Meeting the community, Part 2

After introductions and heading to a nearby coffee shop to talk, Sue told the rest of the group about herself, her past, and how she found herself in this universe.

"Wow. I can't imagine how difficult that must have been," Kori told her after learning about Sue's universe fading out of existence. "I realize such sentiments likely only seem like platitudes, but you have my sympathy."

"Ditto. I'm not sure words can really explain how much that sucks. Or how crappy I feel for you," Gwen added, with both Kori and Jean nodding in agreement.

"I get what you guys are saying. I appreciate it," Sue answered. "But I'll be fine. I'm adjusting... slowly. Moving along, I'm sure you've all got plenty of questions..."

Kara placed a hand on Sue's shoulder. "It sounds like you're ready to tell us a bit more about yourself, huh?", prompting Sue to nod. "Because there's a lot I want to ask..."

"Go right ahead," Sue offered. "I'm ready."

"I'll go first, then, if you don't mind," Gwen said. "Your family -- the Fantastic Four. Tell me more about them."

"There was me, my fiancé Reed Richards, and my younger brother Johnny," Sue started. "Then there was Ben Grimm, Reed's best friend and our closest friend..."

Sue continued, telling the others about the origin of the Fantastic Four and the lives they led as adventurers. She talked about their adventures and some of the foes they faced, including Doctor Doom, the Skrulls, Galactus and his Heralds, the Mole Man, the Impossible Man, and Annihilus. By the looks on their faces, Sue could tell that the other women recognized many of the names she'd mentioned -- Gwen, in particular, looked like she wanted to say something, but was waiting for Sue to continue her story. Finally, she came to the end of her story.

"...And then I found myself here in Metropolis," Sue finished. "...Anything else you want to ask me about?"

Gwen nodded. "You were engaged to Reed Richards in your world?"

"You know him?" Sue asked, her eyes widening. Reed did have a counterpart here!

"He's spoken in my class before. He does a lot of work with my professor, Peter Parker... waitaminute... you're Sue Richards' dimensional counterpart. You have to be!"

Sue blinked. Apparently she existed here, too!

"Is... is there a Fantastic Four here?! A Johnny? A Ben?" Sue asked. She hadn't heard the name here before. Nobody had mentioned them, they hadn't showed up in any research she'd done. She assumed they didn't even exist here. But if she and Reed had counterparts here...

The rest of the group shook their heads. "Never heard of 'em before," Gwen answered, and Kori and Jean echoed the sentiment. "Doctors Reed and Sue Richards exist here, but they don't have any kind of powers. They're insanely smart -- big science names -- but they're ordinary people. Can't say I know anything about a Ben or a Johnny, either. But if I had to guess, they're hanging around in our universe somewhere."

Sue nodded, her mind racing as she wondered about the possible differences between her family and their counterparts here. "Can you tell me anything else about them?"

"First off, they're waaay older than you are," Gwen began. "I'd guess that Reed and Sue are in their sixties. Sue's a fine-looking woman for her age... I'd always assumed she was ludicrously hot when she was younger. You pretty much prove that theory correct..."

"Indeed, you are a gorgeous woman," Kori interjected as Jean & Kara nodded in agreement. "I imagine you are well aware of that already, though."

Sue blushed... that compliment was far more flattering to her than she'd expected. "Happy to prove you right, Gwen... I guess," she chuckled. "Anything else?"

"Just that they're absolute legends in the science world," Gwen added. "They've done tons of work with groups like Avengers, the Justice League, Stark Industries, Wayne Industries... I could try and list off all the accolades they've won but then we'd be here all day."

"Could... could you get me in contact with them?" Sue asked.

"I can try talking to my professor about arranging something," Gwen answered. "Let me know when you're ready."

Sue did her best to restrain herself emotionally. "I appreciate it, Gwen. I'll talk to you about it at some point soon," she answered, eager to change the subject, but glad to know she had some sort of lead regarding her counterparts here. "So, any other questions?"

"Did you know any of our counterparts in your world?" Kori asked.

Sue shook her head. "Only Jean. She & I were friendly acquaintances, but we weren't necessarily close. I liked her, though... would've loved to have known her better."

"Fortunately, we have a Jean Grey here you can befriend," Kori pointed out, eliciting chuckles from Sue & Jean.

"Yeah, I guess so," Sue smirked. "It *is* nice to see a familiar face, even if it's not the one I know."

"I'm sure you'll run into plenty of familiar faces eventually," Gwen pointed out. "Anyone else you wanna know about?"

Sue paused for a moment. "Well, I wouldn't exactly call him a 'friend'... but would you guys know anything about a guy named Victor Von Doom?"

Sue could tell by the look on everyone else's faces that they had, indeed, run into Victor Von Doom before... and their experiences clearly weren't pleasant.

"Oh, we've all got stories about Old Man Doom," Gwen commented, her voice dripping with disdain. "And I doubt any of them are good."

"Indeed. I have been held captive in Castle Doom before, alongside some of my Titan teammates," Kori added. "The man has a sinister aura like very few other beings I have encountered. I am not easily shaken, but he is a truly frightening man."

"I've occasionally crossed paths with him with the X-Men," Jean said. "He's not someone we enjoy dealing with. We've clashed with him a number of times, and on occasion, we've even worked together... but not by choice, I can tell you that much."

"That sounds like the Doom I know," Sue said. "I figured I might have to deal with him at some point..."

Kara nodded. "Well, whenever you do, I've got your back," she told Sue.

Sue and the others continued their conversation for quite a while, with Sue telling them stories about her past in her world, and the others educating Sue about theirs. When they told Sue about themselves (specifically their love lives), Sue found it curious that they were all lesbians -- she certainly didn't mind it, of course, but it was an odd coincidence that stuck out in her mind. The afternoon went by quickly, and when the group finally parted ways, Gwen, Kori, and Jean each gave Sue a hug and their contact information. As they hugged her, Sue felt an odd excitement she couldn't explain, but she didn't question it, assuming that it was just because she'd made a great connection with these women. Still, there was a hint of arousal there, as well, but Sue paid no mind to it at that point.

"They seem like great people," Sue told Kara afterwards. "I can see us doing a lot of good together. Assuming they're as capable in the field as I think they are."

"They're some of the best," Kara assured her. "I'm sure you'll see them in action soon enough."

"Considering what I've seen with you in Metropolis, I don't doubt that at all," Sue agreed.