Sorry this is so dialogue heavy. I guess I had a lot to exorcise! :) Now that everything is resolved between them, the fun can begin!

Chapter Thirteen

Amy let out the breath she had been holding. So something is wrong. I knew it!

"No, nothing is wrong. Not really," Sheldon explained, not realizing that he had responded to something she had not said aloud. "At least I don't think so." He swallowed the lump in his throat and started again. "You see, I had what I thought was a dream back when I was in the hospital. And when I woke up, the dream had come true." He shrugged, not knowing what else to say. His casual manner belied the nervousness he was feeling inside.

Amy brought their joined hands into her lap, wrapping his in both of hers. She took a deep breath and began carefully. "Sheldon, I think I already know the secret."

"No. Believe me, you could not possibly know."

Amy smiled. After all these years, he still underestimates me. "In this dream, were you granted a wish?"

Sheldon's jaw dropped. "How did you know?"

Amy thought a demonstration might be easier than an explanation. Do you know what I'm thinking right now?

His eyes were huge, making him look even more childlike.

Instead of answering her, he simply nodded.

Prove it.

"Do I really need to?"

Amy shook her head, her own eyes larger than normal. This cannot be happening.

"It obviously can be happening, because it is," he stated matter-of-factly. "And I have never underestimated you. You are a formidable woman, Amy Farrah Fowler. And nobody knows that – or appreciates it – more than I."

"Thank you," she said, absentmindedly patting his hand. Her mind had already leapt ahead to the staggering possibilities. "But how is that possible? I knew that while in a dream state your subconscious was conjuring up Arthur. You muttered his name more than once. I assumed it was a way for you to speak to the person you deemed wisest: yourself. Same as every other time. But your subconscious cannot issue you super powers!"

Sheldon sat up straighter. "I do have super powers, don't I?" He was elated. "What could my superhero name be?" He lost track of time considering his options, but could not think of anything that he felt was worthy.

Amy looked up as if she'd forgotten he was there. "I'd really like to see inside there," she said, her eyes traveling over his head.

Sheldon wrapped his good arm around it. "Back off, Woman!"

"But you love having your brain examined."

Sheldon snorted. "Not by a mad scientist. You should see the look in your eyes."

Amy laughed at the raw terror on his face. She pulled his arm away from his head and brought his hand back to her lap. "Calm down, Sheldon. I'm not Dr. Frankenstein."

"Are you sure? Because you kinda went there."

"I'm sure. Now relax and tell me everything you can remember about the dream."

Sheldon rolled his eyes. "You know I can remember everything, Amy. Or do I need to remind you that I have an-"

"Eidetic memory," Amy interrupted. "No, you don't need to remind me. My uterus is already quivering. So just tell me the dream."

After looking at her oddly, he relayed every detail of his dream. She waited patiently without interrupting, taking mental notes. When he was finished, she began her questioning.

"First off, why was Penny wearing a bikini?"

"How should I know?" Sheldon was exasperated that of all the things he had just told her, that was what she fixated on. Women!

"Well, it was your fantasy, Sheldon. Somewhere deep in your psyche you wanted her to be practically naked."

Sheldon sighed dramatically. "Not this again. Weren't you listening? I told her to put some clothes on."

"Yes, I was listening." She thought a minute and then her face brightened. "Maybe it was a sign of her vulnerability."

"Amy, you might be vulnerable prancing around with no clothes on. But Penny is not."

"You're right. She thinks sex appeal is all she brings to the table. So for her it would be a sign of empowerment. The real question is why she would need to feel empowered in that situation."

"Fascinating," Sheldon said. "Maybe it was because she was hanging out with a couple of scientists, so she certainly was not bringing anything intellectual to the party." As they pondered the implications of Penny's motivation, it occurred to Sheldon that they had gotten way off track.

"Wait a minute," he declared. "Who cares why? Here I tell you that I can read your mind and you want to talk about Penny's wardrobe!"

Amy nodded. "You're right. But I would really like to peek inside her brain sometime too. I think my bestie has issues."

"Not a newsflash," Sheldon snapped. "Now let's get back to me."

"Okay. Tell me what you think Arthur represents."

"Duh, you already said it. Arthur represents my own intellect. It's a way for me to talk to myself without ending up in a straitjacket."

"Uh-huh," Amy mused. "But maybe it's more than that. Maybe he represents a father figure."

Sheldon pulled his hand away to stifle a yawn, then returned it to Amy's grasp. "It's possible. I do trust Arthur in a way I never really trusted my own father. And I certainly could never have a discussion about anything scientific with my dad. But I don't understand why any of that matters. I didn't conjure all this stuff up, Amy. It happened. I really can read your mind. Not even my superior brain could have made that possible."

"Fair enough. But the symbolism must mean something."

"Maybe. Maybe not. But I'm bored with all this psychobabble. Sometimes a banana is just a banana." Sheldon scooted back down to a reclining position. "All I know is that I am tired and we are not getting anywhere near an answer. So let's pick this conversation up in the morning."

Amy nodded and leaned down to look him in the eye. "Answer one more question for me and then we can get some sleep."

"Very well."

"Why did you choose mind reading as your wish? I would have expected you to pick a Nobel or maybe going back in time and becoming friends with Leonard Nimoy."

Sheldon's mouth dropped open. "I never thought of that," he said. Then his eyes filled with tears. "Or Pop Pop. I could have talked to Pop Pop again."

Amy scooted down next to him, placing a hand on his chest. "Don't do that to yourself, Sheldon. You would have gone back to him as a child. You couldn't change anything."

He blinked as the tears threatened to fall. "I know. But it would have been nice to see him again."

"I know." She hugged him, letting her head linger on his chest a moment longer than necessary. "You never did answer my question," she said softly after a lingering silence. "Why mind reading?"

"Well, it made the most sense. I don't want some dream-induced voodoo to get the credit when I win the Nobel. And I never even thought about Leonard Nimoy."

Amy laughed.

"But it wouldn't have mattered anyway," Sheldon continued. "I have always had trouble reading social cues and facial expressions, which makes it very difficult for me to understand some situations. I often cannot tell if someone is joking with me, or legitimately angry." He looked at her sheepishly. "Not even you, the one person I want to understand the most. So, since the only thing I wanted was a way to end our breakup. I really thought that if I understood better what you were thinking, I could fix what was wrong. I could make you happy. And that's all I wanted." He shrugged, but Amy could see the depth of his emotions when she looked into his eyes.

She traced his jawline with her fingers as she moved in to kiss him. It was soft and sweet and perfect. "You do make me happy, Sheldon."

After several minutes of silence, Amy assumed Sheldon had fallen asleep. She was on the verge of nodding off herself when he spoke.

"I must say, Amy. I am impressed with how quickly you picked up on it. Nobody else has noticed. Well done." His sounded tired, but she could hear the laughter in his voice.

She smiled into the darkness. "I'm glad I impressed you

He pulled her closer to him. "You always impress me. And not many people do. So congratulations."

She laughed. While other people were put off by Sheldon's arrogance, it was one of the things she loved most about him. It was a quintessential part of who he was, and she wouldn't change it for anything in the world. He was perfect, and she loved him just the way he was.

"I love you, too," he whispered drowsily.

Amy nudged him, careful to avoid his tender ribs. "It's not fair. You know everything I'm thinking, but I am still in the dark about what's going on in that beautiful brain of yours."

Sheldon smiled. He loved it when she complimented his brain. "What do you want to know?"

Amy lifted her face to his. "What are you thinking right now?"

He didn't answer her with words. Instead, he smiled a secret smile, pulled her closer and kissed her.

"I think it might be related to your head injury." Amy had fixed breakfast for Sheldon and was sitting next to him at the kitchen island while he ate. They had gone through their morning routines without discussing Sheldon's new ability, but she was ready to resume the conversation.

"Why do you think so?" Sheldon asked between bites of French toast.

"Because you and I both know that telepathy is, in your words, hokum. So this must be nothing more than a psychosomatic manifestation of your discussion with Penny during the Love Test. You told her that it would make your life easier, and she said she wished she could give you that ability. So what happens when your brain suffers a traumatic episode? Penny delivers your fondest wish."

"I'm beginning to regret telling you about that conversation." Sheldon took his empty plate to the kitchen sink. Amy watched him and then followed him to the couch, smiling when he chose the middle cushion. She sat down in his spot and immediately took his hand. I hope this is okay.

Sheldon looked up at her. "Why else would I sit here?" he said, holding up their hands to make his point. "Now quit trying to distract me and explain to me how I can hear your thoughts when this is all just a figment of my imagination."

"I never said it was your imagination. But to answer your question, I think that perhaps you are just paying closer attention to people. As you know us all so well, it wouldn't be that difficult to guess our thoughts in any given situation."

Sheldon found her theory insulting. "Okay then, Little Miss. If your hypothesis is correct, reversing it should yield the same results. You know me well. So go ahead. Tell me what I'm thinking right now."

Amy did not like the way he was glaring at her. She had certainly seen his condescension before, but not often directed at her. "I'd rather not," she stated flatly. "Besides, I have a better way to disprove it."

"I'm listening," Sheldon said smugly.

Amy turned to him with a smug look of her own. "Prove it," she challenged. "I want you to close your eyes so you cannot read my body language. Then tell me what I am thinking."

Sheldon chewed on his lip. "Very well."

Amy let go of his hand and moved slightly away from him so there would be no physical contact. I hope he won't think I'm mad at him.

"He won't," Sheldon said.

Amy looked up to find Sheldon with his eyes closed, smiling.

"We haven't started yet!" she said. Now come on Amy, think of something good.

"It better be good, since this whole farce is an insult."

"Wait for me, Sheldon," Amy pleaded. "I will tell you when I'm ready."

"Okay."

Amy thought about the day she and Sheldon met. "Okay, I'm ready. Just answer the question I'm asking." What did I order-?

"Tepid water … please," he said, smirking.

"Well, that was an easy one. Let me come up with something harder."

"Amy, the purpose of this experiment is to prove that I know what you are thinking, not to determine my level of intelligence. You certainly aren't going to stump me. So just think of something."

Amy groaned. He's right.

"Of course I am."

Amy glared at Sheldon, but he was unaware of it because his eyes were still closed. Ha! This will stump him. What's my favorite color?

"Blue," he said shyly. "It used to be gray, but since meeting me you have changed your mind."

"Dammit!"

"Amy! Language!" Sheldon opened his eyes to look at her, shaking his head in disapproval. "How much longer must we do this? The results are conclusive."

Amy tried to think of a hard neuroscience question, but one look into his eyes told her it was useless. Okay then, Romeo. Tell me you love me.

"I love you," he said softly as he took her hand again. "Juliet."

Amy laughed. "I give up," she said, walking to the kitchen to put the kettle on. "I cannot deny that you are reading my thoughts. But I still don't understand how it is possible."

After she brought the tea, they sat for a while in silence, each of them absorbing the truth. Finally, Amy spoke. "It must have been hard for you."

"It?" Sheldon was taken off guard by the comment.

"The mindreading thing." Amy said, nudging his knee with her own. If he could read her mind, then surely he knew what she was asking. "Wasn't it scary when you first realized you could hear the thoughts of those around you?"

Sheldon considered the question. "Yes. I suppose it was. But it was mostly confusing. Hearing what someone else is thinking doesn't mean I always understand it."

Amy nodded. "I guess not."

"Plus, some people's thoughts make me uncomfortable. I don't really need to know if some guy thinks I'm a dork or some girl admires the size of my feet."

Amy spit out the tea she was drinking. "What? Whoa now. Who has been noticing your feet?"

"Emily, for one," Sheldon said, not understanding her reaction.

"Is that why you were so uncomfortable when our friends were here?"

He nodded.

"Tell me exactly what she was thinking." Amy listened quietly as Sheldon relayed the events from the night before. He told her what Emily had been thinking, as well as Bernadette and Penny. But he left out Raj's inappropriate musings.

The more he talked, the angrier Amy became. Those biceps, big feet and everything that goes with them are mine!

"Amy!"

"Stop listening if you don't like it," she snapped. She was outraged that her friends would think such things about Sheldon. Especially after the disparaging comments they made to her face.

"I can't help it!" Sheldon said, pressing his hands over his ears. "Besides, it's no different than what I have to hear about you." Remembering Raj's thoughts brought his anger to the surface.

"But you haven't seen Stuart since the accident." Amy's comment was innocent, but it bothered Sheldon a great deal.

"Good Lord! I forgot all about Stuart! I don't want you to go near him anymore," he said. "I will not be able to handle those thoughts without resorting to violence."

"If you didn't mean Stuart, then who?" Amy asked, but Sheldon just pursed his lips and shook his head.

"We are not having this conversation," he said flatly.

Amy walked over to the window. She was annoyed by his dictate, and also his unwillingness to discuss something that she felt was important.

Sheldon knew they had been putting off a much-needed, very personal conversation, and he desperately wanted to continue putting it off. But not at Amy's expense. He didn't want her to be upset, so he gave in. He joined her at the window, standing close enough for her to hear him breathing.

"Amy," he began, touching her arm so she would face him. "You are the only person who has ever treated me like a man and not a boy. I know I don't always rise to that challenge. But I am a man. And I am ready to talk about the more intimate parts of our relationship if that's what you want."

Amy's anger vanished. "Really?"

Instead of answering, he took her by the hand and led her back to the couch.

"It's kinda funny," Amy said. "In most situations like ours, the relationship ends because the girl won't put out." She laughed nervously.

"Put out? Put out what? A fire?" Sheldon's voice got higher with each sentence.

Again Amy laughed. "You could say that. But my point is, I have been extremely patient. Most people would have left the relationship by now." She tried to choose her words carefully. She had waited a long time for this conversation and the last thing she wanted to do was pick a fight.

"But you did leave the relationship," Sheldon reminded her. If he had said it in his usual smug way, she would have been furious. But the sadness and confusion she saw in his eyes softened her reaction.

"Not because of sex, Sheldon."

"Really? Then why?"

"I needed things to change. I kept waiting, but they never did." Amy shrugged, not sure how to make him understand.

"I did change, though. A lot," Sheldon said. "And I know I said I didn't like the changes, but that was just my ego talking." He turned to face her. "The truth is, you have made me a better person, Amy.

Amy smiled and reached for his hand, marveling at his sudden willingness to do something he once hated. "You did that for me too, Sheldon. Meeting you changed my life in so many ways."

"If your leaving wasn't about our relationship not being as physical as you would like, then why did you go?"

"Well, I'd be lying if I said that wasn't part of it," Amy said after a long silence. "But another part of me is actually afraid to take our relationship to the next level."

Sheldon was clearly surprised. "Afraid? Of what? I thought that's what you wanted."

"Oh, it is. I want that for both of us. But I can't help but worry about the consequences of waking up your endocrine system." Amy smiled, but he knew it was a serious concern for her.

"You're afraid I will want you too much? Too frequently?"

Amy looked down at their joined hands to avoid his gaze. "No, the opposite." Her voice was a whisper, but he heard her.

"Not enough?" he said, squeezing her hand until she looked at him. "I don't understand. Do you think I won't have a normal sex drive?"

Amy shook her head. "It's not that. I know what a passionate man you are, Sheldon. My fear is that once we unleash that passion in the form of your baser instincts, I won't be enough for you. You will see how lacking I am."

Now Sheldon was really confused. "Lacking? In what way are you lacking?"

Amy glared at him and looked away.

"I see," Sheldon said. "We have circled back to Penny. Amy, I-"

"Not just Penny."

Sheldon was growing impatient but trying desperately to hide hit. He took a deep breath to gather himself before continuing. "I have seen you both naked, Amy. I don't understand why you are so insecure. You are not lacking in any way. In fact, I would say your attributes were … ample."

Her eyes flew back to his. "That's the nicest thing you've ever said to me!"

"It certainly is not! But if it pleases you then I'm glad. I am only telling the truth. Now, if you want to revisit Penny, what about Zach?"

Now it was Amy's turn to be confused. "What about him?"

"Well, we can easily stipulate that he is a far better physical specimen than I. Maybe I won't be enough for you." He licked his lips and swallowed deeply. He had come to realize that falling in love meant giving someone the power to hurt you. And while he knew he could trust Amy, he hated feeling vulnerable.

Without realizing it, Amy gave him a great gift. "Don't be absurd," she said with a wave of her hand. "You are perfect. That mouth-breather has nothing on you."

Sheldon smiled, his eyes twinkling. "That might be the nicest thing you have ever said to me."

"Well, I hope not. But it is true." Amy leaned forward and kissed him quickly before continuing. "Not to be dramatic, but that really is the crux of our problem. You don't want me and I don't want anybody else." It wasn't meant as an accusation. It was just, in her mind at least, a simple fact that they needed to deal with if they were ever going to get past this hurdle in their relationship.

"No, the crux of our problem is your false belief that I don't want you. Of course I do, Amy."

Amy's jaw dropped. She wanted to believe him, but was afraid he was just saying what she wanted to hear. Suddenly afraid she was going to cry, she ran into the bathroom. After splashing her face with cold water and staring at her reflection in the mirror, she began to panic. Why did I run away? How are we supposed to resolve this if I can't handle an honest conversation? She glanced at the door, wondering how long she'd been hiding in the bathroom. Now what am I supposed to do?

As if on cue, Sheldon knocked softly on the door, repeating her name after each knock. When she opened, he offered her his hand. "Are you okay?" he asked as soon as they were settled back on the couch.

She nodded, embarrassed by her behavior. "I'm sorry," she said. "I guess I am more afraid of this conversation than I thought."

He gave her a tight smile, not because he was angry, but because he was going to say something he wasn't sure she wanted to hear. "Amy, I have something I want to tell you and I hope it won't make matters worse. Okay?"

She nodded.

"You told me that I had changed you, and I arrogantly assumed it was for the better," he began.

"Sheldon –"

"Wait, let me finish." He took her hand again. "You have turned into a runner, Amy. I recognize that as my influence, but it is definitely not a good one. What happened to your fight?"

Amy sighed. "Maybe I don't want to fight anymore. Maybe I'm tired of it."

"Nonsense! You are a passionate woman, Amy Farrah Fowler. Brilliant and head strong. Nobody can take what you want. But you can give it away."

Because she had been thinking roughly the same thing while hiding in the bathroom, his words did not bother her. She knew he meant well and was actually glad that he was opening up to her. This was probably the most adult conversation they had ever had. She decided to see just how far he was willing to go.

She squared her shoulders and stiffened her spine. "Maybe you're right, Sheldon. But you left me no choice. You denied me physical contact, then forbade me – contractually speaking – from seeking it elsewhere."

Sheldon considered her words. She was right. Hadn't he, in fact, laughed with Raj about the situation? "Well, would you want to seek it elsewhere, if it was allowed?"

"No. I don't want to. I never did. But I also couldn't hang around like a dog begging for whatever scraps of affection you were willing to offer. Always with a complaint or a comment that made me feel foolish and unloved."

"And that's why you left? Because you felt like your wants and desires didn't matter to me?"

Amy's silence was answer enough. Glancing at the clock, she realized it was time for Sheldon's medication. She went to retrieve it, and waited for him to swallow it, before continuing.

"Sheldon, all my life I wanted to make a connection with someone. Not a physical connection, but an emotional one. An intellectual one. What I said when we first met was true. I was not looking for anything physical. I didn't want that. At least not until I met you."

Sheldon understood perfectly. "I didn't want any of it. I think maybe I thought it would get in the way of the goals I had set for myself. I didn't need it. Not until I met you."

"And now?" Amy's mind flashed back to the day they played Dungeons and Dragons and were forced into a very awkward situation. Sheldon followed her thoughts and smiled. "It's still an uncomfortable topic, but that day didn't end so badly, did it?"

She shook her head and they once again fell into silence. They were each replaying that day, but their emotional responses were polar opposites. Sheldon was still apprehensive and afraid, but Amy was intrigued by the possibilities. She always wanted more of him. Maybe more than he would ever be able to give.

Sheldon studied her closely, afraid of what she was thinking, but even more afraid to let the moment pass. He steeled himself and forged ahead. "Think about it, Amy. I mean really think about it. We aren't some couple from a movie, or one of those sappy novels you like to read." His eyes bore into hers as the most daring questions he could imagine danced through his head. "Do you really want to stand naked in front of me? To do things to me? To have me do things to you? That doesn't scare you?" The words spilled out in a rush, leaving him breathless.

Amy was breathless too, but for a very different reason. She could not believe her sweet, shy boyfriend had let his mind go to such a place. "Of course it does?"

Sheldon looked relieved, but it quickly turned to agitation. "Then why are you so desperate to put us both through it? Is it just so you can see me naked? So you can brag about it at the next hen party?

Amy met his glare with one of her own. "I want you to want it to, Sheldon. Is that really so hard to believe?" She softened her tone and moved closer to him. "Aren't you even the least bit curious about what I look like naked? Don't you want to touch me? To do things do me?" By the time she finished her own barrage of questions her voice was down to a whisper and she was blushing profusely.

Sheldon's eyes grew wide as he remembered that awful book that Leonard had given him. Picturing him and Amy like that made his throat so tight he could barely breath. "Do you?" he rasped.

Amy answered without hesitating. "Yes! I think about it all the time. I dream about it at night. I can't wait to see you naked, and I can't wait to stand before you naked. I want to give you everything I have, Sheldon. And I want the same from you." She took a deep breath, relieved to have her deepest secrets out in the open.

Sheldon took her revelations in stride. "But why?" They had both edged closer to each other as they spoke so that now their knees were touching. Amy bravely placed her hands on his knees and smiled warmly.

"Because I love you! Are you honestly saying that you don't want to touch me?"

Sheldon covered her hand with his own in an effort to prove to her that he did not find the idea of touching her repulsive. "I'm afraid, Amy," he whispered. "So afraid."

Amy was taken aback. "Of me?"

Sheldon laughed at the shocked look on her face. "Of course of you! I've spent my whole life being afraid of bullies and big dogs, and even germs. But I wasn't prepared to have some tiny little girl from Glendale be the scariest thing I have ever faced." He reached up to touch her face. "You … all of this … it scares the hell out of me."

Amy finally understood. The last thing she wanted was to be another bully in his life. But she also was not going to let fear get in the way of what she now realized they both wanted. Didn't he understand that she was afraid, too? She found herself getting frustrated that it had taken them so long to reach this place. Why hadn't he been honest with her sooner?

Sheldon sighed. "Why are you always mad at me?"

Amy felt defensive. "I'm not mad," she said as she tried to stand. Sheldon's hand on her arm stopped her.

"A moment ago you were spouting off about how much you love me and now you can't wait to get away from me. What happened to us, kid?" He was trying to lighten the mood, but it was lost on Amy.

"That's just it, Sheldon. I'm not a kid. I'm a grown woman. You don't seem to get that."

Now Sheldon felt defensive. "Good Lord! Not you too. Why does everyone think I don't see you clearly? I think I see you more clearly than anyone ever has."

Amy could not deny his words. "That's probably true," she admitted.

"No probably about it, Little Lady."

"And?" Amy tone was challenging and Sheldon was tired of arguing.

"And what?" His voice got louder with every word. "I love you, Amy. I already told you that. But it's not enough."

Amy jumped to her feet, her hands fisted at her side. "Not enough! It's everything, Sheldon."

He stood to loom over her. "Then why are we here?" he countered.

"Because I need you to show me sometimes! I want to be special to you. Not taken for granted or outright ignored." She crossed her arms across her chest, rebuking his attempt to intimidate her.

"You are special to me!" he yelled, his voice bouncing off the walls of the quiet apartment. "More special than anyone in my life ever has been."

The ridiculousness of the situation finally struck them both. Here they were, professing their undying love at the top of their lungs. The absurdity made them both laugh.

"Except Meemaw," Amy joked as they reclaimed their positions on the couch.

"Well …," Sheldon mused. "I would have to think about that. I do love my Meemaw and I always want to please her. But I've never turned myself inside out for her like I have for you." He smiled as if he was joking, but the rawness of his emotions kept the smile from reaching his eyes.

Amy gulped. "You have to show me," she repeated.

"Alright." In that one simple word Sheldon surrendered. "And you have to promise never to leave me again. Talk to me next time, please Amy. I can't go through that again."

"You don't always listen."

"Then make me listen."

"That's easier said than done. I don't think you realize how difficult you can be sometimes, Sheldon".

"And I don't think you realize how hard I am trying to not be difficult. At least where you are concerned. You just don't understand," he added in frustration.

"Then make me understand."

He sighed heavily. "Okay. It's like multitasking. I have observed you many times doing multiple things at once. Well, that's how my mind works. I am always thinking of several things at once. Unfortunately, when you broke our kiss on the night of our anniversary, my main focus at that exact moment was not where you wanted it to be."

Amy rolled her eyes. "That's an understatement."

"But," he continued, holding up a finger "that does not mean I was thinking about that the whole time we were making out like a couple of teenagers."

"Why can't you just tune out everything else, at least on date night? I can certainly choose not to multitask."

"I can't. It doesn't work that way."

"But I want to know that you are thinking of me, especially when we are kissing. Is that really so much to ask?"

Sheldon let his exasperation show. "That's just it, Amy. I'm always thinking of you! I wish you could read my mind. Then you would believe me. You belong to me … and I belong to you."

Amy wondered if he even realized what he had said. The emotions of the morning had taken a toll on both of them and she knew that Sheldon needed to rest. But she could not resist walking through the door he had opened.

"If you belong to me, can I do this?" She once again placed her hands on his knees.

"Of course." Sheldon's voice was calm, but he eyed her suspiciously.

"How about this?" She leaned forward and kissed him, her hands sliding farther up his legs.

"Amy," he warned.

"And this?" She put her hands on the hem of his t-shirt and started to lift it from his body.

"Amy!" She took pity on him after hearing the panic in his voice.

"Relax," she laughed. "I just want to check the bruising on your ribs."

Sheldon's relief was visible. He sat back and let Amy examine him, his eyes never leaving hers. She was aware of his scrutiny so she kept her touches gentle and innocent. When she was done, she pulled his shirt back down and smiled at him. The tension between them had morphed into a warm, peaceful understanding.

"After all this soul-baring, you would think a fella could get a kiss from his girl." Amy was shocked by his words, but happy to comply. She leaned into him carefully and kissed his soft lips. When she tried to pull away, he held her in place, kissing her twice more. Amy was beginning to sense a trend; one that she was very much in favor of.

"You know, I belong to you too," she teased, still snuggled close to him. "So why don't you ever touch me?"

"Do you want me to?"

"Do you want to?"

"I asked you first."

"Yes, of course! You can read my mind, so you know I do." She let her mind wander through some of the things she wanted him to do, teasing him with how far she would go. His eyes widened.

"But Amy, I can't go around pawing you whenever I feel like it."

"Yes, you can," she said as her fingers drew circles on his chest. "I'm giving you permission."

Sheldon watched the progress of her hands as the circles widened. "You don't know what you are saying."

Amy licked her lips. "Why don't I?"

Sheldon's voice was low and husky. "Because once I start, I may never want to stop."

Amy laughed. "Promises, promises." She gave him three more quick kisses then slipped out of his grasp. She felt good about what they had accomplished today. But now her superhero needed a nap. He had convinced her that his telepathy was real, but there was no way of knowing when it would go away.

Until that day, she was going to have fun with it!