Surprisingly it had only taken about an hour to get back to 2311 Los Robles Avenue. Of course, even with that short of a trip, it was nearing 11 PM. Amy marveled at her timing considering the hellishness of her drive. There had been obstacles everywhere and her hands were cramping from her tight hold on the steering wheel. Though her wrist had been feeling better, it ached and throbbed now. She felt terrible for the other side of the freeway as it had looked like those poor people wouldn't be moving until the next solstice. Pulling up to the apartment building, she couldn't find anyplace to park and ended up parking around the corner and down a few blocks. Grabbing her purse, she exited her vehicle, and walked, each step bringing with it the cold and deep-seated tiredness she could feel in her bones. She dragged her duffel bag with her, and it was getting heavier with every step. She hoped Sheldon would forgive her and invite her to at least stay tonight until she could make another plan, as he wasn't ready for her to be a permanent resident of 4A.

Just as she arrived, Mrs. Vartabean was leaving the building and recognizing Amy, she held the door for her to make her way inside. Moving sluggishly, she struggled up the steps. When will they fix the elevator? Feeling overwhelmed from the stressful drive, the lack of sleep from the previous night, and the constant worrying, she nearly wept with relief when she found herself face to face with the familiar, light blue, door of 4A. The corridor was darkened, and she was assuming the building was running on generator power. She knocked and waited for Sheldon to answer. She was feeling anxious all over again, not knowing how Sheldon would receive her. She rocked right to left, transferring her weight between her feet, but no answer came. She knocked again, and called out, "Sheldon?"

Still, there was no answer. She leaned her ear against the door, but she couldn't hear a sound. "Sheldon?" No answer. She attempted one more knock, with no reply. Was he really so angry that he might ignore her? That seemed out of character, even for Sheldon. Sighing, she thought he must not be there. Turning haphazardly, and feeling the strain in her wrist as she jolted too quickly with the duffel, Amy made her way across the corridor.

Crossing the hallway to 4B, Amy raised her hand and knocked impatiently on Penny's door. Just as with Sheldon's apartment, there was no answer. She tried once more, hoping to catch her pretty bestie's attention, but she stared at the door facing nothing but silence. She wiggled the doorknob, in hopes that Penny may have forgotten to lock it, as she often did, but the lock was fully engaged.

What now? Moving back toward Sheldon's apartment, she turned, facing her friend's apartment, and with her back to Sheldon's door, she leaned heavily against it. Feeling listless, exhausted, and hungry, Amy let gravity pull her to a seated position against the door. Where was Sheldon? Was he hurt? Was Penny or Leonard? Why else would they not be here? Sheldon would never have gone out into the streets after an earthquake, not unless it was an emergency. Right? Succumbing to the exhaustion that nearly clouded her vision, she took a deep breath, let out a frustrated cry. Burying her face in her hands, she roughly rubbed her eyes, trying to free herself of the tiredness. Taking deep steady breaths, she willed away the panic attack and practiced her meditative calming techniques. Within moments, she had drifted into sleep, cradled by the door jamb, her head resting on her arms, braced by her knees.

xxxxxx

It was nearly 1 AM when Sheldon stumbled into the apartment building. Each rise of the steps felt like he was climbing a mountain. He was absolutely exhausted. Every muscle in his body ached, even muscles he didn't realize could ache were sore. He looked down at his phone. Service had been restored, thankfully, about a half-hour before. There had been no answer from Amy, and it looked as though her phone were still off. Penny and Leonard were still trapped in the traffic of the freeway, and it looked like it would be a while yet until they returned to the apartment. With thoughts of a long, hot shower and his comfortable bed, he trudged up to the 2nd floor.

I can't believe I missed her, not once, but twice. She was right there! Disappointed and frustrated by his wasted journey, Sheldon sighed deeply. I wonder where she could be. If he were honest with himself, at this point he was moving beyond confused and sad, and straight to annoyed. Amy could have at least contacted him to let him know she was of sound body and mind. And now? She had moved hotels and he was back at square one. If she was going out of her way to avoid him, she certainly was doing a good job. Immediately following his moment of annoyance, though, followed a feeling of guilt. This was really all his fault. Amy would never have left if he hadn't reacted so poorly to the news that Leonard would be leaving. He wasn't even entirely sure why he had been so upset. Yes, change was ahead, and big change. And yes, Leonard DID fail to meet the terms of their Roommate Agreement. The truth though? Sure, he needed Leonard as his best friend, but he needed Amy more. The minute he and Amy had succumbed to their desires, he had been a goner. Who are you kidding? From the moment your eyes met hers in that coffee shop, it was all over for you. Amy was it. She was the beginning and end of his entire universe. As scary as that might be right now, with her MIA, it was factual. Resolved, he started up the final flight of steps. He would start again in the morning, and he would find her.

Looking up, he felt his heart skip a beat. There she was! His Amy! She was on the floor, leaning against the doorframe. She appeared to be asleep, but there she was, waiting for him. She looked as exhausted and distressed as he felt just a moment ago. There were dark, purple circles under her eyes, and the rims of her eyelids were pink. Her hair was tangled and falling in her face, and she looked quite pale. She's so very beautiful. He rushed up the remaining few steps, tripping over the last one, and losing his balance. He nearly fell to the floor but grabbed hold of the railing at the last second. His knee hit hard on the top step and made a loud thump.That smarts. Cursing his clumsiness, he straightened, looking over her cautiously. He certainly didn't want to disturb her, but he had to figure out how to get her into the apartment, and into bed. As much as he wanted to talk it all out tonight, he knew they were both too exhausted for that. Maybe he could pick her up? He might be able to lift her over his shoulder if he used the wall for a lever. As usual, Physics is the answer to all!

Moving to the door, he used his key and unlocked it. Crouching, he tentatively ran his hand over her cheekbone to see if she would stir. She didn't. Gripping her hands, he pulled her upper body over his shoulder, and using the wall for leverage, he stood, bracing her between him and the wall. She murmured, and he froze. Once he was steady, he reached out and opened his door. Bringing her into the apartment, he found he could take her no further than the couch. He feared going further would cause him to drop her. Instead, he deposited her, not altogether gently, onto the couch, her head in his spot, and her feet facing the door. Grabbing the blanket Leonard and Penny and been using when they were watching tv earlier from the back of the couch, he covered her haphazardly. Looking down at her, he sighed, feeling much relieved. Moving to the door, he gathered up her purse and duffel and brought them into the room as well.

Feeling wearier than he could ever remember being, he sat on the arm of the beige chair and watched Amy move, adjust her position, and settle, taking slow, deep breaths. Allowing gravity to pull him into the chair, his legs wrapped around the arm and he curled into the frame, and closed his eyes. Tomorrow is soon enough, he thought, as he fell into an exhausted sleep.

xxxxxx