Barbara soon learned to her embarrassment that her new ring required some concentration at all times or the illusions it creates will disappear. After the first time she left her hair and eyes as normal, “I think I’ll have to get some normal clothing soon. I can’t show up anywhere naked and I get too easily engrossed in other things and let the illusion slip. Can we head for a clothing store? I can make a normal clothing illusion for long enough to buy real stuff.”

“Oooh! A shopping trip? And we get to dress you in your first girl clothes? Yes, darling!” Alison squealed and poked her sister, “Hey there’s a mall that way let’s go!”

“I was going to take her to the hospital where Barry is supposedly in ICU. It would best if he gets “moved” to another room and sees at a least few people to bolster appearances,” Alena replied.

“Maybe we can do that and then go shopping?” A wheedling tone crept into Alison’s voice.

“What do you two say?” Alena turned to look back at the Allens.

“Well Mrs. Allen, what do you think?” Iris asked.

“Whichever you want is fine by me Mrs. Allen,” Barbara replied and they kissed.

After they broke the kiss they agreed to go shopping after if Alena and Alison were willing to wait.

“Sure! This way we can make sure it all goes smoothly. If we can help you to stay in your old job and still be a superhero then we can use that to help others who want the same thing. So really our staying to help helps us as well.” Alena smiled.

“Thank you!” Barbara suddenly hugged her, “Oh, I’m sorry! I’m not usually that huggy.” She said blushing.

“It’s okay you can blame the hormones for that now. It’s a really useful out and it is possibly even true!” Alison told her grinning. Barbara and Iris laughed at that.

Soon they landed on the roof of a hospital, “This is the hospital. I’ll just get one of us to fudge a few records and you’ll be able to go your room. Then Iris can call someone and say you can now have visitors if they keep it short.” The ring created chevy disappeared and they were left standing on the roof as Alena walked a short distance away and spoke quietly into her ring.

Soon I was in a drafty hospital gown surrounded by an illusion of being Barry and with Iris sitting by the bed looking as if she’d been there all night. After a few people had through they ended visiting hours and I gratefully let the illusion slip. “That’s harder than it looks. I may need to arrange for a contingency in case someone peeks their head in my lab and sees a young blonde at the microscope.” After thinking a bit I got on the hospital and disguising my voice via ring and made a few calls, called in some favors.

“Alright,” I said nodding. “I think that did it. I’m being transferred to a new location. It’s officially because I don’t want to wait for them to rebuild the lab but it also allows me, after a suitable convalescence, to change assistants. I’ve told them I’m bring in a niece of Iris’ who recently graduated.” I looked at Alena, “Hopefully whoever you have creating identities can manage to create one for a ‘Barbara West’? If so then if I slip up I’m covered as long as nobody actually sees the change. Since I work by myself often and a lot of odd hours nobody should be surprised if they don’t see me much. At my speed I should have no trouble keeping up on paperwork either. Actual work might take more time as chemical reactions work on their own schedules but I think I can hack that and superheroing.” I grinned, “I’d better because I don’t want to try and live on a teacher’s salary. Even a full professor’s.”

“Okay then, I guess it’s time we took you shopping!” Iris was grinning. She looked at Alena and Alison, “Where should we go?”

Alena frowned. “Uh...not a clue?”

Alison laughed at her sister. “This is what you get for cheating all the time and using your ring to make clothes. Poor thing doesn’t know anything about being a girl.”

“...well excuse me for being born a guy!” The Green Lantern frowned. Then, realizing what she’d just said, she looked to the older women. “Uh...that is..”

Alison smacked her forehead. “Oh jeez. Did we forget to tell them?”

“Yes, you did but I forgive you. I’m glad I’m not the only one to whom it’s happened.” She smiled at Alena and whispered, “We ex-guys have to stick together.” She shook a finger at Alison as they exited the hospital. “I’m sure Al has been very busy lately and it was just an oversight. Right Iris?”

“I don’t know. I can see Alison’s point.” She grinned and put an arm around Ali’s shoulders, “And we girls have to stick together too. You can’t whisper worth a damn love.” She giggled.

Alena sighed. “I guess I should tell you the story, then. Let’s get something to eat first, I can hear Alison’s stomach growling from here.”

“I am a bit peckish, but that’s not my tummy!”

Alena looked to Barry. “Heh, fast metabolism, huh? I don’t want your grocery bills!”

“Sorry! I guess I burn calories fast too.” Barbara was rather red in the face. “Chinese sound good with everyone?”

“Yum, sounds great!” Alison grinned. “Origin stories are so much better on a full stomach!”

“...but you’ve heard my story already!”

“Mhm, but I know you’re keeping some juicy bit out of it; so maybe you’ll slip up this time!”

Alena looked to Barry and Iris. “You see what I have to put up with?”

“I see! I’m starting to be happy I don’t have a sister.” Barbara stuck her tongue out at Alison then laughed. “Actually you two seem so normal you are making me feel better about things just by example. Thank you.”

“Well, let’s get going then. There is a lovely restaurant not far away.” She points, “In fact it’s visible from here. See the green roof with the dragon out front? There.”

They strolled over in civilian clothing. Once they were seated Iris said, “I want Bar..Babs here to start. I still haven’t gotten a clear answer out of her on what happened.”

Barbara shrugged, “All I know is I was walking with a flask and then there a bright light and a huge boom. The next thing I knew I was on Jade’s ship and I looked like this. Sorry, but there is nothing else I can add.” She paused to order some Lo Mein and Oolong tea.

“Hm, I got a hunch there’s more to that story you might want to look into.” Alena waited for everyone to order and get their drinks before she began. “It all started when we moved to Oregon, to my Grandfather’s old house. He was a big comic book fan, and...”

“Wow, that’s some story!” Barbara and Iris were both amazed at Alena’s story. “Thanks for telling us,” Barbara added.

Alena blushed a little. “You’re welcome. I’m adjusting, but not as fast as some people would like.” She shot her sister a glance.

“You’re doing fine, Sis. I’m only impossible because I love you.” Alison grinned.

After Iris paid the check they all headed for the stores. “Let’s get you dressed from the inside out.” Iris stated and steered them to Victoria’s Secret. She whispered in Barbara’s ear, “You’ve been buying stuff for me from here for years. Now I want the chance to do the same and deck you out in things I want to see on you.”

“Okay, you deserve it,” Barbara kissed her causing a few stares but nothing more.

Alena looked around the store in shock; in fact, she looked a little pale. She turned around and headed for the exit, only to be stopped by her sister. “Woah Al, calm down, it’s only clothes, they can’t hurt you.”

Alena actually made a whimpering noise, but stayed put.

Alison sighed. “Iris, I think I’m going to need your help with her. I really should have let Mom handle this.”

“Maybe you and Babs can sit this out? I’m sure I can buy for her and she can keep you company. You can come in with us another time.” Iris patter her on the shoulder. “You can’t force this Alison, if she needs time give it to her.”

“Yeah, ok. Sis, you stay with Babs, you can do ex-male bonding or whatever. As for me, I see some truly scandalous stuff I want to wear.” Ali walked over to Iris. “Plus I can’t wait to see what you have in mind for poor Barbara.” She grinned.

“Well then come on girl! We’ve got shopping to do!” Iris linked arms with her and they entered the VS store.

Alena sat down outside. “I don’t know why it bothers me so much. I guess this might sound weird, but I’m actually happier this way.” She looked to Barbara.

“Well I’m not sure I’m happier but at least I’m not unhappy. Unless I’m still in shock, which is actually fairly likely. Ask me again in a month or two,” Barbara grinned back.

Alena smiled. “Thanks for at least listening. I have people I can talk to about this, but...it’s hard for me to open up.”

Inside the store Iris whispered to Alison that she was found of the way Babs tended to poke through shirts. “So even though it feels naughty I’m not going to buy her any bras. She doesn’t need them for support and if she wants to buy them them to err keep from showing through she can do that herself.” She giggled and winked, “Since they are being chicken and sitting this one out I think we should be allowed to indulge our whims a little. Don’t you?”

“Oh definitely. Although I kind of disagree about the bras. Something molded to make her look a little bigger, at least when you want to show her off, or she does the costume thing. But she’s your girl, so...” Ali grinned. “Personally, I’d love to get Alena into something naughty, but she’d faint dead away. Poor deprived child.”

“Well if we find something that supports while not covering...” she blushed. “I can’t believe I’m saying that. Perhaps I should just get normal things.”

“Bite your tongue, Iris! You’re a woman after my own heart, you shouldn’t deny yourself; I can tell you’re really attracted to Babs...not saying you weren’t before, but you can barely keep your eyes off her now. So you might as well get her to look her best. Besides, you have to keep chipping away at her shell; being an attractive young woman is scary for her, and if you don’t keep pushing her, God knows what she’d end up wearing. Baggy shirts and sweatpants or something.” Alison paused. “But..don’t push too hard. I think I went too fast with Alena, and that bothers me. I hope Mom can undo the damage; I care about her, and seeing her paralyzed at the thought of wearing a bikini...” She sighed. “Maybe I shouldn’t be giving anyone advice, I suck at this.”

Iris hugged her, “No, you are good at this. You’re advice has been good so far and recognizing where you made your mistakes is a sign of healthy judgement. If she’s having a crisis I’ll do my best to help. We’re all in this together right?”

“Thanks Iris. You’re the best. You sure we’re not related somehow?” Ali smiled.

“I don’t know but you’re family anyway now.” She hugs Alison again, “Now lets get shopping!”

Iris went and found a set of lacy black panties, “What do you think? Would these look good on Barbara?”

“Barb? Hell, those would look good on me!” Alison grabbed a pair. “Mom would kill me if she knew I was wearing them though.” She held the panties up against Iris. “I think Babs would appreciate these on you as well.”

“Oh, I already have a pair. Barry buys me a lot of stuff from here. Has for years,” She smiled.

“Wait. He buys for you? So he actually knows what to get? Why the heck can’t he buy for himself then?”

“Well he knows what he likes and trial and error got him to the right sizes. But I usually buy his clothes anyway as well as my outerwear since I have better taste and he knows it.” She pauses then continues, “I think he may have bowed out because Alena did, to keep her company. Or maybe because buying sexy stuff for your wife is different than buying it because you need it.” Iris then pointed over to the next table, “Ooh, I see something that should keep the boys off you and still look sexy.” She reaches over to the next table and holds up a lavender pair that have a black skull above crossed bones. “This will make a definite statement, “I’m hot but you can’t touch.” She smiled, “Perfect for you.”

“Please tell me you have a younger sister out there somewhere. Because I think I’m in love!” She fanned herself, then snatched the lingerie in question.

“I do have a niece we call Wally. Her name is really Wilhelmina though. She hates it, of course.”

“Wilhelmina? That’s just cruel! What were her parents thinking!”

“I have no idea. I mean it was our grandmother’s name but it’s a bit obsolete these days.”

“Ya think?” Alison giggled. She picked up an aqua blue v-string. “Ooh, this is nice. And so soft!”

“Ooh! That is nice. Now maybe a few more thongs and maybe a garter belt,” Iris goes searching. She finds a black and red lace garter and some fishnets to with it but nothing is the right size for the very tall Babs. “I don’t suppose you’d wear these? I’m too hippy for them and Babs is too tall but it’s just too darling to let go to waste!”

“Oh those I’d have to save for a special occasion...but definitely!” She giggled. “I’m pretty easy to shop for.”

Shortly they are done and join the other two with bags in hand, “Okay, time for outerwear.”

The mall had pretensions to be upscale so it had a Nieman Marcus instead of Macy's. Barbara’s eyes bugged out when she saw the prices, “Good lord!”

“Well this is a pricey store but overall I think you’ll find that women’s clothes cost more than men’s even if for essentially the same thing.” Iris said then held up a pair of jeans, “Oooh, ultra low rise jeans, you just have to try these on.”

“If you say so dear but I need normal clothes too,” she said as she headed for the changing room. “Professional looking slacks and button down shir, er blouses. Maybe a jacket with patches at the elbows like the professors used to wear at college.”

“Can you believe your ears?” Iris said to Alison.

“I feel sorry for you, you’re going to have to teach her from scratch. No fashion sense whatsoever.

Still, it could be worse, take Alena for example...”“What’s that supposed to mean?!” Alena frowned.

Sadly, the only reply was laughing and giggling from the other two females.

Barbara shared a long suffering look with Alena and went to go try on the clothes.

Eventually the ordeal was over and with much mutual hugging Alena and Alison droped the other two off at home.