Hope you like the story so far, there is still a long way to go though so I hope you will all continue to read and review

Amy also returned to work on Thursday and went straight to Dr Carter's office to report back

'Dr Fowler, welcome back I trust everything went well?

'Yes it was true that the defendants were making up the insanity lies, they pleaded guilty and were sentenced to 40 years in prison'

'That's good, interestingly enough I heard from the head of neurobiology at UCL that you gave a lecture of sorts there, how did that come about?

'Oh it just so happened that Dr Cooper my boyfriend was invited over by Professor Hawking to Cambridge and UCL, we all went out to dinner and he asked me, I hope that is ok?

'Yes of course, Its always good to have representation abroad, I was just surprised when I heard, I also heard on the grapevine that you may be helping Dr Cooper out in the future if he takes advantage of the offer he has been given'

'Well I don't know about that, I was asked and I said I could help depending on my work load'

'Dr Fowler I do hope you are not going to abandon us to go and work at Caltech?

'No of course not' Amy was surprised at the question

'Good because we are very impressed with your work here and we would hate to lose such a talent like you and you will be well rewarded by staying'

'You have my word that I am very happy here and the thought had not even crossed my mind'

'What will you do if Dr Cooper takes the position and he asks you to go with him?

'Well I could use some of my holiday, providing its ok with you of course, also there are no addiction studies planned for May'

'Dr Fowler I will sanction that for you, you have worked very hard since taking the Head of Addiction Studies and I think that it is very good that you still pitch in with the work in the lab and that has also been noted by your staff who all speak highly of you'

'Oh really?

'Yes, you know me Dr Fowler I don't lie about such things! Now I shall let you go back to your lab and we shall speak another time'

'Sure and thank you Dr Carter'

'No Problem'

Meanwhile at Caltech, Sheldon was the talk of the University thanks to his success at recruiting overseas students and how impressed the British physicists were with him with his ease at answering questions and demonstrating his work to the students

Leonard had already given him advice about taking the overseas recruiting position when Sheldon asked him about it

'Sheldon the way I see it this will only enhance your career, the University is happy with you, Stephen Hawking was impressed with you, you cant get much better than that, you can't go wrong at the moment'

'Yes you might be right, It's something I will think about, I will need to find out just how much time they want me to take away from the University before I take it'

Sheldon went to see President Siebert about it

'If I take this position how much time away will I take?

'Well we are looking at 1 week maximum, perhaps your lovely girlfriend would go with you, and you can have a little holiday following it'

'I will ask but she has her own career to think of'

'Do you think she would be interested in coming to Caltech to work?

'No and she has already text me today saying that her boss thought she was going to abandon them but she is very happy at UCLA, I don't think even I could persuade her but I wonder why her boss asked her that?

'That was down to me, I know her personally'

'I see' Sheldon realised he shouldn't of been surprised at that

'Before you say yes, may I suggest you talk with Amy about it, we believe you are an asset to the University Dr Cooper and we would like to use that to both our advantages'

'How do you mean?

'I have some ideas but they will only come to fruition if you agree to do this'

'Are you going to tell me these ideas?

'No I need to speak to the board first'

'Fine' said Sheldon as he went back to his work

Later back at the apartment Sheldon and Amy were discussing their day while Amy was cooking dinner which was Sheldon's favourite meal and Sheldon was working on his laptop, they had decided to have date night at home and Leonard was out

'Amy I think something strange is going on'

'How do you mean?

'Well you have already had your boss ask if you are leaving and today Siebert said he had a plan and would ask the board regarding me accepting this position'

'Dr Carter said I could have a holiday to come and help you if you do go away in May, it's like they are going out of their way to please us'

'I'm sure we will find out soon, do you think I should go for it Amy?

'You know I will support you if you do, I think you did an excellent job in the UK and if they are offering you a pay rise as well then I would take it, Caltech are obviously impressed with you at the moment so you should milk it'

'Yes that's kind of what Leonard said, you both have some very good points and whilst I am reluctant to spend too much time away from my own work it would be silly not to take an opportunity'

'I know you are not keen on teaching but the students really enjoyed your way of talking to them and demonstrating your work'

'Hmm I will think on it over the weekend and give my decision on Monday' said Sheldon 'Oh here is an email from Siebert requesting my presence in his office tomorrow at 1pm, maybe they have had their chat about whatever it is he was thinking of but wouldn't tell me'

'Well don't worry about it for now, dinner is ready'

The next day

Sheldon went to Siebert's office at 1pm

'Dr Cooper thank you for coming but we wont be staying, come with me'

'Where are we going?

'You will see when we get there'

'Can you not just tell me? I don't like surprises'

'Don't worry I think you will like this one' said Siebert as he picked up a folder and his laptop and left the office towards the exit, Sheldon followed him to Siebert's car

Sheldon recognised where they were going once Siebert set off

'Why are we going to UCLA?

'As I said I will tell you when we get there and don't even think about phoning Dr Fowler to tell her either'

Sheldon looked at him and was thoroughly confused

They arrived at UCLA and were directed to a conference room which was empty but a few minutes later Dr Carter and Amy arrived

'Sheldon what are you doing here? Asked Amy in astonishment

'I've no idea, he wouldn't tell me anything' said Sheldon pointing at President Siebert

'Dr Carter?

'President Siebert will explain'

'Ok the reason I have brought you here Dr Cooper and Dr Fowler is tell you the plans I have for you should you decide to accept our offer' said Siebert

'I'm listening' said Sheldon as Amy nodded

'Dr Carter and I feel that it would be beneficial to both universities if and when Dr Cooper goes away in May for the primary job of recruiting overseas students you could both teach and demonstrate to the students your work, you are both at the top of your fields and we feel that we would get excellent representation abroad, both of our boards have agreed to this and Dr Cooper as a sweetener we will allow you to take a few days holiday afterwards all expenses paid, I hear you have always wanted to visit CERN so we have arranged that as well'

'Amy what do you think? Asked Sheldon

'I would like more details about which Universities we will go to but other than that I am in'

'So far we have 3 universities lined up with St Andrews in Scotland, Barcelona and Geneva and one other to confirm which is in Amsterdam, I think that is plenty enough, they are Universities that have gained excellent results in the last few years'

'President Siebert I think I can say your sweetener worked, I have wanted to go to CERN for years' said Sheldon excitedly bouncing in his seat

'Excellent now that you have both accepted we will work on the plans and a contract for you both to do this every year, also Dr Cooper we have a funding event in 2 weeks time which was already planned and we can now include this project, so we would like you both to attend' said Siebert

'Whilst I am not keen on attending such things which I feel are beneath me, I suppose on this occasion I can go' said Sheldon

'Yes me too' said Amy

'Good you are both free to go' said Siebert as Amy and Sheldon left and went to her office

'I hate benefit evenings Amy, it's like we have to beg'

'Yes I know, I am kind of lucky that I have a private benefactor in Faisal but I still have to go to these events'

'Faisal still funds you?

'Yes is that a problem?

'No I was just surprised, you have not mentioned him since that time on Skype so I assumed he was no longer around'

'Well I have to ask him at the start of each year and he hasn't refused yet, If I asked him I could get him to make a donation to the upcoming benefit evening, he is very interested in all sciences'

'Amy the only thing he is interested in is you, I take it that you are both still "technically" engaged' said Sheldon getting slightly agitated

'Sheldon there is nothing for you to worry about, you are the one I'm with and Faisal is useful for funding that is all' said Amy

'So nothing romantic there then?

'Not at all, come here you silly thing' said Amy as Sheldon moved closer to him and she kissed him with such passion that he found he was breathless afterwards

'There does that show you how into you I am' asked Amy

'Perhaps, maybe you could show me again just for fun' said Sheldon flirting with her whilst stroking Amy's face

'Oh I can do more than that' said Amy as Sheldon pulled her closer so she could feel his arousal and they kissed until there was a knock at her door, it was Siebert

'Dr Cooper are you ready to go? Siebert noticed they both looked flushed but said nothing

'Yes, Amy see you at home' said Sheldon as he kissed her goodbye

When Sheldon got back to Caltech he went straight to Leonard's lab to talk

'Thank you for the advice Leonard, I have said yes to the position and Siebert has thrown in a trip to CERN as well' said Sheldon as he explained everything else

'Your welcome Sheldon, I wish you luck, I take it everybody is coming over for games night tonight?

'Yes why not, I haven't had time to think about anything since we got back so this will be a good opportunity to goof around and forget about work for a few hours'

'I will text everybody to confirm then' said Leonard

'We can order the food before we leave and pick it up on the way home, that can save time' said Sheldon

Later that day at the apartment

Amy had arrived home first and had been home for only a few minutes when Penny knocked and Amy let her in, it was the first time they had been able to get together since Amy had got back from London

'Hi Ames how was your trip'

'Yes it was very successful and Sheldon and I have some news for everybody when they get here, how's your work going?

'Yes its all great I am enjoying the filming, it's like I have found something I like doing at last

'That's great' said Amy as Leonard and Sheldon walked in with boxes of Chinese food

'Amy can you clear the coffee table please' asked Sheldon

'Sure'

'So Leonard how are you? Asked Penny she was feeling a lot more confident now that she was having regular therapy sessions, Leonard however wasn't up for having a chit chat with Penny

'Fine' said Leonard as he sorted the food out for distribution

'Is Alice coming today? Asked Penny unaware of the situation

'No'

'Leonard what is the matter that you can't even speak to me properly?

'Penny whilst I am happy for you to spend time here with your friends it doesn't mean I am ready to have a jolly chit chat with you, you hurt me and I don't forget things like that easily'

'I thought you said we could be friends though' asked Penny, she was feeling some of her confidence going

'Yes I said in time'

'Penny come with me to my room a moment' said Amy trying to defuse the tension

Sheldon who was standing next to Leonard patted his shoulder in sympathy,

'I'm fine Sheldon but it's still raw you know'

'Do you want me to ask her to leave?

'No I guess in time we will be friends and I don't want to stop her being around her friends'

'You are good people Leonard' said Sheldon as Leonard nodded back

'Penny you can't push him like that, he said he would be ready in his own time and just the fact that you are here is probably hard for him'

'Do you think I should go home?

'No you still have us girls to cheer you up and we can hang out in here if you like'

'No let's go back out there'

'By the way Penny, Leonard and Alice are no longer seeing each other that's why she's not here tonight, though they are going to be comic book store buddies by all accounts'

'Oh do you know why?

'Yes but for Leonard's sake I am saying nothing ok'

'Fine'

Everybody by now had arrived and Sheldon told them their news, they all congratulated them although Raj had a question

'But Sheldon you hate giving classes at the University how are you going to cope with doing it abroad' asked Raj

'Well I wont be alone and I will have a bit of practice by then anyway and Amy will be with me and she brings out calmness in me'

Everybody looked at Amy who blushed at the compliment

'Oh Raj by the way we have our appointment to meet HSN next week Thursday to sort out the contracts' said Penny

'OK I will print out the business plan as well to take with us'

The group got on with playing games but after they all left Amy and Sheldon were in bed when she remembered a previous conversation about CERN

'Sheldon do you know you said you wanted to marry at CERN do you think that will happen when we go in May?

'Amy I think we may have to rethink getting married there, it's not practical or fair for all of our families and friends to travel that far and

'So you want to get married here instead?

'How would you feel about Texas? My Meemaw is too old to travel and I realise how much I want her at the wedding'

'Sure that works' said Amy smiling at Sheldon

'By the way Siebert spoke to me this afternoon and said all the details about the trip will be confirmed next week'

'Good, now perhaps we could carry on with what we were doing in my office earlier' said Amy

'I think you may have to show me' said Sheldon pulling Amy closer to him as she kissed him

Next chapter up in a few days