Descent into Madness

Summary: What would have happened if Sheldon didn't decipher the earworm when he did? What if he was an hour too late? Set around S09E10 earworm reverberation. A bit of angst.

Disclaimer: The Big Bang Theory is owned by Chuck Lorre Productions and The Warner Brothers Studios

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Chapter 1: Chaos

"That's an interesting tie clip," Amy commented to her date. The air was feeling very heavy and uncomfortable, so she needed to break the ice. "Oh, thanks. Its Avogadro's constant," he replied in his British accent, smiling at her warmly. "It's useful for calculating the number of atoms in a substance, or causing regret in anyone who asks about it…" He realized that he should have stopped talking after 'thanks.'

"No, I… I think it's neat." She responded, grabbing the tie and leaning in to get a better look at it. Dave took this as an opportunity and leaned in to plant a kiss on her lips. "Oh!" Amy exclaimed, jerking away instinctively, not sure if it was due to surprise or something else. Either way, she didn't plan that response. "Sorry, sorry! No one's liked the tie clip before so I just lost all control." He explained, hoping he hadn't ruined his chances with her. She was an amazing woman, and he really thinks there could be a future there. Not to mention, she could be his key to meeting the brilliant Sheldon Cooper.

"No, it's ok… We ARE on a date… I'm…" She exhaled nervously. "I'm just a little nervous"

"Well, no need to be nervous with me. I'm just a harmless giant from a foreign land." He joked, trying to lighten the mood again. She smiled at this. "I'm just being silly. I… I don't know what I'm waiting for."

He took his chance and leaned in once more, happy to see that she was leaning in as well. Amy knew exactly what she was waiting for. It was Sheldon. It had always been Sheldon. She wanted him to come to his senses and realize how important she was to him. She wanted him to come knocking on her door and profess his undying love, but none of that happened. As Dave's lips touched hers, she realized this might be her only chance at being with someone who would give her what she needs. Someone who won't take her for granted. Someone who won't be distracted by a TV show while making out with her. No… Dave's attention was all on her at this moment, and she relished the feeling of being the center of it.

He pulled her close to him, deepening the kiss, and she let him do so. Sheldon had never touched her in such a way; their kisses were always chaste. This was different, and it excited her in a way that she didn't think possible. She felt something she hadn't experienced before. She felt desired. And tonight, she would allow herself to be consumed by it.

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Sheldon was standing in the kitchen talking to Leonard and Penny about people who have gone mad, when the mention of the Beach Boys sent his synapsis firing. That was it. His conundrum had finally been solved. The earworm that had plagued him for hours, making him believe that he was starting a descent into madness, was finally deciphered. "I remember the song. It's called 'Darlin'' by the Beach Boys! Oh, thank goodness!" He exclaimed, happy to no longer have to worry about the tune stuck in his head.

A little while later, he was sitting on his spot while listening to the tune on his Laptop. "I wonder why it was this particular song stuck in my head?" he said, turning to Penny. Leonard shrugged and commented that it was pretty catchy while Penny questioned him if he even liked the beach boys. He informed her that they have beach right in the name, what did she think?

"Well, now that you can focus again, what do you say we go back to surface tension of domain walls?" Leonard asked, eager to get back to the problem that they should have been working on this whole time. "Of course," Sheldon responded, getting up. "I'm already seeing a more efficient way of taming the ultra v-" He stopped in his tracks, a realization hitting him. "I know why the song was in my head. It's about Amy." He read the lyrics out loud, confirming this conclusion. "I have to go," he stated, running out the door to get back the love of his life.

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Amy lay in bed, staring up at the ceiling, guilt creeping its way into her mind. What had she just done? She felt betrayed by her own body. She had moaned and sighed for this man lying next to her, arching her back and moving her hips, while her heart was crying out for someone else. How could she allow herself to do those things? The worst part was that she had enjoyed every bit of it. Every touch, every kiss. He made her feel things she didn't even know her body was capable of, but now that the high had worn off she was consumed by her self-reproach. As tears made their way down her face, she slowly drifted off to sleep…

She rolled over in bed, sighing. Of course she would dream about Sheldon. She answered the door to his smiling face and she smiled back. He was finally here. He leaned in to kiss her and she closed her eyes, anticipating the feeling of his lips on hers—

Knock, knock, knock, "Amy."

She was jolted awake by the sound of something loud, off in the distance. As she opened her eyes, realization hit her of where she was and who she was with. Guilt came crashing down on her once again.

Knock, knock, knock, "Amy."

Wait a minute… That wasn't some random noise. That was a very specific knocking pattern. That was Sheldon. Panic started to wash over her and she wondered how she was going to face him after what she had done.

Beside her, Dave started to open his eyes as well. He reached out and patted her shoulder. "There's someone at the door," he informed her, not knowing that she was already awake.

Knock, knock, knock, "Amy."

"That's Sheldon." She respond, getting up from bed and grabbing her robe from the hook behind her bedroom door. "No kidding, how's my hair?" He asked, excited for the opportunity to meet one of his scientific idols. Amy ignored that and rushed to answer the door.

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Sheldon was filled with nerves. After realizing that the song was about Amy, he had to see her as soon as possible. Not a moment more could be spared before he tells her that he needed her in his life. That he couldn't get her out of his heart. He needed to ask her to be his girlfriend again because one more second without her is unthinkable. He knows what he did wrong before and he was not going to make that same mistake again. This time, he would treat her right. This time, he will give her the love and attention she deserves. If she would only take him back.

He heard the lock of her apartment door click and his heart started beating out of his chest. This was it. This was his moment to let her know how important she was to him. That she wasn't a nuisance in his life, but rather the thing that keeps him sane.

The knob turned slowly and the door swung open. "Sheldon, this isn't a good time…" She said, confused as to why he was here. They needed to talk, but not while Dave was in her apartment. Maybe he can come back later. "I don't care," He started. He needed to get this out before he loses his nerve. He explained to her about the earworm and how he realized the song was about her, but before he could finish, something had moved into his line of vision. Or rather… someone. He froze, eyes locked on the man standing in Amy's apartment, who was currently putting a shirt on. Why was this man shirtless in the first place, and what was he doing in her apartment? That was when he paid more attention to how SHE looked: hair a mess, skin slightly flushed, and she was wearing only a robe. Not to mention, her eyes... were filled with shame. What does this mean? A man getting dressed in her home late at night, seemingly emerging in the direction of her bedroom, and she was wearing nothing but a robe? What does this mean?

His eyes widened. It's not possible. She wouldn't do such a thing. She woundn't.

"Sheldon, I can explain…" Amy said, her voice cracking as she reached out to touch his arm. His heart sunk into the pit of his stomach, feeling like he just got punched. "No…" He whispered, taking a step back. "Please… tell me you didn't…"

Tears started welling up in her eyes, but she couldn't tell him that she didn't do what she did. She wasn't going to lie to him, he didn't deserve that. "No…" he said again, shaking his head. "How-how could you..?" His face was white as a ghost, and his heart was racing wildly. How could the only woman he'd ever loved give herself to another man? He felt his chest constricting and it was getting harder and harder to breath. "Sheldon, I'm so sorry!" Amy cried as she covered her face with her hands. Tears were streaming down her face and she knew that things would never be the same again. That was all the confirmation he needed. He bolted out of there, running as fast as he could. He ran and ran, even when his heart was being squeezed in his chest, even when his eidetic memory would torture him with the image of his Amy standing there with that shame-filled look on her face and a half naked man behind her. He ran like his life depended on it.

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Sheldon stumbled into apartment 4A a few hours later. Leonard and penny got up immediately and rushed to his side. "What happened, buddy?" Leonard asked him, concern dripping from his voice. His best friend was breathing heavily, eyes puffy as though he had been crying for days, and shaking like a leaf. They helped him over to the couch so he could sit down. "Amy..." Sheldon whispered, trying to get the words out. "She… she… she was with a man." He started sobbing again, and the couple gave each other confused looks.

"Did you talk to her?" Penny asked, hoping that there was just a big misunderstanding. "She was WITH a man." Sheldon repeated, and Penny's eyes grew wide when she realized what he meant. Amy had slept with Dave Gibbs. Oh, no… she though. This was her fault. She knew that Amy was on a date tonight. She could've texted her that Sheldon was on his way. Maybe that could've stopped Amy from doing something that she will regret for the rest of her life.

Sheldon cried for hours in Leonard and Penny's arms until his eyes were dried out and his body was weak. They helped him into his bed, hoping he would get some rest. Sleep did not come to him, though. His mind replaying the earlier events over and over and over and over. How was he was going to move on from this? This pain was a million times worse than when Amy broke up with him, and he struggled to get over that at the time. How was he going to live with the knowledge that Amy had sept with another man? He pounded his fist on his pillow and gritted his teeth. That she gave her body to him? That she let him touch her in such a way? He sunk his fists into his hair. How was he going to face her when he sees her at work? Or worse, if she continues her friendships with his friends… How will he continue living? There was no one else in this world for him. It was just her. She was supposed to be his other half, the woman that made him whole, the one that stole his heart and never gave it back. Now she was someone else's? He clutched his chest angrily. He had never felt such pain in his entire life.

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UPDATE: I've had quite a few people asking about what happens next... This scenario was just meant to be a oneshot, so not sure if there will be a continuation. Sorry guys!

UPDATE 2: Clearly I've changed my mind... More to come for this story.