Chapter 22: Just When You Think the Coast is Clear…
Penny tells Leonard about the trip to Germany.What do you think his reaction will be?
Leonard Hofstadter was awakened from a deep sleep by the jangling tones of his phone. He sleepily answered, hoping it wasn't bad news about any of his family or friends. Phone calls in the middle of the night often contained such announcements. He put on his glasses and checked the screen. It was from his wife. His heart began to race wildly as he answered the call.
Penny?Why are you calling me at this hour?Is everything okay?
Oh, I'm sorry Leonard.I forgot about the time difference.I just have some good news to share with you and I didn't think that it was the middle of the night where you are.Sorry.I'll let you get back to sleep.
Penny, now that you woke me up, just tell me your good news.
Are you sitting down?
Penny, I'm in bed. I can assure you I won't fall to the floor in shock.So, go on, tell me.
Okay.Tomorrow afternoon, Niki, Blake, Mary and I are leaving here to join you guys in Heidelberg!
What?That's wonderful news!Are you sure the kids will be okay traveling that far on a plane?
Sure.Get this, Leonard…Binary is lending us one of their private jets for this trip.There'll be plenty of room on board for Blake and Lori to play, watch videos, eat, and nap.
Why is Binary doing this?
Because Niki was going to come anyway and she wouldn't go without Lori, Blake, and me.Mary is coming along to visit Alfred in France and watch the kids for us once in a while.Binary wanted to protect one half of their prize scientific team, would be my guess.
Penny?
What?
Why is Niki wanting to come here?Sheldon and I will be home in a little over a week.She couldn't wait that long or something?
She's bringing Sheldon something he forgot.I can't tell you what it is, but it's important.
Okay, I got that.Should I tell Sheldon you guys are coming?
No.Nik said to keep it a secret from Sheldon.She wants to surprise him.
Oh, he'll be surprised, all right.When will you be here, exactly?
Between eleven and twelve on Thursday.
But we're both scheduled for one of our joint lectures at one on Thursday.We can't meet you at the airport, which is quite some ways from here.
Maybe we could call a cab?
For three adults and two small children?Good luck.Look, I've got an idea.I'll have someone meet you there, okay?
Do you trust them?
After the other day?Yeah, completely.
Who is it?And what happened the other day?
It doesn't matter, you don't know them anyway.Just know they will bring you here safely.
If you say so, Leonard.How will we know them?
They have seen your pictures.They'll know you.Don't worry about it.Besides, how can anyone miss two beautiful women with small children in tow and a woman who will most likely be passing out Bible tracts?
I get that, but you're asking me for a whole lotta trust this whole idea.
Isn't that what marriage is all about?Trust?
You're right, Sweetie.I do trust you completely.I'll text you when we land.
Good.Oh, don't worry.I won't breathe a word to Sheldon.
Okay, well, I'll let you get back to sleep.
As if I could sleep after this phone call.You don't know how much I've missed you and Blake.
As much as we've missed you?
Maybe even more.
Nope.Not possible.
Look, I've got to try to get some sleep and you've got to get packing for this trip.Oh, bring a very nice dress.Remember, they're holding that fancy dinner for us in a few days.
I haven't forgotten.Niki and I will both be looking like the goddesses we are.
That will give me and Sheldon a chance to show off our lovely wives.
You could get lucky when I get there if you keep talking like that.
Hey, I'm counting on it.
Me, too.Goodnight, Sweetie.
Goodnight, Honey.
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The next afternoon, our two intrepid physicists took the elevator in their building down to the first floor, where the lecture hall was maintained. Leonard looked over at his friend and deducted that Sheldon was more than a little nervous. He searched his brain for something that would ease the tension in his friend's face. He almost decided to spill the beans about their families coming to see them, but remembered he had promised Penny he wouldn't tell Sheldon. Damn! He thought to himself in frustration. What else can I use to lighten the mood?An idea suddenly came to him. "Sheldon?" he asked his friend, "what's the first thing you're going to do when you get home?"
Sheldon Cooper turned to his friend and gave him an annoyed look, "Leonard," he sighed as if speaking to a child, "I will most likely kiss my wife and child and then take a shower. God knows how many germs we will pick up on the airplane."
Leonard was taken aback, he had not heard Sheldon voice those kinds of thoughts in many years. In fact, he couldn't pinpoint exactly when the last time was that he had heard his business partner go on about germs. That was odd, indeed. He quickly remembered that he was attempting to cheer Sheldon up, and he replied, "Of course, buddy, but I was talking about after the kisses."
"No, you weren't. I distinctly recall you asking me what was the first thing I was going to do. So, as I said before, I will kiss Niki and Lori. Really, Leonard. You should be more thoughtful with your speech."
Leonard stopped and stared at the door marked Conference Room and gave a protracted sigh. "Sorry, buddy," he muttered, "my bad. Well, are you ready for this?"
Sheldon rolled his eyes and answered him with a testy, "Well if you'd open the door, we would soon find out, wouldn't we?"
Leonard pasted on a smile he was far from feeling and opened the door a crack, then hastily closed it. He had not been able to believe his eyes. Sitting front and center, smiling like the cat that had eaten the canary, was Dr. Heather Powers. One huge thought thundered through his mind, Great, just great!I didn't think she would have the nerve to show her face here today.It seems I underestimated her.Now, what do I tell Sheldon?Neither of us knows how Binary will react if they believe Sheldon had something going on with this woman.Will they pull out of their investment in Pentagram?Will they cancel all of those lucrative government contracts that we're working on?Leonard had no idea how Binary would feel about the situation, but seeing Heather Powers in the front row was causing him more than a little distress. He checked the inner pocket of his jacket and reassuringly patted his inhaler. If he had an asthma attack over this, he would at least have some relief at hand.
Sheldon grew impatient with his friend's reluctance to proceed and barged past him into the room and up to the lectern, where he looked out at the assembled audience and froze in fear. Leonard stood outside the door repeating to himself; Shit, shit, shit!Now what?
Now what, indeed.