Sheldon could hear no sound coming from Raj's room so assumed he was still asleep. Checking his watch he saw it was 8 am. Yet again his schedule had been disrupted. Nothing seemed to have gone right this weekend. Another example of why he needed his routine. If he had stuck to his normal schedule he wouldn't be in this mess now!

Pulling out his phone and seeing he was nearly out of battery life he knew he could do no more than text Amy and arrange to talk to her later. He knew it was the cowards way out but maybe he would text now and email later.

"Good morning Amy. I am sorry for my sudden departure last night. I think we need to talk. I am not at home though, and my phone has little charge left so I will email you later. Sheldon"

Amy was still asleep when the message came through. It was another hour before the smell of coffee coming from the kitchen told her someone was up. Opening her eyes and groaning Amy saw Penny holding on to the sink for support, and with a look on her face that told Amy that Penny's head must feel the same as her own!

"Morning." Amy muttered.

"Hi Ames. Coffee?"

"Yes please. And some pain killers if you have any, my head feels like it is going to explode."

"Yeah I know what you mean." Penny replied, and shuffling over placed a large mug of steaming coffee and 2 painkillers on the table.

"Have you heard anything from your crazy boyfriend this morning?"

"I haven't checked. Somehow coffee and painkillers seemed more important."

Penny sniggered.

Knowing Sheldon would probably be up by now Amy began hunting for her phone. She found it in her shoe under Pennys sofa. Seeing she had a message from Sheldon she opened it expecting the worst. Reading it twice she handed the phone to Penny.

"That seems ok." Penny said, reading it aloud. "He doesn't sound freaked out, and seeing as how you two have done most of the negotiating of this relationship through email I would say it at least means he is willing to talk."

"Yeah maybe" Amy muttered. This morning she was more humiliated than last night when she had just been worried.

"I guess I should go home and try to sort myself out so I am a bit more focused when he does get in contact."

"Let me sort you out some clean clothes," grinned Penny. "We cant have you doing the walk of shame when you have nothing to show for it!"

Amy took the clothes Penny offered and made her way into the bathroom. After showering and taming her hair, putting on fresh clothes and having another coffee Amy felt a lot more civilised. Kissing Penny good bye and promising to call if she had any news Amy made her way out and down the stairs to where she had left her car the night before.

As she was opening the outside apartment door 4 flight later Sheldon appeared on the other side.

He froze.

"Sheldon! You look awful!" Amy blurted out, seeing his hair all messed up, and his normally spotless attire rumpled having just been slept in.

His blue eyes usually so clear and sharp now appeared blood shot and unfocused.

"Amy, good morning. You appear in much better condition after last night than I do! I am sorry Amy. I was wrong to leave my date to fend for herself and rely on others to see her safely home. However I would be most grateful if we could, as planned, continue this conversation via email once I have had a chance to sleep some more and freshen up."

Stunned by his appearance and his willingness to admit how wrong he was Amy just nodded.

"OK Sheldon I will talk to you later." She did not wait for any sign of acknowledgement to this, and without a backwards glance walked away getting into her car and driving off.

Sheldon stood watching her go and knew he needed to sort himself out as he had some serious explaining to do.

Having showered and slept for a few hours Sheldon felt much more himself a few hours later as he sat at his desk and logged on to his email account.

To: Amy Farrah Fowler

From: Sheldon Cooper

Amy I must again apologise for my behaviour last night. As I type this I realise most of my communication with you seems to involve me apologising. In my defence I can only say how new all this relationship stuff is to me.

Amy last night you looked beautiful. I enjoyed spending time with you and although I will confess to not looking forward to the evening initially, as I knew my routine would be disrupted, once I was there I did enjoy it.

Then we danced.

I do not really know how to explain what happened next Amy. One minute we were having fun then suddenly I could not breath. All my senses seem to be focused on how you felt and smelt. My heart began racing and I couldn't breath.

Raj seemed surprised that I had not had this experience before as we now kiss regularly, but I have never felt anything like it before and I am not sure I liked it.

Amy I don't want to hurt you and I don't want to make promises I cant keep. I don't know what to do other than to tell you how I felt then and how I feel now.

Sheldon

x

Leonard found Sheldon staring at his laptop an hour later.

"You working?" he asked. Surprised, as Sheldon didn't seem to be doing anything other than staring.

"No, just waiting for Amy"

"You two OK now?"

"I don't know."

"You want to talk, I won't tease you?"

"No thank you. I have discussed things with Raj and now all I can do is wait"

"Ok, well you know where I am if you need me Sheldon."

"Hmmm" was all Sheldon replied as he was not sure he was ready for any more well meaning advice from anyone right now.

Amy also slept again when she returned home. She felt much much better when she awoke, her head felt clearer, and thinking of how Sheldon had looked earlier she knew he hadn't had the best of nights either which made her feel better too.

When Sheldon's email arrived in her inbox she was stunned. Sheldon was admitting he felt something physical for her! Was it desire? Did she dare ask? If it was and he had not admitted it to himself would he run scared if she mentioned it? Should she ask Penny?

With so many new questions in her head Amy read the email again and really thought about what Sheldon was saying.

If he did feel desire for her then all the things she had said she had always wanted with him were possible.

She had to think about this because if she was totally honest she was as scared as Sheldon.

It was all very well saying she wanted a physical relationship, and she did, but she was as new to this as he was and just as scared.

Oh boy it would be so much easier if they had had a normal childhood. Neither had gone to school dances, had boyfriends or girlfriends, or even friends to share these things with. Maybe they needed to negotiate this as they had the hand holding and kissing.

Would Sheldon agree though?