"Ames! You are here early."
"Hi bestie, yes it was a bad day. I needed a glass of wine and thought I may as well come directly here."
"What's wrong?" Penny asked as she pushed the large glass towards her friend.
"Monkeys! They were determined to rile me today. I am actually grateful I am back in the lab tomorrow."
Penny grinned "We really need a girls night. I have missed your monkey stories!"
"Well I can do tomorrow. Sheldon is going to the comic book store so..."
"It is really going well now? All that Ramona nonsense behind you?"
"Yes. We are OK. In fact if you want to win Leonard round I have decided Lego works far better than anything else!"
"Even sex?" Penny sniggered
"Well I cant comment on that of course, but all indicators so far would support my theory."
"Wow! Well that's his Christmas present sorted!" Penny grinned. "So you have really just been playing with Lego these past few dates? How do you not got crazy with boredom?"
"It was more Sheldon not going crazy at me." Amy grinned and proceeded to tell Penny about her error with unpacking the bricks. "...but we have over half completed and it looks good."
Penny shrugged "maybe I can last an hour in the store but if Leonard wants to buy a model like that he is on his own."
Amy shrugged. "So what have I missed?"
"Nothing! The guys took themselves to the store as they were so jealous of Sheldon, but Bernie has been working so I haven't seen her either. If she is here tonight and can do tomorrow I will see if I can change shifts. Wine and chocolate and ice-cream is needed!"
The others arriving had Penny trading her bar position back to waitress so she could handle Sheldon's order. Amy sat next to him listening to the others talking but did not join in.
"Are you OK? You are very quiet." Sheldon asked looking at her pushing her food around on her plate.
"No I'm fine, just thinking about work."
"New experiment?"
"No just monkeys showing me who's boss."
Sheldon moved away slightly "They didn't throw stuff at you?"
Amy grinned "Suddenly I am not looking so attractive?"
"You look just fine, its what I cant see I'm worried about."
"Don't worry they didn't throw anything. They took my keys though so I couldn't unlock their cage. They couldn't either thankfully, but it meant I spent the best part of an hour playing 'go fish' with a pole when I should have been inputting data. I will have to work late tomorrow now to catch up."
"I thought you were seeing Bernie and Penny tomorrow, Penny just arranged it."
"Yes I am, but I was going to leave work early now I will not be able too. Its OK though, the hours I don't take off tomorrow I will save."
"Are you having girls night at yours?"
"No Pennys I think, why?"
"I just did not want them tampering with our model."
"No don't worry it will be safe."
"Could you take a picture of it for me. I want to show the others they are still so jealous."
"It is not finished though. Would you not rather wait?"
"Oh no. I think they will appreciate seeing every stage!"
Shaking her head Amy said "I will do it when I get home."
"I could always come back with you, take it myself." Sheldon said looking at her sideways.
"You want to come all the way to mine just to take a photo I could send you?"
Sheldon shrugged. Leaning a little closer he said quietly "I also want to kiss you. I would rather do that without the audience."
Amy blushed. "OK. But if you don't want the others to find out I suggest you come up with a better excuse than taking a picture of Lego!"
As the rest of the meal continued Amy noticed Sheldon seemed distracted, not joining in when Leonard teased Howard about his lack of qualifications, and only shrugging when Penny delivered his dessert without the extra chocolate sauce he had ordered. When the bill was paid and they stood to leave Amy looked at Sheldon and said "so I will see you Thursday or Friday?"
"Well," Sheldon said in a voice Amy considered far louder than was necessary, "I checked out the reviews of that restaurant you mentioned and I think we need to discuss them before I make any reservations."
"The reviews were good Sheldon, I read them myself."
Sheldon eyes wide as if trying to communicate without using words was staring at Amy who frowned at him in return. "Sheldon" she whispered "What is the matter with you?"
"OK if you insist I will go back with you and we can book it tonight." Sheldon nodded.
Amy shook her head and turned to Penny and the others, all of whom were not in the slightest bit interested in Sheldon's ramblings. Confirming she would see the girls tomorrow and waving to the others Amy made her way towards the door.
"Sheldon you are going with Amy?" Leonard called after them.
"Yes," Amy interrupted before Sheldon could begin some elaborate excuse again. "Don't worry Leonard I will bring him back later." Amy led Sheldon towards her car and getting in said "What was all that about?"
"Amy I was trying to be discrete. I did not want them questioning us."
"Well seeing as they weren't even listening it was a waste of time! Now as you brought it up did you really check out the restaurant?"
"I said I did didn't." I Sheldon relied a little hurt she had dismissed his ruse so readily.
"And? Did it meet your exacting standards?"
"Sarcasm?" Sheldon asked suddenly unsure of Amy's mood.
"Not at all. I had heard good reports but it is your opinion I value."
"Well I also read the reports which certainly seemed OK, I also made several phone calls. We are booked in for dinner Friday at 8."
Amy grinned. "Excellent. I thought it may be hard to get into."
"Yes it did take a little persuading."
"Well I am excited!"
"Good." Sheldon smiled. "I looked at the menu on their website. It looks like we will be able to continue our 'try something new' theme. Although I admit the look of the pizza was delicious." Amy laughed and said "I will check it out before we go."
As they walked towards Amy's apartment Sheldon said "The plant, the one you had me talking too, where is it?"
"What made you ask that?" Amy said frowning.
"Because we just passed the one in the hall which I noticed hasn't grown and it occurred to me I hadn't seen the one in your apartment the last few times I visited."
"No well it is at work. It was doing OK but the one at work was growing beyond recognition, it is now kind of a competition between us to see which plants grow better and to what reading material."
Sheldon shook his head at the frivolity Amy seemed to partake in at work.
Once inside Amy's apartment she set about making tea while Sheldon snapped pictures on his phone of the model.
"You sure you have every angle there?" She grinned taking the cups to the coffee table.
"Says the woman who talks to plants!" Sheldon sniggered.
"Hey mine is a scientific experiment!" Amy grinned.
"So is mine." Sheldon said seriously. "How green can I make Leonard Howard and Raj!"
As Amy chuckled Sheldon sat beside her and pulled her close. "I wanted to do this all evening."
"Have tea?"
"No! hold you."
Amy grinned then said "Even when you thought I may have been covered in monkey poop?"
"Well maybe not then exactly," Sheldon admitted "but the whole time you were ignoring me talking to Bernie. Or when you were ignoring me talking to Raj too. In fact what on earth were you two talking about for so long?"
Amy smiled. "Raj was asking advice on Emily. He had several ideas on places to take her and wanted my opinion."
"Could you help him?"
"Well I could help Emily! I told him I was pretty certain an afternoon kite flying would not be any more welcome than his other suggestion of paint-balling. I told him he should follow your example and take her to the theatre."
"That was kind of Pennys idea." Sheldon admitted reluctantly.
"But it was the fact I was there with you made it special." She leant over and kissed his cheek.
"So kite flying with me wouldn't be special?"
"No Sheldon!" Amy replied firmly.
"No picnics, no kite flying. But skiing you would do! You are a mystery woman!"
"Good!" Amy laughed "that's how it should be!" And this time the kiss landed firmly on Sheldon lips.
Anticipating her move this time Sheldon was quick to wrap his arms around her waist and pull her closer. Not breaking the contact of their lips he had her fitting snug against the side of his body. Letting his arms run slowly up her back to her hair then keeping one hand on the back of her head he let the other glide back down to her waist. They remained in this position for several minutes before Amy slowly pulled back and said "I am glad you didn't do that in the restaurant."
Nodding but not answering Sheldon lowered his head and kissed her again this time taking her lower lip between his, teasing it with his tongue making Amy gasp and allowing Sheldon to slowly stroke her tongue with his own. Now Amy's arms were clinging to Sheldon's shoulders her chest pressed tightly against his own. It was Sheldon who pulled back this time a little out of breath. "I need to go home." he said quietly.
"You do?"
"Yes. And I am beginning to question my sanity booking a weekend away with you while my mother will be there as a witness."
"What do you mean?"
"I like kissing you Amy. Very much. When I kiss you I don't want to stop. If my mother is there I cannot do so."
"You cant?"
"No she will say we are sinning and drag me to church."
Amy grinned. "It will be fine Sheldon. Maybe you could warn her in advance?"
"What her that we are sinning? I don't think so."
"Are we sinning? Surely your mother wouldn't consider a few kisses sinning."
"No, but my mother knows me and she will be able to read my mind."
Amy pulled back further and looked at Sheldon "So in your mind we are sinning?"
Closing his eyes in the vague hope it would stop her seeing what he was sure must be written all over his face he said "I never thought I would feel like this Amy, with anyone. It was a mystery to me. I could never comprehend how anyone could want to be so close to another person physically. Now, more and more I am thinking of ways I can be close to you." At her open mouthed expression he said "I have shocked you?"
"A little. I mean I knew things between us were going well. That we both enjoyed our goodnight kisses but..."
"But you don't want any more than that?"
Amy was quiet for a second thinking about Sheldon's question. "Before you left" she began slowly "we were heading in that direction. I think I am just protecting myself I guess."
"You think I will leave you again?"
"No." Then seeing him looking so sad she said "I really don't Sheldon but I do realise how big a step it is."
Nodding Sheldon said "I had better go."
As she stood to follow him Amy said "I don't think we need to warn your mother."
"No, nothing will happen, its OK."
"I meant I think she will see. I think she will see the closeness between us and know anyway."
"There is nothing to know."
"Yes there is. She will see I love you." Amy stated firmly. "She will see we are happy. If she makes assumptions that is her problem. What happens between us Sheldon is between us; no-one else."
"I love you too Amy." Sheldon said his eyes piercing her with the intensity of his words.
"I know you do." she smiled. "I know."
73
"Amy you can not come here and have girls night and not tell us anything." Penny whined.
"Of course I can!" Amy stated firmly. "As Sheldon and I have gone to great pains to rebuild our relationship I have no intention of ruining it by you all gossiping about us."
"So there is something to gossip about?" Bernie asked hopefully. "You are going away for the weekend that means things are going well right?"
Amy sighed. "Things are going well. At least I think so. Sheldon is worried about his mother though."
"Oh Mary will be fine. She was so mad when she thought he had left you, now you are back together she will be delighted."
"Well Sheldon is worried and he may have a point." Amy conceded.
"Why?" Bernie asked gently seeing that actually Amy seemed genuinely uncertain about the trip.
"Sheldon's concern is Mary will accuse us of sinning. I pointed out to him that we love each other and any private business is just that, private. But what if he is right and she makes more of it; thinks more is happening than it is? She already threatened to end our relationship once, it would hurt so much if she did that now."
"Amy! Mary was not serious about that! She likes you, she told us she had thought you were the one who would get Sheldon to give her grandchildren. She will not try to break you up. She may drag you to church but she will try to do that anyway." Penny grinned remembering the many many churches Mary had dragged her too when sightseeing around LA.
"Sheldon said he wanted more." Amy said quietly looking at her knees now not the two girls sat facing her.
"You don't want that?" Bernie's tone was gentle sensing Amy was talking more about her own fears than Sheldon's really.
"Amy," Penny moved closer "Remember how you felt before. Before all that nonsense with Ramona things were moving forward and you were so happy. You told me how excited you were. Why should it be any different now?"
Amy slowly looked up "Because I am scared. Because even though I am pretty certain he wont leave again the thought is worse now because I love him more."
"You do?" Pennys eyes widened.
"Yes. I feel closer to him now. We have spent more time just the two of us and I like it."
"So that's good! Your biggest problem is getting Sheldon there again."
"No it isn't." Amy admitted causing both girls to grin and say "Really? So Dr Cooper is growing up! Ha!" Penny laughed no wonder he is worried. "Amy you have a few weeks before thanksgiving. You should have a trial run, just the two of you. It might be fun." Penny winked.
Shaking her head Amy said "I shouldn't have said anything. Please keep this between us. If Sheldon hears I have told you he wont be happy."
"We wont say anything." Bernie reassured her sending Penny a warning glance, "but Penny could be right, at least think about it."
Nodding Amy said "so tell me what I have been missing..."
"Its been fun." Amy grinned several hours later as she picked up her bag and keys and made her way to the door.
"Lets not leave it so long next time!" Penny said sternly waggling a finger at her. "And think about what I suggested."
"I will." Amy agreed as she opened the door.
Standing in the hallway waiting for Bernie, Amy glanced across at 4A. Sheldon would be in there. She was so tempted to knock just to say hi. As Bernie came out and made to knock on the door across the hall Amy said "What are you doing?"
"Getting Howie! What did you think I was doing?"
Amy just shook her head blushing slightly saying a hasty "Nothing, I'll see you soon."
As she finished speaking the door opened and Sheldon was there.
"Hi," he smiled at Bernie then seeing Amy said "Oh. Hello."
"Hi" she smiled and moved away from the stairs towards him.
He called over his shoulder, "Howard your ride is here." Then ignoring Bernie who slipped passed him he turned back to Amy.
"Did you have a pleasant evening?"
"Yes thank you." she smiled.
He frowned "It seems strange seeing you here I wasn't expecting to see you."
"I know." Amy blushed "I wanted to knock but I didn't want to spoil your night."
"Spoil it? You would have made it 1000% better. So far I have been quizzed and tormented and then thoroughly beaten."
"They hurt you?" Amy said moving closer still, concern etched on her face.
"No, in the game. I was not concentrating as I should."
"I was quizzed too." Amy admitted. "They offered me some suggestions."
"To what?"
"Oh, err.." Amy hadn't meant to have this talk in the hallway. "They were asking about our trip, I said I was a little unsure, they said we should have a trial run." Amy rushed the words out then waited.
When he didn't respond immediately Amy looked up. "I'm sorry" she said "I shouldn't have mentioned it too them."
As if coming out of a trance Sheldon looked at her. "No, it is OK. Leonard said something similar. Well he made what I thought was a snide comment about us sneaking around, and why did we not just get a room. But its the same thing really right?"
"Maybe.." Amy was pretty sure that is not what Leonard had meant at all but now was not the time to discuss that. "I had better go." She smiled and was about to move towards the stairs when Sheldon caught her arm and pulled her back kissing her gently before saying "Drive carefully Amy Farrah Fowler."
73
"Sheldon I am not sure I understand." Amy said the next evening. Sheldon had arrived as per their arrangement. They had spent the allotted time on their model which was almost complete and now having eaten were watching TV.
"It is quite simple I am just giving you 24 hours notice to a change in plans for tomorrow evening."
"But Sheldon! We agreed we were going to the new restaurant. I have told people I was going!" Amy almost hissed.
"Amy I called the restaurant and rebooked our meal for Saturday evening."
"Oh. OK." Amy calmed a little, that wasn't too bad, as long as she could tell her friends at work Monday a small delay was OK. "So what is the reason for the change?"
"It was going to be a surprise; but then I remembered I am not a fan of surprises and while I think you will be OK with the change in this instance some warning may be preferable."
"OK..." Amy looked curiously at Sheldon. "So?"
"So I thought about what you said last night, about Penny and Leonard's comments. And as a result I have booked us into a hotel tomorrow night."
"What?!" Amy was so shocked she knew her voice was far louder than normal and Sheldon's startled expression and the fact he leapt back in his seat confirmed this.
"Separate rooms." he added hastily.
"Sheldon do you not think you should have spoken to me about this first?"
"Well I am, now! Hence the reason for not keeping it a surprise."
"But why? What made you do this?"
"Because maybe Penny is right. Maybe if we go to a hotel before meeting my mother the whole situation wont seem so strange. Us having breakfast together, Amy that's a big thing. Seeing you first thing in the morning. Being only a wall away a night. I just thought to have these experiences before we also have an audience may help."
Amy did not know what shocked her more, the fact Sheldon had arranged this without consulting her or the very fact he had done it at all.
"Sheldon we stayed in a hotel in Switzerland, I am sure it will be OK." Then seeing Sheldon's disappointment "Where are we going?" she asked eventually.
"Well unfortunately the hotel we have booked in New Mexico does not have a sister hotel so I had to abandon that idea. The one I have booked looks nice, it is local so we don't have to travel far and it means we can make our dinner appointment Saturday night."
Amy took the news Sheldon gave her then said "Oh my goodness. I need to get ready! Pack. What clothes should I take?"
"Amy please calm down. We will arrive, have dinner, go to bed, then have breakfast the next day before returning home. It is just an overnight stay."
"Sheldon how can you be so calm?" Then glaring at him "You have packed already haven't you?"
"Well... I... err," then finally "OK yes! But only because I have a long day at work tomorrow and I-"
"So do I Sheldon! OK, tell me what have you packed to wear for dinner?"
"What? Why would I change to eat, I don't do that at home."
"Because we will have been working. I am assuming it is a restaurant in a nice hotel, we need to change." Rushing to her room Amy began pulling out clothes. "I need more time." she muttered.
As Sheldon followed slowly behind her he said "You are not happy. Should I cancel?"
"No! I think it is a nice idea, just a little more notice would have been nice."
"I'm sorry."
Spinning round Amy grinned. "Don't be sorry. It is a lovely surprise. But I think maybe Leonard may need to collect you tonight so I can get ready."
Nodding Sheldon pulled out this phone and sent Leonard a text. Looking at the chaos Amy had created in such a short space of time he said "If you had your clothes on a rota it would make life easier."
"Maybe, but being taken for an overnight stay in a hotel by my boyfriend is not on the normal rota is it!"
Sheldon blinked as her words registered. "I may need to rethink my own packing!"
"Maybe I will take the outfit Penny made me buy before the theatre trip. You could wear your new shoes!" She grinned. Sheldon rolled his eyes but knew as soon as he got home he would be repacking the bag he had given very little thought to earlier that evening.
"Leonard's here." Sheldon said as his phone shook with a message Leonard was indeed outside.
Walking with Sheldon to the door Amy grinned. "Thank-you Sheldon. I am actually a little excited now I have got over the shock." Leaning up to kiss him she was rewarded by his long arms wrapping round her pulling her close. Finally breaking the kiss Sheldon said "Me too."
73
A/N: Apologies for delay in this chapter but family life taking over as academic year draws closer. Will keep writing when I can and update as frequently as possible but may be a little inconsistent now.
Thank for all the reviews! Ali x