Chapter 49


Joe completed two loads of laundry before the low rumble of
Linda's car was heard coming up the drive.

She was home.

Joe knew it was about time for both of them to reach a decision
concerning their strange new relationship, but he also knew that
wouldn't be easy. He still loved Linda a lot, and he knew she loved
him too. Not like before, of course. The feelings they had for each
other did change... They were still changing. Joe of course, was no
longer physically male, and the urgent tension that accompanied
having male gonads was quickly dissipating. There were still
pleasant memories, but sometimes even those seemed like ancient
history.

A little over a week and a half, that's how long it had been.
Already Joe had started to grow accustomed to his new body. He
really enjoyed the increased sensitivity, the unusual feeling of
awareness that the change had given him. He was becoming less
easily embarrassed by his new shape and the ever increasing
softness of skin and muscle. Only the very noticeable loss of upper
body strength could be considered a real drawback.

Along with the obvious inability to perform as a normal man.

Not that he really wanted, or needed, to satisfy any remaining
masculine urges. Except for those first few days, those had mostly
departed along with his male appendage. While he remained
sexual, Joe found his changing libido becoming less urgent... more
appropriate to the young female he appeared to be.

Not that he thought of himself a woman yet. Not exactly anyway.
Joe did enjoy many of the imienities that accompanied femininity.
To his great suprise, Joe discovered he adored wearing the soft
clothes and silky lingerie. He relished most of the trappings of
modern womanhood. But, he missed things too. It almost seemed
silly to mention it, but he longed for the simple male ability to
stand and pee. A vulva might be just fine for intercourse, and as he
got used to it, he even liked the sleek shape and new sensations,
but to be REQUIRED to pull your underpants down and sit when
nature called... Nothing sexy or beneficial about that. And that
burning itch... A male didn't worry about yeast infections. At least
he never did before. But now... At least it must be going away. He
rubbed the soft mound of his pubic area as if to reaffirm the change
it had undergone.

Joe knew Linda tried hard to accept him as a woman. It wasn't
easy for her. To his eyes, she hadn't changed, and he had only to
deal with his own changed shape and feelings. The accident was
quite different from Linda's perspective, however. For well over a
year, Joe had been her MAN... Her lover and most recently, her
fiancee. She counted on him for the male view, and she was never
disappointed. They had enjoyed an excellent relationship. Linda
always allowed her femininity to compliment Joe's maleness. Now,
it was so very different. After he finally convinced her of what had
taken place, and that inside he was still the same person, Linda had
gone out of her way to help him adjust to it. She brought Joe to
her house so that he could more easily adapt to his new appearance
and situation. She helped Joe in other ways too, from teaching him
how buy and wear clothes, to many other aspects of life as a female.
Joe realized he owed much of his comparatively easy transition to
Linda.

But try as she might, Linda could no longer hide the realization
that the person she really loved was Joe Bates the male. She
missed those broad, powerful shoulders... She longed for the way he
could be so strong, yet so gentle with her in bed...

Not that Linda didn't try hard to adapt to how he was now. When
they slept together, those first few nights, Linda even initiated the
fooling around when Joe was too embarrassed to experiment with
his new anatomy. While they both found it quite interesting, Linda
soon realized that she had no real attraction to lesbian sex. And no
matter what he tried, Joe now had to do it in a body as female
looking as his girlfriends. Once the initial fascination wore off, it
was quite impossible for either of them to think of Joe the way he
had been. The change physical was just too complete. More and
more, every day, Joe looked, sounded, smelled and even acted like a
woman.

Joe heard the door close and moments later Linda walked into the
room. Joe lay on the couch and smiled a greeting as Linda entered.
Before, they would have kissed and embraced, but Joe could tell
that Linda was becoming uncomfortable doing that.

"Hi." Joe said. "You look absolutely fantastic." He complimented.

Linda looked at Joe sitting there, wearing the little sleeveless tank
top. He looked so very young and attractive, of course in a totally
feminine way.

"So do you." Linda said. "Did you have a good day?"

"It was OK." Joe admitted. "I have to fly to Minneapolis
tomorrow."

"Can we still talk tonight?" Linda asked. She was coming right to
the point.

"Sure." Joe answered. "I guess we better."

"Yeah. I do too." Linda agreed.

"Want something to drink?" Joe asked.

"Yeah, maybe some of that lemonade." Linda responded, as Joe
went to the kitchen.

He returned with two glasses and handed one to Linda.

"Where should we start?" Joe asked.

Linda just looked at him.

"I guess we've given it a try." Joe continued. "And I know you've
done all you can."

"Joe... You've got to understand... I'm really trying..." Linda
stammered.

"I know. I know." Joe conceded, looking into her eyes. They were
beginning to fill with tears. "I just can't be like I was."

"It's not just that." Linda corrected.

"Yes it is." Joe said. "That's exactly what it is. "We can try to
ignore what happened to me, but the results are still right here."

He placed his fingers in the open armholes of the sleeveless tank top
and tugged at the straps of his bra, causing his breasts to jiggle
noticeably.

"I know it's not your fault." Linda continued, smiling at the self
effacing mannerism. "Maybe, if I could just be more accepting..."

"You've done all you can." Joe told her. "More than you ever had
to."

"But, we were planning our life together." Linda reminded him.

"Maybe that all changed when I did." Joe considered.

"But, it's just not your fault." Linda said again.

"And it's not yours either." Joe said. "But that don't change the
facts."

"Don't you want me?" Linda asked.

"Damn it, of course I do." Joe hissed. "But that don't help much,
now does it?"

"You really don't think they can change you back?" Linda asked
desperately. "Or maybe they could change me..."

"You don't really want to be a man, even if they could." Joe
reminded her. "And I don't think we can count on me getting back
any time soon. I think I'm stuck like this, for some time anyway."

"We can still be friends.... We can be best friends, right?" Linda
wondered.

"Absolutely." Joe insisted. "Linda, I owe you so much. I owe you
everything."

Linda lightly brushed Joe's face with her finger tips.

"I still can't believe this has happened." She sobbed softly.

Joe reached out for her and took her into his arms.

"God, I love you so much!" He said.

They embraced, and Joe buried his nose in Linda's hair, breathing
in her scent.

"If I could just be changed back... If only for tonight..." He
whispered.

Joe held Linda very tightly, and she reciprocated in kind. Joe
wanted desperately to kiss her, and wondered if she would mind.

"Can I kiss you?" He finally asked.

"I wish you would." Linda responded, holding him tighter.

Their lips met, and Joe immediately felt Linda's tongue searching
for his. Just like before. He responded purely from habit, and for a
moment it was like it used to be. Joe even felt old stirrings return,
but it took only a moment for his new anatomy to make its
presence known.

Much as before, his body reacted to sexual excitement by a
pleasant feeling in his crotch. The sensation was very much like a
penile erection, at least initially. Since the actual "penis" was now
a tiny, but exquisitely sensitive nub of skin, it was quickly apparent
that something was very different "down there". The much smaller,
more internal nature of everything meant that a "woody" was no
longer accompanied by a noticable bulge.

Although the sensations from the crotch were generally as good, or
even better than before, there were other new feelings too.
Whenever his "penis" or clitoris became engorged, Joe also felt his
enlarged nipples hardening too. When they got like that, he could
really sense their presence when they brushed the inside of his bra
as he moved. The feeling could only be described as very good. He
wondered if the experience was like that for "real" women. He had
no idea they might feel that way. Nothing in Linda's or any of his
other girlfriends reactions gave a clue that might be so. Perhaps it
just because having breasts was so new to him.

And another thing. Almost as soon as the good feelings started,
Joe knew from experience that he was going to get wet. Real wet.
If he didn't know what was causing it, he might have thought he
involuntarily peed his pants. His poor distorted sex organ
sometimes seemed to weep for attention. It craved for something
inside it too. Desperately. Ever since the second night with Jay,
Joe knew his changed body liked sex. It yearned for it. Maybe it
took a bit longer to turn everything on now, but when you did... It
was nothing like when he was a guy. His new body wanted to be
with a man. Maybe his mind still wanted to see and touch a
woman's softness, but his body... It knew what it really needed.

Joe closed his eyes and breathed deeply, taking in Linda's perfume.
Did she feel the same way? How could she? Though she always
seemed to have a healthy interest in sex, she couldn't have felt
anything like this.

If she did, I think she would have ripped my clothes off. Joe
thought.

He was awash in sexual lust. But not for the soft sweet smelling
person in his arms. It was a paradox. Here they were, both so
much in love, and Joe horny as a tomcat, and yet they seemed more
like sisters. That was the problem.

Joe ran his hands up and down Linda's back, feeling the silky
softness of her blouse, and the little bump made by the strap of her
bra. Two weeks ago, he would have been groping for the buttons or
zipper. Now, he found himself wondering what type bra she was
wearing. He loved the way women's clothes felt to the touch.
Everything so soft and sensual. It was such a compliment to the
amplified sensitivity of his fingertips. It wasn't sexual or erotic, but
it was sort of the same feeling.

"Your blouse feels so good." Joe whispered into Linda's ear.

Hardly words of endearment.

"Thanks." Linda said, still holding him in the embrace. "It's pure
silk."

"I just love the feeling of your clothes." Joe said, desperately
wanting to communicate, but not knowing what to say.

"You never used to tell me that." Linda said, pulling back, and
looking into his face.

"Yeah, I know." Joe admitted. "There were lots of things I didn't
talk about, I guess."

"But, now you can." Linda said simply. "Now you can."

"Is it really too late?" Joe asked, more to himself than to her.

"What do you want to do?" Linda asked.

"What can I do?" Joe responded. "Look at us, people would think
we're gay, or something."

"Are we?" Linda asked, teasingly rubbing her breasts against Joe's.

"I don't have any idea how to answer that question." Joe answered.
"I can't win either way."

"Would you rather be with me, or Jay?" Linda asked, the smile
never leaving her face.

Joe knew the real questions were starting.

"Are you still happy with me sexually?" Joe countered.

Linda didn't answer immediately. Finally she spoke.

"Joe, I wish you could be just like you were before." She admitted.
"Not that you're not nice like this... I can't believe how wonderful
you treat me now, and how gentle you've become."

"I've been finding it kinda hard to be a stallion lately." Joe quipped.

"I'm sorry Joe... I didn't mean it like that..."

"No, I want to know how you think. What you think." Joe
continued. "We need to figure out how to work this thing out."

"You've just become so feminine looking... So young and beautiful."
Linda continued. "I don't know what you can possibly see in me."

"Hey, I may look like a girl, but it's all still new to me, remember."
Joe interjected. "I still think of you as my lady. I need you."

"Do you?" Linda asked. "You seem to be doing all right. Another
couple of weeks, and no one would ever know you weren't born like
that."

"Maybe other people couldn't tell, but I still remember."

"And for how long?" Linda continued. "Joe, I see such a change in
you from day to day. You seem to adjust better, and like what
happened better, each time I see you."

Joe shrugged his shoulders.

"I can't help that." He said flatly. "I guess it's the hormones, or
something. I don't know"

"It probably is." Linda agreed. "You don't just look like a woman,
Joe. You've started to become one."

"What should I do, ask for a sex change operation?" Joe asked,
keeping his voice soft, although Linda was allowing hers to rise a
bit.

"You told me that wouldn't work anyway, right?" Linda went on.
"And besides, you wouldn't want one."

"You think I wouldn't?" Joe asked.

"Do you?"

Joe looked into her eyes.

"It's true, since this all happened, I've been getting used to being
like this. I have to admit, I do like some of it... Maybe a lot of it.
But if I though an operation would make things like they were, I
think I'd do it in a minute."

"Would you be doing it for you, or for me?" Linda asked.

"For us." Joe insisted.

"Why did this have to happen?" Linda asked.

"Maybe we were just meant to be pals, not lovers." Joe offered,
smiling.

"We were lovers, remember?" Linda reminded him.

"You made me feel so good." Joe conceded.

"No better than how you made me feel." Linda countered.

"Yeah, I was a real stud, wasn't I." Joe teased.

"I think so." Linda said seriously.

"I wish this thing looked like it feels right now." Joe said, moving
his knees apart and indelicately rubbing his crotch through the
shorts.

"Do you really feel the same way down there?" Linda asked,
obviously curious.

Joe grinned mischievously.

"Not exactly the same, but right now it feels as if it's a foot long."
He winked.

"You wish."

"Maybe we both do." Joe said.

"You've got that right, Joe Bates." Linda admitted.

Linda gently placed her hand at Joe's crotch. She began to fondle
him, instinctively doing what felt good.

Joe closed his eyes, leaned back and enjoyed her attentions.

"Do you like that?" Linda asked, though the answer was obvious.

"Oh God, yes." Joe breathed.

"As good as before?" Linda continued.

Joe opened his eyes and looked into Linda's. What was she trying
to find out?

"Good... I don't know... Maybe better, maybe about the same... I
don't really know." Joe answered.

"You can't remember how you used to feel?" Linda asked.

"It was good... Great. It's good now, too." Joe answered. Linda
hadn't stopped her skilled massage of his aching clit, and it was
starting to feel fantastic.

He hoped the wetness he knew had to be there wouldn't show
through the yellow cotton shorts.

Linda continued the gentle stroking and circular rubbing. Before
long, Joe was involuntarily moving his hips in synch with her hand.
He was becoming oblivious to anything but her touch.

She could tell Joe had become excited almost as soon as they
embraced. Joe smelled of the recent shower at the health club, and
even to Linda it was a very pleasing scent. She longed for the
man-smell Joe used to have, but since the change, that was gone,
replaced by a very different, almost undetectable, probably more
feminine scent. Not erotic really, but pleasing.

Linda wondered if being with her was the cause of his ardor. She
knew that neither of them were nearly as sexually attracted to each
other now, but she still wondered about Joe.

The other day, at the aerobics class, Joe had obviously been
attracted to the other women, especially one young woman. Since
Joe's feminized body was no longer able to display excitement in
the way it once did, Linda couldn't tell if he had been sexually
aroused.

Joe hadn't talked much during the drive home, and Linda thought
he acted a bit strange, but she was too embarrassed to ask him.

Could Joe still get aroused by women?

As they held each other close, Linda felt Joe's touching, stroking,
different than before, but then, not really so different. Was he
thinking of her, of what they had done when things were different?

The curiosity was just too much. Could she still turn him on?

The gently touching as they talked slowly changed to her more
directly fondling him between the legs. She thought he might move
her hand away, but he was already far too aroused for that.

Almost immediately, Joe closed his eyes and stopped moving. He
liked it. She knew from their previous escapades in bed that Joe's
genitals were now pretty much like her own. She knew how to make
herself feel good, and she decided the same things might also feel
good for Joe too. She was obviously right.

Linda had to admit, it was strangely exciting watching another
woman react to her touch.

All the touching and rubbing soon had the desired effect. Joe felt
the intense urge to have something inside himself, and then was
overcome by the involuntary contractions of orgasm. The sensation
of climax was not so different now, though it did seem to be far
more intense than the average male ejaculation. The big difference
was after the fact. Before, release meant almost immediate loss of
erection and soon, an intense feeling of exhaustion. That was
followed by a strong urge to sleep.

It wasn't like that anymore. Multiple orgasms had become the
norm. As soon as one was experienced, the only change Joe felt was
a tremendous increase in genital sensitivity. For a minute or so, it
actually hurt to have anything touch his crotch. But there was no
waiting for an erection anymore. Joe could keep up the cycle until
everything felt too sore.

Linda watched the look on Joe's face as he recovered from the
orgasm. He kept his eyes closed and his breathing came in short
gasps. It had been so different when he came inside her. Then, he
seemed forceful and firm, as if needing to drive his organ deep
inside her.

What was it really like for him now? Linda thought. To have your
very being changed so completely.

Joe's face still possessed many of the familiar characteristics of
before, but the change brought with it a definite softness, especially
around the eyes and cheekbones. His eyes seemed bigger, and his
lips fuller. And so young... It was amazing how youthful he
appeared.

She looked lower, at Joe's body. The little sleeveless top was sheer
enough to allow the outline of a flesh colored bra to show through.
It was just like one she had. The thin, seamless cups allowed Joe's
erect nipples to show through. She knew Joe was embarrassed
whenever that happened. Joe had developed very natural and
attractive breasts, and Linda knew that while they were sometimes
a source of embarrassment, he was also quite proud of the way they
looked. Joe accepted the changes the best he could, and made the
best of the situation. Linda admired him for that.

Joe opened his eyes. He saw Linda watching him, her face radiating
a loving smile. He looked down at himself, quickly moving his knees
together. He saw, as well as sensed, the exposed look of his chest.
He pulled the white top away from his breasts so that the little
bumps of his nipples were not so obvious.

He grinned sheepishly.

"Thanks, I guess." He said, obviously embarrassed by what had
just happened.

"I'm sorry I did that, Joe." Linda apologized. "I shouldn't have
touched you like that."

"Why not?" Joe asked. "We used to do a lot more than that, didn't
we?" He smiled. "It felt good. I hope you let me return the favor.

Linda returned the smile.

"Of course." She replied. "Maybe after while though, all right?"

"Did you like touching me... Doing that?" Joe asked.

Linda looked into Joe's eyes.

"It was interesting." She admitted. "I still find what happened to
you to be quite amazing."

Joe snickered.

"Yeah... Me too." He replied.

"You don't mind that I did that... That I took advantage of you?"
Linda continued.

"Why should I mind?" Joe considered. "I still love you, and you
simply made me feel good. How can I be irritated by that?"

"It didn't embarrass you?" Linda asked.

"Hmmm... I guess maybe it should have... But I guess I'm losing
my macho streak." He quipped.

"I wish I was a man right now, Joe." Linda blurted. "I'd really
make you feel good."

Joe looked at her and laughed mischievously.

"And, if you were a man, I bet I could make you feel pretty good
too." He offered.

Joe picked up the lemonade glass and took a sip.

"How's the infection?" Linda asked.

"Hmmm... I can't tell it's there anymore." Joe replied. "So I guess
it's getting better."

"Keep using all the medication till it's gone." Linda advised.

"Yes mother." Joe teased. "And I'm wearing my cotton underwear,
just like you said."

Linda grinned at looked at Joe.

"That's a good girl." She teased.

"So... What about us?" Joe asked, getting the subject back on
track. "Should I move out?"

"Do you want to?" Linda countered.

"Do you want me to?"

"Only if you choose to." Linda decided. "You can stay here as long
as you like. I need the company."

"Like sisters?" Joe continued. "We can live like sisters?"

"Is that how you prefer think of us?"

"I don't think we can call ourselves lovers... Not exactly anyway."
Joe joked.

"You really want to live here, with me?" Linda asked.

"Would you rather get on with your life?" Joe asked. "I don't want
to hold you back."

"What about your life?" Linda asked. "Would living here be harder
for you?"

"I don't know." Joe said. "I still don't know what the rest of my
life is going to be like."

"What about Jay? Is he a part of your life?" Linda asked.

"Jay's my best friend." Joe said. "Yeah, maybe we fooled around a
little, but it was mostly just curiosity. You can understand that,
can't you?"

Linda thought about it. How would she feel if she woke up
tomorrow morning and found she was inside the body of a man?
Maybe she might be curious to experiment too.

"What about other guys?" Linda asked.

"I don't know." Joe admitted. "I guess we have to let those things
work themselves out."

"Maybe you're right." Linda agreed.

They both heard a car come up the drive. Who could it be?

In moments the doorbell sounded. Joe went to the door and found
his friend Jay.

"Hello pal." Joe said. "You're just in time."

Jay looked to see if Linda was nearby.

"Is she still angry?" Jay asked, his voice in a whisper.

"Not really." Joe answered. "I think we've come to an
understanding for now."

"What is it?" Jay asked.

Joe looked at his friend, who seemed unable to move his gaze from
Joe's chest.

"Me and Linda decided to get married anyway." Joe teased. "We'll
both have kids by artificial insemination. Care to leave a
donation?"

Jay looked alarmed, but then realized he was again victim of Joe's
relentless humor.

"Can I be best man?" Jay asked, playing along.

"Hell, I guess you can be the ONLY man." Joe laughed at his own
joke.

They went into the family room where Linda still sat on the sofa.
Jay greeted her warily.

"Good evening, Linda." He said haltingly.

"Hello Jay." Linda returned. "How are you this evening?"

"Not so bad." Jay replied. "I was just asking Joe if you were still
irritated with him, or me?"

"Should I be?" Linda asked, prefering to watch as he tried to find a
way to ask forgiveness.

"I don't know." Jay answered. "I know I have no intention to come
between you and Joe."

Linda looked very serious.

"Is that so?" Linda asked. "That's not what Joe just told me?"

"Just what did Joe say?" Jay returned, trying to feel her out.

"Hmmm... He said that everything was all your idea."

"That's... Joe, tell her the truth!" Jay retorted. "I went along.
sure, but it was really Joe's idea."

"My idea?" Joe shreiked as if insulted. He decided to play along
with Linda.

Jay looked at Joe, trying to decide if they were serious or not.

"Joe, if you didn't want to do anything, I would have respected
your wishes." Jay continued. "I thought what happened was what
you wanted."

"You didn't like it?" Linda asked.

Jay looked at her.

"Of course I did, but I only did it because Joe wanted me to. Tell
her the truth, Joe." Jay insisted.

"She knows the truth." Joe admitted. "I told her everything."

"Everything?" Jay blurted.

"Well, not the gory details... But she understands." Joe explained.

"You're not angry?"

"Nope." Linda said, a smile finally showing on her face.

"God, I thought I was walking into a hornets nest." Jay admitted.
"I hope everything is working out."

"I think it will." Joe said.

"Yeah... Linda agreed. "Just keep you pants on, you two." She
laughed.

"Come in and sit down." Joe told his friend.

"I don't know what you had planned for tonight, but I thought
maybe we could do something together." Jay said.

"What did you have in mind, Jay?" Joe asked.

"Oh, I don't know, can you think of something you'ld like to do?
My treat." Jay answered.

"Is this an offer for a date?" Joe asked, looking at Linda.

"If that's how you want to take it, yeah, I guess it is." Jay replied.

Joe felt a warm flush as the blood rushed to his face.

Jay was asking him for a date, right in front of Linda.

"Hmmm... I guess we can do something." Joe replied, watching
Linda's face for any sign. There was none, she just watched Jay.

"A movie, maybe?" Jay offered.

"Yeah, that might be good." Joe agreed. "I have to fly to
Minneapolis tomorrow morning, so I don't want to stay out too
late."

"If we leave soon, we can still make the seven-o'clock." Jay said,
glancing at his watch.

"Think this would be OK to wear to a movie?" Joe asked Linda.

"Not a nice one." Linda advised. "The mall-eight would be fine
though."

"Is that OK with you?" Joe asked Jay.

"Fine." Jay replied. He was wearing a sport shirt and Dockers.

"Well, let me get my stuff together." Joe said. "I'll only be a few
minutes."

"I'll wait right here." Jay replied.

Joe went to the laundry room to retrieve the last load. He took it
into his room and piled it on his dresser. Then he went into the
bathroom to check his appearance in the mirror.

A few strokes with the hair brush to his short "do" and he was
ready. He decided to use the toilet before he left the room.

As he sat on the stool, Joe contemplated what had just happened
with Linda. She as much as told him that she had no interest in
carrying on the relationship, and then proceeded to become
intimate with him.

Talk about mixed signals. He thought he might find women easier
to understand, now that he had practically become one. But it was
still not that easy.

After he finished, he stood to pull his underpants up, and paused to
check them.

As he suspected, the crotch was sticky and damp. He stepped out
of the shorts and panty, and walked into the bedroom, idly stroking
his soft pubic hair.

It might be more complicated to be like this, he thought, but it was
indeed interesting.

He selected a new pair of underpants from the freshly washed pile.
Light blue, cotton hi-rise. Carefully stepping into them, he pulled
them to his hips then, as he usually did, he rubbed his palm
between his legs, as if to verify that everything was still the same
down there. Yep, he thought, smiling to himself, drier and happier,
but still the same.