Chapter 16

Author's Note: I truly apologize for posting this chapter so late. Didn't mean to leave some of you hanging. We recently moved to a new city and my family and I got vaccinated. Thank you all for your reviews and continued support of this story. Enjoy Chapter 16.

Shoutout to the following users for their reviews in the last chapters: abrht0907, MobyShamy4ever, redhead59901, AlHc924, green-ninja05, the naughty vixen, olivia25, WhoRUCallingLil.

Earlier.

Amy felt so guilty about Sheldon. She just couldn't find enough time in her busy schedule to attend to their usual engagements. She told Howard they could continue their experiment tomorrow. She rushed out of her lab to go to Sheldon's office. He deserved an apology.

She didn't realize how much she missed him. It's been so long and all she wanted to do was finally spend time with him.

I wonder what he's been up to lately... Is he doing okay without me? Does he miss me as much as I do?

She arrived at his door. She saw his nameplate attached to it and felt a twinge of sadness now that they weren't sharing the office anymore. She knocked on the door and entered only to find that Sheldon wasn't there.

She looked around, seeing that his boards have been untouched. I guess he's not working on anything else.

The office was much more spacious now that her stuff wasn't there. However, she was bewildered by the presence of her desk.

Why is my desk still here? It should've been returned to the university by now... Amy started inspecting if she still had items in it when Sheldon suddenly entered. He had an intense look on his face.

Oh, good he's here. "Hey, I'm so sorry about-" Amy paused, confused by Sheldon's demeanor. He slowly approached her and she felt super uncomfortable.

"Sheldon? What are you-" Before she could analyze what he was doing, she inhaled sharply as she felt his lips on hers.

Her eyes closed of their own accord. His kiss caught her off-guard. It was filled with such desperation and longing. Afraid of him pulling away, she kept still. He had so much power over her that she felt her knees about to give in. Before they could, she felt him move closer, his hands on her waist.

She didn't know how long they were kissing, but she couldn't care less. She just wanted more of him. His smell was intoxicating, and the way he sucked on her bottom lip- Hoo.

When it was over, they were both out of breath. She looked at him in surprise, her face warmer than ever.

"So, how was that?" Sheldon smirked at her.

That was nice. That was what she wanted to tell him, but the words couldn't come out of her mouth. It wasn't just nice. It was more than words could describe. If she couldn't remember kissing him that night, she sure as hell could never forget this one.

As much as she didn't want to ruin their moment, she wanted answers.

However, before she could ask him, Howard appeared by the door with her watch.

"Are you two okay?"

Amy looked to a surprised Sheldon. She heard him gasp, covering his mouth.

After minutes of awkward silence, Sheldon spoke up. "Excuse me a moment." He left without another word.

"Oh my God. I just interrupted something important, did I?" Howard pursed his lips.

"It's okay, Howard. Thanks for returning my watch. See you tomorrow." She ran outside and looked for Sheldon who was clearly running away from the situation.

He was nowhere to be found. She already asked everyone she came across if they saw him. She messaged Leonard who told her Sheldon wasn't with him at all.

There was too much going on. She couldn't even comprehend everything that was happening. She gave up on searching for him and drove home to clear her head.

Sheldon took a cab and went straight home.

He just kissed Amy Farrah Fowler- and he enjoyed it. Very much so.

How could I have been so stupid not to realize it was actually her?

With his lips still tingling, head throbbing, and the feeling of his heart pounding, Sheldon dreaded explaining himself once he saw Amy again. He wanted to run away.

He washed his face with cold water. He needed to snap out of it.

What has that vixen done to me? And how do I make it stop?

Sheldon couldn't take it anymore. After a few hours of contemplation, he realized that there was only one thing left to do.

Sheldon and Amy avoided each other at all costs. The gang started noticing this when Sheldon stopped going to work and Amy stopped going to the apartment for their usual take-out dinners.

Howard tried to ask Amy what was up while they were working together, but Amy chose to ignore his queries. Leonard tried to convince Sheldon to go to work, but Sheldon already told him he asked President Seibert for a brief sabbatical. Seibert was more than happy getting the chance not to see Sheldon around the university.

Leonard and Penny were making dinner when Sheldon came out of his room. It looked like he planned on going somewhere.

"Hey, we're making dinner. Where ya going, buddy?"

"To see Amy."

Leonard and Penny looked at him in shock. It's been days since they haven't heard from her. They didn't even try to mention her name in front of Sheldon even once because he told them to stay out of it.

They had no clue what happened between the two of them. Both kept their mouths shut. Howard told them what happened and they just assumed they had another fight.

"Why?" Leonard questioned.

"I'm going to ask her if she'd be willing to become my girlfriend."

Penny dropped the glass she was holding. She quickly collected herself and cleaned her mess up with the help of Leonard.

"W-Wait a minute. Is this true? When you say girlfriend, does it mean the same as when other people say it?"

"Yes. For the past few days, I've been coming up with a way we could alter the paradigm of our relationship."

Penny squealed in delight. "Oh my God, Sheldon. I never thought this day would come, you're finally telling her how you feel." She started fanning herself to stop her eyes from watering. Leonard held her shoulders. It looked as if they were parents seeing their son grow up.

"Hold your horses. Again, I've said numerous times. I'm not a hippie. Feelings will not come into play here."

Leonard and Penny exchanged looks.

Leonard: I don't understand. Then how are you going to make her your girlfriend?

Sheldon: It's simple. With this.

Sheldon got a stack of papers from his desk and handed it to Leonard and Penny.

Leonard: The Relationship Agreement?

Sheldon: A binding covenant that, in its 31 pages, enumerates, iterates and codifies the rights and responsibilities of Sheldon Lee Cooper, here and after known as the boyfriend, and Amy Farrah Fowler, here and after known as the girlfriend.

Leonard: You actually made a contract for you and Amy?

Penny: Hang on, Leonard. I mean, it could be Sheldon's quirky way of being romantic.

Leonard: You sure about that?

Leonard was skimming through the pages. "Read it." Penny flipped through the pages.

Penny: Sheldon, this isn't what a boyfriend and girlfriend would do at all...

Leonard: Yeah, it's a bit restrictive.

Sheldon: Feel free to retain a lawyer. But both of you are missing the point. Let me explain. Days ago, I've been trying to figure out the root cause of my recent afflictions with Amy, and it all pointed to her incessant attempts to find a significant other.

Penny: So, you were jealous?

Sheldon: Hardly. I just can't stomach the possibility that I would be well-acquainted with someone who dated men as obnoxious as Kripke, repellant as Stuart, or as tedious as Howard.

Leonard: What about Howard?

Sheldon ignored Leonard's remark and continued.

Sheldon: I decided to find the perfect person who could pair-bond with Amy Farrah Fowler. Sadly, after a few internet searches, calls, and interviews, no one was worthy. She needs someone intellectually compatible, someone with a good background, someone who can appreciate everything she is.

Leonard: And that someone is you?

Sheldon: Yes. It had to be someone similar to me. When I found out that no one fit the description, the best and only option was to become the boyfriend Amy Farrah Fowler needed. With the understanding that nothing changes whatsoever, physical or otherwise of course.

Penny: Wait, so you're going to ask Amy to be your girlfriend but you won't even kiss or hold hands?

"That is correct. You see after I kissed Amy-"

"YOU KISSED AMY?" Leonard and Penny reacted with disbelief.

"Yes... After I kissed her, I was in deep turmoil. I didn't like the fact that I couldn't control myself and that I would act on such an impulse. So, to avoid that kind of behavior in the near future, I had to create an agreement to establish boundaries that would hinder any possible developments."

"Wow. That's very crappy of you, Sheldon." Penny shook her head.

"Yeah... Tricking Amy into a loveless relationship for your sake isn't the solution you think it is, buddy. I bet she'll be even more miserable."

"You don't understand. Amy doesn't need all that love mumbo jumbo. She should be grateful I'm doing this. She wants a boyfriend and I want my friend back. If she followed the agreement I drew up, she'd happily be content just spending time with me."

"That's not how it works, Sheldon. Relationships are not solely for convenience." Leonard reasoned.

"In Sheldon Cooper's book, it is. Now, excuse me, I'll be getting that back." He got the contract from Leonard's hands and left the apartment, taking a cab to Amy's.

Amy heard everything from Penny. She couldn't believe Sheldon would do such a thing.

That's why he avoided me?

Amy didn't avoid Sheldon because she was mad at him. She wanted to give him some space so that he could sort out his feelings. She figured he was as confused as her about what happened between them.

She would be more than happy to be his girlfriend, but not the way he wants it to be. If nothing were to ever progress between them, then why go through so much trouble to be in a relationship? Amy felt she deserved better than that.

Her eyes started to water. Why can't he just admit that he likes me? That he liked kissing me? Why can't he just acknowledge his own feelings?

It would be reasonable to end all contact with him. He planned to manipulate her for his own selfish purposes. Amy clenched her fists.

However, Amy couldn't do that. She just couldn't. She knew it would hurt more for her if he wasn't around. No matter how frustrating he could be, she was still infatuated with him. She would try her best to accept her place in Sheldon's life. As his friend.

Hearing his triple-knock on the door, she took a deep breath.

Breathe, Fowler. You will not be swayed by him.

With a new resolve, she opened the door and greeted him.

She automatically swooned at the sight of him. She pushed down her feelings and wore a stern expression. "Hello, Sheldon."

Amy led him to her couch and the both of them sat down. "Hello, Amy. I'll get straight to the point. I would like to-"

"Let me stop you right there, Sheldon. If this was about the kiss then you don't need to worry. If it makes you feel better, it meant nothing to me." She cleared her throat and looked away.

Sheldon felt his stomach drop. The confidence he had when he walked in instantly vanished.

"Oh. I see." Sheldon became quiet. She didn't like it.

"I apologize for forcing myself upon you. You must've been so upset that I did that."

"All is forgiven, Sheldon. I just hope our boy-slash-friend-slash-girl-slash-friend status isn't tainted."

She didn't like it. "It's not... It was all an error on my end. I'm sorry."

"It's okay. Was there anything else you wanted to tell me?" Sheldon felt chills in his spine. Amy was acting so cold towards him.

"I... I guess that's all I have to say." Sheldon took his hand off his bag where he kept the agreement. He was very much fazed.

"Great. If you don't mind, I need to get cleaned up for a date I have tonight."

He widened his eyes. "You're going on a date?"

"Uh, yes. Stuart asked me out. You see, we really got along at the comic book store last time."

Sheldon nodded his head and stood up. "Well then. I hope you enjoy your date."

Amy helped see Sheldon out her door. "Thank you. I'm so glad we're talking again. I missed you." Amy meant every word. She gave him a soft smile and his heart skipped a beat.

He returned it with his own. "I missed you too." Sheldon looked down, biting his lip.

"I actually came to your office that day to apologize to you... From now on, I'll make it up to you, okay? Howard and I just finished working together. Maybe we could continue our quantum cognition experiment."

"That sounds wonderful... I'm looking forward to it." Sheldon sported a lopsided smile.

"Bye, Sheldon..."

"Bye..." Amy quickly closed the door on him.

Sheldon felt his heart sink. This was not how he imagined things would go. Why couldn't he say it? He tried knocking on the door again but he hesitated. His plans were ruined.

Meanwhile, Amy was holding her breath at the other side of the door. She wanted to open it and tell him it did mean something, but she stopped herself.

No. It would never work out. It would just make things more complicated than they already are.

The guys were all at 4A, playing Mystic Warlords of Ka'a. They all heard about what went down between Sheldon and Amy.

Raj: Wild Bill Witchcock.

Leonard: A tribe of Abra-Comanches.

Sheldon: Flaming Spittoon. And for the record, I'm very disappointed in you cowpokes. We're playing our inaugural round of Wild West and Witches, and I'm the only one who bothered to dress for the occasion. (Spits into a spittoon) Patooie.

Howard: We're not wearing cowboy hats, Sheldon. It looks ridiculous.

Sheldon: And I suppose my boots and spurs are ridiculous, too?

Leonard: Yeah.

Howard: Very.

Raj: Incredibly so.

They all replied at the same time.

Sheldon: Did it look ridiculous when we got the Satanimals pack and I dressed up as a Beelzebobcat?

They repeated the exact set of words.

Sheldon: All right, fine. Let's just play.

Leonard: We should go easy on him. Amy's out with Stuart tonight.

Howard: Wait a minute. Are you telling me that Sheldon's patented blend of condescension and no sex isn't enough to hold on to a woman?

Sheldon: Cluck, cluck, cluck. What are we, ladies at a quilting bee? Or are we men playing a fantasy card game set in a magical frontier town?

Howard: Sorry. Creepy Tepee.

Raj: Annie Ogly.

Leonard: Hocus Pocus Pocahontas.

Sheldon: And may I point out it is the three of you who are obsessed with Stuart and Amy, not me. I think you need to ask yourselves who's really being ridiculous here. (Walks away with spurs jangling)

Leonard: It's you.

Howard: You are.

Raj: Totally you.

Sheldon shot them a glare and got his drink. He then removed his hat in frustration as he walked back to his spot. "I mean, what does she even like about Stuart?"

"Well, for starters, he's not someone she didn't like kissing. Twice." Howard quipped.

Leonard saw Sheldon roll his eyes. "Don't be like that, Howard. Hmm, let's see... I mean Stuart is tall enough, he's artistic, self-employed and, he also gets 45 percent off comic books."

"You do make a good point. But when compared to everything I've achieved, it means nothing." Sheldon crossed his arms.

"That's what Amy said." Howard quipped again, a smirk on his face.

"Howard!" Leonard and Raj scolded him. As much as they wanted to laugh along like they always did, they felt bad for Sheldon.

"What? I'm just teasing him." Howard continued playing and suddenly widened his eyes.

He placed all his cards on the table. "Oh my God, I just remembered something."

"Guess we're not playing anymore..." Leonard said in reply.

"Listen. Raj and I planned to do it about a year ago but it never pushed through."

Leonard: What is that?

Howard: Signing Sheldon up for online dating.

Raj gasped and nodded while Sheldon looked at them like they were crazy.

Sheldon: That is absurd. The algorithms used on those matchmaking sites are complete hokum.

Howard: Great. We'll make that your answer on your attitude towards online dating and bam! Sheldon Cooper is on the market.

Sheldon: No, Sheldon Cooper will never be on the market. If anyone we know finds out, I'll be humiliated.

Raj: Well, there's always an option not to use your real name, Sheldon.

Sheldon: Really?

Howard: Yes. Actually, what also makes this dating site different is that they don't show a photo on your profile. Your appeal will be based on the details you place on it instead of your looks. When you're matched with someone, you get to exchange messages and that's when the site gives you the option to send your match a picture of yourself.

Sheldon: Interesting.

Raj: Sadly, that's when all my matches end. When I send them my photo...

Leonard: Sounds neat. Come on, Sheldon. We can think of it as an experiment. You'll go by a different name and we'll see who the site scientifically chooses as your perfect mate.

Sheldon cleared his throat. "Again-"

Howard: Yes, Sheldon. We know it's not actual science, but who knows? Amy's dating Stuart and even Frankenstein had a wife, so why can't CP30 find his?

The three guys snickered.

"It does intrigue me." Sheldon wouldn't even consider doing it if it weren't for Amy hurting his pride.

Amy would be lucky to land a fellow like me... I'll show her just how irresistible I could be. I mean, why should I deprive anyone else of the chance to be Sheldon Cooper's girlfriend?

Sheldon surprisingly agreed to his friends' suggestions and he gave Howard his laptop so that he could create an account.

Sitting on Sheldon's desk, Howard loaded the site. "So, what name are you going for?"

Sheldon pondered for a bit. "Mohammed Lee."

"What?" The three stared at Sheldon.

"Mohammed is the most common first name in the world, and Lee the most common surname. It's a whimsical idea if I do say so myself." He smiled.

"No, we're not doing that." Leonard shook his head.

Raj offered a suggestion. "Usually, when people choose an alias, it's something related to them. What are your interests? Maybe a name of a favorite character?"

"I can name myself Spock?"

"Okay. Bad idea." Raj replied.

Leonard: What about Kirk?

Sheldon: Ooh. I do like the sound of that. I mean, I am the captain of our group, so in a way... It all works out.

The three rolled their eyes. There goes Sheldon's signature arrogance.

Howard: Okay then. You'll go as Kirk. Last name?

Sheldon: Hmm... What about Allen? That's the Flash's last name.

Raj: Kirk Allen. Sounds kinda dreamy...

Raj received stares from his friends. "What?"

Howard finished up everything for Sheldon's profile. They moved to the couch and answered the questions the site asked so that they could find Sheldon a match. Leonard made some tea as they waited for anything that could come up.

Raj: Holy crap.

Howard: What?

Raj: We finally have proof that aliens walk among us.

Howard: Excuse me?

Raj: The dating site matched a woman with Sheldon.

Leonard: Really? That was quick.

Howard: I told you this site was gold. Her name's Elizabeth Wilder. She loves reading books, horseback riding, and woah... she has an IQ of 188.

Raj: Damn. That's one point above Sheldon's

Sheldon snorted in derision. "There's no way. I thought geniuses like myself only came once in a generation."

Howard: Oh my God, she messaged.

Leonard started to panic. "What do we reply? Sheldon?" He noticed Sheldon's attention was elsewhere.

"The three of you go ahead and deal with her, I'm going to take a nap." Sheldon removed his boots, got his hat, and headed for his room.

"What do we tell her?" Raj asked.

"I don't care what the three of you do. That woman's probably a fake." Sheldon left them alone.

"Don't worry, I got this. Greetings, fellow life form." The three laughed as Howard drafted Kirk's message to Elizabeth.

Sheldon regretted agreeing to their idea in the first place. After the day he's had, all he wanted to do was try and forget everything Amy told him.

It meant nothing.

He drew in a sharp breath. Curse my eidetic memory.

Sheldon was also bothered by the fact that Amy was out with Stuart. He took out his phone and checked Stuart's Facebook profile.

He tensed when he saw Stuart's new Facebook status update: Having a pumpkin latte with a dynamite lady. -feeling stoked.

Sheldon wanted to throw his phone away. If only she heard him out, she wouldn't even be having a pumpkin latte with Stuart or intercourse tonight.

Hopefully, not intercourse. With nothing going his way, Sheldon suddenly thought of an idea.

He didn't want to give up. That kiss must've meant something to her more than she realizes.

He tried to recall her reaction. Her face flushed, shortness of breath, pupils dilated. Surely, he wasn't blind. If kissing Amy wasn't going to cut it, then there's only one way to get her back. Making her jealous.

If she sees me in the company of another woman, she'll leave Stuart and come back to me.

Thinking his plan was sound, he got off the bed and went out of his room. He found Leonard, Howard, and Raj whispering to each other.

"What's going on?"

"Elizabeth wants to meet with you."

Perfect. "Great. When?"

The men were in shock. Sheldon was actually willing to meet her. They thought it would take a whole lot of convincing. Raj even thought about blackmailing him with a dirty sock or something.

"Tomorrow afternoon. 4:30 to be exact."

"That's not afternoon. That's prevening."

"What?"

"It's a time of day I invented. It better defines the ambiguous period between afternoon and evening. Prevening. I'm fairly certain it will catch on as it fills a desperate need. Tomorrow's Saturday. Saturday is laundry night, but I can make time."

"Wow. Okay, then. Raj and I will bring you there."

"Can't Leonard take me?"

"I'm driving Penny to an audition tomorrow."

"Well then, that's settled. Let's meet this Elizabeth Wilder."

The next day.

Raj and Howard brought Sheldon to the coffee shop where Elizabeth agreed to meet them. They went inside the door.

Sheldon: Why am I wearing my cowboy hat?

Howard: When we asked Elizabeth if she could send us what she looked like, she said she'd be more willing to show herself in person and meet us instead. We agreed and she asked us how she'd find out it was you. This is what we thought of.

Sheldon: Then how will we find out if it's her?

Raj: She said she'll be wearing a sun hat so that we can easily spot her.

Sheldon: Now, what if this enterprise fails? Well, I'd actually say I told you so... What if she's some creepy stalker? Or worse- a serial killer?

Sheldon was so close to changing his mind.

Howard ignored Sheldon's musings. "Oh, there! I think I see her."

Raj asked, "Is it someone we know?"

"I don't know. I can't see her face. It looks like she's reading a book." Howard looked at Sheldon who was also trying to figure out who the woman in the sun hat was. "Don't just stand there. Go and approach her."

Sheldon went to the table where Elizabeth was sitting. He noticed her book titled, "Pride and Prejudice".

"Elizabeth Wilder?"

The woman put down her book and looked up at him. He couldn't believe his eyes. Both opened their mouths, not expecting to see each other.

"Sheldon?"

"Amy?"

Howard and Raj stared in disbelief. They both shared a look.

"Good God, what have we done."

End of Chapter 16.

Author's Note: Back with a new chapter. Again, I'm so sorry for the long wait. It was really hard to find time to write.

What will happen next? Looks like Kirk and Elizabeth have some explaining to do.

P.S. Oh, and yes, I know Amy could never ride a horse. That will be explained in the next chapter of course.

Notable episodes I used: The Lunar Excitation, The Flaming Spittoon Acquisition, The Hoftstadter Isotope

Please continue leaving a review, fav, or follow to this story. Hoping for your patience once again as I focus on preparing for college. Until next time, Shamy fans!