"So?" Penny grinned as she sat on the sofa in her old apartment watching Amy gather snacks and glasses to go with the wine Penny had arrived carrying.
"So what?" Amy refused to look at Pennys grinning face, knowing exactly what she wanted to know but trying frantically to think of a way to distract her. Shoving a glass of wine into her friends hand proved far to temporary a distraction however, and as she sat down Amy knew there was no avoiding the barrage of questions about to be fired at her.
"Come on Ames, last night Sheldon won the competition that has taken over all their lives, for weeks it seems, yet there was no gloating, no celebrations, not even a sarcastic comment. One minute you were announced as winners the next Sheldon was hassling you out the door. So what gives? Was the celebration private?" Penny winked. "Is this a reconciliation? You have kissed and made up?"
"Penny stop! Sheldon and I are friends. Nothing more. Yes he was pleased he won, but we left because he wanted to change clothes and go grab something to eat." Amy had rehearsed this explanation over and over in her head knowing her friends would want to read more into the situation. She herself knew there was more too it, but by giving them the cold facts she was at least sticking to the truth so if they quizzed Sheldon their stories would match.
"So nothing happened?" Pennys obvious disappointment made Amy smile.
"I am not sure what you were expecting Penny. For Sheldon to drag me back here and ravish me while still wearing his monkey costume perhaps?"
"Well no," Penny chuckled "but maybe a little kissing, what with you wearing your lab coat and those boots!" Seeing Amy blush Penny grinned. "Did you come back here then?"
Nodding reluctantly Amy said "we had some food and then planned where to go to celebrate."
"I thought Sheldon was making everyone go to the zoo?"
"Yes well he decided as it would lead to Howard and Leonard moaning, and Raj trying to smuggle cinnamon along, it would be more practical if just the two of us went."
Penny was quiet for a moment then asked. "He came back here and changed?"
Frowning as she nodded Amy waited. She had known she would be unable to fool Penny, she just hoped she would be able to persuade her to keep the teasing to a minimum.
"So he planned it? You planned it?"
With a sigh Amy replied. "Sheldon had a change of clothes yes. He said he wanted to change and as Gavin had agreed to forward details of the prize to Sheldon by email he saw no sense in hanging around. You know what he is like for social niceties Penny its hardly a surprise, and as cute as he looked in that costume it is not practical for long periods of time. We came back here because he said the others were more likely to go back to his."
"Yes well we did and from what I remember it seemed all quiet across here!" Penny smiled. "I am not sure why you want to keep it so secretive. So you thought he looked cute huh!? What's going on Amy? Is there something between you?"
"No." Amy shock her head. "No there is nothing going on. Not how you mean anyway. But things are good with Sheldon right now. He is less intense, we have been getting on OK and he is even coping with my need for change. I didn't want the others teasing him making it awkward again. They had already started about my costume; Leonard said Sheldon was living out his fantasies through me. Penny my costume was my idea and Sheldon was uncomfortable with it as it was."
Penny moved closer to her friend patting her arm. "Ames its OK. We all want you and Sheldon to be friends again. You know we do. A happy Sheldon makes everyone's life easier. And the guys, well they will always tease him, you know that. But not to hurt him; and Leonard said the blush it induced was not from someone who had no clue what they were referring too."
Amy nodded but made no comment.
"You knew?" Penny asked.
"He said I looked sexy." It was Amy who was bushing now, she knew.
"And you were pleased?" Penny was gentle in her questioning now, never having expected the conversation to take this turn.
"Well I wasn't unhappy!" Amy muttered defensively, then composing herself added "it is just Sheldon never looked at me like that before, not really."
"Are you sure?" Penny questioned frowning. "I seem to remember he had quite a reaction at our prom!"
"Yes but that was down to push up bra's, make up and the occasion. Not me in just a lab coat and glasses."
"Maybe Leonard was right," Penny grinned, "maybe that really is where Sheldon's fantasies lie."
"What?"
"Well we all know science has been the main love of Sheldon's life, maybe now he has solved some of its mysteries and got the prize to prove it, he is able to see what he couldn't before. And you dressing as a scientist fits in with this love still."
Amy shook her head. "We are just friends. Look," changing the subject seemed far safer than continuing Pennys line of thought Amy decided, "if this Gavin comes through with his promise, and Sheldon's characters get published, Sheldon could be asked to create story lines too. He said he is going to ask for time off work if that happens so for a while at least science will be the last thing on his mind."
Penny smiled. "He must be excited. Leonard was talking to some of those suits from Marvel after you left and he said they were really impressed with the story board Sheldon had drawn. I hadn't realised he had put so much into it. Even Howard was forced to admit it was a great concept. Will Caltech be OK with him taking time off work?"
"Caltech will pretty much agree to whatever Sheldon wants right now." Amy smiled. "The timing is perfect for him. He is more worried what his mother will say?"
"Mary? Why? She is not exactly a fan of science is she."
"No, but she is a fan of telling her friends and family that her son is a big shot in the science world, and if he is not doing the job any more…."
"Amy, Sheldon will not leave science. It is his passion. Even I know there are things he will still want to achieve."
Amy smiled and nodded. "Yes but right now I honestly think a break will do him good. It is only recently I realised just how much the past year or so has taken out of him. How much he poured into his work. He actually admitted to me that a break would be welcome."
"Wow." Penny sighed. "I knew he had buried himself in work but I thought that was because-" she stopped suddenly realising what she had been about to say.
"Yes, he was avoiding thinking about me leaving him." Amy sipped at her wine. "What he achieved though it had been years of work and he was able to focus and accomplish so much in that one year, but he never really celebrated did he. Or took stock. He just went back to work. Maybe if he can work with the people at Marvel he will be able to unwind in a way that will recharge his batteries."
"You are worried about him aren't you?"
"A little. I feel guilty still too. But yes I am worried he will loose the love and passion he had for science because he has not had a chance to appreciate what he has achieved."
Sensing the tone of their conversation was making Amy sad, Penny grinned as an idea to cheer her friend up came to her, "Well lets do a little experiment of our own to see if I am right. I still say Sheldon thought you were sexy because he is finally realising life exists outside his office and lab. I suggest we put those boots back into action and test my theory."
Amy spent the next hour drinking wine and laughing at the various outlandish outfits Penny suggested she wear the next time she saw Sheldon. Finally drinking enough to agree to test the theory on the condition Penny and Bernadette joined in the experiment too.
73
"I thought you were working evenings." Sheldon smiled as he settled into the passenger seat next to Amy on Tuesday evening.
"I am, but Ricky is doing really well so we are now taking turns to do the night shift and it means I get a few evenings a week to myself."
"Well I am pleased you can join us tonight. Penny has been insufferable lately. She has been in contact with my sister and is trying to persuade her to come stay with me."
"She is? Why?"
"Oh Penny has some mad idea I am a lost soul now all my career goals have been achieved; she thinks Missy can help me. I pointed out to Penny that Missy has never had a goal in her life but it made no difference. And to make matters worse Missy is now talking about not only visiting but bringing her offspring with her. So not only will my apartment be turned into some black hole of clothes and make-up but it will have the accompanying soundtrack of babies wailing!"
"Sheldon I am sure it wont be that bad." Amy grinned. "When was this arranged? I only saw Penny at the weekend and she never mentioned it."
"Oh who knows. I was over there yesterday and she was quizzing me on my favourite scientist and comic book character, it was as if she was meeting me for the first time. When I pointed out the absurdity of her questioning and suggested it was her who should in fact be tested she sprung the surprise on me. I am hoping tonight I can talk some sense into her."
Amy frowned. The questioning about science and comic books Amy knew were part of Pennys scheme to test her theory, which made Amy uncomfortable enough, but to introduce Missy was strange to say the least. Amy resolved to find out exactly what Penny was up too.
73
"I see no logical explanation why dressing up will help you beat us." Sheldon repeated as he sat impatiently waiting for the girls to re-enter the room.
"Sheldon sweetie, sometimes you don't need logic. No you laid down a challenge and I accepted, the terms have been agreed now all you need to do is sit quietly, drink your strawberry quick and be patient."
Re-entering the bedroom Penny grinned. "We are so going to win this!"
"Penny I am not sure." Amy frowned.
"You look great Ames, stop worrying."
"Its easy for you to say you play these games all the time. I don't and on the few occasions I have well lets just say it was not a success."
"Its simple Amy. The game is pretty much a shoot-em up. You take aim and fire. Now normally I would agree we would be in a bad position but like this! Well lets just say we have the advantage."
Amy looked at her own reflection and grinned. After her chat with Sheldon she had spoken to Penny who had told her that Missy had actually called her. Penny had explained that she had invited Missy to come to LA because Sheldon's sister was hoping for a promotion and needed to visit the LA headquarters for an interview then have some real waitressing tests at the restaurant Penny had worked at for so long. Sheldon having the room spare now, and giving him the chance to bond with his nephew was just a bonus. When she knew Sheldon would put up as many barriers as he could muster Penny realised she could combine testing her theory on him finding Amy sexy, and getting him to agree to Missy's visit.
So now Amy found herself wearing bright yellow leggings, a short bright red dress with the flash logo and her high yellow heels. Penny stood behind her in a green outfit, not dissimilar to her own, with the green lantern logo on the front; whilst Bernadette in a sparkly red leotard, with a thick yellow belt and short green skirt.
"Robin?" Amy asked as Bernie slipped a thin eye mask over her head.
"Yes." Bernie grinned. "My Howie is gonna loose big tonight and I will get the kitchen remodel I have been aiming for. I don't know why I didn't think of this sooner!"
"Well with Emily not here what exactly are you planning on doing to distract Raj?" Amy asked curiously.
"Grasshoppers!" Penny laughed. "He is so used to talking to us now without the aid of alcohol his tolerance levels will have dropped. By my calculations three drinks in and we have this thing won."
"So what are you planning on getting Leonard to agree too?" Bernadette asked curiously.
"Nothing. Yet! But it never hurts to have a few in the bank… OK you ladies ready?"
As they entered the room Amy was not sure what was louder, the gasp from Howard as he saw his wife, or the glass smashing as it slipped through Sheldon's fingers the minute his eyes saw Amy.
Maybe, Amy thought, maybe Penny was right. Perhaps Sheldon was not so immune after all.
73
"It was underhand." Sheldon muttered as he sat in the passenger seat on their way back to Los Robles avenue a few hours later. "Underhand and sneaky."
"Sheldon you agreed the terms and you lost." Amy pointed out calmly. "I am sure a short visit from your sister won't be so bad."
"Hmmpph." Sheldon grumbled. By the time they reached the fourth floor landing Sheldon's grumbling had turned to anger. "You sided with Penny! Amy I thought we were friends'."
"What exactly did I do Sheldon that was so bad?"
"You know what you did."
As he opened his apartment door Amy followed him.
"Actually I don't. You see Sheldon I have known you for over 6 years. In that time both of us have worn costumes on various occasions. Tonight I wore a costume and played a video game, both things you enjoy and have never objected to in the past, so I am not sure what crime it is you think I have committed."
"You wore…. You looked…." Sheldon trailed off.
"You would have prefered it if I had wore The Green Lantern costume? Or Robin?"
"Amy stop!" Slamming a bottle of water in front of her Sheldon paced the room. "It is bad enough I have an image of you dressed as The Flash in my head without adding to it. I will have trouble sleeping as it is."
"You didn't like the costume?" Amy was pretty certain she knew the answer but curiosity made her push him to confirm.
"Yes I liked it!" Sheldon all but shouted at her.
"Which did you prefer. The Flash or my lab coat?" Amy knew she was teasing him but she was now curious as to whether Penny had been right all along. Seeing Sheldon close his eyes and take a deep breath before answering told her enough but she was shocked when he whispered,
"Both. I liked them both."
Smiling Amy stood and walked to where Sheldon had paused in his circuits of the room. Stretching up Amy kissed his cheek. "Thank you Sheldon."
Without waiting for a reply Amy crossed the hall leaving Sheldon to ponder anew at the confusing actions of women.
73
A/N: Happy New Year! I hope 2016 finds everyone well. I will first offer my grovelling apologies for the length of time it has taken me to update.
Sorry ;-)
I have got the next chapter and a half almost ready though, so I am hoping this will convince you to stick with me. I will try harder this year I promise! AS 2015 finished so well for the ShAmy I feel compelled to make things right for them here too. Who doesn't love a happy ShAmy right!
A x