"The classic rock isn't bad," he admitted. "I found some music the other day, I think they called it big band? That was closer to what I grew up with." He shrugged, shifting his weight. Because clearly he was showing his age.

Elaine grinned a bit.

"I'm sure we can find something you know," she said. "It's not impossible. In the meantime, we can definitely find some good classic rock for you."

Steve nodded. "If you want," he said quietly. "You don't have to, you know." He wasn't sure how comfortable he was accepting things from her like this. He wasn't sure if it would just encourage her more, and he didn't want to get any closer than he already was.

"And you didn't have to take me to dinner," Elaine pointed out. "And before you say it's not, it's close enough. We're sitting in a diner, it counts." She was quiet for a moment. "I know what lines not to cross, Steve. Really I do. What I want and what I'm allowed are two different things, and I know the difference."

Steve nodded after a moment. "Alright," he agreed. "I'll trust your judgment." He settled in again, somewhat more at ease.

The rest of the night went well, if a little uncomfortably. The next day, however, began something different. The evening spent with Steve made Elaine realize that it would be too difficult, and hurt too much, to see him every day. So she did the most logical thing she could think of: she ran. She always had family willing to take her in for a few days, so that was what she did.

Steve wasn't too concerned when he didn't hear from her the next day. He figured she was tired and catching up on her sleep. When he didn't hear from her for another day, however, he started to get a little worried.

Not that he'd ever admit it to anyone else.

So he stopped by the house and found out that Elaine had left, leaving Kae in charge of the house, and Kae didn't say where she'd gone.

As much as she hated to do it, Elaine didn't answer her phone with it started to play the Star Spangled Banner at her. It was harder to ignore it the two subsequent times, but she managed. But when it started to play 'I Am Ironman,' she got curious enough to pick up.

"I need to take this," she said to her cousins, walking into the next room. She hit the 'answer' button. "What, Tony?"

"There you are!" he chirped. "It finally connected!" And then he hung up. Because clearly that was all he wanted to know.

"Wait, what?" Elaine asked, but he had already hung up. "That was strange..." She pushed the voice-command button. "Call: Kae King."

Kae picked up after three rings. "Hey. What's up?" She glanced over at Thor, who'd graciously offered to come keep her company, before refocusing her attention on her phone.

"Kae, you need to interrogate your cousin," Elaine replied. "I got a phone call that was literally just 'good it connected *click*.'"

Kae snorted. "It's Tony. You expect a reason?" She shook her head. "Besides, I tried calling him earlier. He's ignoring me. Clearly I don't have any exceptional cousin-powers yet."

"He's usually not that eccentric," Elaine pointed out. "Not with us. We're information-whores, he knows we like to know what's going on."

"Clearly he's too busy being a mastermind genius to deign to tell us what he's planning this time." Kae rolled her eyes. "Don't worry, I'm sure we'll find out soon enough."

"Go bug him for information," Elaine said. "Hell, go interrogate that butler-voice of his."

Kae snickered. "I'll see what I can do," she agreed. "But I don't know how much I can do. You know how Tony is."

"I know," Elaine said. She sighed a bit. "So how are things at home?"

"Well enough, here at least." Kae shrugged. "Thor's keeping me company, and I haven't seen Steve since yesterday. He came round asking after you."

Elaine bit her lip a little.

"It's better this way, for now," she said. It was a weak defense even to her own ears.

"Uh huh." Kae clearly didn't believe her, but she didn't push, either. "I'll let you know what I get out of Tony, if you want."

"I'd appreciate that," Elaine said. She smirked a bit. "And let him know that we're well aware he sold his soul for access to information when he was a child, just like we did."

Kae laughed. "Don't worry, I'll be sure to tell him he's just as soulless as we are." She grinned, and it was only a little evil.

"Good," Elaine replied. "Then just let me know, alright?"

"Sure thing." Kae hung up after that and huffed, shaking her head briefly and debating how best to get the necessary information out of Tony.