The Evolution of Shamy

Disclaimer: In no way, shape, or form do I own anything to do with The Big Bang Theory (except DVDs). CBS, Chuck Lorre, and Bill Prady have that honor. I am just a fan.

Chapter 20

Amy was nervously awaiting Sheldon's arrival. He'd been terse on the phone when he'd asked if he could come over and Amy was tormenting herself with possibilities. He said we need to talk and that's rarely a good sign she thought. Maybe he's finally fed up with my trying to advance our relationship and he wants to end things. Amy started to hyperventilate and frantically fumbled for a paper bag. Finding one under the kitchen sink, she began breathing into it and moved over to the couch. When her breathing had returned to normal she attempted to calm her thoughts. Penny said that Leonard had told her that Sheldon has been distracted and preoccupied this past week, not that he's been angry or upset. I wish Katherine had told me what she and Sheldon had talked about. She's so closed mouthed about it. No one would have known about it if Raj hadn't brought it up the other night. No matter how much we all tried, she wouldn't say a word; insisting that Sheldon had sworn her to secrecy.

Knock Knock Knock "Amy?" Knock Knock Knock "Amy?" Knock Knock Knock "Amy?"

Amy jumped at the first knock; she'd been lost in thought. She used the time it took Sheldon to finish his ritual to compose herself. She took a deep breath and opened the door. "Sheldon, won't you please come in?"

"Of course, that's why I came here." Sheldon handed Amy a giant box of Milk Duds and a bouquet of purple lilacs, yellow roses and purple hyacinths. Amy noted a sprig of rue in the arrangement.*

"Oh Sheldon, these are lovely." Amy exclaimed as she filled a vase to put the bouquet in.

"I'm glad you like them. I believe it is traditional for a man to give flowers to a woman he wishes to court."

Amy almost dropped the vase. "Woman he wishes to court?" she asked weakly, sitting with a thud in the nearest chair.

"Yes." Sheldon replied. He took a piece of paper out of his pocket, unfolded it and began to read. "Amy, I've come to understand that I have hurt you and for that I would like to apologize. It was never my intention to cause you any emotional distress. As you know, I don't particularly excel at reading facial expressions or body language. Until recently, I was unaware of how much I mean to you and of how much you mean to me." Amy gasped. "It is my understanding that you would like to alter the parameters of our relationship from platonic to romantic. Is this correct?"

Amy realized she was holding her breath and exhaled. "Yes."

Sheldon put down the paper and looked Amy in the eyes. "What does that mean to you?"

Amy didn't want any room for misunderstanding so she asked for clarification. "That's rather vague, can you be more specific?"

"What do you desire from a romantic relationship?"

Amy's heart was pounding "Excellent question. May I have a few minutes to consider my response?"

"Of course. Shall I make tea?"

"Please do." Amy thought hard while Sheldon filled her electric kettle and arranged tea supplies on a tray. This was an opportunity she had hardly dared to dream of. Amy could sense that Sheldon was sincere, but skittish. She was afraid that if she asked for too much he would balk, but she didn't want to lie about her desires or hold anything back.

Sheldon came back to the couch with chamomile tea and an expectant and curious look on his face. Amy steeled herself and spoke. "While I enjoy our friendship as currently established, I would, as you have surmised, like to significantly add to it. I will not be content with a mere title change from friend to girlfriend." Sheldon looked wary, but Amy continued. "I would like us to spend a significant amount of time together outside of our social group. At least a third of that time should be spent in activities that a disinterested onlooker would consider a romantic date. We are both busy people with demanding careers and other social commitments so I am not adverse to these occasions being scheduled." Sheldon seemed to perk up at the word scheduled.

Amy took a sip of tea. "We would be obligated to fulfill the standard responsibilities of a romantic relationship, such as picking each other up at the airport or train stations and accompanying each other to family and work events." Amy took a deep breath and stated what she feared would be the deal breaker. "And I would like to engage in physical intimacies, up to and including coitus. As we are both new and inexperienced with romantic relationships I have no objection to taking things slowly, but the possibility has to exist!" she ended firmly.

Amy couldn't quite read the expression on Sheldon's face; he wasn't angry, in fact he seemed more thoughtful than anything. "May I have a moment to process?"

"Of course, I have to urinate anyway." Amy forced herself not to rush so she could give Sheldon ample time to think. He hadn't immediately refused or mocked her; surely that was a good sign. Amy returned to the living room, discreetly wiping her sweaty palms on her skirt as she sat down.

"Amy, would I be correct to sum up your requirements thusly: One, to increase the amount of time we spend together, and that a certain amount of that time should be 'romantic' in nature. Two, we should fulfill the standard social obligations society assigns to a pair-bonded couple. Three, we should engage in physical intimacies."

"That is a succinct and accurate summation."

Sheldon seemed nervous but determined "I am fully willing to abide by your first and second requests. As for the third," he took a deep breath, "I am willing to try as long as we escalate the intimacies slowly."

"Oh Sheldon!" Tears welled up in Amy's eyes, she blinked them away. Her heart was pounding and she could feel her blood rushing through her veins. She instinctively moved toward Sheldon, but then stopped, uncertain.

Sheldon smiled shyly "I believe a kiss would be the traditional way to commence our new relationship." Amy and Sheldon moved toward each other awkwardly. "I'm not sure how to proceed." Sheldon admitted.

"I believe you should put your hands on my waist and I put mine on your shoulders."

Sheldon reached for her "Now what?" he asked curiously.

"Close your eyes and lean towards me." Amy and Sheldon both closed their eyes and leaned in. Their lips met and fireworks went off inside of Amy. As much as she wanted to push Sheldon down on the couch and rip his clothes off, she restrained herself. Even though they kept their lips closed, Sheldon's grip tightened on Amy's waist and Amy couldn't help caressing the nape of Sheldon's neck with her fingers. She could hardly believe that she was really kissing Sheldon. They kissed for much longer than she could have hoped. Sheldon finally pulled back, Amy reluctantly opened her eyes and took her hands off his shoulders.

"Was that acceptable?" Sheldon asked.

"Oh yes! In fact it exceeded my expectations."

"I'm glad I met your requirements adequately." Amy rolled her eyes but refrained from mentioning that his pupils were dilated and that his respiratory rate had increased noticeably. "I'll have to write up a Relationship Agreement."

Amy was momentarily annoyed, but watching Penny and Leonard deal with Sheldon had taught her a thing or two, so she smiled sweetly and said "I look forward to reading your draft and adding my contributions."

Sheldon eyebrows rose almost to his hair line and his eyes were wide. "Your contributions?"

Amy kept her smile and voice sweet. "Of course. As we are both in the relationship, we should both contribute, don't you think? A relationship should be symbiotic, not parasitic."

"That's so romantic."

The End – (but not really)

*Purple lilacs for first love, yellow roses because Sheldon is from Texas, rue for regret, and hyacinths for sincerity and we all know that Milk Duds are the most apologetic of the boxed candies.

Bad News: This is the last chapter.

Good News (I hope you will think so anyway): I will be writing another story and while it will focus mainly on Leonard and Penny, the continuing adventures of Shamy will get plenty of attention. Also there will be some Raj & Katherine and Howard & Bernadette. If you're interested please be sure to use the Follow Author option to be notified when I start putting it up on the site. It will be at least a few weeks. I have a lot of ideas for various scenarios that I need to wrangle into submission before I start actually writing anything.

Thanks to everyone who has reviewed this story. I truly appreciate the encouragement. Honestly that's what convinces me to work through writer's block and to get off Facebook & and actually write.

Ditto the Story Alerts and Favorite Stories; they make my day.