Sheldon POV
I sat next to Ali so that we could begin going over the contract. Oh boy, do I love contracts! I thought as I grabbed the documents that Dr. Gablehauser placed in front of me. Looking through the legal document that would dictate my working relationship with Ali, I frowned as I read the line that said I am only to provide information on science and math-related inquiries from Ali. I will have no say in the general direction of the book. I am solely to provide the scientific formulas necessary to make Ali's ideas a reality, and if they are not possible, she has to throw the idea out. This book is a work of fiction with real, plausible applications for technology and scientific calculations.
It is a brilliant idea to merge sci-fi works of fiction with real, practical technological leaps. It will draw attention back to the sciences while raising money for research grants to create the items in the book. I am truly interested now. I wonder why no one has ever thought of doing this before.
I am a little upset about not being able to have any input in the general direction of the book, though. I can understand where she is coming from—I wouldn't want anyone telling me how to do my work—and I will have veto power over scientifically implausible calculations and inventions. I nod while reading over the stipulations within the contract and note that everything is above board and in no way detrimental to myself. I will have to put aside some time to answer her inquiries, but other than that, my life will not suffer any further inconveniences.
I look up at Ali and say, "I do not find the contract unacceptable and find no issues with my signing it."
President Siebert handed me a pen, and I signed my name, sealing the working relationship between myself and Ali. Dr. Gablehauser smiled at me and said, "I will have an extra copy of the contract emailed to you once we have scanned it into our systems, Dr. Cooper."
I nod and go to stand. Ali stands as well, and I lead us out of the room.
"Sheldon, do you mind showing me out to the parking lot? I have no idea where to go to get out of here," Ali said with a chuckle.
I snort in amusement and said, "I don't mind, Ali. I will lead the way."
We were walking through the halls when we saw Leonard, Howard, and Raj. Of course, they spotted us and made their way to us at an alarmingly fast pace for any of them.
Leonard smiled at us—more at Ali than myself—and said, "Hey Ali, what brings you here? Would you like a tour? I can show you around."
Howard also chimed in with, "Hello beautiful, why don't you come with me? I can take you to see my lab. I am working with NASA right now, after all."
Raj was... well, Raj. He was quiet due to his unfortunate inability to communicate with women. It's times like these that I wonder if there may be some credence to psychology. Maybe I will bring this up with Beverly on our next call.
Ali POV
I was again thrown into a situation that I didn't want to be in, but I will try to be nice for Sheldon's sake. I smiled and nodded at the three men standing in front of me and said, "No, thank you, I am fine. Sheldon was just showing me out after our meeting with President Siebert."
Leonard looked at Sheldon with surprise and said, "You wanna catch me up, buddy?" in a quizzical tone with a hint of panic laced within.
Sheldon simply shrugged and said, "If I must. I am working with Ali on her new book. She has a contract with me through the college as her new Science Liaison Officer." He had a smile on his face by the end of his sentence that I found endearing.
Leonard, Howard, and Raj all looked shocked by the news before Leonard said, "Are you sure you want to work with him? I could be just as much, if not more, help than he could. I also won't be a pain to work with." Howard and Raj just stood there nodding their heads like my dashboard bobblehead.
I looked at Sheldon to see hurt flash across his eyes before he said, "I resent that remark. I am smarter than you and a better scientist. Also, I am a peach to work with, Leonard. If you weren't my friend, I would be very cross with you. I do hope you said that in good-natured jest—even though it came off as mean-spirited to even myself. I would hate to have to give you a demerit."
Leonard, to his credit, paled and apologized for his words. My impression of him improved, only slightly though.
We finished with the "pleasantries" before Sheldon and I continued to the exit. I turned to him before I left and said, "I look forward to working with you, Sheldon."
He gave me a genuinely serene smile as he said, "I look forward to a cooperative working relationship—outside of our hopefully continued social interactions."
I smiled at him as I made my way to my car.
Sheldon POV
Ali left with a smile, and I turned to head back in the direction of my office, as there was still thirty minutes until lunch after all. I made it back to my office only to find Leonard, Howard, and Raj waiting for me at the door with mixed expressions.
Howard was the first to speak. "You sly dog, you. You work fast. Man, I never thought you had it in you, but here you are getting one past all of us."
I admit I was confused by his words until Raj said, "I also never would have guessed that Sheldon would get a girl before any of us."
That's when it clicked—they were jealous, which I found ridiculous. So I said, "I did not 'get a girl.' I am simply working with Ali on her new book."
Leonard looked pensive before he said, "So you're not going after her in the hopes of starting a sexual relationship?"
I thought for a second before I said, "While I do enjoy Ali's company, I have always had trouble with the idea of a relationship. I don't do well with social interactions. So as of right now, I can say that I simply enjoy her company, as she and I seem to share similar interests. We also, as of a few minutes ago, share a new working relationship."
Leonard sighed with relief at my words and said, "Good, 'cause I called dibs. So until I say otherwise, she is off-limits to all of you. Same with Penny."
I scoff at his presumption and say, "It's not appropriate to call dibs on another person as if you would the front seat of a car or a spot on the couch. My sister taught me that lesson when we were younger—remember, I told you about it last week. Not to mention the fact that Ali seems uncomfortable around you, Leonard—and if even I can pick it up, as Meemaw would say, 'I don't feel like you have a snowball's chance in hell with that woman.'"
Leonard looks at me, shocked, but says, "You don't know anything about people, let alone women, Sheldon, so forgive me if I don't listen to your unsolicited advice."
I just look at him and say, "Well, don't say I never warned you when she kicks you in the unmentionables like my sister did the neighbor boy."
With that said, I turned and walked into my office to grab my bag before heading to the cafeteria for lunch.