The Unknown Variable

Go. Away. I own nothing. Go chance Disney, Marvel, WB and JK Rowling instead.

Tony's POV

We had talked about this, Penny and I, before Rhodey had come barging in; and though at first Penny hadn't thought that a party was a good idea, she eventually agreed. We both wanted to have some last bit of fun, and not even Pen would deign me that. Sure, even I wasn't too happy about the party, but it was an excellent chance to give Rhodey the suit, and to forget for a few hours.

The only other foreseeable option, was to let the government storm the house, and with Penny there, and our current condition, I wasn't comfortable with that idea at all. T he circumstance of that situation might just kill us with stress...or Pen first. I was not taking that risk.

We had talked about a lot of things in that time period, like what we were going to do about my birthday party, or if I was going to get the guts to tell Pepper.

We also talked about Penny's mom, and we talked about Pepper, we talked about life, and we talked about the good times.

I hadn't been sleeping, and I'm pretty sure Penny only was from exhaustion. She was looking bad. While the lines had only just started to crawl up my neck, they hand already covered her's, and now, half of her face.

The lines worked slowly up her face, zagging back and forth, crossing over her lips and up the left side of her face. Most of the lines stopped at her left eye, though one line continued on, shooting up across her forehead into her hair line.

Penny had given me permission to drink, hell, she had even poured me the scotch herself.

At my shocked look she chuckled darkly and said, "It's not like this is going to kill you before that does." She had gestured to the bottle and then the Arc.

She was right; I was just surprised she had said it.

I was even more surprised when I saw Penny drop her invisibility, right in front of me and Romanoff. Well, actually, Romanoff's back was turned, having just entered the room, but I was shocked none the less.

My eyebrows narrowed in confusion. While she still basically looked like a zombie, she looked a bit more…lively then she had when I left her asleep an hour ago. I also have no idea how she could have used her inadvisability. All of her powers took too much energy and caused too much pain to be used...what was going on?

Her eyes held a sparkle that resembled… well, recklessness. She had a large grin her face and I could see her sparks dancing between her fingers.

'What are you doing?!' I mouthed, glancing at the occupied spy.

'You have your party, I have mine. I have the com. stick to the plan if you want. Bye!' she mouthed back, my eyes widened at her statement, but before I could even open my mouth in protest, she vanished.

Worry clenched at my heart as Romanoff turned back around started talking to me about the party. I had no idea how Penny had gotten her sparks to work, or how she got them to work in Monaco ether. She had evaded the questions and just played her violin...which i still can't believe i didn't know about it.

I had just tested my blood, it was at 89%. I had tested Penny's a half'n hour ago, it was 95%.

I sighed and continued to get dressed, I would let Penny do what she wanted for now. If we were both screwed, why not have fun while doing it?

Penny's POV

God, I felt great.

I really hadn't gone anywhere…well…okay, I went to LA, took my untraceable debit card, and went shopping, then, I went back home.

Well, to the house anyway.

I felt alive, I felt like I was on fire. It was energizing, it was pure freedom…it was addictive.

Personally, I was mad that Mortem wasn't here. I mean here I was, all dressed up with no place to go.

Okay, that was also not true; I was currently dancing with about two hundred other guests upstairs in the main part of the house.

I was wearing a dark blue strapless dress that was mini-skirt length. I had black stilettos on and my hair was up in a messy knot. I was wearing make-up, though I hadn't bought any, and the black choker Mortem gave me hung around my neck. Man, I felt great.

I had recreated the Holo-ball ring of-course. Just because I was having fun didn't mean I was going to blow my whole cover.

Even if I was dying.

Tony, I knew as soon as I saw him come out, was just trying to get wasted. For some reason though…I just didn't care. I couldn't bring myself to care.

We had talked about it before hand, and tonight was sort-of a free for all, do whatever the hell you want, thing.

He had tried to call me through the com. but I had lost it in a drink sometime during a dance.

The party had been going on for about two and a half hours before Tony put the Mark IV on and started partying.

He was totally and utterly wasted…but then, I might have been too.

I wasn't sure what I was drinking, or what music was playing. All I knew was that there was loud music to drown yourself in, enough people to get lost in, and I felt well enough to do both.

I laughed with everyone else when Pepper tried to party crash; I even booed along with everyone else when Pepper got Tony to say the party was over.

Then, he announced the after party and things started to get interesting.

Things started breaking and I started laughing. My head was light and I felt like I was floating. It was fun, and messy. How else would we Starks have it?

Going out with a bang…oh how I agreed.

I did notice, however, when Rhodey ran down the stairs to the lab. I smirked, part one done…oh this was going to be fun.

"Penny?" Rhodey called as he stormed down the stairs, "Penny?"

"Yeah Uncle Rhodey?" I called with a giggle as I followed him down.

He turned around in shock as I dropped the Hologram, I let out another giggle as Rhodey stared at me wide eyed.

"Penny? What the hell are you doing? Does your father know about this?" He demanded, looking at me like I had grown a second head or something.

Or maybe it was the fact that he finally noticed the giant zig-zags across my face. "Hehe…about what Uncle Rhodey? These lines? Daddy's known about them for a while now." I giggled as I walked towards him.

"No, I mean the fact that you're drunk, upstairs at a privet party, and wearing something you shouldn't for another eight years!" Rhodey stated, crossing his arms across his chest.

"Oh? No, Daddy doesn't know about that…hehe…but it's fun Rhodey. I want to have some fun before I leave." I stated as I sat down on Tony's desk and crossed my legs.

Rhodey was no fun; Daddy knew how to have fun.

"That is not the right kind of fun. Now, I'll deal with you later…or Pepper will. I have to go deal with your father." Rhodey said watching me, he was worried that I would try to stop him.

Why would I? It was all part of the plan.

"You shouldn't tell Pepper about me, Uncle Rhodey," I stated coldly as Rhodey activated Jarvis and suited up. "Daddy wouldn't like it."

Rhodey, now in the silver Mark II, turned to look at me as he said, "Your Dad won't like what I'm doing now ether."

He then marched up the stairs, causing the glass screens to shake.

"Why wouldn't he?" I asked aloud to no answer. "It was all part of the plan."

I hopped of the desk and started to make my way back upstairs. The show was starting, and I wasn't about to miss it.

However, a cold hand thought otherwise.

I was turned around and came face to face with an angry and bewildered Mortem.

"Morty! Your back!?" I exclaimed and threw my arms around his neck. Now we could have lots and lots of fun.

Mortem pulled away before narrowing his eyes at me. And you are drunk. What have you been drinking?

I shrugged, and tried to pull him up the stairs. "What's upstairs." I replied, "Come on, Morty…I want to have some fun!"

No he signed and I froze, pouting. There's something else wrong. What else have you drunk tonight?

I shrugged, not knowing what he was talking about. Talking was boring, I was tired of being boring.

"Nothing, just what's upstairs and that green drink you left me." I stated as I twirled out of his arms and spun underneath the glow sticks.

What green drink? Mortem demanded, appearing in front of me and grabbing my arms.

"Let go, Mortem. It's nothing…just the green frizzy drink you left by my bed." I stated with an eye roll. He was a silly Entity.

Penny, I didn't leave anything by your bed. He stated and his hands started to glow. Slowly, the lightheadedness and floating sensation left me, and my mind turned back on.

The pain also came rushing back.

"Shit!" I exclaimed as I collapsed into Mortem arms, my breathing short and quick. "But…if you didn't leave it…then who did? And why is it such a bad thing?"

Mortem's eyes darkened as he wrapped his arms around me and we both sat down on the floor.

I can't say…but I have a pretty good idea who. Mortem signed, and I could tell he was angry…and an angry Mortem was a scary Mortem. That green drink wasn't designed for humans…well it was in a way. But it isn't safe. That specific one gives the drinker a huge energy boost, relieves all pain, and, given time, heal any malady.

My eyebrows narrowed in confusion as my head spun, "How is that a bad thing?"

Mortem sighed and continued, But it takes away your morals and your common sense. It makes you crave the things in this world that you would never do. In this case, for you, it was alcohol. At times, it could be a lot worse. People have died, been raped, and gone insane because of that drink.

Mortem paused and my pale face looked at him in shock, who the hell was trying to kill me when I was already dying?

I'm just glad I got back when I did…it had almost completely erased your morals, and it was heading towards yourself preservation next. I was almost too late.

Mortem wrapped his arms around me as I whispered, "Why? Why would someone do that when I'm already dying?"

Mortem looked up at me sadly and replied, because, they don't want you to survive.

I coughed harshly and all of the sudden, I threw up all over Mortem before grasping my head as it exploded in pain.

This is worse than I thought he sighed, he placed one glowing hand on my forehead as he waved his other hand and the mess was gone. You're going through withdrawal…that means someone spiked it and your now addicted.

"You're sure that it isn't just from the Palladium?" at Mortem's nod I continued, "can't you just fix that like you did before?" I asked, closing my eyes. Damn, I was starting to feel like shit again. It seemed that even though the drink was out of my system, its effects hadn't completely faded.

No, that's beyond my power…

I sighed, what was I supposed to do? Just suffer till I died? "What then?"

Mortem looked at me sadly and signed something that I was really hoping to avoid.

He waved his hand, and this time…a purple drink appeared.

"Okay, seriously…what is up with the different colors!" I exclaimed tiredly. This was getting annoying.

Rhodey and Tony were fighting, that was obvious, the other obvious thing was that the house was getting destroyed, and the plan was going as planned…somewhat.

It was going better than I thought it would.

Music was playing, obviously Tony wanted to listen to something, and they were currently fighting in the gym.

Mortem hadn't wanted me to go upstairs, but I really wanted to watch this. I had found another com. and was listening to Tony and Rhodey's conversation.

"Sorry," Tony said, "Iron Man doesn't have a side kick."

"What about Penny?" Rhodey snarled as he picked up a pole.

"Electra's my partner." Dad replied as he was hit over the head by Rhodey.

Rhodey hit him a few more time, and Tony shoved him back but Rhodey aimed at his knee causing him to fall.

Tony fired up his repulors but before he could do anything, Rhodey shoved him through the ceiling. I saw Tony activate the repulors long enough not to smash into the bedroom's ceiling, before he fell back onto the floor.

"This has gone on long enough!" I heard Rhodey yell through the com. I heard a crash, and ran back into the main room to see both Tony and Rhodey falling through the ceiling.

I also saw Pepper and Romanoff glaring it out, and no matter how funny I thought that would be, keeping an eye on Dad was my main priority.

They were fighting; Happy had run up and grabbed Pepper, pulling her away from the fight.

Rhodey punched Tony in the face, which Tony quickly turned around and did the same. The fight wasn't really clear, they were both on top of each other, and they were both hitting, grabbing, and kicking one another.

Tony then reached down and flipped Rhodey over by sweeping his feet out from under him.

Rhodey might be in the military, but the suits were Tony's if this fight wasn't rigged, Tony would wipe the floor with him.

Tony punched him again, but went he went to do it a third time Rhodey side stepped, causing Tony to run into a wall.

"You okay Dad?" I asked through the com. though I knew Rhodey could also hear me. I had sent out various EMP pulses to make sure the com lines weren't' tapped and that the suits weren't bugged. They had been, but not anymore.

I watched as Romanoff fled the scene and I sneered, one day I would deal with her as well (I wanted to…probably wouldn't get the chance.)

The only way I was even standing at the moment was because of the purple drink. The way Mortem explained it, they were given to people who were dying (in another dimension, which didn't surprise me, I mean come on. I was dating Death!) to give them a normal last 24 hours, which was as long as the drink lasted.

He didn't say what would happen when the drink's effects ran out, but he promised me that I would feel almost normal for about 24 hours. He did mention, however, that I wasn't supposed to have taken it, or even know about them. He had been trying to get the drink for me for a while but only was allowed to when it would take care of something that someone had done to endanger me. In other words, because of the green fizzy drink incident, I had almost pain free, energized last 24 hours.

It seemed fair to me; and even though I totally regret it. I even got to experience what it was like to be drunk.

If I had a chance to live, I would never do that again.

They continued to punch each other back and forth until Tony got the upper hand and threw him into the table.

He then turned towards the guests and after a moment of silence, screamed at them.

"Dad," I said sadly as I shook my head in dismay. He really wasn't doing well, mentally or physically.

Well, I don't think I was ether, but oh well.

All the guests fled, which I think was what Tony was going for, as Rhodey tore off the counter top and smashed Tony with it.

Dad landed face first in the fire place, which exploded around him.

"Dad!" I yelled in concern and threw up an invisible shield. "Rhodey! That was just mean!" I yelled at him.

"You don't deserve the suit Tony!" Rhodey yelled, and I couldn't tell if it was just through the com. "You're a failure as Iron Man, you're a failure as a genius, and you're a failure as a father!"

Cold, utter despise settled in my heart at his words. He didn't even know what was going on, HOW DARE HE!

"What did you just say?!" Tony hissed in response as he raised his hand, the repulsor starting to glow.

"You don't even know Tony! You're a failure of a father, you didn't even notice when your own daughter crashed your party and got drunk! You aren't fit to take care of her." Rhodey stated, raising his own hand.

I dropped my invisibility, so that only Tony and Rhodey could see me. I knew Romanoff was around here somewhere.

"That." I hissed, causing both of their attention to be drawn to me. "Is enough Rhodes, you don't know what you're talking about!"

"She doesn't look drunk to me." Tony stated, turning his attention back on the Mark II.

"I'm not…anymore." I shrugged, and shifted my stance; sparks flew across my fingers, just in case this got out of hand.

"You're not even going to talk to her about it?!" Rhodey yelled at him in surprise.

Tony shrugged, "What's there to talk about?"

"She's underage!" Rhodey exclaimed.

"Considering the circumstances, I think I'll allow it." Dad stated, "Though I am surprised."

"I'll explain later." I stated, and he nodded.

"YOU don't deserve her!" Rhodey yelled. "You aren't a fit father!"

That was going too far.

"Say that again." Tony threatened, the repulsor charging up.

"You aren't a fit father!" Rhodey yelled his own charging up.

"SAY THAT AGAIN!" Tony yelled in rage.

"YOU AREN'T A FIT FATHER!" Rhodey screamed as Tony and he fired at the same time.

The blasts met in the middle of the room, and created a swirling pool of energy which grew and grew...

"Oh shit!" I yelled as I pulled put a shield.

The energy build up exploded, just as Mortem appeared and wrapped his shadows around us, protecting us from the blast.

I heard the house around us shake, and I knew that part of the building collapsed.

That had gotten more out of hand then planned.

Yup, Penny wasn't completely herself this chapter (okay, she wasn't herself at all and stuff.) :D don't worry, the Purple will also have side effects.

Thanks to everyone, and my betas Expecto Prongs and Aqua Are (hope i spelled it right...)
hope you are enjoying it…I could've cut this short but I didn't just for you guys.

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Cp