Em knew she was pregnant without needing to take the test. What she didn't know was how she was going to tell Sheldon and how he would react. She was scared. She loved him, she really really did, but she was very aware she knew very little about him and their relationship was based on sex! How was this going to make her look! Other than Carmen nobody in her circle of friends or family knew she was in any kind of relationship, and a child would come as a bigger shock to them than it had to her!

But for all her doubts she knew she could not get rid of the baby. A Baby! What on earth was she going to do.

Em lay down on her side, looked at her peacefully sleeping cat and wished things were different.

~73~73~73~

"So Amy, shall I take your silence as a sign of acceptance", said Sheldon quickly looking hopefully at his girlfriend.

Amy smiled "Yes Sheldon! I am finding I can not see any objections and am happy to accompany you to the doctors so you can get your flu jab, but after I expect you to come with me to buy a present for Penny for her birthday!"

silence...

"...Counterproposal... you come and hold my hand while I get my flu jab and I will let you take me for an ice cream sundae ..."

"SHELDON! every time I make a suggestion you have a counter proposal... I thought we had made progress last week at dinner when you held my hand with out prompting but I was obviously wrong!"

Sheldon paused, replaying their last date back in his mind, had he held her hand? Why would he have done that? He knew he was slipping more lately, in his timekeeping and routines, why only this morning he was 1 minute late into his bathroom routine because he was humming a song he had in his head that he had heard at the club. He knew Leonard had noticed but thankfully hadn't mentioned it. And as Amy had just pointed out he was more than comfortable touching her in public when his mind was elsewhere. He needed to get a grip! He needed to stop seeing Em, stop thinking about Em, stop going to clubs and concentrate! Otherwise that Nobel prize would remain out of reach and before he knew it he would be just like everyone else!

Sheldon sighed "OK I agree, but I really need to be back to the apartment by 6 as I have to finalise the proposal to give to Gablehauser by tomorrow"

Amy smiled "deal!"

~73~73~73~

Carmen put down the phone frowning. Steve had just finished telling her about seeing Sheldon and another women. Should she tell Em? She knew Em was out of sorts lately but she deserved to know, if only so that when she next saw Sheldon she could see if he mentioned it. Slowly and very reluctantly Carmen called Em.

~73~73~73~

As Em put down the phone from Carmen she really didn't know what to do. She had not told Carmen about the pregnancy yet. She hadn't told anyone. Now she had to think seriously about what she had just heard. Sheldon had been seen twice with what appeared to be the same woman and it seemed it was more than a business colleague. She needed to stay calm and she really really needed to talk to Sheldon.

But even as she thought this Em realised she had no way of contacting him. She knew he worked at Caltech but she couldn't exactly wander onto the campass searching for a lecturer. She did not have his address or phone number. All she could do was go back to the club and hope he turned up. So much for staying away!

~73~73~73~

Sheldon let go of Amy's hand and rolled his sleeve back down.

" See that wasn't to bad was it?" said Amy as she patted Sheldon's hand.

"No I guess not" Sheldon replied his lower lip sticking out, " but I think I may need to go home and lie down now!"

"No way Sheldon, we had a deal. Penny needs a present to reflect her importance in our lives and you are going to help me choose it!"

Sheldon muttered as he slowly followed Amy to her car.

"Now what do you think, any ideas of what we-should buy the birthday girl?" asked Amy cheerfully.

Sheldon muttered again, fastened he seat belt, and looked out of the window. As they drove towards the mall Sheldon stared blankly out of the window. He could feel the pressure building but knew he had to resist.

He turned to look at Amy.

"Amy, Penny is your bestie, you are so much better at this than me. What do you think we should get her?"

Amy looked surprised at Sheldon's tone but grinned happily and began listing all her ideas. Sheldon nodded but said nothing. After parking the car the pair walked towards the shops. Sheldon reached for Amy's hand. She looked down again surprised but said nothing . Inwardly wincing Sheldon knew he had to move forward with this, with Amy. He knew he was capable he just had to move forward...

~73~73~73~

Friday night, club packed, Em stood in corner sipping a coke and wishing she were anywhere else but here.

She had told Carmen her news, practically had to tie her down to stop her beating Steve and the guys for info on Sheldon and sworn her to secrecy. She had to do this her way. She just wished she didn't feel so sick!

Meanwhile Sheldon stood outside, across the street, watching. Dressed for a bus ride, bag across his chest. He so wanted to go in. But it was date night and Amy would be waiting.

~73~73~73~

Em had left at midnight unable to stand the churning in her stomach every time the door opened, unable to stand the sympathetic looks from Carmen or the curious glances from the guys at the bar. Swearing Carmen to secrecy making her promise she would not give the guys any info or even talk to them Em left and went home. She lay in bed half expecting a drunken call. Eyes blurred with tears she lay with her hand on her stomach wondering if she had made the wrong decision.

~73~73~73~

Penny groaned as the ringing phone woke her. Peering at the clock she saw it was 8 am. Who on earth would be calling at this time on a Saturday morning!

" 'llo" she grunted into the phone"

"Bestie you'll never guess!" shrieked a very excited Amy " Sheldon kissed me! he actually kissed me!

Penny jolted upright suddenly awake "Ames, tell me what happened!

" Oh Penny it was so romantic. We had a lovely meal just as you suggested, spaghetti and cut up hot dogs, Sheldon seemed a little distant but when we sat to watch the documentary on apes I had recorded"

penny sniggered.

"but suddenly , and really I have no idea why, he put his arm around my shoulders pulled me towards him and kissed me! really kissed me Penny, he bit my lip, tugged my hair and … and .. slipped me the tongue!"

Penny sat with her mouth hanging open.

"oh Penny I don't know what to do now. Should I mention it? Should I call him? Should I -"

"Ames slow down... this is the same Sheldon Cooper who needed to draw up an agreement just to hold hands?!"

"Yes Penny that's why I am confused!"

"Amy I a sorry but I am as stunned as you are. Pleased for you but wow talk about unexpected!"

"Penny I am meant to be going to the zoo with Sheldon tomorrow, will you come round today and help me decide what to wear?"

"Of course I will Sweetie. Just let me have some coffee, digest what you have told me and I'll be right over!"

~73~73~73~

Sheldon lay staring at his ceiling. What had he done. He knew he had made a mistake the minute he had pulled Amy towards him but he had spent the whole evening thinking about Em, and the urge to kiss her had just taken over. In fairness kissing Amy had been pleasant. She had seemed unresponsive at first but looking back he guessed she was probably in shock! She wasn't Em, she kissed differently she smelled different and she tasted different too but it was nice and it was not as unpleasant as he had expected. It was definitely better than watching those stupid monkeys that's for sure!

It had also made him come to a decision. Tonight he would go to the club, if Em wasn't there he would go to hers and tell her everything. Well maybe not everything! He would tell her he had a girlfriend, he owed her that truth , and he would explain why he couldn't see her again. Then he would come home and make sure Amy never ever found out!