A/N: While Sheldon and Jon do meet in this chapter. It's not what you have been hoping for. That will come in the next chapter. This meeting is business related, but Jon does realize who Sheldon is. The first part is all from Jon's POV. This chapter takes place after Sheldon has won the Nobel Prize. In other words we aren't in the past anymore, but you do get a look at something that happened in the past from someone else's POV. Just in case anyone has forgotten this is FANFICTION and in no way resembles the show.
Disclaimer: I do not own TBBT.
5 months later...
"Here we are Dr. Marshall." Dr. Gablehauser says as he opens the door to Dr. Sheldon Cooper's office for me.
Looking at his watch he says "His class will end in just a few minutes then he'll be here to speak to you. Just have a seat." Before Gablehauser closes the door he looks around the room at all the white boards and says..."Don't touch a single thing. He's kind of peculiar about people touching his stuff."
"I know how he feels. I won't touch a thing." I reply.
Stepping into the office, I stare at the numerous awards adorning the walls. "I should count them. See if he has more then I do." I think to myself.
Then I walk around the room looking at the four whiteboards he has set up. I walked slowly around each one, looking at each equation for an error. I sigh, of course I wouldn't find one. Then nothing he has on any of them interests me. The last one is behind his desk and I turn around to go sit and wait, when my eye catches sight of a framed photo.
Shaking my head I lean down to get a better look. This is one of the few actual OMG moments I've ever experienced. I reach out to pick it up and quickly jerk my hand back knowing I'll never get it precisely back where it belongs. It's a picture of Blondie and Dr. Cooper. Blondie is looking at something off to her right. The picture, was obviously taken because of the look on Dr. Cooper's face.
Even if Blondie hadn't helped me learn most facial cues, I would always instantly recognize this one. It's love. I pull out my phone and quickly snap a photo. Hearing voices approaching I quickly walk around and sit down, on the other side of the desk.
"Dr. Marshall, I'm sorry to have kept you waiting. We were for once having a spirited discussion on string theory in my class."
I stood up to greet him, but waved off the hand held out to took no offense to my social faux-pax and seemed a bit relieved.
"That's quite alright . I haven't been waiting long and it's given me a chance to read over all your equations." I told him as he walked around the desk, I held back a smirk.
I watched him quickly look at each board to make sure I hadn't disturbed anything.
I desperately wanted to question him about the photo of he and Blondie. Something held me back. I knew Blondie had never mentioned Dr. Cooper to me. It was that very fact that got me to keep my curiosity to myself.
It's not often I get to converse with someone whose IQ is only 2 points lower then mine. Most people I converse with would have to add 50 plus points to their IQ to come close to mine. I'm hopeful that there will be no need to dumb down anything I say to Dr. Cooper.
Dr. Sheldon Cooper is quite the physicist. It's no wonder he won a Nobel prize for his work in string theory. I plan on winning one for my work in Nanotechnology.
I was pleasantly surprised to have a very interesting two hour conversation, with him.
Once I got home, I down loaded the photo off of my phone and onto my computer. Then I printed out an 8x10 copy of it. Leaning back in my chair, I examined every inch of the photo. I kept coming back to my first impression. The look on Dr. Cooper's face was love.
I sit up and lay the photo on my desk. I move the mouse of my computer and click open a folder labeled BLS. Another click and I was rereading the one story that Blondie had never sold. The one story that was not titled The Waitress and The Costumer, The Lawyer, The Trader, The Pirate, etc etc.
No this one was titled The Waiter and The Genius.
I'm still not sure how I'd never found the hidden folder in her computer before. I stay at her place when she goes out on location shoots. I was no more then 3 paragraphs in when I realized why this book had a different title then the rest of her series. She'd switched places.
In this story she was the genius and the guy was the waiter.
She was in Stockholm when I found this. The picture just helped confirm my story was Blondie's life. The life she had before she worked for Devlin. Now I knew exactly who the man in the book was. The man who had caused her so much doubt, in her own intelligence. In her own self-worth, that she had not only run from him, she'd run from everything she knew. It explained a lot of things.
Like why, in all the years I've known her I can count on one hand, the number of dates she's been on. It hasn't been for a lack of men trying to get her attention. She is without a doubt one of the most beautiful women I've ever met. Let me tell you I've met plenty of them, considering my father was in the motion picture business and now runs a tv network. My mother is a world famous model. So I've seen plenty of beautiful women.
That picture also explains why according to the story, a once party girl is now a work first, home by 6 pm girl now. While she hasn't turned into a neat freak, I wouldn't even call her messy. I can't remember the last time I walked into her apartment and saw a thing out of place.
In all the years I've known her, I have never once seen her inebriated. I've never seen her even drink a glass of wine. Matter of fact when Blondie hits the hard stuff it's always a Mountain Dew. Never more then one. I was never sure why she drinks it. It seems to make her sad. Now I understand.
Over the years I've found the strangest things make her sad. Two years ago I walked into her office to find her ranting at a car mechanic. She didn't care what it cost, the check engine light had to be fixed pronto. Though she denied it, I would swear she was almost in tears over it.
Most of all it explains her interest in me. I will be forever in her debt. She had more reason to completely reject me, then to make me a huge part of her life.
There are a few things I need to know before I make a final decision about seeking out Dr. Cooper. Whether I should bring him back into Blondie's life. Mainly what did he do when he found out she was gone.
That would take some very cautious detective work on my part. It's been a long time since Blondie was in Dr. Cooper's world. I'm pretty sure there are people still around Caltech that will remember anyone Dr. Cooper was friendly with.
8888888888888888888888888888 8888888888888888888888888888 8
I had my answers in two days of asking well placed questions on the Caltech led me to Dr. Leslie Winkle. Lucky for me, I managed to catch her on the physicists webchat. She couldn't hold back bad mouthing Dr. Dumb-ass as she calls him. It's amazing what a few well placed words can do. Dr. Winkle had no problem letting loose of everything she knew. She knew plenty. Apparently she dated Dr. Hofsteader after Blondie disappeared.
I'm very thankful that relationship didn't last long. I wont say I took all she had to say as the gospel truth. Time does funny things to peoples memories. Especially people who don't have an eiditac memory like I do. But I managed to figure out what was fact and what was fiction.
I found out who his closest friends were. Dr. Cooper still has the same ones today. Although they're all married with children. Dr. Cooper still lives in the same apartment he did, when he met Blondie all those years ago.
I decide to go to Dr. Koothrapali. I had met him a couple of years ago when he gave a lecture about black holes. I was studying in Germany at the time. He was quite interesting and invited me to have dinner with he and his wife. It was because of that meeting that I didn't just toss the invitation to come see Caltech. I'm not blowing my own horn,but I had made it known I was thinking about taking a position in the U.S.A.
I'd spent most of my teens in Europe Blondie and my parents visited often and I did come home for visits. I'd finally become what Blondie calls homesick. The smile on her face when I told her what I was thinking of doing, well that's a smile I'll do anything for.
"Dr. Marshall, come in." He said stepping back so I can walk into his office. "Have a seat." he said walking around his desk..."I'm sorry I didn't get to see you when you were here a couple of weeks ago. I understand you and Dr. Cooper had a long talk."
I refused the seat preferring to stand..."That wont be necessary. I'm only staying a moment. My apologies for not setting up an appointment to see you." I reached into my pocket and pulled out four flash drives. I set them on his desk.
Giving me a quizzical look..."What is this about Dr. Marshall."
"It's a story. What I believe to be a life altering story. There is one for you, Dr. Hofstader,and Mr. Wolowitz."
Leaning back in his chair he fixes me with a hard stare..."Who is the fourth for?"
"For Dr. Cooper. The three of you should read it first. Just to make sure it might be something he's interested in pursuing. I'm sure in just a few pages you'll find it fascinating. Here's my cell number. Just have Dr. Cooper call me if he's interested in knowing more."With that I turned and left. I doubt it will take more then 24 hours to get a phone call.
Raj picked up one of the flash drives and put it into his laptop. A sharp rap on the door pulled Raj's eyes away from the monitor for the first time in an hour.
"Hey Raj, you ready to go get some lunch. Sheldon's not..." Howard's voice trailed off as he saw the stricken look on his friend's face. Howard motioned Leonard to follow him into the office.
"What the heck has you so upset? You look like you've seen a ghost." Howard blurted out, as he and Leonard stepped closer to the desk.
Picking up two of the remaining three flash drives, Raj passed one to each of his friends..."You need to read this. Forget about lunch and cancel anything else you had planned for today. When you're done call and tell me what you think."
"You're being kind of mysterious here Raj. What is it we're going to be reading about? "Leonard asks slipping the drive into the pocket of his hoodie.
"It's just something you have to read. Although I can tell you right now, I'll be showing it to Amy when I get home. Whether you choose to show it to Bernadette and Stephanie is entirely up to you two. We'll discuss what to do about it after we've all read it." With that Raj turned back to his laptop to continue reading. Refusing to let his mind think about the effect this could have on his wife.
"Well I have no idea what this is, but it must be damn important for Raj to insist we read it right now. " Howard said as he and Leonard walked back to their offices.
"Yeah and what was all that about letting Stephanie and Bernadette reading it? Very odd. I'll let you know when I'm done." Leonard said as they reached his office first.
A few hours later and Raj had gotten calls from both Leonard and Howard. Who were like him headed home to their wives. Raj took a deep breath before he went inside his home. He was very worried how Amy was going to take this. While he knew, she didn't harbor any more feelings other then friendship for Sheldon; he knew reading this story was going to dredge up old feelings of guilt for her.
He never quite believed her when she tried to reassure him she knew it wasn't her fault Penny had fled Los Robles.
Quietly entering his house Raj listened for any sounds to alert him to where Amy might be.
"Hey. You're home early."
Raj turned to the sound of her voice, as she stepped out of her home office. Raj slipped his arms around her, pulling her tightly to his chest. One hand raising up, to cradle her head.
After a moment, Amy pushed herself back and looked into her husband's face..."Rajesh, something is wrong I can see it in your face. Are you ill? Has someone been harmed?"
"I have something you need to read. While I would do anything to keep you from being hurt, I cannot keep this from you." Reaching into his pocket he pulls out the flash drive and hands it to her. "I'll take care of the girls and make dinner later. You go read."Amy turns to go back into her office when Raj suddenly wraps his arms around her from behind.
He whispers softly into her ear. "I am here for you. I will always be here for you."
Three hours later Raj quietly opens the door to Amy's office. Her back is to him as she stares out the window into their backyard. Her shoulders are slumped and her hands are clenched into tight fists hanging down her sides.
Shutting the door Raj approaches her..."Amy?"
For just a moment she doesn't seem to have heard him.
Then she turns.
Raj makes the three steps forward and wraps his arms around her. He gently pushes her tear stricken face into his shoulder. He has no wish to see her torment.
"Penny wrote this didn't she?" Amy sobs.
"I believe she did." Raj answers rubbing his cheek against her mousey brown hair.
"Why after all this time? Why did she send it to you?" Amy asks pulling away to go sit on the small loveseat.
"She didn't." Raj said, at Amy's look of surprise he sat down next to her and continued..."Dr. Jon Marshall gave it to me. He gave me 4 flash drives. One for me, Leonard, Howard..."Raj grasps her hands..."the last one is for Sheldon."
"He's read this? He must be devastated." Amy sobs.
"I haven't given it to him yet. Dr. Marshall said we should read it first. See if we thought it might be something Sheldon would be interested in." Raj stands up and walks to the window looking outside.
"Leonard and Howard have both called me already. If you agree tomorrow morning we will go and give it to him."
"Of course you must give it to Sheldon. He needs to know how long Penny has been in love with him." Amy said.
What she didn't say was her fear, that this was some kind of cruel joke, as she laid her head back against the loveseat.
Sighing she let her mind wander to that night all those years ago and what had led her to Rajesh. Amy practically knocked Raj down the stairs in her rush to get as far away from Sheldon as she grabbed the handrail, keeping himself upright. His left arm came around Amy to keep her from falling too.
Amy looked up at him and stuttered..."Oh Rajesh, Sheldon he uuuh he..." Amy dropped her head on his shoulder and started sobbing. With one arm wrapped tightly around her Raj let go of the handrail and turns the two of them around.
He gently guides her out of the apartment building and into his car. Half an hour later Raj has Amy safely ensconced in his apartment. He sits beside her on his couch and listens to her recount what happened with Sheldon. Admitting her own mistake of convincing him to drink, to trying to get to second base, to Sheldon's telling her what she could do to get him all the way to coitus.
Then she started crying again."Amy, in all this time you have been around Sheldon and Penny. Can you honestly tell me you had no idea about the way they feel for each other?" Raj asked putting his finger under her chin, tilting her face up so he could look at her.
With her silence, Raj pushes again..."Amy you spend most of your time observing things. What makes them work and what doesn't. You are telling me that you never watched they're interactions with each other?"
"Yes, I observed them. I've even tried to emulate Penny to try to attract Sheldon. I just kept, hoping he would stay with me as, she stayed with Leonard." Amy sighed.
"Amy do you want a man who you know longs for another? Yes Sheldon has always said he is homo novus. That he is above such biological urges. In the end though he is just a man. The right woman will make the urges men have had since creation come to life. The problem is you are not that woman. No matter what you do, you will never be the woman for him."
"I have been so foolish Rajesh."
"No you have been a woman who has simply been looking in the wrong and Sheldon both are so stuck in your own routines. You try to recreate what you believe you should have had as a teenager. We cannot go back in time. We can only go forward. Create new experiences for ourselves. Do you really want to be a twenty something woman still trying to be friends with the prom queen? Or do you want to be a woman who can say...Okay I can only be friends with this guy. But that cute Indian guy over there who studies the stars and planets. Well maybe I should give him a chance?"
It occurred to neither Raj nor Amy until the following morning, Raj had not taken a single drink to speak to her.
Whatever it was that caused him being mute, disappeared as suddenly as it had appeared.
Five months later, Raj and Amy had her wedding day Amy had taken Sheldon aside and pleaded with him to let Howard search for Penny. Amy did not want him to spend the rest of his life alone. Sheldon thanked her for her concern, but still insisted no one look for Penny. When she returned, and he firmly believed she would. It would be because she wanted to. Not because she'd been persuaded to. He would wait for his beautiful butterfly.
No matter how long it takes.
The following morning the three friends stood in front of 4A. All three took in a deep breath before Leonard knocked. They had met for breakfast and it had been decided Leonard would give Sheldon the fourth flash drive. They'd also decided they would go no where until Sheldon read what was on it.