The guys stood watching Sheldon walk away, all three with their mouths hanging open.
"What the...?" Raj muttered. "Did he just say what I think he said?"
"I think so "Leonard replied.
"Wow!"
Opening the car they climbed in and started to head for home. They didn't pass Sheldon on the way and he wasn't there when they arrived home which wasn't really a surprise. They set up the video games and started playing knowing he would be back soon.
By the time Raj and Howard were ready to leave Sheldon still wasn't home though
.
"Perhaps I should call Penny and Amy and see if they have heard from him?" Leonard pondered.
He waved Raj and Howard goodbye then knocked on the door across the hall.
It was a very giggly Penny who answered.
"Hey sweetie, what's up?"
"Have you seen or heard from Sheldon? He.. err.." Leonard stopped seeing the other girls in the room all looking at him. He was sure Amy wouldn't thank him for sharing the knowledge Sheldon had imparted but he was a little worried.
"He got upset thinking you knew something earlier at The Cheesecake Factory, Howard teased him and he snapped. We haven't seen him since."
"What do you mean snapped?" asked Amy
"Well, and I am only repeating what Sheldon said here, he said it was none of our business if he chose to get naked with his girlfriend!"
Behind Amy Penny spat out the mouthful of wine she had just taken.
"AMY!"
"Not now bestie! Sheldon must have been mad to say that, he would never have shared something so personal unless he was upset."
"Actually Amy I think he thought you had already told us"
"But I hadn't!"
"Yes we know that but Sheldon doesn't. Listen why don't you call him he may answer you."
Amy dialled Sheldon's number but only got his voice mail, she left a quick message then grabbed her bag.
"Perhaps he has gone to mine. I will call you if he is there. You had better hope he is Leonard, I cant believe you guys are still teasing him about this!"
"Hey! Penny started it!"
"I don't care who started it it stops now. This is between me and Sheldon. He doesn't laugh at your love lives or poke fun or make comments."
"Well in fairness he got a few good jabs in before he left but I take your point." Leonard muttered.
73~73
Amy arrived back at her apartment and the first thing she saw was Sheldon sat on the floor outside her door.
"Sheldon?" she questioned quietly
Sheldon looked up. Amy had expected him to be upset but he wasn't.
"Sheldon are you OK?"
"No Amy I'm not. Thanks to you and Penny gossiping I was subjected to ridicule. Thanks to your need to gossip and share every aspect of our lives Howard thinks it is OK to discuss what we do in private. It is not OK Amy!"
Amy stood with her key in her hand open mouthed. She did not reply immediately but just opened the door.
Stepping inside she turned and put her hand on Sheldon's chest.
"Just stop right there. I have something to say now. For your information Penny asked how our night had gone and I did NOT give her details. I wanted too Sheldon because she is my friend and friends share things, but I told her you wouldn't like it. However, you told Howard we had got naked! Leonard then came looking for you and shared this information with me, Penny, Bernadette and Lucy. So yes Sheldon our friends know we got naked. But it was YOU that told them!"
Amy then slammed the door in Sheldon's face.
73~73
Amy was really angry with Sheldon. She understood he wanted to keep things private, she could do without Howard knowing every intimate detail of their lives too, but to accuse her like that was just unfair. Having left Sheldon outside her door Amy turned off her phone having sent Penny a text saying Sheldon had been at hers. Then stripping of her clothes she had a shower and got into bed. This morning she had been so happy and now she was just mad.
73~73
Having stood outside the slammed door for about 5 minutes Sheldon slowly turned and walked away. He had told them they had got naked! HE had done it not Amy! For all the things he said to Amy and it had been him. Sheldon walked home and trudged up the stairs. Penny heard him fumbling about and was stood staring at him before he could get in and retreat to his room.
"OK buddy, in here. We need to talk."
Looking at the determination on Pennys face Sheldon knew he may as well just do as she said.
"Penny, Amy has informed me of my error. I am aware it was I who gave our secrets away. Amy has made her feelings perfectly clear so you can spare me coming to her defence."
"Oh no Sheldon, you need to hear this. Amy loves you! She didn't tell any of us anything because she knew how it would make you feel. Sheldon have you thought how Amy must feel? You owe her a very big apology!"
"Amy told me how she felt Penny and the slamming door in my face underlined it. Now I am going to go home, get into bed and have a restful sleep in my own bed then go to work and focus on things that matter!"
Penny stared after Sheldon open mouthed. He really was unbelievable sometimes. Amy had been so happy earlier how she put up with his crap was beyond Penny.
Sheldon lay on his bed and wondered how he could fix things. Penny was right, although he was not about to tell her that, he did owe Amy an apology. Sighing Sheldon tossed and turned and had a very fitful nights sleep.
73~73
The following day Amy left home early knowing she needed to focus on work and worry about Sheldon later. She did switch on her phone but he had not left any message.
Shrugging Amy opened her email and cast her eye down the list of projects her department head had forwarded to her. One caught her eye and she marked it as one to keep. It was a lead research post at The National Hospital for Neurology and Neuroscience in London. It would be a major step forward if she could do this sort of research abroad. The fact her name had even been suggested was amazing in itself.
Grinning Amy turned to the work she had started on Friday and pulled up the paper she was had spoken to Yaşargil about. Before long Amy was unaware of the movement of her colleagues around her. The hustle and bustle of the lab or the cries and shouts of the monkeys next door. Her argument with Sheldon forgotten.
73~73
Sheldon's Monday was not so productive. He had locked himself in his office and stared at his whiteboards. Perhaps he should text Amy and apologise. He was due to see her tomorrow but maybe he should invite her for Thai food tonight. He dismissed that idea quickly as a night with both Howard Wolowitz and Amy in the same room did not sound wise right now. He decided he would email her and suggest meeting up.
After three failed attempts to email Amy Sheldon gave up. Deciding to risk having the door slammed in his face again Sheldon resolved to go see Amy after work. Telling Leonard he would not be in for Thai food Sheldon got the bus to Amy. He was again sat outside her door when Amy arrived home.
"What do you want?"Amy demanded, she was amazed to see Sheldon sat there again and secretly thrilled he had made the effort.
"I came to say sorry. Amy I should not have accused you of the things I did, I should not have shouted about our private life in the car park of the cheesecake factory and I am sorry."
"Thank you Sheldon. I am glad you came to tell me. Do you want to come in or are you rushing home for Thai food?"
"I have told Leonard not to buy me Thai food. I wondered if you wanted to come out to dinner with me instead. It is the least I can do."
Amy grinned. "That would be lovely. I have some news that I am excited about sharing with you, let me change and we can go."
Sheldon sat on the sofa and waited for Amy to change. Standing as soon as she returned Sheldon asked "Where would you like to eat?"
"Oh I ma happy to have Thai food but it will be nice to go out to eat it for a changed."
Sheldon smiled, secretly relieved this small part of his routine hadn't been disrupted as well. Since returning from Boston Sheldon did not feel very in control.
As there was a nice restaurant round the corner from Amy's apartment the couple decided to walk. They kept the chat light both a little wary of the new truce between them. Once seated and their orders placed Amy turned to Sheldon in excitement.
"You will never guess what I have been offered. A lead research post at The National Hospital for Neurology and Neuroscience in London!" Amy sat waiting for Sheldon's response.
"London, England?" he asked.
"Yes! Can you believe it. This is huge! If I do this I can pretty much came back and take my research wherever I want too."
"You cant go to England Amy."
"Why on earth not?" Amy frowned.
"Because I love you and you cant leave me." Sheldon stood up and fled.