blame it on the mistletoe.

Before his accident, Steve Rodgers had always loved the holidays. He loved the gifts, the snow and the cheer it brought. Now, it just made him lonely, considering he had no one to spend the holidays with. His family was all dead, and those who weren't were distantly related and had no idea he existed. His only "family" to speak of was S.H.I.E.L.D. and they all had family of their own.

The only celebrating he was planning on doing was the S.H.I.E.L.D. Annual Christmas Party that was taking place in just an hour's time. It was an ugly sweater party, unfortunately, so Steve was wearing an old green sweater with a kitten in a stocking plastered on the front. It was the ugliest thing he could find, but he was sure there would be uglier ones at the party than his.

---

Through Beth Tyler's short life, she had always been told that she had a cheery personality. There was very little that could put Beth in a bad mood, especially during the holidays. She loved to see the smiles on all of the children's faces and the happy couples shopping for gifts for their loved ones.

To Beth, Christmas time was the best time of the year.

She had been out shopping for a gift for her mother at the local department store, browsing through the aisles with no luck, before she finally gave up and decided to just enjoy the atmosphere. She was walking up and down the streets as she admired the decorations many of the local shops had put up.

Ella used to love the holidays and enjoyed spending time with her family. Working retail had the ruined the magic of Christmas with all the greed and commercialism. Her family was so in Europe for the holuday so she was spending this year alone. Well, not completely. Steve had invited her to some Christmas party. An ugly sweater Christmas party. She sighed pulling on her leggings and red Christmas sweater with a santa sticking out and lit up. Ella managed to look decent even in the ugly sweater.

Ella had known Steve for a couple of years, they had met while she eas out for a run one evening. Let's just say that he helped her with fighting off some creeps. She shouldn't have gone running so late. Grabbing her phone Ella dialed Steve' s number. Once she heard his voice she broke into a smile. "So why do they think Ugly sweaters are fun? I mean I really wanted to wear a dress but this is okay I guess."

---

Peter Quill had spent about 8 years of his childhood and some of his adult life out in space. He didn't remember much of Terra just that his mother had died leaving him with the famous mixtapes. He had decided to spend some time down on Terra for thr holidays. Christmas he remembered pretty well, too bad the rest of his friends wouldn't spend it with him.

Peter wasn't going to argue with them thougg, he made sure to land during the late hours and hid thr ship so no one would fund it. He thought about coming home often but hr also didn't want to leave his crew. Peter ran a hand through his hair. First thing he would do eas visit his mother's grave.

[Thanks for fixing it! Hope this was okay! ]

Steve chuckled into the phone as he finished tying up his shoes, smiling at his friend's voice. "I guess they just want to ruin the holiday for everyone." Steve was thankful that Ella was going to be attending the party with him. At least this way he'd at least have someone to talk to.

He rested his phone against his shoulder as he fastened up his belt, then held onto it with his hand again. "Hey, I'll be leaving here in about five minutes, so I'll pick you up in ten and we can head there? Will you be ready by then?"

---

It was nearing dark by the time Beth was ready to head home, and she still had a short walk back through the streets back to her apartment. Everything was lit up with colorful lights, decorated with candy canes and holly. It was like a scene out of movie, complete with snowflakes.

[It's perfect!]

Ella laughed, "true at least we can all look tacky together then." Ella finished up fixing her hair into loose curls before fixing her make up while putting Steve on speaker. "Yeah, that's fine, hopefully I won't look too tacky, though I can't wait to see your large muscles in that tiny sweater," she giggled.

---

Peter sighed softly as he walked along the side walk wondering about what happened with terra since he's been away. The lights were so bright as he walked further into the city, he wasn't even sure why he was headed this way. He often wondered what it would be like being with a human girl. He would soon find out, hopefully.

"Well, I'll have you know my sweater is not tiny," Steve laughed into the phone before grabbing his keys off the kitchen counter. "I'll be there in 10," he finished before hanging up the phone quickly so he could put on his coat and head out the door. It was a short drive to Ella's place anyway.

---

Beth was so focused on the Christmas decorations that she was hardly paying attention to where she was going, causing her to bump into some stranger and send herself slamming onto the sidewalk. She barely caught herself with her hands, but still landed onto the concrete, though she wasn't injured. "God, I'm so sorry," she said to the stranger, though she hadn't quite seen their face. "I really need to pay more attention."

Ella laughed, "I guess i'll see when you pick me up. All right see you soon." After hanging up, Ella walked around her apartment cleaning up a bit before Steve came over. She grabbed the tray of brownies and cookies she made, figured she'd bring some food. Steve didn't live too far from her which was nice. Walking distance maybe 40 minutes. Ella enjoyed theit time together, at least when he was home. She looked up when there was a knock and walked over opening the door. "Wow seven minutes, new record for you Captain" she teased. "Even in that ugly sweater you still look good, how do you do it?"

---

Peter couldn't possibly pay attention to where he was going with all the lights in his face. So he was taken by surprised when he ran into a young woman. He didn't fall back just stumbled but quickly helped the girl up. "My bad, I'm not used to all these lights, you're not hurt are you? " once she was up Peter took a good look at her. She was definitely a looker that's for sure.

Steve chuckled and shook his head at the small girl, rubbing his hand on the back of neck. He didn't really think he looked all that good, but he knew his muscles and big frame and a huge improvement from the scrawny man he once was.

"Do you have your coat?" He asked her as he took the cookies out of her hands. "We better get going." At this rate, they'd show up to the party right on time, which was about Steve's speed.

---

"No, I'm fine. Thank you for asking," Beth said as the young man helped her stand up. She brushed herself off as she looked him up and down, realizing how tall and muscular he was. He'd have to go to the gym quite a bit to look that. "I'm just horribly clumsy, especially during winter." Beth adjusted her scarf as she looked at him. "Sorry again."

Ella smiled at Steve he was so modest sometimes, it was cute. She quickly grabbed her coat and slipped its on. Grabbing the brownies she locked the door behind her and followed Steve. "So, my family decided to go to Europe for Christmas, and since I work all the time at the shop I can't leave. So looks like I'll be alone this year," she said with a pout.

---

Peter took in the girl's beauty and grinned, "I was distracted by the lights, I'm easily distracted" he chuckled. He stook his hand out "name is Peter or you can just call me Star Lord uf you prefer" he grinned a chessy smile. He wasn't sure if the girl would laugh or take him seriously. Either would be fine Peter was only slightly arrogant.

"Don't worry," Steve said as he walked alongside Ella to his car. He opened her door for her before hopping around to the driver's side. "There's a lot more people without anyone to spend the holiday with than you think." Steve knew that he wasn't the only one set to be alone on Christmas, and neither was Ella.

---

"Star Lord?" Beth said with a chuckle. "Is that a last name or something?" She held her hand out to him for him to shake as she gave him a soft smile. "I'm Beth. I don't have a fancy star name though."

Ella sighed softly and buckled up before Steve started driving, she gave her shoulders a shrug. "I know, I'm just lonely I guess. I suppose I could open the shop, it'll keep me busy. I don't hsve plans or anything." She thought for a minute, "now that I think about it I have to check my inventory later or tomorrow and order stuff. Sorry I don't mean to ramble on about work" she said with a laugh. It was times like this Ella wished she had a sweetheart. "Enough about me, how was that date Natasha set you up on?"

---

Peter grinned at Beth she was clearly amused by all this, "my mom used to call me that, made me feel manly" he laughed. Peter shook her hand and nodded "it's nice meeting you, well, I'm sure if we out our minds to it we can give you a fancy alter ego name." Peter looked at Beth his hands in his pockets "I hope this doesn't sound too forward but I'm new to the city and im starving could you possibly point me to a place I could grab something?"

Steve chuckled at the thought of his date with Natasha's friend. The girl was beautiful, but Steve was just as clueless as he always was. "Ah, well, she was very nice and we got along quite well, but I don't think we'll be going on a second one."

---

Beth could hardly imagine the tall man in front of her as a small little boy who needed his mother, but she could smile at the thought of it. As much as Beth love the city, she could think of a million wonderful places to eat. "Well, what are you in the mood for?" She asked with a smile as she tucked her hands in her pockets. "There's a place for everything."

Ella looked over at Steve confusion written over her face, he was a really sweet guy and very polite. She didnt understand why it didn't work out, "oh yeah? Why not?" Secretly she was sort of glad it hadn't worked out. Her feelings for Steve were obvious, most people already knew about them except for Steve as clever and sweet as he was. The man was clueless when it came to romance.

---

Peter didn't remember terrain food so he'd had to wrap his head around something. He smiled "anything, what do you like or suggest?" Peter watched the girl ponder, he was glad running into Beth. Otherwise he'd just be strolling around the city mindlessly thinking out loud

Steve shrugged his shoulders as the two drove in the direction of S.H.I.E.L.D. headquarters. "I don't think she was looking for anything serious, and I'm not a 'just one night' kind of person, if you catch my drift."

---

"Well, there's this diner down the road that has the most delicious burgers you'll ever taste," Beth said with a smile, tipping her thumb in the direction of one of her favorite restaurants. "It's definitely not healthy, but it's perfect in every other way."

Ella looked at Steve nodding her head, "well, I'm sorry it didn't work out. I'm sure you'll find someone who is in it for the long run not just a one night thing." She smiled patting his hand, "you're a great catch any girl would be lucky to have you."

---

Peter smiled as he listened to Beth talk and nodded every so often. "Would you like to join me maybe? I hope I'm disturbing you or anything. I swear I'm harmless." Peter chuckled. He wasn't sure why he felt nervous all of thr sudden. It was strange but he shook it off "so what do you say?"

"Well, thanks," Steve said with a nod of his head as he pulled into the S.H.I.E.L.D. parking lot. "I'll just have to weed through all the bad ones until I find someone." He turned off the cars and looked at Ella. "Are you all ready to head in?"

---

Beth had never been invited to dinner by a stranger, but Peter seemed nice enough and she thought to herself 'tis the season'. She smiled at him and nodded her head. "That sounds lovely. It's just this way," she said before pointing in the direction of the diner and beginning to walk.

Ella smiled softly and squeezed his hand gently. "You'll find someone, and if you don't I guess you're stuck with me" she joked. Ella quickly got out of the car, "totally kidding, you won't get stuck with me" she chuckled and grabbed the baked goods. As he led the way Ella hummed softly "very festive" whe nodded as she stepped inside.

---

Peter smiled and followed Beth as she led the way. He wondered why she had agreed after all Peter was a stranger to her. He wasn't planning on hurting Beth or anything he was just curious. "Al right, so tell me about yourself, " he smiled.

@ Katie Mosing

Steve was impressed by the many directions that S.H.I.E.L.D. had put up, making him wonder who had taken the time to set up the party. All of his coworkers were dressed in their sweaters and everyone looked ready for the occasion. "Wow, this place looks great," Steve said before turning to Ella. "Want to get something to drink?"

---

Beth chuckled as she pushed her hair behind her ears. "Well, there's not really much to tell," she said as she shrugged her shoulders. Beth had never really been one to talk about herself, and this Peter fellow seemed interesting enough that she was more curious about him. "I'm pretty average. What about you? Do you have any interesting stories?"

Ella looked around in amazement they really took the time to put this together. She agreed with Steve "it does look great doesn't it?" She set her baked goods on the table and turned around. "Sure, that sounds good" Ella watched as Steve left to get some drinks. Ella looked around waving at familiar faces, they had went all out on this party. "Quite a bit of mistletoe huh?" Sharon chuckled, Ella shrugged "I will avoid every mistletoe because I'm a terrible kisser," she turned around and smiled "oh there you are."

---

Peter looked at Beth a twinkle in his eye, "I'm sure a pretty girl like yourself has many stories to share." As they continued walking and getting closer to their destination Peter looked over at Beth, "I'm not so sure you'll believe me if I told you my stories." Peter ran a hand through his.messy red hair and sighed softly, "it all started when I was about nine or something I can't remember the age I was just that I loved my mother and was upset when she passed away.." he began speaking.