CHAPTER 11

Amy took Sheldon by the hand, so he wouldn't get out of bed. She wanted him to stay with her, holding each other at least for a couple of minutes.

"Please, don't get up yet, Amy said as she surrounded him with her arms. She could get whatever she wanted with that look in her eyes.

"But… Amy, I want to take a shower, I feel all sticky. Sheldon said with a grimace of discomfort, as he covered himself with the sheets again.

Amy pressed her body against Sheldon, affectionately kissing his neck; she emitted a soft sound that reminded Sheldon of a purring kitten.

"You love this, don't you"?, Sheldon realized this was a game he could never win.

Sheldon looked at his watch, it was 4 am; maybe that shower could wait until 6 in the morning. Amy rested her head on his chest. Sheldon was fully awake with his eyes wide open, staring at the ceiling while, with a hand he stroked his girlfriend's back, up and down, gently and slowly.

"Amy… can I ask you something?, Sheldon said hesitantly.

"Ye… yes, Amy replied, surprised by his concern.

"Do you think my performance was satisfactory?, Sheldon was blushing intensely. "I mean, I clearly enjoyed our… bonding; nevertheless I don't know if it was just as ... pleasant for you. At times I thought I was only causing you pain".

Amy was shocked to hear that her boyfriend, the always condescending and proud scientist was worried to know if she had enjoyed this experience, her first time. Their first time.

"Sheldon, being with you so close together, has been the best moment of my life, and trust me; it was extremely satisfying to me. I have to admit that I felt some pain, but it was completely worth it. In addition, you're always above average, both intellectually and physically", Amy was smiling mischievously. "And what do you think?", asked Amy.

"Mmm, at first, it seemed messy, chaotic and wet. I couldn't stop thinking about germs and bodily fluids, Sheldon told her sincerely. "But then… all of a sudden it was as if everything was clarified and my body knew what I had to do, I guess instinctively." Sheldon admitted tightly holding his girlfriend.

"Well, it seems that your body still wants to act out of instinct", Amy added, when she felt his passionate embrace.

"Uh, oh!" Sheldon muttered as he realized his body's response to the touch of his sweet Amy. "Vixen!", he whispered as they engaged in a new session of intense kissing and fondling, until they fell asleep in each other's arms.

When the alarm clock rang at 06h15 as it did every Saturday, Sheldon woke up, to see Amy sleeping at his side, sheltered by his arms and resting on his chest. He turned off the alarm and got out of bed slowly; he put on his pajamas and left the room without making any nose.

While he showered, he couldn't help but thinking how he definitely affected his relationship with Amy Farrah Fowler; and it wasn't regret, but now he would miss her even more, when they are apart. "Why did I have to ruin a relationship that was perfectly fine?", he told himself.

Amy woke up about ten minutes later looking for Sheldon in the empty space to the right of the bed. She hoped that her boyfriend wasn't so scared. Why does her boyfriend is always at flight risk?, she thought.

Amy covered her naked body with a sheet and rose from the bed; she felt her legs still trembling and a slight but persistent discomfort in his nether region, since she wasn't used to that kind of physical activity. When looking for her glasses, she remembered how they were shattered.

Amy put on her underwear and the red pajama shirt that was on the floor, and left the room looking for Sheldon. She heard the sound of water running in the shower and was relieved to know that her elusive boyfriend hadn't left her alone. She went to the kitchen and began to prepare breakfast for two. She knew that Saturday was "cereal day"; she also made orange juice and toasts with raspberry jam.

Sheldon came out of the shower wearing his red Flash T-shirt and his plaid Saturday's trousers. Amy was fascinated to see him; the smell of baby powder and after shave was mesmerizing. Wasting no time she ran to hug him.

Sheldon replied her embrace, coldly. He seemed upset about something that Amy couldn't understand. What had happened if everything was going so well?.

"Sheldon, what's wrong?", Amy asked puzzled.

"What do you mean? Nothing's wrong. Why don't you take a shower?, the water is warm and I think Leonard will be here at any minute, so you better shower now. I don't want him to find you dressed like that". He tried to resist the temptation to look at her.

"Would you like to come with me to the shower?", Amy whispered as she massaged Sheldon´s shoulders.

"No! Of course not, I already took a shower, and in this apartment, the shower's maximum occupancy is ONE. We are not hippies Amy!, Sheldon said, almost choking on a spoonful of cereal.

"All right then!, Just, do whatever you want! I thought you'd be in a better mood after last night's events". Amy was unable to hide her disappointment.

"Precisely, I want to have a talk with you about that, when you get out of the shower", Sheldon replied.

Amy couldn't believe that Sheldon was as cold and selfish as ever, in her heart she had expected a different reaction. While she showered, she remembered how blissful she had been with him just a few hours ago; she could still feel his hands touching her and his lips on her skin. Why does he have this attitude? Something was wrong. Amy desperately wanted to cry.

Sheldon recriminated himself for his behavior. He shouldn't treat Amy like that after what they had experienced together. The prospect of not having her around for two months, thousands of miles away, was terrifying.

He remembered that time they temporarily ended up their relationship, because of a disagreement and he had tried to fill her space with 25 cats; now after what had happened between them, at least 73 koalas would be need to replace her... and maybe a unicorn. "Ha, ha!, I always make the best jokes when I'm alone", he thought. "I will apologize to Amy for acting like an idiot", he reflected.

Amy's phone rang insistently, it was driving him crazy. Sheldon politely answered it. "Good morning, this is Dr. Amy Farrah Fowler's phone, she can't assist you at this time, would like to leave a message?".

"Oh, well! Good morning. I am Janet Cox, head of the Department of Neurosciences where Amy works, with whom do I have the pleasure of speaking with?", asked a female voice on the other side of the line.

"I'm Dr. Sheldon Cooper and Dr. Fowler is my girlfriend", Sheldon answered with that adorably arrogant tone.

"Oh, I see", said that kind mature woman. "I've been trying to call Amy since yesterday afternoon but unfortunately I couldn't reach her. I have to tell her that there's been a last-minute change regarding her trip to Stockholm"

"Yes, Amy won't be so far from me, they've canceled the study", Sheldon thought unable to hide his smile and jumping from his seat.

"Please tell Amy that her travel's been rescheduled for Monday at 07:00 am, because the sponsor of the project needs to start it earlier, and, most important, the study's been extended for about six months. We've sent her an e-mail with the details. Nice to meet you, have a good day", said the enthusiastic neurobiologist as she hung up.

Sheldon stood up as if he was frozen, watching the phone's screen darken. Amy will go to Stockholm on Monday and for six months. "No, no, no, this can't be right!", he thought. In less than 48 hours Amy would be gone, and now that he needed her more than ever.

Amy came out of the shower, wearing her blue denim skirt, a white blouse with small purple flowers and a beige sweater. She took her purse and her car keys. She told Sheldon: "Well, I think it's time to go home, I´ll call a cab and when I have my glasses, I'm going to come back, to get my car".

"Amy, please forgive me, I felt overwhelmed and scared by the idea of being apart from you". Sheldon held her tightly.

"We already talked about this, and it will be only for two months", she said trying to cheer him up.

"No Amy, your boss just called and I answered the phone. Just look!, Sheldon handed the phone to Amy.

Amy examined the cell phone, realizing that it had eight missed calls from Dr. Janet Cox. "Sheldon, what exactly did she say?, Amy asked.

"She said they've rescheduled your trip and you have to leave for Stockholm on Monday, and ... they've sent you an e-mail with more details".

Amy swiftly searched her inbox, and read aloud the contents of the message her boss sent her:

Dear Amy, at Stockholm's University they're looking forward for your arrival ... you'll have the opportunity to work with Dr. Mattias Johansson, who has committed himself to meet you at the airport on Monday, and personally show you the campus and the lab.

The study's been extended for six months, so I've made the required adjustments for your accommodation and your grant.

"I won´t go! Six months, such a long time, Sheldon" Amy said trying to hold back the tears that furtively welled up in her green eyes.

"I want you to go, it's a great opportunity and you deserve this recognition", Sheldon said trying to be strong. "You have to go; I'll wait for you, as long as it takes".