AN: Still don't own any rights to anything Marvel wise. They won't accept sandwiches; they say they're 'not a technical form of currency'. Ha. Obviously, they do not understand the ways of women. I do, however, own Robyn and the changes she makes.

Chapter 3:

There was a slight pause, an air of tension in the room mounting steadily. I stood there a little awkwardly, making faces to myself, whilst Reed stared at this "Susan" for a moment. Ben smiled a little as he looked between the two of them. She was certainly pretty, slender, blonde, with bright blue eyes and lightly tanned skin. Maybe Reed had a crush on her once?

'Heya Susie.' Said Ben, continuing in a mutter that only Reed and I could hear.' One more thing he's got.' He gave Reed a meaningful look, before stepping forwards with a warm smile, opening his arms to Susan. I held my hands behind my back, rocking on my heels slightly, an awkward smile still playing about my lips. Susan smiled in return, walking with grace into the room further and accepting the hug happily.

'Ben, it's been too long.' She said, rubbing his back warmly, before stepping back again to look at Ben. Then she moved to look at Reed, her smile fading into something that was nothing but polite, extending her hand towards him. 'Reed.' He fumbled a little too returned the greeting, his face showing a similar smile. I silently wondered what could have happened between the two to cause such hostility. He looked so uncomfortable under her gaze; it was slightly upsetting to watch the poor guy.

'You're, you've, I mean, how've you been?' Reed Richards, the genius who could talk about string theory for hours, never repeating himself, was actually tongue-tied? I would have found it hard to believe, if I hadn't been there.

'Never better,' replied Susan, an air of confidence still hanging around her. Victor had somehow crept around the table and came to stand next to the woman, who at this point had turned to me, her smile more greeting and another handshake offered. 'And I don't believe we've met. You are?' she enquired, as I reached out and shook the hand politely, smiling back.

'Robyn, Robyn Blake. I'm a friend of Reed and Ben.' I replied, turning to the both. She nodded, returning to a formal stance, as Victor took over the introductions before she could speak again.

'Miss Blake is one of the last of the wealthy Blake family. We've had dealings with your father's business in the past, before he died, of course. So sad.' He said, without a hint of sorrow. Susan's face, however, showed empathy, which I was grateful for. 'Miss Blake, Susan, is a keen astronomer, an expert in astro-physics, apparently.' Oh, I just loved Victor. Apparently. Huh, nice. I merely gave a false smile.

'Yeah, you'd think the certificate on my wall would convince more people!' I joked, glaring at Victor. Susan gave a small polite laugh, a little uncomfortable. Victor gave a mere grunt, placing a hand on her shoulder protectively, his annoying smugness returning as he addressed Reed.

'This isn't going to be a problem, is it?' he asked. Reed shifted a little, before answering quickly, raising a defensive hand.

'Not at all.' He said, just as Susan hurriedly spoke.

'Ancient history.' She said. They gave each other a quick glance before both looking at the floor, a bit like naughty children.

'Good,' Victor continued, a self-satisfied smile occupying his face, 'then you're just in time to hear the great Reed Richards ask me for help.' He turned to Reed, 'You know, you made a lot of folks at MIT feel like a junior high science fair. So you'll excuse me if I savour the moment.' I really, really wanted to punch the man right there and then. Reed stood there humbly for a moment, taking a breath. I noticed Ben visibly tighten his fists, his jaw clenching slightly. Easy fella, we need this I thought to myself, willing him the self control I'd somehow conjured up.

'You back this mission, and I'll sign over a fair percentage of any applications or-' Reed began.

'The number's seventy-five. And it's applications and patents.' Victor cut in, causing us all to go into momentary shock, even Susan. That was a ridiculously high number. I bit my lip again, thinking about what we should do. Well, it was Reeds decision technically, but still. Reed took another deep breath.

'What about his first born?' Ben joked. I could understand what he meant. Reed turned to Ben.

'Ben, the money's not important, we could save lives.' He said quietly. I glanced back at Victor and Susan. Susan gave a small smile at Reeds words, and something changed in her eyes for a second.

'Twenty-five percent of a billion is enough to keep the lights on for a while, isn't it? Maybe even pay off your fourth mortgage on the Baxter building.' Victor said, the smug smirk on his face growing wider. The three of us looked at him in disbelief for a moment. How did he know all this? 'Deal?' I thought to myself for a minute. Reed looked to Ben, who shook his head slightly. Then he turned to me and looked expectant. I looked at the floor, one arm across my torso, the other leaning on it, and my hand on my chin. After a second I nodded very slightly, without looking at Ben. Reed gave a small sigh, before nodding as well. Victor smiled, as I finally brought myself to look up, offering his hand towards Reed, who accepted reluctantly.

'Well then, to our future. Together.' Said Victor, squeezing Reeds hand, his other remaining on Susan's shoulder. We all gave a polite smile, except Ben, who was standing with an air of annoyance. 'Funny how things turn out, isn't it?' he continued, giving a slightly laugh as e released Reed from his grip.

'Hilarious.' Muttered Reed, turning to pack up his things. I gave the other two a nod, before helping. Or rather, standing beside him with folded arms, deep in thought. We gave them another polite nod as we left, and as soon as they were out of earshot, Ben began voicing his concerns.

'He knew about NASA, Reed. What if he made the call to shut us down?' he warned, and I had to agree there.

'He has a point there Reed.' I relied, earning myself a stern look from Ben.

'You can't say anything, you agreed with it!' he said in a sort of angry whisper, as I raised my hands in defensive sign. Reed rolled his eyes.

'Guys, think about all the people we can help if this works-' reed began, until Ben cut in.

'Maybe you should think of yourself for once. You always let this guy push you around-'

'We got what we wanted, and that's enough. It's just a few days in space. What's the worst that could happen?' said Reed. Famous last words I thought.

As we re-entered the lift, Susan walked in to join us. Awkward... Ben and I glanced at each other, before stepping casually to the back, leaving Reed and Susan next to each other. After a moments silence, she turns to Reed an attempts to break the ice.

'You should know, those winds have been picking up speed-' she began. Reed smiled.

'I've already factored that into my calculations.' He said. I shifted in my spot slightly. Well, that was quite rude. Susan narrowed her eyes a little, turning back to the face the front.

'Of course. In theory. It's a lot different when you're really out there.' She said, and there something stiff about her voice. I rubbed the back of my neck, getting more and more uncomfortable. Reed merely looked confused, as he'd apparently noticed it too.

'I'm sorry, but have I done-?' he began to ask, before Ben took some initiative.

'When are we leaving?' he said with a smile. Sue turned to him, after giving Reed one more cold glance.

'I'll schedule the launch. Call me in the morning about resources and crew.' She replied, holding out her business card. Reed smiled knowingly without taking it.

'I think I remember the number.' He said, and I could have sworn I heard a hint of smugness in his voice. Sue smiled back.

'It's been changed.' Reed's face fell, as he took the card she still offered without looking at her for a minute. Ben coughed. Reed looked up at him, as he nodded towards Susan and I looked hopefully back. Reed suddenly remembered about us and stepped back by Ben.

'Actually, as far as crew, I was hoping Robyn could fill the role of astro-physicist, and that Ben could pilot the mission.' Said Reed, as Ben and I smiled hopefully at Susan. She smiled back.

'Robyn, fine, but I'm afraid we already have a pilot on our payroll. You remember my brother Johnny?' she replied, as my smile grew bigger and Ben's curdled. I was a little confused though. Johnny...?

oOo

We stood on sight on launch day, up of some scaffolding a few hundred yards away from a sleek, grey shuttle. We were currently studying the guy I now knew to be Johnny through binoculars in hard hats. He appeared to be making out with a girl in a red corvette, (nice model), whilst riding alongside on a motorbike.

'Well that's...unsafe. Surely there are health and safety rules of some kind about that. Especially without a helmet.' I said. Ben was getting slightly more hett up. He lowered the binoculars dramatically whilst shaking his head.

'Can't do it. I cannot do it.' He said. Reed and I both lowered our binoculars and looked at him questioningly.

'External SRBs, orbital system engines, it's just like the shuttles you flew in-' Reed began, turning to face him, whilst I nodded and looked back at Johnny.

'No, I cannot take orders from that underwear model. That wingnut washed out of NASA for sneaking two Victoria's Secret wannabes in a flight simulator!' he exclaimed. I lowered my hands again, leaning them on the rail in front of me, thinking for a second.

'You know the way you said that, it sounded like you were talking about two of someone named Victoria's secret wannabes for whatever.' I said thoughtfully. I was ignored, as was often the case when I decided to voice my thoughts. It was easy than trying to understand them, apparently.

'Youthful high spirits.' Reed said, waving a dismissive hand at Ben.

'They crashed it into a wall. A flight simulator.' Said Ben. Okay, he had a point now, that did seem quite hard to do. I wondered for a moment on how it would be possible. Reed rolled his eyes again.

'When have I asked you to do something you absolutely couldn't do?' Reed asked. Ben began to walk off, but not before spreading his hand in front of Reed's face.

'Five times.' He said, continuing down the steps. Reed looked confused.

'I had it at four.' He called after him.

'Well this makes five!' Ben yelled back over his shoulder. Reed sighed, a light smile on his face. I smiled at him as we exchanged a glance, patting him on the shoulder before we followed after Ben.

AN: Okay, please don't kill me! I know, Johnny hasn't properly been introduced into the story yet, but he has been sighted and talked about, so I'm counting that. I kind of underestimated how much I can write into a scene, it's probably way too long now, so sorry about that. Besides, those of you who have seen the film will know that he is arriving in the very first part of the next chapter, so all will be forgiven?

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