What happened between Sheldon and Amy during the missing conversation in which they decided to adding kissing to their Date Nights? What led up to that decision? And, more importantly, what came after it? Starts with 7.15 The Locomotive Manipulation, continues through 7.19 The Indecision Amalgamation, and veers off of from there. FIRST WORK IN THE SHAMYVERSE

Chapter 1: The Locomotive Alternative

She couldn't believe this was happening. She, Amy Farrah Fowler, PhD, neurobiologist, was being kissed by Sheldon Lee Cooper, BS, MS, MA, PhD, ScD, theoretical physicist and genius, of his own free will. Time seemed to be collapsing and expanding simultaneously even though Sheldon would tell her that wasn't possible. Things were happening to her lips, her brain, and stomach that both neurology and biology told her weren't real. But they were real, and it was finally happening.

She was aware of everything happening so quickly, and yet she had time to ponder all the thoughts running through her head. She had been genuinely shocked by his anger. Not by what he thought, once he said it, because she had to silently admit he was right, but rather that he was even saying it to her. Instead of pouting or retreating into his childhood or silently plotting a way to break up with her, he was verbalizing his frustrations and feelings to her, like an adult. And in public! Yes, he had started acting a little crazy there for a moment with the wine and gazing (When wasn't Sheldon acting crazy? I don't care if his mother had him tested.), but at least he was talking about his emotions.

And then his lips collided with hers at the speed of light. At first, this felt angry and hurtful and crazy, too, but then something broke in the very air and his kiss softened and he drew closer and he put his hand on her hip and she forgot to breathe and . . .

His lips were gone too soon, and she was suddenly aware of how her lips felt both hot with pleasure and cold with loss. Sheldon was looking down at her with a look she'd never seen before. The look felt just as explosive as the kiss that preceded it.

"That was nice," she said it to break the crackling in the air and immediately regretted it. Why did she say anything? What if the crackling did break? And why did she say it was nice, just "nice", why didn't she say everything, all the twisting, twirling, entangled things she wanted to say? Her heart pounded in her chest. Or should she not have said anything, would that just make him run away?

"Good." Even though it was whisper, Amy knew it wasn't a question or a hypothesis, it was statement of fact. Sheldon thought it was good, but she didn't know if it was the kiss itself or if she'd just said the right thing.

He looked down nervously, and then back up at her, "Um . . . the conductor said if I come back to the engine room, he'd show me how to bring the train through a crossing."

Just like that, a high that she didn't know she had been feeling left her. It felt like her heart had broken free and plummeted to the pit of her stomach. "Oh, okay. Have fun." She deflated even saying it.

The look was back again, just as strong as it had been right after he'd kissed her. Did he just look down at my lips?! "Do you want to come with me?"

Her heart bounced back up into her throat. "Really?" she nodded. "I do."

She shifted so he could lead the way out of the train car. He opened the door for her, and when she brushed past him, she felt him take her hand. She looked up at him, but he was already walking ahead, leading them forward.

To be continued . . .

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