From: b1223@ix.netcom.com
Newsgroups: alt.sex.stories,alt.sex.stories.tg
Subject: Lisa's TG Library: "Joe Bates" (Ch.  11-15)

   Chapter 11

   San Diego

   When Joe followed Karen out of Dr.  Krell's office, he saw Mike and Dave
waiting outside, for their turn to talk to the doctor.  Mike Osborn looked
very uncomfortable next to his rotund partner.  Joe greeted them, and asked
what they had been up to.

   "Well, I've had a blood drawn, they even took hair samples, and they
gave me a CAT scan," Mike replied.  Dave was cordial, but didn't add to the
conversation.  Joe told them Jim Matheney would be there at 2 o'clock, and
that he would see them in a little while.  Then, he followed Karen down the
hall to leave the building.  They went out to the employee parking garage,
where Karen's car was parked.  She walked up to a glistening white, Toyota
Supra, with expensive alloy wheels, and very wide tires.

   "I'm crazy about cars," Karen said.  "Maybe I'm a woman, but I still
love a good handling sports car," she added, grinning as she buckled in.

   "Me too," Joe said.  "I have a RX-7 GXL, and I love it."

   Karen's Supra ran great, and she knew how to drive, making the short
trip to Wendy's a brisk experience.  She drives like I do, Joe thought,
grinning as he watched her go through the gears, her white, uniform skirt
hiked well above her knees, exposing more of her long, white hose covered
legs than most women would allow.  Karen saw Joe looking at her legs, and
pulled the skirt down to a more demure position.

   "I know I should be more careful about that," she said, looking at Joe.
"It's been about two years now, and I just love it, but I don't always
remember to sit like a lady," she said, with a devilish grin.

   They pulled into the Wendy's lot, and parked the car in the back, so
that the car would be less likely to be subjected to door dings.  They
walked inside, and looked at the menu board.

   "I come here a lot, cause it's close, it's cheap, and I like the salad
bar," Karen said.  "In the last year, I have really had to watch what I
eat, since it all seems to go to my butt, and I absolutely don't want to be
a fat broad," she said grinning widely.  Karen sure seemed happy to be a
female, Joe thought.

   They ordered.  Karen ordered the salad bar.  Joe, deciding that he might
as well try to get used to the birdlike portions that women seemed to eat,
did the same.  They took their plates, filled them, and sat down across
from each other at a little table.  Joe was dying to ask Karen some
questions about herself.

   "Dr.  Krell told me a little about you," he said, not really knowing how
to start the conversation, and not really sure if Karen would even want to
talk about her transfiguration.

   "I figured he might," she said, with a smile.  "He's a great doctor, and
I know he's as proud of how I've turned out, as I am."

   "So you really were a guy then?" Joe asked, with a trace of skepticism.

   "Well, I was married to a very nice woman, for about a year, and we even
had a child together," Karen said.  "I tried to be a 'guy', and I suppose I
was one physically, but I've always felt I was really a female as long as I
can remember.  I never felt right acting like a man, but since I looked
like one, I did all the 'guy' things, and I even enjoyed a lot of them.  I
still like to do some of them.  Cars and computers don't seem to care if
you're an innie, or an outie." The grin never left her face as she spoke.

   "Well, you sure fooled me." Joe said.  "I never would have guessed that
you were an outie." Dr.  Krell was right, He and Karen were a lot alike.

   "Joe, hormones and Dr.  Krell's magic worked so well that even I
sometimes forget that I used to look a lot different than I do now," she
said proudly.  "For a while, after my surgery, just looking in the mirror
was one of my favorite pastimes.  I couldn't imagine I would ever look like
this.  It's like a dream come true."

   "I'm still in the 'looking in mirror' phase," Joe said.  "Of course,
it's hardly a dream come true for me.  But it is interesting.  And I guess
I'd better try to get used to it," he added.

   "You are certainly attractive, Joe," Karen said.  "And you have a big
advantage over me, since you've even changed biologically.  You probably
won't have to worry about hormones, or anything like that.  Dr.  Hopkins
thinks you can even menstruate.  I wish I could.  A lot of women think of
it as an inconvenience, but it's a significant part of being female.  You
can probably have children someday.  That's impossible for me now, of
course." Her grin subsided for the first time, but only for a moment.

   "I don't think that I'd ever have children," Joe said.  "Not if it meant
having sex with a man."

   "It's not that bad," Karen said, grinning at Joe.  "You quickly get used
to the differences."

   "Have you slept with a guy?" Joe asked.  Joe didn't feel strange, asking
Karen such personal questions, since they thought so much alike.

   "Yeah, I have.  A few times now," Karen answered simply.

   "Did you like it?" Joe asked.  He was curious what it felt like, and
wondered if he could ever get up the nerve to try it.

   "Well, I was sort of like you, I never thought I would ever want to get
intimate with a male.  I knew them too well.  I liked being around women,
they were so soft, smelled so nice, and wore such sexy clothes.  I didn't
want anything to do with my old world.  But, after about a year, it sort of
just happened.  I didn't plan it, or anything.  I met this guy at an
auto-cross, a student pilot from Williams Air Force Base.  He was racing
his car, an '86 Corvette.  We started talking about cars, and he asked me
to dinner.  I had never gone on a date with a guy before, or anything like
that.  But almost before I realized it, we were in bed together.  You know
how pilots are." Karen grinned, and winked at Joe.

   "What was it like?  Was it better than when you were married?" Joe
asked. He felt like a anxious teenager, questioning a more experienced
peer.

   "Gee, it's hard to compare.  I never felt comfortable having sex as a
male.  It did feel good when I'd ejaculate though.  I guess I do kinda miss
that, in a way." Karen seemed to stare into space as she spoke.

   "Don't you climax?" Joe asked.  He was thinking about his recent
experiences with Linda.  He never missed the ability to ejaculate.  He
really wasn't even sure he had lost it, he got so wet, and his climax was
so powerful.

   "Well...to be honest...  Joe, as far as I can tell, I look exactly like
a normal woman.  My breasts developed, my body has changed so much that
even my weight distribution has shifted to be more like a female.  I think
you know what I mean.  My body...  my genitalia is completely functional. I
can have intercourse.  But, the sensation is not all that great.  It feels
sort of numb.  Oh, I guess it's getting better, I could hardly feel
anything at all, for almost the first year, but it's got better.  It's
still getting better, I guess.  But, I've never been able to come since my
surgery.  I don't regret the change, and I would never want to go back,
even if I could.  Intercourse isn't that big a deal for me.  I can live
with it, or without it.  I kinda like the closeness.  I love to cuddle."
Karen tried to explain her feelings to Joe, who listened intently to every
word.

   "Gee, I don't think I have any problem with feelings, or sensation," Joe
said.  "Actually I think I have even more feeling than before.  My whole
body seems much more sensitive.  It even feels like I still have a penis.
It's just kind of ' recessed' now.  And, I think I can get off, just by
having my boobs touched in the right way," Joe admitted.

   "Yeah, mine are kinda sensitive, too," Karen said.  "At first, after I
started on hormones, when they were just starting to develop, they were way
too sensitive and they hurt all the time.  But after the surgery, they
really grew, and yeah, I guess they're my most sensitive area.  Sounds like
you've been trying out the new equipment," she said, with a chuckle.

   "Well...  I have this girl friend, my fiance actually, or at least she
was....  If I'm gonna stay like this, I guess I have to stop thinking of
her like that...Anyway, Linda and I have continued sleeping together since
this has happened to me.  It's been an experience," Joe said.

   "When I first started down this path, I only wanted to be around girls,
women, too," Karen admitted.  "But as time went on, and I got used to the
new ME, I've been more willing to experiment, to see what it's all about.
Joe, I'm..We're..  women now, and there's nothing wrong with us
experiencing ALL the pleasures of being female.  God knows, there's enough
pain," she said.

   "Speaking of pain, I have to go to the bathroom.  I just know that my
sore bottom isn't going to like it," Joe said, grinning at Karen.

   Joe got up, and excused himself.  He walked down the short hall, and
almost entered the men's restroom, catching himself as he put his hand on
the doorknob.  He walked on to the ladies, feeling like an invader as he
did so.  In all his experiences so far, he had not been into a public
women's restroom.  This would be the first time.

   Joe opened the door.  As he went in, he noticed that the room had a
small, padded couch to sit on.  There were no urinals along the wall.  He
very self consciously went to one of the stalls, and closed the door.  Joe
unzipped the blue jump suit, and pulled it off his shoulders.  Before the
change, he thought to himself, I could just stand here, whip it out, and be
done with it.  Now I have to practically undress.  He took the down to
around his knees.  He tucked his thumbs into the narrow waistband of the
nylon panties, and pulled them down.  As he did, he could see that the
white cotton lined crotch of his beige nylon panties were stained with a
little streak of blood.  It wasn't much, it didn't penetrate to the out
side, but it was another reminder that he was a lot different than he used
to be.  You really are an 'innie' now, Joe Bates, he thought.  He was
relieved to find it didn't hurt when the urine flowed.

   He finished quickly, and found no more blood on the tissue when he
wiped. He hurriedly pulled his clothes back on, and left the stall.  Joe
went to the sink and was washing his hands when someone else, a teenage
girl, of maybe seventeen, came in and went into a stall.  She didn't even
seem to notice the nervous woman at the sink.  Joe dried his hands, and
went out.

   Karen watched Joe walk back to the table.  As he sat down she looked at
him with that perpetual grin she had.

   "Joe it must be 90 degrees outside.  Why in the world are you wearing
that long sleeve jumpsuit?  Aren't you hot?" Karen questioned.

   "Yeah I guess I am, a little," he said.  "I just feel better, more
secure with this on."

   "Well girl, if you are going to be one of us, you're going to have to
get used to dressing lighter.  If I wasn't working, I'd be wearing cutoffs
and a tank top," Karen said "We're going to have to get you some proper
clothes, if you're going to make a go of it."

   "I have other clothes," Joe said.  "Linda helped me pick some out.  I
just ain't used to wearing that skimpy stuff yet," he said grinning.

   "I saw what you look like under that coverall, and you haven't got
anything to be ashamed of," Karen went on.  "If you got it, flaunt it a
little."

   "I'm still getting used to just having it.  I don't think I'm quite
ready to 'flaunt' it yet," Joe countered, smiling.

   "It's about twelve forty-five," Karen said.  "You don't need to be back
for about thirty to forty-five minutes.  Anything you want to do?"

   "I don't have anything in mind.  Do you?" Joe asked, wondering what the
tall blond was thinking.

   "I thought we might go over to Dillard's, and find you some summer
clothes," Karen said.

   "I have stuff at home.  It's only about ten minutes away, if you want to
take me.  It's Linda's house, but she won't home till about three of four,"
Joe said.

   "I've got some time to kill, and I'd just as well not rush back to
work," Karen said, getting up.

   She walked out, and Joe followed her out, telling her the way to
Linda's. She listened, and repeated his instructions back after he gave
them, almost like a pilot's 'read back' of his clearance.

   "You read that back like an IFR clearance," Joe said, figuring that the
term wouldn't be understood by the tall nurse.

   "I used to be in the Air Force," Karen replied.  "I guess I still have
some old habits left."

   "You were a pilot in the Air Force?" Joe was impressed.

   "No, not a rated pilot." Karen answered.  "I was a flight simulation
specialist.  I did learn to fly instruments, and get my private while I was
in, though."

   "Where were you stationed?" Joe asked.  "I was in the Air Force, too."

   "I'm originally from Tulsa," Karen said.  "I went to school at Chanute
Air Force Base, in Illinois.  From there, I was assigned to Davis-Monthan,
in Tucson.  That's how I ended up here in the Phoenix area.  I went to
school at University o f Arizona while I was in, and for a year after I got
out.  While I was at D-M, my mother died.  My dad died when I was a little
kid.  I was kind broken up about it, and went into a kind of depression.  I
guess I always had a problem with my gender, b ut it really came to the
surface after my mom died.  I decided I would look into what I could do
about it.  That was not too long after this male ophthalmologist, Richard
Raskin, decided to have gender reassignment surgery, and became Rene'
Richards.  You may have heard of him, or her, she also was in the news as a
tennis player for a while.  Anyway, I took pre-med courses at UA, and spent
most of my spare time studying about transsexualism.  I met Dr.  Krell some
time later, and this is how I've turned out.  I'm a licensed RN, but now
I've got about six years of schooling behind me.  I guess, if I got my act
together, I should become a doctor.  My family was well off, and I don't
need to work.  I've just been working for Dr.  Hopkins because I find it
interesting."

   They pulled up Linda's drive, and parked on the side, near the entrance
to the pool.  Joe got out, and Karen followed.

   "Nice place," Karen said.  "This is your girl friends house?"

   "Yeah, she's in real estate, and she got a good deal on this place," Joe
explained.

   Joe went to the door, and opened it.  They went inside, and Joe went
straight to his room.  Karen followed closely behind him.  He went in and
went to his closet, and turned on the light.  His few items of women's
clothing hung on hangers in the large closet.

   "This is what I've got, so far," Joe said.  "It isn't a lot, and if I'm
gonna stay this way I guess I'll have to get some more.  I had been hoping
that they'd have something that could change me back."

   "Nope, there's no magic pill, I'll attest to that," Karen said.  Let's
see...  how about this.  It would look great on you." She picked out the
little top with the balloons, that Linda had picked out for him.

   "Yeah, I've worn that once already.  I guess it's OK, but I always feel
like I'm hanging out of the big armholes," Joe complained.

   "Ridiculous.  I'm sure you look great in it.  Get that hot coverall off,
and put this on.  What do you have to wear with it?" Karen asked.

   "I've got some shorts.  I don't have any longer pants, yet," Joe said.

   "Get the shorts," Karen ordered.

   Joe went out into the bedroom, went to his dresser, and found the white
and the blue shorts.  He had just put them there that morning.  He placed
them both on the bed and sat down on the side, taking his Rebok's off.  He
pulled the jumpsuit off and lay it on the bed.  He stood there, in his
underwear, waiting for Karen to bring him the little tank top.  She came
out of the closet, and looked at Joe.

   "My God, you're beautiful!" she said as she looked at him.  "And you
just woke up the other day, looking like that?" she asked.

   "Yeah.  I guess that's about it.  I haven't any idea what has caused
it," Joe said.  "That's what I'm trying to find out.  r Something
apparently happened to me, Dave, and Mike, while we were flying.  We all
have similar symptoms."

   "Gee, I wish I could have made the change that easy," Karen said. 
"Maybe we should go flying together," she said, grinning.

   She gave Joe the top, and he slipped it over his head.  He looked at her
and showed her the way his bra peeked out the large arm openings.

   "Aw, don't be so paranoid," Karen said.  "It's not that noticeable.  You
can't really see anything.  Guy's will think it's sexy, and women either
won't notice, or won't care," Karen advised.

   Joe decided Karen must be right.  Linda had basically said the same
thing, so it must be true.  He grabbed the blue shorts that Karen handed
him, and slipped them on.  It was more comfortable out of the warm, but
wonderfully concealing, jumpsuit.

   "I guess we better be getting back," Joe said, looking at his alarm
clock by the bed.

   "Give me a minute, I need to use your bathroom before we go back," Karen
said.

   Joe pointed to the door to the attached bath.  He sat on the bed and
waited for Karen.  As he did, he thought about his tall new friend.

   They were so alike, and yet, so different.  They had both started out in
life as males, and even had relationships with women.  Now they were both
learning to live as women.  Karen was much further along, having been
living like this for almost three years.  Joe had only four days behind
him. And, Karen WANTED to be this way.  He wasn't a volunteer, but now they
were both in similar situations.  They had almost identical interests, and
seemed to get along very well.  He was glad to have found her when he did.
Karen might be a good person to have around when learning to cope with the
things he would probably need to learn in the next few months.  But, what
would Linda think of Karen, or how would she feel about him having another
female friend?  Joe was pulled away from his thoughts by the sound of the
toilet flushing.

   "Ok.  Now I'm ready." Karen said, as she re-entered the bedroom.

   Joe got up, and arranged his credit cards and ID in the tiny pockets of
the blue shorts.  He would have to do something about where to put this
stuff, if he wasn't going to carry a purse.  Karen saw what he was doing,
and laughed.

   "I still have the same problem," she admitted.  "I just can't get used
to the idea of carrying a purse around all the time, but there just aren't
enough pockets in women's clothes.  Luckily, these uniforms have pretty
large pockets," she said, pulling a few dollars, and her hospital ID, out
of a pocket of her white uniform dress.

   Joe went out, and locked the door.  Karen looked at the pool area.

   "Linda sure has a nice place here," she said.  "How does she take it,
with you looking like a woman now?"

   "I don't know," Joe answered.  "She says she doesn't care what happens,
that she wants to be with me, no matter what.  But I have always insisted
to her that this was a temporary thing for me, and that I would do all I
could to get back nor mal.  If I come to her now, and say that this is how
it will be....I don't know.  I don't know how she'll take it, and I don't
know what I'll want to do....as I get used to the idea myself, if that's
possible.  It still seems like a strange dream to me.  so far."

   The drive back to the hospital was quick, and they didn't talk much.  As
they neared the parking lot, Joe started to get apprehensive.  Although the
little top and the shorts he was wearing were much more comfortable in the
heat, they were also much more revealing.  Except for his experience in the
health club, he had never been in a public place with so much of his new
shape exposed.  It seemed different when he was around strangers, or, close
friends, but Jim Matheney, and who knows who else, would be there this
afternoon.  They'd be in for a surprise when they saw him like this.  Oh
well, I might as well get used to it, if I'm going to be like this for the
rest of my life.  The rest of my life.....

   It was about 1:45 when they got back up to Dr.  Krell's reception area.
There was nobody sitting in the waiting area, and Joe wondered where his
two friends were.  He sat down on one of the couches.  Karen sat down
behind the reception desk, and started to read something, probably the
appointment schedule.

   "Your friend Dave is at lunch, and Mike is up stairs at OB-GYN.  Dr. 
Krell is at lunch.  He might have Dave with him.  They should be back by
two," Karen said.  She got up, and started down the hall.

   Joe called out to her.  "Will I be seeing you again today?" he asked. 
He didn't want her to leave.  He felt better having Karen around because
she gave him hope that he could still have a normal life, even if he stayed
the way he was.

   "Sure Joe, I'll be back down later," she said.  "You'll be here all
afternoon.  I'll see you before you leave today."

   As Joe sat there, waiting for everyone to return, he used the time to
think.  If he was going to be this way permanently, he had to make some
plans.  He didn't have enough clothes, of course.  His identification
problems would be taken care of, he hoped.  He wondered about his job. 
Surely, if he, Dave, and Mike all had problems, it must be job related, so
he doubted that they would fire him, or anything like that.  But, would he
even want to go back there?  What would his friends say?  The guy's who
knew him as Joe, the airplane and sports car nut.  Joe, the bachelor.  Joe,
the guy.

   He looked down at his smooth, tanned legs.  If they were somebody
else's, he would be one of the guy's, critically checking them out.  But
these were his.  They really didn't look all that much different than they
used to, except that they were now smoothly hairless.  He rubbed his upper
leg with his hand.  It felt different than before, though.  Much softer. 
He was in good shape before this happened, and he still had good muscle
tone, but now he also had that thin layer of fat, just under the skin, that
makes females feel so soft.  He thought it might be even softer than
yesterday.  Maybe he was still changing.  The skin felt more sensitive,
too. His light touch felt good....kind of sensuous.  He could feel his
breasts, his nipples actually, stiffening.  Whenever they did that, he
could feel them when they rubbed the soft material inside his bra.  He
liked that sensation, too.  It was a sort of tickling feeling, different
than anything he knew as a guy.  When you really thought about it, having
breasts wasn't bad at all, he considered.  It was going to be a little more
difficult getting used to not having a penis anymore, though.  Even though
it usually felt like it was still there, it wasn't.  While its substitute
might be interesting, it was certainly a lot less functional at least for
what it was used for the most.  Like urinating.  It sure seemed like he had
to do that a lot more often now.  And, of course the darn thing even might
have some other surprises.  Dr.  Hopkins said he could probably get
pregnant.  No immediate problem there, but it meant that he would also
probably have menstrual periods.  What would that be like?  Would it hurt?
Would he have cramps, and get bitchy, like Linda did, sometimes?  He didn't
want to think about that.  But having blood, and other yuck, coming out of
your body, as a 'normal' occurrence?  His examination today, and the
probing, made him painfully aware of this new orifice.  No, he decided,
having a vagina wasn't all that great.  It might feel good...great even,
sometimes, but it was probably more of a liability, than an asset.  Then
again, if I gotta be a girl, it's best to have ALL the parts...  He was
glad he wasn't stuck halfway, like Mike seemed to be.  That seemed like a
real problem.  Maybe he was lucky to have the body he did.  It could sure
be worse, he thought, lightly stroking a breast with the tips of his
fingers.

   "Got a little itch there, Joe?" The tall nurse asked, grinning widely as
she walked up to him.

   Joe could feel his face turning red.  He had been so deep in thought,
that he didn't notice Karen and Mike come up the tiled hallway.  Mike was
walking stiffly, and looked uncomfortable.  Karen motioned for him to sit
down, and when he tried, Joe understood what his problem was.

   "I've got to go back upstairs.  Dr.  Krell should be here any minute. 
It's almost two.  Karen said, excusing herself.

   "Well, how's it going Mike?" Joe asked.  He was trying to picture him on
the examining table with the stirrups.

   "Don't ask.  You wouldn't believe what they did to me upstairs." Mike
said.  He seemed to be in very low spirits.  Joe could imagine why.

   "If it's the pelvic exam, I had one this morning, and I know what you
mean.  The pain has just recently wore off for me," Joe said, trying to
make Mike feel like he wasn't alone in this.

   "Joe, Dr.  Hopkins said it looked like I was a completely 'functional'
female," Mike went on.  "He said it's possible I might even have periods.
He stuck a thing, sort of a 'stretching' tool, into my vagina.  My VAGINA.
I've got a vagina.  Can you believe it?  He even said I had an 'intact
hymen'.  On top of all this, I'm a virgin." Mike was so shaken, it looked
like he might cry.

   Joe didn't know what to do to help his friend.  He thought about what
Dr. Krell told him about gender reassignment.  Maybe, for Mike, it would be
the thing to do.  He knew Dr.  Krell would know what would be the best for
Mike.  He touched Mike's shoulder, and Mike looked at him.  Tears were
welling in his eyes.

   "Joe, I just can't be a woman.  I just CAN'T.  Look at you...you LOOK
like a woman.  A good looking one, too.  I don't even look like an ugly
woman," he moaned.

   "Did Dr.  Hopkins have any thoughts as to why your body has stayed
masculine looking?" Joe asked.

   "Yeah.  He did.  He looked at me...at my cock...my vagina...I guess...
And he asked me if I have been taking anabolic steroids," Mike said.

   "Did you?" Joe asked, knowing the answer before he heard it.

   "Joe, I was careful...I didn't take too many...Just enough shots to get
my pecks in shape.  I never thought, hell, who would, I never thought that
it would make me look like a man, when I changed into a GIRL.  Joe, I
didn't know.  I just didn't know." Mike was almost pleading with him.

   "Mike, don't worry, I think you'll find Dr.  Krell can help.  I don't
know how, just yet.  But I'm sure he can help," Joe said.

   "Can he change you back into a guy?" Mike asked.

   "Well, for me, he recommended that I stay this way, at least until we
can figure out what caused it.  For you, maybe he'll recommend something
else.  You look a lot more like a guy than I do, now," Joe said honestly.

   "Yeah, a guy who has periods...  A guy with a cunt....  Joe, he's just
GOTTA help me," Mike pleaded.

   Joe looked down the hall, and saw Jim Matheney walking their way.  Well,
here it goes, he thought.  He felt the blood rush to his cheeks, and tried
in vain to arrange the tank top so that his boobs wouldn't be so obvious.

   Suddenly, Jim Matheney realized who it was, sitting there on the couch.
He recognized Mike first, but his eyes did a double take when he saw the
other person, one of his engineers, maybe his best pilot, sitting there,
wearing women's clot hes, and, did he see it right, he even looked like a
woman.

   No doubt about it, Joe Bates looked like a woman.  He seemed much
smaller, especially sitting next to the big technician, Mike.  Holy cow,
Jim thought, he's got knockers, and everything.  What's going on here,
anyway?

   "Hi Jim," Joe said, breaking the awkward silence, as Jim stared at him,
his eyes wide, and his mouth speechless.

   "Joe, what the hell is going on here?" Jim asked.  "Mike, what's the
matter with you?  Where's Dave?" He was overwhelmed with what he saw.

   Joe tried to give a quick explanation.  "Well, Jim, we don't know what's
happened, exactly.  Me, Dave, and Mike here, seem to have received some
kind of chromosomal damage, or something...  Our genes have been changed
somehow, so that we're all females now, at least genetically." He was
careful about what he said in front of Mike.  He didn't want him to break
down again.

   "Females?  What do you mean females?" Jim asked.

   "Women...girls...you know.  Damn it Jim, look at me.  This ain't some
kind of costume.  We've undergone some kind of transformation, or
something. When I woke up Friday, I looked like this.  And, I guarantee it
was much more of a surprise for me then, than it is for you now," Joe
explained.

   "All three of you?  What caused it anyway?" Jim asked.

   "Well, that's what we're trying to find out.  Since it happened to us
three on the GPS test program, it must have something to do with the
Learjet, or somewhere we went in it.  Damn if I can figure it out," Joe
said.

   "So, you're telling me you've all become females?  Then what about you
Mike?" Jim asked.

   Before Mike could say anything, Joe broke in.  "Mike has changed too,
but mostly internally.  His secondary characteristics just haven't
developed," Joe explained, voicing what was his best guess, but not wanting
to bring up the steroids.

   "Jim, there's something wrong with that damn Lear," Mike said loudly. 
"Look what it's done to us.  You gotta find out what's causing it.  The
company's gotta help us get back to normal"

   "Mike, if Honeybone is at fault, they will do everything possible to
help you.  How do you know it's the Lear, anyway?" Jim asked.

   "Jim, us three were the only one's working the ground tests, with the
portable transmitter.  We were all on the airplane for the touch and go's,
too.  It has to have something to do with the Lear, or where the Lear went,
on Thursday," Joe reasoned.

   "Where did you take the damn thing?" Jim asked.

   "We hardly got out of the pattern.  I know for sure we never got more
than eight DME from Deer Valley," Joe said.  Deer Valley airport was north
of Phoenix and was where the Learjet was based.

   "What can we do?  How do you think we can test it?  I wouldn't want to
be the pilot on this one," Jim said.

   "I don't know how we can do it.  Maybe somebody here has some ideas.  I
don't know what we gotta do, but I don't think anyone should fly the Lear
till we figure out what's going on," Joe suggested.

   "Yeah, but don't worry, when the guy's find about this, I don't think I
could drag anybody into that airplane," Jim agreed.

   "Jim, I don't know what's going to happen, but it's just possible that
we're stuck like this.  What's you're opinion on what Honeybone will do
about it," Joe asked.

   "Damn Joe, I don't know.  I never heard of anything like this.  I do
think that they should do everything possible.  They will, if I have
anything to do about it.  What do you want Honeybone to do, Joe?" Jim
answered.

   "I don't know.  I know I look different, but I just hope that the
company doesn't decide that I would be better off unemployed," Joe said.

   "If Honeybone is at fault here, I'll raise all kind's of hell if they
try to get rid of any of you," Jim said.  He meant it, too.

   Doctor Krell, followed closely by Dave Skinner, came through the door at
the end of the hall.  Jim turned around and watched as his other
pilot/engineer came down the hall.  Dr.  Krell held out his hand to Jim.

   "Mr.  Matheney, I'm Benjamin Krell.  I guess you see what kind of
situation you're guy's are in," The little doctor said.

   "What's causing this, doc?" Jim asked.  "What can be done about it?" Jim
Matheney was a problem solver, and he was used to getting things done, not
just talking about it.

   "It is a difficult problem.  I know of nothing, no phenomena, which can
cause this.  It seems as though their bodies' chromosomes have been
altered. We have just started the analysis, and that's all we have so far.
I will have to look at the results of the other physical examinations, but
I know that Joe here, has the total outward appearance of a normal female,"
Dr.  Krell said.

   "Can you correct or reverse this thing?" Jim asked.

   "I don't know.  I don't see how, but I really need to study the problem
some more.  I'd like to see what you haveat work, what they were operating
in the Learjet airplane.  I'd also like to get them to my clinic in San
Diego where I can run more tests, and where we have more people skilled in
this area.

   "If you need to go to San Diego, then get over there.  Joe, you can take
the 421 if you want.  Nobody's using it, and there is nothing scheduled on
it for the rest of the month.  Can you still fly?" Jim asked.

   "I don't know why not, Jim.  Maybe I look like a woman now, but I
haven't had the urge to sit home and bake cookies, or anything like that.
If course I can still fly." Just the question rankled Joe a bit.

   "Sorry Joe, I didn't mean to offend you.  It's a little difficult to
comprehend that you're the same person.  You sure look a lot different,"
Jim apologized.

   "It's ok, Jim.  I know I look different.  I feel different too.  But
inside, it's still me.  I'd sure appreciate it if you'd try to treat us the
same as before, much as possible anyway.  It's hard enough to get used to
this, without every body treating us like we were entirely different
people. Our bodies have changed, but our brains are the same," Joe said. 
He hoped that was true.  He was starting to have doubts.

   "Joe, can we get you over to San Diego tomorrow?" Dr.  Krell asked. 
"I'd like all three of you there, if possible.  I have called, and we can
begin running tests in the afternoon, if possible."

   "What about the Lear?" Joe asked.  He wanted to know what caused this to
happen to him.

   "I'd like to go over to where the airplane is, later this afternoon. 
Maybe we can figure out a way to run some experiments on it.  I'll need to
see what you are talking about.  You won't have to be involved in that,
however.  Some of my people, and maybe Mr.  Matheney here, can do that.  I
want to find out the extent of your symptoms, as soon as possible," Dr. 
Krell ordered.

   "If Dave and I fly the 421 to San Diego, we might get checked by the
Fed's.  What do you think they would say about us, our tickets still have
an M in the sex column," Joe asked.

   "I'll call Fred, and get an opinion from him.  Maybe he can make a
decision himself, or can call Ok City," Jim answered.  They both had a low
opinion of their FAA representatives ability to deal new situations.

   "Well, I've got to get back to my office." Dr.  Krell said.  "Dave, I
think they're about ready for you upstairs."

   Joe looked at Dave.  He saw that Mike look at him too.  They both knew
what was in store for their friend.  Dave just looked at both of them, with
a confused look on his face.  Mike and Joe just grinned smugly.  Dave
followed Dr.  Krell into his office.  Mike sat down on the couch, and began
squirming around trying to get comfortable.  Jim saw him wincing, and asked
what his problem was.

   "Well, ah...I ah..Jim, well, you see, they have this stainless steel
tool, it looks kind of like a safety wire pliers with spoons on the end. 
Well, they take this thing, and they put it inside you, and they open it
up. I'll tell you, you wouldn't want to try it," Mike, with his face red
with embarrassment, as he tried to describe his pelvic exam.

   "You had one of those?  Mike, you've changed that much too?  I didn't
know..I didn't realize you had changed that much.  You look pretty much the
same," Jim said, eyeing the big guy carefully.

   "I'm not the same, Jim.  I'm not the same.  You should see what I look
like without this stuff on.  I may still look like a guy, but right now I
don't feel like one.  Right now, it feel's like my balls were cut off with
a dull knife.  Hell , it kinda looks like it, too," Mike said, a bit of
sarcasm creeping into his voice.

   "Well, if there is any thing that can be done, it will be done," Jim
promised.

   Joe, Mike and Jim sat outside Dr.  Krell's office for about forty five
minutes.  Dr.  Krell had taken Dave upstairs after interviewing him.  He
came down alone about thirty minutes later, and went into his office. 
About ten minutes after that, Karen brought a stiff walking Dave Skinner
back down, and took him into Dr.  Krell's office.  She came back out alone,
and sat down on the couch with the three of them.  Joe introduced Karen to
the others.  He didn't mention her past.

   "This is Dr.  Krell's nurse, and assistant, Karen Simpson.  Among her
other talents, she's an instrument pilot," Joe added.

   Karen said hello to each of them, and asked Joe what he was doing later.
Joe looked at Jim.

   "I guess we're going to look at the Lear, to see what, or how we can try
to find out what happened," Jim said.  "We'll have to wait for Dr.  Krell's
word."

   "Would you like to come along?" Joe asked.  He liked to be around Karen.


   "Yeah, I would.  This whole thing is so bizarre, I'd like to know what
caused it myself," she answered.

   She remained sitting on the couch.  It was obvious that she was waiting
for Dave to finish with Dr.  Krell also.  Finally, the door opened, and a
long faced Dave Skinner came out.  Dr.  Krell was right behind him.

   "Would it be possible to see this airplane, and the equipment they were
using?" Dr.  Krell asked.

   "I'm ready to go, whenever you want," Jim answered.

   "Dr.  Krell, if you have no objections, Joe's invited me to come along,
and I'd sure like to," Karen asked.

   "Sure Karen, It might be helpful to have you along anyway," Dr.  Krell
said.

   They all followed Jim out, but when they got to the parking lot, they
stopped to decide how to split up.

   "Dr.  Krell, I have a company Ford sedan, and it will hold four, or
five, easily," Jim said.

   "I'll take Joe me, and follow you," Karen said quickly.

   "Mike, you and Dave want to ride with us?" Jim asked.

   "Sure, why not?" Mike answered.  He and Dave followed them to the Ford
in the public lot.  Joe followed Karen to her car, in the employee lot.

   Karen and Joe were out first, and they headed straight for Deer Valley
airport.  When they came down the road near the field, Joe pointed out the
hangar, and Karen drove right up to it.  Joe was getting nervous again, as
he knew there was a guard on duty who knew him as a male.  He didn't have
his company ID, and he didn't want to have to explain his problem to the
guard anyway.  He suggested that they wait for Jim to arrive with the
others, in the Ford.

   Before long, Jim drove up, and parked next to the white Toyota.  Joe and
Karen got out, and went over to the others.  They went to the gate, and Jim
showed his badge to the person in the guard shack.  The guard handed them a
clipboard, and asked them to sign in.  Joe quickly signed his name, and
hoped that the guard wouldn't look at their names.  He was wrong.

   "Joe?  Joe Bates?  We have somebody here by that name," he said.  When
Dave, and Mike signed on, he looked at them carefully.  Joe didn't say
anything, and neither did the others.  They quickly walked through the
gate, and into the hanger .

   "There's the Lear," Jim said, mainly for Dr.  Krell's information.  They
walked over to the sleek aircraft, and Joe spun the handle, and opened the
two piece door.  He peered inside.  What's in here that could have caused
this to happen?  he thought.  He looked around at the test gear that was
attached to the seat tracks.

   "I believe there is a portable transmitter, or something?" Dr.  Krell
asked.

   "Yeah, that's over in the lab," Joe answered.  "We can go look at that
if you like."

   "I believe it may be something worth looking into," Dr.  Krell said.  "I
have heard that high power radio energy can cause cell damage, and there is
very little information compiled about how it effects the chromosomes."

   "Well, it would be easy to set up, and operate, but how would we test
it?" Jim said.  "We have a cage back at the plant, that we could isolate
the RF from everybody.  Maybe we should try that."

   They walked passed the Cessna 421.  Karen walked over to one of the
engines, and ran her hand down the leading edge of a prop blade.

   "How long since you've flown?" Joe asked.

   "Almost four years." Karen said.  "I've never renewed my medical since I
started on hormones.  I guess I do miss it a little."

   "Maybe you could come along the San Diego," Jim said.  "I'll get you a
time in this thing, if you want."

   "Wouldn't miss it, if I can get away," Karen said.  "I'll have to ask
Dr. Hopkins."

   "Well, if you can get away, I'd like it if you could come along," Joe
said.  He liked having Karen around.

   Jim and Dr.  Krell discussed the possible ways they could run tests on
the equipment.  The possibility of using animals was considered.  Dr. 
Krell said he'd have to study the idea, since he wasn't familiar with that
type of testing.  He said he would consult some of his colleagues.

   Finally, they were finished looking at the aircraft and equipment.

   "Let's go talk to the guys in the lab," Jim said.  "I'll show you the
transmitters."

   Joe, Karen, Mike, and Dave all followed Jim, and Dr.  Krell into one of
the labs located in the rooms on the sides of the big hanger.  They went
in, and saw the yellow painted chassis which contained the relatively low
powered test transmitters used to functional test the new GPS nav
receivers.

   "How close to the antenna are you, during ground tests?" Dr.  Krell
asked.

   "Well, as close as a few feet, to as far as a mile," Mike said.  The
operation of the transmitters was his area of expertise.

   "How can we test this in a controlled environment?" Dr.  Krell asked.

   "Back at the plant we have a radiation containment room, a type of wire
cage," Jim answered.  "Little or no radio energy escapes from the cage."

   "I think that's what we should use to test the transmitter," Dr.  Krell
said.  "Since we are unsure of the area of danger, it would be best to
contain it completely."

   "We'll bring a transmitter to the plant tomorrow," Jim said.  "How can
we test this?  Don't we need a test case, a volunteer?"

   "I'm not sure yet," Dr.  Krell said.  "I can get access to some animal
subjects, and I think we should start there.  If it happens that it seems
to be the transmitters which cause the cell changes, and I would suspect
that it is, I think we could easily get human volunteers, if it was likely
that they might result in changes like those on Joe here."

   Joe blushed as everyone looked at him.  It was probably true, if there
were others like Karen, this machine could be the answer to their prayers.
An operational "Instant Sex Change" machine would surely be a revolutionary
piece of hardware.  A far greater technological advance than the GPS Nav
program.  Unfortunately, he was perhaps a victim of this new discovery, and
might have to live the rest of his life with the result.

   "I think we should call the Feds," Joe said.  "I want to know if I'm
legal when I fly.  I'm worried when I drive, and if me and Dave have to go
to San Diego tomorrow, I want to know what my status is."

   "Well, let's call Fred," Jim said.  Fred was the FAA GADO Rep, which
dealt closely with Honeybone.

   They went into the empty flight planning office and picked up the phone.
Fred Holms office number was on the quick dialer.  He answered almost
immediately.

   "Fred, we seem to have a little problem that we need an opinion on," Jim
said.  "Three of my guy's seem to have received some kind of cell change or
something, and we think it might be something we're doing here on the GPS
project.  We don 't yet have any proof of that yet, but we'd like to run
some tests on it.  We have a Dr.  Krell who specializes in chromosomal
problems, and he'd like our people to come to his office in San Diego.  I'd
like to let them go in the 421, but they aren't sure what the FAA's feeling
are on things like this."

   Jim stopped talking for an instant, as he listened to what the FAA man
was saying.

   "Yeah, it's my two pilot/engineers, Joe Bates, and Dave Skinner," he
said.  "Well, it's kinda weird.  They seem to have changed sex or, at least
they look like it."

   Jim waited, as the man on the other end did something that took a few
minutes.

   "No, they haven't been taking any drugs, or hormones, or anything like
that.  I don't think so anyway," Jim looked at Joe, and Dave, who shook
their heads to the negative.

   "No they haven't had surgery, or anything like that," Jim said into the
phone.  "They have just come from Hillcrest were they were given a clean
bill of health.  There don't seem to be any health problems at all, it's
just that they have undergone some unusual changes.  They both look sort of
like they've changed into females.  That's all we know so far."

   Yeah.  that's all, we've just turned into women.  That's all.  Joe
thought.  It's a lot different to say it, than to have it happen to you.

   "Sure their medicals are current.  Yeah, I can give them a quick check
ride.  I know that they don't have any physical problems," Jim said.  Jim
was a flight instructor, as was Joe, but he was also a designated flight
examiner.

   "Ok, sounds reasonable to me," Jim said.  He hung up the phone.

   "Fred says that if you two haven't been taking any drugs or other
prescription chemicals, and haven't been subjected to any major surgery, he
can't find anything in the books to keep you from being legal.  He
suggested I give each of you a check ride.  He said that a note from your
doctor would be necessary to get your ticket changed, and to present at
your next physical," Jim said.

   "Well, that sound's unbelievably easy," Joe said.

   "I'll give you the papers you need tomorrow, at my office," Dr.  Krell
said.

   "If you have an hour, right now, I'll take both of you up in the 421,
and make a logbook entry," Jim said.

   "Can you wait?" Joe looked at Karen.

   "Sure, no problem," said the tall nurse

   Joe and Dave took the little tug, and pulled the 421 out of the hanger.
Joe went to the phone and called the fuel truck to top off the tanks, as
Dave started the preflight inspection.

   When they were ready, the three of them boarded the little twin.  Jim
sat in one of the passenger seats, as Joe and Dave adjusted the crew seats
to their new proportions.  Soon the engines were started, and they taxied
out to the run-up area .  They checked the piston engines, and called the
tower for takeoff clearance.  Jim told them to remain in the traffic
pattern.

   Jim sat on the left, and made the first takeoff, and landing.  Then Dave
got the chance to show his capability.  Then Jim asked that they set the
left engine to minimum thrust, and Joe made a simulated single engine
landing.

   Dave also demonstrated he could still fly the 421 on one engine, and
then they returned to the Honeybone hanger.

   "Nothing wrong with your ability to fly," was all Jim said.  They both
had their flight bags in their lockers, and they presented their logbooks
to Jim, who made an entry as suggested by the FAA rep.

   When they had the 421 chocked in the hanger, they were ready to return
to the hospital.  Jim took Dr.  Krell, Dave and Mike along in the Ford
sedan, while Joe again rode back with Karen.  When they arrived back at the
hospital, Karen parked the car and they walked in.

   "Let me find Dr.  Hopkins, and see if I can take a few days off," she
said.  "I don't think there will be any problem.  He has three assistants,
and I usually just answer the phones."

   It was about four thirty by the time they had talked to Dr.  Hopkins,
and made an appointment to meet with Dr.  Krell and his staff, in San
Diego, tomorrow at noon.  Dr.  Krell suggested that they plan on remaining
in California for at least two days.  Jim said it would be no problem for
them to take the plane, and keep it as long as they needed it.

   "Well, I guess I'll see you tomorrow morning, about eleven." Dr.  Krell
said.  "I'll probably leave here tonight."

   Karen, Joe, Dave, Mike, and Jim walked to the parking lot.  They
discussed the plans for the trip in the morning.  Dave and Joe decided to
meet at the hanger about six o'clock.  The rest could arrive about seven,
or seven thirty.  Jim said he couldn't go tomorrow morning, but if they
wanted him there, he'd come up in the afternoon.  They said they couldn't
think of any reason why he'd have to be there, but they'd call if they
needed him.  That seemed to satisfy him.  To Joe, Jim seemed to be worried
about the liability that Honeybone might incur with all this.  Joe asked
him about it.

   "I talked to Mayer on the phone.  (Mayer was Jim's supervisor, the VP of
operations.) He said that I should do everything I could to help figure out
what was going on.  He was worried about you guy's too.  Don't worry, Joe,
the company is going to help you with this." Jim said, putting his hand on
Joe's shoulder, but quickly pulled it away when he felt it's feminine
softness.

   "Thanks Jim.  I appreciate your concern.  I don't know what's going to
become of this, but I appreciate your concern, and I appreciate what the
company is doing to help."

   "What you got planned for the evening, Joe?" Karen asked.

   "I don't know, I guess Linda is home by now, I'll have to tell her I'll
be out of town for a couple of days.  I guess I'll have to get some things
to take along.  It looks like I'm gonna be this way for a while, so I guess
I better invest in some more girl stuff," Joe said.  A funny grin formed on
his face as he talked.

   Joe looked over at Dave.  "What about you, pal, are you going to need
some things if you're going to be away for a couple of days?"

   "Yeah, I guess I do.  I'll get Cindy to help me find something.  I'd
like her to come along to San Diego, but I guess she'll have to stay home
with the kids."

   "If you want to go with me, give me a call.  I'm staying at Linda's
house, at least for now," Joe said.  If he was to stay a woman, it might be
best if he moved away from Linda, he thought.

   "I wouldn't mind if you came over, maybe about six, or six thirty," Joe
said.  "We can go to the mall and get something to eat.  Linda might want
to come along.  I'd like you to meet her," Joe said to Karen.

   Joe went to his car, and Dave go in with him.  They drove to Dave's
house.  Dave didn't say much, until they were almost to his house.

   "Joe, Dr.  Krell said that I was a genetic woman now, and that he knew
of nothing that could make me a functioning, normal male again," Dave said.

   "Yeah, I figured he did.  That's the same thing he told me.  He said
that any operation to make me a male wouldn't be acceptable to me, and that
he thought it would be best for me to remain the way I am, until they can
find a way to reverse the process, or just get used to being a woman," Joe
said.

   "Basically the same thing he told me," Dave said.  "I told him I was a
married man, and I just couldn't buy some dresses and get on with a new
life.  Dr.  Krell said he wasn't sure how to handle my problem, but he
would look into it, and h e would get therapy for me.  I told him therapy
wouldn't help me to sleep with my wife.  It wouldn't explain to my son why
his daddy was now a woman.  He didn't have any answers to help me at all."

   "I guess they haven't had a situation like your's before," Joe said. 
"But Dr.  Krell is pretty wise, he might be able to come up with something
that will help you."

   They pulled into Dave's driveway, and Dave got out.  "I'll see you in
the morning." Dave said, the frown momentarily turning to a tiny smile as
he said bye to his pal.

   Joe drove to Linda's house.  When he pulled in back, he saw Linda's car
in the drive.  Joe got out of his car, and walked into the house.  Linda
was sitting at the table in the dining area, going over some paperwork. 
She still wearing the clothes she put on that morning.  Joe walked up to
the chair she was sitting on, and put his hands on her shoulders.  He
started to massage her neck.  She leaned back, and, putting her head back,
looked up at Joe.

   "Hi there," she said, almost purring as Joe rubbed her neck and soft
shoulders.

   "Hi," Joe said.  She looked so sexy, and he could see her black teddy
through the neck of her suit.

   "Did you find anything out today?" Linda asked.

   "Well, I guess I did," Joe said.  " I found out that I'm genetically a
woman.  Which is what I already suspected," Joe said.

   "Can they help you get back?" she asked.

   "They recommend that I stay like this at least until they can figure out
what has caused it, and can try to reverse the process.  That's all the
hope they can provide," Joe said.  "So I guess I'll be a girl, for a while
anyway.  I gotta try to get used to it."

   "We can make the best of it," Linda said.  "I think it will be OK, even
if they don't ever find a way to make you a male again."

   "Dave Skinner, and Mike Osborn have the same problem," Joe said.  "They
were with me in the Lear Thursday, and they found the same symptoms when
they woke up Friday."

   "You mean that you're not the only one changed like this?" Linda asked,
amazed.

   "That's right, and Dave is married, with two kids.  He's really got a
problem," Joe replied.  "Mike Osborn, you've never met him, Mike has
changed too, but he's a muscle builder, and was taking steroids.  Now, he's
female internally, but he still looks like a guy.  Compared to my problem,
it's really a bad situation.

   "I've got to go to San Diego in the morning.  Dave, Mike and I will fly
over in the 421.  A specialist named Dr.  Benjamin Krell has a clinic, or
something there, and he wants us to come over so he can examine us," Joe
said.

   "When do you have to leave?" Linda asked.

   "I've got a six o'clock show," Joe said.

   "Will you need anything?  How long will you be staying?" Linda asked.

   "Well, I guess I should look through my things, and see if I have
everything I'll need.  If I'm going to stay this way, for a while at least,
I guess I can invest in some more clothes," Joe said.  He knew Linda liked
to shop more than anything else.

   "You'll have to go to the Mall then," Linda said.  "I have to finish
this paperwork.  It looks like I've got a buyer on that big place over on
Canyon Road."

   "I've met a nurse, she works for Dr.  Hopkins, the Gynecologist who
examined me this morning.  She's coming over in a little while.  I'd like
you to meet her," Joe said.  He hoped Linda would like Karen but he wasn't
sure how she would fee l about him having a woman as a friend.

   "Oh, really?  I'd like to meet her," Linda said.  "If you don't mind,
I'd like to get out of these clothes, and into something more comfortable."

   "Sure, good idea.  Karen should be here in about a half hour," Joe said.


   Joe went to his room.  He looked through the few item of clothing he
had. He wondered what he should take to San Diego.  He wondered what he
should wear when he flew the 421.  He had a Nomex flight suit in his locker
at the Honeybone hanger, but that wouldn't fit now.  Besides, this was more
of a personal trip, than a work trip.  He seldom flew now, except as part
of his job.  He was instructing Jay so that he could get his instrument
rating.  He used Jay's plane for that.  Jay had a Mooney 201.  He used it
to fly from Phoenix to Tucson, Casa Grande, and other points around
Arizona. For that an instrument rating wasn't really necessary, the weather
was almost always VFR, but since he bought the speedy little Mooney, Jay' s
insurance took a big hike, and he was advised to get his instrument rating.
Joe brushed off his instructor ticket, and was getting Jay ready for his
check ride.  Jay let him use the speedy single whenever he wanted, but he
seldom felt the need to fly, except for work.  He decided he better call
Jay, and tell him what was happening.  He went to the phone by the bed, and
lay down as he punched in Jay's number.

   Jay answered, "Hello."

   "Jay, this is Joe.  What's up?"

   "I was hoping you could tell me," Jay answered.

   "Well I do have a bit of news.  I saw a doctor today.  He confirmed what
I already suspected.  I'm genetically a woman as well as physically.  I
also found out that two of my crew on the Lear have also have the same
symptoms."

   "They've turned into women too?" Jay asked, as if he couldn't believe
it.

   "Yeah.  Dave Skinner, and Mike Osborn, have turned genetically female,
too.  We think maybe it's the GPS test transmitter which has caused it. 
Jim Matheney, and Dr.  Krell are trying to set up some tests to find out
what and how it could cause such a thing.  It looks like Honeybone is
worried about a lawsuit, and is doing everything to help, and keep us
satisfied," Joe said.

   "Well, they better," Jay said.  "If they are responsible they better be
willing to help all they can." Jay was an attorney.

   "They're going to do all they can, I think," Joe said.  "We have to go
to San Diego in the morning, to see specialists.  They will help us get our
records in order there too.  Dr.  Krell say's he's familiar with this type
of problem since he deals with transsexual patients."

   "Do you want me to go with you?" Jay asked.

   "I don't think it will be necessary," Joe said.  "Unless you want to go
along."

   "If you don't need me, I'd better stay here.  I've got plenty to do, and
I'll get behind if I go off to California with you.  But, if you feel you
need my assistance, just call, I can be there in a couple of hours," Jay
said.

   "Since I don't know what they'll be doing with me, I don't think you
need to come along, at least this time," Joe said.

   "Be sure to take all your license, birth certificates, and military
records," Jay reminded him.

   "Yeah, I'll have to go to my place to get them.  I don't know if I
should move back there, or what.  It's beginning to look like I'm going to
be like this for a while, maybe forever.  I don't know how to deal with
Linda, if that's the way it's going to be," Joe said.  He didn't know how
his buddy would take the news either.

   "They can't change you back?" Jay asked.

   "Hell, they don't know how I got this way, much less know how to get me
back.  They recommended that I don't resort to surgery, or anything like
that.  They said that would surely leave me disfigured if they did find a
way to change me back to a male, and recommended that I stay this way until
they examine all options.  I guess I'd better get used to being like this,"
Joe replied, wistfully.

   "Well, try to make the best of it," Jay said.  "We'll have to get
together again, when you get back in a couple of days."

   "Yeah, we will," Joe said.  The relationship was changing, between him
and Jay, and they both knew it.

   "See you in a couple of days," Joe said, hanging up the phone.

   He went back to his drawers to decide what he needed when he heard the
door bell.  That must be Karen, he thought and went to the door.  He opened
it, and the tall attractive blonde came in.  She was wearing bright pink,
sort of florescent, shorts with a white top.  Out of her nurses uniform,
she looked even more attractive.



   Chapter 12

   San Diego

   (continued)

   Linda could sense that something was wrong.  She backed away from Joe,
and just stood there, confused.

   "What's the matter, Joe?" she asked.  "Did I do something wrong?"

   "No, you haven't done anything wrong," Joe answered.  "I don't know
what's wrong.  I'm having such strange feelings.  I don't know what's going
on.  I can't explain it.  I first noticed it today, at the mall.  I watched
a woman undressing, and I didn't even feel anything.  Nothing.  It was
weird, and I can't explain it.  I was hoping I wouldn't feel the same about
you, but right now, I just don't get the old urge.  Since the change, I
have been feeling hornier than ever, but now, suddenly, it's gone.  Don't
get me wrong, I still love you, but I'm just not sexually aroused." He sat
down on the bed.

   "Maybe it's just temporary," Linda said, as she stroked his back.

   "Yeah, maybe it is.  Or, maybe, my head's changing...maybe I'm destined
to be female in body, and now, in mind too.  I don't know.  I don't know,"
he began to sob.

   Suddenly, he realized what he was doing.  He was sitting there feeling
sorry for himself, and he was crying like a girl...like a woman.  What was
happening?  Linda saw it too, and was surprised at this reaction.  She
could see that Joe was changing...that he was becoming more emotional.  She
put her arm around him.

   "Is there anything I can do?" she asked.  "I want to help in any way I
can."

   "I'm sorry," Joe said.  "You've been so good to me so far, just help me
to deal with this.  I just don't know what's happening."

   "We'll both get through this, don't worry," Linda said.

   "I've go to finish getting ready for tomorrow," Joe said.  "Help me to
get enough stuff to hold me for about two days."

   "Sure, we'll get you packed in no time," Linda said.  "What do you plan
to wear in the morning?"

   "That's a problem," Joe replied.  "I like the sundress, but I don't know
if it would be a problem flying with that full skirt."

   "How about the new suit then?" Linda continued.  "That would probably be
the equivalent of what you'd wear as a guy."

   "You think so?" Joe asked, wiping his eyes.  He liked the suit.

   "Sure, and you look good in it, too," Linda said.  "We'll pack the red
dress, and your shorts, too.  I think you should also take another skirt
and blouse along.  If you can't find anything in you're closet, you're
welcome to look in mine."

   Joe went into his closet, and took a white blouse, and the blue A line
skirt he wore on the first day.  Linda folded, and packed them in his B-4
bag.  She went to his drawers, and took out some underwear, as well as
pantyhose, and athletic socks.

   "I bought some nylon stockings today," Joe said.  "I hate to wear
panty-hose, cause I have to go to the bathroom so often." He got the nylons
from the bag, and showed them to Linda.

   "You'll probably want to wear these in the morning, then," she said,
holding up the blue ones.

   "Yeah, If you say so." Joe was happy to have her pick out his clothes.
He liked her tastes, and her eye for color.

   "Well, I guess you're about ready.  Just your bath items yet," Linda
said.

   "I'll get them in the morning, after my shower.  I hope I can get you to
help with those cosmetics again, in the morning?" he asked.

   "Sure, but I guess that means I have to get up at four o'clock," Linda
said.

   "I do have a show time of six," Joe admitted.  "I don't know how long
it'll take for me to get ready."

   "Set the alarm for four, at least," Linda groaned.

   "I guess we better hit the sack early then," Joe decided.

   "I'm going to wash my face, and take a bath," Linda said.  "If you're
planning to shower in the morning, I suggest you wash that makeup off,
anyway.  I have cleansing cream in my bath, if you don't have any yet."

   "Ok, I'll take it off," Joe said.

   Linda went back to her bedroom, and Joe removed his underwear.  He
decided that he should wear something, and remembered the little terry
romper he bought at She-Sports.  He got it from a drawer, stepped into it,
and pulled it over his boobs.  He walked to Linda's room, and went into her
bathroom, where she was standing at the sink, in her panties, while the tub
was filling.  He watched her.  She looked so sexy standing there, in black
panties, getting ready for her bath.  The bra she had just removed had
marked her skin with the same little pink lines that Joe noticed around the
edges of his breasts.  Linda remove her makeup, breasts bouncing as she
rubbed her face.

   Soon she finished, and she looked up at him.

   "Shows over, Joe," she teased.  "Time for your lesson in makeup
removal."

   She showed him what to do, and he did as he was told.  When his hair got
in the way, he removed the wig.  He looked at his now more familiar face.
As the light makeup came off, he saw his former features seem to return,
but not completely.  Usually, by this time of the day, his beard was
beginning to show as a noticeable stubble.  Now, it was still smooth as a
babies behind.  It felt almost as soft too, Joe thought.  He found the
makeup was far easier to take it off, than it was to put on, and he
finished quickly.  The tub was ready, too.  Linda removed her undies, and
stepped into the bubbles.

   "I think there's room for you, if you want," she said enticingly.

   It was tempting, but Joe just didn't feel like messing around.

   "Maybe another time," he said.  "I better get to bed."

   Taking his hairpiece, Joe left her room, and went back to his own.  He
took the remainder of the things laying on the bed, and either put them
away, or laid them aside, to wear in the morning.  He saw the underwear he
wore that day, and considered whether he should wash it out in the sink. 
No, he decided, I'll do it later.  He just didn't feel like hand washing
panties right then.  He opened the bed, and sprawled out on it.  He had
left the overhead light on, and had to get up again.  He reluctantly got
back up, and was going to switch off the light, when he noticed the book
that Karen had given him to read, laying on the dresser.  He took it, and
switched on the light next to the bed, then went over and turned off the
over head light.  He laid back down on the bed, and covered himself with
the sheet.  He picked up the book, and looked at the cover.  GENETICS, and
SEX DETERMINATION, it read.  He opened it, and started to read.  The book's
subject had always held a mild interest to him, but now, of course, it had
a special significance.  He started to read, and quickly became engrossed
in the subject matter.  He had been reading for some time, when Linda
quietly came in his room, and sat down on the edge of his bed.

   "What are you reading?" she asked.

   "Oh, this is a book Karen suggested I read," he answered, and continued
reading, trying to finish the chapter.

   Linda sat there, watching him, and looking around the room.  She looked
down at the pile of his clothes laying at the side of the bed, and saw
Joe's underpants.  They had sort of rolled up when he had pulled them off,
and the narrow crotch section was face up, and visible.  She saw the little
stain of blood, and picked them up.

   "Joe, have you noticed your discharge?" she asked him.

   Joe was still trying to finish the chapter before he put the book down.
"What discharge is that?" he returned.  He wasn't really listening.

   "Look at your underwear.  Are you starting you're period?" she asked
again.

   "Period?  I'm not having a period," he said, as he finally put the book
down and looked up at her.  He saw that she had the underwear he wore that
day.

   "Are you sure?" she asked again.  "It looks like you're starting to
spot."

   She showed him the bloody stain.  Mixed with the normal vaginal
secretions, it appeared to her like the light menstrual flow at the start
of a period.

   "Oh, that," he said, grinning.  "Hey, I'm a virgin.  What do you think
about that."

   "What do you mean, you're a virgin?" Linda scoffed.  "What are you
talking about?"

   "It's true," he said, still grinning at her.  "Dr.  Krell examined me
today.  He said I had an intact hymen.  That makes me a virgin,
technically, at least."

   "So where did the blood come from?  Did he break your "intact hymen?"
Linda asked.  She thought he was teasing her.

   "Well, Dr.  Krell put a speculum inside of me when he gave me a pelvic
examination.  I think maybe he stretched it a little.  I know it sure hurt
like hell.  But, he said that he was able to keep it intact.  It bled a
little bit, though.  Do they do that to you every time they examine you?"
Joe asked, as innocently as he could.

   "So you had a pelvic exam today, huh?" Linda asked.  "What did you think
about it?  What did they find?"

   "Well, it's a lot different than any physical I ever had before," he
answered honestly.  "Dr.  Krell said that I looked like I had normal,
female, internal organs.  And yeah, he said he thought I probably would
have normal menses.  That's what he called it."

   "So you really are a woman," Linda said, as if she didn't really expect
it to be true.  "Did he tell you anything else?"

   "He said he could tell that I was circumcised, when I still had my
penis, because he found unexplained scar tissue around the clitoris.  He
said he figured that was it was probably the result of penile
circumcision," Joe explained.

   "I didn't see any scar tissue on your genitals," Linda said.

   "Did you really look?" Joe asked.  "I know that female's all look
slightly different in that area.  I know I don't look exactly like you.  I
think you have more tissue over your clitoris, compared to me," he
continued.

   "Does it feel different?" she asked.

   "How would I know?  I can tell you this, it feels way more sensitive
than my penis did, but only if something touches it.  When it's left alone,
it feels just like it did before.  Since it has the same nerves, and I
guess, the same number of nerves.  To me, it feels like it's much bigger
than it appears.  I think it's kinda like a cold sore in your mouth.  It
seems bigger than it looks, I guess, because the nerves are so closely
spaced, compared to before."

   "Can I look?" Linda asked.  I want to see the scar tissue he told you
about."

   "Sure, I guess so," Joe answered.  He sat up, and pulled the sheet away.


   Joe parted his legs, and gently spread the moist folds of tissue.  The
little glistening bud of flesh protruded near where the folds sort of
joined.

   "So this is really your penis now?" Linda asked.  She was inspecting him
with intense interest.

   "Well, it feels like my penis.  It's not a penis anymore, obviously, but
it still feels like it, to me anyway," Joe repeated.  "My guess is, it's
the same parts, nerves and such, just arranged, or repackaged.  And, a lot
different looking, obviously.  You probably have the same parts, too."

   "You think so?" Linda asked.  "You really think a clitoris feels like a
penis?"

   "From my experience, and that's all I go to go on, it sure does.  Almost
exactly the same, as long as nothing touches it.  Then, it's much more
sensitive than my penis was."

   "Overall then, is it better, or worse?" Linda asked, curious to know.

   "Just what are you trying to find out?" Joe asked her.  It was becoming
obvious that there was a reason for her questioning.

   "I'd just like to know what it feels like.  I've always wondered what it
would be like to be a guy...to have a penis, and everything," she answered,
slightly embarrassed.  "I've always been curious what it felt like for you,
when we made love."

   "It felt great.  Absolutely great," Joe said, and put his arm around
her.

   "Do you miss it then?" Do you miss your penis?" she asked.

   "Do I miss it?  Sure I do.  Every minute.  But not because I constantly
have the urge to have sex.  Hell, until today, I've been hornier than ever,
and I've hardly had a chance to know it was gone when we've been together.
Of course, I'm having new feelings now, some of them seem even better than
before." As Joe spoke, he thought of their times together, before, and
after the change.  He thought of the new sensations, and his apparently
hightened senses.  Yeah, he thought, he missed it, but there were
compensations.

   "So, if you had a choice then, would you want to be a man, or a woman,"
Linda asked.

   "For Pete's sake Linda, that's a hard question to answer.  Of course I
would rather be a man.  It would simplify everything.  But, if I had been
born a woman, and suddenly turned into a man, I'd probably want be a woman
again.  It's not what FEEL'S better that causes it, it's how you're raised.
There's nothing wrong with being a woman, of course I'm still having
problems with having to sit to pee (he grinned), but damnit it, otherwise
it feels pretty good.  I'm starting to like wearing the clothes, too.  I
never thought I'd say that.  And I kinda like the sensation of having these
boobs too, even if I'm still usually embarrassed by them," Joe told her.

   "Do you like Karen?" Linda asked.

   The question surprised Joe.  What was she thinking about now?  Maybe he
was starting to think like a woman, but, he thought, he still had a long
way to go.

   "What do you mean by that?" he asked.

   "You've just met her today, you said, but you two seem to get along so
well together.  It's like you were old pal's," Linda answered.

   "It's different with Karen.  She understands my problem," Joe said
carefully.

   "What does that mean?" Linda asked.  "I'm trying to understand it, too.
What does she do, that I don't."

   Joe decided to tell her about Karen.

   "Does Karen look different...  unusual to you, in any way?" he asked.

   "Unusual?  No, I don't think so.  She's kinda tall, that's all," Linda
answered, wondering what he was getting at.

   "Four years ago, Karen was a medical student at UA.  Her name was Keith
then, and she was a guy.  She underwent hormone therapy, had an operation,
and now she's a woman," Joe revealed.

   "The woman who was here, tonight, in this house, she was a MAN?" Linda
asked, completely amazed.

   "Yeah.  That's right.  About two years ago, she had surgery, in San
Diego, and now she's physically, and legally, a woman.  She can do about
everything, except get pregnant," Joe said.

   "I've heard about that operation, but I never knew anyone who underwent
it," Linda said.

   "Now you do," Joe said.  "Dr.  Krell says he has performed many
operations like Karen's."

   "Can he do something like that for you?" Linda asked.

   "I asked him about that, and he said it was possible, but that he didn't
advise it.  At least not yet," Joe answered.  "He suggested that I try to
live like this, for a while at least, so his team can try to find a way to
change us back by reversing whatever process caused it in the first place.
If he were to change me using surgical procedures, and then they did find a
way to get us back, it would leave us mutilated.  Anyway, he said that the
female to male operation isn't as satisfactory.  I wouldn't be pleased with
the results, that's how he put it."

   "Well, if it was half as good as Karen's, it would be acceptable,
wouldn't it?" Linda asked him.

   "Maybe so, but he told me it's not nearly as easy to transform female
genitalia into functioning male equipment.  He said it often didn't even
work for urination.  It might look passable, but it was easily infected,
and it had usually no feeling at all.  I can't get very excited about the
idea of having a numb, useless piece of flesh hanging between my legs, just
so that I could say I was a man.  Besides, I'd still be smaller, and look
different than I used to," Joe explained.

   "So you're going to stay female?" Linda asked.

   "I don't know.  Well, yeah, for a while anyway.  At least until Dr. 
Krell attempts to find a way to get us back.  I don't think I have any
other choice, really," Joe said.

   "What about Dave, and what's his name..Mike?  What will they do?" Linda
continued.  "Will they stay as they are, too?"

   "I think so, but I don't know for sure.  Dave is married, and his little
boy doesn't understand.  Mike still looks more like a man, even if his
internal parts are feminized," Joe answered, matter of factly.

   "Why is Mike so different?" Linda asked.

   "Well, of course it's only a possibility, but it's probably because he
was taking anabolic steroids when he went through the change," Joe said. 
I've seen him, and he sort of looks like a hermaphrodite.  He still has his
male body shape, but he's got a beaver, and he said Dr.  Krell told him he
thinks he has normal, female internals," Joe said.

   "Heavens, that must be horrible," she said.  "How is he taking it?"

   "I don't know.  He seems to be doing ok, I guess.  I don't know if he's
really thought much about it.  He's still in the denial stage.  He sort of
refuses to admit that it's happened.  I think it's just starting to sink in
for all of us.  Dave is the one I'm most worried about.  He hardly talks. I
don't know what to think about him," Joe said, scratching his crotch.

   "I'll give Cindy a call, while you're gone," Linda said.  "Maybe I can
help her."

   "That's a good idea," Joe said.  "I have another idea.  Let's get to
sleep.  It'll be four am soon enough."

   "Can I sleep with you?" Linda asked.

   "I'd love it," Joe said honestly.  He set the alarm, and switched off
the light.

   Linda snuggled up close to Joe.  Joe held her close, and could feel his
breasts touch hers.  They stroked each others back, and cuddled until they
fell asleep.

   It seemed like only moments later, Joe heard the noisy buzzing of the
cheap alarm clock.  He turned it off, and lay there, trying to find the
strength to get up.  He finally did, and struggled in the dark to find the
bathroom door.  He went in, shutting the door before turning on the light.
He had to pee, and sat down and relieved himself.

   Joe quickly showered.  He rubbed his legs, checking them for stubble. 
They weren't bad, but his underarms had stubble, and needed a quick
cleanup. With the shower running, he used his shave cream, lathered, and
quickly did the job.  Much easier than doing my face, he thought.

   After Joe finished in the shower, he got out, and dried off.  He watched
himself in the mirror over the sink as he did so.  He was now familiar with
his new body, and looked at it critically as he rubbed his soft skin with
the towel.  A strange feeling of contentment came over him as he examined
himself.  His breasts no longer seemed alien to him, and as he softly
touched them, he could hardly remember looking any other way.  His body
image was becoming female...he could feel it happening.  Is this what HE
wanted?  Was there anything he could do about it...even if he wanted to?

   As he was drying, and examining himself in the mirror, he could hear
Linda get up, and leave his bedroom.  The sound of his girl friend caused
him to finish drying off, and continue to get ready.  He took out his tooth
past, and brushed his teeth.  Even they seemed different, probably because
of the somewhat smaller size of his face.  He looked at them in the mirror,
and saw that he still had the same fillings in his back teeth, as far as he
could tell.

   Joe finished brushing, and as he was putting the dental things in his
shaving kit (he still used his male kit), he saw the after bath powder.  He
decided to apply some of that, since the scent reminded him of Linda.

   I guess it's my smell now, he thought to himself.  He took out his
deodorant, and applied it to his smooth underarms.  It stung slightly,
since he just shaved.  He was trying to decide what to do next, when a
sleepy looking Linda, tapped on the door.

   "Can I come in?" she asked.

   "Sure.  I can use your help," Joe answered, and opened the door.  Linda
was wearing a satin robe, and simply went over to him.  She examined his
naked body carefully.

   "You are simply beautiful," was all she said.

   "I could use your advice," Joe said.  "I still don't know exactly what
to do with this makeup."

   "You're going to have to learn," Linda admonished.  "I won't be there
tomorrow morning."

   She took the shaving kit, where Joe had put his supplies, and arranged
the things she needed, on the counter.  Working swiftly, she used each
item, and then dropped it back into the leather case.  As she worked, Joe
was transformed back into the clean, understated look he had the day
before. He looked at his image in the mirror, and smiled with satisfaction
with his appearance.

   When Linda finished, she left the bathroom, went to Joe's bed, and lay
down.  Joe gathered up the remaining supplies into his shaving kit, and
followed her.  He put the kit into the side compartment of his B-4 bag.  I
guess I should get a more feminine looking bag, he thought to himself.  He
had used the handy B-4 since he was issued it in the Air Force, and had
never used anything else.

   He went to the dresser, and found that Linda had laid out his clothes
the night before.  She had selected black, high leg, bikini panties, and
one of his seamless cup, "nude" color bras.  He took the underpants, and
easily slipped them on.  He had never worn them since Linda had suggested
he buy them the other day.  He looked at his reflection in the mirror, the
leg openings reached almost up the waist band, and made his legs look even
longer.  Since he was thin, and rather tall for a woman, it made him look
rather leggy.  He liked the look, and turned, so that he could see his
backside in the mirror.

   Linda saw what he was doing, and said.  "Ok, Ok, We both know you got a
nice butt."

   "Hey, can I help it?" he said grinning.  For some reason, he was feeling
very pleased with himself this morning.

   He took the bra, and deftly put it on.  He was now familiar with the
procedure, and the feeling, of wearing women's clothing.  Feeling strangely
sexy, he took the silk blouse, and put it on, covering his already silky
breasts.  As he buttoned the blouse, he was again amazed at how luxurious
the silk felt on his body.  Even if he never got back to normal, this
sensation alone would almost make it all worth while.  He resisted touching
himself, knowing Linda would tease him if he did.

   Joe picked up the grey skirt, and stepped into it, turning it around, as
he had done the last time, so that he could zip and button the smooth
fitting garment.  As he spun it back around he saw himself in the mirror
again.  He looked good, but still needed the hairpiece, to make the
trans-figuration complete.  He took it from the dresser, and carefully put
it on his head, covering his male hairstyle, and the last remnant of his
former appearance.  No one could confuse him with a male.  And, he was
beginning to realize, he was glad they couldn't.

   "You forgot your nylons," Linda reminded him.

   "Rats.  I guess I have to take the skirt off," Joe said, and started to
spin the skirt around again.

   "No, I think you can just pull the skirt up, and pull the nylons on,"
she suggested.  "Be careful, they're very sheer.  Don't snag them on your
nails."

   Joe took the dark colored nylons from Linda, and sat down on the bed. 
The slight roughness of the blended wool skirt reminded Joe that he wasn't
wearing the slip he bought either.  He wanted to try it, so he removed the
skirt, and unbuttoned the blouse.  He loved any excuse he could find to
feel the silky fabric.  He found the little slip with the fitted top, and
pulled it over his head.  The stretchy fabric covered his curves with even
more slickness.  He took the nylons , and carefully pulled them up his
legs, after Linda showed him how to roll them, and then place his foot
inside.  When he had the nylons on, and pulled the slip down, his legs felt
almost as sleek as the silky blouse.  He put the blouse back on, and again
pulled the skirt on.  He sat on the bed, and marveled at the feeling.  It
felt like he could just slide off the bed.

   Joe found his new watch, and fastened it to his wrist.  He took the new
gray shoes he bought, and slipped them on.  With their low heel, he had
little trouble walking in them, but he wondered how they would work on the
rudder pedals.

   He took the jacket and decided that, for now, he wouldn't wear it. 
Linda found the handbag he had purchased the night before, and handed it to
him.  He looked at it in confusion.

   "Put your wallet, and any other things you're always complaining about
not having room for, in it," she suggested.

   He took the bag, and put all his things in it.  Joe stood up, and went
to the mirror.  He looked attractive, and sophisticated.  He felt very
sexy. The feeling of the new clothes made him feel different, more content
with himself, than he had ever been before.  I guess it's the clothes, he
thought.  What else could cause it?

   "Well, I guess I'm ready," Joe said.  "It only took about an hour."

   Linda stood next to him at the mirror.  In the heels, he was almost as
tall as before.  He put his arm around Linda, and pulled her to him.  They
just stood there, and hugged for a minute.

   "I'll be waiting for you," Linda said, looking in his eyes.

   "I'll miss you, too," Joe said, and gave her a peck on the lips.  It
just didn't feel the same anymore, he thought to himself.

   Joe picked up the B-4 bag, and started to carry it to the door.  It
wasn't packed to bursting, like if often was when he went away for days,
but he still had to struggle a bit to carry it.  I just don't have any
upper body strength, he realized.

   Linda opened the door to the patio, and Joe went out to his car.  He
opened the back hatch, and put the bag in, and then went around and got in.
He put his belt on, and started the engine.  He let it warm slightly, and
then turned around, and drove out the drive.  It was about forty-five
minutes till six.

   After the short drive to the airport, Joe went to the guard shack, and
showed his Honeybone ID.  The guard, looked at him, but must have been told
of his unusual situation, because he let him in without problem, almost
staring a hole in him with curiosity.

   Joe went directly to the flight planning room, and entered the proposed
flight into the PC.  The computer automatically compiled an IFR flight
plan, and checked, and printed out a weather report.  It would even
automatically file, but Joe hadn't selected that option.  If the weather
was good, he was considering VFR, and maybe letting Karen fly, if she
wanted.

   The weather looked good, as usual, and he was pouring a second cup of
coffee, when Dave walked in the room.

   Dave was wearing a jumpsuit, not all that different from the one Joe
had. It was gray, with a wide belt which served to de-emphasize his
somewhat large backside.  It made him look a lot better that he had the day
before.  Dave took a cup, and went over to the planning table, next to Joe.
Joe filled his cup with the hot brew.

   "Hey, you're looking good!" Joe said.  "I like the jumpsuit."

   "Yeah, I saw yours, and decided that it was the best thing," Dave said.
He still had a sarcastic twinge to his voice, and it was uncharacteristic
of him.

   Joe handed the weather printout to Dave.  "It looks very clear, until
the LA basin, as usual." Joe summarized.  "I think we could go VFR, and
maybe let Karen get the feel of it, if it doesn't bother you," he
continued.

   "Sure, that's fine with me," Dave agreed.  "I wouldn't mind getting an
hour's snooze."

   "How's it going?" Joe asked.  "Is it getting any easier for you?"

   "Easier?  How could it?  I guess I'm getting more accustomed to the
changes, and all that, but I don't know how to deal with Cindy," Dave said.


   "Maybe Dr.  Krell's people will be able to help us today," Joe said.

   "If he can't make me a man again, I don't know what he could do that
would help me," Dave lamented.

   They both looked up when they heard the outside door close, and in a few
moments, Karen Simpson entered the room.

   Karen was wearing an attractive pants suit with a sharp, tailored look.
Joe smiled a greeting to her, and motioned to the stack of styro-foam cups
at the coffee bar by the wall.  Karen smiled back, and, getting a cup, came
over to them, and held out the cup as Joe filled it.

   "Well, You sure look good," Karen said, complimenting Joe.  "Gee, Dave,
are you going through the jumpsuit phase now?" she teased.

   "Yeah, maybe I am," Dave said, forcing a slight grin.  "Good morning,
Karen."

   "Good morning to both of you," she said.  "Is it safe to fly this
morning?" she asked.

   "Yeah, I think we can make it," Joe said.  "You want to get a little
stick time?"

   "Could I?" she said.  "I haven't flown in years."

   "We'll see how rusty you are," Joe said.  "Early as it is, we can
probably go VFR into SAN without a problem."

   "Procedures are where I know I'll have the most difficulty," Karen said.
"I haven't spent much time in high density areas."

   "I can handle the radios," Joe said.

   They heard the door slam, and Mike came in the planning room.  As
before, he was wearing male clothing.  He acknowledged their greeting, and
went for his coffee cup, seemingly not interested in joining in the
conversation.

   They finished their coffee, and Dave phoned in the VFR flight plan.  And
they went into the hanger.  Joe opened the hanger doors, as Dave started a
garden tractor that served as a tug.

   Karen helped Dave put the tow bar on the 421, and Dave pulled it out,
into the early morning light.  In the bright light of the hanger floods,
they performed the walk-around preflight, as Mike placed their bags on
board.  When they were satisfied that the fuel, oil, and external hardware
was visibly flightworthy, they got in, and before long, Joe had the engines
warming.

   Joe sat on the left, and Karen took the right seat.  They adjusted their
headsets, and set the comm and nav radios.  The tower would did not operate
till 0800, so they called, and looked for traffic, and then took off.

   As the wheels were going into the wells, Joe called departure, and
confirmed that they were picked up on radar.  The lightly loaded twin
quickly climbed to seven thousand five hundred, and from habit, Joe
requested, and received VFR flight following.  Karen handled the plane
well, holding headings and altitudes to IFR tolerances.

   "It doesn't look like you're out of practice at all," Joe complimented.

   "I love to fly," Karen said.  "With all that has happened to me, in the
last few years, I guess I forgot just how much."

   The flight went along uneventfully, with Dave and Mike snoozing in the
back, and Karen doing the driving, Joe observing, and watching for traffic
as the sun came up behind them.

   Before long they entered the low visibility of Southern California.  The
radio chatter picked up, until it was one continuous stream of
instructions, as controllers vectored IFR, and VFR traffic in one of the
busiest areas in the country.  The sun was bright as they spotted San
Diego's Lindbergh Field about eight miles ahead.  They were cleared for a
straight in landing, and Joe let Karen have the landing, giving her speeds,
and power settings, as she configured the aircraft for landing.  Even
though she hadn't flown for years, and then mostly single engine aircraft,
she handled the Cessna twin like she had flown it many times.

   "You're doing great," Joe told her again.  "How many hours do you have
any way?"

   "Actual logged hours, about three-fifty," Karen answered.  "But
remember, I worked with simulators in the Air Force, and learned to fly
instruments then, some time before I got a license.  I was trained as a
primary instrument instructor.  I probably have thousands of hours in
simulators of various kinds, single seaters mostly, but some in trainers,
like the T-37, and T-38.  Compared to a lot of simulators, this thing flys
like a dream."

   She landed, and taxied to the FBO Joe suggested.  They parked where a
young girl in tight shorts directed, and shut the engines down.  They got
out and stretched as they exited the tight confines of the Cessna.

   "You can smell the ocean," Joe said.  It was so different here, than the
dry air of Phoenix.

   "Yeah.  I like San Diego," Karen said.  "I kind of think of it as the
place where I was reborn." She was referring to the surgical procedure
which changed her gender.

   "I hope I can get that kind of feeling about this place, in a few days,"
Mike said, pulling the bags out of the plane.

   Joe went to the counter, and asked the guy about the car he made
reservations for.  The young man behind the counter gave him a set of keys
with a Budget Rent a Car tag, and pointed out the window at a maroon Town
Car.  Joe hated big barges like the Lincoln, but they needed the room for
the four of them and their bags.

   "Ok if I drive out on the ramp for the bags?" Joe asked.

   "Sure, mam.  Just enter 338 and the gate will open," The line boy said.
"Drive out, and I'll put the bags in the car for you."

   Joe wasn't used to this kind of service.  He wondered if the FBO was
changing its image, but then he realized, he wasn't wearing a skirt the
last time he was there.  He hadn't thought about it, but women did get
treated differently from men.  Sometimes better.  He kind of liked it.

   When they got their bags loaded, they went to check into the hotel.  The
Honeybone scheduler had reserved rooms at the Hyatt Regency, a nice place,
more upscale than they usually got at company expense.  Usually, Joe and
Dave performed their own "bag drag", but this time, they let the bellhop
take them to the room.

   They followed him up and Joe found that his room was next to Karen on
one side, and Dave on the other.  Mike's room was directly across the hall.

   They put their bags away, stopped to clean up a bit, and then went out
to find Dr.  Krell's clinic.  Karen of course, was familiar with the area,
and guided them right to it.  They met Dr.  Krell again, and he introduced
them all to two other medical doctors, and a number of lab technicians and
nursing personal.

   In the small waiting room at the entrance, Joe recognized a few patients
who were obviously making the transition from male to female.  Two were
easy to spot, since they were both very tall, and towered over all the
other seated persons.  Joe went over to an empty seat next to one of the
two tall women.  He smiled a greeting as he sat down.  The woman spoke,
with a deep voice, too deep to be coming from a female.

   "Well, this place has suddenly become very popular," she said, referring
to the fact that four of them came in at the same time.

   "Yes, I suppose it has," Joe answered, uncomfortable with small talk.

   "Do you know Dr.  Krell?" The deep voiced woman went on.

   "Yeah, I met him yesterday, in Phoenix," Joe answered.

   "Is he working with your husband?" she asked.

   "My husband?" Joe asked in amazement.  "Why would you ask that?"

   I saw you walked in with that guy over there," she answered, discreetly
pointing at Mike.  "I figured that you were here for counseling, because of
your husband's condition."

   Joe smiled.  She thinks I'm here with Mike, he realized.

   "No, I'm not married," he said.

   "Don't tell me a woman as lovely looking as you, is gender disphoric?"
the woman went on.

   "Do you think everyone who see's Dr.  Krell has that kind of problem?"
Joe questioned.  The talkative woman just wouldn't let it go.

   "Dr.  Krell is one of the best gender-doc's around" she said.  "I don't
think he takes any other patients anymore."

   "So you're gender disphoric?" Joe asked, turning the questioning away
from him.

   "Yes, I am," she said.  "I've been on hormone therapy for eleven
months."

   "Oh, I didn't realize," Joe lied.  "You're a transsexual?"

   "Of course.  Probably most of the patients here are.  I hope to be ready
for re-assigment surgery by fall.  I've almost completed my electrolysis.
That's one of the time consuming parts.  I've been in the real life test,
that's where you have to live as the sex you feel you are, I've been in
that for four months now.  You don't know how difficult it is for a person
raised as a male, to learn to function as a female.  You're so lucky to be
born so beautiful," she said, enviously.

   If you only knew, Joe thought.  He didn't know what to make of this
unusual person.  So he just smiled.  She continued speaking.

   "My name is Laura.  Laura Dix," she said, presenting her hand to Joe.

   "Glad to meet you Laura," Joe said, shaking her hand lightly.  It was
much bigger than his.  "I'm Joe Bates."

   "Joe, huh.  Sounds like a guy's name," Laura said.  "Women can have
men's names, they can wear men's clothes, and so many other things.  Nobody
notices, or if they do, they think it's cute.  It was cute if you were a
tomboy when you were small, but I was a sissy for wanting to be with the
girls."

   "Yeah, it is unfair, isn't it?" Joe agreed.

   "So what is your real name?  You don't look like a Josephine.  Is it Jo
Ann, Jo Ellen?" Laura asked.

   "My name is Joel." Joe said.  "But I've always been called Joe."

   "Well Joe, What brings you to Dr.  Krell?" Laura continued.

   "I'm hoping he can help me," Joe said reluctantly.  "I'm really a man."
He decided that shocker would stop the questions.

   "A man?" But, you're so beautiful.  Laura asked in amazement.  "Why
would you want to become a man?"

   "Why do you want to become a woman?" Joe returned.

   "Yeah, Ok, you're right," Laura agreed.  "I think I am a woman, and I
just want to look like one.  It has nothing to do with what we look like."

   "You might be right," Joe said.  He was beginning to have doubts about
that, however.

   The receptionist called Laura's name, and she go up and went in.  Joe
was sitting on the end of the row of seats, and he began to look around the
waiting room.  Besides Dave, Mike, Karen, and him, there were two other
persons in the room.  One was a small young man, and the other was a man,
of medium build.  Joe wondered if they were also transexxuals.  Probably,
he considered.

   As they waited, the receptionist came into the room, and gave Mike,
Dave, and Joe clipboards which held a number of forms, and questions for
them to complete.  Joe filled out the form, it was everything, from his
name and address, to what kind of medication he was, or had been taking,
his sexual preference, and even frequency of intercourse.  Some of the
questions were rather difficult to answer, considering the circumstances.
He did his best to answer truthfully, but couldn't imagine what they really
were trying to find out by some of the questions.

   He looked over, and saw Dave struggling with his paperwork.  Mike seemed
to work with it without expression, writing quickly, with out hesitation.

   When Joe had his complete, he took it up to the little sliding glass
window where the receptionist sat.

   "Thank you.  Dr.  Krell should be with you before too long," The young
lady wearing a white nurses uniform said, smiling at him.

   They sat there another forty five minutes, and then door opened, and the
assistant called Joe.  He stiffly got up, and followed her into an
examining room, not unlike the one where he was introduced to Dr.  Hopkins.
He wondered what was in store for him this time.



   Chapter 12b

   SAN DIEGO (part 2)

   "Come on in," Joe called out.  "I've been waiting for you."

   Karen Simpson entered the house.  She was taller than Joe by about two
inches.  Joe was shorter since the change, but still felt a little strange
having to look up to a woman.  At about five foot eight or nine, he was
still taller than most of them."

   "I want you to meet Linda." Joe said, and walked down the hall towards
Linda's bedroom.  Linda heard someone at the door too, and met Joe as she
left the bedroom.  She now wore shorts, and a light cotton top, somewhat
like Joe's.

   "Linda, I'd like you to meet Karen Simpson.  Karen is a nurse, and she
works for Dr Hopkins, at Hillcrest." Joe introduced them.  "Karen, this is
my girl....my friend, Linda Mitchell."

   Karen held her hand out, Linda took it, and shook hands with Karen.

   "Pleased to meet you, Karen," Linda said, smiling.

   "Joe has told me about you," Karen said.  "We hope to help him with this
problem if we can."

   "I've never heard of anything like this, have you?" Linda asked.

   "Well, no.  I haven't.  I don't think Dr.  Hopkins, or Dr.  Krell have
either.  But if anything can be done to make him normal again, they'll find
it," Karen said.

   "Linda, Karen and I are going over to the mall to get some stuff I'll be
needing if I've got to spend a couple of days away from home," Joe said. 
"Are you sure you can't come along?" He asked, but really didn't mind that
he and Karen would go alone.  He felt that Karen understood his feelings
better than Linda ever could.

   "No, you two just go ahead.  I'm sure Karen can help you find the things
you need.  I have to get this proposal ready for the morning," Linda begged
off.

   Joe checked his pockets.  He had his drivers license, Master Card, and
American Express.  That, with about twenty five dollars cash, would be
enough.  He was feeling better about shopping, knowing that he could spend
some money, and not have to worry if he was still employed or not.

   "You better drive, if you will," he told Karen.  "I'm worried about
getting stopped, with my license out of synch, such as it is."

   "No problem.  It'll take a few days maybe, but I think Dr.  Krell can
get the paper work you need to change your license, and other records. 
Even your birth certificate," Karen said.

   Joe didn't know about that.  Did he want his birth certificate to show
him as female?  The thought of it, the first record of his very existence,
saying that he was a girl.  Did he really want that?  Did he need that?  He
wasn't sure.  He would have to talk to Dr.  Krell about it.  If they did
find a way to get him back, to make him a man again, then he'd have to
change all that stuff back again.  Of course, if that happened, it would be
worth it.  As they drove out of Linda's drive, and down the street, Joe
tried to imagine the scenario...  He wakes up one morning, just like last
Friday.  But...this time, he looks down at his chest...his hairy
chest...his broad, muscular, flat chest.  He reaches between his legs, and
touches his penis, and scrotum.  He's a man again.  Instinctively, Joe
reached up to touch his chest.  But, instead of hard muscles, and hair, he
still felt the soft roundness of his breasts under the lightweight top. 
Joe realized he actually felt relieved.  Relieved?  What did that mean? 
What sort of game was his mind playing on him?  He was really a man, at
least mentally, wasn't he?  And yet, he could hardly deny the feelings of
satisfaction he experienced as he touched his feminine softness.  Was his
head beginning to accept the fact that his body was now female?  Or, had
his brain also become feminized, and he was to be left with only memories
of his former masculinity?  Whatever was happening, Joe realized that the
change was starting to effect how he thought about himself.  He was
beginning to feel more at ease with his changed body.  But, it seemed, he
might be losing control of what HE wanted.  It almost seemed that he was
developing another, a second almost FEMININE personality.  Was it
inevitable?

   "Where do you want to stop first?" Karen asked.  The sound of her voice
returned Joe from his thoughts.

   "Gee, I don't know, exactly," Joe said.  "I guess I need a bit of almost
everything.  I probably have enough underwear, but that's about it.  What
should I wear to Dr.  Krell's office?" he asked.

   "If you have the time, I have something at my apartment that I'd like to
show you," Karen suggested.

   "Sure I think we have three hours till the stores close.  Unless you
shop like Linda, that should be enough time," Joe said, grinning at Karen.

   "The stop at my place should only take a minute or two," Karen said.

   They drove quickly down the street towards the MALL, but turned down a
side street a few miles before it.  Karen then turned into the parking area
of a very nice complex.  The apartments were more like condo's, with large
attached garages.  The area reeked of money.

   "This is where you live?" Joe asked.

   "Yeah, I bought one of these, since I like to keep my car in a garage I
can lock, enclosed garages are uncommon around here, and I don't want to
buy a house here in the Phoenix area," Karen said.

   The garage door opened as Karen pressed a button on the automatic
transmitter.  She drove in, and Joe followed Karen inside.  Karen's
apartment was an combination of fine, heavy furniture, and filled
bookshelves.  Joe looked at the titles and saw that they were mostly
medical books, with a few biographies, and technical paperbacks on computer
related subjects.

   "Nice place," Joe said.

   "Thanks.  I like it," Karen said.  "It kinda reminds me of home."

   "Come into my bedroom," Karen said.  "I have something I'd like to show
you."

   She went into her bedroom.  Joe followed, and Karen went into her large,
walk-in closet.  She came out almost immediately with a wig on a styro-foam
stand.  It was the same color as her own hair, blond, with a slightly brown
cast.  It was medium length, and a slightly different style than Karen now
wore.

   "I want you to try this on," Karen said, "I know it's not your color,
but I'd like to see how you look without that GI haircut.  "

   Karen walked over to the dresser, and Joe obediently followed.  She
stood behind Joe, and placed the hairpiece on his head.  She made sure that
none of his own short hair was hanging out.  As she smoothed the hair in
place, Joe watched his reflection in the mirror.  With longer hair, he
could hardly recognize himself.  The new, smooth contours of his face, and
the emphasis of his cheekbones by the hardly noticeable makeup, gave him a
totally different look.  As he stared at himself, trying to be detached, he
couldn't believe the change in his appearance.  Without the short, male
hair style, practically nothing remained to remind him of his former
appearance.  He raised a hand and touched his face, and then ran a finger
along his cheek.  He could feel it all right, it WAS him in the mirror. 
Karen's hairpiece had transformed his face, almost like the other changes
had transformed his body.

   "Unbelievable," was all he could say.

   "I thought you might feel that way," Karen said.  "You can wear it if
you like.  I don't use it anymore."

   "I would like to try it, if you don't mind," Joe said, as he felt the
hairpiece, and arranged the hair which completely covered his ears.

   "It isn't the right color, but it still looks good on you," Karen said.
"I think that style would even look good with your own hair, when it grows
out."

   Joe continued to gaze transfixed in the mirror, as Karen poked thru a
little chest on her dresser.

   "Try these," she said, and clipped some small gold disks on Joe's ear
lobes.

   Joe felt Karen snap something on his ears.  He looked in the mirror, and
saw small earrings protruding out from under his new longer locks.  He
didn't like the way they felt, but had to admit they did look appropriate.

   "Unbelievable," he said again.

   The image in the mirror was completely that of an attractive young
woman. Joe felt as if he was looking at somebody else.  His body image,
already stretched to the limit, was now completely overcome.

   "I think you'll pass," Karen teased.  "I've got something else I think
you might want to see." Karen said, as she walked out of the bedroom.

   Joe followed Karen into the large living area.  One wall was completely
covered with bookshelves.  Karen went to the shelf, and took a book down.
She handed it to Joe.  He looked at the cover.  "Genetics and Sex
Determination" it said.

   "You might scan this," Karen said.  "It might give you some insight on
what might have happened to you, and maybe, what you can expect.  With the
unique experiences you're having, you might even be able to add to it."

   She was right.  It was possible that no one else on record made such a
complete transition.  Whether he liked it, or not, Joe and his friends
situation would probably be one for the medical books.

   "Ok, I'll read up on it," Joe promised.  He did want to learn more about
genetics, and chromosomes.  Biology was always mildly interesting for him,
but now the interest was much more personal.

   "I guess we better get going," Karen said.  She took a small purse, and
began walking toward the door to the garage.

   Joe went out with Karen, and they get into her car.  The garage door
opened, and Karen backed her white sports car out.  They quickly drove the
short distance to the mall, and parked.  They walked into the mall, and
Karen went to a back-lighted diagram showing the various stores.

   "Where to?" she asked.

   "I wish I knew," Joe said.  He wasn't used to shopping for women's
clothes, and really didn't like to do it.

   "How about a skirt?  I saw that you hardly have anything but dresses
that look like they belong to an old lady," Karen suggested.

   "What do you mean?" Joe objected.  "My new stuff don't look THAT bad."

   "We can do better," Karen insisted.  "Let's find something to show your
legs a little.  You have a really nice figure, too," she went on.

   "I don't know...I really don't think I should get anything too wild. 
Give me some time to get used to this," Joe begged.

   "You're doing fine, and you look great.  I think we'll find some things
that look good, and maybe you'll even like to wear them," Karen repeated.

   Together, they walked into Goldwater's.  Joe could smell the cosmetics
that were displayed on the counters near the entrance.  They walked passed
the glass and shining plastic, and then through the hosiery section.  Joe
looked at the bottom half of mannequins showing the different styles, and
colors of pantyhose.  He thought about his own limited experience wearing
them, and realized that from now until a way was found to return his
masculinity, they would probably be part of his wardrobe whenever he needed
to dress more than casual.  He considered how Linda dressed that morning.
That suit was probably the feminine equivalent of what he normally wore to
work, except when flying, or working in the lab.  He wondered what the
other engineers would think when, or if, he came to work wearing stuff like
that.  They had a few secretaries, and administrative women in his section.
Since he had worked there, there had been no female engineers.

   Joe and Karen walked into the clothing section.  Down the aisle, Joe
spotted a light gray suit, with a gray silk blouse.  His first thought was
how Linda would look in it, and then realized that he should be thinking
about what HE would look like wearing it.

   "I want to look at this," Joe told Karen, as they walked past the
outfit. They went into the racks of skirts, and jackets.  Immediately, a
sales lady came to their assistance.

   "Can I be of help?" she asked.

   "Yes.  I'd like to try on an outfit just like that one," Joe said,
pointing to the mannequin.

   "What are your sizes?" the woman asked.

   Joe told her, and she went to the racks, quickly selecting the style,
and size, Joe suggested.

   "What type of blouse did you have in mind?" the lady questioned.

   "Just like the dummy," Joe answered.  He thought he told her he wanted
an outfit JUST like the one on display.  He felt no desire to experiment.

   The woman looked at Joe.  It appeared that she wasn't used to a woman
who knew exactly what she wanted, without wanting to search the racks
herself.  Most unusual...

   The woman retrieved a gray silk blouse, and took the hangers of clothing
back into the fitting area.  She hung the items on a hook in a small closet
sized room with a small couch.  There really wasn't enough room in the
cubical for Karen to stay with Joe, so she stayed out, and sat down on one
of the chairs outside.

   Joe looked at the clothes hanging on the wall.  The silk blouse was at
the front, and he touched it, enjoying the soft, smooth feel of the fabric.
Of course, he had never worn anything like this before.

   Joe pulled the top he was wearing over his head.  It was made more
difficult by the extra hair he now had when wearing Karen's wig.  He felt
it snag on the earrings he wore.  He laid the little top on the couch, and
took the blouse from the hanger.  He carefully placed his arms into the
sleeves of the blouse, and buttoned it.  He only fumbled a little with the
backwards placement of the buttons, and then, did his best to tie the bow
that was at the neck.  He hadn't expected the bow.  The blouse fit well,
and the soft fabric followed his shape perfectly.  He looked down, and saw
how the fabric almost flowed over the mounds of his new breasts, and the
way the glistening silk attractively emphasized his form.  Joe couldn't
resist touching his chest, feeling his own softness through the silk.  He
loved the sensation of feeling the fluid silk from both sides.

   Joe quickly removed his shorts, and tossed them next to the top.  He
took the skirt, looked at it, and tried to decide how to put it on.  He
decided to unzip the back, and step into it.  That seemed to work ok, and
he tried to zip it up by reaching behind his back.  That was difficult, but
the skirt was a little loose around his waist, so Joe spun the skirt around
so that the zipper was almost at the front.  He finished zipping it up, and
then buttoned the little tab.  When it looked right, he spin the skirt back
around so that the zipper was aligned with his backbone.  The skirt felt a
bit loose, but looked good.  Joe removed the jacket from the hanger, and
easily slipped it over his silk covered arms.  He wanted to look in the
mirror.  He pulled the hair out from under the collar of the jacket, opened
the door, and stepped out.  Karen was waiting for him and smiled widely
when she saw him.

   "You look great," she said.

   Joe stepped to the three sided mirror, and looked at himself.  Again, he
was amazed how different he looked with the hairpiece.  The suit looked
good on his new shape, too.  He was impressed with his appearance.  I
didn't ask to be like this, he thought, but I might as well look the best I
can.

   Joe looked at his legs in the mirror.  He had left his shoes in the
cubicle, and his white Reebok athletic socks really didn't go with his
outfit.  He looked like one of those secretaries in the city, who wore
jogging shoes for the walk from the car, or train station, to their office.
He walked over to the mannequin, to see what else it was wearing.  He saw
that it wore sheer white hose.  He didn't like that color much when Linda
wore it.

   "I don't like those white stockings," Joe said to Karen.

   "That color is very popular," the sales woman said.  "But a darker color
would also look good."

   "Get some Sheer Blue, or, I've found Dark Sand to match her hair color,"
Karen said.

   "I'll take this stuff," Joe decided.  "And, I'm going to look around
some more." He was starting to get into this shopping thing.

   Joe looked at the other mannequins for ideas.  The others were either
not suitable to his taste, or were too 'evening dress' styled.  He couldn't
think of any place he would be going where he would wear things like that.
His taste leaned towards the tasteful, conservative, business suit styles.
Most of the dresses were far too feminine for him.  It was early spring,
and most of the things were summer styles.

   "How about something like this?" Karen asked.  "You can't wear suits
when you aren't at work.  What if you want to dress up to go out in your
off time.  Karen pulled a sundress from the rack.  It was sort of faded
red-orange, and had straps over the shoulders which crossed in back.  It
had a slightly low top.  It was tasteful, and sophisticated.  Joe liked it,
but wasn't sure about the low cut top.

   "Gee, Karen, I don't know.  Isn't that a little breezy?" he asked.

   "No, it isn't.  It's summer.  You can't wear long sleeves all summer,"
Karen insisted.  "If you don't buy this, I might."

   "Ok, ok, I'll try it on," Joe said.

   He tried to sound like he didn't like this task, but deep inside, he was
beginning to enjoy trying on these new things.  As a man, he usually
shopped just to replace worn clothes, with little thought to fashion, or
style.  Now, trying on new clothes was an experience in textures, and feel.
Women had such variety to select from in color, style, and fabric.  He was
beginning to understand why Linda loved to shop for clothes.  Compared to
buying men's clothes, it was a most sensual occasion.

   Joe took the red sundress from Karen, and walked back to the fitting
area.  He entered the cubical, and hung it in the hook.  The removed his
top again, and slipped out of his shorts.  He took the dress from the
hanger, and pulled it over his head.  Closing the buttons at the back of
the dress was a difficult process, but he did it.  He looked down at
himself.  The straps of the little dress didn't cover the shoulder straps
of his bra.  He tried to tuck them under the dress straps the best he
could, and went out to look in the mirror.

   He was inspecting himself in the mirror, as Karen came up behind him. 
She touched his back, and snapped the strap of his bra.

   "You're going to have to do something about this," she said.  "You can
either forget the bra entirely, or look for one of those strapless, or
cross-over types."

   Joe thought about it.  Without a bra, he felt insecure, and even more
self conscious.  When he thought about it, maybe he was foolish to feel
that way.  But, he realized, the new shape of his body was more noticeable,
to him, and probably everybody else too, when he didn't have one on.

   "I'll look for one that works with this," Joe insisted.

   He looked at himself in the three-sided mirror.  He couldn't deny that
he really was attractive.  He guessed that maybe, because the change was so
new, it didn't seem that he was looking at himself, but that he was seeing
somebody else in the mirror.  Almost like he was INSIDE another person. 
The illusion was made even more interesting by the fact that this other
person was a very attractive member of the opposite sex.  And, the fact
that he could feel everything the other person felt, made the experience
almost overwhelming.  Maybe that was how he was able to cope, he
considered. The only problem with the whole thing was, there was no way to
stop the illusion.  He had to live it full time.  That made it difficult.
If only he had the ability to change from his normal, old appearance, to
the illusion, at will.  Then, this might be the ultimate experience.

   "I think you better get it," he heard Karen say.  "You sure seem to like
it."

   "Yeah, I guess I better," he answered, jolted back to reality by her
words.

   Joe went back to the fitting room, and removed the sundress.  He slowly
put his shorts and top back on.  He took the clothes out and gave them to
the sales woman.

   "Will there be anything else?" she asked.

   "Yeah, I'll need some kind of slip or something, for the suit, and I
guess I should get another bra.  One that don't stick out of the sundress,"
he said, speaking more to himself than to her.  "I better get a purse, or
handbag, or whatever you call it, too.  And I just got to buy a watch.  My
old one just falls off my wrist now, and I can't get used to not wearing
one."

   The woman looked at him strangely.  She began ringing up the things, but
kept her eye on Joe.  She sensed that there was something very unusual
about this woman, but she couldn't place it.

   "The lingerie section is down this aisle, and to the left," she said
carefully.  "The better handbags are upstairs.  Ladies watches can be found
in the jewelry section, over there," she pointed at another counter, two
aisles away.

   Joe noticed his words were unnerving the sales woman.  He was becoming
more confident now, and decided to play with her head a little.  He looked
around.  There was no one in the area but him, Karen, and the sales lady.
When she presented him with the bill, he gave her his American Express
card, and when he was finished paying, he thanked the woman, then went over
to the nearby mirror, looked at himself critically, and took off the wig.
The saleswoman, who never took her eyes off him, let out a noticeable gasp.
Joe smoothed his short hair, pretended to adjust his bra, and then,
carefully replaced the wig.  He walked out of the saleswoman's section
without looking at the woman.  Karen, who had been silently watching what
was happening, followed, trying her best not to laugh.  When they turned
the corner, walking towards lingerie, she spoke.

   "Joe, I can't believe you did that," she said, laughing.  "You are
simply unbelievable."

   "You said it, didn't you?" Joe said.  "If you got it, flaunt it."

   They went into the lingerie section, and Joe again began to feel out of
place among the silky, feminine things hanging on the racks, and hooks. 
But, he had always liked the look and feel of these things on a woman, and
now, it seemed, he was starting to enjoy the feel of wearing them, too.

   Joe tried to remember what he needed to buy, as he looked at all the
sexy things.  He remembered that he needed something to wear under the
suit, as well as the skirts he already had.  The only other time he had
worn a dress, he had borrowed a slip from Linda.  She called it a "half
slip".  What ever it was, he needed one.  He went over to the rack, where
they were hanging, and took one.  He held it up to his waist, to see how
long it was.  He looked up, to get Karen's opinion, when he saw a guy, who
was probably self consciously waiting for his wife to try something on,
watching him.  He began to blush.  Since he had begun to wear Karen's
hairpiece, he had become much more confident, probably because he looked so
female.  But his confidence went out the window when he saw this stranger,
who surely suspected nothing, innocently watching him pick out a slip.  His
heart began to pound, and he could feel sweat beginning to form on his
forehead.  He took the slip, and went over to Karen, who was looking at
teddies.

   "Did you find something already?" she asked.

   "Yeah, I...I think I need this," Joe stuttered.

   Karen could tell that something was wrong.  She looked at him.

   "What's the matter, Joe?" she asked.  "Do you feel sick?"

   "No..No nothing like that.  I just suddenly realized, again, that I'm
really still a guy inside.  I don't know what I'm doing here.  A guy over
there is watching me.  I can't buy stuff like this with a guy watching,"
Joe whispered nervously.

   "Joe, think about it.  Look at yourself.  Put yourself in his place. 
He's just watching a good looking woman.  It's probably a little turn on
for him, or something, just to watch you.  But, there's no crime with that.
You probably did it too.  There, look." Karen motioned at the man.

   The man's wife came out of the fitting room, with a couple of slips she
had been trying on.  The man began talking to her.  He wasn't even looking
at Joe, or Karen.

   "There, see, He didn't think you were a guy in drag, or anything," Karen
teased.  "My God, Joe, You look more like a woman than I do."

   "Ok, I guess you're right.  I'll try to hang in there," Joe said.

   A sales woman, maybe twenty years old, came over to them.

   "Can I be of assistance?" she asked.  She saw the half slip Joe was
holding.  "Did you want to buy that?"

   "Well, I need a slip to wear under a suit," Joe said, hoping he used the
right terminology.

   "Did you want a half, or a full slip?" the girl asked.

   "I don't know," Joe answered honestly.

   "Well, if you want a half slip, you might also consider a matching
teddy." The young woman said.  She was trained to suggest items.

   "I'd like to see the choices," Joe said.  His confidence was returning.

   They walked back to the area where Joe had found the slip, and the sales
girl pulled a white teddy, which matched the slip he still held.  The white
nylon fabric had no lace, or decoration, but looked silky, and sexy, just
like Joe liked it.  The crotch, which closed with three little snaps, hung
open.  Joe just had to try it on.

   "Could I try it?" Joe asked.

   "Certainly," the young woman answered.  She handed Joe the hanger
containing the silky wisp of cloth.

   Joe gave Karen the bags he was carrying, and took the slip and teddy
into the fitting room.  This one was like the first women's fitting room he
had ever been in.  The doors were really like shutters.  They didn't go all
the way to the floor or top of the door opening.  The middle part was just
wooden slats, mounted like louvers.  The person inside could see over the
door (if they were tall), and could even see through the slats of the door
across the aisle.  Joe hung the hangers on the hook provided, and began
removing his outer clothing.  He started to remove his shorts, but had to
sit to pull his Reeboks off first.  He did that, and when he stood to pull
his shorts off, he noticed a woman enter the cubical across from him.  It
made him think of the first morning, only four day's ago, when he came to
the mall to buy some clothes, confused, and almost scared to death.  That's
when he got his first view of a woman, in an adjoining cubical, also trying
on undergarments.  That time, the strong male urge he still possessed,
almost made his heart explode.  He wasn't yet used to seeing so much of his
new peer group.

   As he continued to undress, Joe watched as the young woman in the other
cubical removed her blouse.  She carefully hung it on the wall hook, and
then unfastened the strap of her pink bra.  She removed it, and tossed it
on the padded seat.  Through the wide gaps in the door slats, Joe could see
the woman's breasts.  He waited for the familiar feeling of his penis
(that's what it still felt like to him) swelling as it became aroused. 
That would shortly be followed (since the change) by a somewhat
uncomfortable feeling of wetness, as his new vagina started to lubricate,
and made the crotch of his underwear wet.  He watched, and waited. 
Nothing. The woman scratched an itch on her left breast with her right
hand. The innocent action caused the breast to jiggle like Jello.  Joe
tensed the muscles in his groin.  Before, this scene would have caused a
pants ripping erection.  Now, although the sight was still interesting, he
felt about the same excitement as if he was watching his friend Jay change
clothes next to him at the health club.  What was happening to him?

   Concerned, Joe touched the crotch of his panties.  They were warm, maybe
a little damp, they were always a little damp, but they weren't soaking
wet, as they would have been on previous days.  Was he losing his old
desire?  Maybe, as Dr.  Krell suspected, his libido was enhanced by the
extra testosterone, left over from when his gonads were testicles.  The
ovaries he had now would, of course, eventually cause his sex drive to
change, and probably become somewhat cyclic.  If he was really female, it
was probably inevitable.

   Joe gently stroked the smooth nylon that covered his soft crotch.  It
felt good, not in an erotic way, but rather, he liked the slick feel of the
fabric, which felt so different from the cotton jockey shorts he had always
wore before.  He looked over at the woman.  As she placed her arms into the
straps of the new bra, Joe could see the outline of her bosom.  Her boobs
are no bigger than mine, he thought.  In fact, mine are better.  No wonder
she don't turn me on.  I'm getting used to seeing female anatomy every time
I look in the mirror.  He went back to his task of trying on his new
underwear.

   Joe pulled the teddy over his head, and down his body.  It was silky and
a bit loose around his chest, but, below the light elastic waistband, it
was made of a stretchy, lycra fabric.  He reached between his legs, grabbed
the little crotch strap, and snapped it closed.  There was no mirror in the
cubical, so he couldn't see himself.  He looked down, and was satisfied. 
He really wanted to see himself in a mirror, but that would have to wait.
Satisfied, he took the silky things off again.  That was when he
remembered. He still needed to get a bra without straps.  He quickly put
his shorts back on, and slipped the top over his head.  Joe decided that he
wouldn't need to take his shoes off anymore, so he put them back on, and
tied them.  He grabbed the silky items, and left the cubical.  He put them
on the counter by the cash register and went over to where Karen was
standing, casually looking at slips.

   "What kind of bra do you think I should get?" he asked.

   "What kind do you like?" she asked.

   "I don't like a lot of lace, and stuff like that," he said.  He had
always liked the simple, silky, sheer underthings better than the lacy
stuff, even when he didn't have to wear them himself.

   They went over to the wall where all types, and colors of bras were
displayed, arranged by brand name.  Karen went to the Maidenform section,
and selected a sheer cupped bra, with straps which were convertible from
cross-over in back, to looping around the neck like a swimsuit.  It met
Joe's requirement, in that it had no lace at all.  The nude colored bra had
cups so sheer they were almost transparent.

   "How about this?" she asked.  "You wear a B cup, don't you?"

   "Yeah, I guess so," Joe said.  "I think I'm 34 B."

   He took the bra from Karen.  He held the flimsy thing up.  He saw the
sheerness of the cups, and grinned sheepishly as he looked at Karen.

   "Well, this is about as see-through as it gets, isn't it," he said
grinning.

   "It's underwear Joe, you won't see it under your clothes," Karen said.

   "Yeah, but I'll know it's there," Joe objected.

   "That's the whole idea, isn't it?" Karen returned, and winked at him.

   He thought about it.  She was right.  The only reason for the design of
this little item was because it made a woman look good.  Maybe feel good
too.  He might as well get it.

   "Ok.  I'll buy it," he said simply.

   "You better try it on," Karen suggested.  "I don't know about you, but I
hate a bra that doesn't fit right."

   "Ok.  I'll try it then," Joe said.  He didn't mind.  He was really
wondering what he'd look like in it, anyway.

   Again, Joe went back into the cubical.  He removed his top again, and
took of the white bra.  The coolness of the air conditioning quickly made
his full nipples stiffen to little points that reminded him of pencil
erasers.  He was always amused by the way his new, larger, nipples reacted
to sudden changes in temperature.  Maybe they did the same thing when he
was male.  but they were so small that he had never noticed, if they had.
He was much more aware of things like that, since he became female.

   He picked up the new bra.  He looked at the straps, tangled as they
were. The convertible bra was configured to cross-over in back.  That's
probably what he wanted, he decided, so he left it that way.  It was a back
close type, the first of that kind he had ever tried on.  He stuck his arms
in the proper places in the tangle of straps, and pulled the sheer cups to
his breasts.  He reached behind his back and hooked the back strap without
as much difficulty as he thought he would have.  The shoulder straps had
little adjustment clasps, and he adjusted them slightly.  He felt the cups,
and decided that they fit him perfectly.  He looked down at his chest.  His
nipples and areola were plainly visible through the almost transparent
fabric.  It looked awful sexy, even to him.  Wearing T-shirts was never
like this, he thought.  It might be fun wearing this thing.  Reluctantly,
he removed it, and put his other clothes back on.

   Joe took the bra and put it with his other purchases on the counter.  He
went over to Karen.

   "It fits great," he said.  "The darn thing's almost see-through, too.  I
kinda like it," he said, grinning widely.

   "I just thought you might," Karen said knowingly.

   "Can you think of anything else I need from this department?" Joe asked
Karen.

   "Gee, I don't know what you might need, Joe.  I think you have all you
were really short of, but is one slip enough?" she asked.

   "Probably not.  If I start back to work again, I guess I'll be wearing
stuff like this almost every day," Joe said.  He was beginning to look
forward to wearing the things women seemed to take for granted.

   "Yeah, It's hell ain't it," Karen teased.  It was almost like she
understood what was going on in his head.

   The went back to where the slips were displayed.  Joe found a full slip
with a stretchy, fitted top bodice.  He liked it immediately.  He located
one in a silver/gray color, like the one he borrowed from Linda.  The brand
name was Olga.

   "I think I want this," he said.

   "Well, I think you should get it then," Karen said, in a similar tone.

   Joe took the slip to the counter, and took out his credit card.  As the
girl was ringing up his latest purchases, he asked Karen.

   "I still need a purse or something to carry stuff in.  What do you think
I should get?"

   "Let's go look at what they have," Karen answered.  "You'll need at
least two types.  One for outfits like that suit, and at least one,
something simpler, to use for every day.  I have a little clutch purse. 
It's big enough for money, and ID.  It's better than lugging a purse around
all the time, too."

   The sales girl, who could hear their conversation, looked at both of
them curiously, but said nothing.

   "I think I should get some shoes to go with the suit," Joe went on. 
"I'm getting to like shopping for clothes, but I think I still don't like
trying on shoes.  I can barely walk in even the lowest heels."

   "I think a simple black pump would be right for the suit," Karen said.
"Maybe you should practice wearing them around home.  That's how I learned
to walk in them."

   The sales girl, completely confused by the unusual conversation of these
two "older" women, was getting her register entries messed up as she
listened.

   "Remind me to get a wrist watch, too," Joe continued.  He was lost in
his own thoughts, and didn't notice the girl's increasingly obvious
interest in their conversation.  Karen did, though, and she decided to
spice up the conversation a bit.

   "Yeah.  Your wrist is probably a lot smaller now," she said, watching
the girl's reaction.

   Joe looked at Karen.  He was surprised at her last statement, but
understood when he saw the way the girl was looking at Karen.  He might as
well play along.

   "The old one almost falls off my arm," he added, holding his wrist.  Of
course it was true.  His large aviator's Sieko looked strange, and far too
large for his now feminine sized wrists, and hands.

   He signed the ticket, and thanked the confused girl, who looked like she
would have loved to ask what they were talking about.  They left the
lingerie section, and went to the jewelry counter.  Joe wanted a new watch.
He needed one that would fit his smaller wrist.  He looked at the ladies
styles, not really finding one that he liked, until he found a ladies
divers watch, made by Citizen.  It was sort of like a miniature version of
his aviators watch, with a sweep second hand, but small enough for his
wrist.

   He bought the watch, and then they walked to the department that had
purses, wallets, and all types of handbags.  Karen helped him pick out a
couple of lower priced handbags, and also a better one which matched his
new suit.  He also selected, at her suggestion, a little clutch, that he
could use when he didn't want to take a purse.  He knew he needed these
things, but to him, they were no substitute for a man's wallet, and pockets
to carry it in.

   They then went to the shoe department, and Joe found a type which Karen
said was perfect for his new suit.  Joe tried them on, and found the heels,
which were lower than the other pairs he bought the first day, were much
easier to walk in.  He bought them from a salesman who hardly took his eyes
from him, the whole time.  Joe felt the blood rush to his face, whenever
the guy was around.  He was a good looking man, but to Joe, who to this
time had never had so much obvious male attention, there wasn't any mutual
attraction.  Joe tried to ignore the guy as he made small talk.  He hoped
the guy wouldn't push the issue since he had no idea how he should react.
They walked out of the store, and Karen couldn't resist rubbing it in.

   "That guy wanted your bod," she teased.  "How do you like being a sex
object?"

   "I don't know," Joe answered.  "I guess I I'm glad I don't look like
Dave or Mike, but I sure ain't ready to flirt with men."

   "You're doing fine, Joe," Karen advised.  "You're doing just fine."

   They started to leave the department store, when the upside-down
mannequin legs reminded Joe that he should get some pantyhose to match the
clothes he just bought.  He went over to that section, and Karen followed.

   "I hate wearing these things," he said to her.  "It makes taking a whizz
an even bigger ordeal."

   "It is more difficult while wearing them," Karen agreed.  "Of course,
you could wear individual hose, if you like that better.  I have both, and
they each have their own advantages.  With short skirts, pantyhose is the
only way to go.  You don't have any really short skirts."

   "Let's see what they have," Joe decided.

   They looked at the various types, and colors, and Joe picked out two
pair of stockings, the type that stay up by themselves, with a light
elastic around the top.  He certainly didn't want to wear a garter belt.

   They were leaving the store, when Joe saw a rack containing sunglasses.
He always wore sunglasses when he flew in the daylight, but his smaller
features made his old ones hang at the end of his nose.  He went over to
the rack, and started looking at the smaller, and women's types.  He found
finally found some reasonably good ones that fit his size, and still didn't
look too feminine for his personal taste.  He bought them, and they left
the store.

   As they were driving back to Joe's, or Linda's house, Joe decided to
tell Karen about the way he felt as he watched the woman changing, back in
the store.

   "I don't understand it," he said.  "Ever since the change, I obviously
look different, but my feelings about women, about sex, have been the same
as always.  Sometimes, it's been uncomfortable, almost embarrassing, for
me. I was just starting to get used to the way it feels like I'm peeing my
pants when I get excited.  And that's been pretty often, too.  It seemed
like my underwear was always wet.  Linda could cause it to happen.  Barb,
my best friend Jay's girl friend, she could cause it.  It was just like I
was still a guy, but worse, since I now I'm allowed in women's dressing
rooms, and all that.  Any guy would get worked up in that position, and I
did.  But a while ago, while I was trying on that slip, I could see a woman
changing clothes in the compartment across the aisle.  I watched her try on
underwear.  Nothing.  It didn't do a thing for me.  No hard-on, no wetness.
Nothing.  It was like I was watching Jay change clothes.  What's happening
to me?  Did you notice the same thing after you had your operation?" he
asked her.

   "Gee Joe, I don't think you can compare my transition to yours, at all,"
Karen answered.  "For me, it took years.  I was on hormones for almost two
years before I had my reassignment surgery.  By then, I already had quite a
bit of breast development, and I was living as a woman full time.  I wasn't
sexually active, and I guess I wasn't ready to accept men yet.  I did like
to be around women, but I didn't really desire sex with them.  I think the
hormone's caused that.  After the surgery, I did wonder what sex with a guy
would be like, since now I had the right plumbing, but I didn't really have
a strong urge to try it.  Even now, after I've done it a few times, I can
take it or leave it.  I don't know if that's a normal female reaction, or
not, though.  I do feel different, at different times during the month.  I
have to take hormones every month, for the rest of my life.  I don't have a
period, like a genetic female, like you probably will, but I do experience
hormone induced mood swings, and changes in desire, very much like I would
if I had all the female internal organs.  But, I just don't think my
experience is comparable to yours, though."

   "I guess I don't have a lot of choice, if I'm really female now," Joe
concluded.  "But it sure feels strange when the old turn-on's, suddenly
don't work anymore."

   "Maybe you'll get new one's to compensate," Karen said, grinning, and
winking at him.

   "That's a scary thought, too," he returned.

   "If you're going to live as a woman, it would probably be for the best,
wouldn't it?" Karen asked logically.

   "Yeah, I guess that's true, but I'm not sure what would be worse, not
ever making love to a woman again, or having sex with a guy," Joe answered.

   "Well, that depends on your point of view, don't it.  And it looks to me
like yours has changed," Karen added.

   "Yeah, it has.  It sure has at that," Joe said.

   "You're doing great, Joe Bates," Karen said.  "Just keep it up.  You
might find you actually like your new point of view."

   "Oh, I know.  I already like some of the things about being a woman.  I
actually enjoyed trying on clothes today.  I never thought I'd say that.  I
guess that's part of the change too.  I don't know.  Every thing feels, and
looks so good.  I can't describe it.  If I could change back and forth, at
will, this whole experience would be fantastic," Joe said.

   "Well, I think most women, and probably, most men, too, if they could
try it, would say that.  Anyone who's been on both sides would say that
neither side is definitely better.  They both have some advantages," Karen
agreed.

   "You seem to have thought that the female side was better," Joe said.

   "I always felt that I WAS female.  Changing my body to match my head,
even if it couldn't be a perfect change-over, was worth the misery.  I
guess.  Once you've done it, you can't get back anyway.  Not that I would
want to, even if I could," Karen said.

   "I guess if I'm stuck like this, I'll manage, but if they find a way to
get me back, I'd take it in a minute," Joe said.

   They drove back to Linda's house.  Karen parked in the drive, and helped
Joe carry his bags, and packages into the house.

   Linda was sitting at the table in the breakfast area.

   "Well, you two seem to have bought out the store," she said, as she saw
them enter.  "Joe, the hair looks great," she added when she saw the
hairpiece Karen loaned him.

   "I guess I have enough for the trip," he told Linda.  "Karen loaned me
this." He touched the long hair with his hand.

   She looked at him, and grinned.

   "I bought a suit sort of like the one you wore this morning," Joe said.

   "You liked it so much, you went out and bought one, huh?" she said. 
"Starting to like this "girl stuff," are you?"

   "Well, I decided, if I got to be one, I might as well be one I'd like to
look at," Joe teased back.

   "You have to try it on, and show us," Linda insisted.

   "The suit is very nice, but you should see what Joe looks like in this,"
Karen said, pulling the red sundress out of its bag.

   "Oooh, I like that," Linda said.  "I wonder if it will fit me."

   "Oh, sure.  I get some new clothes, and already, my girl friend wants to
borrow them," Joe kidded.

   "You've got to try them both on," Linda insisted again.  "Get in there,
and change."

   "Ok, Ok, I will, if you insist," he tried to sound like he didn't want
to, but he was anxious to try it all on again.  What's happening to me?  He
wondered again.

   He took the bag containing the suit, and the silk top while Linda and
Karen took the rest of the packages into his room.  They laid it all on his
bed.  He stood there a little embarrassed while they waited for him to try
it all on.  What the hell, he thought, they've both know what I look like,
all over.  He pulled his top over his head, and tossed it on the bed.  He
sat on the edge of the bed, and pulled off the Reebocks, and the sweat
socks.  He unfastened his shorts, stood and stepped out of them.

   "Try the sundress first," Linda asked.  "I just love it."

   Joe looked at the little red dress.  He remembered that the straps
didn't hide the straps of his bra, so he unsnapped the hook between the
cups, and took it off.  He dug into one of the bags until he found the one
with the criss-cross straps.  He quickly put it on, realizing that both of
the women were watching him intently.  He looked at Karen, but she just
looked back with her usual big grin.  Linda's eyes were fixed on the almost
transparent cups of the new bra.  Self conscious, he pulled his panties up
snug, and grabbed the little red dress from the bed.  He put it over his
head, and Linda helped him fasten the buttons at the back.  He had done
that for her a few times, but she had never done it for him, until now. 
Then, Karen and Linda both stood back, and critically eyed him.

   "Joe, you're gorgeous," Linda said.  "For somebody who still feels like
a guy, you sure look fantastic as a woman."

   "I'm doing my best with what I've got," Joe said.  Awkwardly, he turned
about, trying to act, the best he could, like a clothes model, as he
remembered them.  He was experiencing an unusual combination of
embarrassment, and pride.

   "You look so different, with the different hair," Linda said.  "It
really looks good."

   "Ok, try the suit on," Karen said.  "If I'm going to San Diego with you
tomorrow I've go to go home and get ready, too."

   Joe reluctantly unbuttoned the red dress, and pulled it over his head.
He really liked the way he looked in it.  He put it on a hanger and hung it
on the door hook.  He went to the bed and took the silk top, and pulled it
over his head.  As he awkwardly tied the bow, he spoke.

   "It's almost worth it to go through all this just to be able to wear
this," he said, and rubbed his breasts with both hands, through the silky
fabric.

   "Control yourself, you dirty old man," Linda teased.  "We're don't want
to see you feel yourself up."

   Joe winked at her, and took the skirt from the bed, and stepped into it.
As he did before he spun it around, and zipped it, and buttoned the tab. 
Then he spun it so that the zipper was in the back.  Unlike the fullness of
the bottom of the sundress, the suit had a straight skirt that felt much
different.  Although the waist band was loose, the hips were more form
fitting.  He turned around once, so they could see what he looked like, and
then put the jacket on.  He pulled his hair out if the neck of the jacket,
and again turned around slowly.

   "Well, what do you think?" he asked to no one in particular.

   "You look great," Karen said.

   "Yeah, fantastic," Linda agreed.  "What else did you get?"

   "Oh, just some more underwear, slips and stuff like that," Joe said.

   Linda went over to the bed and started looking into the rest of the
bags. She pulled out the slip and the teddy, and held them up.

   "You really took me up on my suggestion didn't you?" Linda asked.

   "I had to get something, and, I know what I like when I see you wear it,
so why not?  Yeah, I guess I did," Joe answered.

   "You look just great," Linda said again.  "It would almost be a shame if
they can change you back," she teased.  Joe wondered if she was really
teasing, or if she meant it.

   "Well, I've got to get going," Karen said.  "I have some laundry to do
before I go to bed.  I'll see you at the hanger at six in the morning?"

   "Yeah, that's about it," Joe answered.  "I think we can make Lindbergh
Field in about two, two plus thirty, depending on the winds."

   "Ok, see you in the morning," Karen said.

   "Bye.  And thanks a lot," Joe said.  He hated to see her leave.

   "Pleased to meet you, Karen.  Come by anytime," Linda called.

   "You'll be seeing more of me, I'm sure," she called back.

   When Karen left, Joe went back into his room.  He took off the suit, and
was standing in his underwear, trying to figure out what things he should
take along, when Linda came through the half open door to his room.

   "Can I come in?" she asked.

   "Sure, you know you're always welcome," Joe replied.

   Linda came up behind him, and put her arms around him.  He took one of
her hands and kissed it.  She put her other hand on one of his breasts, and
pinched the nipple lightly, through the thin fabric of the bra.  Feeling
the slight pain, Joe spun around quickly.  He took her in his arms, and
kissed her on the lips.  It was pleasant, she was so soft, and she smelled
great, but it wasn't the old zing that he always felt before, when he had
Linda in his arms.  He tried to show the same enthusiasm as always but it
was difficult.  He was beginning to think of Linda as a friend, as a buddy,
not as a lover.  No matter how sexy he thought she was, she wasn't making
his juices flow anymore.  What was happening?



   CHAPTER 13

   THERAPY

   Joe had only been sitting a moment, when the assistant came back into
the room, and asked Joe to follow her.  She took him to the open door of an
office, where Joe saw Dr.  Krell, seated behind his desk.  He motioned for
Joe to come inside.

   Joe entered the office, and sat down.  Dr.  Benjamin Krell was a small,
friendly looking man, perhaps sixty years of age.  He smiled when he saw
Joe, and motioned for him to take a seat.

   "You're looking splendid, Joe.  I hope you had a good flight," he said.

   "Yes, we did.  Karen flew the whole trip.  She's a good pilot, and I
think she has re-caught the flying bug," Joe said, grinning.

   "Karen is a remarkable person," The little doctor said.  "Do you know
she probably has as much research experience in the area of Gender
Disphoria as anyone?  She soaks it up like a sponge."

   "We get along rather well," Joe said.  "She seems to almost know what
I'm thinking sometimes."

   "I thought you both might hit it off, from the first moment I met you,"
Dr.  Krell agreed.

   "What's on the agenda today?" Joe asked, eager to find out what the day
would bring.

   "Well, there is a lot of paper work for you complete, and I believe we
have more physical examinations, by my staff, in store for you.  I hope we
can get all three of you completed today, but it may run over to tomorrow.
I also have a short class I want you all to attend, regarding the care of
your changed body.  It was created for my reassignment patients, but I
really think you would benefit from it too.  Susan, the nurse who conducts
it, might not be available until tomorrow though," Dr.  Krell explained.

   "We were all expecting two days here," Joe said.  "Another physical,
huh." He expected it, but didn't look forward to it.

   "I'm sorry, Joe, but it's really necessary for us to know, in complete
detail, the extent of the changes you've gone through.  At the same time,
we're waiting for the lab reports to come back, with the results of hair
samples we took on all of you."

   "What do you expect that to show?" Joe asked.

   "I'm not really sure," Dr.  Krell answered.  "I believe that all your
living cells have been changed, but the others, your hair, and finger
nails, they might still have the old chromosome pattern.  I'm curious to
see the results of that.  Sort of like rings in a tree trunk, it may be,
that we can spot the exact time your change transpired."

   "So you think it happened instantaneously?" Joe asked.  "One moment I
was a guy, the next I was like this?"

   "I don't know, Joe.  What do you think?" Dr.  Krell asked.

   "Well, I don't know about the initial physical change, I guess I was
sleeping when that occurred, but I think I'm still changing.....I'm almost
sure I am, mentally.  I can't explain it...I, I..sometimes I just start to
cry, and feel sorry for myself...I never do that...but now....  I don't
know.  Mostly though, I feel great.  Generally, I think I feel better than
I can ever remember.  It's a good feeling, actually," Joe tried to describe
the strange emotions which were now effecting him.

   "Are there...Do you think there are still physical changes taking
place?" Dr.  Krell questioned.

   "I'm not sure.  If they are, they're subtle.  I think that sometimes, my
skin is still getting softer.  Maybe I'm just getting used to having
breasts, but they don't feel quite as sensitive as they were at first. 
They're still pretty sensitive, though," Joe said, rubbing the softness of
his left breast.

   "Have you noticed any unusual discharge?  Anything unusual about your
genitalia?" Dr.  Krell went on.

   "Gee, Doc.  I've only been like this five days.  Every thing seems
unusual.  I don't know.  I did notice some blood on my underwear last
night. I think that was from the examination yesterday though.  It felt
like you stretched me, or cut something, down there," Joe said, with a
sheepish smile.

   "Well, I'm assuming you were active, sexually, as a male," Dr.  Krell
explained.  "But it's obvious that, since you've become female you are not.
You're hymen, that's a bit of membrane, or skin, that partially closes the
vaginal orifice.  Your's is intact, and quite thick, and strong.  It's the
thickest I've seen.  I suspect that's because of your age, and the
circumstances under which you acquired it," he smiled.

   "Would I have any trouble with intercourse?" Joe asked.  He felt a
slight flush of embarrassed come to his face as he asked.

   "Are you considering becoming sexually active?" Dr.  Krell asked, not
particularly surprised.

   "Oh, no.  I don't think so, at least not now anyway," Joe stammered.

   "Well, when the time comes, and don't be surprized if it does, I don't
think you'll have any trouble with your hymen," Dr.  Krell advised,
smiling. "You'll probably be undergoing a number of examinations in the
near future, and that will probably stretch it, at least a little more. 
We'll try not to tear it.  By the way, it's normal to experience a little
pain, the first time a female has sexual intercourse.  I've been told it
subsides quickly, so don't be concerned about it."

   "I can't believe I'm even thinking about stuff like this," Joe said. 
"Yesterday, I wouldn't have considered even asking about it."

   "If you're going to live as a woman, as healthy, and, I might add,
attractive as you are, It will probably only be a matter of time before
such an opportunity presents itself.  You would be doing yourself a
disservice to ignore the possibility," Dr.  Krell said.

   "I'm trying to keep an open mind," Joe said.  "And it seems that even
that keeps changing."

   "It is a woman's perogative, isn't it," Dr.  Krell teased.  "Don't
forget though, if you do decide to become sexually active, be sure to use
some form of contraception.  Unfortunately, that isn't part of the normal
hygiene class, since that isn't a concern with reassignment patients.  I'll
remind Susan to cover that for you, but be sure to ask, if she forgets."

   "What would you recommend, as a contraceptive, for someone who was
sexually active, that is," Joe asked shyly.

   Dr.  Krell grinned.  "For someone who was thinking of becoming sexually
active...  For a mature, thirty year old female, I would recommend her
partner use a good condom, backed up with a contraceptive jelly, or foam.
She could be fitted with a diaphragm, but of course, that would be easier
after her hymen was broken."

   Joe looked the little man in the eye.  "I'll keep that in mind," he
said. He noticed Dr.  Krell was beginning to refer to him as a "she."

   "Tell it to me straight, Doc.  Am I ever going to be male again?" Joe
asked.

   "Unless we can somehow reverse whatever happened, and we don't even know
what that is, I think it's unlikely that you will ever have a normal male
body again.  That's the way it looks to me.  I suggest you try to get
accustomed to what you have now.  If we can get you back, it won't make any
difference, and if we can't, well, you seem to be doing pretty well," Dr.
Krell smiled at Joe.

   "I admit, it is getting easier, as time passes," Joe agreed.  "I guess I
can do it, if I must."

   "I think we should schedule you for some therapy," Dr.  Krell suggested.
"It could help you cope with the changes."

   "Do you think the changes could be affecting my head...the way I think?"
Joe questioned.  "I'm not sure, but I seem to feel different now, about so
many things, I think my brain is changing, or something, I have trouble
maintaining concentration, and about women, my girl friend...I don't seem
to feel the same there anymore.  Could the changes cause that?"

   "Yes, it's possible, I suppose.  There is still a lot to be learned
about the differences between the sexes...besides just the anatomical
differences.  What has happened to you and your friends, may help to expand
the present knowledge in this area," the doctor answered.

   "I have always enjoyed expanding the limits of technology," Joe
lamented. "But, don't think I really want to expand my interest to
medicine, at least not like this."

   "I realize that this is difficult for you," Dr.  Krell said.  "But
you'll have to play the cards you're dealt.  We'll do everything we can to
make the problems you face, as small as possible."

   "I appreciate everything you're doing for me, and for the others.  It's
amazing how quickly everything fell into place," Joe said.

   "When we got the call for assistance, from Hillcrest, every one here
jumped at the chance to work with your problem.  It's like a wish come
true, for a genetics researcher...someone who has actually changed their
genetic sex...amazing," Dr.  Krell's voice rose as he spoke.

   "Yeah, it's amazing all right," Joe said.  "And it feels strange too."
He smiled.

   "Well, let's see what we can do for that," The Doctor went on.  "For you
the first thing this morning will be another pelvic examination.  We'd like
to take some photo's, so we can study them without needing to have you
around all the time.  It shouldn't take too long," Dr.  Krell said, almost
apologetically.

   "Pictures, huh," Joe said, sort of thinking out loud.  He never thought
he would be the subject of pictures, even if it was for medical purposes.

   "Don't be concerned, Joe," The doctor advised.  "The photography will
only take a moment, and just be part of the examination.  We sometimes
video tape entire surgical procedures.  They are excellent teaching aids,
and are never used for anything else."

   "I'm not worried about that," Joe said.  Actually, he was, a little.  He
trusted Dr.  Krell, but he could imagine how tapes, or pictures, might be
used by medical students.

   "If you're ready, I'll take you to the examination room," Dr.  Krell
said, getting up from behind his desk.

   "I guess I am," Joe said, standing up, and smoothing his skirt, it
seemed his slip was suddenly been charged with static electricity, and he
could feel it clinging around his nylon stockings.

   Joe followed Dr.  Krell out of his office, and down the hall.  Dr. 
Krell's clinic was not huge, but, from what Joe could determine, had at
least six examination rooms.  The doctor entered one that had an open door,
and pointed to a fresh gown, as before, made of a disposable paper
material. He left the room.

   Joe looked around the room.  In the center, was an examination table
almost identical to the room yesterday.  Joe saw the little stirrups on the
side.  In a glass doored cabinet by the wall, Joe could see the
gynecologist's tools of his trade...  he saw the speculum, and all the
other things used during examinations.  His crotch muscles tightened, as he
thought about the examination just yesterday.

   Joe hung his suit jacket on a hanger provided, and sat in a chair to
remove his shoes.  He unbuttoned and unzipped his skirt, and stepped out of
it.  He lay the skirt over the back of the chair, and then unbuttoned his
blouse.  When he took that off, he carefully place it on another hanger. 
He then reached down, and pulled the full slip over his head, laying it on
top of the skirt.  He suddenly felt remarkably sexy, standing there in a
bra, black V-kini panties, and silky nylon stockings.  He unhooked the bra,
and slipped it off, the cool air on his now bare breasts causing him cover
them with his hands.  He had to remove his stockings, and decided to sit on
the edge of the paper covered table to do that.  When he had them off, and
carefully placed on top of his slip, and then pulled the panties off.  He
took the paper gown, and put it around him, thankful for even the minimal
coverage it provided.  He remembered the hairpiece.  Did he need to remove
it?  He decided he better, and placed on top of his slip.  His short hair
now felt strange.  He was getting accustomed to the longer length of the
wig, touching his ears, and neck.

   Joe then sat on the table, waiting for whatever was to happen next.  He
must have been sitting in apprehension for only five minutes, when Dr. 
Krell, and two other men with white lab coats entered the room, accompanied
by the nurse who initially brought Joe into the first room.

   Dr.  Krell introduced the men to a highly embarrassed Joe Bates.

   "Joe, this is Dr.  Tom Craig," Dr.  Krell said.  "He's our staff
Urologist."

   Dr.  Craig smiled, and extended his hand to Joe.

   "Glad to meet you Joe," he said.

   "And this is Dr.  David Bennedict.  Dave's our gynecologist," Dr.  Krell
continued.

   Dave also held out his hand.

   "I hope we can help you out, Joe," he said.  "Your situation is most
interesting."

   "I hope you can, too," Joe said, with a smile.  It was hard to feel like
an equal, when you were wearing a paper shirt, that didn't even quite cover
your butt, while everyone else in the room was completely dressed.  The
fact that they were doctors, didn't really help at all.

   "Well, I guess we best get on with it," Dr.  Krell said, to break the
slight tension.  "Joe, would you remove the gown please?"

   Joe could feel the blood rush to his cheeks as he unfastened the little
Velcro fasteners at his neck.  He pulled his arms out of the short, paper
gown, and handed it to the attending nurse.  He stood before the doctors,
completely naked, his heart pounding.

   "Amazing," Dr.  Bennedict said.  "He appears completely feminized.  And
you say he woke up this way, transformed overnight?" The doctor seemed to
be talking to the others, as if Joe was incapable of answering for himself.

   "I examined him, if I had not been already been told, I never would have
known he had been male." Dr.  Krell said.  "The only anomaly I can find, is
some scar tissue around the clitoris.  My theory is that it's residual
trauma caused by circumcision of the penis.  He confirmed that he had been
circumcised as an infant."

   "Interesting," Dr.  Craig said.  "We can confirm a number of theories
while studying this patient.  I believe this is the first recorded
spontaneous, human gynecomorph.  I hope we can learn what caused it."

   "I sure hope you can, too," Joe volunteered.  He didn't like the way he
was being treated.  Like a lab subject, unable to understand what was going
on.

   "Oh, I'm sorry Joe.  We're so excited by this opportunity to study your
case, that I'm afraid we sometimes we get carried away," Dr.  Bennedict
apologized.

   "I understand," Joe said.  "Just try to remember that I'm here, and I
think I'm still capable of understanding the English language."

   "Understood," Dr.  Craig added.  "Just remind us, if we seem to get off
track."

   "Joe, I have an illustration I'd like to show you," Dr.  Craig said,
handing him what looked like a page copied from an anatomy textbook.  Joe
immediately recognized the drawing.  It was that of the male genitalia, and
it had each individual part listed with its anatomical name, with a small
arrow pointing to it.  Joe wondered what it was for.

   "These are the male external reproductive organs," Dr.  Craig went on.
"I believe you recognize them."

   "Sure, but what's it for?" Joe asked.

   "I'm going to take this small tool, and touch you with it.  When you can
feel the touch, I'd like you to tell me where it feels like I'm touching
you.  Please use the illustration to name the locations," Dr.  Craig
explained, holding out a small, pointed, stainless steel probe.  "We're
trying to confirm the corresponding nerve endings, as they were, and as
they are now."

   "Ok.  That seems easy enough," Joe said.  He wondered how far inside him
they were going to put the pointer.

   "Please get up on the table, Joe," Dr.  Craig asked.  "You can put the
gown back on."

   The assistant handed Joe the paper gown, and he slipped his arms in the
holes, and fastened the Velcro fastener at his back.  He sat on the table,
and then lay back as the assistant adjusted the table to support his upper
back, and head.  She then covered Joe's lower body with a green surgical
drape, and positioned the stirrups so that he could put his feet in them,
spreading his legs apart as he did.

   He was now in position, and he felt the coolness as the doctors pulled
the drape away from his bottom.  As before, the drape kept him from seeing
what the doctors were doing.  The assistant handed Joe the illustration. 
He lay there, and looked at the drawing.  He saw the penis.  It was further
defined as the glans, dorsum, and prepuce.  The scrotum was also shown in
detail, including even a little cutaway showing the layers of skin.  He had
never realized that the male anatomy was that complex, and now he didn't
even look like that anymore.

   Suddenly, Joe felt a hand on his pubic area.  Two cool fingers spread
his soft inner lips.  He could feel his crotch muscles contract, as if they
were trying to keep that most sensitive area concealed.  He felt a finger
touch his clitoris, and heard Dr.  Krell speak.

   "As you can see, the prepuce is mostly absent, but, this scarring is
probably what remains of where it emanated," the friendly doctor was
saying.

   "Ok, Joe.  As I touch you, please call out what area it seems like I'm
touching.  If you can't give me a corresponding location, try to tell me
the closest equivalent," Dr.  Craig said.

   Joe could feel the pointed probe.  It felt as if it was softly rubbing
along the bottom of his penis.  He called that out.

   The probe moved down, now feeling as if near the base of his penis.  He
told Dr.  Craig that, not finding a name on the illustration for it.

   The tickling sensation went lower, towards his scrotum.  He tensed his
muscles there, as if to draw the sack tighter, and felt the somewhat
different sensation of his vaginal sphincter closing tighter.  The new
parts were similar, but they didn't feel EXACTLY the same.  He told Dr. 
Craig he was now touching his scrotum.

   He felt the probe move back up, it seemed along the top side of his
penis.  He wondered where Dr.  Craig was touching.  He couldn't remember
feeling that area since the change.  He told Dr.  Craig.

   "It feels like you're rubbing the top of my penis now," Joe said.  "Just
where are you actually touching?"

   "I'm touching the area dissecting your labia minora, and labia majora,"
Dr.  Craig explained.  "Between your inner and outer vulval lips."

   Amazing, Joe thought.  It felt just like it was touching the top of his
penis.

   The moving touch kept going, seeming to go to the head of his penis, but
now it was now on very sensitive area, far more sensitive than he could
ever remember his penis to be.  He called out.

   "You're touching the glans, I think." Joe said.  "I can't tell if you're
on top, or on the bottom.  It's kind of sensitive there." It tickled, and
he wanted to move his pelvis around.

   "I'm near the clitoris," Dr.  Craig explained.  I realize it must be a
bit sensitive."

   "You got that right," Joe said, closing his eyes and trying his best to
resist the urge to move his hips.  The tickling sensation was starting to
feel rather pleasant.

   Then the tickling stopped.  Opening his eyes, Joe could see Dr. 
Bennedict preparing a small camera.  He disappeared behind the drape, and
soon the room blinked with the flashing of the camera.  Joe just lay there,
eyes closed, embarrassed, as they photographed his private parts.  It
wasn't exactly like posing for Playboy, he thought.

   Joe momentarily opened his eyes, he saw Dr.  Bennedict retrieve a small
speculum from the glass cabinet.  Here it comes, he thought.

   Soon, he could feel touching around his genitals again.  He felt his
lips get pulled apart, and something hard touch him.  It moved around a
little, and then he felt it seem to slide along his opening.  He could
sense that it was inside of him.  Strange, he thought, I can't really feel
it in there, but I can sure tell it's there.  He could feel it stretching
his opening, and where it touched the outer parts.  He was just beginning
to try to imagine what it would feel like to have a guy's penis inside him,
when he felt the somewhat painful sensation of the speculum spreading open.
It hurt, but not as bad as the last time.  He put his hand to his mouth,
and bit down on his thumb.

   Joe felt the speculum move around inside him, and saw the flash of the
camera.  Before long, the speculum was collapsed, and withdrawn.  When it
was out, Joe had an intense urge to rub his crotch, but he didn't want to
put his hands under the drape, and didn't want these guy's to see him do
it.

   "I think that will be enough for now," Joe heard Dr.  Bennedict say. 
"You can get dressed."

   That wasn't so bad, Joe thought.  He sat up, and pulled his legs out the
stirrups, with the help of the assistant.

   "We'll see you in a few minutes, Joe," Dr.  Krell said as the three
doctors left the room.

   Joe reached down and carefully massaged the tender tissues of his
crotch. The assistant saw what he was doing, and smiled.

   "Here are some towels.  They'll help a little," she said, seeming to
know what he was feeling.

   "Thanks," Joe replied.  "I'm still getting used to this."

   "I don't think you ever get used to it," the woman said.

   Joe cleaned the small amount of lubricating jelly from his vulva.  He
looked at the towel.  There was no sign of blood.  It didn't hurt either.
He carefully probed around with his index finger.  He was wet and slippery,
and the finger went in easy, much easier than ever before.  He looked up to
see if the nurse was watching, but she was paying no attention to him.  She
was gathering up the things used in the examination.  Soon, she too left
the room.

   Joe was sitting on the edge of the examination table, with his hand over
his pubic area, and one finger just inside his genital vestibule.  He had
never been inside much farther than this, and was surprised at how
different it felt.  The water soluble lubricant used in the examination had
made everything extremely slick.  He felt around, feeling the bumps and
ridges in this new, unfamiliar part of his body.  He could feel a small
lump, which he knew, by the feel, was his urethra.  It was just after the
ridge of his now somewhat prominent, pubic bone.  He went further in his
exploration, and entered his vaginal opening.  He could feel a restriction,
some tight tissue.  This must be my hymen, he considered, and carefully
examined it with the tip of his finger.  The opening in his hymen seemed
large enough to penetrate with his finger, so he slowly, cautiously, went
further.  After the initial restriction at the entrance, it was all clear,
but it was difficult to go much further without stretching it even more. 
It didn't hurt, but Joe didn't want to tear it.  How would he explain it to
the doctors, if that happened?

   He just sat there, examining himself.  When he decided he couldn't get
any farther inside with his finger, he stopped.  He tensed his crotch
muscles, and felt the tightening with his finger.  The sensation when he
bore down on his own finger felt strange, but sort of pleasurable.

   He was getting more familiar with his body.  At first, he was almost
afraid to even look at the new parts, but now, after the doctors
examinations introduced him to new sensations, he decided that he needed to
know what it was all about.  These new areas might be different, but they
were still part of him.  He withdrew his finger, and holding it to his
nose, smelled it.  Funny, he thought, it doesn't seem to have any
particular odor.  He thought of Linda...  He loved her sweet, female scent.
He wondered why he didn't smell like that.

   Finally, Joe decided he better get dressed.  He stood up, and pulled off
the gown.  He was feeling particularly good about himself as he went over
to the chair where his clothes were laying.  He took his underpants, and
stepped into them, loving the feel, the snug fit of the black panties.  He
easily slipped the bra on, and clasped the plastic latch between his
breasts.  Yeah, he was beginning to accept...to appreciate his new
body...how it looked, and how it felt.  He might still be Joe Bates,
Engineer, Pilot, and Sports Car Nut, but he wasn't really a male anymore.
He was beginning to realize it, accept the differences, and maybe...even
enjoy them.

   Joe quickly dressed, and replaced his hairpiece.  There was a small sink
in the examination room, with a mirror above it.  He looked at himself, and
adjusted his hair, and clothing.  When felt he was ready, he went to the
door, and went out.  He walked back up to Dr.  Krell's office, but he saw,
through the open door, that Dr.  Krell was busy talking to Dave.  He went
out to where he saw the nurse who was present during his exam.

   "Should I stay in the examination room?" Joe asked.

   "Well, no, you don't have to," the woman said.  "I think Dr.  Krell will
want to talk to you as soon as he's finished.  You can go back to the
waiting room, if you like."

   "Ok.  I'll wait there," Joe said.  He hoped that "Miss Dix" wasn't out
there.

   Joe went out and took a seat.  Mike was no where to be seen, and only
one person, who had just entered before Joe was called, was in the room. 
He looked through the stack of magazines, mostly women's, on the small rack
next to his seat.  He selected Cosmopolitan, the cleavage of the woman on
the cover catching his male trained eye.

   He thumbed through the magazine, noticing with hightened interest, the
adds for feminine hygiene products, contraceptives, and underwear.  He
thought about it.  It was almost like this was the female equivalent of an
automotive magazine.  All the products designed to make what you had, look
better, or work better.  For a guy, it was his car.  For a woman, well, she
had this exotic body to maintain.  Yeah, he thought as he thumbed through
the sexy ad's for clothing, lingerie, tampons, and pregnancy detection
kits, this is a woman's "Car and Driver".

   He started reading an article about Pre-Menstrual Syndrome.  He was
wondering what having a period would feel like, when the nurse called his
name again.  Darn, he thought, he wanted to finish the article.  He looked
at the magazine cover, and saw it was the current issue.  I'll have to pick
that one up, he thought as he put the magazine in the rack, and then
followed the nurse back to Dr.  Krell's office.

   In the office, Dr.  Krell sat behind his desk, with Dr.  Bennedict
sitting in one of the seats on the other side.  Dr.  Krell motioned for Joe
to have a seat next to the gynecologist.

   "The hairpiece is very attractive on you," Dr.  Bennedict said.  Joe
realized that the man had only seen him undressed, and without the wig.

   "Thanks," Joe said.  "Karen loaned it to me." Joe figured the doctors
there must all know Karen.

   "Joe, we have the results of the lab tests of the hair samples," Dr. 
Krell said.  "You might be interested to know that, from DNA tests we found
that your hair, at least, still show a male chromosome pattern.  Of course,
as it grows out, that may change.  I would think all the "dead" cells of
your body have not transitioned, only the living cells.  That is easily
sufficient proof of your identity.  It don't change anything, but it does
confirm that a so far unknown phenonoma cause cell changes in you and your
two co-workers bodies.  The change, or damage, we might call it, has caused
the chromosomes to distort, to make your genetic structure to appear to
change from XY, to XX, what normally would be the female form.  I suspect
that you are not truly female, that is, you are not a precise genetic
representation of what you would have been, had you been conceived as a
genetic female.  However, the differences are so slight, so
inconsequential, from a practical matter, that it would probably take an
electron microscope to tell the difference.  I suspect also, that the
difference, slight as it is, is far too small to prevent the normal
gynecological functions from occurring.  Joe, it appears that you, for all
practical, and physiological purposes, are now a functional female."

   "Well, I'm glad all the physical examinations and genetic tests agree
with what I see when I look in the mirror," Joe said.  He understood that
Dr.  Krell was just giving him the complete medical synopsis, but what he
really wanted, was the answer to what caused the whole thing to happen in
the first place.

   "Now that we know WHAT has happened, we must concentrate our efforts on
why it occurred," Dr.  Bennedict said.

   "And while that's happening, we will do everything we can, to help make
your situation bearable," Dr.  Krell added.

   "Is there anything I can do to help discover the cause?" Joe asked.  He
wanted to get back to work...to try to discover what, in or around the
Learjet, or the GPS transmitters, could have caused his plight.

   "We want you, Dave, and Mike to remain here, till tomorrow, so that you
can attend the class we will present tomorrow, probably about nine or ten
o'clock," Dr.  Krell advised.  "After that, you, and Dave at least, can go
back.  Mike may be asked to stay another day.  We'll know by tomorrow, at
noon."

   Joe wondered what that might be about, but decided that it was none of
his business.

   "What else is there today?" Joe asked.  He was getting anxious to get on
with it.

   "Well, if you have decided to legally change your status to female,
there is some more paperwork to fill out.  We have obtained copies of all
your records, so we probably have most of the information we need.  We'll
just need your signature after we prepare the forms."

   "That's all it takes?  A few signatures?  I write my name on a piece of
paper, and suddenly, I'm no longer a man?  I'm a woman, just as if I was
born that way?" Joe was amazed at how simple it sounded.

   "You must realize, that this place specializes in such transitions," Dr.
Krell explained.  "You must also understand, that the position you find
yourself in, is where a person desiring surgical reassignment arrives only
after years of chemical, and mental therapy, and extensive cosmetic
surgery. What happened to you is unprecedented."

   "Too bad I didn't