[Pepper has to wonder just how much difference a few weeks can make; Billy adores Iron Man, almost idolizes him (at least so far as the armor goes). So is it because of the different time, if there's something Susan knows--or because Billy also sees Tony for who he is.]

Fair enough. [Although Pepper wants to ask Billy right away, she's already asked a fair bit of Susan--Sue. It's only right that she gives on her end.

When the woman tries to brush aside her concerns, however, Pepper gives her a polite smile.] I'm sure it must be a relief. But you'll understand why I want to be cautious. It's a small village. It'd be all too easy for a casual remark to be overheard by the wrong person--or even said directly to them, if for example, you don't know what someone looks like because your version of them died before you were born.

[She takes out her journal again, flips back a few pages. Then she'll turn the book toward Sue, so she can see the video of Howard himself.

It doesn't play for long, but at least this way, Sue will have an idea. She sets the journal aside after it's done, then does a quick tally in her head.]

Tony's been Iron Man for a little over two years now. [Not counting Luceti, as Pepper silently reminds herself.] I'm not sure about Steve. SHIELD gave Tony some information on him recently, but I didn't get a close look at it.

[That had been part of Tony's homework. Pepper just bribed him to do it.]