Sheldon runs away on the train at the end of 7.24, what could have happened next?
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Two days later Leonard got off the train in Podunk and crossed the street and entered the Comic Book Store.
Sheldon said "Hello Leonard..."
Leonard said "Found you at last Sheldon!"
Tex said "excuse me Sir, can I help you. My assistant's name is Tucker Lee, not Sheldon."
"Actually Tex, my name is Dr. Sheldon Lee Cooper, I am, or at least I was, Professor of Physics at Caltech, Tucker is my mother's maiden name. If you would excuse us Tex, I think my old friend and colleague Dr. Leonard Hofstadter would like a word with me. Let us go to the station diner for a hot beverage.
Over several cups of tea Leonard updated Sheldon on all the news of the last five years. When he found out about Amy and Raj he was quite philosophical "Amy deserved better than me" but when he heard about Meemaw's death he burst into tears. When it was all over Sheldon said "Thank you for coming and telling me all the news. I live here now, I am not returning to Pasadena. You can tell my family and friends where I am if they want to visit."
They returned to the Comic Book store, Sheldon told Tex what had happened. Tex still wanted his assistant to stay. Sheldon legally changed his name to Tucker Lee, he was able to access Sheldon's money in his Pasadena bank account so he was able to live somewhere more comfortable than in the Comic Book store.
There was a slightly awkward reunion with Raj and Amy, who was pregnant with her and Raj's second child. Mary Cooper came to visit which was even more awkward but Sheldon did not return to Texas.
Sheldon accepted an honorary Professorship at the University of Kansas but he continued to do his work by himself in Podunk, he still worked in the Comic Book store during the day and did his Physics at night. He didn't leave Kansas until he went to Stockholm when he won the 2025 Nobel Prize in Physics.