Christmas at Jane's

Chapter 12: Darcy Gets a Surprise Visitor

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day went by happily, Jane and Darcy enjoying the leftover Christmas party food. They played Christmas music, took walks to the park (and to Starbucks), and wrote Christmas cards. Relatively, it left a lot of time for them to read their new books, which they didn't complain about.

Boxing Day was a shopping spree for all the girls. Darcy and Jane's closets were expanded quite a bit, because all the reduced prices and the buy-one-get-one free deals. They exchanged advice and coupons with Tasha and Ginny, and practically invaded every single store in their vicinity.

The boys, meaning Clint, Bruce, Steve, and Tony, went to buy equipment and all their boy things (Steve now sported a blue jacket with the scarf Darcy had bought for him). Pretty much all of their technology (laptops, phones, etc.) were upgraded for free by Tony, who was in a benevolent mood. Thanks to Tin Can Man, Jane's printer was no longer malfunctioning. That was something to be grateful for.

Now, Darcy was in the kitchen, warming up some food for lunch. She had scraped her impossibly curly hair into a messy ponytail, and was wearing an apron (her sweater had just gotten splashed with gravy just a second ago). As she stirred, she recalled all the events from the past year.

Two signs from Thor…

Shopping…

Preparations for the party…

and of course, the party itself. That's unforgettable, for sure.

And the New Year's party yesterday, and the Boxing Day rampage. I can't believe one year's passed already! And Jane's still so excited about her new job.

I still remember two days ago when I had my job interview, too. Now I get to work alongside Dr. Banner and Jane!

Rats. This gravy's lumpy. Better stir a bit more.

It had snowed, about knee-high. For the rest of December, and most of the first week of January, it kept snowing. A few days ago, it turned to slush. And now Darcy was waiting for the sun to come out.

The New Year's party was almost as good as the Christmas party. It was at the Avengers Mansion, with even better food. They had watched one of Tony's Disney movies, and had stayed up until one to yell "Happy New Year" to each other.

And then they had a slumber party, the girls in Ginny's room and the boys in the entertainment room. That was the best.

Just to comfort Jane (who had expected Thor to arrive on December 30 or around that), Clint had given her a whole pot of gravy and all the turkey leftovers. And that was what Darcy was attempting to warm up right now.

She frowned, stirred a little harder, and adjusted her glasses (Darcy had just switched from her black glasses frames to brown, and they were really comfy). Beside the gravy she was warming, Darcy was also trying to make some pasta.

It had white patches, even though the water was boiling violently.

Darcy sighed and dumped it in the trash.

Did I even check the expiry date?

She stirred the gravy some more, and turned the heat down. Darcy went upstairs to comb her hair (she didn't exactly want a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent to walk into their house and see Darcy Lewis with a cranky expression and hair bumps in her ponytail), and also decided to change out of her clothes.

I just washed the dishes, and did the laundry. I don't want anyone to see my pants splattered with soapy water.

Darcy put on white capris, her dark green hoodie, and her new fluffy slippers (she had a thing for fluffy clothes). Her hair was combed (and tugged, and cursed at), and she added two black bobby pins on each side to secure her curls.

She thumped down the stairs, and went back to the kitchen.

Stir. Stir. Stir.

Keep stirring, and maybe it won't taste awful.

She lifted the wooden spoon and let the gravy drip back into the saucepan.

"Yes! No lumps!"

A whole lot happier, she continued stirring ("You never know!")

While she was scraping the sides of the saucepan, Darcy heard the door open. Her ears caught the muffled sounds of Jane's voice, a deeper (and eerily familiar) voice, and another voice that gave her goose bumps.

Not any more S.H.I.E.L.D. agents!

She kept on her nonchalant expression.

Keep calm. Maybe they're door-to-door salesmen and are offering a good deal for furniture or something.

"Darcy? Where are you?" Jane called.

"In the kitchen," she said. "And guess what! I heated up the gravy after it solidified, and it's got no lumps!"

"Great!" Darcy heard the sound of Jane putting the car keys on one of the drawers. "I brought you a visitor!"

"Gee, thanks. Hope it's not a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent."

"You'll never guess!"

Darcy heard Jane's footsteps coming towards the kitchen as she scraped the bottom of the saucepan.

"See?"

Darcy looked up.

"CRAP!"

"DARCY!"

"Oh. Sorry. I just noticed you're wearing my shirt."

"I'm sorry. But look!"

Darcy's head spun in circles and her mouth hung open. She rubbed her eyes and pinched her arms.

I don't believe my eyes.

"Thor?"

For a reason Darcy would never admit aloud, she was both elated and miserable to see him.

"It is a pleasure to meet you again, Darcy Lewis."

The thunder god, properly dressed in red cape and armour, smiled.

Jane was practically bouncing up and down in excitement. Her brown eyes sparkled golden as she gestured everywhere.

"And guess what! He brought his brother! From Asgard!"

"Brother?"

Darcy suddenly noticed a dark, shadowy figure standing behind Thor, clothed in her favourite colour. His green eyes pierced through her, searching inside her, probing.

Thor grinned.

"Darcy, this is my brother. His name is Loki."

BWA HA HA! Plot twist!

I regret to say that this is the end of this fanfic, but watch out– sequel's coming really soon! Christmas at Jane's was so fun to write, especially the party part, and I hope to see you guys again in the second installment. Which I have not yet named.

But anyways! Thank you for reading this!

Love, Airel