The following Wednesday, the guys were sifting through the new releases at the comic book store.

"Leonard, are you and the Mrs. available for dinner tomorrow night?" Howard asked.

Sheldon's hands stilled. "But tomorrow's Thursday; Thursday is pizza night."

Leonard looked up at his best friend and roommate. "Aren't you going out with Amy tomorrow?"

"No, Leonard. Amy and I convinced her mother that I am, in fact, real. She has fulfilled her dating obligation for the year. We will resume pizza night, as per our contract," he stated matter of factly.

Raj perked up. "So Amy's available?"

Sheldon gave his friend an icy glare. "Koothrapalli, we've been over this already. She is not for you!"

"But you're not dating her anymore."

"Raj, you may not be on the rebound anymore, but now she is," Howard said.

Sheldon directed his glare at Howard.

"What? I was only trying to help."

Leonard intercepted. "Okay you guys, calm down. No one's dating Amy."

xxx

The next two weeks went by in a blur. Amy continued to chauffeur Sheldon, joined him for meals, and filmed Fun With Flags, per their agreement. They still sat next to each other on the couch, their shoulders and hips touching, but there were no official dates and, therefore, no more hand holding or kissing.

Two weeks after their last date, Sheldon sat down to watch Dr. Who with a bowl of cereal on a Saturday morning. His eyes were still on the TV two hours later staring blankly at the screen.

"Something got you down there, Sheldon?"

He startled at the sound of Penny's voice. "I'm fine."

Her face was etched with concern. "Are you sure? Because I've been watching you for the last 15 minutes, and you didn't even notice I was here."

He stared off into the distance. "I said I'm fine. I just have a lot on my mind."

She took a seat on the couch arm next to him. "Let me guess. Is it Amy?"

He looked at her in surprise. "How did you know?"

"Sweetie, you haven't been yourself ever since your last date. You like her a lot, don't you?"

"I'm very fond of Amy."

"So what's the problem?"

"She only spends time with me because of our contract, and it expires in two weeks."

"Sweetie, that is not the only reason she spends time with you. You went out on dates. That was not part of your contract."

"As you know, Amy made a pact with her mother to date once a year. We dated so she could fulfill her obligation."

"Do you honestly think that's the only reason she went out with you? If it was as simple as needing a date, she could have agreed to a night of star gazing with Raj when he asked her. That girl is crazy about you. God knows why," she added under her breath.

"Did she tell you that?"

"Not in as many words, but trust me, she is. And you are just as crazy about her. You could have just taken her out to dinner, but you kissed her. It still blows my mind that it happened." She shook her head in wonder.

"We kissed because social convention dictates..."

"Blah, blah, blah social convention. Maybe that's what prompted you to kiss her, but you continued kissing her because you liked it. Admit it, Sheldon. I'm right, aren't I?"

He sidestepped her question. "I should have written the contract to last a full year," he said glumly.

"Sweetie, even you know that's not normal."

He ignored her comment. "Penny, may I ask you something?"

"Sure, ask away."

"I fear that once our contract ends, I'll never see her again. How can I make sure she doesn't leave me?"

Penny threw her hands up in frustration. "Sheldon, look at me. Amy is not going anywhere. You don't need a contract or a pact to keep her in your life. Trust me."

Leonard entered the living room in his bathrobe. "What's going on out here?"

"I'm trying to convince Dr. Wackadoodle that his relationship with Amy won't end when their contract is up."

"Buddy, I'm with Penny on this one. Why don't you invite her over to do something that's not written in your contract? Then you'll have proof that she's coming to see you because she wants to, not because she has to."

"That's actually not a bad idea, Leonard. Amy will be here soon to pick me up for our weekly grocery trip. I'll ask her then." He checked his watch then suddenly shot up from his seat. "I only have ten minutes to get ready."

When Amy arrived a few minutes later, Leonard answered the door as Sheldon was in the shower.

"Hi Amy. Sheldon's running a bit behind this morning."

"Is he okay?" She asked. "It's not like him to be late."

Leonard stepped into the hall with Penny at his side, shutting the door quietly behind them. "He's just having a rough morning."

Penny squeezed the brunette's arm. "He'll be fine, but are you okay? You haven't seemed yourself for a couple of weeks."

Amy hesitated. "Penny, could I talk to you privately?"

"Of course. Leonard, if Sheldon's ready before we get back, can you stall him?" His wife asked sweetly.

Leonard obliged as the two women proceeded across the hall.

Penny led Amy to the couch. She waited patiently for her to start. When she made no move, Penny spoke up. "What's up?"

Amy shifted in her seat, "I'm just going to come out and say it. I don't know what happened between me and Sheldon. He's been somewhat distant with me ever since our last date. Don't get me wrong. It seems like he still enjoys spending time with me, but he's reverted back to being my friend instead of more than a friend, if you get my drift."

"I get it. You really like him, don't you? And I don't mean platonically but like him like him."

Amy averted her gaze. "Yes," she whispered.

"I knew it!" Penny exclaimed.

Amy spun her head around at the other woman's outburst. "Maybe he thinks I was being too forward on our last date, and it scared him. I initiated our last kiss, but he seemed really into it. I just don't know what to believe."

"Amy, I've known Sheldon a long time. Sheldon is... how should I put this... different. Who's to say what's going on in that big ol' brain of his. But I do know this - he likes you a lot. Please don't give up on him."

"I wasn't planning on it. I just wish I knew how to bring up the subject without making either of us uncomfortable."

Penny lowered her voice even though they were alone. "I'm going to tell you something but you have to swear to me you won't tell Sheldon."

"What is it?"

"He's worried he'll never see you again once your contract expires."

"Really? Did he tell you that?"

"He did."

"I don't understand. I thought I made my feelings clear. What do you suggest I do?"

Penny patted her hand. "Just be there for him. Hopefully he'll figure it out for himself. I wish I had better advice for you."

"Thanks, Penny. I guess I just need to be patient."

They vacated the apartment just as Sheldon entered the hall, his hair damp and ruffled. Amy's hands twitched at her sides longing to reach out and touch it. "Are you ready, Sheldon?" She asked.

"Yes. I was about to come looking for you. Leonard tried to keep me from leaving the apartment, but I was too quick for his tiny legs. Is everything alright?"

"Yes."

"Good." He grabbed his keys from the bowl. "Shall we?"