Regret. That and anger was the only feeling in Johnny Storm's numb body. Six people were dead because he hadn't been fast enough. Six people with six families who were crying their eyes out, mourning the person they'd lost.

As the casket closed and Johnny was numb, absolutely and completely numb. He wore the same dazed and slightly confused expression he'd been wearing for four days. Ever since he received the news that his parents had died. His sister was standing next to him, crying, her tears seemed to echo the raindrops that were falling softly but steadily outside. Her boyfriend was holding her tightly, as if she would break if he let go. Johnny felt one tear roll down his cheek, and felt his mask crack. Suddenly he was sobbing and his sister held him as they watched the caskets carefully lowered into the ground.

He closed his eyes and began to breathe deeply, anything to get away from that memory. When he got his feelings under control he looked at his team, utterly at a loss for words. Predictably the first thing out of his sister's mouth was reassurance that there was nothing he could have done.

"Johnny, don't beat yourself up over this. It wasn't your fault, there was nothing…"

"DON'T tell me there was nothing I could do. It was my own damn fault because I wasn't fast enough to save them! It IS my fault!" he retorted before she finish.

"I'm going to for a walk," he mumbled in the awkward silence that followed his outburst.

"Johnny, I don't think…"

"Reed. Leave me alone." With one final glare Johnny marched out.

He woke up dazed, out-of-it and mostly hung-over. He looked over and didn't recognize the girl lying next to him. Looking around he found he also didn't recognize the room he was in. "Oh shit " he thought. He got up carefully so not to wake the sleeping girl. If she woke up there would be complications and he didn't need any at the moment. He pulled on his pants and practically ran out the room and across campus to his own dorm, where the light on the message machine was blinking rapidly. He pushed play and heard his sister, Sue's, voice,

"Johnny…. you need to come home. Now. Mom and Dad…Just come home Johnny." He could hear the tears in her throat as she talked for those brief nine seconds.

He had to escape. He had to leave. What happened today was never going to happen again, he couldn't bear it if anyone else died because he wasn't able to use hi powers. He made up his mind. Without a suitcase or any of his belongings he cried "Flame On!" and flew all the way to Alabama. The first thing he needed to do was find a pay phone. He called his former home and was thankful when Ben answered.

"Ben? It's Johnny. Look I just called to say I'm alright but I need some time. Maybe a lot of time….."

"Kid, you get your butt back here right this second. Susie's out of her mind, worried about you. "

"Just tell her I'm okay and not to come looking, alright?"

"Johnny…" he hung up. Ben had gotten the message. Next order of business, find a place to stay. Hotels were out since he had no money and sleeping under a bridge didn't sound very appealing either.

"Johnny Storm…" the voice had a sarcastic edge to it and a hint of disbelief, he obviously wasn't expected. He turned around hoping it was some fan of his who would be only too glad to let him sleep on their couch.

His hope was dashed when he saw the woman the voice belonged to, Krista Andrews. He and Krista had gone out a couple times during the six months he went to college. It hadn't ended well.

"Krista?" was all he could think to say.

"In the flesh. Say what's a pretty boy like you doing down in this backwater town."

"Looking for a place to stay at the moment. Got any ideas. Maybe we could take a walk down memory lane. I don't know if you've heard but I'm kind of a celebrity now. Even 'hotter' than I used to be, if you know what I mean." He said with a wink, gaining back some of his normal, cocky attitude. Maybe she'd take pity on him.

"Oh stop it! I'm married for pity's sake." She exclaimed in exasperation, holding up her left hand.

"If you need a place to stay for a couple nights our couch is open, but you have to be on your best behavior. I mean it Johnny, one wrong move and you're out!" She continued

"Fine…fine I'll be good." Score for Johnny. He had a place to stay and now all he had to do was find a job.