"Wow, no need to sound so excited whenever you talk about me. You know we'll be working together, whether you like it or not, right?" Amy can't remember his voice being that low before.

Sam Arnolds walked in, all grace and quiet confidence radiating from his tall and lean frame. He's got short, black hair and a bedhead that never fails to make Amy crazy. That dark, narrow tie isn't supposed to look that good against his plain tailored shirt, and his black slacks and shiny shoes are nothing to write home about, but damn if he ain't someone who came straight out of a fashion magazine. 'Must be the coat', Amy thinks. 'Is that Saint Laurent?' Also, that look is so 2012, she thought. Didn't make him less perfect though.

Amy turned away a little when he leaned to kiss her cheek. She didn't even register him getting that close.

She cleared her throat before starting the introduction, "Dr. Sam Arnolds, these are my friends, Dr. Bernadette Rostenkowski-Wolowitz," Amy gesturing to the petite blonde, who just gave a nod, "and Pen-"

"Hi, I'm Penny, nice to meet you," the taller blonde introduced herself, all smiles and sparkling eyes. If Amy didn't know any better, she would've thought her Bestie's about to prey upon him.

Penny extended her hand but Sam declined politely, "I'm sorry, but I don't shake hands."

"Since when?" Amy asked.

"Since I learned you go for that type," he quickly retorted, giving her a wink.

"Don't be ridiculous," Amy said, turning away from the group to look at her computer.

"I brought flowers," Sam said, showing them a bouquet of multicolored roses and tulips, interspersed with baby's breath.

"You know I hate flowers," the brunette deadpanned.

"Well I thought the HR lady would love them," he replied. He took out the long-stemmed flowers one by one. He gave the red roses to Bernadette and Penny. The rest he laid on Amy's desk.

"Thank you," the blondes chorused, while Amy pretended to be busy with work.

"Janine isn't in today?" Bernie asked, twirling the rose in her hand.

"No," he sighed, "but it's alright. I was promised to be a priority when she comes back," he said, smiling at her. Bernie could've sworn her glasses rained sparkle. "You sound like you're very familiar with each other."

"Er…, it's my husband that knows her, you'll get to meet him soon enough," Bernie explained, giving him a look and a flippant wave that says she'd rather not talk about it.

"Oh you're married!" he beamed.

"And I just got engaged!" Penny joined in, showing her ring.

"That's great! Amy, isn't this great?"

"Yeah I know, I was an officiant at Bernadette's wedding and Penny's my best friend," Amy said, still not looking away from her computer screen.

All the while, Sam stood there staring at her, wondering how he's missed so much of her life. "Wow," he said, finally out of something to say.

That got Amy's attention finally and she just stared back at him.

The staring contest would've lasted much longer if Penny didn't interrupt, "So Amy tells us you know each other?"

Sam slowly tore his gaze away from Amy and replied, "Why don't I take you out ladies for lunch?"

"She did not!" Penny couldn't believe what she's hearing. "I thought that was just a knee-jerk reaction to that TSA agent. Who'd thought you've always been like that?" nudging Amy good-naturedly. They decided to have lunch at the Cheesecake Factory.

Sam couldn't be more proud, "Yeah, so I decided to keep her. Needless to say, no one bothered us for the rest of our pre-school days."

"I am not and I've never been always like that… But that little boy was the reason I asked Mom to stop braiding my hair because he's always pulling at them, not to mention poking my glasses because he wanted to touch the green in my eyes… Seriously, that horrible pre-school experience must've been the reason Mom's always advocated home-school," Amy's voice sounded so vexed.

"Well, Larry knew I'd be there for you no matter what. We even made it to Harvard," he said, tapping Amy's hand.

"Who's Larry?" Bernie asked.

"He is Amy's Dad," Sam replied, looking at her, then he turned to look at Amy the same way he did at the lab. That same look of wonder, however this time mixed with disbelief.

"Wow, you also went to Harvard, huh?" Penny couldn't hide her amazement.

"Yeah, but you know since Amy skipped several grades, she went first and then I followed. We've been roommates for only over a couple of years because she can't wait to start on her doctorate. I thought she's going to med school with me," Sam looked down, in his eyes were memories of years past.

"That's all in the past now," Amy whispered.

"Yeah, that's all in the past now, and we turned out pretty well, you and I," Sam said, as he reached for her hand.

Amy sighed, defeated. There's no doubt about it. He's going home with her tonight.

"They didn't know your parents." Amy still couldn't believe how low his voice had gotten. She shook her head no. She got a feeling this conversation will last through the night.

"They didn't know about your childhood."

"No." At least, not like he knows it.

"You never talked to them about me."

"Never."

"That's kinda harsh," he said in mock offense. She held tight to the teacup in her hands. They're at her apartment, sitting on her couch. It's so much like all those years ago, "Sam can we not-"

"You never liked tea," he said, cutting her off.

"I learned to love it," she said as quickly.

"Does he like tea?" They both know who he's referring to.

"Yes."

"What're you going to do now? Reed's coming up blank."

Amy traced the lip of her cup.

"Nothing. It's ending anyway."

"So you're just going to give up? Wait, is that why you wanted to move away?"

"I hate you, you know that?"

"Yes, I've heard you say so many times."

"And…?"

"Still not changing my mind. You're just running."

"It's my life."

"It's funny how you're so meant for each other. You even have the same go-to move when things go south."

"Shut up."

"When you tell me I'm right, maybe I will."

"I hate you."

His head tilted a little as if thinking before he said, "No, you love me. How'd you get into this relationship anyway?"

"He asked me and I said yes," and she thought he'd leave it at that but then he gave her the look.

Amy sighed, "He gave me a tiara… A tiara Sam. That... and so much more."

Sheldon's list is so conclusive. He must have gone through every document or proof he could find in the last three years about their relationship. Amy's truly regretting this favor, but it's too late to back out now.

The first that he scheduled is a trip to the zoo.

She's picking him up from his apartment. She's on the third flight of the stairs when she saw him making his way down.

"I thought I'm going to pick you up?"

"Yeah, but I thought it'd be better if I waited for you at the lobby."

"But we usually have tea in your apartment before we go anywhere else."

"Sam told me you don't like tea."

He then continued walking down the stairs.

He stopped when she didn't make a move to turn around.

"Amy, come on, we got a schedule to keep. And the Koala enclosure is up for maintenance soon."

"So we just walk around, discuss the animals, point out whatever we think is wrong and make sure that whatever route we take ends at the koala enclosure?" Sheldon asked. They've been walking around for some time now.

"Well pretty much, except you're the one who always gives the lecture and points out the mistakes, and occasionally gets mad with a baby," Amy said.

Sheldon didn't know how to respond to that. But Amy was quick to soothe him, "That's just because you're so keen on details and you want to share your knowledge... Also, you think that the zoo is not an ideal place to push a stroller around."

They're now standing in front of the koalas. He watched the adorable animals for a while and tried to steal a glance at his companion.

Amy seems to enjoy observing them, too. She got that small smile on her lips, and her hands relaxed at the strap of her purse. The sun's glint on the frame of her glasses gave an orangey glow. He then looked up and saw the sun low in the sky. The wind whispers now and then, cooling the air around them. How he feels so at peace amidst the animal chatters and people milling around is beyond him. It brought a smile to his face.

He then said, "I never wanted a girlfriend."

"I know," she replied.

"I understand you just went out on dates because of the agreement you had with your Mother."

"That's right. And you just met with me because Rajesh blackmailed you with a dirty sock."

"You believe that romantic love does not add value to human relationships."

"I lied."

That made him stop a bit but he pushed on.

"We were very good friends before we became an item."

"Became an item? Is that from Penny?"

"Yeah."

She smiled, "Yes."

"You think we could do that again, be friends?"

"No."

Sheldon was surprised.

"Not now, at least," she quickly added, facing him this time. "I still care about you a lot," she whispered, looking away again.

"I'm sorry," he said.

That just made her smile a little. She breathed in before she started, "Missy was seven when your Meemaw helped her make a butterfly trap…" Sheldon's hand tightened on the strap of his messenger bag. His journals never mentioned he told her about this story.

"And though the experiment involved airborne worms, you got a little glad that finally, she's interested in something related to Science. Day in and day out, you'll see her put lures in the trap - mashed bananas one day, a juicy slice of orange or watermelon the next. Day in, day out she waited," she looked at him once more, willing him to finish the story.

"But the trap never caught on," he whispered.

She shook her head, "It never caught on."

She was silent for a while before she said, "You don't have to be sorry. It was never your fault Sheldon."

He was left breathless for a moment, grasping for the peace he just felt a while ago. He must've closed his eyes for a moment because Amy was in front of him when he opened them again.

"Did something get in your eyes again?" she heard him say. She's about to reach the side of his face when he caught her wrists. Her sleeves pulled back when she reached up and he came into contact with her skin. Satin smooth, he thought. He brushes them with his thumb as he puts them down.

"I'm sorry," he thinks is what he heard when she stepped back. But all he could see was the color of her eyes. Field of green, with flecks of brown, lined with blue. The same as in his dreams. But all that disappeared when she turned away.

He's about to reach for her again when a voice sets him free from his trance, "Dr. Cooper, Dr. Fowler, it's been a while!"

A young man, wearing the zoo's uniform called them from behind.

"Hey, Tony!" Amy was quick to return the greeting.

"I've not seen any of you in a while, I thought maybe you've moved. The little guys here are missing their most avid fans," Tony spoke familiarly with them. Sheldon still looked like he's trying to place his face.

"Well, we've been a bit busy. We're glad we just made it in time before the maintenance, otherwise, it'll be a while before we see them again," Amy said.

"Don't worry Dr. Fowler, the monkeys and great apes enclosures will still be here. That ought to distract you for the time being."

Amy nodded in the affirmative. She then started to say goodbye. "Thank you, Tony. We'll see you around."

The young man waved back and signaled for the other persons to begin the maintenance.

Sheldon stood there unmoving until Amy called out again, "Sheldon, let's go."

"Something about him, you know?" Bernie told the group in between bites. It's dinner at 4A. It's been two weeks since she and Penny met Sam.

"You know if you talk about him one more time, I'm going to say you're fixated on him," Howard said.

"No, it's not that. It's like he's who he is, but not at all… Just something about him."

Leonard's brows crossed in confusion.

"But I get him, you know?" Penny said.

"Yeah?" Bernie asked.

"Yeah… And I think he's really good for Amy," she said, nodding her head slowly.

Sheldon pretends something is so interesting about his food.

Sides are forming, Bernadette realized.

Raj sits on the floor, content to just keep quiet.

"Anyway…" Howard tried to bridge the silence, "Mom's inviting you all to her house next weekend. Think y'all can come?"

Everyone responded, "Sure."

A/N: I think this would have to be a full 10-chapter story. It's driving me crazy because it has to move slow now! T.T

Thank you so much for dropping by, please tell me what you think.