Nodding Sheldon whispered "I will get to see Amy!"
"Sheldon! Stephen Hawking has invited you to Cambridge and you are talking about seeing your girlfriend! I never thought I'd see the day!"
Shaking his head Sheldon said, "No you don't understand. Amy and I spoke about this, about going to Cambridge, its what she wanted. Do you think she has arranged this?"
"No Sheldon I don't think Professor Hawking would do this because your girlfriend asked. Now tell me, how is your research going? I know you were working on something important, is there something in it your could present there?"
Sheldon grinned. "I am nearly there. I can assure you I will spend my time in Texas making sure it is right, I will get it double checked if I have to and when I go to Cambridge it will be to present my findings to Hawking!"
"So, assuming you go, will you stay with Amy in London?"
"No, she is coming to the end of a very important research schedule and I would not want to upset that. I will consider my options while in Texas and let you know what I want to do. Do you think my trip there could be kept secret for now?"
"Yes Sheldon, until you yourself have made contact this is not even happening."
"Good, good." Sheldon muttered. "OK, well I will be gone for a couple of weeks, then we will sort the details. Thank you!"
Sheldon then did something Eric Gablehauser didn't think he would see. Sheldon held out his hand and smiled.
Shaking the proffered hand, Gablehauser said "Well done Sheldon! I am genuinely thrilled for you"
73~73
Sheldon did not tell anyone about his meeting with Gablehauser. He decided he would concentrate on getting the research finished. He upped his work rate and spent most of his time at Caltech. Leonard, to begin with, enjoyed the freedom and wasn't too concerned; but when he realised Sheldon had missed a whole week of his schedule he decided to ask what was going on.
"Hey Sheldon, I know you have been busy but we have missed you this week."
"Well I'm afraid you will miss me a bit more. I am going home to Texas. Today."
"What! Why?" Leonard was stunned
"Because I had to do one more lecture and if I go to Texas I can spend time with Meemaw. Penny didn't want to do any more trips but there I can take momma with me. I can therefore please Gablehauser and my family."
"Its a bit sudden though Sheldon, why have you not mentioned it?"
"Because I have been busy."
"Is that the only reason, you are not running home because you are upset? Everything is OK, with you and Amy? Does she know you are going?"
"Of course she does Leonard. I told Amy as soon as I made the decision. Everything is fine, Amy is busy with work, I am busy with work, but everything is fine."
Shrugging Leonard says "Well have a good time I guess. It'll be strange here without you. How long will you be gone for?"
"I don't know. At last a few weeks possibly longer."
"Longer? Sheldon are you sure. You and your mother, together, for that long? Surely the lectures could be done in a day or two?"
"Listen Leonard, I am giving you notice I will be away for a couple of weeks. If it is longer I will make sure to inform you, now if you don't mind I have to finish packing."
Leonard watched Sheldon go in amazement. Crossing the hall he knocked on 4B.
"Penny, Sheldon is going to Texas! For a few weeks!. He has just told me. He leaves today!"
"Is it like before? Is he upset? Is it Amy do you think?
"I don't know. He says not. He seemed OK. Its odd though. I cant believe he hasn't said anything til now."
"I wonder if Amy knows?"
"She does, he said he told her weeks ago!"
"Well I guess we wait and see. I am sure his mother will let us know if there is a problem!"
"I guess."
"The fact he is going on a plane on his own though, that is a big move for him. I guess if he gets to spend time with Meemaw it'll help time go quickly before Amy comes home. He has coped amazingly well and he does miss Meemaw."
"Yes I suppose. It was just a shock. And I will miss him!"
73~73
By the time Sheldon landed in Texas he was a nervous wreck. He had spent the entire flight questioning every noise. Even before they were in the air the flight attendants had marked him down as a problem passenger. In the end they sat him on his own, more for the peace of mind of the other passengers than anything.
This however set real doubts in his mind. If he couldn't get from LA to Texas on his own how on earth would he get to London?!
He was relieved to see Missy stood next to the family pick-up as he exited the terminal.
"Shelly!" she waved. Smiling Sheldon walked towards her.
"Missy, I am relieved to see you. I think a cab ride would have finished me off!"
"As if Momma and Meemaw would let the golden boy get cab!" Missy snorted. "So how was the flight?"
"Awful!"
Sniggering Missy said "Well you could always get the train home!"
Sheldon was thrilled to smell fried chicken as he entered his family home. Mary was at the stove, apron round her waist. Hearing the door close she spun round.
"Shelly, baby!" dashing over she grabbed her son into a big hug.
"Hey Momma!" Sheldon patted her back awkwardly.
"Oh baby it is good to have you home.."
"It is good to be home! Where is Meemaw will she be here today?"
"Yes Sheldon, as if Meemaw would miss your homecoming!"
Grinning Sheldon picked up the bag he had dropped "I will just put this in my room." And he trotted back to the room he had used as a boy. As many painful memories as he had of growing up here with his parents arguing Sheldon did feel like this was the right place to be right now.
Sitting on his bed he pulled out his phone.
"Hey Amy, I am home! The flight was not good. I do not like flying but momma has made fried chicken and Meemaw should be here soon. We will have to arrange a Skype so I can show you around! S x"
73~73
To: Amy
From: Penny
Hey Ames.
Did you know Sheldon had gone to Texas? It is weird, he told us this morning and was gone by tonight. Have you two had a fight?
Please tell me everything is OK?
Love Penny
x
Amy sighed when she saw Pennys email. Typical, just because Sheldon did not tell them every minute detail of his life they assume the worse. Amy replied to Penny by text.
"Hey Bestie. Sheldon is fine. Yes I know he is in Texas. No we haven't had a fight and please stop telling him I am going to run off with James! Amy"
"Oh Amy I'm sorry. Its just James is so good looking. Sheldon didn't seem worried but when he left so suddenly Leonard panicked then I did too. I am glad everything is OK sweetie. P x"
Deciding not to respond this time Amy sent Sheldon a text instead.
"Hi Sheldon. Glad you arrived safely. I bet your Momma was excited to see you. I would love to Skype and see your home! Just let me know when. Ax"
Amy looked at her watch. It was 8 am in London and so if she was correct it would be about 10 pm in Texas. She guessed Sheldon would be tired. It sounded like he had not had the best flight. Amy grinned to herself. He was bad enough with friends, she dreaded to think what havoc he had caused when unsupervised!
She was surprised when Sheldon text straight back
"Are you at work now? It is late here but everyone else is in bed so I could Skype now if you are home?"
Thrilled Amy replied "going online now!"
Amy ran to grab her laptop and turned it on. Suddenly before her appeared a sleepy looking Sheldon.
"Hey!" she grinned "you looked exhausted! Have you had a bad day?"
"Stressful! First Leonard's inquisition then the flight from hell! But it is good to be home and lovely seeing Meemaw!"
Amy nodded. "I got a text from Penny asking if we had fought. They are so happy to always think the worst! Is it hot there? It is not like you to not have many layers on for bed" Amy commented noting Sheldon had on his pyjama pants but only his under-shirt.
"Yes it is warm still. Is it still cold there?"
"Yes. Mind you it isn't raining today so I am not complaining! I also have a late start so this is the perfect way to start my day, chatting to you!"
Sheldon smiled sleepily. "It is lovely to see you too. I cant wait for you to come home!"
"Well it wont be long now. The research here is really winding down. I have been able to get to see more of London and go out for days with the people from work. I cant believe how welcoming they have all been. Have you thought any more about my suggestion re Simon? "
"To be honest Amy, no. I have been busy. Maybe once you are home you could talk to Raj?"
Amy frowned. "I guess. It would have been nice to sort it before then but yes I could do that. So I guess I'd better let you rest."
"oh" Sheldon sounded disappointed "OK."
"I don't have to, you just look tired Sheldon."
"I'm OK. Although I may lie down if that's OK?"
"Of course" Amy grinned "it will be sexy seeing you in bed!"
Sheldon rolled his eyes ""Amy I am in my childhood bedroom with my mother down the hall, believe me that is not sexy!"
"OK but seeing you lying there is. I wish I was next to you!"
Sheldon groaned "Amy don't. You know what happened before!"
Amy laughed out loud this time "Sheldon I know you were embarrassed but I told you seeing you wake up in a state of arousal was a serious turn on! I mean it! I was just disappointed you ran to the bathroom to 'sort yourself out'!"
"Amy I have been trying to pretend that didn't happen. I felt like an out of control teenager! You promised you would pretend it didn't happen!"
Amy smirked "Sheldon I go to bed thinking about it every night! And if I was there with you I would not have let you run off!"
Sighing Sheldon said "OK please, stop! I cant even begin to imagine you here in bed with me. Amy as I said my mother is down the hall. I cant be thinking about you like that!"
"OK OK, I will let you sleep and later in the week we will Skype again and you can give me a tour. I would love to say 'hi' to Meemaw too"
Smiling now the subject was on safer ground Sheldon nodded. "I saw Meemaw earlier, but I am spending the day with her tomorrow. I brought the photos of your party with me to show her." yawning Sheldon smiled "Amy I am sleepy now so I will say goodnight" Sheldon waved.
Waving back Amy turned off her laptop and began getting ready for work. She was right this was the perfect way to start the day.
In Texas Sheldon used kolinahr to get to sleep that night. As he drifted off he realised he had been using it a lot lately!
73~73