The Verbal Variant-A sequel to The English Element

Disclaimer: In no way, shape, or form do I own anything to do with The Big Bang Theory (except DVDs). CBS, Chuck Lorre, and Bill Prady have that honor. I am just a fan.

Chapter 19 – The Rooftop Revelation

Two months had gone by since the pregnancy scare. Everyone had been busy with Howard and Bernadette's wedding, which had gone off without a hitch; at least, without a serious hitch. As Best Man and bridesmaid, Raj and Katherine had had front row seats for all the good and bad that occurred during the wedding preparations. They had used every argument and problem that Howard and Bernadette had experienced as opportunities to discuss their own relationship. Both were now confident in their relationship and in their ability to successfully deal with any challenges the future might bring.

A few weeks after Bernadette and Howard had returned from their honeymoon, the boys were gathered at Sheldon and Leonard's apartment for Halo while the girls were at a movie for Girls' Night. Raj was playing very poorly. He made a particularly egregious error just before a break and as soon as they paused the game Howard called him on it. "What is with you tonight buddy? We're getting creamed."

"I'm sorry, I'm just distracted."

"By what?"

Raj hesitated before saying "I guess this is as good a time as any to tell you all. I'm going to propose to Katherine."

"Congratulations! That's wonderful." Leonard exclaimed.

"Great! Now I won't be the only one with a ball and chain." Howard joked.

"If you must enter into the state of matrimony, Katherine is an excellent choice. One hopes your progeny will inherit her verbal skills." Sheldon stated.

"Thank you Sheldon." Raj said, realizing that was as gracious as Sheldon could get.

"How are you going to propose?" Leonard asked.

"I have an idea, but I will need all of your help. Next Thursday is Anything-Can-Happen-Thursday and I was thinking…"

The following Thursday Katherine was waiting at her apartment for Raj to pick her up. She knew he was up to something, but all he would tell her was to dress up and be ready at 6:30 pm. She had butterflies in her stomach, wondering if he was going to propose. She knew he was getting close to popping the question. He kept steering her to jewelry store windows and asking her opinions about rings; she had also found bridal magazines under his mattress one day when she was changing the sheets.

Knock, knock

"Finally." Katherine put down the magazine she had been flipping through without reading and answered the door. She was immediately struck speechless at the sight of Raj in a perfectly tailored tuxedo.

"Wow!" She eventually managed to say.

"Koothrappli, Rajesh Koothrapplai." He said, making her laugh.

"You look gorgeous." She said.

"So do you." Katherine was looking stunning in the green dress he remembered her wearing on their first double date with Howard and Bernadette. He produced a corsage of gardenia's and pinned it to her dress.

"So, are you finally going to tell me what you have planned?" Katherine asked as they got into Raj's car.

"All in good time. For now…" Raj pulled a blindfold out of his pocket. "Do you trust me?"

Katherine looked at him with a raised eyebrow, and then smiled "Yes." She slipped on the blindfold and Raj started the car. It was a long drive; Katherine suspected Raj was deliberately driving around so she couldn't guess their destination. Finally the car stopped.

"Wait and I'll help you out." Katherine waited until Raj opened the door for her. Raj took her hand and she carefully stood. She heard Raj close the door and lock the car then he put his arm around her and they began walking. They walked several steps, went through a door, walked several more steps and then stood still. She was confused until she heard an elevator. The elevator door opened and Raj led her in; they went up and when the doors opened again Raj led her forward several feet, up a short flight of stairs and through another door and finally took the blindfold off.

They were on the roof of his building, before them was a table set for a candlelight dinner. "Oh Raj, how romantic."

"It is exactly one year ago today that we met. I wanted to mark the occasion."

"Raj, you are so sweet." Katherine kissed him tenderly.

They sat down and Raj poured wine that had been chilling in silver ice bucket next top the table. Katherine was just about to ask where the food was, when the door opened and Penny and Bernadette walked through carrying trays of food. "I see you spared no expense in getting the best service in town."

"Nothing is too good for you darling." Raj declared, which caused Bernadette and Penny to giggle. The girls set dinner plates before Raj and Katherine and put what Katherine assumed was dessert on a second table that was off to one side. "That will be all ladies." Raj said. The girls waved to Katherine and left.

They ate their meal leisurely, while the sky darkened and filled with stars. During dessert, Katherine noticed that Raj kept looking at his watch. She was curious to find out what else was planned for the evening. When they had finished dessert, Raj led her over to a telescope. "There is a rare phenomenon visible tonight." He said as a checked to make sure the telescope was positioned correctly. "Take a look."

"Isn't it aimed awfully low?" Katherine asked.

"Trust me, I'm an astrophysicist."

Katherine bent to look through the telescope; instead of stars she saw the roof of an apartment building. Just as she was thinking the building looked familiar, she saw people moving on the roof. "Is that Sheldon and Leonard? What are they doing?"

"Just wait."

Katherine continued to look and the boys were joined by Howard and Amy. They unfurled a giant banner and held it up. Lights illuminated the banner and Katherine could see that it read "Katherine, will you marry me?"

Katherine turned from the telescope to see Raj kneeling with a ring box that held a beautiful ring with a princess cut diamond flanked by two emeralds. "Raj, of course I'll marry you!" She threw herself at him and kissed him enthusiastically.

After a minute Raj stopped her so he could put the ring on her finger. She moved to kiss him again but he said "I have to let them know right away or else the girls will kill me." He pulled out his phone to send a text.

"Oh, I want to see their reaction." She looked through the telescope and saw everyone pull out their phones at the same time. She laughed. "Look." She moved so Raj could see. Howard and Leonard were high fiving each other, Penny and Bernadette were hugging each other and jumping up and down. "What the…! Sheldon is hugging Amy!"

"Let me see." Raj surrended the telescope so Katherine could see for herself. Katherine's phone rang. She ran over to the table and grabbed it out of her purse. "Hi Amy! Yes, you're the first one to congratulate us. Amy now is not really a good time. Okay, thanks. Oh, can you tell Sheldon that Raj won't be coming into work tomorrow? Thanks" Katherine turned off her phone and dropped it in her purse. She walked over to Raj and said "You'd better turn your phone off."

Raj had already done so as he had seen Amy speak to Sheldon and Sheldon shaking his fist in their direction. He stood up and Katherine put her arms around him. "So, what else do you have planned for this evening, fiancé?"

"It involves silk sheets and rose petals."

"Sounds good, can it also involve the blindfold?"

The End

Author note: Thanks to all who reviewed the previous chapters. I really appreciate all the encouragement and support.

If you liked Raj and Katherine, they will be making appearances in my next story, which explore the enigma that is Shamy.