Getting into the elevator to head to the lobby, Amy felt surprisingly resolved in her decision and un-conflicted for the first time in days. I just hope I can make Sheldon understand why I left. Please don't let him be too angry. She cast her plea upwards to whoever might be listening: deity, the universe, heaven, whatever lay above and beyond them. Knowing that she could move forward in their relationship without the pressure of societal expectations, and knowing that Sheldon was, in fact, enough for her, come what may, was a great relief. There was a fissure of worry, still, in her heart: that she had hurt Sheldon and that making amends wouldn't be as easy as simply saying she was sorry. Leaving him in a prolonged state of anxiety had been completely unfair, but it wouldn't have been right for her to stay, feeling as lost and helpless as she did. Certainly, she had needed to truly force herself to examine her own feelings and approach them head-on. It was the only way to move beyond her insecurities. They did need to have a talk about the status of their relationship. Perhaps a relationship summit and a re-vamp of the Relationship Agreement was in order.

An exuberant whistle from beside her attracted her attention, and she smiled down at the young boy, who was sitting on his mother's suitcase, playing with a train engine. He had dark hair and a boyish grin that lit up his entire face. Amy couldn't help but smile at him.

"Eric! Shush. What did we talk about?" His mother berated him, and he looked down quickly, shamed.

"Sorry about that ma'am. Mama says I shouldn't whistle in public," The boy, Eric, grumbled guiltily.

"No problem. My boyfriend loves trains and train whistles. His name is Sheldon. Is that an N-gage train you have there?"

Surprised and excited, Eric nodded and looked up at her, his piercing blue eyes seemingly older than his age. "It sure is! It's an exact replica of the Bachmann N 51461 Baldwin 4-6-0 engine that ran from Baltimore to Ohio. I just got it for my birthday yesterday!"

"Wow! That's very cool. Well, Happy Birthday!"

"Thanks! Do you like trains?"

"I sure do. My very favorite are the Pullman coaches."

"Oh! Those sure were fancy!"

"I've actually been on a fully-functioning and fully-restored Pullman coach." Amy smiled widely, caught up in the boy's enthusiasm and thinking of her first kiss with Sheldon on that fateful Valentine's trip.

"Really!? WOW! I've never ridden on a train before! Mom says we can go on one when we get to my grandma's in Pennsylvania."

"Well, I hope you have a great time." Just as Amy finished her sentence, the elevator opened to the lobby. The boy and his mother exited, and he turned and waved at her, his smile never leaving his face. "Bye Eric!"

"Bye, lady!"

She exited the doors and glanced briefly to her left, her peripheral vision caught a solitary man leaning against the inside of the elevator car, as the doors closed. He looked so much like Sheldon that she did a double-take, but the doors closed, blocking her view. She sighed. She was seeing him everywhere now, in the little boy, in the adjoining elevator. She rolled her eyes, knowing she had better hurry to the apartment, as eager as she was to see him. She made her way quickly to the lobby desk. She gazed enviously at a beautiful blonde working the nearby cubicle. She's nearly as pretty as Penny.

"May I help you?" A young man, who couldn't be more than 17 looked up at her, clearly, he been trying to get her attention for a moment.

"Oh! So sorry, yes, thank you, I'm checking out: Amy Farrah Fowler, 2311."

"Yes, I see you have an open reservation. Oh, 2311! Yes, there's a note on the file that we are to comp you for your stay due to the tree-limb that broke your window."

"That's not necessary! I wasn't hurt."

"No, ma'am, I just have to follow protocol, and my manager has clear notes to comp your room and extend a free stay for any time in the future. I just need to see your key card."

"Thank you so much. Here it is." She handed it over. He fiddled with the computer taking notes. Within a moment, he had handed her a gift card and a receipt.

"I've taken your payment information off file and refunded the deposit that was taken when you checked in, that will show within 48 hours. Thank you for your patience. This is a gift card good for 365 days. You are welcome to make a reservation for any stay- up to 3 nights."

"Well, thank you so much. I much appreciate it." Turning, Amy tucked the information into her purse and made her way to the parking lot to collect her car from the valet. The valet was very efficient, and her car was already waiting for her at the curb. Tipping the valet she smiled and gratefully sank into the familiar fabric of her vehicle. She adjusted her mirror and slowly moved her way into traffic.