The Robot Restoration

They thought she was the female Sheldon but actually she was worse. Pre-Sheldon Amy was an automaton: pragmatic, logical and acutely oblivious to emotions. Years of social isolation, brought about by a variety of factors-parental overprotection, incessant school bullying, and unusually high intellect-caused her brain to wire that way.

As she got older, it became her conscious choice to stick to with this robotic persona since it was easy, comfortable and, most importantly, safe.

Then Sheldon came, breaching her defenses. She discovered that life isn't just an uneventful, repetitive course of entropy, decay and eventual death. She saw a chance at happiness and, for the first time, she found herself willing to risk it.

She met his friends and stumbled upon a social group that accepted her and even embraced her peculiarities. They introduced her to their world and made her experience new things. She allowed herself to be vulnerable. She fell in love and started caring for others. In return, she was rewarded with friendship and affection. It was all worth it. Until now.

Sheldon not only mocked her dreams, he also insulted her when he left without an acknowledgment that he had done her wrong. She apparently didn't even matter enough to deserve a proper goodbye. She was outraged but, mostly, she was scared.

Will he come back? Will he ever change for her the same way she changed for him? Will their friends continue to care for her now they that they have their own important milestones to think of?

A lot of questions bothered her. This was exactly the instability she was avoiding from the beginning. Before, the questions were easier to repress but, after Sheldon ran off, she learned that she was just fooling herself.

She just couldn't risk it anymore. Without realizing it, her fears crept and spread inside her, burying all her hopes for love, family and friendship.

Stealthily, gradually, robot Amy was resurrected.

Penny and Bernadette were the first ones to notice it. They were at Penny's place for girls' night. After laying down the food and wine goblets in front of the television, Penny started pouring wine for her girlfriends. Then, she saw something in Amy's eyes.

Or, more accurately, she saw nothing in Amy's eyes. Gone was the sparkle, the brightness that brought life to the pale face that belonged to her bestie. In its place, Penny realized that, if emptiness can be seen rather than felt, her eyes would provide the perfect exhibit.

Penny didn't notice that she had stopped her activity. She was nailed to her place, clutching the open wine bottle. Those cold, vacant eyes sent chills down her spine.

So, this is how the undead looks like, she thought. Those series the guys watch were no match to the zombie she saw right before her at that moment. Amy has either turned to a vampire, a zombie or a whitewalker. Penny shivered at the thought. She has to stop spending so much time watching those shows with Leonard.

Bernadette's voice pulled her back to reality. "Penny, are you alright?"

"Ahm, yes. I'm fine. Wine?" She said. Bernadette nodded. After filling her glass, Penny hesitantly approached Amy, who was sitting straight beside her petite friend. "Amy, wine?"

She saw those scary emerald eyes turned to her.

"Tepid water please," Amy replied. "I'm afraid I have to forego alcohol from now on. I would not willingly participate in the impairment of my mental faculties anymore. Over time, I'm sure alcohol consumption will only decrease my intellectual acuity. That's just based on my cursory observation of the two of you and the decline in your abilities to make sound judgment personally and professionally in the past years."

The detached, monotonous delivery did not make her statement any less sharp. "Amy, that's a little harsh, don't you think?" said Bernadette.

"Not at all. If I was being harsh, I would sugarcoat the situation and say your frequent alcohol consumption has made you advance your career in microbiology and Penny's in acting. But since I am being an honest friend here, I am telling you outright that this and your other girly activities have stunted your professional growth. You are slaving under a pharmaceutical company and Penny's work is non-existent...Would you like me to continue? Because the personal aspects of your lives are even more grim, if you think of it. Upon contemplation—"

Penny cut her off. "No. No, Amy that's fine. We appreciate your bluntness." She said discreetly signaling to Bernadette that she should just refrain from commenting. Something is amiss with Amy and they both know what.

After putting on the DVD, Penny dragged Bernadette to her room, leaving Amy on the couch. She was just sitting there, her hands on her lap. Her eyes fixed on the television.

"Did you see her eyes?" Penny asked Bernadette.

"I did. She's scary. And mean."

"I've seen that look before. She's walling up. When I first met her, she has that look on her face. But when she started going out with Sheldon, it slowly disappeared. God, we cannot let he go back to that state, where we have to hide inside my apartment when the Shamy was around" Penny said, visibly worried.

"I agree but there is very little we can do. Like you said, only Sheldon can poke holes through those iron defenses. Until he comes back, there simply is no opening for us to build on…but I guess we can try. She is our friend after all."

"Yeah. Boy, this is not gonna be easy."

They went back to the living room. Amy is still there in the position they left her. Penny and Bernadette shared knowing glances, breathed in, and put on smiles on their faces. "Here we go, Penny."