Terri's Vengeance Chapter 1 By Stanman63 Edited By Nora Adrienne Synopsis: Terry was a loving father until a drunkard took away his family. In his quest for justice and revenge, Terry rediscovers a secret dream that leads him into a new life and love.

---

I stood in front of the headstone with tears filling my eyes, remembering my family, now torn from me. Now, all that I had left was an empty house, and a broken heart. It all started when my family and I were at the theater. We'd gone to see my wife Joan play her violin for the County Symphony Orchestra. Amy Collins, a local Gospel Singing Artist had collaborated with the orchestra to perform the music for her new album, and she had decided to give a series of free concerts to raise money for charity.

It was the final concert at the Civic Center, and Joan looked splendid in her red gown and white hose. Maggie, our five year old daughter looked cute in her copy of Joana's gown. Me, I was wearing my black tuxedo. We were going to head for Sephrena's Bistro to celebrate, until tragedy struck. I had parked our black Lincoln Continental, and was going around to open the doors for my family, when a black Hummer crashed into our car, collapsing the roof upon my family.

The damned Hummer pulled away, and sped off, only to be stopped by the Police. Unfortunately, the impact threw me against the building wall, knocking me out. When I came to, I was sitting in an ambulance. The paramedic was taking my vitals. When she saw that I was awake, she passed me a cup with a pill in it, and a soda, "Here, this will keep your headache at bay until we get you to the hospital."

I took the proffered pill, and soda with a grateful smile. She looked way too young with her blond hair in pigtails, and a pimple on her mahogany skin. "Thanks, Ma'am. My name is Terry. What about my family?"

She smiled sadly, " My name is Karen, and you're welcome, Sir. Your family are in other ambulances."

"May I go see them?"

"Well, you do have a mild concussion, but I guess that you can," she replied as she gently helped me out of the ambulance.

Outside, I saw the car, totaled. The passenger side was crushed inward. off to the side, I saw the Hummer. Its body was barely scratched by its encounter with my car. Around the Hummer was two squad cars, and a most definitely drunk man about my age was being led to a paddy wagon. I saw one officer come to me. He was a tall, Native American. He could easily play Tonto in any Lone Ranger movie. I saw that his name was Running Bear, " Greetings, Sir. I am Officer Paul. I need to ask you a few questions about the incident, please."

Officer Running Bear, we had parked to go into the bistro, when we were hit by that Hummer. I had gotten out to escort my family in, or I'd have been in the car too."

He looked at his report, "That jibes with every other report. Thank you, Sir," he said as he held out his hand.

I shook it, "Sir, will the driver be brought up on charges?"

"Off the record, yes. His alcohol count is too high. He is intoxicated."

"Thank you." I headed over to the ambulances, and saw Maggie, she was covered up to her neck with a sheet that was covered with her blood. My Heart broke when I saw her all weak and helpless. She wanted to be a ballerina, and constantly wore her leotard and tights at home, and for practice. Now, it looked as if she'd not be dancing for awhile.

She looked at me, "Daddy! I hurt!"

I motioned for a paramedic to attend her, "Maggie, the doctor will give you something for the pain," I said as I caressed her cheek.

"That's alright, Daddy. I see a Light. It's Jesus, calling me Home."

"Please, Maggie, don't go!"

"I'm sorry, Daddy. But Jesus is Calling me. Bye Daddy," with that, I saw her breathe her last.

Pastor Sandy Franks placed her hand on my shoulder, "Be glad that you got to say 'Good-Bye' to her, Terry."

I looked at her with tears in my eyes, " I know Sandy, but why did she die?"

""I don't know, Terry. Only God knows. Are you mad at Him?"

I sighed, No, not really. I went through this before when my parents died. I will Trust Him."

"Good, let's go and see about Joan."

When we arrived at her ambulance, it was obvious that she was in as bad a shape as Maggie. I sat by her and took her hand as Sandy sat by me, praying. My Faith was low at the time, but I knew that Joan's was strong, so I relied on hers. I simply looked at her as she slept, thanks to the drugs administered. I waited for the drugs to wear off, so that they could help heal her. When she finally awakened, my Heart finally died within me.

She smiled at me, "Hello, Tiger. How's our daughter, Maggie?"

I wiped tears from my eyes, "She is with the Lord, now."

"Terry, the pain is too much. My body is broken. I am sorry, But I'm being Called Home, to Heaven,' she sighed.

"PLEASE! DON'T LEAVE ME! I AM ALL ALONE!" I pleaded.

But she had breathed her last. When she died, my Soul went dark with despair. Pastor Sandy had to escort me to my ambulance so that they could take us to the hospital. I was met at the hospital by my twin sister Kerri. We were both the same size, only her breasts and hips were different. Growing up, we had often worn each other's clothes, even in high school. There, I'd dress as her whenever a date was getting fresh. Finding out that they were with me cooled their ardor, my Black Belts in Karate, and Judo made me quite dangerous. I had taught Kerry some basic moves, but she did not really have the commitment to do more than stall any amorous date.

Now, I was the one in need, I was a zombie, unresponsive to any stimuli. I knew that people were around me, but my despair kept me from acknowledging anything, or anyone. Kerry was my link to reality, she had been my anchor when our parents died when some thugs had accosted them outside of the theater. I went after them, and executed them, using my Martial Arts skills. After that, it took Kerry's undying Love to bring me back to reality. As for the thugs, the Coroner ruled their deaths as 'Natural Causes'. I am that good at it.

Kerry approached me in the hospital's Trauma Center. Her Courtney Cox good looks did little to hide her distress, "Hey, Bro! It's me, your sister, Kerry. I'm here to take you home."

Her voice broke through,, and I saw her bending over me. Her raven dark hair, framed her angelic face. As I looked into her eyes, I remembered the nightmare reality, and began to cry. My tears of mourning released the bitter dregs o despair, and I started to live again. But now I had no Family. I had no reason to live. It took Kerry to give me Purpose, again.

"Oh, Kerry, Joan, and Maggie are dead! What will I do?"

She placed her hand on mine, "Bury your Family. Then come and live with Lester, and me." ['Terry needs to find Peace. Will he seek out that driver? I know that he murdered the thugs that killed our parents in cold blood. Will he seek revenge? Or will he turn away from vengeance?']

"What about your twins? Will Mary, and Murray want me there?"

Kerry got good and mad, "NOW, LISTEN HERE, TERRY, EMANUEL, SCOTT! I WOULD NEVER ASK YOU TO STAY WITH US IF WE DID NOT WISH FOR YOU TO STAY!! YOU GOT THAT?!" she whispered with power.

I am sorry, Sis. After the tragedy, I need the assurance that I am wanted," I sighed. ['How can I go on living without my family?']

She took me to her place on the lake. Kerry and Lester had rebuilt the abandoned Lake Shore Fun Academy. It was a warehouse converted over to a gymnasium, but the owners defaulted on the loan, forcing the bank to foreclose. Lester had paid off the back taxes and now owned some prime lake shore property. They sold the gym equipment, and made a spacious home for them in the offices, and turned the warehouse into a combination, cafe, store, and motel. Their rooftop condo was a beautiful home with a spacious play area for the children.

As we approached her home, I saw Lester, and the twins playing in the lake. When they saw us pull up, the twins ran to the passenger door, and swarmed me when I opened it. Their innocent Love was a Balm upon my wounded Heart. I felt the stirrings of my Heart's need to bask in their attention, and start to warm up from the Winter of my despair.

Murray hugged my neck, "Love ya' , Unca Kerry! Wanna sleep with me?"

"Hey! No fair, Bro! I wanna ask, too," Mary pouted.

I sighed, "OK, Sport, I'll sleep with you tonight, and your sister, tomorrow night."

"YIPPEE!" they shouted as they swarmed over to Kerry.

She cheerfully gathered her troops and went to the kitchen to put the final touches on dinner. Lester had prepared a pork roast with trimmings while Kerry went to get me. He cooked and cleaned on the weekend to give Kerry a break. According to him, it was his way to unwind from being a teacher at Central High School. His wife graded the papers for him. She had retired from teaching to raise the twins. They had inherited his parent's estate when they died in his freshman year in college. He only worked because he loved kids.

As I closed the car door, Lester hugged me, "I heard about your family, Terry. I grieve with you," he sighed.

I smiled at him, "Thanks, Les. I needed to hear that."

"Well, you know the proverb, don't you?"

"Which one?"

"Happiness shared is doubled, joy shared is halved."

"Frankly, I hope that that proverb is true, because all that I feel now is sorrow."

"I hope so, too, my brother."

We went inside where I basked in the Love of my extended family. The antics of the twins lifted away my clouds of gloom, and I was able to remember Maggie again without despairing. I knew that she was in Heaven with Joan., but my Faith was extremely low. II was questioning God about why He let them die. Why did He not heal them? Why must I endure such misery? I had taken many classes at Divinity University to become a Youth Pastor with a minor in Music. I love music, and kids. That was why losing Maggie was so hard. Joan couldn't have children after Maggie was born. She had endured sexual abuse that had scarred her womb. only the advent of experimental drugs let her conceive and give birth at the cost of her ovaries. Now, because of that drunkard, I was alone, alone, yet loved. With the love of my sister's family, I would recover.

As we were settling down to watch a Disney movie, the twins snuggled up to me, one on each side. Mary on my left, Murray on my right. They were wearing their pajamas [Mary wearing a Tinkerbell night shirt and matching panty, Murray wearing the Peter Pan version for boys]. We had popcorn, and Kool-Aid as it was too late for soda's fizz for them.

Mary sighed, "Too bad Maggie's not here, Unca Terry."

"Yeah, I miss her too," sighed Murray.

"I do too, kids. But I believe that she is in Heaven with her mother." ['These kids openness is helping me to cope with the loss, but there is still the funeral, and aftermath to come.']

"Do you know why God took her to Heaven?"

"He took her so that she wouldn't hurt, anymore, Mary."

"But doesn't God know that you miss her?"

"He does, Murray, but He wanted to help her too, Murray."

Oh," the kids chorused.

"Kids?"

"Yes, Unca Terry?" They asked in unison.

"Please, I know that you miss your Auntie Joan, and Cousin Maggie, but it still hurts me to talk about them," I sighed wearily.

They hugged me close, "We're sorry, Unce Terry!"

II patted their bottoms, "That's OK, you two, you didn't know. Now, let's watch the movie."

...................................................

As we were watching the movie, Kerry, and Lester were discussing my needs.

"My brother is not ready for what's to happen, Les."

Les looked down, "I know, Dear. But what can we do to help?"

"Be there for him. His need for vengeance will combine with his secret desire to change him. I must be there, or he will succumb to anger, and die," she wept.

"You mean his desire to dress as you?" he asked as he held her.

"No, Love. It's much more than that," she sniffed.

"Whatever do you mean?"

"Now that his family is dead, he will want to become a woman."

"SAY WHAT?! TERRY A WOMAN?!"

"Yes, remember the first time that we met?"

"Yes, why?"

That was Terry."

Lester sat back as he thought about that meeting. It was at an ice rink. He saw a cute girl wearing a red skate dress lacing up her skates, so he went to help. She pecked him on the cheek for his trouble, and they skated away the night. She went to take a break, then returned after the first song ended. Somehow, when she returned, she was different.

"Now, I remember, he was wearing the skate dress for the first song, then you skated with me, thereafter," he chuckled.

She smiled, "Yes, he was looking out for me, then."

"Oh? Why?"

She caressed his cheek, "You had the reputation of being a scoundrel, and mistreating girls. When he danced with you, he saw what I see now, a gentle giant."

"I am glad that he did it. It's my cousin, Robby that's the scoundrel. We are mistaken as twins, all too often."

"Isn't he a prison guard?"

"Yes, at the County Prison."

"She giggled, "Good news then, Les."

"Oh?"

"Robby shaves his head."

"Good, then I'll keep my locks, and grow a 'Van Dyke' beard."

"I like that, Lover."

They went up to bed to consummate their love, leaving me, and the twins to sleep on the sofa.

;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;

Days later, we had the funeral. It was a bleak, cloudy day. I stood before the marble gravestones, watching as the evergreen trees surrounding the cemetery swayed with the wind as the pecan tree that stood watch, filtered the sporadic wind, and dropped leaves and pecans. Up in the tree, I heard a chirp, and a cardinal landed on the gravestone. It looked at me with seemingly warm eyes as I stood there, as if it was waiting for me to say something. Finally, I was ready.

"Joan, Maggie, I know that you are in Heaven, but I have lost my Faith in God. I have no purpose right now, my Loves, and I need one. Joan, I made a vow with you to stay away from strong drink, but I may slip in my vow. I am a ship, without a sail. Please understand, because I can't. I know that there is something that I must do, but what? Maggie, you were my Princess. Now, you are God's Princess. I will return when I know what the future holds for me."

After I finished, the cardinal was joined by blue jay. Together, they bowed, as if to say that my family had heard, then they took wing, and a snow white dove, a white cat, and a bunny arrived. I knew that they were there, representing God. He was giving me an Audience. I felt strangely at peace.

"Lord, I thank You for taking my family away from their misery. But I am also angry at You. Angry that You did not heal them. I know not why You have done this, but I know that there is a reason. Please, my Lord, I need to know the reason."

The three Representatives bowed, as if telling me I had done the right thing, and that it was alright to find a way to have a life beyond the anger and immense sorrow I felt. That night, I had a dream where my need for an answer was met. Best of all, my family was there, too. They were dressed in white gown, and hose, and sandals. All of their hurts were gone. I saw them both, sitting on swings attached to an oak tree, waiting for me to sit in a vacant swing.

"Hello, Terry, Welcome to Heaven."

I hugged her, "Hello, indeed."

"I Love you Daddy."

I hugged Maggie, "I Love you too, Sweetheart."

"Please don't be mad at God, Daddy. He brought me and Mommy Home."

I sighed, I know that, Princess, but why He did it, I need to know."

I saw a man, dressed in white, with a hole in His hands, and a network of scars on His forehead. He radiated gentle warmth, and Love, Accepting me, faults and all, Under His gaze, I felt my doubts wither away as my soul drank in His Love. As I looked with Wonder at Him, He smiled, Terry, my Son, I am here to answer your questions."

As He gestured for me to sit, I sat, and He pushed me as I asked, "Lord, why did You not heal my family? I Love them. Without them, I am empty," I sighed.

"You have a destiny ahead of you to fulfill, or to live a life of despair and regret."

"What is this destiny?"

"If you seek Justice for your family, you will find your destiny."

"You mean that the man who killed my family does not pay?"

"He pays, but stays free."

"And my family suffered for nothing," I wept.

"It is up to you to stop him before he kills again."

"How do I stop him?"

"The choice is yours, but be ready to do what you must. There are others ready to help you right that wrong."

[][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][]

I awoke, ready to face him in court. Physically, I was sound, except for a few bruises, but not mentally. According to the psychiatrist, I was clinically depressed from my loss. Even after my dream, I continued to be glum. It was only when I was with the twins that I was anywhere near normal. Even then, I constantly focused on my loss. It was a month after the funeral that the case came to trial, and the verdict rekindled the flames of vengeance in my heart. Oh, he was found guilty of manslaughter, but due to 'incorrect' procedure, he walked.

He had a very slick attorney working for him, whose private investigator discovered the fact that the cop that arrested him neglected to obtain a search warrant to search his car's glove compartment. Because of that, the evidence of the bastard's booze was thrown out, and the breathalyzer was faulty too. As I sat in the judge’s chamber, I looked at a sorrowful grandfatherly type. I could easily see him as Santa Claus, laughing merrily.

"Your Honor, why did you ask me to come here?"

He cleared his throat, "I have bad news about the case, Mister Naut. I am sorry."

"What about the case?"

"I am sorry, Mister Naut, but due to inadmissible evidence, I must dismiss this case."

I stood up, "WHAT!?"

"Please sit down, Sir. I am appalled that I can do nothing else."

I sat down, defeated, "What went wrong?"

He sighed, "Due to a seldom used rule, the evidence gathered at the scene of the crime is forfeit."

"Why?"

"No search warrant."

"What? I never heard about that stupidity!"

"It was enacted when a visiting diplomat from Russia was caught with some porn in the limo that he was riding in."

I laughed hysterically as my Heart finally died within me. In that hour, I became an automaton of vengeance, awaiting the code before I acted. During this time, the judge called my sister, and Lester in and they looked on in shock at seeing my laughing and tears. When I was finally exhausted, Lester placed his hand on my shoulder.

"Judge Payne told us about the case, Brother. You have every right to go a bit crazy."

I looked over at him and spat, '"Right!? Right!? What of Joan's right to live!? What of Maggie's right to become a mother!? That bastard took them away!!!"

Kerry knelt before me, "Terry, even though the criminal case is dead, your civil case is not affected. The evidence is still valid."

I sighed, "Very well then, I will sue that bastard for all that he is worth."

{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}

Before my civil case went to trial, I went to the grave site to speak to my departed family. Although my Heart was cold within me, the fire of justice had ignited my soul with renewed purpose. This time it was raining, as if Nature herself was grieving with me. I got out of the cab provided for me by Kerry as I was still unable to drive. I got out of the cab with an umbrella, and two bouquets of roses. I placed them in the vases on the headstones, then the cardinal and blue jay alighted and looked at me.

"Hello, come to see me again, I see." I sighed.

They started to chirp, then drank out of the vases until a branch fell behind me.

"Go ahead, Joan and Maggie loved birds."

They chirped as I said their names.

"Joan?"

The cardinal chirped.

"Maggie?"

The blue jay chirped.

"Are you here?"

No response.

"Are you here to look after the graves?"

They both chirped.

I held out my hand, "Joan?"

The cardinal landed on my open palm.

I gently petted the bird, and gave it a piece of bread, saved for it, "Thank you for looking after my wife, Cardinal. Joan loved the color red."

The cardinal chirped, and flew back to the blue jay.

"Maggie?"

The blue jay landed on my open palm.

I repeated what I did with the cardinal, thanking the bird for looking after Maggie. Then when it flew back, I cleared my throat and spoke to the graves.

"Joan, Maggie, I have bad news. The drunkard that took your lives escaped prosecution. But my civil case has yet to come to trial. Now, I have a new purpose, to see him pay for his actions. Normally, I am not a vengeful man, but his actions demand that I do what I can to bring him to Justice. But I need both of you with me in Spirit, so that I do not succumb to my despair. I am afraid to go on living without you, but I must. The Lord said that I would find a new purpose in Life. I need help to find it. I Love you both, but I must move on with my life. You will always be in my Heart."

The birds landed on my shoulders and kissed me, then flew off and landed on the respective tombstones. Then they flew up into the branches of the tree. I cried as I pondered the meaning of what happened. I had been given permission to do what I must. Now, I could attend to the court case with an open Heart. Before, I was afraid that I would be denied my chance by my family. Joan was a pacifist, and only believed in self defense. What I was contemplating was an attack upon my enemy. Once the verdict was in, I would be able to live, or seek vengeance.

\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\r

During my civil case, I saw a man who believed that he was above the Law. Antonio Vincent Delano wore an expensive silk suit with leather shoes. His attorney, Arnold Brubaker wore a similar suit. He was a Harvard Law Graduate, and flaunted that fact in order to intimidate the opposing attorney and client. For all of his bluster, he was not all that impressive. He was more of a showman than an attorney, and my attorney knew it too.

My attorney, Frances Bell wore a red skirt suit, with white hose and red heels. She was very feminine, yet professional. She did not look like a slut at all. I chose her because we were Alumni from City College where she earned her degree in Civil Law, and continued into Corporate, and Medical Malpractice. She wanted to emulate her dad, Nathan Bell, who had become a Supreme Court Judge for the city.

Judge Al Watson was a man who was tiring of the corruption in the city. He had sentenced many a felon to prison, only to have them freed on some technicality. He knew that someone was bribing the warden and others, but was never able to prove it. With this case, he hoped to see some justice done, but knew that it wouldn't do much to stop the rising crime rate. He knew that there was a powerful figure behind it all, because certain areas were relatively untouched.

During the trial, Delano proved to be a bully who tended to intimidate and put down others. The final straw was when he questioned the integrity of the cops attending the scene of the accident.

"Mister Brubaker, you know good and well that the attending police officers were doing their duty. The only one there who was suspended was for medical reasons. SHE is pregnant. How dare you impugn her character!!"

He cleared his throat, "I apologise, your Honor."

"And furthermore, the evidence that YOU so conveniently question was made inadmissible due to a ruling used to protect diplomats. YOUR manipulation and abuse of the evidence has placed you on the list for license review"

"I apologise, Your Honor."

"Any more misconduct, and your client will pay with half of his estate, and you will be fined $10,000. Now, continue."

During the rest of the trial, Delano was hard put to refrain from his usual theatrics. He saw that Judge Watson was not a part of the 'Program', and would not allow him any leeway as he was use too. Members of the 'Program' were court officials who were paid to further the agenda of their benefactor. Very few knew who it was. All that they knew was that those on the 'Program' were safe from most crime as most of the crime was conducted by others under the command of the benefactor.

In the end, I was awarded $10,000,000 for my pain and suffering. What appalled me was the fact that Delano simply wrote out a personal check for the entire amount with a simple shrug. As if such an amount was a drop in the bucket. That and having his license suspended were what he paid, but it was an empty victory for me. I was still all alone. Even though I still had Kerry, and her family, it was not enough.

After the trial, I returned to my empty home and became a recluse. For nearly a year, I did nothing but drink myself into oblivion. I hired a maid to care for the house and the yard. She was a teen mother, needing a place to stay with her love child. Sandy Franklin had been kicked out by her parents for running away, and getting knocked up. When I took her in, she was a frightened child, beaten and scared. She fully expected me to force sex upon her. When she entered my home, wearing a top, matching shorts, hose, and sandals
I saw a child, needing love.

She sat down with her baby, "Sir, are you sure that you want to have us live here?"

"I am sure, Miss?"

"Sandy Franks, and this is my boy, Randy."

I held out my hand, "Welcome too my humble home, Sandy and Randy."

"When do you want me in bed, Sir?"

"Whatever do you mean?"

"Sex."

I sat by her, "Sandy, did you wear that to display your body?"

"Yes."

"Do you like wearing such clothes?"

Yes, why?"

"You will NOT be asked for sexual favors."

"I WON'T?"

"No, all that you will be doing is taking care of the place. Come, let me show you YOUR room."

When she saw her room, she cried. After I had led her to her bed, and placed Randy in his crib, she hugged me, drenching my shirt with her tears, " Oh, [sob] I messed up, [sniff, sniff] didn't I?"

"That's OK, Sandy. Want to tell me why you expected me to want sex with you?"

"My step-father used to rape me when I started to develop. That's why I ran away from home. Out on the streets, I sold my body for a place to stay. In time, I developed a list of clients who had me wear costumes for them. Eventually, I conceived and gave birth to Randy. Ever since then, sex has been a part of my life," she sighed.

I smiled, "OK, then. Here is the deal, you can wear your costumes, and flirt with me like I am your uncle. But you will attend school, and do your chores. In return, I will send you to college."

Sandy became a balm upon my Heart as she moved in and became a surrogate Joan. I never touched her. And she went on to become a nurse and married a doctor. But my Life stayed dark. For all of Sand's help, I was a zombie until my Heart's fire was ignites, causing events to transpire that would change the city.

---

To Be Continued...

Terri's Vengeance Chapter 2 By Stanman63 Edited By Nora Adrienne Synopsis: As Terry continues upon his Mission of Vengeance, he discovers that others have been wronged by his mortal enemy, Delano. Terry's Heart breaks, and he finds that he has become something more than a Vigilante, he has become a Light of Hope as well.

---

The house felt empty with my family gone, yet their ghosts were still vivid in my memory, a silent reminder of the Love that we shared. But my anger turned it into a hammer upon my psyche as I sat and looked at the pictures of my wife and daughter hanging on the wall. Sandy and her baby were at Camp Sequoia, where other teen moms went to learn how to care for their child, and learn domestic and marketable skills. There were several local companies willing to sponsor a teen mom and provide a nursery for the children of all employees as it was cheaper than employing those without children.

There I was, sitting in my lounge chair with a bottle of Ancient Age bourbon in an ice bucket keeping it chilled. I was deliberately getting drunk and trying to kill myself with booze when my brother-in-law Lester walked in He went throughout the house, shutting everything down, then he stood in front of me, blocking my view of the TV.

"You're blocking the TV, out of the way," I slurred as I saw him.

He turned off the TV, and knelt in front of me, "Terry, look at yourself my Brother. You are a mess! Do you think that Joan or Maggie would approve?" he asked as he stood up.

I looked up and the reality of my despair hit me then. With Sandy and Randy here, I had a reason to live. Now, I was despairing with them away. I had been using them to replace my family in my Heart, but in the end, despair was my lot because I could never love another woman as I had Joan. After crying I put the cap on the bourbon, and retched into a nearby bucket. When I was through, he handed me a glass of water and vitamins, as well as wiping my face with a cool rag.

I cleared my throat, "No, Lester, they'd be appalled at me. But I have no reason to live now," I sighed.

"What about Sandy and Randy? Don't you like them?" [He has shown some attachment to them, is it too much?']

"I do, Brother, but I can never Love her as much as I Love Joan. In the end, I will lose her."

He stood me up and pointed out the window where I saw my niece and nephew playing with Kerry, "THAT'S a reason to live. Kerry and the kids adore you. And we've been Best Friends ever since Central Junior High School where we were the star athletes and Joan and Kerry were on the Dance Team. How can I ever let you waste away?"

Looking at them, my Heart began to beat again as the shackles of grief and despair loosened under the Light of Love. I saw then that I was not letting my Heart feel anymore, because I feared to be hurt again I sighed, "Sorry, Brother. But I let my despair rule me. Do you need a babysitter?"

He laughed, "Not in your condition. Let's lock up and I will take you to the 'Y' so we can sweat the drunk out of you."

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

We went to the Y.M.C.A. and spent the rest of the day working out. By dinner time, I was feeling human again and ready to try to live. Arriving at Lester's home, I saw that his family was dressed to eat out. Kerry and Mary wore a red dress, sandals, and tan hose while Murray and Lester wore jeans, loafers, and a polo shirt, like I was. As I approached my sister, she grinned like the Cheshire Cat. Are you feeling better, Brother?' she asked, impishly.

I blipped her on the nose, knowing that she hated to have her pug nose touched, "Now I am, after blipping you," I chuckled.

Kerry let out a shriek of mock fury, "Blip me will you!" she giggled as she chased me off the front porch and into the yard where I finally sat on the swing erected on the Veranda. This is where we had always gone to when we had a problem. It was here that Kerry told me about Lester's marriage proposal. It was here that the wedding took place. It was here that I mourned our parents’ death. It was here that I proposed to Joan. The Veranda was our special place where we made life's most important decisions.

Originally, the Veranda and house were our parents home. Kerry and I grew up here. Originally, our parents built it after Daddy had served his stint as a Navy pilot for America. He was a Viet Nam War veteran, and used his G.I. Bill and savings along with Mom's nest egg to build their Dream House, and open his business as a mechanic. Mom went on to become a teacher. Together, they taught Kerry and me all the skills that we would need in life. They made sure that Kerry went to the Girl Scouts I went to the Boy Scouts, and to Youth Camp, sponsored by Eastmont Methodist Church at Camp Sumatonga.

The skills learned from being a Scout, we shared with each other, and in Youth Camp, we came closer to God. It was then, that I learned the most about myself as I excelled in both domestic and athletic skills while Kerry excelled in the medical and animal husbandry skills. Oh, I earned my badges in First Aid, C.P.R. and merit badges related to farming, and forestry, but it was Kerry that earned a scholarship to become a nurse, while I became a mechanic.

When our parents made out their Will, we were not yet married, so they divided up the estate by giving the property to the first one to marry, all money to the other, and Dad's Auto Shop was deeded over to me while Kerry got Mom's very extensive cache of jewelry. All in all, it was an even split. They let us know about the Will, and we decided that 10% of the entire estate would be donated to the Church. Luckily, thanks to the way that the stocks and T-Bills were done, Kerry and I came out very well off, indeed.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

We loved each other, and had graduated from high school when our parents died. That was when I first despaired of life. I was all set to enter college when they died. I'd even got settled into the 'Dorm,' an apartment complex for those not interested in joining a fraternity. The Dorm had its very own gym and pool. In fact, it was the center for all non-fraternity activities.

I returned home on my bike, causing its engine to rev three times as was my custom. Kerry and Lester came out of the house, crying. Then I knew that the news was true. Mom or Dad would get sick, and our neighbor, John Bixby would all too often, exaggerate the news. He did it because he loved to tell tall tales, and being lonely, embellished anything. As a family, we'd adopted him as our 'Uncle' when his wife died of breast cancer. They had no children.

"Then it's true, they're dead," I sighed in resignation.

Lester helped me off my bike as I was too weak from despair. "Sorry, Brother. But they died from carbon monoxide poisoning."

I looked daggers at Kerry, "I THOUGHT THAT THAT PROBLEM WAS REPAIRED!"

As Lester guided me Harley into the garage, Kerry hogged me, "It was Terry, but birds built a nest over the intake."

I stroked her hair, "OK, Sis. We will handle it all, together," I sighed.

The goons had finaly beat the only man who'd stood up to them, I saw their 'calling card', a black rose tattoo under the wiper blades. I honored Dad, and did not seek them out in vengeance, he had 'friends' that took care of them, and ended their evil.

After the funeral, I went wild and started to go to Biker Bars and pick a fight with any biker or bikers ready to rumble. I was looking for death, I wanted to die. But my martial arts skills and training made that impossible. Soon I was left alone, after several gangs had rumbled with me. They could have shot me at any time, but I had impressed them with my fighting prowess. But Lester followed me that last time, and saw just what a jerk I had become. He saw me lay into a bunch of bikers for mistreating a woman who looked like Joan, and that’s when I found myself, again. He got me home, and full of extra strong coffee.

"Terry, I saw you at the bar, last night. Do you do that every night?"

"Yes, I do. Why?"

"Is there a Joan look alike at every bar?"

I pondered his question, "Yes, every bar," I sighed..

"Why are you protecting Joan?"

I looked him in the eye, and saw understanding, "I hurt Joan just as I left, and am afraid that she had left me, Les," I cried bitter tears of mourning.

He waited patiently as I cried myself out, then he handed me a napkin to dry my tears, "Brother, I called her, she is still in Love with you. So, whatever you did, it can't be THAT bad," he admonished me.

"I betrayed her, Les. I broke a promise to her!"

"She told me about your being there for her when she is having her monthly. How do you luck into girls treating you like a girl? Any man would love to cuddle a woman."

I blushed, "Just lucky, I guess." ['Do I tell him that I used to dress as Kerry?']

He smirked, "Yeah, lucky that you used to be my wife's doppelganger when she needed a double," he chuckled as he saw my astonishment.

['So, SHE told him.'] "What all did she tell you?"

"That you basically hold her, and cuddle her during the worst of her monthly. Her mother did it until she died. Now, she trusts you after you defended her honor."

I stammered a bit, then answered, "Any gentleman would when a cad says that she was putting out for him. When Scot said that, I confronted him and forced him to recant when I told him that what he was doing was sexual harassment."

He slapped me on the shoulder in affection, "Terry, my man. That's why she Loves you! After that, she found in you, the man of her dreams."

"So, you say that I should call her?"

He got out his cell phone, "No need, here she is," he smirked as I saw that he had speed dialed her.

I took the Phone, "Joan?"

"Hello, Love. Are you through bar hopping? Or do you want to kill yourself?' she wept.

Her weeping broke my heart, and freed it of the shackles of despair. Her tears cleansed away the dross of mourning, allowing my Heart to beat again. I cried myself to sleep as we bonded together. Our Souls became one in that mystical Union spoken of in Genesis. This Union reawakened my Heart's desires. Now, I wanted to make a Life with her. I had been dressing as Kerry on the weekends to see if I wanted to be Terri. I had met a few guys that I liked, but not enough to transition for, and I was not interested in a gay romance. If I was to be with a man, it would be as a woman.

Now, I had no qualms about any gays or lesbians, my family actively campaigned for the Trans-Club in Eastmont High School. In our school, there were several students that were transgendered, or had trans gendered parents or family members. Trans-Club was a club where all interested could safely meet. And thanks to the Bill's passing, a T=student could safely compete in sports. Kerry and Joan had a t-girl on the cheer team, and Les and I had one on the football team. Sally was a lesbian and Dean a t-girl. They married each other after graduation and now run the Trans Club.

I awoke, feeling refreshed. I had no hangover, in spite of the fact that I was drunk when I passed out. I was in my bed, wearing fresh pajamas and undies, I should know, I had messed my last pair up quite badly. Well, I knew of only one person that would do it, or should I say persons. Lester would have done it for me, as well as my sister. Lester and I were Best Friends growing up, and his cousin Joan was Kerry's Best Friend. I would trust no one else with my life than them, and they for me.

I saw a breakfast prepared for me, "Thanks" I called out as I tucked into a breakfast of: buttered biscuits, hash browns, scrambled eggs, sausage patties, and a mug of coffee.

Joan came in, "You're welcome, Tiger." she said as she sat by me on the bed with her breakfast.

I was speechless for a bit until Lester popped his head in, "She came down after we talked, yesterday."

I threw a balled up napkin at him, "And NEVER told me, Scoundrel," I laughed.

He smirked at me, "Cost of gas for Joan to travel $5.95, cost of the look on your face, priceless," he chortled as he went on.

I looked at her, "So, you came to get me, eh?"

She grinned, "Not only that, but also to see if you still Love me. From what Les told me, you do."

As I looked at her hosed legs and the negligee she wore, I started to get excited. She had deliberately worn the hose under the panty, and the negligee was form fitting, like a skirted leotard, "Damn it Joan, I NEVER stopped Loving you! Now here you are, wearing just the thing to get me to ravish you! Are you saying that you're wanting me?"

She giggled, "No, Love. This is my way of spanking you for being a cad. I forgave you for leaving me when I needed you, still do, but I am still a bit miffed at you."

I shook my head, "OK, my Rose. I can't fault you for that. But breakfast in bed, is there a message here?"

She blushed, "Yes, there is."

"Joan, let's finish breakfast, then I will propose to you, on the Veranda."

That's what we did. We were later married there, on the Veranda, and since Lester and Kerry had the Lake House, Joan and I got the estate. But because of the Will's stipulation, the estate stayed in Kerry's name. We lived there, keeping the property in good repair as our rent. Oh, the attorneys knew about our arrangement, but since neither of us wanted to complain, they let it slide. They knew that Judge Whittaker would have trounced them for causing mischief.

==============================================================

I took the kids to East Lake the next day to go skating. The city had decided to turn the old Lake Side Warehouse Complex into the East Side Community Center. It had a basketball court, with a swimming pool underneath, an ice rink with bowling alley beneath, and an indoor football field and three indoor softball fields. The parking deck was free admission so that the attendees could spend their money on concessions, which along with team sign up fees paid for everything. The Center raked in more funds than were needed by the Center, so all profits went to help support the Mission House.

The twins had just finished skating when I saw my enemy enter. He was escorting a woman dressed in a tan skate dress, like Mary was. Murray wore a male's tan skate suit. When I saw my enemy, Delano, my heart went cold with a fury that would not be quenched. I became an automaton of vengeance whose ultimate goal was his death. Thanks to my martial arts training, I could easily kill him, the only question was how.

He had no guilt or shame over what he'd done to me, I heard him bragging about how he had escaped criminal prosecution thanks to some help. He even joked about the fine that he paid off. There he was, making light about that which had destroyed my world. I could have easily have killed him, then. But my niece and nephew would suffer. When they came out of the locker rooms, I took them back to my sister's place and waited for her to return from her trip.

I sat on the sofa with Mary while Murray napped. They'd stayed in their skate outfits so that Kerry could take their picture. Looking at Mary in her dress and hose, I began to remember how nice it felt to wear such things. When I dressed as my sister, years ago I found that I wanted to be here. But then Joan entered my life, and I gave up that Dream as our Love grew into a marriage made in Heaven. For years, I had forgotten that Dream, but seeing little Mary in her skate dress brought me to the realization of my need to finally fulfill my Dream.

But how I did it and sought vengeance was yet to be determined. So, I placed such thoughts deep inside as I smiled at the twins. They were so much like me and Kerry. Pictures of us as kids were indistinguishable from those of her children. I let the memories of our childhood run free. We wore school uniforms due to a dress code. We were to dress in the school colors of red and blue with gray, black, and white as neutral colors. During the warm months, I wore shorts and a matching polo shirt with sandals, while Kerry wore a dress, skirt, skort, or shorts and a polo shirt with matching hose. She has a tendency to burn, not tan, so hose takes care of her legs.

I took the kids home and gathered my few belongings to head back home when Les entered the room, "Are you leaving us?"

"Yes, I need to get my life back on track,, and getting the place cleaned up before Sandy gets back this weekend will help," I grinned.

"Are you sure that's the reason?"

I stopped packing, "What do you mean?"

He placed his arm around me, "I was there when 'he' showed up near the rink. I saw your face as you saw him, Bro. I know how much you need closure. Please don't do anything foolish."

I took his arm in a handshake, "Don't worry, Brother Mine. I am NOT going to start drinking again."

He saw the truth of my statement, yet he also saw my hunger for justice. He knew that I would do something about Delano, something violent. Yet, he knew that I had to do something or I would hurt my sister by committing suicide in my despair. Before, when our parents died, I drank myself into the hospital with alcohol poisoning. Only Kerry's prompt actions prevented my death at that time. Now I took pills to keep my liver functioning, without it, my liver would shut down. I played Russian Roulette with my liver by drinking so much, But, so far, my liver stayed whole.

====================================================================

The cool, air conditioned air drifted across me, cooling my body as I dreamed of my revenge. In all of them, I was a woman, yet there was a shadowy figure there that beckoned me to come to him. I could never see him, yet I seemed to know him. As if he was from my past. But I knew of no man that fancied me. Who would? I had in the past dressed as Kerry, but she was my sister, and we never told a soul about our secret. If she told Les, that would be OK with me, he is my adopted brother, and I trust him, too.

I woke up, ready to start upon my mission of vengeance. I knew that I needed to scout out his weaknesses in order to do the most damage possible. Even though I could easily kill him, I wanted him to suffer as I was. My life was now empty of joy and happiness. Once I left him in despair, I would d gladly join Joan and Maggie in Heaven as I should have died with them. That was my goal. I had left my estate to Sandy, so that she could care for Randy. I also asked in my Will for Kerry to let her stay in the house, but that, thank God, NEVER came to pass.

I was raised to respect the Law, but that same Law had seen fit to pardon Delano. Now I obeyed a most ancient Law of my Hebrew Brothers. According to Mosaic Law, I was entitled to seek vengeance upon him. It mattered little that I was not an Israeli, I was much worse; a royally pissed off Red Neck Rebel from Alabama, NOBODY topped us for sheer cussedness when it came to feuding, and I intended for this feud to end soon. I was going to take out everybody in his family if I had to.

Being only 5'4" and only 100 pounds, I was no match for him in a bare knuckles fight, but with my martial arts skills, that was not a problem. In the competitions, I had beaten opponents that easily out weighed Delano. My only problem was deciding on how to hurt him. In the end, I found that I could not kill innocents in cold blood. No, I was vengeful, NOT an unfeeling monster, nor a monster that gloated over my misdeeds as he did. So, I chose instead to hurt him alone in a way that would not be traced back to me.

So I donned my Army shorts set and sneaker and rode my scooter to where he lived. I had looked it up on the internet, and knew that he was one of the most powerful men in the state. He had ties to every corrupt politician and businessman in the state. No wonder he could never be imprisoned, he had allies that could make his crime 'disappear' from any evidence locker. I knew that my attack would have to not only destroy him, but also make any retaliation against me unthinkable. I would use my hacking skills to prepare an identity for my vengeance, and an alibi to keep my family safe.

I finally arrived at his private park, and hid myself and the bike in the hedges. He had taken over the South Side Park when the Park failed to pay off its yearly mortgage to the bank, now he used it as his playground where he had miniature rides installed and a posh bistro, and a theatre for his guests. When he took over the park, he fired all of the employees and installed a chain link electric fence to keep everybody out. He was the most hated man in the city, and I would enjoy bringing him down.

As I waited for him to leave, I contemplated many a scenario of vengeance, and systematically, discarded most of them as impossible. I mean, where would I get the necessary equipment to turn him into Soylent Green? I did have a bit of fun using my imagination, though. And in doing that, I kept myself ready during the boring surveillance. Then my discipline finally paid off, and I was ready for action.

I saw him leave in a duplicate of the car that took my family. The original was totaled when it hit my car. He could easily afford a chauffeur, but preferred to drive himself, and he trusted nobody with his safety, which caused my loss. Then I saw a woman who looked like she wanted to die. There was no life in her movements, and her daughter looked as if she was scared of her own shadow. What could this monster have done to them? Now my Heart went out to them, I would help them if I could, because I knew that in helping them, I would hurt Delano.

The mother wore a red mini-dress and hose with spike heels. The hem of her dress barely covered her red bloomers, while her daughter's school uniform was barely legal. The white blouse accentuated her bust, and her bra made her breasts stand out. Her plaid skirt was at mid thigh, with a matching bloomer. Her tan hose, and knee hi socks made it look like she was wearing go go boots with her white loafers. Both women were made to make men drool with lust for them, and I saw exactly how to hurt Delano, now. The only question was if they wanted my help.

They got into a red Corvette Stingray and drove off. I followed easily, since they drove rather sedately to the daughter's high school. It was Eastmont High School, where only the richest or smartest went. Looking at the other girls, I saw that most of their skirt's hems were just above the knee, and only the daughter wore pantyhose. The other girls wore tights in the school colors of: red, white, or blue.

When the daughter got out of the car, she went over to some male students and they went over to a van and got in. From the way the van was moving, I knew that they were having sex. When her mother finally drove away, I eased into traffic a bit behind her. Luckily, she pulled into a gas station and I was able to place a tracer bug on her fender. I had them from when Maggie was born. We would put a tracer on Maggie to keep track of her on the playground, now it served a new purpose.

I returned to the school where I saw the daughter was out of the van and entering the gym where she was greeted by a male teacher who showed some concern for her by handing her a scarf to wipe her eyes as she cried on his shoulder. He was evidently not interested in a sexual relation with her, which pleased me. He could have easily coerced her into having sex, but like me, I was more interested in helping her. Plus, for me, sex was a true sharing of body and soul, not just the physical act.

I approached the teacher who was wearing a coach’s polo and red sweats. He was an older black man with graying hair who looked like a tall, lean Mr. T with his unique hair cut and jewelry. From the way that he carried himself, I could tell that he kept himself in shape. I could easily imagine him clearing a room of rowdy students by brawling, and gently caring for an infant child like Daddy did.

I held out my hand, "Greetings, Sir. My name is Terry White. I am worried about that young lady that just left, I saw her enter a van and have sex with some male students. Can you help?"

He shook my hand and sighed, "Thank you, Sir. I am Coach Brad Barton. That girl is Mandy Moody, she hates doing it, but can't stop. And I can do nothing to help, either," he sighed in resignation.

I saw a man, powerless to help, but wanting to end her misery, "Why? Is she addicted to sex?"

He motioned for me to enter his office, "Come to my office, and I will tell you everything."

"Coach, why are you trusting me?"

He looked at me with dead eyes whose light was rekindling, "I can see that you too want to end her terror. I can't, not without risking my family."

I put ma hand on his shoulder and squeezed, "OK, then. I understand. Me, I can do a lot to him. Now tell me about her."

"Mandy's step-father is Antonio Delano. He has been forcing her to have sex with any boy, or adult male ever since she became his step-daughter."

"But why? And why is nothing done about it?"

"Delano is the Godfather of the Syndicate here. Mandy and her mother were the wife and daughter of his business rival, Steven Moody."

"Of Moody Pharmaceuticals?"

"Yes, the same, but back then, Mandy was Manson, his son," he sighed.

I imitated a fish out of water, then I found my voice,"YOU MEAN TO TELL ME THAT, THAT YOUNG WOMAN WAS A BOY!?" I asked in a whisper.

"Yes, and the courts will not prosecute him."

"Why?"

"Her mother signed the papers, and two counselors said that she was ready for the operation."

"But, instead, Delano had everything forged. And poor Mandy is a reluctant teen whore, but why does she do it, Coach?"

"That bastard implanted a hypnotic compulsion that as long as she lives with him, she 'services' her clients."

"That's sick!! Why did her mother do it?"

"The poor woman is addicted to crack, Delano did it to her. Now, she has all that she wants since her son is now a daughter."

Then I had an insight into Delano's evil, "He did it to deprive his enemy of an heir. As a girl, she can not conceive, and by making her a sex fiend, he is breaking the spirit of the son with in the body."

He looked at me with hope in his eyes, "Do you think that you can do something?"

I smiled at him, "I believe so, and in doing so, have my revenge, too."

"What did he do to you?"

"He killed my family!"

He nodded his head, "Yes, I can see it, now. It was manslaughter."

I began to cry as my resolve weakened, "[sniff] Yes, [sniff] he hit my car. [sniff] killing Joan and Maggie. [sniff] He escaped criminal prosecution, [sniff] but not civil. [sniff]"

"And now you want him to pay," he stated matter-of-factly.

"Yes, him, but not his family."

I left him, and soon found Mandy heading out of the Teacher's Lounge where I heard a male teacher exclaim, "THAT PIECE OF ASS IS THE BEST THAT THERE IS! WHO'D EVER BELIEVE THAT SHE WAS A BOY?!"

Luckily, I had my cell phone out and was able capture that on it along with a video, thanks to its advanced features. I followed her to a small room under the staircase. When she saw me, she simply sighed and closed the door and began to undo my shorts. She was startled when I stopped her.

"Are you not satisfied with me?"

I sat her down on the bed, seeing her moist panty, wet from her previous encounter, Mandy, do you want to have sex with me?"

She looked at me, wide eyed in total surprise, "No, I don't. Why do you ask?" she questioned as the desire eradicated by my question.

I placed my hand on her hose covered knee, and she smiled, and pecked me on the cheek, "Mandy, as beautiful as you are, I know that you do not desire sex as much as you convey to everybody. Do you know why you do it?"

She broke down as my questions triggered her male self which had been buried under layer upon layer of Mandy in order to keep them both sane. As each act of sex fed her desire, deep within, Manson wailed at each violation of his body. But when I placed m hand on his knee, what would have been a prelude to sex became an act of bonding as his soul reached out to me.

"NO, I don't! All that I know is that until now, I had to have sex as often as possible. Now, that desire is gone. Why?"

"Before I answer that question, answer me this: Do you like being a cheerleader, and wearing clothes that display your body?"

She giggled at me, "That's two questions, Sir. For the second, tell me your name," she smirked.

"My name is Alexander, but you can call me Lex," giving her my middle name.

"Lex, as a girl, now, I do like being a cheerleader, and the clothes, both, Why?"

"I wanted to make sure that you were happy now."

She sighed, "Well, I'm not! I hate what happened to me, but I have learned how to deal with it, all the same."

"So, you don't want to be a girl, eh?"

"No, never did. But now I must be one," she sighed as she laid her head on my shoulder.

"Your stepfather caused it to happen," I stated.

"How do you know?"

"Give me a kiss, and I will tell you."

She looked at me with a mischievous twinkle in her eye, "Are you rethinking about having sex with me>"

I held her by her shoulders, "No, my Child. I want to give you a chance to be a good girl, not a vixen."

"OK," she replied as she tried to kiss me with passion, but failed miserably. When she was finished, she hung her head in shame and wept bitter tears.

I took her chin in my cupped hand, "You felt no stirring."

She smiled sheepishly, "No, not a bit. And I did my best. Am I cured?"

"Only if you choose to be, Mandy. Why were you turned into Mandy?"

"I was Manson, the son of Steven Moody."

"And Anthony Delano had your father killed, married your mother, then turned you into Mandy."

She looked at me with wonder, "How do you know all of this?"

I sighed, "Your step father murdered my wife and daughter when he hit my car with his SUV."

"Oh! You're the one that he is bragging about. He wants me to seduce you, but I couldn't. Now, I know why."

"And why is that?"

"I have been Praying for deliverance from my Hell. Only you could resist my charms and break through my darkness."

"What will you do now?"

She had a fire in her eyes now," Resist. I will force them to rape me instead of meekly accepting them as my partners."

"Good girl! You do what you must," I encouraged as I arose from the bed.

"Where are you going?"

"To see your mother, she needs help, too."

Mandy wept tears of joy, "Thank you, Lex! Momma needs you as much, or more than I do."

I held her as she came to grips with her new reality. She was no longer under the compulsion to have sex with anybody. Now, she could choose. There was the all too real possibility of her having contracted a S.T.D. But that would be deal with later. I did not know how, but I was sure that both Mandy and her mother would be saved from their Hell. It would be up to me to free them from that monster Delano.

After Mandy had cried herself out, she redid her make up and clothing to eliminate all traces of her encounters. The closet had been set up as her bedroom so that she could freshen up. I stayed in the room with her under the condition that I wore a mask so that I'd not see anything that I shouldn't. When she was finished, she was wearing yet another cheerleader dress and hose. But this time, something was different. She looked renewed, as if a great weight was gone from her shoulders.

Now, she looked like a real cheerleader, fresh faced, sunny, ready to cheer on her team to victory. The previous Mandy was dead in her Spirit, an automaton of sexual desire. Mandy had been reborn. Now, it was up to her to live out her new life.

"You are Beautiful, Mandy, like a Rose, newly blossoming in a Spring of New Hope."

She kissed me on the lips, with a Love that a Princess has for her Daddy, "Thank you, Daddy. For I call you Daddy after you helped me to see the Light. Now I know the Love of God."

I hugged her, "You mean that you asked Him just now?"

She shook her head, "No, He told me that I am still His, that He accepts me as a girl."

I sighed, Then you needed Him too, just as I need Him."

She opened the door, heading to the gym, "Yes, you do need Him to help you deal with the monster that did this to me. Will you come with me to see the Coach?"

I took her hand in mine, "My pleasure."

Hand in hand, we returned to Coach Barton's office where he stood up and smiled at us. He could tell that somehow, the dark spell of wanton sex had been dispelled. He saw a beautiful young lady, whose Life now held hope in it, and that hope had burned away the dross of despair.

"Mandy, you look like you've just woken up from a bad dream," he sighed.

She rushed over and hugged him, "Oh, Coach! You don't know the half of it! I HAVE awakened from a living nightmare, thanks to Lex, here," she gushed.

He winked at me, "Yes, Lex is one fine fellow. Now you have two men that withstood your charms."

She blushed, "I just wish that I knew how you two did it."

I cleared my throat, "Mandy, in my case, I am hopelessly in Love with my wife. To be honest, if you were her double, I'd have given in."

"And I know your history. I couldn't add to your misery," added Bart.

"So, you both know who I was, and accept me as Mandy?"

"Yes," we chorused.

"And now I have me two adopted Daddies. God is so Good to me, that I dread living now."

I placed my hands upon her shoulders, "Don't you worry, Mandy. God will protect you."

"You mean no more sex?"

"Yes."

"Lord! I Hope So," she sighed.

Then, after prayer, I left them and headed out to find her mother. Already my Life was full of extra cares as I was caring for Sandy and Randy. Now, I was adopting a young trans girl, Mandy. My vengeance had taken on much more than I had ever thought it ever would, yet at each venture, the choice was right. What choices I made when I met Mandy's Mother were next.

---

To Be Continued...

Terri's Vengeance Chapter 3 By Stanman63 Edited By Nora Adrienne Synopsis: As Terry continues to help Delano's estranged 'family', he devises a plan to destroy Delano. But before he can enact his scheme, Mandy breaks his Heart as she cries for him.

---

I headed off to meet Mandy's mother, Kandi at her watering hole. When I heard her name, Sandy smirked at me with a humor that was once again, active. It would help her as she dealt with her new reality. I had found in her, another daughter. Sandy, my other adopted daughter had been in similar straits when I rescued her and Randy from a life of prostitution.

She so much wants to thank me with sex, but knows that in doing so, that the act would cheapen fatherly Love for her. And as much as I too wanted to consummate the act, I knew that it'd lead to more heart break, because she could never replace my family in my heart.

Sandy deserved a gentleman who could and would treat her like a queen. In my own way, I was doing as much for her. With me, she was learning how a husband should treat his wife. The fact that I denied the mutual attraction between us was giving her first hand evidence that there are gentlemen out there. When I opened my Heart and home to her, she found the family that she'd been so long denied. Now it was my duty to keep her feet on the path, and thanks to Les, and Kerry, she would if I ever left.

As for Mandy, things were a bit different. She was born as Manson, son of the Pharmaceutical King, Steven Moody. Antonio Delano had him murdered and had his wife turned into a junkie, and his son into a sex starved slut. As a girl, Manson had no way to continue his dad's Legacy as a girl, effectively making Delano the King. I had been able to break through the conditioning imposed upon Manson, now as Mandy, she was ready to live as a sweet, young lady, not a slut. Now I had to see if I could help her mother, Kandi.

Kandi was a woman whose life was destroyed by Delano's evil, simply for being married to his rival, Steven Moody of Moody's Pharmaceuticals. How he did it, doesn't matter, the fact that he murdered Steve did. In taking his family, Delano had sent a clear message to any enemies; Cross me, and pay the price with your life and your families identity. Now, he had free reign over the city, and most of the state.

With his talons in everywhere, there wasn't a place where Delano did not touch with his evil. He could shut down a business on a whim, or make it prosper as he wished. To many, he was GOD MADE FLESH, while to others he was the DEVIL INCARNATE. But to most, he was too powerful, and wanted his reign to end. I knew nothing about politics, nor business, but plenty about people, so I knew that I could deal with him.

~*~

Oh, there was a part of me that wondered about the rhyming of the names. Was God showing me His sense of humor? Was God’s usage of the names to help me see where I was needed? I was never a very religious man, but I was a student of the Bible, and relied on the Bible for answers. When I couldn’t find them in it, I went to Pastor Sally of Eastmont Methodist Church, and she was able to answer my questions.

Pastor Sally Phares was gifted in being able to compose music, and play the piano, organ, and guitar. During the Traditional Morning Service, she wore a black robe with a golden collar, and silver rope belt. The Acolytes, Crucifer, and Flag Bearer were a big part of the Service. Seeing Mary and Murray in their vestments as they carried the Light into the Service, and at the end, carried it out always made me tear up as I remembered my own Acolyte days.

It was during the Contemporary, Evening, and Mid-Week Service that Sally's sense of Wonder came out. She was totally in awe of the Awesomeness of God. It was in these services that she let her hair down and truly became our Pastor. Her husband, James Phares was her 'partner in crime' in many ways. He was the Music Minister and was quite the drummer/ saxophonist.

They'd get up in front with any of the congregation that wanted to play an instrument, and lead the music. The Evening Service was led by the Youth Pastor, Billie Jean Arnette. She and her husband, Job Arnette, the Sunday School Director made sure that the youth were well grounded in the Bible and sang traditional songs with a youthful oomph that Sally loved. When she did the evening sermon, it was a Praise Service. Very few could resist the open Love in that service, and it was memories of Church that sustained me in the days ahead.

~*~

As I approached the place where Kandi was, I saw the depths of Delano's evil anew. She was in the HELLFIRE CLUB, a bar that catered to men or women with a need to sate their lust. The waitresses wore a black skirted leotard with white shiny hose and black fishnets with a low heel. A patron could ask for any service from a waitress, including sex. It was to a waitress to accept or decline, but since the club took half of the pay for such 'extra', most of it happened off site. The other extra was drugs.

Delano ran his drug trafficking operations from here. He had waitresses hooked on crack, heroin, on other drugs whose only relief from addiction was sex with a client of Delano's choosing. He filmed each act to ensure satisfaction and for blackmail purposes. More than one politician, businessman, or cop had fallen into his trap. What he was not ready for was a man immune to his evil, ME.

I entered the bar and saw Kandi coming from out the back, "She must have just seen a customer," I leered as a waitress approached. ['Have to appear as a low life, now. GOD! How I hate this!']

A very pretty Black woman with golden cornrow hair greeted me, "My name is Rhonda, where would you like to sit?" ['Not a bad hunk o' flesh. I could enjoy him if not for my mission.']

I pointed to Kandi, "Where that slut is, if I may."

"Oh, that's Kandi. She is VERY popular. Any other choices?" ['Why Kandi? Has her monster of a man sent her another client?']

I took a long, slow look at Rhonda, "What about you?" ['Have to watch it, she sounds almost like Joan.']

She smiled, "Yes, I'm available." ['Damn! I am getting horny looking at him.']

"Then, lead on, McDuff," I chuckled.

She looked at me wide eyed, "HOW DO YOU KNOW MY NAME?" she whispered vehemently.

"I don't. I was just having a bit of fun, and thinking about the Crime Dog taking a bite," I explained. ['Oh my! A black Irish girl! Some Leprechaun sure got lucky!']

She tittered, "Well, that is my name, and Daddy is a retired cop," she sighed.

"Why work here, then?"

Rhonda led me over to a booth, "I am keeping an eye out for Daddy. He started drinking when he retired, and working here, I can take him home at the end of my shift and keep him in a bed room in back," she shuddered.

I looked her in the eye and saw a soul, striving to survive against an evil beyond her strength, "And in doing so, you are forced into sex."

I saw that I had made a friend by the crinkling around her eyes, as if afraid to smile as a great weight was lifted, "Yes, luckily, my boyfriend, Hank comes in nightly. That way I only serve him."

She showed me a photo of a black giant of a man with Mr. T's hairstyling and beard, "I bet that Delano wants more out of you too. And dares not with Hank being so huge," I grinned. ['She no doubt is his Queen.']

She smiled evilly, "Oh, he does, but until he can dope me up, I'm in charge. And as for Hank, he's a sweetheart to me and Daddy."

"That's good," ['Yep, I was right! Seems that all big galoots are partial to treating their mom's and wives as queens.']

As we neared a booth, she sighed, "Tell me something, please. Why are you here?" ['He is NOT like a regular customer. Has the mafia sent in an assassin? God! I hope so!']

I sat down, appreciating her hosed legs and the fact that the air conditioning made the hose necessary for her to keep warm, "Simple, Rhonda. Kandi."

She looked at me wide-eyed with fear for me, "Why her? She's the Bosses Main Squeeze."

"Exactly."

The implications of what I said rang alarm bells in her eyes as she saw a vision of destruction filled her brain, "MY GOD! PLEASE, NOT A MOB WAR!!" she prayed out loud.

I cupped her chin in my hand, "No, Rhonda, no Mob War. I am a man, on a Mission of Vengeance." ['Yet another woman that I need to protect from Delano. At least she has Hank.']

She smiled at me, "So, are you wanting sex with her, or anybody?" she purred.

"No, I'm not. I want to help her, if I can. I have seen her daughter, and freed her from her nightmare. Now to free Kandi from her's."

She hung her head in shame, "I was hoping that you might want me. Even though I'm in Love with Hank, I could let myself be seduced by you. It's because I know that you'd refuse."

I caressed her cheek, Rhonda, I am hopelessly in love with my wife. As beautiful as you are, you have found your Mister Right in Hank, hopefully. I'm not him," I sighed.

~*~

After a meal on the house, Rhonda led me over to where Kandi was sitting. I could tell from the smudged mascara that she'd already 'serviced' a client. She was nursing a
mug of beer and snacking upon a bowl of assorted nuts. Even though she smiled as I walked in, it never reached her dead eyes. There was no doubt about it, her soul was gone, and I was there to bring it back from the Hell that took it.

She looked me over as if I was a choice steak, "My, oh my, Rhonda, where did you find this tasty morsel?"

Rhonda grinned, "Actually, he came in for you." ['Can he resist her charms? Or is he doomed to become another victim?']

I saw dread in her eyes as she thought about the degradation that she'd be subjected to by me, "Well now, a bit small, but maybe he has more than enough below," she purred. ['Why must I sound like a slut even when I detest what I do? What has Tony done to me?']

Rhonda hugged me and whispered, "Take care, my friend. She will rip your heart out, if you're not careful." ['Is he the One? Has God sent him to end Delano's reign of terror? I am barely able to resist. I dread the day that I may fail. Then, Hank will die in a futile attempt at rescuing me.']

"Don't worry, I will," I replied as I saw tears stream down her face.

She slowly disengaged and walked out as if going to a firing squad. As I saw her finally sit down, Hank came and hugged her. Then he saw me and gave me a 'thumbs up' sign and pointed to himself and me, then made a fist and the 'OK' sign before he took her out of sight.

"Well, Handsome. What do you want with me?" she sighed.

I led her over to a booth, "To take you away from your nightmare, Kandi. As I have with your daughter, Mandy," I whispered, well aware of the many cameras in the room.

She looked up in shock, as if a great light broke through her darkness, "I had given up all hope. Now, you are here. Please be real. If you're one of his tricks, I'll commit suicide," she sighed in hopeless fury.

I placed her on my lap, her legs spread n either side of me, "I am for real Kandi.” I am here to rescue you from this hell.

She stared into my eyes, "How do I know that?"

"Do you remember him boasting about killing a mother and daughter, and getting away with it?" ['If not, how to convince her??']

She nodded her head, "Yes, he escaped criminal prosecution, but paid out to the husband in the civil case. Why?"

"He murdered Joan and Maggie White, and Terry is now a widower," I sighed as I produced my I.D.

She moaned as her soul awakened from its long slumber as her Heart started beating again, "I have prayed for a miracle for years, until I lost all Hope. Now, my Hope has returned."

"Are you ready to leave?"

"Yes, but what of Mandy? What about Rhonda?"

I laughed humorlessly, "With my settlement, I can care for them, no problem." ['Even when I die, I shall care for Delano's girls. They shall not be hurt again.']

She smiled and kissed me, "Believe it or not, I just orgasmed. Thank you for that," she sighed as she relaxed on me.

"Talk about a 'quickie', " I chuckled.

She licked my ear, "Yep, my hose and panty are soaked. That's why the dress is black," she purred in my ear.

"Do you still need me to do anything?"

She moaned again and got up, "Sorry about that. But as much as I want to stop, my body's craving for sex and drugs are overwhelming," she sighed.

She saw me cry for her, "I vow to do what I can to free you from your addiction."

In that hour, she shuddered as she rebelled against her addiction. I saw a dark, red bilious light being vanquished by a pearly, soft Light from above. As the darkness was destroyed, I saw her body cleansed from within as the bitter dregs of the addiction dropped from her body to be evaporated by the Light. I knew that I was seeing her Deliverance from her addiction as she fought against it and the silent Battle for her soul as she accepted the Light.

She cried tears of Joy, "I am now free," she whispered.

"Completely?"

She smiled, "Yes, completely. My body is now healed, and I’m now a virgin again, just like my daughter, Mandy."

"I am glad for you, Kandi. Do you still want to do anything with me?"

She smiled mischievously, "Nothing sexual, but I will flirt with you."

"OK. I deserve that," I grinned.

She got up, "Go now, I'll be OK. When I clock out, I'll head to my special retreat. There, Toni won't go," she sighed in satisfaction.

"Why?" I asked as I got up and noticed that her panty was moist with the evidence of our encounter.

"Well, he doesn't know its location, and it's there that I have most of my regular clothes as well as Mandy's"

"Then take her with you. I intend to take out Delano this week."

"OK, I'll take Rhonda too, and her family."

I left there and went riding through the city, simply letting my mind wander about as I pondered the ramifications of the Vision that I saw. I had seen Kandi win against her addiction to sex and drugs, and alcohol. I saw her accept the Light and get transformed as she was healed in her mind, and body, as her Soul was cleansed. Did I really see her accept God? Was I seeing things? All that I knew was that she s better, now. And that was enough.

As I passed the Quiet Hills Cemetery, I saw the cardinal and blue jay fly to me. I followed them to the graves where I saw beautiful roses and lilies surrounding the tombstones, and encasing them in a flowery framework of intertwining leaves as the bushes united in between the tombstones. There, the bushes had united to create a blending of roses and lilies with a hollow where two nests were kept. As I watched in wonder, the eggs in the nest opened and the chicks united into one blended adult, combining the colors of the cardinal and blue jay. It had red wings and head on the body of the blue jay, and its twin was the mirror opposite.

Those were me! Joan and Maggie had created these beautiful birds to show that they loved me. I cried over my loss of innocence that Delano had cost me and the despair that I must endure to destroy Delano. But even in my despair, I still cared for others and helped them. Now, I had four women who were in my life. They were all Delano's victim that I had rescued.
God had used me to rescue them from any fallout from my vengeance. Now, I was seeing a vision from Heaven. Then, the birds turned pure white and flew to Heaven as the Cardinal and blue jay each placed a rose and a lily in my hands, then everything changed as the bushes faded away.

++++++++++++

I decided to make Delano pay for all of his crimes by making him a laughing stock in his world. I was taking away his family, and soon. I would take away his credibility when he was seen giving up his family and personal fortune to a man in a dress, Me. I had dressed as Kerry before, and was still her size. It would be simple to become Terri Anne, my alter ego. I had the bodysuit from years ago and clothing that would drive men wild when Terri Anne wore it. My only problem was that I needed help putting on the suit. Someone else had to seal the zipper in back.

I went back home where Sandy and Randy were waiting for me. Sandy looked fantastic in her red top and shorts, and Randy looked like a Baby Batman in his outfit. When I got off of my bike, Sandy ran up and hugged me, crying tears of joy.

"Now, now, Sandy. No tears from you, please," I chuckled.

"Oh! Pooh on you! I'll cry if I wanna! It is a woman's prerogative, after all," she pouted.

"Woman, eh? And all this time I thought that you were a girl," I sighed.

She smiled at me, "OK, I'm a girl, if you'll be my daddy," she giggled.

I blushed, "OK, but you know how I feel about modesty."

She put my hand on her hosed leg, "I know, Daddy, But I'm also mean enough to tease you," she giggled.

I carried her to the lounge chair where she put Randy in his nearby crib to sleep, then sat in my lap, "Thank you, Sandy, I need this."

"What, me in shorts and hose?"

"No, you in my lap, like Joan used to do," I sighed.

"Terry, if you need me in your bed, I'm willing."

That night, we consummated our friendship. She was there as I conquered my living nightmare of seeing my family's dead bodies being cruelly mutilated by Delano in his SUV. In time, I saw Sandy below me, her innocence filling my Heart with a desire to protect her. As our sweat mingled, I saw her as a beautiful Queen. Then I knew that my Heart was ready for the battle to come. In loving Sandy, I had finally mourned for Joan and Maggie. In loving Sandy, I had put aside the past and embraced the future.

As for Sandy, in loving me, she found out what it was like to give of herself to a man and for him to fulfill her needs. She learned that sex is more than the physical act of a man planting his seed, a syringe works just as well. No, loving your partner means a sharing that far surpasses anything man can create.

-------------------------------------------------------

I drove back to the Lake House where Kerry was. When Kerry and Les built this casa, I never dreamed of me spending so much time there without Joan and Maggie. In the winter, the Lake House and environs became a meeting place for deer hunters. Now, I know that there are those who abhor hunting, but without the culling of the deer population, the forest would suffer. Man has systematically reduced the deer’s natural predators to where they can not control them. That is why Man must do what nature was doing all along.

I was in Joan's white Volkswagen, loading it up with my stuff. I was feeling melancholy because Joan loved the 'Herbie' movies and had painted her car to look like him. She even had a few tricks installed to make it look as if her Herbie was as real as the original. She got it when she was a freshman in Central High School. Her Dad had found it in an old garage and bought it and the parts in the garage which he sold to my dad for his business. Dad took the old garage and turned it into a custom garage, where he turned any car, or truck into a showpiece. Sandy had to rebuild the car from the available parts. By the time that she had Herbie put together, she was ready for her Learner's Permit, by her fifteenth birthday, she was driving Herbie. Now, except for my Harley, this was my only means of transportation.

Kerry came into the bedroom as I locked the last suitcase, "I hate to see you go, Bro. But you need to be there for Sandy," she sighed as she hugged me.

"Kerry, please take care of them for me," I silently cried as the impact of my decision hit me full force.

She looked me in the eye, "You have that look in your eye, Terry. Just what are you planning?"

"Vengeance," my slow but growing smile, and knowing me as only a sister can, she knew that whatever it was, it was probably illegal, and more probably, it was aimed at relieving my pain. She knew how I would plan on making others pay when they'd done wrong and got away with it. There were way too many 'accidents' that happened to those at who I had declared vendetta upon. But I never got caught.

"Listen, Terry. I know you. I know that whatever it is that you’re planning is illegal. Please, don't do anything until I can clear my head. We need to talk on the Veranda."

I hugged her as I cried over my plight, "Oh, Kerry. Sandy and I made Love last night. I finally am able to Love again, but my Heart calls for vengeance. Vengeance against Delano and his evil. I have already met two women who are enslaved to him. I must do something, or his evil will claim you and your family as well," I sobbed onto her shoulder.

She sat me down on the bed, "So, you and Sandy made Love. Joan would approve, you know, "she smiled.

"I know, Sis. What my problem is that Sandy needs you as a big sister, and Lester as a big brother."

"What about You?"

"I must pull away before we bond," I sighed.

"Because you're reluctant to let another woman replace Joan," she stated.

I lied, "Yes, could she and Randy stay here for awhile? She needs a family."

"Sure, but what about you?"

"Me, I'll stay here and mooch dinner off of you," I smirked.

She tittered, "Yeah, just like you have for the last month. Should I charge you rent?"

I pulled out a penny, "Here, this should more than cover my expenses. Got any change?" I smirked.

She chased me all through the house and into the lake where we shimmied out of our clothes and swam in our swim suits. We generally wore them under our clothes for this reason. That way, we didn't ruin our undies. After our dunking, I dried off and loaded Herbie. By that time, Les and the kids were back from the store, so we had a farewell lunch. Leaving Mary and Murray was the hardest thing that I had ever done. Seeing their tears almost made me stay, but then my sense of honor made me leave in order to do what I had to do.

Mary jumped into my lap with her brother, Murray, "Unca Terry, Why do ya' hafta go? Don'cha like it here?"

"I love it here, Mary, but I have my own home and I miss it," I lied to her. She'd never understand the truth at her age.

"But Unca Terry. Why are Auntie Sandy and Randy coming here? Doncha like 'em?"

I smiled, "Very much, Murray."

"Then why send 'em here?"

I sighed, "Because, I need some time to be by myself."

Mary and Murray hugged me, "We'll miss you!" they chorused.

------------------------------------

Kerry and I were always competing about who was the better chef. I was better with marinades, and grilling, but Mary was best at casseroles and salads. But Les was king of the short order cooks, he could whip up and fry most anything, and his pies and cakes were the best too. Whenever we got together for a Family Meal during the holidays, we would do our specialty while Joan would prepare the drinks. We weren't tea totalers by any means, so we enjoyed drinking spirits during the holidays.

Joan was a good cook with the basics, but not able to match us in anything but her skills as a barmaid. She got a job as a barmaid at O'Henry's Pub. She had to wear a skimpy uniform, but she earned enough to put her through college and earn her degree in Child Psychology. She was a counselor at Eastmont Methodist Church, her death left a hole in their ministry that was not soon fulfilled.

Joan cared for the many children in the congregation and had forged many a friendships with their parents, often helping some family silently as was her want. She would have the mothers over for tea, and in our den, would do more than what she did in the Church Nursery. Joan was a loving mother, and as such, had become a second mother to countless children and sister to the mothers.

When the Church found out about their deaths, the ladies of the congregation had gotten together and cleaned the house from top to bottom, and filled our pantry full of food. My fridge and freezer were both loaded up with microwavable meals for me. And the men mowed the lawn. But it was in the Joan Bethany White Memorial Service that they truly honored her. The Church had mounted a plaque with her picture on it and her years of ministry. The Church even created the Joan White Scholarship Fund for Aspiring Counselors. That fund would in the years ahead sponsor many a caring minister for the Church and community.

For me, it was a bitter sweet time as I remembered Joan's selfless love for others as she gave of her time and energy to help others. She was my Angel, my Queen, my Life. Now my Heart was torn in twain and hurting. I did not know it, but at this time, Sally saw my need for Vengeance before I did and made arrangements to help.

~*~

She went to the beautiful Hawk's Nest Estate. The estate was a sanctuary for all birds of prey. Hector Hawk was a Navajo Indian who had married a Cherokee Maiden, Morning Dove, daughter of Chief Gray Fox. Together, they had been able to purchase one hundred acres of old growth forest and create an arboreal Paradise where nature reigned and technology was used sparingly. There were dirt roads through out the estate, leading to different log cabin settlements with modern facilities, but all power was from a water wheel and windmills.

She approached him as he was fishing for bass, "Hector Hawk, I am Sally Phares. May we talk?"

"What does the Lady Pastor want with an old Brave like me? Need me to tell a few tall tales in Vacation Bible School again?" he chuckled as he reeled in a trout and placed it in his 'catch' bucket.

She shook her head in amused dismay at the elderly Indian. He was wearing jeans and a deerskin vest with various pieces of jewelry on his arms and in his hair. He was a Gulf War Veteran and proudly wore his uniform with his Indian jewelry on the holidays, because he not only went to defend America, but his Tribe as well.

"No, not this time, it's about the battle you foresaw against Delano. I've found the Avatar of Vengeance," she wept as she saw the drastic changes needed to be done to me. Sally as a Pastor was exempt from Delano's evil, but he still made her pay a price by making her 'bless' him and any new business that he 'acquired'. She did it as she prayed silently for the redemption of the city. She almost despaired until Joan died, then she saw my soul, darkened by vengeance. She was afraid that vengeance would destroy me.

He looked into her soul and saw her fear for me and what I would become, "You have seen a soul with two Hearts. Your fear is that this Avatar will lose his identity and become that which he is not." he stated as he cast again.

She sighed, "Yes, his need for vengeance will drive him to do things that can't be undone. And then he will despair of life."

He passed her a pendant of a salamander, "Sally, don't let your Methodist Teaching blind you to the wonders of the Great Spirit. I have foreseen the end, and the Avatar shall choose her Legacy."

Sally smiled, "That's why I came to you. You know how to see through the shadows and find the truth. Don't worry about the Avatar, I will welcome her into the Church, myself."

"Who is the Avatar?"

"Terry White, Why?"

"I must prepare the people needed to help him. There are many in the City who have suffered under Delano's evil. Now it's his time to fall."

She sighed, "OK, Hawk. Just don't tell me, or the Police. You do, and you'll be in trouble from Delano's stooges."

"I know, Sally. He has his contacts there and in your Church."

"That' what worries me. Who in my Church is working with that Devil, Delano?"

In the end, BOTH the Police and the Church were clean of any stooges except for a few beat cops taking kickbacks to be absent during certain midnight activities at a few warehouses.
Delano refused to treat in any way with cops since he ruled the courts. He used hidden cameras to keep people in line and a small cadre of ex-soldiers who had sold themselves for their drug habit.

-----------------------------

The house was silent, empty of all sense of the joy and happiness that used to abound here, not long ago. The house was dead, not even the muted voices of laughter and love was echoed. All that I saw was a building. This was no longer my home. My Home ended the night my family died. Now I was a Vigilante on a mission of Justice. As I sat at the dining room table, perusing the Family Album, I touched each picture of my family, then when completed, I closed the book.

"Joan, you are the Light of my Life, My Angel of the Morning. Ever since we were kids, we loved each other. You befriended me as Terri when I was her, and did not judge me nor Kerry for my deception. You knew that I did it for her, but I have a secret that not even she knows about. I want to be a woman. But I put that dream aside when I fell in love with you, and would have stayed happily married to you, but for the accident.

"Now, I am about to become Terri. I do this in order to destroy the man who killed you and Maggie. After I have dealt out vengeance, I do not know if I'll want to return to my old life. I fear that I might stay as a girl. I promised to be there for you, now I might not be able too. I am torn in half! Am I a man, or a woman? Is it a Sin against God to stay a woman after I have fulfilled my mission of vengeance?

As the song says, 'This Warrior Is A Child', but is this Child of God doomed for wanting to become that which I am not? my heart wants to sing 'How Great Thou Art', but I can't!! My Heart is now cold to God. I must go it alone and do my duty to my Heart. Then I can die in Peace, even if I am denied Heaven. Joan, find another Soul Mate up there. I'm doomed to Hell, and I'm taking Delano with me!"

After crying for awhile, I finally got up and refilled my empty mug with fresh home brew. It was from a family recipe that was used during holiday celebrations because it was smooth and sweet, and could be combined with fruit juices to make most any alcoholic beverage. Best of all, it had very little alcohol in it. Then I sat back down and spoke to my daughter. She was a child, and did not understand what I needed to do. I'd do my best to tell her.

"Maggie, you are my Princess. When you were born, I dedicated myself to making sure that you would have everything that you needed for your life. You were just starting out in life when you were taken from me. Now, I have seen a new child, Randy. He will receive the gifts that I was holding for you. His mother Sandy is a widow and needs my help. But you are my Princess: The Apple of My Eye.

"Now I need to punish the man who killed you and Momma. To do that, I need to look like Momma. But I will always be Poppa to you. I do this to stop a very bad man from hurting other people. The Police don't know how to stop him, so I must. Please, my Princess, do not hate me or what I must do, I do it for you."

Then I dreamed off the last bitter dregs of my brew and refilled my mug. Now I was ready to transform into my alter ego. I heard the loud voices of hate and revenge as I sat in my Lazy Boy Lounger. Kerry had gotten it for me last Father's Day. It had thermal heat, massage and the arms were outfitted to contain assorted goodies. The right arm was for cold beverages and the left was for snacks. When she gave it to me, we celebrated its arrival with an all night love fest. Poor Maggie had to spend the night with her Auntie Kerry, but she knew that we were doing adult stuff, even if she didn't quite know what it was.

~*~

"Daddy? Why are you on top of Momma?"

Joan squealed in laughter, "Well, 'Daddy.' why are you on top of me?' she giggled.

I kissed Joan's lips, "Not anything now, Maggie," I sighed as I climaxed in Joan who moaned in ecstasy.

Maggie shrieked, "I KNOW! YOU'RE MAKING A BABY!"

I carefully disengaged and made sure we were covered, "Where did you learn about babies?"

She climbed into bed with us, "From Health class at school, Why, Daddy?"

Joan tittered, "Because we never thought that you were ready to know that, young lady."

Maggie looked at me, "Am I in trouble?"

I hugged her as Joan went to the bathroom, "No Maggie, far from it, in fact, you just surprised us," I sighed as I saw her smile.

"Why did Mommy go to the bathroom?"

Joan returned wearing fresh panties and a bra, "Because I had to clean up, and go potty," she giggled as she got back in bed.

~*~

I went to the trunk where I kept my Terri-girl stuff, and unlocked the time capsule of my past. In here was everything that was Terri, awaiting her return. I still remember the first time that Kerry asked me to be her double. We were both freshmen in Central High School, and she was on the Eastmont Eagles Pep Squad. Her red and blue sailor girl style uniform was on top, what I wore when she needed for me to teach one Jeff Darmer a lesson in manners.

There were the outfits, shoes, and flesh tone bodysuit that looked like Kerry's body. Using advanced technology from his college buddies, Dad had created a perfect replica of Kerry's body for us. It was a prototype being developed for Hollywood for their stunt men and certain elements within the government. Our usage was to see if the suit worked, and since it was based upon Kerry's body, I kept it. Wearing the suit, I was Kerry’s twin in every way, only an X-ray would tell the difference from the variations in our skeletal structures.

After I donned it, I stood before the mirror and saw Kerry. The only thing missing was the slightly larger breasts from breastfeeding the twins. Like Joan, Kerry kept herself fit and enjoyed an active life. Any man would drool over this body, which is why I chose the suit. In the suit, I was undetectable as myself. As Terri, I would be a heartless, cruel bitch that would show Delano just how cruel a woman could be before I destroyed him. The only question was how.

Terri's Vengeance Chapter 4 By Stanman63 Edited By Nora Adrienne Synopsis: As Terri readies himself for his Battle of Armageddon, he remembers his first time wearing a dress, and how it changed him. His new family and old meet to help him. As he readied himself, Kerry gets him to stop his war until she can help him. In the meeting, a plan is forged to destroy Delano in such a way that his empire is taken over and his evil ended.

---

I pondered upon the events that had led me up to this point. I had first worn this years ago, now I was wearing it again. In the undersuit, I looked like I was pretending to be the Easter Bunny. Its purpose was to give me protection from the elements, and give the oversuit an organic sleeve to attach to, if not, the oversuit would bond permanently to me. Spraying on the moisturizer, I waited until the suit took on its camouflage power and left only my head visible. Then I donned the slick gray oversuit and went from a man to a woman.

The undersuit was a pure cotton body stocking made to be protection against chemical and thermal hazards as well as an attached generator powered by my body's heat. In it alone, I had become the Shadow as I stalked my prey silently in the night. While as Terri I enjoyed setting them up for payment. There were a few that I let live though, they were guilty, but not of the crime that I was after them for.

Delano had set up more than a few fathers to look like child abusers in hopes that I would take them out, but as the Shadow, I saw their innocence. What they were guilty of was robbing Delano. I made sure that the real crime was reported and took out the real criminal. It was during this time that I began to doubt my sanity as the Shadow took over my life. I was lucky. My family brought me back from despair.

I slithered out of the house and went to the roof to ponder things anew. Could I become the Shadow again? Had Delano done anything for me to bring the Shadow back? The Shadow was the avatar of my dark side made flesh. As the Shadow, I had no remorse in dealing out death blows when needed. But I only wanted Delano, not his goons. I stayed on the roof, letting the storm's fury lash me with nature's energy. The pelting of the rain and hail massaged my body as my mind rested from the ongoing inner battle for my soul. In the end, I chose LIFE.

I let myself into the house, and only felt the darkness of a house empty of love. Now my family resided in Heaven, or in a couple of birds near their graves. Yes, I had seen a Vision from Heaven, but what did it mean? If I was bi-polar, that'd explain the Vision, but I am not. According to the counselor, I am clinically depressed, and if I told anyone about the Vision, I'd be in the loony bin.

Seeing a cardinal and a blue jay lay eggs in which one from each nest hatches to release a grown bird which then merges to create two new jay birds that combine elements of the parent birds. Then the composites fly to Heaven and the Vision ends. I am unsure of what the Vision means. All that I can hope is that it will be made clear, in the end. All that I know is that Joan and Maggie are there, as for me, my Soul is blackened by hatred, I am doomed to Hell.

As I unlocked the chest where I kept my Terri-girl stuff, I remembered the first time that I had become my alter-ego. It was as a freshman in Eastmont Junior high School. Kerry was a cheerleader, and needed my help against some bully boys who were pestering the cheerleaders. Dad had used his connections with Hollywood to get me a bodysuit that made me a convincing girl. I had trained in Judo, and karate up to the black belt, and could defend myself, but Kerry couldn't, as she never took the training.

The suit itself looks like a flesh tone catsuit that you step into, and have somebody zip you up. But first you tuck yourself in and let your willie rest in a tube so that you can pee. Once closed, the vagina operates like a real one, and if you are scanned, your scan shows you are female. It can even simulate a woman's menstrual cycle, and believe me, being Kerry's twin I know just how bad they can be.

During her menstrual cycles, I too felt her discomfort and pain, even suffered the physical effects as well, but at least I didn't bleed. We found out that when I touched her on the neck, that her cycle lessens and shortens, as if my touch heals her. Maybe it does, we have the gift to see and heal each others hurts.

So, there I was, on the cheer squad in the Eastmont Chiefs Mascot uniform. It was a fake deer skin skirted leotard with a feather head dress, and cape, with my face obscured by feathers to hide the mascot's identity. As I twirled around, displaying my assets, I felt Terri come alive. Best of all, I could have vaginal sex with this suit on, not that I was, but nice to know if needed.

After the game, two bruisers accosted Joan. I ran full tilt into them and trounced them before they could do anything to her. It turns out that they wanted Joan because she looked older. She never wore her enhancements after that. She was wearing breast forms because she felt cheated by nature. She was only ten and vain about her body. Luckily, she blossomed quite well, soon after.

But it was while I was returning the bodysuit that I voiced my desire to be a girl. I had returned home with Kerry after the game and after game celebration to celebrate the victory. Kerry looked great in her cheer outfit, even after removing her 'enhancements'. Well, actually, I helped her remove them since I had the solvent. I passed it to her so she could apply it. She only trusted me with the solvent.

I held her enhancements in my hands, "Well, Sissy, what are you gonna do with your 'mounds'?" I sniggered.

She slapped my stomach in mock fury, ""Mounds? What are those things on your chest, bro?" she tittered.

I posed like a woman hefting her endowments, "They are all me," I chuckled.

She grabbed the endowments and placed them in a box labeled Room 2 Auditorium Eastmont Junior High School Props Department, "Time to send them back to Mrs. Jennings," she giggled.

"You've had them ever since the school play when you played Venus," I howled in glee.

Dad banged on the door, "Are you two hooligans through playing?' he chortled.

"Almost Daddy, I've got my enhancements ready to return, but Terry hasn't got out of his suit, yet."

"Y'all decent?"

"Yes."

He opened the door, "I don't know if I should unzip you, or Kerry, Son," he blushed.

"Daddy, Kerry, I have an announcement to make," I sighed. ['Will they hate me after my confession?']

Daddy looked at me with understanding "You like being a girl," he stated.

I started to cry as I saw Daddy actually accept my news. I had been afraid that he would hate me for wanting to be a girl. He was always so masculine, that I wanted to be like him before I had worn the suit. Now, after experiencing a night as a girl, I didn't want to give up the suit. I still wanted to be a boy, but I also wanted to be a girl. too.

After Kerry dried my eyes, I looked at Daddy, Yes, Daddy, at times, that is. At other times, I wanna be a boy," I sobbed.

He started his deep belly laugh that made him sound like Santa Claus, "Dear Child, didn't you know?"

"Know what?" I asked as he continued to laugh. When Daddy laughed like this, he was genuinely amused, and in this case, good for me.

"You get to keep the suit."

"SAY WHAT?!"

He sat me on his lap, as if I was his daughter, "The suit way too small for an adult. But as you wear it, it will stretch to adjust as you grow."

"How?"

"It is a living organism made up of plant fibers that feed off of your sweat and body oils. That's why you won't ever stink when wearing it."

"Will I ever have a menstrual cycle like Kerry does?"

"Yes, if in the suit, you will if she is in menses."

"Menses?"

"Having her period," he chortled.

"Oh! Can I get pregnant?"

"Not likely Terry, but there is a chance, especially if you actually menstruate."

"And then, I'd stay a girl, then," I sighed.

"According to data on other suits, yes." he replied as he hugged me.

Over the next few years, I continued to dress up as Kerry's twin. Our family allowed it and Joan and Lester had fun with us. Joan enjoyed slumber parties with us 'twins' and as a girl, got to know her better. But as much as she adored me as a girl, it was as a man that she saw me. As a girl, she shared her most intimate secrets that she couldn't when I was a boy, and as a boy I was her Knight.

With Les, when in girl mode, I was his sister that he never had. Lester was an only child of parents without siblings. When he met Joan, Kerry and me, he found the brother and sisters that he wanted. When I was in girl mode, he looked like a rock star with his harem of girls, and we enjoyed boosting his street cred in the hood. Oh, the gangs in the hood knew that I was dressing as a girl, but they knew that when I did, that if some cad broke the rules, I would put a stop to it. When I did it for fun, more than a few dated me because that way, they could safely date a girl if they were going steady with their main squeeze.

*~*

All of this happened before Delano came into power, and the local gangs were absorbed into his mafia. When he came into power, he systematically took control of each local gang and expanded their activities. Those associated with a Church, or community center were safe from his evil, but the others soon became even more corrupt as they fed off of his evil. It was during this time that Pastor Sally organized the churches into a league capable of countering Delano's mafia. Together with the businesses run by church members, a bulwark against the mafia was formed that Delano respected.

Sally made a deal with Delano that kept Delano from taking out his business rivals under the protection of the Church. She, as the leader had to 'bless' him at special occasions that he sponsored. Sally did in indeed 'bless' him in such a way that they were actually prayers for judgment against his empire. As for the centers, he left them alone when he saw how many Veterans were ready to rumble. Delano knew that such a battle would destroy the city.

As I grew up, the suit grew with me, giving me Kerry's body when worn. Most of the time, I chose to be Kerry's twin, but at times, I became my alter ego, Maggie May. As Maggie, I was a Southern Belle very much like Ellie May Clampett of The Beverly Hillbillies, or Daisy Duke of The Dukes of Hazzard. When I went stealth, nobody knew me, not even Kerry. It was during such times that I saw the despair beginning to grip the city, not knowing the cause.

That was when I began a very slow burn against the despair. I knew that the city needed a hero to defeat the despair, and I vowed then to do what I could. As Maggie May, I went where the 'angels feared to tread' to murder those that had escaped justice. Rapists and sex abusers were castrated, thieves were robbed of their property, killers were killed. Soon a legend was started about a Shadow.

The Shadow was revered by the Church for righting wrongs done to people and was feared by Delano's Mafia. But once the Mafia stopped committing crimes, the Shadow faded. What pleased me to no end was that when the Shadow Report was aired on TV or Radio, the theme to the old program was used, furthering the mystique. But for all the good that I had done, an even greater price was exacted upon me. I became a wraith, a pale shadow of myself as I became the Shadow. If not for my family and friends, I would have died inside as the Shadow took over.

Delano had finally made an appeal to the Shadow to stop the reign of terror, and let the Courts deal out justice, he promised that all cases would be judged fairly. From that point on, Delano never interfered with a court case he let his flunkies pay for their crime, which begs the question, did he forget about the Shadow? Perhaps he saw my winning the civil case as his answer to the Shadow question. Too bad, the Shadow would strike again!

Upon hearing his plea, I began to cry. I was in the back yard with others playing touch football when I heard it. I was carrying the ball when all of a sudden, I stood rock still as tears ran down my face as I mouthed 'It's Over' repeatedly. Pastor Sally who was there, led me to my room where she sat me on the bed while her husband wet a rag for my head.

"Terry?" she broached.

"The Shadow, NOT Terry," I moaned.

"It's time to return from the Darkness, my Child. Time to live in the Light," she intoned as James bathed my face.

"But I murdered those men and castrated those rapists! I am no better than they were," I sighed.

James placed his meaty hand on my shoulder, "No, Terry, you are repentant over your actions, they weren't. The only remorse they have is the justice that you served to them."

"But I took the Law into my own hands," I wept.

Sally hugged me until I was cried out, soaking her blouse thoroughly, "Terry, remember the sanctuary cities set up for the fugitives in ancient Israel?"

I nodded, "Yes, if a fugitive was given sanctuary, those wanting to thrash him had to wait until that cities Governor died, then they could thrash away, Why?"

"Because, you acted as the Law when you brought justice to them. God has forgiven you, Terry. Can you forgive yourself?"

I looked her in the eye, "Yes, but I'm putting away the suit. It's been as a girl that I did what I did," I sighed as I reclaimed my humanity.

"Good, do you want me or James to help you?"

I blushed, "It should be you, I am anatomically a girl until suit is off, and even then, I won't be in boy mode until after a hot shower."

Together, they helped me to put away my nightmare, and lock it away. But I vowed to use it again if the need was to ever arise again. In locking away my darkness, I became more confidant in myself. I was able to unite my disparate halves into a united whole. As the new Terry, I excelled in sports in my high school years, earning scholarships to attend college and earn my degree in Mechanical Engineering, Design, and Computer Programming. With my degrees, I was able to add to dad's business by adding a Detail Shop where I was able to paint the cars and add any wanted accessories.

Joan went on to become a Nursery Attendant because of her love for children. Her skills learned as a Girl Scout made being a Mother and babysitter a breeze. The only thing that she did not excel in domestically was the kitchen. Oh, she could cook a proper meal, but me and Les were the chefs, much to her chagrin. Kerry used her girl Scout skills to become a seamstress, she was so good that we never bought clothing except for our intimates and swimwear. Lester became a handyman. He loved working with his hands and earned his permits as an electrician, carpenter, and plumber, as well as gardener-landscaper.

I donned the suit after disrobing and thoroughly shaving off all my body hair. I did not know how long I'd be in the suit, so a hairless body kept the hairs from festering under the fabric. Once clean, I gently pulled the suit up my body, relishing in the feel of the return of the Shadow. As the fabric smoothed up my body, the skin ton changed to a rich mahogany as I became an Indian Squaw.

Once fully in the suit, except for the final sealing, my eyes became a rich green, my hair, red. I knew that Delano couldn't resist this package, I knew because I was drooling over my image, myself. I donned the taupe hose and matching bra and panty set to look as if I was going commando. The LBD barely went to mid thigh and the black Maryjanes gave me the sultry school girl look that I wanted to convey. I was ready to head out when I heard a gasp of horror. It was Sandy, and she was crying silent tears.

"No! Please don't!" she pleaded.

"Sandy, I must! Delano's reign of terror needs to end. I'm the Shadow that he fears."

She got on her knees before me, praying, "Please, Terry. I was around when he was under your curse. If you go as the Shadow, he will kill the city!"

"How do you know?"

"I was there when he gave the standing order to destroy the city if the Shadow ever returned, he'd have the gas mains turned into infernos and blow up all transformers."

"Then what would you have me do?"

She got to her feet, "Come with me to a meeting."

"Meeting?"

"Yes, while you've been busy getting ready, so has your family and friends," she sighed as I followed her into the living room where my family and friends were. I saw that they'd sent her to get me since she was the closest thing to Joan that there was. As I looked them over, the suit finally died and sloughed off of my body in a puddle of goo.

An Indian Brave dressed in a tan suit held up his hand, "Greetings Terry, or should I say, Shadow?"

Looking at my now decidedly male body, I sniggered, "Terry, please. It seems that the Shadow is no more." ['What Dad said is true, once I rejected the suit, it died. That means that the Shadow is dead, now. What shall I do now?']

He chortled as he sat down, "Yes, the suit has done its duty. Now to help you with your Mission."

"Sir, I do not know you, yet you know about me and my suit. Explain."

"Simple, I am Daniel Hawk, son of Chief Hector Hawk. I helped to design your suit. I knew that it was you as the Shadow, enacting vengeance upon those men. And that the suit died just now before you could use it again, as per its design."

"Then how do I seduce Delano?"

An elderly Indian stood up, "There are herbs that can give you the shape of your sister, or surgery to modify you."

Then a Dapper Gentleman appeared before me. He looked quite harmless as he got off of his bike, "Greetings Shadow, I am the Dapper Gentleman with the TransBike. We can be of service."

Kerry spoke up, Listen to him, bro! This man has helped folks with their needs when nothing else could."

I shook his hand, "Well, Dapper Gentleman, you know my name, or my alter ego's, and my sister vouches for you. Please tell us about yourself."

He sat on his bike, "I go by the name 'Dapper Gentleman because in the society that I come from, I am a criminal."

"Why?" asked Les.

"Because I took the TransBike from the future to help the people in the past."

Sally looked at him. The only way that you can do that and not cause chaos, is if your usage of the TransBike is a part of history."

"Exactly! The Time Court wants me for disrupting the past, but I am fulfilling my part in history."

Chief Hawk cleared his throat, "You fight the Great Sky Spirits to free those of twain minds. You are the Coyote of legend."

"If you mean a trickster, then you are right. I have often broken the rules to help someone."

I stood up, annoyed, "Sir, what does this have to do with me?"

"You can become the woman that you need to be with the TransBike."

Kandi spoke up, "Terry, just having the body is not enough. Living as a woman isn’t as easy as you think, Terry. There are more things about being a woman than clothing," she sighed.

Sandy opened up. As the Shadow, you were a soldier in a war against Delano. When you were Terri-girl, you were simply out having fun as you wore that costume. Being a woman takes more than looking like one."

Mandy stood up, her outfit designed to make men drool. The black boots, fishnets, slit micro skirt and halter top the uniform of choice for Delano's whore's, "Daddy, I was a boy before I was changed. It took Momma a month to teach me how to be a girl. Until I learned, I was like a boy wearing a dress, and suffered because of it. Before you go against Delano, you need to learn how to be a girl, too."

I looked around and tried to fathom their moods, "So, does everybody agree that I need to take on Delano?"

Hector Hawk cleared his throat, "It is not whether or not we agree, it is whether or not you will let us help you."

I looked at the Dapper Gentleman, "And your TransBike can make me a woman, Right?"

"Yes it can, only believe, my child."

"How do you know that you’re not causing chaos?"

"Simple, I won the case."

I laughed merrily as I saw the reason that he was wanted. Here was another Shadow, one who fought for others by granting them their wishes. Those that he helped were the downtrodden, unable to afford the price to transition.

"Then your clients were those that otherwise would have either not transitioned, or gone bankrupt paying for it."

He smirked, "How astute, Terry. Got it in one."

"Then why do you not say the names of your clients?"

"If I said their names, the good that I did would be undone when the meeting was erased from time."

"OK, then, who will school me in being a woman?"

Kandi, Mandy, and Sandy came forward, "We will. It's the least that we can do for you," they chorused.

I hugged them, "You three are now a part of my family. Y'all can stay here for free."

Sally came over, "And you are welcome in the Church, too."

"Sally, are you OK with what I am doing?"

James hugged her, "Terry, we know that this is what you need to do to have closure. Take care, young man. What you seek is fraught with danger for you."

I got onto the TransBike, "I will."

As I began to pedal, I felt the changes as my body became a clone of Kerry's. Then I went a deep chestnut in my shoulder length hair, with oriental, almond colored eyes. I felt my body become fitter as all of the dross was purged and my body cleansed itself of all impurities. When I stopped, I had a perfect body, free of all defects and scars.

The Dapper Gentleman hugged me as I got off, "Take care, Terry. Yours is one of a few that I may openly help."

"Why is that?"

"No matter what, you go against Delano," he sighed.

"Do I win?"

"I can not say without causing chaos."

Then he pedaled away on the TransBike.

----------- -----------------

The specter of what I was about to do and all of the things that could go wrong gave me nightmares as I imagined all the ways that Delano could destroy me and the others, yet, in all of them, he never saw my face. In many, he took me as his wife, putting me into Kandi's hell as he sold her and the others into slavery. My niece and nephew were adopted by him and became whores for him as their innocence was stripped from them and were brainwashed into craving sex. He even sired children upon me, sons and daughters to run his empire. In the end, I died a beaten woman, Queen of the Delano Empire.

In the morning, I awoke and reveled in my new body. For the first time, I was a woman in body as well as in mind. And I could feel its powerful muscles ready to do my command. I set out doing a stretch and warm up to ready my body for a work out. Then, afterwards, I pushed my new body's limits with a complex series of moves that emphasized speed and agility. I was not worried about my strength. I could easily bench 500 lbs. before my ride, and knew that I was stronger.

After drinking water to replace what I sweated out, I went down to the gym in the basement and practiced on the weights and bags. Now, I could bench 600lb and break the bags vinyl covering if I was bare knuckled. Doing all of this, I was unaware of my body's needs, all I knew was that my tummy felt weird. I was on my period, and it took Sally's noticing to tell me about my situation.

"Well, here you are. We wondered what happened to you," she announced as she came to the equipment.

I wiped down, "Hi Sally, I've been testing out my new body," I blushed as I looked down.

She pointed to my crotch, "Looks as if you need to check yourself about your body a bit more carefully," she giggled.

I looked down and saw redness in my pubic hair, "Oh shit! I'm mensing!"

Sally grinned at me, "Yes, Kerry's cycle just finished, looks as if you're following her's."

"Well, it's about time, I've been first in things ever since we were born," I tittered.

"You know that she's worried about you. But knows how much you need to do this, too."

She led me to the shower stall, "Here, you need to shower thoroughly, especially your pubic area. Use the water pic to do the job. Later on, you can take a good, soaking bath."

"What about douching?" I asked as I entered the stall.

"Sandy said that there's a kit in there."

"Got it. Tell her I said 'thanks,' please."

After that, I learned everything about being a woman. By the time that I was ready, my Anniversary drew near. I wanted to visit the graves again, but was reluctant to. I had neglected attending the graves ever since my transformation. I felt guilty for not seeing my family, and was afraid of their anger. It took Mandy and her innocence to help me see the truth. I was wearing my black skirted leotard and hose, preparing to work out when she came in dressed like I was, but was wearing heels, not sneakers.

"Well, are you ready to go and see your family?"

"What are you talking about?

"It's your seventh anniversary of marriage to Joan. Aren’t you going to celebrate?"

I sat down on the bench, "I want to, but I can't," I sighed.

"Why not? I've been there many times and talked to them. And those birds are a hoot!"

"Hoot, eh? Those are jay birds, NOT owls, I'll have you know," I smirked as she reminded me of Maggie's love of Nature.

She hugged me, "Yes, I know, a cardinal and a blue jay that are nesting in that oak tree."

"How do you know that they forgive me?"

"There' a picture of you that I left, the birds keep on kissing it, and got edgy when a storm came up. They relaxed when I put it in a knothole, away from the rain."

"Did they protect it?"

"Yes, and both moved their nest into the knothole."

"That knothole is where a limb was removed after lightning struck it. A bunch of us kids hollowed out the dead wood to make a nifty place for sodas. We stopped when 'Old Man Henry' died."

"Why?"

"He was the cemetery caretaker. After he died, the cemetery hired a professional lawn care company who evicted us."

She smiled, "Then you picked a perfect spot for your family plot."

"Yes, Mom and Dad are there too. They bought enough plots for us and grandchildren."

"Oh?"

"Yes, there are plots for you, and my new family as well as Kerry's."

She blushed, "Your parents evidently wanted a big family, just how many plots are there?"

"Practically the entire section, Dad invested heavily when he returned from the war," I explained.

"Your dad must have earned quite a lot from being in the military."

"He did, he was a Supply Officer for the Navy. He was able to purchase lots of stuff at the P.X. and save a lot that way. He even bought stuff for others and stockpiled stuff, too."

"And he didn't get caught?"

"Nope, the M.P. was Joan's dad, and he knew some guys outside the military who could help."

Mandy started to giggle, then laugh out loud at what she heard. Her laughter got me laughing too as I saw the humor as well.

My dad and Joan's had started a black market operation just as illegal as Delano's, except that theirs never hurt anybody, unless you count a few local stores, that is. They had funneled goods from the P.X. into the local economy and for their efforts, received a very lucrative deal upon Dad's Auto Shop and Poppa Malone's General Store.

Together, they had built up several local stores until they had the needed cash flow to expand and set up warehouses where they kept the surplus. Now, a lot of it was the used fatigues of deceased and retired soldiers. But not their medical supplies. They'd NEVER hurt the soldiers that way. In fact, they made sure that a wounded soldier got any supplies at cost from them and at a discount from their friends.

It was through their actions that there was a strong independent source of business to counter Delano's evil. Sally had turned a blind eye to the influx because the lower prices meant that the people were able to cope with the economic upheaval going on. She learned from her brother, Captain Shaun Christopher O'Malley, Chaplain aboard the Enterprise that dad's usage of the supplies was sanctioned by Admiral Jonathan Miller, the Base Commandant in charge of the P.X. that they were in charge of.

The Admiral had been raised during the Depression, and had vowed to do what he could to help others in need. His father had died of pneumonia from working the coal mines, forcing his mother to prostitute herself to feed her family. He saw her and his oldest sister become trollops to serve the base desires of men. Only after his dad's younger brother married his mom, did that nightmare end.

"Very droll, Mandy! Daddy used to scam supplies from the P.X. when he was a soldier, that's why he never encouraged me to join, afraid that I'd top his record," I chuckled.

"I got to change now, I just wet myself. Will you go and see them?"

"OK, I will. It's been too long, besides, I want to see their new nest, too."

---

 
Sandy and I headed for the graves after we changed into appropriate dresses. We both wore sundresses with a wide brimmed hat, matching sandals and hose. Just as we got there, I saw Delano slither out of his SUV limo and stand arrogantly before the graves. We heard him boast to them about his triumphs.

"Joan and Maggie White, how apropos is your last name. Your husband had won several million dollars from me for killing you with my SUV. Well, that's a very small price to pay to keep the Shadow at bay. It’s too bad because now I am ready for it. By paying off your husband, I have stopped the Shadow from returning and finding out that I have my own shadows in my employ now. It was simple to see that the Shadow was a ninja, or samurai warrior. Finding a few willing to enter my employ was child's play. Now with them, I shall take the city as my own. And when the city is mine, you’re coming up and will be put in a pauper's grave. This here will make a great golf course. I hope you enjoy the move," he chuckled as he was pelted by the cardinal, blue jay, and dove until he escaped into the limo.

Sandy and I held our laughter until he was out of sight, blowing his tires upon the speed breakers at the entrance, "Thanks, Y'all! He deserved that and so much more," I said as we stepped out into view.

The birds seemed to chirp in laughter as they cavorted around in displays of aerial acrobatics before settling down, "They knew what they were doing," giggled Sandy.

As I stepped forward and held out my finger, the cardinal landed there," Joan, this is the new me. I am your sister Terri, now, perhaps forever. I don't know. All that I do know is that I must do this for me. My soul burns with a fire that can not be quenched until justice is served. That is why I have neglected to come here. But now, I can not kill him as I wanted to do at first, even if he wants to disinter you and Maggie. I love you, Joan, but I may find another. But you are my first love, never doubt that."

The cardinal kissed me on the cheek, and I saw a single tear formed that became a phoenix and flew away to Heaven. A phoenix was the mythical bird that arose from its ashes to begin life anew. Was I the phoenix? Was the city the phoenix? Was my adopted family the phoenix? I knew not the answer, but I was at Peace about it. It was the Peace that surpasses all Understanding, for it was from Heaven.

The cardinal flew to Sandy, and lit upon her finger, "Joan, Sandy here. As I've said before, Terry and I have made Love. It was beautiful, and taught me that I was worthy of being loved. Before, I believed that all that I was good for was to be a whore, satisfying a man's lust. But Terry brought me away from that life and treated me with love and understanding. If he had asked for sex, I'd have gladly given it to him, but we waited until the time was right. Yes, I Love him, like a sister now that he is a woman, and I am now pregnant by him. The child will know of Terri's Love. Please accept the child as Maggie's sibling."

The cardinal rubbed its head against her cheek, and kissed her nose before it flew back as the blue Jay landed on my finger. I patted it and it chirped happily to convey its pleasure to me. So like Maggie who loved to snuggle and have her back gently scratched.

"Maggie, I am Daddy. I know that I look like Momma, but I need to. I wanted to show you the new me before I went to spank the man who hurt you. But I can not be Daddy again. Can you Love me as your second Mommy?"

The blue jay rubbed my cheek and looked at Sandy, "Yes, Sandy is now your sister, and her son, your brother. Please welcome her to the family."

Both birds flew around Sandy chirping happily, and then led us to the knothole where my framed picture rested along with Joan's birthstone ring. It had a stone for each of us and one for our anniversary. The cardinal placed a heart shaped acorn in my hand, then they flew back to the tombstone. I took their gift and was able to attach a silver necklace to it and wear it over my heart where it felt alive, not inert.

"Thank you Maggie for accepting me and Randy. Before, I was alone in the world. Now, I am a part of a family."

The three birds flew up and out of sight, as if going to Heaven, Sandy and I went to Lookout Mountain, a local hill that gave a view of the entire state. It was a part of a State Park, inviolate of Delano's evil. Ranger Carl was an uncorrupted Park Range that did not fear Delano, being from a long line of veterans who went into the police force. He had an army of veterans that were as pure as he was, and they too defied Delano, keeping a check upon his evil.

Sitting in an out door cafe, sipping a mint julep, Sandy and I soaked in the majestic beauty of Nature. Here was a reminder that there were those more powerful than Delano, that God cared for us. I had forgotten about God's Love for me in my quest for vengeance, and here He was, giving me a gentle reminder. Because here were the three birds with us, cavorting around in the air with other wild birds. Soaring majestically overhead was a bald eagle, keeping watch over its domain. It had a nest built over the cafe and waited until a meal had been left to dine upon it.

"I forgot that there is such beauty, raising my son, Randy. Thank you for caring, Terri," she sighed in a luxurious stretch.

I smiled as I saw the eagle land on me and leave a feather, "Me too. Here, I sense God's Love for me like I used to. Seeing Joan and Maggie helped me to admit that I had lost touch with Him. He simply reminded me of Him just now."

"And without your influence, I'd never have found Him. So, in a way, your my mother," she giggled.

I sighed in humility, "Please, Sandy. Go to Sally for your questions. I don't have your answer."

She smiled, "Oh, I am, along with Mandy and Kandi. It's called the Terri White class," she giggled as the eagle flew away.

"I am honored to be so highly thought of."

We stayed there until dark to see the sunset behind the mountains, light the sky in a glory of color that had no equal in Man's world. The endless dance of the heavens was reflected in the lake below where trout and bass abounded. Before leaving, I loaded up Herbie with enough fish and game purchased at the store below the Lookout Cafe to fill our freezers. The game came from local hunters culling the deer herd and from farm raised goat and sheep. There were local families of Jews and Arabs who lived together peacefully who demanded them.
We stayed there until dark to see the sunset behind the mountains, light the sky in a glory of color that had no equal in Man's world. The endless dance of the heavens was reflected in the lake below where trout and bass abounded.
> Before leaving, I loaded up Herbie with enough fish and game purchased at the store below the Lookout Cafe to fill our freezers. The game came from local hunters culling the deer herd and from farm raised goat and sheep. There were local families of Jews and Arabs who lived together peacefully who also got their meat from the farm and supplied their own religiously trained staff who killed the animals following their particular laws of animal slaughter.

The butcher shops had an american butcher to handle all unclean meat. They were friends who grew up together up north in New York City. They'd come to the city to get away from the strife and relocated here where they were needed.

-/*-

When Sandy went to bed, I knew that she was afraid for me still. To her, I was more than a friend, and wanted for me to give up my Mission of Vengeance for a life of peace, but knew that I was set in my desire. The unbridled fury I kept in my heart had been transformed into a cold menace that allowed me to plot my strategy against Delano. I had taken the advice that Knan Noonian Singh had given in the Star Trek movie: The Wrath Of Khan, 'Revenge is a dish best served cold,' I still had the anger, but now I had been forged by the tempering fires of passion into a Sword of Justice.

I had become a cold warrior. There was an ancient proverb that said: 'The best warrior is a cold warrior. A cold warrior uses his anger instead of letting his rage use him.' True, I could become a Viking berserker and cause collateral damage to Delano, but that would cause much retaliation, ending in a war that would destroy the city. No, I had done as the ancient Vulcans had done and mastered my fury. Now I was ready.

=*=

I called together the Council of War to plot out my strategy. It was simple, yet deadly in its scope. Best of all, even if I failed, Delano would fall from grace and his empire would crumble, letting the police clean up, and allow the business community to pick up the pieces.

We were in the Eastmont High School auditorium, having been let in by the janitor. We met in the orchestra pit where the band played during any play or musical. It was an old building, built back at the turn of the century with booths in the balcony, and a prompter's box where the director sat and coached the players during the play.

"People, now that I am a woman, I have devised a plan to destroy Delano. I shall seduce him into falling in love with me and have him propose marriage to me. But my price will be his empire which he will gladly give me."

"Where will you get the funds or property to entice him?" asked Chief Hawk.

"I will need the deeds to the property that he craves the most."

Les jumped up, "Bold plan, Terri, but why should I risk the Lake House for you? You are my sister, but you are asking too much of me."

"Les, I never said that your property was at risk, just the deed which will be forged so that the D.A. can prosecute him for theft and fraud," I laughed as comprehension set in.

Chief Hawk rumbled with laughter as he and his son who was also laughing brought forth a peace pipe filled with shredded apple leaves, "How like the coyote you are, Terri. Using your feminine wiles and trickster charms, he has no chance. But what will you do when he proposes?"

"Accept, then that night, drug him so that my wish comes true," I smiled evilly.

"Drug him? asked Mandy.

"What is your wish, Momma Terri?" asked Mandy.

"To turn Delano into a clone of Joan and let her work in one of the brothels. I am sure that there are several men who would enjoy it."

Kerry slapped me hard, with tears in her eyes, "HOW DARE YOU DESECRATE JOAN'S MEMORY THAT WAY! SHE WAS YOUR WIFE, GOD DAMN IT!” she yelled with conviction.

I visibly deflated, "You're right to slap me, Kerry. I let vengeance turn me into a monster," I sighed as I let tears fall.

She wiped away my tears, "Oh, my sister! You are no monster! Can you make him look different?"

Then the Dapper Gentleman stood up, "Yes, she can. I am here to rectify that minor problem."

"Oh? then who should he be?"

Mandy stood up, "Me! Make him my clone, that way she can get pregnant if she isn't careful."

"OK, But would you like to be a boy, or a girl?"

"Momma Terri, in all truth, I want to be a real girl and be a mother, too," she sighed.

The Dapper Gentleman touched her with his cane, and she glowed, "Now, dear child, you are a girl. You even have a history of being raised as a girl," he smiled.

She hugged him, "Thank you kind Sir! How can I repay you?"

"Just find a husband, and be happy," he blushed as he sat back down.

I cleared my throat, "Dapper Gentleman, does this mean that Delano will look like Mandy?"

"Oh yes he will, with only one goal, to please a man, any man," he chuckled.

"OK, thank you Kind Sir. Now, any questions?"

Sally laid a stack of deeds by me, "These are the deeds to businesses that Delano has shut down because the renters refused to bow down to his wants. He tried to buy them, but the Church has them. Please use these, Terri."

"I will, with these, Delano can't help but lose. Once he is a girl, that is where you come in, Chief Hawk," I smirked.

His son stood up because the Chief was silently laughing, tears rolling down his cheek, "Father knows what you want to do, Terri. Should we place the 'new girl' out as an escort or on the hotel staff as a maid?"

"Why not see where she will do the most good? Dela Delano will remember her male past, yet be unable to do anything but act like a girl. Only with you, your father, or me can she voice her true self if alone with us. And must do what we say," I chortled as the implications of my idea hit everybody.

Kandi looked over at me with tears in her eyes, "Terri, please don't have Delano be a clone of my daughter. If she is, Mandy can never visit a Reservation. Make Delano into an Indian Maiden with red hair, gray eyes. Such a Maiden is highly prized. Right, Chief?"

"Right, Kandi," he sniggered.

"Then let Delano be as you wish, Kandi. Mandy with red hair and grey eyes, but smaller, like you."

She smiled, "Does that mean that I have a new daughter?"

"Only if you wish it," replied the Dapper Gentleman.

Mandy shuddered, "Please, Mother. That would be my nightmare made flesh."

Coach Brad stood up, "Make her my daughter. Millie, my wife and I have no children," he sighed.

"Coach Brad, can you love her as a daughter even knowing that she used to be Delano?"

A mature lady with graying brunette hair stood by him, "Yes, we can. But if possible, make her a young teen girl and us younger when her time with the Indians is over," she wept.

"So be it," proclaimed the Dapper Gentleman.

"Dapper Gentleman, if you can do all of this, why did you not give me the in bred knowledge on being a woman?"

"You NEVER wished it," he chuckled.

Everybody laughed at my imitating a fish as I saw my error. Then after I had thought about it, I laughed too, "Thanks, I needed that reminder that I am not perfect," I sighed.

The Dapper Gentleman looked up as his TransBike emitted an alarm, "My pleasure, but he is about to discover our conspiracy. Let me help by sending y'all home. And Lady Branson, your wish shall be granted. If Delano succumbs to Terri's wiles, you and your husband shall be younger, with a daughter in her freshman year in high school," he announced as he pedaled away and sent us to our homes, leaving behind a scent of roses from Kerry's perfume.

[*]

I woke up, ready to initiate my war against Delano. I showered and tended to my now female body's needs. I reveled in its perfection as I let the hot shower spray caress my sensitive skin. Then after the shower, I donned hose with flesh tone shorts, sports bra and sleeveless top, white anklets and sneakers. My plan was to take a long, leisurely walk where Delano frequently went to gaze at the women that he wanted to woo. He never let their rejection faze him as he had plenty of available whores to sate his lust. This was his recreation.

Sally was there, looking at me with worry, "I know that you mean to do this Terri, your anger against Delano is a most poor substitute for the love you had for your family, and I'm starting to become afraid for you, very afraid."

I hugged her, "Afraid of what?"

She sat us down at the kitchen table where she had taken the liberty to make us coffee, "Afraid that you will let hatred and anger consume you, and blind you to the love that your new family has for you."

"I have to do this, Sally, I am doing this to protect them, as well as for vengeance. I can not let Delano win. Until he is destroyed, nobody is safe from his avarice. How long, until he no longer needs you?"

She sighed as she saw the bitter truth, "Not long, soon he will no longer fear anyone, or anything. He mocks the Lord in any Service that he attends and sheds crocodile tears when I admonish him."

"Then let me end his reign of terror for you. He will not die."

"No, but his soul might not accept the changes inflicted upon his body. If that happens, his soul will die."

I saw her worry for his soul, then a message of hope came to me, "Sally, Dana Delano will not despair. Tony Delano will accept his new identity and welcome his new life. WE will find out what made tony into the monster that he is."

"How can he? You’re not yourself, anymore. "She smiled and hugged me, "Terri, you got that from above. Now, I know that God has sanctioned your vengeance."

I blushed, "Sally, I never asked for this, but now that I am dedicated to seeing it through, I will not turn away. My only fear is if Delano sees through the conspiracy," I sighed.

"How can he? You're not yourself anymore!"

With her words of wisdom, my fears were put aside. Now I knew that whatever happened, God was in control. As a Christian, I was led to believe that God was in charge, and knew what was happening. What the loss of my family did was to make me forget. Now the song 'God Is In Control' by Twila Paris was running through my mind, reaffirming my weakened faith.

I let Sally out of the house and got into Herbie and went to City Park where Delano sat, leering at the women. I got out, next to his SUV and stretched in full view of him. I could see him drool over my lithe form, lusting over my attributes. I started walking away from him, forcing him to follow me if he wanted me. He did.

"Excuse me, miss. Are you new here?" he asked as he caught up to me.

"Yes I am, why?"

"I am Tony Delano, I practically own this city. If you need a job, come to me."

"Well, I am in no need of a job, in fact, I own a lot of property in this city. I'm looking to settle down."

"Are you married?"

"No, but you are, by that ring you wear."

He blushed, being outed, "I was not asking you out on a date, Miss>"

"Leslie", giving him my middle name as a woman.

"There are local bars where the singles meet, Big Closet is nearby."

"Big Closet? Are you for real?" I laughed. I knew that bar, it was where the college kids met before Delano. Now it was a gin joint catering to his more affluent clientele.

"Yeah it started out from some college kid's walk in closet where he kept his cache of beer."

"I guess that every college has one, mine back East was started by the Dean's daughter." ['Asshole! I know that it used to be a bar run by Erin and Sarah, but they retired when you bought them out and sent the T.G. community packing! Now they meet at Sapphire's Place.']

"Why not come and visit? If you do, I'll treat you to a lunch."

"Only if you can keep up the pace," I challenged as I started to jog.

"You're on!"

I led him a merry chase around the park, knowing that he was eyeing my backside with lust in his mind. What he was not expecting was my endurance. After an hour, he was visibly panting for breath, so I led him back to the bench where he had his cooler. I could tell that he was enjoying my cat and mouse game, and fully intended upon furthering the fun in his own way. But his way would mean losing my virginity and more to him, which was not going to happen.

"Good run?" I smiled as I stretched myself in order to cool down and avoid cramping.

"Yes," he panted. "But why stretch?"

"It’s to prevent cramping. Evidently, you are not a serious runner."

"Oh, I am, on the treadmill."

"Treadmills are for the weak, out here you get fresh air and sun."

"And stinky from sweat."

I finished stretching and sniffed my underarms, getting a raunchy pong of odor, "Ugh! OK. You got a point there," I grinned.

He squeezed my tush, "Then what about a quick bit of sex?" he leered.

I reared back and slapped him so hard, that it echoed and he went down, "HOW DARE YOU PROPOSITION ME, YOU ASSHOLE! YOU ARE MARRIED, AND I DO NOT SLEEP WITH A MARRIED MAN, NOR A CREEP THAT TREATS ME LIKE I AM A SLUT! GOOD DAY! SIR!" I yelled as I stormed off, silently grinning as he tried to save face again.

"PLEASE WAIT! LET ME APOLOGIZE!" he implored as I stomped away.

I turned around, "You had best make this good, or else I will do business with your rivals!"

"What if I divorce Kandi, and marry you?"

"Why should I marry you?"

"Marry me and become the most powerful woman in the state!"

"OK, but leave her all of her accounts, as well as any shared accounts."

Why so concerned about her?"

"Simple, as a woman, I know what she will be going through. She will need a way to raise any children left behind." I sighed.

"Oh? What if 'I' want custody of Mandy?"

"Then you lose me. I want no competition."

He leaned in and kissed my lips, "Very well, Leslie. It shall be as you say," he replied as whistled as he returned to his SUV,

I was suddenly confused. I was responding to his kiss with a lust for his domination of me. This is what conquered Kandi, and let Delano turn Mandy into a girl. If a woman who had been with a loving husband was vulnerable to his charms, what hope did I have? He'd easily conquer me and gain the advantage against his opposition once we were alone. Even now, I wanted him in me, planting his seed to continue his legacy. If I succumbed to his advances, then the city was doomed to suffer for my weakness. I needed help and hope before it was too late!

I headed for the gravesite to talk to Joan and Maggie. I knew that they'd be able to help me. AS I got to the entrance, I saw a Yellow Cab take Kandi and Mandy to the graves. I saw God's Hand in this, and thanked Him for arranging for this to happen. I knew that they wanted to meet them, now they were. Knowing Joan and Maggie, they'd accept them. But both have a jealous streak that's dangerous to touch. Those that did never did it again.

Joan would use her influence with other women to announce her displeasure to the world and the recipient of her anger and if an apology was issued, all would be well, if not, cat fight! I have seen lady wrestlers go at it in their matches, but Joan is far worse, she plays for keeps. More than one of her victims had to have their hair restyled after she had given them a bald spot, and Maggie took after her mother in that. She'd come home with scrapes and bruises and a tale of youthful mayhem where she had trounced a bully. Joan and I never spanked her for standing up for herself, but if she started the fight, we did.

Kandi and Sandy were standing at the graves, looking at the birds as they warbled at them. I could tell that they were awaiting my arrival before passing judgment on them, for which I was glad. I wanted both of my families to get along and love each other. I needed that in order to be at peace, or have a core of peace for the battle ahead. They were my bedrock against the upcoming storm that was to come, but now, I was a ship without a sail, heading into the rocks as the lighthouse blared its useless warning to me.

I got my bearings as I stepped out of Herbie and strode over to them. They were wearing matching pink sundresses and bonnets, sitting lady like before the tombstones, pulling weeds. As I got closer, I heard them singing Morning Has Broken, Joan's favorite. I sang it to her when I proposed to her on the Veranda, and she sang it to Maggie when she was born. AS I heard the words, I saw the Garden, and God's perfect world. Joan and Maggie were there, in human form with red cardinal wings on Joan, blue wings on Maggie. They reached out to me and hugged me, washing away my fears.

"Terri, welcome to Paradise."

"Yes, Daddy. Here, we are free of our hurts."

"Cast off your burdens, My Child, Here, let your soul rest in My Peace."

"Thank you, Jesus. I am at Peace. But out there, I am afraid," I sighed.

"Terri, when we married, I knew that you were strong. Rely on that strength within."

"My Child, Open up your Heart, and let your Soul's halves blend. Let your Man's Heart unite with your Woman's Heart and shield you from Delano's charms."

"Yes Daddy, I don't wanna see you become a mommy for him, Yuck!"

Maggie's attitude brought out my sense of the ridiculous which had won Joan's Heart, "OK, Maggie. I won't marry Delano. Who would you have me marry?"

The Chief's son. He likes you a lot."

I couldn't believe it! My daughter had actually seen fit to suggest a husband for me! Worst of all, I could see us together.

"Don't be so surprised, My Love. You have been a most wonderful husband. Now it's time to let yourself be the wife and woman that you are inside."

"Yes, My Child. You are of two Hearts. Let yourself become that which you are now, in body."

"But, Lord! Is it NOT a sin for me to live as a woman?"

"No, My Child. The sin is NOT accepting your new life."

"Jesus, if not for the accident, would I still be happily married to Joan?"

"Yes, My Child. You would have lived a happy life until Joan passed on, then you'd have joined her soon after, your Heart yearning for her."

"Would I have ever become a woman?"

"Only for Halloween."

"Then why choose me to go after Delano?"

"You would have, anyway. This way, your family is safe, and your friends."

I hugged Jesus, Who wept tears of Joy, "Thank you, My Lord. You have removed my doubt."

"Go now, your new family awaits you."

Paradise faded away, and I was hugging them, we were all weeping, "Did y'all experience Paradise with me?"

"Yes, my brother. I never saw you as weak, nor I. Now I see where I was seduced," admitted Kandi as the birds seemed to scold her as they flew.

"Momma, you were NEVER weak, just overwhelmed by his charms. I am glad that Daddy Terry freed us before he became Momma Terri," Mandy proclaimed as the birds cheered her.

"Come with me. It's time for Delano to openly divorce you and try to woo me

"You know, I SHOULD be jealous, but I'm not. I'm feeling absolutely no remorse. I am looking forward to seeing his downfall."

"Me too! Turning me into a teen slut against my will makes me want to trounce him, but good."

"Then let’s dress for him and meet him today," I offered as I silently laughed.

"SAY WHAT!?" the chorused.

"I am going there and want both of you there so that he can divorce you both."

"Terri, how can he divorce me? I am his step daughter."

"When he gives your mother a divorce, he will give up all custody rights to you as well as return to you and your mother all property and assets that he stole."

"Terri, that'll practically bankrupt him. Most of his wealth is from me."

"True, Kandi. But he still has his empire of small businesses that he took from their owners. By combining those with MY assets, he will have even more power than ever since it includes lucrative contracts with the Government."

"How do we get there?"

"In Herbie, Mandy. Why?"

"Won't he know that it's yours?"

"It's not mine, Kandi, It belongs to Joan. And if he does make the connection, Terry has gone on a world cruise, lost in the wilds of the tropics by choice."

+*+

I parked Herbie by Delano's SUV in the Big Closet parking lot. The exterior showed massive remodeling as the bright motif of the many fraternities and sororities logos were replaced by authentic ranch house style paneling and cacti lining the walkways to the lots. The cowgirl waitress in the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleader uniform using supple tanned hides instead of the traditional blue and white colors promised a change in the name when the lease was up next year.

The students were from Eastmont College, where most of the local waitresses were from. The students were treated by the staff as extended families in most businesses in order to generate goodwill in the patrons. Whenever there were games between competing local high schools, there were good natured bets between businesses resulting in different specials that kept the economy stimulated in spite of national trends.

As we walked in, I could tell by the dim lighting and cameras that we were being ogled by security. The men in the bar leered at us as we sat at the bar, the slit mini dresses giving an excellent view of our lacy panties and fishnet hose, as the form fitting top displayed our wares to their fullest advantage. We chose our slut -ware to make Delano and company drool over our bodies.

One patron placed his meaty paw on my hosed leg and leered at me with unbridled lust, "Well, bitch, let's go and see how good you are in bed."

I karate chopped him in the throat, followed by a kick to the groin, crushing any argument, "Hands off, Buster! Nobody touches me without my permission," I purred.

The security guard led him out and smiled at me on his return. Not every lady has enough gumption to do what you did. Good show!"

"Thanks, I guess that he believes that he is god's gift to women," I purred.

"Yep! More than one has called upon me to get rid of him."

"Why does the management let him return?"

"He's best friends or something with Delano."

"Then Delano needs better friends, or the ladies will frequent other bars."

"He doesn't care. He'll just hire waitresses and escorts to satisfy the male patrons."

I could see that this elderly gentleman hated his job. Old Man Morgan had been the bouncer here for years, ever since Dad's days at college. Morgan was a Marine veteran who lived above the bar rent free for his vigilance in keeping the peace. The only reason that he stayed was his love for the college kids that still came in. Now, most were men, the women went elsewhere due to the men who accosted them.

I couldn't risk revealing my knowledge about hm, so I pecked him on the cheek, "Thanks for being here for us ladies."

I was followed suit by Kandi and Mandy, "My soon to be ex-husband has mistreated you. When I can, I will reward you for being so kind."

"Ma'am, as long as you return the place to its former glory, I will be satisfied. But if you want to be eye candy, go ahead."

She blushed at the obvious play on her name, "If I do, it will be for a friend."

"Momma, you flirt! Are you looking already?"

"Maybe! I do like a strong man."

He gently took her hand, "Dear Lady. If I could, I would ask you out, and be a father for your delightful daughter. But, until Delano is gone, I can't."

She smiled at him, "I remember how you comforted me when I became a widow. Before that, you and Steve were best friends. If you wish, after my divorce, we will start anew."

"But what about his jealousy? He has destroyed others for crossing him."

I sighed, "Not once I am in charge."

He looked at me, then saw who I was and smiled, "If I am not mistaken, you are the one to change things, as your dad did before. Best of luck Terri."

"Do not tell him. You do, and it's curtains for me."

"Don't worry, I want to see him fall."

Terri's Vengeance Chapter 6 By Stanman63 Edited By Nora Adrienne Synopsis:The Plan continues to bear fruit as Delano likes what he sees and starts to fall under Terri's spell. He frees Kandi and Mandy from marriage, and awaits her return with the promise of a more lucrative meeting and his conquest of her. Terri still has doubts about herself and her vendetta that are slowly conquered as she finds new strength.

---

Here was a gentleman from the past. He knew the code of honor that Daddy went by. I could tell that he loved Kandi and Sandy. He wanted to make them his family, knowing their secrets. Now I knew that they would be cared for after the battle to come. I had a secret worry that they would be bereft of any family of their own. I knew that Kerry and Les would adopt them as they had Sandy and Randy, but I knew that I was asking too much of them in order for my Mission of Vengeance to work.

She looked at him with hope in her eyes, "You have often befriended me when I came here from work, never asking for favors. Now I know why. When Delano is finally defeated, we can and will plot out lives uniting."

"Good, that means that I get to spoil a Princess in you, Mandy."

She hugged him, OK, Daddy. I need new shoes," she giggled.

He play slapped her tush, "I'm not your daddy yet, young lady," chortled as she yelped and Kandi sniggered.

Now I saw Delano arrive, wearing a tuxedo, "Welcome to my place, have you been served?"

I pointed to them, "No, my companions have been flirting with that old codger," I giggled.

Sliding down into a seat by me, "We don't see many women like you and your friends in here, what brings you here today?"

"What kind of woman do you think I am? Do you think that you can sweet talk me out of any deals that we might make? My question threw him off stride as he heard the men chuckle at his fax pas. He needed to save face with them and quickly laughed it away, but I saw anger in his eyes, too. "Trying to size up the competition. And why are THEY here?"

I smirked, "They are your wife and stepdaughter, are they not?"

"They are."

"Well, if we are to do business, you must be a bit befuddled as to why I brought them," I smirked.

He scratched his full head of black wavy hair, "Yes, I am wondering why. I thought that this was a get together for a drink."

"And you are currently MARRIED! Good day to you! Our deal is off!" I announced as I sauntered out with Kandi and Mandy following me.

"You sure do play hardball, Terri," Kandi tittered in a whisper.

"Yeah! Terri the Terrier," giggled Mandy.

"Just wait, he will make an offer I can't refuse, now," I guffawed as I said the classic line from the 'Godfather' movies.

As we got to Herbie, I saw Delano leaning against Herbie. We had deliberately waited in the ladies lavatory to give him time to get there. He was smiling at me, and I could see the wheels whirling in his mind as he contemplated my falling into his trap, "Well met, indeed. Shall we continue our negotiations?"

"What negotiations? You proved to be a liar, just now. I don't deal with liars."

"Well, you lied to me too."

"Omitting details is not lying."

"Leslie, when I conduct business, I put everything on the table."

"Funny, no table here, and you were out to seduce me."

He cleared his throat as he tried to keep from choking upon his mug of brew, "You win. May we start off fresh?"

"Yes, divorce Kandi, return to her ALL of the asserts that you stole from her," I commanded.

"And just what do I get in return?"

My access to lucrative Government contracts, contacts, and relaxing of official intervention in your activities."

"Where do I sign?"

I placed the documents on the hood of his SUV, "Good thing that I came prepared, as you can see, only you need to sign."

He signed with a flourish, "I will vacate the estate by this weekend, Kandi."

She kissed his cheek, "No hurry, Tony. Take your time. I want ALL of your stuff out of there, and the original stuff returned or replaced."

He blushed, "I am truly sorry that we did not work things out. It was all my fault. I hope that one day, that you can forgive me."

"Toni, when you are truly repentant, I will forgive you. You must forgive yourself, first." ['Hard NOT to see him as a girl, knowing what's in store for her,']

As he got into his SUV, he looked at me, "When do we do our business?"

"Later on, Romeo. I want to celebrate with them."

We left and went to Kerry at the Lakehouse, knowing that we were being followed. We went to the Galleria, where we were soon lost behind a members’ only section for the Nest, an exclusive club that Delano wanted. It was here that Mayor Bradshaw, County Commissioner Waverly and their staff met away from the pressures of running the Government. Governor Stone frequented here, too.

As I parked Herbie in the back of a delivery van, Mayor Bradshaw came up and escorted us into the Nest, "Did you get the papers signed? Chief Hawk said that was your goal in the first meeting."

I looked the youngish looking black woman over. Her pinstriped skirt suit and matching hose bespoke of her political eloquence and reputation as a savvy leader. She had secured the city against much of Delano's evil by relaxing a few 'Codes of Conduct for her Police Force and working with the D.A. and Court appointed attorneys to keep a check on his evil. He wanted her dead, but was unable to achieve that goal because none of his henchmen ever got close to her.

"Madam Mayor, Just what all do you know?"

"That you were Terry White, husband of Joan, father of Maggie."

By this time, we were inside, where the waitresses, wearing the traditional red dress uniforms abounded. They looked smart in those knee length dresses and ballet flats. There was no exploiting of women, here.

"So, do you think that I am wrong to have so drastically changed myself?"

She smiled, "Who am I to judge? Before I became Mayor, I was Mark, now I am Marcia, thanks to the Dapper Gentleman."

I saw her glow as she patted her belly, "You're pregnant. Congratulations. My gift to you is this package of documents. Please have them certified."

She looked over at Kandi, "What will you do with the company?"

"Turn it over to the city. Those warehouses can be made into residences and businesses as well as new schools. That was Steven's goal before he died. The proposed plans are there, along with plans to convert the factory into a research center."

"I will, and thanks. Shaun and I are simply ecstatic over the pregnancy," she glowed as she left us at the waiting area.

We enjoyed a leisurely lunch as the distaste of Delano was washed away with copious amounts of wine coolers. Mandy had phoned Kerry to come and get us, instructing her to come by cab as we were in Herbie. When she learned about what happened, she laughed, knowing that the van would be unnoticed since it was used for local deliveries. 'Jeb's Deliveries' was used by the area shops ever since old Jeb Snow had retired from the used car business after his children graduated college. He and his wife, Marti kept the vans to donate them to local businesses. Now, thanks to a good economy, and support, the older vans were converted into mobile homes as they were replaced with new vans.

/*/

Collecting the mail when I got in, I saw letter from the twins. They had made me a storybook about their new Auntie Terri. They knew about the change and accepted me as their aunt. Upon reading the missive, I cried my eyes out as I let myself be a woman, reveling in the emotional release that I had denied while facing Delano. Now, at home, I was free to be the woman that I now was.

Mary and Murray had shown me unconditional love that only an innocent child could give. With their acceptance, I felt a great weight lift. I feared that my transformation would harm them, but their Hearts proved to be much stronger than I thought. I was raised to never harm a child, as the Lord said, 'Suffer the children to come to Me, for of such Faith is the Kingdom of Heaven." Joan and I had raised Maggie to believe in herself, and to think. We never spanked her for doing what she thought was right. We would make sure if she was right or not, then instruct her differently if she was wrong.

"Why are you crying?" asked Kandi as they entered the kitchen after using the toilets.

I passed the storybook over to them, "No wonder, Aunt Terri! Making this scrap book of your former life and showing how much they love you would break your Heart," sniffed Mandy.

"Only an Aunt or Mother can know that special Love, either by birth, or by choice," sobbed Kandi.

"Come, Ladies. Let's chill out for the day. We've done enough. Kerry left us take out from 'Guido's. Are y'all hungry for his Italian-Mexican specials?"

We agreed to the plan as Guido's specials were a special treat for a woman wanting to keep her figure. Guido was a possible Mexican-Italian chef from up North where he'd learned his skills in Manhattan. He was a colorful character with the skin of a Mexican, but the curly hair of an Italian. Thing is, his family were all Blacks. We know that he was adopted by them, because Guido was his last name, Epstein was his first.

We watched vintage martial arts movies from China that had been dubbed into English. The simple plot lines and corny lines were a refreshing look at the world. My old Sensei, Master Wong had given them to me when I achieved Master level and called me his son. When he died, his wife, Kieko and daughter, Sakura presented me with a katana, emblazoned with his name, Miagi. I have that sword in a place of honor and train with it daily.

........................

The next morning I went to the Cherokee Mineral Waters Spa to soak and meet with Chief Hank Hawk and his son, Medicine Man Daniel Hawk. Hank had earned his Title by learning about Business Management/Administration in college while on an Athletic Scholarship. He was Eastmont Cougars' quarterback All Star Athlete, helping to win State Championships in baseball, basketball, football, and soccer, as well as track and field. He was, and still is a natural athlete, passing his legacy onto his son and grandson.

Daniel followed in his father footsteps as an athlete, but became a psychiatrist to help heal his tribes mental and medical needs, combining modern medicine with tribal herbal remedies taught to him by Medicine Man Silver Deer before he passed away. Daniel combined both teachings to bring holistic medicine into the modern age in the tribe and train others in basic first aid in order to give his people better health while his son, Moses Hawk went to college to become the next Chief/Medicine Man.

I wore my red swimsuit under my biker’s leathers in order to keep my identity a secret from Delano. I did not want him to know my location, nor my activities. I knew that if he did, he would make things awkward for those that I was meeting. He wanted the reservations for his use, there were loads of oil, natural gas and coal located there, and Delano wanted to exploit it instead of the Tribe's Green Earth methods that left Nature in its pristine state.

As I got off the Harley, Moses greeted me, "Hello, Terri. Welcome to the Spa."

I hugged him, "Moses, when did you get back?"

"This weekend, I'd have been at the Meeting, but I needed my beauty sleep," he chortled.

"Beauty sleep indeed! You are as handsome as your dad, and granddad," I giggled.

He preened, "Even us Braves need sleep in order to pleasure our squaws."

I slapped him on the stomach, "Let your granddad hear you say that, and he'll have you eating crow for a week," I smiled.

A shadow fell over me as I neared the entrance, "And why not? Crow is good eating," the Chief deadpanned.

He looked marvelous in his deerskin vest and denim jeans and moccasins, and Moses was wearing swim trunks that left no doubt about his anatomy.

Then why not take a murder of crows and bake a pie," I smirked.

"Murder of crows?" they chorused.

"That is what you call a flock of them, and a flock of crows number thirteen," I giggled.

Daniel beamed as he hugged me, "Is it any wonder why she is so smart?"

"Daniel, thanks. But you are a bit too young for me," I sighed as we entered the spa.

"Not me, Terri," he stammered.

I was swept up into strong, manly arms, "Terri, I Love you!"

"How can you Love me? I am just recently a woman!"

He let me down in a private room with a massage table and pool, "Ever since I met you in school, I knew that one day, we would marry."

I looked at him with wonder in my eyes, "For years, I saw myself as a woman, married to an Indian Brave. I believed it to be from my dressing as a Squaw for Halloween, and that kiss that we shared. I gave up that Dream when I fell in Love with Joan. Are you willing to take me as wife? I am damaged goods."

"What damage?"

I touched his cheek as I sat on the table, "My Heart is full of hatred for Delano. I am not worthy of your Love." I wept as my Heart broke for this gentle giant. I wanted to say yes, but how could I hurt him? How could I let my hatred destroy him as I wanted to destroy Delano.

He placed his hands upon my shoulders, "You are born with two Hearts, A man's, and a woman's. You have lived as a man. Now it is time to let the woman within you live free."

I saw a possible future with Daniel, one equal to the past that I had with Joan. But the more powerful one was of my death. I was not strong enough to fight against my despair. My Heart was still enthralled by my Love for Joan and Maggie. I should have died, then. But, I was spared in order to fulfill my destiny. I saw no future beyond Delano, and that scared me. Could I do what was needed? Could I free the city from Delano's evil? Then I saw the bitter truth.

Delano was not the evil responsible for everything. He needed to be freed from his evil. Knowing that, I knew that I must succeed, or the city would suffer. Whatever it was that had hurt him, it was due to his father. I would have to break the chain of evil, and destruction to save Delano from his hell, but it was up to him to accept salvation.

"Daniel, I want to be your wife, and give you children. But please, do not love me."

"I can't do that, my Heart is yours."

In saying those words, he broke through the Shadow on my Heart. I had been in darkness, until then. The darkness was my hatred, and fear. Now I knew that I had a choice, I knew that Daniel would free me in the end. Those were the vary words with when I proposed to her. And I repeated it when we were married. It was those very words that Joan said when Maggie was born, and were engraved upon the gravestones.

"Daniel, I can make no promises to you. I must see this through to the bitter end. I give no hostage to fortune, for I must be free to do what I must. Will you care for my family? I need them safe from Delano."

"Your family is mine."

"Thank you, Daniel. For the darkness in my soul blinds me to your Love for me. You must be there to call me back from my despair, lest I die.."

"Come, Terri, it is time for you to experience the works. I will give you your massage."

"Why you?"

"My gift to you."

I lay down on the table, and let him work his magic upon my body. I was pounded, and cooked in the ways of the spa that released all of my built up poisons, leaving me all wrung out and in need of a nap. I found myself in a lounge chair, wearing matching sports bra and panty, with taupe hose under panty.

"I see that our Princess is awake," giggled an Indian Maid.

"Yes, I am. Why am I dressed? Last thing I knew was that I was in the steam room."

"Chief Daniel asked us to dress you after you were taken from the steam room. Why?"

"So, He did not get fresh with me."

"No, my Lady. He is a Brave with High Honor. He would NEVER take advantage of a Maiden."

"Not even one who he wants as a bride?"

"Especially of you. His mother instilled that in him before she passed on."

"OK. But now I am starving! Have anything to eat?"

Daniel came into the recovery room, "Hungry, Eh? Then may I treat you to dinner?"

"In a sports bra and panty? Hardly!"

"Oh, that is for the dress you wear to dinner," he chuckled as he held aloft a green form fitting dress with a flared skirt to match the undies I was wearing.

"Why green?"

"To contrast your lovely red hair."

I smiled at him, "OK, you win, As long as dancing is not a part of the meal."

"How about a movie afterwards?"

"Which one?"

"You pick."

I got dressed and ready for my impromptu date with Daniel. He was the true Brave Warrior to my Indian Maiden. I found it easy to relax and be a woman, and let my Memories of my dating Joan ease me through any turmoil over being a new woman. I was able to see the date as she saw it, feel the warmth and Love she felt for me. I was able to do this because I was not engaging my vendetta side.

Was my vendetta side from my male half? Was that why I saw darkness when I let my need for vengeance rule my heart? Could I survive without my vendetta? Could I stop my war against Delano? No, I couldn't. I must continue. I must trust in Daniel's love for me..

As he dropped me off at Kerry's I saw Herbie next to my Harley. That meant that Sandy was here with Randy, but not my Harley. I looked daggers at Daniel who began a long, slow laugh at my anger that soon had me giggling.

"Sorry, Terri, but I had your bike brought here from the spa."

I slapped him on the belly, "Let's get one thing straight, Buster! That is a Harley Davidson, NOT a bike!"

"Are you mad that I moved it?"

"No, not really. I am miffed about you calling it a bike, though."

"My apologies then. I never knew that you were so gung ho about your Harley. Are you the same way about Herbie?"

"More so. Herbie was Joan's. Now, he is mine."

"What say I get you a K.I.T.T. Trans Am or Mustang?"

"Both.I like both of them. Heck, I can buy them myself."

He chuckled at my attitude, "Terri, stop thinking like a man. Let me spoil you like you did Joan."

"I NEVER spoiled Joan. She built Herbie herself. And if I spoiled her, it was in letting her be herself."

"Then, will you let me spoil you?"

"Yes, by spoiling my family with Love."

"What about you?"

I kissed him, longingly, "Only after I have completed my vendetta. Until then, I can have no future with you."

He left after promising to be there for me, knowing that I'd have to dirty myself to bring Delano down. AS distasteful as it was, I knew that I might have to let him seduce me. The idea of him straddling me, taking my virginity was appalling to me.

////-/

I entered the Lakehouse and saw Kerry and Les sitting at the kitchen table, patiently waiting for me with a mug of warm cocoa for me, "How did the date go? Do I need to organize a wedding?"

"Is my new sister in need of me to act as Father of the Bride?"

"You two are getting ahead of things, now. It was only an impromptu date, you know," I admonished them as I sat down.

"Aww! Come on Sis! We wanna know ALL the juicy details."

"Even you, Les?"

"Yep! I am your brother, you know."

"OK, I rode my Harley down to the spa to meet relax a bit, but it turns out that Daniel and I have a bond, like I had with Joan. Remember how Joan and I were so close?"

"Yes, she was always smiling after you left her for work, especially when pregnant with Maggie," sighed Joan.

"I would be jealous of you, but your sister is my best friend and lover. What more can I ask for?"

"The lottery," I deadpanned.

They both got a good laugh out of that, as intended. As a general rule, we did not gamble, except for betting a dinner on games.

"After a complete massage, given by Daniel, we went to dinner, saw a movie, then he brought me home."

"A massage? Are you still a virgin?"

Yes, Kerry. I am in no danger of becoming an unwed mother."

"OK, Terri. I'm just making sure that my twin is enjoying her first time out as a woman."

A smile, unbidden, came to my face and I started to giggle. "I never thought that I would go out with a man, Kerry! But Daniel simply has a way about him that makes me feel whole and complete, like I was with Joan."

Les poured more cocoa for us, "Are you OK with being a woman?"

"Yes, but are you? We were best buddies until I changed. Can you still be my buddy?"

He hugged me close, "Terri, I knew long ago that you were also a woman inside. Back then, I accepted you, knowing that you might one day do this."

"So, what is it like to have a sister in law who is as pretty as your wife?"

"It’s the best of both worlds. I have my Soulmate in Kerry, and a pretty sister to protect, too."

"Thanks, Les. Your acceptance of me makes my new life better, by far."

"What about me?"

"Kerry, you accepted me as a girl back when I dressed as you when we were kids. The only difference is that now, I am a woman, like you," I blushed.

"Then my sister has had her very first kiss, then."

"Yes, I kissed him, Kerry. What's more amazing is that I liked it! It was being struck by lightning for both of us. I know that I was reluctant to stop."

"You have become a woman, sister dear. After all this time, you have become a woman in your Heart. You are now the woman that you kept hidden under your male shell. I saw it the first time that you wore that bodysuit. Back then, you did it to protect me. Now, you are a woman so that you can right a terrible wrong. Les sees it and so do I. But we also see the darkness eating away at your Soul Only Daniel can bring the Light to you," she wept tears of mourning, mourning my loss of innocence.

"Don't mourn for me," I am past redemption," I sighed as I accepted my doom.

Les slammed both of his meaty palms on the table, "LIKE HELL, YOU'RE DOOMED! DANIEL LOVES YOU TOO DAMNED MUCH! IF YOU ARE DOOMED, IT IS BY YOUR CHOICE!"

His admonition shocked my heart, he'd NEVER been like this before. Now, I saw the fury that he kept in check, a fury equal to my own. He believed in me, and my despair had frightened him to his core. He'd already lost a good friend and sister in Joan, and niece in Maggie, Now, I was saying that I was dead too.

"Les, I AM doomed, unless Daniel saves me. Because I can not see a future after Delano, but he does."

He nodded to Kerry who went up to see about the suddenly awakened children, as the others were asleep, "Then, go with him, He is your new life."

"Not till after Delano."

"Then, after this is over, follow your heart and do what you have to do to find happiness. Let Daniel spoil you as I have Kerry. Just be the best wife you can be."

++--++

I went to bed, pondering my future. Was Daniel in my future? Did I have a future? I saw no future after Delano, yet, I caught a glimpse of a bright future with Daniel. But I was not some innocent young girl who was Daddy's Little Princess. And I never could be, or could I? Daniel had pledged his Love and devotion to me, and his son liked the new me, but what of Daniel's father, Chief Hawk? Did he accept me as his daughter? I would seek my answer tomorrow, after Church.

***

I went to Church with my family, but I went in Herbie, not caring if I was seen at Pastor Sally's Church, or not. If any of Delano's goons saw me, so what! He knew that I knew his ex-wife, seeing us with my first family would give him more to ponder as he saw the Lakehouse property come under his domain.

Sally and James were exceptionally good today. I knew that they aimed the sermon and songs at me. If only they knew that when I’m not after Delano, I was my old self. It was when I went after Delano, that I saw darkness.

++***++

I drove to the cemetery to visit the graves, but this time I stood there in a black dress, my heels sinking into the moist ground as I spoke to them. The cardinal and the blue jay were waiting upon chicks in their nests. The chicks looked like a merging of their parents. Then I saw their mates up in the tree, bringing lunch to their offspring. It was weird, Male birds had the brighter plumage, yet, they were the avatars of my beloved family. Why was this? Was God showing me something? Then the dove flew down, and I knew that my question would be answered.

"I'll be back when I am done, and this is over then you can finally rest in peace. I will join you in Heaven, soon after. My Heart is cold within me. How can I live without you? I do not know." Then I sung the love song from that movie ' The Prisoner,' where Michael Cage played a Marine who went to prison for protecting his wife. 'How Do I Live Without You' became my lament." As I walked away I heard the birds, singing the song, as if they were giving me their Blessing.

When I got home, Daniel and his father were there with my family. I saw a scrumptious Sunday dinner laid out on the table and everybody was dressed in casual clothes. I had missed Sunday Evening services, which I hated. But no one chided me for my faux pa, they knew that only Hell or high water would keep me away.

Chief Hawk hugged me, "Come, my daughter, cast aside your burdens for the night. Feast with us, and rejoice in Creation"

That night, I let myself become his daughter. I relaxed and became an Indian Maiden in all but name. I found their Love for me to be a healing balm upon my tortured soul. Here was a vision of the future that I could have with Daniel, and I could tell that his father accepted me too.

The food was prepared by him and Daniel, using tried and true Indian ways. I had had authentic Indian food before, and this was as good as or better than that in their restaurant, Cherokee Pride. The roasted corn and wild game and pecans were washed down with plums and peaches distilled into juice.. After dinner, Hank Hawk started the meeting.

"We are gathered here today to finalize the attack upon Antonio Delano. We have prepared false documents that will send him to prison if he succeeds in acquiring them. I have no doubts about Terri's capabilities, but we do need this precaution in case she fails."

"Father, thank you for making this arrangement. I was worried about the possibility that I would falter. But, now knowing that you have taken precautions, I can do my duty without Fear of failure."

"And here I thought that you had no qualms about your vendetta," Kerry smirked.

"Kerry, there was always a fear of failure until now, Now I know that no matter what, Delano will fall."

Sally and James stood up, "Normally, I would not be involved in such an endeavor, but I am using my contacts within the Government to make sure that Delano can not rush the change of ownership through as he has done in the past. His cronies within the system have been put in jail for their crimes, thanks to a few sting operations."

"Sally, you amaze me. I never saw you as being so hard nosed. You and James have always been doves."

"Ah, but Terri. We are also lions, just as the Lord is."

"Just think of us being like Asalon, in the movie 'Prince Caspian," giggled Sally.

"A talking magical lion? Was he not supposed to portray Christ in the movie?"

"Yes, C. S. Lewis wrote it as a way of telling the Gospel. He and J. R. R. Tolkien wrote classics that are both fantasy and classics. It is hard to say who is more popular, informed Hank.

"Then, it is time to finally sting Delano, and I am the bee to do it."

I felt my bitter doom engulf me as I uttered my command, but now, I welcomed it. I gloried in the acid of hatred and vitriol of despair that began to course through my body. I became the avatar of doom, aimed at Delano, nothing would stop me. I abandoned all hope, for Hell was my source of power now. I gave up Paradise and God in order to fulfill my ultimate destiny. Terry the Man had died with Joan and Maggie. I was simply using the shell of his body to complete his Mission of Vengeance: His Vendetta against Antonio Delano.

Terri's Vengeance Chapter 7 By Stanman63 Edited By Nora Adrienne Synopsis: After the shocking announcement, Terri's family and friends, finally see the terrible price to be paid, unless she can see the Light of Hope. Daniel again pledges his Heart, but sees only the avatar. Only after she leaves does Hope reveal itself as in Heaven, the Truth is revealed. As Terri meets Delano's secretary, she sees a manipulative, cunning mind, waiting for her moment to strike. When she meets Terri, she sees the true queen and realizes that her attempt to steal any money from Delano is a moot point when Terri promises her that her family’s wealth will be returned. As Delano falls for Terri, he finds that he is no longer himself, and the cunning plot begins to destroy him.

---

After I uttered those words, I saw panic in their eyes, fear that I had become a monster, one that they would have to kill to save themselves. All but the Hawk's, they looked at me and saw the dark shadow of the coyote, the trickster spirit of their mythology around me. What they did not see was that my Soul was dead within me. I had accepted my fate. It was up to Daniel to bring me out of the depths of the hell that I had created. I did not know it, but up in Paradise, my future was being discussed.

*/-//\*

:Why does Daddy act like he is bad?" wailed Maggie.

She felt a strong, yet gentle hand lift her into his lap, "My Child, My Child, don't be crying. Your father is in need of your Love."

"Jesus, I do love Daddy! But now I cry for him when I should be happy!"
"My Child, My Child, go ahead and cry! For your tears shall wash away his pain."

"But why, Jesus? Why must he do this?"

"When you and your mother died, his Heart in him became filled with anger! Now, that anger has forged him into a weapon to right a terrible wrong!"

"But Daddy has become a momma! Is that right?"

"My Child, My Child, your father was born with two Hearts, the Heart of a man, and the Heart of a woman."

"Was he not happy as my Daddy?"

"Yes, My Child, he was most happy. He was ready to be your daddy forever."

"OK. Jesus, but why Daddy?"

Then, Joan came to Him, her eyes tearing, "Yes, Jesus, why must my husband become a woman in order to do this?"

"There is a great evil that has ruled Delano's Heart that unless destroyed, will leave the city a wasteland if he is not stopped before he dies. He is so powerful and filled with hatred, that it will take one who has no hope, has no one that can be used against him. When Terry lost you two, his heart died with you."

"But Jesus, he still lives!"

"Yes, because, as the Indians believe, Terri was born with two Hearts, A man's Heart that died with you two, and a Woman's Heart that is righting the terrible Wrong."

A new angel formed before them, "Joan, Maggie, I am Terry."

Joan hugged the angel as Maggie jumped to him, "Husband, why are you here, now?"

"Yeah, Daddy! Tell us, please."

It took my other Heart's despair to free me. She has embraced her destiny, not knowing that I left. She believes that she is doomed, she is not."

"But, how can there be two of you?"

"Maggie, I want to know too, but Terry seems to know," sighed Joan.

"Yes, Terry does know. He is the half that married you, and sired Maggie. Until now, his halves have shared his body. But when the body became female, the male half surrendered dominance to the other half."

"You mean that when I dressed as Kerry, I was letting Terri come out to play?"

Jesus laughed merrily, "Yes, you were. You had blended your Hearts into one for so long that Terri-girl expressed herself when you did anything, but that which is inherent in being a male, then she turned away."

"So, when I became your friend, THAT included BOTH halves."

"Yes, My Child."

"So, you do NOT look at the body, you look at the Heart."

"Yes, My Friend, and Fellow Heir."

Maggie tugged on His robe, "Momma Terri needs Hope. Without it, she will despair, and die," she wept.

Jesus wiped away her tears, Terri must choose Love over Despair. I have given her the choice. She must choose, for herself."

..++..++++

The next morning, I dressed for the occasion, wearing a low cut sundress and sandals for my next encounter with Delano. He was going to be at a charity garden party for brunch, and I made sure I was perfect for the day. I gathered mu new driver’s license, Social Security Card, Visa card, and passport. I smiled as I saw that there was no link to my old life, except that I was my very own younger cousin. Best of all, Terri Leslie Wright was an only child.

Now, I could give no hostage to fortune, I had none. As Leslie, I was from a township that was destroyed by a hurricane when I was born. I was raised by my adoptive parents who died in a house fire, years ago, giving me the clout that I needed to become a Powerhouse in the city. I had bought out the leases of those opposing Delano years ago, letting them be. Now, I was collecting my due from them.

The selling of my holdings to him, for a marriage would appeal to his ego in so many ways, that he would not consider the idea that I was setting him up for a fall. No, his one blind spot was his inability to conceive of defeat.

..++..

I got out of Herbie, and went into the bar where I knew Delano would be today. He frequented the Stardust Lounge on Mondays in order to conduct his more public dealings. It was here that he met with business men and women of the city, and state to launch different public campaigns. It was here that non-profit organizations sent their agents to sponsor charity events, and parades.

Melanie Waters was skinny, almost anorexic, with tiny boobs and almost no butt, and her dress hung from her like she was no more than a hanger. Her hat shaded her eyes from the sun, but it couldn't hide the electric blue eyes which told the real story. She was waiting for a chance to steal money for her transition from Delano. She had almost set aside enough money for transition when tragedy struck. Her daddy, Carl suffered a stroke which took her stash to treat. Now, as his only family, she used her Power of Attorney to place him in a nursing home. Now, she hoped to steal from Delano the funds to transition and pay off the mortgage.

I approached her at her desk, "My name is Leslie. I am here to see Delano," I purred as I sat on her desk.

She looked at me and visibly deflated as she seemed to lose hope, "Damn! I was hoping that he would call on me, this time."

She was smartly dressed in a skirt suit whose hem easily let you see her matching panty, "Don't worry, He will want you soon. In fact, he won't succeed with me today, Miss?"

She held out her hand, "Melanie Waters, Ma'am. Why?"

"How long have you been in transition?"

She looked at me with fear, "How can you tell? Only Daddy knows as well as the clinic."

I smiled at her, "We met, years ago when you first started. I recognize that cute mole on your nose tip."

"So, you're not out to out me?"

"Hardly! I myself recently transitioned."

She began to weep as the burden of her secret was accepted. She had been in fear of being outed and hurt ever since she began. Now, here was I, seeing her and accepting her. The fact that she was meeting another like her, gave her Hope.

"If you can be such a beauty that that bastard Delano wants you, then there is hope for me. I had the funds, but Daddy suffered a stroke, and it’s taking all of my savings to pay for the home that he's in. I am hoping to steal the money from Delano and get me and Daddy away," she sighed.

Then I saw the Dapper Gentleman arrive from a private lounge, "Ah, Terri, you are stunning, today. I felt your call. How may I help?"

"Melanie here needs your help."

"Is he a doctor?"

He laughed, Far from it! But if you wish to become a real woman, come with me," he offered as he held out his hand.

"Will it hurt?"

"No, Melanie. Trust him, and believe,"

She sighed, "I have no faith. no hope, just Daddy."

"Do you Love him?"

"Yes,"

"Does he know about your secret?"

"I am Daddy's Girl! That's what he calls me," she beamed.

Then a bright beam of light touched her for a moment, then stopped, leaving behind a new Melanie. I saw her body change, becoming feminine as the male body was transformed into a female body.

"Dear Melanie, your selfless Love for your Father has made your dream come true," smiled the Dapper Gentleman.

She looked within and remembered a past where she grew up a girl, "Is this for real?"

"Yes, child. Now, your reality has changed. You were born a girl, now," he smiled.

"Are either of you angels?"

He shook his head, "No, I am but a Messenger of Hope. Terri's concern for you led me to you."

She hugged me, "Then, you are my angel," she wept.

I held her chin, looking into her innocent eyes, "No, I am no angel, just a woman on a mission. I could not let you suffer because of my mission."

"Then you are here to stop Delano, my prayers are with you."

"Thank you, now please leave. I don't want you hurt."

She sighed, "I can't leave, no car."

The Dapper Gentleman placed a set of keys in her hand, "Did you forget the cute Postal Jeep that you got for graduating from high school? Your father is awaiting you at his cabin by the lake. His stroke never happens now because he never smoked."

She kissed him, "Thanks! I forgot! Then I must thank God for my Miracle!"

"Go to Pastor Sally. She will believe." I offered.

She ran out, "I will!"

I turned to my friend, "Thank you Dapper Gentleman, you have given her what I never could," I sighed.

"Go, child. And fulfill your destiny," he chided as he got on the TransBike, which had appeared. He got on and faded as he pedaled.

[][][]

I sauntered into his lair, seeing the rich, ornate room decorated in tasteful artwork of pastoral scenes, and those homey, cute knick knacks that a son or daughter would make or buy for their mom or dad. Delano got them for himself! He knew not such Love, and was crying out for Love.

"Well, well, well. I never expected you here. But I guess that I should," he said as he clasped his hands behind his head as he leaned back in his chair.

I sat on his desk, allowing my panty to be briefly seen, "I thought that you'd want to conduct our business away from prying eyes," I purred as I adjusted his tie.

"Oh?"

"Yes, that is why I sent your secretary home."

"Then who shall run my office?"

"Me! I know the ins and outs of an office."

"What if I close shop for the day?"

"Then, we can have fun."

"Why not now?"

I got down, and headed for the door, "When you can stop thinking with your dick, let me know," I ordered as I opened the door.

"WAIT! He pleaded.

"Why?"

"I'll sign, I'll sign away everything to you."

I glided over to the desk and hung my arms around his neck, "OK, after signing, we go and celebrate."

He took my arm, and walked me out on the huge patio where his hand found my firm but very feminine bottom. I did not move as he caressed me, until his hand wandered up my side to my breasts.

"Not here silly! This is too public!"

He looked around and noticed the crowd of those who he had wronged,, then sobered, "You're right! These people think that I had this guy killed."

"Who?"

"Terry White."

"Would you believe that I am Terry?"

"No way," he chuckled. "I checked you out. You are first cousins at best."

"If you say so," I giggled.

"Where shall we go?"

"Let's go to my new home and celebrate, there."

"Let's go."

I sat in Herbie, waiting for him to put the documents in his wall safe. I was scared out of my wits at what I was about to do. I was about to let myself get intimate with a man one that I hated. But I had no choice really, the die had been cast, and I was now merely a pawn in this game I had started. It was up to the TransBike to come through.

I waited at the front door for him, my hose covered legs displayed in all their glory by the side slit. I stepped inside, leading him into the sofa in the den. I turned to face him, my arms out to greet him, he rushed in, ready to tear my clothes off and take me, but in his frenzy of vanity and lust he never made it. The TranBike beam hit him and changed him physically into a younger version of me, wearing a cute Barbie Cheerleader outfit with pink tights. The change confused him as his stride the changes had made. When she saw herself in a mirror, she fainted. The nightmare had begun.

{}{}{}

Naked, but unable to move, she was dazed as she awakened from the shock of her transformation. She saw herself in the ceiling mirror rigged for this moment. I let her wonder her new look for a bit until she began to cry. Then I stepped up, "Recognize me asshole?"

She tried to talk, but her tongue refused to obey. "Remember Joan and Maggie White? You killed them with your SUV. Do you remember the screech of torn metal, spurting blood and crushed bodies? Do you remember the police stopping you? Or the fact that you escaped criminal prosecution? Only in Civil Court did I win?"

Not being able to move, she became scared of me, her terror clearly marked in her eyes and the gurgling noises she was making told me she remembered. "I know, I don't look it, but my real name is Terry Leslie White. It was my family that you killed, my entire family that you stole away from me, and now I intend to have my justice."

"Please! Don't kill me! She pleaded.

I smiled at her. "Relax, Dear. Killing you would be too easy. And that's not enough punishment for you anyway, I am going to make you remember what you did to my family every day for the rest of your miserable life. But, if you can adapt to your new life, you can actually be happy, again."

She looked at me with hope, "Why do I look like you, wearing a cheerleader uniform?"

"Simple, you are me, for now. As for the uniform, you chose it by thinking of that you wanted me wearing for sex. Want to know your punishment?"

"Yes, since you say that I am not to be killed. But what of my empire?"

Chief Hawk strode forward, "I have control of your empire. All illegal activities are over."

The full extent of her defeat hit her, then, “You have truly won, Chief Hawk. By turning me into a woman, I can never run my empire, but then, neither can Terri," she chuckled evilly.

"I never wanted control."

"Oh? What about those leases?"

"All doctored to make me their owner. In truth, my father gave them the funds that they needed. I simply activated a clause in the leases that is now null and void. They truly own their businesses, now." ['No need to tell him that that clause was only in the original, that when he came into power, it was taken out to prevent him from gaining control.']

"What is my fate then?"

Daniel stood by her, "You are to become a waitress and maid in our hotel and casino. You will also learn to dance, and entertain in our adult bars as a stripper and pole dancer. Even though you turned your wife into a crack whore and your step son into the high school slut, you shall choose that part of your fate."

My Heart awoke within me as I saw her about to despair. As much as I hated Antonio, I found mercy for Dana, "And, if you succeed in being a girl, you will become the daughter of a loving couple, long denied a daughter. It will be as if you were born her daughter. Can you accept the bounty? I hope so. Believe me, my vengeance is as bitter to me as it is to you," I sighed.

The grace of the judgment hit her full force as she saw in her Heart, the debauchery that she had committed against others that warranted a much harsher penalty. Even if she lived out her life under the authority of the Indians, she knew that as an employee, she was treated as family. In a weird way, she had become an Indian Maiden.

"Terri, you paid a most terrible price to stop me, yet, you show me mercy, why?"

"It was Antonio Delano Delano that was my enemy, Dana, not you."

"Dana?"

"Well then, you choose your name," I smirked.

I choose Antonia Lynette Delano. That way I can be Ann, Toni, Anna, Lynn, and any other variations that I can't think about."

"I will endeavor to become the woman that I need to be, but what of you, Terri?

I smiled sadly, "I gave you Hope for the future, but I have no hope," I sighed.

She hugged me, "Because of me. When as Tony, I killed your family, your Heart died then. You have killed the monster in me, can you not find hope?" she cried as she saw my bitter future that I was embracing.

"There is no hope for me. I welcome Death, now. When I finally die, I will be at Peace."

She held me by the shoulders, "If you die, I die!"

I saw again the Heart of Delano, but now it was freed from the bitterness of its past. Now the Inner Fire was fueling her resolve to keep me alive. Now, she had become My Avatar of Hope.

I sighed in defeat, "OK, I will NOT seek Death for myself. I will not be responsible for your death. But in return, you must promise me to become the woman that you are now, and learn why you became a monster."

Daniel placed his hand upon my shoulder as Chief Hawk led her away to her future, Is it safe to let you be alone?"

I kissed his cheek, "Daniel, I gave her my Word, and I always honor my Word."

///\r

I went home and took a long, hot bath to soothe my troubled mind. The plan went off without any complications, except that I still felt empty. I had done what I had set out to do, destroy Delano, and end his empire, but at what cost? Now, all of his holdings were once again back in the hands of those he had gypped, and the drugs and brothels were turned over to the city. The city would turn the many crack houses into legitimate homes, jail the criminals, and begin to treat the many addicts of drug and sex caused by Delano's evil. Even though it was over, the aftermath would take years to deal with.

By my actions, I had condemned Tony to a fate worse than death. I had effectively killed Tony the man, gave birth to Toni the woman, much as he had done to me. Could Delano ever comprehend the magnitude of my despair? Of all the people involved, she was the only one, except for Mandy. And Mandy was now free from her hell, I would not bring back her nightmares.

I awoke, in the tub, the water now tepid. I drained the water and showered off the soapy residue from myself, noting how clean my body was. I toweled off and finding that it was my monthly, I wore a maxi pad in my panty, and donned a sports bra. Over this, I wore white hose and a pink shorts set with sandals. I had decided that heels were not for me. Let younger women who wanted to lure men into their traps, I had no delusions about my future.

I got into Herbie and went up to Lookout Mountain. I needed to find answers and I had burned the bridge back to Joan and Maggie. Even though my Heart was cold, and empty, I felt a stirring within me. Could there still be Hope for me? As God, even now, Calling out to me? The cemetery and Veranda were now closed to me, only Lookout Mountain remained. As I drove up to the Mountaintop Cafe, I began to feel hope in my Heart as I saw the majestic eagle's wings reflect the sunset to me, as if sending me a Blessing.

I got out, weeping at the beauty of what I was seeing. Here was a piece of Heaven before me, just for me. I had often seen myself as an eagle, soaring above the troubled Earth, ready to help where needed. Like the eagle, I was unafraid, aloof, above the weaknesses of base man. Growing up, I had earned a reputation as the loner, such as the 'Fonz' of Happy Days. But I was no super cool runt with slick hair, palling around with a red headed guy who found his thrill on blueberry hill. No, I was much more than that. I was me.

I was unaware of the presence across from me until I heard a Voice, "Welcome to Heaven, Terri. You have fought the good fight and have won."

As the evening darkened, I saw a man in a white robe, "Jesus!"

"Yes, My Child. I am He," He smiled.

I felt my Heart start to beat again as the Pure Love of God melted away the shell of bitterness and pain lancing the boils of hatred and despair. He grabbed me into his lap and let me soak his robe with my tears as bitterness flowed out, letting Love to once again fill my battered Heart. Ever since the accident, I had been dead in my Heart, never truly mourning my loss. Now the grief drained out of me as the scars of hatred were healed and my self loathing over what I had done was purged from me.

"Jesus, why Heaven?"

"Because, you never turned away from Me and Heaven," He sighed.

"I didn't? Not even when I accepted help from the Dapper Gentleman and the TransBike?"

He chuckled as He wiped my eyes, "They are working for me to help others."

"But he says that he is from the future."

"Yes, a future not too far ahead. A future that he is changing for the better."

"How?"

"By making his work moot as the millions of those needing him are living a new life where their dream is fulfilled."

"OK, but he scares me."

"Why?"

"He can abuse his Power, hurt, rather than heal."

"True, he can, but he took a Sacred Oath to help others, and only the wishes of the rider may cause change."

"So, the TransBike is the vehicle of change."

"Yes, and working with his partner, they help others."

"Does the TransBike live?"

In a fashion, it is run by an artificial intelligence program that awoke when he rode it the first time. That was when he chose his path, for the TransBike opened his mind to the Heart's Cry of those in need."

"At least he is fulfilling his destiny, mine is fulfilled. Even now, I see no future for me, Lord." I sighed.

"You are letting your man's Heart rule you, let it go."

"How?"

"Let me have it."

"You can have it, Lord Jesus."

I felt a gentle tearing in my Heart as my other half formed, completely whole. He was soon joined by Joan and Maggie. They were wearing in loose white tunics and trousers with sandals on their feet. As I looked at their feet and mine, I wondered if they were wearing hose as I was with my white dress and sandals. I saw Joan and Maggie lift the hem of their trouser leg to reveal bare legs.. I began to blush about that when Joan hugged me.

"Even as a man, you had a thing for hose. Why else do you think that we wore hose?"

"And here all this time, I thought that you liked wearing hose," Terry sighed.

"Oh, I do. But only because you made me feel special, I knew that I did not need to wear hose for you, but in wearing hose, I showed my love for you."

"And Daddy?"

"Yes, Maggie?"

"I like wearing hose."

Then he looked at me with a twinkle in his eye. "Terri, do not forget us. We will always remember you. I am finally at Peace. Now, it is time for you. Delano's evil is over, let others deal with the aftermath. Go, and live the life that you want to live."

"Oh, I do. But how?"

I heard Jesus chuckle until tears rolled down His cheeks, " Terri, open your Heart, you rascal! You know who!"

"Daniel, but he is supposed to call me back from despair!"

"Both of you are mistaken, he is to awaken you with a kiss."

++--++**

It was gentle kiss that awoke me. It was as gentle as the breeze, yet packed the power of a thunderbolt. We looked into each other's eyes for a moment, and then I knew what I had to do, what I wanted to do. I kissed him back. As we released from the kiss, I saw that I was sitting on a park bench and that evening had arrived, bringing with it a full and glorious moon, ruling majestically over the heavens.

"Welcome back, my Love."

"Why are you here?"

"I heard your Heart's Cry."

"But how? We never bonded!"

"We did, at the spa. There I felt your Heart, and knew that you were my Heart's Match. Ever since then, I have felt you in my Heart. I saw what you did up here. Will you now deny your future?"

"No, I will marry you, but I want Delano there, too."

"Why?"

"I want for her to see that I chose Life."

()()()

I took him by the hand and led him to our bedroom. What was mine, was now his. The house was full of Love, once again, the shadows of despair were vanquished by the memories of a former Love and family that welcomed us as the new tenants. Daniel was a gentle lover who took my virginity and made me feel complete. It was here that Joan and I had first made love, and it was here that we conceived Maggie. It was also here that Daniel and I conceived our first child, Joan Margaret to honor my former family.

The next day, we visited Kerry and her family, She saw the 'LOOK' in my eyes, and knew what had happened. It did not help that I was walking funny either. Daniel is a rather hunky man, being nearly seven foot tall to my minuscule five feet.

"It looks like you two have spent some time together!"

My only answer was a sly grin, "We have my new sister. Terri and I shall marry," he chuckled as he held out his hand to show the birthstone ring with a stone for both families as I held up mine.

"You better be good to her, Daniel Richard Hawk! You hurt my sister and not even your Tribe can stop me!" she giggled as she hugged him.

"How true my dear Kerry! I Love your sister. She shall become my bride, and a member of my Tribe. You and your clan are invited to join as well."

Lester began to laugh his deep rumble, "I have always wanted to be an Indian, but I never believed that would be accepted as my forefathers were soldiers in the Calvary that caused so much grief for your ancestors."

He clasped Lester upon the shoulder, "We do not allow the past to influence the future, nor the present. If you wish, you may become a Brave as well, if you pass the test."

"What test?"

"You must be able to pass the Braves Test, if you have been through Basic Training of any type and have learned basic survival skills, as well as know Nature, you will pass."

"Are you kidding? I hunt and fish in these woods."

Joan and Lester were accepted as members of the Tribe, the twins entered the Tribal School and learned their Indian Heritage. While this was happening, I was busy with my wedding plans. When my pregnancy became evident, I was treated as if I was the Chief's Daughter. I was happy at last, but my final happiness was yet to come.

^^^^^

"Dana Delano, please come here."

"Coming."

"Good news, in the six months that you have been here, you have truly become a woman. Now, it is time for you to meet your parents."

"Parents? You mean that I actually get to live as a daughter?"

Coach Brad Barton strode forward, he was much younger, now. His graying hair, now a rich, golden brown to match hid Adonis physique, "Yes, Dana, you are my daughter, if you wish."

A petite brunette stood beside him, "Brad, Dana also needs a mother, I am your mother, Teressa."

Dana hugged them as her memory was flooded with memories of being their daughter. Now, the reason that she was here was to help out a friend, Terri.

"Momma, Daddy, I am ready to go home, now."

Hank Hawk kissed her on the forehead, "Do you know why you were that monster, now?"

"Yes, but I need to tell Terri, Please."

*****************

Daniel and I were married by Sally in her Church. It was a gala occasion with guests from all over the state, and with me being nine months pregnant, I made quite a show of myself, too.

My family were very loving and gentle, and Daniel's family and Tribe treated me like a Queen. When he kissed me as my husband, I knew that my life was now complete. I had come from being a man with a need for vendetta into a loving wife and mother. I had served my dish of revenge, cold. I did not become a monster to replace the monster that I destroyed.

#############

It was now Christmas, and Daniel and I were visiting the graves to introduce my baby girl to Joan and Maggie. They stayed up in their nest, keeping warm from the winter wind, yet fed off of the birdseed container that Daniel had erected between the tombstones. Now, my name was listed as well, According to the engraving, I died the day that I rode the TransBike. There was no body as I died when the ship that I had chartered sunk in a storm.

"Joan, Maggie, this is my daughter, Joan Margaret. I gave her your names to honor your living memory. Terry, my brother, I am now at Peace as you are. I have righted a terrible wrong, now the city may awaken from its nightmare."

"Terri is my wife. I vow to Love her as she loved you. She chose me over despair, and now she has a legacy to live as my wife, and mother of my children."

Then I saw a petite teen run up to me as her parents tried in vain to restrain her. She was wearing a cheerleader dress and warm tights for the weather, while her parents, like me and Daniel wore black.

"Terri, do you remember me?"

"No, I don't.

"I am Dana Delano, or rather Coach Bart's daughter," she blushed.

I hugged her, "see that you succeeded in becoming a real girl."

"Yes, now I know why I became a monster."

"Why?"

"My father was a drunkard who never could keep a job, He abused my mother until she died, then abused me. When I found that I was smart, my dad pushed me to excel. I vowed then to succeed to please my dad."

"Where is he, now?"

"In a pauper's grave, and I know not which one."

"Are you happy, now?"

"Yes, my nightmare is no more. Jesus took them away."

Then the birds flew up into Heaven and vanished into the sun.
__________
The End