The Verbal Variant - A sequel to The English Element
Disclaimer: In no way, shape, or form do I own anything to do with The Big Bang Theory (except DVDs). CBS, Chuck Lorre, and Bill Prady have that honor. I am just a fan.
Chapter 10 – The Drinking Dilemma
Raj walked into the club and looked around; he spotted Katherine dancing with Zack. She looked like she was having a great time. He walked over to the bar to order a drink and keep an eye on Katherine.
Bernadette saw Raj at the bar. "Penny look! It's Raj!" she said pointing at the bar.
"Ha! I told you it would work. We have to keep out of the way." Penny dragged Bernadette to the other side of the club.
I'm bored; I have a headache, and my feet are killing me. Katherine thought. Thank God we came across Zack; at least he's keeping the sleazebags away... I can't dance anymore, my feet are on fire. Katherine signaled Zack that she wanted to take a break, and they headed for an empty table. Ugh, I will never understand why the music in these places is so loud it causes hearing damage. I am not looking forward to chatting with Zack. He's a sweet guy but...I've been spoiled by dating Leonard and hanging out with the rest of the guys.
Katherine and Zack ordered drinks from a passing waitress and Katherine steeled herself for more conversation with Zack. "So Zack, how's work?"
"Awesome! We just got three more clients and Dad put me in charge of raising employee morale."
"How's that going?"
"I haven't started yet. I have to look into how much renting a crane costs." Zack said seriously.
"Why do you need a crane?" Katherine was puzzled.
"To raise the morale."
Katherine had no response to that. Luckily the waitress returned with their drinks at that moment. Katherine took a hefty swallow of hers, even though she'd already had more than she normally drank. "Katherine, what do you do?" Zack asked.
"I teach English Literature at Caltech."
"A teacher, cool. Caltech, that's where Leonard and the other guys work, right?"
"Yes."
"It's like a college, right?"
"Yeah, it's like a college." I think I can actually feel my brain cells dying; of course, that could be from the alcohol. Katherine thought.
"Whoa, you must be pretty smart to teach at a college."
"Not as smart as you'd think." If I was smart I would have made a move on Raj last week and I could be hanging out with him right now instead of enduring this.
"English Literature. That's books and stuff?"
"Uh-huh." I wonder where the other girls are. This is supposed to be GNO but I haven't seen them in at least an hour.
"Like that Shakespeare guy?"
"I do teach Shakespeare in a couple of my classes."
"I like that Hamlet dude. There's a skull and they fight with swords at the end." Zack remarked.
"There certainly is." Well, at least he isn't getting it mixed up with something else.
"I don't get why he did all that talking and stuff, though. He should have just grabbed that Ophelia chick and split."
"It would have been… a happier ending that way." Amy walked over at that point. She had also had a few drinks and was obviously tipsy.
"Zack, dance with me?" Amy asked. Zack looked at Katherine.
"Go ahead." Thank God she thought. Zack took Amy's hand to lead her to the dance floor.
"Whoo!" Amy exclaimed.
Katherine had finished her drink and headed over to the bar for another. After getting a Midori Sour she looked around to see if she could find Bernadette or Penny. To her surprise she saw Raj.
She walked over to him. "Raj! Thank God! Come sit with me." She pulled him back to the table, which luckily no one had taken while she was gone.
Katherine started babbling about her evening; Raj quickly realized that she was slightly intoxicated.
"I'm so glad you're here. It's been awful." Raj was surprised. It had looked like she was having the time of her life with Zack. "All these sleazeballs were hitting on us until we ran into Zack. I had to keep dancing with him to avoid them."
"So you're not interested in him?" Raj was relieved.
"God no! I mean, he's a very sweet guy, but I have my secret admirer."
"Have you heard from him lately?"
"No, but I have the feeling he's been around." Katherine took a sip of her drink. "What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be in the middle of an epic Halo battle?"
"Sheldon threw a fit about something and stormed off to bed so it ended early tonight."
Katherine slipped off a shoe and started rubbing her foot. "Do you feel like playing knight in shining armor?"
"What do you have in mind?" Raj inquired.
"Rescue this distressed damsel. I have a wicked headache and my feet are killing me. We find the girls, say I twisted an ankle and you're taking me home."
"Anything for a fair maiden." They stood up to look around the club. Raj spotted Penny and Bernadette across the dance floor on the other side of the club and they made their way over to them.
"Raj! What are you doing here?" Penny asked when she saw him.
"Halo ended early." Raj explained.
"Guys, I twisted my ankle so Raj is going to take me home." Katherine said.
"Of course honey. You lie down and take the weight off your ankle." Bernadette said sympathetically. Katherine and Raj turned to leave the club and Penny and Bernadette exchanged high fives.
As they approached the door, Raj remembered his vow and tried to think of a way to prolong his interaction with Katherine. While Katherine called a cab as they stood outside, the stars in the sky caught his eye and gave him an idea. Once she finished the call, he said "You know, there is a great view of the Pleiades tonight."
Katherine seized the opportunity Raj had provided her. "Really? I'd love to see that."
"We could go to my place and take my telescope up to the roof."
"That sounds like a great idea." The cab pulled up shortly after and they got in.
Raj and Katherine attempted conversation during the cab ride, but it was unsuccessful due to their nerves and their feeling inhibited by the presence of the driver. They were both thankful when they pulled up in front of Raj's apartment building. They got Raj's telescope from his apartment, grabbing a bottle of wine and glasses as well, and went up to the roof. As Raj set up the telescope Katherine gazed at the night sky.
She recited "One thousand brilliant stars punched holes in my consciousness, pricking me with longing. I could stare at the stars for hours, their infinite number and depth pulling me into a part of myself that I ignored during the day." *
"That's beautiful." Raj said softly. "Here, it's all set." Katherine walked over and looked through the telescope.
"Wow! That's really pretty. What exactly am I looking at?"
Raj laughed. "In Greek mythology the Pleiades are the Seven Sisters, all daughters of Atlas. In India, they are known as Krittika, the six mothers of the war god Skanda.
Raj showed Katherine a few more items through the telescope, and then they moved over to some lawn chairs and drank the wine they had brought up, while Raj pointed out the constellations. The conversation moved from discussing stars, to space travel, to science-fiction. The discussion of science-fiction coincided with the end of the bottle of wine. They decided to go back to Raj's apartment to watch MST3K's take on Fire Maidens of Outer Space.**
They settled down on Raj's couch with a second bottle of wine. Both Raj and Katherine were more focused on each other than the film. How can I broach the subject? Katherine thought If I'm too subtle it might not work. I guess I'll have to try something bold. But what?
Meanwhile Raj was thinking similar thoughts. I don't want to come on too strong, that could make things weird if she's not ready yet. She did come to my place, that's a good sign. I wonder why it's so much easier to hit on strangers than girls you actually know?
As the credits played Raj turned to Katherine and asked "What would you like to do now?" If she wants to go home then that's it, but if she doesn't then...
Katherine thought, It's now or never, she took a deep breath, then smiled wickedly and said "This" as she leaned in to kiss him with everything she'd been holding back since before the costume party.
Raj was momentarily startled, then he began kissing her back, his passion feeding hers. Things escalated quickly; Katherine was soon in Raj's lap, inhibitions lowered by the alcohol they had consumed. Raj's lips found Katherine's neck, causing her to gasp. She returned the favor, triggering a moan from Raj and his grip tightened on her hips. Katherine managed to get a hold of herself long enough to whisper "Bedroom?" in Raj's ear. He responded by scooping Katherine up in his arms and carrying her into his room, kicking the door shut behind him.
*Maggie Stievater Shiver
**MST3K is a common abbreviation for Mystery Science Theater 3000.
Author note: Thanks to all who reviewed the previous chapters. I would love to hear any thoughts, comments or constructive criticism so please review.