The Nobel Altercation

The wind bit into Leonard's skin as he dashed into the building, carrying a bag of Chinese food, it's tantalising scent wafting in the air. Entering the apartment, he saw Sheldon typing furiously on his computer. Glancing up, the taller man acknowledged his counterpart.

"Leonard, should I include Howard as part of my team to thank when I give my Nobel Prize acceptance speech?" Sheldon enquired.

"Well, why would you not, Sheldon? He did help you gain the needed resources," Leonard replied.

"Yes but isn't he merely an acquaintance, Leonard. I thought we kept him along because he's like… a useful tool," Sheldon remarked.

"How do you that you're going to win it anyway?" Leonard enquired, baffled.

"Oh please Leonard," Sheldon scowled, "Apart from Hawking and Feynman, who in this world is able to match my level of intellect?"

"Me, Raj, Howard?" offered Leonard.

"Ha-ha," Sheldon laughed in his strange way, "That's humourous Leonard."

Leonard sighed; it was one of those battles he would never win. He began to unpack the bags of Chinese food and his mouth watered at the thought of steamy noodles, fresh rice and of course Sheldon's usual: cashew chicken. He sat back and rested; he had been worn out completely but of course Sheldon would always go the extra mile to make him feel worse. Not that it was his buddy's fault. He had always been socially awkward and unable to comprehend feelings. Recently, his days were becoming unbearable though due to the constant reminder of Sheldon's nomination for the Nobel Physics Prize. His level of annoying was skyrocketing and Leonard was confident that he would soon end up in a mental hospital, thanks to Sheldon. Wearily, he lay back on the couch just as Howard and Raj burst in to the room.

"Have you checked the Nobel Physics Prize contenders website?" Howard asked brightly.

"Oh God Howard," Leonard moaned, "You're pretty much feeding him his ego on a plate."

Raj ignored him, "Just check it."

Sheldon hurriedly got it up and gave a triumphant smile.

"See, there's my name and my work: 'Dr. Sheldon Cooper - Dark Matter'."

"No, scroll down to the bottom," Raj persisted.

Leonard's eyes widened and Sheldon inhaled sharply.

"Oh my God, are you serious?" Leonard gasped.

"Yep," Howard grinned and turned to face Sheldon, "Any words, Sheldon?"

Sheldon sat, stunned into silence.

"The Sheldon Cooper is speechless. Well this is certainly a momentous occasion," Howard smirked.

As Sheldon sat, shocked, he repeatedly read that name that had totally thrown him off course. Blinking, he re-read it again. Nope, he was not hallucinating, dreaming or drunk. By this point he was so distracted that he had forgotten about the Chinese food. Taking a deep breath, he reviewed what he had just read; contending for the Nobel Physics Prize, at the bottom of the nominees list, was 'Dr. Leonard Hofstadter – Research on Supersolids.'