A/N: How does a cooky physicist impress his dream girl? Oh, only a crazy perfect date will do. Enjoy your rewards loyal readers, things are about to get real cute, real fast.
I do not own the Big Bang Theory.
"Are you sure this isn't a little over the top Sheldon? I mean its only your first date." Leonard asked his roommate after he heard Sheldon's plan for the all-day first date that morning. It had been top secret until now, though of course not the kind of top secret Christine usually dealt with. It was going to take time to get used to that.
"It's a little late now to change any of it Leonard. Besides, in case you haven't noticed, Christine and I tend to be over the top kind of people." This was very true, need I remind you of Ten Forward?
Sheldon had been delighted when Christine agreed earlier in the week that since they already knew they could spend lots of time together, happy in their mutual company, that making a day of it would be just fine. This was great news, as his idea of the perfect date for Christine had a considerable amount of travel time involved.
"Well, I am sure she will like it." Penny chimed in. Ever since she accepted Leonard's proposal she might as well have lived in the apartment.
"Thank you, Penny. And thank you for driving us this morning."
"Wouldn't be the first time I chauffeured one of your dates."
She grabbed the keys and decided to wait downstairs for the happy couple. She knew for sure that Christine was definitely going to love her day.
-T—B—B—T—
He was glad he had decided on this plan for their date. After the events of last night, Christine's big revelation, her pain and all, she needed a good day. He was even more thankful she had agreed at the beginning of the week that getting out of the city for a while would be a good idea. Now he understood that may not have been just a passing statement.
The only downside he could see to the day was that they had to wake early, before sunrise early. Generally Christine slept odd hours, usually falling asleep closer to dawn unless she had a class or something to do the next day. So, he made sure to have a large thermos of coffee ready for her when he knocked on her door.
Knock. Knock. Knock. "Christine." He was getting nervous.
Knock. Knock. Knock. "Christine." Why was he getting nervous?
Knock. Knock. Knock. "Christine." This is absurd, he sees her every day yet it feels like a small monkey is strangling his chest.
"Hey sweetie!" It was so early in the morning; she couldn't believe she agreed to be out all day for their date. Aren't most dates a few hours, at night?
Oh who was she kidding? She was looking forward to whatever the crazy mind of her Dr. Cooper could come up with as his version of the 'perfect date'.
"I brought you coffee. Black, just like you like it." Well, that's a point in his favor. She took the coffee and smiled at him when she sipped it. It was her preferred brand, she could tell.
"So are you going to tell me where we are going yet?" she asked as she linked her arm in his and they descended the stairs.
"Of course not. But I am happy to see you adhered to the dress code per the pre-date memo I sent you." Christine loved that about him, he was so utterly practical. But in his own way, Sheldon was a romantic. He wanted to be sure she was prepared so that everything he had planned would go well. She couldn't imagine why she needed to wear 'normal, everyday clothes and tennis shoes' and have a change of a 'what is referred to as a little black dress' packed to take with her. Whatever, as Penny called him, Sheldon can be a whack-a-doodle.
She wasn't terribly surprised that Penny was driving them this morning, though she was surprised the blonde agreed to do anything so early. She just hoped that the poor girl wouldn't be stuck with driving duties all day. She said as much to Penny in an apology as Sheldon opened the door for her as any gentleman should. At the look Sheldon sent her way Penny gave a non-committal "no problem" instead of revealing how little of the date she would see.
The drive was quiet, but long. The two had a low conversation, discussing how happy they each where that the waiting was finally over. But that was easier for Sheldon than Christine. He at least knew what was in store.
"Sheldon! Where are we going?" She was about to burst. She was not used to being out of the loop. What could he possibly have planned for a whole day?
"Shhh… it's a surprise." He whispered in her ear. Hmm, Sheldon was getting too good at keeping secrets. She smiled to herself at the thought.
They pulled aside in downtown Los Angeles where Penny let them out and wished them well on their date. Christine waved her off before she turned to a smiling Sheldon with a quirked eyebrow.
"Union Station?"
-T—B—B—T—
"The Pacific Surfliner travels a 350 mile track between San Luis Obispo and San Diego and has an impeccable on time record in addition to the incredible views one can experience by sitting—"
Christine cut him off as she read the ticket he had handed her. "You're taking me to San Diego?" There was no emotion in the question, she was just utterly confused.
"Yes, we will return later tonight. I wanted to do something specific for you, and it could only be done in San Diego, so I thought I would also share with you my love of locomotives. Is this not satisfactory to your liking?" Maybe he had gone over the top.
"I love it! I haven't spent any significant time on a train since I was in Russia… its like all train travel there. So it will be scenic?"
"Yes, so long as we stake out the right seats."
The call to the platform sounded and Sheldon was sure to grab the small bag from Christine that he had asked her to pack, she can kick ass but he is a gentleman.
After Sheldon stowed their bags in the overhead he pulled down a smaller bag containing some fruit, two croissants and two bottles of orange juice and placed it on the table as he sat across from Christine. The train jerked to a start as they began to eat.
"You really thought of everything Sheldon." Christine was impressed he thought of getting her favorite brand of juice, with lots of pulp.
"Much as you once told me, I aim to please." She examined him as he ate. He was methodical, able to get every crumb into his mouth with no mess on his travel paper plate. In a sense he was hypnotic, so in control in a way she could never be. His existence allowed him to understand parts of the universe she could only glimpse, even with a comparable level of intelligence. His every little quirk, his ability to coordinate the words to hand gestures as he explains rock, paper, scissors, lizard, Spock, his understanding and focus on the macro and micro of the universe… it made him undeniably the most sexy man she ever encountered.
He caught her staring at him. "Is there something on my face?" Oh, and he was so innocent too, though she knew for sure he could be a whole lot less innocent with her.
"No, nothing sweetie. Is this train usually so empty?" There were just five other people in the car.
"Occupancy for the next few days is likely to be lower due to some track maintenance. Apparently people are afraid of being delayed but I see no real reason to worry."
She smiled. They were in a double booth which could seat four people, two on each side of the table. "So come sit with me." She patted the seat next to her.
He hoped for this. He loved watching the scenery unfold before him and it would be wonderful to hold her during it as he explained where they were, what they were passing and why he loved trains in general. He gathered their empty bottles and trash and discarded them before returning to Christine, taking the seat next to her and taking her hand in his.
They spent over a half hour in silence as they looked out across the sun rising into the sky. She was so utterly relaxed as she lent herself back into him, feeling some of the tension of the last few days melt away. Her back wasn't so sore anymore, now that the metal was gone thanks to Sheldon. And she was leaving the city for the day, one whole day that she didn't have to worry about being spotted randomly while she did errands.
"You planned this didn't you?" She asked in a gentle yet accusatory voice.
"Of course I planned the trip. Who else would?" Once again, he was confused.
"No, I mean this part. The sunrise, the relaxation. Its just remarkable Sheldon. I never saw the sunrise on this coast. I couldn't be happier right now." She turned her smile to him and her kiss landed partly on his cheek, part on the corner of his mouth.
"I'm glad." He could barely focus right now, so he just pulled her into a hug which he held for several minutes until she repositioned herself to face back out the window but remain in his embrace. Excellent, they have advanced to cuddling and he didn't even have to implement his expanded 5-point plan!
They passed the rest of the two and half hour train ride with Sheldon pointing out some of his favorite sights, telling her to remember them because they would be beautifully lit during their night ride home. His voice had been so gentle and soothing as he whispered most of his passing observations into her ear. She dozed off with twenty minutes left in the journey and he was content to watch the emotions of her dreams flick across her peaceful face.
"Wake up Christine." She gently shook her. "We're here."
She yawned and stretched. "Oh. I'm sorry I fell asleep. I was having such great dreams."
He pulled down their bags, thankful they were light enough to be easily carried throughout the day. "I rather enjoyed you asleep next to me."
The shuttle was waiting to take some of the passengers from this stop to their real destination, the infamous San Diego Zoo. They climbed aboard, taking seats across the aisle from another, older, couple. Sheldon was happy to note there were seat belts on this bus. He strapped them both in tight.
The woman across from them leaned toward Christine. "My husband was just as protective of me when we first got married. How long has it been for you two?"
Christine smiled wildly. "Actually, its our first date. He just took me down on the train from Pasadena because whatever he has in store can only be done here."
The woman lightly slapped her husband's chest in playful chastisement. "See that! Now that's romance Stephen!"
Sheldon leaned into Christine to whisper. "I take it that as a sign I am doing well thus far?"
She pat his cheek affectionately. "Very, very well sweetheart."
The shuttle stopped at the main entrance to the zoo and already Christine was getting very excited. She always wanted to come here. They had the largest and most interesting selection of breeds. And the elephants! She fell in love with them in India, even more in Africa when she and her father would sometimes safari as a little girl. They were her favorite beasts of the whole world. Large, in charge and true gentle giants.
Sheldon gave her bag back after she insisted that it was no heavier than a purse and women were used to carrying those… she could handle it.
They began their walk with the other visitors to the main entrance but Sheldon tugged on her arm and redirected her to their right. "We have something different planned."
About 500 yards and around a turn in the gate a large framed man with glasses, a pink tint to his sunny skin wearing a park hat but no uniform stood waiting for them. "Hello Dr. Cooper. It has been some time since the old Cal Tech days."
"That it has Dr. Mcneal. May I introduce my date Dr. Christine Thomas?" Christine shook his hand.
"Dr. Mcneal and I used to share a lunch table before he moved here to run the zoo, well before I met Leonard." This man was probably as close to a real friend as Sheldon had before he met the short neard of 4A.
"Its all set Sheldon." The man opened the gate and ushered them through to where a young woman, a park employee stood waiting by a humvee. "This is Marissa. She is our top lion trainer and will be taking you through the park today. You have special access, so just do as she says and you will be safe."
"Sheldon?" Christine asked wearily as they climbed into the truck. "What's going on?"
"I arranged for us to go on a safari, not some commercialized version of it either. We will really be in the habitats of all the animals you love most. It was as close as I could get to recreating those times you miss with your father without flying you to Africa."
This man was too good to be true. She told him as such as they entered the giraffe pen. He told her he thought of her as much the same.
At Marissa's instruction they got out and began to walk along the wooded areas of the large land dedicated to the long necked animals which constituted Christine's second favorite beast of the world. Sheldon held her hand as he avoided little puddles of dung and stepped over small stones. As they rounded a dense patch of leafy green forest they saw them. Three giraffes all cuddled close, all three feeding from the treetops.
She was so close to them, the stunning creatures. Even in Africa she never stood closer than several hundred yards away, but they were there, no more than twenty feet from her side. Sheldon looked to her. "Would you like to feed them?"
Her eyes bulged in excitement. "I-I can feed them?"
Sheldon was pleased with her reaction. He hadn't been sure this would be special enough but judging by the way she looked at him like he handed her a precious jewel he began to have new confidence in his plan, and pride at that. "Yes, Marissa can show us how. This is why I called in the favor for the special tour."
"Oh my God, wow. Wow. Wow." Christine's pace hastened as she lumbered to catch up to their guide now slowly approaching the giraffe's sides.
"Here." The guide directed. "Take this branch and offer it to them."
Sheldon placed his hand at the small of Christine's back as she did just that and the largest of the three began to eye her cautiously. He seemed to be examining for a threat lurking in the woman holding his treat but he bent down and took a quick nip of the leaves that grew on the branch just five feet long in Christine's hand.
She could feel herself begin to tear up. Yesterday she was dodging bullets and barely escaped the rigged yacht before the explosion killed her and today she's having close encounters of the tallest kind. Being with Sheldon introduced a whole new sort of interesting into her already abnormal life… but his brand was enchanting.
Marissa took a seat on a log about twenty feet away from the hood of the Humvee where Sheldon and Christine now sat, watching the other five giraffes come join their friends.
"You think they are anything like us Sheldon?" Christine asked. They had been just in this area for an hour now, she couldn't seem to tear herself away.
He snorted. "Well, the one with the long hair that keeps making eyes at the short one could definitely be Penny."
"Hmm… and that shy one that seems to be slightly stalking around the taller female could be Raj."
"Yes, I could see that. What about that one, who looks like he is about to perform an out of season mating ritual?"
They looked to one another and agreed in unison. "Howard." They squeezed each other's hand in chuckles.
"Let's call Marissa back. I have an idea for what to do next."
"What's that?"
"Would you like to pet a lion?"
She looked him in the eye. "Do you really need to ask?"
-T—B—B—T—
After they left the caged room Christine was invigorated. She had always been an adrenaline junkie, which of course helped her professional life. But she just did it! She and Sheldon both just pet a real lion. Even though they agreed on no electronic media she couldn't resist updating her facebook status to: Tip to my male friends. If you want to impress a girl, join her in petting big cats. the SD zoo with Sheldon, taming Lions.
His phone beeped to alert him to his tag in her post. "Oh good! The date has been made facebook worthy!"
She chuckled as they made their way to the cafeteria for a quick lunch.
"I can't believe," she finished chewing the last of her hamburger, "That you were able to arrange all that."
"I suggest we take the rest of the time we have here to see the usual tour before one last little surprise and then back to the train station."
"Anything you want honey, I am putty in your hands today."
He enjoyed that.
They left the cafeteria to take in the usual animal exhibits. Polar bears, walruses, the petting zoo, cheetahs, these had been mutual favorites. But of course, Sheldon had to pull off one last stunt to make the day perfect before the evening ride home.
"So when you were in India you rode elephants right?"
"Yeah. I think I told you about my pet elephant Rusty? He's who my tattoo is of."
He figured as much. This would great then, she could teach him a thing or two.
Sheldon walked her to the elephant habitat as others watched on. Lots were taking photos and of course so was Christine. Observing her, Sheldon couldn't begin to describe how much she seemed to enjoy just the sight of them. It was like she screamed a passion for the creatures that could stomp on her without effort. But of course, they were fairly well natured and Christine would most likely not be scared away anyhow. She had pet that lion like it was the kitty cat Leonard so desperately wanted.
The elephant trainer came on the speakers as she spoke into her microphone from behind the habitat's fence. "Welcome ladies and gentleman. We have a special treat for you today. Every once in a while we have found it helpful for our rescued elephants to have some outside interaction with a human used to their presence. One of our audience members used to own one herself in India so we invite her and her friend now to help us out, if she is willing."
This man better damn marry her. That was the final straw in the decision. He knew her, all of her, all too well. He made more effort in this one day than anyone made in her whole life to see happiness in her eyes. This was indeed the perfect date.
She climbed the fence and nearly dragged Sheldon along as she approached her favorite animal. She didn't need to listen to the trainer's directions to which elephant was hers. It was the shy one, the one having a hard time adjusting to the company of like kind. She reminded her of Sheldon. So special, so unique and still cast as an outsider. It made both of them all the more precious to her.
She grabbed Sheldon's hand to pull him along. He was obviously intimidated by the size of the animal before him. The trunk was probably the size of his body alone. But that made it all the more exciting to Christine.
"Here." She directed. "Stand in her line of sight and approach with me. Walk slow and respond to my movements as I make them." Sheldon gulped. He was starting to regret this but he knew he couldn't back away, this was making Christine too happy.
They moved closer at a steady pace until the elephant yawned wide and then lowered her head towards Christine and Sheldon. It was an offer to play.
Christine moved the hand joined to Sheldon's to press them both against the elephant's trunk. She heard the trainer narrate their actions as them approaching 'Betsy'.
Betsy was such a good girl. She wound her trunk gently to tap Sheldon on the bum before she lowered her body to the ground. The trainer informed the crowd she rarely saw an elephant respond so quickly to a rider before.
Christine gently rubbed Betsy's ears between her hands, massaging them and running the effect down to her ribs where she stroked in circular patterns.
"Are you ready Besty?" she asked. "This is Sheldon. He's the best guy in the world. Is it ok if he comes on too?" Her calming voice seemed to soothe the animal. A slight wave of its ear being its only response.
Christine pulled up the stool sitting a few feet away before climbing on it and propelling herself onto Betsy's back. She noticed the small reigns strapped around her ride's body and was thankful she didn't have to do this bareback, it had been a very long time since she did anything like this. She held her hand down to Sheldon. "Come on!" she cheered.
"No, no. This is your thing. Its all yours." He was petrified to ride an animal. They were utterly unpredictable, wild, savage. A little like Christine in a way, no wonder she felt kinship to them.
"Please Sheldon?" Oh no, puppy eyes. Why did she have to use puppy eyes?
He sighed. "Very well." He took her hand and climbed aboard. Christine gave some sort of signal to the elephant that he did not understand and he found himself clenching onto her for dear life as Besty stood up and began her slow march around the habitat. Christine was aware of how big of a treat this is. Sure, this elephant was used to the domestic life, she could tell. But it was never a custom to let someone ride one in captivity… too great a liability. And she knew this because she tried it once. How Sheldon was able to convince Dr. Mcneal spoke of both his dedication to the date and her happiness as well as his confidence in her.
So, to be fair to everyone else, she rouded toward the trainer. "Would it be ok if I walked her closer where they could pet her trunk?"
She was unsure but looking back on everyone casting excited and jealous gazes she nodded, so long as only the tip of the trunk was close enough to the crowd.
Anyone who found out about this later would have been so disspointed they missed it. Christine and Sheldon rode Betsy close so she could sniff the little children and be pat on the nose. She didn't even try to take anyone's food. A sign she had been used for years in a domestic setting.
Finally Christine decided the excitement was enough for herself and for Betsy so she rounded her up back to the stool and let herself and Sheldon down. She saddled next to Betsy's ear and hugged herself close, planting a little kiss on her. "Thank you sweetie." She said to Betsy and to Sheldon as well.
-T—B—B—T—
They boarded the Pacifice Surfliner headed back to Los Angeles just before six thirty at night. Once again Sheldon led the way to seat selection. This car was entirely empty other than the conductor and themselves. He came to check their ticket and left them saying "All yours sir."
"What did he mean?" Christine asked Sheldon.
"I tipped him well so that he would keep this car clear and leave us to our devices."
"You bribed him?" Was she hearing this right? Oh, she totally corrupted him!
"In a manner of speaking, yes."
He waited several minutes, enjoying the proximity to her as they shared the table booth. She was warm, humming with contentment from a day well spent. He stood up and retrieved their bags.
"Here, go change. We both smell from our day." He knew it was not romantic to discuss body odor. Leonard warned him about this point in the plan but he had few alternatives.
"Ah, ok." She took the bag and walked to the back bathroom. Sheldon meanwhile quickly snapped to action as soon as the door had closed. First he tugged off his layed shirts and put on an undershirt and one of the collared shirts his Meemaw and mother gave him for his birthday. Then he set out the decorations. He could hear Christine washing her hands, he had to hurry!
She came out refreshed in her little black dress, looking down at her bag as she finished zipping and walking back to the table. When she got there she found an incredible display. Sheldon was all dressed up for her, his deep blue shirt playing off the color of his eyes. The white table cloth fell halfway to the floor and an LED candle glowed by the window, mimicking the view of all the city lights that seemed to perpetually illuminate the coastline.
"Sheldon. What's all this?" She was dumstruck as she took her seat. He had set out wine glasses (both filled with grape juice) and two plates that were delivered from the snack car. Chicken carbonara on each.
"You do like Italian don't you?"
"Yes of course. I eat everything, you know that. This is one of my favorites actually." It really was too. It might not be healthy but lord did she love bacon.
She ate with gusto as the two talked over the day. Sheldon said his favorite part was the polar bears. Three months in the Arctic and he hadn't come across one of them.
Christine's favorite was of course the elephant but he had made a little dream come true when she got to feed he giraffe.
"Well, I do know how much you love new things. I thought you might enjoy yourself today."
"Enjoy myself? Sheldon I didn't enjoy myself." His face fell. "I had an absolute blast!"
She moved to his side of the table, their dinners long forgotten. She tucked her feet under her, her knees resting against his thighs. Her body swiveled to face him as she pulled his face to look at her in the eye.
"This has been beyond a doubt the most perfect date I could have ever imagined." She was a tad nervous right now as she drew herself closer to his lips.
"Sheldon." It was a near moan in a whisper.
"Christine." He breathed her name like a prayer before he closed the gap to her lips. They were the softest, most firm substance he ever felt. His own lips were tingling as they parted, allowing her to take his bottom lip between her own and gently massage as she sucked on it.
Just the smallest bits of pleasured moans were escaping them as they held a nearly chaste rhythm before they both had to suck back for air. When their lungs were filled they returned back with a little more enthusuam, Sheldon ready to take it to a new level. He opened his lips wider now, experiementally running his tonge along the opening of her own. She allowed him entry and gasped as he licked her teeth. He let his hand reach up into her hair as she tangled hers in his, gently pulling at the roots. The sensation shot little bolts of electricity down his back and to his toes.
He was hungry for her now as they continued to trace and explored one another's soft lips, discovering what each liked most.
She loved it when he trailed his fingers along the traces of her earlobes as he tugged gently on her lower lip. And he loved when she swirled her tongue around his own, making light strokes along the roof of his mouth.
When they parted for air again they held faces to meet at the forehead. Their breaths were labored and they both knew they only had a few minutes left of the train ride, they were almost to Los Angeles now.
Christine pulled away first, keeping her eyes locked on his. She stroked his cheek and he lightly traced over her lips again. Simultaneously they both said it. It was inevitable, it had to be done.
"I love you."
The three little words crushed them together again until the conductor forced them to disembark at the station.
