"Sheldon do you really think this is a suitable place?"

"It is neutral. I thought that was the criteria."

"Well yes, but it is also very public for the type of discussion we are about to have."

Sheldon looked at Amy across the table in the cheesecake factory. By arranging to meet an hour before both Penny began her shift, and their friends arriving, Sheldon had assumed they could have their discussion and have the issue settled before the normal Tuesday night proceedings began. Amy however appeared to think differently.

Looking down at her he saw she was glancing nervously around the room. Finally she said "How about we ask if we can sit over there?" She pointed to a booth more hidden away and certainly affording more privacy than their normal table in the middle of the room. Nodding slowly Sheldon agreed.

As the waitress approached and saw Sheldon she stiffend and Amy, seeing the look of panic on the young girls face, smiled and said "Hi we are a little early and later we will be requiring our normal table and food; but for now would it be possible to sit over there and have some drinks."

Her relief that Sheldon was not going to order food had the young girl smiling and showing them to the table, and Sheldon frowning as he slid in across form Amy.

"Why did she look so upset to see us?" he queried .

"Because she knows how you get if Penny isn't here!" Amy laughed. "They all know how you get. Now order quickly as we don't have long and if you insist on doing this here then I would prefer we have finished long before the others arrive."

Sheldon blinked. Amy seemed nervous. Her blunt assessment of the opinions of the staff on his character was one thing, but her demanding this conversation be rushed was quite another.

"Amy it is not exactly the kind of conversation we can rush. There may be issues."

"Yes Sheldon I know that! Which is why I a surprised you wanted to do this here and now. We would have been better going back to my apartment after dinner."

Shaking his head at the loop he found himself in Sheldon forced himself to take a calming breath. "Amy please. I don't want to argue, I just want us to talk. Last night you told me you may possible be agreeable to moving the physical side of our relationship further. My desire to hold this conversation was merely to ensure we were not moving too fast. Now while I admit the very thought of being more intimate with you is once again keeping me awake at night, I am certain I do not want to rush into it, especially as the shift in our relationship status is so new."

"You aren't sleeping?" Amy queried.

"I didn't last night." He muttered.

"Because I told you of my dream?"

Sheldon nodded and said "That, and you admitting you may want more. Did you mean it?"

Amy nodded. "I think so. Sheldon it may take me longer than normal but... yes I think I do want more."

Sheldon smiled as the relief washed over him. He had been scared to hope, terrified she may have changed her mind, but seeing her sat across from him now he just felt relief.

The waitress returned with their drinks and smiled said "I have reserved your usual table and Penny is due soon."

Neither Sheldon or Amy acknowledged her statement both just staring at each other before Sheldon stood and moved so he was sat next to Amy.

"Why did you move?" she asked whispering now, even though the waitress had gone.

"Because I wanted to hold your hand." Sheldon had grabbed her hand under the table, then locking their fingers together. "I thought at least this way no-one would see." Amy nodded and glanced at their fingers, intertwined. It felt intimate and she realised Sheldon had never held her hand like that before, fingers locked. Glancing up she saw he was looking at them too.

"Will you come back to mine after?" Amy asked quietly

Sheldon shook his head "No." Then seeing her hurt expression he said. "Amy you really have no idea what you do to me do you? Look." And nodding toward his lap Amy's eyes widened in shook at the obvious bulge in the front of his trousers.

Closing her eyes for a second she looked up at Sheldon who said "That is just from holding hands. Amy you do that to me, and I know if I went back with you later I couldn't control myself. You have already said you want to take thing slow."

"Actually that isn't what I said. I said it may take me longer than normal. Sheldon if you were with Pauline she would know what to do in this situation. So would Penny or Bernie or most any woman other than me. It is not that I don't want to Sheldon, it is that I don't know what to do. When you were in this situation before with Pauline she knew how to help you, to make things OK."

"Amy" Sheldon stopped her quickly "I have never felt like this just from holding hands. This is new to me too."

Nodding to acknowledge his words Amy asked "So how do you suggest we progress? Surely if we wait until the weekend that will make the tension greater wont it?"

Sheldon nodded realising the truth in her words. Unable to stop the question that had been in his head since he had glanced down Sheldon said "What does it make you think when I hold your hand like this?"

Amy blushed giving Sheldon hope, maybe she was thinking as he was.

"It looks very intimate." Amy confessed. "I have seen others hold hands like that and it has never occurred to me. But to see us... joined that way..."

Amy felt Sheldon squeeze her hand and looking at his face saw he understood. "That's what I thought too. Suddenly I could see us like that too. Joined." Groaning Sheldon muttered "You were right we should not have had this conversation here."

"Perhaps we should talk about something else." Amy suggested.

Nodding Sheldon said "Have you heard anything from Emilie?"

Amy grinned "Yes, but I was going to tell you in front of the others." Seeing Sheldon's frown she explained "She has told her father she wants to study physics at Caltech; and as I told you yesterday she wants you to teach her, when she called today she said he has agreed. There is a condition however. He is going to be coming over regularly to check on her work and progress; but he also, and this was the bit I thought may impress the others, he also said the only reason he was agreeing is because he had heard of you and knew you were good!"

"Pardon?" Sheldon blinked. "How had he heard of me?"

But before Amy could answer cries of "Hey! Are you two lost? Your table is over here!" interupted them and looking up to see Penny grinning at them, Amy said "Hey bestie!" Then too Sheldon she winked and said "I'll tell you later!" and standing, making sure their hands were still linked, she tugged him to the standing position and almost pushed him across the restaurant.

73

Sheldon was quiet. His fingers still linked with Amy's he let the conversation wash over him as she chatted with Bernie and Penny. He ignored the comments of Howard, and the sniggers of Raj and Leonard, as they teased him for avoiding them the previous evening. He ate his food mechanically not really tasting.

Emilie's father had heard of him? He would be coming to Caltech to check on her progress! Would this be an opening perhaps to show his findings? Letting the questions formulate, even though he didn't have any answers, Sheldon suddenly became aware the rest of the table had gone quiet and focusing he realised everyone was watching him.

"What?" He asked, perhaps more defensively than he had intended.

Howard snorted "He didn't hear did he? So wrapped up in his genius brain he missed it."

"Missed what?"

Amy grinned "I was just telling the others about Emilie, how she has requested you tutor her."

"Oh that."

"'Oh that'! Is that all you can say? You get a personal recommendation from Stephen Hawking and you say 'oh that'!" Howard was incensed.

"Pardon what?" Sheldon stuttered and felt Amy snigger. Turning to her he said "That's how he heard of me? From Hawking?"

At her nod he said "But I made a mistake, why would he recommend me after that?"

"Because you are a fricking genius!" Howard muttered grudgingly.

"I told you it was better news in front of them." Amy whispered.

As the others all offered their congratulations Sheldon nodded automatically before saying "I think I would like to go now?"

"Really why?" Amy asked confused, she had been so sure he would be pleased and want to brag to his friends how whatever evidence Howard had to the contrary science had in fact won after all.

"Because we were in the middle of a discussion earlier I would like to finish. Because here is not the place." Sheldon looked at her closely hoping she would see what he was trying to say. Her blush told him she understood, and nodding Sheldon turned to Howard and said "Howard I don't know what it was you told Hawking about me, but thank you!" Leaving his friends staring after him Sheldon dropped Amy's hand and stalked out of the restaurant.

"What was that all about?" Leonard asked the table in general.

Howard was sat open mouthed stunned by Sheldon's thanks, while Amy just waved and practically ran out of the door after Sheldon. Returning to the table Penny asked "Where's Sheldon and Amy gone?"

Bernie grinned "Home to celebrate I think." At Raj's chuckle and Leonard's shudder Bernadette said "I'll tell you later."

73

Sheldon was silent for the entire journey to Amy's apartment and closing the door to the apartment Amy finally asked Sheldon "Are you OK?"

She gasped when Sheldon, still without saying a word, pulled her towards him and kissed her. Dropping the keys and bag she still held Amy wrapped her arms around his shoulders. As he pulled away slowly he hugged her close. "I'm sorry." he said quietly.

"Why?" She asked, not at all sorry that he had felt the need to kiss her like that.

"I just needed to get away from there. I needed to kiss you. I … oh I don't know..."

Amy grinned "Good news though. About Emilie's dad." Sheldon nodded. "You are not pleased? Flattered?"

"Of course I am. Shocked too. But I am hoping this will enable me to maybe show him my research."

Amy grinned "Oh I think Emilie is hoping that too. She is devious." Amy laughed. "She wants to help you Sheldon. She was so excited when she called. Excited her father had agreed, delighted he had heard of you and then plotting. She knows you are reluctant to share your news so I think she is hoping to force you into it!"

"Yes well I think maybe I need to arrange a meeting with the young lady concerned and lay down a few ground rules." Sheldon muttered.

Amy felt the tension leaving his body as he spoke and disentangling herself said "Yes maybe you should. I think I should be there too."

"You do? Why?"

"Because she is so like you, in so many ways, I am not sure you wont need a referee!"

Shaking his head Sheldon muttered "Preposterous!" Settling himself on the sofa as he watched Amy prepare tea for them he said "Do you have any ice-cream?"

"Err... I am not sure, I'll check."

"I realised in my haste to leave I did not have dessert!"

As Amy filled 2 bowls with ice-cream she considered the situation she found herself in now.

"Sheldon," she handed him his bowl and spoon "when we left you said you wanted to finish the conversation we were having earlier. Was that about Emilie?"

Looking at her, spoon half way too his mouth Sheldon sighed. Returning the spoon to the bowl Sheldon carefully placed the bowl on the table and said "No Amy. When you were talking, telling the others, well I just wanted to hold you, hug you, kiss you. The cheesecake factory was neither the time nor place. Being here well its nice. Before I met you I used to hate going to other peoples houses, even Pennys. The indecision of where to sit, whether their standard of hygiene meant it was safe to consume a beverage, the risk of ridicule or the need to escape and having to take the bus. But here, now, I feel like I am at home." Sheldon took the bowl Amy was still holding and placed it next to his own and linking their fingers as he had earlier he raised her hand to his lips and kissed the back of her hand before saying "I sat tonight in front of my friends holding your hand and it made me feel happy. When you explained about |Hawking I was shocked. Then I suddenly didn't want to share the news any more. Not with them. Amy I don't care what they think, but I do care what you think. If this goes well I may have to leave and that scares me. I have always wanted to go to CERN and now that it is a possibility I am not sure I want to go."

"Sheldon you cant let fear of failure stop you."

"It isn't far of failure Amy, it is fear of us being apart. I wanted to hold you so badly tonight. I wanted to get out of there and bring you here so I could show you how you make me feel. I want to make you feel like that Amy."

"Show me now Sheldon." Amy said quietly. "Show me how you feel."

Looking at her closely Sheldon knew she was serious. Moving to kiss her quickly he then stood and, pulling her after him, led her to her bedroom. Turing to face her he said "We don't have to do anything I just want to hold you. Is that OK?"

At her nod Sheldon dropped her hand kicked off his shoes and pulling back the covers on the bed lay down. Watching him without comment Amy copied his action and lay next to him.

"No come here." He demanded quietly pulling her over so she now had her head on his chest his arms wrapped around her.

"Will you stay?" Amy asked quietly.

"Do you want me too?"

"Yes. I know we have work but.."

"OK." Sheldon nodded "but we will have to set the alarm early. And I should let Leonard know."

"Oh I think he will know where you are." Amy pointed out.

"Yes but if I tell him now he will have tome to digest the information. Otherwise I will be forced to endure a journey of questions all the way to work."

"The other alternative is I take you to work." Amy suggested.

Sheldon smiled "Yes that would help." Kissing the top of her head he said "I don't have any clothes for tomorrow or night clothes."

Amy grinned and twisted to look at him. "You scared I will ravish you?"

Sheldon laughed "It is you that should be worried little lady. I seem to remember you promising to go without night clothes the next time we did this!"

Seeing her eyes widen he squeezed her tight. "Don't worry I know this is an unplanned sleep over I wont hold you too it. But next time..."

She could hear the humour in his voice and relaxed. This felt right. More so than she had ever dreamed possible. To be laying in her bed with a man. For that man to be Dr Sheldon Cooper. She closed her eyes letting his heart beat against her cheek sooth her.

73

Shifting uncomfortably Sheldon looked at Amy sleeping on his chest. So much for a night of celebrating he thought. Trying to work out how to move her so he could free the arm that was now dead Sheldon moved slowly, inching Amy onto the pillow beside him. It was dark now, and not wanting to wake her by turning on the light, Sheldon carefully made his way to the bathroom. Washing and taking off his clothes he stood in his underpants and considered the position he fund himself in. He wanted to shower, but turning on the water would wake Amy. He wanted to sleep, but getting into bed with her with no clothes on was a risky prospect knowing his body was likely to get ideas of its own when he slept. Finally, deciding to shower in the morning, Sheldon pulled his phone from his pants pocket and sent Leonard a text

Staying at Amy's, she will take me to work. S.

Then setting his alarm Sheldon returned to the bedroom. Placing his neatly folded clothes on the chair in the corner he smiled as he looked at Amy. She had rolled onto her front and was hugging the pillow. Sitting down next to her Sheldon pulled the covers over them both and closed his eyes.

Amy awoke with a start. Sitting up she realised she was fully dressed and not alone. Looking at Sheldon asleep beside her she grinned. He looked so peaceful. He was on his back snoring gently. Amy's eyes widened as she realised he had no top on. Curious, she lifted the covers and peering under saw he was only in his underpants. 'Wow!' She mouthed and replacing the covers so as not to wake him made her way to the bathroom to wash. She must have fallen asleep on him, she realised a little embarrassed. Pleased though that Sheldon had felt comfortable enough to stay Amy considered her choices. She of course had nightwear at her disposal, but as Sheldon had pointed out she had said she would not wear it next time he stayed. Removing her skirt, cardigan and blouse, Amy look at herself in the mirror. Could she do it? Feeling brave Amy placed her outer clothes in the wash basket and return to the bedroom getting into bed. She lay listening to Sheldon breathing. Glancing at the clock she was pleased to see it was only 1 am. She needed sleep but suddenly felt wide awake. Mentally listing the reasons for her heightened brain function Amy began to calm down. Of course this new situation would cause changes in her sleep pattern. Her newly awakened thoughts regarding Sheldon were bound to be greater with him so close. And on the practical side having him this close should help ease her nerves. Enable her to get used to the smell of him, the heat of him. Closing her eyes Amy breathed in that scent. Smiling Amy placed her hand gently on his chest and snuggled a little closer. Drifting off to sleep was easy she realised, if she could sleep knowing he was close.

73

He held very still. No, he wasn't dreaming. He was in Amy's apartment, in her bed and that was Amy's hand drawing circles on his belly. Blinking at the light that was blazing through the window Sheldon said "What are you doing?"

Amy jumped at the sound of his voice and snatched her hand away.

"I'm sorry I thought you were asleep."

"I was." he laughed. "And I am sure we have had this conversation before." He grabbed her hand and placed it back on his belly. "It was nice." he whispered.

"I couldn't sleep." Amy murmured knowing this was hardly justification but the best she could come up with.

"So you decided to explore?"

Amy grinned hearing how absurd her excuse sounded. "You looked cute."

"Cute?" Sheldon snorted. "How come, he asked more aware of his surroundings now even though it was still not fully light, "How come you have all the covers?"

Amy laughed. "Well that is what woke me actually. In the night you took them all. I was cold so I pulled them back and you rolled and then I saw you and..."

"And you decided too...?"

Amy blushed.

"If I stroked you like that you would squirm and scream." Sheldon pointed out reasonably. "Maybe that should be your punishment for waking me at," he glanced at the bedside clock "4.45 am." Reaching under the covers towards a hastily retreating Amy Sheldon stopped still when his hand encountered her bare stomach.

"You haven't got your night gown on!" he stated rather obviously. Amy shook her head. "Why?"

"Because I woke in the night and saw you asleep; realised you had undressed and well it seemed only fair."

Sheldon closed his eyes for a second breathing deeply before saying "You are a vixen Amy Farrah Fowler!" At her slight smile he said "That doesn't mean I wont tickle" you and twitching his fingers was rewarded by her squeal. It was only his quick reactions that actually stopped her toppling out of bed in her bid to escape and laughing he pulled her too him.

As Amy felt his bare chest and stomach touch her for the first time she gasped. Stilling immediately Sheldon said "maybe that was a mistake!" Then realising Amy wasn't exactly pulling away he said "I hadn't expected this."

"No me either... well..."

Sheldon pulled away a little and asked "You did?"

"Maybe hoped rather than expected." Amy admittedly shyly. Then deciding honesty was definitely the best policy she said "I have thought about it a lot actually, since the weekend that is. Wondered what it would feel like."

"And?"

"Its nice." Amy smiled. "Strange but nice."

Pulling her back tight against him Sheldon said "You do realise I am not going to be able to function today now. My rem cycle has been destroyed once again, and now my eidetic memory will be in a loop playing this moment over and over!"

Amy laughed. "And here I was meant to be helping you with that problem."

"Yes and now you are the cause!" Twitching his fingers near her ribs again Sheldon laughed at her shout of "No! Stop!"

"Make me!" he challenged.

Feeling his fingers continue to tickle at her sides Amy did the first thing that came into her head.

She kissed him.

Quickly at first causing him not only to gasp but to indeed stop tickling, then again, slower and deeper. Feeling brave she ran her tongue along his lower lip and was thrilled on hearing his groan as he moved his hands from her side to her back, pulling her into him so that now the only thing separating them was the underwear they wore. Pulling away gasping Amy looked at Sheldon and said "Well that worked!"

He chuckled and said "I think maybe these sleepovers need to be scheduled better. The thought of having to get up for work in an hour is not sounding very appealing right now."

Amy smiled. "No. Staying here would be nice."

As he felt her nestle into his chest Sheldon groaned. "Amy! That is not helping."

"Sorry," she moved away a little. "You started it!" she pointed out. "If you hadn't tickled me..."

"Amy you woke me up stroking my belly! FYI, I like my belly being stroked, but to then find you dressed or should I say undressed well lets just say all will power nearly exhausted so you snuggling into my chest, well it makes me want to do the same."

"Sleep on my chest?" Amy frowned suddenly confused, causing Sheldon to grin.

"No Amy not to sleep definitely not to sleep."

"Oh!" Amy mumbled suddenly realising what he meant.

"Yeah." Sheldon pulled back. "You know after our conversation about the shower I promised myself the next time I stayed here I would take that shower with you, and kiss you, anywhere and everywhere you let me. Now I am lying here knowing I cant do that. Amy can we reschedule this sleepover? For say the weekend?"

Amy smiled. "I would like that."

Nodding satisfied Sheldon pulled Amy back to his chest and said "Now control yourself woman."

"Or?" she teased

"Don't push me!" He muttered and smiling happily Amy wrapped an arm around his waist and closed her eyes.

"You asleep?" he whispered after a few minutes.

"No."

"We should get up."

"Its early Sheldon, we have lots of time."

"I know," he admitted quietly "it is just laying her like this I am very aware how little we are wearing and I want to do things, and it makes things happen and I thought if we got up it may help."

"What things do you want to do?" Amy asked unable to stop the curiosity even though the question caused Sheldon to groan.

"Amy...this isn't easy OK. I love being here like this. So much but right at this minute the covers have slipped and I can see your breasts and I want to hold them. But I know if I did I then wouldn't want to stop." Groaning he sat up dumping Amy unceremoniously onto he bed behind him. Leaning over head in his hands he said "I'm sorry. This isn't your fault."

Amy sat up and rubbed his back. "No I'm sorry Sheldon, I shouldn't have asked. I should not push you but I would be lying if I said I wasn't curious. But you are right now isn't the time."

Sheldon looked at her over his shoulder. "You are curious? To me touching you?" At her nod he said "It is the middle of the working week and I don't want to go. Amy that has never happened to me before."

Amy just nodded in understanding right now she felt the same.

"Sheldon it is just gone 5 in the morning and we don't have to be at work for hours yet. What about if we kiss a little? And maybe you could touch me a little?" Seeing his eyes widen she added quickly "Above the waist and clothes."

"Amy I don't know."

"You sound more worried than me."

"I am. I am worried I wont want to stop. Or be able to control myself like before."

Amy smiled fondly at the memory. "I wouldn't mind." she said. Causing Sheldon to look at her face and say firmly "Above the waist. Both of us." before shifting down the bed slightly so their heads were aligned.

Kissing first her forehead then cheeks then lips, Sheldon tried to go slow. He tired to remember how nervous he had been when first touched and wanted to make sure this felt right. Feeling her sigh as he finally kissed her mouth Sheldon let his hand stroke her cheek before moving to her smooth hair. As he kissed her his mind focused on his hands, the length of her hair and her breathing. Anything rather than the taste and feel of her against him. When Amy shifted closer and brought her hand up to his shoulder Sheldon deepened the kiss. Feeling her move closer still Sheldon ran his hand down her back, to the gentle curve of her waist. Noting how very soft her skin felt Sheldon marvelled at her smoothness, and breathing in her smell squeezed his eyes tight shut fighting the feelings overpowering him. Slowly moving his hand up her side Sheldon hesitated. She had said it was OK but he needed to make sure. Pulling back slowly Sheldon watched as Amy opened her eyes slowly, refocusing on him. "You OK?" he asked quietly at her nod he said "sure?"

Seeing her smile and nod Sheldon looked at his own hand. Moving his thumb sideways he rubbed the side of her breast gently. Feeling her breath catch he looked at her face and saw she was also watching his hand. "Amy are you sure?" he asked again and she nodded biting her lip. His thumb stroked gently, his hand staying still. When he felt her body shift slightly towards his thumb he moved the rest of his hand, gently cupping her breast, feeling her weight; holding tenderly, not moving just letting her adjust for a second before this time moving his thumb again he rubbed her nipple.

"Ooh!" Amy gasped

When Sheldon looked at her this time her eyes were shut and her mouth open a little. Repeating the action gently Sheldon saw her nipple tighten and felt her body tense. Stopping instantly Sheldon bit his lip. What he wanted was to kiss the curve of her breast showing above the white bra. He wanted to hear her beg him to take it off. Knowing he needed to be patient however Sheldon moved to her other breast again cupping and stroking gently.

Amy's breathing was now shallow. Eyes closed she tried to focus on the action of his fingers. Fingers that were making her feel things she had never felt before. She was loosing her focus though as her body began to tighten at his touch. Grabbing his wrist Amy stilled his fingers and lay still. Opening her eyes slowly she said "Sheldon stop." She knew he had already but her brain seemed to be shutting down. Her senses now so heightened even she could hear her own breathing, making the sound of her voice sound as if she had shouted.

As her grip on his wrist loosen Sheldon pulled her tight too him and hugged her. Feeling her breathing calm he loosened the hug slowly and pulling back said "Too much?"

Amy opened her eyes again and saw the concern on his face. She smiled. "A little. It felt … I cant describe it. I know we said only touching above the waist, I know you stuck to the rules, but I felt it everywhere Sheldon." she said shyly.

Sheldon nodded. "Not bad though?"

Amy smiled "No not bad. And maybe if you stay this weekend we could try again?" She voiced this more as a question than a request and Sheldon nodded seriously. "Maybe we really should get up now."

Agreeing Amy sighed and released the hold on him she hadn't even realised she had. Sitting up Amy said "Do you want to come over Friday and Saturday?"

Sheldon smiled. "I would love too."

73