A/N: This will be a 5-chapter fiction. Update for The Juxtapose Accentuation will be posted tomorrow. Apologies for grammar or spelling errors; I am my own beta.

Disclaimer: I still don't own anything related to TBBT that is included in this fan fiction.

Chapter 2: The Seedbed Instillation

Summer vacation was about to begin. Sheldon was in his office, lost in thought, holding his grandmother's ring and turning it over and over. A knock sounded on the door, but he was too engrossed to notice it. When Leonard got no response, he tried to open the door and was surprised it was unlocked. Peeking from behind the door, he spotted Sheldon behind his desk.

"Sheldon?" He opened the door wider and went in, "Sheldon? Buddy?" He tried again, but the man can't seem to hear him at all. He slowly walked closer to his desk. Sheldon caught sight of him and finally broke out of his stupor.

"Did you want anything, Leonard?" He asked, nonchalantly. His friend noticed the ring in his hand and looked between him and the item.

"Well, it's time for lunch, but is everything okay? I knocked and called you but you didn't even notice me till I approached you."

Sheldon was thoughtful. Is everything okay? Yes. Everything was fine. Everything has been going well for him. His relationship with Amy was in a better place than ever. His and Leonard's Super fluid experiment is being reviewed and they were expecting the feedback in less than a couple of weeks. Could he tell Leonard?

"Nothing is wrong, per se," he began. "I'm just thinking about how to propose to Amy."

"Oh. Well, that's great news. Is there anything that I can help you with?" He asked, offering a comforting smile.

"Well, I haven't thought of a plan." Sheldon admitted, hanging his head low.

Leonard cocked his head to the side and his brows drew together. "How did you envision proposing to her before she broke up with-" He stopped at the look on Sheldon's face, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to bring that up. I had to ask, because surely you had a plan then, right?"

Sheldon sighed. He did. Somehow the original plan didn't sound good enough. It was too banal for his taste. Proposing over a romantic dinner suddenly seemed… boring, to him. He didn't like parties, so proposing in front of an audience is a no-go, not even if those people are their friends. "I did… but I don't want to go with that. Amy deserves something better than a dinner proposal."

Leonard was glad that Sheldon was giving the matter a lot of thought. Although, he really shouldn't be surprised. This wasn't the same guy. Not in the sense that he wasn't boastful, indignant or annoying almost every time anymore; but he was more… human. He's more capable of understanding and acknowledging emotions. And he witnessed firsthand, the changes that the ShAmy rift brought on to him. He also had to remember that this was still Sheldon; the man who was always keen on planning.

"Well, if you ever need any help, let me know. How about that lunch?" Sheldon just nodded and stood from his chair.

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The group was having one of their usual dinner at 4A. Light conversation was being exchanged over familiar food. Amy noticed that Sheldon was barely talking, and hasn't consumed most of his meal. She looked at him and saw a distant look on his face; like he's seeing something else in front of him. She tapped his shoulder lightly and he focused his gaze on her. "Is there something wrong with your food?" Amy asks, concern in her voice, apparent.

Sheldon looked down on his food and was surprised that to see that it was barely touched when most of the group are almost done eating. "Uh, no. The food is fine. Why do you ask?" He said, trying to conceal his confusion. How long have I been thinking about my plan? He asked himself.

"Well, it's been almost it's been a while since you last spoke and you're barely eating. Are you feeling ill?" asks his girlfriend.

"I'm fine. Just… thinking about some equations I left on my board in the office." He lied, barely concealing his eye twitch. Luckily for him, Amy's attention was drawn by Bernadette, confirming their ladies' night the following evening. He started eating his food, wincing, when he realized how cold it's gotten. He took a few more bites and set down the container on the coffee table, paying attention to the conversation that the others were engaged in. He had been going over the details of his proposal. An elaborate plan was already in place and he just needs to brush on some details. He hasn't informed the guys about their participation in his proposal and plans to let them in on the whole thing on Friday, during Vintage game night.

The small talk between the group slowly died down and soon, they decided to call it a night. Leonard and Penny decided to stay at her apartment; something that they've been doing more lately, upon Sheldon's request. He was trying to adjust and get himself accustomed to living without a roommate. The married couple was shocked, when he made his request, but were happy about it nonetheless.

Amy was the last to leave, agreeing to watch an episode of Legends of Tomorrow with her boyfriend. She was about to leave and was already reaching for the doorknob when Sheldon stood from his spot and said, "Amy, there's something I wanted to ask you."

She narrowed her eyes and said, "Alright, what is it Sheldon?" Instead of answering, he walked towards her and stopped a few inches in front of her. She looked at him quizzically, urging him to ask his question.

"What is it, Sheldon?" She asked again, getting more confused by the second, because of his lack of response. He was just looking at her with; poker face on.

"Would you go to dinner with me tomorrow night?" He finally asked. Looking down at her, he was amused that he seem to have surprised her.

"You want to go to dinner? Is there any particular reason, like a celebration perhaps?"

"No. I just want to take my girlfriend, out. I don't suppose that's a bad thing, is it?"

"Uh, okay then. I'll be meeting some of my grad students at 6 to discuss a few matters about their dissertation papers, but I guess that shouldn't take too long. Is 8pm, okay?" She asked. Yet another uncharacteristic move for one, Sheldon Cooper, she thought.

"That is acceptable. Shall I pick you up at your home?" He asked, with a tone, dripping with anticipation for her answer. He knew she would be confused about his question.

"What do you mean 'pick me up'?" She stared at her boyfriend, leaning her head to the side, not understanding what he meant.

"I believe social convention dictates that the male in a romantic relationship should be the one to fetch the female when subjecting themselves to a date." He finished, by using air quotes at the word, date.

Amy frowned at his use of air quotes, but she was still wondering how he will pick her up for their date. Before she could ask any more questions, he spoke again and placed his hand on her shoulder, giving her a slight push.

"Thank you for watching with me, tonight. It's getting late and you still have to drive, you should probably go." He said, opening the door with his other hand. When she was out of the apartment, Sheldon kissed her quickly and said his good night. He closed the door before she could react. Amy blinked a few times and stared at the 4A sign on the door.

"Well that was weird." She muttered and decided to start descending the stairs.

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At exactly 8 pm, Sheldon's signature knock sounded on Amy's door. She opened her door to find a rather, dashing Sheldon smiling down at her. He was wearing a gray suit with a cream polo inside. If it was possible, he seem more handsome than usual.

"Good evening, Sheldon," she greeted.

"Hello, Amy. Are you ready to leave?" he asks.

"Almost, let me just grab my bag." She then walked over to her couch where her bag was sitting. She caught a glimpse of herself in the reflection of the TV; she was wearing one of her favorite floral dresses, with a plum cardigan over it. She thought of how formal her boyfriend looked and wondered if she needs to wear something different. She turned to ask him where they're going.

"Oh, we're just having dinner," he answered.

"Do you think I'm dressed appropriately for wherever we're going?" she follows.

"You look the same as usual. Why would you be worried about that, now?" he asks, genuinely confused.

She didn't find his response comforting. In fact, she felt that she should be offended by his remark that she looks 'the same as usual.' She closed her eyes and counted to ten before rejoining him by the door. She quickly locked and shut the door behind her, walking past him and down the hall towards the elevator.

"Amy!" he calls, from behind. "Are you in a hurry?" he asks when he caught up with her in front of the elevator.

"No," she answered, not looking at him.

"Alright then,"

They went in the elevator and out the building. Amy started heading out towards the parking lot of the building but Sheldon held her arm.

"What?" she asks.

"We're not going to use your car tonight," he told her.

"What? Why?"

"Didn't I tell you I'd be picking you up?" he asks her. That's when she noticed a black car, parked in front of her building. He walked towards the car and opened the back seat door.

"Shall we?," he invites, gesturing for her to get inside.

She was astounded. Never, in their six years together has he done something like this. What was he doing? She didn't want to think ahead of herself so she stopped her thoughts from going to a dangerous place.

"I guess," she replied and walked towards the car. She went in and Sheldon followed, closing the door behind him. The car blended into light traffic and Amy could hear soft, jazz music playing from the front of the car.

"Where are we going?" she asks Sheldon.

"Nowhere special. Just a nice little restaurant," he answers, giving her a small smile. He took her hand in his and just looked outside the window.

She looked at him quizzically, then at their intertwined hands. She could feel that something was up,but she couldn't tell why. Their anniversary was over. She was hoping he would propose to her then, but he didn't. Is he going to propose now? she thought. I am so not dressed accordingly, if that's the case.

About ten minutes later, they were driving along a vaguely familiar street and when Amy tried to look ahead through the windsheild, she spotted the restaurant they went to for their second anniversary. Sheldon noticed realization dawning on his girlfriend's face and he just smirked at her. When the car stopped in front of the establishment, he opened the door and held out his hand to help her get out of the car.

"Sheldon, this is really nice. We haven't been here in years," she exclaims, walking hand in hand with him to the entrance.

"Well, their food was good and the service was stellar, the last time we were here so I figured we should revisit the place," he tells her and then faced the attendant by the door. "Reservation for two, under Dr. Cooper," he tells the man. They were led to the same table they occupied when they last went.

Sheldon, always the man of preparedness, even had their food for the evening, pre-ordered. They enjoyed the three-course mean and Amy was even surprised that he ordered wine to go with their meal.

"A glass wouldn't hurt," he tells her when she asked why he was drinking.

Dinner went smoothly, the couple talking about their day and their work. Sheldon was being funny and at one point, Amy almost had wine come out of her nose because of laughter. All the while, Amy was on guard, looking for signs to find out if he was really going to propose to her; but when dessert was finally served, then consumed, and not a ring was to be seen anywhere, Amy gave up. She was a bit disappointed, but couldn't dwell on the matter too much because of how sweet her man was being tonight.

Sheldon paid the bill, another thing that surprised her since they always cut the cost in half, and gave a generous tip. The evening was one of the best date night's they've had since they became a couple. They had a good time, Sheldon was not loosening a bit; for now, that's what matters to her.

They went home in the same car that took them to the restaurant. Sheldon walked her all the way to her apartment door. Everything that he's done this evening was so out of character, she couldn't help but get confused about why he was doing all this. Surely this isn't just one of the usual date nights, right? she asks herself. Although, if this is nothing but him being nice to her, she could get used to it.

When they were in front of her door, she offered for him to go inside for a cup of tea but he declined. He told her he needed to be at work, early in the morning the next day.

"Alright then. Thank you for the lovely evening, Sheldon," she tells her with a warm smile.

"Don't mention it. Did you know that about only 2% of the worlds population has green eyes?" he asks her.

"Well, I have green eyes, so yes, I am familiar with the statistics. Why did you think of that?" she asks back.

"Nothing. I just thought yours are the prettiest pair I've seen. I like looking at them. If I can have it my way, I'd like to see those everyday for the rest of my life," he tells her. He was looking at her eyes with such admiration, her knees were buckling under the pressure of his blue gaze.

"Uh, thank you, Sheldon," she murmurs, suddenly rendered speechless by his words.

"Well, the car is only paid for till 11 pm. I should go now. Good night, Amy." He then leans down and kisses her with a little more fervor than usual. If his words made her speechless, his kiss was clouding up her mind completely. She couldn't think of anything else but the feel of him, gently nibbling on her lower lip. All too soon, he pulled away, leaving her breathless. He smiles and gave her a kiss on the cheek before saying goodbye and walking down the hall. Amy was left, dumbfounded in front of her open door.

When Sheldon was back in the car, he smiled victoriously. "The seed has been planted; now let's watch it grow," he whispers to himself.

xo