Disclaimer: I don't own or pretend to own anything relating to Fantastic Four, the characters, or the actors. (Sigh) But I do own my plot and my own characters . . . so please respect my territory. :)
Chapter Two
Taxi
Chapter Quote: "Which just goes to show that after all this time, Johnny Storm hasn't changed... and neither have I."
I hadn't wanted or expected to see him... but I had. I mean... how could you not see him? How could you not notice Johnny Storm? With the faces of his super-hero group staring out at you from billboards, buses, supermarkets, and news broadcasts? I had spied Johnny's face plastered on nearly every tabloid in the country since he'd made his debut as a member of the Fantastic Four... and a leading reputation as a ladies man. So sure, I had seen him. I just hadn't expected to see him like this... in person.
Again, I hadn't wanted to. But there he was, strolling down the street with shades on, leather jacket, and the arrogant swagger I guessed fame and fortune had not remedied, even after all these years. I hadn't wanted to see him... but I did. And he saw me.
It took him a moment or two and I saw the barest flicker of recognition pass over his face. But I didn't want him to see me. I wasn't the same girl that I used to be... and he just didn't know me anymore. So I looked away, signaled for a cab. And that was how I saw Johnny Storm for the first time in eight years. Johnny Storm, super-hero, a man for fast cars and hot women. Johnny Storm... the man who had broken my heart.
But I was just another face in the crowd... just one more person walking the choked streets of Manhattan. He'd never remember me, would never recollect the moment his eyes had locked onto mine. He'd go about his life and I mine.
Which just goes to show that after all these years, Johnny Storm hasn't changed... and neither have I.
I hadn't lived long in Manhattan... I guess you could call me a country girl. I had moved here a month or so ago... on business. I didn't plan to stay long. I hadn't realized that Johnny would be here. I mean... it was impossible not to know what the Fantastic Four was up to these days... everyone across the world knew about them. It would have been naive to say I hadn't realized they'd be living in New York... because I had. But I had tried for the longest time to avoid reading or learning anything about them... so in that respect I hadn't figured that when I got my apartment, the Baxter Building was only a few blocks away from my temporary 'home'.
I'd never even dreamed that I'd end up seeing Johnny walking the streets of New York... it was a big city after all.
I dreaded leaving my apartment that next day, and I lingered a while, taking my time pulling on my dark, navy jeans, camouflage top and denim jacket. I swept my auburn hair back into a simple ponytail, bypassing makeup altogether. I didn't like to stand out... I just wanted to be me.
My apartment was plain...two rooms: bedroom, living room/kitchen. All the walls were a military white-wash and all I had brought with me from home was a small couch, a table, and some clothes. The room I had bought sparsely furnished. Sometimes it felt like a cell in here... but it was on one of the top floors so if I was feeling all right I could climb up to the roof and look out over the city. I hated the uniformity of it all... the buildings, cars, and people. But it was quite a sight up there... and a reminder that I wouldn't be stuck here forever. The table had been built by my father, barely four feet in height. It served as my desk as I hadn't brought my own and didn't feel like buying one- expenses ran a little high for me these days. I had carved my name into one of the polished, wooden legs when I was eight. I smiled reminiscently as I recollected my home and my family. I couldn't wait to go back to them.
I didn't eat... I wasn't hungry. I grabbed my shoulder bag, my life line which encased about five black marble notebooks- all filled with different stories from different corners of my imagination. I'm a writer... I write, or try to write, novels. When I'm hard on cash I do some freelancing for small-time magazines or newspapers. It usually isn't too hard to get a job, I'm pretty good at what I do.
I'm twenty-six. I guess I hadn't mentioned that before... I knew Johnny Storm before his days of fame and fortune... way before he had even decided to leave our small town for space with his sister, Susan.
I locked my door behind me, moved towards the stairs, and hesitated when I felt the familiar, though unwelcome, pain in my right knee. I sighed. Backtracking, I took the elevator down from my floor- which didn't take too long. I stepped out into the lobby and said good morning to Ms. Collins, the receptionist who was old enough to be my grandmother. I didn't really know her, but it was hard not to notice her fancy power suits and the Great Dane she somehow managed to keep at her side on a 24 hour basis.
I was polite... always tried to be polite. There is nothing worse in this world besides snotty reporters- I would know. I had an doctor's appointment this morning and an article deadline that I had to drop off on my way back home. It was going to be a long, though normal, day- similar to the ones I'd been having ever since I came to the city. Well, all I could say about it was, that I wouldn't be staying here any longer then I had too.
I decided against a cab and started walking my ten block journey to my destination. Merging with a crowd... I do it all the time. It's when you try to stand out that life becomes more difficult.
I liked simplicity... the city was my opposite. My mortal enemy... my Sauron... or my Jadis- but that's letting my imagination run away with me. I did hate it here though... I was alone. I should get chocolate today... it might brighten my mood...
But who am I kidding? The simple fact is: I hate Mondays.
My appointment didn't go well. I'm sure doctor's always have the best of intentions... but now my knee is killing me. I stood along the road, trying to hail a taxi. Unfortunately, this is not a task that I am accustomed to as of yet. I was getting better... but right now I was in no state of mind to figure out how to accomplish this rationally. I can't even whistle- so that didn't work. I tried waving to them as they passed... that didn't work either.
My knee was starting to send bolts of pain up my leg and I felt old fears surface as tears sprung in my eyes. I hate this! One after another they passed... mocking me. My bag was tugging at my shoulder now, biting into my skin. I stopped, wiping tears of frustration and pain from my eyes. I heard someone behind me suddenly whistle and shout 'Taxi!'
And then it happened... one miraculously slowed down and started to pull away from traffic towards me. I stared in stunned amazement, unable for a moment to give my thanks to my rescuer.
"They're a pain... taxis. But whistling usually works."
I stiffened, oh God no... I knew that voice, I'd know it from anywhere. Still holding the obnoxious-trying-to-be-charming tone, still sounding as if he owned the world.
"Don't you know how to whistle?" He persisted, seemingly unaware that I hadn't even turned to look at him yet. I couldn't ignore him forever... however much I'd like to. Please don't recognize me. I begged silently as I turned to face my rescuer. Yes... I had known it. Though I had wished with all my heart that it wasn't.
But there he was, the cocky smile and the flashing blue eyes, and an expression on his face that radiated the impression that he was the most appealing guy on the planet. I saw something flicker in his eyes, a spark of recognition and a wave of dread passed over me, leaving me nearly breathless.
"Jo?" He asked in amazement. "Jo Marie James?"
I realized them how much I had really dreaded this moment then as I felt my insides quiver when he said my name. I smiled weakly, whispering: "Hello Johnny."
A/N: And here's chapter two and you all have finally been introduced to the mysterious Jo (Josephine) Marie James. I won't reveal anything... but I do hope anyone who decides to follow this fic enjoys it in the end:)
I want to thank especially the first four reviews I had for this story, sd freek, Raven Blacksnow, Someone, and AlwaysgonnabeDoylesgirl. You all made my day with your supportive reviews and only made me more excited about posting this chapter... I do hope the rest of the story doesn't disappoint:) Thanks again to any and all who had read or reviewed this story and thanks to my wonderful beta reader, Kiann.
Till next we meet:)
TO BE CONTINUED...
