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Chapter 7

I still didn't get much sleep. Breakfast was a little somber until Ray and Tina showed up. I was still feeling guilty for being an ass to my best friend. I sent her a text, apologizing. I'm a coward when it comes to things like that. Sue me. With my new office came a new laptop that I downloaded upcoming mission briefs upon. I couldn't really do much about them right now, but if we could come across more possible volunteers I'd much rather bring them in early than wait on the off chance that whomever was on the receiving end of Shanahan's good graces at the time she decided to go traitor.

Deciding on civilian clothes was probably the easiest decision I had to make today. It was Phoenix in the summer, so shorts, a lightweight tee, and sandals were easy enough and fairly practical. It made me feel like a little girl standing next to Ray, but I had a feeling he liked the way I looked in white linen shorts that hugged every curve of my butt. He tried to talk me into a tiny shirt that barely covered my breasts, and left about a mile of midriff showing, but even I was a tiny bit modest with my new body. What was even worse was when Tina suggested swimsuits for the role, more specifically me in a bikini. No thanks. But I might be able to be talked into a private showing with Ray.

I rolled my eyes as I stared at the laptop screen while Ray and Tina were going over the specifics of the plan I had drawn up. If Ray and I were going to be a thing for the foreseeable future then I had some decisions to make. The heat between us was obvious, and from the scene in the workout room the other day was any indication, then I was going to be losing my virginity and it wasn't going to be next year sometime.

I know how boys bodies work. From the way he watches me all the time, I know he's masturbating. Hell, I did it two or three times a day when I was a guy. Clean living you know. Being a girl eased that tension off a bit. As long as I was distracted with work or dealing with a crisis then I wasn't antsy. At night in bed was a different story. The new body had a sex drive attached to it. Maybe it was the old one asserting itself into the new female mindset, but it was definitely there. So, sex was a foregone conclusion.

Looking at it from the female perspective it was also daunting. I'd heard stories, and did my research on the internet about how things worked on a woman's body. I wanted to be a good lover as a male. I didn't want to flub my first time being an idiot and I definitely didn't want to hear, 'that's not it' coming out of a girl's mouth when I did my thing.

I knew what a hymen was. What I didn't know was whether mine was intact. If it wasn't then I needed it to go away. I wanted to enjoy my first time, and not have pain or blood associated with it. The guy has enough to worry about without that being involved. Christ! I'm talking about getting laid as a girl!

Forget it, be practical, Kristyn. You know it's going to happen. Deal with it and move on. What was another problem that girls had? Pregnancy. Right. No freaking way in hell was that going to happen. The pill. I needed to talk with Doctor Handsafreezin about getting on the pill, how long before it takes effect, how good does it work, the works. Then maybe some condoms as well, just to be on the safe side.

The word abortion was never in my vocabulary. Right to choose, sure, but since I was a guy it just never came up. I didn't have to worry about choosing. That's why I had a semi-unopened box of condoms in my nightstand back home. At my old home I mean. I'd opened one up to make sure it wasn't all gross and that I had the right size, and knew how to put it on. But they had sat there for six months, unused. What a waste.

If I had a chance I'd get some on this trip. Plan ahead, Boy Scout motto. I wonder if Girl Scouts bought condoms. Probably. I wondered if there was a Girl Scout costume I could wear for Ray. Never mind. Lets not get sidetracked. I think first and foremost… there's that word again… I need to see if I was going to barf at the first sign of his penis. That would probably be a major turnoff. It made the thought of foreplay something altogether different from my perspective as well. Whether a guy or a girl, I wanted to be an attentive lover, and that meant doing things… things that… I think I'm getting air sick.

Closing my laptop was about all I could accomplish before making a dash for the tiny restroom in the back of the plane.

There I stood, looking down into the blue stuff they put in airplane toilets instead of real water. My stomach was rolling, but steady enough not to waste a decent breakfast that morning. Okay, this was going to be more of a problem than I thought. Just get the picture of generic penis' out of your mind. Think about Ray.

A soft knock sounded at the door. "Kris, are you okay." Great, just great.

I opened the door and pulled Ray inside the cramped space along with me. There was barely room for one person much less two, so I scooted my butt up on the counter and had him stand between my legs. Well there's a picture. "We're gonna have sex, Ray."

"Right now?" He sounded a bit on the nervous side until I smacked him on the shoulder.

"No. I mean in the future sometime."

His happy face told me that he was happy. "Uh, sure. I kind of… well."

"Yes, Ray, you play a large role in my fantasies as well."

He tried avoiding my eyes, but, again, tiny restroom. Not much to look at. "So… you have a plan or something?"

"Or something. I have a problem."

"What's wrong?"

I looked down at his chest and the tight t-shirt he had chosen. My hand ran down the length of it over his firm torso. "I don't want our first time to be, weird." He was about to say something, but I cut him off. "I'm a virgin, obviously. I was as a guy as well. And I'm attracted to girls."

He was considering my words.

"I was sitting out there trying to imagine… foreplay. If I could do it right for you."

"Kris, you don't…

"Shh, I'm talking. Yes I do. If we're going to make it as a couple then I need to know if I can."

He was looking at me really strange. "Right now?"

I smacked him again. "No, not right now, but maybe when we get back. I don't want to be in the middle of a romantic evening with you and then go down on you and wind up yakking, because I couldn't handle it."

"Ah." Light dawns on boyfriend's brain. "Yeah I can see where that may be a problem." He considered me again. "Do you feel weird when we kiss?"

I shook my head. "I know I should, because hello, guy. But kissing you has always been very natural."

"For me too. And I'm still attracted to guys, by the way."

"Who wouldn't be?"

"Exactly."

"Do you think that you could go down on a girl?"

He shrugged along with an unknowing face. "I haven't really thought about it. The other day just runs through my head over and over when I…"

I saw where he was going. "It's okay Ray, everybody masturbates."

His face plumed a brilliant scarlet color, so I pulled him to me for a hug. Conveniently, I wrapped my legs around him and turned my face into his neck. There was something about him. He didn't smell like a guy, or at least what I remembered smelling like myself. I didn't really go around sniffing other guys, If I did then this whole thing would be a moot point.

He pulled back, but not from my legs. I kept him nice and trapped. "What I meant to say was that I never really got around to that point. We are always against the wall… just with less clothes."

I nodded in understanding. I tried not to embarrass him by grinning evilly. "I want to try something if you're willing."

"I'm always willing."

It was time for my grin. "Then when you kiss me in about ten seconds I want you to really get into it and then think about going down on me. I'm going to be doing the same about you. We can see if…"

"You said ten seconds. Times up."

It didn't take ten more seconds to feel like I was going to lose myself to him. So much so that I completely forgot what I was supposed to be thinking about when he backed off. "I'm cool with it," he said confidently.

"I got sidetracked. Can we do that again?" He chuckled and then leaned back into me for another try. God this boy can kiss. My legs tightened around his waist. This time I did think about it, and I think it was all in my mind. He didn't repulse me. Nothing about Ray repulsed me.

My breathing increased and I noticed the warning signs of going to far, so I pulled out of the kiss this time, and loosened my legs. "Okay, I think we're going to be alright." His eyes were glassy and I knew I had pushed him a little bit too far. In fact I could still feel it brushing up against me, how far I pushed him. "As soon as we get back, I'm going on the pill."

"You still won't be ready until after your first cycle."

"Really?" Dammit!

Ray nodded. "You're already on your, what is it sixth day, seventh day?"

Then a little birdie whispered in my ear. "OH!"

"What?"

"Dani."

"What?"

"You said her visions are a hundred percent right?"

Ray nodded. "Yeah."

"She said I have my… cycle this month."

He blinked a couple of times in response to that news. "So there's no way for you to get pregnant, is there."

My grin stretched from ear to ear. "Nope."

"So that means…"

"Yep. Although I do want to see the doctor about a few things. Just to make sure, but I wouldn't see any reason why we couldn't plan on another dinner this week, only with no walk, and possibly you spending the night in my room."

His grin slipped to the side. "Think we could skip dinner too?"

I kissed him. "You're going to need the energy, Ray."

Tina looked like the cat that ate the canary when we came out of the restroom together. "So, new additions to the Mile High Club?"

My mouth worked just a little too fast. "We did not just have sex."

"Uh huh." She didn't even bother looking at us and kept reading her magazine.

"Really, look!" I pointed at Ray's tented shorts. Of course right when I point it out Ray chose that time to dive for a chair. "Ray, you've got nothing to be embarrassed about. Believe me." He was staring daggers at me. "We were just having a private conversation, about sex, Tina."

She nodded, again not looking. "Just as long as we can bring Dani next time then I won't tell a soul."

The pilot chose that time to warn us about strapping in for final approach. I let the subject drop. My reputation had just taken a dive. Yet another thing to be wary about being a girl. Getting laid was great for Ray, bad for me.

I don't know who the driver was. Maybe someone from Homeland Security that was in the know. This made me wonder exactly how big the Center was if they had people positioned in major cities or if the drivers were flown out to destinations ahead of time. If the former was the case, then why did the goon that initially picked me up come back with us on the jet? Don't worry about it Kristyn. Concentrate on what's going on now.

If Michael Hick's information was correct, which always seemed to be the case with Mrs. Stapleton's background checks, his father and sister would head off to work at six and seven, respectively. Then he would leave from his house at seven-thirty, stop by the local convenience store for an energy drink and then head off to the pool, two blocks away, for his morning swim. I chose the convenience store for the initial introductions. Ray would wait in the SUV, and Tina and I would work our magic… hopefully.

Coincidentally, the store had two benches set up outside the front door. I suppose they were there for the people that were dying from heat frustration to take a break, or maybe pass out, in the shade. Egads, it was hot! Freaking seven-thirty in the morning and it had to be pushing ninety degrees already!

"It's a dry heat. At least you're not sweating everywhere," Tina commented.

I had my arms dangling to my sides, not taking any chances. "Yeah, but we're trading sweat for feeling like we're inside of convection oven. Don't they have wind here in Arizona? What's up with that? Shouldn't there be tumbleweeds blowing in the streets?"

She giggled. "That's a misconception. Do you expect everyone in Texas to wear ten gallon hats, or people from Australia to have a kangaroo following them around?"

I shrugged. "Well… yeah."

"You're such a goober sometimes, Kris."

"Bleh… I should have wore the crop top Ray was suggesting."

"Hey, there he… Oh, I mean she is." Tina pointed with her finger so only I could see. "She's presenting as a girl while her family's gone for the day."

Sure enough a very cute girl wearing very short shorts and a baggy feminine t-shirt with two lumps that looked suspiciously like breasts underneath, was walking toward the store. She had a beach towel around her neck and feminine style sandals on her feet. I wouldn't have noticed her, but the face and hair color were definitely the same as the picture we had in our package. The one thing that was different was that she had her hair in a high ponytail. I presumed her swimsuit was underneath her clothes and that it most likely would be a one piece, considering that those breasts had to be fake.

We all smiled, and said hi to each other as she entered the store. Tina and I waited out front for her to get her drink.

When she came back out, Tina was the first to say something. "Excuse me?"

Michael turned and started to look nervous, so Tina immediately tried to put her at ease. "We're new here in town and I was wondering if you might be able to answer a couple of questions?"

His/her, sorry, if I don't know her girl name, it sounds wrong to call Michael a her. Anyway, her body language relaxed and she nodded.

"I'm Tina and this is Kristyn."

"I'm Elizabeth, you can call me Liz."

Thank you! A name! She moved over to the other bench that was closest to me so Tina had to lean forward to see her properly. Her mannerisms were very female, and just like Tina I would have never pegged her as a boy. "So, where are y'all from?"

I took the conversation from there. "We move around a lot."

"Oh, are you sisters?'

I looked at Tina and we both laughed. "In a way, but not by blood"

This seemed to interest Liz and her, shapely but not quite feminine, brow crinkled in confusion. "How's that work."

I shrugged a little. "We both had very similar experiences happen in our lives and… well, it's a kind of bond we share now."

Tina threw in, "Plus, Kris has a superiority complex, and has to have everything neat and orderly."

I tossed a look at Tina. "I do not. I just like things the way I like them."

Liz giggled. "Definitely sisters." After a second and my disgruntled leer at Tina she came to the point. "So are you all looking for something, someplace, or someone."

Straight to the point. I guess she really likes her morning swim.

"Well, we found the someone we were looking for. It's you."

At Liz's fearful look, Tina smacked me on the shoulder. "We're not here to out you sweetie, we're here to help."

Liz uncrossed her legs, and prepared to make a break for it. "Wh…what do you mean?"

Tina tried to look as soothing as she could. "I'm like you. We both are really."

Liz's eyes widened considerably as she looked us over, our hands, feet, throats, and faces. "No way," she said in an almost unbelieving voice. Then her face turned hard. "Did my sister put you up to this?" She looked around. "Where is she?"

"As far as I know, she's at work," I said. "And we are not here to embarrass you. Tina was right. We're here to help you. We know about your accidental fall down the stairs." I threw air quotes up for that one. "We also know that your father had things done to you, which was a mistake."

"Kris, she's getting really agitated. Let me…"

It didn't really take an Empath to figure that one out. Liz had gone all jittery. I held up a halting hand to Tina. "Liz, this time last week, I was a guy."

It stopped her; shocked her. "But… you look so good. SRS isn't… I mean shouldn't you be in bed after the operation?"

I tried to look relaxed and non-threatening. "It wasn't an operation that made me who I am today."

The conversation came to a halt as she popped the top on her energy drink and took a big gulp. Before she started throwing questions at me I started in on my speech.

"Sixteen years ago, before you were born, there was an a problem at a genetics lab, long story short, a bottled water company's water source was contaminated, and they didn't notice for quite a while. Our mothers," I pointed at all of us. "All of our mothers, drank this contaminated water that they thought was completely safe."

The hand she was holding her drink in began to shake. Liz noticed and covered it with her other hand.

"The result was all of us being born intersexed. The boys were born with additional ovaries, and the girl with hidden testicles. Barring doctors actually going in and looking, or an MRI, or something like that, none of us knew that anything was different."

"Are you bullshitting me? Is this some kind of joke?"

I shook my head. Tina added something else. "Liz, I'm a boy underneath these clothes. Kris is a girl, but started off life as something different, like you. So you see, we are sisters in a way."

She still seemed resistant. "Why should I believe either of you? I don't know you."

"Because I can prove it to you, right here and right now." It was time to go for the weird stuff. "The problem with our gender isn't the only thing that you need to understand. There's something else."

She swallowed, expecting the worst. "What. Is it cancer… am I gonna die?"

I shook my head. "No, nothing like that. Each of us, for lack of a better way of explaining it, has a talent. Something beyond what you would consider normal."

Liz blinked at me. "So you're crazy, is that it?"

I looked over my shoulder to make sure we were still alone. "Look at my hand. See, no sleeves no weird attachments or anything right?" She did as I asked. "Go ahead, feel it, it's just a normal hand right?"

Eying me for a second, she reached out an index finger and poked my palm. After another moment, she actually took my hand in hers and felt it. "Okay, so."

"Watch closely." Releasing a little of my power I made electrical arcs fly across my fingers. Liz's eyes widened to large proportions, and her face went pale.

"How did you do that?"

"I'm an Electrokinetic." Gesturing to Tina I added. "She's an Empath." Liz looked up at Tina. "And you're a Reikikinetic, a healer."

Now I could tell that she was off balance, not knowing what to believe. So, I upped the ante. "Liz, if you could have a choice right now, would you be a girl or a guy?"

Her glazed eyes focused, and centered on me. "I'm a girl. There's no choice about it."

Lacing my fingers together I leaned forward a little. "Even if it meant leaving your family?"

Tina set her hand on mine. "Kris…"

Sparing a quick glance at my partner, I shook my head. "She needs to know."

"What do I need to know?"

Tina didn't look too pleased, but she nodded, so I explained. "Sometime today, your power, your talent is going to awaken. You'll be able to heal with just a touch of your hand. Six to eight hours later, your body is going to change." At her look of disbelief I added, "We don't know why it happens, something in our genetic makeup, something to do with the talent activating, we just don't know yet. But it will happen. I wasn't kidding when I said I was a guy last week. I was six foot one, and a hundred and sixty pounds, with strawberry blond hair, and a penis."

Liz's jaw dropped open.

"The next thing I knew, I was blowing out all the electronics in my house. My best friend showed up, but I didn't know it was him at the time, because he was a she. She had already gone through the change. He took me in and here I am today, trying to tell you what's going to happen sometime tonight."

"Tonight?"

Tina squeezed my hand and I turned to see her smiling. I guess that was a good sign. So I nodded to her. "But there's a possible problem."

"What?" Liz's face fell.

"Your ovaries were taken out after the fall. We don't know how that will affect the change. Whether or not it might complicate things. That's why we came early for you, before your talent manifested itself."

"I might need the hormones. This is insane." She was definitely torn. "Can I see the sparks thing again?"

I let out a subdued laugh again. "Sure." Looking around again, I let her see something a little more impressive. Putting my fingers together I pulled them apart and let the arcs run between my hands.

"That is so awesome," she breathed.

"You won't be able to do that. We're, each of us, is different. Some of us are similar to each other, but we all have talent."

"How many?"

"You'll make fifteen, if you are willing to join us. That would mean leaving here and not being in contact with your family ever again, because by tomorrow morning they aren't going to recognize you anymore."

She swallowed again. "So, I either go with you, or my family deals with this tonight."

Well, she really didn't have a choice. "I'm not going to lie to you, Liz. I was taken by force, kidnapped. But if I wasn't, then my father would be dead from when I transformed. I would have blown the house up because of my talent. So, the Center did me and my family a favor." I really didn't need Tina to tell me that this girl sitting in front of me was on an emotional rollercoaster at the moment. "But as you can see, here I am, out in the real world, and nobody is holding a gun to my head or anything. I'm here because I want to be here. I want to help others like us."

We gave her a minute to think about things before she took another drink. "Can we go back to my house and get some of my stuff before we leave?"

I was about to say no, but Tina stopped me. "It would look like she ran away if we did this. They wouldn't have to think she was dead."

Which was worse? Liz almost snorted. "My sister hates me and my father could care less. I'm a major disappointment, not being a manly guy. They'd probably be relieved I was out of their life."

I could see she didn't want to believe that of her family, but sometimes blood is not thicker than water. Sometimes we were better off alone than living in an environment where we were abused, or threatened, or even just plain ignored.

"Okay, but keep it light. You won't need any clothes, because they probably wont fit you after you change anyway. We'll have everything you'll need at the Center."

We stood up and I asked Tina to introduce her to Ray while I grabbed something from the store. "He's my boyfriend, nobody to be scared of."

I darted inside and grabbed a couple boxes of condoms, just in case, and a boatload of updated magazines. The Center doesn't really keep up to date with theirs. The clerk just gave me the weirdest look. "Don't ask. It's better you don't know."

We arrived at her house, actually behind her house, so nobody spotted the SUV. It wouldn't do for people to witness a bunch of teenagers making off with a runaway. Liz did manage to keep it simple. Some CDs, her MP3 player, a laptop, and a few t-shirts that she couldn't part with. She swiped the emergency money from an empty coffee can so that the escape looked authentic. Liz rationalized it as, 'they stole my ovaries, I'm stealing their money.' Fair enough I suppose.

During all of this, I wondered if Liz really believed us or was she just taking advantage of an opportunity to escape from her family? She didn't know us from Adam, but she was trusting enough to go along. Maybe in hopes of starting over somewhere else. I'm sure the possibility of a new life, living the way she wanted, was very attractive. I felt a little guilty for preying on her that way, but I also consoled myself with the knowledge that we were doing the right thing for her, in the short term at least.

She was full of questions on the way back, almost as giddy as a schoolgirl, which in a way she was.

"You mean you're in charge?"

I shrugged, "Sort of. There have been some problems lately and I kind of fell into the role."

Ray leaned over and stage whispered. "She's playing it down. Kris is the best."

Liz giggled and I shook my head. "Ray's biased. He wants my body for his own nefarious use."

"Guilty," he replied smugly.

"Did you like boys before?" she asked me.

I shook my head. "Nope, but I like Ray."

"And you used to be a girl?"

Ray nodded. "I was in band, played the flute. I was a computer nerd. I had a boyfriend, and I lived at the mall on weekends."

She covered her face. "I just can't picture that. You seem so… manly."

He shrugged, and I giggled.

It wasn't long before we touched down, and I showed Liz to the clinic, leaving her in the hands of the evil doctor Handsafreezin. Before I left Tina to watch over her, Liz called out to me. "Will you be back tonight? For…"

"Of course I will. We're your friends now, Liz. Friends back each other up. Once we have a better idea when that will be, then the doctor will call me, right Doc?"

"Of course, Miss Keys. First thing."

I dropped off the magazines in the cafeteria and swiped one of the Cosmos and a Road & Track. I'm still conflicted, give me a break. At least I'm not bogarting the Tiger Beat for the latest pictures of Justin, and whatever Brother band is hot at the moment. Yea, squeee, vomit.

The rest of the time before lunch I spent in my official office boxing up Shanahan's nonessential crap. I'd decorate the rest later. Mrs. Fine had already made it by to have the office turned, looking for anything incriminating. She did find a USB Flash drive taped on the underside of one of the drawers that looked promising. After review we found out that it was video of the time she spent with Brian. I almost lost my breakfast right there. For as smart as she supposedly was, Shanahan was an idiot as a pedophile.

Lunch had come and gone, along with the early afternoon. I wrote up a brief report for the Colonel as to Liz's status, and the mission success. This was a report I didn't mind filling the blanks in on while I was able to finally enjoy the music that was downloaded on my cell. The minor break obviously wasn't meant to be, before the music was cut off when my cell rang.

"Keys."

"Miss Keys." The Doctor. "Would you mind coming up to the clinic for a moment?"

Something lurched beneath my chest. "Is Liz alright?"

"She's fine, Miss Keys. I just thought you'd like to see for yourself."

I was already shutting the door behind me with my blazer in hand. "I'll be right there. Come on Miss Bonsai. Time to make tracks."

Again my mysterious cat was well ahead of me on the stairs, and waiting by the door for me to open it for her. Not bothering to comment this time I let her run head through the open door of the clinic. Through the outer door I could hear Liz laughing and Tina giggling, so I opened the connecting door that led to the examination room.

"Kris!" Tina almost squealed. "Liz has her powers."

I slowed my pace and came to a stop a few feet from the examination table where Liz was dressed in a posh looking pink hospital gown. I'm thinking about a new look. "Great… so what's the hubbub?"

Liz was holding herself low on the abdomen. "I'm fixed. I fixed myself."

Maybe I was slow today or something. "You were broken?"

"Her ovaries, goober!"

Blink. "Oh!" Something inside me sent a jolt of happiness to my brain and short-circuited any boy impulses for the moment. I took another step and hugged Liz. "That's great! You're going to be a real girl here pretty soon."

"I know, right?" Tears of happiness were falling from her eyes. "You guys saved me. If it weren't for you and Tina…" She leaned back in, lay her head on my shoulder, and started to cry in earnest.

Tina's eyes were welling up as she was smiling at me. I just petted Liz's hair and patted her on the back. "We just provided the ride. You're going to do all the work."

"You'll be here right?" she confirmed.

"I'll be here. They'll let me know." She pulled back and wiped at my blazer. "I'm getting you all wet. Sorry."

I played it off. "Perks of being here. Free dry cleaning. Don't worry about it."

She smiled her thanks at me. "It's impossible that you were born a boy."

Shrugging away what I knew to be a compliment from her. "Why do you say that?"

Liz looked up at me with something that I had never seen before in anyone's eyes, so I couldn't place it. "Because you really care. Boys really don't care."

A little giggle came out of my mouth. "That's not totally true. There are plenty of boys out there that have…" I tried to think of some as I was telling her this. "My dad. He cared. He always made sure I was taken care of and grew up right. Ray, has always been there for me. My best friend Drew… well he doesn't really count."

She leaned forward and kissed me on my cheek. "I'll take your word for it."

Looking around for a decent stool or chair, I found one of those short stools with wheels that doctors use. They get all the cool stuff, right? Once I worked out the mechanics of sitting there with my legs crossed, I found Liz and Tina smiling at me. I really didn't want to know why. "So, tell me how this happened."

Tina started the story off. "When we first got here, they shoved her in an MRI machine to see exactly what was there and what was missing."

Liz nodded. "The doc said that he could tell where they had cut into me and used these tube thingies to cut and pull out my ovaries. He showed me where they were, but … I guess you have to be a doctor or something to read those things. Instead he showed me where they were, touching me here and here."

She set her fingers on her lower abdomen and rubbed them around. "So me and Tina were sitting here, and she was telling me about the Center, and what they do, and some of the things that you've done since you've been here."

My attention centered on Tina. "Nothing bad I hope."

Tina giggled. "Nothing that wasn't true."

That could be interpreted in so many ways.

"It was nothing bad. You did a lot of good, from what Tina says." There was that look again. It was a smile, but more relaxed than normal. "Anyway ever since the doc told me where they were I've kept my hands on them."

My head tilted back a little and realization dawned. "Is this going where I think it's going."

Tina laughed. "Shh, it's her story to tell."

Liz smiled happily at me. "About an hour ago my hands started to heat up, in a warm way, not like burning. But it was really noticeable. I didn't realize what I was doing, but Tina did."

My mission partner nodded. "While we were talking I noticed her pressing down harder and harder on her… well, right there."

I looked and Liz was doing it again, but not hard. It was like she was a pregnant girl rubbing her tummy.

"That's when I felt two sharp pains right under my fingers. Right after that, my hands cooled back to normal." She started speeding up and looking very excited. "I told the doctor, and he looked at me weird then told me that I needed a new MRI."

"And the rest is history." I concluded. "So you're back to normal."

Liz nodded. "I'm better than normal now."

"Plus, you're going to be a girl soon." It was easy to see the excitement on her face. It looked like she was ready and willing for nightfall.

"I'm so pumped. You don't know how long I've dreamed of something like this happening."

I was sort of skeptical, and she saw it on my face. "Kristyn. You don't know what its like to live your live your life in the wrong body… oh, well I guess you do."

"It's not so bad," I commented. It was true. At first I was scared spitless, but I'd adjusted. Probably a lot faster than I should have. "It's just a body. I'm still the same person."

"That's what makes you really weird, Kris," Tina pointed out. "I'd give almost anything to have my old body back."

Coming to my feet I moved over to Tina. "It's not out of the question yet, Tina. Someone could pop up tomorrow with the talent of switching us back. You never know."

She took my hand and rubbed my palm with her fingers. "You really think so?"

I nodded. "You're talking to the girl who shoots electricity out of her fingers. Anything is possible."

She cocked her head and looked at me inquisitively. "Would you go back to being a boy?"

That question took me aback. At first I was about to say, 'of course', then I thought of my responsibilities. If I were to go back to being a boy, would I lose my powers? Would I quit being an asset to the Center? In some ways it would be the greatest thing that could ever happen, but in an other way… "Maybe."

She looked surprised, but then back to normal a second later. "I understand."

"You do?"

Tina nodded. "You care too much, Kris. Liz was right. You see yourself taking charge and guiding us, making sure that we're taken care of, defending us. Kinda like a mom would do."

I rolled my eyes. "I'm not a mom. Maybe a big sister, not a mom."

They both giggled at me, so I backed up a little and made my escape. "I'm happy that you're getting your wish, Liz."

Miss Bonsai bumped against me when I stopped at the entrance to the clinic. Looking down at her I shook my head. "I'm not a mom. No kids for me."

I took the rest of the afternoon and worked out. Ray met with me later, and we worked on centering myself again, along with the beginnings of JKD. It involved standing. So, I've learned how to breath and how to stand. It's amazing how I'd gotten by with just doing it naturally all these years. But, apparently I'd been doing it wrong all this time.

The Colonel arranged for me to have a tutor, or a training specialist, his term not mine. It was all via email at the moment. I'd been assigned thirteen books to read on the subjects of tactics, strategies for platoon size or smaller, etcetera, ad nauseum. Get this: I was actually assigned Sun Tzu's The Art of War. I mean how cliché can you get? Every military role-playing game geek out there bragged about reading it, even though I knew they were lying their asses off. They thought it made them look cool. I thought it made them look pretentious. It helped that I trounced their butts all the time. But now, there I was looking at the book list, with it included amongst the other curious titles, such as: The 33 Strategies of War, Unrestricted Warfare, Six Secret Teachings, The Book of Five Rings, a couple of Machiavelli books. In all I was looking at some of the most boring reading in the free world. That Cosmo was looking better and better every second, after seeing my new study regime.

Strangely enough, the Colonel already had a number of these in his office, so I couldn't get by with 'the local bookstore doesn't carry these books' excuse I used on occasion to get English teachers off my back.

What did I get to do with all of this? Write reports. It felt like high school English class all over again. I was supposed to read a section of a book and then write a report about what I got out of it, or how I could relate it or use it for the students the school. This was the start of my military training. Okay, so maybe going back to being a boy was getting to be more attractive.

Dani had taken time to stop by the clinic and do her Pre-Cog thing on Tina, because she was staying with Liz throughout the day. The text I received from the doctor read that the transformation was to take place at seven-fifteen in the clinic. She didn't need the bunker, just support from Tina and me.

Dinner came and went for me. I was too distracted to be a good conversationalist. Everyone thanked me for the magazines. Contact with the outside world had been minimal at best. Most of their news had been in the form of the internet, and we all know how the internet is never wrong. Dani came in at the end and ate her meal with little comment here and there. My sticking around afterward was on purpose. The text I'd sent her earlier was lame. I knew it was lame, and I also knew that she was my best friend and deserved better than a lame apology.

"I'm sorry I was an ass last night."

It's much easier to tell someone that you're sorry while standing behind them. Dani stiffened and then slowly swiveled in her seat to eye me. She pursed her lips and then scooted out the seat next to her. I'd been forgiven. Now I just need to see what I had to do for penance.

When I sat and leaned my elbow on the table Dani started. "I'm sorry too. I shouldn't have tried to read you without permission. I won't do it again."

"Thank you. I know you were worried, are worried, but I can handle this for now. Once we get on a more… I don't know, a normal schedule? I'll see one of the new counselors."

She reached out and took my hand. "It's a lot of pressure they're putting on you, Kris." She looked down and swallowed. "I'm afraid."

Estrogen surged in me again, and I leaned forward to pull her to me with a hug. "That's why I'm doing this, so you don't have to be scared. I'll take care of everything, so you don't have to worry."

"You can't do everything yourself."

"I know, but I can try, and the Colonel has people coming in to help. They'll take some of the load off."

She sniffed a little and rubbed her nose. "You promise you'll try to make time for yourself in between all the crises?"

I nodded and kind of laughed. "Ray and I are planning another date this week." Lightbulb! "Dammit I forgot!"

She pulled back. "What?"

"I need to see the doctor. I was going to get on the pill."

Dani's eyes bugged. "Kristyn! You're kidding? Already?"

With a playful shrug I nodded. "I'm trying to be responsible. Gimmie a break."

"Your friend Dani told you twenty-two days, correct?"

I nodded. The doctor did a minor count in his head. Currently that puts you around day fourteen of your menstrual cycle. Contrary to what you have heard, the pill isn't an instant contraceptive. You won't be protected until after your first cycle.

"But… she said that It'll be, I mean…"

"You can still become pregnant, Miss Keys, even if you produce blood during your cycle. It's rare, to be sure, but do you want to take that chance?"

I frowned. "No."

He smiled, almost humanely. "If you can't wait, then I would suggest the use of a condom. You haven't had your sexual introduction yet, have you?"

With a shake of my head he breathed and let out a sigh. "You should really participate in the class it is quite educational."

"Doc, look. I know all about the female body and what it can do, more than the average guy out there anyway. I know where all the parts are and what they do. I even know about the internal equipment and how it works. There are a few gaps in my knowledge, obviously, but I think I'm okay. Let's just get me on the pill and I'll figure it out from there."

"Can you really, Miss Keys?"

I nodded. Then he had to bring it upon himself to quiz me. Yes, I knew about yeast infections and the signs of such. Yes, I was familiar with various STDs and their signs. Yes, I was familiar with how to keep myself clean and not to use sugary food items in my sexplay down there. God, can my face get any redder? Could we talk about the pros and cons of spanking in sexplay? That would really make my day. Vomit.

I spent the rest of the hour I had to wait, in my office, with the door closed. A glass of water, a burst-pac of an estrogen/progestin mixed pills, and The Art of War. Might as well be as ironic as humanly possible. The doctor popped out the first thirteen pills and the rest were left for me to enjoy to my fullest. This was supposed to make my period experience easier, but probably wouldn't do any good for the one coming up in only fifteen days. I was told to expect bloating, mild cramps, moodiness, all a couple of days before. That's good news. A girl with really destructive powers afflicted by PMS. Can you measure this amount of badness with today's existing technology?

With a deep breath I popped the pill and drank the water. There, done. If I get fat from this I am so electrocuting somebody.

The time was seven o'clock. Only fifteen more minutes. Tina, me, the doctor, the nurse, and the Colonel were all in attendance. The room was bare, except for a single hospital bed. Liz was hooked up to a number of machines, measuring her vital statistics, and a couple I wasn't sure of. The doctor did let me know that none of it was needed for a successful transition. It was just for the scientists that were trying to figure out how the whole thing works. For Liz's part, she accepted what the doc had to say on the matter.

"Can Tina and Kristyn stay with me?"

The doctor frowned. "It's not procedure, Liz. We don't know what will happen to either of you if something…" I kicked the doctor in the shin.

"I'll stay with you, Liz. I can protect myself if need be."

She grasped my hand and we interlocked our thumbs as I set my other hand on top to hold us together. The doctor motioned to Tina. She palmed Liz on the forehead and kissed her cheek. "Good luck. I'll be right on the other side of that screen." Liz nodded and then looked at me.

"Did it hurt when you went though yours?"

I giggled a little bit. "I kind of blocked it all out. I don't really remember much, since mine involved a diving suit and a lot of lightning."

She gave me a weird look. "A diving suit?"

I waved her off with my free hand. "I don't know what it was. Some kind of protective thing that they stuffed me in so I didn't blow up the Center. They have this neat bunker out back that they shove all the potentially dangerous ones in."

She closed her eyes and smiled. "I'm glad I'm not dangerous."

"I'm glad you're not too." We sat there for a minute or two in silence. "So have you thought of a new name?"

Her eyes opened. "They said I could keep Elizabeth since it wasn't documented and I'm taking the last name Baker."

I weighed the name on my tongue. "Elizabeth Baker. Liz Baker. Sounds good. No middle name?"

Her face reddened. "Would it be okay with you and Tina if I call myself Kristina with a K-r-i-s?"

I looked back at Tina and she was all teeth and nodding. "I think we'd like that very much."

Liz's face contorted in pain at that moment. "I think this is it." She looked at me and I could feel her hand shaking in mine. "Don't go, please. I'm so scared."

I tightened my grip and set my free hand atop both of ours. "I'm right here, Liz. Everything's going to be alright. You just think about how nice it's going to be to be a girl."

Her attempted smile was aborted as her whole body convulsed. She groaned and I saw tears start to fall from the sides of her eyes. Her lips tried pulling inward and I could tell she was trying to say something else. I was concerned that she was in too much pain, but it didn't look like it hurt so much as it was just uncomfortable and debilitating.

I leaned in closer so I cold hear what she was trying to say.

"Do..Don't le...le…leave…Mommy."

I stared straight into her eyes as my own tears started to well. "I'm not going anywhere baby. I'm right here. Just close your eyes and think happy thoughts for me." I brushed her hair back from her face when the changes started occurring. Her eyes went from hazel to a sapphire blue in the span of a second. I could feel some sort of energy radiate from her body. It was hot and it felt like my hand, that was grasping hers, was burning. I wasn't letting go. She was a healer, and could always fix it whenever she woke up later.

Her skin darkened, from her original pale shade to a cinnamon color, and her hair darkened as I gaped in astonishment to a shiny deep black. The natural curl fell out and her cheekbones moved under her face. It was the creepiest thing I had ever seen, though her staring at me throughout the event was pretty creepy in itself. The cheekbones stood out more and her jaw filled in, becoming strong yet feminine. It was then that I recognized what was happening. She looked like an Indian, an American Indian, and she was beautiful.

"You're gorgeous, Liz. Do you hear me?" I palmed her face. "Can you hear me sweetie? You're beautiful."

More tears fell from her eyes, and her mouth tried to move into a grin. I know it did. She could hear me just fine.

Another convulsion made her body jump. If it weren't for the restraints she probably would have bounced right off of the table. Her eyes widened and then fell closed.

Her body stilled unnaturally, not even a twitch after. "Liz? Liz?" I turned around "Doc?"

"She's fine, Miss Keys. This is common. The pain becomes too much and once the subject loses consciousness the transition is easier on the body. Watch her hips legs, and feet to see evidence for yourself."

I did. They shifted. Her feet didn't change too much, just a little smaller. Her ankles thinned and the muscles of her legs shifted. I couldn't tell what they were doing at first, but then I realized they were slimming down, becoming more streamlined. Her hips widened, and I could only imagine what that would feel like for a conscious person. Then her torso underwent the final change. I could see her gown lose depth and width in her waist, and her chest grew slightly. Oh, duh, breasts.

The doctor came out from behind the screen. "She should be finishing up right about now. You can leave now, Miss Keys. I can call you when she awakens.

I shook my head. "I'm not going anywhere. I promised her."

He nodded once. "Very well."

I felt arms encircle me from behind and hug me tightly. "She called you mommy." Tina.

"She was delusional. The pain, probably, and scared stiff."

"I think it's sweet."

"I think you're delusional. And if I'm the mommy then that makes you the daddy."

Tina giggled. "I think Ray might have problems with that."

"Good. Then we're in agreement. This goes no further than this room."

I was trying to flip a page on The Art of War with my lips, which, by the way, is a seriously messed up book, when she awoke.

Her eyes flickered and I noted the page I was leaving off at before dropping it on the end table beside her bed. She tried to focus for a moment and then her eyes tracked to me.

"Is it over?" She smiled at her new voice and then it went even wider at my nod.

"You did great, Liz. Everything is perfect. You're a real girl now."

Her hand, that was grasping mine, moved up and she frowned. "Your hand is cramping. I can feel the wrongness of it."

"It's okay. I don't mind. I promised to stay with you, and I always keep my promises."

Liz's other hand moved to where they both gripped it. Heat spread across my fingers and palm. I could feel the muscles and tendons loosen and relax under her touch. "There. That's better." And it was.

Her eyes roved around in confusion. "Where are we?"

I smiled at her. "Your new room. It's right next to mine."

"Really?"

I nodded and leaned backed so she could see. "You want to try and sit up?"

"Yeah." I remember the disorientation from my own awakening, and I gently pulled her into a sitting position. "Just take your time. We're not in any hurry."

She looked down, and her left hand grabbed at her breast. "They're real! And they're huge!"

A shot of laughter escaped my lips. Until I watched her hand drop from there to between her legs. She fumbled for a moment until I saw her face light up in delight. "It's all real. I really am a girl. Oh, God." She lunged into me. "Thank you, thank you, thank you, so much."

Liz's head was tucked neatly under mine. "I didn't do a thing. You did all the work."

"But you made it possible, Mommy."

I closed my eyes and sighed. I have a feeling I have a new title to go along with all of the other ones. She pulled back and looked a little sheepish. "Sorry, I won't call you that if it makes you feel weird."

My face let loose with all the tension I was holding. "If it make you feel good, then call me whatever you want, even if I'm only two months older than you. I want you to feel comfortable here."

She jumped right back into my arms, and squeezed me as tight as she was able. "Thank you. I've never had anyone that I've ever thought of like that, but you showed up when I needed you most, and you told me truths that I couldn't understand, and you brought me home with you, and you held my hand when I was hurting, and you said it was going to be all better, and you didn't break your promise." After a big breath she sighed. "That's what being a mom is. Well that and loving, but I don't expect…"

I have no earthly idea why it came out of my lips. "I love you, Liz. I want what's best for you. I want you to be happy here. And if you need a mom, then that's what I'll be."

I never made it back to my room that night, except to retrieve my sleep shirt and wash my face. Miss Bonsai took guard duty on the top bunk while Liz snuggled under my arm and fell into a restful sleep at my neck with her legs tangled up with my own.

The next morning, we were in the exact same position, and Liz had such a content smile on her face. I sighed and tried to flex my left hand that had fallen asleep sometime during the night. It must have clicked something in her head, because she blinked her eyes open. She looked up at me and blushed.

"You must think I'm a serious head case."

I cleared my throat. "There's nothing wrong with wanting a little companionship. We just can't make a regular thing of it. I think my boyfriend might get jealous."

She giggled into my neck. "I feel so… right. Finally."

An uncomfortable urge hit me. "Well we might want to get up soon, or you're going to need a new mattress. I gotta pee."

Heather was more than happy to skip her first class, and take Liz on a tour of the Wardrobe room in search of clothes, and on a tour of the school. While I was more than happy to take a long hot shower. Hopefully, the coming day would be normal and not full of doom and angst. I had another four full days until my second risky mission. It should give me enough time to come up with a plan, and maybe work on my own education along the way.

When I was dressed, today in a dark green blazer, yellow blouse, and a matching green skirt I was off to breakfast. I got my makeup on the first try, something that I was proud of. It was still light, but at least I was showing progress. Halfway through my meal everyone started showing up, and I closed the book I was studying. I knew better than to try to read at a table full of teens. There were better things to talk about than Variations and Adaptability, Chapter Eight of the Fart of Bore.

Debbie was kind of excited when she saw what I was reading. "I had a chance to see a copy of the original version. It was awesome."

I looked up at her through my eyelashes. "You're kidding, right?"

She shook her head. "The Wee edition almost has it right, but some of the translation was a little off."

I shrugged my shoulders. "As long as I can come up with something half-way intelligent to say for my tutor… sorry, my training specialist, then I'm happy. Some of this stuff is just useless for anything other than massive armies."

Heather swung around the corner with Liz, locked arm in arm, smiling brightly at me. She passed her off to Lara, so that she could stop by and give a kiss to her girlfriend. Once that was over she looked at me, and her eyes actually twinkled. "Hi Mommy, how are you doing this morning?"

"Not you too," I groaned.

"She was soooo adorable when she told me what you did for her. I think it's cute."

Debbie eyed me. "Mommy?"

I rolled my eyes. Heather giggled. "Yep. Our own sweet, Kristyn has some hidden motherly traits that she's been showing to the newbie."

Liz showed up, and took the empty seat to my left, smiling adoringly at me. "Hi Mom. Heather was great, and there was so many clothes. The schoolgirl outfits are adorable! What do you think?"

Debbie covered her mouth, and tried not to look like she was about to burst out in laughter.

I looked her over. "I think you look very cute, Liz."

She almost preened. "Thanks!"

"Let me introduce you to the other girls, and there should be some guys joining us soon." I gestured across the table. "This is Debbie. She understands about a billion languages and seems to have something caught in her throat at the moment." Debs waved and smiled. "That's Lili down there. She's a telepath." Lili looked up at her name and finger-waved.

"The pile of giggles sitting down next to you is Dani."

"Hi, Liz. I've heard all about you. A healer, wow! I'm an Empath and a Pre-Cog. Your hair is so pretty! I'm jealous."

Liz was in heaven, and it was bleeding off on Dani. My best friend was apparently taking her under her wing.

"Well girls, I have to get to work. Have a great day. Think happy thoughts, no drama today."

I stood and Liz jumped up and hugged me in front of everyone. "Bye Mom, and thanks for everything."

Dani's eyes lit up like Christmas had come early. My eyes roved around the table at everyone witnessing the scene. I hugged Liz back. "Heather, Dani, make sure you take care of her today, please?" Then down to the girl hugging me. "And you text, or call me if you need anything."

Her head nodded under mine. When she pulled back, I tugged on my blazer and got rid of my tray. It was weird having Liz act so… daughterly… to me, but it also plucked at something inside my chest too. It made me feel, needed, and not in a 'deal with this situation' type of way. It was almost cathartic. I felt buoyant, for the first time since I had arrived at the Center.

Photo Credit: Kristen K.