A/N Thank to all of you who reviewed. They really are important to me and I do consider the input. Sorry this chapter took so long, this story kinda got slighted.

When Howard told Bernadette about what had happened with his Mother, she was naturally shocked. Her first reaction was to confront her, but Howard managed to convince her he should talk to Mike. She realized he was right, they had to get to some point of relating to Mike and his Mother before they could move on.

Although he would have preferred to put it off, he arranged to meet with Mike. For himself, Mike was curious what Howard wanted. He hoped he didn't think he was going to convince him he was the one for Bernadette. From what Mike had seen and heard about him, Bernadette could do much better. He ignored the little voice that told him it was Mike that wanted someone he could relate to more for a son-in-law.

Howard sat across from Mike, not sure how to start. He took a sip from the beer Mike had offered and taking a deep breath, "Mr. Rostankowski, I…"

"Just call me Mike."

"Mike. I admit I don't know exactly how to say this, so I'll just put it out there. When my mother heard that our families had both lived in Poland before and during the war, she told me I couldn't see Bernadette anymore."

Mike stared at him. What the Hell was he talking about? Where did she come off telling Howard couldn't see his daughter? Then he had to smirk at himself, realizing he had been doing the same thing. But what did them living in Poland have to do with it?

Howard took a deep breath and went on, "She told me that her grandfather had died in a Nazi Concentration Camp and although she realizes your family likely had nothing to do with that, she is afraid that if I continue to see Bernadette, she will be constantly reminded of the past."

Mike was stunned and then found himself getting angry, "Who the Hell does she think she is? What gives her the right to judge us?"

To his surprise, Howard didn't seem fazed, "I know what you are saying, but you have to understand how very personal this is to her. It has opened old wounds that she had sought to put behind her."

He paused, and went on quietly, "Mike, you have to realize how the events of that time shape the way we are. They are a part of us."

Mike felt himself cooling down, he was stunned by what Howard was saying. The strange part was, he had not until that moment really even thought about the fact that Howard was Jewish. It certainly didn't have anything to do about how he had felt about him.

But then he sighed and took a deep breath. He told a surprised Howard he would be right back. When he returned he realized he, like Howard's mother, could not escape the past.

Sitting down he handed Howard an old picture. Howard was stunned when he saw the picture of a man in an SS uniform.

Mike was speaking, "That is a picture of my grandfather. As you can see, he was a member of the SS." He took a deep breath and ran his fingers through what little hair he had," As far as I know, he was not directly involved with sending Jews to the camps but I don't suppose that means anything."

He went on, "My Father, his son, on the other hand, was appalled at what was happening. Afraid his own Father would turn him in, he ran away and joined the Polish Resistance. He lived through the war and then came to America. His father was killed on the Eastern Front."

"He died a few years ago. He wanted us to keep this picture to remind us of what can happen if people are not vigilant."

Both of them sat silently, deep in their own thoughts, thinking how events so long ago could still affect them.

Finally, Howard spoke, "Thanks, Mike, for being honest with me. I know this will offend you, but I have to ask, "Is my being Jewish having anything to do with why you don't want me to see your daughter."

For the first time, Mike had to smile, "Howard, I can honestly say, I would object to you if you were the Pope."

Seeing the look on Howard's face, his face softened, "But today I realize I need to take a longer look. It took courage for you to face me."

Howard was stunned, but then he smiled, "Thanks for that, Mike." He stood up, "I do want to say that no matter how you or my mother feel about it, I have decided I am going to continue to be with Bernadette until she dumps me."

Mike sighed resignedly, but then he said, "Do you want me to talk with your Mother? Maybe we should meet."

Howard was surprised but after thinking for a moment, "Let me tell her what I have learned here. Then I will see what she thinks."

Mike nodded. After they exchanged goodbyes, Mike sat thinking on the couch. His wife came out and sat beside him. "I see that you showed him the picture. How did he take it?"

"I don't know. He didn't really say anything. He said he was going to talk to his Mother. I told him I would be willing to meet with her if she wants to."

He went on, "I am thinking I might have underestimated Howard a little." He smiled and hurried on, "Oh, I still think he's a wimp and we have nothing in common, but if Bernadette is crazy enough to want to keep seeing him, I won't object."

Alex had finally gotten up the courage to talk to Zack. But now that he was with her, she wondered if it would such a good idea. But one thing had changed since she talked to Penny. She knew she wanted to continue to see him, to be his girlfriend.

She took a deep breath and started, "We need to talk."

Zack's guard immediately came up, he knew this usually did not bode well. But he couldn't imagine what could be wrong. Everything had been going great.

She went on, "Sometimes, in a relationship people are at different levels of intensity. One may be moving at a different pace that the other is ready for."

Zack had to smile, so it was this speech. Why was it that women always wanted to get a commitment before the guy was ready? Although, he had to admit, he thought he had shown how serious he was. He practically spent all his extra time with her.

Alex continued, "Zack, I really like you. And I like to spend time with you. And God knows, the sex is wonderful." She hesitated, "But I just feel we are moving too fast. I need for us to back off a little bit. I mean we are almost living together and I am not ready for that."

Zack was stunned. It was the opposite of what he expected. He found himself being having a feeling of rejection.

Alex sighed, "Don't get me wrong. I am glad to be your girlfriend and I want to keep seeing you. But I just need some time of my own."

After an awkward silence, Zack finally said, "If that is how you feel, I will try to do what you want. But I am going to miss being with you. I've found I just would rather be with you than do anything else."

Alex was surprised at what he was saying and wondered if she was doing the right thing. But then she knew things had to change, things were moving much too fast.

"Thanks, Zack and I really do like you. I just am not ready for this right now."

Zack nodded, but she could see he was still hurt. Maybe she should just let the other go. No, they needed to get it all out there. Taking a deep breath, she went on, "And there is something else."

Seeing the look on his face, she hated herself but knew this was necessary, "I don't know any easy way to say this. I need you to stop constantly asking me to help you with all the science questions you come up with."

Zack was stunned. He finally managed to get out, "But why. I though you enjoyed discussing those things with me."

Alex suddenly wished she had never started this, never got involved with Zack so she would have to do this. But if they were to have a real chance to be together, she had to get it out in the open.

"Zack, please know that I do care for you deeply. I would never want to hurt you. But if we are going to stay together, I need to say this." Looking him in the eyes, "It isn't a discussion. It is just me trying to explain something that…" She stopped and took a deep breath, "You are never going to understand."

Zack couldn't believe what he was hearing. The look he gave her caused her to lower her eyes. "You mean I am just too stupid to understand. You don't want to waste your time talking to someone who is so below you."

Alex felt herself tearing up, she tried to reach out to him but he pulled back, "You're not stupid, Zack. You're a successful business man." She tried to smile, "If I tried to talk sports with you, you would wonder about how dense I am. We all have our strengths and weaknesses." She grabbed his hands and looked back into his eyes, "I do not think you are stupid. I think you are a wonderful man. You have so much going for you. You are kind, gentle, loving. I want us to keep seeing each other. I love to be with you."

Zack struggled to settle down. He appreciated what she was trying to say. He finally got out, "I know you didn't want to hurt me and I want to believe you don't think I am stupid. I kind of get what you are saying about sports. But, if I took the time, I could make you an expert, but we both know you believe that I would never understand science that way."

"Zack, I have wanted to know. Why is that so important to you? Why do you care that you can't understand? There are a lot of people who would struggle the same way you do? Why are you so obsessed with it?"

She saw an emotion cross his face, but too quick to recognize. He gently took his hands away from hers. He felt himself tearing up. He couldn't believe what he was about to do. He knew she would never understand.

"Alex, I think we should stop seeing each other for a while. I need to think about what has just happened."

Alex was shocked, what was he saying? Oh, she had known it might be awkward between them for a while, but she had never imagined he would react like this. She knew she had hurt him, but she had tried to explain how she felt about him. How she did admire him.

"Why, Zack. I've told you that I do respect you, how I feel about you. That I don't think any less of you because you may struggle with science." Then she found herself getting a little angry, "Is your understanding science really that important? That you would give up what we have?"

Then she forced herself to relax, "Okay, Zack, I admit I don't understand. But maybe we both need some time to think."

She looked him in the eye, "But don't take too long."

Zack sadly nodded. Then they reached out for each other and hugged.

Zack stepped back and kissing her softly on the cheek, went out the door.

Penny looked over at Leonard's sleeping face. The lovemaking tonight had been as wonderful and satisfying as usual, but somehow even more intense. They had been together now for over a month and it all felt so natural, so right, like it was meant to be like this. She knew that it was too early for her to be thinking of their future, but she couldn't really conceive of a future without him. She just didn't know how much longer she could deny that she wanted to make it permanent. Sighing, she laid down and snuggled up to him, trying to be part of him.

Leonard laid quietly, knowing that Penny was looking at him. God, he loved her so much. He knew they had only lived together for a little over a month and had not even been together that long before that. He smiled to himself, but they really had been together from the moment he saw her.

He couldn't imagine ever feeling this way about someone else. And he believed she felt the same. He knew it was only a matter of time before he asked her to marry him.

Amy had trouble falling asleep. It had been a designated date night, but she had quickly agreed when Sheldon suggest they celebrate it at the apartment. It had been a wonderful evening. It had felt so much more intimate than if they had gone out. And then the obligatory after date kiss had turned into a make out session. There had even been a moment that she sensed there could be something more happening, but then Sheldon had ended it.

She smiled up at the ceiling, it was going to happen, she just knew it.

Sheldon hated it when he was missing out on a full night sleep, but it was eluding him. He had surprised himself when he had suggested having the date night at the apartment. He had told himself that it was for his benefit because it was easier, but he knew that wasn't the truth. He had wanted to be alone with her.

It had not even been that much of a shock when they went further than the normal kiss, but then he had been shocked when he realized he wanted more. He had suddenly realized their bodies were touching. He had felt stirrings that were surprising, yet pleasing.

He had practically torn himself from her. He was not ready to deal with what was happening. He had quickly said goodnight.

He never should have agreed to this arrangement. Having her there with him was doing things to him that both pleased and distressed him, causing him to think about things he wanted desperately to ignore.