Amy decided she would not make a big performance out of Sheldon drinking alcohol. He was obviously worried he would loose control. Penny had shown Amy the you tube clip of Sheldon shedding his pants on stage, and whilst Amy sat open mouthed as she saw a Sheldon she thought only existed in her dreams, knowing how confused Penny said he was the next day was not something Amy wanted.

Maybe next time they had dinner she would offer Sheldon wine again and hope he said yes.

Deciding she needed to reassure Sheldon, Amy replied to his email.

To: Sheldon Cooper

From: Amy Farrah Fowler

Hi Sheldon

Please, please do not worry about me tricking you, by getting you drunk. I honestly did not ask you the question in a bid to take advantage of you.

If you wish to stick to your no alcohol rule that is fine by me. If you wish to occasionally partake of some alcohol that is fine too, but rest assured Sheldon, as your girlfriend I would not ply you with liquor without your knowledge.

Knowing we both have busy weeks ahead, I wondered if you would like to come round one evening, and I will cook you spaghetti with hot dogs cut up in it for you?

Your friend and girlfriend

Amy

x

When Sheldon read Amy's email he felt himself relax. He was relieved Amy was not going to ply him with alcohol at the first opportunity, and relieved she seemed to understand his feelings of betrayal from his so called friends.

Sheldon happily sent Amy a text accepting her offer of dinner. He could not resist spaghetti and hot dogs! He remembered the last time she had made it for him, she had had strawberry quick to drink too. How anyone would prefer wine over strawberry quick was a mystery to him!

"Thank you for your email Amy. I would very much like to come to dinner one evening. Would strawberry quick be on the menu too? Sheldon."

Sheldon was delighted when Amy's reply of "Of course ;-)" come through.

It was Thursday before Sheldon saw Amy again. He had had a few text exchanges and a conversation via Skype, but both had been increasingly busy with work, and Sheldon had struggled to even fit in halo this week.

Penny had agreed to drop Sheldon at Amy's when she heard of the proposed dinner date. Penny was confused as to what was happening with her neighbour and his girlfriend, but Leonard had reported a slightly less neurotic Sheldon, and that was always a good thing!

Amy had been cagey when talking to Penny about how her relationship with Sheldon was progressing, but part of penny was relieved. Details of ShAmy love was something she really didn't want in her head. Sniggering to herself as she dropped Sheldon outside Amy's building, she said

"Just ring me sweetie if you need a lift home. Leonard wants a rematch at chess so I wont be drinking."

"Thank you Penny", Sheldon replied, as he unfolded his tall frame out of her small car and waved her goodbye.

Answering the door after Sheldon's ritual knock, Amy smiled at her boyfriend.

"Hi Sheldon, come in, dinner is nearly ready."

"Thank you Amy" said Sheldon rather formally.

Placing his bag on the floor by the door, he hung up his jacket and took a seat on a stool near the kitchen, watching Amy as she moved around preparing their meal.

"I am really looking forward to this." said Sheldon enthusiastically "Leonard doesn't like hot dogs, and Penny is refusing to cook them for me now she knows you know it is my favourite meal."

"Well go sit yourself at the table it is ready" smiled Amy.

Tonight Amy did not have Mario Bros. music playing. She did not want Sheldon to think she was playing mind tricks with him. The strawberry quick was in the ice bucket and Amy decided to lay off the wine so as not to make Sheldon nervous.

They shared a pleasant meal, discussing their work and then moving the conversation on to their friends. Amy telling Sheldon that Bernadette had been moaning about Mrs Wolowitz again and Sheldon telling Amy that Raj was still mopping around looking for love.

"Amy," said Sheldon taking a deep breath, "why have you not been drinking wine tonight?"

"Sheldon, I did not want you to feel stressed that I would try to make you drink with me. I have thought about what you said and even done a little research. I know you love your strawberry quick and I have found a company from New York, the Adult Beverage Co., who make strawberry flavoured alcohol-infused milk. I thought maybe we could try that together. Only if you agree though, and together, on a mutually agreed upon date."

"I do like strawberry milk" said Sheldon considering. "Amy I think that would be acceptable. Maybe on Saturday we could spend the day together. Go to the zoo then, after I have completed my laundry, we could order pizza and try your new drink."

Amy grinned, as she nodded excitedly. "Its a date!"

The rest of the evening passed quietly. The couple watched a documentary Amy had recorded, she was delighted when about 15 minutes in Sheldon reached out and held her hand. She did not comment, just squeezed his hand gently and continued watching.

Amy dropped him back at 2311 Los Robles later that evening to save having to call Penny out.

"Goodnight Amy. Thank you for a very pleasant evening."

"Thank you Sheldon! I have had a lovely evening and I look forward to seeing you Saturday."