New York City.

She has suffered through so much.  So much grieving.  So much sorrow.  All of those funerals and a memorial.  She could not bring herself to speak at any of them.  They were delayed until she was physically able to be part of them.  Her family, the Richards family, and the Grimm family all grieved.  Sue suffered through it all.  She suffered through the confusion of what was happening to her body.  She suffered through continued monitoring from S.H.I.E.L.D., specifically Agent Maria Hill.  Now, Sue was better.  Now, she was okay, or as one could be under the circumstances.  It was time to move on.

With the dissolution of the Fantastic Four research and development program, there was only Sue’s share remaining, with the rest having already been sold to Natasha Stark by the other families.  Now it was Sue’s turn to deal with both hers and her late brother‘s share.  So came the lawyer.

Her name is Jennifer Walters and she represents both Sue Storm and Stark Industries, led by Natasha Stark.  They have just exited Jennifer’s law office to complete what is being referred to officially as a “merger.”  Sue gets to join Natasha as a second-in-command for R&D.  With all of the necessary paperwork and monetary transfers taken care of, it is no longer about the legalese.  Instead, the conversation is now about the future.  It is about colleagues catching up and their common interests.

They join up at a restaurant, the three of them.  Jennifer, Sue, and Natasha are soon joined by Natasha’s personal assistant, Virginia, or as she is known as affectionately, “Pepper.”  Soon, the discussion turns toward the future they have in mind, both professional and personal.

Natasha “The armor that we have in development is still coming along.”

Sue “Still flexible?”

Pepper “Very.  It’s not without its kinks, but we’re working through that.”

Sue “Do you really think you’ll be able to help me with my…condition?”

Natasha “Of course we can.  That was part of the agreement.  I mean…you’ve showed us.”

Pepper “And now it’s just a matter of utilizing it and you keeping control of it.”

Sue “It’s much more under control now.  It used to react from my emotions, but now I seem to have it more on command.  I just find it annoying that I have to deal with S.H.I.E.L.D. for the rest of my life.”