Author's Note: Chapter 9 – June, July and August. Folks, I realize I'm so behind on this that if I don't skip a bit, I'll never post another chapter. So I apologize for dropping this for so long and skimming over three months. With new episodes, perhaps the muse will feel more cooperative.

Inspired by The Opposite Day Speculation by We Built the Pyramids.

DISCLAIMER: I do not own The Big Bang Theory. The holidays can be found on the website Holiday Insights ( www. holidayinsights .com ). This story is for entertainment purposes only. I make no profit and no infringement of copyrights is intended.


Chapter 9 – The Make-Up Manipulation

Summer passed by in a whirlwind of holiday celebrations. With Leonard off in the North Sea, Sheldon imposed his holiday whims mostly on Amy and Penny. He convinced Raj to give him the loan of Cinnamon on June 23rd for Take Your Dog to Work Day. Amy wasn't surprised to hear that Sheldon called Raj almost immediately to retrieve the small dog when Cinnamon audaciously took over Sheldon's desk chair and barked viciously when he attempted to shoo her out.

Amy did receive her allotted hug on Hug Holiday, June 29th. She was surprised, however, when Sheldon also bestowed brief hugs on Rajesh, Bernadette and even Howard. She felt a small frisson of jealousy begin to rise when he hugged Penny more than briefly. She chided herself for allowing her baser instincts to overcome reason. She was well aware that Penny and Sheldon had a special, if somewhat unlikely, friendship and that Penny needed his comfort while she endured Leonard's extended absence. She was happy that Sheldon's increasing ability to display affection was occurring at a time that was so fortuitous for her bestie.

On National Nude Day, July 14th, despite extensive and ribald prodding by the group, Sheldon declared that he had been nude during his shower that morning, which was quite sufficient to celebrate the day. He also noted that while in the shower, he sang La Marseillaise in celebration of Bastille Day.

In August, they celebrated Vesuvius Day, the 24th, with a special date. Sheldon escorted Amy to a presentation by the UCLA Archeology Department featuring lecturers discussing the current research being conducted in Pompeii. Afterwards, they enjoyed dinner at an Italian Restaurant, although Sheldon pointed out repeatedly that the modern cuisine of Italy bore virtually no resemblance to what Pompeians might have eaten prior to the demise of their city. It was a lovely day and even lovelier evening. Until they got back to Sheldon's apartment.

While Sheldon listened attentively to the lectures and responded adequately to Amy's conversational gambits during dinner, she realized he appeared distracted all day. She supposed he could simply be missing Leonard. It was, after all, three months since he left and there was still another month to go before Leonard was scheduled to return from the North Sea. Naturally, Leonard expended the bulk of his available Skype time with Penny. Just as naturally, Amy realized that Sheldon did not fully understand this. It was still difficult for Sheldon to accept that he was not the center of everyone's universe.

Amy chided herself again. It was unfair of her to assume that Sheldon's funk was related to jealousy and egotism. It was just as possible that Sheldon was concerned for Penny and how much she was missing her boyfriend. The blonde beauty put up a brave front, but Amy was aware that Penny spent more than one night cuddling one of Leonard's hoodies. Sheldon of all people was aware of how difficult this time was for her, and he took very seriously his promise that he would look out for his "best friend's girl." He'd gone out of his way to keep her free hours occupied – even if he went about it in a purely Sheldonish way. Despite Amy's repeated admonitions, he didn't seem to comprehend that learning tri-dimensional chess was not Penny's idea of a good time.

Amy brought two ice cold water bottles from the kitchen, opened them and set them on the sofa table. She sat in her usual place next to Sheldon in his spot, carefully leaving a few inches of separation between them. While Sheldon was getting more used to casual physical contact between them – as well as their scheduled evenings of not-so casual physical contact – Amy was still careful not to initiate anything more than the briefest of touches. While Sheldon was acclimating, it seemed best to allow him to take the initiative. Time enough for her to make her own advances when she was sure he would be comfortable with them. Besides, it gave her a chance to confer with Penny and Bernadette, as well as research the Internet, on just how to make such advances.

Sheldon grabbed the bottle nearest to him and began drinking like a man newly returned from a week in the desert.

"Sheldon," Amy began cautiously, taking a sip from her own bottle, "Is everything all right? You've been quite distracted all day."

Sheldon put the nearly empty bottle back on the table and turned to face Amy. He rubbed both hands down his thighs. "I'm fine, Amy," he said, his fingers absently twitching. Looking down, he noticed the unconscious movement and pressed his hands down against his knees again to still them. He looked back up, but did not maintain eye contact, his gaze glancing towards the kitchen. "My entire focus today has been on enjoying our day together. I hope it was enjoyable for you as well."

Amy set her bottle down and adjusted her own position to turn slightly towards her boyfriend. She was concerned at his obvious preoccupation, and more so at his reticence to share whatever was bothering him. But she knew well enough that if he wasn't ready to discuss the issue, prodding him would only make it worse.

"Yes, Sheldon. I had a wonderful time. I must say I thought initially that you would grow bored celebrating all these odd holidays, but I'm glad you've stuck with it. It's given us the opportunity to explore many things we might not otherwise have considered. I've really started to look forward to what comes up next."

"Yes, well, some holidays are better than others," came the quiet response.

"True," she replied with a half laugh, hoping to get Sheldon to smile. "Ratcatcher's Day was certainly not one of my favorites."

Amy wondered if perhaps Sheldon was finally beginning to tire of the holidays. Or, worse yet, if he was finding the changes to his routine and to their relationship too much to endure. They'd made great progress in the weeks since Sheldon started his daily observations. They now had regular make-out dates during which they engaged in all manner of physical contact. Of course, Amy didn't think that a detailed agenda including the exact duration of each activity was typical for most couples. She was certain that Leonard did not e-mail Penny a week in advance to provide an explicit list of everything he had planned for them. But she couldn't complain. Odd it might be, but practice had proven Sheldon to be a very gifted kisser. Not that Amy had much to compare his kissing to. But she was fairly certain that toe-curling and the building of a certain warmth and tingling in her nether regions was a good indication of proficiency.

Amy blinked twice and grabbed the water bottle. Those sorts of thoughts would only cause frustration, given that their next scheduled date was nearly two weeks away. Had she been a bit more impetuous, she might have tried starting an impromptu session of her own, to snap Sheldon out of his mood. More likely, it would earn her strikes. While another spanking had its attractions, Amy realized that her expectations of Sheldon had grown in the last few weeks. Should Sheldon ever spank her again – and Amy was by no means ruling it out – she wanted Sheldon to be fully aware of – and a willing participant in – the sexual implications.

She took another drink and began fiddling with the television remote. Usually, she could sit in silence comfortably with Sheldon for hours. Tonight was somehow different. She knew it was her concern and confusion about his mood that was fueling her nerves. She also knew that it was typically better to deal with the cause rather than treat the symptoms. But as Sheldon was unwilling to discuss the cause, she needed to resort to palliative measures. She opted to change the subject.

"I got an e-mail from my department head this afternoon," she said, enthusiasm building in her voice. "I've been approved to attend a Biological Sciences conference next month in San Francisco. Four whole days discussing all sorts of fascinating brain diseases and neurological disorders! Bernadette's going too, so we can be roomies in the hotel! It'll be like a long girl's night – only with prions and brain lesions and microbes galore!"

Sheldon suddenly bolted out of his seat and strode toward the kitchen. Halfway there he turned and stared at her. Amy stared back, wondering what on earth was the matter. He looked… not quite angry. She observed his body language and noticed his fingers had resumed their twitching and the muscle in one cheek was bouncing like an adolescent gibbon on amphetamines.

"You're leaving?"

The words exploded like thunder out of his mouth. Amy had never heard that tone from him before. Suddenly it dawned on her that, with Leonard away so long, the prospect of her leaving as well may have exacerbated whatever was eating at Sheldon this evening. She regretted having brought up the subject, but it's not like she could keep it a secret!

"It's just for four days, Sheldon. Not even a week." She patted the seat beside her in an effort to coax Sheldon into sitting back down so she could reassure him properly. "With Bernie gone too, you can hang out with Howard and Raj and the three of you can play your video games and do all that nerd stuff you're always complaining that you don't get to do as much anymore. It'll be fun and I'll be back before you know it."

"I forbid you to go."

"You WHAT?"

Amy couldn't believe her ears. Sheldon was pacing the floor, his fingers steepled below his chin, his eyes narrowed to slits. She recognized this. He was channeling the Spock character from that episode where he got married to the beautiful, but very manipulative Vulcan chick. Well he could just pon farr himself! No man was telling Amy Farrah Fowler what she could or could not do!

"I'm going, Sheldon, and that's that. This is important to me and important to my career. I'm sorry if you're going to miss me. I'll miss you, too. But I'll only be gone for a few days. People in relationships sometime have to endure separation. It's not pleasant, but it's part of life."

Sheldon stopped pacing and turned to face her. He crossed his arms, staring at her again. In other circumstances, that sort of concentrated perusal from Sheldon would have made her heart soar. Right now, it was all she could do not to squirm uncomfortably in her seat. His next words were spoken quietly, in a near whisper.

"Amy. I will not allow you to take this trip. And most especially not with Bernadette. I remember that conference we all attended in Big Sur and there's entirely too much hanky-panky that occurs at such events. I will not have my girlfriend subject to the leering and mauling of a bunch of drunken conventioneers. You're staying here and that's the end of it."

Amy stared open-mouthed at the chauvinist who was masquerading as Sheldon Lee Cooper, Ph.D. Had she not heard it from his own lips, she would never believe it. She realized his Texas upbringing included some – quaint – ideas about the responsibilities of a red-blooded Texas male towards his woman. She could admit to being just a little thrilled when she heard he'd "defended her honor" against Wil Wheaton. When he finally got around to it, that is. But she drew the line at being ordered around – especially when it impinged on her career. She had to nip this in the bud.

She grabbed her bag, held it tight against her body and stood up. "I think I better leave, Sheldon. I don't know what's eating you this evening, but I can only hope you'll wake up tomorrow and realize how ridiculous you're being about this. For now, I'm going to assume that missing Leonard has addled your normal good sense. Good night, Sheldon."

She turned and stomped toward the door, repeating a mantra in her head not to slam it on her way out. She needed to maintain some sense of civility in this.

Just as she was opening the door a hand touched her shoulder, gripping her gently but firmly.

"Amy."

She turned. Amy could have sworn she knew every look Sheldon ever wore, but this was a new one. He looked… sad… as if he was resigned to something inevitable and distasteful.

Amy," he repeated, "I have to do this. I have to insist that you not go on this trip. I'm," he paused, obviously unwilling to say what he was about to say. "I'm ordering you, as your boyfriend, don't go."

Amy looked down, not sure what to think of this. The Sheldon she knew could be imperious about getting his way, but not like this – and not about something like this. It didn't make any sense. Still, he'd said it. And she had to say what she had to say.

"I'm sorry, Sheldon. I'm sure you have reasons for not wanting me to go, but I really don't understand your attitude and I can't allow you to order me around. I want to go – and I will go. I hope you come to your senses about this soon. I'll call you tomorrow, ok?"

She stared up into his eyes for a moment, trying to catch a glimpse of… something. Remorse, maybe? It was there, but he obviously wasn't changing his mind. She turned and reached out to open the door, walked through and gently pulled it closed.

Leaning back against the door, she looked across the hall for a moment, pondering whether she should seek guidance from someone far more experienced in the art of relationships and men. She felt sure she had done the right thing in refusing to accede to Sheldon's demands. She was sure Penny would agree. But what if they couldn't get past this? What if Sheldon really felt he had a right to order her around in this way? Things had been going so well, she couldn't bear the thought that it all might be ending.

Wearily, she pushed herself away from the door and began slowly walking down the many stairs that led to the ground floor and her waiting car, and perhaps to a renewed life of loneliness without Sheldon. She barely noticed when the tears started to fall.

. . . . . . . . . . . . .

Sunday mornings Amy often spent catching up on her professional reading. Sheldon usually played paintball or flew kites with his friends, although with Leonard gone, he complained that they were stuck with just paintball, and that only some weekends. Penny refused to fly kites with them, and although she was an excellent marksman for paintball, she rarely wanted to join them at an early hour. It wasn't uncommon, therefore, for Sheldon to join Amy at her apartment, his own Applied Physics Quarterly or some similar journal packed in his messenger bag. They would read companionably for hours, occasionally reading aloud passages from some article or other.

This morning Amy rose early as usual, but stiff from a night of very little sleep. She had several articles in the latest issue of Neuron that she'd set aside for this morning, but it was doubtful that she would be able to concentrate well enough to read them. She shrugged on her flannel robe and made her way to the kitchen, hoping a cup of restorative tea and a long shower would at least bring some feeling of life into her body.

Standing at the kitchen counter, she ripped open a tea bag and placed it into her favorite mug while she waited for the kettle to boil. She wondered if she would cry any more or if she was all cried out yet. Her relationship with Sheldon had been sometimes frustrating, and often confusing. But this was the first time she'd been brought to tears by the man. She had no idea what to expect. It was much too early to call Penny, and although she liked Bernadette well enough, her advice on how to deal with men tended to be… violent.

The kettle screamed and Amy poured the hot water into her cup. She would let it steep while she took a quick shower. It would be very strong by the time she got out, but perhaps that would help revive her spirits.

. . . . . . . . . . . . .

A few moments later Amy was briskly toweling her hair, sipping her tea and grimacing at the intensely bitter flavor. But she did feel somewhat restored. While in the shower, she made up her mind to call Sheldon in about an hour and suggest that they meet for lunch to talk. She was convinced his behavior the previous evening had to be some sort of emotional aberration. Given the opportunity, she was sure he would, if not actually apologize, at least back down from his ultimatum. The thought warmed her heart much more than tea ever could.

Knock, knock, knock

Amy?

Knock, knock, knock

Amy?

Knock, knock, knock

Amy?

Amy looked up in surprise. If she was superstitious she might think she had conjured Sheldon simply by thinking of him. His voice, calling her name, was low and questioning and almost timid. Maybe he had come to apologize? It's not like he didn't know how.

She hurriedly set her cup in the sink and ran to the door, nearly stumbling in her haste. It wasn't until she flung the door open that she realized she still had her hair piled on top of her head, wrapped in a damp towel.

"Sheldon!" she exclaimed, one hand reaching up to jerk the towel from her head and fling it aside. She quickly combed her fingers through her damp curls. "I… I wasn't expecting you."

"I came to apologize," replied Sheldon.

Then, before Amy knew what was happening, Sheldon threw his arms around her, drew her to him and soundly kissed her for all he was worth.

"What?" Amy said when he finally released her and she was able to breathe again.

Sheldon drew his arms back and clasped his hands behind himself. "I apologize, Amy," he repeated. "I should not have said those things to you. It was wrong of me to exercise masculine dominance in that way." He straightened up and smiled. "With that, I believe the appropriate social protocol is for us to kiss and make up. Which we just did." He waited a few seconds, then leaned slightly forward. "Perhaps you should invite me in."

Stunned, Amy backed away from the door and gestured for Sheldon to enter. He made his way over to his usual seat on the couch, dropping his messenger bag on the floor next to him as he sat down.

"If you were to offer me a hot beverage, I wouldn't refuse a cup of tea at this juncture." Sheldon proclaimed.

Amy quietly closed the door and turned to watch her boyfriend settle himself proprietarily in her living room. She cocked her head to one side as she observed him. Something was spinning in her brain. Something about…

"It's the holiday, isn't it?" she took two steps towards him and stopped, unable to believe what she was thinking. She recalled the list she glanced at a few days before. "Today is…it's Kiss and Make Up Day." She crossed her arms across her chest and stared down at him, a variety of violent impulses flashing through her mind. "You did all this… you picked a fight… just so that we could kiss and make up on Kiss and Make Up Day?"

"Yes," he answered, a note of pride in his voice. "I did." He smiled and looked up at her, his eyes twinkling. He obviously was terribly pleased with his accomplishment. Under any other circumstances that look of excitement would set her heart fluttering.

She advanced a few more steps until she was standing directly over him.

"WHAT THE HELL! SHELDON!"

Sheldon cringed as though she'd struck him. "It was the only thing I could think of," he exclaimed, shrinking back further into the couch in an effort to escape the Wrath of Amy. "In order to kiss and make up a couple must first have a fight. And we never fight. So I had to come up with some way to get into a fight with you so that we could kiss and make up today. I would think you would be happy… at least about the kissing part. You usually seem to like it."

Amy let out an exasperated sigh, dropped her arms to her sides and walked around the sofa table to sit on the opposite end of the couch.

"Sheldon, you are taking this holiday thing too far." She reached out and brushed a stray hair off the table. She would have to vacuum the entire apartment after walking all around with loose, wet hair. There would be stray hairs everywhere. She leaned forward, then stopped as she realized he was backing away from her again. She didn't need him afraid of her, she needed him to listen to her. "What you said yesterday caused me to seriously consider whether our relationship could viably continue. And to find out today that it was all just a manipulation to set you up to fulfill one of your ridiculous holidays is just… It upsets me to realize you would jeopardize our relationship for something like this."

She waited a moment for Sheldon to respond, but he just sat looking at her, obviously not comprehending.

"Sheldon," she continued, "the holidays are fine when it's National Radio Day,"

"August twentieth," Sheldon said.

"…or Amelia Earhart Day,"

"July twenty-fourth," he interjected.

"…or even National Splurge Day."

"June eighteenth," came the automatic reply.

"But you've got to stop and think first if what you're doing for the sake of a silly holiday might hurt someone."

She reached over and, despite his slight flinching, she grasped his hand and gently drew it toward her, holding his hand in her flannel-clad lap. "Sheldon, you're right. Up until last night we've never really fought seriously about anything. And I love that about us. Even though Penny tells me that making up is wonderful, I would rather never kiss you again than have a fight purely for the sake of the chance to make up. Sheldon that's just… wrong."

"But Amy," Sheldon countered, "I can't kiss and make up with anyone else, so how was I supposed to acknowledge the holiday if I didn't arrange for us to have that little tiff so we could patch things up this morning? Would you rather I had a fight with Penny? 'Cause it sounds like she enjoys making up." He raised his eyebrows.

"What I'm saying, Sheldon," Amy wiggled over closer to him, "is that there might be some holidays that you either celebrate in spirit, or not at all." She wiggled over again until their knees were nearly touching. Then she brought her arms up to rest on his shoulders. "If it's Kiss and Make Up Day, and we aren't fighting, then we can celebrate the holiday by just kissing. We don't have to do the make-up part." She leaned over and gently kissed his lips, closing her eyes and lingering just a moment. When she felt him wrap his arms around her, and pull her close, she deepened the kiss, allowing her tongue to gently caress his lips, requesting entrance. To her surprise, he responded, opening his mouth and allowing his own tongue to explore her open mouth. Even during their make-out dates, tongues were not typically introduced until late in the evening and then for only the last few moments. It wasn't long before Sheldon brought one hand between them, fumbling to loosen the tie in the front of her robe. He slipped a hand inside and reached up to cup one full breast with his warm palm.

At that point, they both opened their eyes wide. It wasn't that Sheldon had never been to second base before. But this was the first time second base was covered with nothing more than a thin cotton nightgown.

Sheldon backed away, relinquishing her lips, but leaving his hand firmly attached to one breast. Amy was sure he was about to bring all activities to a halt. Instead, he just looked at her.

"Amy," he finally said, his voice cracking slightly. He cleared his throat and started again, his gaze looking down at her chest, then suddenly moving further down to stare at a spot between their knees. "Amy, I realize this is unscheduled." He swallowed and Amy watched in fascination as his Adam's apple bobbed up and down. The hand still cupping her breast shook slightly. "Amy, if it's all right with you," he looked up again into her eyes. "I don't want to stop."

"I…" Amy had to clear her own throat, "I don't want to stop, either."

Sheldon smiled. "In that case, maybe we should call this Kiss and Make Out Day," he said. Still grinning, he leaned forward and kissed her again.

. . . . . . . . . . . . .

Author's Note: I really appreciate everyone who sticks with me and comes back after the long gaps. I love reading fan fiction myself, so believe me when I say I feel really terrible when I leave you guys in the lurch for weeks. Forgive me?

FF_1807614_ 9/28/2013