August 14 - The Friend Equation
Twisted Shorts August Fic-a-Day Challenge - Day 14
Title: The Friend Equation
Author: hermione2be
Rating: PG/FR13/K+
Crossover: BtVS/TBBT
Disclaimer: I do not own any of BtVS/Angel or The Big Bang Theory people, places, or ideas. This fiction is done simply for pleasure and I receive no profit.
Summary: Dawn gets advice from her family, which she ignores.
Notes: Direct follow up to The Big Key Theory II
Seasons: Post-Series/S1Ep3-4
Characters: Dawn, Spike, Buffy, Leonard, Sheldon, Raj, Howard, Gablehouser
Word Count: 2630
“I’m really glad you’re here,” Dawn told her companion as she crushed him in a hug.
“Dawn, the mailman did it again, he…” Leonard’s voice trailed off. “Oh! Sorry.”
“No, it’s fine. Leonard, this is William. Spike, this is my neighbor Leonard.”
Spike made a soft growling noise. She elbowed him in the ribs. He cut himself off. “Hi, mate.”
“Uh…hi.”
“You got my mail again?” Dawn asked crossing to stand in front of Leonard.
“Uh, yeah, uh, I just, I got your mail again, here.” He shoved a small stack of envelopes into her hands.
Spike growled a little louder behind her.
“Thanks.” She gave him a smile. She turned and opened her door as Leonard disappeared back into his.
“I don’t like him,” Spike muttered as soon as the door was closed behind them.
“Why? He’s exactly what I imagine William was like.”
He growled at her half-heartedly, because they both knew that she was right.
“He lied about the mail,” Spike said.
“I figured that out last week,” she admitted.
“You shouldn’t allow it.”
“Don’t start, Spike,” she said. “I am an adult. I’m not fourteen anymore. I don’t need to be protected.”
“It’s not healthy, what if he gets ideas.”
Dawn turned to stare at him. “Pot, kettle?” she asked almost immediately regretting the reminder of his history with Buffy. “Look, he’s a scientist, he lives with a scientist neat-freak who has more oddities than Dana on a trip. But he’s harmless.”
“You should discourage it.”
“You realize I’ve lived with so many over-protective, well-meaning pains in the ass, that I’ve never had anyone steal my mail just to have a reason to talk to me.” She scoffed in disgust. “I don’t know if it’s worse that I don’t mind or that I find it sweet.”
“Bit…”
“Don’t,” she snapped. “I’m not saying I’m going to throw my good judgement out the window or hop in bed with the first guy to show interest without my sister-Slayers or Watchers around to scare him off. But I fought for the chance to live on my own because I can’t live like that anymore. We spent so much time making sure that Slayers aren’t just destined to fight and die, that they get to live real lives. Being the kid sister of Buffy Summers and the one chosen to inherit the IWC…don’t I get to live for more than duty?”
Spike pulled her into a hug. “Of course.”
88888888
“What’s the matter?” Raj asked.
“I’m fine,” Leonard answered. “Dawn’s fine, the guy she’s hugging is really fine and…”
“Please don’t tell me that your hopeless infatuation is devolving into pointless jealousy,” Sheldon said.
“No, I’m not jealous, I’m just a little concerned.” He stood straighter as he found an angle of defense. “I didn’t like the look of the guy she was with.”
“Because he looked better than you?” Howard asked.
“He was really pale and had high cheekbones. And he wore all black.”
“Well, at least now you can retrieve the black box from the twisted smoldering wreckage that was once your fantasy of dating her, and analyze the data so that you don’t crash into Geek Mountain again.”
“I disagree, love is not a sprint,” Howard pointed out, “it’s a marathon. A relentless pursuit that only ends when she falls into your arms. Or hits you with pepper spray.”
“Or punts you over the coffee table,” Raj said, “right Howard?”
Howard glared at his friend in annoyance, because he had curbed some of his impulses in order to avoid being too forward with Dawn again.
A knock on the door prevented them from continuing. Leonard opened it.
“William,” he said in surprise. “W-what are you, uh, what brings you here?”
“I thought we should have a candid conversation out of Dawn’s hearing.”
“Uh, oh, come in,” Leonard said and stepped aside to let him in. “This is my roommate Sheldon, and our friends Raj and Howard.” He closed the door. “Guys this is William, uh, Dawn’s friend.”
“It’s Spike,” he told them. He observed the men with a critical eye. None of them were standout men. He considered maybe that was what Dawn needed, not a series of demons - like her sister - but a man who couldn’t believe his luck. “Just consider me Dawn’s brother.”
“Well this isn’t going to end well for you,” Sheldon said to Leonard.
“I can see that,” Leonard hissed.
Spike grinned. “I just wanted to thank you for looking out for Dawn. It’s her first time living alone and everybody is having a hard time with it. They’ll appreciate she’s living across the hall from a couple of decent guys.” It took all his control not to laugh at the four identical looks of surprise. “I’ll see you guys later.” He exited the apartment.
“Oh, you are so screwed dude,” Howard breathed out.
“What do you mean?” Leonard asked.
“He does not want you near Dawn,” Raj agreed. “By thanking you he has effectively warned you off.”
“Heed the warning, Leonard,” Howard suggested.
88888888
Dawn gently kicked the door with the toe of her boot. The door opened and she sighed entering Leonard and Sheldon’s apartment. Her arms were weighed down with bags of food.
“What are you doing here?” Sheldon asked.
“Dinner,” she replied setting the bags on the coffee table. “You slipped the dinner schedule under my door and I was craving Chinese. Since its Friday I grabbed them.”
“You don’t know my order,” he said.
“Yes I do, and I confirmed it with Leonard when I told him I was bring food tonight. I ordered more than usual since I love Chinese food.”
“Well, it’s vintage game night.”
“I know,” she smiled and started unloading the food.
“You didn’t get my soy sauce,” Sheldon accused.
“Nope, Raj is grabbing it for us on his and Howard’s way over.”
Sheldon stared at her in surprise, even Leonard got angry when it was pointed out he hadn’t done things correctly or completely. “You aren’t easily insulted.”
She laughed. “I have a thick skin and tend to be good-natured. And I understand quirks and wanting things your way.” She gave him a smile. “You guys are all used to adjusting your behavior to make others more comfortable. I don’t mind who you are as long as you don’t mind who I am.” She went back to pulling out the rest of the food.
Sheldon stared at the back of her head in unable to form a complete sentence.
The door opened to have Leonard, Raj, and Howard enter. Dawn popped up. “Did you get it, Raj?”
Raj nodded and handed her a small bag. Dawn handed it to Sheldon before continuing to their kitchen for cups.
Sheldon shook his head and walked away to claim his spot.
Dawn sat in the center of the couch and waved them all to the food. “Dig in, I got more than your normal order, but I’m hungry and wanted to try a few things.”
Leonard sat next to her on the couch, Raj and Howard claimed the other side of the coffee table.
For most of the meal, Dawn just watched and listened to the guys interact. Raj would whisper his comments to Howard to add to the conversation. They ate most of the food. The leftovers were re-boxed and put in the fridge for Dawn.
“What game?” Howard asked.
That started a furious volley of suggestions and counterarguments, Dawn just let it wash over her. The voices were male instead of female and they were talking video games instead of weapons or demons, but it was like being in one of the Council Houses again. She had never realized living alone would make her miss the company, especially because her patrols were solitary slaying, no longer group activities.
“Have you guys chosen your outfits for tomorrow night?” Howard asked as they set up the system for their game.
“Yeah,” Leonard said. Raj nodded. Sheldon scoffed.
“What’s tomorrow?” Dawn asked.
“A department party,” Sheldon said, “to celebrate the University hiring a man who hasn’t contributed substantial research in twenty-five years.”
“A department party,” Leonard said thickly, “to welcome Dr. Gablehouser to Cal-Tech as the new head of our department.” He ended glaring at Sheldon.
88888888
Dawn opened her door late that evening.
“Dawn,” Leonard said coming out of his apartment with a bag. “You forgot your food.”
“Right, lunch,” she joked and took the bag.
“Right,” he flashed her a nervous smile. “I, uh, I know it’s last minute but I-I was wondering if, maybe, you’d want to go to the department party tomorrow.”
Dawn grinned. “Okay. How dressy?”
Leonard froze in shock. She’d said yes. He’d managed to ask her out and she had agreed to go.
“Leonard,” she shook his arm a bit to snap him out of his own thoughts.
“Sorry,” he said as he blinked. “I, uh, I don’t think I heard you.”
“I’d be happy to go to this thing tomorrow with you.” She smiled. “I’m assuming Sheldon will be getting a ride with us?”
“Uh, yeah, sorry and we have to leave by six-thirty. But someone else can bring him home and we can go get dessert or something.”
“That sounds great.” She pushed her door open wider and stepped through. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
8888888
Dawn held a phone between her ear and shoulder as she sorted through her closet wearing only a black bra and panty set. “Seriously, Buffy, I’m fine.”
“I know you said-”
“I said it because it’s true.” She sighed. “Listen. I’m going out and I’m trying to find something appropriate.”
“Is this a date?” Buffy demanded.
“What if it is?”
“Dawn…”
“Don’t you dare, Buffy. You got to be sixteen and seventeen, and have sex and make mistakes. What did I get? I got Slayer training and ‘they have the power’ lessons. The only non-magically induced date I have had was with a vampire - and that wasn’t on purpose.”
“Have you actually checked this guy out? I mean…is he military or working for someone we know?”
“You don’t get to judge me on this Miss Dated Two Vampires, Four Demons, a Solider, an Immortal, and a Girl.” Dawn tossed two options on the bed. “I called for wardrobe advice. My overprotective sister and the suspicious Slayer can take a backseat or I’ll hang up.”
“No,” Buffy sighed. “Where’s the date?”
“Cal-Tech, the University him and his roommate and friends work for. A department party to welcome a new boss.”
“What department?”
“Physics.”
“Little black dress,” Buffy suggested. “Something with an advantageous neckline but knee-length. Any plans for afterwards?”
“A walk, possibly dessert.”
“He as tall as you?’
“No.”
“Ballet flats,” Buffy said.
“The only ones I have are navy blue.”
“Got a matching bag?”
“Yeah.”
“Good, put your hair up with matching ribbon. Wear your silver and sapphire jewelry.”
Dawn found the pieces to the outfit suggested. “That’s perfect.” She looked at the clock. “What time is it there?”
“Little after one.”
“England as beautiful as I remember?” she asked as she put the phone on speaker so she could get her dress and stockings on.
“You’d hate it,” Buffy said with a laugh. “It’s nearly winter. The drizzle never ends.”
Dawn nodded. “You’re probably right.”
88888888
Leonard paced between their door and Dawn’s five minutes to the time he told her they would need to leave. He was so nervous he had changed four times and showered twice in the last three hours.
He had just reached his door again and was debating going in and changing when he heard her door open.
He turned to find Dawn framed in her doorway. Her brown hair was twisted into an elegant bun, there were little jeweled pins keeping stray hairs in place. She wore a silver choker with a sapphire encrusted cross. Her left shoulder was bare, her black dress hugged her curves and ended at her knees. She had on little dark blue flats that matched the clutch she held and wore a bracelet of silver with more sapphires.
“Wow,” he breathed out. “Y-you…wow.”
A large smile took over her face, which was clear of makeup save a gloss that accentuated her lips. “Thank you.” She took in his tie, jacket, and vest down to his dress shoes.
Dawn pulled her door closed and locked it before dropping her key into her clutch. She crossed to him and pulled his right collar even then fixed the small gold tie pin so it was upright. “You look very handsome,” she told him softly.
“Thanks,” he said, cringing as his voice cracked.
The door opened. “Are we ready to go?” Sheldon asked.
“We are,” Dawn told him. “Very charming outfit, Sheldon.”
“I know,” he said. “Has Leonard tripped over himself in saying how you look?”
“Yes,” she admitted with a grin.
“Am I required to?”
“No.”
“Good. Let’s go.” He started down the stairs.
“I’m sorry about him,” Leonard said as they followed him.
“Why? I find him refreshing. That kind of scathing honesty and self-awareness…it reminds me of a friend.”
“An old boyfriend?” he asked, wondering if she might prefer Sheldon.
She shook her head. “No, Anya. She was…Anya.”
“Was?”
“We lost her almost five years ago.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Thank you.” She shook herself a bit. “How bad is this party going to be?”
“It depends,” he told her honestly as they reached the lobby, “how much do you want to watch Sheldon tell his new boss what an idiot he thinks the guy is?”
She cringed. “This is going to be painful, isn’t it?”
“It depends on how much he can curb him impulses.”
88888888
Dawn pulled out her phone and sent a quick text. Almost immediately there was a reply. She smiled and bumped her hip to Raj’s as they stood waiting for the buffet table. He sent her a follow-up text.
She leaned over to Leonard. “It’s nice to be able to talk to Raj while in the same room.”
He grinned. She really did seem to put up with the oddities of his friends without much complaint, she just worked around them. Her phone buzzed and they both looked down to see a new text from Raj that just said: “Howard.”
They frowned and glanced around. Dawn saw him first. He was escorted by a blonde woman more than a head taller wearing a pale blue dress. They were saved from a conversation about the obviously hired woman when Leonard pointed out their boss was walking over.
“Hi fellas and ladies,” the man said, “Eric Gablehouser.”
“Howard Wolowitz,” Howard said, introducing himself.
“Howard, nice to meet you,” Gablehouser said. Then he turned to Sheldon.
Dawn dropped her phone and clutch, they bounced just enough to land right at Gablehouser’s feet. “Excuse me,” she said, “I’m such a klutz.”
“Allow me,” Gablehouser said and stooped to pick up her dropped items.
“I’m going to excuse myself for a few minutes so Raj can speak instead of looking like a nodding idiot,” she whispered to Leonard. She took her things from Gablehouser. “Thank you so much, I’m just so embarrassed, excuse me.”
She fast walked from the room. Dawn checked her phone. It was a little brick in a military grade case because they were hard on technology. Everything looked good.
By the time she returned to the little party, less than ten minutes later. Leonard, Raj, and Howard were standing in a corner looking worried.
“What happened?” she asked as she approached.
“Sheldon overdid it,” Leonard said.
She cringed. “As bad as you suspected?”
“Worse,” he admitted.
“Sheldon got fired,” Howard said.
“Oops,” was all she managed to say.
Title: The Friend Equation
Author: hermione2be
Rating: PG/FR13/K+
Crossover: BtVS/TBBT
Disclaimer: I do not own any of BtVS/Angel or The Big Bang Theory people, places, or ideas. This fiction is done simply for pleasure and I receive no profit.
Summary: Dawn gets advice from her family, which she ignores.
Notes: Direct follow up to The Big Key Theory II
Seasons: Post-Series/S1Ep3-4
Characters: Dawn, Spike, Buffy, Leonard, Sheldon, Raj, Howard, Gablehouser
Word Count: 2630
“I’m really glad you’re here,” Dawn told her companion as she crushed him in a hug.
“Dawn, the mailman did it again, he…” Leonard’s voice trailed off. “Oh! Sorry.”
“No, it’s fine. Leonard, this is William. Spike, this is my neighbor Leonard.”
Spike made a soft growling noise. She elbowed him in the ribs. He cut himself off. “Hi, mate.”
“Uh…hi.”
“You got my mail again?” Dawn asked crossing to stand in front of Leonard.
“Uh, yeah, uh, I just, I got your mail again, here.” He shoved a small stack of envelopes into her hands.
Spike growled a little louder behind her.
“Thanks.” She gave him a smile. She turned and opened her door as Leonard disappeared back into his.
“I don’t like him,” Spike muttered as soon as the door was closed behind them.
“Why? He’s exactly what I imagine William was like.”
He growled at her half-heartedly, because they both knew that she was right.
“He lied about the mail,” Spike said.
“I figured that out last week,” she admitted.
“You shouldn’t allow it.”
“Don’t start, Spike,” she said. “I am an adult. I’m not fourteen anymore. I don’t need to be protected.”
“It’s not healthy, what if he gets ideas.”
Dawn turned to stare at him. “Pot, kettle?” she asked almost immediately regretting the reminder of his history with Buffy. “Look, he’s a scientist, he lives with a scientist neat-freak who has more oddities than Dana on a trip. But he’s harmless.”
“You should discourage it.”
“You realize I’ve lived with so many over-protective, well-meaning pains in the ass, that I’ve never had anyone steal my mail just to have a reason to talk to me.” She scoffed in disgust. “I don’t know if it’s worse that I don’t mind or that I find it sweet.”
“Bit…”
“Don’t,” she snapped. “I’m not saying I’m going to throw my good judgement out the window or hop in bed with the first guy to show interest without my sister-Slayers or Watchers around to scare him off. But I fought for the chance to live on my own because I can’t live like that anymore. We spent so much time making sure that Slayers aren’t just destined to fight and die, that they get to live real lives. Being the kid sister of Buffy Summers and the one chosen to inherit the IWC…don’t I get to live for more than duty?”
Spike pulled her into a hug. “Of course.”
88888888
“What’s the matter?” Raj asked.
“I’m fine,” Leonard answered. “Dawn’s fine, the guy she’s hugging is really fine and…”
“Please don’t tell me that your hopeless infatuation is devolving into pointless jealousy,” Sheldon said.
“No, I’m not jealous, I’m just a little concerned.” He stood straighter as he found an angle of defense. “I didn’t like the look of the guy she was with.”
“Because he looked better than you?” Howard asked.
“He was really pale and had high cheekbones. And he wore all black.”
“Well, at least now you can retrieve the black box from the twisted smoldering wreckage that was once your fantasy of dating her, and analyze the data so that you don’t crash into Geek Mountain again.”
“I disagree, love is not a sprint,” Howard pointed out, “it’s a marathon. A relentless pursuit that only ends when she falls into your arms. Or hits you with pepper spray.”
“Or punts you over the coffee table,” Raj said, “right Howard?”
Howard glared at his friend in annoyance, because he had curbed some of his impulses in order to avoid being too forward with Dawn again.
A knock on the door prevented them from continuing. Leonard opened it.
“William,” he said in surprise. “W-what are you, uh, what brings you here?”
“I thought we should have a candid conversation out of Dawn’s hearing.”
“Uh, oh, come in,” Leonard said and stepped aside to let him in. “This is my roommate Sheldon, and our friends Raj and Howard.” He closed the door. “Guys this is William, uh, Dawn’s friend.”
“It’s Spike,” he told them. He observed the men with a critical eye. None of them were standout men. He considered maybe that was what Dawn needed, not a series of demons - like her sister - but a man who couldn’t believe his luck. “Just consider me Dawn’s brother.”
“Well this isn’t going to end well for you,” Sheldon said to Leonard.
“I can see that,” Leonard hissed.
Spike grinned. “I just wanted to thank you for looking out for Dawn. It’s her first time living alone and everybody is having a hard time with it. They’ll appreciate she’s living across the hall from a couple of decent guys.” It took all his control not to laugh at the four identical looks of surprise. “I’ll see you guys later.” He exited the apartment.
“Oh, you are so screwed dude,” Howard breathed out.
“What do you mean?” Leonard asked.
“He does not want you near Dawn,” Raj agreed. “By thanking you he has effectively warned you off.”
“Heed the warning, Leonard,” Howard suggested.
88888888
Dawn gently kicked the door with the toe of her boot. The door opened and she sighed entering Leonard and Sheldon’s apartment. Her arms were weighed down with bags of food.
“What are you doing here?” Sheldon asked.
“Dinner,” she replied setting the bags on the coffee table. “You slipped the dinner schedule under my door and I was craving Chinese. Since its Friday I grabbed them.”
“You don’t know my order,” he said.
“Yes I do, and I confirmed it with Leonard when I told him I was bring food tonight. I ordered more than usual since I love Chinese food.”
“Well, it’s vintage game night.”
“I know,” she smiled and started unloading the food.
“You didn’t get my soy sauce,” Sheldon accused.
“Nope, Raj is grabbing it for us on his and Howard’s way over.”
Sheldon stared at her in surprise, even Leonard got angry when it was pointed out he hadn’t done things correctly or completely. “You aren’t easily insulted.”
She laughed. “I have a thick skin and tend to be good-natured. And I understand quirks and wanting things your way.” She gave him a smile. “You guys are all used to adjusting your behavior to make others more comfortable. I don’t mind who you are as long as you don’t mind who I am.” She went back to pulling out the rest of the food.
Sheldon stared at the back of her head in unable to form a complete sentence.
The door opened to have Leonard, Raj, and Howard enter. Dawn popped up. “Did you get it, Raj?”
Raj nodded and handed her a small bag. Dawn handed it to Sheldon before continuing to their kitchen for cups.
Sheldon shook his head and walked away to claim his spot.
Dawn sat in the center of the couch and waved them all to the food. “Dig in, I got more than your normal order, but I’m hungry and wanted to try a few things.”
Leonard sat next to her on the couch, Raj and Howard claimed the other side of the coffee table.
For most of the meal, Dawn just watched and listened to the guys interact. Raj would whisper his comments to Howard to add to the conversation. They ate most of the food. The leftovers were re-boxed and put in the fridge for Dawn.
“What game?” Howard asked.
That started a furious volley of suggestions and counterarguments, Dawn just let it wash over her. The voices were male instead of female and they were talking video games instead of weapons or demons, but it was like being in one of the Council Houses again. She had never realized living alone would make her miss the company, especially because her patrols were solitary slaying, no longer group activities.
“Have you guys chosen your outfits for tomorrow night?” Howard asked as they set up the system for their game.
“Yeah,” Leonard said. Raj nodded. Sheldon scoffed.
“What’s tomorrow?” Dawn asked.
“A department party,” Sheldon said, “to celebrate the University hiring a man who hasn’t contributed substantial research in twenty-five years.”
“A department party,” Leonard said thickly, “to welcome Dr. Gablehouser to Cal-Tech as the new head of our department.” He ended glaring at Sheldon.
88888888
Dawn opened her door late that evening.
“Dawn,” Leonard said coming out of his apartment with a bag. “You forgot your food.”
“Right, lunch,” she joked and took the bag.
“Right,” he flashed her a nervous smile. “I, uh, I know it’s last minute but I-I was wondering if, maybe, you’d want to go to the department party tomorrow.”
Dawn grinned. “Okay. How dressy?”
Leonard froze in shock. She’d said yes. He’d managed to ask her out and she had agreed to go.
“Leonard,” she shook his arm a bit to snap him out of his own thoughts.
“Sorry,” he said as he blinked. “I, uh, I don’t think I heard you.”
“I’d be happy to go to this thing tomorrow with you.” She smiled. “I’m assuming Sheldon will be getting a ride with us?”
“Uh, yeah, sorry and we have to leave by six-thirty. But someone else can bring him home and we can go get dessert or something.”
“That sounds great.” She pushed her door open wider and stepped through. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
8888888
Dawn held a phone between her ear and shoulder as she sorted through her closet wearing only a black bra and panty set. “Seriously, Buffy, I’m fine.”
“I know you said-”
“I said it because it’s true.” She sighed. “Listen. I’m going out and I’m trying to find something appropriate.”
“Is this a date?” Buffy demanded.
“What if it is?”
“Dawn…”
“Don’t you dare, Buffy. You got to be sixteen and seventeen, and have sex and make mistakes. What did I get? I got Slayer training and ‘they have the power’ lessons. The only non-magically induced date I have had was with a vampire - and that wasn’t on purpose.”
“Have you actually checked this guy out? I mean…is he military or working for someone we know?”
“You don’t get to judge me on this Miss Dated Two Vampires, Four Demons, a Solider, an Immortal, and a Girl.” Dawn tossed two options on the bed. “I called for wardrobe advice. My overprotective sister and the suspicious Slayer can take a backseat or I’ll hang up.”
“No,” Buffy sighed. “Where’s the date?”
“Cal-Tech, the University him and his roommate and friends work for. A department party to welcome a new boss.”
“What department?”
“Physics.”
“Little black dress,” Buffy suggested. “Something with an advantageous neckline but knee-length. Any plans for afterwards?”
“A walk, possibly dessert.”
“He as tall as you?’
“No.”
“Ballet flats,” Buffy said.
“The only ones I have are navy blue.”
“Got a matching bag?”
“Yeah.”
“Good, put your hair up with matching ribbon. Wear your silver and sapphire jewelry.”
Dawn found the pieces to the outfit suggested. “That’s perfect.” She looked at the clock. “What time is it there?”
“Little after one.”
“England as beautiful as I remember?” she asked as she put the phone on speaker so she could get her dress and stockings on.
“You’d hate it,” Buffy said with a laugh. “It’s nearly winter. The drizzle never ends.”
Dawn nodded. “You’re probably right.”
88888888
Leonard paced between their door and Dawn’s five minutes to the time he told her they would need to leave. He was so nervous he had changed four times and showered twice in the last three hours.
He had just reached his door again and was debating going in and changing when he heard her door open.
He turned to find Dawn framed in her doorway. Her brown hair was twisted into an elegant bun, there were little jeweled pins keeping stray hairs in place. She wore a silver choker with a sapphire encrusted cross. Her left shoulder was bare, her black dress hugged her curves and ended at her knees. She had on little dark blue flats that matched the clutch she held and wore a bracelet of silver with more sapphires.
“Wow,” he breathed out. “Y-you…wow.”
A large smile took over her face, which was clear of makeup save a gloss that accentuated her lips. “Thank you.” She took in his tie, jacket, and vest down to his dress shoes.
Dawn pulled her door closed and locked it before dropping her key into her clutch. She crossed to him and pulled his right collar even then fixed the small gold tie pin so it was upright. “You look very handsome,” she told him softly.
“Thanks,” he said, cringing as his voice cracked.
The door opened. “Are we ready to go?” Sheldon asked.
“We are,” Dawn told him. “Very charming outfit, Sheldon.”
“I know,” he said. “Has Leonard tripped over himself in saying how you look?”
“Yes,” she admitted with a grin.
“Am I required to?”
“No.”
“Good. Let’s go.” He started down the stairs.
“I’m sorry about him,” Leonard said as they followed him.
“Why? I find him refreshing. That kind of scathing honesty and self-awareness…it reminds me of a friend.”
“An old boyfriend?” he asked, wondering if she might prefer Sheldon.
She shook her head. “No, Anya. She was…Anya.”
“Was?”
“We lost her almost five years ago.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Thank you.” She shook herself a bit. “How bad is this party going to be?”
“It depends,” he told her honestly as they reached the lobby, “how much do you want to watch Sheldon tell his new boss what an idiot he thinks the guy is?”
She cringed. “This is going to be painful, isn’t it?”
“It depends on how much he can curb him impulses.”
88888888
Dawn pulled out her phone and sent a quick text. Almost immediately there was a reply. She smiled and bumped her hip to Raj’s as they stood waiting for the buffet table. He sent her a follow-up text.
She leaned over to Leonard. “It’s nice to be able to talk to Raj while in the same room.”
He grinned. She really did seem to put up with the oddities of his friends without much complaint, she just worked around them. Her phone buzzed and they both looked down to see a new text from Raj that just said: “Howard.”
They frowned and glanced around. Dawn saw him first. He was escorted by a blonde woman more than a head taller wearing a pale blue dress. They were saved from a conversation about the obviously hired woman when Leonard pointed out their boss was walking over.
“Hi fellas and ladies,” the man said, “Eric Gablehouser.”
“Howard Wolowitz,” Howard said, introducing himself.
“Howard, nice to meet you,” Gablehouser said. Then he turned to Sheldon.
Dawn dropped her phone and clutch, they bounced just enough to land right at Gablehouser’s feet. “Excuse me,” she said, “I’m such a klutz.”
“Allow me,” Gablehouser said and stooped to pick up her dropped items.
“I’m going to excuse myself for a few minutes so Raj can speak instead of looking like a nodding idiot,” she whispered to Leonard. She took her things from Gablehouser. “Thank you so much, I’m just so embarrassed, excuse me.”
She fast walked from the room. Dawn checked her phone. It was a little brick in a military grade case because they were hard on technology. Everything looked good.
By the time she returned to the little party, less than ten minutes later. Leonard, Raj, and Howard were standing in a corner looking worried.
“What happened?” she asked as she approached.
“Sheldon overdid it,” Leonard said.
She cringed. “As bad as you suspected?”
“Worse,” he admitted.
“Sheldon got fired,” Howard said.
“Oops,” was all she managed to say.