'Tis the Season (December 3, 2016)

That was slightly terrifying to hear that Serena could warp reality. Suddenly Natalya's ranking in his mind as most bad ass had competition. When Serene mentioned freaking people out he understood that and she could see he looked apologetic for a moment. When she relayed her story he yawned and he immediately apologized as the remnants of the caffeine faded. "Sorry i'm jet lagged pretty bad." He said hoping she wasn't offended.

He joined her in heading out of the training room and into the elevator. On the way up to the common room he leaned against the wall feeling fatigue take him. "I'm normally a lot more alert i assure you." He smiled letting his head hang. He would have accepted a place on the couch at this point. Serena's question brought him back to focus. "Umm..don't supposed the islands far to the west of Hawaii will suffice." His smile grew a bit knowing the answer. She hadn't offended him she was making conversation same as him.

"I'm from good ol New York. cant say i claim any specific county. Brooklyn, Queens all the same in my book."

Serena smiled a little when Mason tried to apologize for yawning. Hearing he and Forge had come from Hawaii helped her to really understand his jet lag. "You don't need to apologize Mason. I get it, believe me. When I was living with Doctor Strange, we actually traveled around the world so I understand jet lag," she explained.

They got off the elevator and Serena spotted Isabella in the kitchen. "Isabella, which rooms are Forge and Mason staying in?"

Isabella was getting a few more things ready for dinner that night. "The last two rooms on the right," she replied with a little smile. "There are fresh sheets on the bed and fresh towels in the bathroom. If you're hungry later, dinner will be at 7. If you'd rather sleep though I will be sure to save a plate for you in the fridge. You're welcome to help yourself."

Mason knew he'd have more questions for Serena but his mind was shutting down. He assumed she was a mutant and frankly she had been nothing but kind to him ever since they met. He stepped off the elevator holding onto his coat and looked up seeing Isabella. "Oh thanks Isabella, i'll probably have to grab the plate i'm a heavy sleeper." He said. He knew he'd have to adjust quick to this new schedule. There was going to be plenty of work to do and he couldn't afford taking cat naps in vents.

"Again thanks for the invite. I should get some sleep if i'm going to be any help later on. Thanks for showing me around too Serena." he said not sure if she was going to show him the way. He figured the rooms were just down the halls either way

Serena looked at him. "I can walk you down there," she replied and she walked him down towards the different rooms. She pointed out which room belonged to which person. Tony and Isabella's apartments were separate from the rest of the team and consisted of multiple rooms. Everyone else's quarters were still a nice size though and each room had their own private bathroom and shower. Serena finally stopped in front of Mason's room. She smiled at him.

"It's nice to have someone else here who's around my age. I hope we can have some time to hang out while you're here."

Mason was grateful for the escort and followed after Serena making a note on which room belonged to whom. Particularly her room. He reached over and the door opened revealing a pretty nice room in his opinion. Had plenty of shelving, a nice comfy looking bed and plenty of space in his opinion. He looked to Serena when she mentioned it was nice to have someone else around her age. "Oh definitely. yeah i would like to hang out some more." He said thinking something might be there.

"Guess i'll get some shut eye see if i can't wake up for dinner." He said.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

As Mason and Serena left Tony and Forge arrived in the kitchen with Strange retiring to a set of quarters. Their preliminary discussions had gone over fairly smoothly on waht they wanted to to upgrade in the tower. they still had to go over the finer details on what was actually feasible with the space. Seeing Isabella Tony smiled. "I see you finished decorating..at least i hope you've finished decorating. "he teased knowing how much she loved the holidays

Isabella was cutting up some vegetables for the salad that would be served alongside the lasagna. She had actually made 3 full size lasagnas, not just because two more people were there, but because there were a few people who could eat quite a bit in the Tower, and anything that was left over would be gone by the next day. Food did not go to waste here.

Isabella smiled at Tony as he approached her and she leaned up to kiss him. "Well, I've finished decorating up here, but I have a few more things to put up in the lobby tomorrow."

Just then, Sarah came out with Aeryn, who grinned and wiggled when she saw Tony. Sarah put her down and the two year old ran over to him with her arms outstretched, wanting to be picked up and held by her daddy. When he picked her up, she smiled at him. "Daddy, can I have a red suit like yours for Christmas?" she asked.

Tony walked over to his wife as Forge made himself comfortable on a nearby chair. "Right the lobby. well try not to strain yourself...or blind someone with all the bright baubles." He teased trying to snag a cut piece of vegetable to snack on. He heard the pitter patter of little feet and looked down spotting his little girl. He leaned down and picked her up instantly and put on a thoughtful look when she asked for a 'red suit'.

"Oh i don't know..lets ask your mother." Tony said looking to Isabella obviously deflecting the obvious no to her.

Isabella smacked Tony's hand playfully as he tried to snag a piece of the vegetables she was cutting up. She smiled though at him as he picked up Aeryn. Aeryn was definitely a "daddy's girl". Tony always tried to spoil her, even though Isabella wanted Aeryn to grow up somewhat normally. She knew their daughter's life was never going to actually be normal, but she wanted to make it as normal as possible. Isabella didn't even flinch when Tony wimped out on saying no to Aeryn about the suit. She had known he was going to do that.

"What about that doll house you've been wanting instead? And I'm sure if Santa brings it for you that Daddy will be happy to help you put it together," she said, knowing Tony would actually hate that, but would do it for his daughter.

Aeryn's face suddenly lit up excitedly. "Yeah!"

Tony smirked at Isabella defending the veggies. He held Aeryn up so she could look at her mother and he just stared at her with a look that said how dare you when she suggested daddy pick up a doll house and help put it together. He could spend hours working on projects but damn did putting together toys annoy him. It was as if they were created to be malicious to anyone who would attempt to put them together.

"Oh yay Santa.." Tony said with enough sarcasm for Isabella to detect but not enough for Aeryn to pick up on. "have you been a good girl lately? You know Santa has been watching." Tony said. He was all for letting Aeryn believe in the fairy tale magic, afterall it was a hard argument when he personally knew wizards and deities.

"I dont have to give him a call right?" Tony teased smiling at his daughter.

Aeryn nodded a little when Tony asked her if she had been a good girl lately. "Yea...I ate all of my vegables (vegetables) and I pick up my toys," she reasoned. Isabella couldn't help but smile at the sight of Tony with his daughter. She knew that he loved her very much and would do just about anything for her. Aeryn was beloved by Steve as well, who treated her like his goddaughter.

"You have been a very good girl this year," Isabella told her. "I'm sure Santa will bring you that doll house," she said, much to Tony's chagrin.

After Tony put Aeryn down, the two year old ran over to Forge, someone she had never seen before. She crawled up into his lap and looked up at him. "My name's Aeryn," she said. She clearly wasn't shy or intimidated by anyone.

Tony knew he wasn't getting out of this doll house after Aeryn's list of good deeds and Isabella all but saying she'd get her the doll house. Christmas was already looking to be a slog, maybe i could convince Forge to help me calibrate some of the bots to help he thought to himself. He put Aeryn looking to see if he could snag himself something to nibble on. "I assume our other guest is taken care of? I didn't see him with Forge." He said. He hadn't taken a good look at this Mason's dossier but figured he couldn't be all that bad if Forge vouched for him.

Forge was on his 'phone, was more of a crystal that used 3d holographics to display information. He had made matching phones for his team for security purposes not trusting civilian models. Besides he much preferred the sharper resolution that his own creations provided. He was surprised when he felt a presence and Aeryn clambering up onto his lap. He was thankful she grabbed onto his natural leg, he didn't want her to get hurt on his prosthetic.

"Well hello there Aeryn." He said finding it adorable how up front she was. "My names Forge. I've heard quite a bit about you." He smiled

Isabella nodded when Tony asked about Mason. "Yes, he has been set up with a room. I believe Serena had been showing him around the Tower, but I think he went to go lie down for a while. I think Serena will like having someone else here who is around her age."

Aeryn noticed that Forge's right leg was different than his left. She looked at it more closely. "Do you have a suit too like Daddy and Mommy?" she asked curiously. Isabella heard Aeryn and quickly walked over and picked her up. "I'm sorry. Aeryn is extremely curious about things and very social."

Tony was still thinking about how he felt about Serena. She was definitely the youngest Avenger but she had quite the backing. He already had experience working with younger heroes and thankfully she was a little older than the Parker boy. And she seemed to be adjusting well to the whole public aspect of being an Avenger. He just hoped this Mason wouldn't jeopardize anything.

Forge raised an eyebrow when Aeryn asked if he wore a suit like her parents. It took him a second toe realize she was asking about his leg. He smriked finding it to be rather cute. Yeah it was a bit forward but given his previous experiences with his wards at least Aeryn was innocent in her asking. "Nothing to apologize for. She's just curious aren't you Aeryn." he said.

He tapped his prosthetic, "Sad to say it's not a suit, i had an accident a long time ago. I'm like your father I..invent things so i made myself a new leg." Forge answered. In his experience a straight forward answer to a child's question was the best policy.

Aeryn cocked her head a little as she listened to Forge and she seemed to think about what he said. She was pretty smart for a two year old, but given who her father was it wasn't all that surprising. "I like it," she decided. "You did a good job."

Isabella smiled a little at Forge. "That's a high compliment coming from her."

A few hours later, Isabella put the lasagnas in the oven and set the table. Forge had come over to help her and she looked over at him. "So, are you and Ororo still together?"

Forge smiled glad he received Aeryn's approval. He anticipated that she would be quick the inventor when she grew older. "Thank you." He said making sure to be polite.

The next few hours were rather pleasant with Forge and Tony discussing potential plans. Entertaining Aeryn supporting that Santa Claus is real and the two of them promised not to make any technology that could track him to his north pole. it was a secret of course. Seeing Isabella help set the table and he was a guest he was quick to help out in any way he could.

He looked to Isabella when she asked about Ororo and sighed a little. "Not at the moment. Our respective positions have quite the demand on our time. Certainly not enough to give a relationship a healthy go." Forge said. They were on and off again as they've tried to do the long distance thing but with Forge providing assistance internationally it was hard for him to find the time let alone energy go give Ororo the attention she more than deserved. He care for her a great deal but he wasn't quite ready to give up all that he had built and he didn't think it would be fair to ask her to do the same. With Logan he knew the topic of Ororo would come up eventually so he was mentally prepared for it

Isabella listened to Forge and nodded a little. She knew that he and Ororo loved one another, but that it was difficult for them to physically be in the same place at the same time. Forge had the life that he had built and she knew that Ororo would never ask Forge to give it up for her. "I'm very sorry to hear that," she said genuinely as she began to place the silverware out at each place setting. She wanted to say more, but she knew had a feeling it might only rub salt into the wound and she cared too much about Forge as a friend to do that. So, she dropped the subject entirely.

"So, how did you and Mason meet?" she asked curiously.

Forge took no offense to the questions about himself and Ororo. It was a pretty open deal whenever they called it quits as they were both mature adults. Of course behind close doors he anticipated she took the separation as hard to the heart as he did. But that was their life and paths they chose. Not everyone gets the happy ending. He still however, held onto her little gifts and pictures when he was feeling nostalgic and lost. The little heartache brought some comfort to him and seeing Ororo's smile always brought him joy

He looked up when she asked about Mason and how they met. "Well we met around 8-9 years ago. I was collaborating with the Xmen at the time on a more hands on basis." Meaning he was fighting alongside them. "jet i was in crashed in a warehouse district. Used for salvaging repurposing steel that sort of thing. We were fighting a group of Purifiers who were operating in the area. When i crashed one of them got the drop on me." Forge said. He didn't want to relay that Mason was a mutant or that he was being hunted down by that group. Forge assumed Mason's reluctance to talk about himself was due to his foster experience and him being abandoned for being a mutant.

"Mason helped me out with a distraction. Long enough for me to pull out a few guns." Forge said truthfully. "I offered him a place to stay, it was getting close to winter and from how he was dressed i assumed he was homeless. He took me up on the offer seeing as i crashed into i guess was his home at the time." Forge said

Isabella was curious about Mason. She hadn't spent that much time with him, but she had a gift of being able to tell what a person was really like within a short period of time. It had helped her out when she worked for the CIA, but now it helped her to gage new people she met. She had a feeling that there was more to Mason than Forge let on, but she wasn't going to push him to reveal it. All she wanted to do was to make sure that Mason was comfortable in her home and had what he needed. She asked a few questions to get a little more general information about him and what he liked and didn't like. Forge told her a few food and drink items that he liked and Isabella began to make a grocery list in her head of things to get for him. She had known Forge for a while so she knew what he liked, but Mason was new to her.

They continued to talk as they set the table and after a while the lasagnas came out of the oven and Isabella had Jarvis call everyone, except for Mason, to dinner. She didn't want to disturb the young man if he was sleeping. She put the salad bowl and serving utensils out in the center of the table and dished out the lasagna. Logan and Natalya had been hanging out together in his room and they came out together. Natalya did not know Forge and she hesitated a little when she saw him.

"Natalya, this is Forge. He's an old friend and will be here at the Tower for a while helping Tony with some upgrades," she said delicately. Natalya didn't really know that they were security upgrades because of her. "Forge, this is Natalya Sokolova."

Mason was sleeping soundly in his room his leg sticking out over the side of the bed unaware of the outside world. When Logan and Natalya stepped out he clapped FOrge on the shoulder as a greeting having worked plenty of times with him in the past. Once Isabella introduce him to Natalya he stood to shake her hand. "Pleasure to meet you Natalya." He said. He remembered what Isabella told him of her.

"Forge is a good guy. He's done some pretty good work for the X men." Logan said vouching for him for Natalya.

Natalya eyed Forge a little before she extended her hand and let him shake it. She then took her seat between Logan and Steve. Forge sat to Logan's left. Serena sat next to Stephen and then Sarah, Aeryn's nanny sat on the other side of Stephen, with Aeryn in her high chair between Sarah and Isabella. Tony and Isabella sat at either end of the table. Everyone began to serve their own salads, which was already tossed in a homemade vinaigrette, and make conversation amongst themselves.

Serena was across from Steve and she smiled at him. "I heard Kate's coming to the Christmas party," she said. Kate was a SHIELD agent who sometimes worked with the Avengers. Serena had met her recently and couldn't help but get the sense that Kate and Steve had an unspoken thing for each other.

Forge was a bit relieved that Natalya shook his hand. He felt the sooner he gained her trust the better. he joined the others in fixing a plate and spoke with Logan catching up with him. Unlike Isabella Logan had no problems discussing Ororo with Forge. He was glad to hear Ororo was doing well overall.

Steve looked to Serena when she mentioned Kate. He wasn't sure how to approach a relationship with her or if she was interested. "Yeah, i wasn't certain if she received an invite or not so I made sure to send a letter."

"Subtle." Tony joked taking a bit of his salad.

"I assume Kate is someone of importance?" Forge asked.

"Well theres rumors around the watering hole.." Tony began about to tease Steve about a possible crush between himself and Kate

Natalya was mostly quiet, although she listened in as Logan and Forge talked. Serena liked Steve a lot and looked up to him. He had really taken her under his wing since she joined the team and made sure that she felt included. He looked after her for Stephen and they would sometimes watch movies together.

Serena smiled when Steve mentioned sending Kate a letter. "That's so sweet. I bet she's never received a handwritten letter before. I know I haven't. Email is convenient, but it can be so impersonal."

When Forge asked about Kate, Serena was quick to jump in. "Kate's amazing. She works for SHIELD and is about as talented with a bow and arrow as Hawkeye, but she also knows some martial arts and knows how to fight with a sword of all things."

Steve looked to Natalya taking note of how much quieter she was being than normal. He figured it was due to Forge and looked to Serena when she spoke supportive words of him deciding to send a letter. He had thought of sending an email but besides the struggle it just felt clinical to send something. He felt the letter was a bit more personal even though it was an innocent invite in his eyes.

"I know she works for SHIELD but she's done a lot for us..wouldn't feel the same if she weren't here." Steve said. Tony kept his mouth quiet but he desperately wanted to make a joke about hanging up some mistletoe.

Forge looked to Serena as she explained who Kate was. "Seems like a very competent agent then." He said with a nod. He got an idea, "Think she'd be up for providing lessons? The martial arts i mean? Got a few guys that are starting to develop egos from their own training." Forge smirked. Mason wasn't the only member on his team that thought highly of themselves but Mason did have some formal training

Isabella knew what Tony was thinking and when he looked in her direction she winked at him and gave a little nod to let him know that mistletoe would be forthcoming. She and Steve shared a close friendship and she wanted to see him happy...that was the least he deserved. Kate was young, beautiful, active, and had the same kind of passion to help people that Steve did.

Serena heard Forge's suggestion and she smiled. "I'm certain we could arrange that. She and Natalya have actually both been working with me so I don't see why she couldn't teach someone else as well."

Hearing Serena and Forge discuss training with Kate made Steve think he should probably spend more time in the training room to 'assist'. He figured he'd think of some way of discussing things with her one way or another. "I'll leave a note for Mason whenever he wakes up. I'm positive that will peak his interest." Forge said.

"Where's he at anyway?" Logan asked.

"Sleeping in his quarters most likely. He's adjusting to the different time zones. I'm certain he'll wake up closer to midnight to try and compensate." Forge said. "There isn't any kind of curfew system in place right?" Forge asked. Tony shook his head.

"No, Jarvis primarily monitors Aeryn. logs people coming and going in out of the building itself." Tony said.