Joe_bates_saga

28 Joe_Bates_Saga________________________________________________________

1. Chapter

It seemed that Joe had just fallen asleep when the clock radio sounded the alarm. He gently unwound himself from Linda's arms. Another morning, another day.

Looking at the glowing numbers on the radio, Joe saw they read 04:00. Four in the morning. God, it felt like he had just crawled in the sack. He had to get up immediately though, since he had promised a show time of six at the hanger.

Without making his regular morning examination, Joe sat up and put his legs over the side of the bed. His bare legs poked from under the top of the new pajamas. The bottoms lay on the floor next to the bed. He grinned when he thought about the way Linda pulled them off of him last night. He had never had anyone actually pull his pants off before. Of course, things were a lot different now. Especially after what Linda told him last night. He still didn't know how to take that.

Joe didn't turn the light on, but used the glow of the clock radio readout to walk into the bathroom. He closed the door before turning on the light in that room, sparing Linda the glare in case she happened to be awake. But, she gave no sign of that.

As his eyes adjusted to the light, Joe looked at himself in the mirror. The new hair cut was all mussed up, the styling stuff causing it to stay the way it was rumpled by the pillow as he slept. Before, he used nothing on his hair, and while it was hardly ever really what could be called neat, it never looked like this in the morning. He took his hair brush and carefully straightened it, thankful that it practically fell back the way it was yesterday. Maybe having this "girl" hair wouldn't be as hard as he figured.

As he raised his arms up to brush his hair, Joe could see pubic hair peek from under the pajama top. Still look like a girl, he thought to himself. Not a trace of his old genitals. With one hand, he felt there. The fine pubic hair was stiff with the dried secretions resulting from last night's excitement. He rubbed it briskly with his fingers making it soft again and as he went lower he touched wetness still there. Hmmm, I don't remember feeling like this in the morning before, he thought.

Joe had to pee so he sat on the toilet, relieved himself and when he was through, wiped and carefully examined the tissue. Everything looked normal. He worried that maybe his period had begun, but the toilet paper was clear with not a trace of red or brown. Must just be wetter than usual, he concluded. Some of this female stuff is going to be nerve wracking.

Joe got up and flushed; then unbuttoned the pajama top with its tiny rose blossom print. He removed it and laid it on the counter, then inspected his bare chest in the mirror. It seemed that the growing curves still forming there looked slightly fuller when he peered down on them than they appeared in the mirror. Could it be his boobs actually were any bigger this morning? He looked carefully. It was hard to tell, but they were certainly no smaller. He stood at an angle to the mirror in an attempt to get a profile view of his new shape. As he looked, it again dawned on him that last week he didn't look at all like this. Only last Thursday night his chest was broad and hairy, not curvy and soft. It was so weird. Sometimes, these new breasts seemed like they were somehow something foreign, and yet these little mounds of fat or whatever they were, were part of him.

Standing there, looking at his reflection, Joe couldn't resist shaking his shoulders, causing all the new softness to bounce around provocatively. He still found it a source of amazement how flexible his chest had become in just a week. And his nipples, seven days ago less than a twenty-five-cent piece in size, now they were now larger than half dollars. While they were usually soft pink cones, they could harden to stiff points for almost any reason, and often did.

Joe took a washcloth and wet it with warm water. He carefully cleansed the folds and creases of his recessed genitals to remove the wet discharge. Although he hadn't really thought it was uncomfortable before, he was quite surprised at how much better he felt afterward. He rinsed the washcloth in the sink.

Standing naked, Joe carefully applied makeup. Not too much, since he was still quite inexperienced at it and he felt that none was better than too much. He finished with a little perfume, putting some at what he thought were strategically correct locations on his body. The smell reminded him of Linda, but he realized that it now was probably his scent, too.

Joe looked at the black underwear hanging on the shower door. He was tempted to put it on again, but though he was hoping for the opportunity to show it to Jay, he had already worn it two days consecutively. Maybe he had better try something else. He took the black bra and panties from the door and carried them into the bedroom.

Joe retrieved his bag from the floor and placed it on the bed. He unzipped the side pouch that contained his underwear and placed the little black set in with the rest. He then went to his drawer and tried to decide which he wanted to wear today. It was so different from before. Then, he wore white Jockey shorts every day; he didn't have this assortment of colors, textures and styles.

Joe chose the beige hi-leg brief. Nothing all that sexy really, just normal everyday underwear, normal now that he was like this anyway. Compared to the feeling of the thong panty, he couldn't even tell he had this one on. Peering down at his body, he rubbed the slick nylon between his legs. So soft, so smooth,

For on top, he picked one of his two beige seamless cup front hook bras. Although it was everyday wear too, the undecorated sheer cups looked almost transparent enough to let the dark circles of his areolae show through. Joe loved the way his boobs looked whenever wore it.

Feeling quite sexy with the underwear on, Joe went to the closet to try to decide what to cover it with. Although they had gone shopping last night to buy clothes for him to wear today, and had left the mall loaded down with bags, they had completely forgotten to buy a cool weather dress.

Joe saw the olive green dress that Linda bought for him, the one he wore yesterday, that would be the best, he thought. Hardly anyone had seen him in it, it was reasonable for cool weather, and it would probably be OK with his new coat. He took it off the hanger and lay it on the bed.

He got a chemise from the drawer and the silver-grey half slip. Then he went back to the bathroom and retrieved the pantyhose he wore yesterday. He sat on the bed and went through the grunting and tugging process required to put them on. He hated to wear them, but he did love the way his legs looked once they were inside the Hanes Silk Reflections. He just hoped he wouldn't have to pee very soon.

Finally, he put the dress on, then went to the mirror. His image pleased him. He went to the bathroom and used his hairbrush to organize his hair. Not bad, not bad, he thought.

Linda had helped to pack most of the things into his bag. Joe wasn't even sure what all she had put in there. He was still using the same military issue looking bag as before, if I'm going to stay like this for a while, perhaps I'd better get some more feminine luggage, he decided.

Getting his shaving kit and checking that the few cosmetics he used were in it, he then stuffed the kit into the bag too. He found his black pumps, and his Reeboks. He started to put his Reeboks into the bag, but changed his mind and stowed the pumps, going to the drawer and getting the last pair of athletic socks to wear. He put them on over the pantyhose. He decided to wear the Reeboks to fly, having found it difficult to do that wearing the pumps. There would be time to change when they arrived in Minneapolis.

When he was all dressed and packed, Joe looked at the time. It was only four-fifteen. He still had forty-five minutes till he had to be at the hanger. He wondered if he should eat something, or if he should get something along the way. The trip north would take three or four hours, he could fill the coffee pot on the plane, maybe he could pick up a few doughnuts. Yeah, that's what he'd do. He gathered up his flight bag, and remembered his hand bag. Taking both in hand, he started out of the room. Before he left, Linda spoke. "Aren't you going to say goodbye?" she asked.

"I thought you were still asleep. I'll see you tomorrow night," Joe said, going to her.

She put her arms out, and hugged him tightly. They kissed, the same way they had done so many times before. For Joe, it simply wasn't the same. He looked at Linda and smiled.

Linda looked into his eyes. "I think you need to have your ears pierced," Linda said matter-of-factly.

"Why do you say that?"

"Oh, I don't know. I just think it would look right on you, that's all."

"Gee, I don't know. Would it hurt?"

"Hardly," Linda said, laughing. "Hey, what's the matter? Are you afraid to try something that probably most thirteen year old girls do?"

"I'm not afraid. But remember, I was a guy, maybe I still think like a guy, sometimes anyway, but all the external things which made me a man have either disappeared, or I can tell they're going fast. I just know I don't have the pain tolerance I did before. Everything is just too darn sensitive now. I can't help it."

"It doesn't hurt that much." Linda said. "I had mine pierced ten, no twelve years ago. I think I was seventeen."

"We can talk about it when I get back." Joe wasn't looking forward to it, however.

"I'll look for some earrings for you this evening," Linda replied. It seemed she really liked to buy female things for Joe.

"See you tomorrow."

"Call me when you get there," Linda said.

"Ok. I will." One final hug and he gathered his things and went out the door.

Joe drove the distance to the airport, stopping at a doughnut shop, and picking up dozen. Far too many for Jay and him, but there would probably be a couple of mechanics on duty at the hanger, and he knew they could inhale them.

The sun was up in force when he drove into the lot at the airport. He didn't see Jay's car yet. Five-forty-five. Plenty of time. Jay was never late.

Joe went in the gate. As he guessed, Bill and Rick, two Honeybone Aircraft mechanics, were already there, and were sitting in the break room. The 425 was already on the ramp. Joe knew they had already topped the fuel, and probably even had the coffee urn filled.

Joe greeted them and they returned it pleasantly. They never commented on his new status, probably too embarrassed to even mention it. Joe had been friends with each of them before the change, and it was initially awkward to be seen by someone he previously knew looking the way he did now, even if he had already become fairly used to the idea himself.

Joe put his bags on the table, went to the coffee pot and filled a cup. He could feel the eyes of the two young mechanics on him as he walked to and from the pot. He didn't blame them, he knew he was a curiosity.

He took his cup and sat with them at the table. "So, anything new with you guys?" Joe asked with a grin, trying to break the tension. Bill and Rick broke into laughter. Joe joined them. It was obvious that they had been uncomfortable, and his simple yet obvious attempt at humor over the situation was all that was needed to break the ice.

"God, Joe, I really can't believe it's you," Rick said. "I heard something had happened to all you guys, but it sounded like a bunch of bullshit. I can see it's true."

"Yeah, it's true all right. It's been a week now, and I'm starting to get used to it a little bit, but it is different."

"You sure do look like a woman." Bill said. "Sound like one too. How far does it go?" he asked curiously.

Joe grinned. "All the way, I guess. The doctors say even our genes have been altered."

"You mean, even your, I can see you got, er.. breasts, but what about, ah well, you know," Bill stammered.

"Everything. Like I said, it'll take some getting used to. For all of us."

"What's it feel like?" Rick asked. It seemed everybody wanted to know that.

"Well," Joe said, trying to explain for the umpteenth time. "It really isn't as different as you probably think. My muscle strength is still changing, stuff like that, but otherwise I guess I look more different from I feel. A few things that are a lot different, of course." Joe grinned.

"I guess so." Rick said. "Are you going to have to stay like that?"

"I don't really know. So far, they're trying to figure out just how it happened. When they can do that, then maybe they can find a way to change us back, if it's even possible."

"Are Dave and Mike changed like that too?" Bill asked.

"Yeah, they sure are. And Tim Werner, you know, the line boy at Thunderbird, it happened to him too. I guess it has something to do with the GPS tests. Tim was watching us calibrate the transmitter boxes."

"What's the Company doing about it?" Rick asked. "Do you think it might affect us too?"

"I don't know who else it might affect, but if you haven't noticed anything yet, it probably hasn't done anything to you. So far, the Company has been pretty helpful. I have to go see Peterson this morning."

"You sure don't act like you're pissed off, or anything." Bill noted.

"Well, at first I was, I guess. All I could think about was to find a way to change back, but after a while, I don't know, that doesn't seem as important now. I guess it's chemical, the hormones, or something. I really don't know."

"You mean you like to be like that. I mean you sure look great and everything for a woman, but, I mean, you're a guy. Don't you want your own body back?" Rick asked.

"Yeah, I know it seems funny. It does to me too. But you said I was a guy, and that's right, I WAS a guy. Now, I guess maybe I'm somehow getting accustomed to the idea of being female. I can't help it, but it just doesn't seem that bad anymore. This IS my body. It's a little different, sure, but its still mine." He shrugged his shoulders.

"So you'd like to stay like that?" Bill asked. "How do you feel about women?" He added.

"I don't know, Bill. I don't really know. Women, of course, my feelings ARE different. I still like them, but in a different way, for sure. As you can imagine, I have to relate differently to them now. I guess I'm starting to get that way with guys, too," he added, grinning.

"You're starting to like men?" Bill asked.

"Well, I don't know about LIKING them. I just guess I'm starting to see them in a different way. But don't worry, I won't start chasing you around or anything," Joe said, smiling.

"Man, this is sort of weird." Rick exclaimed. "You sure are, er, ah, rather pretty, Joe. I hope you don't take that the wrong way." He smiled as he said it.

"Hey, I changed, but I didn't go blind. I know I look different. I can tell you, I feel different, too. But it's still me here. I still remember and know everything I did last week or last month. I guess I just have to get used to wearing different clothes." Joe grinned and pushed his chest out as he spoke the last sentence.

Rick's eyes went to Joe's breasts. "Damn, it's hard to believe those little yellow transmitter boxes could cause that," he said, ogling Joe's curves.

Joe felt a little like he had in the pharmacy, with the young check-out boy undressing him with his eyes. Again, he found he sort of got a charge out of being the object of attention. Was it just another normal "female" response coming out, he wondered to himself? Was this what life around men was going to be like from now on? Constant subtle, sometimes not so subtle, flirting?

Joe sat up straight in the chair and unconsciously touched his hair. He didn't say anything, but just smiled at the two guys. He was still trying to think of something clever to say when the door opened and Jay walked in. Joe's eyes brightened when he saw his pal.

"Good morning, everyone," Jay said. "Where's the coffee?"

Joe pointed to the counter. Jay went to the pot and filled a styrofoam cup. Then he came to the table where the others were seated. "I feel like I just got to bed. I don't see how you guys can get up this early every day."

"You get used to it." Rick said.

"When you finish the cup, call DUAT and check the weather," Joe said to Jay, suddenly going into flight instructor mode.

"What airport At Minneapolis?" Jay asked.

"St. Paul, actually." Joe answered. "Downtown Airport."

Jay got up and went to the PC. After a few seconds trying to figure out how to use it, he got the terminal program to auto-dial the Direct User Access Terminal. He could use that to check the enroute and terminal weather. He figured out the airport identifier for St. Paul Downtown, Holman Field, STP. After typing in a few numbers, Jay sat back and waited. Soon the printer started churning out four pages of weather reports and NOTAMs. He took the paper to the table and handed them to Joe.

Joe looked at the weather carefully. Jay stood behind him, looking over his shoulder. "I like your hair," Jay said.

Joe looked back over his shoulder at Jay. He could tell he meant it. "Thanks, I guess. It's still a little short, don't you think?"

"Looks OK to me." Jay said. He was obviously still in some kind of awe of his changed friend.

"It looks like we can make it," Joe advised. Plan a route for best winds, not over, say, Flight Level 250."

Jay went to his brief case and started to remove some charts.

"Use the charts and flight manual in that Jepp case over there." Joe said, pointing to the rack by the wall which held three large, well worn cases. He planned to help Jay only if he asked for it. The Turbo Prop Cessna was capable of better performance than Jay's Mooney, but the procedures were essentially the same.

Jay had both the Victor and Jet Route charts spread out on the table by the time he had decided on a route. He presented it to Joe, who had been observing him carefully. Joe looked at it, and almost instantly accepted what he proposed. Joe had more flight experience than Jay, but actually he didn't make that many cross country trips either.

"Go ahead and file it," Joe said. "Plan Takeoff for 1200Z."

Bill and Rick had been watching them plan the flight. Although they both were A&P mechanics, only Rick was a private pilot too. Bill, although it was possible to get him in a plane if you had to, didn't really like to fly at all, but he was a very good mechanic. When they heard the proposed takeoff time, the two mechanics went out to the plane leaving Joe and Jay alone.

"Are we ready?" Joe asked.

"I think so. I know I have everything I'd need for the Mooney."

"I think we're ready too. I want to stop off at the restroom one last time."

"Yeah, me too," Jay said, and followed Joe.

Joe went into the ladies' room. Jay entered the men's. Jay finished first and was waiting for Joe when he came out. "You really are looking good today, Joe."

"Thanks," Joe returned. "You are too." He smiled.

Jay took his bag, his flight bag, and Joe's B-4 bag. When Joe objected, Jay just pointed to the Jepp case. "You carry that," was all he said.

Joe picked up his flight bag and the Jepp case. It was all he could carry to bring them. He had forgotten that he wasn't as strong as before. He followed Jay to the plane, walking a few paces behind his friend. Jay looked so big and strong carrying the baggage. Joe couldn't remember thinking of Jay as particularly strong before. He had always been slightly smaller than Joe. Not anymore.

The cabin door was open on the 425 and Rick was inside. The doughnuts were in the box on a seat and Joe saw that the coffee container was full. He hoped he wouldn't need to urinate on the flight. There was a potty under one of the aft seats, but he didn't want to go through the gymnastics required to get his skirt up, his pantyhose and underwear down, and then squat on the little commode, just to pee. Three or four hours had been no problem before, but now, oh, for a zipper and cock, he thought, grinning silently to himself.

Rick squeezed passed Joe in the cabin, and Joe felt his right breast brush against Rick's arm. Joe looked at Rick, and Rick returned the glance, slightly embarrassed. Joe smiled and winked at him, then felt the blood rush to his face. What was he doing? Flirting with one of his former buddies? Rick just smiled and went out.

Joe placed his bags on the seat and went back out, too. The mechanics always did a thorough job with preflight, but Joe always performed his own quick walkaround. Jay followed him around the plane. He had placed their bags at the rear of the cabin. As they walked around the fair sized twin with its paint showing its age, Joe pointed out the things he was looking for and checking.

Joe found it very difficult to inspect the wheel wells while wearing the skirt, so he asked Jay to look for any signs of leaks or foreign objects. Jay checked under the wing as Joe stood at the leading edge.

When they satisfied themselves that there were no problems with the airframe, Joe and Jay reboarded the aircraft. Company regulations required that Joe fly from the left side since he was the only company employee on the flight and was pilot in command for insurance purposes. Since the Cessna was usually used for avionics development it was configured a little different from a typical mid-seventies small turboprop. On the left side there was now a single large CRT called an EFIS display. It was driven by a black box in the nose and could display all the information usually found on the attitude director and horizontal situation indicator found in most 425's. On the right, an extremely capable, but conventional and reliable, previous generation HSI and ADI were fitted. Jay would be well equipped to fly the aircraft cross country IFR, even from the right side.

As they were also required to do, Rick positioned himself at the front of the aircraft, in clear view of the aircrew, so as to stand fire guard while Joe started the noisy Garrett turbines. Joe adjusted the headset to his head, trying not to muss his hair too much. Jay was on intercom too, but he just watched as Joe went through the starting engines checklist, reading off and performing each line item as he got to it. Joe flew by the book, and while flying wasn't his primary duty it was the one he enjoyed the most, and he was pretty good at it.

When the engines were started, Rick waved bye and went inside, away from the incessant scream of turbines and props. The tower wouldn't open for another two hours so Joe looked around to confirm no other traffic around the aircraft, then began to taxi to the runway. When they were ready to go, Joe made the take off, then handed the plane over to Jay and made contact with Phoenix departure. For the rest of the flight, Joe would handle the radios, while Jay flew and navigated. The two had flown together enough that they could anticipate what the other needed, and therefore worked pretty well as a team.

When they reached cruising altitude, Joe switched on the autopilot. "How about a doughnut and some coffee?" he asked.

"Sounds good to me," Jay agreed.

Joe reached around and filled two styrofoam cups, handed one to Jay, and placed the other in the cup holder beside his seat. He pulled the box of doughnuts off the seat and placed it between the crew seats.

Jay selected a doughnut and watched as Joe did the same. He grinned. "I'm surprised that you're eating those."

"What do you mean?" Joe asked.

"From the way you talked on the phone, I thought you were going on a crash diet or something."

"Oh, that. Yeah, maybe I should too. I swear my butt is starting to get bigger already. I guess it's probably inevitable if I'm going to be like this; that I get wider hips and all that. But I don't want to be one of those women with big butts. God, I really don't," Joe lamented.

"Like I said, your butt looks pretty nice to me. I think you have a long way to go before it's too big."

"But I'm telling you, it's only been a week, and I'm sure that I can tell it's getting bigger, and softer."

Jay looked over at Joe as if trying to see his hips. He looked into Joe's eyes. "Damn it Joe, I really don't see anything wrong with you. It's probably just your imagination."

"No, it's not. I know it's not my imagination. I'm sure I'm still changing. My boobs are still getting bigger, my arms and shoulders smaller, and my butt is getting bigger. I'm sure of it."

Jay grinned and raised his eyebrows. "Boobs still getting bigger, eh? I'd like to see that," he said teasingly.

Joe looked at him and acted as if he was offended. "Cut it out Jay," he said, trying to sound hurt. He felt this strange new urge to flirt with guys beginning to affect how he acted. He still liked to joke around with Jay but he didn't know exactly how to do it and still maintain some level of decorum. When it came to feelings about sex, Joe figured he still pretty much thought like a guy even though his tastes were changing and now he really had no choice but to argue the female point of view. It was a strange position to be in, and he was still learning the rules.

"I'm sorry." Jay said, trying to sound repentant. He really wasn't sure if Joe was teasing or not. Although his old friend acted and spoke pretty much like before the change, it was weird to hear such words in the voice of the attractive woman he had become.

Joe looked at Jay and smiled. "They're not that much bigger, but I'm pretty sure they are still growing."

"You'll have to let me judge that," Jay said jokingly.

"Well, maybe you'll get a chance," Joe said seductively, "but for now, I think we better keep our eyes on the sky."

They flew on, sipping coffee and munching on doughnuts. In the course of three hours, Joe downed three of them. When he and Jay each took their third one, Jay looked at him. "If you're really worried about the size of your butt, maybe you better lay off those things."

"Yeah, I know. But I'm getting hungry. I'm just unused to eating like a bird. Do you really think it's getting bigger?"

"It doesn't look any different to me, it looks fantastic. And don't see how you do it. I think I'd go nuts if that happened to me, but you seem to be adjusting so well."

"I don't know. The longer I stay this way, the easier it gets. At first, all I could think about was getting back. Now, I worry more about why I don't seem to care anymore. I really think it's even affected the way I think."

"Well, I know it's affected the way I think about you. You're practically all I can think about anymore. If I didn't know better, I think I'd have to say I'm crazy about you. You, my best buddy."

Joe looked at his friend. He knew how Jay felt. He was starting to feel the same way, and he was finding it very difficult to think about a man, any man, the way he found himself thinking about Jay. They had been close friends for a long time, ten years. They were probably closer than brothers, and they had always shared the same interests. Now, this new relationship that was beginning to develop was hard for both of them to accept.

"Yeah, I know, Who would have imagined it would work out like this?" Joe looked ahead and smiled.

"What should we do about it?"

"Jay, I don't know, but let's not rush into anything. Why don't we just let the chips fall where they will, and see what happens? All this is still too new to me. I don't even want to consider commitments now. Hell, I'm still living with Linda, for God's sake."

"I know you're right, but damn it, Joe, I think you should know how you're making me feel."

"Hey, I think I'm starting to feel the same way, and I have to tell you, it's a strange feeling. Never in my life did I ever think I'd think the thoughts I think now about a guy." Joe felt himself blush, and he grinned as he said the words into the headset microphone.

When they were one hundred DME from the last enroute Vortac, Joe requested a lower altitude. The kept the power up, and let the Cessna speed increase as she descended. Before long, Minneapolis center handed them to approach control. The approach and landing were uneventful.

When they taxied to parking, Joe shut the engines down and secured the gustlock. He got up from his seat, and retrieved his flight bag. He had placed his purse in it and he would need that to check his hair and makeup. But first, he had to pee. He was sure his bladder had been affected, become smaller, since it seemed he had to go at least every three hours now, and it had been almost four since they had left Phoenix. He hoped he could make the restroom before an accident.

"Tell these guys they can move the plane if they need to," Joe said. "We'll be staying overnight, leaving sometime tomorrow. I just have to go to the bathroom."

"Well, get going, then," Jay said jokingly. "I'll take care of things here."

Joe took his flight bag left the aircraft and quickly walked across the ramp to the lounge. As he walked, he could sense that the eyes of every male on the ramp were watching him. It was a strange, not totally unpleasant feeling, but one that he never had before the change. Sometimes the planes he had flown and the equipment installed in them would attract some attention when he landed at an airport unfamiliar with Honeybone test aircraft, but this was different. If he had just gotten out of the Concorde, most of the male eyes would have still been on his butt as he walked across the ramp. If they knew that the reason for his brisk walk was because he was trying not to pee his pants, would they still watch, he wondered to himself.

In the restroom, he quickly relieved himself; then went to the mirror to freshen up. Wearing the David Clark headset had pressed his hair down, but it fell right back into place with a quick brushing. It was not as difficult to keep his own hair organized as it had been with the much longer length hair of the wig. Maybe this wouldn't be so bad after all. Joe smiled at his reflection in the mirror, quite pleased with his appearance.

Joe went back out into the lounge area. Jay was seated in one of the plush chairs, waiting for him. Joe returned the big grin Jay had and walked over to the young woman at the counter.

"There should be a car reservation for us," Joe announced. "Joel Bates, Honeybone."

"Yes, Ms. Bates," the woman said. "It's parked just around the side of this hanger." She went to the rack of keys behind her and selected one.

"Here it is," she said, handing Joe the keys.

Joe knew they had reservations at the Radisson Plaza Hotel downtown. He wondered if they should check in there first, or go straight to the Honeybone offices. It was not lunch time yet, but if they did go directly to the office, they would get there about one half hour before everyone would be at lunch. If they went to the hotel, they could eat at one of the many restaurants at the downtown complex and then go to Honeybone. He walked over to where Jay was seated. "Do you want to check in and eat before we go to Honeybone, or just go directly there?"

"Hey, I'm following you," Jay replied. "I really don't care. What time is your appointment?"

"Well, I really don't have an appointment." Joe answered. "I guess I could call."

"Yeah, maybe you should." Jay agreed.

Joe went back to the desk. "Is there a phone I can use for a local call?"

"Right over there," the woman answered with a smile, pointing to the table next to the chair Jay was sitting in.

"Thanks," Joe said, wearing a fooling grin.

Joe went back over to the table and sat in the other chair. He got his notepad from his flight bag and looked up a the phone number. After he punched in the numbers and when the operator answered, he asked for Mr. Peterson's secretary. In a moment, she came on the line. "Mr. Peterson's office."

"Hi. This is Joel Bates. I work for Honeybone Commercial Avionics in Phoenix. I'm supposed to meet with Mr. Peterson today. I've arrived and I'm at the airport."

"Good morning Ms. Bates. Mr. Peterson is expecting you. Do you need transportation from the airport?"

"No, I have a rental car."

He wondered why she called him "Ms." She couldn't see him. Probably he even sounded like a woman on the phone, too.

"Ok then, we'll be expecting you. Will you be right over?"

"That's what I was calling about. I really don't know when you're expecting me. I figured you had been told I would be there in the afternoon, and I wondered if I should check into the hotel first."

"Well, I know that Mr. Peterson has two other people coming after lunch to meet with you, but I'm sure you're welcome anytime. I'm sure he's very anxious to meet you."

"Well, I'll be there as soon as I can. I brought a friend along. We may check into the hotel before we report in."

"That will be fine. I'll advise Mr. Peterson you'll be in at one."

"See you then," Joe said. "Bye."

"I'll be looking forward to meeting you." Joe heard the phone click off.

"Let's go and check into the hotel and grab a bite before we go to see Peterson," Joe told Jay.

"You're the boss, old buddy," Jay teased.

Jay carried the big bags and Joe dragged the lighter ones to the rental car. It was at the far end of the lot, and by the time they arrived, Joe was almost dragging his and Jay's flight bag. Jay had the much heavier clothes bags and was carrying them without problem or complaint. Joe was embarrassed by the way he had to carry the bags just to make it to the car.

"You don't have any idea what this does to your ego," Joe exclaimed when he saw Jay watch him struggle with the bags. "It was all I could do to get them here. My arms just don't have any strength anymore. And it's still getting worse."

Jay grinned widely. "Yeah, but your boobs are getting bigger."

Joe could feel his face redden with embarrassment. Jay would never let him live that one down. They put the bags in the trunk and Joe drove the car to the hotel. He had been to the Honeybone offices once before, to a project meeting with Jim. They had stayed at the Radisson Plaza then too.

The Radisson Plaza check-in went smoothly. The girl at the desk asked Jay if they wanted adjoining rooms, and Jay answered "Sure." The girl smiled at Jay and he smiled back. When they had their bags in the room, Joe went back down and parked the car in the underground parking garage.

When he got back to the room, Joe opened his bag and took out his shaving kit, placed it in the bathroom, and then hung up the clothes Linda had packed for him. He was surprised to see she had included one of her sexier chemises. It was soft, ivory colored silk, with lace at the edges and around the low top. The straps were very thin, more like little ribbons than straps. Joe had not seen Linda wear it. Indeed it really didn't look like it had ever been worn before. Why did she pack this, he wondered?

He held it up to his body. It barely went to the widest part of his hips. It's a little short for me, he thought. Then he saw the matching silk bikini panties. He imagined how Linda would look wearing this. Then he realized, she packed this for him. It was for HIM to wear. Did she know about him and Jay? How could she?

There was a knock at the door connecting Jay's room with his. Joe dropped the silk chemise on his bag and went over to open the door. He had figured Jay would be knocking before long.

"Just thought I'd see how you were doing," Jay said with a big grin.

"I'm just fine, thank you," Joe said primly.

"Where's a good place to eat?"

"There are a few restaurants here in the hotel, and we're connected to others by the skywalks you saw as we drove in. We can get all over down town without even leaving the building."

"Are you ready?" Jay asked, looking around.

"Yeah." Joe answered. "I was just hanging up some of my stuff."

Jay saw the white chemise lying on top of the B-4 bag. "Is THAT yours?" he asked, his eyes getting wide.

"Quit snooping." Joe said, taking the dainty thing and stuffing it back in the pouch.

"Seriously. Do you wear that?"

"I can if I want to, can't I?" Joe answered, going on the defensive.

"Sure, you can wear anything you want. I just have trouble thinking you'd want to wear something that, frilly, sexy, not that you wouldn't look great in it," Jay stammered.

"I saw it for the first time myself, just now," Joe explained. "Linda must have put it in my bag. I don't know why."

"Does she know what we did?" Jay wondered aloud, sounding like a little boy.

"Man, how could she?" Joe answered quickly, sounding more sure of himself than he really was. Why did she put it in his bag?

"Can I see it on you?"

"Well, I don't know if I want you to." Joe said demurely. He had resigned himself to them getting together again on this trip. Actually, he was looking forward to it, but the thought of parading his new body in front of his pal wearing white silk, and lace, well, a guy did have to have limits.

"Why not? What could I see that I haven't seen already?" Again, to Joe, Jay sounded like a little boy, this time begging for something he desperately wanted.

"If you've seen it all, why do you need to see it again?" It was kind of fun watching a grown man beg.

Jay looked at Joe, then pulled him to him, taking him in his arms. With absolutely no embarrassment, he kissed Joe on the lips. Joe felt his knees getting weak as he decided to let Jay do as he wanted. He was surprised at how pleasant it was to kiss Jay. He couldn't figure out what caused it, was it the feeling of strength he could sense as Jay held him tightly? Was it something about the changes in his upper body, with its smaller, weaker muscles and his sensitive breasts, which were now pressed firmly to Jay's strong chest? What caused his knees to want to buckle? He never felt like that before the change with Linda, or any other woman. But now, both times Jay had kissed him it had happened.

Jay kissed for what seemed like a couple of minutes, then let Joe stand erect. "Sorry, I just had to do that."

"God, Jay, If you only knew how that feels," Joe said, trying to regain his composure.

"It feels pretty good to me."

"Same here, but I'd rather you asked me, first."

"Didn't you like it?"

"Damn it Jay, Of course I did, it was great. My legs almost gave out. I can't explain how it feels, but even so, please don't do it anymore, without asking." Joe walked into the bathroom while he spoke.

"Well, I can hardly keep my hands off you. You remember how it is, don't you?"

"Do you really think it's any different now?" Joe asked. "Other than that you're a guy, the urge is the same, maybe even stronger now. Women have the same desires, I guess. Anyway, I can't really speak for the way real women feel."

"Then why don't we let our feelings come out? We've always been pals, and now, I don't know how to explain it, you, you're, damn it Joe, surely you realize you've changed into an extremely sensual woman, to me anyway, you're absolutely gorgeous. And yet, you think like a guy, I can talk to you." Jay was stammering uncharacteristically.

"Yeah, sure I know I've changed. Believe me, I'm sure it's even more obvious to me than to you. But like I've said before, it's still me here. I'm trying my damndest to adapt to looking like this and feeling like this. Like you said, I think I'm doing pretty good, most of the time anyway, but I just can't jump right into this. I have to work it out at my own pace. Don't try to rush me, ok?"

Joe spoke as he brushed his hair, and straightened his dress. He could sense that the crotch of his panties were wet again. It was an uncomfortable feeling, but he was getting accustomed to it. It too seemed to be one of the many things that went with being female.

Jay came to the open door of the bathroom. "Ok. I'll try to slow down. Just chew me out when I get like that. I guess I just can't help it."

Joe looked over at Jay. He smiled. "We'll work this out. I don't know about you, but I'm hungry."

"Where do you want to eat?"

"Just follow me."

He went into the main room, and found his purse on the bed. He got his new coat, and put it on. Even though the restaurant was indoors, and they could probably go right from there to Honeybone, there would be no reason to go to the room, and it was definitely cool enough for the coat. Joe's more sensitive skin seemed to feel the cold more easily now.

They went down the elevator to the ground floor. There was a little french style restaurant only a short walk from the elevator. The ma^itre-de seated them at a large picture window that looked out on an attractive shopping mall one floor below them.

They ordered a light lunch and as they ate their salads, Joe decided to ask Jay a question that had been on his mind. "Jay, have you ever watched the TV show 'Northern Exposure'?"

"Northern Exposure? Yeah, I think I've seen it a few times, it comes on Monday nights I think. Doesn't it?"

"I really don't know. I haven't seen it yet."

"What's the question?" Jay asked, his curiosity was awakened. Joe didn't watch television much. Why would he ask such a question?

"Well, Linda says I remind her of somebody on that show, a woman. Someone named Maggie O'Connell, I think it was."