41.

Her program ran on an automatic countdown, and for the last time, Dora sped through the current, all the nodules of data lining up for transfer. The progression and her last seconds as a computer counted down in orderly fashion, her consciousness vacating her circuitry through a power cord that connected to her neck and linked to her brain.

She cascaded through the linkage, swimming with the flow, drifting off the energy.

A constriction, then a bursting, burning sensation slammed her. Then wow. Her mind rushed into her brain, filling cells, burrowing into crevices, sliding home. Thoughts jumbled, rearranged, cleared.

The sensation of warm softness supporting her head, shoulder blades, b.u.t.tocks, thighs, calves, and heels combined with the soothing music didn't rea.s.sure her as much as the touch of Tessa's hand. What an awesome sensation, this skin to skin. There were words to describe Dora's first impression of caring coming through the physical link of touch-all of them inadequate.

She breathed air into her lungs and the sensation tickled her nostrils. The scent. Oh, my. Wondrous. Marvelous. Delicate, and fragile.

Tessa's hand clasped hers tightly. "I'm here for you. Give the sensations a chance to sort themselves out. You needn't do everything at once."

Oh but she wanted to. Had to force herself to wait to follow the plan she'd carefully concocted. But she'd rather rise up and dance. She hadn't expected her new sense of smell and touch to astonish, overwhelm, delight, or Tessa's warm hand to be such a comfort.

"Waara russss." Dora chuckled, but the sound came out low and garbled.

"Try again," Tessa told her. "Speak slower. Give your mind a chance to connect with your mouth."

"Wha a russ."

'"Better, but I still can't understand. Dora, perhaps you should follow the agenda you laid out. You aren't supposed to talk before you open your eyes."

"What a rush." The words came out of Dora's mouth and this time she heard them clearly. Her voice sounded almost like her old self. However her old computer self had never spoken with lips and a tongue and vocal cords. Before, she'd had a complex sound system and could vary her tone to accommodate many languages, some not human, but her ability to master human speech was critical. Communication was essential.

"Dora, you're doing great"

"Tan... Thanks."

Bracing, knowing sight from her new eyes would take some adjusting, Dora opened her lids. It was like looking through two measly sensors. She had little vision to either side of her head, none at all behind. She'd known this would bother her since she was accustomed to seeing through millions of sensors. She'd thought she'd prepared herself

42.

for the restrictive view, but a feeling as if the walls were closing on her had Dora shutting her eyes again.

"What's wrong? Are you okay?"

Tessa's voice sounded odd. Dora's hearing didn't have the full range she'd had before, but didn't throw her as much as the restricted sight Especially since she had no difficulty comprehending Tessa's concern.

Suppose she never adapted to her vision? Even as she told herself not to panic, fear rippled down her spine.

Reminding herself that she'd prepared for the sensory trade-offs, she focused on the warmth of Tessa's hand, the rea.s.surance, the love coming through the simple gesture.

And she tried to forget that she couldn't see one frickin' thing beyond this room.

"Dora, Talk to me," Tessa pleaded "I'm... adjusting." Dora slowly opened her eyes.

Tessa hovered over her, her skin pale, her eyes searching hers. "Okay. Take it slow.

You knew that everything wouldn't be exactly how you imagined."

"Have the walls moved closer?

"No.''

Dora's chest tightened and the sensation disturbed her. "Is the air in here okay?"

"Yes. You're safe."

Safe? She'd tried to think of every angle in advance, but she hadn't known until now how much she relied on millions of tons of bender, or laser cannons, or thousands of sensors that could warn of attack. She hadn't understood that without sensors to "see" the world she'd feel so vulnerable. She was mortal. With only flesh and blood and bone between her and... everything else.

Dora shuddered, twitched. Told herself that being human was what she'd always wanted. The process had worked. She had a body. Now she had to deal with living. She would deal with the changes. One day at a time-minute by minute if required.

Two hours later Dora had discovered that being human required effort, more than she'd antic.i.p.ated, Although she had muscles that were hardwired to move, her brain had to make thousands of new connections so she could move her hand and walk and talk. Thankfully, she already knew how to use her psi to operate her suit. She might be overcompensating, using her psi and suit to force her muscles to do what she wished, but her progress was quick, her speech clear.

Resting against a wall, Dora placed a hand over her stomach. "How about a rest.

My stomach... aches."

'Are you ill?" Tessa fussed over her like a mother red jilly, one of the colorful new species of birds that had been discovered on Mystique, Despite Tessa's busy days, the demands of her trading empire, she hadn't taken one call, never mind left Dora's side.

43.

"I think... I'm hungry.'' Dora grinned and her mouth twitched. She hoped the uncontrollable muscle contractions would soon end. As she'd practiced walking, her spasming arm had almost toppled her balance. Frustrated that a baby could smile better than she could, she wondered how to make her expressions match her emotions when the muscles seemed to have a mind of their own.

Tessa nodded approvingly and used her psi. A talk unfolded from the wall. Food bins with materials for a food processor that materialized a cooked meal were there for convenience, but Tessa didn't approach the raw ingredients, her expression excited as if she had a secret. "Are you ready to eat lunch?"

"Yes."

"Miri wanted your first food to be home cooked." Tessa pulled out a basket loaded with interesting aromas and held it up with a flourish. "She's made us a feast to celebrate your birthday."

"With coffee?" Dora didn't understand Tessa's compulsion for the Terran hot drink but she was eager to try it. In fact, she couldn't wait to taste food period. She only hoped that she didn't bite her tongue and didn't have difficulty chewing and swallowing. But most of all, she awaited trying, out her new sense of taste with antic.i.p.ation.

Tessa reached into the basket and took out breads, orangewheat, white, seeded, and ryedough. Next came small colorful clay pots filled with a variety of toppings, rich, honey b.u.t.ter, thick barnberry jam, tempting garva jelly, janilla bean spread, and a medley of fruit preserves.

Tessa didn't look up from her task. "Dora, why don't you put on some clothes?"

"Why?" Dora looked down at her nudity. "Don't you find my new body attractive?" Spinning, she felt centered, then her thigh muscle twitched, upsetting her balance, and she flung out an arm as a counterweight Not only was her movement awkward, but her head spun, and the walls closed in again.

Stars. She had to remember to move slower. And d.a.m.n it-the walls were stationary. She stared them back into place with a scowl.

Either Tessa politely pretended not to see her awkwardness or she was too busy with the food to notice. "Your body is gorgeous, but it's both Terran and Rystani custom to clothe ourselves during social occasions."

"Will looking at me spoil your appet.i.te?" Dora fisted her hands on her hips, a gesture she'd seen Tessa use when in combative mode. She'd waited so long for this moment that she didn't see a reason to cover her skin. After all, Tessa had been watching her grow her body for months.

"If Kahn joins us, I would be uncomfortable,'" Tessa admitted as she smoothly unpacked a variety of meats, grilled, roasted, smoked, steamed, boiled, and fried.

"But why? He's already seen all of me."

44.

Dora had never agreed with Tessa's concept of modesty. She'd often wondered if her opinions would change after she'd taken human form, but Tessa's preference still perplexed her. However, after everything her friend had done for her, she didn't wish to make her uncomfortable. With psi thought Dora altered her suit to encase her body in a deep violet-colored gown that would emphasize her alexandrite eyes.

Immediately she felt more feminine and added a simple threaded design to her outfit. She didn't understand why color and clearing made her feel differently about her body, but the reaction was likely very human and that pleased her.

"Shoes?" Tessa prodded. "If you want other humans to accept you as one of us, especially Rystani men, you have to not only look the part but act like one of us too."

Setting action to match her words, Tessa changed her clothing from her black pantsuit to an emerald gown than snuggled up against her skin.

Human behavior could be very complex. Thankfully, Dora had studied and interacted with them for years. But not until she and Tessa had become friends had anyone bothered to explain subtleties and nuances that confused her. Although Tessa hadn't answered her question about why Dora's nudity would bother her if Kahn were around, she knew jealousy was not a factor. Tessa didn't think that way. Besides, Tessa knew Zical was the man who fascinated Dore. However, dressing up was kind of fun and she concentrated on the shoes.

"Compliance." Dora took a step forward. Her knee buckled and she compensated by stiffening her suit. "Tell me what to taste first."

Tessa had reached out to steady her, saw that her effort wasn't required, but frowned. "Maybe we should have a medical doctor check you over."

"Dora's stomach rumbled, the sensation odd but not necessarily unpleasant.

"Perhaps my muscles are just reacting to my excitement I'd like to eat first. Please?"

"Okay. Are you feeling claustrophobic anymore?

"Tessa, I've been waiting three hundred years to taste food. Please. I'm fine. Just hungry. And the walls are finally staying right where they are supposed be."

Tessa laughed, her first real laugh since Dora's transfer. Her entire face lit up and her concern disappeared. Dora was lucky to have a friend to worry over her, but the enticing aroma of hot bread made thinking difficult. She'd never fully comprehended why humans let their stomach rule so much of their lives. They planned their day around meals. Celebrations, weddings, deaths-all were accompanied by eating. And now she could take part.

She had yet to put a morsel into her mouth, but the smell of the bread, the dark crusts with steam rising-ah, the cravings made her mouth water. She had to restrain herself from s.n.a.t.c.hing the bread, stuffing it into her mouth, and gobbling it as she were starving.

Stars. She'd never guessed she would be this eager to do such an ordinary task as filling her mouth. If she had urges as strong around men... oh, my... what had she done?

45.

With the human drive to male almost as strong as the need eat, she would have to refrain from a attacking Zical the meet she saw him.

Tessa sliced the bread, slathered it with honey b.u.t.ter and hauled it to Dora. "What has you thinking so hard?"

"I'm trying not to drool." Dora carefully placed the slice of bread between her parted lips, allowed her teeth to sink into to the crust. "Oh... my." The sweet taste of the honey b.u.t.ter drizzled over her tongue. "This is... heaven."

Tessa, took one look at what must have been Dora's blissful expression and grinned. "It's a good thing you gave yourself a fast metabolism so you could pig out, even if it isn't as efficient."

"Efficiency isn't everything. I'm human now."

"Yes, you are. More?'

She tried a bit of fried yicken, a tasty meat. "Remind me to thank Miri."

Tessa busily laid out the rest of the repast. "Not all food tastes as good as Miri's. Try a little of everything and don't each too much or your tummy will ache later."

Easy for her to say. She'd been eating all her life. Dora hadn't comprehended that aroma and texture were so much apart of taste. She discovered she loved crunchy sour pickles but didn't find the soft sweet ones pleasing. Crisp vegetables, cheese potatoes, and rye bread were her favorites. However, she tasted everything, even Tessa's coffee, which she spat back into the cup with what she hoped was a scowl. "This mast have gone bad, although the smell is wonderful."

"The coffee's perfect." Tessa sipped happily from her oversized cup. "The jolt of caffeine is just what I needed."

"But it's so bittter."

"An acquired taste."

Sharing hot drinks, alcohol, and food was so much a part of the family ritual that Dora vowed to acquire a taste for coffee. She envisioned many shared meals with Tessa, the two of them lingering over steaming cups while they had interesting discussions, shared news of their day, and traded gossip with the other women. Dora loved gossip, wanted to love coffee. However, she didn't have to learn to like coffee today, so she pushed aside the cup.

Tessa's eyes sparkled and she spoke in a rush of antic.i.p.ation. "Are you ready for the piece de resistance?"

Although familiar with Tessa's Terran slang, Dora still wasn't certain what she was talking about. "Pizza?"

"For dinner, maybe."

"Dessert?"

"Chocolate fudge." Tessa cut a tiny square, placed the candy on a plate and offered the sweet like ambrosia to the G.o.ds. "Smell first."