By the time the whole Prome committee had shown up, Jade was ready to eat, kill, or possibly both. Still, she had to admit that everyone was taking it seriously. Even Sinjin had dressed nicely for this dinner out. She had been waiting for over half an hour and had spent a fair amount of that time in the washroom adjusting her makeup and in general making sure that she looked hot. She needed Beck and Tori to remember why he loved her.
As the Hostess started showing them to their table Jades eyes froze on the table next to theirs. A standard table 4 person table, but those people were Dr. Koothrappali, Dr. Hofstadter, Dr. Cooper, and another she didn't recognize. In her mind she reminded herself.'Their names are Raj, Lenard, and Sheldon. Of course Sheldon needs a nickname like Butt cheek or eraser head. And who is the desperate man at the end. I don't remember seeing him, so he must not be one of the losers from the Physics department.' Jade broke from her thoughts as realization hit her. If they wanted to talk to her, then there would be question from all her friends. Her secret would wind up on The Slap. She averted her eyes and tried to hide among the small crowd of students that made up the Prome committee. It was then that she saw Mr. Howard Wolowitz and his groupie wife, Bernadette at a two person table near the others. 'What the hell are they doing here.' Jade was feeling trapped. She tried to find a seat with her back to her colleagues and hoped to go unnoticed. She was so focused hiding behind her menu and on not being seen that she missed both the subject of the conversation that was occupying the table and the approaching waitress.
"Hello, My name is Penny and I'll be your server today. Who would like to start with drinks?" Jades heart sank. It was the taller of the blond physics groupies. She was surrounded. At least she thought she knew how they all knew each other now. They all ate at the same place. Or they were stalking her. Either way, Jade had to think fast. She needed to get out of there without being noticed. Her eyes darted around for anything that would help her escape.
"Jade!" her eyes shifted to the source of the sound, finding Beck looking at her. "What would you like to drink. I already asked, they don't have peppy cola." She looked around to see everyone at the table looking at her, then locked eyes on Penny.
'It's okay. She's a professional. She won't make a scene' Jade thought as she prepared to ask where the restroom was even though that was one piece of information she knew.
"Oh hi Dr. West." Penny seemed happy. "Are these your friends? It's nice to see you have some people your age to hang out with cuz just hanging out with adults is not healthy. Oh, Is one of them your boyfriend? Which one is it? Is it that one?" pointing at Beck sitting next to Jade. He was frozen for a moment with a mix of confusion and indecision. He quickly grabbed Jade to confirm their relationship and prevent violence. "He's hot. I can see why you like him and I should probably shut up now." Realization on her face. She addressed the table again "So who need water.".
Everyone at the table was now looking at Jade with confused expressions on their face. "Doctor West?" was heard whispered by several people at the table including Andre and Trina. As confusion and quiet conversations overtook the table, another voice was heard.
"So Doctor West, it is you. Normally I wouldn't intrude on another persons gathering but since the door was opened I just wanted to thank you for the quick turnaround on your work running my theoretical simulations. I feel that you should know you are appreciated. I should have my simulations done in a matter of weeks instead of begging for the six months of computer time that would inevitably take years to clear." Sheldon rolled his eyes "So just know despite your lack of etiquette or even basic manors, we appreciate you." Turning to his table "Better Lenard?" Sheldon spoke without registering the look Jade was giving him.
"Much, Sheldon. I'm sure Jade is much happier knowing we Value her contributions to the Physics Department." Lenard seemed to notice the look on her face "Or maybe we just outed her to her friend."
"So whats going on?" Sinjin chimed in.
"Jade is trying to con us into believing her job at Caltech is in the Science department." Trina responded.
"Please, Dr. West, or is it Jade since were all friends here" Sheldon started.
"I wouldn't bet on that" Beck said as Sheldon stood up. Penny moved to intercept him. He seemed oblivious to both Beck's statement and Penny's attempts to stop him as he continued addressing the Prome committee's table.
"Well for your information Doctor West is an Associate Professor and a valued member of the Physics department. I mean really, I know it's hard to believe. She certainly doesn't look it. I remember I got similar skepticism when I got my PhD at 16." Sheldon seemed unfazed by Jade's glare. Howard and Bernadette came over to see what was happening. "Actually Jade, I would be happy to mentor you, since I doubt anyone else can fathom how intimidating for a 16 year old to be a member of the faculty at a respected institution like the California Technical Institute."
Jade's lunge was halted by Beck's firm grip and Andre's quick dive across the table. Sheldon continued. "You seem upset. Let me assure you that your work does have merit. If nothing else I estimate you solve my simulations in about 12% of the time it would take the departmental mainframe to run them, so you're a really big help to to the department. Since your contributions to my research means I'll be able to publish much sooner, your helping the entire field and generations to come. You see how everyone benefits. I must say Dr. Gablehauser got this one right." Sheldon turned to his friends "I know, I was as surprised as anyone."
The Beck and Andre held Jade in place while Tori tried to calm her down and Cat hid behind Robbie. The rest of the people just stared in disbelief. Trina finally spoke. "you expect me to believe that THAT has a PhD?"
"It's true" Sikowitz said.
"Really?" came multiple reply's.
"Yep." Sikowitz said while assessing his options on what to do. Running out of the restaurant was an option, but not before the meal.
At that moment, Lenard decided to risk everything and spoke "Actually Jade is one of the most gifted Physics prodigies of her generation. Probably the most gifted since Doctor Cooper here." Lenard gestured towards Sheldon. His voice was calm. He seemed to want to deescalate the situation.
Bernadette interjected an idea "Why don't you guys give them a tour of the department, show them where she works. They might like that." She smiled.
Jade lunged at her, again held in place by her two male friends. Bernadette retreated behind her husband. "Howard, I never thought I'd be in this kind of situation, but when you married my you agreed you would die to protect me." Penny thought Bernadette might be having high school flashbacks.
"Berne, She just miffed. I'm sure your in no danger, right kids?" Howard found himself looking at a table full of people with sympathetic eyes. He noticed that with the exception of the two fairly athletic young men holding her, no one came within easy reach of Jade.
"You might consider running right now" Beck said.
"Seriously?" Lenard asked
"Berne, I love you but maybe we should leave so I don't have to risk hurting her since she is just..." Jade's eyes froze him in his place.
"Run" Beck sounded more desperate. "Run fast and run far."
"The Wicked Witch of the West specializes in revenge" Rex said, drawing the attention of the scientists to the puppet on Robbie's hand. Rex seemed to notice the ladies. "Hay lady, lose the nerd and get with a real man." He said to Bernadette. "You'll like me once you get to know me." the last par was to all the women and girls present. Somehow this was not calming Jade.
"That puppet is weirding me out" Bernadette said. Howard didn't notice as he was slowly backing into her to stay away from Jade.
"Rex! Behave." Robbie said.
"Rex, shut it or you become part of the street! Jade calm down! EVERYONE JUST MELLOW OUT!" Tori screamed. The dinner was fast becoming a disaster, and they hadn't even ordered their beverages. Tori wanted cheesecake.
Showing his usual timing as well as his ability to read social situations, Sheldon gave his opinion. "I don't see why we need to leave since this is our regular Tuesday night place"
"I don't want to take any chances" Howard said, finally turning and guiding Bernadette away.
"Everyone just calm down." Beck said in a loud, commanding voice. Then he turned to his girlfriend. "Why Jade? Why didn't you want us to know about your, what, doctorate?"
Jade stopped her struggles and addressed her boyfriend "Why do you think. I didn't want you to know what A freak I was. I am not a nerd, a dweeb, or anything like one of Sinjins group. I'm just good with math and physics." She sounded vulnerable.
"Would everyone just calm down." Sikowitz took control. His voice was loud without shouting, commanding in a fashion rarely seen by his own students. It was his directors voice. "Now you, Physics people, we're having an end of project dinner for the Prome committee as well as the winner of the Prome King and Queen. It's a school affair so if we just ignore you for now could you do the same for us?" Lenard, Sheldon and Raj nodded. "Jade, damage done. Plan your revenge later. Lets just have a nice dinner. And no threats or hurting people while we are in Pasadena. Clear?" She rolled her eyes, but agreed for now. "As far as who knows who and how, we can work that out later. Science people, Jade can invite you to attend our end of year performance if you like. Jade, give them all the details. As for my students, ASK Jade before looking for her at Caltech, or asking any questions about her work there. Give her a chance to separate her personal and professional life. Great Coconuts this isn't hard people. For now, just co-exist until we've had dinner." Sikowitz said.
"Okay."Lenard said, understanding as well as feeling a strong desire to do what the homeless looking hippy man wanted. "Guy's, lets give her some space."
"Jade, I'll let you know when I'm available to mentor you" Sheldon said. Jade was too emotionally drained to make another attempt on his life.
"I'm Stuart, bye the way. I own a comic book store." The fourth man at Sheldon's table said.
"We're all happy for you" Andre replied, while Jade still looking like she wanted a lot of people dead.
"At least someone is" he replied. Jade saw how broken he seemed, and decided to take him off the list of people facing possible repercussions. The list was now long, and she knew she had to start soon to fit everyone in.
"So where is your shop?" Robbie asked.
"Why" Tori looked miffed.
"Maybe we could get a nice deal. Some of us like comics" Robbie defended. He looked hurt when Sinjin didn't agree.
"There's a 'My Little Pony' comic, right?" Cat asked. Jade glared. "We'll talk later."
The evening continued under Sikowitz's stated truce. Everyone pretended to let the whole strange encounter go. The Prome committee fell back into uneasy conversations about the Prome, what people were wearing, what people were doing over the summer or anything to avoid mentioning what they learned about Jade that night., It was quickly obvious that multiple subjects around the touchy Goth were being avoided. Sheldon and company ordered their dinner, and only occasionally tried to include Jade in their conversation. Beck was strangely quiet, while Tori worried about what the fallout from this night would bring.
After fuming for a while, Jade sent a text message to Sinjin.
Jade: Sinjin, I need something. How would you like a tour of the entomology department?
Sinjin: I would love it. What do you need?
Jade: I need you to do some hacking to help me get back at someone.
Sinjin: Is it illegal?
Jade: Lenard (Short guy with glasses) does a lot of work with Lasers.
Sinjin: That Illegal?
Jade: It's Justice. If you met the man, you would do it for free.
Sinjin: When.
Jade: Get it done tomorrow if possible and I'll show you around on Thursday around my office hours.
Sinjin: Maybe. Send me the Deets.
Jade: Tell anyone and you know what I am capable of. Now stop texting and try the cheesecake. It's amazing.
Jade was starting to clear her list. This would set the tone for her relationship with the whole department. The only perk to this janked up encounter.
:}
I had a lot of free time this week, and no life meant I could write more. So a bonus chapter. Don't expect more, my work schedule could change. I will try for once a week.
Again, do I have the Big bang characters voices near, or are they OOC?