Chapter Text
Sheldon Cooper sat tucked away in a far back corner booth at the Cheesecake Factory. It was always the same booth; he arrived at the same time each night, and he ordered the same thing from the same dark-haired waitress: a cup of fresh coffee (in which he would stir exactly 3 sugars and 3 packs of half & half), and a slice of traditional cheesecake. Then, he would open up his laptop, crack open his blue notebook, and arrange his notes neatly on the glossy wooden table for easy cross-referencing of this and that. At least, that's how the nights would usually go. But tonight was not like other nights, much to his dismay. Sheldon Cooper was many things: lanky, brilliant, and very particular.. in that order. But he wasn't a very fluid man when it came to routine. He did not like change, and change did not seem to like him (in most cases...).
To start the crappy night off, his friend Leonard Hofstadter's car broke down as they were on the highway after classes, and Sheldon could not miss his nightly study/cheesecake session. Leonard got him a taxi to the Cheesecake Factory while he waited for a tow truck. Second, his usual waitress was out sick, and third?
"Oh, of all the nights you could run out of cheesecake..How can that happen, this is The Cheesecake Factory." Sheldon griped as he sat at his booth. Tonight just wasn't going well for him. "I should have stayed with Leonard."
"Sorry, hun, I know it's a bummer. I can grab you some more coffee or some pie?" the waitress offered sweetly.
"A 'bummer'?" Sheldon stammered. "This has thrown off my whole night," he complained. "I can't study without my cheesecake and coffee." Just then, Leonard came up to Sheldon's table, scooting awkwardly past Penny. "Sorry about the wait, Sheldon. The tow truck got a flat tire on the way back and they needed to call someone." he huffed, taking a seat across from his friend.
"Can I get you anything?" Penny asked Leonard. "Don't ask for cheesecake, they're all out." Sheldon interjected disdainfully. "Ah, just some coffee, then." Leonard said politely. Penny nodded and walked away to grab a fresh pot.
"New waitress?" Leonard asked, eyeing Penny as she disappeared through the kitchen's double doors. "It would seem so. She said she's covering for Martha." Sheldon said. "She's cute." Leonard added. "Should I ask for her number?" he asked. Sheldon glanced up from his laptop with a blank look. Relationships and societal intimacies were far from his expertise. In fact, the only thing he would consider himself an expert in is theoretical physics. "Do what you will, Leonard. It doesn't concern me. Quite frankly, I don't care." Sheldon quipped shortly. Leonard's eyebrows raised momentarily at his friend's response. "Geez, I was just asking. What's got you so upset?" "They're out of cheesecake, Leonard!" After a moment, Leonard rose from his seat. "I'll go check on that coffee.."
He approached the diner bar and looked around for Penny, who was caught up talking to other patrons as she juggled a tray, her notebook of orders, and the fresh carafe of coffee. Leonard waited for her conversation to finish, and smiled as she walked toward him.
"Sorry about the hold up, that table insisted they ordered 'no onions with the onion rings'.. so I guess they just wanted rings." she gave a sarcastic chuckle. Leonard waved a hand dismissively. "It's no problem, my friend just needed space so I walked around. I didn't mean to rush you." "Nah, that's waitress life- always running around. But I did get you that fresh coffee." Penny added as they approached their booth once more. "Sorry for the wait, umm...?" she said, pouring Sheldon a cup. He looked up from his notes. "Sheldon Cooper," Leonard cut in. "And I'm Leonard, Leonard Hofstadter." "Well, sorry for the wait again, Sheldon Cooper and Leonard Hofstadter." Her eyes lingered curiously on Sheldon's notes for a moment. "Ooh! Whatcha studying?" She asked. "Theoretical physics. I'm working on my thesis on the relationship between opposing nuclear forces and their influence on the unification of force entirely." Sheldon explained. "Thank you for the coffee."
"Wow, so you're, like, one of those super smart guys, huh?" Penny teased lightly. "He has a genius IQ, so...yes." Leonard added with a smile. "I'm also a scientist. I study experimental physics." "Oooh, fancy." Penny chirped. "Ah shoot, I have to get my other tables. I'll be back."
Sheldon and Leonard sat, studied and chatted until just before 2 AM, discussing theories and debating several topics.
"Sorry to kick you out, guys, but we're closing up soon." Penny informed them as the guys packed up. "See you guys!" She slid the check onto the table, disappeared, and Leonard picked the slip of paper up with a confused smile. "What? Don't tell me she charged us for cheesecake anyway." Sheldon griped again. "No," Leonard rolled his eyes. "She gave me her number.."