Sheldon sat at the kitchen island, combing through a box filled with old family photos. Leonard leaned before him, looking at the pictures Sheldon handed to him.

"How much of this do you think was my real dad?" Sheldon asked, his voice hard. "How many times do you think Uncle Jakob walked in and out of my life and I didn't even notice whether my dad was working late, or hooking up, or drinking past midnight again? They could have never told me my father had died, and Uncle Jakob could have just...been there, all the time, being my father. What a story that would make; you walk onto the set of Jerry Springer and find out your uncle's been doing your mom just to trick the dumb kid." He threw a photograph onto the island and shook his head.

"You weren't a dumb kid."

"I would've been! I wouldn't have seen a difference; I didn't last night." Distraught, Sheldon pushed his chair away from the table and took five steps toward the hall, but a knock on the door of 4A made him halt. His eyes followed Leonard as his roommate crossed the suite and opened the door.

"Hi, Mary, come on in."

"Thank you, dear." Mrs. Cooper entered the apartment, turning her smile to her son. "Hi, Shelly!"

Rooted in place, Sheldon looked trapped. Finally he stepped off the ledge and into the living room. "Would you like a beverage? Or a drink?"

Leonard and Mrs. Cooper looked oddly at him.

"Okay, maybe later." Sheldon turned back and began pushing the mess of photos back into the box with trembling hands.

"Where is this friend you want me to meet?" Mrs. Cooper asked.

"He's not here yet," Sheldon snapped, hugging the box to his chest. With long strides he carried the photos down the hall.

Leonard exchanged a glance with Mrs. Cooper. "He's just a little out of sorts."

"Why?"

Leonard paused, and then said, "Uh, intestinal distress."

"Too much Big Bran, or not enough?"

Leonard was trying to decide how badly he wanted to have this conversation when Sheldon strode down the hall and into the kitchen. "For your information there is nothing wrong with my bowels, and I don't appreciate the discourse."

"You seem on-edge; we're worried about you, Shelly."

"My bowels are fine," his voice was about the temperature of an icicle.

"Are you sure? I mean, I've noticed the regulators up on yer shelves, but I've never seen 'em empty."

"I restock them. New topic, PLEASE."

A knock on his door answered his metaphorical prayer. Sheldon strode door to the door and turned to face his mother. "This might come as a shock," he said, as Mrs. Cooper walked toward him. "But I really want you to meet this man. If you haven't already." He gave her a hard, considering look before turning and pulling the door open.

"I think you're right, Shelly; this guy does look familiar," Mrs. Cooper said, and Meemaw's brows went up.

"Good to see ya, Moon Pie. Mary, dear...I'm gonna let that one slide. And you," Meemaw answered, as she entered the apartment and walked toward Leonard. "Why are you still here? You should be livin' with your wife."

"I'm moving out slowly," Leonard answered. "To make it easier on Moon Pie."

"How precious is that? Well, honey, glaciers are movin' faster. I mean, this is nonsense. You've kissed her, you've slept with her; the best part of your relationship is already old news. At this rate movin' in is gonna be your last act of romance."

While Sheldon, his mother and his Meemaw sat in the living room, Leonard considered her words.

"So do you know who Shelly's mystery guest is?" Mrs. Cooper asked Meemaw.

"No."

"Me neither. Seems he ain't tellin' neither of us nothin'."

"And for your information," Sheldon called to Leonard, "Only Meemaw gets to call me Moon Pie."

"Okay, Shelly," Leonard answered, as he headed swiftly for the door. "Whatever you say."

Sheldon glowered at Leonard's retreating back as he left, pulling the door closed behind him.

"Can you give us a hint?" Mrs. Cooper asked.

"Uh, well, he's a scientist, too."

Mrs. Cooper and Meemaw smiled at each other. "Aw, Shelly's got a new friend," Mrs. Cooper tittered. "How sweet; I guess everybody was wrong about you."

"Any more hints?" Meemaw prodded quickly, upon seeing his face.

"Certainly. He performs crazy experiments all the time. I mean, crazy. Next to him I look like a child prodigy all over again," Sheldon gushed.

"Sounds interesting," Mrs. Cooper replied. "When's he supposed to be here?"

"Well..." Sheldon craned his head to see the clock. "Ten minutes ago."

"Oh, I'm sure he'll be here," Meemaw said, patting his arm.

"Of course. Why wouldn't he?" Sheldon asked quickly, his voice a whip. "Just because he and I are barely strangers and now he's coming to my home, a privilege I don't even like giving to friends - a privilege I don't even like my roommate having."

"Still? You need to shape up, Moon Pie."

The door opened and Leonard, looking over his shoulder, said, "Welcome to his not-so-humble abode."

"Not so humble? You know, he's kind of like me." Jakob Cooper stepped through the doorway, and Mrs. Cooper, sitting in the recliner, slid forward at the familiar sight, her shaky hand setting her cup down on the coffee table with a clatter. Meemaw turned in her seat. They openly stared, making no attempt to hide her surprise.

"Oh dear God." Mrs. Cooper stood, and cut her judgmental eyes to her son. "Shelly, what sort'a sick joke is this?"

"Sick joke!"

"You said nothin' about exorcism."

He tried to look loving. "You mean a s ance. Exorcism is the banishment of the spirit."

Jakob extended a hand to her. "George is still good and dead; I'm Jakob."

The pain cleared from her eyes, leaving her only to look red in the face. "Oh," she said quietly. She reached out and slowly shook his hand. "How - how did you find Sheldon?"

Sheldon nodded; he had anticipated the question.

"Last night, at a restaurant. It was a complete fluke; it was bizarre, it was..."

"Despite your best efforts, perhaps," Sheldon muttered.

Mary turned to face him, her mouth open, but she found she could not lie anymore. They had found each other - it was futile to try. "Okay. Okay, I didn't want you to meet."

"And Meemaw?"

"Shelly, you're right; she did...let me help her," Mary finished in a rush, making his eyes go wide.

"It was her idea? Why?"

"Well, when your father died; your grandma didn't want there to be any reminders."

Sheldon considered. "I suppose that makes sense."

Sheldon sat in his Spot as Mary and Jakob took their seats.

-0-0-0-0-

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Yesss...I have Steve Spangler in mind as Jakob/George. Just picture him aged a bit with makeup.