A/N: Not much more to say for this since I just posted the last chapter. I'll just say that I look forward to reading your reviews and that I hope you enjoy this one as well. I'm not promising anything but I hope to have another chapter up very soon.

Chels

CH. 7 SANTA CLAUS: an imaginary being who brings presents for children on the night before Christmas Day

Tony convinces Thor to dress like Santa for Pepper's niece and nephew.

To Pepper's surprise, having her family over was – so far- going quite smoothly. Steve was telling stories about the war and life in the forties, and Tony was even keeping his wise cracks to himself for the most part. And the ones he did manage to mouth off were rather mild and less demeaning than usual, which made Pepper wonder if he wasn't feeling well. He assured her though everything was fine.

Bruce and Natasha had joined in to the chatter, the SHILED agent noting that her partner would hopefully come out of hiding soon. Explaining bluntly that he was stupid for thinking he could out drink someone twice his size and deserved to feel the way he did.

It was then that Jane came down the stairs looking a bit flustered. "Tony could you ya, help us with something?"

Pepper looked confused, as did everyone else. "Is everything okay?" she asked.

"I'll go check it out." Tony persuaded quickly getting to his feet. "You talk with mom and pops."

At a hastened pace he stomped up the stairs and into Thor and Jane's room. Sitting on the bed, wearing a Santa suit was the God of Thunder. The red coat was visibly two small for his large muscular physic which also seemed to be the issue that had Jane all worked up.

"What are we supposed to do?" She asked.

Tony removed his glasses, pursed his lips and looked at the large man puzzled. Of all the abilities he possessed, sewing was not one of them; they were going to have to improvise.

"Well. . . the pants and the boots fit don't they?"

Jane nodded.

"Okay, so he doesn't wear a coat, fine. Just put a red sweater on him with the beard and hat and you're set." He suggested.

The concern on Janes face lessened, and she went to find him a red sweater from the large clothes in the closet. "Here." She handed the article of clothing to him.

Thor looked at it with a shrug and tossed the small Santa coat away as he folded himself into the knit sweater.

"How is this?" he asked looking to Tony.

The playboy smirked. "Not bad. Now put the beard and hat on."

Thor did as he was told and Tony handed him a small finely wrapped package. "This is for the kidies down there." He explained. "I'm assuming Jane gave to the rundown of Operation Santa?"

The both nodded.

"Awesome. Wait to come down stairs ten minutes after I go back down."

Tony straightened his tie in the mirror and casually sashayed back down into the living room. Clint had joined the ensemble, also wearing a set of dark glasses. They were all still telling stories and entertaining Pepper's niece and nephew, who were all amazed by the fact that their Aunt Pepper was friends with the superhero team called the Avengers.

"Mr. Tony." Zoë said sweetly, still seated securely on Caps lap. "Are you really Iron Man?"

Tony sat beside Pepper with a smile, "Sometimes." He chirped. The looked at his watch on his wrist and back at the kids. "Did you guys know that Iron Man is friends with Santa?"

The adults in the room gave Tony a bizarre glance, while Mathew and Zoë's eyes grew wide with excitement as the they both nodded.

"Would you guys like it if he came and gave you an early gift right now?" Tony inquired with a sly smile.

They hopped off of Steve's lap and jumped up and down.

Suddenly, a very loud "Ho,ho,ho!" bellowed from the staircase as a very young, buff Santa Claus made his way down the steps with the gift in his hands.

Clint started chuckling, Bruce snickered, Steve had a blissful smile on his face and Natasha looked both astonished and horrified. Pepper's parents, along with her sister and herself all looked thrilled, but not to the extent as the kids.

"Hello young ones!" Thor bellowed, sounding muffled under the synthetic beard he was wearing. "Mathew and Zoë. You've been very good this year; this is something special for both of you."

The brother and sister rushed over to the large Santa Claus and tore the gift from his hands and rushed back to their mother shouting excitedly.

"Can we open it now!?" they said in unison.

Lenore nodded and they ripped the small package open excitedly. A slight wave of disappointment touched the children's faces as the seen what was inside the wrapping.

"What is this?" Mathew asked with a frown holding up the three pieces of paper.

His mother took the thick paper from her child's hand and read what was printed on it. Shock consumed her features and she glance at the only person she knew who could have afforded such a gift. Tony smirked looking pleased with himself.

"These are tickets to Disney World!" she explained to them.

Suddenly the entire penthouse was filled with shrieks and giggles of pure excitement. Mathew and Zoë sprinted back to Santa-Thor and latched onto his legs making the god roar with laughter.

"Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!"

Thor patted them each on their back. "Merry Christmas my young friends. I have to be going now."

The kids let go and Thor bounded off to the stairs to remove his festive costume.

It seemed that Mathew and Zoë were the only ones unaware of where their expensive gift had really come from, but Tony remained practically silent.

The excitement of Santa's unexpected visit dwindled and soon the once bright sky out the large window turned dark. Vernon stood adjusting his suit and looked to his wife. "I'd say it's time we get to our hotel."

Janette nodded and stood and Lanore followed with her two very happy children flanking her.

"Ah, Mr. Potts." Tony got to his feet as well, Pepper too. "I'd like to apologize for not getting you and your lovely wife a gift. I had such little notice, plus getting through to the North Pole this time of year is difficult in its self. . ." he winked at Pepper's niece and nephew. "And all the rooms here are already filled, so I canceled you're previous reservations and got you the four bedroom suite at the Plaza."

Janette gripped her husband's arm as though she was about to fall over.

"Stay as long as you like, I'll take care of your bill."

Vernon looked speechless while Janette and Lenore looked faint. "I-I don't know what to say. . ." Pepper's father confessed.

Tony smirked and playfully smacked Vernon's shoulder. "Don't say anything. It's Christmas. I want your family to enjoy it were ever they are." He wrapped a hand around Pepper and kissed her softly.

The elevator doors opened and all but Pepper's father got on. He looked at Tony for a long time before he finally spoke as if he was having difficulty forming words. Eventually he mustered up the voice to utter two simple words that- coming from Pepper's father- meant a lot to Tony.

"Thank you."

Tony just smiled and watched them all disappear behind the elevator doors. Pepper sighed and swung her arms around the playboy pulling herself close to him.

"That was really great what you did." She murmured touching her forehead to his. "I just wanted you to control yourself."

"Yeah but this was better." Tony noted.

"Yes it was."

"Plus I've secretly always wanted to see Thunderguns dress like Jolly St. Nick." Tony laughed and kissed her again.

They'd survived the surprise attack, otherwise known as Pepper's family, without Clint or Tasha killing someone, Bruce Hulking out, or Tony being too obnoxious. Everything went quite smoothly and that made everyone very happy.

A/N: Don't forget to review!

Hint of chapter 8: Snowmen