It wasn't supposed to be a mess, the Soldier wasn't even supposed to be out here, but then Tony should have better anticipated someone seeking similar solitude, and definitely should have taken the hint the first time he was dismissed. There was a tick of irritation in his jaw, and he finally threw aside the garbage that he had been meticulously shredding. If the Soldier had at least gotten angry with Tony's needling, he would have known what to do with that.

He didn't directly answer, instead replying, "You'd recognize it again. Something that was theirs. Something they might care about." When he did answer, it was with a cautious, sidelong look and a short nod, guarded against being refused again, either because the Soldier just didn't want to be involved, or was going to tell him no one should bother. Before the Soldier could deliver the bad news, he continued, "What makes you so sure? That we don't have the chips." Not confrontational, for once; a genuine question.