Polly Merman

by Prudence Walker

Chapter 02

 

Beth, as she began calling herself, accepting the change of name as inevitable, began to get dressed. Looking at her exquisite body dressed in the sexy underwear she had selected, from out of the suitcase was turning her on, and she could feel some moisture gathering in her faux vagina. Guessing it was precum; she started to massage her groin. Her penis having been pressed back into her body, made it hard to get it stimulated. She started to press her fingers deeper into the shallow opening made by the mould. Feeling her arousal gather as her fingers went deeper; she started to look for something to press into her further. She spotted a spray aerosol perfume can in her case and she grabbed it. The long cylinder was about an inch across and about 7 inches long.

She pushed it into her 'vagina' and started to slide it in and out. Her arousal grew and grew, feeling weird, as things that normally got hard and erect, didn't. The sensation of stimulation grew as she pressed the whole length of the can inside her body until she could hardly grasp it. With a surge, her orgasm peaked and she held the can inside with her finger as she released her manly goo. The sensation didn't ebb as it would have normally and she lay back on the bed clamping her legs tightly together, trapping the can inside. Slowly the feelings of bliss from her release ebbed and she closed her eyes in post-coital euphoria.

Beth came to awareness sometime later, and realized she'd slept for a short time. Struggling up, she realized the can had disappeared inside her body. The clamped legs had kept it from coming out and her body had made room for it inside. Panicking for a second that it was trapped there with no way out, she raced to the toilet to see if she could grab and remove it. Sitting, she pushed her fingers up inside her, and felt a fold of skin open and there, she could feel the can, nestled inside. She found it hard to grasp and had to resort to squeezing muscles as if going to the toilet, before it released itself with a soft slurp. Feeling embarrassed, but relieved, she cleaned herself up from the dried excesses of her earlier diddling. The need to relieve another sort of pressure had her wondering what would happen. Having nothing to point, she tried to do the usual squeeze and relax thing, and slowly with an increasing rush, it came pouring out. It was much messier than having a penis and required paper to dry the area.

Changing only her panties for fresh ones and leaving the rest of everything she had on, she decided to pick out a dress and then show Ted the results. Choosing a short black clingy dress, she pulled it on with a struggle, and straightened it as best she could. She liked the way her legs looked in the smoky nylons, opting for some higher heels as an experiment. By taking shorter cautious steps, and taking more of her weight on the toes rather than on the heels, she found she could just manage them without falling over. Looking at her hair, she sighed. It was longer than the real Beth wore hers, which meant a trip to a hair salon. Colin had always taken great pains with his hair, which was going to pay off now.

Thinking about how to style it for the moment, Beth got a brush and started to brush it, a practice he had as Colin when he needed to relax. Brushing was soothing, and soon, the hair was shining and silky. After looking in the suitcase for some hair clips, she spotted a hair band, which she used to hold her hair back while giving her bangs at the front.

Opening the makeup case again, she tried being more adventurous. Experimenting with eye shadow and blush, she found that too much, made her look clownish. As she started to clean it off, she saw that with just a hint of eye shadow left, even though it was smudged from her rubbing, it looked much better. Learning that all-important lesson; less was more. She started over, this time, when she finished she smiled in satisfaction, it wasn't perfect, but for a first time it was more than acceptable.

Jewellery followed, having put in some drop earrings, the feeling as they moved around and pulled at her ears, made her extremely aware of them. A plain gold chain around her neck felt cool and heavy, as it fell into her substantial cleavage. Finding a delicate watch, she put it on her tiny wrist and slipped some bangles on her wrists as well. The way they clinked against each other and slipped up and down her wrists, made her alter the way she moved her hands. Afraid they might slip off; she took extra care to move her hands in a more graceful fashion. No more sudden masculine jerk of the hands, she thought that the bangles would help curb her gestures into a more feminine habit.

Checking the time, she gasped. Hours had passed. What was Ted thinking; she wondered how come he wasn't knocking on her door asking what she was doing. Spraying a little perfume on her neck and cleavage, she paused, wondering why did she spray there, did she expect Ted to be sticking his nose in her breasts? Hoping it was just because she knew women usually perfumed there, and not because of any sexual implications involving Ted, she stepped out of the room and went into the lounge.

Ted wasn't there and looking around into the kitchen she could see no sign of him. Puzzled, she went to his bedroom door, listening there, before knocking. She called out softly in her new voice, wondering if Ted was asleep. Silence answered her, and she grew worried. Opening the door an inch, she peered in. Ted was sitting on his bed rocking back and forth, with his head in his hands. Beth opened the door and walked in, her heels clicking crisply on the wooden floor.

Ted looked up, his red tear stained eyes took in the sight of Beth standing there, with a concerned look in her eyes. He sobbed and flung himself prone on the bed, trying to get the image of her perfection out of his mind.

"Ted! What is the matter? Why are you upset? Have I done something wrong?" Beth gasped, as she went to sit next to Ted on the bed.

"NO! PLEASE GO AWAY," sobbed Ted, trying to turn away.

"Ted?" was Beth's only word, as she tried to figure out what was wrong.

She was shocked by his reaction, when she touched his shoulder with her hand in an attempt to get him to face her. Ted leapt up like he was terrified and ran out of the room. Beth was stunned. She sat there wondering what had happened since she had last seen him. Following him belatedly, she found him locked in the bathroom. He wouldn't answer her or open the door, till she threatened to call 911, and say she thought Ted was trying to kill himself.

A minute passed and Beth started to walk away to the phone, her clicking heels announcing to Ted, that she was serious. Ted called out, saying he was coming out, so Beth stopped and waited. Ted came slowly out looking terrible. Beth took his hand and guided him to the sofa in the lounge, and then went and got two stiff drinks for them both.

"Please Ted, tell me what's wrong," Beth urged, as she cradled her drink.

"You'll hate me, and looking like that, I can't stand to have you hate me," mumbled Ted, as he nearly downed the drink in one gulp.

"No, I won't hate you, I promise," Beth said, meaning every word.

"Wait till you hear what I have to say before making promises you can't keep," Ted sighed, finishing the drink, and then getting another.

"I have a confession, when I broke up with Beth, it wasn't because we were incompatible, Beth didn't want a serious relationship at that time, but I did. I wanted a commitment she couldn't give, so I broke it off not wanting to waste time on a relationship that wasn't going anywhere."

"So you broke off with Beth, so what has that to do with anything?" Asked Beth, curiously.

"I didn't realize it till seeing you now, but I'm in love with Beth, at least I was, seeing you as Beth just made things clear," Ted explained.

"Oh! I see," was Beth's only comment.

"No you don't, you see, I think my plan to have you look like Beth was some unconscious thought to bring her back to life. My motives are suspect, as I think I was being selfish and not thinking of the effects it would have on you to be living here with me, when I see the person I love. I'm a self-serving bastard, and I'm sorry if I have hurt our friendship, just to fill some wish fulfilment fantasy of mine. How can I look at you and see my old friend Colin? When I look at you I want to hold you and make glorious music in bed together, this will change everything."

"Ted… I, let me think about this for a minute," Beth pleaded, unconsciously touching Ted's arm in reassurance. Ted lifted his head and looked longingly at the image of his lost love.

"Ted, you say you love Beth, but now that I'm her double that love has transferred to me?" At his nod, she continued. "So even knowing I'm a man inside this body, doesn't change that feeling?"

"No, it doesn't. I think it best if I drive you to Beth's place for now, so you won't be a constant distraction to my frustrated libido."

"Hey! Don't I get a say in this? I mean this is kind of a shock, but I think I can handle it. I'm not a homosexual; at least I wasn't as Colin. Somehow now, I'm not so sure." Beth admitted, trying to sort her feelings out. The memory of her recent sexual awakening with being penetrated instead of penetrating was colouring her thought processes, and a strange alien thought of what it would be like to have a penis inside her was niggling away at her prior masculine ideals.

"You have always been there for me in the past and now you have given me a new life for the moment, without worrying about the consequences if we are caught out. Okay maybe there was an unconscious element of bringing back the old Beth in your plan, but I'll bet you never thought about your feelings until you saw her… me in the flesh as it were, am I right?" Beth asked, while looking at Ted's eyes.

"No, you're right I didn't. You don't hate me then old buddy of mine?"

Beth, without really thinking about it, leaned over and went to kiss Ted on the cheek. Somehow, it didn't feel like a homosexual act, just the natural thing to do. Ted sensing that Beth was leaning towards her turned his head to look. At that moment Beth's lips met Ted's and for a few fleeting seconds contact was made. It was Colin not Beth that pulled back blushing, as his mind reeled in shock. What was he thinking of? Here he was kissing his best friend after just a day wearing female clothes. Confused, he sat back, lost in his own world of sexual evaluation.

Ted too, pulled back in surprise at the sudden contact with Beth's lips. He saw the confusion in his best friends face, as she sat back. Her eyes were unfocused as if she was struggling to make sense of her feelings. Ted showed some good sense by not pressing Beth for an explanation, but sat back and kept a neutral expression on his face so Beth wouldn't be embarrassed.

Colin's thoughts were still rather mixed. While looking like Beth, dressed in her clothes, feeling, and smelling everything she would have felt from the earrings and perfume, not to mention the way the clothes caressed this body, acting like Beth had seemed a natural progression. It was an unconscious impulse to give Ted a peck on the cheek; Beth had reacted like the woman she looked like. There were no sexual thoughts of making out with Ted, just a woman giving solace to a troubled man. What was confusing was the effect that occurred when Ted's lips met hers. Instead of the expected revulsion of a man kissing another man, there seem to be a spark of something that made her want to repeat it. Nooo! I can't be thinking like that, Ted would think I'm a fag, a flaming queer, oh God what do I do now, she thought, starting to tear up.

Ted moved closer to Beth, seeing his vision sitting tensed up beside him. He slowly put an arm over her shoulder and started to pull her gently nearer, prepared to stop if she resisted, he was pleasantly surprised to feel her yield. Suddenly she collapsed into his arms, sobbing. Ted held her close doing no more than stroke her back reassuringly, as she struggled to compose herself. He guessed that the kiss, although started by her wasn't meant to be on his lips, and she didn't know how he would take it. To Ted, there was no conflict, to be kissed, even by accident, by the image of his lost love, felt good. Knowing it was really Colin inside that body only excited him. If she had been willing, he'd have loved to have scooped her up to his bedroom and shown her what being a woman was all about.

"You okay?" Ted asked solicitously.

'Uh huh," was Beth's muffled answer.

"Look, it's okay, it was an accident, it won't ever happen again," Ted continued, hoping against hope that it would. He wanted desperately to add, "Unless you want it to," wisely, it remained unsaid. "Look, let's forget it happened okay?" We need to push ahead with our plans, you have a big day tomorrow, let's run over what we are going to do, then get a good nights rest." Just then, Maggie, who had been sitting patiently waiting for some attention, saw Beth's comfortable and currently unoccupied lap. She jumped up and landed sure-footed, right in the spot she wanted. Purring loudly, she announced her arrival and awaited the attention she was sure to get.

The sudden arrival of a purring, four-legged ball of fur was just the distraction Beth and Ted needed. Beth stroked the kitten's fur, which brought the purr level, up a decibel or two. Ted laughed, and stroked the kitten as well, just to be companionable. Their hands touched each other's as they moved along the kitten's back. Ted was suddenly left with Beth's hand under his as Maggie decided she wanted to go outside, and vacated Beth's lap. Taking his cue, Ted stood up and still holding her hand, helped Beth stand, before letting go to see to Maggie's needs.

Beth was still a bit overwhelmed being treated as a woman by Ted, but decided to accept it as a courtesy and not read any deeper meaning into it. Tomorrow was going to be stressful enough without any added complications.

Beth chose to wear one of the filmy nightgowns that Ted had selected from the original Beth's house. She thought it was appropriate, seeing her body had the right shape, plus the sensation on her skin when she put it on, was more than compensation to any thoughts of it being sissy. As it floated down over her head, she shivered; nothing she had ever worn in her life had felt so nice. Sleep came surprisingly easy and soon she having several dreams featuring Ted, as her boyfriend. As is usually the case, in dreams, where the illogical seems logical, seeing herself as a woman and having sex with a man didn't trigger any objections. In fact, everything seemed perfectly normal. She didn't even wake as a small furred person oozed under the closed door and hopped onto the bed, and made itself comfortable on her slowly breathing body.

Ted tossed and turned that night, knowing that just a room away was his true love, albeit having been artificially recreated. He'd noticed the change in Colin as soon as he had metamorphosed into Beth. Her manner was definitely more feminine, although why that should be, he could only conjecture

Beth woke refreshed and proceeded to get a shower and then get dressed. She lingered in the shower as she got to experience having breasts to wash. It still felt odd not to have anything between her legs but it did make it easier to wash there. Her legs were still as smooth as when she first pulled the dried residue off her skin, a process that had denuded nearly all of her body. Her face was without its usual stubble and she wondered if this was likely to be a permanent thing. Not having to shave was a blessing in disguise, even if it meant having no hair anywhere else below her eyes.

Getting out before she used all the hot water, Beth dried her body and went back to get dressed. Ted had asked her to put on the dress she had been rescued in, but it was rather dirty, and she wasn't going to a salon in that, while her hair was being styled into a copy of the real Beth's. She selected a fresh set of underwear in a rose pink colour, the panties were in a high cut style and felt odd at first, but she had the hips for it and they did look sexy. The matching bra also was slightly different from the one she wore yesterday. It was lighter and was semi see through with lace at the top of the cups. Out of curiosity she checked the label near the closure and saw she took a 38 C size bra. Beth didn't want to linger in just her underwear, as it was very distracting to see the sexily attired woman that was reflected in the mirror. She found a simple skirt and blouse combo that seemed to work, although she was by no means an expert in coordinating clothes. Even as a man, she wasn't renowned for having style.

While Beth was finishing off getting dressed, Ted had woken up feeling tired. He trudged into the shower, hoping to feel more awake by the time he had finished. Beth meanwhile had heard the shower going and had made her way to the kitchen to make some breakfast. Putting coffee on to perk, she was well into making bacon and eggs, when Ted walked in sniffing.

"Hmmm, something smells good, any thing I can do to help?" He offered rubbing his hands appreciatively.

"No, I have everything under control, but you can set the places and warm the plates in the oven, if you like," Beth answered, without taking her eyes off the eggs.

"Okay, no problem," with that, Ted got the plates out to warm in the oven, then set up the cutlery and salt and pepper, not forgetting to get out the ketchup for the eggs. Beth walked out with some slices of bread, before returning to bring out the plates of food. They both sat down to eat, enjoying the food quietly, too hungry to make conversation, until they sat with their cups of coffee.

"That was nice," Ted complimented Beth, rubbing his now full stomach. "Thank you for cooking breakfast, but you didn't have to." He added.

After breakfast was cleared away, Ted drove both Beth and Maggie to see about getting her hair styled. Maggie made such a fuss about being left behind, that Ted decided it was easier to allow the kitten along. Driving to a beauty parlour that was about an hours drive away, might have seemed excessive, but Ted didn't want any one to recognize Beth, or the reason she needed to have her hair styled back to what it should have already looked like.

Ted had a recent photo of the original Beth, which showed her hair as it was on the day she died. By asking the stylist to recreate that style they could then proceed to the next step. Beth went in, while Ted waited in the car around the corner. Having one's hair treated in a salon was a real experience to the newly minted Beth. First, getting it shampooed and having someone massaging the scalp was very soothing and satisfying. Beth was sorry when it was finished and the hair was wrapped while she was moved to the cutting chair. Beth tried to keep her end up in the usual salon chitchat that she assumed, normally went on between stylist and customer. At first, Beth answered mostly in monosyllables, but as she started to relax as the fear of being 'made' faded, she began to enjoy the fuss as her hair was combed, clipped, snipped, and rolled. Finally, as she looked in the mirror, all she saw was Beth, perfectly recreated.

Later on the drive home, Ted went over the plan. Stopping off at Beth's home, she changed into the dirtied and torn dress worn yesterday at the facility. Mussing her freshly styled hair and smudging her face with grime so it looked consistent with having been through the explosion and the resulting rescue. Ted had contacted the police several times on what was the progress for the search for Beth…or her body. He dropped Beth off, just outside the current search grid, and carried on to the police's temporary search centre. Acting the concerned friend, Ted volunteered to help, but was told he was still under suspicion for the disappearance of Beth's body, and his help was rejected. Ted, unfazed by the accusations, hovered nearby in full view of the searching police.

About ten minutes later, an excited officer was heard over the radio, saying he had located the woman and that she was alive.

The officer in charge seemed shocked, but came over to Ted and informed him of the news. Ted asked to see Beth as a familiar face might be welcomed. The officer agreed, and apologized to Ted for casting suspicion on him. Ted waved it off, saying he'd probably have suspected himself too, if he'd been in the officer's shoes.

It wasn't long before Beth was brought to the search centre, where an ambulance was still on standby. Beth looked suitably dazed, and confused, was holding the kitten in her arms. When asked where she been, she looked blank, and mumbled that she'd been knocked unconscious, then the next thing she knew was waking up in the ambulance. She had heard the kitten and had scrambled out to find it. She added that some of her memories seemed effected and she started to weep. A medic looked her over checking her pulse and blood pressure, and then looked in each eye checking her pupils. Shrugging, he indicated that she looked okay, but could be suffering some sort of selective amnesia due to the trauma. He stepped back, allowing the questioning to continue. Nobody doubted that Beth was other than the dazed and confused woman they had been searching for. Getting little information from her, Ted interrupted, saying that Beth was his girlfriend and lover and he wanted to take her to the hospital for a head x-ray.

Beth's eyes flickered, when Ted mentioned lovers, the police officer saw it and got a niggling suspicion again. He asked Beth if she was in a sexual relationship with Ted, too which she mumbled "yes." The officer still wasn't certain that she was telling the truth and that she was hiding something from him, but having nothing concrete to go on bar his instincts. He agreed to let them go. He did mention for them to both stay available in case anything else came up.

"Your lover? Why did you say that, you idiot, now I have to live up to being all lubby dubby with you in public," Beth steamed, as Ted drove her to the hospital.

"I'm sorry, but I had to show them we were more than just colleagues. Plus we did have sexual relations not that long ago," offered a contrite Ted. "They wouldn't have allowed us to leave together if there wasn't a close bond between us. At least we get one test out of the way without any suspicions."

"The x-ray?"

"Yes, we need to see if they find any abnormalities, hopefully it may give us a clue." Ted explained.

"Do you think the police bought our story, he seemed a little suspicious, when you mentioned us being lovers, what if he puts a tail on us or keeps us under surveillance?" Beth asked worriedly.

"Hmm, he did seem a bit hesitant, I must admit. Hopefully he will close the investigation soon and we can stop acting like we are in love."

Beth was horrified at the thought of having to convince others that she was in love with Ted. Surely that would mean kissing him at some point. Having to look adoringly at Ted in the manner of a love struck female might be more than she could handle. Ted was a nice guy and all, but so was she, wasn't she? Deep down, Beth felt like she was drowning in a pool of mixed up emotions with no life preserver.

When they arrived at the hospital, a police cruiser was parked outside the main admitting area, along with several of the local media vans. Ted got out and went in, telling Beth to stay while he brought out a wheel chair for her.

"But I can walk," she protested.

"Yeah, but I don't want you getting held up by the media asking questions. This way, you have no control as I whisk you past them. We need to avoid getting questioned till we are more settled in our roles," Ted explained.

"Oh! Right," Beth agreed, feeling nervous.

Ted was only gone a couple of minutes, but to Beth, it seemed longer. She felt exposed being in the car alone and realized how much she was missed Ted's support and reassurance. Trying to get herself into a female mindset, she used that need for Ted to try and see him as her boyfriend/lover to overcome her reluctance act out her role.

Ted got her settled in the chair, even opening the door and giving her a hand, even though she didn't require it. Appearances, was Ted's only comment, when she asked.

They had to wait at reception while some forms were filled out. Beth insisted that no blood tests were to be taken and that she didn't require a full examination, much to the doctor's surprise. She signed the form, which seemed to be accepted, (her practice emulating Beth's signature had paid off).

The media had spotted her, but had let her finish her paperwork before starting to ask questions. Ted fended off most of them saying Beth was semi amnesiac over most of her ordeal. The media settled for some photos and Beth's assurance that she felt fine, apart for some memory gaps. Beth noticed an officer in the reception, he didn't approach them, but she got the impression he was there because of her. She whispered to Ted, just before they came to take her x-ray about it and he nodded, saying he'd seen him back at the plant.

An hour later the results came back with nothing to show, at least nothing abnormal. Ted was happy that his friend showed no skull damage, but Beth felt disappointed, normal meant nothing to cure, no magic hey presto back to a man switch. Having to continue the lie was draining, every gesture, every act and smile had to be perfectly given despite inner reservations, to give the appearance of two people in love. Ted had kissed her and had told her, he loved her when they separated them just before heading into x-ray. Beth had smiled back and acted like being kissed by Ted was the only thing she lived for. She had noticed the way Ted's eyes had sparkled when she made herself say she loved him too.

He drove her home, to Beth's home that is, and asked if she wanted him to stay for a while. Beth wanted to be alone to sort out her conflicted feelings and so told Ted it was okay. Ted started to leave promising to pick her up in the morning on the way to work. Beth put Maggie down and let her explore her new surroundings before she questioned Ted.

"Work? What about the damage at the plant, we have no work now," protested Beth.

"While you were lying down on the job in x-ray I got a call on my mobile phone," he joked. "Apparently we will be reporting to the office in the morning and will be reassigned to the sister plant near Flaxton."

"Crap, that's another extra 40 miles away," snorted Beth.

"I suppose we could car pool. I mean I'm only ten minutes away from you and you're on my way," suggested Ted. "Anyway, I'll have to take you tomorrow. Beth's car is still in the car park at the plant"

"Oh! I hadn't thought of that, I suppose everything she owned is mine now, at least for the interim," Beth mused speculatively. "I'm going to enjoy driving her sporty little Miata. It's not big but almost brand new, isn't it?" she asked.

"Yeah, about a year old," confirmed Ted. At least it's a step up from your clunker," Ted laughed.

"Hey! I'll have you know that clunker, is a classic," Beth insisted with mock indignation.

"A classic example of a mobile rust bucket, if you ask me," snorted Ted. "Well I'm off back to the plant and see if I can find some residue of the polymer if it hasn't been cleaned up. We might get more answers from that directly, seeing only we know of its importance."

"Okay, I'm going to familiarize myself here and see what other assets I have, oh! If Beth has a computer, I might see about transferring some of my money into Beth's account before it gets tied up with death taxes," Beth went on.

"Okay, I'll let you know if I find anything, bye..." Ted gave her a peck on the cheek, before she could protest, and turned and left her standing there with her hand slowly rising to touch where he'd kissed her.

Shrugging off the momentary confusion, she went exploring. Being treated as a female was starting to affect the way she reacted. Sighing in resignation at having to deal with the feminine responses she was beginning to return, she decided to look around for an accordion file containing Beth's important papers to look up her bank statements. Finding a top of the line laptop in a cosy study, she did some credit checks on Beth's accounts. After ten minutes, she sat back and whistled. No wonder she could afford a new car, and owned this place outright. She was loaded. Looking back in the records for deposits and expenditures, she saw that about a year ago a large sum of money had been deposited in her account of the order of one and a half million dollars.

Sitting back thinking, Beth seemed to recall Beth taking some time off for a bereavement in her family, Beth wasn't sure of the details but seemed to faintly recall something about her parents being in an accident. Maybe this money was from a life insurance payoff; Beth made a mental note to ask Ted about it. She could see withdrawals for the car and one possibly for the house, and there was still over 985,000 dollars left. A horrible thought went through her mind, what if Ted knew of this windfall and had been motivated by greed to resurrect Beth to get hold of the money. Then reason came back and squashed that idea. Ted was still dating Beth well after that money was received, if he was only interested in the money, why then break up with her. Reassured of Ted's integrity, once again hit the keyboard.

Deciding against transferring his meagre funds out of his old account, seeing it wasn't really needed, she searched through all the personal stuff of what was left of the old Beth's life. Letters were found and read any correspondence from clubs and friends were carefully scrutinized, with key facts to be memorized jotted down on paper.

Hunger started her stomach rumbling and looking at the time, she was shocked that most of the day had gone. She'd even missed lunch, so engrossed she had been. Feeling she knew enough of the real Beth's life to muddle through, she started looking through the kitchen for something to eat. Maggie joined Beth in her search for food grumbling disgustedly at being ignored for so long.

"Sorry Maggie I'll see what I can find for you," Beth apologized, placing a bowl with some milk in it for the kitten in the interim.

"Merooow," Maggie replied, licking hungrily at the bowl.

Beth looked through the pantry and cupboards to inventory the contents. Finding no cat food, she sighed, and sacrificed a can of salmon for the kitten to eat.

The fridge yielded a nice surprise, a casserole ready to be cooked. It was probably was going to be the dead woman's meal that she never survived to eat. Feeling sad for the dead woman, whose life she had so recently supplanted. She then carried the casserole to the oven to be cooked, knowing dead or not, the real Beth would hate to see the last meal she had made, wasted. While that was cooking, and seeing Maggie was happy, Beth had a look around the house.

She checked the bedroom and opened the closets to see her new clothes. Inside, were some of the most elegant clothes Beth had seen, stylish and in good taste, even with her inexperience, with woman's apparel, Beth could tell they were quality garments. Leaving the clothes for moment, she checked out her drawers. One interesting thing caught her eye nestled among the frillies of the underwear. She picked it up, checking to see if it worked, before setting it aside for later.

Vowing to put on a little fashion show for one, a bit later, she looked in the bathroom adjoining the bedroom. The Jacuzzi was a surprise, no doubt a recent addition, she thought, having money was nice for the creature comforts, Beth thought enviously, before realizing with a grin that it was her money now. Maggie entered the room and started brushing up against her stocking covered legs as she wove her feline body between her feet. Picking Maggie up, Beth started stroking the inquisitive kitten as she wandered to check out the rooms she hadn't been in yet. Accompanied by the throaty purring sound, Beth discovered the extent of her home.

The oven timer interrupted her inspection of a photo album she had found in the lounge. Checking the dinner to see if it was ready, she got herself a glass of red wine from the wet bar in one corner of the lounge. She served a generous portion of the beef casserole for herself and took it, and the wine into the lounge to eat, while checking the news on the television.

The casserole was great, and she sent up a silent prayer to Beth for preparing it. She saw herself on the television, in the segment about the explosion and its aftermath. Beth thought that she looked pretty good, I thought, even in the dress she'd been found in. Beth wondered if she was going to get calls from people that had known her, and she worried how she was going to handle it. Like she'd triggered a physic call with her thoughts, the phone began to ring.

"Hello?" Beth answered, unsure of who was calling.

"Beth? Oh honey, I just saw the news item, are you okay?" came an unfamiliar voice on the other end.

Beth's heart sank, the caller neglected to name herself, probably assuming Beth recognized her. Thinking fast, Beth answered the caller.

"Not really, some of my memories seem scrambled. I find I have huge blanks till something triggers the memory, like a name or a key word." Offered Beth, by way of explanation.

"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that, you do know who I am right? Well I was wondering if you wanted to cancel out of our aerobics class this week. Seeing you were hurt and all." The still unknown caller continued.

"Yes I will, I think, I want to take things easy for a while, until I get back on my feet. Please call me again next week Susan." Beth answered, with a sigh of relief, as she found the callers name written in Beth's meticulously kept appointment book, she had quick thumbed through.

"I'm really sorry to hear that Colin died. I know you respected him. It's a tragic loss, well I'm glad to see you survived, I'll call you okay?" Susan said as she said goodbye.

"Byeeee," Beth said before hanging up the phone, only to have it ring again as soon as the hand piece hit the cradle. Several more calls came in that evening; mostly from co-workers who hadn't realized she'd been caught below, and had needed to be rescued. Luckily she'd recognized their names, and fielded off some of the more personal questions using fatigue as a reason to cut the calls short.

One thing she noted with hope was that none seemed to notice anything odd about her. She knew her voice wasn't a perfect match, Ted had managed to get it sounding similar to Beth's, although she thought it sounded slightly huskier, which made it even sexier, in her opinion. But she could explain that away as being the affects from the fumes in the explosion, if anyone asked. She became used to talking as a woman, even including some of the expressions Beth often used. It became easier to speak like the real Beth, the more she spoke. By the end of the phone calls, speaking in a normal female voice hardly seemed to be other than normal anymore. The final call was from Ted, saying he had found some something that had been overlooked, but he would talk more about it in the morning.

Beth found an empty cardboard box and placed a bath mat inside for Maggie to sleep in, before leaving it in the laundry. She then spread some newspapers for Maggie that she placed on the floor. Giving the kitten a last snuggle, she put her in the box and closed the door, before heading up to her bedroom. Looking at the wardrobe, she sighed. She was too tired to do the fashion show she had promised herself. Undressing, and putting her dirty clothes in the laundry hamper, she walked naked into the bathroom.

'I do have time for that,' she thought, as she saw the Jacuzzi. Filling it, she then found some scented oils, which she decided to try. 'Hell, I may as well enjoy myself while I can,' she argued silently. Getting in was heavenly; she laid back and let the jets pulse water on her weary body. Cleaning herself with some luxury soap, she felt fairly contented. She made the effort to get out before the water pruned her skin, and plucked a warm fluffy towel from the heated towel rail. She'd shampooed her hair and spent ten minutes getting it nice and dry with her hair dryer. The perm that had been put in that day, made it bounce back to its full glory, for which Beth was grateful.

Slipping into a peach coloured nightie, she slipped into the bed with a sigh. Slumber wasn't long in coming, and her dreams that night were again, pretty visual. Maggie, feeling she wanted company, headed towards the sleeping Beth. Closed doors where no match to her new abilities, and soon she was curled up on her favourite spot, Beth's body.

Morning found her up early, knowing she had to find a suitable outfit that day. Thinking back she recalled a nice outfit Beth had worn several weeks ago. Eventually she located it in the multitude of clothes she now owned. Putting it aside for the moment, she made herself a quick breakfast dressed only in a bra and panties covered by a translucent robe in pink. Just as she had finished and was about to go get dressed, a knocking on her door was heard. Looking through the peephole, she saw it was Ted, so she opened it not thinking about how she was dressed. Ted's eyes popped as he drank in her loveliness.

"Quick, kiss me like you mean it," Ted demanded, as he leaned in to her and kissed her on the lips. He held her tight keeping his mouth on hers. She was shocked, but resistance didn't seem an option as he swept her inside. "Sorry about that, but have you seen that car parked across the road?"

"Huh! What car?" was Beth's flustered reply, as tried to look out over Ted's shoulder out the still half opened door.

"Don't do that," Ted cried. "There's a guy watching us, most likely an undercover cop," Ted speculated. "One thing for sure, he really copped an eyeful in that outfit you are hardly wearing," laughed Ted. "Do you usually answer the door in a see through negligee that shows off everything?" He queried, raising an eyebrow.

"Only since I got this body, and had someone to show it off to..." Beth said without thinking, she then blushed crimson as the import of her words sank in. 'I said that, I don't believe I said that,' thought a stunned and embarrassed Beth. 'I as much said I did this just for Ted.'

"Honey you can show it off to me anytime. It's a beautiful body, almost a shame to hide it under clothes," Ted said fervently.

With that he gave her another kiss on her mouth, this time allowing her the option of pulling away. Beth had automatically closed her eyes, as if trying not to see who it was; she was kissing, when Ted had slowly slipped his tongue between her lips. It stayed there as uncertain whether to proceed, slipping back and forth along her lips. Beth didn't pull away, although her mind was yammering that she was kissing another man. What was worse was her sex was beginning to leak precum, as the continued stimulus caused a tingling in her groin to grow. It was starting to distract her attention, and she felt the urgent need to do something about it... but what? Thoughts of the vibrator in her drawer came to mind, seeing as a quick jerk off, was out of the question.

Ted's tongue started to probe against her teeth, seeking entry. Beth opened her mouth wider, allowing access to this inquisitive stranger; her reluctance was dying as the feelings in her body, told her to accept. Then with a sudden burst of desperation, a part of the dwindling Colin, resurfaced, long enough for the bemused Beth to break the kiss off. She didn't say anything lest her churning thoughts betrayed her, as she smiled and made her way back to get dressed. Ted followed behind, seemingly drawn to her, like a bee after honey. He stopped as she went into her bedroom, and belatedly called out through the now closed door.

"Oh! I got some cat food on the way over for Maggie. I knew you wouldn't have any in the house."

"Great thanks; oh can you feed her now, please. I'm not leaving her here alone, so I need to have her finish her meal, before we go," Beth called back.

Ted went and opened the food for the kitten, and thought about Beth's on/off reaction to him, as he watched the kitten feed. He was delighted with her acceptance of his kisses, but sometimes she just pulled back like it was unpleasant. It was hard to think of her as Colin as she looked, sounded, and for the most part reacted like a woman. 'Oh! Crap!' he suddenly remembered, she was Colin. She wasn't a real woman, just an excellent copy. Her body wasn't full of the right hormones that would be triggering the correct responses to a normal male/female situation. Considering who she'd been a few days ago, he was surprised she hadn't kicked him in the balls at his attentions. He knew fear of discovery could account for some of it, to maintain the role in front of others, yet when he'd kissed her just now; it had only been the two of them. Maybe, just maybe there was a spark growing between them. Knowing they had been friends for a long time as males, might be carrying on over to this new role. He secretly hoped so, 'having her back in my life has been wonderful,' he thought. Ted wished he could help her some way, 'maybe hormones might do the trick, but she'd never commit to that, all she wanted was her male body back,' thought Ted sadly.

His mental ruminations were interrupted, when 'she' walked in. Dressed in a smart red suit, she looked gorgeous, and Ted's knees turn to water as he gazed at her in rapt amazement. Her skirt was just above the knees and her white blouse had set off the jacket to perfection. Red pumps enclosed feet that were covered in some beige stockings that shone glisteningly up her legs. Holding a white clutch purse, and accessorized with plain gold necklace and gold ringed earrings, she looked anything but what she really was deep inside.

"Well? Do I pass?" she asked with a curious smile, as she did a pirouette.

"Pass? You're so far ahead of the others, it's a no contest." Offered Ted.

Beth smiled, which made her even more beautiful in Ted's eyes. Happy that she could take the compliment without feeling she was less a person and more an object, picked up the cat, before he said something to spoil the mood. Beth gracefully accepted Maggie, who immediately started purring. As she walked towards the front door that Ted was holding open for her, she quickly checked herself in the mirror hanging in the entry way. Satisfied her hair and her light application of makeup was fine, she allowed Ted to lock up the door behind her.

The car across the road was gone when they drove off, but they both suspected it wouldn't be the last of the police surveillance yet. Beth, remembering one of her questions, quizzed Ted about what he knew of the original Beth's finances.

"Well she had a windfall a while ago. You know her parents were killed in an accident?" At her nod, he continued. "Apparently some rich dude was driving under the influence, when he ran your... um Beth's parents off the road. The court settlement was considerable, so I heard, why are you asking, is there something wrong? I thought you were going to check all that?"

"Oh, I did, I... I mean she has a nice tidy sum in the bank and the car and house are paid off. It's a pity she didn't get to spend it all." Beth answered, getting as muddled as Ted with who was who.

"Then you'll just have to force yourself to do it for her," he laughed. "Oh, I nearly forgot to tell you what I found at the plant. I asked if I could examine the place to see if I could find out the cause of the explosion. They finally relented, seeing I was one of the experts. I also checked the computer readouts before the telemetry failed." Seeing Beth was listening with out interrupting, he went on. "Beth had turned the reaction up by a factor of four."

"Shit! No wonder it blew," Beth exclaimed.

"Yeah! Anyway the reaction overloaded the system and ignited some of the gases that the heat produced. Looking at what remains, I'd say the exploding vat incinerated Beth instantly leaving very little left the centre vat then tore up the vats on either side rupturing them and allowing the contents to mix. Um there was one part of her that I found, but I can't explain the way it looks." He paused taking a deep breath before continuing on.

"I found part of her groin, about three pounds of her sex was blown half way across the lab the metal shard I found covering it must have torn through her body taking it with it."

"Oh my god, if the police had found that, then they'd know it was from a woman." Beth gasped.

"Well, it's gone now; I stored it in a cryobag and left it in the level one storage unit."

"Why did you keep it? Why not destroy it before it destroys us if discovered. And did you find a sample of the polymer that did this to me?" Beth asked, looking at Ted.

"I was worried; the piece of flesh was partly dissolved, as if eaten away. Working at the vectors, I found that it had been just about where the three different polymers mixed together. I don't know what happened until I do some tests on a small sample of polymer I found in level three. I think we have a problem Houston," Ted quipped before laying the heavy news on Beth. "If what I'm guessing is true, you may have some of the real Beth's DNA in your body."

"What!" screamed Beth.

"I would guess that her DNA was somehow broken down and ended up going over you. Didn't you mention you were bleeding from the fall in toilets? An excellent entry point, I think," Ted conjectured.

"What does that mean for me?" Asked a rather frightened Beth.

"Maybe be nothing, we won't know till we take a few blood tests. I can compare yours with a sample from our gruesome find; lord knows we have enough equipment to analyse it; we just have to be careful. I think I can get Mrs. Bee to do some tests for us, anonymously of course." Answered a thoughtful Ted.

"Jenna Bee?" Beth asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Yeah, she's a great biochemist and did four years at Berkley, so she knows her stuff."

"Will she do it without asking questions?" Beth asked anxiously.

"Sure, she has a heart of gold, and as long as you give her some reasonable explanation, she'll be happy to do it." Said Ted, as he reached out a hand to comfort Beth.

They drove the rest of the way in silence, each deep in thought of the upcoming meeting with the rest of the staff. Finally, they reached the plant where a group of people was waiting outside. Ted assisted Beth as she exited the car, and took her hand, squeezing it reassuringly.

"Well you're on, Beth, think you can do it?"

"I have to," whispered Beth.

Still holding hands, they joined the milling group outside the main door. Beth was welcomed with hugs from a group of women who she had worked with. Fortunately Colin was familiar with their names, and could greet them back, thanking them for their concern on her health. One thing was made abundantly clear, apart from their ready acceptance of her as Beth, was the way she was treated as a fellow female. When she was Colin, they were polite, but slightly distant when he'd greeted them. Beth on the other hand was pulled into the conversation with several groups of women, discussing their possible futures. One embarrassing thing she was questioned about was Ted. Was she dating him again? Had she set a date? And how was he in bed? Beth blushed, which seem to answer most of the women's questions without having to say anything. Beth by way of explanation just said Ted was her rescuer and that for the moment they were together again. Maggie, still in Beth's arms was made a fuss of by all the women. Of course Maggie made the most of it by purring so loud, the vibrations throbbed deep into Beth's chest.

Ted had relinquished his hold, allowing her to be pulled away into the middle of the separate conversations. Ted's arrival was monopolized as well by a few interested co-workers, asking about the aftermath of the explosion. He did manage to keep an eye out for Beth, in case she needed help. He was pleased to see her keeping up with the other ladies and that she had been accepted as Beth with no doubts to her assumed identity.

A call to come into the main meeting room on the top floor of the building, had them mingling again as they squeezed into the elevators. The meeting basically gave them the news about the extent of the damage and of Colin's death. The sister plant would incorporate them all with no loss of jobs, which was greeted with smiles. They would report to the Flaxton plant later in the day and get things organized for the following morning. After the meeting had concluded, Beth managed to disengage herself from the women, who were still keeping her involved in their continuing discussion of fashion and men. She went out to check out her new car, where Ted caught up to her.

"You okay? I saw you getting along with the other girls, what did you talk about?" Ted asked encouragingly.

"Oh, just you," she giggled, before catching herself; shocked at the way her laugh had sounded.

"Me?" asked a puzzled Ted, raising an eyebrow. "What about, if I can ask?"

"Oh just when your going to make me an honest woman," Beth continued, keeping her grin from showing, as she strung the unsuspecting Ted along.

"Hmmm, now where's that ring?" Ted started fumbling in his pocket while starting to get down on one knee.

"TED! STOP THAT!" Beth jerked on Ted's arm to prevent stop him kneeling. "Everyone will see, she cried anxiously.

Ted laughed, softly. "I was only kidding," but his eyes held a look that said, he wished it were otherwise.

Beth thought about it for a moment, trying to see why it had seemed okay for her to tease Ted, but it hadn't been as funny on the receiving end. This being treated as Ted's love interest was confusing the hell out of her. She liked the big hummock, always had from the time they had first met. No matter what, they always seemed to get on. Ted had never got mad at him, even when Colin had unwittingly intruded into a private session with one of his ex girlfriends, one time. Colin had just burst into Ted's home one weekend, wanting to discuss a work related problem, when he ran into the two of them in the lounge both in dishabille. Ted had just asked Colin to come back later, seemingly unconcerned about the intrusion. Beth remembered that that girlfriend hadn't been so accepting and had called the affair off. Ted had never blamed Colin for that, just shrugging it off.

Coming back to the present, Beth's grip on Ted's arm loosened, as she started to cry from the emotional conflicts in her mind. Ted stood up quickly and seeing her distress and feeling guilty for causing it, he held her in a gentle embrace, while her emotions let loose.

"Beth, it's okay, please don't cry," he whispered, feeling heavy of heart.

Some of the women, who were walking to their own cars, came hurrying up when they saw her crying. Their questions of concern for their colleague helped Beth recover somewhat, as Ted explained that she was having a flashback to her experience in the destroyed lab. Beth was touched by their concern, feeling amazed at the way women reached out and comforted each other.

Never in his old life had he had so many women hugging him and wanting to know how he was. Women were more tactile, more open to reaching out and showing their concern. As Beth, she had more offers to visit for a chat and a drink, or a 'let's do lunch,' by her female co-workers, in a day, than Colin was ever offered in a year. Beth had begged off on most of the offers, asking for a rain check till she felt recovered enough. Her telling of the memory loss was greeted by shock and dismay, but they had rallied round offering any help they could. They told Beth not to worry if she'd forgotten their names or other details; they promised to all pitch in and help get her life back together and for her not to worry about little details.

Beth was touched by the camaraderie, and inside felt a little guilty for the deception. She would appreciate the help and made a promise to uphold her end of things and try to be as true to the original Beth as was possible, while she was living her life. Beth's eyes watered again as the women all hugged her again in turn, as her mumbled thanks were waved off

Ted was listening to this, as he stood nearby, having released Beth from his arms when the other women had gathered close. He was pleased the way things were going. Not knowing how long Colin was going to have to stay as Beth, knowing that she would get the other's support would help make it more bearable, plus any small blunders would be overlooked.

Ted was worried by the prospect that the DNA exposure might possibly lead to further changes, changes that might mean Colin would never return. Beth's reactions and some of her recent responses were definitely nothing like Colin. Until some much-needed blood tests were performed, he could only guess what the outcome might be. The way things were going, even if there were no genetic changes, Colin might decide to stay as Beth and continue to lead her life, a life seemingly full of friends. Colin's old life may look rather bleak and lonesome compared to Beth's.

Just as the women separated and Beth turned back to Ted with an apologetic look and a shrug, as if to signify the delay wasn't her fault, a call from one of the supervisors was heard.

"Ted...Beth? Wait up a second please."

They stopped and waited anxiously, as their old supervisor scrambled to catch them. Worry crossed both their faces as he approached, had they been found out? Did the police find some evidence of their deception?

To be continued

  

  

  

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