Author's Notes- This is the 3rd. Chapter of Adventures In Cosplay, and it features Cosplayer & Costume Designer Tristen Citrine and Sailor Jamboree.

A Surgical Makeover
By Dale Speer

Once the group got back from FanimeCon, Dale and Maureen went to visit Dr. Roberts and worked out the details for her cosmetic surgery- and the doctor had good news to give them.

"When I talked to the state about your unique condition," she told them, "they understood the implications of you not getting this treatment and realized that they would be acting like your parents if you didn't have it done. So, the state declared that if the only way anyone needs to be treated for a heart condition by using cosmetic surgery techniques, a regular physician- such as myself- has to order it for the state to fund the treatment."

"That's great, doctor," Dale said. "Now I don't have to pay for the services," Maureen added. "And you can finally have the beauty you've always wanted," Dr. Roberts concluded. All of them nodded at that.

"You can go into the hospital at anytime," the doctor said, "and check in for your treatments. They'll begin the next day. Now during this time, your nutrients will be supplied through liquids- shakes during the day when you're awake, and via I.V. when you're in the O.R. and sleeping."

"Doesn't sound too bad," Dale said, "Dr. Roberts, will the school be notified of my absence on this?" "I'll tell them," she replied, "and give the school admin. a note explaining the situation." "Thank you, Dr.," Dale said before the two of them departed.

On the drive back home, Maureen said that she would be willing to tell the others of what's happening. "We usually have some classes together," Dale told her, "Could you contact my teachers and have them put my work assignments together, putting classroom discussions on audio cassette so I can listen in?" "Anything for a friend," Maureen replied.

Both Riverside Cosplay and Sailor Jamboree took the month of May off to improve on their costumes. At Maureen's home, Gina asked where Dale was- so she told them of Dale's treatments. All were surprised to find that Dale not only had to handle the torture of being given more than enough trouble by her classmates, she also had to deal with a weight problem that caused her so much trouble with her heart. "I hope she comes out of this better than what she was before," Roxanne said from her heart, and all of them agreed.

Collette came through the door after dropping off a portable cassette player, textbooks and assignments to Dale. "She's doing much better since when you dropped her at the hospital for admittance," she said, "They already did the first treatment, in and around the chest area, and her heartrate improved dramatically. They're going to work in the abdominal area tomorrow afternoon. And Dr. Roberts says that she is in the best of care."

"I'm glad that she is improving," Roxanne said, "If I ever find out whoever's in on giving Dale the ruining of her life- even if they're athletes- heads will roll."

"Don't worry, Roxanne," Maureen told her, "We're all mad at what's been happening to Dale. But making people understand that she's a person and not a thing is a hard task for anyone."

Meanwhile, Kerri was on a job from the same people who freed Dale. They wanted to find out what Dale's acting habits were... and they were not just talking high school, but even to her gradeschool years. What she found- and reported- made the color of her skin vanish...

Dale's elementary teachers told her that her parents made them keep waivers on record that kept Dale from doing anything in the fine arts except for drawing and the other visual arts. Dale had a fine alto singing voice, but her parents kept her from entering choir- she couldn't even be in band. The only thing they wanted her doing was dramatics... and even then, she was not to be seen or heard.

"Talk about a case of child manipulation," her caseworker said, "Contact your friends in the Cosplay Group- I want Dale to get involved, how is up to you." Nodding her head, she drove back to CosplayGuard Headquarters and reported all to the group assembled.

"The caseworker is right," Chrissy said, "This is a major case of child manipulation. But since she's been freed from her parents' influence, we can help." But a phone call changed all of the situation.

"Dale's parents found out about the treatments," Maureen said, "And they're over-riding the order from the courts to have them ceased! Her caseworker is already enroute- but we have to stop them from taking her out of the hospital!" In the main van, all of the group left for the hospital, meeting the caseworker outside.

"I called up the county judge and had a No Contact Order put together," she said. "Good news, ma'am," Collette said, so they stormed in there just as the party left the elevator to go to the car.

"Dale still isn't 18," her mother said, "We're here to take her to her home, so get out of our way!" "When will you ever learn that she has been emancipated from you," the caseworker said, showing them the document she possessed. "This is a No Contact Order from Judge Sternwise, ordering you to step away from her." "We will not obey that order, legal or not," her father said, trying to ram his way through the wall of friends. But Deputies ran in from the other side and told them to step away from Dale or they will shoot.

Finally, they surrendered and walked past them. But Kerri noticed the rope tied to his wrist and to the wheelchair. Taking out a knife from it's sheath, she severed it... Dale's parents were arrested for violating the child's emancipation. They got her back up to her ward and had her back in bed.

"Thanks for getting me out of that jam," Dale said, then apologized for the use of the word 'jam' to Gina and Chrissy. "It's nothing, Dale," Gina said, "We still know of the meaning you were referring to."

"The cosmetic surgeon wants to try the second session tonight," Dr. Roberts asked Dale. "It will not hurt me," she replied, "Let's get it over with."

In the Operating Room, they saw how a solution of amino acids was injected through a combo Hypodermic Syringe/Suction System, causing the fat to be eaten away and then withdrawn. They were suitably awed. This session took 3 hours to perform because they worked on both sections- the abdomen and back.

In her room, her shakes were fortified with extra protein blocks to rebuild her muscles from the acids working on the fat contained within them, as well as extra calcium. Since she had her period during this time, they were able to use some of her menstrual cycle to synthesize estrogen for rebuilding her female anatomy.

The principals of the schools did release the group to be able to keep watch over Dale- because they didn't want her to fall into the same situation as what just happened and they heard on the morning news. All of both schools started worrying for the one student... even those who were making all of the cruel jokes started wondering how their one classmate is doing. Surprising enough, Dale was concerning not just her friends but everyone in the entire school.

Back at CosplayGuard HQ, the group had a guest with them- Tristen Citrine was a former member of SJ and a leading costume designer. When she heard of what Dale was going through, she got a leave of absence from her place of employment and drove through the night to Maureen's residence.

"I may not be able to help Dale gain an edge to step onto the stage," she told them, "But I do know 2 people that can... Barbie & Kaie" "Of course," Gina said, "How could we forget them. Can we reach them soon enough, though- Dale's going to be getting out of the hospital this Friday with the completion of her rebuilding, and someone needs to be here for when she does. And we all have to depart for Toronto in 2 weeks for Anime North."

"If Maureen wouldn't mind," Chrissy said, "I could stay here and look out for Dale. Tristen can stay with me, and we can keep Dale company during the time of recovery." "I would be more than glad to have you 2 here," Maureen replied.

"Who says anyone has to stay for me," came from Dale's voice- and she stood in the doorway to the Team Room, her suitcase in hand. After hugs from all of them, she sat down and told them what the Dr. said.

"So she even wants you to get on stage during your recovery," Gina said. "Yeah," she replied, "But I don't even want to go. For me, my parents hindered my ability to act a long time ago, as you found out. I can't even role play a decent part because of them."

"Then I will stay here," Kerri said, "Chrissy and Tristen can also stay with me. Together, we will build Dale's confidence to act and role play... and maybe, we can craft some costumes that she can be proud about." "And I can contact Barbie & Kaie about our situation," Tristen said, "and have them over here to help us, even bringing any surplus costumes and URAN members to help our efforts."

TO BE CONTINUED IN THE NEXT CHAPTER...