The Lioness

by John Stang

  

Jonathan Harris is a thirty-nine year old delivery driver for an electrical supply warehouse. He loves his job very much and he is good at it. When he is not delivering electric motors and wire then he is the shipping and receiving clerk. Through the job he has made some good friends that he hopes will advance his in this career. But he makes no false assumptions, he knows he is basically in the entry level position in the company and despite what the boss has said they don't promote from within.

On his evenings he spends drinking beer alone in his house that his parents have left him. This gives him a lot of time to think about his life. Jonathan realizes the he alone messed up his life at an early age by not following through with anything that looked tough. He is brilliant but chooses to let people think he is stupid or ignorant. He did this for so long that it is second nature to do so yet he does not fool the other gifted ones. Over time however they gave up trying to turn him around-if he wants to act 'cool' then he can do so without their support. He barely works out just enough so he does not hurt himself at his job which requires him to get physical quite often. He drinks moderately so he won't feel the hangover. He eats out a lot so he won't have to cook. Hell whenever possible he takes the easy way out of everything. That includes relationships, since it takes time and effort to have one he chooses to live life alone.

One night Jonathan had went to bed early to try an experiment that is unusual cause of his work ethics. This experiment is all mental. It requires him to relax himself and empty his mind of all thoughts. You see he has some latent cognitive powers but he had never taken the time to properly train these abilities instead he opts for self experimentation ever so often.

Jonathan heads for his bedroom. Once there he turns on his white noise maker. Being an insomniac has taught him that he gets a ringing in his ears if there is no noise at all. Once in bed he imagines plain white paper. He thinks nothing at all except one sheet of plain white paper. This is to clear his mind. This is the only exercise he did religiously due to need of being an insomniac. Jonathan used to fall asleep during this imagining phase but lately this took longer and longer to happen. Previously he experienced a higher plane of thought where his mind was awake and his body was asleep. This night he wanted to get to that point to search the void he saw while in that state.

Everything seems to go according to the previous night. He reached that higher plane of consciousness while his body was asleep. Jonathan saw that void he wanted to explore. It took a few minutes before he found how he could literally will his consciousness to move. Once he started though it was smooth sailing from there. In the void he experienced euphoria. He appeared to be a small ball of energy floating around in a sea of nothingness. Then he saw events of the past and present. He felt the pain of people that were told a loved one just died and experienced joy of a parent of a newborn baby. Then he saw the entrance of hell and was scared before he realized that was not his path. Jonathan was overjoyed to see the pearly gates of heaven before discovering it was not his time, after all he was only a visitor.

Suddenly he was joined by another ball of energy similarly to his own. He guessed correctly that it was another visitor like him but incorrectly in that it was not the visitors choose to visit. Latching onto each other they played a game of tag in the void as if it was their own private playground. However time was growing short for the pair for their bodies would wake soon and they needed to get back before then or be forever lost in the void. The void guardian realized this fact and confronted them both. The guardian of the void pushed them forcibly on their perspective ways.

Once Jonathan was in his body his mind fell asleep as well. The next thing he knew he was waking up but not by his alarm clock but just that-waking up. This was a strange way of waking up for him he thought. Then there was a knock on the bedroom door.

"JoAnne dear you'll be late for school if you don't wake up" said a woman's voice.

His eyes popped open. 'JoAnne. Who is this JoAnne?' he thought. Then he looked around in complete shock. This room is not his room. The room was painted yellow cream with soft lavender highlights. Stuffed animals were neatly arranged everywhere. He knew instantly he was in little girls' room. The biggest shock was when he jumped out of bed. He found out he was a little girl about the age of fifteen. He was about to go into shock overload when the voice sternly said:

"JoAnne Hart. Did you not hear what I just said?"

Realizing this voice of authority must belong to the Childs Mother, He quickly answered "Yes Mother. Sorry. I was not fully awake yet. Thank You."

"Well you better get dressed quickly. Your breakfast is getting cold and Ruth will be here any second to pick you up for school."

School??!!! He does not even know what is going on and where he was let alone anything about school. He then made a quick scan in the mirror on the vanity table. Not a bad looking kid. She had blonde hair and pretty blue eyes. He could tell she was in great shape. Then he saw the big knot on her forehead

"Mom, Can I stay home from school today? I still feel dizzy and queasy."

The mother then opened the door, stepped in, then looked at her daughter thoughtfully before replying "hmm that was a bad spill you took off the balance beam yesterday and the doctors did say you will be alright however there might be some side effects."

'Side effects', he thought, 'no fucking shit there are side effects.'

"Alright I'll call the school and Ruth. Your friend Jason can pick up your assignments. I'll give him a call as well." Then the mother got a stern look on her face and continued, "However you are to rest today. That means no TV or phone calls today and above all else no exercising for the rest of the week. Do I make myself clear JOANNE?"

Jonathan flinched. It's been a long time since he had to answer to his own parents and they have been relatively easy going. It is going to be hard to get anything past this woman he thought. He thought it best to play along for now until he figured something out. "Yes Mom you made yourself perfectly clear."

The Mother eyed her daughter suspiciously. "Are you feeling okay JoAnne, besides the dizziness and queasiness of course?"

"Besides those two I feel fine Mom. Why?"

"Well, whenever I start telling you not to exercise you always fight me tooth and nail. This time you gave in without a single thought."

"Mom, you always ended up winning the fights right?" The mother nodded affirmatively. "Well today I wish to not waste any time on an argument I probably won't win."

This admission of defeat greatly puzzled the mother for this is not like her daughter JoAnne at all. Right now she should be fighting her over the workout issue. Jonathan realized his mistake when he saw the mother quizzical stare.

"Mom, When I am feeing better I will be pushing myself twice as hard to get back into shape, that I guarantee."

The mother had a huge smile on her face then. This is the daughter she knows and loves. "Well I guess that will be alright as long you do not push yourself too much dear. Now get down to breakfast this instant young lady.

With a glee in his heart he ran out of the room not knowing where the kitchen was. Thankfully he had seen enough house plans that he recognized the elements of this one. It was a modified two story Victorian. He/she ran down the stairs in the direction where the kitchen should be.

"JoAnne, no running in the house unless you wish to go to school today." yelled the mother.

This statement stopped him in his/her tracks. Why was she running in the first place? He hasn't run in the last 10 years. Then he realized he was in the body of a fifteen year old energetic girl. This is the norm for her. "Sorry Mother," she replied.

"That's alright. Sit down and eat your breakfast sweetie."

She sat down and just stared at her breakfast. It consisted of grapefruit and peaches plus the portions was very small. A small glass of orange juice was sitting nearby. What is going on? This can not be his breakfast. He usually ate bacon and eggs with coffee.

"You don't want it? I can just throw it out," said the Mother while reaching for the plate.

"no-no-no-no" he cried as he realized this just might be the normal breakfast for this particular little girl.

"Alright then eat up JoAnne," the mother said while staring at her daughter.

Silently Jonathan began to eat his breakfast. This is all food he did not care for but he ate it, somehow though he was enjoying this breakfast. As he ate her breakfast, Rachel, the Mother, kept looking at her daughter periodically with all too knowing eyes. After finishing up his meal she asked to be excused. Rachel granted her request. He got up to leave the room while leaving her plate on the table.

"Jonathan, don't forget to rinse your plate."

"Yes Mom," she replied while gathering her dishes.

At the sink it dawned on him that she called him by his true name. All at once surprise and shock whipped through her. She dropped the dish in sink as he whipped back towards the Mother with a shocked look on her face. "You…you..yo."

"Know. Yes I know. But I did not know for sure until you left that plate sitting on the table," she said coldly with a look on her face that could literally kill an immortal.

Jonathan wished she could just hide but knew she could not. He had to face her. With a very scared voice he asks, "Hoooow did y…ou find out?"

"While I might understand your situation somewhat I really don't wish to see my daughter stuttering. Please take a few moments to compose yourself. Help yourself to a cup of coffee this one time only. And join me at the table."

Gulping, Jonathan could not believe this situation. Here he was in someone else's body, a young girl in fact, and the mother of that girl not only knows of the obvious mishap but is also mothering him as well. Could this situation get any weirder?

While getting his coffee he noted the extra cup was already sitting next to the pot along with the sugar and brand new French Vanilla Creamer. The Mother not only knew you would want coffee but how you like it too. How did she know all this information? He had to get the answers so he quickly got his coffee and joined the woman sitting at the table.

Neither one of them spoke for a long while. They just sat across from each other while sipping their coffee. They were sizing each other up. They were keenly aware of the other person's movements. They did not wish to show any weakness to one another, they were almost fighting all without saying a single word. Jonathan could not take the silence anymore. "I'm sorry."

"What are you sorry for Jonathan? Are you sorry for what happened? Are you sorry for not trying to tell me who you are? Are you sorry for not even trying to call your true self to see if it is my daughter? Tell me Jonathan exactly what you are sorry about," the mother said angrily.

"All of that but you have to understand when I woke up only a half hour ago I was confused and scared. I'm in another person's body for Pete's sake. I thought it best to play along until I can figure out where I was and how this happened."

The mother pandered your statement for a minute then said, "I am sorry now. Let me explain my morning. I woke up to a ringing phone. The man on the other end of the line said he was me daughter. I said he was sick and hung up. He called back consistently until I threatened to call the authorities. That's when the caller broke down crying and told me things only my daughter knows and I do mean only her. Shocked I could only barely believe it. I quickly calmed her down saying that there was only a possibility that I believe her but said I had to talk to you before I was sure. She found your wallet and gave me you name. She also said you might be a tad lazy judging by the way you house was kept and by your true body's fat belly. Then there is the fact that she hates her full first name."

"You mean everything that went on this morning was actually a test to see if I was your true daughter or not. YOU COULD HAVE JUST ASKED ME," screamed Jonathan.

"Young lady, do not take that tone with me. Even if you are truly Jonathan Harris, your body is of my daughter. I will not have my daughter talking to me like that neither anyone else for that matter."

Jonathan got up from the table to finish rinsing her dish. "I'm sorry I raised my voice this must be hard on you too." All the mother could do was nod affirmatively. "You mentioned that JoAnne does not like be called by her full name."

"She goes by Jo."

"Do you feel strange calling me by my true name?"

"I can't get used to it. I only used it to get your attention."

"Well I will make this allowance. If you like you can call me Anne."

Rachel carefully looked at her little girl's body which was currently occupied by Jonathan. "Are you sure? That sounds insane but this whole situation is insane. If you can cope with this idea then I would love to. My name is Rachel but I much rather you call me Mom. If you do then I might give you a lot more latitude."

"You're having a more difficult time dealing with this situation than I am, aren't you mom?"

"Jonat….." Rachel looked at her startled, realizing what she/he he just called her. "Anne you have no idea but deal I must."

Anne gave Rachel a hug feeling a little strange about it. They've reached a sort of understanding and hugging seemed the most natural thing to do under normal circumstances. This time however it left the duo feeling a bit odd. A deathly silence fell between them suddenly. "Where's the phone?"

The mother separated from Anne quickly and pointed to a counter in the opposite side of the kitchen. "Over there on the counter. The base unit is on one of the end tables in the family room. Why?"

"You mentioned that Jo called. It's about time I called my other half," Jonathan/Anne said powerfully while walking to the phone.

When she reached the receiver it started ringing. Instantly Anne knew it was Jo. How she knew was a mystery to him but he knew. Rachel quickly crossed the kitchen to answer it but Anne stopped her as it rung a second time.

"…..Anne….." Rachel said while eyeing the daughter curiously.

"It's her," Anne breathed out softly.

"Her who…………" then it dawned on her, "Jo?"

Anne nodded affirmatively. Somehow Rachel, the mother, believed Anne. She somehow sensed the two had a connection to each other. It was the only explanation to one of Jo's last comments she made to her over the phone this morning, 'she is starting to wake up.' Sure enough when she went back and knocked on the door Jonathan was fully awake to his nightmares.

The phone ranged for the third time. Anne seemed to be waiting for something before considering picking the phone up. Then from the back of his mind someone scream a thought into it 'PICK UP THE FUCKING PHONE YOU MORON?'. This voice was not his own and had to be Jo's.

Anne picked up the phone before it could ring a fourth time. "What harsh words to use Jo. Haven't you Mother taught you better than that?" she said sarcastically. She had quickly went into the family room to place the call on the speakerphone.

"It got you to answer the fucking phone didn't it dipshit...Hi mom?"

"HI MOM, Hi Mom! You are nice to her but you scream and curse in my head," said Anne sarcastically.

"Hey you made it necessary……….Wait a minute you heard me in your head????"

Anne's eyes went big in surprise. "yeah and I knew it was you calling Jo."

"And I knew it was you at the phone Anne"

"This is heavvvvyyy," said Rachel who fainted.

"MOM!!!!" screamed Anne.

"Anne What's Wrong with Mom?" inquired Jo.

"She fainted but I caught her."

Just then the phone went dead. At first Anne was confused. Why would Jo hang up? Then Jonathan realized Jo was using his cell phone and he knew it needed charging. He also remembered he forgot to hook up the charger last night. In short, His cell phone was out of power. GREAT, now how are they to communicate now? Jonathan thought of something.

He/She sat down at chair across from the couch in which she placed Rachel. Slowly she began to clear his head of all thoughts. When she had sufficiently cleared his head he said out loud, "Anne can you hear me?"

(Yes but its strange communicating like this. What is this anyway?)

"It's called telepathy. I figured we could do it based on when both of us knew who was on the other end of the phone earlier even before anyone picked it up."

(Would you mind not speaking aloud when we talk like this, you are screaming into my head.)

'Sorry Jo. Is this better?'

(Lots. How's Mom?)

'She's sleeping on the couch. I think its best if she wakes up on her own. I think we should keep this special connection we have to each other private.'

(Agreed. Your phone is out of power. Where is the charger?)

'Behind the couch. The cord comes out onto one of the end tables.'

(When was the last time you vacuumed? These rugs reek of dust and dog hair. I don't know why there aren't jumping fleas everywhere.)

'I spray the animals and powder the carpets.'

(Is that what that white stuff is. You do know that you are supposed to vacuum it up after fifteen minutes or so.)

"LOOK I DON'T HAVE A MAID LIKE YOU FOLKS DO."

(WE DON'T HAVE A MAID. WE JUST KNOW HOW TO CLEAN. THE PRICE OF FREEDOM IS ETERNAL VIGALANCE…………you cant relax in your cleaning. Cleanliness is part of a healthy lifestyle. By the way I found the cord and plugged in the phone.)

'I can not believe I just got a lecture from a fifteen year old girl.'

(I didn't mean to lecture but you ticked me off. Now where is the vacuum cleaner.)

'In the hallway closet but it needs a bag and I don't have anymore.'

(Do you have any money in you bank account?)

'About a couple of hundred or so.'

(More than enough. I'll just go out and get some more)

'Do you know where you are and where the store is?'

(Sure do. I been up for hours and already went out for a walk even though I could not get far in this fat body Fatso.)

'HEY!!!!!!!'

(Don't "hey" me. Your body is fat. And judging from this house you are fat lazy slob. And don't think you can use being fat as an excuse for being a lazy slob for I know a lot of fat people that have nice clean homes with a good job.)

'Please wait at least till the phone is charge. Is the animals okay?'

(Yes. The dog is outside and I emptied the cat's litter boxes as well as all the garbage in the house. Thank god you had two empty trash cans. And judging from what I see down the block today is trash pickup day.)

Anne/Jonathan placed her hand on her head realizing she had forgotten trash day already. 'I can't believe I forgotten trash day again.'

(Again? You mean you have a habit of forgetting to clean. If it was a part of your life style then you would not forget. It be a part of you.)

"Enough Lectures Jo."

"Jo's lecturing to you! That sounds like her but how are you two communicating?" asked Rachel while she was waking up.

"Telepathically," replied Anne. 'Jo, Mom's awake. Without unplugging the phone call us.'

A second later the phone rang. Immediately Anne/Jonathan answered the phone by pressing the speakerphone button on the phone base. "Hi mom. Are you okay? Anne tells me you fainted apparently from shock."

"The last few hours been shocking for all of us but it seems that both of you are handling this better than me," observed the mom as she got up from the couch while smirking.

"HANDLING THIS! I'M FREAKING OUT. The only reason I didn't have a complete breakdown earlier was that I was trying to hide this from 'Mom' until I had this figured out but that is gone," cried Anne as he began to cry. He noted this crying is odd to him for he never cried before.

Then Rachel being the good mother she was crossed the short distance between herself and her 'daughter' and hugged her. "There now little one everything will be all right." She said this soothingly even though she had a tough time believing it herself. Anne realized these words were only for comfort sake as well but it felt so nice being in the strange woman's arms and the words seemed so soothing that strangely again she calmed down. "Jonathan, Now that you had your breakdown like Jo earlier its time to think about our next move."

Instantly Anne had a thought. Stepping out of Rachel's arms, He cleared his/her throat and turned to face his new Mother. "I have a suggestion," Anne said smiling.

"We're all ears," stated Jo over the phone.

"I think I might have this whole thing figured out but I need to console with a psychologist that experiment in parapsychology. This Doctor has to someone that you know and trust. I doubt though you know of someo……." said Anne.

"Dr. Richard Tuttleson," declared both Rachel and Jo at the same time while interrupting Anne.

Dr. Richard Tuttleson was in his office with a patient as he thought of his early years when he first met with Joanne Hart as a patient. She was the daughter of a close friend, Rachel Hansford, with whom he grew up with. Jo is a bit of an enigma in the good sense. At an early age she showed that she was far smarter than the other kids. She was reading at a college level in the third grade. The next oddity about her was her physical prowess. She had extraordinary agility, superb reflexes, and when she was seven her speed was on par of a world class athlete. She got faster as she got older. Jo was a force to be reckoned with.

That was precisely the heart of her problem. The other kids saw her abilities and feared her. They excluded her in all activities. One would think that everyone would want her on their side in physical games such as basketball but no fore it was no fun unless there was a chance of losing. In time she became distant and lonely. She began to hide her abilities to gain more acceptance from the other kids. At first that seemed to work but she got tired of cheating herself so she stopped holding back. This of course led to her exclusion once again from the others. It took quite a few sessions with her to not only get her to see her abilities as gifts but also to see that those who exclude her for fear of her was not worthy of her attention.

Since the whole point of school was not only to educate but help kids socialize with others, Dr. Tuttleson recommended in time that Jo be home schooled. This made sense for two reasons. Jo had already surpassed the grade level her age dictated and no one wanted to socialize with her ever at school. Since starting to the home schooling process the other kids in the neighborhood did start to socialize with her more outside school.

In fact she had become great friends with Jason next door and with Ruth down the street. They really wanted to get know her originally when Jo had attended school but feared of becoming outcast themselves for socializing with her. It was rocky at first when they suddenly appeared in her driveway one day as she was shooting hoops but they kept coming back. In time the three had broken through the barrier of distrust and soon became inseparable when not in school. Jo was frequently their guest to school functions. As the other kids in the school began to get used to Jo being around they soon accepted her.

The biggest hurdle was yet to come. When her friends started their sophomore year the cheerleaders wished to compete on the local level. By that time the entire school came to know Jo on a personal level. They also knew of her physical talents. The entire squad desperately wanted her on the squad fore with her how can they lose. The squad had an uphill battle with the rest of the student body but they somehow convinced them they needed Joanne Hart in order to have a winning chance not only at Regional but also at the National level.

Ruth was asked to approach Jo with the squad's request. Jo did not believe Ruth at first but was reminded that Ruth had never lied to her since becoming her friend. Jo agreed to meet with the other cheerleaders. When she was assured that they were on the level and did not wish to make fun of her she agreed. In secret she began to practice with the squad.

Dr. Tuttleson remembered when Rachel had called her after the school board forced Jo to quit the squad fore she was not a student of the school. After the shock of hearing that Jo was even asked to be a cheerleader by all of the student body he called and met with the school board on Jo's behalf. It took some finessing but since the school board also wanted to see the squad do well they reluctantly accepted Jo's appointment to the squad. However she had to take at least one class at the school per year she was on the squad. That was acceptable since there was a couple of classes which really can't be taught at home. That was only six short months ago. Since that time the squad not only won the Regional but had placed second place at the National's.

"Doctor……DOCTOR TUTTLESON," screamed a very irate patient to get his attention.

Startled Richard looked at the 17 year boy that was sitting straight up on the couch. The boy looked straight into his doctor's eyes and continued angrily "Did you not hear a thing a even said?"

"Of course I did Kenny," he lied.

"O then you do know that I said a green Martian just sliced your head open and is started to eat your brains out? No I don't think so. You were spaced out for a few almost our entire session. Just what were you thinking about anyway?"

"I can't say Kenny but I do apologize. I will not charge for this session and give two more sessions on the house." Kenny has been paying for his own sessions with Dr. Tuttleson for a while now.

"Thank You. I'll reschedule this session with your secretary. I'm however worried about you fore I never lost your focus before. Whatever you just thought of must be bugging you."

It is very unusual for him to drift his thoughts whenever he was with a patient. Before he can contemplate his intercom went off just as Kenny got up to leave.

"Doctor, Rachel Hansford is on line 2 for you and insisted on speaking to you even though I told her you were with a patient. She say's its an emergency."

"Very well. Tell her to come in one hour. See the next patient in then please reschedule the rest of the appointments for the rest of the day. When they get here you can take the rest of the day off with pay."

"Doctor, I appreciate the offer but I have a lot of backlogged transcribing to do so if you don't mind I wish to stay and do that," replied the secretary.

This secretary is excellent thought Richard. He really did not want her to leave but knew that Rachel would insist on it. He knew he would have to oblige her since she had funded all his parapsychological research. He never really understood her motives at first until the first meeting he had with her daughter Jo. It was clear that Rachel wanted to make sure that his attention was solely on her daughter and not on some clock marking the end of a session. Richard wished he could consult with Rachel on her control issues but the one time he made the mistake of questioning her on these issues one of his research grants suddenly went dry. Sadly he conceded to never make that mistake ever again.

He spent the next half hour going over Jo Hart's file but it yielded no clues as to what the immediate crisis was about. In fact his little trip down memory lane told him more history than his own files. Suddenly he jolted out of his chair when a feeling of all is not well came over him. Odd he thought for these feelings only came to him during one of his parapsychological escapades. Why did it trigger now just thirty minutes before he was to see Rachel and Jo. Something was not right. He also knew somehow they were coming to see him for a "special" case.

When Rachel and Anne arrived at the Doctors office Anne/Jonathan could not help but be impressed. By what little Jo and Rachel told her about Doctor Tuttleson she knew he was the right person for the job of trying to figure out just what happened to her and Jo. But he had pictured a rather dingy office without a secretary. What he says instead was that he had his own building and the inside was situated more like a high priced lawyer's office.

The reception area was small with a couple couches. On one of the walls was a framed schematic of the facility. The reception room a rectangular room. Just to the left of the room was a square room half the size of the reception area which was labeled receptionist/Secretaries cubical. It was half the size of the huge reception room. Just left of the receptionist counter was a glass door that leads down a hallway. On the other side of the right hand wall of the hallway was another square room that was only accessible from the receptionist area. Just left of the hallway was a room marked pare-research room. Down the hall was to more rooms. The larger was the Library/office and the smaller was a medical exam room.

Rachel, being irritated that Dr. Tuttleson would not talk to her was berating the poor secretary. Lucky for the secretary she had a private room for such times. She merely announced their arrival to the Doctor then made a hasty retreat to her private sanctuary. Rachel half expected this and was happy when she did retreat.

"Mom is that how you treat people on a daily basis," asked Anne.

"No but Richard and I have some history between us." Anne's jaw dropped. "It's not like that Anne. You'll find out in due time if your guess is correct about your and Jo's situation. I just can't go into it myself though."

Richard overheard the whole conversation over the intercom system fore the receptionist failed to turn it off again. It puzzled him that Jo would ask such a question fore she knew the entire situation already. What was even more puzzling was Rachel referred to her as Anne and not Jo. More puzzling was the fact she referred to Jo in the third person as if she was a totally separate person than her daughter. With deep concern he rushed to the reception room. Once there he looked right at Jo and realized the truth of the situation.

"I am sorry to have kept you waiting Rachel. I know how much waiting irritates you."

"Apology accepted. Can we go to your office and ta.."

"I much preferred to speak to Anne alone, if you don't mind."

The use of Jonathan's current name shocked both Rachel and her 'new' daughter Anne. Tentatively Rachel glanced at Anne who nodded her assent since he felt they had come to the right place. "Very well, I'll patiently wait out here but will expect full disclosure later."

He looked at Rachel and smiled, "Don't worry Rachel. Have I ever let you down again since the incident?" Anne who can't help to overhear made a mental note of the word incident. Without a reply from Rachel the doctor and Anne disappeared into the clinic.

Anne was impressed with his office/library. The walls was floor to ceiling bookcases. Every shelf was filled with books. There was a window at the end wall away from the door. Under the window was a computer terminal desk. Above the window was a locked shelf unit. Two couches and two overstuffed lounge chairs were at the center of the room. End tables surrounded the couches and modest table lamps sat on the end tables. The doctor's desk sat just four feet away from the window/computer and faced the rest of the room.

Anne tentatively walked over to a couch and just before she sat down he turned to the good doctor, "I appreciate the time you are taking to see me on short notice doctor. I know its been ages since we last talke………"

"CUT THE CRAP. You know we have never talked." Confusion was written all over Anne's face just then. Softly Dr. Tuttleson bided the young lady to sit. After he sat down on an overstuffed chair himself he continued, "I know that you are not Joanne Hart. I don't know who you are but its clear that you are not Jo."

"How?" asked Anne. Suddenly Anne looked straight at the good Doctor and something clicked in her brain. It seemed impossible but she was sure of it. She had even sensed it. "You experienced the void before haven't you?"

"Many cultures have different names for it but yes I have experienced it and like you I have been made sensitive toward other that had similar experiences. The Void. Terrible name for it. Did you think up that name yourself?" Anne's crimson blush told him the answer. "At any rate I like to know your real name."

"It's Jonathan Harris. I'm a thirty-nine year old man from Jacksonville, Florida."

"Did you say a man?" Anne nodded affirmatively. "I bet it must have been embarrassing for you preparing to come here in your new female form." Anne's new crimson blush told him all he needed to know.

These questions seem to be very embarrassing for Anne. This is a new feeling for her for as a man he would not get embarrassed easily. But she was starting to squirm under the pressure of these questions.

Anne thought back to earlier today when they just got off the phone with Jo. Rachel commanded her new daughter to go get dressed for she was still in her nightie and robe. Anne started scrambling up the stairs after saying 'yes mother.' Suddenly a few realizations hit her like a ton of bricks causing her to stop in her tracks.

"What's wrong Anne?" asked Rachel with a tone of concern.

"Umm I'm female now."

"Yes Anne we already know th…OH…you mean?"

"Could you please help me prepare since I have no real knowledge in how to do it as a female beside the basics?" asked Anne.

"Suppose I have to although I don't think you're going to like any of this at all. Go upstairs and take a shower and make special care not to get that hair wet."

What came next was very embarrassing for Anne. Rachel went through what she called the basics which started with feminine potty training and hygiene. As embarrassing as Anne was with that hurdle she was very grateful for she really had to go and had no way of knowing on how to do it. After all she had plumbing that was totally alien to her.

The next step was the clothes. Rachel was not happy until Anne had the basics of what kinds of color went together and which clashed. Rachel covered only the basics of clothes needed for today's excursion. She made a mental note to further educate Anne later for she wanted to ease her along the path to self reliance.

The nest step had Anne in tears – Make up. She thought she looked good as she was naturally and told Rachel so. Rachel was not amused. Forcible she sat Anne in front the vanity and made her face telling her to pay close attention fore she will have to this on her own tomorrow under her watchful eye of course. Anne said she will do no such thing. Rachel then said that was fine but she would not be allowed anywhere out of her room. Anne scanned the room and found nothing but the mere basic in the room then relented.

Elsewhere someone was laughing her/his fool head off at Anne's discomfort. Jo cannot help but to listen to all this telepathically. It seemed that she and Anne knew what the other was doing. Anne however been distracted learning the basics of feminine life to notice. If she had notice she might have been further embarrassed having an audience.

Anne had just enough embarrassment for one day. "DOCTOR TUTTLESON. ARE YOU HERE TO EMBARRASS ME OR TO HELP ME?" she asked rather sternly.

(Good for you Anne.)

'Jo. You still with me?'

(Silly. I never left you.)

'NEVER'

(Yup, I was there laughing my head off as Mom gave you lessons on female preparation rituals.)

This statement caused Anne to blush from head to toe which Dr. Tuttleson noticed.

"Anne, what I wrong?"

She looked at Dr. Tuttleson open eyed and deepened her blush for she knew she had to explain her embarrassment with him. "I seem to have a permanent telepathic link with Jo which caused her to oversee Mom's lessons today in feminine preparation. She just let me know of that little fact."

"You have a telepathic link with Jo?" the surprised doctor inquired. Anne nodded affirmatively. "Anne I like to try a little experiment. Jo does not know my private line that comes directly into this office. The number is 555-1735 and she knows the area code. I like her to call me on that line."

"You better answer your phone," stated Anne. Dr. Tuttleson started to smile for the phone was not ringing but was interrupted by his phone which started to ring. He glanced over to Anne who was now smiling at his discomfort. "Dr. Tuttleson, I said you should answer your phone," stated Anne sarcastically.

Richard Tuttleson immediately answered his private line putting it on speakerphone. "Jo?" he inquired.

"Who else since you had Anne telepathically give me the number? Hi Anne." Upon hearing the voice he instantly knew it was Jo behind the rather deep and slow natured male voice.

"Doctor……"

"Call me Richard – both of you" interrupted Doctor Tuttleson.

"Alright. Richard, Jo is permanently linked to me telepathically and thus overhears all the conversations I have with other."

"That is not always true. I found out if I am focused on something else, distracted if you will, then I will not hear your thoughts and vise versa I'll bet?"

Anne thought about this for a second. "Its true. When I am distracted I cant hear Jo."

"Huh, you got that through the jumbled mess you just thought. You must be a genius," said Jo.

Confused Anne stated, "I only replayed the events of this morning." Then something dawned on Anne. "But I thought of them at a very high rate of speed almost instantaneous."

"It must have been too high of speed for Jo to assimilate. I like to try an experiment but it would require you to do exactly what I say. Are you game?"

"Richard, I came here to discuss how this might have happened to us," said Anne.

"Anne right now you have someone who can read your thought and vise versa. We can deal with the How and why of your situation later don't you think?"

"Your right and I agree."

"Well I don't see why this is necessary. We will eventually learn control over this talent we have."

"Oh. Then you won't mind me telling mom exactly what you and Chris Walker did behind the bleachers during last wee……"

"I agree Richard. Sooner would be better to learn control over this talent than later," interrupted Jo rather quickly. (Anne, can we keep that between us, please?)

'Of course Jo.' "What do you have in mind Dr…err... Richard?"

"Well Anne you mentioned that when you were preoccupied with the torture of learning to dress as a female you could not read of hear Jo in your mind. Is that correct?"

"Yes Richard. It is correct."

"Jo did you hear anything in that time frame?"

"I sure did. It was like I could here everything she thought fore she was thinking really loud."

Richard then turned to Anne and asked to think of something at a high rate of speed. Anne started to think about his life in Jacksonville before his experience in the void. He thought about his childhood, his friends, his job, and his family. Anne started to cry.

"Jo, why is Anne crying?"

"I have no idea Richard. I got nothing from trying to read her mind."

Suddenly Anne look at Richard and stated, "I am not Anne but Jonathan Harris. I just thought of my life then and now. How did this happen?"

"Obviously you were successful in blocking Jo from reading your thoughts. I will get to your question in due time Jonathan. Jo it is now your time to think of something really fast." Jo did but ending up thinking of her life before the void as well and she started to cry as well.

"Anne I know what she thought about but did you get any of it?"

"No."

"Now that you know of one way to block each other practice that while we get to both of your main question-How the hell did this switch happen. I am going to ask each of you to tell me in your own words the events that lead to you experience in the void and of your experience in the void then to the recognition of the switch."

"Can I start?" asked Jonathan/Anne.

"Sure," replied Richard.

Anne took a deep breath and started to tell his tale. While telling it he began to ponder certain things. He knew now that the other energy ball he was playing tag with in the void was none other than Jo. A fact that was not lost in Jo on the other end of the phone. What he wondered about was the void guardian itself for from what he knew of the void no such entity exist. A fact not lost in Dr. Tuttleson. At last Anne was through with his story.

"Wow Jonathan that was some tale. It seems you became self-aware of a few 'gifts'. Tell me, when was the first time you came aware that you were sensitive to the spiritual aspects to life."

"Always. While telepathy is new, I had prophetic dreams in early childhood. At the time they seemed like nightmares until a couple of them actually happened. From that time on I kept a dream journal and no Jo you may look at it." (Darn.) "My abilities intensified when I had to train my mind and soul through meditation to control my highly volatile temper. Soon the training worked for now it takes a lot to get me angry. As I said though my abilities got more intense as well-I developed precognition. I started experiencing deejay vu. At first I could not tell which events were happening for real or not. It got to a point that I had to see professional help. So my parents sent me to see a psychologist who immediately recognized my talent and helped train me…"

"What is the name of this psychologist Jonathan?"

"Dr. Peter Crushing"

"Petey is your Doctor? Small world." Richard stating while going to the intercom, "Linda, get Petey on the phone and have him fax me a copy of Jonathan Harris' records as well as any notes he has on him. If he start to claim Doctor Patient confidentiality crap then tell him that this suddenly fell into the special category and that I will include him in the research and I plan to call him later about it."

"Right away, Doctor."

Richard turned back to Anne. "I heard enough of your story but have not heard Jo's yet. Jo, judging by the big knot on Anne's forehead I say you had a good accident yesterday. Please tell me about it."

"Richard you know that I train physically all the time. Yesterday I climbed on the balance beam at school and proceeded to attempt an Olympic class routine. All was going very smoothly until I got a little cocky. I decided on the spur of the moment to try a quad somersault dismount."

"And you landed head first on the pavement, correct?" asked Richard.

"Well, yes I did. Mom and the school both insisted I see a doctor but I said I was fine even as the big huge knot started to swell and throb. In the end I got my wish but the school sent me home as a precaution. That night however I really was in major pain. I was in my room in bed when I made up my mind to go to the emergency room but before I can get up to get mom I passed out and ended up in the void as a ball of light."

"Hold that thought Jo." Richard said as he went the intercom again, "Linda please ask Miss Hart to go the exam room and transfer the call on my private line there as well."

Richard then asked Anne/Jonathan to follow out of his office down the hall and into another room the resembled a medical exam room out of 'Star Trek'. After he had Anne change into an examination gown he then preceded to give her a thorough examination then fed all his findings into a computer which spitted out a printout. Rachel just joined them while examined the printout.

"Richard what the hell is going on? Why are you giving my daughter's body a physical exam?"

"Rachel I will answer your questions in a minute. Jonathan, get changed back please." Anne/Jonathan went behind the curtain at the other end of the room to do just that. " Now Jo, you said after your fall you were in great pain but refused to admit until late last night but was obviously to for the next thing you knew you were on the void, Right?"

"Yes."

"Jo, how dare you lie to about something like that?!"

"ENOUGH!" Richard screamed as he slammed his palm down onto a nearby desk. "Rachel, Jo, and Jonathan/Anne you came to for answers. Well hear are the facts. The knot on the forehead is where the skull was fractured. Jo by all rights you should have been admitted into the hospital from a very serious head injury. You stated that you decided to seek medical help just before you passed out and ended up on the void. Jonathan's own experience in the void was that he saw the entrance to both hell and heaven."

Rachel's eyes popped completely open and said in a whisper, "No."

A deafly silence fell into the room. Anne, who heard everything, came from behind the curtain fully dressed to hug Rachel. Rachel started to cry and for some strange reason so did Anne.

"Hello, I am right here. Will someone please tell me what is going on?" Jo asked angrily.

(Jo, you heard the entire conversation. Take a moment and reflect on it a little.) Anne replied telepathically. Jo thought about this for a few minutes and said that she still did not get it.

"Jo, you died last night when you went to sleep. Even I know when you suffer a concussion you should not fall asleep unless you are being medically monitored."

"Doctor, Is what Jonathan says correct? Did I die last night when I entered the void?" asked a rather somber JoAnne Hart.

"I can't say for sure but these test results say that it is a miracle that Anne is alive. Jonathan without realizing it latched onto you Jo when you were on your way to the pearly gates of heaven."

"Richard, actually that is only the best way I know how to describe what I saw. I did see the entrance to the entrance to heaven but like most of the void it was indescribable." replied Anne.

"But you know it was the entrance to heaven correct?"

"It was the entrance to what we call heaven, yes. But as you know other cultures have a different name for that realm…"

"Lets not get sidetracked." Interrupted Richard, "As I was saying, yes you did die Jo and on your way to the entrance to Heaven's realm your essence was sidetracked by Jonathan's essence. You two started to play. Then an entity appeared before you and sent you back to Earth but not to the right bodies. Quickly Jo, what feelings do you remember about this entity?"

"Terrifying!"

"And from Jonathan's essence/"

"Peace and kindred."

"Anne what feelings did you receive from that entity?"

"I also have to say terrifying."

"And Jo's essence?"

"Can I elaborate some?"

"You love wordy answers don't you?"

"Yes I do."

Richard smirked as if he began to understand Anne better. "Then please do, elaborate, but stay on focus."

"Like Jo has found my essence kindred I too have found her essence kindred. I also felt confusion in her essence, confusion and deep sadness. I then noticed that she was heading towards heavens entry point. I guessed that she was a newly departed soul and now I know I guessed right. I wanted to cheer her up so that is the reason I started the game of tag."

Richard looked at Anne like he was in deep thought. "Linda, please transfer the call back to my office," he said into the intercom. He then left the exam room followed closely by Anne and Rachel.

"Richard, what is it?" asked Anne as Richard started to read silently in a book he carefully selected. "RICHARD!"

Doctor Tuttleson gestured to Anne to hold one minute longer and continued to read from the book. "Anne…Jonathan, What you said about your experiences on the void reminded me of what Christian magicians did for ages until their sects were judged satanic."

"Christian Magicians?"

"Yes, Christian Magicians. Back before King James the First tried to bring religious equality to all of England these sects operated throughout the world in secret. When King James ordered on cohesive bible which was translated into English he left out any mention of magic or mythical creatures on purpose. In his mind the kind of equality he craved was a word without myth or magic but they do exist but not the way sci-fi writers of today portray it."

"And you call me long winded, Richard."

"This book Anne is a list of journals from members of one such sect that did not die out until about one hundred years ago. One of these magicians specialized in the spirit plane. He truly enjoyed helping the newly departed forward to paradise. Does this sound familiar Anne?" Anne's face went blank from shock. "She further says that she had to be careful for there were many mean spirited entities that had the power to force her off the plane. She observed one entity practically force one of the newly departed into hell. She died, however, when she tried to battle one of these entities. Another magician's journal says that he say that battle. Apparently he was an apprentice to the first magician and was on the plane that night. He writes that she took on a rather powerful entity which had about six minions. He helped her dispatch the minions but she took on the entity by herself. He writes that although she managed to hurt the entity it killed her with ease. It then turned towards him. He barely made out of the plane intact he says."

"Richard that sounds just like what Anne and experienced in the void…err…plane," said Jo.

"I agree that our void, Jo, is the spiritual plane or Astral Plane as some call it. And this entity does seem similar to the entity described in these journals including having being hurt," replied a stunned Anne/Jonathan.

"Now wait a minute. I am not suggesting that the entity in these journals is the same one you two had faced in the spiritual plane."

"But it starting to make perfect sense, Doctor," spoke Rachel for the first time. "This entity probably sensed Jonathan as a potential threat. Being leery of getting hurt again it chooses to simply throw them both off the plane rather than do battle with a potential magician again. The eviction did not send them on the right paths to their perspective bodies but to each others instead. Jo woke up first and the rest is history."

"How do we change back?" asked Anne fearing the answer.

"I do not know. I have to research this problem out." Anne shrugged her shoulders in defeat hearing Richard's response. He, Jonathan, realized it will have to be up to her to find a way to switch back. Now that she has knowledge on how the switch is made in the first place, however, the answer to this predicament seems bleak for it would mean that both Jonathan and Jo have to visit the spirit plane then face the evil entity again. While she is confident in her own ability to reach the plane again, Jo's visit, on the other hand, was on the premise that she had died and not on ability. Perhaps if she were to go into the gates of heaven and make a plea to the almighty maybe she could convince him to switch them back.

(Don't you even think about it.)

'I forgot to block my thoughts didn't I'

(If you enter that realm you may not come back at all)

'But I may be able to get us switched back.'

(That realm is for the dearly departed. For some reason I started to care about you.)

'And I you Jo.'

(Huh?) replied a startled Jo, (Well then I just can't let you take a risk like that can I?)

"Just what are the two of you talking about telepathically?" asked Richard.

"Anne has this crazy idea that she can appeal to the creator to change us back"

"Nonsense," said Rachel "Did you ever read the scripture that god only help those who help themselves. We first must make the effort to change you two back ourselves before the almighty can or will help us." Rachel said directly to Anne who understood. "Richard can you clear your schedule for the next month? I'm going to need your help for the next step."

"I would not miss this for anything. Wait here while I make the arrangements with Linda and my colleges to handle my other case loads." Richard then left the office.

A very puzzled Anne looked over a Rachel. "What step is this, Mom?"

"We have to go to Jacksonville to collect Jo and for you to say goodbye to your old life as well Jonathan."

"Yahoo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" yelled a very happy Jo upon hearing that she was coming home at last.

"NO. O NO YOU DON'T." replied a very pissed Anne "I'll need that life once we get changed back. You nor I will do anything to dissolve that life. DO I MAKE MYSELF CLEAR?"

A now pissed off Rachel was about to say something when Richard came back into the room slowly. "I heard what was said over the intercom that I apparently left on. Jonathan…Anne you are now the legal daughter of Rachel. You can't possible assume your old life. It's just not legal. And the reality is that Jo is Rachel's 15 year old daughter. She can't survive on her own. She /he must come home despite the body she's in. Don't you agree?"

Anne/Jonathan thought this situation over then began to cry. What Richard had said was true but she could not face the end of the only life he knew up till that point. Reluctantly and with tear fill eyes she agreed.

This is what Rachel feared the most. Even though Jo's essence was not in her body, she still had a motherly connection to her daughter's body. That connection and her own observations spoke volumes. Jo hardly cried at all. From what she gathered of Jonathan, he hardly ever cried either. Yet Rachel had observed Anne crying three times since she got up this morning. Of course she gave her a huge hug then.

The rest of the session was spent on making preparations for the trip. Cause Rachel was well off she was able to charter a rather nice private plan to leave the next day. Anne insisted that Jo did not spend any more time in the house but realized his bank account could not cover the cost of a good hotel room, dinner, and other expenses Jo needed. Rachel then had money transfers right away to Jonathan's account to cover all expenses. Anne then telepathically guided Jo through the packing process and to a very nice hotel in the area.

As Anne boarded the Private jet she was struck in awe how easy all of was. There was hardly any security check. Sure they passed through a metal detector but that was at the last second before boarding the aircraft. Their bags however were whisked onboard without a second thought. Inside, instead of a cramped cabin full of seats the plane was spacious with just barely enough seating for the three passengers. The rest of the plane was devoted to the entertainment of the precious few passengers which includes a full bar, a luxurious bathroom, and the couches can double as sleeping berths.

For some reason Anne could not fully enjoy the plane trip. In fact she has been crabby all morning long. Rachel thought it might be because she had to say goodbye to her old life for good but a certain person who had a telepathic link to Anne had other suspicions but had block them from Anne.

The absence of Jo from her mind should have been wonderful but Anne grew accustomed to it so much that it was disturbing. Where is she? Is she hiding something from me? Just when Anne needed her the most she deserts her.

About that time the cramping started. Anne never before experienced such misery. While suffering, Anne continued to wonder why Jo had deserted her. Anne somehow knew that she had to endure the pain for it must be common for women but why did Jo abandon her. Anne began to research the problem out from his limited experiences with women.

Suddenly Anne bolted out her chair. She now knew what was wrong. She retrieved a bag that she had stored earlier, one that Jo insisted she bring, and went to the bathroom. Anne knew now why she was abandoned by Jo and while using blocks of her own plotted to pay Jo back in kind for this indignity.

When she got to the bathroom Rachel was there. Anne observed that Rachel seemed not to be using the bathroom at all. "Mom what are you doing here?"

"I'm waiting for you. I knew what was going on since early this morning. Before helping you, you needed to have some clue as to what was wrong."

"AND NOW I HAVE SUCH A CLUE?" Anne asked rather nastily.

"That bag you're clutching for dear life tells me you know exactly what is wrong," replied Rachel while ignoring Anne's rude tone. "It contains Jo's tampons, sanitary napkins, Midol, Birth control pills, the works. All the stuff a young lady need while suffering through her monthly menstrual cycle."

Anne took a deep breath. It was clear that Rachel knew what was wrong. Anne knew she needed help with this and what better help could she get than the girl's natural Mother. Despite wanting to keep this to herself, Anne/Jonathan bite the bullet so to speak and calmly said, "Your right, Mom. I seem to be suffering from the early stages of this body's cycle. Since I know nothing about this but the need to go to the bathroom with this bag would you please help me?"

Rachel was surprised to hear such a calm request. She half expected to be a chew toy after pointing out something that would embarrass the hell out of most men. She had to learn more about more about the man that occupied her daughter's body. But that have to tabled for later for her daughter needed her now.

"Of course dear," Rachel said as she stepped aside to let Anne into the bathroom.

What followed was a crash course in a woman's menstrual cycle. First Rachel had Anne take a couple of Midol. Then she explained how the birth control pills really help regulate the cycle. Next came the sanitary napkin after they rinsed of some excess blood. Rachel explained that Jo might have started to wear a napkin last night but not to worry for she/he did not know the cycle date as Jo would have. Anne said that Jo was unusually quiet. Rachel knew then that Jo indeed knew this would happen and told this to Anne. The course ended with Rachel telling Anne to get some rest.

Rachel then ushered Anne to one of the couches. "There little one. Lie down and get some sleep. I will wake you before we descend for a landing." Anne was about to argue with her but never got the chance for she feel asleep as soon as she lied down.

The next thing she knew Rachel was shacking her awake. They were about to land. The Midol worked wonders but she already was feeling the affects of it wearing off. She was about to take some more when Richard indicated that there was no time. He did not understand so Anne turned to Rachel who did. She also said there was no time.

Jonathan has been in many plane landings before but it was different now that he was in a girl's body which was suffering through her cycle. She literally felt every bump and jerk. By the time they reached the terminal, Anne was very pissed and wanted off that roller coaster ride. Fortunately, they were able to get off right away because it was a private jet.

Jo was waiting for them at the terminal. Anne had mixed feelings when he saw Jo standing witting for them. True he was happy to see his original body but the person inside, Jo, did not warn her of this cycle. He did not know what to do until she had a cramp. Then she knew.

She grabbed the bag that was Jo 'menstrual cycle survival kit' and ran to Jo. She was indeed happy to be able to hold his own body again so much them she flew into his arms just in front of the women's restroom-a fact not lost to Rachel. The two hugged for a few minutes not wishing to let the other go. This lasted until Anne felt another cramp. Anne immediately let her mind guard down. Jo's eye's popped open realizing what Anne was about to do. Before he could react Anne brought her knee up and smashed Jo in the crotch sending him/her to the floor in pain. Then she calmly picked up the bag and walked the restroom.

Rachel, who saw the entire episode, walked over the man on the floor. "I take it that you are Jo, Am I right?"

The obese man groaned to his feet and whispered, "Yes Mom. I am Jo. Wow I did not know that I packed such a mean knee."

"It was your own fault. You should have warned her of your now hers coming period yesterday."

Jo looked towards the bathroom to discover Anne was taking another dosage of Midol before changing the napkin. (Anne the tampons are more comfortable)

(Fuck You Jo)

(Will you please listen what I am fixing to tell Mom.)

Anne gritted her teeth. (Fine then but don't expect me to forgive you)

Jo looked back to Rachel. "Mom, I truly am sorry for not forewarning Anne of you but we were dealing with so much yesterday that it slipped my mind. I did however remember later that night in the hotel room. It's truly a very nice one Anne. Thank You!"

"She's listening telepathically?" asked Rachel. Jo nodded while glancing toward the restroom.

"Anyway, I was about to warn Anne telepathically when none other than Dr. Peter Crushing knocked on the door of my hotel room."

Richard knew Peter's tactics and was not surprised hearing that he paid a visit to Jo when he walked up to behind Rachel. In college he always tried to steal others research. Richard had made it his crusade back then to keep him honest with the research. They soon became great friends and even bitter rivals. How they managed that back then was beyond them. Today however Richard was not amused by Peter's tactics.

"I blocked Anne on purpose last night because the last thing she needed at that time was to help me deal with him."

"How did you deal with him?" asked Anne calmly.

Jo looked up and saw that Anne had already come out of the restroom. Instantly she knew Anne had taken his advice on the tampons. A huge grin spread across his face. Anne blushed knowing that Jo knew. "Hey answer the question already" said Anne like a brat while trying to hide her red face.

"Alright already, just calm down. I'll answer it." replied Jo rather hastily.

"Well were waiting," Rachel said. Jo wiped around to see that both Rachel and Richard was standing there, behind him the entire time and somehow surmised what was going on.

"I told him the truth, the entire truth."

Everybody's mouth gaped open out of shock. "You told him everything! Do you have any idea what you may have done?"

"He already knew I was not Jonathan. It seems the good doctor had experiences of his own in the void as well."

"With me, that's right. No wonder he knew. We may have to be careful." Said Richard

Anne looked around the terminal and noticed that people were starting to take notice of their discussion. "Uncle Jo, I am tired. Can we go home now?"

Jo shot Anne a look of pure irritation then noticed Anne eyeing the onlookers. "Sure my lovely niece, just as soon as you collected you luggage."

They soon collected the luggage and headed out of the airport. They decided to head to the hotel to recuperate from the flight. Everyone was tired especially Anne. Anne knew better than complain but the strain of going thru his first period was showing. Rachel knew this even though she was freaked by it for her daughter went thru her periods for years. Still this was new to Anne. Even though she has been somewhat of a trooper despite kneeing her original body in the groin the strain was showing.

Rachel was impressed by the hotel Anne chosen for Jo to stay at once they got there. It was more like a resort than a hotel. She was skeptical when Anne wanted to suggest a hotel. What little she gathered from Jo Jonathan was good for nothing slob that reek of bad taste. This hotel however was very tasteful.

She then glanced over to Jo who was in Jonathan's original body. Though overweight, Jonathan had handsome features. His muscles were developed so he had to be strong. There even was a kindness to his features that was not entirely Jo's but a reflection of Jonathan's true self.

Jo noticed her mother staring at him. "What?"

"I was just getting a sense of what Jonathan was truly about judging from your current body."

Jo gasped in shock and went for a walk. Rachel glanced at Anne who heard everything. Anne turned beat red and went to lie down. A few minutes later Rachel came into the room and sat on the bed.

"I'm sorry Jonathan. We misjudged you. Jo told me things about you before you woke up as Anne. I reacted to that and started to treat you as a child. I can plainly see now you are a grownup trapped in a Childs body. To make matters worse the body you inhibit is a different sex than your own. I saw you as a lazy good for nothing man and the sooner we figured out a way to get you two switched back the better. But you have shown yourself as very smart, caring, passionate, and capable. In fact if things were different I hope that fate would have somehow seen that we were introduced as friends."

"Rachel, while I appreciate you calling me by my real name we both know that I will need your help adjusting to this body. My real mother passed away shortly after my dad so I can't ask her to help. But I have a sneaky suspicion that would hurt you. The body I inhibit is your Childs. You know her better than anyone else so I would consider it an honor if you continue to 'mother' me." A big smile came across Rachel. "Now may I continue to call you Mother?"

"Of course you can dear," replied Rachel as she gave Jonathan/Anne a hug while crying tears of joy.

Jo had come back into the suite after her walk. She had heard the entire exchange telepathically. Until now she had been blaming Jonathan for this entire mess. Upon overhearing the talk between Anne and her mom she realized Jonathan was just as much a victim as she was. She went into Anne's room and told her she was also sorry for her behavior and Anne told her there was no need. But Jo was insistent even pointing out that she should have warned Anne of her period.

Anne looked at Jo scornfully. "Look I already said there was no need to apologize to me but you went further to stipulate the one thing I do hold against you. If you agree never to pull that again however I would like it if we start to consider each other brother and sister from this point on even our body ages are so far apart."

Jo eyes opened wide in shock then teared up in happiness. He flung her arms around Anne "Of course I agree Bro…" Anne raised an eyebrow as she pushed Jo back to look at 'him'. Jo understood "err... Sis."

"Better" replied Anne as she gave her new big brother a big hug. Just then a thought crossed her mind that she immediately hid from Jo as she jumped out of the hug.

"Anne, what is it?" asked Jo very concerned.

Anne looked at Jo then Rachel who stepped into the room when she heard Jo's question. A tear went down one of Anne's cheeks as she whispered one name "Joshua."

Anne had a somber mode for the rest of the evening. Jo asked her what's wrong but got silence instead. He tried to read her thoughts but Anne blocked him. She continued to block him for the rest of the evening. Jo thought for someone who just learned to block her thoughts she is doing a fantastic job doing it.

At breakfast the next day Anne was as somber as last night and continued to block Jo. All attempts so start a discussion with her was met with silence. Richard, Rachel, and Jo was losing patience with her.

"ENOUGH OF THIS SHIT!" screamed Jo while smashing his fist into the table. Unfortunately Jo did not realize the strength of that body. All the dishes went flying off the table onto the floor. To make matters worse the restaurant was full so all the other patrons stopped eating and looked at them. Not caring Jo continued "YOU BEEN LIKE THIS EVER SINCE YOU MENTIONED JOSHUA. WHO THE HELL IS JOSHUA?"

Richard had not been privy to last night's discussion now understood why Anne was so somber. Calmly he suggested they leave the restaurant. Rachel was way ahead of him as she apologized to the manager for the outburst as well have paid for the damages as well as another handsome amount to make up for any lost business their outburst may have caused.

In the car while driving back to the hotel he explained that he had all of Jonathan's records. Anne's eyes went wide in shock. He explained that he would not disclose any of the information because of Doctor's Patient confidentially. Anne relaxed until Richard asked if he could divulge who Joshua was.

"No! I'll do it but not at the hotel-at the house." Anne replied while making it clear there was no room to discuss this point.

Everyone agreed so Anne gave directions to the house. When they got to the house both Rachel and Richard was impressed. They house was indeed a three bedroom house like Jo briefly described but she left of that it right on the inner coastal he even hade his own peer just outside the back fence. He had the back fence put up to keep his dog in the yard.

Jo was hesitant about going into the house. "Come on Jo lets go in." She shook his head no. "Why?"

"Your dog does not like me. In fact after getting a good sniff of me he tried to bite me."

"That's odd for she is usually so docile towards me it's as if she's afraid of me."

Richard had to interject "Perhaps she senses the exchange. There have been documented cases where animals are sensitive to such things. Anne I suggest you enter the house alone and see what happens."

Anne took the house key from Jo. At the door even she had a little fear. What if Richard is wrong? What will happen if her dog does not recognize her in this body? With those things in her head she unlocked the door then entered the house.

The first thing she noticed was that the house was so much cleaner than the last Thursday night. Apparently Jo did a lot of cleaning Friday. It was a pigsty Thursday night but now the front part was almost spotless.

But where was Jenny her dog. When she came around the corner of the kitchen she found out as she came face to snout with a growling dog. "Jenny girl," said Anne as she extended her hand. Something in her voice caused the dog to stop growling and look at the human with wonder. Then with trepidation she sniffed Anne's hand. For a half second she was confused for part of her told her this human was her master but her senses said no way. However her instincts won out as she knew the human was indeed her master.

Jenny did something that was totally out of character for her. She licked Anne's hand. Anne was confused at first for she never licked Jonathan's hand. Realization hit her for she understood that Jenny was trying to let her know in her way that she recognized him. Anne then fell to the floor to give the dog a big hug. "Its okay girl. I missed you too." Anne looked around. (Jo, Where is Jenny's doggy treats?)

(In the last cupboard next to the entry for the Laundry room.)

It so happened she was right next to the cupboard. She reached in and found two huge dog biscuits. She flicked them down without hesitation. Jenny was for sure this human was her master now for she knew not to try to give her treats to her directly. She had a phobia about taking doggy treats directly from humans. After Jenny wolfed down the treats Anne opened the back door and out she went in flash. This amused Anne as how some things remained the same.

Anne then went to the front door to let the rest of her new pack in. Jo said he had relayed the exchange Anne had with Jenny to the others.

Jo and Anne both went into the kitchen to get drinks for everyone. They sat at the kitchen table as Anne retrieved a picture from the TV. She then sat down table. "This is Joshua."

"Who is he to you?" asked Rachel.

"His full name is Joshua David Harris, my older brother."

"Are you two close?" asked Jo.

"Yes and no. While we love each other he does not understand me. You see we are polar opposites. While he is outgoing and always look forward to the next challenge, I on the other hand like to live life a simple and easy going as I can. I have few friends for I tend to spend all my time here or at work." Anne went into deep thought for a second. "I have a few friends at work I like to personally say goodbye to. I also want tell Joshua about this."

"I have to advise the fewer people that know the better. Your brother I admit might need to know but your coworkers are just that, coworkers. They don't need to know."

"Anne thought about this for a minute then said, "There is one coworker that is more than just a coworker. His name is Daniel Rutland. I suppose he is more like my boss than my coworker. When I first bought my boat three years back it was he who taught me everything I needed to know to operate it safe and correctly. He even helped me with my personal problems."

"As you wish but we must call your brother today to come to Jacksonville." Rachel stated.

"I have already taken care of that." Everyone looked up at who said that statement.

Anne slumped in her chair. "Hello, Dr. Crushing. I don't remember letting you in."

"I let myself in a few moments ago. So it must be true the fantastic tale Jo related to me but I admit that I did no believe him until this moment."

"How amusing," said Anne angrily "Tell me. What did you mean by taking care of my BROTHER?"

"I called him. He's flying in on Wednesday. He will come directly to my clinic before we head here."

"No doubt you would have declared me unfit to live by myself and institutionalize me," stated Jo.

"Exactly, but it was not my idea. It was Joshua's idea. Do you know why he would do that Jonathan?" asked Dr. Crushing while looking right at Anne.

"This house, if I am declared unfit could be placed in his name along with my other assets. I thought he was above such things. I must be wrong," stated Anne

"You really are Jonathan. I would never consider doing such a thing without checking things out first. That is why I am here. I am sorry I did not believe you Jo."

"That's okay the important thing is Joshua is on his way here."

"That is right. Tuesday we will go see a lawyer to block Joshua's actions. Anne, dear, who is the best lawyer in Jacksonville?"

"Todd, Todd Pennington, Mom," answered Anne.

"You will not be able to use him for he represents your brother."

"Peter your stay out of this!" ordered Richard.

Rachel quickly contacted her attorney in California. He knew of Todd Pennington. After hearing a brief description of what was about to happen he recommended another attorney and suggested that he can handle the details from his end over the phone. Rachel attorney further said that both psychologists should give written testimony as to Jonathan's fitness.

Anne had a thought. "Perhaps there is a way we can settle this between ourselves."

"What do you mean Anne?" inquired Jo.

"Well isn't the point of this entire trip to reconcile my life in Jacksonville. I suppose is this: we write up a contract stating I am giving the house to Joshua on the condition that it not to be sold for any reason. It is to be used as a vacation house for the Harris and Hart Families. Jonathan Harris bank account will be equal divided up between Joshua and Jonathan Harris. Lastly, Jonathan Harris has to move out of said house in three weeks time."

Bart Quicksilver, Rachel's attorney in California, said everything should be agreeable with Joshua except the part of the Hart Family using the house. Anne told him that she could get him to agree to it. When the lawyer pressed Anne what she meant by that Rachel told him to never mind that-His job now was to draft the contract and send it to them at there hotel no later than Tuesday. Bart said he will make sure its there.

Rachel looked at Anne when she hung up the phone. "You plan on telling him." She stated this as a fact. Anne nodded her head. "You know he won't believe you."

"I know but I think I can make him believe me. I need everyone to back me up but let things happen as they happen even if I get so upset that I storm out of this house." Rachel had a hard time ageing to this but she did. Richard and Jo had reservations but agreed seeing that Rachel agreed to it.

Dr. Peter Crushing however could not agree to it but said he will not do anything to hinder this outcome. Anne thought about further. "You are on his side aren't you?"

"What do you mean?"

"Do not answer my question with a question. Are you on his side?"

Richard then stepped in. "What did Joshua promised you in return for backstabbing Jonathan?" Instead of answering the question, Dr. Crushing just left.

"Jo, you need to call Joshua. If Dr. Crushing calls him first we are dead. Don't worry just tell him you are willing to make a huge compromise with him but do stress to him that Peter just threatened you. If you need me to I will help you telepathically."

Jo looked at Anne asked what is the deal between him and his brother. Anne very quickly queue her in telepathically. "Goodness sake that is complicated but I'll phone him right away. You might want to tell all of that to mom while I make the call outside." Jo then took Jonathan's cell phone and stepped onto the front porch.

"Mom…Rachel, Joshua and I grew up in this house together. He is there elder brother and we were never really close. Mom and Dad pushed Joshua to succeed but they never seem to push me. Even though they might have said they did, they didn't. Hence, Joshua was very successful in sports and later in Academics. He landed a lucrative job at Hughes Aerospace. I on the other hand failed high school and quit my senior year just to get a GED. I went on trade school were I proceeded to change my major so many times it was not funny. Finally after Eights long years the counselors just looked at what I took and searched thru the course catalog until they found a major were I completed all the requirements of then they called me in and basically told me they were graduating me. Mom and Dad were proud of me and came to my graduation. Joshua even flew in for it. However Joshua had friends in the counselor's office. Later he told me they basically wanted to get rid of me. Yes I did meet the requirements of the diploma but I lacked the drive to fulfill the job the diploma stipulated. I told him he was wrong. He left on the first flight out after that. I soon landed a job based on the diploma but lost the job a month later due to my lack of enthusiasm plus I did curse the boss out. I then went to work for a grocery store as a cashier. In a short time I became the head cashier. My boss as well as the district manager told me I will not ever move any higher. I found another job in a warehouse later. That job lead to where I am as of three days ago-before the void. I lived here all that time. Joshua had to buy Mom and Dad a condo on the beach on the west coast just so they can live the rest of their lives. Shortly before my parents move Dad had bought two Five million life insurance policies-one for Mom and one for him. I was the beneficiary in both policies. He then made sure this house bills were paid for as long as he lived. When dad died four years later Joshua and I found out that dad had left me the house. Shortly afterward he found out about the insurance policy. Everything else that was here was also willed to me. Joshua was crushed. He did everything my father asked of him and I was getting everything. He cared for him in his last days and I was getting everything. He fought the will in probate but dad was prepared for that for a law firm acting on his behave due to a codicil. The codicil stipulated what the original stipulated with one alteration-Joshua will get the sum of money in hi and mom's joint account once mom passes on. Six short months later mom died due to loneness and a broken heart. Joshua was flabbergasted when he found out about her five million dollar policy but did not say anything until he found out about the state of the joint account. It seemed that before the codicil was to be read the lawyer who acted on dad's behalf took a heavy fee for their services. Joshua never spoke to me again."

Rachel went into the living room and sat down on the sofa. "I had no idea your relationship with your brother was so complicated. I can see his point of view. He had to practically work for everything he has while you were given the silver spoon."

"Yes, but that is not the way my father had originally wanted it. He wanted to provide for both of his sons. Soon however he discovered Joshua's need to control everything and my inability to strive for impossible things. I am more a realist than anything else. Dad knew that Joshua would be okay and that someday I would find a way to reach and understanding with my brother."

"I don't understand something Jonathan. You told Jo you have only a couple of hundred dollars in your account but you just admitted to having about ten million dollars if I did the math right."

"Rachel I also said I work as a warehouse slash delivery man. I keep a separate account just for that pay I get from that job. In truth I really do not have to work. I just cannot stand just sitting here and do nothing. While the other accounts pay the house bills-all my entertainment, vehicle, food, clothing, and house upkeep expenses comes from the account that I only use for my job. I try to live a modest life. In truth including my investments I have over fifty million dollars. Given my unique outlook on life I made some very good investments with the original ten million."

"And that is what you plan to split with your brother," asked Richard.

Anne thought about for a second. "Actually could you call your lawyer back Rachel. I wish to give Joshua thirty million and fifteen million each in a trust fund to Jo and me. In the top drawer of my desk in middle bedroom is my portfolio containing all the account numbers he will need." Rachel grabbed her phone and went into the middle bedroom to make the call.

"Jonathan, I am impressed on how you are handling this."

"Dr. Tuttleson to tell you the truth the moment we set foot in this house I realized I can no longer live here. I belong now with Rachel and Jo. I still wish to keep Joshua as a brother and Bobby as a friend. I realize it will be an uphill battle to convince them what happened did in fact happen. But I realize my life in Jacksonville ended early Friday morning in the void."

Anne gathered up the empty cans and went to the trash can. In the trash she noticed some empty beer cans. Jo did tell her he carried out the trash Friday morning. Anne went to the refrigerator and counted the beer that was in there. Jo outside knew what Anne was doing.

Rachel stepped back into the room and said her attorney was making the appropriate arrangements. She also stated the attorney volunteered to personally fly in by private jet with the papers on Tuesday. Anne said that was great but Rachel saw an exasperated look on Anne as Jo walked back into the house.

"Joshua angrily said that Dr. Crushing had coerced him into agreeing to a two million dollar pay off in exchange for his services in institutionalizing me. He is pissed that he even came by the house to try to play devils advocate. We discussed your terms Anne and he agrees with them for the most part until they involve the Hart family. He hung up when we reached an impasse saying we will discuss this further on Wednesday night. You will have a hard time with Jonathan."

"As I expected. Want to tell mom what I had just discovered JoAnne."

Jo winced at the use of her full name. "Alright already, Mom Friday afternoon I had a few of the beers Jonathan had in fridge."

"Just a few, JoAnne. By my count you had nine of those beers. I know that body you are in JoAnne. Just two beers are more than enough to make it very happy. You must have been pretty close to plastered after nine. Tell me, how did you manage to cover that up with me telepathically as well as drive to the hotel?" asked Anne with a sneer.

Jo had no answer. Rachel looked at Jo then at Anne. Slightly she went to the refrigerator, grabbed the remainder of the beer, and then went over to the sink. The mother then proceeded to open one can at a time and poured it into the sink then threw the empty can into the garbage. Anne cringed inside knowing that was the last bit of beer that was his for long time.

"Now that the beer is gone we will not ever discuss this matter ever again. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes mam," replied both Jo and Anne in unison. Anne could not believe how simple the mother made this situation. Then she knew that if it was her she would have came down like a ton of bricks.

The next day, Monday, Daniel Rutland pulled into the parking lot of Jacksonville Electric. He had with him his fifteen year old daughter, Elizabeth, and his ten year old son, Bobby, with him. Due to the death of the principal's wife the school was closed that day.

Daniel had a great weekend. He took his jet skis up to the island he and his buddies hang out at. His kids were there. A friend of his with a huge house boat barbequed enough ribs for everyone. Another couple seemed to have the best sound system around on the house boat. Still another friend brought enough beer there that weekend for the entire state as well as enough soft drinks for the kids. That seems to be the norm for every weekend at that island.

He only wished he knew what was up with his subordinate/friend Jonathan. He called in sick on Friday. He went to try to check on him Saturday because his house was on the way to the island by water. No one was at the house when he got there. His boat was still docked at the pier but his new Escalade truck was gone. Daniel knew he was not sick which was strange for Jonathan does not lie.

For years now he knew Jonathan had to have more money than he knew what to with. His first clue was his phone. It was just about the only phone on the island that had service whenever he showed up. Daniel looked into getting the same service. He found out that the phone worked of not just one satellite but a series of satellites. That phone of his practically had service just about anywhere in the world. It cost an arm and leg a month. There was no way he could afford it on his regular pay from the company.

The second clue was the amount of vehicles he owned. He owned a boat which was a Twenty-five footer ski boat he used as a runabout, a nineteen eighty-eight Toyota pickup, a nineteen seventy-five mustang two, and then the two thousand six Cadillac Escalade. The boat and the two older vehicles he knew about for they can be explained. Jonathan does not know he knew about the Escalade for Daniel just dropped by and happen to see it in his garage. Since then he say it every time he drove by Jonathans.

The icing on the cake was the house he lives in. Grant you his parents were paying the house bills while they were alive. But they passed away years ago and the house bills are still being paid for. The house was a three bedroom house on the inner coastal waterway with its own pier and boathouse. Taxes alone would have been more than he could afford.

Jonathan tried to disguise that he had money. He hardly drove the Escalade. He dresses like the average warehouse clerk. He even sometimes complained that he could not make ends meet on his meager paycheck. Daniel had a good life but he even can't afford some of things Jonathan has yet he makes more money than him at work. Daniel knew he had to be independently wealthy but chose not to say anything until Jonathan does.

Daniel had just locked up his truck when he noticed Jonathan's Escalade sitting by the front door. He chuckled knowing today he can finally get Jonathan to confess the truth about his finances. Today one way or another Jonathan would admit the truth. But then Daniel realized something was terrible wrong.

Jonathan parks in the back of the yard at the same spot each day not up front. Jonathan takes pride in not showing off his obvious wealth even hiding it so why did he drive such an expensive vehicle like this to work. He does not a show off it's just not like him. What is wrong with him? Daniel asked himself why does he care?

Inside he noticed the people from the motor shop was answering the phones. They did not know how to sell electrical. "Jimmy, what are you and the others doing?"

"Dan, something strange came up. Your presence is request a.s.a.p. in the conference room. From what I understand it won't take long."

"What won't take long? Who requested me?"

"I Did!" Daniel turned around to see Eric Batten, owner of Jacksonville Electric. "First before we enter the conference room I want to know something. Did you know Jonathan was independently wealthy outside of his parents?"

"Yes I did." Daniel proceeded to tell Eric the observations he had made. Then he told him that Jonathan made an error in driving his Escalade to work today and plan to call him on it.

"You will not need to Daniel." Daniel quickly made arrangements for the secretary to watch his kids then followed Eric into the conference room. In there he noticed not only Jonathan young girl his daughter's age, a middle aged woman that has to be the girl's mother, and another middle aged men dressed in a very elegant suit maybe the young girl's father. 'Oh boy' thought Daniel. His first thought was maybe Jonathan did something inappropriate with the young girl and because he was loaded they were going to milk him instead of sending him to jail. Also in the conference room was the branch manger David Grant.

"Good we are all here."

"Yes Dr. Tuttleson we are. Please make this brief for we have a lot of work to do. A fish processing plant had caught on fire last night and we need to get supplies and men together to get it back in operation as soon as possible. Jonathan, you will be very likely very busy today. We need you," stated Eric.

Anne jaw dropped as he eyes popped open. A fact not lost by any in room. "Sir I am sorry but the fact of the matter Jonathan will be unable to work for you any longer due to a medical situation," stated Richard.

"I see. If you excuse us we have an urgent situation to attend to," replied David. With that all three managers got up to leave.

"Wait! I can help you. Jo and I can help you I this crisis," screamed Anne. The trio stopped and looked at the young girl.

"How can you help us young one?" asked Daniel.

"For starters, I know this warehouse better than anyone including even you though you know more about the products than I do."

"Wrong. He does," pointing to Jonathan/Jo. "As for you, I consider you an impertinent young woman who has dreams of grandeur. We have more important things to do than baby sit. Now if Jonathan were to help we will welcome his help."

Anne looks to Jo. Silently they talk telepathically. "I will help only if you let Anne help me. Take the time to consider this but you have to admit this with our help you'll get to the plant that much faster. One thing though I cannot drive today."

Eric looks over at Rachel and Richard. "Are you okay with this?" They nodded their consent. "If the situation was not so grave we would not consider this option but could you excuse us for a minute." They left the conference room.

Five long minutes later Daniel reentered the room. "Like we said before, if the situation was not so desperate we would not consider this. We accept your terms with some terms of our own. First is the moment you prove to be a hindrance we will ask you to leave. Second is we cannot place the girl on our insurance policy so the mother will have to sign a waver much like if she were to play sports for a school. Thirdly is that my kids have to stay here for the day and our secretary cannot baby sit them as I hoped so I need your mother to them here in the conference room. Fourthly and last is since I am trusting my kids with someone I do not fully trust she must realize that the moment I think something is wrong the police will be called to arrest the four of you."

Jo and Anne looked at Rachel. "Daniel is it. I take it that is the waiver form in your hands." Daniel nodded handing her the form. Rachel filled it out then handed it back to Daniel. "I also consent to your other terms." Daniel nodded then left the room.

"Mom, why are you letting us do this?" asked Anne with puppy dog eyes.

"Three reasons. One is I felt you needed to say goodbye to this job properly. Two, I know you want Daniel to understand the truth. And finally, I cannot stand how those pompous jerks had treated us a few moments ago."

Daniel reentered the room with Elizabeth and Bobby. He quickly introduced both Rachel and his children to each other then asked Jo and Anne to follow him. As Anne reached the door she quickly came face to face with Elizabeth. "What's you're name?"

This is awkward. Anne did not anticipate coming face to face with any other people his current bodies' age. "Anne. I am here to help my...ah Uncle," replied Anne shakily while blushing.

"Really that is so cool. Say will you join us for lunch? I like to get know you better."

Daniel did not expect this turn of events but he could never deny his daughter anything. "We will see later sweetheart. In the meantime she and her 'uncle' have a lot of work to do."

With that they exited the conference room. David handed a huge list of item to Jonathan/Jo to pull. His eyes popped out like what the hell. Anne giggled then took the list from Jo. Eric was about to protest but noticed how tedious Anne was look over the list. Anne motioned for Jo to follow her and Fifteen minutes they returned with a full buggy load of electrical products. Anne went over to Daniel to confer with him on what they did not have on hand. He doubled checked real quick but found the young girl was right. Since then Anne received the list instead of Jo.

This went on through out the morning. Anne proved that she really did know the warehouse better than anyone in fact she overheard Daniel calling on one of other venders trying to locate a special starter he needed. Anne remembered a starter just like that came in for another customer but had refused it because they were going a more conventional way. She tried to relay this to Daniel but he dismissed her. Anne got mad, went into the warehouse without Jo, got the stupid starter, and plopped it right onto Daniel's growing stack of papers in front of him.

Startled, he told the vender on the other line he will have to call him right back. He examined first the starter and found it to be exactly what he needed. Then he realized she found it without Jonathan's help meaning that she already knew about it. This is one starter they do not normally carry so it would be unlikely for Jonathan to tell her about it. The only way for her to know about it was—no that would be impossible.

At lunch time they had nearly pulled everything they needed for the job. It was all thanks to Anne and not only did Daniel know it but also Eric and David as well. She did know the warehouse better than anyone. Anne noted that being in a body in such good shape seems to make the work go more quickly. At lunch time she had two trucks overloaded with starters, drives, conduit, connectors, wires, tools, and anything else Daniel threw at her.

Daniel remembered how Anne tried to pick up a spool of 2/0 wire but quickly found it too heavy for her. She looked at her hands in frustration. Anne then looked toward the back of the warehouse where Jo was. Daniel knew they could not see each other so it surprised him when Jonathan yelled out that he was coming as he went to help her. This puzzled him as how they communicated.

Eric was very impressed with the Anne/Jonathan team. He bought lunch for everyone. Anne remembered Elizabeth's request. "Would it be all right if I treat Elizabeth and her dad to lunch instead mom?"

Rachel looked at Daniel and Eric. "I have no objections. Daniel?"

Daniel looked into his daughter pleading eyes. "Sure that will be no problem."

Rachel looked at Anne. "Now you do as Mr. Rutland tells you."

"Thanks!" replied both Anne and Elizabeth to their perspective parents.

"Now the three of you get to the truck." Chills went through Liz when she understood this meant her little brother as well.

"Daddy, Couldn't Bobby stay here and have lunch with Eric and the others? After all Rachel will be here to keep an eye on him."

"Hey!" exclaimed Bobby.

"O come now squirt. Don't tell me you rather hang with two girls who will probably talk girl stuff than here with the guys," Anne said.

Bobby thought it over for a second. "I want to stay here for lunch." Daniel looked at hi son and realized in a few years Anne's ploy would probably backfire on her.

"Have it your way, Bobby. Remember Rachel is in charge." In the few short hours it seemed that he came to trust Rachel more. "Anne, Elizabeth lets go."

"Just a moment."

"What now?" Daniel looked towards Rachel.

"Anne said she wanted to treat you two. I need to give her…"

"No need. See I have money," interrupted Anne who showed that her wallet contained about a hundred dollars.

"Put your money away both of you. This is my treat," Daniel declared.

Over lunch Elizabeth tried to learn more about Anne and her life in California. Anne tried to get answers telepathically from Jo but found out Jo was getting the third degree from both Eric and David. They both tried to give each other answers but soon dropped it then closed their minds off from each other when it became apparent the were hesitating too much.

Suddenly Liz changed tactics by talking about Jacksonville. Anne who grew up in Jacksonville was able to join in the conversation. At the tail end of lunch Anne realized Elizabeth had set her up but said nothing that is until Liz asked "Daddy how did Jonathan and Anne change bodies?"

"Sweetheart you are mistaken. This is Anne."

Anne looked over at Elizabeth and knew she was sure of it. "No Dan. She is correct. Its me Jonathan. Please listen what I am about to say with an open mind." Anne then related the story of how everything came to pass. Daniel did indeed listen. He especially listened when Liz jumped in with a few questions of her own. She explained how Jo and she can communicate telepathically. In the end he still could not believe a word she said for none of it makes sense in the real world.

Back at the office the first thing Daniel did was to come face to face with Jo. "Tell Me who are you?"

Jo shot Anne a look and knew she had related the truth to him. With everyone watching he replied "My name is JoAnne Hart. I am Rachel's fifteen year old daughter."

Eric was not amused. Even though they did successfully pulled most of the products quickly he could not let them stay. "I think we can manage the rest by ourselves. Thank You."

Reluctantly and dejectedly Anne walked out to the Escalade. Jo, Rachel, and Richard followed without a word. Soon the Escalade drove out of the parking lot. Anne knew if she stayed now they would hinder their progress. She has the satisfaction that for a short time they actually helped them. What was left was so minor that she felt confident they could get on the road within a half hour anyway. What was driving her spirits down was the fact that Daniel did not believe her.

Jo wanted to help Anne but could not choose the correct words to comfort here. Jo knew how she felt thru their bond. Anne looked at Jo when they reached about the halfway point back to the house and telepathically thanked him anyways. Then Anne had a thought of how to convince him but it was risky. Jo shot her a look then a smile came across his face. (You go girl!)

(Jo when mom finds out what I am thinking she'll probably not only have a fit but say no to it.)

(I do not think so Anne. You saw how she reacted earlier when they acted dismissive to us. Well they just did it again. At first she may balk but then she will probably let you do it to put that jerk in his place.)

(He's not really a jerk. He has been a really good friend to me in the past. He is a realist though and what does not make sense to him he thinks is false. Even you have to realize that this situation we are in is not a normally sensible situation. In fact it is quite chaotic.)

(You have a point still I think your plan is a good one. I also think mom will let you do it just to spite your friend Daniel.)

At the house Anne talked to Rachel about her plan to convince Daniel. At first Rachel balked and said no way. Jo reminded Rachel on how dismissive Eric was when Daniel exposed the truth. Sure enough Rachel consented to the scheme depending on the outcome of another highly explosive situation. When asked which situation she meant Rachel just said one name 'Joshua'.

(continued)

  

  

  

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