Relief washed over Sheldon. He closed his eyes and slowly let out the breath he hadn't realised he had been holding. He wanted to move to Amy and hold her.

"Amy I love you too. I don't want to go home. This is my home. With you."

Amy smiled. Sheldon looked so tired, she realised just how badly this had affect him.

"Come here." she moved to the sofa and sat down beckoning him to sit next to her. He moved eagerly towards her then sat down.

"Sheldon we cant leave this. What she has done. If we leave it she may come back. Try again. She waited 7 years but she obviously thinks we are an easy target."

"I know. But Amy I gave her the money willingly. I just want her gone."

"OK, but we should tell someone. I think you should have reported her years ago, Dylan too. Maybe we could go to the police, tell them what has happened."

"Amy no! Everyone will find out."

"Sheldon you haven't done anything wrong."

"Amy I don't want people knowing."

Seeing he was getting distressed Amy let the topic drop but she was worried. Even if Beth went now what was to stop her coming back later.

73

"Have you heard from Amy?" Leonard asked Penny.

"I saw her earlier, she was angry and hurt. She asked me to leave. Leonard she hates me."

"Penny I am sure she is just hurting. Like Sheldon. Lets give them some time. I just wondered if Sheldon had gone there?"

"I don't know she certainly didn't seem to be expecting him."

"Do you think we should look for him again?"

"Why not try calling him see if he replies?"

Leonard pulled out his phone and dialled Sheldon's number. Going straight to voice-mail Leonard left a short message then sent a text telling Sheldon unless they heard from him he was calling his mother.

It was 15 minutes before they got a response

"I am at Amy's."

Nothing else. "Well I guess that's good right? It means they are talking at least."

"Yes." Penny smiled.

73

"Sheldon will you stay? I know it has been weird, but I don't want to be alone tonight."

"I feel the same." Sheldon nodded. "I feel like she has beaten me up even though she never physically touched me. When I walked in and saw her there. Oh god Amy I have never wanted to hurt someone as much as I wanted to hurt her then. I knew she would have lied, I knew I couldn't get to you. I ran through the apartment looking for you even thought I knew you had gone. I have never felt so helpless."

"Sheldon I was so sure she was making it up so sure. Then she mentioned the kiss, mentioned Penny. It was like I had been shot. I felt everything I believed in crumble. She was so strong so confident and she knew exactly what to say."

"That's how it was before. It was her strength and confidence that first I found attractive." Sheldon spoke quietly now ashamed he had ever had the feeling let alone had to justify the, "When she used to visit Dylan she used to watch me, I knew she was watching and I used to get flustered. Looking back I know she was laughing at me but she would say I was sweet; say she could help me build my confidence and I wanted that so much. She seemed so popular. They would let me go with them to bars and clubs. I found if I was with them people looked at me differently. I was not just a geek. It was like being with the cool kids at high school."

Amy felt tears in her eyes. She knew exactly what Sheldon felt that longing to belong. She had felt the same, the loneliness and isolation.

"When she kissed me that first time I was so stunned I couldn't move. She gradually built up the flirting and encouraged me to flirt back, touch her kiss her. It was always when Dylan was at work, when he was out. When he was there she was just as friendly just less obvious. It was all a lie. He knew and I wouldn't be surprised if they had done it before. My real surprise is he wasn't here this time."

"Maybe she felt she would have more success on her own after the beating."

"Yes she expressed regret but I know it wasn't genuine."

"Sheldon I know you don't want to but we should tell someone. What if they have done, or are doing, this to others? Other young shy people?"

Sheldon just shook his head "I cant."

73

Amy lay awake listening to Sheldon breathing deeply next to her. She was glad he was here. Neither of them felt comfortable enough just yet to initiate any intimacy. Although as she glanced at him now Amy realised a hug and a kiss would be a big comfort. She shifted slightly and lay her head gently on his chest, her arm over his waist. As his heart beat steadily in her ear she drifted off to sleep.

Sheldon felt the weight on his chest and panicked, where was he? As he opened his eyes he realised he was at Amy's. The events of the previous day flashed through his mind.

Its OK, she is here, he told himself reassuringly. He pulled her close. He needed the bathroom but he was scared to leave her, scared that if he left the room she would be gone when he came back. That moment he saw Beth replayed in his head, that feeling of dread and sickness. He couldn't risk loosing Amy again.

73

"Leonard are you saying he has moved in with her?" A note of shock and awe filled Pennys voice.

"I don't know really, he just sent me a text saying he would not be home, was staying at Amy's and he would see me at work tomorrow. He then sent me an email with a list of all the things he wanted me to bring for him. I would guess there were enough clothes to last until next Saturdays wash day!"

"It doesn't make sense."

"I thought you would be pleased. They are obviously back together and happy."

"I am pleased. If they have sorted everything out. I would be delighted for them! It means that bitch didn't win. But think about it. Dr Whackadoodle doesn't let anyone in his room, he has a rigorous schedule he refuses to budge from and a life plan he is so focused on even his bowel movements are planned so he isn't distracted! Then, suddenly, he has moved in with his girlfriend?"

"OK, he told me something which could be relevant." Leonard said knowing it could possibly explain Pennys argument.

"What!? God Leonard how can you be keeping stuff from me now."

"Because it was private, because it hurt him to admit to me and because if he knows I told you I will gain more than one strike!"

"Come on WHAT!?"

"He gave Beth money."

"Yes, yes I know that."

"No, he gave Beth everything. He cant even afford rent! He was going home penny. To his mother. To Texas."

"So do you think Amy has said he can stay there?"

"I guess. Until we actually see them it is hard to know isn't it."

73

Amy sat at her desk and looked blankly at the computer screen. She had been like that for half an hour. She was pleased Sheldon was OK. That they had made peace. That he had stayed. She felt something was wrong though. Yesterday Sheldon had stayed not more than 5 feet from her side all day. Every opportunity he held or touched her.

Ordinarily she would have found it romantic and even sexy but this felt different. His touches weren't anything more than almost checking she was close. Shrugging off her doubts Amy thought about the text she had just received from Penny.

Amy knew she had to contact her. She had asked Penny to leave the last time they met, she had been angry. Now she had calmed down she knew they needed to make amends.

Hey Penny, I guess Leonard told you Sheldon was at mine? He is. Things are better I guess. I am sorry if I was harsh the other day. A x

She was amazed at the speed of Pennys response. Even for her it was quick!

Oh Amy! I am so glad you and Sheldon are talking and so so sorry I made things worse. Please say you will forgive me. Amy you are my best friend! I don't want to loose you! P xx

Maybe Penny could actually help Amy thought. She had witnessed Beth first hand after all.

Penny would you be able to meet for coffee? A

I can be at the coffee shop by you in 15!

Smiling Amy confirmed she would be there and saved the data she had barely touched. Everything would still be here tomorrow.

73

"So things are OK?" Penny asked, real concern in her voice.

"Yes. I want him to report it, and report Dylan and the first time but he wont. I kind of understand but it worries me she will come back. I couldn't do this again."

"Poor Sheldon." Penny sighed. "How are you though? Penny asked. She could see her friend was tired and her eyes, normally shining were dull.

"I am OK. It is just strange right now. It feels weird."

"Is Sheldon moving in with you?"

"No. I said he could stay a few days. He is really clingy at the moment but he wont talk. If I even allude to her, or what has happened he leaves the room. In fact that is the only time he is not at my side."

"Do you think he is scared you will leave?"

"What do you mean?"

"Well think about it Amy, the first time you found out he had had a relationship you went to Canada, not that I don't understand," Penny added quickly. "Then the other day, as he struggled to deal with it, he came back and you were gone. In know things are OK now but maybe he is sticking close, literally because he is scared you will leave him."

Amy considered Pennys words. "That makes sense I guess." Sighing Amy said "The only way we can put this behind us is to report it."

"Give him time Amy. I am sure it will be OK!"

73

A/N sorry this is so short. Will not be able to update until next week now. Please stay with me though and let me know what you think so far. A xx