Penny decided the best thing to do was go visit Amy. Sheldon seemed to think Amy may be harbouring feelings for Zach, but penny was pretty sure this was not the case. From Sheldon's description Amy had been very gentle with Sheldon's feelings and had probably been taken totally by surprise that he had shown her any affection at all. Penny had a feeling that for all her bravado and big talk Amy was as nervous about her relationship with Sheldon as he was.
Penny drove to Amy's deciding not to call first and give the neurobiologist a chance to back out. If Amy wasn't there Penny would just spend her time shopping. Win win!
Seeing Amy's car outside Penny smiled. It was a bit too early for wine so Penny had come laden with coffee and pastries. Buzzing Amy's number she was greeted with a sleepy
"'llo"
"Hi Ames its Penny, I've brought breakfast!"
Penny heard Amy's groan but knew she would not turn her away. Running up the stairs Penny knocked and was greeted by a very dishevelled looking Amy. She had obviously spent the night tossing and turning rather than sleeping.
"Hi Amy!"
Amy on seeing her friend threw herself into Penny's arms and burst into tears.
"Penny I have ruined everything! Sheldon thinks I like Zach! I ran out on him Penny but only because I was embarrassed"
"I know sweetie, he came to see me last night. He was confused that you had left so suddenly he thought he had gone too far kissing you. Amy, I cant believe Sheldon Cooper voluntarily kissed you and you ran away! This is something you have wanted for so long!"
"I know Penny but the reality hit me and I said 'hoo'. Penny can you believe I did that. He must think I am some sex starved beast"
Penny sniggered. "Amy, Sheldon thinks nothing of the sort. I do think he thought you liked Zach still, and this may possibly have caused him to feel jealous. Sheldon Cooper jealous. Who'd have thought!"
Moving to the kitchen Amy got out some mugs for the coffee and some plates for the pastries.
"What should I do Penny? Sheldon had emailed me but I don't know how to reply."
"Why don't we have a caffeine and sugar fix. Then I am going to take you shopping for some retail therapy then you are going to come home here and sleep. When you are feeling more relaxed then you can think about talking to Sheldon.
Penny was right the caffeine and sugar gave Amy the kick start she needed. The two friends wandered round the shops, Penny buying heels and a bag, Amy buying a brown corduroy skirt and flats, some things were beyond even Penny's control!
Dropping Amy off later Penny could see her friend was in much better spirits and with some much needed sleep she was sure her brain would be back to fully functioning.
As she drove home Penny pondered once again how the very clever friends she was surrounded by were so very silly when relationships were involved!
Sheldon had checked his email several times that morning. After seeing no reply from Amy he began to panic again. Leonard found him sat in his spot starting at a blank TV when he woke up.
"Sheldon, are you ok?"
"No Leonard. I think I have upset Amy, and now she has broken off communication. I don't know what to do. Penny said I need to give her time but Leonard, what do I do if she wont speak to me again?" Sheldon was obviously in a panic and talking at speed.
"Sheldon, first of all calm down! I don't know what to tell you buddy. Penny is far more adept at these relationship things than me. If Penny says wait then I say wait too. Why don't we phone Raj and Howard and see if they want to go paint balling. We haven't been in a while and it'll take you mind off Amy"
"OK" mumbled Sheldon. Anything was better than just waiting.
An hour later the 4 friends were happily charging around like overgrown school kids, shooting and shouting and having fun.
Amy felt much better after her day with Penny and her sleep. She sat down that evening to compose her response to Sheldon.
To: Sheldon Cooper
From: Amy Farrah Fowler
I am sorry it has taken me so long to reply to you Sheldon. When I got home last night I was quite distressed, and unable to sleep. Today I have been comforted by my bestie and feel much more coherent.
Sheldon you did not upset me last night. I feel embarrassed at how badly I handled things.
I want to reassure you I do not harbour feelings for Zach! My vocalisation was purely a reaction to you Sheldon, and whilst I am embarrassed to admit this it would be wrong of me to lie.
I am glad you enjoyed the milkshake drink. Maybe we can do it again sometime, but discuss displays of affection in advance, so we both know what to expect.
Amy
x
When Sheldon saw the reply from Amy that evening he was very relieved. The fact Amy was suggesting another date was a relief in itself. Maybe he would ask her about Zach, and Stewart for that matter, in comparison with their own relationship. Sheldon was still feeling insecure and not at all sure this relationship thing was for him. Life had been so much more simple when it was just him and science.
The next morning Sheldon and Leonard rode to work in companionable silence. Sheldon had learnt over time Leonard needed quiet first thing in the morning, so he saved his games for their return journey. This morning as they pulled into the car-park at Caltech Leonard turned to Sheldon and said "You seem happy this morning did you hear form Amy?"
"Leonard my moods are not based solely on my relationship with Amy. I am in a good mood because I get to hand in my proposal to Gablehauser today, and I should be allotted extra funding as a result. I did hear from Amy however and all is well."
Sniggering Leonard followed his genius friend into the building just glad the crisis of yesterday appeared to have been diverted. He would have to text penny and thank her.
Sheldon had a good day at work. His relief at Amy's communication made his manner with Gablehauser more tolerable for them both, and with extra funding secured Sheldon was positively jubilant come lunch time when he met the others in the canteen.
"Congratulations Sheldon" his friends said as he set his tray on the table. "Lets go celebrate tonight. Take our ladies for a meal all together"
"This would totally disrupt my digestive schedule." Sheldon dismissed.
"I am more than happy to meet with everyone at the cheesecake factory tomorrow evening though. That way Amy will have more notice of our plans, as we had not arranged to meet this week."
"OK," Leonard said sulkily, "that means Penny cant join us though if she is fetching and carrying and pandering to you!"
"How about we arrange to meet afterwards at our apartment and that way Penny can join us then."
"Fine" said Leonard not totally convinced but aware it was the best he would get.
Both men fired of texts whilst Howard called Bernadette. Raj sat quietly.
"Are you not going to ask Lucy?" Howard asked, after hanging up from Bernadette.
"No, if it is ok with you Sheldon, I may ask Stewart? I don't want to put pressure on Lucy and I know Stewart is lonely and would enjoy the company."
"Very well" Sheldon agreed grudgingly. He was not altogether sure how he felt about Stewart and Amy being together.