Amy tried to shift the memory of Sheldon's words. But how was she supposed to forget him admitting she caused arousal in him. How was she supposed to pretend it didn't matter. If she was honest with herself it thrilled her more than the date ever had. She sat looking at the now wilting flowers in the vase on her table. She couldn't bring herself to throw them away. She had taken one bloom while still fresh and pressed it between the pages of a book to keep as a reminder of her first bouquet. Now as she reluctantly admitted they needed disposing, Amy decided she needed to do as Penny suggested.
Sheldon had made an effort. He had not only taken her on a date which had been carefully planned. but he had admitted that his feelings for her were more than those of friendship. In return she had all but shut him down. Admitted she liked him as a friend and ensured things were on her terms. Now though having heard from Penny, how it seemed to be affecting Sheldon, she knew she needed to act. When he hadn't turned up for dinner Tuesday she had been disappointed. In fact she hardly listened to the conversation going on around her, her mind going over possible reasons he had not arrived. When Leonard had let slip Sheldon had taken up walking back and forth to work she had been confused; but Pennys blunt assertion that he was probably trying to, not just avoid her, but tire himself so he slept rang true. When he had initially come to her with his problem with Pauline it had been his sleep that had been affected. She had helped him find the solution and his sleep pattern was restored. Now unable to use the same solution he was walking to become physically tired.
She wasn't sure her solution would work this time, or even that he would entertain it but she had to try. Sending the message she knew all she could do now was wait.
73
She wanted him to go to a work function with him? Sheldon reread the text and couldn't work out what on earth would make her think he would want to do this. It was bad enough pretending things were OK when surrounded by their friends, but to continue the charade amongst her work colleagues, well he just didn't think he could do it.
He didn't reply straight away and was surprised when half an hour later Amy herself appeared at his door.
"Amy? Is something wrong?"
"Yes Sheldon I think so. Can I come in?"
Nodding and moving to let her in Sheldon cursed the fact he hadn't gone with Leonard to the market.
Settling herself on the sofa Amy watched Sheldon automatically move to make them drinks knowing she needed to let him go through the motions.
"Sheldon, Penny has brought it to my attention that my wishing to keep our relationship on a friends basis is causing you some discomfort. That your routine is disrupted?"
Sheldon kept his back to Amy and said "Penny talks too much, and its only a little, it is fine."
"No Sheldon it isn't fine. And that is why I asked if you would accompany me to the work quiz. I know you don't like meeting new people but this will be informal, and you will clean up question wise! But the main reason Sheldon is I don't want things to be awkward. Sheldon I am not ready for big dates. But I would very much like to spend time with you if you want too."
Blinking owlishly at her Sheldon said "Just as friends?"
Amy said "Is that so bad?"
"No Amy its not so bad. But I think I will decline."
"And if I said as more than friends?" Amy questioned she needed to know exactly what Sheldon wanted here, and he seemed to be more than a little guarded.
"It is not what you want Amy. Look," Sheldon moved now and sat in his spot turning to look at her properly for the first time since she had arrived, "yes I have feelings for you. Yes I want to always be your friend, but Amy I cant pretend I don't have physical feelings too. I am sure Penny took great pleasure in telling you how I am not sleeping, how I am trying to get round this by increasing my exercise, but it will take time Amy. I am sure I will be back to normal soon."
"Sheldon you look exhausted, and no Penny took no pleasure. She was worried Sheldon, Leonard is worried too. Look, this quiz has some cool prizes I will email you the details and if you change your mind let me know."
"Amy, Penny said my behaviour upset you, I'm sorry."
"No Sheldon I wasn't upset, but it was like being with a different person. I like the Sheldon who will argues with me, demands I listen. To have you treat me as if I may break well it felt wrong."
"And my kissing you goodnight was that wrong too?"
"No Sheldon that was nice." Amy smiled gently, and was rewarded with a small smile in return. "I'll email you." she said and not waiting for a response left Sheldon, sat in his spot, watching her go.
73
Sheldon had opened the email 15 minutes ago and had been unable to believe what he read. Amy had made the quiz sound like some small inter departmental social evening. But the prizes! A trip for 2 to Greece, a trip to CERN, a private meeting with Stephen Hawking, a group trip to Disney World with 3 nights stay, and a list of various restaurants even he had heard of with meals for 2.
"Wow!" He whispered. OK so he had met Hawking before, but to do so again in private would still be cool. But CERN! He had missed the chance once before and to go with Amy! Sheldon itched to reply straight away but he knew he had to think about it carefully. By accepting was he also prepared to admit that the only thing he would ever be was her friend? "Get a grip Cooper!" He muttered and began typing.
Amy, you did not do the prizes justice! I would be honoured to accompany you and help you secure the prize of your choice. S
Great Sheldon, I fancy sunning myself by a Greek pool! I will meet you after work tomorrow and we can grab something to eat on the way there. A
Shaking his head Sheldon couldn't help but smile, a chance to go to CERN, or meet the greatest living brain of their day and she chooses sun bathing. She had been hanging out with Penny far too long!
73
"So things with you and Amy are back to normal?" Leonard question as he drove to work the next day. "I mean the fact you are not walking says its better!"
"Yes thank you Leonard things are fine, although I will not be requiring a lift tonight."
"You're walking again?"
"No, I am going out with Amy."
"Another date? That's great!"
"Listen Leonard, I do not wish to discuss it other than to say Amy is my friend, she has requested my company and I have agreed to assist her. Now please, change the subject."
Grinning Leonard said "Penny will be thrilled!"
"Oh dear lord!" Sheldon huffed folding his arms across his chest and spending the rest of the journey staring out of the window.
"No Leonard, Amy didn't mention anything. Look the fact they are talking, trying to be together, is an improvement on last week. Lets see how he is when he gets home before we panic." Penny wanted to text Amy and ask what was going on, but knew they would have to wait, she was just glad something was happening.
73
"Sheldon are you sure?" Amy frowned.
"Amy you asked me here because you knew I would secure you victory is that not correct? So let me answer the questions and you chitter chatter to your friends." Sheldon moved to the next set of questions concentrating so hard he didn't hear Amy mumble "well I said I wanted the old Sheldon back!"
She sat watching him as he wrote, his total focus meant he didn't notice the tables of people chatting and drinking, he didn't notice the conferring or laughing as groups tried to decide which answer was correct. Now as he bit his lower lip absent mindedly Amy realised that he didn't care. He had a job to do and he was doing it. Is that why he had acted as he had on their date? Had he set himself a series of targets and single mindedly set about reaching them? It would make sense. And it would certainly explain his behaviour. She jumped as he said "Amy?" And placed his hand on her arm pulling her our of her pondering.
"Amy I'm finished."
"Sheldon we have an hour! It has taken you, she glanced at her watch, 17 minutes! Do you want me to look at the answers?" At his raised eyebrow she grinned. "OK OK. Come on then." and without thinking grabbed his hand and pulled him over to the MC.
"Amy hey! Wow that was quick. You trying to prove the biology department are the best?" Grinned the young man in charge of collating answer slips.
"No, she is about to admit physics is best!" Sheldon grinned smugly.
"Oh Dr Cooper" Amy laughed "that sounded like a challenge, Andrew give me another sheet!"
"Amy? What are you doing?" Sheldon blinked.
"I am about to challenge that brain of yours, go grab a drink I'll be back in a minute!"
Sheldon frowning did as he was told. He sat staring round the room and spotted Amy sat in a corner quietly working her way through her own answers. He smiled with pride when he saw her finish and noticed she had only taken 3 minutes longer than he had. Now they just had to wait.
"OK ladies and gentleman we have the results. First may we thank everyone who has taken part but tonight we actually have 2 winners. In a surprising tie situation we have our very own Dr Amy Farrah Fowler with 100% accuracy! and with an equally impressive full marks Dr Sheldon Copper! However as Dr Copper completed the questions 3 minutes quicker it has been decided he can have first choice of the prizes tonight."
Sudden realisation he would have to stand and move to the front of the room, people following his movement Sheldon looked pleadingly at Amy.
"Come with me?"
Nodding Amy said "Lets go choose our prizes."
"Dr Cooper, which prize would you like?"
"Err..." Sheldon looked at the labelled envelopes. "Errr..."
"Come on Sheldon," Amy grinned, "CERN or Hawking?"
Shaking his head at the almost impossible choice he found himself saying "You choose to Amy."
"Sheldon! We get to choose 2 you pick one I'll pick one."
"You want Greece so I'll choose..." glancing at Amy he said quietly "Disney please."
Writing their names on the envelopes Amy quietly followed Sheldon back to their table.
"I don't get it." she said quietly. "I was so sure you'd pick CERN."
"Me too, but then I thought how it might be fun if all of us went to Disney."
"Yes it would." Amy smiled. "It really would."
73
"You are kidding? Disney!" Penny squealed as she began to laugh at Amy's recount. "Sheldon turned down Hawking and CERN though?! Wow! And we can all go really? Oh Ames! Let me know when you have dates. So what was your prize?"
"Penny that's what I want to talk to you about, can I come round?"
"Sure sweetie. I am not working tonight so just come round when you are ready."
Amy smiled. She had spent the afternoon reading the details the university had sent her on her prize and she knew it was ideal.
Arriving at Pennys an hour later Amy was excited. Hugging her friend she handed over a bottle of wine and said "Bestie I hope you think I have done the right thing."
"Amy? What exactly have you done?"
"Well my prize was a trip to Greece. Penny I looked at the trip details and I couldn't resist. Penny it isn't just Greece we can use a transfer option and go to Syracuse too."
"Amy slow down, what exactly have you done?"
"Penny I have booked the trip. I am inviting Sheldon! Penny he can visit the place Archimedes was born. We can visit the sites of ancient Greece. Penny its perfect."
Penny grinned. "I remember Sheldon telling me about Greece. Something about stars and a market and fig newtons!" she giggled.
Rolling her eyes Amy said "So you think he will agree?"
"Only one way to find out. Go ask him!"
"Well that's the thing. What do I do if he says no?"
"Rebook a luxury hotel with pool and cocktails and ditch the science and I'm there!" Penny laughed. "Now come on lets go ask him."
Amy found herself pushed towards the door. "Penny, Penny wait. I hadn't intended telling him tonight, just you."
"Why? Come on Amy at least if you ask now he will have time to book time off work. When is it?"
"Well that's the other thing. They only had 2 spots that allowed us to do both places, so... we fly next week!"
"Then there is no time to waste."
Pushing Amy out into the hall Penny didn't bother knocking but opening the door to 4A and seeing it empty she shouted "Shelly! You have guests!"
"Penny when will you learn it is customary to... oh Amy! Hello, I didnt realise you were here too."
"Hi." Amy smiled.
"Hi Sheldon!" Penny laughed "Amy has a proposition for you." Winking then laughing as both Sheldon and Amy blushed she nudged "Amy come on ask him."
"Sheldon, my prize, well, will you come with me?"
"What? Surely you want to go with Penny?" Sheldon asked clearly confused.
"Well if it was a trip to a seaside location yes, Penny would be my first choice; but Sheldon I read the trip details, and it isn't just Greece but the sites of ancient Greece, then a transfer to Syracuse."
Amy was rewarded with Sheldon's mouth dropping open. And a whispered "Archimedes."
"Yes! Sheldon say you'll come."
"Well I can understand why you would choose me over Penny, she would only ramble on about fig newtons!" Sheldon smirked earning a chuckle from Penny and a confused look from Amy.
"Yes Amy I would be honoured to accompany you. Thank you."
"Well you had better go pack Shelly," Penny laughed "you fly next week."
"What! Oh my lord, Amy I need to think about this I may need vaccinations, my passport needs to be checked I will I need tranquillisers for the flight."
"Sheldon get over yourself," Penny laughed. "your passport is checked every month, Leonard told me, as part of your emergency escape routine, you have more pills stashed than a pharmacy and you have said you will go so no arguing. In fact I will take you shopping tomorrow for swimming trunks and holiday clothes!"
Then not waiting for any further protestations Penny grabbed Amy and left.
"Penny you know you said you would go shopping with Sheldon, well would you go with me too. I am not sure my wardrobe is suitable for a boy/girl sunshine holiday."
"Amy it will be my pleasure!" And pouring them both some wine Penny grinned "Sheldon wont know what's hit him!"
73
