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Leonard Leakey Hofstadter, a young boy at the time, was celebrating Christmas. Only, it wasn't a normal Christmas. His parents set him and his brother and sister to hand in scientific papers.
They all had Christmas presents.
But his parents only told him there wasn't a Santa Clause.
Leonard was in bed, asleep. Then, out of nowhere, he heard a whistle. A train whistle.
He approached the window in his room. He saw a train! In the middle of the street! With no tracks!
Quickly, he put on a dark blue coat and went outside.
There, he saw a young girl in a ticket-taker uniform. She was pretty. She had a clipboard.
"Leonard Hofstadter?' she asked. 'The kid who, for his entire life, has been told to be a scientist and who's parents told him Santa was not real?"
"How are you able to know that?" asked Leonard.
"I was originally a passenger, then they let me be a ticket-taker so I may practice my acting skills," said the girl. "You thought this was my actual job, didn't you?"
"Uh," said Leonard. "Um."
The girl reached out her hand. "I'm Penelope Teller. Penny for short."
Leonard reached for her's, as well. "Hi, Penny."
"Let's get on the train!" Penny said.
"Wait!' said Leonard. "Why are you of all people here?"
Penny smiled. 'To lead you to the North Pole. This is The Polar Express!"
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Leonard and Penny went on the train. There were the usual train seats, but they also had tables and hot chocolate. Leonard saw a boy in yellow pajamas.
"This is soooo exciting!" the boy said. "Want to know what kind of train this is?"
"No thank you," said Leonard.
The boy blinked. "Should I offer you a hot beverage?" he pointed at a full cup of hot coco.
"No thanks you," said Leonard. "It probably has milk and I'm lactose intolerant."
"You'll get sick?" asked the boy.
"No," said Leonard. "I'll be farting."
"Aren't you upset?" asked the boy.
"Nope," said Leonard.
"Okay, cool," said the boy. "I have trouble discerning peoples' emotions. I'm Sheldon Lee Cooper, by the way.
"Leonard," Leonard stretched out his hand like he had with Penny. "Leonard Leakey Hofstadter."
Sheldon pushed him far away.
"Don't touch me!" he said. Sheldon held up his hands in defense. "Go sit somewhere different," he said.
Leonard then rolled his eyes. He was about to sit down.
"That's my spot!" said Sheldon.
"You have a spot?!" asked Leonard.
"Well, more than one spot," Sheldon said. "I found the both of them. In case."
"Fine, I'll move to another place," Leonard said.
Leonard was about to sit somewhere else, but heard an, "Ahem!" from Sheldon.
"Or for crying out-" but Leonard was cut off.
All at once, the train stopped, in it's tracks, quite literally.
Leonard looked out from a window and saw a young boy in beige pajamas stepping into the winter snow. He was holding a mango. He scarily heard their conversation.
"This is The Polar Express!" Penny said to this boy in particular.
The boy did not respond.
"Well?" asked Penny.
More silence.
"Okay!" Penny said. "Maybe next year!"
Then train inched away from the boy, though, the boy chased after.
"We'll have to stop the train!" said Leonard.
Leonard found a device on a wall. He pulled it. The train indeed, halted. The little boy climbed on.
"You alright?" Leonard asked. "Why not answer the ticket-taker?"
The boy looked at the icy grass. And then, he looked at Leonard in the eyes.
"She was pretty!" said he. "That's why. I can't talk to pretty girls."
Leonard noticed the boy's mango. The boy saw
"It was for Christmas Baba," the boy said. "He's the Hindi Santa. And we call Christmas, 'Baba Din', also."
Then, a man in the exact same outfit as Penny sauntered over. He had a mustache.
"How dare you stop the train of all things?!" he said.
"He only stopped it for me!" said the boy.
The ticket-taker man tapped his foot. "Well, it's okay, I guess. After all, it was for someone else. That's the Christmas spirit. Penny, that's enough 'acting' for now. Sit, please."
Penny sauntered away.
"I'm Leonard," Leonard said to the boy.
"Rajesh Ramayan Koothrappali," the bo said. "Call me, 'Raj'."
"You're in one of my spots!" they heard from across the room.
Penny and Sheldon were sharing a table, much to Sheldon's disdain. Penny moved to another table. Leonard was sad to see her leave. She was, indeed, very pretty.
Leonard, Sheldon Raj and Sheldon left to themselves.
"My family's winter house is in this country," said Raj. "We get mango and banana trees from overseas, have a curry feast and get presents by Christmas Baba. He has horses instead of deer. We don't often GIVE Baba mangos or bananas, but I thought he'd like a change. Since Baba gives gifts in India, I thought I'd ask Santa for a gift, instead!"
Sheldon put on a deep frown. "I hate Santa Clause!"
Raj was shocked! "Not Baba, right?!"
"Not YOUR Santa. OUR Santa!" said Sheldon. "He's the entire reason I'm here! Also, to drive the train, ha! But, seriously, that fat old man is going to get his!"
"I'll tell you something," Leonard said. "I don't believe in Santa! At all!"
Both the other boys were astonished!
"Then who brings you gifts?" asked Sheldon.
"Who eats the cookies?" asked Raj. "Or the mangos?"
Leonard shrugged. "My parents always told me THEY bought the presents. And they have my sister and my brother and I all write science papers for them to grade."
"Lucky!" said Sheldon
Then, the train halted once more. The ticket-taker went along.
On the train was another girl, in pink pajamas, dark hair and glasses. She went to the boys' seats.
"I'm Amy Farrah Fowler!" said she as she got out a container of figgy pudding from her pocket. "And I convinced my mother to allow me to celebrate a traditional Christmas! Unless you'd rather drink the hot chocolate! In which case, I totally understand!"
Everyone ate some of the pudding, excluding Sheldon, who found it gross.
"I highly detest raisins!" said Sheldon.
"Mother was right!" said Amy. "Boys accomplish nothing but complaining."
"And my mother is the exact opposite!" said Sheldon. "She'd love it if I knew a girl like you! And you're at the right age, as well."
"You want to date ME?" asked Amy, confused.
"NO!" said Sheldon. "I date Lady Science!"
"I also wanna be a scientist for a job!" said Raj.
"Me, also!" said Amy. "But not the lady part."
Leonard paused. "I, as well. Although, I'm mostly falling into my family's footsteps."
Then, Penny brought more hot coco.
"Now, you're a waitress?" Sheldon asked.
Penny smiled . "Not for long!"
Amy saw her. "A pretty girl like you hosting tables? Lucky you! My mother'd not approve."
Penny poured Amy a hot coco. "I suppose I am lucky! My parents are supportive with everything!"
Then, the ticket-taker spoke. "Now! You're all probably wondering why you're here." his voice boomed. "We're indeed traveling to The North Pole, where Santa will present one of you the first gift of Christmas!"
"Bah!" said Sheldon. "It probably won't be anything important! And, by the way, people all over the world unwrap gifts The Night Before Christmas, these days, lately. At least one early."
"But not from Santa!" said the ticket-taker.
Sheldon swore PG-Rated swear words no-one should hear.
"What do you want for Christmas, Penny?" Leonard asked
"To be an actress!" Penny said.
Raj was about to whisper in Sheldon's ear, but Sheldon placed him away.
"DON'T TOUCH ME!"
Raj went up to Leonard, and whispered in his ear, instead.
"You want to be able to talk to girls?" Leonard said, aloud.
Raj's eyes grew wide. "DUDE! That is PERSONAL!"
"It's alright, Raj," said Penny.
"Yeah, us girls don't mind," said Amy.
"I wish to seek revenge on Santa Clause!" Sheldon said, suddenly.
Everyone was surprised!
"Why that of all things?" asked Leonard.
Sheldon was ready for an explanation. "When I was younger, my grandfather-I called him Pop-Pop-died. I went to the store and Santa asked me what I wanted for Christmas. I wanted my Pop-Pop, again. Santa failed to bring him to life. That is why I hate Santa."
"That must be terrible," said Leonard.
"Yeah!" said everybody, including Raj.
"But Sheldon," said Leonard. "Santa may be a lot of things, but he's not perfect. He probably only has CHRISTMAS magic."
"Says the child who doesn't believe in Santa!" said Sheldon.
Penny and Amy were equally shocked!
"Then why are you on this train?" Penny asked.
"If Santa is not real, then who will let me have friends?" asked Amy.
"You have no friends?" frowned Penny. "At all?"
Amy glanced at the floor. "No, but, since you're concerned, wanna be my BEST friend?"
"Um," said Penny. "I guess?"
Any squeezed her tightly. "Bestie!"
Then, the ticket-taker went racing from the train's engine room. He was covered in soot.
"The engineers are allowing more kids see to the controls!" he said. "First, we had one and and an invite, since they were the first on the train, and now we're allowing Sheldon since he knows a lot about trains! But! They're must be two, Sheldon. You pick!"
Sheldon stood up. "I may drive it, as well!"
The ticket-taker raised a brow. "Actually think you're able?"
"Yes, I play model trains all the time!" said Sheldon.
The ticket-taker rolled his eyes. "No!"
"But why not?" Sheldon asked.
"You're a CHILD!" said the ticket-taker. "Now, choose a friend!"
"I have one friend!' said Sheldon. "And I don't need another."
"It's Christmas time!" said the ticket-taker. "The time for loved ones."
Sheldon thought. "Okay. I'll pick the first one on herrto talk to me-Leonard!"
"Me?" Leonard asked.
"But I better not get sooty!" said Sheldon.
Then, Sheldon and Leonard went to the engine room.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
At the engine were four people:
A man with a long beard, a man with who was portly, a boy in green pajamas and a girl in violet pajamas and glasses were at the engine.
"More kids?" Leonard asked.
"Does it even matter?" asked Sheldon. "We get to drive a train!"
"There's noise from the top of the locomotive." said the bearded man, the first engineer.
"Stay here children," said the portly man, the other engineer. "And do not touch anything!" he stared at Sheldon. It's on autopilot!"
All the children were left in the room.
"Howard Joel Wolowitz!" the boy said.
"And I'm Bernadette Maryann Rostenkowski!" said the girl.
"I call her, 'Bernie'!" said Howard as he starred into Bernadette's eyes.
"Oh, Howie!" Bernadette said.
Leonard blinked. "How long only have the both of you known each other?"
"Long enough!" said Howard. "I was invited to see the engineers drive the train and I chose this cutie to see it with me!"
"I'm asking Santa to help me let get taller!" said Bernadette.
"I only want to be there to SEE Santa!" said Howard. "I'm JEWISH, so I thought it was probably impossible!"
"I thought you both were hungry, not delighted." Sheldon said. "Hey! Let me at the dashboard!"
Sheldon was about to let at the controls, but then another man went from the top of the train and into the room.
"That guy wants in!" Leonard said as he put his hand in his.
The man was all in tattered clothes.
"Hi, children!" he said. "Behaving? It is Christmas time!"
The tattered man walked to Sheldon in particular. "Still mad at Santa, aren'tcha, Shelly?"
Sheldon was surprised!
"How'd you know my name?" he quivered. "My nickname?"
"I've known you all of your life," said the tattered man. "I heard you hate Santa Clause. I must tell you it's not his fault, it was only Charles, your Pop-Pop's time. And no magic may bring him home."
The engineers returned in the room.
"Not you again!" the bearded man said.
"Get, you hobo!" portly one said.
They went to the dashboard. Then the train lurched forward before stopping.
"I'll meet you again, one day, soon!" the tattered man said to Sheldon before exciting the train.
"Who was that man?" Sheldon asked.
The engineers stared at the four children, in anger.
"Let me guess," said Sheldon. "You're both ANNOYED?"
"How'd you know?" the bearded one said, sarcastically.
"Well, it's somewhat difficult," Sheldon said.
"Never mind!" said the portly one. "We've arrived!"
Out the train main window was a village of red and green lights.
"Santa's Village!" said the portly one.
Sheldon rubbed his hands together. "Revenge's a dish best served cold!"
Everyone stared at him.
"Sorry, I also know it in Klingon!" said Sheldon. "Anybody want to-"
"NO!" they said, suddenly.
The ticket-taker went in. "Time to see Santa!"
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Santa's Village was wonderfully built with many and stores and houses. There was a house bigger than the others. There was also a clock, towering in the sky.
"That's Santa's House!" the ticket-taker said.
A crowd of people in red and white were dancing along the road. Each child looked on in awe. There was a red slay with presents in a bag and reindeer.
Then, on top of the bag was a man in red and white, even more portly than one of the engineers.
"Hohoho!" the man said.
The children were even more in awe! Especially Leonard. Except he only heard the man. He was not able to see him.
"CHILDREN!" Santa called out their names. He even said the name of all of our characters. "Penny! Sheldon! Raj! Amy! Howard! Bernadette!"
Then, Leonard heard his name called.
"Leonard?" the voice asked.
Leonard felt something deep inside of himself. He felt it in his heart. His very soul. This was it. Leonard saw the man appear in front of him.
It was Santa Clause.
"What should you like for Christmas, Leonard?" Santa asked.
Leonard didn't need time to think. "I wish to have my new friends got their own wishes!"
Santa Hohohod. "Penny, you will be an actress, one day. Raj, you will one day be able to talk to girls. Amy, you now have friends and will one day have them, again. Howard, you've already seen me and will see me, again. Bernadette, you will be taller."
"And I suppose you'll give me a model train for Christmas?" Sheldon said with malice.
Santa smiled. "No, Shelly. You've already had your wish. You've seen your Pop-Pop, again. You will also see him in the future."
"What are you blathering about?" Sheldon asked.
All at once, the tattered man went from behind Santa Clause's bag.
"It's me, Shelly!" said the tattered man. "Your grandfather!"
Sheldon raced over to him in delight. "POP-POP!"
Then, everyone applauded.
Then, the clock struck twelve.
"Time for all you kids to return to home!" said Santa.
Pop-Pop and Sheldon hugged.
"Stay with me?" Sheldon asked his Pop-Pop
"I'll always be with you," Pop-Pop said.
Then. Something unexpected happened.
Sheldon hugged Leonard!
"I'm grateful," Sheldon said.
Then. Santa went to Raj.
"I should thank you for the mango, Raj!" he said. "I will see Baba gets it!"
"Time's awaiting!" the ticket-taker yelled.
So, all the kids got on the train and returned home.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Leonard watched as each child left for home. He truly wanted to see them, again. For some reason, especially Penny.
The train drove to his home and Leonard walked in.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Leonard woke the next day, and everybody was already at the tree. The presents were average. His sister got a doll, his brother got a guitar. And even Leonard got a football.
It was a gag gift, but Leonard was still happy with it.
Then, he felt something from his pajama pocket. It was a model train.
"How'd this get here?" Leonard asked himself
"Maybe Santa got you it!" said his mother with sarcasm.
Sheldon was elated. "May-be!"
His mother was surprised! "You, my son, believe in Santa Clause?!"
"Yes, Mom!" said Leonard. "And I always will."
That night, Leonard sat up in bed, thinking of the new friends he met.
"I hope I see them, again," said Leonard. "One day."
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
It was about 20 years in the future and Leonard and his friends were gathered around the Christmas tree on Christmas Eve. They were all together.
"You imagine how I once thought I'd never get my part in films?" said Penny.
"And I thought I may never be able to talk to girls!" said Raj.
"I thought I'd never have any friends!" said Amy.
"I know it's kinda stupid, but even though I'm Jewish, I thought I'd never see Santa," said Howard. "I mean, it counts I saw him at the mall, right? I didn't sit on him, but the kids, did."
Bernadette was currently cradling her kids, Michael and Halley, in each arm. Her husband, Howard, watched on.
"I think I've gotten a bit taller!" she said.
Sheldon grumbled. "Well," he said. "I didn't get revenge on Santa, because he doesn't exist. But even then, I'm happy to be with Amy."
Amy kissed his, her husband's cheek. He kissed her, in return.
Leonard held his baby son, Elliott, close.
"He exists?" he asked aloud.
It all rushed forward! Leonard and friends remembered everything!
"My wish is the cause of all of this!" he said. "My wish was for all the wishes to be true!"
"What're you saying?" asked Penny, his wife.
"I remember!" Leonard said. "We all saw Santa!"
Everyone remembered everything!
"POP-POP!" Sheldon yelled. "I have to sleep!"
Sheldon raced off to his past room.
"What's he up to, now?" Penny asked.
Leonard got the train from his pocket. "I am not sure, but I think I know something that may have him excited, again."
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Sheldon was asleep. Sometimes, he met his long gone hero, Proffeser Proton in his dreams. Now, he saw his Pop-Pop.
"I've missed you, Pop-Pop!" said Sheldon.
"I've missed you, as well!" Pop-Pop said. "But the hole in your life may now be filled with new people. Your wife, for instance."
"Thank you for the advice, Pop-Pop," said Sheldon.
"I will leave, now," said Pop-Pop. "Learn from what I've said."
Sheldon awoke.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
It was Christmas Morning. Everyone had spent the night. Everybody was on the couch and chairs, awake.
Sheldon sauntered in. "MERRY CHRISTMAS!"
"What's your problem?!" Penny asked.
"Everyone at my house always says that on Christmas!" said Sheldon. "And I'm elated!"
"Sheldon," said Leonard. "I'm gifting you something."
He got the train from his pocket. "I know you gave me this when were both kids. I know because you hugged me. I want to return it as your own gift."
Sheldon looked at the gift. "Well, I always want trains!"
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Soon, the day was at the end. Raj got a call from a girl he was dating and two of the couples held their children close. Raj even held his dog, Cinnamon.
"One thing I like about Christmas, or Hanukkah, is spending it with our family and friends," said Howard to his wife.
"I, as well!" said Leonard.
"Yes," Penny said.
"Agreed," Bernadette said.
"I guess Amy and I will have kids, one of these days," said Sheldon.
Then. Amy went out of the bathroom. "Sheldon, I've been checking for us and I found out. I'm pregnant!"
Everybody clapped! Sheldon raced to Amy.
"We always said if we had a boy, we'd name him 'Leanard'. That okay with you?" Sheldon asked his friend.
"I'd be honored!" Leonard said.
Then, all at once, there was a knock on the door.
"SANTA CLAUSE!" A voice called.
They allowed him in.
"SANTA!" Sheldon said.
"You remember me?" he asked.
"YES!" said everyone.
"Then my work is almost practically finished! Here's some more presents!"
Then, Santa handed out gifts, the magic of Christmas reaching all of them.
But besides each having their own families, they were friends, all over, again. Because of Christmas.