"We know a Phil," Elaine commented. "He works closely with Steve and the group." She grinned a bit. "If Howard is anything like I've heard, you may get your nephew back obsessed with Captain... America..." She trailed off, blinking as a few pieces connected, and she looked at Kae.

Kae met her look with a wide-eyed one of her own. Because holy shit. They needed to talk to Coulson when they got back.

"I do believe he's already trying," Peggy said with a tolerant sigh. "I should probably check on them, make sure they're not getting into trouble."

Elaine nodded.

"Rescuing Howard is probably a good idea," she said, a bit distractedly as she tried to piece everything together in her head. Because a lot of things about Coulson suddenly made a lot more sense.

Peggy nodded. "You're welcome to come if you want, I'm sure Phil would like to meet you both." She raised her eyebrows at the two women.

Elaine paused for a moment, and then nodded.

"Sure," she said. "I'll go." She glanced at Kae.

Kae nodded and motioned for Peggy to lead. Peggy nodded and headed towards the main hall so she could then set about finding Howard and Phil.

Howard was looking over some maps and charts with Phil, trying to plot out Steve's last known location and possible current ones. The boy was being kept occupied with some Captain America comic books while Howard worked.

"There you two are," Peggy said, looking at them both. She walked over to see which comic Phil was reading and snorted. "Again, Phil? How many times have you read that one?"

"A lot," Phil admitted, looking up from the comic. "But it's so good!"

"I could have handed him an engineering manual," Howard commented from the table where he'd spread out all the maps and charts.

Peggy snorted at them both and smoothed down Phil's hair, not even bothering to grace Howard with a response. "Phil, there are two ladies I'd like you to meet. They're staying with Howard for a little while."

Phil looked up from the comic again and grinned.

"Hi!" he chirped. "I'm Phil Coulson. Nice to meet you!"

Elaine blinked and tried to force her brain to reboot more quickly.

Fortunately Kae recovered more quickly, and she looked at him with a little grin.

"Nice to meet you too, Phil. I'm Kae, and this is my friend Elaine."

They were so going to have to freak out later, though.

Phil grinned at them.

"Have you read any of the Captain America comics?" he asked. "They're really good. Captain America is amazing!"

"I don't think I've had a chance to read any of the comics yet," Kae said, biting her lower lip to keep from grinning to hugely. "But I do know some about him. I bet you know all sorts of things, though."

"Not a lot," Phil admitted. "I'm still working on it." He grinned again. "I got a card from a pack of bubble gum, though! I want to collect all of them!"

"I'm sure you'll be able to," Kae said. She kind of wanted to see if she could get a picture, but that would just be too much.

Fortunately Peggy interfered. "I think it's about time for us to be heading home, your mother will want you home for dinner," she said to Phil.

"Awww... okay," Phil said, pouting. He reluctantly put the Captain America comic down and got out of the big armchair.

Peggy smiled and ruffled his hair, nodding to the two girls. "It was lovely meeting you both. I may come visit again." She smiled a bit at them and ushered Phil out so they could head back.

Elaine nodded and waved a bit as they left.

"She looks happier," Howard observed as Peggy left. "What did you say to her?"

"Not much more than we told you, really," Kae said with a shrug. "Just gave her a few reassurances."

"You told her about Steve," Howard said. "What did you tell her that you didn't tell me?"

"A little bit about the team he's working with. Told her that he's happy. Stuff like that." Kae shrugged.

"A new team?" Howard asked, looking at her. "What are they like? Any good?"

"Yeah, they're good. They work well together. Two combat specialists, a tech expert like yourself, and a man whose experiments didn't quite go as planned. They get along well now, and they're doing good for the world." Kae smiled a bit.

"Another technological expert?" Howard asked, raising an eyebrow. "I take it by your tone that it's not me. Where was I that I let this guy move in on my turf?"