Disclaimer: The usual: aren't mine, are Saban's, no money, just fun.
Notes and Timeline: Zeo period, Jason and Billy are around. Tommy is dating Katherine, Adam is dating Tanya.
Identity Crisis
By Mele
The seven teenagers sat around their usual table at the Youth Center enjoying an early dismissal from school due to teacher conferences, and discussing the upcoming three-day weekend.
"So, what is everyone up to for the long weekend?" Tommy asked, looking around at his friends.
"Well, we are having a mini family reunion at my house," Rocky sighed. "Mom's two sisters and their families, and one of Dad's brothers, and his sister, and their families. All at my house. Can I stay with one of you guys? PLEASE."
There was a general laugh at Rocky's pathetic expression. "Sorry, guy, it can't be that bad, can it?" Tommy finally said.
"How bad do you consider bad? We are talking just shy of thirty extra people. They all camp out in the back yard. Three bathrooms, one kitchen, five families, four days. You do the math." He sighed again.
Adam was giggling over his friend's plight. "You could probably sell tickets to that," he teased Rocky.
Rocky grumbled in his good-natured way. "Maybe I will, make some money off the whole affair so I can afford a motel. Hey, that may be a plan!" There was more laughter. They all knew Rocky complained constantly about his extensive family, but that did nothing to hide his affection for all his relatives. He loved being a part of such a huge clan.
"Well, I'm certainly looking forward to the weekend," Katherine interjected. "My parents and I are going up to the mountains. We rented a cabin from Billy's uncle, and some old friends from Australia are going to meet us there. Kristen was my best friend in grammar school; I am looking forward to catching up with her. I haven't seen her in such a long time, her family moved away from my hometown four years before we moved here."
"Sounds like fun," Jason said. "My dad has the weekend off and he wants to go ocean fishing and scuba diving, so we are driving up the coast to my grandfather's place. We'll spend the weekend there."
"My parents and I are going out of town this weekend too. There is a Traditional African Lifestyle convention being held in San Francisco this weekend. We are going to stay with an associate my father met through work and attend that this weekend," Tanya reported.
"David and I are heading to the Sierra Nevada for a three day backpacking trip. We are taking the minimum supplies needed and will look to nature to provide what we don't have with us," Tommy added.
There was a brief pause while the others looked at Adam and Billy, who had remained silent so far. The two exchanged a look.
"I'm staying home this weekend," Adam finally admitted. "My parents both have to work."
They turned to Billy. "Hey, don't look at me. I graduated. My whole life is a three day weekend at this point." He didn't sound particularly thrilled about that.
"Cool! I can come stay with one of you guys!" Rocky declared.
"NO!" was the simultaneous response from both Adam and Billy.
The discussion dissolved in laughter.
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After their discussion in the Youth Center, the teens had decided to get together in the park for a quick game of tag football. Jason and Tommy first needed to stop by the Power Chamber to check on Pyramidus's power level. There had been some problems with the power dropping unexpectedly, and Zordon had set up a power relay to bring the levels up to normal. He and Billy had some tests scheduled to try to pinpoint the problem once it was fully powered.
Billy had wanted to accompany them to the Power Chamber, but they insisted he stay with the others. Since Billy had given up his powers, and graduated, they saw too little of him outside the Power Chamber. When they did manage to get him involved in their recreation, they were careful to keep him there. And, he really wasn't needed in the Power Chamber at this time.
Jason and Tommy arrived in the Power Chamber in bolts of gold and red light.
"How is Pyramidus's power level looking?" Tommy asked.
"It is up to 93%," Alpha reported. "It should hit 100% in two hours. We can start testing it then to see why this is happening."
"Good. Do you want Billy to come back then?" Jason asked.
"No, the tests are already set up, they will run without assistance. We won't need his help until tomorrow," Zordon replied. "He needs to have some fun."
"I agree," Tommy said. "We will let him know he's free until tomorrow. Unless there is an attack, of course."
It couldn't have been timed better. No sooner had Tommy spoken, and the alarms sounded.
"What is it Alpha?" Jason asked.
"Quadrafighters. They are blasting randomly just outside the Power Chamber. Ay-yi-yi, I can't figure out what they are doing."
"I believe they are 'fishing'. Blasting at will to see if they get a rise out of us. This may not require any action at this time," Zordon decided.
Meanwhile, in the park the others had grown tired of waiting for Tommy and Jason to return. They decided to go to the Power Chamber en masse to get their two missing companions. They teleported.
As the five beams of light approached the Power Chamber, they encountered the quadrafighters. If the blasts from the quadrafighters had hit any of them directly, it would have been instantly fatal. As it was, they were hit by the percussion and energy from the blasts.
"Ay-yi-yi-yi-yi! The other Rangers are teleporting here! The effects from the blasts are causing a disruption in the teleportation beams!" Alpha was frantic.
He raced around the consoles, trying desperately to stabilize the teleportation beams as Jason and Tommy watched helplessly
"I think I got it, they should be here in a moment," Alpha reported at last.
No sooner had he spoken than five beams of colored light dissolved into the unconscious forms of Rocky, Adam, Tanya, Kat and Billy.
Alpha grabbed a portable scanner and rushed up to the crumpled figures. After seeing the results of the first couple scans, he relaxed visibly.
"Their life energies are all within normal parameters. They should all revive shortly," he said, relief evident in his voice.
Tommy and Jason exchanged a relieved glance, then stood watch over their friends, waiting for them to regain consciousness. Tanya was the first to stir.
"Easy, you're okay now," Jason soothed her as she sat up. She gave Jason an odd look, seeing how solicitous he was being.
"I'm okay, Jase. You don't need to hold my hand," she said.
Jason had the weirdest feeling something was very wrong here. Tanya never called him "Jase", generally only Tommy and Billy did. He looked directly into her eyes and asked, "Who are you?"
Her expression was one of complete disbelief. "We have been friends for eight years and you have to ask me that?"
"Billy?" Jason saw Tommy look over in amazement.
"Of course. What is wrong with you?" was the cautious reply.
"It is more what is wrong with you," Jason said gently. He took the hand he had been holding before and held it up in front of Billy's eyes. He saw the dawning comprehension there. Billy looked around desperately, and saw his body laying still a few feet away.
"Oh, no. Not again," he moaned.
"Again?" Tommy looked more perplexed than ever.
"Never mind for now. Let's hope only Billy and Tanya are affected," Jason said with a worried look. He remembered all too well how miserable Billy and Kimberly had been when their minds and bodies got switched. The two long time friends had been reduced to a shouting match in the school hallway. He did not want to think about the mess that it would be if all five of his friends who had been involved were switched around.
Tommy heard a slight moan and realized Katherine was coming around. He hurried to his girlfriend's side. "Are you okay?" he asked as she sat up.
"I think so," was the soft reply as she put her hand to her head as if it ached. She removed her hand with a sound of dismay and scrambled awkwardly to her feet. "What the heck happened to my hair?" she cried. "What is wrong with my body? What happened?"
Tommy tried to calm her, putting his arms around her to try to still her frantic movements. Kat threw his embrace off with a cry of disgust. "What do you think you are doing?"
Tommy looked directly at her, holding her shoulders to keep her still. "Who are you?" he asked calmly.
"Rocky, who else?" came the answer.
"Oh, boy, we have major problems," Jason muttered. This was as bad as he had feared. He saw Adam starting to stir, so he went to his side to help, leaving Tommy to try to deal with Rocky. "Easy bro, you're okay."
Adam's expression was one of genuine puzzlement. "Bro? Since when am I a 'bro'?"
Jason sighed and asked, "Who are you?"
"What is that, a trick question?" As he spoke his eyes roved around the Power Chamber, eventually spying Billy working at the consoles with Alpha. At that sight he paled considerably and looked down at himself.
"Who do I look like?"
"Well, you look like Adam, but judging from your reaction I have to assume you aren't."
"I'm Tanya. Who is she?" she asked, pointing to her body.
"Billy."
"Where is Adam?" was her next question.
"We aren't sure, he is one of those two." Jason indicated two still prone figures, both of whom were finally stirring.
He left Tanya with Rocky, who was sitting quietly trying to digest all that had happened.
Jason and Tommy cautiously approached Rocky and Billy, who, of course, were not really Rocky and Billy, but Katherine and Adam.
Jason took Billy and Tommy took Rocky and, before either reviving teen could really gather their thoughts, asked their identity.
"Katherine," was the response to Jason's question.
"Adam," was the response to Tommy, who with Jason's help, explained what had happened to the two dazed teens.
"So we're stuck like this?" Katherine asked, her eyes widened with dismay.
"For the time being, until we find a way to reverse the effect," Tommy said. "Zordon, Billy, and Alpha are working on it now."
His words didn't seem to encourage the two confused Rangers, who drifted over to join Tanya and Rocky. They sat there in silence, no one looking at anyone else, trying to cope with the idea they were in someone else's body.
Jason and Tommy looked grimly at each other. This was a mess.
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It had been almost an hour since the five Rangers had regained consciousness. Billy had a final look at the results of his research and sighed. This was not going to be easy. He approached the quiet group.
"Well, guys, the good news is we are all healthy. No lasting effects from the accident. Except the personality displacement, that is," he reported.
"Excuse me, that is a 'lasting effect'?" Rocky asked anxiously.
"Until we find a way to reverse it," Billy replied. "We are working on that. I, um, may have a solution pretty soon if I can find some old paperwork of mine."
Jason gave him a meaningful look. "The mind reading machine?" he asked.
"Yeah, I need to find the notes from when I built that." Billy answered.
"Don't you still have the machine?"
"No, after what happened, I dismantled it. It was just too dangerous, and quite frankly I never did get it to actually do what I designed it to."
"Damn, that would have been perfect." Jason grumbled.
"Sorry, I just never figured to need it again. And, I do believe Kimberly would have physically harmed me if I didn't get rid of it," Billy said with a rueful smile.
Jason smiled slightly in response.
The others had listened to this conversation silently. Tommy finally spoke up. "What are the two of you talking about. Earlier, when Billy realized he was in Tanya's body he said 'not again'. Has this happened before?"
"You never told them?" Jason asked Billy.
"No, and neither did Kim apparently. We did agree never to speak of it again. It doesn't exactly rate as one of our favorite memories," Billy replied.
"What are the two of you talking about?!" Tanya was out of patience.
Jason looked at Billy with a silent question. Billy sighed, and spoke up. "A few years ago, shortly after we first became Power Rangers, I came up with the idea for a machine that would allow one person to read another's mind. I built the machine, and Kimberly and I used ourselves as test subjects. We didn't read each other's mind, we GOT each other's mind. Just like we are now. God, she was mad at me. But only as mad as I ended up being at her. It was a disaster. I'm sure you have already figured out, you're going to be stuck living the life of whoever's body you are in. I didn't make a very good 'Kimberly'. And, in all fairness, she didn't make a very good 'Billy'. My father gave me strange looks for weeks afterwards."
The others look dumbstruck at the idea of having to live someone else's 'life'. They had been hoping Billy and Alpha would come up with an instant solution. The full ramifications of the situation were starting to sink in.
"I'm going to have to be 'Katherine'?" Rocky asked. "I have no idea how to be a girl!"
"Like I know how to be a guy," Katherine shot back. "Why couldn't I have gotten Tanya's body if I had to switch with someone? I hate this!" She was on the verge of tears.
Tommy walked up to her and gave his girlfriend a hug. That she was in the body of one of his closest male friends didn't matter. The group watched this somewhat uncomfortably.
"This is so weird," Adam said softly.
"You're telling me. I'm standing here watching Tommy hug my body. A new definition of weird. I was always grateful in retrospect that the incident happened before Kim started dating Tommy." Billy said.
"Yeah, what is this?" Tommy asked with mock anger. "My girlfriends keep ending up in your body. You end up in my girlfriend's body!"
"Excuse me, but he is MY girlfriend," Adam declared without realizing how it would sound.
"I feel so special, Tommy and Adam are fighting over me!" Billy overplayed his reaction comically.
Everyone burst into semi-hysterical laughter, and the tension that had been building up dissipated with the sound.
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The next couple of hours were spent in intensive study of each other's lives and lifestyles. The teens had joked when Billy provided everyone involved with a pad of paper to take notes on, but the necessity soon became obvious.
"You have how many cousins?" Adam asked Rocky in complete despair. "And the description 'long dark hair and brown eyes' is not helping a whole lot."
"Twenty-two, and sorry, but I'm not good at details," Rocky said resignedly. "Just don't call anyone by name, I think that is what half the family does anyway. How's your Spanish?"
"Pretty much non-existent. Why?"
"We play a game in Spanish that the entire family participates in. I suggest you develop food poisoning or something," was Rocky's suggestion.
"Ugh!"
Tanya was briefing Billy on what to expect at her home. "I cook my parent's breakfast each morning. They like fried eggs and bacon, or sausage and biscuits, or eggs benedict most mornings," she started.
"Whoa! I can't cook. None of the Cranstons can. It's genetic. People think we are naturally slender, we aren't, we're thin from eating our cooking," Billy was almost babbling in his worry about cooking.
"You can't fry an egg?"
"I can't boil water without burning it!"
"Ugh!"
Katherine was trying to prepare Rocky as to what to expect. "I call my mother 'Mum' and father 'Da', we always eat dinner together at 6:30 precisely. I set the table for Mum while Da reads the paper. I think they have that tradition because of what they saw on television before we moved here, they believe this ritual will ensure some stability in our lives."
"'Mum' and 'Da'? I'll try to remember that. It's just that I call my parents Mama and Father," Rocky explained. "As for setting the table, how many place settings, again?"
"Ugh!"
Adam explained to Tanya about his home life. "Over dinner my father and I discuss the book we are currently reading. He started doing this when I was very young. We both read the same book, one chapter at a time and discuss it over dinner. We are on Chapter 28 of 'Roots'" he admitted sheepishly.
"I'm supposed to discuss, in depth, a chapter of a book I have never read?" Tanya asked incredulously.
"I'll try to bring you up to speed," Adam promised.
"Ugh!"
Billy figured Katherine would have an easy time with his life. "Dad and I pretty much keep our own separate schedules. We do not traditionally eat any meals together. We just catch up with each other's schedule when we encounter each other."
"You rarely see your father?"
"He works odd hours, and my life is somewhat without structure as far as schedule goes at this time. It should be easy for you to avoid excessive interaction with him."
"If you say so. What do you do all day, since you aren't in school?"
"I work in the Power Chamber with Alpha and Zordon,"
"Ugh!"
Tommy and Jason had listened in on most of the conversations, and were growing increasingly worried. This was going to be much harder than it sounded. All five of their friends were worried about the effect the body switches would have on their families, friends, and relationships. No one had mentioned the upcoming weekend. There was enough to worry about as it was.
Billy realized there were some things that needed to be done now, before it was time for him to go 'home'. He looked over at Katherine.
"Kat, we need to go to my house. I need to look for the notes about the machine I built before, so I can get started recreating it."
"Okay, but why are you telling me?" She looked a bit confused.
"Because you have to come with me. You are me, remember?" He reminded her gently. "If my dad happens to come home, he might just wonder what Tanya is doing rooting around in my bedroom."
"Oh, yeah. I'm sorry, I'm just having a bit of difficulty with this."
"As are we all."
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Tommy and Jason ended up alone again in the Power Chamber. Billy and Katherine were at Billy's house looking for the specs to build the machine he had created by accident years ago. Tanya, Rocky and Adam went to Rocky's house to surreptitiously look at his mom's photo albums to help Adam identify his new family.
"Zordon, I'm worried about the effect this problem will have on our ability to fight Mondo when he decides to attack," Tommy said, not bothering to pretend he thought they would be able to fix the problem before the next attack.
"Your worries are well founded, Tommy," Zordon replied. "I, too, am worried about the other Rangers' ability to fight effectively under these circumstances. I believe a call to the Aquitian Rangers may be in order. If they are aware of the situation I am sure they will be willing to provide backup in case of emergency."
"Sounds good, I know the others will all give their best efforts, but they will be fighting using a different body and unfamiliar zord, it could prove to be difficult. How did Kim and Billy do fighting when they were switched?" Tommy turned to Jason.
"They did quite well. But the monster proved to be fairly easy, and they only were switched for one day. We don't know how long it will be before Billy can replicate the machine," Jason replied.
"I can't believe neither Billy nor Kimberly ever mentioned that to me. Come to think of it, you, Zack, and Trini were all silent on the subject as well. Was it that bad?" Tommy asked.
"Well, like I said, as far as the team went, and defending Angel Grove, it went pretty well. But, on a personal level I think they both had a hard time of it. Billy wasn't kidding when he said he made a poor Kimberly, and vice versa. He TRIED to put on makeup, but it was a disaster, he looked like a clown, or rather she did, as it was Kim who ended up living with the consequences. She tried to teach one of his computer students and ended up blowing up his computer. It isn't that easy to get Billy really mad, but he was furious. They had a shouting match in the hallway at school, which was when Zack, Trini, and I found out about it. We had never seen the two of them go after each other like that. It kind of shook us all up. As far as… you know…anything else… personal like…I guess you would say…neither one of them ever has said. I seriously doubt they ever will."
"Oh, man, I didn't even think about that! We have two girls and two guys switched. I mean, I noticed I wasn't exactly hugging Katherine's body earlier, but I didn't even consider, um, the day-to-day logistics of her living in a guy's body," Tommy was actually blushing.
"Ah, but you looked so cute hugging Billy!" Jason teased him.
"Oh, shut up!"
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Billy finally found the specs for the mind reading machine in a box in the corner of his closet. Katherine had sat quietly on the bed watching him search, and trying to acclimate herself to the room that was going to be hers for a little while.
Kat made an effort to shake off the melancholy mood she suddenly found herself in. "Did you find it?"
"Yeah, now all I have to do is reconstruct the device, then try to figure out what Squatt did to the wiring to mess it up in the first place. See, I had a little help with it from Rita's henchthing," Billy explained.
"Great, and how are you going to test it?" Katherine wondered.
"I still haven't figured that part out yet."
"Did I just hear your dad pull up?" she asked with a startled expression. While she was not in the least afraid of Mr. Cranston, she was nervous about impersonating his son. She barely knew the man. Except for Jason, none of the Rangers knew him well.
"Yeah, he's home early. Don't look so worried, even when he's home it's like he's not here. And, he'll probably have to go back to work later anyway," Billy explained, his voice carefully expressionless.
Katherine shot him a considering look. "Do you normally greet him? Or just wait until you encounter each other?"
"Just wait until we run across each other," he replied as he went to the door and opened it. "I don't believe he would be pleased if I were up here with a girl with the door closed. He trusts me, but there are some limits. I should be going home, myself. I think it is almost dinnertime." He tucked the specs in his backpack and headed toward the door, Katherine on his heels.
Wallace Cranston met the two teens on the stairs as they were coming down. He smiled at his son, then stopped as if waiting.
Katherine was puzzled, but Billy finally realized what the man was waiting for.
"Hi, I'm Tanya Sloan. You must be Mr. Cranston, Billy has told me all about you, which is probably why he seems to think we have been introduced," Billy said quickly, smiling broadly to try to save the moment.
"Nice to meet you, Tanya. Was he helping you with your homework?" he asked, seeing her backpack crammed full of books.
"Yes, math. She has a few problems with algebra," Katherine spoke up at last.
"Ah, well, then you are in good hands," Wallace smiled. "It was nice to meet you, Tanya." He went past them, speaking to Billy in passing. "I have to go back to work in an hour or so."
Billy gave Katherine a knowing look as they headed toward the front door. "I figured as much."
"Billy, what am I supposed to do?" Katherine asked in a whisper, a panicked look on her face.
"There are TV dinners in the freezer. Nuke one of those, anything but the turkey ones, I hate those, and watch some TV. No sitcoms, a movie would be acceptable. Sleep. Meet us at the park before school tomorrow. You will be fine, Katherine."
"Thanks, I guess. Good luck with Tanya's family."
"Thanks."
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Adam sat on the bed in Rocky's room, basically hiding from everyone. His mind was reeling from the crash course he had gotten on Rocky's cousins. He didn't know how he was going to deal with the mass of incoming relatives, but he had to find a way to make himself scarce during the long weekend. There was no way he would be able to remember everyone, and when they all started talking, trading stories, and the like, he would be in big trouble.
The members of Rocky's extended family would begin arriving tomorrow. Rocky and Tanya had tried so hard to help him, and he did figure he would get a larger percentage of the relatives correct than incorrect, but still, it was going to be awkward. He had even toyed with the idea of asking Billy if he could concoct something to make him a bit sick for the weekend. But, in the end he simply could not do that. He would just have to try his best not to mess this up. It would have helped if Rocky weren't normally so outgoing and outrageous. How was Adam supposed to imitate that?
There was a knock on his door. "Come in," he called out, wondering what this was all about.
Rocky's mother entered the room, looking concerned. "You didn't eat your dinner, are you ill?" she asked, placing her hand on his forehead.
"I'm okay, Mama. Maybe a little tired," he replied, working up a smile for the worried woman.
"You rest, then. It is going to be a very busy weekend. Good night," she kissed his forehead and turned to leave.
"Good night,"
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Billy found Tanya's parents to be wonderfully accepting, open minded people. He didn't say much during dinner, just listened to their discussion about archaeology. He found it fascinating. Then the talk turned to the upcoming weekend. They were leaving right after school let out the next day, and would be back midday on Monday. Billy felt worse and worse as the discussion went on, Tanya must have been looking forward to this tremendously. He was also getting very worried-he feared he did not know enough about the subject to pull off his impersonation of Tanya. His active mind sought out a solution, and was faintly surprised when it was so obvious.
He gradually let an unhappy expression come over his face. His parents noticed it, and his father reached out to take his hand gently.
"What is the matter, Sweetheart? Aren't you looking forward to this trip?"
"Of course I am. It's just…well…I'm a little worried about Adam. You know those two students from Stone Canyon who were killed in a car crash? They were old friends of his. He's feeling upset about that, and all his friends here will be gone this weekend. I'm worried about how he'll cope all alone." Billy prayed he hadn't overplayed his part.
"That's awful! Poor Adam," his mother said.
"I just wish he didn't have to be alone this weekend," Billy added sadly.
He saw the Sloans exchange a look, and all but held his breath. Had it worked?
"Why don't you see if Adam would enjoy coming with us? My friends have plenty of room. He would be welcome," Tanya's father said with a warm smile for his daughter.
"May I go over and ask him in person?"
"Sure thing, but be back by 7:30. It is a school night and you still have to pack."
Billy cleared the dishes and loaded the dishwasher in record time. He hurried out the door, anxious to make the necessary arrangements. He was pleased with the success of his plan-Tanya would get to spend the time with her folks, and he was off the hook, at least partially, for having to know about Traditional African Lifestyle.
When he got to the Park's residence, they were just finishing dinner. He asked 'Adam' to come out to visit for a while.
"Is something wrong, Billy?" Tanya asked, a worried expression on her face.
"No, I don't think so. Would you like to join us on our excursion this weekend. I have gotten your parents' permission to invite Adam."
"You what? How? Oh, Billy, thank you!" Impulsively Tanya reached out to embrace her friend, scarcely noticing she was actually hugging her own body.
"You're welcome. Now all you have to do is get your parents' permission here."
"I think I can do that. They were just saying a while ago that they wish I had something to do this weekend. Adam's brother, Adrian, is spending it with some friends in Mexico. This is so perfect," Tanya's bubbled happily.
"Okay, well, we leave tomorrow right after school, remember. Oh, and should anyone say something, I told my… your…parents that Adam is upset because of those students being killed in a car accident. Okay?"
"Okay. Is he? Upset, I mean."
"Yeah, actually, he is. He knew them a few years ago. I guess they had changed a lot. Why don't you go ask the Parks' permission, and I'll wait for you."
Tanya hurried off, returning in less than 5 minutes with the happiest smile Billy had ever seen on Adam's face.
"I can go! Thank you so much, Billy! Really! I have been looking forward to this for a long time."
"Tanya, just remember, you are a family friend, not their daughter. That may be a little hard to take, okay? But, I also am relieved you are coming, you will have to coach me on the subject, I simply don't know very much about this."
"Gladly. You get on home. You did give them both a big hug and kiss, didn't you?" Tanya asked, remembering that her friend was somewhat more restrained than she tended to be.
"I thanked them verbally. Was more required?" Billy asked with some concern.
"Billy! You should have hugged and kissed them both on the cheek. Be sure to do that when you get home. Hmmm, tell them you were so excited you forgot to thank them."
Billy looked less than thrilled with these instructions. "Okay. I'll do so. But I am not used to displays of affection."
"Well, it's about time you got used to it! Oh, I have to go pack, and get ready. You, too. Be sure to pack my more traditional garments. That would be best."
"What traditional garments. Tanya, I don't know a thing about feminine clothing."
Tanya looked worried about that idea. "Can I teleport in tonight and help you pack?" she finally asked.
"Affirmative. I'll see you then."
Billy hurried back to the Sloan residence, anxious to look at the specs for the machine that would hopefully undo this personality displacement problem. As he entered the house he remembered Tanya's orders, and sought out 'his' mother. He put his arms around her and gave her a kiss on the cheek.
"Sorry, I was so excited earlier I forgot to thank you," he explained as Mrs. Sloan hugged him back.
"I understand. Now, you should go pack, if you haven't finished already. We will leave as soon as you get home. Is Adam coming over here or will we pick him up?"
"He'll come over."
Hurrying to Tanya's room he looked around for his backpack. Pulling out the specs and notes he had found he began to work on the problem of replicating the machine. He was startled when his communicator beeped, and Tanya's voice issued forth.
"Can I come over?"
"Let me check, just a minute."
Walking to the kitchen to get a glass of water he saw the Sloans in the family room, engrossed in a movie. He hurried back to the bedroom.
"Come on over."
When Tanya arrived she was aghast to find Billy had not even started packing. She commandeered his assistance and got him packed and ready in record time, including choosing what he would wear the next day.
Billy, overwhelmed by the complications girls encountered dressing, was amazed with her efficiency.
"Thanks Tanya, I guess I needed the help."
"No problem, Billy. What did you find out about the machine? Will you be able to build one?"
"Yes, it should be easier than I anticipated. But it will take some time, and I will be gone for most of the weekend, so I expect I can finish it Monday evening or some time Tuesday. Perhaps with your assistance I can sneak out each night for a few hours to work on it. That would expedite the matter."
Tanya sighed. "We should be able to work something out. I'd better get home. See you in the morning."
"Good night."
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Rocky looked around the ridiculously feminine bedroom in dismay. How was a guy expected to sleep when surrounded by so much pink? And that bed, so much lace! Stuffed animals, porcelain dolls, and a closet filled with soft, pink, clothing.
He began opening drawers, looking for some sort of pajamas to wear. Finding some sweats, he decided those would do. He slipped into them and settled down on the bed, tossing stuffed cats out of the way.
The evening had gone well enough. The Hillards were the sort of people who discussed work and school over dinner, which was pretty different from Rocky's usual routine. With so many siblings, he was accustomed to complete chaos at mealtimes, three or four conversations going at once, heaping platters of food being circulated until they were empty, and occasional emotional outbursts when teasing got too severe. This sitting quietly, having one conversation was unique to him.
He didn't really like it.
He found himself missing his brothers and sisters, the chatter and noise that made his house his home. The Hillard residence was simply too quiet for his comfort.
So, feeling strangely homesick, Rocky settled down in bed and finally drifted off to an uneasy sleep.
To be continued...
