When the twosome returned, they helped Stephan with any last minute items as his time in Virginia was going to be several days. When the man was all situated, Amy and Sheldon drove him to MBS in his car. After spending almost an hour they would never get back with an insipid ticket clerk, another person came to help them and they were able to finagle a ticket for Sheldon on Amy's flight to Houston the next day.

When done, the traffic was snarled due to a motor vehicle accident. It was almost eight in the evening and Amy was starving as was Sheldon. When they got to Midland, she took them to the Japanese steakhouse Genji's and was thankful because of the time they could get in without a reservation. Due to the hour, they got a grill all to themselves. Even the skinny Texan enjoyed the show with the shrimp tails in the grillmaster's hat, but he wasn't amused when the man faked squirting ginger at him.

As they were driving back to Mount Pleasant, Sheldon turned to his girlfriend. "How did you find that place? It's approximately 32 miles from our location to this place and it is off the route Stephan gave us to return back"

Amy turned to her boyfriend. His need for routine was cute most of the time. Luckily now was one of those times. "I was invited to join the neuroscience department one night and I loved it, especially since it was half price wine night."

Sheldon felt his insides burn at the prospect of his Amy talking to other males. Amy saw his face contort and became very angry. "Sheldon, it was a mix of female and males and they were my colleagues. You have no room to judge me for anyone I spoke with or hung out with since you took off on me this summer"

To the physicist's credit, he knew he screwed up right away. "I'm sorry, Amy. It was unfair"

"I'm glad you figured that out. We're crossing the county line soon and will be in Mount Pleasant within twenty minutes"

The car was silent for the next several minutes and Sheldon couldn't stand it anymore. "Amy, I'm really sorry"

"I know. I heard you the first time"

The drive continued to be quiet with tension until they passed the casino. Amy wasn't sure why she felt this desperate need to hold onto her mad. Usually Sheldon was the one who stewed like a child at times. She looked at her boyfriend and saw the sadness in his features as he looked out the windshield. Knowing she was in the wrong for slapping his olive branch away, she decided to hand it back to him.

"When we get back and get our stuff together, would you like to sit with me and relax with a hot beverage?"

Sheldon turned to Amy, the relief in his eyes evident. "Yes, Amy. I would like that very much.

By the time Amy and Sheldon got their stuff around, it was almost eleven. They sat on the couch drinking their tea before bed.

"Sheldon, you can sleep in the other guest room. There's a bathroom you can use next to it"

"Okay" He looked to Amy and down in his lap. "Amy, how are you?"

Amy knew what he was referring to. "Sad for you…..sad for Stephan"

Sheldon debated on what to do. He thought back and remembered a time when Amy was very upset about being excluded from bridesmaid dress shopping. He remembered going over to check on her and after a debate on what to do, the compromise to snuggle. It made him very uncomfortable but he did it for her. He told his friends he wasn't anyone's snuggle bunny, but times do change.

"Amy….do you want to cuddle?"

Amy turned to him in surprise. "Y-yeah, I do" She saw Sheldon slowly moving his arms apart. She could tell he was not comfortable, but the fact he offered to do it willingly gave her hope. She moved into his arms, squeezed him in return, and they lay down on the couch.

"So, did you know your friend's wife well?"

Amy smiled sleepily. "No, he met her here. Steve was always really shy with girls, so meeting her was like….it for him." Her face sobered slightly. "I don't know what he'll do without her"

Sheldon stared at the wall as he considered his girlfriend's words. He never had any interest in girls until Amy, but even if he did, he had no clue on what he would say to them. Missy tried to help him when they were younger, but it was disconcerting as all her girlfriends did was either giggle or just annoyed the crap out of him. From the day he met the neurobiologist, he could say anything and she understood. What she had to say fascinated him, even though he didn't always show it.

He knew he could be a pain, but since meeting Amy, he tried to do better with her. He didn't always succeed and it frustrated him as he excelled at everything…..everything it seemed except on how to treat his girlfriend, the one woman he could see a future with…..celebrating a Nobel Prize with…maybe someday make love with when he got past his issues.

They would get there, somehow….no matter how long it took. But he had to put that aside for now. Amy needed him.

"Amy, I don't know how you are feeling about her death, or how close you were to your colleague, but I want you to know that I will support you and be there for you in whatever you need. I will also promise not to insult him like Dr. Gunderson, even if his sense of humor sucks. I love you, Amy….Amy?"

He looked down and saw she was asleep with her head onto his shoulder. Feeling a slight chill from the air conditioning, he grabbed the light blanket from behind the couch and laid it on them. He reached for the lamp next to the couch and was grateful as he barely was able to reach it from where he was. He flicked the light, settled in, and closed his eyes.

For Sheldon, it wasn't the most comfortable position and he usually hated couches as he slept on a bed. But right now, it was the best position to be in and he didn't want to be anywhere else.