Never Back Down from a Fight

Amy returned home after packing her apartment to a comical scene. Laying across the back of couch were a very sweaty Raj and red faced Howard, with an out of breath and tousled Leonard, sucking on his inhaler. Sheldon was standing on the higher platform, his fortress of Solitude, wiping off his new safe. He had none of the disheveled looks of his compatriots. He was blissfully cleaning off his new safe, in all his Alpha Male Glory.

"So, I take it they didn't deliver?"

"OH they would have delivered, but only to the door. Mr. Slick negotiator back there didn't make them carry it up the stairs because it would have cost 25 dollars more."

"For that 25 dollars, I could have bought 10 more centimeters of additional space in the safe."

"I said I would pay for it!"

"Really Leonard, your spendthrift habits are going to hurt your already dismissal financial future with your shopaholic wife."

"My future wife will need the money now to bury me, after you almost killed today!"

Howard piped in, "If we just would have arrived 20 minutes later, we won't have been strong armed into schlepping that monster up 4 flights."

Raj wasn't in better shape, "AMY! You were supposed to fix this egomaniacal slave driver, not boast his ego! His worse than ever!"

"Well, I can't help it if his natural alpha male dominance and wit was overpowering to you. Usually, males fall in the pecking order through a physical fight between a dominant and subordinate animal. Given your stature and weak physical state, I doubt you could overpower a 6'1 muscled powerhouse like Sheldon."

"Muscle powerhouse, woman, who do think you're dating?" Howard snorted at Amy. DID HOWARD JUST CALL AMY WOMAN? An enraged Sheldon was just about to prove it to him in person, when Amy held up her hand to him.

"I know for fact Sheldon is physically stronger than everyone in the room. However, he doesn't have to prove it. In this case, it is an intellectual battle of wits, and we all know there is no match for Dr. Sheldon Lee Cooper."

"You can match me." Sheldon piped in, smiling at his boasting girlfriend.

"Yeah, Amy, save us and become Alpha! Please!" Raj was cute when he begged.

"Oh, I could, but being of comparable intelligence, I can chose and I much prefer being dominated." She wore a devilish grin and winked at Sheldon who swallowed hard, lamenting that his friends were still in the room. "Anyway! Food's here!"

Amy went to the kitchen, leaving a smiling Sheldon, and 3 gawking exhausted males staring at him in disbelief.

Raj mouthed to Howard, Prefer being dominated?

Howard mouthed back, WOW, Just WOW!

Amy called from the kitchen, "Afterwards, you three are allowed to help me carry the boxes from my car!"

All three men at once, "UUUGGGG!"

Sunday evening Chinese dinner was ordered to perfection. Sheldon was just about to dive into his perfect meal when Leonard voice interrupted his assent.

"Amy, Did you get this food from Chin's?" Leonard sounded exactly like Sheldon.

"Yes" Amy smiled at Leonard, she knew what he was up to; She played along.

Leonard said flatly, "Did you remember to ask for the chicken with broccoli to be diced, not shredded?"

Amy: Yes.

Leonard, "Even though the menu description specifies shredded?"

Amy, "Yes"

Sheldon was watching the exchange, and finally piped in to help his girlfriend, "Leonard, what do you think you are doin' grilling poor Amy like that? She doesn't deserve the 3rd degree from you. My god man, can you show no appreciation? She picked this all up for us, when to the restaurant, picked up the good mustard at the Korean grocery and even got the low-sodium soy sauce from the market! And you sit there and question it? Shut up and eat your food, ingrate!"

"But Sheldon! You used to do that to me every time I got food." Leonard thought How can he not see that?

"Yes, but with you it was to insure I wasn't being poisoned or worse, had incorrectly prepared chicken. When you do it to Amy, it's just condescending. Knock it off." Sheldon turned to Amy, "What Leonard meant to say was thank you. Sorry they don't teach manners at Princeton."

"Or irony in Galveston." Leonard snapped back with a simpering grin.

"Oh, they taught that! It was a good lesson too, especially the one where every day the preacher wife would have to pick up her husband at the organist's house, drunk and half dressed."

Amy laughed at the exchange, "Alright you two. Well, you're welcome. " Amy got up to get herself a drink. Sheldon watched her move through the crowd. She had on her tight denim skirt and her purple cardigan she wore when he asked her to be girlfriend in the dark and sketchy theater so long ago. He had put in the relationship proposal that there would no changes to their relationship, physical or otherwise. What a fool I was.

Sheldon always wished he had a Tardis or any manner of Time Machine, to go back and forth through time. When he looks at Amy now, he wishes for it more than ever. If he had a Tardis, he would go back to that theater and slap the idiot in the beige jacket upside the head. In fact, he would go further back, to when they were dancing and she kissed him. Or pull her from that bar where she almost offered herself to Zack and take her up against the wall. There were so many times he could have shown Amy how he felt about her, how he loved her or could love her. He wanted those lost moments and opportunities back, but he knew it was impossible. He didn't want to lose anymore; not a minute or even a second.

Leonard noticed Sheldon wasn't eating and had a faraway look."You alright there, buddy? You seem a little lost."

"Not anymore, Leonard. Not anymore."

On Tuesday night at the Cheesecake factory, the gang witnessed one of the rare public fights between Amy and Sheldon. Although the group really couldn't say whether they had a fight or not. First reason, it was over so quickly it could be called more of a spat. Secondly, and most importantly, they never heard a thing:

Howard was chatting about needing to set up his Karaoke machine for the Party on Friday at Wil Wheaton's house. It had a large patio with plenty of sitting. Stuart was going to have an open bar, appetizers and music. Later, he wanted a karaoke machine for fun entertainment after everyone was proper soused. Howard was looking forward to the party, but was lamenting that he was only allowed to play 1930-1950 music.

"I mean really, no Diamond? Neil's a classic!"

Sheldon looked at Amy when Howard said Neil Diamond. Hello again.

She blushed and looked down, back at her food. Hello…

Sheldon's smirk was subtle, but noticeable.

"I am looking forward to it. It will be spectacular!" Raj loved parties.

"Stupid Stuart and his rules. But it's his shin dig."

Amy asked, "Why would he only have music from that time frame?"

"The theme of the party, its all 1930-1950, because the monkey comic is set in the 1940's during the war. I told Sheldon last week."

Penny piped in, "Yeah, we all have to dress up like zoot suit riot or something. I have a hair appointment on Friday to get done like Gretta Garbo."

Amy shot Sheldon an icy death stare. His eyes met hers, went wide then narrowed to a glare. She looked at him again, more intensely. Sheldon leaned forward and crossed his arms. Amy looked down then up, and shifted her head to the side, almost cracking her neck. Sheldon swallowed hard. He looked down and then up over his brow with wide eyes. Amy smiled slightly and let out a sigh. She then looked at Penny, quickly. Sheldon smiled and then said to Penny, "Amy would like to join on your hair appointment on Friday."

Amy shot him one more stare, and Sheldon quickly added, "Oh, and I'm paying for it."

What they couldn't hear was the following implied unspoken exchange:

You failed to inform me, Dr. Cooper, that the party I am required to attend this weekend is a themed party.

What are you mad at me for? Anyway, Dr. Fowler, I am not responsible for informing you of all events.

Yes, but you had information vital to me, and withheld it. Previously you had informed me it was a costume party. You being the costume boss, should have told me if the parameters had changed.

But, it's no longer a costume party, so I wasn't required under the guidelines as costume boss. So there.

Yes, but I was under the false impression it was a costume party. You, as the costume boss should have told me your duties were not required and you had relinquished your responsibility. Until you do, you are on the hook. You screwed up Cooper, you know it! You're lucky I don't reach across that table and make sure you understand that fact, personally.

Gulp, I'm sorry. I should have told you. I figured that blue dress you wore in Boston was perfect for the event. I didn't think you would need anything else, you're so beautiful in it.

Alright, you smooth talker. No harm no fowl. But I still need to have my hair done, tell Penny I will go with her.

Done.

And you're paying for it!

Alright! Minx! Now turn off those peepers.

The gang sat opened mouth and wide-eyed watching the ocular exchange. Finally Bernie broke the silence.

"What the hell was that? Can you guys speak telepathically?"

"Really Bernadette? A woman of science should know there is no such thing. Honestly, Howard, what have you done to this woman? Is living with an MIT graduate with no doctorate sucked IQ points out of her?" Sheldon shook his head, and snickered. "We just understand each other, that's all."

Howard came to his wife defense, "Back off Sheldon, Bernie is brilliant. I think what we are witnessing here folks is not just a new level of the Shamese language. No, we are witnessing the forming of the Shamy Hive mind!" Howard shuttered, "Oh god, it's started. Please don't breed! We can't have any more of you around!"

"Well, Wolowitz, when we do have children, they will be brilliant and have all our talents combined. I think you should be afraid if not completely intimidated."

Sheldon crossed his arms raising his chin in triumph; until he saw the looks from the group. All seven sets of eyes and gaped mouths were aimed at him; especially Amy's. Sheldon looked at her and shifted his eyes back and forth. Amy eyes were wide and then wider. Sheldon looked confused, then tilted his head. Amy's eyes lowered then looked at him with a smile. He returned it with an impish grin. Amy smiled widely, looked at her food, and they continued they're meal.

What they might have said to each other was the following:

What did I say?

You just told everyone that we are going to have a child someday.

Well, aren't we?

We haven't discussed it, Sheldon. Also we haven't even had coitus yet. You kind of need that step first.

Well, just past Coitus Creek is a lovely craftsman house with little Cooper kids. You can go there or not. Your choice.

Well, I look forward to future conversations concerning the landscape beyond Coitus Creek. Until then, let's eat. We are getting stared at.

Before they went back to the apartment, Sheldon insisted they go to a shoe store after dinner. He needed to get Amy's exactly size and just looking at her current perfectly fitted shoes just would not do. As they entered, Amy was immediately drawn to a pair of shoes. "OH boy, women and their shoe obsessions. Are you turning into a shopaholic too, Amy? "

Amy picked up a pair of open toe thick heels on the sale rack that were in her size. "I have precisely 4 pairs of shoes, and you know it. I don't spend money on clothes. Well, certain clothes, but you like those!" Sheldon blushed and Amy continued, " Anyway I love these!" Amy let out an unusual girlish giggle.

"What are those for? They look like they might be uncomfortable..."

"If we are going to a 1940's theme party, I need the right shoes. My grandmother had a pair like these. I always loved them. I used to dress up and dance around in them. My grandmother would put on the Mills Brother's "Glow Worm." I was swimming in the shoes, almost falling over, but she held me up. We would dance around the kitchen table." Amy eyes were far away now, "I loved those shoes."

"And now you have your own pair." Sheldon watched Amy walk around with ease. "Are they as you remembered?"

"Better! These fit! And I can walk in them. Not like the thin yellow heels I bought with Penny. I love them." Amy walked around the shoe store, holding her foot out to admire her new shoes.

Sheldon watched her with smiling eyes. Sometimes her feminine nature was a mystery to him and sometimes, it was just cute. This was a cute time. "Well, come over here, little lady. I need to see you size. I doubt you have the same size was that Nebraskan line backer next door."

Just then a young handsome sales man came up to the couple, "Can I help you with anything?"

Sheldon walked in front of Amy, "No, I just need Brannock Device."

"HUH?"

"Good god man you work in a shoe store! It's the device that measured a human foot. You know, one of those size measurement tools."

"Oh sure, I can do the measurement," the salesman nodded his head toward Amy, " is this for your wife?"

Sheldon looked back at Amy and she back at him with wide eyes. Neither said anything for almost 10 excruciating seconds, then Amy said, "No I am his girlfriend, and I would like him to do it, if you don't mind. I have an aversion to strangers touching me. I would like to purchase these shoes, however."

"No problem, Ms. I will have them up front for you." He handed Sheldon the shoe size tool. "Here is your Braddick device."

"Brannock!"

"Yes well, if there is anything else you need, my name is Omar."

Amy smiled kindly at him, "Thank you Omar."

"Aversion to stranger touch? I thought that was my Modus operandi ?"

"Well, it's not a lie. TSA agents, remember. Besides, REALLY I don't like people touching my feet. I might kick him between the legs while he is in front of me." Sheldon covered himself. "I'm sure your safe, Dr. Cooper."

Sheldon sat in front of Amy, taking off her new heels. "You need to stand up." He noted her measurement, and then knelt back down to put back on her shoe, and took off the other. Amy was watching him, relishing his soft touch. He gently ran his hand up her calf a little too far, "You could have been a shoe salesman, Sheldon. I would have bought a hundred pairs from you."

"HA! Touching strangers feet? Are you nuts, woman? I'd rather have a dentist office near a meth lab. No thank you. I can barely touch this gadget."

"Why don't you just use my shoe size?"

"I need to special order your boots, it takes careful measurements."

"Sheldon, you can just use those Star Wars boots I own."

"Wrong color, and really Amy, its STAR TREK! Honestly woman, it's not that hard! I think you do it on purpose!"

"I do like to see you get your Texan up" She smirked at him, gliding her foot over his calf.

"You've seen quite enough of my Texan up for a while, little lady." She smirked when he winked at her. " Okay, I'm done. Let's get out of her before Omar has me trying on heels."

"Oh man, and with your French maid outfit! I bet with your legs, hoo! They would really extenuate your…" Sheldon shot her his own death stare, which while not as deadly, was still quite potent. Amy closed her mouth not quickly enough to keep her from giggling.

After they arrived at home, they had just enough time for a quick back session, before bed. Sheldon suggested they do it while they were in bed, making sleeping easier and talking her into a back massage that much simpler.

"Alright Dr. Cooper, let's try something new. Sit on the corner of the mattress."

Amy straddled his body from behind. "I am going to work on specific nerves in your back. Okay?"

Amy pulled off his shirts with a gentle sweep filling her with his scent; it was her favorite cologne. She handed them to Sheldon to fold, before putting them in the laundry. "It so cute that you fold your dirty clothes."

"Cute? I've been told it is unnecessary." While he was folding the shirts, Amy watched his muscles move while doing the simple action. After this day, every time he folded something, she would envision this image of his naked back, with muscles flexing and moving. "Hoo! Nothing you do is ever unnecessary."

"I'm glad you think so."

Amy's hands were finding all the pressure points on Sheldon's back, releasing unknown tension from his aching muscles. "Oh my Dr. Cooper, if I didn't know any better, I would have thought you carried a heavy safe up 4 flights yesterday?"

"Yes, but you do know better, doncha, you little minx." Sheldon sounded different, far away, lost in thought; like he was talking to himself more than her. " You always defend me against them." Sheldon let out a deep breath. "That's so nice, you really don't know. I've never had someone appreciate and defend me like you do, Amy. I know I didn't always say it before, but… thank you."

Amy kissed his shoulder blade, and whispered in his skin, "You're an easy man to appreciate Sheldon."

"You're a terrible liar, but I won't correct you."

"I'm not lying. I know you love me and your friends. You always text me to make sure I am home. You worry about your friend Leonard's relationship. I know you talked to Penny about breaking up with him. Your concern when we go on trips, the planning and forethought. That's not just because your showing off your survival skills, I know it's because you don't want anyone to get hurt. Penny mentioned one time she didn't have working flashlight and you brought her batteries at Costco that day. You are thoughtful and compassionate, in your own special way. I am lucky to be with such a caring man."

"I think you are the only one who notices, Amy."

"Well, I do notice. They might not see it, but I do. I know it hurts you deeply when they tease you. They think you have no depth, you're just an intellectual superior egoist who enjoys the sound of his voice."

"Well, I am that."

"And so much more. I know you are filled with so much emotions and compassion that they engulf you. That is why you keep your friends at bay, with jokes and snide comments. You can't care too much, it would overwhelm you. You practice Kolinhr to keep emotions away not because you have none, but because you have too many."

Amy could feel Sheldon tense up, holding back tears. He didn't want to cry, or show weakness. He hated when emotions besieged him. He never had someone know him so completely, get through his layers to the very nucleus of his being. He was overwhelmed, not with what Amy said, but because she cared enough to be right.

Amy felt him shake, she sat up on her knees and wrapped her arms around him holding him close to her chest. "Would you like to lie down with me now?"

"Yes." He moved back to the bed. Amy nestled in his arms, her face buried in his chest. "I always feel so safe with you. Thank you Sheldon."

"Thank you, Amy for everything." That one statement said more than he could pull out of his emotional rolodex. He wanted to say more: She was his everything, she completed him, made him better, happier than he had ever been. He didn't know how at that moment, but he didn't need to. Amy knew. She always knows.