My Impractical Hurricane – 6

Someone was actually looking for a Fantastic Four slash fic? Sweet! You know, I'm actually kind of surprised I haven't seen a Victor/Reed fic. Let's face it, Johnny/Reed is pretty unrealistic, but that's why I had to do it. All I have to say to those who don't like it is "flame on"!

Reed chewed meticulously on the end of his pencil as he sat at his computer, oblivious to the fact that he was probably shading his teeth a nice color of black at the moment. He was too busy concentrating on the screen in front of him. One wrong click and his entire progress could be completely dissolved. He had to remember the correct sequence…the whole program was on the verge of collapse. What was wrong with him? He'd run this a thousands times before, what was different about now? He was a scientist for God's sake, he should be able to pull this off without a care—it wasn't exactly brain surgery. All he needed to do was sort the pieces and it would all fall into place. Fix the numbers into descending order and—

"Sorry, you lose. There are no more legal moves. Do you want to play again?"

Apparently computerized FreeCell was harder than he'd initially given it credit for. He spent the next few minutes studying the screen in determination to prove that the game was lying.

With a frustrated sigh, Reed wiped a hand over his face and leaned back in his chair. He had never felt like a prisoner in his own home, not even after hours upon hours cooped up in here doing research. Now, however, he was afraid just to step outside of his office. Not only could he die of shame just from seeing Johnny, but now he couldn't bring himself to face Ben in good conscience either. He should've kept this a secret. God, how he should have kept this a secret. What harm could it have done?

"Reed!" Damn it.

"Damn it. Er, I mean, Sue? What's wrong?" Reed stood up immediately as Sue entered the room.

"Have you seen Johnny?" she asked hopefully, rubbing one of her wrists anxiously.

"Not since yesterday morning, why?"

"Well he's not in his room. Or the kitchen, or the bathroom, or in here, so I don't know where he is." Sue tossed out her arms.

Reed's breath caught. Johnny was missing? Wait, was this good or bad?

"What is he thinking, Reed? He's really sick, it's cold, and he's going out and mingling? I hate it when he pulls stunts like this, he's gonna get himself—"

Reed placed his hands on her shoulders. "Okay, calm down, Sue. I'm going to go look for him."

"No. I'll go. I know all of his hangouts." Sue objected, shaking her head.

"But you can't bring him back if he's being belligerent. And if I know Johnny, he's being belligerent." He kissed her forehead and went for the door. "You and Ben stay here in case he comes back. I have my cell phone if anything comes up, alright?"

Sue hesitated, but swallowed and nodded. "Reed…"

"Don't worry. I promise I'll bring him back safe if it's the last thing I do." Reed assured, then went back to the door, grabbing his coat. "…and it…probably will be."