"Well, look at you," Ben smiled as his niece walked in, "Reed said you were joining us."

Elena smiled at her uncle, "I wouldn't miss it," she smoothed her hands over her dress and Ben finally took in her outfit. It was a long sleeved black lace dress, it looked much like the romper she wore at the boat party two years ago, but it was tight around her. She was wearing a pair of silver sparkling heels and her usual diamond necklace and diamond studs. Her white hair was in soft messy waves down to her upper shoulder blades. It sparkled in its usual way and her grey eyes were rimmed with light make up that made them sparkle even more.

"I'm sure he's happy you're coming."

"He better," Elena teased, "I'm gonna be comparing his party to Sue's the entire time!" she gave a laugh which brought Johnny and Reed out into the foyer where they were suppose to meet, "And here he is! The soon to be married man."

"Thank you for coming," Reed smiled giving her a quick hug and she shrugged.

"Didn't have any plans."

Johnny was silent the entire way over to the club, Elena looked beautiful in every way and he couldn't get over the fact that her eyes sparkled when she glanced over to him. His body ached during the time of not spending time with her.

Johnny, Reed, Elena and Ben walked into the club. Rap music was blasting through the speakers in the large room. It was severely crowded with people everywhere. The four looked around before Elena took off, she knew the club well enough and was hell bent on getting some liquor in her before she went dancing. Johnny has also been here before so he looked around as if he was reminding himself of the place.

"This is it?" Ben asked, his eyes scanning the large crowd of dancing people.

"I don't know anybody here," Reed said.

"Yeah, I would have invited some of your friends but you really don't have any," Johnny shouted over the music, "Hey!" two girls pushed through the crowd and to Johnny. Ben's eyes widened when he saw them.

"Johnny, we had a deal!" Reed said. It took Johnny a second to realize what he was talking about.

"They're not exotic dancers," He walked forward, wrapping an arm around each of the girls waists, "They're just hot."

Ben and Reed's eyes met each other's. A silent conversation between the two of them of Johnny's sudden more open with his womanizing, especially since Elena was in the building. They couldn't help but notice at how one of the girls looked strikingly like Elena before she gained her white hair.

"You're Mr, Fantastic, aren't you?" one of the girls asked moving out of Johnny's arms and placed her hands on Reed's shoulders, "That's so awesome," she giggled and moved closer to him. Ben suddenly felt very awkward and excused himself to the bar.

"I'm gonna need a pitcher with the biggest handle you've got," Ben told the bartender. He nodded his head and moved away to find one. Ben gained a strange look from a man that sat next to him as he started to dance to the rap music that was playing. He glanced over and saw Elena laughing and dancing with a group of guys, Johnny had yet to notice.

Meanwhile, multiple black cars pulled up the Baxter Building. People in uniforms exited the cars and walked through the lobby. Jimmy made an attempt to greet them but they blew him off. Then walked over to the private elevator, pressed the button and stepped inside all while Jimmy tried to tell them that they couldn't use that elevator, but they ignored him again.

They walked out of the elevator on the top floor and were greeted by a holographic image of a woman.

"Ms. Storm will be with you shortly," she said, a plastic-like smile on her face. The man went to thank the woman but he hesitated when the image faltered.

Sue walked around the corner a second later, "Hello?" Sue asked, "Thanks Roberta," the holographic image dissipated as the three people walked over to Susan Storm, "Can I help you?"

"We're here to see Dr. Richards," the man said firmly.

"I'm sorry. He isn't here right now. Is there anything I can help you with?" Sue asked sweetly.

"Yes. You can take me to Dr. Richards," Susan blinked as she nodded.

"Okay."

Ben slammed down the third pitcher onto the bar. He turned to the man next to him and burped making his large brown afro blow back with an expression that was priceless.

"Sorry," Ben turned to the bartender and motion for another drink.

"When the universe began it was no bigger than a marble and then - bam," he joined the pads of his fingers and puffed them out to explain his point, "It exploded and in a trillionth of a second, it expanded exponentially to what became the universe we know today."

Only Reed would explain the Big Bang Theory at his bachelor party, "Wow you're really smart," the girl next to him said.

"Well, thanks, Candy. That means a lot to me," he said. Her hand moved to his back as another Pop song started.

"I love this song. You want to dance?" a girl said, jumping up and holding out her hand.

"No, I don't, really."

"Yes you do. Come on."

"No, no. Honestly. No, no, no, no, please," they ignored his pleading and dragged him to the dance floor, "I don't want to embarrass you guys."

The girls all started dancing to the music. Reed, however, just shuffled his feet nervously. Candy moved over and almost started grinding on him making Reed feel extremely awkward now, "Just loosen up! Have some fun!" she shouted over the music to him. He started to dance, it wasn't a complicated dance, more like a bouncing head bob sort of thing, "That's it!"

The other girls cheered for him and danced some more. He bumped his hip into Candy's and then the other girl's hip. He shuffled his feet back and forth before spinning himself around, using his ability to twist himself into the air. The crowd of people that were watching them cheered for him.

Johnny walked over and clapped Ben on the shoulder, "Guy really knows how to loosen up," he smiled.

"You're not kidding," Ben smirked before looking to Elena who was dancing in a booth with a bunch of guys.

"Where's Elena?" Johnny asked finally noticing her absence, but his eyes followed Ben's gaze and his jaw dropped to see the Fire Gem dancing with other guys. They couldn't see it, but he could, her legs were starting to turn into diamond form, "Give me a second," Making his way over to the booth he heard Elena's fake laugh ring through the air, "Glow!" he yelled over the music, "Glow!" her grey eyes met his blue ones and he saw them significantly brighten.

"Johnny!" she smiled trying to move forward but the guys she was with blocked her path, she scowled at them before forcefully pushing her way through them.

"Hey Gem! The song isn't over!" a drunk guy yelled after her but then saw Johnny taking her hand and her legs changing back to normal, "Oh Torch! You can share this piece of glASS, right?"

Elena nervously glanced at Johnny who shook his head, "Buddy! You didn't know you had diamond dancing with you! So no! I can't share!" Elena's eyes widened at Johnny as he dragged her back to where Ben was.

"Thank you," Elena said nervously as they reached Ben. Reed was now stretching his legs to either side of the room and touched the walls, all three turned their heads. Reed then did the noodle arms which was extremely convenient to his powers. He held his hands to Candy and the other girl who placed their hands in his. He spun them around just as Sue waltzed in with the military people. He retracted his arms and pulled the girls into his chest with his arms wrapped around their waists.

"There he is," the man said pointing at Reed.

"Yes," Sue said, "Unfortunately," Reed laughed and continued to dance with the girls, completely oblivious to the people who were now watching him, "For him," she finished her sentence as Reed finally looked over and saw them, his smile dropping and he stopped dancing, "Shall we?"

Elena saw who Reed was looking at and froze, "Shit," she quickly turned around and hide her face, "Shit, shit shit, shit!"

"I think it's clobbering time," Ben said to Johnny seeing the man as well, "Come on," he patted Johnny's shoulder before walking over to the group while Johnny dragged Elena with him.

"Let's go talk in private," the man said to Reed who nodded.

Together, the five of them plus the military people walked into the kitchen, "How does Reed know the general?" Sue asked Ben.

"A few years back, the guy was trying to push a missile defence system. Reed testified that the technology wouldn't work."

"I'm only here, Richards, because I'm under orders form the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Personally, I don't like the idea of sharing sensitive information with a civilian scientist, especially one who enjoys the public spotlight so much," Johnny got comfortable leaning against the counter while Elena sat on the counter next to him, then he saw a man who was helping General Hagar tactlessly staring at her.

Reed chuckled, "Always a pleasure to see you too, General," Hagar nodded a curt nod, "What can I do for you?"

"As you may know, there have been recent unusual occurrences all over the world. Officially, we've downplayed their significance to the public but we're concerned that these anomalies might pose a credible threat of our national security," a man stepped up who's name was Frankie and handed a file to Reed.

"Not on the online chatting communities," Elena spoke up, "They've got enough chatter on this anomaly to make a new Bible."

"These were taken by one of our spy satellites three days ago," there were four pictures on each page, they looked to be a somewhat silver object flying through the air.

Sue looked up at the general, "What is it?"

"We were hoping Dr. Richards could tell us."

"I'm afraid I've never seen anything like it. Ben?" he handed the pictures to Ben, "Elena seen anything like this on your scanners?" the two looked at the pictures.

"Well, I would say that it is a meteor but the trail's all wrong," Ben said, "This thing's giving off it's own energy."

"None of my sources have anything like this," Elena said making Johnny question what those sources were.

"Take a look at this," Hagar said.

"These have been appearing in remote areas throughout the world since the events started," Reed looked at the picture of what seemed to be a crater, "Field estimate its diameter to be 200 meters," Frankie finished his statement with a tight lipped smile.

"If we're going to find out what this is all about we need a way to locate and intercept that object," Elena glanced over at the man who was staring at her and smiled, making Johnny furrow his brows at the exchange of looks between the two of them.

"I could create a firewall to block the online community from getting a glimpse at what this thing is doing. Even make a tracking system to gain anything anyone does post," Elena stated before Reed started talking.

"It's be possible to build a sensor, tie it to the Baxter Building satellite grid," Sue's face feel as he talked, "And we can pinpoint the exact location of the object."

"Good, so then you'll build the sensor and the firewall for us, we'll tie that to the—"

"I'm afraid I can't," all heads snapped to Reed.

"What?"

He stepped back and stood next to Sue, "You see, I'm getting married this Saturday. I just don't have the time."

"Richards, you know what we could do to Miss Brighton if she even glimpses into any database," Hagar threatened making her stiffen slightly, "Your country needs your help."

"Elena's charges have been dropped years ago," Ben stated.

"Look, why don't you call Professor Jeff Wagner? He's the head of the physics department at Brown. I'm sure he can help you," Reed offered.

Hagar made a motion with his hand that signalled for his crew to clean up their stuff, "I expected more, Richards. Even from you," the man looked at Elena who sent him her famous kind smile that few received. Johnny didn't know why it made him mad, it just did.

The car drove away leaving Elena and mystery soldier chatting up a storm, "He can't do much, but he will make your days difficult," the man said making Elena giggle with a shrug.

"When hasn't he?" she giggled as Johnny approached the two.

"John Storm. Fantastic Five Inc.," he held his hand out for him to shake earning a confused look from Elena.

"Great," he said before looking back at Elena with a kind smile while a car pulled up, "I'll call you," he got in his car and she waved him off.

"And he just left, I was clearly talking to him," Johnny muttered, "Rude much," Elena snickered at him, "Why were you freaking out earlier?"

Elena laughed before motioning with her head for him to walk with her, "General Hagar was a man who desperately wanted me to go to jail."

Johnny looked at her, "Why? Before the station you were as harmless as a roaring kitten," he laughed which she joined.

"Physically I was, but give me a computer and I was worse than a lion," she smirked at herself thinking back to her teen years, "I guess I still haven't told you."

"About the dare? Yeah, I've still been kept in the dark with that," Johnny said with a slight pout.

"You will know," she smiled looking over at Johnny, "In time."

Johnny groaned out loud, slightly dragging his feet, "Why can't you just tell me?" Elena gave out a laugh before smirking to herself.

"That would ruin the surprise!" Johnny felt a need of praise for that moment right then and there. This was the most Elena had spoken to him in months and he was making her laugh. LAUGH! It's like nothing had happened between the two and things were back to normal.

"Who was that by the way?" Johnny asked thinking back to military guy.

"Oh him? Just a friend," Elena waved it off. This made Johnny smile, it wasn't someone who made her smile by the thought of, "Thank you, again, by the way."

Johnny looked over at her with mild fascination, "It was no big deal," he honestly said.

"No, I don't think you understand what I'm saying," Elena stated before stopping Johnny from walking, "Those guys were scaring me and you made them stop."

Johnny's eyes widened at the look she was giving him. It was the same look that she gave him after they kissed, "Well, they just didn't know who they were dancing with," he lightly said trying to keep the conversation up beat.

Elena smirked before starting walking again, "I guess they didn't," she said before glancing over at Johnny. But do you?

The two walked back to the Baxter Building, no one really stopped them, seeing the two chatting and laughing up a storm. Paparazzi took photos of the two. It was rare now a days to see Johnny and Elena alone on a walk. When they finally got to the elevator, Elena kicked her heels off, feet aching from all the walking.

"Never again," she mumbled leaning against the metal panelling.

"Not wearing heels?" Johnny teased, "But you have the wedding!" he dramatically gasped and faked fainted.

"Never am I walking from a club in these shoes!" she corrected herself, "They just kill my feet," she said as she rubbed her left foot. Johnny glanced down with a chuckle but stopped when he saw the burn marks on her hand. Elena glanced up when she heard Johnny's laugh cut off, "Johnny?" she asked putting her foot down.

His eyes saddened when looking at her hand, "I guess I never apologized for that," he whispered gently taking it into his hands.

"Johnny," Elena started but he shook his head.

"I should've never done that, even if your powers worked against me," he said interlacing his fingers with hers.

"I was going to tell you," she confessed he raised an eyebrow, "But you kinda cut me off."

Johnny sent her a look, "When?"

Her cheeks reddened as she looked away, "When we kissed."

Johnny smirked before brushing a strand of hair out of her face, "I miss your short hair," he whispered making her nod in agreement, "But I like it like this too."

Elena looked up, opening her mouth to say something but Johnny stopped her by planting his lips onto hers. Fire exploded in the kiss, not literally, but the passion behind it was so powerful it sent Johnny stumbling forward, pinning Elena against the wall. She gasped against his lips as their tongues danced, careful not to light any of their clothes on fire, Johnny weaved his fingers through her white locks and pulled her closer to him, chest against chest. The elevator dinged and they pulled apart, both panting.

Elena leaned her head against the wall to cool her skin as she felt Johnny place his forehead against hers, "So what was the dare?" he whispered between pants.

Elena rolled her eyes before pushing him away from her, "Still doesn't get it," she said with eyes that made Johnny do a double take. Her eyes were watching him carefully and with a new type of sparkle.

"Elena," Johnny started but the doors opened making her slip out of his arms.

"It's been two years, Johnny," she said looking back at him with heels in hand, "And you have yet to ask. All you have to do is ask."

"Ask what?" he questioned making her huff out in exhaustion before turning on her heel and walking to her room. He did the same and sat on his bed, his mind running into different directions. The kiss, the man in the kitchen, the club, the kiss again. His head perked up when he heard the shower he and Elena share turn on. It was next to his room and so he leaned in close to listen to the noise Elena was making. It wasn't humming like it usually was. It was the sound of her trying to muffle her sobs. His heart broke for her before he got changed for bed.

He was always a light sleeper, so he jolted awake when he heard a terrifying cry come from Elena's room. Running over he burst down the door to see her thrashing in her sleep, body in diamond form as flames licked the edges of her bed.

"No…please!" she whimpered, "No…don't!" his eyes widened in horror as she thrashed.

"Elena!" Johnny yelled running to her side.

"Johnny! No! Don't hurt him!" he immediately shook her out of diamond form before forcing her to wake up with a loud scream.

"Glow!" he gasped as she shot upright, panting and tears coming down her face.

Her grey eyes met his face and she gasped, "Johnny!" before throwing her arms around his neck and crying into his shoulder.

"Glow?" Johnny whispered wrapping his arms around her shaking form, "What happened? Why were you screaming?" she shook her head before pulling her form away from him.

"I don't want to talk about it," she breathed out wiping her face free from tears. She was quick to check him over, looking for any injuries of any kind before leaning against her wall.

"No, Glow," Johnny firmly stated, "We need to talk about it," she shot him a surprised look, "This isn't healthy. Almost every night, you're waking up screaming and I can't take it anymore!"

She diverted her eyes away from him, "I'll tell Reed to sound-proof my room then," she whispered pulling at the hem of the tank top she was wearing.

"No, that's not what I mean," Johnny sighed before glancing at the clock. It was five in the morning. There was no way either of them were going to go back to sleep now, "Get dressed, let's go for a fly," Elena nodded before he left to get changed, he left his door slightly open to make sure she didn't go back to sleep. He waited patiently in the hall before she joined him.

"Why are we going out?" she asked walking next to him towards the balcony.

"If you're not going to tell me what's going on then I'm going to keep your mind off of it as much as I can," Johnny firmly said before taking off into the sky, Elena soon followed with a soft smile on her lips.

"Hey, what are you doing up here?" Reed turned around and looked at the person who spoke to him. Ben came into view, only to see Reed messing around with the satellite dish.

"Uh, nothing, just needed some air," he lief.

"You're making that thing for the general, aren't you?" Reed didn't answer. He turned around to continue working on the dish, "I'm guessing Susie doesn't know about it," Reed whipped around to face Ben, "Don't worry. My lips are sealed. That is, they would be if I had any."

Reed let out a dry chuckle, "Look, uh, don't tell Johnny," Ben went to talk but he was interrupted by none other than Johnny himself. He and Elena landed on the terrace.

"Don't tell Johnny what?" he questioned as the two walked in.

"Great," Reed said.

"Are you building that thing?" Johnny asked pointing to the dish.

"No, it—" Reed tried to talk but he ended up stuttering.

"If Sue finds out you're gonna get an invisible kick in the nuts," this sent Elena into a fit of silent giggles.

"Hey, hey, hey. We're keeping this quiet," Ben said placing a hand on Johnny's chest.

"I know," he said as Elena crept towards the door, "Just don't forget that we have Sue's best friend with us," Johnny turned and walked into the penthouse with Elena silently followed, evading Ben and Reed's eyes.

"Don't worry," Ben reassured Reed but then their eyes widened remembering Johnny's words.

"Dammit," Reed groaned.

Elena leaned against the window of Sue's room and watched the crowd below as Johnny pulled up to the building. Her stomach churned when she saw a girl step out the passenger side as Johnny yelled something to the crowd before joining his date by the reporters. She heard the conversation through the Tv.

"So, what does it take to date the Human Torch?" the reporter asked pointing the microphone at the girl.

"Fireproof lingerie and a lot of aloe," she replied not missing a beat. Elena felt like vomiting before roughly turning off the tv and walked over to where Alicia sat.

"This isn't how I imagined it," Sue sighed her gaze fixed out the window.

"It never is," Alicia said as she held Elena's sapphire ring out for her and she gently slipped it on her index finger.

"No, Alicia. It just doesn't feel right."

"Sweetie," Alicia started, getting up from the bed and feeling her way over to the couch, "I think even superheroes are allowed to have wedding day jitters," Elena moved so she was standing near the window by Sue.

"It's more than that. Is my life always going to be a circus? Do we really want to raise kids in all this? Face it, we're not exactly normal."

"Ben and I aren't normal but we don't let that get in the way of us being happy," Alicia said, her head pointed slightly under Sue's face.

"Sue, I can barely go on a date without the media freaking," Sue slightly laughed.

"Yeah."

"That's not normal!" Elena placed her hands on Sue's arms, "Do you love Reed?"

"More than I've ever loved anyone."

"Then you have nothing to worry about," Alicia finished for her as Sue pulled them into a hug.

"Thank you," Sue pulled away and wiped the tears from the corner of her eyes, "Okay," she walked over to where her dressed hanged in front of the mirror, "Oh, great."

"What?" Alicia asked, standing up from where she sat on the couch.

"I've got a zit."

"Can't you put make up on it?"

"No, no, I got it," she used her invisibility to make the blemish vanish, "Crisis averted. Now all I have to do is concentrate on that area continuously for the next eight hours."

Elena and Alicia both giggled.

AN: AHH! The bachelor party, the KISS, the moments before the wedding!

Please leave a review and no FLAMES!

Xoxo - Scar