Walking into the main living room of the Baxter Building, Johnny Storm was trying his hardest to sneak into the kitchen so he wouldn't wake up the sleeping occupants of the living room. He couldn't sleep at all last night, thinking about all the twists and turns of the past few weeks. Peeking over to his left he stopped still to study what his eyes were telling him. Ty was sitting on the side of the couch, one hand wrapped around his naked torso and the other being held tightly in the hand of a sleeping Sue, he had one of the softest smiles on his face that Johnny could remember seeing on anybody and Sue looked more relaxed and serene as he has ever witnessed from her. He remembered watching them last night as they all talked about random things, Ty kept making Sue laugh and Alec kept making Max laugh. Now people who knew Johnny thought that he was a playboy and wasn't really interested in other people's feelings or that he was ignorant and inattentive, but he did pay attention and he watched all the little gestures between them, how Max would always look at Alec when he laughed and how Sue was always checking on Ty's wounds, he was happy someone was actually giving Sue the attention that she deserved. He looked towards the other couch to see Max and Alec but they weren't there.
"They've gone outside for some fresh air" Johnny looked over at Ty who was now looking at him. Johnny nodded and sat on the couch and watched Sue sleep.
"What's wrong Johnny?" The Human Torch looked up at Ty and sighed.
"I've just been thinking is all"
"About?"
"This...Ty, Reed's trying to find a way back home...but i'm thinking that maybe this is home now. I...a few years ago, if this happened, I would jump at the chance to go home but that was before the whole Silver Surfer thing. Sue is the only family I've got, if staying here with you all will make her happy and I know it will, I'll stand by her side forever" Ty nodded and looked at Sue.
"How do you know it would make her happy?" Johnny laughed and sat up a bit straighter.
"Are you kidding me? She's got a daughter and finally a guy that appreciates her, not a guy like Doom or Reed. And finding out we've actually got family now...I know that makes her happy and that makes me happy too"
"So say if Reed does manage to find a way home, what would you do?"
"I'd stay...without a shadow of a doubt...I'd stay"
Ty smiled and held his hand out for Johnny, Johnny looked at it funny.
"Yeah...i don't hold hands"
"Shake my damn hand...I don't hold hands either" Johnny smirked and switched his gaze to Ty's hand
"Funny that...considering what you're right one is up to"
"Ha ha...Johnny listen, this whole world is messed up and it's gonna take a lot of getting used to. It's restrained to say the least but you'll manage it, you'll adapt. But you'll have to lay low like us, Like Joshua says, people are afraid of things they don't understand, for years Transgenic blood was spilt all over. To them, you'll just be us, you won't be the Fantastic Four...you'll be mutants...nothing more and nothing less. No one will remember what good you've done, they'll just remember the fact that as soon as that accident that happened to you to bring you here, they were alone with no one to look after them, no one to stop the bad things from happening. I've heard all about the rumours and the propaganda all regarding to the pulse, people went from blaming Terrorists to blaming the Government to back again, they even blamed you four and Dr Doom. That led to Doom going back to his home land even after he defended you all, saying that you four couldn't have anything to do with it because you were all M.I.A anyway" Johnny raised an eyebrow to that, silently questioning Doom's motives.
"What you tryna do...scare me off home?" Ty smirked and looked over to sue again, noticing a stray piece of hair across her face he gently brushed it off and caressed the side of her face.
"Far from it...I'm just telling you things I thought you should know"
"Thanks...but laying low?" Johnny slouched down into the chair he was sitting in.
"Only by not using you're powers in public but saying that...White has this toy, a temperature gauge, able to detect the different body temperature in transgenic's and ordinary's. With you being a walking match stick, gotta figure you're average body temperature will be hotter than the average person's, you'll have to really lay low until we can figure out a way to get past them"
"Same will go for Ben too right? I mean he can't really get away with the whole blending in thing" Ty nodded.
"It will be hard for you and Ben, no doubt about that, but Reed and Sue will be able to blend in quite well. Sue...extremely well. That is if you are staying..." Neither Johnny nor Ty noticed Sue wake up, she didn't move or even open her eyes, she just stayed and listened to her brother and the man she has just started to fall for.
"I hope so...I've never been one to talk about feelings and what not, I'm basically a hothead. But no matter which way we look at it...me and Ben are always gonna be classed as freaks, here we will be and we were at home. I just don't understand why people can't see when you're doing something good anymore"
"The world ain't black and white...all of us from Manticore have seen that now, we were taught the black and white rules you know? No morals, no feelings and no judgement unless it pertains to the mission parameters. The thing is we're the gray side of the scale...we could get contracted out by the government to stop terrorist activities or by one of the shifty bigwigs that needed someone putting away for good. I'd hate to get all comic book on you but...DareDevil springs to mind every time i think of it. He was trying to do good but was thought of as the bad guy. Johnny, let me ask you a question...if the cosmic storm accident happened to someone else, would you feel any different, feel better about yourself?"
"That's something i can't really answer...but i know in my heart that I'd rather be here with Sue and the gang than an outsider to this"
"Johnny...that's really sweet. Mum and Dad would be so proud of you..." Ty and Johnny stared at Sue while she just smiled back. She sat up but never let go of Ty's hand. Johnny opened his mouth to say something back but got interrupted by the other two transgenics walking back in through the elevator doors.
"All i asked for was the time...i didn't think he'd pull a gun on me" Alec had a perturbed look on his face
"I don't think it was the asking for time thing that did it Alec..."
"Then what else must have triggered the Wild West showdown?" Alec questioned a unimpressed Max
"Oh i dunno...maybe the fact that instead of saying something like 'hey buddy' you decided to call him a 'Wanker'. How long have you been waiting to say that to someone?" Alec chuckled at the way Max said that
"Since we watched that Lock Stock film..." The fiery Transgenic shook her head at him and he just grinned,
"What have you two been up to now?" Max and Alec both slightly jumped when they heard Ty's accusing voice. They looked over to see him sitting beside Sue with their hands still intertwined, Max smiled at the sight and jogged over to join them both, she sat on the floor in between Sue's and Ty's feet resting her head on Ty's knee she smiled and addressed her Mom.
"Mom?"
"Yes Max?"
"How do you put up with Ty?" Max asked so innocently that Alec laughed and Ty nudged her with his leg.
"Maybe someone should ask me how i put up with you Max!"
"You love me really Ty"
"Yeah...like a bad rash" Max jumped off the floor and glared at Ty
"Hey!" Ty smirked back at her and stood up letting go of Sue's hand in the process
"Don't dish it if ya can't take it Maxine!"
"Oi...don't call me that!" Ty lunged forward and grabbed Max by her waist and effectively threw her onto his shoulders
"Yeah you know i love ya Max"
"Hey put me down...I can't get off...don't drop me!" Max said while trying to wiggle her way off his shoulders, Ty just laughed and held on a bit tighter
"I would never let you fall Max...you know that"
"Maybe...but still, let me down!"
"What are the magic words?"
"Now, Jackass!"
"WRONG...Please try again"
"Oooohhhh" Max slumped down on Ty's shoulders and started to mumble words into the muscles of his back, 'Cuss words most probably' Ty thought while chuckling
Alec and Sue were trying so hard to hold in their laughter...Sue having an easier time than Alec as it seemed as she got up from her seating position and walked over to them. She placed a hand on the back of Max's head and ruffled her hair a little while reaching her other hand up to Ty's face. Sue placed her delicate fingers on Ty's jaw and nodded towards Max. Ty smiled and gently placed Max down on to the couch and sat down next to her giving her a hug. Sue smiled and walked into the kitchen being followed by Alec. She walked over to the kettle and filled it up with water before turning it on, pulling a few cups off the self in front of her she turned around and gestured to Alec to see if he would like a cup, he nodded back.
"Sue?"
"Yes Alec?"
"Can i ask you a question?" Sue turned around to look at Alec before answering him back
"Sure...go ahead" Alec walked up to Sue and took the spoon from her hand
"You and Ty are together right?"
"I don't know how to answer that"
"What do you mean by that?" Alec motioned for Sue to seat at the table while he set to preparing the coffee.
"Well i'm still married Alec"
"So? I mean you and Reed ain't going anywhere are you?"
"Alec..."
"Sue just...listen. You and Reed are a no go...You like Ty in a deep way so why don't you do something about it? We can't stay here forever, we have to get back to Terminal City soon" The whistle from the kettle got Alec's attention so he turned around to pour the cups.
"I know, but...how do i explain this? I want to get to know Ty more than i do...i can't just jump into another relationship while only just getting out of one. I do really like Ty and i've never met anyone like him before"
"Look...Max is the second woman i've loved...the first is dead because of me...i've learnt not to let second chances slip by" Alec gestured into the living room with the spoon that was in his hand, Sue raised an eyebrow and let out a breathe.
"But you are Alec...you've not told Max that you love her yet...you can't tell me not to let Ty slip through my fingers while you're just letting Max get away yourself"
"With me and Max it's complicated" Alec picked up the two coffees and made his way over to Sue and sat down at the table with her, he slid Sue's cup over to her and she nodded her thanks.
"What and being married to another guy isn't?"
"It's the history with us...with me being her dead brother's twin just makes it a little creepy to some people" Alec dropped his head to the table and Sue reached over to pat his shoulder
"Love shouldn't be about what other people think...you love Max so go and tell her"
"But what if she doesn't love me back, what if I'll end up losing her?"
"Losing her?" Alec raised his head at the questioning tone
"What if i make her too uncomfortable to the point of where she'll end up avoiding me? Or if she'll just full on blank me from then on? I couldn't risk losing my best friend like that"
"But you'll end up for the rest of your life thinking about the 'What if's'. You'll be lying to Max every second of everyday and you don't have a problem with that?" Sue shook her head and looked Alec in the eye, making sure she got her point across
"Not if it keeps me in her life or her in mine, no, i don't" Sue clenched her Jaw and took a deep breathe
"It'll kill you Alec, no matter what you do or how hard you try, it'll just keep on haunting you"
"But i don't want her being uneasy around me"
"But you'll be uneasy around her and she'll know Alec"
The two in the kitchen looked over to the kitchen door to see Ty standing there with a frown on his handsome face and his arms crossed over his chest. Ty saw the worry on Alec's and Sue's faces.
"Don't worry...Max is in the lab with Reed and Johnny, i asked Johnny to make as much noise as he can when they're on the way back" Ty walked over to Sue and sat beside her, she offered Ty her cup and he smiled before taking a sip and handing it back to her. Sue looked at Alec and Alec raised an eyebrow at her, she just answered by placing her cup back on the table and resting her head on Ty's shoulders, she looked up at him
"How much did you hear?" Ty looked down at Sue
"Enough...Alec, Sue is right. Don't make the mistake of not telling her, you'll only end up hating yourself when she asks you to give her away at her wedding."
"Right? If anything you'll be the one to give her away. Ty, i won't end up hating myself because i'd be by Max's side, that's where i'd want to be no matter what" Alec snorted and Ty shot him a dirty look
"But you'd rather be the groom. Alec...this way is not for the best, as i said, you'll be the one uneasy around Max and she'll end up worrying and blaming herself. You know how Max is, she takes every little thing on her shoulders and someday I'm worried that she'll break"
"So don't you think that adding this isn't gonna be the proverbial straw that broke the camel's back?" Alec raised a challenging eyebrow and smirked humourlessly
"No, no..."
"I can't tell her"
"You can"
"I won't"
"You will"
"NO!"
"FOR FUCK'S SAKE, ALEC!!!" Alec and Sue jumped up from the table after the outburst from the quiet natured Transgenic, Sue could only stand by as Ty blurred forward and grabbed Alec by the throat and lifted him up against the wall, Alec let out a indignant yell and looked at Ty bewildered, Ty was baring his teeth at Alec and he could tell that Ty was holding back yet his grip was still hurting. Sue was standing at the side after coming back to her senses and was trying to calm Ty down, she was successful but he didn't relinquish his hold on Alec
"You're really pissing me off! You know Max better than this!"
"Really?" Sue could only just hear what he said due to the fact Ty had his hand wrapped around Alec's throat
"I'm getting tired of this shit! You're acting like it'd be the end of the world if Max turns you down...she won't, okay?"
"How in the hell would you know?!" Alec barely managed to gasp out, 'it's a good job we can hold our breath for some time'
"The same way you would if you paid more attention. For one of the best soldiers Manticore had you can be kinda dense at times" Ty let go of Alec and walked over to the kitchen window, looking out at nothing, Sue looked from Alec to Ty and back again, Alec shrugged while rubbing his sore throat. They both looked over at Ty when he continued to speak "Maybe it's the fact that you're around her day after day that's stopping you from seeing what i see, yeah people at T.C tease you an' Max about Sexual Tension but they're just scared of telling you what they see, what they sense. Manticore made you to be Max's equal, to be her partner in crime so to say...you know Manticore wouldn't just put any X-5's together to breed without them being compatible to the highest degree. That's what you and Max are, shit you're more than that. Max hides her feelings by masking them with anger or a fake air of ignorance, you hide your feelings with humour and those cocky smirks of yours .I know it's hard to stay like that but at the end of the day we're all human, those masks that we've worked so hard to build over the years sometimes slip, it's natural. Max's slip when she's around you, she looks younger and happy even if she's yelling at you half of the time. It's not the big wonder of the world that you're Ben's clone, but you're not related. Max is more lost than found at times...she's like an unfinished jigsaw puzzle, missing pieces needing to be filled. And so are you, but what the two of you don't see is that you're the same puzzle, you two make a whole. Max knows that you're basically the only one who knows her inside and out, you know what Max is capable of and what she's done over the years. She gave her first chance of happiness to save you, back then it might have been because of guilt or the brotherly affection she feels for Ben but if you were put in the same position now i know for a fact that Max wouldn't hesitate to help you, to save your life. You're her boy Alec and will be for quite a while to come" Ty turned around towards the end and looked at peace, he looked calm. Sue walked over and hugged him. Ty apologised for scaring her at the table. Alec couldn't speak, he was still processing what Ty told him but his thoughts were shattered at the sound of Johnny's voice, yelling for everyone to come to the Lab. The three in the kitchen ran towards the direction of Johnny when Ty and Alec froze, in front of them they saw Reed unconscious on the floor in a heap and Johnny was holding his own arm which was covered in blood which the Transgenics realized wasn't all his. Sue walked over to the window of the lab, noticing that the glass was smashed she looked a little closer and saw some of the edges were coating in blood, looking around she couldn't see Max anywhere and presumed that she went after whoever caused the chaos. She walked over to Johnny and knelt beside him, helping to keep pressure on the wound. Ty and Alec walked around investigating when Sue started to talk to Johnny
"What happened?"
"Someone got Max. Some strange looking guys came in through the window and skylight, they were dressed in what looked like really sleek riot gear. Max started to fight them off and i help but got shot. One of the guy's knocked Reed out, Max managed to get the helmet offa one of the fighters and she looked shocked, the girl was a redhead an' i think Max knew her. The redhead didn't look too happy about having to fight Max but she looked more unhappy at having to take her away...she looked...like the Silver surfer did when he told us about being made to end the world, she didn't want to do it" Alec and Ty heard what Johnny said and came back over, they shared a look and Ty explained who the people were
"The Phalanx, the freaky fighters are specially bred Familiars and a think the redhead was the unit leader...Thula"
"White's got Max"