After Amy and Sheldon left, Penny Bernadette Raj Leonard and Howard all continued dancing, drank too much and were far from steady on their feet. Steve continued watching for a while then decided he would see if he could get any information out of the girls. He watched until the boys had moved back to the bar then then moved to the dance floor. Penny and Bernadette were more than happy for a little outside male attention and laughed and teased and danced quite happily with the handsome young stranger.

"Can I get you ladies a drink" he asked after three or four dances

"Sure why not" said penny, "our men folk seem to have abandoned us!" The three moved to the bar where Steve ordered their drinks. Bernadette excused herself to use the ladies and Steve saw his chance.

" I'm Steve by the way" he smiled holding out his hand

"Hi Steve I'm Penny."

"So Penny what do you do when you are not out dancing?"

"Oh I'm just a waitress, but hey ask Bernadette that when she comes back, its way more impressive! What do you do Steve?"

"Oh I'm a student at Caltech"

"Really? My boyfriend is at Caltech, well I say 'at' he is a physicist. He is brilliant!"

"cool, what's his name?"

"Leonard Hofstadter have you heard of him?"

"No, I don't know many people from the physics department only Dr Cooper. Do you know him?"

"Dr Whack-a -doodle! Yes" laughed penny "he is Leonard s room-mate and is dating my best friend Amy. He was here earlier you must have just missed him. How do you know Sheldon?"

"well I don't know him, as much as have heard of him. He is well known at Caltech"

Penny laughs "I just bet he is! No Sheldon is a sweetie, he has a seriously beautiful mind and yes he is a little crazy, what with his comic books, his special spot and bowel movement charts but he is a good friend, and Amy is helping him loosen up with the ladies too . I cant believe he came here tonight for her. Sheldon Cooper in a night club is unheard of believe me! That man is straight laced pure science !"

Steve chuckled "Well I guess I shouldn't listen to rumours then. I heard he was a party animal!"

"NO! Sheldon doesn't drink or dance. Just goes to show Amy was wrong and he really does care for her for him to come here tonight. She really loves him!"

Penny was slurring her words and rambling now as the drink took hold, and it took her a second to realise Raj was stood just behind her

"Raj hey! Come meet my new friend Steve. He is a student at Caltech" Raj shook hands with Steve but turned immediately to to Penny saying

" Penny we are going to head home now, Leonard is really drunk and I think you may need us to help you to get him into the apartment"

Penny smirked "such a light weight!" she waved at Steve who said "was lovely meeting you Penny" as he watched her follow Raj toward her group of friends by the door.

Once out of earshot Raj said "Who was that guy?"

"Calm down Raj, we were just chatting, he knows Sheldon"

"oh" said Raj frowning.

~73~73~73~

Back at 2311 Los Robles Amy settled down on the brown leather sofa and smiled at Sheldon while he made her some tea. He had changed out of his smart black suit pants into his plaid pants and flash t shirt and looked much more relaxed than he had at the club. As he sits next too her Amy was surprised when Sheldon puts his tea on the table and his arm around her shoulders pulling her next to him.

"Amy I am sorry I have not seen much of you lately. My work has consumed me. I was late tonight because the latest experiment threw up some exciting results. I also didn't want to disappoint you again"

Amy sighed and laid her head on Sheldon shoulder. "Sheldon I wont deny I have been upset. I am your girlfriend and you have treated me badly but you need to know Sheldon that I love you . It has taken these past few months for me to realise how big a of part of my life you are and how empty it would be if I lost you. I know such declarations make you uneasy and I certainly didn't want to scare you off but I needed to tell you. I am always here for you Sheldon no matter what!"

Sheldon closed his eyes as Amy's words washed over him. Why had he been so very very stupid! He gently tilted Amy chin towards him and kissed her. Amy snuggled closer shifting so she was almost laying in Sheldon lap. The kiss was gentle and tender and as Sheldon lifted his head Amy smiled "I missed you Sheldon"

"I missed you too Amy."

This time the kiss was more passionate. Sheldon traced his tongue across Amy closed lips . As he felt her body relax he deepened the kiss burying his hands in her hair as he tried to show her how sorry he was through his hands and mouth. Amy sighed and pulled back."Sheldon! Wow!

Sheldon smiled sadly and shifted his weight so Amy was now sat across his knee

"Amy how do you feel abut us taking our relationship to the next level? I know you have wanted this in the past but I don't want to push you"

"Oh Sheldon" Amy sighed ,and gently touched his lips with her fingers "I love you and I am here whenever you want me, for whatever you are ready for. Tonight though, will you please just hold me?"

Sheldon nodded and wrapping Amy in his arms closed his eyes. Whilst the sofa wasn't exactly made for sleeping both soon drifted off wrapped in each others arms.

~73~73~73~

Sheldon awoke to Leonard practically falling through the door pulling Penny on top of him. "Sshh" Sheldon mouthed as he gently shifted out from under Amy without waking her.

"Oh good lord Leonard! Look at you"

Leonard giggled "I'm drunk!"

"Well I can see that" muttered Sheldon "come on, lets get you to bed"

Sheldon helped Penny move Leonard down the hall to his room.

"Thanks Shelly. Hey you and Amy looked cosy, you all ok now?" asked Penny quietly as they lay Leonard down on the bed.

"Yes, thank you penny, now if you will excuse me I had better get Leonard some water and painkillers for the headache he is sure to have when he awakes."

Sheldon scuttled out of the room returning with a glass of water and some tablets. "Goodnight Penny" he said as he handed them over.

"'night Sheldon" mumbled Penny who was now on top of the covers next to Leonard .

Sheldon moved back into the living room and stood looking at Amy curled up on the sofa. Smiling Sheldon sat back in his spot and stroked Amy hair. As he looked at Amy he realised how comfortable he felt with her right here right now. Maybe he had been looking for peace in the wrong place after all!

Just as he thought this Sheldon felt the phone in his pocket vibrate with a text message. Pulling the phone out Sheldon read "hey dude you could have a problem. That guy you said you knew was chatting up penny after you left. Thought you should know – R"

"Shit" mumbled Sheldon and pulled Amy into his arms suddenly he needed that comfort more than ever.

~73~73~73~