Description: Sheldon decides to try out French kissing. Short story set early in Season 8, written first person from Amy's point of view. Rated M for mature content.

Hello! Here is a multi-chapter one-shot for you. Enjoy! - bazingafan

Disclaimer: I own none of these characters. They are the property of the creators of The Big Bang Theory. This fic is rated M. It contains material only suitable for adults.

I'm still not sure what caused it. In fact, I may never know. The night was so ordinary, like any other at Sheldon and Leonard's apartment. We had Thai food, video games and chatting (mainly among the girls). But every now and then the guys would talk in between noodles and staring at the screen, about things that made sense only to some, of course. But everything made sense to me. It always did.

I was in the middle – my usual place, of course, in more ways than one. I sat in between Howard, Bernadette and Sheldon, somehow managing to squeeze my not-so-tight bottom into a way-too-tight position. Bernadette had insisted on sitting next to her husband, and I, for one, was definitely not going to get up and leave my boyfriend. So, I was sandwiched in the middle, my shoulder and arm touching my boyfriend's perfect skin, my red chicken curry balancing delicately between my knees.

Sheldon glanced at my legs, parted slightly beneath my skirt to hold the food. He said nothing and looked back at his rice.

When I said I was in the middle in more ways than one, I wasn't exaggerating. I'm not kidding when I say I feel like I'm pulled from both ends of a string. Glancing over to Penny, her hands grazing over her shortened hair, I thought about how I was the only one in the group that had to go both ways to fit in. I was one of the girls and one of the nerdy guys. It was almost like I had to maintain two personalities, and it was a lot of work, to say the least.

Penny looked over and saw me, giving me a nod, and I lifted my chin in response. I had told her that I loved her new hairdo, while I had agreed with my boyfriend that it was too short.

See? In the middle.

Sheldon was now talking to Penny about his new field of study – dark matter. I'm still not sure why he attempts to talk to her about these things – maybe to feel superior? Probably. If so, it was certainly working. Penny held that glazed look she always did, before glancing over to me for guidance and rescue. I smiled back, reminding her that I was a girl, like her, and even though I understood everything Sheldon was saying, I could still be her friend. Her best friend. Her bestie, even if it meant I had to try so damn hard.

Sheldon looked over to me and I nodded in agreement, of course. He smiled – that adorable, sideways smile that always made me feel weak to my knees. His eyes lingered longer than usual, moving over my face, and that's when I knew something was up. This wasn't going to be an ordinary, like any other night in Sheldon and Leonard's apartment, kind of evening. No. Something was different, and I felt it in my bones. I found myself shuddering uncontrollably, my chicken wobbling along on my knees.

Sheldon's eyes were still on me. "Are you okay?" he asked.

I grabbed my take-out container before it hit the floor. "Yes," I breathed, my arm grazing his skin while I gasped for breath. Sheldon adjusted in his cushion to make more room for me, but there was nowhere to go.

Something was different. But what else did I expect? Things were going to change, and that was for sure. Leonard and Penny were engaged. Sheldon had changed his field of study. The comic book store was closed down. Penny's long locks were gone. And Amy… well, I waited patiently, as usual.

I looked over at the happy couple and felt my stomach clench. Where will they live? Where will Sheldon live? What will happen to all of us? There were so many questions, no answers, and nothing I could do about it. I couldn't ask him... no way. I couldn't go down that road again and risk freaking him out. So, as usual, I sat there happily, stuffing noodles into my mouth.

"Howie and I need to get going," Bernadette announced and stood with her husband in tow. I popped out of my wedge and almost fell over onto their cushion, Sheldon catching me and my curry. His hand was strong on my arm.

"Whoa!" I said, and straightened myself, trying to untwist my skirt from under Sheldon's grasp. After a moment of awkwardness, we both settled back in, while everyone in the room watched in amusement.

"We're going to head out as well," Leonard said, grabbing plates and taking them to the kitchen. "We're going to a movie. Do you guys want to come?" He looked at us.

I opened my mouth, but Sheldon waved his hand. "Amy and I are going to stay here." He looked over at me. "Right, Amy?"

I looked at him, a bit irritated. I hated it when he answered for me. "Actually…" I began.

"Please, Amy." He had that strange look again. What was going on? Looking over to the others, they seemed perplexed as well. I sighed, waving my hand.

"Sure, Sheldon. You guys go and have fun."

Penny smiled as she picked up the remaining containers of food. "You two behave yourselves," she teased, a smirk plastered in my direction. God, her hair is so short, I thought without thinking. I smiled back at her, suddenly eager for her exit, and my wish was soon granted. It wasn't long before all of our friends were gone and we were alone; Sheldon busy in the kitchen making tea.

I scanned the area: everything looked to be clean. So I sighed, closed my eyes and imagined Sheldon kissing me good night. That's pretty much what I do and live for these days.

"Amy." I heard him say. When I realized it wasn't in my head, I turned to meet his eyes. He was sitting next to me again, tea cups in hand, waiting for me to grab one. Wow, that was fast. I took it carefully and smiled, blowing it some before bringing it to my lips. Sheldon watched me intently.

What is going on with him? I brought the beverage down, hugging it close to my chest for warmth as I stared back to the man I love. Yes, I do love him. I love him so much that it scares me, but not as much as it scares him.

He had a serious and confident expression, like when he's ready to tackle a task at work. What is he contemplating? I waited as he placed his cup down, blinked at me, and cleared his throat.

"Amy," he began, confident and in a matter-of-fact way, his shoulders rigid against the back cushion. "As you know, I've been trying to adjust to the fact that Leonard and Penny are moving, ah, forward. That means that the future is uncertain. Our future is uncertain."

I caught my breath. I was about to open my mouth to protest, but Sheldon held up his hand. "Now. Now. Don't worry. Let me finish." He cleared his throat again. "I had time to think while I was on my trip, and as you know, part of the reason I left was because of you."

I tried to follow his face for emotion, anything, but his expression was stoic. He looked over me, into the air.

"I have decided, given these uncertain times, that the best thing for me to do… for us to do… is to move forward as well. Now, before you get excited…" He gave me a warning look. "I'm not talking about the same thing that I know you are obviously thinking. I know what you want, Amy. You don't need to say it anymore."

I wasn't sure if I should feel hurt or excited. He met my eyes again.

"I want to take small steps, Amy. Small, tiny, itty, bitty steps. We will take this very, very, slow. I'm talking little, microscopic steps. But they will be steps forward; I assure you. I've decided that it is too overwhelming to think long-term, so in order for both of us to be happy, we will plan each step as it comes and deal with it, and then move on when we are both comfortable." He stared at me. "Small steps."

I blinked; his gaze almost turning me into stone. For a moment, I couldn't feel anything, not sure what to say or think. But then, slowly, excitement began to build. His words weren't ideal, but this was Sheldon, was it not? And, truth be told, I actually liked the idea just as much as he did. Going forward, even at a snail's pace, was okay with me. In fact, it was more than good enough for me.

"Yes!" I said, a little too enthusiastically, startling us both. I could feel the heat rising in my cheeks as a smile spread across my face. Sheldon's lips turned up with satisfaction.

"Very well, then." Sheldon's smile was now the shape of a semi-circle, spreading slowly from one ear to the next. "So… I'm glad to have that settled. Shall we call it a night, then? After we finish our tea?"

"Oh." I cleared my throat abruptly. "Wait. Shouldn't we talk about this some more?" I let out a breath, slowly preparing myself for disappointment. I had Sheldon's attention, though. Here goes.

"What should the first step be?" I asked. "Can we begin now?"

Sheldon's eyes widened as his head shook slightly. "Amy, Amy. Oh, Amy. You are always the clever one, but don't you see that the first step was this conversation? We shall start at a later date to be determined."

"Oh." I felt my knees shake a bit. I looked at the coffee table, my heart fluttering, trying to decide what to say next. Let it go? Wait? Go home? Ask something else? With a deep breath, I turned my head, and looked him square in the eye.

"No," I said firmly. "I at least want to know what the next step will be. Have you decided that? If not, we can decide it now."

Sheldon's smile faded a bit, and I noticed redness creep across his cheeks. He took a moment, before speaking carefully, "Yes. I have decided."

"Oh." I watched him look away, and then back again, before regaining his composure. Lifting his chin, he spoke again with confidence and authority. "French kissing. I have observed Leonard and Penny doing this, and I feel that is the next logical step. Our kisses need to progress to another phase, it seems, and we can work on that. When we are ready."

He paused, and added, "By the way, did you know that French kissing didn't necessarily begin in France?" Smiling, he took a breath and continued, "It's never been proven, and in fact, the name probably derived from the fact that the French were the first people to allow public displays of love and affection such as kissing and dancing. Also, a general in the army once said that the French would rather make love with their hands than fight and battle, so that's why…"

"Sheldon," I interrupted, scooting closer to him. He instinctively moved back, his face flushing spontaneously. I grabbed his hands and looked into his eyes. "I'm ready for my goodnight kiss. And I want to start the experiment tonight." I cleared my throat.

"Please."

"You…" Sheldon's jaw was set, a small tick jutting at his right eye. But he recovered quickly, sitting up straight and placing my hands in his lap, along with his. He glanced at my lips. "I would like to kiss you, standing, by the door, like we always do." He cleared his throat. "I told you – small, tiny, microscopic, little, teeny…"

I sighed. "Okay. Fine." Getting up, I pulled him with me, eager for my kiss, whether it was French or not. As we walked, I heard him shuffle behind me, but then after a moment he stopped, pulling me back toward the couch.

He was shaking his head. "I sense that you are mad, as usual, so let's just get this over with." He sat back to his spot and patted the cushion. "I accept your challenge, Amy Farrah Fowler. Sit down and let's do this."

Was I dreaming? No, this was real. With my jaw dropped, I walked back and slowly sat down, the leather sticky under my knees as I slid around. He turned his body as well and moved closer, a look of determination on his face. Before I could think and knew what was happening, his soft lips were on top of mine, the familiar scent and taste of him flooding my senses, taking me back to every single time he landed this close to me. His lips were always soft and warm, his pressure not too hard but not too soft, his nose tickling mine as he breathed in and out.

He moved his head back, a small smile turning up on his cheeks, and he moved his hands along my arms. "Okay," he announced. "I've done some research already, and I think this time you should turn your head more, and I will turn mine, and we have to part our lips."

I nodded, my head swimming with this new information. Research? As I watched his expression, it occurred to me that perhaps this was what he really wanted to do tonight, after all. Could it be? I scooted closer and turned my head, while Sheldon turned his in the other direction. All at once, our noses smashed together, and we both lurched back.

"Ouch." A giggle escaped my lips. Sheldon sighed out of exasperation. "Amy, come on, this is serious. We have to do it correctly." He turned his head to the right. "Now, you turn your head the other way."

"Yes, sir," I said, and when Sheldon heard that, his eyes widened with shock, and then crinkled with satisfaction. So, I turned my head in the direction I was supposed to, and we joined together again, lips puckered and ready. I felt the softness of his skin again: the smell, the taste, the absolute wonderful essence of Sheldon Lee Cooper. I found myself moving my arms up his and around his back, and we meshed together closer than we had ever meshed before. Our noses had found their spots, and all was wonderful as his lips slipped across mine. But then, he broke away suddenly, out of breath.

"We're still not doing it precisely; we have to part our lips!" In an instant he was back on me, his mouth open, his teeth hitting mine with a loud clank. I jolted back and covered my mouth in pain.

Sheldon sighed and put his head in his hands, rocking back and forth. "No, no, no. This isn't going to work. We should go back to the other way."

"No!" I almost screamed, and he jumped like a cat. I grabbed him, holding on for dear life, not letting the moment slip away. "Close your eyes," I commanded and slid close to him again, determined to figure it out, determined to hold him, and to love him as much as I could. Sheldon's lids fluttered and moved down as I placed both hands on his cheeks, tilting his head to the side. Then I brought my face down, confidence building, hoping in my heart of hearts that he wouldn't freak out.

I'd seen this; I'd read about this; I could do this.

I felt his lips shake slightly when I touched him. Bringing my hands around his neck, I cradled his head as I parted my lips and moved to touch him, kissing his sweet mouth with all of the passion I had to give. Sheldon couldn't help but open up to me, and soon our tongues were moving together in rhythm, and Sheldon was definitely kissing me back.

I didn't expect to feel so light-headed. I almost fell over from the excitement, but somehow I stayed in my spot when Sheldon wrapped his arms around me. He moved forward and soon was towering over me, moving his lips as if he were tasting me for the very first time.

Well, I suppose he was.

We broke away breathing heavily, looking at each other briefly before we were back together, arms entwined, lips moving in rapid strokes. I couldn't think about anything; I could only feel and move and breathe. It was possibly the best moment of my life.

When Sheldon lifted, I quickly realized that we'd been close to lying down on the couch. In an instant, I watched as he moved back over to his spot, holding his heart with one hand, his head with the other; his face red and flushed.

"Amy," he said, catching his breath. Then he looked over, seeming to be at a loss for words. Wasn't that something? I smiled, smoothing my skirt, straightening my back, trying to keep myself from bursting with excitement. After all, I was a scientist, and a lady on top of that. Clearing my throat, I stood, smoothing my hair and keeping my head high.

"Thank you, Sheldon," I said in a proper way. "I appreciate your willingness to experiment this evening, especially after you said you wanted to wait. I look forward to taking more steps with you."

"Yes, yes…" Sheldon straightened his back and took a shaky breath. "You are correct, Amy Farrah Fowler. We should take small steps, like I said before. You are correct to agree with me, and we will work in the future toward a further goal."

We looked at each other: assessing, thinking, breathing. I wanted to kiss him again. I wanted to taste him, to wrap my arms around him and move my fingers through his hair. I wanted to kiss his neck…

Sheldon widened his eyes, which caused me to turn away. Where was my freaking purse? I walked over to the kitchen, searching, and then spotted it near the coffee table, next to the tea cups. Then I scurried over, feeling his eyes on me, my lips still tingling with anticipation.

"Good night, Sheldon. Thank you for a lovely evening." My bag found my shoulder as I sprinted to the door quicker than the speed of light. Why was I in such a hurry? What was wrong with me? My hand on the doorknob, I pulled clumsily, but it wouldn't budge a bit. I jumped when I realized Sheldon was behind me.

"It's locked," he said. He reached over me, turning the latch as I felt his breath tickle my neck. We stood there motionless, my back to him, his breathing into my hair, for what seemed like forever. Did he want another kiss?

Turn around. But for some reason, I couldn't do it. I just wanted to leave, because I was scared. Scared silly. There were too many emotions, too many sensations. It was just too raw and too much. I couldn't handle it. So, without another word, I flew open the door, knocking Sheldon in the process, and I got the hell out of there. In a split second, I was gone, running as fast as I could to my car.

Why had I left?

It was just an ordinary night that had turned extraordinary. But I had ruined it. Instead of staying to see what Sheldon wanted, to see if he wanted yet another kiss, I had run away scared. I missed my chance, and I wasn't going to get it back. At least that's what I thought.

Because little did I know, the night wasn't over. Not by a long shot.

Thanks for reading. :)