This story is going to be switching off between Sheldon & Amy's points of view. I don't think I'll be noting who's POV it is at the beginning of each chapter, but it should be obvious whose POV it is.

Amy- I was thinking that, um, maybe I'm ready to be your girlfriend again.

Sheldon- Oh. I thought we were just friends.

Amy- We are, but I was hoping, maybe…

Sheldon- Amy, I excel at many things, but getting over you wasn't one of them. I think I need to just be your friend.

Amy- Okay, I understand.

I roll over, unable to sleep for the fourth night since Thanksgiving. Four nights since Amy told me she was ready to be my girlfriend again. Every time I closed my eyes in an attempt to sleep for the past four nights, I was met with a rush of memories of our relationship- the good and the bad moments, the big and small. I let every possible scenario play out if I had done or said something different. I wonder what Amy's reaction would have been if I'd gotten the chance to propose if she hadn't rushed out the night of our anniversary. Leonard and Penny's comments after my phone call with Amy also come rushing back.

"All you've wanted for months is to get back together with Amy. Are you sure you don't want to call her back and tell her that?" Leonard dared to suggest, perching himself on the arm of the chair after Penny sat next to me.

Resting her hand on my knee, Penny commented, "Just think about it. Amy asked for time and space, while it was difficult for you at first, you've given her that. You've both grown and learned from this time apart."

"Didn't you say you enjoyed spending the day at the aquarium, but even you felt it was awkward at times? That awkwardness will subside with time."

"He's right," agreed Penny. "Think about all those times Leonard and I broke up. It was awkward at first, but things worked out for us. Give it some time, and get to know Amy again."

I stand from my spot, looking at them, "I'm going to bed." My room is where I stayed until late the next morning. Leonard and Penny left early to go Black Friday shopping, not returning until early afternoon. Having the apartment to myself gave me a lot of uninterrupted time to think. I think about meeting Amy, asking her to be my girlfriend, asking my mother for the family ring, Amy ending our relationship in front of our friends. I think about my train trip when I needed time to myself to get away from everything. I think Amy was overwhelmed by our relationship and asked for time to think about it. She's always given me everything I've ever asked of her, and I couldn't do the one thing she was asking of me.

I hear Leonard's door open and Penny shuffling to the kitchen for her morning coffee. I slip out of bed, quickly making it, and making my way to the kitchen as well. "Morning, Sheldon," Penny greets me without turning around from where she is leaning on the counter, watching the coffee pot.

"Do you think it would be alright if I ask Amy to join us for dinner tonight?" I ask, reaching for a box of cereal from the top of the refrigerator. Penny whipped her head around, remaining silent as I poured my cereal into a bowl. "It's Thai food night, I thought she might like to join us."

Penny smiles, "I think that's a great idea. We've all missed her at dinner. I don't think anyone will have any complaints if Amy joins us tonight."

I pause outside the door to Amy's lab. I can hear her talking, but don't hear any other voices. I step into the doorway and knock on the open door, getting her attention. "I gotta go, Dave. I'll talk to you later," she says, ending her phone call. "Hi, Sheldon. What can I do for you?"

"I, uh," I stumble over my words. "I was wondering if you'd like to join us for dinner tonight? I asked Penny and she said she thought everyone would be happy to see you. I know you haven't been coming because of our breakup, but since we're friends now, I thought maybe you'd come. If you're free, that is."

Amy smiles as I'm talking. I've missed her smiling. "I would love to come for Thai food night."

"Okay, we'll see you tonight, then." I turn to leave when her voice stops me.

"How was the rest of your weekend? Did you get any new video games with the Black Friday sales?"

I shake my head as I answer, "No, Leonard and Penny went out, but I stayed home and enjoyed having the apartment to myself for the morning. What about you? Did you pick up anything?"

"Not really. I got a few things for gifts for my parents, but nothing for myself. My mother insisted I join them for Christmas dinner this year. It's been three years since I spent the holiday with them and I don't have a good excuse to not go anymore."

"I'm going home for Christmas this year, too. My mother was adamant I make the trip. My nephew will be two and Missy says he's a lot like me," I think of the trip to Texas I made almost two years ago. That trip was the first time I thought about bringing Amy home to meet my family. My mother is still the only one she's met. She would love Missy, I know it.

Amy smiles again, "That sounds fun. You'll have to show me pictures when you get back. Thanks for inviting me to dinner. I should let you get back to work and I need to get back to work, too."

I nod in agreement, "I'll see you tonight, then."

Amy arrives promptly at six o'clock for Thai food night. Leonard returns with the food a few minutes after. I'm sure Amy was hoping I wouldn't notice her hesitation in choosing a spot to sit. The middle cushion next to my spot had become her unofficial spot while we were a couple. I breathed a silent sigh of relief when Penny sat next to me after the girls had been talking in the kitchen. I'm sure they were discussing the seating arrangement.

The evening feels like the early days of my and Amy's relationship, when she was a girl who is a friend, but is not my girlfriend. Watching Amy sit across from me in Penny's usual spot, I realize how much I've missed this, missed her being in my apartment. I didn't know it was possible to miss someone so much while they are sitting mere feet away. I am quiet for most of the evening, trying to not be too obvious that I'm watching and cataloging her every move. The conversation among our friends is enough to pull me from my thoughts periodically.

"Amy, you need to join us for lunch at work again. We've missed your input. And you talking Sheldon down," Koothrappali suggests as everyone is finishing their meals.

She shakes her head, swallowing the sip of water she just took, "I don't know, Rajesh. Sheldon and I are just friends. I don't think Sheldon and I are ready to be spending that much time together right away. Maybe I can join you once in a while, but not every day."

"I wouldn't mind you joining us for lunch," I find myself speaking, surprising even myself. "I'm friends with these guys and I have lunch with them every day. I see no reason it would be any different if you were to join us on a daily basis."

Penny is collecting the empty containers from the coffee table when I notice her glancing at Amy and Bernadette. "You guys wanna go across the hall and have a mini girls' night while the guys do whatever?"

Amy shrugs, standing to help clear the coffee table, and Bernadette nods, "Let's go. The guys can clean up for once."

I watch as they abandon everything in their hands and parade out the door to the apartment across the hall. I don't know how much time has passed between the girls leaving and Raj pulling me from the trance I'd been in. "Just tell her you want to get back together. You've still got it bad for her."

"We're just friends. Nothing more."