Half a league onward.

That morning Irina picks me up at Tanner’s place. I’m in another one of the skirt suits and before we leave, Irina does my makeup and hair.

“Your hair isn’t perfect, but then you are going to see a judge not do a photo shoot so a few imperfections are permitted. Be certain you have your male ID with you. I'm so proud of you, Schatzi”

 © 2010 by Lilith Langtree & 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 work’s Owner (copyright holder), with the exception of the private and non-commercial viewing by the reader who is also the end purchaser. 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 story are fictional and any resemblance to real people or incidents past, present or future is purely coincidental. Any and all images which may be shown within this work are taken through license under Corel with the exception of the title image which is Photo Credit to Irina Sheik. No affiliations, involvement or gender assignations through the use of these or any images of the subject or subjects contained within those posted images is to be implied, intended or inferred.
An Aldoennetti & Langtree Original.

“I do. It’s all in my purse. And thanks, I guess.” I shoulder my bag and Irina goes out the door while I set the alarm and then exit. Checking that the door is locked and waiting for the chirp which tells me the system is armed then going down to Irina’s car.

We drive to the studio, arriving at the same time as an early courier. Irina lets him in and we follow. I click my way over to Tanner’s office since he isn’t sitting at the photo computer, “Your Courier is here.”

“Thanks, Kat.” He picks up six large envelopes and brings them out to the Courier before receiving a receipt for them. The Courier is departing even as another arrives to deliver an envelope.

“You guys are pretty busy for so early in the morning.”

“You don’t know the half of it.” Tanner replies, signing the book showing receipt of the delivery. He gives the guy a tip and finally we are alone.

“Kat, we go see the judge at nine. We’ll leave here about a quarter past eight so we have time to park and get inside before our appointment. I figure that will take us a bit of time since your ID doesn’t match your appearance. They’ll probably have you sign a piece of paper so they may compare your signature before they let us in. Worst case we call the judge and she tells them to let us in. You’re looking good today, by the way.”

I smile, “Thank you. And thanks too for letting me stay at your place. I slept better last night than I have in several months. That alarm system gave me a secure feeling. What’s on for today?” There was no need to tell him about my nightmares nor cleaning part of his fricking house because I was afraid to touch anything.

“It’s pretty light. I’m hoping we may finish the things we need to do quickly and come back to shoot some pics of you in your strapless gown.”

“Oh no. I didn’t know. The stuff is at your place, I didn’t bring it back.”

“Oh...Kay...” Well, we’ll see how the time goes. If we have enough we’ll go pick up the stuff we need for the shoot otherwise bring it in tomorrow and we’ll work it in. So, how are you holding up Sis?”

Again I smile at him, “Better. It helps when you call me ‘Sis’. I feel a little more protected.”

“I was afraid you would be pissed off.”

“I was. But if I’m going to be Katrina for a while then I’ve got to let go of the macho male attitudes or someone will figure out what’s really going on and I don’t think that would help your agency or me one bit.”

“True enough. I’ve got some work I need to finish before we go so make yourself a list of everything you need to pick up at the house and if we haven’t purchased everything yet, make a list of what we still need and we’ll get it while we’re out.”

“Okay, big brother. Yell if you need me.”

He winks at me and I go out as he closes the office door. I’m just walking away as I hear the phone ringing. Tanner answers and it’s quiet for a short bit before I hear him answer, “We shot a few pics in a yet another ensemble to allow you to see how she is with evening clothes. That took a little longer than I thought. You should have the package within thirty minutes. It went out the door about ten minutes ago.” I figure it is Emerson calling about the portfolio.

There was a bit of a pause as Emerson is obviously talking then Tanner answers, “That much, huh? No thanks. I know a hot property when I see it. Her contract’s not for sale. And before you ask, I won’t go exclusive either. We’ve had other offers and I didn’t think you would be interested otherwise I would have asked you earlier, you never seem to like the models I have so how was I to know. Her other offers are non-exclusive and at this point she won’t consider anything else.”

Again there must have been considerable discussion from Emerson’s end.

“Wow. That is quite a bit. I’ll talk with her but I think she will want to stay non-exclusive... What?.. Yes, I know that isn’t normal but neither is she and she is in demand.”

Emerson talks again for a minute before Tanner appears to interrupt him. Knowing Emerson this probably didn’t go over too well.

“Most of the work she’s done has been recent so none of it will likely hit the market for a bit yet... I’m glad you think so. I’ll let her know the offer... Yeah, see you next week Emerson. I’ll get the sizing information and fax it to you in the next day or two.”

I hear him hang up the phone and I knock on the door. He says, “Come in,” so I open the door and look in with the question, “Emerson?”

“Good guess.”

“Do I really want to know what he said and what you just did?”

Tanner answers, “We need to get your measurements and send them over to Emerson. He wants a photo shoot early in the evening at the Gardens with you modeling three gowns on Tuesday. He offered twenty five hundred for the shoot plus modeling fees up to fifteen hundred and I intend to soak him most of that so you stand to make around nine to eleven hundred after taxes for about three or four hours work. I know that isn’t anywhere near as much as Bianca was making but it’s nothing to sneeze at.”

I’m stunned. I just sit in the chair across from Tanner and think about what he just said even as he starts talking again.

“As you probably heard he wants an exclusive contract and I’ve already told him you are doing shoots for other clients so you don’t want an exclusive contract. He even offered to buy out your contract and believe me you don’t want to know how much money I just turned down nor do you want that to happen. At least not with Emerson. He would have you on your back before you could say ‘Carter’s Little Liver Pills’. Go on out and take care of those lists so we may pick up your clothes after we take care of the other stuff. I want to get some more looks into your port as fast as possible.”

He pauses a bit eyeing me speculatively, “Do you think you could do the Tart look as well as you do Wholesome?”

I glare at him, “Tart, hmm? No, thank you.” and I walk out closing the door behind me.

I hear Tanner beginning to do whatever it is Tanner does in his office and I go off to create my clothing lists and to help Irina prepare for our solitary shoot scheduled for this afternoon. This morning’s meeting with the judge is troubling me a bit. Mostly I think it is the gauntlet which ‘my big brother’ said we will go through in order to get inside the building. I’m really not looking forward to showing my male ID while looking like a woman. Visions of handcuffs and violent interrogations are parading across my mind’s eye. I’ve learned not to trust other men... well... most other men.

Most of the work at getting ready has been completed when there is a knock at the door and another Courier pops his head into the studio reception area. I have been out at the desk for a few minutes working on my lists so I greet him learning that Tanner apparently called for another Courier.

Knocking at his office door I poke my head inside, “There is another Courier here. Did you call for one?”

“Yes. Could you have them deliver these four envelopes? All you need to do is give them to the Courier and accept the receipt.”

“Sure. By the way it’s nearly a quarter after eight and you said we should leave about this time.”

Tanner looks around at the clock and blanches even as I am closing the door and walking the envelopes over to the Courier. A minute later he has produced a receipt and is on his way. I hold onto the receipt to give to Tanner when he comes out of his office, which he does a few minutes later.

“Ready to go?” he asks as I hand him the receipt and he stuffs it into a pocket of his coat.

“I just need my purse. Be right back.”

We walk down to his Beemer and he opens my door for me allowing me to slide in as modestly as I might. It isn’t as easy as girls make it look. He shuts my door for me and goes around to get in. Soon we are attempting to merge into uncooperative traffic and finally are on our way. Parking at the courthouse is a bit easier as there is a parking garage about a half block away and we accept the ticket from the dispensing machine which in turn opens the barrier allowing us entry to search for a nearly non-existent parking space. They need some means to determine if there are any spaces remaining before they issue a stub.

We walk across the pedestrian bridge and into the check in area of the courthouse. They process us through the metal detectors which beep at me until I take off my heels. Apparently there are some steel inserts in the shoes so they will maintain their shape as well as support my weight. I manage to pass through the detector with flying colours and they give me my shoes back when they have passed through the X-ray. I also receive my purse back and soon Tanner and I are on our way again. I’m thanking God that I didn’t need to show my ID.

We go to the elevators and ride up to the fourth floor where we walk down a long hallway and encounter another metal detector and two more sheriff’s deputies. This time I do need to show my ID and that causes a bit of a problem since my male name isn’t on the list but Tanner’s name is. We ask if Katrina Van Derholt is on the list, which she is but I have no ID in that name. Tanner asks me to wait here while he goes to have me cleared. The two deputies are just gawking at me. Apparently all they see is this woman and the ID has them doubting their own senses. I’m trying to decide if I want to run or have a nervous breakdown. Soon Tanner is returning and a moment later the judge’s assistant is there clearing the way so I may accompany them. It was embarrassing but not the deadly encounter I had been visualizing.

In the outer office we meet Tanner’s attorney who has prepared paperwork which I need to sign as Mac. After four signatures and a couple of witness signatures each by Tanner and the judge’s assistant, the attorney pronounces the papers ready to be seen by the judge herself. We wait another ten minutes before we are allowed to trespass upon the renown presence of the judge. Again my preconceptions are shattered as I expected someone in black robes and hair drawn tightly back into a bun. She actually is wearing a nice business suit sans blazer, which is on a hanger over at a clothes tree in the corner. Her hair is down across her shoulders and back and she is wearing flats not pumps. She shakes the men’s hands and gives me a woman to woman hug before we all sit, her behind her desk and us in chairs before her.

“All right, Tanner. What sort of mischief have you gotten into this time?”

“Nothing much, Jenny. We just need a fast favor or two.”

“How fast and what sort of favors?”

“Well it has to do with Katrina here...” as he points at me.

“Tan, if you’ve gotten her pregnant I’ll personally lock you up and throw away the key, brother or not.”

“Easy Jen... It’s nothing like that. We, er... Katrina needs a special sort of name change.”

At this point the attorney hands the papers over to Jenny who accepts them and motions for us to wait while she reads them. Several times she looks up at me before continuing. She finishes the papers and looks up pointing at the two men, “You two out, and wait in the other room. You...” she points at me, “stay. We need to talk. And close the door behind you, brother. All the way.”

After we are alone she asks, “Okay. What’s this really all about?”

I explain the whole sodden mess beginning with the rainstorm and continuing through the photo shoots, portfolio creation and Emerson. My chance to make a bundle of money which would help me to take care of the ‘little’ problems with which my body chose to bless me and finally my college education which would also be dependent upon these next two years.

She has been studying me the entire time I’ve been talking, like a bug under a microscope. I finish and she asks a few rather pointed questions. I can see she isn’t convinced.

“What would you do if I don’t sign these papers?”

“I don’t know. My chance at a college education will pretty much be out the window and I’ll need to find a new job. I’m beginning to think I might stand a better chance at finding one that pays more than minimum wage if I remain a female so I will likely give that a try. The one modeling job I took paid really well but I needed to purchase some more clothes with most of it. If I can get one or two more jobs like that I’ll have enough to last a month or two which will let me possibly find a job in the meantime.”

“So if I don’t sign these then you will continue to dress as a woman and try to live as a woman if you can get work?”

“Pretty much. I might even go to college like this because changing back and forth is too difficult and I’m tired of trying to live up to other people’s expectations. Once I have a degree and a better paying job then I may begin to save some money to take care of everything.”

I didn’t understand at the time that what she thought I meant by ‘take care of everything’ and what I meant were really quite different.

She appears to be giving the matter a great deal of thought, “And this modeling job overseas... how do you plan on getting there?”

“If you sign those documents we are going to try to get my driver’s license, social security and birth certificate changed quickly so I may apply for a passport in the Katrina name and then I’ll travel on it.”

“So basically all of your future rests on me signing these documents?”

I am so truly screwed... “I guess that pretty much sums it up.”

“Have you been seeing a doctor about this?”

“A Doctor? No. There hasn’t been time.”

She begins looking around the room rather than at me and then she finally gets up and goes over to some of the books on a shelf, her finger moving across them before finally pulling one of them off the shelf and leafing through it. Finally she brings it back to the desk and continues to read.

I fidget in my seat as the minutes wear on until she reaches over and calls someone, “James... Jennifer Hamersley... Pretty good, yourself?.. That’s good. Say hi to Laurel for me, how’s she coming along by the way?.. That soon? I’m losing track of time. Tell her I want to know the second she heads for the hospital so I may be there... Thanks. I need a very fast favor... You may not think so when I tell you what it is... Thanks again. I need to send someone over to see you. I need a full eval and probably Bill will also need to see the individual today, give him a heads up would you? Yes, I need results before one o’clock... Yes, I know that’s pushing things but this individual is scheduled to leave the country for several weeks and this stuff needs to be done pronto...

Of course it’s very important... Thanks James, I owe you one. And would you please call Bill right away? Whichever of you can see this person first that is where they need to be going. This needs to be very fast track. I need your impressions before one. Thanks James. Call my brother at his cell and let him know which one of you to take this person to see first... I know, if you knew he was involved you would have run the other way. It isn’t like that. He sort of fell into this and you will understand better when you see the paperwork and the individual... Good. Thanks again James... Yes, bye.”

She now dials another number and after a few moments, “Tell those two reprobates to come back into my office.”

Less than five minutes later we are going out into the hallway and the attorney rushes off to obtain a couple of dozen registered copies of the first of the papers. Tanner’s sister is holding the second set without signing until I’ve been taken to see the two doctors. At least the name change stuff is signed and the attorney will take care of most of it then help us through the license and passport stuff.

Tanner’s cell phone rings and I can tell he isn’t too happy with what the person has to say but finally they hang up and we are on our way with papers in hand. The attorney goes one way and we go another finally parking under another tall building where we go up to the third floor and down to see a receptionist. The place smells like a medical clinic or something. We check in and the receptionist hasn’t a clue until he mentions Judge Hamersley. Within a couple of minutes I’m in an examination room with one of those stupid little gowns and told to “remove your clothing and put on the gown. The doctor will be here in just a few minutes.”

This whole thing seems a bit funny to me. What does this have to do with my name change and getting a passport? Tanner’s sister already signed those papers and it’s in the works. Less than a minute after I have finished changing to the gown the doctor comes in and begins to give me a physical.

“What’s this all about, Doctor?”

“All what? Oh, the exam? I understand you are going to Europe in just a few weeks and there might be a few issues with going to portions of Eastern Europe that could adversely affect your health. This is to determine if you are healthy and we will be giving you a few inoculations today and again next week which are a requirement for going there. You almost waited too long for these. If it had been another few days you could not have obtained the necessary papers for your journey. Are you tender here?” as he palpitates part of my body.

“Tend... er... No. I feel pretty good, I don’t think I’m sick or anything.”

“Where will you be traveling?”

“I’m not certain. St. Petersburg for one. I think someone mentioned Paris so maybe there also. There are likely a number of other places but I don’t know the itinerary.”

“Ah. If you go to St. Petersburg you need to visit the Peter and Paul Fortress and the Cathedral. It’s quite stunning.”

“Peter and Paul... as in Peter, Paul and Mary?”

He laughs, “Hardly. That was an excellent joke.”

Now I’m completely confused. There’s another Peter and Paul?

“I need to send you over to the imaging center near the hospital. I want some scans done of you and I’ll be right back with your first immunizations. Don’t go away.”

He’s a strange old duck. Scans near the hospital? What the heck is all this? That must be why the judge wouldn’t sign the second set of papers and rushed me over here. I could have become quite ill if I wasn’t properly immunized before traveling into Europe. As I don’t need to become ill, I’m glad she caught it.

The doctor returns with four syringes and I’m about to pass out looking at them. Fortunately he is quite good with a needle and I really didn’t feel a thing although anticipation is at least 80% of the pain. Even though it was relatively painless, the scare still brought tears to my eyes. My second fright occurred when he stuck me to remove several vials of blood. Needles petrify me, but my own blood nearly causes me to pass out. He placates my bruised mind for a bit before telling me, “All right, get dressed and I’ll meet you up front with the paperwork for the imaging center. I’ll try to get you in right away but they usually have a terrible backlog. We’ll know better after I call them. See you out front.”

He takes his instruments of torture and goes out the door. I change back to my suit and finally make my way out to the lobby again. Tanner is paying for the visit and the doctor is hanging up the phone even as I arrive.

“You need to rush right over to the imaging center. They have an opening for you in just under a half hour. I want to see you back here next Wednesday for the boosters. That will only take a few minutes unless the scans show something. Cathy will give you an appointment time. Cheerio.”

We take the papers for the scans and the appointment card and are rushing off again. Tanner is apologizing about the doctor, “Sorry. I didn’t even think about you needing immunizations. I’m glad sis caught that.”

“That’s okay, Tanner. I didn’t know about them so I guess it was a good thing. I’m just puzzled why I need the scans.”

“I have no idea. Maybe he found something he is curious about, or maybe he just likes to be thorough. This is your first time out of country, right?”

“Yeah, My first time out of State too.”

“There you have it. First time they always check a thousand things which really don’t matter. Sometimes it makes a difference and sometimes it doesn’t. I remember my first time... they found some little bug in my system and kept me from going to Europe for three weeks until they were certain I could handle it. I’ll bet I could have gone and never had a problem but unless all the i’s are dotted and the t’s crossed they can stop you from entering one country or another. It can be a pain sometimes.”

My reservations temporarily addressed we finally pull into the parking lot for the hospital and imaging center. Going into reception we give them my name and very soon someone comes to take me back where once again I change out of most of the clothing and put on another gown. (I hate these things)

I drink some chocolate chalk about the time I’m putting on the gown (I hate that stuff too) and then sit around for ten minutes. A quick scan is done of my abdomen and half an hour later a much more detailed scan is done of my breasts and chest, my abdomen and down at my genitals which once again scares the crap out of me as my mind works overtime figuring they are making me sterile with their scan. After voicing my concerns they too assuage me and confirm that the scans they are doing cannot render me impotent. The one nurse quips, “Unfortunately if you already are impotent, the scans can’t make you fertile. If they could we would have thousands of people standing in line at the door.”

It must be some kind of medical humor as the others chuckle at the comment which I take pretty much at face value.

They finally let me go back and change again then lead me through the maze and back to the lobby. Tanner pays for this too and once again we are off. Now to see the other doctor.

(Chap 5 of 28)
to be continued