Chapter 2

Amy's thought process

The last 4 months have been an exercise in patience. Amy talked to Sheldon almost every week, checking in with mundane conversations that usually ended with Sheldon's lack of interest in anything to do with Pasadena. He wouldn't say when he was coming home; just that he was still distracted and need to regain focus. Nothing about their relationship, nothing about missing her, nothing about anything that Amy cared about at all. It was torture.

At least her work hadn't suffered. During her addiction study, Amy had discovered specific micro RNA molecules responsible for addition. She was published and the research was getting noticed. Cal Tech and UCLA were vying for her. Cal Tech offered a significant signing bonus, and it was closer to Glendale, so Amy took the offer. She had only been there a week when she was given notice by her apartment complex that they were fumigating the basement and re-stuccoing the facade. She had to find a place to live for a week while they were working or suffer through a toxic cloud of chemicals thick enough to choke out the hardiest of folk and noise that would deafen a teenager.

Sheepishly, she thought of asking Sheldon if she could use his apartment. He wasn't there after all, and Leonard had been staying at Penny's . Amy would have to sleep in Leonard's room or she would have to sleep in Sheldon's room; she knew that was unacceptable to him. Resigned to live in an extended stay, she started to pack. Her lap top gave the familiar ring of an incoming Email.

Amy was excited when she saw it was Sheldon and the email had an attachment. Within 5 minutes of opening the email, her heart was made of lead. Sheldon wanted to break up and only be friends. Not only that but he wanted to live with her, but only platonically. The attachment was a Termination of the Relationship agreement and a revised Roommate Agreement.

Amy sat back in her chair, barely able to register what had happened. Shock hit her first, like a wave. She knew Sheldon was freaked out, but she thought they had at least moved past the deer in the headlights phase of their relationship.

Sheldon didn't want her as a girlfriend anymore. Devastated doesn't begin to express her next emotion, but that was quickly replaced by anger. Anger that he would let go of her so he could have a ROOMAMATE, a trained monkey who would come to his beck and call whenever the mood struck him. What about the train? Their kiss? Did it mean nothing?

Now, Amy was weak, weak in the knees. She knew loving Dr. Sheldon Cooper was a chore, but this? She thought he liked her, quirks and all? Didn't he say that? Didn't he say, "Were a couple, and I like you, quirks and all?" Tears puddle in her eyes, rejection filled her throat with pain. She fought back the tears from years of disappointment. For what? Why did she waste her time, ON HIM? She been nothing but patient, nothing but understanding.

She meant nothing to him.

Nothing…

Nothing…

Every bone in her body weighed as if they were lead, heavy and cold. She sat on the couch, staring at her Harp, hoping it would play something for her. Nothing.

After a while and her eyes could give no more tears, Amy pulled herself off the couch. She went back to the email, and opened the attachment, Roommate agreement.

As she read, she realized it was almost the same as the Relationship Agreement. She retrieved the notarized copy from her drawer. Line after line was the same. Same requirements for boo boo's and ouchies, same requirements for contact with visitors. No requirements on physical contact.

She texted Leonard.

Amy: Leonard, I know it late, but I need your help. Can you please send me a copy of your roommate agreement? I promise I will explain later. Please send as a PDF to my email.

Leonard: No problem, I hope everything is okay. Sending now.

5 minutes later, she was comparing line by line the two agreements. Leonard's agreement had the same requirements for driving Sheldon to work, for temperature regulations, and safety procedures. It had silly things about zombies and other science fiction references Amy rolled her eyes at. However, Amy's agreement had added restrictions on her personal engagements.

The roommates will not bring unwelcome visitors of the opposite sex to the apartment.

The roommates agree that no coitus will occur in the apartment.

She checked, Leonard's agreement was much less restrictive. Leonard agreement had required 24 hour notifications for visitors of the opposite sex staying over.

The more Amy read, it was apparent Sheldon had incorporated the relationship agreement, with all its restrictions on other men with the roommate agreement requirements to be at Sheldon's beck and call.

He wanted his cake and to eat it too. As Penny would say, "Oh hell no!"

Sheldon was right, Amy was practical. She mulled her options.

Sheldon was going to break up with her either way. She could just let him, get on with her life, and find someone new. However Amy knew Sheldon was just an idiot. He was scared child, not wanting his toy taken away, looking for a new playmate. Amy thought about Sheldon's offer, and remembered her economic theory classes: What was the opportunity cost of the choice? Even though the dismal science wasn't really science, they had something where choices were concerned.

The opportunity cost was the value of the best alternative forgone, In other words, was the value of Sheldon's friendship worth the loss of his relationship? Sheldon had determined it was worth the cost. However, Amy also remembered scarcity of supply creates demand. Sheldon liked kissing her, she knew it. Sheldon wanted to her to be his girlfriend; he was jealous to fault. Amy could play along, she how far she could make Sheldon squirm. At the end of day, she loved him, whether he understands love or not. She knew getting over him was nearly impossible. She was addicted to DR. Sheldon Cooper and she had not yet discovered how to turn off her micro RNA molecules. She needed a fix and if this was the only way, so be it.

Amy thought: What about her daily life? It would be hard to live with him. He was a complete ass: self centered, conceited and unappreciative. Ricky the monkey was an easier roommate and he smoked. But Sheldon needed her, she knew it. Given certain reagents, Sheldon's reaction would be explosive. She was going to lose him either way; at least she would make him squirm. She needed a week away from her apartment anyway. Amy could agree to a trial period. She could give him the stability he needs, but on her terms, under her conditions. Their living together could be the catalyst he needs to change. She just had to watch the reaction, carefully.