The drive to the airport and then the check in was uneventful. Sheldon had ensured his return ticket enabled him to sit with Amy. He had taken one of Meemaw's pills and with his train brochure and mp3 player safely packed in his hand luggage he was much much calmer on the return flight. The early check in time meant they had a couple of hours to walk round the various shops at the airport. Amy bought a few more souvenirs to take home then they went and sat in a restaurant and had some breakfast. It was going to be a long flight home, Amy was amazed at the difference in Sheldon. The last flight they had taken together, returning home from Boston she had been ready to cause him physical harm, yet he sat across the table from her now calm, eating a cooked breakfast and discussing his plans for when he got home.
"The first thing I am going to do is read a comic book! No... wait... Do an equation on my board! no... wait... Play a game of halo with Leonard!"
"Really? Not do your laundry?" Amy grinned
"Ooh yes! That's what I'll do first!" Sheldon grinned back happily.
Shaking her head Amy pulled out her phone and sent Penny a text.
"Hey bestie! We are at the airport. Will be arriving in LAX at 3pm. See you soon. A x"
73~73
Sheldon settled himself in his seat and glanced around. Smiling contentedly at the almost empty first class cabin he pulled out his train book and mp3 player. Amy had her kindle fully charged and loaded with enough romance books to see her through the 11 plus hour flight.
"I cant believe we are going home." she said "This trip seems to have gone quickly really, so much has happened. I would love to go back one day."
"Yes I agree it has not been quite as harrowing as I first envisaged." Sheldon agreed; remembering his first thoughts when Amy had broken the news of her trip to him. "It feels a long time ago I abandoned you in that restaurant!"he admitted.
Grinning Amy said "Yes not exactly you finest boyfriend moment!" Seeing Sheldon looked embarrassed she snuggled close "Don't worry Sheldon, you have more than made up for it since!"
Sheldon looked Amy in the eyes to check she wasn't humouring him. Seeing only love radiating back at him the tension left his body and he put his arm around her shoulder.
As the plane took off Amy held Sheldon's hand tightly but she could see, although nervous, he was coping well. When the seat belt lights were turned off he realised his buckle and began organising himself, kicking off his shoes and ensuring they were safe and unlikely to roll away, he got his brochure and with a grin sat staring at the engine on the front cover. "So beautiful!"
he whispered tracing the engine with his fingers.
Beside him Amy snorted. Other men got that look in their eye when looking at naked women, with Sheldon it was trains!
"What?" He looked at her questioningly.
"Nothing Sheldon, I am glad you enjoyed the day!" and she really was glad. She watched him for a while, first flicking through to look at the pictures before returning to the front and reading every word.
The pair sat in companionable silence, both reading, and only looked up when one of the stewards came round to offer them drinks. Soon drinks and snacks were cleared away to be replaced by lunch, then more drinks. Amy began to feel restless and climbing over Sheldon, who was now plugged into his mp3 player, she walked up and down, more to stretch her legs than anything. 11 hours was a long time to fly so climbing back into her seat Amy decided she would try to sleep. Tapping Sheldon's arm she told him she was going to nap and curling up against his side, eye mask blocking out the light Amy was soon asleep. Sheldon smiled as he looked down at Amy sleeping curled in a ball, legs pulled up onto the chair next to her. He took his ear piece out and lay his head on top of hers.
It was 3 hours later they awoke. Sitting bolt upright it took Sheldon a second to realise were he was. Heart pounding he took a few deep breaths. Looking down he saw Amy still half asleep, his jumping had woken her and he saw the same confusion in her eyes too, for fleeting seconds, before focusing on him.
"Hey, what time is it?" she mumbled
"Nearly 2 LA time, we are nearly home." he grinned.
73~73
"There they are!" Shouted a very loud very excited voice her only warning before Amy felt herself being almost knocked to the ground by Penny!
"Hey Bestie!" she grinned, finding herself freed to witness Sheldon suffer a similar hug.
"Sheldon!" Penny realised him then punched him.
"Hey! What was that for?" he grumbled rubbing his arm
"Sheldon you went to Texas and didn't come back! You flew across the world without telling us and quite frankly pulled off a very romantic surprise that I can not believe you kept secret!"
Sheldon grinned. "Yes well, sometimes secrets are necessary."
"Ames, I want to know ALL the details." Penny said, turning her back on Sheldon and linking arms with Amy. Leaving Sheldon to struggle with their cases the girls moved ahead. Once they had left the airport building Sheldon was relieved to see Leonard sat in the drop off spot waiting for them. Jumping out to help the struggling Sheldon Leonard said "Welcome home buddy! I've missed you!"
The drive back was filled with chatter, the boys discussing goings on at the university and the girls discussing Sheldon's surprise and his stay in England.
"Amy are we taking you back to your apartment or are you coming back with Sheldon?" Leonard asked from the drivers seat.
"Too mine please" Amy replied. She did not notice Sheldon's frown.
Pulling up outside Amy's building Sheldon got out and retrieving her case walked inside with her.
"You could have come back to mine." he said quietly.
"I know Sheldon but I haven't been here for 6 months. I will get myself settled and do my laundry and call you, either tonight or tomorrow I promise." Leaning up to kiss him Amy smiled.
"Thank you Sheldon, for everything."
Kissing her back passionately Sheldon reluctantly let her go and made his way back to the car. Getting in beside Leonard he was comforted to be back with his friends. Entering his apartment he grinned. He had really missed it. Walking through to his room Sheldon's smile got bigger as he saw his comic books. Opening his case he began unloading his dirty clothes into his basket and was almost skipping by the time he got to the basement.
73~73
Sheldon slept well that night. Having his own pillows and his own belongings around him he felt like he never wanted to leave again. The next morning he actually had to go check the chart on the wall to see what he should have for breakfast.
"Sheldon what are you doing?" Leonard asked, surprised to see Sheldon reading the chart he was sure he had memorised.
"Leonard I have been living like a nomad for the past few months. I am just trying to restore some order back into my life!"
"Was it so bad, not eating your high bran cereal every other day?"
"No Leonard it wasn't bad, just a disruption to my careful crafted routine. I am back now and so my routine can return to normal."
"Sheldon this past 6 months you have made so many changes, are you going to go back to the old Sheldon again?" fear laced Leonard's voice.
"What was wrong with the old Sheldon?"
"Nothing, nothing,"Leonard reassured him quickly, "It is just you have travelled so much, made big steps with Amy and for yourself too. You have been living with her for the last few weeks. How do you think she will feel if she comes visit to find she cant see you because its laundry night, or enter your room 'because nobody can be in your room'?"
Sheldon considered this for a moment. "For Amy I will continue to make allowances." he stated. "Amy can enter my room. You, however, cannot!"
Sheldon missed Leonard's raised eyebrows at his declaration that he would make allowances for Amy. His room-mate had obvious changed a lot!
73~73
To: Amy Farrah Fowler
From: Sheldon Cooper
Good morning Amy.
I hope you sleep long and well last night. It is odd communicating with you like this. It seems a long time since we last emailed.
I wondered if you would consider coming with me to the zoo today then out for dinner?
I love you.
Sheldon
x
Hitting send Sheldon hoped he would not have to wait long for Amy's reply.
73~73