A/N: Thank you so much for reading this. Hope you are enjoying reading it as much as I'm enjoying writing it. Sorry I'm late on this update – real life got in the way. Thanks for sticking with me...
Raj Takes Out Amy
It was Wednesday and the guys were sitting in the cafeteria eating lunch. They had been trying individually and collectively to figure out a way to avoid having to take their "new" partner out on a date. It wasn't that they did not especially want to go out, but that they didn't know the first thing on how to plan a date. They depending on the girls to tell them where to go, what to wear and sometimes how to act. This was a big test of their abilities and none of them had come up with any good ideas for the last three days. Time was ticking away and they needed to brainstorm.
"The rules say we cannot ask our date's significant other for help correct?" Howard asked.
"Yeah. And there is a hidden codicil to that where you can't ask your own significant other either," Leonard said dejectedly.
"Been there, tried that," Howard added.
"Why are we even entertaining this?" Sheldon asked.
"Because Penny thought this was a good idea and I'm supporting it," Leonard said.
"Whipped!" Raj said.
"That is why I am currently playing the proverbial field," Sheldon said.
"I thought it was because Amy broke up with you."'
"Regardless Howard I am no longer whipped as you so eloquently stated."
"Time is ticking away guys and we need to come up with some ideas," Leonard said exasperated.
"Well since Penny said we cannot ask the significant other of our date, then if I ask Leonard about Bernadette and he asks me about Emily we wouldn't be violating the rules," Sheldon said.
"Yes and if I ask Raj about Penny and he asks me about Amy that would also not violate the rules."
"Maybe we can remember things about the girls that would help each other," Leonard said.
"Oh I wish I paid more attention," Howard said.
"Okay we'll meet back here at 6pm," Leonard said.
"Why here?" Raj asked.
"I'm not sure we aren't in violation so I would rather not have the girls find out until it's over and we've dazzled them," Leonard said to which the others agreed.
The guys met that night in one of the vacant offices. Leonard and Sheldon sat at the desk and Raj and Howard pushed two chairs over to the far corner. They talked about everything they could remember about the girls to see if there was something they could remember that would turn into a nice date. The girls were betting that the guys couldn't come up with anything good on their own so this was a contest that they truly wanted to excel at.
It took them all a couple of hours but they each came up with a plan. The activities were more of the afternoon variety so they would have to tell the girls that they would all meet on Saturday afternoon and then have dinner after the activity. They walked out of the office feeling very happy with their choices.
The decision was made for everyone to meet at the 4A apartment. Leonard and Penny were starting to call it that to try to get Sheldon used to it not being his and Leonard's place any longer. It was just around 1pm when Penny walked out of her bathroom in jeans and brightly colored pink shirt. Leonard commented that she looked very nice.
"Thank you. Since I have no idea where Howard is taking me, I didn't know how to dress. Do you know?"
"I don't."
"Are you sure you don't know? I won't tell anyone that you told me," she said sitting down on the couch and looking lovingly at him.
"That isn't going to work this time because I actually don't know," Leonard replied.
"Oh," Penny said hoping that he did. "So where are you taking Emily?"
"I thought we weren't suppose to talk about it." Penny got up and got her purse. She didn't want to tell Leonard that she was worried about him being alone with Emily. It would make him too nervous and she didn't want to do that to him.
"You're right. Shall we go?" Penny asked grabbing a light jacket. Leonard followed her as they walked over to 4A where the rest of the group was already there. They all stood and coupled up and headed out the door.
"I hope I am dressed appropriately," Amy said as she got into Raj's car. "Considering you won't tell me where we are going."
"I don't to spoil the surprise," Raj said starting the car and heading down the street. They were both quiet until they reached their destination which wasn't that far away. Amy read the sign outside and then looked at Raj.
"Firehouse Recording Studio? What are we doing here Rajesh?" Amy asked with her hand on the door handle.
"Just a second and let me come around to your side," he said jumping out of the car. He came and opened the car door for her. He held out his hand to her. She smiled and got out of the car.
"So are you going to tell me?"
"I know you like to play the harp and you had a lot of fun with Howard when you sang Neil Diamond songs together. I thought I would book a studio for you to play your harp and sing with musicians backing you," Raj said as he motioned her to follow him. Amy sat in the waiting room while Raj met with one of the technicians and got everything set up. He then came and got Amy to show her the studio.
She gasped when she walked in and saw a harp front center with a chair beside it. There was a guitar and a chair on the other side. Behind the harp was a one gentleman sitting behind a piano as well as a woman and a man with violins and lastly a man sitting behind drums. She smiled as she looked around and soaked in the atmosphere.
"This is really special Rajesh. I can't believe you thought to do this. Where did you get this harp?' Amy asked sitting down next to it.
"I had to rent one because if I told you to bring your harp you would have been suspicious." She smiled at him. "What would you like to play first? They are going to record it and we will get a demo once we are done. I made sure they know a bunch of Neil Diamond songs. I know some are sad but I'm sure we can find a happy one."
"How about Song Sung Blue," Amy suggested and sheet music was taken out for the group to accompany them. They put a microphone next to Amy with the lyrics so she could sing. She was hesitant at first but after the third take, she really seemed to begin to enjoy herself. Raj even joined in for a couple of verses.
Me and you are subject to Song sung blue, weeping like a willow
The blues now and then
But when you take the blues
And make a song
You sing 'em out again
Song sung blue, sleeping on my pillow
Funny thing,
But you can sing it with a cry in your voice
And before you know it start to feeling good
You simply got no choice
After the fourth take, the engineer let them hear it because he thought it was the best of the bunch. Amy smiled when she heard her voice and Raj commented on how lovely she sounded.
"We have time for one more song," Raj said. "Shall we go wild and try a dance number?"
"Oh Rajesh I don't know anything modern," she said with sadness in her voice.
"How about You've Got a Friend? That is a real nice song. And it's true song." Amy nodded excitingly and they all took their places and prepared that song for recording.
If the sky above you should turn dark and full of clouds
and that old north wind should begin to blow,
keep your head together and call my name out loud.
Soon I will be knocking upon your door.
You just call out my name, and you know where ever I am
I'll come running to see you again.
Winter, spring, summer, or fall, all you have to do is call and I'll be there.
You've got a friend.
They left the studio a little after 6pm with a demo of their two songs and would be called back when they could get an actual CD of their music. Raj let Amy to the car, opened the door and then went over to the driver's side. They smiled at each other while Raj started the car and drove away from the studio. He then took them to eat at Cafe Santorini which has a lovely outdoor seating area.
While having a cup of tea after they ate, Raj asked if Amy enjoyed herself. "I think you did but you seem a little sad."
"I really did enjoy this day Rajesh and the food was excellent. I'm sorry if I seem like I am sad," she replied.
"You miss Sheldon. That is why I did not want us to sing too sappy love songs. Also I did not want you to see me cry."
"You are very sweet Rajesh. I'm so glad that you overcame your problem with talking with women sober. It has given us a chance to become friends."
"Yes it is good although I often don't know what to say to them. You women are a mystery to me still," he said shaking his head.
"Emily still a mystery?"
"Emily is scary," Raj replied quickly.
"You can't mean that or you wouldn't be with her," Amy said.
"Sometimes we don't have a lot in common. I wonder if there is a future for us," he said and then stopped to look at Amy's face. She looked away sad and he mentally kicked himself for saying what he did.
"Let's not talk about relationships tonight. It's friend night," Raj said which made Amy smile. "I know the rules didn't mention gifts but I got this for you." He handed her a medium sized flat box with a bow on top. She took it and asked if he should open it. He nodded and she did.
"Rajesh - The Best of Little House on the Prairie? But I have all the DVDs." she said not upset that he got them but that he spent money on something she already had.
"I thought we could watch it. I didn't know you had them and I couldn't ask or it would have ruined the surprise. I have popcorn and cola or I can make us some fruity drinks."
"Non alcoholic?" she asked.
"If you like. Let's stop at the store and pick up some fruit and then we can go back and watch this." Raj motioned for the check. Amy suggested at the store that they watch the DVD at her house then he would not have to drive her home afterwards if it got late.
Their "date" ended around midnight and Amy walked Raj to the door. She thanked him for the fun time she had, the great meal he bought her and for watching Little House with him.
"It was fun," Raj replied. "You look happier than you did earlier."
"I am. It's nice to have a friend who cares about you."
"Now I can't wait for what you have planned for me next weekend," Raj said happily.
"I don't know if I can top this day."
"Do you want a hint?" Amy shook her head no. "Okay but I'm sure if you want to book an elephant, you have to call in advance."
"Good night Rajesh and thank you again." She smiled at him and then closed her door. She went back over to the couch and sat down pulling a blanket over her. She restarted the DVD and got herself comfortable. It was a good day and she fell asleep quickly.
Raj got home and put his jacket in the closet. His phone buzzed and he went to pick it up. "Hello Howard. I just got home. Amy and I had a real nice time. Do you want to know what we did?" he asked but Howard cut him off saying something Raj could not understand.
"Howard I can't understand you. Say it again," Raj said. "And you talk about my accent and that you think I say things funny when you are talking some language I'm not sure even exists."
"RAJ!" Howard yelled. "I'm trying to tell you about my date with Penny."
"Okay well go ahead and speak slower and clearer," Raj said and then put the phone close to his ear so he could understand Howard. Howard went on for a while and Raj hated to admit he wasn't really paying attention. It wasn't until it got almost to the end of the conversation that Raj felt he needed clarification.
"Okay where did you say you got chafed?"
TBC
A/N 2: I'm sorry if this chapter wasn't really funny. I just wanted Amy to have a good time considering she looked so sad at the end of Monday night's episode...