Chapter 3

Author's note: Now, let's see what Sheldon is up to. :D

Disclaimer: Refer to the previous chapters.

Sheldon made three consecutive knocks.

"Amy."

"Amy."

"Amy."

He heard some shuffling of feet from the inside. After a few moments, the door opened and he was greeted by a tired-looking Amy.

"Sheldon, what is it?" She looked at him and noticed that he was disheveled. He's still in his pajamas, with his hair still in a mess and he's even looking a bit pale. "What happened to you?" She moved aside to let him in her apartment, but he remained in his spot.

As he stood there, visions of Amy all tied up on a camel suddenly filled him. He shrugged them off and said, "I am not going to leave this spot until you tell me he isn't really coming."

Amy was taken aback by Sheldon's words. "I'm sorry Sheldon, but what are you talking about?"

Sheldon took a deep breath and went in for the kill. "Faisal's going to be here this weekend, isn't he?"

Amy sighed and dropped her head. She swung her free arm and pointed towards the living room. "Get in."

Sheldon wordlessly obeyed but remained standing as he got near the couch. "Now, tell me Amy. Is he coming or not?"

She followed him to the couch after closing the door. "How did you found out—?"

He looked at her, eyebrows furrowed. "You didn't answer my question."

She was about to say something but no words came out so she simply closed her mouth. She patted the seat beside her but he glared back at her. "Sheldon, I won't tell you if you don't calm down for a minute."

Sheldon closed his eyes for a brief second until he finally gave in, "Fine." He never left his gaze on her as he took a seat on the sofa. With a stern voice he asked, "Is he really coming?"

Amy looked away from him for a moment before giving a response. "Yes," she said, her voice tinted with guilt. "Faisal is coming over this weekend. I was going to mention it tomorrow on our Skype session but I guess it's moot." Amy bit her lip as she bowed her head.

Sheldon threw his head back in annoyance. He was clearly offended that Amy didn't inform him about the arrival of that middle-eastern dilettante immediately. He cocked his head back up and looked at her. "You mean to tell me," his eyebrows closing in, "that your so-called quote unquote fiance slash benefactor will be in town to meet up with my girlfriend?"

Amy rolled her eyes and placed a hand on her temple. "Sheldon, how many times do I have to tell you that our engagement was only for formality so that I can legally use his donation as funding for my laboratory? Unlike some people who has to whore out their bodies just to earn your department some grant from an old cougar, Faisal was kind enough to think of a way for him to be able to help my research without compromising my self-respect."

"That's not the point!" Sheldon said, slightly defensive over what happened to his roommate. "My point is that my girlfriend will be meeting up with someone who clearly has no business in being here in California—"

"He's just here to check on my current study. After all, he is funding my research, and he was the reason I have a two-photon microscope…"

He rolled his head in frustration and groaned. Then, he closed his eyes and pursed his lips.

"What are you doing?"

"Kohlinar."

"Not this again," Amy told to herself. "Sheldon, stop it. I don't even know why you have to get jealous over him," she stated as she stood and aimed towards her bedroom.

Sheldon felt the movement from the other side of the sofa cushion, making him open his eyes and see Amy heading to her room. "Wait! Where are you going?"

"I still have work tomorrow. You can have the sofa." She turned the knob to her room and took a step inside. "I'll get you a blanket and a pillow," she said nonchalantly.

The next morning, Sheldon slowly opened his eyes only to see Amy working in the kitchen. He took a deep breath and the wonderful scent of pancakes graced his nostrils.

"Hmm… Pancakes…" He gushed as his eyes fluttered shut.

"I see you are now awake, Doctor Cooper" she said as she flipped the golden-brown flapjack.

"No, I am still experiencing the aftershocks of being forced to sleep on my girlfriend's couch."

"I did not force you to sleep on my couch," she said, making her point. "If you want, you can use the spare toothbrush just below the medicine cabinet."

Sheldon lifted his body into a sitting position as if it was the hardest task he has ever done. He raised his left arm in front of him to look at his watch. It's 6:34am. "Hmm. Just in time for breakfast."

"Well, I do have work in a few hours so why don't you do what you have to do. Come on now, hippity hop—"

"Yeah, yeah. Quick like a bunny. I still don't understand why agility is often compared to rabbit movements. " He dragged his feet towards the bathroom and performed his daily rituals.

After a good ten minutes, he went straight to the kitchen counter and sat next to Amy who has just started pouring syrup over her pancake.

"Don't you have work today?" She asked before she took a bite.

He considered his answer for a moment. It's Friday and the day after that, Faisal will be in town. Sure enough, he'll be gushing over his girlfriend's work and praise her at how amazing she is… With that, the image of Amy being held hostage by an Arabian Prince popped back in his head and his blood started to boil.

"No," he said dismissively, getting rid of the images from his dream last night.

"Are you on vacation again?" Amy asked curiously, thinking that Sheldon was referring to her query.

"Uhm, what? Sorry?" He snapped out of his trance.

"Are you being forced to take another week off?"

He thought for a moment to come up with an excuse. "Well," he paused, trying to form the idea he suddenly thought off, "Raj and I have just finished our conclusive study regarding the…" His mind suddenly went blank. "You know what, Amy? I think I should spend this day with you—I mean, maybe I should dedicate this day into expanding my interest in the field of Biology." He said, avoiding her vision as he took a huge bite.

Amy narrowed her eyes at him, concluding that he was up to something. "Okay. On one condition."

"What?" He asked, mouth still full of pancake.

"You still have to do what I tell you to."

Sheldon sighed. Oh the things he'll do just to protect his territory... "Fine."

Amy carefully turned to her left and grinned contentedly.

Endnote: Gah! I'm having such a hard time coming up with this chapter! But at least now this is over and I can now start on some action!

All errors are on me. I haven't checked on this yet and I have a class in fifteen minutes!

Review, pwetty pwease?