Monday morning and Sheldon was stood waiting to knock on Eric Gablehauser's door. He watched the second hand on his watch tick down and as it hit 9 o'clock Sheldon began his sequence of signature knocks.
Opening the door Gablehauser braced himself for whatever the next 30 minutes held, with Cooper you could never tell. Whilst brilliant and ahead in his chosen field he still held views that by anybody else's standards could be classed as odd. Offering Sheldon a drink and pouring him some water Gablehauser sat in his chair and looked at Sheldon.
"So Dr Cooper, before you start let me just offer my congratulations. All the reports that have been fed back to me from Yale and Princeton have been glowing." He handed Sheldon an envelope, "That should cover you expenditures and that of Penny. Will she be willing to go with you on the next leg of your tours?"
"That is what I want to talk to you about." Sheldon replied, "I don't want to do any more."
"Now Sheldon we agreed all this"
"Yes I know but please can you look at it from my point of view. I have been to Yale, Harvard and Princeton, I have performed as you requested and you have admitted I did well, but whilst I have been your performing seal my research has been neglected. I have basically given away secrets and gained nothing in return. I refuse to peddle my knowledge any further." Crossing his arms across his chest Sheldon stared straight at Gablehauser.
"Sheldon in return for sharing your discoveries you have shown everyone that Caltech is leading the way and also that you are the man doing the leading. OK you have not been stood in front of your precious white boards but it has certainly got you noticed and believe me that is important, especially after the débâcle in the Arctic."
Sheldon considered this and nodded slowly.
"OK Sheldon listen I will be honest with you, these tours have done the university good, bringing in funding and interest both from students and lecturers. This is all great news. But I do understand your reluctance. Penny mentioned to me, when she was here before Harvard, that your girlfriend was in England, I would have thought now was an ideal time for you to tour so when she returned you would be home."
"Yes I had thought that too, but it is not the case. Amy came to Harvard so that was fine, Penny came to Yale and Princeton but she doesn't want to do any more, like myself. And in all honesty on my own I wouldn't be able too do the job she has helped me do. Plus, I just don't want too."
"Are you willing to do one more, that way I can sign it off as tour complete, you can choose where?"
"Can I think about it?"
"Of course, and Sheldon I meant it when I said I was impressed. It is not just me either, but we will talk about that at another date. You go away and think about my suggestion and then we will talk again."
Nodding Sheldon left. Walking back to his office Sheldon ran through list of local universities but none appealed. Deciding to forget about it for today Sheldon happily opened his office door and picking up his marker turned to the problems of the universe. Much more comforting.
At lunchtime he made his way to the canteen and found Howard and Raj already there.
"Hey Sheldon, how was the meeting?"
"OK I guess, he wants me to do one more, he said I could choose where."
"Oh oh why don't you choose Cambridge! You could visit Amy!" squealed Raj, bouncing up and down on his chair.
"Raj I don't think that was the idea, and even if possible to fly half way round the world for a2-3 hour lecture, it is a bit extreme!"
Nodding sadly Raj said "But it would have been sooooo romantic!"
Snorting Sheldon didn't reply.
"So how is Amy? Leonard said you caught up with her at the weekend. Is she OK?"
Blushing at a memory he had been trying to forget Sheldon nodded "She is fine, enjoying work, making friends, missing home."
"Bernadette was texting her last night, there was lots of giggling, Bernie wouldn't tell me what about and kept hiding her phone so I couldn't see."
"You know what they are like together" said Sheldon dismissively. "I told Amy she should Skype the girls on their next girls night, you should suggest it to Bernadette."
Nodding Howard said "Where is Leonard?"
"I don't know. He didn't say he couldn't make it" Raj answered, pulling out his phone he called Leonard's office.
"Hey buddy where are you?"
Smirking at Leonard's response he hung up.
"Evidently there is a 'walk about' by the funding committee; so Leonard is trying to make his results look more impressive!"
Rolling his eyes Sheldon said "That could take him a while, I wont order his Thai food tonight" sniggering the 3 men cleared their table and returned to their respective offices.
73~73
"Hey Bernie do you want to do girls night this Friday? Px"
"Yeah that sounds good, I will have to check with Howie but count me in!"
Grinning Penny tied her apron round her waist. She missed seeing Bernadette at work, and with Amy away too it was as if the group were growing apart. Thinking about her conversation with Leonard she was a bit worried about Amy, so pulling out her phone sent 1 more text.
"Hey bestie, you fancy a girls night? Friday night our time Saturday morning yours? May be a bit early for you to hit the wine but we can gossip!"
When Penny got home she had an email from Amy.
To: Penny
From: Amy
Hey bestie, thanks for text. Would LOVE a girls night/morning. It feels ages since I have seen your beautiful face, and I miss Bernie too. I look forward to hearing and exchanging gossip. But you are right it will be a little early for wine!
Thank you for checking in on my apartment, I saw it on the weekend as Sheldon stayed over. I do appreciate it Penny.
I have to go as I will be late for the next lot of checks.
See you Friday!
A
xx
73~73
The week went quickly for Amy, the patient she was monitoring was showing good responses to the drug's they were being given and the neuro-response research was really firming up. With a few more positive results they would be able to take the research to a wider test field. Amy had been emailing Yaşargil, on Sheldon's advise, and was amazed at how genuinely interested both him and Dianne seemed. When Amy had mentioned to Linda his latest response she was most impressed.
"I don't know Amy, Professor Hawking one week, Gazi Yaşargil the next, I am not sure we are good enough for you!"
Amy grinned "Hawking is a friend of my boyfriend, and I only know Yaşargil because of Sheldon too. It is he that is impressive not me." Amy blushed
"You are selling yourself short dear! You are impressive and the links you have built between your team in LA and here have pushed this research forward no end. I am really impressed."
Amy was extremely flattered.
"Thank you" she said shyly.
"So this boyfriend of yours he is well connected?"
"Sheldon? No not really, he is brilliant though, he is a Theoretical Physicist at Caltech."
"Not Sheldon Cooper? He of 'the dark side of the moon' you-tube sensation?"
Amy bristled, "Well yes but..."
"Oh Amy I have heard of him! Actually I have heard of him recently too. Has he just lectured at Yale?"
"Yes."
"I know someone that was there. They were very much impressed!"
Amy grinned "He is brilliant!"
"Well good for you, and from what I remember from that video, lucky you too!" and with a wink she left a blushing Amy Farrah Fowler staring after her.
73~73
Sheldon hadn't seen Gablehauser again that week. He had occasionally thought about the lecture tour but had had no real inspiration. It was Friday night, as he sorted he washing ready for the next day, that it hit him.
Grabbing his phone he punched in Gablehauser's number.
"I have thought of your offer and I agree, but I want time off before and after."
"OK, where?"
"Texas! I am going to go visit Meemaw!"
Laughing Gablehauser agreed. He told Sheldon to email his chosen dates to his secretary and he would sort it.
Disconnecting the phone Sheldon quickly put though another call
"Meemaw? Its me, Shelly. I'm coming home! No not right now but soon. Yes I will let you know the dates when I have them... yes I am excited too. See you soon Meemaw, love you"
Grinning Sheldon heard noise across the hall, he figured it was Bernadette arriving for their girls night. Penny had told him they would be skyping Amy, knowing she would be excited he sent her a quick text
"Morning Amy, I hope you have fun at girls night, I will catch up tomorrow.. I have news! Love you S x"
73~73
A/N OK, not sure when I will be able to update over the next few days as have to do the caring sharing parent bit ;-) hopefully back next week. Thank you for all the lovely reviews and to everyone who has stuck with this story Ax