The Other Side Of Dreams

By Tanya Allan
Take two young people: - John in England and Amy in California. Take a common factor: - both recognised that they had been born into the wrong gender. As they grow up, they realise that their bodies are in imminent danger of changing into something neither wants.
 
Result: - Two very unhappy souls.
 
Their dreams are the only place they can find solace. Then they start to dream of each other, and to get a little glimpse of the other’s life. Over time they learn how to crossover at will and not just when asleep. They start to leave childhood behind as puberty beckons. The lines become blurred, who is where?
 
Solution: - One of them takes the bold step and suggests they try to live each other’s lives. Will it work?
 
Find out……………………….
 

Tanya's Book Shop where she is selling her works in book form is at http://tanyaallan.authorshaunt.com/shop.php . Please Visit!

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Originally written in 2006 - never posted, Reworked & Revised in 2009.
 
I have Dedicated this story to Sephrena Miller, for all of her help and guidance... May all her dreams come true!
 
The Legal Stuff:The Other Side Of Dreams  ©2006, 2009 Tanya Allan
 
This work is the property of the author, and the author retains full copyright in relation to printed material, whether on paper or electronically. Any adaptation of the whole or part of the material for broadcast by radio, TV, or for stage plays or film, is the right of the author unless negotiated through legal contract. Any commercial use by anyone other than the author is strictly prohibited.
 
This work is fictitious, and any similarities to any persons, alive or dead, are purely coincidental. Mention is made of persons in public life only for the purposes of realism, and for that reason alone. Certain licence is taken in respect of medical procedures, terms and conditions, and the author does not claim to be the fount of all knowledge.
 
The author accepts the right of the individual to hold his/her (or whatever) own political, religious and social views, and there is no intention to deliberately offend anyone. If you wish to take offence, that is your problem.
 
This is only a story, and it contains adult material, which includes sex and intimate descriptive details pertaining to genitalia. If this is likely to offend, then don’t read it.
 
 
Chapter 8
 
 
It was a terrible night for the Standens too.
Sue arrived at the hospital at around eight o’clock to find that Amy was still unconscious, so she took Paul home. He cried and pleaded to be allowed to stay, but there was nothing to stay for. They were all just waiting for some news. A sombre Doctor Phillips told the family that Amy was still unconscious, but they were doing all they could. She had a serious head injury, but no one was able to predict which way it would go!

Paul refused any supper and ran up to his bedroom. Sue was so worried about him. She knew he was fond of Amy, as was everyone in the neighbourhood, but had no idea as to the depth of feeling her son had for the girl.

Paul lay on his bed and cried. He cried real tears for his friend. He also cried for himself, for without her, he felt empty and he couldn’t imagine life without her.

He stared at the ceiling, but couldn’t get the picture of her lying on the road out of his mind’s eye. The blood and her deathly pale face seemed to emphasise the horror of the situation.

His phone rang. He let it ring, but whoever it was wasn’t going away.

He answered it.

“Go away!” he said.

“Paul, it’s me!” said an unfamiliar voice with a strange English accent.

He frowned. Then he realised who it was.

“John?”

“Yeah. Look, I can’t stay long, it’s three in the morning here, and my folks will kill me if they find me ringing the States. I gotta know, how’s Amy?”

“Shit, you know?”

“Yeah, we were talking when she stopped. What happened?”

“She got hit by a truck, man!”

“How is she?”

“I dunno. Last I heard she was still unconscious with a serious head injury!”

Paul’s tears weren’t far away, yet he heard the other boy sob on the other end of the phone.

“It’s all my fault, man, I was talking to her at the moment it hit her, so she was distracted!”

“No, it’s my fault. I should have been keeping an eye on her,” said Paul.

There was silence.

“I can’t bear it if anything happens to her,” said John.

“Me neither. I love her, man.”

“So do I!”

“She’s the best!”

“Yeah, she doesn’t deserve this.”

“She’s a better girl than you ever were!” Paul said.

“Ain’t that the truth? Can you make sure you let me know,” John’s voice broke, “like either way?”

“How?”

“Shit, just call this number, and say she’s okay or not!” John said, frustrated.

“Okay, what is it?”

“What is what?”

“Duh, the number?”

John gave him the telephone number.

“Hey, how are you? This is the first chance I’ve had to talk to you. How come you haven’t called me before?”

“I dunno. I was too busy learning how to be me, I guess.”

“What’s it like?”

“Brilliant, up to a few hours ago. Hey look, I gotta go! Please call me when you know anything?” John said.

“Sure.”

There was a click and John was gone.

Paul was alone again, so he lay on his bed and wept.
 

*          *          *
 
Helen and Neil were holding each other as if their lives depended on it. Neil had called the boys, and actually spoke to two of them. Jeff was away with the Marines and Martin was at college and non-contactable.

Helen was crying soundlessly, but found her tears had dried up. The anguish in her soul was so great; she felt she would never get over it.

With every person attired as a medic who came through the door, they became alert, but when they moved off without meeting their gaze, the depression hit home a little harder.

Neil had no words of comfort for his wife. His own heart was breaking, plus he needed every ounce of strength to keep himself controlled.

Ten o’clock came and went. Still no word came from the doctors.

Eleven o’clock loomed and the doors opened. A very weary looking Doctor Phillips walked towards them. They searched his face for hope, or the unthinkable. They read nothing, except exhaustion and fatigue.

He sat next to them and smiled briefly.

“There’s no way I can say anything other than as it is, I’m afraid,” he said wearily.

“Amy is still unconscious. We’ve x-rayed her to find that she suffered a fracture to her skull, so a piece of bone threatened both her brain and her main artery. We’ve operated and managed to remove it, so she is comfortable and out of immediate danger. As far as I can make out, although this piece of bone pressed on the brain, through the membrane, there was no perforation into the brain, but she cracked her head real hard. I’d be lying if I told you that I expect a full recovery, as these things are very uncertain. I do feel she has a better than even chance to come out of this, but you have to be prepared for some brain damage.”

Helen held her head in her hands and cried. Neil shook his head.

“Have you any idea when she could come out of it?” he asked.

“There’s no way of telling. The human body has natural reactions to such as the trauma Amy has experienced. It could be hours, or then again it could be months. I have no way of predicting how long she’ll be in a coma.

“If necessary, there are tests we can do. Look, it’s early, so just let her rest, as every day she hangs in there, the chance for recovery is greater.”

“Yeah, but what about brain stem death?”

“Neil, we’re not in that area at this time. We are getting response from her, but she’s in a deep coma, so you have to be prepared to wait for as long as it takes. I’m sorry I can’t be more precise, but while she breathes, there’s hope.”

“Is she on a ventilator?”

“For the moment, yes. I will review it tomorrow and see if she can breathe by herself.

“If you want, go and sit by her bed. Talk to her, it could be enough to bring her round. But it’s late and you’re both in shock, so I’d urge you to get some rest tonight. Tomorrow will be another long day, so you’ll need as much strength as you can get.”

He left them, eager to get to his own bed, so they went to Amy’s bedside.

She had a large white bandage around her head and there were tubes and monitor cables attached to her arms and torso. Catheter tubes disappeared under the blanket, but the reassuring bleeps of the heart monitor reminded them of the fragility of life.

“She looks so peaceful,” Helen said, taking her daughter’s hand and clasping it as tight as she dared.

“Her hand is so cold!” she remarked.

They sat, watching their daughter fight for her life.
 

*          *          *
 
John had cried himself to a very fitful sleep.

He awoke when he heard his name being called. He was very tired and slightly confused.

“What?” he mumbled, and then opened his eyes to discover that it was still dark.

He glanced at the clock. The red digits glowed menacingly at him: 04:36.

He raised himself onto his elbows and glanced at his brother. Miles was snoring away, oblivious of his brother’s misery.

John frowned, but it dawned on him that he must have been dreaming. He lay down again, closing his eyes.

<John!>

He opened his eyes. That was no dream.

<Amy?>

<I’m lost, can you help?>

<Shit, Amy, you’re still here!> The relief he felt was almost tangible.

<Where am I?>

<What do you mean?>

<I can’t wake up. I’m confused John, why can’t I wake up?>

<You were in an accident. I called Paul and he told me you got hit by a truck. You got taken to hospital, don’t you remember?>

<I remember getting off the bus. You were telling me about something you did at school, then nothing. It’s as if I can’t find my body. I’m afraid John, how do I get back?>

<I don’t know. You hit your head. Your body is in the hospital, can’t you find your way back there?>

<It’s all dark, John. I can only find you.>

<Then I have to take you back. Somehow, you have to stay with me, and I’ll take you back to your body.>

<How? You’re in England and I’m in the States.>

<There has to be a way. But you have to stay with me until I can find out how!>

He felt a curious feeling as she literally moved in with him. It was very weird, but it was as if, finally, they were together as they should be.

<This is weird!> she said.

<Yeah, but don’t you go away until we have found out a way to get you back where you belong!>

<I won’t.>

<Do you need to sleep?> he asked.

<I’m very tired.>

<Yeah, me too. Look, I have to be up in a couple of hours. I have school this morning, so just hang in there, everything will be fine.>

<Okay, thanks John,> she said, and he could feel her trust and warmth. John fell asleep with a curious smile on his face.

Kathleen found John very deeply asleep when she went in to wake the boys up for school. Miles was up and dressed, but John was still fast asleep when she popped her head round the door to check on them.

Even when she woke him up, he looked sleepy, with great dark circles under his eyes.

“Are you all right?” she asked.

“I didn’t sleep. I had a terrible dream. I dreamed that Amy got hit by a truck and is unconscious in hospital,” he said.

Amy, inside his head was feeling very emotional at seeing her mother for the first time in a few years. Their last cross over had been a long time ago, so she had become so wrapped up in her new life that she had not really missed her old one.

Now she felt like crying, so John had to struggle hard to keep control.

Kathleen, mistaking her son’s contorted expression for something it wasn’t, gave him a hug.

It made them both feel better, so he managed to get dressed.

<Amy, you have to try not to get too emotional. I need to get through today, okay?>

<I’ll try, but I haven’t seen her for so long!>

<I know, I guess I’d be the same if things were reversed. I don’t know how I’m gonna get us back to America. We aren’t due to fly out for six weeks yet, and I can’t face the idea of you lying unconscious all that time. Mom and Dad will be beside themselves!>

<Have you got any money?>

<Yeah, a couple of hundred in the bank, why?>

<You could always buy a ticket and just go.>

John thought for a while.

<That wouldn’t work. I’m thirteen, they don’t let unaccompanied minors just wander onto flights. You have to be at least sixteen before they let you onto a plane without questions.>

<Miles is sixteen and you’re both the same size. You even look similar. Why don’t you take his passport and then bluff the rest?>

John went down to breakfast, oblivious to the fact that his father said good morning to him.

Kathleen explained about the dream, so James restrained from roasting his son for bad manners.

“Had a bad dream, then, wee man?” he asked.

“Huh? Sorry?”

“Yer Mum tells me you had a bad dream. What was it about?”

“Um, it was so real, Dad. I dreamed that Amy was hit by a truck and is still in hospital. It was awful. Do you think we could call them and see if she is all right?” he asked, hopefully.

James looked at his watch.

“It’s gone midnight in California. I don’t think they’d appreciate a call at this time.”

“Dad, please?”

“Well, you can call, but if they get angry, you explain, okay?”

John grinned and nodded. He raced to the phone, and dialled Amy’s home number.

It rang and rang, and finally was answered by a male voice.

“Hello?”

“Hi, is Amy hurt?”

“Who is this?”

“It’s John from England. I dreamed she was in an accident.”

“No shit? Hello John, I’m Steve, Amy’s brother. Mom and Dad are at the hospital right now, and your dream was right. Man! Is this spooky? Amy was hit by a truck after getting off the school bus yesterday. She’s still unconscious, and it looks real bad at the moment. The truck driver that overtook the school bus was arrested for reckless driving.”

“Is there anything I can do?” John asked, already knowing the answer.

“Pray, as much as you can. The doctors don’t know whether she will come round, or even if she will ever be the same again.”

John thanked Steve and put the phone down. It all came too much for the lad and the tears started.

Kathleen and James looked at each other. Kathleen hugged her son, but found he was inconsolable.

“I have to go to her, Mum. I can bring her back, I know I can!”

“There’s nowt ye can do Johnnie. Leave it up te they doctors. I should know,” his surgeon father said.

“You don’t understand, Dad. This is not about doctors and surgeons, this is about getting her back!”

James raised his eyebrows. This outburst was uncharacteristic of his son, and he frowned.

“Enough. Now, I know yer upset, but life goes on. Off te school wi’ ye, and none of this fiffle faffle!”

It was an awful day for John. It was made better by the fact he had Amy along inside his head. He kept talking to her all day, so he was repeatedly admonished for not paying attention.

<They don’t understand!> he said.

<Well, you can hardly tell them, can you?>

<What can we do? They’ll turn the life support off and then you’ll be stuck!>

<I’d be with you!> she said, and he thought he heard a giggle.

Jacquie was waiting for him at the gate when he got home in the afternoon.

“Your Mum told me about Amy. I’m so sorry,” she said.

<It’s Jacquie!> shrieked Amy. John winced

<Don’t shout! Duh, I know, I’m not blind!>

<Say hi to Amy from me!>

<I can’t, she’ll know.>

<So? What can she do about it? Go on, tell her hi.>

“Um, er, Jacquie, er. Amy says, ‘Hi’.”

Jacquie looked at him with a strange expression on her face.

“You what?”

“Um, well, Amy’s here, and says, hi,” he said, embarrassed.

“Here?” she asked, looking all around.

“Here!” he said, pointing to his head.

“In there? How?”

He shrugged.

“I dunno. After it happened it all went quiet, and then in the night she came and found me. She can’t get back into her body, she’s lost.”

Jacquie looked deeply into John’s eyes, as if she could see Amy if she looked hard enough.

“What are you doing?” he asked.

“Just checking. I can’t see anything.”

“There’s nothing to see, you daft bint!”

Jacquie grinned and came up close to John.

“Ask her if it was worth it?”

“Was what worth it?”

“You know, the swap!”

“Oh.”

<Tell her — yes, a hundred times, yes!>

“Um, she says, yes, a hundred times.”

Jacquie grinned and clapped her hands together.

“Look, Jax, don’t look to bloody happy, Amy is in a coma, so keep the happy stuff down, okay?”

“Sorry. Hey, I wish we could talk!” Jacquie said into John’s ear.

“Jax, cut that out. She hears what I hear, so just act normal, okay?”

“Okay. But, there’s so much to talk about.”

John looked up at his house.

“You’d better come in - we’ll go into my room. Miles won’t be back for an hour yet.”

The pair went into John’s house. Kathleen was in the kitchen, so she shouted out as they went to go up stairs.

“John, love, are you all right?”

John stopped and grimaced. He turned and went back down and into the kitchen.

“I’m okay, Mum, but I can’t seem to concentrate.”

“Mrs Sheffield called from school and asked me whether everything was all right. She said you seemed distracted and wondered whether we were having any problems.”

“Mum, is there any way I could get over to Glendale, I’ve enough in my bank account?”

Kathleen was surprised.

“When, now?”

“As soon as possible. I just feel I could help somehow,” he said, knowing it sounded pretty pathetic.

“Johnnie, don’t be silly. What could you do that the doctors aren’t doing already?”

John stared at his mother.

“I could get her back,” he said.

Kathleen started to laugh and then stopped abruptly. Her son’s face was deadly serious, and his eyes reflected a strange light.

“What do you mean?”

“I mean, she’s lost, and I think I could get her to come back to her body.”

“The dream?” she asked.

John nodded.

“Look Mum, I can’t explain it, but I really think I can help. If I don’t go she could be lost forever!”

Jacquie watched the interaction with fascinated interest.

Kathleen put an arm round her son’s shoulders.

“I know you are upset, but I’m sure they really are doing everything!”

He shrugged her arm off.

“They aren’t! They’re just keeping her body alive. They don’t care about her spirit!” he said, turning and running upstairs. Jacquie felt embarrassed and smiled weakly.

“Go and make sure he’s all right, dear. He thinks the world of that girl, so this is all very difficult.”

Jacquie followed John and knocked on his door.

“John?”

“Come in, Jax.”

She went in, to see John sitting on his bed.

“She doesn’t understand. None of them will understand. Why can’t they see?”

“Unless you tell them the truth, they never will.”

“Oh yeah, like they’d believe me,” the boy said bitterly.

Jacquie sat down next to him.

“Can I talk to Amy?”

He looked at her.

“I don’t see why not. I’ll let her take over for a while. The next voice you hear will be her.”

John closed his eyes for a second. A slight tremor shivered through him, and then the eyes opened again. His whole demeanour changed and a smile lit up his face.

“Jacquie!” he said, the voice feminine and with a distinct American accent.

“Amy or John?” Jax said, frowning.

“Oh, I’m Amy now. John is long gone!”

The two hugged each other, both speaking at once.

After an hour of constant chatter about clothes, friends, music, boys and make up, John shuddered a little and shook his head. Jacquie felt a little put out.

“Okay Jax. It’s me again. Jeeps, what the heck do you two find to talk about?”

A car pulled up on the drive, so Jacquie ran over to the window. She looked out.

“It’s your Dad,” she said.

“Huh, he’ll just get all snotty about his professional colleagues in America. How can I get them to understand, Jax?”

Jacquie shrugged.

“I don’t think you can,” she said.

“It is so frustrating!”

Jacquie sat down on the bed and took his hand.

“I understand, John.”

He smiled at her.

“I know you do, Jax. I’d go spare if it wasn’t for you. Hell, we’d both go spare if it wasn’t for you!”

They sat in silence for a while. Jacquie sensed that John and Amy were sharing each other’s thoughts.

“John?”

“What?”

“What’s it like?”

He frowned.

“Well, you know when you talk to yourself?”

“Yes.”

“It’s like that, but the answers don’t come from you. It sounds weird, but we seem to be able to share thoughts and stuff instantaneously.”

Jacquie had a strange expression on her face.

“What?” he asked.

“You could always let her come and be with me for a while,” she suggested.

“Thanks Jax. That a cool offer, but it doesn’t work like that. I guess we can only fit in the bodies we were given, and some freak of nature allowed us to swap. I don’t think we could change or go anywhere else. I tried, but it just doesn’t work.”

“John?” his father shouted.

“Shit! I suppose I’d better go.”

John got up and went out onto the landing.

“What?” he shouted down to his father.

“Come down son, I want to talk to ye,” his father said, not unkindly.

He went down, so Jacquie followed.

James saw the girl and smiled.

“Hullo Jacquie, how are you?”

“Fine thanks, Mr Brightwell. John is a bit down, though.”

“Aye, I’m aware of that. Look, I called the hospital when I was at work,” James told his son.

John stared at his father.

“Which, in America?”

“Aye. I thought I’d speak to the man in charge. I am a neurosurgeon, after all, so it seemed appropriate.”

“Thanks Dad. What did they say?”

“Well, they found it remarkable that you dreamed the whole thing. Then they said almost exactly what you told us,” he said.

John looked at his father, sensing there was something he wasn’t telling him.

“And?” he asked.

“Well, their Dr Phillips is of the opinion that is the lass gets sufficient stimuli, there’s a better chance that she will pull through.”

“Stimuli?”

“Aye. You see, the subconscious is a funny thing. We never know exactly what the victim actually does hear and sense around them. Now, everyday sounds, like parents and the TV just aren’t often enough. What is needed sometimes is a special stimuli, enough to shock or surprise the person back to consciousness. They have to want to wake up, and well, that’s what I want to talk to you about.”

“Me?”

“Look, you are completely distracted about this, and your mother tells me that you seem to want to spend all your savings to fly out and be with her.”

John looked at his feet.

“I just think I can help. The dream was so real and, Dad, I know this sound mad, but I know I can get her back!”

James looked at his son.

“Well, here’s what I intend to do. I called Neil Standen and offered my services, as a friend of the family and one of the top specialists in the field in the UK. I’m prepared to fly out and see if my professional skills can’t be of some help. I will take you, son, on the understanding that you bring your work from school, and do your studies every day. Depending on what happens, Mum and the others will fly out later.”

“Others?” John asked, his (and Amy’s) mind was in a whirl.

“Aye. It was supposed to be a surprise, but we were going to fly out with young Jacquie for a camping trip with the Standens. I suppose that may well be academic now, but we will just have to see.”

“When?” John asked, hardly daring to breathe.

James smiled and looked at his wife.

“Tomorrow. We're getting an early flight to L.A. from Heathrow.”

John could not believe it. It never occurred to him that his father was one of the foremost surgeons in his field, or that his field was in the area which now so affected Amy.

He turned and raced upstairs.

“Come help me pack, Jax!”
 
 
Chapter 9
 
 
Neil was overwhelmed on putting down the phone in Dr Phillips’ office.

“Well?” Helen asked, surprised to see he husband crying.

“It’s amazing, but James Brightwell is willing to drop everything and fly out here!” he said, not fully understanding the enormity of what had just been offered.

“What?” his wife asked.

The doctor smiled sympathetically and answered her.

“James Brightwell is the top neurosurgeon in Britain, if not the world today. I attended one of his lectures in Baltimore a few years ago. His procedures with deep coma cases are revolutionary, so if anyone can make progress with Amy, he can. He’s flying out here just because his son wanted to help. Can you believe that?” Dr Phillips told her.

Helen smiled and then burst into tears. Everyone was being so kind, it was getting to her. She and Neil simply held each other and cried.

They returned to Amy’s bedside and their vigil. There had been no change in her condition. No deterioration was a good thing, but no improvement was frustrating.

“It’s like the lights are on, but no one is at home!” Neil said, as he stroked her pale brow.

“She is just so beautiful, it seems so unfair,” Helen said, clasping the girl’s hand tightly.

They maintained their vigil all day. Steve came in after school and relieved them for a couple of hours. They went and had a meal in the nearby diner, but then returned to her side after talking to Martin and Jeff on the telephone.

At ten in the evening, they reluctantly decided to go get a night’s sleep. The nurses promised to call if there was any change.

Neither could get to sleep easily, so they held each other, wrapped up in their joint misery and anguish for their little girl. Eventually, each dropped off into a fitful sleep, waking a few short hours later, feeling just as tired, with the pain just as sharp!

Meanwhile, James and a bemused John Brightwell were in the first class cabin of a British Airways flight due to land at L.A. International in a few hours time.

Amy and John were excited at the prospect of reuniting Amy with her body. John was finding it very tough to maintain a worried and miserable expression. The movies helped, even if Amy wanted to see the chick-flick, Sleepless in Seattle, while he wanted to see Die Hard on the other channel.

He had control of the fingers, so he won. Then he felt sorry for her, so changed it to her choice.

As it happened, there was sufficient time to see both, but Amy realised just how nice John could be.

They landed and the plane taxied to stand. Forty minutes later, he followed his father through Customs and into the arrival hall.

He immediately saw his original father, Neil, waiting in the crowd with a card saying BRIGHTWELLS. He was wearing an old sweatshirt and blue slacks. He looked tired and very drawn. There was some grey at his temples that John thought was new.

“Dad, over there!” he said, pointing.

They fought through the crowd and Neil sized up the trim Scotsman. James was in his usual impeccable Saville Row suit, while John was in grey trousers, a dark blazer and his Dad had made him wear a tie. All because they were in first class, and ‘standards should be maintained!’

“Hullo, ye must be Neil? I’m James Brightwell,” James said, holding out his hand.

Much to James’ embarrassment, Neil simply embraced him in a bear-hug and was almost in tears.

“You have no way of knowing what this means to us!” Neil said, but then noticed John, who was almost crying too. He had never seen his Dad, either Dad, cry, so it affected him deeply.

“Are you John?”

John nodded. He so wanted to hug his old Dad, but knew he couldn’t.

“You dreamed of our Amy?”

He nodded again, as the tears were so close now.

The man pre-empted him, enveloping him in a hug as well. The floodgates opened, as John wept for Amy and everyone else.

It was some time before they could compose themselves. Neil led them out to the parking lot and to his Ford station wagon. He placed their bags in the rear and they all got in.

“Do you guys want to go to our home to freshen up first, or would you rather drop in at the hospital?”

“Hospital!” said John.

Both men looked at him. Both smiled.

“Aye, the laddie’s right, let’s go see the wee lass. We were well looked after all the way, so the hospital is fine,” James said.

The journey was uneventful. James had been to L.A. before, and for John, he was literally coming home!

His chatter with Amy almost ceased as they pulled into the parking lot in front of the hospital.

<What happens if we can’t?> she asked.

<We will!>

<No, but what if we can’t?>

<Amy, we have to!>

<But, what if?>

<Then we will be together forever. Now, shut up and let’s get this done!>

Neil led them into the building and up to the unit.

John saw Helen by the bed and then saw Amy. He couldn’t take his eyes off her. She was really beautiful!

<Thanks!>

He shook himself.

<Huh, that could have been me.>

<Yeah, but it isn’t, so there.>

He smiled as Helen looked up. She took one look at her husband and then at James. She burst into tears again.

Neil held her, as James spoke briefly to the doctor who appeared.

John went to the bed and took hold of Amy’s hand.

He stared at her face and felt really odd. It was the first time he’d looked at his own birth body, yet it was like looking at a stranger.

<Amy?>

<What?>

<I’m holding your hand, can you feel that?>

<No. Wait, maybe. God, this is so hard!>

John was unaware of the fact that everyone was watching him. He spoke aloud, without thinking.

“Come on Amy. You have to try! You can do it. You can come back. Try, please try. Everyone wants you to come back. I want you to come back,” he said.

James watched his son in amazement. He watched as the boy gently touched the girl’s forehead. He had an expression of such devotion and tenderness that he found tears welling up in his own eyes. He glanced at the Standens, to check if they had noticed, and saw, with some relief, that they too were watching John with tears in their eyes.

“Come on Amy. Try! Just push your way through the dark, you have to try,” John said; his voice very loud in the stillness of the unit.

Dr Phillips felt so sorry for the family and these wonderful friends from Britain. Just as he was about to ask them to be a trifle quieter, the monitor attached to Amy’s scalp caused a wavy line to increase in motion.

It was her brain wave monitor.

<I think I see a way back!> she told John.

“Go on Amy! You’re getting there, try harder!” John said, almost jumping up and down with emotion.

Helen and Neil couldn’t move, they watched the monitor, as Amy’s brain sent impulses to show that something positive was beginning to happen for the first time since arriving at the hospital.

“Come on Amy!”

Helen moved to the other side of her bed, taking Amy’s other hand in her own.

“Come on sweetheart, you can do it, come on!” she said, and smiled through her tears at John, who grinned unashamedly.

<I’m tired!>

<I don’t care! You’re nearly there! Don’t give up! Come on!>

“Come on, Amy! Not far now, come on!” he said, not knowing what was in his brain or out loud anymore.

He found his words being echoed by her parents and even his father, Dr Phillips and three nurses who had been drawn by the noise.

As they all shouted, others gathered, and soon about twelve people were all encouraging the girl.

<I can’t! It’s too hard!> she complained.

“Yes, you bloody well can, you silly woman! Of course you can! You have to!!!” John virtually screamed in frustration.

The was a moment of silence, as John bent over the bed with his eyes closed, as if willing her to make the move.

<I’m back!> she said at last to John. He could sense she was exhausted, so he managed to mentally slip in beside her and gave her some of his strength.

<Oh John, what would I have done without you?>

<Hey, Amy! I’m never gonna leave you!>

<I love you!>

<I know! I love you too. Now you gotta open them eyes and let everyone else know you’re okay.>

John looked around, noticing for the first time that everyone was staring at him.

“She’s back,” he said, looking down.

They followed his gaze just as the girl opened her eyes.

She looked at the crowd gathered around her bed, yet her gaze settled on a good-looking, fair-haired boy, who stared at her with such a soppy expression that she smiled.

“My God, your nose, what happened to your nose?” she mumbled.

“What did she say?” asked her father. John saw that no one else had heard those first words.

“I’m not sure,” he lied.

“Hi John, Mom, Dad!” she said, her voice a little stronger this time. The cheer could be heard half way across town.

James surreptitiously wiped his eye on his silk handkerchief, staring in some amazement at his son. It was as if he didn’t know the lad at all. He knew he had seen something momentous, but was unsure exactly what. There was one thing he was in no doubt about; his son John had brought the girl back!

Neil came over to James and the two men solemnly shook hands.

“I have a question,” the big American said.

“Aye?”

“How come Amy knew John instantly, and yet they’ve never met?”

James looked at the girl and then at his son.

“I think we ha’v just seen something that happens ver'ra rarely, but when it does, we just thank God and accept it gracefully,” said James with a smile. “One day, we mighta get ta the bottom uv it, but ta be honest... does it ma'tar?”

Neil smiled.

“No, sir, I can’t tell you what this day means to us. Please excuse me, I need my daughter!” Neil said, kneeling by his daughter’s bed.

Amy had closed her eyes again, but Dr Phillips was satisfied that she was simply asleep.

John came back and stood beside his father. Despite looking very tired, he had a huge grin on his face.

“See! I told you I could get her back,” he said.

James reached out and hugged his son.

“Aye, ye did, laddie. I’m sorry I doubted ye. Ye ha’e no idea how sorry.”

John smiled, sitting down, looking exhausted. James sat next to him.

“Will ye tell me w'ut realla happened?” he asked.

John smiled.

“You’d never believe it.”

“Try me?”

John looked at James.

“No, Dad. Not yet. One day, maybe. One day.”

James smiled and nodded.

“When yer ready, son. I just wan' ye ta know t'at I am so proud of ye!”

John cried again and hugged his father.
 

*          *          *
 
That evening at the Standen’s home was very different.

The family had spent all day at the hospital while James discussed the case with Dr Phillips. John sat by Amy’s bed, holding her hand. Helen and Neil went for a walk, pleased to get a break, and pleased to have an opportunity to try to get their emotions in check. Somehow, the very presence of the English boy filled them with confidence.

They returned to find Amy awake and laughing at something John said. They still held hands and her eyes sparkled with an extra dimension of life.

Paul and his mother arrived, and Sue was just so pleased that Amy had come round. Helen told them about the ‘miracle’, and Paul gazed at the newcomer with undisguised jealousy.

John turned round and met his gaze. Then he totally disarmed Paul buy smiling and saying, “Hi Paul!”

“John?”

John grinned and stood up. Amy watched from the bed. Paul glanced at her and then at John.

He walked over to Amy and smiled, placing a small bunch of flowers on her side table.

“Hi, I’m real happy to see you’re okay!” he said, and she reached out and took his hand. She had John’s clasped in her other hand.

“Oh, Paul. I have two of my favourite boys here, isn’t this wonderful?” she said.

As Paul looked at John, he recognised the smile as somehow familiar from his old friend.

“John, this is cool, man!”

John grinned and held out his hand. They high fived, as memories flooded back.

He grinned at the English boy.

“Good to see you at long last!”

“It’s so good to be here,” John said, and the three of them exchanged secret smiles.

Sue was watching, surprised at how well the kids got along.

“My, my, I half expected a fight!” she said to Helen, who laughed and nodded.

“Me too, but it’s so weird. It’s as if they are all old friends, and somehow there’s no friction,” Helen said.

They watched. Clearly, both boys were equally smitten by Amy, yet she was obviously very taken with the English boy. Yet there was no animosity and no aggression shown by either boy.

“Boy, could some older boys learn from these two!” Sue said.

“Most men could, if you ask me,” said her friend.

Dr Phillips eventually turned everyone out, stating that Amy needed peace and quiet. They all returned to the Standen’s home, where Steve lit the barbeque. Jeff had returned on Special Leave from the Marines, as had Martin from College.

Cold beers were released from close confinement in the refrigerator. James and John were shown the guest room, where James was persuaded to change out of his suit and into a pair of shorts and a sweat shirt. Neil and Helen felt that an enormous weight had been removed from their shoulders, but both became exceptionally emotional.

John and Paul went up to Amy’s room.

“Shit! This has changed,” John said, looking around.

“You’d better believe it. She’s so much more a girl than you ever were!”

John smiled and looked at his old friend.

“It really is good to see you, Paul.”

“Yeah, you too, man. You look good. I often tried to imagine what kind of a boy John was. Now I know.”

John was a very sturdy boy, still retaining some ganglyness that promises to develop into height and strength in a few short years. At thirteen John was tall for his age and very fit due to the sports he loved. He was a good five inches taller than Paul, so he grinned wickedly at his old friend.

“I’m sorry about Amy,” he said.

Paul looked at him and slowly nodded.

“Yeah, I kinda knew I never had a chance. I do love her too... you know?”

“I know and she knows. It’s just we have something special. I can’t explain it. It’s just the way it is. If I could change things, I would. I just can’t.”

“Yeah, I figured.”

“Hey, you know me. There’s no one in the world I’d rather have her than you. You’re special, man, to me and to her!”

Paul smiled slightly and said nothing.

He held his hand out and they shook solemnly.

“Friends?” Paul said.

“Always. Can I ask a favour?”

“Sure.”

“Will you be our best man?”

Paul grinned.

“Of course, I thought you’d never ask,” he said, and they both started to laugh.

They went down and joined the others. It was very hard for John, being so close to his original parents and not being able to say anything. However, James sensed a disquiet in the boy, and came over to him.

“Are ye okay, son?”

John looked at the man who was, to all intents and purposes his father. As he glanced at his other parents, it dawned on him that this was part of the consequences of the decision he and Amy had made all those years ago.

“I’m fine, Dad. I think it’s just the reaction to everything!”

“Ye can tell me if ye want?”

John smiled.

“Yeah, I know. Maybe, in a few years, when I understand it better myself.”

James smiled and drew his son to him and gave him an uncharacteristic hug.

“I love ye very much John. Words canna’ describe how much tat’ is,” he said.

John felt the familiar feeling of tears gathering, so he hugged his Dad back.

“Me too, Dad.”

John was never going back now.
 

*          *          *
 
It was a very different group that burst into the small private room in the hospital the next morning. Amy had been moved out of the intensive care unit a few hours before. They found her sitting up in bed.

Her parents, four brothers, James, John, Sue and Paul were all delighted to see her with an enormous smile on her face. They had spoken with Dr Phillips prior to coming up, and he was pleased to tell them that all tests had come back and there was no lasting damage.

Her skull would heal, as would her two fractured ribs. John was careful to let Helen and Neil say hello first, but then he was allowed to move forward and give her a hug — gently!

Her eyes twinkled mischievously, as they leaned close to each other.

<My hero!>

<Hi. You okay?>

<I am now! Oh, it’s so good to be back!>

<Yeah, ditto!>

<Never leave me?>

<Apart from going home and back to school and living my life... Never!>

<You know what I mean!>

<Yeah... I know. Paul has agreed to be our best man.>

<You asked him?>

<Of course.>

The adults were confused, as the two young people were simply embracing in silence. Only Paul knew that they were deep in conversation.

The last statement caused Amy to burst out laughing, so they came apart, both laughing.

“Oh, it is so good to be back!” Amy repeated aloud, and then her mother gave her the flowers she had brought.

They kept her in for a couple more days, because of the head injury. John went to visit every day, spending as much time with her as he could.

Her homecoming was another excuse for a party, to which the whole neighbourhood attended. Amy went up to her room early, as she was feeling tired and her ribs ached terribly. John went in and sat on her bed. They didn’t get much opportunity to be alone, so they made the most of it.

It was really strange seeing the body in which he had been born being used by someone else, and being used so much better.

He shared this feeling with Amy and she agreed.

“No regrets?” she asked.

“I used to, some. I used to miss my folks, my real folks, but I guess that’s over now. I also miss my brothers. Miles was a real asshole, but even he’s better now. As we’re at different schools, we don’t have a lot to do with each other. And then there’s Jax. I have some good friends now, but I miss Paul, as he kept me sane before the swap.”

“I adore my new brothers, and my new parents are as lovely as my old ones. I miss Jacquie, but have made loads of new friends at school.”

“Girls?”

“Of course, I only have one true boyfriend.”

“Who, Paul?”

She smiled. “Okay two, but one special and unique boy, whom I will keep for the rest of my life!”

“I’ll kill that Paul!” John said with a grin.

“What are we going to do?” she asked, her pretty face gained a serious expression.

He shrugged.

“Heck, we’re thirteen! We can’t do diddlysquat. I suppose we’ll have to wait a while, get through school, college, and then see what happens.”

“We will marry, won’t we?” she asked.

He looked at her in some surprise, as if there was no question of anything else happening.

“If you want me?”

She smiled.

“You know I do. But things change.”

“We won’t!” he said with such confidence that Amy’s smile returned.

---

 
To Be Continued...