Disclaimer: I do not own nor do I make profit off of the Avengers. All rights belong to the MCU and the Walt Disney Company.
Reviews
lizyeh2000- Hello! Thank you SOO much for the review! You don't know how much I love reading your kind words and also thank you SOO much for following, it really makes me happy. I originally had this planned and scheduled to go up next Friday, but since you asked soooooo nicely I thought I would go ahead and throw it up now! Please enjoy and thank you so much for your amazing words!
WHY
Thursday, October 3rd
"Damnit," I mutter, throwing my pencil down. A couple weeks ago I found blueprints my father started for what looks to be the beginning of a drone. I was looking for my passport and found these instead, hidden deep within Aunt May's closet. Should I have been in there? No, did I tell her what I found? Absolutely not. I just took them. I've been sleeping on these since I found them, finding it too hard to actually sit down and read what my father was planning. Apparently the idea he had for was rescue drones. He had a whole plan down, including searching, assessing victims injuries and relaying medical advice through a small screen projector. I could have cried realizing my father wanted to make things to help people and then never got the chance, instead I packed everything up and brought it to Stark Tower with every intention of bring them to life. However technology from the early 2000's is completely different than technology today, and while that should it make it easier, it's only making it harder. I've decided that not only do I want to make these in the image my father wanted, but I also want to add a little of myself in there, a bringing forth the two minds type thing. Drones are already done, and while they give a perfect areal view, they do nothing for those trapped underground. If I could create a technology to detect heat signatures and then burrow down to get to them all while replaying GPS locations to a second party, it could help thousands of people all in the name of Richard Parker. If only the equations would add up,
"More history homework? C the answer is always C." Mr. Stark sets his coffee cup down before grabbing my blueprints off my desk,
"Wait-"
"Search and rescue robots?" He questions. I reach forward,
"Please be careful." He places my own sheet of paper back on the desk and holds my father original in his hands. Carefully he rubs the paper between two fingers, catching on to the age. Slowly he turns it on to it's side and reads the name scribbled there,
"Richard Parker?"
"I found it in Aunt May's things, she doesn't know I have it." He sets it down,
"What are you doing with it?" I shrug pointing to the graph,
"Search and rescue robots." He purses his lips and points to a small stack of paper at the edge of my desk,
"Did you get the other work I gave you done?" I turn looking to the stacks, it's mostly busy work, he hasn't giving me anything of importance in months. I reach for the top stack all stabled together. It's a packet of suit upgrades for War Machine. I honestly don't know why he's giving me this to look at, he's already made the upgrades and made a new packet right underneath it. He only gives these to me to make sure I understand the technology he's work with. Sometimes he'll even intentionally put a mistake in, just to make sure I catch it. Whether it's to see if I'm as smart as he thinks I am or if it's just to make me feel like I'm doing more than I am, I don't know, but I place the packet down in front of me and sigh,
"I was taking a break." Lie, he doesn't believe it, he knows better.
"Uh huh, wanna try that again?" I hold the paper out,
"Mr. Stark," I sigh, "You've already made these upgrades and more since putting it on my desk, why do you even want me to look over at? Honestly, it's not like you're really taking my input." Mr. Stark, stares at me for a long minute when my phone goes off. I look down and reach for it, reading the caller ID, but unfortunately Mr. Stark has also ready it and grabs the phone out of my hand,
"No-"
"Bruce why are you calling my interns phone?" I swallow and lean in just barely making out the conversation.
"Oh, Tony hi, I'm sorry I really thought I was calling Penny-"
"You were, your reason for it?" I stand up and grab for the phone, but Mr, Stark steps out of my reach and I fumble over the desk,
"I just wanted her to know that we've picked Lost Horizon for the movie night on Sunday."
"Movie night?" He turns to look at me, I sigh and collapse on the desk pressing my forehead into the cold resin finish.
"Ya, it's a movie from the 30's I didn't know if you would like to com-" He hangs up the phone and places it on back on the table. Slowly I look up,
"You're not looking over the work I give you, you're going to movie night with Bruce-"
"And Dr. Strange."
"The wizard?" His mouth opens,
"Don't worry, he's out of our realm this week."
"Oh well I am so glad." I frown, his voice drips of sarcasm, "Who else are you hanging out with?" I swallow,
"Are you jealous?"
"I'm not jealous, if anything people are jealous of me, now answer the question." I could lie, but I don't want too. Again I sigh,
"I went to dinner with Mr. Barnes and Mr. Wilson." Mr. Starks eyebrows shoot up and he tilts his head closer,
"I'm sorry, what?"
"Twice?"
"With Barnes and the Bird man?"
"Falcon." I correct,
"Shut up." I pout,
"Tony, stop yelling at her." Mrs. Potts appears at the top of the stairs, strawberry blonde hair perfectly brushed back into a low ponytail. Her white blouse tucked into a pair of black point pants with matching black strapy heels. Mr. Stark turns towards her,
"I'm not yelling. You want yelling, THIS IS YELLING!" His voice carries, bouncing off the walls and ceiling. I turn to Mrs. Potts who just rolls her eyes. She throws a stack of manilla folders on the nearest table and makes her way over to us.
"What's the problem honey?"
"Nothing. Dear?" He spits leaning towards her, "Except that Penny here has been lying-"
"Literally I have not." He points a finger at me,
"Shut up! She's having movie night with Bruce, dinner with the man who killed my parents and Princess Diana-"
"You don't know that-"
"I do, and she's not even interning correctly." Mrs. Potts crosses her arms,
"First, her internship isn't real. Second, shes allowed to do what ever she wants when she's not in this tower. Tony, you're her mentor not her handler." I bite my lip to keep from smiling, and look between both Mrs. Potts and Mr. Stark. When Mr. Stark doesn't say anything Mrs. Potts places her hand on my shoulder, "Besides Penny and I have had lunch a few times," I let my head drop,
"What?"
"Lunch Tony, it's where you eat with friends,"
"Please stop helping me." I mumble,
"Natasha has joined us once or twice,"
"Excuse me!"
"Calm down." Mrs. Potts demands hands outstretched in front of her as if he's a giant crying toddler...thank god he can't read minds. Suddenly my backpack is thrown in front of me,
"Get out." I look up,
"What?"
"Tony!" Mrs, Potts scolds,
"Our times over, go home!" I turn to the projection that Mr. Stark has in the middle of the room, the time constantly displayed.
"It's only 4:30."
"I'm cutting it short today, go home, get your patrol done early, have dinner with aunt May, do your homework, watch a movie, go to bed at a decent hour, I'll let you know when our next day will be." I can't help it in this moment I feel humiliated. I grab my phone from the desk, stuff it into the front pocket of my backpack and turn running to the door.
"Penny!" Mrs. Potts starts by the words die on her tongue when I run past her. "You're being childish, really? Telling her to leave-" I'm out the door and running before I can hear anything else. I get to the elevator right as my eyes start watering. I force them away quickly and fix my face in the reflection of the elevator walls before the doors open, because when they do I bolt. Usually I stop and say goodnight to Trish as I wait for Happy. Her desk sits in the front and I enjoy our weekly chats, sometimes Eddie the front security guard will join in, but I brush past both of them and out into the streets. I run until I find a spot to stash my backpack and change, because all I want to do right now is swing.
…
Aunt May
I'll be home for dinner tonight
Internship ended early?
Earlier than I thought.
I'll order Pizza, can you pick it up?
Yes, from Mazaratis?
Is their another pizzeria? Love you!
Love you too!
I pocket my phone, shove my mask back into my bag and look at my watch. 5:46 on the dot. Immediately after running out of Starks Tower I found the nearest private ally and changed with all intentions of taking out every emotion on someone, but other than a few petty crimes their wasn't much for me to do and I cut it off after an hour. I toss my backpack over my shoulder and pull my phone out again. Still nothing from Mr. Stark and I curse myself for wishing for a text. Happy hasn't even texted me about driving me home. He always waits at the door for me at 6, but Mr. Stark must have let him know not too. If I had known making plans with the others would have upset him this much I wouldn't have done it, or I would have been better at hiding it. I swallow a lump forming at the back of my throat and quickly look up, I haven't shed a single tear yet and I'm not going too. I take a deep breathe and head towards the subway keeping my head down and my heart in check.
…
"You seem down Vita Mia." Aunt May remarks licking the grease off her fingers. I sigh and pick the olives of my slice of pizza and drop it on my paper plate,
"I'm fine." Aunt May takes another bite and swallows shaking her head the whole time,
"Ya, I'm not buying it, spill." I look over and shove my olive free pizza slice into my mouth. I can't talk with my mouth full, it's May's one dinner rule. She points to my full mouth,
"Way to hide," I wiggle my brows and smile, "I still would like an explanation why you have your sad face on." I swallow and frown,
"I don't have my sad face on, this is my face." She's not buying it,
"Penny I know you're faces, that is a sad face, so please tell me what has made you bring that face out for this blessed meal." I take a deep breath,
"I just didn't have a very good day today." Aunt May raises one brow,
"School or Tower?" I take another bite, chew and swallow,
"Tower, I was just having a problem with the work today." Not exactly a lie, but also not the truth, although I got half way through my patrol when I realized I left both my father's blueprints and my own creative changes on my desk there. However at this point I'm not going back for them. I can wait until Mr. Stark text me, when ever that will be. Aunt May smiles and reaches for another piece,
"Was Mr. Stark helpful with whatever you were stuck on?" I reach for a second slice too,
"He wasn't really around today." Thats a full lie.
"Well I'm sure he'll be around to help next time." I hope not, but I smile anyway if only to make aunt May feel like she's parented for the day,
"Fell better?" I nod, "See, no secrets remember?" The gods I wish she would stop saying that. I start picking the olives off this slice and nod,
"No secrets." I repeat, the words feeling bitter on my tongue, how long can I keep this from her. Only time can tell me.
…
Friday, October 4th
Guy in Chair ;)
Anything going on tonight? I really want to go to the Lego store?
Sure, what time?"
After school?
Mkay
Saturday, October 5th
Guy in Chair ;)
Any Avengers stuff going on this weekend, MJ wants to go to the movies. Some horror thing I guess,
Nothing going on. Skipping patrol tonight.
MJ
The Convent is out today, 7 O'Clock. You free?"
Sure, frozen yogurt after?
Duh!
Aunt May
I'll be working all weekend, let me know if you're leaving the apartment and where you are going. Love you!
Movies tonight, love you too.
Sunday, October 6th
Guy in Chair ;)
Are you okay? You were down yesterday, but I didn't want to say anything in front of the others.
Meet me at Delmars in twenty and I'll tell you
Running..okay not running, but I'm hurrying out the door now!
Harry :3
You seemed sad yesterday! Cheer up Charlie, I'll buy you breakfast tomorrow for a smile
Never tell a women to smile Harry
…...
Wong
Password to the Sanctorum tonight is Jolly Rancher.
Since when is their a password to get into the Sanctorum?
Also why Jolly Rancher?
Since Strange isn't here. Because I like them, that's why.
Monday, October 7th
Aunt May
Please bring Milk home on your way home from school
Okay
Tuesday, October 8th
Guy in Chair ;)
Anything yet?
No
Sorry, want to get smoothies after school?
Sure
Aunt May
What time will you be home tonight? Early again or regular time?
I don't have my internship tonight
Ned and I will be getting smoothies after school
Okay, cheese hamburgers tonight?
This lady needs grease!
Sure!
MJ
Thursday after school we have to go buy tickets for Blood Manor, Everyone's going, already texted Ned and Harry, you're coming.
Okay
should we get a group chat for things like this?
No!
Wednesday, October 9th
Harry :3
Penny for your thoughts? XD LOL get it?
Funny Harry...
You didn't talk much during free period, you okay?
A lot on my mind, Sorry!
Can I help?
No, thank you though. We'll talk more tomorrow!
Looking forward to it :D
Guy in Chair ;)
Did you see the Avengers at that press meeting today, apparently their was another threat, you know same old same old, I was looking for you!
I'm not an official Avenger remember
I know, but you've done stuff with them!
Not these days.
…...Probably shouldn't have said anything:( Can I come to the next movie night?!
No!
Thursday, October 10th
Aunt May
what time will you be home tonight please!
I sigh and put the put the phone down. I haven't gotten a text from Mr. Stark yet letting me know if I should come over today, but I'm guessing he's not going to text me. Ned clears his throat catching my attention,
"Aunt May." I wave the phone, Neds face falls. Since I told him Sunday over sub sandwiches he's been asking everyday if Mr. Stark texted me yet and my responds has remand the same. No Ned, not yet.
"Waiting for a love text over Penny's phone?" MJ asks eyebrow raised, Ned slinks down in his seat and shakes his head,
"No...I just..I-" He looks around and then shoves the rest of his brownie into his mouth and shrugs. MJ looks between the two of us I just shake my head and she drops it. I sigh and lean back, crumbling my own brownie in my hands. Harry stopped at Meg's this morning, a bakery right outside his apartment complex and bought a box of brownies and a few cupcakes to share during our free period, the only other class we all have together other than home room. He bought them with good intention, but I don't really feel like eating them.
"I hope it lifts your mood, it's chocolate!"
I smiled, but going a week without receiving a single text from Mr. Stark..it's messing with me. Is he really this mad that I have been spending time with the others or was it because I was working on my fathers private project instead of checking over the work he's giving me. Either way I don't know how much longer I can go just sitting around waiting for a text...and I wont.
"Are we still stopping by Broadway to get Blood Manor tickets?"
"We better be, no one is backing out, got it Leeks?" Ned jumps in his seat,
"Why did you call me out?"
"Cause out of everyone you would be the one to cry." Ned turns to me,
"I would not! Penny tell her!" I roll my eyes,
"Yes MJ, Ned is very tough, anyway can we stop somewhere first?" MJ turns to me and tilts her head a look of skepticism written all over her face,
"Where?"
….
"Are you serious?" Ned whispers in my ear, I push him back keeping my pace up, "You can't just barge in there!"
"Watch me Ned." I turn around spotting MJ and Harry a few paces behind us, I've taken the lead mainly because I'm the one who knows where we're going, but also because I'm so fired up I have to keep moving otherwise I feel like I'll just burn out. Ned's having a hard time keeping up with me, falling back and then having to speed up,
"This is probably the most bad ass thing you've ever done."
"Besides becoming a hero and saving half the populations" I whisper, Ned falls back and runs up shrugging his shoulders,
"Well ya, but I get to see this." I roll my eyes,
"No you don't."
"What-" I stop in front of Stark Tower and look up. Inside somewhere is Mr. Stark probably working in his lab, music turned up all the way, his phone just sitting on a table, not even paying attention to it, just wait. Look down I spot Eddie, waiting at the door,
"Penny, where have you been?"
"I haven't been around, can I go in?" He raises an eyebrow, I've never asked that before, I just go in.
"Is their a reason you can't?" Alright clearly Mr. Stark hasn't banned me from the Tower, good. I purse my lips and shake my head,
"No." I look behind me where MJ and Harry have finally caught up,
"Can my friends wait inside, I just have to get something that's all." He looks behind me to MJ and Harry and then to Ned before reaching for the door handle,
"Since you asked so kindly." I let Ned, MJ and Harry in first,
"Fancy." I can hear MJ say, I look to Eddie and fist bump him on my way in, I grab Ned by the shoulder,
"Just stay here and keep both of them close." I don't wait for him to answer me back, instead I head straight for the elevator, Trish notices me and stands up,
"Penny, I didn't know you were coming in today." I wave her away,
"Just have to grab something." I place my hand on the scanner and reach into the front pocket of my backpack to grab my pass and shove it into the reader. The hand scanner turns green, the reader clicks and the elevator opens,
"I-"
"It's fine." I turn towards her stepping back into the elevator, "I'll be down in a jiffy-" she doesn't look convinced but the elevator closes before she can say anything else, and then I'm left alone, just me and my thoughts. I pull out my phone and text Mr. Stark,
Mr. Stark
I Want to talk!
I sigh feeling my heart beat a mile a minute. I've never yelled at Mr. Stark before, I've never even called him by his first name, but the rest of my free period, ninth period, the subway, and the whole walk here I've been rehearsing my speech inside my head. Most of it is just yelling, but I'm tired. Since Russia Mr. Stark has been distant and quiet. For three full weeks he ignored me, then after the Loki incident he promised things would change and they have a bit. While he doesn't outright ignore me he also hasn't really spoken to me in the way we did before.
This is what happens when you start to care, when you get use to someone else caring too.
I take a deep breath and rehearse my speech again, I know it's pointless. Once I come face to face with him I'll loose my words, but if I don't do this now I'll never be able to stand up for myself. I stare at my reflection and and take a deep breathe, My legs start shaking, It's probably nerves. Then the whole elevator starts shaking. I step back placing my hands flat on the wall behind me cementing myself in place. What's going on? I hold my breath, the shaking getting worst and then suddenly theres darkness
and
then
I'm
falling...