Careful what you wish for.

:The Witch:

Wednesday

Sheldon grimaced as the woman in line ahead of him pulled out a handful of coupons. He twitched and glanced at his watch again. Dear lord! The Twilight Zone marathon starts in 27 minutes, he thought. It's a 3 minute walk to the bus stop, 14 minute bus ride to get home, and two minutes to walk up the stairs. That leaves 8 minutes to get through the line.

The woman in front of him began arguing about whether a coupon could be doubled or not. He glanced at his watch again. 26 minutes until the marathon.

The can of beets wouldn't scan. The cashier called for a price check. Sheldon whined as he checked his watch again. 24 minutes.

The woman rummaged in her purse until she finally found her wallet. 23 minutes.

Wait, she said. She put her money in her change purse. More rummaging. 21 minutes.

Sheldon edged closer, hoping to make her uneasy so she would hurry. Damn Leonard for working late! Damn Penny for being sick. What a time for him to have to take the bus! 20 minutes!

He groaned as the woman began counting pennies. Maybe if he ran up the stairs. 19 minutes!

18 minutes. Sheldon exploded. "Good grief! Must I always be denied what I want!"

The entire grocery store grew quiet and all eyes turned to him. Sheldon squirmed with embarrassment. The woman in front of him turned and looked him up and down. Slowly she raised a hand and touched one long bony finger to his chest. A sudden warmth spread through his body. She smiled gleefully.

"May you get exactly what you say you want," she said with a cackle.

Thursday

Sheldon glared at Amy as she tried to snuggle closer on the couch. Her close proximity was interfering with his enjoyment of The Fifth Element. "Please, Amy. I have stated it quite clearly several times already. I do not want to have to deal with your hormonal urges tonight."

Amy huffed and glared back at him. "Sheldon, I am your girlfriend. It is time you acclimatized yourself to intimacy. I want you to kiss me."

Sheldon leaned away from her as far as he could. "And I want you to stop wanting me to kiss you."

Amy froze for a second. "Okay." Then she settled back against the couch and turned her attention to the movie.

Sheldon stared at her with suspicion. What was she up to? The rest of their date fairly flew by. Soon he was on his way home after a simple handshake from Amy. Had she finally seen reason?

Friday

Sheldon huffed angrily as Winkle made her case to President Seibert for the extra funding.

"Besides, Dumbass here would just use it to buy more white boards!"

President Seibert sighed heavily. "Thank you, Dr. Winkle," he said wearily. "Dr. Cooper, why do you think you should get the funding?"

"Because my research with quantum gravity is at a critical point. Besides, I want it," Sheldon said simply.

President Seibert froze for a second. "The funding is yours, Cooper."

Leslie screeched and stormed off. Sheldon looked at Seibert in shock. He gave a quick thank you and wakled out of the office. He paused and thought about what had just happened. Then he thought about last night's date. And the way Leonard gave up the last diet coke without a fight. Then he thought about the woman at the grocery store. Suddenly a huge smile broke out on his face.

Two Weeks Later

Sheldon had everything he ever wanted. His friends did what he said. His girlfriend was behaving the way he found most comfortable. His co-workers left him alone. He should be the happiest man in the world! Sheldon slumped in his spot. So why wasn't he?

The door opened and Penny bounced in. Sheldon didn't see much of her anymore. She was always working, going to school or with the girls. After their final break up, Leonard had asked her not to come by until he was over it. Penny plopped down beside him.

"Hey, Moon Pie! Whatcha doing?"

Sheldon glared at her. "Only Meemaw can call me that, Penny. I am watching Super Friends."

Penny pouted a bit. "Aww. I came over to visit. I missed you."

Sheldon sighed and crossed his arms. "You see me every Tuesday when you serve me my burger."

Penny smiled at him. "That's not the same, Sheldon! I miss hanging out with you so I decided to come visit. Tell me you missed me too."

Sheldon huffed, his temper starting to rise. "I have neither noticed you absence nor regretted it."

Penny jerked back as if struck. "Do you mean that, Sheldon?" she asked softly.

He turned to face her fully. "Penny, you are interrupting my show. I want you to go away."

Sheldon clamped a hand over his mouth in horror, but it was too late. He was alone. Even the scent of her shampoo was gone. Sheldon stood and rushed out of the apartment and across the hall. He didn't bother to knock, he just flung the door open and walked in.

Leonard eventually called Mrs. Cooper. He explained about coming back from a date and finding Sheldon in the empty apartment next door, curled up in a ball. About how Sheldon was refusing to speak to anyone. Mary took him to every shrink she could find. Sheldon would just sit there, silent. She prayed. She begged. His friends pleaded with him. They threatened. He ignored all entreaties.

Eventually the difficult decision was made to have him committed. It was painfully obvious to them all he had suffered some sort of breakdown. Each and every day he silently watched the world go by. The only time he showed any life was the day they had arts and crafts with artificial flowers. He glued a small red flower to a barrette and sprinkled glitter on it. He carried it in his hand everywhere he went. When he finally passed away, his nurse made sure he was buried with it.

When Missy, his next of kin, asked about the barrette, his nurse just shrugged. "It was important to him. The only time I ever heard him speak, was just before he died. He asked for his Penny-Blossom."