"The Adventures of Professor Proton, Jr: The Proton Express…"

Summary: In my first longer Proton Jr tale, can Prof Proton Jr. aka mild-mannered Sheldon Cooper and Dr. Amy aka Amy F. Fowler save the world at Christmas…And can Proton Jr. keep that blond sob of an engineering genius Tom Swift, Jr. away from his girl?

Equally important…Should Cameragirl Penny allow this thing to appear on her acting credits or just accept that all hope of a professional career is gone and just enjoy while peddling her drugs?

[For those curious about the Tom Swift adventures, of course much of this is taken from "Tom Swift and His Diving Seacopter", one of the best books in the series which got me into science long, long, long ago.]

Disclaimer: All is Chuck's…

[Special note. Sorry for the delays on this and several others in progress but too many ideas at once and too much going on in real life these days. But, will see if we can move her along…]

Part XIX…

"So, you want to concoct a 'strategy'? Namely?" Proton addressed his cell phone. "I assume this is open-ended since you don't trust Swift or Wyckcliffe."

"I don't distrust Tom." Amy replied. "It's just we don't know for sure that he's not involved. After all he does have a lot to gain here. As do Munson Wyckcliffe and her brother, though he is the one who killed someone."

"So, do we. How do you know I'm not plotting to steal the ship or I, you?"

"Proton?" Amy, horrified. "You suspect me?"

"I suspect no one and everyone…That's what the greatest detective ever, Sherlock Holmes, would say, with a British accent."

"Proton…I would never doubt you." She noted.

"What, I can't scheme well? Is that what you're saying?" her phone crackled.

"I'm saying I believe in your good heart and moral standing. And I hope you believe in mine and the fact that I…Well…"

("Oh, God…Is this some romantic scene?" Sheldon fumed after his annoyed look had brought down an equally annoyed "CUT!" from Howard. "Leonard? Can't you stop with the Romance? I know it's your nature, but…"

"You bet it is, buddy." Penny, beaming fondly at Leonard from camera. "And doesn't Amy appreciate it…?" arch smile.

"What? Amy?" Sheldon eyed her.

"Well…In a general sorta way…" Amy, sheepishly. "Just a sorta…'Romance is wonderful, thanks for pushing for it, Leonard' way."

Sheldon, narrow look. "Are you implying that Leonard is more romantic than me…?"

Howard, Bernadette, giggling…

Implying?

"Sheldon, Amy is just saying she wants a little more Romance…"

"This thing is sordid with Romance…It's oozing over with Romance…" Sheldon frowned.

Wait…

"Are you talking about…Real life?"

"Well, Hell, yeah…" Penny nodded. "But the film can use all it can get too…"

"What…? Amy and I have a profound Romance, of the quiet and properly non-Romantically gooey sort. As for the film here…We got me, Proton, the star, and Amy…Howard "Bud" and Bernadette "Dad Swift's on guard", "Swift"…Munson and her brother…

Ehew…Penny, Bernadette, Amy…

Leonard, Raj, Howard…

Lesley, sheepish look…

Maybe I did put a little too much sisterly affection in the mix there…

"I mean platonic Romantic…Minds out of the gutter, people! Leonard's clearly showing a devoted relationship where Munson covers for Bwarry and his nature. It's Romantic, if Platonic."

Yeah…Lets kinda move on there, Proton…Lesley sighed. As Barry eyed her…

Yes, you know I love you. But no, I can't do this to you. Her returned look…

"And Tom and some girl back in Shopton, his home town, whom we never see." Stuart, sighing a bit. "Say, Raj?" brightly.

"No to both my wearing a wig or Lucy standing in." Raj, curtly.

"We got all the Romance we need, thanks to Leonard's romantic nature…And, mine." Sheldon concluded.

Amy, fond smile. Penny, nodding… "Yeah, you're right. Still it does raise those ratings…"

"Fine…A very little more Romance." Sheldon, rolling eyes. "Just keep it something my mother can watch."

Please, whatever her Christian scruple things, if she ever could watch this, Mary would be rapturous to see any hint of grandkids on the horizon, Penny thought.)

"Yes, I love you too." Proton noted.

("Ok? We done here with the pornography?" Sheldon fumed.)

"I'm just noting that anyone is a potential suspect here." He concluded.

"What…?" Amy, dazed. "Oh, yeah…The brutal murder and the world's survival at stake, sure…Yeah, anyone could be…Potentially. But I believe we're not the type."

"True enough. And I don't think Tom is, whatever my other feelings toward him. Bwarry is the one to watch out for."

"I suppose…But don't drop your guard with anyone." Amy insisted. "Particularly Munson Wyckcliffe."

"That makes logical sense ala Holmes. Very good, Amy."

Wait… "Amy?" questioning tone. "It's true I should consider Bwarry and Munson a likely team threat but…"

"Well…You have been getting along with her better these days…" Amy, attempting nonchalance…

"And she is attractive, in her twisted way…" Proton noted.

"What?!"

"Ok, so as to this strategy…"

"What do you mean she's attractive?" Amy's voice, rather strident.

"It's just a statement of fact…A logical support for your request I beware of her…"

"Since when have you found her attractive?"

"Well, always…She's quite beautiful in her twisted, string theory denying way…"

"Beautiful…?"

(Wait a mo…Amy, glaring at Leonard. Lesley, amused.

"Gettin' a little too clever for your britches there, screenwriter…" Penny eyed Leonard's rather arch smile. Nod to Amy.

"Great job…Amy's really going with it." she hissed. "You know I have to..." apologetically.

"Sure…" he noted.)

"Amy…Would you rather I lie to you?" Proton, solemn tone.

"Yes!…Yes, sometimes lie!" She noted. "Or better yet, don't find your nemesis attractive! Or hint…"

"Hint? What?"

Sigh… "That you might think her innocent because you like her."

"Nonsense…Dr. Amy, I even put you on the list of suspects."

"So I noticed…" grim tone.

"Though she might potentially be innocent…But I mean based on the lack of evidence…American way and all, not guilty till proven…Etc, etc."

"You're quick to suggest she could be innocent…" Amy, hurt tone.

"Because we're inclined to suspect her…" he noted. "Bwarry could be acting alone, after all."

"Some men think with their…"

"DR. AMY?!" ("Amy?! And Leonard?!"

"Wasn't me…" Leonard insisted.

"Just a little ad-lib to highlight…" Amy noted.)

"Dr. Amy? How could you think…?"

"How could you like her when you know what she is? At the very least, she must've helped Bwarry." Amy frowned at phone.

"But your incomparable beauty keeps me safe so…"

(Penny eyeing Sheldon…He, arch look…

Even I know I owe Leonard for that one… His look saying…)

"Arthur…" Amy, cooing tone. "Oh…"

"Dr. Amy…I thought we've agreed my adoptive first name taken in honor of my adoptive father is only to be used in private one-on-one encounters of a romantic nature between us." Stern tone.

"I consider this falls under that classification, Professor."

"Well…I suppose I did set up the situation for such a conclusion. But lets keep our relationship properly compartmentalized. Amy. Ok, one more and that's it."

"Of course…Arthur." Coyly. "Now. What was the last position of the alien vessel from your detector?"

"It's on course, the new course it was diverted to, best as I can tell. It's ETA matches what Swift had from the interception message."

"All right, then…That probably means it can't be diverted again…" Amy noted. "So Wyckcliffe male and/or female will likely stay with us till arrival. There is one thing though…"

"She needs someone, like the Russians." Proton nodded to phone.

"Actually, yeah…" Amy's voice, surprised.

"I'm not unaware of realpolitik…" he noted archly. "Munson may talk independence of governments and the greater good of all, while Bwarry may not care, but they need muscle. The Russians or the Chinese are the most muscle you could get outside the United States. And while they or one could have turned to the Chinese or even the Iranians or Israelis or British or French…It's a Russian scientist who was murdered for knowing too much. And President Putinsky is a ruthless type not likely to be satisfied with a mere sharing of data."

"I agree." Amy's voice, eager… "It's not likely she learned anything from the detector Bwarry would kill her for but if she knew her government had a deal with the Wyckcliffes…Or one of them…Reason to put one right through the pump."

("Nicely done, guys…" Howard nodded. "Amy's quick class in film noir payed off I see.")

"Meaning we could be facing a lot more than just Wyckcliffe at the landing site." Proton noted.

"Tom's probably aware of that…And he does have the UN standing by. Still…" Amy shrugged.

"Yes, but if it becomes a shooting fight over the cargo…" Proton sighed.

"I know…But Swift usually has a few tricks up his sleeve…Assuming we can trust those tricks to be on the side of good."

"I'm sure." Proton agreed. "And so does Professor Proton, Jr….In the defense of Humanity. We'd best get some sleep and be ready for tomorrow."

"Sure…" Amy, hesitant. "But what…Tricks, Proton?" curious. "Did you bring more than the Detector aboard?"

"Best not to say…" he hissed to phone. "Wall can have ears and electronic listening devices."

"Sure…I guess." She sighed.

What the heck could we have? We don't use weapons on the show. Still, my Proton is resourceful…Beam.

"I'm glad you've taken care of business, Proton. It's very…" slightly coy tone.

"Yes, yes…Very studly…" ("Are we at last done with Romance now?" Sheldon called.

Never…Penny, Amy, in unison.)

"I mean to say, very protective…" she noted.

"Oh, right that too…" he agreed.

"Just be careful it's nothing that will get the Wyckcliffes or anyone else on your tail, acting preventatively." She noted, worriedly.

That would be the logical thing to do…Bwarry, listening in from his cabin on his own modified receiver, calmly noted.

Pity to spoil a budding frwiendship and such a sweet Rwomance, though.

3:45 am…

The Arturo section living quarters…

A quick knock at cabin door…

"Tom?" low whisper.

"Yes, open up." A dressed Swift watched the door open to reveal Munson Wyckcliffe in robe, anxious look. Wan smile over her troubled features…

Hey…She beamed.

("My lil' intriguer…" Penny fondly patted Leonard.)