Sheldon had soon detached from the conversation finding it a bit tedious. He watched Penny and Bernadette chattering about something, shoes or some other female topic he presumed. Leonard and Howard were having a debate about who was the best superhero and Raj had started a conversation with Amy. Since their conversation was the closest he decided to listen in.

Raj- 'So Amy, are you enjoying your night'

He had his arm draped over the back off the couch and had his body turned to face her. Amy's hands were in her lap and she was turned slightly so she could make eye contact as she spoke.

Amy- 'Oh yes, I thought I would feel uncomfortable and overexposed in this dress but it's not that bad'

Raj- 'You look very beautiful and believe me, I'm an astrologist. I look at the stars for a living, I know beautiful'

Sheldon was not surprised by Raj's behaviour, he often became a 'ladies man' when he was drinking alcohol. Although tonight it bothered him somehow, he frowned disapprovingly but Raj didn't notice.

Amy- 'Thank you Raj, it's quite strange talking to you I must say. This is the first time we have spoken since we met'

Raj- 'Yeah I have to be drunk to talk to women'

Amy- Yes I am quite aware of your condition. I was very interested when Sheldon told me you had selective mutism. Would you mind if I did a few tests on you sometime'

Raj- 'That depends…will there be a physical exam'

He winked at her and Sheldon wanted to grit his teeth. Amy was unaware of the sexual innuendo however.

Amy- 'Of course, I will do many tests on you. I will bring a woman in the room and monitor your heart rate, breathing and brain activity. It will be very fascinating indeed'

Raj- 'Yeah…right'

Raj was obviously confused why his charm wasn't working on Amy. Usually women loved him when he was drunk, he had even chatted up a celebrity on a train once. Sheldon smiled, he had known Amy would not fall for such futile attempts at flattery. Sheldon couldn't help but feel relieved. He didn't want Raj messing around with Amy. He had spent months developing a friendship with Amy Farah Fowler. It would be most unpleasant for that to be ruined by a one night stand.

Amy and Raj had stopped their conversation and Raj was now joining the conversation about Batman and Superman adding Spiderman to the debate. Amy had leaned back in the couch closing her eyes. She was obviously starting to feel tired from the alcohol and the late hour. He understood her exhaustion, it was much past his self assigned bedtime but had decided to stay up not wanting to abandon Amy in a pool of social interaction that they both found uncomfortable. Unconsciously Amy leaned on his shoulder, surprisingly Sheldon didn't mind. Her hair touched his cheek and he could smell her strawberry shampoo. He enjoyed the smell and her warmth seeping into his arm. He looked over to the others noticing Penny watching him curiously. When she saw him looking she smiled knowingly and whispered something in Bernadette's ear. Bernadette glanced in his direction and then grinned at Penny. Sheldon was aware they were talking about him and blushed. He wondered what secret joke they were sharing.

Amy stirred and he drew his attention back to her. She breathed in a peaceful sigh and snuggled in comfortably. She was almost nearing sleep and he grabbed a blanket from the back of the couch, careful not to move so he didn't wake her, and draped it around her. She had curled her legs up beside her and leaned solely on his shoulder. He had the urge to curl his arm around her, as Leonard had often done when Penny had fallen asleep watching movies, but controlled himself. Amy's breathing had become deep and he was sure she was sleeping.

Amy woke up slowly, her eyes still closed she became aware that she was sitting up her head rested on something warm and smelled divine. It was slightly musky and familiar. She recognised from one of her old pheromones study that it was the scent of a man. No wonder it smelled great, it was known that man's pheromones were one of the things that attracted women to them. Had she had a one night stand? She decided she would have to open her eyes and find out. She opened her eyes slowly dreading what she would find.. She looked up, not moving her heard just her eyes, and saw Sheldon talking to Leonard. They had obviously not realised she was awake and she quickly closed her eyes again. Amy didn't want to move, she was comfortable and she had no doubt that if Sheldon was aware she was awake he would make her move. She was surprised he had let her sleep there at all. He was most likely just being polite and didn't want to move her once she had drifted off. It was nice leaning on him like this, his warmth heating her cheek, his height made him perfect to lean on. His shoulder just in the right place, she sighed contently breathing in his scent. She was usually against contact with people but this was surprisingly nice. She lay there for a few more minutes enjoying the moment. Then she felt a gentle shake on her shoulder.

Sheldon- 'Amy wake up. Penny and Bernadette say it's time they leave.'

He whispered it slightly as if not wanting to startle her. She opened her eyes slowly acting drowsy so he wouldn't know she was already awake.

She got up and placed the blanket on the couch. Had that been there when she fell asleep? She decided not to worry about it and walked to the door.

Amy- 'Thank you Sheldon. Sorry for the trouble I must have dozed off'

Sheldon- 'It was no problem, sorry to wake you. You may resume your sleep shortly at Penny's'

Amy- 'Goodnight Sheldon'

Sheldon- 'Goodnight Amy Farah Fowler'

She joined Penny and Bernadette out the door and walked with them across the hall as the door closed behind them.

Once inside they sat on the couch again. It was about midnight but the girls didn't seem tired and with Amy rested she did not feel like returning to sleep just yet. They packed up the wine, changed into their pyjamas and decided to eat ice-cream. Curled up on the couch licking her spoonful she addressed Penny.

Amy- 'I'm sorry that I fell asleep. Did I miss anything?'

Penny- 'Nope just everyone hanging out talking about random stuff'

Bernadette- 'My Howie is so cute when he goes on about Batman' she said giggling.

Amy- 'I am relieved, I feared you would be mad that I didn't socialise'

Penny- 'Oh Honey I wouldn't be mad over a silly thing like that' she smiled at her reassuringly.

Amy- 'I'm glad, was it a trouble spending tonight with Leonard?'

Penny- 'It was definitely awkward but Leonard and I are friends no matter what Priya says'

Amy- 'Well that's good. I was afraid there would be unpleasantness'

Penny- 'The only unpleasant thing tonight was Raj's constant hitting on us. I swear I prefer him silent, he's almost as bad as Howard was before Bernadette. He even had a go at you!'

Amy- 'Really? I did not even realise his attempt at conversation was intended as charming'

Penny- 'Oh Honey you wouldn't know a guy liked you if he was trying to sell your Daddy a pig.'

Amy- 'What?'

Penny- 'Sorry for the farm reference sometimes I forget I'm not in Nebraska. I'm just saying that you and Sheldon don't understand social things like that very well. But don't worry it's one of your charms' she gave her a reassuring smile.

Amy- 'Oh thanks. Although I have improved greatly on my social skills since becoming your best friend Penny'

Penny just grinned at her in reply and continued eating her ice-cream. Penny lightly bumped Bernadette for attention as Amy was distracted by eating and gave her a meaningful look. Bernadette was confused for a second but then remembered there previous whispered plan.

Bernadette- 'So…you and Sheldon looked pretty cozy tonight' she tried to sound nonchalant and hid her grin.

Amy- 'Huh? Oh yes well I must have drifted off and fell asleep on Sheldon. I hope I didn't bother him'

Penny hid her smile also and suppressed a girlish giggle, she felt just like in high school when she told her friend a guy liked her. It was similar given Amy's childlike innocence in stuff like this.

Penny- 'He didn't seem to mind much from what I saw, he actually looked pretty comfortable'

Amy- 'Well shared body temperature is often a calming and comforting effect'

Penny felt her excitement lower; this was one of the reasons why it was different from high school. Her friends usually were much quicker to get the hint and didn't make logical explanations for the guys actions.

Penny- 'Yeah I suppose. How are things with Sheldon anyway?'

Amy spoke fast as she answered Penny

Amy- 'Quite well. We recently made a new game about equations called 'Hide & Solve'. Last week I got drunk and kissed him. We returned Ricky to the lab-

Penny cut her off.

Penny- 'Wait. Go back. WHAThappened last week!' Bernadette just stared her mouth wide open in shock.

Amy- 'After girls' night last week I invited him in and kissed him. I was worried he would be upset but thankfully he and I agreed that I was not acting rationally due to the alcohol. So we decided to act as if it didn't happen.'

Penny- 'WHAT! Why didn't you tell us this earlier?'

Amy- 'I was not aware that it was necessary. Do best friends usually tell eachother about drunken mistakes?'

Penny- 'YES!' Penny calmed herself to stop yelling, 'So what happened? How did he react?'

Amy- 'He said it was fascinating'

Penny- 'That's it? Did he kiss back?'

Amy- 'Yes, I was so intoxicated that I had to throw up right afterwards so he didn't get much chance to say anything else. He simply paused for a moment and said 'fascinating'. As for him kissing me back I believe he did and he did not draw away either'

Penny squealed excitedly and Bernadette looked equally as excited.

Amy- 'What?'

Penny- 'Amy this is Sheldon we're talking about. He is a germ freak and hates physical contact. If he didn't pull away and immediately wash his mouth out then he either liked it or was too shocked to do anything'

Bernadette- 'I believe it is the first because in science when someone says fascinating it isn't usually a bad thing'

They were both grinning but Amy was not ready to be pulled into their delusion.

Amy- 'But we both agreed to forget about it. I do not believe he would have dismissed the event so easily if he found it enjoyable'

Penny- 'Of course he would. It's Sheldon. Everything he does has some whacked up logic behind it. He probably was afraid of his own feelings'

Amy- 'Even if it is the case, which is highly unlikely, I would appreciate it if you respect our decision and not mention anything to him. He is a dear friend and I do not want to lose his friendship over this'

Penny and Bernadette looked disappointed but agreed. Soon they all went to bed. Amy lay on the couch thinking about what the girls had said. Had Sheldon enjoyed the kiss? Well he certainly hadn't pulled away. She decided it was irrelevant, they had made their decision. After that she drifted to sleep.