Priceless (takes place after The Little Mermaid)

"I love you for all of this," she replied instead.

"All of what?"

"You, this trip, all you're doing for me, taking Ada swimming, that silly hop-on, hop-off bus, today at Tivoli, the things you said just now. I just hope I love you as much as you deserve to be loved."

He glanced over her head at Ada, whose long, thin backside was facing him. She was probably still awake, but she was looking away. He kissed Amy's cheek. "Who do you think I learned all that from?"

He never ceased to surprise her with the things he said. The funny things, the outrageous things, but especially the beautiful things. Sheldon Cooper, her favorite sentimental old fool.

Amy squeezed tight against him in the Danish hotel room, relishing the feel of his arm around her shoulders, the gentle kiss on her cheek. There were times that she wasn't sure she deserved him. She couldn't believe it when he agreed to accompany her to Europe for two weeks, even though it meant he would be alone most days with Ada in a foreign country without his work or his whiteboard. However, he agreed with Amy that it was good to show Ada new experiences, that after the stress of her recent testing and the decision they had had to make related to her education, it would be good to just get away from reality for a bit.

Not that he was perfect, mind you. His behavior at the airport had been appalling. And Amy thought she was doing to have to strangle him to make him understand this was Ada's vacation, too; that it was not just all about his agenda and desires. But then everything seemed to settle, and she always found them curled up reading on the love seat in the hotel room when she returned every evening, both of them brimming with stories about their day: the bus ride, the museum du jour, lunch, and swimming. Amy laughed and chuckled and looked appropriately surprised at just the right moments. They had this unique way of telling stories, trading sentences back and forth, the same movements with their hands and eyebrows, and she loved watching them reflect off of each. She was actually jealous of them, they were so clearly have a good time, even though Sheldon grumbled about having to wear swim trunks and dangle his legs into a public pool. As much as she was indulging in the accolades and mental stimulation at her neuroscience conference, it did sound like maybe they were having more fun.

And, tonight! How long had these unseen depths been lurking within her husband? She never ceased to be touched and surprised every time he pulled back the curtain on his deepest, most emotional thoughts. It was not that she hadn't known he was capable of such feelings; first she had hoped, then she had faith, then she believed, and then she knew. She had known for a long time. But every single time, it came with the same level of fulfillment as the first time you realize that your hope and faith were not in vain.

She was content to stay cuddled with Sheldon, but then he whispered, "Well, can I read?"

"Oh, of course," she said, pulling away. The sun was still up in Copenhagen, although it was starting its descent, and it was not yet their normal bedtime. She reached for her Kindle, and sat next to him in the hotel bed, both of them lost in their reading by the glow of their screens, silent so that Ada would fall asleep as darkness gradually permeated the room.

Ten o'clock on the dot must have occurred, because Sheldon took off his glasses, shut his Kindle, and glided down under the white duvet in rapid succession. "Are you staying up to read?" he asked softly from his side of the bed.

Amy looked over at Ada's form; she had shifted once or twice, but now she was clearly asleep based on her breathing. "No."

Taking off her own glasses and closing her own Kindle, Amy slithered under the covers to join Sheldon. She pressed closer to him, enjoying the feel of his body heat next to hers.

"Are you tired?" she whispered.

"I don't understand the question. It's ten o'clock."

"Yes, I know it's ten o'clock. But," she pressed her lips against his cheek, "we've stayed up past our bedtime before."

"I don't - oh. Why are you even asking?! Ada is right there!" Even though he was still whispering, his voice had acquired a hysterical tone.

"Shh, calm down. Ada is sound asleep. We'll be very, very quiet. And slow. You like it slow," Amy whispered in what she hoped was a seductive tone, arching closer to him again.

Sheldon pulled away. "We agreed, Amy."

"It might be fun. Daring."

"Cheap," he said sharply. "It will be cheap. It will make us cheap."

Amy recoiled. "You think I'm cheap?"

"That is not what I said. I said -"

"Never mind," she interrupted him, rolling over to present her back to him.

"Amy?" he whispered.

"It's ten o'clock, Sheldon. Go to sleep."

Unsure if it was the sound of the shower or his absence that woke her, Amy rubbed her eyes and looked at the clock. 6:10. Early even for Sheldon. She glanced over at Ada, curled up in the sunrise. But her dark eyelashes were innocently spread on her cheeks as she slumbered away.

Running her palm down her face, Amy got out of bed and walked to that bathroom, opening the door carefully and shutting it silently behind her. "Sheldon?"

"Yes?" he answered from under the stream of water, as he scrubbed his hair with his fingertips. Being such a small space, only a glass partition separated the bathtub from the rest of the room.

Instead of replying, she lifted her nightgown over her head and stepped out of her panties and stepped into the shower next to him.

"There's only one shower head in here. You'll get cold," he said, throwing his head back to rinse out the shampoo.

"It's okay. It's not really about the shower."

"We're not doing that, either," he said softly, turning away from her.

"No, I know." She bit her lip and tried not to shiver, as she stood naked in the white tub, only random sprays of water hitting her and making her colder. "Sheldon, I'm sorry. For last night. You're right, we agreed on something. I shouldn't have asked you to change that. And Ada was right there."

"I'm sorry, too," he said quietly, picking up the bar of soap from its small alcove but still not turning it around. "I shouldn't have used the word cheap. You're not cheap, Amy."

"No, that was my fault. You're right, that's not what you said. I purposely chose to misinterpret you." Amy crossed her arms to preserve body what little body heat she could. "Sheldon, turn around."

He did so, and she put her hand up to touch his face. "Are we okay?"

"Of course we're okay," he shrugged. "It was just a tiff, that's all."

Amy smiled. "Yes, just a tiff. It's water under the bridge now."

The corners of his lips turned up. Then he said, "Your hand is freezing."

"I'm freezing. Move out of my way. I'm getting under that hot water."

Shaking his head as he shifted past in the tiny space, Sheldon mumbled, "I told you so."

If Sheldon seemed more quiet than normal at breakfast, it was forgotten when he and Ada were in their usual spot when she returned to the room that evening. The days started to fold into one another again, in the same pattern, although Amy found herself becoming ever more anxious about her talk on Friday morning.

"Why?" Sheldon asked one night out at yet another small local restaurants they were trying. "You were invited. You've received compliments already on your other panels."

"I know. It's just . . . all I have are my initial hypothesis and some early findings. My study is almost over, and, although I think I may have discovered something or the idea of something, another study will be needed to determine if I'm correct. Time and further research could still prove me wrong, just as easily as it could prove me right."

"This is a scientific meeting. The others will understand that. I've reviewed your presentation, you always use the correct language and terms. You are not claiming to have proven anything yet," Sheldon said.

"It's still a lot of pressure, I guess," Amy shrugged.

"You'll be great. Remember, if you get nervous, just look for Ada and I."

"You're coming?" Amy asked, her eyes wide.

"Where else would I be? This is the primary reason we came to Copenhagen," Sheldon's eyebrows dipped.

"I guess I just thought you'd be off with Ada again."

"Why wouldn't I want to expose Ada to the brilliant mind that is her mother? Her mother being successful?" Sheldon asked.

"It'll be fun, Mom," Ada said, digging into her potatoes.

Amy smiled at her and then back to Sheldon.

"FYI - we have plans for dinner this evening," Sheldon said abruptly over breakfast in the hotel restaurant on Thursday morning.

"We do?" Amy asked, her spoon hallway to her mouth. "More than the usual?"

"I mentioned Clara and her children, whom we have seen every day at the pool?" Amy nodded, taking her bite. "I thought perhaps I should find a way to thank her. She's been very kind to Ada. And helpful to me . . . in regards to the water."

Amy bit her tongue, knowing that Clara had made it possible for Sheldon to never actually get more than his shins wet.

"I thought perhaps we should all go out to eat tonight. Nothing fancy, as the children will be present, but we'd pay, of course." Amy lowered her spoon and looked carefully at Sheldon, who had shifted slightly so that he wasn't looking directly at her. "Her husband is a neuroscientist himself, here at the conference. You may have already met him. You can talk shop, if you like. Or it would be just a way to take your mind off tomorrow."

"Sheldon?"

"Yes?"

"Is that all?" She felt a nagging . . . something.

"Why wouldn't it be?" And then he turned to Ada. "Would you like to go out to dinner with Sam and Evie?"

Shaking the feeling away, Amy took another bite of her cereal.

"Oh, Sheldon," she breathed out deeply, lifting the teapot from its box. "You really shouldn't have."

"Yes, I should have. I saw how much you admired it. It will be your souvenir," he said simply, but his eyes were bright and smiling in the candlelight.

Amy looked over at him, and her joy was so great she almost felt like crying. Here, on their last full day in Copenhagen, he had managed surprise her yet again. Repeatedly. And not just with the teapot she wanted.

Despite the confidence she felt in her work and Sheldon's little pep talk, her stomach was still in butterflies prior to her lecture. But her loves were there, as promised, and she concentrated on Sheldon every time she felt her voice want to waver. The only time he took his eyes off of her were the few times he had to lean over to whisper something to Ada, to adjust something on the iPad he had brought for her. Amy had tried to find them in the crowd afterwards, but she lost him as various people came to ask her questions and share their excitement at her preliminary findings.

Rushing up the hotel room, she expected that she would have missed them, that the limit of a four-year-old's patience had been reached and they had bundled off to the museum of the day without her. But he was there, standing by the window, looking out at the canal below them.

"Sheldon?" Amy looked around the silent hotel room. "Where's Ada?"

He turned. "She's spending the day with Clara and her family. They are going to Tivoli. Ada will enjoy going again."

"You - you arranged a baby sitter? Here?"

Sheldon's eyebrows dipped. "Do you disapprove? You met them last night, you said you liked them and had an enjoyable evening. You witnessed for yourself that they are trustworthy and reliable people." He sighed. "Yes, you're right, I should have asked."

"No. I mean, yes, I would have preferred to have been consulted before we sent our child off for a day in a strange city. But you are correct I would have agreed. I have no objections to the babysitters you selected." Stepping closer, she reached for his hand, understanding now that he had this planned all week, thus his evasiveness at breakfast yesterday morning. "I'm just surprised. Why?"

"You said you had no other panels or classes you really wanted to attend today after your talk, that the conference is wrapping up. I thought we could spend the day together, just you and I. Sightseeing. I've arranged a private tour of The Royal Library, including the old library, Danish Hall, and The Black Diamond. There's some exhibitions there you'll probably enjoy, as well. After a brief lunch, there's an English language lecture at the Thorvaldsens Museum, and I know how taken you were with that. Then back here to change for a nice dinner. We have reservations." He licked his lips and shrugged slightly. "You once told me that you imagined yourself traveling with your someone someday."

"Oh, Sheldon!" She launched herself into his arms, resting her cheek against his chest.

"So that's a yes?" he asked, bringing his arms around her.

"Of course!" she answered.

And now, hours later, she found herself sitting in one of Copenhagen's nicest restaurants, wearing her fancy dress, Sheldon in the suit he insisted on packing, having had one of the most wonderful days of her life.

"Here, we should put it back in the box before dessert comes," Sheldon interrupted her memories.

"Yes." Amy nodded. They repacked the teapot in its box and slid it back into the nondescript bag that Sheldon had pulled out from under their hotel bed as they left for dinner with a soft "you'll see" reply to Amy's quizzical look. Just in time, as dessert did in fact arrive. Selecting a pastry off the beautiful silver plate, she took a bite. "Mmmmm," she said. "For some reason I thought Danishes were only for breakfast."

"Catering to Americans, I expect," Sheldon said, wiping crumbs off his mouth. "Now even we are guilty of perpetrating this decline in traditional Danish lifestyle."

"If it's this good, I don't care." They ate in that easy silence that accompanies a good partner and good food, until Amy took a drink of her tea. "Sheldon, as much as I appreciate all this - I really do, today has been wonderful - may I ask why?"

Sheldon raised his eyebrows. "Does there have to be a why?"

"Well, no, I guess not, but I know you pretty well and there's always a why."

Sheldon lowered the last bite of his pastry back to his plate. "We were supposed to have a Date Night this week," he said, with a little shrug.

"And? Because this wasn't just a Date Night, I think."

She waited until finished he swallowing and looked up her. "I wanted you to know how much you are worth. That you're priceless."

"Oh," Amy said softly. Despite her sticky fingers and the cluttered end-of-meal table, her hand found his on the table cloth. "I thought we were okay."

His eyebrows dipped behind his glasses. "We are. We were. I promise. It was just a tiff. Amy, this isn't me making up for anything. This is because I wanted to to do this for you." He leaned forward, wrapping his hand around hers. "There were lots of reasons: You needed to relax because this is your vacation, too. I wanted you to know how proud I was of you and how excellent your lecture was today. You've always wanted to travel with me. I wanted to go to a museum with an adult. As much as I love and am proud of our daughter, she could never replace you. I missed hearing what you would say at each museum we went to without you, I kept wondering what you would say. Plus, you wouldn't make me go swimming afterwards. And we really were scheduled to have a Date Night. Why do you think I brought my suit?"

Amy squeezed his fingers and he squeezed back. "I love you, too."

They walked back to the hotel, Amy's arms looped through his, her head leaning against his bicep, Sheldon's other hand carrying the bag with the new teapot. Two lovers on a perambulation, soaking in the last night of their travels together. Before the lengthy and dreaded flight home, before the recovery, before the real world rushed back in on them.

"When do we get Ada?" Amy asked as they got in the elevator.

"They are going to bring her to our room, but they promised not until after nine. I was very clear on that. Nine o'clock at the earliest." Sheldon pressed the button to their floor.

"Nine? So late? After her bedtime?"

"It may be even later, as they may stay to watch the fireworks. But I'm hopeful the late night may help her sleep on the plane tomorrow. Regardless, we will not be disturbed before nine."

The ding of the elevator as it stopped on their floor matched the ding in her mind. "How much time do we have?"

"An hour and half," Sheldon said as they exited.

Amy took his hand again as they walked down the hallway, her heart tripping with excitement. Once he slid the card through he door, Sheldon pushed the door open and said, "After you."

He barely got the door shut behind them before Amy pushed him against its emergency exit route map and pulled his face down. It was not soft, it was not hesitant; instead, it is the kiss she'd been waiting two weeks for, no guilt about the events of Book Club night, only anticipation and gratitude and love.

Finally, their lungs forced them to break apart, and Sheldon whispered. "Anything you want."

"Just you. Naked." Amy grabbed his hand and pulled him toward the bed. They kissed and caressed and tugged and unbuttoned and pulled and unhooked and Amy giggled in the sloppiest fashion, throwing their clothes everywhere, like they were newlyweds.

"Whoever said absence makes the heart grow fonder was a virgin. Absence makes you hornier," Amy said, reaching down the front of Sheldon's underpants

"Amy!" A pause, just a beat for him to moan. "Okay, you're right." Pushing down his underwear, he pushed her down on the bed in one smooth motion, crawling over her, bending down for her lips. He pulled back at the last second and made her reach up for him. "Like this?"

"Sure."

Sheldon grinned and moved his leg, opening hers with his knee, and she glanced down and saw the reflection of his backside in the mirror. "Wait! I have an idea."

Pausing, Sheldon looked at her. "Yes?"

"Get up." Amy pushed him gently and he complied. She rolled off the bed and spotted it crumpled in a heap on the floor. "My dress."

"Are you concerned about wrinkles? Sex doesn't usually make you practical," Sheldon asked, sitting on the bed now, naked and handsome and so ready for her.

"No. Or stains, either." Amy thrust her arms into the dress and wrapped it around her, but she tied it loosely. "I know how much you love this wrap dress. Now, you -" she pointed " - sit there, against the headboard."

He grinned as he did as she instructed. Amy chuckled at his rapid obedience, even as she reached for her glasses to put them back on, because reducing Sheldon willingly to his basest instincts always made her laugh.

"This," she whispered into a kiss, still standing at the side of the bed, before she turned around and straddled his knees backwards. "Then we can watch in the mirror."

"Watch in the mirror? But I like watching you," he protested softly.

"You'll still see me, that's the point," Amy promised, shifting, moving the hem of the dress out of the way, just before she rose up and took him in. He groaned in her ear as she leaned back against his chest. Even before she moved, she took his hand and glided it between the deep V of her dress, moaning herself as he wrapped his palm gently around her breast.

"Look," she whispered, and she watched Sheldon's eyes meet hers in the mirror. All she could see of him was his outstretched legs under her and his head over her shoulder.

"Amy, this is -"

"Shhh. I know you're unsure. And maybe embarrassed to watch us like this. This position isn't our favorite. But -" she started to rock slowly on his lap "- tell me what you want. What do you want to see?"

He whispered it in her ear just before he kissed below it, "You know I always want to see you come."

"Then what are you waiting for?"

Amy felt a hum against her neck even as she heard the rustle of his free hand. It, too, slipped beneath the overlap of her aubergine wrap dress that he loved so, brushing her thigh, and she gasped when he made contact. She never ceased to be grateful for Sheldon's long limbs. "Yes," she whispered.

She watched them in the mirror, the top his head as he bend around her, kissing her neck and jaw and sucking on her ears, even as he pleasured her from behind. She lost the rhythm at some point, but he didn't seem to mind. And, then, when she came down from her climax, the first thing she saw was Sheldon's blue eyes watching over her shoulder, watching her in the mirror.

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