I put this under the Sci Fi & Fantasy category as it was most applicable, but other than the ability to enter another body, there are no sci fi or fantasy elements. I thought the idea of being able to enter another body was a fun
April Fools
idea. As always, comments and constructive criticism appreciated! Enjoy!
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Amy moved into the apartment across the hall from Mike five years ago. Mike saw her struggling to move some heavy items on her own and ran out to lend a hand. Ever since that day, they've been good friends. Amy immediately noticed how sexy Mike's forearms were, especially when he rolled up his sleeves to help carry one of her boxes, but she never had any romantic feelings for him, which was surprising because looks wise, he was everything she loved in a man. Tall, slender with just a bit of muscle, dark brown hair with darker brown eyes and of course those forearms. Besides, he has been in a relationship with Erica for as long as she's known him and she wasn't going to break that up. Amy had been single for years and didn't have a desire to change it anytime soon.
"
I don't know what it is, but my stomach has been so sore the past several nights. Especially when I'm standing."
Mike was trying to look tough as he complained to Amy, but was doing an awful job of it.
Amy works for a local hospital in the Advanced Research & Diagnosis department. It was a fancy way of saying that she worked with experimental medicine and treatments that were still in the process of being approved for the general public. Mike didn't know the specifics, but he knew she was a Doctor and was hoping to get some free medical advice.
"
I'm sorry Mike, but you know I can't offer medical advice. I could lose my license and it could put me in legal jeopardy if something were to go wrong...
" Amy felt bad and wanted to help, but breaking the rules was against everything she stood for. Not to mention, without proper medical equipment, the chance of her making a misdiagnosis was too high to risk.
"
That makes sense. Thanks anyway.
" Mike turned around to go back to his apartment and as he opened his door he turned back around with a ridiculous grin, "
We can't all be as healthy as you, so you can't blame a man for trying, right?
"
Mike hoped that throwing in a compliment would help and was hopeful, because he knew healthy living was important to Amy. She was always training for different 5Ks, and her commitment to health showed. She was toned, athletic and much like Mike, on the slender side. She had smaller breasts, which she was thankful for as it made running easier.
Mike's plan worked. Something about that grin while he was in extreme pain and the genuine connection she felt with Mike filled Amy with immediate guilt. Sure, it was true that a misdiagnosis was possible without proper medical equipment, but she hosts Teladoc consultations from home and the newest diagnosis device she had could help in this situation.
"
Actually, I have something in my apartment that I might be able to use to diagnose you. Come in.
" As soon as the words escaped Amy's mouth, she immediately wished it was possible to put them back in somehow. She could lose her job, her license and everything she had worked so hard for if word got out that she did this.
Amy was a lot of things, but a rule breaker or risk taker wasn't one of them. She followed everything the way it was supposed to be followed. She made sure to get eight hours of sleep a night. She ate healthy. She made sure to get some yoga in on days she could. When she accidentally found herself speeding more than 5 MPH over the speed limit she worried the rest of the drive a cop would pull her over.
Too late to go back on her word now. Mike was already in her apartment and wouldn't stop thanking her. She's stressed and has no idea what came over her or why she offered. She's never given into peer-pressure before. Throughout high school and college her friends were always trying to get her to drink with them, but she always declined. She didn't even have her first sip of alcohol until she was 26. The pressure back the was constant, but tonight, Mike wasn't even pressuring her.
Why did you offer this Amy!?
She couldn't stop yelling at herself in her head.
"
Listen carefully Mike. I'm serious. What I'm about to do can not leave this room. You can't tell anyone. That includes Erica. I know you two have been together for years now, but you can never tell her. I will lose everything if this gets out. Promise me this stays between us. Hell, this might not even work.
" Amy was pleading with Mike.
Mike held his right arm up as if he were in a court room being sworn in. "
Amy. I promise you I would never, ever, ever betray your trust in a million years. Even if this doesn't work, the fact that you're offering to help means more than you'll know.
"
Mike's assurance made Amy feel slightly better, but her heart still felt like it was trying to escape her chest. She couldn't believe she was in this situation and was nervous about every aspect of it.
"
The department I work in uses the latest technology. Basically, we use experiment procedures that haven't yet been approved for use by the FDA. It's still safe, but the things we use and do sometimes sound like they're straight out of a sci-fi novel.
"
"
Wow, I had no idea. Honestly, I trust you. If you say it's safe, do whatever you need.
"
Amy took a deep breath, "
What I'm about to tell you is going to sound crazy, but it's true. I'm going to administer a dose of our newest experiment into your arm. It's a simple saline, except for one massive addition. Without getting into the specifics of the science, the easiest way to describe it is to think of the saline being full of microscopic machines that communicate with that headset over there. I'll put on the headset and begin my connection to the machines. What this means is that I will be living through you as long as I have the headset on. I'll see what you see. I'll feel what you feel. I'll hear all your thoughts. Essentially, I'll be experiencing your consciousness and you won't even notice I'm there unless I speak to you in your thoughts. You'll hear my voice in your head.
"
As soon as Amy was done, the mood of Mike changed from hope to shock. Part of her hoped he would think she was insane and walk out so she didn't have to go through with it. Instead, she felt embarrassed as soon as Mike started laughing. She had never seen him laugh so hard.
"
Amy, please, don't make me laugh so hard. It's making my stomach hurt even more. If you can't help that's okay, but you don't need to make up wild stories. I don't want to pressure you to diagnose me if you don't want to. I'll try Urgent Care tomorrow if it persists.
"
Even though Amy was telling the truth, she was still embarrassed to be laughed at. Even though 99% of her wanted to let him leave so she didn't have to do this, the 1% that wanted to prove she wasn't a liar won out.
"
I'm serious Mike. Now, roll up your sleeve so I can give you your shot. Your arm might be a bit tender after.
"
Amy's serious tone convinced Mike slightly that maybe she was telling the truth. He had never known her to be one to joke, so perhaps there was something to her story? Even if it weren't true, there was no way she would purposely ever harm him or betray his trust.
What the hell, what's the worst that could happen
? Mike thought to himself as he rolled up his right sleeve. As soon as his sleeve was up, Amy took a quiet mental note of his sexy forearm.
"
There is one thing I should mention. We have strict rules at work that male patients have male doctors and female patients have female doctors. The thought process of this rule being that we don't know how it feels to be the other gender, which means diagnosing what is wrong could be hard. I've only done this with patients that are women. I don't know how it'll feel to be a man, so I can't guarantee I can successfully diagnose you. Do you still want me to do this?
"
"
I don't even know if I believe any of this, but assuming it's true, go for it. I'll do anything at this point have this pain go away.
" She can tell by Mike's tone that he doesn't believe her.
Amy spent the next several minutes working in silence and feeling judged by Mike. Normally he was chatty, but now he wasn't saying a word. She was starting to worry that she had ruined their friendship, but reassured herself that once he saw this was all true, things would be fine. Let him judge now, he'll see it's true. She began focusing on everything she needed to do. Powering on the headset and configuring the settings. Getting the shot ready for injection. Finding her alcohol to rub down his arm before the shot. It felt like an eternity, but finally, she had everything ready to go.
"
You'll feel a slight pinch as the injection enters your blood. Most patients have described a burning feeling as it enters the bloodstream, but it goes away quickly.
" Amy grabbed Mike's arm, positioned it where it need to be and gave him the injection.
"
Ah shit, that does burn! You weren't exaggerating.
"