Author notes: Thank you for your reviews. I am going to try and imagine a scenario that the writers would do to us on the show. Given Amy's reaction to the the Table debacle, I think you will find this in character. This is a very Shamy Story. I love feedback! Thanks again for your support!

Le Chatelier's principle.

If a chemical system at equilibrium experiences a change in concentration, temperature, volume, or pressure, then the equilibrium shifts to counteract the imposed change and a new equilibrium is established.

Any change in status quo prompts an opposing reaction in the responding system.

Sheldon's thought process:

The last 4 months of his hitting the rails had been enlightening. His many weeks in New Jersey and New York retracing Einstein and Feynman steps had taught him much. Eventually, he relented and went to Texas. The last 3 months were spent concentrating on new theories. Sheldon has been exploring a proposed simplified anthropomorphic scenario for axion dark matter. His thoughts were completely interrupted on numerous occasions by thoughts of his living situation, and his girlfriend. Both of these problems disrupted his cognitive abilities and frankly, hindered scientific progress: an unacceptable scenario. He knew he had to get back to Cal Tech, back to work, back to a routine he could live with long term.

Therefore, Sheldon concentrated on his future environment. He needed to resolve his living situation, form an acceptable arrangement that would have lasting continuity. Plainly: He needed to get his house in order.

Sheldon figured out a solution to one of his problems: His living companion. Sheldon didn't like change, which was apparent to even the densest of observers. He had his routine, his rituals and most importantly order. He needed that in his life: equilibrium. Just like a chemical reaction, chemical equilibrium is the state in which both reactants and products are present in concentrations which have no further tendency to change with time. For years, Leonard was a reactant and Sheldon the product. There was equal concentration, and except for some forgettable situations, things had not changed. Leonard was the helpful for that at least; he helped Sheldon maintain order, keep routine.

With Leonard gone, the reaction was unbalanced. Sheldon would have to come up with new routines. Sheldon knew it just a matter of time before Penny talked him in to a larger place to live, like in Alta Dena or some such back water cesspool. Sooner or later, given Penny's propensity for coitus and Leonard's need for family bonding, they would procreate. Shutter the thought! Then Sheldon might have to deal with the little rug rats, who would be playing with his toys, knocking down his action figures, ripping his comics! NO. Sheldon had to accept that even if Leonard and Penny move next door, it is time to move on from that coupling, before he was hogtied into being "Uncle Shelly." Their coupling was too volatile.

Sheldon knew he needed SOMEONE though…

Someone who knew him, his routine, his likes, his dislikes. Someone who would drive him around. Someone he could mold into his will. Raj was out since that red head with her fancy genitals came into his life. Wolowitz was already tied to a 4 foot honey badger. No, Sheldon knew who he needed: Amy

Amy had suggested they cohabit before he left. The idea had merit; however, as boyfriend and girlfriend, there would be expectation of affection, increasing levels of intimacy eventually leading to coitus, marriage and possible offspring. The pressure was enough to turn Sheldon, a carbon based life form, into a diamond.

There was only one solution. Only one to his problem:

Break up with Amy and have her move in to 4A as a Friend, NOT a Girlfriend.

It was perfect. He was friends with Amy before he was her boyfriend. They got along perfectly. Amy bent to every whim and he graced her with his brilliance. It was the girlfriend/boyfriend paradigm that strained the relationship. Frankly, this boyfriend thing grew tiresome, so many expectations of physical contact, showing of affection, the dinners and endless caterwauling about his feelings was enough to drive Sheldon back to his mother's specialist for testing on being crazy. He needed someone he could depend on, yet wouldn't expect things from him. He needed a roommate, not a girlfriend.

Having a girlfriend was not an unpleasant experience. He enjoyed her devotion to him, her smile, and presence in his life. But as his roommate, he could have that without the expectation of, dare he say it … LOVE. It's the feelings that are clouding the issue. He only asked her to be his girlfriend out of jealousy, a petty emotion he dare not admit. Amy was his friend first. Sure, the hand holding was not totally… unpleasant. And he supposed the kiss on the train was memorable. Also the subsequent kissing he had added to their contract was not repellent. But Sheldon was willing to sacrifice physical affection for perfection of routine. He needed order more than the occasional kiss or hug. He needed a roommate, not a kissing buddy.

But what about Amy? Oh sure, there will be the typical estrogen based crying fit. He was willing to put up with that, he had a sister, he knew what to expect. But Amy wasn't his sister; she was a scientist, practical to a fault. He admired that about her. He admired anything about her that he saw in himself. Once Sheldon set out the reasoning and logical, Amy would see this was a wonderful solution. She could compartmentalize her feelings, as he has. He could teach her Kolinar, to suppress her feelings. Amy was almost as brilliant as he was; if he could do it, she could.

And let's be honest, physical contact is just a distraction. He had spent too much worrying about it. Thinking about the kiss on couch when she was drunk, the hand holding, the kiss on the train when she tasted of brownies. With his mind free from distractions, he could focus on his new field of study. He could continue on the path he took so long ago, straight to Stockholm to accept the prize that has been waiting for him for years.

This would be good for her as well; she would be able to concentrate on her work. While not as important as physics, neurobiology was an expanding study, and she was brilliant in her field, even though it deals with icky squishy things. Her constant worrying about their relationship has to be a distraction from hopes to achieve success. She might even find herself accepting a Nobel some day, although in biology, so not as sweet.

Additionally, how could she argue that this was not a step forward for their relation as friends? They could grow closer living together, becoming even better friends. They could help each other with research, play intellectual games together, learn new languages (Romulan perhaps) and fill their time expanding their minds, not feeding their baser urges. Amy will adore this plan! He couldn't wait to write her the good news.

A/N: The chapter headings to this story are all from the WikiPedia article on Le Chatelier's principle. I used the outline of the article to drive the plot. You will see as you read on. Thanks for reading and reviewing my story!