Anna
by Michelle Lurker
Alan and Janine were best friends. As long as they could remember they had been together. They went to the same university, and when they graduated they shared a house in the city. Though Alan was out of work, Janine made enough at her new job to support them both. They shared everything, and considered themselves lucky to have such a wonderful friendship. Everything seemed perfect...
Except for one thing. Even though their relationship was purely platonic, it did cause problems for Janine when it came to meeting men. They often couldn't accept her having a male friend to whom she was so close. And Alan, well he just didn't date much. There was a short time in university where they had sort of blurred the line between friendship and lovers, and even though he wouldn't tell Janine, Alan held on to this. Janine sensed this, and though she loved Alan dearly, and was closer to him than anyone else in the world, that part of her life was over. She hated hurting him, and even though he would never say so, she knew she did. Her attempts to set him up with women had been received coldly, and she didn't know what to do...
Janine and her new boyfriend Kevin were sitting in the front room of her and Alan's place. Alan was out tonight with a friend from school, and she knew that he wouldn't be home until late. After their movie ended Janine and Kevin began to engage in some heavy petting. Soon they were on the couch, half in and half out of their clothes, and they didn't hear the back door unlock. Alan staggered in.
"Hello... oops", muttered Alan, who smelled quite like a brewery. He hadn't drank this much since college.
"What... Alan! I thought you were going out tonight!", Janine was visibly flustered as she pulled her clothes on.
"Alan... hey, who the hell is he?", Kevin did not seem very pleased.
Alan held out his hand, "Alan's my name... puleezed to meet you."
"Kevin, don't get the wrong idea... this is my roommate, Alan," Janine was trying to control the situation.
"Roommate? Oh, I get it..." Kevin rose, pulling up his jeans and grabbing his jacket. "Sorry, Janine... I'm not into that sorta stuff..."
"No, wait, you see... were only friends", Janine was close to sobbing.
"Sorry you've got to go, Kevin-boy, I was about to ask you for a drink..." Kevin was teetering back and forth dangerously.
"Good-bye Janine", said Kevin as he slammed the front door behind him.
"Damn!", screamed Janine, "You said you'd be out tonight!"
"Sorry", replied Alan, "I guess I had too much to drink and I came home. C'mon, you're better without that jerk anyway."
"I happen to like `that jerk' very much... Damn it Alan, why won't you let me have a life?"
"Ohh... sorry... I didn't realize you were planning on fucking that steroid creep."
"I'll ignore that comment... No, I won't. Yes, maybe, I was planning to have sex with him..."
Alan looked suddenly very sad. "How the hell can you fuck these creeps? I thought we were close..."
"Alan, don't you see that we are? But I still need to be able to have relationships with other men. I'm sorry, I don't mean to hurt you, but I can't go on living this way. You have to accept us as friends and let me live my life. And you need to live yours..."
Alan was close to tears. "I just thought... aw fuck it." He staggered up to his room, and slammed the door.
"Alan... wait...", called Janine, but she thought the better of it. He was drunk. Probably best to let him sleep it off.
The next morning Alan was very cold. Janine tried to talk a number of times over breakfast, but Alan only muttered monosyllabic answers. He eventually picked up his coffee, took the paper, and sat in the front room. When Janine called `goodbye' as she left for work she got no response.
Janine could not keep her mind on work that day. She sat at her desk, but her mind was elsewhere. She loved Alan so much... but that didn't seem enough for him. If only there was some way things could be okay. She knew in her heart that to be his girlfriend would be wrong... for she didn't feel that way for him, and would grow to resent him, destroying their friendship. Before she knew it, it was five o'clock, and she got up and left the office.
Instead of driving straight home (as she didn't really want to see Alan right now) she went to the market section of the city. She hoped that browsing through the small shops and stands would take her mind off the problem at hand. She was looking over some street vendor's jewlery when she noticed a new shop, `The Occultist'. Piqueing her interest, she walked in.
The shop was very dark, and crammed to the point of overflowing with odd curios and books. She was browsing around, and didn't notice the old man behind the counter.
"Hello, mam, may I be of service?" cackled the white-haired old man.
Janine was startled, "What? Oh... no thanks, I'm just browsing."
"Very well. You seem to have something on your mind."
"What? Oh, yeah... a friend and I had a fight."
"Oh... looking for something to help?"
"Not really, it's not like I could buy a magic potion and Poof! everything is better."
"You'd be surprised...", the old man said coyly.
"What do you mean?" asked Janine.
"There are things in this world that work beyond the realm of what we know. Do you want me to help you?"
What have I got to lose, thought Janine. "Sure.. I guess"
"Tell me a little of the problem..."
Janine explained her and Alan's story. The old man listened intently, scratching his chin and nodding his head. When he finished his thought for a second, and went into the back room. He came back with a rather ugly little wood carving of a Leprauchan.
"How is that supposed to help?" asked Janine.
"I grants wishes... not big ones, of course. You won't get a million dollars out of this little fellow. But he can help the harmony of a situation... if you wish for it."
Janine felt rather stupid for being taken in by the old man. Expecting a ridiculous sum, she asked "How much?"
"Take it home, try it, and if it works pay me how much you think it is worth. Let me wrap it for you."
Before she knew it, Janine was driving home with this little Leprauchan, and, truth be known, feeling a little silly.
When she got home, Janine found Alan packing. "Alan, what are you doing?" she asked.
Alan stopped and looked at her. "Janine, I love you more than anything on this earth... but I feel we have an impossible situation. I've made arrangements to stay with someone else until I can get a place of my own. I'm sorry..."
Janine was crying now, "Alan, you're my best friend in the whole world. I don't want to lose you, please stay. Just a little while longer... we can try to work things through."
"I don't know", Alan looked at his friend, "I don't mean to make you cry, but it is very hard on me sometimes. Okay, I'll stay a while longer... I don't want to lose you either."
The two ate dinner, and joked around like old times. Even though they sat up and watched a movie and talked like they usually did, Janine could feel a distance between them. Alan excused himself for bed, and Janine sat and thought. The package from the old man's store was on the coffee table, she had forgotten about it. She opened it up and looked at the carving.
"Well, little guy, if you can help, please do. I do wish there was some way my friendship with Alan could survive..." She retired for the night. From her bedroom she did not notice the green glow coming from under Alan's door...
Alan woke up early, around seven, planning to go for a run. Never a great morning person, he fumbled around his room, pulled a pair of track shorts and a t-shirt out of his drawer. Man I feel odd, he thought, I must be coming down with something. He staggered into the bathroom and turned on the water for a shower. He turned to look at himself in the mirror, but the steam had clouded it up. Just as well, thought Alan, If I look anything like I feel I probably don't want to see. He walked over to the toilet, flipped up the seat, and slipped down the boxer shorts that he had worn to bed...
Janine was awakened by a woman's scream. That came from the bathroom, she thought, and jumped up to see what was the matter. She was shocked by what she found.
Standing in the bathroom, wearing only a pair of men's boxer shorts, was a blond woman. She had the looks of a model, an hourglass figure Janine guessed at 36-24-35, C cup breasts, and stood about 5'9". She couldn't weigh more than 125 lbs., Janine thought. Long blond hair reached down her back, and framed her almost Nordic features. Wow, thought Janine, if Alan scored with this woman things might be getting better.
The mystery woman in the bathroom was close to hyperventilating, "Oh my god... oh my god... Janine! What the hell is happening?"
How does she know my name?, thought Janine. "Sit down... and relax" The girl did so. Janine saw a t-shirt of Alan's on the counter and gave it to the girl to put on. Janine got her a cup of water... and when she was calm asked her a question. "Okay, you're alright now... Now, where is Alan? And what is you're name?"
The blond girl stared at Janine for a moment, and then spoke... "Janine, don't you get it? It's me... I'M Alan..."
Janine stared at the girl for a second, thoughts racing, and then things got very confusing...
Janine sat across the kitchen table from the beautiful blond girl. The clock said 9:00am. For the last two hours she had sat and listened to this stranger talk... telling her unbelievable things, things that only her best friend Alan could have known. The girl began to cry a couple of times, and Janine had comforted her with a tissue. She repeated her story again, but Janine could still not believe...
"...and when I dropped my shorts to pee, it was... gone. That's when I screamed. Then you came in and found me... God Janine, you've got to believe me. How else could I know all I know? I don't know what has happened, but I am Alan." said the girl again and stared at Janine pleadingly.
"But how? I want to believe you, trust me I do, but it's just so unbelieveable..."
The girl stared out into space. Then, overwhelmed with an idea she got up and ran to a kitchen drawer. Grabbing a pen she wrote something on a piece of paper, and shoved it in Janine's face, "Here."
"What?", asked Janine, but when she looked at the paper she didn't need an answer. It was Alan's signature, pure and simple. Only a master forger could create such a likeness. "Alan?"
"What do you think I've been trying to tell you... do you believe me now?"
"Yes... how did this happen?"
"If I knew I wouldn't be quite as panicky as I am right now."
"We need to talk to a doctor, or something. Could it have been something you ate?"
"Janine, look at me... I've got C-cup breasts, not hives."
"Yeah... fair enough. But there has to be a reason for this..."
Alan sunk his head in his hands. "I'm too exhausted to think right now... I need a bath and a nap."
"That's probably a good idea", said Janine, "I'm calling in sick to work. When you wake up we can talk."
"Okay", said Alan, and stifled a laugh, "well, look at it this way, I don't think your boyfriend Kevin would have too much of a problem with me living here if he saw me now..."
As Alan started up the stairs a thought entered Janine's head. At first she brushed it away as impossible, but as she thought more about the morning's incredible happenings it made more sense. She turned and ran into the front room, and to the figure on the coffee table...
Alan ran himself a warm bath, and stared at himself in the mirror. Wow, he thought, I'm a babe. He looked like a model, with long blond hair, deep blue eyes, Scandanavian good looks, a 36-24-35 figure with C-cup breasts, and stood at 5'9". He stepped on the scale, 124lbs. Hmmn, he thought, I've been meaning to drop some weight, but 76lbs. overnight!
He stepped slowly into the warm bath. He was still amazed to see the long sleek legs that were his own. As he soaked in the bath he thought over that morning's incredible experiences. There had to be some rational explanation. Still, as he relaxed in the tub, he was too confused to think of an explanation right then. He closed his eyes and felt the warm water all around him. He grabbed a bar of soap and began to lather himself.
Alan opened his eyes and looked at the delicate hands washing the firm breasts, and thought, Yeah, they're mine. The sight of a naked woman in a tub turned him on, even if he WAS the woman. He closed his eyes and began to gently massage his breasts, and playing with his nipples. Wow, Alan thought, this feels great. Slowly, without really being aware of it, his one hand slid down to his groin...
Wait, he thought, I can't do this. I have to find out what happened, not sit here and frig myself. But, damn, it feels good... hey, who'll ever know... and when I get changed back into a man I'll know how to please a woman so much more...
His hand touched the soft pubic mound, and one finger probed inside. His body tensed as he slowly began to massage his clit... he inserted another finger and began to slowly pump himself. As he sped up his sensations continued to build, eventually exploding in a crescendo of pleasure he'd never known before.
He got out of the tub, dried himself, and looked in the mirror. He then said "Wow" aloud to no one in particular as he walked into his bedroom and fell asleep on his bed...
Alan opened his eyes slightly. He had had a wonderful dream... he was laying on a bed of silk lace, and Harrison Ford, dressed as Indiana Jones, had come into the room and kissed him full on the mouth. They made wonderful love and...
Alan woke up with a start. He thought, What the hell? He reached up to his chest, and felt the firmness of his two breasts and it all came back to him. He looked at his clock -- 2pm. He had napped for only about three hours, but it had seemed much longer. He figured Janine was downstairs waiting for him so he decided to get out of bed. He looked around for something to wear, and decided on a pair of trackpants that had been too small for him for years (they still needed to be rolled up on his new body) and a tshirt. He threw on a baseball cap to keep his hair back, and when that failed, tied it back with an elastic.
As he started down the stairs he thought to himself, What was that dream all about? Just because I have a chick's body is no reason to go queer... In any case he had more pressing issues to discuss.
Janine sat on the couch in the front room with an ugly wood carving of a Leprauchan in front of her on the coffee table. Alan sat in a recliner, and looked at her in disbelief.
"So you're saying that is why I am now the way I am?" he asked incredulously.
"Think about it, Alan, despite how ridiculous it sounds it is the only thing that makes sense."
"I don't know..."
"Listen... the old man told me it could grant wishes to create harmony in a situation. I wished for our friendship to be saved somehow..."
"I still don't get it..."
"Think. Our problems don't come from our closesness, Hell, you're my best friend in the world. Our problems are the complications that, well, our sexes create. How can we be a problem for each other if we are the same sex. No guy I would go out with would care if I have a female roommate. A male one, however..."
"So you think Mr. Leprauchan there did some plumbing adjustments on me with some sort of magic to make me into a woman, thereby saving our friendship? Janine, what if I don't want to be a woman? I have twenty four years experience at being a guy, and I don't think I'm quite ready to give that up. So just rub his belly, or whatever you do, and wish me back to being a man."
"I can't. I've tried already... it won't work."
"What? Does it come with a one wish limit? Or did you waste the remaining wishes on a new car or some money?"
"No, it doesn't work that way. I don't know if there is a limit, but I tried wishing you back while you slept, and, well, no change."
"Where is the shop where you bought this thing, I'm going down there right now..." Alan was cut short by the doorbell ringing. "Oh good God, now what?"
Janine looked out the window, "Oh God, it's Kevin."
"I'm outta here..." said Alan as he started to get up.
"No wait," implored Janine, "He would have seen someone in here with me through the window. He and I don't need any more problems, Alan. Please, just pretend to be my cousin or something. There's no way he could ever tell. Please..."
Alan looked at his friend, "Okay, I guess a lot of your problems are because of me anyway. Just make it short."
Janine answered the door, "Hello, Kevin. Would you like to come in?"
He was carrying a single rose and a letter, "Hi Janine. I'm sorry about the other night... I wrote some things down that I hope will make it better. I can't stay long, but I hope you'll read the letter, and maybe go out with me again...", he noticed the blond girl on the couch, "Oh, hello, I'm sorry... I didn't know you had company."
Janine, who was taken in by her ex's sentiments, had almost forgotten Alan was still there. "Oh, yeah... Kevin, this is Al... er, Anna, my cousin. Anna, this is Kevin."
"Hello, Anna," said Kevin.
"Oh, yes, hello," replied Alan without much enthusiasm, "Janine, Cous, I'm going into the kitchen to start dinner. Nice to meet you, Calvin."
"Kevin"
"Yeah, whatever." Janine shot Alan a cold glance as he left the room.
"Janine, you mean more to me than anything. I was thinking, I guess I reacted badly the other night. I hope you can find it in your heart to see me again. Hey, maybe we could double-date with your cousin. My buddy Paul is single..." Kevin smiled sheepishly.
"We'll see", said Janine, "Thanks for the rose. I'll talk to you later..."
"Bye" said Kevin as he walked out to the car.
Janine was smelling the rose he brought as Alan came back into the room. "Lover boy gone? Good... now back to the problem at hand. Where is this shop?" Janine turned to look at Alan with a look he knew all too well, the `please do me a favour' look. "What... oh no... I know what you're thinking... no, you are not going to set me up with some friend of his..."
"Please... only one date, we need to get back on a firm footing. Then, I promise, we will go to the shop and straighten this all out..."
Alan ran a hand through his long hair. "I am going to regret this..."
Alan sat up in bed. He stared out into space, focusing on nothing in particular as he thought over the events of the previous few days. Since he woke up and found himself in the body of a beautiful woman his life had taken a number of bizzare turns. He had spent countless hours examining the Leprauchan carving which he and his best friend Janine had assumed was the cause of his change, only to find nothing beyond a simple statue. He had tried a number of times to wish himself back to his old body with no results. And now, here he was, waiting to get ready for a double-date with Janine, her boyfriend Kevin, and his friend Paul.
Alan (or Anna, as he was referred to in the presence of Kevin) was not convinced that the date was a good idea, but Janine had asked and he had said yes. He did feel responsible for her troubles with Kevin, and though he was willing to do whatever necessary to help his friend, he couldn't see how the date would help.
"Kevin has a lot of insecurity about our relationship," Janine had told him, "By going on a date with another couple we will be able to slowly ease back into things. If we rush, I'm afraid he'll get scared and go away."
Alan still wasn't sold, but he had agreed to do it and he was a man of his word. Janine had promised to go search out the shop where she had bought the mysterious carving the very next day, anyway. What the hell, thought Alan, one night out as a woman won't kill me, it might be fun.
Though it was only 5, and the guys weren't coming until 8, Janine was in the shower. Alan heard the water stop, and after a few minutes Janine stepped into his bedroom. "Ready to get dressed, Anna?..." she asked with a devillish grin.
Alan and Janine were standing in her bedroom. He had been in here before, but this time felt different. Why shouldn't it, he thought, Janine and I are getting ready to go on a date with some guys... God this is weird. Janine had laid out some clothes for him... a pair of faded jeans, a loose fitting silk blouse, panties, a bra, and a camisole. Alan stared at the clothes like some newly discovered relics of a lost civilization.
"Are the panties and bra necessary?" he asked.
"C'mon silly, what are you going to wear... boxers?" Janine replied as she picked up the clothing and handed it to him. "Go on and put these on, and call me if you have any problems..."
Alan walked back to his room, put the clothes on his bed, and stared at them. Well, he thought, might as well just dive in.
He took off the track pants and t-shirt he had been wearing, and picked up the panties, inspecting them. The were lacy, silky things, unlike anything he had ever worn. He took a breath, and pulled them up his long legs.
Wow, he thought, these things don't feel half bad... hold on, remember, you are a guy, and this is a favour for Janine. He still couldn't help enjoying the feel of the silky fabric against his soft skin. Next came the bra, again all lace and silk, and after a few tries he was amazed that he got it on. Despite the fact he had been in this body for a few days now, this was the first experience he had with a bra. At least it keeps them from bouncing around so much, he thought. He then pulled on the camisole (`So no one can see your bra', Janine had told him, like no one knew he would be wearing one anyway) and smoothed it out over his bra. Looking in his mirror he was amazed, yet again, at his image. The girl before him looked like a Victoria's Secret model.
The jeans fit well, if a bit snugly, and the blouse was a bit filly, but managable. Alan walked back over to Janine's room and knocked on the open door. Janine was dressed in a tan skirt, and a sleeveless blue denim top. She looked up at him, "Let's get a look at our party girl. Anna, you are beautiful... I am jealous."
"Remember it's only temporary," Alan reminded her, "And do you have to keep calling me Anna?"
"You don't look much like an Alan to me, and anyway, get used to it so we don't slip up tonight. Sit down, I'll put some makeup on you."
Janine set Alan, or rather Anna, down at her dressing table and began to work on his face. After a few minutes she stepped back and said, "Perfect!" She sprayed Anna with a small amount of perfume and twirled the chair around for Anna to see.
Alan stared blankly at the reflection. Since his change he knew he was good looking, but the girl in the mirror was unbelievably beautiful. The small amount of makeup Janine had used had accented his features perfectly, and made his blue eyes piercing. "How do you like?" asked Janine.
"Wow," was all he could reply.
"You go downstairs and wait, I've still got to do a few things."
"Yeah," said Alan, half in a daze.
As he walked down to the front room he caught his reflection in the hall mirror and stopped. The girl in the mirror was unquestioningly beautiful. 36-24-35, C-cup breasts, 5'9", 124lbs., long blond hair framing exqusite features. I could have fallen in love with this girl, Alan thought, but now I am her. A thought entered his head, but he quickly pushed it away...
"There here" called Janine. Alan was in the kitchen, and quickly felt his stomach coil up. Maybe this wasn't such a good idea after all. Janine came into the kitchen, "C'mon!", she whispered.
They walked into the front room, where Kevin and his friend Paul were waiting. "Hello Kevin", muttered Alan.
"Oh, hi... Anna this is my friend Paul."
Paul, looking nervous, extended his hand, "Hello..."
Alan took it, and smiled, "Hello Paul." Gee, Alan thought, he's a pretty good looking guy, in an objective way. Hey, I'm secure in my sexuality, I can say when a guy is good looking... Alan realized he was arguing with his brain.
"Well, shall we go?" asked Janine. The four put on their coats and walked to the car...
They went to a pub by the university that Alan had frequented in his old body. He chuckled to himself when Larry, the bartender, eyed him as he walked to the booth they had selected. Larry, old boy, he thought, if you only knew...
The four sat and talked about their jobs, school, hobbies, etc. with Janine and Kevin carrying the bulk of the conversation. Alan/Anna carefully avoided most personal questions, and altered stories from his own life when necessary. Paul didn't talk much, and was painfully obvious in his attempts to make eye contact with Anna. Honestly, Alan found it cute.
"I need to go to the ladies' room", Janine announced, and looked at Anna. Oh yeah, he thought, women do this in pairs... "Me, too"
The two got up and went to the ladies' room, new territory for Alan. Sitting down to do #1 was something he had become used to, and then he and Janine stood fixing their makeup.
"I think he really likes you..." said Janine.
"Well.. that's nice," said Alan as he touched up his lipstick, "I hope he doesn't become to attached though, because I do believe Anna has a date with destiny tommorow."
"Yeah... I know. This is just fun, I mean I've never had a girlfriend to whom I was so close... Oh, well. You know, Paul could really have his pick of women, though, and he seems to have taken a real shine to you..."
Alan didn't respond, but he did find it hard to supress a smile as the two walked back to the table.
The couples continued there evening out with more small talk, Paul trying to talk a bit more, and as Alan became more relaxed he too opened up. Both Kevin and Paul seemed a bit surprised when the conversation turned to baseball and Anna seemed to know more about the game than the two of them put together. Alan was having a really good time when a song that Janine really liked came on and she suggested that they all dance.
Alan wasn't quite confident enough to get up, and Kevin was sore from working out the day before, so Paul and Janine went up to dance. Alan felt a bit uncomfortable sitting alone at the table with Janine's beau, and the conversation was quite strained.
"So, you and Janine are cousins?" asked Kevin, searching for something to talk about.
"Yep," was Alan's only reply.
"Hmmn..." said Kevin, to fill in the empty space, "Your cousin is a really special girl. I don't quite think I've ever met someone like her before... I guess she has told you about our problems."
"A bit..." said Alan, intrigued.
"I feel like a real jerk, honestly. From what she's told me her friend Alan is a really great guy... I guess I was just being a possesive goof, you know how guys can be..."
More than you'd ever imagine, Kevin-boy, Alan thought. He wondered if he had been at all fair to Kevin, he did seem like a nice guy after all.
"I just hope I haven't hurt her friendship with Alan," he continued, "I don't think it's fair for me to demand so much of her. Who knows, maybe he and I could become friends... where has been recently, anyway?"
"Oh... he is visiting some relatives for a few days..."
"I think when he gets back I'll take him out for a beer and try and smooth things over... do you think he'd be okay with that?"
"I think he might..." said Alan. Gee, who feels like the jerk now, he thought...
Janine and Paul came back to the table. "So what have you two been talking about?" asked Janine.
"Oh, not much," said Alan as he gave a wink to Kevin.
The event went off wonderfully, and soon the four were piled back into Kevin's car for the ride home. When they pulled into the driveway Alan could see that Janine and Kevin would want some time alone. "Why don't I take Paul inside for a quick coffee and you two can... make sure the car is running properly?" asked Alan with a wink. The two blushed, but readily agreed.
Alan fixed two coffees and sat in the front room. He and Paul talked some more, and when it looked like Janine and Kevin were finished talking in the car Paul stood up to go.
"I'm sorry I wasn't more fun tonight..." he said.
"Oh, you were fine," replied Alan with a smile.
"Really? Oh, great... You know, I was thinking... I don't know... um, would you like, or be interested rather... on going out on another date, maybe... you know, just the two of us... if not that's okay... I understand... I just..."
Alan cut him off, "I think that'd be okay." Why did I say that? He thought. Oh well... I'll figure something out.
"Really? Super... I can reach you here I guess..." Paul stopped talking and looked into Anna's eyes. Oh no, thought Alan, I know what's coming next. Well, he was a nice guy all night...
Paul slowly, akwardly, moved closer to Anna. Their lips touched briefly, pulled apart, then met in a kiss. Alan, unconsciously, wrapped his arms around Paul's neck. They pulled apart and looked at each other for a moment. "I'll call, then..." Paul said.
"Okay", said Alan, slightly dazed by the kiss, "I'd like that. Goodnight..."
Paul turned and left, passing Janine on her way in. The two exchanged goodbyes and Janine entered the house. She looked very happy.
"Well, girl, what happened?" asked Alan.
"Oh, we talked about a lot of stuff, I think things are going to work out..." she could barely contain her glee, "And you? I noticed two figures by the door for some time..."
"Well... he did pay for my drinks..." said Alan, a bit flustered.
"He's a nice guy, Paul"
"Yeah," replied Alan, somewhat distantly.
"Let's talk..." said Janine and they both got themselves a coffee. Alan didn't think twice about putting on the nightie Janine lent him, and the two sat around the coffee table, talking for hours like two old girlfriends. Alan didn't realize it at the time, but he had never felt closer to his best friend... Alan woke up early, but laid in bed for a while, thinking about the strange turns his life had taken lately. Here he was, with the body of a woman than could make a career as a model, laying about in a sexy, silky nightie, the morning after he had gone on a date with a guy, and kissed him goodnight (not to mention sort of liking it). Very, very strange.
He heard Janine in the kitchen downstairs, so he got up, put on the robe she had lent him, and went down. She had breakfast laid out.
"Good morning," she said with a smile.
"Yeah..." mumbled Alan. It seemed the only thing that hadn't changed about him over the last few days was the fact that he still wasn't a morning person.
"Kevin called me before you woke up," said Janine while pouring coffee for her friend, "Paul couldn't stop talking about you last night. So when are you going out again?"
Oh shit, thought Alan, I forgot about that. Paul seemed like such a nice guy, Alan was truly sorry he had led him on. "Don't you remember we have an appointment with a certain occult shopkeeper today?"
"Oh... yeah," Janine was visibly dissapointed, "I'm sorry, I guess I just got carried away. It's really fun having a close girlfriend... I guess part of me was sota hoping it could stay this way..."
Hearing Janine's words caused those unwanted thoughts to resurface in Alan's mind, but he quickly pushed them away. "Janine," he said, "I have really enjoyed these past few days... they have been really special, and I feel we've bonded in a way we never could have before. But I am a guy inside, and I need to be who I really am..."
"Yeah, I guess you're right..." said Janine. They finished their breakfast without much more conversation. When finished they got dressed, Alan in a pair of Janine's jeans and a white t-shirt. They drove towards the market section of town, and the little shop where Alan hoped to find some answers...
The shop was right where Janine had said it would be. Janine and Alan entered the tiny shop and found the old man behind the counter. "Hello ladies, may I help you in any way?"
"Yes, actually," said Janine, "I was in here a few days ago and I bought a Leprauchan statue to `harmonize' a relationship..."
"Oh, yes, lassie, I remember you... so, did the carving work for you?"
"Well, this here is my friend Alan..."
The old man looked at Alan, "My what an odd name for such a beautiful young lady?"
"You don't understand," said Alan, "Up until a few days ago I WASN'T a beautiful young lady, in fact I wasn't a lady at all!"
"Ahh...", said the old man as he scratched at his chin, "I see now. I should have known better than to trust a Leprauchan's magic... I guess in a technical way the barriers to your friendship have been removed, eh?"
"Yes," said Janine, "technincally..."
Alan cut in, "But I have a vested interest in my old gender, you see. I was a guy for 24 years, and I don't think I can stop just now. So tell me -- how do I change back? The damn carving won't work anymore..."
"There is no need to get irate, young man..." the old man said.
"I'm sorry, this week has been very stressful..." Alan was close to tears.
"I understand. The statue the young lady bought contained a type of Leprauchaun magic that was, while not maliscous, definitely mischievous. And even though it is a very weak magic, to try and turn back the spell would probably be impossible if not dangerous."
"So I'm stuck this way?" Alan asked, exasperated.
"No, not permanently," the old man continued, "There is some good news. The carving has very weak magic, as I've said, and once a wish is used it takes time to recharge itself, so to speak. A fortnight, to be exact."
"That's over a month," Alan said, "Is there no faster way?"
"I'm sorry, but no..." replied the old man.
As they drove home Janine tried to cheer Alan up. He stared out the window and thought about everything... "Well, I've made it this far," he said, "I guess I can survive a month..."
By the time they got home Janine had cheered Alan up considerably. Before long they were joking around like old times, and Alan had forgotten most of his troubles. They decided to rent a movie and order in Chinese food. One thing Alan noticed about his situation was his diminished apetite. Hmmn, he thought, maybe at least I'll save some money on groceries this month. He had finished about half his chow mein, and was feeling quite full, when the phone rang.
Janine answered it in the kitchen. After saying `hello' she cupped her hand over the phone and whispered to Alan, "It's Paul".
Oh the fun just never stops, does it, Alan thought. Well... I am going to be in this body for at least another month and a half, it would be sorta hard to avoid him all that time... "I'll take it," he said.
The voice on the other end of the phone had all that nervous apprehension that Alan had associated with Paul, and had found cute, in an objective way of course. "Hello... Anna?"
"Hello Paul," Alan replied.
"Hi, I was just wondering about what we talked about the other night, you know, about going out again? Well, I know you like baseball... I've got two tickets for tommorow night's game... and I was wondering if you..."
Alan mercifully cut him off, "Paul, I'd love to go."
"Oh, Really? Marvellous..." When Alan finally got off the phone the two had talked for over two hours.
"Well, well, I see the phone is free..." Janine said coyly when Alan was finally finished.
"Don't even start..." he warned.
"Oh, come on, Paul is a really nice guy. So are you two going out on a DATE?" Janine said, placing much emphasis on the word date.
"We're going to the baseball game tomorrow... okay? We might as well be two guys... it's a ballgame, alright."
"Okay..." she said, "Alan, I was wondering... and you don't have to answer if you don't want to, but seeing as you're in that body, have you felt any... feelings... that someone in that body might normally feel?"
"You mean am I attracted to guys? I'm not really sure. Like Paul, for example, on one hand I think he's really cool, you know, as a friend. On another hand I find myself getting repulsed at the idea of being around him as a woman. And on even another hand I feel what I could best describe as attraction to him... but not how I ever felt as a guy when I liked a girl. I don't know, all these thoughts are swimming around my head... it's very confusing sometimes..."
"I'm sorry..." said Janine.
"It's okay," Alan replied, "I never would have guessed it in a million years, but I am having a good time. I do miss being able to pee standing up, though..."
"You pig!" Janine laughed. The two sat and laughed and talked into the night.
Alan agreed to let Janine pick out his outfit for his date with Paul. Deciding to keep the feel casual she selected a tan floral print sun dress, and sandals. Alan was sort of apprehensive about wearing a dress, but once he put it on it felt comfortable, so he agreed. He decided to wear his old faded denim jacket over top, a move which actually got him praise from Janine for his fashion sense. He borrowed a brown leather purse from her to keep his money in. Janine did his makeup and hair, and as he stood looking at his reflection in the hall mirror he thought he looked pretty darn good. He wondered how Paul would like how he looked...
Paul picked him up at 6:30, giving them time to get to the game by opening pitch at 7:30. Rather than rushing to eat before the game they decided it would be best to get a bite and a drink afterwards. On the drive to the game Alan was amazed by how comfortable he felt, and how easy the conversation flowed.
Paul was quite the gentleman, buying Alan a pennant, a program, a cap, and almost anything else he could find with the home team's logo on it until a blushing Alan told him to stop. When they went to their seats Alan was amazed. He had never had seats like this in his life, right at first base, six rows up. When he asked Paul where he got the seats Alan found out that Paul worked for a marketing company that handled a lot of the team's business. Hmmn, he thought, pretty impressive...
The game turned out to be a one-sided victory for the home team, and Alan had to spend a good five minutes to make Paul stop apologizing for it not being a closer game. They decided to leave the car and walk to a restaurant near the stadium.
The place was busy with the after ballgame crowd, but Paul and Alan found a booth near the back that wasn't quite so noisy. They ordered some finger food and two light beers. Alan was having a really great time.
"You know," said Paul, "I really must admit, and I hope this doesn't sound sexist, that I've never known a girl who understands baseball like you do. Gee, I'd really like to bring you to the office one day and put all the macho-wannabes who think women are only good for one thing in their place."
"Why thank you, what a sweet thing to say, I think," Alan was blushing.
"You know, Anna, I really think you are a neat person... lots of fun to be around. When I first saw you, I must admit I was sort of intimidated by your looks... I mean, like, you are very very pretty... but, I don't know, I feel very comfortable around you."
Alan/Anna was truly moved, "Gee... you're going to give me a big head. But thanks again... and yes, I feel pretty comfortable around you, too." Anna smiled.
As they drove home, they talked baseball, politics, the world -- they seemed to be able to talk about anything together. Before they knew it they were in front of Anna's. Paul turned off the ignition.
"I had a really good time tonight," he said, "I hope we can do it again sometime..."
"I think that's a possibility," replied Anna, not even thinking that she would be back to being Alan in only a month and a half.
Paul looked into Anna's eyes, and quickly darted his glance away. He looked back, and Anna nodded her head. Paul leaned forward, and their lips met in a kiss. They both adjusted themselves in their seats, and Anna brought her one arm up and ran her fingers through Paul's hair. What am I doing?, thought Alan/Anna, but he pushed the thought away and enjoyed the moment. Paul gently pressed his tongue into Anna's mouth, and Anna reciprocated. Paul's mouth tasted totally alien to Alan, but he found it enjoyable. The two continued kissing as the windows on the car fogged up... Paul reached out and cupped Anna's still-clothed breast and began to massage it. Holy moly, thought Alan, that feels damn good, I'm going to have to watch myself. After kissing for an indeterminable amount of time Anna pulled back, "I should really go..."
Paul looked dissapointed, but said, "Yeah... I have to work tomorrow. Can I call?"
Anna laughed, "Of course", and bent over and kissed him once again. Anna/Alan gathered his colection of baseball momentos and walked to the house, turning to wave goodbye. When he got inside the door Janine was waiting up for him with a coffee. "Hmmn... 2 hours and 13 minutes by my watch. Did the car door locks seize up?"
"Ha ha, very funny," Anna replied.
"Sit down and tell me, did you have a good time?"
Alan thought to himself, This is too weird. I should feel repulsed by what I've done, shouldn't I? I'm not gay... but then I do have the body of a woman... All he knew was that he wanted to share his evening with someone, and telling it to Janine felt, well, right.
"It was great! He was a total gentleman. He bought me this ball, and after the game...
Alan looked at himself in the mirror. Even now, a month into having this new body, he was stunned by the image before him. The last month was a whirlwind, Alan had done so many things that he never would have expected to experience in a million years. After the initial shock of the change he settled into a normal routine, well, as normal as one could expect considering the circumstances. Janine had been very helpful in every facet of his new womanhood, from lending him clothes, to giving him emotional support, even to guiding him through his first period (definitely an experience Alan would have never expected to go through). Even though they had been best friends before since the change their closeness had taken on new proportions. Alan felt like they were sisters...
Still, there was much confusion. Alan (or Anna rather) had spent a lot of time with Paul, either going out with him or the two of them with Janine and Kevin. Anna loved the time she spent with Paul. They seemed to have so much in common, and were just so comfortable together. And this is what caused Alan the confusion... He had never had any homosexual fantasies while a man, so his feelings for Paul were very scary. He wasn't sure if they were gay, or if because he was in a woman's body it was only natural. He wasn't even sure what Paul meant to him... he was sure that they were friends, but he also thought that their feelings went beyond that. And, yes, there was a physical side to their relationship, though it had scarcely gone beyond first base... Alan was sure to see to that. When he kissed Paul he didn't feel like he was kissing a guy, or at least not how he had thought it would feel if HE were still a guy... it felt, well, nice. Paul was such a gentleman... the furthest he had tried to go was touching Anna's breast under her blouse while making out one night. Alan couldn't rationalize the feelings he was having, and often he just pushed it all out of his mind.
About two weeks into Alan's strange adventure Janine had mentioned the possibility of getting a job. At first he thought it was ridiculous, but Janine did have a point -- despite what sex he was, he was sort of slacking on the rent and groceries. Fair enough, he thought. Janine had been talking to a woman she knew who ran a clothing boutique in a mall nearby. The boutique was looking for some short term help until one of the regular salesgirls got back from pregnancy leave. Alan said, "Fine, but what do I know about women's clothing?" Janine had given him a crash course on everything from corsets to garters, a-line skirts to princess cut dresses, slips to half slips, and everything in between. He laughed and figured if he had amazed people with how much he knew about baseball as Anna, wait until they see how much he knows about lingerie as Alan.
So here he was, getting ready for work. He had selected a red blazer with black detailing, a black pleated skirt, black hose, and plain black pumps (yes, he had even mastered heels) from Janine's closet. He wore a matching white lace panty and bra set, a garter belt for the stockings, a white half slip and camisole underneath. As he straightened his skirt out under the blazer and slipped into his heels he looked into the mirror again. He had even become adept at doing his own makeup and hair. He looked like a model from any of the fashion magazines he had been reading lately (for work, he told himself, but soon found himself perusing through the articles). Well, he thought, if I have to be a woman, even for a short time, this is the way to go. He went downstairs, liking the feeling of his short pleated skirt as he walked, and had Janine drive him to work.
The job was quite easy, actually. There was a lot of folding and stocking, but it was a small boutique without too much space. The clientele was more upscale than the other stores in the mall, and Anna found them to be generally quite friendly. After her first few shifts, where she was a bit reserved, she opened up considerably, and now the customers often came to her for advice on fashion. The job paid a base wage and commision. Alan would have never guessed he'd be a woman's clothing salesman (well, saleswoman, he reminded himself), but his paycheck was becoming increasingly impressive every week. Mrs. Ste. Germain, the boutique owner, seemed to like Anna and was very friendly. Alan found himself becoming friends with his co-workers, espescially Neriah, a beautiful mullato girl from the university. She was very funny, and also a good source of advice on Anna's relationship with Paul.
Anna was scheduled to work until 9, and it was about 8:30 and rather quiet, so she and Neriah decided to start closing up. Anna turned around to Neriah's scream of "Oh my god!" and saw her running up to a woman carrying a newborn. "Anna, come here, there's someone I want you to meet..." she called.
"Anna, this is Audrey, she's who you are filling in for... and this is..."
"Peter," said the woman who was Audrey, gesturing to the infant in her arms, "I'm sorry, I'd shake your hand, but mine are rather full..."
"Why hello," said Anna, "And aren't you a handsome little guy." The baby seemed to taken an instant liking to Anna, smiling and laughing.
"Let me hold him," Neriah asked. Audrey handed her the baby. "So, when are you done preg leave?"
"Well, that's sort of why I'm here..." Audrey replied, "John got a promotion at work, so we don't really need the money. And I would rather spend the time with Peter... I just don't want to leave Mrs. Ste. Germain hanging."
"Well, we do have Anna here," Neriah said with a smile, "And she's blowing away your old sales records anyway..." She laughed.
"Oh, I thought you were only available until the end of the month..." Audrey questioned.
"Yeah, unfortunately," Anna replied.
"Well, I'm sure we'll work something out," Neriah cut in, "Here Anna, hold the baby."
"I don't know..."
"Oh come on, he won't bite..."
"Yeah, I just fed him," Audrey added with a chuckle.
"Well..." Neriah handed Anna the baby. Rather than feeling akward, it felt rather nice. Alan felt a warm feeling all over as he held the child. Catching his image in the mirror -- woman and child -- he felt all confused and emotional. "He's such a beautiful baby..."
Anna handed the baby back to Audrey, and the three women stood talking about babies, birth, and life. Anna still felt a strange emotion over her... it was not unpleasant, but totally alien. Audrey eventually had to leave, and Anna and Neriah went about closing the shop. Anna turned as she heard Neriah call her, "Your man's here..."
Anna turned to see Paul. "Hello, Neriah... how are you?" he asked as he came into the boutique.
"Fine, Mr. Paul," Neriah said with a smile, "Here to pick up your Nordic love goddess?"
Paul blushed. "Well, Anna, I talked to Janine and she said she was coming to pick you up so I offered... I hope it's okay."
Anna walked over and kissed him on the cheek, "Of course, thanks. Do you want to go for a drink after?"
Paul smiled, "I was hoping..."
"Okay," smiled Anna, still feeling that strange emotion, but it had taken a definite change when she saw Paul, "Neriah and I will just lock up here..."
Paul went out to sit in the mall, and wait for Anna. Neriah was looking coyly at Anna. "Ouch, he is one good looking piece of meat..." she said with a smile.
"Yeah," said Anna, distantly.
"So, sister, how is he?"
"At what?"
"At what? The big what... you know, between the sheets..." she said with a wink.
Anna blushed, "Oh.. we... ah..."
"You haven't! Girl, you must be some sort of master at self-control!"
"Yeah..." said Anna, as Neriah went about locking the boutique doors, and she herself stood looking at the man waiting for her in the mall.
Paul and Anna went out and had a drink at a nice little bar they had discovered. They sat and talked to about eleven thirty, when Anna said she should be going. As they drove home Paul nervously mentioned driving by the beach and Anna agreed. They pulled into a darkened parking lot by the shore, and Paul turned off the ignition. Soon they were into their nightly ritual of kissing.
Anna ran her fingernails lightly over Paul's chest as their tongues met. Paul slowly undid the buttons of Anna's blazer, and began to massage her breasts. They both adjusted their positions to face one another more easily. Anna slipped her blazer off, discarding it in the back seat, and pulled off her camisole. Paul reached around and undid her bra, and she discarded it, too. Paul and Anna stared into one another's eyes... and met again in a kiss. Paul leaned forward and began to kiss Anna's nipples. Alan tried to figure out the implications of what was happening, but all thoughts were pushed away by the wave of pleasure he was riding.
Paul soon had his hand gently on Anna's thigh. He massaged upward, under her skirt. Anna parted her legs slightly, to give him further access. Soon she felt him working his hand into her panty... and touching the lips of her vagina. Anna sat back, eyes closed, as Paul manipulated her sex. Slowly he placed a finger in her vagina, and massaged her clit. Anna's breathing had taken on a new, urgent, pace. Alan was very confused... a man was bringing him to climax, that shouldn't be right. His thoughts were again pushed away, this time by a series of small, but pleasurable orgasms. He opened his eyes, looked at Paul, and they met in a kiss again.
Alan was very confused by now. Nothing seemed right, yet everything did. They continued kissing, and Alan let go, deciding to see what would happen. As they kissed, Anna reached down to Paul's leg, feeling the impressive shape there. She undid his pants, and he slid them down to make for easier access. Alan looked down, and could not believe that the small, delicate hand manipulating Paul's penis was his own. He tried to think that there was some force driving him, but no, this was his action. The two continued to kiss as Anna gently stroked Paul's manhood, and once again Alan looked down. He was torn by a torrent of emotion, but eventually lowered his head to Paul's groin. Anna kissed the head of the penis, and licked the shaft slightly. Paul shuddered slightly as Anna took his member into her mouth. Alan's mind was beyond thinking... he couldn't concentrate on anything. Anna gently moved her mouth over the shaft, slowly at first, and then building speed. With her one hand she felt Paul's scrotum. "Honey...", Paul said, but Alan knew it was too late... he felt Paul's scrotum tighten, and then spasm as he released. Alan found it odd that the only thing going through his mind was that it didn't taste anything like he thought it would.
"I'm sorry, I just lost control...", Paul was pleading.
"It's okay," Anna said, her mind completely elsewhere, "I think I should go..."
"Alright", said Paul. They both got dressed and he started the car.
During the drive home they didn't say a word. Paul pulled up in front of Anna's, and as she went to open the car door he stopped her.
"Wait...", he said, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to do anything to offend you."
Anna looked at him, close to tears, "I know... I know... trust me, it's not you... I just need time to think... I just don't know anymore."
"Please, Anna," Paul pleaded. "I don't want to lose you..."
"You're so nice," said Anna as tears began streaming down her cheeks, "This is so unfair for you... It's not you Paul... I'm just very confused... I've got to go." She got up and went into the house. She called for Janine, but remembered that she and Kevin were out tonight. As she walked past the kitchen she saw the calendar with a date, two weeks from tonight, circled in red. She knew all to well what day that was, the day when the statue would be recharged enough to wish herself back to being a man. When she saw the calendar she began crying again, very heavily. She ran upstairs to her bedroom, and fell asleep crying, her mind racing with so many confusing thoughts...
Alan laid in bed, staring at the ceiling. He had been doing a lot of that during the last ten days, since he ran out on Paul. He had still showed up for work at the boutique, but went about his duties mechanically, oblivious to the world around him. Neriah wondered what was wrong with Anna, and though she guessed it had something to do with Paul she thought it best not to ask. Paul had called a number of times, and Alan had Janine come up with an endless stream of excuses to why Anna couldn't come to the phone. Kevin had tried to ask Janine what was wrong, but she honestly didn't know.
Alan knew Anna had to be at the boutique by 5, and now it was already 3 in the afternoon. He got up, had a shower, and got ready for work. Today was his last day, and he looked forward to it with a mixture of relief and regret. He put on a white blouse and a navy skirt, fixed his hair and makeup, and asked Janine to drive him to the mall.
As they were pulling up to the mall entrance Janine turned to Alan. "We have to talk... I need to know what's wrong. Alan, please don't shut me out."
"I'm sorry..." he responded, "I'm just very confused lately."
"Well, I hope you know I'm always here for you."
"Thanks...", he said as they embraced in a hug, "You really are the best friend a person could have."
Alan got out of the car, and walked into the mall for his last day of work.
As the shift neared an end Neriah tried to coax Anna into coming out for a drink, for her last day of work. Anna declined, but Neriah persisted. Finally Anna agreed to have a quick one, and called Janine to tell her Neriah would be driving her home.
They went to a bar not far from the mall, and each had a drink and made small talk. Neriah finally decided to breach the subject of Paul.
"Anna, I hope I'm not overstepping my bounds, but you have been really out of it lately. I'm not sure, but I think it has something to do with Paul..."
Alan looked at the mulatto girl, and thought how pretty she was. I would have been attracted to her before, he thought, or am I even now? I just don't know. "Thanks for your concern, Neriah... its a number of things, not just Paul."
"Did he do something?"
"No, he is a complete gentleman. I don't know of any man nicer on the planet..."
"So... what is the problem?"
"Its just the situation, I guess..."
"Anna, I don't know what the situation is, but may mother always told me that no sacrifice is too great for love. If you really care for Paul damn the situation..."
Neriah's words seemed to resound around Anna's mind all the way home. As she was getting out of the car Neriah looked at her, "Remember, don't be a stranger... and I think Mrs. Ste. Germain will always have a job waiting for you. And about what I said before, it is the truth."
Alan looked at his friend, "Thanks, Neriah. Goodbye..."
Janine was waiting for Alan when he got in. "What's going on?"
"Janine, my life has just been changing too quickly... I don't know what side is up anymore..."
"Do you want to talk?"
Alan thought about it for a second. "Yeah, I guess I do."
"Shoot..."
"Ever since the, well, change, so much has happened..."
"And you've dealt with it very bravely, I think..."
"But in any case, it has caused me much confusion. You and I, for example. Before I thought we were close, but compare that to how close we are now and it was like we didn't even know each other. And then there's Paul. Oh, I don't want to hurt him Janine, but you have to know things just can't work out..."
"Can't they?"
Alan reflected for a minute. "I don't think so. My feelings for Paul are probably what has caused me the most concern. Janine, I've never had a gay thought in my life, but here I am feeling very deeply for another man..."
"But, considering your current body status, I don't think responding to him could be considered gay..."
"I don't know. I like to think that my mind hasn't changed, but I think just may have... I've thought about it a lot. When I think of Paul I don't feel gay, it feels normal. I think there is a bond between us that defies gender, but how will I deal with that when I'm male again? And I don't want to cause him any more hurt... so I guess I'll just stay away from him until time is up..."
"Don't you think you owe him an explanation?"
"It's just too hard..."
Alan sat for a while longer, looked at the Leprauchan statue on the mantle, and went to bed.
Alan spent the better part of the next three days laying about, waiting for the inevitable. The night before the Leprauchan would be `re-energized' Janine went over to Kevin's, leaving Alan alone to contemplate his emotions. Alan actually worked up enough energy to have a shower, and even did his hair and put on some makeup. He went into Janine's closet and put on a deep red nightie that went to his knees, and wrapped the matching robe overtop. Standing, looking at his reflection in the hall mirror he thought he was crazy. Just like a woman, I get dressed up to raise my spirits. Do I like how I look?
He cuddled up on the couch and watched some television, not really paying much attention. Occasionally he'd steal a glance at the Leprauchan, but quickly look away, not wanting to think. He was drifting away in thought again when the sound of the doorbell almost made him jump off the couch. Looking out the front window he recognized who it was... Paul.
Alan hesitantly answered the door, "Hello. Do you want to come in?"
"If I might... I won't be long, I promise", Paul replied.
They sat down, Paul on the recliner and Anna on the couch, and Paul began to speak. "Anna, I don't know what happened, but I really need to talk to you. I've been going over it again and again in my mind... and whatever I may have done to offend you, please believe me, it was never my intention..."
"Paul, I..."
"No, let me finish. Anna, I've never met anyone like you in my life... I feel closer to you than any person I've ever known. It's not because you are so beautiful... really, that's not the case. You shine with an inner beauty far greater than what's on the outside... Anna, the last two weeks have been hell. I don't go a minute of the day without wondering what went wrong, or wondering if you're okay. I don't know quite how to say this... I'll just say it then -- Anna, I think I'm in love with you... no... I am in love with you. I hope we can at least try to pick up where we were... please? I do love you..."
Alan stared out at Paul, on the verge of tears. "Paul... I love you, too. I'm just afraid I might have to go away, and I didn't want to get too attached..." Anna started crying. Paul got up and took her in his arms.
"There... come on... we can only live in the moment, and not worry about tomorrow. And right now, I know I love you more than anything..."
Anna looked up at him, and he wiped the tears from her eyes. Their eyes met, and she opened her mouth to kiss him. They embraced, their tongues meeting... Alan didn't feel any pangs of regret, or guilt. As he kissed Paul, he felt only joy.
Anna broke the kiss, and stared at Paul for a second. She then took his hand, and led him up the stairs. They paused at the doorway to Alan's bedroom, shared a gentle kiss, and went inside.
They stood facing each other in the darkened room. As they kissed they slowly, cautiously, undressed each other. Anna undid Paul's shirt, and pulled his pants down around his ankles. She then slipped off her robe, and Paul lifted her nightie over her head. Paul stepped out of his pants and pulled off his boxer shorts. They stood, naked, and embraced again with a kiss.
Paul's hands caressed Anna's soft, feminine form, massaging her breasts and exploring her curves. Anna reached down and began to touch Paul's stiffening penis, lightly caressing it to arousal. While sharing a kiss Paul lifted Anna up, and onto the bed.
They kissed some more, while Anna continued to manipulate Paul's member, now very hard, and Paul used his hands to caress Anna's nipples and explore between her thighs. He kissed down her neck, to her breasts, where he kissed and sucked on her nipples. Anna felt a warmth of arousal in her sex, and as the two began kissing again looked Paul deep in the eyes.
Alan reflected on what was happening... he did not feel shame, or guilt, or regret. He felt only warmth and love for Paul. He realized that with Paul he was happy, and this new, female body allowed him that. It did not matter what he thought was right, the only thing that mattered was what felt right. Alan knew the ramifications of continuing, that his life would forever be changed, but he also knew that Neriah was right, any sacrifice was worth the price of love. He was completely sure at that moment that he loved Paul, body and soul.
"Is this okay?" Paul asked, looking into Anna's eyes.
"Yes," she replied in a whisper, and parted her legs.
Paul probed the outside of her vagina teasingly, and then slowly inserted himself. Anna let out a small whimper as Paul gently thrust the fullness of his manhood inside her. His strokes were slow, but firm, loving in their intensity, caring in their tempo. Anna relaxed her head back and held on to the headboard as Paul worked in her. His thrusts built in tempo, and Anna tightened her grip with her vaginal muscles. She suddenly felt a building within herself, slowly but powerfully echoing through her every nerve ending. She let out a small sigh as a powerful orgasm shook through her body, followed by another, and finally a softer aftershock. Her body was like electricity, pleasure at every point. "I love you Paul..." she said, almost inaudibly.
As she was saying this she felt Paul tense, and his scrotum spasm as it shot his seed deep into her. The sensation, so unlike any other she had ever experienced, caused another round of small orgasms to shoot through her. The lovers collapsed in each other's arms, gently kissed, and then stared into each other's eyes, not needing to speak. Anna fell asleep against Paul's chest, listening to his heartbeat.
Later, in the night, Anna woke in the darkness and thought. She truly was Anna now, making love to Paul had completely freed that part of her personality. She was still Alan, but had evolved into a new person. Everything that she had known and loved was still there, she had just opened a new dimension of herself. She fell asleep again in Paul's arms.
Anna was up, making breakfast in the kitchen when Janine and Kevin showed up. Janine was visibly confused by finding Anna and not Alan in the house. "Anna? I thought Alan was coming back today?" she asked.
"Oh," said Anna, "He called. He has decided to travel for awhile, checking out different cultures, and try to find himself. He is sorry for any inconvenience, and will mail a month's rent as soon as he earns it. He also says he hopes things work out between you and Kevin, he thinks he is a really nice guy..."
"Hmmn..." said Janine, looking at Anna coyly, "I guess this means you'll be staying awhile?"
"If you don't mind," replied Anna, smiling, "I figure you could use some help with the rent, anyway."
"Well, I'm famished," said Kevin, "Mind if I join you for breakfast... looks like you have more than enough for one..."
"Well I..."
"Oh hello," said Paul as he entered from the hall, "I didn't hear you come in."
Janine and Kevin gave each other knowing glances, and Paul blushed as Anna went about making more food. The four shared breakfast, laughing and talking if it had always been that way.
Later, after the guys had gone, Janine asked Anna why she had decided to do what she did.
"Well, I guess I realized that Anna was as much a part of me as Alan was, and it had always been that way. It was just the right time to be Anna. And hey, if it doesn't work out, I could always change back later..."
"Do you think you'll want to?" asked Janine.
"One can never say, but I do know this... at this moment I am truly happy. I have great friends, and I am in love. It would take a lot to make me give this up."
The two friends then hugged one another, and both knew they had never been closer.
As it turned out Mrs. Ste. Germain didn't fill the position and hired Anna back on full time. Neriah was happy to see her friend back at work, and more so back happy. Janine and Kevin decided to get married, with Paul acting as Best Man and Anna as Bridesmaid. No one was too shocked when Anna and Paul announced their intentions to marry not long after. Their wedding was storybook perfect, and everyone commented on how beautiful the bride was. Anna soon was pregnant with Paul's child, and when their child was born there love only intensefied. She had long forgotten about the Leprauchan carving, though she never forgot the magic it brought to her life.
THE END