Edward's abrupt departure would no doubt come as a surprise to Steven when it happened. There had been nothing to indicate it was coming, not even a casual remark. Instead, Query and Echo would hand deliver the envelope to Steve a day after Ed had left. (They'd also offer him a few other things, most of them involving a trip to their club...)
Steven,
You have a myriad of other things to focus on, I am sure. SHIELD will undoubtably need your help reforming, and I have no doubt that you will gladly lend your skills to their cause.
A part of me knows that you'd insist that I could help as well. I think, however, it's best that I do not. Considering how much I mucked around in their servers, and weaponized most of their HQ, I really can't see them letting me anywhere close to so much as a SHIELD issue USB drive without a gun drawn. I wanted to avoid that argument and your dogged insistence, as you are so damnably quick to see the noble side of anyone, myself included. It's charming, and mind boggling at the same time.
Hence, my departure. I can already see the creases of worry forming in that face of yours, but do not worry, I have enough resources tucked away in various spots to make myself comfortable. The hideout that we shared is yours to use as long as you need it. And the girls will undoubtably fall over themselves to help you.
If they ask to stay over, be warned, they like to sleep in the nude.