That he’d notice wasn’t even a question in Pepper’s mind, and if she would have wondered more about just what had happened if she had known Rogue doubted it. But the woman didn’t offer that, or anything else beyond a refusal and apology. It left Pepper uncertain of what to say, to both Rogue and Tony. Having him notice that Rogue hadn’t been there would be bad enough; telling him that she’d left would be worse.

“Then…I guess you’d better go after all.” Pepper didn’t mask the regret at how horrible those words felt to say. She didn’t want Rogue to leave, or to think Pepper wished that. But what else could they do?