Archive-name: Changes/bates12.txt
Archive-author: 
Archive-title: Joe Bates' Story- 12


                                  Chapter 12
                                Shopping Again

   "Come on in."  Joe called out.  "I've been waiting for you."

   Karen Simpson entered the house.  She was taller than Joe by about two
inches.  Joe was shorter since the change, but still felt a little strange
having to look up to a woman.  At about five foot eight or nine, he was still
taller than most of them.

   "I want you to meet Linda."  Joe said, and walked down the hall towards
Linda's bedroom.  Linda heard someone at the door too, and met Joe as she left
the bedroom.  She now wore  shorts, and a light cotton top, somewhat like
Joe's.

   "Linda, I'd like you to meet Karen Simpson.  Karen is a nurse, and she
works for Dr Hopkins, at Hillcrest."  Joe introduced them.  "Karen, this
is my girl....my friend, Linda Mitchell."

   Karen held her hand out,  Linda took it, and shook hands with Karen.

   "Pleased to meet you, Karen."  Linda said, smiling.

   "Joe has told me about you."  Karen said.  "We hope to help him with this
problem if we can."

   "I've never heard of anything like this, have you?"  Linda asked.

   "Well, no.  I haven't.  I don't think Dr. Hopkins, or Dr. Krell have
either.  But if anything can be done to make him normal again, they'll find
it."  Karen said.

   "Linda, Karen and I are going over to the mall to get some stuff I'll be
needing if I've got to spend a couple of days away from home." Joe said.  "Are
you sure you can't come along?"  He asked, but really didn't mind that he and
Karen would go alone.  He felt that Karen understood his feelings better than
Linda ever could.

   "No, you two just go ahead.  I'm sure Karen can help you find the things
you need.  I have to get this proposal ready for the morning."  Linda begged
off.

   Joe checked his pockets.  He had his drivers license,  Master Card, and
American Express. That, with about twenty five dollars cash, would be enough.
He was feeling better about shopping, knowing that he could spend some money,
and not have to worry if he was still employed or not.

   "You better drive, if you will."  He told Karen.  "I'm worried about
getting stopped, with my license out of synch, such as it is."

   "No problem.  It'll take a few days maybe, but I think Dr. Krell can get
the paper work you need to change your license, and other records.  Even your
birth certificate."  Karen said.

   Joe didn't know about that.  Did he want his birth certificate to show him
as female?  The thought of it, the first record of his very existence, saying
that he was a girl.  Did he really want that?  Did he need that?  He wasn't
sure.  He would have to talk to Dr. Krell about it.  If they did find a way to
get him back, to make him a man again, then he'd have to change all that stuff
back again.  Of course, if that happened, it would be worth it.  As they drove
out of Linda's drive, and down the street, Joe tried to imagine the
scenario... He wakes up one morning, just like last Friday.  But...this time,
he looks down at his chest...his hairy chest...his broad, muscular, flat
chest.  He reaches between his legs, and touches his penis, and scrotum.  He's
a man again.  Instinctively, Joe reached up to touch his chest.  But, instead
of  hard muscles, and hair, he still felt the soft roundness of his breasts
under the lightweight top.  Joe realized he actually felt relieved.  Relieved?
What did that mean?  What sort of game was his mind playing on him?  He was
really a man, at least mentally, wasn't he?  And yet, he could hardly deny the
feelings of satisfaction he experienced as he touched his feminine softness.
Was his head beginning to accept the fact that his body was now female?  Or,
had his brain also become feminized, and he was to be left with only memories
of his former masculinity?  Whatever was happening, Joe realized that the
change was starting to effect how he thought about himself.  He was beginning
to feel more at ease with his changed body.  But, it seemed, he might be
losing control of what HE wanted.  It almost seemed that he was developing
another, a second almost FEMININE personality.  Was it inevitable?

   "Where do you want to stop first?"  Karen asked.  The sound of her voice
returned Joe from his thoughts.

   "Gee, I don't know, exactly."  Joe said.  "I guess I need a bit of almost
everything.  I probably have enough underwear, but that's about it.  What
should I wear to Dr. Krell's office?"  He asked.

   "If you have the time, I have something at my apartment that I'd like to
show you."  Karen suggested.

   "Sure I think we have three hours till the stores close.  Unless you shop
like Linda, that should be enough time."  Joe said, grinning at Karen.

   "The stop at my place should only take a minute or two."  Karen said.

   They drove quickly down the street towards the MALL, but turned down a side
street a few miles before it.  Karen then turned into the parking area of a
very nice complex.  The apartments were more like condo's, with large attached
garages.  The area reeked of money.

   "This is where you live?"  Joe asked.

   "Yeah, I bought one of these, since I like to keep my car in a garage I can
lock, enclosed garages are uncommon around here, and I don't want to buy a
house here in the Phoenix area."  Karen said.

   The garage door opened as Karen pressed a button on the automatic
transmitter.  She drove in, and Joe followed Karen inside.

   Karen's apartment was an combination of fine, heavy furniture, and filled
bookshelves. Joe looked at the titles and saw that they were mostly medical
books, with a few biographies, and technical paperbacks on computer related
subjects.

   "Nice place."  Joe said.

   "Thanks.  I like it."  Karen said.  "It kinda reminds me of home."

   "Come into my bedroom."  Karen said.  "I have something I'd like to show
you."

   She went into her bedroom.  Joe followed, and Karen went into her large,
walk-in closet.  She came out almost immediately with a wig on a styro-foam
stand.  It was the same color as her own hair, blond, with a slightly brown
cast.  It was medium length, and a slightly different style than Karen now
wore.

   "I want you to try this on."  Karen said,  "I know it's not your color, but
I'd like to see how you look without that GI haircut.

   Karen walked over to the dresser, and Joe obediently followed.  She stood
behind Joe, and placed the hairpiece on his head.  She made sure that none of
his own short hair was hanging out.  As she smoothed the hair in place, Joe
watched his reflection in the mirror.  With longer hair, he could hardly
recognize himself.  The new, smooth contours of his face, and the emphasis of
his cheekbones by the hardly noticeable makeup, gave him a totally different
look.  As he stared at himself, trying to be detached, he couldn't believe the
change in his appearance.  Without the short, male hair style, practically
nothing remained to remind him of his former appearance.  He raised a hand and
touched his face, and then ran a finger along his cheek.  He could feel it all
right, it WAS him in the mirror.  Karen's hairpiece had transformed his face,
almost like the other changes had transformed his body.

   "Unbelievable."   Was all he could say.

   "I thought you might feel that way."  Karen said.  "You can wear it if you
like.  I don't use it anymore."

   "I would like to try it, if you don't mind."  Joe said, as he felt the
hairpiece, and arranged the hair which completely covered his ears.

   "It isn't the right color, but it still looks good on you."  Karen said.
"I think that style would even look good with your own hair, when it grows
out."

   Joe continued to gaze transfixed in the mirror, as Karen poked thru a
little chest on her dresser.

   "Try these."  She said, and clipped some small gold disks on Joe's ear
lobes.

   Joe felt Karen snap something on his ears.  He looked in the mirror, and
saw small earrings protruding out from under his new longer locks.  He didn't
like the way they felt, but had to admit they did look appropriate.

   "Unbelievable."  He said again.

   The image in the mirror was completely that of an attractive young woman.
Joe felt as if he was looking at somebody else.  His body image, already
stretched to the limit, was now completely overcome.

   "I think you'll pass."  Karen teased.  "I've got something else I think you
might want to see."  Karen said, as she walked out of the bedroom.

   Joe followed Karen into the large living area.  One wall was completely
covered with bookshelves.  Karen went to the shelf, and took a book down.  She
handed it to Joe.  He looked at the cover.  "Genetics and Sex Determination"
it said.

   "You might scan this."  Karen said.  "It might give you some insight on
what might have happened to you, and maybe, what you can expect.  With the
unique experiences you're having, you might even be able to add to it."

   She was right.  It was possible that no one else on record made such a
complete transition.  Whether he liked it, or not, Joe and his friends
situation would probably be one for the medical books.

   "Ok, I'll read up on it."  Joe promised.  He did want to learn more about
genetics, and chromosomes.  Biology was always mildly interesting for him, but
now the interest was much more personal.

   "I guess we better get going."  Karen said.  She took a small purse, and
began walking toward the door to the garage.

   Joe went out with Karen, and they get into her car.  The garage door
opened, and Karen backed her white sports car out.  They quickly drove the
short distance to the mall, and parked.  They walked into the mall, and Karen
went to a back-lighted diagram showing the various stores.

   "Where to?"  She asked.

   "I wish I knew."  Joe said.  He wasn't used to shopping for women's
clothes, and really didn't like to do it.

   "How about a skirt?  I saw that you hardly have anything but dresses that
look like they belong to an old lady."  Karen suggested.

   "What do you mean?"  Joe objected.  "My new stuff don't look THAT bad."

   "We can do better."  Karen insisted.  "Let's find something to show your
legs a little.  You have a really nice figure, too."  She went on.

   "I don't know...I really don't think I should get anything too wild.  Give
me some time to get used to this."  Joe begged.

   "You're doing fine, and you look great.  I think we'll find some things
that look good, and maybe you'll even like to wear them."  Karen repeated.

   Together, they walked into Goldwater's.  Joe could smell the cosmetics that
were displayed on the counters near the entrance.  They walked passed the
glass and shining plastic, and then through the hosiery section.  Joe looked
at the bottom half of mannequins showing the different styles, and colors of
pantyhose.  He thought about his own limited experience wearing them, and
realized that from now until a way was found to return his masculinity, they
would probably be part of his wardrobe whenever he needed to dress more than
casual.  He considered how Linda dressed that morning.  That suit was probably
the feminine equivalent of what he normally wore to work, except when flying,
or working in the lab.  He wondered what the other engineers would think when,
or if, he came to work wearing stuff like that.  They had a few secretaries,
and administrative women in his section.  Since he had worked there, there had
been no female engineers.

   Joe and Karen walked into the clothing section.  Down the aisle, Joe
spotted a light gray suit, with a gray silk blouse.  His first thought was how
Linda would look in it, and then realized that he should be thinking about
what HE would look like wearing it.

   "I want to look at this."  Joe told Karen, as they walked past the outfit.
They went into the racks of skirts, and jackets.  Immediately, a sales lady
came to their assistance.

   "Can I be of help?"  She asked.

   "Yes.  I'd like to try on an outfit just like that one."  Joe said,
pointing to the mannequin.

   "What are your sizes?"  The woman asked.

   Joe told her, and she went to the racks, quickly selecting the style, and
size, Joe suggested.

   "What type of blouse did you have in mind?"  The lady  questioned.

   "Just like the dummy."  Joe answered.  He thought he told her he wanted an
outfit JUST like the one on display.  He felt no desire to experiment.

   The woman looked at Joe.  It appeared that she wasn't used to a woman who
knew exactly what she wanted, without wanting to search the racks herself.
Most unusual...

   The woman retrieved a gray silk blouse, and took the hangers of clothing
back into the fitting area.  She hung the items on a hook in a small closet
sized room with a small couch.  There really wasn't enough room in the cubical
for Karen to stay with Joe, so she stayed out, and sat down on one of the
chairs outside.

   Joe looked at the clothes hanging on the wall.  The silk blouse was at the
front, and he touched it, enjoying the soft, smooth feel of the fabric.  Of
course, he had never worn anything like this before.

   Joe pulled the top he was wearing over his head.  It was made more
difficult by the extra hair he now had when wearing Karen's wig.  He felt
it snag on the earrings he wore. He layed the little top on the couch, and
took the blouse from the hanger.  He carefully placed his arms into the
sleeves of the blouse, and buttoned it.  He only fumbled a little with the
backwards placement of the buttons, and then, did his best to tie the bow that
was at the neck.  He hadn't expected the bow.  The blouse fit well, and the
soft fabric followed his shape perfectly.  He looked down, and saw how the
fabric almost flowed over the mounds of his new breasts, and the way the
glistening silk attractively emphasized his form.  Joe couldn't resist
touching his chest, feeling his own softness through the silk.  He loved the
sensation of feeling the fluid silk from both sides.

   Joe quickly removed his shorts, and tossed them next to the top.  He took
the skirt, looked at it, and tried to decide how to put it on.  He decided to
unzip the back, and step into it.  That seemed to work ok, and he tried to zip
it up by reaching behind his back.  That was difficult, but the skirt was a
little loose around his waist, so Joe spun the skirt around so that the zipper
was almost at the front. He finished zipping it up, and then buttoned the
little tab.  When it looked right, he spin the skirt back around so that the
zipper was aligned with his backbone.  The skirt felt a bit loose, but looked
good.  Joe  removed the jacket from the hanger, and easily slipped it over his
silk covered arms.  He wanted to look in the mirror.  He pulled the hair out
from under the collar of the jacket, opened the door, and stepped out.  Karen
was waiting for him and smiled widely when she saw him.

   "You look great."  She said.

   Joe stepped to the three sided mirror, and looked at himself.  Again, he
was amazed how different he looked with the hairpiece.  The suit looked good
on his new shape too.  He was impressed with his appearance.  I didn't ask to
be like this, he thought, but I might as well look the best I can.

   Joe looked at his legs in the mirror.  He had left his shoes in the
cubicle, and his white Reebok athletic socks really didn't go with his outfit.
He looked like one of those secretaries in the city, who wore jogging shoes
for the walk from the car, or train station, to their office.  He walked over
to the mannequin, to see what else it was wearing.  He saw that it wore sheer
white hose.  He didn't like that color much when Linda wore it.

   "I don't like those white stockings."  Joe said to Karen.

   "That color is very popular."  The sales woman said.  "But a darker color
would also look good."

   "Get some Sheer Blue, or, I've found Dark Sand to match my hair color."
Karen said.

   "I'll take this stuff."  Joe decided.  "And, I'm going to look around some
more."  He was starting to get into this shopping thing.

   Joe looked at the other mannequins for ideas.  The others were either not
suitable to his taste, or were too 'evening dress' styled.  He couldn't think
of any place he would be going where he would wear things like that.  His
taste leaned towards the tasteful, conservative, business suit styles.  Most
of the dresses were far too feminine for him.  It was early spring, and most
of the things were summer styles.

   "How about something like this?"  Karen asked.  "You can't wear suits when
you aren't at work.  What if you want to dress up to go out in your off time.

   Karen pulled a sundress from the rack.  It was sort of faded red-orange,
and had straps over the shoulders which crossed in back.  It had a slightly
low top.  It was tasteful, and sophisticated.  Joe liked it, but wasn't sure
about the low cut top.

   "Gee, Karen, I don't know.  Isn't that a little breezy?"  He asked.

   "No, it isn't.  It's summer.  You can't wear long sleeves all summer."
Karen insisted.   "If you don't buy this, I  might."

   "Ok, ok, I'll try it on."  Joe said.

   He tried to sound like he didn't like this task, but deep inside, he was
beginning to enjoy trying on these new things.  As a man, he usually shopped
just to replace worn clothes, with little thought to fashion, or style.  Now,
trying on new clothes was an experience in textures, and feel.  Women had such
variety to select from in color, style, and fabric.  He was beginning to
understand why Linda loved to shop for clothes.  Compared to buying men's
clothes, it was a most sensual occasion.

   Joe took the red sundress from Karen, and walked back to the fitting area.
He entered the cubical, and hung it in the hook.  The removed his top again,
and slipped out of his shorts.  He took the dress from the hanger, and pulled
it over his head.  Closing the buttons at the back of the dress was a
difficult process, but he did it.  He looked down at himself.  The straps
of the little dress didn't cover the shoulder straps of his bra.  He tried
to tuck them under the dress straps the best he could, and went out to look
in the mirror.

   He was inspecting himself in the mirror, as Karen came up behind him.  She
touched his back, and snapped the strap of his bra.

   "You're going to have to do something about this."  She said.  "You can
either forget the bra entirely, or look for one of those strapless, or cross-
over types."

   Joe thought about it.  Without a bra, he felt insecure, and even more self
conscious.  When he thought about it, maybe he was foolish to feel that way.
But, he realized, the new shape of his body was more noticeable, to him, and
probably everybody else too, when he didn't have one on.

   "I'll look for one that works with this."  Joe insisted.

   He looked at himself in the three-sided mirror.  He couldn't deny that he
really was attractive.  He guessed that maybe, because the change was so new,
it didn't seem that he was looking at himself, but that he was seeing somebody
else in the mirror.  Almost like he was INSIDE another person.  The illusion
was made even more interesting by the fact that this other person was a very
attractive member of the opposite sex.  And, the fact that he could feel
everything the other person felt, made the experience almost overwhelming.
Maybe that was how he was able to cope, he considered.  The only problem with
the whole thing was, there was no way to stop the illusion.  He had to live it
full time.  That made it difficult.  If only he had the ability to change from
his normal, old appearance, to the illusion, at will. Then, this might be the
ultimate experience.

   "I think you better get it."  He heard Karen say.  "You sure seem to like
it."

   "Yeah, I guess I better."  He answered, jolted back to reality by her
words.

   Joe went back to the fitting room, and removed the sundress.  He slowly put
his shorts and top back on.  He took the clothes out and gave them to the
sales woman.

   "Will there be anything else?"  She asked.

   "Yeah, I'll need some kind of slip or something, for the suit, and I guess
I should get another bra.  One that don't stick out of the sundress." He said,
speaking more to himself than to her.  "I better get a purse, or handbag, or
whatever you call it, too.  And I just got to buy a watch.  My old one just
falls off my wrist now, and I can't get used to not wearing one."

   The woman looked at him strangely.  She began ringing up the things, but
kept her eye on Joe.  She sensed that there was something very unusual about
this woman, but she couldn't place it.

   "The lingerie section is down this aisle, and to the left."  She said
carefully.  "The better handbags are upstairs.   Ladies watches can be found
in the jewelry section, over there"  She pointed at another counter, two
aisles away.

   Joe noticed his words were unnerving the sales woman.  He was becoming more
confident now, and decided to play with her head a little.  He looked around.
There was no one in the area but him, Karen, and the sales lady.  When she
presented him with the bill, he gave her his American Express card, and when
he was finished paying, he thanked the woman, then went over to the nearby
mirror, looked at himself critically, and took off the wig.  The saleswoman,
who never took her eyes off him, let out a noticeable gasp.  Joe smoothed his
short hair, pretended to adjust his bra, and then, carefully replaced the wig.
He walked out of the saleswoman's section without looking at the woman.
Karen, who had been silently watching what was happening, followed, trying her
best not to laugh.   When they turned the corner, walking towards lingerie,
she spoke.

   "Joe, I can't believe you did that."  She said, laughing.  "You are simply
unbelievable."

   "You said it, didn't you?"  Joe said.  "If you got it, flaunt it."

   They went into the lingerie section, and Joe again began to feel like out
of place among the silky, feminine things hanging on the racks, and hooks.
But, he had always liked the look and feel of these things on a woman, and
now, it seemed, he was starting to enjoy the feel of wearing them, too.

   Joe tried to remember what he needed to buy, as he looked at all the sexy
things.  He remembered that he needed something to wear under the suit, as
well as the skirts he already had.  The only other time he had worn a dress,
he had borrowed a slip from Linda.  She called it a "half slip".  What ever it
was, he needed one.  He went over to the rack, where they were hanging, and
took one.  He held it up to his waist, to see how long it was.  He looked up,
to get Linda's opinion, when he saw a guy, who was probably self concisely
waiting for his wife to try something on, watching him.  He began to blush.
Since he had begun to wear Karen's hairpiece, he had become much more
confident, probably because he looked so female.  But his confidence went out
the window when he saw this stranger, who surely suspected nothing, innocently
watching him pick out a slip.  His heart began to pound, and he could feel
sweat beginning to form on his forehead.  He took the slip, and went over to
Karen, who was looking at teddies.

   "Did you find something already?"  She asked.

   "Yeah, I...I think I need this."  Joe stuttered.

   Karen could tell that something was wrong.  She looked at him.

   "What's the matter, Joe?"  She asked.  "Do you feel sick?"

   "No..No nothing like that.  I just suddenly realized, again, that I'm
really still a guy inside.  I don't know what I'm doing here.  A guy over
there is watching me.  I can't buy stuff like this with a guy watching." Joe
whispered nervously.

   "Joe, think about it.  Look at yourself.  Put yourself in his place.  He's
just watching a good looking woman.  It's probably a little turn on for him,
or something, just to watch you.  But, there's no crime with that.  You
probably did it too.  There, look."  Karen motioned at the man.

   The man's wife came out of the fitting room, with a couple of slips she had
been trying on.  The man began talking to her.  He wasn't even looking at Joe,
or Karen.

   "There, see, He didn't think you were a guy in drag, or anything." Karen
teased.  "My God, Joe,  You look more like a woman than I do."

   "Ok, I guess you're right.  I'll try to hang in there."  Joe said.

   A sales woman, maybe twenty years old, came over to them.

   "Can I be of assistance?"  She asked.  She saw the half slip Joe was
holding.  "Did you want to buy that?"

   "Well, I need a slip to wear under a suit." Joe said, hoping he used the
right terminology.

   "Did you want a half, or a full slip?"  The girl asked.

   "I don't know."  Joe answered honestly.

   "Well, if you want a half slip, you might also consider a matching teddy."
The young woman said.  She was trained to suggest items.

   "I'd like to see the choices."  Joe said.  His confidence was returning.

   They walked back to the area where Joe had found the slip, and the sales
girl pulled a white teddy, which matched the slip he still held.  The white
nylon fabric had no lace, or decoration, but looked silky, and sexy, just like
Joe liked it.  The crotch, which closed with three little snaps, hung open.
Joe just had to try it on.

   "Could I try it?  Joe asked.

   "Certainly."  The young woman answered.  She handed Joe the hanger
containing the silky wisp of cloth.

   Joe gave Karen the bags he was carrying, and took the slip and teddy into
the fitting room.  This one was like the first women's fitting room he had
ever been in.  The doors were really like shutters.  They didn't go all the
way to the floor or top of the door opening.  The middle part was just wooden
slats, mounted like louvers.  The person inside could see over the door (if
they were tall), and could even see through the slats of the door across the
aisle.  Joe hung the hangers on the hook provided, and began removing his
outer clothing.  He started to remove his shorts, but had to sit to pull his
Reeboks off first.  He did that, and when he stood to pull his shorts off, he
noticed a woman enter the cubical across from him.  It made him think of the
first morning, only four day's ago, when he came to the mall to buy some
clothes, confused, and almost scared to death.  That's when he got his first
view of a woman, in an adjoining cubical, also trying on undergarments.  That
time, the strong male urge he still possessed, almost made his heart explode.
He wasn't yet used to seeing so much of his new peer group.

   As he continued to undress, Joe watched as the young woman in the other
cubical removed her blouse.  She carefully hung it on the wall hook, and then
unfastened the strap of her pink bra.  She removed it, and tossed it on the
padded seat.  Through the wide gaps in the door slats, Joe could see the
woman's breasts.  He waited for the familiar feeling of his penis (that's what
it still felt like to him) swelling  as it became aroused.  That would shortly
be followed (since the change) by a somewhat uncomfortable feeling of wetness,
as his new vagina started to lubricate, and made the crotch of his underwear
wet.  He watched, and waited.  Nothing.  The woman scratched an itch on her
left breast with her right hand.  The innocent action caused the breast to
jiggle like Jello.  Joe tensed the muscles in his groin.  Before, this scene
would have caused a pants ripping erection.   Now, although the sight was
still interesting, he felt about the same excitement as if he was watching his
friend Jay change clothes next to him at the health club.  What was happening
to him?

   Concerned, Joe touched the crotch of his panties.  They were warm, maybe a
little damp, they were always a little damp, but they weren't soaking wet, as
they would have been on previous days.  Was he losing his old desire?  Maybe,
as Dr. Krell suspected, his libido was enhanced by the extra testosterone,
left over from when his gonads were testicles.  The ovaries he had now would,
of course, eventually cause his sex drive to change, and probably become
somewhat cyclic.  If he was really female, it was probably inevitable.

   Joe gently stroked the smooth nylon that covered his soft crotch.  It felt
good, not in an erotic way, but rather, he liked the slick feel of the fabric,
which felt so different from the cotton jockey shorts he had always wore
before.  He looked over at the woman.  As she placed her arms into the straps
of the new bra, Joe could see the outline of her bosom.  Her boobs are no
bigger than mine, he thought.  In fact, mine are better.  No wonder she don't
turn me on.  I'm getting used to seeing female anatomy every time I look in
the mirror.  He went back to his task of trying on his new underwear.

   Joe pulled the teddy over his head, and down his body.  It was silky and a
bit loose around his chest, but, below the light elastic waistband, it was
made of a stretchy, lycra fabric.  He reached between his legs, grabbed the
little crotch strap, and snapped it closed.  There was no mirror in the
cubical, so he couldn't see himself.  He looked down, and was satisfied that
it fit ok.  He grabbed the slip, and stepped into it.  He really wanted to
see himself in a mirror, but that would have to wait.  Satisfied, he took
the silky things off again.  That was when he remembered.  He still needed
to get a bra without straps.  He quickly put his shorts back on, and slipped
the top over his head.  Joe decided that he wouldn't need to take his shoes
off anymore, so he put them back on, and tied them.  He grabbed the silky
items, and left the cubical.  He put them on the counter by the cash register
and went over to where Karen was standing, casually looking at slips.

   "What kind of bra do you think I should get?"  He asked.

   "What kind do you like?" She asked.

   "I don't like a lot of lace, and stuff like that."  He said.  He had always
liked the simple, silky, sheer underthings better than the lacy stuff, even
when he didn't have to wear them himself.

   They went over to the wall where all types, and colors of bras were
displayed, arranged by brand name.  Karen went to the Maidenform section, and
selected a sheer cupped bra, with straps which were convertible from cross-
over in back, to looping around the neck like a swimsuit.  It met Joe's
requirement, in that it had no lace at all.  The nude colored bra had cups so
sheer they were almost transparent.

   "How about this?" She asked.  "You wear a B cup, don't you?"

   "Yeah, I guess so." Joe said.  "I think I'm 34 B."

   He took the bra from Karen.  He held the flimsy thing up.  He saw the
sheerness of the cups, and grinned sheepishly as he looked at Karen.

   "Well, this is about as see-through as it gets, ain't it."  He said,
grinning.

   "It's underwear Joe, you won't see it under your clothes."  Karen said.

   "Yeah, but I'll know it's there."  Joe objected.

   "That's the whole idea, isn't it?"  Karen returned, and winked at him.

   He thought about it.  She was right.  The only reason for the design of
this little item was because it made a woman look good.  Maybe feel good too.
He might as well get it.

   "Ok.  I'll buy it."  He said simply.

   "You better try it on." Karen suggested.  "I don't know about you, but I
hate a bra that don't fit right."

   "Ok.  I'll try it then."  Joe said.  He didn't mind.  He was really
wondering what he'd look like in it, anyway.

   Again, Joe went back into the cubical.  He removed his top again, and took
of the white bra.  The coolness of the air conditioning quickly made his full
nipples stiffen to little points that reminded him of pencil erasers.  He was
always amused by the way his new, larger, nipples reacted to sudden changes in
temperature.  Maybe they did the same thing when he was male. but they were so
small that he had never noticed, if they had.  He was much more aware of
things like that, since he became female.

   He picked up the new bra.  He looked at the straps, tangled as they were.
The convertible bra was configured to cross-over in back.  That's probably
what he wanted, he decided, so he left it that way.  It was a back close type,
the first of that kind he had ever tried on.  He stuck his arms in the proper
places in the tangle of straps, and pulled the sheer cups to his breasts.  He
reached behind his back and hooked the back strap without as much difficulty
as he thought he would have.  The shoulder straps had little adjustment
clasps, and he adjusted them slightly.  He felt the cups, and decided that
they fit him perfectly.  He looked down at his chest.  His nipples and areola
were plainly visible through the almost transparent fabric.  It looked awful
sexy, even to him.  Wearing T-shirts was never like this, he thought.  It
might be fun wearing this thing.  Reluctantly, he removed it, and put his
other clothes back on.

   Joe took the bra and put it with his other purchases on the counter.  He
went over to Karen.

   "It fits great."  He said.  "The darn thing's almost see-through, too.  I
kinda like it."  He said, grinning widely.

   "I just thought you might." Karen said knowingly.

   "Can you think of anything else I need from this department?"  Joe asked
Karen.

   "Gee, I don't know what you might need, Joe.  I think you have all you were
really short of, but is one slip enough?"  She asked.

   "Probably not.  If I start back to work again, I guess I'll be wearing
stuff like this almost every day."  Joe said.  He was beginning to look
forward to wearing the things women seemed to take for granted.

   "Yeah, It's hell ain't it."  Karen teased.  It was almost like she
understood what was going on in his head.

   The went back to where the slips were displayed.  Joe found a full slip
with a stretchy, fitted top bodice.  He liked it immediately.  He located one
in a silver/gray color, like the one he borrowed from Linda.  The brand name
was Olga.

   "I think I want this."  He said.

   "Well, I think you should get it then." Karen said, in a similar tone.

   Joe took the slip to the counter, and took out his credit card.  As the
girl was ringing up his latest purchases, he asked Karen.

   "I still need a purse or something to carry stuff in.  What do you think I
should get?"

   "Let's go look at what they have."  Karen answered.  "You'll need at least
two types.  One for outfits like that suit, and at least one, something
simpler, to use for every day.  I have a little clutch purse.  It's big enough
for money, and ID.  It's better than lugging a purse around all the time,
too."

   The sales girl, who could hear their conversation, looked at both of them
curiously, but said nothing.

   "I think I should get some shoes to go with the suit."  Joe went on.  "I'm
getting to like shopping for clothes, but I think I still don't like trying on
shoes.  I can barely walk in even the lowest heels."

   "I think a simple black pump would be right  for the suit."  Karen said.
"Maybe you should practice wearing them around home.  That's how I learned to
walk in them."

   The sales girl, completely confused by the unusual conversation of these
two "older" women, was getting her register entries messed up as she listened.

   "Remind me to get a wrist watch, too." Joe continued.  He was lost in his
own thoughts, and didn't notice the girl's increasingly obvious interest in
their conversation.   Karen did though, and she decided to spice up the
conversation a bit.

   "Yeah.  Your wrist is probably a lot smaller now."  She said, watching the
girls reaction.

   Joe looked at Karen.  He was surprised at her last statement, but
understood when he saw the way the girl was looking at Karen.  He might as
well play along.

   "The old one almost falls off my arm."  He added, holding his wrist.  Of
course it was true.  His large aviator's Sieko looked strange, and far too
large for his now feminine sized wrists, and hands.

   He signed the ticket, and thanked the confused girl, who looked like she
would have loved to ask what they were talking about.  They left the lingerie
section, and went to the jewelry counter.  Joe wanted a new watch.  He needed
one that would fit his smaller wrist.  He looked at the ladies styles, not
really finding one that he liked, until he found a  ladies divers watch, made
by Citizen.  It was sort of like a miniature version of his aviators watch,
with a sweep second hand, but small enough for his wrist.

   He bought the watch, and then they walked to the department that had
purses, wallets, and all types of handbags.  Karen helped him pick out a
couple of lower priced handbags, and also a better one which matched his new
suit.  He also selected, at her suggestion, a little clutch, that he could use
when he didn't want to take a purse.  He new he needed these things, but to
him, they were no substitute for a man's wallet, and pockets to carry it in.

   They then went to the shoe department, and Joe found a type which Karen
said was perfect for his new suit.  Joe tried them on, and found the heels,
which were lower than the other pairs he bought the first day, were much
easier to walk in.  He bought them from a salesman who hardly took his eyes
from him, the whole time.  Joe felt the blood rush to his face, whenever the
guy was around.  He was a good looking man, but to Joe, who to this time had
never had so much obvious male attention, there wasn't any mutual attraction.
Joe tried to ignore the guy as he made small talk.  He hoped the guy wouldn't
push the issue since he had no idea how he should react.  They walked out of
the store, and Karen couldn't resist rubbing it in.

   "That guy wanted you're bod."  She teased.  "How do you like being a sex
object?"

   "I don't know."  Joe answered.  "I guess I I'm glad I don't look like Dave,
or Mike, but I sure ain't ready to flirt with men."

   "You're doing fine, Joe."  Karen advised.  "You're doing just fine."

   They started to leave the department store, when the upside-down mannequin
legs reminded Joe that he should get some pantyhose to match the clothes he
just bought.  He went over to that section, and Karen followed.

   "I hate wearing these things." He said to her.  "It makes taking a whizz an
even bigger ordeal."

   "It is more difficult while wearing them."  Karen agreed.  "Of course, you
could wear individual hose, if you like that better.  I have both, and they
each have their own advantages.  With short skirts, pantyhose is the only way
to go.  You don't have any really short skirts."

   "Let's see what they have."  Joe decided.

   They looked at the various types, and colors, and Joe picked out two pair
of stockings, the type that stay up by themselves, with a light elastic around
the top.  He certainly didn't want to wear a garter belt.

   They were leaving the store, when Joe saw a rack containing sunglasses.  He
always wore sunglasses when he flew in the daylight, but his smaller features
made his old ones hang at the end of his nose.  He went over to the rack, and
started looking at the smaller, and women's types.  He found finally found
some reasonably good ones that fit his size, and still didn't look too
feminine for his personal taste. He bought them, and they left the store.

   As they were driving back to Joe's, or Linda's house, Joe decided to tell
Karen about the way he felt as he watched the woman changing, back in the
store.

   "I don't understand it."  He said.  "Ever since the change, I obviously
look different, but my feelings about women, about sex, have been the same as
always.  Sometimes, it's been uncomfortable, almost embarrassing, for me.  I
was just starting to get used to the way it feels like I'm peeing my pants
when I get excited.  And that's been pretty often, too.  It seemed like my
underwear was always wet.  Linda could cause it to happen.  Barb, my best
friend Jay's girl friend, she could cause it.  It was just like I was still a
guy, but worse, since I now I'm allowed in women's dressing rooms, and all
that.  Any guy would get worked up in that position, and I did.  But while
ago, while I was trying on that slip,  I could see a woman changing clothes
in the compartment across the aisle.  I watched her try on underwear.
Nothing.  It didn't do a thing for me.  No hard-on,  no wetness.  Nothing.
It was like I was watching Jay change clothes.  What's happening to me?  Did
you notice the same thing after you had your operation?"  He asked her.

   "Gee Joe, I don't think you can compare my transition to yours, at all."
Karen answered.  "For me, it took years.  I was on hormones for almost two
years before I had my reassignment surgery.  By then, I already had quite a
bit of breast development, and I was living as a woman full time.  I wasn't
sexually active, and I guess I wasn't ready to accept men yet.  I did like to
be around women, but I didn't really desire sex with them.  I think the
hormone's caused that.  After the surgery, I did wonder what sex with a guy
would be like, since now I had the right plumbing, but I didn't really have a
strong urge to try it.  Even now, after I've done it a few times, I can take
it or leave it.  I don't know if that's a normal female reaction, or not,
though.  I do feel different, at different times during the month.  I have to
take hormones every month, for the rest of my life.  I don't have a period,
like a genetic female, like you probably will, but I do experience hormone
induced mood swings, and changes in desire, very much like I would if I had
all the female internal organs.  But, I just don't think my experience is
comparable to yours, though."

   "I guess I don't have a lot of choice, if I'm really female now." Joe
concluded.  "But it sure feels strange when the old turn-on's, suddenly  don't
work anymore."

   "Maybe you'll get new one's to compensate."  Karen said, grinning, and
winking at him.

   "That's a scary thought, too."  He returned.

   "If you're going to live as a woman, it would probably be for the best,
wouldn't it?"  Karen asked logically.

   "Yeah, I guess that's true, but I'm not sure what would be worse, not ever
making love to a woman again, or having sex with a guy."  Joe answered.

   "Well, that depends on your point of view, don't it.  And it looks to me
like yours has changed."  Karen added.

   "Yeah, it has.  It sure has at that."  Joe said.

   "You're doing great, Joe Bates." Karen said.  "Just keep it up.  You might
find you actually like your new point of view."

   "Oh, I know.  I already like some of the things about being a woman.  I
actually enjoyed trying on clothes today.  I never thought I'd say that.  I
guess that's part of the change too.  I don't know.  Every thing feels, and
looks so good.  I can't describe it.  If I could change back and forth, at
will, this whole experience would be fantastic."  Joe said.

   "Well, I think most women, and probably, most men, too, if they could try
it, would say that.  Anyone who's been on both sides would say that neither
side is definitely better.  They both have some advantages." Karen agreed.

   "You seem to have thought that the female side was better."  Joe said.

   "I always felt that I WAS female.  Changing my body to match my head, even
if it couldn't be a perfect change-over, was worth the misery.  I guess.  Once
you've done it, you can't get back anyway.  Not that I would want to, even if
I could."  Karen said.

   "I guess if I'm stuck like this, I'll manage, but If they find a way to get
me back, I'd take it in a minute."  Joe said.

   They drove back to Linda's house.  Karen parked in the drive, and helped
Joe carry his bags, and packages into the house.

   Linda was sitting at the table in the breakfast area.

   "Well, you two seem to have bought out the store."  She said, as she saw
them enter.  "Joe, the hair looks great."  She added when she saw the
hairpiece Karen loaned him.

   "I guess I have enough for the trip."  He told Linda.  "Karen loaned me
this."  He touched the long hair with his hand.

   She looked at him, and grinned.

   "I bought a suit sort of like the one you wore this morning."  Joe said.

   "You liked it so much, you went out and bought one, huh?" She said.
"Starting to like this "girl stuff", are you?"

   "Well, I decided, If I got to be one, I might as well be one I'd like to
look at."  Joe teased back.

   "You have to try it on, and show us." Linda insisted.

   "The suit is very nice, but you should see what Joe looks like in this."
Karen said, pulling the red sundress out of its bag.

   "Oooh, I like that." Linda said.  "I wonder if it will fit me."

   "Oh, sure.  I get some new clothes, and already, my girl friend wants to
borrow them."  Joe kidded.

   "You've got to try them both on."  Linda insisted again.  "Get in there,
and change."

   "Ok, Ok, I will, if you insist."  He tried to sound like he didn't want to,
but he was anxious to try it all on again.  What's happening to me?   He
wondered again.

   He took the bag containing the suit, and the silk top while Linda and Karen
took the rest of the packages into his room.  They layed it all on his bed.
He stood there a little embarrassed while they waited for him to try it all
on.  What the hell, he thought, they've both know what I look like, all over.
He pulled his top over his head, and tossed it on the bed.  He sat on the edge
of the bed, and pulled off the Reebocks, and the sweat socks.  He unfastened
his shorts, stood and stepped out of them.

   "Try the sundress first."  Linda asked.  "I just love it."

   Joe looked at the little red dress.  He remembered that the straps didn't
hide the straps of his bra, so he unsnapped the hook between the cups, and
took it off. He dug into one of the bags until he found the one with the
criss-cross straps.  He quickly put it on, realizing that both of the women
were watching him intently.  He looked at Karen, but she just looked back with
her usual big grin.  Linda's eyes were fixed on the almost transparent cups of
the new bra.  Self conscious, he pulled his panties up snug, and grabbed the
little red dress from the bed.  He put it over his head, and Linda helped him
fasten the buttons at the back.  He had done that for her a few times, but she
had never done it for him, until now.  Then, Karen and Linda both stood back,
and critically eyed him.

   "Joe, you're gorgeous."  Linda said.  "For somebody who still feels like a
guy, you sure look fantastic as a woman."

   "I'm doing my best with what I've got."  Joe said.  Awkwardly, he turned
about, trying to act, the best he could, like a clothes model, as he
remembered them.  He was experiencing an unusual combination of embarrassment,
and pride.

   "You look so different, with the different hair" Linda said.  "It really
looks good."

   "Ok, try the suit on."  Karen said.  "If I'm going to San Diego with you
tomorrow I've go to go home and get ready too."

   Joe reluctantly unbuttoned the red dress, and pulled it over his head.  He
really liked the way he looked in it.  He put it on a hanger and hung it on
the door hook.  He went to the bed and took the silk top, and pulled it over
his head. As he awkwardly tied the bow, he spoke.

   "It's almost worth it to go through all this just to be able to wear this."
He said, and rubbed his breasts with both hands, through the silky fabric.

   "Control yourself, you dirty old man."  Linda teased.  "We're don't want to
see you feel yourself up."

   Joe winked at her, and took the skirt from the bed, and stepped into it.
As he did before he spun it around, and zipped it, and buttoned the tab.  Then
he spun it so that the zipper was in the back.  unlike the fullness of the
bottom of the sundress, the suit had a straight skirt that felt much
different.  although the waist band was loose, the hips were more form
fitting.  He turned around once, so they could see what he looked like, and
then put the jacket on.  He pulled his hair out if the neck of the jacket, and
again turned around slowly.

   "Well, what do you think?"  He asked to no one in particular.

   "You look great."  Karen said.

   "Yeah, fantastic."  Linda agreed.  "What else did you get?"

   "Oh, just some more underwear, slips and stuff like that."  Joe said.

   Linda went over to the bed and started looking into the rest of the bags.
She pulled out the slip and the teddy, and held them up.

   "You really took me up on my suggestion didn't you?"  Linda asked.

   "I had to get something, and, I know what I like when I see you wear it, so
why not?  Yeah, I guess I did."  Joe answered.

   "You look just great."  Linda said again.  "It would almost be a shame if
they can change you back." She teased.  Joe wondered if she was really
teasing, or if she meant it.

   "Well, I've got to get going."  Karen said.  "I have some laundry to do
before I go to bed.  I'll see you at the hanger at six in the morning?"

   "Yeah, that's about it.  Joe answered.  "I think we can make Lindbergh
Field in about two, two plus thirty, depending on the winds."

   "Ok, see you in the morning."  Karen said.

   "Bye.  And thanks a lot."  Joe said.  He hated to see her leave.

   "Pleased to meet you, Karen.   Come by anytime."  Linda called.

   "You'll be seeing more of me, I'm sure."  She called back.

   When Karen left, Joe went back into his room.  He took off the suit, and
was standing in his underwear,  trying to figure out what things he should
take along, when Linda came through the half open door to his room.

   "Can I come in?"  She asked.

   "Sure, you know you're always welcome."  Joe replied.

   Linda came up behind him, and put her arms around him.  He took one of her
hands and kissed it.  She put her other hand on one of his breasts, and
pinched the nipple lightly, through the thin fabric of the bra.  Feeling the
slight pain, Joe spun around quickly.  He took her in his arms, and kissed
her on the lips.  It was pleasant, she was so soft, and she smelled great, but
it wasn't  the old zing that he always felt before, when he had Linda in his
arms.  He tried to show the same enthusiasm as always but it was difficult.
He was beginning to think of Linda as a friend, as a buddy, not as a lover.
No matter how sexy he thought she was, she wasn't making his juices flow
anymore.  What was happening?

--