Disclaimer: I own a cat. His name is Miel. Well, he thinks he owns me, (O.o) now that I think better about it. But I am sure that I don't own Cyborg 009 and I am making no money out of this (I am not making money out of my cat either.)

= : Thoughts.

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Chapter eleven: The delights of being a woman.

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009 woke up on day four of body sharing and realized 003 was still in control of her body, but her mind wasn't awake yet.

It relieved him, really. Now he would not be mentally yelled at for using too much shampoo on the hair or dropping the soap, and thankfully, 003's powers would be under control.

But there was something different that morning. He felt weird... swollen and sticky. 003 mind woke up as well. Apparently she had felt that weird thing that 009 felt, because she looked down and took off the sheets.

=What!? 003 we are hurt! We are bleeding!=

009 was scared. What had it been? A hidden injury from the fight? Some kind of sickness? Oh no... it couldn't be. No way. It COULDN'T happen to him! 003 laughed, a little amused, a little embarrassed and answered in a timid voice, or a resigned one. 009 couldn't decide.

"Of course we are not hurt."

She stood up and went straight to the bathroom where she opened a drawer and took a little pink box out.

=003? What's that? What are you going to do?=

003 closed her eyes (Damn! Were they getting tired of doing half their activities with the eyes closed), took off the stained underwear and sat on the toilet.

"Believe me, you don't want to know."

=What? Why? Oh no please tell me it isn't so!=

"Joe?"

=No, not to me!=

"Joe!"

=What!=

"Hum."

=What?=

"Hum like yesterday, as loud as you can and don't stop until I tell you."

=Why?=

"Just do it."

=Alright... uhm… Lalala lalalala lalalalala lalalalaala laaaaaaaaAAAAAAAAAH WHAT ARE YOU DOING!=

"Relax. It is just a tampon. It's over now."

009 could cry. He really could.

=This is not right, not at all! I'll need therapy! How many times a day do you have to do this?=

"Once again, you don't want to know"

=Aggghhhhh!=

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009 thought that the awful early morning experience had been the worst part of this whole business. Boy, had he been wrong.

003 was sitting in a rocking chair, giving 001 his formula. She was tranquil, humming softy to the almost sleeping baby. But it was not so for 009.

=Please 003! Do something!=

She spoke in his mind. "I already did Joe, I took a tylenol, but it will take about five or ten minutes to take effect."

=What?! I can barely stand it now! And we have to wait ten more minutes? How do you bare with them? These... these... How do you call them?=

"Cramps."

=Yeah... those.=

"009, you have experienced much worse pains than this. How can't you cope with some petite cramps?"

003 stood up and lied 001 down in his basket.

=Not true... not like these ones. These are even worse. These are constant and non-stop and my head... I mean, your head hurts and the back, and the waist, and the breasts and the womb! And, and... I feel so sentimental and I don't know why.=

"Welcome to my monthly curse. But it is not that bad. It is a natural thing. And it only feels that way for the first day."

=It is certainly not natural for me...=

"Ok, let us have another tylenol so you'll stop complaining. You are making our headache only worse!"

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"I got it! I got it!"

It was Dr. Gilmore who made all the noise as he came out of the lab and headed towards 003's room.

"003! 009! I got it! I already know how to get 009 to return to his body!"

003 opened her door when she heard the news and said: "Oh that's great Dr. Gilmore! Really great! You are a genius!"

Dr. Gilmore felt a little embarrassed at the compliment but he smiled at it. "Well… thanks. Anyway, by tomorrow, you both will go back to normal. I only have to do some last adjustments."

"Thanks Dr. Gilmore. We can't describe how grateful we are with you."

Dr. Gilmore went back to the lab. 003 re-entered her room and leaned on the closed door, leaving a short sigh escape from her lips.

=You don't sound that happy.= 009 spoke in her mind. She shrugged her shoulders at this.

"Of course I am happy, Our minds will be separated. How can that be bad?"

=Yeah, well, you'll be able to get a descent long shower.=

"And you will be yourself again."

=Yeah and we will not hear our thoughts or feel our presence at every hour of the day.=

She smiled sadly. "Right, that can't be bad..."

009 responded after several seconds, =No... how can that be bad.=

They kept silent for a long time, immersed it their own private thoughts.

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That afternoon 005 decided to go out and enjoy the sunset. When he got to the deck he found 003/009 had had the same idea.

"Hey eh... guys, how have you been?"

"We are alright 005, thanks. We just came up to see the sunset."

"I came for the same reason. So, how do you feel?"

"Just fine. Dr. Gilmore just told us earlier that Joe could go back to his body by tomorrow."

"That's great. Tell me, how has this experience been? Interesting?"

003's clear laugh filled the air. "009 wouldn't call it like that, but yes, let's say it has been interesting."

005 wanted to know what did she laugh about but decided not to ask.

" I'm happy for you two, after all this thing has been weird for all of us. Well. I am leaving, I suppose you will want to spend some time alone."

The kind giant spoke as if he knew something they didn't. 003 decided to ask. "Why you say that?"

"This is your last afternoon sharing one body and maybe you'll miss each other. Or am I wrong and you can't expect the moment when you get free? I ask this because you seem to be more comfortable as days go by."

003 thought for a second, then answered, "I think it is a combination of both."

"Alright. See you at dinner then." And with those words, 005 went inside.

The sun had almost disappeared into the sea, painting it in beautiful yellow and red colors. Shades of pink and purple adorned the sky.

009 spoke, =Is that right 003? Will you miss me?=

"Maybe... just a bit, even if you make me look at my teammate's underwear. Will you miss the cramps?"

=Hah hah... no... not that. But I will miss you too.=

"I guess I got used to your presence and to hear the sound of your voice in my head."

=But that will be no problem Francoise. You can hear my voice whenever you want, I will not go far, remember?=

"What. Would you come to me at the first call so I can hear you?" 003 teased him. But 009 didn't answer.

"009?"

=Yes. I would.=

003 was surprised. He was being serious.

"Why?"

=You know why.=

They kept quiet. The sun was already gone and a soft breeze moved 003´s hair. At last he spoke.

=I think... this will be another conversation that will have to wait until I go back to my body.=

"I'll look forward to it."

=Me too.=

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A/N: Ok I had so MUCH FUN writing this! I really hope you also did, and I hope no one felt uncomfortable with this chapter (come on, life is life :P )

Thanks a lot for all your reviews, and thanks to GoldAngel2. This fic wouldn't be half the good it is (how modest of me) if not for you my friend.