AN: This chapter and the next Chapter were combined efforts and after the next chapter we shall return to our usually routine of taking turns.
Loki and I arrived on the top of Avengers tower, specifically designed as a landing pad for the Bifrost. JARVIS directed us down to the communal level, where Tony was apparently awaiting our arrival. "Rachel," He said, nodding at me, "Reindeer games," he then greeted Loki.
"Hi," I replied, taking in the oil stains on his hands and top.
"Give me a second to change my shirt and then we can take the Roadster down to the bay," Tony commented, ignoring the look of horror that Loki was giving him.
"Must you drive?" The Asgardian god grumbled. I just laughed lightly as Tony walked out of the room.
A few minutes later we were seated in the red car, the wind blowing through my hair and Loki's, only he was grumpier about that fact than I was. The smell of the sea started to waft to me on the breeze and I smiled.
"Beach?" I asked Tony.
"Yea, Ezra mentioned you liked to spend time by the beach when you were in high school," He replied, turning a corner sharper than was strictly necessary. "I had some property at Long beach that was just sitting there, and I thought I could use that."
My eyes widened at the location, even Loki knew that area was a nice suburb. We rounded a final corner, still too fast, and Tony pulled up in front of a small, double story, sandstone building. There was a huge ribbon and bow on the front door, and a few on the front windows too. Tony had a strange sense of humour. The genius engineer passed me the keys, gesturing that I should open the door. With only slightly shaking hands, I unlocked the door to the apartment. As I walked through the door, I was greeted with shiny white tiles, and modern appliances. The front of the house was an open plan living area with a kitchen. The lounge and a staircase to my left and the eating area on the right. Behind the eating area was a bar and the kitchen, with a walk in pantry. Opposite the kitchen was a hallway lined with cupboards one side and a bathroom, and laundry on the other side. Finishing that floor was the large library.
"A library?" There was a note of surprise in Loki's voice.
"What? Didn't think I'd put something like that in?" Tony scoffed.
"Well, no," Loki admitted, "Frankly I did not think it would be your style."
"Well, you know me," Tony smiled, "Full of surprises."
He was jittering with excitement, all but pushing us up the staircase to the room above the library and hallway area. I gasped as I saw the bedroom. There was a king size bed and on the other side of the room a large walk in wardrobe, filled with midgardian clothing. There was a spa in the corner of the room, overlooking the balcony, which had an amazing view of the beach and ocean.
"Tony, this is amazing," I told him, my eyes wide in surprise.
"Why thank you," He grinned, "I thought it was rather good myself."
"This is indeed impressive," Loki commented, "I thank you, this is fit for a king." We walked back downstairs, sitting on the couches that Tony had furnished the lounge with.
"So, housewarming party," Tony said, "Here, tonight."
I gaped at him in surprise. "I can't do that!" I said in shock, "We only just got the house. And what about food, and drinks?"
"You cannot expect us to entertain guests so soon, Stark," Loki replied calmly.
"I can and will," The billionaire replied, "Already told Legolas, and he's spread it to the rest of the team." He looked way too smug about this. "Plus catering is organised."
With a sigh and a look at Loki, I agreed that the Avengers could meet here at 7pm tonight for a house warming party.
Each of the Avengers arrived at the new beach house in turn. The first to arrive were the two assassins and the super soldier. Natasha had her hair cut to her shoulders again, a simple black dress and low heels completing her look. Clint followed her, the pale blue shirt bringing out the curiosity blazing in his blue grey eyes. Finally the captain entered, in black slacks and a burgundy shirt, finished off with a charcoal tie. They all looked very nice. The next two guests arrived after I had handed the three their drinks, which had arrived earlier that evening. Tony sauntered through the door, the smell of whisky just lightly on his breath.
"Hey," he announced, "I'm here, let's get the party started!"
I took in the red shirt, thin black tie and the black vest and slacks. Then I noticed it was Bruce standing behind him, not Ezra.
"Where's Ezra?" I asked curiously, surprised she wasn't with him.
"She said she would 'Meet me here later, because she has a surprise'," he drawled, "After I waited for her for 15 mins, geez women." The last comment drew glares from me and Nat as well as a frown from Steve. Clint flexed his hand, balling it into a fist before letting it go again.
"I'm sure she'll be here soon Tony," Bruce said as he stepped forward. He too was dressed in a shirt and slacks. Overall everyone was dressed quite nicely.
"Where's Thor?" Steve asked, looking around.
"He was invited," I said, "I doubt he is too far off."
Just then there came a loud knocking at the door, followed by a booming voice that I knew all too well.
"Go get the door," I nudged Loki and he walked off to answer the door. I heard the door open and Loki's voice 'brother,' floating to me. I wasn't worried, I could see the door so they wouldn't start an argument before they reached the rest of us.
"Lady Rachel, it is good to see you again," Thor pulled me into a tight hug.
"You too Thor," I gasped as he let me go.
Just then the doorbell rang again, and I went to answer it, knowing that it would be my best friend. I opened the door to see a pale body in stunning red silk. The halter neck strap was covered in jewels, the neckline dropping down. The skirt of the dress reached the floor, with a split up to the top of her thigh.
"You look gorgeous," I whispered in her ear, as I hugged her. Her face flushed red, but I could see the pleased smile that lit up her face.
"Just you wait to see what Tony says," She whispered back, winking at me. Now I understood what sort of surprise Ezra had been planning.
"Cute dress, the blue suits you," Ezra laughed as we entered the lounge.
The low mummer that had surrounded the group stopped and there was dead silence, everyone was staring at Ezra. Flushing a brighter red she dropped her eyes to the floor. Clint broke the silence by sincerely saying, "You look beautiful, Ezra."
He finished with a large, proud smile adorning his face making Ezra smile shyly back. Everyone else voiced their agreements to be interrupted by Tony Loudly announcing, "Are you kidding? She not just beautiful but sexy, gorgeous and absolutely ravishing, hell I might even ravish you hear, my goddess." He was staring at her with hungry eyes.
Letting out an "eep," Ezra turned into a fennec fox and promptly hid behind my legs.
"What are you doing?" I queried, looking back and down at her.
"Everyone is staring, I don't like that. So I'm going to stay like this until they stop."
"Fine. Ok guys that enough, go back to your conversations." I turned to the gathering.
They all divided into smaller groups and began talking about many different things. Tony stepped forward then knelt down and whispered something to Ezra, whatever he said made her transform back into her human form.
Curious I leant to ask Ezra, "What did he say that got you to change back?" While Tony went to get himself and Ezra a drink.
"Tony can be really sweet sometimes." She replied vaguely and wandered off towards Tony.
The drinks started flowing, and soon the music started up and the party really started.