The Abduction Incident
Summary: When Amy goes missing, Sheldon quickly retreats to Pasadena. (Set after Season 7 finale. Mainly Shamy but will also depict the dynamics between all the main characters.)
Warning: Psychology and fluff (as strange as the combination might seem)
Chapter 13: The New Perspective
It was only noon and Amy had already thought of at least ten way of killing Sheldon which was a new record, really.
"So tell me once again how did you come up with this genius idea to call Beverly Hofstadter of all people?" – she demanded, throwing a glare in his direction.
The physicist raised his hands, almost as if in a protective gesture before responding:
"Well, I thought she could help you. She is a renewed psychiatrist after all…Wait, when you said "genius idea" were you -"
"I was being sarcastic!" – Amy deadpanned, feeling exasperated.
Sheldon gave her a hopeless look and she felt a fresh surge of guilt hit her. Deep down she knew he was just trying to help her and that gave her a warm, fluttery feeling in her chest. At the same time though she felt as if he always somehow made the worst decisions when it came to relationships, even when he was trying to help.
The neurobiologist sighed before sitting down on the couch, the one where he had hugged her the previous night. The events rolled before her eyes like an old photo tape but she shut her eyes tight, trying to push away the flashback. She felt vulnerable and exposed, as if she had let Sheldon back into her life too quickly, too carelessly.
And now there was some part of her that wanted to rebuild the wall he had tore down since she was afraid once again he'd leave her and she would have to deal with the heartache all over again.
"If...you don't want to talk to her, just tell me and we'll figure things out." – the physicist said in a low voice, interrupting her thoughts. Amy noticed his grim expression and was reminded of how much she missed his previous vigor.
"No, that would be impolite. I can't believe she decided to come all the way to here after you and Leonard called."
He gave her a crooked smile which she had no idea what meant.
"I can be rather persuasive. Not to mention I have a certain charm on the ladies."
Amy felt a small smile tugging at her lips. During moments like this – when Sheldon was his old self or she was gossiping with Penny and Bernadette she felt normal once again and could almost pretend nothing had happened.
"So, uh, when does she come?" – the neuroscientist intrigued.
The physicist lowered his gaze and she knew that was an indicator she was about to get mad about whatever his next words were going to be.
"Tomorrow."
And then Amy thought of an eleventh way of killing Sheldon.
Still, there was some small part of her that felt elated – one thing she couldn't deny was that he was trying his best to help, even if it was in the least efficient way possible.
Two weeks had passed and it was the third time Amy was meeting Leonard's mother and all she could think about was the fundamental difference between liking and respecting someone.
She did respect Beverly Hofstadter – she was one of the best in her field of research, not to mention a successful woman in a world that expected women to be nothing more than pretty dolls who cook nice and raise babies.
She didn't like Beverly though. The woman was cold and unemotional and liked to think of people as something you can calculate and measure, something which can be tweaked and improved with the right instrument. Problem was people didn't work like that, at least not in Amy's opinion. Not to mention she didn't like to think of herself as something that needed fixing.
Still, she couldn't help but be grateful that the other had taken a leave of absence from whatever she was working on and had come all the way, just so she could attempt to help her.
Part of her realized maybe there were people whom you weren't supposed to like but still couldn't help but admire and respect. And the one sitting opposite her was the perfect example of that.
"So, Amy, would you like to tell me how this whole experience has made you feel?" – Beverly intrigued, pushing up her expensive glasses and giving her another glance, completely devoid of emotion.
"Bad." – the neurobiologist responded flatly. She couldn't help but feel just a small dose of satisfaction seeing the other sigh in exasperation.
"I would greatly appreciate if you expanded your vocabulary to something more than one syllable words." – the older woman said and the other could point out the unmistakable notes of arrogance in her voice.
"After all, I am sure you are a very intelligent woman, otherwise Sheldon wouldn't speak so fondly of you." – she added and the simple statement made Amy's heart almost skip a beat. She wondered if that was the other's intention to begin with but decided either way she didn't care.
"Sheldon talks about me with you?" – she intrigued, trying to make herself sound as nonchalant as humanly possible.
It didn't work and she could see Beverly's lips turning into a small smile.
"Oh, yes, all the time. Apparently you have quite the effect on him. I have never seen him so charmed by any other woman."
Amy fought the strong urge to say: "Really" and try to squeeze out any details about what in particular Sheldon had said but refrained herself from doing so as she didn't want to appear desperate.
"Amy, may I speak frankly?" – Beverly asked after a prolong, studying stare.
"I doubt there is any other way you speak." – Amy retorted, gaining a small chuckle from the other.
"This is the third time we have met and I already have some observations about your behaviour, would you like to hear them?"
"Don't you think I would already know how I feel?" – the scientist asked, taken aback by how outspoken she had become. The whole experience had changed her, making her realize she wasn't as weak as she thought and now she was finally able to say all the things she had always wanted to.
"You would be surprised how often we don't know ourselves as well as we would like to think we do. Sometimes we all need another view point." – the psychiatrist responded and Amy was once again impressed by how eloquent the other was.
"I think it is not the abduction incident that is causing such a disruption in your relationships." – Beverly continued matter of factly.
"What? So you think being abducted and having your life threatened had no effect on me?" – Amy nearly cried out, appalled by the ridiculous suggestion.
"No, of course it had an effect on you. All that I am saying is that there seems to be something more that is preventing you from letting you Sheldon and your friends back into your life."
"That is absurd." – the neurobiologist sneered.
"Sheldon thinks you believe they don't care about you. Bernadette said you view yourself as "the odd one out". Can you say that's not true?"
"Wait a second – you talked to all of them about me?" – Amy intrigued, surprised that her loved ones had become Beverly's clients too. She could only imagine how happy Leonard felt about being profiled by his mother.
"Well, although I am not be the most…supportive person in the world, I do take my work seriously. I also care about the people my son is close to."
Amy only nodded, unable to say anything else. She felt somewhat ashamed of judging the other so harshly because after all Beverly was a good person and didn't have the intention of hurting anyone, she just couldn't express herself and coming to think of it that reminded her of a certain someone.
"Anyway, let's get back to your inferiority complex."
"My inferiority complex?! I don't have an inferiority complex!" – the neuroscientist snapped defensively, realizing mid-sentence she sounded like some little child, stomping their feet and trying to be rebellious.
"Amy I am not here to judge you. I am here to help you."
"Well, you certainly don't leave that impression." – the younger one grumbled.
"Oh, would you like it better if I cuddled you and told how it will all be okay? Perhaps I should sing you a lullaby and put on some hippy music while we are at it?" – Beverly asked, sarcasm dripping from her voice.
"Please don't, that's exactly what my previous psychologist did."
"Unless you admit your problems, there is no way for me to help."
"Yeah, you're right and I do admit I am not the most confident person in the world."
"And why is that?"
Amy opened her mouth to say something but then felt silent. What was she going to say? Why did she feel so insecure? Now that she actually had to think about she found it hard to pinpoint the exact reasons.
"Well, it's not like other people really like me so…" – was all she could come up with, feeling like a pathetic teenager who had to talk to their parent about why they were going through a difficult phase.
"And you think other people's opinion is an indicator of your self-worth?" – the psychiatrist asked in a low, flat voice.
"Well, to a degree yes. I mean other people do influence you."
"Only if you allow them to. Not to mention Sheldon does like you, Amy. Judging from what I've seen the past couple of days so do the rest of your so called "gang".
Amy fell silent, reflecting on the other's words. Sheldon did like her (she wasn't entirely sure if she should use a stronger word than like or not) but she didn't want to allow herself to see it.
"People like Sheldon are not like everybody else. They often find difficulty in expressing their true feelings but that doesn't mean they don't have feelings at all so we have to be patient with them."
The neurobiologist nodded, realizing the older woman had a point.
"I know I have to be patient with him and I am. It's just that I wish sometimes our relationship would be about me, or at least about us, not just him all the time."
"Then why don't you tell him that?"
The simple question took Amy aback and for a good minute or so she struggled to come up with any meaningful answer.
"Because I am afraid I would lose him if I do that." – she said in the end, voice barely above a whisper.
Beverly sighed, giving her another prolonged look. Amy tried to decipher the meaning behind it but came up with nothing.
"And don't you think you deserve better? I am not one to give out compliments easily but you seem like an intelligent, strong and ambitious young woman. You deserve others to treat you right."
"I know…that, it's just that I love him and relationships are about compromises and –"
"You shouldn't compromise your own happiness. That's not how relationships work or at least not how they are meant to work."
Amy nodded, the words leaving a bitter taste in her mouth. Still, she knew the other was right and couldn't object to what she was saying.
"I'm not telling you to end your relationship with Sheldon. Just the opposite – talk to him, open up and tell him what you want. I can give a thousand complex psychological terms and fill your head with definitions but in my experience nothing can help a relationship like a good conversation."
"Wow, you really are good at your job." – the younger woman pointed out sheepishly, feeling uncomfortable with the serious conversation and wanting to switch to a lighter subject.
"Of course I am." – Beverly replied smugly, a rigid smile on her lips. – "I am very proud of who I am, Amy and you should too. It may sound cliché and cheesy but if you don't love and respect yourself, no one will."
Amy didn't reply and remained silent for the longest time, reflecting on what the other had said. All her life she had judged herself and thought that would make her in some way better, at least in the eyes of others. Now, though, she realized it was her own opinion that mattered the most.
She had to get through the whole experience, and not just in order for her and Sheldon to work out but most importantly – for herself.
Leonard scanned through the room, taking in account the expressions of all of the most important people in his life. They all looked happy and content – Bernadette and Howard holding hands, Rajesh and Emily talking excitedly and last but not least Sheldon and Amy chatting leisurely about whatever scientific topic the physicist had picked up.
Then there was his mother, watching all of it and probably mentally evaluating each one of them. After all – she saw them as book material and she was anything if not pragmatic.
Penny gave his hand a squeeze and offered him an impatient glance.
"Come on, what are you waiting for?!" – she demanded and he could read the excitement in her eyes.
He offered her a goofy smile before turning to the rest of the gang.
"Guys, uh, I-we- have to tell you something." – he began unsure, ever the one to find speaking to more than two people a struggle – "Um, we know it's kind of early and kind of foolish but we have you know-"
"Oh, come on!" – Penny interrupted him – "We are getting married!" – she cried out happily.
An awkward silence fell upon the room and the friends shared a few weirded glances between each other.
"Yeah, we already know that. You told us all about you proposal trilogy, remember?" – Howard chipped in.
"Yeah, but we're getting married next Sunday!"
"What?! You're doing what!?" – Bernadette shouted from the other end of the room.
"But, Penny, we haven't done any wedding plans yet! And you know how much I like planning…well anything, really!" – Raj protested.
"Leonard, as you know the terms of our relationship clearly state you should inform me six weeks before –" – Sheldon began but his voice was drowned out in the whole cacophony.
"Okay, okay, listen up everybody!" – Leonard raised his voice and to his surprise the room went quiet.
"We know it's too soon and we know there hasn't been any planning but you know what…we think it's better this way. You're the people that matter the most in our lives and frankly, there is no need for anyone but family and friends to come."
"Not to mention with everything that happened the past month, we've realized how unpredictable life can get and we want to be husband and wife as soon as possible. The fancy dresses and flowers and all that are nice but we don't really need them. We just need each other. So what do you guys say?" – Penny asked, giving her friends a hopeful look.
"Those were some of the most touching words I've heard ever since I rewatched Gilmore Girls!" – Raj said, voice already wavering.
"Well, I think you'll be an absolutely stunning bride with or without the fancy dress and all the planning – so I am all for it!" – Amy said in an encouraging tone, getting up to give Penny a much needed hug.
The blonde embraced her friend for the first time since she was back, pulling her close.
"Oh, thank goodness, you're back. I don't know what I'd do without you!" – she exclaimed, patting the other's back.
"I think we can do it, I mean it's not like any wedding can go perfect." – Bernadette said, joining in for the hug.
Pretty soon the whole group, including Sheldon, had agreed the plan wasn't perfect but was a sure way to have an unforgettable, fun wedding which meant it was accepted.
"Aren't you going to ask about my opinion about all of this?" – Leonard heard a stern voice and turned only to see his mother's disapproving expression.
"Fine - what is your opinion?" – he asked, exasperated – "But before you respond you should know either way we're doing it since this is our life and we get to make decisions."
"Yeah, give it to her straight!" – Penny joked but when her future mother-in-law threw her an icy glare her laughter fell flat and she focused on a very distinctive spot of the carpet, trying to avoid meeting the other's eyes during the rest of the evening.
"I appreciate your new found confidence and independence, Leonard." – the psychiatrist began in awry voice – "However I can't hide my disappointment with your choice to have an "spur of the moment" wedding but…" – Beverley sighed heavily before continuing – "You are my son and as such I do wish that you are satisfied with your life. If this is want you want then I have no choice than to support your sloppy judgment."
"Wow, and coming to think of it, this is actually the nicest thing you've ever said." – the physicist retorted but couldn't hide the small smile on his lips.
Amy watched the whole scene and suddenly realized she was finally home. All the usual craziness and quirkiness that she had come to love was back full mode and she couldn't help but feel glad she was back to her old life.
She glanced at Sheldon, who was trying to appear annoyed but the sudden turn of events and was failing miserably at it, before stepping in closer, shortening the distance between them.
With little hesitation, she took his hand, intertwining their fingers. The Texan was surprised by the sudden contact and turned to face her, a look of amazement on his face.
"What are you doing?" – he asked, cocking one eyebrow like a young child who was having difficulty understanding some complex math equation. Not that Sheldon had ever had any problem with anything science related, of course.
"I think holding friends can easily be classified as a friendly gesture." – Amy replied slyly, fighting the urge to wink at the other.
Sheldon stared at her dumbfound for a few seconds and she couldn't help but think how absolutely adorable he looked when he was clueless about something. Then his expression turned to something else, some strange emotion she hadn't seen before flashing through his aqua eyes.
"Of course it is, but I think handshaking is a bit more appropriate for another type of a relationship, don't you agree?"
It was Amy's turn to stare back at him, mouth agape. She thought she was hearing things because surely – there was no way Sheldon was actually teasing her, was there?
She tried not express how good even the remote prospect of that felt and just turned to look at the happy faces of her friends.
For the first time in a long while, she was starting to enjoy herself again.
Author's Note: juliadelg, beckygirl98, kimbee73, gleencoco, smkffnut, stardust, nanjica04, SRAM – thank you for reviewing, you're all so nice!
Hey, guys, hope you enjoyed the advice Beverly gave. I feel like Amy really needed to hear it – someone telling her she has to love and respect herself first and also that she and Sheldon should communicate more.
So yeah, maybe I made Beverly a bit too nice but I just never bought the idea (in canon) that she is some sort of great evil. At least I think she is very good at her job as it has been implied.
Oh, and are you looking forward to Penny and Leonard's wedding? Do you like their plan – I've always thought an improvised wedding would suit them better.
What are your thoughts on Amy starting to feel happy again? Hope that wasn't rushed.
There are only two chapters left by the way!
(Shameless self-promotion: Check out my other story - The Physicist's Advice)
Please review and have a nice day!