This is my second BBT Fanfiction, and while my first was a bit unorganized I have a clear vision with this one. I realize I might not be the best fanfiction writer ever, I do believe that if I can make at least one love this story then it is all worth it!
I hope for everyone to review. I enjoy reviews a lot. Even if they aren't positive I enjoying learning what I do wrong. So please review!
****Fair warning! There is a character death that plays with this story. I do not particularly like this character. ****
Sheldon found himself walking home from work for the third time this week. Penny's busy, Leonard's busy. Honestly, he thought, he knew they were purposely doing it to prove a point. Sheldon needs to appreciate them more before they continue complying with his "every need". Sheldon appreciates them but, he doesn't know how to show it as well. He wasn't about to buckle under their pressure though. They wanted to prove Sheldon needs them more than anything else.
It is Wednesday though. A day both Sheldon and Leonard both love too much to miss. So, Sheldon walked home cautiously. Every crossroad section he looked both ways twice, sometimes more. If he saw a car coming that was speeding, but still had more than enough time, he waited for the car to pass before checking again and again waiting for no cars. Safety is important. Being cautious can save lives. Finally, Sheldon turned the corner to their apartment complexes street. He was relieved to finally reach their apartment complex. He unlocked the door and entered. He found Penny at her mailbox.
"Good afternoon, Penny." Sheldon greeted.
"Hey Sheldon." Penny smiled.
They walked up the stairs together quietly.
"How is work?" Sheldon asked.
"It's fine, I guess. Why?" Penny questioned.
Sheldon almost never asks how Penny's day or work is.
"I assumed that is what has kept you so busy recently. I have had to walk home the last three days. Yesterday, a big dog chased me all the way home." Sheldon frowned.
Penny had a guilty face.
"Oh, yeah, they gave me extra shifts. One of the workers, Danielle, quit." Penny lied.
Sheldon knew she lied too. She just told Leonard a story about this Danielle two days ago. It was about her breaking dishes, not about her quitting. Penny knew he knew she lied too, he remembers everything! Why would she use Danielle when there are four other waitresses she's never even mentioned before!
"I see. Leonard also has been working late. Ironic that both of you have been working extra in the same week." Sheldon grumbled.
"I guess so." Penny half smiled.
"Well see ya." Penny said entering her apartment.
Sheldon was positive he saw Leonard in there. Penny opened and closed the door so quickly though. How can he solve this problem? He thought awhile. Maybe he should just tell Leonard how much he appreciates him, even if he doesn't mean it as much as he will say. He went to his computer, opened a new document and typed, "The Appreciation Hypothesis" as the title. He might as well make an experiment out of his problem. He typed his hypothesis. He then changed documents to his other experiment that has been going on for seven years now. He's made interesting discoveries about himself through this experiment as well.
Leonard came back into the apartment, looking as if he just got home from Caltech. With Sheldon walking home now he gets home later than usual, which makes comic book store time approach quicker than usual.
"Are you ready to go to the comic book store?" Leonard asked.
Sheldon nodded. He saved his work, shut of his computer, and then followed Leonard out their apartment door.
"How was work?" Sheldon questioned.
"It went…well." Leonard said eyeing his roommate.
Not only did he ask Penny about her work, now he asked him? He knew Sheldon was smart enough to know that they must be up to something. Leonard smiled at this though, that means he has won!
They sat in silence while driving to the comic book store. When they arrived Sheldon got out of the car, and entered Stuart's store. Only to find Amy and Stuart chatting as Amy twirled her hair. They both looked at Sheldon.
"Hey, Sheldon!" Amy greeted.
"Afternoon, Amy." Sheldon greeted back.
"May I ask why you are here?" Sheldon asked.
"Stuart invited me to stop by to give me a drawing. I knew you come her Wednesdays so here I am!" Amy explained.
"Oh. Where is the drawing?" Sheldon asked as he examined her empty hands.
"He has to get his sketchbook from his car." Amy said.
"Oh." Sheldon said as he looks though comics.
"Whatcha looking for?" Amy asked.
"A comic book I do not have." Sheldon answered a little harsh.
"Sheldon, what's wrong?" Amy asked.
"I did not come here on a Wednesday night to be socially inclined to converse with you; I came here to get a new comic book." Sheldon snapped.
"Fine, I'll just go talk to Stuart then." Amy announced.
"Alright." Sheldon intoned.
Amy sighed. She hoped to get a jealous reaction out of Sheldon. She clearly didn't get one. He didn't even care! So, she did exactly what she said she was going to do talk to Stuart.
"Hey Stuart." Amy frowned.
"Hey! Sheldon in a bad mood?" Stuart asked.
"Yeah, he always is recently! When I asked Leonard about it a few times, he's said that Sheldon's been fine with him. I don't get it!" Amy ranted loud enough for a nearby Leonard to hear.
"You know, if you want to ever just relax with someone, we can go out." Stuart offered.
Amy thought. This is the perfect thing to do to make Sheldon jealous! He will realize that he is so close to losing me! That he will come to where ever Stuart and Amy are, and fix things. Just like they she had done before. It's a perfect plan!
"Tomorrow night?" Amy asked.
"Okay, sure, yeah." Stuart rambled.
"Would you like to do dinner and a movie maybe? They made the new Monsters Inc. movie and Sheldon won't go with me." Amy frowned.
"Yeah, sure, I want to see that too." Stuart agreed.
"Great. Can I have that drawing now? I want to go home." Amy asked.
"Oh, yeah, here." Stuart said ripping a page from his sketchbook.
"Wow. You drew me?" Amy awed.
"Yeah."
"Thank you Stuart. It's beautiful."
"You're welcome."
"I'll see you tomorrow night at six."
"Yeah, sure."
Leonard pretended to be looking at comics when Amy turned around and walked out of the store. Once she was gone he went straight to Sheldon.
"Sheldon, Amy just asked Stuart like out on a date." Leonard rattled.
"Doubtful, we are dating." Sheldon reciprocated.
"It's not a date date, but it's one of those hangouts people go on before they break up." Leonard elaborated.
Sheldon looked up from the comics, and moved his fingers.
"If Amy wishes to "breakup" with me she can do it at any time." Sheldon narrowed his eyes at Leonard.
"Leonard, I ask you to do two things here." Sheldon paused. "I hope you to respect my relationship with Amy enough not to tell everyone. I would also like you to let me handle it. If Amy wishes to seek more human compassion than I am able to give, well, then she should move on to Stuart. I must handle my relationship the way I wish. I do not wish to engage in any amorous activities with her any time soon, and if she doesn't respect that and wants someone who can do that, she should move on."
"Uhh..I don't know Sheldon. I think I should help you out here." Leonard protested.
"Leonard, I appreciate your offer to help, however I do not wish to have it." Sheldon countered.
Leonard was taken aback by Sheldon saying he appreciated Leonard's offer to help.
"Yeah, okay, I understand. If you change your mind, you know where I'll be." Leonard responded.
"Thank you." Sheldon smiled.
Sheldon took advantage of his situation. While, he did feel as though if Amy needed more than what he offers she should leave, but he took advantage of Leonard's offer to help. He was definitely going to decline it, anyways, but him adding in the thank you and I appreciate it really helped him. Typically, Leonard would comply only if he said some nasty remark. Kindness apparently works just as well, leaving the other with the apparent feeling of guilt for the other. Sheldon liked the rude remarks better. They made Leonard not want to help and he didn't feel bad for Sheldon.
Sheldon saw Howard and Raj talking to Leonard. He needs to know if Leonard tells them or not. When he's rude, Leonard always tells them what happened. Sheldon knew Penny is going to know anyways, so he can count her out of his "Amy Break-up Theory". Amy, he is sure, has already told her of her "date" with Stuart. He was positive Leonard would tell Penny anyways. Leonard rarely keeps anything from Penny, despite his dismay. Another thing Sheldon looks forward to seeing is how Leonard allows Penny to interact with him when they get back to their apartment. Is Leonard going to allow Penny to tell him how much of an "idiot" he is, or will Leonard stop her?
Sheldon purchased two comic books, and Leonard bought three. Raj and Howard purchased a new action figure, which Leonard and Sheldon already had.
"Sheldon?" Stuart spoke as he turned to leave.
"Yes?" Sheldon asked.
"I don't want you to find out a different way, but Amy and I are going to hang out tomorrow. Is that okay with you?" Stuart asked.
"Of course it is Amy is her own person, therefore free to do what she would like. If she wishes to spend time with a friend who am I to stop her?" Sheldon confirmed.
"That's really cool of you." Stuart boasted.
Sheldon didn't fully understand. Sure, Amy is his girlfriend, but he didn't see why Leonard thinks Amy spending time with Stuart a big deal. Yes, Stuart use to like Amy and maybe he still does, but if Amy wishes to spend time with a friend he isn't going to tell her not to. Amy doesn't tell Sheldon not to spend time with Penny just because she's a girl. He doesn't own Amy.
Leonard looked at Sheldon in the car. Sheldon didn't understand Leonard's empathy either. It isn't like he is dating Amy. If Amy and Stuart end up dating, that's something out of Sheldon's hands. If someone is your friend, wouldn't you want best for them? Even if that means allowing them to date someone else for the sake of their happiness? Of course, that just may be Sheldon hoping things will work out in his favor.
"I don't think you understand Sheldon." Leonard spoke suddenly.
"I understand quite fine. Amy and Stuart are spending time together, I spend time with Penny. Just because one is friends with another of the opposite sex does not mean they are attracted to each other." Sheldon huffed.
"Yes but, Amy was complaining about you before she told Stuart she'd go out on their just friends date. Sheldon, don't you see she's trying to get you jealous!" Leonard interjected.
"I have complained about you before spending time with Penny, does that mean I was trying to make you jealous?" Sheldon argued.
"Whatever." Leonard huffed.
Sheldon had a point. Maybe Amy and Stuart are just friends? Maybe this is Amy's way of putting up with Sheldon's freakish ways.
When Sheldon and Leonard arrived at their apartment, they calmly walked up the stairs without exchanging a word. After they had entered their apartment, not more than five minutes later Penny came in.
"Sheldon!" Penny called out.
"Where's Sheldon?" Penny asked.
"His room." Leonard informed Penny.
"Sheldon!" Penny called out before opening his door.
"Penny!" Sheldon yelled.
Sheldon quickly stood up from his bed, where he laid, and began walking in front of Penny forcing her to exit his room. Penny stared at him with an angry glance. Sheldon knew his neighbor was about to go into a rant about Amy so he calmly walked past her to the living room, Leonard watching them.
"You're an absolute idiot! That's what's wrong with you, you think you're this genius, and while you may be able to calculate and understand math and science and everything from school way past my ability, you're still an idiot! Amy is in love with you! Despite what you think, you love her too, so why do you make things so complicated?! Do you know why she asked Stuart out?" Penny wailed.
"Yes, to make me jealous." Sheldon told her.
"No…wait yes!" Penny spoke shocked.
"If you know that why won't you just tell her you are jealous and don't want her to go?" Penny now softly asked.
Leonard was now standing by Penny. He felt bad for his friend. Sheldon was clearly searching his mind to find the correct way to explain to Penny that he just doesn't want a relationship with Amy anymore. At least that is what Leonard got from this conversation with Sheldon.
"Penny, can we talk?" Leonard asked.
"Now? I'm trying to talk to Sheldon here." Penny huffed.
"Please?" Leonard asked again.
"Fine." Penny sighed.
She followed Leonard out the door, which Leonard made sure to close. Leonard stared at a confused, but angered girlfriend.
"Look, I already told Sheldon everything you are." Leonard affirmed.
"I don't care; he needs to understand that he's not going to find another Amy." Penny argued.
Leonard inhaled a deep breath. This may not be his thing to say, but it just may be for the greater good.
"He told me in the comic book store that if Amy wants to date Stuart she can. He is set on that." Leonard explained.
"He's such an idiot." Penny thought aloud.
"You know, Sheldon may not be very good at dealing with human feelings, but I actually think he would rather Amy break up with him and date Stuart." Leonard defended his friend.
"But...they're perfect for each other." Penny argued.
"Have you ever heard the saying 'opposites attract'?" Leonard asked.
"Of course." Penny stated.
"Well, maybe, Sheldon's tired of being around someone so much like himself. I think he needs a challenging relationship, and his and Amy's really isn't. Sure, she wants him to be more intimate but, I feel he would have caved if he truly loved her."
"I get your point, but Amy really likes Sheldon still."
"Yeah, well, maybe her date with Stuart will change her mind. Think about it, Stuart will comply to her every need. Sheldon doesn't do that, and won't ever do that." Leonard reasoned.
"It makes sense, but who would Sheldon end up with then?" Penny asked.
"Who knows, but even if it's no one it's what he wants right now. He's got a lot going on at work, so he doesn't really want to have to be bothered with relationships. He wants a Noble Prize before anything else." Leonard justified.
"I guess it'll eventually work out right?" Penny shrugged.
Penny turned to go into her apartment.
"Penny." Leonard spoke.
"Yeah?" Penny asked.
"You keep saying, "But Amy feels this way" but, have you stopped to think about how Sheldon feels? Believe it or not, he feels everything we do, but in different and stranger ways." Leonard said before turning to enter his apartment.
Penny stopped her thoughts about Amy and Sheldon. Was she really favoring Amy more than Sheldon? Sheldon, the man who made it a priority to remain friends with Leonard but also herself when she and Leonard had broken up? Who tried his very best to help her with her Penny Blossoms business. Since when did she become so one sided?
Sheldon was focused on Halo when Penny entered the apartment for the second time that day. However, she was thinking about what Leonard had said. She felt like she was being a bad friend. She wasn't taking his feelings into consideration while debating the 'Shamy' relationship. Sure, Amy might be her 'Bestie' but, Sheldon is her moonpie. No one messes with her moonpie, not even his girlfriend. Her thoughts were interrupted when her character was killed.
Oh hell naw
After Sheldon and Penny finished killing each other, skillfully, and killing the guys easily, Penny stood up.
"Alright, I'm gonna go." Penny announced.
"Why?" Leonard asked.
"Obviously she is upset I have beaten her." Sheldon interjected.
"No, that isn't why, you got lucky anyways." Penny sourly said.
"One must believe in luck to get lucky, and I do not believe in luck. Clearly my skills were superior tonight, and as they say, hahahahaha you're a loser." Sheldon taunted.
"Whatever." Penny hissed.
Sheldon began cleaning up the apartment. He went to the kitchen to clean up dinner. Penny followed.
"Can we talk?" Penny asked.
"Depends on the subject at matter." Sheldon said.
"It's about Amy." Penny stated.
Sheldon sighed. He didn't want to have another conversation about Amy. In fact, he didn't even want to have the first one with Leonard. He felt almost inclined to talk to Penny this time. So, he complied with her, after all it is tough to say no to those big hazel eyes that looked so upset.
"Leonard told me that you said if Amy wanted to date someone else you wouldn't care. Is that true?" Penny questioned.
"Yes." Sheldon paused. "I believe that my relationship with Amy is more of the mind. I do not wish to engage in coitus with Amy. She clearly wants too. If she wishes to have needs that I cannot fulfill, then I believe she should I'm fact as you would say, move on."
"But, won't you miss her? Remember last time? You bought twenty five cats. I don't think Leonard is going to put up with cats again." Penny continued.
"This is none of your business really, but seeing as you will continue to bother me, I hope to remain friends with Amy. I believe that two people as smart as us can make a friendship work, if our boyfriend-girlfriend is not." Sheldon revealed.
"What if you can't? Then what?" Penny prodded.
"Then, I will either continue life as I normally do, or wish to fix my relationship with Amy."
"What if she doesn't want to?"
"Enough Penny! My relationship is none of your business. I do not wish to continue this conversation. Now if you will excuse me." Sheldon huffed.
With that Sheldon walked away from Penny, and closed his door a little louder than normal. Howard, Raj and Leonard turned to Penny.
"I'm just trying to help." Penny defended.
"Look, Penny, we both know he's smart enough to figure this out on his own. If he can't, I'm sure he will go to you. You can't go to him. "Leonard reasoned.
Penny shrugged; she had one more thing to say. She slowly walked to Sheldon's door. She knocked on it after a minute of deciding.
"Yes Penny?" He asked.
"I just want to say one more thing." Penny paused. "I know that I'm taking Amy's feelings more into consideration, but I just don't think you know the full magnitude of your actions here."
"You are taking Amy's feelings into consideration, and I can't honestly say that you have ever taken mine into consideration. If you did, you might have asked why i felt as if I want to end of my relationship with Amy." Sheldon said, clearly upset.
Penny looked down at her feet. She felt like a bad friend again.
"Well, why do you want to break up with her?" Penny asked sincerely.
"I have gone through high school once, and I do not wish to relive my high school years. I feel that is what my relationship is." Sheldon revealed.
Both Penny and Sheldon were now sitting on his bed.
"Look, sweetie, I know Amy wants to relive her high school years and have the life she's always dreamed, but shouldn't you sit down and say to her that she needs to stop?" Penny asked.
"We both know she's going to react by doing some teenage hormonal response. I don't think she's going to ever stop that. And as I said, I don't wish to relive my high school years." Sheldon answered.
Penny and Sheldon sat in silence for a while.
"I wish to go to bed now." Sheldon announced.
Penny got up and left his room. She never realized how much she had hurt Sheldon. She never meant to hurt him. That's her moonpie. She ignored the guy's curious looks and left silently. Howard and Raj stayed a little longer as Leonard fully explained the Shamy dilemma. They were in disbelief that Amy is finally telling Sheldon to move it or lose it. They were even more shocked that Sheldon told Leonard if she wants to leave, she can. However, he kept it private how he told Penny of her lack of concern for Sheldon's feelings. He also kept private how distraught she had been. Leonard was pretty sure she stayed in that same spot for almost five minutes just thinking about what he had said.
Of course, Leonard had no idea what she was thinking about and how exactly that would turn his world upside down.
