Disclaimer: I don't own anyone, not even Reed's dad. He's in Ultimate Fantastic Four comics.

Author's note: This chapter is for everyone who screamed when they read the last chapter because the story progressed by about 0.0001. I am so sorry I couldn't update sooner. I could give you a lame excuse but I don't have one. Enjoy this chap and I hope it brings the story forward for all you faithful reviewers. THANK YOU!

Reed and Adam stepped into the dimly lit hallway. The same old pictures were hung on the wall and the old worn rug was underneath his feet. Reed stopped and looked at a few pictures, a strange sadness tugged at his heart when he saw a picture of his graduation. One figure was missing from the picture. Sue. Whenever he looked at the picture before he felt like his mother was the one missing.

Reed tore his gaze away from the photograph and glanced sadly at Adam.

Hurts don't it.

More than I could ever imagine.

A loud bang was heard and a strange smell began to filter out of an upstairs room. Reed looked at Adam and jumped when the lounge door flew open. A tall muscular man with jet-black hair streaked with grey appeared in the doorway, he looked furious. He thundered up the stairs and into a small room. Reed gulped before following, Adam was close behind.

"WHAT THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOUR DOING?" Reed winced at the sound of the man raising his voice.

"WHEN WILL YOU STOP WITH THOSE FING EXPERIMENTS!" Reed edged further into the room, although he knew he couldn't be seen he felt like the man would turn around and yell at him any minute. A tall young man sat cowered in a small wooden chair. Fear radiated from his body and the older man seemed to enjoy it.

"I'm sorry...I'm sorry Dad," the younger man mumbled, avoiding eye contact from his father.

"I DON'T CARE. Ya know Reed; since your mother died you've been a real handful. Ya just won't fing LISTEN!"

"I'm sorry Dad, really I am. I promise I won't do it anymore." Reed said his voice started to crack towards the end of the sentence.

That would be me if I never met Sue? I don't get it, why am I still with my father and why on earth am I still working on unstable molecules? I did those years ago.

Do you remember your nervous breakdown Reed?

Yes. I was working on unstable molecules and trying to finish all my schoolwork. It all got a bit chaotic. Sue helped me through it; she helped me find the answers. To see where I had gone wrong with my projects. If it weren't for her I'd never have…oh.

Yes Reed. If it weren't for Sue you would have dropped out of university and would still be living at home.

FLASHBACK

"Hi Reed," Sue walked into the dorm Reed shared with Ben. Reed looked up from his work. His face lit up when he saw her.

"Hi," he said back. Sue walked up to Reed's desk where he was sitting. She looked at the various papers scattered over his desk and rolled her eyes. She put her arms around his shoulders and sighed.

"Reed Richards you work too hard."

"I know,"

"You've got four assignments AND you're still working on your pet project. Take a break…please."

"I can't, the quicker I finish this the quicker I can get started on these papers," Sue spun Reed's swivel chair around until he was facing her.

"Listen to me Reed, you're pushing way too hard. Come on, let's go and check out that new bar that opened up downtown."

"No!" Reed said forcefully. Sue sighed and let go of Reed.

"Fine! I give up." Sue stormed out of the dorm and went home. Reed knew she would get over it. He turned his chair around and went back to his work.

THREE DAYS LATER

"Sue!" Sue threw her arms up in frustration and walked out her room.

"What Johnny! I have a paper to finish," she yelled from the top of the stairs.

"Ok OK. Jeez" Johnny put his hands up in defence and pointed to the front door.

"Reed's here. He looks pretty upset," Johnny explained before sauntered off to his bedroom. Sue's features softened and she hurried down the stairs. A tearful Reed stood in the doorway.

"Oh Reed, what happened?" She asked as she pulled him into a hug.

"I…I failed," he mumbled.

"Huh?"

"The physics paper. I failed it."

"What!" Sue said is shock. Reed had never failed anything in his life. Sue smiled to herself triumphantly. She was right, too bad Reed had to find it out the hard way. Sue cradled Reed in her chest.

"It's okay," she said soothingly. "Everything's gonna be okay."

"How? I got an F sue! AN F!"

"Don't worry. What happened?"

"I…I didn't finish it. I had a paper due and I spent all my time thinking about bloody molecules."

"Well don't worry. I'm sure the professor would give you a second chance. Reed you're his prize pupil he isn't going to let you just fail like that."

END OF FLASHBACK

Sue really helped me then. If I didn't have Sue…i…I'd be…

Nothing?

Yeah.

Reed's father stormed out the room. Reed trembled as he walked past cursing under his breath. The other Reed stared after him sadly before turning back to his work. The ring of a telephone interrupted him. AU Reed picked up the phone and smiled slightly.

"Hi Ben…no not much, you? …Your where? … Why? … Sounds like fun… I'm getting nowhere…okay…see you…bye." Reed hung up and sighed.

I don't want to see anymore.

That's fine. Do you want to see Susan?

No…not yet. What about Ben? How's he doing?

There's only one way to find out. Adam clicked his fingers and the scene began to fade away.