Did you complete your analysis of the bonbon?

H.E.R.B.I.E.'s shattered body twitched.

"A...nal...ysis..." the lights inside the frame blinked irregularly. "M...m...mutant...D-D-D.N.A. W-w-w-arn...ing...b-b-b-bio...haz...ard...add...dict...ive..."

Sue Storm frowned. She gathered that much. But how had it passed the initial scans? And more importantly...

"H.E.R.B.I.E. Can you make more of it?"

It was the hunger that spoke. Not for food, but something deeper. That edge of agitation, of need. Sue Storm had never been a junky, but she remembered that moment of painful clarity after birth, when the epidural had worn off, and all she wanted in the world was not to feel. She had overcome that. Learned to live without it. And the need had gone away. But now.

"N-n-nega-tory. M-m-m-miss Rich...ards. S-s-s-subs-tance. Has. I-i-i-inter...di...mens...ion...al...c-c-c-comp...on...ent."

Sue sighed and sank down to the ground.

Okay. So I'm addicted to a substance that I can't manufacture. Which means I need to get clean. But if last night is any indication, when the craving hits I'll do anything for more. And as far as I know, Porkum might be sending me more, so...

By the time the Invisible Woman stood, small repair drones had clustered around H.E.R.B.I.E. they would repair the robot's damaged chassis. Clean up the mess in the lab. The Invisible Woman had more important preparations to make.

"This is the radioactive isotope that I was shot with," Sue Storm held up the crystal that glowed with a sickly yellow light. "The radiation negates my powers. That's how it was able to penetrate my invisible **** field. I'm hoping this will keep me...manageable...when the cravings take hold."

She had placed it on a metal collar that she fastened around her neck. It clicked into place, and she turned the key, to lock it there. The Invisible Woman held up the key.

"The Baxter Building is going to be on lockdown. Nobody in or out. No packages in or out. No bonbons. I'll be **** to go cold turkey. I expect withdrawal will be...traumatic. Which is why I'm counting on you. Both to take care of me, and to keep me safe from myself during this time."

She extended her hand, palm up, with the key. To the only one she could trust with this task.