Chapter 12

Edit 11/15/14: Keep in mind that that they have been almost quarantined to living in the Baxter Building for about 2 ½ to 3 weeks at this point.

Disclaimer: I do not own Fantastic Four or any of the dialogue from the movie that is in this story. I own Ember and any variations in the story line and dialogue not seen in the movie.

*StarintheMidnightSky*

"I am bored. I am bored. I am bored. I am bored. I. Am. Bored. I. Am. BORED!" I moaned, complaining to anyone in hearing distance about my current situation. I'm currently on the couch in front of the living room with the TV off. I know what you're thinking! Why not turn the TV on, Ember? Well, I'll have you knowthat that was my original intentions when I came in here. However, after sitting down, I realized the TV remote was next to the TV. Who the hell puts the remote next to the TV? Too far away. So now I'm stuck on the couch with nothing to do.

Wait a minute here. This is where thinking comes in and saves the day! Yay, brain!

I easily concentrated for a moment and felt that steady pressure on my brain that signaled I was using my power. You see, I've been practicing it every day doing simple things to make it stronger like Reed had suggested. So now I can use it without a problem!

I pointed my hand lazily at the remote and flicked my hands towards myself. The remote quickly floated over to me and into my hand. SUCCESS IS MINE!

I happily turned the TV on and started watching one of my favorite shows. That's right baby. America's Next Top Model! Hey don't judge. It's funny watching them freak out at each other. Plus it's cool seeing how their pictures turn out. They're always really weird and unique.

"Hey, Cherry, this is just a guess but…" Johnny trailed off as he strolled into the living room, eyeing my sprawled form across the couch. "Are you by any chance bored?"

He probably heard my complaining earlier. That's sweet of him to come and try to save me from my boredom.

"Nope. I'm good," I shook my head seriously, happily watching my show. A smile bloomed across Johnny's face as he chuckled.

"Well, in that case I'll just go play my pranks all by myself…" he trailed as he turned around to leave. Whoa, wait a minute. Did he just say pranks? Count me in!

"Wait!" I cried desperately as I quickly sat up. He smirked as he looked at me over his shoulder. I looked around sneakily as if someone was eavesdropping on us. "What kind of pranks?"

"Kinds that involve possibly pissing off your brother," Johnny shrugged as if it were no big deal.

"Let's do it!" I cried cheerfully as I jumped off the sofa. Johnny raised a questioning eyebrow.

"Quick question. Why are you watching America's Next Top Model?" Johnny asked me curiously.

"Cause they take pretty pictures," I said in a 'duh' voice. Johnny nodded affirmatively like this made perfect sense to him. See! I'm not the only weird one around here.

"Come on, I've got some of my supplies ready," Johnny said deviously.

"What's the plan?" I smiled, delighted to help pull a prank on Ben. I followed Johnny as he grabbed a can of shaving cream from one of the bathrooms.

He raised an eyebrow at me, "Got any feathers?"

I pursed my lips in thought as I tried to think of where we may get feathers. I snapped my fingers, "The feather duster!"

Before Johnny could respond, I bolted off towards the supply closet. I dug through the cleaning equipment and cried out triumphantly once I found the feather duster. Geez this thing hasn't been used in ages. It even has dust on it! If that's not irony, then I don't know what is. I smiled as I showed Johnny the feather duster.

"Perfect!" he smiled delighted as we switched items. "Now come on! He's taking a nap."

We quickly and quietly made our way to one of the many side rooms in the apartment. I peeked into the room to see Ben's giant form sound asleep on the couch. I tip toed over to the front of the couch and waved my hands wildly in front of Ben's face. I stopped for a second and smiled when he only snored loudly. I gave Johnny a thumbs up and a smile spread across his face from his place in the doorway. He discreetly made his way over behind the couch.

I lightly shook the can of shaving cream in my hand. Luck was on our side and one of Ben's hands was hanging off the couch wide open. I smirked at Johnny as he nodded eagerly. I carefully sprayed a big amount of the cream into Ben's palm, only to shrug carelessly and then spray more to cover his whole hand. I slowly got up and sneaked my way behind the couch next to Johnny. Ben was still sleeping like a baby. You know if that baby weighed more than a ton and was orange and looked like a giant rock monster. Oh, you get what I mean!

Johnny slowly reached the feather duster over the back of the couch towards Ben's face. I held my breath as he lightly brushed the feathers down Ben's cheek. When nothing happened, my breath burst out. My eyebrows furrowed in confusion as Johnny's eyes met mine. He raised his eyebrows questioningly and I shrugged. Johnny tried again only with the same result. I pouted as Johnny looked frustrated. Suddenly, his expression lit up and I eyed him warily. He turned the feather duster around and his idea clicked in my head. Brilliant! The wooden handle will easily feel like a feather to Ben's new rock hard skin.

Johnny looked at me for approval and I nodded evilly delighted. Once again, Johnny reached over only with the handle of the feather duster now close to Ben's face. He lightly dragged it down Ben's cheek. It was as if in slow motion as Ben's hand suddenly came up and plopped right on target. I barely held back my shout of triumph and we both jumped up in glee. Johnny's hands were in the air as we both had giant smiles consuming our faces. We took off out of the room, but once we were out the door we couldn't hold back any longer. I burst out in joyous laughter as did Johnny who was following right behind me.

"JOHNNY! EMBER!"

Our laughter only increased as we hurried to stay out of Ben's reach. I dived into my bedroom and Johnny quickly jumped in after me. I slammed my door shut and quickly pointed at the closest dresser. I carefully motioned it towards the door. The dresser obediently followed my motions and slid in front of the door like I had wanted it to. Johnny fell on my bed as he continuously let out his deep, rumbling laughter. I grasped my sides as I fell next to him. We slowly (and I do mean slowly) calmed down from our fits. I wiped the tears from my eyes as I held my sides.

"Oh," I said partially laughing, partially sighing. "My sides hurt from laughing so much!"

"Did you see his expression!" Johnny cried as his beautiful smile looked like a permanent fixture. His blue eyes were bright with laughter as he looked at me. I nodded, my wide smile still etched on my own face.

"We should do this more often," I grinned as I elbowed him lightly.

"What piss off, Ben?" he snickered. I shook my head gently.

"No, well we can do that, too," I giggled as he wiggled his eyebrows. "I meant have fun like this. It's been hard being stuck in this apartment lately. I mean it's not so bad living here, I love this place. But when you don't have the option to leave…"

"It starts to become a drag," he nodded knowingly. He raised his blonde eyebrow at me, "Trust me, Cherry. I know exactly how you feel."

I felt pleased hearing him call me by my nickname, even if it is a reference to my curly locks. And no I do not dye my hair! It's naturally this color for your information. Anyways, back on the nickname thought, he's the only one who calls me by it. Afterall, he is the one who made it up for me.

A sudden comfortable silence came over us. We just sat quietly enjoying it. I could feel the heat radiating off of Johnny's body and it was addicting. I scooted towards him just a fraction. A small, giddy smile made its way onto my face when he moved the rest of the way, but turned onto his side so that he was leaning over me. My emerald eyes gazed up at him and I couldn't help myself as I lightly ran my hand through his short blonde hair and stayed on his neck, pulling him a little closer. I'm personally not a fan of the buzz cut and wish he would grow it out a little more, but he still looks amazing.

Johnny leaned in slowly until we were a few inches apart. The heat radiating off of him felt glorious-

"I KNOW YOU'RE IN THERE!"

"I think that's our cue," I whispered softly as the door and my dresser shook.

"Ignore him," he replied with a gentle breath. The world around me was hazy as his lips glided lightly over my own. I sucked in a breath at the electricity between us.

"EMBER!"

I, regretfully, pulled slightly away from him. I gazed into his gorgeous blue eyes. "Sorry, Johnny. I can't ignore my brother."

An adorable pout tugged at his lips and I couldn't help myself. I lightly nipped at his full bottom lip and heard his delicious gasp. Before he could wrap me up in his strong arms though, I heard a loud 'CRACK' fill the room. Johnny jerked off of me and I quickly sat up. My bedroom door was cracked but the dresser was still firmly in place. I ran my hands through my hair so that it wouldn't be too messy. I pointed at the dresser once and again and motioned it towards its original place. Once the dresser was out of the way, my door fell into pieces on the floor.

I gaped in shock. Johnny gulped next to me at the sight of Ben angrily huffing with shaving cream all over his face.

"You broke my door!" I cried out in surprise.

Ben jabbed a finger towards Johnny, "You're dead."

"You broke my door!" I repeated once again, standing up so that I was between Ben and Johnny. I felt my anger rising as I glared harshly at Ben when he ignored me. "You broke my DOOR!"

"You ruined my nap!" Ben's voice whipped out harshly.

"Ben, it was a prank. You can go wash it off no problem. I can't just fix my freaking door!" I glared at him, eyes piercing. Realization seems to enter his eyes as his anger drained and he glanced around at the shattered pieces of what once was my door.

"I-I could fix it," Ben said regretfully now that his anger had worn off.

"No, you can't," I said looking up at him calmly, my voice deadly. "It's shattered. Completely."

"Cherry, this is my fault," Johnny said sounding guilty.

"It's fine. I'll just go ask Reed to order a new one," I sighed, my own anger draining out of me. I glanced apologetically at Ben, feeling ridiculous for my overreaction. "I'm sorry. All this stress from everything that's been going on just exploded."

Ben nodded understanding and held out his hand to me. I grabbed my big brother's hand and allowed him to pull me into a comforting hug. Well, as comforting as being squished to a giant, rock hard chest can be.

It's the thought that counts.

"Come on, Ember. You can help me get this gunk off my face," Ben joked as he pulled me out of my room and started leading me towards one of the bathrooms. I laughed as I followed behind him.

*a couple days later*

Everything had gone back to being relatively normal - face it we'll never be completely normal - after Johnny's and my prank on Ben. Reed and Sue were both busy bodies doing all the research to create Reed's generator to change us back. I barely saw Reed anymore unless he was running into the kitchen to grab some food or he was hurrying for world's fastest bathroom break. Ben was mostly trying to avoid Johnny when he could, but that was kind of hard to do when Ben wanted to spend time with me, and I spent a lot of time with Johnny. So my time was split between helping Reed with the generator plans when needed, preventing Sue from beating up Reed for not giving her enough attention, spending quality time with my big brother, practicing my powers so that they came easily to me, and - my favorite - flirting with Johnny.

Now while this sounds a little hectic, it really wasn't. I mean sure when I was actually doing all of these tasks it took up my time. There were even times when I didn't know what day of the week it was. But for the most part, I just felt cooped up and plain old bored. I mean, really, is it so hard for a girl to get a little excitement in her life? Not that getting superpowers isn't exciting, but it isn't that grand either when you're not allowed to leave the Baxter Building even for a walk. Which, by the way, I think is totally stupid because I have become totally awesome at controlling my powers. Not to mention, Reed let Sue take a walk outside! Sure, she ended up rushing home naked because a mob of people wanted her photograph, but for fucks sakes! I want to go outside!

So here I am. Waiting for something exciting to happen as I stare out of the kitchen window. Gazing down at the street below. Watching the people as they walk by. Jealous of wherever they're going.

Yeah, I know I'm pathetic.

"Ember!"

Huh, Johnny always seems to save me from my boredom.

I look up to see a giant smile stretching across his face. I raise a delicate eyebrow at him once I see our blue costumes in his hands. He throws one at me eagerly.

"Quick put this on," he instructs eagerly as he looks around to make sure Ben, Reed, and Sure aren't around. His blue eyes sparkle as he smiles at me mischievously, "We're making a prison break."

Hmm. I should be good girl and stay here like Reed has repeatedly instructed…

Screw that!

"Count me in!" I said ecstatic as I hurry into one of the closest bathrooms to change. I quickly slip on the costume - fitting snug and comfortable against my body - and then pull my clothes back on over it. My jeans are slimming as I pull them on. I pause as I'm buttoning my dark blue blouse up and stare at my reflection confused. I walk out of the bathroom puzzled. "Johnny, when did we get logos of a 5 with the bottom of the 5 continuing to make a circle around it?"

"I don't know," Johnny shrugged carelessly before giving me his devilish smile, "but I do know where we're going."

*StarintheMidnightSky*

"WOO HOO!" I shouted out the window, the breeze causing my red locks to fly in every direction. "I love your car!"

Johnny laughed at me from the driver's seat as I pulled my head back in the car. I grinned at him impishly. The bright red Ferrari purred under us as we pulled to a smooth stop at a red light. I ran my hands through my hair, trying to tame my now giant hair. If you have curly hair, you understand how hard it is to get it to look semi-normal, especially if your hair goes to your mid-waist like mine. Not an easy job.

Johnny was about to say something when we heard a loud engine growl from next to us. I peeked out Johnny's window to see a wannabe tough guy in an ugly souped up car. He obviously did it himself. Pfft. Lame.

"Hey there pretty boy! Wanna go?" the idiot challenged, revving his engine tauntingly. Johnny looked just as unimpressed as I felt. "Bock bock bagock!"

My jaw dropped as the loser had the nerve to actually chicken bock at us!

"Why that little-" I growled but before I could jump over Johnny and attack, Johnny stopped me.

"I got this, Cherry," he said slyly as he casually rested his arm out the window. I burst out laughing as the light turned green. Johnny smirked as he waved at our challenger. I turned around in my seat as we pulled away to watch the guy's face as he realized his car couldn't move. Oops! Looks his wheels magically melted… I wonder how in the world that could have happened.