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The Survival Imperative.
Chapter 10.
It was 4 days before anyone heard from Amy.
Having learned she had left the apartment that evening, Penny tried ringing and texting her, but there was no answer.
Finally, on the afternoon of the fourth day, she received a text message, giving the address of the hotel.
Jumping in her car, she drove straight round.
Penny had barely tapped on the door, when it swung open and Amy invited her in.
Amy explained the events of the last evening.
When she was finished, Penny thought for a moment then, sweeping her hair back with her hand, she asked, "So why didn't you help him? You know, throw him on the bed and ride him senseless?"
Amy shook her head. "No" she began, "I had to know that he actually wanted me, and that he had the nerve to carry it through".
Penny asked "And if he had gone through with it, you would've stayed?"
Amy nodded "Yes".
Penny rolled her eyes. "I don't understand you Amy. First you turn him down, when he wants to make love to you?"
Amy interrupted. "He didn't want to. It was your idea, remember?"
Penny went on, "Then when he tries again, you just lie there until he loses his nerve?"
"That's about the size of it".
Pausing, Amy continued. "I can't spend my life, waiting for Sheldon to get up the nerve to do something. Apart from anything else, it's bloody frustrating, every time he gets me aroused and backs out at the last minute".
Amy sucked on her lip. "There's a girl at work, whose brother is a divorcee. She says she can set me up with him".
Penny frowned. "Amy, no".
"What do you want me to do?" Amy asked, "stay a virgin my whole life? As a divorcee, he must know his way around a female body".
She went on, "No matter who I choose, you won't be happy, because it's not Sheldon".
Penny sighed. She knew Amy was right. No matter who it was, she'd want it to be Sheldon instead.
"OK" she said, "but please promise me it'll be romantic, and not just rutting with some Neanderthal".
"I promise" Amy replied, "it'll be romantic".
Closing the door behind Penny, Amy took out her cell phone. Dialing, she put it to her ear and waited for it to connect.
When it did, she said "Hi Rhona, it's Amy. Listen, if Steven is still interested in a date, I'm free Saturday evening".
Listening to the reply, she went on "Great, give him my cell phone number and get him to text me the where and when".
-o-o-o-o-
Amy was so busy that week, that the time flew by.
Having received the keys to her new apartment on Tuesday, she went out and bought a new bed, bedding, couch and coffee table.
Next, not being able to face going into her old apartment, she did a deal with a house clearance company. In exchange for transporting her microscope, computer, laptop, clothes and books, they could have the rest of the contents for free.
On Wednesday she moved into the new apartment, then went straight out and bought more things, including some frilly white underwear, a smart trouser suit, and two dresses, one of which was similar to her prom dress, but darker blue.
She topped this off with some makeup, including red lipstick.
On Wednesday evening, she received a text from Steven, giving the name and address of the restaurant, and the time, 7-30pm.
On Friday evening, she took a long shower, then settled down to practice putting on her makeup.
As she was about begin, her cell phone rang. It was Penny.
"Hi penny" she said, "What's up?"
Penny replied "I haven't heard from you for a few days. Is everything OK?"
Amy replied "Yes, everything is fine. I've just been busy". "In fact" she said, "why don't you pop over now? I could use some pointers on this makeup".
There was a pause, then Penny asked "Makeup?"
"Yes" she replied, "I have a date tomorrow night".
"OK" Penny said, "give me the address and I'll be right over".
Twenty minutes later, there was a knock at the door.
Amy opened the door and Penny stood there gob smacked. After a moment, Penny said "Amy, you look amazing".
Amy replied "You think?"
Penny looked at the makeup and said "Yep, not much wrong there, but let's try some variations, just to be certain".
As Penny gave Amy some pointers on the makeup, they chatted.
Although she did her best not to mention it, Penny could only resist the temptation to ask, for so long.
Reaching for an eyeliner brush, she asked "Are you sure about this date?"
Putting down the lipstick she was holding, Amy sighed. "Penny" she began, "I know what you are thinking, because it's crossed my mind as well, this date should be with Sheldon, and I'd like it to be too, but we both know it's not going to happen. He's just not interested".
Penny forced a smile onto her face. "I guess you're right. Anyway, enjoy yourself".
-o-o-o-o-
At 4pm on Saturday, Amy took a long luxurious bath, after which she slipped into her frilly new underwear.
As she opened the door to the wardrobe, to take the dress from the rail, she caught a glimpse of herself, in the full length mirror on the inside of the door.
Looking herself up and down, her shoulders dropped and she turned away with a frown.
Laying the dress on the bed, she began applying her make up.
At 6-45, she slipped into her dress, briefly examined herself in the full length mirror, picked up her purse and sat by the door, waiting for her 7pm taxi.
-o-o-o-o-
At 7-25pm , she entered the restaurant, and identified herself to the maître d.
She was shown to a table, where she found a man with short, dark blond hair, who stood and took her hand.
He introduced himself, "I'm Steven Fox, Rhona's brother, and you must be Amy".
Dipping her head in acknowledgment, Amy replied "Yes, Amy Farrah Fowler".
With a smile, he replied "Pleased to meet you Amy".
Drawing the second chair from the table, he gestured to it, "Please".
As Amy sat, he asked "Would you care for a drink?"
Amy smiled politely. "White wine please".
They chatted as they ate, and Steven was the perfect, attentive gentleman, listening in apparent fascination as they chatted about her work in neurobiology, and his as a plastic surgeon.
The night passed enjoyably, with no uncomfortable silences.
At just after 10-30pm, Steven settled the check, then offered her a lift home, which she would ordinarily decline, but she felt strangely comfortable, so accepted.
As they drove to her apartment, they continued to chat.
Arriving outside her apartment, she said "Thank you for a lovely evening. I've had a really nice time".
Bowing slightly in acknowledgement, he replied "Me too. If you are free Thursday, I'd love to take you to dinner again".
"Yes please" she blurted out, with a little too much eagerness. "Pick me up here, 7 o'clock?"
"It's a date" he replied. Leaning forward, he placed a gentle kiss on her left cheek.
He drew back but Amy reached her right arm forward and put her hand behind his neck, pulling him in closer, as she pressed her lips to his.
For a moment, he was caught off guard, but then he responded, opening his lips to stroke his tongue across her lips, tasting her.
Feeling light headed, Amy broke the kiss and, fighting to steady her breathing, she asked, "Would you like to come in?"
He nodded and Amy turned the key in the door.
No sooner were they inside, and the door closed, than they were on the couch, their mouths fused together, and their hands exploring each other's bodies.