A/N: Thank you for all your reviews/favorites/follows! This is the final chapter! Please please let me know what you thought about my first Big Bang Theory fanfiction! That will determine what I do next (or if I should do something next)!

A palpable silence filled the car as Amy turned the ignition switch. Dare she look at him? The possibility of one intense look changing Sheldon's mind was high. It was critical that she know their destination, but her companion said nothing.

One thing that did occur to her, that Sheldon Cooper had caused her to literally faint with joy, the asphalt chunks sandwiched between her hindquarters and the car seat the reminder of such a reaction. And here, she thought that only Penny's accepting smile and natural beauty could ever compel her to do such a thing.

Meanwhile, Sheldon shivered in his passenger side seat, his feet now extremely itchy, shoes waterlogged. He used the heel of his hand to push the hair back from his face. He used his peripheral vision to see Amy staring straight ahead.

Amy stared at the rivulets of rain streaming down her windshield. It's going to be my place. He won't have a thing to change into and so he'll have to be in the buff. Besides, I have no roommates to barge in on us….

Taking in a breath and holding it, Amy shifted into drive and moved her right foot to the gas pedal. Apartment 314, here we come, she mused.

"You never answered my question," Sheldon suddenly blurted, just as she began to circle out of the parking lot.

She hadn't recalled a question. Had her musings been so loud as to block out all other sound?

"What question was that?" she hastily replied.

"Where we're going. I asked you just before you collapsed."

"Right. My place," she answered huskily.

"Interesting," he replied, cocking his head. "Why?"

"I have more absorbent towels," Amy explained. "And—"

"That's a good enough reason for me," he said. "One can never underestimate the permeability of quality cotton."

Amy smiled over at him.

"My sentiments, exactly."

"Why aren't they back yet?" Howard asked.

Stuart sighed as he stood by the table, shifting from one foot to the other.

"If I didn't know them any better, I would think they were a normal couple," Stuart remarked. "Girl gets mad at boy, boy shows up and yanks girl out of Cheesecake Factory away from other boy who was just trying to be nice."

"Do you think they are still outside?" Raj asked.

"Good question. We should check it out," Howard responded.

Leonard rolled his eyes.

"You are an unapologetic rubbernecker, Howard."

"Tell me you don't wanna see what they're doing," Howard replied with a smile.

"You're right," Leonard admitted. "Let's go check it out."

"They're gone!" Howard said, scratching his head as he ducked back into the restaurant. "Guess it's makeup time for those kids."

"Ugh, there goes my ride. How am I going to get back home?" Stuart sighed. "Not that that's any better than here."

"Why don't you eat with us?" Raj offered. "We've already ordered, but I'm sure Penny will take your order too."

"Thanks," Stuart admitted, grimacing. "Although I doubt it. You just saw what happened. I tried to be a shoulder to cry on and almost get mowed over by an angry boyfriend. She didn't even give me a heads up as to what she was doing."

"It's not you; it's as if she and Sheldon are in a black hole of love," Raj said. "Every time one of them tries to leave, they get sucked back in."

"I can't believe you just equated their relationship with a black hole," Howard groaned.

Raj only smiled at him and shrugged.

"I'm an astrophysicist; it's what I do."

Amy strode ahead of Sheldon as they traversed to apartment 314. This was it. It was as if she was learning how to hand-feed a songbird at the feeder. One aggressive step too many, and the bird would fly away and never come back. However, she had to seem in control of the situation. Perhaps she could convince the bird that eating from her hand was the only thing to do. She began to inwardly chant a mantra, careful that Sheldon didn't see her lips moving silently.

Keep it cool. Keep it cool. Keep it cool.

The more she attempted to woo him blatantly, the worse it seemed. Perhaps being as nonchalant and practical as possible would help her in this case. It certainly seemed to increase Leonard's affection for Penny although he was currently with Priya. Either that or Penny was just that irresistible. Probably the latter.

"Are you gonna unlock that door anytime soon?" Sheldon queried, his Texas accent noticeable. He ran his hands up and down his goosebumped arms. "I can't wait to take off these clothes."

Amy shuddered, her vision shaking from side to side as she fumbled with the keys. Oh my God.

"Is that right?" Amy replied in as contained a voice as possible. She jammed the key into the hole, silently thanking the heavens.

"It's clinging to my skin and making me itch," he explained, hopping from one foot to another. "Especially my feet. Ugh, Lord have mercy."

"Don't worry, you'll be totally… unfettered soon," Amy mumbled. She opened the door and turned on the light in her apartment. Without stopping she walked to the windows and drew the bamboo blinds.

Sheldon moved into the room behind her and shut the door, locking it behind them.

"It's freezing in here," he complained, crossing his arms tightly across his chest. "I can't disrobe in here."

"Oh, was the North Pole warm?" she shot back. "Didn't think so."

"Was that a contentious remark you just made?" Sheldon asked. "Because it sounded like you answered a question in my place—which is contentious."

She turned around, irritated at Sheldon's constant picking. Perhaps this was his way to attempt to forget about their agreement. This would not do at all. Her practical, confident side had to come out—in lieu of that, she would simply pretend as if it existed. Yes. What she wanted him to do had to make sense to him, much like herPh.D. defense: she had to convince him that her way of handling the situation was the only suitable way to do so.

"Sheldon, you're wet and you're cold and your brain is losing precious heat. Take off your shoes."

He looked at her with mild confusion. Was Amy telling him what to do?

"Your feet are itchy and could develop athlete's foot if you leave them shod for too long," Amy said matter-of-factly. "I take that back. Take off your shoes… and your socks."

"But—your floor—"

"Is cleaner than your fungus-covered feet right now," she cut in. "But hell, I'll risk it."

"Fungus?" he gasped. "You're right. They're opportunistic and waiting for the chance to make my flesh their home."

He stood in place in front of the door and lifted each leg, yanking his shoes off.

"Socks too," Amy told him.

Sheldon looked down at his socked feet, at the moisture between his feet and the floor. Within moments, he'd removed the offending garments and stood gawkily on the bare floor with his bare feet. It was the first time Amy recalled seeing Sheldon's feet. That was most certainly her ovary twitching deep within her.

"Well, aren't you going to come in?" she asked him, gesticulating to the body of the room. He moved further into her domicile and began to turn around to sit on her couch.

"No way," Amy declared, melting internally in spite of her seemingly strong voice. "You're not going to get my couch all wet, no sir. If you want to sit in my apartment, you have to take off your pants first."

"Fine," Sheldon huffed. "I'll stand."

"Very well," Amy replied hastily. She slipped her shoes off with practiced ease and attempted to convey that his decision didn't bother her.

"Aren't you going to offer me a beverage?" Sheldon asked. "Demanding that I strip is no way to treat a guest."

"We both entered the apartment at the same time; hence, you are not my guest."

"I fail to see the logic of that statement," he huffed, crossing his arms. Amy glanced again at his bare feet. More progress had to be made.

"Fine," she deadpanned. "I'll explain."

She moved to the couch quickly and impulsively sat down on it. Sheldon was now glaring at her.

"That's not fair. You just told me that I have to take my pants off to sit down, but you don't?"

"Right," she exhaled. Damn, now she was going to have to strip to prove a point. If she could do this unthreateningly enough, it might convince him to do the same. Sheldon is a baby bird. Be matter-of-fact and he won't fly.

Amy stood back up. She lifted her dowdy cardigan just enough to find the button and zipper of her skirt. Sheldon gawked at her but was unable to say anything. Swallowing loudly, Amy unbuttoned and unzipped the clothing and slid it down her legs. Unable to make eye contact with him during this bold action, she set the damp garment by the window and proceeded to sit down on her couch in her cardigan, shoes, and underwear. Her juices were flowing and she silently thanked her zebra-print Victoria's Secret underwear for being soaked with rainwater.

"Now you," she said, folding her hands demurely across her lap, in spite of her white thighs being on full display.

He peered down at her with a bewildered expression.

"You stripped in the North Pole," she said. "This is no different."

"But you're my girlfriend," he indicated, looking like a pouty child.

"Have I done anything sexual?" Amy asked. "Have I performed the act of undressing any way differently than a man wearing a kilt, for instance?"

"I suppose you haven't, but…"

"But what? Are we not mature people who desire a common outcome for this trek? I want to be warm and dry and I'm assuming you want that as well."

Sheldon's eyes moved fearfully around the floor and then he inhaled loudly. He moved his hands to the region of his waist and undid his pants, keeping his head down as he did so. Amy stared as dispassionately as she could while he removed his pants, swaying his hips back and forth as he slowly pulled the garment down over his long hairy legs. He placed the pants near her skirt and walked back toward the couch, his legs and feet naked and white briefs peeking out from under his t-shirt.

Amy had thrown away Gerard. A robust 'tooth-brushing' was impossible at this moment. The real thing was standing in front of her and she was already feeling lightheaded and ready for the beast with two backs. Even so, she knew only too well how this would end. There'd be awkwardness and perhaps some unintentionally hurtful words waiting her at the end of today's happenings. Perhaps she'd be inclined to weep at her boyfriend's enduring insensitivity and lack of interest in her.

But for now, this had to continue. They were a couple of months shy of the two-year anniversary of their first date and they were both in a pseudo-bottomless state. It reminded her of the oft-listened Meat Loaf song "Paradise by the Dashboard Light": ain't no doubt about it, we were doubly blessed, cause we were barely seventeen and we were barely dressed. Her vestibular glands were working overtime and she worried for her couch.

"I'm going to go to my bedroom and get under the covers to warm up," she said, standing up abruptly and taking several plodding steps toward her room. "You are welcome to join me."

Sheldon looked down at his legs and bare feet.

"The sheets are fresh," Amy explained. "They are even cleaner than the floor of this rented habitat."

"Okay," he replied. He strode towards her as she turned again to head to her bedroom. She pushed the door open and shut her eyes as she slipped her wet cardigan over her head, her back to Sheldon all the while. Her bra was black and lacy and Sheldon realized that this was a rather different experience than the North Pole. Amy was easier on the eyes and smelled a great deal better than his male friends. He hadn't realized that she wasn't shaped like the cardigans she always wore. Amy had a waist and hips that swelled outward to an even further extent than Penny's, recalling the night he'd seen the blonde naked. Amy was quite differently built than he, but that wasn't necessarily a bad thing. Amy's back was exposed to him and he felt the urge to put his hands on her skin to determine if it was as smooth as it looked. Her long brunette hair, though tangled and wet from the rain, complemented her complexion well.

Before Sheldon could decide on his next course of action, Amy moved away from him.

She continued to avoid Sheldon's eyes as she moved to the bed and slipped underneath the covers with her usual level of demureness. She turned on her side, facing away from him, her mind reeling from sheer force of will keeping her from speaking or doing anything.

Sheldon could only stand by her bed and stare at her as if completely unsure of the next step. Amy could sense his innate sense of danger. She had to appear as unthreatening as possible.

Amy Farrah Fowler had shut her eyes. Had she fallen asleep already? Sheldon suddenly felt an urge to scratch under his arm and realized that he'd feel much better without the shirt.

Why oh why hadn't he insisted upon his apartment? At least his clothes were there. Sheldon had absolutely nothing to change into and so he either had to leave on his current outfit, or remove it and warm his body under the covers. He jumped at the sound of a light moan-like sigh and his eyes moved to Amy's face. She was smiling, her eyes were shut and she looked content and… cuddly.

With utter care, Sheldon pulled his t-shirt and undershirt over his head, shivering as the offending garments were lifted from his flesh. Immediately he lifted the other side of the bed covers and slid underneath them.

Warmth emanated from Amy's body and he unintentionally bumped his hip against her backside. He could only stare at the back of her head as he did so, scooting ever so carefully away from her so as not to make contact.

Amy could feel her heart beating in her ears. He's so close, but so far away… Perhaps Sheldon believed that she was sleeping—if so, she could use her powers of random non-REM sleep movements to close the distance between them… and touch what she hoped would be a bare chest. Having kept her eyes open for the last couple of minutes had given her a severe disadvantage in knowing what Sheldon was doing in the silence of her room. She began a rather convincing yawn.

Sheldon gulped as he heard Amy stir; had he awoken her with the advertent touch of her body? Drat! Abruptly Amy's arm flailed backwards, the backs of her fingers brushing against his meager chest hair and moving lightly again towards her body. He's topless! The bird is at the feeder!

After the touch of his body, Sheldon stared at Amy's back. He needed to talk to her. The towels were needed. His hair and underpants were still suffering the effects of the rain and he wanted to wrap himself in something. Unlike with Howard, Raj, and Leonard, he felt oddly vulnerable. Perhaps it was the absurdity of the moment; he could have easily gone back to his house, taken a hot shower and warmed back up in his plaid robe and pajamas, but here he was in Amy Farrah Fowler's bed almost as naked as the day he was born.

Sheldon knocked on Amy's nightstand three times and murmured her name. Nothing.

He tried knocking on her headboard three times with the same utterance, followed by her name. Silence. Sleep was a strange state indeed.

For the third set of knocks, he used Amy's shoulder as the proverbial door. Her skin really was that soft.

"Amy," he muttered, his voice abnormally careful. He left his knuckles in contact with her skin several moments longer than was necessary.

This time she stirred, turning to him with a slow, controlled movement, blinking her eyes in mock awakening.

"Yes?" she asked, her voice thicker than normal.

"Where are your absorbent towels?" he asked. "My hair's still wet and I don't want to get pneumonia."

"I think it's more imperative that you warm your body, Sheldon," she replied. "When I turn away again, you should manipulate your limbs and trunk to fit the contours of my body; hence, we share as much body heat as possible."

"—But you were the one to mention it as a benefit of coming here."

"I've heard about your emergency preparedness drills, Sheldon. Every three months you subject your friends to them," she replied matter-of-factly. "This is in fact another emergency preparedness drill. It is the dead of winter and we are trapped in this room. There is a large boulder blocking our escape from the door to fetch towels. The only warmth we can acquire is from each other and the bed. We face the risk of freezing to death otherwise."

"I see," he replied hesitantly. "However, you've failed to provide me advanced notice of this impromptu—"

"An emergency, by its very nature, cannot be predicted," she replied with a smile.

"Now you're sounding like me," he replied, glowing with pride.

Amy never wanted so badly to kiss the man, except perhaps after he'd gotten her the tiara, but she suppressed it. Physicality and romance would have to be addressed on separate occasions; this was the only strategy that would further each of the two lacking aspects in the relationship.

"Shall we commence?" she said, after clearing her throat impatiently. Immediately she turned away from him and lie on her side.

Sheldon studied the back of her hair, a bit of a bra strap exposed above the blankets. He shifted carefully onto his side and scooted his body up against the back of hers, essentially spooning her. Amy's body radiated warmth and the sensation of her smooth skin against his was the first time he could recall ever recalling such an occurrence. It must have been significant indeed.

I have to concentrate on the emergency preparedness, he mused. I wonder how long the boulder will remain….

The closer Sheldon's body inched to Amy's, the warmer and drier his own body felt. The only drawbacks were the contact points of their remaining clothes, which still were damp from the rain. One of his arms began to tingle as it lost sensation.

"What am I supposed to do with my arms? I'm not a side sleeper," Sheldon suddenly blurted.

"You should drape them over me, to protect me from falling debris as well as to further warm your arms."

"What about the other one? That's only possible with my left arm."

"Sandwich it between the two of us. You might even think about removing my upper garment with your hand; it could pierce your skin or strangle me if chaos would erupt."

He blinked. It made sense. It was a rather elastic garment, though strangely archaic in its design.

"How?"

"Push the two sections of the br…. garment together in the thoracic region of my vertebral column," she explained.

He reached a timid hand out and attempted to squeeze the pieces together to unhook them. Soon he was successful. Amy slipped the garment off and quietly tossed the bra onto the ground by the bed, her heart banging in her ears and womanhood throbbing. She waited at least a minute before making any sudden motions, and felt Sheldon's left arm snake over her back and lie upon her own upper arm, his pelvis pressed solidly against her backside. This was it.

"Woo!" she breathed out loudly, her fingers and teeth clenching. "Woooo!" Sheldon had finally replaced Gerard.

"What was that all about?" Sheldon asked.

"Uh, that was a nuclear siren, of course," she quickly explained, breathing heavily. "Yes, for our drill."

"That doesn't mean we have to move now, does it?" Sheldon whined.

"Hmm?"

Sheldon's voice was now streaming from a position very close to her left ear, giving her aftershocks of her climactic moment. Emergency preparedness drills were pure bliss.

"Because we can't go anywhere, you know. I'm not belaying from a third-story window."

Amy was glad that the darkness hid her broad grin.

"Well, if we do get thirsty in the meantime, I have a bottle of wine in the closet."

"No thank you, Amy," Sheldon replied matter of factly. "I want to stay awake and aware. Apparently the threat of intoxication causes me to lose consciousness."

"Okay," she replied. She felt him snuggle into her, felt his hairy legs moving against her smooth ones.

"That boulder's not gonna be moved anytime soon," Sheldon murmured. "Let's just wait it out here. I think we're safest right here."

Amy closed her eyes, smiling in the dark.

"You took the words right of my mouth."

The End