Hello again to those who have read my first F4 Story=) this is the sequel. I know I promised it a long time ago, and I did write it a long time ago, I've just been busy with other things and another story… but I re-read my F4 story and decided to do the sequel. I just miss writing about Johnny and Amara=) so here it is. Titled after "How You Remind Me" by Nickelback. And though I don't normally give names to chapters, in this story I'll try to do that. And yes, the story was inspired by 'I'll Be There' by Pinkchick. Great story, btw!
A Heart Worth Breaking
Amara entered an empty laboratory in Baxter and turned the lights on. After putting on a white gown she checked the watches. 5 am. Even Reed is asleep.
The girl came up to her working table and opened one of the boxes on it, taking out a test tube rest with test tubes filled with different color liquids. She carefully placed it on the desk and took a deep breath.
Hope it will go better than it was yesterday.
Yesterday was the first day of independent testing of a medicine both Amara and Reed were working on for almost half a year. The one that will be able to cure genetic deceases, it was based on that combination that cured Amara herself months ago.
When Amara and Reed tested the girl's vitals back then they were both amazed. They thought it was impossible, Amara should have been dead according to all laws of genetic, and that's when they saw a possibility of using that formula on others. Reed said it was the reason he launched the space trip years ago, that turned four people into superheroes, saving human lives. That time it didn't work out exactly like he imagined, but this time Reed was going to make a hundred and ten percent of it.
Amara never hesitated to join him. Her main aim was finding a cure for ichthyosis.
Amara turned on the computer and took a liquid from one of the tubes with a pipe, then carefully placed it on the instrument glass of the strongest microscope they had in the lab. She needed to check the formula again, even though she already knew it by heart. Just to make sure. Yesterday other scientists weren't that impressed.
That's just because they haven't started real tests yet.
The girl was adjusting the lenses when a male voice interfered.
"I could never think anyone will be in this lab earlier than me."
Amara smiled a little and didn't even look back. It was Reed, she could now distinguish his voice from anyone else's, considering how much time they've spent in the lab together.
"Haven't you gotten used to it yet?" she huffed.
"Still in process. Everything's okay in here?"
"Looks like it. Those guys have to like it."
"Well, let's hope," Reed put a gown on too and turned on other computers.
"If they won't I'll kick their asses," Amara finally contented herself with the focus and bent down to the microscope.
Reed huffed and took another test tube from the rest.
"Check samples 7 through 10, I'll deal with the rest," Amara understood Reed's intentions.
"Got it."
They both became silent.
Amara was enjoying being in the lab with Reed. Doing what was important for her. she enjoyed talking to Reed as well, because all they were talking about was their project. While everything that others wanted to talk to her about seemed to be Johnny.
First days after Amara's miraculous recover were a fairy tale, they spent most of it in each other arms, making up for the days Amara was absent. And when Amara told Johnny she and Reed will be working on a medicine together the guy joked that it's "Storms' fate" to fall in love with geeks, though his 'beloved geek' is hotter. But when Amara and Reed started to practically spend nights in the lab, Johnny's attitude changed.
When he told her that he's missing her for the first time, Amara gave him the most passionate kiss she could and promised that all that work was not for long. Then she mildly escaped Johnny's arms and rushed to the lab.
After about couple of months, when even Ben noticed that 'Matchstick is about to break', Amara followed Ben's advise and agreed to put the work on hold and go out with Johnny. She has never been a fan of such things but decided it won't kill her. She was so wrong.
First, the dress. It was too short, too tight and too open for her liking. And even Sue's promises that she looks amazing and the adoration in Johnny's eyes didn't prove her the opposite. Johnny immediately slid his arm around her waist, saying he will burn anyone who tries to hit on her.
But with all those guys Amara eventually had to deal herself, because in about half an hour after their arrival at the club Johnny was already on the dance floor. He asked Amara to join him but that she rejected firmly, knowing it's definitely not her cup of tea.
The other thing was the girls. The way they stared at her made Amara long for the times she could throw cold water on them all, not that she normally was missing her powers much. And the way those girls were looking at Johnny… now that made Amara want to throw boiling water on them. That was the feeling of jealousy, for the first time in her life Amara was experiencing it, and the feeling didn't make the night any better. But she had to give it to Johnny, he wasn't drinking. Turned out that promise he gave after the night Amara left for the NGA with Max wasn't just words.
That night made Amara think of how different she and Johnny were. Not that she never thought about that before, but now it was not that he was a famous superhero and she was a dying product of genetic experiments with no friends or family, she realized that even when she's healthy and not alone anymore, there still are worlds between them.
"Mine is all clear," Reed spoke finally.
"Mine too," Amara nodded and yawned involuntarily.
"How long have you been sleeping?" Reed looked at her with concern.
"Um… "
"You need coffee," Reed shook his head.
"Yeah, I guess. You want some?"
"No, I'm good."
Amara headed towards the kitchen, thoughts swirling around what she and Reed were about to do today.
"I'm scared, Sue."
Johnny's voice interfered in Amara's thoughts. She frowned and looked around, trying to figure where his voice was coming from, and then realized she was standing near the kitchen doors and the voice was coming from there.
"Johnny, I'm sure it's not that bad," Sue's calm voice replied.
Amara frowned and stepped closer to the doors, still unnoticed by the siblings.
What are they talking about? What could Johnny be scared of?
"Sue, it is," Johnny's voice sounded frustrated and tired. "It's like she doesn't want to be with me! spend time with me!"
"She's just been busy with Reed in the lab, that's all."
"Sue, I still don't get it. Reed cured Amara with that chemical combination, right? Why can't they just take it and use on other people?"
"Johnny, it's not like that. Her ichthyosis was cured in NGA by scientists, they have been treating Amara to cure her for almost two years, and the ways they were using… trust me, no one will be able to handle that."
"And why she could?"
"In her profile it is stated that in the beginning they blocked all her sensors; that is why they were able to do what they did. And the extraction that Reed got from that substance from Mariana Trench – it's a raw material. It fixed Amara's DNA when it was destructing her from the inside, so it apparently has some effects on genes… but we don't know which effect exactly. So they still need to research…"
Amara heard Johnny sigh.
"Johnny, she's just tired," it was Susan again.
"Yeah, and she sends me out because of that?"
"What'd you mean 'sent you out'?"
Sue's voice was soft like she was trying to reason her younger brother and calm him down.
"She tells me to go out with my friends! 'Have some fun'!"
Even though Amara couldn't see Johnny she was sure he had a grimace of pain on his face while saying those last words.
"I'm sure she just doesn't want you to be bored staying in here all the time while she's in the lab. Johnny," Susan sighed, "I understand how you feel, trust me, I do. I am scared sometimes too that Reed doesn't love me anymore because he is always in the lab and not with me."
"I thought you're over that already?"
"You can't just switch it off. I really want to blow up that stupid lab just to see Reed more often."
"Sounds like a plan," Johnny huffed bitterly. "Want me to help you?"
Sue huffed too, just softer.
"I would never do that. First, there's no use, Reed will build another laboratory. And second, I wouldn't do that because I love Reed. If he's happy doing all those researches, trying to save the world, then I'm happy too. And what Reed and Amara are doing in there is really important, for both of them, and for all mankind. I would never try to stop them just because I miss Reed and I'm sure you wouldn't as well just for the same reason."
"For the same reason? Hey, I don't love Reed!" Johnny chuckled and Sue giggled.
"Now that's my little brother! Are you hungry?"
"No, Sue… sometimes I think all that's happening around is for another reason," Johnny's voice was serious again.
"What reason?"
"That's fair, Sue. You know me, I've never been the caring and loving type, I've hurt people… well… okay, girls… just because… well, because I was me. and now the girl I care about doesn't feel the same towards me. that's fair…"
"Johnny, you're wrong…"
"No Sue, I'm right. It's that I worth it. Worth being treated like that. I deserved it. guess I've broken so many hearts that my heart now worth breaking."
"Johnny…" Sue's voice cracked.
"Good morning, Mrs. Thomas! Mr. Tukholsky!" Amara heard Reed's loud voice from the entrance and only then realized she has been sitting on the floor near the kitchen, hiding her face in hands.
The experts! They're here!
The girl jumped on her feet and ran towards the lab.
O-o-O-o-O-o-O-o-O
"Well, that was better than yesterday," Reed shook his head, uploading test tubes into the refrigerator.
"Yeah, I didn't even have to kick them," Amara huffed. She was sitting on the stool, looking at the monitor before her. "But if we don't find a way to stabilize the sample five…"
"We will figure it out, I'm sure," the man looked at her, but Amara just raised her eyebrow ironically.
"Hello geniuses," Sue's voice came from the entrance. "May I congratulate you?"
"Everything went good today," Reed came to his wife and hugged her.
"Well, it could've been better," Amara shook her head. "We still have a lot of work."
"But you also have a right to take a break," Sue smiled, "and eat. Come on, everyone's here, even Ben and Alicia. We have a very special lasagna tonight."
"Sounds good," Reed nodded. "Amara, come on, we really need a break."
"I would never think I'll hear something like that coming from Reed Richards," Amara huffed but still stood up.
"Me neither, actually," Sue looked at her husband surprised.
"Sue, are you sure you're okay in here? Maybe, you should go to the hospital? The delivery is days away and you still act like you're not even pregnant," Amara asked on their way to the kitchen.
It was true, Susan was bearing a child unexpectedly easy, she never experienced toxicosis and her face color was as fresh as ever, not even speaking of the fact she was still taking care of all them, just as usual, and still found time to buy millions of things for the future baby.
"I'm fine, Amara, honestly. I don't want to leave home for a place like hospital, thank you very much," Susan huffed.
"Here you are, Egghead, sometimes I forget how you look, to be honest," Ben exclaimed when they entered the kitchen. "Sue, we were about to start betting whether you bring him here or not."
"Hey, I'm not hopeless!" Reed looked at Ben, "by the way it was Amara who took longer to persuade!"
Amara took a look at Johnny's face and saw he looked up at them at these words, though before he was staring at the table. The expression of injury recalled in her head the talk she'd heard before.
The girl didn't say a word and took her usual spot at the table; that was right beside Johnny.
"Want a salad?" the guy asked, not looking at her.
Amara noticed he was trying to sound like everything's okay and that's not their first talk in almost twenty hours.
"Yes, thank you," Amara handed Johnny her plate. "How was your day?"
"Fine… it was… fine," he still wasn't looking at her and Amara bit her lip. She really didn't know what to do or to say now.
"Sue, the lasagna is amazing!" Alicia exclaimed.
"Oh, that's Storms' lasagna," Susan smiled. "The main secret is that you have to make extraction before cooking. That's easy, you just…"
"What… extraction?" Amara interrupted. An idea popped in her head and she put down a fork. "extraction… Reed! That could be a way to stabilize that sample!" she exclaimed.
"You mean… right!" Reed's eyes widened. "Amara, you're… you're a genius!" he put down the fork and literally jumped on his feet.
"Okay, we should estimate the capacity of the moderator..." Amara stood up and swiftly headed towards the doors. "Oh, thanks, Sue, the lasagna was amazing!" she threw a swift smile on Susan.
"Oh… thanks… Johnny was cooking too…" Sue answered confused. Well, they all looked a bit confused and out of scene, except Reed and Amara.
Johnny? Cooking? Amara frowned in disbelief and wanted to ask Sue about that, but noticed Reed was already feet ahead and started to run.
O-o-O-o-O-o-O-o-O
Amara entered the room and put a finger on the switch but then swiftly took it away. It was 3 am and she could distinguish contours of Johnny's body on the bed. She carefully tiptoed towards the shower room and closed the door silently.
O-o-O-o-O-o-O-o-O
"Hey, now you are here first," the girl huffed when saw Reed stretching towards the shelf almost under the ceiling of the lab.
"Morning. Can't wait for those scientists to come over, honestly," Reed regained his usual body structure. "Excited as never."
"Me too," Amara sat down into her chair.
"Hey," the scientist looked at her attentively. "Did you even sleep tonight? You look tired. Tired like hell actually. You okay?"
"Uh… yeah I am. Just really tired, you're right," she rubbed her temples.
"Now I got it when Sue tells me it hurts seeing a scientist dying on his workplace," Reed shook his head. "Amara, I can handle this alone today, go to sleep. look, I'll go call Johnny and he'll…"
"No!" Amara jerked her head up. "No, I'll stay here, I don't need sleep. We need to get this over with quickly. And then I promise… " she yawned and smiled lightly. "I promise I'll sleep. a lot. And besides," the girl added, "I won't let you handle this alone because today we will be testing the sample that is supposed to cure ichthyosis. And that is the most important to me."
"Okay, I understand. Do we still have time?"
"Yeah, about half an hour."
"Good. So which sample you will present them? As the one most suitable for ichthyosis?"
"Seventeenth. I thought we agreed on that?" Amara raised her eyebrow.
"Seventeenth? No, wait… I have doubts about its impact on motor functions…"
"Reed, we've checked that, and we found nothing wrong…" Amara shook her head.
"In theory. But you know since about four years ago I was mistaken while estimating in theory, I prefer to double check all information."
"Uh-uh. You continue like that and we will never finish this thing," the girl huffed.
"Amara, I have already told you we need to be patient and prudent," Reed started but Amara interfered.
"Reed, I can't be patient and prudent when I think of kids who suffer from that awful thing," she snapped. "And the reason I will today present this sample is that it has the fastest effect among all samples we've got."
"And that bothers me as well…"
"Reed stop that! I know what I'm doing, okay? Yes, I didn't attend MIT or whatever you attended and never got any scientific degree, but I know more about ichthyosis and curing it then you do, so just please let me do what I think is best."
Reed sighed and shook his head.
"Just don't do anything stupid, okay?" he looked at the girl.
"I won't," she nodded.
"Here you go, Dr. Richards and Miss Pierce are waiting…" Johnny's voice came from the doors.
Amara swiftly turned her head and saw Johnny accompanied by the group of scientists.
"Thank you. Mr. Storm, for escorting us," Ralph Tukholsky, the head of the group, turned to the guy.
"You are welcome," Johnny nodded politely.
"Will you stay with us during the tests?" Caroline Thomas, his deputy, looked at Johnny as well. Amara could sense seduction in her voice.
Bitch, you're married! And you are almost fifty! The girl swallowed. Calm down, Amara, just calm down. Wanting to kill her won't help you.
"No, unfortunately, I can't," Johnny smiled to the woman. Caroline started to smile even wider.
Amara swallowed again. He was good at talking to people, that she you can't take away from him.
"Besides, I don't think I will understand what is going on here," the guy finished.
"I could explain you," Mrs. Thomas continued.
Amara clenched her fists involuntarily and looked at it in surprise.
Good thing I don't have my powers. Screw those emotions. And that bitch.
"Mrs. Thomas, if you don't mind, we would like to start with tests," Reed interfered.
"Yes, and I have to leave you now," Johnny repeated. "Good luck to all of you," he added but looked only at Amara.
She gave him a small smile and he left. The girl felt someone's gaze on her skin and turned her head to see Caroline Thomas looking at her with frustration.
Amara look a deep breath and headed towards the biggest screen.
O-o-O-o-O-o-O-o-O
"I will kill that bitch!" Amara yelled.
"Amara, calm down, we will…"
"Kill her!" the girl repeated.
She was pacing the floor in the lab breathing heavily. The experts left minutes ago and Amara could only hold herself back until Reed, who was escorting the group to the entrance, came back.
"Mrs. Thomas only said that we will need to make more tests to be sure that…" Reed tried to reason the girl.
"I am sure!" she snapped. "I have been working specifically on the formula that will cure ichthyosis and now that bitch tells me I'm wrong!"
"She wasn't telling you you're wrong, she was…"
"You're defending her?" Amara's eyes narrowed.
Reed was taken aback. He raised his hands.
"Look, what we have to do is simply run more tests in our computer, then if we prove… I mean, when we prove we have the right formula that is safe, we will start tests on volunteers…"
"Reed, that will take time! I am sure that sample seventeen is the medicine we are looking for, completely hazardless to all diseased people, regardless of the fact whether they were treated before or not!"
"Amara, if you are sure, then all we have to do is just prove it to them, that's all. And we will do it, trust me," Reed replied firmly. "And now go to sleep."
"I… I wanted to stay here to…"
"No!" Reed's voice went louder. "You are going to sleep! now!"
"Okay, okay…" the girl made a face. "On my way."
"I'm coming with you," Reed took his lab gown off. "We both need some rest."
Amara followed Reed into the living room where they found Sue, Johnny, Ben and Alicia.
"Wow, Egghead, what happened? Atomic explosion in your lab? I can't think of anything else that could force you out of it," Ben huffed.
"Johnny, I need you to take Amara into your room and make sure she stays in there and not goes into the lab until tomorrow," Reed looked at his brother-in-law.
Amara made a face and Johnny stood up from the couch he's been sitting on.
"If I could I would keep you away from that lab forever," Johnny huffed and looked at Amara. She smiled tiredly.
"So are those experts a big deal?" Johnny asked Amara when they were in bed.
"Huge deal," the girl murmured curling up under the blanket next to Johnny. The guy huffed and stroked the back of her neck lightly. "You remind me of a cat when you do like that," he added.
Amara huffed too.
"Everything goes okay so far?" Johnny asked.
"Mhm… let's sleep, okay?"
"Sleep well."
O-o-O-o-O-o-O-o-O
Amara opened her eyes and looked at alarm clock on her bedside. 3.01 am.
She carefully stood up, making sure Johnny is asleep, and left the room.
Reed told me not to come here until tomorrow… well technically this 'tomorrow' is today.
The girl turned on the lights in the laboratory and walked towards her table.
Good thing the lab is so huge Reed never knows all that's in here.
Amara opened on of the boxes and took a close test tube from the holder.
"I am sure," she murmured and took a syringe. Then she filled it with the liquid from the tube and took a deep breath. "I am sure," she repeated and injected the liquid into the vein in her left hand.
