"I don't think Sheldon will go for it; and to tell you the truth a trip with him sulking doesn't really appeal." Amy stated firmly.
"Amy I am sure with a little persuasion Sheldon will come around."
"Not by me. To tell you the truth I don't think there is much left in our relationship worth saving." Amy shrugged. "Yes we are friends who share a keen intellect but other than that...that's why I asked you to begin with Penny."
Penny frowned. "You are giving up on him? I thought you loved him?"
"I did... I do... its just... Penny there are only so many knock backs a girl can take. Only so many times she can set herself up only to be rejected again. Maybe the time has come to face facts. Sheldon and I are good friends, but he will never have those kind of feelings for me. I need to move on."
"Wow Ames I never thought you would say that. Are you going to tell him?"
"Of course. I intend to break off our relationship agreement and propose we replace it with a friendship agreement. That way we can still see each other but I will be free to find love elsewhere."
Penny smiled sadly. "OK. Just be gentle with him."
"Penny he is my friend I don't want to hurt him. I just need more."
73~73
"No Penny I have told you Faisal says it is OK if I bring a guest, we went over this the other night. I thought you would like it."
Grinning Penny leant over the bar to hug her friend. "I wasn't sure you were serious, I will check tonight and book the time off. Leonard wont like it but... a free holiday!"
Moving back to the table that Sheldon and the others are at Amy sits down.
"What was so urgent you needed to talk to Penny now and couldn't wait til you got home?" Sheldon asked curiously.
"I want her to come on holiday with me. I need her to book the time off work."
Both Sheldon and, Leonard frown at this.
"Where? When?" Sheldon asks.
"Sheldon lets eat. I will explain when we get home."
The rest of the meal passed smoothly with Howard regaling them with tales of his latest visit to Bernadette parents and his avoiding fishing for the second time.
Amy offered to drive Sheldon home and as they pulled up outside Los Robles she turned to look at him.
"Sheldon we need to talk."
"Oh boy..."
"Sheldon I would like to terminate our relationship agreement."
"What? Why?"
"Sheldon let me explain. I love you, you know that, but it is clear to me that while you see me as a friend and you enjoy spending time with me, you do not want to take our relationship to a physical level."
"Amy I have explained this, I have not ruled it out... one day..."
"Sheldon wait. Whilst I am requesting we terminate our relationship agreement I am proposing we replace it, with a friendship agreement. I propose we keep certain features of our current agreement that suit us both, such as trips to the zoo and museum, and replace those such as date night which would no longer be applicable. These can be freed up so either one of us, if we choose, use said 'date night' to see other people. The friendship agreement will ensure any other relationship does not impose on our friendship; but gives either participant the chance to form a more physical relationship should they so choose."
Sheldon looked at Amy. "So we still see each other on a Tuesday at The Cheesecake Factory?"
"Yes."
"And you will still come visit the koalas with me?"
"Yes."
"OK. well that seems OK. Can I still call and Skype you?"
"Yes Sheldon!"
"Hmm. Very well, how about I draw up the agreement and you can put forward any changes you want added and I will get the papers ready for Thursday, it is date night after all, even if our last one."
Amy smiled sadly, "That's great Sheldon thanks."
Sheldon climbed out of the car then leant down and looked through the window.
"Is this why you are going on holiday with penny, to find a new boyfriend?"
"No Sheldon I am going to Riyadh to meet Faisal, he said I could bring a guest I thought
Penny would enjoy it."
Amy drove home saddened by how little fight Sheldon had put up to save their relationship. She didn't see him stood frowning on the pavement as she drove away.
73~73
Printing off the new friendship agreement Sheldon sighed. He had felt sure Amy would be his 'girlfriend' always. But he could not dispute her argument. However she approached him and however he considered it, he could not envision himself engaging in acts of coitus with anyone.
Amy had been the only person he had every even considered the idea with, but having done a little online research Sheldon could honestly say it held no appeal at all.
In theory Amy's idea, one that meant he could keep all the parts of their relationship he liked but did not have to compromise to do so, made perfect sense. He was a little surprised therefore he felt concern at the idea of Amy going to Riyadh to see Faisal. What if in the process of searching for funding Amy agreed to marriage this time. He couldn't see some Saudi prince being happy with the idea of his wife leading an independent life in LA. He hoped he didn't loose Amy from his life altogether.
Knowing he had no say in the matter however Sheldon shrugged. Placing the new agreement in an envelope which he then placed in his bag ready for delivery, Sheldon went to his cupboard and pulled out his favourite train-set to take his mind of things.
It was two hours later Leonard returned home from a date with Penny and found Sheldon still sat on the floor playing with the train set.
"Have you been doing that since I left?"
"Yes, why?"
"Oh no reason i'd have thought you would have wanted to see Amy before she went away that's all."
"No. I am seeing her tomorrow before work."
"Oh OK. Penny is very excited, or she was until Amy gave her a list of all the restrictions for women in Saudi. Now she is not so keen and realises she will probably end up following Amy around to one science conference after another. Made me feel better though!" Leonard grinned.
73~73
Sheldon had delivered the new friendship agreement to Amy the next morning. They met at 7 am outside Caltech. Sheldon had got into work early so he would be able to sign up for the lasers this term before anyone else got in. After handing Amy the agreement in the envelope and wishing her a safe trip Sheldon waved her good bye.
He made his way to the labs and growled when he saw Kripke had beaten him to it. There were now only 2 slots left; both at weekends meaning not only would Sheldon have to go to the hassle of persuading Leonard to take him to work when he himself was not going in but also the timing meant Sheldon would miss laundry night and Dr Who and possibly paint balling too. Signing his name before these slots went as well Sheldon stalked the corridors to Gablehauser's office. Knocking he received no reply; so pulling out him pen and a piece of paper from his bag he left a lengthy note of complaint which he duplicated before posting one in the complaints box on the wall and the other under Gablehauser's door.
Returning to his office Sheldon began his work for the day. It was lunchtime before he spoke to another person. Raj knocked on the door and stuck is head in.
"H hey Sheldon you coming to the canteen?"
"Yes, just give me a minute." And pausing to survey his mornings work Sheldon capped his pen and locked his door following Raj to the canteen.
Lunch was uneventful. Leonard was moaning about Penny going away for a week but Sheldon ignored his complaints. Only half listening to the chatter of his friends he pondered ways to get more time in the laser lab. Maybe Kripke would be open to bribery?
Returning to his office he checked his messages but nothing from Gablehauser. Muttering under his breath Sheldon turned to his whiteboards and continued his work.
When he returned home that night he saw Amy had returned the new friendship agreement. She had made a few amendments.
Instead of date night being every third Thursday of the month she asked that this be left open to every Thursday. Sheldon frowned but continued reading.
Instead of dealing with his boo boos and ouchies she suggested he took a first aid course! Shaking his head Sheldon read the last suggestion and threw the paper work down in disgust.
Really learning to drive was a waste of his time and if she thought he would go through the indignity of riding a bicycle then maybe her suggestion they broke up really was for the best after all!
73~73