Comparing his little girlfriend to an 'enviromental protestor' manages to steal a snort out of Michelle, who smiles despite herself before she rubs at her nose, blinking back tears that are not just the product of her allergies. She's worried sick now and knows she's reached a limit in this conversation. Is it worth it, reminding Ted just how unstoppable his optimism can be sometimes?

What if he's putting far too much faith in a relationship with this girl? His neck is on the line every time he makes these decisions with someone who's not part of the family. One thing is Beard, another... Some girl that makes him feel less lonely. Him, the father of her kid. Who she's still loves in some way, as family.

"Okay," she finally agrees, even though it's clear she's far from content with the state of things and a lot has been left unsaid. "Maybe--" She considers things for a moment, but asking him to talk to Jake like he used to? Before they ended their relationship. Perhaps it's too much. "Have you talked to anybody about this aside from Beard?"

That goes without saying. Of course Beard knows.