Reed had been stunned that Lily embraced him for comfort and spoken to him. He really had thought she wouldn't be ready for anything, but it seems he was happy to be wrong. When Sue came out of the bathroom, she spotted the light on and Reed and Lily embracing. She could hear Lily crying. Instead of asking Lily to go to her bed, she simply kissed Reed's cheek, turned out the lights, and went to take the other bed. By the next morning, Sue and Reed woke up to get ready for the flight.

Reed had slipped out of Lily's arms so he could get ready and allow her a little more sleep until she no longer could. They travelled the air for a long while before they finally arrived at a rainy New York. Now they were in the car that Reed had ordered for them. Lily sat in the backseat with Reed while Sue took the front.

Lily looked out the window, taking in the sights she hadn't seen for the last two years. It seemed so strange to be back. Nothing changed. Which felt a little odd to her because everything had changed for her. When the car finally stopped at their destination, The Baxter Building, she spotted a crowd of people hanging around the front entrance, and as soon as they pulled in, lights flashed from cameras and screaming could be faintly heard through the glass.

Reed sighed. Somehow, somewhere, someone knew they had left and were coming back. He had hoped along with Sue that they could have a smooth transition back for Lily. No such luck. He looked over to Lily and could see the overwhelming wide-eyed expression.

"Sorry, Lils, there's not much we can do about them. Just get out and we'll get through as quickly as we can," Reed said.

Lily could only nod. If she had known this would happen, she would've asked them to get a sweater for her so she could sink and hide in the hood. She did a lot of that over the last year and became an escape for her. There was no way she could escape this. She swallowed as she scootched across the seat to follow Reed as he opened the door and stepped out. Reed was grateful that the driver stepped out to help Sue out of the car so he didn't have to. He grabbed Sue's waist then Lily's hand as she stepped out. She nearly gripped his arm hard.

"Dr. Richards! Mr. Fantastic!"

The crowd calling for his name and Sue's was loud and overwhelming. Lily couldn't believe how insane this was. She tucked her head as much as she could in Reed's arm as he began leading them. He was silent. She wondered why she wasn't getting wet and peeked upwards. Sue covered them with a force-field shaped like an umbrella.

"Who is she?!"

She heard the call of someone inquiring about her and she hid her face away. Reed pulled in his arm as best as he could. He looked down, checking on her. He could see how overwhelmed she was. This was too much. He really wished whoever it was that spilled the beans about their whereabouts, would've shut their mouth. He looked up and was grateful to see Jimmy, their old doorman.

The older man opened the door quickly and the three stepped in. The door shut behind them and the sounds ceased. Sue sighed with relief as she let the field dissipate.

"Vultures," She muttered.

"Thank you, Jimmy. I appreciate that," Reed smiled gratefully.

"Of course, sir," Jimmy replied.

Reed let Sue go and patted Lily's arm. "It's all good Lils."

Lily lifted her head but didn't let his arm go. Reed was fine with that. He'd rather have her wrapped around his arm for comfort instead of not. Jimmy peered at her and gave her a smile.

"Hmm, I remember you. Only though, your eyes were different," He said. "I'm not sure you'd remember me."

Lily nodded, "Yeah."

Reed inwardly cheered. At least she wasn't silent for other people. He exchanged relieving looks with Sue then looked back to Jimmy.

"We have deliveries that will be coming in, Jimmy. Please make sure they get sent up when they arrive. I'm not sure when it'll get here," Reed asked.

Jimmy gave a nod, "Of course. Not a problem."

"Thank you, Jimmy," Sue said. She turned towards the elevator and Reed and Lily stood by her side.

Lily remembered when she was down here. It was only once and when she came for help. It seemed so long ago. The elevator opened and they all stepped in. The door closed and she looked down. She could almost imagine the blood stain when she first bled out. She shuddered as she let her hands slide down his arms. One hand slipped into his and gripped hard. Reed felt the shudder and grip. He looked down at her.

"You okay?"

"Just uh…remembering," She softy replied.

"Yeah. I remember it too," He replied. "You ready for this?"

Lily quickly shook her head. "Scared," her voice died down to a whisper.

There wasn't much he could say to reassure her with words. He bet he would've been scared too if he was in her position. Scared of everything that happened and what could happen. After two years away, it would be terrifying to see people you left. Especially if you had only been there for two weeks. He brought her hand up and pressed a kiss to the back of her hand, hoping that would be enough.

Sue watched it all and she smiled. She kissed Reed's cheek and he turned to her.

"What was that for?"

Sue shrugged, "Just for being you. I'm so glad I married you."

Reed blushed but smiled too. The doors opened and he turned his head. He looked down to Lily again and gave her a short squeeze of her hand. They stepped out and heavy footsteps were heard. Lily almost wanted to hide. She knew who that would be. There was only one person that could be. Ben turned the corner and stopped at the sight of them.

Ben couldn't believe the changes he could see in his little Lily. When she had first left, she had confidence to start something, to go out and learn. But now…she looked as frightened as a little deer. He saw the bandages around her arm and his heart clenched, wondering what had happened.

Reed tugged her hand and murmured, "Come on, Lils."

Ben walked forward as did the other three, not pulling his eyes from the flame-haired woman. They met in the middle. Ben so wanted to just pull her into a bear hug, but he could see how timid she was. As if with one touch, she'd run screaming from him, or she'd break into pieces. Ben and Reed looked at each other. It was too silent for them. Too awkward.

Sue spoke up softly, "If you're hungry, I can make you a sandwich? Jimmy can bring your bag up when the car parks."

Lily barely nodded as she looked at the tanned rock like man she hadn't seen in two years, hadn't spoken to since it all went to hell. It was so awkward and silent that when Reed cleared his throat, Lily jumped.

"Sorry," He apologized as he squeezed her hand.

Lily squeezed back, unable to say anything for fear of just bursting into tears.

"Do you want to go to your room? Or…?"

She nodded to Reed's question. She wasn't sure how much longer she could stand there. She pulled her hand from Reed's and turned her head down. Avoiding Ben's stare as she gave him a wide berth. Ben looked at Reed with a pained expression. He turned around.

"Lily?"

Lily stopped as she heard the thick emotion in his voice. Tears welled up in her eyes. It had been so long since she had heard that grating voice in person. She turned around to see him take a step towards her, but Reed stopped him with a hand. Been looked at him and Reed shook his head. A silent message sent. Give her time. When he turned back, he hadn't expected a head full of hair in his face as his arms automatically caught her.

Lily couldn't take it anymore and ran the few steps over and jumped into Ben's arms. She buried her face in the crook of his neck, tears spilling over. Reed patted Ben's shoulder and grabbed Sue's hand. They left to give them space.

Ben sighed as he felt her body shook with sobs. He held her tightly. He was grateful that she made the choice to let him in. To let him hug her.

"Missed you too Lils," Ben's rough voice said.

They held onto each other for another minute before Ben reluctantly set her down. As soon as Lily's feet touched the ground, she looked up at him. Ben gave her a sad smile as he wiped away her tears with his thumb.

"Never thought I would see your pretty face again," Ben commented.

Lily looked down. Ben touched her chin and lifted her face up to his.

"I'm just glad you're here now, no matter the circumstances."

Lily spoke, "I'm really sorry. For everything. For what I said, for-"

Ben pulled her into another hug, silencing her apologies. Then he pulled her back so he could look at her.

"Don't worry about it. When you're ready and you feel better, we can talk about it all," Ben said.

She nodded. The elevator dinged and she looked over thinking it was Jimmy with her bag. But no. It was Johnny. Her faced paled so quickly Ben thought she would faint. He held her arms as she watched Johnny stumble out of the elevator with a blonde woman holding him up.

"Lily!"

At his voice and the call of her name, she looked away. She pulled her arms out of Ben's grip and went around him.

"You're back!"

She could hear the slur underneath the words he spoke. She recognized it from her experience in the bars in London. He was drunk. She ignored it, her lips pursed. She headed to her room and phased through it. The lock clicked afterwards. Ben watched her then looked at Johnny. He gave him a shake of his head and turned away. Johnny looked at them with a dumbfounded look.

"What'd I do?"