Sue Storm Wins A Date With Porkum - For Charity

"Don't say no."

Sue Storm stiffened. The morning sun burned over Manhattan. The kids were up, dressed, breakfasted, and at their schoolwork. Ben and Johnny were out for the day, Reed was on a conference call with some other heroes. Which left the Invisible Woman on her second cup of coffee, teleconferencing with Pepper Potts. The redhead was perfectly manicured, in a professional gray business suit, all sparkly teeth and tired eyes that had seen too much. Her normal aura of chipperiness didn't seem quite so bright this morning.

The blonde sighed. She knew she'd hear Pepper out. She also knew that whatever it was would be bad; Pepper wouldn't have started off so strong if it wasn't.

"We've got a major new donor for Stark Children's Charities," Pepper said. "One hundred million Euros."

"So what's the catch?" Sue said, and sipped her coffee.

"He wants a date. With you," Pepper said. "Reclusive old-money family. He's a mutant. X-gene apparently hit him like a ton of bricks. His family kept him secluded from the world. Private tutors, never left the family estate. Now his parents are dead, thanks to the pandemic, and he wants to experience some of the life he's been missing."

"Pepper, I'm married," Sue said.

"It's a charity gala at his family estate. His coming-out party. You put on a fancy dress, hang off his arm, drink half a glass of champagne, take a few photos, and a lot of little kids with cancer get to enjoy their next birthdays."

Sue rubbed her forehead.

"I'll ask Reed," the heroine said. "Where's this family estate, anyway?"

"That's...the other thing..." Pepper said, and her smile was ****.

"Latveria?" Reed Richards raised an eyebrow.

"Right on the border, apparently," Sue said. "The family had close relations with the Latverian government before Doom took over, and after that they were persona non grata. He confiscated a lot of their lands and property, and apparently had to beg and plead to keep the old family estate. The only reason Doom put up with them was because they had contacts with the rest of Europe that the Latverian economy desperately needed. The S.H.I.E.L.D. file on the Von Porkums is two inches thick. It's as legit as it could be."

Reed frowned.

"What do you want to do?" he said after a moment.

"One hundred million Euros would be a huge help for a lot of kids," Sue said. "I'd be lying if I said I wasn't wary of a trap, but apparently Doom won't even be in attendance. And I'll be on my guard. If he tries anything..."

"We'll be ready," Reed confirmed. He leaned over and kissed her on the cheek, then gave her a little smile. "You know, you're still the bravest woman I know."

That was that. A phone call to Pepper, who made all the arrangements, even the dress that would be waiting for her. Sue had an overcoat on over her Fantastic Four uniform, her passport, and Reed's tracking bugs in every conceivable piece of clothing. There was nothing left but to kiss goodbye to the kids and hop on a red-eye for Latveria.

"I'll be back in a few days," Sue said. "I promise."