Elaine was busy going through the music files on her computer, one earbud in her ear, to see if there was anything Steve would like. She paused when she heard the door open and the scent of ozone filtered over.

"Welcome back," she said.

"My thanks," Thor replied. "And my apologies for being gone, there was a matter that needed attending-to on Asgard."

"Welcome back, buddy," Tony called, bringing cups of coffee over to Kae and Bruce.

Loki looked around the room with interest, his eyes settling on the girls. Both still had a few leftover bruises, which made him curious. But he didn't ask yet.

Steve looked up as well, having given up on figuring out the whole computer thing as Elaine went through her music. He was still confused by it all. "Welcome back."

Thor nodded in return to them all and gave a small nod to his brother to tell him he could relax here.

Elaine wasn't surprised Steve was having issues with the computer: her machine was complicated, since she needed all the extra software.

Loki moved around the room, observing the others for a few moments, before he moved to stand near the table, looking down at Kae and Bruce.

"Get in a fight?" he asked lightly, looking at Kae.

"More like caught in the crossfire." Kae grimaced and shifted in her seat, tucking her arms away under the table so he couldn't see them anymore. "Shoo, Loki."

Loki huffed but moved away again.

Steve watched everything around them, already used to looking after everyone, so he easily integrated Loki into that group.

"You missed the action," Bruce commented idly to Thor. "One of the mutant equalists got a bit... carried away, I guess?"

"Carried away," Tony said with a snort. "Carried away, he says. You call that carried away?" He grumbled as he moved over next to Kae.

"Tony. Shut up." Kae glowered at him. Thor didn't know what had happened, and she didn't really want him to know.

But nope, Thor was interested now.

"What happened?" he asked, curious. He glanced between Tony, Bruce, and Kae. Bruce just shook his head and gestured to Tony.

"Tony..." Kae murmured threateningly.

"The girls got kidnapped," Tony said evenly. "By some douche we didn't know about. They were there for three days, but we found them and brought them home."

It was an extremely simplified version of events, but it made Kae relax, just a little bit. At least Tony wasn't fussing anymore.

"Kidnapped?" Thor repeated, alarmed. He looked at the others. "Why was I not informed?"

"Thor, you kind of weren't on-world," Elaine pointed out.

"Sorry, buddy, but even I can't figure out how to make cell phones work in between worlds." Tony shrugged. "Besides, it all turned out okay."

"Speaking of cell phones, Tony," Elaine piped up, "Mine won't work. EMF guy from the other day must have killed it."

Tony made a face. "Well, damn. Guess I'm making more of the same model I gave Thor. Give me your phone, and I'll transfer all the data over and make sure you can use it. Yours too, Kae."

Kae looked startled for a moment before she pulled out her cell phone and handed it over to Tony silently.

"It worked fine until it got hit with the field," Elaine said as she pulled it out of her bag. "And I know that's what it was, because high-level EMFs make me miserable."

Tony nodded. "Well, I guess that's yet another thing I'll have to add to the list of shit I have to make technology work around." He snorted. "Should be an entertaining project for the next day or so."

Elaine nodded and went back to what she was doing. An incoming email reminded her of something.

"Oh, Kae," she said, "it's Thanksgiving this year. Are you coming to the Clan with me, or hanging around here?"

Kae was quiet for a minute. "I think I'll stick around here, try out the whole family bit." She shrugged. "Who knows, could be fun." She grinned.

"'The whole family bit'?" Elaine repeated. "Kae, you're practically part of the Clan, and that's a lot of family. Sure you don't want to come?"

"Yeah, I'm sure." Kae managed a smile. She wasn't sure she was up to dealing with a lot of people that year. "Don't worry about it, really. A quiet Thanksgiving sounds good this year."

Elaine was quiet for a moment, and then nodded.

"I can help you make my mom's cranberry relish, then, so you don't have to miss out on it," she said. She knew Kae liked the relish, and she wouldn't let her friend miss out on it.

Thor looked a bit confused.

"What is this giving of thanks?" he asked. "Is it something special?"

"That sounds awesome," Kae agreed with a smile.

"Thanksgiving is a holiday," Steve said, looking at Thor. "A celebration. It's a time when families get together and have a big dinner and think about all the things in their lives that they have to be thankful for."

Elaine grinned.

"Alright, then," she said. "I'll tell you what all you'll need to make the relish yourself."

Thor looked intrigued.

"A feast?" he asked. "A day of feasting and thanks?"

"Sounds fair to me." Kae grinned and leaned back in her chair.

"Basically." Steve shrugged.

"Fascinating," Thor said. "I was unaware that Midgard had such traditions."

Elaine went quiet for a moment, and then nudged Steve.

"Well, if Kae isn't going with me, I seem to be short a guest," she said. "My family is used to me bringing a friend each year... Do you want to come with me?"

Steve blinked, flushed, and floundered for a few moments. "Um." He blinked. "Really? Are you sure? I mean, you don't have to just invite me because you can. But, if you want, I mean, I could go, I guess, I wouldn't mind, I mean..." Steve trailed off, now red. Tony and Kae both snickered at him.

"Really," Elaine said. "You can come with me. I mean, if you want to. If you already have other plans, I totally understand, but I mean, if you can come..." She trailed off, blushing. She realized she was rambling.