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Chapter 20

Saturday, Penny encouraged the ladies to watch Cera, Zack, and the rest of their band at a bar and grill, outside of town. Howard and Raj were excited to accompany them. Howard and Bernadette pressured Sheldon to go along, and Amy and Penny soon joined in the encouragement as well. Sheldon agreed, reluctantly. The only member not going was Leonard, who seemed eager to spend time in his own apartment with Priya.

The high sanitation score was pointed out, but did little to ease Sheldon's mind. He had been assured by the hostess that the seats were wiped down and brought in each night, but he still wished he had his bus pants. The group settled in at one of two dozen round tables, on the covered patio. Everyone was arranged so they could all see the band set up in the far corner. Sheldon picked a position so that the band was only visible in his peripheral vision. Seeing as this was not his preferred type of excursion, he attempted not to participate. Even going so far as to work from his phone, until he was admonished by Amy for being rude to their friend, 'the main attraction.'

Once Sheldon was paying attention, he made note of what was happening with the musical group. Though he would have thought Cera would have taken the lead, she seemed to be part of a unit that synced together, each at the proper time, to create pleasant melodies. All members seem to be capable of multiple instruments and moved easily through the band. Though when Cera sat behind the drum kit, reluctantly, if the head shaking and the hand gesture to stop were anything to go by, it left much to be desired. While she did indeed keep the beat, the rest was somewhat chaotic.

Beside Sheldon sat Amy, who cooed over Zack's proficiency with the bass guitar. "Penny, you should have informed me of Zack musical abilities. While his vocabulary was indeed lacking, he seems to be more than proficient with his instrument. I would gladly harmonize with him."

"Geez, Amy. Needy much? And I didn't know he could play. We…didn't really talk, much." Penny was actually feeling bad about that fact. Clearly there was more to him than she had assumed, even if he wasn't scholarly and didn't do science experiments.

"I was more impressed by him playing the frak out of those drums earlier." Howard commented.

"I know. He's doing all kinds of neat things. I think hanging out with Cera has been good for him." Bernadette played with the umbrella in her drink, smiling coyly at Howard.

"It isn't really an indicator of any sort of advanced abilities, that he can whack something with a stick." Sheldon's response pleased Amy. Though he had previously denied it, she felt certain he was exhibiting jealousy.

"Sheldon, I thought Zack was your friend." Penny sucked on the orange from her Tequila Sunrise.

"While we may be friendly, I wouldn't say we were friends. He's never filled out the appropriate paperwork. Please desist sucking on that orange wedge while speaking. Talking with your mouthful is both visually appalling and unsanitary."

"Guys, can you shush. I am trying to listen." Raj complained after finishing this second beer. For a few moments the crowd fell into an attentive silence. The sounds of the instruments were interrupted by Raj, "Comet!"

"What?" Howard laughed. His friend came up with some of the oddest things when he was drinking, but he was glad they were together. There was an awkwardness to their interactions now. Not just because Howard was paired off. Also, for the things he knew, but couldn't share with Raj. Howard wasn't certain how he felt about the recent revelations. Like crap for betraying Sheldon, and science, and Merritt, but at the same time he had a burning anger with Sheldon. Because of these conflicting feelings, Howard had bit his tongue, when he could help it.

"Zack is Cera's Comet. You know, like Kara Zor-El and her loyal and trusty steed. She's even dressed like her, dude."

"I don't know Raj, blue and red are common colors. I'm not sure she's that familiar with Supergirl." Howard thought it would be awesome if she was though.

Leaning over, Sheldon could better take in the red, knee high boot that were mostly lace, red skirt, and blue t shirt with a red flower in the center. He could see her outfit did give the illusion of Supergirl. Of course, he knew she was aware of the super heroine's appearance, and he imagined she was aware of her own likeness. She fit in well with the rest of the band that was adorned with bright dots, stripes, plaids and skinny jeans.

"Comet was not merely Superhorse, he was also Supergirl's love interest. Of course, that was when he was in his human form, Bronco Starr. While I'd like to say Cera, unlike her super heroine counterpart, wouldn't be drawn in by an equine with a pretty face, you never can tell with some people." Sheldon bit out.

Howard whispered into Bernadette's ear. "See?" To which she nodded sympathetically, trying to ignore what she just heard about a girl and her horse. Comic books were just as weird as soap operas.

Sheldon wondered how long he would have to endure this. While he had no particular complaints about the music, he was wholly uncomfortable. Many of the songs brought forth memories of riding in the car with his parents attempting to drown each other out with the soft rock station. The other members of his gathering sang along anyway.

At first he thought perhaps Cera's musical inclination was newly acquired, but he could tell by her comfort on the fretboard of her guitar, it was not. After he had finally broken down and conducted research on her family, he realized music was the legacy she had been born to. Ceridwen, as was her full first name, favored her mother, though she stood an inch taller, had straighter hair, and the blue eyes of her father, Patrick. Braden favored his father more with slight variations from his mother. Genetics really was interesting.

The man he'd met previously at The Comic Center made a passable George Strait, though they played little country. He also recognized her brother, Braden, whom he had met years ago and had seen twice, at physics workshops. He noticed both Braden and Elliott had romantic partners in the band, one of which was obviously pregnant. Did that make Zack, Cera's partner?

While Cera having an alliance with Zack seemed more plausible to him than Amy, it felt less tolerable. Though he shouldn't be surprised, Cera was pleasant to everyone, when she wasn't busy being the food police, as Junior occasionally called her.

Bernadette was enjoying the evening that was coming on the heels of a good day. She had finally met and shared a lunch with Howard's mom. It seemed as though the talks about how Howard related to his mother as the only child and man in her life had helped them to sort some things out.

She'd had spent a good deal of time, through phone and email, in the last few days, learning about Cera. It was good to know another woman with an advanced degree and even more encouraging to know one with family. Though Cera wasn't married, raising a child was probably more taxing than having a husband.

"While I do enjoy the music, it seems it would be more beneficial for the band to increase frequency and locations, if they want to ever be considered successful." Amy said thoughtfully. While she found Cera likable enough, she was occasionally odd, and at times a know it all. Amy felt an unease with Cera, for all that she was, without putting forth any effort. Logically Amy knew, Cera couldn't help her genetics, or the abilities and possessions of her parents, but it still didn't seem proper for someone to go through life without exertion. Even Penny, as lovely and wonderful as she was, had to work hard for everything and still was struggling. For all of Penny's coolness and misinformed decisions didn't reach the low that Cera was. She was the indiscriminate woman, that Amy's mother had warned her against, a single mother with no prospects. That's what a life of sex and pursuit of the arts got you.

"They are successful, Amy." Bernadette sat her glass down hard. She was irritated with Amy's assertion, but knew a week ago, she would have agreed. She didn't like being aware that she and her friends could make harsh statements with little to no information.

"While I, being proficient at the harp, am aware the amount of time and effort it takes to learn and perform a song. I'm not certain that sufficiently repeating the work of others is success." Amy's statement even disturbed Sheldon. Clearly she was unaware that at least two of the band members had advanced degrees. Lack of knowledge didn't, however, prevent her from making an inaccurate statement that, in his opinion, could be applied to her own work. Nor did he understand why she insist he attend if this was not something she could appreciate and enjoy.

"Amy! You don't know anything about them!" Bernadette started. Though she understood Cera's need for privacy and only 'exposed' herself to those that were truly interested, she couldn't let Amy denigrate Cera anymore. "This is just a hobby you know. Between the six of them there are three doctorates, a master's, a VP of a thriving business, and three happy families. Sounds pretty successful to me."

"What?! Who?" This was news to Penny, too.

"You seriously thought Cera just carried a guitar around? She's a pediatric allergist." Howard enjoyed the astounded look on Amy's face. Though they had all adjusted to her, she still had a mean streak and he didn't want it used against Cera. "Her brother's a physicist, his wife is a pharmacist."

"Dude, how do you know that?" Raj wasn't aware that Howard had ever seen that woman, besides in The Comic Center.

"Easy, I'm the Wolowizard…so…I performed a low-tech hack, and asked." Howard said smugly.

Sheldon just glared and tried to push down the uneasy feeling in his gut. Attempting to ignore the company he was with, he turned his attention fully to Cera. She'd never been as expressive as she was now. Sure, she'd seemed jovial or angry occasionally. Understandably, she could be overwhelmed by her work, but typically she was logical and subdued. When she displayed such anguish through tears and words at the end of their alliance, he was surprised by her sudden increase in sentiment. Now, playing a guitar, but focusing on nothing in particular, her face changed constantly. Sometimes it twisted in concentration on her finger work, but other times it was a smile that could be happy, or a frown with clenched eyes that might be sad or angry. All expressions seemed to vary according to context of the lyrics.

Braden spoke, encouraging listeners to pay attention to an original by his sister. Sheldon watched as Cera bit her bottom lip and shifted her head, as though she didn't want to focus on her audience. Was she embarrassed, ashamed, shy? Perhaps she just needed the restroom. Sheldon couldn't tell, but as she turned completely to her right, he saw her head on for the first time. And if her raised eyebrows and open mouth were any indicator, the first time she had noticed him. She abruptly spun forward and seemed to flounder for a moment before starting.

Sheldon felt compelled to pay full attention. The feeling, once again, that he never fully knew this woman. He couldn't imagine her sitting down and penning lyrics to a song. While he was aware she had a wide vocabulary and probably sufficient knowledge on meter and symbolism, he never imagined she would sit down and create something out of pure emotion. He tried to focus on the chorus, but never quiet grasping the emotions of others, or the line between symbols and facts he felt at a loss…

Only showed you half of what I could be,

Hiding the softer parts away;

But still, I gave to you every bit of me,

Without giving you reason to stay…

As the evening drew to a close the restaurant patrons of the restaurant, including the crowd from Pasadena, thanked and encouraged the band.

Penny decided to approach Zack, "I, uh, didn't know you played."

"Uh, yeah. I hadn't played in a while 'til Cera invited me to hang out with her fam." Zack smiled happily at Penny.

"You were…pretty good." Penny couldn't figure out why she felt awkward around Zack. It was almost like with Leonard. Only this time it wasn't because Cera was trying to change Zack into someone cooler, she was just giving Zack a way to be himself.

"Thanks. I had to practice a bunch to get good at it again, but they're fun to play with." Zack gestured to the band.

"I never thought I'd hear 'I Can't Make You Love Me' and 'Seven Nation Army' from the same band, in the same sets. They're very different sounds." She quickly added, "You did great on both of them, though."

"Yeah, they like a bunch of different stuff. I had to work real hard to play soft enough to not drown out Cera on piano on 'I Can't Make You Love Me,' though. We had to do it over and over. She was ready to go crazy by the time we got it, but it might be 'cause it's a depressing song."

"Yeah, it is. So, I'll let you go pack up and I'll talk to you later." Penny gave Zack a small smile and went to catch up with her friends.

Cera's friends hadn't been long departed when Braden cornered his sister. "You didn't tell me you were hanging out with Dr. Cooper. This doesn't seem like something he would be into."

"I don't hang out with him. I didn't know he would be here." Cera's heart was in her throat. While she knew she would have to confess all to Braden at some point, she didn't think it would be this soon, or in this manner. Once again, she was astonished at how quickly she had lost control over the whole situation. None of it was going according to plan. Nothing was on her terms. But really…it never had been.

"Seemed like you knew him. You introduced him to me a few weeks ago." Elliott retorted.

"I know, but we're not... we don't hang out." Cera took a deep breath, looking at the two boys who meant the most to her in the world. But they weren't children, none of them had been in a long time. So hiding and pretending wasn't effective and not fun. It was time to handle this. She had to hold herself accountable for her actions and even more, her lack of action. She'll just be sure to corner Sheldon this week. Perhaps Howard could help with that.

"Do you mind sitting with me a minute? Elliott, too." Cera sat down to pull off her boots after excusing them to her sister-in-laws and dismissing Zack. She ordered them all beers, even though the restaurant was clearing out.

"So, what's up?" Braden eyed his sister suspiciously.

"It's him. Sheldon. I've been trying to talk to him...but so far he just avoids me." Cera couldn't make eye contact, she just rubbed her left wrist, since her accident it ached with repetitive motions.

"O...k...that upsets you because you…used to be pen pals?" Braden downed his beer. He was cautious with alcohol, but he didn't fear it like his sister. Then again, he didn't have the issues she did. Mom hadn't groomed him to be a Mini Me.

"No…it upsets me because of Merritt." Cera said softly, but they heard it. It took a moment for it to sink in, then there was a flurry of response.

"Damn, Cera that guy from the store? No wonder he wouldn't look me in the eye." Elliott recalled the tall, skinny guy clearly, but was not impressed.

"What the hell, Ceridwen?!" Braden couldn't believe his ears. He had respected Sheldon, even when the five year age difference was more evident and the guy was little more than a kid.

"I…I ran into him in Houston."

Elliott stood abruptly, leaning over the back of chair, gripping it tight. He took several deep calming breaths.

"You're pissed?" Cera looked up at Elliott.

"You're damn right I'm pissed. How can you be so calm about this?" Elliott's voice was gruff and increasing in volume.

"I know you don't like it, but Merritt belongs to him." Cera nearly whined.

"I don't care. She belongs to you. That's why I've never pushed you about her father." The more Elliott talked, the louder he became.

"I can't believe this." Braden muttered.

"But, Braden did. He has always said a girl needs a father and a man should know that he has a child." Cera explained to Elliott.

"Braden didn't have to see you! You looked so…sick and so broken." Shifting his attention to Braden, "You only saw her after I got her home. I had to hold her together for weeks before that. She was underweight, sick, she wouldn't, couldn't even sleep in her own bed. She scared the hell out of me every time she passed out. We drove across the country like that! That's why I'm just fine with this idiot, staying the hell away from her and Merritt."

"Oh, I get that, and I'm not happy about this either. It has never been ok with me, but…Dr. Cooper?" Braden finished his beer, then knocked the bottle over irritably. "Explain this to me." He turned his angry focus on Cera.

For the third time in two weeks Cera found herself explaining her odd relationship with Sheldon. She explained a condensed version, keeping the emotion she has displayed before at bay, knowing her tears over the situation will only make them angrier.

In the end, both guys decided, it was the stupidest thing she had ever agreed to. Her love for Merritt made the heartache worth it, and they could see that. Braden and Elliott settled for merely being supportive; for the time being. Though Braden was aware that Merritt was the same niece, she had always been, he was in awe that one of the greatest minds of his time was her father. And he would hate to have to change that, but he would if necessary.

Cera was feeling Merritt's absence as she prepared for bed that evening. She knew her daughter had a good evening, just as she had. Cera had arranged an indoor campout for Merritt, and her four cousins, in the playroom at her parent's house. Though Connie had long since retired from being a nanny, at the age of thirty-one, she was good about keeping the kids when called. It was a point of pride that she was able to care for a second generation of Tollmans.

Not long after she settled in Cera thoughts on having Howard assist her in confronting Sheldon came to a grinding halt with a phone call. Howard's mother was in the hospital and Sheldon had become quarantined. He truly must be stressed if he had reverted to such hyper mysophobia and impulsivity. Once, Sheldon had no fear in hospitals, and relished in the antiseptic smell and large quantities of medical supplies. He had liked the children's hospital she had worked for, mostly due to the infection prevention kit at the front door with the whimsical masks and gloves with the multiple sanitizer pumps. She considered confronting Sheldon while in isolation, but she wanted him to be in a peaceful location for that. She also didn't want to risk any cross contamination between what he had been exposed to and her own patients. She would have to wait him out.

Being sequestered had its perks. While Sheldon missed his routines, he was enjoying the unlimited time he had to devote to lady science. His friends had popped in occasionally, to play games, discuss work, and catch up on the inner workings of his social group. He imagined in his absence things were descending into chaos.

His vast intellect was not only working on problems for science, but simultaneously working through his personal interactions as well, albeit against his will. While he had made a scientific breakthrough, it wasn't one he found favorable. It was going to require more research. Putting that away, he shifted his focus. He had always prided himself on personal control. He neatly ordered everything necessary, anything else, he could deny himself. His ability to command himself was evidence of his superiority. Sheldon was certain that by keeping everything to optimum standard he could operate as pure thoughts. After a few days he was looking forward to the interruptions.

"A film isn't going to be entertaining based solely on its budget. Huge budgets do not a good film make. Limitations make a film better. Like Lucas, with Star Wars IV, A New Hope. He was forced to use what he had. He didn't have all these toys and the film turned out great. " Sheldon explained to Raj.

"So this isn't a budget argument, but a practical over CGI argument?" Raj shot back through his protective suit.

"Don't they go hand in hand? Look at Jaws, the shark didn't work and the production was a disaster, but good story, acting and glimpses of the shark occasionally and it is still a film that looks good." Howard questioned.

"But a larger budget can provide for a better experience, immersing you in a scene with a much larger scope." Raj explained.

"Yeah, but, some of the greatest works have come from limitations, not absolute freedom. Coming up with creative solutions to engage the audience on a limited budget is often superior to half-baked screenplays rushed into production to meet release dates while massive budgets get blown trying to gloss over the weak stories with spectacle." Sheldon replied.

"Digital has disconnected people from contemporary movies. Yeah, it gives more creative pictures, but movies like The Thing and Alien are more terrifying, because that monster was real in a sense, and not just copy and pasted in." Leonard's voice was distorted by his mask.

"I suppose you are right. So do you just want to wait and watch X-Men: First Class on DVD, then?"

Raj's question was met with a unanimous, "NO!"

Sheldon gave little credence to the physicality of his body, preferring to be merely ideas and concepts that came together to push him toward his higher goal. The little time spent in the presence of the one woman he had encounters with sent his mind into overload. He wasn't certain if it was her specifically, or just the memory of the act itself, but it was proving most inconvenient and was depressingly normal. His baser urges, however, were reasserting themselves. He had thought, at one time, satisfying his curiosity about his physical need would remove desire, unfortunately, giving in just increased his need.

He didn't know how others did it, handle the presence of compelling women, who were intriguing for totally different reasons. Not that Cera was present in a companionable way, but enough to occupy his mind. Amy was logic and order and the comfort of stability. Both had insinuated a desire for romance from him at different times. The only one he had any interest in romancing was the universe.

One evening when his mind insisted he think about Cera, he thought over their previous interactions, both coital and platonic, and tried to apply the things he had learned since about interpersonal relationships. He thought perhaps he had misinterpreted some instances, but he was still unsure. While he had improved with personal interactions, he still wasn't great. Her presence in his mind was not concrete, just physical awareness and unwanted emotions, but it was pushing its way forward into something else.

He hung up the phone with a concerned Missy and wondered if it was normal for a sister to inform her brother of the idiots she squandered her time on. He supposed he did request her to be mindful of the potential sire of his future niece or nephew, but her current fellow didn't match his requirements to be Sheldon 2.0. Suddenly, he was able to identify his unease with Braden Tollman. He wondered if Cera's brother had the same thoughts on the men in her life. Normally he gave no credence to what others thought of him, but he did want to keep Cera's brother's high regard. Though, from Penny's suggestion and research, he had come to accept he had treated Cera…dishonorably, and no longer deserved his respect. Instead of holding him accountable, Braden greeted him warmly, even going so far as to excitedly introduce him to his wife, as 'the brilliant, universe altering, scientist who had inspired him.' Something his friends no longer even believed.

Pacing her apartment, as she had for an hour, Penny considered her friend Cera. At least she thought they were friends. But Cera had chosen not to tell her something as important as what she did for a living. Who does that? She had called Cera earlier hoping for some clarity and got more than she wanted. Sadness and resignation had been in Cera's voice when replied that, she didn't tell because no one had bothered to ask. She also pointed out that Penny had missed some things with Zack by not asking. Not that Penny was suddenly going to find him to be a brilliant conversationalist, but he was more interesting than she had assumed.

Penny realized that Cera was a grown up, and that she…wasn't. She wasn't used to mature acting friends. Up until she met the guys all of Penny's friends partied. Sure, all her old friends had part time jobs and they struggled, but they enjoyed their evenings and weekends. They weren't cutting things short to cook dinner, fold laundry, or clean house. But hating those responsibilities and wanting nothing but a good time, now sounded like the desires of a teenager. The social group that she had become part of through her neighbors, acted like they wanted the thriving social life, despite having the degrees and jobs. Well, most of them did, Sheldon didn't seem to care. Because of their actions, she thought hanging out all the time was OK.

And now there was Cera, who also didn't care about socializing or impressing others. Her parents had the fame Penny sought, all the possessions she could imagine, and the talent to go with it. But instead Cera had chosen to work. Hard work that required years of education. Cera never behaved like she was better though. Not because of her education, not because of her talent, not because of her parents.

After talking things through with Cera and learning even her talented, famous parents had been to college. Her dad had even worked as a junior high English teacher for a few years before their big break. So she wondered what was she doing waiting tables and waiting around.

Penny knew what she had been doing. She had told herself, she had a life. She was having fun, partying, and hanging out. She wasn't responsible for anything. Which should be a refreshing thought, but it's not. Now the lack of responsibility is because she has nothing. The friend she thought was too tied down and needed to get out and live a little, actually had more of a life than her. Cera's career was her life, her hobby was her life, and her daughter was her everything.

Cera was snapping the case closed on her guitar at the end of a practice in Braden's rec room. Most of her family had wandered off for drinks and to handle the kids leaving her behind with Zack. Her family had been a little different since Saturday's revelation. Tara, Cera's best friend since childhood, was able to get a lot more information from her than the oversimplified version she gave the guys. Being Elliott's wife, Tara shared some of those things with him, just making him angrier with the whole situation. Braden couldn't understand why she had access to Sheldon, and had yet to tell him about Merritt. He looked at her expectantly several times through the evening as though she should run off to handle it at that very moment.

Knowing Zack had probably picked up on the family weirdness she thought she ought to say something.

"They're distressed…with me." Cera explained.

"Well…that sucks." Was Zack's only response.

"Sheldon is Merritt's father." She didn't mean to say it, but that piece of information was coming out easier every time. She just didn't want to explain it again.

"Oh…like for real?" Cera nodded. "Ok." Zack went silent for a few minutes. She was glad he was accepting and didn't need reasons or details.

"I'm married to Penny." Zack suddenly blurted.

Cera knew that having run a background check on both. Even though Penny never filed to have her social security information changed, it still showed they filed for matrimony back in November. She just didn't ask because it wasn't her business, just like Merritt wasn't anyone else's. That explained why she never saw Zack date, but why did Penny?

They both sat in silence a while. The few words they had said hung heavily over them, but both felt better for having shared. Finally Zack broke the silence. "We were in Vegas, ya know. And it was awesome. It's always awesome with Penny. So I was like let's get married and do this all the time. And she said, Yeah! We were drinking, but not like, you know, drunk, drunk. So we went and filled out paperwork and showed our IDs and then the fake Elvis came out. The next morning she was talking about how fake it all was. I just went along with her, I didn't want to make her be married if she didn't want to. I mean I know Elvis was fake, but that was kind of a lot of writing for fake. Turns out you can get real married from a fake Elvis…Dad made me check back in March for taxes."

"Oh, hun." Cera just shook her head. It was sad and silly and just made her hurt for both of them.

Only due to social convention was Sheldon climbing the stairs to one of the largest homes he'd been to. The only one to rival it was Stan Lee. Only this time he wasn't going to see the legendary comic book creator. He was here because it was customary to celebrate landmark events in one's life with friends and Bernadette's doctorate seemed like a good reason for his social group to party. At Cera's childhood home. Unfortunately, Sheldon couldn't come up with a good reason to miss it.

Penny, in her teal bikini, flung the door open greeting Amy and 'Moon Pie.' She led them through the maze of the unfamiliar house before reaching their destination. Sheldon wondered if she made herself at home everywhere she went. He imagined she stole Cera's milk, too.

They stepped out onto a covered patio with lavish outdoor furnishings, for which Sheldon was grateful, so he didn't have to risk exposure to the sun. From the voices and splashing he could tell that Amy and he were the last to arrive. Though he typically didn't like to be late, he was glad he would have to spend less time here. He had no plans on swimming, but Amy did cajole him into shorts through a promise to the comic book store and the advice that it would prevent him from overheating.

Scanning the area in search of the hostess, he finally spotted her abundance of hair beside a lounge chair containing Bernadette in a large hat. Her hair being wet, took on a darker shade, looking nearly brown. Cera swung her hair to the side and exposed her bottom cover in white stars on navy with a gold band around her upper back. When she turned to face him head on he nearly choked. The bathing suit was a one piece, notched out at the sides, exposing her waist. The navy torso covering lead up to a gold band around her ribs and red cups adorned with the Wonder Woman logo. While it was appealing it was incongruous with the blonde hair.

His mouth went dry and he was suddenly aware that he was staring at an unrelated woman in very little clothing and she may have spoken to him. It didn't help matters that his mind wanted to supply the images of what actually was under the Wonder Woman mockery. He groaned and tried to cover it with a convincing argument.

"W, uh, Wonder Woman was in no way blonde."

"Oh, God, Sheldon. Not that again. It's a bathing suit!" Penny exclaimed from behind him and Amy.

"Oh, well, I gave up the dye jobs a decade ago. Besides, Cathy Lee Crosby was blonde." Cera shot back, perturbed, he wouldn't even respond to her hello, but glad he felt like engaging her in conversation.

"There is a blonde Wonder Woman?!" Penny gasped.

"She was…she was merely a television actress depiction of someone bearing the name Wonder Woman in the seventies, and it was terrible. She in no way, be it character, setting, or appearance, resembled the actual Wonder Woman." Sheldon was startled to get the question of her hair color settled in that manner, but was not about to be one-upped about comics. Not by her.

"Cassie Sandsmark?" Cera was actually enjoying this. It was always fun to see the length to which Sheldon would go to be right regarding comic books. Mostly, she suspected, because he didn't want to lose to a girl.

"Wonder Girl? Really? Even she wore a dark wig in order to look like Donna Troy, Wonder Woman's sister, and Cassie's hero. And…and you don't even like comic books!" Sheldon was getting louder as he went on drawing their friends into the conversation.

Cera gasped at him bringing that up, but wasn't going to be deterred. "I am fond of comic books. I just don't need frequent trips to the comic book store. It's a bathing suit, not a cannon representation in a movie." After a beat of silence Cera's voice softened. "I'm…amazed you're even here."

"I…I was told it was social convention." Startled by her admission Sheldon stumbled over his words.

"Social convention?" Cera looked lost.

"Yes... the set of generally accepted standards, norms, social norms, or criteria, often taking the form of a custom." Sheldon's friends looked pleased he knew that and would respond to it. Howard had used it to convince Amy that Bernadette needed him at this party.

"I know what it is. I just think it's dumb. Doing things the way one is supposed to, makes for a very restrained existence. It leaves you being someone else's puppet not your own man. You always have choices. You could choose not to come. Your friends could be understanding, or they could just be upset. But being different, or a jerk, or an outcast is an option."

"Cera! I'm surprised at you." Bernadette squeaked.

"Raised by hippies, remember? We do what feels good as long as it doesn't hurt anybody else…Which means I don't slight others when they have so graciously allowed me into their habitat. But I don't mind a debate on proper hair color. It's blonde." Cera smiled while she vented. Feeling refreshed by the confession Cera sashayed over to help Zack get the food on the grill.

Sheldon was left standing poolside in the sun with all of his friends staring at him. He felt uncomfortable with all that had transpired. From his reaction to Cera to his being left a fool. Having nothing else he could do, he stomped over to the patio and looked for an ideal place to sit.

Feeling she needed to interfere, Amy followed. She couldn't comprehend what had just occurred. She didn't understand adults into comic books, especially a woman who was as educated as Cera. Nor did she understand Sheldon's actions.

"Sheldon, I have noticed that you have remarked on Cera's appearance each time we have been in her company. I'm concerned that she is intentionally presenting herself in a manner that would be appealing to you and trying to draw you into the trap of her feminine wiles. If you recall, and I know you do, she has adorned herself in all matter of brightly colored clothing with movie and comic themes."

"Amy, Amy, Amy. I notice and make note of everything around me."

"You have never made any such assertions about my apparel. Do you like my bathing suit?" Amy indicated the twisted blue fabric that accentuated her figure and ended in a slight flare of a skirt.

"It is a fetching shade of Superman blue. I have never had to comment on your apparel as it has never assaulted my senses. If you find my commentary bothersome, I'll refrain. As to her frame of mind in dressing herself, I couldn't say." Sheldon wondered how he got drawn into another conversation on women's appearances.

"Very well. Though I do think you should be cautious around her. I've heard tale of your adoring grad students. She may perhaps be of the same mind." Sheldon just huffed and shook his head in response to Amy.

Assuming the exchange was over Penny wandered back over to her lounge and lay down for more sun. Howard and Bernadette followed close behind Cera as she crossed over to the stone island that served as an outdoor kitchen. Cera let out a heavy sigh as she gave a half-hearted smile to Zack by the grill.

"You, OK?" Zack pointed the tongs in Sheldon's direction.

"Yeah, are you?" Cera grabbed the tongs, wishing Zack would be more subtle. Though he seemed to be getting along with Penny.

"Wait, you told him? Do you think that's wise?" Howard gestured to Zack.

"Yes. I merely told him what was crucial. He's tight with my family and we are all dealing with it."

"Howie, be nice. I'm sure Cera is handling this just fine." Bernadette had noticed Howard's concern over Cera and Merritt had increased in the last few weeks. While it was noble to care for a friend she wondered if he was making this something more than it was.

Raj had watched his friends back and forth. Something was definitely going on and he was determined to find out what.

"Raj, Hun, I think you're a wee tipsy." Cera stared at the man who didn't know how he had suddenly become the center of attention by his statement.

"Maybe, but I do want to know what's happening. Dude, you guys are keeping secrets. You have been for some time." Raj whined.

Howard looked expectantly at Cera. He hated keeping secrets from his best friend. It was worse than hiding things from Bernadette. Mostly because Raj was a wailer.

"Just…get me time to fix this, this week." Cera nodded in assention.

"Why not now?" suggested Howard.

"We need…privacy." Cera replied.

Howard nodded his understanding and slipped off with Bernadette and Raj.

After several more minutes of food prep, Cera and Zack finished lunch. To call everyone, Cera let out a high pitched whistle.

Amy and Sheldon settled into playing counterfactuals. Amy had come up with several new conditions and he was actually having a pleasant time. Much better than if he had gotten in the cesspool of disease. He was contemplating what would inhabit the Earth if it had two moons when he heard a melodious whistle. The familiar sound made his scalp prickle. He wasn't going to look though. He had been fooled many times before, but not this time. He wasn't going to look…because she no longer whistled for him.

"Amy, Sheldon. Food is ready." Cera broke into their game a few minutes later.

"Oh, is that why you were making that ear splitting noise? Not all of us are so tone deaf as to tolerate such an ill pitched sound and determine that it's someone beckoning us." Sheldon noticed Amy's tirade sounded similar to one he given someone in a store recently, only that individual was off key. She had then chastised him for being rude to strangers. He wasn't certain Cera merited such a response. He was certain, he would feel more comfortable if she were to put something over her wonderfully inaccurate swimwear.

"Oh, uh, well, you know me, always doing silly things." Looking down at her feet feeling uncomfortable and hurt, Cera wasn't sure what caused Amy's reaction. Cera rallied and added on too enthusiastically. "But I do have perfect pitch."

"We were playing counterfactuals. Would you like to play?" Amy offered. While it did make her feel powerful, causing someone to drop their head in submission, it also made her feel bad. Cera had only come to offer food. Food she had provided. Amy felt so confused.

"I use counterfactual thinking to figure causation of conditions and different outcomes from different treatments, but I am not certain how that can be a game." Cera's brow was creased in thought.

"We propose an alternate world that differs from ours in one aspect, and then pose questions to each other." Amy explained.

"Oh, so there are no correct answers?"

"Well, of course there is." Sheldon replied, grinning at his cleverness.

"Not everyone has the intelligence to do it. So far out of all our acquaintances, we are the only two capable of playing." Amy broke in.

"I'm not sure how you get a right or wrong answer for something that's completely subjective, but, uh, good for you. You can't win 'em all." Cera made brief eye contact with Sheldon and stepped away.

When she reached the grill Raj, put his arms around her and patted her. "Are you ok?"

Cera took a deep breath "Yeah, I just need to make a call. I need Merritt." She then headed for the far end of the pool, phone in hand.

Penny looked around confused, "She's upset about something."

"Why do you say that?" Bernadette asked, hoping they could divert Penny. The next person that needed to hear this was Sheldon and Sheldon alone.

"Well, one, Cera looked upset. Two, she always calls Merritt when she's upset. It's calming to her."

It didn't take long for the other two members to turn up at the grill for food.

"Where is Cera?" Her absence was noted by Sheldon.

"She just had to make a call, dude." Raj bit out. He finally understood some of Howard's animosity from the past few weeks.

"Now? Couldn't she have planned a better time?" Sheldon was getting perturbed. He was highly uncomfortable in the home where Cera grew up, where she was wearing very little.

"It's always a good time to talk to your child, Sheldon." Howard growled.

Cera returned calm, ready for food in an odd atmosphere. She prompted them to get food and make toasts to Bernadette.

After dinner they all relaxed back into the pool and the patio. Music was flowing from speaker sets all over the pool area.

Sheldon was feeling much more at ease now. He and the guys were discussing The Comic Center and all Sheldon had missed being in isolation for two weeks. Every once in a while they could hear the woman cackling from the built-in hot tub. Howard had just began lamenting the absence of Leonard due to his obligations with Priya. They had made sure to invite him and thought it would be ok since Priya and Penny had been getting along so well in the hospital. Raj imagined that Leonard was afraid of Penny and Priya getting too close.

Cera had come around to see if anyone needed a drink. She went and collected a few beers and a Diet Coke for Sheldon and returned them to the guys. She was chatting with Zack when an oldies R&B song came on. It causes them both to light up and laugh. She ran into the house and returned with a pair of heeled sandals and a different playlist on the stereo. She then grabbed Zack. "Come on. Come on."

Zack slipped on his sandals and joined Cera on the open space on the patio.

"Cera taught me to shag. You wanna see?" Zack was eager to show off his new footwork. He hoped maybe he could get Penny to join him.

Howard choked on his drink. "Oh my God you guys are-." He was cut off by a glare from Cera.

"Howard! It's a dance from the Carolina Coast." She positioned herself facing Zack. "It's done to old R&B we refer to as Beach Music." They clasped hands and started shuffling their feet. Zack twirled her and his hand immediately found the small of her back. This activity drew the attention of the ladies who were now making their way closer to the action.

While Howard found their dance interesting, because anything called a shag is interesting, he was more interested in Sheldon's reaction. He noticed he had gone still and pale even though he appeared to not be watching.

Sheldon could tell Cera was a better dancer than Zack. She seemed to be holding herself back and occasionally could hear her counting for him. Sheldon felt sick as he watched Zack run his fingers along her body. The worst part was the lack of clothing. Who dances in swimsuits? It was indecent. The worst was when they simultaneously twirled and their naked backs came into contact. Cera seemed so comfortable with Zack, Sheldon wondered if they were engaging in coitus.

Sheldon had spent a decade convincing himself that his interactions with Cera were merely a tactile experiment. But never in all experiments had he hated handing his work over to someone else. He was accustomed to a slight envy and concern. Before, it would soon pass. He always found something new and interesting to work on.

Of course he was aware years ago that she had moved on, but he was not prepared for the sensation coursing through him witnessing it firsthand. For a brief moment he understood the need for public displays of affection. Surely nothing was as deterrent to other potential mates as seeing the female engage in a claiming kiss by a dominant male. Or physically challenging the competition. But he was far too superior for such an animalistic display. Nor did he have any claim on said female. Finally having enough, he stood to leave at the same time the couple finished.

"Oh, Sheldon. Did you want to dance too? We're going to get Cera to show us those moves." Penny said eyeing the couple.

"No, I believe I've had enough dancing and dancing related activities to last me a lifetime."

"Spoilsport." Penny shot back.

Sheldon walked the patio that ran the length of the house. He really didn't want to be there any longer. He would call a cab, but he didn't have the pants for it. He certainly didn't want the exposed skin of his legs to come into contact with anything living in a cab. By the time he arrived back at the group of dancers the girls were repeating the footwork Cera had just shown them. He decided to do a second lap while they danced.

He hadn't gotten very far when a hand on his arm startled him. He jerked away from the personal invasion and the potential germs. He turned to face his assailant.

"Are you bored?" Cera asked softly.

"Yes. These are not activities I prefer." Sheldon muttered, stepping back onto his path.

"I know." Cera fell instep beside him.

"Amy said she would get me a comic book." Sheldon sound more excited by the prospect of a comic book.

"Well there aren't any out here. Our comic books dwell inside." Cera gave him a soft smile.

"Olivia, are you attempting to win my favor by presenting yourself in a manner that you know would be appealing to me?" He stopped short and watched her. Sheldon couldn't help but ask. It had been rolling through his mind since Amy brought it up.

Cera's breath caught and her eyes stung. "There isn't any more favor to be had, is there? I wish, I could say you knew me better than that."

Sheldon didn't know what to say to that. He didn't feel like he knew anything. Not when it came to her.

"I assured Howard, he could see the play room. Will you come as well?" Cera broke into Sheldon's thoughts

"There's a playroom?" Cera just smiled and nodded.

Through the last door on the patio was a long room with bright walls. As the group filed in their eyes adjusted to being indoor, they began to take in all the features. The billiard table, the tabletop Pac-man, the Donkey Kong arcade. There was a corner filled with kid's toys, a riding horse, toy box, a big wheel.

"This is Wonder Woman #70 from 1954! Man that is in great condition." Howard pointed at the fame on the wall.

"Dad's the only one to possess her. Bought it himself when he was eight or nine. He has a tale for each book. I can't keep them all straight, but it's sweet." Cera watched as her friends wondered around.

The ladies surprisingly gravitated to the Ms. Pac-Man table, lost in the nostalgia of it.

"Dude, you've got twelve game consoles down here." Raj called from the end of the room in front of the large screen TV.

"Yeah, Braden just refashioned that last year. He built the case for the consoles. He had to add a couple of converter switches, some cooling fans and run a lot of electricity."

"Do you have many games?" Sheldon studied the different consoles.

"Yes? I don't really know. All I know is what I play. Mortal Kombat II, Spyro the Dragon, and various Lego games."

"You just thought the dragon was cute." Sheldon remembered Cera cooing over the purple dragon, playing his old PlayStation at momma's. It wasn't even his typical type of game.

"Mm-hmm" Cera just smiled softly. He really did know her better, even if her appearance had varied.

She watched him walk away, studying each comic book. He stopped at one in particular and looked around, confused. Cera approached him, surprised he even bothered.

"You know that book has no value." Sheldon stared up at the preserved copy of X-Men vs Sauron. She had sent him a copy and a letter. Cera had identified with Jubilee. While he doubted Cera had ever lived in a mall, being in Hollywood and having wealthy parents was closer to the truth than he could have guessed at the time.

"It does to me…I even bought two." Cera tried hard to blink the tears back.

"I…I think I need to go. Have you seen Amy?" Sheldon looked around frantically. This wasn't...right. One does not 'move on' as they say, but cherish mementos of an event that no longer mattered. Something was not computing, he was missing information. He didn't like being uninformed. He needed to leave. He needed to rectify the situation. His dramatic exit out of the closest door, brought the party to a close.