The Unknown Variable

I own nothing, and if you don't want to meat Insania…you should leave…now.

The Goo War had lasted for hours, late into the night, and far into the morning. By the time the three of us, (you should have seen Tony's face when he realized Pepper was helping…it was hilarious) were worn out, almost everything that you could imagine had been used. We had all taken showers afterwards…and I had learned something, yogurt and whipped cream was killer to get out of your hair.* Thankfully though, we learned something else, as long as Pepper didn't eat the strawberries she was fine to get covered in it…which was good for her and for the War.

We finally our breakfast dinner around one and Tony convinced Pepper to spend the night. Also, since the Stark Insomnia decided to rear its ugly head, we had a movie marathon until I fell asleep around five am.

Mortem's POV

By the time I had finally made it back to the Stark household, it was late by Mortal standers…or early, depending on whom you talked to.

I had watched as Aequivalere's mortal father carried her sleeping form to bed. My Bonded had smelled strongly of cream and strawberries, as did her sire and I couldn't help but wonder who had started that prank war.

While Aequivalere had never been able to embrace her mischievous side in her First Life, the Marauder Gene, as she called it, never faded. Causing her to have quite the scary, mischievous side that had caused all of our Siblings to become quite…scared…of her prank wars.

Everything had been quiet, as I meditated and tried to understand what Chaos' hand in things was. Or, everything had been quiet until the thunder started.

I didn't even notice the storm until m Bonded started whimpering in her sleep, and I felt her fear through our bond (which was thinner than usual because of her 'stuck' form).

A small amount of concern touched my heart as she tossed and turned with every boom. I placed a glowing hand on her head, and using the bond, I was relieved to see that it was only a nightmare…though an unpleasant one at that.

It seemed that the thunder was causing flashbacks to the explosions that preceded my Bonded's and her Sire's capture by those Mortal men (they all were spending quite some time in Supplicium for their actions).

"Sh, my Bonded, it's only a night terror." I soothed, but not even sending comforting feelings through our weak bond was helping.

"Daddy…" she whimpered in fear. I caught a flash of a very gruesome scene of her Sire, beaten, bloody, and dying, and I grimaced.

I sighed as I realized that it seemed to be the type of night terror that only her Sire could chase away. I would usually wake her up, but she was too deep within the dream, she would have to either wake herself up, or her find comfort in her Mortal father.

"Daddy! NO!" she cried and her crashing increased.

I hushed her as I brought the young Immortal/Mortal girl into my arms and stood. She instantly locked her arms around my neck tightly, and I was glad, not for the first time, that I did not need to breathe.

I hummed to her softly, trying to ease her whimpering as I fazed through the doors and up the stairs.

I had to admit, for a Mortal structure, it was a nice house. The small part of me that has been influenced by Aequivalere's mortal emotions over the years was surprised to see my Bonded's Sire sitting in the large room, a glass of spirits in his hand.

Somehow he must've sensed my approach for he looked up in surprise and croaked, "Mortem?"

I could tell that he had not slept either, and I wondered if he too had been pledged by night terrors.

I raised an eyebrow in surprise that the fact that the Mortal could still see me, but nodded in response.

It was an unexpected development that he still regained the ability to see me; it could create problems in the future.

"What's wrong?" The mortal croaked looking at my Bonded in concern. Worry was heavy in his voice and spirit. I had to admit, this Mortal had impressed me. He cared for my Bonded greatly, and in ways that few others in Existence have. She would need him in the coming times.

It is only a night terror. I wrote the words in the air with my powers. Long time exposure to an Immortal's voice causes Mortal insanity…and I doubt my Bonded would be pleased with me if I caused her Sire to become mentally unstable.

I saw Aequivalere's Sire sigh in relief. Lightning struck close to the house, causing both Mortal's to flinch at the same time.

"Daddy…" Aequ…Penny…called again as she tightened her hold on my neck even more.

"I'll take her." He stated standing and lifting the young redhead into his arms.

She whimpered again as she passed between us, but the mortal instantly started soothing her and I was relieved when she fell into a deeper sleep.

The mortal nodded his thanks and made his way back over to the couch. I scowled as I felt my Duties calling me, and instantly left, feeling better knowing that my love was in safe hands.

Pen's POV

I opened my sleep heavy eyes blearily as the nightmare finally faded. I frowned as the soothing coldness that I knew was my Bonded vanished, instantly replaced with electrical warmth that I recognized as Dad's.

"Daddy?" I whispered, wondering if this was still part of the dream.

"Go back to sleep, Pen, I'm right here." My father's voice drifted through my thoughts and with a soft smile I left myself drift off again; knowing that I was safe in my father's arms just like how I was safe with my Bonded.

Tony's POV

I sighed tiredly as I settled down back onto the couch. I hadn't slept at all recently: before when we were still dying, it was my worry for Penny that kept me awake and now any sleep was chased away by nightmares containing Pen's cold, pale body in my arms.

While part of me was angry that it was Mortem who had brought my daughter to me, another part was glad, because it was only now that I held her in my arms that my fear and unease settled down.

Pepper was sleeping upstairs, and I sighed as I saw the sun starting to come up. I leaned back; Pen's sleeping form in my arms as I closed my eyes. I might as well try to get a few hours of sleep in…

Pepper's POV

I didn't walk down the stairs until around eight, which was late for me. Tony hadn't been in his room, and I sighed, knowing that he was probably in the lab.

He might have told me otherwise, but I knew that he hadn't been sleeping again.

I still couldn't believe it, I had thought that I knew Tony better than anyone, and I had turned out to be wrong.

In the last 24 hours I had seen another whole side of the billionaire, one that I had only hoped would someday exist. I had seen Tony show more emotions in the past day then I had…ever…I had seen him defensive, playful, teasing, responsible, caring, thoughtful, and even scared…all over his daughter.

Looking back over the conversation (more like confrontation) that Tony and I had yesterday while Penny was still sleeping…I realized that I had left my jealously over Penny's relationship with Tony ruin my own relationship with the girl.

I actually really like the younger red head, she had always reminded me of a female, happier, and more balanced version of Tony; and now that I knew of her parentage…I realized how obvious it was and berated myself for not seeing it sooner.

Penny's part in Tony's life also explained his change in behavior in these past few months.

Tony was still Tony…but he was less self-destructive.

I hadn't seen him bring any girls home since Afghanistan, and I could count one hand how many time he had drunk in the past seven months. (Which for Tony, was saying something in itself.)

My first assessment of the teen, from all those months ago now, was right I realized. Pepper was really good for Tony, and I wasn't going to get in the way of that.

Tony had made it perfectly clear, if he had to choose, though he desperately stated he didn't want to, he would choose Penny over me.

I wanted to be a part of Tony's life; it was why I had stuck around all of these years. I really loved the man, and if working things out with his daughter was his one condition…then I would try my hardest to fix things.

My eyes widened as the sight that lay before me started me out of my thoughts.

Tony lay passed out on the couch, but not in a drunken stupor. He was sleeping peacefully his arms wrapped around the slumbering figure of his daughter.

I sighed as I took in the peaceful sight. This was a family and if I wanted to be a part of it (and I did) then I needed to support them, and fixing things with Penny was the first thing on my to-do list.

I frowned as Tony shifted in his sleep, the sun shining on his face disturbing him.

"Jarvis," I said softly, knowing that the AI would hear me. "Shade the windows and make sure they aren't disturbed."

Instantly the windows became tinted and the shadows slid into place.

"They shall not be disturbed." Jarvis intoned quietly.

I smiled lightly as I walked out onto the deck, my laptop in my hand. I tried to quit the night before, but Tony deliberately told me that I wasn't to resign. But for some reason, I didn't care anymore what the press or anyone else though about our relationship.

There was something really special here, and I'd be damned before me, or anyone else, messed that up.

(I was going to cut it off there…but I wanted to put in Pepper's and Tony's 'talk' but wasn't sure where to put it above…so I just threw it down here.)

Yesterday…while Penny was sleeping
Third Person POV

Tony sighed as he made another latte, trying to get his thoughts off of the past week from hell.

The more he thought about it, the more he wanted to go blow something up, and Penny wouldn't appreciate that.

He really didn't know what to do with the Pepper and Penny situation. Pepper had been there for him for a very long time…and he was pretty sure he loved her…while Penny was his daughter.

He had only known the child over half a year, but she had shot into his life like a shooting star and he refused to let anything put out the light that had brought so much more meaning and joy into his life.

He had been hoping the when Pepper found out about Penny, she would put aside whatever problems she had with the girl, but it didn't seem like it would be that easy.

He wasn't sure what to make of Pepper's behavior, but if he didn't know any better…he would say that Pepper was jealous of his daughter.

But that couldn't be right…could it?

His thoughts were interrupted as Pepper walked in, a frown on her face.

There was an awkward moment of silence before Tony turned towards his old friend and possible girlfriend, he was going to snip this in the butt now…while Pen was sleeping and wasn't here to…aggravate…things.

"Pepper we needed to talk." He stated as he sat down on a stool across from her on the island.

"I meant it, Tony, when I said that I quit last night." Pepper stated, and looking closely, Tony realized that Pepper had been crying.

"Why on earth do you want to quit?" Tony stated, watching her closely.

Pepper remained silent gazing down at her hands.

"Well, I can tell you now that you're not going anywhere." Tony stated, and Pepper looked up at him in surprise. "I don't know what on earth your problem with my daughter is, but let me make a few things clear.

"You have been there for me for years Pepper, and I have no clue what I would do without you. Everything I said on that video was the truth Pepper, and Pen being here doesn't change a thing. But, that doesn't mean I'm going to let you continue to treat my daughter this way. Now, I know that you two got off on the wrong foot…and yeah you had every right to be mad at me when I hired her…and she had every right to want to be here, but it's not going to continue.

"Pen has gone more for my life than you know, and she has had one hell of a time recently. For God's sake, she was dead for hours yesterday, and I have a feeling that she isn't telling me everything.

"Now, Pen and I have talked about what happens now that you know. Sure, we had the conversation a few months ago, but still. She said she would be willing to try and fix things with you, but only if you actually put in the effort.

"I personally have no clue what has been going on here. I thought that you two would get along extremely well when I first met Pen, and the only reason that I can come up with for your attitude is if you're jealous…"

Tony froze mid-rant as the redhead stiffened and he knew that he had hit the nail on the head…but he also couldn't believe it.

"Seriously? That is what all of this is about?" Tony stated in shock. "You're jealous of a teenager?! A fifteen year old girl for crying out loud! I've heard of people doing stupid things when they like someone…but seriously?

"Pepper, I have to admit…I'm seriously shocked. You've been by my side for years, and just because I'm a father now isn't going to change that. I seriously love you Pepper, but let me make myself clear, you better clean up your act, because while I would hate…absolutely hate to do this…if push comes to shove I will choose Penny over you every single damn time.

"I want you in my life Pepper. But I don't want my girls tearing each other's throats out every second I leave them alone! You better thing long and hard about this Pepper, because this isn't going to continue."

Tony finished his rant, picked up his coffee, and left the kitchen. Leaving a ashamed Pepper who was silently crying into her hand alone to think things through.

It was only then, that everything really hit the old PA…and she broke down. She couldn't believe what she had done, and she was determined to fix things.

Tony was the only family she had, and she wasn't about to lose him too.

ATTENTION! I HAVE THE NEXT THREE CHAPTERS (THE LAST CHAPTERS OF THIS STORY!) ALREADY WRITTEN, DO YOU WANT ME TO POST THEM ALL TODAY OR CONTINUE WITH THE ONE A DAY?

YOU HAVE TWO HOURS OR I'LL BE DOING THE ONE A DAY!

REVIEW AND VOTE

*Evil smirk*

I hope that that was realistic…I personally like Pepper, but I thought that conflict between the two redheads was realistic and threw a good twist into the story.

Things will be better between them from now on. Pepper's going to mend things next chapter.

*I've had whipped cream in my hair multiple times (whipped cream fights are fun!:) and it is annoying to get out of your hair unless actually take a long, hot, shower.

Thanks to everyone…oh, Sleepy Kamikins…you know who might be showing up next chapter!

Yay for Insania and my best friend!

Thanks to my betas and everyone else.
Cp