Chapter Text
Johnny Storm was running late.
Which usually wasn't his thing.
Usually he'd just... flame on and fly wherever and be early with coffee and a cruller.
BUT He'd taken a badly timed nap and H.E.R.B.I.E.'s urgent whistles and whines startled him awake to the realization that he was going to be late to pick up Franklin from Pre-school!!
Johnny still had a bit of a hangover from last night. It had been a glamorous night of fancy cocktails and strange things suspended in aspic and dancing with a couple giggly actresses and (really too many very strong poured cocktails) and it didn't really lead anywhere with either of the young ingenue(s).
Well...It led to sporting a red lipstick mark just below his right eye and his hair being mussed, but nothing substantial, for all that they both swore they LOOOOOVED him.
People threw around the L word like it was nothing.
Johnny tried to un-muss himself while driving hellbent for leather in the Fantastic Car. Which beeped and booped in alarm at his speed.
The Fantastic Car was equipped with new security features thanks to (paranoid) Poppa Bear Reed. It was printing out a message that operator Johnny was speeding during a non-emergency and that would also be printing out at the Baxter building at the same time.
Johnny swatted the car irritably "Tattle Tale" he muttered.
It wouldn't be so difficult if Reed would let Johnny carry Franklin home with his flight powers. But Reed had made him SWEAR, on Johnny's Callaway Elyte Triple Diamond driver (his favorite golf club) that he would NOT Human Torch the kiddo home.
Fine.
And He wasn't to take Little FranksNBeans on the hover bus, even though Franklin would really like it - because he usually crashed out for a nap after school and the hoverbus was standing room only and so on and so on.
No, no no, Franklin would be driven home in his 6 point backward facing toddler seat with side airbags.
Sue had (lectured) impressed upon Johnny the importance of picking up Franklin at 2:15 and no later. Not that the Storm-Richard's couldn't afford late pick up fee's, but that the pre-school teachers and staff worked long hours, some had second jobs, or families of their own, and not every kid in Pre-School was an angel like Frankenstiener. So, yes, Johnny was feeling a little bad. Not the best uncle ever today.
Johnny pulled into a spot reserved for guests, took long strides up the stiars to the school entrance and saw Franklin - ice-blonde hair gleaming like silver in the sunshine - was speaking with a teacher?? She seemed young, not matronly, messy and plain - but she didn't look at Johnny like she was annoyed or he was in serious shit, so that was good!
There was a blue paint smear across her face down her neck, and more paint on her apron/smock dress thing. Actually, Johnny thought she looked kinda... cute? Not a total betty, but, there was something about her...
"Unca Johnny!!!" Franklin launched himself into Johnny's arms, like he often did, knowing that he'd be caught up for a big hug, and possibly a 'airplane' ride around in the air. "Miss K says I have an artisic soul! I told her I get that from my Momma because I got her feet."
The teacher and Johnny both chuckled and exchanged a look about this statement from little Franklin. She gave Franklin a high five and smiled - she wasn't just cute... she was pretty... and appealing. And good with kids.
whoa whoa whoa, Johnny-boy, not again.
"Uh - Before you fly off..." She said, and Johnny smiled (smirked) knowing that he'd be offered her number, or asked to meet for coffee or something. He usually did.
"Can I see your ID?" She said.
"Whut?!" Johnny wasn't sure he heard right.
"It's policy, we don't let the kids go off with anyone who isn't on the pick up list." She smiled as if apologeticly but Johnny saw there was steel resolve in her pretty eyes.
He found himself stammering. "uh, yeah... I've got my Um... ID in my wallet here..."
But he patted his right pocket and it was empty, so was his left and back pockets
"Uh, maybe it's in my jacket?" Shit, it was not.
"So you're saying you don't recognize this face??" The old charm didn't seem to be working! Who didn't know who Johnny Storm was???!!
"I'm the one that flies... with flames...??" When had he last had his wallet... oh no. "uh we could call the Baxter building and reach Ben... damn it..."
"Unca Johnny - No Cusses!!"
"Um... sorry frank-o-file, I meant darn it. Ben's out with a thing.. i mean on a date."
Miss K did not appear to be amused.
"Unca, give her the password." Franklin whispered in Johnny's ear. "The password... for our family."
A memory - Reed making everyone promise to remember a secret code word in case there was an emergency like some one was disguised as one of the Fantastic Four ... arrggghhhh what was it again?? Some kinda bug.... no - backwards for something about space.... tang. Tang!!
"GNAT!" Johnny yelled, louder than necessary and pumped the air with the hand not holding Frankly.
"Yay! You 'membered!!" Little Franklin was pleased.
Miss K. pursed her lips "Next time, bring your ID Mr. Storm." Oh?? But there was a little grin hidden there in the corner of her pretty lips.
He was being teased a little.
She handed Johnny Franklin's Dino backpack. Johnny took her free hand and shook it... considered kissing her knuckles for a long moment but didn't try it.
He thought he saw her wink.
On the ride home he asked Franklin all about Miss K.