Leonard made sure to apologise to Sheldon the next day. He had received a text from Howard telling him what they had walked in on but also explaining that Sheldon and Amy didn't know they had been seen and Penny was adamant they should not tease the couple. Wanting to make sure he didn't upset Penny any more than he already had Leonard left Sheldon alone.
Amy began joining the group on a Tuesday night at the cheesecake factory, and with Raj and Lucy now seeing much more of each other Tuesday soon became couple night, eating together and then meeting back at Sheldon's flat for Halo.
It was on a Tuesday about three weeks later that Bernadette arrived in an excited state at the apartment. The others were already gathered and Penny and Leonard were playing Raj and Lucy, whilst Sheldon and Amy sat holding hands on the sofa watching.
"Hey guys," greeted Bernadette having kissed Howard hello, "Guess what! There is going to be a fund raiser at work and I have booked us a table. It will be a dinner and then a dance afterwards. Its to raise funds for the bio chemistry department."
"Count us in" said Raj thrilled at the chance to take Lucy out for a sophisticated evening. One that didn't revolve around computer games, comic books or pizza.
"Us too" grinned Amy
"Oh Amy, I don't know" muttered Sheldon frowning. "You know I don't dance!"
"Come on Sheldon it will be fun!"
The girls immediately gathered together, abandoning Halo in favour of planning a shopping trip to buy dresses, shoes and make-up.
"We can all get ready at mine," said Penny.
"We should hire a limo! It'll be like prom." squealed Amy, bouncing up and down with excitement.
Sheldon just shook his head in disgust.
The girls arranged to meet Penny at the cheesecake factory Saturday after her shift, to go together to the mall. On hearing this the boys immediately made plans to go paint balling.
As the couples began to leave Amy said she would drive Lucy home as Raj had come on the back of Howard scooter.
She moved to give Sheldon kiss goodnight and waving at the others followed Lucy out the door.
"Its funny," commented Lucy "Raj had warned me Sheldon was odd and didn't like new people joining your group. Also that he had an aversion to germs and touching, but he seems OK to me."
"Sheldon has some little quirks," grinned Amy proudly, "but he is trying really hard to make an effort."
Sheldon was not thrilled at the idea of going out to the fund raiser. He was happy Leonard had stopped mocking him, not even commenting when Sheldon kissed Amy hello and goodbye. Sheldon did try to make sure that these displays of affection were kept as private as possible, but he himself was more relaxed and knew Amy was too.
Amy had been so excited at the thought of the dinner and dancing he knew there was no way he was going to get out of it. Every time he had spoken to Amy in the past week she had been full of her dress, her shoes and the plans the girls had made to stay at Pennys on the Friday and to spend the day together pampering themselves. Sheldon really did not see the point, but having seen Amy's face when he had told her so the first time she mentioned it, he realised he would be better keeping these thoughts to himself!
He did ask Leonard what he would be required to wear, and Leonard pointed out the amount of effort the girls were going too it probably meant he would need to wear his best black suit.
The weekend of the fund raiser arrived, and on the Friday the group arranged to meet at Sheldon's for Chinese food then the girls would retire to Pennys and leave the boys to there vintage video games.
At least the whole weekend won't be wasted thought Sheldon, relieved he still had a little of his routine left. He was having to move laundry time forward to the afternoon the next day, as the fund raiser clashed with his normal schedule and Amy was being most unreasonable and insisting he needed to make allowances this once.
Having kissed their respective girlfriends goodbye, the boys began to bicker as to what game they should play. The night passed quickly and as Raj and Howard left they all turned to look across at apartment 4B where loud giggling could be heard.
Amy was delighted as she admired herself in Pennys bedroom mirror, all dressed and made up ready for the evening ahead.
"Amy you look beautiful" smiled Bernadette, "Sheldon will not know what to do with himself!"
Amy grinned "I'll just have to show him then!"
Hearing a familiar knock on the door Amy squealed, Penny laughed and Lucy just looked confused.
"That's Sheldon" explained Bernadette seeing the look on Lucy face.
"How do you know?" she asked.
"Because he is a Whackadoodle and always knocks like that!" explained Penny shaking her head.
Opening the door Penny was impressed to see the boys had all made an effort. Sheldon wore the black suit she had picked out for him and on Pennys advise had bought a tie that matched Amy dress. Leonard and Raj both wore navy blue suits with white button down shirts and ties and Howard, not surprisingly had a black turtle neck jumper under a suit penny could only describe as mustard yellow. Bernadette looked impressed though so Penny refrained from commenting.
The room the dinner was being held in was tastefully decorated with the tables all laid and flowers on every table. There was an adjoining room that had a dance floor and a band set up for later. The meal was beautiful and everyone was relaxed and having fun.
Amy had persuaded Sheldon to have some wine with his meal and he was a little less uptight after the first glass, and enjoying himself after the second.
"No more Sheldon," said Amy, replacing his wine glass with one filled with water. She did not want a repeat of the trouser dropping episode she had heard so much about.
"OK Amy," smiled Sheldon "lets go dance then!"
Stunned, Amy nodded, and followed Sheldon to the dance floor amazed but thrilled.
Pulling Amy close Sheldon whispered "You look lovely tonight Amy."
"Thank you Sheldon" Amy smiled.
Skilfully Sheldon twirled her around then spun her out and back as she squealed, and Penny and Bernadette grinning pulled Howard and Leonard onto the dance floor to join them.
They danced for several songs before the band slowed down a little and Amy wrapped her arms around Sheldon neck and tucked her face into his shoulder.
"I have had a lovely evening Sheldon, I know you didn't want to come so thank you."
Smiling down at her Sheldon replied "I have had fun too Amy" and lowering his head kissed her gently.
They stayed like that for the rest of the song, lips locked, eyes closed, swaying. Only aware of each other.
As the next song began Sheldon lifted his head, his eyes took a second to focus.
"Amy I think I may need to take a few moments," and leaving her stood in the middle of the dance floor Sheldon rushed out of the room.