A/N: Sorry for the delay, folks. Sadness about Shamy and burnout caused me to take a break for a bit. I realized that I had a duty to keep the Shamy love going until they get back together (we know they will, folks.) and I know many have been waiting for this chapter, so I needed to do it right.

At least I had BONES on Thursdays to keep the depression down a bit. For my fans of "The Plan", I have been working on the final chapter, but you know I'm a perfectionist. Plus I've been binge watching Thursday's episode over the weekend. Loving Jessica and Aubrey and getting some FF ideas for the future as well as for B & B, of course. Also, never going to look at a tape measure the same again after Booth and Brennan's "negotiations".

Disclaimer: I don't own BBT but I do love my Shamy! I want to take them out to play, but need them back together ASAP!

"Penny! What are you doing here?!"

Surprised, Penny shook off shock from falling backwards as she realized who had opened Amy's door. "Sheldon, what are you doing here?"

Sheldon crossed his arms as he looked at Penny with derision. "Not that it's any of your business Ms. Nosy Pants, but I'm here as an invited guest of MY girlfriend. Now, what brought you slinking over here before your usual rising time? Did my roommate get tired of hearing you cry about how sorry you were for your behavior last night?"

Penny grimaced as she remembered her attitude with Leonard before and after their fight. Sitting up off the floor, she rubbed her eyes to get the sleep out of them before finally standing up. She grabbed her items and purse that miraculously wasn't stolen in her sleep before returning to stand helplessly at the door.

In the kitchen, Amy listened to the two longtime friends, her pleasant morning now ruined. As a scientist, her pragmatic side was telling her that she needed to go to Penny and listen to what her bestie had to say. When all the facts were gathered, she then could make a determination on what to do next, which usually meant blind forgiveness. As she had told Penny recently, if it wasn't for Sheldon's friends, she might have ended up joining a cult.

Another side, the illogical one, told her to stay where she was as she wasn't sure she could face Penny yet. She was still feeling raw from the cutting words and unforgiving attitude she received the night before. Perhaps she needed to give the other woman a taste of her own medicine.

After about twenty seconds of indecision, there was only thing to do.

Pragmatism and logic could suck it.

Walking two steps to the island, she grasped the counter and continued to hide.

Sheldon's Vulcan hearing detected faint movement in the kitchen. Feeling the need to protect his vixen, the physicist took one step closer to his quarry.

"So, Penny, what pathetic apology have you cooked up for Amy today? It must be more than usual if you felt the need to bring over what is probably stale donuts with gas station coffee at,"

'I didn't bring stale-"

The physicist looked over at the clock. "6:21 AM as a gesture of your guilt in an attempt to appease my cute little lump of wool."

Penny momentarily forgot the interruption as she realized what the time was. "What? I fell asleep in your hallway for almost two hours?"

"OH! So you decided to wake her up in the middle of the night to ease your guilt? I see."

"No, I didn't—okay, yes, but…"

Hidden, Amy heard Penny stutter at her boyfriend's cross examination. Suddenly, it occurred to her that as much as she loved Sheldon defending her, it was time to confront her own battles. Pushing her fears aside, she straightened her spine before walking with purpose to the door.

"No, yes. What's the matter, Penny? Ankyloglossia got your tongue?" Sheldon retorted.

"What?" Penny said confused while she was mentally playing back the medical terminology she had to bone up on for her new job.

"As a glorified drug dealer to doctor's offices, you should know that now, Penny. It means tongue tied."

"I know that!" She said unconvincingly. "I knew the time, but I needed to talk to Ames. I-I…"

"I…I…what, Bestie?" Amy said as she came out from behind Sheldon. She felt a small satisfaction at seeing the blonde at her door all rumpled.

""I-I came here to talk to you because I was a brat."

"That's putting it mildly." Sheldon retorted. "Your behavior last night to Amy was only part of the uncalled for commentary from the Arachis hypogaea gallery we have had to deal with for the last almost five years."

"Huh?" Penny asked confused.

"The peanut gallery, Penny." Amy stated. "Sheldon is referring to our circle of friends and the general consensus of our relationship as spoken through jokes and comments by ALL of you."

"Oh." Penny said apologetically before she shrank back from the glares she was getting from the pajama clad couple. She didn't know what was worse, being the object of scorn from the woman ahead of her or the man behind her.

"Oh? That's all you have to say, Penny? Oh!" Sheldon said with a sneer.

Penny looked down both sides of the hallway, making sure there wasn't an audience. "Amy, can I come in? I don't want to wake up your neighbors."

"No, you may not. " Sheldon immediately replied.

Amy looked at what Penny held in her arms and was shocked. Suddenly, she remembered how awful she felt at Penny's cold shoulder after she attempted to make amends last night. While it made her feel better initially to give as good as she got, now it made her feel petty and small. Deciding it was time to move forward, she decided to step in.

"Sheldon, its fine."

The physicist turned to his girlfriend. "But, Amy—"

"Penny, come in."

"Thank you." Penny said meekly before walking in with her items while Sheldon shut the apartment door. She put the items down on her coffee table before turning back to the couple. Scared to see the blank slate on Amy's face, she gulped before looking down.

Sheldon turned to his girlfriend. "Amy!" He whispered loudly. "As your boyfriend, I have to defend your honor. Obviously, I can't challenge a girl to a fight like I did Wil Wheaton, but I'm a Texan and I have to protect you from people who do my woman wrong."

Amy smiled at Sheldon's words. He was awkward, but he was all hers. Taking his hand, she gazed up into her boyfriend's blue eyes and felt immediate comfort and love. "I appreciate what you're doing, Sheldon, I really do. However, some things I should fix myself, okay?"

"But—"

"Sheldon…" Amy said.

Sheldon knew her 'Final Warning' tone well as the one from when he went to apologize after being an ass in her lab a few years back. Remembering he was a genius, he merely bit his lip and nodded his head once in understanding.

Seeing that she made her point with Sheldon, Amy walked over and stood in front of her Bestie. "While not the most tactful, my boyfriend has a point. What brings you here? Surely it wasn't to bring us breakfast for a pharmaceutical sales pitch."

Penny inhaled before speaking, knowing how thin the tightrope she was walking on. "Well, I was a bitch yesterday. What I said was shitty, so I ran and got stuff to bring here so I could tell you that I was sorry."

"I would say more than sh—poopy like! Perhaps my roommate puts up with it from you, but Amy shouldn't!"

Amy saw Penny's face drop before she turned to her boyfriend. Hearing him defend her honor was a major turn on and she wanted nothing more than to jump him. However, she needed to clear the air with her friend. Her plans for Sheldon would have to wait until later.

"Sheldon, why don't you take a shower and head over to your apartment? I'm sure Leonard may be getting ready now to head to CalTech to work on your paper."

While part of him wanted to stay merely to get his Vixen into the shower and help her get clean, his protective side trumped any dirty thoughts as he didn't want to be hurt again. "But—"

Amy took her boyfriend's hand. "Sheldon, I love that you don't want to leave me," she said with a knowing look as she had a good idea what was on his mind, "but, I need to talk to Penny and you should meet up with Leonard."

Sheldon caught the look his vixen was giving him as the meaning of her last sentence sunk in. Feeling a sense of dread, he stammered. "But…but, why can't Penny meet up with—"

Amy saw Penny swallow and recognized the holding back of tears. "Sheldon, Leonard I think would want to work with his collaborator. To do that, his collaborator has to go back to the apartment they share before going to their university. Need I say more?"

Knowing he was defeated, he gave his neurobiologist a kiss on the lips. "As you wish, Amy, but this," he whispered while looking her up and down, "is not over yet."

Amy smiled. "I'm counting on it, Doctor Cooper." Seeing his breathing increase, she took a step closer and lowered her voice. "Go face your music and we'll have Date Night here tonight."

Mollified, Sheldon starts to head back. However, when he gets to the entry way, he turns back and walked until he is standing front of his other friend.

"Penny, I love you like a sister, but if you ever hurt Amy again, our friendship will be severed permanently. No bribery with trains, Doctor Who, or Spock napkins will change my mind. Do I make myself clear?"

'He really loves her.' Penny realized. "Yes, Sheldon."

Satisfied, Sheldon moved around the blonde to give another kiss to his girlfriend to Penny's shock before walking back towards the hallway.

When she saw he was gone, Amy turned to Penny. "You really fell asleep outside my apartment two hours ago?"

Stunned by the sight of Sheldon Cooper kissing his girlfriend…twice, in front of another person, it took a second before she registered Amy's question. Turning to the other woman, she gulped.

"Y-yeah, I did. It took another ten minutes or so to get here because I got rerouted because some dillhole ran into a cell tower nearby."

"You went over to the coffee shop I love across town? The one I know you hate because they don't have as many selections as Starbucks?"

"Yeah."

Amy took a deep breath. "What did you get?"

Grateful for the small thaw in Amy's ice, she gave a small smile. "I got me a regular coffee with creamer packets since they don't have skim milk and you the Chi Latte with whole milk. I also got us a couple of plain croissants with the grape jelly on the side like you prefer since you hate the Smuckers packets. The person working said they couldn't do that, but then I threatened to tell the owner that he always offers me free pastries if I will let him touch my boobs. Needless to say, I got what I needed really quick."

Amy snorted in laughter for a moment before putting her game face back on. While in the past, she let Penny get away with anything, she couldn't this time.

"You really hurt me yesterday, Penny."

Penny inhaled for a moment, knowing she couldn't defend herself. "I know."

Motioning for Penny to sit on the couch, she was surprised when instead, Penny took the beverages to the kitchen. "What are you doing?"

Penny opened the microwave. "I need to heat these up. They're probably ice cold by now."

Needing a few minutes to gather her thoughts, Amy conceded before following her. "I'll grab some plates and silverware."

"Oh, thanks." Penny said before she realized something. "Shit, I didn't get anything for Sheldon. I'm sorry, Ames. I didn't think about him being here."

Penny realized what she said. "Not that he shouldn't be here. Damn, I'm messing up again. I mean—"

"It's okay, Penny. We have already eaten."

Penny realized what Amy meant. "I forgot. Oatmeal day."

The girls smiled wan smiles before finishing their tasks. When done, they walked together to the couch. Amy knew she had to finish what she needed to say. Gathering her thoughts, she proceeded.

"You know I've been sensitive to my issues with Sheldon over the years. It was bad enough that you wouldn't accept my apology, but then you threw that in my face."

"I know, Ames. I'm so sorry—"

"Let me finish, Penny." Amy said firmly.

Penny knew what was coming and was ready to face the music. "Of course."

Sheldon had only his robe on as he exited Amy's room and headed to the hall closet to get a towel. He closed the door when he heard the girls talk.

"You know I've been sensitive to my issues with Sheldon over the years. It was bad enough that you wouldn't accept my apology, but then you threw that in my face."

"I know, Ames. I'm so sorry—"

"Let me finish, Penny." Amy said firmly.

Sheldon was eavesdropping and he knew it. However, he had a need to make sure Penny wouldn't run ramshod over his Amy again. Shamelessly, he moved closer to the entry way and listened.

"Penny, when we first met, I was so excited to have friends. I was willing to ignore jokes about my relationship with Sheldon because I didn't want to go back to being alone."

In the living room, Amy debated her words before deciding directness was the way to go.

"Now, I know that I deserve people in my life who appreciate me."

"You do, Amy, more than anyone I know." Penny said with sincerity.

"Thank you for that. With that said, I know I hurt you yesterday, Penny, and for that I'll always be sorry and I'm relieved that you've forgiven me. Last night, you hurt me. You've apologized and I've forgiven you. However, starting now, I will not tolerate any more cracks about Sheldon, my looks, or below the belt comments spoken in anger. If this happens again, Bestie, there won't be another chance for apologies."

Penny looked down for a moment before looking back up at her friend. "Ames, I really overreacted when I found out about the experiment on Leonard and me. You weren't trying to insinuate I was an idiot, but I got all super sensitive about it. I'm so sorry for my pissy attitude yesterday when you tried to apologize and for what I said. Real friends don't use the other's sore spots to score points or act like a child when their friend tries to make amends."

Amy saw that Penny understood. "Thank you, Penny."

Penny moved forward as did Amy before the girls came together in a hug. After a moment, they broke apart and each wiped tears from their eyes.

"Ames, you say I'm your bestie. I need to tell you though, that you're my bestie, too. I don't know what I would do without you. I know I met Bernie first, but you are always there for me when I need a friend and really accept me for who I am."

"Penny, I really don't think—"

"It's true, Amy. Without your support, I wouldn't have taken the chance to go work for Bernadette's company or push past my comfort zone."

"I don't do that much."

"You do and you know it." Penny said firmly. "One more thing. Ames, I'm also to do what I can to make sure the others keep their mean comments to themselves from now on, especially Howard."

"One more thing. Ames, I'm also to do what I can to make sure the others keep their mean comments to themselves from now on, especially Howard."

Sheldon felt a sense of relief at Penny's words. Suddenly, Meamaw's lessons about eavesdropping on conversations being rude pushed his curiosity aside. Remembering the Southern gentleman he was, he moved to enter the bathroom when the next words spoken stunned him.

"Bernie, too. I'm still mad about the mean things she said when she lost out on the centerfold deal. It was uncalled for."

"She took her frustrations out on me Bestie using my Achilles Heel, that's all."

"I don't care. I know I make fun at times, but she took it too far. She's been doing that a lot more with everyone lately."

"Penny, Bernadette's comments to me over the years on how it's my fault Sheldon won't be intimate with me are just because she's doesn't know him like you do."

"Ames, Bernie saying that no one wanted to see you express your sexuality because she thought your one email changed that science journal's decision to show her in a wet t-shirt wasn't because of that and you know it. That was not the first time she hinted that it's your fault you and Sheldon haven't had sex yet."

As Sheldon processed what he heard, he felt his blood reach 373.15 degrees Kelvin. Holding his fists together until the knuckles were white, he kept his comments to himself.

Pushing aside what Meamaw told him, he continued to listen.

"I know Penny." Amy said before sipping her latte. "That's why I think I need to set ground rules with Bernadette also when they get back from Florida."

"She still hasn't apologized for that, has she, Ames? You need to confront her about that. I know she lashes out when she is hurt and frustrated, but it's not a cool thing to do."

Amy gave a knowing look to her friend. "No, it isn't, is it Penny?"

"I deserved that." Penny said with a laugh before she became serious again. "Amy, do you want me to talk to Bernadette? I mean, I got through to her that night at our company party, but if she still hasn't apologized for what she said and is slipping back into bitchy mode, I can set her straight."

"No, I will do it."

Penny thought for a moment. "Have you told Sheldon?"

Amy shook her head. "No, he doesn't need to know."

Hidden in the hallway, Sheldon's face gradually reddened as he continued to listen.

"Ames, tell him. You're his girlfriend. If he goes after Bernie with half the Texan he went after me with last night, trust me when I say she will never say another unkind to you again. He's scary when he gets fired up."

"Oh no, what did he say to you?"

"Nothing that I didn't need to hear."

Amy wouldn't let up. "What did he say, Penny?"

Realizing that it needed to be said, the blonde relented. "The truth. Sometimes, I'm really jealous of you, Amy."

Amy gave her a look of incredulity. "What on earth for? You're beautiful and talented. Your alabaster skin and hazel eyes alone bring men to their knees. Your street smarts alone put ours to shame."

"Amy! Yeah, I've got looks and live in the real world sometimes. Big deal. Amy, " Penny said with pride. "You've traveled the world and been recognized internationally. You're smarter than I will ever be. I'm ashamed to say I've had to use my boobs more than my brain to get ahead in the world. More than that, you and Sheldon have an awesome relationship."

Amy looked at her with shock. "What about you and Leonard? You two are getting married. He looks at you with such adoration it's almost enough to put someone into a diabetic coma."

Penny attempted to smile to hide the tears forming. "Well, at least you and Sheldon connect on a level Leonard and I never will. It seems like all we have in common is sex. Seriously, Ames, sometimes all it takes is just opening my blouse and Leonard is all like, 'I love and forgive you'."

Penny grabbed one of the napkins on the table. "Will that always be the case? Do we have what it takes to last? I love him, Amy, so much. I don't think it's going to be enough this time."

Amy was confused. "Penny, what are you talking about?"

Penny shook her head. "Never mind, Amy. The point of me being here is to apologize for my shitty behavior. It's not that important."

Amy knew better when she saw Penny's hand start to shake. "Yes it is, Bestie. You're shaking and you can't look at me in the eye. Listen, Sheldon's in the bathroom. It's just us. Talk to me."

Penny saw the sincerity on her friend's face. "Well, after Sheldon gave me the business, I cried, so Leonard and I went back to my place."

Behind the wall, Sheldon leaned against it. He gulped in guilt as he knew he should step away, but for some reason, he couldn't get his feet to work.

'Maybe I can help Leonard. It's what best friends do, right?'

Feeling justified, Sheldon relaxed to eavesdrop.

'When we got back, he gave me wine to relax me and tried to help me, but I was so focused on myself, I didn't listen to him. We went to bed, but I kept tossing and turning before I finally started to cry again before three. Leonard was so sweet, giving me Kleenex and stuff, but I got so focused on apologizing to you I got a wild hair in my ass to come over here. He tried to tell me to wait for a few hours because you didn't want to talk to me, but I didn't care. We argued…"

"Bestie, what happened?"

"He said I was only interested in myself and my needs. Instead of hearing to what he had to say, I stormed out."

"Penny, I'm sure this will blow over."

Penny sniffled before continuing. "No, not this time. I've really made him mad, Ames. He deserves so much better than me. He needs a girl who is more than tits and ass. Someone who can understand his sciency and science fiction stuff. Sheldon tried to teach me a long time ago, but I couldn't get it. I mean, I'm lucky he didn't meet some cool, smart girl scientist out on the North Sea a couple years back."

"Of course not, Penny. He is besotted with you. Frankly, I think he's proud of the fact that you have assets to show off."

"Sure, my breasts were one of his secret weapons when he tried for tenure, but besides that, what do I offer him? Sometimes, I get so scared that one day after we get married, he'll see that he needs someone with more in common with him that I have and less selfish. I want to marry him so badly, Ames, but at the same time, I don't because maybe if we stay the way we are, he won't know any better."

Suddenly the tears started to fall on Penny's face as the gravity of her fight with Leonard finally sunk in. "Oh God."

Amy moved to hug her friend, who finally broke down.

Realizing that he was invading his friend's privacy, Sheldon moved away and retreated to the bathroom to take his shower. Once he got in, he contemplated all that he had learned in the last several minutes and plotted his course of action.

For Bernadette, after a sufficient recovery time for the loss of Mrs. Wolowicz, a strong verbal lashing for her mean words to Amy,three strikes, and a Sheldon class. Their lack of coitus was all on him and his fears. Amy was a beautiful and sensuous woman who didn't deserve anyone's scorn.

For his best friend and his fiancée, he would try to help fix the widening chasm that had seemed to develop between them. If losing Penny would affect Leonard like losing Amy would affect him, he would be destroyed. Several years ago, he would welcome this as he would have his best friend back to himself. Now, he knew that would be selfish. Also, the annoying, pop culture loving blonde grew on him to the point she was also one of his best friends.

Only to himself would he admit that at times he envied how easy it was for Leonard and Penny to express their love for each other, no fear of failure to the other.

Now, he knew better.

After mentally listing his tasks for the day, he grabbed the soap and finished his shower.

When Amy sensed Penny calmed down, she pulled away from her friend, who started to yawn before a hiccup kicked in.

"Sorry. I came here to apologize to you and instead I bawl like a baby. Some friend I am."

"No worries. That's what besties are for."

Suddenly, the blonde leaned her head onto her arm on the back of the couch. "Thanks for being my friend, Amy." She said before being interrupted with a strong hiccup. "Ow! That—hic!"

"Let me get you a guaranteed cure." Amy said as she rushed to the kitchen.

Penny watched as pulled what looked like a set of measuring spoons out of a drawer before pulling a regular spoon out of another drawer. What Penny saw next made her eyes bulge. Before she could say anything, Amy returned with a satisfied smile on her face.

"Ames, is that what I think it is?"

"Yes, sugar will overpower the vagus nerve, causing your body to, well, forget the hiccups, per se."

Penny made a face. "Where did you learn that?"

"Seventh grade science glass. Now do it."

Penny swallowed it with a face. Sugar in candy was one thing, but straight was another. She grabbed her now cold coffee and chased it down. "Ugh."

Amy saw the time and mentally calculated. "Sheldon has been in there an awful long time. He always brags about his 7.5 minute showers and being ready to go in twenty one minutes. It's been almost thirty minutes. I better go see what's taking him so long."

As Amy got up, Sheldon came out into the living room, hair combed but wet, ready for the day. "Sorry for the delay. Did you hens settle everything?"

"We did, Sheldon. Thanks."

The physicist smiled. "Well, I'll be going. There's science waiting for me to discover and solve."

Penny watched Sheldon get his windbreaker and bag, but Amy remaining stationary. "Amy, aren't you going to get dressed and take him back?"

Sheldon and Amy looked at each other before he responded. "I'm taking the bus. Amy needs to get ready for her day. To keep her from that would be rude."

Tired, Penny curled up in the couch. "Okay."

After the couple kissed, Sheldon left and Amy closed the door. "I'm going to get in the shower, Bestie. Why don't you stay here for a while and relax? You look exhausted."

Feeling relaxed, Penny got comfortable. "I'm fine." She said before yawning. "I'll just watch TV and leave when you do."

"Sure." Amy said before retreating to her bedroom.

Content that things were going to be okay, Penny grabbed a pillow and turned on the television, but fell asleep with the remote in her hand. She was only out for a minute when she suddenly opened her eyes.

"Wait! How the hell did Sheldon get here?"

Hearing no answer, she quickly turned off the appliance and headed for the bedroom.

"Ames, Sheldon wasn't wearing his bus pants when he left. Now what gives?"

Back at Apartment 4A, Leonard got out of the shower and quickly towel dried off. He hoped to at least be a little bit more awake, but he couldn't even have that.

He knew he was right what he said to Penny, but he wondered if he could have picked a better time. Yes, Penny could sometimes not think before she does, but he also knew just how horrible she felt about what happened yesterday. All she wanted to do was to make up for what she did.

Penny didn't like his sci-fi stuff, but she was accepting of it for the most part. He still wasn't allowed to wear his Wookiee jacket to the mall, but she always took him out to celebrate May 4th as well as donned Princes Leia's gold bikini for more than one roleplay sex fantasy for him. She always made an effort to include him in her interests but didn't bug him when he decided he didn't like it.

Instead of being understanding about her insecurities regarding her lack of education and letting her judge if she wanted to go back, he went behind her back to get college brochures and rewrite her college papers when she did finally attempt to go back.

He used every dumb blonde stereotype when he had her emphasize her sex appeal to attempt to get tenure instead of letting his work speak for itself.

It wasn't Penny who pushed and pushed their relationship too fast the first time they dated. It was him due to his insecurities about being with a girl like her. He's the one who got insecure about her British classmate to the point he embarrassed the hell out of her.

He then thought about Sheldon and Amy's relationship. Even when his best friend hurt Amy, it wasn't to be malicious, but from fear. They seemed to have common interests, but accepted the differences in the other. Their coupling sure as hell wasn't conventional, but it seemed to suit them. Wasn't that what was most important?

Isn't part of loving someone accepting them for who they are and not what you want them to be?

A small stab of jealousy hit him as he realized that perhaps the other couple had the better relationship. The realization hurt him, but fatigue and indecision about what to do about Penny made it worse.

Suddenly, he wiped his face. "Ugh, just thinking about all this gives me a headache. I'll get some work done and then I'll be able to figure out what to do next."

He came out of the bedroom exhausted but dressed. After brushing his teeth, he brewed coffee while gathering his things together. He poured the coffee into a to go cup and closed the lid. For a moment, he contemplated breakfast, but his stomach was too agitated to consider eating.

Grabbing his computer bag, he headed over to the door. When he looks into the bowl for his car keys, he doesn't see anything.

Frantic, he looks all over the floor before realization hits.

In the hallway of the fourth floor at 2311 Los Robles Ave, only one thing can be heard at 6:54 AM.

"SHELDON COOPER, I'M GOING TO KICK YOUR ASS!"

Thanks to QB Maja and Hazelra7 who gave me their unvarnished opinion when I was burned out. Also thanks QB for the second read.