Bronwen scuttled about her room, gently placing folded outfits into a small black suitcase. The phone suddenly rang, causing her to jump slightly in alarm. Smiling, while sighing to herself with relief, she picked up the black portable phone off the top of her tall rich brown bureau. Pressing the 'talk' button, she smiled sweetly, and opened her soft lips to speak.
"The Richards' residence, how may I help you?" Opening a drawer, she took out a crimson long sleeved v-neck. "Reed! Hey! So, how was business with Von Doom? Did we get it?"
"Yup, we got it." The voice on the other side of the line said.
"You don't seem too thrilled about the prospect. What's the matter?"
"Well…to be frank, he did accept, but to a couple conditions."
"I don't like the sound of that Reed. What conditions?"
"One, that he get 25 of what our mission might bring-""That is so like Viktor, constantly wanting more and more! When will he learn that he cannot have anything." Bronwen groaned, throwing a pair of socks into her suitcase. "Does he honestly think that this will bring him closer to God. For thousands of years, men have strived to accomplish the such, and yet, none succeeded. Look at the Tower of Babel!"
"Yes, but if everyone were as smart and logical as you, where would all our entertainment and human evolution come from. People learn from their mistakes Bronny."
"Not if they keep repeating them!" Sighing again, she sat down on her bed, digging her navy blue toenails into her wine red carpet. "What else is going on that I should be aware of?"
"You remember Sue, right?""How could I forget your ever famous and longest relationship that ended in a total fiasco! Sarcasm aside, what does she have to do with this?"
"Since she's head of the Genetic department in Viktor's company, she'll be accompanying us on our mission. I'll be one scientist there besides yourself and Viktor-"
"Uh huh."
"Ben will be co-pilot, and he'll help us with our usual experiments, then there's Johnny Storm. You know who-"
"Yes, the underwear model."
"He's piloting our space craft."
"So now you guys are all intent on killing me?" Bronwen asked, quirking an eyebrow in amusement.
"Come now, he can't be that bad!""You do realize that we are talking about the same 'child', who crashed a flying simulator into a wall."
"Everyone can make mistakes, right?""Reed…it was a flying simulator."
"So Ben's told you?""No, it's more like, I was there when it actually happened. How is Ben taking this by the way?"
"Not too bad. Says he won't do it though."
"Le'me speak with him, and you'll have a co-pilot in no time." She smiled, zipping her suitcase closed.
"So what is my younger sibling doing?"
"Oh, nothing much. Just putting the finishing touches on my suitcase." Smile becoming wider, she pulled the black bag out of her room and into the main hall. "You see, I had a feeling that our business request was going to be accepted, so I decided to get a head start." Standing in the middle of the Richards' apartment she nodded, taking in every detail. "I do admit, I never thought this place would grow on me, with it's unfinished inventions, machines, papers, and tools lying around everywhere. Being in space for a bit seems like a long time. So, I'll see you later! Love you, bye!" Pressing the end button, she ran back into her room to place the phone back onto its cradle. Yup, a couple of weeks in space…that's a long time.
Fidgeting within the elevator, she stared up at the glowing numbers. She had been the first person to arrive at the facility before the launching of the space craft. Looking into the metal elevator doors, she peered at herself carefully. Powdered purple v-neck t-shirt had been tucked into a pair of neatly pressed blue jeans. A pair of white running shoes adorned her feet whereas a pearl necklace and matching earrings decorated the upper half of her body. Her deep brown hair which nearly shone black in the light, had been pulled up by a clip to sit prettily on the back of her head. She looked alright her mind reasoned. Why was she being to skittish about this encounter? It's not like she was going to meet the Queen, or anyone else famous.
The metallic doors opened, and there in front of her sat Johnny Storm. Tall, muscular, gorgeous, dreamy… her long index finger went for the 'close' button, when Ben Grimm stepped in front of her field of vision, scooping her up into a big bear hug.
"Hey pumpkin!" he grinned into her neck, taking in her smell. Then, setting her down before him, he took her dainty hands in his, and looked down at her. "Have you been eating properly, you look thinner than the last time we spoke?"
"Which happened to be four weeks ago before I left for Venezuela on a business trip concerning the human gnome research. I suppose I have lost some weight, I mean, you need to watch what you eat down south, cause you never know what may give you infectious diseases. Most of the people down there don't even have drinkable water! It reminded me so much of my last trip to South Africa. Certain living conditions are unimaginable. And the children Ben! Most of them die so young because of HIV."
"Ahh Bronny! If most people were like you, and were aware of the things going on in the world, maybe those poor people would not be suffering they way they are today."
"But that's the thing Ben! Many people know about it, and say to themselves that someone should do something about it, but then they don't do a thing. No one does. Everyone prefers to sit in front of their television sets with their perfect families, in their perfect homes discussing things like who will win the Silver Cup. That's the Paradox of Modern Civilization." Rubbing her shoulder affectionately, he smiled painfully, and gave her a push towards a pile of clothes.
"For you. Custom designed by the scientists of Von Doom's labs." Picking them up, her sky blue eyes widened in amazement.
"That's what Reed and I have been trying to come up with! The perfect chemical combination for specialized suits that can keep you warm, and keep you safe from harms way in space."
"That's exactly what your brother said." A cocky voice smiled, as Johnny came to stand next to her. "Except he was dressed more for his age."
"Always such a charmer I see." Bronwen arched an eyebrow, grabbing her specialized suits, and walking into a changing booth.
"Wouldn't change a thing for you." His voice sounded from the other side of the door. Smiling wistfully, she slipped an arm into a sleeve. What a flirt! Did he honestly think she would succumb to his looks so easily like every other member of the female population? "So how's your schedule?"
"Oh, full as always with all the meetings I have due to a little something I like to call a stable work, unlike others who spend their time chasing dreams that cannot possibly happen in our modern society. You should try it sometime, you never know, perhaps a good job is all you need." No response. "Then there is also a couple of small reveries that may be accomplished on the side of a stable job, like having a child." Biting down on her lower lip, she waited for a response.
"A child?" Opening the door, Bronwen stepped out, pulling down her sleeves at her wrists to adjust the spandex material. "Well…you seem to have recovered from any type of…pregnancy?"
"I didn't give birth…I adopted a little boy from an African village. Turns out he is half African because of his mother, and half Spanish because of his father. Story goes is that his father was just passing by when he met this African woman for whom he feel deeply in love with, and who, by chance felt the same way for him. Unfortunately, he died in a car accident, and she died after she gave birth to this little bundle of joy."
"You really are something. Is it possible that those two people who shared such an incredible love, be present today in two people's beings?" Bending in closer, he came to a halt when his cell phone went off. Backing away, he picked it up. "Sorry, I need to take this call. Hello? Claudia! How've you been angel cake? I've missed you more!"
Bronwen rolled her eyes and walked off. The nerve! How dare he! How- wait… had she just fallen for another one of his evil conniving schemes to get more women? Well, she was not going to back down and let him walk all over her! She would have to fight back with this stupid yet gorgeous vain attention loving underwear model.
Space is a nice place, Bronwen thought, as she removed a couple of items from her suitcase. Running a finger down a calendar she nodded, it had taken a couple of weeks to get there, but they had finally arrived at the station floating around in space. The spaceship ride had been alright, besides Ben and Johnny's constant arguing, the cold friction between Sue and Reed, and finally the gloating of Viktor Von Doom. When not together, Reed and Susan were amazing people, and extremely kind. Why their relationship had not lasted was not only a disappointment to her, but to Ben as well. So their mission was: to bring them back together. Ben had also teased her about her infatuation for the hot head. She had tried denying it, but he read her like an open book. When she had finally given in and asked how long had he known, his answer was quite simple, since always.
So she loved Johnny, the only problem was, he didn't. He never loved, he only liked, or was attracted to a woman due to her looks. If the woman was drop dead gorgeous, she was sure to be his next main course. Put Bronwen next to any of these women, let's just say she would never stand a chance. She had indeed loved him since the first time she saw him, but after that…she was nothing but Reed Richards' sister, the infamous 'nerd'. She still recalled the names people gave her at school. Personally, she never saw anything wrong with what she wore.
Sitting down at a desk near certain specimens of flowers they had brought from Earth for testing, she mulled over various points. Johnny had been married before to a good friend of hers, a former motor cross champion throughout the U.S. who had recently retired for a good year due to an injury that could have cost her a leg. Although her injury, Bronwen knew that the minute the doctor gave word that she was allowed to drive a car again, it would be straight back to the motor cross ring. This is the type of girl that appealed to him, this is the type of girl he would decide to marry. Would she have to become that type of girl in order to appeal to his interest, in order to be noticed?
Looking up from her desk, she saw him talking to Ben over the intercom, probably spitting him again. That's all those two did, although, Bronwen thought it was deep down inside, nothing but pure loving affection between teacher and student…well, ex-student anyways. Turning to look at her, he smiled, and walked over.
"So, Bronze, how's the research coming along?" he asked, leaning against her drafting desk. Smiling at another nickname given to her, she shrugged.
"Not bad, just finishing analyzing the before state of this flower."
"You like flowers?" Raising an eyebrow, she peered up at him from her black framed glasses.
"Not really. Except for vanilla orchids, and lilies. Why?"
"They suit you."
"Excuse me?"
"The vanilla orchids and the lilies. The orchids because of their wonderful smell, and the lilies because of their elegance. Both are also very beautiful and delicate flowers, just like yourself." Blushing, she lowered her gaze to the charts and drawings in front of her.
"Thank you for you compliments. They will not go unnoticed." Taking her hand, he lifted it up to his lips, and placed a lingering kiss on the back of her hand.
"I hope they won't." Winking, she went back to stand next to the door, awaiting Ben. Bronwen clutched her hand to her heart, blushing like a little schoolgirl. Just when she was about to say something, Reed burst in, speaking quickly about how the storm had been miscalculated, and was going to hit any minute.
Running to the closed door, Bronwen placed her hand upon the door. Praying she felt her world crumble around her, as though everything was coming to an end. Then came the bright light, the rush of adrenaline, Ben jumping, and her world descending into darkness.
Hehehe! So here it is, my first chappie, so go easy on moi! I am very delicate of spirit...laughs So I suppose this is where I say that I do not own Fantastic Four, that Marvel does, except for Brownwen Richards, and perhaps a few other characters in the future. I do apologize if there are any mistakes, but it is late at night, roughly 1h01 in the morning, so I'm off to bed! Good night!
Adar