3

Sheldon stood on his threshold, watching Amy cross the hall. Arriving at Penny's, she turned around to face him.

"No, no, no!" he protested. "You have to go into Penny's apartment so I can collect you as a proper date should!" Sheldon shook his head as he adjusted his suit coat once more. Amy had that silly, besotted grin on her face he'd come to associate with himself. She never smiled like that at anyone else. And she better not! he thought. There'd been that time when Leonard had escorted Amy to a wedding, where he'd shown some interest in his girlfriend. Good thing he nipped that in the bud!

It took four steps to cross the hall, and three knocks before Amy was standing in front of him once more. Maybe it was the dramatic flair with which she opened the door, maybe it was the sparkle in her eyes, but Sheldon felt his stomach clench and mouth go dry. He'd always found Amy attractive, but tonight she was especially so, and seeing her in that doorway for the second time this evening, drove home how beautiful she was, in every way.

Sheldon had a difficult time finding his voice, and it came out hoarse. "Good evening, Dr. Fowler."

Amy inclined her head. "Dr. Cooper."

Feeling a smile cross his lips at her use of his title, Sheldon offered Amy his arm. "May I escort you to the prom?" Amy was practically vibrating with excitement, her grin stretched from ear-to-ear as she slipped her arm through his. This is how it should have been the first time, Sheldon thought. Even Leonard was more suave than I was!

Walking beside Amy as they ascended towards the roof, he almost reached out and moved her hand from the crook of his arm to his hand, but stopped himself. There had been enough hippy activity today. He didn't need to go out of his way to add to it.

Where on Earth had those four words come from? he wondered as they rounded the landing to the fifth floor. It had to have been the panic attack, he reasoned. All that hyperventilating must have deprived my brain of much needed oxygen. The sight of Amy in that dress certainly had taken his breath away. And now, thanks to his unbidden words, they were venturing on a whole other trajectory. And he was scared. Sure, she said she wasn't expecting coitus at the end of the evening, but she'd also said she was always hoping. Didn't one cancel out the other?

Amy looked up, smiling at him, and Sheldon felt his insides squirm again. If this was his reaction to a smile, what was he going to do when they were dancing? He knew there was no way he was going to be able to get out of it. Even if he had a viable excuse, his friends wouldn't let him leave Amy a second time in the same night. His biggest secret had been confessed, how much more difficult would it be to take her in his arms and dance with her? He knew all the steps, what was he so afraid of?

The door to the roof was open, and as they stepped onto the metal surface, Sheldon found he was impressed with the transformation Amy and Bernadette had wrought. Seeing them in the doorway, Penny cried,

"Look who's here!" Everyone turned, and cheered while Raj called out,

"Let's get this party started!" Some fast techno beat blasted from the massive speakers Howard had set up, and Sheldon realized he was going to have to shout for Amy to hear him. He certainly hoped the neighbors were feeling tolerant or the sound of sirens would be added to the bass.

Leaning forward to speak into Amy's ear, Sheldon felt her shiver as he spoke. "Would you like some punch?" It was really a clever ruse to get near the punch bowl so he might spike it, but as long as he was there he might as well get her a drink and kill several birds with one stone—add the pomegranate juice, and get Amy a beverage, while fulfilling his social obligation of being solicitous to his date. He was brilliant, as always.

Surreptitiously, Sheldon removed the flask from the pocket in his jacket. Casting a glance around the "dance floor," he noted everyone was either dancing or busy talking. That was when he spotted Amy talking to Penny. He had to get Amy away from her. While he believed Amy would keep her promise about not blabbing to Penny tonight, he didn't trust the blonde to not wheedle information out of his girlfriend. Amy was notoriously weak where Penny was concerned. Much like Leonard. One disapproving look from Penny and they both caved. Regardless who witnessed him adding the purple juice to the punch, Sheldon quickly emptied the flask, and tucked it back in his suit coat, heading over to Amy.

Without preamble, Sheldon burst in on their conversation. "Amy! May I have this dance?" At first he could see she was going to reprimand him for interrupting their conversation, then smile as his words sunk in.

"Penny, will you excuse us?"

"Sure," she said, crossing her arms, and leaning back on one foot to watch them. "I'd love to see you try to dance to this, Sheldon. You'll look like a bug on a hot skillet."

Taking his hand, Amy led him to where the others were dancing. "We'll show her, won't we?"

Once they were in the middle of the roof, Sheldon began to wonder if this had been his best course of action. He couldn't seem to find a beat, and he indeed felt as though he was an insect in contact with a hot surface. Amy wasn't doing much better, but didn't seem to care. He sincerely hoped "dancing" wasn't one of the criteria one was judged on when it came to the election of Prom King.

Mercifully, the song was short-lived, but DJ Raj pulled a fast one, and switched the tempo to some romantic song that was so slow, even swaying back and forth seemed like too much movement.

Sheldon felt trapped. There was no way he could gracefully decline the slow dance with Amy, and Raj had known that. Casting the grinning man a baleful stare, he wrapped his arm around Amy, resting his hand on the small of her back. There was no way he was going to let her hang off him like the rest of the women were doing with their dates. Even Stuart's companion, whom Sheldon had never met, seemed quite friendly with the former comic book purveyor.

"This is so romantic," Amy sighed, and made a move to loop her arms around his neck like Emily, Penny and Bernadette had with their men.

"Now, hold it right there, little lady. Just because the rest of these rubes don't know how to hold a proper dance frame, doesn't mean we have to follow their poor example."

"Fine," she huffed, straightening her back and putting some tension in her right arm. He could see she was disappointed, and it wasn't just the way she was eyeing the other couples dancing with their bodies touching. It was in the way her formerly smooth steps now seemed mechanical, like she was dancing with some clumsy thirteen year-old at his bar mitzvah. He'd resolved to give Amy a night she would remember, but wasn't dancing in itself a concession? Thankfully, the song ended and he could suggest they go visit the photo booth.

xxxxxx

Penny and Leonard ended their dance, heading for the refreshment table. Eyeing the selection, it wasn't difficult for Penny to realize Raj had volunteered to arrange for the food. That man does have a talent, she thought, and briefly wondered if she should put Raj in charge of their wedding reception. As soon as the thought entered her mind, she dismissed it, realizing all the food would consist of bad puns and sci-fi themes. Still, he'd done a nice job this evening and she would enjoy it.

Across the way, Penny watched Sheldon and Amy as they waited for their chance to have their picture taken, and was shocked to witness Sheldon's hand on Amy's back as he ushered her forward for their photo.

Roughly grabbing Leonard's arm, Penny barely controlled her volume. "Oh, my God, Leonard! Do you SEE that?" Looking around the rooftop, Leonard didn't seem to be witnessing what she was.

"What?" he asked, still not focusing in on where she was pointing.

"Sheldon and Amy!" she squeaked. Leonard turned to look at the couple, but still didn't seem to notice what was right in front of him.

Penny was fanning her face, blinking back tears. "He's got his hand on her back!"

"Huh. Would you look at that?" Leonard said, gazing at his fiancee. "Sheldon turned out to be a real boy after all."

"It's so touching he's being nice to her," Penny sighed, wondering why common curtesy should suddenly be considered romantic. But then again, it was Sheldon.

Leaning in, Penny whispered, "You know, after all the coaching I was giving Amy, I was starting to feel like a sex ed teacher."

"Sheldon was asking me a lot of questions too. Not about what to do—like that's ever going to happen! More about the usual expectations that come with prom. I think he really doesn't want to disappoint Amy." Just then Bernadette walked up, helping herself to a glass of punch.

"How come this stuff is such a weird color?"

"It was Sheldon," Leonard said, taking a sip from his own cup.

Holding her glass up to the light and inspecting the liquid, Bernadette sounded incredulous. "Sheldon spiked the punch?"

"Don't worry," Leonard said. "It's just pomegranate juice. That's why it's that strange purple color."

Bernadette took a tentative taste. "It's actually pretty good. But why. . ."

"He's trying to have every prom experience in one night. Probably so he doesn't ever have to do it again," Leonard informed her.

"Every prom experience?" Bernie said, raising her eyebrows at Penny.

"Well, every one but that," she said.

"Hmmm," Bernadette merely hummed, twisting back and forth. "Amy looks happy. I'm glad. If it wasn't her and Sheldon, I would have suspected they'd had a quickie." Penny choked on her punch which, unfortunately, she had just taken a drink of. Once she caught her breath, she turned to Bernadette.

"I don't think it's as far out as it used to be."

Suddenly, Bernadette's attention was riveted to her. "Did she say something? Did he say something?"

Penny finished off her drink, setting the empty glass on the end of the table. "Not in so many words, but look at them! Have you ever seen Sheldon be so attentive to her?"

"You're right. It's almost like he's realized it's a real date or something," Bernadette agreed.

Leonard leaned over, giving Penny's cheek a kiss. "I'm gonna go talk to the guys for a minute." Squeezing his hand, Penny smiled her farewell.

"I've got an idea," Bernie said, drawing her in closer. "Let's make sure Sheldon and Amy win as King and Queen."

"Really? You don't think with all the charm that is Sheldon Cooper, he couldn't win on his own?"

Bernadette lightly slapped her arm. "Come on! Amy deserves this! And if Sheldon wins as well, there's nothing we can do about it." She had a point, Penny thought. If Sheldon didn't win, he'd go on endlessly about how it's a stupid tradition, and the whole prom idea was stupid and how he'd been tricked by Amy to waste his time with something they all should have been over years ago.

On the other hand, a smug Sheldon could be just as insufferable. The difference being, Amy's dreams wouldn't be crushed. She could live with a little more arrogance from Sheldon for Amy's sake, she reasoned. There was always more wine out there.

"Okay, so how do we do this?" Penny asked.

Bernadette was already gathering ballots from the tote they'd used to transport decorations for the party. "We'll pass these out, encouraging people to vote for Sheldon and Amy, and if they don't, we'll just say they won anyway."

"I guess," Penny conceded, her voice lacking any enthusiasm.

The look on Bernadette's face turned into a scowl. "What?"

Penny fluffed the hem of her dress. "Well, it's just that I thought it would be nice if Leonard could be king."

"Oh, and then you'd get to be queen again, is that it?" Bernie growled.

"Well, I suppose, but that's not why. . ."

"Listen miss I've-been-to-seven-proms! It's Amy's turn! I'd say it was mine, but I'm married!" All of Bernadette's shouting must have been heard over the music, because now everyone was looking at them. Casting a glance at Penny, Bernadette smiled sweetly and announced,

"It's time to vote for King and Queen!" Bernie thrust a stack of cards printed with everyone's names into Penny's hand. She knew Bernadette was right, that Amy deserved some attention, but so did Leonard and the rest of them. She wished she could think of a way they could all win, but that wasn't an option. Passing out cards, Penny gave no "recommendations" for whom to vote for. She was fairly certain each couple would be voting for themselves.

Taking a seat on one of the lawn chairs that had been set up, Penny joined Leonard, his card still blank. Leaning over, he spoke quietly.

"Look, I know it's not ethical or anything, but I was thinking Sheldon and Amy. . ."

"Already taken care of," she answered, looking in the opposite direction as she spoke to him, like a spy at a rendezvous. Turning to face him, Penny saw Leonard marking his card for his roommate.

"Just in case no one believes he was voted for," he said with a wry grin. Penny showed him her card.

"Just so you know who I really wanted to win." Leonard's eyes were shining as she leaned over, placing a gentle kiss on his lips. "You'll always be my prom king," she whispered.

Bernadette came back around to collect the cards, glaring at Penny as she noted her selections. "It doesn't matter," she whispered to her through gritted teeth. "You can change it to whoever you want."

Tapping the cards on the refreshment table, Bernadette made a show of dividing the cards into two, then three piles. One had noticeably more cards, and Penny surmised it was the fake Sheldon and Amy pile.

Watching every move Bernadette was making, Amy was practically bouncing on her toes. "Who is it?" Amy asked excitedly, and Penny suddenly felt better about what they'd planned.

"Hold on!" Bernie barked, then forced a smile, her voice instantly lighter. "The King and Queen of the 'Enchantment Under the Stars' prom is. . . ." She paused for dramatic effect, then announced, "Sheldon Cooper and Amy Farrah Fowler!" The crowd didn't exactly go wild, but there was at least polite applause, and Sheldon looked like he was about to burst.

"Oh I knew it!" he crowed. "This is the most magical night ever!" Sheldon ran forward, leaving Amy where they'd been standing on the dance floor, but then he stopped, turning around to include her. Extending his hand, he took hers and they quickly walked to where Bernadette was standing with two chintzy party store plastic crowns.

"Oh, my, God!" Penny issued again. The phrase seemed to be all she could say where Sheldon and Amy were concerned. Leonard looked over at her, shaking his head in disbelief.

"Okay, that one I saw. I can't believe he waited for her!" He watched Sheldon with his mouth hanging open. "Sheldon really did come as an alien," he muttered. "He's been body-snatched."

"Stop it!" she hissed. "At least he remembered her!"

Amy and Sheldon stood facing their gathered friends, and Penny mused it was Sheldon who looked more like Cinderella than Amy did, standing there with his hands clenched into fists, bobbing with excitement and gushing over the honor. Right before he broke into some pseudo acceptance speech.

"I can't thank you enough for this honor! Not that it wasn't expected." He flinched and Penny noted Amy's elbow was near his ribs. "Well, we thought it was inevitable," he added. There was another jab and Sheldon let out an exaggerated "ow! What is it now? I didn't leave you out!"

"Sheldon," she hissed, "A little humility will go a long way."

"Okay, fine," he sighed. "We'd like to thank you for this honor." His voice was deadpan. Looking back at his date, he didn't even bother to lower his voice. "Happy now?" Amy was all smiles as she sidled up to him, grasping his arm.

Bernadette placed a crown on Amy's head, and if it was possible, she smiled even broader. Sheldon had to practically get on his knees for Bernie to place his crown, but he was so jubilant he didn't even complain.

"Thank you all again, " Sheldon began, "But I would like to remind you all, the title of 'King' is hereditary, not an elected office. In fact. . ."

"Raj! Bernadette snapped, "I think it's time for their dance!"

"Right!" he called, not needing any encouragement to distract Sheldon.

"But I'm not finished with my acceptance speech!" Sheldon wailed.

"Yeah, yeah, we all know it's technically incorrect," Penny said, shooing him towards the dance area. "Just go dance with Amy." Surprisingly, that had elicited a tender smile, and Penny was beginning to wonder if Leonard's theory of body snatching didn't have some basis in fact.

Sheldon turned to his date, offering his hand, and shyly asking, "Amy? May I have this dance?" The strains of "The Way You Look Tonight" wafted from the speakers as she took his hand, still smiling so much, Penny wondered if Amy's face wasn't going to hurt the next day. With a flourish, Sheldon spun Amy around, and pulled her in to take a standard dance position. Then it all seemed to fall apart. Sheldon moved forward, but Amy didn't seem to step back in time to the music and she was suddenly all left feet. Penny hadn't been watching them earlier, but she had seen the two of them dancing the cha-cha before. True, this was a different rhythm, but it seemed as though Amy was marching to her own beat.

xxxxxx

Sheldon pulled Amy in a little closer, tightening his left arm to give her a little more structure. "Relax," he said softly, causing Amy to look up at him. Her doubtful face made his heart ache, and he knew how she felt. Finally having the spotlight, and she felt she was blowing it.

"It's a foxtrot," he coached.

"I've never danced a foxtrot before," she said, her eyes impossibly wide.

Sheldon smiled. "It's not that hard. When I move forward, you back up." He took two steps forward, then one to the left, pulling his other foot over to change weight and begin the sequence again. Amy still seemed to have her weight on the wrong feet, so he stopped.

"They rhythm is slow, slow, quick, quick. Or side, together if you prefer."

Amy was looking at her feet. "This is so embarrassing," she mumbled.

"You're doing fine," he encouraged. "Now, don't look at your feet. Look at me and we'll try it again." Amy gave him a ghost of a smile, the one that always drove him a little crazy, and Sheldon hoped he didn't get so distracted that he became the one fumbling for footing.

Concentrating on the song, he moved forward, quietly calling out the steps for her. "Slow, slow, side, together." After a few reputations, she had the beat and he simply moved with her. With each step, she gained more confidence and her tiny smile grew.

"I think I've got it!"

"You do indeed, Amy Farrah Fowler," he smiled down at her.

Amy's face turned a delicate shade of pink. "Why do I think you're not talking about the dance?" she whispered.

Leaning closer, he spoke softly into her ear. "Because you'd be right. And you really do look lovely." Suddenly, he felt a little hesitant. Where was all this clap-trap coming from, anyway? Years ago he'd teasingly called her a vixen, but tonight she really was acting the part. Maybe it was the relief to have finally voiced what he'd suspected for some time now.

He distinctly remembered the day he'd figured out he loved her. They'd just finished a late night Skype session before bed, and he'd been mulling over their conversation as he went through his night time rituals. There'd been a mild argument, but he'd talked Amy around to his point of view and was feeling triumphant. It wasn't until he was replaying their exchange over in his thoughts, he realized she had been pretending to disagree with him to get him to expound on what she already knew. She'd been playing with him, and rather than be angry, as he would have been if say Leonard or one of the others had done the same thing, he found it endearing. And that had been the eye-opener. He'd pulled out a notebook, filling the page with doodles and equations. He looked over his work three times. It wasn't a brain parasite. If the evidence was to be believed, he was in love with Amy.

He couldn't tell her of course. In the first place he wasn't entirely convinced there wasn't some other explanation for why he felt so happy when he was in a room with her. It could be his innate knowledge she had Yoo Hoo in her refrigerator. Or that she'd tossed out the strawberry Quik syrup in favor of the powder. Just because he looked forward to seeing her didn't mean he was in love with her.

But as the weeks went by, he seemed to find fewer and fewer alternative explanations, and he'd come to accept what he felt for Amy was love. And there was no way she could ever find out, or she would forever pester him to have coitus. The idea was no longer as off-putting as it had once been, but that didn't mean he was ready to plan a boy/girl sleep-over. Even after all the strides they'd made so far this evening, he still wasn't ready.

"Thank you, Sheldon," Amy said, even pinker than a moment ago, and her words fractured his reverie. The song was ending and before they could end their solo dance, Raj started another tune, this one much faster. Soon, the others were joining them, moving enthusiastically to the beat. And if there were a few wild elbows and knees in their dance moves, no one seemed to care.