"I know Pepper," Raine says. This time her smile's a little wry, mostly because the ways in which she has gotten to know Pepper are unique. Shopping. 3D printing. Armor experiments. She's fond of Pepper, really.

And the fact that Gene needs advice about her says that whatever awkwardness Pepper's still working through, Gene is likely feeling. Or experiencing for himself. "You don't have to deal with everything by yourself," she murmurs, more passing comment than injunction, and shakes her head. That's not the point. "Has Pepper done something unusual?"

She will not, in fact, be telling Gene that Pepper stopped by for advice about him.