AN: A little Christmas is July anyone?

One Year Later

Santa Baby played softly through the radio as Mary studied herself in the mirror. She was no Maria Carrie but she felt pretty close in her new red velvet gown. A one of a kind, vintage little number with a flowy

A-line skirt that hit just below her knee and a sweetheart neckline that showed off her silver snowflake pendant. Jimmy Huch had given it to her for an early Christmas present the day before university let out for break and she couldn't wait for him to see her wearing it when he picked her up tonight. He had looked so cute when he gave it her with a toothy grin that showed off the boyish gap between them and presented her with a messily wrapped box from the jeweler, scratching the back of his neck nervously.

Another flutter of butterflies danced in her stomach as she remembered, adding to her nerves. She read that these were normal first date jitters though. She smiled as she checked herself over in the mirror once more, just in case, and headed out. Tony was absorbed in an old box of what looked like scrap metal when she walked into the lab but when she cleared her throat he looked up and whistled, his eyes growing wide in admiration. "I'm sorry, who are you and what are you doing in my home?"

Mary giggled, doing a little spin for him as she walked further into the room.

"Tony!"

"I'm kidding! You look beautiful sis." He smiled wistfully and shaking his head. "Now go put on a sweater." His expression didn't change as Mary giggled. "I'm serious. Go put one on. Preferably something large and unattractive."

"Yaaa. There's not a little chance of that happening." She spoke sassily.

"Not a even a little?"

She shook her head slowly, pursing her lips and leaning forward against the cool metal of his desk with her bare forearms. The lab was one of the only rooms that had escaped Mary's eccentric decorating. And Tony's bedroom of course. The rest of the tower sparkled under white and gold fairy lights, sprigs of holly and mistletoe hung in doorways, wreaths served as warm welcomers on each door, garland spiraled around the multiple fireplaces, and a grand tree served as the piece de resistance in the main living room. A real cedar tree with all the needles and smells that couldn't be bought from a store.

The smell had clung to her along with the pine needles that decorated her hair and pasted themselves to her hands as she placed gold and silver baubles and bulbs all over the tree. It was so tall she had to climb a ladder just to place the blonde angel on top. She couldn't wait to show off her hard work at Tony's Christmas party next week.

"So who's this kid you're going out with again?"

"Jimmy Huch."

Tony looked back up from the extensive chicken scratch notes scattering his desk like he had smelled something bad.

"Jimmy Huch? You're going to go out with an eighteen year old kid they call Jimmy?"

"It's short for James! James is not a creepy name."

Mary shook her head adamantly but Tony rolled his eyes. Big brother goggles can tint your sisters pink in naivety. "He's still going on a date with a sixteen year old." Mary was unmoved. "Tony you already did a full background check on him. You know as well as I do that he's a good guy." Tony fanned a dramatic expression of outrage, covering his heart with the flat side of his palm like a man attacked. "What?! Sis don't you think I've got more pressing matters than to-"

"JARVIS what was my brother's last search?"

"James William Hunt. The second oldest son of Claire and Jonathan Hunt. No criminal history. Type A negative-"

"Thank you JARVIS."

"Ya thanks buddy."

"You're welcome sir."

Mary giggled while Tony glared at the ceiling speakers. Tony turned his eyes back to his sister. "I'm your brother kid, going Agent Bond on the guys you date is in the job description." Mary shook her head with an annoyed smile that was interrupted by JARVIS informing them of the doorbell ringing upstairs. Her brown eyes widened to the size of saucers.

"He's here!"

Flying up three flights of stairs Mary burst into the living room and snached up her wrap from the back of the couch. She caught a glance of herself in the mirror and gasped. She scrambled to work down the flyaway hairs of her bangs and wipe away the invisible bleeds of her warm red lipstick. Tony appeared in the reflection behind her.

"How do I look?"

"Just like mom."

Their reflections smiled at each other before another bout of raping reminded them Jimmy was still at the door. "Oh!" Jimmy smiled broadly at Mary when she flung open the door. His smile faltered in shock at the sight of her in Dior and velvet but returned when his blue eyes rested on the silver snowflake right over her heart. He flicked them back up to her face when Tony cleared his throat deeply.

He turned pink as he presented Mary with a bouquet of red roses. The poor boy did admirably in not shaking under Tony's glare.

"So are you uh-?"

"yes-!"

"Just one minute choir boy."

Mary went pale when Tony dragged Jimmy into the house by the sleeve of his sportcoat.

"So you go to school with my sister?"

"Uh," he looked at Mary for help, "yes, yes sir."

"Uh huh, and what are you studying?" "Biomechanics, sir."

"What so like turning people into machines, robocop, y2k and all that?"

"Um, no, uh not exactly sir."

"I know that I just wanted to make sure you know that." Tony smirked without humor. "What you think Tony Stark doesn't know what biomechanics is?"

"No! I mean yes, I was just saying that-" "Have you ever been tested for a sexualy transmitted disease?"

"Okay!" Mary budded in seeing Jimmy's eyes widen comically. "I think we're done here. Come on Jimmy. Before he eats you like a bear."

Jimmy flew off the couch gratefully, mouthing his thanks. He tried to keep from running to the door but it was more of a quick jog than the steady walk he aimed for. Mary watched him with hands firmly on her hips and waited until he was safely out of Tony's sight before glaring at the smirking scientist. "What?" She chucked a nearby throw pillow at him embroidered with Santa's face.

"STDs?!"

"What? Background checks don't show that stuff you know!"

Mary spun around and shook her fist at him before disappearing out the door. "And put on your wrap!" The door slammed shut behind her. Tony chuckled, shaking his head as he spun the pillow around in his hands and tossed it back on the white upholstered couch. "Damn kids."

AN: hummm blonde hair and blue eyes? Foreshadowing anyone?