They could be both. [Pepper interjects there, not so eager to believe in deities as portrayed in mythology. Aliens are easier, somehow. Funny how perception works.] There's been debate for years about ancient gods actually being aliens. People just didn't have to take it quite so seriously before.

[She's quiet again though, when Tony talks about SHIELD keeping secrets. Phase Two had been bad enough, from what Tony had told her, not to mention the nuclear missile. Given the story Sue shared, Pepper is pretty concerned about what they might come up with next.]