A/N: My deepest apologies for not updating every day like I should have. I feel horrible. I will do my best to have this done before the end of December, but with work, family visiting, and the general lack of sleep, I might not make it happen.


The TV screen went black. Tony glanced around at everyone, grinning.

"Okay, is anyone getting the same thing I'm getting out of this?" he asked. Anneliese smiled, but tactfully refrained from saying anything. Loki gave her a grateful smile.

The team had just watched the old animated Christmas program "How the Grinch Stole Christmas". There were more than a few amused grins directed at the resident god of mischief during the part where the green curmudgeon stole, pillaged, and otherwise plundered Whoville of its Christmas spirit.

"Yes, Stark, I believe we get the point." Loki commented drily. "I have an uncanny similarity to this 'Grinch' creature. Though I have no idea why this amuses you so." Tony shrugged, singing the song.

"You're as cuddly as a cactus, you're as charming as an eel, Mr. Grinch…" He paused a moment. "Need I say more?" Loki laughed, and gestured to Anneliese, who was leaning quite comfortably on the trickster's other arm.

"I do believe you should correct yourself, Stark." Tony sat back, thinking about the lyrics some more.

"You have all the tender sweetness of a seasick crocodile, Mr. Grinch." Again, Loki gestured to Anneliese, who laughed a little.

"You know, I'm a little tired of being your proof against being a Grinch, Loki." She teased. Tony rolled his eyes.

"The three words that best describe you are as follows, and I quote, 'Stink, stank, stunk!' "

"I note the use of past-tense. I may not be one of the good guys, but neither am I a true villain. That excerpt is inapplicable."

"Fine. Try this one on for size then, Blitzen. 'Your soul is an appalling dumpheap, overflowing with the most disgraceful assortment of deplorable rubbish imaginable. Mangled up in tangled up knots!'"

"No argument there." Loki commented, smiling, ignoring the pleading look he was getting from Thor.

"That's not true, brother. You are not so far gone as you think."

"Then you do not know me as well as you think you do, Thor. Please, Stark, continue. This is most amusing." Tony had a devilish glint in his eyes.

"You're a crooked, jerky jockey and you drive a crooked hoss, Mr. Grinch." At the end, he raised an eyebrow, daring the trickster to accept the fact that, yes, he had just referenced one of his children. Loki glared at the billionaire.

"That was below the belt, Stark."