A/N: hey guys! this is my first F4 fanfic ever. i finally got to see the movie over christmas break and i absolutely loved it - especially johnny storm. so, naturally, i decided to write a story. you might have read my other two stories for LOTR - The World Forgotten (complete)and Remembering You and Me (in progress). My LOTR story will take priority over this story, so don't expect updates too often, but i will be working on it periodically. hope you enjoy it!
linilya elf
Disclaimer: i don't own any of the F4 or any corresponding characters of Stan Lee's. i wish i owned chris evans. :sigh:
Chapter 1
New York. It was such a crazy city. Cayleigh Richards stared out of her new apartment window to the streets below and sighed. Apparently, this was going to be her permanent home. Not that the Baxter Building that her brother practically owned was so bad. There were at least ten floors taken with Reed's lab and adjoining bedrooms, bathrooms, living room, and kitchen. She just didn't like big cities too much. Besides, she was living with the Fantastic Four. Could she be any safer?
A loud crash came from the lab downstairs and she rushed to the door. Flinging it open, she hurried down the hall to the walkway that led around the lab. Standing in the main area of the lab were two men. One was humungous, rock-like, and rather intimidating. His skin seemed to be an orange kind of stone. He was bulky and strong, and all he wore was a pair of dark blue pants and a belt. The other was shorter, but muscular. His close cropped buzz cut hair was dirty blond, and his wide eyes were a piercing light blue. Clothed in a pair of sweatpants and an undershirt, his physique was clearly defined. Evidently, this man worked out. A lot. They seemed to be arguing over something.
"Aw, Ben! That was brand new!"
"Do I look like I care?" the rock-like man shouted, his voice gravelly and hoarse.
"I really couldn't tell you, Pebbles. Your facial expressions are kinda hard to read," the younger man replied, a cocky grin spreading over his boyish face.
"That's it, Torchy!"
Ah. So these two were Ben Grimm and Johnny Storm – the Thing and the Human Torch. Reed had told her all about his three friends in order to prepare her for living in the same building. After the accident in space almost a year ago, the four had come back with altered DNA and special powers. Reed, or Mr. Fantastic, could stretch his body to almost indefinite lengths. Susan, his fiancé and Johnny's sister, could form force fields and become invisible, hence the name the Invisible Woman. Ben had turned into this big stone-like, powerful Thing, doubling his size and mass. And Johnny was able to ignite his entire being with flame, reaching temperatures of supernova capacity. Once hot enough, he could fly. And from what she had heard, there was an intense, but familial relationship between the Thing and the Torch. It wasn't unusual for them to be arguing.
"Would you two stop it? Cayleigh's upstairs trying to sleep. She got in late last night," Reed broke in, hushing them.
"Cayleigh's here?" Ben asked. "When did she get in?"
"Two this morning."
Cayleigh smiled. "Give it up, Reed. I'm already awake."
Three faces turned upward and found her standing at the top of the stairs. Reed gave her a warm smile. Ben looked disbelieving. And Johnny looked…well…stunned. Despite the fact that she was still in her pajamas and, no doubt, her hair was a mess, she bounded down the steps and ran at Ben. She launched herself into his rocky arms and let herself be swung around in a couple circles.
"God, Ben. I've missed you so much," she said, glancing up at him.
"You two know each other?" Johnny really looked confused now.
"Of course. Reed and Ben were best friends through college. I had the biggest crush on Ben when I was ten years old," she explained.
Another grin crept across the younger man's face. "You had a ten year old girl crushing on you, Pebbles? That's so cute."
"I idolized him. He was with Reed all the time. Something that I wanted, but I was only a kid. I didn't understand half the things they talked about. But Ben spent time with Reed and with me. He was my best friend." Cayleigh paused. "Of course, I am so over that now. He broke my heart."
"I did?" Ben asked.
"Yep. When you and Reed were going out to dinner. Reed was going with Sue, and you brought some girl with you to our house. Debbie, I believe her name was. You guys are engaged now, aren't you?"
Ben made a face. "Not anymore."
Cayleigh grimaced. "I'm sorry, Ben. Why? Because of this?" she asked, gesturing to his bulky frame. When Ben nodded, she scowled. "That's the biggest load of bull I've ever heard. She wasn't right for you, Ben. You know that, then?"
Reed broke in. "He is dating again."
"Oh?"
"Yeah. Some chick he met at a bar. Alicia, I think," Johnny said as he moved over to the door to open it for Sue who had just arrived with a bunch of shopping bags.
"At a bar, Ben?" Cayleigh questioned.
"Alicia's a sweetheart," Sue stated, setting some of the bags down. "I did some shopping for you because Reed said you didn't get to bring much with you. We're about the same size, so I hope it all fits."
"Thank you so much, Suzie."
"Whoa, wait a minute. Why am I the only one who does not know her yet?" Johnny asked, throwing his arms out as if to signal pause.
"Well, you were the only one who never went over to their house. She knew me because I dated Reed. And Ben was Reed's best friend. And obviously, Reed's her brother. She never met you," Sue replied.
"Oh." Johnny still looked befuddled.
"In which case, you should probably introduce yourself," she continued, glaring at him for his lack of manners.
"Right," he said, running his hand through his hair nervously. Then, he stuck his hand out for her and said, "Johnny Storm. Sue's brother."
"Cayleigh Richards. Reed's sister," she replied, shaking his hand. His skin felt unusually warm, almost hot, and she pulled her hand away quickly in shock. At the shocked look on his face, she stated, "You're hot."
Understanding flooded his face and he grinned. "Why thank you. So are…"
"Don't finish that sentence, Jonathan," Sue interrupted, glaring again. "We want Cayleigh to feel welcome and at home. Not scare her away with your harassment. She's going to be here for a while."
Cayleigh blushed profusely and lowered her gaze. "I think I'll go try on these clothes. Thanks again, Sue." She grabbed the bags and headed upstairs to her room.
Sue frowned at Johnny and smacked him on the arm. But he wasn't paying any attention. He was watching Cayleigh climb the steps. "Don't even think about it, Tinkerbell," Ben said lowly. "She's been through too much lately to deal with you."
"What? Who said I was going to do anything?"
The other three rolled their eyes. "We know how you are with the ladies, Johnny," Reed intoned, trying to be nice. "And I would appreciate it immensely if you would leave my little sister out of your list of former flames."
Johnny scowled, but said nothing before stalking off to his own room.
yeah, a little short, but my second chappie's quite a bit longer. review and let me know what you think.