A.N. Thank you to everyone for their lovely and helpful comments on the last fic. This is going to be a bit different and I hope better written than the last fic.
Disclaimer: I do not own any thing but the words I've written.
"In a world where humans communicate through a series of physical gestures, who wins the American Revolution?" Sheldon asked enthusiastically. He knew the question was a good one.
"France." Amy smiled
"Defend"
"In a world where human interactions are dictated by physical gestures political dominance is defined by the country that possesses the newest technology in visual communication. Spain rises to power on the development of early sign language in the 17th century and colonizes the Americas. In the 18th century France's development of the semaphore telegraph challenges Spain's dominance. French pilgrims in the America rebel. War breaks out, France triumphs."
"Very good Amy." Sheldon said. He was always impressed by Amy's ability to think critically. She was the only person who could match his grasp of reason.
Tonight was Saturday, Laundry Night, but more recently it had become Counterfactuals Night. At first the game was played over Skype, the way most of Sheldon's interactions with Amy occurred but recently counterfactuals included a visit. Normally physical proximity to Amy was unnecessary but something had changed; though he'd never been an enthusiast of change, he didn't mind the result.
"Okay, now it's my turn" Sheldon said preparing for the challenge.
"In a world where monkeys…" Amy was interrupted by the ringing of her phone, "Excuse me Sheldon."
Sheldon watched Amy as she spoke to the caller. He noticed that despite her habit of showing little emotion she smiled and blushed as she spoke. Sheldon was shocked when he heard what could only be described as a giggle.
"Alright Dr. Egan, I mean Patrick, we will meet Thursday."
"Who's Dr. Egan?" Sheldon asked feeling an uncomfortable confusion brewing.
"Patrick is a work colleague. He is the medical doctor that consulted on the study of trigeminal neuralgia that we did in the lab." Amy responded, without a hint of the giddiness she'd displayed earlier.
"I believe the study has concluded." Sheldon probed.
"Yes, it has.'
Sheldon was confused. "Why then are you meeting him on Thursday?"
"I believe that the meeting is intended to further discuss the study and not to socialize. In any case I am glad he called, we've gotten along very well these past two weeks." Again Amy did not seem too excited. It appeared that Amy had no idea that Dr. Egan may have different motives for his call. For the first time it was Sheldon who felt the need to explain the social implications to Amy.
"I believe you may be mistaken Amy; though I am no expert in the field of social interactions I believe that you have just agreed to a romantic date with this Egan fellow."
It was now that Amy smiled causing Sheldon's indefinable discomfort to worsen. "I assure you Sheldon," she responded "that Dr. Egan has purely academic motives. Moreover such romantic overtures would be shocking to me; as you know I am not inclined to have relationships that add so little to human interactions. I am far too logical for that."
Sheldon's discomfort was somewhat abated. He was assured once more that Amy was on the right path. "I'm glad you feel that way Amy, I would hate to see you seduced away from rational thinking for a man, let alone a medical doctor."
"Could it be that your relief is caused by the assurance that I am not entering into a romantic courtship; that is to say that such a courtship would cause you to be jealous?" Amy was smiling again and that smile caused Sheldon discomfort. He thought about whether or not she was correct in believing that he was jealous. Jealousy was a feeling that was rare in a truly logical person and furthermore romantic jealousy was a feeling he was convinced he'd never feel.
"No, I believe you are incorrect," he responded after a short pause, "I don't feel jealousy I am merely concerned for your intellectual well being."
"If that is the case, you will have no problem if the meeting is, as you predicted, a romantic one." she asked, testing the limits of Sheldon's forbearance.
Sheldon's confusing anger grew once more." Of course I wouldn't mind," he said unconvincingly, "although it appears that, despite your fained naiveté, you are at the mercy of your baser urges once again."
"I assure you that you are mistaken. Would you like to continue the game Sheldon?" She noticed how angry Sheldon had become and she felt that she may have gone too far.
"I don't want to play anymore," he replied "I have to do my laundry any way. You can show yourself out" Sheldon got up and walked to his room. Amy sat for a moment considering what had just occurred and then got up and left the apartment.