AN: As promised, here's the second part of the dinner chapter...I hope you enjoy!

Leonard made his way over to the door and pulled it open to reveal Howard, Bernadette, Raj and Wil Wheaton standing outside, each holding a card or gift for Sheldon.

"Leonard! Good to see you, buddy! Where's Sheldon?" Howard clapped his arm on Leonard's shoulder as he brushed past him into the apartment. "There he is! Man, what is that amazing smell?"

"Hello, Howard. That smell is our dinner cooking, what brings you back from your vacation a whole three days earlier than predicted?"

"Well, we felt kind of bad for not being around when you were in hospital…" Howard stated slowly and Bernadette brushed past him, hair almost flying with fury.

"What my poor excuse for a husband is trying to say is that he ignored your message, Amy and as I didn't take my phone away with me, I took his word when he said it was a 'milky green situation'! Sheldon, had I known how bad it was, I would have made Howie come straight home, I swear."

"Thank you, Bernadette; but I was in good hands as you can see." Sheldon gave Bernadette one of his rarely bestowed smiles and she hopped up on one of the stools at the counter and propped her chin in her hands.

"So, whatcha doin'?"

"Sheldon, Leonard and I are making Chicken Caesar Salad for dinner tonight." Amy replied as she tossed the croutons in with the lettuce and popped the whole bowl into the fridge.

"No pizza?" Howard lamented and immediately sat down in the armchair as Bernadette shot him an evil look from beneath lowered brows. Raj and Wil wandered over to the kitchen and Wil whistled between his teeth as he got a first-hand look at Sheldon's injuries.

"Man, Sheldon – that's some wicked looking needlework you've had done. How many pins?"

"Two, one in each bone. Six stitches in my temple and…?" He looked over at Amy for confirmation.

"Twenty four along his arm. He goes back in seven days to have the stitches removed and a permanent one piece cast put on."

"I'm sorry I couldn't come any sooner, I was filming over in Carolina and only got the message from Stuart this morning, I came as soon as I heard. Brought you a couple of comics from my new line…"

"Sorry Wil, I didn't have your number or other contact details in my phone." Amy looked up from where she was talking quietly with Bernadette and Wil shrugged.

"That's okay, here hand me your phone and I'll put my details in just in case; I'm only a few miles down the road and now that Sheldon doesn't class me as his mortal enemy any longer…" Wil grinned over at Sheldon who managed a faint smile back in response.

"Thank you for the comics, Wil; and it was very nice of you to come all this way just to check up on me…a phone call would have sufficed."

"Naw, I wanted to check up on you in person, and not just pretending to be okay." Amy looked over at Wil and caught his eye, he nodded slightly and she knew that the younger man truly did care for Sheldon. She turned her attention back to Bernadette and Raj who were both leaning on their hands waiting for her take on the whole 'Milky Green' episode.

"So, I moved into Leonard's room to take care of Sheldon…end of story; no juicy details or scandalous tidbits, just fulfilling the requirements of the Boo boos and Ouchies clause."

"Amy!" Sheldon protested from across the kitchen. "They don't need to know all of our intimate details…"

"Sorry, Sheldon." Amy apologised and he crossed over to wrap her in a one armed hug.

"…I already told you that I would have wanted you here, regardless of that stupid clause." He dropped another kiss to the top of her head and wandered away again. Raj blinked hard, certain that his long flight had impaired his senses.

"Bernadette, pinch me." Raj whispered over to his small, blonde companion; who turned to pat his arm.

"Don't worry, Raj - you're not seeing things. That was a definite PDA!" Bernadette giggled into her hand and Raj let out a little squeal of delight as he exchanged a high five with one of his best girlfriends.

"Okay, those of you that came expecting pizza…sorry, it's off the menu for tonight." Amy announced from the kitchen and after a quick nod from Sheldon, she continued. "However, those of you that wish to join Sheldon, Leonard and I in a home cooked meal are welcome to stay and join us. We're having Caesar Salad for the vegetarians among us…" Amy looked around to see if there were any raised hands, "No, then I guess it's Chicken Caesar Salad for the rest of us."

"Howard, help Leonard clear off the coffee table." Bernadette called over her shoulder as she walked around the counter to offer her help.

"Yes, dear." Howard muttered under his breath, and Leonard gave him a warning look.

"If you want to join Penny in her banishment, carry on the way you are."

"Penny got banished again? What did she do this time?"

"Kicked Amy out of the apartment and sent her home this morning. Sheldon managed to get her to return, she cooked him up a special batch of soup which Penny then proceeded to help herself too while Amy was helping Sheldon in the shower…when he got out she received the full brunt of his icy blast."

"Ooh, with the quiet voice?"

"Yeah, gave me the shivers. Anyway, he said she wasn't allowed back in until she learnt some manners. I sided with Sheldon and that got me kicked out of her apartment. Worked out for the best today though, cause it meant that I got to share in the fantastic soup that Amy made and witnessed a beautifully romantic tale this afternoon."

"You been watching Titanic again, Leonard? That is lame even for you."

"No!" Leonard hissed at Howard and jerked his head over to the kitchen. "I spent all afternoon watching them, anyone would think that they were the married couple. Honestly, Howard it was like watching a ballet – he called her 'darlin' and she didn't even flinch, I think it means that he must have called her that before, he hugged her a couple of times and even kissed her head – right in front of me! PDA's, Howard!"

"You're just yanking my chain aren't you?" Howard muttered as he stole a glance over at the kitchen where Sheldon was talking to Wil about his new comic book and Amy was over at the stove with Bernadette. They were interrupted by a dreamy looking Raj who practically floated over in their direction. "What's up with him?" Howard jerked his thumb over at where Raj had settled dreamily in Sheldon's chair and was spinning it around with his foot.

"He just witnessed something incredible. Raj?"

"Yes, Leonard?" Raj looked up from his daydream of a beautifully decorated church where the aisle was decorated with thousands of pastel rose petals.

"Tell Howard what you saw in the kitchen."

"Oh, Howard…it was magnificent, everything I ever dreamed it would be…He leant in close and wrapped his arm around her before bestowing a tender kiss to her silken hair…Ah!"

"Believe me now?"

"Not until I see it with my own eyes." Howard retrieved a table cloth from the closet and spread it over the coffee table.

"Bernadette was there, she saw it too." Raj announced and suddenly Howard was all in favour.

"I believe it, I believe it." Howard chanted under his breath, not wanting to face the wrath of hurricane Bernadette again anytime soon.

Over in the kitchen, Bernadette gently nudged a tired Sheldon out of the way and steered him toward Wil. "Take him over to the couch, Wil before he falls down."

"Sheldon, are you okay? I knew that you'd done too much today…" Amy was instantly by his side and tucked herself under his left arm to support his weight. Sheldon squeezed her waist with his good hand and urged her back to the chicken.

"I'm okay, darlin' – you go and take care of that chicken before it decides to jump right out of the pan."

"Oy vey, it's a miracle!" Howard muttered under his breath and said a quick prayer of thanks. He'd heard the endearment slip easily off Sheldon's tongue and saw the way that Amy had rushed immediately to his side as soon as she saw he was in need. Sparing a glance over at Leonard, the two men exchanged quick nods as Wil helped Sheldon to the couch, steering him towards his favoured spot.

"No, I'm currently occupying the other end, Wil." Sheldon announced and Howard, Raj and Wil looked on in amazement as Sheldon settled himself at the other end, pulling his striped cushion into place to rest his arm upon. Everyone noticed his gaze constantly returning to the brunette in the kitchen, and Sheldon twitched a little under the close scrutiny but tried to ignore it. "Shall we return to our movie, Leonard?"

"Sure, Sheldon – why don't you put it back to the beginning? We hadn't long started it before we got distracted by the groceries."

"Alright, Episode V it is." Sheldon selected the start of the movie and the guys settled in to watch, Howard took Leonard's desk chair, Raj was in Sheldon's, Wil sprawled out comfortably on the rug leaning against the armchair which he had left empty for Bernadette's use. Leonard was in Sheldon's usual seat which left the seat in between them open for Amy – although Leonard suspected that she would be pressed up so tightly against Sheldon's side that Bernadette could easily squeeze in next to her.

"Okay, dinner's ready. We've left the parmesan in a separate bowl so that Leonard can safely eat the salad, the eggs are also in a separate bowl just in case people prefer to leave them out. Leonard, what does Penny like?"

"Um, to be honest I have no idea…we eat a lot of Ramen noodles or we're over here for take-out. If I thought she'd answer, I'd give her a call."

"Good Lord! Bernadette go knock on her door and get her over here." Sheldon sighed heavily and jerked his head over to the door.

"Are you sure, Sheldon?" Bernadette asked just before she pulled it open.

"Yes, but go quickly before I change my mind." Sheldon leant his head back against the cushion and found himself leaning against a softness that wasn't there a few seconds ago, he opened his eyes to see that Amy had propped a small pillow behind his head and was holding his plate of food in one hand, and the cup containing his medication in the other. He accepted the plate and she placed the medication on the coffee table that Howard had nudged a little closer with his foot. Raj handed him a cup of juice and Sheldon gave them all a weary looking smile.

"Thanks." He murmured to everyone and threw back the pills washing them down with the juice. Amy continued handing out plates to everyone and placed the cutlery and bowls of food down on the coffee table.

"Okay, dig in." She announced and there was a sudden dash to the table from Wil and Leonard, both fighting over control of the tongs. She looked up to see a very woebegone Penny walk quietly into the apartment behind Bernadette and the way that Penny gently rubbed Sheldon's shoulder in apology as she walked behind the couch, and then Sheldon reaching up to press her hand lightly in acceptance. Penny sat on the arm of the couch and waited for Leonard to notice her arrival; he of course, had smelt her perfume from the moment she stepped through the door and merely turned around to ask whether she wanted cheese and eggs with her salad.

Tears prickled behind Amy's eyes and she rose to her feet, excusing herself for a moment. She hurried into the privacy of the bathroom and closed the door firmly behind her. She sat down on the closed lid of the toilet seat and waited for the knock on the door.

Knock, knock, knock; "Amy?" Sheldon repeated his ritual knocking and she finally called out for him to come in. He walked into the bathroom and took a seat on the edge of the tub.

"What's the matter?"

"Nothing…it just all seemed so…" Amy struggled for the right words to describe what had made her so emotional all of the sudden.

"Perfect." Sheldon filled in and Amy nodded.

"Yeah…" Amy muttered and wiped her nose with a piece of toilet tissue. "You must think I've gone loopy, weeping over something that most people would be smiling about."

"You forget, Amy…We are not 'most people'. Come on, dry your eyes and let's get back to that delicious dinner that we slaved over all afternoon." Sheldon held out his hand and Amy wiped her eyes and sprayed her hands with Purell before taking his hand and letting him lead her back to the couch. He settled down in his seat and tucked her against his side, before leaning over to pick up her plate which was an exact replica of his own. They had just settled down to eat, when Penny suddenly leant forward from where she was sitting next to Wil on the floor.

"Okay, what the frickin' hell happened in here this afternoon? Who are you and what have you done with Sheldon and Amy?"

"Oh, relax Penny…they do that now." Leonard patted his fiancée on the shoulder and she tilted her head back to peer up at him.

"Do what exactly?"

"PDA's." Chimed in the rest of the gang and Penny looked up to Leonard for confirmation, his solemn nod told her all that she needed to know.

"Great, I get banished for one afternoon and I miss everything!"