A/N: After reading the taping report for 8x17 I had to write this. This has major spoilers for this episode so if you haven't read the report please don't read this story. Read it after the episode airs on March 5. It also contains some spoilers for 8x16.
I wish I owned this:
Sheldon and Amy were walking up the stairs at 2311 Los Robles. It was the end of date night and Sheldon had invited Amy up for a cup of tea.
When they arrived at the apartment, Sheldon went to the kitchen to start the water boiling. Amy sat down at the counter and began to talk.
"So I was reading this article." Amy started but was interrupted by Sheldon.
"Not another one. Last week I heard about that silly intimacy acceleration test, which by the way only added to my sibling rivalry with Penny when she threw me that stupid birthday party. Something I know you never would have done had you known my birthday."
"I have known for 2 years so I guess you are right." She said to him.
"What do you mean you've known for 2 years?" He asked skeptically. "I never once told you when it was."
"Yes but you showed me your personal information when you made me your emergency contact and I have seen your driving permit." She admitted.
"Oh." He said.
"I figured you had a reason for never telling me." She said. "I am not angry anymore."
"Anymore?" He asked confused.
"Well you told Penny and never once confided that in me." She answered.
"But you did know." He said.
"And you had no idea I knew." She said again.
"True but the only reason I told Penny was because the question was something about what I would regret if I were to have died that day. I told her it would be satisfying to die on my birthday. She didn't know until then."
"Well that is not important anymore. I won't celebrate it if you don't want to again, I promise."
"See this is why I love you." He said.
"I hope that is not the only reason." She said to him.
"Of course not." He stuttered. "Now what is this new article you read?" He asked, quickly changing the subject.
"Are you sure you want to know?" She asked.
"I suppose." He answered.
"Well since you put it that way." She said sarcastically.
"Come on Amy, I really do want to know." He said sincerely.
"Okay so I read that couples in a long term relationship sometimes buy things that they can own together."
"Like what?" He asked. "I hope you are not thinking about a house."
"Sheldon! Do I look stupid? I know you are still a flight risk." She answered. "While the article did suggest a house or something more tangible, I was thinking of something more fun."
"What did you have in mind? I have already talked to you about investing in the comic book shop but Mrs. Wolowitz took care of that for Stuart. Do you want to open our own store? We could knock him out of competition." Sheldon said excitedly.
"Sheldon, Stuart just reopened. That would be awful to try and knock him back down. He doesn't even know what is going to happen to him now with Mrs. Wolowitz gone. Howard hasn't said anything to him."
"So no on the comic book store?"
"Yes, no to comics." She answered.
"Then what?"
"How about a pet?" She asked.
"Amy, you know I don't like pets." Sheldon said.
"No, now hear me out. I am not talking about anything really large, like a dog."
"Good because I hate dogs." He said. "So something like a fish?"
"Well as most fish don't last very long, I wouldn't think that would be for us." She said. "I had thought about a cat."
"As much as I love cats I don't ever want to own another one again. It took me a month to get that smell out of my room." He added quickly.
"I figured as much so I came up with an even better idea than a cat." She said
"What is that?" He asked.
"A turtle."
"A turtle. That is perfect." He said.
"Do you really think so?" She asked.
"Turtles won't take much time up. They are small and don't make any noise. They don't shed like cats. I never realized until I had to vacuum my room how much shedding cats did. And if a turtle goes beserk, I can outrun it."
"So you are okay with getting a turtle?" She asked.
"I think it is perfect. Now what kind of turtle?" He asked.
Amy pulled out a couple of brochures on the different types of turtles that make good pets. Sheldon perused them for a while.
"I think we should get this one." Sheldon finally said after ten minutes of looking. He was holding the pamphlet on the red ear slider turtle.
"I like it." She said.
"So now what?" He asked.
"Well we can head over to the pet store tomorrow and pick one out." She answered.
"Sounds like a plan." He said.
They continued to look at the pamphlet and talked about how they would care for it together. It was a little while longer when they heard the door open and Leonard and Penny walked in together. After greeting them, Amy and Sheldon walked around the counter holding hands and smiling. Penny and Leonard looked utterly confused.
"What's up guys?" Leonard asked them.
"Well we have good news." Sheldon said smiling and still holding Amy's hand.
"Okay." Penny said. "What's the good news?" She asked.
"Well we are ready to take the next step in our relationship." Amy said to them.
"Okay." They both said together and then they held hands waiting for the clarification. They weren't sure they wanted to know but were prepared for the answer.
"Do you want to say it?" Amy said looking at Sheldon
"Let's say it together." He answered.
"We're getting a turtle." They said together.
I have no idea if there is such an article but since these guys are always reading these things and trying them out it seemed like a good way to start the conversation about getting a pet.
I hope you enjoyed it. And if you did please let me know by leaving a review.