Sue Storm Does Not Allow Herself To Be Hypnotized

Memories flashed through Sue's mind—the Puppet Master, Psychoman, so many other villains who had some kind of mind control, telepathy, or hypnotism gimmick—and she politely demurred.

"I would prefer not to. I've had some bad experiences with such things," Sue said with what she thought of as her best mom-smile.

Dr. Stone nodded. "Of course. Whatever you're comfortable with. In fact, that might be a good place for us to start. What do you want out of this treatment?"

Sue considered. In truth, her physician had made the recommendation based on her answers to questions during a recent visit. High blood pressure. Grinding her teeth in her sleep. Muscle tension. A kind of cumulative weariness that Sue hid with smiles and lots of coffee. It wasn't easy to be a wife, a mother, a heroine, an adventurer...

"Doctor Patel said you might be able to help me deal with some...cumulative stress," Sue said. She chewed on the thought for a moment. "I'm not depressed or anything. I have a wonderful life. It's tiring, but that's to be expected. But Dr. Patel said my blood pressure was up, and I had other signs of...she said Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, but I don't think..."

"Dr. Patel is a great physician, but not a psychiatrist," Dr. Stone said with a smile. "We're not here to diagnose you. This isn't about applying a label. For the moment, what I want is to know what you want. A wife, a mother, the Invisible Woman—but who is Susan Storm? What does she want?"

The question made Sue blink. So much of her life had been dedicated to being there for others that...that was her life. She hadn't exactly had time to pursue a career or hobbies outside of the Fantastic Four, she didn't write academic papers or look for another degree or start up her own clothing line or play pickleball or whatever the heck other women in her age did.

The tip of the Invisible Woman's tongue pressed against her teeth as she struggled to form an answer.

The soft whistle of the teapot broken the awkward silence. Dr. Stone immediately bent over the glass pot, and filled a cup full of the amber liquid. She looked a question at Sue, and the blonde heroine nodded, grateful for the interruption. The Invisible Woman accepted the warm cup with both hands, the steam that rose from the mug smelled of ginger and cardamom.

They drank in silence. The question hung in the air. Susan Storm found herself wrapped in thought, perturbed by the question.

What do I want?

Across from her, Moonstone's face was a perfect mask that hid her inner concentration. Doom's implants buzzed softly inside her skull. Directed the alien gem's energies, focused them. Microgravitic fluctuations occurred in Sue Storm's brain. An effect not unlike a light dose of ****. Inhibitions lowered, slightly; social activity increased. Moonstone saw the irises of Sue Storm's eyes dilate slightly, her fingers trembled a little as she sipped her tea.

"Isn't there anything you've wanted, just for yourself?" Dr. Stone said softly. "Some personal goal, some achievement, just of your own? A skill to master? A phobia to overcome?"

"I..." Sue suddenly blushed softly. The blonde blinked rapidly. The flush on her face grew deeper. Moonstone could sense other, more subtle changes in Sue's body. She could almost feel the Invisible Woman about to crack.