A/N: I'm quite pleased with the amount of reviews and alerts this story has gotten in the past two days! Please keep them coming! I've had a pretty horrible day, but the reviews you guys left me put a smile on my face! If you did leave me a review, and you have an acount I sent you all a personal thank you, and to those that reviewed but don't have an account THANKS! :) I had fun writing this chapter as well, and I hope I've kept everyone in character. . . I try my hardest. Anyways here's the next one!

ENJOY!

~Chels

CH. 3 DECORATIONS: something that adds beauty; ornament

Without anyone realizing it, Tony sneaks off and buys all new Christmas decorations which he enlists the help of his fellow team-mates to hung up; while Pepper insists on using some of the old decorations.

Everyone at Stark tower was enjoying a quiet evening inside out of the cold with the warm fireplace glowing among them. The setting sun painted a beautiful backdrop outside the spotless wall of windows. The New York skyline burst with vibrant golds and purples, creating a darkening silhouette of the towering skyscrapers.

They were all spaced out around the pent house, occupying themselves with mundane tasks. Jane was in the kitchen teaching Thor how to make hot coco, Bruce and Steve were off to the side playing a game of chess-of which Bruce was winning, Natasha was reading a book, and both Clint and Pepper where situated with their laptops. Tony however was nowhere to be found, and surprisingly they really didn't care. The team was all enjoying the peaceful atmosphere after dealing with crazy shoppers the day before.

The ambiance didn't last though.

Like the stampede of marching soldiers Tony waltzed through the elevator doors with a half dozen men toting large brown boxes filled with newly purchased Christmas decorations.

"Just pile 'em over there boys." Tony instructed, pointing to the large open area of the room.

Pepper stood up quickly, tossing her computer onto the empty couch cushion next to her, and rushed over to the billionaire's side. "What's all of this?"

"Decorations! What's it look like?"

Another six men with boxes streamed out of the elevator and stacked the packages with the others, which amplified the grin on Tony's face. The remaining Avengers gawked in amazement at all the containers of various Christmas decorations and trinkets.

"We already have some." Pepper said. "In the closet."

Tony sneered. "Yeah, they're like 50 million years old."

"They were my grandmothers."

"I know. Like is said, centuries old."

Pepper crossed her arms and scowled. Tony ignored her, bending over to remove items from the boxes with a smile still stretching ear to ear.

"And who do you expect to put all that stuff up?" Pepper eyed him knowing there was no way he was going to do it by himself.

Tony's brows furrowed, confused by her statement. "Uh, us." He pointed in a circular motion which indicated everyone in the room.

"You're in aren't you Cap?" Tony shouted as he tossed a box of lighted garland at him. Steve caught it before it smashed into his face.

"I shall help in whatever way I can." Thor said from the kitchen. Jane nodded beside him, the ghost of a grin growing on her lips.

"This place does look a little dreary." Bruce noted taking off his glasses.

Tony looked at Pepper with puppy-dog eyes and she grinned. "I'll get the extension cords." She walked off towards Tony's lab to retrieve them.

Stark tossed Bruce and Thor each another set of decorations.

Clint and Natasha were still setting next to each other as if they were oblivious to the scene around them.

"Hey love birds." Tony chucked a stuffed reindeer at them, hitting the archer in the head causing it to bounce and land in his partners lap. "You in or are you to Scrooge's just gonna sit there?"

Natasha glared and Clint sighed shutting the screen of his laptop. "Sure, why not." He paused and glanced at his partner. "Tasha."

"Fine." She huffed and closed her book.

Tony danced back to the pile of newly acquired decor while everyone else rummaged through the boxes.

"Jarvis, could you treat us with some music to set the mood; that won't send us over a cliff preferably?" Tony grabbed a box of Christmas lights and began to unwind them.

"Yes sir."

Suddenly a burst of electric guitars and drums resonated throughout the room. Tony fluidly glided his freehand back and forth through the air as if he was conducting the music, beaming with joy.

"This is. . . different." Steve noted hearing the familiar yet obscured melodies.

"It's Trans-Siberian-Orchestra." Pepper explained dropping a bundle of cords to her feet. "They are the only Christmas music he will listen to."

"Hell of a lot better than that 'Jingle Bell Rock.'" Clint said unweaving a set of glittery garland. Bruce and Natasha both nodded in agreement.

When the decorations had been sorted and given a place to go, everyone grabbed a pile and began. Tony, with the aid of his Iron Man boots stung twinkling lights around the tall ceilings and throughout the pent house, Natasha and Clint where working on the entrance and the staircase, attaching sparkling ribbons and lighted evergreen garland where it needed to be. Jane and Thor were tackling the kitchen and dining areas, embellishing the long table with the festive table cloth and new Christmas place settings, while Steve, Bruce and Pepper concentrated on the living area; adorning candlesticks on the mantel and added festive red and green pillows to the couches.

By the time they were through Stark's penthouse had transformed into a glowing winter wonderland. The large assortment of over the top and showy decorations matched Tony's persona, and successfully put everyone in the Christmas spirit.

Natasha stood and gazed in slight wonderment at the work they had accomplished-which put a pleased smile on her face. She'd never had time or the yearning to do any of it all but she like the genuine joy it brought her.

"That's the spirit Romanoff." Tony elbowed her and stomped over to Thor still warning his metal boots. He attempted to wrap his arm around the Asgardians wide shoulders but his height made it difficult.

"What do you think Cave Man?"

Thor boomed with excitement. "I adore this festive Midgardian Holiday! Perhaps I shall return for next year's celebration?" he looked to Jane with a nod.

"I hope so." She grinned.

Please with himself, Tony strutted over and embraced Pepper, kissing her playfully on the neck. She giggled and blushed and quickly pulled away.

"And what do you think Ms. Potts?"

She smiled. "It looks lovely Mr. Stark."

Tony's already glowing aura beamed even brighter and he kissed her again.

"That doesn't mean we aren't going to put out my grandmother's decorations." She stated firmly.

Tony sulked slightly, and Bruce laughed. "Aw come on Tony. It can't be that bad."

"Ha! You haven't seen the Santa doll."

"He's scared of it." Pepper explained with a mischievous twinkle in her eye.

"I moves." Tony argued. "And it's not supposed to. The thing is from like the 40s."

Everyone laughed at Tony's ridiculous fear as they began throwing their trash and unneeded packaging into the brown boxes. Pepper had disappeared briefly, and returned with a similar brown box marked 'X-mas' in black marker. She sat it on the ground and removed the ancient looking Santa figure the size of a porcelain doll.

Bruce's smile faded as soon as he caught sight of the wretched decoration.

The red coat it wore was not only faded, but also moth-eaten and dusty and part of the white trim around the bottom of the coat and sleeves was beginning to peel off. His once snowy beard had yellowed from age and was matted and missing in some places. The dolls blue eyes were painted on, but only half of his left one was still visible. In his hand he held a frightened looking toy bear by the neck and his left hand was missing a finger. As if its condition wasn't enough to strike fear into someone's heart, his expression alone seemed capable of stealing one's soul.

"Jesus. You weren't joking." Bruce said, both amazed and terrified.

Tony shook his head, shielding his eyes with his palm childishly.

"It reminds me of a demonic species of troll I encountered during battle once." Thor commented eyeing the figure strangely.

Pepper sighed and shook her head disapprovingly. "You guys can save the world from an alien invasion in one afternoon, but you can't look at an antique doll."

Even Clint and Natasha didn't seem to care for the Santa decoration. Steve was the only one who acted unfazed. The rest of them-except for Tony- eyed the doll fiendishly with fearful worry in their expression.

"Fine." She put the doll back in the box. "We won't put it out this year."

Tony practically jumped for joy.

"But next year it goes in our bed room." Pepper added taking the box back to where it came from.

"In that case I'm rooming with Bruce next December. You good with that doctor."

Bruce smirked and nodded. "Yeah, sure."

They all finished cleaning up glad they wouldn't have to put up with Pepper's frightening Santa doll.

A/N: What did you guys think!? Let me know, and yes I do have a fear of dolls and yes the Santa doll in this chapter is based off of an actual decoration my family has. It really is the scariest thing I think I've ever seen hahaha. Thank God we finally go rid of it xD. Be sure to let me know your favorite parts/lines/or what not!

The hint for next chapter is: Christmas Tree