"I'll be glad when it is over." Bernie hissed sat on Amy's sofa sipping wine and glaring at the message she had just received from Howard. "Each and every costume idea he has come up with has me wearing less and less material."
"Leonard is no better." Penny nodded. "He said I needed to accept that most comic book readers were male and appeal to our target audience."
"They must have been talking," Emily sighed. "Raj is pretty much having me dressed in a bikini. Its degrading! Amy what has Sheldon got you in?"
Amy smiled. "Oh I am covered!"
"Yeah," Penny sniggered "it is Sheldon after all. You forget Emily, Sheldon isn't like other boys."
Amy grinned "Oh I don't know. He actually suggested that the costume I chose was inappropriate. I pointed out I was completely covered and he muttered that was worse. When I asked why he said it left more to the imagination!"
"What exactly are you wearing?" Bernadette asked curiously now. "You haven't said."
"No, and I can't, I promised Sheldon. He seems to think the key to our success is the element of surprise and he thinks he has found the key to winning the others have overlooked."
"He has?" Penny frowned. "Leonard has talked of nothing but this for days, I am simply grateful we only have a few more days until it is all over. I doubt any of them have overlooked anything but to be quite honest I don't really care now."
Nodding in agreement the conversation soon moved on to post competition celebrations.
"Well Sheldon seems certain he is going to win," Amy grinned "and I have to say I cant help but think he is right. He says that as the winner he should choose the location for the celebration and he has chosen the zoo!"
"Well as long as there is alcohol I don't care where we go," Penny muttered "but I am not spending hours gazing at koalas so you can tell him if he does win and he forces me to the zoo he better have a kick ass party planned."
"Raj wants to go roller skating" Emily sighed. "Some disco he has heard of."
"NO!" Penny and Bernie shouted. "Trust us Emily we have seen Raj, plus Howard and Leonard for that matter, at one of those places and you don't want to go there. I suggest we think of something to appeal to their inner nerds and give them an alternative."
73
"Amy, I thought we were going to do this together." Sheldon frowned as he entered Amy's apartment early Sunday morning. Before him he now saw pieces of material cut out and laid on the floor.
"Yes Sheldon, we are. All I have down is make a start cutting out the pieces, now you and your trusty machine are here you can start sewing them together."
"But how do you know they will fit? We should have taken precise measurements."
"Sheldon, they will fit, trust me." Amy sighed hoping this was not about to turn into a long drawn out argument, and not wanting to admit she had her own eidetic memory when it came to Sheldon's body measurements. Sheldon turning his back on her moved to set up his machine at the table Amy had cleared.
"Here." Amy handed him the first two pieces and taking them without comment Sheldon set about sewing. They worked in silence for the first half an hour before Amy, unable to stand the tension stood from her spot on the floor where she had been cutting, and said "OK, lets see if what we have fits so far."
"Amy, it is hardly appropriate to try it now, we only have a fraction complete."
"Sheldon, we have the body and arms, it will be like trying on a t-shirt. Come on. At least this way you will be able to see if you are correct and I am wrong."
Sheldon still hesitated, he knew from looking at the sections he had now completed the costume would fit. And he knew Amy had also allowed for him to wear his normal clothes underneath. Sighing he pulled the material over his head. Amy walked around him studying carefully making Sheldon feel very self conscious.
"OK, I think this should work." Amy smiled. "In fact at this rate, she glanced at her watch, we could get your costume done tonight."
As Sheldon set back to work at the sewing machine Amy arranged the pieces carefully in order for him to continue. She sat cross legged on the floor, designs in front of her and began hand stitching the tail.
"Amy you don't need to hand stitch, it will be far quicker to do it on the machine." Sheldon pointed out.
"Yes I know but this section is small and I can stitch and stuff it while you do the rest."
As they continued working Amy made small talk, telling Sheldon about her conversation of the night before with the girls, confirming his suspicions they they had completely overlooked the age the characters should be aimed at. "Of course," Amy theorised, "if Stewart has anything to do with the judging he will not be going for a monkey when scantily clad girls are on display."
Sheldon nodded, "this is true but luckily Stewart is not judging! He called me today to see if you had agreed to my concept, when I told him you had and I had worked on a basic outline he told me that the judges were in fact going to be some people from the marvel offices. He seemed genuinely excited. Evidently they want a character along the lines of Monkey Joe and your idea is perfect for them."
Amy frowned, "But Monkey Joe was a squirrel."
Sheldon's eyes opened wide. "You read Monkey Joe? I thought you disapproved of comic books."
"Yes well Monkey Joe is one of the reasons!" Amy said dismissively. "Deceiving people like that. I was not at all sorry at his demise!"
Sheldon grinned. "Well Monkey Ricky will be your creation so fear not!"
Smiling Amy suggested. "Maybe we should warn the others Sheldon. Your idea is brilliant and I am sure it will win so it doesn't matter if they know really."
"But Amy…"
"It's your call Sheldon, but they they are your friends, you don't need to tell the other entrants, just your friends."
Muttering under his breath Sheldon reached for his phone. "You do it." He thrust the phone at her.
Amy sent of a quick text telling the men that a marvel representative would be the judge and they should carefully read the conditions of the competition because it was not within their normal reading genre.
Sheldon read the message and smirked, "Well that's not strictly true Amy, you know Leonard, his collection would sit well in the bedroom of any pre pubescent boy."
Amy decided it was best not to offer her opinion on this but changing the subject she said "Penny tells me you have cancelled pizza on Thursday nights, why?"
Sheldon blushed. "I was hoping they would not care or even notice." he admitted. "Last week when I was cooking for you I realised I actually enjoyed the food myself. So I decided to add a home cooked meal to my routine. Because Thursday is sometimes anything can happen Thursday this seemed the logical day to choose."
Amy grinned. "Penny was worried. She thought you were going into some kind of decline now Leonard had moved out. I told her you were fine but she said this was just an act you put on in front of me. Its not is it? You are OK now with your new living arrangement?"
"Yes. I admit is was a little resistant to the change." Amy snorted at this and earned herself a glare before Sheldon continued, "but I must admit not having to chase round after Leonard in the morning or clear up after Penny, does mean I am able to relax more which is more productive work wise. Also having our meetings in Leonard's new games room has sharpened my game somewhat."
Shaking her head at how Sheldon prioritised his life Amy finished sewing the tail sections together and moved to see how Sheldon was getting on. She grinned when she saw the nearly finished costume and glancing at the clock was shocked to see they had been sat for over 3 hours.
"Sheldon lets go for a walk, grab some lunch then come back and try the costume on."
"What? Why go out?" Sheldon frowned. "We are nearly finished Amy, why stop?"
"Because we have been sat for hours and fresh air will do us good!"
Not entirely convinced but not wanting to spoil the morning it having gone far better than he hoped he stood up and said "Can I leave this here?"
"Of course." Amy grinned. Grabbing a jacket she followed Sheldon and waited while he went to get his wallet and jacket from across the hall.
When Amy stopped at her car Sheldon frowned. "I thought you wanted to walk?"
"I do, but I thought we could go to the park for a walk then pick up hot-dogs after."
"From Carney's?" Sheldon asked grinning.
"Sure." Amy smiled.
73
"Thank you Penny." Sheldon smiled as Penny returned to join the table at the cheesecake factory having been through to the kitchen to ensure the staff were aware of his order.
"Sheldon, it is OK but really not necessary. You eat here every week and every week they get your order right. I haven't worked here for a long time and they are still getting your order correct."
"In fact," Howard sniggered "the success rate has increased since Penny left!"
As his wife punched his arm Howard turned his attention back to Sheldon. "You have been avoiding us at work, not joining us for lunch, is that because of the fake text you sent us Sunday?"
"What fake text?" Sheldon asked confused.
"The one about Marvel representatives and Stewart." Raj said a tone of disgust in his voice. "For a second there I actually believed you."
Sheldon shrugged. "The text was sent by Amy. And it was not fake. The judges are from Marvel and the competition if you read the small print is for the youth market. Amy insisted I tell you as she felt it was unfair of you to make your girlfriend and wives enter a competition half naked when there is zero chance of you winning."
Howard lent across the table and said "You are serious?"
"Yes Howard. I am serious."
Penny grinned "So now I don't have to wear that stupid costume?" She asked Leonard hopefully
"Well I guess we will have to make some adjustments." Leonard conceded as he reached for his bag and began searching for the flier giving details of the competition. For the next half hour Raj, Leonard and Howard poured over the flier while Penny and Bernadette quizzed Sheldon on his weekend with Amy.
"Amy says you are letting her choose her own costume." Penny said in a loud voice annoyed Leonard was ignoring her and worried he would still make her wear the costume he had planned.
"Of course." Sheldon nodded. "The concept was my idea and Amy gathered her own costume together, in fact it is rather more than I would have chosen."
"So you think she should wear less!" Howard half listening latched onto Sheldon's comment.
"No! I mean the additions Amy has made has, excuse my vulgar language, 'sexed up' the idea I was going for."
Eyes wide Penny asked "What has she done?"
"Added boots." Sheldon muttered.
"Not those white boots?" Penny laughed out loud. "Go Amy!"
"What white boots?" All the men were now listening and could see Sheldon was distinctly uncomfortable with the way the conversation was going.
"Amy bought so knee high, shiny white boots. I told her there was no outfit in her wardrobe to go with them but she insisted, said they would compliment her 'new image' and I guess Sheldon's costume has proved her right."
"Sheldon you dog!" Raj laughed. "What have you got her wearing?"
"I don't want to discuss our entry," Sheldon muttered "in fact, we are going to be late if you want to lay games tonight. And throwing cash onto the table he stood up."
73
It had been a long week for Amy. She had really enjoyed her day with Sheldon on Sunday and had hoped that Rickys progress would mean she would maybe have an evening or two that would free her up in the week to spend finalising details for Saturdays competition. But it was Thursday night now and other than the plate of food waiting for her of an evening and their drives to work Amy had not seen Sheldon. Every morning he asked after her work and seemed to be genuinely interested even suggesting a couple of tests to check his IQ levels.
Amy had received texts from Penny, Bernadette and Emily, thanking her for informing their partners of the finer details of the competition but she had not spoken to her friends either. Sheldon had confirmed this morning that at their Tuesday meeting the men had thought her text had been fake but were now frantically trying to re sew costumes to fit in with the competition guidelines. As she climbed into bed Amy smiled. She saw her costume ready and hanging on her wardrobe door. As she looked at in now she frowned and climbed back out of bed. Sheldon had told her he would pt the finished costume in her room but she noticed on the pocket of the lab coat he had sewn a name label.
Dr. Amelia Lee.
She grinned. He had used the nick name from her fan fiction the guys had teased him about and his own middle name. She liked it. With only one morning at work to get through Amy was excited. She knew Sheldon's idea was in with a better than average chance of winning and she knew his plans to celebrate by going to the zoo would be met with protests but the idea of revisiting their old dating ground somehow felt right.
Next week at work Amy would be able to reduce her night time hours too. Ricky was proving to be far more sociable than she had expected now some of his energy was focused to specific challenges. The past few days he had shown that his day time tasks had tired him out and for the past two nights Amy had been surprised when he had curled up to sleep near to the enclosure holding the other monkeys. Tomorrow she would right up her findings and if the weekend shift reported the same behaviour then next week she would begin integration. With luck by the end of the month she could return to her old working hours and enjoy a social life again.
73
"I have a suggestion." Amy smiled the next morning as she waited for Sheldon to fasten his safety belt.
"OK." He sounded cautious a little unnerved by her tone. Normally Amy was quiet on their journeys into work, he knew the hours she was keeping tired her yet this morning she seemed eager to chat.
"Tonight I will collect you from work and cook for you for a change," she grinned. "Then we can try on our costumes and your story board so we are ready for tomorrow."
Sheldon blinked. He had wanted to suggest this himself but thought she would think he was pressuring her. He nodded smiling and said "I would like that, thank you."
"You don't mind missing vintage video game night?" Amy had been sure Sheldon would protest to at least hesitate before agreeing to her suggestion.
"No I don't mind, but I am sure the others will be relieved. They informed me last night they had reverted to my original idea of going as a team. It would seem their women folk would not agree to any of their alternate costume suggestions."
"So Penny and Bernie wont be there?" Amy was shocked. She had been hoping for a night out with all her friends yet now Sheldon was telling her she would be the only girl in the group.
"Oh no, they will be there. It would seem my informing them Tuesday that I thought your costume was sexy was enough to guarantee their attendance."
"You think I will look sexy?" Amy grinned.
"Errr..." Sheldon blushed scarlet as he realised his comment gave far more information than he had intended. "Yes." he muttered then quickly changing the subject asked. "Will we be having spaghetti for dinner?"
"Well we could," Amy shrugged, "but I thought something different."
"I like spaghetti." Sheldon added hopefully.
"OK, I will maybe do something pasta based, but no hot-dogs." She stated firmly.
Arriving at work and confirming when she would collect him Amy made her way to the lab. Sheldon now also keen for the day to be over sent his friends a text notifying them of the change to his plans and telling them he would see them at stewards tomorrow.
He was still shocked he had let slip he had told their friends he had thought Amy looked sexy. But thinking back to her expression, first shocked then thrilled, he knew he had never told her this before, another oversight on his part. Now he just hoped by seeing her in her costume tonight he would be able to mentally prepare himself before tomorrow.
73
"This is nice!" Sheldon forked another mouthful of spaghetti from his plate looking at Amy. "Who knew chicken worked as well as hot-dog!"
"Yes who knew." Amy grinned. Her mood all day elevated after hearing Sheldon had told their friends she looked sexy, had given in and made spaghetti. The slight recipe change seemed to be going down OK though she smiled as she watched Sheldon finish his large portion and eye up the remaining food in the bowl. "Help yourself," she pushed the bowl towards him. "But we have ice-cream too so save some room."
It had always amazed Amy how when he wanted Sheldon could eat so much. Most days he pushed his food around as if uninterested but other times like tonight, it was as if he was stocking up for winter!
When they had finished eating and cleared the dishes away Amy suggested Sheldon get changed in the bathroom. When he returned she whooped.
"Oh Sheldon! Its brilliant!" Moving to stand in front of him she stroked the fur on his chest and turned him around. "I love it! "
Stepping away from her stroking hands he said "Yes, well maybe you should go get your costume on too." Although his gaze was limited by the costume Sheldon discovered the touch of her hands stroking him was not dulled by the layers he wore. Grateful that his face was covered and Amy could not see how flustered her touch had made him he paced the room only to stop suddenly as she appeared.
"Well?" She gave a twirl.
Unable to speak Sheldon merely nodded.
"Sheldon? Is something wrong?" Amy one moment excited suddenly self conscious looked at Sheldon hidden from her view by his own costume.
Pulling the mask off his face Sheldon said "No Amy nothing is wrong. In fact it is perfect!"
Relief washing over her Amy rushed to the counter and grabbed her phone. "Put your mask back on lets send the others a picture!"
"But Amy, it is meant to be a surprise!"
"Sheldon the competition is less than 24 hours away, they won't have time to change much. We will win for sure. The zoo celebration is in the bag, I can just see Howard's face now when you tell him!"
"Oh... yes"
Amy frowned, she had thought he would be excited. "You don't want to celebrate at the zoo?"
"Oh I do, its just I thought that could be just us." Sheldon blushed as he admitted this wish.
"I would like that!" Amy grinned. Not caring now what the others did.
Relief washing over him not caring any more if the others saw the costume before tomorrow Sheldon took the phone from her, smiling he said "here, let me."
73
Penny squealed as she looked at the message she received. She had sat all night drinking wine listening to Leonard moan about her lack of team spirit
"What?" He muttered.
Saying nothing but turning the picture towards him Penny grinned as she watched his expression.
"OK. so maybe we didn't stand a chance anyway." he conceded.
"Leonard look at Amy! Sheldon was right she looks hot! Oh tomorrow is going to be fun!"
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A/N: So pleased to see so many of you still reading and incredibly flattered so many have review or sent messages. Thank you! Hope this chapter doesn't disappoint. A x