previously transpired:

“I need to get back to the party, Uncle Phillip. I find it exciting.” I turn to the French and give a slight curtsey as I say, “Excusez-moi, je trouve le divertissement fasciner ici, et je ne veux manquer rien,” then I swept past them as their mouths drop open and they watch me return to the ballroom where I begin to look for Aunt Julie.

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Admin Note: Originally published on BigCloset TopShelf by T D Aldoennetti on Saturday, 11/01/2008 - 9:30 AM., Air Force Sweetheart -- TacPzlSolGp Chapter 4 is revised and reposted on Tuesday, 12/05/2009 - 10:04 AM. ~Sephrena

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Let's move along now:

Chapter 04
 

After being sidetracked en route a number of times I finally locate Aunt Julie and deliver Uncle Phillip’s message, telling her it is likely to be more on the order of forty minutes, due to the delays I experienced.

Eventually Uncle Phillip shows up and claims us, having experienced a few delays of his own in the process. We return to obtain our wraps and go out to await the car. A minute later it pulls up, we are once again on our way now to ‘home.’ As we arrive, a team of Army Specialists is walking out of the house.

Their leader delivers a report to the General as we ladies continue into the house.

“Well, Lucy, how did you like the event?”

“It was a lot of fun, Aunt Julie. I especially enjoyed the French.”

She rolls her eyes. “A bigger pack of wolves there never was,” she replies sarcastically.

“I know. Several of them came up as I was talking with Uncle Phillip. They were behind me. When I turned around, they began to undress me, in French of course.”

“Did he stop them?”

“Does he speak French?”

“No. I don’t suppose he does.”

“Well I do. So I let them know I speak French.”

“You seem to have had an interesting night. Be careful you don’t say something to the wrong person, landing us in some difficulties.”

“I’ll try. I just don’t like the way many men treat women.”

“I know. We are all second class citizens or worse. I enjoyed having you with us tonight, my dear. Please don’t be a stranger. Stop by and visit me once in a while.”

“If I am able to do so, I would like that, Aunt Julie.”

The General walks in and motions for me to follow him. I give Aunt Julie the borrowed wrap before I turn to follow him into the study.

“Close the door, Lucy.”

He reaches down and clicks a little switch which causes an annoying buzz to begin in my ears. He says, “We may talk freely now,” his voice understandable to me but with a strange overtone caused by that buzz. The room has just been swept for bugs, and the noise generator is likely to take care of most anything which may have been missed. I relate to him the information I overheard listening to various conversations throughout the evening.

“Write it all up tomorrow and present it as a report. By the way, here is a set of orders which I had faxed here to me. Go have more copies made of these and then have new ID cut in the name of Major Lucy Ann Jackson. You will wear a woman’s uniform since you will, of course, be female commencing now. The orders also call for the cash disbursement we discussed for your ‘necessary’ expenses. You will be moved from the present hotel over to one occupied only by women in order to avoid complications prior to your departure for CONUS.”

(That’s the US for those of you not in the know — CON tinental U nited S tates).

“These orders also give you a week at leave in CONUS during which I expect you to purchase more civilian female clothing to wear during your assignment. Most of that assignment will require civilian clothing. Clothing specific to the missions themselves will be issued at the time of your preparation prior to mission implementation. After your week’s leave, report to the location in the US stipulated in the orders and on the date so indicated.”

“May I visit Mom and Sis during the week?”

He pauses to think about that one before answering, “Yes, but you will need to do it as a female. Remember you cannot tell them anything about your assignment.”

I nod my head. This might be difficult if I remember Mom correctly. Mom heck, Sis has always been able to pry stuff out of me. I’ll just have to be a better woman than they are. This’ll be fun. Mom will have a cow when I walk in dressed in a uniform skirted suit.

“How do I get back to the hotel? Everything I need is there.”

He has to think about that one.

“All right, we’ll go together and move you out of the hotel. While we are there, you may change to your uniform then… No, now that I think more about it, instead of taking you to the other hotel we will bring everything back here. You may stay here until you fly back to CONUS. Tomorrow, after you obtain your new ID, you may go to work and prepare that report. I’ll provide you with orders which will permit you to use the intelligence facility for the next couple of days. On second thought, there is an unused office close to mine. You will use that so I may keep an eye on you. You will not be subject to any orders except my own. If anyone gives you grief then you will refer them to me.”

“Yes, Sir.”

“Lucy, I wish you would stop calling me Sir. I’m Uncle Phillip.”

“What of the times I am in uniform, Uncle Phillip?”

“Well…, no, I guess not. But here at home I won’t tolerate it, especially not from my niece.”

“Yes, Uncle Phillip.” I lean up just a little and kiss him on the cheek.

That grants me an interesting reaction. Nothing at first but a smile, then the shock of realization sets in and he blushes.

“Uncle Phillip, You’ll have to get used to that. After all I am your favorite niece, am I not?”

His eyebrows raise and lower and he gives one of those ‘I give up’ shrugs men subconsciously give to a woman when she has won a discussion.

We leave the room and I immediately go to Aunt Julie, “Uncle Phillip has asked me to live here the next couple of days when I’m not out working. Is this all right?”

“You’ll do,” she says.

“What?”

“You’ll do. Just like any other woman you seek out the lady of the house to ask permission rather than accepting the man’s word for it. Yes, we have a spare room. You may use it.”

“Thank you. I need to go collect my clothes and cosmetics, then I’ll be back.”

“Why don’t we all go? We can collect everything then return here. Phillip and I might be able to offer moral support for you during your transit of ‘the gantlet’ at the hotel.”

“Thank you. That is very kind of you. I really wasn’t looking forward to it.”

“Phillip. Phillip, where have you gotten to now?” she calls out to him.

“I‘m on the phone, just a minute.”

A few minutes later he walks out of his office and Aunt Julie tells him we are all going to the hotel to retrieve my things. The enlisted driver takes us to the hotel.

Uncle Phillip tells him to park the car and come in with us. The four of us go up to my room and in less than ten minutes we have everything and are back down in the lobby. Uncle Phillip returns the room key and we go out to the car then return home.

“Aunt Julie, Uncle Phillip, when I’m to be married would you both come to the wedding?”

“The wedding will be mostly paperwork, Lucy. There won’t be an actual wedding performed.”

“Oh.”

“Phillip. What wedding? A wedding is an important event for a young woman.”

“Julie this is a wedding for the purpose of creating a cover. It isn’t real, or at least it will be annulled as soon as the assignment is completed.”

Tears begin to form in my eyes. I can’t help it.

“Phillip, now look at what you’ve done. Come on, Lucy. We’ll go have a little talk.”

The General just stands there, confused.

Aunt Julie and I talk for about half an hour and she understands more about exactly what is going to happen to me, i.e., become permanently female. She tells me that if my ‘marriage’ is annulled then they will attend my next wedding.

“If this wedding remains in effect, then after your assignment we will plan a real wedding and the young man will be married to you a second time so you may have your wedding and pictures and everything.”

I think about that happily and my thoughts turn to wondering if I will like him.

What if we’re not right for each other? Geez, I could be stuck for ten months.

“Lucy, will you have any time available to go around with me and meet some of my friends here?”

“Tomorrow will probably be very busy, but the next day I hope to have some free time. Would that work out?”

“I’ll plan for it. I think I’ll let Phillip know I am stealing you that day. He may simply think of it as additional practice and exposure for you to the political community here. You will need to know the other wives since we tend to provide many of the decisions taken by our husbands. It will be good practice for when you return with your husband. My dear, please don’t think badly of me but I would like to know…. When you are married, will you be sexually active as a female with your husband?”

I must have looked shocked for she apologizes quickly.

“No. No. It’s all right. As I understand it, yes, I will be sexually active with him. I will be unable to have children but I may have sex. My sister has said she will donate eggs to allow me to have a family of my own.”

She smiles at me, “You are more a woman than either you or Phillip thinks, Lucy. I need to give this some thought. Thank you, for being so honest with me.”

“Why do you want to know?” I asked.

“Oh, just a wild idea. I am thinking…. Well, I have a number of eggs frozen and we have no grandchildren or grand anything. I was just wondering if in addition to two children from your sisters eggs if you would also raise two derived from mine. That way we could claim grand nieces and nephews and I would know they will have a chance of being raised properly. Somehow I doubt you would tolerate the use of drugs.”

“I would like that, Aunt Julie. I would really like that.”

We hold onto each other crying our happiness for about a minute or so.

“I’m afraid I must clean up and unpack. Tomorrow I need to go to the unit and process paperwork, prepare and file a report and then I’ll be back. Aunt Julie, I wish I really was your niece.”

“So do I, child, so do I.”

We hug each other for a moment before she leaves my room, closing the door behind her. I begin preparing for bed, undressing and putting on a robe before I unpack everything else, first hanging all my clothes in the closet, then placing my odds and ends into the dresser. My cosmetics go on a small vanity which is over near the window. That will be good. I will have sunlight to check my makeup. I finish everything and then begin a quiet search for the bathroom. There I clean my teeth and wash my face to remove all of the makeup. I need to make arrangements for a time to use the bath when I will not interfere with their normal household routine.

I have no alarm clock so I guess I will just need to rely on household sounds to awaken me at the right time. I’m removing my robe to go to bed when the door opens and the General walks right in. I give a shriek of surprise, grabbing my robe and holding it before me, as he beats a hasty retreat out the door.

“Uncle Phillip, you surprised me. I didn’t expect you to just walk in.”

“Sorry, Lucy. I’m just used to going anywhere. Are you decent?”

“Just a moment.” I quickly don the gown and check myself in the mirror. “Okay, I have my robe on. Come on in.”

“Sorry. I’ll try to remember to knock.”

“Thank you. I’d appreciate that.”

“We will be leaving tomorrow morning about seven. You may ride in with me and complete the things you need to have done. You may receive your new ID, confirm the arrangement for immediate travel to CONUS, draw your funds, and you may prepare your report of tonight’s activities using that empty office near mine. After you complete the report, remove the typewriter ribbon so it may be burned. Julie tells me you are both going out the following day. I think you had best carry your new ID with you, but you might want to wear civilian clothing.”

“I was planning to do just that.”

“Ok. I’ll have someone awaken you about five. Is that enough time to prepare and to eat breakfast with us at 0630?”

“Yes. That will be plenty of time, thank you.”

“Fine. Goodnight, Lucy. See you in the morning.”

“Good night, Uncle Phillip.”

Geez, if he just walked in like that all the time with his real niece, it’s no wonder they’re estranged. Aunt Julie is right. I’m more female than I thought. I didn’t think…. My shriek was automatic.

I awaken when I hear the household activity level increasing. Putting on my robe, I go make a short visit to the bathroom. When I return, I begin to ‘put on my face,’ lightly of course, as a female in the military, I wouldn’t use much makeup. I still need to appear feminine however, so for me, slightly more may be necessary, at least until I am able to obtain the real stuff when I return home. After I put on my face, I begin to get dressed.

Eventually I finish and add a little, not a lot, of perfume, basically a hint rather than a two-by-four approach. I need to obtain several perfumes when I go home so I have a light scent for my work days and something a little more provocative for my evening excursions. That might cause me to appear to be a bit more interesting to males near me. Of course I’d best be careful around the French.

Wolves indeed. They seem nice but then again? Of course, it could simply be cultural differences…. I’m certain our cultural taboos seem just as strange to them.

Checking myself in the mirror on the back of the closet door I find my appearance is okay. Not great, but okay. What do you want for improper cosmetics and a military uniform? I leave the jacket on the bed with the black purse, awaiting my return from breakfast, then go out to greet everyone.

“Good morning, Aunt Julie, Uncle Phillip. It looks like it’s going to be beautiful today.”

“Good morning, Lucy. Come here child, and give me a kiss.”

Aunt Julie seems to be old school. I could learn a lot from her. Hope I have the opportunity. After our good morning kisses on our cheeks I sit down and begin to dish out some eggs and a few, very few, potatoes plus some bacon.

“Good morning, Lucy.” Uncle Phillip is somewhat more formal. How these two ever got together is beyond me. Whatever attraction was there when they first met continues to be present. It seems to be a good, but strange, match.

As I pour myself coffee, I check Aunt Julie’s cup which is still full then I notice Uncle Phillip’s is empty.

“Would you care for more coffee, Uncle Phillip?”

“Yes, please.” He holds his cup over and I pour, refilling his cup. He seems very absorbed in the papers he is reading.

He returns his cup to the saucer as I add a touch of sugar to my coffee before starting in on my eggs. Aunt Julie and I chat as Uncle Phillip reads. I notice he raises his cup and sips some coffee then blanches and stares at his cup. Putting it down he adds a little cream and a spoonful of sugar, then absentmindedly begins to stir it as he continues to read. After about a minute of this he finally realizes he is still stirring the coffee.

Aunt Julie and I finish our breakfast and are still chatting over our coffee as Uncle Phillip finishes reading and downs the remains of his coffee in nearly one gulp.

Half his breakfast is still on the plate, cold. No wonder he stays relatively thin. He only eats half the food he has before him. I like to cook, I hope my husband will like to eat it.

“Lucy, bring your jacket and we’ll head for Command.” He was very abrupt and businesslike.

I look at Aunt Julie and she just shakes her head and rolls her eyes. We kiss a ‘have a nice day’ and I’m off to retrieve my purse, hat and jacket.

As I exit my room, Aunt Julie takes one look at me and says, “Turn around, child. Let me see how you look.”

I do a slow twirl and she nods in approval. We kiss ‘goodbye, see you later’ and I’m out the door with Uncle Phillip. Now we are all business. Typical military protocols as we enter the car and ride to the buildings used to house the large part of the local Command structure here. I receive directions to go obtain my new ID card. There I tell them my previous card was lost en route to Saigon and give them a copy of my orders for a new card. While in the building I also have another fifty copies made so I have plenty for everyone during all the transport, leave, hospital and every other kind of minor requirement which demands copies from an officer in transit.

After the copies and ID, I go to arrange to receive the disbursement of funds.

They look at the amount and believe it is a clerical error. I tell them to call Uncle Phillip. No, I give them his name and rank. They actually do call his office.

They are going to try to give me military scrip but I tell them I need good old American currency since I am going to be using it in the good old US of A. They inform me that I should wait until I’m in CONUS. Again I tell them to call Uncle Phillip. After a few minutes on the phone and a few seconds with an irate General behind them they are trying to come up with real money. Ten thousand in American cash is hard to come by, evidently.

“That’s strange, since the CIA and the rest of the South East Asian theater seem to be able to do so quite readily,” I mention to them.

They aren’t happy. I tell them I’ll be back about 1500 for the funds and I depart to prepare my report at Uncle Phillip’s offices.

We break for lunch about 1300, walking together to the officer’s mess. Uncle Phillip seats me and a young enlisted man waits on us. Every so often some other officer comes over for a quick conference with Uncle Phillip. Of course each time there is an introduction and we exchange benign pleasantries.

After more than a half dozen of these interruptions, “Uncle Phillip, is this how you usually spend lunch? Someone comes over every few minutes so your food grows cold?”

“No, Lucy. Everyone simply wants to know who you are. That’s all.”

“Excuse me, but I’m going to end this so I may finish my food before it grows any colder.” I stand up and ask for everyone’s attention, “As it seems many of you wonder who I may be, I shall tell you all at once. I am Uncle Phillip’s niece Lucy. I am passing through Saigon on my way back to the States, and now that you all know who I am, may I finish my luncheon before it grows any colder? Thank you.”

I sit down again and look at Uncle Phillip who has a surprised look on his face and then an amused smile begins to spread across it as he shakes his head up and down.

“Very good, Major. You’re very self-assured, aren’t you?”

I look around the room at everyone else and see astonishment, smiles, a few appreciative nods and a couple of men who give me a ‘thumbs up’ or a salute. I quietly lower my head and return to my lunch. We are undisturbed for the rest of the meal.

After the luncheon, I finish my report turning it and the typewriter ribbon over to Uncle Phillip.

“I need to go back to collect the money since they didn’t have it this morning. I’m afraid I would have the same problem in the States so it might take my entire free week just to get the money and I would have no time remaining to actually purchase the things I will need.”

“Wait a moment. I’ll have a couple of MPs go with you so you aren’t mugged during your return here.”

A few minutes later, a jeep pulls up and we are on our way. I walk in and again present the orders for funds. Again we go round and round until I demand to see the officer in charge. He comes out of his office, notices me and blanches, then comes over, “We have about $8000, Ma’am. We are having a hard time coming up with the rest. American cash just isn’t used much here.”

“I suggest you contact the CIA, Captain. I think you will learn they have a nearly unlimited supply of American currency.”

“That may be true, Ma’am, but we aren’t allowed to touch their funds.”

” In that case, I will accept the $8000 and a bank check for the remaining $2000 which I can cash in any bank in the States Monday.”

“Yes, Ma’am.” He begins issuing orders and within minutes the cash and the bank check are in my hands. I thank him and suggest he slowly build up his American cash supply so he has enough on hand to accommodate sudden needs by Command for actual American currency.

The MPs drive me back to Uncle Phillip’s offices via the post exchange where I purchase a small hard sided briefcase. As they drop me off at Uncle Phillip’s office I tell them they may return to whatever it was they were doing before they rushed over here to help me.

Once again in Uncle Phillip’s offices and away from prying eyes, I begin to sort the money before stuffing it into the briefcase along with two copies of my orders.

Stuffing the briefcase is a bit difficult, for the money is in ones, fives, and tens, with an occasional twenty found here or there amidst the random confusion. Somehow it all manages to fit and I close the lid and lock the case after changing the combination and checking it prior to actually closing the lid.

The bank check goes into my purse. After I am home, I will try to reorganize the money so it fits a little better thus allowing me to keep most of my orders and my new 201 file in the case as well.

My new 201 has all the information my old one had, but with my new name, Lucy Ann Jackson.

The name was placed on all my records against my service number and social security number. The service number will be changed after the assignment is completed. The records also reference a hidden set of orders. They don’t want any easy trace that a woman might have in any way been placed into a heavy combat location.

When I complete the assignment, my service number will also be changed to one appropriate for a female officer. Tomorrow I will be going around with Aunt Julie to visit with her friends, and the day after that I will be on my way back to the States.

At home that evening, after I reorganize the briefcase and place a little of the money into my purse, the briefcase with the majority of the money, the check and my 201 file is placed into Uncle Phillip’s safe for ‘safe’ keeping…. Sorry, no pun intended.

As the next day wraps up, I enjoy visiting with everyone and I think Aunt Julie was glad I was along. I dressed in summer casual, skirt and blouse with flats, while putting my hair up in a pony tail. Aunt Julie’s jaw dropped when she first saw how young I look that way. We had great fun and I think I came the closest to becoming fully female emotionally during that day. I had a wonderful time just being myself. Half a dozen of us went out to a late lunch about 1330, sorry, I mean about 1:30, we chatted and laughed and carried on as women do when they are with friends. Everyone asked me to come back and visit again. I promised I would try.

After we return home, I tell Aunt Julie that I was glad she asked me along, “I enjoyed every minute.”

She smiles at me and reaches out, placing her hand against my cheek for a few seconds as if considering something.

She nods her head, “I’m glad you were along, Lucy. It’s nice to have you finally taking an interest.”

She is halfway to the door before she realizes what she has said. Turning, she cocks her head and raises an eyebrow, giving me a momentary stare before continuing on out through the door of my room.

I think she forgot who I am for a moment and was thinking I really am her niece.

That afternoon, before Uncle Phillip returns home, I take a luxurious bath and wash my hair. I have dried myself and wrapped my robe around me while patting my hair dry with a clean towel as I walk to my room just as Uncle Phillip returns, entering the house.

“Hi, Uncle Phillip. Aunt Julie went to the base exchange. She should be back in about half an hour.”

“Hi, Lucy. Thanks, I’ll be in my office.”

“Okay, Uncle Phillip.”

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To Be Continued...        © 2008, 2009 by T D Aldoennetti & Rénae Dáºmas. This work may not be replicated or presented in whole or in part by any means electronic or otherwise without the express consent of the Author (copyright holder) or her assigned representative. ALL Rights Reserved, including but not limited to ownership of Characters, final content decision, and more. This is a work of Fiction. All the characters and events portrayed in this book are fictional and any resemblance to real people or incidents past, present or future is purely coincidental. An Aldoennetti Original.