"Hello Sheldon. Linda informed me she had given you my number. I would be delighted to help you surprise Amy. She will probably be feeling fragile this morning though so if you wanted to meet up first we should be safe. J x"

Sheldon thought about James suggestion as he re read the text. Maybe meeting up would be a good idea. He had no idea where he was really so he could use directions if nothing else. Sending back a quick reply telling James where he was staying Sheldon ate his breakfast and pondered on letting Leonard and Penny know where he was. The risk of telling them was Penny getting so excited she let something slip. Maybe he would wait til after meeting Amy.

He was getting nervous again. The last time they had seen each other had been kind of bitter sweet. The emotions of her leaving so high; yet they had shared something so intimate it made him blush to remember. He was worried about that too. It had taken them literally years to get to that stage of their relationship and now, with a 6 month break, would he be able to carry on as if nothing had happened. Sheldon really wasn't sure but he knew he also couldn't risk not finding out.

James replied saying he would meet Sheldon in a coffee shop next to his hotel in an hour. Sheldon checked he had all his belongings and left his room. He made his way outside and was surprised it was not as cold as he had feared. He weaved his way through the commuters who were obviously workers going about their daily business. This was obviously not a tourist part of the city but filled with university students and commuters. It was busy though and Sheldon was not terribly comfortable in crowds so quickly finding the coffee shop he decided he would wait there rather than explore.

James recognised Sheldon the minute he entered the shop. Grinning he made his way to the countered and ordered a large coffee for himself and a tea for Sheldon taking both mugs to the table Sheldon was sitting, engrossed in a bunch of physics papers. James put down the mugs he said

"Good morning Dr Cooper it is a pleasure to finally meet you!"grinning he held out his hand.

Looking up Sheldon stared at probably the best looking man he had ever seen. He realised now why Penny had been so worried.

"James. Thank you for doing this." shaking the proffered hand, and resisting the urge to pull out his Purell, Sheldon thanked him for the tea and said "did Linda tell you about my plan?"

"Not really she just said you were in the country, that Amy didn't know and you may need my help to surprise her. So what's going on?"

"Well I was invited to lecture at Cambridge and the opportunity to meet Amy was too great. I thought she might like the surprise but now I am here I don't know how to go about it. I don't know where she works or lives or socialises. I feel like I should probably just call and tell her and arrange to meet."

"Oh and where would be the romance in that!" James grinned. "I can help you Sheldon, it just depends how public you want this to be?"

"What do you mean?"

"Well do you want to surprise her in private or where others are about?"

"Err.. oh dear I should have given this more thought. …"

"OK listen. Amy is probably feeling a little fragile this morning. We went to club last night and she had a fair amount to drink. Boy your girl can dance!" Grinning James shook his head, "How about I offer to take her out for coffee here or to dinner somewhere and you appear?"

"Yes that might work." Sheldon said considering, "does she live near here?"

"Yes not far. The office we are based is just across the square. The hospital is a little further away and the labs not too far but now most of the work we are doing is finishing off and that is done here. Linda said although Amy has 2 weeks left she is more than happy for her to spend those two weeks with you. I was shocked I hadn't realised professor Greensmith was such a romantic. You must have impressed her!"

"When I first met Amy we met in a coffee shop do you think we could do that. You bring her here I mean?"

"Yes of course let me send her a quick text see how she is doing."

"Hey party girl hows the head?"

Hitting send James turned back to Sheldon. "So what are your plans now you are here?"

"I don't really have any. Amy and I have been invited back to Cambridge so I would like to do that but otherwise nothing. Amy I believe has done some sight seeing and expressed a desire to share some of those things so maybe just sightseeing."

"Amy told me you are a Dr Who fan is that true?"

Grinning Sheldon nodded. "Not that Amy appreciates it! She is quite scornful in fact, but yes I am."

"Well they have been filming in London recently, I'll see if I can find out where they are next and let you know. They had the tardis suspended in Trafalgar Square last week."

"Wow!" Sheldon gasped in awe. "That would be amazing."

James laughed. Sheldon was obviously as big a geek as Amy had painted but he seemed like a nice guy.

"James why did you let me drink last night I think I might be dying!"

Snorting James showed Sheldon Amy's text

"Oh dear it appears you are as bad an influence as her bestie."

At this James laughed out loud. "She said the same thing last night I felt quite honoured!"

"Perhaps you need a hair of the dog! Or coffee?"

"Coffee is about all I could stomach. I am never drinking again!"

"OK meet me later?"

"OK give me a couple of hours."

Grinning James told Sheldon Amy had agreed to coffee so now he just needed to plan where he would sit so Amy didn't see him as she arrived.

73~73

"Penny?"

"Sheldon why are you doing this to me again! It is 4am! What have you got a death wish or something"

"Penny I don't think even your arms are long enough to punch me in the throat from there!"

"Sheldon what do you want?"

"Is Leonard with you?"

"Yes he is sleeping! Or he was before you called, we both were!"

"OK, I'm sorry. I just thought you might like to know where I am."

"Sheldon it is far to early for you stupid games I am hanging up now."

"Penny wait! I am in London!"

There was a pause "London? Sheldon there is no way you would have gone to London on your own."

"Penny when I called you the other day about my lecture I was about to enter the university lecture hall at Cambridge University under the invitation of Professor Hawking. Today I am sat with James in a coffee shop in Euston, London planning on surprising my girlfriend."

"Holy crap on a cracker Sheldon, what's happened to you?!"

"I am not sure Penny. And if I am honest the nearer the time comes the more nervous I am getting I needed to hear your voice to tell me this was going to be OK. Tell me Amy wont be mad at the surprise Penny she will be happy wont she?

"Sheldon she will be shocked. I am shocked! But she will be delighted who wouldn't."

"Thank you Penny. James said the same but I needed to hear it from you."

"So James. Is he as good looking as his picture?" Penny couldn't resist asking.

"No Penny he is better looking!" said Sheldon and hung up.

Laughing James said "What was that about?"

"Penny thought Amy was going to run off with you because of your looks. Amy it appears, didn't tell her of yours and Simon's relationship. Penny was quite taken with photos Amy had sent her."

"Well I'm flattered! Now enough of the gossip lets go get ready so you can surprise this girl."

Sheldon returned to his hotel. He decided to shower and change as he had time and then on the spur of the moment put on the black flash t shirt the same as the one he had bough cuddle bunny, along with his black suit pants. Sheldon sat down knowing all he could do now was wait. He had agreed to be in the shop at 3 o'clock and James was meeting Amy there at 3.30. Sheldon paced his room nervously glancing at his watch every 10 seconds. Deciding he would just arrive early he made his way downstairs.

Entering the shop he ordered tea. He took his drink to the table James had decided would keep him most out of view. He could see out of the window and would be able to see them approaching.

As he saw James tall figure come into view Sheldon felt his heart pound.

There she was. He hadn't seen her in so long he felt like running outside and grabbing her. Quickly taking in her denim skirt and blue blouse Sheldon became aware that she didn't look happy. Looking closer Sheldon realised she appeared to quite cross in fact. She was gesticulating wildly at James who was doing his best to dodge her hands and ignore her.

As they entered the shop James bent down and said something quietly which caused Amy to snort angrily and turn to the counter, James found a seat and quickly signalled to Sheldon.

Knowing this was his cue Sheldon now felt very nervous. Amy was angry, say she hit him, what if she got mad at him for being here.

He didn't have a choice though as James was watching him and Amy was nearly at the front of the queue. As she got to the front Sheldon placed his hand on her shoulder and said

"May I buy you a beverage? A tepid water perhaps?"

Gasping and spinning round Amy stood staring at him her mouth open in shock and her eyes blinking in disbelief.

She didn't answer so Sheldon whispered "Hi"

Tears began to trickle down Amy's cheeks and she threw her arms around his neck and sobbed.

73~73

James placed the drinks order over Amy's shoulder and helped Sheldon take a still sobbing Amy to the table.

"Amy I didn't want you to cry. You know I don't like crying. This was meant to be a happy surprise."

James grinned. "Oh I think she is happy Sheldon!" nodding Amy lifted her head.

Wiping her eyes and sniffing she just looked at Sheldon.

"Amy please talk to me. I am sorry I didn't tell you I was here I just thought it would be a nice surprise."

"Oh Sheldon, it is the very best surprise!" Amy sniffed. "I just cant quite believe you are here!"

"Yes well I cant either if I'm honest. But I am and I would very much like to spend the last two weeks of your time here with you if that is OK?"

"Seriously? You are staying till I go home?"

James was grinning beside them, "Oh it gets better Amy, Linda says you can have the last two weeks off work! Evidently your brilliant boyfriend charmed our beloved boss and she is all for the great romance!"

Amy frowned "Linda knows?"

"Amy I met Linda in Cambridge. I was invited by Hawking to lecture there and she was invited. She introduced herself and asked why you weren't with me. I told her I planned to surprise you so she gave me James number and told me to go for it. Are you mad?"

"No! how could I be mad? I tell you who will be mad though. Penny! You have deprived her of a trip to London!"

"Yes well our previous trip was not a great success as you know. But I told her earlier I was here and I think she was so stunned with me being here, the fact she herself missed out hadn't hit her yet, plus I woke her at 4am which distracted her slightly." Sheldon grinned.

Sniggering Amy held Sheldon's hand. "I am so glad you are here." she whispered.

Squeezing her hand back Sheldon smiled "Me too."

"OK you two enough of that there are three of us here!" James laughed.

Shaking herself Amy turned to him

"James I'm sorry, on reflection my reaction to you making me walk a mile and a half for coffee was harsh. Not at the time, then it was based on solid foundations of a raging hangover; but that seems to have passed and I know you had my best intentions at heart."

"Well will wonders never cease Dr Fowler apologised! You wait till I tell them this in the office tomorrow!"

"Oh no mister! That was a one off! And if word of my weakness spreads I will show them all the picture of you and Simon doing the birdie dance."

"Amy please tell me you have not come all this way to embarrass yourself with that silly dance!" Sheldon laughed.

James sniggered. "OK enough of the blackmail, what say I leave you guys alone, but Simon and I will take you both out to dinner somewhere fancy tonight?"

Amy looked at Sheldon questioningly.

"Thank you James that would be most agreeable. But it will be my treat, for helping set this up and for looking after Amy so well." Sheldon replied.

"Well we will argue about that later, I am going now but will text you later to arrange a time for dinner." and with a wave James was gone.

73~73

Sheldon and Amy sat staring at each other once James left. Both suddenly shy and not quite sure what to say next.

"I missed you Sheldon" Amy said finally breaking the silence.

Sheldon nodded he could feel tears welling in his eyes and knew if he told Amy exactly how he felt sat here right now he would make a fool of himself.

Raising their linked hands he kissed the back of hers. "I missed you too" he whispered.

"Sheldon where are you staying?" Amy asked curiously realising for the first time he had obviously been in London at least 1 day if not more.

"I am at the Holiday Inn round the corner."

"Oh err... are you staying there the whole time?" Amy now felt the heat in her cheeks, was it too pushy to ask him to stay at hers.

"I only made the booking for a couple of nights as I wasn't sure how this would go?"

"What do you mean?" Amy frowned "How did you think it would go?"

"I was scared you'd be mad at me for not telling you about Hawking and Cambridge."

"Sheldon I'm not mad. But instead of staying in a hotel do you want to stay with me?"

Amy looked as embarrassed as Sheldon felt.

Nodding he replied. "Yes please."

"Good. Sheldon lets go back to get your stuff. We could move it today and then get ready at mine for dinner."

"OK." smiling Sheldon stood holding his hand out to Amy.

73~73

When they reached Sheldon's room he quickly began packing up his belongings. Amy pulled out her phone and sent a text first to Linda Greensmith thanking her for arranging the surprise and time off then to Penny. This text was far less formal

"OMG! OMG! OMG! Sheldon is here! I cant believe he flew all this way on his own! Penny it was so romantic! OMG!"

Receiving the text Penny laughed out loud and showed Leonard. "Well I guess that went OK then" he grinned.

As she watched Sheldon move around gathering his belonging Amy began to think about Sheldon being in her flat. She had left it in quite a state before she went out last night, clothes all over the place as she tried to decide what to wear, and this morning she was barely able to drag herself to the bathroom to shower let alone tidy. She began to panic. That was not how she wanted Sheldon to see her new home.

"Sheldon, maybe I should let you finish up here then come collect you tonight." Amy said, not looking at him s she felt him stop and turn towards her.

"Why?"

"Just because I don't want to rush you and I know you have everything you need here."

Sheldon frowned. What was happening, was Amy changing her mind?

"I guess I could stay here. I have paid for tonight, but I am ready now so it doesn't matter."

Amy sighed.

"Amy what's wrong? Would you rather I stayed here. It is OK, I wont mind"

"No Sheldon, I am just being silly. I left my flat in a mess. I don't want you seeing it like that. I just panicked."

Nodding Sheldon placed the items form the bathroom he was holding down on the side and moved to sit next to Amy.

"Amy this has all been sprung on you. Why don't I stay here tonight, and tomorrow we can talk about what happens next."

Amy looked at Sheldon. "You don't mind?"

"No Amy I don't mind. I will admit to being nervous about this. I have missed you so much but I know we both need time to get used to each other again."

Amy looked at Sheldon. He looked so sweet sat on the edge of the bed nervously fiddling with his fingers.

"Sheldon I love you so much. I want to show you all the things I've seen here, I want to discover new things with you too then, and I want this the most I think, then I want to go home and go to the zoo, sit on the sofa and just be."

Sheldon looked at Amy then pulling her gently towards him he hugged her gently. "That's what I want too." he whispered.

73~73

In the end Amy left Sheldon and returned to her flat to get ready. She tidied round quickly and then showered and changed. Getting dressed she took extra care with her hair and make up then caught a cab back to Sheldon's hotel. He was ready waiting for her and together they went to the restaurant that James had sent them details of.

Sheldon was surprised when he met Simon. James being so tall and good-looking he was expecting Simon to be the same, but in front of him now stood a man of 5ft 7 with small glasses on the end of his nose, straight brown hair pulled back into a pony tail and an uncomfortable expression in his face.

James moved to greet them as Amy and Sheldon approached.

"Hey you made it! I wasn't sure you'd leave the hotel room once you got back there." he grinned winking. "This is simon, Sheldon, excuse his sulky expression he hates having to put on a suit."

"There was nothing wrong with the shirt I had on." Grumbled Simon.

"No love, but in a restaurant like this daleks are frowned upon!" James laughed raising his eyes to Amy conspiratorially.

In no time Simon and Sheldon were engrossed in a conversation about Dr Who while James and Amy sat talking about work. The meal was gorgeous and everyone was relaxed and enjoyed themselves. Insisting on paying Sheldon moved to hold Amy's hand as they stood to leave.

"Now Sheldon, I am sure I read on tumblr that filming next week is down by the river but I will check and text you, I will get the day off and we can spent thee day, the film crews are great they didn't mind you taking pictures and stuff." Simon grinned happily.

Nodding Sheldon shook hands with the two men then turned to Amy. "Do you want to share a cab?" he asked quietly.

Nodding Amy kissed her friends goodbye and went with Sheldon to hail a cab.

"Amy, I know we said we would talk about this tomorrow but do you want to stay at the hotel with me tonight?" Sheldon asked shyly.

"err.. I don't have anything with me." Amy blushed feeling just as shy.

"Well I have a t shirt you can wear. I don't want to push you. You can say no." Sheldon said hastily.

"No I'd like that Sheldon" Amy grinned. "I'd like it a lot."

73~73