Hi, lovely readers! :)

This weeks missing scene comes from the final season for a change. I loved that moment when Sheldon told Amy he would never consider kicking her out of their Nobel application, but, of course, self-sacrificing Amy told him she would be okay if he did. At the end it looked like Sheldon would let her do this, but then in the next scene he heatedly complained to Siebert that he won't apply without Amy.

Soo... what happened in between? This is what I imagine...

12x13: "You're the only reason I deserve one."

Sheldon encircled his wife in his arms, holding her tightly and close. He loved the feeling of towering above her like that and pulling her in so far that nothing could possibly hurt her.

It must be an old primal instinct that survived through time, because, if he was being honest, mostly it was Amy who took the role of the protector in this relationship not the other way around. But Sheldon liked to pretend that he could be her rock, too. The strong one that kept her safe from all harm.

This moment now was another one of those that could fool an onlooker.

Because despite Amy nuzzling herself so deeply in Sheldon's big embrace, it was actually her who did the protecting.

She wanted him to be happy. She wanted him to apply for the Nobel Prize without her so he would have a bigger chance at winning together with those FermiLab scientists who didn't even understand their theory. Once again, Amy was sacrificing her happiness to protect him. To give him what he wanted.

Sheldon's skin crawled and the ticking sound involuntarily made it past his lips again.

They parted and they smiled shyly at each other. But Amy was the one who turned away first and Sheldon swore he could see the smile instantly slipping from her face. He breathed in and clenched his fists, trying to keep the ticking at bay, not to give himself away. But for the rest of the evening he couldn't find peace.

They finished eating dinner and then washed the dishes side by side like they always did. Also like always, they weren't talking much. The silence around them was usually like a warm light, enveloping them in comfortable coziness that conveyed trust. It allowed them to let their minds wander, knowing that their partner was always there to join them on their journey of thoughts.

But this time the silence was cold. It was hiding their thoughts. Separating them from each other. Glances that met were avoided immediately so they wouldn't let the other know how they were really feeling. Smiles that were exchanged didn't reach their eyes.

For a few hours they bustled around each other, emerged in their own thoughts, then they went to bed. Timid 'I-love-you's' were whispered and they kissed goodnight like every night. As the lights were switched off, the silence crept in again and it had swollen and it was heavy. With it Silence had brought its friends Worry and Doubt and they were tormenting Sheldon relentlessly.

It's not right what you're doing, Silence whispered. Amy's your wife and you're selling her out for a stupid prize.

No, of course, the prize was not stupid and Amy had given him her blessing, but still it wasn't worth it. What good was that prize if in exchange they were losing their mutual trust? What if their warm, cozy silence would forever run cold and suspicious?

Sheldon was tossing and turning in bed. He tried to move as careful as possible so he wouldn't disturb his wife who was sleeping at the edge of the bed with her back towards him.

See, she's already distrusting you. She's showing you the cold shoulder, Silence nagged him. Look what you have done. The Nobel Prize will forever stand between you and your marriage.

"No…" Sheldon whispered, not realizing that his struggle had become audible now.

You will ruin everything again. She will hate you. She will leave you. And you can be happy with science. That's all you ever wanted, isn't it?

"No, no!"

"Sheldon?"

His eyes popped open as Amy's voice disrupted his troublesome thoughts. She switched on the light on her bedside table and reached for her glasses.

As Sheldon pulled up into a seating position against the headboard and watched her blink tiredly against the light, he had the urge to hug her again and apologize for things he hadn't even done yet.

"What's wrong?" Amy finally asked, leaning her body sideways against the headboard so she was facing him.

Sheldon didn't beat around the bush for long. He knew the root of what was troubling him and he knew what he had to do to solve his problem. "Amy, I won't apply for a Nobel Prize with Pemberton and Campbell."

"W-What?" Amy wanted to add more, but Sheldon already elaborated on his decision.

"Superasymmetry is our theory. We came up with it on our wedding day and we deserve to win the Nobel together. Just you and me and no one else." he clarified.

Amy's shoulders sank forward. "Sheldon, we talked about this. It's the best chance to win."

"I don't want to win!" Sheldon exclaimed much harsher than intended.

Amy tilted her head. "Since when?" she asked incredulously.

"I mean…" Sheldon paused, sorting his thoughts to find the right words. "I don't want to win like this. I want to win with you. You deserve this prize just as much as I do. Definitely more than those imbeciles from Chicago."

Amy looked down into her lap where she played with her golden wedding band. She did that sometimes when she was nervous. "That may be true," she said. "But sometimes that's not how it works. Only three people can apply and it should be you with them."

"Amy—" Sheldon tried to interrupt.

"No, it should." said Amy, looking at him with determination. "I know it seems unfair, but I know how important this prize is for you. What happens if you and I were to compete against FermiLab and we lose? Sure, you'd be disappointed at first, but what if one day when we're older you would also blame me for never winning a Nobel? I don't want you to resent me for this."

Sheldon swiftly took her hand and squeezed it in his so she would stop losing herself in those preposterous thoughts. "I won't do that." he said firmly. Amy opened her mouth to protest, but Sheldon raised her hand to his lips and kissed her fingers, just above her ring, taking her by surprise. "I won't do that." he repeated once more. "I love you."

Amy smiled, but her lips were trembling. Sheldon could see how she was fighting against the urge to tear up. "I love you, too." she whispered, stroking with her free hand against his clean-shaven cheek. "That's why I'm doing this. I want you to be happy."

She was repeating her pledge from earlier, but Sheldon was having none of it. "I want you to be happy, too. And just like you, I worry that you could hold a grudge against me one day when I would put the Nobel Prize over you."

Amy shook her head. "Sheldon, I would never-"

"Resent me for this?" he finished. "I believe you. But I still don't want you to do this. I'm not that kind of person. Not anymore." he explained unhesitatingly. "It's true that winning a Nobel Prize has always been my goal in life… ever since I was little. But since I met you… it's not that important to me anymore." Sheldon spoke softly, tracing his thumb over her skin and looking into her forest-green eyes. "My happiness is no longer depending on a Nobel… it is depending on you."

Two glistening tears swelled in the corner of Amy's eyes and they ran over her cheeks and dripped upon their clasped hands.

Sheldon reached up and wiped his thumb carefully over her face, cleaning the traces her tears left behind. "We're a couple, Amy. I'm happy when you're happy. I'm happy when we are doing things together. So… you can argue all you want, but I'm no longer okay with you missing out on things that you'd enjoy or you sacrificing your happiness for me. We're an equal team and I don't want to be part of a prize that doesn't honor your contribution."

More tears had followed the first two and in the back of her throat strangled sobs made it past Amy's lips, proving that the decision she made for him earlier had been weighing much harder on her than she had let on. And she was still holding back now, but Sheldon continued to watch her, calm and firm, and finally her resolve broke down and she reached out for him with her arms.

Sheldon was there to catch her and hold her tightly to his chest. With his hands he stroked her back and her head, shushing her and kissing the top of her hair. He was protecting her now. He was her rock.

"A-Are you sure about this?" Amy's shaky voice questioned him quietly.

"Absolutely, dear." Sheldon promised. "So sure that I'm going to call President Siebert right now and tell him about our decision."

He wanted to withdraw from her, but Amy clenched her hand around the front of his pajama top and kept him close. "No. You can't call now; it's the middle of the night."

"That hasn't stopped me before."

Amy giggled slightly. "I know, but I really think you should think about this... at least until tomorrow morning."

Sheldon pulled back so he could look into her eyes. "Amy, I've told you, I'm sure. We will win this together or not at all. I promise, I won't regret a single thing."

From her place below his arm, pressed to his chest, Amy smiled up at him. "You're the best husband ever, do you realize that?"

Sheldon grinned cockily. "I know." he said, making Amy laugh. "Now sleep. Tomorrow we have a bone to pick with FermiLab."

I really would've loved to see something like that, haha. :) What do you think? Let me know! ;)

Thanks to everyone for reading and reviewing!