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Burning Desire.

Chapter 1.

Leonard gunned the engine, heading for North Los Robles Avenue, praying to any deity who would listen, that the traffic lights would be in their favor, Sheldon leaning forward in his seat, as though stretching for each stop line.

Finally swinging into the avenue, Leonard pulled up behind a fire appliance, opening the door as soon as the wheels stopped turning.

Leaping from the drivers seat, he ran to the nearest fireman, announcing "4A is our apartment. Is the fire out?"

The fireman gave him a reassuring nod, "Yes, it's out. We're just packing away our equipment. You can go up and take a look".

Trudging up the stairs, they passed several firemen coming down. Reaching the fourth floor landing, Penny met them, giving them a sad smile, before reassuring "At least nobody was home".

Stepping through the doorway, treading on the shattered remains of their front door, Sheldon and Leonard flinched at the smell of smoke, and the wet mess of their belongings.

Sheldon looked crestfallen, "What a mess!". Penny stroked his arm, reassuring him "Just be grateful nobody got hurt".

For a moment Sheldon looked a bit less upset, then he closed his eyes. "Oh no" he moaned, "My comic books. They were priceless and irreplaceable".

Sitting on Penny's couch, Sheldon sipped at his Chamomile Tea, his mind numb, then there was a knock at the door.

The instant Penny opened it, Amy burst in, a look of relief crossing her face, as she saw Sheldon. "Thank God" she blurted out, "You're alive".

"Of course I'm alive" Sheldon confirmed, "Why wouldn't I be?"

"I haven't seen you all day" Amy replied, "and when the receptionist told me Leonard had left, because of a fire at home, I was scared you were in it".

Sheldon looked surprised, "You were worried about me?"

"Of course I was worried about you" she confirmed, "You think because we're no longer together, I stopped caring about you?"

Sheldon shrugged, and Amy went on, "Sheldon, of course I care. I didn't stop caring, just because we split up?"

Standing in the doorway, Amy surveyed the damage. "That's quite a mess".

Turning to Sheldon, she asked "Do you have anywhere to stay?", but Sheldon just stared at the burnt out sitting room.

Taking him by the hand, Amy flashed him a gentle smile, and declared "Come on. You can stay with me tonight".

Leading him toward the stairs, Amy saw Penny wink at her, and gave Penny a stern look, that warned 'don't you dare say a word'.

-o-o-o-o-

Sitting on the couch, Sheldon considered his cup of tea, holding it between his hands, then, raising his head, asked "What if it's my fault?"

"I highly doubt it" Amy replied, reassuringly, "You are always meticulous with your safety procedures and checks".

"I was" he confirmed, "but recently, I've been slipping".

"Why?" Amy asked, then, spotting the look he gave her, she continued, "OK, forget I asked". Flicking off the TV, which neither of them was really watching, she commented "You look tired. Maybe you should get some sleep?"

Sheldon looked around the apartment, "Where? This couch is far too small for me to sleep on".

At times Amy found his naivety endearing, but other times, it was annoying. "With me, of course".

"Really?" he replied, his eyes widening, "we're sleeping in the same bed?"

"Needs must" Amy confirmed, "but don't get any ideas. This does not mean we are back together. Understood?"

Giving her a grateful smile, and a slight nod, he began to thank her, then he paused, "Amy, I haven't got any pajamas".

"It's OK" she assured him, "I have a pair you can borrow".

Sheldon looked uncomfortable, "You want me to wear your pajamas?" "It's either that" she replied with a grin, "or you sleep naked".

For a moment, he weighed up the options, then he confirmed "I'll take the pajamas".

"OK" she smiled, "Now go get a shower, while I tidy away".

Getting up from the couch and turning toward the bathroom, he murmured "Thank you Amy".

Washing the dishes, Amy's mind wandered back to the make out session that triggered the break. That final kiss was amazing, and she longed to repeat it, but then she remembered Sheldon's Flash comment, immediately afterwards. Nothing had changed, and she was determined it had to, before she would even consider getting back together with him.

Opening the top drawer of her dresser, she took out her one and only pair of pajamas, shook them out and knocked on the bathroom door, calling "Sheldon, are you decent?"

There was a brief pause, then his voice called back "Yes, you can come in". Briefly glancing at his bare chest, she let her eyes flick over his taut stomach, above the bath towel. Handing him the pajamas, she instructed him "Here, you can get changed in the bedroom, while I'm showering".

Having dried herself, she slipped into her nightgown, then, still toweling her hair, entered the bedroom, to find Sheldon already in bed.

Slipping into bed, she asked "How did you know I sleep on the left?" With a grin, he confirmed "The alarm clock is on that side, so it seemed a reasonable assumption".

"Well spotted" she smiled, "Now some rules. That side of the bed is yours, this side is mine. In Star Trek speak, do not, under any circumstances, cross the neutral zone. Do I make myself clear?"

Nodding, Sheldon confirmed "Crystal clear". Turning her back, Amy wished him "Goodnight Sheldon".

Sheldon replied "Goodnight Amy, and thank you again, for taking me in".

Taking a deep relaxing breath, snuggling under the duvet, she smiled to herself, closed her eyes, and waited for sleep to take her.

Hearing Amy's breathing slow, Sheldon realized she was slipping into sleep, but, knowing the woman he loved, correction, not just loved, but adored, even worshiped, was less than two feet away, he couldn't manage to do the same. Laying there, he made a decision. He would change. He would become the attentive, considerate, caring, loving man that Amy craved and, he now realized, deserved.

The decision made, he relaxed his breathing, matching it with Amy's, and slipped into a deep, refreshing sleep.

-o-o-o-o-

It was too warm, and he felt constricted. Something was resting on his leg, and the pressure was dragging him from sleep. Blinking one eye open, he panicked. He'd broken the rules, and crossed the neutral zone.

Laying there, he searched his mind for a way to get back to his side, without waking Amy, then he realized, it wasn't him that had moved, it was Amy.

He was still on his back, on his side of the bed, while Amy was laying on her side, facing him, her soft warm body pressing against him, her head on his left shoulder, her left arm across his chest, and her left leg over his.

Inhaling through his nose, he smelled cherries and, defying him, his body reacted to the arousing scent. Feeling himself hardening against Amy's thigh, he willed himself to relax, then, to his horror, he felt her rouse.

Blinking one eye open, she accused "What do you think you're doing?"

"It's not me" he replied defensively, "you're the one who moved".

Opening the other eye and glancing around the half lit room, she apologized "Sorry", then began to roll away, only to stop. Murmuring "Oh, what the hell", she snuggled back against him, tightened her arm around his chest, and slipped back to sleep.

Laying there, staring into the half light, still willing his arousal to reduce, Sheldon smiled and gently wrapped his left arm around her, pulling her a little closer. Kissing her hair, he slipped back to sleep.

-o-o-o-o-

Rolling over, Amy expected to feel Sheldon next to her, but all she rolled into was an empty space, still slightly warm.

Slipping her legs over the edge of the bed, she sat up and immediately heard a kettle whistling.

Pulling on her dressing gown, she opened her bedroom door and walked down the hallway, smelling cooking.

"You didn't have to make breakfast" she announced, as she entered the living room.

Sheldon smiled, "It's the least I could do". Picking up a cup of tea, Amy glanced over Sheldon's shoulder, at the omelet he was cooking. "it's Saturday" she observed, "Isn't it cereal on a Saturday?"

With a shrug, he replied "I felt like having a change, but I can make you cereal, if you prefer?"

Sitting at the counter and taking a swig of her tea, she assured him "No, omelets are fine".

After breakfast, Sheldon excused himself, and went to the bedroom, to make a phone call.

Sitting at the kitchen table, sipping her tea, Amy could hear his voice, but couldn't make out what he was saying.

After a few minutes, she heard his voice rise in volume, then he stopped speaking.

A couple of minutes later, Sheldon returned to the living room, a worried and confused look on his face. "They say I have no insurance".

She couldn't believe what she was hearing. Sheldon Cooper, the most organized and careful man she'd ever known, being uninsured?

Giving him a quizzical look, she asked "You have no insurance?"

Sheldon looked offended. "Of course I have, but they say there's no record of it".

"Can't you fax them a copy of the insurance policy?"

"I would" he confirmed, "but it was in the apartment. They're going to investigate, but not till Monday".

Amy gave him a resigned shrug, "Then I guess you're staying here, for at least another two nights. I'd better take you shopping, for some fresh clothes".

-o-o-o-o-

Idly pushing his shopping cart around the aisles, Sheldon randomly picked items of the shelf, taking little or no notice of his choices, dropping in pajamas, pants, underpants, T-shirts, socks and a jacket. Amy was starting to get worried. His usual excitement at shopping was gone.

On the way back to the car, he stopped at an ATM, and withdrew his daily limit.

They drove back to Amy's apartment, in almost complete silence.

Sitting at the kitchen table, sipping their teas, Sheldon took out his wallet, counted out a handful of cash, and put it on the table in front of Amy.

Giving him a questioning look, she asked "What's this for?

Shrugging, he replied "Rent, food, whatever".

"I don't want your money" she assured him, "you're my guest, and I like having…". She bit her lip, but it was too late, she'd said it.

Giving a half smile, he asked "You like having me here?"

Amy nodded, "Yes".

"I'm so glad this is over" he grinned, his hand reaching across the table toward hers, "and I promise, I won't ever again…", but Amy cut him off, "Sheldon, this doesn't mean we're back together. Nothing has changed, and it has to, if we're to be a couple again".

The grin fell from his face, and, for a long moment, he seemed distant, then he looked her in the face.

"Name it" he said. Taking a breath, he went on, "name it, and I'll do it".

"What do you mean" she asked, "name it?"

"Whatever you want" he declared, "you want to me to live here? I'll do it. You want coitus?, marriage?". He shrugged, "I'll do it. I miss you so much, and I'll do anything to get you back".

His offer was tempting, but she couldn't agree to it. She couldn't use his loneliness against him like that, have him force himself to do things she knew he wasn't comfortable with. Besides, their problems were far more than just physical and geographical.

"No Sheldon, that's not the way to do it".

He gave her a puzzled look, "But I thought you wanted those things?"

"I do" she confirmed, "but you don't. You must want them too, or it won't work".

With a trembling lip, a despondent look on his face, he asked "So, are we finished for good?"

"That's really up to you" she informed him, "I can't go on like we used to, with you taking me for granted".

For the first time in his life, he was completely lost, and unsure of what to do.

He knew he had to admit something, he'd never before admitted to Amy.

Taking a deep breath, he held it, then released it. "Amy" he began falteringly, "It's not easy for me to say this, but, please help me to change".

She was more proud of him in that moment, than she'd ever been. She knew that admitting he needed help, from anyone, was the hardest thing he had ever done.

"I'll help you" she assured him, "but it's not going to be easy. There's a lifetime of behavioral habits to overcome".

-o-o-o-o-

Taking a sip of her tea, Amy set out her vision of their task.

"I see this as three distinct sections" she explained.

"Section one is listening and responding, by which I mean, actually listening to what the other person is saying, without interrupting, and giving a meaningful response, to what's been said. It's also about, giving the other person your undivided attention".

After the last sentence, she saw him cringe, and she knew he was thinking about their distracted make out session.

"Section two is politeness and compliments". With a smile, she explained, "it's not always a good thing to be ruthlessly honest. Sometimes, you need to reign in the honesty, and give a compliment instead, even if you don't feel it is justified".

She hesitated, before going onto the third one. She knew this was the big one, the one that would make Sheldon feel the most uncomfortable.

"Section three" she said, looking him in the eyes, "is physical contact and intimacy".

Seeing his back stiffen, she gave him a moment, before going on. "I know it's an uncomfortable subject for you, but it has been five years, and intimacy is a necessary part, of a healthy relationship".

She paused, giving him time for it to sink in, then she went on, "and it goes back to what I said in section one, about giving your undivided attention".

She took a drink of her tea, giving him a few moments to analyze what she'd said, then she asked "Any questions? Comments?"

"Yes" he replied, "regarding section one, I don't interrupt you".

"True" she confirmed, "but you do interrupt the others".

"OK" he replied, "point taken. As for section two, I'm a terrible liar, so they'll know my compliments aren't sincere".

"We'll work on that" she assured him, "anything you want to say about section three?"

"Yes" he replied, "intimacy is a mystery to me. It's not that I don't want to do it, but rather, that I don't know how. I have no experience of it".

"Neither have I" she confirmed with a reassuring smile, "That's the beauty of it. We'll learn together".

"OK" he confirmed, "I agree, and thank you".

"There you go" she smiled, "section two, 'politeness'. Shall we begin?"

Sheldon nodded. With a swallow, he confirmed "OK, yes".

Taking his hand, she led him to the couch, where they sat, half turning to face one another.

"I suggest" she began, "two sessions per day, each session to cover all three sections".

Sheldon looked uncomfortable, and was about to suggest starting with just one session per day, then he saw the determined look on Amy's face. Silently, he nodded his agreement.

"Good" she announced, "Section one. Tell me something, and I'll respond, then I'll tell you something, then you say something in response, but on topic mind".

Sheldon nodded, then he thought for a few seconds. "Although I like staying here with you" he began, "I miss living across the hall from Penny".

"That's understandable" she assured him, "you've lived across from her for a long time, but you'll still see her".

For a moment Sheldon looked distant, the he smiled, "True".

Giving him a moment, Amy announced "I've been informed, they're extending the funding, on my addiction research, for at least another two years".

He opened his mouth, about to comment that his dark matter research was open ended, but he checked himself. His mind was working overtime, trying to think of a response. Finally thinking of something to say, he replied "Does that mean you'll be able to stay at Caltech?"

"It does" she confirmed, noticing the happy smile returning to his face.

"OK, that was good" she confirmed, "now section two, compliments. You've coped really well, with the upheaval resulting from the fire".

This was an easy one, because he truly meant what he said. "You're an excellent neurobiologist, and a good friend".

With a smile, she complimented him, "That was great, well done".

They looked at each other, neither sure what to do for section three. She realized she should've allowed herself more time, to plan this out.

Amy knew they needed something challenging, but not so advanced, that it would freak either of them out.

Finally deciding, she moved closer to him, and placed her arms around his chest, drawing him closer, until their bodies met. Putting her mouth to his ear, she instructed "thirty seconds".

Sheldon put his arms around her, and they sat there, bodies pressed together, then he inhaled, and the sweet scent of cherries permeated his senses.

He'd missed the arousing scent of her shampoo, and inhaling it again, he was overcome with a feeling of comfort and happiness.

He held her, his mind drifting back to the last time they'd touched like this, their 5 year anniversary evening together, and he cursed himself for the hundredth time, then he felt a patting on his back. Shaking himself from his daydream, he heard Amy's voice, "Sheldon, the thirty seconds are up".

Reluctantly, he released her, moving himself a few inches back along the couch, an embarrassed grin on his face, "Sorry".

-o-o-o-o-

Laying on his back, Sheldon closed his eyes and inhaled the freshly laundered smell of the sheets, and the faint, but unmistakable scent of cherries.

The desire to touch her was driving him crazy, and he knew there was no way he was getting any sleep tonight, with her so close, but so far away.

Finally, unable to stand it any longer, he girded his loins and, in barely a whisper, called "Amy".

Almost asleep, she barely heard his call, but it roused her. Half asleep, she asked "Yes?"

"I can't sleep" he sighed, "can we please get rid of the neutral zone?"

She lay there, torn. Though she wouldn't admit it, she too was finding his presence comforting and pleasurable.

Feigning frustration, she took a deep breath and let out a sigh, then murmured "I guess so".

In a second, Sheldon had crossed the eighteen inches of mattress between them, and was cuddled in behind her, whispering "Thank you".

Feeling the reassuring touch of him pressing against her back, a shiver running through her, she replied "You're welcome. Now Let's get some sleep".

Laying against her back, he felt her breathing slow, and her muscles relax.

He waited until he was sure she was asleep, then he pressed his face into her silky hair, inhaled deeply of her cherry shampoo, closed his eyes, and slipped into the deepest, most relaxing sleep he'd had in weeks.