A/N: special thanks to Jislane for all the support so far.
Sheldon may come off a bit OOC but I really think he would be aware of his feelings if he had any- so I hope its not much of a stretch here.
*indicates that I am totally making facts up.
I do not own the Big Bang Theory
They tried watching TV but it was no use, Sheldon was pacing behind the sofa and muttering so softly that only someone else with Vulcan hearing could ever pick up on the details.
Leonard couldn't focus on the new StarTrek boxset he just bought. All he could think of as he watched Sheldon was how his friend just advanced a little with his obvious infatuation with their new neighbor. Sheldon never looked at a woman like he just did, he never held anyone that long and so protectively.
But then again, Sheldon never met a woman brave enough to climb an elevator shaft, anal enough to not put her safety in other people's hands, routine enough to make the same meal every Monday (and properly, simultaneous to Sheldon's schedule) and yet obviously somewhat of a free spirit despite her intelligence. Sheldon never advanced to that much intimacy even with Amy during their relationship. Christine was an entirely new type of personality and this was totally new behavior for their formerly-thought asexual friend. No wonder he looks like a time bomb is going off in his head.
"Sheldon, stop!" Leonard leaped up from his seat and around the other side of the couch to stop the progress of his friend's pace. "Calm down buddy. Its natural to be nervous like this but you gotta relax."
"Relax? I don't know what is happening to me Leonard. My heart is racing, its getting hard to breathe, my mind keep going out of focus and I'm not even worried about all the germs I probably contracted through extended contact with our new neighbor. In what universe is it acceptable that I fall to these primitive urges and—feelings!"
'Huh, I always thought Sheldon would never be able to translate the physiological symptoms of infatuation with the emotional state.' "So you have feelings for her then?" Howard interjected himself into the conversation.' Sheldon in a state that might be love at first sight? It was like a transit of Venus coinciding with the return of Halley's comet'. Howard admitted he might be spending a little too much time with Raj lately to have that thought on the tip of his tongue.
"Yes. I do." Sheldon said simply. Somehow he didn't seem as scared of normal life as he usually did. Neither Howard nor Leonard even thought of the possibility that he might be a minute from making more glow in the dark fish. No, this time he was pure nerves, something they just then realized that they never saw in their usually self-assured friend before.
"Leonard, Howard." Sheldon paused, trying to calm the nerves in his voice. "She's making my dinner. I can't let her make my dinner. Its not proper. Its, its not how—"
"Sheldon, calm down. Go upstairs. Ask her if she needs any help. That way you can make sure she doesn't mishandle your food and not look like a jerk doing it." Howard suggested.
"I didn't even think of her mishandling my food. This is disturbing, disturbing indeed." Sheldon muttered, taking his key out of the bowl and heading upstairs before his friends had a chance to agree with him.
-T—B—B—T—
Knock. Knock. Knock. "Christine."
Knock. Knock. Knock. "Christine."
Knock. Knock. Knock. "Christine."
Sheldon tried to hide his visible relief and excitement when she opened the door with a soft smile on her face. He only parted from her twenty minutes ago and it felt too long. He missed her, this was not good.
"Hey Sheldon. For future reference, do you always knock with such cadence?"
"Yes, I do. It seems to be a joke amongst my friends." Sheldon admitted plainly. Of course he noticed his friends, mostly Penny, imitating it. He is sure they probably thought of it as a symptom of OCD. But really, he just liked things done properly. Why is that so wrong?
"Well I will be sure to keep it in mind while answering the door. It is so helpful to know someone's knock as a positive identifier, especially since I am just a bit too short to see through the peep hole." She was aware that he seemed a bit embarrassed at how his friends mocked him for it. That didn't seem fair at all to her. Her brother had a similar style in knocking long ago- she missed the consistency most people seemed to lack. "This is my typical knock." She knocked three times in rapid succession, three times in slower steady beats and then replicated the first three beats.
"Your knock is S.O.S.?"
"Yep." Pleased, "Its ironic since I haven't needed help, other than today, in many years. Thank you for that by the way. I nearly threw myself off balance on that ledge trying to get the door open." Christine began to edge her way behind the island in the kitchen to set back to work as Sheldon trailed her.
"I came to help you prepare dinner. I have never prepared Thai on my own but my meemaw did make sure I was helpful in the kitchen when I was growing up. Its not proper that you prepare such a large meal for perfect strangers."
He was relieved to notice that not only was she wearing her hair pulled back so it would not get into the food, but that she methodically washed her hands before returning to her chopping. She even had a floor level installed to control the water so she didn't have to touch the faucet with her hands. Quite hygienic, something Sheldon definitely appreciated. He helped himself to her sink and antibacterial soap. She informed him that he could use the hand drier next to the sink, and that she specially designed it to recirculate sterilized air to dry hands instead of just pushing germs around.
She silently directed him to chop the vegetables while she chopped the meat. Both made quick work of mincing garlic and diving cuts of chicken and beef. Sheldon was adequate in his culinary skills, Christine however seemed like a pro with a knife.
"Were you a surgeon by any chance?" Sheldon observed that she washed much like she was scrubbing in and skillfully handled her paring knife.
"Yes, a trauma surgeon at MGH. I made it to attending at a young age, obviously. But that was years ago and I just couldn't commit myself to one career path. In a way I still haven't. What is it you do? I assume you have a doctorate considering how you told me of Howard's lack of one."
Sheldon seemed pleased. She was quite observant. Most of his colleagues could hardly pick up all the information he tended to convey in his speech, yet she picked up on his intelligence with little exposure. "I have two doctorates actually, and a master's degree. I'm a physicist as well. Currently I am working on string theory. I hope to prove it and get the Nobel." He stopped talking when he noticed she stopped her work and was staring at him like she was trying to decipher writing on a wall.
"Sheldon. Sheldon Cooper by any chance?" He nodded. "Oh my goodness, I don't know why I didn't put it together before when you introduced Leonard. I have been following your work for years since you got the Stevenson. I'm not a physicist myself but your work is incredibly impressive. I'm sure the prize is just a few years off, if that." She stated it all with wonder and assurance, as if Sheldon getting the Nobel prize was as obvious as Howard getting a punch in the face from a woman someday- It was hard to not notice his leering earlier.
"Why thank—" the knock at the door announced his friend's arrival. Sheldon didn't think he had been gone that long, then realized Christine was already half way through sautéing dinner.
Christine set the rice cooker and turned the food on low to finish cooking without her assistance. She let everyone in and gestured to the livingroom area. At this point the entire party had been let in on Sheldon's affections for Christine and therefore everyone was extremely observant of her and her habits. So, it did not escape anyone's notice that Christine moved in just yesterday yet her apartment was spotless. Not a box was to be seen. Everything had its place, even the living room with its large pink silk sofa seemed perfectly matched the décor of the building, despite also looking like it came from old Hollywood. She paired it with dark oak side chairs and an old train case as a table/ottoman that Penny was sure Sheldon would appreciate. She asked Christine if it was authentic, and was pleased with the positive response.
Only Raj took a seat before Sheldon, and that was only because he had broken his ankle and needed to stay off his feet as much as possible. He sat closest to the door which did not seem to disturb Sheldon, but he was circling the room nervous to find his spot but oddly aware that it might be impolite to his hostess. He was relieved when Penny chimed in to inform Christine "Sheldon likes to stake out a spot he feels comfortable in when he goes somewhere new."
"Oh. Ok, what is your criteria Sheldon? I found that right here" she pointed to two spots on the sofa, the middle and closest to the window, "Seem to be my preferences. There is a cross breeze by opening windows here, and here." She pointed. "They aren't too close to the heater, and while you might like a bit more of a direct angle to the television than I do, I find it adequate in either spot, though best at the end seat. And both still allow for an unobstructed flow of conversation."
Penny nearly shit her pants. Did this woman have a script or something? She watched as Sheldon asked his hostess/apparent new love interest which seat she preferred (the middle) and took the other seat… which just happened to correspond to 0,0,0,0.
Leonard noticed Penny's shock, as did everyone else… they were all shocked. But he didn't want to be impolite by gaping so he got on with the introductions. When it came to Amy, she gave her the same friendly hug she gave to the other girls. Amy awkwardly mentioned that she dated Sheldon in the past. He glared at her like he was trying to blow up her head. Christine just laughed at Amy's innocent apology if it made her uncomfortable. Christine ensured the other brunette that she found it comforting to know that Sheldon can remain such a loyal friend.
Then, came Raj's introduction. He extended his hand to shake hers but of course could not respond.
"Oh," Howard remembered his duties "He can't talk to women."
"Oh! Selective Mutism!" She exclaimed like she just won a small jackpot. She swiveled her body to the train case to sit right in front of Raj. Had Sheldon not noticed that they would be eating at the dining table (which was already set) he might have had a fit of her rear end being where he would set his food… even if that rear end was undeniably attractive and—he shut that thought right down.
Christine studied Raj like a science experiment. Leonard knew the look, his mother used to have that look when he was younger and she would interact with some of her patients. "We didn't even know what it was until my mother diagnosed it. Shes a psychologist, Beverly Hofstadter."
"Oh yes." Still examining Raj's facial expressions, she responded to Leonard. "I met her years ago. Your mother huh? I apologize if this comes off as rude but I really can't stand her brand of opinion when it comes to raising children. Needy Baby, Greedy Baby? I suppose that was about you? She's quite brilliant but that type of parenting is pure hokum in my opinion, it should stay as theory."
"I couldn't agree with you more." Penny and Leonard responded in unison.
"So you are a psychologist then? I mean other than the MD you disregard." Howard asked.
"My second doctorate was in psychology. I actually did it on selective mutism and its occurrence in Siberia, very common there. I am not surprised Raj has gone so long without treatment here, everyone seems to disregard Russian psychology nowadays*. Does this also occur with your female family members Raj? Does alcohol help reduce symptoms?" Raj nodded no to the first question and everyone answered the second.
"How many doctorates do you have?" Bernadette couldn't help her curiosity.
Christine sighed. It always seemed like she couldn't escape that question. As proud as she was of her achievements and intelligence she always felt self conscious of coming of as an overachiever and bragger. She decided to rip off the bandaid and answered with as little emotion as possible. "Three doctorates: chemistry, psychology and linguistics. Two master's degrees in botany and political science."
The group joined Sheldon in his silence as they digested the nonchalant statement. This girl was obviously a genius. She could potentially rival Sheldon.
"What is your IQ?" Sheldon wanted to ask it, but Amy beat him to it. Christine sighed even deeper, keeping her gaze fixed on Raj. This brought some minor tings of jealousy through Sheldon, a feeling he was unfamiliar with. Sure, he could recognize it because he has been jealous of the past, but usually by other things like when Leonard almost took Penny to see the Large Hardron Collider. He was never before jealous of a woman showing any interest in his friends.
Christine resigned to the fact that she would have to tell them. She knew there was a whole body of facts she could never, ever share with the group but this was not one of those things. This was just something that almost embarrassed her.
"I prefer to not be judged by my intelligence but rather my accomplishments. That said, to answer your question my IQ is estimated to be between 185 and 189."
"So at the mean you have the same IQ as Sheldon, though I would say that due to your work in the humanities that your strengths are probably more evenly dived than Sheldon's which is obviously more suited to the hard sciences."
Sheldon barely heard Amy, he was somehow overcome with a foreign desire to press Christine back into the train chest and just hold her. Christine hoped to redirect the conversation.
"Raj, I do think I could cure you of this. I have done it before, with therapy- not drugs. Here, lets see if I can get a head start before dinner." She wrapped her arms around Raj and began to whisper in his ear—Sheldon started rising in his seat without realizing his body was reacting. But just as quickly as Christine had made the move she backed away.
Raj looked to Amy. "Amy, would you go on a date with me tonight?" Then he slapped his hands over his mouth in utter surprise. Amy looked at him in utter astonishement, nodded and before anyone could explain it, the two were walking out the door (Raj hobbling with the help of Amy).
"What on earth?" Bernadette asked.
"Oh, I just assumed with the body language they were exhibiting that they were attracted to one another. I told Raj that if he didn't ask out the woman he likes right now I would break his ankle again just so I could reset it."
Penny was the only one with a response. "You might be a super genius like Dr. Whack-a-doodle over there, but damn you are my kind of woman."
The dinner met everyone one of Sheldon's specifications, she even used the same hot mustard he enjoyed.