Sheldon is no longer as tightly would as he once was.

Sheldon set his tray on the table and took his seat beside Howard. "Where is Leonard?"

Howard grimaced and pushed around his mac and cheese. "His mom is in town for the weekend. Staying with us. She insisted he spend the day escorting her around while she meets with her publisher."

Sheldon frowned slightly. "I didn't know his mom was a writer."

Howard nodded. "Cheesy romance novels mostly. Her latest is titled 'The Highland Lord's Mistress'. One of those historical romances where the girl is a virginal lady trying to escape a cruel life, and runs into a cynical, heartless rogue who she changes with her devotion and innocence."

Sheldon added dressing to his salad. "My mom loves those type of books."

Howard laughed lightly. "They're horribly unrealistic and very popular. She's made quite a living off them. Unfortunately, she spends so much time dreaming these stories up, she expects life to work that way. She hates me, and thinks I am ruining Leonard's chances of having a 'real' relationship. That I somehow tricked him into being gay."

Sheldon shook his head with bemusement. "That must be difficult to deal with since you two live together. Will this affect Halo night?"

Howard nodded. "That's another thing she hates. She thinks video games are too violent and that they turn people into psychotics. Same with sci-fi and comics."

Sheldon shuddered. "Well, we could always have Halo in my apartment."

Howard looked up with surprise. "Really? Thanks, Sheldon."

Sheldon nodded and began eating. It wasn't until he returned to his office that he realized he had actually invited someone over. He hated having people in his private space! Why would he invite anyone over? Okay, so Howard was his friend, but still! It was very out of character for him. He stared out the window as he thought about it deeper.

Four months ago he would never have even considered inviting someone over for video games. Was this yet another result of his therapy? He frowned slightly, mulling it over. He was actually looking forward to the event. Maybe not with the eagerness he would feel if Meemaw were visiting, or if Spock suddenly entered this reality and visited him, but he couldn't deny he was a bit eager. Sheldon took out his phone and dialed Missy's number. It rang a few times before she answered, sounding distracted.

"Hello?"

"Missy, I will be having company over this evening. Wolowitz and I will be playing Halo. Please purchase some pizzas and sodas on your way home. I believe you still have my Master Card from your shopping excursion on Sunday."

Missy was silent for a couple of seconds. "You're having company over?"

"Yes," he said, feeling slightly defensive. "Is that a problem?"

"Shelly, it's no problem at all!" Missy said happily. "I'll grab some things on my way home from work," she assured him.

Sheldon said goodbye and hung up. He could almost hear Missy's smile over the phone. He thought about the last few weeks carefully. He was not an openly affectionate person. He never had been, and he knew he never would be. However, he couldn't deny that lately he had found it a great deal easier to relax around his sister and friends. Planned activities, such as Klingon Boggle nights with Howard and Leonard, were no longer precisely 2 hours long. Now he tended to linger afterwards, talking to the couple about work, movies or comics. His evenings with Missy were more than the two of them watching TV. They talked, played cards, cooked and cleaned together.

They went shopping every Sunday morning together, and it had been three weeks since they had argued over purchases. They both had therapy on Thursdays now with separate counselors. Penny had recommended a very lively woman named Ginger Travers for Missy. Missy was slowly coming to terms with the past, able to speak more and more openly about what she had dealt with. He suspected that her increasing infatuation with her co-worker had something to do with that.

When he first started therapy he was almost positive it was a waste of time, but his desperation for funding had forced him to try. He would never have believed he would actually benefit from something so hippy-dippy. Yet, he couldn't deny the changes in him. He was actually more at ease nowadays. He no longer cringed at the thought of crowds. He didn't necessarily encourage people to interact with him, but he didn't avoid them either. In fact, Penny was the only person he spent days eagerly looking forward to seeing.

Penny. He was positive he was beginning to like her in a decidedly unprofessional way. The smell of her shampoo, the soft lilt of her voice… He was beginning to crave those things. He liked sitting beside her on that tiny loveseat, their bodies touching from knee to shoulder. He looked for reasons to make her smile of laugh. He wanted to know about her childhood, her life outside of her work, and her plans for the future. He wanted to know more about her. And he was afraid that if she found out, she would stop seeing him.

Sheldon sighed and turned toward his white boards. He had no idea what to do about this dilemma.

XTBBTX

Missy flinched as Bo flung some pans into the sink. For two days he had been edgy and short tempered. Even Becca was looking concerned. Missy finished cleaning the windows on the dessert case and walked over to Bo.

"Hey," she said cautiously. "Are you okay?"

Bo gripped the counter tightly and gave a stiff nod. "Peachy," he growled. "The rye bread needs bagged."

Missy reached out a hand and he jumped away. Missy bit her lip hard, flinching from the anger in his eyes. "Bo, what's wrong? We're worried about you," she said softly.

Untied his apron with jerky movements, tossing it on the counter. "Becca! Watch the Italian loaves. I'm taking off early!"

Without waiting for an answer Bo walked stiffly out the back door. Missy's shoulders drooped and she blinked back tears. A napkin appeared in front of her face. She looked over at Becca who smiled gently.

"Bo has MS. It's not easy on him when he's feeling weak. He used to be a photographer. He was in Iraq during Desert Storm. The photos he took were incredible. Heartbreaking, even. He was traveling with some troops and they got attacked. Bo was shot in the hip. Five of the soldiers were killed. Edith told me that he was in pretty bad shape for a long time. Every now and then he has these episodes. He just needs to get some rest and he'll bounce back."

Missy stared at the backdoor for a few minutes. She wished she knew how to help him. She liked him so much, and wanted him to like her. Maybe if she found a way to fix his problems, he would realize they were good for one another. She could see it in her head. He'd be so happy and grateful! They would fall in love and everything would be perfect!

Missy sighed wistfully and headed over to the sink to wash the pans Bo had left behind. Becca checked the loaves in the oven and put away the pans when Missy washed them. Between the two of them they had everything cleaned and put away in no time.