Pepper/Steve.
People don't really look too closely for the source of a problem when all they're really after is something to blame. And they're start with whatever is handy, all too often.
What's going on with your assistant?
I'm -- well, you know. I'm glad I'm not being shot at and can get my head above water and back involved in things. I've never been one to sit things out, but the situation isn't at all like what happened with the Winter Soldier or SHIELD back home, so I thought if I tried something, I'd only complicate what was already happening.