That night Penny sat in her apartment with Bernie and Amy; sipping on her third glass of wine as the two scientists droned on and on about something she just couldn't process. She had invited Hannah to girl's night but after finding out that Amy was in attendance she politely declined the invitation.

"Hey. How about we talk about something else? Like boys! How's things going with Howard and Sheldon?"

Penny forced a smile, not really wanting to talk about Howard or Sheldon any more than the biology topic but at least they weren't as gross. Most of the time.

"Howie's doing good. He's finally starting to put some space between us and his mother. Things are going good."

They turned to Amy who looked into her near empty wine glass with a frown on her face. Things with her and Sheldon were same as always, which wasn't a good thing. "Oh, you know me and Shelly. Two wild and crazy kids..." She murmured to herself, swirling the liquid in the bottom of the glass as she spoke.

"This week is date night right? That's exciting!" Bernie tried with no luck. Amy finally looked up from the glass and forced a half-smile at the thought of another wonderful date night with Sheldon. "Yeah. He wants me to re-watch Indiana Jones because... Hannah... informed him there are some scenes even he missed."

"Oh." To her credit Bernie wasn't a fan of Indiana Jones either but Penny seemed to perk up at the mention of Sheldon and Hannah. She didn't want Amy to get hurt but she'd be lying if she said the chemistry between her new and old neighbor wasn't exciting. Sheldon was like a brother to her and she had always wanted him to find someone that made him happy. At first she thought that someone was Amy but now that Hannah had come into their lives she just wasn't so sure anymore.

She promised herself... well, she promised Leonard that she wouldn't get in Sheldon and Amy's business. She was letting fate take its course.

"I really wish that blond tramp would fall off a cliff." Amy said suddenly; returning to her fascinating glass. She knew Hannah and Penny were friends but Hannah wasn't trying to creep up on Leonard. "Amy. That's rude. Hannah is a nice girl and you have no reason to talk like that about her. Sheldon would never cheat on you."

Amy grunted her response. "I realize she is your friend and intellectual equal but she's got the hots for my man."

Penny rolled her eyes, setting her wine glass down. "I think your man has the hots for my friend." The words slipped out before she could stop them, closing her mouth tightly as Amy met her eyes. Several emotions fell across her face before she stood and gathered her things. "Thanks a lot bestie. Glad to see you're on my side."

"I'm not on anyone's side! Sheldon is my friend. You are my friend. Hannah is my friend. You guys need to sort your own love lives out!"

Before Penny could gain control of the situation Amy was out the door and knocking on Sheldon's apartment door; her face flushed pink from the wine and the thought of Sheldon having feelings for Hannah. He was Sheldon Cooper! He didn't have feelings for anyone!

When no one answered Amy took it upon herself to turn the knob and step inside. Sheldon was her boyfriend of four years - she didn't have to knock and wait to be asked inside. "Ah-ha!" She declared, pointing a finger at her boyfriend who was perched in his spot on the couch with an Xbox controller in his hands and turtle beach headphones on his ears. Apparently they had installed a surround sound without her knowing because it sounded like world war three in the small living room.

Leonard, Raj and Howard turned to the door but Sheldon was enthralled in the game - sneaking around the corner to get the finally kill before the game ended. He finally looked up at Amy, confused as to why she was standing in his apartment.

The other guys glanced at each other, waiting for an explanation. Amy felt embarrassed; expecting to find Sheldon in the arms of another woman. "Um, Hi. Sheldon, can I have a word with you?" Sheldon sighed, removing the headphones and handing them to Howard as he stood from the couch and ushered Amy back into the hallway.

"Amy. You've obviously been drinking." He stated once the door was closed and they stood alone in the hallway. "Only two glasses. I wanted to talk to you about Hannah."

Another sigh escaped the physicist.

"If you've come to yell at me again for helping her study there's no need. She's quite smart and has been doing well in her class since our initial study date."

Study date? Amy frowned. "So you talk to her?" Her voice came out quiet as she waited for his answer. "We live in the same building. I do happen upon her from time to time. Would you like for me to move so that I don't encounter her anymore?" Sheldon narrowed his eyes at the thought. Her jealously was becoming rather annoying.

"No! That's ridiculous. I just want you to talk to me."

"I'm talking to you now."

Amy sighed in defeat.

"Are we still having date night Thursday? It is our anniversary."

"Of course." He assured with his koala smile. They said a mutual goodbye and he retreated back into his apartment as quickly as they met. "Hey Sheldon." Raj yelled over the game, grinning as he entered the room again. "Your new girlfriend Hannah is pretty good at this game."

Sheldon sat in his spot and took the headphones back from Howard; "She is not my girlfriend." He growled, before adjusting the microphone. He watched as PVT-H snuck around the screen and shot one of the other team members, ending the game.

x-x-x

Wednesday.

"Mom?"

Leonard looked up from the TV as Sheldon answered his phone; the tall physicist paled as his mother chattered on the other line before slumping into his spot on the couch.

"Congestive heart failure?"

Sheldon stared at the TV as his mother spoke, not moving or breathing as he waited for her to finish.

"Are you sure mother? Meemaw is in her eighties."

Another long pause.

"I see. Very well then. Yes call me if there are any changes."

They said a few more words to one another before Sheldon hung up, exhaling the breath he had been holding. "Is everything alright, Sheldon?" Leonard asked, concerned for his friend who continued to stare into space.

"It seems meemaw had a heart scare at bible study this evening and is spending the night in the hospital. Mother assures me the doctor has given her a clean bill of health but they are going to keep her a few days for observation."

Leonard frowned at the thought. "That sucks, buddy. I'm sure she'll be alright though." He wasn't sure what to say to console his friend. Sheldon just nodded, standing suddenly from his spot.

"Thank you Leonard. I think I will retire early tonight after giving Amy the agreed upon weekly Wednesday call."

Leonard said goodnight as Sheldon disappeared down the hall and into his bedroom, shutting the door quietly.

x-x-x

"Sheldon, I'm so sorry. If you'd like I could come over and console you." Amy offered, frowning at him from the laptop screen. He seemed heartbroken at the news of his beloved meemaw though his mother had assured him she would be fine.

"No, no. You have an early morning tomorrow. I'll be fine. I believe I'm going to turn in early tonight."

The thought of Amy coming to his apartment this late with her boa like hugs that always seemed to suffocate him nearly sent him into a panic attack. They said goodbye quickly and Sheldon shut the laptop - taking in a deep, needed breath.

He lay back on his bed and stared up at the ceiling letting his thoughts consume him. Most importantly there was sweet meemaw; much to his mother's delight he said a silent prayer for his grandmother's heath then allowed his mind to drift to Amy.

Amy Farrah Fowler was a brilliant scientist, smart, funny, witty - the perfect girlfriend but he didn't love her. As much as he tried to make himself desire her it just wasn't there. He wasn't being fair to her but for the life of him he didn't know how to tell her.

Sheldon turned on his side, hugging a pillow to his chest as he closed his eyes and sleep suddenly took over.

x-x-x

Hot. It was too hot. Sheldon woke up with a start - glancing around his bedroom. The clock beside his bed flashed 10:10pm and he was still fully clothed. His heart was racing as he sat up; running a hand over his face.

Meemaw was in the hospital.

It hadn't been a bad dream. He pushed himself from the bed and went to the door, opening it to the dark living room. Leonard's bedroom door was closed; a usual sign that he had retired to bed as well.

He checked the thermostat; the agreed upon temperature. He needed fresh air. Grabbing his key from the bowl beside the door Sheldon stepped into the hallway quietly and descended down the stairs until he was outside; cool night air welcoming him. He sat on the edge of the landscaping bricks and sighed, placing his head in his hands.

x-x-x

Hannah clutched her keys tightly as she walked towards the apartment complex - glancing to her left as something caught her eye. A single woman on her own had to be wary of her surroundings at all times.

To her surprise, Sheldon Cooper was sitting on the flower bed with his head in his hands. "Sheldon?"

He looked up quickly, wiping the silent tears that fell down his face. Hannah walked towards him frowning. "What's wrong sweetie?" She asked, sitting beside him on the bricks. He noticed their shoulders were nearly touching but it was surprisingly comforting.

"My meemaw is in the hospital." The words came out a whisper as he stared at his hands. "Oh no. Something serious?" She asked, reaching out and placing her hand on his back. Sheldon turned his head and looked at her - amazed that he didn't even flinch from her touch. Her palm ran from one shoulder blade to the other at a slow, soothing pace.

"My mother says no, they are just observing her."

"Well that's good. I'm sure everything is fine - maybe you can give her a call in the morning to check on her. I know its hard living away from your family. Makes you feel helpless."

That's exactly how he felt.

He smiled suddenly before closing his eyes and taking a breath. The constant drum of her fingers against his back, back and forth, back and forth, calmed him in a way he hadn't felt in a long time. Amy always came at him from the front - insisting on a hug, wrapping herself around him at an attempt to comfort.

"Thank you Hannah for making me feel better." He said quietly glancing at her again. She smiled; her eyes sparkling. They stared at one another for a long moment before Sheldon's eyes found her lips. His bit his own; idly wondering how it would feel if he pressed his lips to hers.

"You're welcome."

Her hand slowly stopped its delightful caress on his back as he reach out with his own and touched a fallen curl of honey blond hair, placing it behind her ear. It felt like silk in his fingertips. If he attempted to kiss her here in front of their apartment complex on landscaping bricks he feared he wouldn't stop. He feared he would have his way with her right here in the flower bed.

This girl he had only known a few weeks that enjoyed Superman and The Flash. Indiana Jones and played Xbox Live on Saturday nights.

Sheldon swallowed hard; finding her eyes again before he sat up straight.

"Come, I'll walk you up." Hannah assured once the air cleared between them. Sheldon stood as well, now towering over her as they made their way into the complex. They walked in silence to Sheldon's apartment.

"I hope you get some rest. Try not to worry too much about meemaw. She's in the best place she can be while she's not feeling well."

Sheldon smiled again, studying her for a long moment.

"You are very good at comforting people, Hannah. Thank you." She reach out once again and patted him on the back before turning to the stairs and going to her floor. Sheldon watched her disappear up the stairs before entering his apartment.

x-x-x

"Feeling better Sheldon?" Leonard asked as he emerged from his bedroom the next morning. Sheldon was at his usual spot at the table with a bowl of brand flakes. "Yes. I spoke with mother this morning and was able to say hello to meemaw as well. She's been feeling a little weak but eager to get back to her own bed. The doctor is going to switch a few of her medications in hopes to get her strength back."

Leonard smiled.

"Well, I'm glad to hear she's feeling better." He poured himself a glass of juice and turned back to his bedroom to get ready for work only to be stopped by Sheldon suddenly.

"Leonard. I'm afraid I have feelings for our neighbor Hannah Reynolds. I know that Amy Farrah Fowler is my girlfriend but when I'm with Hannah I feel... something I've never quite felt before."

Leonard's mouth fell open in shock. Dr Cooper was admitting he had feelings for someone? Someone who wasn't his girlfriend of four years. He swallowed a mouthful of juice before answering.

"Well, Sheldon - the heart wants what the heart wants sometimes. I think Hannah is a great girl but maybe you should talk to Amy about your relationship before you act on these feelings for Hannah."

Sheldon looked down into his cereal bowl, processing Leonard's advice. "Thank you Leonard. I guess Amy and I have a lot to discuss on our date tonight."

x-x-x-x-x

A/N: I hope you like my update and I hope there aren't anymore errors. I fixed the height thing so now Hannah is a smoking 5'8 to Sheldon's 6'1. He's still slightly taller than her. Look forward to Sheldon and Amy's date night and the inevitable first kiss between Sheldon and Hannah!