A/N Reference to The Flaming Spittoon Acquisition.

Thanks again for all the reviews, alerts and constructive suggestions—I truly appreciate them.

To all the Shamy people: I've done my best with this chapter so my apologies if I didn't execute it to your satisfaction or Amy's credit.

Thanks for reading and reviews as always are appreciated. ~Lynn

xTBBTx

Penny smiled as she made her way to Sheldon, who was in the process of getting his mail.

"What's the gist, physicist?" she joked as she began opening her box. Sheldon nearly jumped out of his skin.

"Hello Penny. Obviously I didn't hear you come in." He slammed his mail box shut and turned to go upstairs.

Penny frowned. "Sheldon wait." He stood still as stone, his Vulcan hearing telling him that she'd taken a step towards him. He closed his eyes. "Hey," she said lightly as she tugged on his long sleeve.

"Yes Penny?" he asked nonchalantly.

"Is there something wrong? You're making me feel—"

Sheldon whirled around to face her. "Wrong? Wrong implies there was something amiss or gone awry or misconstrued or— why would there be anything wrong?" He could feel his heart accelerate and the warmth associated with the first signs of perspiration.

"I…I don't know. You're just acting weird. I mean more than 'Sheldon weird'." Her eyes softened. "Sweetie that Kripke guy didn't do anything else did he?"

"Fortunately no. However I must apologize if you've taken offence to my actions as of late. You see I'm distracted"—by your presence—"with work at the moment. I've just uncovered some"—long repressed feelings—"startling information that has engrossed me to no end and until it is resolved I will continue to be 'out of sorts'." He flashed a nervous smile.

"Fair enough," Penny said politely. "I've got to close up here so I'll talk to you later." Sheldon nodded and ascended the stairs.

She turned the lock to her mail box in one swift motion. She didn't care what Sheldon said; something was up to unnerve the poor guy and she wasn't going to stop until she found out what.

xTBBTx

"Howard Wolowitz you march back in there and change this instant," ordered Bernadette. He looked hurt.

"But I haven't even shown—" In front of him Penny gave a thumb's down while Amy blew a raspberry. "I thought you said the wedding was going to be done in blue?"

"The bridesmaids' dresses, honey. Blue accents everything else," Bernadette said gently.

"Ah." With a sigh Howard made his way into the dressing room. There was no way he'd ever find a blue suit with dark blue trim in his size again.

"Where's Raj?" asked Penny as she looked around the fitting area.

"He's picking out a jacket," said Amy. Since Howard was busy and Raj couldn't talk to the girls (Bernadette was adamant he was sober) it was decided he work with the male clerk.

"Uhh, I'm having a problem," Leonard called from his change room.

"What's up?" asked Amy. Leonard cautiously stepped out holding his pants by the knees so he wouldn't step on them. Another clerk quickly bent to one knee and began rolling up the cuff.

"Don't worry about it Leonard. I have to get things altered all the time," said Bernadette. "The important thing is how is the jacket?" He straightened as he let his arms hang free.

"The sleeve length is adequate as is the shoulder width. How are you for breathing room? Do you think you can sit? Dance? Lean a woman over a banister?" asked a poker-faced Amy.

Leonard blushed as he swung his arms and took a deep breath of air. "Seems fine. It looks ok?"

"You look great Leonard," smiled Penny. He positively beamed.

To Penny's right a curtain parted and Sheldon entered the room. As one the group turned to find the usually t-shirted and plaid panted physicist in a black tuxedo, complimentary vest, crisp white shirt and a rich blue tie. He looked horribly put out.

"I hope this one meets to everyone's satisfaction as I refuse to try on any more."

"Sheldon, you look quite handsome," said Amy as she approached. "Your stature greatly adds to the suit's presentation."

Penny bit the side of her cheek as her brows met. She wondered if a longer-cut coat would better balance his proportions.

Sheldon glanced at Penny as she made her way to another suit rack. She was going to subject him to yet another fitting. There seemed to be no placating her until everything was just-so. How irritating to deal with someone so particular, he thought without a trace of irony.

Grinning as she flipped through the jackets Penny couldn't help but feel giddy at the sight of her guys all dolled up. Leonard cleaned up well as would Howard once they got him on track: the blue suit was hideous but it did indicate how good he'd look in a tailored cut.

Then there was Sheldon. She was floored when she'd first seen him in the suit they'd picked out for his presentation. Gone was the geeky boy-in-a-man's-body and in his place stood a dapper theoretical physicist.

Penny recalled the first time she'd looked up to see him in the hallway. She was unpacking in her apartment as Leonard and Sheldon watched. That's not quite right—Leonard gawked, Sheldon watched. Even at that moment she knew the difference and felt herself attracted to the tall man with the shy smile. She thought him a 'beautiful mind'. In a way he still was she supposed as she pulled out a jacket from the rack. Only he was also Sheldon: Sheldon who had to sit in 'his' spot and do his laundry at eight-fifteen exactly and knock on her door in threes. Sheldon who loaned her money and took care of her when she dislocated her shoulder and bought her groceries. She looked at him standing next to Amy and for a moment wondered if the neurobiologist knew what she was in for.

At the very least it'll be interesting times, Penny smirked to herself as she returned with the jacket. Sheldon rolled his eyes as he gave a heavy sigh.

"Penny—" he began.

"Just one more. I want to see how a long-cut looks on you." He glared at her. "I swear it's the last one. The one you're wearing looks good but I want to see if this one makes you really 'pop'." After a moment's pause Sheldon grabbed the new jacket and marched into the change room.

"Oh. My. God," breathed Bernadette as she raised a hand to her mouth.

"Quite stunning," agreed Amy as her eyes took in every detail.

Raj grinned from ear to ear as the pleased clerk presented him to the group.

"After trying on several styles we both agreed that the Asian collar was the most flattering," explained the clerk. "He felt it made him look more exotic for the reception." Raj blushed as he nodded.

"You're a right pretty fella," said Howard to Raj, who winked in return. Howard held out his arms. "My pants and sleeves are too long."

"Let's have a look-see," said Amy as a clerk pulled out a tape measure.

Quietly, Sheldon slipped from his change room to stand in front of a mirror. Penny came over and put an arm around him as she stood by his side.

"So do I 'pop'?" he asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Oh, you 'pop' all right," said a breathless Penny. "So what do you think?"

"It fits."

"But are you comfortable?"

He looked at the both of them in the mirror. "Not yet, but I'm sure I'll adjust."

Penny rubbed his back as she leaned against his arm.

XxX

"This afternoon was fun," said Penny as Sheldon sorted his wash into separate machines.

"Only if you think spending an indecent amount of money on clothing you'll only wear once is entertaining," he snorted.

"What's wrong with that?" she asked innocently.

Sheldon rolled his eyes. "Ask Leonard, although I'm sure your ever-evolving wardrobe could compliment his suit for years to come."

"Actually, I'm not going with Leonard," Penny said quietly. Sheldon froze. "He's taking Leslie Winkle."

"I see," said Sheldon in his best attempt at sounding nonchalant. "So who are you taking?"

Penny added the soap to her machine. "I don't know. Probably Zack."

Sheldon's jaw clenched as he thought about Penny's ex-boyfriend. Zack was amiable enough but so dumb he thought it a wonder the man had opposable thumbs.

"Given his chiseled looks he'll be quite dashing," he said at last.

"Psst Sheldon, don't tell Dr. Cooper but he was pretty dashing himself this afternoon," Penny said with an impish smile.

"Really Penny," he said haughtily. Inwardly he found himself quite pleased she noticed.

"Junior rodeo winner's honor. You and Amy will be the belles of the ball."

At once his good mood was gone. "I suppose."

"It's really great having someone in your life especially at a time like this," said Penny wistfully. He looked at her quizzically. "It's a wedding, Sheldon. It's a time to celebrate love and everything it means. I'm going to lose it when Howard says 'I do'."

"Why?"

"Because he's Bernadette's soul mate." She smirked. "Ok, it's Howard, but still it's the certainty in the words 'I do' that always get to me. I've had a lot of guys like me but no one's ever been certain, y'know?"

"I can't say I do," said Sheldon evenly.

"'Always the bridesmaid and never the bride'—that's Penny," she said as she started her machine.

"Never is an absolute. I hardly think it applies here."

Penny grinned. "Yeah, I'd like to think there's hope for me. Thanks Sheldon."

"You're welcome, Penny."

Amy's a lucky girl, Penny thought to herself as she mounted the stairs—and meant it.

xTBBTx

"Hello Sheldon. How are you this evening?"

"Hello Amy. I'm physically well. Yourself?"

"Grand. Your statement implies you're not well emotionally. Are you still having trouble achieving REM sleep?"

"I have one cycle a night."

"Not ideal but better than recent history."

"Agreed."

"How is your work proceeding?"

"Not well. I find myself unable to concentrate."

"I see. Are you thinking about anything in particular?"

"I can't say."

"You 'can't say' as in the colloquial phrase meaning 'I don't know' or 'can't say' as in you are unable or unwilling to tell me?"

"In this case it's the latter."

"What's wrong, Sheldon?"

"I can't tell you."

"Why not?"

"Social protocol dictates that in certain circumstances discussion on certain topics is to be avoided at all costs."

"And what 'certain circumstances' do we fall under in this instance?"

"The paradigm shift in our relationship status."

"You mean you can't talk to me about what's bothering you because I'm your girlfriend."

"That would be a fair statement."

"While there may be a myriad of topics considered too 'taboo' to discuss I must admit only one comes to the forefront. You've involved yourself with another woman."

"No."

"Your coloration, quickness to answer and the tone of your objection indicates an au contraire."

"Amy Farrah Fowler, I haven't engaged in a relationship with anyone—except you of course."

"No Sheldon, I believe your statement was more accurate before the verbal addendum."

…

…

"Amy, it's imperative that we talk."

xTBBTx

As she got out of the car Penny admitted to herself that she was still in shock. There was no way she heard over the phone what Amy told her—the Shamy was no more. They were as close to two peas in a genetically-engineered pod as you could get so what the hell happened? Penny went to the trunk and pulled out a backpack and a plastic bag full of alcohol. This was going to be a late night and she'd be in no shape to drive home.

She heard a harp and Amy singing as she neared the apartment:

"I play my part and you play your game
You give love a bad name
You give love"—Strum Strum Strum—"a bad name"

"Amy?"

"It's open."

"Hey honey how are you doing?" asked Penny as she closed the door.

"Oh, as well as can be expected for someone who has been kicked to the curb," Amy replied as she got up from the harp and took the bag of drinks and began placing the various bottles on the coffee table. "I had taken the liberty of picking up some high fat, high calorie snack foods. Usually the first choice is a frozen cream-based product but I thought it wouldn't go well with a crap load of alcohol."

"Been there, done that," agreed Penny as she returned from the kitchen with two glasses and a pair of shot glasses.

"I believe we'll start with tequila before settling into vodka and cranberry," said Amy. She measured out two shots and handed one to Penny. "What a trip."

"What a trip," said Penny as they clinked glasses and drank. "So, did Sheldon give a reason?" she asked as she poured out the vodka.

"He said he could no longer fulfill his obligations under the relationship agreement and that it would be unfair to me to continue."

Penny handed Amy her glass of cranberry-vodka. "Huh. Did he say why?"

Amy took a sip of her drink. "I asked him the very question and he said that after much reflection he'd come to realize that it was an error to have made the paradigm shift in our relationship."

"And?" Penny prompted. Granted she'd never heard it quite like this before but she sure knew the sound of feet-shuffling.

"He found himself unable to commit to me in an emotional capacity. He had assumed since we had a relationship of the mind we could overcome this detail." Amy drained her glass. "Obviously homo novus has had a setback."

"Emotions are a bitch," said Penny as she handed Amy a shot.

"Indeed." Glasses clinked and were emptied. "As a small source of consolation Sheldon took full blame for our breaking up."

"So what are you guys going to do? Is everything pfft or can you still be friends?" said Penny as she worked on another round of drinks.

"I'm unsure. I find myself unable to answer the question because the ramifications of our breakup are unknown." Amy began to wring her hands. "In over a year I have managed to construct a social group comprised of Sheldon's friends, neighbor and friend's fiancée. I assume if I wish to maintain these friendships I will have no choice but to keep Sheldon in my social circle."

"Amy—"

"I don't want to lose you Penny," Amy said sadly. Penny was heartbroken.

"Oh sweetie I'm not going anywhere," she said as she gave her a hug.

"Thank you," mumbled Amy as tears of relief slipped from her eyes. All her life Amy poured herself into academics as a way to make up for her lack of friends. Of course she knew she was deluding herself as, unlike Sheldon, she saw value in establishing and maintaining social relationships. She'd watch her female classmates whisper and laugh and hug and hold hands. Amy so wanted to join the sorority of femininity but she never got an invite. Then she met Penny and in an instant the door opened wide and she got to experience girls' nights and pajama parties. Living vicariously through the blond Nebraskan she imagined herself pretty and popular. She imagined touching and being touched.

Losing Sheldon was tragic but recoverable. Losing Penny would be catastrophic.

"So," said Penny as she broke the hug to rub Amy's shoulder.

"Another round Bestie?"

"You sure?"

"With you I'm sure of anything. Hit me." Amy took off her glasses to wipe her eyes with her sleeve while Penny poured more shots. "By the way, the termination of the relationship is to be kept quiet until after the wedding so as to not disrupt the festivities however Sheldon agreed that under the circumstances I could seek solace from my best friend."

"Gotcha," said Penny with a weak smile. She hoped to God she'd be able to keep this from Leonard.

XxX

Sheldon picked listlessly through his mi krop with his chopsticks as Leonard, Raj and Howard were enjoying an episode of Next Generation. It was now eight twenty-three. He had heard Penny leave her apartment shortly after six. Despite lacking any conclusive evidence he was sure she went to console Amy. Television had taught him that they would imbibe alcohol, eat nutritionally-deficient foods and conduct a 'Sheldon bitch fest'.

What would Amy say? What would Penny think?

He'd tried to be as forthcoming as he could be towards Amy without divulging his feelings for Penny. Even though he wasn't always socially astute he knew better than to admit 'dumping' a girl for her best friend. Besides, he was still coming to terms with his desire to redefine the relationship paradigm with Penny. How could he articulate what he couldn't fully comprehend? He wasn't Leonard, who never let ill-conceived notions or half thoughts stop him from conveying an idea aloud.

Sheldon put down his food container and stood up.

"Digestive distress," he murmured as a means of explanation but it proved unnecessary as his friends were absorbed by the television. He went to the far end of the room to look out the window.

What if Penny was angry with him?

It was a risk but unavoidable. He wouldn't permit his relationship with Amy to continue as it was; the neurobiologist was an incredible woman and deserved to be treated with respect. She deserved to be loved. He thought it ironic he could come to this conclusion given his previous belief that knowledge and logic superseded baser notions like 'feelings'.

So what would he do if Penny said good-bye?

Who would sing 'Soft Kitty' to him when he was sick or frustrate him to no end with emotional complexities or be a better partner in Age of Conan? He thought over all the times she'd comforted him or confronted him and always always challenged him. What would he do if this ended? He could envision the beginning of the universe. Almost see the strings that made up the cosmos and everything it contained. It was embarrassing that a theoretical physicist lacked the ability to imagine a world without Penny. That was her paradox: she could make him feel so unsure of himself and at the same time able to take on the anything thrown his way.

She said he'd solve the riddle of the universe. She believed in him.

Sheldon gazed at the phone line where he'd previously hung Penny's laundry.

xTBBTx

He was uncomfortable but it had to be done. Coming from Texas Sheldon knew to get back on his horse and ride but that didn't mean seeing Penny after she chatted with Amy was going to be easy. Things between Penny and him rarely were.

"Hey guys," said Penny as she got her pen ready to take their orders. There was a pause, adding a "Hello Sheldon" with distinctively less enthusiasm.

"Hello Penny," Sheldon replied hoarsely; he didn't lift his eyes from the table.

"So Penny," began Howard. "Raj and I were thinking next time we go dancing we could try one of the clubs on 'sorority row'. You know, it has a nice view of the, um, city." Raj whispered in his ear. "From within the city. Yeah, thanks for the help." Raj and Howard glared at each other.

"I don't know," began Penny. "I mean, isn't the area kind of sleazy?"

"It's just a place where young co-eds with unabashed enthusiasm for all things hot and wild go to unwind after a long week hitting the books," amended Howard. After talking with Raj he had the feeling the astrophysicist was just about out of his mind for want of a girlfriend. This adventure might not find him the future Mrs. Koothrappali but at least it might stem the hormonal tide.

"Eyah," said Leonard as he rolled his eyes. "I'm sure studying was on their top ten things to do. Count me out."

"Out? You're kidding me, right?" sputtered Howard.

"Clubs I don't mind"—scrutinizing eyes turned in his direction from all sides—"You know what I mean. I just don't feel comfortable going to places where I wonder if my hepatitis vaccination needs updating."

Penny grinned as she touched Leonard on the shoulder. "Good for you, Leonard." Again Raj whispered to Howard, causing the engineer to guffaw.

"Yeah I guess," he said to Raj before addressing the table. "Proof Leonard and Leslie are getting it on." Leonard blushed but did nothing to refute the claim. Feigning shock, Penny shoved his shoulder away with her fingers.

"You men are all alike."

"You mean homo sapiens sapiens, Penny. Try to remember we're in mixed company," Howard teased as he indicated Sheldon with a nod of the head. Sheldon turned aside his menu to shoot him a withering look.

"I never said I was immune to sexual attraction, only that it didn't control my actions," Sheldon asserted in an annoyed tone. He tried to gloss over in his mind how ludicrous this idea was in the face of recent events.

"I'm sure Amy considers you a hotbed of smoldering passion," Howard retorted. Penny and Sheldon inadvertently looked at each other.

"Anyhow," said Penny in an overcompensating chipper tone. "Same old all 'round? Raj back in touch with Hinduism again?" The astrophysicist nodded. Leonard and Howard similarly agreed.

"I'll have the barbecue bacon cheeseburger, barbecue sauce, bacon and cheese on the side," Sheldon said quietly. Again their eyes met as he handed her the menu, her stern look causing him to wince. It was as he had feared: Penny was angry, although how much remained to be seen.

After Penny punched in their order she took a moment to scrutinize Sheldon. Here he was socializing like nothing happened— She took a breath to cool her temper. No, that wasn't true. He was more subdued and seemed embarrassed? No. Penny felt herself go numb as it came to her: he was afraid. It came through in his eyes; she never truly appreciated how expressive they were until she found herself immersed in their gaze. Surely he didn't think she'd blurt out anything about Amy and him breaking up? Ok, she almost said something when she ran into Leonard earlier at the mail box but that was accidental. She wasn't going to pull a Kripke and make Sheldon squirm in public and she was angry he'd even think her capable of doing something like that.

Sheldon felt Penny's stare and automatically turned to meet it. She turned smartly on her heel and walked into the kitchen.

xTBBTx

"Last night Bernadette brought up how good we all looked in tuxedos on the weekend. I tell you gentlemen if I knew how much of a turn on it was I would have bought one years ago," said Howard as he grabbed his comics from the shelf.

"Um Howard, I think it only worked because she picked out the suit. Given that your first choice was a baby blue number I don't think you would've had the same reaction," said Leonard.

"Yes, dude. If you want to talk style you should think of James Bond. That Pierce Brosnan is a pretty man in a tux," gushed Raj.

"Speaking of James Bond they're coming out with another one this summer. 'Skyfall' I think it's called," added Leonard.

"Oh dear Lord not again," Sheldon sighed while flipping through a comic book. "Well I suppose they had to do another one given it's the fiftieth anniversary since the release of Dr. No."

"Come on Sheldon, don't tell me you didn't imagine yourself as 007: the girls, the gadgets." Howard paused. "Ok the girls."

Sheldon raised an eyebrow. "Hardly. I found the entire franchise to be complete hokum what with Bond's endless supply of techno gadgets and ridiculously named female paramours like Pussy Galore and Dr. Goodhead."

"Every engineer's dream," sighed Howard.

"Yeah things did get kinda silly at one point," admitted Leonard as he flipped through a comic bin. "Remember when Bond had a miniature helicopter stored in four suitcases?"

"I agree. Given how airlines are run what are the chances all the suitcases would even arrive?" said Raj as he thought back to his own luggage nightmare when he first came to America.

"Then there were crazy villains like Jaws. With his metal teeth I'd hate to be his orthodontist," Howard said. Sheldon rolled his eyes.

"He had to be the worst character in the franchise. Granted our second molars exert a bite force between 1,100 and 1,300 Newtons—far more than the orang-utan or gibbon—but it's inconceivable that he could bite his way through steel bars and the like. As I said before: pure hokum."

"So how is it you can read about heroes lifting cars and leaping tall buildings without a problem?" asked Leonard.

"Your particular reference to Superman answers your statement. Unlike Jaws, he's an alien. Other superhuman abilities are commonly explained as coming from science mishaps, mutation, or advanced weaponry, not dental implants," scoffed Sheldon. "Really Leonard, sometimes I find your reasoning completely outside the realm of the possible."

"And the Green Lantern isn't?"

"Alien technology," explained Sheldon.

"The Flash?"

"Science experiment."

"What about the Kingpin?" piped in Howard.

"He's just a big dude with muscles," said Raj dismissively.

"Not so fast Raj. While his physical exploits grossly exaggerate the capabilities of a normal human male there is one thing that redeems the character entirely," said Sheldon.

"What's that?"

Sheldon was poker-faced. "He beat the stuffing out of Ben Affleck's Daredevil."

xTBBTx

Sheldon turned the corner and ascended another flight of stairs. While he'd never take them personally he understood why prescription sleeping aids dominated the market. His body seemed to start off well but his lack of sleep always caught up with him by prevening. He'd have to incorporate a snack into his afternoon routine so he could last until dinner. It wouldn't be so bad if he could just take an early bedtime one night to regulate his system but he found that as soon as he lay back on the pillow his brain was a wash in formulas. Formulas and her.

He had no idea how he got to this point but somehow this was all Leonard's fault. If he hadn't brought other people into Sheldon's life like Howard and Raj and—he remembered a young blond with legs that went on forever stacking boxes in a nearly empty apartment. In that instant he found himself unable to move; thank the Lord Leonard was with him or else who knew how long he'd have stared at Penny from the hall.

Penny. Penny. Penny. What am I going to do?

Almost as if in response he heard her voice from the hall.

"Hey Leonard, getting ready for your conference?"

"Just going over my notes tonight. Sheldon has the whole thing memorized but of course refuses to be the primary presenter."

"Huh. Sheldon Cooper difficult. Hard to believe."

"Yeah, well, it's been known to happen." Leonard turned his head to the staircase. "Hey Sheldon."

Sheldon glowered to himself as he climbed the last of the stairs. He hated it when people talked about him behind his back even though he should be used to it given he'd been subjected to the practice his whole life. It didn't bother him as much at first; only when he began recognizing sarcasm did it become annoying.

"Leonard. Penny," Sheldon said formally as he made for the apartment door. He could really use a nap about now.

"Sheldon, can we talk for a minute?" asked Penny. His back went rigid as he stood frozen. He knew they had to talk; whatever the outcome he'd be in a better place because at least he'd know where he stood. This thought didn't take dread of the encounter itself out of the equation, however. He turned to face her.

"Of course," he said evenly. Penny opened her door as a way of invitation. Swallowing hard to calm himself he strode into the apartment.

"See ya later," she said to Leonard before closing the door.

"Uh yeah," replied Leonard. Before he let curiosity get the better of him he unlocked his door and went inside.

Back in apartment 4B Sheldon paced agitatedly around the room.

"Sheldon—" Penny began.

"Penny, I just want to say that…. I mean, what I really want…." He closed his eyes and grimaced as a nervous spasm crossed his face.

"Sheldon, calm down and breathe. Here, sit down," she said gently. He sat down rigidly on the edge of the couch.

Penny gave herself a moment to regroup. Her plan was to read him the riot act for dumping Amy but he looked so worn out she couldn't do it. Even from the doorway the dark circles under his eyes were evident and the hollowness of his cheeks augmented the delicate features of his face. Penny's inclination was to gather him into a protective hug and tell him that things were going to be okay. Before she knew it she was sitting beside him and put a hand on his arm only to remove it as he visibly flinched.

"Sweetie, you look like hell," she said at last. His eyes flickered in her direction as one thumb nervously rubbed the top of the other.

"While I don't profess such a place actually exists I concur with the sentiment," he said quietly.

"When's the last time you got any sleep?"

Sheldon rubbed his tongue along his cheek as he thought. "I managed a single REM cycle last night which brought the total number of hours of rest in the past ninety-two to eight."

"Oh my God, Sheldon," said a visibly upset Penny. "Honey this can't continue."

"Undoubtedly. It's only a matter of time before I succumb to sleep from sheer exhaustion." He closed his eyes. Time to get this over with. "Penny I'm surmising you called me in to talk about something specific. Please proceed."

Penny weighed whether she should mention it but since Sheldon brought it up things might as well get out into the open. "I went to see Amy on Monday."

"I hope she is reasonably well, given the circumstances."

"That's just the problem Sheldon. What are the circumstances?"

He looked troubled. "I thought I was clear in my explanation to Amy."

"Yeah well forgive me but my bullshit meter went off when she told me what you said." Sheldon frowned at her language.

"I wasn't lying as you're implying. I dissolved the relationship agreement because I couldn't fulfill its terms."

Now it was Penny's turn to frown. "Yeah I get all that. What I don't understand is why? I thought you and Amy were perfect together."

"Compatible, not 'perfect'," Sheldon amended.

"Same thing," Penny shrugged.

"Penny if there's anything you should know about me by now it's that I don't deal in absolutes. Amy and I share many traits and interests but that doesn't make us 'perfect'—something which should be obvious given our paradigm shift."

There was something about his tone that brought on the fire in Penny. "Get off this 'paradigm shift' crap. You make this sound so clinical."

"It's not clinical," agreed Sheldon sharply. "I'm sorry if I'm not emoting at a level to appease you. I'm doing the best I can." That shut Penny up.

"So how come you can't do this with Amy? She knows you're not going to be all gushy lovey-dovey with her," she said after a moment.

Sheldon sighed. "It's not a question of my limited ability to express my emotions. I don't have any feelings for Amy in a romantic capacity."

Penny was floored. "You're kidding me, right? There had to be something there for you to ask her out."

"It was a mistake."

Now Penny was really angry. "What the hell did you think this was an experiment? Damn it Sheldon if you didn't like her why did you bother asking her out?"

"Because you told me to," he said in a raised voice.

"Me?" shrieked Penny in shock.

"Yes you," he growled. "You said I had asked you on a date so as to make Amy jealous. You said I had feelings for her. You said I should ask her out. So I did."

"You're incredible, you know that?" said Penny as they both rose from the couch. "You're not even taking responsibility for—"

"I'm taking full responsibility. All. Of. It. I shouldn't have let myself be swayed by your argument. I've hurt Amy when she's been nothing but a good friend to me and now I'm losing you."

"What? Sheldon you're not losing me. You're—aargh!" She threw her hands in the air. "I don't know what to do with you, Sheldon."

"I know," he said in a tone of defeat. His blue eyes rose to meet her. Penny felt her breath catch in her throat. "I should go help Leonard prepare," he said as he turned to go.

"Sheldon," she whispered. He paused for an instant before he went into the hall.

xTBBTx

A/N Amy's song: 'You Give Love a Bad Name' by Bon Jovi

Thanks again for reading!