58 __Joe_Bates_Saga__________________________________________________________ 58. Chapter Joe guided the Mazda into the Honeybone parking lot just as the news was coming on the radio. He had hoped to arrive earlier, before seven, but things just didn't work out. Just as he was ready to leave, he decided to put some laundry in the washer, and it took a little longer than expected to gather up his things to make a load. Linda added some of her things too, so that added to the delay. There really was no rush anyway. There was nothing special to do today, at least till this afternoon, he figured. That would surely be when Dr. Krell would have Phil use the cage, if he was going to do so today. Joe had mixed feelings about what was likely to take place. For him and the others from the flight and ground crew, the change had occurred because of a strange accident. Nobody knew or had any idea something like this would happen. For Norm, it was quite different. When he tried the cage, he didn't know for sure what really caused the strange effect, but he apparently decided that if anyone was going to have be the first to try it, it might as well be him. The fact that he had been experiencing gender related problems for some time was probably only a convenient side benefit. Being the first took real guts. No one was sure if the cage concept would have the same effect, indeed, it could have other, much worse results. For days before, they had experimented on primates with no result of any kind. But, first time with a human in the cage, it worked. With what appeared to be exactly the same results as from the GPS transmitters. But, like the others, Norm's body began to feminize only a few hours after exposure to the carefully controlled mix of radio frequencies and modulation. It worked, almost like a miracle. No visible damage, but the cell structures, perhaps even to the chromosome level, had been changed. The resulting cell damage manifested itself in a very bizarre way. All males exposed to the radio energy had been altered, apparently at the cellular level, and almost immediately began to acquire the primary and secondary sexual characteristics of the opposite sex. They became, physically at least, completely female in appearance. In fact, it might be said they were more than perfectly healthy. Since the exposure, each of them continued to show indication of a strange "age reduction". It was hard to describe, but they had, and were continuing to experience, signs of becoming ever more youthful. Norm Peterson, the oldest, was well over sixty at the time he was exposed. He now looked to be about thirty-five perhaps forty, no more. Tim Werner, the youngest at just over twenty-one, now appeared perhaps fourteen, if that. And the change continued. Joe walked passed the guard shack and presented his security badge. It was hardly necessary. He was sure the guard already knew who he was, indeed he was certain all eyes in the little building were watching him walk down the drive to the main building. They always watched the women. Now they watched him too. He tried to emphasize the slight swiveling movement of his hips as he walked. Might as well give them a little show. Entering the main building, Joe proceeded to the Avionics Test area where his desk was located. Just down the hall was the lab... And the cage. Probably nobody here yet, he thought as he took a seat. He checked his in-basket for mail. There wasn't any. He sat back in the chair, wondering where he might have left his coffee cup. Probably in the lab. Joe got up and straightened his blouse as he walked down the hall to the double-doors ofthe lab. Inside, he was surprised to see Dr. Krell and Karen already there. "Good morning, Joe." Dr. Krell called as soon as he saw him. "You're a little early, aren't you?" "Morning." Joe answered. "I wasn't sleepy, so I thought I'd come in now". "I'm glad you did." The little doctor responded. "I have some interesting news for you, and I want to schedule yet another physical examination if I can, this morning." Joe winced. Not more tests. It seemed every doctor at Hillcrest had already seen him naked. "Get some coffee, and settle in." Dr. Krell said. He noticed the expression on Joe's face upon hearing about another examination. "What's up?" Joe said casually as he went to the Lab coffee pot. "I want to talk with you in the conference room." Doctor Krell said. "Get your coffee and go in there. I'll be with you in a few minutes." Joe filled his cup and went to the small meeting room off the lab. There was one large table and perhaps ten or twelve chairs. Joe took a seat half way down one side. "I wonder what he has to say?" Joe thought to himself as he sipped the warm black liquid. Joe was looking at the old aircraft pictures on the wall when Dr. Krell entered. "Well, you certainly look nice this morning!" Doctor Krell complimented. "Still trying to get it right with this make-up thing." Joe said apologetically. "I still don't have it down yet." "You're doing very well." The doctor advised. "What's up, Doc?" Joe asked, grinning at his pun. Doctor Krell looked at the picture of a Gulfstream jet, taken just as it was touching down. "How are you feeling this morning, Joe?" He asked. "How do I feel?" Joe repeated. "Fine, I guess. I'm sorta getting used to all this, if that's what you mean." "You seem to be adapting well to what has happened." Dr. Krell went on. "Is that a fair assessment?" "Yeah... I guess so." Joe answered. "No feelings of depression... Of being out of place... Things like that?" "Well... I mean... I guess I might feel more "in place" if I wasn't wearing all this female stuff." Joe admitted. "Really? I thought you were liking it... You were getting used to it." Dr. Krell went on. "It gets easier as time passes.... What's this all about?" Joe asked. "Have you figured out a way to get us back?" Dr. Krell raised his hands and smiled. "Nooo. Nooo. Nothing like that, unfortunately." He said. "We do have some information, however." "Good, or bad?" Joe asked. "I don't know." Dr. Krell said. "I don't think it could be considered good news, but it may not really be so bad either." "What is it, Doc?" Joe pressed. "What's going on?" "Well... We sent the tissue samples to a more well equipped lab in Atlanta. They have, among other things, a very powerful electron microscope and a much more sensitive spectrum analyzer than we have here, or in San Diego." Dr. Krell started. "Initially, as far as we could tell, all subjects exposed to the radiation exhibited exactly the same symptoms, and the same physical Joe_Bates_Saga________________________________________________________63__ changes." "We don't?" Joe interrupted. "No, you do, at least so far." Dr. Krell explained. "But there were some interesting additional findings." "Go ahead, Doc." Joe urged. "Don't worry, it's nothing life threatening." Dr. Krell said. "But we did make one discovery that might have a long-term effect." "Permanent cell damage?" Joe offered. "Well, by definition, everything that happened might be considered damage to your cells." "What then?" Joe urged. "Joe... As you are aware, your body has developed the external physiological characteristics of an adult female. Indeed, I believe you have already attempted intercourse with a normal male and found it satisfactory?" He grinned. Joe blushed and nodded his head. "We... I originally thought you had made a total transfiguration... Completely... Including the gonads." The word "gonads" caught Joe's attention. "If we never find a way to transform you back, I'm certain you can live as a woman, and no one will ever know, unless you choose to inform them of your experience. You certainly fooled me." "What's going on, Doc!" Joe asked, wondering what the man was trying so hard to explain. "Joe. According to the findings of the lab in Atlanta, and I believe these are the best in business... Your body contains the same gonads as before. We thought they had been transformed... Become ovaries... But, they only moved... Up in the abdominal cavity." "And?" Joe asked. "Apparently they still function normally... As testes." Dr. Krell announced. "They are undescended, of course, but quite functional." "I still have my balls?" Joe asked in amazement. "Well, I suppose that is one way of putting it." Dr. Krell said, smiling slightly at the street language coming from this so very feminine person. "Then why'd I grow these?" Joe asked, placing his hands under his breasts. "Well, along with the extensive, unusual cell damage, which is apparently responsible for much of your new appearance, we believe you have become unresponsive to androgens." Dr. Krell explained. "You still produce testosterone, probably at or very near previously normal levels, but, for some reason, your body has ceased to react to it. We suspect the cells receptors have been damaged in some way. Of course, those testes also produce minute levels of estrogen as well. This is quite normal, and you seem to be reacting to it in a very positive manner." "So, what does it all mean?" Joe asked. "Well... Simply put, from a purely medical point of view, you are genetically still male." Doctor Krell said. "Yeah... Right... But with boobs and a beaver... I'm still a guy?" Joe looked at the little man with disbelief. "Yes... Unfortunately, because of the cell anomalies, you have become what I would describe as a pseudo-hermorphodite." Dr. Krell announced. "The first patient so afflicted that I have ever seen personally." Joe's eyebrows raised. "What?" He said. "Again, simply put... You now have the body... The external genitalia and features, at least, of one gender but still retain the internal organs of the other." Dr. Krell explained. "On the outside, unfortunately, you have developed the appearance of a normal female. But... inside... you remain, by most clinical standards, quite male." "What does this do to me legally?" Joe asked. "Do I stay a woman, or can I become a man again?" Dr. Krell looked at him. "I really don't know, Joe." Dr. Krell admitted. "In my opinion, you might have less difficulty adapting if you remain as your external appearance indicates." "But... What about long term?" Joe asked. "You may be surprised to know that there are a number of people born naturally every year with practically identical symptoms. They usually... Almost always... present as female and live long, productive lives. Some are well known, beautiful fashion models." "Oh, yeah... Who?" "Privileged." Dr. Krell responded, grinning. "What about... You know... Sex?" Joe asked wondering about the obvious. "I think you've already discovered you can now function as a female." Dr. Krell answered. "You certainly fooled me and the other physicians." "But... What about... Am I sterile?" "In a practical sense, you probably are." Dr. Krell explained. "I reviewed your scans and I believe there is evidence of a small amount of tissue that may be the prostate in your MRI's, but is apparently quite atrophied. I doubt it capable of significant spermatic fluid. And besides, with completely undescended testicles, you are probably incapable of producing viable sperm. And, in addition to all that, there is the obvious physical limitation." Joe felt the warmth of embarrassment redden his face. "What about getting pregnant?" Joe questioned. "I would say, completely impossible." Dr. Krell returned. "You have developed no ovaries, uterus, or cervix." "I thought you said you could see my cervix during an examination." Joe retorted. "I'm sorry, I was wrong." The doctor admitted. "You have developed a very normal vagina, and at the anterior, there is a tissue formation that certainly appears to be a cervix. But, the more detailed pictures from the MRI show it to be blind. It leads nowhere. You can not... You will not experience menses, therefore, you could not conceive a child." "I can't get pregnant, and I won't have a period?" Joe asked. "It will probably be safe to assume that, yes." Dr. Krell agreed. "But... I got this infection." Joe counted. "You do possess a functional vagina, and now unfortunately, you are quite susceptible to ailments of that sort. "So, what should I do?" Joe asked. "Just as you have been is what I recommend." Dr. Krell advised. "You seem to be adjusting quit well." Joe eyed the friendly little man. "First, you tell me I'm a woman. I try to adapt, now I'm told I'm still a guy... I just look like a girl." Joe summed it up. "What's next?" "I wish I could answer that." Dr. Krell confided. "We'll just have to wait and see." "What about the others?" Joe asked. "I would rather talk to them first, and let them tell you what they want." Dr. Krell said. "What about Phil Berg?" Joe continued. "Will he go ahead anyway?" "Phil will be informed of this discovery." Dr. Krell said. "He will be the only one who can make that decision." "Anything I need to do about this?" Joe asked finally. "No. I have nothing more to recommend." Dr. Krell admitted. "Go about your life as you have been. I'm sorry if this isn't what you wanted to hear." "Well... No periods... No babies... That sounds pretty good to me." Joe concluded. "Remember, you are still vulnerable to STD's." Dr. Krell reminded. "Use your head if you decide to become intimate with someone. This is an HIV world now. I'll schedule the examination for this afternoon at Hillcrest. I'll let you know the time. We can talk some more after that, if you wish." Dr. Krell rose from the table and left the room. Joe remained sitting for a few minutes. He had a lot to absorb. Part woman... Part man... A hermorphodite. Actually, not even... A psuedo-hermorphodite. It sounded like he had become some sort of circus freak. Until now Joe had been worried about how to deal with becoming a woman. Now he had to figure out how to live as a hermorphodite. "He did say no one could tell." Joe thought to himself. "And, even the doctors can't, without powerful microscopes and other things." Sterile... Sterile... "No babies for this babe." Joe thought. It was somehow both a relief and disappointment. If he had to be a woman for the rest of his life, at least maybe it would have been better to be a complete one. Not some "psuedo-hermorphodite". He thought of the others. How was Dave going to take this? Last time he talked with him, Dave was thinking of taking hormones in an attempt to restore at least some of his masculinity. Even that probably wouldn't work with this new discovery. They looked like women, and they would continue looking like women. "But, women with balls." Joe thought, grinning at the total irony of the situation. His own now apparently hidden testicles were causing him look like this. He placed the palm of his hand between his legs to feel the moist, warm, softness there. "Might as well get used to it." he decided. "I guess I'm going to be like this a long time." "Wonder how Linda is gonna take the news?" He considered. "Will she care to mess around with a psuedo-hermorphodite?" Tears appeared in his eyes. He didn't want them to, but they did. Maybe the hormones were still the same as before, but there was no doubt these emotions were stronger now. Probably the testosterone masked only them before. Now they were free to do as they pleased. They made him cry like a woman. No wonder he still felt like a guy most of the time. Inside, he still was. Lot of good it would be. He thought about Jay. How would he react to finding out his pal hadn't really become a woman after all, just some freak with the best disguise imaginable. Joe placed his hands on both sides of his abdomen, in the approximate locations he figured his ovaries, now his testicles, were located. "Kinda hard to get kicked in the balls now." He mused, rubbing his tummy. Joe sat back in the comfortable chair and closed his eyes. He thought of how it was before all this happened. Life was so much easier as a guy, that was certain. It seemed possible to adapt to being female, it was even getting a little easier as time went on. But this... This Psuedo-hermorphodite thing... This was almost too much, even for him. If he wasn't sure what he was before, now he was really confused. I feel like a guy... I look like a woman... What am I? Joe considered how he felt with Linda. No doubt he retained the desires and urges of a man. He somehow felt more complete when around her. But, last night was only a sample of what a life together would be like. Frustrating. He was no longer capable of functioning as a guy anymore. He couldn't be happy... And Linda wouldn't be happy either. Could he live his life as a woman? Could he ever have a real relationship with a male? Could he be a woman for another man? He recalled the experience with Jay. Physically, it was very pleasant. The changes his body had undergone were obviously very complimentary to sex with a male. It actually felt good. He couldn't believe just how satisfying it had been to have intercourse with Jay. Surprisingly, it wasn't embarrassing to be intimate with his old friend. He didn't know why. Although it was a little strange, it all seemed rather natural. He didn't know how Jay felt, but when their bodies touched everything seemed all right. They were old college buddies, but the transition to intimacy happened as easy as anything so far. In fact, Jay seemed to be falling for Joe. Joe didn't quite have the same feelings, at least not so far. It was impossible to feel very macho wearing a bra and panties... Especially with a body that looked like this... But he didn't feel at all ready to be a girlfriend. To Jay, or anybody else. Dr. Krell advised to stay female. That did seem the easier path. His records had already been changed. He was amazed at how simple everything had been so far. It might be considered the default decision. He certainly looked female enough. And, if Dr. Krell explained it correctly, little or nothing would work to change that anyway. There was no way he could pretend to be a normal male looking like this. Even baggy clothes couldn't hide his feminine features. And, he didn't want to spend the rest of his life hiding behind closed doors. Maybe it wasn't that bad, even if he had to "pretend" to be female the rest of his life. No one could tell he wasn't. He laughed as he considered the scenario of walking into the men's locker room at the health club. That would create a stir. Joe was a little surprised to feel his body's reaction to his thoughts. Sexual arousal had become a bit different now, usually starting with a slight "tickle" in the breasts, just behind the nipples, as they stiffened. Then, a more familiar "hard-on" feel as his penis, or clitoris, began to become erect. There was not enough tissue for the resulting "erection" to extend much beyond the labia majora, but the sensation was exquisite. A short while later, another sensation, unlike anything experienced as a male, became the primary sensation. Whenever his new vaginal opening began to lubricate, Joe could feel it as a warming sensation, sometimes even a very wet feeling in his underwear. This was usually accompanied by an overwhelming desire to have something inside. Joe read in a book that this was probably caused by a kind of "ballooning" of the upper vagina. Whatever caused it, whenever that happened, it made him feel very horny. There was little doubt. Maybe his brain remained male. Maybe his internal organs were still male too. But, his body had indeed changed. Joe not only looked like a woman now, but he couldn't help but react like one sometimes. It was beyond his control, as if something else was controlling him. If nothing else, it might be interesting to live as a woman. Joe opened his eyes. Time to get going again. He got out of the seat and walked to the closed door. Before opening it, he carefully wiped his eyes and straightened his clothes and hair. In the lab, Joe saw that Dave X had arrived. A few days had passed since Joe last saw Dave. Like the others, Dave had continued to undergo subtle changes each day. To Joe's eyes, Dave looked younger than the last time he saw his somewhat overweight friend. The continueing feminization was evident in the noticeably wider hips, larger derrier, and even fuller bustline. Dave had developed very large breasts. It was strange to see his pal's familure face above that matronly body. Joe went over to his friend. "Good morning Dave." Joe called out as he came up from behind. Dave was engrossed in something he was reading. Dave turned and smiled when he recognized Joe. "Morning, Joe." Dave returned. "You sure look nice this morning." Joe was glad to see his friend sounding so chipper. "You do too." Joe responded, his eyes on Dave's substantial chest. Dave noticed his friends attention. "Yeah... I know... Kinda big, huh?"" Dave admitted. He was smiling, but his embarrassment very evident. "Uhhh no... I ahh..." Joe stammered. I'm even bigger than Cindy now." Dave continued, straightening his back to emphasize his generous endowment. "Who'd have thought this would happen?" "How's it going, Dave?" Joe asked. He knew his friend had been experiencing deep depression over what had happened. "Lot's better." Dave said simply. "I don't know what all's helping, but I'm dealing with it Ok, I think." That's good." Joe said. "How's Cindy doing?" "She's an angel." Dave answered. "I couldn't get through this without her." "I'm glad everything is working out." Joe went on. "I was getting worried about you, old pal." "I'm all right." Dave insisted. It sure could have been a lot worse, couldn't it?" "That's for sure." Joe admitted. "Your sure are looking great." Dave went on, winking as he looked Joe up and down. "Yeah...That's what they tell me." Joe said, realizing what Dave was probably thinking as he almost leered.. "I keep trying to adjust." "This female stuff can be kind of fun sometimes, but I'd rather be a guy again, wouldn't you?" Dave said, to Joe's complete amazement. Joe couldn't believe Dave's new state of mind. "Well, that's a change in attitude from the other day." Joe declared. "Not much anyone can do about it, right?" Dave concluded. "Dr. Krell gave me some pills that have been helping me deal with this, I think." "They certainly seem to work for you." Joe admitted. "Yeah. And Cindy has been a big help too." "How's all that working out?" Joe asked, refering to Dave's family problems. Dave looked straight into Joe's eyes. "I can't lie about it, Joe." Dave admitted. "I wish everythig were different, but we are dealing with it. I've been taking your advice about it, too." He winked. "And, I've discovered, these things can even be kind of fun in the sack." Dave continued, rubbing his large bosom with his hands. "There is some good things about the change." Joe agreed. "I know I need to lose some weight." Dave acknowledged. "I want to, but I just seem to gain it even easier than before." "It's not easy, I know." Joe admitted. Dave laughed. "You know?" He said. "What do know, with your little boobs and that tiny butt. My hips are bigger now, too." Joe insisted. "I know what you're going through, even if I haven't changed quite as much as you have." Dave turned around, making that large derrier stand out. "Come back to me when you look like this." Dave ordered. "Or when your chest is this big." He pulled his blouse up to expose his bra covered breasts. Joe couldn't help staring at his friend. Except for pictures, he couldn't remember actually seeing a woman with breasts that big. Joe smiled. He tried to not look amazed. Dave grinned. Joe didn't know what to say. "What's it feel like to be that big?" He asked. Dave grinned wider. "Oh... They get in the way all the time." He admitted. "I can't believe all this is really me. I feel off-balance anytime I move around." "Yeah..Me too. I don't look anything like that, but it feels wierd to sleep on my front." Joe agreed. "I wish it just felt wierd." Dave offered. "I haven't been able to sleep in any position but on-my-back for three days. Even my shoulders hurt." "I feel for you." Joe told him. "Maybe it will help if you can take off some weight." "That's what Dr. Krell advised." Dave said. "I don't know how I'll ever be able to do it though." "You've got to come to the aerobics classes with me and Linda." Joe suggested. "I think you might find it interesting." "Yeah, Tim told me about the scenery in the locker room." Dave said, grinning. "That's all I need, Joe." Joe smiled. "It's true, too." Joe explained. "I think if you go along, you'll find plenty to take your mind off the exercize." Dave got a little closer. "Joe, I know I've become a woman, but I'm telling you, I don't think any of my urges changed at all." Dave whispered. "I still feel just the same as before. I just can't do what I want about it anymore." Joe nodded his head. "It's the same for me, Dave." Joe conceded. "I basicly feel the same as before, too." "What does that make us... lesbians, bisexuals, what?" Dave asked. Joe looked serious. "I don't know." Joe admitted. "I just don't know." They looked in each others eyes, and smiled. "What the heck has happened to us, Joe?" Dave asked. Suddenly Joe remembered the meeting with Dr. Krell. "Have you talked with Dr. Krell yet this morning?" Joe asked. "No, I just got here, why?" Dave responded. "I think he's got some interesting news for you." Joe said. "What is it?" Dave asked. "I better let him tell you." Joe insisted. "They've found a solution?" Dave suggested. "No, I'm afraid not." Joe hinted. "But I'm sure he'll tell you as soon as he see's you." As they were speaking, the swinging doors to the lab opened. Tim Werner entered, followed by Phil Berg. "Good morning, everybody." Tim chirped in his little girl voice. "Hi, Tim, Phil." Joe returned. "Phil, this is Dave X. He's one of us." Phil and Dave awkwardly shook hands. The handsome, fit man, and the rather overweight woman were a strange contrast in the human physique. Joe turned his attention to Tim, who was grinning widely, as if he had something he was dying to tell. As Joe studied his young friend, it was obvious he had continued to get even younger looking since last night. How young could he get? "What are you so excited about?" Joe asked. Tim looked surprized at the question. "Why... What do you mean?" Tim said innocently. "You look like the cat that just ate the canary." Joe explained. "Don't say something isn't going on." "Nope... Nothing... Nothing going on." Tim insisted. But his smile covered his whole face. Joe looked at Phil. "What's going on?" Joe asked. Phil looked serious. "Hey... I don't know." Phil said, acting very innocent. Joe decided to drop it. He knew they had spent the night together at his apartment. He could imagine what might have happened. He rose from his seat. The coffee had seemed to go right through him. "Excuse me." Joe said, as he walked the the restroom in the hall. He felt uncomfortable entering the forbidden ladies room. Joe found the room empty and entered a stall. He carefully took a seat and then heard someone else enter the room. Great. There were very few women on this end of the Engineering building, and Joe figured he would be undisturbed. He hated company when using the women's john. "Joe. Are you in here?" A little girl's voice called out. Tim. "Yeah Tim, I'm here." Joe answered. Joe heard footsteps along the three stalls. Tim was probably checking under the doors to determine if they were alone. "Joe, I know you know, so I want to tell you." Tim spoke enthusiasticly. "It happened. Last night. I asked him, he agreed, and we did it." "Really?" Joe responded, "Did you like it?" "It was unbelievable." Tim answered. "I was scared as hell, but I wanted to try it... I was afraid it would hurt, but it wasn't so bad." Joe smiled. He imagined the scene... The handsome, worldly, Phil Berg, agreeing to sleep with the teen-age looking Tim Werner. "Was it anything like you though it would be?" Joe asked, knowing Tim really wanted to talk about it. "We talked a while." Tim explained. "He asked about how it felt to be female. I think he's really interested. When he asked if I had experienced sex yet. I said no, but I wanted to. I offered... He accepted." Pretty good, huh." Joe concluded. You wouldn't believe..." Tim went on. "We touched each other at first... That was kind of awkward, I guess... I mean, he is a guy and all. But then he started undressing me and my knees got all wobbly. He really knew how to make me feel good. When I saw him... God, I thought he would rip me apart when I saw him... I still can't believe it went in..." "So, I guess you're a woman now, huh?" Joe asked. "I was worried it might never happen." Tim replied. "It did, and I kind of liked it, I really did." "Keep your pants on, pal." Joe recommended. "You've got to be careful." "Yeah... I know." Tim acknowledged, "I won't hop into bed with just anybody. We used protection, so I won't get pregnant." Tim hadn't heard the news either. "Was he good?" Joe asked. There was a long silence. "Well, I don't have all that much to compare him with, but he sure knew how to make me feel good. I couldn't believe it. It didn't feel like much at first, except kind of a stretching pain when he went in. In a while, it started to feel pretty good. I think it sorta feels like somebody is playing with your balls instead of your cock." "Did you come?" "Well, not while we were doing it, but before... Like I said, he knew how to make me feel good. He went real slow, like you did." Tim said. Joe finished and stood and wiped, stopping to inspect the small wet spot in his underwear before he pulled them up. The converstion was making him feel like a big sister. Maybe this was how it would be to live as a woman. Joe flushed and opened the stall door. "Well, are you glad you did it, or wish you hadn't?" Joe asked the very young looking person looking at him. "Oh, Joe, I feel so much better... I know it won't be as bad as I thought." Tim said enthusiasticly. "Good." Joe announced. "I'm glad you feel that way. I wish I could be so sure of myself." He grinned. Joe washed his hands and straightened his clothes and checked his hair. "What do you mean by that?" Tim asked. "I thought you were the one who had his act together on this." Joe looked at the young "girl". "I'm just as confused and as worried as you are." Joe said. "Maybe I just hide it better." "Well, I feel a lot better, anyway." Tim decided. "I really think I can live with all this female stuff, if I have to." "Then let's get on with it, OK?" Joe asked, walking to the door.