Christmas at Jane's

Chapter 7: Darcy Waits

Darcy had decided that she was sick and tired of waiting.

It was December 17, for goodness' sake! Almost the day of the party!

If only time would speed up.

Tony had already decorated half the living room (at least, the tree and some Christmas lights), Clint had arranged background music, Bruce had set up the movie screen (they hadn't decided what movie yet, though), Steve had come over to help move the furniture into more suitable sitting arrangements, Tasha and Ginny had already decided the menu… Everyone was excited for the party.

But the party's not until next week! I can't stand it!

Darcy sighed and checked her phone for texts.

A reminder popped up and she nearly flew out of her seat.

DANG! I'm late for the movie!

She shoved on a raincoat, socks, and boots; stuffed her taser, phone, iPod, earphones, wallet, and glasses case into various pockets, and hurried out the door to the garage, where her bike was.

I don't usually use it, but it's an emergency. Oh well.

She hopped on it and pedaled as fast as she could to the theatre.

A few fifteen minutes later, Darcy had discovered why you do not ride a bike in the rain. She limped awkwardly to the entrance of the theatre, only to find that the movie had ended.

Rats.

Ginny had set a girl's-only date for today, as they were planning to watch Frozen. But thanks to her, they had missed it, and a long line was already forming for the next showing.

Don't freak out. Don't freak out.

Darcy breathed in and breathed out slowly. She searched the crowd for two redheads and a brunette.

Where are they?

"DARCY!" someone yelled.

She turned around.

Oh. There they are.

Ginny was frowning, Tasha looked cranky, and Jane was radiating waves of impatience.

"What took you so long?!"

"Sorry," said Darcy, wincing. "I totally forgot about the time."

Ginny exhaled, and put her hands in her pockets.

"Well, that's okay. The line was pretty long, anyways. How about we go to the Avengers Mansion and watch another Disney movie there?"

"Uh… are there any Disney movies in the Mansion, anyways?" Jane looked a little confused.

Ginny grinned naughtily. "Don't tell anyone, but Tony collects them. He has all the special features and behind the scenes DVDs, too. He says his favourite is 'Snow White'."

Darcy couldn't help it. She laughed.

Pretty soon all four girls were giggling loudly.

Tony Stark likes Disney movies! Now that is something I need to remember for future blackmail attempts.

Ginny led them out of the theatre and into her car. Together, Darcy and Jane shoved the bicycle into the back, and Ginny drove the van all the way to the Avengers Mansion.

"I wish it would stop raining," complained Darcy, looking out the window.

"I know," Tasha sighed. "But part of me wishes it won't snow. Do you have any idea how much Clint loves to make snow angels? It's ridiculous for his age."

What the–? Snow angels?

There. Another thing I need to remember for blackmailing Hawky.

Jane snorted and covered her mouth.

"That is a very humiliating thing to imagine," she mumbled through strangled snickers.

They arrived at the Stark Mansion at early afternoon. Pepper led them up to the entertainment room (which occupied an entire floor), where Clint and Tony were competing in a hardcore Ping-Pong tournament, with Bruce and Steve cheering on the sidelines.

Ginny winked. "Watch this."

She cupped her hands around her mouth and yelled, "HEY, TONY! WHERE DID YOU PUT YOUR DISNEY MOVIE COLLECTION AGAIN? I CAN'T FIND IT!"

Absolute silence. One could hear a pin drop in the quietness of the room.

Tony coughed.

Darcy bit down on her lip to keep from screaming with laughter.

"Disney movies?" chorused Clint, Bruce, and Steve curiously.

"YEAH. TONY, COME HERE AND HELP ME FIND YOUR STACK OF DISNEY PRINCESS BEHIND-THE-SCENES, PLEASE!"

Tony emerged from behind the Ping-Pong table, red-faced and muttering curses under his breath.

It didn't help much that Darcy had been video taping the entire thing.

"Grr," said Tony.

"Oh, don't exaggerate," said Ginny. "Now. Where can we find a good movie?"

Several hours later, Darcy and Jane returned home.

"That was just… weird," said Jane, as she hung up her coat and undid her scrunchy.

"No kidding."

It was pretty weird. Steve, Clint, and Bruce had (unexpectedly) joined them to watch Beauty and the Beast. It was then when everyone found out that Tony had all the songs memorized (weird) and could play them perfectly on his keyboard (very weird). Bruce had aided Ginny in making popcorn (blowing up the microwave, which Tony complained about endlessly after), so they had to settle with popsicles, which inevitably dripped all over Tony's deluxe leather couch.

Darcy sunk into her bed, yawning.

"At least December 17 is almost over."

And then, only six days until the party…