Elliot went ahead and got a couple of slices of the pizza, setting them on the plate and his were on the slices. "She's a really good friend. Darlene and I knew here since we were kids."

Grabbing one of the beers, he smiled at TJ as he slid past him and went to the couch. There was a careless way that he let their arms brush, a little intentional because he wanted to test himself. He wondered if it was temporary the way things were so comfortable around TJ, he could talk easier, could touch easier. It didn't really broach normal, he knew that, but it was different.

Then again, TJ was different from just about anyone else in his life. He sort of reminded Elliot of Darlene but with her crazy taken down a few notches or two. Or if Darlene and Angela were just merged into one person that person would be kind of like TJ. So, he guessed, it'd been natural that he start to feel comfortable because even though TJ was newer there was something familiar in him. And he'd proven himself already to be worthy of Elliot's trust and that his friendship was valuable.