NOTE* Alright, so here is my second Avenger story. Hopefully you guys like this as much as you enjoyed Oh My Labyrinth, but this one is going a completely opposite direction. I like to experiment with genres and in this one, Tony is a girl. She also has a close relationship with most of the Avengers. Also, the first few chapters will be mostly her and her relations with the team. After that, we will be getting into the main plot of the story. Look forward to it and enjoy!

Chapter One:

Science Sibs

Toni yawned loudly, her eyes squeezing closed as she blinked drowsily, trying to keep herself awake. With a half drunk cup of coffee at her right and her cell phone constantly abuzz at her left, she felt the effects of days without sleep were having on her body and mind. Her screen blurred as her eyes grew foggy and unfocused.

For the past 72 hours, Toni had been working nonstop on new Shield designs, SI* designs, and new Avenger tech designs. While most of the time this wouldn't be a problem, she had never done it before while recovering from the flu, as she was rarely ever sick.

"Ms. Stark, Ms. Potts has seen to it to inform me that I am to inform you that should you not sleep soon, she will be coming down here and dragging you to bed personally."

Toni sighed, nodding.

"Alright J", she replied, "Tell Pepper not to get panties in a bunch. I'm coming."

Toni stretched once more as she stood and made her way out of the lab. Honestly, she was really tired. Her entire body felt exhausted and while her mind was still as active as ever, even it was beginning to betray her by showing signs of need for sleep.

Sleep… the word itself was practically a curse word to her. Sleep didn't do anything. All it did was take up valuable time she needed to work and it brought nothing but nightmares from her past and wild imagination. Why did she not want to sleep? She thought it was pretty darn obvious why no one should want to sleep.

The door slid open as she started up the stairs to the living room and kitchen area. With it being nearly four in the morning, she hadn't expected anyone to be up at this time of night, aside from Pepper who obviously had been checking up on her. Pepper was a mother hen most of the time, but she was even worse when Toni became ill or was injured on a mission. Still, aside from Pepper, most everyone in the house did their own thing. So it honestly surprised when she stopped in the doorway and stared in shock at the back of Bruce Banner as he stood at the sink…washing dishes?

"Bruce?" she called.

He didn't move and he didn't answer her. Concerned, she stepped forward, trying not to startle him as she gentle placed a hand on his shoulder. "Bruce?"

The next few seconds were nothing like what she expected to happen. One moment she was standing there trying to get his attention and the next, she is lying flat on her back on the tile floor with a green eyes Banner above her, his arm ready to strike her.

She stared at him, a bit shocked and breathless at his sudden swift move against her, but she didn't do anything, not wanting him to think she was a threat. Last thing she needed now was Hulk coming out to play and her having another new design to work on. This one being for their home, Avenger Tower which they had only recently moved into.

"Bruce?" she called again, trying to get through to him, "It's okay pal. It's just me, Toni. You know, Antoinette Stark? Science sib? Ringing any bells?"

Bruce continued staring at her.

"Come on Brucie, work with me here", she huffed out.

He blinked before slowly lowering his arm, backing up a step. "Toni?" he asked.

"Yeah Bruce, Toni Stark. Iron Man. Friend. Science Sib. Avenger."

"Avenger…" he whispered again, before his eyes blinked faster and he frowned, his eyes losing their green glow as he took in her ragged appearance on the floor of the tower kitchen.

"Oh. Oh God!" he said quickly kneeling beside her, "I didn't hurt you, did I Toni? I am so…so, so sorry", he whispered out desperately, "I didn't mean…I never wanted…I didn't hear…sorry."

"Bruce, calm down", she replied sitting up, wincing a bit as her back protested. No doubt she would have bruises. "Everything is fine. You didn't hurt me. I'm pretty tough, even if I don't look like it. It's cool Big Green. Everything is alright."

Bruce had his eyes closed, nodding, just listening to her voice as she practically hypnotized him into a calm. With his breathing slowed, he opened his eyes and really looked at her this time. Her sapphire blue eyes bore into his green ones and he sighed.

"Thanks Toni", he replied as he helped her stand.

She smiled, shaking her head.

"I didn't do anything Bruce, you calmed yourself."

Bruce didn't reply as he walked into the living room, dropping onto the nearest couch, his head in his hand covering his face. She could tell he still felt angry about having almost hurt her.

"Want to tell me why you are doing dishes at four in the morning?" she asked sitting down beside him, but not touching him.

He sighed again. It seemed like sighing was his new favorite thing to do.

"I don't know, I just … I needed to get out of the room. It was stuffy and…"

"You had a nightmare?" she asked gently.

He nodded, before meeting her eyes.

"How did you know?"

Toni turned her gaze away, looking only at her hands.

"Because I have them all the time", she whispered, deciding the honest rout would be the best way to play this. If she wanted Bruce to be honest with her, she supposed he deserved the same in return.

"Really?" he asked.

"Yeah", she nodded, also sighing, "You know about…my past right?"

"I know about it", he said nodding, "You still see those times?"

"I do. When they water boarded me in Afghanistan, when I was surgically altered with the reactor while wide awake. When I flew into space with the nuke. Even before that, when my father and mother were still alive…I see it all."

"I'm sorry."

Toni just snorted, shaking her head.

"You have nothing to be sorry for Bruce. Heck, you are one of the good things I have in my life. If anything, I should thank you for all you have done for me. Still…I know it can be hard not to see only the bad, even when you may be surrounded by so much present good."

Bruce knew she was talking about them, the Avengers and it made him smile. When he had first met Toni, she had been a lot like she was now. Genius, rude, bold, brave, beautiful, outgoing, and completely reckless, but she had also been distant, fearful, and angry. Perhaps that was why they got along so well. He understood the anger, the past hurts she had suffered and knew she felt the same. Even Hulk liked her and that wasn't a little accomplishment. If anything, it was completely unexpected as Hulk hated most everyone and everything.

"Thanks Toni. You are one of my good things too."

They were both silent for a moment. Toni hated silence, but she could feel the tension and knew he needed to say something, so she kept her mouth shut and just stayed seated until he felt comfortable enough to tell her.

"When…When I first became Hulk, I had a woman I loved dearly."

"Betty Ross", Toni whispered and Bruce nodded.

"I loved her more than life itself. She was my everything and…when I became the Hulk, it ruined that relationship. I knew she wouldn't return my feelings. I was a monster, an animal that couldn't be controlled and I deserved to be put down."

"Bruce…"

He shook his head, signaling her to stay silent.

"I know what you are going to say, but I still believe that the Hulk is nothing more than anger manifested in physical form. Sure, he may have…feelings other than anger, but for the most part, I don't and won't ever consider him to be me. It wasn't like that back then though."

"You blamed yourself for all he did", Toni guessed.

Bruce nodded.

"Yeah and I guess to a point, I still do, but it has gotten better. Thanks to the Avengers, I have learned to control it better and I consider him and me, two different beings. My nightmare… I saw Betty again and she… she called me, Bruce Banner, a monster. I…" he stopped, his eyes closed and his hands tightened into fists in front of him. A green ripple spread across the skin, but he didn't turn as he got his breathing and anger back under control. "I am not that monster. I know that, but I can't deny he is a part of me. I needed to clear my head after that nightmare and so I just figured since the dishes needed done, I would do them until I thought I could handle sleep again."

"Sorry to have scared you", Toni whispered.

"Nah, it was my bad for reacting the way I did. I was just so deep in my thoughts, I didn't hear you call my name until you touched me. In the dream, she had touched me too and I had… it just startled me."

Toni nodded and the two sat there in the silence of the night for a few more minutes, each contemplating their thoughts.

"Thanks…for talking to me Toni", he finally said as he stood up, "I am going to try to sleep again and…you look like you could use some shut eye as well."

Toni nodded, her own eyes growing more and more tired.

"I suppose I should. I may just…sleep here for the night. Feels comfortable."

Bruce smiled as he watched her lay over, eyes closed. Seconds later, soft, small snores came from her as she nuzzled deeper into the couch pillow. Shaking his head in fond affection, he grabbed the nearby blanket and draped it over her sleeping form.

"Night Toni", he whispered to her, "It's nice, having a sister like you."

Bruce walked back into his room and closed the door, not noticing the small smile that crossed her lips as he left.

"G'night…big brother", she slurred and drifted to sleep.

AUTHORS NOTE*

I hope you all liked the first chapter. I think the relationship between Stark and Bruce is just one of the best things in the Avenger plotlines (Any, avenger plotline. Whether it be movie or cartoon.) Next chapter coming soon! It will be Clint, just so you know.