Disclaimer: I own nothing from Big Bang Theory, only my characters and story line.

Chapter 10: Big Bundle of Nerves

The next morning had Nancy packing her new things into a borrowed suitcase from Sheldon, who was already done having packed the previous day while she was shopping with Penny. She packed a weeks worth of everything, except shoes she only packed two pairs, not being a big shoe-a-holic like Penny. She was extremely grateful to Penny for doing this for her.

She was going over everything she needed at least three times, nervous about what she was going to be doing soon, meeting her real father. He'd been looking for her since she was kidnapped at five, and hadn't given up hope that she was still alive and out there somewhere. A knock at the door knocked her back into reality.

"Nancy you've been packing for a half an hour, is everything ok?" Sheldon asked concerned.

"Oh yeah everything's fine," she replied cheerfully. "I'm just nervous, you know?"

"Yeah it must be difficult, thinking about someone you've never met, but is actually your father," he said sitting on the bed, placing his hands over hers. "But you need to relax, it'll be fine." She glanced up at him her eyes showing how everything was affecting her about all this. "He's your father, he'll just be glad to see you...and if you need me to, I'll be right there with you holding your hand."

"Thanks," she said quietly, appreciating how supportive he was being. "I want you to be there, you mean the world to me...and you need to meet my father as much as I do."

"Ok, well let's close the suitcase, and go out and talk with Penny and Leonard...Raj and Howard couldn't make it." Nancy nodded as she closed and latched the suitcase.

"O.k." She said following him from the room, after a big breath to calm her down.

"Hey how are you?" Penny asked as Nancy plopped down on the couch.

"Soo nervous...like I really don't know what to expect." She said her fiddling with her hands until Sheldon came over taking one of them and kissing it.

"Relax, please you're starting to make me nervous." He said.

"Hey I'm sure everything will be fine," Penny said enthusiastically. "It might be a bit awkward at first, but then once things sink in, you'll be great."

"Thanks," Nancy smiled at Penny, and then Sheldon. "I'm not trying to be fidgety I'm sorry," she said sighing. "This is a really big thing, and I really don't know how to handle this."

"Well think of it like meeting Sheldon again," Leonard spoke up. "You were nervous, but once you saw him you calmed down and talked...that's what you need to do with your father."

"Thanks Leonard...that helps a little," Nancy smiled at him. "It'll be fine," she said more to herself than anyone else.

"Course it will be," Penny encouraged.

"Thanks guys."


It was finally time to leave, Nancy took hold of Sheldon's hand, this was her first time riding a plane and she was a bit nervous about that. When they found their seats they settled in for the three hour flight to Texas, and back to the father she never knew.

"Nancy everything will work out," Sheldon said squeezing her hand. "When we get to Houston my mother will pick us up, we'll drop our stuff at her house then go to eat...and meet your father," he said and she took a deep breath. "Don't worry, smile...everything is fine."

"I know...I'm also nervous about riding the plane." Nancy said smiling nervously. "I've never ridden one before."

"It's fine, it's just like riding in a car." He explained. "As long as you think of that, you'll be fine."

"Ok," she said resting her head back against the seat.


While the plane was in the air Nancy couldn't help but wonder who was the man who took her, and why he did it. She couldn't see him ever having been nice, to anyone let alone her. Was she some kind of sick trophy after he murdered her parents? She gave a little shiver at that, but he'd never actually done anything sexual to her, that she can remember.

"Are you ok?" Sheldon asked noticing her shiver.

"Just thinking about the man who took me." She replied softly. "I was wondering why he kept me...was I some kind of trophy for him?"

"The only way to know for sure would be to ask him yourself...but I really don't want you anywhere near him." Sheldon said his voice firm.

"I don't plan on ever talking to him ever again," Nancy said. "But I may have to...I need some answers."

"I really don't like that thought." He said scrunching his eyebrows worriedly. "If you must talk with him, please have the detective or someone with you...I don't want to lose you because he has no self control."

"I promise," she replied taking his hand. "I'll be smart about it. And it won't be till after we're back."


When they got off the plane they were greeted by a smiling Mary Cooper, who immediately gave Sheldon a hug much to his discomfort.

"Hello Sheldon, is this your new girlfriend?" Mary asked looking at Nancy who turned pink.

"Yes mom," he said smiling as he wrapped an arm around her. "But you've already met Nancy."

"This is Nancy?" Mary asked looking the girl up and down again. "My you grew up real nice," she then proceeded to give Nancy a welcoming hug as well. "I'm glad, you seem to make my Shelly very happy."

"Mom what did I tell you about calling me that?" He asked face red in embarrassment.

"I'm sorry honey, but you'll always be my little Shelly." Mary said smiling coyly at her son. "Well let's get you kids to the house," she said leading them from the airport. "By the way, why the impromptu visit?" Sheldon and Nancy exchanged a glance.

"Ma'am you remember when I met Sheldon in kindergarten right?" Nancy asked, Mary nodded. "Well it turns out I was kidnapped by a man who murdered my mother and left my father for dead...so I've come to meet my father...who lives in the same area I grew up."

"That's a lot to go through at such a young age." Mary said sympathetically. "So I take it they found the man who did this?"

"He's in custody now," Nancy said nodding. "And the trials set for possibly a week from now I believe."

"When were you planning on meeting your father?" Mary asked.

"Well when we went out to dinner, it's already set up that we meet him at a specific restaurant." Nancy replied taking Sheldon's hand as the nerves struck again.

"Well by the time we get back it'll be almost time for dinner." Mary said as they reached her car.

Nancy and Sheldon sat in the back of the car, with Nancy as close as the seat belts would allow just breathing in and out trying to control her nerves. It was a 55 minutes ride to Galveston.

"It's going to be fine," Sheldon whispered into her ear, then kissed her cheek. "I promise." She smiled slightly at him their hands intertwined.

After a while of silence, Mary announced that they were at the house. "Drop off your things quick, and I'll take you to the restaurant." Sheldon was the only one to get out taking both their bags inside with his mother's key. When he was back in the car they were heading to the restaurant. When they got there and the two were out. "I'll be back to pick you up in two hours ok?"

"Ok thank you Mrs. Cooper." Nancy said smiling.

"You can call me Mary, darlin'." Mary said as she pulled away.

"Are you ready?" Sheldon asked as she took a firm hold of his hand.

"Yes," she said her voice wavering only slightly. "Let's go in." They walked in and found the hostess. "Um I'm looking for a reservation under Adams."

"Oh yes, table of three...right this way." The young girl said leading them to a table, where a man with hair as red as Nancy's except for a few streaks of gray, and instead of blue eyes his were green.

"Hello, you must be Nancy." The man said standing up a smile on his face. "You look just like your mother, but my hair color."