A/N: Happy new year, everyone! I am sorry it took me a very long time to update. I have been really busy for the past few months, mainly because of school-related stuff. I can't assure you when the next update will be but I'll try my best to write a few more chapters before our vacation is over.

Thank you for your continued support for this story! Please tell me what you think about this chapter in the reviews.


CHAPTER FIVE: THE RELATIONSHIP INVITATION


Amy and Sheldon established a "friendly relationship" after the dinner. Some nights, Leonard would catch Sheldon talking to Amy via skype or he would see Amy in their apartment playing "counterfactuals", a game they invented together. He didn't mind her presence, though. In fact, he was overjoyed to see that Sheldon was able to befriend someone who oddly resembles himself. Due to Amy's frequent visitation, they decided to invite her to their weekly dinners as well. Sheldon was worried that they might treat her a bit differently, given that she's as special as he is. Luckily, the gang welcomed her with open arms, allowing Amy to blend in over time. Sheldon's "once" closeted friend started going on bars due to Penny and Bernadette's influence. Sometimes, if they're not in the mood to drink, they'd go to the bowling center or to the theater to watch a chick-flick movie together.

If asked, Amy would definitely say that the past few months of her life in Caltech had been the most blissful she'd ever had in her entire life. She was surrounded by wonderful people, not to mention that her research team is also doing well enough to beat the university's deadline. The only thing that bothers her is the fact that any moment now, her mother will contact her once again. Not that she didn't want to communicate with her, she just hates the fact that her mother is so obsessed with finding the perfect mate for her. Over the years, her mother had successfully arranged her on numerous dates without her knowledge so she won't even be surprised if her mom decides to sign her up for another one this year.

Getting married, starting a family… Oh, if her mother only knew how many times those thoughts enter her mind each day. The hugging, the smooching, the cuddling, she wanted all of it. Her mom always reasoned that all Amy needed was a little push, but she thinks that her mom tends to go overboard sometimes. She's supposed to meet men out of her own will, not because of her annual obligation to her mother. Amy feels that going on dates out of respect to her mother's wishes draws her farther from the "true love" she was aiming to find.

As expected, the message of Amy's mom came a few weeks before July ended. Her mom's messages really frustrated Amy to death. The change in her demeanor was palpable that even the robotic Sheldon Cooper was able to notice it.

"I want to watch Pride and Prejudice tonight."

Sheldon looked at her, confused. "Excuse me?"

"You heard me. Besides, you have an eidetic memory, I'm very sure that you remember every single word that I just said." Amy replied as she started straightening her skirt. Her green eyes never left his face as she awaited his answer.

"Where is this sassy attitude coming from, Amy Farrah Fowler?' Sheldon crossed his arms, hesitant to give Amy the remote control. He was taken aback by her sudden declaration. Normal Amy would never, never, question his choice of movie. Something is off with her tonight and as a respectable scientist, it was his job to find out what that is.

"I have always been sassy, Sheldon Lee Cooper. If you don't mind, hand me the remote now."

"What is wrong with you? You seem testy."

Amy let out a long sigh. There, even Sheldon noticed it.

"I'm just, I don't know… Mad? Pressured? Stressed?" she tried averting her gaze from the lanky physicist before her. "Maybe, all of the above?"

For all Sheldon knows, Amy Farrah Fowler had always been certain and confident. But right now, she's so vulnerable, as if she's a glass that's about to break any minute now.

"You know," Sheldon scooted closer to Amy, partially closing the huge gap between them. "My mom used to do something when I'm upset. If you want to try it, I'd be glad to oblige you."

A soft smile escaped Amy's face upon hearing his offer. "What kind of scientist would I be if I'd refuse this experiment?"

Sheldon completely closed the gap and enveloped Amy into a tight and warm hug. This gesture surprised Amy at first but eventually, she got the hang of it.

Soft kitty,

Warm kitty,

Little ball of fur,

Happy kitty,

Sleepy kitty,

Purr, purr, purr

"Again." she commanded. Given her emotional instability, Sheldon decided to oblige her once again.

As he continued cradling her, her thoughts drifted to how lucky Sheldon was to have such a kind and loving mother. She hasn't met her personally yet but based on Sheldon's stories, she's quite the opposite of her mother. She had supported him in all his endeavors, something that her mother never did her entire life. Amy hated the fact that even as an adult, she still wants to please her mother.

Amy tried to keep her tears to herself, but she was unable to, Recalling her rough relationship with her mother is very difficult for her and each time she does it, it only makes her cry.

Sheldon was about to let her go when he saw tears run down Amy's flush cheeks.

"Amy, you know that I'm not good at recognizing emotions but I can clearly see that something is wrong." Sheldon felt Amy pull away from his hug. She removed her glasses on and started wiping her tears. "I'm sorry I wasn't able to be of good company tonight."

"It's fine. Now, can we resume our postponed movie night?"

"Yeah, sure. Just pick out a movie you like."

Sheldon nodded in response as he grasped the remote control that was lying at the top of the center table. He rummaged through the CDs they rented while Amy started sipping the chamomile tea that she abandoned earlier.

When he was done putting the CD on the player, he came back to his spot on the couch. Amy was secretly hoping that he picked out something from Star Wars, for she was curious to know more about Han and Leia's relationship. She never told Sheldon that out of all the movies they've watched in the past, Star Wars was the only sci-fi franchise that she genuinely liked.

Much to her surprise, there wasn't a sci-fi movie waiting for her tonight.

Amy gasped upon looking at the tv screen. She glanced at Sheldon, whose eyes were fixed on the screen.

She can't believe that she was able to make Sheldon Cooper watch Pride and Prejudice.


Amy hummed as she cleaned her used glassware. Her mom finally agreed to cancel the date if she sends a proof that she was able to date someone before their agreed deadline. She was desperate, yes, but not desperate enough to pick some random guy on the street to date with. She dismissed the thought of engaging on online dating sites again, given the horrendous dating experiences that the damned sites had given her. She needed an idea, something that would produce great results even if she exerted minimal effort.

Amy decided to leave the laboratory earlier than usual to pick up some ideas. Before she was able to leave the building, a grad student tapped her shoulder.

"The doors of breath, seal with a righteous kiss!" The young man dressed in a bellman's costume said as he swung his arms to his chest. Amy stared at him for a moment, unsure of what to do next.

"Uh... Can I help you?"

The man, who was now aware of Amy's confusion, bowed before her and extended his arm. "We have a play tomorrow entitled Romeo and Juliet and you can watch it for free! Here, take a flyer. Just present the stub at the bottom portion to get a free popcorn with a flavor of your choice!"

Amy took the pamphlet and afterward, the man waved her goodbye. She drove home with a bright smile plastered on her face. At last, a feasible idea finally hit her.


It's lunchtime and Sheldon and Leonard are walking towards the cafeteria. Leonard was visibly irked after hearing Sheldon's stories about Barry Kripke, the physicist Sheldon is currently working with. He didn't want to admit it in front of Sheldon, but Kripke is actually not bad of a physicist himself. He worked on a lot of research teams prior to applying to Caltech and has been recognized in numerous scientific journals. While Leonard thinks that joining the two would lead to a great breakthrough in the field of theoretical physics, he felt that Sheldon's unnecessary complaints were about to cut his extremely long patience.

On the way to the cafeteria, they saw Bert from Geology rushing towards them.

"Hey, hey, stop right there." Sheldon raised his palm in front of him, making Bert stop. "This is towards the physics department. What shady plan are you up to now, Bert?"

Panting, Bert clutched his chest and glared at the two men in front of him. "Look, I don't have time to deal with you. My future girlfriend is waiting by the biology department. See you!" he said as he shoved the two of them to the side.

The encounter with Bert left Sheldon and Leonard dumfounded. "Even Bert has a girlfriend? What the hell!" Leonard exclaimed.

"I don't care whose lip Bert is smooching, Leonard. Either way, let's just get this over with so I could resume my work now."

Sheldon sat at his normal spot in the table. His foul mood was quickly erased as he munched his favorite jello quietly. A few minutes after, Howard joined them for lunch.

"Oh, hey Howard. Where's Raj?" Leonard asked.

"I don't know. He was acting so strange earlier when I saw him. I saw him giggling like a love-struck teenager and I tell you, it's not a sight that you'd want to see." Howard replied as he placed his tray on the table.

"Isn't he like that all the time?"

"You have a point. But still, he was extra giggly this morning. He was muttering things to himself, but the only words that I was able to comprehend are biology and girlfriend."

Hearing those two words made Sheldon stop from eating. "Strange, Bert said he was also headed to the biology department to meet his 'future girlfriend'."

"Well, let's try not to overthink about it. Maybe they hired a bunch of new attractive women in the biology department?" Leonard said as he diverted his attention to his unfinished lunch.

Sheldon shook his head in response. "You have a fair point. Anyway, while you spend your lunchtime talking about this relationship nonsense, I'll be heading back to my office. As much as I hate being around Barry Kripke, I have no choice but to work alongside him for the next six months. I'm trying to speed things up if you know what I mean." he said, winking. Leonard let out a loud groan as he watched Sheldon walk away from the cafeteria.

"I hope the heavens would grant me patience for the next six months." the bespectacled physicist whispered to himself.


Sheldon's phone beeped. It was Kripke.

"Sorry Cooper, I will be late. Just headed to the biology dept. See u later, loser."

Sheldon stared at his phone in disbelief. Bert, Raj, and now Kripke? What on earth are they doing in the biology department?

He was about to return to the cafeteria to tell Leonard what happened but then, the announcement board near his office got his attention.

URGENT HIRING: BOYFRIEND

Qualifications:

- Must have a Ph.D. In any field of the academe

- Eloquent and has great social skills

- Has adequate knowledge about dancing

- Willing to go on family reunions

- Can play any musical instrument

If you think you are qualified, please drop your resume at Room 202 of the Biology Department. Accepted applicants will undergo further evaluation through a series of interviews and compatibility tests.

For other concerns and inquiries, contact Amy Farrah Fowler of the Biology Department via email or landline.