Toni trudged down the stairs groggily, and made her way into the kitchen quietly. The room was empty, screaming loudly that Toni was up way too early for her normal schedule. She brushed the silence off sleepily, and set about making the strongest coffee she could brew. She watched the coffee drip into the pot slowly like the addict she was, and mentally calculated how long it would take for the coffee to brew and –in a fit of sleep deprived madness- momentarily contemplated eating the beans themselves. She dismissed the disgusting idea quickly, and continued watching the coffee drip into the pot sluggishly.

The early morning sun was starting to inch its way above the horizon, and Toni watched silently as it began its daily journey above the horizon. She glanced over her shoulder to the bright green glow of the microwave clock, 5:15 flashed at her annoyingly. She swore under her breath, and padded her way over to the fridge. Toni opened the door and was blasted by a rush of icy air that flowed around her body in freezing waves.

"Jarviiiiis," her voice crept out in a hoarse whisper. Interrupting the silence that surrounded the kitchen.

"Miss Stark? May I enquire as to why you're up at this hour?"

Toni grinned a bit and started pulling food from the fridge, "one month anniversary." Surprised silence greeted her words, and Toni mentally congratulated herself on being able to confuse the smartest computer she had ever created. Hell even Toni was slightly confused about why this whole thing was a good idea; after all Toni wasn't the kind of woman to give two cents about the one month or God forbid one week anniversaries. Once a year was plenty good for her thank you very much. That was precisely how she had intended to keep her relationship with Steve. No big girly freak out every month, or week, or every friggin day. She saw no need to bug him with unnecessary relationship stress in the form of over excited female needs and wants. She knew they all had more than enough on their plate with Loki running about being a prick. So she hadn't expected to bring it up. Much to Toni's surprise however, Steve had been the one to bring up their first month anniversary.

She had been working in her lab with Steve beside her, drawing softly in his old sketch book. The scritch of the charcoal on paper was a surprisingly soothing sound as she worked on modifying Steve's uniform. She was so used to endless solitude, and his presence was a pleasant and slightly unexpected, change in her work routine. Part of her expected to be annoyed by the presence of another person in her space, but she should have known that Steve would manage to fit in seamlessly. Toni had been meticulously threading hair thin adamantium wires through the sturdy material that made up Steve's uniform when he brought it up casually.

"You know tomorrow," he glanced up at her from his sketching a bit shyly, "we'll have been together for a month." A slight blush graced his cheeks as Toni looked over at him surprise plainly written all over her face. He smiled warmly, and brushed his fingers across her knuckles lightly, "we could go celebrate. I'm sure we could find a fair nearby."

Toni took off her work gloves slowly, and leaned against the table in what she hoped was a casual way. She didn't know how to react; she'd never been in a relationship that lasted longer than a quickie. She grinned nonchalantly and shrugged her shoulders, "we don't have to Steve," she hooked her pinky around his affectionately; "I know guys don't really go for that sort of thing. We'll just stay home."

His blue eyes roved over her showing surprised and just a bit of hurt, "you don't want to go out and celebrate?" He sounded unsure, and a bit confused. It bothered Toni more than she would ever admit to hear insecurity in Steve's normally confident voice because of her. She could never stand to see him any way but his cheery confident self.

"That's not it." Toni shifted and stood in between his legs gracefully; smiling pleasantly when his strong arms instantly went around her waist, and his hands hooked together there anchoring her to him like she belonged right there. "I'm just saying you don't have to take me out. I wouldn't mind if you did. In fact I think it would be great."

Steve smiled brightly, and Toni was rendered speechless with the knowledge that gorgeous smile was all for her, "That's great Natasha! We can go to a restaurant," his voice was getting more excited with every word that spilled out of him, "and walk around the city."

Toni rested her head against his shoulder and smiled contently. He had called her Natasha again; she couldn't deny him anything when he said her name. Steve wants an alien puppy from Pluto? If he said her name she'd make it happen, no questions asked. Not that she'd ever let that little bit of information free to the world.

So here she was at 5 in the morning trying to make Steve breakfast. Toni shook her head bemused, and clumsily cracked some eggs into a bowl, she knew she wasn't much of a cook, if she was going to be completely honest she was a terrible cook, but she'd be damned if she couldn't make Steve an omelet, or at the very least scrambled eggs. She whisked the eggs slowly, and sprayed some non stick stuff Banner swore by on the frying pan. She added tomatoes, bacon, and cheese to the whipped eggs before pouring them into the pan and setting the burner to a low heat. She watched the pan curiously, after all how hard could it be for a genius like her to make a giant egg?

The coffee pot emitted a loud ding; making Toni scurry over to it like a drug addict at a rave. The rich aroma steamed up around her face as she poured the life giving liquid into her Captain America mug -which, she stubbornly insisted to everyone that would listen, she had bought before Steve came into her life- then proceeded to pour in copious amounts of cream and sugar. The early morning chill in the house ran across her bare arms, and ruffled about inside her red sleeping shorts as Toni rested her hip comfortably against the stainless steel counter, then sleepily stirred her sugary concoction together.

Toni moved over to the stove, and unsuccessfully tried to flip the eggs lying there into an omelet. After several failed attempts and a narrowly avoided mishap with the flame, she mashed them into scrambled eggs with a slight pout; so much for trying to be fancy. She dragged more bacon out of the fridge, and started to fry it carefully, wincing every time the hot grease popped against her sensitive hands. She turned her head, and glimpsed at the clock curiously 5:50. A sliver of anticipation made its way down her spine; Steve would be back anytime now from his run. Toni shook her head slightly, she had no idea how he managed to get up at the butt crack of dawn go running, get back before everyone woke up, and still manage to have the best attitude about everything. If she had to keep that type of schedule on top of all the other genius, philanthropist things she did, she'd kill something.

She stretched until her muscles ached, and yawned softly. The kitchen was silent, except for her breathing and the little chirps of the birds that were just beginning to rise with the sun. Toni poured the eggs onto a clean plate and dumped the bacon unceremoniously next to them. She scuttled over to the table and set it carefully; utilizing what little knowledge she had about fancy place settings. Toni fiddled with it carefully for a few minutes until she was certain it was absolutely perfect.

"Jarvis, put on some swing music, or whatever you can find from the 40's that's not obnoxious."

"Of course Miss Stark, any particular songs in mind?"

"Not a damn clue Jarvis, just play something swing-ie."

Light jazzy music flowed through the speakers around kitchen. Somehow the music managed to sound like it was coming through an old radio, even through her hi-tech speakers. Toni wasn't much of a slow music person, but the music practically screamed Steve's name. Toni pictured old cars and propaganda posters, men walking around in uniform with a nicely dressed girl on their arm. She could see Steve in his uniform walking with a group of friends, and sitting in a bar listening to the latest music from a beat up jukebox, and the room filled with hushed conversation and laughter. She could imagine everyone being happy, even though it was war time; their pride in the soldiers and their country keeping a bright smile on their faces.

Toni looked out the window and tapped her toe with the airy music softly. The time seemed so much more relaxed, no one in such a hurry or constantly on a cell phone; people actually conversing with one and other. With this small glimpse into his world, she could understand why he was so patriotic. He came from a time when it was worth it to be patriotic. She smiled a bit, but he still needed to lose the stripes.

She was so lost in her fantasy world, that she didn't hear the footsteps that pattered into the kitchen. Toni didn't notice Steve had walked into the kitchen until he wrapped his strong arms around her and swayed softly to the music. The scent of old spice and propaganda surrounded her comfortingly.

Toni looked over her shoulder and smiled warmly at him, "morning Steve."

He kissed her cheek softly, "Good morning Natasha, what's all this?"

She blushed slightly when her name tumbled out of his lips, "Happy anniversary." She held her hands over his, and rested her arms against his lightly where they held her waist. Steve leaned closer and rested his chin against her shoulder softly. His honey hair tickled her cheek and his strong body stole the chill from her. They stood comfortably together for a few moments before Steve swooped her up in his arms suddenly.

Toni squeed from surprise and clung to him as he walked them over to the table. He sat down happily and pulled her in his lap softly, she smiled and kissed him quickly, knowing Steve was more uptight about P.D.A then she was (not that it was hard to be), and she didn't want to embarrass him if one of the others walked in… at least not today.