As Leonard and Penny shut the door on apartment 4B the laughter across the hall continued.
"Sheldon! Sheldon stop!" squealed Amy.
Chuckling, Sheldon replied "Amy! I am trying to help you. Stand up straight woman!"
"I cant. "gasped Amy. "Sheldon! Move your hands I am so ticklish there!"
Shaking his head, Sheldon moved his hands higher up Amy's sides, then stopped as he realised that his fingers were resting against the sides of Amy's breasts.
"Oh boy!" he said, removing his hands completely and stepping back.
Still gasping with laughter Amy looked up at Sheldon's face.
"Its ok Sheldon, I'm not mad. You didn't know I was ticklish"
"er... yes... umm... perhaps you should try again on your own" mumbled Sheldon.
Nodding Amy swung her arm back and this time managed to hit some of the virtual pins with her ball.
"Yay!" she grinned.
Smiling at her joy at actually hitting something after an hour of trying, Sheldon said
"Well done Amy! Good shot!"
Collapsing on to the sofa Amy said "I think I should quit while I'm ahead"
"Well you weren't actually ahead" sniggered Sheldon, "but yes, stopping now may be a wise move"
Moving to get them both a drink, Sheldon returned and sat down in his spot. "So do you want to play a different game?" he asked.
"What! Now I have mastered the bowling do you mean!" grinned Amy.
"No, I think I am happy to sit here for a while, maybe see if there are any good documentaries on then, if you still wish, we could go to the zoo."
"That sounds most acceptable." Sheldon replied, relieved that Amy did not seem to have noticed how he had groped her earlier.
As he thought it, his fingers tingled, and shaking his head at his own stupidity Sheldon began flicking through the channels looking for something to watch.
The couple sat watching television and made themselves some lunch before getting ready to go out. Just as they were exiting the apartment Leonard and Penny opened the door across the hall.
"Oh hey guys."smiled Penny "where you going?"
"Hey bestie! We are off to the zoo. Do you and Leonard want to join us?" asked Amy excitedly.
"Errr" muttered Leonard, throwing a quick glance at Sheldon who had seemed keen to spend the day alone with Amy earlier.
"That'll be fun! Smiled Penny. "Its ages since I've been to the zoo. Do they still have the Gorillas and the Chimps?"
"Yes! Oh Penny you are in for a treat" squealed Amy, and linking Pennys arm, the girls moved down the stairs.
"I'm sorry" mouthed Leonard to Sheldon, but Sheldon just shrugged, and locking the door behind him, followed Leonard down the stairs.
Sheldon was actually relieved they had bumped into the other couple. Maybe it would give him a chance to talk to either Penny or Leonard about his slip up earlier.
Once at the zoo the group stayed together for a while, walking slowly round the various exhibits, commenting on the inaccuracies in the information boards, and laughing at the animal behaviour.
Sheldon felt quite comfortable now holding Amy's hand in public, and didn't flinch too much when she slipped her arm around his waist as she gazed at her beloved monkeys.
He suggested the girls stayed at the monkeys whilst he went to visit the koalas, and invited Leonard to join him. Leonard really wasn't fussed what he saw, so was happy to carry on walking with Sheldon as Penny seemed more than happy where she was.
"Leonard, can I ask you a question?" Sheldon said as he gazed at the koalas.
"You just did buddy" grinned Leonard teasingly.
Hmmm... that's not what I meant... I …. Leonard, something happened this afternoon that I did not mean to happen."
"Oh God!" mumbled Leonard, bracing himself for whatever was to come.
"Does this have anything to do with the squealing we heard from Amy earlier?"
"Well, yes, I guess it does." said Sheldon nodding surprised.
"ok... what's wrong Sheldon, and before you say anything think carefully! Girls don't like us guys talking about things that are too personal with our buddies."
"Well that's just silly. They gossip all the time!" Sheldon said, indignant at this obvious double standard.
"But anyway, I am not sure Amy will mind because I am not sure Amy knows it happened."
"Sheldon! From the noises we heard, and the shouting of your name, she knew!" grinned Leonard.
"Leonard, I have no idea what you are talking about! Amy was shouting and laughing because when I was helping correct her stance at wii bowling, my hand placement tickled her sides. However, as I moved them to stop the tickling, I unintentionally groped the sides of her breasts. Leonard I am mortified. Should I mention it? Apologise? She didn't seem to notice, but it feels like my behaviour was inappropriate and I should do something to correct it."
"Sheldon, I am sure if Amy was offended she would have let you know. She doesn't strike me as someone who would hold back an opinion."
"No, this is true" agreed Sheldon.
"Soooo," grinned Leonard "how did you like coping a feel!"
Shaking his head in disgust, Sheldon turned his back on his friend and retraced his steps to where they had left the girls.
As he approached he said "Its getting late and its laundry night, we should be going."
Not waiting to see if they followed, Sheldon headed towards the exit and the car.
"What happened ?" asked Amy and Penny together, looking at Leonard.
"err, I kind of teased Sheldon, and I shouldn't have done, give me a second to go apologise and then we'll head home."
Running after the lanky physicist Leonard panted "Sheldon wait up. Look I'm sorry I shouldn't have teased you. Its not Amy's fault, don't take it out on her."
Seeing the girls approaching slowly, Sheldon mumbled "Then please ensure you don't mention this to anyone else!"
Once back at the apartment a still quiet Sheldon opened the door and let Amy in.
"Sheldon, is everything ok?" Amy asked quietly.
Yes Amy. I'm sorry. Sometimes I forget just how stupid Leonard is, and do something stupid myself, like ask him for advise, but I wont make that mistake again believe me."
"Ok" said Amy hesitantly, "well I had better go and let you do your laundry."
Moving towards the door Amy turned. "I have had a lovely day Sheldon, thank you. Maybe I can cook for you one night in the week if your research allows?"
"I would like that Amy thank you." And moving to put his hand up to push the hair behind her ear, Sheldon leant down and gently kissed her.
Ready this time, Amy moved a little closer and slipped her arms around Sheldon's waist. The hand by her face moved slightly, and Sheldon threaded his finger into Amy's hair, holding her head still as he moved his lips so he captured her bottom lip between his.
Gasping and flushed, Amy pulled away a little and Sheldon lowered his hand.
"Goodnight Sheldon"
"Goodnight Amy."
Across the hall Penny was shouting at Leonard.
"You are so insensitive sometimes Leonard. You know how difficult this is for Sheldon, you need to cut out the crap and leave him alone."
Smiling as she walked down the stairs, Amy vowed to phone and thank her bestie late.