Thanks to all of you who reviewed to every chapter so far! Also thanks to the guest readers for your nice comments! They brighten my day! :)

I hope you'll enjoy the next chapter, too. Georgie and George Sr. will make an appearance! ;)


-Chapter 4-

Over the course of one year, Sheldon and Amy formed a bond that became just as tight as the friendship between Amy and Missy… if not in fact even tighter.

Last mentioned seemed a bit peeved about that, but Missy found she couldn't stay mad at Sheldon and Amy for long. Not after she was the one who unintentionally brought them together in the first place. Missy usually couldn't help but giggle at the funny little quirks the two had.

Like two very odd peas in a pod, she would say.

Sheldon and Amy did everything together. They studied, they experimented and they discussed at a level and speed that left not only Missy but the entire family with their mouths hung open. Both were more than comfortable in each other's company. Something that couldn't be said about any other human being in their presence.

Somehow, they appeared to have a different language, another way of communication that often also included long spans of silence. As if they could guess each other's thoughts.

When Mary rooted for her son to find some company, she certainly didn't think it could go down so splendidly. 'The Shamy', as Missy now teasingly called them, became inseparable.

'Plop'

The little plastic ball exited the toy gun as Sheldon pulled the trigger. With a calm sense of confidence Sheldon's eyes followed the route of the ball as it flew through the air and effortlessly found its target; the smoke pipe of his locomotive.

"And that's how you demonstrate Newton's first law of motion." he said.

Amy smiled proudly. "It's so satisfying to conduct physics experiments with you." She collected the ball and handed it back to Sheldon so they could replicate their little exercise. "Although, I wish we had repeated my biology experiment once more. I'm going to present it in school in two days and I wanted to make sure that everything works the way it's supposed to."

"Amy, we agreed to switch fields every week." Sheldon reminded her. "Last week was dedicated to biology, this week it's the lovely world of physics."

"I know, but I was hoping I could exchange some ideas with you since nobody else seems to appreciate my experiment except you. Even though you could have shown a bit more enthusiasm." she added. "After all I never complained about any of your experiments."

"Hey, I watched you dissect a frog and even gave you helpful feedback for your presentation without vomiting. I really don't know what else you expect me to do." Amy giggled softly, which inexplicably had the involuntary effect of making Sheldon smile back despite his discomfort.

"I hope the dissection will be conform with the expectations the middle school has for the biology projects." Amy said. "I wasn't allowed to do it in fourth grade because apparently it could disturb the young kids." She rolled her eyes and sighed as she watched the plastic ball fly again. "I really don't know why they object against learning about the life-preserving bodily functions of an amphibian."

"I can't think of anything, either." Sheldon mentioned. "Despite it being really, really squishy, the school should have been thrilled to have you explain something essential to the lesser minds."

"Sheldon…" Amy said, tilting her head to the side.

He grumbled a bit, but then corrected himself, "I mean… your classmates. Factually, no one could explain biology better than you." Sheldon added nonchalantly. "You're just as much an expert on your favorite field as I am on mine."

Amy blushed a bit. "Thanks, Sheldon. I hope the new school views this the same way as you do. Otherwise that placement in an advanced class was for nothing."

"I should hope so, too." Sheldon said. "How is the new class agreeing with you, by the way? Are you getting challenged appropriately now?"

Amy's face fell. "It's different from the regular fifth grade for sure, but all I get is more ridicule from snobby know-it-alls who use me for doing their homework. And this time I haven't got Missy around to defend my honor." She played with the hem of her skirt. "Well… and you know I'm not as confident as you and your sister to stand up for myself."

Sheldon frowned, concerned about Amy's fate. "I really believe it would be better for you if you rise up to high school immediately. Those teenagers are dull-minded, too, but they're too engrossed in their own problems to notice you most of the time."

Amy sighed again. "Oh, I would love to go to high school, but my mom still isn't keen on the prospect of me being around teenagers."

Sheldon's frown deepened and he sat down in a folding chair beside Amy to show his camaraderie. "I resent your mother for hindering you from achieving the best education possible. Can't she see how special you are?"

Amy's face snapped up and she stared at Sheldon from the side. "You think I'm special?"

Sheldon's ears turned red. "Well… at least that's what my mom always says about me and since you're definitely not comparable to other children your age that ipso facto makes you special, too." he reasoned.

"Wow." Amy whispered and looked shyly down into her lap. "No one called me special before. Certainly not my mom."

For a heartbeat there was only silence between the two young minds. Then Sheldon spoke up again. "I've been to several programs for gifted children and institutions that try to assess your genius. They also help the parents with questions of the educational matter. I remember their names and addresses. If I introduce you to them, maybe… they would try and help you to achieve your goals, too."

"Really? You would do that for me?" Amy asked excitedly.

Sheldon puffed his small chest. "I believe that's what friends are supposed to do, right? Help each other. Like you help Missy." he said.

Amy nodded enthusiastically. "Yes, exactly. Thank you, Sheldon. Maybe that could really help to show Mom that I'm ready for higher learning."

"You could try and pitch this to your dad, too." Sheldon suggested. "I know you said he hasn't much to say in your house, but as a fellow scientist, even if it's only geology, he should understand the importance of a good education."

"That's a good point. I'll tell him." Amy said.

The door to the shed opened and Georgie Cooper sauntered in. "Is chattin' about science the only thing you do in here?" he asked. "If I was allowed to be alone in a room with a girl, I could think of different things to pass the time." He made a pregnant pause. "Get it, genius?"

"I most definitely do not." Sheldon replied puzzled. "What do you want, Georgie?"

His older brother rolled his eyes. "Mom says dinner is ready and that creepy lady… uhm, I mean, Amy's mom is here to pick her up."

"Thanks for letting me know, Georgie." Amy said politely.

"No problem, girl." Georgie nodded towards his brother. "See… that one is smart and got manners. I'll try to keep her if I were you." And with that he left.

"See…" Amy noted. "I get along great with teenagers. Your brother has always been nice to me."

"Well, his behavior is acceptable, I guess." Sheldon considered. "But I think he's only afraid of Mom's anger if he's anything but polite towards you." They both stood up from the folding chairs and put the equipment for their experiment back in place. "And just like I said…" Sheldon added. "Georgie really has his own problems. All he thinks about is the other gender and his pathetic chances to get together with one."

Amy giggled. "Do you think you'll be like him as a teenager? Biology states that there are hormonal changes in every young boy's mind that affects the way they behave around—"

Sheldon didn't even let her finish. "Amy! You know I will never give in to such primitive urges."

She laughed as they made their way out of the shed. "Don't worry. Me neither. I'm just teasing you."


It took Amy several days to build up the courage to talk to her parents about her wish to visit high school, and only two weeks for Karen Fowler to arrive at the Cooper's doorstep with a miserable Amy in tow.

"Where is that boy of yours?" she demanded when Mary Cooper opened the door.

"Which one?" Mary asked in confusion. "Sheldon?"

"The very one. He's giving my daughter some very inappropriate ideas!" Karen invited herself into the living room, tugging Amy along.

Mary froze in shock. "Inappropriate ideas? My Sheldon?" she uttered and followed the upset mother. She turned toward the twin's room and yelled, "Shelly? Can you come in here for a minute?"

Sheldon, having heard most of the rousing conversation, was already on his way when his name was mentioned. "Hello, Mrs. Fowler. What seems to be the problem?" he asked as politely as he could muster.

"Amy's mom was just telling me about some inappropriate thoughts you're giving her daughter?" Mary threw her son a questioning look.

"All Amy talked about for the last week was how she wants to go to high school like Sheldon does." Karen accused and pointed a finger at the young boy. "She said that he will show her programs and introduce her to strange people… I mean, what is wrong with following the common way of the school system? It is flawed enough as it is; I don't need my daughter to be even more of an oddball."

"Mom, please, just listen to me…" Amy begged with a small voice.

"And there… that's the influence of your daughter." added Karen with a sharp jab toward Missy. "Amy never used to speak up to me like that."

"Okay, let's all calm down a bit and you walk me through that matter step by step, Karen." Mary said conciliating.

But Sheldon was already in full defense mode. "Excuse me, Mrs. Fowler, but since, like you already established, the American school system is irrevocably lost, shouldn't we students try and make the best out of it by striving for the highest education possible?"

"Sheldon, not now, honey." Mary hissed.

"But Mom, Mrs. Fowler obviously doesn't see what's best for Amy." Sheldon claimed.

Karen sucked in the air in protest. "I'm her mother!" she thundered. "I'm the only one who knows what's best for her!"

"Of course, you do." Mary tried to calm her fuming guest. "Sheldon Lee Cooper, that was very rude and inappropriate of you to say. You will apologize immediately."

Sheldon wrinkled his nose. "What for? I'm only trying to help Amy. She's miserable in her school."

"Sheldon!" That came from both, Mary, and a lot quieter from Amy, too. Mary took a deep breath. "I want you to take Amy to the kitchen. Offer her something to drink – that's what you do if someone is a guest in your house – and let me and Karen discuss this alone."

Sheldon sighed inaudibly. "Alright." he muttered and gestured Amy to follow him. When the kids were out of their mothers' earshot he stubbornly crossed his arms in front of his chest and slumped down on the kitchen chair. "I don't understand why they won't listen to me. My arguments were sound, weren't they?"

Amy plopped down in the chair next to Sheldon, not mentioning that he forgot to offer her a drink. "They were, but I guess it came out wrong." she said. "And to answer your first query; we're only children. Adults aren't used to listening to children."

"But we're a lot smarter than them. Doesn't that count?" Sheldon yammered. "This is so exhausting."

Amy sighed, supporting her head with her hands. "I agree."

"Hey, what are you two sighin' about?" The drawling of George Cooper Sr.'s voice interrupted their moping as he nonchalantly came into the kitchen to get a beer out of the fridge.

"You wouldn't understand." replied Sheldon grimly. "You're an adult."

"Okay." George shrugged. "You think so, too, Amy?"

"I'm afraid I do, Mr. Cooper." Amy said friendly, but her polite smile didn't reach her eyes.

George Sr. wasn't one to interact often with the children, especially Sheldon and his new friend Amy, because frankly, he obviously felt a little insecure about handling the two geniuses. But even he seemed to catch up on what their sour mood was about. "If I have to guess, I'd say you got banned from the living room while the two warrior-moms are figh… I mean, discussing."

The children nodded in silence.

"What is this discussion about?" asked George.

"My future." Amy voiced timidly and her head sunk even further.

"Oh, come on, don't be so sad." George said, trying to sound uplifting. When he received no reaction, he apparently decided to use the safest way he knew to make at least his son happy. "You know what, I'll make you two some Strawberry Quik and then we can… we can talk." he said warily. Talking wasn't really his strong suit.

George fixed the beverage for the children and then sat down with them. "So… what about your future, Amy?"

Amy adjusted her glasses with a sigh. "Mom doesn't want me to go to high school, but I'm bored in middle school. I'm not getting challenged at all." she explained.

"Her mother is being unreasonable." Sheldon huffed. "She is misguided by the thought that she protects Amy, but all she does is hindering her."

George stopped for a second to look intensely at his son. "You haven't told her that, have you?"

"No, sir." Sheldon said and George breathed a sigh of relief. "I said she doesn't know what's best for Amy."

George's face fell. "Oh… great."

"Mom is so mad." Amy whispered. "She'll never let me go to high school."

"Well… I guess I understand that your mother is worried about you." George Sr. said to Amy. "High school can be a pretty rough place. Are you sure you're up for this? Not intellectually… I mean, the IQ of you two combined is probably higher than mine." He laughed nervously.

Sheldon tilted his head. "Actually, my IQ alone is—"

"Shush!" George hissed at his son, who shrunk back in irritation.

Amy ignored the little squabble and answered honestly. "The thought of going to a new school where everyone is at least three years older than me is both exhilarating and intimidating… but Sheldon can do it, and he was even younger when he started high school. At least I know that I won't be completely alone there…"

George looked knowingly at Sheldon who suddenly became very pensive. "She doesn't know?" he asked him.

"I-I didn't know what to say." stuttered Sheldon. "And I haven't heard anything official yet, so there was no point in making her excited before it is safe."

"What do I not know?" Amy required confused.

Sheldon dropped his gaze into his lap, but his father crossed his arms and nudged him in the side so he would continue. He sighed. "I, uhm… I'm applying for college in a short while, because even high school ran out of things to teach me."

"Oh…" Amy's shoulders dropped disappointingly.

"For some strange reason Medford High seems to be supportive of my transition. So, I guess once there's a college found which would take underage students, the switch will go down rather speedily." Sheldon added. He saw how Amy swallowed and then started to smile. It didn't reach her eyes again and Sheldon wondered if that means that her smile isn't genuine.

"Congratulations. That's great news." said Amy. "At least you are moving forward. I'm very happy for you."

Her sentence was contradicting completely with Amy's facial expressions, Sheldon noticed. "Thanks." he replied, however. "But that doesn't have to mean that you're unfit for high school. It's still only fair that you get the same opportunities as me."

"He's right, you know. He often is." George said to Amy. "If you still think you can do it on your own then I'd say go for it, but if you got any doubts at all… it may be better to trust your mother's instincts and wait until you're old enough."

Amy scrunched up her face and seemed to consider this for a while… then she raised her head bravely, like she never dared to do in front of her mother, and said, "I think I can do it. I'm smart and cool and I have Missy as a guide through social conventions. With her help I can manage high school."

"Now, that sounds like a mighty woman talkin'." George Sr. grinned.

"Although, I don't understand how my sister could be of aid for you." Sheldon mentioned. "She barely even made it into middle school, you know."

Amy giggled. "You'll never understand that there are two kinds of intelligence, Sheldon." Then she looked up to his dad. "Thanks for the talk, Mr. Cooper. I hope it wasn't in vain."

"You're welcome." George said, obviously proud that he could help. "Oh, and just so you know, Georgie is still in that same school, too and I'm a football coach there. So, at least you would have some familiar faces."

He winked at her and finally Amy smiled again like she always used to. The kind of smile that made Sheldon's cheeks warm up. Now they just needed to hope that the respective women of the Cooper and Fowler household agreed with them.


I hope I didn't step on someone's toes by dissing the American school system, hahaha. ;)

Please send me a review... or two... or ten... :D