Amy quickly became a fixture at 4A. She fell into a routine of fulfilling her commitments, while at the same time enjoying the company of Sheldon and his friends.

Even though Wednesdays and Saturdays were her days off from recurring commitments, as outlined in The Obligation Agreement, hardly a day passed where she didn't see Sheldon. He frequently scheduled appointments and miscellaneous errands on Wednesdays. They spent Saturday mornings grocery shopping and afternoons at the Lego store.

Four weeks into their contract, Sheldon met Amy at her car after work to go to Siam Palace. He got in and began talking animatedly about a possible breakthrough in physics. She nodded appropriately but didn't contribute to the conversation.

"You're awfully quiet today. Are you upset?" He asked, concern etched in his face.

"Yes," she answered, staring straight ahead, not wishing to elaborate.

"Is it something I said?"

"No, you've been a wonderful friend to me," she said, turning to him slightly. A small smile touched her lips but didn't quite reach her eyes.

"Do you want to talk about it?"

"My mother left me a voicemail. She wants me to have dinner with her Sunday night," she stated, tonelessly.

"But Sunday we're hosting Fun With Flags. You signed a contract," he sputtered.

"I know. I made a commitment to you and intend to keep it. That's not the issue," she reassured him.

"Then what is?" He asked bewildered.

He watched as several emotions flickered across her face but was unable to decipher any of them.

She weighed the options of telling him versus keeping her thoughts to herself then opted for the former. She sighed, "You know my mother and I don't get along very well."

Sheldon was aware of some of Amy's issues with her mother. He recalled their first meeting at the coffee shop when she told him about the times she spent in the sin closet. Surely her mother did not keep up with that tradition now that Amy was a grown woman living on her own. He urged her to continue.

"All through high school, she wanted me to find a boyfriend. I was busy with my studies, which she did not approve of. Even after I graduated and moved out, she insisted I get out and date. I endured endless phone calls and visits that made my blood pressure skyrocket.

"We made a pact on my 21st birthday that I would go on a minimum of one date per year. I agreed to it only to appease her."

"Did any of those dates turn into something more?" He asked, afraid to hear the answer.

"No. They were all a waste of time. I never went on more than one date with any of those men. None of them ever held my interest, and most of them weren't too keen on me either."

"Their loss," Sheldon murmured, but Amy didn't appear to hear him.

"One time my mother set me up with her friend's son who was a resident at UCLA Medical Center. He tried to get handsy with me without even asking permission, so I... let's just say, I never heard from him again." She shuddered at the recollection.

Sheldon's body stiffened. "The nerve of him!"

"I fear that my mother will bring up the subject of dating the next time I see her, even though she promised she wouldn't interfere unless I haven't found a date by November."

"I wish there was something I could do to help," he responded sincerely.

She took in a deep breath and turned towards him in her seat. "Actually there is. I was planning on waiting until I fulfilled my obligation to you, but since you asked, here goes. Would you object to me telling my mother that we're dating?"

His eyes widened. "Are you asking me to help you lie to your mother?"

"It won't exactly be lying. We spend the majority of our spare time together and enjoy each other's company."

"But it's also not the truth."

"How about this - let's make an official date."

Sheldon raised his brows in shock. "Are you asking me out?"

"Yes."

"Isn't it customary for the man to ask the woman out?"

"Anyone can ask for a date, but I suppose it's more traditional for the man to ask."

Sheldon looked down at his hands resting in his lap. He looked back up to see Amy watching him intently.

"Sheldon, if you're uncomfortable with this, just tell me. I'll inform my mother that I'm busy on Sunday and every other day in the foreseeable future. I have plenty of time to find a date in the meantime."

"No, I can't let you do that."

"Do what? Tell my mother I'm too busy to see her?"

"Not that. The dating thing." He looked down at his lap again. "I don't feel comfortable with you finding a random guy to spend an evening with, someone whose company you don't even enjoy, just to please your mother."

"I made a pact with her. There's no other way around it."

"There is one logical solution I can think of." He raised his eyes to hers, took in a deep breath, then let it out slowly. "Amy Farrah Fowler, will you agree to a date with me?" He asked softly.

Her eyes lit up as the corners of her mouth turned up. "Yes, I would like that very much."

They smiled shyly at each other, not quite believing what just happened. After a couple of minutes, Amy put the car in reverse and backed out.

Sheldon distractedly gazed out the passenger-side window as the sites of Pasadena whirled past them. He had never been on a date before. He looked into the deep recesses of his brain and gathered all the information he had on the subject of dating from his friends and what he'd seen on TV.

When they arrived at the restaurant, Amy placed the car in park. She unbuckled her seatbelt and reached for her door handle when Sheldon placed his hand on her arm. She looked at him questioningly.

"Amy, for our date I would like to take you to dinner and a movie. Would that be acceptable?"

"I would love that. There's a new Italian place on Walnut I've been eager to try."

"Alright, Italian it is. Thursday will work well for me. We can have an early dinner and catch a 7 o'clock show since it's a work night. Is that all right with you?" He asked hopefully.

"But Thursday's pizza night."

"We can skip pizza this once."

Amy's mouth dropped open. Sheldon was willing to deviate from the Sheldonian calendar for her? She learned he had a set schedule for everything, Penny even showed her the bathroom schedule he created for 4A's occupants.

"You're absolutely sure?"

"Yes," he answered without hesitation. "A few years ago, Leonard forced me to shake things up by declaring the third Thursday of the month 'Anything Can Happen Thursday'. We've since abandoned that practice, but I will reinstate it, for this week at least."

"Thursday it is," she agreed.

"Then it's settled. If we bring a change of clothes to work, we can go directly to the restaurant."

"That sounds like a plan."

When they arrived at 4A laden with cartons of Thai food, Sheldon addressed the group. "Everyone, I have decided to reinstate 'Anything Can Happen Thursday'."

They all stared at him shell-shocked. Leonard was the first to recover. "What brought this on?"

"Amy and I have made plans for this Thursday."

"What kind of plans? What are we all doing?" Raj demanded.

"Not all of us, just me and Amy. I don't care what you people do."

Leonard and Penny were more than glad to have a Sheldon-free evening. They made plans with Howard and Bernadette to go on a double date.

"What about me? Everyone has someone except me. I'm so lonely!"

Howard felt bad for his friend. "Raj, why don't you join us?"

"And be the only person without a wife or girlfriend? No thanks. I don't want to be a fifth wheel. I guess I'll just stay home and watch TV with Cinnamon."

"What about Stuart?" Howard suggested. "I'll bet he has nothing to do on a Thursday night either."

"Good idea. I'll call him later."

That settled, the group spent the rest of the evening devouring their meals and conversing.

Amy was the first to leave. As always, Sheldon walked her to her car. The others began whispering as soon as the door shut.

"Sheldon willingly wants to try 'Anything Can Happen Thursday' again? What was that all about?" Bernadette asked.

Howard had a thought. "He and Amy have been spending an awful lot of time together. You don't think they've reached the next level in their friendship?"

"I have noticed a spring in Sheldon's step since Amy came into his life," Penny mused.

They continued discussing the possibilities. When Sheldon reappeared, Howard, Bernadette, and Raj rushed for the door claiming they were tired. Their suspicious behavior didn't even phase Sheldon. He bid then a distracted goodnight then went to bed dreaming of a certain neurobiologist.