The Unknown Variable

(Beta'd as of 8/5/13)

Nothing not from my mind in mine, if you have seen it elsewhere (that had nothing to do with me) then go and send the bloodthirsty lawyers after them.

I awoke with a start, a scream clawing at my throat and the painful and blurry memories at the forefront of my mind.

I pulled my knees up to my chest, ignoring the slight jab of protest from my ribs in the process and hid my face in my good arm.

I took a few deep breathes and banished the memories back behind the barrier. I could only ignore the pain and horrors for so long; I just hoped to hold out until I made it back home.

'Home' I thought to myself, and with a jolt I realized that I considered being in Malibu with Tony home.

This brought a small smile to my face and I was able to unwrap myself. I was in a small room that was practically bare. Tony and I were currently on a Military Base in Afghanistan (obviously) waiting for a plane ride back stateside.

Rhodes hadn't left my father's side since the rescue a few hours before, even when he fell asleep after getting onto the chopper.

As soon as we had reached the base, we were ushered into the medical bay where the doctor latched himself onto Tony.

But Tony refused to let the doctor see him, clearly stating that he was perfectly fine and just needed to sleep. After about an hour debating it, with Rhodes almost mentioning the Reactor (that he had seen but was now hidden) Tony finally won the argument and the doctor instantly dragged me into a separate room; insistent on at least giving me a checkup.

I glared at the white clad man who was the base's main doctor. He appeared to be in his forties and was clean shaven. I quickly learned that he did not like losing a fight, and was determined to do a full examination of me while taking out his frustration with my father out on me.

He reached for my jacket which was now fully buttoned and I glared at him in defiance.

"Don't touch me." I hissed, backing away from him as memories of Bald jumped unwanted to the forefront of my mind.

Even though I had fallen unconscious my small bit of invisibility hadn't failed (something I assumed Death had a part in) until I had reawaken. My burns had yet to be discovered, and I wanted it to stay that way.

"Now," the doctor said, and a quick glance to his name tag revealed his name to be Dr. Hank.

'How original,' I thought to myself as he continued.

"I know that you have been through a lot but I need to take a look at you. So sit. Down." He ordered, and suddenly I realized just how he managed to become the head doctor, all of the troops must listen to him.

"I," I began in a steely tone, "can take care of myself!" This was true. You don't grow up in a hospital and not learn a thing or two.

Faster than I thought possible, Dr. Hank moved, pulling my jacket off and revealing the bright red burns that littered my arms and collar area.

"Oh my," he gasped, and my eyes widened as I realized that not only had my jacket been removed but the small piece of synthetic skin that covered my Core hand also come loose.

His arm reached out to touch the dull light that resided in my chest; I grabbed his wrist and twisted it away from me.

My eyes narrowed in anger, and sparks danced across my fingertips, although my Core flickered in protest.

"Stop," I hissed, and my sparks danced across the man's arm for a micro second before jumping into his skin and he froze instantly, a slightly dazed look coming into his eyes.

My own eyes widened as I looked between my hand and the doctor's still form. I quickly let out a small pulse of energy, looking for any camera's and bugs and smirked when I found none.

"The brain is controlled by electric pulses, in theory, if the right pulse is sent to the brain... I have complete control." I whispered as my brain connected what just happened.

While I knew that my sparks basically controlled me, and allowed me to survive, I had no idea that they could influence other people.

While I shivered at the thought of controlling anyone, or taking away their free will, I thought that this was necessary.

Focusing on my sparks I quickly whispered a command, hoping that it would work.

"Fall sleep, and when you awaken you will not remember anything about your examination of me. You will report that besides being malnourished, exhausted, and having a dislocated elbow that I was perfectly healthy."

I watched as my sparks flared between our skin before seeping into his, and he fell over, unconscious onto the floor.

I sighed and banged my hand against my Reactor as it started to fade once again. Looking around the room and at the medical equipment I sighed before I stated,

"Well, let's get me fixed up," and I set to work.

That had been a few hours ago, and I had managed to catch a bit of sleep before the nightmares had awoken me.

I was in some spare bedroom, probably for whoever visits… if anyone does because who would want to visit a military base in the middle of the desert?

Shrugging I banished the random thought and made my way out of the room and into a small bathroom, where I found a towel, soap, and a clean pair of jeans with a white t-shirt and navy jacket, also underwear, socks, and a nice pair of black flats.

Silently wondering where they got the clothing I quickly showered, enjoying the hot water that washed away the months' worth of dirt and grime.

Rhodes had reluctantly told us how long we had been missing when Tony pushed him for information, and I still couldn't believe that it had been three months.

With the equipment in the doctor's office I had managed to treat the burns and find out that my arm was only badly bruised and sprained, although I swear it had been broken before and that my ribs were also badly bruised but not fractured. I also managed to do some crude repairs to my Core; and although it was no longer flickering and failing every few minutes, it still needed to be replaced as soon as possible.

Musing on whether it was Death who healed me, I quickly got dressed and was relieved to find that the shirt and jacket completely covered the burns, meaning that I didn't have to waste energy keeping them invisible. I was also relieved to find that my Core's cover still worked, even if I needed a new one soon.

Running my fingers through my messy wet hair which had grown a few inches during our 'stay' with the Ten Rings; I slipped my tablet into a pocket and walked out of the room.

Finding Tony was surprisingly easy; I just had to follow the harassed looking soldiers. I slid into a chair next to him, overlooking the airfield from a large window.

He spared me a quick glance before looking back over the darkening airfield, the large sun was low in the sky but I assumed we had a few more hours of sunlight.

We sat in silence for a while, watching the random soldiers run about the field doing their various jobs.

I mused silently, wondering what Tony was going to do now? He said we needed to talk, but about what? Did he want me gone? Did he just want to forget the tragic story that I had told him? Did he just want to send me away before I could tell him everything? I didn't know, and that was what scared me the most.

My eyes flickered briefly to Tony as he sighed; I knew he was trying to get himself to talk, though about what exactly, I had no idea.

"I'm sorry,"

My eyes widened and my head snapped towards him in shock, I wasn't expecting Tony to apologize, he never did; to anyone.

My heart hammered in my chest as I waited with bated breath for Tony to continue, 'What on earth is going on?' I thought to myself.

Tony's gaze was fixed on the horizon though I could tell that his thoughts were elsewhere. He had a pained expression hidden on his face, barely breaking through his mask he lived behind.

"I'm sorry," he repeated this time, continuing his train of thought. "I am sorry for everything, for getting us captured by the Ten Rings, for placing you in danger. I am sorry for ignoring you, for pushing you away when you needed me; and I'm sorry for reacting the way I did, I… I shouldn't have walked away. I want you to under…"

I threw my arms around him, silent tears running down my face. I felt Tony freeze beneath me for a moment before his arms, one of them also in a sling, wrapped around me.

"It's not your fault, I don't blame you." I whispered into his chest.

I felt him stiffen at my words before he buried his face in my fiery hair (that was now dry) and whispered,

"You really are a Stark,"

It was then that I knew that I was accepted, that Tony wanted me, that we were a family. A broken messed up family with issues the size of Manhattan, but we had each other, and that was all that really mattered.

"I couldn't ask for a better daughter."

Awwww Tony and Penny fluff! That also didn't go the way it was planned, but this was SO better! It was a bit shorter than the other chapters I know, but that just seemed like the perfect place to stop!

After this we're really jumping into the rest of Iron Man, but don't worry, there'll be LOTS of Penny and Tony bonding time, (and talks) to balance the action.

Thanks to my Beta again, YOU ROCK!
See ya'll soon,
Cp