RED IN MY LEDGER.

Music Box

"Where is it?!"a loud voice boomed. Tony and Bruce froze in place, looking towards where the voice came from. Soon, an angry looking Natasha barged into the lab, teeth gritted and eyes a deep, furious red.

"Who took it?" she seethed.

"Took what, Natasha?" Bruce asked.

"In my quarters, on my coffee table is a music box that looks like a carousel. It is my most prized possession and it's gone. I want to know who took it."

"Trust me, Red, neither of us took it." Tony said.

"And I should just take your word for it? As if, Stark." she shot back bitterly.

Clint and Thor walked in. "What's up?"

Natasha whirled around. "What's up is my mother's music box is gone! And you two best pray it wasn't you."

"Lady Natasha, I give you my word, I did not steal your family heirloom." Thor vowed.

"Then a fucking ghost took it then, is that what you're saying?!"

"What's the matter, Natasha?" Steve asked, walking in with his hands behind his back.

"Some asshole thought it would be funny to take my music box." she replied.

"Oh." he said. "That was actually me."

She glared at him before walking over to him and punching him in the face. "You bastard! Who the hell do you think you are?! What the hell possessed you to take what's not yours?!"

Steve looked both confused and upset. "Well, I overheard you say it didn't play music anymore and wished that it did, so," he said, revealing the music box behind him, "I fixed it for you." He twisted the little handle and music began to play. He placed it in her hands. "I even repainted some of the worn away parts. Im sorry for taking it, I just wanted to surprise you." Natasha's face immediately filled with regret.

"I have to go." and with that he walked away. "Wait, Steve!" she called, but he was already gone.

"That was nice of him." Bruce said. Natasha turned back to them, looking very upset.

"I feel like such an asshole."

"I thought Rogers was the asshole?" Tony said. She glared at him.

"No, he was just trying to be nice, but I freaked out at him before I gave him the chance to explain. I have to go find him."

"Steven Rogers has just left on a mission. He shall return later tonight."

"Damnit." she muttered, picking up her music box and exiting.

Steve walked into his room later on at Stark Tower, very tired. He turned on the light to his kitchen/dining room and was surprised to find Natasha sitting there. His surprise faded and a semi-mad face appeared. "Agent Romanoff."

Yup, he's still upset with me. "Steve, I thought I told you to call me Natasha. We are friends after all."

"Are we?" he replied, bitterly as he began preparing a meal.

She sighed, feeling a bit stung. "Steve, I owe you a huge apology. Even if I had just yelled at you, it wouldn't excuse the punch I gave you."

"Miss Romanoff, this isn't necessary, I just know now not to do anything like that again."

"Steve, it's not that at all." she placed her arms on the table. "It's just..it's all I have left of my mother."

This caused Steve to turn to look at her, his face still cold but his eyes had a flicker of sympathy.

"She was killed when I was young. And every night before I went to bed she would turn the music box on to help me sleep. When I saw it was gone, I panicked. I thought I just lost the last thing that I had of her."

Steve dropped the cold face. He realized now why she reacted the way she did. He sat down beside her and took something off his neck.

"I know what you mean. See this?" It was a cross. "This belonged to my mother. She swore by the church and would rub this for luck everyday, hoping our life would get better. I thought about burying this with her, but now I just can't part with it. Too many memories."

Natasha put her and on his. "So am I forgiven?"

He smiled. "Yeah. You are. Natasha."

She smiled and kissed him on the cheek. "I never thanked you for fixing my music box. It plays beautifully."

"You're welcome." he said, standing up and returning to the kitchen. She stood up as well. "I should go."

"Are you hungry? I was about to make some of my mom's baked chicken."

She thought for a moment. "I shouldn't, but I've heard too many things about your fantastic cooking. I have to see for myself." she said, going into the kitchen and sitting on the counter as he cooked.

***
Credit to Muldoon22 :)