here," Jim said.

   "See you later, Jim," Joe finished.

   "Later," Jim said, hanging up.

   A new turn of events.  Was there some significance in the fact that all
the persons who flew Thursday called in sick?  He would have to find out.
He got his company phone list out and looked up the number of his friend
Dave Skinner.  Dave was married, and had two boys.  He lived about a mile
from Joe's apartment.  He found the number, and dialed it.

   "Hello," a woman answered.

   "Cindy, this is Joe Bates.  Is Dave around?" Joe asked.

   "Hi Joe," Dave's wife answered.  "Joe, Dave can't come to the phone
right now," she said nervously.

   "What's the matter Cindy?  Is Dave alright?  What is wrong with him?"
Joe asked hurriedly.

   "Joe, I can't talk about it.  But he's OK," Cindy said.

   "Come on Cindy, tell me what's wrong with Dave.  Has he changed in any
way?" Joe asked, trying to get her to tell him what was going on.

   "Nothing's wrong with Dave," Cindy almost shouted.  "He'll be OK."

   "Cindy, has Dave changed...  is he feminine...  female?" Joe asked,
taking a chance.

   "Uh, how...Joe...He's....Yea, Yea, he's a woman....  his body has
changed...  I don't know." Cindy stuttered.

   "Ok..Ok..I understand, get him to come to the phone, I have to talk to
him," Joe said, his heart pounding.

   "He won't come Joe.  He won't talk to anybody but me.  He's so
depressed, I don't know what to do." Cindy was in tears.

   "Cindy, listen to me.  The same thing has happened to me.  I know what
he's going through," Joe said.  "You tell him that, and get him to get on
this phone, or I'm coming over there."

   "I'll try," Cindy replied.

   Joe heard the phone drop, and he waited.  So Dave has the same problem.
Interesting.  What could be causing this?  He thought of Mike.  Mike Osborn
was the technician on the test crew.  He was a big guy, probably over 250
pounds.  He was strong too.  He lifted weights, and was into body building.
He couldn't even imagine Mike as a female.

   "Joe, Dave here," Joe heard a dusky female sounding voice said the words
with the curt manner of Dave Skinner.

   "Dave, this is Joe.  I heard what happened, and I want you to know you
are not the only one.  I have a problem, too," Joe said quickly.

   "Yea, well, I bet you don't have tit's and a pussy," Dave said.  His
femine voice, with male inflection, sounding strange.

   "Yes, Dave, I actually do, and I know what you are feeling," Joe said
truthfully.

   "What?  You turned female too?  What the hell is going on anyway?" Dave
almost yelled, in his new, slightly higher, voice.

   "I don't know Dave, but you can bet I'm going to find out.  Somebody has
to have some idea what has happened to us," Joe said, hoping to calm his
buddy, who was usually unflappable.

   "I'll tell you what has happened to me!" Dave yelled.  "I can't pee
right anymore.  I can't make love to my wife!  That's what happened to me!
I don't want to have breasts big as Cindy's, but I do!  That's what
happened to me!" Dave's voice broke as he yelled at Joe.

   Joe wondered what he could do for his friend, but couldn't think of
anything.  Hell, he had the same problem.  Of course, he didn't have a wife
and family.

   "Dave if we both have this problem, and Mike has called in sick too, it
must be something in the Lear, or some place we went that caused it," Joe
said, thinking out loud.

   "Mike turned into a girl?" Dave said quizzically.  "Big Mike Osborn?"

   "I don't know, but I suspect he has," Joe said.  "He called in sick too,
and Jim don't know what is wrong with him."

   "I can't imagine him like this.  It would kill him," Dave said, suddenly
more interested in Mike than in his own problems.

   "Well I'm going to give him a ring, and find out.  I hope he will answer
his phone," Joe said.

   "What are you doing today, Joe?" Dave asked.  "How about coming over
here.  I've got to talk to somebody about this"

   "Maybe I will," Joe answered.  "I'll give you a call later.  I have to
wait around here for a medical examiner to call.  I'm getting myself
checked out."

   "You had a physical, looking like a woman?" Dave asked.  "How could you
get the nerve?"

   "No, not a physical, just a blood test, and finger prints.  I'm trying
to prove I'm still the same person.  If I get stopped while driving I don't
want to get stuck in jail, because my license don't match what I look
like," Joe said.

   "I haven't even gone outside, much less drive a car." Dave said.  "I'm
too embarrassed to be seen.  Besides, my clothes don't even fit.  Right
now, I'm wearing some of Cindy's clothes, and they fit better than mine do.
It's really embarrassing."

   "Tell me about it," Joe agreed.  "But just think what Mike might be
going through."

   "Give me a call, Joe," Dave said.  "We have to get out of this one."

   "I will," Joe said.  "Dave, let me ask a question."

   "Go ahead," Dave answered.

   "Do I sound like a girl...  a woman, to you?" Joe asked.

   "Yea, I guess so...  a little husky maybe, but in a sexy kind of way,"
Dave replied.

   "Funny, that's the same as I was thinking about your voice," Joe said.

   "Call me later, Joe," Dave said, and hung up.

   Joe sat there looking at the phone, digesting the new information.  All
the guys who worked on the Lear crew Thursday seemed to have a problem.  At
least two were "feminized", or something.  He decided to call Mike Osborn.
He looked up his number and dialed.  He let it ring for a long time, and
was about to give up, when he heard the phone click as it was picked up. 
No one answered.

   "Hello?  Hello?  Is anybody there?  Mike?  Mike, this is Joe, Joe Bates,
please answer," Joe said into the phone.

   Finally, someone answered.  The voice of Mike Osborn, maybe a little
higher pitch, but not much, said haltingly into the phone, "Hello, Joe?"

   "Mike, it's Joe.  Are you OK?  Has anything usual happened to you?" Joe
asked.

   "Unusual?  No, I don't think so.  Everything is OK...  fine," Mike said
quickly.

   "Really?  Are you sure?  I heard you were out Friday, too, same as me
and Dave.  I thought you might have the same problems we're having," Joe
said.

   "What kind of problem is that?" Mike asked.

   "Well Mike, I seem to have undergone some kind of change...  I've
developed breasts, and well..  generally seem to have turned female.  I
just got off the phone with Dave, and he seems to be experiencing the same
thing.  We were wondering if you had the same problem," Joe said, as
delicately as he could.

   "Joe, I...I don't know how to say this...  I do have a problem.  I don't
know what it is...I...my...  I...my balls are completely gone, my cock
seems to have shrunk a lot, and I can't even pee without sitting down.  I
don't know what the hell is happening to me," Mike Osborn carefully
admitted to his friend.

   "Have...  are you...  changing into a girl?" Joe asked.

   "Hell, I don't know, Joe," Mike replied.

   "Well, have you developed women's breasts, and lost a lot of body hair?
Are you smaller?" Joe asked his flustered buddy.

   "Smaller?  I don't know, maybe a little, but not much.  Breasts, no, I
don't have breasts, but my chest...  my nipples hurt some.  I haven't lost
any body hair, at least it don't seem like I have," Mike was recovering his
composure a little.

   "Mike, could you meet me and Dave, at his house, in about an hour?" Joe
asked.

   "Joe, I don't want to go outside," Mike said.

   "Come on Mike.  Do your clothes still fit?" Joe asked.

   "Yea, they fit pretty good.  I don't want anybody to see me, Joe.  I
have to pee a lot, and I...my cock seems to leak or something.  Something's
sure not right down there." A confused and embarrassed Mike Osborn tried to
explain his situation to Joe.

   "Well, Mike, if it makes you feel any better, I don't have a penis at
all.  And I don't think Dave does either," Joe said.

   "What's happening to us anyway?" Mike asked.

   "I don't know, Mike, but I want to find out.  That's why I would like to
meet with you and Dave, at his house," Joe said again.

   "Ok, Joe, I'll be there.  Just don't laugh when you see what I look
like," Mike agreed.

   "I think you'll be surprised when you see me, too, so don't worry," Dave
tried to reassure his big friend.

   "I'll see you in about an hour, Joe," Mike said, and hung up the phone.

   Joe went back into his bedroom.  He went to the mirror on the dresser,
and looked at himself.  He would soon be presenting himself to his friends,
people who knew him as a man, and he was nervous about it.  Even though
Dave and Mike also had problems too, he wasn't looking forward to exposing
his problems to them and soon everybody else, it seemed.  He was brushing
his short hair, when the phone rang.  Was it Dan, with some news?  He went
to the phone by the night stand.

   "Hello," he said carefully.

   "Joe?  Joe Bates?" A voice on the other end asked.

   "This is Joe.  What can I do for you?" Joe answered.

   "Joe, this is Dan McGuire, from Forensic.  I have a little information
for you already.  Do you have a minute?" Dan asked.

   "You bet I do!" Joe responded.  "I hope it's good news."

   "Well, I got your military records from the DOD.  It was quick, and much
easier than it is sometimes.  They had a lot on you too.  Your Top Secret
Clearance is still current and included some interesting data.  You want to
hear some of it?" Dan said, obviously proud of the job he had done so
quickly.

   "Sure.  Fire away." Joe was impatient to hear what he had found.

   "Well, the blood types match, that's for sure.  Your prints do, too.  I
feel it's fairly certain that we can prove that you are who you say you
are. I talked to some of the doctors, and they want to do some genetic
tests on you.  I might have some results from that at any time.  A lot of
people around here have taken interest in your case, and you're getting top
priority," Dave said proudly.

   "What will genetic tests prove?" Joe asked.

   "Well, they'll tell us if you are a man or a woman, at least
genetically. It is easy to see if you're chromosomes are XX, or XY.  That
is the basic test.  Any and all of your cells will carry those
chromosomes," Dan explained.

   "If it shows that I'm a woman, what then?  Or a man for that matter?"
Joe asked.  "I admit I would like to know, but what will it help?"

   "Well, If it shows you are XX, or genetically female, some real
questions will be raised.  As far as I know, no genetic female has ever
fathered a child.  Your records show that you did, thirteen years ago," Dan
said.

   Joe was amazed.  How did they know that?

   "Where did you get that information?  I was only seventeen then, and
Jane was sixteen.  She didn't even keep the baby," Joe admitted.  He had
almost forgotten that low time in his life.

   "When you're subjected to a National Security Agency investigation,
usually no stones are left unturned.  If you have any skeletons in your
closet they'll find them," Dan explained.

   "I didn't think anybody knew about it," Joe said, still amazed.

   "Can you get in here this afternoon for an examination from some of our
doctors?  They sure would like to see you," Dan asked.

   "I have some news for you, too," Joe said.  "I got a call from my
employer.  It seems that two of my friends, who had been in the plane with
me Thursday, the day before this happened, have been inflicted with the
same, or similar problem.  What do you think of that?"

   "Can you get them over here this afternoon?" Dan asked.

   "I don't know, I'm supposed to meet them in about an hour.  I'll try,"
Joe answered.

   "Well, get them over here.  We'll do what we can," Dan said.  "What have
you guys got yourselves into, anyway?"

   "I wish I knew..  I sure wish I knew," Joe said quietly, and hung up. 
He had to get ready to see his buddies.



   Chapter 10

   Answers

   Joe Bates drove into the driveway at the home of his flying buddy, and
fellow engineer, Dave Skinner.  When he got out of his sports car he
smoothed his clothes, the loose fitting jumpsuit that hid his new curves.
He slowly walked up to the front door, and rang the bell.  Cindy Skinner,
Dave's wife, opened the door, and peered out.  She smiled when she
recognized Joe, and opened the door.  Joe went inside, feeling a bit self
conscious as Dave's wife watched him walk in.  He couldn't conceal the look
of surprize when he saw Dave.

   The last time Joe saw Dave, he was about six feet tall and weighed two
hundred pounds.  Dave was thirty two years old, and was not in as good
shape as Joe, and, a decade of married life had endowed him a small pot-gut
which he couldn't get rid of, no matter how hard he tried.

   The Dave Skinner who came out of the family room didn't look anything
like that.  This one nervously entered the room was wearing a woman's white
blouse, with loose baggy shorts, also obviously a woman's.  Since he wore
nothing under the blouse, the dark outline of his now large areola could be
seen through the thin fabric.  He walked uncomfortably, not yet familiar
with much wider hips, and a shorter gait.  Were it not for his short
haircut, he could easily be mistaken for a typical, almost middle aged,
somewhat plain, sloppily dressed, housewife.  Dave always had the
beginnings of a six o'clock shadow, even in the morning, but now his face
was as smooth as a young boy's.  Joe saw that Dave's legs were hairy, maybe
not as heavy or thick as before, but still covered with soft black down. 
It looked unusual to see someone who looked so female, have such hairy
legs. Joe couldn't help but look at Dave's chest.  Through the thin fabric
of the blouse, he could see that the heavy chest hair Dave had was gone,
replaced by a voluptuousness that was a source of embarrassment for its
owner.

   "Hi Joe, what's new with you?" Dave asked, somewhat sarcastically.

   "Not much, Dave.  Just thought I'd stop by , and see if you want to go
bar hopping this evening," Joe teased.

   "Nope, I don't think I'm up to it, old buddy," Dave answered.  He had
trouble returning the humor that his pal was using to break the tension.

   "I talked to Mike while ago, and he's got trouble too, but it sounds
like he's a little different from me, or you," Joe said.

   "What do you mean?  Is he still a guy, or what?" Dave asked, the sarcasm
creeping back into his voice.

   "I can't really tell from how he described his symptoms, but if he has
changed, he isn't as far along as we are," Joe said, not taking his eyes
from his buddy's chest.

   It was strange seeing a matronly body below the almost familiar face. 
Dave's face was little changed, but maybe ten years younger looking.  He
wondered what Dave was thinking about him.

   "Good for him.  He would REALLY make an ugly woman," Dave said, smiling
for the first time.

   "I think I talked him into coming over here.  He should be here soon,"
Joe said.

   "Well, you sure look good, Joe," Dave returned, eyeing his buddy, trying
to imagine what he looked like under the loose clothes.

   "Linda has been helping me try to make the best of this," Joe said.

   "It looks like you even have lipstick on.  Do you?" Dave asked, moving
closer.

   Joe grinned.  He said.  "Well, yea, I do.  I even had a make-over at the
Mall the other day.  With Linda's help, I've been able to make the best of
it.  Some of the things I've done have actually kind of interesting.  "

   "Well, I haven't done much that's interesting," Dave said, with not a
little disgust showing through.

   "We both might as well treat this as an experience, Dave." Joe
recommended.  "As I see it, we're stuck like this, at least until we can
find out what's causing it.  Hopefully, it's not permanent." He tried to
sound more confident than he actually was.

   "It's easy for you, old buddy.  You're not married, with a family...  A
wife...  and kids...  Hell, Joe look at you, You're practically beautiful,"
Dave lamented.

   Cindy went to him, but Dave pushed her away.  She looked at Joe.  Joe
didn't know what to do, or say.  Dave walked back into the family room. 
Joe followed him to the family room, and he saw Dave sit down on the couch,
with his four year old son, David.

   "Hi, Joe.  Are you a mommy now too?" David asked innocently.

   "Hi David," Joe replied.  "No, I'm not a mommy.  I just sort of look
like one, I guess.  Your dad and I have a problem with how we look.  We
don't know what's wrong with us yet."

   "You're pretty," David said.

   "Thanks David.  I guess," Joe replied, looking at Dave.

   There was a ring of the door bell.  Joe quickly got up, and went to the
front door.  Cindy opened the door.  The familiar hulk of Mike Osborn
loomed in the doorway.  Mike's eyes widened when he saw the new Joe.

   "Holy cow, Joe, You ARE a woman, ain't you?" Mike almost shouted, his
loud voice seeming to be almost unchanged.

   "I suspect so, Mike," Joe replied.  "Come on in."

   Mike walked in, and followed Joe back to the family room.  He walked
right over to the couch, to look at Dave.

   "Damn, Dave, You seem to have the same problem as Joe," he said.

   "Clever observation, Mike." Dave said.  "It looks like you escaped
whatever happened to us."

   "Well, not exactly Dave," Mike said, not wanting to talk with young
David listening intently to the unusual conversation.

   "It seems you haven't changed at all," Joe said.

   "Can we go somewhere private?" Mike asked.

   "I suggest you all go to our bedroom," Cindy said.

   Dave got up, and awkwardly went into the bedroom, his substantial butt
jiggled and swayed as he walked.  Mike and Joe followed.  Dave closed the
door after them, stopping David, who wanted in.  Cindy led him away from
the door.

   "You think I haven't changed?" Mike asked, pulling his sweatpants down.
Mike pulled his royal blue Calvin Klien men's undershorts down.  He looked
down at his pubic area, and pushed the hair away from around his penis,
which was now very small.  It could have been no more than an inch or so
long.  There were n o testical's evident, and his scrotum was split down
the middle, looking somewhat like a vagina.

   "See, I got problems too," Mike said, displaying his little penis. 
"When I pee, it comes out from under here," Mike said, as he lifted his
penis up, he then spread his split scrotum, and pointed to an area close to
the base of his tiny organ.  Joe looked carefully, but could see no
evidence of an opening at the tip of his penis.

   "Looks like you've gone only part way to what's happened to me," Joe
said, looking with interest at his friend.

   "What do you look like, Joe?" Mike asked.  "You sure look like a girl on
the outside."

   "Yea, and I guess that's what I am, on the outside," Joe admitted.

   "Could I see?" Mike asked.  "If I'm gonna be......  I might still be
changing, and I'm wondering what I can expect."

   "Well, I don't know...." Joe was reluctant to show his buddies his new
body, and his closely trimmed bush.  Not that he was ashamed of his body
and the way it looked, he just felt strange putting it on display.  He knew
that he was the most feminized of the three of them.  Hell, Mike could
hardly pass as a woman if he tried.  Dave was probably as changed as he
was, but his large hips and buttocks didn't look good on him at all.  Dave
didn't carry his new shape well either.

   "Aw, show us Joe, Mike showed us what he looked like, and he's
embarrassed too," Dave said.  "We're all in the same boat."

   "Ok, then, I'll show you," Joe said slowly.

   Joe unzipped his jumpsuit, and pulled it from his shoulders.  He pulled
his arms from the sleeves, and let the suit drop down his hips, and settle
around his knees.  Joe looked at his friends while he stood there, in his
underwear, his face red with embarrassment.  Mike didn't even pull his
pants up, but stood staring, mesmerized by the shapely body of his friend.
As Joe carefully lowered his panties, Dave and Mike's eyes widened when
they saw his carefully trimmed hair.

   "Damn Joe.  You really are a girl, ain't you?" Mike exclaimed.

   "I guess I am Mike, and I would bet that you are, too," Joe said.

   "Well, I sure don't look like that." Mike said, pointing to Joe's pubic
area.  "And I feel like a man."

   "Don't be so sure." Joe said.

   Joe reached down and separated the folds of his genital opening.  A
glistening little nub peeked out as he did so.  He put his finger next to
it, and pointed it out to Mike.

   "This is what my penis looks like now, Mike.  But it still feels like my
cock to me, too.  But it's not a penis, not anymore.  I think my penis has
become a clitoris.  And I think yours has too.  It's just a little bigger
for some reason." Joe carefully voiced what he thought to be fact.

   "I don't know, I sure don't feel like a woman.  I feel exactly like a
man." Mike said, as he watched Joe pull his panties back up.  "In fact,
look at this."

   Mike pointed to his penis, which could now be seen protruding through
his thick hair.  It was erect, and it stood out, ready for action.  It was
about the diameter of a pencil, and maybe an inch and a half long.

   "Pull your pants up big guy.  I can still get a hard on too," Joe said.
"Tell me, do you get wet down there when you get a boner?"

   "Yea, I do," Mike said.  "I don't know what causes it though."

   "I think it's what happens when a woman gets excited," Joe answered. 
"And that's probably what you are now, just like Dave and me."

   "Joe, I know something is wrong with me, but look at me, I just can't be
female.  Not with a body like this." Mike's words were more of a question
than a statement of fact.

   "I don't know, Mike.  I just don't know.  But I want both of you to come
with me to the hospital.  My attorney friend Jay Logan put me on to a guy
named Dan McQuire.  He is a lab technician or something, in Forensic
Medicine.  He does things like trace identification from hair, or blood
samples, in homicide cases.  He is working on proving my identification,
but some doctors there want to see me, and run some other tests, maybe they
will be able to help.  I told them I had two friends who also had similar
problems, and they would like to examine you guys too.  We should go over
there this afternoon, if you guy's are free," Joe said, and grinned.

   "If it'll help get me back to normal, I'll do almost anything," Mike
said, as he pulled his sweatpants back up.

   Throughout the whole discussion, Dave said little, but watched his
friends as they showed their changed bodies, and discussed what to do about
them.  He finally spoke.

   "What can doctors do, Joe?  Look at me, I know what I am, I'm a fat,
dumpy guy with a woman's body.  A fat WOMAN'S body.  But I've got a wife
and two kids.  What can the doctors do about that?" Dave looked like he
might start to cry.

   "Dave, I don't know what they might be able to do.  I do think we should
give them a chance to look at our problem, though.  If we are stuck like
this, the sooner we know it, the better.  If there is a way out, then as
far as I can see, th y will be the people who can help us find it.  We can
wallow in self pity, but that won't get us back for sure." Joe tried to
sound confident for his depressed pal.

   "When do you guys want to go over to see Dan?" Joe asked.

   "Whenever you want, Joe.  I'm ready," Mike said.

   "Well, let's get ready then.  Dave can you find something a little
better to wear?  At least put a T-shirt on under that blouse, or something.
Maybe Cindy can help?" Joe tried to get his pal to dress with a little more
pride.

   "What's the difference?" Dave said, "I'm just too fat.  I'm a fat, ugly,
woman."

   "I don't care what sex you're body is, it's still YOUR body.  Show a
little pride, Dave," Joe insisted.

   Joe opened the bedroom door, and walked out.  Cindy was in the kitchen,
and young David was at the table.

   "Cindy, would you help Dave find something to wear?  I want him to come
along with Mike and Me to Hillcrest Hospital, to see if they can do
anything for us," Joe asked.

   "Joe, I've been trying to get him to wear something more appropriate,
but he will only wear what he has on, or one of his old T-shirts.  His
pants don't fit at all.  I had those old shorts from when I had Suzie.  He
won't even try anything else," Cindy said.

   "Come with me," Joe ordered, and walked back down the hallway, where
Mike and Dave were coming back from the bedroom.

   Joe took Dave's arm, and led him back to the bedroom.  When Cindy came
in the room, Joe closed the door.

   "Dave take that shirt off, and pull those shorts down," Joe insisted.

   Dave unbuttoned the blouse, and took it off.  He pulled the shorts over
his big hips and buttocks, and stood there, with nothing on, but men's
boxer shorts.  He was quite a sight, and Joe fought to suppress a grin.

   "Cindy, do you have any underwear that will fit this guy?" Joe asked.

   Cindy, who was attractive looking, but perhaps a little overweight
herself, went to her dresser.  She rummaged through her drawer until she
took a pair of white cotton panties, and put them on the bed.  She opened
another drawer, and from the back of the drawer selected a white cotton
bra. It looked too big to fit her, but looked like it might fit her
husband. She held up the bra by the back strap.

   "This is from before I went on the diet, after Suzie," she explained. 
"It might fit you though," she said to her husband, who just stared at it.

   "Go ahead, Dave.  Try it on, you'll probably appreciate how it feels, if
you try it," Joe insisted.

   "Joe, I don't think I can wear something like that," Dave complained,
his higher voice sounding slightly whiny.

   "Why not?  Are you afraid you'll look like a woman?  No problem, old
buddy, you already do, so you might as well get used to it," Joe tried to
speak with authority.

   Dave took the bra from his wife, and pulled it around his chest.  Cindy
helped her embarrassed husband put it on, and adjusted the straps to fit
his slightly larger shoulders.  The support made D ave's breasts look much
less saggy.  He shook his chest, feeling the support and comfort the bra
provided.  Dave went to the dresser mirror, and looked at himself.

   "See, it's improvement already," Joe said encouragingly.

   Joe went to the bed, and picked up the white underpants.  He held them
out to Dave.

   "Ok pal, now, take off those baggy shorts, and try these," he said.

   Dave took the underpants, and held them up by the waist band.  To Joe,
they looked twice as big as the ones he was wearing.  Dave shrugged his
shoulders in resignation, and put them back on the bed.  He then pulled the
boxers down and stepped out of them.  Dave had never seen a large naked
woman before, and was amazed at the size of Dave's large, soft buttocks. 
Dave took the panties from the bed, and stepped into them.  He pulled them
up and over his large butt.  When he had them on, he went the mirror, and
looked at himself.  Dave watched, as his friend saw himself in women's
underwear for the first time.  He knew what Dave was going through.  Dave
just stood there and stared at himself.  He reached down, and touched the
flat area where his male organ used to be.  Joe remembered how he felt, the
first time he saw himself the same way.  It seemed so much different with
the snug fitting panties on, than even when you were naked, when your pubic
hair somewhat hid y our new contours.

   "Cindy, do you think you'd have something to fit this guy?" Joe asked,
breaking the silence, as Dave looked at himself in the mirror.

   "I'll see.  I might have something from before the diet.  What do you
want, Dave, shorts, or a dress?" Cindy asked.

   Dave stood there.  Cindy repeated her question, and only then did Dave
look at her.

   "Ah..  I don't know, do you have something like Joe's wearing?  " Dave
asked.

   "I don't think so, but I'll see what I have," Cindy replied.

   She went to the closet, and soon returned with some pink pants, and a
loose fitting pull over top.

   "Pink?  Does it have to be pink?" Dave asked.

   "Sorry, it's what I have, and of what I have, I think it's the best
thing for you," Cindy said.  "Try it on."

   Dave took the pink pants and pulled them on.  They fit fairly good, only
a little tight across the butt.  He pulled the top over his head, and
straightened it across his chest.  It also fit better than expected.  With
Cindy's old clothes o n, Dave looked like a young, plump, woman, with a
butch haircut.

   "Not too bad, old pal.  Maybe we need to go to spend some time at the
health club, though," Joe said, putting his hand on his friends back as he
inspected himself in the mirror.

   Dave went to the bedroom door, opened it, and went back out to Mike, who
was sitting on the couch, playing with David.  Mike looked up when Joe came
in and saw Dave in his new clothes.

   "Big improvement, Dave," Mike said.  "You kinda looked like a slob
before," he said.  Mike wasn't known for his tact.

   "Well, I think we ought to go see Dan Mcquire," Joe said.  "Can I use
your phone, Dave?"

   "Sure," Dave answered.

   Joe got Dan's phone number from the pocket of his jumpsuit, and punched
it into the phone.  Almost immediately, the phone was answered.  It was
Dan.

   "Forensic," the voice on the other end said.

   "Dan?  Joe here.  Joe Bates."

   "Hi Joe.  What can I do for you?" Dan asked.

   "Dan, I'm at my friend's house.  I'm with the other two guy's who are
having the same problem I am.  Can we come over and see you?" Joe asked.

   "Absolutely.  There are some people here who can't wait to examine you
guy's.  I'll call the doctors now.  When can you get here?"

   "We're getting ready to go right now," Joe replied.  "About thirty to
forty minutes should do it."

   "See you soon, then," Dan said, and hung up.

   "How do we want to go?" Joe asked.  "Do you guy's want to each drive
over separately, or does anybody want to ride with me?"

   "I don't want to drive looking like this," Dave insisted.  "I'll ride
with you."

   They all went out to the driveway.  Mike's big 4WD pickup was parked
behind Joe's car.  Mike got in and started his engine while Dave and Joe
got belted in.  They backed out, and Mike followed Joe to the hospital.

   When they arrived, Joe led his strange crew directly to Dan's office. 
Dan was there waiting.  He introduced himself and Joe presented his two shy
buddies.

   "Well, I guess we might as well go upstairs and meet the Dr.  Krell and
Dr.  Loe.  They're sure anxious to meet the three of you," Dan said, after
shaking hands with Dave and Mike.

   They followed Dan to the elevator, and rode it to the forth floor. 
There Dan took them down a long hall, and into some offices.  They sat down
in some chairs, as Dan talked to the receptionist or secretary behind a
desk.  In minutes, they w ere all asked to come to the next room.  There,
they met a small man, with thick glasses.  Dan introduced him as Dr. 
Krell, and described his as a specialist in gender and genetic research.

   "I'm pleased to meet you Dave, Joe, and ah Mike, is it?" Dr.  Krell
said, smiling.  "Don't worry about a thing, I'm not sure what is going on
here, but we are learning new things concerning genetics every day, and I'm
certain we can come up with some answers in your case."

   Joe could see Dr.  Krell looking each of them over very carefully.  He
sort of felt like a lab specimen, as the little man inspected him and his
friends.

   "I have been looking at the records of Joe Bates," Dr.  Krell went on.
"I don't have anything on you two," he said, looking at Mike and Dave.

   "I just found out about them this morning," Dan said.  "I'll take them,
and get their records, as soon as you're done with them."

   "I would like to work with...  er...  Mr.  Bates here.  You may take the
others, and get them to fill out the paperwork to get their records," Dr.
Krell said.  "I'll see each of you in a little while."

   Dan got up, and Mike, and a nervous Dave Skinner, followed him back to
his office.

   Dr.  Krell looked at carefully at Joe.  He made Joe a little nervous. 
Dr.  Krell saw Joe's concern, and attempted to reassure him.

   "Relax, Joe.  I won't harm you, and we just might be able to help," the
little man said.

   "I'm Ok," Joe said.  "I just wish I knew what was going on here."

   "You are an engineer, is that right?" Dr.  Krell asked him.

   "Yes, I'm an electrical design engineer, and I work for Honeybone
Avionics," Joe volunteered.

   "Well then, you might understand that there are methods that we must
use, or follow, which are necessary to eliminate as many variables as
possible," Dr.  Krell went on.  "I think you realize that we don't really
know what has caused your condition, but if we can figure that out, it
might be possible to reverse it.  The 'state of the art' in genetic
engineering is probably the fastest advancing area of biological science
these days.  I hope we can help you, but I'm sure YOU can help us."

   "Will I ever get back to normal, Doc?" Joe asked.  "What are the odds?"

   "It is far too early to tell, Joe, we want to give you a complete
examination, to find out the extent of the changes," Dr.  Krell explained.

   "I'm ready for whatever you need to do," Joe said.

   "Good.  That's good," The Dr.  went on.  "Did Mr.  Mcquire tell you the
results of your blood group?"

   "No, I don't think so, he said the results would be in soon," Joe
replied.

   "Well, they're in, and they are VERY interesting.  Mr.  Bates, the DNA
tests show your chromosomes to be female.  You have the normal XX cell
structure of a normal genetic female.  However, your blood shows an
extremely high levels of testosterone for a female.  If it has always been
at these levels, I would expect you to exhibit masculine secondary
characteristics."

   Joe looked at Dr.  Krell in confusion.  "Exhibit masculine secondary
characteristics?  Doctor Krell, five days ago, I was a MAN.  That's about
as PRIMARY as it gets.  I think you'll find, if you'll read my records,
that I fathered a child when I was seventeen," I'm not a girl who's
changing into a man.  I'm a guy, who woke up Friday morning with a female
body," Joe was irritated, and it was starting to show.

   "Joe, calm down, calm down," Dr.  Krell said.  "I have read your
records, and I know your history.  I'm just stating the facts as they
appear.  No matter what you have been, if your body and blood chemistry
stay as they are, you will surely begin to develop, or redevelop the
secondary sexual characteristics of a male.  That is, increased facial and
body hair, upper body muscular development, and other changes.  Perhaps you
have already experienced one or more of them.  That's why we need to
conduct a complete physical examination.  To find out what's going on."

   Joe sat back in his chair, and tried to relax.  He was worried that the
specialists wouldn't understand his problem, and was probably a little
"spring-loaded" for confrontation.

   "I'm sorry, Dr.  Krell, I'm ready for whatever you've got," Joe said,
with resignation.

   "I'll call Dr.  Hopkins, he's expecting you, so I don't think you will
have to wait long.  He will be conducting the physical examination.  Are
you ready for it?" Dr.  Krell looked at Joe, as if to see his reaction.

   "I guess so," Joe said.  "I just had a class two flight last month."

   "I doubt you've ever had one like this, Joe." Dr.  Krell said, smiling.
"Dr.  Hopkins is a gynecologist.  He's anxious to do a full pelvic
examination on you."

   The muscles in Joe's crotch tensed as he heard the little doctor say
those words.  He had almost forgotten that he was different now, much
different in some places, and a physical for a woman included an internal
examination.  He hadn't thought about that, until now.  He wondered what it
would feel like....  If it would hurt....

   "Don't worry, Joe, Dr.  Hopkins is very skillful, and he won't harm you
in any way.  And, we might even find out what is causing your symptoms,"
Dr. Krell saw Joe's apprehension, and was trying to arrest his fears.

   Dr.  Krell picked up a phone on the desk, and punched a three digit
number.  He spoke into the phone.

   "Our patient is ready, Karen," he said.  "Ok, we'll be down in ten
minutes." He put the phone back on the desk.

   "They'll be ready for you in ten minutes," Dr.  Krell repeated.

   "Ok, then," Joe said.

   "Tell me, Joe, Did you put the make-up on, or did someone help you?" Dr.
Krell asked, as if to make small talk.

   "Linda, my er....fiance, was my fiance, is helping me to cope with the
situation," Joe explained.

   "Well, you are certainly attractive, if you don't mind me voicing a
personal opinion.  You seem to handle the change extremely well," Dr. 
Krell added.

   "I'm getting used to it, a little, I guess," Joe said.  "It's almost
possible to forget it happened, sometimes, but only for a few minutes. 
looking at myself in the mirror is even a strange sensation.  I don't know
if I could ever get used to looking like this," Joe cupped one of his
breasts with his hand.

   "It must be quite a change," the doctor agreed.  "I don't know how I
would handle something like that if it happened to me.  Are you
experiencing any health problems?" he asked.

   "No, I don't think so," Joe said.  "I haven't gotten used to being wet
practically all the time, and ...I guess....  well, horny..er..  I just get
turned on from almost anything anymore.  I don't have much to see, but I
have had more erections , that's what they feel like, than I ever had
before, even when I was seventeen."

   "Interesting." Dr.  Krell said.  "It's possible the high levels of
testosterone in your system has played havoc with your metabolism.  That
could account for the increased libido.  Of course, the wetness is the
result of sexual excitement.  It would follow that if you had an "erection"
as you call it, you might now also experience vaginal lubrication.  It's a
natural female reaction to sexual stimulation."

   "I know what you mean." Joe agreed.  "I guess I didn't realize women
went around with wet underpants, or worse, when they get excited," Joe
said, and grinned at the little doctor.

   "With the levels of male hormone in your system, it's understandable
that you might excite easily.  Tell me, what causes the excitement?  Is it
women?  Men?  How do you feel about your fiance, since the change?  Forgive
the personal questions, Joe, but I have never experienced a subject who
made the transition from male to female, completely, and apparently fully
functioning, in one day.  I've worked with a few male to female transexual
patients, but for them, the transition literally takes years, and the
result, while sometimes amazing, is nothing like your situation.  Even your
DNA indicates that you are female." Dr, Krell could scarcely contain his
interest in Joe's malady.

   "Well, doctor, the first thing you have to remember, is that this is
Monday," Joe said.  "Last Thursday, I was a thirty year old MAN.  I went to
work, flew an airplane for about two hours, went to the health club, played
racketball with a buddy of mine, and then picked up my girl-friend, and
spent the evening discussing getting married.  That was four days ago, and
I still totally remember what it was like.  I still appreciate a good
looking woman, and now it's awful easy to see m ore of them than ever
before.  You wouldn't believe it, well maybe you would, you're a doctor,"
Joe grinned at Dr.  Krell as he spoke.

   "How about men?  Have your feelings toward men changed in any way?" the
Dr.  asked.  m

   "I'd like to say no, absolutely not, but actually, I'm not really sure.
My senses seem sharper now.  I feel things differently.  I smell things I
never did before.  My own sweaty T-shirt, from before the change, gave me
the strangest feeling.  I don't know if it was sexual, but it could have
been," Joe admitted to the doctor, things he didn't want to admit to
himself.

   "Interesting," Was all Dr.  Krell said to that revelation.

   "When you look like this, it's impossible to relate to men the same way
as before.  I've tried, but it just don't work," Joe said, thinking of his
experience with his best friend, Jay.

   "I think we can go down now," Dr.  Krell said, an d got up from behind
his desk.  "If you don't mind, I'd like to observe the examination."

   "No, I guess not.  Sure come on," Joe said, nervously.  He was actually
somewhat glad Dr.  Krell would be there.  He kind of liked the little man,
and felt he could trust him.  He didn't know what was going to happen next,
and felt he knew him, even though they had just met.  He followed Dr. 
Krell out the door.  Even with his smaller body, he was maybe six inches
taller than the doctor.  They got on the elevator and rode down one floor.

   The door opened, and Dr.  Krell went out and Joe almost had to run to
keep up with him.  They entered some doors, which were painted with the
words OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY.  As a single male, Joe had never been in a
place like this before .  He could feel his heart pound as he stood at the
desk behind Dr.  Krell.  The Dr.  said something to an attractive nurse
behind the desk, and she immediately got up and motioned for them both to
follow.  She lead them to an examining room.  It had a chair, a stool, a
table, the type with stirrups, and a cabinet full of paraphanalia.  There
was a paper cover on the table, and on the end, the paper was stained with
a few drops of what looked like blood.  The nurse spotted the soiled paper,
an d pulled it down, and ripped it off, creating a clean cover.  The nurse
the went to a drawer, and removed a hospital type smock, the kind that is
open in the back.  She gave it to Joe, and told him to undress, pointing to
a small clothes tree in the corner, which had three hangers on it.  Then,
she and Dr.  Krell left the room.

   Joe unzipped his jumpsuit, and sat on the stool at the end of the table.
He removed his Reboks, and socks.  He quickly slipped out of the jumpsuit,
and felt very cold standing in his underwear.  He looked at the little
smock, and had to suppress a laugh.  Even with his smaller size, it was far
to small to cover much of his bottom half, and his rear end would be
completely uncovered.  Right, he thought.  He removed his bra, and slipped
out of his panties.  He put the little smock on, and wondered what to do
next.  He decided to sit on the edge of the table.  He hoisted his butt up,
and was looking at the stirrups, when he heard a quick knock on the door.
Before he could even acknowledge, a handsome man of about forty years,
entered the little room, followed by the tall, dark-blond-haired, nurse,
and Dr.  Krell.

   Joe sat there, extremely self conscious.  Dr.  Krell spoke.

   "Joe Bates, this is Doctor Joe Hopkins.  Joe, meet Joe," Dr.  Krell
smiled broadly at his little attempt at humor.

   "Hi, Doctor Hopkins," Joe said.  Try as he might, he couldn't forget he
was sitting in a room, with two men, and a woman, almost naked, his butt
hanging out from the little smock.

   "Hello, Joe.  I hear you have had a very interesting weekend," Dr. 
Hopkins said, with a rather deep voice.

   "Yea, it's been a grin a minute," Joe snapped back.

   "How about standing right here, Joe," Dr.  Hopkins said.  "Maybe we can
figure out what's going on with you."

   Joe stood before the big man.  Dr.  Hopkins took each of Joe's arms and
looked at them, one at a time.  He looked at his hands, his elbows, and
took a small light, and looked into his eyes, and ears.  He turned him
facing away from him, and thumped, and pressed on his back in various
places.  So far, it was familiar to Joe.

   "Please remove the smock," Dr.  Hopkins said.

   Joe untied the little tie behind his neck, and pulled the cloth off of
him.  He stood there, naked, and could feel the warmth as he blushed from
showing his body to these strangers.  He moved his leg to cover his
genitalia, embarrassed by Linda's trim job on his pubic hair.  No one in
the room seemed to notice, however.

   Dr.  Hopkins firmly pressed Joe's breasts between his fingers.  He used
enough force that the slight pain it caused made Joe wince.

   "Does that hurt?" Dr.  Hopkins asked.

   "A little," Joe replied.  "They seem a little sensitive to me."

   "More than normal?" the Dr.  asked, and then grinned when he realized
what he said.

   "They've felt the same ever since I've been like this," Joe said.

   Dr.  Hopkins looked carefully at Joe's nipples, and felt each of his
breasts, apparently feeling for lumps.  It felt strange to Joe, to have
such big, strong, hands feeling the soft, sensitive areas of his body.

   "Please sit on the end of the table please," Dr.  Hopkins said.

   The nurse went to a small cabinet, and took out some metal tools.  She
laid them on a towel placed on a small rolling table.  Joe looked at the
things on the table, but didn't recognize the stainless steel, and white
plastic tools on the table.  Dr.  Hopkins went to the table, and took some
surgical latex gloves from a box on the table.  He carefully put them on.
When he had them on the way he wanted, he picked up a shiny metal tool
which looked sort of like a huge cork remover with elongated spoons on the
end.  He held it up for Joe to examine.  Joe noticed that there were two of
them, and he picked up the larger of the two.

   "Joe, this is called a speculum." Dr.  Hopkins said.  "I use this to do
the internal examination." He moved the control on the end, and the
"spoons" on the end, spread apart.  Joe cringed as he thought about where
that thing was going.  It seemed far too big to fit inside him.

   The nurse adjusted the table so that there was a slight tilt upward to
the head end.  Then she pulled Joe back so that he was laying back on the
table, tilted.  She covered his body with a small green sheet.  The warmth
felt comforting to Joe, but he just knew everyone in the room must be able
to hear his heart pounding.  The nurse pulled out and adjusted the metal
stirrups and then placed Joe's feet in them.  It was not uncomfortable, but
it did seem strange.  Suddenly, Joe felt the end of the table, the part
under his upper legs, go down, as Dr.  Hopkins folded it down.  Joe's butt
was now at the very edge of the table, but the weight of his legs was taken
up by the stirrups.  Next, Joe felt cool air on his bottom as Dr.  Hopkins,
and the nurse adjusted the sheet so that his bottom half was exposed.  Joe
couldn't see much, since the sheet concealed what was happening from his
view.

   Joe felt a hand touch his crotch.  He felt smooth fingers touching his
genital area, as Dr.  Hopkins examined it with firm but gentle touches.  He
could feel his labia being spread wider than he had ever done, and he felt
his penis, or clitoris now, being examined.  Suddenly the touching stopped,
and Joe thought, and hoped, it was over.  Then, from over the sheet, Joe
could see Dr.  Hopkins take a speculum, the smaller one this time, and put
some K-Y jelly from a large tube, on the spoons.  He held the spoons in his
hand momentarily, perhaps to warm them.  Then, Joe could feel the speculum
as Dr.  Hopkins placed it at the entrance to his vaginal opening.  Dr. 
Hopkins swiftly, but gently, maneuvered the metal device, until Joe could
more sense rather than feel, that it was deep inside him.  Suddenly there
was a very noticeable pain, as the speculum was spread.  Joe never felt
more vulnerable in his life.

   As he lay there, covered with a sheet, Joe was unable to see what was
being done to him, but was feeling a slight pain, as the metal object in
his crotch was moved around.  Joe began to think about something he had
read somewhere, that some women tended to develop special feelings for
their doctors.  Now, Joe could understand why.  These guys saw things, and
knew things about your body, that you couldn't even see yourself.  It was
almost like you were dependent on them to tell you that you were normal. 
He never felt that way about his male body.  This one was far more
complicated, it seemed, You even needed a specialist, just to check it out.

   Suddenly, Joe felt the speculum collapse, and withdraw from his bottom.
The stretching it had done made him feel strange in that area, even with
the tool removed.  Before Joe was recovered from the quick removal of the
speculum, he felt a finger in his genital opening.  What the heck is going
on now, he thought?  Dr.  Hopkins felt around inside Joe, pressing on his
abdomen with his other hand as he did so.  Joe could feel him pressing on
his bladder, and for a moment had a strong urge to urinate.  Then the hand
on his abdomen went to his bottom, and he felt Dr.  Hopkins insert a finger
in his other opening.  He probed and felt around, and Joe found it very
uncomfortable.  Then the hands and fingers were gone, and Joe could see Dr.
Hopkins remove the surgical gloves and toss them into a covered waste can.

   "You can dress now, Joe," Dr.  Hopkins said, as he took a clipboard, and
started writing on it.

   The tall nurse helped Joe up, and held the sheet as he turned and
stepped off the table.  She gave Joe a box of large, soft tissues.

   "You can use these if you need them," she said, and she followed Dr.'s
Hopkins and Krell out of the examining room.

   Joe sat there, wrapped in the small green sheet, his crotch feeling like
it had been ripped apart.  He pulled the sheet away, and looked at the
tender area.  His genitalia and pubic hair was smeared with the lubricating
jelly that Dr.  Hopkin s used.  Joe looked at the table, where he had been
sitting and saw a spot of blood on the paper.  No wonder, Joe thought.  He
took a tissue, and began cleaning himself up, wiping the jelly from his
pubic area, and found a slight trace of blood around his sore, and abused,
genital opening.

   Joe went to the clothes tree, and took his underwear from the hook.  He
pulled his panties on, and felt a slight twinge of pain as he moved his
legs with the snug fitting panty on, but he felt better, more secure, or,
less exposed.  He put the bra on, and slipped into his jumpsuit.  He
wondered if he should leave the room, and decided to wait where he was for
further instructions.  Joe sat in the chair, and squirmed around to find a
position that didn't hurt his ailing bottom.  He h ad just found a
comfortable position, when the nurse knocked, and immediately entered.

   "If you're dressed, Dr.  Hopkins would like you to come to his office,"
she said, smiling.  "Did you have everything you need to clean up?  There's
a bathroom right inside that door," she continued, pointing at a door as
Joe followed her d own the short hall.

   "I think I'm ok," Joe said.  "Kinda sore though," he added.

   "Yea, It's a little painful, the first time," the nurse said.

   Joe followed her back to her desk, and then into an office on the side
of what must have been a reception and waiting area for a number of
doctors. Now, five or six women sat in the couches that lined the walls,
apparently waiting their turn for what Joe just received.

   Dr.  Hopkins was at his desk when Joe entered.  Dr.  Krell was sitting
in one of the chairs in front of the desk, and they were engaged in
discussion.  Dr.  Hopkins motioned for Joe to sit down in the other empty
seat.  He did, but wiggled around, trying to get comfortable.  His
underwear seemed to ride up, or something, and amplified his minor
discomfort.

   "Is there a problem Joe?" Dr.  Hopkins asked.

   "Well, Doc, I guess I'm a little sore, from your inspection," Joe said,
with a slight grin.

   "I'm sorry, but I was as careful as I could be," Dr.  Hopkins said.

   "Any news?" Joe asked.  He wondered what the results might be.

   "Well, Joe.  I don't know how you feel about this, but my examination
reveals that you seem to be a normal, healthy, mature female.  I see from
your records, that your are thirty years old.  I must say, you certainly
don't look that old, externally, or internally.  Your pelvic examination is
somewhat unusual.  Internally, your condition is more like 15 to 18 years
old, rather than thirty.  Your uterus is perfect, and pink, like a young
girl just out of adolescence.  Your breast development is normal female,
with some slight stretching of the epidermis.  I suppose that is because of
the extremely rapid growth.  Overnight, I understand?" Dr.  Hopkins said.

   "I didn't notice anything when I went to bed, and I looked like this
when I woke up," Joe said.  "Can you do anything for me?" he asked
hopefully.

   "What do you like us to do?" Dr.  Hopkins asked, watching Joe's
reaction.

   "I don't know.  I feel like I'm still a man, but I sure can't resume my
normal activities, looking like this.  Do I have to remain female?" Joe
asked the ultimate question.

   "Well, Joe.  You have probably heard of surgical procedures to change
the body's physical appearance to that of the other sex.  After hormone
therapy, usually lasting a year or more, it is possible to alter the
appearance of the genitalia, so that it has the appearance of the desired
sex.  For a biological male who has the need and desire to have a female
appearing body, the results are often amazing.  It can sometimes even fool
a doctor.  However, for a biological female who wishes to be male, the
surgical procedure is far from perfect.  Any penis created is basically
non-functional, with little or no sensation.  There is no natural erectile
functioning, and it's difficult to make it function even for urination,
since it is often prone to infection.

   "Many patients don't even elect genital surgery, but settle for
hysterectomy, and mastectomy.  Hormone therapy will often give a
satisfactory outward male appearance, however.  For you, who actually have
experienced a complete, functioning male body, I think you would be very
disappointed with any result, no matter how it would turn out," Dr.  Krell
said.

   "So I'm stuck being female, unless I want to become a hermaphrodite?"
Joe asked, wondering if he really understood what Dr.  Krell had just said.

   "Well Joe, I wouldn't word it like that, but I guess that's one way of
describing it.  I don't think you would be happy with the result," Dr. 
Krell went on.  "I know it isn't easy, but you seem to be adapting to what
has happened to you very well.  I don't think it would be any easier for
you, if you would elect gender reassignment."

   "So you guy's think I should stay like this, huh?" Joe asked, a strange
feeling coming over him.  His face tingled as he considered his options.

   Female....  He had lived four days like this so far.  Sometimes, it
wasn't so bad.  But, to stay like this...  Could he handle it?  On the
other hand, to look like a guy, but not have a penis, or at least a
functioning penis....  Hell, he might still have to sit down to pee...  He
thought of the feelings...  the sensations....  of being with Linda.... 
But then, he still had that, it was different, for sure, but in many ways,
even better.  He didn't know.

   "Can I get pregnant?" Joe asked.

   "I haven't done any testing for fertility, but I suspect you very likely
could," Dr.  Hopkins said.  "I believe you are now a mature and functioning
female, and as such, you'd better use adequate contraception if you should
choose to become sexually active.  By the way, your hymen is intact.  I had
to stretch it a bit during the examination, but I believe it remained
intact," Dr.  Hopkins said, looking at Joe, and grinning.

   "You mean I'm a virgin?" Joe asked, He never thought about that.

   "Well, I don't know about that.  Dr Hopkins answered, chuckling.  "But
your pelvic exam showed an intact hymen.  That's not too common for a woman
of your age.  I have a question for you, too."

   "Sure, what?" Joe asked.

   "Was your penis circumcised?" Dr.  Hopkins asked.

   "Well...  Yea, Why do you ask?" Joe was curious why he wanted to know.

   "Well I observed some unusual scar tissue around your clitoral area.  I
had never seen that before, but we decided that it might be carry-over from
penile circumcision.  I don't think anyone on record has ever experienced
what you have." Dr .  Hopkins said.

   "Will it cause problems for me?" Joe asked.

   "If it doesn't hurt, or cause irritation, I doubt it.  Physically, your
clitoris is missing the little hood, called the prepuce, that it normally
would retract into, or under.  The extra exposure may cause discomfort
during intercourse, or when wearing tight clothes.  I don't know.  Since
you've always been like this, since the change, you may not notice anything
at all.  Cosmeticly, I doubt anyone but a gynecologist, maybe a sharp
general practitioner, would even notice.  I wouldn't 't worry about it," Dr
Hopkins said.

   Joe thought about what he looked like in the hand mirror.  The little
sensitive bundle of flesh at the top of his opening..  Yea, Linda didn't
look like that.  But, he decided, it was probably the least of his
problems.

   "What about my life, my job....Hell, I'm a thirty year old man, an
engineer, a pilot....all my records, my identification, show me to be male.
What can I do about that?" Joe asked.  He didn't know what he wanted to do,
but he knew he needed more information.

   "Don't worry about that, Joe," Dr.  Krell assured him.  "What ever you
choose to do, it will be possible to change you records, even your birth
certificate, if you need it.  I'm not sure about your military records,
however."

   "So what do I do next?" Joe asked.  He hadn't known what to expect, but
he had more questions now, than answers.

   "Well, I think we need to find out what has caused these symptoms in
you, and your two friends," Dr.  Krell said.  "We'd like to run more tests
on you, perhaps we could get you to come to San Diago, where there are more
facilities to research your condition."

   "What can you do there, that you can't do here?" Joe asked.

   "I don't really know if there is anything, anyone can do for you, Joe,
but we need to find out just what has happened, and, just what caused it.
Then we might, and it would be a big might, we might be able to somehow
reverse your condition.  If we were to alter your appearance with surgery,
I don't think you would be pleased with the result, and it would surely
leave you disfigured, if we did find a way reverse whatever happened to
you. If you possibly can, I advise that you try to live with what you now
have, at least for a while.  I realize it isn't easy, but none of your
other options are either.  I would recommend that you consult a therapist,
if you're having any difficulty coping with the changes.  I might add, you
seem to be doing quite well, so far," Dr.  Krell advised.

   "If I decide to stay this way, at least for now, what will I have to do
to get my records changed?" Joe asked.

   "If you will come to my office in San Diego, I have all the information
you need, and there is a group of people to help, who are familiar with the
legal requirements for Arizona," Dr.  Krell replied.

   "How did they get familiar with my requirements already?" Joe asked, as
far as he knew, he was the first person he ever heard of with his problem.

   "You might be surprised at the number of gender disphoric persons who
elect gender reasssignment," Dr.  Krell answered.  "Only, they take years
to get where you are now.  But then they face the same obstacles, after the
reassignment surgery.  We see well over a hundred every year."

   It had never really occurred to Joe there were people on the street,
maybe people he knew, who had once been a different sex.  He didn't think
he had ever seen anyone like that.  He felt sorry for anyone who felt they
had such a problem, since he now knew what it was like to have the wrong
body.

   "I didn't realize there were that many people who changed their sex,"
Joe said.  "I wonder why I've never seen any of them."

   "How do you know you haven't?" Dr.  Krell said.  "I know of at least one
that you've seen."

   "Really, I sure don't remember seeing anyone like that," Joe said,
slightly amazed.

   "I wouldn't say anything, but I know she won't mind.  I know you've met
Dr.  Hopkins' nurse, Karen Simpson.  Dr.  Krell said with a grin.  "When I
first met her, her name was Keith.  That was just four years ago."

   Dave was shocked, and impressed.  He had never even considered that the
tall, friendly, and very attractive nurse could have been anything but a
natural woman.  She looked, walked, and even sounded, like any other good
looking female.  So she was once a guy too....

   "YOU made him..er..her, look like THAT?" Joe asked incredibly.

   "Well, I helped HER get her body in line with what she considers to be
HER normal gender.  Hormones did most of the work, and a morning on the
operating table did the rest.  I didn't make her a woman, I just helped her
to get a woman's body," Dr.  Krell said proudly.  He was obviously proud of
his work.

   "But you can't do anything like that for me, huh?" Joe asked.

   "Joe, I think I could make you pass as a man, in public, but I am sure
that you would not be pleased with the cosmetic, and function, of the
phaloplasty.  It is just a lot harder to create working male parts.  And
you had a real penis, so you would be expecting something like that.  And
that I absolutely cannot give you.  Again, I recommend that you try to live
with what you've got.  If it becomes intolerable, then let's talk about
alternatives," Dr.  Krell smiled as he spoke.

   "Well, maybe that's what I have to do," Joe said.  I'll give it a shot."

   "Good choice," Dr.  Krell said.  "Now, I think we need to call your
employer, what is it...  Honeybone Electronics?"

   "That's Honeybone Avionics.  We design, and manufacture aviation
electronics of all types.  Navigation radios, computers, flight management
systems, and a lot of other stuff.  For Civil and Military aviation., Joe
explained.  He was trying t o figure out who to call.

   "If you will give me the number, I'll call them, and explain what we
need from them," Dr.  Krell said.

   Joe gave him the switchboard number, and told Dr.  Krell to ask for Jim
Matheney, his supervisor.  Dr.  Krell dialed the number, and in a few
moments, he was talking to Jim Matheney.

   "Good morning, Mr, Matheney, My name is Dr.  Benjamin Krell," he said.
"I have three of your employees here at the hospital, and we have uncovered
some unusual symptoms in them, and I feel that the problems may be job
related.  I hope you can help us figure out what is wrong with them."

   That really is understating the problem, Joe thought.  But maybe that's
the best way to start.

   "Yes sir, that's who it is, and I would prefer not to explain their
symptoms over the phone.  Yes sir, it would be good if you could come here,
to Hillcrest.  Yes, Dr.  Krell, forth floor.  Two o'clock this afternoon
would be fine.  See you after lunch then.  Bye." Dr.  Krell had quickly
started the ball rolling.

   Just as Dr.  Krell hung up the phone, there was a knock on his office
door.

   "Come in." Dr.  Krell said.

   The door opened, and nurse Karen Simpson looked in.

   "Dr.  Krell, the other two patients are here from down stairs," she
said, smiling.  Joe looked carefully at her, and was trying to imagine her
as a man.  He couldn't.  Dr.  Krell saw him staring at the nurse.

   "Please have them wait outside for a moment," Dr.  Krell told her.  Joe
continued to watch her, and it was slightly obvious he was curious.

   "Karen, do you have plans for lunch?" Dr.  Krell asked the nurse.

   "Not really, I thought I'd just go out, maybe over to Wendy's, for a
salad.  It seems I really have to watch my calories," she said, with a
quick grin.

   "Well, Joe here is free for a couple of hours, and I think he wouldn't
mind buying you lunch.  I've told him a little about you, and I think you
two might have something in common," Dr.  Krell said.  It was plain that he
and Karen had a mutual admiration for each other.

   "Sure Joe, let's go, if you're ready," sShe said, holding out her hand
in a greeting.  "My name is Karen Simpson.  I've read your records, so I
know you're Joe Bates."

   Karen and Joe shook hands like two guy's meeting for the first time. 
Joe liked the pretty nurse the first time he saw her, a now that he knew
her unusual past, he wanted to get to know her.  As he stood next to her,
he saw that she was even a little taller than he was.

   "Nice to meet you Karen, let's get something to eat," Joe said, as they
walked out the door.

   "Be sure to be back by one thirty, Joe," Dr.  Krell ordered as they went
out the door.