This is a double shift day. There will be one more upload today: The Christmas Tale of Marley the Elf, chapter 2.


"The Fair Collaboration"

7. The Hallway Confrontation

Sheldon had followed Brittany back to her locker, still lugging the Theremin case. When she opened the door, he observed the pictures posted on the inside. "I didn't get to ask, why did Principal Figgins want to see you and the others?" she asked, curious for the story.

"Well, that's actually what I need to talk to you about. Your principal heard that we were here, myself, and Leonard, Raj, and Howard, and he has asked us to take on the role of judge at the science fair."

"Oh!" she smiled. "Do you get to wear a robe?"

"Not that kind of judge," he corrected, and she nodded. "We said yes. Unfortunately, this means I won't be able to continue helping you with your project." Her face fell.

"How come?"

"Oh, but I want to," he promised her, trying very hard for that look to disappear from her face, like he'd just kicked a puppy. "And if I didn't have these standards, I would get to do both. But, see, I can't both be judge and be helping you on a project I will later judge," he explained. "It wouldn't be right. Do you understand?" he asked, and after a moment she nodded. "Good," he breathed.

"I didn't think I was going to win anyway," she shrugged.

"Well, now, hold on," he frowned. "True, you probably wouldn't win, but that doesn't mean you should give up. I went through your research, twice, and a third time with you."

"You crossed most of it out," she pointed out.

"Most, but not all of it," he reminded her. "Some of it was on point," he nodded. "And I believe, if you follow that angle, you could put together a very acceptable presentation that will please your teacher. And as sign of good faith…" he leaned forward and picked up the Theremin case at his feet and held it out to her. "Here." She gasped.

"You're giving me the terminator?"

"Theremin," he corrected. "And lending, not giving."

"Right," she smiled. "Thanks."

"Don't sell yourself short," he told her. "I never do." She put the case down before looking back to him.

"Is it okay if I hug you?"

"Under the circumstances, I guess it would be the appropriate response," he consented after a moment of reflection, and she smiled and wrapped her arms around him for a quick embrace. This was just about the time Azimio had walked by, and when he saw this, he laughed.

"You really will go after anything that moves, won't you?" he called out to Brittany without stopping on his way. Sheldon's blood ran cold at the passing comment, and he looked to Brittany, finding her planted there in silence. It was stronger than him, seeing the hurt in her eyes. If the news of his being unable to help with her project had been the equivalent of kicking the puppy, the boy's words had been something like stomping on it. Before he knew it, he'd turned and stomped after Azimio.

"Excuse me!" his voice rose, getting the boy's attention.

"What do you want, Stretch?" he laughed.

"What do I want? I want you to apologize to Brittany." Now he laughed harder. "I wasn't kidding."

"Oh, I think you are, and you're hilarious." Sheldon got up in his face, and he may have been leaner, but he was taller, and for a moment that won out over Azimio's instinct to respond.

"You are nothing but a bully, picking on an innocent girl like her, and I won't stand for it."

"Sheldon, please," Brittany tried to pull him away, but he wouldn't follow.

"Oh how the mighty have fallen, see I'm not the scrawny kid stuck with boys far taller and stupider than him anymore. I got taller, and they stayed stupid. That's where you're headed. Now you apologize to her, or I will show you what several years and degrees can amount to when it comes to messing with people like you." Maybe it was having to stare down the almost crazed-looking tall geek man, but Azimio had thrown a half-hearted 'sorry' to Brittany before shuffling away. Once he was gone, Sheldon let out a long breath like he'd been holding it.

"Woah…" Brittany blinked.

"Boy, that felt good."

"Thanks," she smiled to him, and he nodded.

"You're welcome."

"Of course, now he's gonna come after you."

"What's that?" he tried to sound normal, but his voice had wavered just a hint.

"Well you kind of humiliated him. He's not going to like that."

"What's he going to do?" Sheldon asked, somewhat more worried now.

"I don't know," she shrugged, and he had started to relax a bit, until, "He's definitely going to Slushie you." Sheldon's eyes bugged out.

"You mean…"

"He'll throw one in your face," she explained.

"Oh… no… No, no…" he shivered just at the thought.

"Maybe it's not too late to back out of judging the science fair and go back to Pasadena?" she offered, and that managed to get him back on track.

"No… Sheldon Cooper doesn't run away. Well, he does… Sometimes, he does… But not today, and not as long as he's here," he vowed, and she smiled.

"Good, because I'd hate to see you go so soon."

TO BE CONTINUED (NEXT FRIDAY)