*WARNING, CONTAINS SEASON 7 FINALE SPOILERS*

It had been a few weeks since Sheldon had freaked out and made the decision to leave with no intention of destination, no clothes or really any idea of what he was doing. Sheldon feared changed. As a man of routine and order, Change was something he didn't take easy. And that day when everything started to hit him his only answer was to run away.

Sheldon never intends to hurt anyone, nor does he understand the implications he may cause to others. The day he decided to leave was the day life hit him with a drastic change of events he was not emotionally prepared for. The news he could not change his field of study, coming changes of living arrangements, the Comic book store being closed due to fire damage. Sheldon could only see running away as an option. In his mind escaping the problem will make it go away, or will it?

Chapter 1.

The weeks that followed

Amy was stood in the kitchen of her her apartment. It was 3 weeks since Sheldon freaked out an left. Even though she had regular contact with Sheldon for the first week and a half, but since his calls and messages had reduced. In fact there was only the occasional text message now. As brief as they were, Amy was happy to read he was safe and well. Amy was almost scared to text him, She didn't want to seem desperate nor lead onto the fact that she wasn't coping well without him.

Amy stood in her kitchen and poured herself a glass of wine. Everything was reminding her of Sheldon. The Strawberry quik she keeps on her countertop, the Yoohoo in her fridge. In fact, She had all of Sheldon's most desired beverages and food stocked up in case he suddenly made an appearance.

A sound of knocking came from the door. Amy waited for the signature knock from sheldon which never came, which means its not him. As she walked towards the door she still hoped that it would be Sheldon.

"Oh, Hey Penny" Amy said as she opened the door, He voice filled with disappointment.

"Hey Ames, How you holding up? You've gone very quiet the last few days, We are getting a little worried about you" Penny said in a concerning way as she walked into Amy's apartment. Penny was also scanning discreetly around the apartment for any clues regarding Amy's state of mind.

"Ive just been very busy at work thats all, Trying to keep myself distracted.. Have you heard from Sheldon?

Penny still scanning Amy's apartment turned to look at Amy, There was slight hope in Amy's face. She knew Amy wasn't taking things well recently and that she was lying to her.

"Im sorry Amy no, No one has heard from him in days. Leonard can't track his phone anymore either, Trust me he's tried!, Ive never seen Leonard so concerned. And I know you haven't been going to work either Amy, The guys have said your office door has been closed and one of your colleagues said you haven't been in.."

Penny continued to stare at Amy who was looking down, evidently hiding the expression of humiliation from her face.

'It looks like the only thing you have been working on Amy are all those empty bottles of wine over there.. Listen Amy, Pack up a bag and come and stay with me for a while so I can keep an eye on you. This isn't you and well, Me and the gang are just as concerned for you as we are Sheldon now"

Penny watched Amy as she slowly lifted her head to meet Penny's eyes.. Her eyes were red, fed face exhausted and her overall appearance looked incredibly drained. " I will be ok, I don't want to be a bother to anyone" Amy said fighting back the tears.

Penny was so taken back with how drained Amy looked, She hadn't notched when she first arrived as she was busy scanning her apartment for evidence of her state. Penny walked over to Amy holding out her arms and embraced Amy with all her might. Amy hugged back but weakly now sobbing.

"its non optional Amy, You are coming to stay with us and thats final"

"Where will I sleep?"

"You can take my room and I can sleep with Leonard"

Amy was to exhausted to disagree, The last place she wanted to go was to Sheldon's apartment, But she knew the company would do her the world of good.

The drive to Pasadena was quiet, Amy just stared out the window lost in thought. Where was he? Was he ok? Does he even care about me?. Penny broke the silence by announcing Stuart was coming over this evening as well. Amy just nodded in acknowledgement.

Penny attempted to converse with Amy a few times but to no luck. The girls hauled Amy's bags up the stairs to 4B.

"Penny, I'm just going to unpack a few things and settle down. I will be over soon, Have a bottle of white ready for me".

"Ok Ames" Penny said while making her way across to 4A. She walked into to find the gang talking to Stuart. Stuart was looking well and unnormally chirpy. His job tending to Mrs Wolowitz had a strange but working impact on him.

Leonard was the first to address Penny as she walked in. "Hey, Hows Amy doing?"

"Not good" she said with a concerned look. "She's not going to work, She's drinking heavily and she looks ill. This Sheldon thing has really shaken her up. We need to get in contact with him and tell him to come back for her sake rather then continue his own journey of discovery or what ever the hell he is doing"

The group agreed that they needed to do something to get hold of Sheldon. Now for Amy's sake.

Stuart looked over to Leonard "Did Sheldon leave the day My comic book store caught fire?" he asked in a confusing way.

"Yeh why?"

"Oh he came in that day and was freaking out at me, almost like he was pouring his heart out to me but in a very Sheldon like way"

"What did he say" Leonard said looking surprised.

Stuart looked up squinting trying to remember what Sheldon had said that day. "Er something about work, Something about Amy loving him so much and losing his happy place i.e. my store"

"Wait what?!" Penny snapped at him. The rest of the group also now staring at Stuart with anticipation.

"what did he say about Amy loving him" Leonard said to Stuart not takin his eyes off penny.

"Gee, talk about being put on the spot, He said his girlfriend loves him so much that she wants them to move in together"

The group looked around at each other in shock. The fact that Sheldon had used the words Amy and Love in the same sentence and using it in the right term didn't seem possible.

"Oh My God" Penny said shocked. "Leonard do you think he Loves her? This could be another reason why he is freaking out, Sheldon can't be dealing with this very well, He must be an emotional train wreck right now. We need to find him"

Leonard stared her a look of concern

"Thats what the Physic meant" penny continued "Commit to her and everything will fall into place" Leonard this is why he is freaking out. Its not only all this change. Its the realisation he loves Amy and he has to commit to her"

"Actually" Raj interrupted, "Sheldon actually gave me some excellent relationship advise about a week before he left. "He said I had to stop seeing everyone as my perfect companion. Otherwise Ill never find her. And that I only see everyone as a perfect companion because of fear of being alone. And he was right about it as well . Do you think he see's Amy as his perfect companion?"

The group looked around at each other. Each one of them had a look of slight shock but glee on their faces.

"We have to find him before him before he ruins his chance with Amy" Said Penny. "Any ideas anyone?, Leonard, Have you tried to call his mother?"

"I did try earlier, But I could get hold of her. Let me try again.

Leonard left for his bedroom to try and get in contact with Mrs Cooper. Penny decided to go and check on Amy as there was still no sing of her. She creeped slowly into her own apartment. Amy was lying on her bed fully clothed clutching a half finished wine bottle sleeping soundly. Penny approached her with caution, removed the wine bottle from her hand and placed a blanket over her.

"Don't worry Amy, We will get your prince to come back to you soon" Penny said softly. She left her bedroom closing the door slowly and made her way tot he kitchen to collect every drop of alcohol she could find.

Leonard entered the apartment slowly. He had a look of relief on his face.

"He's been in Texas for a few days with his Mum. Mrs Cooper said he was acting very strangely there as well but he is ok. He left a coupe of hours ago. I asked her to pass a message onto Sheldon telling him to come home for Amy's sake. She said she you try and pray for them. Where Amy?

"She's passed out on my bed after finishing a half a bottle. Listen I am going to stay here on the sofa tonight to keep an eye on her. Can you take all this Alcohol and hide it at yours?

"yes of course, Or you could just throw is away" He said jokingly.

"Lets not get carried away now Leonard"

Leonard kissed Penny not he cheek good night and left her apartment.