Joe was asleep in Linda's arms for only about fifteen minutes
when she jostled him awake. "Come on sleepy-head. Let's get up.
I'm hungry."
Joe wasn't hungry at all. He was wonderfully content resting
in Linda's arms, but he reluctantly got up. Linda rolled to the
side of the bed, and quickly slipped off the black bikini underwear
to put her own things back on. Joe found his own underpants and
slipped them on. He was standing at the foot of the bed watching
Linda as she stood wearing only panties, gathering her up skirt and
blouse. He turned around and spotted the silver chemise teddy.
Joe held the silky garment out to Linda. "I think you put this in
my bag."
As Linda looked at the sexy little garment, a strange
expression formed on her face. "Don't you like it?"
Joe was confused. What was she trying to tell him? "I guess
it's ok, but it's yours. Why did you send it with me?"
"I bought it for you. Of course, if you don't like it..."
"You bought this for me? When did you do that?"
"Well, actually, it was for me to wear, but FOR you," Linda
said, smiling. "I just thought that you might find a need for it
on your trip. I have no idea what you wear in bed while you're
away from me."
Was she hinting at something, Joe wondered? "What's going on
here?"
"Joe, you just went on an overnight trip with a man. I see
the way Jay looks at you. I know you've had to see it too."
"And so you think I'd want to sleep with him?"
"Are you telling me you don't?"
Joe was silent. He didn't really know what to say. Linda
obviously knew him much better than he thought. Maybe he shouldn't
lie. "No. I won't say that. I noticed that Jay was acting kind
of funny, too."
"And what did you do?"
"What did I do?" Joe repeated.
"How did you respond to him? Come on, Joe. I know you two
are old pals, and I'm pretty sure you can't keep any secrets from
him. The way he was fawning over you, you must have fooled around
a little."
"Why do you say that?" Joe said, trying to sound hurt.
"Because I can practically read your mind," Linda said
confidently. "I know that you're dying to know what it would be
like with a guy. Your body is so beautiful, so amazingly feminine.
I'm sure you've already noticed what you do to men."
Joe felt a blush of embarrassment as he pulled on his shorts
and slipped the little tank top on. This woman is so darn
observant, he thought. Can nothing be hidden from her? "What if
I did sleep with Jay the other night?" Joe asked bluntly. "How
would you feel about that?"
Linda stared at Joe. He couldn't tell what was on her mind.
Had she simply been fishing, and drawn him out? "I wouldn't blame
you. I think if I suddenly became a guy, I guess I'd want to know
how it feels to be with a woman."
"You wouldn't be mad?" Joe asked gingerly.
"Why should I? You're a big girl now," Linda added with a
smile.
Joe just stood there, looking at her, smiling, saying nothing.
"So did you?" Linda asked. Her curiosity had been piqued.
Joe widened his smile. "I thought real girls don't talk about
stuff like that," he said smugly.
"The heck they don't!" Linda countered. "You don't have any
idea what real girls talk about." She was right there, too.
"Well, they shouldn't. Who I choose to sleep with is kind of
private."
"Not private to me, Joe Bates. Did you, or didn't you?"
Again Joe was silent. He wanted to tell her, but didn't know
how.
"Did you sleep with Jay, or not?"
"Uh... We were in the same bed for a while." Joe said
carefully.
"Did you do anything?"
"Anything?" Joe repeated, stalling for time.
"Did you screw him?"
Joe just smiled. "Well, I let him look... Then... I let
him touch..." Joe idly stroked his breast for emphasis as he
spoke."
"Did you screw him?"
"You know, I didn't realize how big another guy's cock looks
when it gets hard. I don't think I ever saw anybody else's
before."
"Did you do it with him?"
"Yes, I did it," Joe said curtly.
"So, what did you think?" Linda didn't sound mad, just
curious, and maybe, relieved.
Joe looked at the bed. "Well, actually, it kind of hurt at
first, but then it really felt pretty good." He smiled, as if
remembering the sensation.
"You screwed Jay?" Linda said incredulously.
"I guess that describes it," Joe said, smiling broadly,
relieved for the truth to finally be out, but wondering what she
was going to do.
"Did you like it?"
"Yes. It was pretty good, once I got used to the difference.
Does that make me queer or something?"
"I don't think so. I mean you are physically a woman now, I
suppose."
"So what does that make us, then? Are we lesbians?"
"I don't know. Maybe it does," Linda said without convic-
tion. "Do you care?"
"Hey, I'm just a guy who woke up with this pushed in, and
these things popped out." Joe touched his crotch, and then his
boobs. "I really don't know what the hell I am anymore."
"Did you climax?" Linda asked bluntly.
"Climax?"
"When you did it with Jay. You know. Did you come?"
Joe looked at her and smiled, then took on a wide grin. "Yes.
I guess I did. Maybe even a few times. Like I said, it did feel
pretty good." Joe's grin got slightly wider.
"I guess you really are a woman, then, Joe Bates," Linda said
conclusively.
"I thought you only became a woman after your first menstrual
period. I'm still waiting for that to happen."
"Well, I think for you, we can make an exception, and say it
literally happened overnight."
"Can you handle that?"
"What choice do I have?"
"No more than I do, I guess," Joe admitted. "Do you want me
to leave?"
"Only if you feel you want to. I don't know why you would
want to stay with me."
"But... Don't you understand? I love you. I need you."
"What can I really do for you?"
"You've been doing it. You're my friend, and now, you're my
mentor, my advisor, and as far as I'm concerned, you're still
pretty good in bed, too."
"Thanks. I guess you are, too."
"But, just a little short, right?" Joe teased.
"Well... I did like you better the other way."
"Sorry. What you see is what you get."
"What about Jay?"
"What about Jay?" Linda countered. "How do you feel about
him?"
"Jay Logan is still my best friend. With all that's happened
to me, he's helped in all kinds of ways. I think we were both
curious, and we just satisfied our curiosity, that's all."
"So you wouldn't want to do it again?" Linda asked.
"I don't know. I don't know what I want to do."
"Well, I can't be a man for you," Linda said, saying the
obvious.
"And I realize that I can't be everything you need either."
"So what should we do then?" Linda said, as much to herself as
to Joe.
"Let's take it one step at a time," Joe suggested. "Who
knows, maybe by next week, all this will all be a weird memory.
"And maybe it won't."
"Yeah... Maybe it won't."
"What are you hungry for?" Linda asked suddenly.
"I don't know. You're the one who claimed you were hungry."
"I've been thinking Mexican all day." Linda was still
standing in her underwear, holding her skirt and blouse.
"Ok then, go get some clothes on, and let's go out and find
some food," Joe ordered. "What do you think I should wear?"
"I was planning to wear something like what you have on. That
looks fine."
Joe looked down. He could practically see his breasts through
the cotton top's thin material. "I feel practically naked like
this. I can't wear this in public."
"You look just fine."
"But everyone can see my boobs."
"No, they can't. Besides, you're kind of cute looking
anyway."
"Yes, but..." Joe persisted.
"Put a bra on then, if you must," Linda said as she left the
room. She didn't want to argue with Joe over his deserved self-
consciousness.
Joe went to the dresser and searched for an appropriate
garment. With most of his underwear in the laundry, or still
drying in the bathroom, his choice was limited. He decided on a
simple white cotton bra, one of the first he had bought. He pulled
off the tank top and slipped the bra on. It was a back close
model. Most of his bras were front close. It was obvious his
shape was still developing because the new bra already felt a
little tight, but it could still be worn. He slipped the top back
on, feeling much more secure, but only slightly less exposed. He
added sweat socks and Reeboks, found his wallet, stuck it the
little side pocket of his shorts, and went to Linda's room.
Linda was in her walk-in closet, hanging up clothes and
selecting something to wear. She came out holding orange colored
shorts and a matching top with yellow sunburst design.
"Yeah. That looks nice." Joe said simply, in approval.
"It's really going to be hard to go out with you anymore.
Everybody is going to think I'm your older sister."
"Nah. I don't think they'd think that. But I am getting a
bit young looking though, aren't I?"
"If you keep changing, I'll look more like your mother than
your friend. Have you any idea what all this is doing to my ego?"
"I'm sure it can't be as bad it is for me."
Linda looked at the pretty young woman standing in her room.
It was probably true. Compared to Joe's problems, her own were
minuscule. And yet, this girl... this very young girl, who under
the skin was really a guy... her guy... as old as, even slightly
older than she was... He... She was just so darn beautiful, so
fresh looking...
They drove to the restaurant in Joe's car. When they arrived
inside, the waitress immediately seated them in a small booth.
They seemed like two good friends, out for the evening, and that's
just what they were.
As they sipped Margaritas, waiting for the food, Linda began
telling Joe about the real estate contract she was currently
working. Joe listened, and tried to appear genuinely interested.
Joe felt a little self-conscious when he noticed that a young
man, with his wife and two small children, was watching his every
move. The whole thing was strange, not bad really, but totally
unlike anything he had experienced when male. Once, when their
eyes met, Joe smiled shyly, and the guy smiled back. It was then
that Joe began to appreciate just what power his changed body
possessed. He knew he looked pretty good, even he could see that,
but he realized he was acquiring the capability to make men melt.
After one Margarita, Joe was feeling a little less inhibited.
Linda kept talking, and he kept listening. The guy at the other
table kept sneaking glances whenever his wife wasn't watching.
Once, feeling a little spunky, Joe bravely gave the guy a quick
wink. Joe could see him perk up. The little flirt made his day.
The waiter brought the food, and they began to enjoy it. By
this time Joe was hungry, too, and he began to wolf his food as he
usually did as a male. Linda saw what he was doing, and frowned.
"Stop that, Joe. Try to act like a lady, if you can."
"What do you mean?" Joe didn't realize he was doing anything
unusual.
"You're eating much too fast," Linda explained. "Slow down.
Take small bites. You eat like a lumberjack."
Joe smiled. She was right. He hadn't realized what he was
doing, or what it looked like to others. Acting like a woman was
still something he had to constantly work at.
"Dr. Krell has started with monkeys," Joe said, trying to
break the sudden silence.
"What is he doing with them?"
"The cage is set up to duplicate the conditions which they
believe caused the change, and they want to try and duplicate it
with animals first."
"When do you think they'll be ready to change you back?"
"That's a good question," Joe said. "I really don't know.
But Dave wants to be first."
"What if it works?"
"I don't know. I guess I'd want to change back, but I'd sure
miss some of this."
"I'd like to have the old you back," Linda said."But you
should do what you need to."
"Let's wait till we have to make a choice."
"Ok. Let's wait."
They finished the meal without further conversation. Joe
could sense that their relationship was changing. They were really
becoming more like friends... like sisters even... and there was
nothing he could do about it. He didn't know if he even wanted to.
They finished, and Joe paid the bill. Then they drove home.
Each went to their own bedroom without much discussion. Joe
began to undress and prepare for bed. He expected that Linda would
probably be in to join him before long. He went into his bathroom.
As he slowly removed his clothes, Joe examined his body in the
bathroom mirror. When completely naked, he peered straight into
the glass.
It was true. He was still changing noticeably. And he was
becoming so young looking. His breasts continued to fill out.
They didn't seem much larger really, more firm might be a better
description. The bra he just removed had made little marks on the
soft skin, outlining where it had been touching. It seemed that
the skin on his chest where breasts had formed was being stretched
by still growing mammary tissue underneath. Full pink nipples
seemed to glisten in the bright light. He looked lower, at the
quite pronounced curve of his waist and hip. Those lines too were
still developing. His body was slowly acquiring feminine contours,
and seeing them, seeing himself with them, could only be described
as disconcerting. It was like staring at someone else's body,
someone familiar, and yet a stranger, admittedly an awfully
attractive stranger.
Was this the way it was to be? Was this it? Was life from
this point on going to be lived in this semi-familiar, amazingly
youthful, but very female looking body? It wasn't that he didn't
feel at home in it. Quite the contrary. Mostly, everything that
had occurred felt somehow totally natural. The physical differenc-
es in genitalia were probably the hardest to get accustomed to, but
he was adapting well. Though down deep Joe still thought of
himself as male, there was no denying he certainly didn't look very
masculine anymore. At first, he worried, sexual orientation would
be a problem, but even that seemed to be working itself out. He
was quickly developing interests and desires that reflected his
changed anatomy, his new gender. Not only did he look like a young
woman, he was truly beginning to feel like one too. At least he
thought that he was. Who knew what they really felt like?
Joe looked at the trimmed hair of his pubic area. It was
still a source of wonder to see himself with protruding female-like
breasts, and nothing but light pubic hair where his penis should
be. That was simply not how he saw himself in his mind. And the
familiar sensation of his cock still being there didn't help
matters any. What was it had become certainly couldn't be
described as a penis, and it didn't function like one either. The
area between his legs had acquired the appearance and characteris-
tics of the female vulva. Except for the lack of the clitoral
hood, Joe's genitalia were identical to those of a "real" woman.
They functioned exactly the same, too, Joe thought to himself, as
he reminisced about last night, with Jay. If Jay noticed any
difference, he hadn't let on, in fact, he had seemed rather
satisfied. Joe grinned as he thought about experiencing sex as a
female.
In the mirror, he observed the dark pink skin of the labia
minora, barely visible behind short, dark-blond hair. He thought
about what his body was like before this had happened. It was
totally amazing how easily it cast off masculinity, and took on
this new appearance. However, whatever it looked like now, this
was still very much his body. These were his breasts. His hips.
His butt. His vagina. His clitoris. He had become the young
looking, shapely person in the mirror.
He placed his hand at the gap between his legs. While his
pelvis continued to change, that space continued to grow percepti-
bly wider as his legs became softer and even more feminine. The
slight paunch of approaching male middle age had completely
disappeared. The area between his now noticeable pelvic bones had
become unbelievably flat. Even his navel looked different.
Running his fingers over it all, he cupped his palm over the
prominent pubic mound. Whenever he did that, the strange sensation
of his male parts being missing became plainly evident. Otherwise,
unless he became uncomfortably wet, it didn't feel too much
different down there.
Joe ran an index finger along sensitive vaginal lips, enjoying
the pleasant sensation. He was still found it awesome to be
changed like this. There was no denying the facts, he was actually
enjoying it. Did he miss his penis? Sure. But if he still had
that, he'd never know what it was like to be this way. Some might
call it an acceptable swap. At least equal, anyway. Besides, his
penis was still there, sort of, though it was changed a great deal.
Maybe his balls were history, apparently absorbed by his changing
body, but he didn't really miss them like he thought he would. No.
Any remorse, any feeling of loss, was more over the very different
physical capabilities of a body turned female.
Sex, which one would have thought would be the major issue,
wasn't really even a problem in itself, at least not for Joe. He
still liked women. He certainly liked their soft bodies. He liked
to be around them even if they did tend to treat him very differ-
ently now. But of course, he was becoming interested in men too,
perhaps even more. Funny how he would never even have considered
a guy as a sexual partner before this happened to him.
Joe had felt completely normal as a heterosexual male, and he
felt just as normal now, as a bisexual female, if that's what he
had become. He thought about it, and couldn't decide if he really
had a preference. Each gender had its advantages, its pluses.
Joe stood there in front of the mirror, examining and fondling
his changing body, when he suddenly realized the bathroom door
stood wide open. He stopped and hurriedly went over to close it.
He didn't want Linda to see what he was doing. Returning, he
noticed the tub, and decided to run some water and soak in the
bubbles for a while. If he really was a girl now, he might as well
enjoy it. When the tub was full enough, Joe tested the temperature
with a toe, and, satisfied, he slipped into the silky suds.
It had been a long day. Joe was tired, and the warm tub was
relaxing. With his bare hand, he lathered all over with the soapy
bubbles, caressing every growing bump and curve, exploring every
new crease and crevice. Could this be what heaven is like?
Joe had lost track of time as he languished in the tub. He
thought Linda would have joined him by now, but she didn't. He
didn't know how long he had been in the bubbles, but they were
starting to dissipate. He stood and stepped from the tub, grabbing
a large bath towel to dry.
The bath oil made already soft skin feel even smoother, and
Joe felt wonderfully sexy as he dried off. He watched the
reflection in the mirror as he preened. The sensation was
eroticism mixed with a strange curiosity. It had been at least a
decade since girls he had been intimate with looked this way. It
was as if his body was being transformed to that of a mature
teenager, probably no more than eighteen years old. Unbelievable.
Could it be that while innocently testing aircraft avionics, they
had accidentally stumbled onto a real "Fountain of Youth". But you
just had to sacrifice masculinity to experience it. Was it worth
that? When was it all going to stop?
He dusted with after-bath powder, the scent again reminding
him of Linda. When all finished, he left the bathroom and walked
towards the bed. Linda wasn't there yet, either. Maybe she was
going to leave him alone tonight. If she did, it would be the
first time.
Joe lay down on the bed. He was about to turn out the lamp,
when he saw the chemise teddy laying on the chair. He decided to
put it on. When he had the sexy little outfit on and the snap
between the legs fastened, he looked at himself in the dresser
mirror. The top was slightly stretchy since it contained lycra,
and it clung closely to those firm breasts. The bottom part was
definitely tailored to flatter the female form, and it had no
problem with that part of his anatomy either. He suddenly
experienced an overall sensation of contentment.
If Linda wasn't going to sleep with him, he'd just have to
sleep by himself, he thought. He extinguished the light and lay
back on the pillows, enjoying the silky texture of his clothes, the
wonderful scent and soft sensuous feel of his own body. Joe
quickly fell asleep, alone, and didn't wake till morning.
When Joe opened his eyes, the sun was streaming through the
curtains. He looked over at the clock on the night stand. It read
Six A. M. He looked across the bed. He was alone. Linda never
came to his room last night. He had been so tired, he didn't wake
once the entire night.
Joe pulled away the sheet. He looked down at himself, and the
satiny chemise. He remembered the mellow way he felt last night.
It was morning. How did he feel now? He was becoming accustomed
to the erratic ping-ponging of his persona as the hormones, or
maybe the physical changes, or both, affected his personality.
He put his hand to his chest, feeling the softness of a breast
through the silky fabric. He moved down, between his legs,
exploring that area, touching the tiny snaps at the crotch of the
teddy. Another night had passed, and he was still quite female.
He now expected that. He no longer checked every morning in hope
that he would wake up changed back.
Joe sat up in the bed. He looked over at the dresser, trying
to see his reflection in the mirror. The light was still too dim
to tell. Had he changed even more overnight? Was he even younger
looking? Curiosity overcame sleepiness, and he struggled out of
bed. He stood in front of the mirror, straining his eyes to detect
any difference. If there was any, he couldn't tell. Everything
looked the same as last night.
Joe continued into the bathroom, and he snapped on the light.
The almost intense brightness hurt his eyes, and he squinted as he
stood in front of the sink. As his eyes adjusted to the light, Joe
looked again. His hair was disheveled, but otherwise, still no
noticeable change. He certainly didn't feel any different, though
he did have to pee.
Unsnapping the crotch of the little satiny garment, Joe pulled
away the little beaver tails from his crotch. Changing his mind,
he removed the whole thing, and stood naked. He looked at himself
in the mirror again. Still no difference. Still the same. Still
beautiful. He twisted so that he could observe his profile in the
mirror. As they continued to develop, his breasts were truly
becoming impressive looking. At first, they were just small,
slightly cone-shaped bulges. But in the week since he had sprouted
them, they were getting fuller, and rounder each day. Joe touched
them and caressed them, experiencing a combination of wonder, pride
and embarrassment. Did real teenage girls feel the same way as
they acquired this highly noticeable badge of womanhood?
Joe lightly squeezed both breasts with his hands. Here it
was, morning, and he was still pleased to find his body this way.
He couldn't remember going this long before without experiencing
some feeling of remorse over what happened. Was he really
beginning to accept it?
He raised the lid on the toilet and took a seat. As he sat,
he eyed the underwear hanging on the shower door. It was dry now,
and ready to be put away. He looked at the panties and bras. He
pulled the black bra, the one that matched the black thong, from
the door and examined it closely. He had never noticed that it
actually had a subtle print over the entire shiny black spandex
fabric. A very dark gray lace print.
He hadn't even noticed it before, but it now was quite easily
seen in the bright light. That's the way it is with women's
things, Joe considered. They were filled with little subtleties
like that. Things a man wouldn't even notice. Things he didn't
notice, until now.
When he was finished, Joe washed his face, then brushed his
hair. It was Saturday morning, but he wanted to go in to work. He
was curious to know if anything happened to the little monkey over-
night. As he dressed, he could hear sounds from the kitchen.
Linda was making coffee. Joe wondered if she was angry with him.
It was hard to tell with women. Even though it was even possible
that he was one now, he still couldn't predict how they would
react.
She hadn't seemed irritated when he finally told her about him
and Jay. In fact, she seemed more curious than anything. He
almost thought she'd be asking for details. As he thought about
it, he realized that from that point on, she had been a little
different around him, a little less talkative. Maybe she was
pissed off.
Joe decided to wear a pair of pants and a blouse he bought in
St. Paul. Since it was the week end, no one would be dressing up,
but this was about as casual as he wanted to get. He went to the
bathroom, and carefully put some powder on his face, and then a
little lip gloss. Joe was still experimenting with makeup, and was
getting a bit better each day. He brushed his hair, and then
decided he was ready. Joe took a small handbag, and checked that
he had his wallet in it, then went to the kitchen. If she was
going to be angry, he might as well know about it.
When Linda saw Joe, she smiled. "You look nice this morning,"
she said, then she came over and kissed him on the cheek.
I guess she isn't mad, Joe thought to himself.
"Did you get a good rest?"
"Yeah. I slept like a baby."
"I could tell you were tired."
"It was the first time we didn't sleep together in this
house."
"I know," Linda said, "but I thought you might like some time
alone."
Was she always right? "It was kind of nice. But I do like
snuggling with you, too."
Linda smiled. "Are you going to work this morning?"
"Yes. At least for a while. I want to know if anything has
happened with the monkey."
"What if something did?"
"I don't know. There is probably a big difference between
repeating something like this, and reversing it."
"So the monkey might be stuck just like you?"
Joe looked into her eyes. "Yeah. That's right. Poor
animal."
"Is it really that bad?" Linda asked.
"No. It's really not. In fact, it's not so bad at all."
"I wish it hadn't happened," Linda said. "But since it did,
at least I'm glad you like it."
Joe had a cup of coffee with Linda and then drove to
Honeybone. When he arrived, none of the people he recognized were
there yet. Dr. Krell hadn't arrived. The lab assistant was alone
in the room, and there was no change in the monkey's appearance.
There were no results from blood or tissue samples yet, but Joe
suspected that nothing at all had happened.
The lab assistant agreed. "There are simply billions of
combinations and possibilities. It could literally take years."
Joe went into the office and sat at his desk. He looked at
the stack of mail and was going to begin looking through it all,
when he decided against it. His heart just wasn't in it. Those
things seemed so trivial now. He just sat there thinking.
In a few minutes, Dave came in the room. Joe hadn't seen his
friend for days, and he immediately saw that the change was still
occurring to him too. Dave had become almost cherubic. His face,
which had always been sort of full, was now very rounded, as was
the rest of him. He looked so much younger. Were they all
destined to look like children?
"Hi, Joe," Dave said, his voice sounding strange to Joe. It
was plainly Dave's voice, but at a slightly higher pitch. Joe knew
the same thing had occurred to his voice, and he was getting
accustomed to the new sound. Hearing Dave brought out the contrast
of what was, and what is now.
"Good morning, Dave," Joe answered, smiling. "You're looking
pretty good."
Dave just frowned at him. He wasn't in any mood for joking
about his changing appearance. "I see nothing happened with the
monkey overnight. I wonder what they're going to do next."
"There must be a million combinations to try. The monkey's
chromosomes aren't exactly like ours."
"I guess they need to try it on a human then. I'll try it, if
they need a volunteer."
"I think they want to duplicate what happened first. You've
already been changed. They'll probably want a genetic male."
"That's the truth," Dave said, as he sat down at his desk.
"How's it been going, pal?"
Dave just smiled.
"I see you've been getting younger looking, too," Joe contin-
ued.
"Yeah. And if it keeps up, everybody will think my wife is my
mother instead of just my sister," Dave said sarcastically.
"It really is a bummer isn't it?"
"Joe, I've got to tell you, if they don't come up with
something, anything, pretty soon, I think I'll just try something
on my own."
"Like what?"
"I don't know. But I'm ready to try the cage any time they
ask. What else could it do to me?"
"I think you know the answer to that," Joe responded. "There
is almost no limit to what genetic damage can do to your health."
"Sometimes I think I'd be better off if I had been killed
instead of this."
"Come on, man. Surely you don't mean that. I'm certain Cindy
and the kids would rather have you like this than as just a
memory."
"You don't know how it is," Dave objected. "To need to have
your wife help you with so many things, stuff a man shouldn't even
need to know about."
"Yeah. I know, it is kind of weird. But I have basically the
same thing with Linda. She's been more than willing to help."
"Sure, Cindy helps," Dave admitted, "but that's not the point.
She shouldn't have to do that. I'm the man. I'm the strong one.
I'm the one who helps everybody else."
"You're just going to have to learn to adapt. It really isn't
all that bad if you just accept it, and try to live with it."
"I don't agree," Dave insisted. "I can't accept it, and I
won't live with it."
"If you approach this thing with that attitude, I think you're
going to be disappointed."
"I'm already disappointed. What I want is just to be what I
was."
"And if it's possible, you will, but until that happens, why
don't you quit your bitching."
Dave looked at Joe with a familiar big grin. Maybe he looked
like a big chubby angel now, but Joe recognized that smile. "Yeah.
I'll try."
"Are the others coming this morning?" Joe asked.
"Well, everybody knows what's going on. I would think they'd
all want to be here this morning."
With that, Mike/Michelle came in the door. She was carrying
a box of doughnuts. "I thought everybody might want some of
these."
What a switch, Joe thought. Before, Mike would never have
thought of others like that, and in any case, would never have even
eaten a doughnut, much less bought a whole box of them himself.
"Thanks, Mik... er, Michelle," Joe said. He still had problems
referring to his friend by her preferred name.
"I can't eat those," Dave objected. "My butt is already
getting huge."
"Aw, one won't hurt," Michelle countered.
"Something has to give," Dave said. "I don't want to look
like this." He pointed to his hip, and very round derriere.
Joe was hungry, and the doughnuts smelled great. He took one
and went to the coffee pot to pour a cup. He'd have to watch his
weight too, but just one wouldn't hurt.
As Joe sat at his desk enjoying the coffee and doughnut, and
reading his junk mail, a very young looking woman entered the
office. Joe looked up, and then back down when he didn't immedi-
ately recognize who it was. He looked up again and realized that
it was Tim.
Joe had been thirty years old when the accident had happened.
Mike and Dave were about the same. But Tim was barely twenty one.
When Joe first saw him after the change, he had already acquired
completely feminine physical characteristics. In fact, he had
become quite well endowed on top. But like the rest at that time,
he had not yet experienced the strange de-aging that Joe and the
rest were only now beginning to notice.
One look and it was obvious that the phenomenon had now hit
Tim with full force. The genetic changes that had made a thirty
year old Joe Bates look like an eighteen year old girl had now
transformed the twenty-one year old Tim into a very precocious
looking thirteen or fourteen. He knew it too. As a guy, he was
fairly large, about as big as Joe. After the change, like the
rest, he had become slightly shorter, and lost a great deal of
upper body mass. But anyone who knew him could still have easily
recognized him.
In the two or three days since Joe had last seen him, Tim had
become much smaller, thinner, and lighter. Framed by fairly short
hair, Tim's face had become like that of a young girl, perhaps
barely into her teens. The de-aging process had taken some, but
not all of Tim's new voluptuousness. He no longer had bigger
breasts than Joe, but still enough to give him that child in a
woman's body appearance that some early developing girls have. He
was probably having trouble finding clothes that fit his rapidly
changing proportions, because he was wearing a strange combination
of his old male things and some of the women's clothes they had
purchased in San Diego.
His new appearance was obviously causing him much embarrass-
ment. "Tim?" Joe asked."Is that you?"
Tim smiled thinly. "Yeah. It's me," he said, in a much
different, little girl sounding voice.
"I see we're all getting younger looking," Joe continued,
trying to be careful about what he said.
"Yeah," Tim agreed. "And I'm turning into a little kid. A
child. Bad enough to turn female. Now I guess I'm going to have
to get used to looking like an adolescent, too."
"You don't look all that young," Joe said, trying to make him
feel a little better.
"Hah!" Tim responded. "You mean because of these?" He
pointed to his breasts. "I think I look like jail-bait now."
The statement made Joe smile. He looked at Tim. He was
right. His youthful but precocious femininity did look a bit out
of proportion. Could this, would this, also happen to him?
"Is everything ok otherwise?" Joe asked.
"Damn it, Joe, how would I know? I guess so." Tim exclaimed.
"Has Dr. Krell seen what's happening to you?" Joe went on.
"Well, yeah, he saw me yesterday," Tim answered. "But he
hasn't got any suggestions either."
"Did it get any further along since then?" Joe continued.
"Yeah... Probably... I don't know for sure. I think so."
Tim answered.
"I think we should go to Dr. Krell with this," Joe said
seriously. "Who knows when it might stop?"
"And what can he do?" Dave asked. "Hell, he doesn't even know
for sure what's caused it yet. How can he fix it?"
"Do you have any better ideas?" Joe countered. He was getting
a little irritated with Dave's sarcastic attitude. That wasn't
helping at all.
"I think we should try the transmitters in the cage on
ourselves," Dave said. "I've already said I'll volunteer to try
it."
"You might get your chance soon enough," Joe said. "I don't
think anybody wants to be responsible for what might happen. They
want to see if the thing will make matters worse before they put
anybody in there."
"Like I said before," Dave said. "I'm willing to try anything
right now."
"Yeah. But Dr. Krell doesn't want to be held responsible for
killing you." Joe said solemnly.
"Maybe I just have to get in the damn thing some evening, all
by myself," Dave said.
"Don't do it," Joe ordered. "You're smarter than that. When
they think it's worth a shot, I'm sure they'll let you try it."
"But what if it doesn't stop?" Tim asked. "What if I... What
if we just keep getting younger? How far can it go?"
"I don't know," Joe answered."I guess we'll be finding out."
"I think Dr. Krell is in the lab now," Michelle said. "Let's
go talk to him."
They all walked down the hall to the avionics test lab. Joe
walked slightly behind Tim, and his eyes were constantly drawn to
the movement of Tim's braless breasts under his colored oversized
T-shirt. The young man really was becoming very young looking, and
the sight of his erect nipples jiggling under the shirt as he
walked was highly erotic, and very out of place below that
little-girl face.
As he watched Tim walk, Joe could feel himself becoming
aroused. He was suddenly aware of his own breasts, and his nipples
where they rubbed against the bra. He was awash with a strange
mixture of male and female urges and sensations. He tried to put
them out of his mind.
They entered the lab and found three others already there.
The assistant who Joe had already met earlier, Dr. Krell, and
Karen.
It had been a few days since Joe had seen the nurse, Karen
Simpson, and Joe's eyes lit up when he saw her. In past week they
had become pretty close friends. Karen's past experiences, while
in many ways quite different from Joe's, gave them much common
ground, and they shared many interests. Joe walked over to the
tall woman. "Hi, glad to see you're here," he said, holding out
his hand.
Karen looked down at it, and smiled. It was kind of a
masculine thing to do, and it looked strange for two women to offer
a handshake in greeting. She took Joe's hand and squeezed it.
"How are you doing Joe?"
"Pretty good, I guess. But if I get any younger looking, I'm
afraid they'll take my driver's license away."
"Yeah. I've noticed what's happening," Karen said serious-
ly. "We've got to find out what's causing that too."
Dr. Krell went directly over to Tim when he saw him, and took
his hands in his own. "Look at you," Dr. Krell said, in his very
jovial voice. "I think you've lost another two years last night."
"What do you think is causing this, Dr. Krell?" Joe asked.
The doctor looked him over, too. Then he put his hand under
his chin. "I wish I knew. Of course, the changes in skin texture
and such things usually cause males subjected to high levels of
estrogens to appear become somewhat younger looking. But nothing
like this. This is much more, much more."
"How far can it go?" Tim asked. "Can I get even younger than
this?" His high voice sounded frightened.
"We'll have to figure out what is causing it first," Dr. Krell
said. "I promise you, I'll have everyone who I think can possibly
be of service, working to solve this."
"Can it kill me?" Tim asked. His little girl voice sounded
almost in tears. Without male levels of testosterone in his
system, Tim, and all the others, were losing that chemically
derived source of confidence.
"I don't think so, Tim." Dr. Krell said, taking the young
looking man-girl's hand. "I don't know for sure, but I don't think
so."
The fax machine on the desk received a call, and began
ejecting pages of paper. Dr. Krell took the pages and began
reviewing them carefully. Then he returned to Joe and the others.
"That's the latest lab report on the primate's blood sample. They
haven't discovered any anomalies yet."
"What does that mean to us?" Joe asked.
"Yeah, does that mean the transmitters didn't cause this?"
Dave asked.
"It only means that we won't be able to know what caused it
with one test run," Dr. Krell said, smiling. "As you may know,
there are almost infinite combinations to try."
"But wouldn't it be faster if you use a human subject?" Dave
asked.
Dr. Krell shook his head. "At this point, that would be far
too risky."
"When, then?" Dave asked. "I'll try it any time you want to."
"I know," Dr. Krell said gently. "And as soon as I think it
might cause more help than injury, I'll ask you to try it. But not
before."
"We've got to hurry," Tim added. "If I keep up like this, by
next week I'll look like an infant."
"I don't know what's happening to you," Dr. Krell admitted.
"But I don't really think you'll change that much."
"I don't know, Doc," Tim said. "I think you should look me
over again. I'm changing. A lot."
"If it will make you feel any better, we can go to Hillcrest
as soon as I'm done here," Dr. Krell said, in an effort to comfort
Tim. "I'll see if there is anything I can do for you."
The words were meant to soothe, but the sense of fatigue and
bewilderment in the tone only made Tim feel even more concerned
about his immediate future. "You've got to do something real soon.
You've got to try something, anything."
"Come with me to Hillcrest in a while," Dr. Krell repeated.
"We will do everything possible. Don't be alarmed."
The review of the experiment went quickly. Dr. Krell decided
on another power/time setting for the transmitters in the cage, and
selected another primate for the experiment. The assistant put the
holding cage inside the Faraday cage, and the power was applied for
the appropriate time. Then the monkey was put back into its big
cage. Another test sequence was complete.
Dr. Krell was ready to go to the hospital, with Tim following
him like a shadow. It was strange to see this person, who had only
a few days ago been a strong, confident young male, now looking and
acting like a fearful, almost timid, very young girl. Joe hoped
that wasn't what was in store for him, too.
Joe, Dave, Michelle, and Karen all watched as Tim and the
doctor said their good-bye's and left for the hospital.
Joe looked at his wristwatch. "I guess that'll be all for
today. Anybody want to get an early lunch?"
"Yeah, I'll go along," Karen said.
"I'll go." Michelle added.
"Count me in," Dave said. "Where should we go?"
"I'm hungry for breakfast," Joe said. "The Denny's down on
the corner is fine with me."
"Ok. Let's go," Michelle said. "There's nothing else going
to happen here today."
They said their good-byes to the lab assistant and left the
building, each to their own car. Joe was anxious to talk to Karen.
She was always a good source of the latest information about what
was going on.
(
geocities.com/westhollywood/Heights/8603) (
geocities.com/westhollywood/Heights) (
geocities.com/westhollywood)