"Hi Sheldon…"
Sheldon slowly looked up at the sound of that familiar voice.
"Hello Amy " he said with a weak smile.
Amy set her bag down and walked hesitantly forward. She swallowed the lump in her throat before speaking.
"I know today's agenda calls for a university lecture, but do you mind if we just talk for a little bit?
Sheldon out of instinct headed towards Amy and reached out his hand ever so slightly. For the first time Amy either didn't notice or she chose not to take it.
Amy was without a plan and didn't know where to begin. She walked right past him and peered out the window behind Sheldon's desk. She was trying to focus on anything and everything but him.
Amy forced words to come out of her mouth, "I talk to Penny today and she was making some very valid points… about life.
She fought the pain she felt in her heart and continued, "More specifically… about us."
Sheldon made his way over to Amy and stood next to her in front of the window. His mind was working as if putting puzzle pieces together.
"I don't think it's a coincidence that I too had a conversation today with Leonard about that very same topic."
Amy turned to look up at Sheldon, but once she turned to meet his gaze she couldn't focus. Amy tried to speak but it came out in an incoherent stutter.
Taking a deep breath she apologized, "I'm sorry Sheldon, I'm having trouble formulating my words today. I need to sit down."
Sheldon gestured to offer his desk chair but Amy had already taken a seat on the floor. Unsure what to do or say next he quietly took a seat next to her.
Amy was the first to break the silence that passed between them, "I'm sorry Sheldon. For all those times I've pushed you out of your comfort zone. I'm sorry and you deserve better than that."
Sheldon closed his eyes and desperately searched for the courage to say something, anything, "I'm sorry Amy. I'm sorry for all the times you've wanted more and not being able to give it to you."
Amy tried to mask her words with fake confidence. She thought maybe if she sounded confident, she would believe what she was about to say.
"Penny says that I'll be happier, that we will both be happier."
Sheldon picked up where she left off, "One things for sure, nothing will change. We'll still be the very best of friends and we'll still share late night conversations over tea, and still play counterfactuals and go to the zoo together and … and…" Sheldon's voice trailed off.
Amy tried her best not to give away any hint of the pain she was feeling.
She wanted desperately to end the conversation before she burst into tears. She managed to get the words out of her mouth, "So it's decided then, better off just friends?" It came out more as a statement then a question.
All Sheldon could give was a half nod in acknowledgement to what was being said.
Amy stood up before adding, "I know we were suppose to attend that lecture today, do you mind if we take a rain check?"
Sheldon stood up and nodded his head in agreement.
He watched Amy pick her bag up off the floor as he leaned against the wall for support.
Amy turned to Sheldon and offered a half smile.
"Good Day Sheldon Cooper."
"Good Day Amy Farrah Fowler"
He watched as she draped her bag over her shoulder and started to turn away from him. Without even realizing, her name once again escaped his mouth. Sheldon called out, "Amy…"
Turning once again towards the sound of her name Amy paused.
Sheldon took in a deep breath before continuing,
"Amy, in a world where I didn't have so many phobias and wasn't such a coward. I would tell you everyday how much you mean to me and that I love you."
The sides of Amy's lips titled into a soft smile and she said, " and in that world, id be patient and confident and… and beautiful. A million times more beautiful then Penny even."
Sheldon locked his eyes onto Amy's and responded, "That already exists in my world."