Chapter 2: A Venue

Leonard paused that night when he passed Sheldon's door, on the way to his bedroom. His head was buzzing from the drinks at Penny's and the idea that Sheldon could show any form of gratitude towards him. As he passed, carefully tying the cords on his red bathrobe, he heard shouting coming from Sheldon's room. That was unusual. Leonard had heard Sheldon shout only once, at an unruly high schooler who described Sheldon's work as 'la – ame!'. Leonard frowned. Maybe he'd had a glass of wine too many. He continued walking towards his room, but stopped as he heard another burst of loud noise. He definitely wasn't imagining it this time. He carefully moved toward Sheldon's room, his slippers brushing noiselessly against the floor. He pressed his ear against the wood and glass, and caught the tail end of what Sheldon was saying. "….a buying limit? What do you mean a BUYING LIMIT? I want to buy something, and you restrict me from doing so? You know, I am going to reference the Constitution here, you know what that is? - Yes, it's that very old document. A second grader could have told me that! You are infringing upon my rights, by extension of the first amendment – why wouldn't you care? You live in this country, don't you? – You can't help me anymore? Hello? HELLO? Well, they hung up…" Leonard hesitated. Did he dare knock? Every nerve in his body told him not to knock on the door. He didn't want to deal with an angry Sheldon. However, his curiosity got the best of him and he said, "You okay buddy?" Sheldon opened the door. He was in his Tuesday night pajamas and his face was red from yelling. He scowled at Leonard.

"Not really, I cannot begin to express my displeasure, Leonard! The nerve of some people! I cannot believe – "

Leonard cut him off. He wasn't in the mood to hear Sheldon rant, and the idea of standing here listening to another Sheldon speech didn't appeal to him. "What were you trying to buy?" he asked cautiously.

Sheldon shifted. "250 grey roses, but apparently store policy dictates I can only buy 100 at a time." He rolled his eyes. "This is why I don't do romantic things or listen to your advice Leonard. It turns out to be a disaster!" And he slammed the door.

Sheldon woke up the next morning smelling and feeling awful. He was splayed out on his bed, his phone on his chest, an open notebook at his side. He wondered if he'd drunk dialed Stephen Hawking again, and he felt a flare of embarrassed panic rising in his chest. He sat up and checked his list of recent calls. No calls to Stephen Hawking, but very long calls to flower shops. Then he remembered. He'd been trying to buy flowers for Amy's party, but the mean store people hadn't let him. He got up, and checked the clock. The alarm hadn't rung, and he was up an hour late. He shuddered. This day was already off to a bad start.

Sheldon sat dejectedly in the car, not even caring that Leonard was playing music softly on the radio. Planning a party was much harder than he'd thought it be, and Amy was still ignoring him. He'd tried to get some decorations and things that were grey (it was her favorite color), but everything was either sold out or not just right. Sheldon had to make it perfect. They'd purchased some balloons and stowed them in the backseat of the car. They were plain grey. Sheldon had chosen them. He felt that the other balloons, decorated with frivolous 'party' animals and colorful 'Happy Birthdays' were inappropriate. Amy, like he, was a creature of order. She wouldn't appreciate them. Leonard disagreed, but eventually let Sheldon do what he wanted. Sheldon was fine with that. He didn't need Leonard breathing down his neck and making his decisions for him. Sheldon was the one who was supposed to be making decisions for Leonard. On the other side of the car, Leonard switched off the radio and turned to look at him. Sheldon pretended not to notice, just to get his point across that he was not happy. Leonard shook his head and kept driving. Then, he asked, "Sheldon, how do you plan to put together a party in one day? You don't even know where you'll be throwing the party, and her birthday is tomorrow. Maybe you should just do something else –"

Sheldon shook his head. "I have to do this, Leonard. You were right. She deserves it. And, I love her, quirks and all." They continued to drive in silence. A venue? Sheldon creased his brow. He'd almost forgotten that he'd need a place to actually host the party. Hmmm… Where was the best place to throw a party…?

The bell clanged on the door of the comic book store. Stuart looked up from where he was writing out expenses at the front counter. Sheldon had come in alone. Stuart looked at his watch. It wasn't comic book night, and the store was close to closing. Stuart glanced over at the couches in the lounge area. After a few months of being reopened, they were beginning to wear out, and with them, Stuart's grief for Debbie. Stuart felt bad. Some days he didn't even think about her, and she'd taken him in – No. Stuart shook himself. That was the past. He had to deal with the present, even if the present was a tall, annoying, man who looked like a praying mantis. Sheldon glanced around, and fixed his eyes upon Stuart. He smiled (Did Sheldon ever smile at someone?) and walked over to Stuart. Stuart let out a deep breath, and forced a smile. "How can I help you, Sheldon?"

Sheldon nodded. "You know my girlfriend, Amy?"

Stuart frowned. "The girl I went on 3 dates with before you burst in and asked her to date you, leaving me alone and single for another 2 years? No, she's completely slipped my mind."

Sheldon stared blankly at him, trying to wrap his mind around the apparent sarcasm. "I don't understand, Stuart. You just said you went on dates with her, and then you said she's slipped your mind… Isn't that a bit of an oxymoron?" Stuart just stared at him, hoping to convey the message that he was not in the mood to answer. Sheldon blinked and continued as if not interrupted. "You know my girlfriend, Amy? She's mad at me and I need to make it up to her, so I'm throwing her a party for her and her friends."

Stuart blinked. "How am I supposed to help? And, I'm assuming I'm also not invited?"

Sheldon shifted. "You can help by letting me throw her party in the comic book store. You'll be invited if you let me throw it here."

Stuart contemplated this for a minute, then replied, "Does she have any single lady – friends?"

Sheldon waved his hand. "Can I use the comic book store or not?"

Stuart hesitated, and weighed the pros and cons. Then he made his decision.

Sheldon came home that night looking triumphant. Penny and Leonard were sitting on the couch, eating dinner and watching TV. Penny was distinctly aware that she was in Sheldon's spot, but she wasn't going to move until he told her to. She felt defiant that night. Almost as soon as he came in, Sheldon said, "Penny, you're in my spot." She sighed and moved to the seat next to Leonard, and continued to eat, trying to not be fazed by Sheldon's annoying habits. He settled in his seat and wrinkled his nose. "Babylon 5, Leonard? Really? Are you trying to punish Penny for something?" He paused for a minute. When Leonard didn't answer, he continued, "Leonard, I have good news. Stuart is letting me throw Amy's party at the comic book store tomorrow!"

Penny looked up sharply. "You're throwing her a party?"

Sheldon looked at her. "Yes, Penny. I just said that. You need to work on your listening skills."

Penny glared at him. "You could have told me, you know. I'm her best friend, and I want to help."

Sheldon frowned. "Why?"

Penny sighed. "Because I know you'll mess it up."

Sheldon considered this. "Perhaps… Alright. You can help me plan Amy's party." He looked at her. "It's tomorrow, so get your ideas cooking."