Stick to his original plan

Tobias was trying to plan some big gesture, but then remembered that he was doing the same thing that may have started this: he was thinking of Tab as some separate person. He was treating this like he was planning a date with Ronnie, thinking about what a woman would like. Tab was a part of them. No matter what differences they’ve developed, they are still the same person deep inside. And Tab was worried that he was the ‘real one’ while she was a copy. He had to think simple. Figure out what he would want to do and then just do that with her.

Well,_ that’s _pretty simple.

Tab and Ronnie were worried about Tobias and Ronnie called him. They really needed to get Tab a phone. Really they need to set her up with a full identity before people start asking questions about where she came from.

Tobias told Ronnie everything, but asked that she not tell Tab that he could feel her crisis. He wanted her to let him back in on her own, not because he found out anyways. Ronnie likewise did not go into the details, just letting him know that Tab was alright and that they were on their way home soon.

Ronnie helped clear Tab up and started redoing her makeup.

“Why are we doing makeup right now? This is serious”

“I’m mother always did it after I cried. Said it helps make you feel better afterwards, being able to look in the mirror and see someone beautiful and confident staring back at you. Also you’re hot and seeing you all dolled up makes me so wet, so it’s a little selfish”

“Aww thank you. And Y’know just saying after we go back and talk to Toby, we’ll have our room all to ourselves. Pat left today for spring break. I know you got some stuff from that sex shop you still aren’t showing me”

“Wow you called me out for being distracted when things are serious, and yet the second I call you sexy your motor’s running full speed ahead. Just wait a little more, trust me it’ll be worth it. But first, take a look at yourself.”

Tab didn’t know what to expect. While she was more comfortable in her identity, she didn’t know how much she wanted to look like a bimbo caked in makeup. She was pleasantly surprised however, when staring back at her in the mirror was just what Ronnie said: a beautiful, confident, but also sexy woman.

Tobias heard the knock on the door, expecting to see Ronnie and Tab looking tired after a long day of shopping, but was surprised to see just Tab with Ronnie and the bags nowhere to be seen. But he didn’t even notice their absence at first as he just stared at Tab’s new look.

“Wow, we…you look great!”

“No you can say we. You’re not looking bad yourself”

They both laughed knowing that they shared an inability to do pickup lines, then went inside. Tobias was deciding how to handle this, but in the end choose to just ask and let Tab talk.

“So how are you? I couldn’t sense you today and according to Ronnie you couldn’t either”

“Yeah… I have a lot I need to talk with you about, but I don’t know how. Can we wait to talk about it til later?”

Tab looked upset again. Tobias decided that if anyone could comfort them, it was themselves, so he went up wrapped her in a hug.

“yeah that’s ok take your time. In the meantime want to play some games? I never did get to today and we both know Ronnie is fun to play with but not the best. It’ll be fun playing against someone I know is as good as me!”

“Yeah that sounds great!”

They spent a good hour playing all of their favorite games. Tab felt a lot better by the end. She may or may not be her own person, but it was good to just let go and focus on something she knows she likes. And it helps her feel connected to Tobias, both their other body now and the one person they once were. Unsurprisingly they are evenly matched and end up trading wins in every game.

After a while they end up on Tobias’s bed, laying down and looking at the ceiling. Tab knew that this was the best time to say something, so she took a deep breath and started.

“Toby I’m sorry I’ve been keeping things from you. It started with me actually wanting to surprise you with something, but then I think it drove a wedge between us and I’ve spent the whole day not knowing if I my own person or a part of you, or…”

Tobias finally caught on to something he missed last time and decided to step in

“Ok now it’s my turn to feel sorry. I keep getting stuck in the idea that just because I happen to be the one half in charge of the body that’s the same sex as the one we both started in, I am somehow the main one and you’re the new person, but I also know that’s wrong, and I’m worried that those thoughts have been spreading to you and could be leading to your crisis. So I’m just going to say this. Neither of us are the original. We are both new people, but somehow at the same time we’re together that original. It’s weird but in no way are you a copy Tab!”

Tab didn’t know what to say. She doesn’t know why she’s surprised that the person who is literally themselves would be so good at talking to them. They look over and not knowing why Tab gives Tobias a peck on the cheek.

Suddenly in that moment on connection all of the locked up memories flow between them. Tobias can feel themselves in the bathroom, feel all the emotion they felt, and feel the comfort of Ronnie with them. Tab feels all of the confusion and thought they had all day trying to find what’s wrong. She is the first to respond

“Wow… I guess know we know how to open up to each other”

“Yeah. Oh wow Tab I’m sorry I didn’t know what you were going through. Also…Tabby Cat?”

“Hey it may sound kinda dumb but when Ronnie says it is so cute and I just want to kiss her and…”

“Tabby Cat, you’re rambling.”

“Nope when you say it it’s not cute. But anyways, I should have told you. But we’re here now and I won’t keep anymore secrets from you. Well unless they’re fun surprises, which I give you full permission to do as well”

“Speaking of, I can see your whole day, but I still can’t tell what happened in the doctor’s office. I guess you still have that memory under lock and key.”

“Oh that?” Tab responds with a smirk. They were both laying face up, but she swings her leg up and over until she’s straddling him, then leans in close “I’m on birth control now, and we’re going to fuck all night long”