The Adjustment Configuration
This story sees everyone readjusting their lives in the wake of Sheldon leaving at the end of last season. Will Sheldon return and how will Amy cope his absence? Will Raj find and keep a hold of a girl? Will Bernadette change her mind about having kids and will Leonard and Penny conflict with their wedding choices?
Chapter 1
It was just a few short days since Sheldon had left and it was the first time that everyone was coming round since he'd gone, so Leonard and Penny (who had virtually moved in) were cleaning up the apartment, while being careful not to move any of Sheldon's things incase he came back any moment.
"Hey is the food ready?" asked Penny.
"Yup, I just made the call, it'll be any minute"
"Cool"
Minutes later 3 large pizza's were delivered and then not long after that there was a knock at the door and Howard, Raj, Amy and Bernadette all took part in a mock up of Sheldon's ritualistic behaviour while each saying only one word at a time.
"I'll get it" states Penny.
She then walks over to answer the door and she and Leonard each greet their friends before all 6 take up their usual seats, meaning that Sheldon's spot is left clear. It's not until everyone is settled that they realise it is clear, they all then look at the empty space.
"It's strange isn't it?" ponders Bernadette.
"What is?"
"You know what, no offense to you guys but it kind of doesn't seem right being here without Sheldon"
"I know what you mean, I half expect him to walk through the door and moan that we're having Pizza on Thai night" says Leonard which earns a chuckle from the group.
"I miss him" lamented Amy.
"C'mon guys, the long and terrible reign of Sheldon Lee Cooper is over, we can finally do whatever we want, shouldn't we be happy?"
"Howard, just because you don't miss him as much as others here doesn't give you the right to make those of us who do miss him feel bad".
"Sorry"
"It's ok, has anyone heard from him, he won't answer my calls?" asks Amy.
"He's with his mom in Texas, she called the day after he left".
"Did she say anything else?"
"Just that he seemed different, whatever that means"
"Amy, he'll be fine, he's with his family"
"I know, I just wish he was here"
"Hey, let's forget about being sad, Penny, Leonard, how are the wedding plans coming along?"
"Err, they're not"
"Why?"
"Because we've only been engaged a couple of weeks, that's why?"
"I could always help, I mean if you want me to that is?"
"You know what, when we start planning, I'll call you, deal"
"Deal"
A little while later, after they have all finished eating and the clearing up has been done, another tricky topic of conversation comes up.
"Does anyone know how Stuart is, I mean after the fire?"
"Oh he's fine, he's taking care of my mother"
"He is?"
"Yeah, he loves it, the crazy person"
"What's he gonna do about the store?" asks Penny.
"Not sure, I just feel really sorry for him"
"Was he insured?"
"I don't think so"
"We should help him, get everyone to pool together some money so he can fix the place up, get started again, what do you think?" enquires Bernadette.
"Bernie, you don't even like comic books"
"It's not about that, he's a friend and he's in trouble, the man has just lost his livelihood for crying out loud, come on guys".
"We could get Captain Sweatpants and everyone else to chip in a little bit, then we might just get enough".
"Let's do it" they all agreed
And so they all began to discuss how they were going to raise the money to help Stuart out and about an hour later Howard, Raj, Amy and Bernadette all left the apartment to go back to their own homes.
End of Chapter