Amy took a deep breath as she walked through the front entrance to The Fitzpatrick Marine Biology Facility.
She approached the front desk and spoke to the receptionist.
"Hello Dr Fowler, pleased to meet you at last. I'll call through for Professor Roberts." The receptionist smiled, shaking Amy's hand as she picked up the phone on her desk.
"He'll be right down; do you want to take a seat?"
Amy smiled and nodded, sitting on one of the faux-suede couches in the reception, picking up a newspaper from the table and leafing through it.
Moments later, an older gentleman walked through the automatic doors into the reception area.
"Dr Fowler?"
"Yes, good morning sir." Amy smiled, standing up and shaking his hand.
"I'm Professor Edward Roberts; the head of the neurobiology department. Very happy to have you on board." He smiled.
"The pleasure's all mine, sir." Amy replied, politely.
"If you'd like to follow me, I'll show you to the neurobiology department." Professor Roberts said, as he led Amy through the doors.
Amy turned around and said goodbye to the receptionist, who returned the pleasantries, before returning to her work.
As they walked through the building, Amy marvelled at the décor.
The walls were white and blue, and the lighting was bright. The whole building looked relatively modern, with skylights in the ceiling and dark grey vinyl flooring, to glass doors and blue and glass desks dotted around.
Professor Roberts led Amy through some double-doors, labelled 'Neurobiology Facility', and Amy gasped.
The room was large, with big desks and workbenches, named and numbered lockers containing the named lab coats, wetsuits and breathing apparatus, and a door way over on the far side of the room that led outside to the tank side, where the dolphins were kept.
Most impressively, right in front of the front row of computers, was a humungous pane of strong glass that saw right into the dolphin tank.
"We call that the Observation Gallery." Professor Roberts explained, following Amy's gaze and smiling proudly. "The dolphin tank is a mile long and half a mile wide, hence why this lab is so huge. On the opposite side of the tank, is the other lab, and they specialise in the general biology behind the dolphins. And on this side of the tank…" He pointed to the right, "Are actually two rooms; first is the marine veterinarian facility, and right next to that is the staff emergency room. They can both access the free side of the dolphin tank if they need to, by an elevator leading to two walkways over the tank. It's totally safe."
Amy shook her head. "This is amazing! I can't believe I'm going to spend five months here!"
Professor Roberts smiled at her. "It is an amazing place. I'm lucky to work here myself. This facility is only five years old, but has already saved the lives of many dolphins, and proven a lot of theories. Your job is related to the similarity between dolphin and human behaviour, I believe?"
Amy nodded. "That's correct. Then I'll be taking my research back to UCLA to release our paper…Perhaps…" She bit her lip.
"Perhaps what, Dr Fowler?"
"Perhaps I could credit you in my research paper? If you would like to be my co-author?" Amy asked, shyly.
"I am very honoured that you would consider that, Dr Fowler." Professor Roberts replied, "But this research is all your own. I'll be happy to help with anything you need. I wouldn't want to steal your limelight. Besides…You're brilliant; UCLA have already informed me that you are their best neurobiologist. Who knows? This paper might very well get you shortlisted for tenure back in LA!"
Amy grinned. "You think so?"
"Probably, if what I have been hearing about you is true." Professor Roberts led Amy over to the lockers, and pointed to number 8, which had her name newly labelled on it. Opening it up, he revealed brand new breathing apparatus, a wetsuit, a box of disposable gloves and her named lab coat, before locking it again.
"This is your own personal locker. It has everything that you need; here's the key. Don't lose it! Your desk is this one." He said, handing Amy her key and leading her to desk number 8. "Your locker and desk number will match; it's also your department employee number as part of our health and safety regulations. So you'll be Dr Fowler, Neurobiology 8."
Amy nodded.
"Now, are there any questions?" Professor Roberts asked.
"Uh…No Professor." Amy shook her head.
"Very well. Your aquatic and diving training will be at 11:00 until 11:50. There are changing rooms at the back of this room; always place your clothing and valuables in your locker for aquatic and diving training, and place your locker key in the zip pocket of your wetsuit to keep it on your person at all times. Your first task for today is to just settle in, and Beth here will show you the ropes with the technology." Professor Roberts smiled, introducing Amy and Beth; employee number 11.
"Thank you." Amy smiled, as Professor Roberts smiled back and returned to his workbench.
Amy took a deep breath.
"Ready, Dr Fowler?" Beth smiled at her.
Amy nodded. "I'm ready!"
..
That afternoon when Amy returned to the hotel, she was walking on air.
Her first day had been brilliant!
She let herself into the suite, and found Sheldon just firing off an email, before closing his laptop.
The large table in the suite was covered in papers, which Sheldon immediately cleared away.
"Hello Amy. How was your first day?" He smiled.
"Amazing!" She replied, heading to the kitchen to make a drink.
"Anything else?" Sheldon asked.
"Well, they were impressed with how quickly I grasped using the software, and also how good I was in my aquatic and diving training. Oh Sheldon, I'd love you to see it one day!" Amy grinned.
"I'd love to. Anything remotely scientific interests me!" He replied, taking a mug from one of the cupboards and taking over the kettle to make Amy's drink.
Amy sat on the couch and sighed, as Sheldon carried her coffee over.
"How was your work?" Amy asked.
"I'm still working on string perturbation theory; I was just emailing some work in." Sheldon replied. "What would you like to do for dinner? Do you think maybe we could dine alone tonight?"
Amy frowned at him. "Why? I wanted to tell Leonard and Penny about my first day."
"We can tell them afterwards. We could meet them in the bar after dinner." Sheldon suggested
"Um…Okay, but you hate drinking."
"I won't be drinking."
"Sheldon, what's going on?"
"Nothing. Am I not allowed to celebrate my girlfriend's first successful day at work with her?"
"You are, but why are we dining alone when it isn't even date night?" Amy asked.
"I thought we had abandoned that…" Sheldon replied. "Truthfully, I just want to be alone with you. Without the questions, without the taunts…Just you and me."
"Okay." Amy smiled, "You're really serious about keeping up your promise aren't you?"
"Of course. I take promises very seriously." Sheldon replied, truthfully. "Even more so when they involve you."
"Aww!" Amy grinned.
Sheldon smiled, "Yes, well hurry up and change so I can take you to dinner."
"What do you think I should wear?" Amy asked.
"Does it matter?" Sheldon responded as he wandered over to the walk-in closet. "You won't be in it for long!"
Amy's eyes widened. "Oh my!" She whispered excitedly to herself.