He was in hell. There was no other possible explanation. His mother always said "hell" existed, but she failed to mention that it could exist on the same universal plane. Even though he was quite happy for his friends, his need for closure was even more overwhelming. Aside from that, he had been moving in the moment- the very heated moment- and now? He was left aroused and unsatisfied, and Penny and Leonard were so happy they were bubbling over with excitement and big plans for an all-day celebration. His moment with Amy was lost, he was covered with sweat and frustration, and now all he really wanted was a long, cold shower. It wouldn't be the kind of relief he was hoping for, but it looked to be all he could expect.

His embarrassment was rising incrementally the longer he stayed in the room with Amy. He kept seeing her naked body in the forefront of his thoughts, and feeling her soft skin. It was too much. The heat creeping up his neck was like fire, and the fire below? It was raging! He was fighting a war with himself not to yell at Leonard and Penny to get out so he could finish what he'd started. He couldn't even make eye contact with Amy, because if he did, he knew his lascivious glances would definitely alert Penny and Leonard to their situation. Would his erection ever go away?! Hell, for sure.

"Can you believe it? She said yes! I'm going to marry the most beautiful girl in the whole world!" Leonard's face was beaming with joy. His smile was so big his eyes were nearly lost in the creases of his cheeks, and he was practically bouncing on the heels of his feet. He kept looking wildly around his room, first at Penny, and then at Sheldon and Amy.

"I know! Everything is so perfect! Leonard, I love you!" Penny said and wrapped her arms around him, kissing him exuberantly. "So, what do you guys say? Impromptu party tonight to celebrate? We'll have cocktails and music and we can order from a couple different restaurants. Maybe we can dance!"

"Sure! Sounds great!" Amy piped up, trying to sound enthusiastic. A party for her friends was fine, of course, but she really just wanted them to go back into the living room and shut the door. Penny and Leonard were over the moon. Of course they are! They're getting married! She was incredibly happy for them, and just looking at their excitement made her smile, but she was also only half-dressed! She and Sheldon had been about to have sex! SEX. WITH SHELDON. And Leonard and Penny kind-of ruined it. She kept stealing glances at Sheldon, and she could tell his panic was rising with each passing second. If they didn't leave soon, she was afraid his fight or flight would kick in, and with Sheldon? Fight never won. He flew. She didn't want him to fly. She had never felt so close to him as she had just a few moments ago, and now? Now he wouldn't even make eye contact.

"Oh Ames, it was so beautiful. Candles everywhere, and flowers. So romantic! And look at this ring!" Penny had moved to stand in front of her, and Penny's eyes were so big and bright. Amy couldn't help but to feel the tiniest bit envious. Penny looked beautiful and so happy. Forcing herself to share in her friend's exaltation, Amy smiled up at her. Moving to pull more of the covers over her, she winced, remembering her wrist as it twisted uncomfortably. The throbbing- which she hadn't noticed when she and Sheldon had been in flagrante- had returned full force. She gripped her wrist with her other hand. Penny noticed the change in her friend's facial expression and her eyes glanced down at Amy's injured hand. " Oh, Amy, are you hurting?"

In response, Amy just nodded. Sheldon looked up in alarm at Penny's words and his eyes raked over Amy. He hadn't been thinking when he had been about to have his way with her. Amy was hurt! Suddenly, he was full of shame. Here, he was supposed to be caring for her, and instead, he was ravishing her. He shook his head, admonishing his behavior, and stood quickly. "I've forgotten myself. We had better get you some pain meds, and some breakfast. Leonard, Penny, congratulations on your engagement. The celebration will be excellent. In fact, why don't you make all the arrangements, and I'll treat. My credit card is in my desk drawer, just get whatever you like. Consider it my engagement gift to you both. I'll take care of Amy, and get her all fixed up this morning. Would that be sufficient?"

Leonard and Penny looked delighted at Sheldon's impromptu offer to pay for their party. "Really?" Leonard asked, reaching for Penny's hand to bring her to his side.

"Of course. Now get out of here and get started with the plans!" Penny excitedly went to hug Sheldon, but he sidestepped and held out his hands. "Go on! I've got to get Amy some medicine as soon as possible."

"Thank you, Sheldon," Penny said, turning and pulling Leonard from the room. "You won't be sorry! This will be the best party!"

"I'm sure!" He said, rolling his eyes and following them to the door, closing it as they left. "A party, great, just what we need," he grumbled under his breath. He stood facing the doorway, his head cocked to one side, listening for them to leave the apartment. When he heard them rooting around in his desk drawer, he sighed. The tension and awkwardness returned tenfold, and he was afraid to even turn around. He didn't know what to say. How could he have been initiating physical intimacy when she was injured and vulnerable? What kind of man was he? Some sex-crazed heathen. He was going to have to make amends.

Wasn't he going to say anything? Amy was starting to panic. What was going through his mind? He was standing so stiffly. Was he regretting their earlier actions? Did he blame her for pushing him? Her anxiety was overwhelming her. To offset a panic-attack, she spoke up, not thinking her words through. "Well, that's it then. I guess it's time to get moving. I need a shower and medicine. And I ought to eat something with the medicine. Oh, there's so much to plan today. There's the party! I'll need to get to the store and get Penny and Leonard a gift. And as most of my clothes are ruined, I'll need to pick up something to wear over the next several days. I wonder if dry-cleaning is covered by insurance? I need to look into that policy and then I've got some calls to make. I've got to get movers to help get my things to storage. I've got to find a storage facility! I've got to contact my mother and let her know everything that's happened and see if I can stay with her awhile…." her voice trailed off as she stood to move toward the door.

Sheldon hadn't moved. He was still standing, facing the doorway, with his hand upon the knob as she listed the trivial chores and errands that needed to be done as if they hadn't just almost lost their virginity to each other in this very room, in that very bed, just a half-hour ago. Did it mean so little to her, then? His body was still a livewire and she was so casual! Then, at the mention of her leaving and calling her mother, he gasped for air. He suddenly felt that she had kicked him in the gut. She was so upset with him that she was leaving him. He had been pushing himself on her when she was hurt, and insecure, and obviously unaffected by him. He couldn't blame her. He stood to the side as she came up behind him. She was looking at the floor. He couldn't help but stare at her, mesmerized by the way her eyelashes lay across her cheekbones. He gulped.

"Well?" she asked him, finally managing the courage to make eye contact with him. Why wasn't he answering? She had just asked him to help her in the shower. He was staring at her. She wasn't propositioning him, not really! She really did think she might need his help in the shower. She knew she had pushed him beyond his limits when a simple request to help her wash her hair was too much. He had bathed her before, after all. She blushed, and looked back at the floor, feeling insecure.

He had missed her question. Embarrassed to be caught staring at her, he looked away. "What?" he asked.

"The shower? Can you help me? I'm not sure I can wash my hair." Right! Of course, she would need help in the shower. He gulped again. An image of her in the bath when she was sick popped unexpectedly into his mind. Things were different then. She had been sick. They weren't physically intimate at all. And he had still struggled to be a gentleman. Now? It was likely impossible for him to maintain a professional demeanor now that he knew how she felt, naked, soft, and warm beneath him. He nodded his assent because he knew if he spoke his voice would be low and gravelly with arousal. He walked over to the closet and pulled her outfit- the same she had on yesterday- out and moved toward her.

"I'll do anything I can to help you. Here, I laundered these last night, after you fell asleep the first time. I know you probably don't want to wear the same thing two days in a row, but it's clean. Not many of your clothes can be saved after the water damage, I imagine, but we can go to the mall and get you a few more outfits today."

Pleased with his thoughtfulness, she took the clothes from him. "Thank you, Sheldon." Once again, she found herself standing on her tiptoes, as she placed a soft kiss upon his cheek. This time, though, he closed his eyes and pulled her against him in a light hug.

Feeling need rising up in him again, Sheldon pulled away. He sighed, resolved. "Come, let's get you ready for the day."