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The Operation By Michelle A Edited by Misty Dawn Part One: Gradually Cris became aware of a blissful, floating sensation. Someone was holding his hand. Eventually hearing his mother's voice say, "Don't worry Cris, everything will be just fine. I've taken care of everything. Just like you've always dreamed of, even if it's sooner than you had planned. Go to sleep, the doctor will take care of everything. After you get out of the recovery room, we'll talk all about it," Cris became momentarily confused. While floating in dreamland Cris wondered, "What was that all about? What's going on? What recovery room? That's where someone goes after an operation. What is she talking about?" The dreamlike state was not conducive to providing any answers. Still drifting along in the ethereal world of anesthesia, Cris thought, "This is fantastic. Awake, but with no outside intrusions: like... no sisters, no little brats, and no homework. This is perfect for working on my story. I know that I can make up a story better than any author on any of those Internet sites. Let's see where did I leave off..." ---John sat before his computer typing furiously... "All alone at last. Twelve hours, all to myself, to become Christy." While I practiced walking without swishing up and down the hall, I failed to hear the kitchen door open. At the far end, I turned around and started back. There, facing me stood my stunned mother. Shock and sensory overload are the best terms to explain what happened next. Well, maybe I just fainted. The next thing I remember is looking up into mother's face. It held the look of a mother concerned for her child. Regaining full awareness, I realized that my head was resting in her lap and that she was sitting on the floor in the hall. Though they sounded as if from afar through the ringing in my ears, her first words were: "Are you all right honey. You gave me such a scare." With a small nod I replied with a timid "yes." Smiling down at me she asked, "Princess, do you think you can get up now?" Again I nodded and replied hesitantly, "yes." I was still uncertain as to where I stood in her eyes at the moment and "Princess"? "I think we have a lot of talking to do, don't you? From the way you're wearing that outfit, I can tell that this isn't the first time that you've dressed like this." ---John stopped typing for a minute to gather his thoughts, "Now," he considered the possibilities, "is she going to be a loving and accepting mother? Or will she turn psycho and go ballistic on him?" Thinking a moment, he resumed typing... --- Mom asked, "Are you thirsty, Chris?" At my nod we went to the kitchen. With drinks in hand, we sat down and stared at each other for what seemed an eternity. It seemed I was waiting for the eruption of Vesuvius. Was there any plausible explanation for my actions? Finally mother said, "I think it's time for you to tell me what's going on, in addition to all the who's, what's, when's and wherefores. All of it young man, or should I say 'young lady' since you're dressed like that? I just want to understand." So I guess you'd say I gave her the standard explanation. (There should be a number, like 1 or 17 or something). The "I've always felt this way, I've always been different ... and the only way I can live a full life, is as a woman," Spiel that the mindbenders are always spouting. Have I told you that Mom was unflappable? For example, when I took a headlong dive out of the giant oak tree behind our house. Three months in a body cast with a separated shoulder. All she said was, ' next time you'll know better'. Well she was an ER nurse, after all. After our talk, she was flapped. Did I say; 'SHE' was flapped? I was a red eyed, black streaked, soggy nightmare that would give scarecrow heebie-jeebies. All Mom said was, "Honey, you're a mess. Why don't you go upstairs, take a nice hot shower, and then go take a nap for a while. Will you do that for me? Honestly, I need to think about this and maybe make a few phone calls. We'll talk again later, after I get some advice, okay Honey?' ---On a roll now, John continued to type furiously his thoughts flying directly to the tips of his fingers. ---What could I say? I felt like a wet dishrag, looked a fright, and wanted to just curl up into the ball of embarrassment I'd become and die. Did I say, 'Yes Mom, I think you're right'? Not in so many words. I just nodded my head and moved reflexively into her embrace as she held out her arms. Instantly, I was sharing a warm hug that only mother and child can share. --- ---Again, John stopped typing. Where do I go from here? Yeah that's the ticket. He again started attacking the keys with a vengeance. --- Mom was cool. She made appointments with Doctors she knew or had heard about. They referred me to several specialists and I was on my way. It was a long slow torturous path to my future. You all know the routine. From the exams, the shrinks, the lessons on everything and anything feminine. Mom was great. Everything I needed to know and some I still don't want to think about. After I graduated from high school, I started on hormones, getting ready for the RLT. About six months after starting on HRT, I realized that femininity and off road motorcycling didn't fit, at least for me. I decided that one last time; I would take a ride before I sold my beloved motorcycle. It had been gathering dust for a while. It was such a glorious day for a ride too. After about an hour's ride I started to jump a hill I've jumped a thousand times, but this time there was a fallen tree across the path. Chris gradually became aware of a blissful floating feeling. Someone was holding his hand. After a while he heard his mothers voice say, "don't worry Chris, everything will be just fine. I've taken care of everything. Just like you've always dreamed of, even if it's sooner than you planned for. Go to sleep, the doctor will take care of everything. After you get out of the recovery room, we'll talk all about it." As Chris floated in dreamland, he thought, #### what was that all about? What's going on? What recovery room? That's for after an operation. What was she talking about? The dreamlike state did not provide any answers though. Drifting along, Chris thought, "This is a fantastic feeling." Through a dim haze of pain, I heard voices. 'Christy...Christy... wake up. Then, from nearby on my side, "Honey?" I felt like a mummy. My head and neck were bandaged, my chest was bandaged, my body was bandaged, and a low dull pain was everywhere. What happened? Thinking at this point was a major effort. From my side, Mom said, "You had an accident on your motorcycle. Your injuries weren't life threatening, but did require some careful thought. Most of the damage was to your groin when you went over the handlebars, and landing didn't do any good to the rest of you. Your face in general and your nose in particular were injured. After we were sure that you were stable, we discussed what was to be done." I said, "You mean all the bandages I feel?" "Yes," she replied, "With the extensive damage to your groin, it was decide that now would be appropriate time to do your operation. Plus some work on your nose, voice box, chest, and hips. You're Christy from now on. Welcome home dear.' ---John stopped to gather his thoughts... Cris' thoughts slowly faded into darkness. Through a dim haze of pain I could hear voices. "...Christy..." "Honey, wake up, Honey." That sounded like my Mom's voice, thought Cris. "...Christy..." Darkness again. I felt like a mummy. My head and neck were bandaged; my chest and most of my body were bandaged too. Plus, low dull pain everywhere. "What happened?" I asked. That took a major mental effort. Mom said, "You had an accident on your motorcycle. Your injuries weren't life threatening, but did require some special consideration. Most of the damage was to your groin when you went over the handlebars. Landing in the rocks didn't do the rest of you any good. After we were sure that you were stable, we discussed what was to be done." I said, "You mean all the bandages I feel?" "Yes." She answered. "With a little electrolysis..." My story came rushing back to me and to put it mildly, I lost it big time. "She called me CHRISTY when I woke up." I thought. "From the bandages they must have done the complete SRS operation. Where could they have gotten the idea that I wanted to be a woman? I downloaded those stories just to show those amateurs how to write. My life had just gone up in flames. A funeral pyre no less." I later learned that after I lost it, the room was rather hectic for a while. Everyone on the floor was involved with restraining or sedating me and hustling Mom out the door. When I next became aware, it was to a very calm...no dull emotional feeling. There was a doctor I'd never seen before. "I'm Doctor Kline." He said. "How do you feel?" "How do I feel? I thought. "After what they have just done to me, they want to know how I feel. Would an Abram's tank up their butts tell them how I felt?" I wasn't being very communicative, you must understand. Dr. Kline just wanted to know why I had reacted so violently when I woke up. It was very unusual for patients to react so violently after such minor trauma and operation. There had to be underlying reasons: Was I upset because I was still alive? Had I tried to kill myself on the motorcycle and had failed?" All I could do is glare at this moron. He didn't have a clue. They eventually used sodium pentothal, or something like it, to get at the truth. Later, they let me come out of my enforced sleep. Dr. Kline was waiting for me to wake up. "I must apologize to start out with." Began Dr. Kline. "You had us very confused. Let me start by explaining about what happened. You were discovered, in some rocks near your mangled motorcycle. You faired better than it did. When your mother arrived, here at the hospital, they decided on a course of action. Your nose was broken and skin was missing. Your mother said that you had wanted a nose job, and this was a perfect opportunity for it. Of course, some electrolysis will be needed to remove some hair on your nose from the skin graft. Your neck was severely scraped and bruised. You have several cracked ribs that have to be tightly wrapped. The whole front of your body was scraped and bruised. The handlebars ripped your groin badly, but that's all repaired. There wasn't a lot of blood loss and no permanent damage. Would you like to talk about it now?" "Nurse. Nurse Christy, would you remove the restraints please?" Called Dr. Kline. "Oh God! How do I explain this to my mother? She'll kill me." Part Two: The Aftermath "Wait a minute." Cris thought. "Something is not right, but it keeps slipping away. Just like a ghost. So tired. Must be the medicines. Oh nooo!!! I was riding Michael's motorcycle. That bike was his precious little baby. If Mom doesn't kill me, Michael surely will. Worry about it later. Sleep now." *** "Cris... Cris... Cris Honey. CRIS, wake up!" "Oh, hi Mom. Good Morning." I greeted her with warm enthusiasm while blinking awake. "No Dear, It's evening now." I glanced at the window as if to confirm her statement, still mightily confused. Too many niggling memories nagged me. "The accident was a few days ago." Momma had always been able to read my mind. "Mom, what happened?" I asked. "I feel so confused." I shook my head to clear the cobwebs and see if any marbles rattled around. "My head's fuzzy and its..." I tapped my forehead with my index finger, "...hard to think straight most of the time." "I guess the pain medication is keeping you pretty groggy." Mom explained. "We're not sure of all the details yet. Some of that will have to come from you," she shook her head as I started to speak. "No, as you get better. A couple of days ago you and Michael had an argument. He insists that that argument had nothing to do with what happened to you and won't talk about it. The next day, you borrowed his motorcycle to 'clear your head of cobwebs'. At least, that is what you said, anyway. Four hours later you were in the operating room. Some people found you in a pile of rocks and brush on the dirt bike track. Apparently, the bike blew a tire just as you made a jump to clear a tree fallen across the path. The tree was hidden on the other side of the hill. Had that tire not blown you very likely would not be in here." Knowing it to be so, I nodded agreement, good trail rider that I am... er, was. "Don't worry," Mom continued. "You're in good hands. Doctor Kline says that the operations were a complete success, unless you do something rash. You are young and should heal quickly with few if any scars. Dr. Kline has decided on a course of action designed to cope with your particular needs. He's already given you a mega dose of vitamins in your IV. They've also given me a couple more prescriptions for other medication, including more multivitamins for you to take daily. They're still concerned about your cracked ribs, but can't do anything about them except bind them tight. Your back was bruised also, so that you'll require a special support brace." "So" Mom went on, "sometime tomorrow, you're being measured for a special back support and rib band. You must have bounced like a rubber ball, according to Dr. Kline. At least one of those bounces was on your head, apparently. They just about had to give you a buzz cut to clean up and patch your head. Mostly scrapes and bruises, but like all head injuries, it bled like the dickens." Looking at her as if waiting for the other shoe to drop, I nodded with grim resignation. I would NOT be going home soon. "There is more that we need to talk about, but that can wait until later." Sighing heavily I nodded again and wondered if they ever served orange jell-o... or yellow... "Dr. Maxwell is still not satisfied with your progress and wants to talk to you tomorrow," she informed me. "I asked him what he still needed to find out and what I could do that would help? He just said it was about your memory loss. He thought that it was only temporary and that it most likely was caused by the head injury. He also told me that when he was through with his examinations and tests, he would give me a complete report. He also said for you not to worry since this sort of memory loss commonly occurs with this type of injury. There was one unusual, but not very serious, indication that he was still trying to look into." Suddenly rising she looked about the hospital room, then at her watch. "Well I've got to go and take care of a few things. See you tomorrow dear and I might have a surprise for you, if I have the time. We can talk about the rest later or when you get home. Your brother and sister are asking how you feel. They're wishing you a speedy recovery and quick trip home. Kisses and gentle hugs! Goodnight and sleep tight." She looked at me and grinned. "The way you're wrapped like a mummy, you will sleep 'tight' anyway." "That was baaddd!" I groaned at her just to be polite. "Goodnight, Dear," she ended. "Goodnight Mom" I said "Luv you. Hugs and kisses to everyone. Tell Michael I'm sorry about his bike. Is he very upset with me about it, Mom?" "Well," she replied, "he's upset about something. He won't talk about it, but I'm not so sure that it's about the bike. Although it could be that, I don't think so. He just won't tell me what it is. He keeps mumbling something but gets real quiet when he knows I'm around." "In the meantime, your sister has been moping around like she lost her best friend." Mom said half to herself. "I sure hope things get back to normal soon. That means you get well soon and get home. I guess that a shopping trip is in order, too. Cris, you can't wear what you've been wearing any more. Those boy clothes just won't fit you the same as they used to. Now, goodnight, Dear." She turned and walked towards the door. "Goodnight Momma." I said again. "See you tomorrow after you get back from work. I'm sorry I caused all these problems for you." I just couldn't understand why I was suddenly so reluctant to be apart from my momma. Now where did THAT come from? It's been years since I called her momma. "Don't worry about that now, just get better. Goodnight, sleep tight." With that she left for the night. "Should I continue that stupid story now," I wondered. "Maybe I should just forget it. It seems to have gotten me into so much trouble already. Those stories I read, though, were so amateurish. Damn it, I just know I can do better, without even trying. It's just that I can't let anyone know about this though, especially that snoop, Dr. Maxwell. Oh! He's so strange. He acts so weird when no one else is around. It's like... he makes me feel like I'm a guinea pig or something. These tubes and hoses are sure a pain. Tired, so tired. Sleep. Back to blissful sleep." *** "Wake up Cris." Through the black mists of dreamless sleep I heard, "Wake up Sleeping Beauty!" "Uh! Wha...? Ehe?" I mumbled still momentarily confused by the strange surroundings. "It's time for breakfast." "You call that breakfast?" I exclaimed after seeing my tray. "Watery oatmeal and WOW, yellow Jell-O! At least a prisoner gets bread with his water. I'm so hungry I could eat a horse. Haven't you fed me since I've been here?" "Well it's plain to see you're feeling much better." Said the vaguely familiar, but strange nurse. "If you feel good enough to complain, you must feel good enough to start some exercises, to stop you from stiffening up too much. The physical therapist will be scheduled as soon as all the tubes are out. Besides, this is all you're allowed to have. And yes we have fed you. Lots of IV's to keep you healthy. What more could you ask for? A completely nutritious diet in a bottle, at least until we can make sure that your system is able to hold it down, and until that happens, we have to be sure that you are getting enough fluids. Then, we can take out both, the IV and the catheter. That won't happen until you are drinking plenty of fluids, dear. Eat, drink and be merry, or they stay in. Here is your medication. Take them with your meal." "By the way, my name is Nurse Christy." She continued with only a brief pause for a shallow breath. "You gave us quite a scare there, for a bit. We were quite busy, taking care of you. Quite a reaction when you woke up. A little unusual though, it's hard to know what is going through a patient's mind when they first wake up. No harm done. Are we ready to start the day? Do you want the curtains open to let in the sunlight, or do you want to play vampire all day? The sunlight would do you good, but might be too bright to start with. Up to you, dear." "Just leave them closed for now." I managed to get in the next time she paused for breath. "Perhaps later I'll be up to seeing the sun." "Yes, the lights in here now seem really bright as it is." "Jeez, she sure can talk," I thought. "What happened to the four star hotel I ordered? Must be where they sent the bike. It appears I was the one sent to the body shop." Breakfast was a total loss. You can't even call oatmeal and tasteless Jell-O, food. The only saving grace is that I get to order dinner from the bland menu. "OH joy. OH joy." Now those pills, that blue and red one was a horse pill if I ever saw one. The purple one reminded me of something, but I just couldn't remember what. I must have dozed off again because the tray was gone when I was jerked awake by the sound of a voice booming at me through the silence. "Cris you have a visitor," said Nurse Christy. "It's Ms. Luebke, to measure you for your rib support brace. Veronica, this is Cris. Sit up Dearie, so we can make the proper measurements." After several moments of poking and pulling and taking measurements," the regal woman grunted and stood back from the bed looking at me critically. "Okay, I think that will do it," stated Ms Luebke in her slight accent. "In two days they will be ready for fitting, and then you will be all set, child. I surely hope you will make a speedy recovery, eh, Dearie. Remember, in two day I'll see you! TA-TA till then." "Nice lady, but were all those measurements necessary? Wait a minute," I gaped as I thought about it. "That was supposed to be a body brace and chest wrap? Her nametag was strange too. It said, 'VAL'S HOUSE OF CORSETS'. Not exactly what I would call the local mainstream medical supply house. Have to ask Mom about it later. Maybe she'll know what's going on. I'm just too foggy to worry about it now." "Lunch will be here in a few minutes, Cris," said nurse Christy, once again ripping me out of the black mists surrounding me. "The Doctor said the IV could come out now, unless you want to keep it in? If you continue drinking all your liquids, the catheter comes out tomorrow. Won't that be grand?" "No," I replied still back at her first question. "That's fine Nurse Christy, you can take that darned catheter out anytime you want. The sooner it's out, the better in fact. It actually feels more like a corrugated drainpipe shoved in there. Yesterday would have been even better." "As long as you keep your fluid intake up, we won't need the IV any longer." After removing the IV, the nurse said. "There, the IV's out and your lunch's here. Chicken broth and lime Jell-O. Enjoy your meal. Here's your dinner menu. Today you can select anything from column A and B and two from column C. Oh, by the way, Dr. Kline called and said that he had an emergency and would see you tomorrow. Also, Dr. Kline has made a change in your pain medication. You seem to be more sensitive than most. That's why you've been groggy all the time. The new dosage should just take the edge off the pain. So you can expect to be a little bit more active tomorrow. Maybe then, we can schedule the physical therapist for you." After I finished lunch, I began to think. "What is it with that stupid story? That thing keeps running through my head!" Why had I gone nutzo when I woke up? What's so bad about being a girl? Where did that thought come from? Is that quack mucking around in my head? It's still so hard to concentrate. I wish I could figure out what's going on. Maybe when they change my medication, it will be clearer. Can't fight it any longer, back to sleep." Through the fog of sleep, I heard vaguely. "Cris, Cris, Mom's here. I brought you some new clothes for when you can get dressed. The ones you were wearing are not exactly fit to be worn by anyone. The way you are now, your clothes at home won't fit. Besides, your days in jeans and T-shirts are over, so I went shopping. From now on, its skirts and blouses, or dresses only for you. I've been getting fed up with your attitude. There are changes within you that have started and those changes can't be stopped. It's going to be different from now on. I found some great bargains. We'll go again when you're released, so that we can get a proper fitting for you. A hat or scarf will do for now. Later we'll get a wig. That'll look so much better. What color hair do you want? Your natural color, or do you want to experiment with a new look? I found a couple of nice blouses on sale; the skirts to match were a little harder to find. Oh, you're still asleep. I'll come back later, after I put this stuff away. We will have a talk about the new you. Like it or not, its too late." "Was I dreaming?" Finally getting my eyes opened fully, I was puzzled. "Or was that really Mom in here?" A quick scan of the room showed that there was no one in the room. What was she talking about blouses, skirts wigs and hair color? Why do I need to go shopping for more, later? What's this new me? The changes have already started? It's too late? I must have been dreaming or that story is driving me nuts again. It was the sort of scene I'd have John writing for Chris. Maybe John is real and I'm the story. "Maybe I've already gone off the deep end. Nothing is making sense right now, except sleep." *** Once more I heard a voice calling me through the shimmer of dusk. "Cris, dinner time." I struggled to rouse myself. "Cris, wake up!" One eye opened! "Cris wake up, or we throw it to the hogs and you can have soup and Jell-O again. Those clothes are so pretty. I think you'll look lovely in them, after the bandages are off. Must finish my rounds." Somehow I managed to get the second eye open and focused. "I'm awake! I'm awake!" I moaned. "Give me a second to get ready." "What?" The room was still empty I pondered groggily. "What did she say? Me? Look lovely? ME? I must be dreaming. But the food is here. Oh, that's right, it's the bland menu. Still it's better than soup and Jell-O. Let's see. There was a poached egg, oatmeal, toast and the ever-present green Jell-O. Oh well. Sounds more like breakfast than dinner. Looks like bland again tomorrow, from the menu. You'd think it's a weight watchers diet or something." "Cris, I'm back." I heard Mom say. "Oh, hi Mom." I answered, "Were you here earlier? I have a vague sense that you were." "Yes, Dear." Mom replied cheerily. "I was but you were asleep. I just remembered that I had a meeting scheduled with Michael's teachers, so I'm in a hurry. If we get done in time we'll stop by later. Hugs and kisses. Are you feeling any better? I hope so." "Yes Mom." I replied. "I'm doing better, and the doctor said he was changing my pain medication so I wouldn't be so sleepy all the time. Right now the only thing I can seem to do right is sleep. Don't worry Mom, I'm sleeping so much now that I'm not very good company, or even aware enough to know if you are here. Maybe tomorrow will be a better day to visit." "Okay, Dear," said Mom. "I won't say get plenty of rest, it's obvious that you are. Do get to feeling better and don't worry about a thing. Oh yes, some of your friends are going to bring your homework by with notes so that you won't miss much school." A mirthless smile was my answer to that reminder. "Oh Joy, I won't miss any homework." I moaned to myself. "Maybe I should change friends." "Sorry, got to run." She hurriedly explained. "Michael won't even come up to see you. I wonder what that is about. Hugs and kisses, Dear." "Yes, I wonder what is going on with Michael. I know he has got to be pissed about his bike, but this is too much. It's just not like him... not at all! I sure hope the new medicine will let me think this through. Rats, I forgot to ask her about those clothes. What do all these strange things mean? That damn story keeps running through my head and I CAN'T THINK. Sleep; ever present sleep, per chance to dream. Naaww, wrong story." *** "Cris." I heard. "Time for your medicine. Here's your sleeping pill and this is your new pain medicine. When you wake-up in the morning you'll feel like the new you. Goodnight." "Night nurse. Thank you. Goodnight." I groggily replied. *** "Brightness. Someone turn off the lights." "Still brightness. Nobody listens. Maybe if I complained or something, they would." Hesitantly I ventured my head above the blanket and peeked "Oh, that's the sun. No wonder no one was turning it down. Wow I can think again." I sat up and looked around, relieved not to see John at his keyboard. "What has been bugging me?" I considered with more clarity. "What's odd? Purple pills come to mind; hormones; female hormones; VAL'S House of Corsets; vitamins; blouses, skirts, and wigs; the new me? Attitude adjustment? No more jeans and T-shirts? This keeps sounding more and more like one of those stupid stories, only different. No wonder its bugged me so much. Wait! There's something else that's staring me in the face... but it hurts so when I think about it! Is that quack involved in this, somehow? Are they trying to turn me into one of those sissy-boy things I've been reading about? Has he been hypnotizing me? It ain't gonna happen to me. I'll fight them all the way. No one in those stupid stories puts up a fight, or the story would be over before it began. Well this one is going to raise a stink. Who's involved and why? The doctors must know and my mother would have to go along with it. They said that they DIDN'T do the operation. Or did they say that? Or did I just think that's what they said? Wrapped up like a mummy, I can't tell anything. I've been so groggy that I can't be sure of anything. Now that damn story is making me paranoid as well." "Nurse Christy!" While I waited for her to answer my call, I pondered that one a long moment, "Did she say what I think she'd said earlier? Are they all in on this? Who can I trust? What is going on here? How could my mother do this to me? I can't let them know that I know. WHAT DO I DO? Let me take inventory. Chest, a little too WELL padded under these bandages. Narrow waist. No bulges, but I can't feel anything there either. Maybe it's already too late. What hospital is this anyway? The blanket has a name on it. Let's see "Rose Landis Women's Hospital." What am I doing in a private woman's hospital? Duh, becoming one maybe, dope." "How is my patient today? I'm Dr. Kline. When you went hysterical in the recovery room, you had us very concerned. I couldn't make much sense out of your prattle at the time. Your physical condition required that you be sedated, until you had some time to recover. That's all I could do. So I called in Dr. Maxwell, who gave you a temporary hypnotic suggestion that avoids the area that was giving you fits. Are you ready to confront them now?" "That quack HAS been mucking around with my head." I marveled silently. "I'm not sure Doc," I said aloud. "That was just a temporary shock. I now realize that it was all coincidence. I was thinking about something as I was laying in the recovery room and it conflicted with reality as I saw it when I awoke. Since then, I've been bothered all the time... like something else is missing though, and I hope that by eliminating that block I can understand what is going on. It's like the answers make sense, but I can't hear the questions that go with them. Then too, the medication has made thinking a difficult process." "Tell me what brought all this on?" Doctor Kline prompted. "You obviously were upset when you went for your motorcycle ride. Why were you so upset?" "Well I had a fight with my brother Michael, but I can't remember why," I shrugged. "The next day, though I was still upset, I borrowed his motorcycle, his little baby. I knew a ride would help me, to cool off and put things in perspective. Oh, I remember now. Rocks blocked the trail I usually use, so I took a trail I hadn't used in a while. Unfortunately, just as I topped the hill the rear tire blew. If that wasn't bad enough, a tree had fallen blocking the road just over the hill. If the tire hadn't blown I might have made it. Yes, I'm that good, doc." I paused and Nurse Christy handed me a tumbler of cold water. With a small sip and deep shrug, I went on. "I've no idea why I remember this bit, but as I was going under in the operating room, I was mentally trying to write part of a story. When I woke up, the parallels to that story were too much of a shock. That is, when I woke up, I thought that what I had written in the story had actually happened to me. If that was the only reason for the block, then you can have Dr. Maxwell remove it now. I realize that it was just a coincidence. It had nothing to do with reality. Maybe now, I can figure out what seems so wrong now to me." (((It was at this point that I realized I had had John to write all this, and almost word for word! I even knew what was coming next!))) "What kind of story was it, that could make you react so violently?" Dr. Kline urged. "Doc nothing makes sense since I woke up." I delayed. "With the sedatives, I haven't had time to think yet. Give me a little time please?" "Okay, Cris we'll forget it for now." Dr. Kline had a great bedside manner and for some unfathomable reason I noticed he had a 'cute' smile to go with it! "The reason I came here was to change your bandages and inspect my handiwork. While I'm at it I'll remove the catheter." Incredibly I began blushing! "Let's see." The very idea he was going to view me intimately caused me to flame with uncharacteristic embarrassment. "Spread your legs." A guy shouldn't feel so ashamed to be looked at. "Looks like it's starting to heal fine." To be so examined made me want to crawl under a rock and hide! But why? "No oozing or puffiness around the sutures. No one will ever know. Not a clue unless you're a doctor." What? "Well Cris how does it look to you?" He asked. "Its flat." I stared wide-eyed. There is nothing THERE. They LIED to me. THEY LIED TO ME!! THEY LIED TO ME!!! How is MOTHER going to EXPLAIN this to ME!!!" Dr. Kline, room 105, STAT. Orderlies, room 105, STAT. M O T H E R W H Y? Part Three: An Explanation? Slowly I awoke to the same old floating feeling. Where am I now? What has happened? Is it true? Did they really do it? The IV is in again. The catheter, too! Can't move. Restraints? What're they for? What is going on? "ANYONE! HEY! NURSE! NURSE CHRISTY!" I yelled. "NURSE!" "Awake are we?" She grinned while entering the room. "It's about time. You've been out for hours. Welcome back to the world. I'll go call Doctor Kline." She popped out and back in just as she'd entered the first time, bustling! "Are you hungry? You never did get your supper. Just lie back calmly and the doctor will be here shortly. I'll be back in a little bit with some food. Oh, would you like a drink first? You must be parched." "Yes." Then, when I finally had a chance, I said, "That would be nice. What happened? Why am I tied up like this? Where...?" "Whoa! Whoa! Whoa!" She said. "Dr. Kline will answer all your questions when he gets here and feels that you are ready for a talk with him and Dr. Maxwell. In the mean time, just relax. You're in no condition to go anywhere, right now. I'll be back in a bit." "What do I remember?" I tried to organize my thoughts. "I was upset and riding Michael's motorcycle. The off road path was blocked and I had a nasty spill. After I woke up in the recovery room, I tried to continue that TG story I was trying to write; everything I sensed said 'The Operation' just like in my story. When I freaked, Mom and Dr. Kline told me, all they had done was a nose job and relatively minor operation to fix face, neck, chest, and groin. What really happened to me? Did they lie to me? The next time I woke up, I knew that I had nothing between my legs. Plus, they were giving me female hormones and calling me a girl. Then they order a corset, tell me no more jeans or pants, and brought in lots of dresses. Topping that, I feel awfully calm with all these things happening. What kind of drugs are they feeding me, now? It's hard to think straight. When I try to concentrate on these things, my thinking becomes fuzzy. It's all so fuzzy." *** On another floor in the left wing, Dr. Maxwell, one of the two doctors involved in Cris' recovery, was about to have a meeting to discuss the case. "Dr. Maxwell the perky receptionist chirped over the intercom. "Mrs. French is here to see you." "Thank you Judy, show her in, please." Coming from behind his desk as she entered the office. The doctor greeted the woman gently. "Phyllis, how nice of you to stop by. That will be all Judy. Oh, Judy. Hold all my calls, and cancel anything else scheduled for today. Thank you. Would you like coffee, tea or perhaps bottled water? No? Then please have a seat. This may take a while to sort out." "What seems to be the big deal? She asked. "Cris had a little accident and everyone is going nuts. This says nothing about having to restrain Cris. You're the Doctor, what is going on? Does this have anything to do with that business of five years ago?" "I'm afraid it does, Phyllis." He replied. "Not only the last murder attempt, but also Cris' present situation. I told you there might be problems, but I didn't anticipate this. It's actually a good thing that this happened now." "Why is that?" Exclaimed Phyllis. "Apparently," explained Dr. Maxwell, "Cris posted a story on the Internet under the pen name of Michelle A. The title was, 'Today is the Day.' Someone spotted the name, and started back tracking the computer records of the Witness Protection Program." "I remember that you said that Cris' hypnotic suggestion might slip, even with periodic reinforcement," said Phyllis. "The big question is why has it started to happen now? What is 'so good' about my child being in the hospital? What does the Witness Protection Program have to do with anything? I thought that all of our records were purged from their files. We found out their record security was full of holes. That breach almost killed us and brought us to where we are now. What does Cris remember about Michelle?" "We don't have all the answers, yet," said the Doctor. "And..." he shrugged helplessly, "...most of them will have to come from Cris. We need to decide how much to tell Cris and when. At the moment, I'm sorry to say, Cris is in a fragile mental state. If we're not careful, we could cause more problems than we cure." "What do you suggest we do?" asked Phyllis. "Cris has to be told something. The sooner that child knows something the better. I know that! But, why is this a good time anyway?" "First we have to find out what Cris actually knows," began Dr. Maxwell. "And that's very little, from the reactions I've seen. Unfortunately, it's obviously enough to be truly terrifying. We must fix that soon. As for 'why now.' Due to the story, we have come to a turning point. It has, suddenly, become too great a risk to remain here as you are. This was inevitable, so we might as well use it to our advantage. Now, how much do we tell Cris? I'll call Dr. Kline over so that we are all on the same page with how we treat Cris. We can't afford mistakes, at this point. At least, where they involve Cris." *** "What's going on?" Cris wondered for the umpteenth time. "There was the accident. Then I woke up in the recovery room. With that stupid story, fresh on my mind, I thought that all the bandages meant that they had done 'The Operation' on me. Mom said, "No it was just scrapes and bruises with a few cracked ribs." When I woke up the second time, I knew I was a girl, without doubt. If that is true, then, everyone is lying to me. Who do I trust? Certainly not that quack, Doctor Maxwell. I'll just have to wait and find out." Suddenly my tummy began to complain loudly. I touched the call button. "Nurse Christy?" "Yes? How may I serve you?" The tinny wall speaker returned the words accompanied by a soft chuckle. "Where is that food? My stomach thinks my throat's been cut." "Hang in a few, Luv. It's on the way" Unable to do more, I lay there and stared at the boob tube, "Here you are." Nurse Christy carried in my tray, a towel draped 'French Waiter' style over her forearm. "Breakfast fresh from the kitchen, just for you. After I adjust your bed to a sitting position, I'll feed you." "I can feed myself, if you will take off these restraints." I responded. "Nice try." Christy grinned across the room at me. "Not until after the doctor says I can." Shaking her head caused me to once more wonder why I was so sure I knew her well. "I won't lose my job over a patient, no matter how much I may like them." She shoved a spoon full of something nefarious towards my mouth. "Now, open wide like the good girl I know you are. The doctor should be here in a little bit, so save your questions for him." Biting my tongue I remained silent through breakfast. Why was she so determined that I was to be a girl? "Open wide for another bite" said the nurse. "One last spoonful and you're finished." "Thank the big man for small favors!" "Not the best food in the world, but it fills the void. Do you want to lay back down or stay sitting up?" "I'd like to stay sitting for a while, please." I requested. *** "Your patient was moved to Room 109, as you requested Doctor." "Thank You, Nurse," returned Dr. Kline with his classic broad smile. "I don't expect any problems, but why take chances." *** "Where is our patient?" inquired Dr. Maxwell. "I just came from Room 105, and it was empty." He waved his hand roughly in the direction of the emptied room with some agitation. "I've had her moved." Dr. Kline sighed softly. "I didn't want any distractions, from the outside, while we worked. Any problem with that?" "He..." "She is in Room 109 now." A short time later the doctors entered into room 109. "How's my favorite patient this afternoon?" Dr. Kline inquired as he and Dr. Maxwell entered. "Are we ready to answer some questions?" queried Doctor Maxwell? The patronizing attitude drew a sharp look from the senior medic and anger from me. I'd just about had all I could take of his demeaning attitude. "Me?" I screamed. "Me answer QUESTIONS? I may answer questions but not coming from YOU? Boy, you've more nerve than a Blond haired, blue-eyed Klansman at a NAACP meeting. That applies to both of you, for that matter. You've done... oh I don't know what all, but the inside of my brain feels scrambled! So much so, that I don't know what's inside, outside or up and down anymore. What's more, I now KNOW you've messed with my body so that I don't even know what I am anymore!" During my show of agitation Dr. Kline calmly walked over to the IV and inserted a syringe. "What are you doing?" I screamed helplessly, unable to prevent it from happening again "What are you putting in my IV? It's time you started answer..." Once more the darkness surrounded me. *** "She'll be out for about an hour," Dr. Kline commented. "Care to have dinner and discuss how to proceed from here?" "He...She doesn't know as much as I thought she would. I had thought that by now..." Dr. Maxwell stated without finishing. "That's why she's been so upset." "However, that isn't all of it." "I agree. And dinner is a good idea. I'll even treat at the cafeteria." "Big Spender," Dr. Kline responded. "It's FREE. On you... MY ASS! Let's go 'Diamond Jim'. I'm starved." *** "Nurse," Dr. Kline instructed the Duty Nurse at the Ward Office. "I've sedated our patient in room 109. It should last about an hour. Page me, when she starts to wake up. We'll be in the cafeteria." "All right Doctor." Acknowledged Nurse Christy. "Nurse, what is your clearance level?" Inquires Dr. Maxwell. "Doctor, you should know. All badges are color coded." Nurse Christy replied. "Mine, as you can see, is blue, for Top Secret-Need to Know. Yours is white, for unlimited. Red is for Secret. Black is for Confidential. This wing is limited to blue and white badges. There are no exceptions." The young nurse looked closely into the handsome doctor's sparkling eyes. Yes, she could see the depths of the pools and guessed there had been a good many foolish young nurses drowned in them. "Doctor Maxwell, I'm aware of your Lady Killer reputation. Don't try to get fresh with any of my nurses. Each and every one of them is capable of wiping up the floor with you, without even mussing her hair. Minimum requirement for this duty is a Black Belt certification in at least two martial arts forms, in addition to standard combat arms training." Turning on her heel she returned to her duties. "Have a good lunch, Doctors." In the Cafeteria The doctors slid their trays through checkout in silence. "Seems that Nurse Christy is going to be one hard nut to crack," began Dr. Maxwell as they sat down. "The security around here is almost as bad as at Langley." "Be careful with her or it will be your nuts that she cracks " Advised Dr. Kline. "How do you stand it here?" "When the Agency built this place, they wanted a small, secluded facility that was easy to protect and control,' explained Dr. Kline. "The town is small enough and isolated enough that we have almost total control. When you consider what we have done here, it's a small price. If you knew Christy's story, you'd understand her better. However, you are right. She is one tough cookie. Right now we have to help Cris. I've known Cris for five years. This gender change makes me have to stop and pick my words carefully. I've been their family physician all this time and love them like my very own. It's very important to me that this transition is made with as little disorientation as possible." "We have identified three leaks, and they are being neutralized as we speak," continued Dr. Kline. "We still won't know whether or not there is another. Since we cannot take the chance, the change is necessary. For everyone's protection, there must not be any glitches. Cris enjoyed being a boy. Now she can enjoy being the girl she was born to be." The entire room suddenly shook as a boom deafened them all momentarily "That was an explosion," exclaimed Dr. Kline, as he started moving away from the table. "We need to make sure Cris is safe. Let's go." At the Nurses station Nurse Christy was examining Cris' chart, when the tremendous explosion ripped the door off room 105. Across from the Nurses station a hole in the wall gaped where the door had been. The blast blew open the door to the station and knocked Christy down. Quickly reacting to the crisis, the young woman grabbed her Mack 10 from a cradle just below the bank of monitors and rushed with cautious haste toward the demolished room. Stepping through the doorway were three men in black uniforms, masks and body armor. Steadying her aim, with three round bursts, she took all three down with headshots, but in the process emptied her gun. Picking up a jagged wooden chair leg she stood beside the open door until a fourth man appeared. Grabbing his gun hand with her left, she plunges the chair leg into the neck of the man, ripping his esophagus and left carotid artery, flooding his lungs with his own blood. Shifting her grip from chair leg to assailant's gun hand, she broke his thumb, freeing his gun. A quick burst rips the fifth man from groin to left eye socket, spattering brain matter into the faces of the following men. After several short bursts, she was the only one left standing. With a quick look at the carnage, she picked up a replacement weapon, and checked its load. She then looked outside in time to see a non-descript white van at the curb. Nearby, a black Limo, with diplomatic plates, was just driving off. Only then did she become aware of her several minor wounds. Assailant number four had made a fairly good shield, but not perfect. Additional security personnel arrived. A Code One alert was broadcast to intercept the Limo and it's occupants. Though waved off, Dr. Kline immediately started to tend to Christy's wounds while directing additional personnel to check on the status of his patient. "Who is the senior person on site from security?" Inquired Dr. Kline. "I am, Doctor, Special Agent Brininger. We had no way of..." "I'm not placing blame." Instead Dr. Kline issued an order. "Take Dr. Maxwell into custody and hold him until I can interrogate him." The good doctor knew he was the only one who could have set this up. No one else knew. Confronted with inescapable fact, Dr. Maxwell pulled a gun and began shouting, "You're not going to take me anywhere!" Nurse Christy, with the automatic weapon still at her side, simply lifted the muzzle and squeezed off a burst. The burst, while short, caught Dr. Maxwell full in the chest. It ripped into his heart, lungs, and part of his backbone. Death came so quickly, that there was no time for even a random thought, let alone the time to answer questions. "You've been a busy girl, Christy." Remarked Dr. Kline. "I think we need to take care of those wounds, before you're allowed to go out and play with the boys again." "He certainly won't bother my nurses now." "Brininger." Commanded Dr. Kline. "Get me a secure communications link to the local Supervisor." The man just stood there looking at the young woman with open-mouth awe. "Do it now, Mister Brininger!" "Yes Sir." Brininger acknowledged. "Bill Williams is the Supervisor. He's on line now. You can use this radio, Sir!" "Bill? Inquired Dr. Kline. "Matt, here. We've had an incident here. It's under control, but we need a cover story and clean up. We need to ID the occupants of the Limo, but can't touch them otherwise. Use a crew that hasn't been visible, so that we have plausible deniability. After the stop, clear them out along with the equipment they use. No evidence traceable to us left behind. I doubt that there will be any protest, but follow procedure. Stop by, when you get a chance, for details." "Okay, Matt." Williams responded. "Already working on it, as we speak. I'll be by when I can break free. Do you have an idea for a cover?" "I think a faulty gas main explosion will cover it." Offered Dr. Kline. "Blame it on that faulty P1 plastic pipe. Listing that a visiting doctor, several construction workers were killed and a nurse injured. List that considerable damage was done to a vacant wing, currently under renovation. That should cover it for now. Our people in town will cover any holes in the story. Also send a crew to pick up the French's. Be ready for anything. The crisis is most likely over, but take no chances." Going over to the desk phone, Dr. Kline dials a number. "Phyllis, Matt Kline here. You need to come in, right now. I have a crew going out to pick up the kids. We've had an incident. Cris was not harmed and everything is under control. We need you here ASAP though. "All right, Matt. She answered. "I'll be there, in less than ten minutes. On my way, good-bye." "Good-bye, Phyllis." He closed the connection with a crisp snap of the cover They met later in Dr. Kline's Office: "...And that is what has just happened, Phyllis," explained Dr. Kline. "The kids are secure and they're on the way to a safe location. I've been suspicious of Dr. Maxwell for a while. We set up multiple blind information sources to eliminate possible leaks. Maxwell exposed himself by this attack. For that reason, I've taped all of Cris' sessions with him. I have the key words necessary to release Cris' hypnotic suggestions. Shall we go and take care of that right now?" "By all means." Obviously Phyllis was antsy. "Let's get this over with." "Without these key phrases for Cris it would take a long time to deprogram her." Explained Dr. Kline. "That would have caused Cris much more than a few sleepless nights." Back In Room 109: "MOMMA," I pleaded, "please make these people tell me what is going on. I'm so confused. Nothing makes sense anymore. It's like I'm two different people." "Please be patient for a few more minutes, Cris." A shudder rippled through me as Dr. Kline began. "We are here to clear up a lot of questions all the way around. To start I must say the keywords from Dr. Maxwell: E Pluribus Magastus Bonjour. It sounds odd, but it's a combination never likely to occur naturally. Phyllis, would you like to start?" "Cris Honey, listen carefully. Five years ago, there was a murder attempt on your parents. Your mother was killed instantly. Your father made it to a nearby house, but they were not able to do more than ease his pain and call for help. By the time medical help arrived, your father was gone. Fearing for your lives, your parents' employer sent you kids to the only known relative that was left to you. I was that person. You see, I'm not your real mother. I love you as my own, but I am not your real mother. Your father and I were twins, separated at birth, and kept separated by our parents. The Agency discovered the secret during your father's background check, but kept silent about it. When I was told of the situation I, of course, offered to help in any way that I could. While preparing to enter the Witness Protection Program, an attempt was made to kill all of us, but was narrowly spoiled. Realizing that the Witness Protection Program was an open book to persons unknown, the Agency decided to handle our disappearance instead. Is any of this awakening any memories for you now?" "Yes, it does," agreed Cris. "Now that vague feeling of something not quite right is gone. While it's true, Momma, that you are not my real Mother, I couldn't love you more than I already do. For what you have done and been to us we will always love you." "Let me explain some more that you may never have known, continued Phyllis. "Since it was obvious how much information they had available, it was necessary to change as much about us as we could. That was when you came up with the idea of you passing as a boy. Yes, you have always been a girl. Well, more a tomboy, than a girl. Dr. Maxwell used hypnotic suggestions to help you stay in role. This has caused you a lot of confusion in the last few days. We also discovered that we couldn't afford to delay puberty for very much longer, without adverse effects. When you had your accident, we knew that this was an opportune time to end this part of the charade. We had to start you on a low dose of female hormones to put your delayed puberty back on track. It was only possible to slow it because you were a willing subject. Now we have to undo what we did. And with that in mind, we need to know what it was that so upset you that you had to be sedated. If you don't remember yet, your name is Michelle French." "I'm embarrassed to tell you why I was so upset." I said. "You already know most of it. Everything I saw and heard referred to a change in sex. Now I realize, it was just reverting to the true me. I do have a few questions that are still bothering me. 'VAL'S House of Corsets'. Why a corset maker? Don't they make medical rib support garments without going to a corset maker?" "Actually," explained Dr. Kline, "yes there are makers of surgical support garments. However, it takes several weeks to have one custom made and there are none within 500 miles. Ms. Luebke is a local manufacturer with a superior product, produced in a timely manner. She was more than happy to supply the local area hospitals with garments that were custom made, of a higher quality, cheaper and weeks sooner than anyone else could deliver." "Things are becoming clearer as I look back over the past few days." I said thoughtfully. "I understand needing a wig now, but what about the comment about the clothes not fitting. Oh, yes. The part about not wearing pants anymore?" "With your bandages," said Phyllis; "you couldn't possibly fit into any clothes that you have now. You have spent the last five years being a boy. It is now time for you to learn how to be a young lady. The days of being a young hooligan are over, today. With a little help, you will soon blossom into the beautiful girl that has been hidden inside." "The truth is slowly starting to seep into my head," I sighed. "I'm sure there will be times of confusion, but I think I can handle it from now on. I love you, Momma. Thank you for everything." "If we've answered all of your questions," stated Phyllis, "we have a few of our own. Why were you so freaked out when you woke up? It wasn't all the gender confusion that we just finished talking about. So what was it?" "Well," I began, now one very embarrassed Michelle, "while on the Internet, I found a story site. After reading quite a few of the stories there, I was sure that I could write better ones. I still am! In fact, I actually wrote one. It was a very short story but they actually posted it. While in the operating room, I was trying to write another story in my head. It was that confusion of story and real life that caused me to freak." "Michelle." Phyllis said firmly. "You are not answering the question completely. What kind of stories would cause you to react that way?" Part Four: Payback "MOMMA, DON'T MAKE ME ANSWER THAT QUESTION!!!" Michelle cried with tearful desperation. "Phyllis!!!" cautioned Dr. Kline. "She's getting too agitated for this. If this continues, I'll have to sedate her." "Please, Doctor Kline," Michelle begged sniffling. "Don't do that. I'll remain calm. I can! Honest! Just don't ask me to answer that question. At least not right now, Momma." "Okay, dear," said Phyllis, "but you realize that pretty soon you will have to give me a better answer." "Yes MOMMA," replied Michelle resignedly, "I know. Just, not right now. Please?" The telling would be tough, but she would manage after she talked with Michael! (PA system): Dr. Kline, phone call at the nurse's station. DR Kline, phone call at the nurse's station. "Well," said Dr. Kline "I'll answer that while you two straighten things out." "We'll be just fine here." Said Phyllis. "Michelle and I need to have a long talk anyway. It's been a long time since we had a true Mother/Daughter heart-to-heart.' Her mother 'dismissed' him with an over-exaggerated imperial wave and smile. "Off with you then, so that we can have some privacy." While mother and daughter chatted in the room, plans were being initiated. At The Nurse's Station: "Hello, this is Doctor Kline. Oh, Hi... Yes, she's fine. It could have been a real disaster, if not for Christy. She saved our bacon today. I'm recommending her for the Medal of Valor. We almost blew it. We should have known better... Are you sure this is the right time for that? I realize that he is the closest that he has ever been, but now? Yes, I agree, this was just too close. I'll take the blame for that... Yes we can start the ball rolling on PAYBACK. Now, if that is what you want. I'll make a call after we hang-up. No, Christy will be fine with a few days bed rest. You would be proud of the way she chopped them up and spit them out. No, that is where I really screwed up. I didn't take into account all the foibles of men and Maxwell in particular. Too bad, I'm going to find out what kind of hold they had on him. They will pay for what they have done, and soon. Good-bye, and be careful." Dr. Kline dials another number "This is Kline. Is the Limo still in the area? OK. Start Payback now, I say start Payback now. No mess- ups. Do what you have to do, to shut down any outgoing communications from that Limo. The clock starts now, with no time extensions. Do it right the first time. We won't have a second chance. Do it wrong and innocent blood will be shed. Notify me if anything goes wrong, or when they are in the bag." Michelle's Room: "Hello Cris, or should I say Michelle? Said a voice. "All alone? How are you feeling?" Looking toward the voice, Michelle responded. "Hello Nurse Christy. Mother left just a little while ago. What happened to you? Are you okay? When did you decide to try being a patient here?" "You had some unwanted visitors." Explained Nurse Christy with a grimace. "I heard a lot of noise as I was waking up from Dr. Kline's last sedative but I have no clue what it was about." "I had to explain to them that visiting hours were over. They wouldn't take NO for an answer, so I had to evict them." "Don't feed me a bunch of manure like that," retorted Michelle. "You're not bandaged like that from just a simple catfight. Something has been going on here, but no one wants to admit it. Spill it. Everything that has been happening seems to revolve around my family or me somehow. If my family is involved, I deserve to know what has been happening, and why. Does this still involve the attacks from 5 years ago?" "Slow down girl." Nurse Christy cautioned her youthful charge. "I just stopped by to see how you were this evening. All the rest of it, you will have to talk to your Mother and Dr. Kline. Are you all straightened out now, on whom you are? You may not remember, but we've known each other for a long time. From now on, just call me Christy. Everyone else does." "Nurse Christy," growled Dr. Kline as he walked into the room, "what are you doing out of bed? You were ordered to bed for the next 24 hours. Why aren't you there? Not only are you violating my orders for your care, but bothering one of the other patients to boot. You have been a nurse long enough to know the doctors orders are law." "Chill Doc!" Nurse Christy said, "I was only checking on my patient. I couldn't rest until I knew she was resting okay. I was just about to toddle off to my own room, as it was. By the way Michelle, it's across the hall, Room 108. Visit me, if they will allow it." "Okay, Nur... er, Christy." Replied Michelle. "I'll visit you as soon as they will let me." Dr. Kline's Office: "Hello. This is Dr. Kline. Yes... Good... Any problems? Excellent. Remember that no drugs can be used on him. He has an allergic reaction to damn near everything but water, and water is just speculation. We have only a few days to set this up, or we lose this opportunity completely. I'll check in later. Christy will be needed for this later, but she needs rest first. Okay. Yes, I know that I can trust you to handle this. Remember that you were hand picked for this job, and I've always trusted her choices completely. Good night, I will be by in the morning to observe." Without hanging up, he broke the connection and then re-dialed. "Hello. Kline here. They're in the bag. No snags. We should start having results sometime tomorrow. I'll have a car pick you up. Okay. Four P.M. will be fine. Good night." With a thoughtful look at the receiver, the man hung it up and then strode purposefully from the office and made his way towards his patient's room. "How is my patient tonight?" asked Dr. Kline as he walked into Nurse Christy's room. "Resting comfortably?" "Let me out of here, Doc." Christy begged. "There's nothing wrong with me. I'm going stir crazy here already." "No, you stay here for the night," ordered the Doctor. "I have some work for you tomorrow on PAYBACK." At her look of sudden interest, he nodded. "Yes. It's started." "Okay, Doc," replied Nurse Christy in resignation. "I'll be a good patient. Oh uh, Doc? What can I tell Michelle?" "You can tell her about you and your family, of course," said the Doctor thoughtfully. "Also, you can talk about anything after, but nothing before the Witness Protection fiasco. Even that may come out soon, but not yet. You get a good nights rest. We really need you tomorrow. However, the doctor in me wants you to have more bed rest. Do you have any pain or discomfort? I can prescribe something more if you need it, or something to help you to get to sleep." "There is some minor pain left but not bad." She replied. "I want to remain clear-headed just in case I'm needed. I had to pull rank, to get them to leave my weapon here." With a sigh, the Doctor responded. "You can't be on duty 24/7 Christy. You have to rest sometime." "When it comes to his family, I'll do what I have too." She asserted forcefully. "I wouldn't have a sister without him, and he has suffered so much because of that." "All right then, see you tomorrow," said Dr. Kline. "I'll check those sutures and dressings tomorrow afternoon. Until then, stay in bed, or at least take it easy. It may be a long night tomorrow. Good night, Christy." "Good night Doc." The next morning: "Is anybody home?" Michelle called poking her head through the open doorway. "Oh, Michelle," responded Christy. "Good morning. I see they let you out of your cage." "Escaped is more like it." Michelle replied. "I wasn't told I couldn't visit, so here I am. Christy... uh... You said we've known each other for a long time, but I... uh... well, I don't seem to remember you. Would you... uh... could you please tell me what you know about all this... this mess? Please?" "I can't tell you all that I know," began Christy. "Some of the story is still classified. Part of it, is not for me to tell you. Although I've been told that, that time is coming soon, also. However, maybe I can tell you enough