Ratings Advisory: The Earth Media Content Group has determined that this story can only be read by people above the age of 18. It contains subjects and situations that are suitable only for mature audiences. Parents with underaged children will need to activate their content-advisory programs now.
 

1

Lynnae and June were assigned to third shift, routinely referred to as the graveyard shift. The only advantage working on this shift was its length. Outback's day is only 23 hours, 18 minutes long. The third shift occupies the last seven hours and 18 minutes of that day, which was still 18 minutes too long for some people. Those last 18 minutes form there own little hour simply called compensate. It was at this time that Lynnae saw the bouquet of flowers that June had placed in her locker at the start of the third shift.
    �Hey, June! Where did you snag that bouquet? At a funeral parlor?�
    June met Lynnae's attempt at humor with feigned shock. �Oh my! Such rude innuendo! Young lady, you must learn tact if you're going to advance in the world.�
    �Argh, I'm wounded.� Lynnae placed a hand over her chest. �Seriously, June, that is a nice bunch of roses. Who gave them to you?�
    �Why, my current boyfriend, of course! He's just your type, Lyn: a totally hopeless romantic! I like my men to be Action Joes, but this guy has his own special charm.�
    �And, of course, he doesn't know you're a cop. You probably told him that you're a judo instructor.�
    �Actually, this time it was an aerobics instructor.� June ignored Lyn's condescending gaze. Lyn knew that June really liked men, but at times she wished that June would �slow down' and stick with one man. At this rate June is going to go through all the eligible men in New Darwin! There'll be none left for me, Lyn told herself.
    One shower later had the duo outside the womens' locker room. As they headed for the car park, they ran into Tobias Eddings, mutual friend and fellow cop. He was quite chipper as he hummed a musical ditty.
    �Hey, Toby, you're looking quite the man. Have you been going out to soak up some sun?� June looked approvingly at Toby's healthy face.
    Toby returned June's look with his own lively visage. �Thanks. I have been going outside much more often. I've been bringing my work along, but still living it up.�
    �Well, keep it up, Toby.� Lynnae added. �At this rate you'll get a girl in time for Valentine's Day.�
    Toby looked bashfully at his feet. �I'm ready for that day, �cause I already have a girlfriend. Perhaps you like to meet her?�
    �Toby, you're a god!� June smiled magnanimously, holding and patting Toby's hand. �I and Lyn would love to see your girlfriend. Have you two made out yet? More importantly, is she real?�
    �June! That's rude!� Lynnae looked harshly at June. Since the Big VR Incident, Toby had made an effort to go out more often and meet people. Apparently that effort has paid off. �Toby, despite what June just said, I'll be delighted to meet your new friend. What's her name?�
    The embarrassed electronics expert managed to look at Lyn and June. �Her name is Tiffany. If you're able, meet me at The Silver Platter Thursday night at nine p.m. That'll be right before your shift.�
    Lyn nodded. �That'll work for me. I'm sure June would be glad to come along with her own date. Isn't that right, June?� Lyn pinched June's forearm.
    �Ouch! Okay, okay. I'm sure Andrew will agree to come along. See you then.� The duo and Toby then went their separate ways, both eager to show the other their new friends.
 

2

Toby headed right for home after his shift. His apartment was a simple, five-room affair. There was a kitchen, living area, bathroom, master bedroom and children's bedroom. Toby had converted the children's bedroom into his electronics den. In addition to the computer and stereo system, there was his high-powered VR equipment. Being the electronics and VR expert in the New Darwin Police made Toby quite the savvy power-user. His equipment could've paid the rent for his apartment for the next twenty years, but he considered his investment well worth the cost. After letting himself in and taking care of routine chores, Toby entered his den. Donning goggles and gloves, Toby then entered one of New Darwin's VR nets. A heartbeat later he found Tiffany's avatar waiting in a simulated park.
    Like Toby, Tiffany based her avatar on her actual body. In real space, it would've been 1.55 meters tall, just 20 centimeters shorter than Toby. Her hair was auburn brown and her eyes a bright green. Her simulated chest was a shapely c-cup, but Toby was way more interested in the woman behind that simulation. Upon seeing Toby, Tiffany got up from the bench she was on. She was quite pleased, and gave Toby's avatar a quick peck on the cheek.
    �Toby, I'm so happy to see you! What's so important that you needed to see me right away?�
    Toby's avatar face, like his own in real life, blushed slightly. �Tiff, I would like to take you out for dinner tonight . . . and see some of my friends. I told them that you're my girlfriend, and if I don't follow through they're going to pester me until I do show you to them.�
    Tiffany looked concerned. �How much did you really tell them?�
    �Only that you're my girl, and your name. You can tell them what you do and all that other stuff tonight. You don't want to go?� Toby put on a pouting face.
    �Toby, don't be so gloomy! Of course I can go out tonight. You think they can handle me being your girlfriend?�
    �Of course! They're cops too. They've seen everything. So I think they can handle seeing you in the flesh. Clothed, of course! Do wear something proper and decent.�
    �Toby, the last thing I want to do is embarrass you in front of your friends. I'll be good, so long as you act the same. Agreed?�
    Toby was happy. He gave Tiffany's avatar a kiss on the cheek. �Agreed. I'll pick you up at 8:15. See you.�
    �8:15. G'day.� Tiffany's avatar disappeared, with Toby following right behind. In the real world Toby showered and shaved, barely able to wait for tonight to come.
 

3

Lynnae and June were idly passing the time at The Silver Platter. June had brought along her latest boyfriend, Andrew. Expecting a bookish man, Lyn was pleased to see a rather good-looking hunk. Andrew was the head librarian for a high school, and was well-verse in the classics. After a lengthy discussion of HG Well's Food of the Gods the threesome saw Toby approaching with his girlfriend at his side.
    Introductions made, the group made their orders. While they waited, June took it upon herself to ask the obvious question. �So, Tiffany, how did you and Toby met?�
    The smallish woman (she was as tall as Lyn) looked slyly at Toby first before replying. �Oh, it was on one of those technical virtual chat-rooms. I was stumped on solving a problem regarding dynamic OS translations. He came over, solved the problem, and things took off from there.�
    �So, are you a VR wizard like Toby here?� Lyn smiled at Toby, making him blush.
    Tiffany patted Toby's hand. �You can say that. I'm the assistant advertisement manager for The Daily Post. I have to devise new ways to get the reader's attention and direct them to advertisements and the various sections of the paper.�
    �As a reader of the Post, I have to say you're doing a great job,� Lyn said, full of sincerity. �I do have another question. What's the story about . . . �
    The conversation continued, only pausing when the dinners arrived. The talking would've continued but the clock read 10:30, time for Lyn and June to go to work. Getting up, everyone made their fair wells, believing it was a very good night.
    Toby and Tiffany walked backed to her apartment. New Ayers Rock, Outback's moon, was full, enabling the couple to see even if there were no streetlights. Twenty minutes of walking hand-in-hand saw the couple in front of Tiffany's apartment block. �Thank you, Toby. I must say you have rather interesting friends,� said Tiffany as she fished her key from her purse.
    �You can say that. June is somewhat exuberant when it comes to dating. I was worried her and Andrew were going to have a major public display of affection.�
    �Speaking of affection,� Tiff replied, getting on her toes and wrapping her arms around Toby's chest, �it's about time we displayed some. Wanna kiss to end the night?�
    �Wowzers! I thought you'll never ask.� Toby and Tiffany kissed and hugged for a few moments. Had Toby been able to, he would've seen the hateful eyes that Tiffany had, looking down the street toward The Silver Platter.
 

4

It was February 12, a relatively mild day in New Darwin. Since it was winter, Lynnae and June wore pants and heavy jackets instead of microskirts and short-sleeve shirts. Even so, they were still a sight to see as they walked their patrol route. It was a nice, and effective, way to show the public that the police were on the job. Potential wrongdoers made themselves scarce. But there were always the intensely stupid male criminals that had to gawk at the duo as they walk down the street. While those males stayed transfixed on the duo's busts, they were being identified by the endowed officers. They weren't disappointed when one repof (repeat offender) came up on their minicomps, tagging him with an outstanding warrant.
    It was Frankie, a well-known cell occupant back at Central Station. Frankie was wanted for stealing personal effects from a sports club. Ever trying to be a Casanova, Frankie tried to put the smooth on Lynnae and June. That just made June place the cuffs on him extra-tight. A cruiser came by to pick Frankie up, giving Lynnae a chance to check on personal messages.
    �Hey, June, I got an invite from Toby. He's reserved us some user space in Virtual Love Land. We're to bring along a date.� Lynnae frowned.
    �Virtual Love Land? Cool! That place is the best! I've always wanted to have a romantic date in that realm. Andrew is gonna to pleased.� June saw Lyn's unhappy face. �Lyn, I can still arrange to get a man for you. If you want me to try.�
    �No thanks, June. I'll take my chances and find someone myself. I remembered the last time you tried to fix me up with a date. By the way, is Tuka able to feed himself?�
    �My, such wit. Lyn, I'm going to live to see the day you're able to handle a man properly.� June said in finality. The duo continued their patrol. There were no more arrests that day, but there were far fewer crimes. Male criminals are so easily distracted by large breasts that they forgot what jobs they were to do that day.

Toby was back in VR, waiting in the same simulated park that Tiffany frequented. His virtual wait was short, as Tiffany's avatar flashed into existence.
    �You sent the invitations?� Tiffany said, walking over and giving Toby a hug.
    �Yes indeed. I think June will really appreciate this.�
    �Speaking of your friends, Toby, have they always been like that? You know . . . busty?�
    Toby laughed. �Ever since they went through puberty! Why, for some undercover stints they had to enlarge their busts. The other night you saw them at their natural sizes.� Toby saw the concerned look in Tiffany's eyes. �Are you jealous?�
    Tiffany shook her head. �No, but I do wish you keep your eyes more on me than on their chests. It's not like I'm flat as a board.�
    �Tiff, it was out of habit that their chests got my attention. They knew that and expected no less from me. I swear that you'll have my lecherous eye's attention from now on.�
    Tiffany hugged Toby again, pressing her modest chest into him. �Perhaps I should get nanite augmentation, just be sure - and to make you honest.� She giggled and kissed his cheek. As before, her eyes filled with hate, but Toby had no way of knowing.
 

5

Evening, St. Valentine's Day. After having dinner and doing some light housekeeping Lynnae entered the living room of her apartment. One whole wall was devoted to what June called �torrid romance VR novels'. Lynnae considered that a gross exaggeration: some of those stories actually contained plots! Getting into her easy chair, Lynnae donned her VR goggles and gloves. It was only a minute later that she entered the proper domain and arrived at the �gates' of Virtual Love Land.
    The avatars of June, Andrew, Toby, and Tiffany were there, glad to see that Lynnae had joined them. �Lyn,� June said, �are you going to be a party-pooper? The chances finding an available man here are practically nonexistent.�
    �Oh, you're wrong again, bushbear-breath. I did invite a friend.� On cue, Lyn's words were proven true. It was Amber, full of spunk and mischief.
    �Root a boot! I should've known better than to doubt you, Lynnae.� June and the others laughed. �Now that's out of the way, let's get �inside'.�
    The decorated gates of Virtual Love Land opened. Tiffany and Toby immediately went for their own private spot in the domain. June and Andrew walked down a main pathway, observing the various romantic spots and deciding which one they wanted.
    Lyn took this opportunity to talk to Amber. �Amber, what's the real reason you decided to come here with me?�
    Amber looked up into Lyn's eyes, full of mischief. �I have it on good authority that Larry Harkin, our favorite lecher, has a date here tonight. It's my mission to find him and save his date from his sublime intentions.�
    �Are all dispatchers the rumor mongers they're made out to be?�
    �Lyn, perish the thought! The girls of Dispatch don't make rumors - we just pass them along!� Amber and Lynnae giggled, with Amber slowly walking away. �I'll find Larry in no- time. I'll just follow the cries of �lecher' and �pervert' to their source.�
    �Good luck.� Lynnae called back. Now alone, Lyn went down another path. In her heart she yearned to find that special man that'll be her husband. Even with prolong, Lyn felt that she was running out of time. Perhaps I should've taken June's offer and had her get me a date. She now knows better that to pick out another Tuka! Wrapped in thought, Lyn continued her walk down the path.

Tiffany and Toby found their spot. It was a meadow bordered by tall trees, the virtual wind blowing the simulated leaves. The couple were having a picnic, replete with the traditional basket and blanket. It was just for show, as the couple were far more interested in smooching.
    Between a series of kisses, Tiffany looked deep into Toby's eyes. �My dear, I been thinking quite a bit about your friends' busts. How would you feel if I enlarged mine?�
    Toby looked perplexed. �Why? In my mind's eye you're the epitome of balance. You have the curves in all the right places. Perfect.�
    Tiffany only shook her head in denial. �Perfect? You'll have the chance to change your mind.� In an instant, Tiff's c-cup top blew up to volleyball size. Her avatar's blouse had expanded also, providing complete coverage. She grabbed Toby's hands and placed them on her bust. �Like them?�
    �Honey,� Toby replied, sounding annoyed, �like I said, your body is the statement of perfection. As much as I like large breasts . . . �
    �Ah Ha! Got you to admit it!� Tiffany said in triumph. �All men are inherent liars. The fact that you haven't removed your hands just gives proof to my assertion.�
    Toby bit his lip. As much as he wanted to deny the charge, he knew that Tiff had his number. Toby did like large bazooms, but he kept that desire deep. Now with his hands on Tiff's enhanced bust, Toby fought to keep that desire down. And he was losing. Tiffany willed her bust to grow to a bit bigger than basketball size, then watermelons. Each expansion made Toby more aroused.
    �I'm right again! You're almost ready to bust a vein!� Tiffany sniggered, then she maneuvered Toby so his head rested on her bust. With one last expansion her virtual bust was now the size of beachballs. In total bliss, Toby let his head slip down between the shirt-clad mammaries. His VR gear replicated the sensations to his real body in perfect detail. While he allowed himself to be pleasured, he missed his third chance to see the evil in Tiffany's eyes. She placed her hands on the outsides of her breasts, and began to push inwards . . .
 

6

After a wonderful jaunt down the path, Amber finally spotted the object of her search. Larry Harkin was on a park bench with his date. The woman was quite good-looking. Amber knew that Larry had to concoct an outrageous lie in order to date the woman. Like an innocent, Amber walked up to Larry, interrupting the mutual smooch-fest.
    �Larry! I'm so glad to have found you!�
    Fully annoyed, Larry turned his basilisk gaze on the little woman. �Miss MacRoy, you better have a damn-good reason for interrupting.� Larry's date also looked at Amber with disdain.
    �A very good reason, sir. I hope I caught you two in time, especially if you haven't met in the flesh. Your test results came back, Larry. Good news - you're not infectious anymore!� Amber gave Larry's avatar a quick peck on the cheek.
    �Infectious? Did you have the Drip?� Larry's date said in a serious tone. The Drip is the current slang word for a new, and particularly nasty, venereal disease that had found its way to Outback. One side-effect of the Drip is the loss of bladder control. Even though it was VR, the woman looked at Larry's simulated crotch for wetness.
    �No! I'm clean as snow, honest!� Larry replied in desperation while willing Amber to leave. She wasn't quite ready to do so.
    �I have more good news. The four women you dated are expected to make full recoveries, and they can have children with no problems at all. That dang Drip can really screw you over, especially if you're a woman.�
    �Others? Larry, you best be on the level with me.�
    �Maxine, this woman is lying through her teeth!� Larry next spoke out the side of his mouth. �Amber, you have better leave if you want to live!�
    �Sure, but I have one more thing to say. Ma'am,� Amber said, looking at Larry's date, �Larry genuinely has a rare condition. Whenever he quotes a number or figure, just divide it by ten to get the true reading.�
    �Amber!� Larry would've said more, but was slapped by Maxine.
    �I knew you were too good to be true!� Maxine got up and walked toward Love Land's exit. Larry was only able to give Amber a hateful look before running after his date. Mission accomplished, Amber had her avatar sprout pixie wings and fly. Such a beautiful domain can only be fully appreciated in the air.

Lynnae admired the simulated afternoon sky. Her VR gear reproduced in her brain the sensation of a light breeze on her face. She forgot about not having a date, instead appreciating the beauty that was all about her. In was in this state of peace that she first heard a cry.
    At first, she dismissed it as an artifact, a piece of junk noise created by the simulation. The noise didn't go away. It grew more clear and distinct. It was a cry for help. Lynnae heighten her awareness in the domain, tracing down the source of the cry. She found it and in a flash transported herself to the source.
    The sight that greeted her wasn't that unusual. In this fantasy world a person could morph their avatar body into any shape or size they wanted. Lyn recognized Tiffany, despite the fact that her bust was now oversized. The man between her breasts had to be Toby. Whoops, apparently Toby was just crying out in reflex instead of true need, Lynnae thought. About to make an apology, Lyn checked Toby's vital signs. To her horror, Lyn saw that her friend was literally dying, both here and in real life, right before her eyes!
    �Tiffany, stop what you're doing. You're killing him!�
    Lynnae gasped as she saw Tiffany's red, hateful eyes. �I'm not just killing him, Ms Chest,� Tiffany spat out, �I'm giving him the desire he always wanted - being smothered to death by huge breasts!�
    In reflex, Lyn tried to contact the sysop of Virtual Love Land, but got static instead. Tiffany's gaze continued to bore into Lyn's avatar. �Remember, Ms Chest, when you asked if I was a VR wizard? As you can see, I'm quite the Master of Code. Oh,� Tiff looked into the sky, catching sight of Amber, �looks like another guest. I'll get her and then make some privacy.�
    Tiffany willed the pixie wings that Amber had on to fall off. The little cop �landed' hard on the ground, creating a good-sized crater. The sky became pitch-black, the only light came in the form of spotlights around Tiffany, Lynnae and Amber.
    �I've sealed a section of this domain off. It's mine until I'm done. Toby, you, and your flat-fronted friend will die, and I'll never be caught.�
    �You Witch! Leave Toby alone!� Amber pulled herself out of the crater that her fall created. She would've cursed more, but Tiffany willed a post into existence, then had Amber tied up to that post and gagged. Still full of fight, Amber tried to free herself, but her avatar wasn't responding to her commands.
    �Your struggle is futile, flat one,� Tiffany said. �I'm in a position to kill all of you. Your real world bodies will receive a massive dose of feedback. Before doing so, I'll tell you why I'm doing this.�
    �Ah, leave it for the killer to explain her painful, miserable life as a justification for her killing spree.� Lynnae said smugly, knowing that Tiffany wouldn't kill her yet. �Please, go ahead and get the gratification of an ego boost.�
 

7

Tiffany looked fit to eat nails. She stopped pressing her hands into her massiveness, allowing Toby to get his virtual breath. Lynnae was relieved that Toby's vital signs had picked-up a little, but he was still in a bad way. �Okay, Ms Chest, here's my �painful, miserable life' as you called it.� Tiff shifted slightly, resting her arms atop her beachball breasts. �I was a happy teenager, a happy teenager that was blessed by the gifts that nature gave her. I had all the angles - natural- sized breasts, rounded bottom, long legs - the works. But my family was not that well-off. So when the other girls in school pressured their mommas and daddies to plunk down thousands of credits for nanites, I was thrown out of the competition. Girls, girls with breasts larger than yours, Ms Chest,� Tiff pointed an accusing finger at Lyn, �were snatching up boys left and right. Those boys were fixated on those oversized breasts. I'm surprised that not more of them ran into walls or posts when gazing at the sight of an overdeveloped hussy.�
    �So why kill Toby? He's a male, but he can see beyond the visual to the individual underneath.�
    �Bull! That's what everyone says, each time I lost a man to a busty woman!� Tears came down Tiffany's cheeks. She wiped them away, continuing her monologue. �The story was the same in college and at work. I, too, vainly believed that good, proper men would look past my natural, ample looks to the person inside. But the only thing that men today see are breasts, breasts bigger than their heads on the front of women! I still dated, of course, but when I discovered my men gazing at another woman's bust, I knew that I found another unworthy. I disposed of such men as I encountered them. They all died in VR, their brains fried. Nanite surgery fixed them, but for the rest of their lives they'll be little better than simple-minded drones! Toby was no better, and soon he'll no longer be the man he is!�
    �Wait!� Lyn yelled, raising a forestalling hand. �Since you're going to kill me and my friends, can I give Toby one last request?�
    An evil grin formed on Tiffany's avatar. �A 25th century version of one last cigarette before a firing squad? Hmm . . . why not? He'll only have a very short time to appreciate it before he becomes a mental cripple.�
    Holding back her anger, Lyn replied diplomatically. �Thank you. I'm sure that Toby will get a rise out of this. If you don't mind, I would like him to see me.�
    Tiff's breasts undulated, raising up Toby's head into view. He looked bad, his virtual breath labored and painful. Putting aside her anguish, Lynnae made herself calm. She looked at Toby with compassionate eyes. �Toby, even though I've known you for a short time, I felt that we've been friends forever. I liked you for whom you were, even for that one little fault of yours. Your fondness for large breasts is a natural-enough vice for any man, and I can forgive you for all the times you stared at my bust.�
    Lynnae willed her avatar to change clothes. Instead of her dress, she now wore her current police uniform. �I even forgive you when you mentally undressed me with your eyes. Button by button, centimeter by centimeter.� Lyn's voice had more than a bit of sultriness, her eyes widening into green pools. Her uniform then changed into the micro skirt and short-sleeve shirt of summer. Lyn stood arms akimbo and pushed out her chest. �You really liked to mentally undress me while I was in summer uniform. Hardly anything left to the imagination. I bet you ached to see my sweat-soaked shirt after I was out on a long, hard, day of patrol.� On cue, her shirt stuck to her bust, accentuating every valley and curve of her volleyball-sized breasts.
    Lynnae placed her hands on the sides of the breasts, her voice dripping like honey. �Oh, Toby, you can't begin to image the desire that resides within my ample, shapely, woman's body that nature gave me. A woman can only take so much pressure before her desires manifest themselves.� Lyn's microskirt and web belt fell to the ground, exposing a frilly panty instead of the normal, bland one she usually wore. �Oh, Toby, your desire to undress me is combining with my desire to grant your wish. Be careful, Toby. My ample woman's body can only take sooooo much pressure before it bursts! Oh!� A button flew off her shirt, quickly followed by another. Her bust began to expand, filling out in perfect spheres. �Toby, you animal!� Lyn purred out. �You're getting your wish.�
    �Stop that, you bitch!� Tiffany hissed. �That's quite enough.� She tried to stop Lyn, but found to her shock that her powers were useless. �What's going on? I have no control!�
    Lyn looked briefly with disdain at Tiffany. �You of all people should know that once a man's lust is ignited, nothing can stop it until it's satisfied.� Lyn then faced Toby. Her bust blew up past basketball size. Most of the buttons on the shirt were gone, and stitches began to fail. Lyn had willed her bra to grow with her bazooms, and, like her panties, there was a strip of lacy material, allowing Toby to see a portion of Lyn's ever-growing aureoles, their red color muted by the lace.
    �Toby, your lust is making the pressure greater. A woman's body can only take sooooo much before it bursts. Ohhhh . . . � Lyn moaned, her bust now past watermelon size. She ran her hands up and down her sides, at the end of which she rested them on to top of her breasts. �You're a really naughty man, Toby. You're making a mockery of my perfect, female body.� The last button failed. Nothing, save the bra, obstructed Toby's view of Lyn's breasts, now the size of beachballs - and still growing. �Toby, the pressure is getting toooo much! I can't take much more of this. My woman's body is sooooo tight.� The breasts slowed to a stop. Now the size of beanbags, Toby could only see Lyn's head, arms, and the legs below the knees. All else were breasts. Lyn worked her arms as far forward on her breasts as she can, trying to pull the bra off. �Toby, only you can relieve the pressure that resides in my body. My breasts cry out for your tender administration. Please, please release this pressure before I burst.�
    Toby, weak and shaking, pulled himself out of Tiffany's bust. Lyn's VR beanbag breasts were much more inviting than Tiffany's beachballs.
    �Toby, don't go! I need you. I can give you all the pleasure you need. Please!� Tiffany's plea went unanswered. In a drunken run, Toby made it to Lyn's bust. His first and last attempt to pull off the bra ended with him resting his depleted body on the top of that enormous bust.
    Tiffany lost it. She cried hard and long, failing to notice that Amber had freed herself and willed the blackness to go away. She bounded over to Tiffany, applying the VR equivalent of handcuffs to the crying form. Lyn willed her bust to shrink to its normal, volleyball size. She tenderly held Toby's head to her bust, cradling her shaken friend as best she could. �Amber, get on the horn. Get the sysop on-line and have him trace Tiffany's route. I want an EMS vehicle and a cruiser at her place NOW. Send an EMS vehicle to Toby's apartment. Give the appropriate information.�
    �Can Do!� Amber replied, giving Lyn thumbs' up while checking on Tiffany. Lyn returned her gaze to Toby's head, wishing that she could do more to insure Toby's survival. All that she could do was to bend over and plant a kiss on Toby's head, and pray.
 

8

Toby opened his eyes. As his vision cleared, he saw that he was in a hospital room. Before him was Chief Talbert, Amber, June, and Lynnae. They all looked insufferably pleased for some reason.
    �Glad to have you back from the dead.� Talbert said. �You had a very close call in VR. You can thank your survival to Lynnae here. She used what Amber called an �imaginative hostage negotiation technique' in her report. Yesterday Lyn got a commendation from the Commissioner. You should've seen her face. It was as red as Matilda.�
    �Lynnae?� Toby said breathlessly. �So, it wasn't a dream?�
    Lynnae held Toby's hand with both of hers'. �It certainly wasn't. Tiffany almost succeeded in turning you into a burned-out drone. I stopped her cold. Reading those romance novels paid off after all.�
    �Tiffany? What . . . why? Why she wanted to hurt me? I dated her for three months. �nothin wrong at all.�
    Talbert cleared his throat. �Son, that woman was a monster in all but name. Her real name is Georgine Daily, a mob enforcer. Her speciality is VR assassination, with the penchant of burning out a victim's brain. In her apartment we found incriminating data of her frying at least 25 men, and a like number of �boyfriends', all over Outback.�
    June got by Toby's side, placing her hand on Toby's shoulder. �Georgine wasn't exactly the most stable person. She was a top notch VR wizard. That explains why we haven't been able to nail her down until now. Also, she has a massive inferiority complex about her bust. She used that as an excuse when she fried her boyfriends for their weakness for large bazooms.�
    �How's she doing now?�
    �Behind bars, where she belongs - for now.� Amber said. �With all the evidence in her computers it'll be easy to convict Georgine of VR murder and the use of VR equipment to commit harm. Like her victims, she'll be made into a drone and spend the rest of her life slinging hash on another planet.�
    Talbert looked at Toby's pale face. �Looks like you need more rest. You were in a coma for two days, and it was a tense moment when the doctors checked out your brain. You'll be here for another week for additional tests. I want you rested and ready when you're back on duty. Comprende?�
    �Aye, Chief.� Toby settled back down on his pillow. Amber walked over and handed Toby an oversized plush toy based on a jackalope, a herd animal on Outback.
    �Toby, this is Mr Frumpy. He'll eat any bad dreams that'll come your way. You can return him when you're good and ready.�
    �Thanks.� Toby gladly cradled the toy in his arms, and didn't blush when Amber kissed his cheek. Then it was June's turn. �Well, I don't know how much you remember, but I and Andrew have broken up. I accidently told him I was a cop. He got cold feet and left. I don't blame him. A cop as a friend can be too much, but I'm glad you're still with us in the land of the living.� June kissed Toby's cheek and left. Talbert left too, just leaving Amber and Lynnae in the room.
    �Amber, what I have to say to Toby is private. I know you understand.�
    The little cop looked back knowingly. �Your concern is appreciated, Lynnae. Your secret is safe with me.� Amber walked out and closed the door, leaving Lynnae and Toby alone to speak their word.
    Toby looked apologetically at Lyn. �Actually, Lyn, I remember quite a bit of what happened. You must really think low of me for my vice. I'll understand if you . . . �
    Lynnae stopped Toby's lips with a finger. �Toby, as I said, I have forgiven you. Your vice is natural enough - at least you didn't try to act on it like Larry Lecher.� Lyn and Toby grinned like idiots for a moment. �Actually, to be fair, you will know that I have a secret desire of my own. Even though I have a body most men will kill for, I want to have even larger breasts. Not as large as bean bags, of course! When I find my special man and marry him, I'm going to pleasure him with watermelon-sized breasts.�
    �A noble goal, to be sure.� Toby grinned, making Lyn playfully hit his shoulder. �You need not worry about me, Lyn. Whatever lust I had about you is now throughly gone. I will find my own woman someday, and I'll be dang sure that she's not some creepy girl like Tiffany.�
    �Now that's noble.� Lynnae eyed the wall chrono. �Visiting hours are over. I'll see you in three days and generally bug you about stuff happening at the station.�
    �I can count on you to do that, Lyn. But, before you go, can we have one, perfect kiss? A kiss to send both of us off on our quests to find our future mates?�
    �Oh, Toby, I thought you would never ask,� Lyn replied, in a parody of her �rescue technique'. The duo kissed briefly on the lips, then shook hands. Lynnae left, leaving Mr Frumpy on Toby's chest, protecting him from any bad dreams he may have. Toby never had one from that day on.
 
 

END

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