I did not have time to proofread this chapter, so please forgive me if there are any errors.


"Alright, we have chosen the six categories," Howard said as he held the paper in his hand.

"I reject them," Sheldon said immediately.

"You haven't even heard them."

"I don't need to. I know that I didn't pick them-so I reject them."

"You can't pick your own categories Sheldon," Howard said as he started to write the categories on a white board, "And no. You can't choose your own questions either."

Sheldon furled his brow and pouted behind his podium. The categories began to fill the white board: Abbreviations & Acronyms, Mythology, U.S. History, Music, Animal Kingdom, and Language.

"I reject them," Sheldon demanded, "Animal Kingdom is a form of biology. Amy cannot have any advantage."

"Weren't you just bragging that you could beat me in any battle of wits on any topic?" Amy said with her hands on her hips.

"Yes, and it's true."

"Then prove it."

"Fine. I'll beat you at your own game. Leave the category in," he said to Howard.

"Then let the games begin," Howard announced.

"Wait!" Sheldon interrupted. "We don't have any buzzers."

"Damn, I hadn't thought about that," Howard looked around the room for an alternative, but nothing would work.

"They have bells at the front desk in the lobby," Penny said with a mischievous smile, "And I know someone just short enough to slip them away without being noticed." She winked at Bernadette.

"I may be small, but I'm not invisible. They're gonna see me!" Bernadette said.

"Bring Emily as a distraction."

"Good idea. Anyone would stop to look at her," Bernadette said as she grabbed Emily's hand and walked toward the door.

"I know I've been looking since we got here," Raj said.

"Eww," Howard winced.


"Okay, just flirt with the guy at the desk and I'll slide the bells into my purse," Bernadette said as she crouched behind the pillar in the lobby.

"But what if it's a girl?" Emily asked.

"Then flirt with her the same way you would with a guy. Trust me. Anyone would fall for those long legs and green eyes."

"But I've never flirted with a woman before. I wouldn't even know where to star…" Before Emily could finish, Bernadette had pushed her out into the open and the mission had begun.

Here goes nothin'. Emily said to herself as she approached the counter. No one was there. She rang the bell and waited, hoping that it would be a guy. Any guy.

No such luck.

A sophisticated older woman stepped out from the back room and greeted Emily with a smile and a warm greeting, "Good evening. How can I help you?"

Emily felt her throat tighten. She looked back at Bernadette for help, but Bernadette was in stealth mode. She couldn't be found.

"Uh, I was wondering if you had any brochures that I could look at," Emily stammered as she tried to portray some sort of confidence.

"Certainly. What are you interested in?"

"Interested in?" Emily felt her heart race. "Uh, men. Definitely."

"Excuse me?"

"Not that I don't care for women. Don't get me wrong. You're gorgeous and maybe in a different life we…" Emily was feeling light headed. This was not going according to plan, but the woman seemed distracted nonetheless. Bernadette tip-toed from behind the pillar and crept towards the front desk.

"Can I get you some water?" the woman asked Emily.

"Oh my, yes that would be wonderful." The woman smiled and walked into the back room. Emily exhaled and looked at Bernadette. "Hurry up! I'm choking here!

"You're doing great just keep her occupied." Bernadette grabbed the bells and ducked behind the front of the desk.

"Here you are. Sorry we didn't have any ice."

"This is perfect. Thank you." Emily drank the entire glass as slowly as possible while looking at Bernadette.

You can do this, Bernadette mouthed. Emily set the glass on the desk and took a deep breath.

"I'm sorry for my behavior. It's just that…" Emily paused to think about what she was going to do. This is it. "I get so hot sometimes," she said as she pushed her hair back and leaned forward onto the desk to reveal the top of her cleavage.

The woman behind the desk seemed taken off guard by the display and Emily knew that it was working. Bernadette winked in her direction and began to tip-toe towards the hall.

"Do you ever feel like that? Hot?" Emily asked in a sultry voice.

"Uh, well."

"I bet you do. How could you not?" Emily touched her arm seductively. The woman stood motionless.

At least she's not reciprocating, Emily reassured herself.

Then the woman put her hand on top of Emily's and looked deeply into her eyes.

Until now. Emily glanced down the hall just in time to watch Bernadette turn the corner.

"There are times when I feel the need to…" the woman began to say.

"Turn in early and watch CNN? Yep, me too." Emily slipped her hand away and sprinted down the hall. "Thanks for the water!"


"What could possibly be taking them so long?" Sheldon huffed.

"Is someone getting anxious?" Leonard chuckled.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

"That's them." Howard rushed to the door. "Wow, you guys look like you just went through a war zone."

"Sure felt like it," Bernadette said as she handed the bells to Howard. Emily immediately poured herself a drink.

"Yes! Now," Howard paused for dramatic effect as he readied his announcer voice, "Let the games begin!"

Sheldon and Amy approached their podiums and awaited the coin toss.

Heads.

Amy goes first.

"Abbreviations & Acronyms for 100," Amy said while watching Howard draw the first question.

"What do the letters PVC stand for?"

Amy immediately rang her bell. "What is polyvinyl chloride."

"Hey, she is cheating. Her bell rings faster than mine." Sheldon tried to plead his case but no one was falling for it.

"Music for 100," Amy kept her momentum going.

"What is the proper name for a solo in an opera?" Howard asked.

Ding! "What is an aria," Amy answered.

"Correct!" Howard announced, "You are still playing, right Sheldon?"

"Very funny," he snarled.

"Mythology for 200," Amy was determined to answer every question.

"In Norse mythology, who is the father of the gods?"

Ding! "Ha!" Sheldon laughed in triumph after hearing his bell chime first. "What is Odin. Anthony Hopkins played him in Thor."

"You are correct. Looks like we have a tie."

Sheldon made a childish face at Amy and continued to pick another category, "U.S. history for 100."

"Very well. What was New York City's original name?"

The bells rang almost simultaneously but Sheldon's was slightly faster. "What is New Amsterdam."

"Correct! Sheldon takes the lead."

Sheldon patted himself on the back and smiled sarcastically at Amy. "Looks like you're the slow one now. Sucks to be you. Animal kingdom for 200."

"Pride is to lions as what is to zebras?"

Sheldon rang his bell loud and clear and continued to ring it to prove that he had answered before the biologist. "What is zeal."

Howard looked at his card in disappointment. "Sorry, Sheldon."

"What?" Sheldon's mouth dropped.

"That is… Correct!" Howard laughed.

"Eat that, Fowler," Sheldon boasted.

Amy could feel her blood starting to boil. Sheldon may lack a lot of things, but ego was never one of them. Amy was going to fix that.

"Well, Sheldon has taken a commanding lead. So what's it gonna be, champ?"

"Mythology for 100."

"In Greek mythology, who is the god of love?"

The room was silent for a moment. Amy watched Sheldon mumble to himself as he tried to find an answer. Of course he didn't know. Amy rang her bell.

"What is Eros."

"Correct! And Fowler is back in the fight!"

"Abbreviations & Acronyms for 200." Amy wanted nothing more than to beat Sheldon.

"What do the letters CFS stand…"

Amy's bell rang before Howard could even finish the question. "What is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome."

"That's correct." Howard shifted in his seat. He could see that this wasn't a game anymore. This was a battle to the death. Amy vs. Sheldon. "It looks like Amy has taken the lead."

"You worried?" Amy whispered to Sheldon.

"Not in the slightest."

"You should be," Amy swept her hair back, "Animal Kingdom for 100."

"What mammal is known as the cobra killer?"

Amy stared into Sheldon's eyes. He had no idea. "Excuse me while I answer this." She rang her bell delicately in Sheldon's ear. "What is mongoose."

Howard paused as tension filled the room. Everyone was breathing quietly. Just waiting. "That is correct! Choose your category!"

"Language for 100," Amy said.

"Very well. What is the native language of Pakistan?"

Sheldon's bell chimed. The sound echoed in Amy's brain. That hideous, piercing sound. He was fighting back. "What is Urdu." Sheldon stared at Amy. He already knew the answer was correct, but he wanted to watch the light fade from her eyes as Howard confirmed it.

"Correct!"

Sheldon basked in sweet satisfaction. "U.S. History for 200."

"What was the name of the Apollo 11 space capsule?"

Sheldon watched Amy; the wheels in her mind spinning so quickly that smoke nearly seeped from her ears. "Care to take a guess?" he teased before ringing his bell. "What is Eagle."

"He's right! Next category!"

"Language for 200." Sheldon was so close to victory he could feel it on his skin.

"What is the native language of the Philippines?"

Just as Sheldon reached for his bell, he heard the infernal chime from across the room. Amy had beaten him to it. "What is Tagalog," she purred.

"That's right!" Howard looked down at his note cards for a moment and then called Penny over to him. They whispered in private for a moment before announcing, "Well, folks. It looks as though we have a tie and there is only one question left. Whoever answers this question correctly, wins. Are you ready?"

"Ready," they said in unison—so desperate for victory that they were nearly foaming at the mouth.

"Music for 200," Howard started. "The last question is: what artist released the album called The 20/20 Experience?"

Both Sheldon and Amy had a blank stare. No bells. No smiles. Just absence. The room was quiet as the clock continued to tick in the background.

"See, I told you that question was too pop. culture for them," Howard said to Penny.

"I thought they'd get it. Sue me!" Penny said as she downed another martini.

"So what does this mean?" Sheldon yelped in a need for closure.

"It means that we need to figure out another tiebreaker." Howard called a meeting and all gathered in the other room to decide on a new strategy.

Amy and Sheldon were left alone, but their thoughts filled the room with hundreds of forbidden voices, smothering them in a tidal wave of uncertainty.

Why did she kiss me? What does he see in Emily? Could we ever work? Will we ever be together? Does she know that I want her? Does he know that I need him? Can we get past this? Do I want to get past this? Will things ever be the same? Can I keep him? Can I make her see what I see? Can I make him feel what I feel?

Neither made eye contact. Neither said a word, just waiting in a hopeless paralysis.

The door opened, and Sheldon and Amy could breathe again. The room filled with sounds of chatting and laughing, and the earth began to spin on its axis once again.

"So," Howard said with a suggestive smile, "The tie breaker will be a battle of the sexes."

"The challenge: How well do you know your mate?" Penny winked at Sheldon.

"So, we're supposed to answer questions about one another?" Amy asked.

"Exactly. You will each be asked the same ten questions about your significant other. Whoever gets more questions correct, wins."

"This is absurd!" Sheldon whined.

"Pipe down and play!" Bernadette said as Sheldon jumped back into his spot.

"You each get a notepad," Penny continued," Where you will write your answers to the questions and after your significant other has answered, you can reveal whether he or she was correct. Here are the ten questions," she handed them each a piece of paper.

Both Sheldon and Amy grabbed their papers and panicked at the personal nature of the questions.

"Let the games begin!" Howard shouted.

"Okay, dude. That's getting really old. And you yelled right in my ear," Raj said.

"Sorry."

Sheldon grabbed his pen and began to write his answers in the notebook. Amy did the same while feeling apprehensive. Would she be humiliated when Sheldon ultimately answers every question about her wrong? Will she be forced to deal with the impending realization that maybe they just weren't right for each other?

"Okay, everyone ready?" Penny asked.

"Yeah," they sighed in unison.

"Alright, Amy will answer the questions about Sheldon first." Penny grabbed the paper and began to read, "First question: What is Sheldon's favorite food?"

"Spaghetti with little pieces of hotdogs cut up in it."

"Sheldon?" Penny pushed him to reveal his answer.

He held the notebook up. Spaghetti with little pieces of hotdogs.

"You were correct, Amy!" Penny said in excitement.

"Question number two: What color are Sheldon's eyes?"

"Blue."

Sheldon turned the page of his notebook. Blue.

"Correct again! Question number three: what is Sheldon's favorite word?"

"Bazinga."

Sheldon smiled and turned the page. Bazinga.

"Question number four: what is Sheldon's favorite song?"

"The theme from Star Wars," Amy said with confidence.

Sheldon turned the page. Star Wars theme.

"Way to go, Amy. You're on a roll. Question number five: What is Sheldon's favorite color?"

Amy hesitated for a minute. "Blue."

Sheldon turned the page. Metallic Seaweed.

"What the hell kind of color is that, Sheldon?" Penny scoffed.

"It's my favorite color. It's whimsical-like me."

"Okay, well it's only one wrong, Amy. You can do this," Penny cheered. "Question number six: what is Sheldon's most cherished childhood memory?"

Amy smiled. She remembered the day Sheldon told her all about his grandfather. He sounded like a beautiful man. "Building trains on Christmas Eve with his Pop Pop."

Sheldon turned the page. Trains with Pop Pop.

"Go Amy! Question number seven: what is Sheldon's biggest fear?"

"Failure."

Sheldon watched Amy for several seconds. Almost as if to say that he was hurt that she was so sure of her answer. He turned the page. Failure.

"Wow. You really do know him. Ready to continue?" Penny asked.

"Yeah," Amy brushed her hair over her shoulders and tried desperately to keep her composure. She could feel herself losing control. She could feel her emotions moving into the driver's seat, and she hated it.

"Question number eight: what side of the bed does Sheldon sleep on?"

"In the middle."

Sheldon turned the page. In the middle.

"Keep going, Amy! Only two more questions. Question number nine: what makes Sheldon laugh?"

Amy giggled a little before answering, "Jokes about Howard."

Sheldon smiled and turned the page. Belittling Howard.

"You're just jealous because I went to space and you didn't," Howard said.

"This has brought me joy long before your space trip," Sheldon laughed.

"Well, Amy, you're eight for nine. One more question. Ready?" Penny asked.

"Yes."

"Question number ten," Penny stopped for a moment and watched Amy and Sheldon closely, "What is Sheldon's biggest turn-on?"

Amy's mind went blank. She chased every last word in her head, but nothing created a coherent thought. Could Sheldon be turned-on? "I honestly don't know. I couldn't even make an educated guess."

The liveliness in Sheldon's face faded. How could she not know the answer; not even have an idea.

"Okay," Penny interrupted, "Show your answer, Sheldon."

"What for? She doesn't know so she's already gotten the question wrong. It's a moot point now." Sheldon closed the notebook and tossed it aside. Now it was his turn.

Penny shifted in her seat to face Sheldon and began the second round. "Alright, Shelly. Eight is the number to beat. Think you can handle it?"

Sheldon made no comment. He sat nearly lifeless in his chair as he awaited the first question.

"Okay, I guess we will just start. What is Amy's favorite food?"

"Avocadoes. Says they're a super food."

Amy held up her notebook. Avocados.

"One for one. What color are Amy's eyes?"

"Green," Sheldon said with total focus.

Amy turned the page. Green.

"What is Amy's favorite word?"

"Mellifluous."

Amy turned the page. Mellifluous.

"Doing great, Sheldon. Surprisingly. What is Amy's favorite song?
"The Way You Look Tonight," Sheldon said with no hesitation.

Amy's jaw dropped. How could he possibly know all of this? He's never listened to her for more than a few seconds. She turned the page. The Way You Look Tonight.

"Wow, this is getting bizarre. It's like freaky Friday," Penny said. "Question number five: what is Amy's favorite color?"

"Yellow. It makes her happy."

Amy turned the page. Yellow.

"You might just win this thing, Sheldon. What is Amy's most cherished childhood memory?"

"Going to the zoo with her Aunt Laura."

Amy was stunned again. She turned the page. The zoo with Aunty Laura.

"Correct again. What is Amy's biggest fear?"

Sheldon looked at Amy with a certain understanding. "Loneliness."

Amy could feel the tears welling in her eyes. She turned the page. Loneliness.

"I can't believe you've gotten this many questions right. What side of the bed does Amy sleep on?"

"The right. With a half glass of water and two tissues."

How could he possibly know that? Amy turned the page. The right.

"Question number nine: what makes Amy laugh?"

"We do. All of us. Her friends."

Amy turned the page. My friends.

"That's amazing, Sheldon. Do you even want to answer the last question? You've already won the battle."

"Ask me." Sheldon still watched Amy.

"Okay, what is Amy's biggest turn-on?"

"Knowledge."

Amy held the notebook up one final time. Knowledge.

"You really do know your woman, Sheldon," Penny said as she stood up and walked towards the mini bar.

"Yes, I do," Sheldon whispered as he left the hotel room. He was hurt and confused. All he knew was that he was ready for this night to end. He glanced at Amy one last time and shut the door behind him.


"Hey, Sheldon left his notebook here. You wanna get kinky and find out what turns Sheldon on?" Penny asked Leonard in a seductive voice.

"That's the last thing I want to know. Let's just go to bed. We have an early morning ahead of us," Leonard said as he made the bed.

"I want to know," Penny said as she flipped through the pages.

"It's your funeral."

She passed question eight, question nine, and there it was –the answer to question ten.

"Oh, my god," Penny whispered to herself.

"What is it?" Leonard had to know, too.

Penny held up the notebook.

Amy.


A/N: The next two chapters are very crucial to the story, so please stay tuned. But bear in mind that things must always get worse before they can get better. I promise to take good care of the Shamy, despite whatever may come. Read, review, enjoy.