The Workplace Romance Conundrum

Disclaimer: I do not own the characters or anything TBBT related.

One of the fascinating things I took from the Season 11 finale was the moment Denise and Stuart had. It has me wondering what might happen between them In Season 12 of the show if Denise does become a recurring character and a possible relationship that might begin between the two of them. In terms of the story, I do not know how many chapters I will end up with or where the story will go, the plan will be to keep the chapters much shorter than the other stories I have done and perhaps more simpler involving mainly two characters. If there is some demand for it then I might try and plan some more chapters out, if not then I'll probably try to conclude in say two or three chapters.

So on to the story and I hope you like it:


CHAPTER ONE

The reception at the Athenaeum had been going on for a number of hours now, the wedding toasts and meals were over and now the music was starting to play towards the bottom end of the large dining room which had a dance floor. Lady in Red by Chris De Burgh was playing in the background as Sheldon and Amy were dancing in the center of the floor, the majority of the guests entranced and either smiling or wiping away tears as they were watching the newly married couple take their first dance.

Over at one of the tables Stuart was finishing what was left of his meal, he was always hungry and made he sure he ate everything. It was an old habit from when times were a lot harder when the store was not doing as well and he was struggling to find a roof over his head. Back then sometimes he didn't know when he was going to get his next proper meal. But his store was now doing well, he had a good home thanks to his friends Howard and Bernadette and most recently he had met Denise.

Denise, wonderful Denise he thought. She is a real asset to the store he thought to himself, she knows her stuff, has a real passion for comics and is great with the customers but is there something else there? Stuart's brain was trying to process what Denise had said to him at the ceremony as they were waiting for Sheldon and Amy to tie the knot. 'You are so hot' she said right? Stuart started to mull over the comments and shook his head, no it was just my knowledge of the Star Wars franchise he thought to himself, she's just as much of a Star Wars fan as I am and she was just impressed that I knew all that stuff, it must just be that. Or maybe I was just sweating profusely and she noticed?

Stuart looked over at Denise to his right, she had finished her meal and had a glass of white wine in her hand. She was smiling watching Sheldon and Amy dancing away and seeing other couples start to take to the floor and join them.

"So, have you had a good time?" asked Stuart.

Denise looked over at Stuart and smiled "Yes I did, thank you. How about you?"

"Free food and good company with friends? Yes, I have" he replied with a smile on his face.

Denise with the wine glass in her hand started to sway to the music and hum along, she looked at the dance floor now which was really starting to fill up.

"Do you want to dance?" she asked him.

Stuart nervously started messing with his collar and bow tie, at that moment it felt so tight like it was going to suffocate him.

"I… I don't think that will be a good idea. I have flat feet so I can't dance and anyway I'll just end up crushing yours" he replied looking slightly redden.

"Come on!" she said as she grabbed his arm and pulled him out his chair and towards the dance floor. Stuart had no choice in the matter all he could emit was a squeak as he was forced on to the dance floor.

The music changed and another slow number filled the room, the rest of the couples carried on dancing. Denise placed Stuart's arm around near the small of her back as she placed her hand near his shoulder, with her other hand she grabbed his hand and held it tight. They moved along with the music slowly with Stuart awkwardly trying not to stand on her feet.

"See you can do it" she said smiling.

"I'm trying" he replied, Stuart's face still red and looking around to see if people were looking at them as they danced. Nobody was looking at them, they were with their partners dancing away to the music.

They danced away and then carried on as the next song played, Stuart started to look more comfortable and more graceful with his movements. When the other wasn't looking they took brief glances at each other and smiled. Neither of them saw the other looking but both could feel there was something there as they danced, some kind of spark.

"It's getting really hot in here" said Stuart as they stopped dancing and he wiped his brow.

"Yes, it is" Denise replied. "Shall we go outside for some fresh air?" she asked him.

"Let's" he answered with almost a sound of relief in his voice.

The two of them made their way outside to the cool air outside the stuffy venue. It was early evening, it was starting to go dark but there was still some light, there was a nice cooling breeze outside that was most welcome to both Denise and Stuart as they were standing near the entrance to the Athenaeum and the surrounding car park. Tall palm trees and some beautiful trellises with plants in full bloom nearby.

"That's much better" said Stuart as he loosened his red and striped bow tie and breathed in the fresh cool air with a deep breath.

"Yes" replied Denise as she too was enjoying the cool breeze.

There was a period of silence as they both looked around the campus taking in the stunning views. Again both of them took glances at each other when the other wasn't looking, as soon as eye contact was almost made the other quickly looked away.

"So, we have that delivery on Monday. Got some Avengers Infinity War figurines coming in" Stuart said excitedly.

Denise smiled and nodded but said nothing.

"I was thinking maybe we can put some kind of display up for them, maybe you had some ideas on how best we can do that?" he said.

Denise again smiled but said nothing. She acknowledged that she had heard him but she looked like she was in deep thought about something else like she was distracted.

"I was thinking maybe 200 dollars for the…" Stuart stopped suddenly as Denise moved closer and suddenly kissed him. The force of the kiss jolted him back a little.

As they embraced Denise closed her eyes and Stuart soon followed, she gently took hold of his hand and held it perhaps to reassure him. Stuart gently touched her cheek with his other hand. It felt warm and nice Stuart thought to himself, he had forgotten what it was like to kiss a woman it had been such a long time. It felt like an eternity had passed them by when they finally parted and then they both smiled at each other. Still holding his hand Denise was about to say something when Stuart's expression suddenly changed, he let go of her hand and hurriedly walked away.

Denise watched him quickly walk away but said nothing, he didn't look back as he increasingly gained speed as he left the campus in the direction of the nearest taxi stand.