"And I thought I couldn't be surprised anymore," Amanda said, shell-shocked. She turned to Abigail who was negotiating her car back towards her shop. "Are you sure of this?" "Yes!" Abigail replied for the third time. "I wouldn't have pulled you out from your office like that if I wasn't certain." "I just can't believe it. Patrick and Hank together...having sex. And he doesn't want to break the curse?" "It's...worse than that. He wants to stay female and marry Hank." "MARRY HANK!?!" Amanda almost screamed. "Ow! Mind my eardrums!" "Sorry." Amanda tried to find something coherent to say. "Neither Hank or Patrick are the marrying type. Why did Patrick change his mind so fast?" "He's been trying to control his new body all week. Like someone driving a new car they can't quite handle yet. Unfortunately, he crashed before he could get enough experience, and now he's wandering around in shock." "He's not the only one." Amanda tried to digest all she had been told. "So you think this is his reaction to making love as a woman? But why settle on Hank of all people? He's almost as bad as Patrick is, or was." "Perhaps he's acting the way he believes the ideal woman should?" Abigail suggested. "Serves him right if he is." Amanda rubbed her forehead. Now she was getting a migraine. "So what are we going to do?" "Simple," Abigail replied, "we carry on with the ritual as planned. Patrick doesn't have to do much more than simply be there for it to work." "Which in his current state is the absolutely last place in the world he'll want to be," Amanda pointed out. "How do we get him there and keep him there?" "That's...something we're going to have to work on." Abigail replied uncertainly. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Susan knocked on the door of the bathroom cubicle. "Ian," she called, "are you okay?" "W-what are you doing in the men's room?" came a small voice from inside. "I came to check if you were alright. You've been in there for twenty minutes!" "I'm...ah...fine. You go on ahead and I'll catch you up soon." "Okay, Ian." Susan replied. What the hell was up with him? she thought. "Me and Becky will see you back at the office. Are you sure everything is okay?" "Yep, everything is fine!" Ian replied, trying to sound upbeat, but only managing to sound terrified. He relaxed slightly as he heard Susan walk from the room. At least he wouldn't have to go out there and face Patrick again. How had his boss done the impossible and turned himself into a woman? Did Hank know he was sleeping not with Patrick's cousin, but with Patrick himself? Probably not, Hank and Patrick were friends, but not that sort of friends. Ian's mind drifted back to the previous Monday night when he had seen Patrick do the impossible. His boss had been down an alley in a small occult bookshop when he had changed sex. Ian was certain that was not a coincidence. Maybe it was run by a witch and she had done it to him. The idea seemed stupid, but no more absurd than what he had seen with his own eyes. He decided the coast was clear and cautiously opened the stall door. The men's room was deserted. He quickly moved over to the washroom door and looked into the restaurant. By opening the door a crack he could see where he, Susan and 'Becky' had been sitting. Someone else was sitting there now. Ian slipped back into the restaurant and headed for the exit, checking all around himself for his boss. Back on the street he tried to decide where to go. He couldn't head back to the office, because Patrick would be there. Perhaps he should check out that shop. Find out what happened to Patrick, and maybe find a way to reverse what had been done to him. It was a short walk to the shop. Looking in through the window at the piles of occult and New Age books Ian was beginning to question his judgement. What if whatever had been done to Patrick was done to him? He opened the door and jumped three feet in the air when it triggered a little bell. He stood dead still as he waited to see if anyone would answer it. After several heartbeats he convinced himself that no-one was coming and edged into the shop. He had to find something to help Patrick. Carefully he looked around the small bookshop. It was impossible to tell if any of the books was of any use. He didn't know which ones carried the information he needed. He looked behind the counter. Perhaps the witch kept her important stuff there. "Back away from the cash register," came a voice. A female voice. Ian turned in horror to see a woman standing halfway up a narrow flight of stairs. She had red hair and was dressed like a cross between a gypsy fortune teller and a hippy. "Don't turn me into a woman!" he screamed and dived behind the counter. Abigail frowned. That was not the normal reaction of a thief. "What did you say?" "I recognize that voice," said Amanda behind her. "It's Ian, isn't it? You work with Patrick." Ian carefully poked his head above the counter. He recognized the second woman as well. "You're Patrick's latest girlfriend." "Latest ex-girlfriend," she corrected him. Amanda moved towards him and he ducked down. "Look it's alright. We're not going to do anything to you. We're trying to cure Patrick before he gets into any more trouble." Ian's head popped up again, "Really?" "Really. Come on upstairs and we'll explain." Ian decided he couldn't risk running in case the red-haired woman really was a witch. Perhaps if he played it cool he'd be okay. Reluctantly he followed them upstairs. * * * * * * * * * * * * * Patrick was in seventh heaven as he walked around the shop. He had spent the last three quarters of an hour getting a make over and trying out various cosmetics. He had sat around the office for awhile after he and Susan had got back from the restaurant. Hank was really too busy to pay much attention to him, but Patrick wasn't annoyed. At least he was close to the man he loved. After an hour, Hank had suggested Patrick should do a little shopping or something. It'd be much better than hanging around a boring office waiting for him to finish work. Hank gave Patrick a hundred dollars as spending money and told him to get something nice. Patrick didn't need the money at all, but as far as Hank knew he was an unemployed girl come to the city to look for a job. He made a show of trying to refuse the money before accepting it. He made Hank promise to come around to his apartment as soon as he finished work. Hank only agreed when he was convinced that 'Becky' would be there alone. Patrick had no problem about taking Hank's money. After all, a husband was supposed to support his wife. Wife. He rolled the word around his mind as he collected his purchases and set off for the clothing section of the store. He was going to be Hank's wife! He spent nearly all of Hank's money on a bottle of perfume with a French name. He still had a few hours to kill before Hank finished work. What better way to spend that time, he thought, than in shopping for clothes. A woman couldn't have too many clothes, and the ones they had here were so sexy it made his body tingle. Being a woman was such fun! Quite a while later, Patrick had trouble holding on to all of his purchases as he made his way to his car. He tripped and almost went flying. Wearing high-heels took a lot of effort and he wasn't nearly good enough in them yet. He loaded his new clothes and cosmetics into the back of his car and gratefully settled into the driving seat. His legs ached due to his shoes. How did women put up with those things? Well, he'd just have to work at it until he got it right. The idea of not wearing high-heeled shoes simply did not occur to him. He hadn't mastered the art of driving in them yet either, so he removed them before he headed back to his apartment. It was nearly 4.00 PM before he finally made it home. It was still a couple of hour before Hank would finish work. Still, he could use that time to get ready. Patrick could tell something was wrong the second he opened the door of his apartment. He stood still for a moment, straining to hear any noise that might be coming from his apartment. "Who's there?" he called. Amanda stepped into the entrance hall and headed over to him. "I let myself in." Patrick gave a relieved smile. "I though I was being robbed for a moment." He dropped his purchases off in his bedroom and then headed back to the main room. "We need to talk," His ex-girlfriend said. "No, we don't." Patrick replied. "I suppose Abigail told you of what I was planning?" Amanda nodded, "And I think I was more shocked than her. The Patrick I knew would never do this, would be horrified even to contemplate it." "Maybe," Patrick said, "but I'm not Patrick anymore. I'm Rebecca! Hank's girlfriend. Before too long I'll be his wife!" "Patrick, that is not you talking! You've had an extreme shock and this is your mind trying to compensate. You need help." "I'm not mad!" Patrick replied hotly. "I know exactly what I'm doing!" "I'm not saying you're mad," Amanda replied, already in danger of losing her temper. "You'll thank us for this later." Patrick stopped and looked at her suspiciously. "Us?" He saw a movement out of the corner of his eye and turned to see Abigail emerge from the kitchen. "I'm not happy about doing this either," she said, "but there is no other way. Ian, secure the door." Yet another figure emerged from the kitchen and started edging around the three women. Now Patrick was angry. "What right did you have to tell Ian?!" "He worked it out for himself," Abigail replied. "Go on Ian." Ian gave Patrick a wide berth and then headed down to the front door. Patrick folded his arms under his breasts and glared at the two other women. "So what now?" "Now we keep you here until past midnight." Abigail replied. "Then we perform the ritual and break the curse." Patrick took a step back. "No! You can't do this! What right do you have to break up this wonderful thing me and Hank have?!" He stabbed a finger at Amanda. "You're just jealous. You're only doing this because I jilted you for Hank!" "Dear God," Amanda exclaimed. "He's even more egotistical than when he was a man. Let's get him into the bedroom." Amanda and Abigail moved forward as one and grabbed an arm each. Together they started to pull Patrick towards his bedroom. He wasn't going quietly and was fighting them every step of the way. "Come on Ian!" Amanda called, "Give us a hand." Ian had been standing dumbly watching the fight unfold. He was still trying to digest the story he had been told. He was glad at least that Patrick had confirmed the story was true in the way he had acted towards Abigail and Amanda. He moved towards Patrick and tried to work out where he could hold him and cause the least embarrassment to either of them. It was really disturbing him how much Patrick's new form was attractive to him. His boss really did make a very sexy woman. Ian waited until he was sure he wouldn't get kicked and then grabbed Patrick's legs. Ian's boss struggled and cursed, but the three working together could just hold him. "What do we do with him?" Ian asked as he held on to Patrick's shapely legs desperately. His head was pressed against Patrick's stomach and he tried to ignore how close he was to his boss's feminine crotch. "Into his bedroom," Amanda replied. They manhandled Patrick into his own bedroom. While Amanda and Ian held him down on the bed Abigail gathered a few of the belts from the large pile of female clothes he had bought. The belts made good straps and they soon had his hands and feet tied around the legs of the bed. Patrick was stuck spread-eagled and was unable to move. He glared up at his captors, "When I get out of this I'm going to fucking kill every last one of you!" "Well," remarked Amanda, "at least some of the old Patrick is still in there. You keep quiet or we'll gag you." "I really am sorry about all this, Patrick." Abigail told him. "I wish it hadn't come to this, but you will thank us for this later." Patrick just glared angrily at her. She looked away, "Yes, well. Amanda, you and I need to start preparing for the ritual. You need to be word perfect when we do it for real." She turned to Ian, "You stay here and keep an eye on Patrick." "Me?" Ian said worriedly. "There's no-one else who can. Amanda and I are going to be busy. You'll be okay." The two women headed back to the main room to prepare for the ritual. Ian avoided Patrick's gaze and sat down in a chair. Ian was beginning to regret ever getting involved over the mystery of Patrick's transformation. It was far too late to back out now. Anyway, overbearing boss that Patrick was, Ian couldn't just walk away and leave him as a lovesick bimbo. He looked up to see Patrick struggling on the bed. "Ian?" his transformed boss said. "If you don't release me, NOW, you're fired. Do you understand that? Fired!" "Patrick, please relax. It'll be over soon." Ian said, trying to be reassuring. He knew that if Patrick's mind didn't return to normal after the curse was lifted he'd lose his job. This was just getting worse and worse. Patrick looked at him, "But I don't want it to be over. I'm a sexy girl. Do you have any idea how this body feels. Not just on the outside, but on the inside. Nothing else comes close." Ian looked down at Patrick stretched out on the bed. It was a fantastic body, he had to admit. In any other situation he'd be trying to get to know the girl a lot better. He watched, spellbound, as Patrick continued to struggle against his bonds. His eyes drank in Patrick's shapely body, from the breasts that rolled and moved under the revealing dress, down to the long, shapely legs struggling to break free. The movements grew less frantic and more sensuous, almost as if Patrick was enjoying it. Ian looked up to see Patrick smiling broadly at him. With great relish, Patrick breathed the words "take me." Ian jumped as if he had been stung and retreated over to the window. His face reddened with embarrassment as he heard Patrick laugh softly. He was almost painfully aware of the erection in his pants. He wanted that woman so badly, but 'she' was Patrick, his boss! "I wouldn't worry about it, Ian." Patrick said with an amused tone in his voice. "It's perfectly natural for a body like mine to get you all hot and hard." "It's not natural at all!" Ian retorted. "Perhaps, but I can tell how much you want me. It's written all over your face." "Shut up!" Ian turned to look out of the window. He checked his watch. It was still more than seven hours to midnight and he was mentally exhausted already. Patrick said nothing more. After several minutes Ian had enough courage to turn around and face Patrick again. He was surprised to see that Patrick had fallen asleep. How could he fall asleep under conditions like that? Probably didn't get much rest the previous night, when he was with Hank, Ian thought. Ian shook his head and sighed. He still couldn't believe it. Hank obviously couldn't tell the difference. Ian wondered if he could. If he had been making love to a magically transformed man, would he have been able to tell if, behind the bountiful breasts and soft skin, lived the soul of a man? No wonder Patrick had gone nuts. Ian doubted he would deal with it better if he woke with feminine lips between his legs instead of his manhood. Or if his chest suddenly held two sensuous globes. His erection was uncomfortably tight in his pants and his mouth was dry. He stared at Patrick for several long minutes. Finally, he came to a decision and he moved his chair closer to the bed. Being very careful not to wake Patrick, Ian leaned over and breathed in the scent of the sleeping woman. Ian shivered uncontrollably. Even the smell cried out with sex appeal. He looked up at the door to check no-one was there. Then he carefully held his hand barely above one of Patrick's breasts. He was so close to it that he imagined he could feel Patrick's body heat. He looked up at Patrick's face, and almost died of fright when he saw his boss's eyes were open. Patrick smiled and whispered "It's alright. Go ahead." Ian wavered for a moment before giving in to his desires. Slowly, he brought his hand down to cup Patrick's soft flesh. Patrick groaned sensuously as Ian caressed him. Ian could feel Patrick's aroused nipple pushing into his palm. His confidence grew, and he started to massage Patrick's breast. At that moment he wanted to have Patrick more than any other woman he had ever been with. His boss might once have been a man, but now he was the embodiment of feminine sensuality. He slipped his hand inside Patrick's dress to get better access. Patrick hadn't bothered with a bra that morning, preferring to let his breasts swing free. Patrick's skin was so smooth and unblemished it only made Ian want him more "Ohh, that feels so good," Patrick said dreamily. Ian looked up at Patrick's face. There was no hint of masculinity in that face. Nothing that could point to Patrick's formally male status. Slowly he leaned over and their lips met. Ian felt as if he had gotten an electric shock from Patrick and the kiss rapidly grew more passionate. Patrick's lips opened, inviting Ian's tongue into his mouth. By now Ian was leaning over Patrick and his erection was pressing into the transformed man under him. Finally they broke for air. Patrick looked at the aroused man on top of him, he was keenly aware of how far Ian had fallen under his spell. "Could you undo my right hand, my love." he asked. "I shouldn't," Ian said, but without any force. "I won't be going anywhere while you're with me, will I?" Ian caught the double meaning and swallowed. "I suppose it can't hurt." He reached up and quickly undid the belt holding Patrick's right hand. Patrick's free hand ran softly down the side of Ian's face, and then headed downwards. It eagerly grabbed at the hard lump in Ian's jeans. Ian needed no further encouragement and undid his own belt. He was shaking now and beyond much rational thought. This beautiful creature, that used to be a man, but was now a woman, wanted him! Patrick was rougher now, more urgent, pulling Ian's jeans open and down. His shorts quickly followed. Patrick's eyes widened with lust as he saw Ian's penis, erect in all its glory. "Closer, closer." he urged. Ian kneeled over Patrick the best he could with his jeans and pants round his ankles and edged forward. Patrick pulled him closer still. It was all Ian could do to stop himself from reaching orgasm when Patrick's hot, velvet-soft mouth closed on his hot and hard length. Patrick's hand gripped Ian's ass and his nails dug in, but the young man was past caring. The hand controlled the speed of thrusting and only removed itself when Ian had settled into the rhythm Patrick wanted. Ian had to lean forwards to allow his penis easy access to Patrick's eager mouth. He was gripping on to the backboard of the bed and trying to retain enough self-control to avoid crying out. The fact that there were two women in the next room who must not find out what he was doing only heightened his excitement. He felt himself building to the inevitable explosion and he did his best to keep it at bay for as long as possible. Patrick's tongue flicked over the head of his penis and he lost the battle against his orgasm. He gave a strangled, quiet cry and pumped his seed into Patrick's mouth. Then, just as he was recovering, he was suddenly thrown backwards and off the bed, slamming his head into a wardrobe as he hit the floor. He gave a cry of pain and confusion. He put his hand to his throbbing head and tried to work out what had happened. Patrick was sitting upright on the bed working feverishly at the two belts restraining his legs. He must have freed his other hand when he was sucking me off, Ian realized. "Sorry," Patrick told him as he worked, "you're very cute and I really didn't want to do that." He tried to struggle to his feet, but Patrick was free. Ian could only watch as Patrick wiped some cum from the side of his mouth, and then grabbed his handbag. "Ian?" came Abigail's voice from the hallway. "What's going on." Patrick wasted no time leaping from the room and running to the front door. From the confused yelling and cursing it was obvious to Ian that Patrick had made a clean getaway. Some moments later, Amanda prowled into the bedroom looking very angry. "What the hell hap--?" she started before she saw Ian collapsed on the floor. Ian finally managed to struggle to his feet. It was only then that he remembered his jeans were around his ankles. He quickly tried to pull them up as Amanda, now joined by Abigail, could only stare on in disbelief. "You sick bastard!" Amanda exclaimed. "What the hell were you thinking! That was Patrick!" Ian tried to think of something to say and failed. Amanda hadn't finished yet. "I just can't believe this! Did you like doing it with a man? Perhaps you should be a woman like him. In fact, I wish mmfff!" Abigail held her hand tightly over Amanda's mouth. "Let's not risk creating another problem, okay?" Amanda nodded slowly and Abigail took her hand away. She thought about continuing her tirade against Ian's stupidity, but decided to storm out instead. "Men! Absolutely nothing but trouble!" she said angrily as she left. Abigail hurried after her. Ian turned and looked down at the bed and tried to sort out his emotions. He had known all the time that it was Patrick, but it hadn't seemed to bother him. Patrick was laughing as he drove away. That had been a very close call, but nothing would stop him being the woman he undoubtedly was. He felt bad about what had happened with Ian for two reasons. The first was that he had cheated on Hank, his future husband. The second reason was that Ian was a really cute guy. Patrick thought that if it wasn't for Hank he'd could really go for him. As soon as he felt he was far enough away from home to be safe he stopped and pulled out his mobile phone. "Hank? It's me, Becky. Slight change of plans. I'll meet you at your place."