A/N: I realize I haven't done that traditional disclaimer thing for the past two chapters, and this is the last chapter, so you'll have to forgive me. Nothing in this story is mine, except for the words. In fact, I hardly own anything. Keep that in mind. It will make our lives oh-so-much easier.

Rain pounds the windows, and I shift uncomfortably as the lights flicker. Calm down, Sue, I think to myself. It's only a thunder-storm. There's no way that Victor– no, Dr. Doom– could come back after what we did to him. Even so, I can almost feel my nerves tightening, and every little creak of a board sets me more and more on edge. I haven't seen Ben in three days, but he called and told us that he was staying with Alicia. Johnny's off with some girl, and I'm here, alone, with an unconscious man. Shivering, I pick up my book, trying to tune out the empty, lonely, hopeless world around me.

Hours pass– I don't know how many, nor do I care to count. All I know is that I get through book after book, that Reed lies still on the bed, and that I keep jumping whenever anything makes the slightest sound. Finally I find myself dozing off. Glancing at my watch, I see that it's nearing three in the morning. I stand up and look around, yawning. I really don't want to spend another night in the chair– it's so uncomfortable. But there's nowhere else to sleep, and I don't want to leave Reed all alone in here. Well, I think. We're engaged. And he certainly won't think less of me if he wakes up. So I crawl under the covers beside Reed and almost immediately fall asleep.

Reed Richards has been working up the nerve to ask Sue Storm out for the past week. Finally, as they're discussing a problem from class and walking along the Hudson River, he decides that the time has come. He figures that this is the most nerve-wracking thing in the world, and the words rush out of his mouth.

"SuewhatareyoudoingonSaturday?"

She blinks at him, unsure of what he just said. Then, as her mind begins to untangle the mass of letters and sounds, she smiles. "Nothing," she says.

"Do you want to go get dinner or a movie? With me? Together?" he stammers, breath catching in his throat as he awaits her answer.

She won't tell him until a couple of years later, but she really likes how that sounds. Together. Sue and Reed. "Sure," she says. His eyes widen in surprise and relief.

"Great! That's... fantastic! I'll pick you up at 7, then?" he asks.

"Yeah, fine! Wait– do you have my phone number?" she says.

"Um..." he ponders this question. "Are you in the directory?" She shakes her head. "Then no," he continues.

"Oh, well, here," she says, ripping off a piece of paper from her notebook and scribbling down some numbers. He takes it from her, and their fingers brush. Surprised at the contact, Sue raises her eyes to meet his. They stay like this for almost a minute before someone's bag jostles Reed's shoulder, and he blinks.

"See you then, I guess," he says, flustered. All she can do is nod and watch him walk down the steps towards the subway.

Sue can't wait for Saturday evening, and she spends most of the afternoon getting ready. Her friends come and go, each helping her out with one little bit that she's forgotten, or left un-perfect. Finally she's finished, and she spends the half-hour before he comes pacing in her living room or trying to calm herself down enough to do some studying or reading. Neither help, and when the buzzer rings, she jumps about a foot. Coming down the stairs, careful not to twist her ankle in her high heels, her heart is pounding and her palms are sweating. More than anything she wishes that she could become invisible. But when she opens the door and sees Reed's astonished face, she knows that everything is going to be all right. She smiles at him, and he smiles back. Holding out an arm, he escorts her into a taxi, and they drive down the street. Together.

I wake up slowly, not wanting to let the dream go. It's such a nice memory, compared to some of the hellish ones that the months following contained. As I open my eyes to stare at the ceiling, I notice that someone's tucked me in more securely, and that my book has been carefully placed on the bedside table, instead of on the floor where I'd left it. I twist my head to look at Reed and see that he's turned towards me, his face buried in my shoulder. Looking down, I notice that his arm has found its way several times around my waist, and that his hand is holding mine.

As I stare into his face, Reed's eyes open and he smiles at me. "Good morning," he whispers. My eyes widen as I realize that I don't detect any hint of the weakness that's plagued him for the past month. He raises an eyebrow at me. "Did Johnny put anything in my drink, because I certainly can't remember how I got into this lovely position." All I can do is blink at him. Reed chuckles. "Not that I'm protesting, anything, mind you. It's just..." he winces. "I think that I will refrain from testing any inventions myself from now on."

I smile at him. "Good. If you did, I would have to take drastic measures. And no one wants that." Slowly I turn invisible, and he smiles.

"I'm warning you, Sue, I'm not in any shape to go chasing you around the room."

I snuggle up against him. "Oh, I'm not going anywhere, Reed. Not for a long time."

Finished, fin, etcetera, etcetera. So, lovely lovely readers and reviewers. Did you like it? Don't be afraid to tell me what you thought! annoying nudge