Randall checks out of the hospital the next day.

Doctor Saunders assured them that they'd be able to see him soon, "But for now we should all let Randall get some rest. I think he's deserved it."

Leaving you to be grilled by your family then, Saunders excused himself, while you tried your best to answer their questions. You were still pretty shook up though, it having just been so weird seeing your friend like that. It felt wrong. Unnatural even. Which in a way you supposed it was - brain transplantation not exactly being a part of mother nature's plan.

It wasn't actually till the following day that your parents were given the go ahead to see him (after a rather long night of you sitting up awake, replaying your own interaction over and over in your head). Though you were left out this time, you got the impression they had got back that it really hadn't gone so well. Your mother seemed understandably shaken and had to be escorted back to the car by your little brother and sister, while your dad stayed behind for a moment to explain.

"You have to understand, son, your mother doesn't blame Randall for any of this. It's just that... well seeing him like that, it's incredibly painful for her. She wants to be supportive, but I think it's going to take a while. For all of us."

This actually sounded rather familiar, and though you hadn't left Randall nearly crying, you definitely could relate.

"I know. I just feel bad for him," you told him, wishing things could be different. "He's always been like family to us, and now that he actually is family, nobody can bare to look at him." You of course including yourself in this statement. "I just... I hate to think of him having to go through this all on his own."

Your father assured you however that "He won't. He'll still have all of us. Plus, he's got Jim and Alice. I'm... well, I'm sure they'll do their best."

You unfortunately had your doubt about that. After all, what was it Randall had said yesterday, about his step-mom looking at him like he was some kind of monster? You hadn't seen them yet, but you were pretty sure that, knowing her, she'd be totally freaking out about all this. You could only hope that his father stayed a little more level headed.

Needing to get back to your mother, your father then said his goodbyes and left, leaving you to continue pondering what you were going to do about Randall. Your mom's reaction to his new body wasn't exactly going to leave him with a positive reaction, nor had your own visit been as supportive as you would have liked. You didn't want him to think you were all gonna turn your backs on him. Not now. So you decided it best to pay him another visit. Hoping that this time things might go a little more smoothly now. You might actually see him as the friend he was instead of the Auntie you'd lost...

"Hey, Randall. Mind if I come in?" you asked, knocking on the door to his room and peeping your head round. Finding the body of your Auntie once again propped up, watching something on the small hospital television.

"Uh, nuh-no... Sure, come in, dude," he replied, looking a little startled to see you there.

"Thanks. Thought you might like some company." you smiled, trying to appear more relaxed this time (as difficult as it was). It's cool. You can do this, you coached yourself as you walked into the room, Just try and forget about what he looks like. It's Randall in there.

Focusing instead on the fact that his now mature, feminine body was now sitting on top of the bed covers, and that his feet were adorned by a pair of blue slip on hospital shoes, you asked him,"You uh, you been up and about?"

"Yeah. I was just getting ready. Kerry said I could go home today. So I'm just waiting for my Dad and Alice to get back with some clothes..."

Home? Already?... Nobody had mentioned anything about this to you. You thought he at least had another day like you did.

"Oh wow. Cool," you responded, happy for him, but at the same time slightly confused. Was he actually planning on telling you this before he left?

You didn't say this however, and instead inquired, "Do you... do you know what you're doing yet? I mean, are you going back to your own house or..."

"Nah," he told you, shaking his head. "Alice thinks it'd be better off I went straight to your Auntie's place. You know, to acclimatize and stuff. Get used to my new life."

"Already? Isn't that a bit soon?"

"The sooner the better she said. My Dad too actually. But it's cool. I finally get to have my own place - Chez de Randall."

While he did seem a little more chipper than the previous day (though that wasn't exactly hard), you weren't entirely sure you liked how Alice seemed to be the one making all these decisions. This was his life not hers, he didn't have to go along with them just to appease her. God knows she wasn't exactly the sanest person you knew. Still, he did seem happy at least at the prospect of no longer having to live with her anymore. So at least there was that. A little distance would probably do him the world of good.

"Okay. Well, once I get out of here as well, I can come over and help you get settled and stuff," you told him, hoping that would be sooner rather than later. The thought of him being all alone in your Aunt's apartment not exactly inspiring confidence. "And I'm sure my mom and dad will want to help out too."

Randall's response to this offer though was less than enthusiastic. "Thanks, dude, but I think it'd probably be best if I just go it alone for now. Your family has been through enough already."

"What? ...No. It's fine," you assured him, his run in with your folks having obviously affected him right enough. "They'll want to. I mean, maybe my mom won't right away but..."

"But nothing, Tim. I spoke to your mom, remember? She looked at me like I was some kind of ghost or something. And she couldn't wait to leave. And to be honest, I don't blame her. I think it'll be best all round if I just keep my distance for a while. Give you guys time to mourn."

"C'mon. Randall... Your my best friend," you pleaded. "I'm not just gonna sit back and let you go through this all alone."

"I know, and I appreciate it, dude. But I can see it in your eyes too. This whole think freaks you the hell out. It freaks me the hell out too!" he explained, seeing right through you. "I need time to get my head together. And I think that might be a lot easier on my own for now... I uh, I mean with just me, my dad and Alice", he quickly added, almost as if he'd forgotten them.

Ignoring this. Assuming it had just been a slip of the tongue, you reluctantly sighed, "I guess if that's what you really want." Not happy about his decision, but seeing no way really to change his mind.

"It won't be forever, dude," he told you, attempting to cheer you up. "Just like a week or so.. And we can still chat online and text and shit. After all, who's gonna make fun of me for having to wear bras and panties and stuff if not you?"

"No one I guess," you half sort of chuckled. A sliver of the old Randall coming out as he sat there smirking.

Just then, you heard the door suddenly open behind you. And turning then to see who it was, you watched as Randall's father, Mr. Davis entered, clutching a sports bag under one arm.

"Oh...hey there, Tim." he said rather awkwardly, clearly having not expected you to be there.

"Uh, hey, Mr. Davis. How are you?"

Randall's father, much like he had been, was tall with ginger hair, though not quite so skinny. He had a short beard and glasses too, and although you never really saw all that much of him (his job often taking him oversees), he'd always seemed relatively friendly - if a little under his wife's thumb.

"Good thanks. And it's uh, it's good to see that you're doing okay too. I can't imagine how difficult this must for you and your family..."

"We're doing our best to cope."

"I bet you are," he smiled, placing the bag down on floor and giving your back a little pat.

"Where's Alice?" Randall inquired, interrupting. His step-mom being nowhere to be seen.

"She uh, she unfortunately had some other things to take care of," his father told him, "So she won't be coming with us to... Joan's house." He couldn't help but look at you as he said this, his discomfort at having you there becoming more and more obvious.

Randall however just grunted. "Figures." There obviously being more to this story than what they were letting on.

Was he lying about her having things to do? Was she in fact avoiding him. It didn't really seem like that much of a leap to imagine, what with her strong religious views. Perhaps she thought Randall being in another person's body was some kind of sin or something, much like she thought everything was pretty much a sin...

You didn't really get much of a chance to ponder this though, as Mr. Davis turned back to you again and explained, "Listen, Tim. It's really nice of you to stop by and see Randall, but he really needs to get ready now. We've got lots of paperwork that needs to be filled out, and we've got to speak to the doctor before we leave. So maybe if you could just..." His hand indicating then towards the door.

"Oh no, sure. Totally," you replied, getting the hint. He wanted you out of there bad. "Sorry."

Heading over to the door, you took one last glance at your friend and told him, "I'll uh, I guess I'll hear from you soon then, dude."

"Yeah. Take it easy, Tim," he smiled, as you left them to it then, regretting that you couldn't have gotten a more appropriate, less rushed goodbye.

I'll see him soon enough, you tried to console yourself as you headed back to your room, A week or two really isn't so long...