Gablehauser spent the week hounding Sheldon. He had not anticipated Dr Cooper being such a success in Harvard and know that he was it was too good an opportunity to miss; sending out their top theoretical physicist to not only promote Caltech but also to show they were way ahead of the field. It would be good for Cooper too, he just couldn't see it yet. Gablehauser had offered to put him up in the best hotels and fly him first class but he was having none of it. Getting desperate Gablehauser called Penny, the young girl Hofstadter was dating who had coached Sheldon through the Harvard lectures.
Coming out of his office on his way to lunch Sheldon stopped dead when he saw Penny with Gablehauser. He watched them talking and laughing and knew this was the next line of attack Gablehauser was planning on using. Why could they not just leave him alone. He was a scientist not a lecturer! Banging on the door he had just watched the couple enter he saw Penny grin when he walked in.
"Hey Sweetie!" she chirped happily, "Eric here wants me to help you with your tour, why didn't you tell me."
"Because Penny as I keep telling Eric here, it is not happening!"
"Sheldon it'll be fun, and it'll take your mind off Amy being away." This earned Penny a glare and turning on his heel Sheldon slammed out of the office.
"His girlfriend is going away?" Gablehauser. asked concerned. "I had hoped she would go with him."
"Amy is off to England, she is a neuro something or other, and has a big project over there for 6 months."
"OK Penny well can you think of any way I can lure the good Dr Cooper into agreeing to do this. It'll be huge for his career and it wont hurt Caltech either."
"Quite honestly if Sheldon has said no then other than promising him he can do the whole thing by train I think your screwed, he just doesn't want to go. Listen give him a couple of weeks once Amy's gone he may change his mind."
73~73
Returning to his office Sheldon sat behind his desk and pulled out his list. He had confirmed with Amy her landlord had agreed to her keep the place going and Amy had checked with Penny she would be happy to help keep an eye on the place. Now Sheldon went online and began checking Amy's phone contract against her requirements for England. The time difference was going to be a problem but hopefully they would be able to get into a routine and still talk every day. Ticking this off his list Sheldon sent Amy a text.
"I have checked you phone details and it should be fine in England. You may want to check your laptop too. Sx"
Amy on receiving Sheldon's text groaned. Why was it so complicated. She wanted to get on the plane do her job then come home. In fact the closer it got the more Amy was looking forward to coming home. Trust them to finally get to the good stuff and her to leave the country! Sighing Amy replied quickly to Sheldon.
"Thank you Sheldon. My laptop has been checked here and been given the OK so all systems go. X"
73~73
Penny returned to 2311 Los Robles and went straight across the hall. She knew Sheldon was still at work as when she had gone to ask Leonard when they were leaving he had told her Sheldon was working late. Leonard was now sitting in Sheldon's spot grinning at her.
"Hey sweetie, I have a question. Do you think we should throw Amy a party?"
"Why are you asking me shouldn't you ask Sheldon, she's his girlfriend!"
"You know what he would say though, he doesn't do parties."
"Maybe he has a point this time, maybe they want to spend their last night together."
"Yeah I guess. Its just Amy has been a good friend to me and I thought it'd be nice to through a big party, all of us plus her friends from work, let her know we'll miss her."
"She would like that" Leonard grinned, "she likes to be made a fuss of, she could wear her tiara!"
Laughing Penny opened the door to find Raj and Howard stood on the other side arms full of Thai food.
"Hey guys, I was just suggesting to Leonard we throw Amy a going away party. What do you think?"
"I'm in." grinned Howard.
Raj just frowned and whispered to Howard. "He says maybe they would want to be alone on there last night" Howard repeated scornfully
"That's what I said "Leonard crowed smugly.
"OK how about we arrange the party for the night before then book them both the day off work and a night at the hotel airport so they can have the party and a quality day/night alone. We can then go wave Amy off later."
Raj beamed at this, nodding.
"OK well we will need to get all her details; dates and times of flights etc., and don't mention it to Sheldon I don't want him putting a stop to it!"
73~73
Sheldon was late home that night and every night that week. Gablehauser had finally issued him with a demand that he could see no escape from. He was now committed to a 3 months country wide tour. He had told Sheldon he had 1 month to prepare and be at the first location at Yale. Entering his apartment Sheldon threw his bag down and slumped in his spot. The apartment was in darkness so either Leonard was in bed or he had been persuaded by the others to go to a bar. Tonight Sheldon could have done with their advise. Sighing he picked up his phone.
"Hi Amy I hope your day was productive. Mine went downhill after Gablehauser told me the tour was on. X"
As he hit send Sheldon stood to make tea. Maybe that would sooth his nerves.
His phone started to ring, smiling Sheldon answered
"Good evening Amy, I hope my text didn't wake you?"
"No Sheldon I have not long got in myself. Sheldon why are you worried about these lectures. You know you are more than capable."
"I don't want to do them Amy, I don't want to fly around the country or talk to lecture halls full of strangers."
"Then tell Gablehauser you want to take Penny with you as consulting manager and go by train!" Amy joked.
"Hey that's not a bad idea!"
"Oh Sheldon I was only joking! You cant ask Penny to give up her job; and to go by train is just ridiculous!"
"Nonsense it'll be fun! Ooh Amy I am going to ring Gablehauser right now and give him the good news!" without listening to Amy's protest Sheldon hung up and dialled Gablehauser's number.
Amy sent Penny a text.
"Bestie I'm sorry, I stupidly joked to Sheldon that he should take you on his tour with him and he thinks its a great idea"
"Hey Ames, 3 months out of the cheesecake factory wouldn't be so bad as long as Dr Whackadoodle pays me!"
"Oh penny you will need a pay increase. He wants to do the tour via train!"
"oh Balls!"
Laughing Amy put her phone away.
73~73
The next week seemed to fly past. Penny had managed to get details of Amy's flights off of Sheldon and had called Amy's work to invite her friends. They were more colleagues really as far as Amy was concerned but Penny was impressed by how keen they all seemed to go to the party and how fondly they spoke of Amy and how they would miss her. The arrangements were nearly finalised. The party was due to take place at Pennys so as not to alarm Sheldon, on the Friday night, then Leonard would take the couple to the Lax Hawthorne Hotel where they would spend Friday night and Saturday night before Amy's flight on Sunday. This meant neither of them would need to miss work and her friends could still go to the airport Sunday to wave her off.
Raj wanted an English theme to the party but Penny was trying to keep it subtle. She really wasn't sure either Amy or Sheldon would be in a very celebratory mood so low key seemed to be the way to go. They had decided to tell Sheldon on the Wednesday to give him a few days to get used to the idea, also as he would be staying with Amy at the hotel he too would need to pack a bag.
Penny was worried about Sheldon. She had only seen him a few times and on neither occasion had he mentioned Amy leaving. Admittedly one of the occasions they had spent most of the time shouting at each other as Sheldon tried to convince Penny 3 months on a train was a holiday really so her demand for pay was unreasonable. When she had flat out refused to go he conceded and even agreed to cover any loss of wages.
On Monday he again missed Thai night but he was there on Tuesday at the cheesecake factory. Amy made it too which seemed to please him and after they all went back to Los Robles Avenue. Amy sat next to Sheldon and held tightly to his hand all night. Both were very quiet.
"Amy are you coming round for Halo night tomorrow, I thought we could ask Bernadette and Lucy and have a girls vs boys Halo contest?"
Sheldon looked at Amy hopefully but she shook her head, "Penny I cant, I have to go visit my mother. I have put it off and put it off, but I really do need to go visit and give her details of where I'll be staying in London. Can we do something Friday though or Saturday?"
"You can count on it Amy!" Penny answered.
73~73