Sue Storm Has Trouble Communicating

Her fingers danced across the keyboard. Trying to figure out what to say. Then the screen flickered. A familliar, slightly haggard face appeared. Reed Richards hadn't shaved lately; there was grey in his beard, silver at his temples, dark shadows beneath his eyes. Yet he smiled wide as he saw his wife. In the background, she could see the bunks where Ben and Johnny were sleeping.

"Susan! How are you?" he said.

Her tongue hit the tip of her mouth—and something failed in her slightly damaged brain. The words wouldn't come. Mere minutes before, Sue had been unselfconscious about speaking to H.E.R.B.I.E., yet now, it was as if the words had been deleted from her brain.

"Miss...you..." Sue managed with difficulty. "When...come...back?"

Something flickered in Reed's eyes. He adjusted something off-screen, and the picture sharpened slightly.

"We're on our return trip now. It'll take about two weeks—there's some interdimensional interference. I'm afraid we've been on a wild goose chase. Are you feeling quite alright, darling?"

"Hurt," Sue managed, through clenched teeth. "Need...you...so...horny..."

Her face flushed as the admission came out. More out of embarrassment than arousal, though she couldn't deny a touch of the latter. Sue's blue eyes stared imploringly at Reed, as if she could will him to understand what her traitorous brain wouldn't let her say.

"I know it's hard to be apart, darling," he said, his voice nearly a whisper. "But if you need satisfaction...I know you have some toys in your closet. Please, don't **** yourself in my absence. I'll be back as soon as I can."

Static danced across the screen. Reed looked suddenly wary.

"Anti-Tachyon storm. Where is it coming from? Darling, I have to go. Take care of yourself, I love you—"

The screen went blank—and Sue Storm silently cursed. She pressed the palms of her hands against her forehead.

"What...happening...me?" Sue managed, searching for the words, running into blank walls in her brain, having to try and think around sudden, unexpected gaps as brain damage cascaded. She began to feel the edge of despair. "What...I...do?"