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Johnny wasn't complaining.

He probably had a right to complain, but that wouldn't solve anything. For now, he was content to sit on the couch and play video games, listening to Ben's updates on the enormous machine that was supposed to make him better. If it ever works.

Johnny liked having Ben close to him. As huge rock-guy, he was the closest thing to a "sure thing" that Johnny was likely to get. Mostly, he was behaving like an older brother towards Johnny, even though he was almost twice his age. It was the first time the two had been civil since the "Fantastic Four" had formed.

Ben looked after Johnny for another reason. If the kids started having a fit, like he thought he was back in Doom's torture chamber, Ben brought him back to reality.

The days melted together, and if the team got a call for an emergency, they'd pass it along to another agency. Johnny came first. Always.

So October turned into November, and Johnny still hadn't changed. He was still coughing his lungs out, still could barely stand up, still was way too hot. He was a mess, but he didn't complain. It wouldn't solve anyone's problems.

Then things started to pick up.

"Ben, it's ready for testing."

Ben didn't even stop to look at Reed Richards. He breezed right past him. "Didn't you hear me Ben? The machine's a go!" Reed didn't get why Ben wasn't excited.

"Who're you going ot test it on?"

Whht kind of stupid question is that? Reed asked himself. "Johnny, of course. The machine was made for him." If it wasn't, Reed didn't know what he was doing.

"And if it doesn't work?"

"Back to the drawing board. But's it's going to work, I know it is." It'd better, if he'd been working on it for over a month.

Ben finally stopped walking away. "Will it hurt Johnny?"

Reed honestly didn't know. He remained silent until, "Do you really think I'd hurt him, Ben?"

Ben made a deep noise that indicated what he thout of what Reed was doing. "It'd better work."

"It's gonna." I hope.

Sorry, but I needed the dialouge. Next chapter's the test, so it'll be way longer. Review!