The Work-Life Balance Disruption
Chapter 21
Verifications
Amy awoke surprisingly well-rested the next day. Despite the new wave of tears, she had been so emotionally exhausted, fatigue had claimed her quickly. Those two incredible orgasms had helped her sleep as well.
Amy looked at her phone. It was only six in the morning. There was no need to get up yet. She had multiple texts in the group chat with the girls.
Penny
We just heard Sheldon come home – its the middle of the night
Penny
Leonard went to talk to him
Penny
I'm trying to listen through the wall
Bernadette
I'm awake now. It's midnight… wtf?
Penny
Leonard is telling him off. Cant be sure what he's saying tho
Bernadette
Amy, did he stay with you this late? You could have offered him a place to sleep
Penny
Sheldons yelling as well. I think Leonards coming back. Ill see what I can get out of him
Bernadette
Keep us posted!
Penny
Will do
Amy looked through the conversation again. Would Leonard be telling him off for leaving her by herself? She'd like to think so.
He hadn't texted her. Suddenly, she remembered he had e-mailed her the day before. She opened her e-mail and scrolled down until she found the one she was looking for: Performance review.
Ms. Fowler,
Please see attached. Should you have any remarks or would like to discuss your grade, please inform me thusly within 48 hours.
Without notice I will assume you have no comments and agree with my findings wholeheartedly.
Regards,
S.L. Cooper, PhD
He really did write a review. Amy let out a hesitant breath and clicked on the attached pdf.
Performance review
Reviewer: Dr. S.L. Cooper, PhD
Reviewee: Ms. A.F. Fowler
Performance reviewed: Fellatio
On Monday, December 9th, after around 5 minutes of manual stimulation, Ms A.F. Fowler performed fellatio on Dr. S. L. Cooper for approximately 13 minutes. The overall performance receives a passing grade of 7/10, or B minus.
Listed below overall findings and points of improvement.
General findings
Ms Fowler exceeded the original expectations of mainly manual stimulation,
She displayed an ability to adjust to the situation at hand rapidly and abide by the wishes of the recipient,
She committed to continuously learn by following the instructions adequately,
It should be noted that her willingness to have the recipient ejaculate in her mouth was highly appreciated – as expressed through the cunnilingus performed by recipient on that same afternoon.
Points of improvement
Dr Cooper encourages Ms Fowler to start practising fellatio, for example on a banana; it will help her to learn to cover her incisors with her lips fully next time,
The overall performance lacked a certain confidence by Ms Fowler; in general, recipient prefers a more resolute approach to fellatio,
The displayed enthusiasm to reach the wanted goal and obvious devotion to please recipient more than make up for her lack of skills,
Recipient is convinced Ms Fowler will be able to improve her skills by more practice, since she has proven to be quite talented when listening to the instructions given.
Final Grade
Based on the reasons listed above, the performance is reviewed at 7 out of 10, or B minus.
Reviewer is open to help Ms Fowler further develop her oral skills, and would hypothetically also recommend her talents to others – were it not for the fact that he wants this privilege for himself exclusively.
It wasn't until Amy was at the lab that Penny finally elaborated on the talk between the two men. Well, didn't as much elaborate, but state that Leonard told him off and that's all he said to her about it. She tried to bug him, but he wouldn't let up.
Amy really couldn't be bothered much. After reading the review, she had to take a moment to let the information sink in. He had written the review like he had assessed her blowjob as some sort of assignment. Reading his business-like and clinical words about something very illicit was strangely arousing.
And in the last paragraph, he had downright stated that he wanted her to do it again. And also that he wanted her for himself. He had called it a privilege. A privilege. To have her do something so intimate to him?
Amy couldn't say she hadn't liked it – although she did prefer what he did to her – but she did like the power she held over him while she 'performed', so to speak. The sounds of approval he made still resonated in her head.
Amy was looking out of the window sipping her coffee thinking it over. He had basically written that he wanted her. She should be thrilled. Yet she wasn't. Not after he had left her alone in her bed last night.
But it wasn't as if she had asked him to stay either, she reasoned. But still. You don't just come over to someone's house unannounced, comfort them, feed them, pleasure them and then leave without so much as a goodbye. Right?
"Amy!" Bernadette entered the lab, and walked over to her immediately. Amy barely had time to put down her coffee before Bernadette enveloped her in a bear hug. "I'm so sorry for your loss," she spoke softly, squeezing Amy to her.
Amy hugged her back, grateful for her friend. "Thank you," Amy replied.
"Was it sudden?" Bernadette asked.
"She died of old age, but it hurts all the same," Amy shrugged.
Bernadette gave a sympathetic smile. "When's the funeral?"
"The day after tomorrow," Amy replied, suddenly realising she needed to get 'something appropriate' to wear at the mall.
"My dad's picking me up, it's at her old church in Glendale," Amy continued, "I actually have to read out a psalm. Aunt Flora left instructions before she died."
Bernadette patted her arm. "It's nice you get to do that for her," she said. "Is there anything I can do for you?"
"Would you take me to the mall? My mom will kill me if I don't wear an all-black outfit," Amy answered.
"Of course," Bernadette smiled, "this afternoon?"
They continued to set up their work at the lab. Bernadette was analysing blood samples of the Capuchin's. Amy was busy writing out the results of the earlier experiments. She was so focussed on the differences in behaviour by the non-smoking and the smoking monkeys, that she almost didn't hear Bernadette's question.
"So, Amy," she spoke suggestively, "are you gonna tell me yourself what Sheldon was doing at your place last night, or do I have to use force to get it out of you?"
Amy blushed immediately.
"He came over because I didn't show up at this meeting we were supposed to have," Amy started, "and then I didn't answer my phone, so he - - "
"Yeah, skip that part," Bernadette interrupted her impatiently, "did he take care of you yesterday?"
Amy felt as if her face was on fire. Bernadette stared at her, her face filled with glee. Amy looked away guiltily.
"Oh my God, Amy!" she screamed, high pitched.
She jumped out of her seat and practically ran over to her. "Tell me everything!"
"Well," Amy muttered, "he was really nice to me, listening to me talk about Aunt Flora and stuff. And then we kissed."
Bernadette gave her an incredulous look. "I don't think that's all you did, Amy Farrah Fowler," she spoke accusingly. "That hickey on your neck begs to differ."
Amy's eyes widened. "What?" Her hand immediately went to the side of her neck he had kissed her last night.
"It's not the best hickey I've seen in my lifetime," Bernadette elaborated, "but it's there nonetheless. So, what else happened?"
Amy gave her an awkward grin. She had never done this – sex talk with a girlfriend. It was fun.
"He went down on me," she whispered.
Bernadette's screams were so high-pitched that monkeys went berserk in the room next door.
"Bernie!" Amy whispered, "will you be quiet?"
"My, my, Doctor Cooper!" Bernadette was grinning at her. "How was it? I've always wondered if he's as good in bed as that skinny bitch claimed. She was always bragging about him, from what I understand from Howie."
Amy felt her stomach constrict uncomfortably at the mention of this Ramona again. She quickly tried to stop her mind from wandering too much.
"It was great," Amy answered truthfully, "really great."
Bernadette's eyes were shining. "Yeah, did you…?"
Amy nodded. "Twice."
Amy coughed awkwardly. She had never blushed this much in her life. Why did she feel this uncomfortable talking about it?
Bernadette gave her an impressed look. "Damn, Amy," she sounded jealous. "Good for you. You deserved it as well, after the day you had. Who knew Sheldon would step up like this? He must be really into you."
Amy's face fell. "Yeah, well, apparently he's not that into me," she said, "he left right afterwards."
Bernadette looked at her quizzically. "Yeah, I've been thinking about that. Maybe he had to get up early today?"
Amy just shrugged. "Yeah, well. I have more important things to worry about. I gotta find an outfit for Saturday, and learn this psalm I have to read. And I have to mentally prepare myself to see my mother, really not looking forward to that."
Bernadette looked at her imploringly. "You want to talk to me about that?"
Amy really didn't want to talk about the messed up relationship she had with her mother. But Bernadette had proven to be such a good friend to her. She deserved to know.
And that is how they spent the rest of the morning. Blood samples forgotten, reports waiting to be written. Amy explained it all to Bernadette; her controlling mother, never letting her do what she wanted – no girl scouts, no earrings, no boys. How she was so much happier at Harvard, finally away from her and free to do what she wanted. But it was hard to shake the feeling of guilt she always had when she did something her mother didn't approve of. And also, after spending most of her life supervised by her mother, it was difficult to act appropriately in social situations.
"And she disliked Aunt Flora for having a much better bond with me than she had," Amy continued, "I can't believe I have to say goodbye to her. She used to be like a constant in my life; always there, you know. Warm and comforting. It's so sad that she's gone."
To her horror, she was crying again. Bernadette stroked her arm comfortingly.
"You know, if you want - -" Bernadette started, but was interrupted by a series of knocks on the door.
The both of them looked up at the guest at the door. Amy immediately felt her heartbeat quicken at the sight of him. He looked no different from the night before, yet seeing him felt different.
Was it the things he had done yesterday, or maybe the admissions in the performance review?
Amy didn't know how to address him. Was he still Doctor Cooper to her, or did she have a free pass to call him Sheldon any time now?
He cleared his throat. "Good afternoon," he said, "would you mind giving me and Miss Fowler a minute, Bernadette?"
Back to last names then, Amy thought, feeling annoyed with him already.
Bernadette raised her eyebrows at him. "No, go ahead," she said, and gave Amy's arm a final squeeze.
She grabbed her bag, and walked over to the door. "I'll go have lunch with Howie," she said to Amy, "join us when you're done, or give me a call if you want me to bring you something instead."
"Sure," Amy muttered, figuring it would be over soon anyway. She had little to say to the man who left her naked in bed, despite whatever praise he wrote about her in a fake performance review. Especially when it seemed they were back to addressing each other by their respective titles again.
Amy turned back around, facing her desk again. He could come over to her if he wanted to talk.
"Miss Fowler," he started, and it felt like a knife in the heart.
He was standing right behind her. She could feel it. She kept staring in front of her.
"Miss Fowler, I've come over to apologize for my behaviour last night."
That made her turn around. He looked taken aback at the anger in her eyes.
"And what behaviour are you apologizing for, Doctor Cooper?" she snapped.
He recoiled slightly at the tone in her voice. He had the decency to look down, as he explained. "I've been informed it's customary to stay the night after having… relations," he muttered.
His words caused a heatwave to go through her. Amy just looked at him. He hadn't apologized yet.
"I had assumed you would want to be by yourself after the day you had, and I didn't want to make the situation in the morning any more awkward…" he trailed off.
"Right," Amy said, crossing her arms, the irritation still evident in her voice.
"Forgive me," he said gravely, "it's been a while since I've… well. Let's just say, former endeavours were noticeably different and therefor the thought of staying the night didn't even cross my mind."
It wasn't much of an apology, and this explanation posed more questions than it answered. What did he mean, former endeavours?
Amy didn't know how to respond to this.
So, she did the only thing that she knew for certain would shift the air between them to a place she had become familiar with: blatant flirtations.
"You left so quickly, Doctor Cooper, that you didn't even give me a chance to 'practice my oral skills' in return," she said suggestively, licking her upper lip on purpose.
He was trying to figure her out, she could tell by the look in his eyes. His jaw ticked.
"Yesterday was not the time for you to do anything in return, Amy," he spoke firmly, "I do hope that is clear."
He was calling her Amy again. She looked back at him, unsure what was happening right now.
"I should let you get to lunch," he said with a certain air of finality, "I'll see you later." He moved down swiftly, and pressed a quick kiss to the corner of her mouth.
Amy sat in a daze until her phone buzzed with Bernadette's incoming call. What had just happened?
The ride to Holy Trinity Catholic Church was silent. She was picked up by her father after all. He never spoke much. Amy sometimes wondered if it was because of her mother. Perhaps he figured, the less he said, the less she had to criticize him for.
Amy looked at her lap. The dress Bernadette had picked out was tighter than anything she owned, but it reached her knees and had sleeves, so it was appropriate enough for church. She wore black pantyhose. Her feet already hurt from wearing pumps. If it weren't for the solemn air surrounding her, she could have easily been dressed up for a night out.
Bernadette had explained this is what her Aunt Flora would have wanted, because she would piss off her mother like this. She was absolutely right. Her mother wouldn't be able to say anything nasty about it, since they were in church. It was fool proof, really.
Amy walked side by side with her father to the front of the small church.
The coffin was positioned at the front of the church already, right beneath the figurine displaying Jesus Christ on the cross. An ornate bouquet of flowers lay atop it. A handful of people sat in the pews. Her family was seated in the front. Since Aunt Flora wasn't exactly the youngest, Amy really hadn't expected a lot of people to show up.
Amy took a deep breath and walked over to her mother. "Hello Mom," she said.
Her mother's eyes widened when she took in her appearance. "Amy!" she gasped, affronted, "I told you to dress appropriately."
Aunt Flora's younger brother, Uncle Geoffrey, sat next to her mother. "I think she looks lovely," he said, smiling a little too brightly at her. Uncle Geoffrey had always been a kind of dirty uncle. But right now, Amy really appreciated his comment.
Amy took a seat next to her mother, and focussed on the organ playing softly.
It felt strange, saying goodbye to an empty shell in a coffin. She suddenly wished she could have gone to the funeral home, to say goodbye to the lifeless body of her aunt. Maybe it would have made it more real somehow. It all felt strangely fake to her still.
The priest entered the church and the organ played louder. Amy listened only a little to whatever he said. She wasn't religious herself - she was a scientist after all, and all his talk of her Aunt Flora being called back to the heavens brought her little comfort.
Her cold mother to her right and her silent father to her left, brought her no comfort at all.
As the organ played Amazing Grace, she suddenly found herself crying. They were all encouraged to sing along, but she could only murmur the lyrics. The grief overpowered her.
The priest called her over to do her reading, and Amy stood up on shaky legs.
I can't do this.
She got up to the pulpit, took a deep breath and began to read. For Aunt Flora. It was the last thing she had asked her to do, and she would not deny her this last request. Why was this so hard?
"The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want," she started, her voice breaking. She looked up at the priest, ready to call it quits, when her eye caught a small group of people in the back of the church. Her breath caught in her throat.
At one of the back pews, three people sat side by side. Penny and Bernadette were both dressed in black dresses. They gave her soft encouraging smiles. Next to Bernadette, in a most immaculate black suit, sat Doctor Cooper.
He gave her a soft nod, intending her to continue.
The warmth spread across her chest like wildfire. Amy swallowed away the dryness in her throat and continued with renewed strength.
"He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside still waters, he restores my soul… "
To be continued
A/N I cannot express my appreciation of your continued support enough. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
For those interested; I started a companion piece on this story from Sheldon's point of view: The Professor Insights.