A Call From Her Husband

The chirp of the interdimensional communicator echoed throughout the darkened living quarters of the Fantastic Four. Sue Storm staggered off the bed, a sheet clasped to her chest as she limped toward the console. It was not yet morning, and as she pressed the glowing button, she stared blearily into the face of her husband.

"Reed," she said, and a pang of guilt went through Sue Storm as she remembered what she had done last night.

Mister Fantastic was unshaven. There were bags under his eyes. In the background, Sue could see Johnny and Ben asleep in their niches. It was pointless to ask where they were. Somewhere in the bleed between universes, tracing the robotic intruder. A tiny screen-within-the-screen showed Sue her own face in the darkened room, the sheet that she held obscured her breasts but left her shoulders bare.

"How are you?" They said at almost the same time, and that brought a tired smile from both of them.

Sue wondered how much she should tell Reed. This was her chance to come clean about Porkum, the bonbons, everything. A part of her wanted to unload on him. But how could she tell Reed about last night? As she hesitated, Reed took the initiative.

"How is your wound?" He asked.

"Infected," Sue said. "I've started taking antibiotics, but I've got a fever. Not sleeping well."

"Have you had any difficulties with your powers?" Reed said. "Any unusual mood swings, crisis of confidence, anything like that?"

The Invisible Woman blinked. She hadn't expected that.

"I...a little. Sometimes I've been having trouble concentrating. Distracted, I guess. Tired," Sue admitted. Then she burst out. "I've missed you."

Reed smiled again. "I've missed you too. The alien projectile that struck you—we've found traces of the radioactive isotope, in a universe that's...like a perverse parody of our own. It's called 'Defraudium,' and the super-powered women of that universe are particularly susceptible to its radiations, which suppress their powers."

Sue swallowed hard. "And...and do you think it has that effect on women from our universe? On me?"

Mr. Fantastic frowned. "I don't know, but it is possible. We removed the projectile, but the radiation might still affect you. I'm concerned for your safety if any of our enemies attack."

That was the moment. Sue knew that if Reed asked her directly, she wouldn't be able to lie about Porkum and the chocolates. She wasn't sure what he would do—possibly just abandon the chase and return home—and Sue wasn't sure she wanted that.

Which made Sue think about what she did want. The guilt of last night's climax stayed with her. She needed to do something about that. Something to reaffirm her relationship with Reed.

"Ben and Johnny are asleep, right?" Sue said.

"Yes. Did you want me to wake them up so you could talk to them?" Reed asked.

The Invisible Woman let the sheet she held against her naked body to fall away. Reed's eyes went wide as her bare breasts were exposed to the camera.

"I was thinking, maybe we could fool around?" Sue said. "I can give you a little show..."