A/N: I have no idea why I start stories when I haven't finished others, lucky for you all. This story is in full inspired by "All of the Stars in Texas" one of my favorite Ludo songs. This story is starting to be a guilty pleasure for me as it's pretty out of character for both Sheldon and Amy, but that's the fun of AU's. and has been a pleasure to write. It's also my way to cope with that Shamy bombshell that was the season finale. I hope you all enjoy!

Disclaimer: Lorre and Prady

Chapter One

Sheldon Cooper grinned as the Kansas wind whipped through his short brown hair. Speeding down a dirt road with no destination and a bag full of cash could do that to a man. He shifted gears and his modified car sped up with a roar. It had been three months since he last traveled through the Sunflower State and he thought they were due for a visit.

He turned left and the sun started to beat down on his neck as it began to set. He saw the pink tinged sky and began to think about a place to spend the night. With this much money it didn't seem fair to sleep on the side of the road in his car.

After driving through nowhere for several miles, a white, two-story house came into view. Sheldon slowed down and noticed a curvy brunette in the yard taking down laundry from a line. She looked over at the sound of his car stopping on gravel and with a cocky grin he stepped out of the car. "Evenin' ma'am."

She bent over to pick up her laundry basket and she balanced it on her hip. "Good evening. Is there anything I can do for you?"

Sheldon smiled while slipping his hands in his pockets and leaning against the car door. "Is there a town close by? I'm lookin' for a place to stay."

The woman tucked a stray piece of hair behind her ear. "Just keep following the road you were on for five more miles and you'll reach town. The hotel is right there once you enter."

"Thank you kindly darlin'. I'll just be on my way," he said as he opened the car door.

She rushed forward and placed a hand on the door. "No need to rush now. Why don't you stay? It's almost time for supper and the food in town isn't nearly as good as it is here."

He gave her his signature toothy grin and looked down at her. "I'd loved too, but then I wouldn't be able to head into to town. I don't think your husband would appreciate another man staying in his house."

She gripped the basket tighter to herself. "I don't have a husband."

His smile slipped. "Oh, all alone then?"

"No," she whispered, "I live with my father."

Sheldon looked to his left and right. "Where is he?"

"In town."

He cocked his head. "And he left you all on your own?"

She shrugged her shoulders. "He knows I can manage. I must go now. Good night."

He nodded. "Good night to you as well miss." He opened the car door and maneuvered his lanky body inside. With a roar the engine revved and soon the house was left in a cloud of dust. Sheldon propped his arm on the edge of the door and leaned his head on it, thinking. There was something intriguing about that woman.

Something that spoke to him. As the sun set the first inkling of stars peeked out in the sky. Sheldon glanced up and sighed; they could never be as good as all the stars in Texas.

-o-O-o-

He pulled into the small parking lot that was adjacent to the hotel. He grabbed his suitcase from the back and stashed the bag of cash inside nestled between his clothes and a pistol. He cranked the window up and grabbed the key out of the ignition. He pulled a five out of the bag and stashed it into his inside suit jacket pocket. He pulled the suitcase out of the seat and slammed the car door behind himself.

He walked towards the door to the hotel and the cool breeze of the air conditioned lobby brushed his face. He approached the reception counter and smiled at the young woman behind the desk. "Good evenin' ma'am. Do you have any rooms still available?"

She pulled a book out from a drawer and opened it up before placing it in front of him. "We have several rooms available. Will a queen size bed be alright?"

"That sounds wonderful. How much for a night," he asked.

"Three twenty-four, you'll need to sign here and then I can hand you your room key."

Sheldon handed the woman the crisp five dollar bill and she made change for him while he signed his name on the check in list.

"Four, twenty-five, fifty, seventy-five, five is your change," she said counting back the coins as she dropped them in his hands. She pulled a small key from a rack of others with the neat printed label '42' on it. "And here is your key. Your room is on the second floor. Please enjoy your stay, sir."

"Thank you ma'am," he said with a nod. He walked up the stairs to the second floor and quickly found his room. He inserted the key into the lock and with a quick twist of his wrist the door was open.

The tall window to the left was cracked open, letting the breeze trickle into the room, ruffling the curtains. The queen sized bed was neatly made and plain looking. The room itself wasn't ornate, but it was nicer than some of the hotels he had stayed at in the past. He popped his suitcase open and pulled a flask out. Unscrewing the cap he took a swig before laying it down on the bed. He pulled out his pocket watch and flipped open the face to see it was seven sixteen. He took another swig from the flask and rummaged through his suitcase before finding his new package of cigarettes. He pulled a lighter out from his pants pocket and expertly lit it, taking in a slow drag. Grabbing the ashtray from the nightstand he walked over to the widow and opened it wider to look out at the sky.

The bright cherry red of the cigarette end shone against the darkening night sky. Sheldon took another drag, letting the cigarette linger just a bit. He looked out at the small town and at all of the buildings dotted against the Kansas prairie. The town was big enough to where he couldn't see the city limits from his perch, but he had been to cities bigger than this often. He tapped the cigarette against the ash tray, knocking the gray powder off and took another slow drag.

He looked wistfully out at the sky and thought of her. He blew out smoke and frowned. Why was he so hung up about her? He didn't even know her name. Sheldon just knew there was something about her that was comfortable.

With a sigh he smashed the cigarette out in the ashtray and walked back towards the bed. He shrugged off his suit jacket and undid the neat knot on his tie. He pulled down his suspenders and loosened his cuffs and collar. Feeling freer he took another swig before lying back and falling asleep.

-o-O-o-

Amy mindlessly hummed as she put the supper leftovers in the icebox. Her father had not returned from town yet and she didn't expect him to until long after he was in bed. She padded her feet towards the bathroom and started the water running into the claw footed bath tub. She placed her glasses on the stand next to the sink and she disrobed before stepping into the hot, sudsy water. With a sigh she let herself slip under the water until it just touched her nose.

She picked up a bar of lavender soap and a brush and began to scrub away the work of the day. Her thoughts wander over the stranger that had asked her for directions late that night. Amy had never seen a more handsome man in her life, prompting her very out of character invitation. She was never that bold with the men in her town, but they also never understood her like that man seemed too. Keep yourself together Fowler, chided Amy to herself, he'll never come back. For all you know he was a figment of your imagination. A welcome distraction from the dull life you live.

Amy laughed at the thought. There's no way I have that talented of an imagination. There's no way I could have come up with his sophisticated air and those eyes. There is no way I could imagine eyes of such a startling blue. Amy shivered from the memory of those eyes staring back at her, daring her.

She heard a car pull up and slam shut, indicating her father was home. She quickly unplugged the drain and toweled off before throwing on her nightgown and robe. She shuffled out to the kitchen where her father came in, boots muddy and reeking of bourbon. "Welcome back, Daddy."

He made a grunt of disinterest and pulled the plate of cold fried chicken out of the fridge and a bottle of bourbon from the cupboard. "You do the laundry today?"

"Yes."

"Get the strawberries picked from the garden?"

"Yes."

He looked at her and shrugged his shoulders before picking up a chicken leg. "I'll be gone for a couple of days." He bit into the crisp chicken skin. "There's one of those work programs hiring fellows just east of here. I'm gunna go see if there's any spots left open."

"Okay," replied Amy.

He quickly smiled and washed the chicken down with the bourbon. "That's my girl. I can trust you to watch the house while I'm gone, right?

"Course Daddy."

He patted her cheek affectionately. "Now go get to bed. It's not proper for a girl to stay up so late."

"Good night," she said as she walked up the stairs to her bedroom. She slipped under the light blanket that took the edge off the cool breeze coming through the open window. With a sigh she turned off her lamp and closed her eyes.

-o-O-o-

Amy woke up a bit fuzzily and stretched as the early morning sunlight poured through her window. She threw her robe on and padded down the stairs and around towards the kitchen. On the kitchen table she noticed a note.

Amy-

By the time you read this I've probably left. Be good while I'm gone and don't forget to pick the strawberries every day.

She tossed the note in the trash and began to pull ingredients for pancakes out of the pantry and icebox. She threw flour and baking powder in a sifter, mixing the two into a blue bowl. She set a cast iron skillet on the stove and turned it on, putting a bit of lard at the bottom of the pan to grease it. Next was eggs, buttermilk and melted butter stirred together with a large whisk until slightly lumpy. Just a pinch of salt and sugar and she poured the first pancake into the popping grease.

Amy waited patiently for bubbles to form on the top before flipping it over and revealing it's golden underbelly. With just a few more minutes it was done and she sat it on a matching blue patter and poured another in the pan. She heard a car pull up and a door slam, coloring her intrigued. With spatula in hand she headed for the door and heard knocking on the screen door. She opened it up to see the dapper man from yesterday. He bashfully grinned at her. "Might your invitation extend to breakfast?"