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Disclaimer: I don’t own Marvel. I don’t own the Fantastic Four… and I certainly do not own the She-Hulk franchise. Which is sad. I really like the She-Hulk.
Note: This short story, "Stolen Treasures," explores a specific event within my ongoing "Navigating the Curve" story.
Triggers: Controlling nature displayed by one character over another.
Warning: Indicators of potential red flags.
Premise: Certain things… can never be returned once taken away.
Stolen Treasures
By Juliette Lyst
October 2nd – 5:45AM
Baxter Building – Main Level
Thoughts still in turmoil, Jennifer plodded into the kitchen. She was wrapped up in a soft and fluffy pink bathrobe, her skin still moist from the shower. Pursing her lips, she stood in front of the fridge, arms crossed. What to pick…
While breakfast was not normally a difficult decision, she had work to do… and it required her to properly fuel her body. Why am I even bothering? she asked herself. Nevertheless, she scrounged around in the fridge, gathering what she’d need for a cheesy omelette.
Her left hand trembled a little as she cracked an egg into a bowl. Biting into her bottom lip, she continued cracking the rest of them, using a fork to whisk them up.
The kitchen was unusually silent, as most of the Fantastic Four were still in their fantastic beds sleeping. Yet… even alone, Jennifer usually had music playing or was humming along with some half-remembered tune in her head.
Lips turned down as she continued to whisk the eggs in the bowl; Jennifer too was quiet.
Something in her had changed.
Something had been stolen away from her. Something that couldn’t ever be replaced.
She would never recover from this.
Never…
Ever.
“Why did I even bother?” she asked herself aloud as she poured the eggs into a prepared skillet. “It’s a waste… such a waste…” As if on autopilot, the green woman fished a spatula out of a drawer and began scrambling her eggs. She held her head low… feeling a defeat—one that came from a battle she didn’t see coming.
Quietly approaching the kitchen, Ben hesitated the closer he got to Jen. Brows pinched together tightly; he was trying to figure out what he could to say to her. The evening before, he’d done the listening… for a long time. His friend was normally very sure of herself, but the woman he spoke with yesterday…
She was different.
She was broken.
But…
She was still his friend.
“This is a waste,” she repeated, while sprinkling shredded cheese into the pain with the eggs. “I… am such a—”
“Don’t even finish that sentence,” Ben interrupted her, entering the kitchen fully.
Startled, Jennifer looked over her shoulder, setting the bag of cheese on the counter. “I…” she swallowed hard, eyes wide. “I didn’t know you were there.”
Biting down what he normally would have said, Ben sighed and approached her. “That all you having?” he asked, noticing the numerous broken shells in the trash. There must have been half a dozen…
Rolling her eyes, Jennifer snorted. “What else do I need, Ben?”
You need to love yourself again… he mentally pleaded. And realize this was not your fault… What he said however was, “Toast at least. Gonna need the carbs.”
A faint smirk appeared at that. “Gotta measure out my macros, huh, Benny?”
“Mmhmm,” he replied, stepping around her to collect what he needed to make his own breakfast. “You know the drill,” he reminded her. “Proteins, carbs and fats.”
“So this…” she remarked, pointing at the eggs while plating them, “… counts as proteins and fats.”
“And what about the cats?” he asked, pouring cereal into a massive bowl.
Jen froze momentarily. “… What cats?” What is he talking about…?
Grinning at her dumbfounded expression, Ben dropped into a seat, spoon, bowl and milk at the ready. Liberally pouring milk into his cereal, he was already eating when Jennifer joined him across the breakfast table.
“So, what do you suggest?” she asked, stuffing a heaping spoonful of cheesy eggs in her mouth.
“What you normally have?” he replied, a tinge of question in his voice. The conversation was awkward, more than before, but she seemed to be visibly relaxed. That was good, right?
“Whatever I want,” she replied, drolly. She filled her mouth again.
Ben just stared at her. What else do I say?
Jennifer returned the stare.
Both of them continued eating.
What an awkward morning.
6:58AM
Yawning widely, Johnny lumbered down the hallway towards the kitchen.
“…n’t need to do this…”
Hearing a familiar voice, the blond paused, looking down the hall towards Jennifer’s room. He was startled to hear a male voice respond to her. What? Who is…
“How could I make sure that you came?”
Scratching his head, confusion filling his features, his morning became even more alarming when Jennifer’s door opened and she stepped outside. She was dressed in clothing she normally wore when working out, but it was painfully obvious that they didn’t fit like they had before. It was the fact that Ben came out a few seconds after she did that thoroughly shocked the blond.
Johnny clamped two hands over his mouth, not wanting even a tiny squeak to escape.
Jennifer was looking the other way and didn’t notice the younger man. “Do you have so little faith in me, Ben?” she asked, turned towards the elevators and advancing in that direction.
“Naw, Jen.” Blinking a bit, Ben immediately spotted Johnny. “But…” Without skipping a beat, he maintained his conversation with her. “You need to have it in yourself. You’ll do fine.”
“Well, if I can take to heart how sweet you were last night, I’ll do my best today.”
Leveling a piercing blue-eyed stared at Johnny, Ben’s features tightened, and he shook his head. The message was clear. ‘You saw and heard nothing.’
Swallowing hard, Johnny nodded, his own blue eyes wide.
Understanding the message was received, Ben turned to meet Jennifer at the elevators. “Why don’t we take the stairs?”
“One thing at a time, Benny Boy,” she replied.
Johnny ducked out of the way so they wouldn’t see him after they turned around in the elevator. Once the doors closed, he popped up out of hiding—looking very much like a startled meerkat.
He held the expression during his breakfast, where Susan and eventually Reed joined him an hour later.
“Johnny?” Reed asked, giving his wife a confused stare.
The blonde shrugged. “Found him like this.”
“Johnny?” Reed addressed him. “Is something wrong?”
“Uhh… N-No…” the young man replied, but it was obvious he was hedging around a full response. “Everything is fine.”
“Where’s Ben?” Reed decided to ask. “We have more work to do involving that virus. There’s been a new development.”
Now… the blond paled and looked away. The message he had received earlier was clear. He saw nothing. He knew nothing. Instead of lying openly, Johnny just avoided the question.
“Where’s Jen?” Susan asked. Curiously, she watched as Johnny’s ears turned bright red.
Still, the younger man stubbornly kept his mouth shut.
“Johnny…”
Lower Levels
Gym – Same Time
“Push again!” Ben called. “I know you can do it, Jenny!”
“Mister Grimm,” Jennifer replied through grit teeth, her forehead soaked with sweat. She was in her human form, struggling to push back against one of Ben’s massive orange hands with her feet. “Has anyone ever told you that ‘Silence is Golden?’
Scratching his head for a moment, Ben shrugged. “Does it matter?” he asked.
Scowling, Jennifer continued to hold onto the weight bench she was balanced on, her hands growing slick. Her exercise gear had predictably shrunken down with her, but was still loose. It was scary how thin she’d become from the struggle to just stay alive.
However, she knew just as well as Ben did—any musculature and strength she gained as Jennifer Walters transferred several times over when she was the She-Hulk.
Growling, Jennifer shoved harder against Ben’s hand. Her eyes widened comically a few seconds later as she lost her grip on the bench and found herself spinning around and falling off.
“Jen!” Ben exclaimed in worry, quickly moving to help.
Groaning where she lay on the floor, she waved off his hands. “Fine, Big Guy. I’m okay. Just a bit winded.”
Backing down, he watched as Jennifer transformed back into her larger—much greener—… self.
Letting out a grunt despite her earlier words, Jennifer got off the floor, wiping the sweat off her forehead. Her body was drenched from perspiration. The majority of her session had been spent with weight training exercises. Her muscles were aching, but it was a good ache.
“Done for the day?” Ben asked, observing her carefully. He was not surprised to see a green eye roll in his direction, a dark brow arched high.
“Would like to try some basketball,” she replied, a half smirk in place.
“Sure that’s a good idea?” he asked, frowning.
She nodded, her expression faltering just a little. “I can’t hide from everything outside Ben.” Jennifer watched quietly as he nodded. “I understand you don’t want me to get back in on the action just yet… but that doesn’t mean that I need to avoid exercising.”
“I understand.”
“I’ll do my best to pace myself,” she spoke, in a softer voice.
“I’ll make sure you do,” he replied, a bit of a rumble in his voice. He knew he was being overbearing, but couldn’t stop himself.
Not yet.
Not until he knew she was well and able to defend herself.
Pursing her lips, Jennifer squinted. While understanding that he felt concern… she didn’t appreciate how certain he sounded. “We should probably load up on snacks before we go.”
“Mm.”
The two hulking figures stepped into the elevator, riding back to the main level. When the doors opened, they froze at the appearances of their friends.
“… Problem?” Jennifer asked.
Susan scrutinized her carefully, then looked at Johnny… noticing how horrified her younger brother looked. “I’m wondering too,”
Ben folded his arms, one foot between the elevator doors to keep them open. “Same,” he added.
Anger suddenly filling the blond’s features, Johnny turned on his heel and angrily stomped away from them, his left hand balled into a fist.
“What is…” Jennifer’s voice trailed off, confusion on her face.
Ben, on the other hand, did not look bewildered at all. “Snacks, Jen,” he reminded her.
Glancing in his direction, the jade giantess nodded. “I’ll make sure to grab plenty for you too.” She darted towards the kitchen.
Lowering his eyes, Ben let out a soft sigh, then tightened his jaw. He needed to ease up…
“Ben,” Reed began. “I’m glad I was able to find you. We have some—”
“I have other plans,” the orange man replied, cutting him off.
“But Ben—”
“Grabbed a bag for us!” Jen called.
Completely tuning Reed out, Ben walked past him and towards Jennifer. “Ready to go?” he asked.
“Yep!” she nodded. “I guess, we can take the stairs this time?”
The scientist was left standing there with his mouth open, watching as two of his teammates left the building.
“… she was very sweaty.” Susan remarked.
7PM – Ben’s Room
“I don’t know what I can say to express how grateful I am.” Jennifer spoke, a faint hum in her voice. She was seated, facing the back of a chair, her eyes half-closed as Ben rubbed a greenish goo into the skin of her back. She was clad in a sports bra and sweatpants and appeared to be ‘hugging’ the chair.
For a man with such huge hands, he was very gentle. “No thanks are needed Jen,” he replied. “I’m just glad I can help.”
There was a soft knock on the door.
Gazing over, Jennifer cleared her throat. “Expecting company?” she asked.
Frowning, Ben got up and walked around her. “No,” he replied. Pulling the door open, his eyes widened.
“Umm… He—Here to call you down for dinner,” MJ spoke, a bit nervous.
“Dinner?” he asked.
“Yes,” the redhead repeated, relaxing her shoulders. “I tried to find Sh—Er—Jennifer. But I don’t know where she is.”
“I’m here, Red,” the green woman remarked, looking over Ben’s shoulder. When she heard the familiar voice, she walked up right behind Ben. Their height difference made her easy to spot. Amusement flit across her face as she watched the red-haired woman blush.
“So… Um…” Mary Jane made an unintelligible sound, then stopped speaking. Offering an awkward smile, she turned and walked down the hall.
“I wonder how she’d doing,” Jennifer spoke, her voice soft. She knew—the former model would be a fixture around the place for a while.
“Better I hope,” Ben replied. While MJ hadn’t been there long, it was long enough for him to realize she had a serious problem with alcohol.
“I hope she’s on the right medication,” Jennifer replied.
“Medication?” the orange man asked.
Maneuvering around Ben, Jennifer briefly yanked his hand. “Come on, we can talk about it later.”
What medication? Ben wondered… worriedly. When he and Johnny first approached MJ, they had no clue… Not until she was in the elevator with them.
The smell…
It had left a lot to be desired.
The awkwardness only worsened when everyone sat down to eat an early dinner.
Johnny was doing his best to pretend he wasn’t there.
Reed and Sue were speaking in low voices and sneaking glances at Ben and Jennifer.
MJ was eating quietly—not paying close attention to anyone. As prescribed, she had taken her Valium. It helped her feel less shaky. The scientist had already told her that just being a ‘little shaky’ was a precursor for something far worse with regular drinking.
Jennifer was seated a good distance away from nearly everyone else at dinner.
Wolfing down the rest of his meal, Johnny finally risked looking over. He wasn’t certain what they were speaking about but…
Something Ben said had the green woman laughing hard. His laugher joined hers shortly afterwards.
October 6th – 8:24AM
Command Room
“…o this is the deepest cluster here,” Reed remarked, pointing to a spot on a map.
The five heroes were standing around a table, looking at a map of New York. All of them, save Jennifer, were in uniform.
“Why is this still spreading?” Jennifer asked, worriedly chewing on a fingernail.
“Because people don’t listen,” Reed replied. “We have issued warnings, along with the CDC. The symptoms of acute infection with the enhanced Goblin virus are so obvious at this point… Thankfully only two casualties…”
“Any are too many,” Susan stated.
The scientist nodded in agreement. “Considering what this thing is… the numbers could be a lot higher.”
The five grew quiet.
Raging fevers, delirium, elevated heart rate, heightened aggression, more risk-taking behaviors…
How could people be so blind?
“People don’t like being cooped up,” Ben commented, frown in place. “Makes ‘em feel trapped.”
“Better trapped than dead, Big Guy,” Jennifer spoke, appearing visibly worried.
“Not everyone is so careless,” Susan noted. “Lots of people have listened to the authorities.”
“Others fled the area,” Johnny added, sighing. “Likely taking the infection with them.”
“Right now,” Reed spoke, his voice firm. “Our priority is keeping the citizens of this state… alive.”
There was an awkward pause.
“We need to head out and figure out what else can be done.” Considering the circumstances, the four knew that their presence didn’t do much aside from temporarily lift people’s fears. “There is some promise with a potential antidote, but we need to find enough who are sick and infected—but also willing to get help.”
“I wish I could help,” Jennifer whimpered, stuck between being frustrated and sad.
“You can help us best, Jen,” Ben spoke, gaining her attention. “By staying here and getting better.”
“Time for us to head out,” Reed announced.
Ben saw green eyes widen and grow teary.
“Jen…”
“Please be careful out there. Please…” Green shoulders drooped, the reality of the situation sinking in heavily. She wasn’t an active member of the team—wouldn’t be until she was fully recovered. But that would take time.
Too much of it.
Time wasn’t a luxury any of them could hang on to either.
Villains weren’t going to stop committing crimes. And mad scientists wouldn’t stop causing widespread infections along with other disasters.
Ben made to move forward, but paused. Swallowing hard, he nodded. “We’ll do our best.”
Reed looked between the two, frowning. There had been a strange overlap between them of late. Either Jen was found in Ben’s room or Ben was found in hers.
All hours at that.
And in various states of dress.
Should I get them their own room together? he wondered. Knowing that the issue was likely a delicate one, he kept quiet.
Still…
“We’ll do our best to be careful, Jen,” Reed assured her. “Hurry up, Team!” he called to everyone else.
Johnny, Susan and Ben nodded and turned to the elevator.
“I’ll be up shortly.”
“Buh… Reed?” Ben spoke; his eyes wide.
“He’ll be up shortly,” Susan echoed, tugging their orange friend into the elevator. Johnny stood quietly beside them, averting his gaze.
Brows furrowing, Jennifer watched the elevator doors as they closed. “Re… Umm…”
“I’ll make sure he comes back to you, Jennifer,” the scientist promised, sincerity shining through his tone. He noticed the blooming of understanding in green eyes.
… Then saw the fear and panic.
“But… b—but I…” Jen began, stuttering.
Reed shook his head.
“R—R—Reed… Reed,” Jennifer struggled. “I didn’t… I didn’t mean that—” She watched as Reed waved a hand. “That… R—Reed…” Her breathing was uneven, and she was beginning to sweat.
“It’s fine. This is a routine mission, but we’ll do our best. Mary Jane will keep you company.”
The redhead peeked around the corner of the door—almost as if she’d been summoned.
“Reed, I didn’t… W—We aren’t…”
But… the scientist was already walking to the elevators, showing he considered the matter closed.
For now.
Mary Jane ambled over to Jennifer, alarmed at the green woman’s appearance. “Jennifer?”
The green woman’s eyes were unusually wide, terror easily seen in them. She was grasping her tank top with her right hand. “I don’t know. I don’t know. I don’t know…” she kept repeating herself.
“What don’t you know?” MJ asked.
Jaw quivering, Jennifer’s brows slammed together and she looked away, tears filling her eyes. The hand holding on to her shirt trembled.
“I… I don’t know…” Her lips pulled into a thin line. “I don’t know how I feel.”
End
Author’s Note: Hey! I hope you liked this! And no, I’m not fully off hiatus. I have some personal business I’m still attempting to get under control.
But…
I am back to doing shorts.
Sort of.
Maybe?
XXO
~J. Lyst