[Ok. The story veered off somewhere. Not sure how to get back to the street smarts theme without dragging it on forever . As it turns out, it's easier to use existing characters than introduce new ones. Please bare with me as I figure this out. Any input appreciated. It's my first story ever. ]

Sheldon was too preoccupied with the pending talk to pay any attention to Penny's words. He headed towards Amy. When he got near, she leaned over and opened the passenger door for Sheldon to get in.

"Hello Sheldon. Come sit with me here for a while. There's something I need to tell you."

He got in and sat down facing forward. He swallowed hard. "Hello. What is this all about, Amy?" He wanted to point out how ridiculous the whole setup, just for the two to talk, was but he held it in.

"I care about you a lot, Sheldon. More than I have cared for anyone else in my life."

Sheldon did not let her finish saying what she rehearsed. "There is no need, Amy. Our relationship is very clear to both of us. I know how you feel and you know how I feel. Just tell me."

The last couple of sentences from Amy was all Sheldon needed to come to the conclusion she was about to break up with him. In his mind he was already analyzing every aspect of such an event. He wished he had a copy of their relationship agreement with him. The first step should have been the signing of the resolution of their contract he included in Appendix IX. He wanted to mention that to Amy but he also wanted to experience how less rational people went through a break-up. He decided that following Amy's lead would produce results closer to the norm.

"Let me finish the way I thought it through, Sheldon."

Sheldon turned and faced Amy. "Just tell me. There is no need to prolong our discomfort. I will understand. I promise. Please tell me."

Amy could feel him looking through her eyes and straight into her soul. And somewhere in there he was figuring out what she was trying to tell him. She knew there was no point in resisting anymore. She wouldn't be able to hold back his piercing blue stare for long. Her eyes were already filling up with tears. She had to tell him now.

She squeezed her eyes shut. "I am relocating to Boston, Sheldon. We cannot be a couple anymore." She kept them closed until he started talking.

"I understand, Amy." Sheldon said in his regular tone.

Amy started sobbing now, sniffing every so often. "I got a job..." She said after a while. She wished for some sort of emotional reaction from him but she wasn't expecting one.

Suddenly, Sheldon reached and pealed her hand off the steering wheel and held it in his. It was more than she could take. She moved her other hand and pulled him in holding on for dear life as she started crying uncontrollably. Sheldon understood that even though this public display of emotion was something he utterly despised and was expressly forbidden in their agreement he should just accept it and let Amy get it out of her system.

A couple of minutes later Amy stopped crying. "Thank you" She whispered in his ear. She pulled back and Sheldon released her hand from his grasp. Both turned to face forward.

"God I must look a mess." Amy said sniffing a couple of time and wiping her eyes with the palm of her hands.

"Don't concern yourself with your appearance, Amy."

"Thank you, Sheldon"

"We have adequate time to make yourself presentable again."

Sheldon's comment made Amy smile somehow. It reassured her that Sheldon was still his same old wacky self. The last thing she wanted was to hurt him.

"When are you leaving?" Sheldon asked.

"In two weeks... End of the month. I will sign the resolution of our contract and bring it over before I leave." she said turning in time to notice Sheldon reaction.

A slight grin formed on his face. He and Amy didn't see eye to eye most of the time but he realized she knew him, even without understanding him. He liked that about her and he was going to miss having her around.

He thought hard about Amy's offering. "You know what, Amy? That would not be necessary."

Amy was not sure she understood correctly. "What?" She asked.

"Don't bother with the contract anymore."

"But why?" Amy asked not sure why he would offer something like that.

"I want to reciprocate your offer to sign the resolution."

"It's ok Sheldon. There's no need."

"I wanted to show you how much your company influenced and changed me over the course of our relationship. My overall assessment is positive. It has been good for me, Amy."

Amy finally realized what Sheldon was saying and her heart melted. She didn't want to start crying again. She tried to put a lighter spin on the matter but she knew what giant step this was for Sheldon. And it was all her doing. "So you're telling me you may consider entering into a relationship without a written contract in the future?" She smiled.

"I willingly made so many concessions and allowed so many violations to the terms of our agreement just now. It made me realize that I did not want to enforce our relationship contract because I did not want to regulate your feelings no matter how strongly I wanted to regulate your actions."

Amy could see that talking like this was difficult for Sheldon. He kept his eyes on the tree in front of the car all the time he was talking.

It took her more than a week to make peace with the idea of breaking-up with him but it seemed Sheldon managed to come to terms with their break-up a lot faster.

"Make sure you tell your next girlfriend she has me to thank for helping you figuring that out." She laughed.

"Want to go inside? I need to freshen up." She said after a while.

"Ok."

They got out and started walking towards the entrance. Amy pulled Sheldon by the hand and stopped him from reaching for the door. "Are we still friends?" She timidly asked.

"I will always consider you my friend Dr. Fowler."

"And you will always be my friend Dr. Cooper." She said as she reached and gave him a peck on the cheek. "You know... you can be really sweet when you want to."

"I know." Sheldon stated.

She chuckled as they walked through the doors. They both walked towards the restrooms. Amy entered the ladies room to put some water on her face. Sheldon stayed outside, pulled some disinfectant wipes out of his pocket and cleaned his hands and face.

Penny saw the two walking in and made her way to the restroom corridor as well. She found Sheldon standing outside the Men's room.

"Everything ok Sheldon?" She asked.

"Yes Penny. Everything is fine. Amy and I are no longer in a relationship as I suspect you were already made aware of."

"I'm sorry Sheldon. We are friends and I wanted to warn you but I promised Amy I would let her tell you herself."

"I understand Penny. You're a good friend to both me and Amy and I did not mean to make you uncomfortable earlier. Thank you for all your help and for driving me here."

"That's what friends do silly." She gave him an affectionate rub on both arms. She didn't dare look up. She was already getting emotional.

"Please go sit at your table before I start crying." she pleaded. "I'll go check on Amy". She rushed through the door before her tears came out. "Damn lovable nerd." she thought.

She approached Amy who was splashing water on her face. She pulled 5 or 6 tissues out of the box next to her and offered them to Amy. She then pulled out a couple more and wiped her own tears away. She wanted to ask Amy how it went but she also wanted to give her time to cool down."

"Everything ok?" Penny asked.

"Yeah... I'm fine... I will be fine." She said as she was padding her face with the tissues.

"Sheldon seemed ok."

"He's a great guy. I think he suspected what I was going to tell him."

"I didn't tell him."

"I know you didn't Penny. I mean he figured it out on his own."

"He's a smart guy."

"Not only smart. He's very perceptive as well. You know, I offered to sign a resolution of our stupid relationship contract but he said it wasn't necessary. I think he didn't want to pour more salt on the wound."

"Wow."

"We didn't even discuss my new job. It didn't seem necessary. I didn't have to explain anything."

"Nicely done doctor whack-a-doodle." Penny thought and smiled. "He may be human after all."

"How do I look?" Amy asked.

"You look good... Now, let's go. Sheldon is all alone out there. He's going to start telling people how to do their job soon."

They both walked out to join Sheldon at their regular table. Amy sat down next to him.

You guys want some drinks while you wait?

"Fine. I'll have a diet virgin cuba libre. Amy?"

"I think I want a... how about a Mojito?" Amy decides, thinking how much she liked the one she had earlier today.

"Amy? Seriously? You will be moving to the capital of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts soon. Perhaps you should familiarize yourself with the state drink of your future home. Cranberry juice." Sheldon interjected.

"Ok" Amy said wanting to accommodate some of Sheldon's quirkiness one more time.

"Don't worry, I'll slutty it up." Penny whispered in her ear. "I'll go get them drinks." Penny said and walked towards the bar.

Amy was still a bit apprehensive about talking to Sheldon. She didn't want to become emotional and start crying again. "The rest of the gang should be here soon." She said nervously.

Sheldon was never good at idle chit chat. The first thing on his mind was how to minimize the disruption Amy's departure would bring to their group's social dynamics. He needed to find a way to quickly discharge the negative energy such news would bring.

"Would you like me to break the news of your departure to them?" Sheldon asked.

Amy thought about it for a while. She knew this was his way of trying to be helpful "Ok Sheldon. Thank you."

"You know you haven't even told me anything about your new job." Sheldon was primarily fishing for more details to pass to their friends as efficiently as possible but he was also a little curious himself.

Penny showed up with their drinks.

"I was about to tell Sheldon about my new job."

"You know she is going to be the boss?" Penny asked Sheldon.

"I will not be the boss. It's a huge organization. I will just lead a team of 5 researchers. That's all."

Sheldon was genuinely impressed. "It's the next logical step up in your career, Amy." He offered. "You should have grabbed the opportunity as soon as it presented itself. I do not understand your reservations at all."

"There are other things besides a career to consider, Sheldon." Amy said and took a sip from her juice. She got a funny look on her face and looked up at Penny. Penny mouthed the word 'vodka' exaggerating the movement of her lips. Amy smiled at her bestie.

"Other things are irrelevant. You cannot put your personal selfish needs above the potential benefits your research may provide to the whole human race."

"My research is not as important as you make it sound Sheldon."

"Still, the needs of many outweigh the needs of one"

"She's taking the job Sheldon." Penny jumped in. "She is just sad to leave all her friends behind. Wouldn't you miss us if you left us all behind to go win your Nobel prize?"

"I understand." Sheldon said in a softer voice.

Leonard walked in with only Howard and Bernadette. They sat down at the table. "Raj would not come out with us tonight." Leonard offered. "He's embarrassed about something."

"His injury was not that severe. It looks worse than it is. He should be fine in a couple of days" Sheldon stated calmly.

"What injury?" Amy asked.

Howard immediately jumped in interrupting Sheldon who was about to explain Raj's injury and offer his diagnosis. "He just got his ego hurt a bit. He will be fine. Let's not talk about the poor guy behind his back."

Sheldon stood up. "Before we order I have an announcement to make".

"Let them order first, Sheldon." Penny suggested.

"Yes." Amy said.

Sheldon sat back down. "Fine..." He sighed. "I'll have my usual, Penny."

Penny went around taking everyone's order. As soon as she left to get their drinks Sheldon was up on his feet again.

"Amy and I are no longer in a relationship." He started. "She is relocating to Boston to head a team in a big research organization."

The rest took their time to absorb the news. They were not sure how to react. Should they be happy or should they be sad.

Sheldon decided to push them in the right direction. "Well congratulate Amy, people. This is a big step for her." Amy smiled and everyone offered their congratulations. Bernadette who was sitting next to Amy pulled her friend close and hugged her. "Are you ok?" she whispered in her ear. "I'm fine. I'm fine." Amy whispered back.

Bernadette released Amy from her arms. "We're all going to miss you." she said speaking for everyone.

"I'm going to miss you too guys." Amy said as Penny got back with their drinks.

"Did you know already?" Bernadette asked Penny.

"She told me earlier this afternoon. We're taking her shopping for pant suits before she leaves. She's going to be ordering people around over there." Penny told Bernadette providing some comic relief for everyone.

The atmosphere throughout their dinner was quite pleasant. Leonard and Howard privately discussed whether they should ask Sheldon how he was holding up but they chose not to. There was no weird vibe present and they did not want to tempt their fate. They would get a chance to talk to him later or tomorrow at work.

The dinner service was winding down and they decided it was time to go. Amy insisted she paid for everything to celebrate her new position. The rest reluctantly accepted and thanked Amy for the dinner as well as the great time they had. The three girls set up a shopping date and Leonard left with Howard and Bernadette.

"Let's go Sheldon. Let me drive you home one last time." Amy offered.

They both walked outside. The evening air coming down from the foothills felt crisp and rejuvenating.

Sheldon sat down on one of the benches outside. He was enjoying the purity of the atmosphere. Amy was standing next to him "You're going to do great Amy." He said softly.

"Aren't you coming? I'm happy to drive you."

"I'd rather stay here a bit longer. Everything feels so pure... I'll probably walk home. It's only a 30 minute walk, depending on my pace. Stay, keep me company for a while if you want."

Amy sat down next to him on the bench. This was a side of Sheldon she never experienced before. They sat there in silence for a while. They were both thinking of the good times they had together. After a while Sheldon spoke. "I hope I'll be a better friend than I was a boyfriend". He was almost laughing.

"Are you thinking of all the crazy things we went through as well?" She asked starting to grin.

"I take it you're doing the same." Sheldon grinned back.

"Ahaha. What were we thinking Sheldon?" Amy started laughing out loud.

"Well... you wanted... you know and I wanted... you know." Sheldon was laughing as well.

"Two crazy doctors giving it a shot... We never had a chance." Amy concluded.

"I am not crazy, my mother had me tested." Sheldon corrected but this time he was not serious about the matter.

"You're too much my friend. You can make some lucky girl very happy if you wanted."

"I'm sure your soul mate is waiting for you in Boston"

"That is such a nice thing to say."

"It's true."

They sat there for another minute or so before Amy got up. "I think I'm going to go now. Are you sure I can't give you a lift?"

"I'm ok. Have a good night Amy."

"You too Sheldon" She said as she bent to give Sheldon a peck on the cheek one last time. "We'll stay in touch."

"Of course."

Amy walked to her car and drove off waving at Sheldon as she passed by. Sheldon looked up at the sky for a second before closing his eyes.

His time with Amy made him realize that he was too quick to dismiss social and personal relationships as unnecessary obstacles in his path to greatness.

He was always aware of his social ineptitude and caring for them helped him work on overcoming his shortcoming. Not only that. He genuinely enjoyed caring for his friends. And now that Amy was leaving he only had Penny and Leonard to care for.

He sensed a presence near and when he opened his eyes he saw Penny smiling down at him.

"You shouldn't sneak up on people like that. You're going to give someone a heart attack."

"You looked so peaceful, lost in your thoughts. I didn't want to disturb you"

Sheldon's features softened. "I'm sorry. You startled me. That's all." he said showing a degree of empathy Penny was not used to.

Penny sat down next to him. "Are you sure you're all right Sheldon? You seem a bit different today."

"Different?"

"Like just now. You apologized for being a little harsh on me."

He took some time to think. "I did not want to upset you." He said candidly. "When you came, I was thinking that now that Amy is leaving I will only have two friends, you and Leonard, to really care for." He did not try to hide or disguise his feelings.

Penny was overwhelmed by his admission. She was glad he was not looking at her. Penny's own feelings for her friend were swelling up inside her. She was afraid she could lose control if she continued down this road. She stood up wiping her tears away. "Come on. Let's go home."

"I was thinking of walking home."

"Are you sure? It's really late."

"Yes. I'm not very tired and I made up my mind to take a walk already."

"Ok Sheldon. Enjoy your walk."

"Thank you. Goodnight."

"Will you do me favor when you get back?"

"Hm hm"

"Please knock on my door to let me know you got back safe."

"Ok."

"Goodnight Sheldon."

Penny walked to her car and moments later she was passing in front of Sheldon on her way out of the parking lot. Her face was illuminated by the panel of her car and the warning light that was always on. Sheldon smiled and got up.

45 minutes later he lightly knocked three times on Penny's door. He didn't call out her name. He wasn't trying to get in. Everything else in the building was deadly quiet.

"Sheldon?" He heard Penny's voice coming from the other side.

They both had an ear almost touching the door.

"Yes, it's me. I made it back ok. Thank you for waiting up on me."

"Sheldon?"

"Yes?"

"I care about you too."

Penny waited a few seconds "Sweet dreams." she added.