Chapter 7

Helena awoke this morning with the sun. Her green eyes fluttering open to the sight of an empty room; save for a note taped to the door. Helena's smile graciously appeared, as she bounded over to the door. She removed the note and began to read, Johnny's voice occupying her mind. "Morning beautiful! I decided to get an early work-out. The curtain goes up at four." Helena smiled as she giggled and continued with Johnny's words. "Love you… kiss you later. Torch." Helena smirked and played with the note in her hand.

She walked through the halls with her camera in hand until she saw Sue in the lab working on her uniform with the sewing machine. Helena walked in closer, took a picture, before noticing that the sleeves on her uniform were gone and replaced by two very thin spaghetti straps. "Hey Sue!" Sue turned around to find Helena standing behind her and responds, "Hey Lena, don't mind me. I'm just making some last minute adjustments." Helena nods as Sue hands her the finished uniform, "Thanks Sue!" Helena holds the uniform up to her body as Sue replies, "Anytime. Just be ready to go by four."

Helena smiled as she draped her uniform over her arm, "Sure thing Sue." Sue added as Helena was about to walk out the door, "And make sure Johnny stays out of trouble." Helena laughs as she replied, "Yeah, that'll happen when he freezes over. You of all people should know… Johnny is trouble. But I'll try. He listens to me… sometimes." Sue laughed as Helena continued, "I was thinking, wouldn't it make more sense for you to come with me and Johnny? I can fly you to the falls with Johnny and you can play defense while Johnny and I play offense." Sue thought about it and nodded her head, "I'll talk to Reed." Helena smiled, "Just a thought. I'll see you at four then Susie." Helena swung her hips as she walked to the door and waved goodbye to Sue.

After changing into her newly stitched uniform, Helena wandered down the hall to visit Johnny in the gym. Helena then heard the sounds of Reed and Ben's voices in the lab across from the gym. She stepped in, and took a picture before walking up to the boys. "Hey Einstein… Benji. What's new?" Ben turned around and immediately gave her a big bear hug. "Okay Ben, love you too, but you're pushing my camera into my stomach." Ben released, "Oh sorry Lena, did I hurt you?" Helena then pulled her camera out of her water form stomach, "No it's fine, it's just that this camera isn't waterproof." Reed took his turn hugging Helena, but quickly returned to his point of interest, what appeared to be a tranquilizer gun and cartridge.

Helena noticed this and walked forward holding up the gun and commenting, "So this little thing is what's going to take out the Molecule Man?" Reed shook his head, took the gun from Helena's hand and replaced it with the cartridge replying, "No this is. It's a weaponized version of the formula we came up with to subdue Owen. And I would appreciate it if you didn't call him the Molecule Man." Helena looked at the tiny cartridge and laughed, "I just can't believe that this is it. And what are you talking about don't call him the Molecule Man. Isn't that what his card said?" Reed nodded his head, "Yes but…" Helena cut off Reed by saying "So isn't that what he wants to be called? What's the difference?" Ben stepped in, "Lena, you know how the rest of the world calls me the Thing, but you still call me Benji?" Helena lightly touches Ben's arm and nods her head, "Of course." Ben looks into her eyes, "Why? Why don't you or the rest of the Five call me the Thing?" Helena's eyes soften, "Because no matter what you look like or what you can do, you'll always be Ben to us." Ben smiled, "Exactly. No matter what this guy's done or what he's capable of, we have to remember that he's still just a person, and remind him that he can just be Owen and that's okay." Helena understood what he was getting at and nodded in reply. "If you fellas need me, I'll be in the studio getting one last practice in." Reed smiled and called out, "Don't forget, Curtain…" Helena cut him off as she walked out waving back, "Goes up at four. Don't worry, I got it."

Walking into the hallway Helena bumped into General Hager. "Oh I'm sorry General. If you're looking for Reed and Ben, they're in there." The General stood up straight, "Thank you Miss Greene." Helena laughed a little saying, "General how many times do I have to ask you to call me Lena?" The General smiled and replied, "At least once more Miss Greene. I hope you're ready for your mission tonight." Helena stood up straight and saluted as she shouted, "Hydra is mission ready Sir!" The General laughed and replied while saluting, "Good. As you were Hydra." Helena laughed and waved goodbye to the General, "See you at four General!" The General smiled as he shook his head and walked into the lab.

Helena entered the studio to find a bowl of water lilies directly in the middle. She smiled and walked up to it, there beside it was a note. Helena began to read, "Just had these lying around. Hope there's enough water in the bowl for them. But just in case, why don't you give them a drink. Love, Johnny." Helena smirked and after placing the bowl of flowers up in front of the mirrors, clicked on the stereo and shut the protective door to it. The music began and she thought of her mission today… protection.

Falling Slowly ~ Glen Hasgard & Marketa Irglova

I don't know you
But I want you
All the more for that

The entire studio filled with falling rain as Helena transformed into pure water form. Just then, Grace and Alicia entered the studio while putting on the ponchos hanging outside the door.

Words fall through me
And always fool me
And I can't react

They walked inside and quietly sat down in the chairs to the side. The two women sat there as Helena floated in front of them controlling the rain around her.

And games that never amount
To more than they're meant
Will play themselves out

Johnny walked up to the door of the studio, still drying his hair from the shower he took. He smiled as he watched the performance from behind glass walls and doors.

Take this sinking boat and point it home
We've still got time

After seeing Grace with her head on Alicia's shoulder he decided to go in.

Raise your hopeful voice you have a choice
You'll make it now

Walking in, Johnny waved to Alicia and Grace before sitting next to them. Letting the rain fall on him he sat back and watched his girl with all her power and strength control the water around her.

Falling slowly, eyes that know me
And I can't go back

He was immediately struck by the lyrics of the song she had chosen, and thought again of his Italian purchase.

Moods that take me and erase me
And I'm painted black

Ben and General Hager entered the studio looking for Alicia and Grace. Johnny looked up and seeing the two men enter, moved over a spot to let them sit.

You have suffered enough
And warred with yourself
It's time that you won

The two women each leaned on their man's shoulder as they continued to watch Helena float through the air.

Take this sinking boat and point it home
We've still got time

Finally, Sue and Reed joined the others, while sharing an umbrella. Reed and Sue held onto each other tight in order to fit under the umbrella.

Raise your hopeful voice you had a choice
You've made it now

They watched Helena spin and jump through the air as the rain followed her every movement. Both Sue and Reed were transported back to when they were first discovering their powers, watching Helena dance in the Von Doom gym.

Falling slowly sing your melody
I'll sing along

Helena finished her dance, but stayed in her water form. Grace, having only seen this once and from a slight distance was intrigued. She stood up and walked over to Helena. Grace held her hand out wanting to touch the water that encompassed Helena's body, but hesitated. Helena noticed this and smiled as she reached out and touched Grace's hand. The feeling stunned Grace and she immediately watched as her hand became immersed in flowing water. The only way she could describe it is if she were able to grab onto a jet stream. Letting go of Helena's water skin she touched it again lightly and a ripple began. Helena giggled and spoke, "That tickles." Grace laughed as Helena continued, "If you'll excuse me Mrs. Hager." Grace backed up a little and Helena then did a triple spin and transformed back into her normal self.

Sue and Reed were in their room getting ready for the mission. Reed was clearly getting his uniform on as Sue put her everyday clothes on over her uniform. Reed saw this and got confused, "Sue, what's going on? Why are you wearing your cover clothes?" Sue took a deep breath, "Because I'm going with Johnny and Helena to West Point." Reed was baffled, "What? Why?" Sue stood up from the bed and started putting her hair up, "Because while they are very strong and highly resourceful, especially together, you know as well as I do that they need a defensive player with them. What if the fight goes public? I can help them." Reed took a breath and countered, "What about flight? Lena and Johnny can both get themselves back to us on their own." Sue walked over to Reed and dusted his shoulders with her hands while telling him, "Lena could help me out with that. Besides you know both she and Johnny work better together when they're both on offense." Reed took a breath, she was right, "If anything goes wrong…" Sue laughed, "Then we'll know what to do, it's instinct to us now. You know that." Reed looked at his wife and smiled as he said, "Okay, we'll meet you in upstate. I don't want any of us going to the Falls alone." Sue smiled, "You've got it… Mr. Fantastic."

A little later on, Ben and Alicia were in their room while Ben was getting ready to go. Alicia sat on the bed sipping her tea and watching as Ben buckled his belt. Alicia looked up at her man, "How do I know that you'll be safe?" Ben took a deep breath and closed his eyes, "Ali, baby, we've already talked about this." Ben walked over to the bed and sat down next to Alicia. He took hold of her hand and grabbed the cup of tea she was cradling. Placing the tea on the nightstand he turned his attention back to Alicia, and lifting her chin he looked into her eyes; "Baby, what's wrong?" Alicia took a breath and replied, "How do I know that you'll be safe? This guy is really dangerous and…" Alicia started to shake and cry. So Ben leaned in and held her close, trying his best to comfort her without hurting her.

Ben whispered, "Hey, listen to me, I'll be fine. There's no need to worry, besides your man is rock solid." He stood up and pounded his chest, while crying out like Tarzan. Alicia laughed and Ben sat back down next to her, "See, there's no way some stupid little punk with ink in the shape of lightning bolt on his face is gonna break me." Alicia smiled but then turned serious and replied, "I know, but there are so many things that could go wrong and I can't… lose you." Ben felt touched by sentiment, "Ali sweetie, you could never lose me. Look, when this is all over I think it's time we finished that talk we started a while back." Alicia lit up, "Really?" Ben nodded, "Yeah." Just then Reed appeared in their doorway, "Sorry Ali… Ben, we need you both in the lab for a last minute meeting." Ben smiled and waved saying, "Okay Reed, be right there." Ben turned to Alicia and kissed her softly, "Come on Sweetie." Ben and Alicia got up, Alicia stopped, "Go ahead hun, I'll be right there." Ben smiled as he got to the door, "Okay, see you there." After Ben walked out the door, Alicia walked over to their desk, opened a door and pulled out a folder; the folder reading:Adoption Papers.

The Fantastic Five, plus Alicia, General Hager, Mrs. Hager and Celia met up in the lab. All of which were ready for their mission. Reed began, "Thanks guys for meeting up like this. There has been a slight change to the plans. As an added measure of security Sue will be accompanying Johnny and Helena to West Point. Lena will be helping her fly, and we will all meet here in upstate New York." Everyone nodded in agreement as they made their way to the door. Sue, Johnny, Helena, Alicia, General and Mrs. Hager all walked out the door and onto the streets of New York City.

Just as those six made their way onto the streets, Owen Reece made his way onto a private jet. On his cell phone Owen demanded that each and every one of his associates would be out on the New York streets looking for the Fantastic Five and General Hager. He screamed on the phone, "If that bastard thinks he can cut me out of a job and double cross me, then I want to show him what true power really is! Make them hurt! Make them scream! But whatever you do, do not and I repeat, do not kill Reed Richards. I want the pleasure of showing that pathetic excuse of a scientist exactly what I'm capable of myself!"

Owen hung up the phone as the flight attendant cowered near him. The tray with the coffee that she held shook in her hands as her nerves got the better of her. Owen motioned the young girl forward. She slowly made her way over to him, trying desperately not to spill. Owen smirked, "It's okay sweetheart," the girl served Owen the coffee and tried to back up, but Owen stopped her. "Did you know that if someone were to scream for 8 years, 7 months and six days, they would produce enough sound energy to heat a cup of coffee?" The girl swallowed the lump in her throat as she shook her head.

Owen sipped his coffee, "This coffee isn't hot enough." Owen reached out and pulled the girl closer to him by the necklace she wore. The girl screamed and held her throat as the locket around her neck choked her. Owen smirked, "Oh I'm sorry darling. Does that hurt?" Owen sipped his coffee as the girl continued to choke and scream, "Well, look on the bright side, now my coffee's the perfect temperature. Go," the girl was released and coughed out trying to breath. "Go and tell the pilot that I'm ready." The girl ran toward the cockpit and picked up the telephone beside the door.

Owen took another sip of his coffee as he looked down at the letter in his hand, Celia's letter. He put the cup of coffee down and took a closer look at the letter, carefully tracing Celia's name with his finger. "I'm coming baby, don't worry." Owen reached into his pocket and pulled out a black velvet jewelry box. Opening it he revealed a gorgeous, giant engagement ring, "I'll make you mine, take care of you… keep you safe."