Author's note: Sorry for the delay. I was caught up with the Walking Dead Marathon and had to rely on Shamy Appreciation Week on Tumblr to get my groove back. Out of town visitors however don't allow for uninterrupted writing time. I'm back and we'll be rolling now. I hope you enjoy it. Thank you for your reviews.

Disclaimer: The Big Bang Theory and all characters, plots and creative elements derived from the source material belong exclusively to their respective owners. I own nothing except maybe a few characters I will throw in myself.

"She drives me crazy, Like no one else, She drives me crazy, And I can't help myself"

She Drives Me Crazy – Fine Young Cannibals

Amy reached her car unsure if she was encased in elation or relief. Tense and eager to reach her apartment she darted through the streets of Pasadena at alarming speed coming to an abrupt stop at a light four blocks from her home. She gasped for breath realizing her recklessness and good fortune as she had neither, been injured or ticketed. The thought of Sheldon reprimanding her for her scofflaw behavior made her blurt out loud.

"Cuddles you don't know what a naughty vixen I've been", she then unraveled into a fit of giggles.

As she entered her apartment she was in much better spirits but decided to go directly to bed. She didn't want to extend the day any further as enjoyable as the afternoon had been she struggled with her evening exchanges with Sheldon. She hadn't planned tonight's conversation as she was apt to be deliberate about serious dialogues but Sheldon had unhinged her emotionally for three years and at times she felt that her brain circuitry had become possessed by a thirteen year old girl. When she was with the girls she could excuse herself the frivolity of reliving a college life she did not get to experience. With Sheldon everything was different and now she worried about what to expect from him the next day. She was afraid to revel in the tender moments so as not to elevate her hopes because she was also afraid that he may completely withdraw. Never mind that his declarations and hugs had seemed so sincere, so comforting it was just that this was all new for Sheldon and Amy could not be certain that in the light of day he may regret exposing this part of himself to her.

I'm home. Sleep well.

He responded.

Pleasant dreams.

Once she had texted Sheldon she began looking on her ipod for suitable songs to help her succumb to slumber. She turned on her radio aaah the voice of summer as her grandfather used to say. The Dodgers were in town and though Amy did not follow baseball she did love listening to games called by Vin Scully. She spent many summer evenings with her grandfather enjoying the games on radio. From her perspective she admired the melodic soothing tone of his broadcast voice, his almanac of knowledge and his ability to weave facts and anecdotes together into a poetic rhythm.

She heard the crack of the bat. Someone had hit a home run and the crowd was going wild. A grand slam home run and the broadcast booth went quiet. After a few moments she heard Vin say,

"I have learned over the years that there comes a rare and precious moment where there is absolutely nothing better than silence…"

And with those wise words and the sound of the game quietly playing in the background Amy fell asleep.

Early the next morning Amy arrived at Sheldon's door with her arms laden with two flats of fresh ripe strawberries. She had risen at dawn to make a trek out to the farmer's market and was happy to secure her morning breakfast and a surprise for Sheldon. With her arms full she balanced herself and knocked on the door with her foot.

Sheldon greeted her with surprise and glee. "Amy! Let me help you."

She followed him to the kitchen where he placed the boxes he had taken from her, next to the sink.

"These are beautiful. Where did you find them?"

"I was early enough at the Farmer's Market to locate this batch so we can make an inaugural attempt at canning some Fowler-Cooper preserves."

"A little culinary science from two great minds and the best part is that with Leonard gone we won't have to share."

Sheldon broadened his smile and looked adorningly into Amy's eyes.

"Amy, this is thoughtful of you and I'd like to make you breakfast. I was just having some Alpha-bits but I'll gladly make you anything you'd like."

"Thank you Sheldon but I already had some coffee and as soon as I wash these strawberries. I'll have myself a bowl."

"All right then. You have the kitchen to yourself for now. I may have to make some sourdough bread later to complement our endeavor. I'm getting ready to re-watch some episodes of Dr. Who before we head out."

Sheldon sauntered to the couch with his bowl of cereal while Amy busied herself in the kitchen. Searching for some colanders and a pot she repeatedly dunked and thoroughly rinsed the strawberries. When she was done she hulled them then carefully patted them dry then laid them out on paper towels. She began to clean up the tools she had used washing, drying and storing them in their proper place before preparing anything for herself.

Sheldon had forgotten to turn on the DVR as he drank in her presence and the efficiency of her actions. It was like watching her work in the lab. On his lunchtime visits with her he would observe her meticulous motions for organizing data and equipment before settling down for their leisurely lunches. She was the only person close to him that awed him even when she did simple tasks and when in her lab, to use the vernacular favored by Raj, "she owned it". Sheldon chuckled to himself as he registered this thought.

Those lunches were one of the reasons he had agreed to driving lessons. No one had managed to successfully help him with his driving impediment which he postulated was not worthy of his attention anyway. The problem was that his jaunts to share lunches with Amy required three hour blocks of time. He needed to take a cab in both directions so he could at least spend sixty to ninety minutes with her. Generally on those days he would stay later at work and then take the bus home. He hated the bus and wanted the freedom of seeing Amy whenever he wanted. She had suggested other reasons so he agreed to her logic without having to state that it would simply be easier for them to be together. My vixen he thought as he watched her finish with the dishes. That glorious posterior he thought as he watched her finish with the dishes.

Amy completed the cleaning and dried her hands. She picked a dozen succulent strawberries and placed them in a bowl. Holding the bowl she opened the fridge searching for the spray canned whipped-crème which she grabbed then headed to join Sheldon on the couch.

"Oh, you haven't started it?" she questioned as she put her supplies down along with some napkins and sat perched at the edge of the couch on her spot.

"Uh no. I was waiting for you." He answered as he turned on the program. Amy offered him the bowl of strawberries but he shook negatively as his mouth was full of cereal.

Amy picked up a strawberry and carefully used the whipped-crème to paint what looked like a smiley face with a long white night cap for a hat. Sheldon was giving her a wry one sided smile which she returned. Then to her surprise he opened his mouth as if requesting her amuse-bouche creation for himself so she fed it to him.

"mmm" he moaned while he chewed.

Amy smiled picked another larger berry and bit the top half.

"mmm sweet" she moaned and Sheldon nodded.

Before her next bite she sprayed it with a large dollop of whipped-crème and prepared to eat it when Sheldon aggressively bumped her knee. She frowned at him only to see his eyebrows raised and his mouth open. She shook her head "no".

Sheldon's mouth closed and his jaw set. She smiled but ignored him so she could eat her berry. He snatched it from her and plopped it in his mouth.

"Sheldon!"

"So goooood" he mumbled obnoxiously goading her.

Amy said nothing. She was waiting for him to choke or go into convulsions. She was certain he had seen her take a bite out of the berry first. At any moment she expected that he would react to the possibility of germ contamination. Nothing.

Amy prepared herself another smiley-faced berry and once again Sheldon bumped her knee.

"No Sheldon." she said suppressing an annoyed giggle until she looked at him once again sitting with his mouth open. She relented.

Except that instead of placing the berry in his mouth she left the dollop of whipped-crème on his nose and then ate the berry herself. She chewed and giggled when she saw his eyes fly open.

"That was rude" he said grabbing a napkin to clean his nose

"I was rude?" she laughed while she ate another strawberry. In that moment Sheldon grabbed the whipped-crème canister and she noticed a devilish twinkle in his eye.

"Here" she offered the berry in her hand. He shook his head "no". Amy scooted to the opposite end of the couch after seeing a devilish grin spread on his face.

"What are you doing?"

"Miss Fowler, I don't want to be rude. I want to return the favor." He snarled playfully.

Amy narrowly dodged his grip as he lunged to grab her wrist. She stood and ran towards the front door. He stood and walked purposefully towards her.

"Sheldon, what are you thinking? We have a busy day. I don't want to get messy."

"It will be tidy if you accept your due without a struggle. Don't make me chase you. Come here." He commanded, as he stood in the middle of the living room head tilted to one side.

Amy considered her options. One, rush at him, knock him to the floor so she could roll around with him on that blue rug and have a dirty make-out session. Or two, distract him and find some way to escape the situation. She preferred option one but had to settle for number two.

He began to move towards her again and in an instant Amy threw the berry she had in her hand at him. He ducked. She ran towards the back window.

The berry smashed the wall next to the refrigerator and slid down the wall leaving a trail of bright red juices.

"Amy Farrah Fowler, that is a strike! This is the kind of mess that stains!"

Sheldon rushed to the kitchen for paper towels and spray cleaner.

Amy opened the window and hid under the desk where the Apple computer sat. She knew she was in trouble now. She thought maybe I can ask to be disciplined. Hugging her knees she silently giggled wondering what fate he would have in store for her.

"I have been far too lenient with you so this is two strikes! First strike is for the mess and second for the waste of a perfectly delicious strawberry!"

He completed his cleaning as his rant on waste and food fights continued. Once done he washed his hands and grabbed the canister.

"Amy, you know I'm going to find you so just come out."

Then noticing the open window he rushed towards it.

"Amy, why on earth would you go out there?"

He looked out the window and Amy dashed from under the desk but her sweater was caught.

"Ah Hah!"

He took advantage of her predicament by grabbing at her sweater but Amy quickly unbuttoned herself free and fled. No longer containing her glee and laugh she rushed towards Leonard's desk putting his chair between her and her pursuing boyfriend.

"Sheldon don't" she giggled

"Amy, you must accept your due." He chided while yanking the chair from her grip and throwing it behind him. His forcefulness was arousing and at that moment Amy decided to let herself get caught. She inched her way backwards to Sheldon's desk trying to reach for his chair. He anticipated her actions and rolled it away then grabbed her by the waist.

"Say you're sorry you were rude." He demanded

"I'm sorry you were rude." She snorted

"Amy, don't make this difficult all you have to do is apologize."

"I'm sorry you were a bit of a glutton this morning" she laughed as she tried to grab for the canister. He pulled her closer to him and held the can beyond her reach. She weakened in his arms knowing she was physically out matched.

Sheldon smiled triumphantly. "See little lady it is useless to fight. You are powerless against me".

Amy placed her hands on his chest and softly answered, "I am"

Seriousness returned to Sheldon's face as he looked into Amy's eyes trying to verify the double meaning. A palpable tension arose as he looked at her lips and she looked at his. He swallowed and began to lean his head towards her.

"What the hell was all that racket in here?" yelled Penny as she stormed from the back of the apartment.

Sheldon dropped the canister and released Amy.

"Penny, when did you get here?" Amy asked while trying to smooth out her clothes and fix her hair.

Penny surveyed the room and saw the knocked over and tossed chairs, Amy's torn sweater strewn along the floor, her messy appearance, Sheldon's guilty scowl and the can that he'd picked up.

She practically jumped and clapped "I'm sorry guys, so sorry, I'll get out of here" she chuckled heading to the door.

"Wait." Sheldon said "When did you get in here?"

"Last night. I guess you were still doing your laundry. I wanted to sleep in Leonard's bed."

"What did Leonard say last night?"

"He was wiped out from the trip and he told me that he doesn't really know his schedule for today so we have plans to Skype tomorrow."

"Bestie, are we still meeting tomorrow at your place at 6:00?" asked Amy.

"We're still on. Leonard and I won't Skype until very late. He's going to try and text me details today if he still has phone service."

Sheldon began to pick up the chairs and return order to the room.

"I've got a double shift today so I better get going." Right before she closed the door she gave Amy a wink and a thumbs-up.

Sheldon was picking up the pieces of Amy's sweater. He walked over and presented it to her. "I could weave you a new one."

One arm was severely stretched out and the hem was frayed and quickly coming undone. "I might take you up on that this fall. This one has served its time. I'm due for some new ones anyway" She took it from him and placed it in the trash bin.

"We really should go now." Amy walked to the kitchen gathered the strawberries off the paper towels and put them in a Tupperware bowls and placed them in the fridge.

Sheldon brought all the mess from the coffee table and put down the bowl with the remaining berries that Amy had planned for her breakfast on the wooden counter.

"This isn't over" he sternly admonished.

Amy shoved a berry in her mouth and raised a challenging eyebrow.

"I won't tolerate your defiance. I'll deal with you later."

Amy remained silent. She slowly ate another berry looking at Sheldon intentionally prodding his resolve. One small bite then a second, then a third and lastly pushing the remaining berry in just enough so that juice would drip down the right corner of her mouth. She licked her top lip but vowed internally to leave the bottom one alone knowing the drip would infuriate Sheldon's need for cleanliness. He reached over with a napkin but she pushed his hand away.

"Amy." He said solemnly

She lifted her chin towards him, sucked in her cheeks, turned and walked towards the bathroom.

"Vixen" he sighed.

A/N They were supposed to go to a driving lesson but they wanted to play around instead. (next chapter)

Penny stops drinking and now she can get up early? Damn. That's her second strike first her interruption during their D&D session in Sheldon's bedroom and now here. I'll try to get control of that girl to avoid future SNAFUs.

I threw in that baseball stuff because that's just L.A. area living plus I like playing with Amy's background.

The quote is real- happened during a game in early June and Vin Scully is "all that".