This is a very short chapter. I hope you enjoy it.
"It's Amy. What do I do?" Penny hissed at Leonard.
"You might as well answer it. We're going to have to talk to her sooner or later." He grinned at his wife, "You can tell her you chased off Nowitzki."
She rolled her eyes and hit accept. "Hi, Ames, what's up?"
"Do you know where Sheldon is?" Amy asked very quietly.
Penny grimaced. "Mmmm, no?"
"You're sure?"
"Pretty sure. Why do you ask?"
"Do you know where Dr. Nowitzki is?"
Penny brightened. "Sure. She's in the middle of Pasadena Boulevard looking for her car keys." She looked out the window. "Oh, looks like she found them. Too bad a bus is parked on top of them."
There was a choking sound from the other end of the line. "Do I want to know why her keys are under a bus?"
"I threw them there."
"Why did you do that?"
"Because throwing her under the bus would be illegal."
"Oh." Amy was silent for several seconds. "Then I guess you know what happened."
"We all do. I'm putting you on speaker."
"Ok. I can't be on too long. Anyway, Sheldon is here. Right now, he's in the shower, but he'll only be 7.75 minutes longer then I'll have to get off. He's ok – he showed up on my doorstep about two hours ago. One of us will call you tomorrow to let you know when he'll be returning so you'll know when someone needs to pick him up."
"He told you what happened?"
"Yes, Sheldon is nothing if not honest – I might add that, sometimes he's too honest."
"And he's ok?"
"A little – traumatized, but, on the whole, fine. I do have to go now. As I said, Sheldon or I will call you tomorrow to let you know when his flight arrives." She ended the call before Penny, or anyone else, could say anything more.
"Sheldon's in New Jersey?" Leonard looked shocked.
"Close your mouth, sweetie." Penny put her phone on the island. "At least we know he's ok. There are so many questions, though." She shook her head. "I don't get it. Did he actually get on a plane and fly?"
Bernadette rolled her eyes. "No, he has secret transporter technology. Of course, he did. It's just so … not Sheldon."
"None of this Sheldon." Howard said. "Are we sure he hasn't been kidnapped by aliens and replaced with a pod person?"
"In that case, you really have to feel for the aliens." Leonard was grinning. Penny gave him a light headslap.
"Seriously, guys, what is he doing there?"
"Who knows? But I'm sure we'll find out when he gets back. Meanwhile, I suggest we enjoy the respite." Raj went into the kitchen. "Who's up for samosas?"
Amy put the phone down just as Sheldon exited the shower. "Amy, these towels are quite harsh. You should have a word with whoever provides the laundry service here." Amy pinched the bridge of her nose and sighed.
"The service is provided by the same company that does our lab coats and towels. It's all standardized. They won't change it, and the nearest laundromat is downtown. At least you know they're clean."
"You mean they do your personal laundry as well?" He shuddered. "If that's the case, then I'm taking your soiled clothing back with me, laundering it, and mailing it back to you. This" he brandished the offending towel "is uncivilized." He looked at her intently, "as distasteful as handling another's dirty laundry is to me, I cannot let you be abused like this. When I have mailed the parcel, I will call you so you can assemble another parcel of clothing to send to me. Second Day Air should be adequate."
"That will be costly, Sheldon."
"What is money for but to support our needs? I need to see you comfortable and not wearing scratchy, poorly laundered clothing."
"Strictly speaking you won't be seeing me."
He glared at her.
"Sheldon, if you'll excuse me, I need to use the bathroom, I trust it's not all steamy." She went into the room, turned on the water, grabbed one of the 'uncivilized' towels, buried her face in it, and proceeded to stifle laughter. She wasn't sure if she was laughing at the absurdity of the situation, Sheldon's intensity, or for the sheer joy of having him do something for her that was so impractical, so nonsensical, and so – caring. She almost changed her mind about the conditions on her 'yes'. She felt strangely powerful.
When she exited the room a few minutes later, she went to Sheldon and gave him a chaste hug, which he returned, enthusiastically and most unchastely. She hid a tiny smile that threatened to become a huge grin.
The next morning Amy called in and asked for a day off. She was surprised when it was granted. After they had breakfasted, made travel arrangements for Sheldon, informed their friends of his itinerary, and acquired his new underwear, they spent the rest of the day not exploring the University and its environs.
Amy decided that the yes was not conditional at all. She saw no reason, however, to tell Sheldon of her decision right away. She proposed to enjoy the next couple of months – and, perhaps, to engender some new habits in Sheldon.