A/N: Thanks for reading. I love feedback.
In Case You Didn't Catch It: Cera has changed dramatically in the ten years since they last saw each other, both in appearance and behavior. Instead of being the polished professional with closely cropped dark hair and glasses, she is now an eclectic flower-child who is now blonde (she never was before, even as a teen.)
Sheldon has only seen her three separate times prior to the IQ argument: when she ran from his apartment (that meeting was only about a minute) the trip to the comic book store (he was more interested in comics) and the stairwell (the longest yet and he did recognize...something) now it looks as though she has had work done on her face. He is aware that she could be, but is in a bit of denial.
Chapter 8
Cera was startled awake by the bed dipping down on the left side.
"What is it, darlin'? Are you ok?" Cera asked looking blearily into the dark.
"Uh-huh, but can I sleep with you?" Merritt snuggled down into the covers on Cera's left laying her head on her mother's arm.
"Sure honey. Are you sure you're alright?" Cera asked concerned by this unusual nighttime visit.
"Momma, are...are you mad at me?" Merritt whispered in a small, scared voice.
"No honey, where would you get that idea?" Cera suddenly felt very awake.
"You've just seemed kinda mad and a little mean for the last few days. You yelled at me when I forgot to put my plate up. You don't ever yell. So I thought you were mad." Merritt said with tears in her voice.
"I'm sorry, hun. I shouldn't have yelled. I'm just... frustrated, right now. I have…too much on my plate right now, and it's apparently running over where it doesn't belong. I shouldn't take it out on you." Cera said, feeling awful for Merritt's hurt feelings. This mess with Sheldon was taking more of a toll on her than expected. Time and distance had given her the illusion that she had conquered her feelings about him.
"Then why don't you clear your plate off?" Merritt said innocently, thinking it was just that easy.
"Humph, that's easier said than done dumplin'. Sometimes in life there are things you just have to deal with. And occasionally it's more than one thing at a time."
"Is this because of my school? Because we don't have to change anything, I can just try harder to be good." Cera asked, wiggling around to get comfortable.
"Darlin', no, it's not you. I love you more than anything, and I couldn't be more proud of you. And you aren't bad in school, you're bored. In fact, I've already called Waverly so that you may test and move up. Ok? Would you like that?"
"Mmhm, Ok." Merritt said through a yawn.
"Now, don't worry anymore. I'm not angry with you and I will do my best not to let my troubles affect you. I love you and no matter what, you are the best thing to ever happen. Now get some sleep, just because it's Saturday doesn't mean we're gonna sleep all day."
"Mmkay, momma, g-night" Merritt slurred sleepily. Cera brushed Merritt's hair off of her face, slid her arm out from under her and then settled back down to sleep as well.
"Sheldon, there is a matter I've been meaning to discuss with you." Amy stated matter of factly from the other side of the screen.
"Amy, we have been discussing various matters for twenty three minutes now. Is something troubling you? Unfortunately, I cannot provide you with a hot beverage as the technology to transports food goods to a remote location has yet to come to fruition. However, I would be willing to wait as you prepared one for yourself."
"Thank You, but that is not necessary Sheldon. It has come to my attention, through Penny, that you have possibly, on several occasions been in the presence of her new friend, Cera. I was merely wondering are these factual incidents or merely useless fodder from the rumor mill of our social group." Amy asked curiously.
"I suppose they are true. Though, my interactions with Cera seemed to be of little import and nothing noteworthy. Running into someone in the hall and getting a ride to the Comic Center did not seem like anything you would have wanted to be notified of." Sheldon heaved a heavy sigh. His so called friends and their penchant for gossip was wearisome. And now they have Amy behaving in a similar manner.
"So these were genuine occurrences? Hmm, while I do not have the need to know all of the minute details of your day, I find it curious that you have not previously mentioned her. Also, I am surprised that you rode in an automobile, with this stranger. And you say she accompanied you to the comic book store?" Amy asked uncertain of this new addition to her social group.
She knew Cera was not directly in the social group, but she feared her addition my cause it to weaken more than it already had. She had already come to the understanding that the presence of Zack and Priya, while expanding the group size, had meant that the group no longer came together as a full unit as it seemed like it should.
"That is what I just said, is it not? She had a clean car and followed all traffic laws cautiously. It didn't seem to be an imposition because she even made purchases of her own."
"So you share interests and have a friendly acquaintance with this woman." Amy wished she could further understand the interactions her friends had with this woman. Was she to be threatened by her like Penny was of Priya? Or should she accept her as a flighty, friendly face that drops in occasionally like Zack. Capuchin social interactions were so much easier.
"Amy, I don't know that I would consider Cera and myself friendly. The exchanges we have had thus far haven't seemed hostile though." Sheldon answered unsure of the cause for this inquisition. Was Amy aware of the confusion Cera was causing him?
"Penny mentioned to me that you would be meeting with this Cera tomorrow evening. Is this an outing that you would consider a date?"
"I'm not certain what business it is of Penny's or yours, but it is not an outing to anywhere, it is simply a meeting in my apartment, not a date." Sheldon was beginning to feel defensive of his actions and quite disappointed that these ladies were involving themselves with in what he thought, might be personal matters.
"Are you certain, perhaps she has romantic designs on you and has not informed you? Perhaps this meeting is to get you to succumb to her feminine wiles. Or does this meeting already have a set topic?" Amy had been informed by Penny that Sheldon had paid considerable attention to Cera yesterday and that they had quiet the exchange, though she didn't elaborate on what.
"Of course I'm certain this not a date. To go on a date both parties must agree beforehand to engage in a romantic outing. The only date I have ever been on, was the date Penny coerced you and me to go on...No wait, I did in fact accompany Raj on a date in exchange for his signed Incredible Hulk hands. That evening ended very pleasantly." Sheldon trailed off with a slight smile as Amy gasped. "I had admired those hands for years. That Stan Lee really is quite remarkable in his craft." Amy let out a sigh of relief at learning he was only speaking about an incident surrounding one of his toys. "Anyhow, Cera failed to mention what this meeting was regarding." Sheldon was stunned by the direction of his conversation with Amy. As of late their interactions had gotten increasingly frustrating as Amy shifted her focus to that of their social group and her interactions there in. Only the influence of Penny could cause such a sensible woman to behave so absurdly.
"Sheldon, I'm shocked. While I understand that the date mentioned hitherto was to acquire a much desired item, I was under the impression that you had not dated prior to our outing. Penny stated that our date was your first."
"I assure you the company on that date was nowhere near as engaging as I find our interactions. That woman had the audacity to sleep in my bed…I had to sleep in Leonard's room. As for the faulty information you received from Penny, you can't expect her to know of my every move. She is hardly the keeper of Dr. Sheldon Lee Cooper."
"Oh…very well then, I apologize for my inquisitiveness. Would you mind company tomorrow evening, albeit briefly. I am quiet keen on meeting Penny's new friend, though I am expected at besties by eight."
"Hmmm, I see no harm in that. Sure why not." Surely whatever was concerning Amy could be laid to rest if she too was able to meet Cera. Perhaps Amy could also be of assistance to her. Sheldon only knew the quicker he got Cera squared away the quicker she could move on and everything could go back to normal.
Cera removed her jacket in the lobby. She had forgotten how warm it was here in late March. Her nerves were not helping her to cool either and she hadn't even made it to Sheldon's door yet.
"Thank you for being punctual." Sheldon stated as he invited Cera through the door. Cera's shirt once again caught his eye. "That shirt is much more amusing than your ludicrous top about Vulcans and Klingons." He stated taking her in as she walked passed.
The grey t shirt was adorned with the phrase 'Middle Earth Annual MORDOR FUN RUN' the O in Mordor was a silhouette of the great eye in the Dark Tower. The smaller print under the images stated 'One Does Not Simply Walk'. She had her wavy blond hair down, hanging in long curtains to her waist. As she walked by, Sheldon noticed through her hair that the back of her shirt had been dismantled and reworked to be a series of strings and knots that vaguely resembled webbing. Her image held no resemblance to polished composure she had displayed just two days before. The familiar impression he'd had gotten from her Thursday really was an illusion. This woman did not resemble Olivia, not really. She was far too casual in dress and demeanor. Nor did he think Olivia could have tolerated all of that hair.
Sheldon then pointed toward Amy who had stood to greet Cera. "Cera this is Amy Farrah Fowler. Amy this is…Cera." Sheldon paused realizing he didn't know her last name.
"Hello Cera, my bestie speaks very highly of you. I have been quiet curious about the woman whose praises she has been singing so highly." Amy stuck out her hand to shake Cera's. Cera shook it lightly out of politeness, then slathered her hand with the lime sanitizer hanging from her purse. Cera knew her audience would think she was protecting herself from germs, but really she needed the comfortable gesture, and to remove the tactile sensation of 'Amy' from her hand. Amy sat on the middle cushion of the couch and waited for the other two to follow suit.
"Oh...uh...hello, Amy…Uh, Sheldon, I thought we were meeting. I thought we'd been um...a-alone." Cera stammered out nervously, still rubbing her hands. She didn't sit down. She was far too nervous to settle down. The presence of another just added fuel to the fire that was starting to burn in her gut.
"Well you didn't specify." Sheldon stated.
"No...I suppose I didn't. I forget to do that sometimes, specify, that is." Cera said fiddling with her hair.
"You may still proceed with your matter. I'm certain Amy wouldn't mind. Are you in need of some sort of assistance?"
"No Sheldon, I don't…I don't think you want to have this discussion in front of your girlfriend." Cera said meeting Sheldon's eye.
"Nonsense. Amy's not my girlfriend. She is my friend who happens to be a girl. She could perhaps assist you as well." Sheldon said watching Cera running her hands through her hair, her face still turned to him. The feeling of familiarity rising again.
"Sheldon, I Don't. Need. Help. I need to discuss a personal matter with you." She was nearly in tears. This was not going at all how she had expected. "I'll just…come back…some other time. We need to talk." Cera stepped towards the door to leave.
Sheldon felt exasperated with this woman. He had spent the better part of week trying calculate what reason this woman may need him. For the most part her reasoning seem to evade him, but another hypothesis had made its way to the front of his mind. A few moments ago he would have dismissed this hypothesis yet again, however watching Cera's agitation, it seemed to have solidified itself into a theory. A theory that must be proven. The experiment needed to be subtle in event that he was incorrect. He rarely was, but unfortunately the area he most frequently miscalculated were situations that relied heavily on the human element. And this circumstance was definitely heavy with the human element.
"If you are wanting to discuss 'Liv', there is nothing to discuss." he said sharply.
When Cera didn't immediately respond Sheldon feared he had made a mistake until she made subtle nod of her head and asked softly "So your powers of observation and your eidetic memory didn't fail you? You've just been ignoring me like a jerk?" her voice cracked as she looked down to her feet. No, this was not going at all how she wanted.
There was no way the results were falsifiable. Cera's response was confirmation that she knew him. This fact gave him the only conclusion possible. The woman who favored Oliva, reminded him Oliva and possessed knowledge of him, had to be Olivia.
No, he was not ignoring her, but he had been unable to process her sudden appearance sixteen hundred miles away, without any of the formality and polish he had come to expect from her. Sheldon was unable to voice these thoughts as he was overcome with an onslaught of questions and even…emotions. What he could do was get answers. What he should do is banish her. What he wanted to do was avoid all that Olivia/Cera was and had ever been. Finally a thought solidified itself in his mind enough to take action.
"Oh, dear Lord!" Overwhelmed and needing to regroup Sheldon fled to his room and slammed the door. Avoidance was the winner.
An awkward silence descended on the two women in the room, both staring down the hall where Sheldon had disappeared.