The penthouse had been decorated with what looked like a strange kind of silver feather boa hung around the walls just below the ceiling. Wanda called them tinsel. Then there was fake snowflakes hung from the ceiling, fake frost on the windows and - how could I miss it? - a giant tree set up closer to the corner of the room. Tony was stood beside it, kneeling to place wrapped gifts beneath it.

He looked up when we entered. "Nice bags, ladies. Stuff it under and get ready to decorate the tree."

While we waited for the others to arrive, Natasha and Wanda explained to me why there was a giant tree in the penthouse and what we were supposed to do with it. "So... we kill a tree, hide the body indoors so it is not out in the open, dress the corpse, place wrapped gifts beneath said corpse, then afterward we burn the corpse in the fire to get rid of the evidence?"

Everyone bursts out laughing at my analysis.

Once everyone had placed their presents under the tree, everyone who wanted to join in began to decorate it. I quickly realised that it meant I was going to come into contact with others due to close proximity, so I had to miss out. Pity, I would've enjoyed to join in.

Wanda caught onto my slight disappointment and smirked to me. "I'll make sure you get the best part, don't worry."

The tree was soon decorated and Tony held up a star as the last item to add. Everyone had come over to watch the star be placed upon the tree, even those who weren't involved with the decorating.

Suddenly the star flew from Tony's hand and over to me. Wanda smirked to me. It was her doing, the star; she was using her telekinesis. "Lexis wanted to help but couldn't because you boys wouldn't let her get near the tree," she said when Tony began to complain. "The least we can do is let her put the star on."

"Come on, Stark, it's one ornament," Steve agreed with her. "Fine," Tony sighed. "Go ahead, Lexis," Wanda said, pushing the star gently into my hand. When the way was clear, I made my way over to the tree, taking a split second to admire it.

"Don't freak out," Wanda instructed, then I was lifted from the ground by her powers. I slowly began floating towards the top of the tree, thankful Wanda was careful. When I got close enough, I secured the star on top, making sure it wasn't slanted. Then Wanda lowered me down again, placing me gently beside her. "You are full of surprises," I remark to her. "I suppose," she agrees, smiling slightly.

"Well, that's the star on," Sam grins. "Let's light 'er up!" He flicks a switch and the string of lights woven around the tree's branches turn on, glowing a range of colours. I watch them, awed. It's beautiful.

"Someone's easy to please," Tony remarked, looking at me. "It is easy to appreciate beauty when surrounded by many beautiful things," I reply. "And before you say a word, Stark, I do not mean you."

Everyone laughs again.

"Right, who's contributing what to the feast?" Tony changes the topic, grabbing a tablet to take notes. "Laura said she'll make three pies on the condition that she and the kids can join us," Clint was first to answer. "Laura's pies? Yup, she's definitely coming." Tony types something down. "We can set something up for the kids to play with, too. What else, people?"

Who is Laura? I ask Clint telepathically. He jumps. "Jeez, Lexis! Don't say stuff in my head! You scared the crap out of me!"

"Then use the bathroom next time," I say, disgusted.

More laughter.

"To answer your question, Laura's my wife," Clint says, a little calmer now. "She and my kids are going to come here for Christmas in exchange for a few of her pies. She's a good cook."

"I will take your word for it," I nod. "Any other foods people can bring to the dinner?" Tony attempts to keep us on topic. "Cap?"

"I guess I'll bring a turkey," Steve shrugs. "Maybe two, knowing how fast we go through food around here." "Good, good..." Tony makes a note of it. "Anyone else? Come on, people, it's the season of giving!"

What kind of thing is he asking for? I ask Wanda since she would be the least startled by telepathy. He wants food for the Christmas dinner, she answers. Salad, rolls, vegetables... that sort of thing.

Stews? I ask. While I wouldn't be the best judge, I don't see why not, she shrugs. If you think you can cook a stew for the meal, go ahead and tell Tony.

Do you think Tony would accept a stew? I check with Natasha and Steve first, just to make sure I'm not being stupid. Or is it not traditionally what you would eat at this event?

Go ahead, it sounds like a good idea, Steve replies instantly. A stew sounds good, Natasha agrees after a little more thought.

"Okay, anything else?" Tony asks after writing down a few more things from various Avengers. "I can cook a stew, if it would be any good," I offer, earning a smirk from Tony. "Looking forward to it, Grey."

The rest of the day passes uneventfully enough, as does the next few days. Then what the others call Christmas Eve is upon us, Christmas scheduled to occur the next morning. Tony insists we watch Christmas movies, much to my confusion. He has to introduce me to the concept of TV.

He lets me pick the first movie, showing me several movies he's deemed worthy of the occasion. We end up watching something called Elf. It was alright, I suppose. I think I would've enjoyed it a lot more if I didn't have to keep asking questions seeing as I didn't understand a lot of it. I felt like Buddy trying to understand the concept of a radiator.