Amy grinned at the look of stunned disbelief on Sheldon's face. This look was quickly replaced by the biggest grin.
"Oh Amy it is beautiful" Sheldon whispered. Threading his was through the smartly dressed people milling about on the platform Sheldon walked towards the engine. Running his hand along its side he turned back to Amy.
"We are really going on it?"
"Yes" Amy grinned "we are booked on for a 5 hour trip through the English countryside. We will have lunch on board and stop at a place called Bath."
"I wish I'd brought my camera" Sheldon muttered pulling out his phone to snap a picture.
Pulling Sheldon's camera out of her bag she leant round and gave it too him.
"Oh Amy!" he grinned and pulling of the lens cap began taking pictures in a frenzy.
"Sheldon give me the camera and let me take one of you" Amy laughed.
She was so glad she had listened to James now. When he had first mentioned it the other day at work Amy was sceptical. But knowing Sheldon had really made an effort for her she figured one day on a train was not much to ask. Now, standing here looking at the train, she was almost as excited as Sheldon.
As they moved further along the platform Amy saw the stewards. They were all smartly turned out in black pants with white jackets trimmed with a black collar and gold buttons. The carriages in cream and brown with gold writing looked very old, but Amy's romantic fantasies had taken hold and she was eager to get on board.
Fishing in her bag for her tickets Amy showed them to one of the stewards who directed them to a carriage named 'Vera'. Climbing on board with a still grinning Sheldon Amy gasped at the beautiful décor. Curtains trimmed the windows, the tastefully refurbished seats in thickly embroidered brocade either side of a linen covered table on which stood a side lamp and champagne flutes. An ice filled bucket and champagne awaited them.
Instead of sitting opposite Amy Sheldon slid in next to her.
"Don't you want to sit and look out of the window?" She asked surprised.
"I will when we start moving but I wanted to say thank you first."
Sheldon pulled Amy towards him and kissed her.
Lifting her arms to stroke his hair Amy sank into the kiss, gently stroking his tongue with her own.
Pulling back Sheldon whispered "Amy I love you so much. Thank you for this. It is the best present ever."
"Even better than you Leonard Nemoy napkin?" Amy grinned
"Even that!" Sheldon nodded.
73~73
Sipping champagne and watching the countryside pass them by Amy really could see why Sheldon loved trains.
"I agree this is better than the tube!" she grinned.
"Just a little" Sheldon smirked. His nose was almost pressed to the window, watching for the engine as they turned bends in the track and watching the shadow of the smoke play across the ground.
They were both surprised when the door to their compartment opened and a liveried man stood before them.
"Good morning Dr Cooper, Dr Fowler, my name is Edward, and on behalf of the Venice Simplon Orient Express may I welcome you on board. You will find the history of the carriage you are travelling in in the complementary documents I have here for you. I would like to inform you luncheon will be served in 1 hours time and we should arrive at The World Heritage site of the city of Bath at approximately 1.30pm. Our stop over will consist of a walking tour of the pump room in the Roman baths and spa before rejoining the train for our return journey. Please do not hesitate to ask if there is anything you need."
And Edward was gone almost as quickly and quietly as he arrived.
Pulling the brochure towards him Sheldon was soon torn between reading up on the history of the train and staring out of the window
"Sheldon why don't you save that till the flight home tomorrow, it'll give you something to do and take your mind of the journey."
Reluctantly Sheldon handed over the brochure and returned to watch the countryside.
As promised their lunch arrived exactly one hour later. The 5 course meal was of the highest standard and beautifully presented. Amy looked down at their empty plates and thought she could honestly say she would never have thought of eating guinea fowl and mushroom mousse, but she had enjoyed every mouthful, the cheese board and prune and apricot frangipane tart nearly beat her, but she was determined to savour every moment and mouthful With dinner more wine had arrived. A little concerned at the thought of wine on top of champagne Sheldon stuck to water. By the time their meal had been removed and they were pulling into the station at Bath Amy was grateful for the chance to stretch her legs. Sheldon would happily have stayed on the train but Amy grabbed his hand and dragged him away, following their guide.
Holding hands Sheldon and Amy stayed at the back of the group. They admired the Georgian architecture and even Sheldon was interested in the history of the bath houses built by the Romans.
Returning to the train Amy slid into the seat next to Sheldon this time and rested her head on his shoulder.
"When I left you all those months ago at the airport I was so sad." she whispered, "I never thought 6 months later we would be together on the Orient Express travelling through the English countryside. I am so very glad you came Sheldon, thank you!"
Cupping her chin in his hand Sheldon bent to kiss Amy. Even as the train pulled away he did not look up. Gentle tender kisses, arms around each others waists.
Pulling back Amy smiled. "I am ready to go home now though are you?"
Sheldon nodded.
73~73
Returning to Amy's flat Sheldon began organising their packing.
"I am not falling for your trick of all the dirty laundry in one case this time" he said "I am sure that was just so you could get me to do your laundry for you!"
Laughing Amy replied, "Well don't come begging for space in my case when you cant fit in all the Dr Who junk you bought!"
"Junk!? Amy it is not junk. And most of the things I bought are gifts for our friends." but turning to look at the one small case he arrived with and the pile of bags he seemed to have accumulated since he arrived Sheldon thought Amy may have a point!
"There is the small possibility I might need another bag." Sheldon conceded.
Laughing Amy said "Why don't we ask James if he has one we can borrow, to save buying one, and when he comes out to LA we can give it back?"
Nodding Sheldon pulled out his phone and sent the request.
Half an hour later James arrived with Simon in tow; they had the case as promised along with a couple of large pizzas and a case of beer.
"We thought we should help you pack." James grinned.
Soon the packing was done and the two couples sat eating pizza and chatting. Sheldon had already downloaded the pictures form his camera onto his laptop and was eager to show the other couple the day they had had.
"There are no pictures of the two of you together." Simon noticed frowning.
Looking back Amy realised he was right, the whole time that Sheldon had been here they had taken pictures of each other.
"Go get your camera "James ordered Sheldon. Sighing, as it meant delving into his neatly packed bag, Sheldon complied and soon James was snapping pictures of the two of them in every room in the flat..
"Right we are going out!" James grinned.
"James there is no need really" Amy protested. "We have a long day tomorrow."
"Amy you have pictures of you and you have pictures of Sheldon but I think your friends would like to see some of both of you. What would your bestie say?" James grinned knowing dropping Pennys name into the conversation would win the argument for him.
Frowning Sheldon muttered "That was crafty!"
Simon laughed.
So James ushered them outside and spent the next hour making them pose in front of various things he deemed important.
He had Amy appear to push a reluctant Sheldon down the stairs of a tube train, he had the pair of them stare dreamily at each other under the statue of Eros in Piccadilly Circus, although it was more creepy than dreamy when they looked back at it as Sheldon had his 'kill batman' smile on!
Simon then flagged down a passing tourist and got them to take photos of the four of them in various poses in Covent Garden.
Seeing Sheldon's patience was beginning to wear thin Amy called a halt to the game.
"James enough! Even my bestie will be bored if she had to look at any more pictures!"
Laughing James said "I am surprised you let me take that many to be honest. OK we will let you go home now. Be sure to text when you land and then I will call you next week so we can arrange a date to come visit. Sheldon it has been a pleasure to meet you." pulling a startled Sheldon into a hug James grinned "You take good care of my girl here!"
"Oh I will. "Sheldon nodded.
Shaking hands with Simon Sheldon said "Thank you for the Dr Who day, when you come to LA we will do Disney! You'll love it"
Waving good bye Amy flagged down a cab and climbing in headed home with Sheldon.
73~73
Laying in bed that night Sheldon said "It seems a long time ago that you were leaving to come here, so much has happened."
"I know. I cant believe a year ago we had been together 3 years and barely held hands. Now the thought of waking up without you beside me seems strange."
"I know what you mean. I am looking forward to going home. I cant wait to get back to my white boards, my room, comics and routine. But Amy I am not looking forward to you not being there beside me."
"Sheldon I am sure it will be strange but just think next week we can have halo night, dinner at the cheesecake factory and you can go paint balling." Amy felt Sheldon grin.
"Do you thing Raj will be OK with Simon working with him?" Amy asked
"Yes, Raj will love him! Its Penny I am worried about; she will be devastated when she knows James is gay!" Sheldon grinned, obviously not at all worried.
Amy sniggered. "Serve her right for assuming I'd run off with him"
"Do you need to hand the keys to this place over to anyone before we go tomorrow?" Sheldon asked.
"No the university have arranged a car to take us to the airport, I just give the keys to the driver. How do you feel about the flight?"
"OK I think, although I am very glad you will be with me! And I have the train book to look at "
Laughing Amy snuggled close resting her head on Sheldon's chest.
"I'm glad I did this"
"Me too Amy, me too!"
73~73
When Sheldon awoke the next morning Amy was not in bed beside him, hearing the shower running Sheldon got out of bed and made his way to the bathroom. Feeling brave he pulled of his pyjama bottoms and pulling open the shower door stepped in behind Amy
"Sheldon!" Amy gasped stunned to see him.
"I missed you when I woke up!" He grinned.
Laughing Amy turned and stood on tiptoes to kiss him. Grabbing the soap Amy began to wash Sheldon's chest. Sheldon however spent his time stroking her body, laughing at how slippery she was.
"This is harder in here "he grumbled as his fingers slipped again trying to capture her nipple. Bending his head he sucked her breast into his mouth.
Moaning Amy stopped trying to wash him and closed her eyes.
Pulling back Sheldon grinned "Its easier with my mouth!"
"We will be late!" Amy warned as she felt a very hard Sheldon press her into the wall.
"We will be quick!" he grinned
Kneeling in front of her Sheldon kissed down her stomach and across her hip bone running his fingers through the wet curls nestled between her legs. Sheldon grinned as he heard her groan.
"Sheldon we cant... condoms..." Amy gasped as she felt his tongue flick against her. Standing and reaching round her to turn of the water Sheldon pulled Amy out of the shower towards the bedroom.
Laughing Amy said "You are in a determined mood!"
"I am going to be trapped on a plane for hours unable to touch you, I need to make the most of this time!"
Grabbing a condom Sheldon was soon pushing Amy back on the bed. She lifted her hips against the feel of him but he pushed her back down. "sshhh" he murmured as he rubbed his erection against her teasingly.
"Sheldon" she pleaded reaching between them. Grasping him in her hand she guided him to her
and lifting up pushed her hips forward. Unable to resist Sheldon thrust forward. Together they teased each other sometimes barely moving. Staring into Amy's eyes Sheldon whispered "I love you." Smiling Amy pulled him down into a kiss as she squeezed him tight and ran her nails down his back in the way she knew would made him squirm.
Amy wrapped her legs around Sheldon's waist and her arms gripped his shoulders. Knowing she was close Amy started to move quicker. Sheldon could feel her breathe in his ear and feeling her movements become more erratic as she began to loose control he reached between them and began to stroke her with his fingers. He felt her orgasm hit her and wash over him, tipping him over the edge as he began to pump into her.
"I think we need another shower now" he grinned
"Well we had better be quick the car will be here in half hour." Amy pointed out
"Shall we save time and shower together?" Sheldon grinned
"No that's how we ended up here in the first place!" Amy pointed out" you go shower I'll make you some tea then we will swap. Be quick!"
They were only just ready when the buzzer sounded to tell them the car was there. Sheldon laughed at Amy's harassed expression.
"Sheldon 6 months ago you would have been ready on the pavement when the car arrived. I am not sure I can handle this version of you!"
Laughing Sheldon replied "oh I am sure once I am back home the old Sheldon will return Amy don't worry!"
73~73