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It was well after lunchtime before Johnny finally got around to calling the number Trish had given him the night before. His morning had been spent in a lawyer's office, and then there was the matter of appeasing Sue which he somehow hadn't even gotten a chance to do… but he'd called! Just like he said he would! And now?
Now he's loitering. Clad in a rather simple t-shirt and jeans, Johnny's standing just outside the lobby of the Baxter Building with his hands tucked into his pockets. He's not anxious. He just bounces on his heels and fidgets all the time. Honest.
*
A call so soon! Trish certain hadn't been expecting to hear from Johnny Storm the very next day. Although she can't say she wasn't happy to hear from him. She spent a good hour making sure her outfit and her hair were done just right. Afterall, she wants to make a good impression. Better than she initially made, anyway.
Dressed in a blue skirt, white blouse, and matching heeled shoes, Trish comes walking up the sidewalk, heels clacking with each step. Adjusting the straps of her purse, she checks the addresses of the buildings she passes. Almost there! When the building comes into side, she approaches with slight apprehension, taking off sunglasses and putting them into her purse. "Hi…" She offers a little finger wave to Johnny as she makes her final approach.
*
Don't perk when you see Trish coming, Johnny. You are a grown man.
Damn it, he perked. "Hi," Johnny echoes with a broad smile, straightening up and taking his hands from his pockets. "Not too hard to find the place, I hope?" he asks lightly. From his tone, there is an inside joke there… but he just takes a step back and reaches for the door, drawing it open and holding it for her. "C'mon in, Trish. Wouldn't want your adoring fans and my adoring fans to bump into each other."
*
"The adoration would be just too much to bear." Trish giggles, though the giggle turns into her clearing her throat. Get ahold of yourself! Play hard to get! Be a little bit Patsy, but mostly Trish! She takes a deep breath in and enters the lobby.
Looks around. "Nice building. Definitely wasn't hard to find." She murmurs. Approaching the elevator, she looks to Johnny. "So…what floor are we headed to?" She's an inquisitive one, she is!
*
"Thirty-second," Johnny replies cheerfully, easily falling into step alongside her. The receptionist gets a friendly waggling of his fingers on the way by before he hits the call button and, after a brief wait, gestures for her to precede him inside. "We're up on the top five. It's mostly labs."
*
"Labs? How fascinating!" Trish smiles widely. "Science mostly goes right over my head, to be honest. But I do find it interesting!" She tells him, stepping onto the elevator. "I took a science course in college. But it didn't really stick." She explains.
*
There is a distant, raised voice from the other side of the building lobby once Johnny has stepped into the elevator. The call is explained shortly when a black-clad hand slips around the closing door, the arm it's attached to bending like a wet noodle. Fingertips grope along the wall, find the "DOOR OPEN <|>" button, and jabs the thumb into it.
It's several seconds before there's a scurry of shoes against flooring and a rustle of papers and a "Hold the elevator, please!" before Dr. Reed Richards, Mr. Fantastic, Leader of yadda yadda et cetera half-spills into the elevator with an armful of rolled papers and two breifcases, glasses askew.
*
"I'm more a tech guy," Johnny admits to Trish, joining her in the elevator and reaching for the appropriate floor. "The labs are really for -"
Considering how weird it is to have a big ol' noodly hand come swooping in between the closing doors, Johnny takes it remarkably in stride. He just closes his eyes and sighs, mouth quirking into an odd, apologetic smile for Trish. "…Reed. Speak of the devil."
*
"How funny! 'Cause I'm more of acting girl!" What's funny about it, Trish doesn't know. She can be witty, she swears she can! Just…not at the moment, apparently. "The labs are for…?"
"Oohhhh," She pauses and looks at the noodly arm that's sticking into the elevator. "Kaaaayyyyyy." She steps ever so slightly closer to Johnny for the moment. You can hear all about the Fantastic Four all you want, but actually seeing an outstretched arm before the body it's attached to? That still takes some getting used to. "Hi?" She says to Reed, sounding slightly unsure, though not meaning to sound rude.
*
The flurry of papers pauses at Trish's speaking up, and turns slightly, so Reed can crane his neck to see who's speaking. Fortunately if there's any stretching involved, it's hidden by his burden. He looks a touch surpised, then delighted. "Oh! Ms. Walker. Hello. Reed Richards," he offers, shifting a couple of times before giving up and just stretching a little to offer his hand. "I didn't know you were going to invite her by, Johnny." He might have… done nothing at all different, let's be honest here.
*
Johnny leans over sideways as Trish steps closer to him, his mouth twitching in amusement. "He's the brains," he tells her in a stage-whisper, sounding far too serious about the statement.
"Oh, well. Um. It seemed like a better idea than another bar," Johnny explains a touch lamely, shoving his hands into his pockets and quietly clearing his throat. …which reminds him! He looks to Trish, raising his eyebrows. "Your friend from last night, did she get home okay?"
*
"It's really rather nice to meet you Mister…Doctor? Richards." Trish responds a little more cheerfully this time around. Reaching out her hand, she accepts Reed's, shaking it. "It really is an honour. Meeting Johnny here was a treat in itself." She flashes him a little smile. "But to meet another of the Fantastic Four? I mean, you all are rather amazing. You all do such amazing work and good in this city, and all over. You're all to be commended!" Sure, she may be laying it on a little thick, but aside from Jessica, it's not often she's in the presence of heroes. Or at least, not ones who are so readily famous and recognizable.
"Oh! Yes. My friend." She turns to Johnny. "Well, I took her back to my place last night. I wanted to make sure she was okay, after all." She shrugs a little, as if taking in someone who's a little too drunk isn't a big deal. "I believe she's made it home just fine."
*
"Reed," comes the suggestion when Trish is trying to work out what to call him. Fortunately, fans are something he can handle. After all the effort he put into making the Four famous, he'd better, anyway… He offers her a gracious smile. "We do our best. I'm just getting back myself, but I'm sure if you hang around a while you'll collect the whole set."
*
Johnny's eyebrow goes up at 'I believe', but he's not going to question it. He just smiles and nods once, sighing in relief. "That's good. It was really good of you to take her home. I don't know what those guys bought her, but man…" Either the drink was really strong, or Kitty Pryde cannot hold alcohol to save her life. Or, heaven forbid, both.
Johnny's just gonna try not to look too embarrassed by all the compliments Trish has unloaded upon Reed and himself. It's difficult. "I, um. I have to admit, I wasn't just going to come say hi because I recognized you," he tells Trish, brightening when he feels the elevator slow. Aha. Their floor. "I overheard you asking the bartender about somebody..?"
*
"Reed it is." Trish says softly. "And you can call me Trish. No need with the formal 'Ms. Walker'." She chuckles a little. "I'm sure the four of you get enough attention just walking around. Having someone getting excited over meeting you all in your own home is probably a little too much." Of course, she's one to talk about getting attention while walking around. She has her own fans squeeling and hopping about when they see her.
She gives Johnny a playful little whap on the shoulder. "Of course you weren't going to just say hi because you recognize me. That's what everyone says." She giggles a little. Though her tone goes a little serious at the mention of her asking about someone. "Oh. Yeah. It's um…it's my sister. Adopted sister. Jessica Jones." She says softly as the elevator starts coming to a stop. "She's taken to living in Hell's Kitchen. She's tough, but she's been missing a while now. She's been known to hang out in bars, though that one wasn't her regular. Even so, I wanted to check it out." She explains, moving to step off the elevator when the doors open.
*
"Trish then," Reed says with a nod. "It's no trouble. If Johnny's invited you up, we're happy to have you. We might even have some new fan gifts floating around today…" The musing is playful but sobers when she explains about her sister concerns. He could offer something here… but it's a little more Johnny's place this time, so he keeps his peace until it's his turn off the elevator.
*
The whap actually gets a rather comical expression out of Johnny, who pouts at Trish and rubs his poor, abused shoulder as he follows her and Reed off of the elevator. The pout is very quickly supplanted by a worried frown. "Another missing person?" he says aloud, eyebrows leaping up in surprise. "That's — Trish, I'm so sorry. Can we help?" he asks quickly, looking between Trish and Reed as he picks up a bit of foot speed. He wants to cross the small little reception area and get to the front door ahead of the pair so he can get it open for them.
*
"I'll take any help I can get. Though I'm afraid I don't have many leads." Trish tells them. "And when I say that I don't have any leads, I mean I have none." She says with a sigh. "Except that she helped a gentleman named Remy find his ex-wife, who was in trouble, in New Orleans. They came back here…and then both Jessica and Remy's ex-wife disappeared without a trace." She explains. She shakes her head, and plasters on a fake brave smile.
"But I'm certain I didn't get invited up here today to talk about a missing person, hmm?" She raises an eyebrow. Of course, she's concerned about Jessica. She really is. "But…I suppose, when I'm in the building that the Fantastic Four lives in, I'd be remiss to not take advantage, huh?" She chuckles a little.
*
Reed, for his part just gives Johnny a small nod to indicate that yes, he can of course offer help. He's not certain what they can do better than anyone else with a missing persons, but.
Reed spills his arms' contents out across the dining table haphazardly, some sort of blueprint unrolling itself agross the table and onto the floor as he bustles off to climb a set of stairs against one of the walls. He'll just… be right back.
*
"Hey, it's important," Johnny says to Trish, concern still plain on his face despite the smile he offers her. "If you need to not think about it for a while, that's one thing. I can be a very good distraction," he says with a playful waggle of his eyebrows. "But I really do want to help. Kind of our entire thing, you know?"
Without breaking his stride, Johnny reaches down to sweep Reed's dropped blueprint up off the floor, rolling it back up and carefully setting it down amongst the rest of the papers. "Do you want a coffee or anything?"
*
"Maybe…maybe I'll just leave a picture with you guys? And if you see her…?" Well, Trish hopes that they see her. She digs through her purse and brings out the picture she had last night. "This is her." She holds the picture out to Johnny. "If you guys see her, please let me know. I'd be forever in your debt." She tells him, glancing in the direction that Reed walks off in.
"A distraction might be nice, though." She smiles and nods. "Coffee! I love coffee." She certainly seems to like that idea. "So, this is where Johnny Storm hangs out?"
*
Reed isn't gone very long— apparently he knew exactly where in the lab he was looking. When he returns, he has blue and black fabric hung over his arm.
"I was going to save these for the Conference," he says, shaking out what turns out to look rather like one of those longsleeved Fantastic Four shirts made to resemble the team's uniforms. It's only about three sizes too big for Trish. "But special guest, special circumstances. We only need to hold onto a few."
*
"Well, it's where he lives," Johnny tells Trish with a laugh, heading for the coffee machine in the kitchen. It appears to be a very nice one, but… it is the Fantastic Four's place. No surprise there. "But I suppose I do hang out here a lot, too." One he has coffee brewing, he's quick to step over and accept the photograph, catching his lip between his teeth as he studies it. "We'll keep an eye out," he promises, looking back up at her with a small, sincere smile.
And then Reed returns with… "Seriously?" Johnny isn't sure if he should laugh or groan, so the noise he makes is an odd mixture of the two. With a sigh, he beckons Reed closer. "Fine, fine, come fork it over."
*
"I'm honoured!" Trish says as she reaches out to accept the shirt from Reed. Putting down her purse, she holds the shirt up against her body, to check out its obviously large size. "It's perfect." A wide grin crosses her face. "You're much too generous, really. I kind of wish I had something to give you in return!"
She chuckles at Johnny. "A person can hang out where they live. Like me. I hang out where I live. I read, I…drink a variety of beverages. I eat. I occasionally have company. It's all rather hang out worthy." She explains, partially in a joking manner.
*
Reed shrugs at Johnny. "So I'm excited to see someone's reaction to the new arrivals," he says, and slyly taps his nose in a knowing fashion at Trish. "Try it on," he suggests. Of course, *he* knows it's an unstable molecule fabric that shrinks to conform to its wearer. Slightly less comfortable when it's worn over other clothes, but the wow factor? Huge. "We'll be happy if you like wearing it. Really," he assures her.
*
"You just listed a bunch of stuff I also enjoy doing. Who'd have thought?" Johnny flashes Trish a grin and loosely folds his arms, leaning back against the counter. "And you're giving us something already. Your company counts," he insists, holding up a finger. "Especially if you stick around to meet my sister. I never did get to tell her that I met you."
*
"Try it on? Of course I'll try it on!" Sure, as far as Trish knows, it's going to be super loose over her blouse, but it's the novelty of trying on a shirt given to you by one of the Fantastic Four! As soon as it's on, it start to shring and fitting to her form. Before she knows it, it's the perfect size. Yes, perhaps a little uncomfortable over her blouse, but still fitting! "Frumple pumpkins, wow!" She murmurs, looking up at Reed with wide eyes. "Dare I say…that's fantastic!"
She looks over at Johnny. "Isn't this amazing?!" She motions to the shirt. She then gives him a sly grin. "You're just too sweet, you are." She can't help but smile happily. "Your sister?! Really?! That would be three out of the four!" It's basically like Christmas Day for her right now. It's not often that she gets to meet people she actually admires.
*
Reed watches Trish try on— and react to— the garment with no small amount of enjoyment at her reaction. Oh yes, this is just the sort of thing he does all this for. Well… some of it. "It's our unstable molecule fabric. Actually the same thing we make the uniforms out of. I made a few shirts to hand out at the conference, thought some lucky fans would get a kick out of it."
He gathers up the rolls of paper he left on the table. "And, bonus… in the unlikely but increasingly possible event you spontaneously develop some sort of super-power, you'll have one shirt you can rely on," he notes, on his way up to the lab. "I'll get out of your hair— a few things to do upstairs." That might be for Johnny. Who can say.
*
That would suggest Reed was good at people, which we all know is a bald-faced lie. "Have fun, Reed," Johnny says dryly, waggling his fingers at him in a wave while he beams at Trish. Yeah, sue him, he got a kick out of her reaction, too. Don't get smug, Richards.
"It suits you," Johnny notes cheerfully, gesturing towards Trish's new shirt. It'll be better when it's not on over other stuff, but still. "…well. We have coffee," he says thoughtfully, looking back towards the nearly-brewed pot. "And I do believe we even have a functioning television. What do you think, stick around a while?" Johnny asks, beaming at Trish. "It'll be fun."
*
"Buh-bye, Reed. It was really nice meeting you! And thank you again for the shirt. It's wonderful!" Trish gives him a little finger waggle wave of her own before turning back to Johnny.
Smilings, she says, "Well, I think sticking around a while sounds like a mighty fine idea if I do say so myself." Adjusting the new shirt ever so slightly to make it more comfortable over her blouse, she tilts her head ever so slightly. "Lead the way…Fire Boy."