Hey all! So this will be Steve's "reaction" muah ha ha! (You'll get it in a minute). I'm trying to gage all of the "guests" reactions before getting to shenanigans, so bear with me. (Of course there have to be a few mixed in) :). Thor, Jane, and Darcy will be involved in this chapter as well.
Captain Steve Rogers was in the middle of his morning workout routine, when a giddy Pepper Potts burst through his door. "Steve! Steve! You're a genius!" Pepper kept shouting, nearly tackling the soldier in a hug. Steve laughed and hugged her back, knowing exactly what this was about. "I know that Ms. Potts," he said teasingly. Then he straightened up and sat in a little chair by his nightstand. "So how did it go down?" He asked, curious how Pepper Potts convinced the great Tony Stark to have a family Christmas. "Well, it wasn't easy," Pepper began. "At first his reaction was what we expected, he wanted none of it. Then, I used the old guilt trip method, which penetrated his thick skull. So when he agreed to do it, I gave him the guest list. I swear Steve, he almost had a heart attack. He gave me this well thought out argument on why no one else would be on board for Christmas. So I of course reminded him of my superior methods of persuasion, and that sealed it. When I was on the way to "go ask" you, I heard him open up the liquor cabinet, which means he's resigned himself to his fate," she finished, noticing Steve's growing grin.
"Only you Pepper, only you," he said in amazement. "How you ever got him wrapped around your finger is one of the great mysteries in life," he said jokingly. Pepper took an elaborate bow. "Well, dealing with difficult people IS part of my job. And I suppose I do have a slight advantage, considering I'll be marrying him in a couple of months," she sad sarcastically. Steve laughed and nodded his head. With a childlike grin, he looked at Pepper. "Jee whiz Pepper, I'm so excited. It's been forever since I've had a real Christmas. They were some of my best memories from...from my past," he said softly, staring into space. Pepper smiled as well, nodding enthusiastically. "Me too. God, it's been so long," she said.
Steve sighed, breaking out of his stupor slightly. When he had come across a down in the dumps Pepper a couple of weeks back, he figured he had better do something about it. His first reaction was to find Tony to cheer her up, but then he noticed a small picture in her hand. After asking to see it, he saw a young Pepper standing by a Christmas tree, a carefree grin on her face. Seeing that picture brought back all the old Christmas fuzzies for Steve, and they talked for hours about their old favorite Christmas traditions. Finally, Steve had the brilliant idea of suggesting a family Christmas, with all of the avengers, and some other good friends. Pepper was all for it, and soon they were planning the guest list and all the great activities that could bring the family together. Of course, convincing Tony was the most difficult part of the operation, with the exception of convincing Nick Fury as well. So, Steve had left that to Pepper, and so far, Operation Craving Christmas was a go.
Steve got up and grabbed paper and a pen, and started to write down the names of those who would be attending. "So, how should we go about doing this? I can't make you go and convince every single person to come, and plan the whole thing. How about I ask half, and you ask half?" Steve asked, getting down to business. Pepper nodded, looking slightly relieved. "Thanks Steve, that will be a big help," she said, before going in to business mode herself. "So who do you think will give us a challenge?" Steve asked, eyeing a couple of names on the guest list warily. Pepper shrugged, and glanced back down at the list. "I can think of a couple, but none of them could be as bad as Tony... With the exception of Nick Fury," she added hastily. Steve nodded, but pointed to a couple of names on the list. "I agree Director Fury will be trouble, but I also think Dr. Richards and Sue Richards will be a challenge, along with Dr. Selvig, Agent Coulson, and Agent Hill-Coulson," he added.
Pepper laughed and shook her head. "I can convince Sue, and she'll get Reed on board as well. Erik Selvig will come along if Darcy and Jane come on board, which I'm sure they will. As for the Coulsons, the Phil I know will be ecstatic over the idea, and Maria will go along with whatever her husband decides, so I wouldn't be too worried," Pepper said reassuringly. "But if you'd like, I can take them," she said gently. Steve nodded in gratitude. It wasn't that his persuasive abilities weren't up to par, it was just that he knew Pepper could handle them without breaking a sweat. "Thanks," he said, somewhat sheepishly. Pepper frowned as she eyed two names on the guest list. "The two that concern me are Agents Romanoff and Barton," she said. This time it was Steve's turn to grin. "Trust me, I can get Natasha to go along with it, and Barton will be in if she does it, and if there will be food," he said teasingly.
Pepper nodded, and divided the list in half. "Okay then, done deal. So far, I have Fury, Reed and Sue, Selvig, and Phil and Maria. You've got Romanoff and Barton. That leaves Thor, Bruce, Jane, Darcy, Johnny Storm, and Logan," she listed. "I'll take Thor, Bruce, Jane, Darcy, and Johnny," Steve interrupted. Pepper gave him a mock stern look. "Take all the easy ones for yourself would you?" She joked. Steve grinned and shrugged. "Which leaves you with Logan. This will be a great exercise on your powers of persuasion," he added cockily. Pepper laughed and recorded her half of the list on her StarkPhone. "Alright Captain Smarty Pants, when we are done with this, you're coming to the store with me to pick out decorations, food, and presents," she said bossily. Steve stood up straight and saluted her. "Yes Ma'am!" He shouted. Pepper smacked him in the arm, and made her exit.
Steve made his way to the rec room, where Jane was trying to teach Thor how to play pool. The Asgardian and the astrophysicist had been married for four months now, and were expecting their first child in a few months. "Heads up!" A voice yelled as Steve entered the room. Steve ducked just in time to avoid a pool ball that was flying at his head. "You alright Steve?" Asked an exasperated Jane from behind a chair. "Fine," Steve called back after making sure his head was still intact. "My apologies Master Steve! I cannot seem to grasp the concept of this... Jumping of the cue ball that Jane has been speaking of," Thor bellowed out, gesturing to pool table jovially. "You're teaching him how to jump it?" Steve asked incredulously. Jane held up her hands. "He's gotten pretty good! But I will admit, not the brightest of ideas," she added, pointing to a broken mirror, a dented coffee machine, and a litter of broken pool cues on the floor.
Steve fought the urge to laugh. In truth, Thor was catching on quickly to the ways of the world, and pretty soon, they would have a perfectly acceptable New Yorker on their hands...well, almost anyways. "Hey, get behind here!" A voice called out from behind an overturned table. Steve peered over the edge to see a traumatized Darcy cowered in a corner. Just seeing her made Steve blush a little bit, but he quickly concealed it and gave her a small grin. "What happened?" He asked. "He almost took my head off with a pool cue earlier. He thought we were going to play baseball," Darcy muttered, pulling out her beloved I-Pod with shaky hands. Steve laughed and helped her out from behind the table. "Well I'm glad it's still there," Steve said, somewhat shyly. Darcy smiled and patted his shoulder. "Me too Cap," she said teasingly.
Steve looked over at Jane, who had a small smile on her face. "Could I speak to you and Darcy for a minute?" Steve asked. Jane nodded, and turned to her husband. "Thor honey? Why don't you go grab a couple of pop tarts and take a break?" Jane said sweetly. Thor nodded, kissed the top of her head, and made his way out, whistling some old Asgardian tune. "Hey, I'll be right in. Need to go grab a cup of coffee, and the machine in here is... Out of order," Darcy said before taking her leave as well. Steve sat down in one of the chairs, as did Jane. "So what was that about?" Jane asked him. "What was what?" Steve replied innocently. Jane's smile grew wider. "Come on! You were totally flirting with her Cap! In your sweet, shy, slightly dumb way," she added. Steve glared at her. Then, realizing how ridiculous he had sounded, he started to laugh. "Yeah, I guess flirting isn't exactly my strong point. I haven't really had much practice. But if you haven't guessed, I do like Darcy... A lot," he said quietly, as his cheeks burned tomato red with embarrassment. "Sweetie, I think that's great. I have a hunch that Darcy might be hiding some feelings too. And you never know, all it might take is some Christmas magic," Jane said, quickly ending the conversation as Darcy waltzed in, cup of coffee in hand.
"So what's up? You sounded like there was business to attend to," Darcy said, sipping her coffee. "As a matter of fact, there kind of is. How much have you told Thor about Christmas?" Steve asked. "I would consider him to be up to par on this subject. He was fascinated by the reindeer, and it kind of took off from there," Jane said lovingly, knowing what a kid Thor was at heart. "Perfect," Steve said with relief. "How would you guys like to have a big family Christmas? I know you're an atheist Darcy... But you don't have to believe in God to enjoy Christmas. It's about being with family, having fun, spreading joy to other people..." Steve said, before being cut off by an excited Jane.
"Oh my God Steve! That would be amazing! I know Thor will love the idea, and of course there are still some things we haven't covered, but for the most part he'll be able to catch on, and will really feel included on this one," Jane squealed. Darcy looked at Steve, who seemed to be looking anywhere but at her. "I'm in. But how did you convince Stark? I seriously doubt that he was doing the Christmas Waltz when you asked him," Darcy said, her eyebrows raised. "Well, Pepper and I concocted this whole thing, so she's handling Tony and some of our more... difficult guests. But she managed to get him on board, so it's a start," Steve answered. "Is there anything you need us to do?" Jane asked. "Actually, do you think you could give Dr. Selvig a call? Warn him that Pepper's coming for him? I know he isn't too keen on being around tons of people, and I know he feels exceptionally guilty about the whole Loki thing, but it wasn't his fault and we're all past that now," Steve said cautiously. Jane nodded, and said softly, "Thanks Steve. I've been worried about him, but this might be the boost he needs."
"Jane! Lady Darcy! Master Steve! I am truly sorry, but I couldn't help but overhear. Is it true? Man of Iron agreed to have a family Christmas?" Thor boomed gleefully, box of Pop Tarts in hand. Steve looked up at Thor in amusement. "That's right Thor. And Jane here was just saying how she would love to come, and Darcy too," Steve answered. Thor slapped him on the back and shouted, "Then I would love to attend. I have become quite adept at understanding the Christmas season, but I must ask you... Will you play the lovely little tune of 'Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer?' I have become quite fond of the cute little beasts," Thor asked. Steve laughed and stood up. "Of course Thor," he said. He looked at Jane. "So you three are in?" He asked. They all nodded. "Great! Just talk to me or Pepper if you have any questions, comments, or ideas," Steve finished. As he walked out of the room, he heard Thor say, "Alright! Let us get back to pool!" And then the distinct sound of Darcy muttering that she'll need an aspirin. Steve laughed as he checked off three names on the list. "Three down, four more to go," Steve muttered. "Now for the big guy."
So what do you think? I figured Pepper, as amazing as she is, would need an accomplice, as Steve seemed the most likely candidate. And as for Steve and Darcy, well, I just like the idea of them together. Next chapter to be up soon. Please review!