Amy woke, hot and sweating, constricted by her sleeping bag. For a moment, she didn't know where she was, as images of her dream raced through her mind, causing her to relive her fantasy in sharp focus. Had she really imagined that she'd ever…he'd ever…hoo…She let out the soft owl like cry gently, becoming aware of the aching, sticky wetness deep within her that demanded attention. What was this man doing to her? Could she really not go one night without…relief? It never used to be this way. Too much rejection over the years had taught her there wasn't much point in wanting such things, but even so, she'd always reached her limits, when her body's resistance had gloriously broken. Almost since meeting him though, those limits had been breached more often, more rapidly and more intensely than ever before.

Amy stared up at the thin material over her head. It was still dark, but there was just a hint of light in the darkness. The camp was quiet. Instinctively, she ran one hand over her breast, caressing it, teasing it beneath her big T-shirt. Her hand went lower. Maybe, if she was very quiet…All the same, she couldn't quite contain the breathy little gasps that shook her as she dipped it lower still, sliding slippery fingers over and inside herself, harder, faster, biting down on her lip to suppress the full force of release…

Memories of their subconscious fantasies stayed with Sheldon and Amy all day, with their friends occasionally catching them unawares, but both kept their secrets. It struck Amy that whoever had written the books she'd taken as Gospel in her teens about girlfriends sharing everything together had not enjoyed sexy dreams about Sheldon Cooper, and of course, from Sheldon's point of view any such thoughts were to be locked down as best he could, hopefully never to see the light of day. Unfortunately, that was getting very difficult now.

He thought she'd started it all with her confounded experiment to increase his feelings for her, but it had started long before that, if he was honest. Apparently engrossed in one of the Superman movies, Sheldon reflected that he'd felt something the first time she'd held his hand when she'd had the sense to reject Zach, on top of the profound relief that washed over him as she came back. Then there was the first time she'd kissed him. It should have horrified him. He shouldn't have closed his eyes and for the briefest moment, kissed back, and really shouldn't have felt that first swirling deep inside, and that certain – twitching – just for a moment.

The girls returned that evening, and conscious of the state of the apartment, Sheldon organised the guys to clear it up before they came up, and sent Leonard out to get them something to eat. He smiled as his phone lit up, indicating a text from Amy informing him that they were on their way. Suddenly they were all checking their phones more often; all pleased to have their girls back soon. However, Sheldon told himself, that was no excuse for the hippy-dippy rubbish he suspected the others (Raj especially) to be sending them. As if he'd do that! Maybe he'd just check his again…

'Hey sweetie!' called Penny, first into the apartment and wrapping herself in Leonard's arms. Sheldon looked at them, and concluded that Penny must somehow be able to sense the presence of food better than he thought, racing in first like that. He rolled his eyes as the hugging and kissing continued with the arrival of Emily and Bernadette – honestly, his home was being turned in a hippy love-in – and then Amy stepped through the door.

She'd caught the sun slightly on her neck, he noticed, although didn't doubt that she'd been assiduous in sun-cream application everywhere else, and her clothes were slightly crumpled from the drive and a day outside. Telling himself he was checking for wasp stings, Poison Ivy rash, anything, Sheldon's gaze slid down her body, and he felt his own react. She looked beautiful.

'Hello Amy,' he greeted, almost shyly.

'Hello Sheldon,' she replied, blinking away the dream images that had flooded back.

'I got you Kung Po Chicken – can I get you a beverage?'

'Green Tea would be welcome, thank you.'

He crossed to the kitchen to make it and take out her meal, evicted Howard from Amy's spot on the couch, and beckoned her over next to him. Sipping her tea, it struck Amy that this beverage was their kiss, and she blushed.

'So who's for Spiderman?' Howard asked then, extracting himself from Bernadette.

The following week was a busy one for Amy who was hard at work preparing for the upcoming symposium in just under a month's time, and Penny, starting rehearsals with an experimental theatre group in Malibu. Apparently, this group had made quite a name for itself on the alternative scene, and Penny hoped to be featured in a local What's On guide, as a reporter was due to visit. Amy's work, her Korean class, Pilates and wedding preparation all conspired to keep her busy, and once again the chance to get to the bottom of Sheldon's results slipped by.

Sheldon had been busy too. He was into the last few weeks of his sabbatical, and had to complete such mundane tasks as going to Caltech and getting various details changed on the system in preparation for his return, meeting his new Head of Department (maybe he'd be more open to suggestions than Gablehouser) and examining its facilities. He'd also been continuing his lessons with Mike, and slowly but surely, improving his ability to control a car. More importantly, after scouring the Internet, he'd found Amy the perfect present to wear at the symposium, and was giving serious thought to this month's Date Night. It was the last one before the probationary period was up, and he had to maximise his chances of a favourable outcome. No doubt she was in the process of compiling a comprehensive report on his performance over the past few months - he would expect nothing less.

While there, he met the rest of the guys for lunch.

'Hey Sheldon!' exclaimed Leonard. 'What brings you here?'

'While I should be able to concentrate on more important matters, I apparently have to complete certain administrative procedures before my return,' Sheldon explained, inspecting his lunch closely.

'Do you know of any new kitchen staff being hired recently?' he continued. He'd approved of each member of the Caltech catering staff before he left, but anything could have happened in his absence – what if their standards weren't acceptable?

'No, I don't think so,' replied Leonard, trying to avoid an impromptu kitchen inspection. Sheldon didn't need to make a scene before he was even officially due back.

'So, what did you think of the Astrophysics Department?' asked Raj eagerly. 'Pretty cool, right?'

Sheldon gave one of his rare smiles. 'Yes, actually it was,' and then thought of something. 'Do you know if Dr McNamara has a suggestion box?'

'Uh, no, sorry dude,' Raj shrugged.

'Well I think he should. I'll raise it with him when I start back.'

'Hey, did you guys see the email that went round this morning?' asked Howard then, not wishing to get into a debate about the need for a Cosmology/Astrophysics suggestion box.

'Oh yeah, about the Paintball tournament!' Leonard replied eagerly. 'Dr Harper is leaving next month to lecture in Europe, so the Geology Department are trying to organise an inter-faculty competition as a kind of send-off!'

'Seriously?' Sheldon asked incredulously. 'The gravel monkeys think they can take us on?'

'Yeah – you wanna play?' Howard continued. 'We can even get the girls involved – maximum of eight in a team!'

'But they're not members of the faculty.'

Howard shrugged. 'Doesn't say they need to be.'

'That's cool!' exclaimed Leonard. 'Penny's a great shot – her Dad always used to take her out hunting as a kid!'

'Yeah, and Bernie's Dad taught her down at the Precinct! What about it? Reckon Amy and Emily'd go for it?'

'Yeah, sure!' grinned Raj. 'She can pretend she's in a Zombie movie!' He was really quite proud to have a girlfriend who appreciated zombies, and other assorted creatures, even if it was a welcome change when she'd agreed to watch Chicago the other evening.

'What about Amy?' asked Leonard. 'Would she play?'

Sheldon hesitated a moment. 'I don't know,' he said, looking down at his food. What if she got hurt? Paintballing could leave nasty bruises, and he didn't want to think of her soft skin discoloured and painful. It would be nice though, to share something he loved with her, and she might surprise him.

'OK,' he finished, reaching a decision. 'I'll ask her. When is it?'

'Next weekend,' Leonard replied. 'I'm gonna go text Penny!'

Amy had been surprised to receive a text from Sheldon later that day inviting her to Paintball, and had been somewhat hesitant until she confirmed that the rest of the girls would be going. She blushed then as she remembered how pleased and excited he'd sounded when she called back and told him she would play.

Smiling, she returned her attention to the results from the latest batch of REM study test subjects. Interestingly, a number of them showed the same tell-tale spike in activity that she'd seen in Sheldon's results, and a high proportion of the subjects concerned reported experiencing the symptoms mentioned by Dr Mee. Amy looked at the graphs thoughtfully. Maybe she could borrow the EEG equipment again, using herself as a control? It wouldn't form part of the official study, of course, but could help with understanding Sheldon's results. She looked it up in the equipment register, and arranged to borrow it the following week. Of course, Amy considered, she may get nothing from it, but if her dreams at Big Bear were anything to go by, it was worth a try.

The following Saturday dawned quite cloudy and humid, and by the afternoon, as the gang were due to start the competition there was a hint of rain in the air. Gathered with the rest of their team in a small corrugated iron hut, Amy hid a smile as she witnessed 'Major Cooper' briefing his troops. She'd noticed the little insignia he'd presumably sewn on himself, and couldn't help but think how cute it was. Silly, but cute. She rather liked hearing him take command too, and he looked quite nice in 'uniform'.

'And so in order to maximise the advantage we have in Penny and Bernadette's shooting skills,' he ordered, nodding at the two girls, 'I suggest you take the tree line approach over here and then you, Howard, Raj, you cover with fire from here,' he continued, pointing at a map of the park on his iPad.

'Leonard, Emily, you take the path down by the stream, and you, Amy, stay with me,' Sheldon finished, pretending not to notice the grin that passed between Howard and Raj as he said it.

'If the hut's a-rockin', don't come a-knockin'!' Howard muttered to Raj as they left, causing an explosive snort of laughter that earned him a glare from Sheldon.

'Raj, do you want to give our position away?'

SPLAT! Amy couldn't help but feel a little surge of adrenaline later as she caught one of the Geology team just emerging from behind a tree. She got one! This game wasn't so bad after all! Of course, she was with Sheldon, and caught the look of admiration in his eyes as he noticed her efforts. Amy had her hair back in a high ponytail, like Penny, but to his mind she looked so much better. And she was bringing the feldspar jockeys down! Sheldon felt a kick of adrenaline that had nothing to do with the game as she ran up to join him, mesmerised by the way parts of her jiggled and bounced.

'Hey Lieutenant Fowler!' he exclaimed, greeting her with a smile. 'Good job!'

'Lieutenant Fowler? Really?' Amy laughed.

'Battlefield promotion,' Sheldon replied simply. 'You're doing great out there!' Their eyes met, but the moment was broken by a sudden clap of thunder and Geology reinforcements rushing through the trees.

'C'mon,' he ordered, indicating a high ridge above them. 'We can see them better up there!' As they reached the top of the slope, the heavens opened, and the storm that had been threatening all day finally broke. The rain burst onto the dry earth and twigs underfoot, making it damp and slippery. Under attack now, they raced from tree to tree along the ridge, every now again returning rapid fire. Sheldon's praise, coupled with their adversaries closing on them from behind, sent Amy's pulse racing too, and she didn't notice the slope falling away beneath her, suddenly skidding and sliding right into a tree.

She let out a sharp cry as the visor smacked against her forehead, and felt her eyes close, dimly aware of raised voices and rushing feet.

'Amy! Amy, are you OK?'