Simon and Mira took a commercial shuttle to Celestial 3 which took 10 hours one way. The shuttle docked at the space station which orbited the Earth like planet. After they were processed through and their luggage transported to their suite, Mira and Simon were transported down to the main Terran visitors lobby. They arrived on a large circular transporter pad along with several other couples. They stepped down and took a minute to take in their surroundings. They were in a large round room with doors and windows all along the wall. The glass doors to the front of the room led to the outside where the sun was shining brightly. The colors inside were soft grays and blues, very comforting to the senses.

They were approached by a friendly Terran woman in her mid sixties, her hair arranged on the top of her head in a soft bun. She was dressed in a blue jacket and skirt with a white blouse. "Simon and Miranda McRaney?" she asked.

"Yes," they answered. Mira found it strange to be addressed by Simon's last name. She would still use Montgomery in her work, but in all her private business would now be known as Miranda McRaney.

"I'm Elizabeth Hughes, your attendant for your stay here on Celestial Three. I hope your trip was pleasant?"

"Yes, quite pleasant, Ms. Hughes," replied Mira.

"Oh, please call me Elizabeth," she said smiling. "i will be your attendant and guide while you're on Celestial Three. Simon and Mira noticed that each of the couples they had transported in with were also met by their own attendant.

"If you will follow me, I will take you to your suite for your stay here." Elizabeth led them through one of the many doorways leading from the arrival area, down several wide, brightly colored hallways until they came to a set of doors labeled McRaney Suite.

"Before you enter, we encourage the age old Earth custom of carrying your bride across the threshold, Simon."

Simon turned to Mira and smiled. He hadn't thought of this custom before, but he liked the idea. "Do you mind, Mira?"

"Actually, I'd love it!"

Simon swept Mira off her feet, into his strong arms as the door to their suite opened. Stepping across it with Mira in his arms he kissed her and gently set her down on the plush blue carpet beneath them.

"This is very nice, " commented Simon, looking across the large room.

"Nice?" said Mira, "It's wonderful!"

They were standing on a slightly raised area overlooking the living area. Directly across from the front entrance was a large fireplace, in front of which stood a long white sofa. To the left were glass doors which opened onto a large rectangular enclosed swimming pool surrounded by fauna and flora of all kinds. It appeared more like a pool in a jungle with all the different colored flowers around it. To the far side of the pool stood a small waterfall from which water flowed gently down into the pool itself.

To the right side of the living area were another set of doors leading to a wall enclosed hot tub surrounded by multicolored rocks of all shapes and sizes. The wall surrounding the hot tub was 2.4 meters high and made for privacy. The top was opened to the sky.

To the left of the fireplace was a door leading back to the bedroom.

"Before you get settled in," began Elizabeth, "I would like to tell you a bit about Celestial Three. I know you have read all about this place, but I would like to emphasize a few things. Please have a seat on the sofa." Elizabeth led the way and sat at one end of the long sofa while Simon and Mira sat at the opposite end.

"Celestial Three is dedicated to enhancing the experience of bonded couples. No singles are allowed here. This is why we have the orbiting station instead of having people come directly to our facilities. I'm sure this is why you have chosen to come here for your honeymoon."

Simon and Mira both nodded. Actually it was Mira's idea to come here and Simon agreed with her, although he didn't feel they needed any other special bonding other than what they had managed by themselves. He felt they were completely bonded to each other as they were now. But Mira had a friend who had visited here and raved about the place, so she decided she wanted to come here and see for herself what all the fuss was about.

"You are in the Terran facility. We have numerous facilities all over the planet for other species such as Vulcan, Andorian, Betazoid and even a Klingon facility, though that one is seldom used by couples who are both Klingons. Mostly Terrans who have married a Klingon use that one. There are many other species we also cater to."

"I understand that the reason we had to complete the many forms before coming here was to ensure that our experience would be especially designed for us. Is that correct?" asked Mira, holding Simon's hand in hers. She loved to hold his hand and found herself unconsciously taking it whenever they were close together. Simon didn't seem to mind.

"That is exactly correct. No other program will include the many experiences we have designed especially for you two. All your favorite foods, drinks, and activities will be included in your two week stay. For instance, this suite--you'll notice the color scheme is furnished in soft shades of blues and greens--both of your favorite colors."

"I noticed how wonderful the two colors blended together when I first came in," replied Mira.

"As well as you and I blend together, Mira," offered Simon.

She looked up at him and smiled. He was so sweet!

"For your first week here, you will be treated to horseback riding, rock climbing, swimming--at one of our many beaches as well as your own swimming pool--poker and ..."

"Poker?" Simon interrupted. This was sounding better and better he thought.

"Yes, that is a favorite pastime of you both, is it not?"

"Yes, it is. Who will we be playing cards with?" asked Mira.

"Other couples who have similar interests," replied Elizabeth. "Not only Terran, but other species as well. You will also have time scheduled for you to be alone. We encourage time alone with each other for the first two days minimum. This would included activities as well as dining in your room. We find this enhances the bonding. However, we also know that too much of a good thing is harmful. As such you will be invited on the third day to eat with other Terrans in our main restaurant."

"Just Terrans?" asked Simon.

"Just for the first few days. This invites bonding with other married couples. We want to give each couple a chance to make friends of their own species first, then after the first week, we open all restaurants across the planet to all species for interacting. I can assure you that all of this has been well planned."

"That all sounds wonderful!" said Mira. "Now, what about the Transference? When will that take place?"

"After you have been here for one week. While this procedure is not for every couple, since you have expressed a desire to have it, we feel it would be very beneficial to you both," she smiled.

Simon wasn't so sure he liked the whole idea of the Transference, but Mira was set on it and after all she did agree to spend Christmas with his family when she had expressed the desire to spend their first Christmas as a married couple alone. Such was marriage--full of compromises!

"Great! When do we begin?" asked an excited Mira, anxious to begin her honeymoon!

"Right away! This suite is yours to explore and enjoy. Take advantage of the swimming pool--it is lighted and heated--and the hot tub. Your first dinner with us will be sent in whenever you call for it. You may use any of our comm units which are located on the red panel by each door. Feel free to call any time, day or night for anything. While you are here, you will be treated as royalty!" Elizabeth got up and began moving towards the door.

"I will now leave you two alone. Enjoy your honeymoon!" she said as she left. Mira and Simon looked at each other and laughed. "Royalty! I can live with that," he said.

"Me too. Just don't expect it after we leave here, sweetie," joked Mira. "Shall we check out our bedding facilities?" she asked with a sly smile.

"Sounds like a terrific idea," said Simon as he swiftly picked her up in his arms again, swinging her around and around before they headed into the bedroom, laughing like two kids!

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

Celestial Three had everything! Oceans, beaches, mountains, deserts--where Simon enjoyed exploring, always the geologist. The next week went by quickly for the newly married couple. They spent time walking along the beach, hand in hand, swimming in the moonlight, picnicking on the top of a mountain and doing all of their favorite activities that each was too busy to enjoy while on the Endeavour. They also met several couples they promised to stay in touch with--two Terrans and one Vulcan couple, they especially liked.

Finally it came time for the Transference. Elizabeth led them on the morning of their second week there to a small room designed especially for this procedure, where two medical technicians awaited them. The room was circular in shades of blue and green. Being Mira and Simon's favorite colors, these would enable them to relax better.

There were two small recliners back to back in the center of the room with equipment consoles lined along a part of the wall to the back. To the left of the entrance were two holographic chambers, resembling one person transporters, but enclosed.

"These are our holographic imaging chambers," explained Elizabeth. "One for each of you. These scans along with all the data we collected from the forms you filled out will enable us to feed this data directly into your neural nets. This will result in each of you believing you are in the other's body."

"I will feel like I am in Simon's body?"asked Mira. Even though this is what she had read regarding the procedure, it still was hard to believe.

"Yes that is correct. To you it will appear as though your consciousness is living inside of Simon's body and his in yours. But in reality, you will not have left this room. This will all take place in your mind."

"How long will this appear to last," asked Simon, growing uneasier by the minute. The thought of being in a female's body, even if it was the love of his life, was still quite unsettling to him.

"The actual procedure will take about 10 minutes, while to you it will seem as though six hours have passed. But if for any reason you want to terminate the program sooner, you will simply return to this room and sit down. This will signal your consciousness to end the program."

"Why do we need the holographic images?" asked Simon. "I already know what Mira looks like and I certainly know what I look like."

Elizabeth smiled. This was the most often asked question. "Because you are used to seeing yourself from the inside, Simon. Your body will appear somewhat different taking on a new perspective--seeing it from another person's viewpoint."

"That makes sense," added Mira.

"Shall we begin?" asked Elizabeth.

Mira and Simon each stepped into a holographic chamber and in a few seconds the scans were completed. They each took a seat on one of the recliners and began to relax. A neural somatic caliper was handed to Mira which she placed on her forehead. Simon did the same with his.

"Now, just relax," Elizabeth said to them both. "When you next wake up, or I should say, appear to awaken, you will be in each other's bodies. Are you ready?"

"Yes," replied Mira.

"Sure," replied Simon, still not exactly crazy about the idea.

"Good. Begin then," Elizabeth told the two technicians.

After about 10 minutes, the procedure was completed. Mira was the first one to "wake up". She slowly opened her eyes and looked around the small room. It all appeared just as it had before and she wondered if indeed the procedure had been successful.

"Elizabeth..." she stopped, startled by the sound of her voice, for it was not her voice, but Simon's which came out of her mouth. The Transference had been successful after all!

Mira then noticed her hands for the first time--how large they were. She flexed her hands and fingers to get the feel of them. So strong! I think I'm gonna like this! she thought to herself. She noticed her long muscular legs and moved them, slowly rising from her chair, unsteady at first as her neural pathways became adjusted to the new data.

Mira was surprised at how tall Simon really was. It was great seeing things from another perspective and she wondered how Simon would feel, being so much shorter and not as physically strong in her body.

Elizabeth took Mira by the arm, "You will need to walk around slowly at first to integrate the neurological circuits."

Mira knew that this was not really Elizabeth, but a program to help with the adjustments, but it all felt so real! As real as any holosutie program. Or more so!

Slowly and carefully Mira walked around the room, feeling the strength in her new legs. Within a few minutes the dizziness was gone and she felt "normal". Now she noticed her own body still in the chair. It looked so small! Elizabeth was right! You never really knew what you looked like until you looked at yourself through someone else's eyes.

"After your program is fully operational," began Elizabeth, "we will bring Simon on line. We have discovered that males are slower to adjust to this procedure than females and it's better if the female gets adjusted first. That way they can help the males. "How do you feel now?"

Standing up straight and stretching her arms above her head, Mira laughed. "I feel absolutely wonderful!" She ran her hands over her face, hair, shoulders and arms. "I feel so strong!"

"That is a typical reaction," explained Elizabeth. "And also why most males have a problem with this. They will not feel as strong as they were before. It could be a problem."

"Oh, Simon isn't like that. I don't think he will have a problem with not being so strong--or tall!"

Elizabeth smiled at that thought. She had supervised many of these procedures and in 9 out of 10 cases, the male always had more problems adjusting to the transfer than the female. "You may be surprised, Mira. Anyway, now it's time to bring Simon on line." She nodded at one of the technicians.

In a few seconds, Simon had opened his eyes, took a look at his body and suddenly jumped out of the chair. Overcome by the dizziness, he staggered against the wall and would have fallen down had Mira not run over to him and grabbed him.

"Simon! Are you all right?" she screamed.

Elizabeth ran to catch him too and both helped him up, although Mira was doing a good job of it by herself.

Simon shook lose of Mira's grip on his arms, "Yes! Yes! I'm fine!" he yelled as he slumped against the wall, holding his head in his hands. "Just give me a minute."

Mira backed off, startled at Simon's attitude. She glanced at Elizabeth who just nodded as though this was a normal reaction.

He remembered the Transference now. He was in Mira's body! Although not really. In reality he was still asleep in that chair. This was too much! He shook his head trying to clear it and pulling himself up straight he looked at Mira, in his body. He didn't want Mira to see how this Transference had upset him. He never realized that he would be this uncomfortable with it. If Mira could do this, he thought, then he could too! He was not going to disappoint her! "Am I really that tall," he joked.

Mira sighed and smiled at him. "That's exactly what I said! And yes, you are this tall!" Mira visibly relaxed. Everything will be okay now, she thought. It was just the initial shock of it all.

"This is...different," he said trying to reign in his own emotions. He hated this! He was suddenly too short, too soft and his voice was way too high! Mira must not know how much I hate this he decided. She wanted this to be a good experience for the both of us and by God it will be! Even if it kills me!

"How do you feel?" Mira asked, concern written over her face.

"Shorter and softer," he lowered his voice, " and not as strong as I used to be. Aside from all that, I'm fine," he lied.

"Great!" said Mira, hugging him, then quickly jerking away. "That felt so strange! Hugging myself!"

"Not as strange as it felt to be hugged by myself!" remarked Simon.

"I would suggest that during the first two hours , you not touch each other," said Elizabeth. "Sometimes too much sensory input can overload the neural pathways and terminate the program early. Get used to being in each other's bodies for now. I know how strange this must seen to you both, but I went through this same procedure 5 years ago with my own husband and it was a wonderful experience for the both of us."

"What do we do to become our normal selves again," asked Simon, hoping this was an easy procedure.

"Absolutely nothing," replied Elizabeth. "The program will terminate itself in what will seen to you as six hours. At that time, you will simply wake up where you started from, in here, in your chairs. You will remember the complete experience as you would any other normal memory and with time it will fade as most memories do. That is why some of our clients like to return every few years to have this procedure repeated."

That's a relief, thought Simon! Mira can forget about us doing this again. Once is quite enough for me! But he didn't tell Mira that of course. She appeared to be enjoying herself and he didn't want to ruin this experience for her.

"Now, go back to your suite and do whatever you feel like doing. At 1200 hours, you will be invited for lunch in the main dining hall with other couples. This will give each of you a chance to interact as each other and discover how people react to the new you. This is one of the most enlightening parts to this program.

"I can hardly wait," mumbled Simon under his breath.

"What did you say, Simon?" asked Mira.

He raised his voice, "I can hardly wait!" he said with feigned enthusiasm.

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

As they reached the door of their suite, Mira stopped Simon from going in.

"What?" he asked, anxious to get into the privacy of the suite.

"I want to carry you across the threshold just like you did me," Mira smiled.

"What? Don't be silly, Mira. A woman does not carry a man over the threshold!"

"Well, right now I am the man to all outside appearances and I want to know how it feels to be so strong."

"It's no big deal, Mira, really. Now let's go in." There was no way he was going to... Before he could finish his thought, Mira had scooped him up in her now strong arms and swept through the door into the living area. She swung him around in a circle, finally sitting him down on the carpet.

"That was glorious!" she yelled. "Absolutely wonderful! The total feeling of physical power. I love it!"

"Mira! Calm down!"Simon was afraid she would overload her neurons and they would be stuck in this program forever! Not a pleasant thought for him, although Mira might like it. I'm learning things about her I didn't know already, he thought. I never knew she had this thing about physical strength. Mira was physically strong herself and Simon didn't understand her new found excitment for it.

"Simon! I never knew how strong you really are. I feel like I could lift a shuttlecraft! run a marathon! I want to see if I can move the sofa." Mira walked quickly over to the large sofa and taking hold of one side, lifted it easily.

"Wow! Simon, come here and sit on this end. I want to see if I can lift it with you sitting on it."

"This is silly, Mira!" He found his voice was higher when he was upset and didn't like the sound of it. Lowering his voice an octave he said, " Let's do something else. Let's go swimming." No, he thought, not swimming. I would have to get into a suit and I'm not going to go that route! "Swimming is out. How about rock climbing?"

"Simon, this is not silly. We are supposed to experience what it's like to be the other person and I want to try everything! Now, come over here and sit, please."

"God, Mira, don't make my voice whine like that! I never whine!" he said, lowering his voice again.

"Then stop lowering my voice!" she countered.

Yes, thought Simon, this is a wonderful way to spend a honeymoon! "Ok, ok." Simon sat on the end of the sofa while Mira lifted it again.

"By the Prophets, I can even lift it with you on it!"

"That's not such a big deal, Mira. You don't weight much."

"What a sweet thing to say, darling," she said, lifting the sofa a third time.

By the time Mira had tired of lifting the furniture, it was time for lunch. "What should I wear?" asked Mira.

"Mira, do you know how ridiculous that sounds coming from my mouth?" "Let's wear what we have on. I'm not changing," he stated flatly.

"Simon, I wouldn't go to lunch in what you're wearing. I think you should change."

"I'm not changing."

"But why not?"

"Because there are some things I would rather not know from the inside out, if you get my meaning."

Mira burst out laughing, "Of course, of course! You're right, Simon. We'll go as we are."

"After you," said Simon as he followed Mira out the door, pulling at his clothes. How do women wear these things? he wondered.

********************* They arrived in the large restaurant and were greeted by a waiter who led them to a table in the middle of the room. Simon instinctively put his hand out to lead Mira ahead of him, but stopped as Mira gently pushed him ahead of her, as he had done for her many times before. It was a protective gesture. Not wanting to make a scene, he went on ahead feeling very uncomfortable. In fact, he had felt uncomfortable for hours!

Mira noticed how the women would steal a glance at her as she walked past them. "Hmmm. I never noticed how many looks Simon gets before. Rest assured, I will from now on, she promised herself.

Simon was noticing how the men would glance at him too. It was either because Mira was so attractive or the fact that he was walking like a man while in her body! "What are you looking at!" he growled at one male patron who had glanced his way.

He went to pull Mira's chair out for her, then realized it would not look right and just sighed, sitting down fast before Mira had the chance to pull his chair out for him. He didn't know how much longer he could stand this!

After they ordered, Simon drank a glass of beer and then ordered another one while Mira drank white wine. He was hoping the beer would allow him to become more comfortable with his new body. Mira was busy looking at all the other couples and noticing how different the women looked at her than the men. Funny, I never noticed the difference before, she thought. Simon was advoiding looking at anything except his glass of beer.

Finally the waiter returned with their food. Mira ate hardily while Simon ate little. "I forgot how much more food your body can hold than mine," said Mira, taking another bite of her steak. "I can eat twice as much as I usually do and still not feel full."

"I'm glad you're having such a good time, dear, he said picking at his own food, avoiding eye contact with her.

"What's wrong, Simon?" she asked, putting down her fork.

"You don't find this all too strange? My speaking to you in your own voice and body? I tell you, Mira, I...I don't know." After three hours he was still finding it hard to deal with and couldn't hide that fact from Mira any longer--he wanted out, now!

Mira had been having such a fun time with her own experiences that she hadn't given much thought to how Simon was feeling. Since he didn't complain too much, she thought he was dealing with it just fine. Now that she thought about it, maybe this was all too much for him. Maybe it had something to do with the fact that she was a medical doctor and used to dealing with strange biological situations and he wasn't. Or maybe it was simpler than that. Maybe it was because she was female and he male.

"You're not having a good time are you, Simon? Be honest with me."

"Actually, no. I'm not," he stated, relieved finally to admit it.

"I thought this would be a terrific way of discovering more about each other, bringing us a greater understanding of what it was like to be each other."

Simon put the fork down that he had been using to pick at his food. "Mira, I love you and appreciate your wanting to do this for us. But there are some things I believe should remain a mystery. Like what it's like to become another person. I want to know you and experience life with you, but not as you. But by being with you. This experience is not a guy thing."

Mira looked at Simon and thought about what he had said. Maybe he was right. Maybe we don't need to use the rest of the program. Some things should remain a mystery, she thought.

"Simon, you're right. I got so carried away by this new experience that I just assumed you were enjoying it too. We can end the program now if you like."

Simon never felt so relived in his life! "Really? You won't mind too much?"

"No, of course not. But I really did want to go rock climbing while in your body. Just to see how much easier it would be for me," she said disappointed.

"Tell you what, Mira. When we get back to Earth, since Celestial 3 has no holosuites, we'll get us a holosuite program and go rock climbing adjusting the program to react to you as if you were two meters tall and had the strength of a Tarkelian wildebeast. How's that?"

Mira brightened at that idea. "Yea, we could couldn't we? Ok, let's go!"

Whew! thought Simon. For a minute there I thought I would be stuck in this body rock climbing!

Ah, I'll give him a few years and then talk him into coming here again, thought Mira. Maybe by then he will be more receptive! She looked at Simon who was almost running back to the Transference Room. Then again, maybe not. Oh, well.........

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

Mira and Simon both enjoyed the rest of their week on Celestial Three, swimming, horseback riding, and rock climbing, both in their own respective bodies!