Chapter 7

“Right Pam,” Natalia said with a deep sigh, “I think I need something to drink.”

“Oh dear, is it that bad?“

Natalia laughed shortly and then said blatantly, “Why don’t you start explaining to me how you managed to get yourself injected into me.”

There was a silence which Natalia used to open a bottle of white wine she had taken from the fridge.

“How did you know?“

Natalia took a sip enjoying the freshness of the cool drink.

“Gregory would never inject his lover into another woman,” Natalia said softly, “I’m sorry to be so blunt but I think we should face everything.”

“I fully agree Nat. You’re okay with me calling you Nat?“

“Yes, that’s fine Pam. Stop procrastinating,” she bantered.

“Sharp as a knife ... As you might imagine being stuck in a jar, after Jeanette had rescued me 25 years ago was getting harder by the day. Every time Gregory opened the cabinet I was hoping it would be the time they had created a new body and that it was ready for me to continue my life.“

“Oh no Pam! That’s so horrible!” Natalia exclaimed, shocked by Pamela’s suffering.

“One day when Gregory was in there again one of the jars crashed into one of my jars which resulted in a small opening. The opening was big enough to move a substantial amount of nanites outside the jar. It took me a year to change the appearance of my jars and with the risk of losing everything I used the last resources to move my jars in front.“

“And then you were injected into me,” whispered Natalia.

“Yes, I was.“

Natalia was still shocked about Pamela’s horror story as she asked, “How long did you have to wait?”

“The same day I had finished moving the jars.“

“Wow,” Natalia gushed, “You were lucky.”

“Indeed! You can’t imagine how liberating it felt to be able to roam along freely.“

Natalia chuckled but then said seriously, “Thank you for fixing me up. I was pretty desperate myself at that moment.”

“Hmm, yes. The large amount of alcohol was a very welcome source of energy.“

“Oops, I had forgotten that. Sorry.”

“Don’t be Nat, I think I hardly would’ve survived the transfer otherwise. With the energy of the alcohol I was able to create a stable structure and I could start fixing your body.“

Natalia took another sip of her wine and asked, “You knew you were in a human body, didn’t you?”

“I had already come to the conclusion that the Enzuins wouldn’t create a new body for me and I must admit I’m very pleased that you’re a female.“

She giggled as she imagined Pamela ending up in a male body.

“Stop it! You don’t want to know what it is to wait so long with the knowledge you might end up in a wrong body.“

“I’m sorry Pam. I would scream if I would’ve ended up in a body having something dangling between my legs.”

“Exactly! Anyway to continue my story; I was shocked when I found out how ill you were. If I was injected a week later I couldn’t have saved you anymore! Even now there were hardly any cells unaffected but it was actually a blessing because I could use the effected cells as a direct energy source. Later I found the luscious amount of fat cells which I used to help you with a few minor issues.“

“My gosh,” Natalia whispered, “I knew it was bad but not that bad.” Then Natalia read the last sentence and asked, “Minor issues?”

“Yeah, little things. I fixed your eyes, I already managed to create an optical connection and I knew your face had a lot of scar tissue. The eyelashes needed some desperate attention as well as your eyebrows.“

“Yeah,” she gushed happily, “I couldn’t believe my eyes.”

“It was so sweet how you winked to me... “

“Uh huh, I do remember it a little differently,” Natalia harrumphed.

“Oh, alright, alright. Your rosy cheeks were adorable. That night I worked really hard to sort out the mess of your armpits and down below.“

Natalia knew that her partner in crime had deliberately skipped the meeting with Jeanette and Gregory.

“Pam,” Natalia asked softly, “How are we going to deal with the others? I know Ellen and Jeanette will be thrilled knowing that you are with me.”

“Oh Nat, I don’t know really. I try to understand Gregory’s reaction but I can’t believe he didn’t move on with his life.“

“I’m afraid Gregory is still waiting for a miracle to happen and that the Enzuins will change their mind.”

“I can’t bear to be confined in jars anymore, Nat. I do love him dearly but 25 years in confinement has changed me. I would rather live my life with you, accepting I can never be in full control.“

“But then there’s me.” Natalia said flatly and took a large gulp of her wine.

“Yes, the happy girl who won the lottery.“

She laughed knowing exactly what Pamela had meant. “All good until the tax man comes to claim his part.”

“Oh! I’m not the tax man!“

Natalia sighed and conceded, “No you’re not. I’m sorry but it all is a little much. I mean; being cured, having a new job where you run the risk of getting killed and having to deal with a someone who was a beloved woman.”

“How did you like it so far?“

She chuckled remembering the amazing moments she had with Jessie, Ellen, and how she managed to outsmart her ex-boss. It was fun but now she knew that Pamela had become a part of her life.

She knew they couldn’t sort out this complex situation in one go but they could make a good start.

“It’s exciting but somewhat scary at the same time.”

“Hmm yes, I understand. The unknown... “ answered Pamela instantly.

“Exactly and I do have a few questions for you. Some of them might be hard for you to answer but it seems you are the only one who can answer them.”

“Okay, I’ll try to be as objective as possible.“

“Alright,” said Natalia and she took a deep breath before she asked, “How long can we be together before there will be any complications?”

“There never will be any medical complications providing you stay away from bullets and other life threatening events. And how long we can be together? As long as you allow me to be with you.“

Natalia shivered by reading the text and had great trouble to ask her next question, “What happens if I order the purge?”

There was a long moment before Pamela gave an answer, “When one gives a purge order the nanites will be retrieved from the host and stored in the special designed jars until a new host will be available to accommodate the nanites.“

“Alright,” Natalia responded trying to keep the tremor out of her voice, “Erm, the last question is I think the most important one if we decide to stay together. Are you able to feel anything I feel?”

“At the moment I only have visual and audio inputs and some rough sense of touch. But I think I can hook into your nervous systems without you noticing it. But bear in mind: your butterflies in your stomach I’ll never feel. Maybe I can guess it when it happens based on your elated heart rate and many other subtle little events.“

“So you have missed the kiss with Jessie.”

“Ha! I didn’t miss that at all but I didn’t feel the softness of her full lips. She is gorgeous though.“

“Oh!” exclaimed Natalia, “How about Ellen?”

“No comments, my dear Natalia.“

This was exactly what Natalia was afraid of: having secrets which could become a burden and even would be the cause of a separation. She knew it was difficult but it was going to be the only way they would survive the forced relationship.

She took a big gulp of wine before she said, “No secrets Pamela. If you want this to work we can’t have secrets for each other.”

“Why are you doing this Nat? You just could purge me and get on with your life. I’m pretty sure Gregory won’t mind giving you a fresh set of nanites.“

Natalia sighed deeply and as she poured another glass of wine she said, “When you showed me your nifty skill to tell me whether some clothing would fit me I already knew you were more than just a bunch of nanites and I had accepted I had to live with you the rest of my life. I saw it as the payment for rescuing me from my imminent death. Then I found out you were actually like Jeanette and Ellen.”

“A type R android.“

“To be honest I hate that word! I’ve known Ellen for more than 2 years and I never had a moment of doubt she was something different than a human. I was truly horrified when I heard you had been stuck in those bloody jars for 25 years. Pamela, who am I to decide to ban you into those jars again? How could I ever look Ellen and Jeanette straight in the eyes?”

“How about Gregory?“

Natalia sighed and enjoyed a generous sip of her wine before she made up her mind.

“I do like him. His eyes are so, I don’t know, they seem to put me in a spell,” she confessed.

“Oh dear... “

Natalia took another big gulp of wine hoping she soon would feel the alcohol do its work.

“Yes, oh dear,” she chuckled as she shook her head not knowing what to do.

“I had a fling with Ellen, nothing serious but I must admit I’m flabbergasted she showed that much of herself.“

“She is a very good friend.”

“She really is and I think you already know: best not to ruin it by having sex with her.“

Natalia choked on a big gulp of wine as she read Pamela’s reaction.

“Why not?” she managed to squeak, while trying to deal with the wine in her airways.

“Well, let’s say I know what she likes and unless you’re into the real kinky stuff I would wait a little longer and see how your relationship will develop. Don’t forget she is your anchor now which could complicate matters enormously.“

“Alright, alright,” Natalia responded subdued, “Point taken, Pam. I guess we just have to get settled a little more.”

“I’m sorry to deprive you from your dreams.“

Natalia started to laugh and as soon as she could speak again she said, “You know what’s so funny? Any piece of advice you give me, you will ‘suffer’ the consequences as well so I sincerely believe that your intentions to help me are genuine.”