Hey All.

I have no words. I have been working on this chapter for months... Yes, Say it with me. Months. I have spent countless nights on this one chapter. So it goes without saying that I'm not completely happy with this chapter. However, I wanted to get this chapter out- had tried to get this out a few days but system issues.

So here you go. Let me know what you think.

Don't kill me.


Chapter 11:

Frozen Time


Everything was pounding around her. It was pulsing, bumping like a speaker playing loud music, and all she wanted to do was cover her ears. Toni could feel the world around her explode—like bombs going off, though that could just be all in her head. Her head was pounding. Sure, she was in a middle of a battle, a fight with fire men. Sure, she knew how it felt to be in a fire fight, but this was different. She felt like she was on fire, melting from the inside out. Her suits were melting. She wasn't sure what it was, but seeing Steve jump down in front of her with his shield made it worse.

Wanting (needed) to do this herself, she had told Rhodey that she didn't want Steve here, and she meant it. She didn't need him, even if she felt like death. After he finished saving the President and she had taken care of all these fire people—she so needed a name for them-, she was going to kick his ass from here to Mexico while she was still in the Iron Man Suit. The place didn't matter as Rhodes went against her wishes and called the Captain. He was her best friend. He wasn't supposed to go against him

And She didn't need Steve…even if he did protect her from a fire ball. Okay, maybe that was a plus. Because! Hello, fireball. Like what the hell?! A fireball, seriously?!

Why did all the bad guys get all the awesome abilities? She would kill to have that power… Maybe, not kill but you get the idea. However, she could add something like that to the Iron Man suit, and it was totally possible. There wasn't anything that she couldn't do. Even if with the world exploding around her, a smile appeared on her face just thinking about it. She looked devilish as Steve got to his feet and turned to her. With her genius mind spinning, she totally forgot that she was mad at the man for daring to show his pretty face.

With a rush of joy and exuberance, she turned to Steve, as energy rushed through her. Before realizing what she was doing, she tackled her boyfriend, placing a kiss to his lips. Even with a loud explosion in the background, it didn't take long for the Super Soldier to wrap his arms around her and pull her close. Steve was like the sun, warming her up. He warmed something inside of the genius that Toni couldn't describe. Even with their problems. Even with even coming down on them. Even with the crap coming at her, he was safe. He was home, not that she had an idea of what that was, but she felt open with him, even if she was ashamed of herself. He showed her every day that she had nothing to be ashamed of, and she needed it. It took away her anger and fear.

However, before she could wrap herself around Steve, an arrow flew through the air like a knife, burying into a target a few feet from the kissing pair. From the arrow, a small bright blast flashed behind them, forcing them back to the matter of hand. With a step back, Toni's heavily blinked as she forced her head back to the dangers around them. "Barton," she uttered as she spotted the purple Archer on a metal beam, his bow out in from of him. "Who called you?! I didn't ask for bird brain."

"Toni," Steve muttered, warning softly.

At the same time, Barton shook his head. "Not the time, Stark. Not the time." He was calmed, but there was an edge to his tone. He reached behind his back for another arrow, drawing quickly. He didn't look away from his target, his eyes glued on him.

Biting down on her lip, she forced herself quiet—which was harder than it should've been-, as she turned her attention back to the issue at hand. Her anger flared as she remembered why. Yes, she knew that Clint had a point, a valid point; plus, she was really angry at herself. She was the ass seeing things. She knew she shouldn't take it out on everyone else, but she had no self-control in this sleepless state, not that she had any control period. "Well, don't miss," she replied, catching sight of Rhodes leaving with the President. She could rest slightly at accomplishing their main goal.

"I never miss," he said, as he let the arrow fly. The fire man—AGAIN, what else did you call these people? Flame people? Human torches?— stumbled back as ice exploded from the tip of the arrow. A gift to the Barton, though she wondered what he did to deserve it.

Steve stepped from away from Toni, as he placed himself once more between her and the blast. He kept his shield in front him, keeping his chest shielded, as his eyes were focused on the man. "Not the time for gloating," he said.

Lacing another special arrow, Barton fired again. His eyes still trained on the flaming ex-soldiers. "I'm awesome, Cap. I can gloat and fire at the same time, unlike some people." He paused for a second before adding, "And if Stark can do it, so can I. No special treatment here unlike certain people. Do I need to sleep with you to get special treat-"

"Someone would probably pay for a video of that or at least watch it," Toni interjected, thinking. "Oh, there're probably a lot of sex type that the media would love to see."

"TONI!" Steve yelled, his face slightly pink.

Barton broke out into laugher. "Oh, if we're selling sex types, I better get some profit out of this. Avenger Porn would be hot."

It was clear that the group had a good working relationship, even if Cap didn't like the banter. It kind of made Toni jealous to how smoothly Rogers worked with others, which if he had to glare at them with his captain stare to make they do so. Right now, for example, she was torn between hugging Steve and punching him, just because of the person he was. "No wonder he can't get laid."


*O*O*


With rapid fire balls coming at her head, Toni didn't think there was anything that could stop these men, as you couldn't exactly destroy fire; however, blowing the Mark 42 did seem to work on Kilian, as the flames were still reaching high into the sky. In his place was a ball of dancing fire, and even if the intense flames melted everything it touched, Toni could feel the breath she was holding released—something that she didn't even know she was doing, and the pressure was gone. It was almost freeing. Almost.

However, she could breathe easier, not that it wasn't physically painful to breathe. (She did just get out of a fight. Running, dodging and jumping from Iron Man suit to Iron Man suit.) But, she breathed better. She didn't know what it was, but Killian gave her the creeps...Okay, she had some idea of why. Maybe, it was because he looked at her with a strange look that she couldn't get out of her head. Like he wanted to eat her. Or maybe, it was because he could shoot fire out of his hands. Yea, that was probably it. Shooting fire was never a normal thing or good thing.

However, it pulled at her heartbeat race at the same time, as Toni watched the head piece of her Mark 42 suit burn and melted (Yes, it was that hot). Though her suits were just metal, they were her babies—her greatest creations. They were what made her special, more than that spoiled rich bitch. They made her a hero (some might fight on the degree, but they could shut their face) and gave her meaning. It made her a better person. So, watching her suit, her baby, burn was a shot to the chest. It felt like someone had cut her open. It was like she was bleeding.

She didn't get to sob and moan for long as Aldrich suddenly popped out of the intense fire like a phoenix. Besides for his burning, smoking clothes, he looked prefect—his skin smoothed-, as he walked toward her with a hungry look in his eyes. It was like he had walked off a photo shoot with that stupid fake blond hair. It danced in the air from the breeze. The only thing that broke that illusion was his clothes, which were falling off him. Though almost naked, it didn't stop or distract the man… Maybe it was because there wasn't a fucken scratch on him. Maybe, he was proud of his body. It was prefect. There was a remark on the tip of tongue for what she thought of him, but the look in his eye stopped her.

Even if no one thought it was possible, she knew when to shut up—she just didn't do it. She was silent though as she wasn't stupid, especially when she was on the ground and unable to stand. With the intensity and length of the fight, her legs felt like jello and she was unable to put any weight on them. Having jumped from suit to suit, she had pushed herself to her limits. Toni wasn't out of shape, but she wasn't a soldier. She wasn't trained like Barton or Rogers. She wore herself out fast, especially when she had to jump from suit to suit to avoid getting killed.

Aldrich Killian was glaring down at Toni, while at the same grinning like a Chester cat. "No more false faces." He announced, loudly. "You said you wanted the Mandarin, you're looking at him! It was always me, Toni, right from the start. I am the Mandarin!" With his chest showing—puffed out like an idiot-, he proudly walked to her.

Toni could feel her muscles contract as if to jump into action at any second. Even though her muscles felt like they were on fire, her body started to move on its own, knowing he would kill her if he got the chance. He wanted to kill her—she knew that for sure. She could feel it. She wanted to say it was because she left him on that roof and treated him like crap (that he was), but it felt like something else. But whatever it was, he shouldn't take it personally, as she treated everyone like crap—even when she didn't mean to. He wasn't special. "Yea, I don't buy it," she uttered, as she glanced around for Steve. They had gotten separated as she went from suit to suit.

Killian didn't respond right away as he brought his hand forward, aiming like a gun gun. "It doesn't matter if you do," he replied as he fired his arm… yes, his arm.

Having faced countless life and death events, her life no longer flashed before her eyes. And all honesty, she was sick of her life flashing before her eyes, especially when she regretted most of the shit that flashed before her. She regretted a lot of her choices. She could throw a rod into the pond of her life and hook guilt. Her life was filled with guilt, and she didn't need flashbacks to remind her of that, so yes, she was glad that her life didn't flash before her anymore. Plus, her life was highly overrated. Just a millionaire with money to burn. She couldn't let Barton hear that or else he would mock her endlessly. She was not in the mood for his endless jokes.

So now, she just closed her eyes waiting for death as there were no dodging fireballs—not in her state. She waited for the hit, the burning of flash, but it never came. She expected pain, but she just was met with a gentle -ashy though- breeze. Even with the cinders, it was still a blessing against her sweating face. She could sit there for a second and just feel the coolness against her face. It felt heavenly, but now was not the time.

Forcing her eyes open, Toni was met with a surprise, not that she should have been. She knew she shouldn't have any doubt in Steve, even if there were parts of her who only saw doubts, as nothing could keep that man away, well if she didn't count herself. She was an ass. However, Steve would always be there for her, no matter what, and she needed to get used to it and stop testing him. "Cap," she uttered as Steve stood between, acting like a shield. He was being the person he was always meant to be. He was being a hero, a Savior.


*O*O*


No, she did not blow up all her suits, and she would like to slap Barton every time he said it. Clearly, he failed kindergarten and couldn't count, because she kept three. Yes, three of those bad boys. The rest—which were all damage anyhow—were fireworks, expensive fireworks. Though money was never her thing or something that she thought/worried about, she couldn't help but wonder how much money she just blew up. Would Pepper's head explode if she saw the dollar amount? She knew Clint's head would explode. Probably go on and on about how what he could buy with that money. He would probably go on about an Island.

"Are you okay?" Steve hadn't left her side since they had taken down Killian. Barton, on the hand, was commanding the SHIELD agents that were on arriving on scene—well, between the banter and the insults.

"Yea," she uttered, as she sat on the cold ground trying to ignore her freezing ass- not that her exhaustion allowed her to think of such things. As if her suits were still exploding, she mindlessly stared up at the sky. "And it's about time SHIELD showed up. Lazy. Those assholes waited until after we have taken care of the issue."

"Toni," he replied, a soft warning tone in his voice.

She knew he had a point, but she didn't care. She couldn't make herself care—not that she tried hard. She was too tired and grump to try, and to make matter worse, she was still feeling pukey—if that was a word. Her stomach was half way out her mouth currently. Sure, she kicked ass and jumped suit to suit like a bad ass, but she wanted nothing more than to lay down and sleep. She felt like crap. Like death, really. Maybe, the flu? But damn, Toni Stark didn't get sick. She couldn't afford to be sick. "What?" she asked, putting on an innocent smile.

Steve stared down at her, eyeing her for a second before turning back to the SHIELD personal. "They have this handle," he replied as he noticed Natasha and Fury getting out of an unmarked car. There was an angry look on his face. "Let's go home."

Toni's mind froze on the word 'home' as images of home falling apart flashed her before he eyes. Did she have a home? Yes, she had the tower, but this was her everything. It was the beginning of new life, where Iron Man was created—not counting the cave. It was where she was reborn and became Iron Man, and now, this magically place was gone. It was where she was going to have…It was then that she remembered the large fat Christmas tree that Steve had dragged in the day before. She could still smell the pine needles that littered the ground. "The tree…"

The look on Steve's face fell slightly as he got down on his knees and settled next to her. "There's a bigger tree at the tower," he said with a smile as large as his face. He paused for a second, allowing the smile to reach his eyes. "And there is snow in New York. A few feet I hear. Enough to jump in. Want to make snow angels?"

Stuck by his innocence, she stared at Steve as a strange warmth grew inside of her, forcing back her panic. Steve, himself, was a shield for her, as he knew the right words to say and when to say them. He knew when to push and when not to. He knew when to change the subject. He knew. That was why he was perfect. "Yea, I'll watch from the tower with some hot coco. You have fun with that."

"Oh, just think of all the fun!" he replied, a goofy smile on his face.

Toni let him have his fun, as she caught a few pointed looks. She was so not in the mood for teasing. Even if she was feeling ill, she was ready to beat someone's face in.


*O*O*


It was coming to an end for the Asset, who was finally captured just mere feet from Toni. Mere seconds from grabbing the woman and disappearing—somewhere no one would find them. He was mere seconds from happiness…well what he thought was happiness. Having not experiencing it before, he had no idea if this warmth in his chest was happiness, but he knew he wanted to experience it over and over again. He wanted to bury himself in this warmness, as they disappear from the history books.

However, he was unable to do that. Just as the Beefy Blonde came down to block the fireball from hitting her (an action that he would kill everyone for), his handlers came up behind him, hidden by his distraction. With mere strength, they couldn't take him down, not even with his mind in a fog, but they didn't come only with their fists. They came at him with everything, which included a range of drugs and shock weapons, and the Asset could do nothing but submit. He was powerless to do anything as they attacked him.

He went down faster than he cared to admit, not that he had must time to think. With his mind so focused on the brunette, he had been distracted and unfocused, allowing someone to come up behind him. Unforgivable in his eyes. For that he was angry with himself. How could he allow himself to be weak over a woman?! Over anything. He was a weapon with a weakness, and a weapon with a weakness was worthless. He was worthless. How could he be worth anything if he couldn't produce? He was useless. No wonder his handlers were angry.

He refused to be useless. Warmness be dead.


*O*O*


Toni had to keep telling herself that everything was okay, because she was under the belief that if you said it enough, it was true. It became true, and she needed that to be true, though she wasn't sure why she was feeling like this. Feeling like something was going to happen. Happy was going to be fine. The President was going to be fine. Rhodey was safe. Steve was by her side; she should be on cloud nine, but something was off. She was feeling odd, feeling like a stranger. No, she wasn't feeling like a victim, not saying she didn't still feel Aldrich Killian's disgusting hands. No, it just that she felt like she was in auto pilot mood, like someone else was driving.

She was in haze, barely paying attention to the world: however, there wasn't much going on. She was just guided into a quinjet and back to Stark Tower with any fight. She didn't say anything as she forced onto a sofa and a heavy blanket was thrown on her, almost covering her whole. She knew Steve and Bruce—when did Bruce get here?- were saying something to her, but all she saw were their mouth moving. Were they speaking another language? She could even hear JARVIS in the background. It was mumbled, and it took everything she had to pay attention to the AI. After a few long minutes of staining, she could hear JARVIS ask if she needed something—not that she could answer.

She wanted to sleep, but not want to dream. Not that they would be dreams. Nightmares, really. She knew that for sure, but how did you sleep without dreaming? She had long run out of her sleeping pills, and knowing how everyone liked to hover, she wouldn't be able to get more—not that she had anything to hide. Sleeping pills were normal, granted she knew how everyone else would see it. They would want to talk and try to explain that she didn't need them, but she did. Even while fighting Aldrich Killian and his idiots, she still saw Bucky. Still saw him look at her. Saw his face as he fell.

Once more, she could hear Steve call her name as he took a seat next to him. She heard him whisper something in her ear as he pulled her closer to him, surrounding her with his arms. She knew what he was doing, trying to calm her. Trying to comfort her, but that wasn't possible, not when she overthought everything. Not when she was running on no sleep. Though she was used to little sleep, she had a hard time function like this. It was like the whole world was flying pass her and she couldn't keep up. Again, it was like she was on auto pilot.

Bruce must've said something as Steve pulled her into his arms and stood. Like he wasn't even holding her—held down by her weight-, he got to his feet in mere seconds and grace. Keeping her warm, he held her close as Bruce laid the blanket over her. Just before she passed out, she could feel someone squeeze her shoulder, and she couldn't stop the warm flooding though her body.


*O*O*


"Just admit it, you like dressing me," Toni uttered as she stared into Steve's warm blue eyes. "Because if this becomes habit, there're a few things I got to tell you. A few do and don'ts of dressing me."

Steve rolled his eyes as he pulled her flat against to him. "For that, I'm going to find something from the 40s. Be like old times." He placed a kiss to her forehead as he held her close, not giving her an inch.

Listening to his heartbeat, she knew he wanted to talk without him having to say it. She could hear the hesitation in his chest. However, she didn't know if it was something that she could talk about. One, she didn't know what was wrong with her, even though she knew that there was definitely something wrong. Two, she didn't know how to talk about it—whatever it was. She may be a genius, but she didn't know how to say it. How to form the word. Three, emotions were the enemies, and admitting them made you weak. Toni knew this belief was foolish and she shouldn't feel this way, but it was in grain in her.

However, this exhaustion wasn't doing her any good, any justice. Images kept flashing in her head, and in her tired state, she was unable to keep them back. Plus, she couldn't sort what was real or fake. Did she really see what she thought she saw? A dead guy? She knew the answer had to be no, because this was not the 'Walking Dead' or any other Zombie show, and the dead didn't come back to life…However, she shouldn't say never. After meeting beings of fire with regenerating limbs and aliens, zombies may be possible. And man, wasn't that a scary thought? Knowing their luck, they could run into Zombies.

But she was Toni Fucking Stark, and there was no doubt that she could survive an apocalypse. She could just hover above them in her Iron Man Suit and killing them all from a safe distance. Besides, they couldn't get through her suit, even if they did get to her. And if by some change that they got into the tower—not possible in any reality-, JARVIS would cook their asses. No, really cook them. Granted, that wasn't a cookout that Toni wanted to be invited to, let alone smell.

Now, the rest of the avengers were fucked. Well besides Bruce and Steve. She would make sure her science buddy and heater were safe, killing anything that came close. Now, the rest of them be damned. Okay, Barton may last for a while. Men with arrows seemed to last long in a Zombie apocalypse, while Romanoff might not be as lucky. No, it wasn't because the Black Widow couldn't fight like the bad ass that she was, but she was a close combat kick ass spy, and that meant she would probably be bitten as she fought them off. Now, Steve was close range fighter as well, but he was-

"So, where are you now?" Steve asked, noticing the gears spinning in her head.

Toni's eyes widened as she turned to him, forcing her mind to snap back to the present. "You'll probably be okay in a Zombie apocalypse. There's a chance that super soldiers are immune to zombies."

"What?" he uttered, giving her a weird look.

"The big green guy will probably be safe as well." She mumbled on. "Not that I think they can piece that skin."

Steve let out a chuckle as he just let her ramble on for a few long minutes. Zombies was never his favorite fiction, always preferring the novel with a hero. A story with a strong hero saving the world from certain death. A race again time story; however, he enjoyed listening to her funny rants as her face was lit like a Christmas tree. Her smile almost took up her face as she went off on the Zombie apocalypse. She was certain she would survive, and she was probably right. The smugness on her face was cute and he could just stare at her all day, but that would not solve anything.

He placed a heavy kiss on her lips, stopping her in her rant. Without hesitation, Toni kissed him back, holding onto him like flames on fire. It didn't take long before it morphed into something more and dirty. They both knew that they needed to talk, and the sex was just a distraction, but after everything that had happen, they just needed each other. Sometimes, it wasn't what you said, but rather, it was just that you were there.


*O*O*


"You know we'll have to talk," Steve said, as he held the naked Toni.

Toni stared down at Steve's hand as his ruff fingers danced along her forearm. He was warm to the touch, hot almost, but he still sent chills down her spine. No matter how long it has been, it happened every time, taking her breath away. Stole more like it. How could he do this every time? Touch her like it was the first time? "Well, you know how much I love talking."

Steve snorted as a huge, Chester cat smile appeared on his face. "Trust me I know," he replied.

The genius went silent as she didn't know what to say. She didn't want to answer, but she didn't want to not to answer. She wanted to be open with him, but she didn't want to open herself up at the same time, considering it would end up in pain. She knew she sounded like an idiot, not knowing what she wanted or what she didn't want. However, she knew she had to or else she would go crazy. "Are you ticklish?"

The Super Soldier gave the genius a look before tightening his hold on her. "I'm a super Soldier. Why would I be ticklish? That seems like something stupid. A flaw, ready. Imagine being tickled in a battle."

"I can always try?"

"We can talk about what happened with Killian," he countered, he glanced down at her.

Toni held back her groan, which was a harder than it should have. "Can we please not talk about this?" she asked, as she tried to hide her face in Steve's smooth chest. There were a hundred things that she would rather talk about instead. She would rather talk about Clint's dirty underwear. She would rather talk about how Natasha could kick her ass with both hands behind her back. She would rather talk about her childhood and her father's parenting. She would rather talk about her mother's death. She would rather do anything besides talking about it.

No, it wasn't as much as what Killian did or didn't do. He just brought out emotions, emotions that she didn't want to think about. She didn't want to talk about her 'weakness,' her guilt…or the fact that she kept seeing Bucky. Yes, she had told Steve this prior, but he didn't know how bad it was. Sure, everyone saw ghosts, saw someone who wasn't there. Right now, she could see him, but this was nothing. It was just a memory, but there were times she could really see him. It was like he didn't die over 70 years ago, and if she didn't keep telling himself that he was dead, she would think he was there.

And, that was the scary part, not knowing if something was real. She couldn't trust herself, and she knew that wasn't good. She knew it was a bad sign. No, she didn't have one of those fancy degrees—A fancy degree for the head. She did have a few other fancy degrees, though none for the head. She had nothing for the head, not that she believed in that crap. Maybe, that was the real reason why she was struggling with this, though she did know she felt extremely guilty over Barnes' death. At times, it was overwhelming, and it stopped her in her tracks.

"Toni," Steve called out softly, as he laid a kiss to the top of her head.

"Can we get through Christmas first?" she asked. "Or rather, our makeup Christmas? You know. Not really Christmas, but we missed it fighting evil! The Forces of Evil!"

Steve softly and slowly traced Toni's forearm. "Yes," he said, gently, as Toni closed her eyes again.


*O*O*


"Let's get this under way!" Clint's yelled as he jumped over the back of one of the large sofas in the lunge. He landed heavily on the overstuff pillows. "I have places to be. People to see."

Toni raised an eye brow as she looked at him. "Lies! Who would want or need a Hawkeye?" she teased, not knowing if he was telling the truth. Did he have anyone? She really didn't know if the man had a family…granted, if she thought about it, what did she know? The same could be said of the red head assassin, but her being a Russian Assassin told the genius everything that she needed to know.

"Hey!" Clint said, pretending to be hurt. "I'm good with the ladies."

"Blow up ones don't count, Birdbrains."

"Hey!" he replied again. His voice echoed across the lounge. "I have more game than you."

Romanoff snorted at that one, but she didn't say anything. The same couldn't be said of Toni, not that she had ever shut her mouth. "I could get more ladies than you any day, Barton," she replied, giving him the biggest grin that she could muster.

"Yea, right," Barton waved off, as he picked up a present with his name on it.

"Oh, you want to bet?" she asked. "I b-" The genius didn't get to finish her sense as Steve grabbed her by her waist, picking her up and place his lips against hers. They didn't break apart until he heard the room groan.

"Ew. Get a room!" Clint cried as he hid his eyes with the present. "Far from here, please." Natasha, on the other hand, picked up a pillow and threw it at them, aiming for their faces.

With some kind of mad ninja skill, Steve blocked the pillow without moving, though Clint was not so lucky. However, as the weapon was just a pillow, it just felt like a light slapped to the face. On the other hand, that pillow did nothing to stop the kissing couple, which Clint couldn't stop whining about.

Bruce could only smile as he watched the two. "I think you're going to kill Clint."

With a smile on her face, Toni pulled away from Steve, though not letting him go. "Oh, a plus if there was ever one." She replied, as she rested her head against Steve's chest. It was picture perfect…well if she wasn't so sleepy. She could sleep right here, right in Roger's warm chest.

"Why don't we open these things before Clint goes crazy," Natasha said before anyone could say anything. There was a judging look in her eyes, but she didn't say anything else.


*O*O*


A lot of things could be said about the Avengers, but neat? Nope. Yes, Toni had a messy lab—though in her defense, she knew where everything was-, but the lounge was a mess. Toni didn't have a monster- no, a child, she reminded herself, but she assumed this was what it was like to have a m-child, or the mess that come with one. Right now, it looked like an avenger's battlefield, well without the blood… okay, there was some blood. Damn Papercuts! She got them opening presents. She blamed these cuts on Clint who was smirking at her with that stupid look of his. He did it. She knew it.

"I think we can lose someone in the amount of wrapping paper in here," Barton teased as he looked around the room. It was everywhere, including in the large Christmas tree. It was sticking out the branches in every direction and at every height as if someone was lauching it at the tree. There was even a pile of paper to the left of them.

There was a smile on Bruce's face as he nibbled on a candy cane. "Steve is almost lost in it."

Toni let out a sigh as she turned to her boyfriend, who was neck dip into the wrapping paper. At first, it was cute/ adorable to watch Steve try to save it for next year, but now, it was annoying. Yes, Steve had come a long way from the 1940's man frozen in time, who had habits that should've died in the snow; however, somethings died hard, and this was one of them. "Steve," she called out, staring at him as he attempted to fold the wrapping paper. "What are you doing?"

Steve looked up and glanced around the room. His face heated up, turning red with each eye on him. "Nothing," he said, fighting back the redness in his face. There was a bit of hesitation in his step before he crossed (running almost) to Toni. His pink face disappeared as a smile emerged on his face. It was probably one of the biggest smile that Toni had ever seen, but she didn't get a good look at it as he dumped an arm full of torn paper on her head. Big pieces. Little Pieces. It didn't matter. She was covered in it.

The room broke out in laugher as the tissue and wrapping paper went everywhere—not that it wasn't everywhere already. However, it was now down her shirt, in her hair and in her mouth. IT WAS IN HER bra. She was pretty sure it was in her pants. Yes, her pants, but no one was looking own there. For a few long seconds, she just blinked as she didn't believe what had just happened, even as if itching.

"Paper Fight!" Clint's laugher echoed across the room, breaking through Toni's brain freeze like a knife. "I can't believe he just did that," he chuckled as he was on the ground laughing. He was reaching for paper to ball up and throw.

"Rogers!" Toni said as she got to her feet. Being a solder soldier, Steve was already at the door before she could get off the ground. She knew there was no way to catch him—unless she got her suit, but she wasn't going to let that stop her. She didn't care that the rest of the room was laughing at her (and that Clint was starting a wrapping paper fight as she got out the door). She didn't care that her legs were screaming at her. She was going to get this man.


*O*O*


When she caught up to the super soldier, he was at a long window, which overlooked the city, in her bedroom. The room itself was dark with the light of moon (and city lights) providing the only light. Barely able to make him out in the darkness, she stared at the back of him for a second before she crossed to him. There was a glare- a playful glare- in her eyes as she stomped to him. "You!" She yelled; however, it died in her throat. When she got to him, she noticed he had rotated and was on his knee…on one knee. Her playful anger froze as she looked at him. Shock took over.

In his hand was a little black box, and he was holding it out to her. His hand was shaking a bit- something that she never thought she would ever see. "I just wanted to get you alone." He paused for a second. "Well… At first, I didn't know if I should do this, but…"

Toni's heart was beating in her chest, threatening to pop out, as her breath became labored. "What?"

"…I didn't want to do this in front of them," he said, with a large smile. "I wanted this to be just for us."

"Toni, you aren't sleeping. Not dreaming," she muttered to herself, trying to make sure this wasn't a dream. "Yup, there's a ring in that box." She slapped her cheeks a few times.

Steve's smile didn't falter as Toni froze in front of him, a shaky stop. "I don't know if this isn't too soon. Okay, maybe too soon, but it feels right," he started. "I don't really know what I'm doing. I really don't. If you think about it, you're the only girl I ever really dated. The only dame I ever had sex with, so…" He drifted off, red in his face. He shook his head slightly as if to push away from that topic. "But I know all is that I want you. I just want to be with you." He paused for a second. "Doesn't matter where. Doesn't matter when, I just want you. Your very smile-"

Not willing to listen to Steve ramble on anymore, she launched herself at him and placed her lips against his. She didn't know what exactly was going through her brain- not that she would know what to say, but she kissed him with everything that she had. Maybe, that was an answer? After a few long minutes, she pulled away. "You talk too much."

"Me? I talk to much?! I think you're confusing me with you."

Toni gave him a look. "Don't me make me hurt you."

Steve didn't respond as he pushed back her loose hair with his free hand. With a hand on her cheek, he studied her face in silence for a good few seconds before asking, "Will you marry me?"

She knew it was coming, but it still hit her like a ton of bricks, or in reality, like a bus. It hit her like a six-ton bus. And for a few long seconds or what seemed like hours, time freeze as her brain couldn't process what he just said. She knew it was coming, but that did not prepare her.


Author Note:

Again, let me know what you think.

I think the issue here is that I wanted out of Iron Man 3- I didn't want to do Iron Man 3 (This movie annoyed me and it wasn't due to villain but rather Pepper. Can't stand that character or rather what they did with her) but i didn't think that I could skip it and to go Winter Soldier (which PS is my favorite Marvel Movie). And then I ran into the problem that I didn't know how to get out of Iron Man 3. It was like I ran into a brick wall as nothing was coming to me, which just pinned me in this chapter for weeks- months. I was at an still stand. I didn't want to change much as I didn't want to spend chapters in a movie that I did not want to do (which I did anyways.) However, I struggled following the movies. Then I was forcing myself at points which made my work suffer.

That was my problem, and for that I am sorry. But at least, I am done with that movie.

Until that time.