Kae snickered. "Although I bet there will still be a fair bit of flailing over them anyway." Tony looked far too smug about that.

Elaine snorted.

"Knowing my cousins?" she asked. "It'll be the best holiday of their lives."

Kae laughed quietly. "It probably will be one of the best holidays either of us has had," she pointed out with a grin.

"Probably," Elaine said, grinning. Sitting back, she settled in for a moment to finish her dinner.

Kae got up once everyone was done to clear away the dishes and wash them. She figured the others would drift off to go do their own thing, though she did glance back at Bruce.

Bruce stayed where he was, helping Kae with the kitchen. He didn't mind that. Elaine, though, went with Steve to settle in with him.

"How upset do we think Tony's going to be?" Kae asked quietly, handing the dishes over to Bruce to dry.

Steve took Elaine's hand, tugging her along back down to his room so they could settle in for the night.

"Fairly," Bruce replied just as quietly. "He's not pleased, and he won't be when you let him know what you decide."

Elaine let Steve tug her along, staying close to him. She was ready to settle in for the night with him.

Kae sighed. "I don't want to upset him," she said quietly. "But I want to help them."

Steve pulled her gently into his room and shut the door before he kissed her.

"I know," Bruce said, putting his arms around her. "Tony will be alright when he realizes you're not leaving him. He just needs some time, I think."

Elaine returned the kiss enthusiastically. Oh yes, time for some alone time with him.

Kae leaned back against him, tilting her head back against his shoulder. "You'll help, right? Make sure he doesn't lock himself in his lab and not sleep?"

"Of course," Bruce replied, holding her close. "Don't worry too much about Tony, everyone will look after him."

"I can't help it," Kae mumbled. "He's the only blood family I have."

"I know," Bruce said. He held her close. "We'll look after him. You can mother him all you like when you're here, and let us take care of him while you're gone."

"Good." Kae leaned back against him, covering her hands with his. "I'm glad." She sighed quietly. "At least you'll forgive me for spending a few nights a week there."

"As long as you spend your nights here with me," Bruce teased her gently, cuddling her a bit.

Kae laughed quietly and turned her head to kiss the side of his neck.

"Where else do you think I'd spend them?" she teased gently.

"Just making sure," Bruce replied, kissing her.

Kae smiled a bit and kissed him again. "I can think of better places than the kitchen to make sure," she teased, unable to hide her grin.

Bruce just returned the kiss and tugged her towards his room. He knew what she had in mind.

A few days later, Kae had made all the arrangements and had a bag with her so she could go to Xavier's mansion. She was due to start classes the next morning, after all.

And Tony had indeed thrown the fit to end all fits and was sulking down in the lab.

Elaine was there to see Kae off.

"We'll see you in a few days," she said, hugging her friend.

"Yeah." Kae hugged her. "I'll call you tomorrow to let you know how things are going." She sighed. "Long as the kids don't drive me nuts before then, anyway."

"Call me anyways," Elaine said, grinning. "You can rant at me all you like."

Kae laughed. "I will," she promised. "I'll see you Wednesday night." She opened the door of the car Tony had gotten Happy to drive for her, tossing her bag in.