A/N You are probably shocked to see something from me. The last few months have been hectic. There have been large changes made in my life. In the end they were all for the good but have consumed my time. I apologize that this is a shorter chapter than usual but I just wanted to get something out there. I intend to catch up on all my stories. Thank you for your patience and I hope I haven't lost you.

A very belated thanks to all my reviewers and those that follow my story.

I still own nothing.

After they had reached the Coffee shop and each of them were fortified with the beverage of their choice, Amy spoke first, "How was it that you left Caltech in the first place?"

"I discovered I had a talent for deduction. I provided a solution to a situation that had baffled everyone else."

"What was that situation?"

Suddenly Sheldon realized that she might not be impressed by him figuring out who stole some strawberries. "It wasn't so much the situation but the steps I took to solve it. They convinced me I had a talent for detective work."

Amy sensed she should not dig any deeper. After some time she went on, "Has detective work given you the expected satisfaction?"

Sheldon contemplated what she had said. It was true that there was no doubt their business was a success. He remembered the satisfaction he felt when they proved Penny's innocence and when he had found Leonard and Penny. It was also true that in the beginning he had been challenged by what they were doing. But he also faced the fact that he had recently found himself often feeling like he was in a rut. There was also the fact that he had never really got over the way he had felt when Leonard and Penny were missing and when Leonard was hurt.

Amy wondered what he was thinking. Finally, he said, "I feel a sense of pride in what we have accomplished but have to admit much of it is unchallenging. But I also feel a responsibility to Leonard and the others."

Amy pondered what he was saying. "How about Leonard? Is it possible he would want to return to Caltech as well?"

"I suppose that could be possible but he is very close friends with Kurt and I am not sure how Penny would react." He sighed, "He is very much enamored with her."

There was a long silence and then Amy spoke up, "Sheldon, I know I have only just met you and I probably have no right to say this, but I believe you are wasting yourself. I have come to believe you have a duty to use your talents to advance science. As for the others, they will somehow manage to get along without you."

Sheldon was surprised and then found itself getting a little angry. She was right, they had just met. What gave her the right to judge him and his work. But then he realized she was echoing what he had been thinking about for some time. He had not wanted to face it, but he had been feeling that he was not being challenged, that he was just going through the motions. He realized he no longer felt any great pride in what he was doing.

Further realizing he had some thinking to do, he finally said, "I will think about what you have said."

He started to rise, "I should get back to the office."

Amy wondered if she had gone too far. She quickly said, "Is it possible we could get together and discuss this further? Perhaps we could do it over dinner?"

Sheldon was shocked to find he did want to see her again. He also sensed that going out to dinner would be a step above what they had just done. But he also realized he was not averse to that.

He surprised both of them by saying, "I would like that. I will give you a call."

Amy was thrilled and smiled happily as she drove off after dropping him off.

Penny and Leonard had been enjoying their time together in his office, but Penny had told Annie to contact them the moment Sheldon returned.

When they were finally notified, Penny rushed out of the office and greeted Sheldon with, "How was the 'beverage'?"

Sheldon was a little startled by her enthusiasm, "It was satisfactory."

Penny smiled broader, "Satisfactory, huh." She quickly asked, "Do you plan to have a beverage again sometime?"

"Not that it is any business of yours, but we did decide to get together again."

Before she could speak again, he turned to Leonard, "Leonard, could I see you in my office?"

Leonard looked at Penny, who said, "Go ahead. I am going to head out. I will meet you back at the apartment."

Leonard nodded and leaning forward to give her a kiss, followed Sheldon into his office.

After they were seated, Sheldon paused for a few moments and then surprised Leonard by saying, "Leonard, have you ever thought of returning to Caltech?"

Caught off guard, Leonard took some time to think about what he had said. Finally, he said, "From time to time. But in the end, I have always decided I have responsibilities here. Especially since we added Kurt and Howard."

After a pause, he added, "And I am not sure how Penny would feel about me leaving detecting. It is all I have done since I have known her."

He paused again, "What made you ask that now?"

"Dr. Farrah-Fowler told me that she had researched me and was impressed. She told me she believed that I should return to the study of physics, that I could make a valuable contribution to science."

He hesitated, "I have to admit, that in recent months, I have thought more and more about my future. To be frank, I am no longer challenged by detective work." He paused again, "But I am proud of what we have accomplished and understand things could arise that I would miss not being part of."

"And although it is not as important to me as I believe it is to you, I do feel some responsibility for our employees."

He sighed, "I suppose I could return and have you stay, but I would miss you."

Leonard was surprised but also understood where Sheldon was coming from. He had to admit he had sometimes wondered if Sheldon was wasting his potential. Although the same could be true for him, he knew Sheldon was a special individual.

He spoke up, "I would miss you too. But it's not like you would be a long way away." He looked in Sheldon's eyes, "You need to make this decision on what is best for you. We will be fine."

Sheldon nodded.

After a few moments of silence, Leonard rose and telling Sheldon goodbye, headed out.

Sheldon answered in kind and watched as Leonard left. He then sat back and pondered what had just occurred.

Leonard called Penny and after a brief discussion, they decided he would pick up Thai food on the way home.

As soon as they were settled in, Penny looked at him, "Well?"

"Well, what?"

Exasperatedly, "What did you and Sheldon talk about? What did he say about Amy?"

Leonard was surprised at himself when he realized he wasn't sure he wanted to discuss what they had talked about with Penny. He realized he wondered what she would think of the possibility of him or Sheldon returning to Caltech.

"He really didn't say much about Amy. Just that she felt he should return to school."

Penny was disappointed but then something hit her. Amy had told her how impressed she was with both Leonard and Sheldon. She realized she had never considered what they had given up. Did Sheldon want to leave detecting? More importantly, did Leonard?"

Eating some food and taking a drink, she wondered what she should say. "What did Sheldon think about that?"

"He said he had considered it. That sometimes he felt that the day-to-day work was not always challenging. But he also said he would feel a little guilty leaving and would miss me."

Penny took another drink and gathered her courage, "What about you, Leonard, have you ever considered going back?"

Leonard chided himself that he was caught off guard, he should have anticipated the question. Taking a couple drinks to buy time, he finally said, "A few times, especially in the beginning, but after becoming close to Kurt and when we were able to help you and with Kurt and Howard coming aboard, I haven't thought much about it."

Then he gathered his courage and asked, "How do you feel about this, Penny?"