As always I own nothing, make no money from this and bow before the genius that is Chuck Lorre, Bill Prady and all of the writers, actors and crew that bring the TBBT to life. Thank you.

bamadude and SRAM both have asked when will Penny be added. While the story is au , the changes in personality due to mishaps for both Leonard and Sheldon only altered the time line pre-tbbt show . If you hold to canon Penny would not have arrived in LA till late 2006. I need that to stay true in order to fit in some slightly au events that would not happen if Penny was in Leonard's life already. When the gremlin in my head first started this story without Penny, I balked. If I do not finish it the way he outlined it, he makes me dream that I am roommates with sheldon, and his identical twin brother, and there is no Penny in sight. The horror, the horror. Thanks for reading.

Getting Mobile

I graduated from the heavy wrap-around glasses to a smarter looking pair of transition lenses. The accident had damaged my cornea's after several months of getting a clean bill of health from the optomoligist it was decided it was safe to use lasik to improve my eyesight. Now I only needed reading glasses and of course the transition lenses were able to protect my still light sensitive eyes. Bernadett had picked out the frames and even though they were not the kind I would have normally worn I decided to buy them. I have to admit they fit my face better. I know what you are thinking teacher dating student, how cliche.

That was not the case. Since I could not drive until I was able to bend my left knee my car was just sitting there. Bernadette's on the other hand had not been worth fixing so she was taking the bus to school and to 3 different part time jobs. Solution, Bernadette became my personal assistant. She would drive Sheldon and I to the university everyday and on most days drive us home. The car stayed at her house and she drove it as she saw fit. With what I was paying her she was able to quit 2 of her part time jobs. Our meeting on that day had also paid off in the form of a job at the CheeseCake Factory (Cheryl had told Bernadette that with her looks and sweet attitude she would clean up on tips). The shifts she needed to work were the ones most of the staff liked to avoid and if something came up the management was very flexible as long as you did not abuse the privilege. On top of that she worked Tuesdays which meant she got to wait on that "hottie with a body" (her words not mine) who always wore those tight "hoochie" pants (again her words). Once she found out that "Howie" attended the same Tai Chi class as I did, she started to show up on a regular basis. Hat in hand Howard approached me to see if I was ok with him asking Bernie out (I find this amusing since Howard seemed to be the only one that didn't know that "Bernie" was so upset he had not asked her out yet that she, and I quote "was ready to through him on to the salad bar and ride him like a bronco" wow). I told him Bernadette was strictly a friend and that if he was to date her he needed to remember two things, first, if he wasn't sure if what he was about to say was appropriate, then keep the trap shut (Nicolette had told him this repeatedly while we were at M.I.T.). The second, and most important, was that her Dad was an LAPD Detective who had once shot one of her boyfriends (in the foot, by "accident") when he had driven his daughter home after a date and her blouse was ripped. (Poor schmuck had caught his watch on her blouse reaching across to open the car door because the outside handle did not work). Needless to say her future boyfriends were extremely careful (those that stuck around after the first meeting with her Dad). Howard blanched and in an unusual show of determination asked Bernadette out anyway. Our group had gained another permanent member and Amy now had someone to compare notes with on "boys". I need to make a statement here, I like Amy, she is smart and a bit snarky, and if she learns to socialize a little better she will have a big impact on her field. That said I found it very discomforting to see a woman with a genius level IQ (she said it was 180 but I think she down played it so Sheldon would not be intimidated) giggling like a school girl because a boy had smiled at her. Bernadette was also prone to making ditzy comments when Howard was around but when he was not she showed an acute awareness of the world around us and of the field of study she had chosen. I had even asked her opinion on several projects I was involved with. Amy had commented she would love to give her one of the new IQ tests to see how Bernadette placed. Amy liked giving tests, it helped her quantify everyones place in the world. Eventually everyone had taken the new version except me. To avoid the constant pleading I finally agreed to take the it. I studied examples I found online and was acutely aware that this version was harder to manipulate the score on than the ones my mother had used. Amy was ecstatic when she revealed that my IQ tested higher than was on my records and close to that of Sheldon. She wanted to tell everyone but I posed a question to her. How will Sheldon react to finding out he is not the smartest man on campus. She did not hesitate, she knew that just like her own decision to list a lower IQ for the sake of their relationship, my IQ needed to be the 165 my mother had initially tested me at or it would affect my relationship with Sheldon. Now I had another accomplice in my quest to get Sheldon to reach his true potential.

Never judge a book by its cover

Amy Farrah Fowler had surprised me again. Her visits during that time had been getting a little strange (even for Amy). In one of those rare moments where she and I were alone, she approached me. In true Amy fashion she had posited that her relationship with Sheldon was keeping his attention away from his goals to be the next man to increase, as he liked to put it, "our knowledge of the universe and everything in it". I suggested she read the book that was based on the movie "A Beautiful Mind" and then ask what affect a stable relationship with an equal might have on Sheldon. She never brought it up again.

Shake that money maker

The year progressed. The team had salvaged several DOD projects and one for a private company studying laser usage in mining. The University now had a regular inflow of cash, and even though nothing could be published about the discoveries made for our patrons, the University board was very grateful for our endeavors. Howard had been offered space to create a new engineering lab. Raj had attracted funding for his study of Pluto (which had not yet been demoted from planet to "dwarf planet", and then there were eight, ignore this). Sheldon had successfully headed up his own team on 2 projects and been crucial in "doing the math" for a third. His grasp of M-Theory and advanced Mathematics added him to a very rarified group of minds capable of understanding the work he was capable of doing. His ego had blown up but hanging out with the group allowed him to centre himself and realize the ego was interfering with the science. That was taboo to Sheldon. Knowledge must be increased at all costs (though he did only see himself being the person to do it). What good did it do to be the best if those people you needed to gather data, bounce ideas off of, and generally "do the Math" with, shunned you because you were too full of yourself. That epiphany alone made all that we had sacrificed so far seem worthwhile. Mother agreed, this was one of the major moments in Sheldon's development. She moved up her next visit to Pasadena citing her need to be with me when the leg brace came off. I was actually looking forward to it.

Send in the Dancing Bear

An odd thing happened. A local blogger reported about the "Professor" (which I was not) who was seen to wander around Cal Tech carrying a cane with a diamond grip and wearing dark glasses like Cyclops (obviously he/she was one of my own people,a nerd, for shame). He flew in black unmarked helicopters (once for an emergency evac required by the DOD) and had a chauffeured limousine (it is a Subaru Legacy Sedan, which other than the color black looks nothing like a Limo) driven by a beautiful blonde (Bernadette loved this when she read it) , that no one ever saw leave the vehicle. He worked on nothing but top secret projects (secret yes but hardly top secret), and disappeared from the university for long periods (I am guessing they meant my time in the hospital) and had frequently received well known visitors (I was stumped on this one, possibly my Mother) and dated a super model (there was a picture attached of Missy and I climbing into my car, Missy was very amused). There were other pictures, all with false facts attached to them. The photograph of me entering my secret lab, was actually a picture of me entering the Unisex bathroom near the Deans office. The clandestine meeting off campus was actually a picture of my birthday party at the CheeseCake Factory. The picture of me harassing a waitress, was really lunch at the CCF on a day when Cheryl and Kim were trying to out flirt each other and used me for the test since I was safe. Then there was the damning photo. It showed me shaking hands with my DOD liaison who was in full Dress Uniform. That was the part that caused the University (and myself) problems. Protestors (not many) carried signs that the university should be demilitarized.

Interviews with me appeared on line that I had never given and had all the details incorrect. The University's PR people wanted to know why I was giving interviews without giving prior notice so they could vette the questions. I recommended they read my public school calendar and my work records and see that all of the interviews reported would have to have happened while I was sitting blind in a hospital at UCLA. I was a little annoyed at the tone of the person on the other end of the phone. This persons inability to understand basic English, I mean how many times do they need to ask a question when the answer is always the same. I felt like I was talking to a News Reader. Pushed to the point that I was going to unleash a volley of obscenities, I paused, told them to take it up with the head of the Physics department and then hung up. I refused to take their calls and set my email to auto reply that they needed to take any questions to my department head. Which they did, and I was subsequently called in to see him for "chastisement". Dr. Blake was in his early sixties and was seriously considering early retirement so he could enjoy his grand children and see the world This gave him a kind of laissez-faire attitude about what did or didn't please management. When I entered his office he was reading a report and enjoying it. He looked at me and asked if I had really told Henderson in PR "What would you be if you were attached to another object by an inclined plane, wrapped helically around an axis". He repeated it twice and then told me he was going to borrow that in the near future. I told him I had borrowed it myself and was not sure who the author was. Henry then pointed a finger at me and wagged it at me comically with the comment "bad Leonard, bad Leonard". Chastisement completed he had a few requests for me to help lessen the mess the blogger had started. The University wanted me to dress in suit and tie till the "hooded professor" comments had subsided. They were also going to supply a clearly marked handicapped van to drive me to and from work. I let him know that the wrap around sunglasses would be getting traded in soon. He then asked if I could do without the cane for a while or use one less noticeable. He even offered the use of his favorite twisted oak walking staff until I reminded him that carrying that would just bring on comments about Gandalf teaching at CalTech. He chuckled and asked me to do what I felt comfortable with. Then he dropped the other shoe. The University, because of my new found notoriety (I was sure the next comment would mention sabbatical or visit to the dark side of the moon), wanted me to meet with some of the future undergrads who were going to be visiting our campus and convince them that this was the University they should attend. Their main concern was attracting those interested in studies in Physics and Math, and in particular attracting more women to the sciences. Because of my age, and my newfound notoriety, they thought I would be the right person for this endeavor. I agreed much to Henry's amazement. I told him I was always willing to meet the new minds that would be shaping our future. I saw him right that one down.

Two weeks later after several very disappointing interviews I was delighted to meet with a truly gifted mind in the body of one Alex Jensen. Our interview ran over the time allowed and I noticedAlex's parents were anxiously waiting for her nearby. I walked over and introduced myself though her father admitted he had recognized me from the news. I blushed which made them more comfortable. I told them I thought the Alex would be welcome at any campus and asked if they would have dinner with me to discuss her options. They accepted immediately. Of course I took them to the Cheese Cake Factory and even better yet, a very flirty Cheryl had taken over our table. Before we had even lifted up the menu's the hostess left, Cheryl was over with a sweet tea for me and water for the others.

Flirty as always Cheryl took the drink orders from the Jensen's and then asked me if I had changed my mind about marrying her, I chuckled and replied I was much to old for her. This made her blush and call me a sweet talker. To the whole table she said that she knew I was only 23 , and that I already knew that she was slightly older. Flirting completed Cheryl went off to get the drink order. I looked back to find the Jensen's staring at me. Only 23. I started to apologize till Mrs. Dr. Jensen (I had not thought to ask her first name) waved off my apology and said it was nice to meet an academic who was able to socialize with everyone rather than just fellow academics. I told her it was pure self interest. If I was nice to Cheryl, she made sure to check on me more often and make sure any meal I ordered would not aggravate my lactose intolerant stomach. On top of that Cheryl had arranged for the Dessert Chef to make a basic cheesecake without using milk or cheese and the result had been pretty good. (On a side note the lactose intolerant manager Sandy had tried the cheesecake and liked it, she forwarded the recipe to the home office and recommended the Chef for a raise. The home office had then offered the Chef twice as much money to move to the the home office and design specialty desserts for the chain. Sandy was crushed because she lost a great Dessert Chef but was happy that Moira was getting the accolades she deserved).

The dinner with the Jensens was very interesting. I found them intelligent and well spoken. Dr. George Jensen's time with SETI had at one point had him stationed at a SETI listening post in the Dominican Republic. He had some interesting stories of finding lizards in the strangest places. Dr. Sheila Jensen spent most of her time shuttling between observatories reporting on ways for the sites to improve imaging, increasing funding, and increasing public awareness of what the sites were doing. She had also traded numerous emails with Raj and considered him a friend. She could not understand his refusal to talk on the phone or Skype so I explained his issues with selective mutism. Stealing a line form Howard, I told her Raj was unable to speak to beautiful women. Sheila blushed and got a kiss from her husband. The Jensen's looked good together and they also really seemed to enjoy each others company. I knew at that moment I would never settle for less than that in my relationships. After dinner and dessert had been cleared Alex asked me the big question. Was she qualified to take her undergraduate studies at Cal Tech.. Alex looked anxious. I looked at her and said that I needed her to hear me out before she reacted to what I said.

Then I told her that Cal Tech was not a good match for Alex. Before they could speak I put up my hand and slid the paper I had been writing on for the last two hours over to Alex to see. Mapped out were the pro's and con's of attending several different universities. The conclusion I had reached was that while the undergrad studies at cal tech were good for general physics, the best choice for her if she wanted to be a theoretical physicist would be to attend Stanford. I told her which professors she should study under while she was there, and pointed out that by following a strict course schedule she should be able to complete her undergrad studies and her masters in 6 years. This flummoxed them. I told them Cal Tech would be the best school for her when she wanted to get her Doctorate. Some of the up and coming minds the university now housed should give us the best Doctoral program available. Alex whispered Dr. Sheldon Lee Cooper and then blushed. I agreed but also told her of the other great minds that taught and researched here.

That said, reality set in and they realized they would probably need to raise more money to get her into Stanford. Alex looked crushed but again I pointed at the paper. I had written down the numbers of several people they could contact for assistance including an assistant in the Admittance office at Stanford. I pointed out one number in particular. Looking at Alex I told her she must have a copy of her last SAT tests as well as being sure to copy of the results after she took the new version of the IQ test. These people would connect her with financing and grants and had a history of supporting those with great potential. I was looking right at her when I said that. Her mother's eyes were dewey so I looked away. Her father asked about the last two numbers. The first I said was direct line of the financial adviser I used, Mr. L. William Sipes. I let them know he had been instrumental in helping me achieve my goals and could be trusted to handle their money. The last was my personal number and I told him to feel free to call me at any time he wanted to.

I looked over to Alex and could see her eyes welling, which was making me tear up. I said a quick goodbye, turned and walked away. Alex's parting question was how could she ever repay me. That was the easiest answer I gave all day, "Do great things".

Six years later I found out that Alex graduated from Stanford suma cum laude. I felt proud and was touched when Alex came to see me first after moving to Pasadena to begin her Doctoral studies at Cal Tech. Interviewing students was one of the most rewarding jobs I had while at Cal Tech.