Delta Sodality - Chapter 4 Loose Ends free porn video

Chapter 4 - Loose Ends "What is the status" said the mildly eastern European voice on the other end of the encrypted satellite phone. The NSA was too good at intercepting all communications, so Kristina needed to be extra careful. "We were able to get the two subjects out of the lab. The...doctor," she paused not wanting to use names or pronouns just in case, "was becoming uncooperative. The medical team sedated, and we were able to extricate from building later that night." "And the other?" the voice said, clearly trying to quell the anger in his voice. "Well. That person is here with me resting. Taking it rather well actually." "And the other doctor?" "Sent home and told that we would meet at the office in the morning and to act as though nothing had happened. It will be up to your man to make sure the security team keeps this all under wraps," she concluded, assuming he would know she meant Phil the CEO. "He has been instructed. You should have no issues in the morning. I am sending a clean up team. We will remove the two affected." "No!" she said quickly glancing at Rowan resting on her couch. "I mean, do what you need to do with the doctor, but we need the other person. We'll need to study them to see how the solution affects them over time. It will be important in understanding how best to use it in the future." The line was silent. She wasn't sure why she intervened, but it didn't seem right for the poor boy. Plus, she did want to study him. "Agreed. The one with you is your responsibility. Failure will be met with severe consequences," the voice said dangerously. "Do you have what you need for the formula?" "I believe so, but I'll need a day or two with the, er, creator to make certain." "Understood." The line went dead. Kristina was no shrinking violet, but these people didn't fuck around either and they always made her nervous. She looked at Rowan on the couch, her chest rising as falling peacefully, unaware that her life was just saved. Kristina studied her face as she dozed. Whatever the compound had done to Rowan, she was now stunningly beautiful with high cheek bones, soft creamy skin and delicate feminine features. Just Kristina's type. *** "I don't understand, where are they? We need to begin studying them. We need blood and tissue samples as soon as we can get them to compare them to the ones from yesterday after the accident." "Jill, relax. We can't very well have them running around the lab, now can we?" Kristina asked, trying to calm the excited researcher. "Here are Rowan's samples," she said turning around to her desk and grabbing a few vials of hair and blood samples along with three mouth swab kits. She handed the samples to Dr. Juno. "And Dr. Teiresias's samples will be here in a little while from the medical team." "I still don't understand, who are those two doctors? Where did they come from and how are we going to keep them from letting the cat out of the bag?" "All I know is they are Phil Krause's team so not to worry." "That makes sense. He called me this morning and said everything would be fine. That he would take care of everything," Jill explained. "I didn't have the heart to tell him we'd be leaving here with the formula," she continued, eyeing her compatriot with a wry smile. Katrina smiled and winked, maintaining the ruse. "If you only knew" she thought to herself. Jill took the samples examining each closely. "These will work well," she said turning for the door. She grabbed the door handle pulling it open as she looked back over her shoulder at Kristina "I'll set up the sample sets so we can compare and contrast..." Jill turned to walk through the door and yelped as she ran into what she assumed was a wall. A very solid looking gentleman dressed in black with a black leather jacket, took the force of their bodies colliding as if she were a small bug. "Oh, my goodness, I'm so sorry," exclaimed Jill as she looked up into his eyes, startled. What she saw in his eyes unsettled her immediately. It was as though all feeling, all compassion had been drained from the man and all that was left was a steely, icy gaze. His dark eyes seemed to pierce through her, and she reflexively held her breathe as though expecting some sort of visceral physical reaction from the man. "You are Dr. Therapon?" the man asked, his baritone voice seeming to resonate down the hall. "ah, no... no she's Dr. Therapon," Jill stuttered, taking a step back and toward the door to allow him entrance. "Can I help you?" asked Kristina "I'm here to deliver these," said the man in a thick eastern European accent. He extracted a bag containing vials of blood and tissue samples. "...and to make sure everything is under control." With that he affixed his gaze onto Kristina. "Oh, Dr. Teiresias's samples," Jill said in a bright tone as if forgetting the imposing figure standing in front of her. "I'll take those," she finished smiling at the man. His thick hand extended toward Dr. Juno, the bag of samples comically small in his maw. "Thank you," she replied. "I'll just sneak by you and take these all to the lab." Dr. Juno waited for the man to step into the room and moved passed as he did, hurrying to the lab down the hall. The man watched her go and closed the door behind her. "I'm Minos. You know who I am." "Yes, I've heard of you," she said, understanding from both his reputation and his presence the man was dangerous. "Then you know not to fuck with me, or you will disappear," he said moving toward her until he was just in front of her. She said nothing but studied him. He wasn't tall so much as thick. Everything about him from his neck to his hands to his bald head, all just seemed thicker and denser than normal. She imagined him in some rathskeller bar in her hometown in Germany, drinking dark lager with the skinheads. He closed the last of the distance between them and glared down at her. His mass seemed incalculably larger than hers as he faced her, and she felt helpless in his orbit. She hadn't thought to round her desk and now she was trapped, pinned in effect against the front of her workstation. "You are pretty girl," he said reaching up to stroke her cheek, his thick accent rolling the syllables from his tongue. "Perhaps I show you what a real man is." She was frozen, stunned really that any man would be so brazen. His thick hands were so close to her small neck it made her skin crawl, though the smell of cabbage on his breath may have well done her in by itself. Her mind raced as she thought of how to extricate herself. She moved to her right to try to crawl out from his looming figure, but he leaned to his left as if to block her. "I'd rather you not. I'm sure you have more pressing matters to take care of." Minos looked into her eyes and as she met his gaze, she saw not an icy stare but a fire, like he was on the hunt and just found his prey. A shiver went down her spine and she began searching the room for potential weapons. A knock at the door broke the icy tension. "Come in," she replied quickly, eager for any interruption. Phil Krause pushed open the door and was startled to see the man, Minos, standing before Kristina, dwarfing her. He also knew immediately who he was. He closed the door behind him and took a few steps into the office. "You're the man from Delta, yes?" "That is correct," Minos replied dead panned. Kristina took that moment to move around the boulder of a man and took up a spot of relative safety next to Phil. "Good, we should talk next steps." "Yes, that is why I am here." "Phil, this is Minos," she said gesturing toward the human boulder. Both men sized each other up without saying a word. "Well, good, then I'll leave you two, ah...to it while I assist Dr. Juno in the lab," replied Kristina, relieved to find her exit. She bid them farewell and left her office with a noticeable deftness. While one could consider her a spy, she was no James Bond, able to use physicality to protect herself. By her reckoning, not being in the room with the dangerous people was the best path toward longevity. "What is your plan then," Phil asked the man. "I will clean up. The lady-man doctor I took care of this morning. I brought samples to that lady," he said gesturing to the door as if Kristina were just beyond it. "I will go next to the lady boy and make him disappear." His tone betrayed no emotion, unsettling Phil. He had not attained the role of CEO by being a pushover, but he was also keenly aware that this was a man who killed people for a living. "No, the boy, er... "girl", stays alive for now. If, as you say, Dr. Teiresias is... ah, no longer with us...then we'll need to keep the girl around for a while, the foreseeable future for sure, to insure we understand the effects of the compound on the human body. If it kills him, sorry, I mean "her", for example, then we'll need to study the causes so that we know how best to use the formula." Phil wasn't sure if Minos didn't understand or didn't care but his expression never changed. He stared at the man waiting for a reply that was rapidly becoming apparent was never going to come. "So, don't kill anyone until we say so." "What about the lab doctor?" "Kristina? Why would you even ask that? Of course not!" he replied worried this guy might just kill the lot of them. "No. Other lab doctor. Juno" "Oh, yes, right. Once Kristina is clear on how to synthesize the compounds and substrates, Juno will no longer be valuable. I believe Kristina mentioned she'd need a day or two to review everything and just confirm she knows all the procedures and materials needed to produce the compounds without Dr. Juno." Phil spoke as confidently as he could, but it was clear to Minos this man had never had to take these kinds of decisions before. "I will keep eye on Dr. Juno. Our mutual friends expect no loose ends and no mistakes. Tell your Kristina she has 48 hours." Minos kept his eyes on Krause as he moved passed him toward the door. Forty-eight hours was longer than he liked to give someone once he was directed to terminate them, but he also knew if he acted prematurely and these science geeks couldn't make their miracle serum work, he'd pay the price. He left the door open as he went back down the hallway. *** "Rowan, I'm back," Kristina called out, closing the apartment door behind her. Her apartment in an upscale area of town was clearly beyond a researcher's means but she had both created a back story, housing allowance from Octa, and frankly, just didn't care. She may have been a plant in Octa Genomics, but she was also a person who had to live her life. She wouldn't 'slum it' just to play a part, especially one that could take years. She'd take the risk. Kristina put her keys in the dish on the small table in the foyer and walked past the stairs and the formal front room down the hall toward the kitchen and family room beyond. As she came into the kitchen, Rowan rose from the couch in the family room, muting the TV as she did. "Hey, ehem..." she said, clearing her throat again as if she could change the alto of her voice. "I was just watching the news." "How was today, any new developments?" Kristina asked scanning her. "Well, the Israeli Prime Minister is in hot water again but otherwise it seems a pretty light news day," Rowan replied. "Ha! No! I meant with you. Come here and let me see you." Kristina had been legitimately worried about how Rowan's body would react over time with the solution Dr. Juno had created. It had only been three days, but she showed no signs of deterioration or continued mutation. They had had a series of scans the day before, discretely, with no medical records recorded, to see what internal issues may have been created. Everything showed that she was a normal woman in her early twenties. There was literally no trace of Rowan the man in any of the scans or tests. Rowan came into the bright lights of the kitchen and Kristina studied her up close. Skin, eyes, body mass, everything seemed fine. More particularly, she was gorgeous, as though the latent woman in Rowan was always going to be a knock-out but had lost the genetic lottery and become a man. To amplify the point it seemed, she had lost somewhere around forty pounds in the first two days making her slim and trim to boot. Kristina had quickly noted how attracted to Rowan the woman she was but had also resigned herself to the fact that there may be little she could do to act on those feelings. "How do you feel today?" "Stir crazy." "What a relief that's all you feel," Kristina said sincerely. She had always liked Rowan. He, now she, had always been a good worker, diligent, earnest and punctual. He was clearly incredibly intelligent and was impressed by how much he seemed to know as only an undergraduate. In all, he had taken his internship seriously and she respected him for it. She took a step back and looked at Rowan with her perfect bone structure and killer figure. She seemed almost perfect save the fact that her hair had not magically grown out and was still mostly styled as Rowan did. It was longer than most men's hair, down to the middle of his neck, but it was at that sort of weird length for a woman. It needed to be styled or she would get the wrong sort of attention from other women, mainly pity. Kristina reached up and ran her fingers through Rowan's hair. "I think we need to do something about this, Rowan. Your old hair style doesn't really flatter you anymore. Would you be open to going and seeing someone? At a salon, I mean?" "You think I should get my hair done?" Rowan asked almost incredulously. "Well, yeah. I do. Look, we both know it's going to be some time before we can reverse this... "If you can reverse this," Rowan cut in. "...Yes, if we can reverse this," Kristina replied softly. She knew she should tread lightly here so as not to upset Rowan. All things considered, she was taking things rather well. Kristina half expected her to flip out and trash the place at any moment, but to her credit, Rowan had managed to keep fear and anxiety at bay. They had had several very candid and long talks over the last couple of days and Rowan seemed emotionally stable at this point. It was actually quite impressive. "Listen, let me make an appointment with my stylist. We can go talk to her and if you think it's good, we'll have her do your hair and if not, no worries, we can leave it like it is." Rowan turned away from her and stepped into the half bath off the kitchen to look at herself in the mirror above the sink. She took in her reflection, turning her head side to side. Kristina came to the door and leaned on the door frame watching her. Rowan tried using her fingers to restyle her hair a new way but without a brush, and with no idea of exactly what she was trying to do, the hair just became messy, falling around her head haphazardly. It was apparent to her that Kristina was right. Her hair did not suit her face or her overall appearance. "What would the stylist do do you think?" she asked, still studying her reflection. "Well, there are lots of things she could do, just depending on what you want. She could shorten everything, give you a sort of pixie cut, or she could probably just layer it, get it set so you can grow it out if you want," she said stepping close and again running her hands through Rowan's hair. "Yeah, she could cut it and layer it to frame your face a little better. Women's hair has to do a lot more work for us than men's hair has to do for a guy. You can't really get away with throwing some gel in and heading out the door." Rowan looked into her eyes in the mirror's reflection and Kristina winked and smiled. Her own hair came down to just past her shoulders and was a stylish, sandy blonde that she had highlighted to lighten it even more. She came close, still looking at Rowan in the mirror and put her hands on each shoulder. "I promise, she won't do anything you don't want, and it will look miles better than this. It will look and feel really different to you though, so you'll just have to be prepared mentally for one more change. I know that's a lot to ask but if you trust me, you'll find it's a lot better." She smiled at Rowan again, rubbing her shoulders. She imagined turning Rowan around and kissing her but dared not add to the stress level Rowan was undoubtedly already under. She broke eye contact and looked down at Rowan's shirt. She had been borrowing Kristina's t-shirts for the last couple of days, but she'd have to get her own clothes soon. "What do you say we do some shopping as well, hmm? I girl can always use more clothes!" she explained brightly. They both turned and walked back into the kitchen. "I have a whole closet full of clothes already, I'm sure I can salvage what I need." "Rowan, you understand literally none of that stuff is going to fit you, right? Sure, save your favorite concert t-shirt or whatever but you'll be swimming in your casual stuff or filling them out in all the wrong places and your nicer clothes are basically useless. You can't wear your button-down shirts or your jackets," she continued. "And shoes!" she exclaimed, almost excitedly. "Oh Rowan, the world of shoes and clothing is opening up to you! Wait until you see all the wonderful things that will fit you now! I'm so jealous! We can go get you so many great things and I promise," she said noticing the pained expression on her face, "we'll take it slow. Just jeans and t-shirts, maybe a sweater. How does that sound." "I haven't had any issues with these clothes," she said looking down at the designer t-shirt Kristina had lent her. "I know, and they are great," Kristina said again coming close and looking her in the eye. "but you'll have to have your own stuff at some point Rowan, and you'll have to get bras that fit you as well," she said gesturing to Rowan's chest. Rowan was not quite two cup sizes bigger in her breasts than Kristina who had always been small in the chest. She'd found a sports bra in the back of her drawer that was too big for her and had given it to Rowan. She noted that Rowan was not wearing that bra currently, however. "Rowan, you are aware that it is very easy to tell when a woman isn't wearing a bra, right?" "What? Why?" "Well, your nipples outline the fabric, especially if the material is thinner like you have on now. I don't care what you wear in the house, it doesn't bother me, but you wouldn't want to go out in that shirt without a bra on. "I know, but it just mashes my chest in, and it got a little uncomfortable," Rowan replied looking down at her chest but making no attempt to hide her breasts. "Well, that's why we need to get you your own bras. Fitted properly." Kristina moved back over to her handbag and pulled out her phone. She checked the time and figured the salon would still be open. Tracing through her contacts she found her stylist's contact and got her on the second ring. As it turned out, she had an opening on Friday for Rowan to come in. "Ok, you're all set. I can go with you and help you through the decision of what to do. Your hair as it is now is going to get some questions, so I'll help you through them. OK. Let's go get you some clothes and get some dinner, what do you say?" "Oh, I don't know Kristina, maybe we should just stay here. I don't know if I want anyone to see me." Kristina stood and studied Rowan again. "What are you afraid they will see Rowan? You're a stunning woman. Yes, your hair is a little off and the clothes aren't a great fit, but we can fix that after the first store. Come on, it will be fun and a good chance for you to become familiar with girl bonding. Besides, you have to get out of house at some point." "I don't know...what if people stare at me or, worse, what if a guy hits on me? Oh god..." she said as though the realization of men finding her attractive had just hit her. "Well so what if they do? Look, you're a woman now. Legitimately, you're a woman. Half the population is also, so no one is going to see you as anything other than a normal woman. As to the men, yes, that is going to happen. You're very attractive and you can't help that, so you just need to own it. Most men will leave you alone and I'll take care of any that won't, ok?" Rowan stared at her with a look of trepidation and dread. It was very cute Kristina thought. "Come on! Get that bra on and let's go." The Shops at Liberty Place was the perfect spot for them, an easy walk from Kristina's Rittenhouse Square brownstone. Casual clothes shops abounded, and an exquisite, upscale dinner spot was just down the street. The first stop was one Rowan was dreading but had to be done. Kristina walked her into Victoria's Secret and took her straight to an oversized table with an assortment of bras and panties. "Ok, we'll start just by looking and getting a sense of what you are interested in. You're the one who has to wear them so you should pick the fabrics, colors and patterns you like. I would suggest solid to begin with. Once you've got some in mind, we'll ask the assistant to fit you. Trust me, it will save you back pain and uncomfort." "Oh man, seriously. Did we have to start here?" "Rowan, of course we do. That one bra doesn't fit you and it is going to get smelly soon," Kristina replied, still noticing her frown. "Ok, look. You're a future scientist. I want you to look at this whole outing as a large-scale experiment. You are learning about the female of the species through how they present themselves ok? All these clothes and outfits are just data points for you to collect. You can worry about being embarrassed when the experiment is over." While that didn't solve the problem, it certainly helped and the more Rowan tried to look at it that way, the easier the shopping got. They left Victoria's Secret with a few garments, pajamas and a robe and 10 bras and panties of varying colors and fabrics, choices for almost all occasions. Kristina had teased Rowan a couple of times holding up racier ensembles and elicited the expected reaction, contempt and embarrassment in equal parts. Really, Kristina was imagining Rowan in the outfits, enjoying the mental images. Next, they explored various chain outlets, Express, J Crew and Abercrombie before finishing up in Bloomingdales. To Kristina's word she kept Rowan mostly to jean's and casual tops, collecting a few pieces in each store. When they got to Bloomingdales, they could finish off the small wardrobe with the missing pieces, a jacket, a couple of handbags, socks and belts. That left only shoes. "Now, we need to get you several pairs so you'll have what you need for walking around or going to class, etc.... Flats, sneakers, sandals, boots if you like them and maybe a slightly dressier pump or two. I'll spare you the heels for now, but just a little womanly advice, the sooner you learn to walk in them the better." Rowan was particularly engaged at this point as she liked the challenge of trying to figure out what shoe would go with the greatest number of her new outfits. She cycled through several mathematical concepts thinking there could be a statistical model she could build before Kristina finally stopped her. "Shoes are about how you feel, not a statistical probability of how they will match, though matching is important. Try them on. Do they feel ok? Do they look ok to your eye? Women's shoes aren't practical, they are little torture devices. They torture you and your feet if you're unlucky and they torture those around you, mostly other women, who wish they had them or who wished they looked as good in them as you are going to look." Sensing this would be a big evening for her, the saleswoman for the shoe department, Sheela, had latched on to them quickly. Rowan tried on more than thirty pairs of shoes, collecting a veritable mountain of shoe boxes around her spot. Finally, when all was said and done, they had seven pairs of shoes from lace up Nike running shoes to casual loafers. The saleswoman had even convinced her to get one pair of three-inch black patent leather pumps that "would go with any outfit". Kristina had been surprised and delighted, proud even, at the courage Rowan was showing in agreeing to one of the most quintessential shows of femininity. As they waited at the register to pay, Rowan's eye wandered over to the next department and fell upon a cocktail dress worn by a store mannequin. She wasn't sure why, but she couldn't stop glancing at it. Kristina followed her eye and had an idea. "Excuse me, Sheela," she asked, addressing the store clerk as she rang them up. "Yes, hun. What can I help you with?" "Oh, Sheela, before we are done, could we see that dress," she said pointing to the mannequin, "in a size 4 please?" "Certainly, let me go get one off the rack. Would you like to try it on?" she asked. "Yes," replied Kristina. "I think my friend should try it on." "Excellent," Sheela replied and headed off to find he garment. "What are you doing Kristina, I thought you said jeans and t-shirts." "I did but that was before I saw you eye fucking that dress over there!" she giggled. "Just try it on so you can see. Wait until you feel this against your skin you won't want to take it off, I promise." Rowan looked worried so Kristina continued. "Look it will only take two seconds to try it on. Besides, consider it research, like I said. You've been doing so great what will one more outfit matter?" Rowan stood there thinking until the clerk came back holding the dress. It was a knee length, black satin fit and flare dress with a body- skimming fit through the bust and waist before the skirt flared out. The V-shaped neckline and sleeveless cut allowed for a lot of skin. "Shall I show you the dressing rooms," Sheela asked. "That would be great," jumped in Kristina before Rowan could respond. "And here, take these with you," she said handing her the shoebox with the black pumps. "Ah...thanks," Rowan replied giving her a contemptuous look as she followed Sheela to the ladies dressing room. It didn't take Rowan long to put on the dress and shoes and step out of the dressing area to a set of large mirrors where Kristina and Sheela were waiting. "Oh...wow," said Kristina putting her hand to her mouth surprised. "Oh, honey that dress was made for you!" Sheela gushed, her enthusiasm genuine. "It's alright?" Rowan asked, tugging at the whisper blue bra that peered out from the dress's low neckline. She tentatively stepped to the mirror in her heels, careful not to twist an ankle. "It is more that alright!" Kristina exclaimed, agog at the creature that had emerged from the fitting area. Rowan looked at herself in the mirror and was equally stunned by the vision she saw there. Kristina had been right, the feel of the dress on her had been foreign and sobering as she moved in it; she could feel the air flowing under the flared skirt. But it also made her feel dangerous and alive, like she was wearing something forbidden. And if the feeling of the dress was exquisite, the look of her in it was sensational. To Rowan, Sheela may have been exactly right. To this point in her life, she had never worn any article of clothing that fit her so well or looked so natural and alluring on her. This was Rowan's first understanding of the power of women's fashion and it floored her. "Oh...wow," she said, repeating Kristina. The three women stood there with their thoughts; Rowan's a growing sense of love for the outfit, Kristina's a growing sense of attraction, and Sheela's a growing sense that her evenings commissions were going to be much better than she expected today. "How do you feel," Kristina asked softly, breaking the spell of the three women. She couldn't believe the transformation this dress had created. Rowan went from a tom boyish girl with a wild, unkempt look to a runway model with the wrong bra and unkempt hair. "I'm not sure I can describe it," responded Rowan still in a bit of a daze. She twisted left than right letting the hem of the skirt float out around her. The dress settled nicely over her long smooth legs which in turn tapered down to lovely black heels. "I think I love it," was all Rowan could muster. "Honey, if I could look anything like what you look like in that dress, I'd buy 10 of them," said Sheela encouraging her. "You'll have the men twisted around your finger in in that number." "...Or women," thought Kristina. "You have to get that dress Rowan. I mean holy cow! You have to get that dress," Kristina cooed at her. "I don't know. It's $300," Rowan said trying to keep her voice down in front of Sheela. "Oh, don't you worry about that, honey. I can use my discount code. Your friend here is right, you have to have that dress. And those shoes just bring it all together. Simple, elegant and sexy." "See, it's on "sale"," said Kristina turning to Sheela and winking. "Besides, you're not paying." "Do you really think so?" asked Rowan, clearly vacillating as she ran her hands down the dress, pulling here and there to fit. Kristina came close, again looking in the mirror at Rowan. "Look we can get a better bra for this," she said motioning to the powder blue that disrupted the V-neck of the dress. "A black strapless bra that goes with the dress and we are going to take care of your hair tomorrow. This dress demands a better hair style!" she said laughing and running her had lightly through Rowan's hair. "Then you will look perfect in that dress, like you came off the cover of a magazine." "What do you think Rowan?" Rowan paused before a huge smile spread across her face. "I think you're right. This was the ultimate data point! Let's get it." Kristina continued to look on at the smiling Rowan. Her own smile fading as she thought for a moment. Was it too soon? "There is one other thing that might make this look even better..." "What, like stockings or something?" asked Rowan returning her gaze to the mirrors. "With those legs, no way," replied Kristina a little to eagerly. "I mean, no...I was thinking your face," she said softly but knowingly. Rowan knew immediately what she was thinking but held out hope she wouldn't say it. "What do you mean?" "Perhaps we could swing by the makeup counter and see what they could do. You should be allowed to see this look in its full glory. What do you think?" Many things ran through Rowan's mind simultaneously. Had she asked the question before Rowan had tried on this dress, Rowan would have said no, emphatically. But seeing herself now in the mirror, looking like a woman of Rowan's high school wet dreams, she actually thought that she'd like to see what she could look like in her feminine best. If the exercise this afternoon and evening had done anything it had helped Rowan realize that she would actually look less like a freak if she wore these clothes and styled herself a bit. She would stand out less if she played along. She would also be lying if she said part of her wasn't thrilled to look so attractive. Rowan the boy and man was cute in a nerdy way. Rowan the woman was truly stunning. Make up would only accentuate the positives. "You know what, in the spirit of science...why not!" "Really!? You will? Oh, that's wonderful Rowan, good for you," Kristina said, remembering to encourage her. "Tell you what," chimed in Sheela, "I'll get you rung up here and keep that dress in the dressing room for you. You put your street clothes on, so you don't get any makeup on it while they fix you up. Then come back here and we'll get you back in the dress for the big reveal." "That would be wonderful, thank you Sheela," said Kristina. Rowan carefully walked back to the dressing room in her new heels and changed back into her original clothes. While they waited, Kristina gave Sheela the credit card and asked her for a favor. Soon Sheela was walking the two down to the cosmetics department one floor below. She introduced them to one of her colleagues named Darius who introduced himself with a flourish. She explained about the dress and the plan to see what Rowan would look like with a makeover and told the two women that he was the best. His own makeup was plentiful but flawless. As if sensing Rowan's growing apprehension at looking at him, he quickly put her at ease. "Darling I'm not going to weigh that pretty face down with mud and spackle. You are too gorgeous to hide those looks behind paint. Let me show you the power of a smokey eye and a smoldering lip, then we'll scoot you back upstairs to get that dress on." Kristina jumped in to ensure all would go well and told Darius that Rowan wasn't much of a makeup girl yet, but was in the mood to change her style. "Well, aren't we all, honey?" he said in a friendly tone. "Darling we'll make you fabulous in no time, not to worry!" "Great," said Kristina. "Rowan," she started coming close to her ear. "I'm going to pop back up and have a look around for myself. All this shopping has gotten me in the mood to get myself something. You seem to be in good hands with Darius. He won't do anything garish or over the top, I promise." "Scouts honor," chimed in Darius holding up three fingers. "Ok, I guess I'll meet you upstairs then?" asked Rowan. "Perfect. See you in a bit." Kristina headed back to the escalators as Rowan took her spot on the stool at the makeup counter. Darius set about immediately moisturizing and preparing her skin. Soon the moisturizing foundation was in place, set lightly by some powder and he began in earnest on Rowan's eyes. True to his word he gave her a stunning, smokey eye that seemed to pull the green out of her pupils. The coup de grace was a smoldering red lip. "Wow. Girl, you look too good. It's just not fair to the other ladies. Do you really never wear makeup?" he asked seriously, as though the benefit were so obvious as to be self-evident. "I just...well I guess you could say I never really had the opportunity," Rowan replied sardonically, still studying herself in the small mirror on the counter. "Well honey, you better start finding some things to do because WOW." "You really think so?" "Mmm hmm. Now come on, let's get your stuff together and get you into that dress." It is customary to buy a few of the product used in the makeover and Rowan chose the red lip color, a shade called "Pourpre d'or", the mascara and the eye shadow, all of which went on the tab upstairs. Darius, Rowan's new best friend, made sure to come upstairs with her to find Sheela and add the three items to the total. Rowan was keenly aware that she had something on her face. Her lashes felt heavy, and she could see the eyeliner in her peripheral vision. She was petrified to touch her face and make a mess. She hadn't really liked the process, especially the eyeliner, but the outcome really was remarkable. She found that she really couldn't wait to try the dress back on with her new look. "Honey, I know Darius is an artist, but you really are stunning," Sheela said earnestly. "Thank you," Rowan replied shyly, trying to take the compliment and failing. "Let me take you back to your dress. I put a black strapless bra in there too, make sure you put that on first. And the shoes. Don't you dare come out without the shoes!" she exclaimed. They both said goodbye to Darius and Rowan was surprised and pleased to get a hug and two air kisses from him before he headed back to his counter. Rowan looked around but Kristina was nowhere to be found. Rowan again had no difficulty pulling the dress up her body. The new bra had a dramatic affect in that it could no longer be seen disrupting the lines of the dress and managed to give her a pleasing decolletage. Rowan stood there in the dressing room mirror mildly stunned. She felt like she was spying on another woman trying on a dress. Try as she might, she simply could not reconcile the gorgeous woman in the mirror with herself. She finally shook herself out of her daze and decided it was time to find Kristina so they could be done with this and get some dinner. She was starting to get peckish. When she came out, Kristina was standing at the mirror in her own midnight blue sheath dress and a rich satin like material. Her waist was brought in by a band that traversed her midsection and came together in a beautiful gold closure. She also had on black stiletto heels and she had managed to fluff out her shoulder length brown hair. "Wow, look at you!" they both said in unison. "Oh my god! I can't believe it. Rowan, you look devastating," Kristina gushed, her heart truly and utterly fluttering in her chest. "What, this old thing," Rowan said smiling and playing a long. "Come. Let's see you in the mirror. Oh my gosh I can't believe how good you look. Oh, and I love your makeup. Sheela you were right, Darius was just the man for the job!" The three women took several more minutes admiring themselves and fawning over each other, before it was time to get moving. "Now, I had a thought when you got into your dress the first time that maybe it would be fun to wear these outfits out to dinner. What do you say? We look too good to change, and the restaurant is nice enough that we won't stand out except for all the right reasons." "Wait, like this?" Rowan asked gesturing to herself. "Yes, exactly. I mean, I'll understand if you don't feel comfortable, but seriously, you look amazing, you should really enjoy it since you're already made up." Rowan contemplated the notion for a few moments. She had already gone so far past what she thought they were going to do on this trip out that she reckoned there was no point in stopping. They had to eat. She was a woman after all, so she didn't stand out wearing a dress, except...well, she really did look good if she was being honest with herself. "We're going to get all sorts of attention in these dresses though, don't you think?" "I would think so, yes," replied Kristina. "But, like...guys, might hit on us," she said through clinched teeth. "Oh, don't worry. I have years of experience making guys go away. Besides, this is a nice Michelin star restaurant not a night club. There won't be anything to worry about except a few executives on business dinners. They don't make scenes. And, you will learn the power of that dress, that body and your incredible new face!" It took only a little more back and forth for Kristina to convince her. Besides, it was clear she wanted to, she just needed to be encouraged to step out and express herself. Men live such a sheltered existence by contrast she thought. Kristina settled the rather large bill, which Octa would be paying her for, and Sheela was so grateful she helped them gather their things and consolidate them into fewer bags. Rowan kept out one of the new handbags and put her few items into it. They bid farewell to Sheela and headed off to dinner. *** Kristina's brownstone was only a short walk to her hair salon. She had come back from the lab early to get Rowan and take her over to see Anna, her stylist. "You ready? We can walk over there, it's only a few blocks." Rowan had not only survived dinner out in her new dress and makeup but had embraced the experience. If she had felt nervous or uncomfortable, she hadn't shown it. She even walked in her heels like she had never been without them. They had had a wonderful dinner, perhaps a bit too much wine and held onto each other and their shopping bags as they waited for what would be a very short Uber ride home. Kristina had been enjoying herself, letting loose for once. Her role in the organization and this mission brought with them a level of stress, so she was happy to be out having fun for once with this gorgeous creature on her arm. Rowan was indeed ready to go, wearing one of the outfits they had picked up on their shopping spree and to her credit, a healthy application of mascara. "You know what we should pick up on the way home Rowan? Some lip gloss!" she said brightly, envisioning Rowan's shining kissable lips. "Ok, why not?" replied Rowan. "In for a penny, in for a pound, right? Darius even told me what shades to look for." Kristina nodded and smiled, impressed with her newfound outlook. "Hey before we go, I decided it might be time to address my name. It's really weird to look like this and be called by my old name. I mean, it's really likely I'll never be him again so maybe I should get a new name and just start figuring out who I am now." "Wow. That's a really big step. Are you sure you want to do that?" Kristina asked. This kid was starting to really surprise her. Definitely not like any boy she had ever known. "Yeah, I'm sure. I'll have to have a new identity anyway, right? Rowan is gone, at least as far as the rest of the world is concerned. So, at some point I'll have to come up with a new identity. I was thinking of the name "Saoirse". Most of my family is Irish and my grandma's name was Saoirse. I always kind of liked the name and I think my mom wanted to name me that if I was a girl." She paused and looked at Kristina. "Well Saoirse, I think we should get going!" and with that, she gave Saoirse a hug. Fifteen short minutes later they entered Serendipity Salon where Amanda, Kristina's hairstylist was waiting for them. There was much discussion about what to do and some short discussion about why Saoirse's hair was in such a state to begin with. Kristina had deftly made up a pretext, something about being in the lab for the last six months straight and growing in out. Rowan's hair had been long for a guy but just on the short side for a woman's bob style. Amanda had some thoughts and Saoirse just said what she had always said when she was Rowan at the barber shop "do whatever you want." The whole process took more than two hours but when Amanda was done, Saoirse was a blonde with a short bob cut. She styled it sort of wavy and messy and it made her look hot, truly a knockout. In fact, so much so, Anna couldn't resist. "You really go to Penn?" she asked Saoirse. "Yeah why?" "You never did any modeling?" asked Amanda. "Ha, no. Thanks though, I guess." "I mean, not to be reverse sexist here, but you should forget about Penn and get into modeling." "Sure, I'll just jet off to Paris and do a shoot," Saoirse said awkwardly, trying to make a joke. "No seriously. Look, I never do this, because who am I? But I have an old high school girl friend who scouts for models now. She and I did some modeling back in the day, nothing like what she deals with now of course. She's big time now. But she always tells me I need to keep an eye out for her. Can I text her a picture of you?" "Sure, want me to pose?" Amanda giggled. "Nah, just stand up so I can get a full shot," she said taking out her phone from the back pocket of her jeans. "Wait...you're serious?" "I'm totally serious. I really think she's going to want to meet you." Saoirse looked at Kristina as if to say 'can you believe this woman' but was surprise to see Kristina nodding. "I'm all for it. You only have your senior year left, right? I bet modeling pays much better than grad school," she said referring to the inevitable post graduate education she would need to become a scientist. "Huh. Ok, I guess. Take your best shot." Saoirse got out of the salon chair and Amanda directed her to a spot with a neutral background. She took a few shots of her full body and a couple more of her face. The three picked the best and Amanda texted them to her friend. The three went up to the counter to settle the bill. When Saoirse saw the tab she almost fell over. "$300!!" she whispered to Kristina. "And worth every penny I'd say. Look at you. I just can't believe it. You were a cute boy," she said lowering her voice until Saoirse could barely hear her. "But you are a stone-cold babe as woman!" Saoirse blushed, as Amanda handed back the credit card to Kristina. "She's a nice friend to cover your salon bill," said Amanda cheerfully. "I wish I had a friend...Oh, hold on," she said pulling her phone out from the back pocket of her jeans. "Ha! Speak of the devil," Amanda said holding up a finger to the two ladies. "Hey Anna! How are you! Uh huh... yeah, that's why I sent them. Un huh... Un huh... Yeah, she's standing right here. Do you want to talk with her? 'kay, hold on." Amanda held the phone out to Saoirse. "It's my friend Anna. From Ford Modeling!" Amanda had a huge, victorious smile on her face as she handed the phone to a stunned and suddenly nervous Saoirse. "Ah...hello? Yes, this is Saoirse. Ah..No, I am not a model. Yes, seriously. No, I promise I am not signed with any agency. Ah, no, I can't say as I have ever really thought about it..." Saoirse shot an exaggerated shocked look at the two other women who couldn't help themselves but lean in to hear the conversation. "Where do I live? I guess I live just off campus at Penn, er, the University of Pennsylvania. Yes, I'm a student there, I'm about to be a senior...21 last March...Oh, ah, I'm a double degree in chemistry and computer science. Yes, really...straight "A's" ...Ah, I guess get a job as a scientist? I haven't really figured it out yet. I was hoping to get a full-time job with the company I'm interning with, but I don't think that is going to happen," she said, looking at Kristina. "Ah, sure...I guess I'd be ok talking with you about it. I mean even I've heard of Ford Modeling...Tomorrow?...Oh, you live here in Philly. Yes, I could meet you for coffee...Sure, 10am works anywhere near Amanda's salon is easy...Ok...Yeah, I'll text you my number. Ok. Yeah, see you then. Thanks. Bye." Saoirse tapped the contact icon and deftly texted Anna her mobile number before handing the phone back to Amanda. "Holy shit! What just happened?" said a clearly dazed Saoirse. "I don't know!" said Amanda excitedly. "Tell us everything!" If Saoirse's best, lifelong friend had been standing there she would not have gotten a better reaction than Amanda gave her. She gushed over Saoirse excitedly hugging her and praising her until she started to feel awkward. Kristina, equally perplexed by this turn of events, was nonetheless amused by Amanda's enthusiasm. In all honesty this presented an issue for Kristina. She wasn't sure how the leaders of Delta would react to this development. Kristina still felt strongly it was important to keep Saoirse alive to study her. Perhaps having someone more visible, a model, would make it that much harder for them to remove her from this world. She'd have to think about how to break this news. Maybe it was best to let this lie for now, see how it plays out and worry about it then.