This is a Big Bang Theory Fanfiction. I do not claim any character other than the ones I created.

I do not allow any translations of this story without my permission.

This story is rated Mature.

This story is not intended for underage readers. 18

Chapter 1:

"For the record, it could kill us to meet new people.

They could be murderers or the carriers of unusual pathogens. And I'm not insane, my mother had me tested."

-Sheldon Cooper

Well, that's one for the books. I glared out the window of my new apartment while my brothers cracked open the beers I bribed them with. Honestly, I didn't think that they quite understood how important this move was to me. With all that happened in Texas... all the issues that occurred because I was set on doing everything right and for everything to matter...

This move was my fresh start.

"Tell me, little sis," Walker began. "Why is it... you changed careers with this move?"

Jonathan's side glanced at him, giving him a distasteful look. "Why are you still stupid? We bought you all sorts of books in hopes it would make you get a clue."

I appreciate my oldest brother's need to protect me but it was unnecessary. Walker held his hands up in surrender and then took a large swig from his beer. "All I am saying... She is the best surgeon Texas has ever been blessed with. I just think it's a waste that she would just quit. After everything, she's done. She shouldn't have given it up."

"I don't really have a choice do I?" I snapped. It was unfair of him to just assume I wanted to give up what I love.

Johnathan shook his head. "Shut up, Wal."

They didn't speak another word about it thankfully. In silence, they helped me put together my bed frame and a few of the new pieces of furniture I bought from Ikea before they figured it was getting close to the time for them to leave. They needed to get back on the road to Texas if they wanted to make it back in time for the Superbowl. It was still baffling to me how they up and left everything just to drive me to California from Texas. They wanted to make sure I was settled in, and that I would be fine here. I loved them for it even if Walker was insensitive most of the time.

"One last dinner before we leave the genius to her new adventures!" Johnathan roared as I opened the door so he and Walker wouldn't have to put down the ton of cardboard boxes. I shushed him while struggling to keep my giggles in. He was beyond wasted and deliriously happy.

"Oh yeah! I saw a Cheesecake Factory! We should go there! Ma ain't around and I've been dying to try it!" Walker agreed.

I snickered loudly as I locked my door. Our mother was very set in her ways. Dining out had been against the rules in the family. Home cooking was the only way. No, if's, and's, or but's about it.

"Alright but no more beer. If you want to drive home soon, you'll need not have a terrible hangover."

Both of my brothers gave me dopey grins. "Right, Dr. Selene Harmonia Lupin! Great thinking!" Johnathan slung his arm around Walker the best he could only causing them to drop the boxes. The cardboard and plastics went flying down the staircase. A loud yelp sounded followed by an annoyed breath.

"Gosh Sheldon! It's just cardboard!"

"Death by paper cuts is plausible Leonard!"

Johnathan looked at me. "Sorry little sis."

"Just pick it up." I giggled leading the way down. I knew they would struggle walking down and figured if I was in front of them they might be more concerned about tumbling down them. They wouldn't want to risk my valuable hands. I paused at the foot of the stairs, already bending over to pick up the boxes. A cough was made extra audible. I looked up to find two dorky-looking men staring at me. I righted up, holding the boxes in my arms.

"Oh, hello?" I gave a sheepish smile. The tallest one was rigid.

"You could have hurt someone with the carelessness of those boxes. Safety protocols exist for a reason."

The short one with glasses rolled his eyes at him before thrusting a hand toward me. "I'm Leonard."

I put the cardboard under my armpit and shook it. "Selene."

"Oh like the moon goddess!" Leonard grinned. I couldn't help but mirror it.

"Exactly."

"This is Shel--"

"Excuse me!" The tall one interrupted. "Dr. Sheldon Cooper! You may be fine with excluding your doctorate but I am not!"

I bit my cheek to keep from laughing and nodded to him in welcome. Completely unaware that my drunk brothers had heard all that.

"Lord Almighty, Sel!" Walker barked with a laugh "How lucky of you picking this place! Two doctors!"

I helped him with Johnathan my ears turning red. Dr. Cooper and Leonard looked confused.

"I'm Johnathan and this is the not-so-funny douchebag is Walker." Now I was really embarrassed. I didn't want my new neighbors to get the wrong impression. "And... it was all his fault about the cardboard boxes. Sort of just dropped them." Johnathan added.

Dr. Cooper didn't look pleased by that.

"Oh! Oh!" Walker jumped giving Dr. Cooper another scare. Including myself. I glared at him. "Sel! You'll finally have a match!"

"What the hell are you going on about?" I asked him, annoyed. Maybe I shouldn't take them out. They're beyond hammered.

"Well!" Walker made a show of it. "Your neighbors are Doctors!"

"This is ridiculous." Dr. Cooper went into 4A. Leonard smiled but it was clear to me he was uncomfortable. I wearily smiled at him.

"Sorry... They've had one too many beers." I apologized. Leonard just held his hands up and then offered to help carry down the boxes. Walker looked relieved, dropping them back on the floor and wobbling down the stairs. I gapped after him at how rude that was.

"Walker! What the hell!"

"So Leonard..." Johnathan struggled to keep ahold of the boxes. I felt an obligation to be a cane for him all while regretting ever buying the beer in the first place. "What sort of Doc are you?"

"Experimental physicist," he politely replied. "What do you do for a living?"

"I work for my pa. Construction. Not as big as a big shot scientist though."

"A physicist is a scientist, Johnathan. I'm impressed you knew that." I smiled at him causing him to glare at me.

"I am not stupid like Walker, Sel."

At the mention of Walker, he made his presence known. "Hey! Now that we're on the topic of my stupidity, Sel. What is that exactly?"

"A physicist studies physics. Study of nature. Like how energy and matter behave." I had to keep from mocking him. Leonard smiled but it didn't reach his eyes. Definitely uncomfortable.

I glanced back at him once on the main floor. "I'm sorry Leonard, my brothers take all my time up. I don't mean to make you feel like I'm ignoring you."

"Brothers?" He gulped.

"Yeah, our little Sel is our pride." Johnathan kissed my cheek then nudged me. My ears went red. "I'm going to the car. Give me your keys."

I handed them over, "Take the boxes." I demanded. They pouted but took them. Turning back to Leonard, "Sorry about that. You said you were an Experimental physicist, so you like working in the lab?"

"Yeah, the lasers are pretty cool." His eyes lit up.

"Yeah, they are pretty cool. I built a laser when I was younger. Caused my momma to about lose it when I burned a hole in the ceiling." I laughed slightly at the memory.

"What did your brothers mean upstairs about you having met your match?" He fiddled with his hands nervously.

"I'm from a small town so having a doctor in the family is an exquisite aspect to focus on. They were just excited that my neighbors also had Ph.D.'s."

"Oh, you also have a Ph.D.?"

"Two..." I blushed, looking away from him for a moment. When I did look back he looked impressed.

"Sheldon has two as well. He's a Theoretical physicist on string theory. He'll be impressed when I tell them you have two doctorates. What is that you do?"

"I'm an Astrophysicist."

"My friend Raj is an Astrophysicist, What made you interested in space?"

Opening my mouth, I promptly closed it. Walker opened the lobby door. "Hey, insured hands! We're starving!"

"Sorry Leonard, we'll talk soon I promise." I turned around to glare at Walker. "And you! Mind your manners! You don't just go intruding on people's conversations, Walker. What would momma do if she were here?"

Walker went white.

"That's what I thought," I smirked and looked behind me at Leonard. He looked rather cute if I'm being honest. "It was nice meeting you."

"You too." He went back upstairs. I grabbed Walker and dragged him to my car.

"Stop it, Walker. Insured hands? Really?"

"I get the sense you're angry with me."

"Damn straight I am! I don't want my past coming with me. Leave it in Texas."

I was glad when I got my brothers on the road and had the week to get settled in. I hadn't seen the two guys from Apartment 4A but I did have the pleasure of meeting Penny from 4B. She had been my waitress at the Cheesecake Factory and it had been funny to the both of us to find out she was my neighbor the following morning.

My idiot brother Johnathan had picked her up with his smooth-talking for a night of fun. Too drunk to realize she lived in the same building as me until he came into my apartment all dazed and confused.

"It's nice to have a girl around my age living around here." Penny poured herself a glass of red. I was kind of impressed she was drinking at ten in the morning. "The guys next door are really nerdy but sometimes a girl needs another girl even if they do feed me."

"You're close with them?"

Penny took another large gulp of her wine before refilling her glass. "I used to date Leonard."

I tightened my lips. Not knowing what to say.

"He's a great guy but can be really clingy. Is Johnathan coming back?"

I choked on my water, splattering it all over my lap. Penny laughed at me and threw a towel my way but her face showed she wanted to know. I had strongly disproved my brother's actions. What he did wasn't right but I was just his sister and I loved him dearly. I could not and would not ever tell him my opinions on his choice of lifestyle.

"I doubt it." I was truthful. Penny looked saddened by it.

"He seemed like a good one."

"Seemed to be a keyword there, Penny. I for one, would have never been okay with what you two did and I didn't know you at the time so I didn't say anything. But Johnathan has a wife back home."

"I slept with a married man!" Her eyes bulged.

I did truly feel sorry for her. "Yeah... But don't feel too bad. He and Charlene have a strange dynamic. Their relationship is open with each other just not with their sexual counterparts' knowledge of their being wedded."

"I've..." Penny looked for loss of words and for-goed her wine glass for just the bottle.

By one, Penny was drunk and I had to excuse myself from her apartment on the matter that I really did need to get to my new job and meet my boss before I start work on Wednesday. Dressed in grey paper bag plaid pants and a silk white button-up shirt. I pulled on my grey blazer, then locked my car up before going into Caltech.

The moment I stepped into the research university I was hit with an intense smell of burnt plastic and soldered wiring. Very fitting. I quickly made my way through the building following the signs to the main office. Where I got my badge and filled out quite a bit of forms before being taken to President Siebert's office.

"Ah, Dr. Lupin." He rose to shake my hand. "It's great to have you working with us. Must say, I am surprised that you took our offer without much thought."

"Should I have not?" I inquired. I wasn't dumb. I knew that he knew everything. Everyone in the medical community knew who I was. Even parts of the scientific community knew who I was. I brought about a serious scandal, and have been the topic of many controversial journals for it.

"No, I am very glad of it!" He said quickly. "I'm just surprised... is all. You're very wanted in the scientific community after you called out most of the board members of the national surgeon associations."

"How's the Astronomical department?" I quickly wanted the topic changed. He smiled lightly, his eyes squinted at me. I could have been more subtle but my career change was a sore topic that still hurt me deeply.

"I hope you'll find it appealing. It's small but progressed far under Dr. Rajesh Koothrappali's hands. We had our funding cut on the department so it's considerably smaller than it used to be. But that won't be a problem!" He added quickly. I guess I didn't hold my concerned face in as well as I thought I did. "Due to your popularity... I was able to procure you, your own office."

"I'm happy to share with someone." I wish he didn't give me my own office. I don't want anyone digging into my past.

"Nonsense! A woman of your standing, you need your own office."

That was the end of discussing it I assumed. He showed me around campus, taking me to different departments and meeting a few of my colleagues. Then he showed me the eating area, allowing me the relief of getting lunch and to wonder on my own for the remaining day.

Grabbing a tray, I paid for a veggie salad and grabbed almond milk. Making a mental note that my vegetarian needs will force me to pack my lunches for it. Looking around the canteen for an open spot, I couldn't believe my eyes.

Leonard was sat at a table with Dr. Cooper.

Swallowing my nerves, I went over to them with a smile. "Hello Dr. Hofstadter, Dr. Cooper."

Leonard grinned. "Selene! What are you doing here? And please, it's just Leonard."

"Okay, Leonard and to answer your question, I'll be working here. Starting on Wednesday." I smiled politely.

"What Department?" Dr. Cooper asked looking interested.

"Astrophysics"

He looked a bit gloomy at it and didn't say anything, though I could tell he probably did want to say something.

"Sit down!" Leonard motioned to the seat next to him. I sat down thanking him. At this, two more showed up. A thick Indian accent filled my ears.

"Howard, I am telling you! Siebert is making me work with a woman!" He quickly choked up as the Indian who was speaking looked right at me. I smiled causing him to shrink into himself like a scared puppy. Immediately I felt bad.

"Hello? Sorry about Raj. He can't speak to women." I'm guessing this was Howard. "Howard Wolowitz, Engineer." He held his hand out which I shook.

"Dr. Selene Lupin, astrophysicist."

"Look at that Howard, another Doctor." Dr. Cooper grinned at him evilly. "Outnumbered once again,"

"Shut up Sheldon." Howard stabbed his chicken roughly.

Raj whispered into Howard's ear once he pulled another chair up to place beside me and sat down. Howard looked annoyed. "This is Rajesh Koothrappali, he too is an Astrophysicist."

"Oh! It's great to meet you, President Siebert was just telling me we would be working together." I said happily. He quickly morphed into what a kicked puppy would look like.

"He can't talk to you unless he is drinking alcohol." Howard snickered. Dr. Koothrappali glared at him.

"Excuse my input here, Howard, but selective mutism is a real disorder. It's not really a laughing manner."

Howard and Leonard both stopped laughing. Leonard crossed his arms. "Yeah, Howard!" He agreed. Dr. Koothrappali smiled faintly at me as if he was grateful. All I did was pat his shoulder then ate my lunch in silence as I listen to Dr. Cooper explain weird facts that I gathered the others didn't care for.

He most definitely was on the neuropsychiatric spectrum somewhere. At first, I thought ADHD but maybe not. I don't want to psychoanalyze but the MD in me couldn't help it.

"So Dr. Cooper," My recognition of his doctorate seemed to please him. "I hear you major in String Theory. Have you made any breakthroughs?"

"Being an Astronomy lover I doubt you'd be able to comprehend what being a theoretical physics would entail." He continued to eat.

I blinked at his rudeness.

"Sheldon..." Leonard said quietly. I stopped him.

"I got this," I said strongly. Dr. Cooper looked expectedly at me before laughing. I quickly jumped in before he could speak. "You use mathematics to develop explanations of experimental data, formulate new theories, and make new predictions and hypotheses. In physics, for example, your string theory is a theoretical framework in which the point-like particles of particle physics are replaced by one-dimensional objects called strings. String theory describes how these strings propagate through space and interact with each other. Accordingly, string theory is a theory of quantum gravity, Dr. Cooper," I finished with a hint of annoyance.

The other three looked rather smug at the stumped Doctor. He opened his mouth and then closed it before slumping in his chair. "Textbook definition. Nobody likes a know it all."

"Eidetic memory, Dr. Cooper," I bit my lip feeling proud.

"Really?" Leonard asked in surprise.

I shrugged nonchalantly.

"What's your IQ?" The somber doctor asked with distaste. He hated being shown up in a battle of intellect.

"180."

"Ha, I win! 187!" He boasted causing people to look toward our table. "You may have the same eidetic memory as me but I am more intelligent."

"Congratulations, Dr. Cooper." I smiled at him. The others looked anxious between us.

"Please call me Sheldon, you have the honor of being the second cleverest among us." He grinned widely at me making me laugh and nodding at him. "Alright, Sheldon."

He looked at his friends. "Finally someone who gets me." They glowered at him.

My phone began to vibrate from my bag, I plucked it out looking at the screen. 'Mariam.'

"Of for fuck's sake," I muttered, excusing myself to answer it. The guys looked at me oddly probably for my choice of language

"Hello?"

"Sele!!!" The yell caused me to pull the phone away from my ear. The guys were watching me, making me embarrassed. "I'm so glad you answered! What's this I hear about you quitting your career and becoming a star-spangled gazer!"

My face went red, probably purple. I was sure they all heard that.

"Mariam," I said steadily. "Now's not a good time."

"Don't hang up on me! I put a ton of money in your hands!"

At that, I quickly hung up without so much as a goodbye.

"What is it with people talking about your hands?" Leonard asked curiously. I shrugged and excuse myself.

Once she had left the table Howard had already whipped his phone out and put her name into the Google search engine. Where articles upon articles popped up about a Cardiothoracic Surgeon. He scrolled through a few of them with a small photo of Selene attached to them.

"Well... If this is the same Selene and no doubt it is," he showed them. "She's apparently a disgraced Cardiothoracic Surgeon."

"She's not a scientist at all," Sheldon prompted. "She's a fraud."

"What makes you say that Sheldon?" Leonard asked. Trying his best not to say something rude to his roommate.

"It's Surgery, Leonard... A small science. Simple and boring. She can't nearly compare to even Howard. Here I was appraising her and she lied."

"Don't be absurd Sheldon. She told me she had two Ph.D.'s."

"But she would only have one Ph.D. and one MD. They're not the same." Sheldon urged.

"Not necessarily, she probably got a Ph.D. in surgery too. Some surgeons go on for another three years for a Doctorate of Philosophy in surgery but it's not essential. They get to participate in experimental surgeries using all sorts of scientific research. They won't let just any regular MD perform them. You need. Ph.D."

"Nobody asked you Rajesh!" Sheldon snapped. Being stumped for the third time that day. All during lunch. He wasn't pleased with it at all.

Waking up at five in the morning, I pulled out my journal and began to check items off my list.

Eat breakfast, check.

Shower, check.

My briefcase packed, check.

Lunch made and packed, check.

Shopping list in purse, check.

Counters cleaned, check.

I was insistent on making sure my apartment was spotless before I dare locked up by the time seven came around. As soon as my foot hit the fourth landing, Sheldon was standing in his doorway, still in his bathrobe and holding a newspaper about to go inside. He looked at me bewildered.

"You quite literally want to catch the worm." He said with surprise.

"Good morning, Dr. Cooper." I offered a smile, adjusting my yellow sweater. His gaze dropped to my attire before he looked me in the eyes.

"Good morning Dr. Lupin," and then he closed his door. I was about to go downstairs when the door flung open again and Leonard was standing there in a plain tee and shorts. His red robe was open as he struggled to close it.

"Selene! Good morning."

"Good Morning Leonard," I turned back to him.

"Would you like some coffee?" He asked politely. "I just made a pot."

"Maybe another time? I need to go in early." I lied. Really I only ever go into work early because I suck at making friends and have been a huge loner all my life. Work fills my time to keep me from being all depressed and now since I no longer have surgery. I needed to make sure I don't fall into depression.

"Oh, well alright. Tomorrow?" He asked looking hopeful. I bit my lip glancing towards Penny's door.

"Sure. Why not."

"Great! See you at work!"

I waved behind me and went downstairs. The drive to work was short probably due to most people having the right mind not to go to work hours early.

My office was a bit dull. The stupid plate outside my door taunted me with 'Selene Lupin Ph.D. Astrophysicist' it was going to take a lot to not see 'Cardiothoracic Surgeon' at the end anymore. It stung. Looking down at my hands, frowning deeply at them. I briefly wondered if they would ever get to hold a scalpel again.

"Sewene wure earwy"

I glanced up at Barry Kripke. An ass I had the pleasure of meeting when being toured by Siebert. "Kripke," I nodded. "What do you want?"

"Nuting, just cweckin on wu."

"I'm good. If you'll excuse me I have a lot to do today." I promptly closed the door. Thankful when his footsteps receded. "Lord help me." I sighed deeply.

As the morning hours passed, I found a way to adjust nicely. I had gotten quite a bit of work done and began working on my research paper. It wasn't long after when I noticed a shadow under my door that kind of just lingered there. I sat my pen down waiting for it to go away. Ten minutes passed, leaving me officially annoyed by it.

I opened the door causing the culprit to freeze. Rajesh looked like a deer caught in the headlights. Holding a tiny whiteboard and marker in his hand. He thrust the whiteboard in the air, right at my face making me jump away from him. He quickly looked apologetic.

I glanced down at the whiteboard. 'I can't speak but I can write. Can I have your work number? It will make this easier for us to talk.'

"You can have my number but the correct way of asking is 'may I"

Someone giggled from the room across the hall. Sheldon stuck his head out laughing. "He's a lost cause. He never listens to me when I correct his grammar either."

Rajesh frowned. Taking the whiteboard from his hands, I held my palm out for the marker and quickly wrote my number down. "That's my second work number meant only for my partners so keep it to yourself. My main number is for other departments. If we're going to work together then I need you to be able to reach me reasonably." I tapped the number then tap the second number. "This is my main work number. Only use this number if it isn't urgent."

"Whoo, ain't that a hoot!" Sheldon appraised. "Why didn't I think of having a second work number! Good idea Dr. Lupin!" His door shut leaving me stunned. Rajesh shrugged and then wrote on the whiteboard.

'Please, call me Raj.'

"First number, Raj," I said politely. Right as I sat back down at my desk, the blue iPhone that sat on the end of the desk buzzed.

'It's Raj.'

I saved it under the professional term and name, adding his department name with it. Then pulled up the chat again to write him back.

'Text me as long as it does concern work Raj. This was a smart idea.' I pressed send.

Raj: 'Thanks! Are you busy for lunch? I thought we could discuss work over some food?'

Sel: 'No, I'm free. Don't you want to sit with your friends?'

Raj: ' Nah, they won't mind. You're ok new. They know I'll need to catch you up on my research. '

I don't know why I felt bothered all of a sudden by that. That he needed to catch me up on his research. I knew the department worked together in solving problems but to share one's research so openly? I sat my phone back down, not feeling the need to respond. An hour passed by when the phone pinged again.

Raj: ' My office or yours for lunch? Yours is bigger though. '

Sel: 'My office is fine. I've packed my lunch. Just meet me in my office in twenty.'

It took no time for the minutes to pass by. Figuring the person knocking was Raj. I called. "Come in!"

The door opened. I was correct, it was Raj. He smiled holding a tray and a large folder under his arm. I had cleared half the desk off letting him have room to sit his things down. He placed the whiteboard down and nodded to it before writing. 'This folder is yours. I made copies of my work for you.'

"That's thoughtful. Thank you, Raj."

He began to eat. I could tell he was watching me open my small lunch bag and pull the containers out. He perked up suddenly when I opened my smallest container. My office was instantly filled with a soy aroma. He tapped the desk causing me to look at him.

'Is that tofu?'

"Yes, I don't eat meat."

'Oh, that's cool.'

I smiled at him. "I thought for California, this place would have had vegetarian options but if my lunch here the other day was any proof I realized not all of California had a boarded the vegan train."

'It's true. I don't think anyone here at the office is a vegan. The only lactose intolerant person I know is Leonard. Are you vegan?'

"Vegetarian. I don't have a problem with eating dairy or eggs. I just can't stand the thought of eating meat. It kind of grosses me out." I confessed, right as Raj bit into his chicken leg. He put it down quickly causing me to laugh making him blush.

"It's okay Raj. I don't have a problem with people eating meat. It's just me alone. I don't like the texture of it."

He laughed cheekily and picked up his chicken, beginning to eat it again. Where he wrote I talked, not realizing the time that went by as we discuss useless things like what we liked and didn't about food. I was pleasantly surprised by how much he knew about food, especially vegetarian recipes. He seemed alright.

Our food cleared up, and the desk piled with paperwork, the topic slowly shifted to music and movies.

"I'm not much of a horror person, I much prefer the black and whites like 'I love Lucy' or 'The Dirty Dozens' If I did have to watch a horror film, it has to be the black and white versions when technology didn't permit it to be very scary."

Raj laughed with me in agreement. Holding his whiteboard up. 'I love 'I love Lucy' It's great! What about musicals?'

"Definitely Mamma Mia. I could watch Meryl Streep all day."

Raj looked very ecstatic at my confession. Writing quickly on his board, he tapped it several times with a large grin. 'I love her! She's the best! Her and Sandra Bullock are my women!'

Laughing loudly with him I couldn't help but agree with his excitement.

The door cracked open startling us as Howard came in with Leonard and Sheldon. They had their bags on like they were leaving. I glanced at the clock realizing the time.

"Oh geez! Raj, we haven't done anything!" I exclaim causing us to erupt into laughter.

"You guys sound like you're having a party in here without me." Howard waggled his eyebrows creepily. Raj wrinkled his nose at him.

"You haven't done any work?" Leonard asked curiously. Raj grinned shaking his head and pointed at the whiteboard where we were discussing Sandra Bullock.

"Ah... You best be careful... You'll make him fall in love with you." Howard teased. I could see that bothered Raj, as he immediately closed himself off in shyness. I frowned at them before directing my gaze to Leonard and Sheldon.

"What brings all of you to my office?"

"It's Wednesday," Sheldon looked really uncomfortable. "It's Halo Night and Comic Book Night."

"Let me guess," I squinted at them all thinking hard. "Batman and Batman," I pointed at Howard and Raj. They looked surprised. "And you Leonard feel an understanding to Kal-el or Superman as everyone knows him best by."

"How'd you guess?" He smiled looking proud.

"Ruly curly and square glasses. Just like Clark Kent." I then turned to Sheldon. He was staring blankly at me. As if he was daring I guess his favorite hero and get it wrong. "Scarlet Speedster, the man who violates most laws of physics. Barry Allen, the Flash."

"Oh my God," Leonard laughed and nudged Sheldon. "She got it right! And she knows who he is!"

Sheldon sniffed. "It was a lucky guess,"

"No, it's obvious. That's the third Flash shirt I've seen you wear." I admitted.

"How do you know about superheroes?" Howard asked, sitting down at one of the chairs in front of my desk.

"I have a little brother, he's fourteen and he adores them. I taught him everything he knows." I shrugged.

"You taught him?" Sheldon asked in disbelief.

"Of course I did." I winked. "Much to everyone's dismay, Starfire made me feel like I could have done anything when I was a young cowgirl making my Christian mother annoyed when I rather build lasers and tinker with flammable liquids than train for the equestrian competition in Eastern Texas."

"I'm from Texas. Medford, where whereabouts East Texas are you from?" Sheldon perked up.

"Galveston."

"How about that Sheldon, another thing you two have in common." Leonard's grin only widened. "You're more than welcome to join us to comic night, Selene."

"Now wait a minute!" Sheldon interjected. "No girls are allowed."

"Sheldon..." Howard and Leonard said together. I would bet that Raj would have said something too had it not been for his disorder. He was looking at Sheldon with them. I took pity on the lanky man.

"It's okay Sheldon, I need to read Raj's Research anyway. Thank you Leonard for the invite. Perhaps another time?"

"Well alright, but remember, you're supposed to have coffee with me in the morning at the apartment before work."

"What time?" I asked nicely.

"Seven."

"Alright." I quickly put it into my journal and then added it to my to-do list and a reminder on my phone. Then made sure it would show on my watch.

"Wow... So many lists." Howard peeked at Sheldon.

"Nothing but exact and precise can give satisfaction like a well-organized life," I mumbled as I packed my things and stood. I faintly caught Howard mentioning Sheldon to Leonard.

I jingled my keys. "Now out, I got lots to do."

Bidding the guys farewell, I pulled my shopping list out. "Alright, a hunt for staples," I spoke out loud to remind myself once again that I had a schedule and I already screwed it up by talking with Raj for so long.

Jesus Pasadena. What are you doing to me?