Chapter 3.
Snowbound
The surprise and uncertainty turned soon into fear and deep anguish. The special night that both were waiting for had become a nightmare. Some passengers shouted while others pounded the doors, verifying that, in fact, the snow had covered the complete right side of the train, making it impossible to exit into the cold landscape.
After a few minutes in dark, the lights had returned to the room and the rest of the passengers, who were in their bedrooms at that time, were now in the communal area, which seemed smaller and cramped with the uproar of the shake.
Sheldon was walking restlessly checking window by window, seeing how the fear had seized his entire body. From his own experience, he didn't get along well with changes in his plans, with staying locked in closed spaces, and with the worse, with not having a contingency plan for a case like this, and that simply thought was devouring his brain.
Running his fingers through his already tousled hair, Sheldon thought in his options. They should be somewhere halfway from Chicago, lost in the middle of Indiana. The cold of the night and the snow, which kept falling persistently, makes going out for help, out of question. Suddenly, he felt a warm hand in his shoulder, returning him back to the reality.
Sheldon could only see her deep and bright green eyes, darker than before, and yet just as beautiful. His mind visualized the minutes before to the fear, when he saw her beautiful face with a bright smile crossing the doorframe, with her lovely tight dress which drew her curves and her laughter echoing in his ears.
- "Sheldon, are you alright?". Her worried voice turning him back to the present. "One of the reviewers is here, he is explaining the situation and wants us to calm down, they have everything under control". Amy's sweet voice was like a natural painkiller which enveloped his senses.
His gaze moved from her eyes to where she was pointing in, watching as the reviewer, surrounded by restless passengers, was trying, in a vain attempt, to explain himself. Sheldon walked, without talk, to him, trying to focus on what he was going to tell but his mind was still running in a semi-panic state.
- "Please ladies and gentlemen, try to calm down, we have already informed the head office of our location and when the sun rises, some workers will go out to check the state of the rail, I assure you, we will not be more than a day in here". His words seemed certain, but the voice denoted fear and insecurity.
- "How can you assure something like that?". Sheldon asked, making the rest of the room get in completely silent. "You didn't check the condition of the train or the tracks yet, and the risk of replicas is high when the snow continues to accumulate on the cliff, we could be trapped here for days or even weeks".
- "Sir, it´s not the time to get nervous, we have heating, food and water, and we are going to work on this issue and start up as soon as possible, it's ...". The reviewer continued explaining but the tumult of people was speaking at once, making their complaints, fears and requests unintelligible for anyone.
Sheldon had triggered a new avalanche, but of fear this time. He wasn't sure why, but his gaze just wanted to checked on her, Amy, who he found her standing beside him, her face was frightened and her eyes full of tears on the edge to leave.
In a reflex act, he took her hand, grabbing it with strength and security, turning his gaze again to the reviewer who seemed overwhelmed by the situation. He felt the soft hand of Amy giving him back the strong squeeze, but he couldn't look, not yet, his act had been without thinking and now he felt unable to face it. He had never acted like that before, and the strange thing was, that it didn't felt bad, it was so natural, like breathing, as if her hand was created only for his.
- "... please, now it's time to get back to your rooms and get some rest. We will inform you at first in the morning, now we can't do anything else". His rough voice echoed through the room, going through the ears of each passenger which looked at him with fear.
Sheldon hadn´t been satisfied with the explanation and had tons of questions to ask, but deep down, he knew that his attitude didn't help in the situation, and that keeps his mouth shut, at least for now, would be the most appropriate.
Slowly, the passengers started to leave and hide in their rooms. Sheldon and Amy stayed there for a few more minutes, unable to move or let their hands off of each other, but at the same time they couldn't looking at each other, facing the fact that they were holding hands, for the first time.
Amy cleared her throat, releasing her hand of Sheldon's tender grip. It had been so comforting and pleasant to feel his warm soft hand, for first time since a long time, she felt she was not alone, she felt that someone was there, taking care of her.
- "I think I should go to sleep, I'm a little bit tired". She ran her fingers through her long hair, entangling one of her strands and twirling it gently around her finger.
Sheldon found himself captivated by every gesture she made, caught in a loop of madness which he had never felt before.
- "Of course, I'll stay a few more minutes here, so you can have the room for yourself and change, good night, Dr. Fowler".
- "Sweet dreams, Dr. Cooper". She sweetly said, walking away from him.
After a few minutes the rest of the passengers left him in complete solitude and silence. Sheldon walked hesitantly in the big room, stopping in front of one of the windows, which was completely covered with a thick layer of white snow.
His hand remained warm, still with the sweet touch of her skin on it, without thinking, Sheldon placed his hand on the glass, the cold of it pierced his whole body like a knife, he stood there, watching his gaze in the reflection of the window. His eyes were different now, he felt different too but at the same time, everything was the same. He stood like that until it was too much pain and he let it go, seeing how he left his print on the window. He looked at the trace as if he had never seen it before, knowing that in the moment their hands touched she had completed the furrows that marked his identity.
Was this the feeling that Leonard had spoken to him for so many years? Was this a real feeling?. He walked away slowly, leaving his print on the window, where it will be erased from it soon, but not from his memory.
Walking to his bedroom, he opened the door carefully. The room was dark and reigned the silence. Sheldon glanced over the bunk, seeing the shadow of Amy's body trembling under several blankets. A cold breeze was coming through a tiny opening line in the window, careful not to make any noise, he closed it and approached to his own bed, hearing a sweet groan coming from the top bunk.
Dropping his head on the pillow, Sheldon´s mind traveled to her again, as every minute of the day since the gazes crossed, seeing her beautiful body, her sparkling eyes and impeccable smile.
Something was happening to him, his body trembled in her presence, his hands were sweating at the thought of her and his heart changed his normal beat to a savage and wild rhythm which let his chest move faster, although it was not normal and he knew it, but he loved it.
Sheldon closed the book for third time that morning, although he had promised to himself that he would take the situation in the best possible way, it was not easy to concentrate when all he could see was the snow accumulating in the window of the room. This was the third morning since the avalanche fell, closing the rail and making it impossible for the train to continue his way.
The first day, seemed to him that was going to be a torture, but soon he found that Amy's company would be the only thing which could make him endure it. They were sharing every meal together, accompanied with fun and interesting conversations about science, and history, they shared books and even read together at the nights. She was so different, and at the same time she was more similar to him that anyone he had ever meet, fun, sweet and so smart that was a challenge.
They were enjoying the company of the other, every minute was like a new adventure, and Sheldon was starting to feel that he was knowing her better, feeling like it was a part of him that was unknown and he was starting to opening it.
He settled back on the sofa, it had been an hour since Amy had gone for a walk on the train. She always tried to make space for both of them, leaving him for hours to have time off, but what she didn't know was that Sheldon wanted to spend every minute of the day with her, he was counting the seconds since she closed the door and waiting impatiently to see it opening again.
He had never wanted to open himself like this, he always tried to have his shield prepared, so no one could cross it, and now, he found himself waiting every moment to share it with her, to see her eyes learning from his life, and that way, he could learn something more about that mysterious and fascinating being who was Amy Farrah Fowler.
After a few minutes in completely silence, Sheldon felt the door opening, jumping in his seat, he saw Amy closing it quickly with a big bright smile on her face.
During the last couples of days, she was wearing more casual clothes, with less makeup but he found her equally beautiful. Sheldon sometimes found himself thinking in what Amy would look like in her normal days, how she dress for work, imagining her, walking through her lab with her beautiful smile and a white lab coat.
Amy walked in, she was wearing a narrow gray skirt, that adjusted perfectly to her curves, a white shirt with a mustard-colored sweater, and a pair of short black heels. Her long hair was loose down, falling shining over her shoulders, her cheeks had a soft pink color like two sweet apples and her lips had the deep red color that every day made Sheldon lose himself in them.
- "I have a surprise, Dr Cooper!". Amy exclaimed, sitting next to him on the couch and pulling out a bottle of wine and two glasses from behind her back. "Did you remember it?".
Sheldon stood perplexed looking at the bottle she held in her hands. How could he not remember it?. He almost could taste the savor of the wine on his lips, was the wine they drank the first night he met her, where he let his impulses guide him and he felt like never before.
- "Of course I know it". Sheldon found himself smiling and blushing. "Where did you bought it?". He said quickly, trying to hide his face behind the bottle.
- "I just found it around".
- "Wait, did you stole it?". Sheldon said scandalized and fascinated in equal parts.
- "Well, to be fair, we already paid for all the meals and beverages, so it should not be considered stealing".
- "Dr. Fowler, you're quite a vixen". He said, as he carefully uncorked the bottle in a quick move and filled both of the glasses. With the aromatic wine Sheldon felt how his senses filled with memories which made his skin tremble. He, softly, gave one of them to her with a smile.
- "For what we should toast, Dr. Fowler?".
- "How about, for science?". She said excitedly, Sheldon nodded and after
clinking their glasses, both submerged their lips in the soft and exquisite wine.
From the first second the red liquid brushed his lips, an avalanche of emotions ran through his entire body. He could see her looks, her lips smiling to him, the feel of her skin on his shoulder while the piano played under his fingers.
He also remembered that feeling, that instinct that possessed him during that long and intense night, the fear and the wish of kiss her lips, of brush her soft face with his fingers and inhale her intoxicating aroma.
- "Amy, can I ask you something?".
- "Of course, Sheldon, go ahead". She simply said, sliding her body down back of the sofa, and resting her head on her hand while she sipped more of that exquisite wine.
- "I want to know, well … when did you start to like science?. You told me you adore it, but when did you find out?". Amy sipped more wine, licking her lips as she thought about her answer.
It was not hard for her to remember her motivations for science, actually, it was what she remembered most from her childhood, but it was a painful thought. Her first memories always produced the same sensation in her throat, which drowned out her heart of pain, because she could still remember the happiness, and the deep pain of when it disappeared.
- "I would say that it was love at first sight".
- "Love at first sight?". Sheldon repeated, feeling the words come from his lips.
- "Oh yes, I still remember the day I read my first biology book, how it smelled, his thin pages and the weight in my hands, I was not older than four years and I found myself totally fascinated by it, as if I had found something I didn't know I was looking for, something I had lost, maybe it doesn't make sense to you but …". Amy sipped her glass again. "... Do you know that feeling?".
- "I never thought I would say this, but I think so, Amy". He said, savoring the wine which began to blush his cheeks and flood his body with a warm sensation.
Sheldon had refused his whole life to any contact with other people, thinking that he was different, that he didn't want the same things as the others. But over the years his affirmation was fading off, when Leonard entered in his life, teaching him the real meaning of friendship, fraternity and brother's love, but then Penny arrived, upside down his life, and although he would never recognize it, improving his life in so many levels that he couldn't tell, but now, this feeling was bigger than anything he had felt until now, it was terrifying, but wonderfully addictive.
- "I have another toast to make". Sheldon said, feeling her eyes fixed on him.
- "Alright, for what we should toast, Sheldon?".
- "For love at first sight". His voice echoed in her hears as he cheered his glass.
Amy swallowed hard, feeling her body tremble at his words, the wine had risen to her head, and all she could think was about how soft and smooth his lips look right now. If he only knew how he made her feel, how her heart beat hastily when he is around her, how her veins burn as a fire that floods her entire body. If he only know that from the first moment she saw his incredible blue eyes he has been the hero of every thought and dream for the last three days, if he only knew ...
Sheldon had fixed his gaze on her intense green eyes, her lips were tinged with the red of the wine and all he could hear was the intense beating of his heart in his ears, as the sound of their breathing filled the silent room. Suddenly some loud laughs at the other side of the window interrupt them.
- "What is that?". Amy asked, standing up from the sofa and opening the window, which let some snow fall onto the floor of their room. "Oh, look, people are playing in the snow, we should join them". She said excitedly.
- "I don't think so, for start we don't know how is the terrain like, we are still under the threat of a new replica of avalancha and we don't have clothes ready for the snow".
- "Dr. Cooper, you think too much, where is your adventurous side?". She said, putting on her coat, gloves and a scarf around her neck. "Come on, I challenge you to a snowball war".
While talking, Amy crouched down on the floor, picking up some snow and throwing it against Sheldon's torso, who jumped up from the sofa.
Amy remained motionless, waiting for the reaction of Sheldon who was standing in front of her. And then, something wonderful happen, Sheldon let his heart drive him this time and a big smile drawn on his face.
- "You're in serious risk, miss, no one ever win me to snowball war". He teased her, taking from the closet his long coat, gloves and scarf.
Sheldon followed Amy as she ran laughing down the long corridor to the opened door. The bright light blinded his eyes for a second, and then, only a large white landscape awaited him. Her long dark hair moved in the air, and snowflakes from the breeze filled her blue coat with white dots.
Dozens of passengers played and laughed under the sun, that finally, after three days was shining above their heads. Sheldon felt one of the balls hit in his shoulder, sliding down the snow in his coat and the melody laugh of Amy behind him. Without thinking, he followed her game, throwing one after another snowballs which crashed onto her coat and made her face light up as he had never seen it before.
The cold breeze caught his nose and colored his cheeks in an intense red tone, while the minutes flew by under his eyes. Never in his life he had laughed so much, his ribs hurt but it was a wonderful and incredible sensation.
In his memory were now images of his childhood, where play had never been something that he sought or enjoyed, where he thought that laugh wasn't for him and that his life would only be full of professional and not personal successes. And here he was, playing and laughing in the snow with a beautiful young woman who was teaching him that life was much more than that, that it could be fun too.
Sheldon ran to her, grabbing her waist and twirling her in the air, the scent of her hair covered his senses, and her bright gaze was all he could see. His hands over her body make him shake and, gently, he lowered her to the thick snow that covered their feet, wrapping his arms around her waist.
- "What have you done with me, Amy Farrah Fowler?". He whispered, getting closer to her face which was staring at him with her bright and beautiful smile.
Amy felt how her whole body burned, and not even the cold air could be felt on her face now. His hands gripped her hips tightly, and his eyes had an intense and dark blue color which seemed that she could lost in them. Moving her feet to get closer to him, she found herself slippery, and a second later both fall onto the cold snow, still laughing and with their bodies stuck to each other.
For Sheldon´s surprise Amy picked up some snow, and splashed it in his face, sliding down his neck and coat. "I never lost, Dr. Cooper, do you give up?". She teased him, with her eyebrows rise up, but Sheldon was trapped in her face, so beautiful and sweet that it seemed like a dream.
Her skin was so soft and pink, her eyes bright and intense, and her dark hair scattered in the snow under her body. He was on top of her, still with his hands on her waist, feeling his chest with hers, his breathing hasty as hers, and Sheldon wondered for a moment if her mind would be thinking the same as him.
- "I will not give up so easily, Dr. Fowler". Sheldon said, splashing some snow on her face, feeling her lips and nose under his gloves.
Amy opened her mouth, laughing and showing a mockery which made him smile. Gently, Sheldon ran his finger across her soft face, wiping the snow from her lips with his glove and leaving a draw of smile on her. With each move, her skin bristled, feeling her body tremble and her mouth getting dry. His hand made a downward path along her arm, slowly, feeling her breathing increase, until it stood on her hand, playing with her fingers and cuping her whole hand with his, squeezing it her tightly in his.
It had been three long days since Sheldon had felt the sweet touch of Amy's hand next to his, and since then, that feeling had occupied each of his dreams, thinking if it was really that wonderful, if he really felt all that or was just a fantasy. But it was, it really was. He had never felt this way, he had never experienced a sensation that could come close to even a tiny part of it, and here he was, dying to feel it again, to feel her body, to feel her skin, to feel all of her.
The sound of a whistle let both of them turn their heads. The big tumult of passengers were now concentrated in a circle around to someone that they couldn't see or heard from so far away. Sheldon rose up from the ground, slowly, helping Amy to get on her feet and shaking the snow off his clothes.
- "What's going on?". Amy asked to one of the ladies, who were there listening to the conversation.
- "They are going to hold a gala dinner tonight to celebrate that it has stopped snowing, at any time now the train will start again and we will arrive in Chicago soon, isn't that wonderful?". The woman said with a big smile, but the words sounded like a jug of cold water for Amy.
- "Yes, of course, wonderful…". Amy murmured, while her throat drowned with the words, until that moment she hadn't realized on that detail, turning her head to both sides, she noticed how the snow, in fact, had stopped falling, and the sun illuminating them was beginning to melt the cumulus of snow on the rail.
It was really the end of this dream, Amy felt stupid to think that something good could happen to her, that the romantic novels she read could be real, and now everything seemed to vanish before her eyes. As soon as they arrived at the next station, she would change the room, as Sheldon wished, leaving behind the nocturnal readings, the talks by the window while the snow fell and the house in silence before sleep, simply hearing his breathing from her bed.
But all this was nothing more than a mirage, nothing had happened between them, they were friends, they shared meals and conversations, but that was all, in a few days they would arrive in California and with it all would end.
How she could think that Sheldon would be interested in her anyway?. He was a handsome and tall scientist, educated and intelligent, and she was a fool to think like a little girl, dreaming in love at first sight, in kisses that never happened and in dances that they had never danced… Amy felt tears wanted to come out of her eyes, holding her breath, she stops them, turning her gaze to the vast landscape.
- "Amy". He repeated, placing his hand on her shoulder to get her attention.
Amy turned slowly, returning to the present, and to Sheldon's sweet face in front of her. "I'm sorry, I was distracted, what were you saying?".
- "Yes, I want to ask you if you would like to come with me tonight?". He stammered, feeling his cheeks burn on his face. "Well... they said there will be a great dinner and dance, and I was thinking that I owe you an evening since the other day when the snow interrupted us".
Amy felt a smile drawing on her face, she had run out of breath for a few seconds while her mind heard his words again. Could it be real?, If he only knew how her heart was beating at this moment, how he make her feel, how all she wanted was to kiss his lips now. "Like a date?". She asked, surprised, fixing her eyes on him.
- "Exactly a date".
Sheldon swallowed hard, feeling his legs shake under him, hundreds of possible scenarios had passed through his head while the words came out of his lips, but all he wanted now was seeing her lips say yes.
- "Yes". He heard softly, feeling like his heart stopped in that second.
Thanks so much for reading and for your wonderful reviews! I´m over the moon with all the love you give me, and I really aprecciate it!
So the snow has stopped falling but this is not the end, just the beginning. Next week new chapter, a very special one, what do you think will happen?. Dont forget to leave a review ;)
Thanks to my beta Linda, for your help and support!