Elaine waited until Kae was gone, and then went inside to see if Tony was even letting people into the lab yet.

Tony was not, in fact, letting people into the lab. And he'd remembered this time to restrict Claudia's access to the lab, and therefor Elaine's. He was still grumpy.

Elaine had noticed that Claudia wasn't allowed to get through the system, and she could hear the music blaring from in the lab. So she pulled out her phone and texted him.

Knock knock.

Go bug Steve if you want company. Tony didn't even look over at her from where he was working under the hood of a car.

Elaine was about to reply, and then paused. She hadn't even seen him pick up his phone.

Did you just type that with your brain? Because if you did, that was kind of awesome.

I did, in fact. It's very easy to use the cell with my brain, since Extremis. I guess it's good for something. Tony plucked up a wrench off the bench.

That's awesome. Elaine pondered the implications of that briefly. Which means you could text Kae whenever you want and not have to ever miss a reply. I can't even imagine what that must be like. I honestly don't think my imagination goes that far.

Oh I'm still playing around with this, Tony texted dismissively. I haven't figured out the full extent of what I can do, but what I can do is pretty damn awesome.

No kidding. Elaine had to admit she was impressed. Anyways, Kae said she'd be back in a couple days, and she's probably going to call tonight either way.

I'm probably going to be listening in. Tony didn't even try to deny it. As long as one of your cell phones is involved I can listen in.

I figured. Elaine had already considered that, and she didn't really blame him for it, really. Not a big deal.

Good. Tony swore as he worked. And you're distracting me again. Go bother Rogers and tell him that colored pencil set came in for him.

A colored pencil set? Elaine didn't remember one of those ever being ordered. When did that happen?

I don't know, a week or so ago? Tony shrugged. Go ask Rogers, I don't actually keep track of everything that goes on in the Tower.

Lies. You know everything that happens in the tower, now. Elaine couldn't help but grin at that. But I'll go. I'll ping your brain when it's time for dinner.

We'll see if I'm at a stopping point by then. Tony stood up straight for a moment to switch tools. And Steve is up in the main living room.

See, I knew you know exactly what happens in the tower. Elaine couldn't help that tease even as she headed back upstairs and into the main room.

Steve was curled in a chair working on a picture, his tongue poking out between his teeth as he worked.

Elaine went over and draped herself over the back of the chair to get a look at what he was drawing.

"What are you working on?" she asked.

Steve blushed a bit at being caught but let her see. He was working on a picture of her when she was asleep, curled up covered in nothing but a blanket.

Elaine blushed faintly but kissed his cheek.

"I'm guessing you had a while to study for that sketch," she said.

"Yeah." Steve smiled a bit. "I have. You don't mind?" He was fairly sure she didn't but he wanted to be sure.

"Not really," Elaine said. "As long as the pictures don't make it out of your sketchbook." She perched on the arm of the chair. "Speaking of sketches, Tony says the colored pencil shipment came in?"

Steve brightened. "Oh, good. I've been waiting for those." He grinned briefly. "And no, these stay in my sketch book."

"Good," Elaine said. She gave him a kiss. "And did you know Tony can text with his brain now? It's awesome."