Chapter 2 – Old Flames

Johnny closed his eyes, trying to replay their talk with Carmen that morning.

"Excuse me?" A sweet voice called.

At first Human Torch couldn't understand where that voice was coming from, but then he opened his eyes to see a pretty dark-haired girl, who looked about 20-22 years old.

"You're sitting on my place." She smiled and showed him her ticket.

"Oh, sorry." Johnny stood up and took a seat next to hers. "I'm just a bit frustrated today…"

"It's ok Johnny." The girl answered.

Johnny looked at her questionably:

"Do we know each other?"

"Well…despite the fact that everybody knows who you are, I'm Elle, remember. I was your nurse when you came back from that space trip…" She explained.

"Oh, Elle! God, I didn't recognize you! You've changed!" He exclaimed.

Elle looked really different from what he remembered. She had shoulder-length chocolate brown hair with highlights all over her head, sparkling bleu eyes, top-model figure and gentle smile.

"Yeah, a bit…But, hey, you didn't!" She said and then added. "Although you look a bit upset, maybe."

"I'm having a bad week." Was all he said.

"Why are you going to London?"

"I need to visit a friend. And you?"

"My family moved to England a bit over two years ago. I planned to go check on them for a long time now, but never got the opportunity, and now…on vacation…"

"That's great. Well, we should meet somewhere in London, have one of their 5 o'clock tea." Johnny said.

"Sure. Call me when you have time." Elle handed hem a card.

Meanwhile in New York Susan looked at herself in the mirror.

"You look great. I've never seen such a beautiful bride!" Joanna, the owner or the "Brides'" shop, one of the best in New York.

"I…like it…too." That was all Sue could get out of herself at the moment.

Susan Storm was gorgeous in silky white dress that showed some of her curves. It was long and everyone who'd look at her would call her a princess.

"What do you think, Ben?" She turned to her friend.

Ben didn't say anything not because he didn't like it, but because he was speechless.

"I take that as 'it's ok'?" Sue smiled.

He just nodded.

As one of the siblings was trying on a new wedding dress the other one was making his way to the cab near the front gates of the airport. Johnny set on the back seat of one of the taxies.

"Where to?" The driver asked, not even turning his head.

"Am…to the main hospital." He answered with a sigh.

"On the way…" And the car started.

Reed Richards knew he should be trying on a few taxes that has future wife had chosen for him some time ago, but he didn't feel like it. He was worried about everything: wadding, his lab experiments, and mostly Johnny. The guy was so nervous, even more…Reed new it was Susan's prerogative to worry about her brother, but this time…it was different.

This time on the island one particular cab stopped near the hospital.

"We're here." The driver declared, but there was no answer from the back. "Mister!"

"What?" Johnny jerked awake.

"We're here. St Anna's Main Hospital." The man behind the wheel repeated.

"Oh…" Johnny sighed and handed the money. "Thanks."

"Have a good time in England."

"Yeah…right." He sighed again.

Johnny made his way to the reception.

"Hi, in which room is James Gana?"

"Are you family?"

"Yes."

"He's in 407. It's on the fourth floor. Take the elevator." The woman said in the monotone voice.

Human Torch turned on his heels and headed to the sliding doors of the elevator.

In the United States Sue and Ben came back to the Baxter Building.

"Reed!" Sue called. "Reed! Hmm… strange, he's not here…"

"Maybe he went to get his tax?" Ben supposed.

"Yeah, maybe."

Ben went in the direction of his room, but forgot to close the door. When Susan was making her way to her and Reed's room, she saw Ben, standing in front of the mirror, staring at himself.

"Ben?" She asked softly. "You alright?"

"I thought I was over it, Sue." He sat on the chair near the reflecting glass. "But I'm not."

Sue didn't know what to say. She couldn't say that everything would be fine, she didn't know that. She couldn't claim to understand what he felt, so she just put a comforting hand on his shoulder. It wouldn't be ok. It would never be ok from now on, but it would get better. She could promise him that much.

"Carmen!" Johnny called for the girl, standing near the room 407.

She turned and he could see her clearly for the first time in six years. She had shoulder-length reddish brown hair, slim body, and piercing blue eyes that were fogged with tears, as she gazed at him. His mouth went dry. She brought a hand to her face, not believing in what she saw.

Johnny made a first step, and Carmen ran into his arms. They stood there hugging for what seemed like entirety.

"Hey." He whispered.

"Hey yourself." She whispered back.

They finally pushed away from each other.

"Where is he?"

Carmen took his hand and took him to the glass wall. Behind it both could see a boy of five years, lying on the med bed covered with white sheets. Johnny put both his hands and head on the glass in front of him.

"How's that happened?" He finally asked.

"We were having our everyday walk near the park. He was on the bike. I don't know how…the car came out of nowhere…" She took his hand.

"Is it serious?"

"The doctors say that he needs blood. Of one of the parents. Mine isn't good for him, so I figured…" She trailed off.

"Where are the doctors?" Johnny looked at her with reassuring smile.

She pointed at the door she'd seen her son's doctor go in.

"Dr. Roberts." She said.

Johnny went into the room that Carmen pointed. She stayed near little James.

"Dr. Roberts?" Johnny entered the middle-aged man's study. "Hi, Johnny Storm."

'Nice to meet you, Mr. Storm. Have a seat." He said after they shook each other's hands.

"I'm here to talk about James."

"I figured. Ms. Gana mentioned you. James is now stabilized, but he as Carmen probably told you needs blood, and Carmen's isn't good for him. Carmen also said that her ex-husband isn't boy's biological father, so, as you see, if we don't find him, James can die. Do you have any idea where his father may be?" Dr. Roberts asked, looking through the papers.

"Yes. I know exactly where he is." Johnny said.

"Can you bring him here?" Doctor looked young man straight in the eye.

"Yes. I'm his father."