Amy thought Pennys suggestion to Sheldon sounded very pragmatic and she was relieved Sheldon had agreed to move forward in this way. Amy could remember quite clearly when she had suggested second base to Sheldon months ago and he had dismissed it out of hand. Yet here he was proposing a timetable! She would have to buy Penny some wine as a thank you.
A couple of hours later though and after a quick internet search Amy was not quite so excited. She hoped Sheldon, and his tendency to learn and progress at above average speed did not apply to the bases too. While wanting very much for her relationship to move forward Amy was willing to admit she may not be an above average learner in this field. Hopefully his aversion to germs and the thought of exchanging bodily fluid would slow Sheldon down somewhat.
Well she would find out Tuesday night. Sheldon had said they would discuss the timetable after eating. Amy wasn't sure she would be very hungry somehow!
Sheldon was nervous about meeting Amy on Tuesday. He had also done a little research. This had ended abruptly when the website he was viewing got very graphic. He was also slightly horrified to see he hadn't really even completed first base properly! This news caused Sheldon to make himself some chamomile tea and have to lay down.
What if Amy wanted to finish first and move to second base this week, then third the following!
It was with a great deal of trepidation he waited for Amy outside The Cheesecake Factory. The others had gone in to secure their table but Amy had sent him a text saying she was running a few minutes late.
Seeing her car pull into the car park Sheldon took a deep breath and watched nervously. As Amy walked towards him she looked down at her feet, only glancing up at the last moment.
"Good evening Sheldon "she said quietly.
Sheldon bent to kiss her quickly and saw Amy blush.
"Good evening Amy. Are you OK?"
"Yes, thank you. Sheldon I am a little nervous about our planned chat though. Do you think we could avoid mentioning it in front of the others?"
"Of course Amy. I totally agree!"
Nodding Amy reached for Sheldon's hand, gave it a little squeeze, and they entered the restaurant together.
The group had a pleasant evening with Penny spending far more time at their table than any of her others. The normal arrangement to go back to Sheldon's and play video games was abandoned tonight as Howard had to collect his mother from her aerobics class as Bernadette was still working, and Raj had promised Stuart he would call in at the comic book store before closing and Leonard had said he would go with him. Amy was relieved as this meant that Sheldon and herself could have their conversation without prying eyes. As they stood to leave Amy turned to Sheldon and asked.
"Sheldon may I suggest we go to my apartment to have our planning meeting. I feel this way we will not be interrupted by Leonard returning or Penny visiting."
"OK Amy. Although I will require you to give me a ride home later.!"
"Agreed" replied Amy smiling.
Once settled at Amy's, tea prepared and on the table in front of them, Amy and Sheldon sat staring at each other.
"Amy I find myself concerned about the next stage in our relationship. I have done some very cursory internet searches and I find we haven't completed first base even yet!"
"I know Sheldon I found this out myself. I also find myself concerned. Although mainly my concerns are focused on the time scale with which you wish to complete the next stage of our arrangement."
"I think I can safely say after my experience at the dance SLOWLY would be my preference!"
Relief washed over Amy.
"Oh Sheldon, you have no idea how happy you have made me!"
Amy threw her arms around a startled Sheldon.
"Amy! Are we starting now? That was not the arrangement! I said slowly!"
Laughing Amy pulled back.
"I am sorry Sheldon am just very happy. I agree with the slow approach. How about we just focus on bases one and two and don't even consider the others until much MUCH later!"
"Agreed" said Sheldon so fast Amy laughed again.
"OK. how about this. We continue with our kissing arrangement at the beginning and end of our meetings but add 2 extra kisses per date if alone. This will allow us to get used to the idea in private before we get more adventurous."
"That sounds acceptable" nodded Sheldon. "I am concerned though about my reaction the other night. May I suggest one of those two kisses is standing up so we increase general holding, touching etc."
"OK. that sounds fine. Can we leave it at that for now though. Just increased kissing and touching. Then in a week we can review the situation?"
"Amy Farrah Fowler I am delighted you are able to look at this whole situation in such a calm detached manner. I whole heartedly agree" Sheldon was grinning too and Amy knew things, for now at least, would be OK.
Sheldon and Amy were both much more relaxed as they sat back to enjoy their tea. Amy suggested a game of counterfactuals and soon the pair were laughing and debating and having fun. Their earlier concern replaced with the mutual friendship and like-minded competitiveness that attracted them to each other in the first place.
An hour had passed before Sheldon glancing at his watch exclaimed "Amy look at the time! I am afraid I am going to have to ask you to take me home or my night time routine will be completely ruined"
"OK Sheldon, how about one kiss before we go?"
Sheldon stood up and taking a deep breath pulled Amy up off the sofa into his arms. "Wow Sheldon" she mumbled as his lips closed over her.
They stood not moving, just joined at the lips for a while before Sheldon shifted a fraction closer and moved his hands from Amy arms to her hips pulling her closer. Amy moved her hands up to Sheldon shoulders and then to his neck stroking his hair at his nape. Feeling Amy stroke his neck seemed to trigger something in Sheldon and he groaned, pulled Amy tight to him one arm around her waist and the other moving up to the back of her head.
As Sheldon had done to her in the past Amy gently sucked on his lower lip and feeling brave traced the tip of her tongue along its edge. Gasping Sheldon pulled back.
"OK! I think we can count that as successful!" he muttered, stepping back and looking round frantically for his jacket. Behind him Amy grinned. Maybe this would be fun after all!
The drive back to 2311 Los Robles was a little quieter than normal. Sheldon was still processing how quickly the kiss had moved on. He was also very much aware that he could still feel where Amy's tongue had touched his lip.
He had thought he would freak out at someone else's tongue near his mouth but a very large part of Sheldon was looking forward to tonight's goodnight kiss!
As Amy parked the car and turned to look at Sheldon she smiled. "Thank you Sheldon. I was very apprehensive about tonight, but I will admit I have had a really nice evening!"
"Amy I completely agree. I am also relieved tonight has gone as it has. Would you care to repeat the experience on Thursday. I believe it is date night and I am proposing maybe a trip to the movies then continuing our experiment."
"Its a date" grinned Amy.
Leaning over Sheldon gently place his lips on Amy again. This time aware they were in public their kiss was more restrained. As he pulled back Sheldon said "Thank you for the lift home Amy" and unfolded his long frame from the car, turned with a quick wave and disappeared into the building.
Amy grinned all he way home.