Pepper hesitates for a moment - she's still really upset with both of them, and it doesn't feel quite right to just carry on as if everything is normal. It's never going to be normal, though. Who am I kidding, it never was normal, so why would this be any different?

She might as well let Tony know that she's emerged and isn't planning on repulsoring them both (although the thought is, briefly, tempting).

"Yeah. Okay. Knocking." She frowns. Normally Pepper just walks in, unless the door is locked - if it's open then clearly it's an invitation to come in, or else just carelessness on the part of the room's occupant. "I suppose this isn't as explosion-proof as the armory. He better not melt my floor or something."

Holding tightly onto her tea, Pepper follows Gene towards the basement.