Part Two, Chapter Fourteen

"So, I guess this is it," Ben started as the five of them walked down the damaged streets. The police were taking care of the people that had been effected by not only Doom, but, by the Destroyer as well. Alice hadn't missed how people were helping one another out, offering their condolences or whatever they could to make things right, again, "We all go our separate ways."

Alice chewed the bottom of her lip as her hand held onto Johnny's. Words weren't needed at that point, to describe how grateful she was to have the team by her side. Nearly dying had opened her eyes up to the realization that everything happened for a reason. That, everything would be okay in the end.

The problem was, she couldn't imagine life without the team. Sure, she could survive on her own without the help of others, now. But, the team had become her family. It meant that if she and Johnny did start dating, they would have to dance around each other cautiously. She would have to find a new apartment, and things would change dramatically between them.

It was daunting to think that their lives would change so much once this was over. Alice almost felt overwhelmed at the thought of rushing into things. But she and Johnny had already agreed to take things slowly, one step at a time. As much as he hated going slowly with any relationship, it was easier for everyone if they avoided unnecessary risks.

"No," Reed spoke up after sharing a mutual glance with Sue.

Sue's arm was wrapped around Reed's arm as they walked side-by-side. Alice hadn't missed the look of relief flashing across Sue's eyes at the mention of Reed's decision to keeping the team together. Even Sue couldn't argue with the fact that the team functioned better when they were together. After all, the team was one big family whether they wanted to admit it or not.

"No?" Ben repeated, frowning in confusion when he realized what Reed meant by that.

"No," Sue assured him, grinning at the sudden change in pace.

"No?" Johnny had to add.

Alice almost laughed at the fact that everyone had said 'no', as if to prove their point. After everything that had happened, it felt good to laugh about something.

"I think by now, 'No' means no," Alice assured the Torch as their eyes met.

"I'm just checking to make sure that we got that in writing," he laughed, pulling her in close while they walked. Alice couldn't hide the sheepish grin that followed when she realized how grateful she was that things had worked out, for them. "I mean, they could decide to change their minds in a few months."

She hadn't missed the fact that Reed, Sue and Ben had given them their space. Not that she didn't mind. If anything, it gave her time to wrap her mind around the fact that this was actually happening. Johnny had taken her by surprise with his persistence. Now, she knew he'd been telling the truth when they talked earlier at the Baxter Building.

"Something tells me that isn't going to happen, anytime soon," she murmured, glancing at Reed as he nodded in agreement.

"If it wasn't for the team, the world would be gone, by now," he explained.

"We can't walk away from our responsibilities and the people we need to protect," Sue added as if she'd read Reed's mind.

Johnny only grinned at that, nodding firmly in agreement, "That's what I've been trying to tell everyone!"

He waved his arms out in front of him as an exaggeration. Alice rolled her eyes and nudged him in the chest with her elbow. She loved Johnny. There was no denying that any longer. After hearing what Reed had to say about her powers being so similar to Johnny's, it suddenly made sense as to why they had been so hostile towards each other, in the beginning. They always said that opposites attracted, and now, she was only just beginning to realize how true that was.

"What about having a normal life; a family?" Ben pointed out, looking between Sue and Alice.

She had to admit, after hearing Sue talk with Reed about starting their family, she could understand why they wanted to pull out of this way of life. Yet, raising a child in this life wouldn't be nearly as challenging as they were probably expecting. Hell, it would be the most protected baby in the world, all things considered.

Alice felt Johnny squeeze her hand, and she couldn't help but meet his questioning gaze. If things between them went as far as she hoped, she realized they would be asking the same question within a few years. The idea of starting a family was enough to leave her mind spinning.

"Who says we have to be a normal family?" Reed asked.

As if to prove his point, Reed gestured around the team. Something told Alice that no matter what happened, everything would be okay. They would always be there for each other, and, that was what mattered the most, to her.

"So, are you up for another media circus wedding?" Sue asked after wrapping her arm tighter around Reed's. Alice grimaced at the thought of having to deal with the media, again. That was the downside to this kind of life. The media would go crazy over the fact that they had gotten married in private, without their knowledge. "Fifth time's a charm."

"No," Reed chuckled with a shake of his head, already forming a plan in the back of his mind, "I've got a better idea."

It had only taken Reed a few hours to organize a wedding, and figure out where it would be held. Alice had to admit, she was impressed with how well he had planned everything in such a short time. Then again, he did have help thanks to Ben's quick thinking, and Johnny's charm working on getting things together so quickly.

The wedding itself was being held in a Chinese garden. The warm summer breeze was enough to remind everyone that it was quite literally, the perfect day for a wedding.

Alice stood beside Alicia, both of them dressed in Kimonos while Johnny led Sue to the arch where Reed was waiting with the Justice of Peace. She couldn't hide the smile that followed when she saw the grin written across Sue's face. She knew how much this meant to Sue – to have a wedding where it was just family members and close friends, rather than be surrounded by people she didn't know.

"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to join Reed Richards and Susan Storm—" The minister was speaking until a loud beeping noise had stopped him. "In holy.… matri—"

Sue leaned over and looked at the PDA.

"What is it?" she asked.

"Venice is sinking into the Adriatic," Reed explained with a shake of his head.

"Oh boy, that's a biggie," Ben grunted as he stood there.

Being the ring bearer, he'd kept them in his pockets for safe keeping until the minister asked for them.

Sue turned to look at the minister before using the exact lines Reed had used during their last ceremony.

"Can you please skip to the end?" she asked.

Reed looked at Sue in shock. He never expected her to suggest such a thing. Now that Sue had finally accepted that they all had a responsibility to the team, things were running smoothly between them. Alice couldn't hide the smirk that followed when she realized how they really did make the perfect couple.

"Yeah, uh – the love these two share—"

"No, the very end," Reed stopped him short.

By now, Alice was smothering a fit of laughter as she caught the look written across the minister's face. She had to bury her face into Johnny's sleeve to keep herself from laughing out loud. He managed to keep himself more together, but, even he was struggling not to laugh at the scene unfolding before them.

The poor minister had probably written a speech and everything, only to have it ruined by this one incident. She doubted this was something that he had to deal with on a daily basis. Then again, dealing with a team of superheroes wasn't something that people did on a daily basis.

"Yeah, great," the minister said after trying to recover from his initial surprise, "Uh, do you have the rings?"

"Oh, that's me!" Ben exclaimed as he dug into his jacket and pulled out the two rings in question.

He held them out to Reed, and he smiled at Ben thankfully before accepting them. Once he took the rings, he turned back to Sue, who had handed the bouquet to Alice before facing Reed. The two smiled warmly at each other, and slipped on their rings for each other.

Awkward silence followed as they turned and looked at the minister expectantly.

"Oh, uh, I now pronounce you husband and wife, and you may now kiss the bride," he said after ducking his head in embarrassment.

The audience gathered before them cooed and applauded when Reed and Sue kissed. Alicia leaned further into Ben, while Alice wrapped her arms around Johnny's arm. She hadn't missed the rush of emotions sweeping through Sue in that one moment. She'd finally gotten what she desired more than anything. Alice couldn't be happier for Sue, especially when she thought of everything the woman had done for her.

"Okay," Sue whispered, still basking with joy at the fact that she and Reed were finally married, "We should probably get going."

"Yeah," Reed agreed fullheartedly with her.

The two newlyweds ran down the aisle, Sue picking up her dress as she ran towards the hovercraft parked at the end.

"Gotta go, hon," Ben said as he kissed Alicia on the lips before climbing into the hovercraft.

Alice took his place and gave Alicia a hug, thankful to have the woman in her life.

"Keep yourself safe, and be back soon!" Alicia called as they left.

Alice tried not to laugh as she reached the hovercraft herself, with Johnny by her side. Johnny stepped beside her and opened the door to the hovercraft, and the huge grin written across his face said it all. She knew they still had a date to attend, after this was all said and done. Though, she could technically consider this a date, if she wanted to.

"You are beautiful," he whispered after kissing her.

"Thank you, for everything," she whispered back, struggling not to feel overwhelmed by the rush of emotions that suddenly swept through her.

Sue suddenly stopped mid-run after they reached the hovercraft, a gleam in her eyes as she turned to face Reed, "I have to throw the bouquet," she whispered.

Reed smiled as Sue leaned back and suddenly tossed the bouquet in question. The women who were part of the wedding had rushed over to grab whatever flowers they could. Sue held back a laugh as the bouquet was ready to land, only to freeze solid. The women looked like they were ready to fight for it until Johnny suddenly set the flowers on fire. Alice tried not to laugh at their disappointed faces as Johnny held out a single flower in front of her.

"For you, my lady," he said with a sheepish smirk. The women surrounding them all frowned at Johnny's odd behavior, but Alice couldn't help but grin back at him. Inside, she was dying from laughter at their reactions when they couldn't catch the bouquet, only to have the last flower from it given to her. "Sorry, reflex," he said with a shrug to the now angry women. "I love you," he added as Alice sat down in the middle console.

"Love you too, hothead," she replied with a smirk.

"Would you two quit acting like a couple of lovesick puppies?" Ben groaned, already having had enough with the way they were acting.

The look on his face said everything Alice needed to know. Even if he couldn't get used to the fact that she and Johnny had kissed, and could technically consider themselves a couple, she would never get tired of it. It only proved that Johnny really did have a heart, and, that he was a big softie.

Once the hovercraft took off into the air, the children all began to laugh and cheer as snow started falling around them. With it being a warm summer day, the snow was a welcomed presence among the children. She couldn't hide the grin that followed when she noticed the kids playing in the snow; either building snowmen, or snow angels in the process.

A trail of smoke followed the hovercraft as Johnny flew behind it. The three sections suddenly split apart. As the three pods flew away, the Fantastic Five logo shone bright in the sky, showing everyone that they were safe from whatever threats loomed ahead of them.


AN: And, this marks the end of this story. I actually do have somewhat of a sequel planned for this... it will mostly be a series of one-shots revolving around Alice and her life spent with the rest of the team, seeing as there's still a lot of character development that could be made. Of course, when I first had this planned out, I originally wanted to include the Avengers and all of that fun stuff, but, then I scrapped that idea... I'm not even sure if readers are actually enjoying this or not, given the lack of reviews. But, I'm not giving up on writing. Thanks to anyone who did read this!