A different angel chapter 2: perceptions B

As he looked down he saw a scrap of cloth from the hem of a school uniform summer dres and he knew he had suceeded and radioed his position and then the scream got louder and desperate. ….............

Now the story continues:

The scream came from a little way below Richard and he laid prone to look over the edge, about 20 feet down there was a ledge in the rock face, from the edge of a bush he could see two feet poking out. The scream came from there and he scanned for a route down as the feet were not moving that much. Doing the right thing Richard radioed his location and what he had seen and he scanned for an easy route down as he could not see any where he could tie off too to climb down. Too many that would appear a stupid thing to do but Richard had been free climbing on his own and rope climbing for 3 years. Although he was still young he was very competent due to his nature.

“Ginny, Ginny it's Richard from just down the street.” He yelled back keeping his voice calm.

“Richard is it you really, real?” The reply was stressed and it was definitely a young child on that ledge.

“yes smudge it's me,” he used the nickname he had given her when she was 4 years old, “ try to stay still and is it hurting anywhere?”

“my head hurts and i'm scared”

“Don't worry they will get you out”

He managed to see what could have been called a sheep track that led down to by the ledge. He went over what he would need to do in his head as he swapped the boots to a set of soft soled climbing shoes. He was glad that his parents insisted they buy his gear and it was well maintained his mum at the start of the week had done her usual putting a clean set of thin leather gloves in the top pocket as it would help if he had to clear brush. He put the torch back into his daysack to leave both his hands free he took a step onto the path. Slowly testing each step and talking to Ginny as he mad his way down it took him about 20 minutes to reach the area next to the ledge and he looked down. About 50 feet below him he could see the torches and heard an adult voice shout up, he shouted down what he was doing and got a confirmation that the fire and rescue service were on their way too.

He smiled to himself on hearing that knowing that Ginny's ordeal was soon going to be over, he looked across and he was level and could see where Ginny was laid and he could make his way across. Still talking he made his way across and got himself into a safe position and as the light was starting to diminish he got out the torch and laid it on the ground next to them.

“Smudge I'm here sweetie,” He said in a gentle tone, “ don't move too much sweetie, the fire brigade should be here soon.”

“I'm scared Richard, mummy and daddy will be soo mad,” Ginny started to cry

“ I doubt that sweetie they'll just be glad to hug you tight”

He had only the first aid he had managed to pick up from the cards in his first aid kit so he knew the best thing he could do was just keep Ginny still. He split his attention between Ginny and the quarry floor and the torches had been replaced by a land rover with blue flashing lights and there were what looked like stage lights being set up. A few minutes went past and the area around the two of them was lit up brightly. His radio crackled and there came the voice of a young woman came over the channel.

“CQ,CQ , Golf 8 Charlie Romeo, calling radio on face, this is peak district cave rescue” The voice sent it twice clearly.

“Golf 8 Charlie Romeo this is Mike 3 Alpha Foxtrot, my name is Richard Simms receiving you 5 by 5,over” Richard replied clearly.

“ Mike 3 Alpha Foxtrot, Golf 8 Charlie Romeo, Richard are you and Ginny okay? I'm Rachael Thrower, over”

“M3AF,G8CB, hi miss thrower I'm experienced on the crags , Ginny is saying her head hurts and she is scared,over” Richard kept a smile in his voice, “ Ginny looks like the pro's are here sweetie it won't be long now”

Meanwhile whilst all this was going on his older brother David and his cronies had reached the gap in the fence, they weren't there because of the news it was just somewhere they could go down and do the stuff their parents would not approve of. They stopped as the area was lit up like it was daylight a long with blue flashing lights. Two of the four decided it was a bit too hot to be there and turned and left leaving David and Terry Morris there. David was curious and went to the edge and looked over, he wasn't as careful as his younger brother and he managed to dislodge a stone right over where Richard was crouching. He watched in horror as the stone bounced down to where he had worked out his younger brother was and it struck him on the back with force.

Richard felt the impact and a burning pain came from the middle of his back and he pitched forward. He hadn't put on his climbing harness or find somewhere to belay in he also dropped his radio. Below the cave rescue team watched as the boy seemed to fall forward and then didn't move, Rachael Thrower the team leader swore and called over the team medic just as an aerial platform arrived. It had taken a little time because of the terrain so the cave rescue team had been discussing how to get to the two of them on the ledge. She tried the call sign and got no response after two more tries she shouted up. The only voice that replied was the young girls, Rachael sighed in relief as the boy didn't pitch off the ledge.

David looked in horror when he saw Richard pitch forward and quickly stepped back from the edge. Terry had also watched what had happened and he looked petrified, the truth was although the group acted like thugs it was mainly because there wasn't much for them to do. Those two boys seemed to over compensate with their behaviour, in their hearts they actually cared about their siblings and each other. They both sighed in relief as Richard didn't fall and in silent agreement started walking back and around the fence to the gate of the quarry. They didn't talk to each other as they slowly made their way round it seeming to take an eternity. David was introspective and his heart was pounding, what had happened triggered deep feelings in him. His younger brother was willing to put other people first and all he seemed to be was selfish.

Meanwhile back at the centre of the quarry the rescue services had got the platform set up and were slowly manoeuvring it into place. Rachael was on standby with her team in case the fire service could not reach the pair on the ledge. Thankfully she watched as the fire fighters first got the young girl and then helped Richard into the basket and made their way down. The paramedics were waiting and Rachael and her crew started to pack up the land rover. There was a slight commotion as the paramedics called for a second stretcher it seemed as though Richard was now having trouble and had seemed to fold up onto the floor and was sweating. Rachael could hear a murmured comment about spinal injury, she was glad that they hadn't just brought the equipment land rover but had the cross country ambulance with them also. That meant the two casualties could be transferred without waiting.

After Richard had seen that Ginny had been taken care of the adrenalin had started to wear off and his legs felt a little weird. He had let go of the baskets hand rail and suddenly ho could not stand up it was as if his legs didn't belong to him. One of the firefighters grabbed him firmly under his armpits and was taking his weight as they started talking to one of the paramedics that was treating Ginny. Suddenly a tall muscular woman was next to them with a stretcher along with someone else and they started to take Richard from the firefighter and move him towards it still upright. As they were doing this another person came over carrying a big green rucksack type bag and a white neck collar and started working with the other two all the time explaining what they were doing. Richard was starting to lose himself to the pain so did not really make out what they were saying. The next thing he could make out was the feeling of a hard board against his back and a team of firefighters and other people each side of him.

Rachael and her team got the boy lined up against a spinal board and was working on getting straps applied, they were going to do a controlled drop so they could lay him on the stretcher on the spinal board. She could see that Richard was in a lot of pain now the buzz of the rescue had started to wear off and she wondered what had happened. That became a secondary thought as they wanted to get him to hospital and also warm. After they had packaged him into the land rover the convoy of two ambulances and a police patrol car left the quarry. The short drive under blue lights seemed to stretch for her as she and Fred Green the teams doctor carried on the examination off Richard. The concern was that Richard was complaining of something hitting his back. Every time the ambulance hit a change in the road surface Richard would scream out until Fred slipped him some pain relief.

David got to the gates just as he saw the two ambulances pull out and he worked out one of them would be carrying Richard. His heart sank as well as his shoulders slumped, he turned from Terry and started down the road back towards home. He was stopped by a police officer and only mumbled responses was escorted to a car and was driven home. When he arrived home both his parents were in the living room and the officer explained where he had been picked up from. Then his parents were asked who wanted to be taken to the hospital where Richard was being taken. Mum was the one oh said they would go as it was easier for her to take a day off, dad waited for David to explain what had happened. David expected dad to explode after he had explained accidentally dislodging the rock that seemed to hit his brother.

Nothing was said he just patted the seat next to him for David to sit down and to settle down to wait. After a short while dad turned the TV onto the local news and David couldn't help but smile as Richard was being called a hero in the segment reporting on the rescue of the young girl from the quarry. The house phone trilled for attention and dad went to pick it up after listening for a whort while in a strained voice asked.

“will he recover?” ….......

TBC

A different angel:3, trials

Nothing was said he just patted the seat next to him for David to sit down and to settle down to wait. After a short while dad turned the TV onto the local news and David couldn't help but smile as Richard was being called a hero in the segment reporting on the rescue of the young girl from the quarry. The house phone trilled for attention and dad went to pick it up after listening for a whort while in a strained voice asked.
“will he recover?” ….......
Chapter 3:

Davids world started to crash around him when he heard what his dad had to say. Recover, just how badly had he screwed up. Wasn't he the one that was supposed to protect his little brother, yet he had run off to smoke and hang around doing nothing when Richard cooked and went out to rescue a little girl. He was worth nothing, his brother put him to shame and his parents did the same too working all the hours they did. The doubt about how he had been turned from a dull ache into a burn and all the macho outward behaviours broke and sobs started to wrack the young man's body.

Christopher Simms looked at his eldest son in shock, this was the first time in nearly 10 years that such emotion was shown by him. He had seen David distance himself from his younger brother at around 6 and Richard had been 4. Christopher didn't know the reasons but remembered the day as it was also the day David stopped calling him daddy. He sat down next to David and wrapped his arms around the shaking shoulders and pulled his son into his embrace. This was the first time in many years that he had felt so close to his eldest. He just wished the circumstances were better, one son seeming to crash into mess and another in the hospital after doing the right thing.

David lost himself in his dads embrace, he had pushed his family away and he knew now he had a lot of work to patch those differences. He finally understood his parents and his brother loved him no matter what even though he was an absolute heel. There were so many things he felt he had to apologise for, the times he had encouraged others to pick on Rich. The times he had given his parents more grief than they deserved. There was a time in the past he would do anything for all of them until that day at school. One of the bigger kids in junior school was teasing a smaller kid and David had stepped in. The bully laughed and taunted that there was no way a girl could beat him up, in the past David had looked fairly effeminate. That had struck him to the core, it was as if that bully had seen his biggest secret.

That secret had continued to taunt him, it drove him to emulate the most macho of behaviours. He surrounded himself with those boys and others that enabled him to hide the girl that was underneath the surface. He fought with his desires to take clothes from his mothers wardrobe and that also fed the anger and the desire to be a man's man. There were times his cronies had warned him over walking and sitting like a sissy so he continued to keep a permanent filter in place. Now it just felt right there being protected and comforted by dad, No it wasn't dad it was daddy, as David said that in his head it started to click further into place. The thoughts and emotions that were in his head scared him and he wondered how his family would react. He also considered that it was secondary, the first thing they had to concentrate on was Richard.

Christopher saw that his son was getting exhausted so with a push he sent the young man to his bed. There seemed to be a change in David and this gave Christopher something else to consider but at the forefront of his thoughts was his youngest. How could someone who all they wanted to do was the right thing and the fates made them pay that price. He also considered what it would mean for them as a family, it would stretch their finances if they had to accommodate some one in a wheelchair. How would he be in school, isolation could be a big factor and that would also strain things. With a sigh he sat back on the sofa everything was a huge weight and the gentle man sank his head into his hands and wept.

At the hospital Helen Simms had just been dropped off by the police officer. She was surprised to be shown straight to the cubicle where Richard was being examined once she had told the receptionist who she was. She was panicked by the amount of doctors looking at her sons medical notes and some one who she though was a nurse took her gently aside. Her youngest son looked swamped by the staff working around him and she was glad of the gentle touch and voice of this nurse. A short while later Richard was wheeled out out of the cubicle and the nurse explained they were going to take him down to the MRI scanner. She was taken to the reception area of the medical imaging unit and invited to wait, worse and worse scenarios started to run through her head. After half an hour a doctor approached the desk asking to speak to Richards parents and the worker there informed her that it was only the mother there.

“Mrs Simms?” The doctor asked looking around and Helen stood up.

“Yes doctor?” Helen could not keep the tremor out of her voice.

“ We are going to keep Richard in, There seems to be a problem with his spine and we can't be fully sure how bad it is” The doctor gently explained.

Those words seemed like a death sentence and Helen could not understand why the doctor seemed hopeful. Then it percolated through there was not any breaks in the spine but it was bruising. That one word made her breathe easier as it meant to her that it would get better and her youngest son wasn't going to be crippled. Richard was wheeled out and Helen was encouraged to go with him as he was taken to the children's ward. The pain killers were keeping him a little loopy but he knew there was something seriously wrong. Every time he tried to ask his mum or a nurse they just told him to rest, this was beginning to get old fast. Also it was starting to get late and the adrenalin finally ebbed and everything caught up with him and he slipped into unconsciousness and he did not even feel it when they gently transferred him into a bed, all through it his mother didn't leave his side.

** this is a short chapter as a bridge...**

A different Angel 4....

David awoke the next day the house was quiet and he worried that his dad had gone to work not the hospital. He went downstairs and saw a note from dad and after reading it smiled as his dad had gone so mum could come back and get freshened up and rest. Then a thought struck and he smiled reaching for the phone he called Mrs Wagstaff the over the road neighbour and found dad had left half an hour ago and with the bus time tables mum would be about another 20 minutes. He started to whistle as he pulled out the makings of a filling breakfast and started to cook. His actions actually surprised him, they also gave him a warm feeling he hadn't felt for many years.

Just as he started to make up two plates Helen Simms arrived and was shocked to see a breakfast ready for her with a huge mug of tea steaming next to the plate. What really surprised her though was David, the young man that had previously been a hooligan and a thug was just finishing plating up his own breakfast. The sheer fact that he could cook was a huge shock until Helen remembered that David used to love being mummy's little helper until he was 6. Neither said anything whilst they ate and as a further surprise David cleared up the plates and washed them leaving them to drain whilst Helen sipped her tea.

“mummy, I've called your work and let them know you need a couple of days.” David told her.

Helens jaw seemed to drop to hear the word mummy coming from her eldest child's lips, also the fact that he had done a selfless act further shocked her.

“thank you love, I'm still a little frazzled after last night.” Helen responded quietly.

“that's understandable , what did they say on Richie?”

Helen sighed and filled him in on what they had found last night and was surprised when David bit back a choked sob. She wondered what was going on with him but was loathe the push the issue. David looked as though his whole world was in flames and the reaction worried her deeply. Then what he had called her fired a neuron. Since when did a teenager call their mother mummy. Did she really want to push and force him back into his old behaviours because she was liking this new child. She fought back a yawn and David noticed it and made motions for her to go to bed.

David made sure his mum had eaten enough then noticed her yawning and shooed her to bed. After she had left the kitchen he made sure all the pots were washed, then he sat at the kitchen table and really started to take further stock of himself. Asking himself what his parents needed with Richie being injured, also in the back of his mind there was that little voice that he had forced down so many years. That little voice was reminding him that Richie wasn't the only one hurt, there was a little girl as well and maybe someone else who needed a big sister. He did a mental double take as that little voice seemed to be more insistent. The macho side of his personality that society expected of him seemed to be fighting with that other side of him.

A few hours passed as the internal fight continued, David felt like he was being torn apart by what he thought he was supposed to be and what his internal desires were. It started to overwhelm him and he slumped at the table and tears leaked down his face. This was it he thought he was going mad, everything he had done since childhood welled up again and added to his distress and depression. All of it was his fault Richard getting hurt, the girl running away and his parents having to worry over money and Richards disability. It was all too much and it really was starting to tear him apart. It seemed to come in cycles and his crying wasn't loud but it came from deep inside him, no him wasn't the right expression. David came to an epiphany about himself and the cycle seemed to slow down, there was no he and never was it was just what other people had expected and he was to weak to stand up to it.

Helen woke up and made her way downstairs and was shocked as it seemed David had not moved at all from the kitchen table but everything was cleaned up. It also looked like he had been crying and that shocked her as he had never really expressed his emotions so openly since that day when he was six. She stepped behind him and laid her hands on his shoulders, that was it when David felt the contact the flood gates opened. Helen enveloped him in a bone crushing hug and David leaned his head back. He managed to get control of his emotions and sheepishly turned his head to look at his mother.

“I'm sorry mum” he whispered.

“What ever for? David” Helen was shocked even further by his words.

He launched into a list of his failing and what he thought he had done wrong, baring his soul to her. Every little perceived wrong he had done, all the insults he had thrown at others when he was trying to be a man. The list went on and on and Helen realised that something deeper was going on so she let him vent. She desperately again wanted to take his hurt away and what she felt was him wrongfully blaming himself over what happened. As she battled with her own thoughts she nearly didn't catch what David had said. She stopped when she realised he was repeating it under his breath and when it finally sank in she felt her world start to crumble.

“I should of been braver, if I had been a girl then it would be better”

At the hospital Christopher sat in the chair next to his youngest sons bed, the day had been a long one filled with tests. The doctors had been surprised that Helen had not returned as they usually were dealing with the mothers in cases like this. The reason he was here was the fact that his boss had called him first thing after they had heard what happened and had told him to be with Richard. There was a glimmer of hope Richard had said that he could feel the blankets on his legs, that led to the doctors hoping that his spine was just bruised and tissues around the spinal cord had just swollen and had started to ease.

Tbc..........

Sorry for the short chapters and the long gaps in posting am just getting back used to concentrating on my writing.

A different angel 5

At the hospital Christopher sat in the chair next to his youngest sons bed, the day had been a long one filled with tests. The doctors had been surprised that Helen had not returned as they usually were dealing with the mothers in cases like this. The reason he was here was the fact that his boss had called him first thing after they had heard what happened and had told him to be with Richard. There was a glimmer of hope Richard had said that he could feel the blankets on his legs, that led to the doctors hoping that his spine was just bruised and tissues around the spinal cord had just swollen and had started to ease.
Now we continue....

Helen nearly fell to the floor when she heard what David had said. There was the wonder where it had come from and where it would lead. The family wasn't naive but Helen had never come into contact with any one who was transgender. There was a brief flash of anger as she incorrectly thought that David was doing this for attention after what had happened to Richard. David saw the brief flash of anger and flinched and that made Helen get control of her emotions. She could see the fear and confusion on her sons face and she without a seconds hesitation embraced the young adult again.

Richard could feel an itch in his toes and he wondered if it was real or maybe a phantom sensation. Then to his surprise he could feel his big toe moving against the sheet on the hospital bed. He also felt uncomfortable around his middle and he took a mental inventory. Christopher saw the coverings on the bed move and he was a little shocked, and then he heard Richard start to laugh a little bit and that lifted his spirits. The sound brought in a nurse and Richards doctor on morning rounds and he raised an eyebrow at the display in front of him.

“Don't worry doc, I ain't mad just I can feel the sheet on my toes and they are moving.” Richard could not keep the joy out of his voice.

The doctor nodded and also smiled and made a few notes on his PDA, the nurse waited for the doctor to give instructions but when he said nothing left to continue with her duties.

“Richard I'm glad to hear that some sensations are returning, I will be honest it's only a night so we will need to continue testing and medications” The doctor kept his tone easy and light.
Richard and Christopher talked for a while after the doctor had finished before the porter came to take the young man and his bed down to medical imaging for further tests. There was still the underlying ache and stiffness in his back and being motionless on the bed was a major contributor. They had done their best in the hospital by using an air mattress and Christopher was intrigued by it's design. Working with his hands and machines was always a passion and he always found he was drawn to trying to come up with ways to improve things.

Down in the imaging suite Richard was put through another barrage of MRI's and CAT scans, he was glad of the hard bench of the machines as he felt them stretching the kinks out of his back unintentionally. The tech was keeping up a stream of banter in the headphones he was wearing and constantly reminded him to keep still. This started to get irksome and as a typical teenager Richard started to get a little annoyed and he started to intentionally smile and frown as he was fed into the various machines. This delayed the work of the tech a few times but she had the patience of a saint. In fact she was used to kids and teens with the machines and really very rarely got annoyed with them as she was working.

The imaging work took an hour and Richard was starting to get even more restless, thankfully after that hour they started to wheel him to another department and his father joined him. Now the doctors knew there was no breaks in the spine or spinal column they had decided that physiotherapy was needed but no walking or out of the bed yet for young Richard. The therapist was surprisingly a young woman who appeared to be in her early 20's and to further grate against Richards annoyance after the scans was too bubbly. In his head she appeared to his mental imaging like an American cheerleader. This caused him to lose the anger and he started to laugh again, it also started to lift his depression on the thought of him being a cripple.

“Well Richard I'm Mandy, do I call you Richard or what do you like to be called?” Mandy started as an introduction.

“Just call me Rich, Mandy and how are you going to torture me?” Richard managed to smile.

Mandy explained all she was going to be doing today was to start moving and massaging his legs, not with the full range of motions it was more of a case of keeping some definition in his leg muscles and to gauge daily the levels of sensation he was getting back. Both Richard and Christopher were taken aback by how open Mandy was about the treatment and goals she would be carrying out. She then set to work after pulling the covers up off Richards leg and started to flex his right leg in small bends. As she touched his leg Richard turned away as he was starting to blush as would any red blooded male at the touch of a pretty young woman on their body. Mandy didn't react as he thought she would by teasing him but kept her voice bubbly but proffesional, that broke his internal fantasies and he inhaled sharply. He could feel the warmth of her hands and each finger on his right calf as she massaged it.

“I can feel your hands Mandy!” Richard crowed............

A Different Angel 6

“I can feel your hands Mandy!” Richard crowed............

now we continue....

Back at home David and Helen spent a good while as he finally got his emotions under control. Helen was concerned for how this change in David would be perceived and also how others would treat the family. She was a product of her upbringing, the perceptions of those around her had a larger influence on her behaviours than she realised. There was not a lot of experience with trans individuals and the internet to her and her husband was a distraction.

David could see the conflict in his mother and he started to get concerned that she would not take what he had said seriously. The drive of his feelings and the watershed he had reached emotionally, he could no longer in himself deny who his internal personality was and seeing the worry and confusion on his mothers face was hurtful to him. He also knew that she would worry on what others would think of them if he started to present how he felt. He also had to gather his courage to do so, there was also the thought in himself that he would really be an ugly girl and that worried him also.

Just as they were both sat their in silence there was a light knocking at the front door and the voice of a young girl was heard although too muffled to work out who it was and what they were saying. David needed to step away from his mother and the looks she was giving him so he went and answered the door. Ginny was stood there with her mother and she looked at David shyly and then darted back to hide behind her mothers skirts. David invited them in and led them into the lounge and got them to sit on the sofa and went to tell his mother who was there.

As he went through to the kitchen Ginny stood up and rushed over and without warning hugged him. He was taken aback by the sudden warmth from the young girl and he gently squeezed her shoulder as he hugged her. That little voice at the back of his mind was saying to him that he should behave like a big sister as this little girl was looking up to her. Helen saw the hug that David gave little Ginny and it all clicked into place and she saw the young woman that was inside of him. She kicked herself for reacting in a negative manner. She braced herself and slowly tried to work out how she was going to help the young woman that was housed in the body of her son.

When David looked up seeing his mother stand he could see the change in her and he started to smile. It lessened the hurt he was feeling and he started to relax again and loosen up, he was surprised when a little voice at his waist giggled and hugged him again.

“why you dressed like a boy?, Ginny asked in innocence.

David almost stepped back at the acuity from the child it was as if she saw the inner person and Helen also seemed shocked. Ginny's mother hurried over and started to stumble out an apology but David waved it off with a smile. That shocked both the women and also how gentle he was being, as in himself Ginny's perception of him was obviously that he was female and maybe a tomboy. After his years of internal conflict to have someone outside of the family that open was rather a surprise. It was also liberating and he hugged Ginny tighter and then knelt to get to her level. With a giggle David winked and whispered in her ear.

“Maybe I'm a tomboy?”

“But you so pretty you shudden hide” Ginny whispered a bit loudly.

Helen did a double take when she heard Ginny blurt that out after the conversation she had been having with David and his breakdown, maybe this child had a better insight into her child than she did. Ginny's mother was trying to shush her daughter but David didn't seem to be reacting in a negative manner to what she had said. She looked closely and she could see the feminine in the young man and she wondered if there was something there. Helen and Richard had always seemed to be normal and when she had dealings with David he was a thug. This was the first time she had seen a softer side to him and now it was being overlaid with a feminine filter.

Tbc in the next chapter we continue to explore David and the girl inside.....

Helen did a double take when she heard Ginny blurt that out after the conversation she had been having with David and his breakdown, maybe this child had a better insight into her child than she did. Ginny's mother was trying to shush her daughter but David didn't seem to be reacting in a negative manner to what she had said. She looked closely and she could see the feminine in the young man and she wondered if there was something there. Helen and Richard had always seemed to be normal and when she had dealings with David he was a thug. This was the first time she had seen a softer side to him and now it was being overlaid with a feminine filter.
A different Angel 7

Ginny's mother looked ashen at what her daughter had said to the young man. She was expecting David to protest what had been said and was surprised that he didn't get angry. In fact he was being gentle with Ginny there was a feminine air about him now she looked closely. Helen now could see the young woman that was inside her eldest son with how he was interacting with Ginny. It is said sometimes from the mouths of a child the truth will be revealed.

David watched the understanding bloom even further on his mothers face it continued to lift him. He impulsively hugged Ginny then stood and hugged the two older women, this really was the full turning point as the woman inside broke free to the surface. To the adults watching it was like a light being turned on, gone was the sullen macho over compensating street tough. In it's stead was a young woman starting to bloom into early adulthood.

This to the girl inside David was almost like a rebirth and she felt the sunlight for the first time. There wasn't a split of personalities more a case of the blocks that society had put in place by expectation were dropping. Ginny refused to let go of Davids waist and was smiling at the grown ups.

“David honey?” Helen asked and found she could not complete the sentence.

“I don't think Davids the right name any more mummy, I always felt like a Tracy” The emerging young woman stated.

Tracy smiled internally she had finally got her name and the last wall fell. The last macho mannerisms dropped as she emerged into the world fully for the first time. She hugged the little girl clinging to her and rubbed the small shoulder. Ginny's mother was thinking that this was best to be a private moment and there was also the thought was Ginny safe. She like Helen was the product of her upbringing anything unknown was dangerous and the press had spent many years turning trans persons into depraved villains.

The main thoughts now going through Helen's head was what would she tell Richard and Christopher and how would the community respond if David started dressing in skirts and dresses. Would he be like those drag queens and be over the top. What if the schools found out would she lose her job for having a pervert for a child. She then mentally slapped herself for that thought, David/Tracy showed no sign of anything other than a big sister to a little sister towards Ginny.

Tracy could see the conflict on her mothers face and there was still some conflicts in herself as well. How would daddy react and her little brother, would she still be able to live here. Would people attack the family and the house. How would friends react and other worries were starting to bubble up, her face started to cloud and tears picked at the corner of her eyes.

Ginny could feel the bigger girl that looked like a boy tense up and she could feel the worry in her stance. Like any caring child she did what she could by hugging the bigger girls hips again and looking up. She still thought it was strange the bigger girl had been called David but had said her name was Tracy. She liked Tracy's little brother he had come to save her, maybe he could save Tracy, yes there was a child's hero worship. She wanted to come and thank Richard properly for saving her and made her mummy bring her.

Tracy took a deep breath to get herself back under control and felt the hug from her waist and it helped centre her again. She didn't want the child to become upset with what was going on around her. She turned the macho behaviour on it's head and took the courage that was inside of her that had shown this morning and not fall apart.

Just then the house phone rang and all turned to look at it,Helen took a deep breath and reached for the handset. As she listened a smile started to spread over her face and then she started to quietly cry as the days stresses released. She hardly said anything and hung up with a love you to the caller and Tracy realised it was daddy on the other end.

“Richard can feel his legs and feet, Dad just phoned to tell me.” Helen let out a sigh as she told her oldest child.

“Mummy that's good news” Tracy replied a smile on her face.

Poor little Ginny looked confused so Tracy took the time to explain that Richard had hurt his back when he rescued her. Now he could feel his legs and feet that meant he was getting better. That made the little girl smile and jump up and down happily.

Then Helen explained that Christopher was coming back from the hospital and really they needed to talk as a family over what had happened. This triggered Tracy to feel uncomfortable again. Ginny's mother decided that it was time to be going and reminded Ginny not to gossip about what she had said or heard today.

Tbc.....

Then Helen explained that Christopher was coming back from the hospital and really they needed to talk as a family over what had happened. This triggered Tracy to feel uncomfortable again. Ginny's mother decided that it was time to be going and reminded Ginny not to gossip about what she had said or heard today........

A different Angel 8,

A few hours later Christopher returned home and the hope could be seen on his face. Tracy huddled at the kitchen table and Helen sat next to her waiting the news from the hospital. Christopher could sense the tension from his eldest son but also there seemed to be something else overlaid on him. There also wasn't the sullen posture that had become the usual for David in the past few years.

He waited for either of them to say something and after a pregnant pause of over 5 minutes started to explain what was happening at the hospital. It was now apparent that Richards spine had only been bruised and the swelling had stated to go down so feeling was returning. In fact the doctors were surprised at how fast Richard was improving. They thought the bruising had not been that severe and with the anti-inflammatory treatments they were using had also speeded up the process.

“now that's out of the way, why does it feel like a wet weekend in Bangor in here?” Christopher asked.

Helen looked at Tracy with a small amount of encouragement in her eyes and Tracy swallowed hard.

“Daddy I..I..” Tracy stumbled.

Christopher was surprised and a little shocked his eldest son used such a feminine or childish way to address him. He also saw the look of fear that was on David's face, he wondered what it was that was so frightening to say. He was a gentle caring man and he moved to stand next to his child and laid a gentle hand on his shoulder. He squeezed gently and then moved back around the table to sit and face his wife and eldest.

“I really have no idea why you are so frightened David and talking the way you are, just know what ever it is it will not change the love I have for my children”

As he said that David/Tracy broke down and started to sob loudly and Helen went white. This scared Christopher especially after David had explained about accidentally knocking the stone that had struck Richard. Had Helen gone to the police and said something. Was his eldest facing charges, would his family fall apart. Was that why both of them were so scared he really had no idea. He saw David swallow and collect his thoughts, and clench his fists and Helen lay a hand on top of the hand nearest her.

“Chris, Damn this is hard I really don't know how to tell you this” Helen started and that increased Christopher's feelings of unease.

“It's okay Mummy I can tell Daddy as it is only right coming from me” Tracy/David looked up with eyes wet with tears.

“Daddy first I have to apologise I haven't been the best child and well kinda part of it is I kinda ain't your son,” she swallowed trying to get more courage, “ well I kinda always felt kinda like I shoulda been a daughter” The last came out in a rush.

To say this revelation shocked Christopher to the core and it just seemed to add to the stresses he was under. After what had happened with Richard he couldn't help but feel that David was trying to get the attention all back on himself. He then saw the fear and pain and it cut through the fog of stresses. His kind heart and love for his family over rode the mean thoughts and the fact that one of his children was hurting drove him to want to make it better.

Tracy watched the brief flicker of anger on her dads face and shrunk into her seat. Helen saw the movement and reached over and hugged her hidden daughter. Christopher saw this and his heart really melted and he stepped back round to join that embrace. He wasn't as naïve as his wife, he knew about trans persons. In fact one of his co workers had changed gender in the past 5 years and she was a good machinist.

Tracy could feel the acceptance from her dad and she relaxed, Helen on the other hand was showing signs of worry. As earlier she was typical of a woman of her social status and back ground. Then as she saw the support her husband had for their child, she started to realise in herself that if she went to that way of thinking then she would harm her child. That realisation rocked her to the core again, it made her feel small for the second time that day.

“What will Richard think of me!” Tracy wailed ….........

Ada 9

Tracy could feel the acceptance from her dad and she relaxed, Helen on the other hand was showing signs of worry. As earlier she was typical of a woman of her social status and back ground. Then as she saw the support her husband had for their child, she started to realise in herself that if she went to that way of thinking then she would harm her child. That realisation rocked her to the core again, it made her feel small for the second time that day.
“What will Richard think of me!” Tracy wailed ….........

A Different Angel 09

Just as that was happening at home Richard was waking up and smiling as he flexed his feet and toes. The pain in his back was now a rather dull ache and he was glad of that, what was surprising the doctors and physio was how quickly he was healing. From what he could work out a bruised spine was supposed to take months to heal not days.

As he mused on this a face peeked round the door of the room the hospital had put him in and a mop of rather shaggy blonde hair framed it. He couldn't make out whether the owner of the hair was a boy or girl but did look about the same age as him. Peering through the hair was the most piercing green eyes Richard had ever seen but they were a little marred by fear and flicked back and forth.

“hey don't just stand by the door comon in” Richard invited with a smile.

The other kid darted around the door and nearly pressed themselves up against the wall next to the doorway. It's gaze flicked around the room and rested on the small bag of sweets Richard had on the cupboard thing next to his bed. Richard used his arms to shuffle into a more seated position and grabbing the treats held the bag out. The kid darted forwards and quickly grabbed one and Richard was shocked to see some of the scars on what he could work out was a girl.

“Hey slow down I won't bite ya,” Richard said gently, “ I'm Richard but my friends well they call me strider coz I like to climb and stuff”

The girl looked at him and then at the door just as a nurse walked past and she dived down to hide under his bed. This behaviour was beginning to worry him, he was so not used to this especially in a hospital. He then realised that the scars and bruises on the girls body covered her legs as well as she hadn't really hidden that well as the legs could be seen.

“fanks Richard you can call me Steph.” The voice came from under the bed and he realised she was actually younger than him.

“Hey Steph pleased to meecha, ya don't have to hide the nurses here are cool.” Richard tried to get the girl to come out.

Slowly the legs were pulled under the bed and Steph's face replaced them as she turned onto her back to look up. There was a scared hope but also a look of someone desperate for a friend in those eyes and Richard being the type of boy he was couldn't help but want to become a friend and protector. Yes the poor boy had a bit of a white knight complex or so the shrinks would tell him if he ever saw one.

Steph got to her feet just as a nurse poked her head round the door and smiled at the two of them. Richard raised his left eyebrow and Steph giggled. He shook his head and patted the bed for Steph to sit and the girl did sit rather ungracefully.

“So what you in for?” Steph asked and Richard told her his story up to that day.

“So Steph what you in for?” Richard turned the tables.

Steph went quiet and again looked around as if she was looking for somewhere to hide again. She looked as though she was also expecting someone to attack her. This to Richard made her appear a lot younger than she was and he looked for the threat also. He was a little surprised when she started to scratch at the scars on her wrists and he reached forward to stop her.

“ Ya don't have to tell me but mebbe I can help” Richard kept his tone soft as though talking to a scared animal.

“No un can help” Came the soft reply and Steph hid behind her hair again.

There came a soft cough by the door and the two looked over and saw the ward sister standing there. Her look was soft as she smiled and held out a hand and motioned for Steph to join her. The outreached hand made the girl shrink back more and she almost seemed to climb up the bed closer to Richard. He wasn't a stupid child and he could see something was really starting to upset his temporary bed mate.

He shook his head and made a small gesture to the nurse looking at them. The sister nodded and with a smile left the two of them alone for a short while. Richard eased himself into a better position as his back was starting to ache and looked at Steph again raising his eyebrow. He remembered that when he did this his dad would say he looked like Mr Spock and that thought made him smile. Steph had calmed down again and turned to face him, her eyes had become even more haunted.

For a while the two just sat in silence, Steph then gave a heavy sigh and made to hop off the bed but Richard laid a gentle hand next to her on the bed. She looked in surprise at the gesture and a small smile lit up her face and then was gone in a fleeting second.

“look Richie ya shudden get too close to ma” Steph said sadly.

“lemme be the judge of that Steph, I'd call ya a friend and friends dun let friends suffer”

That caused her to look more closely at Richard and the haunted look softened. She let out a shuddering sigh and moved round to face him.

“I'm kinda special Richie, ya see I was called Stephen, but I kinda don't feel like a him”

….....

tbc where Richard learns that the world is not binary and sometimes angels aren't given wings or halos

Ada 10

“look Richie ya shudden get too close to ma” Steph said sadly.
“lemme be the judge of that Steph, I'd call ya a friend and friends dun let friends suffer”
That caused her to look more closely at Richard and the haunted look softened. She let out a shuddering sigh and moved round to face him.
“I'm kinda special Richie, ya see I was called Stephen, but I kinda don't feel like a him”

…...............

A Different Angel 10.

Richard had read about people like Steph and his nature was he didn't care. He was a caring boy and if it helped people then he would use the gender and name they gave to him. How others lived their life was not important to him as long as they were safe.
The main concern he had was the bruising and scars on Steph and he couldn't help but want to deal with whoever had done those.

“Well Steph ya definitely ain't a Stephen, Ya more unicorn than brony” Richard said with a smile.

Steph was surprised at what Richard had said and looked as though she was waiting for the attack. Her posture relaxed when the expected attack either physical or verbal never materialised. She was again taken aback, most of the time in the town when she was open about who and what she felt the attacks would come.
For the first time she had met a peer that really didn't care who and what she was.

Back at home Tracy after her outburst felt Helen's arms around her head she buried into her mothers embrace. Christopher was a little shocked that it was a concern as he knew his youngest child seemed to be unable to think ill of anyone. Richard was so much like Helen in that regard where as Tracy in her male guise had taken the worst of his behaviours and magnified them. He realised that it was an over compensation now.

Christopher looked at his wife and new daughter and sighed deeply. This was one conversation that Tracy needed to have with her sibling, sooner rather than later. He was also a little uncomfortable with the show of emotion, that darned restriction on men not showing full emotion that society forced on his gender. The important thing was helping his daughter be comfortable with herself and the rest of the family.

It was later in the evening and Tracy had retired to her bedroom and Helen and Christopher got a chance to relax. The worry showed on Helens face, was Tracy strong enough to face what was her future. When people found out would Richard become a target as well? Those worries churned at the back of her brain, she started to hate herself and wonder what she had done wrong in raising their eldest child.

Christopher was having pretty much the same thoughts, he really needed to know more on what Tracy was going to face. Also what would his workmates say as some of them were not known to be the most accepting of people. In fact his direct supervisor was a pig to the couple of gay lads that worked in the testing department. He considered the options and wondered who he could reach out to for some more information.

The following morning Tracy came down dressed in a plain sweatsuit and took care of preparing breakfast for her parents. She had not had an easy night and had worked out the only way to get past what she was feeling was to go see Richard at the hospital. She also knew without anything being said her parents were still struggling with her gender problem. Christopher as usual was the first parent down to the kitchen as he started earlier than Helen.
He was shocked when he entered the kitchen to the smell of a full breakfast being prepared. David had never helped in the kitchen and Richard didn't even think he could cook. It was obvious that Tracy had taken notice when ever Helen had cooked. In short order a full English breakfast plate was placed in front of Richard along with a mug of coffee. He tentatively took a bite and found the bacon was cooked just how he liked it. Before he carried on he waited for Tracy to sort herself out a plate but she just grabbed another coffee and sat down.

“Daddy I'm going to go see Rich today,” Tracy still had a hint of fear in her voice, “ I hope he won't hate me”

“Love it's impossible for that boy to hate anyone even when you were the bane of his life.” Christopher replied gently.

“But I wasn't a freak then dad”

“Da..Tracy you are not a freak, no child of mine will call themselves that. You have something you need to work out and I will help you all I can honey”

Christopher's gentle reply made Tracy feel warm inside, there was that unconditional love and care. Helen though would be a tougher nut to crack, her mother and father were very Victorian and well bigoted. Christopher used to joke that the only thing they would permit to be read in that house was the Daily Mail newspaper. Gays, coloured people, lesbians in fact anything that was outside their narrow mind were perverts and dangerous.

Tracy decided instead of waiting for her mother to wake up and deal with the possible nagging she would head to the hospital early. She remembered that Richard may need some clean clothes so packed a small bag and then smiled when she saw tucked under the duvet was Miss Tiggles. That was the bear Tracy when she was fully David at 5 had given to Richard and he had latched on and never let go of the stuffed toy. Tracy felt that her little brother could do with some comfort items whilst he carried on recovering so slipped the bear into the bag too.

After the long tedious bus journey, Tracy reached the hospital and she was glad she hadn't forced herself to dress girly for this meeting. Apart from the shock it would give Richard, the main problem was at the moment she had absolutely nothing to wear. As she approached the main door a little voice called out and it was quickly followed by an adult voice telling the shouter to behave.

Tracy turned around and saw Ginny dragging her mother behind her as she rushed to catch up with Tracy. The little girl was very excited over something and was talking a mile a minute. Tracy managed to work out that Mrs Harris had called Helen and found out to her knowledge no one was visiting today. Ginny had pestered and pestered over the last day to go and see as she called Richard, her knight.

Shaking her head Tracy held out a hand to the little girl and along with Ginny's mother escorted the child into the hospital. Then came the real fun, proving to the receptionist that she was Richards older sibling. Then explain that Ginny would behave herself and the lady was Ginny's mother. Finally the receptionist told the trio the ward and room where Richard had been stashed.

Richard was bored out of his mind again. It was too early for physio and Steph had an appointment with the shrinks so he was on his own. He wanted to push to get out of the hospital but the doctors and nurses reminded him that if he over did it then all the work would be undone. He lethargically switched on the tv and started flipping through the channels when a giggled shout from his doorway caught his attention.

Framed by blonde pigtails little Ginny's face poked around the door frame and then Richard saw David and Mrs Harris trying to calm the little girl down. That brought a smile to his face and shaking his head waited for them to reach his bedside and he managed to sit up with little effort. Ginny was almost bouncing in her eagerness to tell him something and Mrs Harris was looking at David worriedly. She leant down and whispered to Ginny and the girl looked crestfallen and nodded and seemed to collapse in and sulk.

That caused Richard to raise an eyebrow in confusion and Tracy shook her head and mouthed later. The time that Richard had spent with Steph had opened his eyes to a few things and her noticed that David wasn't really there, there was a girl there though. Richard made sure his sibling was looking at him and mouthed silently.

“why don't you introduce yourself sis?”

TBC.....

A different angel Chp 11

That caused Richard to raise an eyebrow in confusion and Tracy shook her head and mouthed later. The time that Richard had spent with Steph had opened his eyes to a few things and he noticed that David wasn't really there, there was a girl there though. Richard made sure his sibling was looking at him and mouthed silently.
“why don't you introduce yourself sis?”

Tracy nearly fainted right off with that comment and looked at her younger brother. She wondered how he could be so incisive and unknowing had mimicked the expression Steph had when she had told Richard about herself. There was no violence in her brother and there was the warmth from Ginny and the smile of understanding from Ginny's mother although there was still the slight fear of the unknown in the adults body language.

Seeing that reaction from the adult in the room caused Richard to do what his mother referred to as spocking, tilting his head and raising his right eyebrow. His mum and he shared a love of science fiction and the original star trek. His dad was more into physical things and rarely watched or read fiction. Richard gently reached a hand and touched his older siblings hand and squeezed gently. The brief moment was interrupted by Ginny giggling and then trying to climb up onto the hospital bed and her mother trying to restrain her slightly. That little dynamo was not willing to be deterred though and managed it and then wriggling over the two siblings hands wrapped Richard in what could only be called an atomic hug.

“RRRRRIIIIICCCHHHIIEE!!!” Ginny managed to make his name a whine as she wanted to give her hero attention and the grown ups were spoiling it.

“Whhhaaatttttt ssssmmmuuudddgggeee?” Richard mimicked the whine right back at her causing Mrs Harris to laugh gently . Ginny pouted and Tracy joined Ginny's mother in laughing gently. Any further reply was cut off as the small frame of Steph darted into the room and bolted for the corner.

Mrs Harris saw what to her was the blur of someone dashing past and then hiding in a corner. Thankfully Ginny didn't notice it as her attention was still firmly riveted to her hero laying in he hospital bed and his big sister. Tracy had also seen the small figure and she wondered what the devil was going on now. Out in the corridor of the ward that lead to the main area there was the sounds of raised voices. What was being shouted was muffled by the sounds around the ward but the tone was definitely not friendly. A young nurse peered into the room and scanned and then nodded when she saw Steph hiding in the corner trying to squeeze into the space behind one of the visitors chairs.

The shouting increased in volume and other voices had become raised. The nurse made her way into Richards room and slightly closed the door and walked over to Richard and quietly asked if Stephen was welcomed in his room. Richard nodded and then seemed to notice where Steph/Stephen was hiding. There was the sounds of a fight following the shouting and then two police officers ran past the door to the room.

“well I definitely am not missing my soaps today” Mrs Harris tried to joke all the while keeping an eye on the small child hiding behind the chair as well as protecting Ginny.

Ginny looked confused at all the noise outside and then glanced around seeing another child that seemed her age hiding behind the visitors chair. She could see this peer was frightened over something and then in her usual way took the matter outer the bigger peoples hands. She wriggled and hopped off the bed and walked over to where Steph was hiding. She smiled as she approached and then stood a few paces away from Steph then put her hands behind her back to show she wasn't going to hurt the other.

Mrs Harris was surprised seeing her daughter acting in such a mature manner and turned her attention fully to Steph and Ginny. This caused both Tracy and Richard to pay attention to what was going on in the room more than each other. Richard due to his nature seeing that Steph was scared tried to struggle to get out of the hospital bed and Tracy feeling the movement shook her head and gently pushed him back down.

Steph saw the girl walking towards her and then was surprised when she stopped and then put her hands behind her back. She couldn't help but feel jealous of this girl standing there in a cute blue cotton summer dress and long hair being held back by a matching Alice band. She no longer could hear her father ranting in the hallway and she hoped he had been taken by the police. The stress started to leave her and finally taking in the people around her saw Richard in his bed and an older boy, dressed in a rather androgynous manner gently stopping him from getting up and a woman was there in the room.

To Steph the woman had the look of a social worker but there was also something else. The other girl in the room wasn't behaving like a social care kid would be and seemed to be acting friendly. As Steph was trying to decide what to do there was a knock on the rooms semi open. After waiting a few seconds the person knocking on the door peeked in and the head and shoulders of a woman in a police uniform became visible. Tracy and Richard were a little surprised by this but Mrs Harris smiled, she recognized inspector Karen Robertson Smythe form the Child protection Unit.

Karen scanned the room and her gaze settled on the small figure of Steph and if anything her smile seemed to get bigger. Her blue eyes shone with a warmth and compassion and her auburn hair was in a decidedly professional but mumsy style. In fact the 30 year old was perfect for her role as designated officer for children under a police protection Order by both appearance and manner. The junior officers at the station referred to her as Mummy Dearest and she actually took that nickname with pride. She as a little surprised to see Bethany Harris there as she was supposed to be on 3 days compassionate leave from the social services after what had happened with her daughter.

Beth smiled seeing Karen at the door and knew that she was there for the little child that Ginny was trying to calm. Seeing how her daughter was to someone in need made her proud also, she had never tried to instil her own code of ethics into her child. It seemed Ginny was a natural and Beth hoped that she might follow her into social work. Ginny had remained focused on the other child and still standing there showing a warm smile quietly whispered.

“hi I'm Ginny, that's my Mummy and Richards the poorly boy in the bed an the bigger one with him is his secret sister.”

Beth hearing her daughter give out Tracy's secret so openly made her want to groan and she looked worriedly at Karen. Seeing the police inspector just shake her head and raise an eyebrow she mouthed she would explain in a little while. In those few seconds and words Karen had come into the room receiving the nod from both Bethany and Richard. It was ingrained for her to wait for an adult in a room to invite her in with either gesture or word but then she realised that Richard was the resident of this room and Beth the guest.

Richard waited for the officer to introduce herself and why she was here and also worrying if he or Steph was in trouble for something. He was put a little at ease by her smile and her relaxed manner once she was fully into the room.

“Morning folks I'm Karen, as you can see I'm a copper” Karen introduced herself and Steph let out a high wail and tried to bolt for the door again.