Amy sat stunned after Sheldon ran off. She didn't know if she should chase him or wait for him to return. Too make matters worse as the door slammed behind him their food orders arrived at the table. The waiter on seeing her obvious discomfort asked if everything was OK, so Amy had to explain her companion had left suddenly. Deciding she would be better leaving Amy asked for the food to be bagged up and paid the bill. She had no choice but to walk but luckily she was close to home. Sheldon was not waiting for her when she got back so Amy sent Penny a text.
"Sheldon is upset. He has run out of the restaurant. Please will you let me know he gets home safely. Ax"
Amy was shocked Sheldon had reacted so dramatically. She had thought he would be pleased for her. It wasn't even as if she had even applied and accepted the post.
"Hey Ames. What happened. Do you want to chat?"
Amy did need to chat. So quickly offered to go to Pennys, this way she would at least be able to see for herself Sheldon was OK.
73~73
"...and then he ran off" Amy finished her story sat on Pennys sofa nursing her wine.
"Amy are you really going to England?"
"I don't know, it is a big deal to be even considered and I would be mad to turn it down. I thought Sheldon would understand that. If I did turn it down I would probably never get another offer like it and my research and credibility would be limited."
"Sweetie I totally understand why you would want to go, but I can see Sheldon would be upset. Amy he obviously loves you more than he has even admitted to himself if it hit him that hard. Sheldon doesn't do emotions very well and from the little gem he dropped to the boys it sounds like he is letting down all sorts of barriers with you. I guess he is just feeling vulnerable."
"What should I do Penny?"
"Let me talk to him. You need to talk to him too, but let me talk to him first and I'll see if I can make him see it from your point of view."
"Thanks Penny."
Penny went across the hall having placed the wine bottle in easy reach for Amy. This could be a long conversation after all!.
73~73
"Sheldon let me in! I am not going anywhere so you may as well give in now."
The door opened; but by the time Penny had stepped into the room Sheldon was back on his bed curled in a ball.
"Sheldon, Amy is at mine. You just left her in the restaurant. She brought your dinner home for you though; I have put it in the kitchen."
"Thank you Penny."
"Sweetie, Amy wont be gone forever you now. If she goes to England she will come back."
"You don't know that. She is brilliant Penny, she may go somewhere else after. She might not want to come back."
"Amy loves you Sheldon. She has not sat around waiting for all these years to just disappear because of a job offer."
"I should never have asked her to be my girlfriend. I should never have kissed her and held her and...Penny I love her and she is leaving me."
Penny sighed. She could see Sheldon was caught in a self pitying loop that she needed to break him out of.
"OK Sheldon what happens if Amy stays. She turns down the offer. Would you be happy then?"
Sheldon nodded and peeked at Penny. "Do you think she might?"
"I don't know Sheldon. I hope not."
"Why? I thought she was your friend."
"Oh Sheldon, she is my friend and if she goes I will really miss her. But what if she stays and then she doesn't get the chance again. What if she blamed me for that. I would rather miss her for a while and know she was happy."
"Well I don't" Sheldon curled back into his ball.
"Sheldon if tomorrow you got a call from Switzerland asking you to go to CERN for a year would you go?" Penny asked standing up and heading for the door.
"Of course I would Penny I have dreamt of going to CERN, it would almost guarantee my Nobel"
"And if Amy asked you not to go?"
Penny watched various emotions cross Sheldon's face. Without waiting for him to answer Penny left.
Amy was asleep on Penny's sofa when she went back across the hall. Penny covered her in a blanket and let her sleep. It was better than waking her and saying Sheldon was acting like a spoiled child! Hopefully some of Pennys words would have sunk in by the morning and Sheldon would do the right thing.
73~73
Sheldon did think about Pennys words. The thought of not going to CERN was unthinkable. Maybe he needed to talk to Amy. If she was gone for a year though who would he go to the zoo with? He had just got used to kissing her and sharing a bed. He didn't want to do that with any one else but if Amy was gone he would have to go back to the Sheldon before. It would be worse though because that Sheldon didn't know any different. Now he knew what it felt like to have Amy squeeze his hand in the cinema, or scratch her nails down his back when she kissed him. He knew what it was like to wake up wrapped around her, to smell her hair and feel her warmth.
He really didn't want her to go!
Sheldon fell asleep curled up on top of his bed. He awoke at 2.46 am according to his bedside clock. Getting undressed and putting on his Monday pyjamas he got into bed, but now sleep alluded him. Tossing and turning for 20 minutes and still no sleep. Sheldon walked down the hall and retrieved his laptop. Sat up in bed he decided to email Amy. Maybe if he could tell her how he felt she would understand why he ran away.
To: Amy Farrah Fowler
From: Sheldon Cooper
Amy it is nearly 3 am and I cannot sleep. I keep thinking about running out on you in the restaurant. It was not good boyfriend behaviour and I am sorry. Especially as you were kind enough to bring my food home for me.
Penny spoke to me tonight and told me she wants you to go to England. I got mad. Amy I know the reasons Penny gave me were well intentioned and valid but I don't want you to go.
I would never want to hold you back in your career. I would not like you to resent me for stopping you living your dreams. Amy I still don't want you to go.
If I had a chance like yours, as Penny so craftily pointed out, I would take it. But Amy I still don't want you to go.
Amy, in the last few months thanks to you I now look forward to holding your hand in mine. Thanks to you I like all the animals in the zoo not just the koalas. Thanks to you, and your not giving up on me, I now look forward to you touching me, holding me and kissing me.
Amy if you go I will have no hand to hold, I will not want to go to the zoo and I will miss waking up with you in my arms.
Amy if you go please know I love you and I understand. I will be here when you come home.
Sheldon
x
Closing his laptop Sheldon closed his eyes and slept.
73~73
Waking on Pennys sofa the next morning Amy stretched and groaned. Seeing it was only 6 am Amy wrote Penny a quick note and let herself out. She needed to go into work today but she would need to go home and change first. At home she had a quick shower then put on some fresh clothes. She saw she had no text or phone messages from Sheldon. Seeing as it was still only 7.30 Amy decided to make some coffee and breakfast to wake herself up before heading into work. While the kettle boiled she open her laptop and was surprised to see an email from Sheldon. By the time she had finished Amy had tears rolling down her cheeks. Sheldon had really tried so hard to tell her how he felt. He had even admitted he would take the offer if it were him. Sniffing Amy sent him a text.
"Thank you so much for your email. I would not want to hold anyone else hand or visit the zoo with anyone else either. Tonight I am not going to go to the cheesecake factory but I would like to still see you. Ax"
Once composed and having drank her coffee Amy went to work. She opened the email she had been oh so excited about yesterday and looked at it though more realistic eyes. She needed to give the whole thing some serious thought.
Sheldon's email kept playing on her mind. How would she feel on the other side of the world if he wasn't there with her? Boston had been lovely because they had gone together. But if she didn't go she would regret it. She would always wonder what if. She knew she couldn't turn it down.
Taking a deep breath Amy replied to The N.H.N. and N. She asked for salary details and the duration of the project. She asked for details about accommodation and then waited. She knew if those details were agreeable she would say yes.
"Amy I would also like to see you tonight. Shall I pick up you Cheesecake factory order and bring it to yours? I am sure Penny will understand."
To Amy Farrah Fowler
From: Human Resources UCL Neurology.
Thank you for your enquiry. We are glad you are considering our offer in extending and supporting your research. We have two research posts;
Post 1
12 months
Department of Brain Repair & Rehabilitation
Head of Department: Professor Xavier GolayPost 2
6 months
Sobell Department of Motor Neuroscience and Movement Disorders Head of Department: Professor Linda GreensmithBoth situations are based in London. Accommodation will be provide plus salary in line with your current research. Both posts will have opportunities to extend.
Yours sincerely
Samantha Smythe-Jones
Human Resources
Amy printed of the email and put it in her bag. At least she had details now. 6 months sounded more manageable than 12; and to work with another woman sounded more than a little appealing. Excited again Amy went and got herself some lunch then continued with her paper.
73~73
Sheldon was nervous about seeing Amy. He had called Penny and asked if he would be able to pick up a take out to take to Amy's house. She sounded pleased they were at least talking. He didn't know that the whole restaurant team were pleased he was eating out!
Leonard agreed to leave early to collect the food then drop Sheldon at Amy's. Penny had told him what had happened yesterday and Leonard knew a happy shamy led to a peaceful home life.
Dropping Sheldon at Amy's he promised to collect him later when Sheldon called.
Amy had not been home long when Sheldon arrived. She had not had a chance to change out of her work clothes so letting Sheldon in she let him sort their food while she quickly showered and changed. Now dressed in a light skirt and blouse Amy was happy to see Sheldon appeared relaxed and happy.
"Thank you for you email Sheldon. I am sorry if my news shocked you."
"Amy it was a shock and I wont lie and say I am happy about you leaving but I do understand. I really do."
"I had some details today. It is possible I could be gone 6 months as opposed to a year. The shorter project is one I am interested in pursuing as they use lots of Deep Brain Stimulation and recording which is the area I am currently researching. Maybe if I go you could come stay for a while. London is meant to be a beautiful city."
"Maybe." Sheldon was quiet.
"OK lets change the subject. I haven't made a decision so for tonight lets just enjoy our food and forget about everything else."
"OK" Sheldon said quietly.
It took a while for Amy to get Sheldon to relax. Eventually a spirited round of counter-factuals and the promise of strawberry yoohoo had Sheldon smiling then laughing and eventually sat on the sofa full from his burger, relaxed and enjoying the TV.
Amy snuggled up to Sheldon her head on his chest as they watched TV. His arm around her shoulder Sheldon traced his fingers in patterns along her collar bone.
"Sheldon do you want to sty over?" Amy asked.
"I don't know Amy. I don't have anything with me and its a work night."
"OK. I just thought I'd ask"
"I do want to stay though."
"Sheldon it is up to you; I could set the alarm early and take you home in plenty of time for you to get ready for work."
"That would be most acceptable Amy thank you."
Amy smiled. Perhaps it would be OK after all.