The Unknown Variable

(Beta'd as of 1/16/14 by Espacole)

I own nothing; I cannot afford a lawyer, so go sue someone else.

Penny POV

I sighed as I was finally able to lay down. It was about eleven pm and I was tired. After I had gone to Safeway and shopped, I ran into my neighbor, Mrs. Hyln who was a single mother of three boys; Greg who was ten, Ben, who was eight, and Johnny, who was four.

When Mrs. Hyln found out that I was living alone, she invited me to dinner… which I couldn't refuse. Then, the furniture showed up half way through the meal.

Mrs. Hyln called some friends from around town, and they all helped me move in. I met, Mr. Gent, who was the town mechanic, the Sheriff, Ms. Jollin, about half of the town's small police force, along with the town librarian, and some scientists from the research facility there.

The scientists were very interested to learn that not only was I already in collage, but that I was studying Physics. Apparently they studied something along the lines of astrophysics, and quantum-physics, and they offered me a job when I graduated.

The lead doctor and his assistant almost fainted when I told them I already had a PhD in Metaphysics. It was funny. It was even funnier when the young intern that tagged along recognized me as Tony Stark's latest PA.

Someone listening in really did faint. Thankfully I was able to keep the older girl quiet, so the half the town that was in my house didn't find out.

After that they said I was now their consultant. They didn't even let me say no, mean people.

People started leaving around eight, but I couldn't get the researchers to leave until ten forty-five. While they had some interesting theories and views, and held great debates, they didn't know when to give a girl a break.

I didn't even bother changing, as I fall on top of my new bed. My other neighbor, Old Mr. Yin brought me dark blue sheets as a house warming gift. He was nice…

I yawned widely, but sat back up. Now that the house was finally empty, I could get to work.

Pulling various pieces of equipment from a suitcase, I turned invisible and started setting the alarms. There was one for when someone entered the driveway, neared any door or window, and also one that monitored the garden and air vents. Just in case.

By one, all of the alarms were set and working, and programmed to a bracelet the Tony made for me. It worked as part of the alarms, a privet communicator to Tony, and a panic button. Just in case.

Jarvis was also connected to the bracelet that monitored my Core, health, and about a dozen other things.

I had literally stared at my dad in horror when he explained just what the tiny strip of metal could do. He was taking this father thing way too seriously.

"Stupid over protective fathers." I muttered under my breath.

I was glad that I had managed to convince everyone to show up, that I wasn't the most social person, and had moved here so I could work on my dissertations in peace. After about an hour getting that point across, I was promised a few months of peace.

"Better than nothing." I thought aloud, it could have gone worse.

I got along well enough with everyone. It was literally the most social I had ever been in my life; period.

Finally, after I set up all of the alarms, scanned for bugs (who knew if SHIELD had managed to get in the house) and after finding one in the kitchen, and another in the living room, I left them. Determined to just not do anything important or connected with Tony or my powers in those rooms.

As the clock hanging in the hall struck two, I finally passed out on my bed. It had been one hell of a long day.

Present day

I tapped my fingers on the desk in Tony's lab. Okay, perhaps everything was so bad, but it was definitely more complicated.

I made sure to be seen on the bug in the kitchen every morning, grabbing something to eat, and then retreated to my office where, after turning invisible, I Zapped (how I hated calling it that…curse Tony) to the mansion. The day after everything happened, so yesterday, I took my bike out, made sure I wasn't bugged, and headed out into the desert.

Once I was far enough out of town I wasn't worried about anyone finding me, I practiced my Zapping while invisible. Tony was right, it was a bit hard, but manageable. The only problem I ran into was that, every time I Zapped, it still sounded like thunder. But after three hours of Zapping around various places, was that the more I Zapped, the quieter the sound… if I wanted it to be quiet.

So, after 'going to bed' last night I Zapped back here. Tony was waiting for me, and gave me a big hug. So did the Bots, apparently I was now like…there big sister or something. Anyway, they all liked me almost as much as Tony.

Tony showed me the room, which was now hidden, sound proof, (I could hear what was going on in the lab but they couldn't hear me) and fully furnished. I had a full sized bed, with dark purple sheets and a grey comforter with matching pillows. My Tablet sat on a new desk, as my Laptop was at my new house. There was a full stereo system, wardrobe, two book shelves, three different plush throw rugs, and a beanbag chair.

I had left all of my favorite clothes here, so the wardrobe was full, and I had my own bathroom…which I didn't thing was down here.

Tony had also installed an alarm that alerted Jarvis, (who would tell us) if anyone was coming down stairs, that way I could turn invisible, along with anything I was working one, and no one would know.

The whole thing was complicated, and we had to be very careful, but it was better than nothing. In the last forty-eight hours I had become a lot more efficient with my Zapping. I had to flash back and forth at least three times a day; I expected to be a pro.

Tony had made a small shaft through the ceiling, and had a long metal pole that stuck out of the shaft. The thin pole went from my room, all the way outside. Apparently, it attracted my sparks, so when I focused on the Malibu house, I could go there.

I had to remind Tony that if the pole attracted my lightning, it would attract normal lighting; and we defiantly didn't need a thunderstorm to fry the whole house.

After that small little conversation, Tony made the pole retractable.

Tony and I were working on the physical flight stabilizer for the suit. I was screwing in a few wires that Tony couldn't reach, considering it was currently on his right arm.

"Sir, Pepper is coming down." Jarvis informed us.

"Alright." Tony said, as I dropped the screwdriver and vanished from sight.

Tony closed the stabilizer over his arm and secured it as Pepper walked down the stairs. Tony looked over, at Pepper as she typed in the code for the door. Tony wanted to keep all information about the suit from Pepper, but sadly it was a little late to hide the flight stabilizer.

"I could turn it invisible if you'd like." I whispered in his ear.

"It's alright." Tony sighed, shooting Pepper a fearful look; and it was in that moment I saw just how tired he was.

I knew that when I was there, he wasn't getting much sleep. But now that I was gone a lot of the time, I didn't even want to ask.

"Up two. Alright, set that." Tony said to Dummy ask Pepper walked over. She was balancing a box, on papers, with a coffee cup on top.

'She has two hands.' I thought to myself.

"I've been buzzing you. Did you hear the intercom?" Pepper asked, looking at Tony in confusion. Trying to figure out what was on his arm.

We had heard it, in fact. Tony just hadn't wanted to answer.

"Yeah, everything's…what?" Tony said thinking she would ask something else, and not paying attention.

I stifled a giggle, as I made sure not to bump anything.

"Obadiah is upstairs." Pepper said, as she set down the box, cup, and papers.

"Great," Tony said, distracted as he carefully lifted up the stabilizer. "I'll be right up."

"What would you like me to tell him?" She asked at the same time Tony spoke.

"Okay," he said, as he managed to get the stabilizer out of the cradle on the table. Tony stood up as Pepper paid more attention.

"I thought you said you were done making weapons." Pepper stated, staring at my father's arm. Tony shifted his stance around, aiming at something. But I wasn't sure what.

"I am." Tony replied, dropping his left arm and trying to concentrate. I had to stifle another giggle, at the look on Tony's face. He was trying to get a good stance, so he wouldn't go flying backwards again.

"This is a flight stabilizer. It's completely harmless." Tony said, as he reached over and hit the large button that turned it on.

There was a loud loading noise before, with a large blast it came to life. The blast itself was short but extremely bright and big; causing paper to fly, Pepper to cover her ears, and Tony to be blasted back against the wall…again.

"I didn't expect that." Tony said a bit shocked.

Pepper went back upstairs after Tony got back on his feet. After helping Tony get the stabilizer off, the alarms for my driveway went off. So I gave Tony a quick hug, and as he walked upstairs to go see Stane; I Zapped back to New Mexico.

I had just landed in my office when the doorbell rang. Making sure I was a bit presentable, I quickly walked down the hall and opened the door.

My eyes widened a bit when I saw Agent Coulson there, along with two other agents that I didn't recognize.

"Good evening Miss Telnets, may we come in? There are a few things we would like to discuss with you."

For once I was glad I my brain worked at the speed it did, for although my mouth said, "Of-Course."

My brain said, 'Awe crap.'

I know, I was mean to cut it off there. But hey, it was a good sized chapter. Hope you all enjoyed the chapter, and I didn't confuse too many of you.

Thanks to all of you,
Cp