AUTHOR'S NOTE: Thank you, everyone, who read and commented on the story. As this is my first fiction, I didn't realize the rush of emotion that I would feel knowing that people were reading and commenting on my work. Wow. Thank you.

If I spoiled the episode for you by my description of the story, I apologize. I struggled to find something that conveyed the sense of the story but didn't say what happened. I guess I didn't do that well enough - please forgive me.

I own nothing of "The Theory of Everything". All I know about it is what I've seen in previews. And I continue to own nothing of "The Big Bang Theory."

It was Friday night and the four couples stood in the lobby of the movie theater, waiting in line to buy their snacks. They were getting ready to see the new movie "The Theory of Everything" about noted scientist Stephen Hawking.

"Wow, Sheldon, you must be pretty eager to see this movie, if you were willing to give up Vintage Video Game Night for it," said Howard. "Shouldn't you be freaking out or having a meltdown or something?"

Sheldon rolled his eyes. "Well, we wouldn't have had to miss Vintage Video Game Night if you all have been willing to forgo the opening night and wait until the next 'Anything Can Happen Thursday'! Anyway, Howard, you know that this movie is about my dear friend and, as such, I can make certain allowances."

"Dear friend? Just because you met Stephen Hawking once and fainted in front of him doesn't make you his dear friend. I'm the one that worked with him!"

"Hey, I'm the one that went on his North Sea expedition. I've worked with him too!" interjected Leonard.

"Leonard, Leonard" patronized Sheldon. "Hawking wasn't even on that boat. Unlike me, you've never met personally him. I play Words with Friends with him. Friends! You only play that game with friends."

Raj smirked. "Dude, don't forget that you drunk-dialed him too. Repeatedly. Is that something you do with 'friends'? That was pretty funny."

Sheldon started to twitch and Penny decided to intervene. "Okay, everyone – that's enough. You are all Stephen Hawking's friends. Now, what I want to know is – why am I going to this science movie that I won't understand when I could be seeing the most recent Melissa McCarthy movie?"

Leonard smiled and gave her a hug. "Oh, Penny, I think you are really going to be surprised by this movie. It's not a 'science movie'."

"Yea, Penny," Bernadette said. "This is a love story. This movie is all about Stephen Hawking and his wife – how they met and fell in love, the tragedy that is his illness, and the harshness and struggles it brought to their marriage." She looked over at Howard and reached for his hand.

"Oh, it's going to be sooo romantic" moaned Raj. "I hope I brought enough tissues." Emily pressed up close against him and gave him a smile.

Amy noticed all the couples' expressions of affection, but gave no outward sign. She turned to Sheldon, careful to keep some distance between them. "Don't worry, Sheldon. I'm sure that there will be plenty about Hawking's science discoveries for us to appreciate."

"Thank you, Amy. I am gratified that your priorities are properly focused."

Contrary to what his words implied, Sheldon had fully realized that this movie was a love story rather than a documentary and he was not concerned about it in the slightest. If he had to watch a hippy-dippy love story, at least watching one about his scientific mentor was the way to do it. "And" Sheldon thought, "this is the perfect setting to begin our gradual increase in physical affection."

In fact, Sheldon had been reflecting on just this idea for several days. He and Amy would certainly not be engaging in inappropriate public displays of affection in the lobby, like the handsy other couples. But in a darkened movie theater, where people's attention was on the screen, he could perhaps try something a little different.

Amy always demanded that they hold hands during movies. In the past he had told her that he wasn't a fan of the activity. Today, though, he thought that he might just tell her that, and when she looked crestfallen (as she usually did when he said that), he would smile at her and slide his arm around her shoulders instead. He grinned, imagining her delighted reaction and the loving, shocked look that would appear on her face. Oh, yes – we really do have the best relationship. Do I know my woman, or what?

While Sheldon had been daydreaming, they had moved forward in the line and he heard Amy order a large tub of popcorn with lots of butter and a large soda.

"Amy, that's not your usual order!"

"Yes, Sheldon, I know. I am just very hungry tonight." Amy was thinking that she needed her hands full so that she would have an excuse not to hold Sheldon's hand. As much as she loved holding hands with Sheldon, she knew that it wasn't his favorite activity. Amy felt that this would be a perfect opportunity to give him some space, thus reassuring him that nothing was going to get out of hand after their expressions of love to each other.

Snacks purchased, the couples entered the theatre, Sheldon "hawing" loudly to find the perfect acoustic sweet spot. The other patrons looked at him askance and Penny rolled her eyes. "Do we have to go through this every time?

Amy answered, "He just wants us to have the best possible viewing. He's being picky for us all. That's just another something that I lo…I appreciate about him." Whew, close call. Penny looked at her strangely for a moment and Amy looked back implacably. Penny shrugged and went over to sit with Leonard.

As the movie started, Sheldon looked over at Amy. She had the big tub of popcorn in her lap and was picking at it with the hand nearest to him, while her soda was in the cupholder on her other side. Amy noticed Sheldon looking at her hand with a raised eyebrow.

"Sheldon, you are safe tonight from hand-holding." Amy giggled. "I know you don't like it and my hand is all buttery from the popcorn anyway."

Sheldon masked his disappointment behind his usual stony countenance. "Amy, I commend you on your hygiene sense."

Partway through the movie, Hawking's wife-to-be professed her love for him and said that she would stay by his side no matter how his illness progressed. Knowing Hawking and exactly what that his illness had brought, Sheldon realized what an enormous promise that was and found himself surprisingly moved by the declaration.

Is this what love means? I have declared my love to Amy. Do we have that kind of love? Would I stay with Amy if she had such an illness? Would she stay by my side no matter what? I think so; I really do. I cannot imagine my life without her; she is a new origin for me (0,0,0,0). I really do love her.

Sheldon looked over at Amy to see her looking at him with a funny look on her face. As much as he was learning her different facial expressions, he didn't quite recognize this one. Was her stomach upset from all that popcorn? Did she need to get out to go to the bathroom? He desperately hoped that she wouldn't be ill on him.

As he got ready to ask her what was wrong, Amy smiled at him. A beautiful, wide smile that lit up her eyes. Sheldon held his breath, amazed. He leaned toward her, lifting up his arm, not sure why, but knowing that he wanted to reach out to bring her to him. He prepared to slide his arm around her back.

Just then Emily tapped on Amy's shoulder, calling Amy's attention away. "Amy, you are spilling your soda." Amy gasped in horror and began to mop up the mess. Sheldon frowned – his arm was just hanging out in the air with nowhere to go. He hurriedly stretched, trying to make the action look intentional, and then placed his hand back in his lap. "This isn't going to work. Perhaps later tonight we can have an unscheduled goodnight kiss…."

The couples left the theater discussing the movie. However Amy was quiet, reflecting on the movie and on what had happened. Did we have a moment there? Was Sheldon actually moved by the love between Hawking and his girlfriend?

Penny squeezed Leonard's hand. "You were right, honey. I really did love that movie."

Leonard smiled. "I thought you might. That movie was a wonderful blend between the romantic and science."

Bernadette and Howard looked at each other. Bernadette started, "For better, for worse…" "In sickness and in health…" continued Howard. "Til death do we part", they said in unison and kissed sweetly.

Raj, who had been finally calming down after the movie, started sobbing anew and wiped his eyes, sniffing and blowing his nose on yet another tissue. Emily sighed, but pulled another packet of tissues out of her purse and handed them to Raj. Sheldon frowned at them.

"I, for one, am unhappy about how the science was portrayed in this movie, " proclaimed Sheldon. "His concept of imaginary time was not discussed at all, and his thoughts on the unification theory were so dumbed down that even Howard, with just his master's degree, could understand it!"

Howard jerked around. "At least I could understand the romance and the beauty in the movie. You know, Sheldon, Stephan Hawking loved a woman. He had sex with her and they had children. Now he communicates through a robotic interface, but he is nowhere near as robotic as you are. And I don't mean that as a compliment to you!"

Sheldon glared at him as the others gasped. Amy said, "That is unfair, Howard, and I think you need to apologize. Sheldon is not a robot!"

Bernadette, radiating anger, squeaked, "Sheldon needs to apologize first. Howard has the terminal degree in his field and Sheldon needs to stop making fun of him!"

"I refuse to apologize for speaking the truth."

"I also refuse to apologize for speaking the truth."

Emily whispered to Raj, "Now the evening is finally getting interesting! Do you think anyone will draw blood?"

Emily smiled a feral grin. Amy and Bernadette were glaring at each other, while Howard and Sheldon tried to blow up each others' minds. Penny whispered to Leonard. "I don't want another repeat of being sent to the emergency room by Amy's handbag of death. You handle this."

Leonard stepped up. "All right, everyone. Let's settle down, go home and relax. Come on, Sheldon – you rode here with Penny and me. Let's go."

Sheldon was seething. I am not an emotionless robot. The fact that Howard believes that only shows how mentally deficient is really is! He stomped over to Amy, while everyone separated to their cars.

"Sheldon, I know you aren't a robot. Howard is being a jerk. Don't worry about what he thinks."

"Thank you, Amy. I am sorry that the evening has ended on such a note. Perhaps to make up for it, we could visit the zoo tomorrow."

"I would like that very much, Sheldon. Shall I pick you up at 10?"

"Yes, that will be sufficient. Thank you." Sheldon looked at Amy and was reminded of their moment in the movie theater. She had that same look and was smiling at him. He leaned toward her, thinking that he could give her a quick kiss goodnight that no one would notice. But Leonard called out to him "Aren't you coming, Sheldon?"

Sheldon straightened. "Yes, of course, Leonard. Good night, Amy." It's a good thing we'll be alone tomorrow.