Multiplayer in Skyrim? Serious question.

I know Skyrim is only a one player game and I love it for that. For a single player game to be this incredibly successful is awesome.

But as I'm sitting here watching my buddy play Skyrim, I'm wishing I could show him my character and all the cool stuff I have. That got me thinking and I'm sure I'm not the only one who could imagine Bethesda coming up with a way for one, say, Xbox live friend to join another's world. Now there would have to be limits to what the invited person could do.

Maybe the person who joins their friends world can't do anything that would harm it like, killing people who aren't already attacking the player, or talking to anyone to start or end a quest. All they would be there for is to travel together, share loot they find only in the world and the invited character can't take any back, help their friends in quests (by fighting). Any more ideas you guys can think of?

I think this is very possible and if any game company could do it why not Bethesda? I'm sure they have the time and resources to make something like this considering Skyrim's success. Eh? eH? EH? I donno? I just think it would be incredible. Think this is possible?