Adrienne gets some unexpected attention

Dr. Fischer drummed up her canned cheer and announced the conclusion of their meeting together. The participants were welcome to stay and commiserate for a while if they wished, or get any of their more medical questions answered by the doctor, if there were any curiosities or concerns still around. Adrienne took this as a green light to quietly stand, making her way out the door of the meeting room and down the hall.

Finally, she thought. No more TTP meetings. I don't know how much more of this I can take. So many people, happy with their choices, going home to announce the good news. Every one of them was a stinging reminder of how Adrienne's own return home had gone. She didn't know what she expected at the time, but it was so much worse than she feared...

No time to dwell on the past, though. Pulling a cheap cell phone from her pocket, Adrienne phoned for a cab to take her home. Way too far to walk, even if she didn't like the expense.

Suddenly, an electric jolt rippled through Adrienne's entire body as she felt someone tap on her shoulder. She lurched away, giving out a timid yelp and clutching her phone to her chest. Whirling around to see who had crept up on her, Adrienne's eyes honed in on the strong hand of Charlie reaching out to her, frozen in surprise by such a visceral rejection of his touch.

"Whoa, whoa! I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you!" Charlie's free hand rose to catch up with the other one, waving to gesture that he meant no harm. He even took a step back, not wanting to crowd the little field mouse. "Adrienne, right? You were the other one who did a gender swap."

Adrienne released the **** grip on her phone, but remained in a cautious, defensive posture. Why was this mountain of a man trying to talk to her? "That's right... can I help you with something?" She breathed out her words, afraid to put any of herself into her voice. So small.

Relaxing a bit, Charlie stood upright, looping his thumbs into his jean pockets. "The opposite, actually. Sorry if this is too forward of me, but... are you alright? Everyone else is ready to party, but you look like you've... not had a great experience here." His voice was low and gentle, like a distant rumble of thunder. The room-filling presence of his voice in the meeting room had been honed in, quietly directed just to her. It made her toes tingle a little.

Her eyes hit the floor again, arms falling limp to her sides. A canned, practiced response taught to her by TTP rang out with no energy to it. "My problems at home are a result of my own actions and not that of Encephalon Silver or the Take Two Project. I did this to myself."

Charlie sighed heavily, rubbing his forehead. "Yeah, I've heard that before. Had to say it a lot myself, when I first got off the bed."

"You? Why?" Adrienne didn't mean to sound condescending when she asked, but she couldn't comprehend a beefcake like him having any problems. Charlie just grinned, hiding a mote of hurt underneath.

"Because Take-Two fucked up, that's why. I didn't get what I wanted at all."

Adrienne gasped softly, looking around to see if anyone else was in earshot. Even if they were alone, security in Encephalon locations was pretty tight. Charlie recognized that fearful look and put his hands up again.

"You don't have to worry, Adrienne. I found out a fun loophole in our non-disclosure agreements. We only have to be tight-lipped to people who are outside the Take-Two Project. That means we participants, whether we give them a sterling review or not, can talk to each other freely."

Adrienne's mouth went slightly agape. Was that really true? Could she be honest about her experience with others... like her?

Charlie brought his hand forward for a shake. "I know we said our pieces in the meeting, but I'm Charlie. It's good to meet you, Adrienne." The young man flashed a disarmingly sweet smile, one that looked so soft despite his rugged, manly features. He did say he was a girl before TTP, so maybe... not that he couldn't be soft as a man! Adrienne's cheeks tinged pink, shaking the trainwreck of thoughts out of her mind and politely reaching her tiny hand forward, shaking his.

"Likewise, Charlie. Nice to meet you." She felt the slightest quirk of a smile turn her lips.

Releasing her hand, Charlie's smile grew wider, pretty blue eyes twinkling happily. "Say. If you don't mind, would you like to go somewhere to talk? I thought it might help you feel better if you had someone to actually listen to your story."

Adrienne's big, round eyes, marred by baggage and lingering swelling from many a tearful night, swallowed up Charlie's visage before her. Was he being sincere? Was there someone out there who could sympathize with her? Someone like her, who had been wronged by TTP? It seemed too good to be true. Dr. Fischer's words echoed in the back of her thoughts.

What you do with the second chance you've been given is entirely up to you. It's important that you cherish it and make the most of this opportunity.

Gulping down her hesitations, she gave Charlie a curt nod, unable to meet his gaze for long. "I would like that, actually."